diff --git a/src/api/mod.rs b/src/api/mod.rs
index 1677a0c..968ea2d 100644
--- a/src/api/mod.rs
+++ b/src/api/mod.rs
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ use tokio::sync::{Mutex, RwLock, Semaphore, watch};
 use tokio::time::timeout;
 use tracing::{debug, info, warn};
 
-use crate::config::{ApiGrayAction, ProxyConfig};
+use crate::config::ApiGrayAction;
 use crate::ip_tracker::UserIpTracker;
-use crate::maestro::generation::RuntimeGeneration;
+use crate::maestro::generation::{RuntimeGeneration, RuntimeWatchState};
 use crate::maestro::reload::{ReloadControl, ReloadRequest, ReloadSubmitError};
 use crate::proxy::route_mode::RouteRuntimeController;
 use crate::proxy::shared_state::ProxySharedState;
@@ -240,8 +240,6 @@ pub async fn serve(
     route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
     proxy_shared: Arc<ProxySharedState>,
     upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
-    config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
-    admission_rx: watch::Receiver<bool>,
     config_path: PathBuf,
     quota_state_path: PathBuf,
     detected_ips_rx: watch::Receiver<(Option<IpAddr>, Option<IpAddr>)>,
@@ -249,6 +247,7 @@ pub async fn serve(
     startup_tracker: Arc<StartupTracker>,
     reload_control: ReloadControl,
     mut active_runtime_rx: watch::Receiver<Option<Arc<ArcSwap<RuntimeGeneration>>>>,
+    mut runtime_watch_rx: watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
 ) {
     let active_runtime = loop {
         if let Some(active_runtime) = active_runtime_rx.borrow().clone() {
@@ -259,6 +258,17 @@ pub async fn serve(
             return;
         }
     };
+    let initial_watch_state = loop {
+        if let Some(watch_state) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone() {
+            break watch_state;
+        }
+        if runtime_watch_rx.changed().await.is_err() {
+            warn!("Runtime watch channel closed before API bootstrap");
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+    let config_rx = initial_watch_state.config_rx.clone();
+    let admission_rx = initial_watch_state.admission_rx.clone();
     let listener = match TcpListener::bind(listen).await {
         Ok(listener) => listener,
         Err(error) => {
@@ -306,8 +316,7 @@ pub async fn serve(
     });
 
     spawn_runtime_watchers(
-        config_rx.clone(),
-        admission_rx.clone(),
+        runtime_watch_rx,
         runtime_state.clone(),
         shared.runtime_events.clone(),
     );
diff --git a/src/api/runtime_watch.rs b/src/api/runtime_watch.rs
index 0485e55..71a352f 100644
--- a/src/api/runtime_watch.rs
+++ b/src/api/runtime_watch.rs
@@ -4,63 +4,283 @@ use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 use tokio::sync::watch;
 
-use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+use crate::maestro::generation::RuntimeWatchState;
 
 use super::ApiRuntimeState;
 use super::events::ApiEventStore;
 
 pub(super) fn spawn_runtime_watchers(
-    config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
-    admission_rx: watch::Receiver<bool>,
+    runtime_watch_rx: watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
     runtime_state: Arc<ApiRuntimeState>,
     runtime_events: Arc<ApiEventStore>,
 ) {
-    let mut config_rx_reload = config_rx;
-    let runtime_state_reload = runtime_state.clone();
-    let runtime_events_reload = runtime_events.clone();
-    tokio::spawn(async move {
-        loop {
-            if config_rx_reload.changed().await.is_err() {
-                break;
-            }
-            runtime_state_reload
-                .config_reload_count
-                .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            runtime_state_reload
-                .last_config_reload_epoch_secs
-                .store(now_epoch_secs(), Ordering::Relaxed);
-            runtime_events_reload.record("config.reload.applied", "config receiver updated");
-        }
-    });
+    spawn_config_watcher(
+        runtime_watch_rx.clone(),
+        runtime_state.clone(),
+        runtime_events.clone(),
+    );
+    spawn_admission_watcher(runtime_watch_rx, runtime_state, runtime_events);
+}
 
-    let mut admission_rx_watch = admission_rx;
+fn spawn_config_watcher(
+    mut runtime_watch_rx: watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+    runtime_state: Arc<ApiRuntimeState>,
+    runtime_events: Arc<ApiEventStore>,
+) {
     tokio::spawn(async move {
-        runtime_state
-            .admission_open
-            .store(*admission_rx_watch.borrow(), Ordering::Relaxed);
-        runtime_events.record(
-            "admission.state",
-            format!("accepting_new_connections={}", *admission_rx_watch.borrow()),
-        );
+        let Some(mut current) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone() else {
+            return;
+        };
         loop {
-            if admission_rx_watch.changed().await.is_err() {
-                break;
+            tokio::select! {
+                biased;
+                changed = runtime_watch_rx.changed() => {
+                    if changed.is_err() {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    let Some(next) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone() else {
+                        continue;
+                    };
+                    if next.generation_id != current.generation_id {
+                        current = next;
+                        record_config_reload(
+                            &runtime_state,
+                            &runtime_events,
+                            format!("runtime generation {} activated", current.generation_id),
+                        );
+                    }
+                }
+                changed = current.config_rx.changed() => {
+                    if changed.is_err() {
+                        let Some(next) = wait_for_new_generation(
+                            &mut runtime_watch_rx,
+                            current.generation_id,
+                        ).await else {
+                            break;
+                        };
+                        current = next;
+                        record_config_reload(
+                            &runtime_state,
+                            &runtime_events,
+                            format!("runtime generation {} activated", current.generation_id),
+                        );
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    if active_generation_id(&runtime_watch_rx) != Some(current.generation_id) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    record_config_reload(
+                        &runtime_state,
+                        &runtime_events,
+                        format!("generation {} config receiver updated", current.generation_id),
+                    );
+                }
             }
-            let admission_open = *admission_rx_watch.borrow();
-            runtime_state
-                .admission_open
-                .store(admission_open, Ordering::Relaxed);
-            runtime_events.record(
-                "admission.state",
-                format!("accepting_new_connections={}", admission_open),
-            );
         }
     });
 }
 
+fn spawn_admission_watcher(
+    mut runtime_watch_rx: watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+    runtime_state: Arc<ApiRuntimeState>,
+    runtime_events: Arc<ApiEventStore>,
+) {
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        let Some(mut current) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone() else {
+            return;
+        };
+        record_admission_state(&runtime_state, &runtime_events, &current);
+        loop {
+            tokio::select! {
+                biased;
+                changed = runtime_watch_rx.changed() => {
+                    if changed.is_err() {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    let Some(next) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone() else {
+                        continue;
+                    };
+                    if next.generation_id != current.generation_id {
+                        current = next;
+                        record_admission_state(&runtime_state, &runtime_events, &current);
+                    }
+                }
+                changed = current.admission_rx.changed() => {
+                    if changed.is_err() {
+                        let Some(next) = wait_for_new_generation(
+                            &mut runtime_watch_rx,
+                            current.generation_id,
+                        ).await else {
+                            break;
+                        };
+                        current = next;
+                        record_admission_state(&runtime_state, &runtime_events, &current);
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    if active_generation_id(&runtime_watch_rx) == Some(current.generation_id) {
+                        record_admission_state(&runtime_state, &runtime_events, &current);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    });
+}
+
+fn active_generation_id(
+    runtime_watch_rx: &watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+) -> Option<u64> {
+    runtime_watch_rx
+        .borrow()
+        .as_ref()
+        .map(|state| state.generation_id)
+}
+
+async fn wait_for_new_generation(
+    runtime_watch_rx: &mut watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+    previous_generation_id: u64,
+) -> Option<RuntimeWatchState> {
+    loop {
+        if let Some(state) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone()
+            && state.generation_id != previous_generation_id
+        {
+            return Some(state);
+        }
+        if runtime_watch_rx.changed().await.is_err() {
+            return None;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn record_config_reload(
+    runtime_state: &ApiRuntimeState,
+    runtime_events: &ApiEventStore,
+    context: String,
+) {
+    runtime_state
+        .config_reload_count
+        .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    runtime_state
+        .last_config_reload_epoch_secs
+        .store(now_epoch_secs(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+    runtime_events.record("config.reload.applied", context);
+}
+
+fn record_admission_state(
+    runtime_state: &ApiRuntimeState,
+    runtime_events: &ApiEventStore,
+    current: &RuntimeWatchState,
+) {
+    let admission_open = *current.admission_rx.borrow();
+    runtime_state
+        .admission_open
+        .store(admission_open, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    runtime_events.record(
+        "admission.state",
+        format!(
+            "generation={} accepting_new_connections={}",
+            current.generation_id, admission_open
+        ),
+    );
+}
+
 fn now_epoch_secs() -> u64 {
     SystemTime::now()
         .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
         .unwrap_or_default()
         .as_secs()
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+    use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU64};
+    use std::time::Duration;
+
+    fn state(
+        generation_id: u64,
+    ) -> (
+        RuntimeWatchState,
+        watch::Sender<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+        watch::Sender<bool>,
+    ) {
+        let (config_tx, config_rx) = watch::channel(Arc::new(ProxyConfig::default()));
+        let (admission_tx, admission_rx) = watch::channel(true);
+        (
+            RuntimeWatchState {
+                generation_id,
+                config_rx,
+                admission_rx,
+            },
+            config_tx,
+            admission_tx,
+        )
+    }
+
+    fn runtime_state() -> Arc<ApiRuntimeState> {
+        Arc::new(ApiRuntimeState {
+            process_started_at_epoch_secs: 1,
+            config_reload_count: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            last_config_reload_epoch_secs: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            admission_open: AtomicBool::new(false),
+        })
+    }
+
+    async fn wait_for_count(runtime_state: &ApiRuntimeState, expected: u64) {
+        tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(1), async {
+            loop {
+                if runtime_state.config_reload_count.load(Ordering::Relaxed) == expected {
+                    break;
+                }
+                tokio::task::yield_now().await;
+            }
+        })
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn watchers_follow_only_the_active_generation() {
+        let (initial, initial_config_tx, initial_admission_tx) = state(1);
+        let (runtime_watch_tx, runtime_watch_rx) = watch::channel(Some(initial));
+        let runtime_state = runtime_state();
+        let events = Arc::new(ApiEventStore::new(16));
+        spawn_runtime_watchers(runtime_watch_rx, runtime_state.clone(), events.clone());
+        tokio::task::yield_now().await;
+
+        assert_eq!(runtime_state.config_reload_count.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 0);
+        initial_config_tx.send_replace(Arc::new(ProxyConfig::default()));
+        wait_for_count(&runtime_state, 1).await;
+
+        let (next, next_config_tx, next_admission_tx) = state(2);
+        runtime_watch_tx.send_replace(Some(next));
+        wait_for_count(&runtime_state, 2).await;
+
+        initial_config_tx.send_replace(Arc::new(ProxyConfig::default()));
+        initial_admission_tx.send_replace(false);
+        tokio::task::yield_now().await;
+        assert_eq!(runtime_state.config_reload_count.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 2);
+        assert!(runtime_state.admission_open.load(Ordering::Relaxed));
+
+        next_config_tx.send_replace(Arc::new(ProxyConfig::default()));
+        next_admission_tx.send_replace(false);
+        wait_for_count(&runtime_state, 3).await;
+        tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(1), async {
+            while runtime_state.admission_open.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                tokio::task::yield_now().await;
+            }
+        })
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let snapshot = events.snapshot(16);
+        assert_eq!(
+            snapshot
+                .events
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|event| event.event_type == "config.reload.applied")
+                .count(),
+            3
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/api/runtime_zero.rs b/src/api/runtime_zero.rs
index b17615f..e9dce7f 100644
--- a/src/api/runtime_zero.rs
+++ b/src/api/runtime_zero.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
+use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 use serde::Serialize;
 
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ pub(super) fn build_system_info_data(
         build_time_utc,
         rustc_version,
         process_started_at_epoch_secs: shared.runtime_state.process_started_at_epoch_secs,
-        uptime_seconds: shared.stats.uptime_secs(),
+        uptime_seconds: process_uptime_seconds(shared.runtime_state.process_started_at_epoch_secs),
         config_path: shared.config_path.display().to_string(),
         config_hash: revision.to_string(),
         config_reload_count: shared
@@ -173,6 +174,18 @@ pub(super) fn build_system_info_data(
     }
 }
 
+fn process_uptime_seconds(process_started_at_epoch_secs: u64) -> f64 {
+    let now_epoch_secs = SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_secs();
+    process_uptime_seconds_at(process_started_at_epoch_secs, now_epoch_secs)
+}
+
+fn process_uptime_seconds_at(process_started_at_epoch_secs: u64, now_epoch_secs: u64) -> f64 {
+    now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(process_started_at_epoch_secs) as f64
+}
+
 pub(super) async fn build_runtime_gates_data(
     shared: &ApiShared,
     cfg: &ProxyConfig,
@@ -339,3 +352,14 @@ fn me_writer_pick_mode_label(mode: MeWriterPickMode) -> &'static str {
         MeWriterPickMode::P2c => "p2c",
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::process_uptime_seconds_at;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn process_uptime_is_monotonic_and_saturating() {
+        assert_eq!(process_uptime_seconds_at(100, 135), 35.0);
+        assert_eq!(process_uptime_seconds_at(135, 100), 0.0);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/maestro/generation.rs b/src/maestro/generation.rs
index f4f52de..365a5bb 100644
--- a/src/maestro/generation.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/generation.rs
@@ -22,6 +22,14 @@ use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
 const SESSION_STOP_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
 const BACKGROUND_STOP_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
 
+/// Process-visible control-plane receivers for one active runtime generation.
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub(crate) struct RuntimeWatchState {
+    pub(crate) generation_id: u64,
+    pub(crate) config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+    pub(crate) admission_rx: watch::Receiver<bool>,
+}
+
 /// Cancellation and join ownership for one generation's background tasks.
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub(crate) struct RuntimeTaskScope {
@@ -134,6 +142,15 @@ impl RuntimeGeneration {
         self.config_rx.borrow().clone()
     }
 
+    /// Returns receivers used by process-scoped observers of this generation.
+    pub(crate) fn watch_state(&self) -> RuntimeWatchState {
+        RuntimeWatchState {
+            generation_id: self.id,
+            config_rx: self.config_rx.clone(),
+            admission_rx: self.admission_rx.clone(),
+        }
+    }
+
     pub(crate) async fn current_me_pool(&self) -> Option<Arc<MePool>> {
         if let Some(pool) = &self.me_pool {
             return Some(pool.clone());
diff --git a/src/maestro/me_startup.rs b/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
index 65b37d1..024230c 100644
--- a/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 #![allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 
+use std::future::Future;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::time::Duration;
 
 use tokio::sync::{RwLock, watch};
+use tokio_util::task::AbortOnDropHandle;
 use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
 use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
@@ -17,8 +19,58 @@ use crate::stats::Stats;
 use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
 use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
 
+use super::generation::RuntimeTaskScope;
 use super::helpers::load_startup_proxy_config_snapshot;
 
+async fn supervise_me_task<F, Fut>(task_name: &'static str, mut task: F)
+where
+    F: FnMut() -> Fut,
+    Fut: Future<Output = ()> + Send + 'static,
+{
+    loop {
+        let result = AbortOnDropHandle::new(tokio::spawn(task())).await;
+        match result {
+            Ok(()) => warn!(task = task_name, "Middle-End supervisor task exited unexpectedly, restarting"),
+            Err(error) => {
+                error!(task = task_name, error = %error, "Middle-End supervisor task panicked, restarting in 1s");
+                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn spawn_me_supervisors(
+    task_scope: RuntimeTaskScope,
+    pool: Arc<MePool>,
+    rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    min_connections: usize,
+) {
+    let health_pool = pool.clone();
+    let health_rng = rng;
+    task_scope.spawn(supervise_me_task("health_monitor", move || {
+        let pool = health_pool.clone();
+        let rng = health_rng.clone();
+        async move {
+            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_health_monitor(pool, rng, min_connections).await;
+        }
+    }));
+
+    let drain_pool = pool.clone();
+    task_scope.spawn(supervise_me_task("drain_timeout_enforcer", move || {
+        let pool = drain_pool.clone();
+        async move {
+            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_drain_timeout_enforcer(pool).await;
+        }
+    }));
+
+    task_scope.spawn(supervise_me_task("zombie_writer_watchdog", move || {
+        let pool = pool.clone();
+        async move {
+            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_zombie_writer_watchdog(pool).await;
+        }
+    }));
+}
+
 pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
     use_middle_proxy: bool,
     config: &ProxyConfig,
@@ -30,6 +82,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
     stats: Arc<Stats>,
     api_me_pool: Arc<RwLock<Option<Arc<MePool>>>>,
     me_ready_tx: watch::Sender<u64>,
+    task_scope: RuntimeTaskScope,
 ) -> Option<Arc<MePool>> {
     if !use_middle_proxy {
         return None;
@@ -52,15 +105,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
         .as_ref()
         .map(|tag| hex::decode(tag).expect("general.ad_tag must be validated before startup"));
 
-    // =============================================================
-    // CRITICAL: Download Telegram proxy-secret (NOT user secret!)
-    //
-    // C MTProxy uses TWO separate secrets:
-    //   -S flag    = 16-byte user secret for client obfuscation
-    //   --aes-pwd  = 32-512 byte binary file for ME RPC auth
-    //
-    // proxy-secret is from: https://core.telegram.org/getProxySecret
-    // =============================================================
+    // The Telegram proxy-secret authenticates ME RPC and is distinct from client secrets.
+    // It corresponds to the C MTProxy --aes-pwd input and may be fetched from Telegram.
     let proxy_secret_path = config.general.proxy_secret_path.as_deref();
     let pool_size = config.general.middle_proxy_pool_size.max(1);
     let proxy_secret = loop {
@@ -319,143 +365,70 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
                     let rng_bg = rng.clone();
                     let startup_tracker_bg = startup_tracker.clone();
                     let me_ready_tx_bg = me_ready_tx.clone();
+                    let task_scope_bg = task_scope.clone();
                     let retry_limit = if me_init_retry_attempts == 0 {
                         String::from("unlimited")
                     } else {
                         me_init_retry_attempts.to_string()
                     };
-                    std::thread::spawn(move || {
-                        let runtime = match tokio::runtime::Builder::new_current_thread()
-                            .enable_all()
-                            .build()
-                        {
-                            Ok(runtime) => runtime,
-                            Err(error) => {
-                                error!(error = %error, "Failed to build background runtime for ME initialization");
-                                return;
-                            }
-                        };
-                        runtime.block_on(async move {
-                            let mut init_attempt: u32 = 0;
-                            loop {
-                                init_attempt = init_attempt.saturating_add(1);
-                                startup_tracker_bg.set_me_init_attempt(init_attempt).await;
-                                match pool_bg.init(pool_size, &rng_bg).await {
-                                    Ok(()) => {
-                                        startup_tracker_bg.set_me_last_error(None).await;
-                                        startup_tracker_bg
-                                            .complete_component(
-                                                COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
-                                                Some("ME pool initialized".to_string()),
-                                            )
-                                            .await;
-                                        startup_tracker_bg
-                                            .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Ready, "ready")
-                                            .await;
-                                        me_ready_tx_bg.send_modify(|version| {
-                                            *version = version.saturating_add(1);
-                                        });
-                                        info!(
+                    task_scope.spawn(async move {
+                        let mut init_attempt: u32 = 0;
+                        loop {
+                            init_attempt = init_attempt.saturating_add(1);
+                            startup_tracker_bg.set_me_init_attempt(init_attempt).await;
+                            match pool_bg.init(pool_size, &rng_bg).await {
+                                Ok(()) => {
+                                    startup_tracker_bg.set_me_last_error(None).await;
+                                    startup_tracker_bg
+                                        .complete_component(
+                                            COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+                                            Some("ME pool initialized".to_string()),
+                                        )
+                                        .await;
+                                    startup_tracker_bg
+                                        .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Ready, "ready")
+                                        .await;
+                                    me_ready_tx_bg.send_modify(|version| {
+                                        *version = version.saturating_add(1);
+                                    });
+                                    info!(
+                                        attempt = init_attempt,
+                                        "Middle-End pool initialized successfully"
+                                    );
+                                    spawn_me_supervisors(
+                                        task_scope_bg,
+                                        pool_bg.clone(),
+                                        rng_bg.clone(),
+                                        pool_size,
+                                    );
+                                    break;
+                                }
+                                Err(e) => {
+                                    startup_tracker_bg
+                                        .set_me_last_error(Some(e.to_string()))
+                                        .await;
+                                    if init_attempt >= me_init_warn_after_attempts {
+                                        warn!(
+                                            error = %e,
                                             attempt = init_attempt,
-                                            "Middle-End pool initialized successfully"
+                                            retry_limit = %retry_limit,
+                                            retry_in_secs = 2,
+                                            "ME pool is not ready yet; retrying background initialization"
+                                        );
+                                    } else {
+                                        info!(
+                                            error = %e,
+                                            attempt = init_attempt,
+                                            retry_limit = %retry_limit,
+                                            retry_in_secs = 2,
+                                            "ME pool startup warmup: retrying background initialization"
                                         );
-
-                                            // ── Supervised background tasks ──────────────────
-                                            // Each task runs inside a nested tokio::spawn so
-                                            // that a panic is caught via JoinHandle and the
-                                            // outer loop restarts the task automatically.
-                                            let pool_health = pool_bg.clone();
-                                            let rng_health = rng_bg.clone();
-                                            let min_conns = pool_size;
-                                            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                loop {
-                                                    let p = pool_health.clone();
-                                                    let r = rng_health.clone();
-                                                    let res = tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                        crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_health_monitor(
-                                                            p, r, min_conns,
-                                                        )
-                                                        .await;
-                                                    })
-                                                    .await;
-                                                    match res {
-                                                        Ok(()) => warn!("me_health_monitor exited unexpectedly, restarting"),
-                                                        Err(e) => {
-                                                            error!(error = %e, "me_health_monitor panicked, restarting in 1s");
-                                                            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
-                                                        }
-                                                    }
-                                                }
-                                            });
-                                            let pool_drain_enforcer = pool_bg.clone();
-                                            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                loop {
-                                                    let p = pool_drain_enforcer.clone();
-                                                    let res = tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                        crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_drain_timeout_enforcer(p).await;
-                                                    })
-                                                    .await;
-                                                    match res {
-                                                        Ok(()) => warn!("me_drain_timeout_enforcer exited unexpectedly, restarting"),
-                                                        Err(e) => {
-                                                            error!(error = %e, "me_drain_timeout_enforcer panicked, restarting in 1s");
-                                                            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
-                                                        }
-                                                    }
-                                                }
-                                            });
-                                            let pool_watchdog = pool_bg.clone();
-                                            tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                loop {
-                                                    let p = pool_watchdog.clone();
-                                                    let res = tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                        crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_zombie_writer_watchdog(p).await;
-                                                    })
-                                                    .await;
-                                                    match res {
-                                                        Ok(()) => warn!("me_zombie_writer_watchdog exited unexpectedly, restarting"),
-                                                        Err(e) => {
-                                                            error!(error = %e, "me_zombie_writer_watchdog panicked, restarting in 1s");
-                                                            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
-                                                        }
-                                                    }
-                                                }
-                                            });
-                                            // CRITICAL: keep the current-thread runtime
-                                            // alive. Without this, block_on() returns,
-                                            // the Runtime is dropped, and ALL spawned
-                                            // background tasks (health monitor, drain
-                                            // enforcer, zombie watchdog) are silently
-                                            // cancelled — causing the draining-writer
-                                            // leak that brought us here.
-                                            std::future::pending::<()>().await;
-                                            unreachable!();
-                                    }
-                                    Err(e) => {
-                                        startup_tracker_bg.set_me_last_error(Some(e.to_string())).await;
-                                        if init_attempt >= me_init_warn_after_attempts {
-                                            warn!(
-                                                error = %e,
-                                                attempt = init_attempt,
-                                                retry_limit = %retry_limit,
-                                                retry_in_secs = 2,
-                                                "ME pool is not ready yet; retrying background initialization"
-                                            );
-                                        } else {
-                                            info!(
-                                                error = %e,
-                                                attempt = init_attempt,
-                                                retry_limit = %retry_limit,
-                                                retry_in_secs = 2,
-                                                "ME pool startup warmup: retrying background initialization"
-                                            );
-                                        }
-                                        pool_bg.reset_stun_state();
-                                        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
                                     }
+                                    pool_bg.reset_stun_state();
+                                    tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
                                 }
                             }
-                        });
+                        }
                     });
                     startup_tracker
                         .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Initializing, "background_init")
@@ -490,70 +463,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
                                     "Middle-End pool initialized successfully"
                                 );
 
-                                // ── Supervised background tasks ──────────────────
-                                let pool_clone = pool.clone();
-                                let rng_clone = rng.clone();
-                                let min_conns = pool_size;
-                                tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                    loop {
-                                        let p = pool_clone.clone();
-                                        let r = rng_clone.clone();
-                                        let res = tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_health_monitor(
-                                                p, r, min_conns,
-                                            )
-                                            .await;
-                                        })
-                                        .await;
-                                        match res {
-                                            Ok(()) => warn!(
-                                                "me_health_monitor exited unexpectedly, restarting"
-                                            ),
-                                            Err(e) => {
-                                                error!(error = %e, "me_health_monitor panicked, restarting in 1s");
-                                                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
-                                            }
-                                        }
-                                    }
-                                });
-                                let pool_drain_enforcer = pool.clone();
-                                tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                    loop {
-                                        let p = pool_drain_enforcer.clone();
-                                        let res = tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_drain_timeout_enforcer(p).await;
-                                            })
-                                            .await;
-                                        match res {
-                                            Ok(()) => warn!(
-                                                "me_drain_timeout_enforcer exited unexpectedly, restarting"
-                                            ),
-                                            Err(e) => {
-                                                error!(error = %e, "me_drain_timeout_enforcer panicked, restarting in 1s");
-                                                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
-                                            }
-                                        }
-                                    }
-                                });
-                                let pool_watchdog = pool.clone();
-                                tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                    loop {
-                                        let p = pool_watchdog.clone();
-                                        let res = tokio::spawn(async move {
-                                                crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_zombie_writer_watchdog(p).await;
-                                            })
-                                            .await;
-                                        match res {
-                                            Ok(()) => warn!(
-                                                "me_zombie_writer_watchdog exited unexpectedly, restarting"
-                                            ),
-                                            Err(e) => {
-                                                error!(error = %e, "me_zombie_writer_watchdog panicked, restarting in 1s");
-                                                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(1)).await;
-                                            }
-                                        }
-                                    }
-                                });
+                                spawn_me_supervisors(
+                                    task_scope.clone(),
+                                    pool.clone(),
+                                    rng.clone(),
+                                    pool_size,
+                                );
 
                                 break Some(pool);
                             }
@@ -666,3 +581,38 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
         }
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use tokio::sync::Notify;
+
+    struct DropSignal(Arc<Notify>);
+
+    impl Drop for DropSignal {
+        fn drop(&mut self) {
+            self.0.notify_one();
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn scoped_supervisor_aborts_its_current_child() {
+        let scope = RuntimeTaskScope::new();
+        let dropped = Arc::new(Notify::new());
+        let dropped_for_task = dropped.clone();
+        scope.spawn(supervise_me_task("test", move || {
+            let dropped = dropped_for_task.clone();
+            async move {
+                let _signal = DropSignal(dropped);
+                std::future::pending::<()>().await;
+            }
+        }));
+        tokio::task::yield_now().await;
+
+        scope.stop().await;
+
+        tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(1), dropped.notified())
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/maestro/mod.rs b/src/maestro/mod.rs
index dd2cadf..6b2af2a 100644
--- a/src/maestro/mod.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/mod.rs
@@ -503,7 +503,6 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
         config.access.cidr_rate_limits.clone(),
     );
 
-    let (api_config_tx, api_config_rx) = watch::channel(Arc::new(config.clone()));
     let (detected_ips_tx, detected_ips_rx) = watch::channel((None::<IpAddr>, None::<IpAddr>));
     let initial_direct_first = config.general.use_middle_proxy && config.general.me2dc_fallback;
     let initial_admission_open = !config.general.use_middle_proxy || initial_direct_first;
@@ -511,6 +510,8 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
     let (reload_control, reload_commands) = reload::ReloadControl::channel(1);
     let (active_runtime_tx, active_runtime_rx) =
         watch::channel(None::<Arc<ArcSwap<generation::RuntimeGeneration>>>);
+    let (runtime_watch_tx, runtime_watch_rx) =
+        watch::channel(None::<generation::RuntimeWatchState>);
     let initial_route_mode = if !config.general.use_middle_proxy || initial_direct_first {
         RelayRouteMode::Direct
     } else {
@@ -544,14 +545,13 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
             let upstream_manager_api = upstream_manager.clone();
             let route_runtime_api = route_runtime.clone();
             let proxy_shared_api = shared_state.clone();
-            let config_rx_api = api_config_rx.clone();
-            let admission_rx_api = admission_rx.clone();
             let config_path_api = config_path.clone();
             let quota_state_path_api = quota_state_path.clone();
             let startup_tracker_api = startup_tracker.clone();
             let detected_ips_rx_api = detected_ips_rx.clone();
             let reload_control_api = reload_control.clone();
             let active_runtime_rx_api = active_runtime_rx.clone();
+            let runtime_watch_rx_api = runtime_watch_rx.clone();
             tokio::spawn(async move {
                 api::serve(
                     listen,
@@ -561,8 +561,6 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
                     route_runtime_api,
                     proxy_shared_api,
                     upstream_manager_api,
-                    config_rx_api,
-                    admission_rx_api,
                     config_path_api,
                     quota_state_path_api,
                     detected_ips_rx_api,
@@ -570,6 +568,7 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
                     startup_tracker_api,
                     reload_control_api,
                     active_runtime_rx_api,
+                    runtime_watch_rx_api,
                 )
                 .await;
             });
@@ -610,8 +609,9 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
         upstream_manager.clone(),
         &startup_tracker,
         runtime_task_scope.clone(),
+        tls_bootstrap::TlsBootstrapPolicy::BestEffort,
     )
-    .await;
+    .await?;
 
     startup_tracker
         .start_component(
@@ -737,6 +737,7 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
             stats.clone(),
             api_me_pool.clone(),
             me_ready_tx.clone(),
+            runtime_task_scope.clone(),
         )
         .await
     };
@@ -824,7 +825,6 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
         rng.clone(),
         ip_tracker.clone(),
         beobachten.clone(),
-        api_config_tx.clone(),
         me_pool.clone(),
         shared_state.clone(),
         me_ready_tx.clone(),
@@ -869,6 +869,7 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
                     stats_bg.clone(),
                     api_me_pool_bg.clone(),
                     me_ready_tx_bg.clone(),
+                    task_scope_bg.clone(),
                 )
                 .await;
                 if let Some(pool) = pool {
@@ -961,6 +962,7 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
         quota_store,
         detected_ips_tx,
         runtime_log_filter,
+        runtime_watch_tx.clone(),
     );
 
     let bound = listeners::bind_listeners(
@@ -988,12 +990,12 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
     // On Unix, caller supplies privilege drop after bind (may require root for port < 1024).
     drop_after_bind();
 
-    synlimit_control::reconcile_synlimit_rules(&config).await;
-    synlimit_control::spawn_synlimit_controller(config_rx.clone());
+    let synlimit_controller = synlimit_control::spawn_synlimit_controller(runtime_watch_rx);
 
     runtime_tasks::spawn_metrics_if_configured(&config, &startup_tracker, active_runtime.clone())
         .await;
 
+    runtime_watch_tx.send_replace(Some(active_runtime.load_full().watch_state()));
     active_runtime_tx.send_replace(Some(active_runtime.clone()));
     runtime_tasks::mark_runtime_ready(&startup_tracker).await;
 
@@ -1004,7 +1006,13 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
     #[cfg(unix)]
     listeners::spawn_unix_accept_loop(unix_listener, active_runtime.clone());
 
-    shutdown::wait_for_shutdown(process_started_at, active_runtime, quota_state_path).await;
+    shutdown::wait_for_shutdown(
+        process_started_at,
+        active_runtime,
+        quota_state_path,
+        synlimit_controller,
+    )
+    .await;
 
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/src/maestro/reload.rs b/src/maestro/reload.rs
index b2b3bbc..0a7ab58 100644
--- a/src/maestro/reload.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/reload.rs
@@ -138,7 +138,11 @@ pub(crate) struct ReloadStatus {
     pub(crate) started_at_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     pub(crate) finished_at_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
-    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty")]
+    #[serde(
+        rename = "deferred_process_fields",
+        default,
+        skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty"
+    )]
     pub(crate) deferred_fields: Vec<String>,
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty")]
     pub(crate) warnings: Vec<String>,
@@ -428,6 +432,31 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(ReloadRequest::from_query(Some("timeout_secs=30")).is_err());
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn status_uses_documented_deferred_process_fields_key() {
+        let status = ReloadStatus {
+            reload_id: 1,
+            target_generation: 2,
+            config_revision: "revision".to_string(),
+            state: ReloadPhase::Succeeded,
+            mode: ReloadMode::Instant,
+            failure_policy: ReloadFailurePolicy::KeepNew,
+            requested_at_epoch_secs: 10,
+            started_at_epoch_secs: Some(11),
+            finished_at_epoch_secs: Some(12),
+            deferred_fields: vec!["server.listeners".to_string()],
+            warnings: Vec::new(),
+            error: None,
+        };
+        let value = serde_json::to_value(status).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            value["deferred_process_fields"],
+            serde_json::json!(["server.listeners"])
+        );
+        assert!(value.get("deferred_fields").is_none());
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn coordinator_rejects_concurrent_reload_and_releases_terminal_slot() {
         let (control, mut receiver) = ReloadControl::channel(1);
diff --git a/src/maestro/reload_supervisor.rs b/src/maestro/reload_supervisor.rs
index aa88cce..f71f58a 100644
--- a/src/maestro/reload_supervisor.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/reload_supervisor.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use tracing::{info, warn};
 
 use crate::stats::QuotaStore;
 
-use super::generation::RuntimeGeneration;
+use super::generation::{RuntimeGeneration, RuntimeWatchState};
 use super::reload::{
     ReloadCommand, ReloadCommandReceiver, ReloadControl, ReloadFailurePolicy, ReloadMode,
     ReloadPhase,
@@ -24,6 +24,48 @@ pub(crate) struct ReloadSupervisor {
     quota_store: Arc<QuotaStore>,
     detected_ips_tx: watch::Sender<(Option<std::net::IpAddr>, Option<std::net::IpAddr>)>,
     runtime_log_filter: RuntimeLogFilter,
+    runtime_watch_tx: watch::Sender<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+enum RevisionGateAction {
+    Proceed,
+    Warn(String),
+    Rollback(String),
+}
+
+fn revision_gate_action(
+    accepted_revision: &str,
+    current_revision: Result<String, String>,
+    failure_policy: ReloadFailurePolicy,
+) -> RevisionGateAction {
+    let warning = match current_revision {
+        Ok(current) if current == accepted_revision => return RevisionGateAction::Proceed,
+        Ok(current) => format!(
+            "config revision changed during preparation: accepted={} current={}",
+            accepted_revision, current
+        ),
+        Err(error) => format!("config revision verification failed: {}", error),
+    };
+    match failure_policy {
+        ReloadFailurePolicy::KeepNew => RevisionGateAction::Warn(warning),
+        ReloadFailurePolicy::Rollback => RevisionGateAction::Rollback(warning),
+    }
+}
+
+async fn stop_background_and_middle_end(generation: &RuntimeGeneration) -> bool {
+    generation.stop_background_tasks().await;
+    let Some(pool) = generation.current_me_pool().await else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(2), pool.shutdown_send_close_conn_all())
+        .await
+        .is_err()
+}
+
+async fn cleanup_candidate(generation: &RuntimeGeneration) -> bool {
+    generation.stop_sessions().await;
+    stop_background_and_middle_end(generation).await
 }
 
 impl ReloadSupervisor {
@@ -36,6 +78,7 @@ impl ReloadSupervisor {
         quota_store: Arc<QuotaStore>,
         detected_ips_tx: watch::Sender<(Option<std::net::IpAddr>, Option<std::net::IpAddr>)>,
         runtime_log_filter: RuntimeLogFilter,
+        runtime_watch_tx: watch::Sender<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
     ) {
         let supervisor = Self {
             active_runtime,
@@ -45,6 +88,7 @@ impl ReloadSupervisor {
             quota_store,
             detected_ips_tx,
             runtime_log_filter,
+            runtime_watch_tx,
         };
         tokio::spawn(supervisor.run());
     }
@@ -81,30 +125,23 @@ impl ReloadSupervisor {
             }
         };
 
-        if let Ok(current_revision) =
-            crate::api::config_store::current_revision_for_maestro(&self.config_path).await
-            && current_revision != command.config_revision
-        {
-            let warning = format!(
-                "config revision changed during preparation: accepted={} current={}",
-                command.config_revision, current_revision
-            );
-            if command.request.failure_policy == ReloadFailurePolicy::Rollback {
+        let revision_action = revision_gate_action(
+            &command.config_revision,
+            crate::api::config_store::current_revision_for_maestro(&self.config_path).await,
+            command.request.failure_policy,
+        );
+        match revision_action {
+            RevisionGateAction::Proceed => {}
+            RevisionGateAction::Warn(warning) => {
+                self.control.add_warning(command.reload_id, warning).await;
+            }
+            RevisionGateAction::Rollback(warning) => {
+                let _ = cleanup_candidate(&prepared.generation).await;
                 self.runtime_log_filter
                     .apply_reload(&old_runtime.config().general.log_level);
-                prepared.generation.stop_sessions().await;
-                if let Some(pool) = prepared.generation.current_me_pool().await {
-                    let _ = tokio::time::timeout(
-                        Duration::from_secs(2),
-                        pool.shutdown_send_close_conn_all(),
-                    )
-                    .await;
-                }
-                prepared.generation.stop_background_tasks().await;
                 self.control.rolled_back(command.reload_id, warning).await;
                 return;
             }
-            self.control.add_warning(command.reload_id, warning).await;
         }
 
         self.control
@@ -112,37 +149,26 @@ impl ReloadSupervisor {
             .await;
         let new_runtime = prepared.generation;
         old_runtime.stop_accepting_sessions();
-        let replaced = self.active_runtime.swap(new_runtime.clone());
         if let Err(error) = crate::network::dns_overrides::install_entries(
             &new_runtime.config().network.dns_overrides,
         ) {
             let message = format!("runtime DNS activation failed: {}", error);
             if command.request.failure_policy == ReloadFailurePolicy::Rollback {
-                let candidate = self.active_runtime.swap(replaced.clone());
-                replaced.resume_accepting_sessions();
+                old_runtime.resume_accepting_sessions();
+                let _ = cleanup_candidate(&new_runtime).await;
                 self.runtime_log_filter
-                    .apply_reload(&replaced.config().general.log_level);
-                let _ = crate::network::dns_overrides::install_entries(
-                    &replaced.config().network.dns_overrides,
-                );
-                candidate.stop_sessions().await;
-                if let Some(pool) = candidate.current_me_pool().await {
-                    let _ = tokio::time::timeout(
-                        Duration::from_secs(2),
-                        pool.shutdown_send_close_conn_all(),
-                    )
-                    .await;
-                }
-                candidate.stop_background_tasks().await;
+                    .apply_reload(&old_runtime.config().general.log_level);
                 self.control.rolled_back(command.reload_id, message).await;
                 return;
             }
             self.control.add_warning(command.reload_id, message).await;
         }
+        let replaced = self.active_runtime.swap(new_runtime.clone());
         self.detected_ips_tx.send_replace(prepared.detected_ips);
         self.runtime_log_filter
             .apply_reload(&new_runtime.config().general.log_level);
-        crate::synlimit_control::reconcile_synlimit_rules(&new_runtime.config()).await;
+        self.runtime_watch_tx
+            .send_replace(Some(new_runtime.watch_state()));
 
         info!(
             reload_id = command.reload_id,
@@ -177,11 +203,7 @@ impl ReloadSupervisor {
             }
         }
 
-        if let Some(pool) = replaced.current_me_pool().await
-            && tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(2), pool.shutdown_send_close_conn_all())
-                .await
-                .is_err()
-        {
+        if stop_background_and_middle_end(&replaced).await {
             let warning = format!(
                 "generation {} Middle-End close broadcast timed out",
                 replaced.id
@@ -189,9 +211,46 @@ impl ReloadSupervisor {
             warn!(reload_id = command.reload_id, warning = %warning);
             self.control.add_warning(command.reload_id, warning).await;
         }
-        replaced.stop_background_tasks().await;
         self.control
             .succeed(command.reload_id, new_runtime.id)
             .await;
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn revision_gate_proceeds_only_on_verified_match() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            revision_gate_action(
+                "accepted",
+                Ok("accepted".to_string()),
+                ReloadFailurePolicy::Rollback,
+            ),
+            RevisionGateAction::Proceed
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn revision_gate_applies_failure_policy_to_mismatch_and_read_error() {
+        for result in [
+            Ok("changed".to_string()),
+            Err("read failed".to_string()),
+        ] {
+            assert!(matches!(
+                revision_gate_action(
+                    "accepted",
+                    result.clone(),
+                    ReloadFailurePolicy::KeepNew,
+                ),
+                RevisionGateAction::Warn(_)
+            ));
+            assert!(matches!(
+                revision_gate_action("accepted", result, ReloadFailurePolicy::Rollback),
+                RevisionGateAction::Rollback(_)
+            ));
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/maestro/runtime_build.rs b/src/maestro/runtime_build.rs
index 4ec1062..1cf7e5b 100644
--- a/src/maestro/runtime_build.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/runtime_build.rs
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ pub(crate) struct PreparedRuntime {
 
 pub(crate) async fn prepare_runtime(
     generation_id: u64,
-    mut config: ProxyConfig,
+    config: ProxyConfig,
     config_path: &Path,
     quota_store: Arc<QuotaStore>,
     runtime_log_filter: RuntimeLogFilter,
@@ -112,8 +112,10 @@ pub(crate) async fn prepare_runtime(
         upstream_manager.clone(),
         &startup_tracker,
         task_scope.clone(),
+        tls_bootstrap::TlsBootstrapPolicy::RequireReady,
     )
-    .await;
+    .await
+    .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
 
     let beobachten = Arc::new(BeobachtenStore::new());
     let rng = Arc::new(SecureRandom::new());
@@ -140,11 +142,20 @@ pub(crate) async fn prepare_runtime(
             stats.clone(),
             me_pool_runtime.clone(),
             me_ready_tx.clone(),
+            task_scope.clone(),
         )
         .await
     };
-    if config.general.use_middle_proxy && me_pool.is_none() && !direct_first_startup {
-        config.general.use_middle_proxy = false;
+    if strict_middle_proxy_unavailable(
+        config.general.use_middle_proxy,
+        direct_first_startup,
+        me_pool.is_some(),
+    ) {
+        task_scope.stop().await;
+        return Err(
+            "Middle-End pool is required but did not become ready during reload preparation"
+                .to_string(),
+        );
     }
 
     let config = Arc::new(config);
@@ -159,7 +170,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn prepare_runtime(
         config.server.max_connections as usize
     };
     let max_connections = Arc::new(Semaphore::new(max_connections_limit));
-    let (api_config_tx, _) = watch::channel(config.clone());
     let watches = runtime_tasks::spawn_runtime_tasks(
         &config,
         config_path,
@@ -175,7 +185,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn prepare_runtime(
         rng.clone(),
         ip_tracker.clone(),
         beobachten.clone(),
-        api_config_tx,
         me_pool.clone(),
         proxy_shared.clone(),
         me_ready_tx.clone(),
@@ -226,6 +235,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn prepare_runtime(
                     stats_bg.clone(),
                     me_pool_runtime_bg.clone(),
                     me_ready_tx_bg.clone(),
+                    task_scope_bg.clone(),
                 )
                 .await;
                 if let Some(pool) = pool {
@@ -291,6 +301,14 @@ pub(crate) async fn prepare_runtime(
     })
 }
 
+fn strict_middle_proxy_unavailable(
+    use_middle_proxy: bool,
+    direct_first_startup: bool,
+    pool_available: bool,
+) -> bool {
+    use_middle_proxy && !direct_first_startup && !pool_available
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn deferred_process_fields(old: &ProxyConfig, new: &ProxyConfig) -> Vec<String> {
     let mut fields = Vec::new();
     if old.server.port != new.server.port
@@ -354,4 +372,12 @@ mod tests {
         new.censorship.tls_domain = "reload.example".to_string();
         assert!(deferred_process_fields(&old, &new).is_empty());
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn strict_middle_proxy_requires_a_prepared_pool() {
+        assert!(strict_middle_proxy_unavailable(true, false, false));
+        assert!(!strict_middle_proxy_unavailable(true, false, true));
+        assert!(!strict_middle_proxy_unavailable(true, true, false));
+        assert!(!strict_middle_proxy_unavailable(false, false, false));
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs b/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs
index 7bd3976..1b896e6 100644
--- a/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs
@@ -103,7 +103,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn spawn_runtime_tasks(
     rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
     ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
     beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
-    api_config_tx: watch::Sender<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
     me_pool_for_policy: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
     shared_state: Arc<ProxySharedState>,
     me_ready_tx: watch::Sender<u64>,
@@ -166,18 +165,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn spawn_runtime_tasks(
             Some("config hot-reload watcher started".to_string()),
         )
         .await;
-    let mut config_rx_api_bridge = config_rx.clone();
-    let api_config_tx_bridge = api_config_tx.clone();
-    task_scope.spawn(async move {
-        loop {
-            if config_rx_api_bridge.changed().await.is_err() {
-                break;
-            }
-            let cfg = config_rx_api_bridge.borrow_and_update().clone();
-            api_config_tx_bridge.send_replace(cfg);
-        }
-    });
-
     let stats_policy = stats.clone();
     let upstream_policy = upstream_manager.clone();
     let mut config_rx_policy = config_rx.clone();
diff --git a/src/maestro/shutdown.rs b/src/maestro/shutdown.rs
index fcb739a..922a69e 100644
--- a/src/maestro/shutdown.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/shutdown.rs
@@ -50,9 +50,17 @@ pub(crate) async fn wait_for_shutdown(
     process_started_at: Instant,
     active_runtime: Arc<ArcSwap<RuntimeGeneration>>,
     quota_state_path: PathBuf,
+    synlimit_controller: tokio::task::JoinHandle<()>,
 ) {
     let signal = wait_for_shutdown_signal().await;
-    perform_shutdown(signal, process_started_at, active_runtime, quota_state_path).await;
+    perform_shutdown(
+        signal,
+        process_started_at,
+        active_runtime,
+        quota_state_path,
+        synlimit_controller,
+    )
+    .await;
 }
 
 /// Waits for any shutdown signal (SIGINT, SIGTERM, SIGQUIT).
@@ -81,6 +89,7 @@ async fn perform_shutdown(
     process_started_at: Instant,
     active_runtime: Arc<ArcSwap<RuntimeGeneration>>,
     quota_state_path: PathBuf,
+    synlimit_controller: tokio::task::JoinHandle<()>,
 ) {
     let runtime = active_runtime.load_full();
     let stats = runtime.stats.as_ref();
@@ -96,12 +105,9 @@ async fn perform_shutdown(
     let uptime_secs = process_started_at.elapsed().as_secs();
     info!("Uptime: {}", format_uptime(uptime_secs));
 
-    if let Err(error) = synlimit_control::clear_synlimit_rules_all_backends().await {
-        warn!(error = %error, "Failed to clear SYN limiter rules during shutdown");
-    }
-
     // Graceful ME pool shutdown
     runtime.stop_sessions().await;
+    runtime.stop_background_tasks().await;
     if let Some(pool) = runtime.current_me_pool().await {
         match tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(2), pool.shutdown_send_close_conn_all())
             .await
@@ -117,7 +123,12 @@ async fn perform_shutdown(
             }
         }
     }
-    runtime.stop_background_tasks().await;
+
+    synlimit_controller.abort();
+    let _ = synlimit_controller.await;
+    if let Err(error) = synlimit_control::clear_synlimit_rules_all_backends().await {
+        warn!(error = %error, "Failed to clear SYN limiter rules during shutdown");
+    }
 
     match crate::quota_state::save_quota_state(&quota_state_path, stats).await {
         Ok(()) => {
diff --git a/src/maestro/tls_bootstrap.rs b/src/maestro/tls_bootstrap.rs
index 7b7075f..58bd442 100644
--- a/src/maestro/tls_bootstrap.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/tls_bootstrap.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use rand::RngExt;
 use tracing::warn;
 
 use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
 use crate::startup::{COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP, StartupTracker};
 use crate::tls_front::TlsFrontCache;
 use crate::tls_front::fetcher::TlsFetchStrategy;
@@ -12,6 +13,82 @@ use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
 
 use super::generation::RuntimeTaskScope;
 
+/// Readiness requirement for TLS-front cache initialization.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+pub(crate) enum TlsBootstrapPolicy {
+    BestEffort,
+    RequireReady,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+struct TlsFetchContext {
+    cache: Arc<TlsFrontCache>,
+    domains: Vec<String>,
+    mask_host: String,
+    primary_domain: String,
+    mask_unix_sock: Option<String>,
+    tls_fetch_scope: Option<String>,
+    upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
+    strategy: TlsFetchStrategy,
+    port: u16,
+    proxy_protocol: u8,
+}
+
+impl TlsFetchContext {
+    async fn fetch_all(&self, failure_message: &'static str) {
+        let mut join = tokio::task::JoinSet::new();
+        for domain in self.domains.clone() {
+            let cache = self.cache.clone();
+            let host = tls_fetch_host_for_domain(
+                &self.mask_host,
+                &self.primary_domain,
+                &domain,
+            );
+            let unix_sock = self.mask_unix_sock.clone();
+            let scope = self.tls_fetch_scope.clone();
+            let upstream = self.upstream_manager.clone();
+            let strategy = self.strategy.clone();
+            let port = self.port;
+            let proxy_protocol = self.proxy_protocol;
+            join.spawn(async move {
+                match crate::tls_front::fetcher::fetch_real_tls_with_strategy(
+                    &host,
+                    port,
+                    &domain,
+                    &strategy,
+                    Some(upstream),
+                    scope.as_deref(),
+                    proxy_protocol,
+                    unix_sock.as_deref(),
+                )
+                .await
+                {
+                    Ok(result) => cache.update_from_fetch(&domain, result).await,
+                    Err(error) => warn!(domain = %domain, error = %error, failure_message),
+                }
+            });
+        }
+        while let Some(result) = join.join_next().await {
+            if let Err(error) = result {
+                warn!(error = %error, "TLS emulation fetch task join failed");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    async fn fetch_all_with_budget(&self, phase: &'static str) {
+        if tokio::time::timeout(self.strategy.total_budget, self.fetch_all(phase))
+            .await
+            .is_err()
+        {
+            warn!(
+                phase,
+                timeout_ms = self.strategy.total_budget.as_millis(),
+                "TLS emulation fetch budget exhausted"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 fn tls_fetch_host_for_domain(mask_host: &str, primary_tls_domain: &str, domain: &str) -> String {
     if mask_host.eq_ignore_ascii_case(primary_tls_domain) {
         domain.to_string()
@@ -20,13 +97,24 @@ fn tls_fetch_host_for_domain(mask_host: &str, primary_tls_domain: &str, domain:
     }
 }
 
+fn readiness_error(default_domains: &[String]) -> Option<String> {
+    (!default_domains.is_empty()).then(|| {
+        format!(
+            "TLS-front profiles are not ready for domains: {}",
+            default_domains.join(", ")
+        )
+    })
+}
+
+/// Initializes the TLS-front cache and generation-owned refresh tasks.
 pub(crate) async fn bootstrap_tls_front(
     config: &ProxyConfig,
     tls_domains: &[String],
     upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
     startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>,
     task_scope: RuntimeTaskScope,
-) -> Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>> {
+    policy: TlsBootstrapPolicy,
+) -> Result<Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>>> {
     startup_tracker
         .start_component(
             COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP,
@@ -34,26 +122,38 @@ pub(crate) async fn bootstrap_tls_front(
         )
         .await;
 
-    let tls_cache: Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>> = if config.censorship.tls_emulation {
-        let cache = Arc::new(TlsFrontCache::new(
-            tls_domains,
-            config.censorship.fake_cert_len,
-            &config.censorship.tls_front_dir,
-        ));
-        cache.load_from_disk().await;
+    if !config.censorship.tls_emulation {
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP,
+                Some("censorship.tls_emulation is false".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
 
-        let port = config.censorship.mask_port;
-        let proxy_protocol = config.censorship.mask_proxy_protocol;
-        let mask_host = config
+    let cache = Arc::new(TlsFrontCache::new(
+        tls_domains,
+        config.censorship.fake_cert_len,
+        &config.censorship.tls_front_dir,
+    ));
+    cache.load_from_disk().await;
+
+    let tls_fetch = config.censorship.tls_fetch.clone();
+    let fetch_context = TlsFetchContext {
+        cache: cache.clone(),
+        domains: tls_domains.to_vec(),
+        mask_host: config
             .censorship
             .mask_host
             .clone()
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| config.censorship.tls_domain.clone());
-        let mask_unix_sock = config.censorship.mask_unix_sock.clone();
-        let tls_fetch_scope = (!config.censorship.tls_fetch_scope.is_empty())
-            .then(|| config.censorship.tls_fetch_scope.clone());
-        let tls_fetch = config.censorship.tls_fetch.clone();
-        let fetch_strategy = TlsFetchStrategy {
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| config.censorship.tls_domain.clone()),
+        primary_domain: config.censorship.tls_domain.clone(),
+        mask_unix_sock: config.censorship.mask_unix_sock.clone(),
+        tls_fetch_scope: (!config.censorship.tls_fetch_scope.is_empty())
+            .then(|| config.censorship.tls_fetch_scope.clone()),
+        upstream_manager,
+        strategy: TlsFetchStrategy {
             profiles: tls_fetch.profiles,
             strict_route: tls_fetch.strict_route,
             attempt_timeout: Duration::from_millis(tls_fetch.attempt_timeout_ms.max(1)),
@@ -61,150 +161,71 @@ pub(crate) async fn bootstrap_tls_front(
             grease_enabled: tls_fetch.grease_enabled,
             deterministic: tls_fetch.deterministic,
             profile_cache_ttl: Duration::from_secs(tls_fetch.profile_cache_ttl_secs),
-        };
-        let fetch_timeout = fetch_strategy.total_budget;
+        },
+        port: config.censorship.mask_port,
+        proxy_protocol: config.censorship.mask_proxy_protocol,
+    };
 
-        let cache_initial = cache.clone();
-        let domains_initial = tls_domains.to_vec();
-        let host_initial = mask_host.clone();
-        let primary_initial = config.censorship.tls_domain.clone();
-        let unix_sock_initial = mask_unix_sock.clone();
-        let scope_initial = tls_fetch_scope.clone();
-        let upstream_initial = upstream_manager.clone();
-        let strategy_initial = fetch_strategy.clone();
-        task_scope.spawn(async move {
-            let mut join = tokio::task::JoinSet::new();
-            for domain in domains_initial {
-                let cache_domain = cache_initial.clone();
-                let host_domain =
-                    tls_fetch_host_for_domain(&host_initial, &primary_initial, &domain);
-                let unix_sock_domain = unix_sock_initial.clone();
-                let scope_domain = scope_initial.clone();
-                let upstream_domain = upstream_initial.clone();
-                let strategy_domain = strategy_initial.clone();
-                join.spawn(async move {
-                    match crate::tls_front::fetcher::fetch_real_tls_with_strategy(
-                        &host_domain,
-                        port,
-                        &domain,
-                        &strategy_domain,
-                        Some(upstream_domain),
-                        scope_domain.as_deref(),
-                        proxy_protocol,
-                        unix_sock_domain.as_deref(),
-                    )
+    match policy {
+        TlsBootstrapPolicy::BestEffort => {
+            let initial_fetch = fetch_context.clone();
+            let fake_cert_len = config.censorship.fake_cert_len;
+            task_scope.spawn(async move {
+                initial_fetch
+                    .fetch_all_with_budget("TLS emulation initial fetch failed")
+                    .await;
+                for domain in initial_fetch
+                    .cache
+                    .default_profile_domains(&initial_fetch.domains)
                     .await
-                    {
-                        Ok(res) => cache_domain.update_from_fetch(&domain, res).await,
-                        Err(e) => {
-                            warn!(domain = %domain, error = %e, "TLS emulation initial fetch failed")
-                        }
-                    }
-                });
-            }
-            while let Some(res) = join.join_next().await {
-                if let Err(e) = res {
-                    warn!(error = %e, "TLS emulation initial fetch task join failed");
-                }
-            }
-        });
-
-        let cache_timeout = cache.clone();
-        let domains_timeout = tls_domains.to_vec();
-        let fake_cert_len = config.censorship.fake_cert_len;
-        task_scope.spawn(async move {
-            tokio::time::sleep(fetch_timeout).await;
-            for domain in domains_timeout {
-                let cached = cache_timeout.get(&domain).await;
-                if cached.domain == "default" {
+                {
                     warn!(
                         domain = %domain,
-                        timeout_secs = fetch_timeout.as_secs(),
+                        timeout_ms = initial_fetch.strategy.total_budget.as_millis(),
                         fake_cert_len,
                         "TLS-front fetch not ready within timeout; using cache/default fake cert fallback"
                     );
                 }
+            });
+        }
+        TlsBootstrapPolicy::RequireReady => {
+            fetch_context
+                .fetch_all_with_budget("TLS emulation initial fetch failed")
+                .await;
+            let default_domains = cache.default_profile_domains(tls_domains).await;
+            if let Some(error) = readiness_error(&default_domains) {
+                startup_tracker
+                    .fail_component(COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP, Some(error.clone()))
+                    .await;
+                return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(error));
             }
-        });
-
-        let cache_refresh = cache.clone();
-        let domains_refresh = tls_domains.to_vec();
-        let host_refresh = mask_host.clone();
-        let primary_refresh = config.censorship.tls_domain.clone();
-        let unix_sock_refresh = mask_unix_sock.clone();
-        let scope_refresh = tls_fetch_scope.clone();
-        let upstream_refresh = upstream_manager.clone();
-        let strategy_refresh = fetch_strategy.clone();
-        task_scope.spawn(async move {
-            loop {
-                let base_secs = rand::rng().random_range(4 * 3600..=6 * 3600);
-                let jitter_secs = rand::rng().random_range(0..=7200);
-                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(base_secs + jitter_secs)).await;
-
-                let mut join = tokio::task::JoinSet::new();
-                for domain in domains_refresh.clone() {
-                    let cache_domain = cache_refresh.clone();
-                    let host_domain =
-                        tls_fetch_host_for_domain(&host_refresh, &primary_refresh, &domain);
-                    let unix_sock_domain = unix_sock_refresh.clone();
-                    let scope_domain = scope_refresh.clone();
-                    let upstream_domain = upstream_refresh.clone();
-                    let strategy_domain = strategy_refresh.clone();
-                    join.spawn(async move {
-                        match crate::tls_front::fetcher::fetch_real_tls_with_strategy(
-                            &host_domain,
-                            port,
-                            &domain,
-                            &strategy_domain,
-                            Some(upstream_domain),
-                            scope_domain.as_deref(),
-                            proxy_protocol,
-                            unix_sock_domain.as_deref(),
-                        )
-                        .await
-                        {
-                            Ok(res) => cache_domain.update_from_fetch(&domain, res).await,
-                            Err(e) => {
-                                warn!(domain = %domain, error = %e, "TLS emulation refresh failed")
-                            }
-                        }
-                    });
-                }
-
-                while let Some(res) = join.join_next().await {
-                    if let Err(e) = res {
-                        warn!(error = %e, "TLS emulation refresh task join failed");
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        });
-
-        Some(cache)
-    } else {
-        startup_tracker
-            .skip_component(
-                COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP,
-                Some("censorship.tls_emulation is false".to_string()),
-            )
-            .await;
-        None
-    };
-
-    if tls_cache.is_some() {
-        startup_tracker
-            .complete_component(
-                COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP,
-                Some("tls front cache is initialized".to_string()),
-            )
-            .await;
+        }
     }
 
-    tls_cache
+    let refresh_context = fetch_context;
+    task_scope.spawn(async move {
+        loop {
+            let base_secs = rand::rng().random_range(4 * 3600..=6 * 3600);
+            let jitter_secs = rand::rng().random_range(0..=7200);
+            tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(base_secs + jitter_secs)).await;
+            refresh_context
+                .fetch_all_with_budget("TLS emulation refresh failed")
+                .await;
+        }
+    });
+
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(
+            COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP,
+            Some("tls front cache is initialized".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+    Ok(Some(cache))
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::tls_fetch_host_for_domain;
+    use super::{readiness_error, tls_fetch_host_for_domain};
 
     #[test]
     fn tls_fetch_host_uses_each_domain_when_mask_host_is_primary_default() {
@@ -221,4 +242,13 @@ mod tests {
             "origin.example"
         );
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn readiness_rejects_only_default_profiles() {
+        assert!(readiness_error(&[]).is_none());
+        assert_eq!(
+            readiness_error(&["front.example".to_string()]),
+            Some("TLS-front profiles are not ready for domains: front.example".to_string())
+        );
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/synlimit_control/mod.rs b/src/synlimit_control/mod.rs
index 448a57a..b87f2b2 100644
--- a/src/synlimit_control/mod.rs
+++ b/src/synlimit_control/mod.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use tokio::sync::watch;
 use tracing::warn;
 
 use crate::config::{ProxyConfig, SynLimitMode};
+use crate::maestro::generation::RuntimeWatchState;
 
 mod command;
 mod iptables;
@@ -15,28 +16,105 @@ use self::model::{SynLimitNamespace, synlimit_namespace, synlimit_targets};
 
 static ACTIVE_SYNLIMIT_NAMESPACE: Mutex<Option<SynLimitNamespace>> = Mutex::new(None);
 
-pub(crate) fn spawn_synlimit_controller(config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>) {
+/// Spawns the process-scoped SYN limiter reconciler for active generations.
+pub(crate) fn spawn_synlimit_controller(
+    runtime_watch_rx: watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+) -> tokio::task::JoinHandle<()> {
     if !cfg!(target_os = "linux") {
-        if has_synlimit_config(&config_rx.borrow()) {
-            warn!("SYN limiter is configured but unsupported on this OS; skipping netfilter rules");
-        }
-        return;
+        return tokio::spawn(watch_active_runtime_configs(
+            runtime_watch_rx,
+            |_generation_id, cfg| async move {
+                if has_synlimit_config(&cfg) {
+                    warn!(
+                        "SYN limiter is configured but unsupported on this OS; skipping netfilter rules"
+                    );
+                }
+            },
+        ));
     }
 
-    tokio::spawn(async move {
-        wait_for_config_channel_close_and_reconcile(config_rx).await;
-        if let Err(error) = clear_synlimit_rules_all_backends().await {
-            warn!(error = %error, "Failed to clear SYN limiter rules after config channel close");
-        }
-    });
+    tokio::spawn(watch_active_runtime_configs(
+        runtime_watch_rx,
+        |_generation_id, cfg| async move {
+            reconcile_synlimit_rules(&cfg).await;
+        },
+    ))
 }
 
-async fn wait_for_config_channel_close_and_reconcile(
-    mut config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
-) {
-    while config_rx.changed().await.is_ok() {
-        let cfg = config_rx.borrow_and_update().clone();
-        reconcile_synlimit_rules(&cfg).await;
+async fn watch_active_runtime_configs<F, Fut>(
+    mut runtime_watch_rx: watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+    mut on_config: F,
+)
+where
+    F: FnMut(u64, Arc<ProxyConfig>) -> Fut,
+    Fut: std::future::Future<Output = ()>,
+{
+    let mut current = loop {
+        if let Some(state) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone() {
+            break state;
+        }
+        if runtime_watch_rx.changed().await.is_err() {
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+    let initial_config = current.config_rx.borrow().clone();
+    on_config(current.generation_id, initial_config).await;
+
+    loop {
+        tokio::select! {
+            biased;
+            changed = runtime_watch_rx.changed() => {
+                if changed.is_err() {
+                    break;
+                }
+                let Some(next) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone() else {
+                    continue;
+                };
+                if next.generation_id != current.generation_id {
+                    current = next;
+                    let config = current.config_rx.borrow().clone();
+                    on_config(current.generation_id, config).await;
+                }
+            }
+            changed = current.config_rx.changed() => {
+                if changed.is_err() {
+                    let Some(next) = wait_for_new_runtime(
+                        &mut runtime_watch_rx,
+                        current.generation_id,
+                    ).await else {
+                        break;
+                    };
+                    current = next;
+                    let config = current.config_rx.borrow().clone();
+                    on_config(current.generation_id, config).await;
+                    continue;
+                }
+                let active_generation_id = runtime_watch_rx
+                    .borrow()
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|state| state.generation_id);
+                if active_generation_id == Some(current.generation_id) {
+                    let cfg = current.config_rx.borrow_and_update().clone();
+                    on_config(current.generation_id, cfg).await;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+async fn wait_for_new_runtime(
+    runtime_watch_rx: &mut watch::Receiver<Option<RuntimeWatchState>>,
+    previous_generation_id: u64,
+) -> Option<RuntimeWatchState> {
+    loop {
+        if let Some(state) = runtime_watch_rx.borrow().clone()
+            && state.generation_id != previous_generation_id
+        {
+            return Some(state);
+        }
+        if runtime_watch_rx.changed().await.is_err() {
+            return None;
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -168,3 +246,70 @@ fn has_synlimit_config(cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> bool {
         .iter()
         .any(|listener| !matches!(listener.synlimit, SynLimitMode::Off))
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::time::Duration;
+    use tokio::sync::mpsc;
+
+    fn runtime_state(
+        generation_id: u64,
+        max_connections: u32,
+    ) -> (
+        RuntimeWatchState,
+        watch::Sender<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+        watch::Sender<bool>,
+    ) {
+        let mut config = ProxyConfig::default();
+        config.server.max_connections = max_connections;
+        let (config_tx, config_rx) = watch::channel(Arc::new(config));
+        let (admission_tx, admission_rx) = watch::channel(true);
+        (
+            RuntimeWatchState {
+                generation_id,
+                config_rx,
+                admission_rx,
+            },
+            config_tx,
+            admission_tx,
+        )
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn config_watcher_ignores_retired_generation_updates() {
+        let (initial, initial_config_tx, _initial_admission_tx) = runtime_state(1, 10);
+        let (runtime_tx, runtime_rx) = watch::channel(Some(initial));
+        let (observed_tx, mut observed_rx) = mpsc::unbounded_channel();
+        let watcher = tokio::spawn(watch_active_runtime_configs(
+            runtime_rx,
+            move |generation_id, cfg| {
+                let observed_tx = observed_tx.clone();
+                async move {
+                    let _ = observed_tx.send((generation_id, cfg.server.max_connections));
+                }
+            },
+        ));
+
+        assert_eq!(observed_rx.recv().await, Some((1, 10)));
+        let (next, next_config_tx, _next_admission_tx) = runtime_state(2, 20);
+        runtime_tx.send_replace(Some(next));
+        assert_eq!(observed_rx.recv().await, Some((2, 20)));
+
+        let mut stale = ProxyConfig::default();
+        stale.server.max_connections = 30;
+        initial_config_tx.send_replace(Arc::new(stale));
+        assert!(
+            tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_millis(50), observed_rx.recv())
+                .await
+                .is_err()
+        );
+
+        let mut active = ProxyConfig::default();
+        active.server.max_connections = 40;
+        next_config_tx.send_replace(Arc::new(active));
+        assert_eq!(observed_rx.recv().await, Some((2, 40)));
+
+        watcher.abort();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/tls_front/cache.rs b/src/tls_front/cache.rs
index c63a539..42e9d20 100644
--- a/src/tls_front/cache.rs
+++ b/src/tls_front/cache.rs
@@ -190,6 +190,22 @@ impl TlsFrontCache {
         (snapshot, suppressed)
     }
 
+    /// Returns configured domains that still resolve to the synthetic default profile.
+    pub(crate) async fn default_profile_domains(&self, domains: &[String]) -> Vec<String> {
+        let guard = self.memory.read().await;
+        domains
+            .iter()
+            .filter(|domain| {
+                guard
+                    .get(domain.as_str())
+                    .unwrap_or(&self.default)
+                    .domain
+                    == "default"
+            })
+            .cloned()
+            .collect()
+    }
+
     fn full_cert_sent_shard_index(client_ip: IpAddr) -> usize {
         let mut hasher = DefaultHasher::new();
         client_ip.hash(&mut hasher);
@@ -546,6 +562,23 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(!cert_info_matches_domain(&cached));
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn default_profile_domains_reports_only_unprepared_entries() {
+        let domains = vec!["ready.example".to_string(), "pending.example".to_string()];
+        let cache = TlsFrontCache::new(&domains, 1024, "tlsfront-test-cache");
+        cache
+            .set(
+                "ready.example",
+                cached_with_cert_info("ready.example", None, Vec::new()),
+            )
+            .await;
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            cache.default_profile_domains(&domains).await,
+            vec!["pending.example".to_string()]
+        );
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn test_take_full_cert_budget_for_ip_uses_ttl() {
         let cache = TlsFrontCache::new(&["example.com".to_string()], 1024, "tlsfront-test-cache");
diff --git a/src/tls_front/fetcher.rs b/src/tls_front/fetcher.rs
index 22f8548..3bcc3c5 100644
--- a/src/tls_front/fetcher.rs
+++ b/src/tls_front/fetcher.rs
@@ -916,26 +916,22 @@ async fn connect_tcp_with_upstream(
     strict_route: bool,
 ) -> Result<UpstreamStream> {
     if let Some(manager) = upstream {
-        let resolved = if let Some(addr) = resolve_socket_addr(host, port) {
-            Some(addr)
-        } else {
-            match tokio::net::lookup_host((host, port)).await {
-                Ok(mut addrs) => addrs.find(|a| a.is_ipv4()),
-                Err(e) => {
-                    if strict_route {
-                        return Err(anyhow!(
-                            "upstream route DNS resolution failed for {host}:{port}: {e}"
-                        ));
-                    }
-                    warn!(
-                        host = %host,
-                        port = port,
-                        scope = ?scope,
-                        error = %e,
-                        "Upstream DNS resolution failed, using direct connect"
-                    );
-                    None
+        let resolved = match manager.resolve_hostname(host, port).await {
+            Ok(addr) => Some(addr),
+            Err(e) => {
+                if strict_route {
+                    return Err(anyhow!(
+                        "upstream route DNS resolution failed for {host}:{port}: {e}"
+                    ));
                 }
+                warn!(
+                    host = %host,
+                    port = port,
+                    scope = ?scope,
+                    error = %e,
+                    "Upstream DNS resolution failed, using direct connect"
+                );
+                None
             }
         };
 
@@ -955,6 +951,9 @@ async fn connect_tcp_with_upstream(
                         error = %e,
                         "Upstream connect failed, using direct connect"
                     );
+                    return Ok(UpstreamStream::Tcp(
+                        timeout(connect_timeout, TcpStream::connect(addr)).await??,
+                    ));
                 }
             }
         } else if strict_route {