diff --git a/src/Signal/libsignal.ts b/src/Signal/libsignal.ts
index fb4099b2..93fadafc 100644
--- a/src/Signal/libsignal.ts
+++ b/src/Signal/libsignal.ts
@@ -708,7 +708,7 @@ function signalStorage(
 
 			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/business.ts b/src/Socket/business.ts
index 23392b23..d67fdd40 100644
--- a/src/Socket/business.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/business.ts
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ export const makeBusinessSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					content: [
 						{
 							tag: 'cover_photo',
-							attrs: { id: String(fbid), op: 'update', token: meta_hmac ?? '', ts: String(ts) }
+							attrs: { id: String(fbid), op: 'update', token: meta_hmac!, ts: String(ts) }
 						}
 					]
 				}
diff --git a/src/Socket/chats.ts b/src/Socket/chats.ts
index f8ac807f..759227b1 100644
--- a/src/Socket/chats.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/chats.ts
@@ -1107,8 +1107,8 @@ export const makeChatsSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		ev.emit('messages.upsert', { messages: [msg], type })
 
 		if (!!msg.pushName) {
-			let jid = msg.key.fromMe ? (authState.creds.me?.id ?? '') : msg.key.participant || msg.key.remoteJid
-			jid = jidNormalizedUser(jid ?? '')
+			let jid = msg.key.fromMe ? authState.creds.me!.id : msg.key.participant || msg.key.remoteJid
+			jid = jidNormalizedUser(jid!)
 
 			if (!msg.key.fromMe) {
 				ev.emit('contacts.update', [{ id: jid, notify: msg.pushName, verifiedName: msg.verifiedBizName! }])
diff --git a/src/Socket/communities.ts b/src/Socket/communities.ts
index 9691be1a..0c78397b 100644
--- a/src/Socket/communities.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/communities.ts
@@ -358,13 +358,13 @@ export const makeCommunitiesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		communityAcceptInviteV4: ev.createBufferedFunction(
 			async (key: string | WAMessageKey, inviteMessage: proto.Message.IGroupInviteMessage) => {
 				key = typeof key === 'string' ? { remoteJid: key } : key
-				const results = await communityQuery(inviteMessage.groupJid ?? '', 'set', [
+				const results = await communityQuery(inviteMessage.groupJid!, 'set', [
 					{
 						tag: 'accept',
 						attrs: {
-							code: inviteMessage.inviteCode ?? '',
+							code: inviteMessage.inviteCode!,
 							expiration: (inviteMessage.inviteExpiration ?? 0).toString(),
-							admin: key.remoteJid ?? ''
+							admin: key.remoteJid!
 						}
 					}
 				])
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ export const extractCommunityMetadata = (result: BinaryNode) => {
 		participants: getBinaryNodeChildren(community, 'participant').map(({ attrs }) => {
 			return {
 				// TODO: IMPLEMENT THE PN/LID FIELDS HERE!!
-				id: attrs.jid ?? '',
+				id: attrs.jid!,
 				admin: (attrs.type || null) as GroupParticipant['admin']
 			}
 		}),
diff --git a/src/Socket/groups.ts b/src/Socket/groups.ts
index 7517328c..33194e27 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: String(inviteMessage.inviteExpiration ?? ''),
+							code: inviteMessage.inviteCode!,
+							expiration: inviteMessage.inviteExpiration!.toString(),
 							admin: key.remoteJid!
 						}
 					}
@@ -316,14 +316,14 @@ export const extractGroupMetadata = (result: BinaryNode) => {
 		descId = descChild.attrs.id
 	}
 
-	const groupId = (group.attrs.id ?? '').includes('@') ? (group.attrs.id ?? '') : jidEncode(group.attrs.id ?? '', 'g.us')
+	const groupId = group.attrs.id!.includes('@') ? group.attrs.id! : jidEncode(group.attrs.id!, 'g.us')
 	const eph = getBinaryNodeChild(group, 'ephemeral')?.attrs.expiration
 	const memberAddMode = getBinaryNodeChildString(group, 'member_add_mode') === 'all_member_add'
 	const metadata: GroupMetadata = {
 		id: groupId,
 		notify: group.attrs.notify,
 		addressingMode: group.attrs.addressing_mode === 'lid' ? WAMessageAddressingMode.LID : WAMessageAddressingMode.PN,
-		subject: group.attrs.subject ?? '',
+		subject: group.attrs.subject!,
 		subjectOwner: group.attrs.s_o,
 		subjectOwnerPn: group.attrs.s_o_pn,
 		subjectTime: +(group.attrs.s_t ?? '0'),
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ export const extractGroupMetadata = (result: BinaryNode) => {
 		participants: getBinaryNodeChildren(group, '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']
diff --git a/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts b/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts
index 6c6a3efa..7656e38b 100644
--- a/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/messages-recv.ts
@@ -156,17 +156,16 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			throw new Boom('Not authenticated')
 		}
 
-		const msgId = messageKey?.id ?? ''
-		if (await placeholderResendCache.get(msgId)) {
+		if (await placeholderResendCache.get(messageKey?.id!)) {
 			logger.debug({ messageKey }, 'already requested resend')
 			return
 		} else {
-			await placeholderResendCache.set(msgId, true)
+			await placeholderResendCache.set(messageKey?.id!, true)
 		}
 
 		await delay(2000)
 
-		if (!(await placeholderResendCache.get(msgId))) {
+		if (!(await placeholderResendCache.get(messageKey?.id!))) {
 			logger.debug({ messageKey }, 'message received while resend requested')
 			return 'RESOLVED'
 		}
@@ -181,9 +180,9 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		}
 
 		setTimeout(async () => {
-			if (await placeholderResendCache.get(msgId)) {
+			if (await placeholderResendCache.get(messageKey?.id!)) {
 				logger.debug({ messageKey }, 'PDO message without response after 8 seconds. Phone possibly offline')
-				await placeholderResendCache.del(msgId)
+				await placeholderResendCache.del(messageKey?.id!)
 			}
 		}, 8_000)
 
@@ -234,7 +233,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					if (update.jid && update.user) {
 						ev.emit('newsletter-participants.update', {
 							id: update.jid,
-							author: node.attrs.from ?? '',
+							author: node.attrs.from!,
 							user: update.user,
 							new_role: 'ADMIN',
 							action: 'promote'
@@ -252,10 +251,9 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 	// Handles newsletter notifications
 	const handleNewsletterNotification = async (node: BinaryNode) => {
-		const from = node.attrs.from ?? ''
-		const child = getAllBinaryNodeChildren(node)[0]
-		if (!child) return
-		const author = node.attrs.participant ?? ''
+		const from = node.attrs.from!
+		const child = getAllBinaryNodeChildren(node)[0]!
+		const author = node.attrs.participant!
 
 		logger.info({ from, child }, 'got newsletter notification')
 
@@ -263,7 +261,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			case 'reaction':
 				const reactionUpdate = {
 					id: from,
-					server_id: child.attrs.message_id ?? '',
+					server_id: child.attrs.message_id!,
 					reaction: {
 						code: getBinaryNodeChildString(child, 'reaction'),
 						count: 1
@@ -275,7 +273,7 @@ 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)
@@ -285,9 +283,9 @@ 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
@@ -326,7 +324,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 								fromMe: false // TODO: is this really true though
 							},
 							message: messageProto,
-							messageTimestamp: +(child.attrs.t ?? 0)
+							messageTimestamp: +child.attrs.t!
 						}).toJSON() as WAMessage
 						await upsertMessage(fullMessage, 'append')
 						logger.info('Processed plaintext newsletter message')
@@ -347,8 +345,8 @@ 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
 			}
 		}
@@ -407,16 +405,9 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 	}
 
 	const sendRetryRequest = async (node: BinaryNode, forceIncludeKeys = false) => {
-		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 { fullMessage } = decodeMessageNode(node, authState.creds.me!.id, authState.creds.me!.lid || '')
 		const { key: msgKey } = fullMessage
-		const msgId = msgKey.id
-		if (!msgId) {
-			logger.debug({ node }, 'missing message id in retry request')
-			return
-		}
+		const msgId = msgKey.id!
 
 		if (messageRetryManager) {
 			// Check if we've exceeded max retries using the new system
@@ -454,7 +445,7 @@ 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
@@ -519,15 +510,15 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				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'
@@ -553,19 +544,16 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				const { update, preKeys } = await getNextPreKeys(authState, 1)
 
 				const [keyId] = Object.keys(preKeys)
-				if (!keyId) throw new Boom('No pre-keys available')
-				const key = preKeys[+keyId]
-				if (!key) throw new Boom('Pre-key not found')
+				const key = preKeys[+keyId!]
 
-				const content = receipt.content as BinaryNode[]
-				if (!content) throw new Boom('Receipt content missing')
+				const content = receipt.content! as BinaryNode[]
 				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 }
 					]
@@ -584,9 +572,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		const from = node.attrs.from
 		if (from === S_WHATSAPP_NET) {
 			const countChild = getBinaryNodeChild(node, 'count')
-			const countVal = countChild?.attrs?.value
-			if (!countVal) return
-			const count = +countVal
+			const count = +countChild!.attrs.value!
 			const shouldUploadMorePreKeys = count < MIN_PREKEY_COUNT
 
 			logger.debug({ count, shouldUploadMorePreKeys }, 'recv pre-key count')
@@ -615,8 +601,8 @@ 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':
@@ -651,7 +637,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				}
 				break
 			case 'modify':
-				const oldNumber = getBinaryNodeChildren(child, 'participant').map(p => p.attrs.jid ?? '').filter(Boolean)
+				const oldNumber = getBinaryNodeChildren(child, 'participant').map(p => p.attrs.jid!)
 				msg.messageStubParameters = oldNumber || []
 				msg.messageStubType = WAMessageStubType.GROUP_PARTICIPANT_CHANGE_NUMBER
 				break
@@ -666,7 +652,7 @@ 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']
@@ -677,8 +663,8 @@ 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
@@ -688,7 +674,7 @@ 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()
@@ -707,7 +693,7 @@ 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
@@ -721,7 +707,7 @@ 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
@@ -730,7 +716,7 @@ 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':
@@ -760,8 +746,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				break
 			case 'w:gp2':
 				// TODO: HANDLE PARTICIPANT_PN
-				if (!child) break
-				handleGroupNotification(node, child, result)
+				handleGroupNotification(node, child!, result)
 				break
 			case 'mediaretry':
 				const event = decodeMediaRetryNode(node)
@@ -771,11 +756,10 @@ 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')
@@ -821,9 +805,9 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 				break
 			case 'account_sync':
-				if (child?.tag === 'disappearing_mode') {
-					const newDuration = +(child.attrs.duration ?? '0')
-					const timestamp = +(child.attrs.t ?? '0')
+				if (child!.tag === 'disappearing_mode') {
+					const newDuration = +child!.attrs.duration!
+					const timestamp = +child!.attrs.t!
 
 					logger.info({ newDuration }, 'updated account disappearing mode')
 
@@ -836,11 +820,11 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 							}
 						}
 					})
-				} else if (child?.tag === 'blocklist') {
+				} else if (child!.tag === 'blocklist') {
 					const blocklists = getBinaryNodeChildren(child, 'item')
 
 					for (const { attrs } of blocklists) {
-						const blocklist = [attrs.jid ?? '']
+						const blocklist = [attrs.jid!]
 						const type = attrs.action === 'block' ? 'add' : 'remove'
 						ev.emit('blocklist.update', { blocklist, type })
 					}
@@ -890,7 +874,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 						{
 							tag: 'link_code_companion_reg',
 							attrs: {
-								jid: authState.creds.me?.id ?? '',
+								jid: authState.creds.me!.id,
 								stage: 'companion_finish'
 							},
 							content: [
@@ -1092,7 +1076,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 	const handleReceipt = async (node: BinaryNode) => {
 		const { attrs, content } = node
-		const isLid = (attrs.from ?? '').includes('lid')
+		const isLid = attrs.from!.includes('lid')
 		const isNodeFromMe = areJidsSameUser(
 			attrs.participant || attrs.from,
 			isLid ? authState.creds.me?.lid : authState.creds.me?.id
@@ -1198,7 +1182,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				notificationMutex.mutex(async () => {
 					const msg = await processNotification(node)
 					if (msg) {
-						const fromMe = areJidsSameUser(node.attrs.participant || remoteJid, authState.creds.me?.id ?? '')
+						const fromMe = areJidsSameUser(node.attrs.participant || remoteJid, authState.creds.me!.id)
 						const { senderAlt: participantAlt, addressingMode } = extractAddressingContext(node)
 						msg.key = {
 							remoteJid,
@@ -1242,7 +1226,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			category,
 			author,
 			decrypt
-		} = decryptMessageNode(node, authState.creds.me?.id ?? '', authState.creds.me?.lid || '', signalRepository, logger)
+		} = decryptMessageNode(node, authState.creds.me!.id, authState.creds.me!.lid || '', signalRepository, logger)
 
 		const alt = msg.key.participantAlt || msg.key.remoteJidAlt
 		// Handle LID/PN mappings with hybrid approach:
@@ -1527,7 +1511,7 @@ export const makeMessagesRecvSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 				// JID normalization moved BEFORE mutex acquisition (line 1273) to prevent race conditions
 				// cleanMessage still runs inside mutex to ensure atomic message processing
-				cleanMessage(msg, authState.creds.me?.id ?? '', authState.creds.me?.lid ?? '')
+				cleanMessage(msg, authState.creds.me!.id, authState.creds.me!.lid!)
 
 				await upsertMessage(msg, node.attrs.offline ? 'append' : 'notify')
 
diff --git a/src/Socket/messages-send.ts b/src/Socket/messages-send.ts
index 3d74a320..22dfdf0b 100644
--- a/src/Socket/messages-send.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/messages-send.ts
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				// TODO: explore full length of data that whatsapp provides
 				const node: MediaConnInfo = {
 					hosts: getBinaryNodeChildren(mediaConnNode, 'host').map(({ attrs }) => ({
-						hostname: attrs.hostname ?? '',
-						maxContentLengthBytes: +(attrs.maxContentLengthBytes ?? 0)
+						hostname: attrs.hostname!,
+						maxContentLengthBytes: +attrs.maxContentLengthBytes!
 					})),
-					auth: mediaConnNode.attrs.auth ?? '',
-					ttl: +(mediaConnNode.attrs.ttl ?? 0),
+					auth: mediaConnNode.attrs.auth!,
+					ttl: +mediaConnNode.attrs.ttl!,
 					fetchDate: new Date()
 				}
 				logger.debug('fetched media conn')
@@ -163,7 +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'
@@ -268,11 +268,10 @@ 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,
@@ -567,8 +566,8 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					let msgToEncrypt = patchedMessage
 
 					if (dsmMessage) {
-						const targetUser = jidDecode(jid)?.user ?? ''
-						const ownPnUser = jidDecode(meId)?.user ?? ''
+						const { user: targetUser } = jidDecode(jid)!
+						const { user: ownPnUser } = jidDecode(meId)!
 						const ownLidUser = meLidUser
 
 						const isOwnUser = targetUser === ownPnUser || (ownLidUser && targetUser === ownLidUser)
@@ -1081,7 +1080,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					logger.debug({ to: jid, ownId }, 'Using PN identity for @s.whatsapp.net conversation')
 				}
 
-				const ownUser = jidDecode(ownId)?.user ?? ''
+				const { user: ownUser } = jidDecode(ownId)!
 				if (!participant) {
 					const patchedForReporting = await patchMessageBeforeSending(message, [jid])
 					reportingMessage = Array.isArray(patchedForReporting)
@@ -1099,7 +1098,7 @@ 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,
@@ -1115,8 +1114,8 @@ 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)
@@ -1135,8 +1134,8 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				const allRecipients: string[] = []
 				const meRecipients: string[] = []
 				const otherRecipients: string[] = []
-				const mePnUser = jidDecode(meId)?.user ?? ''
-				const meLidUser = meLid ? (jidDecode(meLid)?.user ?? null) : null
+				const { user: mePnUser } = jidDecode(meId)!
+				const { user: meLidUser } = meLid ? jidDecode(meLid)! : { user: null }
 
 				// Carousel in DSM wrapper causes error 479 on own devices
 				const isCarouselMsg = isCarouselMessage(message)
@@ -1212,7 +1211,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 					attrs: {
 						v: '2',
 						type,
-						count: (participant?.count ?? 0).toString()
+						count: participant!.count.toString()
 					},
 					content: encryptedContent
 				})
@@ -1636,7 +1635,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				throw new Boom('Missing media key for update', { statusCode: 400 })
 			}
 
-			const meId = authState.creds.me?.id ?? ''
+			const meId = authState.creds.me!.id
 			const node = encryptMediaRetryRequest(message.key, mediaKey, meId)
 
 			let error: Error | undefined = undefined
@@ -1713,7 +1712,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			options: MiscMessageGenerationOptions = {}
 		): Promise<AlbumSendResult> => {
 			const startTime = Date.now()
-			const userJid = authState.creds.me?.id ?? ''
+			const userJid = authState.creds.me!.id
 
 			const {
 				medias,
@@ -1868,7 +1867,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 
 						// Relay the message
 						await relayMessage(jid, mediaMsg.message, {
-							messageId: mediaMsg.key.id ?? '',
+							messageId: mediaMsg.key.id!,
 							useCachedGroupMetadata: options.useCachedGroupMetadata
 						})
 
@@ -1997,7 +1996,7 @@ export const makeMessagesSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 				)
 			}
 
-			const userJid = authState.creds.me?.id ?? ''
+			const userJid = authState.creds.me!.id
 
 			// Special path for carousel: call relayMessage directly with plain JS object
 			// This matches Pastorini's working approach:
diff --git a/src/Socket/socket.ts b/src/Socket/socket.ts
index 0b4f779b..0b1a9563 100644
--- a/src/Socket/socket.ts
+++ b/src/Socket/socket.ts
@@ -609,12 +609,8 @@ export const makeSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			},
 			content: [{ tag: 'count', attrs: {} }]
 		})
-		const countChild = getBinaryNodeChild(result, 'count')
-		if (!countChild) {
-			return 0
-		}
-
-		return +(countChild.attrs.value ?? 0)
+		const countChild = getBinaryNodeChild(result, 'count')!
+		return +countChild.attrs.value!
 	}
 
 	// Pre-key upload state management
@@ -1364,7 +1360,7 @@ export const makeSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			attrs: {
 				to: S_WHATSAPP_NET,
 				type: 'result',
-				id: stanza.attrs.id ?? ''
+				id: stanza.attrs.id!
 			}
 		}
 		await sendNode(iq)
@@ -1443,9 +1439,7 @@ export const makeSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 		logger.info('opened connection to WA')
 		clearTimeout(qrTimer) // will never happen in all likelyhood -- but just in case WA sends success on first try
 
-		if (authState.creds.me) {
-			ev.emit('creds.update', { me: { ...authState.creds.me, lid: node.attrs.lid } })
-		}
+		ev.emit('creds.update', { me: { ...authState.creds.me!, lid: node.attrs.lid } })
 
 		ev.emit('connection.update', { connection: 'open' })
 
@@ -1468,23 +1462,13 @@ export const makeSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			const myLID = node.attrs.lid
 			process.nextTick(async () => {
 				try {
-					const me = authState.creds.me
-					if (!me) {
-						return
-					}
-
-					const myPN = me.id
+					const myPN = authState.creds.me!.id
 
 					// Store our own LID-PN mapping
 					await signalRepository.lidMapping.storeLIDPNMappings([{ lid: myLID, pn: myPN }])
 
 					// Create device list for our own user (needed for bulk migration)
-					const decoded = jidDecode(myPN)
-					if (!decoded) {
-						return
-					}
-
-					const { user, device } = decoded
+					const { user, device } = jidDecode(myPN)!
 					await authState.keys.set({
 						'device-list': {
 							[user]: [device?.toString() || '0']
@@ -1572,7 +1556,7 @@ export const makeSocket = (config: SocketConfig) => {
 			logger.debug({ name }, 'updated pushName')
 			sendNode({
 				tag: 'presence',
-				attrs: { name: name ?? '' }
+				attrs: { name: name! }
 			}).catch(err => {
 				logger.warn({ trace: err.stack }, 'error in sending presence update on name change')
 			})
diff --git a/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts b/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts
index ff872a26..6ea8ebf3 100644
--- a/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/chat-utils.ts
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ export const decodeSyncdSnapshot = async (
 		areMutationsRequired
 			? mutation => {
 					const index = mutation.syncAction.index?.toString()
-					mutationMap[index ?? ''] = mutation
+					mutationMap[index!] = mutation
 				}
 			: () => {},
 		validateMacs
@@ -558,7 +558,7 @@ export const decodePatches = async (
 			shouldMutate
 				? mutation => {
 						const index = mutation.syncAction.index?.toString()
-						mutationMap[index ?? ''] = mutation
+						mutationMap[index!] = mutation
 					}
 				: () => {},
 			true
@@ -689,7 +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
@@ -896,7 +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') {
@@ -925,7 +925,7 @@ export const processSyncAction = (
 			{
 				id,
 				archived: isArchived,
-				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id ?? '', msgRange)
+				conditional: getChatUpdateConditional(id!, msgRange)
 			}
 		])
 	} else if (action?.markChatAsReadAction) {
@@ -939,7 +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') {
@@ -965,7 +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) {
@@ -990,7 +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 249914dc..03bbb5dc 100644
--- a/src/Utils/generics.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/generics.ts
@@ -343,7 +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 0394b02a..d5d6183a 100644
--- a/src/Utils/history.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/history.ts
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ export const processHistoryMessage = (item: proto.IHistorySync, logger?: ILogger
 		case proto.HistorySync.HistorySyncType.FULL:
 		case proto.HistorySync.HistorySyncType.ON_DEMAND:
 			for (const chat of (item.conversations ?? []) as Chat[]) {
-				const chatId = chat.id ?? ''
+				const chatId = chat.id!
 
 				// Source 2: Extract LID-PN mapping from conversation object
 				// This handles cases where the mapping isn't in phoneNumberToLidMappings
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ 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 ?? '' })
+				contacts.push({ id: c.id!, notify: c.pushname! })
 			}
 
 			break
diff --git a/src/Utils/messages-media.ts b/src/Utils/messages-media.ts
index 6533d7b2..5271c54a 100644
--- a/src/Utils/messages-media.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/messages-media.ts
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ export const getStream = async (item: WAMediaUpload, opts?: RequestInit & { maxC
 	const urlStr = item.url.toString()
 
 	if (urlStr.startsWith('data:')) {
-		const buffer = Buffer.from(urlStr.split(',')[1] ?? '', 'base64')
+		const buffer = Buffer.from(urlStr.split(',')[1]!, 'base64')
 		return { stream: toReadable(buffer), type: 'buffer' } as const
 	}
 
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ export const downloadContentFromMessage = async (
 	opts: MediaDownloadOptions = {}
 ) => {
 	const isValidMediaUrl = url?.startsWith('https://mmg.whatsapp.net/')
-	const downloadUrl = isValidMediaUrl ? url : getUrlFromDirectPath(directPath ?? '')
+	const downloadUrl = isValidMediaUrl ? url : getUrlFromDirectPath(directPath!)
 	if (!downloadUrl) {
 		throw new Boom('No valid media URL or directPath present in message', { statusCode: 400 })
 	}
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ export function extensionForMediaMessage(message: WAMessageContent) {
 		extension = '.jpeg'
 	} else {
 		const messageContent = message[type] as WAGenericMediaMessage
-		extension = getExtension(messageContent.mimetype ?? '') ?? ''
+		extension = getExtension(messageContent.mimetype!)!
 	}
 
 	return extension
@@ -864,8 +864,8 @@ export const getWAUploadToServer = (
 
 				if (result?.url || result?.direct_path) {
 					urls = {
-						mediaUrl: result.url ?? '',
-						directPath: result.direct_path ?? '',
+						mediaUrl: result.url!,
+						directPath: result.direct_path!,
 						meta_hmac: result.meta_hmac,
 						fbid: result.fbid,
 						ts: result.ts
diff --git a/src/Utils/messages.ts b/src/Utils/messages.ts
index 4e5f71d9..e2a8e2bc 100644
--- a/src/Utils/messages.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/messages.ts
@@ -1770,7 +1770,7 @@ export const generateWAMessageFromContent = (
 		const innerContent = innerMessage[key as Exclude<keyof proto.IMessage, 'conversation'>]
 		const contextInfo: proto.IContextInfo =
 			(innerContent && typeof innerContent === 'object' && 'contextInfo' in innerContent && (innerContent as Record<string, unknown>).contextInfo as proto.IContextInfo) || {}
-		contextInfo.participant = jidNormalizedUser(participant ?? '')
+		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 bf6f256f..a3604860 100644
--- a/src/Utils/process-message.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/process-message.ts
@@ -59,24 +59,22 @@ 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
-	const remoteJid = message.key.remoteJid ?? ''
-	if (isHostedPnUser(remoteJid) || isHostedLidUser(remoteJid)) {
+	if (isHostedPnUser(message.key.remoteJid!) || isHostedLidUser(message.key.remoteJid!)) {
 		message.key.remoteJid = jidEncode(
-			jidDecode(remoteJid)?.user ?? '',
-			isHostedPnUser(remoteJid) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
+			jidDecode(message.key?.remoteJid!)?.user!,
+			isHostedPnUser(message.key.remoteJid!) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
 		)
 	} else {
-		message.key.remoteJid = jidNormalizedUser(remoteJid)
+		message.key.remoteJid = jidNormalizedUser(message.key.remoteJid!)
 	}
 
-	const participantJid = message.key.participant ?? ''
-	if (isHostedPnUser(participantJid) || isHostedLidUser(participantJid)) {
+	if (isHostedPnUser(message.key.participant!) || isHostedLidUser(message.key.participant!)) {
 		message.key.participant = jidEncode(
-			jidDecode(participantJid)?.user ?? '',
-			isHostedPnUser(participantJid) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
+			jidDecode(message.key.participant!)?.user!,
+			isHostedPnUser(message.key.participant!) ? 's.whatsapp.net' : 'lid'
 		)
 	} else {
-		message.key.participant = jidNormalizedUser(participantJid)
+		message.key.participant = jidNormalizedUser(message.key.participant!)
 	}
 
 	const content = normalizeMessageContent(message.message)
@@ -102,8 +100,8 @@ 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
@@ -177,12 +175,11 @@ 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) => {
-	const jid = remoteJid ?? ''
-	if (isJidBroadcast(jid) && !isJidStatusBroadcast(jid) && !fromMe) {
-		return participant ?? ''
+	if (isJidBroadcast(remoteJid!) && !isJidStatusBroadcast(remoteJid!) && !fromMe) {
+		return participant!
 	}
 
-	return jid
+	return remoteJid!
 }
 
 type PollContext = {
@@ -478,7 +475,7 @@ const processMessage = async (
 							ev.emit('messages.upsert', {
 								messages: [webMessageInfo as WAMessage],
 								type: 'notify',
-								requestId: response.stanzaId ?? ''
+								requestId: response.stanzaId!
 							})
 						}
 					}
@@ -517,10 +514,10 @@ 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)
 					})
 				}
@@ -578,7 +575,7 @@ 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
@@ -600,7 +597,7 @@ const processMessage = async (
 					const responseMsg = decryptEventResponse(encEventResponse, {
 						eventEncKey,
 						eventCreatorJid,
-						eventMsgId: creationMsgKey.id ?? '',
+						eventMsgId: creationMsgKey.id!,
 						responderJid
 					})
 
diff --git a/src/Utils/signal.ts b/src/Utils/signal.ts
index 6900743b..fcc9d814 100644
--- a/src/Utils/signal.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/signal.ts
@@ -88,18 +88,14 @@ export const xmppPreKey = (pair: KeyPair, id: number): BinaryNode => ({
 })
 
 export const parseAndInjectE2ESessions = async (node: BinaryNode, repository: SignalRepositoryWithLIDStore) => {
-	const extractKey = (key: BinaryNode) => {
-		if (!key) return undefined
-		const keyId = getBinaryNodeChildUInt(key, 'id', 3)
-		const publicKeyBuf = getBinaryNodeChildBuffer(key, 'value')
-		const signature = getBinaryNodeChildBuffer(key, 'signature')
-		if (keyId === undefined || !publicKeyBuf || !signature) return undefined
-		return {
-			keyId,
-			publicKey: generateSignalPubKey(publicKeyBuf),
-			signature
-		}
-	}
+	const extractKey = (key: BinaryNode) =>
+		key
+			? {
+					keyId: getBinaryNodeChildUInt(key, 'id', 3)!,
+					publicKey: generateSignalPubKey(getBinaryNodeChildBuffer(key, 'value')!),
+					signature: getBinaryNodeChildBuffer(key, 'signature')!
+				}
+			: undefined
 	const nodes = getBinaryNodeChildren(getBinaryNodeChild(node, 'list'), 'user')
 	for (const node of nodes) {
 		assertNodeErrorFree(node)
@@ -115,26 +111,20 @@ export const parseAndInjectE2ESessions = async (node: BinaryNode, repository: Si
 
 	for (const nodesChunk of chunks) {
 		for (const node of nodesChunk) {
-			const signedKey = getBinaryNodeChild(node, 'skey')
-			const key = getBinaryNodeChild(node, 'key')
-			const identity = getBinaryNodeChildBuffer(node, 'identity')
-			const jid = node.attrs.jid
-			if (!signedKey || !key || !identity || !jid) continue
+			const signedKey = getBinaryNodeChild(node, 'skey')!
+			const key = getBinaryNodeChild(node, 'key')!
+			const identity = getBinaryNodeChildBuffer(node, 'identity')!
+			const jid = node.attrs.jid!
 
 			const registrationId = getBinaryNodeChildUInt(node, 'registration', 4)
-			if (registrationId === undefined) continue
-
-			const signedPreKey = extractKey(signedKey)
-			const preKey = extractKey(key)
-			if (!signedPreKey || !preKey) continue
 
 			await repository.injectE2ESession({
 				jid,
 				session: {
-					registrationId,
+					registrationId: registrationId!,
 					identityKey: generateSignalPubKey(identity),
-					signedPreKey,
-					preKey
+					signedPreKey: extractKey(signedKey)!,
+					preKey: extractKey(key)!
 				}
 			})
 		}
@@ -147,18 +137,14 @@ export const extractDeviceJids = (
 	myLid: string,
 	excludeZeroDevices: boolean
 ) => {
-	const myJidDecoded = jidDecode(myJid)
-	if (!myJidDecoded) return []
-
-	const { user: myUser, device: myDevice } = myJidDecoded
+	const { user: myUser, device: myDevice } = jidDecode(myJid)!
 
 	const extracted: FullJid[] = []
 
 	for (const userResult of result) {
 		const { devices, id } = userResult as { devices: ParsedDeviceInfo; id: string }
-		const decoded = jidDecode(id)
-		if (!decoded) continue
-		const { user, server } = decoded
+		const decoded = jidDecode(id)!,
+			{ user, server } = decoded
 		let { domainType } = decoded
 		const deviceList = devices?.deviceList as DeviceListData[]
 		if (!Array.isArray(deviceList)) continue
diff --git a/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts b/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts
index 6b1f3e13..8e4c73b9 100644
--- a/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts
+++ b/src/Utils/validate-connection.ts
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ export const configureSuccessfulPairing = (
 				content: [
 					{
 						tag: 'device-identity',
-						attrs: { 'key-index': String(deviceIdentity.keyIndex ?? '') },
+						attrs: { 'key-index': deviceIdentity.keyIndex!.toString() },
 						content: accountEnc
 					}
 				]
diff --git a/src/WABinary/jid-utils.ts b/src/WABinary/jid-utils.ts
index 34dd447c..0c42456f 100644
--- a/src/WABinary/jid-utils.ts
+++ b/src/WABinary/jid-utils.ts
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ export const jidDecode = (jid: string | undefined): FullJid | undefined => {
 	const userCombined = jid.slice(0, sepIdx)
 
 	const [userAgent, device] = userCombined.split(':')
-	const [user, agent] = (userAgent ?? '').split('_')
+	const [user, agent] = userAgent!.split('_')
 
 	let domainType = WAJIDDomains.WHATSAPP
 	if (server === 'lid') {
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ export const jidDecode = (jid: string | undefined): FullJid | undefined => {
 
 	return {
 		server: server as JidServer,
-		user: user ?? '',
+		user: user!,
 		domainType,
 		device: device ? +device : undefined
 	}
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ export const isAnyPnUser = (jid: string | undefined) =>
 
 const botRegexp = /^1313555\d{4}$|^131655500\d{2}$/
 
-export const isJidBot = (jid: string | undefined) => jid && botRegexp.test(jid.split('@')[0] ?? '') && jid.endsWith('@c.us')
+export const isJidBot = (jid: string | undefined) => jid && botRegexp.test(jid.split('@')[0]!) && jid.endsWith('@c.us')
 
 export const jidNormalizedUser = (jid: string | undefined) => {
 	const result = jidDecode(jid)
diff --git a/src/WAUSync/Protocols/UsyncBotProfileProtocol.ts b/src/WAUSync/Protocols/UsyncBotProfileProtocol.ts
index 6435c6eb..fa999008 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
 		}