The problem it solves
Running an agent is one problem. Controlling it from another device, across NAT boundaries, with proof of who approved which action is a different problem. Beacon exists for that second problem. It does not replace STOKE. It supplies the identity, pairing, token, and advisory path that let remote actions be trustworthy before STOKE records them.
What the Hub sees
The Hub routes bytes, metadata, and advisory envelopes. It does not get the session plaintext. The Hub can therefore do useful control-plane work without becoming a content omniscient bottleneck.
Federation and self-hosting
Beacon is designed as a relay fabric rather than a single hosted service. Federation matters because operators will need multi-Hub topologies and self-hosted parity. The protocol claim is therefore stronger than “cloud remote control.” It is secure remote control with the same provenance and revocation guarantees even when the relay is not the vendor’s.