diff --git a/turtle.lua b/turtle.lua
index a012ab2..0facbba 100644
--- a/turtle.lua
+++ b/turtle.lua
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ local config = {
     minFuelToExplore = 1000,
     statusUpdateInterval = 5, -- seconds
     maxStuckAttempts = 3,
+    maxDistanceFromHome = 200, -- blocks - stay within reasonable range
+    pauseIfNoPlayersNearby = false, -- set true if chunk loading is concern
     valuableBlocks = {
         ["minecraft:coal_ore"] = 1,
         ["minecraft:iron_ore"] = 2,
@@ -63,19 +65,64 @@ local function updatePosition()
     return false
 end
 
+-- Sync home position with server
+local function syncHomeWithServer()
+    if not http then
+        print("HTTP not available, can't sync with server")
+        return false
+    end
+    
+    local url = "http://webbridge:3001/api/turtle/" .. os.getComputerID() .. "/home"
+    local response = http.get(url)
+    
+    if response then
+        local data = textutils.unserializeJSON(response.readAll())
+        response.close()
+        
+        if data and data.homePosition then
+            state.homePosition = data.homePosition
+            print("📍 Synced home from server:", textutils.serialize(data.homePosition))
+            return true
+        end
+    end
+    return false
+end
+
+-- Set home position (server-authoritative)
 local function setHome()
     print("Setting home position...")
-    if updatePosition() then
-        state.homePosition = {
-            x = state.position.x,
-            y = state.position.y,
-            z = state.position.z
-        }
-        print("Home set at: " .. state.homePosition.x .. ", " .. state.homePosition.y .. ", " .. state.homePosition.z)
-        return true
+    if not updatePosition() then
+        print("Failed to get GPS position for home")
+        return false
     end
-    print("Failed to get GPS position for home")
-    return false
+    
+    -- Send to server
+    if http then
+        local url = "http://webbridge:3001/api/turtle/" .. os.getComputerID() .. "/home"
+        local response = http.post(url, textutils.serializeJSON({
+            position = state.position
+        }), {["Content-Type"] = "application/json"})
+        
+        if response then
+            local data = textutils.unserializeJSON(response.readAll())
+            response.close()
+            
+            if data and data.success then
+                state.homePosition = data.homePosition
+                print("✅ Home set at:", textutils.serialize(state.homePosition))
+                return true
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    
+    -- Fallback to local storage if server unavailable
+    state.homePosition = {
+        x = state.position.x,
+        y = state.position.y,
+        z = state.position.z
+    }
+    print("⚠️  Home set locally (server unavailable)")
+    return true
 end
 
 -- Movement tracking
@@ -236,6 +283,26 @@ local function getDistance(pos1, pos2)
     return math.abs(pos1.x - pos2.x) + math.abs(pos1.y - pos2.y) + math.abs(pos1.z - pos2.z)
 end
 
+-- Check if turtle is too far from home
+local function isTooFarFromHome()
+    if not state.position or not state.homePosition then
+        return false
+    end
+    local distance = getDistance(state.position, state.homePosition)
+    return distance > config.maxDistanceFromHome
+end
+
+-- Check if it's safe to continue operations (for chunk loading concerns)
+local function shouldPauseOperations()
+    if not config.pauseIfNoPlayersNearby then
+        return false -- Feature disabled
+    end
+    
+    -- You can add player detection logic here if using commands
+    -- For now, just check distance from home as a safety measure
+    return isTooFarFromHome()
+end
+
 -- Try to dig and move forward
 local function forceForward()
     for i = 1, 5 do
@@ -526,6 +593,12 @@ local commands = {
     
     explore = function()
         print("Explore command received")
+        if not state.homePosition then
+            return false, "Home not set! Use setHome first"
+        end
+        if isTooFarFromHome() then
+            return false, "Already at max distance from home"
+        end
         state.mode = "exploring"
         state.stuckCounter = 0
         broadcastStatus()
@@ -534,6 +607,12 @@ local commands = {
     
     mine = function()
         print("Mine command received")
+        if not state.homePosition then
+            return false, "Home not set! Use setHome first"
+        end
+        if isTooFarFromHome() then
+            return false, "Already at max distance from home"
+        end
         state.mode = "exploring" -- Use exploring mode for mining
         state.stuckCounter = 0
         broadcastStatus()
@@ -621,6 +700,14 @@ else
     print("Position tracking disabled for now.")
 end
 
+-- Sync state with server
+print("Syncing with server...")
+if syncHomeWithServer() then
+    print("✅ Server sync complete")
+else
+    print("⚠️  Server sync failed, using local state")
+end
+
 updateFuel()
 
 print("Ready! Waiting for commands...")
@@ -658,8 +745,18 @@ parallel.waitForAny(
             if state.mode == "exploring" then
                 updateFuel()
                 
+                -- Safety check: too far from home
+                if isTooFarFromHome() then
+                    print("Too far from home! Returning...")
+                    state.mode = "returning"
+                    broadcastStatus()
+                -- Check if we need to pause (chunk loading concern)
+                elseif shouldPauseOperations() then
+                    print("Pausing operations (safety limit)")
+                    state.mode = "idle"
+                    broadcastStatus()
                 -- Check if we should stop
-                if needsRefuel() or inventoryFull() then
+                elseif needsRefuel() or inventoryFull() then
                     print("Need to return home")
                     state.mode = "returning"
                     broadcastStatus()