This paper introduces COPE (Code Overhead for Effective Packet Exchange), a new architecture for wireless mesh networks that enhances network throughput by mixing (coding) packets from different sources. COPE is rooted in network coding theory but bridges the gap between theory and practice by addressing unicast traffic, dynamic and bursty flows, and practical integration issues. The design leverages the broadcast nature of wireless channels and opportunistic listening to identify coding opportunities. Experiments on a 20-node wireless testbed show significant throughput improvements, ranging from a few percent to several folds, depending on traffic patterns, congestion levels, and transport protocols. COPE's effectiveness is demonstrated through various topologies, including Alice-and-Bob, "X", and cross topologies, where it achieves coding gains and Coding+MAC gains. The implementation integrates seamlessly into the current network stack, supporting both TCP and UDP flows, and is evaluated in a real-world testbed, providing insights into the interaction of network coding with the wireless channel and higher-layer protocols.This paper introduces COPE (Code Overhead for Effective Packet Exchange), a new architecture for wireless mesh networks that enhances network throughput by mixing (coding) packets from different sources. COPE is rooted in network coding theory but bridges the gap between theory and practice by addressing unicast traffic, dynamic and bursty flows, and practical integration issues. The design leverages the broadcast nature of wireless channels and opportunistic listening to identify coding opportunities. Experiments on a 20-node wireless testbed show significant throughput improvements, ranging from a few percent to several folds, depending on traffic patterns, congestion levels, and transport protocols. COPE's effectiveness is demonstrated through various topologies, including Alice-and-Bob, "X", and cross topologies, where it achieves coding gains and Coding+MAC gains. The implementation integrates seamlessly into the current network stack, supporting both TCP and UDP flows, and is evaluated in a real-world testbed, providing insights into the interaction of network coding with the wireless channel and higher-layer protocols.