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-rw-r--r--Cargo.lock8
-rw-r--r--changelog.d/17510.bugfix1
-rw-r--r--changelog.d/17514.misc1
-rw-r--r--changelog.d/17515.doc3
-rw-r--r--changelog.d/17531.misc1
-rw-r--r--changelog.d/17535.bugfix1
-rw-r--r--docs/development/room-dag-concepts.md6
-rw-r--r--docs/usage/configuration/config_documentation.md4
-rw-r--r--synapse/api/errors.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/admin.py10
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/pagination.py32
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/sliding_sync.py646
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/sync.py69
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/sync.py9
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/databases/main/roommember.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/databases/main/state_deltas.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/databases/main/stream.py281
-rw-r--r--tests/rest/client/sliding_sync/test_connection_tracking.py72
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_stream.py2
20 files changed, 708 insertions, 446 deletions
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index d50ce87d17..ce5520436d 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ checksum = "79296716171880943b8470b5f8d03aa55eb2e645a4874bdbb28adb49162e012c"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "bytes"
-version = "1.6.1"
+version = "1.7.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a12916984aab3fa6e39d655a33e09c0071eb36d6ab3aea5c2d78551f1df6d952"
+checksum = "8318a53db07bb3f8dca91a600466bdb3f2eaadeedfdbcf02e1accbad9271ba50"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "cfg-if"
@@ -444,9 +444,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "regex"
-version = "1.10.5"
+version = "1.10.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "b91213439dad192326a0d7c6ee3955910425f441d7038e0d6933b0aec5c4517f"
+checksum = "4219d74c6b67a3654a9fbebc4b419e22126d13d2f3c4a07ee0cb61ff79a79619"
 dependencies = [
  "aho-corasick",
  "memchr",
diff --git a/changelog.d/17510.bugfix b/changelog.d/17510.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3170c284bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/17510.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix timeline ordering (using `stream_ordering` instead of topological ordering) in experimental [MSC3575](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3575) Sliding Sync `/sync` endpoint.
diff --git a/changelog.d/17514.misc b/changelog.d/17514.misc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fc3cc37915
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/17514.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Add more tracing to experimental [MSC3575](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3575) Sliding Sync `/sync` endpoint.
diff --git a/changelog.d/17515.doc b/changelog.d/17515.doc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c2dbe24e9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/17515.doc
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Clarify default behaviour of the
+[`auto_accept_invites.worker_to_run_on`](https://element-hq.github.io/synapse/develop/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html#auto-accept-invites)
+option.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/17531.misc b/changelog.d/17531.misc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..25b7b36a72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/17531.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fixup comment in sliding sync implementation.
diff --git a/changelog.d/17535.bugfix b/changelog.d/17535.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c5b5da0485
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/17535.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix experimental sliding sync implementation to remember any updates in rooms that were not sent down immediately.
diff --git a/docs/development/room-dag-concepts.md b/docs/development/room-dag-concepts.md
index 76709487f8..35b667831c 100644
--- a/docs/development/room-dag-concepts.md
+++ b/docs/development/room-dag-concepts.md
@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ incrementing integer, but backfilled events start with `stream_ordering=-1` and
 
 ---
 
- - `/sync` returns things in the order they arrive at the server (`stream_ordering`).
- - `/messages` (and `/backfill` in the federation API) return them in the order determined by the event graph `(topological_ordering, stream_ordering)`.
+ - Incremental `/sync?since=xxx` returns things in the order they arrive at the server
+   (`stream_ordering`).
+ - Initial `/sync`, `/messages` (and `/backfill` in the federation API) return them in
+   the order determined by the event graph `(topological_ordering, stream_ordering)`.
 
 The general idea is that, if you're following a room in real-time (i.e.
 `/sync`), you probably want to see the messages as they arrive at your server,
diff --git a/docs/usage/configuration/config_documentation.md b/docs/usage/configuration/config_documentation.md
index 40f64be856..567bbf88d2 100644
--- a/docs/usage/configuration/config_documentation.md
+++ b/docs/usage/configuration/config_documentation.md
@@ -4685,7 +4685,9 @@ This setting has the following sub-options:
 * `only_for_direct_messages`: Whether invites should be automatically accepted for all room types, or only
    for direct messages. Defaults to false.
 * `only_from_local_users`: Whether to only automatically accept invites from users on this homeserver. Defaults to false.
-* `worker_to_run_on`: Which worker to run this module on. This must match the "worker_name".
+* `worker_to_run_on`: Which worker to run this module on. This must match 
+  the "worker_name". If not set or `null`, invites will be accepted on the
+  main process.
 
 NOTE: Care should be taken not to enable this setting if the `synapse_auto_accept_invite` module is enabled and installed.
 The two modules will compete to perform the same task and may result in undesired behaviour. For example, multiple join
diff --git a/synapse/api/errors.py b/synapse/api/errors.py
index 99fc7eab54..e6efa7a424 100644
--- a/synapse/api/errors.py
+++ b/synapse/api/errors.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class Codes(str, Enum):
     # MSC2677
     DUPLICATE_ANNOTATION = "M_DUPLICATE_ANNOTATION"
 
-    # MSC3575 we are telling the client they need to reset their sliding sync
+    # MSC3575 we are telling the client they need to expire their sliding sync
     # connection.
     UNKNOWN_POS = "M_UNKNOWN_POS"
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/admin.py b/synapse/handlers/admin.py
index ec35784c5f..b44e862493 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/admin.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/admin.py
@@ -197,8 +197,14 @@ class AdminHandler:
             # events that we have and then filtering, this isn't the most
             # efficient method perhaps but it does guarantee we get everything.
             while True:
-                events, _ = await self._store.paginate_room_events(
-                    room_id, from_key, to_key, limit=100, direction=Direction.FORWARDS
+                events, _ = (
+                    await self._store.paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering(
+                        room_id=room_id,
+                        from_key=from_key,
+                        to_key=to_key,
+                        limit=100,
+                        direction=Direction.FORWARDS,
+                    )
                 )
                 if not events:
                     break
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/pagination.py b/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
index 872c85fbad..6fd7afa280 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
@@ -507,13 +507,15 @@ class PaginationHandler:
 
         # Initially fetch the events from the database. With any luck, we can return
         # these without blocking on backfill (handled below).
-        events, next_key = await self.store.paginate_room_events(
-            room_id=room_id,
-            from_key=from_token.room_key,
-            to_key=to_room_key,
-            direction=pagin_config.direction,
-            limit=pagin_config.limit,
-            event_filter=event_filter,
+        events, next_key = (
+            await self.store.paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering(
+                room_id=room_id,
+                from_key=from_token.room_key,
+                to_key=to_room_key,
+                direction=pagin_config.direction,
+                limit=pagin_config.limit,
+                event_filter=event_filter,
+            )
         )
 
         if pagin_config.direction == Direction.BACKWARDS:
@@ -582,13 +584,15 @@ class PaginationHandler:
                 # If we did backfill something, refetch the events from the database to
                 # catch anything new that might have been added since we last fetched.
                 if did_backfill:
-                    events, next_key = await self.store.paginate_room_events(
-                        room_id=room_id,
-                        from_key=from_token.room_key,
-                        to_key=to_room_key,
-                        direction=pagin_config.direction,
-                        limit=pagin_config.limit,
-                        event_filter=event_filter,
+                    events, next_key = (
+                        await self.store.paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering(
+                            room_id=room_id,
+                            from_key=from_token.room_key,
+                            to_key=to_room_key,
+                            direction=pagin_config.direction,
+                            limit=pagin_config.limit,
+                            event_filter=event_filter,
+                        )
                     )
             else:
                 # Otherwise, we can backfill in the background for eventual
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room.py b/synapse/handlers/room.py
index 262d9f4044..2c6e672ede 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room.py
@@ -1750,7 +1750,7 @@ class RoomEventSource(EventSource[RoomStreamToken, EventBase]):
                 from_key=from_key,
                 to_key=to_key,
                 limit=limit or 10,
-                order="ASC",
+                direction=Direction.FORWARDS,
             )
 
             events = list(room_events)
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sliding_sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sliding_sync.py
index 1936471345..18a96843be 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sliding_sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sliding_sync.py
@@ -51,13 +51,23 @@ from synapse.api.errors import SlidingSyncUnknownPosition
 from synapse.events import EventBase, StrippedStateEvent
 from synapse.events.utils import parse_stripped_state_event, strip_event
 from synapse.handlers.relations import BundledAggregations
-from synapse.logging.opentracing import log_kv, start_active_span, tag_args, trace
+from synapse.logging.opentracing import (
+    SynapseTags,
+    log_kv,
+    set_tag,
+    start_active_span,
+    tag_args,
+    trace,
+)
 from synapse.storage.databases.main.roommember import extract_heroes_from_room_summary
 from synapse.storage.databases.main.state import (
     ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL,
     Sentinel as StateSentinel,
 )
-from synapse.storage.databases.main.stream import CurrentStateDeltaMembership
+from synapse.storage.databases.main.stream import (
+    CurrentStateDeltaMembership,
+    PaginateFunction,
+)
 from synapse.storage.roommember import MemberSummary
 from synapse.types import (
     DeviceListUpdates,
@@ -533,126 +543,153 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
         lists: Dict[str, SlidingSyncResult.SlidingWindowList] = {}
         # Keep track of the rooms that we can display and need to fetch more info about
         relevant_room_map: Dict[str, RoomSyncConfig] = {}
+        # The set of room IDs of all rooms that could appear in any list. These
+        # include rooms that are outside the list ranges.
+        all_rooms: Set[str] = set()
         if has_lists and sync_config.lists is not None:
-            sync_room_map = await self.filter_rooms_relevant_for_sync(
-                user=sync_config.user,
-                room_membership_for_user_map=room_membership_for_user_map,
-            )
+            with start_active_span("assemble_sliding_window_lists"):
+                sync_room_map = await self.filter_rooms_relevant_for_sync(
+                    user=sync_config.user,
+                    room_membership_for_user_map=room_membership_for_user_map,
+                )
+
+                for list_key, list_config in sync_config.lists.items():
+                    # Apply filters
+                    filtered_sync_room_map = sync_room_map
+                    if list_config.filters is not None:
+                        filtered_sync_room_map = await self.filter_rooms(
+                            sync_config.user,
+                            sync_room_map,
+                            list_config.filters,
+                            to_token,
+                        )
 
-            for list_key, list_config in sync_config.lists.items():
-                # Apply filters
-                filtered_sync_room_map = sync_room_map
-                if list_config.filters is not None:
-                    filtered_sync_room_map = await self.filter_rooms(
-                        sync_config.user, sync_room_map, list_config.filters, to_token
+                    # Find which rooms are partially stated and may need to be filtered out
+                    # depending on the `required_state` requested (see below).
+                    partial_state_room_map = (
+                        await self.store.is_partial_state_room_batched(
+                            filtered_sync_room_map.keys()
+                        )
                     )
 
-                # Sort the list
-                sorted_room_info = await self.sort_rooms(
-                    filtered_sync_room_map, to_token
-                )
+                    # Since creating the `RoomSyncConfig` takes some work, let's just do it
+                    # once and make a copy whenever we need it.
+                    room_sync_config = RoomSyncConfig.from_room_config(list_config)
+                    membership_state_keys = room_sync_config.required_state_map.get(
+                        EventTypes.Member
+                    )
+                    # Also see `StateFilter.must_await_full_state(...)` for comparison
+                    lazy_loading = (
+                        membership_state_keys is not None
+                        and StateValues.LAZY in membership_state_keys
+                    )
 
-                # Find which rooms are partially stated and may need to be filtered out
-                # depending on the `required_state` requested (see below).
-                partial_state_room_map = await self.store.is_partial_state_room_batched(
-                    filtered_sync_room_map.keys()
-                )
+                    if not lazy_loading:
+                        # Exclude partially-stated rooms unless the `required_state`
+                        # only has `["m.room.member", "$LAZY"]` for membership
+                        # (lazy-loading room members).
+                        filtered_sync_room_map = {
+                            room_id: room
+                            for room_id, room in filtered_sync_room_map.items()
+                            if not partial_state_room_map.get(room_id)
+                        }
 
-                # Since creating the `RoomSyncConfig` takes some work, let's just do it
-                # once and make a copy whenever we need it.
-                room_sync_config = RoomSyncConfig.from_room_config(list_config)
-                membership_state_keys = room_sync_config.required_state_map.get(
-                    EventTypes.Member
-                )
-                # Also see `StateFilter.must_await_full_state(...)` for comparison
-                lazy_loading = (
-                    membership_state_keys is not None
-                    and StateValues.LAZY in membership_state_keys
-                )
+                    all_rooms.update(filtered_sync_room_map)
 
-                ops: List[SlidingSyncResult.SlidingWindowList.Operation] = []
-                if list_config.ranges:
-                    for range in list_config.ranges:
-                        room_ids_in_list: List[str] = []
-
-                        # We're going to loop through the sorted list of rooms starting
-                        # at the range start index and keep adding rooms until we fill
-                        # up the range or run out of rooms.
-                        #
-                        # Both sides of range are inclusive so we `+ 1`
-                        max_num_rooms = range[1] - range[0] + 1
-                        for room_membership in sorted_room_info[range[0] :]:
-                            room_id = room_membership.room_id
-
-                            if len(room_ids_in_list) >= max_num_rooms:
-                                break
-
-                            # Exclude partially-stated rooms unless the `required_state`
-                            # only has `["m.room.member", "$LAZY"]` for membership
-                            # (lazy-loading room members).
-                            if partial_state_room_map.get(room_id) and not lazy_loading:
-                                continue
-
-                            # Take the superset of the `RoomSyncConfig` for each room.
+                    # Sort the list
+                    sorted_room_info = await self.sort_rooms(
+                        filtered_sync_room_map, to_token
+                    )
+
+                    ops: List[SlidingSyncResult.SlidingWindowList.Operation] = []
+                    if list_config.ranges:
+                        for range in list_config.ranges:
+                            room_ids_in_list: List[str] = []
+
+                            # We're going to loop through the sorted list of rooms starting
+                            # at the range start index and keep adding rooms until we fill
+                            # up the range or run out of rooms.
                             #
-                            # Update our `relevant_room_map` with the room we're going
-                            # to display and need to fetch more info about.
-                            existing_room_sync_config = relevant_room_map.get(room_id)
-                            if existing_room_sync_config is not None:
-                                existing_room_sync_config.combine_room_sync_config(
-                                    room_sync_config
+                            # Both sides of range are inclusive so we `+ 1`
+                            max_num_rooms = range[1] - range[0] + 1
+                            for room_membership in sorted_room_info[range[0] :]:
+                                room_id = room_membership.room_id
+
+                                if len(room_ids_in_list) >= max_num_rooms:
+                                    break
+
+                                # Take the superset of the `RoomSyncConfig` for each room.
+                                #
+                                # Update our `relevant_room_map` with the room we're going
+                                # to display and need to fetch more info about.
+                                existing_room_sync_config = relevant_room_map.get(
+                                    room_id
                                 )
-                            else:
-                                # Make a copy so if we modify it later, it doesn't
-                                # affect all references.
-                                relevant_room_map[room_id] = (
-                                    room_sync_config.deep_copy()
+                                if existing_room_sync_config is not None:
+                                    existing_room_sync_config.combine_room_sync_config(
+                                        room_sync_config
+                                    )
+                                else:
+                                    # Make a copy so if we modify it later, it doesn't
+                                    # affect all references.
+                                    relevant_room_map[room_id] = (
+                                        room_sync_config.deep_copy()
+                                    )
+
+                                room_ids_in_list.append(room_id)
+
+                            ops.append(
+                                SlidingSyncResult.SlidingWindowList.Operation(
+                                    op=OperationType.SYNC,
+                                    range=range,
+                                    room_ids=room_ids_in_list,
                                 )
-
-                            room_ids_in_list.append(room_id)
-
-                        ops.append(
-                            SlidingSyncResult.SlidingWindowList.Operation(
-                                op=OperationType.SYNC,
-                                range=range,
-                                room_ids=room_ids_in_list,
                             )
-                        )
 
-                lists[list_key] = SlidingSyncResult.SlidingWindowList(
-                    count=len(sorted_room_info),
-                    ops=ops,
-                )
+                    lists[list_key] = SlidingSyncResult.SlidingWindowList(
+                        count=len(sorted_room_info),
+                        ops=ops,
+                    )
 
         # Handle room subscriptions
         if has_room_subscriptions and sync_config.room_subscriptions is not None:
-            for room_id, room_subscription in sync_config.room_subscriptions.items():
-                room_membership_for_user_at_to_token = (
-                    await self.check_room_subscription_allowed_for_user(
-                        room_id=room_id,
-                        room_membership_for_user_map=room_membership_for_user_map,
-                        to_token=to_token,
+            with start_active_span("assemble_room_subscriptions"):
+                for (
+                    room_id,
+                    room_subscription,
+                ) in sync_config.room_subscriptions.items():
+                    room_membership_for_user_at_to_token = (
+                        await self.check_room_subscription_allowed_for_user(
+                            room_id=room_id,
+                            room_membership_for_user_map=room_membership_for_user_map,
+                            to_token=to_token,
+                        )
                     )
-                )
 
-                # Skip this room if the user isn't allowed to see it
-                if not room_membership_for_user_at_to_token:
-                    continue
+                    # Skip this room if the user isn't allowed to see it
+                    if not room_membership_for_user_at_to_token:
+                        continue
 
-                room_membership_for_user_map[room_id] = (
-                    room_membership_for_user_at_to_token
-                )
+                    all_rooms.add(room_id)
 
-                # Take the superset of the `RoomSyncConfig` for each room.
-                #
-                # Update our `relevant_room_map` with the room we're going to display
-                # and need to fetch more info about.
-                room_sync_config = RoomSyncConfig.from_room_config(room_subscription)
-                existing_room_sync_config = relevant_room_map.get(room_id)
-                if existing_room_sync_config is not None:
-                    existing_room_sync_config.combine_room_sync_config(room_sync_config)
-                else:
-                    relevant_room_map[room_id] = room_sync_config
+                    room_membership_for_user_map[room_id] = (
+                        room_membership_for_user_at_to_token
+                    )
+
+                    # Take the superset of the `RoomSyncConfig` for each room.
+                    #
+                    # Update our `relevant_room_map` with the room we're going to display
+                    # and need to fetch more info about.
+                    room_sync_config = RoomSyncConfig.from_room_config(
+                        room_subscription
+                    )
+                    existing_room_sync_config = relevant_room_map.get(room_id)
+                    if existing_room_sync_config is not None:
+                        existing_room_sync_config.combine_room_sync_config(
+                            room_sync_config
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        relevant_room_map[room_id] = room_sync_config
 
         # Fetch room data
         rooms: Dict[str, SlidingSyncResult.RoomResult] = {}
@@ -661,48 +698,49 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
         # previously.
         # Keep track of the rooms that we're going to display and need to fetch more info about
         relevant_rooms_to_send_map = relevant_room_map
-        if from_token:
-            rooms_should_send = set()
-
-            # First we check if there are rooms that match a list/room
-            # subscription and have updates we need to send (i.e. either because
-            # we haven't sent the room down, or we have but there are missing
-            # updates).
-            for room_id in relevant_room_map:
-                status = await self.connection_store.have_sent_room(
-                    sync_config,
-                    from_token.connection_position,
-                    room_id,
-                )
-                if (
-                    # The room was never sent down before so the client needs to know
-                    # about it regardless of any updates.
-                    status.status == HaveSentRoomFlag.NEVER
-                    # `PREVIOUSLY` literally means the "room was sent down before *AND*
-                    # there are updates we haven't sent down" so we already know this
-                    # room has updates.
-                    or status.status == HaveSentRoomFlag.PREVIOUSLY
-                ):
-                    rooms_should_send.add(room_id)
-                elif status.status == HaveSentRoomFlag.LIVE:
-                    # We know that we've sent all updates up until `from_token`,
-                    # so we just need to check if there have been updates since
-                    # then.
-                    pass
-                else:
-                    assert_never(status.status)
+        with start_active_span("filter_relevant_rooms_to_send"):
+            if from_token:
+                rooms_should_send = set()
+
+                # First we check if there are rooms that match a list/room
+                # subscription and have updates we need to send (i.e. either because
+                # we haven't sent the room down, or we have but there are missing
+                # updates).
+                for room_id in relevant_room_map:
+                    status = await self.connection_store.have_sent_room(
+                        sync_config,
+                        from_token.connection_position,
+                        room_id,
+                    )
+                    if (
+                        # The room was never sent down before so the client needs to know
+                        # about it regardless of any updates.
+                        status.status == HaveSentRoomFlag.NEVER
+                        # `PREVIOUSLY` literally means the "room was sent down before *AND*
+                        # there are updates we haven't sent down" so we already know this
+                        # room has updates.
+                        or status.status == HaveSentRoomFlag.PREVIOUSLY
+                    ):
+                        rooms_should_send.add(room_id)
+                    elif status.status == HaveSentRoomFlag.LIVE:
+                        # We know that we've sent all updates up until `from_token`,
+                        # so we just need to check if there have been updates since
+                        # then.
+                        pass
+                    else:
+                        assert_never(status.status)
 
-            # We only need to check for new events since any state changes
-            # will also come down as new events.
-            rooms_that_have_updates = self.store.get_rooms_that_might_have_updates(
-                relevant_room_map.keys(), from_token.stream_token.room_key
-            )
-            rooms_should_send.update(rooms_that_have_updates)
-            relevant_rooms_to_send_map = {
-                room_id: room_sync_config
-                for room_id, room_sync_config in relevant_room_map.items()
-                if room_id in rooms_should_send
-            }
+                # We only need to check for new events since any state changes
+                # will also come down as new events.
+                rooms_that_have_updates = self.store.get_rooms_that_might_have_updates(
+                    relevant_room_map.keys(), from_token.stream_token.room_key
+                )
+                rooms_should_send.update(rooms_that_have_updates)
+                relevant_rooms_to_send_map = {
+                    room_id: room_sync_config
+                    for room_id, room_sync_config in relevant_room_map.items()
+                    if room_id in rooms_should_send
+                }
 
         @trace
         @tag_args
@@ -741,12 +779,40 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
         )
 
         if has_lists or has_room_subscriptions:
+            # We now calculate if any rooms outside the range have had updates,
+            # which we are not sending down.
+            #
+            # We *must* record rooms that have had updates, but it is also fine
+            # to record rooms as having updates even if there might not actually
+            # be anything new for the user (e.g. due to event filters, events
+            # having happened after the user left, etc).
+            unsent_room_ids = []
+            if from_token:
+                # The set of rooms that the client (may) care about, but aren't
+                # in any list range (or subscribed to).
+                missing_rooms = all_rooms - relevant_room_map.keys()
+
+                # We now just go and try fetching any events in the above rooms
+                # to see if anything has happened since the `from_token`.
+                #
+                # TODO: Replace this with something faster. When we land the
+                # sliding sync tables that record the most recent event
+                # positions we can use that.
+                missing_event_map_by_room = (
+                    await self.store.get_room_events_stream_for_rooms(
+                        room_ids=missing_rooms,
+                        from_key=to_token.room_key,
+                        to_key=from_token.stream_token.room_key,
+                        limit=1,
+                    )
+                )
+                unsent_room_ids = list(missing_event_map_by_room)
+
             connection_position = await self.connection_store.record_rooms(
                 sync_config=sync_config,
                 from_token=from_token,
                 sent_room_ids=relevant_rooms_to_send_map.keys(),
-                # TODO: We need to calculate which rooms have had updates since the `from_token` but were not included in the `sent_room_ids`
-                unsent_room_ids=[],
+                unsent_room_ids=unsent_room_ids,
             )
         elif from_token:
             connection_position = from_token.connection_position
@@ -754,13 +820,20 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
             # Initial sync without a `from_token` starts at `0`
             connection_position = 0
 
-        return SlidingSyncResult(
+        sliding_sync_result = SlidingSyncResult(
             next_pos=SlidingSyncStreamToken(to_token, connection_position),
             lists=lists,
             rooms=rooms,
             extensions=extensions,
         )
 
+        # Make it easy to find traces for syncs that aren't empty
+        set_tag(SynapseTags.RESULT_PREFIX + "result", bool(sliding_sync_result))
+        set_tag(SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX + "sync_config.user", user_id)
+
+        return sliding_sync_result
+
+    @trace
     async def get_room_membership_for_user_at_to_token(
         self,
         user: UserID,
@@ -1099,6 +1172,7 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
 
         return sync_room_id_set
 
+    @trace
     async def filter_rooms_relevant_for_sync(
         self,
         user: UserID,
@@ -1209,6 +1283,7 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
 
         # return None
 
+    @trace
     async def _bulk_get_stripped_state_for_rooms_from_sync_room_map(
         self,
         room_ids: StrCollection,
@@ -1299,6 +1374,7 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
 
         return room_id_to_stripped_state_map
 
+    @trace
     async def _bulk_get_partial_current_state_content_for_rooms(
         self,
         content_type: Literal[
@@ -1498,125 +1574,132 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
 
         # Filter for Direct-Message (DM) rooms
         if filters.is_dm is not None:
-            if filters.is_dm:
-                # Only DM rooms please
-                filtered_room_id_set = {
-                    room_id
-                    for room_id in filtered_room_id_set
-                    if sync_room_map[room_id].is_dm
-                }
-            else:
-                # Only non-DM rooms please
-                filtered_room_id_set = {
-                    room_id
-                    for room_id in filtered_room_id_set
-                    if not sync_room_map[room_id].is_dm
-                }
+            with start_active_span("filters.is_dm"):
+                if filters.is_dm:
+                    # Only DM rooms please
+                    filtered_room_id_set = {
+                        room_id
+                        for room_id in filtered_room_id_set
+                        if sync_room_map[room_id].is_dm
+                    }
+                else:
+                    # Only non-DM rooms please
+                    filtered_room_id_set = {
+                        room_id
+                        for room_id in filtered_room_id_set
+                        if not sync_room_map[room_id].is_dm
+                    }
 
         if filters.spaces is not None:
-            raise NotImplementedError()
+            with start_active_span("filters.spaces"):
+                raise NotImplementedError()
 
         # Filter for encrypted rooms
         if filters.is_encrypted is not None:
-            room_id_to_encryption = (
-                await self._bulk_get_partial_current_state_content_for_rooms(
-                    content_type="room_encryption",
-                    room_ids=filtered_room_id_set,
-                    to_token=to_token,
-                    sync_room_map=sync_room_map,
-                    room_id_to_stripped_state_map=room_id_to_stripped_state_map,
+            with start_active_span("filters.is_encrypted"):
+                room_id_to_encryption = (
+                    await self._bulk_get_partial_current_state_content_for_rooms(
+                        content_type="room_encryption",
+                        room_ids=filtered_room_id_set,
+                        to_token=to_token,
+                        sync_room_map=sync_room_map,
+                        room_id_to_stripped_state_map=room_id_to_stripped_state_map,
+                    )
                 )
-            )
 
-            # Make a copy so we don't run into an error: `Set changed size during
-            # iteration`, when we filter out and remove items
-            for room_id in filtered_room_id_set.copy():
-                encryption = room_id_to_encryption.get(room_id, ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL)
+                # Make a copy so we don't run into an error: `Set changed size during
+                # iteration`, when we filter out and remove items
+                for room_id in filtered_room_id_set.copy():
+                    encryption = room_id_to_encryption.get(
+                        room_id, ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL
+                    )
 
-                # Just remove rooms if we can't determine their encryption status
-                if encryption is ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL:
-                    filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
-                    continue
+                    # Just remove rooms if we can't determine their encryption status
+                    if encryption is ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL:
+                        filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
+                        continue
 
-                # If we're looking for encrypted rooms, filter out rooms that are not
-                # encrypted and vice versa
-                is_encrypted = encryption is not None
-                if (filters.is_encrypted and not is_encrypted) or (
-                    not filters.is_encrypted and is_encrypted
-                ):
-                    filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
+                    # If we're looking for encrypted rooms, filter out rooms that are not
+                    # encrypted and vice versa
+                    is_encrypted = encryption is not None
+                    if (filters.is_encrypted and not is_encrypted) or (
+                        not filters.is_encrypted and is_encrypted
+                    ):
+                        filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
 
         # Filter for rooms that the user has been invited to
         if filters.is_invite is not None:
-            # Make a copy so we don't run into an error: `Set changed size during
-            # iteration`, when we filter out and remove items
-            for room_id in filtered_room_id_set.copy():
-                room_for_user = sync_room_map[room_id]
-                # If we're looking for invite rooms, filter out rooms that the user is
-                # not invited to and vice versa
-                if (
-                    filters.is_invite and room_for_user.membership != Membership.INVITE
-                ) or (
-                    not filters.is_invite
-                    and room_for_user.membership == Membership.INVITE
-                ):
-                    filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
+            with start_active_span("filters.is_invite"):
+                # Make a copy so we don't run into an error: `Set changed size during
+                # iteration`, when we filter out and remove items
+                for room_id in filtered_room_id_set.copy():
+                    room_for_user = sync_room_map[room_id]
+                    # If we're looking for invite rooms, filter out rooms that the user is
+                    # not invited to and vice versa
+                    if (
+                        filters.is_invite
+                        and room_for_user.membership != Membership.INVITE
+                    ) or (
+                        not filters.is_invite
+                        and room_for_user.membership == Membership.INVITE
+                    ):
+                        filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
 
         # Filter by room type (space vs room, etc). A room must match one of the types
         # provided in the list. `None` is a valid type for rooms which do not have a
         # room type.
         if filters.room_types is not None or filters.not_room_types is not None:
-            room_id_to_type = (
-                await self._bulk_get_partial_current_state_content_for_rooms(
-                    content_type="room_type",
-                    room_ids=filtered_room_id_set,
-                    to_token=to_token,
-                    sync_room_map=sync_room_map,
-                    room_id_to_stripped_state_map=room_id_to_stripped_state_map,
+            with start_active_span("filters.room_types"):
+                room_id_to_type = (
+                    await self._bulk_get_partial_current_state_content_for_rooms(
+                        content_type="room_type",
+                        room_ids=filtered_room_id_set,
+                        to_token=to_token,
+                        sync_room_map=sync_room_map,
+                        room_id_to_stripped_state_map=room_id_to_stripped_state_map,
+                    )
                 )
-            )
 
-            # Make a copy so we don't run into an error: `Set changed size during
-            # iteration`, when we filter out and remove items
-            for room_id in filtered_room_id_set.copy():
-                room_type = room_id_to_type.get(room_id, ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL)
+                # Make a copy so we don't run into an error: `Set changed size during
+                # iteration`, when we filter out and remove items
+                for room_id in filtered_room_id_set.copy():
+                    room_type = room_id_to_type.get(room_id, ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL)
 
-                # Just remove rooms if we can't determine their type
-                if room_type is ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL:
-                    filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
-                    continue
+                    # Just remove rooms if we can't determine their type
+                    if room_type is ROOM_UNKNOWN_SENTINEL:
+                        filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
+                        continue
 
-                if (
-                    filters.room_types is not None
-                    and room_type not in filters.room_types
-                ):
-                    filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
+                    if (
+                        filters.room_types is not None
+                        and room_type not in filters.room_types
+                    ):
+                        filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
 
-                if (
-                    filters.not_room_types is not None
-                    and room_type in filters.not_room_types
-                ):
-                    filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
+                    if (
+                        filters.not_room_types is not None
+                        and room_type in filters.not_room_types
+                    ):
+                        filtered_room_id_set.remove(room_id)
 
         if filters.room_name_like is not None:
-            # TODO: The room name is a bit more sensitive to leak than the
-            # create/encryption event. Maybe we should consider a better way to fetch
-            # historical state before implementing this.
-            #
-            # room_id_to_create_content = await self._bulk_get_partial_current_state_content_for_rooms(
-            #     content_type="room_name",
-            #     room_ids=filtered_room_id_set,
-            #     to_token=to_token,
-            #     sync_room_map=sync_room_map,
-            #     room_id_to_stripped_state_map=room_id_to_stripped_state_map,
-            # )
-            raise NotImplementedError()
-
-        if filters.tags is not None:
-            raise NotImplementedError()
-
-        if filters.not_tags is not None:
-            raise NotImplementedError()
+            with start_active_span("filters.room_name_like"):
+                # TODO: The room name is a bit more sensitive to leak than the
+                # create/encryption event. Maybe we should consider a better way to fetch
+                # historical state before implementing this.
+                #
+                # room_id_to_create_content = await self._bulk_get_partial_current_state_content_for_rooms(
+                #     content_type="room_name",
+                #     room_ids=filtered_room_id_set,
+                #     to_token=to_token,
+                #     sync_room_map=sync_room_map,
+                #     room_id_to_stripped_state_map=room_id_to_stripped_state_map,
+                # )
+                raise NotImplementedError()
+
+        if filters.tags is not None or filters.not_tags is not None:
+            with start_active_span("filters.tags"):
+                raise NotImplementedError()
 
         # Assemble a new sync room map but only with the `filtered_room_id_set`
         return {room_id: sync_room_map[room_id] for room_id in filtered_room_id_set}
@@ -1678,6 +1761,7 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
             reverse=True,
         )
 
+    @trace
     async def get_current_state_ids_at(
         self,
         room_id: str,
@@ -1742,6 +1826,7 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
 
         return state_ids
 
+    @trace
     async def get_current_state_at(
         self,
         room_id: str,
@@ -1803,15 +1888,27 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
         """
         user = sync_config.user
 
+        set_tag(
+            SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX + "membership",
+            room_membership_for_user_at_to_token.membership,
+        )
+        set_tag(
+            SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX + "timeline_limit",
+            room_sync_config.timeline_limit,
+        )
+
         # Determine whether we should limit the timeline to the token range.
         #
         # We should return historical messages (before token range) in the
         # following cases because we want clients to be able to show a basic
         # screen of information:
+        #
         #  - Initial sync (because no `from_token` to limit us anyway)
         #  - When users `newly_joined`
         #  - For an incremental sync where we haven't sent it down this
         #    connection before
+        #
+        # Relevant spec issue: https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec/issues/1917
         from_bound = None
         initial = True
         if from_token and not room_membership_for_user_at_to_token.newly_joined:
@@ -1872,7 +1969,36 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
                     room_membership_for_user_at_to_token.event_pos.to_room_stream_token()
                 )
 
-            timeline_events, new_room_key = await self.store.paginate_room_events(
+            # For initial `/sync` (and other historical scenarios mentioned above), we
+            # want to view a historical section of the timeline; to fetch events by
+            # `topological_ordering` (best representation of the room DAG as others were
+            # seeing it at the time). This also aligns with the order that `/messages`
+            # returns events in.
+            #
+            # For incremental `/sync`, we want to get all updates for rooms since
+            # the last `/sync` (regardless if those updates arrived late or happened
+            # a while ago in the past); to fetch events by `stream_ordering` (in the
+            # order they were received by the server).
+            #
+            # Relevant spec issue: https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec/issues/1917
+            #
+            # FIXME: Using workaround for mypy,
+            # https://github.com/python/mypy/issues/10740#issuecomment-1997047277 and
+            # https://github.com/python/mypy/issues/17479
+            paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering: PaginateFunction = (
+                self.store.paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering
+            )
+            paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering: PaginateFunction = (
+                self.store.paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering
+            )
+            pagination_method: PaginateFunction = (
+                # Use `topographical_ordering` for historical events
+                paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering
+                if from_bound is None
+                # Use `stream_ordering` for updates
+                else paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering
+            )
+            timeline_events, new_room_key = await pagination_method(
                 room_id=room_id,
                 # The bounds are reversed so we can paginate backwards
                 # (from newer to older events) starting at to_bound.
@@ -1883,7 +2009,6 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
                 # We add one so we can determine if there are enough events to saturate
                 # the limit or not (see `limited`)
                 limit=room_sync_config.timeline_limit + 1,
-                event_filter=None,
             )
 
             # We want to return the events in ascending order (the last event is the
@@ -2070,6 +2195,10 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
             if StateValues.WILDCARD in room_sync_config.required_state_map.get(
                 StateValues.WILDCARD, set()
             ):
+                set_tag(
+                    SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX + "required_state_wildcard",
+                    True,
+                )
                 required_state_filter = StateFilter.all()
             # TODO: `StateFilter` currently doesn't support wildcard event types. We're
             # currently working around this by returning all state to the client but it
@@ -2079,6 +2208,10 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
                 room_sync_config.required_state_map.get(StateValues.WILDCARD)
                 is not None
             ):
+                set_tag(
+                    SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX + "required_state_wildcard_event_type",
+                    True,
+                )
                 required_state_filter = StateFilter.all()
             else:
                 required_state_types: List[Tuple[str, Optional[str]]] = []
@@ -2086,8 +2219,12 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
                     state_type,
                     state_key_set,
                 ) in room_sync_config.required_state_map.items():
+                    num_wild_state_keys = 0
+                    lazy_load_room_members = False
+                    num_others = 0
                     for state_key in state_key_set:
                         if state_key == StateValues.WILDCARD:
+                            num_wild_state_keys += 1
                             # `None` is a wildcard in the `StateFilter`
                             required_state_types.append((state_type, None))
                         # We need to fetch all relevant people when we're lazy-loading membership
@@ -2095,6 +2232,7 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
                             state_type == EventTypes.Member
                             and state_key == StateValues.LAZY
                         ):
+                            lazy_load_room_members = True
                             # Everyone in the timeline is relevant
                             timeline_membership: Set[str] = set()
                             if timeline_events is not None:
@@ -2109,10 +2247,26 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
                             # FIXME: We probably also care about invite, ban, kick, targets, etc
                             # but the spec only mentions "senders".
                         elif state_key == StateValues.ME:
+                            num_others += 1
                             required_state_types.append((state_type, user.to_string()))
                         else:
+                            num_others += 1
                             required_state_types.append((state_type, state_key))
 
+                    set_tag(
+                        SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX
+                        + "required_state_wildcard_state_key_count",
+                        num_wild_state_keys,
+                    )
+                    set_tag(
+                        SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX + "required_state_lazy",
+                        lazy_load_room_members,
+                    )
+                    set_tag(
+                        SynapseTags.FUNC_ARG_PREFIX + "required_state_other_count",
+                        num_others,
+                    )
+
                 required_state_filter = StateFilter.from_types(required_state_types)
 
         # We need this base set of info for the response so let's just fetch it along
@@ -2208,6 +2362,8 @@ class SlidingSyncHandler:
             if new_bump_event_pos.stream > 0:
                 bump_stamp = new_bump_event_pos.stream
 
+        set_tag(SynapseTags.RESULT_PREFIX + "initial", initial)
+
         return SlidingSyncResult.RoomResult(
             name=room_name,
             avatar=room_avatar,
@@ -2863,6 +3019,7 @@ class SlidingSyncConnectionStore:
 
         return room_status
 
+    @trace
     async def record_rooms(
         self,
         sync_config: SlidingSyncConfig,
@@ -2938,6 +3095,7 @@ class SlidingSyncConnectionStore:
 
         return new_store_token
 
+    @trace
     async def mark_token_seen(
         self,
         sync_config: SlidingSyncConfig,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index ede014180c..6af2eeb75f 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ from prometheus_client import Counter
 
 from synapse.api.constants import (
     AccountDataTypes,
+    Direction,
     EventContentFields,
     EventTypes,
     JoinRules,
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ from synapse.logging.opentracing import (
 )
 from synapse.storage.databases.main.event_push_actions import RoomNotifCounts
 from synapse.storage.databases.main.roommember import extract_heroes_from_room_summary
+from synapse.storage.databases.main.stream import PaginateFunction
 from synapse.storage.roommember import MemberSummary
 from synapse.types import (
     DeviceListUpdates,
@@ -879,22 +881,49 @@ class SyncHandler:
                 since_key = since_token.room_key
 
             while limited and len(recents) < timeline_limit and max_repeat:
-                # If we have a since_key then we are trying to get any events
-                # that have happened since `since_key` up to `end_key`, so we
-                # can just use `get_room_events_stream_for_room`.
-                # Otherwise, we want to return the last N events in the room
-                # in topological ordering.
-                if since_key:
-                    events, end_key = await self.store.get_room_events_stream_for_room(
-                        room_id,
-                        limit=load_limit + 1,
-                        from_key=since_key,
-                        to_key=end_key,
-                    )
-                else:
-                    events, end_key = await self.store.get_recent_events_for_room(
-                        room_id, limit=load_limit + 1, end_token=end_key
-                    )
+                # For initial `/sync`, we want to view a historical section of the
+                # timeline; to fetch events by `topological_ordering` (best
+                # representation of the room DAG as others were seeing it at the time).
+                # This also aligns with the order that `/messages` returns events in.
+                #
+                # For incremental `/sync`, we want to get all updates for rooms since
+                # the last `/sync` (regardless if those updates arrived late or happened
+                # a while ago in the past); to fetch events by `stream_ordering` (in the
+                # order they were received by the server).
+                #
+                # Relevant spec issue: https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec/issues/1917
+                #
+                # FIXME: Using workaround for mypy,
+                # https://github.com/python/mypy/issues/10740#issuecomment-1997047277 and
+                # https://github.com/python/mypy/issues/17479
+                paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering: PaginateFunction = (
+                    self.store.paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering
+                )
+                paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering: PaginateFunction = (
+                    self.store.paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering
+                )
+                pagination_method: PaginateFunction = (
+                    # Use `topographical_ordering` for historical events
+                    paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering
+                    if since_key is None
+                    # Use `stream_ordering` for updates
+                    else paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering
+                )
+                events, end_key = await pagination_method(
+                    room_id=room_id,
+                    # The bounds are reversed so we can paginate backwards
+                    # (from newer to older events) starting at to_bound.
+                    # This ensures we fill the `limit` with the newest events first,
+                    from_key=end_key,
+                    to_key=since_key,
+                    direction=Direction.BACKWARDS,
+                    # We add one so we can determine if there are enough events to saturate
+                    # the limit or not (see `limited`)
+                    limit=load_limit + 1,
+                )
+                # We want to return the events in ascending order (the last event is the
+                # most recent).
+                events.reverse()
 
                 log_kv({"loaded_recents": len(events)})
 
@@ -2641,9 +2670,10 @@ class SyncHandler:
         # a "gap" in the timeline, as described by the spec for /sync.
         room_to_events = await self.store.get_room_events_stream_for_rooms(
             room_ids=sync_result_builder.joined_room_ids,
-            from_key=since_token.room_key,
-            to_key=now_token.room_key,
+            from_key=now_token.room_key,
+            to_key=since_token.room_key,
             limit=timeline_limit + 1,
+            direction=Direction.BACKWARDS,
         )
 
         # We loop through all room ids, even if there are no new events, in case
@@ -2654,6 +2684,9 @@ class SyncHandler:
             newly_joined = room_id in newly_joined_rooms
             if room_entry:
                 events, start_key = room_entry
+                # We want to return the events in ascending order (the last event is the
+                # most recent).
+                events.reverse()
 
                 prev_batch_token = now_token.copy_and_replace(
                     StreamKeyType.ROOM, start_key
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/sync.py b/synapse/rest/client/sync.py
index 4f2c552af2..8c5db2a513 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/sync.py
@@ -899,6 +899,9 @@ class SlidingSyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
         body = parse_and_validate_json_object_from_request(request, SlidingSyncBody)
 
         # Tag and log useful data to differentiate requests.
+        set_tag(
+            "sliding_sync.sync_type", "initial" if from_token is None else "incremental"
+        )
         set_tag("sliding_sync.conn_id", body.conn_id or "")
         log_kv(
             {
@@ -912,6 +915,12 @@ class SlidingSyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
                 "sliding_sync.room_subscriptions": list(
                     (body.room_subscriptions or {}).keys()
                 ),
+                # We also include the number of room subscriptions because logs are
+                # limited to 1024 characters and the large room ID list above can be cut
+                # off.
+                "sliding_sync.num_room_subscriptions": len(
+                    (body.room_subscriptions or {}).keys()
+                ),
             }
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/databases/main/roommember.py b/synapse/storage/databases/main/roommember.py
index 640ab123f0..1d9f0f52e1 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/databases/main/roommember.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/databases/main/roommember.py
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ from typing import (
 import attr
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
+from synapse.logging.opentracing import trace
 from synapse.metrics import LaterGauge
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import wrap_as_background_process
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore, db_to_json, make_in_list_sql_clause
@@ -422,6 +423,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, CacheInvalidationWorkerStore):
                 return invite
         return None
 
+    @trace
     async def get_rooms_for_local_user_where_membership_is(
         self,
         user_id: str,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/databases/main/state_deltas.py b/synapse/storage/databases/main/state_deltas.py
index da3ebe66b8..9ed39e688a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/databases/main/state_deltas.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/databases/main/state_deltas.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from typing import List, Optional, Tuple
 
 import attr
 
+from synapse.logging.opentracing import trace
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 from synapse.storage.database import LoggingTransaction
 from synapse.storage.databases.main.stream import _filter_results_by_stream
@@ -159,6 +160,7 @@ class StateDeltasStore(SQLBaseStore):
             self._get_max_stream_id_in_current_state_deltas_txn,
         )
 
+    @trace
     async def get_current_state_deltas_for_room(
         self, room_id: str, from_token: RoomStreamToken, to_token: RoomStreamToken
     ) -> List[StateDelta]:
diff --git a/synapse/storage/databases/main/stream.py b/synapse/storage/databases/main/stream.py
index 4207e73c7f..4989c960a6 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/databases/main/stream.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/databases/main/stream.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ from typing import (
     Iterable,
     List,
     Optional,
+    Protocol,
     Set,
     Tuple,
     cast,
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ from typing import (
 
 import attr
 from immutabledict import immutabledict
-from typing_extensions import Literal
+from typing_extensions import Literal, assert_never
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ from synapse.api.constants import Direction, EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.filtering import Filter
 from synapse.events import EventBase
 from synapse.logging.context import make_deferred_yieldable, run_in_background
-from synapse.logging.opentracing import trace
+from synapse.logging.opentracing import tag_args, trace
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 from synapse.storage.database import (
     DatabasePool,
@@ -97,6 +98,18 @@ _STREAM_TOKEN = "stream"
 _TOPOLOGICAL_TOKEN = "topological"
 
 
+class PaginateFunction(Protocol):
+    async def __call__(
+        self,
+        *,
+        room_id: str,
+        from_key: RoomStreamToken,
+        to_key: Optional[RoomStreamToken] = None,
+        direction: Direction = Direction.BACKWARDS,
+        limit: int = 0,
+    ) -> Tuple[List[EventBase], RoomStreamToken]: ...
+
+
 # Used as return values for pagination APIs
 @attr.s(slots=True, frozen=True, auto_attribs=True)
 class _EventDictReturn:
@@ -280,7 +293,7 @@ def generate_pagination_bounds(
 
 
 def generate_next_token(
-    direction: Direction, last_topo_ordering: int, last_stream_ordering: int
+    direction: Direction, last_topo_ordering: Optional[int], last_stream_ordering: int
 ) -> RoomStreamToken:
     """
     Generate the next room stream token based on the currently returned data.
@@ -447,7 +460,6 @@ def _filter_results_by_stream(
     The `instance_name` arg is optional to handle historic rows, and is
     interpreted as if it was "master".
     """
-
     if instance_name is None:
         instance_name = "master"
 
@@ -660,33 +672,43 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
     async def get_room_events_stream_for_rooms(
         self,
+        *,
         room_ids: Collection[str],
         from_key: RoomStreamToken,
-        to_key: RoomStreamToken,
+        to_key: Optional[RoomStreamToken] = None,
+        direction: Direction = Direction.BACKWARDS,
         limit: int = 0,
-        order: str = "DESC",
     ) -> Dict[str, Tuple[List[EventBase], RoomStreamToken]]:
         """Get new room events in stream ordering since `from_key`.
 
         Args:
             room_ids
-            from_key: Token from which no events are returned before
-            to_key: Token from which no events are returned after. (This
-                is typically the current stream token)
+            from_key: The token to stream from (starting point and heading in the given
+                direction)
+            to_key: The token representing the end stream position (end point)
             limit: Maximum number of events to return
-            order: Either "DESC" or "ASC". Determines which events are
-                returned when the result is limited. If "DESC" then the most
-                recent `limit` events are returned, otherwise returns the
-                oldest `limit` events.
+            direction: Indicates whether we are paginating forwards or backwards
+                from `from_key`.
 
         Returns:
             A map from room id to a tuple containing:
                 - list of recent events in the room
                 - stream ordering key for the start of the chunk of events returned.
+
+            When Direction.FORWARDS: from_key < x <= to_key, (ascending order)
+            When Direction.BACKWARDS: from_key >= x > to_key, (descending order)
         """
-        room_ids = self._events_stream_cache.get_entities_changed(
-            room_ids, from_key.stream
-        )
+        if direction == Direction.FORWARDS:
+            room_ids = self._events_stream_cache.get_entities_changed(
+                room_ids, from_key.stream
+            )
+        elif direction == Direction.BACKWARDS:
+            if to_key is not None:
+                room_ids = self._events_stream_cache.get_entities_changed(
+                    room_ids, to_key.stream
+                )
+        else:
+            assert_never(direction)
 
         if not room_ids:
             return {}
@@ -698,12 +720,12 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                 defer.gatherResults(
                     [
                         run_in_background(
-                            self.get_room_events_stream_for_room,
-                            room_id,
-                            from_key,
-                            to_key,
-                            limit,
-                            order=order,
+                            self.paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering,
+                            room_id=room_id,
+                            from_key=from_key,
+                            to_key=to_key,
+                            direction=direction,
+                            limit=limit,
                         )
                         for room_id in rm_ids
                     ],
@@ -727,69 +749,122 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             if self._events_stream_cache.has_entity_changed(room_id, from_id)
         }
 
-    async def get_room_events_stream_for_room(
+    async def paginate_room_events_by_stream_ordering(
         self,
+        *,
         room_id: str,
         from_key: RoomStreamToken,
-        to_key: RoomStreamToken,
+        to_key: Optional[RoomStreamToken] = None,
+        direction: Direction = Direction.BACKWARDS,
         limit: int = 0,
-        order: str = "DESC",
     ) -> Tuple[List[EventBase], RoomStreamToken]:
-        """Get new room events in stream ordering since `from_key`.
+        """
+        Paginate events by `stream_ordering` in the room from the `from_key` in the
+        given `direction` to the `to_key` or `limit`.
 
         Args:
             room_id
-            from_key: Token from which no events are returned before
-            to_key: Token from which no events are returned after. (This
-                is typically the current stream token)
+            from_key: The token to stream from (starting point and heading in the given
+                direction)
+            to_key: The token representing the end stream position (end point)
+            direction: Indicates whether we are paginating forwards or backwards
+                from `from_key`.
             limit: Maximum number of events to return
-            order: Either "DESC" or "ASC". Determines which events are
-                returned when the result is limited. If "DESC" then the most
-                recent `limit` events are returned, otherwise returns the
-                oldest `limit` events.
 
         Returns:
-            The list of events (in ascending stream order) and the token from the start
-            of the chunk of events returned.
+            The results as a list of events and a token that points to the end
+            of the result set. If no events are returned then the end of the
+            stream has been reached (i.e. there are no events between `from_key`
+            and `to_key`).
+
+            When Direction.FORWARDS: from_key < x <= to_key, (ascending order)
+            When Direction.BACKWARDS: from_key >= x > to_key, (descending order)
         """
-        if from_key == to_key:
-            return [], from_key
 
-        has_changed = self._events_stream_cache.has_entity_changed(
-            room_id, from_key.stream
-        )
+        # FIXME: When going forwards, we should enforce that the `to_key` is not `None`
+        # because we always need an upper bound when querying the events stream (as
+        # otherwise we'll potentially pick up events that are not fully persisted).
+
+        # We should only be working with `stream_ordering` tokens here
+        assert from_key is None or from_key.topological is None
+        assert to_key is None or to_key.topological is None
+
+        # We can bail early if we're looking forwards, and our `to_key` is already
+        # before our `from_key`.
+        if (
+            direction == Direction.FORWARDS
+            and to_key is not None
+            and to_key.is_before_or_eq(from_key)
+        ):
+            # Token selection matches what we do below if there are no rows
+            return [], to_key if to_key else from_key
+        # Or vice-versa, if we're looking backwards and our `from_key` is already before
+        # our `to_key`.
+        elif (
+            direction == Direction.BACKWARDS
+            and to_key is not None
+            and from_key.is_before_or_eq(to_key)
+        ):
+            # Token selection matches what we do below if there are no rows
+            return [], to_key if to_key else from_key
+
+        # We can do a quick sanity check to see if any events have been sent in the room
+        # since the earlier token.
+        has_changed = True
+        if direction == Direction.FORWARDS:
+            has_changed = self._events_stream_cache.has_entity_changed(
+                room_id, from_key.stream
+            )
+        elif direction == Direction.BACKWARDS:
+            if to_key is not None:
+                has_changed = self._events_stream_cache.has_entity_changed(
+                    room_id, to_key.stream
+                )
+        else:
+            assert_never(direction)
 
         if not has_changed:
-            return [], from_key
+            # Token selection matches what we do below if there are no rows
+            return [], to_key if to_key else from_key
 
-        def f(txn: LoggingTransaction) -> List[_EventDictReturn]:
-            # To handle tokens with a non-empty instance_map we fetch more
-            # results than necessary and then filter down
-            min_from_id = from_key.stream
-            max_to_id = to_key.get_max_stream_pos()
+        order, from_bound, to_bound = generate_pagination_bounds(
+            direction, from_key, to_key
+        )
 
-            sql = """
-                SELECT event_id, instance_name, topological_ordering, stream_ordering
+        bounds = generate_pagination_where_clause(
+            direction=direction,
+            # The empty string will shortcut downstream code to only use the
+            # `stream_ordering` column
+            column_names=("", "stream_ordering"),
+            from_token=from_bound,
+            to_token=to_bound,
+            engine=self.database_engine,
+        )
+
+        def f(txn: LoggingTransaction) -> List[_EventDictReturn]:
+            sql = f"""
+                SELECT event_id, instance_name, stream_ordering
                 FROM events
                 WHERE
                     room_id = ?
                     AND not outlier
-                    AND stream_ordering > ? AND stream_ordering <= ?
-                ORDER BY stream_ordering %s LIMIT ?
-            """ % (
-                order,
-            )
-            txn.execute(sql, (room_id, min_from_id, max_to_id, 2 * limit))
+                    AND {bounds}
+                ORDER BY stream_ordering {order} LIMIT ?
+            """
+            txn.execute(sql, (room_id, 2 * limit))
 
             rows = [
                 _EventDictReturn(event_id, None, stream_ordering)
-                for event_id, instance_name, topological_ordering, stream_ordering in txn
-                if _filter_results(
-                    from_key,
-                    to_key,
-                    instance_name,
-                    topological_ordering,
-                    stream_ordering,
+                for event_id, instance_name, stream_ordering in txn
+                if _filter_results_by_stream(
+                    lower_token=(
+                        to_key if direction == Direction.BACKWARDS else from_key
+                    ),
+                    upper_token=(
+                        from_key if direction == Direction.BACKWARDS else to_key
+                    ),
+                    instance_name=instance_name,
+                    stream_ordering=stream_ordering,
                 )
             ][:limit]
             return rows
@@ -800,18 +875,20 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             [r.event_id for r in rows], get_prev_content=True
         )
 
-        if order.lower() == "desc":
-            ret.reverse()
-
         if rows:
-            key = RoomStreamToken(stream=min(r.stream_ordering for r in rows))
+            next_key = generate_next_token(
+                direction=direction,
+                last_topo_ordering=None,
+                last_stream_ordering=rows[-1].stream_ordering,
+            )
         else:
-            # Assume we didn't get anything because there was nothing to
-            # get.
-            key = from_key
+            # TODO (erikj): We should work out what to do here instead. (same as
+            # `_paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering_txn(...)`)
+            next_key = to_key if to_key else from_key
 
-        return ret, key
+        return ret, next_key
 
+    @trace
     async def get_current_state_delta_membership_changes_for_user(
         self,
         user_id: str,
@@ -1117,7 +1194,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
         rows, token = await self.db_pool.runInteraction(
             "get_recent_event_ids_for_room",
-            self._paginate_room_events_txn,
+            self._paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering_txn,
             room_id,
             from_token=end_token,
             limit=limit,
@@ -1186,6 +1263,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
         return None
 
+    @trace
     async def get_last_event_pos_in_room_before_stream_ordering(
         self,
         room_id: str,
@@ -1622,7 +1700,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             topological=topological_ordering, stream=stream_ordering
         )
 
-        rows, start_token = self._paginate_room_events_txn(
+        rows, start_token = self._paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering_txn(
             txn,
             room_id,
             before_token,
@@ -1632,7 +1710,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         )
         events_before = [r.event_id for r in rows]
 
-        rows, end_token = self._paginate_room_events_txn(
+        rows, end_token = self._paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering_txn(
             txn,
             room_id,
             after_token,
@@ -1795,14 +1873,14 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
     def has_room_changed_since(self, room_id: str, stream_id: int) -> bool:
         return self._events_stream_cache.has_entity_changed(room_id, stream_id)
 
-    def _paginate_room_events_txn(
+    def _paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering_txn(
         self,
         txn: LoggingTransaction,
         room_id: str,
         from_token: RoomStreamToken,
         to_token: Optional[RoomStreamToken] = None,
         direction: Direction = Direction.BACKWARDS,
-        limit: int = -1,
+        limit: int = 0,
         event_filter: Optional[Filter] = None,
     ) -> Tuple[List[_EventDictReturn], RoomStreamToken]:
         """Returns list of events before or after a given token.
@@ -1824,6 +1902,24 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             been reached (i.e. there are no events between `from_token` and
             `to_token`), or `limit` is zero.
         """
+        # We can bail early if we're looking forwards, and our `to_key` is already
+        # before our `from_token`.
+        if (
+            direction == Direction.FORWARDS
+            and to_token is not None
+            and to_token.is_before_or_eq(from_token)
+        ):
+            # Token selection matches what we do below if there are no rows
+            return [], to_token if to_token else from_token
+        # Or vice-versa, if we're looking backwards and our `from_token` is already before
+        # our `to_token`.
+        elif (
+            direction == Direction.BACKWARDS
+            and to_token is not None
+            and from_token.is_before_or_eq(to_token)
+        ):
+            # Token selection matches what we do below if there are no rows
+            return [], to_token if to_token else from_token
 
         args: List[Any] = [room_id]
 
@@ -1908,7 +2004,6 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             "bounds": bounds,
             "order": order,
         }
-
         txn.execute(sql, args)
 
         # Filter the result set.
@@ -1940,27 +2035,30 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         return rows, next_token
 
     @trace
-    async def paginate_room_events(
+    @tag_args
+    async def paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering(
         self,
+        *,
         room_id: str,
         from_key: RoomStreamToken,
         to_key: Optional[RoomStreamToken] = None,
         direction: Direction = Direction.BACKWARDS,
-        limit: int = -1,
+        limit: int = 0,
         event_filter: Optional[Filter] = None,
     ) -> Tuple[List[EventBase], RoomStreamToken]:
-        """Returns list of events before or after a given token.
-
-        When Direction.FORWARDS: from_key < x <= to_key
-        When Direction.BACKWARDS: from_key >= x > to_key
+        """
+        Paginate events by `topological_ordering` (tie-break with `stream_ordering`) in
+        the room from the `from_key` in the given `direction` to the `to_key` or
+        `limit`.
 
         Args:
             room_id
-            from_key: The token used to stream from
-            to_key: A token which if given limits the results to only those before
+            from_key: The token to stream from (starting point and heading in the given
+                direction)
+            to_key: The token representing the end stream position (end point)
             direction: Indicates whether we are paginating forwards or backwards
                 from `from_key`.
-            limit: The maximum number of events to return.
+            limit: Maximum number of events to return
             event_filter: If provided filters the events to those that match the filter.
 
         Returns:
@@ -1968,8 +2066,18 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             of the result set. If no events are returned then the end of the
             stream has been reached (i.e. there are no events between `from_key`
             and `to_key`).
+
+            When Direction.FORWARDS: from_key < x <= to_key, (ascending order)
+            When Direction.BACKWARDS: from_key >= x > to_key, (descending order)
         """
 
+        # FIXME: When going forwards, we should enforce that the `to_key` is not `None`
+        # because we always need an upper bound when querying the events stream (as
+        # otherwise we'll potentially pick up events that are not fully persisted).
+
+        # We have these checks outside of the transaction function (txn) to save getting
+        # a DB connection and switching threads if we don't need to.
+        #
         # We can bail early if we're looking forwards, and our `to_key` is already
         # before our `from_key`.
         if (
@@ -1992,8 +2100,8 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             return [], to_key if to_key else from_key
 
         rows, token = await self.db_pool.runInteraction(
-            "paginate_room_events",
-            self._paginate_room_events_txn,
+            "paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering",
+            self._paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering_txn,
             room_id,
             from_key,
             to_key,
@@ -2105,6 +2213,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
         return None
 
+    @trace
     def get_rooms_that_might_have_updates(
         self, room_ids: StrCollection, from_token: RoomStreamToken
     ) -> StrCollection:
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/sliding_sync/test_connection_tracking.py b/tests/rest/client/sliding_sync/test_connection_tracking.py
index 4d8866b30a..6863c32f7c 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/sliding_sync/test_connection_tracking.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/sliding_sync/test_connection_tracking.py
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ import synapse.rest.admin
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
 from synapse.rest.client import login, room, sync
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
-from synapse.types import SlidingSyncStreamToken
-from synapse.types.handlers import SlidingSyncConfig
 from synapse.util import Clock
 
 from tests.rest.client.sliding_sync.test_sliding_sync import SlidingSyncBase
@@ -130,7 +128,6 @@ class SlidingSyncConnectionTrackingTestCase(SlidingSyncBase):
         self.helper.send(room_id1, "msg", tok=user1_tok)
 
         timeline_limit = 5
-        conn_id = "conn_id"
         sync_body = {
             "lists": {
                 "foo-list": {
@@ -170,40 +167,6 @@ class SlidingSyncConnectionTrackingTestCase(SlidingSyncBase):
             response_body["rooms"].keys(), {room_id2}, response_body["rooms"]
         )
 
-        # FIXME: This is a hack to record that the first room wasn't sent down
-        # sync, as we don't implement that currently.
-        sliding_sync_handler = self.hs.get_sliding_sync_handler()
-        requester = self.get_success(
-            self.hs.get_auth().get_user_by_access_token(user1_tok)
-        )
-        sync_config = SlidingSyncConfig(
-            user=requester.user,
-            requester=requester,
-            conn_id=conn_id,
-        )
-
-        parsed_initial_from_token = self.get_success(
-            SlidingSyncStreamToken.from_string(self.store, initial_from_token)
-        )
-        connection_position = self.get_success(
-            sliding_sync_handler.connection_store.record_rooms(
-                sync_config,
-                parsed_initial_from_token,
-                sent_room_ids=[],
-                unsent_room_ids=[room_id1],
-            )
-        )
-
-        # FIXME: Now fix up `from_token` with new connect position above.
-        parsed_from_token = self.get_success(
-            SlidingSyncStreamToken.from_string(self.store, from_token)
-        )
-        parsed_from_token = SlidingSyncStreamToken(
-            stream_token=parsed_from_token.stream_token,
-            connection_position=connection_position,
-        )
-        from_token = self.get_success(parsed_from_token.to_string(self.store))
-
         # We now send another event to room1, so we should sync all the missing events.
         resp = self.helper.send(room_id1, "msg2", tok=user1_tok)
         expected_events.append(resp["event_id"])
@@ -238,7 +201,6 @@ class SlidingSyncConnectionTrackingTestCase(SlidingSyncBase):
 
         self.helper.send(room_id1, "msg", tok=user1_tok)
 
-        conn_id = "conn_id"
         sync_body = {
             "lists": {
                 "foo-list": {
@@ -279,40 +241,6 @@ class SlidingSyncConnectionTrackingTestCase(SlidingSyncBase):
             response_body["rooms"].keys(), {room_id2}, response_body["rooms"]
         )
 
-        # FIXME: This is a hack to record that the first room wasn't sent down
-        # sync, as we don't implement that currently.
-        sliding_sync_handler = self.hs.get_sliding_sync_handler()
-        requester = self.get_success(
-            self.hs.get_auth().get_user_by_access_token(user1_tok)
-        )
-        sync_config = SlidingSyncConfig(
-            user=requester.user,
-            requester=requester,
-            conn_id=conn_id,
-        )
-
-        parsed_initial_from_token = self.get_success(
-            SlidingSyncStreamToken.from_string(self.store, initial_from_token)
-        )
-        connection_position = self.get_success(
-            sliding_sync_handler.connection_store.record_rooms(
-                sync_config,
-                parsed_initial_from_token,
-                sent_room_ids=[],
-                unsent_room_ids=[room_id1],
-            )
-        )
-
-        # FIXME: Now fix up `from_token` with new connect position above.
-        parsed_from_token = self.get_success(
-            SlidingSyncStreamToken.from_string(self.store, from_token)
-        )
-        parsed_from_token = SlidingSyncStreamToken(
-            stream_token=parsed_from_token.stream_token,
-            connection_position=connection_position,
-        )
-        from_token = self.get_success(parsed_from_token.to_string(self.store))
-
         # We now send another event to room1, so we should sync all the missing state.
         self.helper.send(room_id1, "msg", tok=user1_tok)
 
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_stream.py b/tests/storage/test_stream.py
index 9dea1af8ea..7b7590da76 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_stream.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_stream.py
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ class PaginationTestCase(HomeserverTestCase):
         """Make a request to /messages with a filter, returns the chunk of events."""
 
         events, next_key = self.get_success(
-            self.hs.get_datastores().main.paginate_room_events(
+            self.hs.get_datastores().main.paginate_room_events_by_topological_ordering(
                 room_id=self.room_id,
                 from_key=self.from_token.room_key,
                 to_key=None,