diff --git a/plugins/core.py b/plugins/core.py
index 318f04a..c2ca08b 100644
--- a/plugins/core.py
+++ b/plugins/core.py
@@ -139,34 +139,33 @@ async def cmd_plugins(bot, message):
     await bot.reply(message, f"Plugins: {', '.join(parts)}")
 
 
-@command("whoami", help="Show your hostmask and admin status")
+@command("whoami", help="Show your hostmask and permission tier")
 async def cmd_whoami(bot, message):
     """Display the sender's hostmask and permission level."""
     prefix = message.prefix or "unknown"
-    is_admin = bot._is_admin(message)
-    is_oper = message.prefix in bot._opers if message.prefix else False
-    tags = []
-    if is_admin:
-        tags.append("admin")
-    else:
-        tags.append("user")
-    if is_oper:
+    tier = bot._get_tier(message)
+    tags = [tier]
+    if message.prefix and message.prefix in bot._opers:
         tags.append("IRCOP")
     await bot.reply(message, f"{prefix} [{', '.join(tags)}]")
 
 
-@command("admins", help="Show configured admin patterns and detected opers", admin=True)
+@command("admins", help="Show configured permission tiers and detected opers", admin=True)
 async def cmd_admins(bot, message):
-    """Display admin hostmask patterns and known IRC operators."""
+    """Display configured permission tiers and known IRC operators."""
     parts = []
     if bot._admins:
-        parts.append(f"Patterns: {', '.join(bot._admins)}")
+        parts.append(f"Admin: {', '.join(bot._admins)}")
     else:
-        parts.append("Patterns: (none)")
+        parts.append("Admin: (none)")
+    if bot._operators:
+        parts.append(f"Oper: {', '.join(bot._operators)}")
+    if bot._trusted:
+        parts.append(f"Trusted: {', '.join(bot._trusted)}")
     if bot._opers:
-        parts.append(f"Opers: {', '.join(sorted(bot._opers))}")
+        parts.append(f"IRCOPs: {', '.join(sorted(bot._opers))}")
     else:
-        parts.append("Opers: (none)")
+        parts.append("IRCOPs: (none)")
     await bot.reply(message, " | ".join(parts))
 
 
diff --git a/src/derp/bot.py b/src/derp/bot.py
index 8f1a139..fcd1d61 100644
--- a/src/derp/bot.py
+++ b/src/derp/bot.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 from derp import __version__
 from derp.irc import _MAX_IRC_LINE, IRCConnection, Message, format_msg, parse
-from derp.plugin import Handler, PluginRegistry
+from derp.plugin import TIERS, Handler, PluginRegistry
 from derp.state import StateStore
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ class Bot:
         self._tasks: set[asyncio.Task] = set()
         self._reconnect_delay: float = 5.0
         self._admins: list[str] = config.get("bot", {}).get("admins", [])
+        self._operators: list[str] = config.get("bot", {}).get("operators", [])
+        self._trusted: list[str] = config.get("bot", {}).get("trusted", [])
         self._opers: set[str] = set()  # hostmasks of known IRC operators
         self._caps: set[str] = set()  # negotiated IRCv3 caps
         self._who_pending: dict[str, asyncio.Task] = {}  # debounced WHO per channel
@@ -359,20 +361,33 @@ class Bot:
             return True
         return plugin_name in allowed
 
+    def _get_tier(self, msg: Message) -> str:
+        """Determine the permission tier of the message sender.
+
+        Checks (in priority order): IRC operator, admin pattern,
+        operator pattern, trusted pattern. Falls back to ``"user"``.
+        """
+        if not msg.prefix:
+            return "user"
+        if msg.prefix in self._opers:
+            return "admin"
+        for pattern in self._admins:
+            if fnmatch.fnmatch(msg.prefix, pattern):
+                return "admin"
+        for pattern in self._operators:
+            if fnmatch.fnmatch(msg.prefix, pattern):
+                return "oper"
+        for pattern in self._trusted:
+            if fnmatch.fnmatch(msg.prefix, pattern):
+                return "trusted"
+        return "user"
+
     def _is_admin(self, msg: Message) -> bool:
         """Check if the message sender is a bot admin.
 
-        Returns True if the sender is a known IRC operator or matches
-        a configured hostmask pattern (fnmatch-style).
+        Thin wrapper around ``_get_tier`` for backward compatibility.
         """
-        if not msg.prefix:
-            return False
-        if msg.prefix in self._opers:
-            return True
-        for pattern in self._admins:
-            if fnmatch.fnmatch(msg.prefix, pattern):
-                return True
-        return False
+        return self._get_tier(msg) == "admin"
 
     def _dispatch_command(self, msg: Message) -> None:
         """Check if a PRIVMSG is a bot command and spawn it."""
@@ -396,10 +411,13 @@ class Bot:
         if not self._plugin_allowed(handler.plugin, channel):
             return
 
-        if handler.admin and not self._is_admin(msg):
-            deny = f"Permission denied: {self.prefix}{cmd_name} requires admin"
-            self._spawn(self.reply(msg, deny), name=f"cmd:{cmd_name}:denied")
-            return
+        required = handler.tier
+        if required != "user":
+            sender = self._get_tier(msg)
+            if TIERS.index(sender) < TIERS.index(required):
+                deny = f"Permission denied: {self.prefix}{cmd_name} requires {required}"
+                self._spawn(self.reply(msg, deny), name=f"cmd:{cmd_name}:denied")
+                return
 
         self._spawn(self._run_command(handler, cmd_name, msg), name=f"cmd:{cmd_name}")
 
diff --git a/src/derp/config.py b/src/derp/config.py
index 565c908..120a604 100644
--- a/src/derp/config.py
+++ b/src/derp/config.py
@@ -29,8 +29,16 @@ DEFAULTS: dict = {
         "rate_burst": 5,
         "paste_threshold": 4,
         "admins": [],
+        "operators": [],
+        "trusted": [],
     },
     "channels": {},
+    "webhook": {
+        "enabled": False,
+        "host": "127.0.0.1",
+        "port": 8080,
+        "secret": "",
+    },
     "logging": {
         "level": "info",
         "format": "text",
diff --git a/src/derp/plugin.py b/src/derp/plugin.py
index 6b20222..d602004 100644
--- a/src/derp/plugin.py
+++ b/src/derp/plugin.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ from typing import Any, Callable
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+TIERS: tuple[str, ...] = ("user", "trusted", "oper", "admin")
+
 
 @dataclass(slots=True)
 class Handler:
@@ -22,9 +24,10 @@ class Handler:
     help: str = ""
     plugin: str = ""
     admin: bool = False
+    tier: str = "user"
 
 
-def command(name: str, help: str = "", admin: bool = False) -> Callable:
+def command(name: str, help: str = "", admin: bool = False, tier: str = "") -> Callable:
     """Decorator to register an async function as a bot command.
 
     Usage::
@@ -36,12 +39,17 @@ def command(name: str, help: str = "", admin: bool = False) -> Callable:
         @command("reload", help="Reload a plugin", admin=True)
         async def cmd_reload(bot, message):
             ...
+
+        @command("trusted_cmd", help="Trusted-only", tier="trusted")
+        async def cmd_trusted(bot, message):
+            ...
     """
 
     def decorator(func: Callable) -> Callable:
         func._derp_command = name  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
         func._derp_help = help  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
         func._derp_admin = admin  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        func._derp_tier = tier if tier else ("admin" if admin else "user")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
         return func
 
     return decorator
@@ -74,12 +82,14 @@ class PluginRegistry:
         self._paths: dict[str, Path] = {}
 
     def register_command(self, name: str, callback: Callable, help: str = "",
-                         plugin: str = "", admin: bool = False) -> None:
+                         plugin: str = "", admin: bool = False,
+                         tier: str = "user") -> None:
         """Register a command handler."""
         if name in self.commands:
             log.warning("command '%s' already registered, overwriting", name)
         self.commands[name] = Handler(
-            name=name, callback=callback, help=help, plugin=plugin, admin=admin,
+            name=name, callback=callback, help=help, plugin=plugin,
+            admin=admin, tier=tier,
         )
         log.debug("registered command: %s (%s)", name, plugin)
 
@@ -102,6 +112,7 @@ class PluginRegistry:
                     help=getattr(obj, "_derp_help", ""),
                     plugin=plugin_name,
                     admin=getattr(obj, "_derp_admin", False),
+                    tier=getattr(obj, "_derp_tier", "user"),
                 )
                 count += 1
             if hasattr(obj, "_derp_event"):
diff --git a/tests/test_acl.py b/tests/test_acl.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..844a4f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_acl.py
@@ -0,0 +1,409 @@
+"""Tests for the granular ACL tier system."""
+
+import asyncio
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from derp.bot import Bot
+from derp.config import DEFAULTS
+from derp.irc import Message, parse
+from derp.plugin import TIERS, PluginRegistry, command
+
+# -- Helpers -----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class _MockConnection:
+    """Minimal mock IRC connection for dispatch tests."""
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self._queue: asyncio.Queue[str | None] = asyncio.Queue()
+        self.sent: list[str] = []
+
+    async def connect(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    async def close(self) -> None:
+        pass
+
+    async def send(self, line: str) -> None:
+        self.sent.append(line)
+
+    async def readline(self) -> str | None:
+        return await self._queue.get()
+
+    def inject(self, line: str) -> None:
+        self._queue.put_nowait(line)
+
+    def disconnect(self) -> None:
+        self._queue.put_nowait(None)
+
+
+class _Harness:
+    """Test fixture: Bot with mock connection and configurable tiers."""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        admins: list[str] | None = None,
+        operators: list[str] | None = None,
+        trusted: list[str] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        config: dict = {
+            "server": {
+                "host": "localhost", "port": 6667, "tls": False,
+                "nick": "test", "user": "test", "realname": "test bot",
+            },
+            "bot": {
+                "prefix": "!",
+                "channels": [],
+                "plugins_dir": "plugins",
+                "admins": admins or [],
+                "operators": operators or [],
+                "trusted": trusted or [],
+                "rate_limit": 100.0,
+                "rate_burst": 100,
+            },
+        }
+        self.registry = PluginRegistry()
+        self.bot = Bot(config, self.registry)
+        self.conn = _MockConnection()
+        self.bot.conn = self.conn  # type: ignore[assignment]
+        self.registry.load_plugin(Path("plugins/core.py"))
+
+    def inject_registration(self) -> None:
+        self.conn.inject(":server CAP * LS :")
+        self.conn.inject(":server 001 test :Welcome")
+
+    def privmsg(self, nick: str, target: str, text: str,
+                user: str = "user", host: str = "host") -> None:
+        self.conn.inject(f":{nick}!{user}@{host} PRIVMSG {target} :{text}")
+
+    async def run(self) -> None:
+        self.conn.disconnect()
+        self.bot._running = True
+        await self.bot._connect_and_run()
+        if self.bot._tasks:
+            await asyncio.gather(*list(self.bot._tasks), return_exceptions=True)
+
+    def sent_privmsgs(self, target: str) -> list[str]:
+        results = []
+        for line in self.conn.sent:
+            msg = parse(line)
+            if msg.command == "PRIVMSG" and msg.target == target:
+                results.append(msg.text)
+        return results
+
+
+def _msg(text: str, prefix: str = "nick!user@host") -> Message:
+    nick = prefix.split("!")[0] if "!" in prefix else prefix
+    return Message(
+        raw="", prefix=prefix, nick=nick,
+        command="PRIVMSG", params=["#test", text], tags={},
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestTierConstants
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestTierConstants:
+    def test_tier_order(self):
+        assert TIERS == ("user", "trusted", "oper", "admin")
+
+    def test_index_comparison(self):
+        assert TIERS.index("user") < TIERS.index("trusted")
+        assert TIERS.index("trusted") < TIERS.index("oper")
+        assert TIERS.index("oper") < TIERS.index("admin")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestGetTier
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestGetTier:
+    def test_no_prefix(self):
+        h = _Harness()
+        msg = Message(raw="", prefix="", nick="", command="PRIVMSG",
+                      params=["#test", "hi"], tags={})
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "user"
+
+    def test_ircop(self):
+        h = _Harness()
+        h.bot._opers.add("op!root@server")
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="op!root@server")
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "admin"
+
+    def test_admin_pattern(self):
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!*@admin.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="alice!user@admin.host")
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "admin"
+
+    def test_oper_pattern(self):
+        h = _Harness(operators=["*!*@oper.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="bob!user@oper.host")
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "oper"
+
+    def test_trusted_pattern(self):
+        h = _Harness(trusted=["*!*@trusted.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="carol!user@trusted.host")
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "trusted"
+
+    def test_no_match(self):
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!*@admin.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="nobody!user@random.host")
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "user"
+
+    def test_priority_admin_over_oper(self):
+        """Admin patterns take priority over operator patterns."""
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!*@dual.host"], operators=["*!*@dual.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="x!y@dual.host")
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "admin"
+
+    def test_priority_oper_over_trusted(self):
+        """Operator patterns take priority over trusted patterns."""
+        h = _Harness(operators=["*!*@dual.host"], trusted=["*!*@dual.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="x!y@dual.host")
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "oper"
+
+    def test_ircop_over_admin_pattern(self):
+        """IRC operator status takes priority over admin hostmask pattern."""
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!*@server"])
+        h.bot._opers.add("op!root@server")
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="op!root@server")
+        # Both match, but ircop check comes first
+        assert h.bot._get_tier(msg) == "admin"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestIsAdminBackcompat
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestIsAdminBackcompat:
+    def test_admin_true(self):
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!*@admin.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="a!b@admin.host")
+        assert h.bot._is_admin(msg) is True
+
+    def test_oper_false(self):
+        h = _Harness(operators=["*!*@oper.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="a!b@oper.host")
+        assert h.bot._is_admin(msg) is False
+
+    def test_trusted_false(self):
+        h = _Harness(trusted=["*!*@trusted.host"])
+        msg = _msg("test", prefix="a!b@trusted.host")
+        assert h.bot._is_admin(msg) is False
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestCommandDecorator
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestCommandDecorator:
+    def test_admin_true_sets_tier(self):
+        @command("x", admin=True)
+        async def handler(bot, msg):
+            pass
+        assert handler._derp_tier == "admin"
+
+    def test_explicit_tier(self):
+        @command("x", tier="trusted")
+        async def handler(bot, msg):
+            pass
+        assert handler._derp_tier == "trusted"
+
+    def test_tier_overrides_admin(self):
+        @command("x", admin=True, tier="oper")
+        async def handler(bot, msg):
+            pass
+        assert handler._derp_tier == "oper"
+
+    def test_default_tier(self):
+        @command("x")
+        async def handler(bot, msg):
+            pass
+        assert handler._derp_tier == "user"
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestDispatchWithTiers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestDispatchWithTiers:
+    def test_trusted_allowed_for_trusted_cmd(self):
+        """Trusted user can run a trusted-tier command."""
+        h = _Harness(trusted=["*!user@host"])
+
+        @command("tcmd", tier="trusted")
+        async def cmd_tcmd(bot, message):
+            await bot.reply(message, "ok")
+
+        h.registry.register_command(
+            "tcmd", cmd_tcmd, tier="trusted", plugin="test",
+        )
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!tcmd")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("ok" in m for m in msgs)
+
+    def test_admin_allowed_for_trusted_cmd(self):
+        """Admin can run trusted-tier commands (higher tier)."""
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!user@host"])
+
+        @command("tcmd", tier="trusted")
+        async def cmd_tcmd(bot, message):
+            await bot.reply(message, "ok")
+
+        h.registry.register_command(
+            "tcmd", cmd_tcmd, tier="trusted", plugin="test",
+        )
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!tcmd")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("ok" in m for m in msgs)
+
+    def test_user_denied_for_trusted_cmd(self):
+        """Regular user is denied a trusted-tier command."""
+        h = _Harness()
+
+        @command("tcmd", tier="trusted")
+        async def cmd_tcmd(bot, message):
+            await bot.reply(message, "ok")
+
+        h.registry.register_command(
+            "tcmd", cmd_tcmd, tier="trusted", plugin="test",
+        )
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!tcmd")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("Permission denied" in m for m in msgs)
+        assert any("requires trusted" in m for m in msgs)
+
+    def test_backward_compat_admin_flag(self):
+        """admin=True commands still work via tier='admin'."""
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!user@host"])
+        h.inject_registration()
+        # cmd_admins is already registered via core plugin with admin=True
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!admins")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("Admin:" in m for m in msgs)
+
+    def test_denial_message_shows_tier(self):
+        """Permission denial message includes the required tier name."""
+        h = _Harness()
+
+        @command("opcmd", tier="oper")
+        async def cmd_opcmd(bot, message):
+            await bot.reply(message, "ok")
+
+        h.registry.register_command(
+            "opcmd", cmd_opcmd, tier="oper", plugin="test",
+        )
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!opcmd")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("requires oper" in m for m in msgs)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestConfigDefaults
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestConfigDefaults:
+    def test_operators_in_defaults(self):
+        assert "operators" in DEFAULTS["bot"]
+        assert DEFAULTS["bot"]["operators"] == []
+
+    def test_trusted_in_defaults(self):
+        assert "trusted" in DEFAULTS["bot"]
+        assert DEFAULTS["bot"]["trusted"] == []
+
+    def test_webhook_in_defaults(self):
+        assert "webhook" in DEFAULTS
+        assert DEFAULTS["webhook"]["enabled"] is False
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestWhoami
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestWhoami:
+    def test_shows_admin(self):
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!user@host"])
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!whoami")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("admin" in m for m in msgs)
+
+    def test_shows_trusted(self):
+        h = _Harness(trusted=["*!user@host"])
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!whoami")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("trusted" in m for m in msgs)
+
+    def test_shows_user(self):
+        h = _Harness()
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!whoami")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("user" in m for m in msgs)
+
+    def test_shows_ircop_tag(self):
+        h = _Harness()
+        h.bot._opers.add("nick!user@host")
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!whoami")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        assert any("IRCOP" in m for m in msgs)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# TestAdmins
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class TestAdmins:
+    def test_shows_all_tiers(self):
+        h = _Harness(
+            admins=["*!*@admin.host"],
+            operators=["*!*@oper.host"],
+            trusted=["*!*@trusted.host"],
+        )
+        h.bot._opers.add("nick!user@host")
+        h.inject_registration()
+        # Must be admin to run !admins
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!admins", user="x", host="admin.host")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        combined = " ".join(msgs)
+        assert "Admin:" in combined
+        assert "Oper:" in combined
+        assert "Trusted:" in combined
+        assert "IRCOPs:" in combined
+
+    def test_omits_empty_tiers(self):
+        h = _Harness(admins=["*!user@host"])
+        h.inject_registration()
+        h.privmsg("nick", "#test", "!admins")
+        asyncio.run(h.run())
+        msgs = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
+        combined = " ".join(msgs)
+        assert "Admin:" in combined
+        # No operators or trusted configured, so those sections shouldn't appear
+        assert "Oper:" not in combined
+        assert "Trusted:" not in combined
diff --git a/tests/test_integration.py b/tests/test_integration.py
index 05c4682..76dc287 100644
--- a/tests/test_integration.py
+++ b/tests/test_integration.py
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ class TestAdmin:
 
         replies = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
         assert not any("Permission denied" in r for r in replies)
-        assert any("Patterns:" in r for r in replies)
+        assert any("Admin:" in r for r in replies)
 
     def test_oper_detection(self):
         """IRC operator detected via WHO reply can use admin commands."""
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ class TestAdmin:
 
         replies = h.sent_privmsgs("#test")
         assert not any("Permission denied" in r for r in replies)
-        assert any("Opers:" in r for r in replies)
+        assert any("IRCOPs:" in r for r in replies)
 
     def test_oper_detection_on_join(self):
         """User joining a channel triggers debounced WHO for oper detection."""