diff --git a/src/lib/space-role.ts b/src/lib/space-role.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45bb5cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/space-role.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+/**
+ * Space Role bridge for rMaps
+ *
+ * rMaps uses anonymous-first access (rooms are open by default),
+ * but when a room is linked to a space, roles are resolved from
+ * the EncryptID server. This module provides:
+ *
+ * - Server-side role resolution for API routes
+ * - Client-side role resolution from the auth store
+ * - Capability checks using RMAPS_PERMISSIONS
+ */
+
+import {
+  SpaceRole,
+  hasCapability,
+  type ResolvedRole,
+} from '@encryptid/sdk/types';
+import { RMAPS_PERMISSIONS } from '@encryptid/sdk/types/modules';
+
+const ENCRYPTID_SERVER = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_ENCRYPTID_SERVER_URL || 'https://encryptid.jeffemmett.com';
+
+// In-memory cache (5 minute TTL)
+const roleCache = new Map<string, { role: ResolvedRole; expires: number }>();
+const CACHE_TTL = 5 * 60 * 1000;
+
+/**
+ * Resolve a user's SpaceRole for a room linked to a space.
+ *
+ * @param userDID - The user's DID (from EncryptID auth store)
+ * @param spaceSlug - The space slug this room is linked to
+ * @returns Resolved role with source
+ */
+export async function resolveMapSpaceRole(
+  userDID: string | null,
+  spaceSlug: string,
+): Promise<ResolvedRole> {
+  // Anonymous users get PARTICIPANT on public rooms (rMaps default)
+  if (!userDID) {
+    return { role: SpaceRole.PARTICIPANT, source: 'anonymous' };
+  }
+
+  const cacheKey = `${userDID}:${spaceSlug}`;
+  const cached = roleCache.get(cacheKey);
+  if (cached && cached.expires > Date.now()) {
+    return cached.role;
+  }
+
+  // Query EncryptID server for membership
+  try {
+    const url = `${ENCRYPTID_SERVER}/api/spaces/${encodeURIComponent(spaceSlug)}/members/${encodeURIComponent(userDID)}`;
+    const res = await fetch(url);
+    if (res.ok) {
+      const data = (await res.json()) as { role: string };
+      const result: ResolvedRole = { role: data.role as SpaceRole, source: 'membership' };
+      roleCache.set(cacheKey, { role: result, expires: Date.now() + CACHE_TTL });
+      return result;
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // Network error — fall through to default
+  }
+
+  // Authenticated but no membership → PARTICIPANT (rMaps rooms are open)
+  const result: ResolvedRole = { role: SpaceRole.PARTICIPANT, source: 'default' };
+  roleCache.set(cacheKey, { role: result, expires: Date.now() + CACHE_TTL });
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if a user has a specific rMaps capability.
+ *
+ * Usage (client-side):
+ * ```ts
+ * const { did } = useAuthStore();
+ * const canAddMarkers = await checkMapCapability(did, roomSlug, 'add_markers');
+ * ```
+ */
+export async function checkMapCapability(
+  userDID: string | null,
+  spaceSlug: string,
+  capability: keyof typeof RMAPS_PERMISSIONS.capabilities,
+): Promise<boolean> {
+  const resolved = await resolveMapSpaceRole(userDID, spaceSlug);
+  return hasCapability(resolved.role, capability, RMAPS_PERMISSIONS);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the SpaceRole for an anonymous or unauthenticated user
+ * on an open rMaps room (no space linkage).
+ */
+export function getDefaultMapRole(isAuthenticated: boolean): ResolvedRole {
+  return {
+    role: SpaceRole.PARTICIPANT,
+    source: isAuthenticated ? 'default' : 'anonymous',
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Invalidate cached role for a user in a space.
+ */
+export function invalidateMapRoleCache(userDID?: string, spaceSlug?: string): void {
+  if (userDID && spaceSlug) {
+    roleCache.delete(`${userDID}:${spaceSlug}`);
+  } else {
+    roleCache.clear();
+  }
+}