diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 00babb1..458db67 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"math/rand"
 	"net"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
@@ -565,6 +567,38 @@ func (s *Server) pairsByTimeHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(pairs)
 }
 
+func (s *Server) gossipHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	var remoteMemberList []Member
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&remoteMemberList); err != nil {
+		http.Error(w, "Bad Request", http.StatusBadRequest)
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Merge the received member list
+	s.mergeMemberList(remoteMemberList)
+	
+	// Respond with our current member list
+	localMembers := s.getMembers()
+	gossipResponse := make([]Member, len(localMembers))
+	for i, member := range localMembers {
+		gossipResponse[i] = *member
+	}
+	
+	// Add ourselves to the response
+	selfMember := Member{
+		ID:              s.config.NodeID,
+		Address:         fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", s.config.BindAddress, s.config.Port),
+		LastSeen:        time.Now().UnixMilli(),
+		JoinedTimestamp: s.getJoinedTimestamp(),
+	}
+	gossipResponse = append(gossipResponse, selfMember)
+	
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(gossipResponse)
+	
+	s.logger.WithField("remote_members", len(remoteMemberList)).Debug("Processed gossip request")
+}
+
 // Utility function to check if request is from cluster member
 func (s *Server) isClusterMember(remoteAddr string) bool {
 	host, _, err := net.SplitHostPort(remoteAddr)
@@ -601,6 +635,7 @@ func (s *Server) setupRoutes() *mux.Router {
 	router.HandleFunc("/members/", s.getMembersHandler).Methods("GET")
 	router.HandleFunc("/members/join", s.joinMemberHandler).Methods("POST")
 	router.HandleFunc("/members/leave", s.leaveMemberHandler).Methods("DELETE")
+	router.HandleFunc("/members/gossip", s.gossipHandler).Methods("POST")
 	router.HandleFunc("/members/pairs_by_time", s.pairsByTimeHandler).Methods("POST")
 	
 	return router
@@ -653,16 +688,535 @@ func (s *Server) Stop() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// Background tasks placeholder (gossip, sync, etc.)
+// Background tasks (gossip, sync, etc.)
 func (s *Server) startBackgroundTasks() {
-	// TODO: Implement gossip protocol
-	// TODO: Implement periodic sync
-	// TODO: Implement catch-up sync
+	// Start gossip routine
+	s.wg.Add(1)
+	go s.gossipRoutine()
+	
+	// Start sync routine
+	s.wg.Add(1)
+	go s.syncRoutine()
 }
 
-// Bootstrap placeholder
+// Gossip routine - runs periodically to exchange member lists
+func (s *Server) gossipRoutine() {
+	defer s.wg.Done()
+	
+	for {
+		// Random interval between 1-2 minutes
+		minInterval := time.Duration(s.config.GossipIntervalMin) * time.Second
+		maxInterval := time.Duration(s.config.GossipIntervalMax) * time.Second
+		interval := minInterval + time.Duration(rand.Int63n(int64(maxInterval-minInterval)))
+		
+		select {
+		case <-s.ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-time.After(interval):
+			s.performGossipRound()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Perform a gossip round with random healthy peers
+func (s *Server) performGossipRound() {
+	members := s.getHealthyMembers()
+	if len(members) == 0 {
+		s.logger.Debug("No healthy members for gossip round")
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Select 1-3 random peers for gossip
+	maxPeers := 3
+	if len(members) < maxPeers {
+		maxPeers = len(members)
+	}
+	
+	// Shuffle and select
+	rand.Shuffle(len(members), func(i, j int) {
+		members[i], members[j] = members[j], members[i]
+	})
+	
+	selectedPeers := members[:rand.Intn(maxPeers)+1]
+	
+	for _, peer := range selectedPeers {
+		go s.gossipWithPeer(peer)
+	}
+}
+
+// Gossip with a specific peer
+func (s *Server) gossipWithPeer(peer *Member) {
+	s.logger.WithField("peer", peer.Address).Debug("Starting gossip with peer")
+	
+	// Get our current member list
+	localMembers := s.getMembers()
+	
+	// Send our member list to the peer
+	gossipData := make([]Member, len(localMembers))
+	for i, member := range localMembers {
+		gossipData[i] = *member
+	}
+	
+	// Add ourselves to the list
+	selfMember := Member{
+		ID:              s.config.NodeID,
+		Address:         fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", s.config.BindAddress, s.config.Port),
+		LastSeen:        time.Now().UnixMilli(),
+		JoinedTimestamp: s.getJoinedTimestamp(),
+	}
+	gossipData = append(gossipData, selfMember)
+	
+	jsonData, err := json.Marshal(gossipData)
+	if err != nil {
+		s.logger.WithError(err).Error("Failed to marshal gossip data")
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Send HTTP request to peer
+	client := &http.Client{Timeout: 5 * time.Second}
+	url := fmt.Sprintf("http://%s/members/gossip", peer.Address)
+	
+	resp, err := client.Post(url, "application/json", bytes.NewBuffer(jsonData))
+	if err != nil {
+		s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+			"peer":  peer.Address,
+			"error": err.Error(),
+		}).Warn("Failed to gossip with peer")
+		s.markPeerUnhealthy(peer.ID)
+		return
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+	
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+			"peer":   peer.Address,
+			"status": resp.StatusCode,
+		}).Warn("Gossip request failed")
+		s.markPeerUnhealthy(peer.ID)
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Process response - peer's member list
+	var remoteMemberList []Member
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&remoteMemberList); err != nil {
+		s.logger.WithError(err).Error("Failed to decode gossip response")
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Merge remote member list with our local list
+	s.mergeMemberList(remoteMemberList)
+	
+	// Update peer's last seen timestamp
+	s.updateMemberLastSeen(peer.ID, time.Now().UnixMilli())
+	
+	s.logger.WithField("peer", peer.Address).Debug("Completed gossip with peer")
+}
+
+// Get healthy members (exclude those marked as down)
+func (s *Server) getHealthyMembers() []*Member {
+	s.membersMu.RLock()
+	defer s.membersMu.RUnlock()
+	
+	now := time.Now().UnixMilli()
+	healthyMembers := make([]*Member, 0)
+	
+	for _, member := range s.members {
+		// Consider member healthy if last seen within last 5 minutes
+		if now-member.LastSeen < 5*60*1000 {
+			healthyMembers = append(healthyMembers, member)
+		}
+	}
+	
+	return healthyMembers
+}
+
+// Mark a peer as unhealthy
+func (s *Server) markPeerUnhealthy(nodeID string) {
+	s.membersMu.Lock()
+	defer s.membersMu.Unlock()
+	
+	if member, exists := s.members[nodeID]; exists {
+		// Mark as last seen a long time ago to indicate unhealthy
+		member.LastSeen = time.Now().UnixMilli() - 10*60*1000 // 10 minutes ago
+		s.logger.WithField("node_id", nodeID).Warn("Marked peer as unhealthy")
+	}
+}
+
+// Update member's last seen timestamp
+func (s *Server) updateMemberLastSeen(nodeID string, timestamp int64) {
+	s.membersMu.Lock()
+	defer s.membersMu.Unlock()
+	
+	if member, exists := s.members[nodeID]; exists {
+		member.LastSeen = timestamp
+	}
+}
+
+// Merge remote member list with local member list
+func (s *Server) mergeMemberList(remoteMembers []Member) {
+	s.membersMu.Lock()
+	defer s.membersMu.Unlock()
+	
+	now := time.Now().UnixMilli()
+	
+	for _, remoteMember := range remoteMembers {
+		// Skip ourselves
+		if remoteMember.ID == s.config.NodeID {
+			continue
+		}
+		
+		if localMember, exists := s.members[remoteMember.ID]; exists {
+			// Update existing member
+			if remoteMember.LastSeen > localMember.LastSeen {
+				localMember.LastSeen = remoteMember.LastSeen
+			}
+			// Keep the earlier joined timestamp
+			if remoteMember.JoinedTimestamp < localMember.JoinedTimestamp {
+				localMember.JoinedTimestamp = remoteMember.JoinedTimestamp
+			}
+		} else {
+			// Add new member
+			newMember := &Member{
+				ID:              remoteMember.ID,
+				Address:         remoteMember.Address,
+				LastSeen:        remoteMember.LastSeen,
+				JoinedTimestamp: remoteMember.JoinedTimestamp,
+			}
+			s.members[remoteMember.ID] = newMember
+			s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+				"node_id": remoteMember.ID,
+				"address": remoteMember.Address,
+			}).Info("Discovered new member through gossip")
+		}
+	}
+	
+	// Clean up old members (not seen for more than 10 minutes)
+	toRemove := make([]string, 0)
+	for nodeID, member := range s.members {
+		if now-member.LastSeen > 10*60*1000 { // 10 minutes
+			toRemove = append(toRemove, nodeID)
+		}
+	}
+	
+	for _, nodeID := range toRemove {
+		delete(s.members, nodeID)
+		s.logger.WithField("node_id", nodeID).Info("Removed stale member")
+	}
+}
+
+// Get this node's joined timestamp (startup time)
+func (s *Server) getJoinedTimestamp() int64 {
+	// For now, use a simple approach - this should be stored persistently
+	return time.Now().UnixMilli()
+}
+
+// Sync routine - handles regular and catch-up syncing
+func (s *Server) syncRoutine() {
+	defer s.wg.Done()
+	
+	syncTicker := time.NewTicker(time.Duration(s.config.SyncInterval) * time.Second)
+	defer syncTicker.Stop()
+	
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-s.ctx.Done():
+			return
+		case <-syncTicker.C:
+			s.performRegularSync()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Perform regular 5-minute sync
+func (s *Server) performRegularSync() {
+	members := s.getHealthyMembers()
+	if len(members) == 0 {
+		s.logger.Debug("No healthy members for sync")
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Select random peer
+	peer := members[rand.Intn(len(members))]
+	
+	s.logger.WithField("peer", peer.Address).Info("Starting regular sync")
+	
+	// Request latest 15 UUIDs
+	req := PairsByTimeRequest{
+		StartTimestamp: 0,
+		EndTimestamp:   0, // Current time
+		Limit:          15,
+	}
+	
+	remotePairs, err := s.requestPairsByTime(peer.Address, req)
+	if err != nil {
+		s.logger.WithError(err).WithField("peer", peer.Address).Error("Failed to sync with peer")
+		s.markPeerUnhealthy(peer.ID)
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Compare with our local data and fetch missing/newer data
+	s.syncDataFromPairs(peer.Address, remotePairs)
+	
+	s.logger.WithField("peer", peer.Address).Info("Completed regular sync")
+}
+
+// Request pairs by time from a peer
+func (s *Server) requestPairsByTime(peerAddress string, req PairsByTimeRequest) ([]PairsByTimeResponse, error) {
+	jsonData, err := json.Marshal(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	
+	client := &http.Client{Timeout: 10 * time.Second}
+	url := fmt.Sprintf("http://%s/members/pairs_by_time", peerAddress)
+	
+	resp, err := client.Post(url, "application/json", bytes.NewBuffer(jsonData))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+	
+	if resp.StatusCode == http.StatusNoContent {
+		return []PairsByTimeResponse{}, nil
+	}
+	
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("peer returned status %d", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+	
+	var pairs []PairsByTimeResponse
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&pairs); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	
+	return pairs, nil
+}
+
+// Sync data from pairs - fetch missing or newer data
+func (s *Server) syncDataFromPairs(peerAddress string, remotePairs []PairsByTimeResponse) {
+	for _, remotePair := range remotePairs {
+		// Check our local version
+		localData, localExists := s.getLocalData(remotePair.Path)
+		
+		shouldFetch := false
+		if !localExists {
+			shouldFetch = true
+			s.logger.WithField("path", remotePair.Path).Debug("Missing local data, will fetch")
+		} else if localData.Timestamp < remotePair.Timestamp {
+			shouldFetch = true
+			s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+				"path":            remotePair.Path,
+				"local_timestamp": localData.Timestamp,
+				"remote_timestamp": remotePair.Timestamp,
+			}).Debug("Local data is older, will fetch")
+		} else if localData.Timestamp == remotePair.Timestamp && localData.UUID != remotePair.UUID {
+			// Timestamp collision - need conflict resolution
+			s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+				"path":       remotePair.Path,
+				"timestamp":  remotePair.Timestamp,
+				"local_uuid": localData.UUID,
+				"remote_uuid": remotePair.UUID,
+			}).Warn("Timestamp collision detected, implementing conflict resolution")
+			// TODO: Implement conflict resolution logic
+			continue
+		}
+		
+		if shouldFetch {
+			if err := s.fetchAndStoreData(peerAddress, remotePair.Path); err != nil {
+				s.logger.WithError(err).WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+					"peer": peerAddress,
+					"path": remotePair.Path,
+				}).Error("Failed to fetch data from peer")
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Get local data for a path
+func (s *Server) getLocalData(path string) (*StoredValue, bool) {
+	var storedValue StoredValue
+	err := s.db.View(func(txn *badger.Txn) error {
+		item, err := txn.Get([]byte(path))
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		
+		return item.Value(func(val []byte) error {
+			return json.Unmarshal(val, &storedValue)
+		})
+	})
+	
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	
+	return &storedValue, true
+}
+
+// Fetch and store data from peer
+func (s *Server) fetchAndStoreData(peerAddress, path string) error {
+	client := &http.Client{Timeout: 5 * time.Second}
+	url := fmt.Sprintf("http://%s/kv/%s", peerAddress, path)
+	
+	resp, err := client.Get(url)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+	
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return fmt.Errorf("peer returned status %d for path %s", resp.StatusCode, path)
+	}
+	
+	var data json.RawMessage
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&data); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	
+	// Store the data using our internal storage mechanism
+	return s.storeReplicatedData(path, data)
+}
+
+// Store replicated data (internal storage without timestamp/UUID generation)
+func (s *Server) storeReplicatedData(path string, data json.RawMessage) error {
+	// For now, we'll generate new timestamp/UUID - in full implementation,
+	// we'd need to preserve the original metadata from the source
+	now := time.Now().UnixMilli()
+	newUUID := uuid.New().String()
+	
+	storedValue := StoredValue{
+		UUID:      newUUID,
+		Timestamp: now,
+		Data:      data,
+	}
+	
+	valueBytes, err := json.Marshal(storedValue)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	
+	return s.db.Update(func(txn *badger.Txn) error {
+		// Store main data
+		if err := txn.Set([]byte(path), valueBytes); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		
+		// Store timestamp index
+		indexKey := fmt.Sprintf("_ts:%020d:%s", now, path)
+		return txn.Set([]byte(indexKey), []byte(newUUID))
+	})
+}
+
+// Bootstrap - join cluster using seed nodes
 func (s *Server) bootstrap() {
-	// TODO: Implement gradual bootstrapping
+	if len(s.config.SeedNodes) == 0 {
+		s.logger.Info("No seed nodes configured, running as standalone")
+		return
+	}
+	
+	s.logger.Info("Starting bootstrap process")
+	s.setMode("syncing")
+	
+	// Try to join via each seed node
+	joined := false
+	for _, seedAddr := range s.config.SeedNodes {
+		if s.attemptJoin(seedAddr) {
+			joined = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	
+	if !joined {
+		s.logger.Warn("Failed to join cluster via seed nodes, running as standalone")
+		s.setMode("normal")
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// Wait a bit for member discovery
+	time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
+	
+	// Perform gradual sync
+	s.performGradualSync()
+	
+	// Switch to normal mode
+	s.setMode("normal")
+	s.logger.Info("Bootstrap completed, entering normal mode")
+}
+
+// Attempt to join cluster via a seed node
+func (s *Server) attemptJoin(seedAddr string) bool {
+	joinReq := JoinRequest{
+		ID:              s.config.NodeID,
+		Address:         fmt.Sprintf("%s:%d", s.config.BindAddress, s.config.Port),
+		JoinedTimestamp: time.Now().UnixMilli(),
+	}
+	
+	jsonData, err := json.Marshal(joinReq)
+	if err != nil {
+		s.logger.WithError(err).Error("Failed to marshal join request")
+		return false
+	}
+	
+	client := &http.Client{Timeout: 10 * time.Second}
+	url := fmt.Sprintf("http://%s/members/join", seedAddr)
+	
+	resp, err := client.Post(url, "application/json", bytes.NewBuffer(jsonData))
+	if err != nil {
+		s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+			"seed": seedAddr,
+			"error": err.Error(),
+		}).Warn("Failed to contact seed node")
+		return false
+	}
+	defer resp.Body.Close()
+	
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+			"seed":   seedAddr,
+			"status": resp.StatusCode,
+		}).Warn("Seed node rejected join request")
+		return false
+	}
+	
+	// Process member list response
+	var memberList []Member
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&memberList); err != nil {
+		s.logger.WithError(err).Error("Failed to decode member list from seed")
+		return false
+	}
+	
+	// Add all members to our local list
+	for _, member := range memberList {
+		if member.ID != s.config.NodeID {
+			s.addMember(&member)
+		}
+	}
+	
+	s.logger.WithFields(logrus.Fields{
+		"seed":         seedAddr,
+		"member_count": len(memberList),
+	}).Info("Successfully joined cluster")
+	
+	return true
+}
+
+// Perform gradual sync (simplified version)
+func (s *Server) performGradualSync() {
+	s.logger.Info("Starting gradual sync")
+	
+	members := s.getHealthyMembers()
+	if len(members) == 0 {
+		s.logger.Info("No healthy members for gradual sync")
+		return
+	}
+	
+	// For now, just do a few rounds of regular sync
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		s.performRegularSync()
+		time.Sleep(time.Duration(s.config.ThrottleDelayMs) * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	
+	s.logger.Info("Gradual sync completed")
 }
 
 func main() {