diff --git a/broker/src/init.rs b/broker/src/init.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7ae3ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/broker/src/init.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+use sphinx_key_parser::MsgDriver;
+use vls_protocol::model::Secret;
+use vls_protocol::{msgs, serde_bolt::WireString};
+use vls_proxy::util::{read_allowlist, read_integration_test_seed};
+
+pub fn make_init_msg() -> anyhow::Result<Vec<u8>> {
+    let allowlist = read_allowlist()
+        .into_iter()
+        .map(|s| WireString(s.as_bytes().to_vec()))
+        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+    let seed = read_integration_test_seed()
+        .map(|s| Secret(s))
+        .or(Some(Secret([1; 32])));
+    // FIXME remove this
+    log::info!("allowlist {:?} seed {:?}", allowlist, seed);
+    let init = msgs::HsmdInit2 {
+        derivation_style: 0,
+        network_name: WireString("testnet".as_bytes().to_vec()),
+        dev_seed: seed,
+        dev_allowlist: allowlist,
+    };
+    let sequence = 0;
+    let mut md = MsgDriver::new_empty();
+    msgs::write_serial_request_header(&mut md, sequence, 0)?;
+    msgs::write(&mut md, init)?;
+    Ok(md.bytes())
+    // msgs::read_serial_response_header(&mut serial, sequence)?;
+    // let init_reply: msgs::HsmdInit2Reply = msgs::read_message(&mut serial)?;
+    // log::info!("init reply {:?}", init_reply);
+    // Ok(())
+}
diff --git a/broker/src/main.rs b/broker/src/main.rs
index 8c83ac8..41fde2c 100644
--- a/broker/src/main.rs
+++ b/broker/src/main.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
+mod init;
 mod mqtt;
 mod run_test;
 mod unix_fd;
 
+use crate::mqtt::start_broker;
 use crate::unix_fd::SignerLoop;
 use clap::{App, AppSettings, Arg};
-use crate::mqtt::start_broker;
+use sphinx_key_parser as parser;
 use std::env;
 use tokio::sync::{mpsc, oneshot};
 use vls_proxy::client::UnixClient;
@@ -56,12 +58,26 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         run_test::run_test();
     } else {
         let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel(1000);
-        let _runtime = start_broker(true, rx);
-        // listen to reqs from CLN
-        let conn = UnixConnection::new(parent_fd);
-        let client = UnixClient::new(conn);
-        let mut signer_loop = SignerLoop::new(client, tx);
-        signer_loop.start();
+        let runtime = start_broker(true, rx);
+        runtime.block_on(async {
+            let init_msg_2 = crate::init::make_init_msg().expect("could make init msg");
+            let (reply_tx, reply_rx) = oneshot::channel();
+            // Send a request to the MQTT handler to send to signer
+            let request = ChannelRequest {
+                message: init_msg_2,
+                reply_tx,
+            };
+            let _ = tx.send(request).await;
+            let res = reply_rx.await.expect("couldnt receive");
+            let reply =
+                parser::response_from_bytes(res.reply, 0).expect("could parse init receive");
+            println!("REPLY {:?}", reply);
+            // listen to reqs from CLN
+            let conn = UnixConnection::new(parent_fd);
+            let client = UnixClient::new(conn);
+            let mut signer_loop = SignerLoop::new(client, tx);
+            signer_loop.start();
+        })
     }
 
     Ok(())