diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 3f837a2..b4cfbca 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2093,7 +2093,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "telemt"
-version = "3.3.17"
+version = "3.3.18"
 dependencies = [
  "aes",
  "anyhow",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 51060d2..66a80c5 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "telemt"
-version = "3.3.17"
+version = "3.3.18"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1990109..2102a3a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@
 
 ### 🇷🇺 RU
 
-#### Релиз 3.3.16
+#### Релиз 3.3.15 Semistable
 
-[3.3.16](https://github.com/telemt/telemt/releases/tag/3.3.16)!
+[3.3.15](https://github.com/telemt/telemt/releases/tag/3.3.15) по итогам работы в продакшн признан одним из самых стабильных и рекомендуется к использованию, когда cutting-edge фичи некритичны!
 
 Будем рады вашему фидбеку и предложениям по улучшению — особенно в части **API**, **статистики**, **UX**
 
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@
 
 ### 🇬🇧 EN
 
-#### Release 3.3.16
+#### Release 3.3.15 Semistable
 
-[3.3.16](https://github.com/telemt/telemt/releases/tag/3.3.16)
+[3.3.15](https://github.com/telemt/telemt/releases/tag/3.3.15) is, based on the results of his work in production, recognized as one of the most stable and recommended for use when cutting-edge features are not so necessary!
 
 We are looking forward to your feedback and improvement proposals — especially regarding **API**, **statistics**, **UX**
 
diff --git a/docs/FAQ.en.md b/docs/FAQ.en.md
index 49d1592..e3a6519 100644
--- a/docs/FAQ.en.md
+++ b/docs/FAQ.en.md
@@ -55,7 +55,10 @@ user2 = "00000000000000000000000000000002"
 user3 = "00000000000000000000000000000003"
 ```
 4. Save the config. Ctrl+S -> Ctrl+X. You don't need to restart telemt.
-5. Get the links via `journalctl -u telemt -n -g "links" --no-pager -o cat | tac`
+5. Get the links via
+```bash
+curl -s http://127.0.0.1:9091/v1/users | jq
+```
 
 ## How to view metrics
 
diff --git a/docs/FAQ.ru.md b/docs/FAQ.ru.md
index a2fcf1a..cb5db7f 100644
--- a/docs/FAQ.ru.md
+++ b/docs/FAQ.ru.md
@@ -55,7 +55,10 @@ user2 = "00000000000000000000000000000002"
 user3 = "00000000000000000000000000000003"
 ```
 4. Сохранить конфиг. Ctrl+S -> Ctrl+X. Перезапускать telemt не нужно.
-5. Получить ссылки через `journalctl -u telemt -n -g "links" --no-pager -o cat | tac`
+5. Получить ссылки через
+```bash
+curl -s http://127.0.0.1:9091/v1/users | jq
+```
 
 ## Как посмотреть метрики
 
diff --git a/src/api/model.rs b/src/api/model.rs
index 0bc52de..31233d7 100644
--- a/src/api/model.rs
+++ b/src/api/model.rs
@@ -236,6 +236,8 @@ pub(super) struct MeWritersSummary {
     pub(super) required_writers: usize,
     pub(super) alive_writers: usize,
     pub(super) coverage_pct: f64,
+    pub(super) fresh_alive_writers: usize,
+    pub(super) fresh_coverage_pct: f64,
 }
 
 #[derive(Serialize, Clone)]
@@ -250,6 +252,12 @@ pub(super) struct MeWriterStatus {
     pub(super) bound_clients: usize,
     pub(super) idle_for_secs: Option<u64>,
     pub(super) rtt_ema_ms: Option<f64>,
+    pub(super) matches_active_generation: bool,
+    pub(super) in_desired_map: bool,
+    pub(super) allow_drain_fallback: bool,
+    pub(super) drain_started_at_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    pub(super) drain_deadline_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    pub(super) drain_over_ttl: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(Serialize, Clone)]
@@ -276,6 +284,8 @@ pub(super) struct DcStatus {
     pub(super) floor_capped: bool,
     pub(super) alive_writers: usize,
     pub(super) coverage_pct: f64,
+    pub(super) fresh_alive_writers: usize,
+    pub(super) fresh_coverage_pct: f64,
     pub(super) rtt_ms: Option<f64>,
     pub(super) load: usize,
 }
diff --git a/src/api/runtime_stats.rs b/src/api/runtime_stats.rs
index 139a4c5..9260c40 100644
--- a/src/api/runtime_stats.rs
+++ b/src/api/runtime_stats.rs
@@ -314,6 +314,8 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
             required_writers: status.required_writers,
             alive_writers: status.alive_writers,
             coverage_pct: status.coverage_pct,
+            fresh_alive_writers: status.fresh_alive_writers,
+            fresh_coverage_pct: status.fresh_coverage_pct,
         },
         writers: status
             .writers
@@ -329,6 +331,12 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
                 bound_clients: entry.bound_clients,
                 idle_for_secs: entry.idle_for_secs,
                 rtt_ema_ms: entry.rtt_ema_ms,
+                matches_active_generation: entry.matches_active_generation,
+                in_desired_map: entry.in_desired_map,
+                allow_drain_fallback: entry.allow_drain_fallback,
+                drain_started_at_epoch_secs: entry.drain_started_at_epoch_secs,
+                drain_deadline_epoch_secs: entry.drain_deadline_epoch_secs,
+                drain_over_ttl: entry.drain_over_ttl,
             })
             .collect(),
     };
@@ -363,6 +371,8 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
                 floor_capped: entry.floor_capped,
                 alive_writers: entry.alive_writers,
                 coverage_pct: entry.coverage_pct,
+                fresh_alive_writers: entry.fresh_alive_writers,
+                fresh_coverage_pct: entry.fresh_coverage_pct,
                 rtt_ms: entry.rtt_ms,
                 load: entry.load,
             })
@@ -486,6 +496,8 @@ fn disabled_me_writers(now_epoch_secs: u64, reason: &'static str) -> MeWritersDa
             required_writers: 0,
             alive_writers: 0,
             coverage_pct: 0.0,
+            fresh_alive_writers: 0,
+            fresh_coverage_pct: 0.0,
         },
         writers: Vec::new(),
     }
diff --git a/src/api/runtime_zero.rs b/src/api/runtime_zero.rs
index 93e3931..ba89302 100644
--- a/src/api/runtime_zero.rs
+++ b/src/api/runtime_zero.rs
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ pub(super) struct EffectiveMiddleProxyLimits {
 
 #[derive(Serialize)]
 pub(super) struct EffectiveUserIpPolicyLimits {
+    pub(super) global_each: usize,
     pub(super) mode: &'static str,
     pub(super) window_secs: u64,
 }
@@ -262,6 +263,7 @@ pub(super) fn build_limits_effective_data(cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> EffectiveLimitsD
             me2dc_fallback: cfg.general.me2dc_fallback,
         },
         user_ip_policy: EffectiveUserIpPolicyLimits {
+            global_each: cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each,
             mode: user_max_unique_ips_mode_label(cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode),
             window_secs: cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs,
         },
diff --git a/src/api/users.rs b/src/api/users.rs
index da360c7..f339806 100644
--- a/src/api/users.rs
+++ b/src/api/users.rs
@@ -386,7 +386,16 @@ pub(super) async fn users_from_config(
                 .get(&username)
                 .map(chrono::DateTime::<chrono::Utc>::to_rfc3339),
             data_quota_bytes: cfg.access.user_data_quota.get(&username).copied(),
-            max_unique_ips: cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips.get(&username).copied(),
+            max_unique_ips: cfg
+                .access
+                .user_max_unique_ips
+                .get(&username)
+                .copied()
+                .filter(|limit| *limit > 0)
+                .or(
+                    (cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each > 0)
+                        .then_some(cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each),
+                ),
             current_connections: stats.get_user_curr_connects(&username),
             active_unique_ips: active_ip_list.len(),
             active_unique_ips_list: active_ip_list,
diff --git a/src/config/defaults.rs b/src/config/defaults.rs
index 76479cf..82ec0b3 100644
--- a/src/config/defaults.rs
+++ b/src/config/defaults.rs
@@ -584,6 +584,10 @@ pub(crate) fn default_me_pool_drain_ttl_secs() -> u64 {
     90
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn default_me_pool_drain_threshold() -> u64 {
+    128
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn default_me_bind_stale_ttl_secs() -> u64 {
     default_me_pool_drain_ttl_secs()
 }
@@ -635,6 +639,10 @@ pub(crate) fn default_user_max_unique_ips_window_secs() -> u64 {
     DEFAULT_USER_MAX_UNIQUE_IPS_WINDOW_SECS
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn default_user_max_unique_ips_global_each() -> usize {
+    0
+}
+
 // Custom deserializer helpers
 
 #[derive(Deserialize)]
diff --git a/src/config/hot_reload.rs b/src/config/hot_reload.rs
index a375899..6f07a4b 100644
--- a/src/config/hot_reload.rs
+++ b/src/config/hot_reload.rs
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ pub struct HotFields {
     pub me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms: u64,
     pub hardswap:                bool,
     pub me_pool_drain_ttl_secs:  u64,
+    pub me_pool_drain_threshold: u64,
     pub me_pool_min_fresh_ratio: f32,
     pub me_reinit_drain_timeout_secs: u64,
     pub me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms: u64,
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ pub struct HotFields {
     pub user_expirations:        std::collections::HashMap<String, chrono::DateTime<chrono::Utc>>,
     pub user_data_quota:         std::collections::HashMap<String, u64>,
     pub user_max_unique_ips:     std::collections::HashMap<String, usize>,
+    pub user_max_unique_ips_global_each: usize,
     pub user_max_unique_ips_mode: crate::config::UserMaxUniqueIpsMode,
     pub user_max_unique_ips_window_secs: u64,
 }
@@ -135,6 +137,7 @@ impl HotFields {
             me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms: cfg.general.me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms,
             hardswap:                cfg.general.hardswap,
             me_pool_drain_ttl_secs:  cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+            me_pool_drain_threshold: cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
             me_pool_min_fresh_ratio: cfg.general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio,
             me_reinit_drain_timeout_secs: cfg.general.me_reinit_drain_timeout_secs,
             me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms: cfg.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms,
@@ -232,6 +235,7 @@ impl HotFields {
             user_expirations:        cfg.access.user_expirations.clone(),
             user_data_quota:         cfg.access.user_data_quota.clone(),
             user_max_unique_ips:     cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips.clone(),
+            user_max_unique_ips_global_each: cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each,
             user_max_unique_ips_mode: cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode,
             user_max_unique_ips_window_secs: cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs,
         }
@@ -450,6 +454,7 @@ fn overlay_hot_fields(old: &ProxyConfig, new: &ProxyConfig) -> ProxyConfig {
     cfg.general.me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms = new.general.me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms;
     cfg.general.hardswap = new.general.hardswap;
     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs = new.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs;
+    cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold = new.general.me_pool_drain_threshold;
     cfg.general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio = new.general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio;
     cfg.general.me_reinit_drain_timeout_secs = new.general.me_reinit_drain_timeout_secs;
     cfg.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms = new.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms;
@@ -532,6 +537,7 @@ fn overlay_hot_fields(old: &ProxyConfig, new: &ProxyConfig) -> ProxyConfig {
     cfg.access.user_expirations = new.access.user_expirations.clone();
     cfg.access.user_data_quota = new.access.user_data_quota.clone();
     cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips = new.access.user_max_unique_ips.clone();
+    cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each = new.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each;
     cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode = new.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode;
     cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs = new.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs;
 
@@ -823,6 +829,13 @@ fn log_changes(
         );
     }
 
+    if old_hot.me_pool_drain_threshold != new_hot.me_pool_drain_threshold {
+        info!(
+            "config reload: me_pool_drain_threshold: {} → {}",
+            old_hot.me_pool_drain_threshold, new_hot.me_pool_drain_threshold,
+        );
+    }
+
     if (old_hot.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio - new_hot.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio).abs() > f32::EPSILON {
         info!(
             "config reload: me_pool_min_fresh_ratio: {:.3} → {:.3}",
@@ -1099,12 +1112,14 @@ fn log_changes(
             new_hot.user_max_unique_ips.len()
         );
     }
-    if old_hot.user_max_unique_ips_mode != new_hot.user_max_unique_ips_mode
+    if old_hot.user_max_unique_ips_global_each != new_hot.user_max_unique_ips_global_each
+        || old_hot.user_max_unique_ips_mode != new_hot.user_max_unique_ips_mode
         || old_hot.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs
             != new_hot.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs
     {
         info!(
-            "config reload: user_max_unique_ips policy mode={:?} window={}s",
+            "config reload: user_max_unique_ips policy global_each={} mode={:?} window={}s",
+            new_hot.user_max_unique_ips_global_each,
             new_hot.user_max_unique_ips_mode,
             new_hot.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs
         );
diff --git a/src/config/types.rs b/src/config/types.rs
index 24626a4..04a22ce 100644
--- a/src/config/types.rs
+++ b/src/config/types.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ use ipnetwork::IpNetwork;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::net::IpAddr;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 use super::defaults::*;
 
@@ -356,6 +357,9 @@ impl Default for NetworkConfig {
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct GeneralConfig {
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub data_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+
     #[serde(default)]
     pub modes: ProxyModes,
 
@@ -794,6 +798,11 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_me_pool_drain_ttl_secs")]
     pub me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: u64,
 
+    /// Maximum allowed number of draining ME writers before oldest ones are force-closed in batches.
+    /// Set to 0 to disable threshold-based draining cleanup and keep timeout-only behavior.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_pool_drain_threshold")]
+    pub me_pool_drain_threshold: u64,
+
     /// Policy for new binds on stale draining writers.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub me_bind_stale_mode: MeBindStaleMode,
@@ -866,6 +875,7 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
 impl Default for GeneralConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
+            data_path: None,
             modes: ProxyModes::default(),
             prefer_ipv6: false,
             fast_mode: default_true(),
@@ -973,6 +983,7 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
             me_secret_atomic_snapshot: default_me_secret_atomic_snapshot(),
             proxy_secret_len_max: default_proxy_secret_len_max(),
             me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: default_me_pool_drain_ttl_secs(),
+            me_pool_drain_threshold: default_me_pool_drain_threshold(),
             me_bind_stale_mode: MeBindStaleMode::default(),
             me_bind_stale_ttl_secs: default_me_bind_stale_ttl_secs(),
             me_pool_min_fresh_ratio: default_me_pool_min_fresh_ratio(),
@@ -1317,6 +1328,11 @@ pub struct AccessConfig {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub user_max_unique_ips: HashMap<String, usize>,
 
+    /// Global per-user unique IP limit applied when a user has no individual override.
+    /// `0` disables the inherited limit.
+    #[serde(default = "default_user_max_unique_ips_global_each")]
+    pub user_max_unique_ips_global_each: usize,
+
     #[serde(default)]
     pub user_max_unique_ips_mode: UserMaxUniqueIpsMode,
 
@@ -1342,6 +1358,7 @@ impl Default for AccessConfig {
             user_expirations: HashMap::new(),
             user_data_quota: HashMap::new(),
             user_max_unique_ips: HashMap::new(),
+            user_max_unique_ips_global_each: default_user_max_unique_ips_global_each(),
             user_max_unique_ips_mode: UserMaxUniqueIpsMode::default(),
             user_max_unique_ips_window_secs: default_user_max_unique_ips_window_secs(),
             replay_check_len: default_replay_check_len(),
diff --git a/src/ip_tracker.rs b/src/ip_tracker.rs
index d406d51..fce20b6 100644
--- a/src/ip_tracker.rs
+++ b/src/ip_tracker.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ pub struct UserIpTracker {
     active_ips: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<String, HashMap<IpAddr, usize>>>>,
     recent_ips: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<String, HashMap<IpAddr, Instant>>>>,
     max_ips: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<String, usize>>>,
+    default_max_ips: Arc<RwLock<usize>>,
     limit_mode: Arc<RwLock<UserMaxUniqueIpsMode>>,
     limit_window: Arc<RwLock<Duration>>,
     last_compact_epoch_secs: Arc<AtomicU64>,
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
             active_ips: Arc::new(RwLock::new(HashMap::new())),
             recent_ips: Arc::new(RwLock::new(HashMap::new())),
             max_ips: Arc::new(RwLock::new(HashMap::new())),
+            default_max_ips: Arc::new(RwLock::new(0)),
             limit_mode: Arc::new(RwLock::new(UserMaxUniqueIpsMode::ActiveWindow)),
             limit_window: Arc::new(RwLock::new(Duration::from_secs(30))),
             last_compact_epoch_secs: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
@@ -100,7 +102,10 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
         limits.remove(username);
     }
 
-    pub async fn load_limits(&self, limits: &HashMap<String, usize>) {
+    pub async fn load_limits(&self, default_limit: usize, limits: &HashMap<String, usize>) {
+        let mut default_max_ips = self.default_max_ips.write().await;
+        *default_max_ips = default_limit;
+        drop(default_max_ips);
         let mut max_ips = self.max_ips.write().await;
         max_ips.clone_from(limits);
     }
@@ -114,9 +119,14 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
 
     pub async fn check_and_add(&self, username: &str, ip: IpAddr) -> Result<(), String> {
         self.maybe_compact_empty_users().await;
+        let default_max_ips = *self.default_max_ips.read().await;
         let limit = {
             let max_ips = self.max_ips.read().await;
-            max_ips.get(username).copied()
+            max_ips
+                .get(username)
+                .copied()
+                .filter(|limit| *limit > 0)
+                .or((default_max_ips > 0).then_some(default_max_ips))
         };
         let mode = *self.limit_mode.read().await;
         let window = *self.limit_window.read().await;
@@ -255,10 +265,16 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
     pub async fn get_stats(&self) -> Vec<(String, usize, usize)> {
         let active_ips = self.active_ips.read().await;
         let max_ips = self.max_ips.read().await;
+        let default_max_ips = *self.default_max_ips.read().await;
 
         let mut stats = Vec::new();
         for (username, user_ips) in active_ips.iter() {
-            let limit = max_ips.get(username).copied().unwrap_or(0);
+            let limit = max_ips
+                .get(username)
+                .copied()
+                .filter(|limit| *limit > 0)
+                .or((default_max_ips > 0).then_some(default_max_ips))
+                .unwrap_or(0);
             stats.push((username.clone(), user_ips.len(), limit));
         }
 
@@ -293,8 +309,13 @@ impl UserIpTracker {
     }
 
     pub async fn get_user_limit(&self, username: &str) -> Option<usize> {
+        let default_max_ips = *self.default_max_ips.read().await;
         let max_ips = self.max_ips.read().await;
-        max_ips.get(username).copied()
+        max_ips
+            .get(username)
+            .copied()
+            .filter(|limit| *limit > 0)
+            .or((default_max_ips > 0).then_some(default_max_ips))
     }
 
     pub async fn format_stats(&self) -> String {
@@ -546,7 +567,7 @@ mod tests {
         config_limits.insert("user1".to_string(), 5);
         config_limits.insert("user2".to_string(), 3);
 
-        tracker.load_limits(&config_limits).await;
+        tracker.load_limits(0, &config_limits).await;
 
         assert_eq!(tracker.get_user_limit("user1").await, Some(5));
         assert_eq!(tracker.get_user_limit("user2").await, Some(3));
@@ -560,16 +581,46 @@ mod tests {
         let mut first = HashMap::new();
         first.insert("user1".to_string(), 2);
         first.insert("user2".to_string(), 3);
-        tracker.load_limits(&first).await;
+        tracker.load_limits(0, &first).await;
 
         let mut second = HashMap::new();
         second.insert("user2".to_string(), 5);
-        tracker.load_limits(&second).await;
+        tracker.load_limits(0, &second).await;
 
         assert_eq!(tracker.get_user_limit("user1").await, None);
         assert_eq!(tracker.get_user_limit("user2").await, Some(5));
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_global_each_limit_applies_without_user_override() {
+        let tracker = UserIpTracker::new();
+        tracker.load_limits(2, &HashMap::new()).await;
+
+        let ip1 = test_ipv4(172, 16, 0, 1);
+        let ip2 = test_ipv4(172, 16, 0, 2);
+        let ip3 = test_ipv4(172, 16, 0, 3);
+
+        assert!(tracker.check_and_add("test_user", ip1).await.is_ok());
+        assert!(tracker.check_and_add("test_user", ip2).await.is_ok());
+        assert!(tracker.check_and_add("test_user", ip3).await.is_err());
+        assert_eq!(tracker.get_user_limit("test_user").await, Some(2));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_user_override_wins_over_global_each_limit() {
+        let tracker = UserIpTracker::new();
+        let mut limits = HashMap::new();
+        limits.insert("test_user".to_string(), 1);
+        tracker.load_limits(3, &limits).await;
+
+        let ip1 = test_ipv4(172, 17, 0, 1);
+        let ip2 = test_ipv4(172, 17, 0, 2);
+
+        assert!(tracker.check_and_add("test_user", ip1).await.is_ok());
+        assert!(tracker.check_and_add("test_user", ip2).await.is_err());
+        assert_eq!(tracker.get_user_limit("test_user").await, Some(1));
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn test_time_window_mode_blocks_recent_ip_churn() {
         let tracker = UserIpTracker::new();
diff --git a/src/maestro/helpers.rs b/src/maestro/helpers.rs
index acaecdd..78f3ec4 100644
--- a/src/maestro/helpers.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/helpers.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use std::time::Duration;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 use tokio::sync::watch;
 use tracing::{debug, error, info, warn};
@@ -9,8 +10,9 @@ use crate::transport::middle_proxy::{
     ProxyConfigData, fetch_proxy_config_with_raw, load_proxy_config_cache, save_proxy_config_cache,
 };
 
-pub(crate) fn parse_cli() -> (String, bool, Option<String>) {
+pub(crate) fn parse_cli() -> (String, Option<PathBuf>, bool, Option<String>) {
     let mut config_path = "config.toml".to_string();
+    let mut data_path: Option<PathBuf> = None;
     let mut silent = false;
     let mut log_level: Option<String> = None;
 
@@ -28,6 +30,18 @@ pub(crate) fn parse_cli() -> (String, bool, Option<String>) {
     let mut i = 0;
     while i < args.len() {
         match args[i].as_str() {
+            "--data-path" => {
+                i += 1;
+                if i < args.len() {
+                    data_path = Some(PathBuf::from(args[i].clone()));
+                } else {
+                    eprintln!("Missing value for --data-path");
+                    std::process::exit(0);
+                }
+            }
+            s if s.starts_with("--data-path=") => {
+                data_path = Some(PathBuf::from(s.trim_start_matches("--data-path=").to_string()));
+            }
             "--silent" | "-s" => {
                 silent = true;
             }
@@ -44,6 +58,7 @@ pub(crate) fn parse_cli() -> (String, bool, Option<String>) {
                 eprintln!("Usage: telemt [config.toml] [OPTIONS]");
                 eprintln!();
                 eprintln!("Options:");
+                eprintln!("  --data-path <DIR>       Set data directory (absolute path; overrides config value)");
                 eprintln!("  --silent, -s            Suppress info logs");
                 eprintln!("  --log-level <LEVEL>     debug|verbose|normal|silent");
                 eprintln!("  --help, -h              Show this help");
@@ -78,7 +93,7 @@ pub(crate) fn parse_cli() -> (String, bool, Option<String>) {
         i += 1;
     }
 
-    (config_path, silent, log_level)
+    (config_path, data_path, silent, log_level)
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn print_proxy_links(host: &str, port: u16, config: &ProxyConfig) {
diff --git a/src/maestro/me_startup.rs b/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
index 72fdd40..245c7a9 100644
--- a/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/me_startup.rs
@@ -237,6 +237,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
                     config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
                     config.general.hardswap,
                     config.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+                    config.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
                     config.general.effective_me_pool_force_close_secs(),
                     config.general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio,
                     config.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms,
diff --git a/src/maestro/mod.rs b/src/maestro/mod.rs
index 5f6c70a..047c204 100644
--- a/src/maestro/mod.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/mod.rs
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ pub async fn run() -> std::result::Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     startup_tracker
         .start_component(COMPONENT_CONFIG_LOAD, Some("load and validate config".to_string()))
         .await;
-    let (config_path, cli_silent, cli_log_level) = parse_cli();
+    let (config_path, data_path, cli_silent, cli_log_level) = parse_cli();
 
     let mut config = match ProxyConfig::load(&config_path) {
         Ok(c) => c,
@@ -80,6 +80,34 @@ pub async fn run() -> std::result::Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
         std::process::exit(1);
     }
 
+    if let Some(p) = data_path {
+        config.general.data_path = Some(p);
+    }
+
+    if let Some(ref data_path) = config.general.data_path {
+        if !data_path.is_absolute() {
+            eprintln!("[telemt] data_path must be absolute: {}", data_path.display());
+            std::process::exit(1);
+        }
+
+        if data_path.exists() {
+            if !data_path.is_dir() {
+                eprintln!("[telemt] data_path exists but is not a directory: {}", data_path.display());
+                std::process::exit(1);
+            }
+        } else {
+            if let Err(e) = std::fs::create_dir_all(data_path) {
+                eprintln!("[telemt] Can't create data_path {}: {}", data_path.display(), e);
+                std::process::exit(1);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if let Err(e) = std::env::set_current_dir(data_path) {
+            eprintln!("[telemt] Can't use data_path {}: {}", data_path.display(), e);
+            std::process::exit(1);
+        }
+    }
+
     if let Err(e) = crate::network::dns_overrides::install_entries(&config.network.dns_overrides) {
         eprintln!("[telemt] Invalid network.dns_overrides: {}", e);
         std::process::exit(1);
@@ -168,17 +196,24 @@ pub async fn run() -> std::result::Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
         stats.clone(),
     ));
     let ip_tracker = Arc::new(UserIpTracker::new());
-    ip_tracker.load_limits(&config.access.user_max_unique_ips).await;
+    ip_tracker
+        .load_limits(
+            config.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each,
+            &config.access.user_max_unique_ips,
+        )
+        .await;
     ip_tracker
         .set_limit_policy(
             config.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode,
             config.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs,
         )
         .await;
-    if !config.access.user_max_unique_ips.is_empty() {
+    if config.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each > 0 || !config.access.user_max_unique_ips.is_empty()
+    {
         info!(
-            "IP limits configured for {} users",
-            config.access.user_max_unique_ips.len()
+            global_each_limit = config.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each,
+            explicit_user_limits = config.access.user_max_unique_ips.len(),
+            "User unique IP limits configured"
         );
     }
     if !config.network.dns_overrides.is_empty() {
diff --git a/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs b/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs
index c8aa534..329e267 100644
--- a/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs
+++ b/src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs
@@ -131,6 +131,10 @@ pub(crate) async fn spawn_runtime_tasks(
     let mut config_rx_ip_limits = config_rx.clone();
     tokio::spawn(async move {
         let mut prev_limits = config_rx_ip_limits.borrow().access.user_max_unique_ips.clone();
+        let mut prev_global_each = config_rx_ip_limits
+            .borrow()
+            .access
+            .user_max_unique_ips_global_each;
         let mut prev_mode = config_rx_ip_limits.borrow().access.user_max_unique_ips_mode;
         let mut prev_window = config_rx_ip_limits
             .borrow()
@@ -143,9 +147,17 @@ pub(crate) async fn spawn_runtime_tasks(
             }
             let cfg = config_rx_ip_limits.borrow_and_update().clone();
 
-            if prev_limits != cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips {
-                ip_tracker_policy.load_limits(&cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips).await;
+            if prev_limits != cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips
+                || prev_global_each != cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each
+            {
+                ip_tracker_policy
+                    .load_limits(
+                        cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each,
+                        &cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips,
+                    )
+                    .await;
                 prev_limits = cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips.clone();
+                prev_global_each = cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each;
             }
 
             if prev_mode != cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode
diff --git a/src/metrics.rs b/src/metrics.rs
index c24dc54..02edfd7 100644
--- a/src/metrics.rs
+++ b/src/metrics.rs
@@ -1774,14 +1774,24 @@ async fn render_metrics(stats: &Stats, config: &ProxyConfig, ip_tracker: &UserIp
             "# HELP telemt_user_unique_ips_recent_window Per-user unique IPs seen in configured observation window"
         );
         let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_user_unique_ips_recent_window gauge");
-        let _ = writeln!(out, "# HELP telemt_user_unique_ips_limit Per-user configured unique IP limit (0 means unlimited)");
+        let _ = writeln!(out, "# HELP telemt_user_unique_ips_limit Effective per-user unique IP limit (0 means unlimited)");
         let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_user_unique_ips_limit gauge");
         let _ = writeln!(out, "# HELP telemt_user_unique_ips_utilization Per-user unique IP usage ratio (0 for unlimited)");
         let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_user_unique_ips_utilization gauge");
 
         for user in unique_users {
             let current = ip_counts.get(&user).copied().unwrap_or(0);
-            let limit = config.access.user_max_unique_ips.get(&user).copied().unwrap_or(0);
+            let limit = config
+                .access
+                .user_max_unique_ips
+                .get(&user)
+                .copied()
+                .filter(|limit| *limit > 0)
+                .or(
+                    (config.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each > 0)
+                        .then_some(config.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each),
+                )
+                .unwrap_or(0);
             let utilization = if limit > 0 {
                 current as f64 / limit as f64
             } else {
@@ -1904,6 +1914,25 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(output.contains("telemt_user_unique_ips_recent_window{user="));
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_render_uses_global_each_unique_ip_limit() {
+        let stats = Stats::new();
+        stats.increment_user_connects("alice");
+        stats.increment_user_curr_connects("alice");
+        let tracker = UserIpTracker::new();
+        tracker
+            .check_and_add("alice", "203.0.113.10".parse().unwrap())
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        let mut config = ProxyConfig::default();
+        config.access.user_max_unique_ips_global_each = 2;
+
+        let output = render_metrics(&stats, &config, &tracker).await;
+
+        assert!(output.contains("telemt_user_unique_ips_limit{user=\"alice\"} 2"));
+        assert!(output.contains("telemt_user_unique_ips_utilization{user=\"alice\"} 0.500000"));
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn test_render_has_type_annotations() {
         let stats = Stats::new();
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs
index 194da5b..b6a0160 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs
@@ -298,6 +298,7 @@ async fn run_update_cycle(
     pool.update_runtime_reinit_policy(
         cfg.general.hardswap,
         cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+        cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
         cfg.general.effective_me_pool_force_close_secs(),
         cfg.general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio,
         cfg.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms,
@@ -524,6 +525,7 @@ pub async fn me_config_updater(
                 pool.update_runtime_reinit_policy(
                     cfg.general.hardswap,
                     cfg.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+                    cfg.general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
                     cfg.general.effective_me_pool_force_close_secs(),
                     cfg.general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio,
                     cfg.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms,
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
index b422dc6..e5f4260 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
     let mut adaptive_idle_since: HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant> = HashMap::new();
     let mut adaptive_recover_until: HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant> = HashMap::new();
     let mut floor_warn_next_allowed: HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant> = HashMap::new();
+    let mut drain_warn_next_allowed: HashMap<u64, Instant> = HashMap::new();
     let mut degraded_interval = true;
     loop {
         let interval = if degraded_interval {
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
         };
         tokio::time::sleep(interval).await;
         pool.prune_closed_writers().await;
-        reap_draining_writers(&pool).await;
+        reap_draining_writers(&pool, &mut drain_warn_next_allowed).await;
         let v4_degraded = check_family(
             IpFamily::V4,
             &pool,
@@ -110,17 +111,81 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
     }
 }
 
-async fn reap_draining_writers(pool: &Arc<MePool>) {
+async fn reap_draining_writers(
+    pool: &Arc<MePool>,
+    warn_next_allowed: &mut HashMap<u64, Instant>,
+) {
     let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
+    let now = Instant::now();
+    let drain_ttl_secs = pool.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+    let drain_threshold = pool
+        .me_pool_drain_threshold
+        .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
     let writers = pool.writers.read().await.clone();
+    let mut draining_writers = Vec::new();
     for writer in writers {
         if !writer.draining.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed) {
             continue;
         }
-        if pool.registry.is_writer_empty(writer.id).await {
+        let is_empty = pool.registry.is_writer_empty(writer.id).await;
+        if is_empty {
             pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
             continue;
         }
+        draining_writers.push(writer);
+    }
+
+    if drain_threshold > 0 && draining_writers.len() > drain_threshold as usize {
+        draining_writers.sort_by(|left, right| {
+            let left_started = left
+                .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
+                .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+            let right_started = right
+                .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
+                .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+            left_started
+                .cmp(&right_started)
+                .then_with(|| left.created_at.cmp(&right.created_at))
+                .then_with(|| left.id.cmp(&right.id))
+        });
+        let overflow = draining_writers.len().saturating_sub(drain_threshold as usize);
+        warn!(
+            draining_writers = draining_writers.len(),
+            me_pool_drain_threshold = drain_threshold,
+            removing_writers = overflow,
+            "ME draining writer threshold exceeded, force-closing oldest draining writers"
+        );
+        for writer in draining_writers.drain(..overflow) {
+            pool.stats.increment_pool_force_close_total();
+            pool.remove_writer_and_close_clients(writer.id).await;
+        }
+    }
+
+    for writer in draining_writers {
+        let drain_started_at_epoch_secs = writer
+            .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
+            .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if drain_ttl_secs > 0
+            && drain_started_at_epoch_secs != 0
+            && now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(drain_started_at_epoch_secs) > drain_ttl_secs
+            && should_emit_writer_warn(
+                warn_next_allowed,
+                writer.id,
+                now,
+                pool.warn_rate_limit_duration(),
+            )
+        {
+            warn!(
+                writer_id = writer.id,
+                writer_dc = writer.writer_dc,
+                endpoint = %writer.addr,
+                generation = writer.generation,
+                drain_ttl_secs,
+                force_close_secs = pool.me_pool_force_close_secs.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
+                allow_drain_fallback = writer.allow_drain_fallback.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
+                "ME draining writer remains non-empty past drain TTL"
+            );
+        }
         let deadline_epoch_secs = writer
             .drain_deadline_epoch_secs
             .load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -132,6 +197,23 @@ async fn reap_draining_writers(pool: &Arc<MePool>) {
     }
 }
 
+fn should_emit_writer_warn(
+    next_allowed: &mut HashMap<u64, Instant>,
+    writer_id: u64,
+    now: Instant,
+    cooldown: Duration,
+) -> bool {
+    let Some(ready_at) = next_allowed.get(&writer_id).copied() else {
+        next_allowed.insert(writer_id, now + cooldown);
+        return true;
+    };
+    if now >= ready_at {
+        next_allowed.insert(writer_id, now + cooldown);
+        return true;
+    }
+    false
+}
+
 async fn check_family(
     family: IpFamily,
     pool: &Arc<MePool>,
@@ -1222,3 +1304,190 @@ async fn maybe_rotate_single_endpoint_shadow(
         "Single-endpoint shadow writer rotated"
     );
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use std::collections::HashMap;
+    use std::net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, SocketAddr};
+    use std::sync::Arc;
+    use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU8, AtomicU32, AtomicU64, Ordering};
+    use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+    use tokio::sync::mpsc;
+    use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
+
+    use super::reap_draining_writers;
+    use crate::config::{GeneralConfig, MeRouteNoWriterMode, MeSocksKdfPolicy, MeWriterPickMode};
+    use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
+    use crate::network::probe::NetworkDecision;
+    use crate::stats::Stats;
+    use crate::transport::middle_proxy::codec::WriterCommand;
+    use crate::transport::middle_proxy::pool::{MePool, MeWriter, WriterContour};
+    use crate::transport::middle_proxy::registry::ConnMeta;
+
+    async fn make_pool(me_pool_drain_threshold: u64) -> Arc<MePool> {
+        let general = GeneralConfig {
+            me_pool_drain_threshold,
+            ..GeneralConfig::default()
+        };
+        MePool::new(
+            None,
+            vec![1u8; 32],
+            None,
+            false,
+            None,
+            Vec::new(),
+            1,
+            None,
+            12,
+            1200,
+            HashMap::new(),
+            HashMap::new(),
+            None,
+            NetworkDecision::default(),
+            None,
+            Arc::new(SecureRandom::new()),
+            Arc::new(Stats::default()),
+            general.me_keepalive_enabled,
+            general.me_keepalive_interval_secs,
+            general.me_keepalive_jitter_secs,
+            general.me_keepalive_payload_random,
+            general.rpc_proxy_req_every,
+            general.me_warmup_stagger_enabled,
+            general.me_warmup_step_delay_ms,
+            general.me_warmup_step_jitter_ms,
+            general.me_reconnect_max_concurrent_per_dc,
+            general.me_reconnect_backoff_base_ms,
+            general.me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms,
+            general.me_reconnect_fast_retry_count,
+            general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers,
+            general.me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled,
+            general.me_single_endpoint_outage_disable_quarantine,
+            general.me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_min_ms,
+            general.me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_max_ms,
+            general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_rotate_every_secs,
+            general.me_floor_mode,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_idle_secs,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_min_writers_single_endpoint,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_min_writers_multi_endpoint,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_recover_grace_secs,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_writers_per_core_total,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+            general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
+            general.hardswap,
+            general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+            general.me_pool_drain_threshold,
+            general.effective_me_pool_force_close_secs(),
+            general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio,
+            general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms,
+            general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_max_ms,
+            general.me_hardswap_warmup_extra_passes,
+            general.me_hardswap_warmup_pass_backoff_base_ms,
+            general.me_bind_stale_mode,
+            general.me_bind_stale_ttl_secs,
+            general.me_secret_atomic_snapshot,
+            general.me_deterministic_writer_sort,
+            MeWriterPickMode::default(),
+            general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
+            MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
+            general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+            general.me_route_channel_capacity,
+            general.me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms,
+            general.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms,
+            general.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct,
+            general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms,
+            general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy,
+            general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy,
+            general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms,
+            MeRouteNoWriterMode::default(),
+            general.me_route_no_writer_wait_ms,
+            general.me_route_inline_recovery_attempts,
+            general.me_route_inline_recovery_wait_ms,
+        )
+    }
+
+    async fn insert_draining_writer(
+        pool: &Arc<MePool>,
+        writer_id: u64,
+        drain_started_at_epoch_secs: u64,
+    ) -> u64 {
+        let (conn_id, _rx) = pool.registry.register().await;
+        let (tx, _writer_rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+        let writer = MeWriter {
+            id: writer_id,
+            addr: SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 4000 + writer_id as u16),
+            source_ip: IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST),
+            writer_dc: 2,
+            generation: 1,
+            contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Draining.as_u8())),
+            created_at: Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(writer_id),
+            tx: tx.clone(),
+            cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
+            degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
+            rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
+            draining: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(true)),
+            draining_started_at_epoch_secs: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(drain_started_at_epoch_secs)),
+            drain_deadline_epoch_secs: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
+            allow_drain_fallback: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
+        };
+        pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
+        pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+        pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        assert!(
+            pool.registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_id,
+                    writer_id,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr: SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 6000),
+                        our_addr: SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443),
+                        proto_flags: 0,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+        conn_id
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn reap_draining_writers_force_closes_oldest_over_threshold() {
+        let pool = make_pool(2).await;
+        let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
+        let conn_a = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 10, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(30)).await;
+        let conn_b = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 20, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20)).await;
+        let conn_c = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 30, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(10)).await;
+        let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
+
+        reap_draining_writers(&pool, &mut warn_next_allowed).await;
+
+        let writer_ids: Vec<u64> = pool.writers.read().await.iter().map(|writer| writer.id).collect();
+        assert_eq!(writer_ids, vec![20, 30]);
+        assert!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_a).await.is_none());
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_b).await.unwrap().writer_id, 20);
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_c).await.unwrap().writer_id, 30);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn reap_draining_writers_keeps_timeout_only_behavior_when_threshold_disabled() {
+        let pool = make_pool(0).await;
+        let now_epoch_secs = MePool::now_epoch_secs();
+        let conn_a = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 10, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(30)).await;
+        let conn_b = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 20, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(20)).await;
+        let conn_c = insert_draining_writer(&pool, 30, now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(10)).await;
+        let mut warn_next_allowed = HashMap::new();
+
+        reap_draining_writers(&pool, &mut warn_next_allowed).await;
+
+        let writer_ids: Vec<u64> = pool.writers.read().await.iter().map(|writer| writer.id).collect();
+        assert_eq!(writer_ids, vec![10, 20, 30]);
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_a).await.unwrap().writer_id, 10);
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_b).await.unwrap().writer_id, 20);
+        assert_eq!(pool.registry.get_writer(conn_c).await.unwrap().writer_id, 30);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
index 42cba81..2a65160 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs
@@ -171,6 +171,7 @@ pub struct MePool {
     pub(super) endpoint_quarantine: Arc<Mutex<HashMap<SocketAddr, Instant>>>,
     pub(super) kdf_material_fingerprint: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<SocketAddr, (u64, u16)>>>,
     pub(super) me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_pool_drain_threshold: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) me_pool_force_close_secs: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) me_pool_min_fresh_ratio_permille: AtomicU32,
     pub(super) me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms: AtomicU64,
@@ -271,6 +272,7 @@ impl MePool {
         me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
         hardswap: bool,
         me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: u64,
+        me_pool_drain_threshold: u64,
         me_pool_force_close_secs: u64,
         me_pool_min_fresh_ratio: f32,
         me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms: u64,
@@ -446,6 +448,7 @@ impl MePool {
             endpoint_quarantine: Arc::new(Mutex::new(HashMap::new())),
             kdf_material_fingerprint: Arc::new(RwLock::new(HashMap::new())),
             me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: AtomicU64::new(me_pool_drain_ttl_secs),
+            me_pool_drain_threshold: AtomicU64::new(me_pool_drain_threshold),
             me_pool_force_close_secs: AtomicU64::new(me_pool_force_close_secs),
             me_pool_min_fresh_ratio_permille: AtomicU32::new(Self::ratio_to_permille(
                 me_pool_min_fresh_ratio,
@@ -492,6 +495,7 @@ impl MePool {
         &self,
         hardswap: bool,
         drain_ttl_secs: u64,
+        pool_drain_threshold: u64,
         force_close_secs: u64,
         min_fresh_ratio: f32,
         hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms: u64,
@@ -530,6 +534,8 @@ impl MePool {
         self.hardswap.store(hardswap, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs
             .store(drain_ttl_secs, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_pool_drain_threshold
+            .store(pool_drain_threshold, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_pool_force_close_secs
             .store(force_close_secs, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio_permille
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs
index 6673cf2..99070a8 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiWriterStatusSnapshot {
     pub bound_clients: usize,
     pub idle_for_secs: Option<u64>,
     pub rtt_ema_ms: Option<f64>,
+    pub matches_active_generation: bool,
+    pub in_desired_map: bool,
+    pub allow_drain_fallback: bool,
+    pub drain_started_at_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    pub drain_deadline_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    pub drain_over_ttl: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -35,6 +41,8 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiDcStatusSnapshot {
     pub floor_capped: bool,
     pub alive_writers: usize,
     pub coverage_pct: f64,
+    pub fresh_alive_writers: usize,
+    pub fresh_coverage_pct: f64,
     pub rtt_ms: Option<f64>,
     pub load: usize,
 }
@@ -55,6 +63,8 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiStatusSnapshot {
     pub required_writers: usize,
     pub alive_writers: usize,
     pub coverage_pct: f64,
+    pub fresh_alive_writers: usize,
+    pub fresh_coverage_pct: f64,
     pub writers: Vec<MeApiWriterStatusSnapshot>,
     pub dcs: Vec<MeApiDcStatusSnapshot>,
 }
@@ -213,6 +223,8 @@ impl MePool {
 
     pub(crate) async fn api_status_snapshot(&self) -> MeApiStatusSnapshot {
         let now_epoch_secs = Self::now_epoch_secs();
+        let active_generation = self.current_generation();
+        let drain_ttl_secs = self.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
 
         let mut endpoints_by_dc = BTreeMap::<i16, BTreeSet<SocketAddr>>::new();
         if self.decision.ipv4_me {
@@ -239,6 +251,7 @@ impl MePool {
 
         let mut live_writers_by_dc_endpoint = HashMap::<(i16, SocketAddr), usize>::new();
         let mut live_writers_by_dc = HashMap::<i16, usize>::new();
+        let mut fresh_writers_by_dc = HashMap::<i16, usize>::new();
         let mut dc_rtt_agg = HashMap::<i16, (f64, u64)>::new();
         let mut writer_rows = Vec::<MeApiWriterStatusSnapshot>::with_capacity(writers.len());
 
@@ -247,6 +260,10 @@ impl MePool {
             let dc = i16::try_from(writer.writer_dc).ok();
             let draining = writer.draining.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
             let degraded = writer.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+            let matches_active_generation = writer.generation == active_generation;
+            let in_desired_map = dc
+                .and_then(|dc_idx| endpoints_by_dc.get(&dc_idx))
+                .is_some_and(|endpoints| endpoints.contains(&endpoint));
             let bound_clients = activity
                 .bound_clients_by_writer
                 .get(&writer.id)
@@ -256,6 +273,21 @@ impl MePool {
                 .get(&writer.id)
                 .map(|idle_ts| now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(*idle_ts));
             let rtt_ema_ms = rtt.get(&writer.id).map(|(_, ema)| *ema);
+            let allow_drain_fallback = writer.allow_drain_fallback.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+            let drain_started_at_epoch_secs = writer
+                .draining_started_at_epoch_secs
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+            let drain_deadline_epoch_secs = writer
+                .drain_deadline_epoch_secs
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+            let drain_started_at_epoch_secs =
+                (drain_started_at_epoch_secs != 0).then_some(drain_started_at_epoch_secs);
+            let drain_deadline_epoch_secs =
+                (drain_deadline_epoch_secs != 0).then_some(drain_deadline_epoch_secs);
+            let drain_over_ttl = draining
+                && drain_ttl_secs > 0
+                && drain_started_at_epoch_secs
+                    .is_some_and(|started| now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(started) > drain_ttl_secs);
             let state = match WriterContour::from_u8(writer.contour.load(Ordering::Relaxed)) {
                 WriterContour::Warm => "warm",
                 WriterContour::Active => "active",
@@ -273,6 +305,9 @@ impl MePool {
                         entry.0 += ema_ms;
                         entry.1 += 1;
                     }
+                    if matches_active_generation && in_desired_map {
+                        *fresh_writers_by_dc.entry(dc_idx).or_insert(0) += 1;
+                    }
                 }
             }
 
@@ -287,6 +322,12 @@ impl MePool {
                 bound_clients,
                 idle_for_secs,
                 rtt_ema_ms,
+                matches_active_generation,
+                in_desired_map,
+                allow_drain_fallback,
+                drain_started_at_epoch_secs,
+                drain_deadline_epoch_secs,
+                drain_over_ttl,
             });
         }
 
@@ -295,6 +336,7 @@ impl MePool {
         let mut dcs = Vec::<MeApiDcStatusSnapshot>::with_capacity(endpoints_by_dc.len());
         let mut available_endpoints = 0usize;
         let mut alive_writers = 0usize;
+        let mut fresh_alive_writers = 0usize;
         let floor_mode = self.floor_mode();
         let adaptive_cpu_cores = (self
             .me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective
@@ -333,6 +375,7 @@ impl MePool {
             let floor_capped = matches!(floor_mode, MeFloorMode::Adaptive)
                 && dc_required_writers < base_required;
             let dc_alive_writers = live_writers_by_dc.get(&dc).copied().unwrap_or(0);
+            let dc_fresh_alive_writers = fresh_writers_by_dc.get(&dc).copied().unwrap_or(0);
             let dc_load = activity
                 .active_sessions_by_target_dc
                 .get(&dc)
@@ -344,6 +387,7 @@ impl MePool {
 
             available_endpoints += dc_available_endpoints;
             alive_writers += dc_alive_writers;
+            fresh_alive_writers += dc_fresh_alive_writers;
 
             dcs.push(MeApiDcStatusSnapshot {
                 dc,
@@ -367,6 +411,8 @@ impl MePool {
                 floor_capped,
                 alive_writers: dc_alive_writers,
                 coverage_pct: ratio_pct(dc_alive_writers, dc_required_writers),
+                fresh_alive_writers: dc_fresh_alive_writers,
+                fresh_coverage_pct: ratio_pct(dc_fresh_alive_writers, dc_required_writers),
                 rtt_ms: dc_rtt_ms,
                 load: dc_load,
             });
@@ -381,6 +427,8 @@ impl MePool {
             required_writers,
             alive_writers,
             coverage_pct: ratio_pct(alive_writers, required_writers),
+            fresh_alive_writers,
+            fresh_coverage_pct: ratio_pct(fresh_alive_writers, required_writers),
             writers: writer_rows,
             dcs,
         }
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs
index 64fb700..8ce3de3 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs
@@ -178,6 +178,7 @@ impl MePool {
             allow_drain_fallback: allow_drain_fallback.clone(),
         };
         self.writers.write().await.push(writer.clone());
+        self.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx.clone()).await;
         self.registry.mark_writer_idle(writer_id).await;
         self.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.writer_available.notify_one();
@@ -414,9 +415,15 @@ impl MePool {
                 };
 
                 let (conn_id, mut service_rx) = pool.registry.register().await;
-                pool.registry
-                    .bind_writer(conn_id, writer_id, tx_signal.clone(), meta.clone())
-                    .await;
+                if !pool
+                    .registry
+                    .bind_writer(conn_id, writer_id, meta.clone())
+                    .await
+                {
+                    let _ = pool.registry.unregister(conn_id).await;
+                    stats_signal.increment_me_rpc_proxy_req_signal_skipped_no_meta_total();
+                    continue;
+                }
 
                 let payload = build_proxy_req_payload(
                     conn_id,
@@ -521,6 +528,12 @@ impl MePool {
                 self.conn_count.fetch_sub(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
             }
         }
+        let conns = self.registry.writer_lost(writer_id).await;
+        {
+            let mut tracker = self.ping_tracker.lock().await;
+            tracker.retain(|_, (_, wid)| *wid != writer_id);
+        }
+        self.rtt_stats.lock().await.remove(&writer_id);
         if let Some(tx) = close_tx {
             let _ = tx.send(WriterCommand::Close).await;
         }
@@ -533,8 +546,7 @@ impl MePool {
             }
             self.trigger_immediate_refill_for_dc(addr, writer_dc);
         }
-        self.rtt_stats.lock().await.remove(&writer_id);
-        self.registry.writer_lost(writer_id).await
+        conns
     }
 
     pub(crate) async fn mark_writer_draining_with_timeout(
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs
index ee04969..cc3028b 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs
@@ -138,6 +138,15 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
         (id, rx)
     }
 
+    pub async fn register_writer(&self, writer_id: u64, tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>) {
+        let mut inner = self.inner.write().await;
+        inner.writers.insert(writer_id, tx);
+        inner
+            .conns_for_writer
+            .entry(writer_id)
+            .or_insert_with(HashSet::new);
+    }
+
     /// Unregister connection, returning associated writer_id if any.
     pub async fn unregister(&self, id: u64) -> Option<u64> {
         let mut inner = self.inner.write().await;
@@ -282,24 +291,39 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
         }
     }
 
-    pub async fn bind_writer(
-        &self,
-        conn_id: u64,
-        writer_id: u64,
-        tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>,
-        meta: ConnMeta,
-    ) {
+    pub async fn bind_writer(&self, conn_id: u64, writer_id: u64, meta: ConnMeta) -> bool {
         let mut inner = self.inner.write().await;
-        inner.meta.entry(conn_id).or_insert(meta.clone());
-        inner.writer_for_conn.insert(conn_id, writer_id);
+        if !inner.writers.contains_key(&writer_id) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        let previous_writer_id = inner.writer_for_conn.insert(conn_id, writer_id);
+        if let Some(previous_writer_id) = previous_writer_id
+            && previous_writer_id != writer_id
+        {
+            let became_empty = if let Some(set) = inner.conns_for_writer.get_mut(&previous_writer_id)
+            {
+                set.remove(&conn_id);
+                set.is_empty()
+            } else {
+                false
+            };
+            if became_empty {
+                inner
+                    .writer_idle_since_epoch_secs
+                    .insert(previous_writer_id, Self::now_epoch_secs());
+            }
+        }
+
+        inner.meta.insert(conn_id, meta.clone());
         inner.last_meta_for_writer.insert(writer_id, meta);
         inner.writer_idle_since_epoch_secs.remove(&writer_id);
-        inner.writers.entry(writer_id).or_insert_with(|| tx.clone());
         inner
             .conns_for_writer
             .entry(writer_id)
             .or_insert_with(HashSet::new)
             .insert(conn_id);
+        true
     }
 
     pub async fn mark_writer_idle(&self, writer_id: u64) {
@@ -384,6 +408,9 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
 
         let mut out = Vec::new();
         for conn_id in conns {
+            if inner.writer_for_conn.get(&conn_id).copied() != Some(writer_id) {
+                continue;
+            }
             inner.writer_for_conn.remove(&conn_id);
             if let Some(m) = inner.meta.get(&conn_id) {
                 out.push(BoundConn {
@@ -427,47 +454,52 @@ mod tests {
         let (conn_c, _rx_c) = registry.register().await;
         let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
         let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
+        registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a.clone()).await;
+        registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b.clone()).await;
 
         let addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
-        registry
-            .bind_writer(
-                conn_a,
-                10,
-                writer_tx_a.clone(),
-                ConnMeta {
-                    target_dc: 2,
-                    client_addr: addr,
-                    our_addr: addr,
-                    proto_flags: 0,
-                },
-            )
-            .await;
-        registry
-            .bind_writer(
-                conn_b,
-                10,
-                writer_tx_a,
-                ConnMeta {
-                    target_dc: -2,
-                    client_addr: addr,
-                    our_addr: addr,
-                    proto_flags: 0,
-                },
-            )
-            .await;
-        registry
-            .bind_writer(
-                conn_c,
-                20,
-                writer_tx_b,
-                ConnMeta {
-                    target_dc: 4,
-                    client_addr: addr,
-                    our_addr: addr,
-                    proto_flags: 0,
-                },
-            )
-            .await;
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_a,
+                    10,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr: addr,
+                        our_addr: addr,
+                        proto_flags: 0,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_b,
+                    10,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: -2,
+                        client_addr: addr,
+                        our_addr: addr,
+                        proto_flags: 0,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_c,
+                    20,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 4,
+                        client_addr: addr,
+                        our_addr: addr,
+                        proto_flags: 0,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
 
         let snapshot = registry.writer_activity_snapshot().await;
         assert_eq!(snapshot.bound_clients_by_writer.get(&10), Some(&2));
@@ -476,4 +508,130 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(snapshot.active_sessions_by_target_dc.get(&-2), Some(&1));
         assert_eq!(snapshot.active_sessions_by_target_dc.get(&4), Some(&1));
     }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn bind_writer_rebinds_conn_atomically() {
+        let registry = ConnRegistry::new();
+        let (conn_id, _rx) = registry.register().await;
+        let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
+        let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
+        registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a).await;
+        registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b).await;
+
+        let client_addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
+        let first_our_addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(1, 1, 1, 1)), 443);
+        let second_our_addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(2, 2, 2, 2)), 443);
+
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_id,
+                    10,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr,
+                        our_addr: first_our_addr,
+                        proto_flags: 1,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_id,
+                    20,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr,
+                        our_addr: second_our_addr,
+                        proto_flags: 2,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+
+        let writer = registry.get_writer(conn_id).await.expect("writer binding");
+        assert_eq!(writer.writer_id, 20);
+
+        let meta = registry.get_meta(conn_id).await.expect("conn meta");
+        assert_eq!(meta.our_addr, second_our_addr);
+        assert_eq!(meta.proto_flags, 2);
+
+        let snapshot = registry.writer_activity_snapshot().await;
+        assert_eq!(snapshot.bound_clients_by_writer.get(&10), Some(&0));
+        assert_eq!(snapshot.bound_clients_by_writer.get(&20), Some(&1));
+        assert!(registry.writer_idle_since_snapshot().await.contains_key(&10));
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn writer_lost_does_not_drop_rebound_conn() {
+        let registry = ConnRegistry::new();
+        let (conn_id, _rx) = registry.register().await;
+        let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
+        let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
+        registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a).await;
+        registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b).await;
+
+        let addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_id,
+                    10,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr: addr,
+                        our_addr: addr,
+                        proto_flags: 0,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+        assert!(
+            registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_id,
+                    20,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr: addr,
+                        our_addr: addr,
+                        proto_flags: 1,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+
+        let lost = registry.writer_lost(10).await;
+        assert!(lost.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(registry.get_writer(conn_id).await.expect("writer").writer_id, 20);
+
+        let removed_writer = registry.unregister(conn_id).await;
+        assert_eq!(removed_writer, Some(20));
+        assert!(registry.is_writer_empty(20).await);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn bind_writer_rejects_unregistered_writer() {
+        let registry = ConnRegistry::new();
+        let (conn_id, _rx) = registry.register().await;
+        let addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
+
+        assert!(
+            !registry
+                .bind_writer(
+                    conn_id,
+                    10,
+                    ConnMeta {
+                        target_dc: 2,
+                        client_addr: addr,
+                        our_addr: addr,
+                        proto_flags: 0,
+                    },
+                )
+                .await
+        );
+        assert!(registry.get_writer(conn_id).await.is_none());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/transport/middle_proxy/send.rs b/src/transport/middle_proxy/send.rs
index f63662b..0f9fed6 100644
--- a/src/transport/middle_proxy/send.rs
+++ b/src/transport/middle_proxy/send.rs
@@ -375,9 +375,14 @@ impl MePool {
                 match w.tx.try_send(WriterCommand::Data(payload.clone())) {
                     Ok(()) => {
                         self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_success_try_total(pick_mode);
-                        self.registry
-                            .bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, w.tx.clone(), meta)
-                            .await;
+                        if !self.registry.bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, meta).await {
+                            debug!(
+                                conn_id,
+                                writer_id = w.id,
+                                "ME writer disappeared before bind commit, retrying"
+                            );
+                            continue;
+                        }
                         if w.generation < self.current_generation() {
                             self.stats.increment_pool_stale_pick_total();
                             debug!(
@@ -421,9 +426,14 @@ impl MePool {
                 Ok(()) => {
                     self.stats
                         .increment_me_writer_pick_success_fallback_total(pick_mode);
-                    self.registry
-                        .bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, w.tx.clone(), meta)
-                        .await;
+                    if !self.registry.bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, meta).await {
+                        debug!(
+                            conn_id,
+                            writer_id = w.id,
+                            "ME writer disappeared before fallback bind commit, retrying"
+                        );
+                        continue;
+                    }
                     if w.generation < self.current_generation() {
                         self.stats.increment_pool_stale_pick_total();
                     }