diff --git a/docs/cli_commands.md b/docs/cli_commands.md
index 819b613337..bb5b53bd9c 100644
--- a/docs/cli_commands.md
+++ b/docs/cli_commands.md
@@ -157,6 +157,20 @@ This document provides an overview of CLI commands that can be sent to MeshCore
 
 ---
 
+### Mirror packet log to serial (live)
+**Usage:** `log tail on`
+
+**Note:** Streams RX/TX log lines to USB serial as they are captured. Enables logging if not already active (`log start`). Serial-only (not available via remote admin).
+
+---
+
+### Stop live serial log mirror
+**Usage:** `log tail off`
+
+**Serial Only:** Yes
+
+---
+
 ### Erase captured log
 **Usage:** `log erase`
 
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
index b66e19522a..97b402fe16 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -463,6 +463,14 @@ const char *MyMesh::getLogDateTime() {
   return tmp;
 }
 
+namespace {
+const char* packetLogTypeLabel(const mesh::Packet* pkt) {
+  static char label[40];
+  mesh::formatPayloadType(pkt->getPayloadType(), label, sizeof label);
+  return label;
+}
+}
+
 void MyMesh::logRxRaw(float snr, float rssi, const uint8_t raw[], int len) {
 #if MESH_PACKET_LOGGING
   Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
@@ -472,6 +480,38 @@ void MyMesh::logRxRaw(float snr, float rssi, const uint8_t raw[], int len) {
 #endif
 }
 
+void MyMesh::mirrorPacketLogRxToSerial(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len, float score) {
+  Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
+  Serial.printf(": RX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d) SNR=%d RSSI=%d score=%d", len,
+                 packetLogTypeLabel(pkt), pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len,
+                 (int)_radio->getLastSNR(), (int)_radio->getLastRSSI(), (int)(score * 1000));
+
+  if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
+      pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG) {
+    Serial.printf(" [%02X -> %02X]", (uint32_t)pkt->payload[1], (uint32_t)pkt->payload[0]);
+  }
+  Serial.print("\r\n");
+}
+
+void MyMesh::mirrorPacketLogTxToSerial(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
+  Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
+  Serial.printf(": TX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
+                 pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
+
+  if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
+      pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG) {
+    Serial.printf(" [%02X -> %02X]", (uint32_t)pkt->payload[1], (uint32_t)pkt->payload[0]);
+  }
+  Serial.print("\r\n");
+}
+
+void MyMesh::mirrorPacketLogTxFailToSerial(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
+  Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
+  Serial.printf(": TX FAIL!, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
+                 pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
+  Serial.print("\r\n");
+}
+
 void MyMesh::logRx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len, float score) {
 #ifdef WITH_BRIDGE
   if (_prefs.bridge_pkt_src == 1) {
@@ -483,8 +523,8 @@ void MyMesh::logRx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len, float score) {
     File f = openAppend(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
     if (f) {
       f.print(getLogDateTime());
-      f.printf(": RX, len=%d (type=%d, route=%s, payload_len=%d) SNR=%d RSSI=%d score=%d", len,
-               pkt->getPayloadType(), pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len,
+      f.printf(": RX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d) SNR=%d RSSI=%d score=%d", len,
+               packetLogTypeLabel(pkt), pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len,
                (int)_radio->getLastSNR(), (int)_radio->getLastRSSI(), (int)(score * 1000));
 
       if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
@@ -496,6 +536,9 @@ void MyMesh::logRx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len, float score) {
       f.close();
     }
   }
+  if (_logging && _tailing) {
+    mirrorPacketLogRxToSerial(pkt, len, score);
+  }
 }
 
 void MyMesh::logTx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
@@ -509,7 +552,7 @@ void MyMesh::logTx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
     File f = openAppend(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
     if (f) {
       f.print(getLogDateTime());
-      f.printf(": TX, len=%d (type=%d, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, pkt->getPayloadType(),
+      f.printf(": TX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
                pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
 
       if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
@@ -521,6 +564,9 @@ void MyMesh::logTx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
       f.close();
     }
   }
+  if (_logging && _tailing) {
+    mirrorPacketLogTxToSerial(pkt, len);
+  }
 }
 
 void MyMesh::logTxFail(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
@@ -528,11 +574,14 @@ void MyMesh::logTxFail(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
     File f = openAppend(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
     if (f) {
       f.print(getLogDateTime());
-      f.printf(": TX FAIL!, len=%d (type=%d, route=%s, payload_len=%d)\n", len, pkt->getPayloadType(),
+      f.printf(": TX FAIL!, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)\n", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
                pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
       f.close();
     }
   }
+  if (_logging && _tailing) {
+    mirrorPacketLogTxFailToSerial(pkt, len);
+  }
 }
 
 int MyMesh::calcRxDelay(float score, uint32_t air_time) const {
@@ -864,6 +913,7 @@ MyMesh::MyMesh(mesh::MainBoard &board, mesh::Radio &radio, mesh::MillisecondCloc
   dirty_contacts_expiry = 0;
   set_radio_at = revert_radio_at = 0;
   _logging = false;
+  _tailing = false;
   region_load_active = false;
   recv_pkt_region = NULL;
 
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
index 0b2e7491b7..14ac2316fc 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.h
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
   uint64_t uptime_millis;
   unsigned long next_local_advert, next_flood_advert;
   bool _logging;
+  bool _tailing;
   NodePrefs _prefs;
   ClientACL  acl;
   CommonCLI _cli;
@@ -129,6 +130,9 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
 
   File openAppend(const char* fname);
   bool isLooped(const mesh::Packet* packet, const uint8_t max_counters[]);
+  void mirrorPacketLogRxToSerial(mesh::Packet* pkt, int len, float score);
+  void mirrorPacketLogTxToSerial(mesh::Packet* pkt, int len);
+  void mirrorPacketLogTxFailToSerial(mesh::Packet* pkt, int len);
 
 protected:
   float getAirtimeBudgetFactor() const override {
@@ -206,6 +210,8 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
 
   void setLoggingOn(bool enable) override { _logging = enable; }
 
+  void setTailOn(bool enable) override { _tailing = enable; }
+
   void eraseLogFile() override {
     _fs->remove(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
   }
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
index a714db68ec..95895d1952 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
@@ -127,6 +127,11 @@ void loop() {
   int len = strlen(command);
   while (Serial.available() && len < sizeof(command)-1) {
     char c = Serial.read();
+    if (c == 3) {  // Ctrl+C — stop live log tail
+      the_mesh.setTailOn(false);
+      Serial.print("\r\n  -> tail off\r\n");
+      continue;
+    }
     if (c != '\n') {
       command[len++] = c;
       command[len] = 0;
diff --git a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp
index 36978e808f..61927d0368 100644
--- a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -199,6 +199,14 @@ int MyMesh::handleRequest(ClientInfo *sender, uint32_t sender_timestamp, uint8_t
   return 0; // unknown command
 }
 
+namespace {
+const char* packetLogTypeLabel(const mesh::Packet* pkt) {
+  static char label[40];
+  mesh::formatPayloadType(pkt->getPayloadType(), label, sizeof label);
+  return label;
+}
+}
+
 void MyMesh::logRxRaw(float snr, float rssi, const uint8_t raw[], int len) {
 #if MESH_PACKET_LOGGING
   Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
@@ -208,13 +216,45 @@ void MyMesh::logRxRaw(float snr, float rssi, const uint8_t raw[], int len) {
 #endif
 }
 
+void MyMesh::mirrorPacketLogRxToSerial(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len, float score) {
+  Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
+  Serial.printf(": RX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d) SNR=%d RSSI=%d score=%d", len,
+                 packetLogTypeLabel(pkt), pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len,
+                 (int)_radio->getLastSNR(), (int)_radio->getLastRSSI(), (int)(score * 1000));
+
+  if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
+      pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG) {
+    Serial.printf(" [%02X -> %02X]", (uint32_t)pkt->payload[1], (uint32_t)pkt->payload[0]);
+  }
+  Serial.print("\r\n");
+}
+
+void MyMesh::mirrorPacketLogTxToSerial(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
+  Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
+  Serial.printf(": TX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
+                 pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
+
+  if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
+      pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG) {
+    Serial.printf(" [%02X -> %02X]", (uint32_t)pkt->payload[1], (uint32_t)pkt->payload[0]);
+  }
+  Serial.print("\r\n");
+}
+
+void MyMesh::mirrorPacketLogTxFailToSerial(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
+  Serial.print(getLogDateTime());
+  Serial.printf(": TX FAIL!, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
+                 pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
+  Serial.print("\r\n");
+}
+
 void MyMesh::logRx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len, float score) {
   if (_logging) {
     File f = openAppend(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
     if (f) {
       f.print(getLogDateTime());
-      f.printf(": RX, len=%d (type=%d, route=%s, payload_len=%d) SNR=%d RSSI=%d score=%d", len,
-               pkt->getPayloadType(), pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len,
+      f.printf(": RX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d) SNR=%d RSSI=%d score=%d", len,
+               packetLogTypeLabel(pkt), pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len,
                (int)_radio->getLastSNR(), (int)_radio->getLastRSSI(), (int)(score * 1000));
 
       if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
@@ -226,13 +266,16 @@ void MyMesh::logRx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len, float score) {
       f.close();
     }
   }
+  if (_logging && _tailing) {
+    mirrorPacketLogRxToSerial(pkt, len, score);
+  }
 }
 void MyMesh::logTx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
   if (_logging) {
     File f = openAppend(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
     if (f) {
       f.print(getLogDateTime());
-      f.printf(": TX, len=%d (type=%d, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, pkt->getPayloadType(),
+      f.printf(": TX, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
                pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
 
       if (pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH || pkt->getPayloadType() == PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ ||
@@ -244,17 +287,23 @@ void MyMesh::logTx(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
       f.close();
     }
   }
+  if (_logging && _tailing) {
+    mirrorPacketLogTxToSerial(pkt, len);
+  }
 }
 void MyMesh::logTxFail(mesh::Packet *pkt, int len) {
   if (_logging) {
     File f = openAppend(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
     if (f) {
       f.print(getLogDateTime());
-      f.printf(": TX FAIL!, len=%d (type=%d, route=%s, payload_len=%d)\n", len, pkt->getPayloadType(),
+      f.printf(": TX FAIL!, len=%d (type=%s, route=%s, payload_len=%d)\n", len, packetLogTypeLabel(pkt),
                pkt->isRouteDirect() ? "D" : "F", pkt->payload_len);
       f.close();
     }
   }
+  if (_logging && _tailing) {
+    mirrorPacketLogTxFailToSerial(pkt, len);
+  }
 }
 
 int MyMesh::calcRxDelay(float score, uint32_t air_time) const {
@@ -623,6 +672,7 @@ MyMesh::MyMesh(mesh::MainBoard &board, mesh::Radio &radio, mesh::MillisecondCloc
   next_local_advert = next_flood_advert = 0;
   dirty_contacts_expiry = 0;
   _logging = false;
+  _tailing = false;
   region_load_active = false;
   set_radio_at = revert_radio_at = 0;
   recv_pkt_region = NULL;
diff --git a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h
index 6bab9dc2d0..a0342cb7c1 100644
--- a/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/simple_room_server/MyMesh.h
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
   uint64_t uptime_millis;
   unsigned long next_local_advert, next_flood_advert;
   bool _logging;
+  bool _tailing;
   bool region_load_active;
   NodePrefs _prefs;
   TransportKeyStore key_store;
@@ -124,6 +125,9 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
   bool processAck(const uint8_t *data);
   mesh::Packet* createSelfAdvert();
   File openAppend(const char* fname);
+  void mirrorPacketLogRxToSerial(mesh::Packet* pkt, int len, float score);
+  void mirrorPacketLogTxToSerial(mesh::Packet* pkt, int len);
+  void mirrorPacketLogTxFailToSerial(mesh::Packet* pkt, int len);
   int handleRequest(ClientInfo* sender, uint32_t sender_timestamp, uint8_t* payload, size_t payload_len);
 
 protected:
@@ -200,6 +204,8 @@ class MyMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
 
   void setLoggingOn(bool enable) override { _logging = enable; }
 
+  void setTailOn(bool enable) override { _tailing = enable; }
+
   void eraseLogFile() override {
     _fs->remove(PACKET_LOG_FILE);
   }
diff --git a/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp b/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp
index d833fff39e..1349bc2695 100644
--- a/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_room_server/main.cpp
@@ -107,6 +107,11 @@ void loop() {
   int len = strlen(command);
   while (Serial.available() && len < sizeof(command)-1) {
     char c = Serial.read();
+    if (c == 3) {  // Ctrl+C — stop live log tail
+      the_mesh.setTailOn(false);
+      Serial.print("\r\n  -> tail off\r\n");
+      continue;
+    }
     if (c != '\n') {
       command[len++] = c;
       command[len] = 0;
diff --git a/examples/simple_sensor/SensorMesh.h b/examples/simple_sensor/SensorMesh.h
index 1d65b8772b..b850cf2d30 100644
--- a/examples/simple_sensor/SensorMesh.h
+++ b/examples/simple_sensor/SensorMesh.h
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ class SensorMesh : public mesh::Mesh, public CommonCLICallbacks {
   void updateAdvertTimer() override;
   void updateFloodAdvertTimer() override;
   void setLoggingOn(bool enable) override {  }
+  void setTailOn(bool enable) override { }
   void eraseLogFile() override { }
   void dumpLogFile() override { }
   void setTxPower(int8_t power_dbm) override;
diff --git a/src/Packet.cpp b/src/Packet.cpp
index aad3e2f48e..f55af06f7b 100644
--- a/src/Packet.cpp
+++ b/src/Packet.cpp
@@ -1,9 +1,49 @@
 #include "Packet.h"
+#include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <SHA256.h>
 
 namespace mesh {
 
+namespace {
+
+struct PayloadTypeName { uint8_t type; const char* name; };
+
+static const PayloadTypeName PAYLOAD_TYPE_NAMES[] = {
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_REQ" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_RESPONSE" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_TXT_MSG" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_ACK, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_ACK" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_ADVERT, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_ADVERT" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_GRP_TXT, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_GRP_TXT" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_GRP_DATA, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_GRP_DATA" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_ANON_REQ, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_ANON_REQ" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_PATH" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_TRACE, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_TRACE" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_MULTIPART, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_MULTIPART" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_CONTROL, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_CONTROL" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_OTA, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_OTA" },
+  { PAYLOAD_TYPE_RAW_CUSTOM, "PAYLOAD_TYPE_RAW_CUSTOM" },
+};
+
+} // namespace
+
+const char* payloadTypeName(uint8_t type) {
+  for (unsigned i = 0; i < sizeof(PAYLOAD_TYPE_NAMES) / sizeof(PAYLOAD_TYPE_NAMES[0]); i++) {
+    if (PAYLOAD_TYPE_NAMES[i].type == type) return PAYLOAD_TYPE_NAMES[i].name;
+  }
+  return nullptr;
+}
+
+void formatPayloadType(uint8_t type, char* buf, size_t cap) {
+  const char* name = payloadTypeName(type);
+  if (name) {
+    snprintf(buf, cap, "%s (0x%02X)", name, type);
+  } else {
+    snprintf(buf, cap, "UNKNOWN (0x%02X)", type);
+  }
+}
+
 Packet::Packet() {
   header = 0;
   path_len = 0;
diff --git a/src/Packet.h b/src/Packet.h
index c19d9e9d8f..b5c976c9f1 100644
--- a/src/Packet.h
+++ b/src/Packet.h
@@ -111,4 +111,7 @@ class Packet {
   bool readFrom(const uint8_t src[], uint8_t len);
 };
 
+const char* payloadTypeName(uint8_t type);
+void formatPayloadType(uint8_t type, char* buf, size_t cap);
+
 }
diff --git a/src/helpers/CommonCLI.cpp b/src/helpers/CommonCLI.cpp
index c95e3e34b0..f767ceae98 100644
--- a/src/helpers/CommonCLI.cpp
+++ b/src/helpers/CommonCLI.cpp
@@ -461,6 +461,15 @@ void CommonCLI::handleCommand(uint32_t sender_timestamp, char* command, char* re
       } else {
         strcpy(reply, "off");
       }
+    } else if (sender_timestamp == 0 && memcmp(command, "log tail on", 11) == 0
+               && (command[11] == 0 || command[11] == ' ')) {
+      _callbacks->setLoggingOn(true);
+      _callbacks->setTailOn(true);
+      strcpy(reply, "   tail on");
+    } else if (sender_timestamp == 0 && memcmp(command, "log tail off", 12) == 0
+               && (command[12] == 0 || command[12] == ' ')) {
+      _callbacks->setTailOn(false);
+      strcpy(reply, "   tail off");
     } else if (memcmp(command, "log start", 9) == 0) {
       _callbacks->setLoggingOn(true);
       strcpy(reply, "   logging on");
diff --git a/src/helpers/CommonCLI.h b/src/helpers/CommonCLI.h
index f3abcf4772..bbec37d41b 100644
--- a/src/helpers/CommonCLI.h
+++ b/src/helpers/CommonCLI.h
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ class CommonCLICallbacks {
   virtual void updateAdvertTimer() = 0;
   virtual void updateFloodAdvertTimer() = 0;
   virtual void setLoggingOn(bool enable) = 0;
+  virtual void setTailOn(bool enable) = 0;
   virtual void eraseLogFile() = 0;
   virtual void dumpLogFile() = 0;
   virtual void setTxPower(int8_t power_dbm) = 0;