diff --git a/Example/example.ts b/Example/example.ts
index c714bf3e..0a936b35 100644
--- a/Example/example.ts
+++ b/Example/example.ts
@@ -149,11 +149,11 @@ const startSock = async() => {
 
               // go to an old chat and send this
               if (text == "onDemandHistSync") {
-                const messageId = await sock.fetchMessageHistory(50, msg.key, msg.messageTimestamp!)
+                const messageId = await sock.fetchMessageHistory(50, msg.key, msg.messageTimestamp ?? 0)
                 logger.debug({ id: messageId }, 'requested on-demand history resync')
               }
 
-              if (!msg.key.fromMe && doReplies && !isJidNewsletter(msg.key?.remoteJid!)) {
+              if (!msg.key.fromMe && doReplies && !isJidNewsletter(msg.key?.remoteJid ?? '')) {
               	const id = generateMessageIDV2(sock.user?.id)
               	logger.debug({id, orig_id: msg.key.id }, 'replying to message')
                 await sock.sendMessage(msg.key.remoteJid!, { text: 'pong '+msg.key.id }, {messageId: id })
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ const startSock = async() => {
 					if(typeof contact.imgUrl !== 'undefined') {
 						const newUrl = contact.imgUrl === null
 							? null
-							: await sock!.profilePictureUrl(contact.id!).catch(() => null)
+							: await sock.profilePictureUrl(contact.id ?? '').catch(() => null)
 						logger.debug({id: contact.id, newUrl}, `contact has a new profile pic` )
 					}
 				}
diff --git a/src/Signal/Group/sender-key-message.ts b/src/Signal/Group/sender-key-message.ts
index e6d8ac14..c029558e 100644
--- a/src/Signal/Group/sender-key-message.ts
+++ b/src/Signal/Group/sender-key-message.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export class SenderKeyMessage extends CiphertextMessage {
 		super()
 
 		if (serialized) {
-			const version = serialized[0]!
+			const version = serialized[0] ?? 0
 			const message = serialized.slice(1, serialized.length - this.SIGNATURE_LENGTH)
 			const signature = serialized.slice(-1 * this.SIGNATURE_LENGTH)
 			const senderKeyMessage = proto.SenderKeyMessage.decode(message).toJSON() as SenderKeyMessageStructure
@@ -42,22 +42,26 @@ export class SenderKeyMessage extends CiphertextMessage {
 					: senderKeyMessage.ciphertext
 			this.signature = signature
 		} else {
+			if (ciphertext == null || keyId == null || iteration == null || signatureKey == null) {
+				throw new Error('Missing required parameters for SenderKeyMessage construction')
+			}
+
 			const version = (((this.CURRENT_VERSION << 4) | this.CURRENT_VERSION) & 0xff) % 256
-			const ciphertextBuffer = Buffer.from(ciphertext!)
+			const ciphertextBuffer = Buffer.from(ciphertext)
 			const message = proto.SenderKeyMessage.encode(
 				proto.SenderKeyMessage.create({
-					id: keyId!,
-					iteration: iteration!,
+					id: keyId,
+					iteration: iteration,
 					ciphertext: ciphertextBuffer
 				})
 			).finish()
 
-			const signature = this.getSignature(signatureKey!, Buffer.concat([Buffer.from([version]), message]))
+			const signature = this.getSignature(signatureKey, Buffer.concat([Buffer.from([version]), message]))
 
 			this.serialized = Buffer.concat([Buffer.from([version]), message, Buffer.from(signature)])
 			this.messageVersion = this.CURRENT_VERSION
-			this.keyId = keyId!
-			this.iteration = iteration!
+			this.keyId = keyId
+			this.iteration = iteration
 			this.ciphertext = ciphertextBuffer
 			this.signature = signature
 		}
diff --git a/src/Signal/libsignal.ts b/src/Signal/libsignal.ts
index 744cc147..fb4099b2 100644
--- a/src/Signal/libsignal.ts
+++ b/src/Signal/libsignal.ts
@@ -493,7 +493,12 @@ export function makeLibSignalRepository(
 				return { migrated: 0, skipped: 0, total: 1 }
 			}
 
-			const { user } = jidDecode(fromJid)!
+			const decoded1 = jidDecode(fromJid)
+			if (!decoded1) {
+				return { migrated: 0, skipped: 0, total: 0 }
+			}
+
+			const { user } = decoded1
 
 			logger.debug({ fromJid }, 'bulk device migration - loading all user devices')
 
@@ -503,7 +508,7 @@ export function makeLibSignalRepository(
 				return { migrated: 0, skipped: 0, total: 0 }
 			}
 
-			const { device: fromDevice } = jidDecode(fromJid)!
+			const { device: fromDevice } = decoded1
 			const fromDeviceStr = fromDevice?.toString() || '0'
 			if (!userDevices.includes(fromDeviceStr)) {
 				userDevices.push(fromDeviceStr)
@@ -562,8 +567,11 @@ export function makeLibSignalRepository(
 
 					const migrationOps: MigrationOp[] = deviceJids.map(jid => {
 						const lidWithDevice = transferDevice(jid, toJid)
-						const fromDecoded = jidDecode(jid)!
-						const toDecoded = jidDecode(lidWithDevice)!
+						const fromDecoded = jidDecode(jid)
+						const toDecoded = jidDecode(lidWithDevice)
+						if (!fromDecoded || !toDecoded) {
+							throw new Error(`Failed to decode JID during migration: ${jid} -> ${lidWithDevice}`)
+						}
 
 						return {
 							fromJid: jid,
@@ -630,7 +638,10 @@ export function makeLibSignalRepository(
 }
 
 const jidToSignalProtocolAddress = (jid: string): libsignal.ProtocolAddress => {
-	const decoded = jidDecode(jid)!
+	const decoded = jidDecode(jid)
+	if (!decoded) {
+		throw new Error(`Failed to decode JID: "${jid}"`)
+	}
 	const { user, device, server, domainType } = decoded
 
 	if (!user) {
@@ -688,12 +699,16 @@ function signalStorage(
 	const resolveLIDSignalAddress = async (id: string): Promise<string> => {
 		if (id.includes('.')) {
 			const [deviceId, device] = id.split('.')
-			const [user, domainType_] = deviceId!.split('_')
+			if (!deviceId) {
+				throw new Error('Missing device ID')
+			}
+
+			const [user, domainType_] = deviceId.split('_')
 			const domainType = parseInt(domainType_ || '0')
 
 			if (domainType === WAJIDDomains.LID || domainType === WAJIDDomains.HOSTED_LID) return id
 
-			const pnJid = `${user!}${device !== '0' ? `:${device}` : ''}@${domainType === WAJIDDomains.HOSTED ? 'hosted' : 's.whatsapp.net'}`
+			const pnJid = `${user ?? ''}${device !== '0' ? `:${device}` : ''}@${domainType === WAJIDDomains.HOSTED ? 'hosted' : 's.whatsapp.net'}`
 
 			const lidForPN = await lidMapping.getLIDForPN(pnJid)
 			if (lidForPN) {
diff --git a/src/Socket/chats.ts b/src/Socket/chats.ts
index 103728e2..759227b1 100644
--- a/src/Socket/chats.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/chats.ts
@@ -272,9 +272,12 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		for (const section of getBinaryNodeChildren(botNode, 'section')) {
 			if (section.attrs.type === 'all') {
 				for (const bot of getBinaryNodeChildren(section, 'bot')) {
+					const jid = bot.attrs.jid
+					const personaId = bot.attrs['persona_id']
+					if (!jid || !personaId) continue
 					botList.push({
-						jid: bot.attrs.jid!,
-						personaId: bot.attrs['persona_id']!
+						jid,
+						personaId
 					})
 				}
 			}
@@ -322,7 +325,9 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			)
 		}
 
-		if (jidNormalizedUser(jid) !== jidNormalizedUser(authState.creds.me!.id)) {
+		const me = authState.creds.me
+		if (!me) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
+		if (jidNormalizedUser(jid) !== jidNormalizedUser(me.id)) {
 			targetJid = jidNormalizedUser(jid) // in case it is someone other than us
 		} else {
 			targetJid = undefined
@@ -356,7 +361,9 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			)
 		}
 
-		if (jidNormalizedUser(jid) !== jidNormalizedUser(authState.creds.me!.id)) {
+		const me = authState.creds.me
+		if (!me) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
+		if (jidNormalizedUser(jid) !== jidNormalizedUser(me.id)) {
 			targetJid = jidNormalizedUser(jid) // in case it is someone other than us
 		} else {
 			targetJid = undefined
@@ -505,10 +512,12 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 	const newAppStateChunkHandler = (isInitialSync: boolean) => {
 		return {
 			onMutation(mutation: ChatMutation) {
+				const me = authState.creds.me
+				if (!me) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
 				processSyncAction(
 					mutation,
 					ev,
-					authState.creds.me!,
+					me,
 					isInitialSync ? { accountSettings: authState.creds.accountSettings } : undefined,
 					logger
 				)
@@ -630,7 +639,7 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 							// if retry attempts overshoot
 							// or key not found
 							const isIrrecoverableError =
-								attemptsMap[name]! >= MAX_SYNC_ATTEMPTS ||
+								(attemptsMap[name] || 0) >= MAX_SYNC_ATTEMPTS ||
 								error.output?.statusCode === 404 ||
 								error.name === 'TypeError'
 							logger.info(
@@ -652,7 +661,9 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 			const { onMutation } = newAppStateChunkHandler(isInitialSync)
 			for (const key in globalMutationMap) {
-				onMutation(globalMutationMap[key]!)
+				const mutation = globalMutationMap[key]
+				if (!mutation) continue
+				onMutation(mutation)
 			}
 		}
 	)
@@ -708,7 +719,8 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 	}
 
 	const sendPresenceUpdate = async (type: WAPresence, toJid?: string) => {
-		const me = authState.creds.me!
+		const me = authState.creds.me
+		if (!me) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
 		if (type === 'available' || type === 'unavailable') {
 			if (!me.name) {
 				logger.warn('no name present, ignoring presence update request...')
@@ -733,14 +745,17 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				})
 			}
 		} else {
-			const { server } = jidDecode(toJid)!
+			if (!toJid) return
+			const decoded = jidDecode(toJid)
+			if (!decoded) return
+			const { server } = decoded
 			const isLid = server === 'lid'
 
 			await sendNode({
 				tag: 'chatstate',
 				attrs: {
-					from: isLid ? me.lid! : me.id,
-					to: toJid!
+					from: isLid ? (me.lid || me.id) : me.id,
+					to: toJid
 				},
 				content: [
 					{
@@ -774,8 +789,9 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		let presence: PresenceData | undefined
 		const jid = attrs.from
 		const participant = attrs.participant || attrs.from
+		if (!jid) return
 
-		if (shouldIgnoreJid(jid!) && jid !== S_WHATSAPP_NET) {
+		if (shouldIgnoreJid(jid) && jid !== S_WHATSAPP_NET) {
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -786,12 +802,13 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			}
 		} else if (Array.isArray(content)) {
 			const [firstChild] = content
-			let type = firstChild!.tag as WAPresence
+			if (!firstChild) return
+			let type = firstChild.tag as WAPresence
 			if (type === 'paused') {
 				type = 'available'
 			}
 
-			if (firstChild!.attrs?.media === 'audio') {
+			if (firstChild.attrs?.media === 'audio') {
 				type = 'recording'
 			}
 
@@ -801,7 +818,8 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		}
 
 		if (presence) {
-			ev.emit('presence.update', { id: jid!, presences: { [participant!]: presence } })
+			if (!participant) return
+			ev.emit('presence.update', { id: jid, presences: { [participant]: presence } })
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/Socket/groups.ts b/src/Socket/groups.ts
index aa9e44ab..f4db84a0 100644
--- a/src/Socket/groups.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/groups.ts
@@ -225,12 +225,12 @@ export const makeGroupsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		groupAcceptInviteV4: ev.createBufferedFunction(
 			async (key: string | WAMessageKey, inviteMessage: proto.Message.IGroupInviteMessage) => {
 				key = typeof key === 'string' ? { remoteJid: key } : key
-				const results = await groupQuery(inviteMessage.groupJid!, 'set', [
+				const results = await groupQuery(inviteMessage.groupJid ?? '', 'set', [
 					{
 						tag: 'accept',
 						attrs: {
-							code: inviteMessage.inviteCode!,
-							expiration: inviteMessage.inviteExpiration!.toString(),
+							code: inviteMessage.inviteCode ?? '',
+							expiration: String(inviteMessage.inviteExpiration ?? ''),
 							admin: key.remoteJid!
 						}
 					}
diff --git a/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts b/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts
index 85837eb3..790d4d4c 100644
--- a/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			case 'view':
 				const viewUpdate = {
 					id: from,
-					server_id: child.attrs.message_id!,
+					server_id: child.attrs.message_id ?? '',
 					count: parseInt(child.content?.toString() || '0', 10)
 				}
 				ev.emit('newsletter.view', viewUpdate)
@@ -284,9 +284,9 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				const participantUpdate = {
 					id: from,
 					author,
-					user: child.attrs.jid!,
-					action: child.attrs.action!,
-					new_role: child.attrs.role!
+					user: child.attrs.jid ?? '',
+					action: child.attrs.action ?? '',
+					new_role: child.attrs.role ?? ''
 				}
 				ev.emit('newsletter-participants.update', participantUpdate)
 				break
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 								fromMe: false // TODO: is this really true though
 							},
 							message: messageProto,
-							messageTimestamp: +child.attrs.t!
+							messageTimestamp: +(child.attrs.t ?? 0)
 						}).toJSON() as WAMessage
 						await upsertMessage(fullMessage, 'append')
 						logger.info('Processed plaintext newsletter message')
@@ -346,8 +346,8 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		const stanza: BinaryNode = {
 			tag: 'ack',
 			attrs: {
-				id: attrs.id!,
-				to: attrs.from!,
+				id: attrs.id ?? '',
+				to: attrs.from ?? '',
 				class: tag
 			}
 		}
@@ -372,7 +372,9 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		}
 
 		if (tag === 'message' && getBinaryNodeChild({ tag, attrs, content }, 'unavailable')) {
-			stanza.attrs.from = authState.creds.me!.id
+			const meId = authState.creds.me?.id
+			if (!meId) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
+			stanza.attrs.from = meId
 		}
 
 		logger.debug({ recv: { tag, attrs }, sent: stanza.attrs }, 'sent ack')
@@ -380,10 +382,12 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 	}
 
 	const rejectCall = async (callId: string, callFrom: string) => {
+		const meId = authState.creds.me?.id
+		if (!meId) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
 		const stanza: BinaryNode = {
 			tag: 'call',
 			attrs: {
-				from: authState.creds.me!.id,
+				from: meId,
 				to: callFrom
 			},
 			content: [
@@ -402,9 +406,16 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 	}
 
 	const sendRetryRequest = async (node: BinaryNode, forceIncludeKeys = false) => {
-		const { fullMessage } = decodeMessageNode(node, authState.creds.me!.id, authState.creds.me!.lid || '')
+		const meId = authState.creds.me?.id
+		if (!meId) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
+		const meLid = authState.creds.me?.lid || ''
+		const { fullMessage } = decodeMessageNode(node, meId, meLid)
 		const { key: msgKey } = fullMessage
-		const msgId = msgKey.id!
+		const msgId = msgKey.id
+		if (!msgId) {
+			logger.debug({ node }, 'missing message id in retry request')
+			return
+		}
 
 		if (messageRetryManager) {
 			// Check if we've exceeded max retries using the new system
@@ -442,7 +453,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		const retryCount = (await msgRetryCache.get<number>(key)) || 1
 
 		const { account, signedPreKey, signedIdentityKey: identityKey } = authState.creds
-		const fromJid = node.attrs.from!
+		const fromJid = node.attrs.from ?? ''
 
 		// Check if we should recreate the session
 		let shouldRecreateSession = false
@@ -499,22 +510,23 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			}
 		}
 
-		const deviceIdentity = encodeSignedDeviceIdentity(account!, true)
+		if (!account) throw new Boom('Account not available', { statusCode: 401 })
+		const deviceIdentity = encodeSignedDeviceIdentity(account, true)
 		await authState.keys.transaction(async () => {
 			const receipt: BinaryNode = {
 				tag: 'receipt',
 				attrs: {
 					id: msgId,
 					type: 'retry',
-					to: node.attrs.from!
+					to: node.attrs.from ?? ''
 				},
 				content: [
 					{
 						tag: 'retry',
 						attrs: {
 							count: retryCount.toString(),
-							id: node.attrs.id!,
-							t: node.attrs.t!,
+							id: node.attrs.id ?? '',
+							t: node.attrs.t ?? '',
 							v: '1',
 							// ADD ERROR FIELD
 							error: '0'
@@ -540,16 +552,19 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				const { update, preKeys } = await getNextPreKeys(authState, 1)
 
 				const [keyId] = Object.keys(preKeys)
-				const key = preKeys[+keyId!]
+				if (!keyId) throw new Boom('No pre-keys available')
+				const key = preKeys[+keyId]
+				if (!key) throw new Boom('Pre-key not found')
 
-				const content = receipt.content! as BinaryNode[]
+				const content = receipt.content as BinaryNode[]
+				if (!content) throw new Boom('Receipt content missing')
 				content.push({
 					tag: 'keys',
 					attrs: {},
 					content: [
 						{ tag: 'type', attrs: {}, content: Buffer.from(KEY_BUNDLE_TYPE) },
 						{ tag: 'identity', attrs: {}, content: identityKey.public },
-						xmppPreKey(key!, +keyId!),
+						xmppPreKey(key, +keyId),
 						xmppSignedPreKey(signedPreKey),
 						{ tag: 'device-identity', attrs: {}, content: deviceIdentity }
 					]
@@ -568,7 +583,9 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		const from = node.attrs.from
 		if (from === S_WHATSAPP_NET) {
 			const countChild = getBinaryNodeChild(node, 'count')
-			const count = +countChild!.attrs.value!
+			const countVal = countChild?.attrs?.value
+			if (!countVal) return
+			const count = +countVal
 			const shouldUploadMorePreKeys = count < MIN_PREKEY_COUNT
 
 			logger.debug({ count, shouldUploadMorePreKeys }, 'recv pre-key count')
@@ -597,8 +614,8 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		const actingParticipantLid = fullNode.attrs.participant
 		const actingParticipantPn = fullNode.attrs.participant_pn
 
-		const affectedParticipantLid = getBinaryNodeChild(child, 'participant')?.attrs?.jid || actingParticipantLid!
-		const affectedParticipantPn = getBinaryNodeChild(child, 'participant')?.attrs?.phone_number || actingParticipantPn!
+		const affectedParticipantLid = getBinaryNodeChild(child, 'participant')?.attrs?.jid || actingParticipantLid || ''
+		const affectedParticipantPn = getBinaryNodeChild(child, 'participant')?.attrs?.phone_number || actingParticipantPn || ''
 
 		switch (child?.tag) {
 			case 'create':
@@ -633,7 +650,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				}
 				break
 			case 'modify':
-				const oldNumber = getBinaryNodeChildren(child, 'participant').map(p => p.attrs.jid!)
+				const oldNumber = getBinaryNodeChildren(child, 'participant').map(p => p.attrs.jid ?? '').filter(Boolean)
 				msg.messageStubParameters = oldNumber || []
 				msg.messageStubType = WAMessageStubType.GROUP_PARTICIPANT_CHANGE_NUMBER
 				break
@@ -648,7 +665,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				const participants = getBinaryNodeChildren(child, 'participant').map(({ attrs }) => {
 					// TODO: Store LID MAPPINGS
 					return {
-						id: attrs.jid!,
+						id: attrs.jid ?? '',
 						phoneNumber: isLidUser(attrs.jid) && isPnUser(attrs.phone_number) ? attrs.phone_number : undefined,
 						lid: isPnUser(attrs.jid) && isLidUser(attrs.lid) ? attrs.lid : undefined,
 						admin: (attrs.type || null) as GroupParticipant['admin']
@@ -659,8 +676,8 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					participants.length === 1 &&
 					// if recv. "remove" message and sender removed themselves
 					// mark as left
-					(areJidsSameUser(participants[0]!.id, actingParticipantLid) ||
-						areJidsSameUser(participants[0]!.id, actingParticipantPn)) &&
+					(areJidsSameUser(participants[0]?.id, actingParticipantLid) ||
+						areJidsSameUser(participants[0]?.id, actingParticipantPn)) &&
 					child.tag === 'remove'
 				) {
 					msg.messageStubType = WAMessageStubType.GROUP_PARTICIPANT_LEAVE
@@ -670,7 +687,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				break
 			case 'subject':
 				msg.messageStubType = WAMessageStubType.GROUP_CHANGE_SUBJECT
-				msg.messageStubParameters = [child.attrs.subject!]
+				msg.messageStubParameters = [child.attrs.subject ?? '']
 				break
 			case 'description':
 				const description = getBinaryNodeChild(child, 'body')?.content?.toString()
@@ -689,7 +706,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				break
 			case 'invite':
 				msg.messageStubType = WAMessageStubType.GROUP_CHANGE_INVITE_LINK
-				msg.messageStubParameters = [child.attrs.code!]
+				msg.messageStubParameters = [child.attrs.code ?? '']
 				break
 			case 'member_add_mode':
 				const addMode = child.content
@@ -703,7 +720,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				const approvalMode = getBinaryNodeChild(child, 'group_join')
 				if (approvalMode) {
 					msg.messageStubType = WAMessageStubType.GROUP_MEMBERSHIP_JOIN_APPROVAL_MODE
-					msg.messageStubParameters = [approvalMode.attrs.state!]
+					msg.messageStubParameters = [approvalMode.attrs.state ?? '']
 				}
 
 				break
@@ -712,7 +729,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				msg.messageStubParameters = [
 					JSON.stringify({ lid: affectedParticipantLid, pn: affectedParticipantPn }),
 					'created',
-					child.attrs.request_method!
+					child.attrs.request_method ?? ''
 				]
 				break
 			case 'revoked_membership_requests':
@@ -742,7 +759,8 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				break
 			case 'w:gp2':
 				// TODO: HANDLE PARTICIPANT_PN
-				handleGroupNotification(node, child!, result)
+				if (!child) break
+				handleGroupNotification(node, child, result)
 				break
 			case 'mediaretry':
 				const event = decodeMediaRetryNode(node)
@@ -752,10 +770,11 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				await handleEncryptNotification(node)
 				break
 			case 'devices':
+				if (!child) break
 				const devices = getBinaryNodeChildren(child, 'device')
 				if (
-					areJidsSameUser(child!.attrs.jid, authState.creds.me!.id) ||
-					areJidsSameUser(child!.attrs.lid, authState.creds.me!.lid)
+					areJidsSameUser(child.attrs.jid, authState.creds.me?.id) ||
+					areJidsSameUser(child.attrs.lid, authState.creds.me?.lid)
 				) {
 					const deviceData = devices.map(d => ({ id: d.attrs.jid, lid: d.attrs.lid }))
 					logger.info({ deviceData }, 'my own devices changed')
diff --git a/src/Socket/messages-send.ts b/src/Socket/messages-send.ts
index 1e8b8891..31d5e16a 100644
--- a/src/Socket/messages-send.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/messages-send.ts
@@ -126,15 +126,16 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					},
 					content: [{ tag: 'media_conn', attrs: {} }]
 				})
-				const mediaConnNode = getBinaryNodeChild(result, 'media_conn')!
+				const mediaConnNode = getBinaryNodeChild(result, 'media_conn')
+				if (!mediaConnNode) throw new Boom('Missing media_conn node')
 				// TODO: explore full length of data that whatsapp provides
 				const node: MediaConnInfo = {
 					hosts: getBinaryNodeChildren(mediaConnNode, 'host').map(({ attrs }) => ({
-						hostname: attrs.hostname!,
-						maxContentLengthBytes: +attrs.maxContentLengthBytes!
+						hostname: attrs.hostname ?? '',
+						maxContentLengthBytes: +(attrs.maxContentLengthBytes ?? 0)
 					})),
-					auth: mediaConnNode.attrs.auth!,
-					ttl: +mediaConnNode.attrs.ttl!,
+					auth: mediaConnNode.attrs.auth ?? '',
+					ttl: +(mediaConnNode.attrs.ttl ?? 0),
 					fetchDate: new Date()
 				}
 				logger.debug('fetched media conn')
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		const node: BinaryNode = {
 			tag: 'receipt',
 			attrs: {
-				id: messageIds[0]!
+				id: messageIds[0] ?? ''
 			}
 		}
 		const isReadReceipt = type === 'read' || type === 'read-self'
@@ -171,8 +172,9 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		}
 
 		if (type === 'sender' && (isPnUser(jid) || isLidUser(jid))) {
+			if (!participant) throw new Boom('Missing participant for sender receipt')
 			node.attrs.recipient = jid
-			node.attrs.to = participant!
+			node.attrs.to = participant
 		} else {
 			node.attrs.to = jid
 			if (participant) {
@@ -266,10 +268,11 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		}
 
 		for (const { jid, user } of jidsWithUser) {
+			if (!user) continue
 			if (useCache) {
 				const devices =
-					mgetDevices?.[user!] ||
-					(userDevicesCache.mget ? undefined : ((await userDevicesCache.get(user!)) as FullJid[]))
+					mgetDevices?.[user] ||
+					(userDevicesCache.mget ? undefined : ((await userDevicesCache.get(user)) as FullJid[]))
 				if (devices) {
 					const devicesWithJid = devices.map(d => ({
 						...d,
@@ -324,10 +327,14 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				}
 			}
 
+			const meId = authState.creds.me?.id
+			if (!meId) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
+			const meLid = authState.creds.me?.lid || ''
+
 			const extracted = extractDeviceJids(
 				result?.list,
-				authState.creds.me!.id,
-				authState.creds.me!.lid!,
+				meId,
+				meLid,
 				ignoreZeroDevices
 			)
 			const deviceMap: { [_: string]: FullJid[] } = {}
@@ -547,7 +554,8 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			: recipientJids.map(jid => ({ recipientJid: jid, message: patched }))
 
 		let shouldIncludeDeviceIdentity = false
-		const meId = authState.creds.me!.id
+		const meId = authState.creds.me?.id
+		if (!meId) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
 		const meLid = authState.creds.me?.lid
 		const meLidUser = meLid ? jidDecode(meLid)?.user : null
 
@@ -559,8 +567,8 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					let msgToEncrypt = patchedMessage
 
 					if (dsmMessage) {
-						const { user: targetUser } = jidDecode(jid)!
-						const { user: ownPnUser } = jidDecode(meId)!
+						const targetUser = jidDecode(jid)?.user ?? ''
+						const ownPnUser = jidDecode(meId)?.user ?? ''
 						const ownLidUser = meLidUser
 
 						const isOwnUser = targetUser === ownPnUser || (ownLidUser && targetUser === ownLidUser)
@@ -816,13 +824,16 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			statusJidList
 		}: MessageRelayOptions
 	) => {
-		const meId = authState.creds.me!.id
+		const meId = authState.creds.me?.id
+		if (!meId) throw new Boom('Not authenticated', { statusCode: 401 })
 		const meLid = authState.creds.me?.lid
 		const isRetryResend = Boolean(participant?.jid)
 		let shouldIncludeDeviceIdentity = isRetryResend
 		const statusJid = 'status@broadcast'
 
-		const { user, server } = jidDecode(jid)!
+		const jidDecoded = jidDecode(jid)
+		if (!jidDecoded) throw new Boom('Invalid JID')
+		const { user, server } = jidDecoded
 		const isGroup = server === 'g.us'
 		const isStatus = jid === statusJid
 		const isLid = server === 'lid'
@@ -910,7 +921,9 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				additionalAttributes = { ...additionalAttributes, device_fanout: 'false' }
 			}
 
-			const { user, device } = jidDecode(participant.jid)!
+			const participantDecoded = jidDecode(participant.jid)
+			if (!participantDecoded) throw new Boom('Invalid participant JID')
+			const { user, device } = participantDecoded
 			devices.push({
 				user,
 				device,
@@ -1068,7 +1081,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					logger.debug({ to: jid, ownId }, 'Using PN identity for @s.whatsapp.net conversation')
 				}
 
-				const { user: ownUser } = jidDecode(ownId)!
+				const ownUser = jidDecode(ownId)?.user ?? ''
 				if (!participant) {
 					const patchedForReporting = await patchMessageBeforeSending(message, [jid])
 					reportingMessage = Array.isArray(patchedForReporting)
@@ -1086,7 +1099,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 					if (user !== ownUser) {
 						const ownUserServer = isLid ? 'lid' : 's.whatsapp.net'
-						const ownUserForAddressing = isLid && meLid ? jidDecode(meLid)!.user : jidDecode(meId)!.user
+						const ownUserForAddressing = isLid && meLid ? (jidDecode(meLid)?.user ?? '') : (jidDecode(meId)?.user ?? '')
 
 						devices.push({
 							user: ownUserForAddressing,
@@ -1102,8 +1115,8 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 						// Use conversation-appropriate sender identity
 						const senderIdentity =
 							isLid && meLid
-								? jidEncode(jidDecode(meLid)?.user!, 'lid', undefined)
-								: jidEncode(jidDecode(meId)?.user!, 's.whatsapp.net', undefined)
+								? jidEncode(jidDecode(meLid)?.user ?? '', 'lid', undefined)
+								: jidEncode(jidDecode(meId)?.user ?? '', 's.whatsapp.net', undefined)
 
 						// Enumerate devices for sender and target with consistent addressing
 						const sessionDevices = await getUSyncDevices([senderIdentity, jid], true, false)
@@ -1122,8 +1135,8 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				const allRecipients: string[] = []
 				const meRecipients: string[] = []
 				const otherRecipients: string[] = []
-				const { user: mePnUser } = jidDecode(meId)!
-				const { user: meLidUser } = meLid ? jidDecode(meLid)! : { user: null }
+				const mePnUser = jidDecode(meId)?.user ?? ''
+				const meLidUser = meLid ? (jidDecode(meLid)?.user ?? null) : null
 
 				// Carousel in DSM wrapper causes error 479 on own devices
 				const isCarouselMsg = isCarouselMessage(message)
@@ -1172,10 +1185,11 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			}
 
 			if (isRetryResend) {
+				if (!participant) throw new Boom('Missing participant for retry resend')
 				// Only check for regular LID users, NOT hosted LID users
 				// Hosted LID users should use meId for comparison, not meLid
-				const isParticipantLid = isLidUser(participant!.jid)
-				const isMe = areJidsSameUser(participant!.jid, isParticipantLid ? meLid : meId)
+				const isParticipantLid = isLidUser(participant.jid)
+				const isMe = areJidsSameUser(participant.jid, isParticipantLid ? meLid : meId)
 
 				// Skip DSM for carousel - own devices reject it with error 479
 				const usesDSM = isMe && !isCarouselMessage(message)
@@ -1190,7 +1204,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 				const { type, ciphertext: encryptedContent } = await signalRepository.encryptMessage({
 					data: encodedMessageToSend,
-					jid: participant!.jid
+					jid: participant.jid
 				})
 
 				binaryNodeContent.push({
diff --git a/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts b/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts
index 18314f2f..d35ec93a 100644
--- a/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts
@@ -154,7 +154,12 @@ export const encodeSyncdPatch = async (
 	})
 	const encoded = proto.SyncActionData.encode(dataProto).finish()
 
-	const keyValue = mutationKeys(key.keyData!)
+	const keyData = key.keyData
+	if (!keyData) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing keyData for encoding', { statusCode: 500 })
+	}
+
+	const keyValue = mutationKeys(keyData)
 
 	const encValue = aesEncrypt(encoded, keyValue.valueEncryptionKey)
 	const valueMac = generateMac(operation, encValue, encKeyId, keyValue.valueMacKey)
@@ -210,15 +215,34 @@ export const decodeSyncdMutations = async (
 		// if it's a syncdmutation, get the operation property
 		// otherwise, if it's only a record -- it'll be a SET mutation
 		const operation = 'operation' in msgMutation ? msgMutation.operation : proto.SyncdMutation.SyncdOperation.SET
+		if (operation == null) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing operation in mutation', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
 		const record =
 			'record' in msgMutation && !!msgMutation.record ? msgMutation.record : (msgMutation as proto.ISyncdRecord)
 
-		const key = await getKey(record.keyId!.id!)
-		const content = Buffer.from(record.value!.blob!)
+		const keyIdBuf = record.keyId?.id
+		if (!keyIdBuf) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing keyId in record', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const recordBlob = record.value?.blob
+		if (!recordBlob) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing record blob', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const indexBlob = record.index?.blob
+		if (!indexBlob) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing index blob in record', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const key = await getKey(keyIdBuf)
+		const content = Buffer.from(recordBlob)
 		const encContent = content.slice(0, -32)
 		const ogValueMac = content.slice(-32)
 		if (validateMacs) {
-			const contentHmac = generateMac(operation!, encContent, record.keyId!.id!, key.valueMacKey)
+			const contentHmac = generateMac(operation, encContent, keyIdBuf, key.valueMacKey)
 			if (Buffer.compare(contentHmac, ogValueMac) !== 0) {
 				throw new Boom('HMAC content verification failed')
 			}
@@ -227,20 +251,25 @@ export const decodeSyncdMutations = async (
 		const result = aesDecrypt(encContent, key.valueEncryptionKey)
 		const syncAction = proto.SyncActionData.decode(result)
 
+		const syncActionIndex = syncAction.index
+		if (!syncActionIndex) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing index in sync action data', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
 		if (validateMacs) {
-			const hmac = hmacSign(syncAction.index!, key.indexKey)
-			if (Buffer.compare(hmac, record.index!.blob!) !== 0) {
+			const hmac = hmacSign(syncActionIndex, key.indexKey)
+			if (Buffer.compare(hmac, indexBlob) !== 0) {
 				throw new Boom('HMAC index verification failed')
 			}
 		}
 
-		const indexStr = Buffer.from(syncAction.index!).toString()
+		const indexStr = Buffer.from(syncActionIndex).toString()
 		onMutation({ syncAction, index: JSON.parse(indexStr) })
 
 		ltGenerator.mix({
-			indexMac: record.index!.blob!,
+			indexMac: indexBlob,
 			valueMac: ogValueMac,
-			operation: operation!
+			operation: operation
 		})
 	}
 
@@ -256,7 +285,12 @@ export const decodeSyncdMutations = async (
 			})
 		}
 
-		return mutationKeys(keyEnc.keyData!)
+		const keyData = keyEnc.keyData
+		if (!keyData) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing keyData in app state sync key', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		return mutationKeys(keyData)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -269,28 +303,71 @@ export const decodeSyncdPatch = async (
 	validateMacs: boolean
 ) => {
 	if (validateMacs) {
-		const base64Key = Buffer.from(msg.keyId!.id!).toString('base64')
+		const msgKeyId = msg.keyId?.id
+		if (!msgKeyId) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing keyId in patch message', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const base64Key = Buffer.from(msgKeyId).toString('base64')
 		const mainKeyObj = await getAppStateSyncKey(base64Key)
 		if (!mainKeyObj) {
 			throw new Boom(`failed to find key "${base64Key}" to decode patch`, { statusCode: 404, data: { msg } })
 		}
 
-		const mainKey = mutationKeys(mainKeyObj.keyData!)
-		const mutationmacs = msg.mutations!.map(mutation => mutation.record!.value!.blob!.slice(-32))
+		const mainKeyData = mainKeyObj.keyData
+		if (!mainKeyData) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing keyData in main key object', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const mainKey = mutationKeys(mainKeyData)
+
+		const msgMutations = msg.mutations
+		if (!msgMutations) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing mutations in patch message', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const mutationmacs = msgMutations.map(mutation => {
+			const mutBlob = mutation.record?.value?.blob
+			if (!mutBlob) {
+				throw new Boom('Missing blob in mutation record', { statusCode: 500 })
+			}
+
+			return mutBlob.slice(-32)
+		})
+
+		const msgSnapshotMac = msg.snapshotMac
+		if (!msgSnapshotMac) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing snapshotMac in patch message', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const msgVersion = msg.version?.version
+		if (msgVersion == null) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing version in patch message', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const msgPatchMac = msg.patchMac
+		if (!msgPatchMac) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing patchMac in patch message', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
 
 		const patchMac = generatePatchMac(
-			msg.snapshotMac!,
+			msgSnapshotMac,
 			mutationmacs,
-			toNumber(msg.version!.version),
+			toNumber(msgVersion),
 			name,
 			mainKey.patchMacKey
 		)
-		if (Buffer.compare(patchMac, msg.patchMac!) !== 0) {
+		if (Buffer.compare(patchMac, msgPatchMac) !== 0) {
 			throw new Boom('Invalid patch mac')
 		}
 	}
 
-	const result = await decodeSyncdMutations(msg.mutations!, initialState, getAppStateSyncKey, onMutation, validateMacs)
+	const patchMutations = msg.mutations
+	if (!patchMutations) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing mutations in patch message', { statusCode: 500 })
+	}
+
+	const result = await decodeSyncdMutations(patchMutations, initialState, getAppStateSyncKey, onMutation, validateMacs)
 	return result
 }
 
@@ -332,7 +409,7 @@ export const extractSyncdPatches = async (result: BinaryNode, options: RequestIn
 
 					const syncd = proto.SyncdPatch.decode(content as Uint8Array)
 					if (!syncd.version) {
-						syncd.version = { version: +collectionNode.attrs.version! + 1 }
+						syncd.version = { version: +(collectionNode.attrs.version ?? 0) + 1 }
 					}
 
 					syncds.push(syncd)
@@ -370,19 +447,30 @@ export const decodeSyncdSnapshot = async (
 	validateMacs = true
 ) => {
 	const newState = newLTHashState()
-	newState.version = toNumber(snapshot.version!.version)
+
+	const snapshotVersion = snapshot.version?.version
+	if (snapshotVersion == null) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing version in snapshot', { statusCode: 500 })
+	}
+
+	newState.version = toNumber(snapshotVersion)
 
 	const mutationMap: ChatMutationMap = {}
 	const areMutationsRequired = typeof minimumVersionNumber === 'undefined' || newState.version > minimumVersionNumber
 
+	const snapshotRecords = snapshot.records
+	if (!snapshotRecords) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing records in snapshot', { statusCode: 500 })
+	}
+
 	const { hash, indexValueMap } = await decodeSyncdMutations(
-		snapshot.records!,
+		snapshotRecords,
 		newState,
 		getAppStateSyncKey,
 		areMutationsRequired
 			? mutation => {
 					const index = mutation.syncAction.index?.toString()
-					mutationMap[index!] = mutation
+					mutationMap[index ?? ''] = mutation
 				}
 			: () => {},
 		validateMacs
@@ -391,15 +479,31 @@ export const decodeSyncdSnapshot = async (
 	newState.indexValueMap = indexValueMap
 
 	if (validateMacs) {
-		const base64Key = Buffer.from(snapshot.keyId!.id!).toString('base64')
+		const snapKeyId = snapshot.keyId?.id
+		if (!snapKeyId) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing keyId in snapshot', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const base64Key = Buffer.from(snapKeyId).toString('base64')
 		const keyEnc = await getAppStateSyncKey(base64Key)
 		if (!keyEnc) {
 			throw new Boom(`failed to find key "${base64Key}" to decode mutation`)
 		}
 
-		const result = mutationKeys(keyEnc.keyData!)
+		const snapKeyData = keyEnc.keyData
+		if (!snapKeyData) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing keyData in snapshot key', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const result = mutationKeys(snapKeyData)
 		const computedSnapshotMac = generateSnapshotMac(newState.hash, newState.version, name, result.snapshotMacKey)
-		if (Buffer.compare(snapshot.mac!, computedSnapshotMac) !== 0) {
+
+		const snapshotMac = snapshot.mac
+		if (!snapshotMac) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing mac in snapshot', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		if (Buffer.compare(snapshotMac, computedSnapshotMac) !== 0) {
 			throw new Boom(`failed to verify LTHash at ${newState.version} of ${name} from snapshot`)
 		}
 	}
@@ -436,7 +540,12 @@ export const decodePatches = async (
 			syncd.mutations?.push(...ref.mutations)
 		}
 
-		const patchVersion = toNumber(version!.version)
+		const ver = version?.version
+		if (ver == null) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing version in patch', { statusCode: 500 })
+		}
+
+		const patchVersion = toNumber(ver)
 
 		newState.version = patchVersion
 		const shouldMutate = typeof minimumVersionNumber === 'undefined' || patchVersion > minimumVersionNumber
@@ -449,7 +558,7 @@ export const decodePatches = async (
 			shouldMutate
 				? mutation => {
 						const index = mutation.syncAction.index?.toString()
-						mutationMap[index!] = mutation
+						mutationMap[index ?? ''] = mutation
 					}
 				: () => {},
 			true
@@ -459,15 +568,30 @@ export const decodePatches = async (
 		newState.indexValueMap = decodeResult.indexValueMap
 
 		if (validateMacs) {
-			const base64Key = Buffer.from(keyId!.id!).toString('base64')
+			const patchKeyId = keyId?.id
+			if (!patchKeyId) {
+				throw new Boom('Missing keyId in patch', { statusCode: 500 })
+			}
+
+			const base64Key = Buffer.from(patchKeyId).toString('base64')
 			const keyEnc = await getAppStateSyncKey(base64Key)
 			if (!keyEnc) {
 				throw new Boom(`failed to find key "${base64Key}" to decode mutation`)
 			}
 
-			const result = mutationKeys(keyEnc.keyData!)
+			const patchKeyData = keyEnc.keyData
+			if (!patchKeyData) {
+				throw new Boom('Missing keyData in patch key', { statusCode: 500 })
+			}
+
+			const result = mutationKeys(patchKeyData)
 			const computedSnapshotMac = generateSnapshotMac(newState.hash, newState.version, name, result.snapshotMacKey)
-			if (Buffer.compare(snapshotMac!, computedSnapshotMac) !== 0) {
+
+			if (!snapshotMac) {
+				throw new Boom('Missing snapshotMac in patch', { statusCode: 500 })
+			}
+
+			if (Buffer.compare(snapshotMac, computedSnapshotMac) !== 0) {
 				throw new Boom(`failed to verify LTHash at ${newState.version} of ${name}`)
 			}
 		}
@@ -565,7 +689,7 @@ export const chatModificationToAppPatch = (mod: ChatModification, jid: string) =
 					messageTimestamp: timestamp
 				}
 			},
-			index: ['deleteMessageForMe', jid, key.id!, key.fromMe ? '1' : '0', '0'],
+			index: ['deleteMessageForMe', jid, key.id ?? '', key.fromMe ? '1' : '0', '0'],
 			type: 'regular_high',
 			apiVersion: 3,
 			operation: OP.SET
@@ -615,7 +739,11 @@ export const chatModificationToAppPatch = (mod: ChatModification, jid: string) =
 			operation: OP.SET
 		}
 	} else if ('star' in mod) {
-		const key = mod.star.messages[0]!
+		const key = mod.star.messages[0]
+		if (!key) {
+			throw new Boom('Missing star message key', { statusCode: 400 })
+		}
+
 		patch = {
 			syncAction: {
 				starAction: {
@@ -768,7 +896,7 @@ export const processSyncAction = (
 			{
 				id,
 				muteEndTime: action.muteAction?.muted ? toNumber(action.muteAction.muteEndTimestamp) : null,
-				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id!, undefined)
+				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id ?? '', undefined)
 			}
 		])
 	} else if (action?.archiveChatAction || type === 'archive' || type === 'unarchive') {
@@ -797,7 +925,7 @@ export const processSyncAction = (
 			{
 				id,
 				archived: isArchived,
-				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id!, msgRange)
+				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id ?? '', msgRange)
 			}
 		])
 	} else if (action?.markChatAsReadAction) {
@@ -811,7 +939,7 @@ export const processSyncAction = (
 			{
 				id,
 				unreadCount: isNullUpdate ? null : !!markReadAction?.read ? 0 : -1,
-				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id!, markReadAction?.messageRange)
+				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id ?? '', markReadAction?.messageRange)
 			}
 		])
 	} else if (action?.deleteMessageForMeAction || type === 'deleteMessageForMe') {
@@ -837,7 +965,7 @@ export const processSyncAction = (
 			{
 				id,
 				pinned: action.pinAction?.pinned ? toNumber(action.timestamp) : null,
-				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id!, undefined)
+				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id ?? '', undefined)
 			}
 		])
 	} else if (action?.unarchiveChatsSetting) {
@@ -862,7 +990,7 @@ export const processSyncAction = (
 		])
 	} else if (action?.deleteChatAction || type === 'deleteChat') {
 		if (!isInitialSync) {
-			ev.emit('chats.delete', [id!])
+			ev.emit('chats.delete', [id ?? ''])
 		}
 	} else if (action?.labelEditAction) {
 		const { name, color, deleted, predefinedId } = action.labelEditAction
diff --git a/src/Utils/generics.ts b/src/Utils/generics.ts
index 55b37f24..249914dc 100644
--- a/src/Utils/generics.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/generics.ts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ export const isStringNullOrEmpty = (value: string | null | undefined): value is
 
 export const writeRandomPadMax16 = (msg: Uint8Array) => {
 	const pad = randomBytes(1)
-	const padLength = (pad[0]! & 0x0f) + 1
+	const padLength = ((pad[0] ?? 0) & 0x0f) + 1
 
 	return Buffer.concat([msg, Buffer.alloc(padLength, padLength)])
 }
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export const unpadRandomMax16 = (e: Uint8Array | Buffer) => {
 		throw new Error('unpadPkcs7 given empty bytes')
 	}
 
-	var r = t[t.length - 1]!
+	var r = t[t.length - 1] ?? 0
 	if (r > t.length) {
 		throw new Error(`unpad given ${t.length} bytes, but pad is ${r}`)
 	}
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ export const generateParticipantHashV2 = (participants: string[]): string => {
 export const encodeWAMessage = (message: proto.IMessage) => writeRandomPadMax16(proto.Message.encode(message).finish())
 
 export const generateRegistrationId = (): number => {
-	return Uint16Array.from(randomBytes(2))[0]! & 16383
+	return (Uint16Array.from(randomBytes(2))[0] ?? 0) & 16383
 }
 
 export const encodeBigEndian = (e: number, t = 4) => {
@@ -246,10 +246,14 @@ export const fetchLatestBaileysVersion = async (options: RequestInit = {}) => {
 		// Extract version from line 7 (const version = [...])
 		const lines = text.split('\n')
 		const versionLine = lines[6] // Line 7 (0-indexed)
-		const versionMatch = versionLine!.match(/const version = \[(\d+),\s*(\d+),\s*(\d+)\]/)
+		if (!versionLine) {
+			throw new Error('Version line not found')
+		}
+
+		const versionMatch = versionLine.match(/const version = \[(\d+),\s*(\d+),\s*(\d+)\]/)
 
 		if (versionMatch) {
-			const version = [parseInt(versionMatch[1]!), parseInt(versionMatch[2]!), parseInt(versionMatch[3]!)] as WAVersion
+			const version = [parseInt(versionMatch[1] ?? '0'), parseInt(versionMatch[2] ?? '0'), parseInt(versionMatch[3] ?? '0')] as WAVersion
 
 			return {
 				version,
@@ -339,7 +343,7 @@ const STATUS_MAP: { [_: string]: proto.WebMessageInfo.Status } = {
  * @param type type from receipt
  */
 export const getStatusFromReceiptType = (type: string | undefined) => {
-	const status = STATUS_MAP[type!]
+	const status = STATUS_MAP[type ?? '']
 	if (typeof type === 'undefined') {
 		return proto.WebMessageInfo.Status.DELIVERY_ACK
 	}
diff --git a/src/Utils/history.ts b/src/Utils/history.ts
index c35c15fe..0394b02a 100644
--- a/src/Utils/history.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/history.ts
@@ -293,8 +293,8 @@ export const processHistoryMessage = (item: proto.IHistorySync, logger?: ILogger
 		case proto.HistorySync.HistorySyncType.RECENT:
 		case proto.HistorySync.HistorySyncType.FULL:
 		case proto.HistorySync.HistorySyncType.ON_DEMAND:
-			for (const chat of item.conversations! as Chat[]) {
-				const chatId = chat.id!
+			for (const chat of (item.conversations ?? []) as Chat[]) {
+				const chatId = chat.id ?? ''
 
 				// Source 2: Extract LID-PN mapping from conversation object
 				// This handles cases where the mapping isn't in phoneNumberToLidMappings
@@ -328,7 +328,8 @@ export const processHistoryMessage = (item: proto.IHistorySync, logger?: ILogger
 				delete chat.messages
 
 				for (const item of msgs) {
-					const message = item.message! as WAMessage
+					if (!item.message) continue
+					const message = item.message as WAMessage
 					messages.push(message)
 
 					// Source 3: Extract LID-PN mapping from message's alternative JID fields
@@ -358,7 +359,7 @@ export const processHistoryMessage = (item: proto.IHistorySync, logger?: ILogger
 						message.messageStubParameters?.[0]
 					) {
 						contacts.push({
-							id: message.key.participant || message.key.remoteJid!,
+							id: message.key.participant || message.key.remoteJid || '',
 							verifiedName: message.messageStubParameters?.[0]
 						})
 					}
@@ -369,8 +370,8 @@ export const processHistoryMessage = (item: proto.IHistorySync, logger?: ILogger
 
 			break
 		case proto.HistorySync.HistorySyncType.PUSH_NAME:
-			for (const c of item.pushnames!) {
-				contacts.push({ id: c.id!, notify: c.pushname! })
+			for (const c of (item.pushnames ?? [])) {
+				contacts.push({ id: c.id ?? '', notify: c.pushname ?? '' })
 			}
 
 			break
@@ -424,7 +425,7 @@ export const downloadAndProcessHistorySyncNotification = async (
  */
 export const getHistoryMsg = (message: proto.IMessage) => {
 	const normalizedContent = !!message ? normalizeMessageContent(message) : undefined
-	const anyHistoryMsg = normalizedContent?.protocolMessage?.historySyncNotification!
+	const anyHistoryMsg = normalizedContent?.protocolMessage?.historySyncNotification
 
 	return anyHistoryMsg
 }
diff --git a/src/Utils/messages.ts b/src/Utils/messages.ts
index 5f6016bb..bd54de01 100644
--- a/src/Utils/messages.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/messages.ts
@@ -168,14 +168,17 @@ export const prepareWAMessageMedia = async (
 	}
 
 	if (cacheableKey) {
-		const mediaBuff = await options.mediaCache!.get<Buffer>(cacheableKey)
+		const mediaBuff = await options.mediaCache?.get<Buffer>(cacheableKey)
 		if (mediaBuff) {
 			logger?.debug({ cacheableKey }, 'got media cache hit')
 
 			const obj = proto.Message.decode(mediaBuff)
 			const key = `${mediaType}Message`
 
-			Object.assign(obj[key as keyof proto.Message]!, { ...uploadData, media: undefined })
+			const mediaMsg = obj[key as keyof proto.Message]
+			if (mediaMsg) {
+				Object.assign(mediaMsg, { ...uploadData, media: undefined })
+			}
 
 			return obj
 		}
@@ -222,7 +225,7 @@ export const prepareWAMessageMedia = async (
 
 		if (cacheableKey) {
 			logger?.debug({ cacheableKey }, 'set cache')
-			await options.mediaCache!.set(cacheableKey, WAProto.Message.encode(obj).finish())
+			await options.mediaCache?.set(cacheableKey, WAProto.Message.encode(obj).finish())
 		}
 
 		return obj
@@ -257,9 +260,13 @@ export const prepareWAMessageMedia = async (
 		})(),
 		(async () => {
 			try {
+				if ((requiresThumbnailComputation || requiresDurationComputation || requiresWaveformProcessing) && !originalFilePath) {
+					throw new Boom('Missing file path for processing')
+				}
+
 				if (requiresThumbnailComputation) {
 					const { thumbnail, originalImageDimensions } = await generateThumbnail(
-						originalFilePath!,
+						originalFilePath,
 						mediaType as 'image' | 'video',
 						options
 					)
@@ -274,12 +281,12 @@ export const prepareWAMessageMedia = async (
 				}
 
 				if (requiresDurationComputation) {
-					uploadData.seconds = await getAudioDuration(originalFilePath!)
+					uploadData.seconds = await getAudioDuration(originalFilePath)
 					logger?.debug('computed audio duration')
 				}
 
 				if (requiresWaveformProcessing) {
-					uploadData.waveform = await getAudioWaveform(originalFilePath!, logger)
+					uploadData.waveform = await getAudioWaveform(originalFilePath, logger)
 					logger?.debug('processed waveform')
 				}
 
@@ -325,7 +332,7 @@ export const prepareWAMessageMedia = async (
 
 	if (cacheableKey) {
 		logger?.debug({ cacheableKey }, 'set cache')
-		await options.mediaCache!.set(cacheableKey, WAProto.Message.encode(obj).finish())
+		await options.mediaCache?.set(cacheableKey, WAProto.Message.encode(obj).finish())
 	}
 
 	return obj
@@ -359,7 +366,11 @@ export const generateForwardMessageContent = (message: WAMessage, forceForward?:
 
 	// hacky copy
 	content = normalizeMessageContent(content)
-	content = proto.Message.decode(proto.Message.encode(content!).finish())
+	if (!content) {
+		throw new Boom('no content in message', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
+
+	content = proto.Message.decode(proto.Message.encode(content).finish())
 
 	let key = Object.keys(content)[0] as keyof proto.IMessage
 
@@ -591,7 +602,8 @@ export const generateCarouselMessage = async (
 
 	// Validate cards
 	for (let i = 0; i < cards.length; i++) {
-		const card = cards[i]!
+		const card = cards[i]
+		if (!card) continue
 
 		// Validate mutual exclusivity of media types
 		if (card.image && card.video) {
@@ -1042,7 +1054,9 @@ export const generateProductCarouselMessage = (
 
 	// Validate each product has a valid productId
 	for (let i = 0; i < products.length; i++) {
-		const product = products[i]!
+		const product = products[i]
+		if (!product) continue
+
 		if (!product.productId || typeof product.productId !== 'string' || product.productId.trim().length === 0) {
 			throw new Boom(`Product at index ${i} must have a non-empty productId`, { statusCode: 400 })
 		}
@@ -1261,14 +1275,7 @@ export const generateWAMessageContent = async (
 		options.logger?.warn('[EXPERIMENTAL] Sending buttonsMessage - this may not work and can cause bans')
 	} else if (hasNonNullishProperty(message, 'text') && hasNonNullishProperty(message, 'templateButtons')) {
 		// Process templateButtons
-		const templateMessage: proto.Message.ITemplateMessage = {
-			hydratedTemplate: {
-				hydratedContentText: (message as any).text,
-				hydratedFooterText: (message as any).footer
-			}
-		}
-
-		templateMessage.hydratedTemplate!.hydratedButtons = ((message as any).templateButtons as any[]).map((btn: any) => {
+		const hydratedButtons = ((message as any).templateButtons as any[]).map((btn: any) => {
 			if (btn.quickReplyButton) {
 				return { index: btn.index, quickReplyButton: btn.quickReplyButton }
 			} else if (btn.urlButton) {
@@ -1279,6 +1286,14 @@ export const generateWAMessageContent = async (
 			return btn
 		})
 
+		const templateMessage: proto.Message.ITemplateMessage = {
+			hydratedTemplate: {
+				hydratedContentText: (message as any).text,
+				hydratedFooterText: (message as any).footer,
+				hydratedButtons
+			}
+		}
+
 		m.templateMessage = templateMessage
 		options.logger?.warn('[EXPERIMENTAL] Sending templateMessage - this may not work and can cause bans')
 	} else if (hasNonNullishProperty(message, 'sections')) {
@@ -1354,7 +1369,9 @@ export const generateWAMessageContent = async (
 		let expectedVideoCount = 0
 
 		for (let i = 0; i < medias.length; i++) {
-			const media = medias[i]!
+			const media = medias[i]
+			if (!media) continue
+
 			if (hasNonNullishProperty(media as AnyMessageContent, 'image')) {
 				expectedImageCount++
 			} else if (hasNonNullishProperty(media as AnyMessageContent, 'video')) {
@@ -1653,13 +1670,15 @@ export const generateWAMessageContent = async (
 	}
 
 	if (hasOptionalProperty(message, 'mentions') && message.mentions?.length) {
-		const messageType = Object.keys(m)[0]! as Extract<keyof proto.IMessage, MessageWithContextInfo>
-		const key = m[messageType]
-		if ('contextInfo' in key! && !!key.contextInfo) {
-			key.contextInfo.mentionedJid = message.mentions
-		} else if (key!) {
-			key.contextInfo = {
-				mentionedJid: message.mentions
+		const messageType = Object.keys(m)[0] as Extract<keyof proto.IMessage, MessageWithContextInfo>
+		if (messageType) {
+			const key = m[messageType]
+			if (key && 'contextInfo' in key && !!key.contextInfo) {
+				key.contextInfo.mentionedJid = message.mentions
+			} else if (key) {
+				key.contextInfo = {
+					mentionedJid: message.mentions
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -1676,12 +1695,14 @@ export const generateWAMessageContent = async (
 	}
 
 	if (hasOptionalProperty(message, 'contextInfo') && !!message.contextInfo) {
-		const messageType = Object.keys(m)[0]! as Extract<keyof proto.IMessage, MessageWithContextInfo>
-		const key = m[messageType]
-		if ('contextInfo' in key! && !!key.contextInfo) {
-			key.contextInfo = { ...key.contextInfo, ...message.contextInfo }
-		} else if (key!) {
-			key.contextInfo = message.contextInfo
+		const messageType = Object.keys(m)[0] as Extract<keyof proto.IMessage, MessageWithContextInfo>
+		if (messageType) {
+			const key = m[messageType]
+			if (key && 'contextInfo' in key && !!key.contextInfo) {
+				key.contextInfo = { ...key.contextInfo, ...message.contextInfo }
+			} else if (key) {
+				key.contextInfo = message.contextInfo
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -1708,8 +1729,16 @@ export const generateWAMessageFromContent = (
 		options.timestamp = new Date()
 	}
 
-	const innerMessage = normalizeMessageContent(message)!
-	const key = getContentType(innerMessage)! as Exclude<keyof proto.IMessage, 'conversation'>
+	const innerMessage = normalizeMessageContent(message)
+	if (!innerMessage) {
+		throw new Boom('no content in message', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
+
+	const key = getContentType(innerMessage)
+	if (!key) {
+		throw new Boom('unable to determine message content type', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
+
 	const timestamp = unixTimestampSeconds(options.timestamp)
 	const { quoted, userJid } = options
 
@@ -1718,8 +1747,16 @@ export const generateWAMessageFromContent = (
 			? userJid // TODO: Add support for LIDs
 			: quoted.participant || quoted.key.participant || quoted.key.remoteJid
 
-		let quotedMsg = normalizeMessageContent(quoted.message)!
-		const msgType = getContentType(quotedMsg)!
+		let quotedMsg = normalizeMessageContent(quoted.message)
+		if (!quotedMsg) {
+			throw new Boom('no content in quoted message', { statusCode: 400 })
+		}
+
+		const msgType = getContentType(quotedMsg)
+		if (!msgType) {
+			throw new Boom('unable to determine quoted message content type', { statusCode: 400 })
+		}
+
 		// strip any redundant properties
 		quotedMsg = proto.Message.create({ [msgType]: quotedMsg[msgType] })
 
@@ -1728,9 +1765,10 @@ export const generateWAMessageFromContent = (
 			delete quotedContent.contextInfo
 		}
 
+		const innerContent = innerMessage[key as Exclude<keyof proto.IMessage, 'conversation'>]
 		const contextInfo: proto.IContextInfo =
-			('contextInfo' in innerMessage[key]! && innerMessage[key]?.contextInfo) || {}
-		contextInfo.participant = jidNormalizedUser(participant!)
+			(innerContent && 'contextInfo' in innerContent && innerMessage[key as Exclude<keyof proto.IMessage, 'conversation'>]?.contextInfo) || {}
+		contextInfo.participant = jidNormalizedUser(participant ?? '')
 		contextInfo.stanzaId = quoted.key.id
 		contextInfo.quotedMessage = quotedMsg
 
diff --git a/src/Utils/process-message.ts b/src/Utils/process-message.ts
index 2c45341a..bf6f256f 100644
--- a/src/Utils/process-message.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/process-message.ts
@@ -59,32 +59,40 @@ const REAL_MSG_REQ_ME_STUB_TYPES = new Set([WAMessageStubType.GROUP_PARTICIPANT_
 /** Cleans a received message to further processing */
 export const cleanMessage = (message: WAMessage, meId: string, meLid: string) => {
 	// ensure remoteJid and participant doesn't have device or agent in it
-	if (isHostedPnUser(message.key.remoteJid!) || isHostedLidUser(message.key.remoteJid!)) {
+	const remoteJid = message.key.remoteJid ?? ''
+	if (isHostedPnUser(remoteJid) || isHostedLidUser(remoteJid)) {
 		message.key.remoteJid = jidEncode(
-			jidDecode(message.key?.remoteJid!)?.user!,
-			isHostedPnUser(message.key.remoteJid!) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
+			jidDecode(remoteJid)?.user ?? '',
+			isHostedPnUser(remoteJid) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
 		)
 	} else {
-		message.key.remoteJid = jidNormalizedUser(message.key.remoteJid!)
+		message.key.remoteJid = jidNormalizedUser(remoteJid)
 	}
 
-	if (isHostedPnUser(message.key.participant!) || isHostedLidUser(message.key.participant!)) {
+	const participantJid = message.key.participant ?? ''
+	if (isHostedPnUser(participantJid) || isHostedLidUser(participantJid)) {
 		message.key.participant = jidEncode(
-			jidDecode(message.key.participant!)?.user!,
-			isHostedPnUser(message.key.participant!) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
+			jidDecode(participantJid)?.user ?? '',
+			isHostedPnUser(participantJid) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
 		)
 	} else {
-		message.key.participant = jidNormalizedUser(message.key.participant!)
+		message.key.participant = jidNormalizedUser(participantJid)
 	}
 
 	const content = normalizeMessageContent(message.message)
 	// if the message has a reaction, ensure fromMe & remoteJid are from our perspective
 	if (content?.reactionMessage) {
-		normaliseKey(content.reactionMessage.key!)
+		const reactionKey = content.reactionMessage.key
+		if (reactionKey) {
+			normaliseKey(reactionKey)
+		}
 	}
 
 	if (content?.pollUpdateMessage) {
-		normaliseKey(content.pollUpdateMessage.pollCreationMessageKey!)
+		const pollCreationKey = content.pollUpdateMessage.pollCreationMessageKey
+		if (pollCreationKey) {
+			normaliseKey(pollCreationKey)
+		}
 	}
 
 	function normaliseKey(msgKey: WAMessageKey) {
@@ -94,8 +102,8 @@ export const cleanMessage = (message: WAMessage, meId: string, meLid: string) =>
 			// if the sender believed the message being reacted to is not from them
 			// we've to correct the key to be from them, or some other participant
 			msgKey.fromMe = !msgKey.fromMe
-				? areJidsSameUser(msgKey.participant || msgKey.remoteJid!, meId) ||
-					areJidsSameUser(msgKey.participant || msgKey.remoteJid!, meLid)
+				? areJidsSameUser(msgKey.participant || (msgKey.remoteJid ?? ''), meId) ||
+					areJidsSameUser(msgKey.participant || (msgKey.remoteJid ?? ''), meLid)
 				: // if the message being reacted to, was from them
 					// fromMe automatically becomes false
 					false
@@ -150,10 +158,11 @@ export const normalizeMessageJids = async (
 export const isRealMessage = (message: WAMessage) => {
 	const normalizedContent = normalizeMessageContent(message.message)
 	const hasSomeContent = !!getContentType(normalizedContent)
+	const stubType = message.messageStubType ?? 0
 	return (
 		(!!normalizedContent ||
-			REAL_MSG_STUB_TYPES.has(message.messageStubType!) ||
-			REAL_MSG_REQ_ME_STUB_TYPES.has(message.messageStubType!)) &&
+			REAL_MSG_STUB_TYPES.has(stubType) ||
+			REAL_MSG_REQ_ME_STUB_TYPES.has(stubType)) &&
 		hasSomeContent &&
 		!normalizedContent?.protocolMessage &&
 		!normalizedContent?.reactionMessage &&
@@ -168,11 +177,12 @@ export const shouldIncrementChatUnread = (message: WAMessage) => !message.key.fr
  * Typically -- that'll be the remoteJid, but for broadcasts, it'll be the participant
  */
 export const getChatId = ({ remoteJid, participant, fromMe }: WAMessageKey) => {
-	if (isJidBroadcast(remoteJid!) && !isJidStatusBroadcast(remoteJid!) && !fromMe) {
-		return participant!
+	const jid = remoteJid ?? ''
+	if (isJidBroadcast(jid) && !isJidStatusBroadcast(jid) && !fromMe) {
+		return participant ?? ''
 	}
 
-	return remoteJid!
+	return jid
 }
 
 type PollContext = {
@@ -219,7 +229,11 @@ export function decryptPollVote(
 	const decKey = hmacSign(sign, key0, 'sha256')
 	const aad = toBinary(`${pollMsgId}\u0000${voterJid}`)
 
-	const decrypted = aesDecryptGCM(encPayload!, decKey, encIv!, aad)
+	if (!encPayload || !encIv) {
+		throw new Error('Missing encPayload or encIv for poll vote decryption')
+	}
+
+	const decrypted = aesDecryptGCM(encPayload, decKey, encIv, aad)
 	return proto.Message.PollVoteMessage.decode(decrypted)
 
 	function toBinary(txt: string) {
@@ -249,7 +263,11 @@ export function decryptEventResponse(
 	const decKey = hmacSign(sign, key0, 'sha256')
 	const aad = toBinary(`${eventMsgId}\u0000${responderJid}`)
 
-	const decrypted = aesDecryptGCM(encPayload!, decKey, encIv!, aad)
+	if (!encPayload || !encIv) {
+		throw new Error('Missing encPayload or encIv for event response decryption')
+	}
+
+	const decrypted = aesDecryptGCM(encPayload, decKey, encIv, aad)
 	return proto.Message.EventResponseMessage.decode(decrypted)
 
 	function toBinary(txt: string) {
@@ -271,7 +289,12 @@ const processMessage = async (
 		getMessage
 	}: ProcessMessageContext
 ) => {
-	const meId = creds.me!.id
+	const meUser = creds.me
+	if (!meUser) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	const meId = meUser.id
 	const { accountSettings } = creds
 
 	const chat: Partial<Chat> = { id: jidNormalizedUser(getChatId(message.key)) }
@@ -299,7 +322,10 @@ const processMessage = async (
 	if (protocolMsg) {
 		switch (protocolMsg.type) {
 			case proto.Message.ProtocolMessage.Type.HISTORY_SYNC_NOTIFICATION:
-				const histNotification = protocolMsg.historySyncNotification!
+				const histNotification = protocolMsg.historySyncNotification
+				if (!histNotification) {
+					break
+				}
 				const process = shouldProcessHistoryMsg
 				const isLatest = !creds.processedHistoryMessages?.length
 
@@ -366,16 +392,23 @@ const processMessage = async (
 
 				break
 			case proto.Message.ProtocolMessage.Type.APP_STATE_SYNC_KEY_SHARE:
-				const keys = protocolMsg.appStateSyncKeyShare!.keys
+				const keys = protocolMsg.appStateSyncKeyShare?.keys
 				if (keys?.length) {
 					let newAppStateSyncKeyId = ''
 					await keyStore.transaction(async () => {
 						const newKeys: string[] = []
 						for (const { keyData, keyId } of keys) {
-							const strKeyId = Buffer.from(keyId!.keyId!).toString('base64')
+							const keyIdValue = keyId?.keyId
+							if (!keyIdValue) {
+								continue
+							}
+
+							const strKeyId = Buffer.from(keyIdValue).toString('base64')
 							newKeys.push(strKeyId)
 
-							await keyStore.set({ 'app-state-sync-key': { [strKeyId]: keyData! } })
+							if (keyData) {
+								await keyStore.set({ 'app-state-sync-key': { [strKeyId]: keyData } })
+							}
 
 							newAppStateSyncKeyId = strKeyId
 						}
@@ -394,7 +427,7 @@ const processMessage = async (
 					{
 						key: {
 							...message.key,
-							id: protocolMsg.key!.id
+							id: protocolMsg.key?.id
 						},
 						update: { message: null, messageStubType: WAMessageStubType.REVOKE, key: message.key }
 					}
@@ -407,17 +440,27 @@ const processMessage = async (
 				})
 				break
 			case proto.Message.ProtocolMessage.Type.PEER_DATA_OPERATION_REQUEST_RESPONSE_MESSAGE:
-				const response = protocolMsg.peerDataOperationRequestResponseMessage!
+				const response = protocolMsg.peerDataOperationRequestResponseMessage
 				if (response) {
-					await placeholderResendCache?.del(response.stanzaId!)
+					if (response.stanzaId) {
+						await placeholderResendCache?.del(response.stanzaId)
+					}
 					// TODO: IMPLEMENT HISTORY SYNC ETC (sticker uploads etc.).
 					const { peerDataOperationResult } = response
+					if (!peerDataOperationResult) {
+						break
+					}
+
 					let recoveredCount = 0
-					for (const result of peerDataOperationResult!) {
+					for (const result of peerDataOperationResult) {
 						const { placeholderMessageResendResponse: retryResponse } = result
 						//eslint-disable-next-line max-depth
 						if (retryResponse) {
-							const webMessageInfo = proto.WebMessageInfo.decode(retryResponse.webMessageInfoBytes!)
+							if (!retryResponse.webMessageInfoBytes) {
+								continue
+							}
+
+							const webMessageInfo = proto.WebMessageInfo.decode(retryResponse.webMessageInfoBytes)
 
 							// Track CTWA message recovery success
 							recoveredCount++
@@ -435,7 +478,7 @@ const processMessage = async (
 							ev.emit('messages.upsert', {
 								messages: [webMessageInfo as WAMessage],
 								type: 'notify',
-								requestId: response.stanzaId!
+								requestId: response.stanzaId ?? ''
 							})
 						}
 					}
@@ -474,17 +517,21 @@ const processMessage = async (
 				const labelAssociationMsg = protocolMsg.memberLabel
 				if (labelAssociationMsg?.label) {
 					ev.emit('group.member-tag.update', {
-						groupId: chat.id!,
+						groupId: chat.id ?? '',
 						label: labelAssociationMsg.label,
-						participant: message.key.participant!,
-						participantAlt: message.key.participantAlt!,
+						participant: message.key.participant ?? '',
+						participantAlt: message.key.participantAlt ?? '',
 						messageTimestamp: Number(message.messageTimestamp)
 					})
 				}
 
 				break
 			case proto.Message.ProtocolMessage.Type.LID_MIGRATION_MAPPING_SYNC:
-				const encodedPayload = protocolMsg.lidMigrationMappingSyncMessage?.encodedMappingPayload!
+				const encodedPayload = protocolMsg.lidMigrationMappingSyncMessage?.encodedMappingPayload
+				if (!encodedPayload) {
+					break
+				}
+
 				const { pnToLidMappings, chatDbMigrationTimestamp } =
 					proto.LIDMigrationMappingSyncPayload.decode(encodedPayload)
 				logger?.debug({ pnToLidMappings, chatDbMigrationTimestamp }, 'got lid mappings and chat db migration timestamp')
@@ -502,6 +549,11 @@ const processMessage = async (
 				}
 		}
 	} else if (content?.reactionMessage) {
+		const reactionKey = content.reactionMessage.key
+		if (!reactionKey) {
+			return
+		}
+
 		const reaction: proto.IReaction = {
 			...content.reactionMessage,
 			key: message.key
@@ -509,12 +561,15 @@ const processMessage = async (
 		ev.emit('messages.reaction', [
 			{
 				reaction,
-				key: content.reactionMessage?.key!
+				key: reactionKey
 			}
 		])
 	} else if (content?.encEventResponseMessage) {
 		const encEventResponse = content.encEventResponseMessage
-		const creationMsgKey = encEventResponse.eventCreationMessageKey!
+		const creationMsgKey = encEventResponse.eventCreationMessageKey
+		if (!creationMsgKey) {
+			return
+		}
 
 		// we need to fetch the event creation message to get the event enc key
 		const eventMsg = await getMessage(creationMsgKey)
@@ -523,12 +578,16 @@ const processMessage = async (
 				const meIdNormalised = jidNormalizedUser(meId)
 
 				// all jids need to be PN
-				const eventCreatorKey = creationMsgKey.participant || creationMsgKey.remoteJid!
+				const eventCreatorKey = creationMsgKey.participant || (creationMsgKey.remoteJid ?? '')
 				const eventCreatorPn = isLidUser(eventCreatorKey)
 					? await signalRepository.lidMapping.getPNForLID(eventCreatorKey)
 					: eventCreatorKey
+				if (!eventCreatorPn) {
+					return
+				}
+
 				const eventCreatorJid = getKeyAuthor(
-					{ remoteJid: jidNormalizedUser(eventCreatorPn!), fromMe: meIdNormalised === eventCreatorPn },
+					{ remoteJid: jidNormalizedUser(eventCreatorPn), fromMe: meIdNormalised === eventCreatorPn },
 					meIdNormalised
 				)
 
@@ -541,7 +600,7 @@ const processMessage = async (
 					const responseMsg = decryptEventResponse(encEventResponse, {
 						eventEncKey,
 						eventCreatorJid,
-						eventMsgId: creationMsgKey.id!,
+						eventMsgId: creationMsgKey.id ?? '',
 						responderJid
 					})
 
diff --git a/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts b/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts
index ba130da3..6b1f3e13 100644
--- a/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts
@@ -64,7 +64,12 @@ const getClientPayload = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 }
 
 export const generateLoginNode = (userJid: string, config: SocketConfig): proto.IClientPayload => {
-	const { user, device } = jidDecode(userJid)!
+	const decoded = jidDecode(userJid)
+	if (!decoded) {
+		throw new Boom('Invalid user JID', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
+
+	const { user, device } = decoded
 	const payload: proto.IClientPayload = {
 		...getClientPayload(config),
 		passive: true,
@@ -153,6 +158,9 @@ export const configureSuccessfulPairing = (
 	}: Pick<AuthenticationCreds, 'advSecretKey' | 'signedIdentityKey' | 'signalIdentities'>
 ) => {
 	const msgId = stanza.attrs.id
+	if (!msgId) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing message ID', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
 
 	const pairSuccessNode = getBinaryNodeChild(stanza, 'pair-success')
 
@@ -168,42 +176,51 @@ export const configureSuccessfulPairing = (
 	const bizName = businessNode?.attrs.name
 	const jid = deviceNode.attrs.jid
 	const lid = deviceNode.attrs.lid
+	if (!jid || !lid) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing JID or LID in device node', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
 
 	const { details, hmac, accountType } = proto.ADVSignedDeviceIdentityHMAC.decode(deviceIdentityNode.content as Buffer)
+	if (!details || !hmac) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing ADV signature fields', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
 
 	let hmacPrefix = Buffer.from([])
 	if (accountType !== undefined && accountType === proto.ADVEncryptionType.HOSTED) {
 		hmacPrefix = WA_ADV_HOSTED_ACCOUNT_SIG_PREFIX
 	}
 
-	const advSign = hmacSign(Buffer.concat([hmacPrefix, details!]), Buffer.from(advSecretKey, 'base64'))
-	if (Buffer.compare(hmac!, advSign) !== 0) {
+	const advSign = hmacSign(Buffer.concat([hmacPrefix, details]), Buffer.from(advSecretKey, 'base64'))
+	if (Buffer.compare(hmac, advSign) !== 0) {
 		throw new Boom('Invalid account signature')
 	}
 
-	const account = proto.ADVSignedDeviceIdentity.decode(details!)
+	const account = proto.ADVSignedDeviceIdentity.decode(details)
 	const { accountSignatureKey, accountSignature, details: deviceDetails } = account
+	if (!accountSignatureKey || !accountSignature || !deviceDetails) {
+		throw new Boom('Missing ADV account fields', { statusCode: 400 })
+	}
 
-	const deviceIdentity = proto.ADVDeviceIdentity.decode(deviceDetails!)
+	const deviceIdentity = proto.ADVDeviceIdentity.decode(deviceDetails)
 
 	const accountSignaturePrefix =
 		deviceIdentity.deviceType === proto.ADVEncryptionType.HOSTED
 			? WA_ADV_HOSTED_ACCOUNT_SIG_PREFIX
 			: WA_ADV_ACCOUNT_SIG_PREFIX
-	const accountMsg = Buffer.concat([accountSignaturePrefix, deviceDetails!, signedIdentityKey.public])
-	if (!Curve.verify(accountSignatureKey!, accountMsg, accountSignature!)) {
+	const accountMsg = Buffer.concat([accountSignaturePrefix, deviceDetails, signedIdentityKey.public])
+	if (!Curve.verify(accountSignatureKey, accountMsg, accountSignature)) {
 		throw new Boom('Failed to verify account signature')
 	}
 
 	const deviceMsg = Buffer.concat([
 		WA_ADV_DEVICE_SIG_PREFIX,
-		deviceDetails!,
+		deviceDetails,
 		signedIdentityKey.public,
-		accountSignatureKey!
+		accountSignatureKey
 	])
 	account.deviceSignature = Curve.sign(signedIdentityKey.private, deviceMsg)
 
-	const identity = createSignalIdentity(lid!, accountSignatureKey!)
+	const identity = createSignalIdentity(lid, accountSignatureKey)
 	const accountEnc = encodeSignedDeviceIdentity(account, false)
 
 	const reply: BinaryNode = {
@@ -211,7 +228,7 @@ export const configureSuccessfulPairing = (
 		attrs: {
 			to: S_WHATSAPP_NET,
 			type: 'result',
-			id: msgId!
+			id: msgId
 		},
 		content: [
 			{
@@ -220,7 +237,7 @@ export const configureSuccessfulPairing = (
 				content: [
 					{
 						tag: 'device-identity',
-						attrs: { 'key-index': deviceIdentity.keyIndex!.toString() },
+						attrs: { 'key-index': String(deviceIdentity.keyIndex ?? '') },
 						content: accountEnc
 					}
 				]
@@ -230,7 +247,7 @@ export const configureSuccessfulPairing = (
 
 	const authUpdate: Partial<AuthenticationCreds> = {
 		account,
-		me: { id: jid!, name: bizName, lid },
+		me: { id: jid, name: bizName, lid },
 		signalIdentities: [...(signalIdentities || []), identity],
 		platform: platformNode?.attrs.name
 	}
diff --git a/src/WAUSync/Protocols/UsyncBotProfileProtocol.ts b/src/WAUSync/Protocols/UsyncBotProfileProtocol.ts
index fa999008..6435c6eb 100644
--- a/src/WAUSync/Protocols/UsyncBotProfileProtocol.ts
+++ b/src/WAUSync/Protocols/UsyncBotProfileProtocol.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export class USyncBotProfileProtocol implements USyncQueryProtocol {
 		return {
 			tag: 'bot',
 			attrs: {},
-			content: [{ tag: 'profile', attrs: { persona_id: user.personaId! } }]
+			content: [{ tag: 'profile', attrs: { persona_id: user.personaId ?? '' } }]
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -51,24 +51,24 @@ export class USyncBotProfileProtocol implements USyncQueryProtocol {
 
 		for (const command of getBinaryNodeChildren(commandsNode, 'command')) {
 			commands.push({
-				name: getBinaryNodeChildString(command, 'name')!,
-				description: getBinaryNodeChildString(command, 'description')!
+				name: getBinaryNodeChildString(command, 'name') ?? '',
+				description: getBinaryNodeChildString(command, 'description') ?? ''
 			})
 		}
 
 		for (const prompt of getBinaryNodeChildren(promptsNode, 'prompt')) {
-			prompts.push(`${getBinaryNodeChildString(prompt, 'emoji')!} ${getBinaryNodeChildString(prompt, 'text')!}`)
+			prompts.push(`${getBinaryNodeChildString(prompt, 'emoji') ?? ''} ${getBinaryNodeChildString(prompt, 'text') ?? ''}`)
 		}
 
 		return {
 			isDefault: !!getBinaryNodeChild(profile, 'default'),
-			jid: node.attrs.jid!,
-			name: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'name')!,
-			attributes: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'attributes')!,
-			description: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'description')!,
-			category: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'category')!,
-			personaId: profile!.attrs['persona_id']!,
-			commandsDescription: getBinaryNodeChildString(commandsNode, 'description')!,
+			jid: node.attrs.jid ?? '',
+			name: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'name') ?? '',
+			attributes: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'attributes') ?? '',
+			description: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'description') ?? '',
+			category: getBinaryNodeChildString(profile, 'category') ?? '',
+			personaId: profile?.attrs['persona_id'] ?? '',
+			commandsDescription: getBinaryNodeChildString(commandsNode, 'description') ?? '',
 			commands,
 			prompts
 		}