diff --git a/server/channels/api4/channel.go b/server/channels/api4/channel.go
index e9aaca1e64a..cf7932038aa 100644
--- a/server/channels/api4/channel.go
+++ b/server/channels/api4/channel.go
@@ -28,6 +28,24 @@ func rejectBoardChannelByID(c *Context, channelId string) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
+// rejectSpaceChannelByID returns true and sets c.Err if the channel ID belongs
+// to a space channel. Space channels must use the spaces API, not /channels.
+// Use this on write endpoints to give a clear error instead of a 404.
+// It reads from the primary so a freshly created space cannot slip through on
+// replica lag, and fails closed by rejecting on any error other than not-found.
+func rejectSpaceChannelByID(c *Context, channelId string) bool {
+	_, err := c.App.GetChannelOfType(c.AppContext.With(app.RequestContextWithMaster), channelId, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	if err == nil {
+		c.Err = model.NewAppError("", "api.channel.space_channel.app_error", nil, "space channels cannot be accessed via /channels endpoints", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		return true
+	}
+	if err.StatusCode != http.StatusNotFound {
+		c.Err = err
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 func (api *API) InitChannel() {
 	api.BaseRoutes.Channels.Handle("", api.APISessionRequired(getAllChannels)).Methods(http.MethodGet)
 	api.BaseRoutes.Channels.Handle("", api.APISessionRequired(createChannel)).Methods(http.MethodPost)
@@ -117,6 +135,11 @@ func createChannel(c *Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		c.SetInvalidParamWithDetails("type", "cannot create space channels via /channels endpoint")
+		return
+	}
+
 	license := c.App.Channels().License()
 	if !channel.IsGroupOrDirect() && model.SafeDereference(c.App.Config().PrivacySettings.UseAnonymousURLs) && model.MinimumEnterpriseAdvancedLicense(license) {
 		channel.Name = model.NewId()
@@ -2121,6 +2144,10 @@ func updateChannelMemberRoles(c *Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request
 		return
 	}
 
+	if rejectSpaceChannelByID(c, c.Params.ChannelId) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	props := model.MapFromJSON(r.Body)
 
 	newRoles := props["roles"]
@@ -2159,6 +2186,10 @@ func updateChannelMemberSchemeRoles(c *Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.R
 		return
 	}
 
+	if rejectSpaceChannelByID(c, c.Params.ChannelId) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	var schemeRoles model.SchemeRoles
 	if jsonErr := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&schemeRoles); jsonErr != nil {
 		c.SetInvalidParamWithErr("scheme_roles", jsonErr)
@@ -2195,6 +2226,10 @@ func updateChannelMemberNotifyProps(c *Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.R
 		return
 	}
 
+	if rejectSpaceChannelByID(c, c.Params.ChannelId) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	props := model.MapFromJSON(r.Body)
 	if props == nil {
 		c.SetInvalidParam("notify_props")
@@ -2241,6 +2276,10 @@ func updateChannelMemberAutotranslation(c *Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *ht
 		return
 	}
 
+	if rejectSpaceChannelByID(c, c.Params.ChannelId) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	props := UpdateChannelMemberAutotranslationProps{}
 	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&props); err != nil {
 		c.SetInvalidParamWithErr("autotranslation_disabled", err)
@@ -2840,6 +2879,10 @@ func channelMembersMinusGroupMembers(c *Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.
 		return
 	}
 
+	if rejectSpaceChannelByID(c, c.Params.ChannelId) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	groupIDsParam := groupIDsQueryParamRegex.ReplaceAllString(c.Params.GroupIDs, "")
 
 	if len(groupIDsParam) < 26 {
@@ -3145,6 +3188,10 @@ func convertGroupMessageToChannel(c *Context, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Req
 		return
 	}
 
+	if rejectSpaceChannelByID(c, c.Params.ChannelId) {
+		return
+	}
+
 	var gmConversionRequest *model.GroupMessageConversionRequestBody
 	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gmConversionRequest); err != nil || gmConversionRequest == nil {
 		c.SetInvalidParamWithErr("body", err)
diff --git a/server/channels/api4/channel_test.go b/server/channels/api4/channel_test.go
index ba8340b4faa..a23b79a84ba 100644
--- a/server/channels/api4/channel_test.go
+++ b/server/channels/api4/channel_test.go
@@ -333,6 +333,28 @@ func TestCreateChannel(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+func TestCreateChannelRejectsSpaceType(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	for _, enableDocs := range []bool{false, true} {
+		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("EnableDocs=%v", enableDocs), func(t *testing.T) {
+			th := SetupConfig(t, func(cfg *model.Config) {
+				cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = enableDocs
+			}).InitBasic(t)
+
+			space := &model.Channel{
+				DisplayName: "Space",
+				Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+				Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+				TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+			}
+			_, resp, err := th.Client.CreateChannel(context.Background(), space)
+			require.Error(t, err)
+			CheckBadRequestStatus(t, resp)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCreateChannelManagedCategory(t *testing.T) {
 	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
 	th := SetupConfig(t, func(cfg *model.Config) {
@@ -7795,6 +7817,382 @@ func TestChannelEndpointsExcludeBoards(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+// createTestSpaceChannel creates a ChannelTypeSpace ("S") backing channel directly through the
+// store, since spaces have no dedicated REST creation endpoint in this slice.
+func createTestSpaceChannel(t *testing.T, th *TestHelper) *model.Channel {
+	t.Helper()
+	space := &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}
+	space, err := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Save(th.Context, space, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	return space
+}
+
+// addUserToSpaceChannel makes a user a member of a space backing channel. Membership is written
+// directly through the store, since this slice has no app/REST path for adding members to a
+// space, and the per-user authorization cache is invalidated so SessionHasPermissionToChannel
+// sees the new membership.
+func addUserToSpaceChannel(t *testing.T, th *TestHelper, space *model.Channel, userID string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	_, err := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().SaveMember(th.Context, &model.ChannelMember{
+		ChannelId:   space.Id,
+		UserId:      userID,
+		NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(),
+		SchemeUser:  true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().InvalidateAllChannelMembersForUser(userID)
+}
+
+// TestChannelEndpointsExcludeSpaces mirrors TestChannelEndpointsExcludeBoards for the space ("S")
+// backing-channel type: it 404s on every /channels endpoint and never leaks into any list, search,
+// or by-name surface, except where rejectSpaceChannelByID guards a member-mutation endpoint or
+// view-state marking no-ops through the store-level type filter.
+func TestChannelEndpointsExcludeSpaces(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	client := th.Client
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	space := createTestSpaceChannel(t, th)
+
+	// BasicUser is a member of the space backing channel (e.g. a page collaborator).
+	addUserToSpaceChannel(t, th, space, th.BasicUser.Id)
+
+	assertNoSpacesInList := func(t *testing.T, channels []*model.Channel) {
+		t.Helper()
+		for _, ch := range channels {
+			assert.NotEqual(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, ch.Type, "space channel %s should not appear in channel list", ch.Id)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// --- Space backing channels never leak into list/search surfaces ---
+
+	t.Run("getPublicChannelsForTeam excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := client.GetPublicChannelsForTeam(ctx, th.BasicTeam.Id, 0, 100, "")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertNoSpacesInList(t, channels)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getPrivateChannelsForTeam excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := th.SystemAdminClient.GetPrivateChannelsForTeam(ctx, th.BasicTeam.Id, 0, 100, "")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertNoSpacesInList(t, channels)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getDeletedChannelsForTeam excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		deletedSpace := createTestSpaceChannel(t, th)
+		nErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Delete(deletedSpace.Id, model.GetMillis())
+		require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+		channels, _, err := th.SystemAdminClient.GetDeletedChannelsForTeam(ctx, th.BasicTeam.Id, 0, 100, "")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertNoSpacesInList(t, channels)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("searchChannels excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := client.SearchChannels(ctx, th.BasicTeam.Id, &model.ChannelSearch{Term: "space"})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertNoSpacesInList(t, channels)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("autocompleteChannelsForTeam excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := client.AutocompleteChannelsForTeam(ctx, th.BasicTeam.Id, "space")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertNoSpacesInList(t, []*model.Channel(channels))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("searchAllChannels excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := th.SystemAdminClient.SearchAllChannels(ctx, &model.ChannelSearch{Term: "space"})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		for _, ch := range channels {
+			assert.NotEqual(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, ch.Type, "space channel %s should not appear in searchAllChannels results", ch.Id)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getAllChannels excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := th.SystemAdminClient.GetAllChannels(ctx, 0, 100, "")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		for _, ch := range channels {
+			assert.NotEqual(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, ch.Type, "space channel %s should not appear in getAllChannels results", ch.Id)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelsForTeamForUser excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := client.GetChannelsForTeamForUser(ctx, th.BasicTeam.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, false, "")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertNoSpacesInList(t, channels)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelsForUser excludes spaces even for a member", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := client.GetChannelsForUserWithLastDeleteAt(ctx, th.BasicUser.Id, 0)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertNoSpacesInList(t, channels)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelsMemberCount excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		counts, _, err := client.GetChannelsMemberCount(ctx, []string{th.BasicChannel.Id, space.Id})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		_, hasRegular := counts[th.BasicChannel.Id]
+		assert.True(t, hasRegular, "regular channel should be in member count results")
+		_, hasSpace := counts[space.Id]
+		assert.False(t, hasSpace, "space backing channel should not be in member count results")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelByName 404s for space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelByName(ctx, space.Name, th.BasicTeam.Id, "")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelByNameForTeamName 404s for space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelByNameForTeamName(ctx, space.Name, th.BasicTeam.Name, "")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("searchAllChannelsForUser excludes spaces", func(t *testing.T) {
+		channels, _, err := client.SearchAllChannelsForUser(ctx, "space")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		for _, ch := range channels {
+			assert.NotEqual(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, ch.Type, "space channel %s should not appear in searchAllChannelsForUser results", ch.Id)
+		}
+	})
+
+	// --- Like boards, a space backing channel is excluded from the generic getChannel and
+	// --- 404s for everyone; it resolves only through the dedicated space APIs. ---
+
+	t.Run("getChannel 404s a space for a member", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannel(ctx, space.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannel 404s a space for system admin", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.GetChannel(ctx, space.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	// --- Generic destructive/conversion endpoints 404 (Get-resolving) or reject (member-mutation) spaces ---
+
+	t.Run("createChannel rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.CreateChannel(ctx, &model.Channel{
+			TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+			DisplayName: "Space",
+			Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+			Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+		})
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckBadRequestStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("deleteChannel 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.DeleteChannel(ctx, space.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("updateChannelPrivacy 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.UpdateChannelPrivacy(ctx, space.Id, model.ChannelTypeOpen)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("restoreChannel 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.RestoreChannel(ctx, space.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("updateChannelScheme rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		originalLicense := th.App.Srv().License()
+		th.App.Srv().SetLicense(model.NewTestLicense(""))
+		defer th.App.Srv().SetLicense(originalLicense)
+
+		err := th.App.SetPhase2PermissionsMigrationStatus(true)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		channelScheme, _, err := th.SystemAdminClient.CreateScheme(ctx, &model.Scheme{
+			DisplayName: "DisplayName",
+			Name:        model.NewId(),
+			Description: "Some description",
+			Scope:       model.SchemeScopeChannel,
+		})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.UpdateChannelScheme(ctx, space.Id, channelScheme.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	// --- Generic member/view-state mutation endpoints reject or no-op spaces (managed by the spaces feature) ---
+
+	t.Run("viewChannel silently no-ops a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Spaces carry no chat read-state: GetChannelsWithUnreadsAndWithMentions filters
+		// them out, so viewing one succeeds without marking anything viewed — the same
+		// behavior as a nonexistent channel ID.
+		viewResp, resp, err := client.ViewChannel(ctx, th.BasicUser.Id, &model.ChannelView{ChannelId: space.Id})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		CheckOKStatus(t, resp)
+		require.NotContains(t, viewResp.LastViewedAtTimes, space.Id)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("updateChannelMemberRoles rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.UpdateChannelRoles(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, "channel_user")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckBadRequestStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("updateChannelMemberSchemeRoles rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.UpdateChannelMemberSchemeRoles(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, &model.SchemeRoles{SchemeUser: true})
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckBadRequestStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("updateChannelMemberNotifyProps rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resp, err := client.UpdateChannelNotifyProps(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, map[string]string{model.MarkUnreadNotifyProp: model.ChannelMarkUnreadAll})
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckBadRequestStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("updateChannelMemberAutotranslation rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mockAutotranslation := &einterfacesmocks.AutoTranslationInterface{}
+		mockAutotranslation.On("IsFeatureAvailable").Return(true)
+		originalAutoTranslation := th.Server.AutoTranslation
+		th.Server.AutoTranslation = mockAutotranslation
+		defer func() {
+			th.Server.AutoTranslation = originalAutoTranslation
+		}()
+
+		resp, err := client.UpdateChannelMemberAutotranslation(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, true)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckBadRequestStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("addChannelMember 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.AddChannelMember(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicUser2.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("setChannelMembers 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.SetChannelMembers(ctx, space.Id, &model.SetChannelMembersRequest{Members: []string{th.BasicUser2.Id}}, 0, 0)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("moveChannel 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.MoveChannel(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicTeam.Id, false)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	// --- Generic read endpoints that resolve the channel via GetChannel return 403 for spaces,
+	// --- because GetChannel returns not-found for space channels, which SessionHasPermissionToChannel
+	// --- treats as no permission. No explicit space guard is needed here. ---
+
+	t.Run("getChannelStats rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelStats(ctx, space.Id, "", false)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckForbiddenStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelMembers rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelMembers(ctx, space.Id, 0, 100, "")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckForbiddenStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelMembersTimezones rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelMembersTimezones(ctx, space.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckForbiddenStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelMembersByIds rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelMembersByIds(ctx, space.Id, []string{th.BasicUser.Id})
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckForbiddenStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelMember rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelMember(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, "")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckForbiddenStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("channelMemberCountsByGroup rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		originalLicense := th.App.Srv().License()
+		th.App.Srv().SetLicense(model.NewTestLicense())
+		defer th.App.Srv().SetLicense(originalLicense)
+
+		_, resp, err := client.GetChannelMemberCountsByGroup(ctx, space.Id, false, "")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckForbiddenStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("channelMembersMinusGroupMembers rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, _, resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.ChannelMembersMinusGroupMembers(ctx, space.Id, []string{model.NewId()}, 0, 100, "")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckBadRequestStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("getChannelAccessControlAttributes rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		r, err := client.DoAPIGet(ctx, "/channels/"+space.Id+"/access_control/attributes", "")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.Equal(t, http.StatusForbidden, r.StatusCode)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("convertGroupMessageToChannel rejects a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resp, err := client.DoAPIPost(ctx, "/channels/"+space.Id+"/convert_to_channel", "{}")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		require.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, resp.StatusCode)
+	})
+
+	// --- rejectSpaceChannelByID passes through a not-found result (a nonexistent id is definitely
+	// --- not a space), so the endpoint's own not-found/permission handling surfaces normally ---
+
+	t.Run("updateChannelMemberRoles on a nonexistent channel behaves as before", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resp, err := th.SystemAdminClient.UpdateChannelRoles(ctx, model.NewId(), th.BasicUser.Id, "channel_user")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckForbiddenStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+}
+
+// TestLocalChannelEndpoints404Spaces verifies the local (admin socket) channel endpoints 404 a
+// space, the same as /api/v4: space channels are excluded from the generic GetChannel these
+// handlers resolve through, so they never reach the mutation.
+func TestLocalChannelEndpoints404Spaces(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	space := createTestSpaceChannel(t, th)
+
+	t.Run("local deleteChannel 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resp, err := th.LocalClient.DeleteChannel(ctx, space.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("local restoreChannel 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.LocalClient.RestoreChannel(ctx, space.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("local addChannelMember 404s a space", func(t *testing.T) {
+		_, resp, err := th.LocalClient.AddChannelMember(ctx, space.Id, th.BasicUser2.Id)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		CheckNotFoundStatus(t, resp)
+	})
+}
+
 func TestSetChannelMembers(t *testing.T) {
 	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
 	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
diff --git a/server/channels/app/channel.go b/server/channels/app/channel.go
index 551b1912a7d..c80952254d7 100644
--- a/server/channels/app/channel.go
+++ b/server/channels/app/channel.go
@@ -165,6 +165,10 @@ func (a *App) CreateChannelWithUser(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, us
 		return nil, model.NewAppError("CreateChannelWithUser", "app.channel.create_channel.board_type.app_error", nil, "use CreateBoardChannel instead", http.StatusBadRequest)
 	}
 
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return nil, model.NewAppError("CreateChannelWithUser", "app.channel.create_channel.space_type.app_error", nil, "use CreateChannel instead", http.StatusBadRequest)
+	}
+
 	if channel.TeamId == "" {
 		return nil, model.NewAppError("CreateChannelWithUser", "app.channel.create_channel.no_team_id.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest)
 	}
@@ -237,6 +241,10 @@ func (a *App) CreateChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, addMember
 		return nil, model.NewAppError("CreateChannel", "app.channel.create_channel.board_type.app_error", nil, "use CreateBoardChannel instead", http.StatusBadRequest)
 	}
 
+	if channel.IsSpace() && !a.Config().FeatureFlags.EnableDocs {
+		return nil, model.NewAppError("CreateChannel", "app.channel.create_channel.spaces_not_enabled.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusForbidden)
+	}
+
 	channel.DisplayName = strings.TrimSpace(channel.DisplayName)
 	channel.DefaultCategoryName = strings.TrimSpace(channel.DefaultCategoryName)
 	channel.ManagedCategoryName = strings.TrimSpace(channel.ManagedCategoryName)
@@ -326,6 +334,10 @@ func (a *App) CreateChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, addMember
 		}
 	}
 
+	if sc.IsSpace() {
+		return sc, nil
+	}
+
 	a.Srv().Go(func() {
 		pluginContext := pluginContext(rctx)
 		a.ch.RunMultiHook(func(hooks plugin.Hooks, _ *model.Manifest) bool {
@@ -737,7 +749,18 @@ func (a *App) GetGroupChannel(rctx request.CTX, userIDs []string) (*model.Channe
 
 // UpdateChannel updates a given channel by its Id. It also publishes the CHANNEL_UPDATED event.
 func (a *App) UpdateChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
-	oldChannel, getErr := a.Srv().Store().Channel().Get(channel.Id, true)
+	// The generic Get excludes spaces, so fetch a space by its exact type instead; otherwise
+	// UpdateChannel can't load the existing channel and a rename or header edit would fail with
+	// a not-found before it reaches the store.
+	// Read from master: spaces are uncached, so an update right after create would otherwise
+	// miss against a lagging replica.
+	var oldChannel *model.Channel
+	var getErr error
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		oldChannel, getErr = a.Srv().Store().Channel().GetChannelOfType(RequestContextWithMaster(rctx), channel.Id, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	} else {
+		oldChannel, getErr = a.Srv().Store().Channel().Get(channel.Id, true)
+	}
 	if getErr != nil {
 		errCtx := map[string]any{"channel_id": channel.Id}
 		var nfErr *store.ErrNotFound
@@ -749,34 +772,38 @@ func (a *App) UpdateChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel) (*model.Ch
 		}
 	}
 
-	enforced, appErr := a.ChannelAccessControlled(rctx, channel.Id)
-	if appErr != nil {
-		return nil, appErr
-	}
-	if enforced {
-		if channel.Type != model.ChannelTypePrivate && channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeOpen {
-			return nil, model.NewAppError("UpdateChannel", "api.channel.update_channel.not_allowed.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusForbidden)
+	// Space backing channels are internal: skip ABAC enforcement and the plugin
+	// ChannelWillBeUpdated hook, matching the other space lifecycle paths.
+	if !channel.IsSpace() {
+		enforced, appErr := a.ChannelAccessControlled(rctx, channel.Id)
+		if appErr != nil {
+			return nil, appErr
+		}
+		if enforced {
+			if channel.Type != model.ChannelTypePrivate && channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeOpen {
+				return nil, model.NewAppError("UpdateChannel", "api.channel.update_channel.not_allowed.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusForbidden)
+			}
+
+			// Block public ↔ private conversion while an ABAC policy is attached.
+			// Public-channel and private-channel ABAC have asymmetric semantics
+			// (advisory recommend/auto-add vs hard-gate with member removal); a
+			// silent type flip would change what the existing policy actually
+			// does to members. The admin must remove the policy first and
+			// re-apply it after the conversion if they still want it.
+			if oldChannel.Type != channel.Type {
+				return nil, model.NewAppError("UpdateChannel",
+					"api.channel.update_channel.policy_enforced_type_conversion.app_error",
+					nil, "channel has an active ABAC policy; remove the policy before converting between public and private", http.StatusBadRequest)
+			}
 		}
 
-		// Block public ↔ private conversion while an ABAC policy is attached.
-		// Public-channel and private-channel ABAC have asymmetric semantics
-		// (advisory recommend/auto-add vs hard-gate with member removal); a
-		// silent type flip would change what the existing policy actually
-		// does to members. The admin must remove the policy first and
-		// re-apply it after the conversion if they still want it.
-		if oldChannel.Type != channel.Type {
-			return nil, model.NewAppError("UpdateChannel",
-				"api.channel.update_channel.policy_enforced_type_conversion.app_error",
-				nil, "channel has an active ABAC policy; remove the policy before converting between public and private", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		var channelErr *model.AppError
+		channel, channelErr = a.runGuardedChannelWillBeUpdated(rctx, channel, oldChannel)
+		if channelErr != nil {
+			return nil, channelErr
 		}
 	}
 
-	var channelErr *model.AppError
-	channel, channelErr = a.runGuardedChannelWillBeUpdated(rctx, channel, oldChannel)
-	if channelErr != nil {
-		return nil, channelErr
-	}
-
 	_, err := a.Srv().Store().Channel().Update(rctx, channel)
 	if err != nil {
 		var appErr *model.AppError
@@ -796,6 +823,11 @@ func (a *App) UpdateChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel) (*model.Ch
 
 	a.Srv().Platform().InvalidateCacheForChannel(channel)
 
+	// Space backing channels are internal: skip the channel_updated broadcast.
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return channel, nil
+	}
+
 	messageWs := model.NewWebSocketEvent(model.WebsocketEventChannelUpdated, "", channel.Id, "", nil, "")
 	channelJSON, jsonErr := json.Marshal(channel)
 	if jsonErr != nil {
@@ -849,6 +881,10 @@ func (a *App) UpdateChannelScheme(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel) (*mo
 }
 
 func (a *App) UpdateChannelPrivacy(rctx request.CTX, oldChannel *model.Channel, user *model.User) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	if oldChannel.IsSpace() {
+		return nil, model.NewAppError("UpdateChannelPrivacy", "app.channel.update_channel_privacy.space.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest)
+	}
+
 	wasDiscoverable := oldChannel.Discoverable
 	// Public channels are inherently joinable; the discoverable flag only
 	// has meaning for private channels. Clear it eagerly so callers reading
@@ -946,8 +982,11 @@ func (a *App) RestoreChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, userID st
 		return nil, model.NewAppError("restoreChannel", "api.channel.restore_channel.restored.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest)
 	}
 
-	if appErr := a.runGuardedChannelWillBeRestored(rctx, channel); appErr != nil {
-		return nil, appErr
+	// Space backing channels are internal; plugin ChannelWillBeRestored hooks are skipped.
+	if !channel.IsSpace() {
+		if appErr := a.runGuardedChannelWillBeRestored(rctx, channel); appErr != nil {
+			return nil, appErr
+		}
 	}
 
 	if err := a.Srv().Store().Channel().Restore(channel.Id, model.GetMillis()); err != nil {
@@ -956,6 +995,11 @@ func (a *App) RestoreChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, userID st
 	channel.DeleteAt = 0
 	a.Srv().Platform().InvalidateCacheForChannel(channel)
 
+	// Space backing channels are internal: skip the channel_restored chat event and system post.
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return channel, nil
+	}
+
 	var message *model.WebSocketEvent
 	if channel.Type == model.ChannelTypeOpen {
 		message = model.NewWebSocketEvent(model.WebsocketEventChannelRestored, channel.TeamId, "", "", nil, "")
@@ -1693,16 +1737,19 @@ func (a *App) DeleteChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, userID str
 		return err
 	}
 
-	var archiveRejectionReason string
-	pluginContext := pluginContext(rctx)
-	a.ch.RunMultiHook(func(hooks plugin.Hooks, _ *model.Manifest) bool {
-		archiveRejectionReason = hooks.ChannelWillBeArchived(pluginContext, channel)
-		return archiveRejectionReason == ""
-	}, plugin.ChannelWillBeArchivedID)
+	// Space backing channels are internal; plugin ChannelWillBeArchived hooks are skipped.
+	if !channel.IsSpace() {
+		var archiveRejectionReason string
+		pluginContext := pluginContext(rctx)
+		a.ch.RunMultiHook(func(hooks plugin.Hooks, _ *model.Manifest) bool {
+			archiveRejectionReason = hooks.ChannelWillBeArchived(pluginContext, channel)
+			return archiveRejectionReason == ""
+		}, plugin.ChannelWillBeArchivedID)
 
-	if archiveRejectionReason != "" {
-		return model.NewAppError("DeleteChannel", "app.channel.delete_channel.rejected_by_plugin",
-			map[string]any{"Reason": archiveRejectionReason}, "", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		if archiveRejectionReason != "" {
+			return model.NewAppError("DeleteChannel", "app.channel.delete_channel.rejected_by_plugin",
+				map[string]any{"Reason": archiveRejectionReason}, "", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		}
 	}
 
 	deleteAt := model.GetMillis()
@@ -1711,40 +1758,43 @@ func (a *App) DeleteChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, userID str
 		return model.NewAppError("DeleteChannel", "app.channel.delete.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusInternalServerError).Wrap(err)
 	}
 
-	if user != nil {
-		T := i18n.GetUserTranslations(user.Locale)
+	// Space backing channels are internal and skip the archive system post.
+	if !channel.IsSpace() {
+		if user != nil {
+			T := i18n.GetUserTranslations(user.Locale)
 
-		post := &model.Post{
-			ChannelId: channel.Id,
-			Message:   fmt.Sprintf(T("api.channel.delete_channel.archived"), user.Username),
-			Type:      model.PostTypeChannelDeleted,
-			UserId:    userID,
-			Props: model.StringInterface{
-				"username": user.Username,
-			},
-		}
-
-		if _, _, err := a.CreatePost(rctx, post, channel, model.CreatePostFlags{SetOnline: true}); err != nil {
-			rctx.Logger().Warn("Failed to post archive message", mlog.Err(err))
-		}
-	} else {
-		systemBot, err := a.GetSystemBot(rctx)
-		if err != nil {
-			rctx.Logger().Warn("Failed to post archive message", mlog.Err(err))
-		} else {
 			post := &model.Post{
 				ChannelId: channel.Id,
-				Message:   fmt.Sprintf(i18n.T("api.channel.delete_channel.archived"), systemBot.Username),
+				Message:   fmt.Sprintf(T("api.channel.delete_channel.archived"), user.Username),
 				Type:      model.PostTypeChannelDeleted,
-				UserId:    systemBot.UserId,
+				UserId:    userID,
 				Props: model.StringInterface{
-					"username": systemBot.Username,
+					"username": user.Username,
 				},
 			}
 
 			if _, _, err := a.CreatePost(rctx, post, channel, model.CreatePostFlags{SetOnline: true}); err != nil {
 				rctx.Logger().Warn("Failed to post archive message", mlog.Err(err))
 			}
+		} else {
+			systemBot, err := a.GetSystemBot(rctx)
+			if err != nil {
+				rctx.Logger().Warn("Failed to post archive message", mlog.Err(err))
+			} else {
+				post := &model.Post{
+					ChannelId: channel.Id,
+					Message:   fmt.Sprintf(i18n.T("api.channel.delete_channel.archived"), systemBot.Username),
+					Type:      model.PostTypeChannelDeleted,
+					UserId:    systemBot.UserId,
+					Props: model.StringInterface{
+						"username": systemBot.Username,
+					},
+				}
+
+				if _, _, err := a.CreatePost(rctx, post, channel, model.CreatePostFlags{SetOnline: true}); err != nil {
+					rctx.Logger().Warn("Failed to post archive message", mlog.Err(err))
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -1774,6 +1824,10 @@ func (a *App) DeleteChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, userID str
 
 	a.Srv().Platform().InvalidateCacheForChannel(channel)
 
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	var message *model.WebSocketEvent
 	if channel.Type == model.ChannelTypeOpen {
 		message = model.NewWebSocketEvent(model.WebsocketEventChannelDeleted, channel.TeamId, "", "", nil, "")
@@ -1788,7 +1842,7 @@ func (a *App) DeleteChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, userID str
 }
 
 func (a *App) addUserToChannel(rctx request.CTX, user *model.User, channel *model.Channel) (*model.ChannelMember, *model.AppError) {
-	if channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeOpen && channel.Type != model.ChannelTypePrivate {
+	if channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeOpen && channel.Type != model.ChannelTypePrivate && !channel.IsSpace() {
 		return nil, model.NewAppError("AddUserToChannel", "api.channel.add_user_to_channel.type.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest)
 	}
 
@@ -1858,9 +1912,11 @@ func (a *App) addUserToChannel(rctx request.CTX, user *model.User, channel *mode
 	}
 
 	var channelMemberErr *model.AppError
-	newMember, channelMemberErr = a.runGuardedChannelMemberWillBeAdded(rctx, channel.Id, newMember)
-	if channelMemberErr != nil {
-		return nil, channelMemberErr
+	if !channel.IsSpace() {
+		newMember, channelMemberErr = a.runGuardedChannelMemberWillBeAdded(rctx, channel.Id, newMember)
+		if channelMemberErr != nil {
+			return nil, channelMemberErr
+		}
 	}
 
 	newMember, nErr = a.Srv().Store().Channel().SaveMember(rctx, newMember)
@@ -1910,6 +1966,10 @@ func (a *App) AddUserToChannel(rctx request.CTX, user *model.User, channel *mode
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return newMember, nil
+	}
+
 	a.addChannelToDefaultCategory(rctx, user.Id, channel)
 
 	// We are sending separate websocket events to the user added and to the channel
@@ -1971,6 +2031,10 @@ func (a *App) AddChannelMember(rctx request.CTX, userID string, channel *model.C
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return cm, nil
+	}
+
 	a.Srv().Go(func() {
 		pluginContext := pluginContext(rctx)
 		a.ch.RunMultiHook(func(hooks plugin.Hooks, _ *model.Manifest) bool {
@@ -2187,6 +2251,23 @@ func (a *App) GetBoardChannel(rctx request.CTX, channelID string) (*model.Channe
 	return channel, nil
 }
 
+// GetChannelOfType resolves a channel by ID, requiring it to be of the given type. Generic
+// channel access goes through GetChannel, which excludes opaque backing channel types (e.g.
+// space); callers that legitimately need such a channel ask for it by its exact type here.
+func (a *App) GetChannelOfType(rctx request.CTX, channelID string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	channel, err := a.Srv().Store().Channel().GetChannelOfType(rctx, channelID, channelType)
+	if err != nil {
+		var nfErr *store.ErrNotFound
+		switch {
+		case errors.As(err, &nfErr):
+			return nil, model.NewAppError("GetChannelOfType", "app.channel.get.existing.app_error", map[string]any{"channel_id": channelID}, "", http.StatusNotFound).Wrap(err)
+		default:
+			return nil, model.NewAppError("GetChannelOfType", "app.channel.get.find.app_error", map[string]any{"channel_id": channelID}, "", http.StatusInternalServerError).Wrap(err)
+		}
+	}
+	return channel, nil
+}
+
 func (s *Server) getChannel(rctx request.CTX, channelID string) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
 	channel, err := s.Store().Channel().Get(channelID, true)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -2958,18 +3039,26 @@ func (a *App) removeUserFromChannel(rctx request.CTX, userIDToRemove string, rem
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+		// GetChannelMembersForUser excludes space backing channels. A guest still in a space
+		// belongs to the team, so count space memberships before evicting them from the team.
 		if len(currentMembers) == 0 {
-			teamMember, err := a.GetTeamMember(rctx, channel.TeamId, userIDToRemove)
-			if err != nil {
-				return model.NewAppError("removeUserFromChannel", "api.team.remove_user_from_team.missing.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest).Wrap(err)
+			spaceChannels, sErr := a.Srv().Store().Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(channel.TeamId, userIDToRemove)
+			if sErr != nil {
+				return model.NewAppError("removeUserFromChannel", "app.channel.get_channels.get.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusInternalServerError).Wrap(sErr)
 			}
+			if len(spaceChannels) == 0 {
+				teamMember, err := a.GetTeamMember(rctx, channel.TeamId, userIDToRemove)
+				if err != nil {
+					return model.NewAppError("removeUserFromChannel", "api.team.remove_user_from_team.missing.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest).Wrap(err)
+				}
 
-			if err := a.ch.srv.teamService.RemoveTeamMember(rctx, teamMember); err != nil {
-				return model.NewAppError("removeUserFromChannel", "api.team.remove_user_from_team.missing.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest).Wrap(err)
-			}
+				if err := a.ch.srv.teamService.RemoveTeamMember(rctx, teamMember); err != nil {
+					return model.NewAppError("removeUserFromChannel", "api.team.remove_user_from_team.missing.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest).Wrap(err)
+				}
 
-			if err = a.postProcessTeamMemberLeave(rctx, teamMember, removerUserId); err != nil {
-				return err
+				if err = a.postProcessTeamMemberLeave(rctx, teamMember, removerUserId); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -2979,6 +3068,11 @@ func (a *App) removeUserFromChannel(rctx request.CTX, userIDToRemove string, rem
 	a.Srv().Store().AutoTranslation().InvalidateUserAutoTranslation(userIDToRemove, channel.Id)
 	a.Srv().Store().AutoTranslation().InvalidateUserLocaleCache(userIDToRemove)
 
+	// Space backing channels are internal: skip the user_removed chat events and plugin hook.
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	var actorUser *model.User
 	if removerUserId != "" {
 		actorUser, _ = a.GetUser(removerUserId)
@@ -3020,6 +3114,11 @@ func (a *App) RemoveUserFromChannel(rctx request.CTX, userIDToRemove string, rem
 		return err
 	}
 
+	// Space backing channels are internal: skip the leave/remove system post.
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	var user *model.User
 	if user, err = a.GetUser(userIDToRemove); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -3690,6 +3789,10 @@ func (a *App) PermanentDeleteChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel) *
 
 	a.Srv().Platform().InvalidateCacheForChannel(channel)
 
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	var message *model.WebSocketEvent
 	if channel.Type == model.ChannelTypeOpen {
 		message = model.NewWebSocketEvent(model.WebsocketEventChannelDeleted, channel.TeamId, "", "", nil, "")
@@ -3715,6 +3818,10 @@ func (a *App) RemoveAllDeactivatedMembersFromChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *
 // MoveChannel method is prone to data races if someone joins to channel during the move process. However this
 // function is only exposed to sysadmins and the possibility of this edge case is relatively small.
 func (a *App) MoveChannel(rctx request.CTX, team *model.Team, channel *model.Channel, user *model.User) *model.AppError {
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return model.NewAppError("MoveChannel", "app.channel.move_channel.space.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusForbidden)
+	}
+
 	// Check that all channel members are in the destination team.
 	channelMembers, err := a.GetChannelMembersPage(rctx, channel.Id, 0, 10000000)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/server/channels/app/channel_test.go b/server/channels/app/channel_test.go
index 5238b2f16bd..787e4cee00f 100644
--- a/server/channels/app/channel_test.go
+++ b/server/channels/app/channel_test.go
@@ -505,6 +505,57 @@ func TestCreateChannelDisplayNameTrimsWhitespace(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, channel.DisplayName, "Public 1")
 }
 
+func TestCreateChannelSpaceRequiresEnableDocs(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	newSpace := func(teamID string) *model.Channel {
+		return &model.Channel{
+			DisplayName: "Space",
+			Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+			Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+			TeamId:      teamID,
+		}
+	}
+
+	t.Run("CreateChannel rejects a space channel when EnableDocs is off", func(t *testing.T) {
+		th := SetupConfig(t, func(cfg *model.Config) {
+			cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = false
+		}).InitBasic(t)
+
+		_, appErr := th.App.CreateChannel(th.Context, newSpace(th.BasicTeam.Id), false)
+		require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+		assert.Equal(t, "app.channel.create_channel.spaces_not_enabled.app_error", appErr.Id)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusForbidden, appErr.StatusCode)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CreateChannel allows a space channel when EnableDocs is on", func(t *testing.T) {
+		th := SetupConfig(t, func(cfg *model.Config) {
+			cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = true
+		}).InitBasic(t)
+
+		channel, appErr := th.App.CreateChannel(th.Context, newSpace(th.BasicTeam.Id), false)
+		require.Nil(t, appErr)
+		defer func() {
+			require.NoError(t, th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().PermanentDelete(th.Context, channel.Id))
+		}()
+		assert.Equal(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, channel.Type)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CreateChannelWithUser rejects a space channel", func(t *testing.T) {
+		// Space backing channels are created through CreateChannel (the docs plugin path),
+		// never CreateChannelWithUser, which applies chat semantics (sidebar category, join
+		// post, channel_created event) that do not belong on an internal backing channel.
+		th := SetupConfig(t, func(cfg *model.Config) {
+			cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = true
+		}).InitBasic(t)
+
+		_, appErr := th.App.CreateChannelWithUser(th.Context, newSpace(th.BasicTeam.Id), th.BasicUser.Id)
+		require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+		assert.Equal(t, "app.channel.create_channel.space_type.app_error", appErr.Id)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, appErr.StatusCode)
+	})
+}
+
 func TestUpdateChannelPrivacy(t *testing.T) {
 	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
 	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
@@ -518,6 +569,24 @@ func TestUpdateChannelPrivacy(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, publicChannel.Type, model.ChannelTypeOpen)
 }
 
+func TestUpdateChannelPrivacyRejectsSpace(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+
+	space, err := th.GetSqlStore().Channel().Save(th.Context, &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	_, appErr := th.App.UpdateChannelPrivacy(th.Context, space, th.BasicUser)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	assert.Equal(t, "app.channel.update_channel_privacy.space.app_error", appErr.Id)
+	assert.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, appErr.StatusCode)
+}
+
 func TestUpdateChannelPrivacyWebSocketEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
 	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
@@ -1016,6 +1085,44 @@ func TestLeaveLastChannel(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+func TestLeaveLastChannelGuestStillInSpace(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+
+	guest := th.CreateGuest(t)
+	th.LinkUserToTeam(t, guest, th.BasicTeam)
+
+	townSquare, appErr := th.App.GetChannelByName(th.Context, "town-square", th.BasicTeam.Id, false)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	th.AddUserToChannel(t, guest, townSquare)
+	th.AddUserToChannel(t, guest, th.BasicChannel)
+
+	// The guest also belongs to a space backing channel, which GetChannelMembersForUser excludes.
+	// Leaving every chat channel must not evict them from the team while a space membership remains.
+	space, nErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Save(th.Context, &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+	_, nErr = th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().SaveMember(th.Context, &model.ChannelMember{
+		ChannelId:   space.Id,
+		UserId:      guest.Id,
+		NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(),
+		SchemeGuest: true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	appErr = th.App.LeaveChannel(th.Context, townSquare.Id, guest.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	appErr = th.App.LeaveChannel(th.Context, th.BasicChannel.Id, guest.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	_, appErr = th.App.GetTeamMember(th.Context, th.BasicTeam.Id, guest.Id)
+	assert.Nil(t, appErr, "guest still in a space should keep the team membership")
+}
+
 func TestAddChannelMemberNoUserRequestor(t *testing.T) {
 	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
 	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
diff --git a/server/channels/app/plugin_api.go b/server/channels/app/plugin_api.go
index 2c709a06875..2c39b95dac9 100644
--- a/server/channels/app/plugin_api.go
+++ b/server/channels/app/plugin_api.go
@@ -467,7 +467,8 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) GetLDAPUserAttributes(userID string, attributes []string)
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) CreateChannel(channel *model.Channel) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
 	UseAnonymousURLs := model.SafeDereference(api.app.Config().PrivacySettings.UseAnonymousURLs) && model.MinimumEnterpriseAdvancedLicense(api.app.License())
-	if !channel.IsGroupOrDirect() && UseAnonymousURLs {
+	// Space backing channels have system-assigned names, not user-visible URLs — anonymous-URL scrambling does not apply.
+	if !channel.IsGroupOrDirect() && !channel.IsSpace() && UseAnonymousURLs {
 		channel.Name = model.NewId()
 	}
 
@@ -475,13 +476,22 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) CreateChannel(channel *model.Channel) (*model.Channel, *mo
 }
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) DeleteChannel(channelID string) *model.AppError {
-	channel, err := api.app.GetChannel(api.ctx, channelID)
+	channel, err := api.resolveChannel(channelID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	return api.app.DeleteChannel(api.ctx, channel, "")
 }
 
+func (api *PluginAPI) RestoreChannel(channelID string) *model.AppError {
+	channel, err := api.resolveChannel(channelID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	_, err = api.app.RestoreChannel(api.ctx, channel, "")
+	return err
+}
+
 func (api *PluginAPI) GetPublicChannelsForTeam(teamID string, page, perPage int) ([]*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
 	channels, err := api.app.GetPublicChannelsForTeam(api.ctx, teamID, page*perPage, perPage)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -494,6 +504,58 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) GetChannel(channelID string) (*model.Channel, *model.AppEr
 	return api.app.GetChannel(api.ctx, channelID)
 }
 
+// GetChannelOfType resolves a channel by ID, requiring it to be of the given type. Generic
+// GetChannel excludes opaque backing channel types (e.g. space); plugins that manage such a
+// channel resolve it by its exact type here.
+func (api *PluginAPI) GetChannelOfType(channelID string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	ctx := api.ctx
+	// Opaque backing types (e.g. space) are uncached and created without waiting for replica
+	// replication, so a plugin resolving one immediately after creating it could miss it on a
+	// lagging replica; read those from master. Cached message-bearing types stay on the replica.
+	if channelType == model.ChannelTypeSpace {
+		ctx = RequestContextWithMaster(api.ctx)
+	}
+	return api.app.GetChannelOfType(ctx, channelID, channelType)
+}
+
+// resolveChannel fetches a channel by ID for plugin API mutation methods. Generic channel
+// lookups exclude opaque backing channel types (e.g. space); on 404 this retries the ID
+// against each known backing type so plugins can manage backing channels through the standard
+// API without a separate resolution step. The retry uses master context to avoid
+// read-after-write misses on lagging replicas.
+func (api *PluginAPI) resolveChannel(channelID string) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	return resolveChannelByID(
+		api.ctx,
+		channelID,
+		api.app.GetChannel,
+		api.app.GetChannelOfType,
+	)
+}
+
+// resolveChannelByID is the testable core of resolveChannel.
+// It is a package-level function so tests can inject controlled fetch functions.
+func resolveChannelByID(
+	rctx request.CTX,
+	channelID string,
+	getChannel func(request.CTX, string) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError),
+	getChannelOfType func(request.CTX, string, model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError),
+) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	channel, err := getChannel(rctx, channelID)
+	if err == nil {
+		return channel, nil
+	}
+	if err.StatusCode != http.StatusNotFound {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// Generic lookup excludes backing channel types; retry as each known backing type.
+	if spaceChannel, spErr := getChannelOfType(RequestContextWithMaster(rctx), channelID, model.ChannelTypeSpace); spErr == nil {
+		return spaceChannel, nil
+	} else if spErr.StatusCode != http.StatusNotFound {
+		return nil, spErr
+	}
+	return nil, err
+}
+
 func (api *PluginAPI) GetChannelByName(teamID, name string, includeDeleted bool) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
 	return api.app.GetChannelByName(api.ctx, name, teamID, includeDeleted)
 }
@@ -621,12 +683,16 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) SearchPostsInTeamForUser(teamID string, userID string, sea
 }
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) AddChannelMember(channelID, userID string) (*model.ChannelMember, *model.AppError) {
-	channel, err := api.GetChannel(channelID)
+	channel, err := api.resolveChannel(channelID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	ctx := api.ctx
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		ctx = RequestContextWithMaster(api.ctx)
+	}
 
-	return api.app.AddChannelMember(api.ctx, userID, channel, ChannelMemberOpts{
+	return api.app.AddChannelMember(ctx, userID, channel, ChannelMemberOpts{
 		// For now, don't allow overriding these via the plugin API.
 		UserRequestorID: "",
 		PostRootID:      "",
@@ -634,12 +700,16 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) AddChannelMember(channelID, userID string) (*model.Channel
 }
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) AddUserToChannel(channelID, userID, asUserID string) (*model.ChannelMember, *model.AppError) {
-	channel, err := api.GetChannel(channelID)
+	channel, err := api.resolveChannel(channelID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	ctx := api.ctx
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		ctx = RequestContextWithMaster(api.ctx)
+	}
 
-	return api.app.AddChannelMember(api.ctx, userID, channel, ChannelMemberOpts{
+	return api.app.AddChannelMember(ctx, userID, channel, ChannelMemberOpts{
 		UserRequestorID: asUserID,
 	})
 }
@@ -667,15 +737,46 @@ func (api *PluginAPI) UpdateChannelMemberRoles(channelID, userID, newRoles strin
 }
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) UpdateChannelMemberNotifications(channelID, userID string, notifications map[string]string) (*model.ChannelMember, *model.AppError) {
+	if appErr := api.rejectSpaceChannel(channelID); appErr != nil {
+		return nil, appErr
+	}
 	return api.app.UpdateChannelMemberNotifyProps(api.ctx, notifications, channelID, userID)
 }
 
 func (api *PluginAPI) PatchChannelMembersNotifications(members []*model.ChannelMemberIdentifier, notifications map[string]string) *model.AppError {
+	for _, member := range members {
+		if appErr := api.rejectSpaceChannel(member.ChannelId); appErr != nil {
+			return appErr
+		}
+	}
 	_, err := api.app.PatchChannelMembersNotifyProps(api.ctx, members, notifications)
 	return err
 }
 
+// rejectSpaceChannel returns a bad-request AppError when channelID is a space backing channel.
+// Notify-prop mutations carry chat semantics (they emit a channel_member_updated event) that do
+// not belong on an internal space backing channel, so they are rejected here. It fails closed by
+// propagating any error other than not-found, so a lookup failure cannot let a space through.
+func (api *PluginAPI) rejectSpaceChannel(channelID string) *model.AppError {
+	_, err := api.app.GetChannelOfType(RequestContextWithMaster(api.ctx), channelID, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	if err == nil {
+		return model.NewAppError("PluginAPI.rejectSpaceChannel", "plugin_api.channel.space_notify_props.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusBadRequest)
+	}
+	if err.StatusCode != http.StatusNotFound {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (api *PluginAPI) DeleteChannelMember(channelID, userID string) *model.AppError {
+	channel, err := api.resolveChannel(channelID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		// Space backing channels resolve outside LeaveChannel's generic GetChannel; remove directly.
+		return api.app.RemoveUserFromChannel(RequestContextWithMaster(api.ctx), userID, userID, channel)
+	}
 	return api.app.LeaveChannel(api.ctx, channelID, userID)
 }
 
diff --git a/server/channels/app/plugin_api_test.go b/server/channels/app/plugin_api_test.go
index f5ecf5e8009..a1be73a4933 100644
--- a/server/channels/app/plugin_api_test.go
+++ b/server/channels/app/plugin_api_test.go
@@ -3799,6 +3799,366 @@ func TestPluginAPICreateChannelManagedCategory(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, categoryName, mappings[createdChannel.Id])
 }
 
+func TestPluginAPICreateSpaceRequiresEnableDocs(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(false)
+	t.Cleanup(func() { th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(true) })
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	newSpace := func() *model.Channel {
+		return &model.Channel{
+			TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+			DisplayName: "Space",
+			Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+			Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+			CreatorId:   th.BasicUser.Id,
+		}
+	}
+
+	t.Run("EnableDocs off: CreateChannel rejects space type", func(t *testing.T) {
+		th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = false })
+
+		_, appErr := api.CreateChannel(newSpace())
+		require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+		assert.Equal(t, http.StatusForbidden, appErr.StatusCode)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("EnableDocs on: CreateChannel allows space type", func(t *testing.T) {
+		th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = true })
+		defer th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = false })
+
+		space, appErr := api.CreateChannel(newSpace())
+		require.Nil(t, appErr)
+		require.Equal(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, space.Type)
+		t.Cleanup(func() {
+			require.NoError(t, th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().PermanentDelete(th.Context, space.Id))
+		})
+	})
+}
+
+func TestPluginAPICreateSpaceAndAddMember(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(false)
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(true)
+	})
+	th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = true })
+	defer th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = false })
+
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	// Reproduces the docs plugin's CreateSpace flow: create the space backing channel,
+	// then add the creator as a member. Both must succeed through the plugin API.
+	space := &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+		CreatorId:   th.BasicUser.Id,
+	}
+	created, appErr := api.CreateChannel(space)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, created.Type)
+
+	member, appErr := api.AddChannelMember(created.Id, th.BasicUser.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, created.Id, member.ChannelId)
+	require.Equal(t, th.BasicUser.Id, member.UserId)
+
+	// AddUserToChannel skips the sidebar default-category assignment for a space backing channel,
+	// so the space must not appear in the member's sidebar categories.
+	categories, appErr := th.App.GetSidebarCategories(th.Context, th.BasicUser.Id, th.BasicTeam.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	for _, category := range categories.Categories {
+		require.NotContains(t, category.Channels, created.Id, "space backing channel must not appear in the sidebar")
+	}
+
+	// AddUserToChannel resolves the space backing channel through the same 404 fallback.
+	added, appErr := api.AddUserToChannel(created.Id, th.BasicUser2.Id, th.BasicUser.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, created.Id, added.ChannelId)
+	require.Equal(t, th.BasicUser2.Id, added.UserId)
+
+	// DeleteChannelMember resolves the space backing channel and removes the member.
+	appErr = api.DeleteChannelMember(created.Id, th.BasicUser2.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	_, appErr = api.GetChannelMember(created.Id, th.BasicUser2.Id)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, appErr.StatusCode)
+}
+
+func TestPluginAPIChannelMemberNotificationsRejectSpace(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	space := &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}
+	space, nErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Save(th.Context, space, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+	_, nErr = th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().SaveMember(th.Context, &model.ChannelMember{
+		ChannelId:   space.Id,
+		UserId:      th.BasicUser.Id,
+		NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(),
+		SchemeUser:  true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	notifications := map[string]string{model.MarkUnreadNotifyProp: model.ChannelMarkUnreadMention}
+
+	// Notify-prop mutations carry chat semantics (a channel_member_updated event) that do not
+	// belong on an internal space backing channel, so the plugin API rejects them like /channels.
+	_, appErr := api.UpdateChannelMemberNotifications(space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, notifications)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, appErr.StatusCode)
+
+	appErr = api.PatchChannelMembersNotifications(
+		[]*model.ChannelMemberIdentifier{{ChannelId: space.Id, UserId: th.BasicUser.Id}},
+		notifications,
+	)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusBadRequest, appErr.StatusCode)
+
+	// A regular channel is unaffected.
+	_, appErr = api.UpdateChannelMemberNotifications(th.BasicChannel.Id, th.BasicUser.Id, notifications)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+}
+
+func TestPluginAPIUpdateSpaceBackingChannel(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(false)
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(true)
+	})
+	th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = true })
+	defer th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = false })
+
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	space := &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+		CreatorId:   th.BasicUser.Id,
+	}
+	created, appErr := api.CreateChannel(space)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	// Reproduces the docs plugin's rename/metadata sync: fetch the backing channel, edit its
+	// user-visible fields, and Update it. UpdateChannel must resolve the space through the
+	// dedicated path instead of 404ing on the space-excluding generic Get.
+	created.DisplayName = "Renamed Space"
+	created.Header = "New header"
+	updated, appErr := api.UpdateChannel(created)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, "Renamed Space", updated.DisplayName)
+	require.Equal(t, "New header", updated.Header)
+
+	got, appErr := api.GetChannelOfType(created.Id, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, "Renamed Space", got.DisplayName)
+	require.Equal(t, "New header", got.Header)
+}
+
+func TestPluginAPISpaceLifecycleSkipsChatSideEffects(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(false)
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(true)
+	})
+	th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = true })
+	defer th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = false })
+
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	space := &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+		CreatorId:   th.BasicUser.Id,
+	}
+	created, appErr := api.CreateChannel(space)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	_, appErr = api.AddChannelMember(created.Id, th.BasicUser.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	appErr = api.DeleteChannel(created.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	appErr = api.RestoreChannel(created.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	// Internal backing channels get none of the chat-UI side effects: no join system post on
+	// member add, no archive post on delete, no unarchive post on restore.
+	posts, appErr := th.App.GetPosts(th.Context, created.Id, 0, 60)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	assert.Empty(t, posts.Order, "space backing channel should carry no join/archive/restore system posts")
+}
+
+func TestPluginAPIDeleteAndRestoreChannelAllowSpace(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	space := &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}
+	space, nErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Save(th.Context, space, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	// The docs plugin manages the space backing channel lifecycle through these plugin APIs,
+	// so archive and restore must succeed on a space channel.
+	appErr := api.DeleteChannel(space.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	appErr = api.RestoreChannel(space.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+}
+
+func TestPluginAPIGetChannelOfType(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	space := &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}
+	space, nErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Save(th.Context, space, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	// Resolves an opaque backing channel type (space) that generic GetChannel excludes.
+	got, appErr := api.GetChannelOfType(space.Id, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, space.Id, got.Id)
+	require.Equal(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, got.Type)
+
+	// Also resolves a non-opaque type by ID + type.
+	got, appErr = api.GetChannelOfType(th.BasicChannel.Id, model.ChannelTypeOpen)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, th.BasicChannel.Id, got.Id)
+
+	// A type mismatch (space ID asked for as an open channel) returns not-found.
+	_, appErr = api.GetChannelOfType(space.Id, model.ChannelTypeOpen)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, appErr.StatusCode)
+
+	// A regular channel ID is not a space, so this returns not-found.
+	_, appErr = api.GetChannelOfType(th.BasicChannel.Id, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, appErr.StatusCode)
+}
+
+func TestPluginAPIResolveSpaceChannelNotFound(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+	api := th.SetupPluginAPI()
+
+	nonExistentID := model.NewId()
+
+	// A genuinely non-existent ID (neither regular channel nor space) should return a not-found error.
+	appErr := api.DeleteChannel(nonExistentID)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, appErr.StatusCode)
+
+	appErr = api.RestoreChannel(nonExistentID)
+	require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+	require.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, appErr.StatusCode)
+}
+
+func TestResolveChannelByID(t *testing.T) {
+	// resolveChannelByID has three branches that must be covered:
+	//  1. GetChannel succeeds → return that channel (no space lookup).
+	//  2. GetChannel returns 404 AND GetChannelOfType succeeds → return the space.
+	//  3. GetChannel returns a non-404 error → return that error immediately, skip the space lookup.
+	// Branches 1 and 2 are exercised by the integration tests above.
+	// Branch 3 cannot be triggered through a live DB (a SELECT by ID either finds the row or
+	// returns ErrNotFound), so it is covered here by calling the extracted function directly
+	// with controlled stubs.
+
+	th := Setup(t)
+	ctx := th.Context
+
+	t.Run("non-404 from GetChannel is propagated without attempting space lookup", func(t *testing.T) {
+		dbErr := model.NewAppError("store.Get", "store.sql_channel.get.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusInternalServerError)
+
+		spaceWasCalled := false
+		getChannel := func(_ request.CTX, _ string) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+			return nil, dbErr
+		}
+		getChannelOfType := func(_ request.CTX, _ string, _ model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+			spaceWasCalled = true
+			return nil, model.NewAppError("store.GetChannelOfType", "not_found", nil, "", http.StatusNotFound)
+		}
+
+		got, appErr := resolveChannelByID(ctx, model.NewId(), getChannel, getChannelOfType)
+		require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+		require.Equal(t, http.StatusInternalServerError, appErr.StatusCode)
+		require.Nil(t, got)
+		require.False(t, spaceWasCalled, "space lookup must not be attempted when GetChannel returns a non-404 error")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("non-404 from GetChannelOfType is propagated", func(t *testing.T) {
+		notFoundErr := model.NewAppError("store.Get", "not_found", nil, "", http.StatusNotFound)
+		spaceErr := model.NewAppError("store.GetChannelOfType", "store.sql_channel.get.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusInternalServerError)
+
+		getChannel := func(_ request.CTX, _ string) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+			return nil, notFoundErr
+		}
+		getChannelOfType := func(_ request.CTX, _ string, _ model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+			return nil, spaceErr
+		}
+
+		got, appErr := resolveChannelByID(ctx, model.NewId(), getChannel, getChannelOfType)
+		require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+		require.Equal(t, http.StatusInternalServerError, appErr.StatusCode)
+		require.Nil(t, got)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("404 from both returns the original GetChannel 404", func(t *testing.T) {
+		notFoundErr := model.NewAppError("store.Get", "not_found", nil, "", http.StatusNotFound)
+		spaceNotFoundErr := model.NewAppError("store.GetChannelOfType", "not_found", nil, "", http.StatusNotFound)
+
+		getChannel := func(_ request.CTX, _ string) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+			return nil, notFoundErr
+		}
+		getChannelOfType := func(_ request.CTX, _ string, _ model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+			return nil, spaceNotFoundErr
+		}
+
+		got, appErr := resolveChannelByID(ctx, model.NewId(), getChannel, getChannelOfType)
+		require.NotNil(t, appErr)
+		require.Equal(t, http.StatusNotFound, appErr.StatusCode)
+		require.Equal(t, notFoundErr, appErr, "should return the original GetChannel error, not the space error")
+		require.Nil(t, got)
+	})
+}
+
 func TestPluginAPICreateChannelAnonymousURLs(t *testing.T) {
 	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
 
@@ -3858,6 +4218,39 @@ func TestPluginAPICreateChannelAnonymousURLs(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.True(t, model.IsValidId(createdChannel.Name), "channel name should be a valid server-generated ID")
 	})
 
+	t.Run("should preserve space backing channel name when UseAnonymousURLs is enabled", func(t *testing.T) {
+		th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(false)
+		defer th.ConfigStore.SetReadOnlyFF(true)
+		th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) {
+			*cfg.PrivacySettings.UseAnonymousURLs = true
+			cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = true
+		})
+		defer th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) {
+			*cfg.PrivacySettings.UseAnonymousURLs = false
+			cfg.FeatureFlags.EnableDocs = false
+		})
+
+		th.App.Srv().SetLicense(model.NewTestLicenseSKU(model.LicenseShortSkuEnterpriseAdvanced))
+		defer func() {
+			appErr := th.App.Srv().RemoveLicense()
+			require.Nil(t, appErr)
+		}()
+
+		originalName := "space-" + model.NewId()
+		channel := &model.Channel{
+			DisplayName: "Space",
+			Name:        originalName,
+			Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+			TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		}
+
+		createdChannel, appErr := api.CreateChannel(channel)
+		require.Nil(t, appErr)
+		require.NotNil(t, createdChannel)
+
+		assert.Equal(t, originalName, createdChannel.Name, "space backing channel name should not be rewritten")
+	})
+
 	t.Run("should preserve channel name when UseAnonymousURLs is disabled", func(t *testing.T) {
 		th.App.UpdateConfig(func(cfg *model.Config) { *cfg.PrivacySettings.UseAnonymousURLs = false })
 
diff --git a/server/channels/app/team.go b/server/channels/app/team.go
index be5ba75b577..43ad2a5e34c 100644
--- a/server/channels/app/team.go
+++ b/server/channels/app/team.go
@@ -1389,6 +1389,20 @@ func (a *App) LeaveTeam(rctx request.CTX, team *model.Team, user *model.User, re
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Space backing channels are excluded from GetChannels, so their membership rows survive a
+	// plain team leave and keep authorizing space-scoped WebSocket delivery to a former member.
+	// Remove them explicitly.
+	spaceChannels, sErr := a.Srv().Store().Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(team.Id, user.Id)
+	if sErr != nil {
+		return model.NewAppError("LeaveTeam", "app.channel.get_channels.get.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusInternalServerError).Wrap(sErr)
+	}
+	for _, channel := range spaceChannels {
+		a.invalidateCacheForChannelMembers(channel.Id)
+		if appErr := a.removeChannelMembership(rctx, user.Id, channel.Id, "LeaveTeam"); appErr != nil {
+			return appErr
+		}
+	}
+
 	if *a.Config().ServiceSettings.ExperimentalEnableDefaultChannelLeaveJoinMessages {
 		channel, cErr := a.Srv().Store().Channel().GetByName(team.Id, model.DefaultChannelName, false)
 		if cErr != nil {
@@ -1924,6 +1938,18 @@ func (a *App) PermanentDeleteTeam(rctx request.CTX, team *model.Team) *model.App
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Space backing channels are excluded from GetTeamChannels, so tear them down explicitly to
+	// avoid leaving hidden channels, members, and posts behind with a dead TeamId.
+	spaceChannels, spaceErr := a.Srv().Store().Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannels(team.Id)
+	if spaceErr != nil {
+		return model.NewAppError("PermanentDeleteTeam", "app.channel.get_channels.get.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusInternalServerError).Wrap(spaceErr)
+	}
+	for _, ch := range spaceChannels {
+		if err := a.PermanentDeleteChannel(rctx, ch); err != nil {
+			rctx.Logger().Warn("Error permanently deleting space channel during team deletion", mlog.String("channel_id", ch.Id), mlog.String("team_id", team.Id), mlog.Err(err))
+		}
+	}
+
 	if err := a.Srv().Store().Team().RemoveAllMembersByTeam(team.Id); err != nil {
 		return model.NewAppError("PermanentDeleteTeam", "app.team.remove_member.app_error", nil, "", http.StatusInternalServerError).Wrap(err)
 	}
diff --git a/server/channels/app/team_test.go b/server/channels/app/team_test.go
index f928d7b5cac..24527b8de27 100644
--- a/server/channels/app/team_test.go
+++ b/server/channels/app/team_test.go
@@ -803,6 +803,75 @@ func TestPermanentDeleteTeam(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestPermanentDeleteTeamRemovesSpaceChannels(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+
+	team := th.CreateTeam(t)
+
+	// Space backing channels are excluded from GetTeamChannels, so team teardown must clean them
+	// up through the dedicated path or they orphan with a dead TeamId.
+	space, nErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Save(th.Context, &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      team.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	_, nErr = th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().SaveMember(th.Context, &model.ChannelMember{
+		ChannelId:   space.Id,
+		UserId:      th.BasicUser.Id,
+		NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(),
+		SchemeUser:  true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	// Sanity: the space backing channel resolves through the typed getter before deletion.
+	_, appErr := th.App.GetChannelOfType(th.Context, space.Id, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	appErr = th.App.PermanentDeleteTeam(th.Context, team)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	// Assert through the typed getter: generic Get already excludes spaces, so it returns
+	// not-found whether or not the row was deleted and would pass vacuously.
+	_, getErr := th.App.GetChannelOfType(th.Context, space.Id, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	require.NotNil(t, getErr, "space backing channel should be permanently deleted with its team")
+
+	_, memErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().GetMember(th.Context, space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id)
+	require.Error(t, memErr, "space channel membership should be removed with its team")
+}
+
+func TestLeaveTeamRemovesSpaceMemberships(t *testing.T) {
+	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
+	th := Setup(t).InitBasic(t)
+
+	// Space backing channels are excluded from GetChannels, so a plain team leave leaves their
+	// membership rows behind unless LeaveTeam removes them explicitly.
+	space, nErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().Save(th.Context, &model.Channel{
+		TeamId:      th.BasicTeam.Id,
+		DisplayName: "Space",
+		Name:        "space-" + model.NewId(),
+		Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+	}, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	_, nErr = th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().SaveMember(th.Context, &model.ChannelMember{
+		ChannelId:   space.Id,
+		UserId:      th.BasicUser.Id,
+		NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(),
+		SchemeUser:  true,
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
+	appErr := th.App.LeaveTeam(th.Context, th.BasicTeam, th.BasicUser, th.BasicUser.Id)
+	require.Nil(t, appErr)
+
+	_, memErr := th.App.Srv().Store().Channel().GetMember(th.Context, space.Id, th.BasicUser.Id)
+	require.Error(t, memErr, "space channel membership should be removed when the user leaves the team")
+}
+
 func TestSanitizeTeam(t *testing.T) {
 	mainHelper.Parallel(t)
 	th := Setup(t)
@@ -1152,6 +1221,7 @@ func TestLeaveTeamPanic(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}, nil)
 	mockChannelStore.On("GetChannels", "myteam", "userID", mock.Anything).Return(model.ChannelList{}, nil)
+	mockChannelStore.On("GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser", "myteam", "userID").Return(model.ChannelList{}, nil)
 
 	var err error
 	th.App.ch.srv.userService, err = users.New(users.ServiceConfig{
diff --git a/server/channels/db/migrations/migrations.list b/server/channels/db/migrations/migrations.list
index c9980270a1c..bfc9a4b1274 100644
--- a/server/channels/db/migrations/migrations.list
+++ b/server/channels/db/migrations/migrations.list
@@ -401,3 +401,5 @@ channels/db/migrations/postgres/000202_create_property_values_groupid_updateat_i
 channels/db/migrations/postgres/000202_create_property_values_groupid_updateat_id_index.up.sql
 channels/db/migrations/postgres/000203_add_lastnotifiedat_to_user_access_tokens.down.sql
 channels/db/migrations/postgres/000203_add_lastnotifiedat_to_user_access_tokens.up.sql
+channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.down.sql
+channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.up.sql
diff --git a/server/channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.down.sql b/server/channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.down.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b9546210f8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.down.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+-- Removing the space channel type. Channels with type S should be deleted
+-- before running this migration. Postgres cannot drop a value from an existing
+-- enum in place, so the 'S' value remains.
+SELECT 1;
diff --git a/server/channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.up.sql b/server/channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.up.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..dd7d264bd7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/channels/db/migrations/postgres/000204_add_channel_type_space_enum.up.sql
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+ALTER TYPE channel_type ADD VALUE IF NOT EXISTS 'S';
diff --git a/server/channels/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go b/server/channels/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go
index 2429909cd7b..0c1fa4d2890 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/localcachelayer/channel_layer.go
@@ -224,7 +224,10 @@ func (s LocalCacheChannelStore) GetPinnedPostCount(channelId string, allowFromCa
 
 func (s LocalCacheChannelStore) Save(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel, maxChannelsPerTeam int64, channelOptions ...model.ChannelOption) (*model.Channel, error) {
 	newChannel, err := s.ChannelStore.Save(rctx, channel, maxChannelsPerTeam, channelOptions...)
-	if err == nil {
+	// Space backing channels are excluded from the generic by-id Get/GetMany (SQL) and resolve
+	// only through GetChannelOfType; caching them here would let the generic cached lookups
+	// return them and defeat that exclusion.
+	if err == nil && !newChannel.IsSpace() {
 		s.rootStore.doStandardAddToCache(s.rootStore.channelByIdCache, newChannel.Id, newChannel)
 	}
 	return newChannel, err
diff --git a/server/channels/store/retrylayer/retrylayer.go b/server/channels/store/retrylayer/retrylayer.go
index 2a89e47bbac..f8d7d108c58 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/retrylayer/retrylayer.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/retrylayer/retrylayer.go
@@ -2097,6 +2097,27 @@ func (s *RetryLayerChannelStore) GetChannelMembersTimezones(channelID string) ([
 
 }
 
+func (s *RetryLayerChannelStore) GetChannelOfType(rctx request.CTX, id string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, error) {
+
+	tries := 0
+	for {
+		result, err := s.ChannelStore.GetChannelOfType(rctx, id, channelType)
+		if err == nil {
+			return result, nil
+		}
+		if !isRepeatableError(err) {
+			return result, err
+		}
+		tries++
+		if tries >= 3 {
+			err = errors.Wrap(err, "giving up after 3 consecutive repeatable transaction failures")
+			return result, err
+		}
+		timepkg.Sleep(100 * timepkg.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+}
+
 func (s *RetryLayerChannelStore) GetChannelUnread(channelID string, userID string) (*model.ChannelUnread, error) {
 
 	tries := 0
@@ -2985,6 +3006,48 @@ func (s *RetryLayerChannelStore) GetTeamMembersForChannel(rctx request.CTX, chan
 
 }
 
+func (s *RetryLayerChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+
+	tries := 0
+	for {
+		result, err := s.ChannelStore.GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID)
+		if err == nil {
+			return result, nil
+		}
+		if !isRepeatableError(err) {
+			return result, err
+		}
+		tries++
+		if tries >= 3 {
+			err = errors.Wrap(err, "giving up after 3 consecutive repeatable transaction failures")
+			return result, err
+		}
+		timepkg.Sleep(100 * timepkg.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+}
+
+func (s *RetryLayerChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID string, userID string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+
+	tries := 0
+	for {
+		result, err := s.ChannelStore.GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID, userID)
+		if err == nil {
+			return result, nil
+		}
+		if !isRepeatableError(err) {
+			return result, err
+		}
+		tries++
+		if tries >= 3 {
+			err = errors.Wrap(err, "giving up after 3 consecutive repeatable transaction failures")
+			return result, err
+		}
+		timepkg.Sleep(100 * timepkg.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+}
+
 func (s *RetryLayerChannelStore) GroupSyncedChannelCount() (int64, error) {
 
 	tries := 0
diff --git a/server/channels/store/searchlayer/channel_layer.go b/server/channels/store/searchlayer/channel_layer.go
index 0ff966e068f..370ed8fd9f9 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/searchlayer/channel_layer.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/searchlayer/channel_layer.go
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ func (c *SearchChannelStore) deleteChannelIndex(rctx request.CTX, channel *model
 }
 
 func (c *SearchChannelStore) indexChannel(rctx request.CTX, channel *model.Channel) {
+	// Space backing channels are internal and never surface in channel search.
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return
+	}
+
 	var userIDs, teamMemberIDs []string
 	var err error
 	if channel.Type == model.ChannelTypePrivate {
@@ -175,8 +180,11 @@ func (c *SearchChannelStore) RemoveMember(rctx request.CTX, channelID, userIdToR
 		c.rootStore.indexUserFromID(rctx, userIdToRemove)
 	}
 
-	channel, err := c.ChannelStore.Get(channelID, true)
-	if err == nil {
+	// return the removal result, not the re-index Get's — that Get returns
+	// not-found for space backing channels (excluded from the generic Get)
+	// and must not mask a successful removal.
+	channel, getErr := c.ChannelStore.Get(channelID, true)
+	if getErr == nil {
 		c.indexChannel(rctx, channel)
 	}
 
diff --git a/server/channels/store/sqlstore/channel_store.go b/server/channels/store/sqlstore/channel_store.go
index 7e4ecdbd527..4d8faaa191c 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/sqlstore/channel_store.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/sqlstore/channel_store.go
@@ -43,6 +43,28 @@ var messageChannelTypes = []model.ChannelType{
 	model.ChannelTypeGroup,
 }
 
+// nonMessageBackingChannelTypes is the deny-list for queries that filter by channel ID or
+// team+user rather than by type, so the messageChannelTypes allow-list does not apply to them.
+// A backing channel type must be added here when it writes real posts to the backing channel;
+// otherwise TotalMsgCount grows and the channel generates unread badges and push notifications
+// in the chat UI. Backing channel types that never write posts are already invisible in these
+// queries without an explicit filter and do not need to be listed here.
+var nonMessageBackingChannelTypes = []model.ChannelType{
+	model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+}
+
+// nonMessageBackingChannelTypesNotIn returns a "NOT IN (...)" SQL clause and its args for use
+// in raw SQL queries, keeping those callers in sync with the deny-list.
+func nonMessageBackingChannelTypesNotIn() (string, []any) {
+	placeholders := make([]string, len(nonMessageBackingChannelTypes))
+	args := make([]any, len(nonMessageBackingChannelTypes))
+	for i, t := range nonMessageBackingChannelTypes {
+		placeholders[i] = "?"
+		args[i] = string(t)
+	}
+	return "NOT IN (" + strings.Join(placeholders, ",") + ")", args
+}
+
 // teamMessageChannelTypes is messageChannelTypes minus direct channels, used
 // for team-scoped queries where direct channels don't belong.
 var teamMessageChannelTypes = []model.ChannelType{
@@ -774,7 +796,8 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) saveChannelT(transaction *sqlxTxWrapper, channel *model
 		return nil, err // we just pass through the error as-is for now.
 	}
 
-	if channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeDirect && channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeGroup && maxChannelsPerTeam >= 0 {
+	// Space channels are exempt from the per-team channel limit.
+	if channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeDirect && channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeGroup && channel.Type != model.ChannelTypeSpace && maxChannelsPerTeam >= 0 {
 		var count int64
 		if err := transaction.Get(&count, "SELECT COUNT(0) FROM Channels WHERE TeamId = ? AND DeleteAt = 0 AND (Type = ? OR Type = ?)", channel.TeamId, model.ChannelTypeOpen, model.ChannelTypePrivate); err != nil {
 			return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "save_channel_count: teamId=%s", channel.TeamId)
@@ -995,6 +1018,27 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetBoardChannel(id string) (*model.Channel, error) {
 	return &ch, nil
 }
 
+// GetChannelOfType fetches a channel by ID, requiring it to be of the given type. Unlike Get(),
+// it resolves opaque backing channel types (e.g. space) that Get() excludes; callers that need
+// such a channel ask for it by its exact type.
+func (s SqlChannelStore) GetChannelOfType(rctx request.CTX, id string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, error) {
+	ch := model.Channel{}
+	query := s.tableSelectQuery.Where(sq.And{
+		sq.Eq{"Id": id},
+		sq.Eq{"Type": channelType},
+	})
+
+	err := s.DBXFromContext(rctx.Context()).GetBuilder(&ch, query)
+	if err != nil {
+		if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
+			return nil, store.NewErrNotFound("Channel", id)
+		}
+		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to find channel with id = %s and type = %s", id, channelType)
+	}
+
+	return &ch, nil
+}
+
 //nolint:unparam
 func (s SqlChannelStore) GetMany(ids []string, allowFromCache bool) (model.ChannelList, error) {
 	query := s.getQueryBuilder().
@@ -1540,6 +1584,49 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetTeamChannels(teamId string) (model.ChannelList, erro
 	return data, nil
 }
 
+// GetTeamSpaceChannels returns all space (S) channels for a team, including archived ones, so
+// team teardown can remove them. GetTeamChannels/GetAll exclude spaces, hence this dedicated
+// enumerator. Returns an empty list (not ErrNotFound) when the team has no spaces. It reads from
+// the primary because its callers (team teardown, member cleanup) act on the result destructively
+// and must not miss a just-created space due to replica lag.
+func (s SqlChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamId string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+	data := model.ChannelList{}
+	query := s.tableSelectQuery.Where(sq.And{
+		sq.Eq{"TeamId": teamId},
+		sq.Eq{"Type": model.ChannelTypeSpace},
+	}).OrderBy("Id")
+
+	if err := s.GetMaster().SelectBuilder(&data, query); err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to find space Channels with teamId=%s", teamId)
+	}
+
+	return data, nil
+}
+
+// GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser returns the team's space (S) channels, including archived ones,
+// that the user is a member of. Space memberships are excluded from GetChannels and
+// GetChannelMembersForUser, hence this dedicated lookup. It reads from the primary because its
+// callers (team leave, guest eviction) act on the result destructively and must not miss a
+// just-created membership due to replica lag.
+func (s SqlChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamId string, userId string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+	data := model.ChannelList{}
+	query := s.getQueryBuilder().
+		Select(channelSliceColumns(true, "Channels")...).
+		From("Channels").
+		InnerJoin("ChannelMembers ON (Channels.Id = ChannelMembers.ChannelId)").
+		Where(sq.And{
+			sq.Eq{"Channels.TeamId": teamId},
+			sq.Eq{"Channels.Type": model.ChannelTypeSpace},
+			sq.Eq{"ChannelMembers.UserId": userId},
+		}).OrderBy("Channels.Id")
+
+	if err := s.GetMaster().SelectBuilder(&data, query); err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to find space Channels with teamId=%s and userId=%s", teamId, userId)
+	}
+
+	return data, nil
+}
+
 func (s SqlChannelStore) GetByNamesIncludeDeleted(teamId string, names []string, allowFromCache bool) ([]*model.Channel, error) {
 	return s.getByNames(teamId, names, allowFromCache, true)
 }
@@ -2158,7 +2245,9 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetChannelsWithUnreadsAndWithMentions(_ request.CTX, ch
 		Where(sq.Eq{
 			"ChannelMembers.ChannelId": channelIDs,
 			"ChannelMembers.UserId":    userID,
-		})
+		}).
+		// Space backing channels are internal and carry no chat read-state.
+		Where(sq.NotEq{"Channels.Type": nonMessageBackingChannelTypes})
 
 	queryString, args, err := query.ToSql()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -2231,7 +2320,9 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetTeamChannelsWithUnreadAndMentions(rctx request.CTX,
 		Where(sq.Eq{
 			"Channels.TeamId":       teamID,
 			"ChannelMembers.UserId": userID,
-		})
+		}).
+		// Space backing channels are internal and carry no chat read-state.
+		Where(sq.NotEq{"Channels.Type": nonMessageBackingChannelTypes})
 
 	var channels []struct {
 		Id            string
@@ -3144,6 +3235,7 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) AnalyticsCountAll(teamId string) (map[model.ChannelType
 	if teamId != "" {
 		query = query.Where(sq.Eq{"TeamId": teamId})
 	}
+	query = query.Where(sq.NotEq{"Type": nonMessageBackingChannelTypes})
 
 	sqlStr, args, err := query.ToSql()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -3175,6 +3267,7 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetMembersForUser(teamID string, userID string) (model.
 				sq.Eq{"Teams.Id": ""},
 				sq.Eq{"Teams.Id": nil},
 			},
+			sq.NotEq{"Channels.Type": nonMessageBackingChannelTypes},
 		}).ToSql()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "GetMembersForUser_ToSql teamID=%s userID=%s", teamID, userID)
@@ -3192,7 +3285,10 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetMembersForUser(teamID string, userID string) (model.
 func (s SqlChannelStore) GetMembersForUserWithPagination(userId string, page, perPage int) (model.ChannelMembersWithTeamData, error) {
 	dbMembers := channelMemberWithTeamWithSchemeRolesList{}
 	offset := page * perPage
-	err := s.GetReplica().Select(&dbMembers, channelMembersWithSchemeSelectQuery+"WHERE ChannelMembers.UserId = ? ORDER BY ChannelId ASC Limit ? Offset ?", userId, perPage, offset)
+	notInClause, notInArgs := nonMessageBackingChannelTypesNotIn()
+	queryArgs := append([]any{userId}, notInArgs...)
+	queryArgs = append(queryArgs, perPage, offset)
+	err := s.GetReplica().Select(&dbMembers, channelMembersWithSchemeSelectQuery+"WHERE ChannelMembers.UserId = ? AND Channels.Type "+notInClause+" ORDER BY ChannelId ASC Limit ? Offset ?", queryArgs...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to find ChannelMembers data with and userId=%s", userId)
 	}
@@ -3202,7 +3298,10 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetMembersForUserWithPagination(userId string, page, pe
 
 func (s SqlChannelStore) GetMembersForUserWithCursorPagination(userId string, perPage int, fromChannelID string) (model.ChannelMembersWithTeamData, error) {
 	dbMembers := channelMemberWithTeamWithSchemeRolesList{}
-	err := s.GetReplica().Select(&dbMembers, channelMembersWithSchemeSelectQuery+"WHERE ChannelMembers.UserId = ? AND ChannelId > ? ORDER BY ChannelId ASC Limit ?", userId, fromChannelID, perPage)
+	notInClause, notInArgs := nonMessageBackingChannelTypesNotIn()
+	queryArgs := append([]any{userId, fromChannelID}, notInArgs...)
+	queryArgs = append(queryArgs, perPage)
+	err := s.GetReplica().Select(&dbMembers, channelMembersWithSchemeSelectQuery+"WHERE ChannelMembers.UserId = ? AND ChannelId > ? AND Channels.Type "+notInClause+" ORDER BY ChannelId ASC Limit ?", queryArgs...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to find ChannelMembers data with and userId=%s", userId)
 	}
@@ -3971,7 +4070,7 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetMembersInfoByChannelIds(channelIDs []string) (map[st
 
 func (s SqlChannelStore) GetChannelsByScheme(schemeId string, offset int, limit int) (model.ChannelList, error) {
 	channels := model.ChannelList{}
-	query := s.tableSelectQuery.Where(sq.Eq{"SchemeId": schemeId}).OrderBy("DisplayName").Limit(uint64(limit)).Offset(uint64(offset))
+	query := s.tableSelectQuery.Where(sq.Eq{"SchemeId": schemeId}).Where(sq.NotEq{"Type": nonMessageBackingChannelTypes}).OrderBy("DisplayName").Limit(uint64(limit)).Offset(uint64(offset))
 
 	if err := s.GetReplica().SelectBuilder(&channels, query); err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to find Channels with schemeId=%s", schemeId)
@@ -4247,7 +4346,10 @@ func (s SqlChannelStore) GetChannelMembersForExport(userId string, teamId string
 	if !includeArchivedChannel {
 		q += " AND Channels.DeleteAt = 0"
 	}
-	err := s.GetReplica().Select(&members, q, userId, teamId)
+	notInClause, notInArgs := nonMessageBackingChannelTypesNotIn()
+	q += " AND Channels.Type " + notInClause
+	queryArgs := append([]any{userId, teamId}, notInArgs...)
+	err := s.GetReplica().Select(&members, q, queryArgs...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to find Channels for export")
 	}
diff --git a/server/channels/store/sqlstore/team_store.go b/server/channels/store/sqlstore/team_store.go
index 0b0bb936329..4cc40c1c925 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/sqlstore/team_store.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/sqlstore/team_store.go
@@ -1227,7 +1227,9 @@ func (s SqlTeamStore) GetChannelUnreadsForAllTeams(excludeTeamId, userId string)
 		From("Channels").
 		Join("ChannelMembers ON Id = ChannelId").
 		Where(sq.Eq{"UserId": userId, "DeleteAt": 0}).
-		Where(sq.NotEq{"TeamId": excludeTeamId}).ToSql()
+		Where(sq.NotEq{"TeamId": excludeTeamId}).
+		// Space backing channels are internal and carry no chat read-state.
+		Where(sq.NotEq{"Channels.Type": nonMessageBackingChannelTypes}).ToSql()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "team_tosql")
 	}
@@ -1246,7 +1248,9 @@ func (s SqlTeamStore) GetChannelUnreadsForTeam(teamId, userId string) ([]*model.
 		Select("Channels.TeamId TeamId", "Channels.Id ChannelId", "(Channels.TotalMsgCount - ChannelMembers.MsgCount) MsgCount", "(Channels.TotalMsgCountRoot - ChannelMembers.MsgCountRoot) MsgCountRoot", "ChannelMembers.MentionCount MentionCount", "ChannelMembers.MentionCountRoot MentionCountRoot", "ChannelMembers.NotifyProps NotifyProps").
 		From("Channels").
 		Join("ChannelMembers ON Id = ChannelId").
-		Where(sq.Eq{"UserId": userId, "TeamId": teamId, "DeleteAt": 0}).ToSql()
+		Where(sq.Eq{"UserId": userId, "TeamId": teamId, "DeleteAt": 0}).
+		// Space backing channels are internal and carry no chat read-state.
+		Where(sq.NotEq{"Channels.Type": nonMessageBackingChannelTypes}).ToSql()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "team_tosql")
 	}
diff --git a/server/channels/store/sqlstore/user_store.go b/server/channels/store/sqlstore/user_store.go
index 5d01f3a1072..4511e175aea 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/sqlstore/user_store.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/sqlstore/user_store.go
@@ -1587,6 +1587,8 @@ func (us SqlUserStore) GetUnreadCount(userId string, isCRTEnabled bool) (int64,
 		mentionCountColumn = "cm.MentionCountRoot"
 	}
 
+	// Space backing channels are internal and carry no chat read-state.
+	typeClause, typeArgs := nonMessageBackingChannelTypesNotIn()
 	query := `
 		SELECT SUM(` + mentionCountColumn + `)
 		FROM Channels c
@@ -1594,10 +1596,11 @@ func (us SqlUserStore) GetUnreadCount(userId string, isCRTEnabled bool) (int64,
 			ON cm.ChannelId = c.Id
 			AND cm.UserId = ?
 			AND c.DeleteAt = 0
+		WHERE c.Type ` + typeClause + `
 	`
 
 	var count int64
-	err := us.GetReplica().Get(&count, query, userId)
+	err := us.GetReplica().Get(&count, query, append([]any{userId}, typeArgs...)...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return count, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed to count unread Channels for userId=%s", userId)
 	}
diff --git a/server/channels/store/store.go b/server/channels/store/store.go
index ad81b4dccb9..79874e97064 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/store.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/store.go
@@ -206,6 +206,7 @@ type ChannelStore interface {
 	ClearSidebarOnTeamLeave(userID, teamID string) error
 	Get(id string, allowFromCache bool) (*model.Channel, error)
 	GetBoardChannel(id string) (*model.Channel, error)
+	GetChannelOfType(rctx request.CTX, id string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, error)
 	GetMany(ids []string, allowFromCache bool) (model.ChannelList, error)
 	InvalidateChannel(id string)
 	InvalidateChannelByName(teamID, name string)
@@ -230,6 +231,8 @@ type ChannelStore interface {
 	GetPublicChannelsForTeam(teamID string, offset int, limit int) (model.ChannelList, error)
 	GetPublicChannelsByIdsForTeam(teamID string, channelIds []string) (model.ChannelList, error)
 	GetTeamChannels(teamID string) (model.ChannelList, error)
+	GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID string) (model.ChannelList, error)
+	GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID string, userID string) (model.ChannelList, error)
 	GetAll(teamID string) ([]*model.Channel, error)
 	GetChannelsByIds(channelIds []string, includeDeleted bool) ([]*model.Channel, error)
 	GetChannelsWithTeamDataByIds(channelIds []string, includeDeleted bool) ([]*model.ChannelWithTeamData, error)
diff --git a/server/channels/store/storetest/channel_store.go b/server/channels/store/storetest/channel_store.go
index a1c6e25bfe3..b10a9ef512f 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/storetest/channel_store.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/storetest/channel_store.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"slices"
 	"sort"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -81,6 +82,9 @@ func TestChannelStore(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss store.Store, s SqlStore
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanupChannelStoreData(t, s) })
 
 	t.Run("Save", func(t *testing.T) { testChannelStoreSave(t, rctx, ss) })
+	t.Run("SpaceExclusion", func(t *testing.T) { testChannelStoreSpaceExclusion(t, rctx, ss) })
+	t.Run("GetTeamSpaceChannels", func(t *testing.T) { testChannelStoreGetTeamSpaceChannels(t, rctx, ss) })
+	t.Run("GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser", func(t *testing.T) { testChannelStoreGetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(t, rctx, ss) })
 	t.Run("SaveDirectChannel", func(t *testing.T) { testChannelStoreSaveDirectChannel(t, rctx, ss, s) })
 	t.Run("CreateDirectChannel", func(t *testing.T) { testChannelStoreCreateDirectChannel(t, rctx, ss) })
 	t.Run("GetMembersWithCursorPagination", func(t *testing.T) { testChannelStoreGetMembersWithCursorPagination(t, rctx, ss) })
@@ -9594,3 +9598,262 @@ func testGetTeamChannelsWithUnreadAndMentions(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss
 		require.Equal(t, o4.LastPostAt, times[o4.Id])
 	})
 }
+
+// testChannelStoreSpaceExclusion verifies the ChannelTypeSpace ("S") backing-channel contract:
+//   - opaque to the generic by-id reads (Get/GetMany); docs/spaces code resolves it only through
+//     GetChannelOfType with the space type;
+//   - resolvable in the per-user authorization membership map (GetAllChannelMembersForUser) so a
+//     space member is authorized for the backing channel;
+//   - excluded from aggregate/analytics and client-facing member listings so it never leaks into
+//     chat surfaces.
+func testChannelStoreSpaceExclusion(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss store.Store) {
+	teamID := model.NewId()
+
+	open := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Open", Name: "open-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeOpen}
+	_, err := ss.Channel().Save(rctx, open, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	space := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Space", Name: "space-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, space, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Space backing channels are opaque to the generic by-id reads and resolve only through
+	// GetChannelOfType with the space type.
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Get(space.Id, false)
+	var nfErr *store.ErrNotFound
+	require.True(t, errors.As(err, &nfErr), "Get must exclude space channels")
+
+	got, err := ss.Channel().GetChannelOfType(rctx, space.Id, model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, model.ChannelTypeSpace, got.Type)
+
+	many, err := ss.Channel().GetMany([]string{open.Id, space.Id}, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, many, 1, "GetMany must exclude space channels")
+	require.Equal(t, open.Id, many[0].Id)
+
+	// GetChannelsByIds is restricted to message-bearing types, so it excludes space channels.
+	byIds, err := ss.Channel().GetChannelsByIds([]string{open.Id, space.Id}, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, byIds, 1, "GetChannelsByIds must exclude space channels")
+	require.Equal(t, open.Id, byIds[0].Id)
+
+	// Aggregate reads exclude space backing channels.
+	counts, err := ss.Channel().AnalyticsCountAll(teamID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Zero(t, counts[model.ChannelTypeSpace], "space backing channels must be excluded from analytics counts")
+	require.EqualValues(t, 1, counts[model.ChannelTypeOpen])
+
+	// A user who is a member of both channels.
+	userID := model.NewId()
+	_, err = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, &model.ChannelMember{ChannelId: open.Id, UserId: userID, NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps()})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	_, err = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, &model.ChannelMember{ChannelId: space.Id, UserId: userID, NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps()})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// The authorization membership map MUST resolve the space channel so its members are
+	// authorized for the backing channel (same as board channels).
+	authMembers, err := ss.Channel().GetAllChannelMembersForUser(rctx, userID, false, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Contains(t, authMembers, open.Id)
+	require.Contains(t, authMembers, space.Id, "space backing channels must resolve in the authorization membership map")
+
+	// Client-facing member listings exclude space backing channels.
+	hasChannel := func(channelID string) func(m model.ChannelMemberWithTeamData) bool {
+		return func(m model.ChannelMemberWithTeamData) bool { return m.ChannelId == channelID }
+	}
+
+	paged, err := ss.Channel().GetMembersForUserWithPagination(userID, 0, 100)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.False(t, slices.ContainsFunc(paged, hasChannel(space.Id)), "GetMembersForUserWithPagination must exclude space channels")
+	require.True(t, slices.ContainsFunc(paged, hasChannel(open.Id)))
+
+	cursored, err := ss.Channel().GetMembersForUserWithCursorPagination(userID, 100, "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.False(t, slices.ContainsFunc(cursored, hasChannel(space.Id)), "GetMembersForUserWithCursorPagination must exclude space channels")
+	require.True(t, slices.ContainsFunc(cursored, hasChannel(open.Id)))
+
+	exported, err := ss.Channel().GetChannelMembersForExport(userID, teamID, false)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	var exportedSpace, exportedOpen bool
+	for _, m := range exported {
+		switch m.ChannelId {
+		case space.Id:
+			exportedSpace = true
+		case open.Id:
+			exportedOpen = true
+		}
+	}
+	require.False(t, exportedSpace, "GetChannelMembersForExport must exclude space channels")
+	require.True(t, exportedOpen)
+
+	// The team-scoped membership listing excludes space backing channels.
+	teamMembers, err := ss.Channel().GetMembersForUser(teamID, userID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.False(t, slices.ContainsFunc(teamMembers, func(m model.ChannelMember) bool { return m.ChannelId == space.Id }), "GetMembersForUser must exclude space channels")
+	require.True(t, slices.ContainsFunc(teamMembers, func(m model.ChannelMember) bool { return m.ChannelId == open.Id }))
+
+	// Scheme-scoped listing excludes space backing channels even when a space shares a scheme.
+	scheme := &model.Scheme{DisplayName: model.NewId(), Name: model.NewId(), Description: model.NewId(), Scope: model.SchemeScopeChannel}
+	scheme, err = ss.Scheme().Save(scheme)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	schemedOpen := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "SchemedOpen", Name: "schemed-open-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeOpen, SchemeId: &scheme.Id}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, schemedOpen, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	schemedSpace := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "SchemedSpace", Name: "schemed-space-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace, SchemeId: &scheme.Id}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, schemedSpace, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	byScheme, err := ss.Channel().GetChannelsByScheme(scheme.Id, 0, 100)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, byScheme, 1, "GetChannelsByScheme must exclude the space backing channel")
+	require.Equal(t, schemedOpen.Id, byScheme[0].Id)
+
+	// Unread-aggregate queries exclude space backing channels even when the member has unreads
+	// (TotalMsgCount ahead of the member's MsgCount).
+	unreadTeamID := model.NewId()
+	unreadUserID := model.NewId()
+	unreadOpen := &model.Channel{TeamId: unreadTeamID, DisplayName: "UnreadOpen", Name: "unread-open-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeOpen, TotalMsgCount: 25, LastPostAt: 12345, LastRootPostAt: 12345}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, unreadOpen, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	unreadSpace := &model.Channel{TeamId: unreadTeamID, DisplayName: "UnreadSpace", Name: "unread-space-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace, TotalMsgCount: 25, LastPostAt: 12345, LastRootPostAt: 12345}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, unreadSpace, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	for _, ch := range []*model.Channel{unreadOpen, unreadSpace} {
+		_, err = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, &model.ChannelMember{ChannelId: ch.Id, UserId: unreadUserID, NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps()})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	}
+	notifyProps := model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps()
+
+	unreadIDs, _, _, err := ss.Channel().GetChannelsWithUnreadsAndWithMentions(rctx, []string{unreadOpen.Id, unreadSpace.Id}, unreadUserID, notifyProps)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Contains(t, unreadIDs, unreadOpen.Id)
+	require.NotContains(t, unreadIDs, unreadSpace.Id, "GetChannelsWithUnreadsAndWithMentions must exclude space channels")
+
+	teamUnreadIDs, _, _, err := ss.Channel().GetTeamChannelsWithUnreadAndMentions(rctx, unreadTeamID, unreadUserID, notifyProps)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Contains(t, teamUnreadIDs, unreadOpen.Id)
+	require.NotContains(t, teamUnreadIDs, unreadSpace.Id, "GetTeamChannelsWithUnreadAndMentions must exclude space channels")
+
+	// Space channels are exempt from the per-team channel limit (like direct/group channels): a
+	// team already at its limit can still create a space backing channel.
+	limitedTeamID := model.NewId()
+	atLimit := &model.Channel{TeamId: limitedTeamID, DisplayName: "AtLimit", Name: "atlimit-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeOpen}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, atLimit, 1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	overLimit := &model.Channel{TeamId: limitedTeamID, DisplayName: "OverLimit", Name: "overlimit-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeOpen}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, overLimit, 1)
+	require.Error(t, err, "a non-space channel beyond the team limit must be rejected")
+
+	limitedSpace := &model.Channel{TeamId: limitedTeamID, DisplayName: "LimitedSpace", Name: "limitedspace-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, limitedSpace, 1)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "space backing channels must be exempt from the per-team channel limit")
+}
+
+func testChannelStoreGetTeamSpaceChannels(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss store.Store) {
+	teamID := model.NewId()
+	otherTeamID := model.NewId()
+
+	space1 := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Space1", Name: "space1-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err := ss.Channel().Save(rctx, space1, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	space2 := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Space2", Name: "space2-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, space2, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	open := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Open", Name: "open-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeOpen}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, open, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	otherTeamSpace := &model.Channel{TeamId: otherTeamID, DisplayName: "OtherSpace", Name: "other-space-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, otherTeamSpace, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	channelIDs := func(list model.ChannelList) []string {
+		ids := make([]string, len(list))
+		for i, ch := range list {
+			ids[i] = ch.Id
+		}
+		return ids
+	}
+
+	// Returns all space channels for the team, excluding non-space and other-team channels.
+	channels, err := ss.Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	ids := channelIDs(channels)
+	require.Contains(t, ids, space1.Id)
+	require.Contains(t, ids, space2.Id)
+	require.NotContains(t, ids, open.Id, "must not include non-space channels")
+	require.NotContains(t, ids, otherTeamSpace.Id, "must not include spaces from other teams")
+
+	// Archived spaces are included so team teardown can remove them.
+	err = ss.Channel().Delete(space1.Id, model.GetMillis())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	channels, err = ss.Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Contains(t, channelIDs(channels), space1.Id, "archived space channels must be included")
+
+	// Team with no spaces returns an empty list, not an error.
+	empty, err := ss.Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannels(model.NewId())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Empty(t, empty)
+}
+
+func testChannelStoreGetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss store.Store) {
+	teamID := model.NewId()
+	otherTeamID := model.NewId()
+	userID := model.NewId()
+	otherUserID := model.NewId()
+
+	space1 := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Space1", Name: "space1-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err := ss.Channel().Save(rctx, space1, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	space2 := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Space2", Name: "space2-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, space2, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	open := &model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Open", Name: "open-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeOpen}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, open, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	otherTeamSpace := &model.Channel{TeamId: otherTeamID, DisplayName: "OtherSpace", Name: "other-space-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, otherTeamSpace, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	for _, channelID := range []string{space1.Id, open.Id, otherTeamSpace.Id} {
+		_, err = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, &model.ChannelMember{
+			ChannelId:   channelID,
+			UserId:      userID,
+			NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(),
+		})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, &model.ChannelMember{
+		ChannelId:   space2.Id,
+		UserId:      otherUserID,
+		NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(),
+	})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Returns only the team's spaces the user is a member of: not space2 (other user's
+	// membership), not the open channel, not the other team's space.
+	channels, err := ss.Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID, userID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, channels, 1)
+	require.Equal(t, space1.Id, channels[0].Id)
+
+	// Archived spaces are included so membership cleanup can still find them.
+	err = ss.Channel().Delete(space1.Id, model.GetMillis())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	channels, err = ss.Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID, userID)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, channels, 1)
+	require.Equal(t, space1.Id, channels[0].Id)
+
+	// User with no space memberships in the team returns an empty list, not an error.
+	empty, err := ss.Channel().GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID, model.NewId())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Empty(t, empty)
+}
diff --git a/server/channels/store/storetest/mocks/ChannelStore.go b/server/channels/store/storetest/mocks/ChannelStore.go
index 7e63eb319e2..1f401469080 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/storetest/mocks/ChannelStore.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/storetest/mocks/ChannelStore.go
@@ -978,6 +978,36 @@ func (_m *ChannelStore) GetChannelMembersTimezones(channelID string) ([]model.St
 	return r0, r1
 }
 
+// GetChannelOfType provides a mock function with given fields: rctx, id, channelType
+func (_m *ChannelStore) GetChannelOfType(rctx request.CTX, id string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, error) {
+	ret := _m.Called(rctx, id, channelType)
+
+	if len(ret) == 0 {
+		panic("no return value specified for GetChannelOfType")
+	}
+
+	var r0 *model.Channel
+	var r1 error
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(request.CTX, string, model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, error)); ok {
+		return rf(rctx, id, channelType)
+	}
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(request.CTX, string, model.ChannelType) *model.Channel); ok {
+		r0 = rf(rctx, id, channelType)
+	} else {
+		if ret.Get(0) != nil {
+			r0 = ret.Get(0).(*model.Channel)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(1).(func(request.CTX, string, model.ChannelType) error); ok {
+		r1 = rf(rctx, id, channelType)
+	} else {
+		r1 = ret.Error(1)
+	}
+
+	return r0, r1
+}
+
 // GetChannelUnread provides a mock function with given fields: channelID, userID
 func (_m *ChannelStore) GetChannelUnread(channelID string, userID string) (*model.ChannelUnread, error) {
 	ret := _m.Called(channelID, userID)
@@ -2300,6 +2330,66 @@ func (_m *ChannelStore) GetTeamMembersForChannel(rctx request.CTX, channelID str
 	return r0, r1
 }
 
+// GetTeamSpaceChannels provides a mock function with given fields: teamID
+func (_m *ChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+	ret := _m.Called(teamID)
+
+	if len(ret) == 0 {
+		panic("no return value specified for GetTeamSpaceChannels")
+	}
+
+	var r0 model.ChannelList
+	var r1 error
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(string) (model.ChannelList, error)); ok {
+		return rf(teamID)
+	}
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(string) model.ChannelList); ok {
+		r0 = rf(teamID)
+	} else {
+		if ret.Get(0) != nil {
+			r0 = ret.Get(0).(model.ChannelList)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(1).(func(string) error); ok {
+		r1 = rf(teamID)
+	} else {
+		r1 = ret.Error(1)
+	}
+
+	return r0, r1
+}
+
+// GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser provides a mock function with given fields: teamID, userID
+func (_m *ChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID string, userID string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+	ret := _m.Called(teamID, userID)
+
+	if len(ret) == 0 {
+		panic("no return value specified for GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser")
+	}
+
+	var r0 model.ChannelList
+	var r1 error
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(string, string) (model.ChannelList, error)); ok {
+		return rf(teamID, userID)
+	}
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(string, string) model.ChannelList); ok {
+		r0 = rf(teamID, userID)
+	} else {
+		if ret.Get(0) != nil {
+			r0 = ret.Get(0).(model.ChannelList)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(1).(func(string, string) error); ok {
+		r1 = rf(teamID, userID)
+	} else {
+		r1 = ret.Error(1)
+	}
+
+	return r0, r1
+}
+
 // GroupSyncedChannelCount provides a mock function with no fields
 func (_m *ChannelStore) GroupSyncedChannelCount() (int64, error) {
 	ret := _m.Called()
diff --git a/server/channels/store/storetest/team_store.go b/server/channels/store/storetest/team_store.go
index b4ea1e24022..ee9e3c07ac4 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/storetest/team_store.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/storetest/team_store.go
@@ -3247,10 +3247,19 @@ func testGetChannelUnreadsForAllTeams(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss store.S
 	_, err = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, cm2)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
+	// A space backing channel with non-zero counters must not surface as an unread.
+	cSpace := &model.Channel{TeamId: m1.TeamId, Name: model.NewId(), DisplayName: "Space", Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace, TotalMsgCount: 100}
+	_, nErr = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, cSpace, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+	cmSpace := &model.ChannelMember{ChannelId: cSpace.Id, UserId: uid, NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(), MsgCount: 90, MentionCount: 5}
+	_, err = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, cmSpace)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
 	ms1, nErr := ss.Team().GetChannelUnreadsForAllTeams("", uid)
 	require.NoError(t, nErr)
 	membersMap := make(map[string]bool)
 	for i := range ms1 {
+		require.NotEqual(t, cSpace.Id, ms1[i].ChannelId, "space backing channel must not contribute to unreads")
 		id := ms1[i].TeamId
 		if _, ok := membersMap[id]; !ok {
 			membersMap[id] = true
@@ -3301,9 +3310,20 @@ func testGetChannelUnreadsForTeam(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss store.Store
 	_, nErr = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, cm2)
 	require.NoError(t, nErr)
 
+	// A space backing channel with non-zero counters must not surface as an unread.
+	cSpace := &model.Channel{TeamId: m1.TeamId, Name: model.NewId(), DisplayName: "Space", Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace, TotalMsgCount: 100}
+	_, nErr = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, cSpace, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+	cmSpace := &model.ChannelMember{ChannelId: cSpace.Id, UserId: m1.UserId, NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(), MsgCount: 90, MentionCount: 5}
+	_, nErr = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, cmSpace)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
 	ms, err := ss.Team().GetChannelUnreadsForTeam(m1.TeamId, m1.UserId)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Len(t, ms, 2, "wrong length")
+	for i := range ms {
+		require.NotEqual(t, cSpace.Id, ms[i].ChannelId, "space backing channel must not contribute to unreads")
+	}
 
 	require.Equal(t, 10, int(ms[0].MsgCount), "subtraction failed")
 }
diff --git a/server/channels/store/storetest/user_store.go b/server/channels/store/storetest/user_store.go
index 7956b7a0b05..92a82cdd41f 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/storetest/user_store.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/storetest/user_store.go
@@ -2824,6 +2824,14 @@ func testUserUnreadCount(t *testing.T, rctx request.CTX, ss store.Store) {
 	nErr = ss.Channel().IncrementMentionCount(c2.Id, []string{u2.Id}, false, false)
 	require.NoError(t, nErr)
 
+	// A space backing channel carrying a mention for u3 must not inflate the badge count.
+	cSpace := model.Channel{TeamId: teamID, DisplayName: "Space", Name: "space-" + model.NewId(), Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+	_, nErr = ss.Channel().Save(rctx, &cSpace, -1)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+	mSpace := model.ChannelMember{ChannelId: cSpace.Id, UserId: u3.Id, NotifyProps: model.GetDefaultChannelNotifyProps(), MentionCount: 5, MentionCountRoot: 5}
+	_, nErr = ss.Channel().SaveMember(rctx, &mSpace)
+	require.NoError(t, nErr)
+
 	badge, unreadCountErr := ss.User().GetUnreadCount(u2.Id, false)
 	require.NoError(t, unreadCountErr)
 	require.Equal(t, int64(3), badge, "should have 3 unread messages")
diff --git a/server/channels/store/timerlayer/timerlayer.go b/server/channels/store/timerlayer/timerlayer.go
index 4b44c262adf..1aabf85929e 100644
--- a/server/channels/store/timerlayer/timerlayer.go
+++ b/server/channels/store/timerlayer/timerlayer.go
@@ -1799,6 +1799,22 @@ func (s *TimerLayerChannelStore) GetChannelMembersTimezones(channelID string) ([
 	return result, err
 }
 
+func (s *TimerLayerChannelStore) GetChannelOfType(rctx request.CTX, id string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, error) {
+	start := time.Now()
+
+	result, err := s.ChannelStore.GetChannelOfType(rctx, id, channelType)
+
+	elapsed := float64(time.Since(start)) / float64(time.Second)
+	if s.Root.Metrics != nil {
+		success := "false"
+		if err == nil {
+			success = "true"
+		}
+		s.Root.Metrics.ObserveStoreMethodDuration("ChannelStore.GetChannelOfType", success, elapsed)
+	}
+	return result, err
+}
+
 func (s *TimerLayerChannelStore) GetChannelUnread(channelID string, userID string) (*model.ChannelUnread, error) {
 	start := time.Now()
 
@@ -2487,6 +2503,38 @@ func (s *TimerLayerChannelStore) GetTeamMembersForChannel(rctx request.CTX, chan
 	return result, err
 }
 
+func (s *TimerLayerChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+	start := time.Now()
+
+	result, err := s.ChannelStore.GetTeamSpaceChannels(teamID)
+
+	elapsed := float64(time.Since(start)) / float64(time.Second)
+	if s.Root.Metrics != nil {
+		success := "false"
+		if err == nil {
+			success = "true"
+		}
+		s.Root.Metrics.ObserveStoreMethodDuration("ChannelStore.GetTeamSpaceChannels", success, elapsed)
+	}
+	return result, err
+}
+
+func (s *TimerLayerChannelStore) GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID string, userID string) (model.ChannelList, error) {
+	start := time.Now()
+
+	result, err := s.ChannelStore.GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser(teamID, userID)
+
+	elapsed := float64(time.Since(start)) / float64(time.Second)
+	if s.Root.Metrics != nil {
+		success := "false"
+		if err == nil {
+			success = "true"
+		}
+		s.Root.Metrics.ObserveStoreMethodDuration("ChannelStore.GetTeamSpaceChannelsForUser", success, elapsed)
+	}
+	return result, err
+}
+
 func (s *TimerLayerChannelStore) GroupSyncedChannelCount() (int64, error) {
 	start := time.Now()
 
diff --git a/server/i18n/en.json b/server/i18n/en.json
index c2315d2bb17..581fc4252aa 100644
--- a/server/i18n/en.json
+++ b/server/i18n/en.json
@@ -687,6 +687,10 @@
     "id": "api.channel.set_members.type.app_error",
     "translation": "Cannot set members on this channel type."
   },
+  {
+    "id": "api.channel.space_channel.app_error",
+    "translation": "Space channels cannot be accessed via /channels endpoints. Use the spaces API instead."
+  },
   {
     "id": "api.channel.update_channel.banner_info.channel_type.not_allowed",
     "translation": "Channel banner can only be configured on Public and Private channels."
@@ -5626,6 +5630,14 @@
     "id": "app.channel.create_channel.no_team_id.app_error",
     "translation": "Must specify the team ID to create a channel."
   },
+  {
+    "id": "app.channel.create_channel.space_type.app_error",
+    "translation": "Space channels cannot be created via this endpoint."
+  },
+  {
+    "id": "app.channel.create_channel.spaces_not_enabled.app_error",
+    "translation": "The Docs feature is not enabled."
+  },
   {
     "id": "app.channel.create_direct_channel.internal_error",
     "translation": "Unable to save direct channel."
@@ -5834,6 +5846,10 @@
     "id": "app.channel.move_channel.members_do_not_match.error",
     "translation": "Unable to move a channel unless all its members are already members of the destination team."
   },
+  {
+    "id": "app.channel.move_channel.space.app_error",
+    "translation": "Spaces cannot be moved through this endpoint."
+  },
   {
     "id": "app.channel.patch_channel_members_notify_props.app_error",
     "translation": "Unable to update channel members' notify props."
@@ -5946,6 +5962,10 @@
     "id": "app.channel.update_channel.rejected_by_plugin",
     "translation": "Channel update rejected by plugin: {{.Reason}}"
   },
+  {
+    "id": "app.channel.update_channel_privacy.space.app_error",
+    "translation": "Spaces cannot have their privacy changed through this endpoint."
+  },
   {
     "id": "app.channel.update_last_viewed_at.app_error",
     "translation": "Unable to update the last viewed at time."
@@ -13422,6 +13442,10 @@
     "id": "plugin_api.bot_cant_create_bot",
     "translation": "Bot user cannot create bot user."
   },
+  {
+    "id": "plugin_api.channel.space_notify_props.app_error",
+    "translation": "Notify props cannot be set on space channels."
+  },
   {
     "id": "plugin_api.get_file_link.disabled.app_error",
     "translation": "Public links have been disabled."
diff --git a/server/public/model/channel.go b/server/public/model/channel.go
index 23e24c6cdeb..989370f0257 100644
--- a/server/public/model/channel.go
+++ b/server/public/model/channel.go
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ const (
 	ChannelTypePrivate      ChannelType = "P"
 	ChannelTypeDirect       ChannelType = "D"
 	ChannelTypeGroup        ChannelType = "G"
+	ChannelTypeSpace        ChannelType = "S"
 	ChannelTypeOpenBoard    ChannelType = "BO"
 	ChannelTypePrivateBoard ChannelType = "BP"
 
@@ -329,7 +330,7 @@ func (o *Channel) IsValid() *AppError {
 		return NewAppError("Channel.IsValid", "model.channel.is_valid.1_or_more.app_error", nil, "id="+o.Id, http.StatusBadRequest)
 	}
 
-	if !(o.Type == ChannelTypeOpen || o.Type == ChannelTypePrivate || o.Type == ChannelTypeDirect || o.Type == ChannelTypeGroup || o.Type == ChannelTypeOpenBoard || o.Type == ChannelTypePrivateBoard) {
+	if !(o.Type == ChannelTypeOpen || o.Type == ChannelTypePrivate || o.Type == ChannelTypeDirect || o.Type == ChannelTypeGroup || o.Type == ChannelTypeSpace || o.Type == ChannelTypeOpenBoard || o.Type == ChannelTypePrivateBoard) {
 		return NewAppError("Channel.IsValid", "model.channel.is_valid.type.app_error", nil, "id="+o.Id, http.StatusBadRequest)
 	}
 
@@ -439,6 +440,10 @@ func (o *Channel) IsBoard() bool {
 	return o.Type == ChannelTypeOpenBoard || o.Type == ChannelTypePrivateBoard
 }
 
+func (o *Channel) IsSpace() bool {
+	return o.Type == ChannelTypeSpace
+}
+
 // IsMessageChannel reports whether the channel is one of the message-bearing
 // types (open, private, direct, or group). Returns false for boards and any
 // future non-message channel types.
diff --git a/server/public/model/channel_test.go b/server/public/model/channel_test.go
index 53c3872142b..0f290ff3b6a 100644
--- a/server/public/model/channel_test.go
+++ b/server/public/model/channel_test.go
@@ -194,6 +194,21 @@ func TestChannelIsValid(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NotNil(t, o.IsValid())
 }
 
+func TestChannelTypeSpace(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("IsValid accepts a space backing channel", func(t *testing.T) {
+		o := Channel{
+			Id:          NewId(),
+			CreateAt:    GetMillis(),
+			UpdateAt:    GetMillis(),
+			TeamId:      NewId(),
+			DisplayName: "Space",
+			Name:        "space-" + NewId(),
+			Type:        ChannelTypeSpace,
+		}
+		require.Nil(t, o.IsValid())
+	})
+}
+
 func TestChannelIsValidBoard(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("rejects non-board type", func(t *testing.T) {
 		c := &Channel{Type: ChannelTypeOpen, TeamId: NewId(), DisplayName: "Board"}
diff --git a/server/public/model/feature_flags.go b/server/public/model/feature_flags.go
index 04c95c5a5be..dd5a91bf159 100644
--- a/server/public/model/feature_flags.go
+++ b/server/public/model/feature_flags.go
@@ -100,6 +100,10 @@ type FeatureFlags struct {
 	// Enable the Integrated Boards feature within Mattermost channels
 	IntegratedBoards bool
 
+	// FEATURE_FLAG_REMOVAL: EnableDocs - Remove this when GA is released
+	// Enable the Docs (spaces and pages) feature within Mattermost channels
+	EnableDocs bool
+
 	// Enable LIKE-based CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) search for PostgreSQL
 	CJKSearch bool
 
@@ -182,6 +186,8 @@ func (f *FeatureFlags) SetDefaults() {
 
 	f.IntegratedBoards = false
 
+	f.EnableDocs = false
+
 	f.CJKSearch = true
 
 	f.AggregatePluginMetrics = false
diff --git a/server/public/plugin/api.go b/server/public/plugin/api.go
index 328d49ecb77..1cf9044a790 100644
--- a/server/public/plugin/api.go
+++ b/server/public/plugin/api.go
@@ -447,6 +447,20 @@ type API interface {
 	// Minimum server version: 5.2
 	DeleteChannel(channelId string) *model.AppError
 
+	// RestoreChannel restores a previously deleted (archived) channel.
+	//
+	// @tag Channel
+	// Minimum server version: 11.10
+	RestoreChannel(channelId string) *model.AppError
+
+	// GetChannelOfType resolves a channel by ID, requiring it to be of the given type. Unlike
+	// GetChannel, it resolves opaque backing channel types (e.g. space) that GetChannel excludes;
+	// a caller that needs such a channel asks for it by its exact type.
+	//
+	// @tag Channel
+	// Minimum server version: 11.10
+	GetChannelOfType(channelId string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError)
+
 	// GetPublicChannelsForTeam gets a list of all channels.
 	//
 	// @tag Channel
diff --git a/server/public/plugin/api_timer_layer_generated.go b/server/public/plugin/api_timer_layer_generated.go
index c4301202d4e..c33e7b9aea4 100644
--- a/server/public/plugin/api_timer_layer_generated.go
+++ b/server/public/plugin/api_timer_layer_generated.go
@@ -497,6 +497,20 @@ func (api *apiTimerLayer) DeleteChannel(channelId string) *model.AppError {
 	return _returnsA
 }
 
+func (api *apiTimerLayer) RestoreChannel(channelId string) *model.AppError {
+	startTime := timePkg.Now()
+	_returnsA := api.apiImpl.RestoreChannel(channelId)
+	api.recordTime(startTime, "RestoreChannel", _returnsA == nil)
+	return _returnsA
+}
+
+func (api *apiTimerLayer) GetChannelOfType(channelId string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	startTime := timePkg.Now()
+	_returnsA, _returnsB := api.apiImpl.GetChannelOfType(channelId, channelType)
+	api.recordTime(startTime, "GetChannelOfType", _returnsB == nil)
+	return _returnsA, _returnsB
+}
+
 func (api *apiTimerLayer) GetPublicChannelsForTeam(teamID string, page, perPage int) ([]*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
 	startTime := timePkg.Now()
 	_returnsA, _returnsB := api.apiImpl.GetPublicChannelsForTeam(teamID, page, perPage)
diff --git a/server/public/plugin/client_rpc_generated.go b/server/public/plugin/client_rpc_generated.go
index 412646599d8..f72acccc72f 100644
--- a/server/public/plugin/client_rpc_generated.go
+++ b/server/public/plugin/client_rpc_generated.go
@@ -4194,6 +4194,64 @@ func (s *apiRPCServer) DeleteChannel(args *Z_DeleteChannelArgs, returns *Z_Delet
 	return nil
 }
 
+type Z_RestoreChannelArgs struct {
+	A string
+}
+
+type Z_RestoreChannelReturns struct {
+	A *model.AppError
+}
+
+func (g *apiRPCClient) RestoreChannel(channelId string) *model.AppError {
+	_args := &Z_RestoreChannelArgs{channelId}
+	_returns := &Z_RestoreChannelReturns{}
+	if err := g.client.Call("Plugin.RestoreChannel", _args, _returns); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("RPC call to RestoreChannel API failed: %s", err.Error())
+	}
+	return _returns.A
+}
+
+func (s *apiRPCServer) RestoreChannel(args *Z_RestoreChannelArgs, returns *Z_RestoreChannelReturns) error {
+	if hook, ok := s.impl.(interface {
+		RestoreChannel(channelId string) *model.AppError
+	}); ok {
+		returns.A = hook.RestoreChannel(args.A)
+	} else {
+		return encodableError(fmt.Errorf("API RestoreChannel called but not implemented."))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+type Z_GetChannelOfTypeArgs struct {
+	A string
+	B model.ChannelType
+}
+
+type Z_GetChannelOfTypeReturns struct {
+	A *model.Channel
+	B *model.AppError
+}
+
+func (g *apiRPCClient) GetChannelOfType(channelId string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	_args := &Z_GetChannelOfTypeArgs{channelId, channelType}
+	_returns := &Z_GetChannelOfTypeReturns{}
+	if err := g.client.Call("Plugin.GetChannelOfType", _args, _returns); err != nil {
+		log.Printf("RPC call to GetChannelOfType API failed: %s", err.Error())
+	}
+	return _returns.A, _returns.B
+}
+
+func (s *apiRPCServer) GetChannelOfType(args *Z_GetChannelOfTypeArgs, returns *Z_GetChannelOfTypeReturns) error {
+	if hook, ok := s.impl.(interface {
+		GetChannelOfType(channelId string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError)
+	}); ok {
+		returns.A, returns.B = hook.GetChannelOfType(args.A, args.B)
+	} else {
+		return encodableError(fmt.Errorf("API GetChannelOfType called but not implemented."))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 type Z_GetPublicChannelsForTeamArgs struct {
 	A string
 	B int
diff --git a/server/public/plugin/plugintest/api.go b/server/public/plugin/plugintest/api.go
index e37102f60e9..b2e9c90b0ca 100644
--- a/server/public/plugin/plugintest/api.go
+++ b/server/public/plugin/plugintest/api.go
@@ -1563,6 +1563,38 @@ func (_m *API) GetChannelMembersForUser(teamID string, userID string, page int,
 	return r0, r1
 }
 
+// GetChannelOfType provides a mock function with given fields: channelId, channelType
+func (_m *API) GetChannelOfType(channelId string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError) {
+	ret := _m.Called(channelId, channelType)
+
+	if len(ret) == 0 {
+		panic("no return value specified for GetChannelOfType")
+	}
+
+	var r0 *model.Channel
+	var r1 *model.AppError
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(string, model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, *model.AppError)); ok {
+		return rf(channelId, channelType)
+	}
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(string, model.ChannelType) *model.Channel); ok {
+		r0 = rf(channelId, channelType)
+	} else {
+		if ret.Get(0) != nil {
+			r0 = ret.Get(0).(*model.Channel)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(1).(func(string, model.ChannelType) *model.AppError); ok {
+		r1 = rf(channelId, channelType)
+	} else {
+		if ret.Get(1) != nil {
+			r1 = ret.Get(1).(*model.AppError)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return r0, r1
+}
+
 // GetChannelSidebarCategories provides a mock function with given fields: userID, teamID
 func (_m *API) GetChannelSidebarCategories(userID string, teamID string) (*model.OrderedSidebarCategories, *model.AppError) {
 	ret := _m.Called(userID, teamID)
@@ -4887,6 +4919,26 @@ func (_m *API) RequestTrialLicense(requesterID string, users int, termsAccepted
 	return r0
 }
 
+// RestoreChannel provides a mock function with given fields: channelId
+func (_m *API) RestoreChannel(channelId string) *model.AppError {
+	ret := _m.Called(channelId)
+
+	if len(ret) == 0 {
+		panic("no return value specified for RestoreChannel")
+	}
+
+	var r0 *model.AppError
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(string) *model.AppError); ok {
+		r0 = rf(channelId)
+	} else {
+		if ret.Get(0) != nil {
+			r0 = ret.Get(0).(*model.AppError)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return r0
+}
+
 // RestoreGroup provides a mock function with given fields: groupID
 func (_m *API) RestoreGroup(groupID string) (*model.Group, *model.AppError) {
 	ret := _m.Called(groupID)
diff --git a/server/public/pluginapi/channel.go b/server/public/pluginapi/channel.go
index 405e22f25c4..7a4e2acafd0 100644
--- a/server/public/pluginapi/channel.go
+++ b/server/public/pluginapi/channel.go
@@ -102,6 +102,13 @@ func (c *ChannelService) Create(channel *model.Channel) error {
 
 	*channel = *createdChannel
 
+	// The replica wait polls the generic GetChannel, which excludes opaque backing channel
+	// types, so it could never observe a space channel. Space channels are also resolved via
+	// GetChannelOfType, which reads from the master DB, so there is no replica lag to wait out.
+	if channel.IsSpace() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	return c.waitForChannelCreation(channel.Id)
 }
 
@@ -126,6 +133,24 @@ func (c *ChannelService) Delete(channelID string) error {
 	return normalizeAppErr(c.api.DeleteChannel(channelID))
 }
 
+// Restore restores a previously deleted (archived) channel.
+//
+// Minimum server version: 11.10
+func (c *ChannelService) Restore(channelID string) error {
+	return normalizeAppErr(c.api.RestoreChannel(channelID))
+}
+
+// GetChannelOfType resolves a channel by ID, requiring it to be of the given type. The generic
+// Get excludes opaque backing channel types (e.g. space); a plugin that manages such a channel
+// resolves it by its exact type here.
+//
+// Minimum server version: 11.10
+func (c *ChannelService) GetChannelOfType(channelID string, channelType model.ChannelType) (*model.Channel, error) {
+	channel, appErr := c.api.GetChannelOfType(channelID, channelType)
+
+	return channel, normalizeAppErr(appErr)
+}
+
 // GetChannelStats gets statistics for a channel.
 //
 // Minimum server version: 5.6
diff --git a/server/public/pluginapi/channel_test.go b/server/public/pluginapi/channel_test.go
index 2e6803ca1f0..88209926bb7 100644
--- a/server/public/pluginapi/channel_test.go
+++ b/server/public/pluginapi/channel_test.go
@@ -25,6 +25,56 @@ func TestGetMembers(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
+func TestRestoreChannel(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		api := &plugintest.API{}
+		defer api.AssertExpectations(t)
+		client := pluginapi.NewClient(api, &plugintest.Driver{})
+
+		api.On("RestoreChannel", "channelID").Return(nil)
+
+		err := client.Channel.Restore("channelID")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("failure", func(t *testing.T) {
+		api := &plugintest.API{}
+		defer api.AssertExpectations(t)
+		client := pluginapi.NewClient(api, &plugintest.Driver{})
+
+		api.On("RestoreChannel", "channelID").Return(newAppError())
+
+		err := client.Channel.Restore("channelID")
+		require.EqualError(t, err, "here: id, an error occurred")
+	})
+}
+
+func TestGetChannelOfType(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("success", func(t *testing.T) {
+		api := &plugintest.API{}
+		defer api.AssertExpectations(t)
+		client := pluginapi.NewClient(api, &plugintest.Driver{})
+
+		expected := &model.Channel{Id: "channelID", Type: model.ChannelTypeSpace}
+		api.On("GetChannelOfType", "channelID", model.ChannelTypeSpace).Return(expected, nil)
+
+		channel, err := client.Channel.GetChannelOfType("channelID", model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.Equal(t, expected, channel)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("failure", func(t *testing.T) {
+		api := &plugintest.API{}
+		defer api.AssertExpectations(t)
+		client := pluginapi.NewClient(api, &plugintest.Driver{})
+
+		api.On("GetChannelOfType", "channelID", model.ChannelTypeSpace).Return(nil, newAppError())
+
+		_, err := client.Channel.GetChannelOfType("channelID", model.ChannelTypeSpace)
+		require.EqualError(t, err, "here: id, an error occurred")
+	})
+}
+
 func TestGetTeamChannelByName(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("success", func(t *testing.T) {
 		api := &plugintest.API{}
@@ -131,6 +181,26 @@ func TestCreateChannel(t *testing.T) {
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 	})
 
+	t.Run("create space channel with replicas skips the wait", func(t *testing.T) {
+		api := &plugintest.API{}
+		defer api.AssertExpectations(t)
+		client := pluginapi.NewClient(api, &plugintest.Driver{})
+
+		c := &model.Channel{
+			Id:          model.NewId(),
+			Name:        "name",
+			DisplayName: "displayname",
+			Type:        model.ChannelTypeSpace,
+		}
+		// The generic GetChannel the replica wait polls excludes space channels, so waiting
+		// would always time out; Create must return without consulting the config or polling.
+		api.On("CreateChannel", c).Return(c, nil).Once()
+
+		err := client.Channel.Create(c)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		api.AssertNotCalled(t, "GetChannel", c.Id)
+	})
+
 	t.Run("create channel and wait once", func(t *testing.T) {
 		api := &plugintest.API{}
 		defer api.AssertExpectations(t)