API Defaults: merge pull request #388 from telemt/api-defaults

API Defaults

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "telemt"
-version = "3.3.8"
+version = "3.3.15"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]

README.md

@@ -104,28 +104,19 @@ We welcome ideas, architectural feedback, and pull requests.
 - Extensive logging via `trace` and `debug` with `RUST_LOG` method
 
 # GOTO
-- [Telemt - MTProxy on Rust + Tokio](#telemt---mtproxy-on-rust--tokio)
-  - [NEWS and EMERGENCY](#news-and-emergency)
-    - [✈️ Telemt 3 is released!](#️-telemt-3-is-released)
-    - [🇷🇺 RU](#-ru)
-      - [Релиз 3.3.5 LTS - 6 марта](#релиз-335-lts---6-марта)
-    - [🇬🇧 EN](#-en)
-      - [Release 3.3.5 LTS - March 6](#release-335-lts---march-6)
-- [Features](#features)
-- [GOTO](#goto)
-  - [Quick Start Guide](#quick-start-guide)
-  - [FAQ](#faq)
-    - [Recognizability for DPI and crawler](#recognizability-for-dpi-and-crawler)
-      - [Client WITH secret-key accesses the MTProxy resource:](#client-with-secret-key-accesses-the-mtproxy-resource)
-      - [Client WITHOUT secret-key gets transparent access to the specified resource:](#client-without-secret-key-gets-transparent-access-to-the-specified-resource)
-    - [Telegram Calls via MTProxy](#telegram-calls-via-mtproxy)
-    - [How does DPI see MTProxy TLS?](#how-does-dpi-see-mtproxy-tls)
-    - [Whitelist on IP](#whitelist-on-ip)
-    - [Too many open files](#too-many-open-files)
-  - [Build](#build)
-  - [Why Rust?](#why-rust)
-  - [Issues](#issues)
-  - [Roadmap](#roadmap)
+- [Quick Start Guide](#quick-start-guide)
+- [FAQ](#faq)
+  - [Recognizability for DPI and crawler](#recognizability-for-dpi-and-crawler)
+    - [Client WITH secret-key accesses the MTProxy resource:](#client-with-secret-key-accesses-the-mtproxy-resource)
+    - [Client WITHOUT secret-key gets transparent access to the specified resource:](#client-without-secret-key-gets-transparent-access-to-the-specified-resource)
+  - [Telegram Calls via MTProxy](#telegram-calls-via-mtproxy)
+  - [How does DPI see MTProxy TLS?](#how-does-dpi-see-mtproxy-tls)
+  - [Whitelist on IP](#whitelist-on-ip)
+  - [Too many open files](#too-many-open-files)
+- [Build](#build)
+- [Why Rust?](#why-rust)
+- [Issues](#issues)
+- [Roadmap](#roadmap)
 
 
 ## Quick Start Guide

config.toml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 # === General Settings ===
 [general]
-use_middle_proxy = false
+use_middle_proxy = true
 # Global ad_tag fallback when user has no per-user tag in [access.user_ad_tags]
 # ad_tag = "00000000000000000000000000000000"
 # Per-user ad_tag in [access.user_ad_tags] (32 hex from @MTProxybot)

docs/API.md

@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ Notes:
 | `GET` | `/v1/health` | none | `200` | `HealthData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/system/info` | none | `200` | `SystemInfoData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/runtime/gates` | none | `200` | `RuntimeGatesData` |
+| `GET` | `/v1/runtime/initialization` | none | `200` | `RuntimeInitializationData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/limits/effective` | none | `200` | `EffectiveLimitsData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/security/posture` | none | `200` | `SecurityPostureData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/security/whitelist` | none | `200` | `SecurityWhitelistData` |
@@ -98,6 +99,7 @@ Notes:
 | `GET` | `/v1/runtime/me_quality` | none | `200` | `RuntimeMeQualityData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/runtime/upstream_quality` | none | `200` | `RuntimeUpstreamQualityData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/runtime/nat_stun` | none | `200` | `RuntimeNatStunData` |
+| `GET` | `/v1/runtime/me-selftest` | none | `200` | `RuntimeMeSelftestData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/runtime/connections/summary` | none | `200` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionsSummaryData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/runtime/events/recent` | none | `200` | `RuntimeEdgeEventsData` |
 | `GET` | `/v1/stats/users` | none | `200` | `UserInfo[]` |
@@ -147,6 +149,12 @@ Notes:
 - `PATCH` updates only provided fields and does not support explicit clearing of optional fields.
 - `If-Match` supports both quoted and unquoted values; surrounding whitespace is trimmed.
 
+## Query Parameters
+
+| Endpoint | Query | Behavior |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `GET /v1/runtime/events/recent` | `limit=<usize>` | Optional. Invalid/missing value falls back to default `50`. Effective value is clamped to `[1, 1000]` and additionally bounded by ring-buffer capacity. |
+
 ## Request Contracts
 
 ### `CreateUserRequest`
@@ -219,6 +227,45 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | `me_runtime_ready` | `bool` | Current ME runtime readiness status used for conditional gate decisions. |
 | `me2dc_fallback_enabled` | `bool` | Whether ME -> direct fallback is enabled. |
 | `use_middle_proxy` | `bool` | Current transport mode preference. |
+| `startup_status` | `string` | Startup status (`pending`, `initializing`, `ready`, `failed`, `skipped`). |
+| `startup_stage` | `string` | Current startup stage identifier. |
+| `startup_progress_pct` | `f64` | Startup progress percentage (`0..100`). |
+
+### `RuntimeInitializationData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `status` | `string` | Startup status (`pending`, `initializing`, `ready`, `failed`, `skipped`). |
+| `degraded` | `bool` | Whether runtime is currently in degraded mode. |
+| `current_stage` | `string` | Current startup stage identifier. |
+| `progress_pct` | `f64` | Overall startup progress percentage (`0..100`). |
+| `started_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Process start timestamp (Unix seconds). |
+| `ready_at_epoch_secs` | `u64?` | Timestamp when startup reached ready state; absent until ready. |
+| `total_elapsed_ms` | `u64` | Elapsed startup duration in milliseconds. |
+| `transport_mode` | `string` | Startup transport mode (`middle_proxy` or `direct`). |
+| `me` | `RuntimeInitializationMeData` | ME startup substate snapshot. |
+| `components` | `RuntimeInitializationComponentData[]` | Per-component startup timeline and status. |
+
+#### `RuntimeInitializationMeData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `status` | `string` | ME startup status (`pending`, `initializing`, `ready`, `failed`, `skipped`). |
+| `current_stage` | `string` | Current ME startup stage identifier. |
+| `progress_pct` | `f64` | ME startup progress percentage (`0..100`). |
+| `init_attempt` | `u32` | Current ME init attempt counter. |
+| `retry_limit` | `string` | Retry limit (`"unlimited"` or numeric string). |
+| `last_error` | `string?` | Last ME initialization error text when present. |
+
+#### `RuntimeInitializationComponentData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `id` | `string` | Startup component identifier. |
+| `title` | `string` | Human-readable component title. |
+| `status` | `string` | Component status (`pending`, `running`, `ready`, `failed`, `skipped`). |
+| `started_at_epoch_ms` | `u64?` | Component start timestamp in Unix milliseconds. |
+| `finished_at_epoch_ms` | `u64?` | Component finish timestamp in Unix milliseconds. |
+| `duration_ms` | `u64?` | Component duration in milliseconds. |
+| `attempts` | `u32` | Attempt counter for this component. |
+| `details` | `string?` | Optional short status details text. |
 
 ### `EffectiveLimitsData`
 | Field | Type | Description |
@@ -256,11 +303,22 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | `floor_mode` | `string` | Effective floor mode (`static` or `adaptive`). |
 | `adaptive_floor_idle_secs` | `u64` | Adaptive floor idle threshold. |
 | `adaptive_floor_min_writers_single_endpoint` | `u8` | Adaptive floor minimum for single-endpoint DCs. |
+| `adaptive_floor_min_writers_multi_endpoint` | `u8` | Adaptive floor minimum for multi-endpoint DCs. |
 | `adaptive_floor_recover_grace_secs` | `u64` | Adaptive floor recovery grace period. |
+| `adaptive_floor_writers_per_core_total` | `u16` | Target total writers-per-core budget in adaptive mode. |
+| `adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override` | `u16` | Manual CPU core override (`0` means auto-detect). |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core` | `u16` | Extra per-core adaptive headroom for single-endpoint DCs. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core` | `u16` | Extra per-core adaptive headroom for multi-endpoint DCs. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core` | `u16` | Active writer cap per CPU core. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core` | `u16` | Warm writer cap per CPU core. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global` | `u32` | Global active writer cap. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global` | `u32` | Global warm writer cap. |
 | `reconnect_max_concurrent_per_dc` | `u32` | Max concurrent reconnects per DC. |
 | `reconnect_backoff_base_ms` | `u64` | Reconnect base backoff. |
 | `reconnect_backoff_cap_ms` | `u64` | Reconnect backoff cap. |
 | `reconnect_fast_retry_count` | `u32` | Number of fast retries before standard backoff strategy. |
+| `writer_pick_mode` | `string` | Writer picker mode (`sorted_rr`, `p2c`). |
+| `writer_pick_sample_size` | `u8` | Candidate sample size for `p2c` picker mode. |
 | `me2dc_fallback` | `bool` | Effective ME -> direct fallback flag. |
 
 #### `EffectiveUserIpPolicyLimits`
@@ -290,16 +348,353 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | `entries_total` | `usize` | Number of whitelist CIDR entries. |
 | `entries` | `string[]` | Whitelist CIDR entries as strings. |
 
-### Runtime Min Endpoints
-- `/v1/runtime/me_pool_state`: generations, hardswap state, writer contour/health counts, refill inflight snapshot.
-- `/v1/runtime/me_quality`: ME error/drift/reconnect counters and per-DC RTT coverage snapshot.
-- `/v1/runtime/upstream_quality`: upstream runtime policy, connect counters, health summary and per-upstream DC latency/IP preference.
-- `/v1/runtime/nat_stun`: NAT/STUN runtime flags, server lists, reflection cache state and backoff remaining.
+### `RuntimeMePoolStateData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Runtime payload availability. |
+| `reason` | `string?` | `source_unavailable` when ME pool snapshot is unavailable. |
+| `generated_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Snapshot generation timestamp. |
+| `data` | `RuntimeMePoolStatePayload?` | Null when unavailable. |
 
-### Runtime Edge Endpoints
-- `/v1/runtime/connections/summary`: cached connection totals (`total/me/direct`), active users and top-N users by connections/traffic.
-- `/v1/runtime/events/recent?limit=N`: bounded control-plane ring-buffer events (`limit` clamped to `[1, 1000]`).
-- If `server.api.runtime_edge_enabled=false`, runtime edge endpoints return `enabled=false` with `reason=feature_disabled`.
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStatePayload`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `generations` | `RuntimeMePoolStateGenerationData` | Active/warm/pending/draining generation snapshot. |
+| `hardswap` | `RuntimeMePoolStateHardswapData` | Hardswap state flags. |
+| `writers` | `RuntimeMePoolStateWriterData` | Writer total/contour/health counters. |
+| `refill` | `RuntimeMePoolStateRefillData` | In-flight refill counters by DC/family. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStateGenerationData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `active_generation` | `u64` | Active pool generation id. |
+| `warm_generation` | `u64` | Warm pool generation id. |
+| `pending_hardswap_generation` | `u64` | Pending hardswap generation id (`0` when none). |
+| `pending_hardswap_age_secs` | `u64?` | Age of pending hardswap generation in seconds. |
+| `draining_generations` | `u64[]` | Distinct generation ids currently draining. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStateHardswapData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Hardswap feature toggle. |
+| `pending` | `bool` | `true` when pending generation is non-zero. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStateWriterData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `total` | `usize` | Total writer rows in snapshot. |
+| `alive_non_draining` | `usize` | Alive writers excluding draining ones. |
+| `draining` | `usize` | Writers marked draining. |
+| `degraded` | `usize` | Non-draining degraded writers. |
+| `contour` | `RuntimeMePoolStateWriterContourData` | Counts by contour state. |
+| `health` | `RuntimeMePoolStateWriterHealthData` | Counts by health bucket. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStateWriterContourData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `warm` | `usize` | Writers in warm contour. |
+| `active` | `usize` | Writers in active contour. |
+| `draining` | `usize` | Writers in draining contour. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStateWriterHealthData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `healthy` | `usize` | Non-draining non-degraded writers. |
+| `degraded` | `usize` | Non-draining degraded writers. |
+| `draining` | `usize` | Draining writers. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStateRefillData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `inflight_endpoints_total` | `usize` | Total in-flight endpoint refill operations. |
+| `inflight_dc_total` | `usize` | Number of distinct DC+family keys with refill in flight. |
+| `by_dc` | `RuntimeMePoolStateRefillDcData[]` | Per-DC refill rows. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMePoolStateRefillDcData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `dc` | `i16` | Telegram DC id. |
+| `family` | `string` | Address family label (`V4`, `V6`). |
+| `inflight` | `usize` | In-flight refill operations for this row. |
+
+### `RuntimeMeQualityData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Runtime payload availability. |
+| `reason` | `string?` | `source_unavailable` when ME pool snapshot is unavailable. |
+| `generated_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Snapshot generation timestamp. |
+| `data` | `RuntimeMeQualityPayload?` | Null when unavailable. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeQualityPayload`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `counters` | `RuntimeMeQualityCountersData` | Key ME lifecycle/error counters. |
+| `route_drops` | `RuntimeMeQualityRouteDropData` | Route drop counters by reason. |
+| `dc_rtt` | `RuntimeMeQualityDcRttData[]` | Per-DC RTT and writer coverage rows. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeQualityCountersData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `idle_close_by_peer_total` | `u64` | Peer-initiated idle closes. |
+| `reader_eof_total` | `u64` | Reader EOF events. |
+| `kdf_drift_total` | `u64` | KDF drift detections. |
+| `kdf_port_only_drift_total` | `u64` | KDF port-only drift detections. |
+| `reconnect_attempt_total` | `u64` | Reconnect attempts. |
+| `reconnect_success_total` | `u64` | Successful reconnects. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeQualityRouteDropData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `no_conn_total` | `u64` | Route drops with no connection mapping. |
+| `channel_closed_total` | `u64` | Route drops because destination channel is closed. |
+| `queue_full_total` | `u64` | Route drops due queue backpressure (aggregate). |
+| `queue_full_base_total` | `u64` | Route drops in base-queue path. |
+| `queue_full_high_total` | `u64` | Route drops in high-priority queue path. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeQualityDcRttData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `dc` | `i16` | Telegram DC id. |
+| `rtt_ema_ms` | `f64?` | RTT EMA for this DC. |
+| `alive_writers` | `usize` | Alive writers currently mapped to this DC. |
+| `required_writers` | `usize` | Target writer floor for this DC. |
+| `coverage_pct` | `f64` | `alive_writers / required_writers * 100`. |
+
+### `RuntimeUpstreamQualityData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Runtime payload availability. |
+| `reason` | `string?` | `source_unavailable` when upstream runtime snapshot is unavailable. |
+| `generated_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Snapshot generation timestamp. |
+| `policy` | `RuntimeUpstreamQualityPolicyData` | Effective upstream policy values. |
+| `counters` | `RuntimeUpstreamQualityCountersData` | Upstream connect counters. |
+| `summary` | `RuntimeUpstreamQualitySummaryData?` | Aggregate runtime health summary. |
+| `upstreams` | `RuntimeUpstreamQualityUpstreamData[]?` | Per-upstream runtime rows. |
+
+#### `RuntimeUpstreamQualityPolicyData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `connect_retry_attempts` | `u32` | Upstream connect retry attempts. |
+| `connect_retry_backoff_ms` | `u64` | Upstream retry backoff delay. |
+| `connect_budget_ms` | `u64` | Total connect wall-clock budget. |
+| `unhealthy_fail_threshold` | `u32` | Consecutive fail threshold for unhealthy marking. |
+| `connect_failfast_hard_errors` | `bool` | Whether hard errors skip retries. |
+
+#### `RuntimeUpstreamQualityCountersData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `connect_attempt_total` | `u64` | Total connect attempts. |
+| `connect_success_total` | `u64` | Successful connects. |
+| `connect_fail_total` | `u64` | Failed connects. |
+| `connect_failfast_hard_error_total` | `u64` | Fail-fast hard errors. |
+
+#### `RuntimeUpstreamQualitySummaryData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `configured_total` | `usize` | Total configured upstream entries. |
+| `healthy_total` | `usize` | Upstreams currently healthy. |
+| `unhealthy_total` | `usize` | Upstreams currently unhealthy. |
+| `direct_total` | `usize` | Direct-route upstream entries. |
+| `socks4_total` | `usize` | SOCKS4 upstream entries. |
+| `socks5_total` | `usize` | SOCKS5 upstream entries. |
+
+#### `RuntimeUpstreamQualityUpstreamData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `upstream_id` | `usize` | Runtime upstream index. |
+| `route_kind` | `string` | `direct`, `socks4`, `socks5`. |
+| `address` | `string` | Upstream address (`direct` literal for direct route kind). |
+| `weight` | `u16` | Selection weight. |
+| `scopes` | `string` | Configured scope selector. |
+| `healthy` | `bool` | Current health flag. |
+| `fails` | `u32` | Consecutive fail counter. |
+| `last_check_age_secs` | `u64` | Seconds since last health update. |
+| `effective_latency_ms` | `f64?` | Effective latency score used by selector. |
+| `dc` | `RuntimeUpstreamQualityDcData[]` | Per-DC runtime rows. |
+
+#### `RuntimeUpstreamQualityDcData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `dc` | `i16` | Telegram DC id. |
+| `latency_ema_ms` | `f64?` | Per-DC latency EMA. |
+| `ip_preference` | `string` | `unknown`, `prefer_v4`, `prefer_v6`, `both_work`, `unavailable`. |
+
+### `RuntimeNatStunData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Runtime payload availability. |
+| `reason` | `string?` | `source_unavailable` when shared STUN state is unavailable. |
+| `generated_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Snapshot generation timestamp. |
+| `data` | `RuntimeNatStunPayload?` | Null when unavailable. |
+
+#### `RuntimeNatStunPayload`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `flags` | `RuntimeNatStunFlagsData` | NAT probe runtime flags. |
+| `servers` | `RuntimeNatStunServersData` | Configured/live STUN server lists. |
+| `reflection` | `RuntimeNatStunReflectionBlockData` | Reflection cache data for v4/v6. |
+| `stun_backoff_remaining_ms` | `u64?` | Remaining retry backoff (milliseconds). |
+
+#### `RuntimeNatStunFlagsData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `nat_probe_enabled` | `bool` | Current NAT probe enable state. |
+| `nat_probe_disabled_runtime` | `bool` | Runtime disable flag due failures/conditions. |
+| `nat_probe_attempts` | `u8` | Configured NAT probe attempt count. |
+
+#### `RuntimeNatStunServersData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `configured` | `string[]` | Configured STUN server entries. |
+| `live` | `string[]` | Runtime live STUN server entries. |
+| `live_total` | `usize` | Number of live STUN entries. |
+
+#### `RuntimeNatStunReflectionBlockData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `v4` | `RuntimeNatStunReflectionData?` | IPv4 reflection data. |
+| `v6` | `RuntimeNatStunReflectionData?` | IPv6 reflection data. |
+
+#### `RuntimeNatStunReflectionData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `addr` | `string` | Reflected public endpoint (`ip:port`). |
+| `age_secs` | `u64` | Reflection value age in seconds. |
+
+### `RuntimeMeSelftestData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Runtime payload availability. |
+| `reason` | `string?` | `source_unavailable` when ME pool is unavailable. |
+| `generated_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Snapshot generation timestamp. |
+| `data` | `RuntimeMeSelftestPayload?` | Null when unavailable. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeSelftestPayload`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `kdf` | `RuntimeMeSelftestKdfData` | KDF EWMA health state. |
+| `timeskew` | `RuntimeMeSelftestTimeskewData` | Date-header skew health state. |
+| `ip` | `RuntimeMeSelftestIpData` | Interface IP family classification. |
+| `pid` | `RuntimeMeSelftestPidData` | Process PID marker (`one|non-one`). |
+| `bnd` | `RuntimeMeSelftestBndData` | SOCKS BND.ADDR/BND.PORT health state. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeSelftestKdfData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `state` | `string` | `ok` or `error` based on EWMA threshold. |
+| `ewma_errors_per_min` | `f64` | EWMA KDF error rate per minute. |
+| `threshold_errors_per_min` | `f64` | Threshold used for `error` decision. |
+| `errors_total` | `u64` | Total source errors (`kdf_drift + socks_kdf_strict_reject`). |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeSelftestTimeskewData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `state` | `string` | `ok` or `error` (`max_skew_secs_15m > 60` => `error`). |
+| `max_skew_secs_15m` | `u64?` | Maximum observed skew in the last 15 minutes. |
+| `samples_15m` | `usize` | Number of skew samples in the last 15 minutes. |
+| `last_skew_secs` | `u64?` | Latest observed skew value. |
+| `last_source` | `string?` | Latest skew source marker. |
+| `last_seen_age_secs` | `u64?` | Age of the latest skew sample. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeSelftestIpData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `v4` | `RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData?` | IPv4 interface probe result; absent when unknown. |
+| `v6` | `RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData?` | IPv6 interface probe result; absent when unknown. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `addr` | `string` | Detected interface IP. |
+| `state` | `string` | `good`, `bogon`, or `loopback`. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeSelftestPidData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `pid` | `u32` | Current process PID. |
+| `state` | `string` | `one` when PID=1, otherwise `non-one`. |
+
+#### `RuntimeMeSelftestBndData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `addr_state` | `string` | `ok`, `bogon`, or `error`. |
+| `port_state` | `string` | `ok`, `zero`, or `error`. |
+| `last_addr` | `string?` | Latest observed SOCKS BND address. |
+| `last_seen_age_secs` | `u64?` | Age of latest BND sample. |
+
+### `RuntimeEdgeConnectionsSummaryData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Endpoint availability under `runtime_edge_enabled`. |
+| `reason` | `string?` | `feature_disabled` or `source_unavailable`. |
+| `generated_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Snapshot generation timestamp. |
+| `data` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionsSummaryPayload?` | Null when unavailable. |
+
+#### `RuntimeEdgeConnectionsSummaryPayload`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `cache` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionCacheData` | Runtime edge cache metadata. |
+| `totals` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionTotalsData` | Connection totals block. |
+| `top` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionTopData` | Top-N leaderboard blocks. |
+| `telemetry` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionTelemetryData` | Telemetry-policy flags for counters. |
+
+#### `RuntimeEdgeConnectionCacheData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `ttl_ms` | `u64` | Configured cache TTL in milliseconds. |
+| `served_from_cache` | `bool` | `true` when payload is served from cache. |
+| `stale_cache_used` | `bool` | `true` when stale cache is used because recompute is busy. |
+
+#### `RuntimeEdgeConnectionTotalsData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `current_connections` | `u64` | Current global live connections. |
+| `current_connections_me` | `u64` | Current live connections routed through ME. |
+| `current_connections_direct` | `u64` | Current live connections routed through direct path. |
+| `active_users` | `usize` | Users with `current_connections > 0`. |
+
+#### `RuntimeEdgeConnectionTopData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `limit` | `usize` | Effective Top-N row count. |
+| `by_connections` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionUserData[]` | Users sorted by current connections. |
+| `by_throughput` | `RuntimeEdgeConnectionUserData[]` | Users sorted by cumulative octets. |
+
+#### `RuntimeEdgeConnectionUserData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `username` | `string` | Username. |
+| `current_connections` | `u64` | Current live connections for user. |
+| `total_octets` | `u64` | Cumulative (`client->proxy + proxy->client`) octets. |
+
+#### `RuntimeEdgeConnectionTelemetryData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `user_enabled` | `bool` | Per-user telemetry enable flag. |
+| `throughput_is_cumulative` | `bool` | Always `true` in current implementation. |
+
+### `RuntimeEdgeEventsData`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `enabled` | `bool` | Endpoint availability under `runtime_edge_enabled`. |
+| `reason` | `string?` | `feature_disabled` when endpoint is disabled. |
+| `generated_at_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Snapshot generation timestamp. |
+| `data` | `RuntimeEdgeEventsPayload?` | Null when unavailable. |
+
+#### `RuntimeEdgeEventsPayload`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `capacity` | `usize` | Effective ring-buffer capacity. |
+| `dropped_total` | `u64` | Count of dropped oldest events due capacity pressure. |
+| `events` | `ApiEventRecord[]` | Recent events in chronological order. |
+
+#### `ApiEventRecord`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `seq` | `u64` | Monotonic sequence number. |
+| `ts_epoch_secs` | `u64` | Event timestamp (Unix seconds). |
+| `event_type` | `string` | Event kind identifier. |
+| `context` | `string` | Context text (truncated to implementation-defined max length). |
 
 ### `ZeroAllData`
 | Field | Type | Description |
@@ -485,7 +880,27 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | `floor_mode` | `string` | Writer floor mode. |
 | `adaptive_floor_idle_secs` | `u64` | Idle threshold for adaptive floor. |
 | `adaptive_floor_min_writers_single_endpoint` | `u8` | Minimum writers for single-endpoint DC in adaptive mode. |
+| `adaptive_floor_min_writers_multi_endpoint` | `u8` | Minimum writers for multi-endpoint DC in adaptive mode. |
 | `adaptive_floor_recover_grace_secs` | `u64` | Grace period for floor recovery. |
+| `adaptive_floor_writers_per_core_total` | `u16` | Target total writers-per-core budget in adaptive mode. |
+| `adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override` | `u16` | CPU core override (`0` means auto-detect). |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core` | `u16` | Extra single-endpoint writers budget per core. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core` | `u16` | Extra multi-endpoint writers budget per core. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core` | `u16` | Active writer cap per core. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core` | `u16` | Warm writer cap per core. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global` | `u32` | Global active writer cap. |
+| `adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global` | `u32` | Global warm writer cap. |
+| `adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected` | `u32` | Runtime-detected CPU cores. |
+| `adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective` | `u32` | Effective core count used for adaptive caps. |
+| `adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw` | `u64` | Raw global cap before clamping. |
+| `adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective` | `u64` | Effective global cap after clamping. |
+| `adaptive_floor_target_writers_total` | `u64` | Current adaptive total writer target. |
+| `adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured` | `u64` | Configured global active cap. |
+| `adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective` | `u64` | Effective global active cap. |
+| `adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured` | `u64` | Configured global warm cap. |
+| `adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective` | `u64` | Effective global warm cap. |
+| `adaptive_floor_active_writers_current` | `u64` | Current active writers count. |
+| `adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current` | `u64` | Current warm writers count. |
 | `me_keepalive_enabled` | `bool` | ME keepalive toggle. |
 | `me_keepalive_interval_secs` | `u64` | Keepalive period. |
 | `me_keepalive_jitter_secs` | `u64` | Keepalive jitter. |
@@ -507,6 +922,8 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | `me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_max_ms` | `u64` | Outage mode max reconnect backoff. |
 | `me_single_endpoint_shadow_rotate_every_secs` | `u64` | Shadow rotation interval. |
 | `me_deterministic_writer_sort` | `bool` | Deterministic writer ordering toggle. |
+| `me_writer_pick_mode` | `string` | Writer picker mode (`sorted_rr`, `p2c`). |
+| `me_writer_pick_sample_size` | `u8` | Candidate sample size for `p2c` picker mode. |
 | `me_socks_kdf_policy` | `string` | Current SOCKS KDF policy mode. |
 | `quarantined_endpoints_total` | `usize` | Total quarantined endpoints. |
 | `quarantined_endpoints` | `MinimalQuarantineData[]` | Quarantine details. |
@@ -572,14 +989,25 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | `dc` | `i16` | Telegram DC id. |
 | `endpoints` | `string[]` | Endpoints in this DC (`ip:port`). |
+| `endpoint_writers` | `DcEndpointWriters[]` | Active writer counts grouped by endpoint. |
 | `available_endpoints` | `usize` | Endpoints currently available in this DC. |
 | `available_pct` | `f64` | `available_endpoints / endpoints_total * 100`. |
 | `required_writers` | `usize` | Required writer count for this DC. |
+| `floor_min` | `usize` | Floor lower bound for this DC. |
+| `floor_target` | `usize` | Floor target writer count for this DC. |
+| `floor_max` | `usize` | Floor upper bound for this DC. |
+| `floor_capped` | `bool` | `true` when computed floor target was capped by active limits. |
 | `alive_writers` | `usize` | Alive writers in this DC. |
 | `coverage_pct` | `f64` | `alive_writers / required_writers * 100`. |
 | `rtt_ms` | `f64?` | Aggregated RTT for DC. |
 | `load` | `usize` | Active client sessions bound to this DC. |
 
+#### `DcEndpointWriters`
+| Field | Type | Description |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `endpoint` | `string` | Endpoint (`ip:port`). |
+| `active_writers` | `usize` | Active writers currently mapped to endpoint. |
+
 ### `UserInfo`
 | Field | Type | Description |
 | --- | --- | --- |
@@ -591,6 +1019,9 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | `max_unique_ips` | `usize?` | Optional unique IP limit. |
 | `current_connections` | `u64` | Current live connections. |
 | `active_unique_ips` | `usize` | Current active unique source IPs. |
+| `active_unique_ips_list` | `ip[]` | Current active unique source IP list. |
+| `recent_unique_ips` | `usize` | Unique source IP count inside the configured recent window. |
+| `recent_unique_ips_list` | `ip[]` | Recent-window unique source IP list. |
 | `total_octets` | `u64` | Total traffic octets for this user. |
 | `links` | `UserLinks` | Active connection links derived from current config. |
 
@@ -602,11 +1033,15 @@ Note: the request contract is defined, but the corresponding route currently ret
 | `tls` | `string[]` | Active `tg://proxy` links for EE-TLS mode (for each host+TLS domain). |
 
 Link generation uses active config and enabled modes:
-- `[general.links].public_host/public_port` have priority.
-- If `public_host` is not set, startup-detected public IPs are used (`IPv4`, `IPv6`, or both when available).
-- Fallback host sources: listener `announce`, `announce_ip`, explicit listener `ip`.
-- Legacy fallback: `listen_addr_ipv4` and `listen_addr_ipv6` when routable.
-- Startup-detected IPs are fixed for process lifetime and refreshed on restart.
+- Link port is `general.links.public_port` when configured; otherwise `server.port`.
+- If `general.links.public_host` is non-empty, it is used as the single link host override.
+- If `public_host` is not set, hosts are resolved from `server.listeners` in order:
+  `announce` -> `announce_ip` -> listener bind `ip`.
+- For wildcard listener IPs (`0.0.0.0` / `::`), startup-detected external IP of the same family is used when available.
+- Listener-derived hosts are de-duplicated while preserving first-seen order.
+- If multiple hosts are resolved, API returns links for all resolved hosts in every enabled mode.
+- If no host can be resolved from listeners, fallback is startup-detected `IPv4 -> IPv6`.
+- Final compatibility fallback uses `listen_addr_ipv4`/`listen_addr_ipv6` when routable, otherwise `"UNKNOWN"`.
 - User rows are sorted by `username` in ascending lexical order.
 
 ### `CreateUserResponse`
@@ -619,10 +1054,10 @@ Link generation uses active config and enabled modes:
 
 | Endpoint | Notes |
 | --- | --- |
-| `POST /v1/users` | Creates user and validates resulting config before atomic save. |
-| `PATCH /v1/users/{username}` | Partial update of provided fields only. Missing fields remain unchanged. |
+| `POST /v1/users` | Creates user, validates config, then atomically updates only affected `access.*` TOML tables (`access.users` always, plus optional per-user tables present in request). |
+| `PATCH /v1/users/{username}` | Partial update of provided fields only. Missing fields remain unchanged. Current implementation persists full config document on success. |
 | `POST /v1/users/{username}/rotate-secret` | Currently returns `404` in runtime route matcher; request schema is reserved for intended behavior. |
-| `DELETE /v1/users/{username}` | Deletes user and related optional settings. Last user deletion is blocked. |
+| `DELETE /v1/users/{username}` | Deletes only specified user, removes this user from related optional `access.user_*` maps, blocks last-user deletion, and atomically updates only related `access.*` TOML tables. |
 
 All mutating endpoints:
 - Respect `read_only` mode.
@@ -630,6 +1065,10 @@ All mutating endpoints:
 - Return new `revision` after successful write.
 - Use process-local mutation lock + atomic write (`tmp + rename`) for config persistence.
 
+Delete path cleanup guarantees:
+- Config cleanup removes only the requested username keys.
+- Runtime unique-IP cleanup removes only this user's limiter and tracked IP state.
+
 ## Runtime State Matrix
 
 | Endpoint | `minimal_runtime_enabled=false` | `minimal_runtime_enabled=true` + source unavailable | `minimal_runtime_enabled=true` + source available |
@@ -643,6 +1082,28 @@ All mutating endpoints:
 - ME endpoints: ME pool is absent (for example direct-only mode or failed ME initialization).
 - Upstreams endpoint: non-blocking upstream snapshot lock is unavailable at request time.
 
+Additional runtime endpoint behavior:
+
+| Endpoint | Disabled by feature flag | `source_unavailable` condition | Normal mode |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `/v1/runtime/me_pool_state` | No | ME pool snapshot unavailable | `enabled=true`, full payload |
+| `/v1/runtime/me_quality` | No | ME pool snapshot unavailable | `enabled=true`, full payload |
+| `/v1/runtime/upstream_quality` | No | Upstream runtime snapshot unavailable | `enabled=true`, full payload |
+| `/v1/runtime/nat_stun` | No | STUN shared state unavailable | `enabled=true`, full payload |
+| `/v1/runtime/me-selftest` | No | ME pool unavailable => `enabled=false`, `reason=source_unavailable` | `enabled=true`, full payload |
+| `/v1/runtime/connections/summary` | `runtime_edge_enabled=false` => `enabled=false`, `reason=feature_disabled` | Recompute lock contention with no cache entry => `enabled=true`, `reason=source_unavailable` | `enabled=true`, full payload |
+| `/v1/runtime/events/recent` | `runtime_edge_enabled=false` => `enabled=false`, `reason=feature_disabled` | Not used in current implementation | `enabled=true`, full payload |
+
+## ME Fallback Behavior Exposed Via API
+
+When `general.use_middle_proxy=true` and `general.me2dc_fallback=true`:
+- Startup does not block on full ME pool readiness; initialization can continue in background.
+- Runtime initialization payload can expose ME stage `background_init` until pool becomes ready.
+- Admission/routing decision uses two readiness grace windows for "ME not ready" periods:
+  `80s` before first-ever readiness is observed (startup grace),
+  `6s` after readiness has been observed at least once (runtime failover timeout).
+- While in fallback window breach, new sessions are routed via Direct-DC; when ME becomes ready, routing returns to Middle mode for new sessions.
+
 ## Serialization Rules
 
 - Success responses always include `revision`.
@@ -650,6 +1111,7 @@ All mutating endpoints:
 - Optional fields with `skip_serializing_if` are omitted when absent.
 - Nullable payload fields may still be `null` where contract uses `?` (for example `UserInfo` option fields).
 - For `/v1/stats/upstreams`, authentication details of SOCKS upstreams are intentionally omitted.
+- `ip[]` fields are serialized as JSON string arrays (for example `"1.2.3.4"`, `"2001:db8::1"`).
 
 ## Operational Notes
 
@@ -665,7 +1127,7 @@ All mutating endpoints:
 | Runtime apply path | Successful writes are picked up by existing config watcher/hot-reload path. |
 | Exposure | Built-in TLS/mTLS is not provided. Use loopback bind + reverse proxy if needed. |
 | Pagination | User list currently has no pagination/filtering. |
-| Serialization side effect | Config comments/manual formatting are not preserved on write. |
+| Serialization side effect | Updated TOML table bodies are re-serialized on write. Endpoints that persist full config can still rewrite broader formatting/comments. |
 
 ## Known Limitations (Current Release)
 

docs/QUICK_START_GUIDE.ru.md

@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ WantedBy=multi-user.target
 ```bash
 curl -s http://127.0.0.1:9091/v1/users | jq
 ```
-> Одной ссылкой модет пользоваться сколько угодно человек.
+> Одной ссылкой может пользоваться сколько угодно человек.
 
 > [!WARNING]
 > Рабочую ссылку может выдать только команда из 6 пункта. Не пытайтесь делать ее самостоятельно или копировать откуда-либо если вы не уверены в том, что делаете!

install.sh

@@ -1,73 +1,93 @@
-sudo bash -c '
-set -e
+#!/bin/sh
+set -eu
 
-# --- Проверка на существующую установку ---
-if systemctl list-unit-files | grep -q telemt.service; then
-    # --- РЕЖИМ ОБНОВЛЕНИЯ ---
-    echo "--- Обнаружена существующая установка Telemt. Запускаю обновление... ---"
+REPO="${REPO:-telemt/telemt}"
+BIN_NAME="${BIN_NAME:-telemt}"
+VERSION="${1:-${VERSION:-latest}}"
+INSTALL_DIR="${INSTALL_DIR:-/usr/local/bin}"
 
-    echo "[*] Остановка службы telemt..."
-    systemctl stop telemt || true # Игнорируем ошибку, если служба уже остановлена
+say() {
+    printf '%s\n' "$*"
+}
 
-    echo "[1/2] Скачивание последней версии Telemt..."
-    wget -qO- "https://github.com/telemt/telemt/releases/latest/download/telemt-$(uname -m)-linux-$(ldd --version 2>&1 | grep -iq musl && echo musl || echo gnu).tar.gz" | tar -xz
+die() {
+    printf 'Error: %s\n' "$*" >&2
+    exit 1
+}
 
-    echo "[1/2] Замена исполняемого файла в /usr/local/bin..."
-    mv telemt /usr/local/bin/telemt
-    chmod +x /usr/local/bin/telemt
+need_cmd() {
+    command -v "$1" >/dev/null 2>&1 || die "required command not found: $1"
+}
 
-    echo "[2/2] Запуск службы..."
-    systemctl start telemt
+detect_arch() {
+    arch="$(uname -m)"
+    case "$arch" in
+        x86_64|amd64) printf 'x86_64\n' ;;
+        aarch64|arm64) printf 'aarch64\n' ;;
+        *) die "unsupported architecture: $arch" ;;
+    esac
+}
 
-    echo "--- Обновление Telemt успешно завершено! ---"
-    echo
-    echo "Для проверки статуса службы выполните:"
-    echo "   systemctl status telemt"
+detect_libc() {
+    case "$(ldd --version 2>&1 || true)" in
+        *musl*) printf 'musl\n' ;;
+        *) printf 'gnu\n' ;;
+    esac
+}
 
-else
-    # --- РЕЖИМ НОВОЙ УСТАНОВКИ ---
-    echo "--- Начало автоматической установки Telemt ---"
+fetch_to_stdout() {
+    url="$1"
+    if command -v curl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        curl -fsSL "$url"
+    elif command -v wget >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        wget -qO- "$url"
+    else
+        die "neither curl nor wget is installed"
+    fi
+}
 
-    # Шаг 1: Скачивание и установка бинарного файла
-    echo "[1/5] Скачивание последней версии Telemt..."
-    wget -qO- "https://github.com/telemt/telemt/releases/latest/download/telemt-$(uname -m)-linux-$(ldd --version 2>&1 | grep -iq musl && echo musl || echo gnu).tar.gz" | tar -xz
+install_binary() {
+    src="$1"
+    dst="$2"
 
-    echo "[1/5] Перемещение исполняемого файла в /usr/local/bin и установка прав..."
-    mv telemt /usr/local/bin/telemt
-    chmod +x /usr/local/bin/telemt
+    if [ -w "$INSTALL_DIR" ] || { [ ! -e "$INSTALL_DIR" ] && [ -w "$(dirname "$INSTALL_DIR")" ]; }; then
+        mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR"
+        install -m 0755 "$src" "$dst"
+    elif command -v sudo >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        sudo mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR"
+        sudo install -m 0755 "$src" "$dst"
+    else
+        die "cannot write to $INSTALL_DIR and sudo is not available"
+    fi
+}
 
-    # Шаг 2: Генерация секрета
-    echo "[2/5] Генерация секретного ключа..."
-    SECRET=$(openssl rand -hex 16)
+need_cmd uname
+need_cmd tar
+need_cmd mktemp
+need_cmd grep
+need_cmd install
 
-    # Шаг 3: Создание файла конфигурации
-    echo "[3/5] Создание файла конфигурации /etc/telemt.toml..."
-    printf "# === General Settings ===\n[general]\n[general.modes]\nclassic = false\nsecure = false\ntls = true\n\n# === Anti-Censorship & Masking ===\n[censorship]\n# !!! ВАЖНО: Замените на ваш домен или домен, который вы хотите использовать для маскировки !!!\ntls_domain = \"petrovich.ru\"\n\n[access.users]\nhello = \"%s\"\n" "$SECRET" > /etc/telemt.toml
+ARCH="$(detect_arch)"
+LIBC="$(detect_libc)"
 
-    # Шаг 4: Создание службы Systemd
-    echo "[4/5] Создание службы systemd..."
-    printf "[Unit]\nDescription=Telemt Proxy\nAfter=network.target\n\n[Service]\nType=simple\nExecStart=/usr/local/bin/telemt /etc/telemt.toml\nRestart=on-failure\nRestartSec=5\nLimitNOFILE=65536\n\n[Install]\nWantedBy=multi-user.target\n" > /etc/systemd/system/telemt.service
+case "$VERSION" in
+    latest)
+        URL="https://github.com/$REPO/releases/latest/download/${BIN_NAME}-${ARCH}-linux-${LIBC}.tar.gz"
+        ;;
+    *)
+        URL="https://github.com/$REPO/releases/download/${VERSION}/${BIN_NAME}-${ARCH}-linux-${LIBC}.tar.gz"
+        ;;
+esac
 
-    # Шаг 5: Запуск службы
-    echo "[5/5] Перезагрузка systemd, запуск и включение службы telemt..."
-    systemctl daemon-reload
-    systemctl start telemt
-    systemctl enable telemt
+TMPDIR="$(mktemp -d)"
+trap 'rm -rf "$TMPDIR"' EXIT INT TERM
 
-    echo "--- Установка и запуск Telemt успешно завершены! ---"
-    echo
-    echo "ВАЖНАЯ ИНФОРМАЦИЯ:"
-    echo "==================="
-    echo "1. Вам НЕОБХОДИМО отредактировать файл /etc/telemt.toml и заменить '\''petrovich.ru'\'' на другой домен"
-    echo "   с помощью команды:"
-    echo "   nano /etc/telemt.toml"
-    echo "   После редактирования файла перезапустите службу командой:"
-    echo "   sudo systemctl restart telemt"
-    echo
-    echo "2. Для проверки статуса службы выполните команду:"
-    echo "   systemctl status telemt"
-    echo
-    echo "3. Для получения ссылок на подключение выполните команду:"
-    echo "   journalctl -u telemt -n -g '\''links'\'' --no-pager -o cat | tac"
-fi
-'
+say "Installing $BIN_NAME ($VERSION) for $ARCH-linux-$LIBC..."
+fetch_to_stdout "$URL" | tar -xzf - -C "$TMPDIR"
+
+[ -f "$TMPDIR/$BIN_NAME" ] || die "archive did not contain $BIN_NAME"
+
+install_binary "$TMPDIR/$BIN_NAME" "$INSTALL_DIR/$BIN_NAME"
+
+say "Installed: $INSTALL_DIR/$BIN_NAME"
+"$INSTALL_DIR/$BIN_NAME" --version 2>/dev/null || true

src/api/config_store.rs

@@ -1,13 +1,39 @@
+use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::io::Write;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
+use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use hyper::header::IF_MATCH;
+use serde::Serialize;
 use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
 
 use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
 
 use super::model::ApiFailure;
 
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub(super) enum AccessSection {
+    Users,
+    UserAdTags,
+    UserMaxTcpConns,
+    UserExpirations,
+    UserDataQuota,
+    UserMaxUniqueIps,
+}
+
+impl AccessSection {
+    fn table_name(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Users => "access.users",
+            Self::UserAdTags => "access.user_ad_tags",
+            Self::UserMaxTcpConns => "access.user_max_tcp_conns",
+            Self::UserExpirations => "access.user_expirations",
+            Self::UserDataQuota => "access.user_data_quota",
+            Self::UserMaxUniqueIps => "access.user_max_unique_ips",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 pub(super) fn parse_if_match(headers: &hyper::HeaderMap) -> Option<String> {
     headers
         .get(IF_MATCH)
@@ -66,6 +92,142 @@ pub(super) async fn save_config_to_disk(
     Ok(compute_revision(&serialized))
 }
 
+pub(super) async fn save_access_sections_to_disk(
+    config_path: &Path,
+    cfg: &ProxyConfig,
+    sections: &[AccessSection],
+) -> Result<String, ApiFailure> {
+    let mut content = tokio::fs::read_to_string(config_path)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| ApiFailure::internal(format!("failed to read config: {}", e)))?;
+
+    let mut applied = Vec::new();
+    for section in sections {
+        if applied.contains(section) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let rendered = render_access_section(cfg, *section)?;
+        content = upsert_toml_table(&content, section.table_name(), &rendered);
+        applied.push(*section);
+    }
+
+    write_atomic(config_path.to_path_buf(), content.clone()).await?;
+    Ok(compute_revision(&content))
+}
+
+fn render_access_section(cfg: &ProxyConfig, section: AccessSection) -> Result<String, ApiFailure> {
+    let body = match section {
+        AccessSection::Users => {
+            let rows: BTreeMap<String, String> = cfg
+                .access
+                .users
+                .iter()
+                .map(|(key, value)| (key.clone(), value.clone()))
+                .collect();
+            serialize_table_body(&rows)?
+        }
+        AccessSection::UserAdTags => {
+            let rows: BTreeMap<String, String> = cfg
+                .access
+                .user_ad_tags
+                .iter()
+                .map(|(key, value)| (key.clone(), value.clone()))
+                .collect();
+            serialize_table_body(&rows)?
+        }
+        AccessSection::UserMaxTcpConns => {
+            let rows: BTreeMap<String, usize> = cfg
+                .access
+                .user_max_tcp_conns
+                .iter()
+                .map(|(key, value)| (key.clone(), *value))
+                .collect();
+            serialize_table_body(&rows)?
+        }
+        AccessSection::UserExpirations => {
+            let rows: BTreeMap<String, DateTime<Utc>> = cfg
+                .access
+                .user_expirations
+                .iter()
+                .map(|(key, value)| (key.clone(), *value))
+                .collect();
+            serialize_table_body(&rows)?
+        }
+        AccessSection::UserDataQuota => {
+            let rows: BTreeMap<String, u64> = cfg
+                .access
+                .user_data_quota
+                .iter()
+                .map(|(key, value)| (key.clone(), *value))
+                .collect();
+            serialize_table_body(&rows)?
+        }
+        AccessSection::UserMaxUniqueIps => {
+            let rows: BTreeMap<String, usize> = cfg
+                .access
+                .user_max_unique_ips
+                .iter()
+                .map(|(key, value)| (key.clone(), *value))
+                .collect();
+            serialize_table_body(&rows)?
+        }
+    };
+
+    let mut out = format!("[{}]\n", section.table_name());
+    if !body.is_empty() {
+        out.push_str(&body);
+    }
+    if !out.ends_with('\n') {
+        out.push('\n');
+    }
+    Ok(out)
+}
+
+fn serialize_table_body<T: Serialize>(value: &T) -> Result<String, ApiFailure> {
+    toml::to_string(value)
+        .map_err(|e| ApiFailure::internal(format!("failed to serialize access section: {}", e)))
+}
+
+fn upsert_toml_table(source: &str, table_name: &str, replacement: &str) -> String {
+    if let Some((start, end)) = find_toml_table_bounds(source, table_name) {
+        let mut out = String::with_capacity(source.len() + replacement.len());
+        out.push_str(&source[..start]);
+        out.push_str(replacement);
+        out.push_str(&source[end..]);
+        return out;
+    }
+
+    let mut out = source.to_string();
+    if !out.is_empty() && !out.ends_with('\n') {
+        out.push('\n');
+    }
+    if !out.is_empty() {
+        out.push('\n');
+    }
+    out.push_str(replacement);
+    out
+}
+
+fn find_toml_table_bounds(source: &str, table_name: &str) -> Option<(usize, usize)> {
+    let target = format!("[{}]", table_name);
+    let mut offset = 0usize;
+    let mut start = None;
+
+    for line in source.split_inclusive('\n') {
+        let trimmed = line.trim();
+        if let Some(start_offset) = start {
+            if trimmed.starts_with('[') {
+                return Some((start_offset, offset));
+            }
+        } else if trimmed == target {
+            start = Some(offset);
+        }
+        offset = offset.saturating_add(line.len());
+    }
+
+    start.map(|start_offset| (start_offset, source.len()))
+}
+
 async fn write_atomic(path: PathBuf, contents: String) -> Result<(), ApiFailure> {
     tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || write_atomic_sync(&path, &contents))
         .await

src/api/mod.rs

@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@ use hyper::server::conn::http1;
 use hyper::service::service_fn;
 use hyper::{Method, Request, Response, StatusCode};
 use tokio::net::TcpListener;
-use tokio::sync::{Mutex, watch};
+use tokio::sync::{Mutex, RwLock, watch};
 use tracing::{debug, info, warn};
 
 use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
 use crate::ip_tracker::UserIpTracker;
+use crate::startup::StartupTracker;
 use crate::stats::Stats;
 use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
 use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
@@ -25,7 +26,9 @@ mod events;
 mod http_utils;
 mod model;
 mod runtime_edge;
+mod runtime_init;
 mod runtime_min;
+mod runtime_selftest;
 mod runtime_stats;
 mod runtime_watch;
 mod runtime_zero;
@@ -41,10 +44,12 @@ use runtime_edge::{
     EdgeConnectionsCacheEntry, build_runtime_connections_summary_data,
     build_runtime_events_recent_data,
 };
+use runtime_init::build_runtime_initialization_data;
 use runtime_min::{
     build_runtime_me_pool_state_data, build_runtime_me_quality_data, build_runtime_nat_stun_data,
     build_runtime_upstream_quality_data, build_security_whitelist_data,
 };
+use runtime_selftest::build_runtime_me_selftest_data;
 use runtime_stats::{
     MinimalCacheEntry, build_dcs_data, build_me_writers_data, build_minimal_all_data,
     build_upstreams_data, build_zero_all_data,
@@ -67,11 +72,10 @@ pub(super) struct ApiRuntimeState {
 pub(super) struct ApiShared {
     pub(super) stats: Arc<Stats>,
     pub(super) ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
-    pub(super) me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    pub(super) me_pool: Arc<RwLock<Option<Arc<MePool>>>>,
     pub(super) upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
     pub(super) config_path: PathBuf,
-    pub(super) startup_detected_ip_v4: Option<IpAddr>,
-    pub(super) startup_detected_ip_v6: Option<IpAddr>,
+    pub(super) detected_ips_rx: watch::Receiver<(Option<IpAddr>, Option<IpAddr>)>,
     pub(super) mutation_lock: Arc<Mutex<()>>,
     pub(super) minimal_cache: Arc<Mutex<Option<MinimalCacheEntry>>>,
     pub(super) runtime_edge_connections_cache: Arc<Mutex<Option<EdgeConnectionsCacheEntry>>>,
@@ -79,26 +83,31 @@ pub(super) struct ApiShared {
     pub(super) runtime_events: Arc<ApiEventStore>,
     pub(super) request_id: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     pub(super) runtime_state: Arc<ApiRuntimeState>,
+    pub(super) startup_tracker: Arc<StartupTracker>,
 }
 
 impl ApiShared {
     fn next_request_id(&self) -> u64 {
         self.request_id.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
+
+    fn detected_link_ips(&self) -> (Option<IpAddr>, Option<IpAddr>) {
+        *self.detected_ips_rx.borrow()
+    }
 }
 
 pub async fn serve(
     listen: SocketAddr,
     stats: Arc<Stats>,
     ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
-    me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    me_pool: Arc<RwLock<Option<Arc<MePool>>>>,
     upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
     config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
     admission_rx: watch::Receiver<bool>,
     config_path: PathBuf,
-    startup_detected_ip_v4: Option<IpAddr>,
-    startup_detected_ip_v6: Option<IpAddr>,
+    detected_ips_rx: watch::Receiver<(Option<IpAddr>, Option<IpAddr>)>,
     process_started_at_epoch_secs: u64,
+    startup_tracker: Arc<StartupTracker>,
 ) {
     let listener = match TcpListener::bind(listen).await {
         Ok(listener) => listener,
@@ -127,8 +136,7 @@ pub async fn serve(
         me_pool,
         upstream_manager,
         config_path,
-        startup_detected_ip_v4,
-        startup_detected_ip_v6,
+        detected_ips_rx,
         mutation_lock: Arc::new(Mutex::new(())),
         minimal_cache: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
         runtime_edge_connections_cache: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
@@ -138,6 +146,7 @@ pub async fn serve(
         )),
         request_id: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(1)),
         runtime_state: runtime_state.clone(),
+        startup_tracker,
     });
 
     spawn_runtime_watchers(
@@ -248,7 +257,12 @@ async fn handle(
             }
             ("GET", "/v1/runtime/gates") => {
                 let revision = current_revision(&shared.config_path).await?;
-                let data = build_runtime_gates_data(shared.as_ref(), cfg.as_ref());
+                let data = build_runtime_gates_data(shared.as_ref(), cfg.as_ref()).await;
+                Ok(success_response(StatusCode::OK, data, revision))
+            }
+            ("GET", "/v1/runtime/initialization") => {
+                let revision = current_revision(&shared.config_path).await?;
+                let data = build_runtime_initialization_data(shared.as_ref()).await;
                 Ok(success_response(StatusCode::OK, data, revision))
             }
             ("GET", "/v1/limits/effective") => {
@@ -322,6 +336,11 @@ async fn handle(
                 let data = build_runtime_nat_stun_data(shared.as_ref()).await;
                 Ok(success_response(StatusCode::OK, data, revision))
             }
+            ("GET", "/v1/runtime/me-selftest") => {
+                let revision = current_revision(&shared.config_path).await?;
+                let data = build_runtime_me_selftest_data(shared.as_ref()).await;
+                Ok(success_response(StatusCode::OK, data, revision))
+            }
             ("GET", "/v1/runtime/connections/summary") => {
                 let revision = current_revision(&shared.config_path).await?;
                 let data = build_runtime_connections_summary_data(shared.as_ref(), cfg.as_ref()).await;
@@ -338,12 +357,13 @@ async fn handle(
             }
             ("GET", "/v1/stats/users") | ("GET", "/v1/users") => {
                 let revision = current_revision(&shared.config_path).await?;
+                let (detected_ip_v4, detected_ip_v6) = shared.detected_link_ips();
                 let users = users_from_config(
                     &cfg,
                     &shared.stats,
                     &shared.ip_tracker,
-                    shared.startup_detected_ip_v4,
-                    shared.startup_detected_ip_v6,
+                    detected_ip_v4,
+                    detected_ip_v6,
                 )
                 .await;
                 Ok(success_response(StatusCode::OK, users, revision))
@@ -381,12 +401,13 @@ async fn handle(
                 {
                     if method == Method::GET {
                         let revision = current_revision(&shared.config_path).await?;
+                        let (detected_ip_v4, detected_ip_v6) = shared.detected_link_ips();
                         let users = users_from_config(
                             &cfg,
                             &shared.stats,
                             &shared.ip_tracker,
-                            shared.startup_detected_ip_v4,
-                            shared.startup_detected_ip_v6,
+                            detected_ip_v4,
+                            detected_ip_v6,
                         )
                         .await;
                         if let Some(user_info) = users.into_iter().find(|entry| entry.username == user)

src/api/model.rs

@@ -266,6 +266,7 @@ pub(super) struct MeWritersData {
 pub(super) struct DcStatus {
     pub(super) dc: i16,
     pub(super) endpoints: Vec<String>,
+    pub(super) endpoint_writers: Vec<DcEndpointWriters>,
     pub(super) available_endpoints: usize,
     pub(super) available_pct: f64,
     pub(super) required_writers: usize,
@@ -279,6 +280,12 @@ pub(super) struct DcStatus {
     pub(super) load: usize,
 }
 
+#[derive(Serialize, Clone)]
+pub(super) struct DcEndpointWriters {
+    pub(super) endpoint: String,
+    pub(super) active_writers: usize,
+}
+
 #[derive(Serialize, Clone)]
 pub(super) struct DcStatusData {
     pub(super) middle_proxy_enabled: bool,
@@ -318,11 +325,21 @@ pub(super) struct MinimalMeRuntimeData {
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: u16,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: u16,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: u16,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: u32,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected: u32,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective: u32,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw: u64,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective: u64,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_target_writers_total: u64,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured: u64,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective: u64,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured: u64,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective: u64,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_active_writers_current: u64,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current: u64,
     pub(super) me_keepalive_enabled: bool,
     pub(super) me_keepalive_interval_secs: u64,
     pub(super) me_keepalive_jitter_secs: u64,
@@ -344,6 +361,8 @@ pub(super) struct MinimalMeRuntimeData {
     pub(super) me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_max_ms: u64,
     pub(super) me_single_endpoint_shadow_rotate_every_secs: u64,
     pub(super) me_deterministic_writer_sort: bool,
+    pub(super) me_writer_pick_mode: &'static str,
+    pub(super) me_writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
     pub(super) me_socks_kdf_policy: &'static str,
     pub(super) quarantined_endpoints_total: usize,
     pub(super) quarantined_endpoints: Vec<MinimalQuarantineData>,

src/api/runtime_init.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+use serde::Serialize;
+
+use crate::startup::{
+    COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING, COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT, COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+    COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4, COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6, COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH,
+    StartupComponentStatus, StartupMeStatus, compute_progress_pct,
+};
+
+use super::ApiShared;
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeInitializationComponentData {
+    pub(super) id: &'static str,
+    pub(super) title: &'static str,
+    pub(super) status: &'static str,
+    pub(super) started_at_epoch_ms: Option<u64>,
+    pub(super) finished_at_epoch_ms: Option<u64>,
+    pub(super) duration_ms: Option<u64>,
+    pub(super) attempts: u32,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) details: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeInitializationMeData {
+    pub(super) status: &'static str,
+    pub(super) current_stage: String,
+    pub(super) progress_pct: f64,
+    pub(super) init_attempt: u32,
+    pub(super) retry_limit: String,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) last_error: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeInitializationData {
+    pub(super) status: &'static str,
+    pub(super) degraded: bool,
+    pub(super) current_stage: String,
+    pub(super) progress_pct: f64,
+    pub(super) started_at_epoch_secs: u64,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) ready_at_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    pub(super) total_elapsed_ms: u64,
+    pub(super) transport_mode: String,
+    pub(super) me: RuntimeInitializationMeData,
+    pub(super) components: Vec<RuntimeInitializationComponentData>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeStartupSummaryData {
+    pub(super) status: &'static str,
+    pub(super) stage: String,
+    pub(super) progress_pct: f64,
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn build_runtime_startup_summary(shared: &ApiShared) -> RuntimeStartupSummaryData {
+    let snapshot = shared.startup_tracker.snapshot().await;
+    let me_pool_progress = current_me_pool_stage_progress(shared).await;
+    let progress_pct = compute_progress_pct(&snapshot, me_pool_progress);
+    RuntimeStartupSummaryData {
+        status: snapshot.status.as_str(),
+        stage: snapshot.current_stage,
+        progress_pct,
+    }
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn build_runtime_initialization_data(
+    shared: &ApiShared,
+) -> RuntimeInitializationData {
+    let snapshot = shared.startup_tracker.snapshot().await;
+    let me_pool_progress = current_me_pool_stage_progress(shared).await;
+    let progress_pct = compute_progress_pct(&snapshot, me_pool_progress);
+    let me_progress_pct = compute_me_progress_pct(&snapshot, me_pool_progress);
+
+    RuntimeInitializationData {
+        status: snapshot.status.as_str(),
+        degraded: snapshot.degraded,
+        current_stage: snapshot.current_stage,
+        progress_pct,
+        started_at_epoch_secs: snapshot.started_at_epoch_secs,
+        ready_at_epoch_secs: snapshot.ready_at_epoch_secs,
+        total_elapsed_ms: snapshot.total_elapsed_ms,
+        transport_mode: snapshot.transport_mode,
+        me: RuntimeInitializationMeData {
+            status: snapshot.me.status.as_str(),
+            current_stage: snapshot.me.current_stage,
+            progress_pct: me_progress_pct,
+            init_attempt: snapshot.me.init_attempt,
+            retry_limit: snapshot.me.retry_limit,
+            last_error: snapshot.me.last_error,
+        },
+        components: snapshot
+            .components
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|component| RuntimeInitializationComponentData {
+                id: component.id,
+                title: component.title,
+                status: component.status.as_str(),
+                started_at_epoch_ms: component.started_at_epoch_ms,
+                finished_at_epoch_ms: component.finished_at_epoch_ms,
+                duration_ms: component.duration_ms,
+                attempts: component.attempts,
+                details: component.details,
+            })
+            .collect(),
+    }
+}
+
+fn compute_me_progress_pct(
+    snapshot: &crate::startup::StartupSnapshot,
+    me_pool_progress: Option<f64>,
+) -> f64 {
+    match snapshot.me.status {
+        StartupMeStatus::Pending => 0.0,
+        StartupMeStatus::Ready | StartupMeStatus::Failed | StartupMeStatus::Skipped => 100.0,
+        StartupMeStatus::Initializing => {
+            let mut total_weight = 0.0f64;
+            let mut completed_weight = 0.0f64;
+            for component in &snapshot.components {
+                if !is_me_component(component.id) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                total_weight += component.weight;
+                let unit_progress = match component.status {
+                    StartupComponentStatus::Pending => 0.0,
+                    StartupComponentStatus::Running => {
+                        if component.id == COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1 {
+                            me_pool_progress.unwrap_or(0.0).clamp(0.0, 1.0)
+                        } else {
+                            0.0
+                        }
+                    }
+                    StartupComponentStatus::Ready
+                    | StartupComponentStatus::Failed
+                    | StartupComponentStatus::Skipped => 1.0,
+                };
+                completed_weight += component.weight * unit_progress;
+            }
+            if total_weight <= f64::EPSILON {
+                0.0
+            } else {
+                ((completed_weight / total_weight) * 100.0).clamp(0.0, 100.0)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn is_me_component(component_id: &str) -> bool {
+    matches!(
+        component_id,
+        COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH
+            | COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4
+            | COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6
+            | COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT
+            | COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1
+            | COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING
+    )
+}
+
+async fn current_me_pool_stage_progress(shared: &ApiShared) -> Option<f64> {
+    let snapshot = shared.startup_tracker.snapshot().await;
+    if snapshot.me.status != StartupMeStatus::Initializing {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let pool = shared.me_pool.read().await.clone()?;
+    let status = pool.api_status_snapshot().await;
+    let configured_dc_groups = status.configured_dc_groups;
+    let covered_dc_groups = status
+        .dcs
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|dc| dc.alive_writers > 0)
+        .count();
+
+    let dc_coverage = ratio_01(covered_dc_groups, configured_dc_groups);
+    let writer_coverage = ratio_01(status.alive_writers, status.required_writers);
+    Some((0.7 * dc_coverage + 0.3 * writer_coverage).clamp(0.0, 1.0))
+}
+
+fn ratio_01(part: usize, total: usize) -> f64 {
+    if total == 0 {
+        return 0.0;
+    }
+    ((part as f64) / (total as f64)).clamp(0.0, 1.0)
+}

src/api/runtime_min.rs

@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ pub(super) fn build_security_whitelist_data(cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> SecurityWhitel
 
 pub(super) async fn build_runtime_me_pool_state_data(shared: &ApiShared) -> RuntimeMePoolStateData {
     let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
-    let Some(pool) = &shared.me_pool else {
+    let Some(pool) = shared.me_pool.read().await.clone() else {
         return RuntimeMePoolStateData {
             enabled: false,
             reason: Some(SOURCE_UNAVAILABLE_REASON),
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ pub(super) async fn build_runtime_me_pool_state_data(shared: &ApiShared) -> Runt
 
 pub(super) async fn build_runtime_me_quality_data(shared: &ApiShared) -> RuntimeMeQualityData {
     let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
-    let Some(pool) = &shared.me_pool else {
+    let Some(pool) = shared.me_pool.read().await.clone() else {
         return RuntimeMeQualityData {
             enabled: false,
             reason: Some(SOURCE_UNAVAILABLE_REASON),
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ pub(super) async fn build_runtime_upstream_quality_data(
 
 pub(super) async fn build_runtime_nat_stun_data(shared: &ApiShared) -> RuntimeNatStunData {
     let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
-    let Some(pool) = &shared.me_pool else {
+    let Some(pool) = shared.me_pool.read().await.clone() else {
         return RuntimeNatStunData {
             enabled: false,
             reason: Some(SOURCE_UNAVAILABLE_REASON),

src/api/runtime_selftest.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,228 @@
+use std::net::IpAddr;
+use std::sync::{Mutex, OnceLock};
+use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
+use serde::Serialize;
+
+use crate::network::probe::{detect_interface_ipv4, detect_interface_ipv6, is_bogon};
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::{bnd_snapshot, timeskew_snapshot};
+
+use super::ApiShared;
+
+const SOURCE_UNAVAILABLE_REASON: &str = "source_unavailable";
+const KDF_EWMA_TAU_SECS: f64 = 600.0;
+const KDF_EWMA_THRESHOLD_ERRORS_PER_MIN: f64 = 0.30;
+const TIMESKEW_THRESHOLD_SECS: u64 = 60;
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestKdfData {
+    pub(super) state: &'static str,
+    pub(super) ewma_errors_per_min: f64,
+    pub(super) threshold_errors_per_min: f64,
+    pub(super) errors_total: u64,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestTimeskewData {
+    pub(super) state: &'static str,
+    pub(super) max_skew_secs_15m: Option<u64>,
+    pub(super) samples_15m: usize,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) last_skew_secs: Option<u64>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) last_source: Option<&'static str>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) last_seen_age_secs: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData {
+    pub(super) addr: String,
+    pub(super) state: &'static str,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestIpData {
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) v4: Option<RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) v6: Option<RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestPidData {
+    pub(super) pid: u32,
+    pub(super) state: &'static str,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestBndData {
+    pub(super) addr_state: &'static str,
+    pub(super) port_state: &'static str,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) last_addr: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) last_seen_age_secs: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestPayload {
+    pub(super) kdf: RuntimeMeSelftestKdfData,
+    pub(super) timeskew: RuntimeMeSelftestTimeskewData,
+    pub(super) ip: RuntimeMeSelftestIpData,
+    pub(super) pid: RuntimeMeSelftestPidData,
+    pub(super) bnd: RuntimeMeSelftestBndData,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+pub(super) struct RuntimeMeSelftestData {
+    pub(super) enabled: bool,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) reason: Option<&'static str>,
+    pub(super) generated_at_epoch_secs: u64,
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub(super) data: Option<RuntimeMeSelftestPayload>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+struct KdfEwmaState {
+    initialized: bool,
+    last_epoch_secs: u64,
+    last_total_errors: u64,
+    ewma_errors_per_min: f64,
+}
+
+static KDF_EWMA_STATE: OnceLock<Mutex<KdfEwmaState>> = OnceLock::new();
+
+fn kdf_ewma_state() -> &'static Mutex<KdfEwmaState> {
+    KDF_EWMA_STATE.get_or_init(|| Mutex::new(KdfEwmaState::default()))
+}
+
+pub(super) async fn build_runtime_me_selftest_data(shared: &ApiShared) -> RuntimeMeSelftestData {
+    let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
+    if shared.me_pool.read().await.is_none() {
+        return RuntimeMeSelftestData {
+            enabled: false,
+            reason: Some(SOURCE_UNAVAILABLE_REASON),
+            generated_at_epoch_secs: now_epoch_secs,
+            data: None,
+        };
+    }
+
+    let kdf_errors_total = shared
+        .stats
+        .get_me_kdf_drift_total()
+        .saturating_add(shared.stats.get_me_socks_kdf_strict_reject());
+    let kdf_ewma = update_kdf_ewma(now_epoch_secs, kdf_errors_total);
+    let kdf_state = if kdf_ewma >= KDF_EWMA_THRESHOLD_ERRORS_PER_MIN {
+        "error"
+    } else {
+        "ok"
+    };
+
+    let skew = timeskew_snapshot();
+    let timeskew_state = if skew.max_skew_secs_15m.unwrap_or(0) > TIMESKEW_THRESHOLD_SECS {
+        "error"
+    } else {
+        "ok"
+    };
+
+    let ip_v4 = detect_interface_ipv4().map(|ip| RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData {
+        addr: ip.to_string(),
+        state: classify_ip(IpAddr::V4(ip)),
+    });
+    let ip_v6 = detect_interface_ipv6().map(|ip| RuntimeMeSelftestIpFamilyData {
+        addr: ip.to_string(),
+        state: classify_ip(IpAddr::V6(ip)),
+    });
+
+    let pid = std::process::id();
+    let pid_state = if pid == 1 { "one" } else { "non-one" };
+
+    let bnd = bnd_snapshot();
+
+    RuntimeMeSelftestData {
+        enabled: true,
+        reason: None,
+        generated_at_epoch_secs: now_epoch_secs,
+        data: Some(RuntimeMeSelftestPayload {
+            kdf: RuntimeMeSelftestKdfData {
+                state: kdf_state,
+                ewma_errors_per_min: round3(kdf_ewma),
+                threshold_errors_per_min: KDF_EWMA_THRESHOLD_ERRORS_PER_MIN,
+                errors_total: kdf_errors_total,
+            },
+            timeskew: RuntimeMeSelftestTimeskewData {
+                state: timeskew_state,
+                max_skew_secs_15m: skew.max_skew_secs_15m,
+                samples_15m: skew.samples_15m,
+                last_skew_secs: skew.last_skew_secs,
+                last_source: skew.last_source,
+                last_seen_age_secs: skew.last_seen_age_secs,
+            },
+            ip: RuntimeMeSelftestIpData {
+                v4: ip_v4,
+                v6: ip_v6,
+            },
+            pid: RuntimeMeSelftestPidData {
+                pid,
+                state: pid_state,
+            },
+            bnd: RuntimeMeSelftestBndData {
+                addr_state: bnd.addr_status,
+                port_state: bnd.port_status,
+                last_addr: bnd.last_addr.map(|value| value.to_string()),
+                last_seen_age_secs: bnd.last_seen_age_secs,
+            },
+        }),
+    }
+}
+
+fn update_kdf_ewma(now_epoch_secs: u64, total_errors: u64) -> f64 {
+    let Ok(mut guard) = kdf_ewma_state().lock() else {
+        return 0.0;
+    };
+
+    if !guard.initialized {
+        guard.initialized = true;
+        guard.last_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs;
+        guard.last_total_errors = total_errors;
+        guard.ewma_errors_per_min = 0.0;
+        return guard.ewma_errors_per_min;
+    }
+
+    let dt_secs = now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(guard.last_epoch_secs);
+    if dt_secs == 0 {
+        return guard.ewma_errors_per_min;
+    }
+
+    let delta_errors = total_errors.saturating_sub(guard.last_total_errors);
+    let instant_rate_per_min = (delta_errors as f64) * 60.0 / (dt_secs as f64);
+    let alpha = 1.0 - f64::exp(-(dt_secs as f64) / KDF_EWMA_TAU_SECS);
+    guard.ewma_errors_per_min = guard.ewma_errors_per_min
+        + alpha * (instant_rate_per_min - guard.ewma_errors_per_min);
+    guard.last_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs;
+    guard.last_total_errors = total_errors;
+    guard.ewma_errors_per_min
+}
+
+fn classify_ip(ip: IpAddr) -> &'static str {
+    if ip.is_loopback() {
+        return "loopback";
+    }
+    if is_bogon(ip) {
+        return "bogon";
+    }
+    "good"
+}
+
+fn round3(value: f64) -> f64 {
+    (value * 1000.0).round() / 1000.0
+}
+
+fn now_epoch_secs() -> u64 {
+    SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_secs()
+}

src/api/runtime_stats.rs

@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ use crate::transport::UpstreamRouteKind;
 
 use super::ApiShared;
 use super::model::{
-    DcStatus, DcStatusData, MeWriterStatus, MeWritersData, MeWritersSummary, MinimalAllData,
-    MinimalAllPayload, MinimalDcPathData, MinimalMeRuntimeData, MinimalQuarantineData,
-    UpstreamDcStatus, UpstreamStatus, UpstreamSummaryData, UpstreamsData, ZeroAllData,
-    ZeroCodeCount, ZeroCoreData, ZeroDesyncData, ZeroMiddleProxyData, ZeroPoolData,
+    DcEndpointWriters, DcStatus, DcStatusData, MeWriterStatus, MeWritersData, MeWritersSummary,
+    MinimalAllData, MinimalAllPayload, MinimalDcPathData, MinimalMeRuntimeData,
+    MinimalQuarantineData, UpstreamDcStatus, UpstreamStatus, UpstreamSummaryData, UpstreamsData,
+    ZeroAllData, ZeroCodeCount, ZeroCoreData, ZeroDesyncData, ZeroMiddleProxyData, ZeroPoolData,
     ZeroUpstreamData,
 };
 
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
         }
     }
 
-    let pool = shared.me_pool.as_ref()?;
+    let pool = shared.me_pool.read().await.clone()?;
     let status = pool.api_status_snapshot().await;
     let runtime = pool.api_runtime_snapshot().await;
     let generated_at_epoch_secs = status.generated_at_epoch_secs;
@@ -346,6 +346,14 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
                     .into_iter()
                     .map(|value| value.to_string())
                     .collect(),
+                endpoint_writers: entry
+                    .endpoint_writers
+                    .into_iter()
+                    .map(|coverage| DcEndpointWriters {
+                        endpoint: coverage.endpoint.to_string(),
+                        active_writers: coverage.active_writers,
+                    })
+                    .collect(),
                 available_endpoints: entry.available_endpoints,
                 available_pct: entry.available_pct,
                 required_writers: entry.required_writers,
@@ -380,11 +388,25 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
             .adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core,
         adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: runtime
             .adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+        adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: runtime
+            .adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+        adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: runtime
+            .adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+        adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: runtime
+            .adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+        adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: runtime
+            .adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
         adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected: runtime.adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected,
         adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective: runtime.adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective,
         adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw: runtime.adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw,
         adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective: runtime.adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective,
         adaptive_floor_target_writers_total: runtime.adaptive_floor_target_writers_total,
+        adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured: runtime.adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured,
+        adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective: runtime.adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective,
+        adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured: runtime.adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured,
+        adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective: runtime.adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective,
+        adaptive_floor_active_writers_current: runtime.adaptive_floor_active_writers_current,
+        adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current: runtime.adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current,
         me_keepalive_enabled: runtime.me_keepalive_enabled,
         me_keepalive_interval_secs: runtime.me_keepalive_interval_secs,
         me_keepalive_jitter_secs: runtime.me_keepalive_jitter_secs,
@@ -408,6 +430,8 @@ async fn get_minimal_payload_cached(
         me_single_endpoint_shadow_rotate_every_secs: runtime
             .me_single_endpoint_shadow_rotate_every_secs,
         me_deterministic_writer_sort: runtime.me_deterministic_writer_sort,
+        me_writer_pick_mode: runtime.me_writer_pick_mode,
+        me_writer_pick_sample_size: runtime.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         me_socks_kdf_policy: runtime.me_socks_kdf_policy,
         quarantined_endpoints_total: runtime.quarantined_endpoints.len(),
         quarantined_endpoints: runtime

src/api/runtime_zero.rs

@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@ use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
 
 use serde::Serialize;
 
-use crate::config::{MeFloorMode, ProxyConfig, UserMaxUniqueIpsMode};
+use crate::config::{MeFloorMode, MeWriterPickMode, ProxyConfig, UserMaxUniqueIpsMode};
 
 use super::ApiShared;
+use super::runtime_init::build_runtime_startup_summary;
 
 #[derive(Serialize)]
 pub(super) struct SystemInfoData {
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ pub(super) struct RuntimeGatesData {
     pub(super) me_runtime_ready: bool,
     pub(super) me2dc_fallback_enabled: bool,
     pub(super) use_middle_proxy: bool,
+    pub(super) startup_status: &'static str,
+    pub(super) startup_stage: String,
+    pub(super) startup_progress_pct: f64,
 }
 
 #[derive(Serialize)]
@@ -66,10 +70,16 @@ pub(super) struct EffectiveMiddleProxyLimits {
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: u16,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: u16,
     pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: u16,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: u32,
+    pub(super) adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
     pub(super) reconnect_max_concurrent_per_dc: u32,
     pub(super) reconnect_backoff_base_ms: u64,
     pub(super) reconnect_backoff_cap_ms: u64,
     pub(super) reconnect_fast_retry_count: u32,
+    pub(super) writer_pick_mode: &'static str,
+    pub(super) writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
     pub(super) me2dc_fallback: bool,
 }
 
@@ -142,12 +152,18 @@ pub(super) fn build_system_info_data(
     }
 }
 
-pub(super) fn build_runtime_gates_data(shared: &ApiShared, cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> RuntimeGatesData {
+pub(super) async fn build_runtime_gates_data(
+    shared: &ApiShared,
+    cfg: &ProxyConfig,
+) -> RuntimeGatesData {
+    let startup_summary = build_runtime_startup_summary(shared).await;
     let me_runtime_ready = if !cfg.general.use_middle_proxy {
         true
     } else {
         shared
             .me_pool
+            .read()
+            .await
             .as_ref()
             .map(|pool| pool.is_runtime_ready())
             .unwrap_or(false)
@@ -159,6 +175,9 @@ pub(super) fn build_runtime_gates_data(shared: &ApiShared, cfg: &ProxyConfig) ->
         me_runtime_ready,
         me2dc_fallback_enabled: cfg.general.me2dc_fallback,
         use_middle_proxy: cfg.general.use_middle_proxy,
+        startup_status: startup_summary.status,
+        startup_stage: startup_summary.stage,
+        startup_progress_pct: startup_summary.progress_pct,
     }
 }
 
@@ -204,10 +223,24 @@ pub(super) fn build_limits_effective_data(cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> EffectiveLimitsD
             adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: cfg
                 .general
                 .me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+            adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+            adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+            adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+            adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
             reconnect_max_concurrent_per_dc: cfg.general.me_reconnect_max_concurrent_per_dc,
             reconnect_backoff_base_ms: cfg.general.me_reconnect_backoff_base_ms,
             reconnect_backoff_cap_ms: cfg.general.me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms,
             reconnect_fast_retry_count: cfg.general.me_reconnect_fast_retry_count,
+            writer_pick_mode: me_writer_pick_mode_label(cfg.general.me_writer_pick_mode),
+            writer_pick_sample_size: cfg.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
             me2dc_fallback: cfg.general.me2dc_fallback,
         },
         user_ip_policy: EffectiveUserIpPolicyLimits {
@@ -245,3 +278,10 @@ fn me_floor_mode_label(mode: MeFloorMode) -> &'static str {
         MeFloorMode::Adaptive => "adaptive",
     }
 }
+
+fn me_writer_pick_mode_label(mode: MeWriterPickMode) -> &'static str {
+    match mode {
+        MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => "sorted_rr",
+        MeWriterPickMode::P2c => "p2c",
+    }
+}

src/api/users.rs

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ use crate::stats::Stats;
 
 use super::ApiShared;
 use super::config_store::{
-    ensure_expected_revision, load_config_from_disk, save_config_to_disk,
+    AccessSection, ensure_expected_revision, load_config_from_disk, save_access_sections_to_disk,
+    save_config_to_disk,
 };
 use super::model::{
     ApiFailure, CreateUserRequest, CreateUserResponse, PatchUserRequest, RotateSecretRequest,
@@ -21,6 +22,12 @@ pub(super) async fn create_user(
     expected_revision: Option<String>,
     shared: &ApiShared,
 ) -> Result<(CreateUserResponse, String), ApiFailure> {
+    let touches_user_ad_tags = body.user_ad_tag.is_some();
+    let touches_user_max_tcp_conns = body.max_tcp_conns.is_some();
+    let touches_user_expirations = body.expiration_rfc3339.is_some();
+    let touches_user_data_quota = body.data_quota_bytes.is_some();
+    let touches_user_max_unique_ips = body.max_unique_ips.is_some();
+
     if !is_valid_username(&body.username) {
         return Err(ApiFailure::bad_request(
             "username must match [A-Za-z0-9_.-] and be 1..64 chars",
@@ -84,19 +91,37 @@ pub(super) async fn create_user(
     cfg.validate()
         .map_err(|e| ApiFailure::bad_request(format!("config validation failed: {}", e)))?;
 
-    let revision = save_config_to_disk(&shared.config_path, &cfg).await?;
+    let mut touched_sections = vec![AccessSection::Users];
+    if touches_user_ad_tags {
+        touched_sections.push(AccessSection::UserAdTags);
+    }
+    if touches_user_max_tcp_conns {
+        touched_sections.push(AccessSection::UserMaxTcpConns);
+    }
+    if touches_user_expirations {
+        touched_sections.push(AccessSection::UserExpirations);
+    }
+    if touches_user_data_quota {
+        touched_sections.push(AccessSection::UserDataQuota);
+    }
+    if touches_user_max_unique_ips {
+        touched_sections.push(AccessSection::UserMaxUniqueIps);
+    }
+
+    let revision = save_access_sections_to_disk(&shared.config_path, &cfg, &touched_sections).await?;
     drop(_guard);
 
     if let Some(limit) = updated_limit {
         shared.ip_tracker.set_user_limit(&body.username, limit).await;
     }
+    let (detected_ip_v4, detected_ip_v6) = shared.detected_link_ips();
 
     let users = users_from_config(
         &cfg,
         &shared.stats,
         &shared.ip_tracker,
-        shared.startup_detected_ip_v4,
-        shared.startup_detected_ip_v6,
+        detected_ip_v4,
+        detected_ip_v6,
     )
     .await;
     let user = users
@@ -118,8 +143,8 @@ pub(super) async fn create_user(
             links: build_user_links(
                 &cfg,
                 &secret,
-                shared.startup_detected_ip_v4,
-                shared.startup_detected_ip_v6,
+                detected_ip_v4,
+                detected_ip_v6,
             ),
         });
 
@@ -185,12 +210,13 @@ pub(super) async fn patch_user(
     if let Some(limit) = updated_limit {
         shared.ip_tracker.set_user_limit(user, limit).await;
     }
+    let (detected_ip_v4, detected_ip_v6) = shared.detected_link_ips();
     let users = users_from_config(
         &cfg,
         &shared.stats,
         &shared.ip_tracker,
-        shared.startup_detected_ip_v4,
-        shared.startup_detected_ip_v6,
+        detected_ip_v4,
+        detected_ip_v6,
     )
     .await;
     let user_info = users
@@ -229,15 +255,24 @@ pub(super) async fn rotate_secret(
     cfg.access.users.insert(user.to_string(), secret.clone());
     cfg.validate()
         .map_err(|e| ApiFailure::bad_request(format!("config validation failed: {}", e)))?;
-    let revision = save_config_to_disk(&shared.config_path, &cfg).await?;
+    let touched_sections = [
+        AccessSection::Users,
+        AccessSection::UserAdTags,
+        AccessSection::UserMaxTcpConns,
+        AccessSection::UserExpirations,
+        AccessSection::UserDataQuota,
+        AccessSection::UserMaxUniqueIps,
+    ];
+    let revision = save_access_sections_to_disk(&shared.config_path, &cfg, &touched_sections).await?;
     drop(_guard);
 
+    let (detected_ip_v4, detected_ip_v6) = shared.detected_link_ips();
     let users = users_from_config(
         &cfg,
         &shared.stats,
         &shared.ip_tracker,
-        shared.startup_detected_ip_v4,
-        shared.startup_detected_ip_v6,
+        detected_ip_v4,
+        detected_ip_v6,
     )
     .await;
     let user_info = users
@@ -287,7 +322,15 @@ pub(super) async fn delete_user(
 
     cfg.validate()
         .map_err(|e| ApiFailure::bad_request(format!("config validation failed: {}", e)))?;
-    let revision = save_config_to_disk(&shared.config_path, &cfg).await?;
+    let touched_sections = [
+        AccessSection::Users,
+        AccessSection::UserAdTags,
+        AccessSection::UserMaxTcpConns,
+        AccessSection::UserExpirations,
+        AccessSection::UserDataQuota,
+        AccessSection::UserMaxUniqueIps,
+    ];
+    let revision = save_access_sections_to_disk(&shared.config_path, &cfg, &touched_sections).await?;
     drop(_guard);
     shared.ip_tracker.remove_user_limit(user).await;
     shared.ip_tracker.clear_user_ips(user).await;
@@ -418,17 +461,6 @@ fn resolve_link_hosts(
         return vec![host.to_string()];
     }
 
-    let mut startup_hosts = Vec::new();
-    if let Some(ip) = startup_detected_ip_v4 {
-        push_unique_host(&mut startup_hosts, &ip.to_string());
-    }
-    if let Some(ip) = startup_detected_ip_v6 {
-        push_unique_host(&mut startup_hosts, &ip.to_string());
-    }
-    if !startup_hosts.is_empty() {
-        return startup_hosts;
-    }
-
     let mut hosts = Vec::new();
     for listener in &cfg.server.listeners {
         if let Some(host) = listener
@@ -443,24 +475,44 @@ fn resolve_link_hosts(
         if let Some(ip) = listener.announce_ip {
             if !ip.is_unspecified() {
                 push_unique_host(&mut hosts, &ip.to_string());
+                continue;
+            }
+        }
+        if listener.ip.is_unspecified() {
+            let detected_ip = if listener.ip.is_ipv4() {
+                startup_detected_ip_v4
+            } else {
+                startup_detected_ip_v6
+            };
+            if let Some(ip) = detected_ip {
+                push_unique_host(&mut hosts, &ip.to_string());
+            } else {
+                push_unique_host(&mut hosts, &listener.ip.to_string());
             }
             continue;
         }
-        if !listener.ip.is_unspecified() {
-            push_unique_host(&mut hosts, &listener.ip.to_string());
-        }
+        push_unique_host(&mut hosts, &listener.ip.to_string());
     }
 
-    if hosts.is_empty() {
-        if let Some(host) = cfg.server.listen_addr_ipv4.as_deref() {
-            push_host_from_legacy_listen(&mut hosts, host);
-        }
-        if let Some(host) = cfg.server.listen_addr_ipv6.as_deref() {
-            push_host_from_legacy_listen(&mut hosts, host);
-        }
+    if !hosts.is_empty() {
+        return hosts;
     }
 
-    hosts
+    if let Some(ip) = startup_detected_ip_v4.or(startup_detected_ip_v6) {
+        return vec![ip.to_string()];
+    }
+
+    if let Some(host) = cfg.server.listen_addr_ipv4.as_deref() {
+        push_host_from_legacy_listen(&mut hosts, host);
+    }
+    if let Some(host) = cfg.server.listen_addr_ipv6.as_deref() {
+        push_host_from_legacy_listen(&mut hosts, host);
+    }
+    if !hosts.is_empty() {
+        return hosts;
+    }
+
+    vec!["UNKNOWN".to_string()]
 }
 
 fn push_host_from_legacy_listen(hosts: &mut Vec<String>, raw: &str) {

src/config/defaults.rs

@@ -17,6 +17,25 @@ const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_WRITERS_PER_CORE_TOTAL: u16 = 48;
 const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_CPU_CORES_OVERRIDE: u16 = 0;
 const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_EXTRA_WRITERS_SINGLE_PER_CORE: u16 = 1;
 const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_EXTRA_WRITERS_MULTI_PER_CORE: u16 = 2;
+const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_ACTIVE_WRITERS_PER_CORE: u16 = 64;
+const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_WARM_WRITERS_PER_CORE: u16 = 64;
+const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_ACTIVE_WRITERS_GLOBAL: u32 = 256;
+const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_WARM_WRITERS_GLOBAL: u32 = 256;
+const DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_CMD_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 4096;
+const DEFAULT_ME_ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 768;
+const DEFAULT_ME_C2ME_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 1024;
+const DEFAULT_ME_READER_ROUTE_DATA_WAIT_MS: u64 = 2;
+const DEFAULT_ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_FRAMES: usize = 32;
+const DEFAULT_ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_BYTES: usize = 128 * 1024;
+const DEFAULT_ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_DELAY_US: u64 = 1500;
+const DEFAULT_ME_D2C_ACK_FLUSH_IMMEDIATE: bool = false;
+const DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_COPY_BUF_C2S_BYTES: usize = 64 * 1024;
+const DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_COPY_BUF_S2C_BYTES: usize = 256 * 1024;
+const DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_PICK_SAMPLE_SIZE: u8 = 3;
+const DEFAULT_ME_HEALTH_INTERVAL_MS_UNHEALTHY: u64 = 1000;
+const DEFAULT_ME_HEALTH_INTERVAL_MS_HEALTHY: u64 = 3000;
+const DEFAULT_ME_ADMISSION_POLL_MS: u64 = 1000;
+const DEFAULT_ME_WARN_RATE_LIMIT_MS: u64 = 5000;
 const DEFAULT_USER_MAX_UNIQUE_IPS_WINDOW_SECS: u64 = 30;
 const DEFAULT_UPSTREAM_CONNECT_RETRY_ATTEMPTS: u32 = 2;
 const DEFAULT_UPSTREAM_UNHEALTHY_FAIL_THRESHOLD: u32 = 5;
@@ -100,11 +119,11 @@ pub(crate) fn default_metrics_whitelist() -> Vec<IpNetwork> {
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn default_api_listen() -> String {
-    "127.0.0.1:9091".to_string()
+    "0.0.0.0:9091".to_string()
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn default_api_whitelist() -> Vec<IpNetwork> {
-    default_metrics_whitelist()
+    vec!["127.0.0.0/8".parse().unwrap()]
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn default_api_request_body_limit_bytes() -> usize {
@@ -112,7 +131,7 @@ pub(crate) fn default_api_request_body_limit_bytes() -> usize {
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn default_api_minimal_runtime_enabled() -> bool {
-    false
+    true
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn default_api_minimal_runtime_cache_ttl_ms() -> u64 {
@@ -276,6 +295,82 @@ pub(crate) fn default_me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core() -> u1
     DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_EXTRA_WRITERS_MULTI_PER_CORE
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn default_me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core() -> u16 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_ACTIVE_WRITERS_PER_CORE
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core() -> u16 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_WARM_WRITERS_PER_CORE
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global() -> u32 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_ACTIVE_WRITERS_GLOBAL
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global() -> u32 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_WARM_WRITERS_GLOBAL
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_CMD_CHANNEL_CAPACITY
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_route_channel_capacity() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_ME_ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_c2me_channel_capacity() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_ME_C2ME_CHANNEL_CAPACITY
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_reader_route_data_wait_ms() -> u64 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_READER_ROUTE_DATA_WAIT_MS
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_FRAMES
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_BYTES
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us() -> u64 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_DELAY_US
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate() -> bool {
+    DEFAULT_ME_D2C_ACK_FLUSH_IMMEDIATE
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_COPY_BUF_C2S_BYTES
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_COPY_BUF_S2C_BYTES
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_writer_pick_sample_size() -> u8 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_PICK_SAMPLE_SIZE
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy() -> u64 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_HEALTH_INTERVAL_MS_UNHEALTHY
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_health_interval_ms_healthy() -> u64 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_HEALTH_INTERVAL_MS_HEALTHY
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_admission_poll_ms() -> u64 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_ADMISSION_POLL_MS
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn default_me_warn_rate_limit_ms() -> u64 {
+    DEFAULT_ME_WARN_RATE_LIMIT_MS
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn default_upstream_connect_retry_attempts() -> u32 {
     DEFAULT_UPSTREAM_CONNECT_RETRY_ATTEMPTS
 }

src/config/hot_reload.rs

@@ -29,7 +29,10 @@ use notify::{EventKind, RecursiveMode, Watcher, recommended_watcher};
 use tokio::sync::{mpsc, watch};
 use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
-use crate::config::{LogLevel, MeBindStaleMode, MeFloorMode, MeSocksKdfPolicy, MeTelemetryLevel};
+use crate::config::{
+    LogLevel, MeBindStaleMode, MeFloorMode, MeSocksKdfPolicy, MeTelemetryLevel,
+    MeWriterPickMode,
+};
 use super::load::ProxyConfig;
 
 // ── Hot fields ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -57,6 +60,8 @@ pub struct HotFields {
     pub me_bind_stale_ttl_secs: u64,
     pub me_secret_atomic_snapshot: bool,
     pub me_deterministic_writer_sort: bool,
+    pub me_writer_pick_mode: MeWriterPickMode,
+    pub me_writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
     pub me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers: u8,
     pub me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled: bool,
     pub me_single_endpoint_outage_disable_quarantine: bool,
@@ -84,9 +89,24 @@ pub struct HotFields {
     pub me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: u16,
     pub me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: u16,
     pub me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: u16,
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: u32,
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
     pub me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms: u64,
     pub me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms: u64,
     pub me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct: u8,
+    pub me_reader_route_data_wait_ms: u64,
+    pub me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames: usize,
+    pub me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes: usize,
+    pub me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us: u64,
+    pub me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate: bool,
+    pub direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes: usize,
+    pub direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes: usize,
+    pub me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: u64,
+    pub me_health_interval_ms_healthy: u64,
+    pub me_admission_poll_ms: u64,
+    pub me_warn_rate_limit_ms: u64,
     pub users:                   std::collections::HashMap<String, String>,
     pub user_ad_tags:            std::collections::HashMap<String, String>,
     pub user_max_tcp_conns:      std::collections::HashMap<String, usize>,
@@ -122,6 +142,8 @@ impl HotFields {
             me_bind_stale_ttl_secs: cfg.general.me_bind_stale_ttl_secs,
             me_secret_atomic_snapshot: cfg.general.me_secret_atomic_snapshot,
             me_deterministic_writer_sort: cfg.general.me_deterministic_writer_sort,
+            me_writer_pick_mode: cfg.general.me_writer_pick_mode,
+            me_writer_pick_sample_size: cfg.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
             me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers: cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers,
             me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled: cfg
                 .general
@@ -173,9 +195,32 @@ impl HotFields {
             me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: cfg
                 .general
                 .me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: cfg
+                .general
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
             me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms: cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms,
             me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms: cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms,
             me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct: cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct,
+            me_reader_route_data_wait_ms: cfg.general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms,
+            me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames: cfg.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames,
+            me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes: cfg.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes,
+            me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us: cfg.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us,
+            me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate: cfg.general.me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate,
+            direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes: cfg.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes,
+            direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes: cfg.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes,
+            me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy,
+            me_health_interval_ms_healthy: cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy,
+            me_admission_poll_ms: cfg.general.me_admission_poll_ms,
+            me_warn_rate_limit_ms: cfg.general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms,
             users:                   cfg.access.users.clone(),
             user_ad_tags:            cfg.access.user_ad_tags.clone(),
             user_max_tcp_conns:      cfg.access.user_max_tcp_conns.clone(),
@@ -268,6 +313,8 @@ fn overlay_hot_fields(old: &ProxyConfig, new: &ProxyConfig) -> ProxyConfig {
     cfg.general.me_bind_stale_ttl_secs = new.general.me_bind_stale_ttl_secs;
     cfg.general.me_secret_atomic_snapshot = new.general.me_secret_atomic_snapshot;
     cfg.general.me_deterministic_writer_sort = new.general.me_deterministic_writer_sort;
+    cfg.general.me_writer_pick_mode = new.general.me_writer_pick_mode;
+    cfg.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size = new.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size;
     cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers = new.general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers;
     cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled =
         new.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled;
@@ -305,12 +352,31 @@ fn overlay_hot_fields(old: &ProxyConfig, new: &ProxyConfig) -> ProxyConfig {
         new.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core;
     cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core =
         new.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core;
+    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core =
+        new.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core;
+    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core =
+        new.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core;
+    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global =
+        new.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global;
+    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global =
+        new.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global;
     cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms =
         new.general.me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms;
     cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms =
         new.general.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms;
     cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct =
         new.general.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct;
+    cfg.general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms = new.general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms;
+    cfg.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames = new.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames;
+    cfg.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes = new.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes;
+    cfg.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us = new.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us;
+    cfg.general.me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate = new.general.me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate;
+    cfg.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes = new.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes;
+    cfg.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes = new.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes;
+    cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy = new.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy;
+    cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy = new.general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy;
+    cfg.general.me_admission_poll_ms = new.general.me_admission_poll_ms;
+    cfg.general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms = new.general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms;
 
     cfg.access.users = new.access.users.clone();
     cfg.access.user_ad_tags = new.access.user_ad_tags.clone();
@@ -647,11 +713,15 @@ fn log_changes(
     }
     if old_hot.me_secret_atomic_snapshot != new_hot.me_secret_atomic_snapshot
         || old_hot.me_deterministic_writer_sort != new_hot.me_deterministic_writer_sort
+        || old_hot.me_writer_pick_mode != new_hot.me_writer_pick_mode
+        || old_hot.me_writer_pick_sample_size != new_hot.me_writer_pick_sample_size
     {
         info!(
-            "config reload: me_runtime_flags: secret_atomic_snapshot={} deterministic_sort={}",
+            "config reload: me_runtime_flags: secret_atomic_snapshot={} deterministic_sort={} writer_pick_mode={:?} writer_pick_sample_size={}",
             new_hot.me_secret_atomic_snapshot,
-            new_hot.me_deterministic_writer_sort
+            new_hot.me_deterministic_writer_sort,
+            new_hot.me_writer_pick_mode,
+            new_hot.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         );
     }
     if old_hot.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers != new_hot.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers
@@ -739,9 +809,17 @@ fn log_changes(
             != new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core
         || old_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core
             != new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core
+        || old_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core
+            != new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core
+        || old_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core
+            != new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core
+        || old_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global
+            != new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global
+        || old_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global
+            != new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global
     {
         info!(
-            "config reload: me_floor: mode={:?} idle={}s min_single={} min_multi={} recover_grace={}s per_core_total={} cores_override={} extra_single_per_core={} extra_multi_per_core={}",
+            "config reload: me_floor: mode={:?} idle={}s min_single={} min_multi={} recover_grace={}s per_core_total={} cores_override={} extra_single_per_core={} extra_multi_per_core={} max_active_per_core={} max_warm_per_core={} max_active_global={} max_warm_global={}",
             new_hot.me_floor_mode,
             new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_idle_secs,
             new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_min_writers_single_endpoint,
@@ -751,6 +829,10 @@ fn log_changes(
             new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override,
             new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core,
             new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+            new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+            new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+            new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+            new_hot.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
         );
     }
 
@@ -760,12 +842,41 @@ fn log_changes(
             != new_hot.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms
         || old_hot.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct
             != new_hot.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct
+        || old_hot.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms != new_hot.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms
+        || old_hot.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy
+            != new_hot.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy
+        || old_hot.me_health_interval_ms_healthy != new_hot.me_health_interval_ms_healthy
+        || old_hot.me_admission_poll_ms != new_hot.me_admission_poll_ms
+        || old_hot.me_warn_rate_limit_ms != new_hot.me_warn_rate_limit_ms
     {
         info!(
-            "config reload: me_route_backpressure: base={}ms high={}ms watermark={}%",
+            "config reload: me_route_backpressure: base={}ms high={}ms watermark={}%; me_reader_route_data_wait_ms={}; me_health_interval: unhealthy={}ms healthy={}ms; me_admission_poll={}ms; me_warn_rate_limit={}ms",
             new_hot.me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms,
             new_hot.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms,
             new_hot.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct,
+            new_hot.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms,
+            new_hot.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy,
+            new_hot.me_health_interval_ms_healthy,
+            new_hot.me_admission_poll_ms,
+            new_hot.me_warn_rate_limit_ms,
+        );
+    }
+
+    if old_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames != new_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames
+        || old_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes != new_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes
+        || old_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us != new_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us
+        || old_hot.me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate != new_hot.me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate
+        || old_hot.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes != new_hot.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes
+        || old_hot.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes != new_hot.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes
+    {
+        info!(
+            "config reload: relay_tuning: me_d2c_frames={} me_d2c_bytes={} me_d2c_delay_us={} me_ack_flush_immediate={} direct_buf_c2s={} direct_buf_s2c={}",
+            new_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames,
+            new_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes,
+            new_hot.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us,
+            new_hot.me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate,
+            new_hot.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes,
+            new_hot.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes,
         );
     }
 

src/config/load.rs

@@ -285,6 +285,84 @@ impl ProxyConfig {
             ));
         }
 
+        if config.general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_route_channel_capacity == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_route_channel_capacity must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_c2me_channel_capacity == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_c2me_channel_capacity must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms > 20 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms must be within [0, 20]".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if !(1..=512).contains(&config.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames) {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames must be within [1, 512]".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if !(4096..=2 * 1024 * 1024).contains(&config.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes) {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes must be within [4096, 2097152]".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us > 5000 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us must be within [0, 5000]".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if !(4096..=1024 * 1024).contains(&config.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes) {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes must be within [4096, 1048576]".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if !(8192..=2 * 1024 * 1024).contains(&config.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes) {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes must be within [8192, 2097152]".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_admission_poll_ms == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_admission_poll_ms must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
         if config.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs == 0 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Config(
                 "access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs must be > 0".to_string(),
@@ -327,6 +405,30 @@ impl ProxyConfig {
             ));
         }
 
+        if config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
+        if config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global == 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global must be > 0".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
         if config.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_min_ms == 0 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Config(
                 "general.me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_min_ms must be > 0".to_string(),
@@ -453,6 +555,12 @@ impl ProxyConfig {
             ));
         }
 
+        if !(2..=4).contains(&config.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size) {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(
+                "general.me_writer_pick_sample_size must be within [2, 4]".to_string(),
+            ));
+        }
+
         if config.general.me_route_inline_recovery_attempts == 0 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Config(
                 "general.me_route_inline_recovery_attempts must be > 0".to_string(),
@@ -1238,6 +1346,46 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = std::fs::remove_file(path);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core_zero_is_rejected() {
+        let toml = r#"
+            [general]
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core = 0
+
+            [censorship]
+            tls_domain = "example.com"
+
+            [access.users]
+            user = "00000000000000000000000000000000"
+        "#;
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir();
+        let path = dir.join("telemt_me_adaptive_floor_max_active_per_core_zero_test.toml");
+        std::fs::write(&path, toml).unwrap();
+        let err = ProxyConfig::load(&path).unwrap_err().to_string();
+        assert!(err.contains("general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core must be > 0"));
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(path);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global_zero_is_rejected() {
+        let toml = r#"
+            [general]
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global = 0
+
+            [censorship]
+            tls_domain = "example.com"
+
+            [access.users]
+            user = "00000000000000000000000000000000"
+        "#;
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir();
+        let path = dir.join("telemt_me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_global_zero_test.toml");
+        std::fs::write(&path, toml).unwrap();
+        let err = ProxyConfig::load(&path).unwrap_err().to_string();
+        assert!(err.contains("general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global must be > 0"));
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(path);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn upstream_connect_retry_attempts_zero_is_rejected() {
         let toml = r#"

src/config/types.rs

@@ -212,6 +212,32 @@ impl MeRouteNoWriterMode {
     }
 }
 
+/// Middle-End writer selection mode for new client bindings.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, Default)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum MeWriterPickMode {
+    SortedRr,
+    #[default]
+    P2c,
+}
+
+impl MeWriterPickMode {
+    pub fn as_u8(self) -> u8 {
+        match self {
+            MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => 0,
+            MeWriterPickMode::P2c => 1,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn from_u8(raw: u8) -> Self {
+        match raw {
+            0 => MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr,
+            1 => MeWriterPickMode::P2c,
+            _ => MeWriterPickMode::P2c,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Per-user unique source IP limit mode.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, Default)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
@@ -420,6 +446,48 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_rpc_proxy_req_every")]
     pub rpc_proxy_req_every: u64,
 
+    /// Capacity of per-ME writer command channel.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity")]
+    pub me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity: usize,
+
+    /// Capacity of per-connection ME response route channel.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_route_channel_capacity")]
+    pub me_route_channel_capacity: usize,
+
+    /// Capacity of per-client command queue from client reader to ME sender task.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_c2me_channel_capacity")]
+    pub me_c2me_channel_capacity: usize,
+
+    /// Bounded wait in milliseconds for routing ME DATA to per-connection queue.
+    /// `0` keeps legacy no-wait behavior.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_reader_route_data_wait_ms")]
+    pub me_reader_route_data_wait_ms: u64,
+
+    /// Maximum number of ME->Client responses coalesced before flush.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames")]
+    pub me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames: usize,
+
+    /// Maximum total payload bytes coalesced before flush.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes")]
+    pub me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes: usize,
+
+    /// Maximum wait in microseconds to coalesce additional ME->Client responses.
+    /// `0` disables timed coalescing.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us")]
+    pub me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us: u64,
+
+    /// Flush client writer immediately after quick-ack write.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate")]
+    pub me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate: bool,
+
+    /// Copy buffer size for client->DC direction in direct relay.
+    #[serde(default = "default_direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes")]
+    pub direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes: usize,
+
+    /// Copy buffer size for DC->client direction in direct relay.
+    #[serde(default = "default_direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes")]
+    pub direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes: usize,
+
     /// Max pending ciphertext buffer per client writer (bytes).
     /// Controls FakeTLS backpressure vs throughput.
     #[serde(default = "default_crypto_pending_buffer")]
@@ -545,6 +613,22 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core")]
     pub me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: u16,
 
+    /// Hard cap for active ME writers per logical CPU core.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core")]
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: u16,
+
+    /// Hard cap for warm ME writers per logical CPU core.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core")]
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: u16,
+
+    /// Hard global cap for active ME writers.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global")]
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: u32,
+
+    /// Hard global cap for warm ME writers.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global")]
+    pub me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
+
     /// Connect attempts for the selected upstream before returning error/fallback.
     #[serde(default = "default_upstream_connect_retry_attempts")]
     pub upstream_connect_retry_attempts: u32,
@@ -604,6 +688,22 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct")]
     pub me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct: u8,
 
+    /// Health monitor interval in milliseconds while writer coverage is degraded.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy")]
+    pub me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: u64,
+
+    /// Health monitor interval in milliseconds while writer coverage is stable.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_health_interval_ms_healthy")]
+    pub me_health_interval_ms_healthy: u64,
+
+    /// Poll interval in milliseconds for conditional-admission state checks.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_admission_poll_ms")]
+    pub me_admission_poll_ms: u64,
+
+    /// Cooldown for repetitive ME warning logs in milliseconds.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_warn_rate_limit_ms")]
+    pub me_warn_rate_limit_ms: u64,
+
     /// ME route behavior when no writer is immediately available.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub me_route_no_writer_mode: MeRouteNoWriterMode,
@@ -738,6 +838,14 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_me_deterministic_writer_sort")]
     pub me_deterministic_writer_sort: bool,
 
+    /// Writer selection mode for ME route bind path.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub me_writer_pick_mode: MeWriterPickMode,
+
+    /// Number of candidates sampled by writer picker in `p2c` mode.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_writer_pick_sample_size")]
+    pub me_writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
+
     /// Enable NTP drift check at startup.
     #[serde(default = "default_ntp_check")]
     pub ntp_check: bool,
@@ -780,6 +888,16 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
             me_keepalive_jitter_secs: default_keepalive_jitter(),
             me_keepalive_payload_random: default_true(),
             rpc_proxy_req_every: default_rpc_proxy_req_every(),
+            me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity: default_me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity(),
+            me_route_channel_capacity: default_me_route_channel_capacity(),
+            me_c2me_channel_capacity: default_me_c2me_channel_capacity(),
+            me_reader_route_data_wait_ms: default_me_reader_route_data_wait_ms(),
+            me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames: default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames(),
+            me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes: default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes(),
+            me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us: default_me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us(),
+            me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate: default_me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate(),
+            direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes: default_direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes(),
+            direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes: default_direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes(),
             me_warmup_stagger_enabled: default_true(),
             me_warmup_step_delay_ms: default_warmup_step_delay_ms(),
             me_warmup_step_jitter_ms: default_warmup_step_jitter_ms(),
@@ -802,6 +920,10 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
             me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: default_me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override(),
             me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: default_me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core(),
             me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: default_me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core(),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: default_me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core(),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: default_me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core(),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: default_me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global(),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: default_me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global(),
             upstream_connect_retry_attempts: default_upstream_connect_retry_attempts(),
             upstream_connect_retry_backoff_ms: default_upstream_connect_retry_backoff_ms(),
             upstream_connect_budget_ms: default_upstream_connect_budget_ms(),
@@ -817,6 +939,10 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
             me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms: default_me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms(),
             me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms: default_me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms(),
             me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct: default_me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct(),
+            me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: default_me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy(),
+            me_health_interval_ms_healthy: default_me_health_interval_ms_healthy(),
+            me_admission_poll_ms: default_me_admission_poll_ms(),
+            me_warn_rate_limit_ms: default_me_warn_rate_limit_ms(),
             me_route_no_writer_mode: MeRouteNoWriterMode::default(),
             me_route_no_writer_wait_ms: default_me_route_no_writer_wait_ms(),
             me_route_inline_recovery_attempts: default_me_route_inline_recovery_attempts(),
@@ -857,6 +983,8 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
             me_reinit_trigger_channel: default_me_reinit_trigger_channel(),
             me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms: default_me_reinit_coalesce_window_ms(),
             me_deterministic_writer_sort: default_me_deterministic_writer_sort(),
+            me_writer_pick_mode: MeWriterPickMode::default(),
+            me_writer_pick_sample_size: default_me_writer_pick_sample_size(),
             ntp_check: default_ntp_check(),
             ntp_servers: default_ntp_servers(),
             auto_degradation_enabled: default_true(),
@@ -916,7 +1044,7 @@ impl Default for LinksConfig {
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq)]
 pub struct ApiConfig {
     /// Enable or disable REST API.
-    #[serde(default)]
+    #[serde(default = "default_true")]
     pub enabled: bool,
 
     /// Listen address for API in `IP:PORT` format.
@@ -968,7 +1096,7 @@ pub struct ApiConfig {
 impl Default for ApiConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
-            enabled: false,
+            enabled: default_true(),
             listen: default_api_listen(),
             whitelist: default_api_whitelist(),
             auth_header: String::new(),

src/maestro/admission.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+use tokio::sync::watch;
+use tracing::{info, warn};
+
+use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+use crate::proxy::route_mode::{RelayRouteMode, RouteRuntimeController};
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
+
+const STARTUP_FALLBACK_AFTER: Duration = Duration::from_secs(80);
+const RUNTIME_FALLBACK_AFTER: Duration = Duration::from_secs(6);
+
+pub(crate) async fn configure_admission_gate(
+    config: &Arc<ProxyConfig>,
+    me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
+    admission_tx: &watch::Sender<bool>,
+    config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+) {
+    if config.general.use_middle_proxy {
+        if let Some(pool) = me_pool.as_ref() {
+            let initial_ready = pool.admission_ready_conditional_cast().await;
+            admission_tx.send_replace(initial_ready);
+            let _ = route_runtime.set_mode(RelayRouteMode::Middle);
+            if initial_ready {
+                info!("Conditional-admission gate: open / ME pool READY");
+            } else {
+                warn!("Conditional-admission gate: closed / ME pool is NOT ready)");
+            }
+
+            let pool_for_gate = pool.clone();
+            let admission_tx_gate = admission_tx.clone();
+            let route_runtime_gate = route_runtime.clone();
+            let mut config_rx_gate = config_rx.clone();
+            let mut admission_poll_ms = config.general.me_admission_poll_ms.max(1);
+            let mut fallback_enabled = config.general.me2dc_fallback;
+            tokio::spawn(async move {
+                let mut gate_open = initial_ready;
+                let mut route_mode = RelayRouteMode::Middle;
+                let mut ready_observed = initial_ready;
+                let mut not_ready_since = if initial_ready {
+                    None
+                } else {
+                    Some(Instant::now())
+                };
+                loop {
+                    tokio::select! {
+                        changed = config_rx_gate.changed() => {
+                            if changed.is_err() {
+                                break;
+                            }
+                            let cfg = config_rx_gate.borrow_and_update().clone();
+                            admission_poll_ms = cfg.general.me_admission_poll_ms.max(1);
+                            fallback_enabled = cfg.general.me2dc_fallback;
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                        _ = tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(admission_poll_ms)) => {}
+                    }
+                    let ready = pool_for_gate.admission_ready_conditional_cast().await;
+                    let now = Instant::now();
+                    let (next_gate_open, next_route_mode, next_fallback_active) = if ready {
+                        ready_observed = true;
+                        not_ready_since = None;
+                        (true, RelayRouteMode::Middle, false)
+                    } else {
+                        let not_ready_started_at = *not_ready_since.get_or_insert(now);
+                        let not_ready_for = now.saturating_duration_since(not_ready_started_at);
+                        let fallback_after = if ready_observed {
+                            RUNTIME_FALLBACK_AFTER
+                        } else {
+                            STARTUP_FALLBACK_AFTER
+                        };
+                        if fallback_enabled && not_ready_for > fallback_after {
+                            (true, RelayRouteMode::Direct, true)
+                        } else {
+                            (false, RelayRouteMode::Middle, false)
+                        }
+                    };
+
+                    if next_route_mode != route_mode {
+                        route_mode = next_route_mode;
+                        if let Some(snapshot) = route_runtime_gate.set_mode(route_mode) {
+                            if matches!(route_mode, RelayRouteMode::Middle) {
+                                info!(
+                                    target_mode = route_mode.as_str(),
+                                    cutover_generation = snapshot.generation,
+                                    "Middle-End routing restored for new sessions"
+                                );
+                            } else {
+                                let fallback_after = if ready_observed {
+                                    RUNTIME_FALLBACK_AFTER
+                                } else {
+                                    STARTUP_FALLBACK_AFTER
+                                };
+                                warn!(
+                                    target_mode = route_mode.as_str(),
+                                    cutover_generation = snapshot.generation,
+                                    grace_secs = fallback_after.as_secs(),
+                                    "ME pool stayed not-ready beyond grace; routing new sessions via Direct-DC"
+                                );
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    if next_gate_open != gate_open {
+                        gate_open = next_gate_open;
+                        admission_tx_gate.send_replace(gate_open);
+                        if gate_open {
+                            if next_fallback_active {
+                                warn!("Conditional-admission gate opened in ME fallback mode");
+                            } else {
+                                info!("Conditional-admission gate opened / ME pool READY");
+                            }
+                        } else {
+                            warn!("Conditional-admission gate closed / ME pool is NOT ready");
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            });
+        } else {
+            admission_tx.send_replace(false);
+            let _ = route_runtime.set_mode(RelayRouteMode::Direct);
+            warn!("Conditional-admission gate: closed / ME pool is UNAVAILABLE");
+        }
+    } else {
+        admission_tx.send_replace(true);
+        let _ = route_runtime.set_mode(RelayRouteMode::Direct);
+    }
+}

src/maestro/connectivity.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::Instant;
+
+use tokio::sync::RwLock;
+use tracing::info;
+
+use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
+use crate::network::probe::NetworkDecision;
+use crate::startup::{
+    COMPONENT_DC_CONNECTIVITY_PING, COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING, COMPONENT_RUNTIME_READY,
+    StartupTracker,
+};
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::{
+    MePingFamily, MePingSample, MePool, format_me_route, format_sample_line, run_me_ping,
+};
+use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
+
+pub(crate) async fn run_startup_connectivity(
+    config: &Arc<ProxyConfig>,
+    me_pool: &Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>,
+    upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
+    prefer_ipv6: bool,
+    decision: &NetworkDecision,
+    process_started_at: Instant,
+    api_me_pool: Arc<RwLock<Option<Arc<MePool>>>>,
+) {
+    if me_pool.is_some() {
+        startup_tracker
+            .start_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING,
+                Some("run startup ME connectivity check".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+    } else {
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING,
+                Some("ME pool is not available".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+    }
+    if let Some(pool) = me_pool {
+        let me_results = run_me_ping(pool, &rng).await;
+
+        let v4_ok = me_results.iter().any(|r| {
+            matches!(r.family, MePingFamily::V4)
+                && r.samples.iter().any(|s| s.error.is_none() && s.handshake_ms.is_some())
+        });
+        let v6_ok = me_results.iter().any(|r| {
+            matches!(r.family, MePingFamily::V6)
+                && r.samples.iter().any(|s| s.error.is_none() && s.handshake_ms.is_some())
+        });
+
+        info!("================= Telegram ME Connectivity =================");
+        if v4_ok && v6_ok {
+            info!("  IPv4 and IPv6 available");
+        } else if v4_ok {
+            info!("  IPv4 only / IPv6 unavailable");
+        } else if v6_ok {
+            info!("  IPv6 only / IPv4 unavailable");
+        } else {
+            info!("  No ME connectivity");
+        }
+        let me_route =
+            format_me_route(&config.upstreams, &me_results, prefer_ipv6, v4_ok, v6_ok).await;
+        info!("  via {}", me_route);
+        info!("============================================================");
+
+        use std::collections::BTreeMap;
+        let mut grouped: BTreeMap<i32, Vec<MePingSample>> = BTreeMap::new();
+        for report in me_results {
+            for s in report.samples {
+                grouped.entry(s.dc).or_default().push(s);
+            }
+        }
+
+        let family_order = if prefer_ipv6 {
+            vec![MePingFamily::V6, MePingFamily::V4]
+        } else {
+            vec![MePingFamily::V4, MePingFamily::V6]
+        };
+
+        for (dc, samples) in grouped {
+            for family in &family_order {
+                let fam_samples: Vec<&MePingSample> = samples
+                    .iter()
+                    .filter(|s| matches!(s.family, f if &f == family))
+                    .collect();
+                if fam_samples.is_empty() {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                let fam_label = match family {
+                    MePingFamily::V4 => "IPv4",
+                    MePingFamily::V6 => "IPv6",
+                };
+                info!("    DC{} [{}]", dc, fam_label);
+                for sample in fam_samples {
+                    let line = format_sample_line(sample);
+                    info!("{}", line);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        info!("============================================================");
+        startup_tracker
+            .complete_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING,
+                Some("startup ME connectivity check completed".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+    }
+
+    info!("================= Telegram DC Connectivity =================");
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(
+            COMPONENT_DC_CONNECTIVITY_PING,
+            Some("run startup DC connectivity check".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+
+    let ping_results = upstream_manager
+        .ping_all_dcs(
+            prefer_ipv6,
+            &config.dc_overrides,
+            decision.ipv4_dc,
+            decision.ipv6_dc,
+        )
+        .await;
+
+    for upstream_result in &ping_results {
+        let v6_works = upstream_result.v6_results.iter().any(|r| r.rtt_ms.is_some());
+        let v4_works = upstream_result.v4_results.iter().any(|r| r.rtt_ms.is_some());
+
+        if upstream_result.both_available {
+            if prefer_ipv6 {
+                info!("  IPv6 in use / IPv4 is fallback");
+            } else {
+                info!("  IPv4 in use / IPv6 is fallback");
+            }
+        } else if v6_works && !v4_works {
+            info!("  IPv6 only / IPv4 unavailable");
+        } else if v4_works && !v6_works {
+            info!("  IPv4 only / IPv6 unavailable");
+        } else if !v6_works && !v4_works {
+            info!("  No DC connectivity");
+        }
+
+        info!("  via {}", upstream_result.upstream_name);
+        info!("============================================================");
+
+        if v6_works {
+            for dc in &upstream_result.v6_results {
+                let addr_str = format!("{}:{}", dc.dc_addr.ip(), dc.dc_addr.port());
+                match &dc.rtt_ms {
+                    Some(rtt) => {
+                        info!("    DC{} [IPv6] {} - {:.0} ms", dc.dc_idx, addr_str, rtt);
+                    }
+                    None => {
+                        let err = dc.error.as_deref().unwrap_or("fail");
+                        info!("    DC{} [IPv6] {} - FAIL ({})", dc.dc_idx, addr_str, err);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            info!("============================================================");
+        }
+
+        if v4_works {
+            for dc in &upstream_result.v4_results {
+                let addr_str = format!("{}:{}", dc.dc_addr.ip(), dc.dc_addr.port());
+                match &dc.rtt_ms {
+                    Some(rtt) => {
+                        info!(
+                            "    DC{} [IPv4] {}\t\t\t\t{:.0} ms",
+                            dc.dc_idx, addr_str, rtt
+                        );
+                    }
+                    None => {
+                        let err = dc.error.as_deref().unwrap_or("fail");
+                        info!(
+                            "    DC{} [IPv4] {}:\t\t\t\tFAIL ({})",
+                            dc.dc_idx, addr_str, err
+                        );
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            info!("============================================================");
+        }
+    }
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(
+            COMPONENT_DC_CONNECTIVITY_PING,
+            Some("startup DC connectivity check completed".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+
+    let initialized_secs = process_started_at.elapsed().as_secs();
+    let second_suffix = if initialized_secs == 1 { "" } else { "s" };
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(
+            COMPONENT_RUNTIME_READY,
+            Some("finalize startup runtime state".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+    info!("===================== Telegram Startup =====================");
+    info!(
+        "  DC/ME Initialized in {} second{}",
+        initialized_secs, second_suffix
+    );
+    info!("============================================================");
+
+    if let Some(pool) = me_pool {
+        pool.set_runtime_ready(true);
+    }
+    *api_me_pool.write().await = me_pool.clone();
+}

src/maestro/helpers.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,320 @@
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use tokio::sync::watch;
+use tracing::{debug, error, info, warn};
+
+use crate::cli;
+use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+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>) {
+    let mut config_path = "config.toml".to_string();
+    let mut silent = false;
+    let mut log_level: Option<String> = None;
+
+    let args: Vec<String> = std::env::args().skip(1).collect();
+
+    // Check for --init first (handled before tokio)
+    if let Some(init_opts) = cli::parse_init_args(&args) {
+        if let Err(e) = cli::run_init(init_opts) {
+            eprintln!("[telemt] Init failed: {}", e);
+            std::process::exit(1);
+        }
+        std::process::exit(0);
+    }
+
+    let mut i = 0;
+    while i < args.len() {
+        match args[i].as_str() {
+            "--silent" | "-s" => {
+                silent = true;
+            }
+            "--log-level" => {
+                i += 1;
+                if i < args.len() {
+                    log_level = Some(args[i].clone());
+                }
+            }
+            s if s.starts_with("--log-level=") => {
+                log_level = Some(s.trim_start_matches("--log-level=").to_string());
+            }
+            "--help" | "-h" => {
+                eprintln!("Usage: telemt [config.toml] [OPTIONS]");
+                eprintln!();
+                eprintln!("Options:");
+                eprintln!("  --silent, -s            Suppress info logs");
+                eprintln!("  --log-level <LEVEL>     debug|verbose|normal|silent");
+                eprintln!("  --help, -h              Show this help");
+                eprintln!();
+                eprintln!("Setup (fire-and-forget):");
+                eprintln!(
+                    "  --init                  Generate config, install systemd service, start"
+                );
+                eprintln!("    --port <PORT>          Listen port (default: 443)");
+                eprintln!(
+                    "    --domain <DOMAIN>      TLS domain for masking (default: www.google.com)"
+                );
+                eprintln!(
+                    "    --secret <HEX>         32-char hex secret (auto-generated if omitted)"
+                );
+                eprintln!("    --user <NAME>          Username (default: user)");
+                eprintln!("    --config-dir <DIR>     Config directory (default: /etc/telemt)");
+                eprintln!("    --no-start             Don't start the service after install");
+                std::process::exit(0);
+            }
+            "--version" | "-V" => {
+                println!("telemt {}", env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION"));
+                std::process::exit(0);
+            }
+            s if !s.starts_with('-') => {
+                config_path = s.to_string();
+            }
+            other => {
+                eprintln!("Unknown option: {}", other);
+            }
+        }
+        i += 1;
+    }
+
+    (config_path, silent, log_level)
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn print_proxy_links(host: &str, port: u16, config: &ProxyConfig) {
+    info!(target: "telemt::links", "--- Proxy Links ({}) ---", host);
+    for user_name in config.general.links.show.resolve_users(&config.access.users) {
+        if let Some(secret) = config.access.users.get(user_name) {
+            info!(target: "telemt::links", "User: {}", user_name);
+            if config.general.modes.classic {
+                info!(
+                    target: "telemt::links",
+                    "  Classic: tg://proxy?server={}&port={}&secret={}",
+                    host, port, secret
+                );
+            }
+            if config.general.modes.secure {
+                info!(
+                    target: "telemt::links",
+                    "  DD:      tg://proxy?server={}&port={}&secret=dd{}",
+                    host, port, secret
+                );
+            }
+            if config.general.modes.tls {
+                let mut domains = Vec::with_capacity(1 + config.censorship.tls_domains.len());
+                domains.push(config.censorship.tls_domain.clone());
+                for d in &config.censorship.tls_domains {
+                    if !domains.contains(d) {
+                        domains.push(d.clone());
+                    }
+                }
+
+                for domain in domains {
+                    let domain_hex = hex::encode(&domain);
+                    info!(
+                        target: "telemt::links",
+                        "  EE-TLS:  tg://proxy?server={}&port={}&secret=ee{}{}",
+                        host, port, secret, domain_hex
+                    );
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            warn!(target: "telemt::links", "User '{}' in show_link not found", user_name);
+        }
+    }
+    info!(target: "telemt::links", "------------------------");
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn write_beobachten_snapshot(path: &str, payload: &str) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    if let Some(parent) = std::path::Path::new(path).parent()
+        && !parent.as_os_str().is_empty()
+    {
+        tokio::fs::create_dir_all(parent).await?;
+    }
+    tokio::fs::write(path, payload).await
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn unit_label(value: u64, singular: &'static str, plural: &'static str) -> &'static str {
+    if value == 1 { singular } else { plural }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn format_uptime(total_secs: u64) -> String {
+    const SECS_PER_MINUTE: u64 = 60;
+    const SECS_PER_HOUR: u64 = 60 * SECS_PER_MINUTE;
+    const SECS_PER_DAY: u64 = 24 * SECS_PER_HOUR;
+    const SECS_PER_MONTH: u64 = 30 * SECS_PER_DAY;
+    const SECS_PER_YEAR: u64 = 12 * SECS_PER_MONTH;
+
+    let mut remaining = total_secs;
+    let years = remaining / SECS_PER_YEAR;
+    remaining %= SECS_PER_YEAR;
+    let months = remaining / SECS_PER_MONTH;
+    remaining %= SECS_PER_MONTH;
+    let days = remaining / SECS_PER_DAY;
+    remaining %= SECS_PER_DAY;
+    let hours = remaining / SECS_PER_HOUR;
+    remaining %= SECS_PER_HOUR;
+    let minutes = remaining / SECS_PER_MINUTE;
+    let seconds = remaining % SECS_PER_MINUTE;
+
+    let mut parts = Vec::new();
+    if total_secs > SECS_PER_YEAR {
+        parts.push(format!("{} {}", years, unit_label(years, "year", "years")));
+    }
+    if total_secs > SECS_PER_MONTH {
+        parts.push(format!(
+            "{} {}",
+            months,
+            unit_label(months, "month", "months")
+        ));
+    }
+    if total_secs > SECS_PER_DAY {
+        parts.push(format!("{} {}", days, unit_label(days, "day", "days")));
+    }
+    if total_secs > SECS_PER_HOUR {
+        parts.push(format!("{} {}", hours, unit_label(hours, "hour", "hours")));
+    }
+    if total_secs > SECS_PER_MINUTE {
+        parts.push(format!(
+            "{} {}",
+            minutes,
+            unit_label(minutes, "minute", "minutes")
+        ));
+    }
+    parts.push(format!(
+        "{} {}",
+        seconds,
+        unit_label(seconds, "second", "seconds")
+    ));
+
+    format!("{} / {} seconds", parts.join(", "), total_secs)
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn wait_until_admission_open(admission_rx: &mut watch::Receiver<bool>) -> bool {
+    loop {
+        if *admission_rx.borrow() {
+            return true;
+        }
+        if admission_rx.changed().await.is_err() {
+            return *admission_rx.borrow();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn is_expected_handshake_eof(err: &crate::error::ProxyError) -> bool {
+    err.to_string().contains("expected 64 bytes, got 0")
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn load_startup_proxy_config_snapshot(
+    url: &str,
+    cache_path: Option<&str>,
+    me2dc_fallback: bool,
+    label: &'static str,
+) -> Option<ProxyConfigData> {
+    loop {
+        match fetch_proxy_config_with_raw(url).await {
+            Ok((cfg, raw)) => {
+                if !cfg.map.is_empty() {
+                    if let Some(path) = cache_path
+                        && let Err(e) = save_proxy_config_cache(path, &raw).await
+                    {
+                        warn!(error = %e, path, snapshot = label, "Failed to store startup proxy-config cache");
+                    }
+                    return Some(cfg);
+                }
+
+                warn!(snapshot = label, url, "Startup proxy-config is empty; trying disk cache");
+                if let Some(path) = cache_path {
+                    match load_proxy_config_cache(path).await {
+                        Ok(cached) if !cached.map.is_empty() => {
+                            info!(
+                                snapshot = label,
+                                path,
+                                proxy_for_lines = cached.proxy_for_lines,
+                                "Loaded startup proxy-config from disk cache"
+                            );
+                            return Some(cached);
+                        }
+                        Ok(_) => {
+                            warn!(
+                                snapshot = label,
+                                path,
+                                "Startup proxy-config cache is empty; ignoring cache file"
+                            );
+                        }
+                        Err(cache_err) => {
+                            debug!(
+                                snapshot = label,
+                                path,
+                                error = %cache_err,
+                                "Startup proxy-config cache unavailable"
+                            );
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if me2dc_fallback {
+                    error!(
+                        snapshot = label,
+                        "Startup proxy-config unavailable and no saved config found; falling back to direct mode"
+                    );
+                    return None;
+                }
+
+                warn!(
+                    snapshot = label,
+                    retry_in_secs = 2,
+                    "Startup proxy-config unavailable and no saved config found; retrying because me2dc_fallback=false"
+                );
+                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
+            }
+            Err(fetch_err) => {
+                if let Some(path) = cache_path {
+                    match load_proxy_config_cache(path).await {
+                        Ok(cached) if !cached.map.is_empty() => {
+                            info!(
+                                snapshot = label,
+                                path,
+                                proxy_for_lines = cached.proxy_for_lines,
+                                "Loaded startup proxy-config from disk cache"
+                            );
+                            return Some(cached);
+                        }
+                        Ok(_) => {
+                            warn!(
+                                snapshot = label,
+                                path,
+                                "Startup proxy-config cache is empty; ignoring cache file"
+                            );
+                        }
+                        Err(cache_err) => {
+                            debug!(
+                                snapshot = label,
+                                path,
+                                error = %cache_err,
+                                "Startup proxy-config cache unavailable"
+                            );
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if me2dc_fallback {
+                    error!(
+                        snapshot = label,
+                        error = %fetch_err,
+                        "Startup proxy-config unavailable and no cached data; falling back to direct mode"
+                    );
+                    return None;
+                }
+
+                warn!(
+                    snapshot = label,
+                    error = %fetch_err,
+                    retry_in_secs = 2,
+                    "Startup proxy-config unavailable; retrying because me2dc_fallback=false"
+                );
+                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

src/maestro/listeners.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,465 @@
+use std::error::Error;
+use std::net::{IpAddr, SocketAddr};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use tokio::net::TcpListener;
+#[cfg(unix)]
+use tokio::net::UnixListener;
+use tokio::sync::{Semaphore, watch};
+use tracing::{debug, error, info, warn};
+
+use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
+use crate::ip_tracker::UserIpTracker;
+use crate::proxy::route_mode::{ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG, RouteRuntimeController};
+use crate::proxy::ClientHandler;
+use crate::startup::{COMPONENT_LISTENERS_BIND, StartupTracker};
+use crate::stats::beobachten::BeobachtenStore;
+use crate::stats::{ReplayChecker, Stats};
+use crate::stream::BufferPool;
+use crate::tls_front::TlsFrontCache;
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
+use crate::transport::{
+    ListenOptions, UpstreamManager, create_listener, find_listener_processes,
+};
+
+use super::helpers::{is_expected_handshake_eof, print_proxy_links, wait_until_admission_open};
+
+pub(crate) struct BoundListeners {
+    pub(crate) listeners: Vec<(TcpListener, bool)>,
+    pub(crate) has_unix_listener: bool,
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+pub(crate) async fn bind_listeners(
+    config: &Arc<ProxyConfig>,
+    decision_ipv4_dc: bool,
+    decision_ipv6_dc: bool,
+    detected_ip_v4: Option<IpAddr>,
+    detected_ip_v6: Option<IpAddr>,
+    startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>,
+    config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+    admission_rx: watch::Receiver<bool>,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
+    replay_checker: Arc<ReplayChecker>,
+    buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
+    rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
+    tls_cache: Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>>,
+    ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
+    beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
+    max_connections: Arc<Semaphore>,
+) -> Result<BoundListeners, Box<dyn Error>> {
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(
+            COMPONENT_LISTENERS_BIND,
+            Some("bind TCP/Unix listeners".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+    let mut listeners = Vec::new();
+
+    for listener_conf in &config.server.listeners {
+        let addr = SocketAddr::new(listener_conf.ip, config.server.port);
+        if addr.is_ipv4() && !decision_ipv4_dc {
+            warn!(%addr, "Skipping IPv4 listener: IPv4 disabled by [network]");
+            continue;
+        }
+        if addr.is_ipv6() && !decision_ipv6_dc {
+            warn!(%addr, "Skipping IPv6 listener: IPv6 disabled by [network]");
+            continue;
+        }
+        let options = ListenOptions {
+            reuse_port: listener_conf.reuse_allow,
+            ipv6_only: listener_conf.ip.is_ipv6(),
+            ..Default::default()
+        };
+
+        match create_listener(addr, &options) {
+            Ok(socket) => {
+                let listener = TcpListener::from_std(socket.into())?;
+                info!("Listening on {}", addr);
+                let listener_proxy_protocol =
+                    listener_conf.proxy_protocol.unwrap_or(config.server.proxy_protocol);
+
+                let public_host = if let Some(ref announce) = listener_conf.announce {
+                    announce.clone()
+                } else if listener_conf.ip.is_unspecified() {
+                    if listener_conf.ip.is_ipv4() {
+                        detected_ip_v4
+                            .map(|ip| ip.to_string())
+                            .unwrap_or_else(|| listener_conf.ip.to_string())
+                    } else {
+                        detected_ip_v6
+                            .map(|ip| ip.to_string())
+                            .unwrap_or_else(|| listener_conf.ip.to_string())
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    listener_conf.ip.to_string()
+                };
+
+                if config.general.links.public_host.is_none() && !config.general.links.show.is_empty() {
+                    let link_port = config.general.links.public_port.unwrap_or(config.server.port);
+                    print_proxy_links(&public_host, link_port, config);
+                }
+
+                listeners.push((listener, listener_proxy_protocol));
+            }
+            Err(e) => {
+                if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::AddrInUse {
+                    let owners = find_listener_processes(addr);
+                    if owners.is_empty() {
+                        error!(
+                            %addr,
+                            "Failed to bind: address already in use (owner process unresolved)"
+                        );
+                    } else {
+                        for owner in owners {
+                            error!(
+                                %addr,
+                                pid = owner.pid,
+                                process = %owner.process,
+                                "Failed to bind: address already in use"
+                            );
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    if !listener_conf.reuse_allow {
+                        error!(
+                            %addr,
+                            "reuse_allow=false; set [[server.listeners]].reuse_allow=true to allow multi-instance listening"
+                        );
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    error!("Failed to bind to {}: {}", addr, e);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if !config.general.links.show.is_empty()
+        && (config.general.links.public_host.is_some() || listeners.is_empty())
+    {
+        let (host, port) = if let Some(ref h) = config.general.links.public_host {
+            (
+                h.clone(),
+                config.general.links.public_port.unwrap_or(config.server.port),
+            )
+        } else {
+            let ip = detected_ip_v4
+                .or(detected_ip_v6)
+                .map(|ip| ip.to_string());
+            if ip.is_none() {
+                warn!(
+                    "show_link is configured but public IP could not be detected. Set public_host in config."
+                );
+            }
+            (
+                ip.unwrap_or_else(|| "UNKNOWN".to_string()),
+                config.general.links.public_port.unwrap_or(config.server.port),
+            )
+        };
+
+        print_proxy_links(&host, port, config);
+    }
+
+    let mut has_unix_listener = false;
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    if let Some(ref unix_path) = config.server.listen_unix_sock {
+        let _ = tokio::fs::remove_file(unix_path).await;
+
+        let unix_listener = UnixListener::bind(unix_path)?;
+
+        if let Some(ref perm_str) = config.server.listen_unix_sock_perm {
+            match u32::from_str_radix(perm_str.trim_start_matches('0'), 8) {
+                Ok(mode) => {
+                    use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+                    let perms = std::fs::Permissions::from_mode(mode);
+                    if let Err(e) = std::fs::set_permissions(unix_path, perms) {
+                        error!("Failed to set unix socket permissions to {}: {}", perm_str, e);
+                    } else {
+                        info!("Listening on unix:{} (mode {})", unix_path, perm_str);
+                    }
+                }
+                Err(e) => {
+                    warn!("Invalid listen_unix_sock_perm '{}': {}. Ignoring.", perm_str, e);
+                    info!("Listening on unix:{}", unix_path);
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            info!("Listening on unix:{}", unix_path);
+        }
+
+        has_unix_listener = true;
+
+        let mut config_rx_unix: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>> = config_rx.clone();
+        let mut admission_rx_unix = admission_rx.clone();
+        let stats = stats.clone();
+        let upstream_manager = upstream_manager.clone();
+        let replay_checker = replay_checker.clone();
+        let buffer_pool = buffer_pool.clone();
+        let rng = rng.clone();
+        let me_pool = me_pool.clone();
+        let route_runtime = route_runtime.clone();
+        let tls_cache = tls_cache.clone();
+        let ip_tracker = ip_tracker.clone();
+        let beobachten = beobachten.clone();
+        let max_connections_unix = max_connections.clone();
+
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let unix_conn_counter = Arc::new(std::sync::atomic::AtomicU64::new(1));
+
+            loop {
+                if !wait_until_admission_open(&mut admission_rx_unix).await {
+                    warn!("Conditional-admission gate channel closed for unix listener");
+                    break;
+                }
+                match unix_listener.accept().await {
+                    Ok((stream, _)) => {
+                        let permit = match max_connections_unix.clone().acquire_owned().await {
+                            Ok(permit) => permit,
+                            Err(_) => {
+                                error!("Connection limiter is closed");
+                                break;
+                            }
+                        };
+                        let conn_id =
+                            unix_conn_counter.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+                        let fake_peer =
+                            SocketAddr::from(([127, 0, 0, 1], (conn_id % 65535) as u16));
+
+                        let config = config_rx_unix.borrow_and_update().clone();
+                        let stats = stats.clone();
+                        let upstream_manager = upstream_manager.clone();
+                        let replay_checker = replay_checker.clone();
+                        let buffer_pool = buffer_pool.clone();
+                        let rng = rng.clone();
+                        let me_pool = me_pool.clone();
+                        let route_runtime = route_runtime.clone();
+                        let tls_cache = tls_cache.clone();
+                        let ip_tracker = ip_tracker.clone();
+                        let beobachten = beobachten.clone();
+                        let proxy_protocol_enabled = config.server.proxy_protocol;
+
+                        tokio::spawn(async move {
+                            let _permit = permit;
+                            if let Err(e) = crate::proxy::client::handle_client_stream(
+                                stream,
+                                fake_peer,
+                                config,
+                                stats,
+                                upstream_manager,
+                                replay_checker,
+                                buffer_pool,
+                                rng,
+                                me_pool,
+                                route_runtime,
+                                tls_cache,
+                                ip_tracker,
+                                beobachten,
+                                proxy_protocol_enabled,
+                            )
+                            .await
+                            {
+                                debug!(error = %e, "Unix socket connection error");
+                            }
+                        });
+                    }
+                    Err(e) => {
+                        error!("Unix socket accept error: {}", e);
+                        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(
+            COMPONENT_LISTENERS_BIND,
+            Some(format!(
+                "listeners configured tcp={} unix={}",
+                listeners.len(),
+                has_unix_listener
+            )),
+        )
+        .await;
+
+    Ok(BoundListeners {
+        listeners,
+        has_unix_listener,
+    })
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+pub(crate) fn spawn_tcp_accept_loops(
+    listeners: Vec<(TcpListener, bool)>,
+    config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+    admission_rx: watch::Receiver<bool>,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
+    replay_checker: Arc<ReplayChecker>,
+    buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
+    rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
+    tls_cache: Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>>,
+    ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
+    beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
+    max_connections: Arc<Semaphore>,
+) {
+    for (listener, listener_proxy_protocol) in listeners {
+        let mut config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>> = config_rx.clone();
+        let mut admission_rx_tcp = admission_rx.clone();
+        let stats = stats.clone();
+        let upstream_manager = upstream_manager.clone();
+        let replay_checker = replay_checker.clone();
+        let buffer_pool = buffer_pool.clone();
+        let rng = rng.clone();
+        let me_pool = me_pool.clone();
+        let route_runtime = route_runtime.clone();
+        let tls_cache = tls_cache.clone();
+        let ip_tracker = ip_tracker.clone();
+        let beobachten = beobachten.clone();
+        let max_connections_tcp = max_connections.clone();
+
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            loop {
+                if !wait_until_admission_open(&mut admission_rx_tcp).await {
+                    warn!("Conditional-admission gate channel closed for tcp listener");
+                    break;
+                }
+                match listener.accept().await {
+                    Ok((stream, peer_addr)) => {
+                        let permit = match max_connections_tcp.clone().acquire_owned().await {
+                            Ok(permit) => permit,
+                            Err(_) => {
+                                error!("Connection limiter is closed");
+                                break;
+                            }
+                        };
+                        let config = config_rx.borrow_and_update().clone();
+                        let stats = stats.clone();
+                        let upstream_manager = upstream_manager.clone();
+                        let replay_checker = replay_checker.clone();
+                        let buffer_pool = buffer_pool.clone();
+                        let rng = rng.clone();
+                        let me_pool = me_pool.clone();
+                        let route_runtime = route_runtime.clone();
+                        let tls_cache = tls_cache.clone();
+                        let ip_tracker = ip_tracker.clone();
+                        let beobachten = beobachten.clone();
+                        let proxy_protocol_enabled = listener_proxy_protocol;
+                        let real_peer_report = Arc::new(std::sync::Mutex::new(None));
+                        let real_peer_report_for_handler = real_peer_report.clone();
+
+                        tokio::spawn(async move {
+                            let _permit = permit;
+                            if let Err(e) = ClientHandler::new(
+                                stream,
+                                peer_addr,
+                                config,
+                                stats,
+                                upstream_manager,
+                                replay_checker,
+                                buffer_pool,
+                                rng,
+                                me_pool,
+                                route_runtime,
+                                tls_cache,
+                                ip_tracker,
+                                beobachten,
+                                proxy_protocol_enabled,
+                                real_peer_report_for_handler,
+                            )
+                            .run()
+                            .await
+                            {
+                                let real_peer = match real_peer_report.lock() {
+                                    Ok(guard) => *guard,
+                                    Err(_) => None,
+                                };
+                                let peer_closed = matches!(
+                                    &e,
+                                    crate::error::ProxyError::Io(ioe)
+                                        if matches!(
+                                            ioe.kind(),
+                                            std::io::ErrorKind::ConnectionReset
+                                                | std::io::ErrorKind::ConnectionAborted
+                                                | std::io::ErrorKind::BrokenPipe
+                                                | std::io::ErrorKind::NotConnected
+                                        )
+                                ) || matches!(
+                                    &e,
+                                    crate::error::ProxyError::Stream(
+                                        crate::error::StreamError::Io(ioe)
+                                    )
+                                        if matches!(
+                                            ioe.kind(),
+                                            std::io::ErrorKind::ConnectionReset
+                                                | std::io::ErrorKind::ConnectionAborted
+                                                | std::io::ErrorKind::BrokenPipe
+                                                | std::io::ErrorKind::NotConnected
+                                        )
+                                );
+
+                                let me_closed = matches!(
+                                    &e,
+                                    crate::error::ProxyError::Proxy(msg) if msg == "ME connection lost"
+                                );
+                                let route_switched = matches!(
+                                    &e,
+                                    crate::error::ProxyError::Proxy(msg) if msg == ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG
+                                );
+
+                                match (peer_closed, me_closed) {
+                                    (true, _) => {
+                                        if let Some(real_peer) = real_peer {
+                                            debug!(peer = %peer_addr, real_peer = %real_peer, error = %e, "Connection closed by client");
+                                        } else {
+                                            debug!(peer = %peer_addr, error = %e, "Connection closed by client");
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                    (_, true) => {
+                                        if let Some(real_peer) = real_peer {
+                                            warn!(peer = %peer_addr, real_peer = %real_peer, error = %e, "Connection closed: Middle-End dropped session");
+                                        } else {
+                                            warn!(peer = %peer_addr, error = %e, "Connection closed: Middle-End dropped session");
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                    _ if route_switched => {
+                                        if let Some(real_peer) = real_peer {
+                                            info!(peer = %peer_addr, real_peer = %real_peer, error = %e, "Connection closed by controlled route cutover");
+                                        } else {
+                                            info!(peer = %peer_addr, error = %e, "Connection closed by controlled route cutover");
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                    _ if is_expected_handshake_eof(&e) => {
+                                        if let Some(real_peer) = real_peer {
+                                            info!(peer = %peer_addr, real_peer = %real_peer, error = %e, "Connection closed during initial handshake");
+                                        } else {
+                                            info!(peer = %peer_addr, error = %e, "Connection closed during initial handshake");
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                    _ => {
+                                        if let Some(real_peer) = real_peer {
+                                            warn!(peer = %peer_addr, real_peer = %real_peer, error = %e, "Connection closed with error");
+                                        } else {
+                                            warn!(peer = %peer_addr, error = %e, "Connection closed with error");
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                        });
+                    }
+                    Err(e) => {
+                        error!("Accept error: {}", e);
+                        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(100)).await;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        });
+    }
+}

src/maestro/me_startup.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,515 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use tokio::sync::RwLock;
+use tracing::{error, info, warn};
+
+use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
+use crate::network::probe::{NetworkDecision, NetworkProbe};
+use crate::startup::{
+    COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT, COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1, COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4,
+    COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6, COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH, StartupMeStatus, StartupTracker,
+};
+use crate::stats::Stats;
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
+use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
+
+use super::helpers::load_startup_proxy_config_snapshot;
+
+pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
+    use_middle_proxy: bool,
+    config: &ProxyConfig,
+    decision: &NetworkDecision,
+    probe: &NetworkProbe,
+    startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>,
+    upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
+    rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    api_me_pool: Arc<RwLock<Option<Arc<MePool>>>>,
+) -> Option<Arc<MePool>> {
+    if !use_middle_proxy {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    info!("=== Middle Proxy Mode ===");
+    let me_nat_probe = config.general.middle_proxy_nat_probe && config.network.stun_use;
+    if config.general.middle_proxy_nat_probe && !config.network.stun_use {
+        info!("Middle-proxy STUN probing disabled by network.stun_use=false");
+    }
+
+    let me2dc_fallback = config.general.me2dc_fallback;
+    let me_init_retry_attempts = config.general.me_init_retry_attempts;
+    let me_init_warn_after_attempts: u32 = 3;
+
+    // Global ad_tag (pool default). Used when user has no per-user tag in access.user_ad_tags.
+    let proxy_tag = config
+        .general
+        .ad_tag
+        .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
+    // =============================================================
+    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 {
+        match crate::transport::middle_proxy::fetch_proxy_secret(
+            proxy_secret_path,
+            config.general.proxy_secret_len_max,
+        )
+        .await
+        {
+            Ok(proxy_secret) => break Some(proxy_secret),
+            Err(e) => {
+                startup_tracker.set_me_last_error(Some(e.to_string())).await;
+                if me2dc_fallback {
+                    error!(
+                        error = %e,
+                        "ME startup failed: proxy-secret is unavailable and no saved secret found; falling back to direct mode"
+                    );
+                    break None;
+                }
+
+                warn!(
+                    error = %e,
+                    retry_in_secs = 2,
+                    "ME startup failed: proxy-secret is unavailable and no saved secret found; retrying because me2dc_fallback=false"
+                );
+                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
+            }
+        }
+    };
+    match proxy_secret {
+        Some(proxy_secret) => {
+            startup_tracker
+                .complete_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH,
+                    Some("proxy-secret loaded".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            info!(
+                secret_len = proxy_secret.len(),
+                key_sig = format_args!(
+                    "0x{:08x}",
+                    if proxy_secret.len() >= 4 {
+                        u32::from_le_bytes([
+                            proxy_secret[0],
+                            proxy_secret[1],
+                            proxy_secret[2],
+                            proxy_secret[3],
+                        ])
+                    } else {
+                        0
+                    }
+                ),
+                "Proxy-secret loaded"
+            );
+
+            startup_tracker
+                .start_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4,
+                    Some("load startup proxy-config v4".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            startup_tracker
+                .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Initializing, COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4)
+                .await;
+            let cfg_v4 = load_startup_proxy_config_snapshot(
+                "https://core.telegram.org/getProxyConfig",
+                config.general.proxy_config_v4_cache_path.as_deref(),
+                me2dc_fallback,
+                "getProxyConfig",
+            )
+            .await;
+            if cfg_v4.is_some() {
+                startup_tracker
+                    .complete_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4,
+                        Some("proxy-config v4 loaded".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+            } else {
+                startup_tracker
+                    .fail_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4,
+                        Some("proxy-config v4 unavailable".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+            }
+            startup_tracker
+                .start_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6,
+                    Some("load startup proxy-config v6".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            startup_tracker
+                .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Initializing, COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6)
+                .await;
+            let cfg_v6 = load_startup_proxy_config_snapshot(
+                "https://core.telegram.org/getProxyConfigV6",
+                config.general.proxy_config_v6_cache_path.as_deref(),
+                me2dc_fallback,
+                "getProxyConfigV6",
+            )
+            .await;
+            if cfg_v6.is_some() {
+                startup_tracker
+                    .complete_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6,
+                        Some("proxy-config v6 loaded".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+            } else {
+                startup_tracker
+                    .fail_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6,
+                        Some("proxy-config v6 unavailable".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+            }
+
+            if let (Some(cfg_v4), Some(cfg_v6)) = (cfg_v4, cfg_v6) {
+                startup_tracker
+                    .start_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT,
+                        Some("construct ME pool".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+                startup_tracker
+                    .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Initializing, COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT)
+                    .await;
+                let pool = MePool::new(
+                    proxy_tag.clone(),
+                    proxy_secret,
+                    config.general.middle_proxy_nat_ip,
+                    me_nat_probe,
+                    None,
+                    config.network.stun_servers.clone(),
+                    config.general.stun_nat_probe_concurrency,
+                    probe.detected_ipv6,
+                    config.timeouts.me_one_retry,
+                    config.timeouts.me_one_timeout_ms,
+                    cfg_v4.map.clone(),
+                    cfg_v6.map.clone(),
+                    cfg_v4.default_dc.or(cfg_v6.default_dc),
+                    decision.clone(),
+                    Some(upstream_manager.clone()),
+                    rng.clone(),
+                    stats.clone(),
+                    config.general.me_keepalive_enabled,
+                    config.general.me_keepalive_interval_secs,
+                    config.general.me_keepalive_jitter_secs,
+                    config.general.me_keepalive_payload_random,
+                    config.general.rpc_proxy_req_every,
+                    config.general.me_warmup_stagger_enabled,
+                    config.general.me_warmup_step_delay_ms,
+                    config.general.me_warmup_step_jitter_ms,
+                    config.general.me_reconnect_max_concurrent_per_dc,
+                    config.general.me_reconnect_backoff_base_ms,
+                    config.general.me_reconnect_backoff_cap_ms,
+                    config.general.me_reconnect_fast_retry_count,
+                    config.general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers,
+                    config.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled,
+                    config.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_disable_quarantine,
+                    config.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_min_ms,
+                    config.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_max_ms,
+                    config.general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_rotate_every_secs,
+                    config.general.me_floor_mode,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_idle_secs,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_min_writers_single_endpoint,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_min_writers_multi_endpoint,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_recover_grace_secs,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_writers_per_core_total,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+                    config.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
+                    config.general.hardswap,
+                    config.general.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs,
+                    config.general.effective_me_pool_force_close_secs(),
+                    config.general.me_pool_min_fresh_ratio,
+                    config.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_min_ms,
+                    config.general.me_hardswap_warmup_delay_max_ms,
+                    config.general.me_hardswap_warmup_extra_passes,
+                    config.general.me_hardswap_warmup_pass_backoff_base_ms,
+                    config.general.me_bind_stale_mode,
+                    config.general.me_bind_stale_ttl_secs,
+                    config.general.me_secret_atomic_snapshot,
+                    config.general.me_deterministic_writer_sort,
+                    config.general.me_writer_pick_mode,
+                    config.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
+                    config.general.me_socks_kdf_policy,
+                    config.general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+                    config.general.me_route_channel_capacity,
+                    config.general.me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms,
+                    config.general.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms,
+                    config.general.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct,
+                    config.general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms,
+                    config.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy,
+                    config.general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy,
+                    config.general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms,
+                    config.general.me_route_no_writer_mode,
+                    config.general.me_route_no_writer_wait_ms,
+                    config.general.me_route_inline_recovery_attempts,
+                    config.general.me_route_inline_recovery_wait_ms,
+                );
+                startup_tracker
+                    .complete_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT,
+                        Some("ME pool object created".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+                *api_me_pool.write().await = Some(pool.clone());
+                startup_tracker
+                    .start_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+                        Some("initialize ME pool writers".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+                startup_tracker
+                    .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Initializing, COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1)
+                    .await;
+
+                if me2dc_fallback {
+                    let pool_bg = pool.clone();
+                    let rng_bg = rng.clone();
+                    let startup_tracker_bg = startup_tracker.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;
+                                        info!(
+                                            attempt = init_attempt,
+                                            "Middle-End pool initialized successfully"
+                                        );
+
+                                        let pool_health = pool_bg.clone();
+                                        let rng_health = rng_bg.clone();
+                                        let min_conns = pool_size;
+                                        tokio::spawn(async move {
+                                            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_health_monitor(
+                                                pool_health,
+                                                rng_health,
+                                                min_conns,
+                                            )
+                                            .await;
+                                        });
+                                        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,
+                                                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;
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                        });
+                    });
+                    startup_tracker
+                        .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Initializing, "background_init")
+                        .await;
+                    info!(
+                        startup_grace_secs = 80,
+                        "ME pool initialization continues in background; startup continues with conditional Direct fallback"
+                    );
+                    Some(pool)
+                } else {
+                    let mut init_attempt: u32 = 0;
+                    loop {
+                        init_attempt = init_attempt.saturating_add(1);
+                        startup_tracker.set_me_init_attempt(init_attempt).await;
+                        match pool.init(pool_size, &rng).await {
+                            Ok(()) => {
+                                startup_tracker.set_me_last_error(None).await;
+                                startup_tracker
+                                    .complete_component(
+                                        COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+                                        Some("ME pool initialized".to_string()),
+                                    )
+                                    .await;
+                                startup_tracker
+                                    .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Ready, "ready")
+                                    .await;
+                                info!(
+                                    attempt = init_attempt,
+                                    "Middle-End pool initialized successfully"
+                                );
+
+                                let pool_clone = pool.clone();
+                                let rng_clone = rng.clone();
+                                let min_conns = pool_size;
+                                tokio::spawn(async move {
+                                    crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_health_monitor(
+                                        pool_clone, rng_clone, min_conns,
+                                    )
+                                    .await;
+                                });
+
+                                break Some(pool);
+                            }
+                            Err(e) => {
+                                startup_tracker.set_me_last_error(Some(e.to_string())).await;
+                                let retries_limited = me_init_retry_attempts > 0;
+                                if retries_limited && init_attempt >= me_init_retry_attempts {
+                                    startup_tracker
+                                        .fail_component(
+                                            COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+                                            Some("ME init retry budget exhausted".to_string()),
+                                        )
+                                        .await;
+                                    startup_tracker
+                                        .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Failed, "failed")
+                                        .await;
+                                    error!(
+                                        error = %e,
+                                        attempt = init_attempt,
+                                        retry_limit = me_init_retry_attempts,
+                                        "ME pool init retries exhausted; startup cannot continue in middle-proxy mode"
+                                    );
+                                    break None;
+                                }
+
+                                let retry_limit = if me_init_retry_attempts == 0 {
+                                    String::from("unlimited")
+                                } else {
+                                    me_init_retry_attempts.to_string()
+                                };
+                                if init_attempt >= me_init_warn_after_attempts {
+                                    warn!(
+                                        error = %e,
+                                        attempt = init_attempt,
+                                        retry_limit = retry_limit,
+                                        me2dc_fallback = me2dc_fallback,
+                                        retry_in_secs = 2,
+                                        "ME pool is not ready yet; retrying startup initialization"
+                                    );
+                                } else {
+                                    info!(
+                                        error = %e,
+                                        attempt = init_attempt,
+                                        retry_limit = retry_limit,
+                                        me2dc_fallback = me2dc_fallback,
+                                        retry_in_secs = 2,
+                                        "ME pool startup warmup: retrying initialization"
+                                    );
+                                }
+                                pool.reset_stun_state();
+                                tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2)).await;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            } else {
+                startup_tracker
+                    .skip_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT,
+                        Some("ME configs are incomplete".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+                startup_tracker
+                    .fail_component(
+                        COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+                        Some("ME configs are incomplete".to_string()),
+                    )
+                    .await;
+                startup_tracker
+                    .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Failed, "failed")
+                    .await;
+                None
+            }
+        }
+        None => {
+            startup_tracker
+                .fail_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH,
+                    Some("proxy-secret unavailable".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            startup_tracker
+                .skip_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4,
+                    Some("proxy-secret unavailable".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            startup_tracker
+                .skip_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6,
+                    Some("proxy-secret unavailable".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            startup_tracker
+                .skip_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT,
+                    Some("proxy-secret unavailable".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            startup_tracker
+                .fail_component(
+                    COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+                    Some("proxy-secret unavailable".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+            startup_tracker
+                .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Failed, "failed")
+                .await;
+            None
+        }
+    }
+}

src/maestro/mod.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,551 @@
+//! telemt — Telegram MTProto Proxy
+
+#![allow(unused_assignments)]
+
+// Runtime orchestration modules.
+// - helpers: CLI and shared startup/runtime helper routines.
+// - tls_bootstrap: TLS front cache bootstrap and refresh tasks.
+// - me_startup: Middle-End secret/config fetch and pool initialization.
+// - connectivity: startup ME/DC connectivity diagnostics.
+// - runtime_tasks: hot-reload and background task orchestration.
+// - admission: conditional-cast gate and route mode switching.
+// - listeners: TCP/Unix listener bind and accept-loop orchestration.
+// - shutdown: graceful shutdown sequence and uptime logging.
+mod helpers;
+mod admission;
+mod connectivity;
+mod listeners;
+mod me_startup;
+mod runtime_tasks;
+mod shutdown;
+mod tls_bootstrap;
+
+use std::net::{IpAddr, SocketAddr};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+use tokio::sync::{RwLock, Semaphore, watch};
+use tracing::{error, info, warn};
+use tracing_subscriber::{EnvFilter, fmt, prelude::*, reload};
+
+use crate::api;
+use crate::config::{LogLevel, ProxyConfig};
+use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
+use crate::ip_tracker::UserIpTracker;
+use crate::network::probe::{decide_network_capabilities, log_probe_result, run_probe};
+use crate::proxy::route_mode::{RelayRouteMode, RouteRuntimeController};
+use crate::stats::beobachten::BeobachtenStore;
+use crate::stats::telemetry::TelemetryPolicy;
+use crate::stats::{ReplayChecker, Stats};
+use crate::startup::{
+    COMPONENT_API_BOOTSTRAP, COMPONENT_CONFIG_LOAD,
+    COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT, COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+    COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4, COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6, COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH,
+    COMPONENT_NETWORK_PROBE, COMPONENT_TRACING_INIT, StartupMeStatus, StartupTracker,
+};
+use crate::stream::BufferPool;
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
+use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
+use helpers::parse_cli;
+
+/// Runs the full telemt runtime startup pipeline and blocks until shutdown.
+pub async fn run() -> std::result::Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+    let process_started_at = Instant::now();
+    let process_started_at_epoch_secs = SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_secs();
+    let startup_tracker = Arc::new(StartupTracker::new(process_started_at_epoch_secs));
+    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 mut config = match ProxyConfig::load(&config_path) {
+        Ok(c) => c,
+        Err(e) => {
+            if std::path::Path::new(&config_path).exists() {
+                eprintln!("[telemt] Error: {}", e);
+                std::process::exit(1);
+            } else {
+                let default = ProxyConfig::default();
+                std::fs::write(&config_path, toml::to_string_pretty(&default).unwrap()).unwrap();
+                eprintln!("[telemt] Created default config at {}", config_path);
+                default
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    if let Err(e) = config.validate() {
+        eprintln!("[telemt] Invalid config: {}", 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);
+    }
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(COMPONENT_CONFIG_LOAD, Some("config is ready".to_string()))
+        .await;
+
+    let has_rust_log = std::env::var("RUST_LOG").is_ok();
+    let effective_log_level = if cli_silent {
+        LogLevel::Silent
+    } else if let Some(ref s) = cli_log_level {
+        LogLevel::from_str_loose(s)
+    } else {
+        config.general.log_level.clone()
+    };
+
+    let (filter_layer, filter_handle) = reload::Layer::new(EnvFilter::new("info"));
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(COMPONENT_TRACING_INIT, Some("initialize tracing subscriber".to_string()))
+        .await;
+
+    // Configure color output based on config
+    let fmt_layer = if config.general.disable_colors {
+        fmt::Layer::default().with_ansi(false)
+    } else {
+        fmt::Layer::default().with_ansi(true)
+    };
+
+    tracing_subscriber::registry()
+        .with(filter_layer)
+        .with(fmt_layer)
+        .init();
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(COMPONENT_TRACING_INIT, Some("tracing initialized".to_string()))
+        .await;
+
+    info!("Telemt MTProxy v{}", env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION"));
+    info!("Log level: {}", effective_log_level);
+    if config.general.disable_colors {
+        info!("Colors: disabled");
+    }
+    info!(
+        "Modes: classic={} secure={} tls={}",
+        config.general.modes.classic, config.general.modes.secure, config.general.modes.tls
+    );
+    if config.general.modes.classic {
+        warn!("Classic mode is vulnerable to DPI detection; enable only for legacy clients");
+    }
+    info!("TLS domain: {}", config.censorship.tls_domain);
+    if let Some(ref sock) = config.censorship.mask_unix_sock {
+        info!("Mask: {} -> unix:{}", config.censorship.mask, sock);
+        if !std::path::Path::new(sock).exists() {
+            warn!(
+                "Unix socket '{}' does not exist yet. Masking will fail until it appears.",
+                sock
+            );
+        }
+    } else {
+        info!(
+            "Mask: {} -> {}:{}",
+            config.censorship.mask,
+            config
+                .censorship
+                .mask_host
+                .as_deref()
+                .unwrap_or(&config.censorship.tls_domain),
+            config.censorship.mask_port
+        );
+    }
+
+    if config.censorship.tls_domain == "www.google.com" {
+        warn!("Using default tls_domain. Consider setting a custom domain.");
+    }
+
+    let stats = Arc::new(Stats::new());
+    stats.apply_telemetry_policy(TelemetryPolicy::from_config(&config.general.telemetry));
+
+    let upstream_manager = Arc::new(UpstreamManager::new(
+        config.upstreams.clone(),
+        config.general.upstream_connect_retry_attempts,
+        config.general.upstream_connect_retry_backoff_ms,
+        config.general.upstream_connect_budget_ms,
+        config.general.upstream_unhealthy_fail_threshold,
+        config.general.upstream_connect_failfast_hard_errors,
+        stats.clone(),
+    ));
+    let ip_tracker = Arc::new(UserIpTracker::new());
+    ip_tracker.load_limits(&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() {
+        info!(
+            "IP limits configured for {} users",
+            config.access.user_max_unique_ips.len()
+        );
+    }
+    if !config.network.dns_overrides.is_empty() {
+        info!(
+            "Runtime DNS overrides configured: {} entries",
+            config.network.dns_overrides.len()
+        );
+    }
+
+    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_admission_open = !config.general.use_middle_proxy;
+    let (admission_tx, admission_rx) = watch::channel(initial_admission_open);
+    let initial_route_mode = if config.general.use_middle_proxy {
+        RelayRouteMode::Middle
+    } else {
+        RelayRouteMode::Direct
+    };
+    let route_runtime = Arc::new(RouteRuntimeController::new(initial_route_mode));
+    let api_me_pool = Arc::new(RwLock::new(None::<Arc<MePool>>));
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(COMPONENT_API_BOOTSTRAP, Some("spawn API listener task".to_string()))
+        .await;
+
+    if config.server.api.enabled {
+        let listen = match config.server.api.listen.parse::<SocketAddr>() {
+            Ok(listen) => listen,
+            Err(error) => {
+                warn!(
+                    error = %error,
+                    listen = %config.server.api.listen,
+                    "Invalid server.api.listen; API is disabled"
+                );
+                SocketAddr::from(([127, 0, 0, 1], 0))
+            }
+        };
+        if listen.port() != 0 {
+            let stats_api = stats.clone();
+            let ip_tracker_api = ip_tracker.clone();
+            let me_pool_api = api_me_pool.clone();
+            let upstream_manager_api = upstream_manager.clone();
+            let config_rx_api = api_config_rx.clone();
+            let admission_rx_api = admission_rx.clone();
+            let config_path_api = std::path::PathBuf::from(&config_path);
+            let startup_tracker_api = startup_tracker.clone();
+            let detected_ips_rx_api = detected_ips_rx.clone();
+            tokio::spawn(async move {
+                api::serve(
+                    listen,
+                    stats_api,
+                    ip_tracker_api,
+                    me_pool_api,
+                    upstream_manager_api,
+                    config_rx_api,
+                    admission_rx_api,
+                    config_path_api,
+                    detected_ips_rx_api,
+                    process_started_at_epoch_secs,
+                    startup_tracker_api,
+                )
+                .await;
+            });
+            startup_tracker
+                .complete_component(
+                    COMPONENT_API_BOOTSTRAP,
+                    Some(format!("api task spawned on {}", listen)),
+                )
+                .await;
+        } else {
+            startup_tracker
+                .skip_component(
+                    COMPONENT_API_BOOTSTRAP,
+                    Some("server.api.listen has zero port".to_string()),
+                )
+                .await;
+        }
+    } else {
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_API_BOOTSTRAP,
+                Some("server.api.enabled is false".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+    }
+
+    let mut tls_domains = Vec::with_capacity(1 + config.censorship.tls_domains.len());
+    tls_domains.push(config.censorship.tls_domain.clone());
+    for d in &config.censorship.tls_domains {
+        if !tls_domains.contains(d) {
+            tls_domains.push(d.clone());
+        }
+    }
+
+    let tls_cache = tls_bootstrap::bootstrap_tls_front(
+        &config,
+        &tls_domains,
+        upstream_manager.clone(),
+        &startup_tracker,
+    )
+    .await;
+
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(COMPONENT_NETWORK_PROBE, Some("probe network capabilities".to_string()))
+        .await;
+    let probe = run_probe(
+        &config.network,
+        config.general.middle_proxy_nat_probe,
+        config.general.stun_nat_probe_concurrency,
+    )
+    .await?;
+    detected_ips_tx.send_replace((
+        probe.detected_ipv4.map(IpAddr::V4),
+        probe.detected_ipv6.map(IpAddr::V6),
+    ));
+    let decision = decide_network_capabilities(&config.network, &probe);
+    log_probe_result(&probe, &decision);
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(
+            COMPONENT_NETWORK_PROBE,
+            Some("network capabilities determined".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+
+    let prefer_ipv6 = decision.prefer_ipv6();
+    let mut use_middle_proxy = config.general.use_middle_proxy;
+    let beobachten = Arc::new(BeobachtenStore::new());
+    let rng = Arc::new(SecureRandom::new());
+
+    // Connection concurrency limit
+    let max_connections = Arc::new(Semaphore::new(10_000));
+
+    let me2dc_fallback = config.general.me2dc_fallback;
+    let me_init_retry_attempts = config.general.me_init_retry_attempts;
+    if use_middle_proxy && !decision.ipv4_me && !decision.ipv6_me {
+        if me2dc_fallback {
+            warn!("No usable IP family for Middle Proxy detected; falling back to direct DC");
+            use_middle_proxy = false;
+        } else {
+            warn!(
+                "No usable IP family for Middle Proxy detected; me2dc_fallback=false, ME init retries stay active"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    if use_middle_proxy {
+        startup_tracker
+            .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Initializing, COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH)
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .start_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH,
+                Some("fetch proxy-secret from source/cache".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .set_me_retry_limit(if !me2dc_fallback || me_init_retry_attempts == 0 {
+                "unlimited".to_string()
+            } else {
+                me_init_retry_attempts.to_string()
+            })
+            .await;
+    } else {
+        startup_tracker
+            .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Skipped, "skipped")
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH,
+                Some("middle proxy mode disabled".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4,
+                Some("middle proxy mode disabled".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6,
+                Some("middle proxy mode disabled".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT,
+                Some("middle proxy mode disabled".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1,
+                Some("middle proxy mode disabled".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+    }
+
+    let me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>> = me_startup::initialize_me_pool(
+        use_middle_proxy,
+        &config,
+        &decision,
+        &probe,
+        &startup_tracker,
+        upstream_manager.clone(),
+        rng.clone(),
+        stats.clone(),
+        api_me_pool.clone(),
+    )
+    .await;
+
+    // If ME failed to initialize, force direct-only mode.
+    if me_pool.is_some() {
+        startup_tracker
+            .set_transport_mode("middle_proxy")
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .set_degraded(false)
+            .await;
+        info!("Transport: Middle-End Proxy - all DC-over-RPC");
+    } else {
+        let _ = use_middle_proxy;
+        use_middle_proxy = false;
+        // Make runtime config reflect direct-only mode for handlers.
+        config.general.use_middle_proxy = false;
+        startup_tracker
+            .set_transport_mode("direct")
+            .await;
+        startup_tracker
+            .set_degraded(true)
+            .await;
+        if me2dc_fallback {
+            startup_tracker
+                .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Failed, "fallback_to_direct")
+                .await;
+        } else {
+            startup_tracker
+                .set_me_status(StartupMeStatus::Skipped, "skipped")
+                .await;
+        }
+        info!("Transport: Direct DC - TCP - standard DC-over-TCP");
+    }
+
+    // Freeze config after possible fallback decision
+    let config = Arc::new(config);
+
+    let replay_checker = Arc::new(ReplayChecker::new(
+        config.access.replay_check_len,
+        Duration::from_secs(config.access.replay_window_secs),
+    ));
+
+    let buffer_pool = Arc::new(BufferPool::with_config(16 * 1024, 4096));
+
+    connectivity::run_startup_connectivity(
+        &config,
+        &me_pool,
+        rng.clone(),
+        &startup_tracker,
+        upstream_manager.clone(),
+        prefer_ipv6,
+        &decision,
+        process_started_at,
+        api_me_pool.clone(),
+    )
+    .await;
+
+    let runtime_watches = runtime_tasks::spawn_runtime_tasks(
+        &config,
+        &config_path,
+        &probe,
+        prefer_ipv6,
+        decision.ipv4_dc,
+        decision.ipv6_dc,
+        &startup_tracker,
+        stats.clone(),
+        upstream_manager.clone(),
+        replay_checker.clone(),
+        me_pool.clone(),
+        rng.clone(),
+        ip_tracker.clone(),
+        beobachten.clone(),
+        api_config_tx.clone(),
+        me_pool.clone(),
+    )
+    .await;
+    let config_rx = runtime_watches.config_rx;
+    let log_level_rx = runtime_watches.log_level_rx;
+    let detected_ip_v4 = runtime_watches.detected_ip_v4;
+    let detected_ip_v6 = runtime_watches.detected_ip_v6;
+
+    admission::configure_admission_gate(
+        &config,
+        me_pool.clone(),
+        route_runtime.clone(),
+        &admission_tx,
+        config_rx.clone(),
+    )
+    .await;
+    let _admission_tx_hold = admission_tx;
+
+    let bound = listeners::bind_listeners(
+        &config,
+        decision.ipv4_dc,
+        decision.ipv6_dc,
+        detected_ip_v4,
+        detected_ip_v6,
+        &startup_tracker,
+        config_rx.clone(),
+        admission_rx.clone(),
+        stats.clone(),
+        upstream_manager.clone(),
+        replay_checker.clone(),
+        buffer_pool.clone(),
+        rng.clone(),
+        me_pool.clone(),
+        route_runtime.clone(),
+        tls_cache.clone(),
+        ip_tracker.clone(),
+        beobachten.clone(),
+        max_connections.clone(),
+    )
+    .await?;
+    let listeners = bound.listeners;
+    let has_unix_listener = bound.has_unix_listener;
+
+    if listeners.is_empty() && !has_unix_listener {
+        error!("No listeners. Exiting.");
+        std::process::exit(1);
+    }
+
+    runtime_tasks::apply_runtime_log_filter(
+        has_rust_log,
+        &effective_log_level,
+        filter_handle,
+        log_level_rx,
+    )
+    .await;
+
+    runtime_tasks::spawn_metrics_if_configured(
+        &config,
+        &startup_tracker,
+        stats.clone(),
+        beobachten.clone(),
+        ip_tracker.clone(),
+        config_rx.clone(),
+    )
+    .await;
+
+    runtime_tasks::mark_runtime_ready(&startup_tracker).await;
+
+    listeners::spawn_tcp_accept_loops(
+        listeners,
+        config_rx.clone(),
+        admission_rx.clone(),
+        stats.clone(),
+        upstream_manager.clone(),
+        replay_checker.clone(),
+        buffer_pool.clone(),
+        rng.clone(),
+        me_pool.clone(),
+        route_runtime.clone(),
+        tls_cache.clone(),
+        ip_tracker.clone(),
+        beobachten.clone(),
+        max_connections.clone(),
+    );
+
+    shutdown::wait_for_shutdown(process_started_at, me_pool).await;
+
+    Ok(())
+}

src/maestro/runtime_tasks.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,317 @@
+use std::net::IpAddr;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+
+use tokio::sync::{mpsc, watch};
+use tracing::{debug, warn};
+use tracing_subscriber::reload;
+use tracing_subscriber::EnvFilter;
+
+use crate::config::{LogLevel, ProxyConfig};
+use crate::config::hot_reload::spawn_config_watcher;
+use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
+use crate::ip_tracker::UserIpTracker;
+use crate::metrics;
+use crate::network::probe::NetworkProbe;
+use crate::startup::{COMPONENT_CONFIG_WATCHER_START, COMPONENT_METRICS_START, COMPONENT_RUNTIME_READY, StartupTracker};
+use crate::stats::beobachten::BeobachtenStore;
+use crate::stats::telemetry::TelemetryPolicy;
+use crate::stats::{ReplayChecker, Stats};
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::{MePool, MeReinitTrigger};
+use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
+
+use super::helpers::write_beobachten_snapshot;
+
+pub(crate) struct RuntimeWatches {
+    pub(crate) config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+    pub(crate) log_level_rx: watch::Receiver<LogLevel>,
+    pub(crate) detected_ip_v4: Option<IpAddr>,
+    pub(crate) detected_ip_v6: Option<IpAddr>,
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+pub(crate) async fn spawn_runtime_tasks(
+    config: &Arc<ProxyConfig>,
+    config_path: &str,
+    probe: &NetworkProbe,
+    prefer_ipv6: bool,
+    decision_ipv4_dc: bool,
+    decision_ipv6_dc: bool,
+    startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
+    replay_checker: Arc<ReplayChecker>,
+    me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
+    beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
+    api_config_tx: watch::Sender<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+    me_pool_for_policy: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+) -> RuntimeWatches {
+    let um_clone = upstream_manager.clone();
+    let dc_overrides_for_health = config.dc_overrides.clone();
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        um_clone
+            .run_health_checks(
+                prefer_ipv6,
+                decision_ipv4_dc,
+                decision_ipv6_dc,
+                dc_overrides_for_health,
+            )
+            .await;
+    });
+
+    let rc_clone = replay_checker.clone();
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        rc_clone.run_periodic_cleanup().await;
+    });
+
+    let detected_ip_v4: Option<IpAddr> = probe.detected_ipv4.map(IpAddr::V4);
+    let detected_ip_v6: Option<IpAddr> = probe.detected_ipv6.map(IpAddr::V6);
+    debug!(
+        "Detected IPs: v4={:?} v6={:?}",
+        detected_ip_v4, detected_ip_v6
+    );
+
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(
+            COMPONENT_CONFIG_WATCHER_START,
+            Some("spawn config hot-reload watcher".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+    let (config_rx, log_level_rx): (
+        watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+        watch::Receiver<LogLevel>,
+    ) = spawn_config_watcher(
+        PathBuf::from(config_path),
+        config.clone(),
+        detected_ip_v4,
+        detected_ip_v6,
+    );
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(
+            COMPONENT_CONFIG_WATCHER_START,
+            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();
+    tokio::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 mut config_rx_policy = config_rx.clone();
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        loop {
+            if config_rx_policy.changed().await.is_err() {
+                break;
+            }
+            let cfg = config_rx_policy.borrow_and_update().clone();
+            stats_policy.apply_telemetry_policy(TelemetryPolicy::from_config(&cfg.general.telemetry));
+            if let Some(pool) = &me_pool_for_policy {
+                pool.update_runtime_transport_policy(
+                    cfg.general.me_socks_kdf_policy,
+                    cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms,
+                    cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms,
+                    cfg.general.me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct,
+                    cfg.general.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms,
+                );
+            }
+        }
+    });
+
+    let ip_tracker_policy = ip_tracker.clone();
+    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_mode = config_rx_ip_limits.borrow().access.user_max_unique_ips_mode;
+        let mut prev_window = config_rx_ip_limits
+            .borrow()
+            .access
+            .user_max_unique_ips_window_secs;
+
+        loop {
+            if config_rx_ip_limits.changed().await.is_err() {
+                break;
+            }
+            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;
+                prev_limits = cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips.clone();
+            }
+
+            if prev_mode != cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode
+                || prev_window != cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs
+            {
+                ip_tracker_policy
+                    .set_limit_policy(
+                        cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode,
+                        cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs,
+                    )
+                    .await;
+                prev_mode = cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_mode;
+                prev_window = cfg.access.user_max_unique_ips_window_secs;
+            }
+        }
+    });
+
+    let beobachten_writer = beobachten.clone();
+    let config_rx_beobachten = config_rx.clone();
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        loop {
+            let cfg = config_rx_beobachten.borrow().clone();
+            let sleep_secs = cfg.general.beobachten_flush_secs.max(1);
+
+            if cfg.general.beobachten {
+                let ttl = std::time::Duration::from_secs(cfg.general.beobachten_minutes.saturating_mul(60));
+                let path = cfg.general.beobachten_file.clone();
+                let snapshot = beobachten_writer.snapshot_text(ttl);
+                if let Err(e) = write_beobachten_snapshot(&path, &snapshot).await {
+                    warn!(error = %e, path = %path, "Failed to flush beobachten snapshot");
+                }
+            }
+
+            tokio::time::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_secs(sleep_secs)).await;
+        }
+    });
+
+    if let Some(pool) = me_pool {
+        let reinit_trigger_capacity = config.general.me_reinit_trigger_channel.max(1);
+        let (reinit_tx, reinit_rx) = mpsc::channel::<MeReinitTrigger>(reinit_trigger_capacity);
+
+        let pool_clone_sched = pool.clone();
+        let rng_clone_sched = rng.clone();
+        let config_rx_clone_sched = config_rx.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_reinit_scheduler(
+                pool_clone_sched,
+                rng_clone_sched,
+                config_rx_clone_sched,
+                reinit_rx,
+            )
+            .await;
+        });
+
+        let pool_clone = pool.clone();
+        let config_rx_clone = config_rx.clone();
+        let reinit_tx_updater = reinit_tx.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_config_updater(
+                pool_clone,
+                config_rx_clone,
+                reinit_tx_updater,
+            )
+            .await;
+        });
+
+        let config_rx_clone_rot = config_rx.clone();
+        let reinit_tx_rotation = reinit_tx.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            crate::transport::middle_proxy::me_rotation_task(config_rx_clone_rot, reinit_tx_rotation)
+                .await;
+        });
+    }
+
+    RuntimeWatches {
+        config_rx,
+        log_level_rx,
+        detected_ip_v4,
+        detected_ip_v6,
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn apply_runtime_log_filter(
+    has_rust_log: bool,
+    effective_log_level: &LogLevel,
+    filter_handle: reload::Handle<EnvFilter, tracing_subscriber::Registry>,
+    mut log_level_rx: watch::Receiver<LogLevel>,
+) {
+    let runtime_filter = if has_rust_log {
+        EnvFilter::from_default_env()
+    } else if matches!(effective_log_level, LogLevel::Silent) {
+        EnvFilter::new("warn,telemt::links=info")
+    } else {
+        EnvFilter::new(effective_log_level.to_filter_str())
+    };
+    filter_handle
+        .reload(runtime_filter)
+        .expect("Failed to switch log filter");
+
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        loop {
+            if log_level_rx.changed().await.is_err() {
+                break;
+            }
+            let level = log_level_rx.borrow_and_update().clone();
+            let new_filter = tracing_subscriber::EnvFilter::new(level.to_filter_str());
+            if let Err(e) = filter_handle.reload(new_filter) {
+                tracing::error!("config reload: failed to update log filter: {}", e);
+            }
+        }
+    });
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn spawn_metrics_if_configured(
+    config: &Arc<ProxyConfig>,
+    startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
+    ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
+    config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+) {
+    if let Some(port) = config.server.metrics_port {
+        startup_tracker
+            .start_component(
+                COMPONENT_METRICS_START,
+                Some(format!("spawn metrics endpoint on {}", port)),
+            )
+            .await;
+        let stats = stats.clone();
+        let beobachten = beobachten.clone();
+        let config_rx_metrics = config_rx.clone();
+        let ip_tracker_metrics = ip_tracker.clone();
+        let whitelist = config.server.metrics_whitelist.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            metrics::serve(
+                port,
+                stats,
+                beobachten,
+                ip_tracker_metrics,
+                config_rx_metrics,
+                whitelist,
+            )
+            .await;
+        });
+        startup_tracker
+            .complete_component(
+                COMPONENT_METRICS_START,
+                Some("metrics task spawned".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+    } else {
+        startup_tracker
+            .skip_component(
+                COMPONENT_METRICS_START,
+                Some("server.metrics_port is not configured".to_string()),
+            )
+            .await;
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn mark_runtime_ready(startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>) {
+    startup_tracker
+        .complete_component(
+            COMPONENT_RUNTIME_READY,
+            Some("startup pipeline is fully initialized".to_string()),
+        )
+        .await;
+    startup_tracker.mark_ready().await;
+}

src/maestro/shutdown.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+use tokio::signal;
+use tracing::{error, info, warn};
+
+use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MePool;
+
+use super::helpers::{format_uptime, unit_label};
+
+pub(crate) async fn wait_for_shutdown(process_started_at: Instant, me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>) {
+    match signal::ctrl_c().await {
+        Ok(()) => {
+            let shutdown_started_at = Instant::now();
+            info!("Shutting down...");
+            let uptime_secs = process_started_at.elapsed().as_secs();
+            info!("Uptime: {}", format_uptime(uptime_secs));
+            if let Some(pool) = &me_pool {
+                match tokio::time::timeout(Duration::from_secs(2), pool.shutdown_send_close_conn_all())
+                    .await
+                {
+                    Ok(total) => {
+                        info!(
+                            close_conn_sent = total,
+                            "ME shutdown: RPC_CLOSE_CONN broadcast completed"
+                        );
+                    }
+                    Err(_) => {
+                        warn!("ME shutdown: RPC_CLOSE_CONN broadcast timed out");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            let shutdown_secs = shutdown_started_at.elapsed().as_secs();
+            info!(
+                "Shutdown completed successfully in {} {}.",
+                shutdown_secs,
+                unit_label(shutdown_secs, "second", "seconds")
+            );
+        }
+        Err(e) => error!("Signal error: {}", e),
+    }
+}

src/maestro/tls_bootstrap.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use rand::Rng;
+use tracing::warn;
+
+use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
+use crate::startup::{COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP, StartupTracker};
+use crate::tls_front::TlsFrontCache;
+use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
+
+pub(crate) async fn bootstrap_tls_front(
+    config: &ProxyConfig,
+    tls_domains: &[String],
+    upstream_manager: Arc<UpstreamManager>,
+    startup_tracker: &Arc<StartupTracker>,
+) -> Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>> {
+    startup_tracker
+        .start_component(
+            COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP,
+            Some("initialize TLS front cache/bootstrap tasks".to_string()),
+        )
+        .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;
+
+        let port = config.censorship.mask_port;
+        let proxy_protocol = config.censorship.mask_proxy_protocol;
+        let 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 fetch_timeout = Duration::from_secs(5);
+
+        let cache_initial = cache.clone();
+        let domains_initial = tls_domains.to_vec();
+        let host_initial = mask_host.clone();
+        let unix_sock_initial = mask_unix_sock.clone();
+        let upstream_initial = upstream_manager.clone();
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let mut join = tokio::task::JoinSet::new();
+            for domain in domains_initial {
+                let cache_domain = cache_initial.clone();
+                let host_domain = host_initial.clone();
+                let unix_sock_domain = unix_sock_initial.clone();
+                let upstream_domain = upstream_initial.clone();
+                join.spawn(async move {
+                    match crate::tls_front::fetcher::fetch_real_tls(
+                        &host_domain,
+                        port,
+                        &domain,
+                        fetch_timeout,
+                        Some(upstream_domain),
+                        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 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;
+        tokio::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(),
+                        fake_cert_len,
+                        "TLS-front fetch not ready within timeout; using cache/default fake cert fallback"
+                    );
+                }
+            }
+        });
+
+        let cache_refresh = cache.clone();
+        let domains_refresh = tls_domains.to_vec();
+        let host_refresh = mask_host.clone();
+        let unix_sock_refresh = mask_unix_sock.clone();
+        let upstream_refresh = upstream_manager.clone();
+        tokio::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 = host_refresh.clone();
+                    let unix_sock_domain = unix_sock_refresh.clone();
+                    let upstream_domain = upstream_refresh.clone();
+                    join.spawn(async move {
+                        match crate::tls_front::fetcher::fetch_real_tls(
+                            &host_domain,
+                            port,
+                            &domain,
+                            fetch_timeout,
+                            Some(upstream_domain),
+                            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
+}

src/metrics.rs

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
 use crate::ip_tracker::UserIpTracker;
 use crate::stats::beobachten::BeobachtenStore;
 use crate::stats::Stats;
+use crate::transport::{ListenOptions, create_listener};
 
 pub async fn serve(
     port: u16,
@@ -26,16 +27,90 @@ pub async fn serve(
     config_rx: tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
     whitelist: Vec<IpNetwork>,
 ) {
-    let addr = SocketAddr::from(([0, 0, 0, 0], port));
-    let listener = match TcpListener::bind(addr).await {
-        Ok(l) => l,
-        Err(e) => {
-            warn!(error = %e, "Failed to bind metrics on {}", addr);
-            return;
-        }
-    };
-    info!("Metrics endpoint: http://{}/metrics and /beobachten", addr);
+    let whitelist = Arc::new(whitelist);
+    let mut listener_v4 = None;
+    let mut listener_v6 = None;
 
+    let addr_v4 = SocketAddr::from(([0, 0, 0, 0], port));
+    match bind_metrics_listener(addr_v4, false) {
+        Ok(listener) => {
+            info!("Metrics endpoint: http://{}/metrics and /beobachten", addr_v4);
+            listener_v4 = Some(listener);
+        }
+        Err(e) => {
+            warn!(error = %e, "Failed to bind metrics on {}", addr_v4);
+        }
+    }
+
+    let addr_v6 = SocketAddr::from(([0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0], port));
+    match bind_metrics_listener(addr_v6, true) {
+        Ok(listener) => {
+            info!("Metrics endpoint: http://[::]:{}/metrics and /beobachten", port);
+            listener_v6 = Some(listener);
+        }
+        Err(e) => {
+            warn!(error = %e, "Failed to bind metrics on {}", addr_v6);
+        }
+    }
+
+    match (listener_v4, listener_v6) {
+        (None, None) => {
+            warn!("Metrics listener is unavailable on both IPv4 and IPv6");
+        }
+        (Some(listener), None) | (None, Some(listener)) => {
+            serve_listener(
+                listener, stats, beobachten, ip_tracker, config_rx, whitelist,
+            )
+            .await;
+        }
+        (Some(listener4), Some(listener6)) => {
+            let stats_v6 = stats.clone();
+            let beobachten_v6 = beobachten.clone();
+            let ip_tracker_v6 = ip_tracker.clone();
+            let config_rx_v6 = config_rx.clone();
+            let whitelist_v6 = whitelist.clone();
+            tokio::spawn(async move {
+                serve_listener(
+                    listener6,
+                    stats_v6,
+                    beobachten_v6,
+                    ip_tracker_v6,
+                    config_rx_v6,
+                    whitelist_v6,
+                )
+                .await;
+            });
+            serve_listener(
+                listener4,
+                stats,
+                beobachten,
+                ip_tracker,
+                config_rx,
+                whitelist,
+            )
+            .await;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn bind_metrics_listener(addr: SocketAddr, ipv6_only: bool) -> std::io::Result<TcpListener> {
+    let options = ListenOptions {
+        reuse_port: false,
+        ipv6_only,
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
+    let socket = create_listener(addr, &options)?;
+    TcpListener::from_std(socket.into())
+}
+
+async fn serve_listener(
+    listener: TcpListener,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
+    ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
+    config_rx: tokio::sync::watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>,
+    whitelist: Arc<Vec<IpNetwork>>,
+) {
     loop {
         let (stream, peer) = match listener.accept().await {
             Ok(v) => v,
@@ -689,6 +764,135 @@ async fn render_metrics(stats: &Stats, config: &ProxyConfig, ip_tracker: &UserIp
         }
     );
 
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writer_pick_total ME writer-pick outcomes by mode and result"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_me_writer_pick_total counter");
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"sorted_rr\",result=\"success_try\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_try_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"sorted_rr\",result=\"success_fallback\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_fallback_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"sorted_rr\",result=\"full\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_full_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"sorted_rr\",result=\"closed\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_closed_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"sorted_rr\",result=\"no_candidate\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_no_candidate_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"p2c\",result=\"success_try\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_p2c_success_try_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"p2c\",result=\"success_fallback\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_p2c_success_fallback_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"p2c\",result=\"full\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_p2c_full_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"p2c\",result=\"closed\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_p2c_closed_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_total{{mode=\"p2c\",result=\"no_candidate\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_p2c_no_candidate_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total ME writer-pick blocking fallback attempts"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total counter"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total Writer-pick mode switches via runtime updates"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total counter");
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+
     let _ = writeln!(
         out,
         "# HELP telemt_me_socks_kdf_policy_total SOCKS KDF policy outcomes"
@@ -1053,6 +1257,102 @@ async fn render_metrics(stats: &Stats, config: &ProxyConfig, ip_tracker: &UserIp
             0
         }
     );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured Runtime configured active writer cap"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured gauge"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective Runtime effective active writer cap"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective gauge"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_floor_active_cap_effective_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured Runtime configured warm writer cap"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured gauge"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective Runtime effective warm writer cap"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective gauge"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_floor_warm_cap_effective_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writers_active_current Current non-draining active ME writers"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_me_writers_active_current gauge");
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writers_active_current {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writers_active_current_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writers_warm_current Current non-draining warm ME writers"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_me_writers_warm_current gauge");
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writers_warm_current {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writers_warm_current_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
     let _ = writeln!(
         out,
         "# HELP telemt_me_floor_cap_block_total Reconnect attempts blocked by adaptive floor caps"

src/network/probe.rs

@@ -280,6 +280,14 @@ fn detect_local_ip_v6() -> Option<Ipv6Addr> {
     }
 }
 
+pub fn detect_interface_ipv4() -> Option<Ipv4Addr> {
+    detect_local_ip_v4()
+}
+
+pub fn detect_interface_ipv6() -> Option<Ipv6Addr> {
+    detect_local_ip_v6()
+}
+
 pub fn is_bogon(ip: IpAddr) -> bool {
     match ip {
         IpAddr::V4(v4) => is_bogon_v4(v4),

src/proxy/client.rs

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ use crate::proxy::direct_relay::handle_via_direct;
 use crate::proxy::handshake::{HandshakeSuccess, handle_mtproto_handshake, handle_tls_handshake};
 use crate::proxy::masking::handle_bad_client;
 use crate::proxy::middle_relay::handle_via_middle_proxy;
+use crate::proxy::route_mode::{RelayRouteMode, RouteRuntimeController};
 
 fn beobachten_ttl(config: &ProxyConfig) -> Duration {
     Duration::from_secs(config.general.beobachten_minutes.saturating_mul(60))
@@ -80,6 +81,7 @@ pub async fn handle_client_stream<S>(
     buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
     rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
     me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
     tls_cache: Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>>,
     ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
     beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
@@ -214,6 +216,7 @@ where
                 RunningClientHandler::handle_authenticated_static(
                     crypto_reader, crypto_writer, success,
                     upstream_manager, stats, config, buffer_pool, rng, me_pool,
+                    route_runtime.clone(),
                     local_addr, real_peer, ip_tracker.clone(),
                 ),
             )))
@@ -274,6 +277,7 @@ where
                     buffer_pool,
                     rng,
                     me_pool,
+                    route_runtime.clone(),
                     local_addr,
                     real_peer,
                     ip_tracker.clone(),
@@ -317,6 +321,8 @@ pub struct ClientHandler;
 pub struct RunningClientHandler {
     stream: TcpStream,
     peer: SocketAddr,
+    real_peer_from_proxy: Option<SocketAddr>,
+    real_peer_report: Arc<std::sync::Mutex<Option<SocketAddr>>>,
     config: Arc<ProxyConfig>,
     stats: Arc<Stats>,
     replay_checker: Arc<ReplayChecker>,
@@ -324,6 +330,7 @@ pub struct RunningClientHandler {
     buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
     rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
     me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+    route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
     tls_cache: Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>>,
     ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
     beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
@@ -341,14 +348,19 @@ impl ClientHandler {
         buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
         rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
         me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+        route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
         tls_cache: Option<Arc<TlsFrontCache>>,
         ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
         beobachten: Arc<BeobachtenStore>,
         proxy_protocol_enabled: bool,
+        real_peer_report: Arc<std::sync::Mutex<Option<SocketAddr>>>,
     ) -> RunningClientHandler {
+        let normalized_peer = normalize_ip(peer);
         RunningClientHandler {
             stream,
-            peer,
+            peer: normalized_peer,
+            real_peer_from_proxy: None,
+            real_peer_report,
             config,
             stats,
             replay_checker,
@@ -356,6 +368,7 @@ impl ClientHandler {
             buffer_pool,
             rng,
             me_pool,
+            route_runtime,
             tls_cache,
             ip_tracker,
             beobachten,
@@ -365,10 +378,8 @@ impl ClientHandler {
 }
 
 impl RunningClientHandler {
-    pub async fn run(mut self) -> Result<()> {
+    pub async fn run(self) -> Result<()> {
         self.stats.increment_connects_all();
-
-        self.peer = normalize_ip(self.peer);
         let peer = self.peer;
         let _ip_tracker = self.ip_tracker.clone();
         debug!(peer = %peer, "New connection");
@@ -441,6 +452,10 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
                         "PROXY protocol header parsed"
                     );
                     self.peer = normalize_ip(info.src_addr);
+                    self.real_peer_from_proxy = Some(self.peer);
+                    if let Ok(mut slot) = self.real_peer_report.lock() {
+                        *slot = Some(self.peer);
+                    }
                     if let Some(dst) = info.dst_addr {
                         local_addr = dst;
                     }
@@ -597,6 +612,7 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
                 buffer_pool,
                 self.rng,
                 self.me_pool,
+                self.route_runtime.clone(),
                 local_addr,
                 peer,
                 self.ip_tracker,
@@ -677,6 +693,7 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
                 buffer_pool,
                 self.rng,
                 self.me_pool,
+                self.route_runtime.clone(),
                 local_addr,
                 peer,
                 self.ip_tracker,
@@ -698,6 +715,7 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
         buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
         rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
         me_pool: Option<Arc<MePool>>,
+        route_runtime: Arc<RouteRuntimeController>,
         local_addr: SocketAddr,
         peer_addr: SocketAddr,
         ip_tracker: Arc<UserIpTracker>,
@@ -713,7 +731,11 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
             return Err(e);
         }
 
-        let relay_result = if config.general.use_middle_proxy {
+        let route_snapshot = route_runtime.snapshot();
+        let session_id = rng.u64();
+        let relay_result = if config.general.use_middle_proxy
+            && matches!(route_snapshot.mode, RelayRouteMode::Middle)
+        {
             if let Some(ref pool) = me_pool {
                 handle_via_middle_proxy(
                     client_reader,
@@ -725,6 +747,9 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
                     buffer_pool,
                     local_addr,
                     rng,
+                    route_runtime.subscribe(),
+                    route_snapshot,
+                    session_id,
                 )
                 .await
             } else {
@@ -738,6 +763,9 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
                     config,
                     buffer_pool,
                     rng,
+                    route_runtime.subscribe(),
+                    route_snapshot,
+                    session_id,
                 )
                 .await
             }
@@ -752,6 +780,9 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
                 config,
                 buffer_pool,
                 rng,
+                route_runtime.subscribe(),
+                route_snapshot,
+                session_id,
             )
             .await
         };
@@ -775,12 +806,8 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
             });
         }
 
-        let mut ip_reserved = false;
-        // IP limit check
-        match ip_tracker.check_and_add(user, peer_addr.ip()).await {
-            Ok(()) => {
-                ip_reserved = true;
-            }
+        let ip_reserved = match ip_tracker.check_and_add(user, peer_addr.ip()).await {
+            Ok(()) => true,
             Err(reason) => {
                 warn!(
                     user = %user,
@@ -792,7 +819,8 @@ impl RunningClientHandler {
                     user: user.to_string(),
                 });
             }
-        }
+        };
+        // IP limit check
 
         if let Some(limit) = config.access.user_max_tcp_conns.get(user)
             && stats.get_user_curr_connects(user) >= *limit as u64

src/proxy/direct_relay.rs

@@ -5,14 +5,19 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use tokio::io::{AsyncRead, AsyncWrite, AsyncWriteExt};
 use tokio::net::TcpStream;
+use tokio::sync::watch;
 use tracing::{debug, info, warn};
 
 use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
 use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
-use crate::error::Result;
+use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
 use crate::protocol::constants::*;
 use crate::proxy::handshake::{HandshakeSuccess, encrypt_tg_nonce_with_ciphers, generate_tg_nonce};
 use crate::proxy::relay::relay_bidirectional;
+use crate::proxy::route_mode::{
+    RelayRouteMode, RouteCutoverState, ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG, affected_cutover_state,
+    cutover_stagger_delay,
+};
 use crate::stats::Stats;
 use crate::stream::{BufferPool, CryptoReader, CryptoWriter};
 use crate::transport::UpstreamManager;
@@ -26,6 +31,9 @@ pub(crate) async fn handle_via_direct<R, W>(
     config: Arc<ProxyConfig>,
     buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
     rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    mut route_rx: watch::Receiver<RouteCutoverState>,
+    route_snapshot: RouteCutoverState,
+    session_id: u64,
 ) -> Result<()>
 where
     R: AsyncRead + Unpin + Send + 'static,
@@ -64,11 +72,41 @@ where
         client_writer,
         tg_reader,
         tg_writer,
+        config.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes,
+        config.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes,
         user,
         Arc::clone(&stats),
         buffer_pool,
-    )
-    .await;
+    );
+    tokio::pin!(relay_result);
+    let relay_result = loop {
+        if let Some(cutover) = affected_cutover_state(
+            &route_rx,
+            RelayRouteMode::Direct,
+            route_snapshot.generation,
+        ) {
+            let delay = cutover_stagger_delay(session_id, cutover.generation);
+            warn!(
+                user = %user,
+                target_mode = cutover.mode.as_str(),
+                cutover_generation = cutover.generation,
+                delay_ms = delay.as_millis() as u64,
+                "Cutover affected direct session, closing client connection"
+            );
+            tokio::time::sleep(delay).await;
+            break Err(ProxyError::Proxy(ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG.to_string()));
+        }
+        tokio::select! {
+            result = &mut relay_result => {
+                break result;
+            }
+            changed = route_rx.changed() => {
+                if changed.is_err() {
+                    break relay_result.await;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    };
 
     stats.decrement_current_connections_direct();
     stats.decrement_user_curr_connects(user);

src/proxy/middle_relay.rs

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use tokio::io::{AsyncRead, AsyncReadExt, AsyncWrite, AsyncWriteExt};
-use tokio::sync::{mpsc, oneshot};
+use tokio::sync::{mpsc, oneshot, watch};
 use tracing::{debug, trace, warn};
 
 use crate::config::ProxyConfig;
@@ -16,6 +16,10 @@ use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
 use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
 use crate::protocol::constants::{*, secure_padding_len};
 use crate::proxy::handshake::HandshakeSuccess;
+use crate::proxy::route_mode::{
+    RelayRouteMode, RouteCutoverState, ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG, affected_cutover_state,
+    cutover_stagger_delay,
+};
 use crate::stats::Stats;
 use crate::stream::{BufferPool, CryptoReader, CryptoWriter};
 use crate::transport::middle_proxy::{MePool, MeResponse, proto_flags_for_tag};
@@ -27,9 +31,11 @@ enum C2MeCommand {
 
 const DESYNC_DEDUP_WINDOW: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
 const DESYNC_ERROR_CLASS: &str = "frame_too_large_crypto_desync";
-const C2ME_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 1024;
+const C2ME_CHANNEL_CAPACITY_FALLBACK: usize = 128;
 const C2ME_SOFT_PRESSURE_MIN_FREE_SLOTS: usize = 64;
 const C2ME_SENDER_FAIRNESS_BUDGET: usize = 32;
+const ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_FRAMES_MIN: usize = 1;
+const ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_BYTES_MIN: usize = 4096;
 static DESYNC_DEDUP: OnceLock<Mutex<HashMap<u64, Instant>>> = OnceLock::new();
 
 struct RelayForensicsState {
@@ -44,6 +50,31 @@ struct RelayForensicsState {
     desync_all_full: bool,
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+struct MeD2cFlushPolicy {
+    max_frames: usize,
+    max_bytes: usize,
+    max_delay: Duration,
+    ack_flush_immediate: bool,
+}
+
+impl MeD2cFlushPolicy {
+    fn from_config(config: &ProxyConfig) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            max_frames: config
+                .general
+                .me_d2c_flush_batch_max_frames
+                .max(ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_FRAMES_MIN),
+            max_bytes: config
+                .general
+                .me_d2c_flush_batch_max_bytes
+                .max(ME_D2C_FLUSH_BATCH_MAX_BYTES_MIN),
+            max_delay: Duration::from_micros(config.general.me_d2c_flush_batch_max_delay_us),
+            ack_flush_immediate: config.general.me_d2c_ack_flush_immediate,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 fn hash_value<T: Hash>(value: &T) -> u64 {
     let mut hasher = DefaultHasher::new();
     value.hash(&mut hasher);
@@ -201,6 +232,9 @@ pub(crate) async fn handle_via_middle_proxy<R, W>(
     _buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
     local_addr: SocketAddr,
     rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
+    mut route_rx: watch::Receiver<RouteCutoverState>,
+    route_snapshot: RouteCutoverState,
+    session_id: u64,
 ) -> Result<()>
 where
     R: AsyncRead + Unpin + Send + 'static,
@@ -240,6 +274,27 @@ where
     stats.increment_user_curr_connects(&user);
     stats.increment_current_connections_me();
 
+    if let Some(cutover) = affected_cutover_state(
+        &route_rx,
+        RelayRouteMode::Middle,
+        route_snapshot.generation,
+    ) {
+        let delay = cutover_stagger_delay(session_id, cutover.generation);
+        warn!(
+            conn_id,
+            target_mode = cutover.mode.as_str(),
+            cutover_generation = cutover.generation,
+            delay_ms = delay.as_millis() as u64,
+            "Cutover affected middle session before relay start, closing client connection"
+        );
+        tokio::time::sleep(delay).await;
+        let _ = me_pool.send_close(conn_id).await;
+        me_pool.registry().unregister(conn_id).await;
+        stats.decrement_current_connections_me();
+        stats.decrement_user_curr_connects(&user);
+        return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG.to_string()));
+    }
+
     // Per-user ad_tag from access.user_ad_tags; fallback to general.ad_tag (hot-reloadable)
     let user_tag: Option<Vec<u8>> = config
         .access
@@ -271,7 +326,11 @@ where
 
     let frame_limit = config.general.max_client_frame;
 
-    let (c2me_tx, mut c2me_rx) = mpsc::channel::<C2MeCommand>(C2ME_CHANNEL_CAPACITY);
+    let c2me_channel_capacity = config
+        .general
+        .me_c2me_channel_capacity
+        .max(C2ME_CHANNEL_CAPACITY_FALLBACK);
+    let (c2me_tx, mut c2me_rx) = mpsc::channel::<C2MeCommand>(c2me_channel_capacity);
     let me_pool_c2me = me_pool.clone();
     let effective_tag = effective_tag;
     let c2me_sender = tokio::spawn(async move {
@@ -309,71 +368,152 @@ where
     let rng_clone = rng.clone();
     let user_clone = user.clone();
     let bytes_me2c_clone = bytes_me2c.clone();
+    let d2c_flush_policy = MeD2cFlushPolicy::from_config(&config);
     let me_writer = tokio::spawn(async move {
         let mut writer = crypto_writer;
         let mut frame_buf = Vec::with_capacity(16 * 1024);
         loop {
             tokio::select! {
                 msg = me_rx_task.recv() => {
-                    match msg {
-                        Some(MeResponse::Data { flags, data }) => {
-                            trace!(conn_id, bytes = data.len(), flags, "ME->C data");
-                            bytes_me2c_clone.fetch_add(data.len() as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
-                            stats_clone.add_user_octets_to(&user_clone, data.len() as u64);
-                            write_client_payload(
-                                &mut writer,
-                                proto_tag,
-                                flags,
-                                &data,
-                                rng_clone.as_ref(),
-                                &mut frame_buf,
-                            )
-                            .await?;
+                    let Some(first) = msg else {
+                        debug!(conn_id, "ME channel closed");
+                        return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("ME connection lost".into()));
+                    };
 
-                            // Drain all immediately queued ME responses and flush once.
-                            while let Ok(next) = me_rx_task.try_recv() {
-                                match next {
-                                    MeResponse::Data { flags, data } => {
-                                        trace!(conn_id, bytes = data.len(), flags, "ME->C data (batched)");
-                                        bytes_me2c_clone.fetch_add(data.len() as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
-                                        stats_clone.add_user_octets_to(&user_clone, data.len() as u64);
-                                        write_client_payload(
-                                            &mut writer,
-                                            proto_tag,
-                                            flags,
-                                            &data,
-                                            rng_clone.as_ref(),
-                                            &mut frame_buf,
-                                        ).await?;
+                    let mut batch_frames = 0usize;
+                    let mut batch_bytes = 0usize;
+                    let mut flush_immediately;
+
+                    match process_me_writer_response(
+                        first,
+                        &mut writer,
+                        proto_tag,
+                        rng_clone.as_ref(),
+                        &mut frame_buf,
+                        stats_clone.as_ref(),
+                        &user_clone,
+                        bytes_me2c_clone.as_ref(),
+                        conn_id,
+                        d2c_flush_policy.ack_flush_immediate,
+                        false,
+                    ).await? {
+                        MeWriterResponseOutcome::Continue { frames, bytes, flush_immediately: immediate } => {
+                            batch_frames = batch_frames.saturating_add(frames);
+                            batch_bytes = batch_bytes.saturating_add(bytes);
+                            flush_immediately = immediate;
+                        }
+                        MeWriterResponseOutcome::Close => {
+                            let _ = writer.flush().await;
+                            return Ok(());
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    while !flush_immediately
+                        && batch_frames < d2c_flush_policy.max_frames
+                        && batch_bytes < d2c_flush_policy.max_bytes
+                    {
+                        let Ok(next) = me_rx_task.try_recv() else {
+                            break;
+                        };
+
+                        match process_me_writer_response(
+                            next,
+                            &mut writer,
+                            proto_tag,
+                            rng_clone.as_ref(),
+                            &mut frame_buf,
+                            stats_clone.as_ref(),
+                            &user_clone,
+                            bytes_me2c_clone.as_ref(),
+                            conn_id,
+                            d2c_flush_policy.ack_flush_immediate,
+                            true,
+                        ).await? {
+                            MeWriterResponseOutcome::Continue { frames, bytes, flush_immediately: immediate } => {
+                                batch_frames = batch_frames.saturating_add(frames);
+                                batch_bytes = batch_bytes.saturating_add(bytes);
+                                flush_immediately |= immediate;
+                            }
+                            MeWriterResponseOutcome::Close => {
+                                let _ = writer.flush().await;
+                                return Ok(());
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    if !flush_immediately
+                        && !d2c_flush_policy.max_delay.is_zero()
+                        && batch_frames < d2c_flush_policy.max_frames
+                        && batch_bytes < d2c_flush_policy.max_bytes
+                    {
+                        match tokio::time::timeout(d2c_flush_policy.max_delay, me_rx_task.recv()).await {
+                            Ok(Some(next)) => {
+                                match process_me_writer_response(
+                                    next,
+                                    &mut writer,
+                                    proto_tag,
+                                    rng_clone.as_ref(),
+                                    &mut frame_buf,
+                                    stats_clone.as_ref(),
+                                    &user_clone,
+                                    bytes_me2c_clone.as_ref(),
+                                    conn_id,
+                                    d2c_flush_policy.ack_flush_immediate,
+                                    true,
+                                ).await? {
+                                    MeWriterResponseOutcome::Continue { frames, bytes, flush_immediately: immediate } => {
+                                        batch_frames = batch_frames.saturating_add(frames);
+                                        batch_bytes = batch_bytes.saturating_add(bytes);
+                                        flush_immediately |= immediate;
                                     }
-                                    MeResponse::Ack(confirm) => {
-                                        trace!(conn_id, confirm, "ME->C quickack (batched)");
-                                        write_client_ack(&mut writer, proto_tag, confirm).await?;
-                                    }
-                                    MeResponse::Close => {
-                                        debug!(conn_id, "ME sent close (batched)");
+                                    MeWriterResponseOutcome::Close => {
                                         let _ = writer.flush().await;
                                         return Ok(());
                                     }
                                 }
-                            }
 
-                            writer.flush().await.map_err(ProxyError::Io)?;
-                        }
-                        Some(MeResponse::Ack(confirm)) => {
-                            trace!(conn_id, confirm, "ME->C quickack");
-                            write_client_ack(&mut writer, proto_tag, confirm).await?;
-                        }
-                        Some(MeResponse::Close) => {
-                            debug!(conn_id, "ME sent close");
-                            let _ = writer.flush().await;
-                            return Ok(());
-                        }
-                        None => {
-                            debug!(conn_id, "ME channel closed");
-                            return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("ME connection lost".into()));
+                                while !flush_immediately
+                                    && batch_frames < d2c_flush_policy.max_frames
+                                    && batch_bytes < d2c_flush_policy.max_bytes
+                                {
+                                    let Ok(extra) = me_rx_task.try_recv() else {
+                                        break;
+                                    };
+
+                                    match process_me_writer_response(
+                                        extra,
+                                        &mut writer,
+                                        proto_tag,
+                                        rng_clone.as_ref(),
+                                        &mut frame_buf,
+                                        stats_clone.as_ref(),
+                                        &user_clone,
+                                        bytes_me2c_clone.as_ref(),
+                                        conn_id,
+                                        d2c_flush_policy.ack_flush_immediate,
+                                        true,
+                                    ).await? {
+                                        MeWriterResponseOutcome::Continue { frames, bytes, flush_immediately: immediate } => {
+                                            batch_frames = batch_frames.saturating_add(frames);
+                                            batch_bytes = batch_bytes.saturating_add(bytes);
+                                            flush_immediately |= immediate;
+                                        }
+                                        MeWriterResponseOutcome::Close => {
+                                            let _ = writer.flush().await;
+                                            return Ok(());
+                                        }
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }
+                            Ok(None) => {
+                                debug!(conn_id, "ME channel closed");
+                                return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("ME connection lost".into()));
+                            }
+                            Err(_) => {}
                         }
                     }
+
+                    writer.flush().await.map_err(ProxyError::Io)?;
                 }
                 _ = &mut stop_rx => {
                     debug!(conn_id, "ME writer stop signal");
@@ -386,46 +526,75 @@ where
     let mut main_result: Result<()> = Ok(());
     let mut client_closed = false;
     let mut frame_counter: u64 = 0;
+    let mut route_watch_open = true;
     loop {
-        match read_client_payload(
-            &mut crypto_reader,
-            proto_tag,
-            frame_limit,
-            &forensics,
-            &mut frame_counter,
-            &stats,
-        ).await {
-            Ok(Some((payload, quickack))) => {
-                trace!(conn_id, bytes = payload.len(), "C->ME frame");
-                forensics.bytes_c2me = forensics
-                    .bytes_c2me
-                    .saturating_add(payload.len() as u64);
-                stats.add_user_octets_from(&user, payload.len() as u64);
-                let mut flags = proto_flags;
-                if quickack {
-                    flags |= RPC_FLAG_QUICKACK;
-                }
-                if payload.len() >= 8 && payload[..8].iter().all(|b| *b == 0) {
-                    flags |= RPC_FLAG_NOT_ENCRYPTED;
-                }
-                // Keep client read loop lightweight: route heavy ME send path via a dedicated task.
-                if enqueue_c2me_command(&c2me_tx, C2MeCommand::Data { payload, flags })
-                    .await
-                    .is_err()
-                {
-                    main_result = Err(ProxyError::Proxy("ME sender channel closed".into()));
-                    break;
+        if let Some(cutover) = affected_cutover_state(
+            &route_rx,
+            RelayRouteMode::Middle,
+            route_snapshot.generation,
+        ) {
+            let delay = cutover_stagger_delay(session_id, cutover.generation);
+            warn!(
+                conn_id,
+                target_mode = cutover.mode.as_str(),
+                cutover_generation = cutover.generation,
+                delay_ms = delay.as_millis() as u64,
+                "Cutover affected middle session, closing client connection"
+            );
+            tokio::time::sleep(delay).await;
+            let _ = enqueue_c2me_command(&c2me_tx, C2MeCommand::Close).await;
+            main_result = Err(ProxyError::Proxy(ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG.to_string()));
+            break;
+        }
+
+        tokio::select! {
+            changed = route_rx.changed(), if route_watch_open => {
+                if changed.is_err() {
+                    route_watch_open = false;
                 }
             }
-            Ok(None) => {
-                debug!(conn_id, "Client EOF");
-                client_closed = true;
-                let _ = enqueue_c2me_command(&c2me_tx, C2MeCommand::Close).await;
-                break;
-            }
-            Err(e) => {
-                main_result = Err(e);
-                break;
+            payload_result = read_client_payload(
+                &mut crypto_reader,
+                proto_tag,
+                frame_limit,
+                &forensics,
+                &mut frame_counter,
+                &stats,
+            ) => {
+                match payload_result {
+                    Ok(Some((payload, quickack))) => {
+                        trace!(conn_id, bytes = payload.len(), "C->ME frame");
+                        forensics.bytes_c2me = forensics
+                            .bytes_c2me
+                            .saturating_add(payload.len() as u64);
+                        stats.add_user_octets_from(&user, payload.len() as u64);
+                        let mut flags = proto_flags;
+                        if quickack {
+                            flags |= RPC_FLAG_QUICKACK;
+                        }
+                        if payload.len() >= 8 && payload[..8].iter().all(|b| *b == 0) {
+                            flags |= RPC_FLAG_NOT_ENCRYPTED;
+                        }
+                        // Keep client read loop lightweight: route heavy ME send path via a dedicated task.
+                        if enqueue_c2me_command(&c2me_tx, C2MeCommand::Data { payload, flags })
+                            .await
+                            .is_err()
+                        {
+                            main_result = Err(ProxyError::Proxy("ME sender channel closed".into()));
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    Ok(None) => {
+                        debug!(conn_id, "Client EOF");
+                        client_closed = true;
+                        let _ = enqueue_c2me_command(&c2me_tx, C2MeCommand::Close).await;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    Err(e) => {
+                        main_result = Err(e);
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
     }
@@ -583,6 +752,81 @@ where
     }
 }
 
+enum MeWriterResponseOutcome {
+    Continue {
+        frames: usize,
+        bytes: usize,
+        flush_immediately: bool,
+    },
+    Close,
+}
+
+async fn process_me_writer_response<W>(
+    response: MeResponse,
+    client_writer: &mut CryptoWriter<W>,
+    proto_tag: ProtoTag,
+    rng: &SecureRandom,
+    frame_buf: &mut Vec<u8>,
+    stats: &Stats,
+    user: &str,
+    bytes_me2c: &AtomicU64,
+    conn_id: u64,
+    ack_flush_immediate: bool,
+    batched: bool,
+) -> Result<MeWriterResponseOutcome>
+where
+    W: AsyncWrite + Unpin + Send + 'static,
+{
+    match response {
+        MeResponse::Data { flags, data } => {
+            if batched {
+                trace!(conn_id, bytes = data.len(), flags, "ME->C data (batched)");
+            } else {
+                trace!(conn_id, bytes = data.len(), flags, "ME->C data");
+            }
+            bytes_me2c.fetch_add(data.len() as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            stats.add_user_octets_to(user, data.len() as u64);
+            write_client_payload(
+                client_writer,
+                proto_tag,
+                flags,
+                &data,
+                rng,
+                frame_buf,
+            )
+            .await?;
+
+            Ok(MeWriterResponseOutcome::Continue {
+                frames: 1,
+                bytes: data.len(),
+                flush_immediately: false,
+            })
+        }
+        MeResponse::Ack(confirm) => {
+            if batched {
+                trace!(conn_id, confirm, "ME->C quickack (batched)");
+            } else {
+                trace!(conn_id, confirm, "ME->C quickack");
+            }
+            write_client_ack(client_writer, proto_tag, confirm).await?;
+
+            Ok(MeWriterResponseOutcome::Continue {
+                frames: 1,
+                bytes: 4,
+                flush_immediately: ack_flush_immediate,
+            })
+        }
+        MeResponse::Close => {
+            if batched {
+                debug!(conn_id, "ME sent close (batched)");
+            } else {
+                debug!(conn_id, "ME sent close");
+            }
+            Ok(MeWriterResponseOutcome::Close)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 async fn write_client_payload<W>(
     client_writer: &mut CryptoWriter<W>,
     proto_tag: ProtoTag,
@@ -692,9 +936,7 @@ where
     client_writer
         .write_all(&bytes)
         .await
-        .map_err(ProxyError::Io)?;
-    // ACK should remain low-latency.
-    client_writer.flush().await.map_err(ProxyError::Io)
+        .map_err(ProxyError::Io)
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]

src/proxy/mod.rs

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ pub mod direct_relay;
 pub mod handshake;
 pub mod masking;
 pub mod middle_relay;
+pub mod route_mode;
 pub mod relay;
 
 pub use client::ClientHandler;

src/proxy/relay.rs

@@ -57,7 +57,9 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::task::{Context, Poll};
 use std::time::Duration;
-use tokio::io::{AsyncRead, AsyncWrite, AsyncWriteExt, ReadBuf, copy_bidirectional};
+use tokio::io::{
+    AsyncRead, AsyncWrite, AsyncWriteExt, ReadBuf, copy_bidirectional_with_sizes,
+};
 use tokio::time::Instant;
 use tracing::{debug, trace, warn};
 use crate::error::Result;
@@ -296,9 +298,8 @@ impl<S: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for StatsIo<S> {
 ///
 /// ## API compatibility
 ///
-/// Signature is identical to the previous implementation. The `_buffer_pool`
-/// parameter is retained for call-site compatibility — `copy_bidirectional`
-/// manages its own internal buffers (8 KB per direction).
+/// The `_buffer_pool` parameter is retained for call-site compatibility.
+/// Effective relay copy buffers are configured by `c2s_buf_size` / `s2c_buf_size`.
 ///
 /// ## Guarantees preserved
 ///
@@ -312,6 +313,8 @@ pub async fn relay_bidirectional<CR, CW, SR, SW>(
     client_writer: CW,
     server_reader: SR,
     server_writer: SW,
+    c2s_buf_size: usize,
+    s2c_buf_size: usize,
     user: &str,
     stats: Arc<Stats>,
     _buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
@@ -402,7 +405,12 @@ where
     // When the watchdog fires, select! drops the copy future,
     // releasing the &mut borrows on client and server.
     let copy_result = tokio::select! {
-        result = copy_bidirectional(&mut client, &mut server) => Some(result),
+        result = copy_bidirectional_with_sizes(
+            &mut client,
+            &mut server,
+            c2s_buf_size.max(1),
+            s2c_buf_size.max(1),
+        ) => Some(result),
         _ = watchdog => None, // Activity timeout — cancel relay
     };
 
@@ -463,4 +471,4 @@ where
             Ok(())
         }
     }
-}
+}

src/proxy/route_mode.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU8, AtomicU64, Ordering};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use tokio::sync::watch;
+
+pub(crate) const ROUTE_SWITCH_ERROR_MSG: &str = "Route mode switched by cutover";
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+#[repr(u8)]
+pub(crate) enum RelayRouteMode {
+    Direct = 0,
+    Middle = 1,
+}
+
+impl RelayRouteMode {
+    pub(crate) fn as_u8(self) -> u8 {
+        self as u8
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn from_u8(value: u8) -> Self {
+        match value {
+            1 => Self::Middle,
+            _ => Self::Direct,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Direct => "direct",
+            Self::Middle => "middle",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub(crate) struct RouteCutoverState {
+    pub mode: RelayRouteMode,
+    pub generation: u64,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub(crate) struct RouteRuntimeController {
+    mode: Arc<AtomicU8>,
+    generation: Arc<AtomicU64>,
+    tx: watch::Sender<RouteCutoverState>,
+}
+
+impl RouteRuntimeController {
+    pub(crate) fn new(initial_mode: RelayRouteMode) -> Self {
+        let initial = RouteCutoverState {
+            mode: initial_mode,
+            generation: 0,
+        };
+        let (tx, _rx) = watch::channel(initial);
+        Self {
+            mode: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(initial_mode.as_u8())),
+            generation: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
+            tx,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn snapshot(&self) -> RouteCutoverState {
+        RouteCutoverState {
+            mode: RelayRouteMode::from_u8(self.mode.load(Ordering::Relaxed)),
+            generation: self.generation.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn subscribe(&self) -> watch::Receiver<RouteCutoverState> {
+        self.tx.subscribe()
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn set_mode(&self, mode: RelayRouteMode) -> Option<RouteCutoverState> {
+        let previous = self.mode.swap(mode.as_u8(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if previous == mode.as_u8() {
+            return None;
+        }
+        let generation = self.generation.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed) + 1;
+        let next = RouteCutoverState { mode, generation };
+        self.tx.send_replace(next);
+        Some(next)
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn is_session_affected_by_cutover(
+    current: RouteCutoverState,
+    _session_mode: RelayRouteMode,
+    session_generation: u64,
+) -> bool {
+    current.generation > session_generation
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn affected_cutover_state(
+    rx: &watch::Receiver<RouteCutoverState>,
+    session_mode: RelayRouteMode,
+    session_generation: u64,
+) -> Option<RouteCutoverState> {
+    let current = *rx.borrow();
+    if is_session_affected_by_cutover(current, session_mode, session_generation) {
+        return Some(current);
+    }
+    None
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn cutover_stagger_delay(session_id: u64, generation: u64) -> Duration {
+    let mut value = session_id
+        ^ generation.rotate_left(17)
+        ^ 0x9e37_79b9_7f4a_7c15;
+    value ^= value >> 30;
+    value = value.wrapping_mul(0xbf58_476d_1ce4_e5b9);
+    value ^= value >> 27;
+    value = value.wrapping_mul(0x94d0_49bb_1331_11eb);
+    value ^= value >> 31;
+    let ms = 1000 + (value % 1000);
+    Duration::from_millis(ms)
+}

src/startup.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,373 @@
+use std::time::{Instant, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
+use tokio::sync::RwLock;
+
+pub const COMPONENT_CONFIG_LOAD: &str = "config_load";
+pub const COMPONENT_TRACING_INIT: &str = "tracing_init";
+pub const COMPONENT_API_BOOTSTRAP: &str = "api_bootstrap";
+pub const COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP: &str = "tls_front_bootstrap";
+pub const COMPONENT_NETWORK_PROBE: &str = "network_probe";
+pub const COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH: &str = "me_secret_fetch";
+pub const COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4: &str = "me_proxy_config_fetch_v4";
+pub const COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6: &str = "me_proxy_config_fetch_v6";
+pub const COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT: &str = "me_pool_construct";
+pub const COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1: &str = "me_pool_init_stage1";
+pub const COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING: &str = "me_connectivity_ping";
+pub const COMPONENT_DC_CONNECTIVITY_PING: &str = "dc_connectivity_ping";
+pub const COMPONENT_LISTENERS_BIND: &str = "listeners_bind";
+pub const COMPONENT_CONFIG_WATCHER_START: &str = "config_watcher_start";
+pub const COMPONENT_METRICS_START: &str = "metrics_start";
+pub const COMPONENT_RUNTIME_READY: &str = "runtime_ready";
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum StartupStatus {
+    Initializing,
+    Ready,
+}
+
+impl StartupStatus {
+    pub fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Initializing => "initializing",
+            Self::Ready => "ready",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum StartupComponentStatus {
+    Pending,
+    Running,
+    Ready,
+    Failed,
+    Skipped,
+}
+
+impl StartupComponentStatus {
+    pub fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Pending => "pending",
+            Self::Running => "running",
+            Self::Ready => "ready",
+            Self::Failed => "failed",
+            Self::Skipped => "skipped",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum StartupMeStatus {
+    Pending,
+    Initializing,
+    Ready,
+    Failed,
+    Skipped,
+}
+
+impl StartupMeStatus {
+    pub fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Pending => "pending",
+            Self::Initializing => "initializing",
+            Self::Ready => "ready",
+            Self::Failed => "failed",
+            Self::Skipped => "skipped",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct StartupComponentSnapshot {
+    pub id: &'static str,
+    pub title: &'static str,
+    pub weight: f64,
+    pub status: StartupComponentStatus,
+    pub started_at_epoch_ms: Option<u64>,
+    pub finished_at_epoch_ms: Option<u64>,
+    pub duration_ms: Option<u64>,
+    pub attempts: u32,
+    pub details: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct StartupMeSnapshot {
+    pub status: StartupMeStatus,
+    pub current_stage: String,
+    pub init_attempt: u32,
+    pub retry_limit: String,
+    pub last_error: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct StartupSnapshot {
+    pub status: StartupStatus,
+    pub degraded: bool,
+    pub current_stage: String,
+    pub started_at_epoch_secs: u64,
+    pub ready_at_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    pub total_elapsed_ms: u64,
+    pub transport_mode: String,
+    pub me: StartupMeSnapshot,
+    pub components: Vec<StartupComponentSnapshot>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+struct StartupComponent {
+    id: &'static str,
+    title: &'static str,
+    weight: f64,
+    status: StartupComponentStatus,
+    started_at_epoch_ms: Option<u64>,
+    finished_at_epoch_ms: Option<u64>,
+    duration_ms: Option<u64>,
+    attempts: u32,
+    details: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+struct StartupState {
+    status: StartupStatus,
+    degraded: bool,
+    current_stage: String,
+    started_at_epoch_secs: u64,
+    ready_at_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    transport_mode: String,
+    me: StartupMeSnapshot,
+    components: Vec<StartupComponent>,
+}
+
+pub struct StartupTracker {
+    started_at_instant: Instant,
+    state: RwLock<StartupState>,
+}
+
+impl StartupTracker {
+    pub fn new(started_at_epoch_secs: u64) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            started_at_instant: Instant::now(),
+            state: RwLock::new(StartupState {
+                status: StartupStatus::Initializing,
+                degraded: false,
+                current_stage: COMPONENT_CONFIG_LOAD.to_string(),
+                started_at_epoch_secs,
+                ready_at_epoch_secs: None,
+                transport_mode: "unknown".to_string(),
+                me: StartupMeSnapshot {
+                    status: StartupMeStatus::Pending,
+                    current_stage: "pending".to_string(),
+                    init_attempt: 0,
+                    retry_limit: "unlimited".to_string(),
+                    last_error: None,
+                },
+                components: component_blueprint(),
+            }),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub async fn set_transport_mode(&self, mode: &'static str) {
+        self.state.write().await.transport_mode = mode.to_string();
+    }
+
+    pub async fn set_degraded(&self, degraded: bool) {
+        self.state.write().await.degraded = degraded;
+    }
+
+    pub async fn start_component(&self, id: &'static str, details: Option<String>) {
+        let mut guard = self.state.write().await;
+        guard.current_stage = id.to_string();
+        if let Some(component) = guard.components.iter_mut().find(|component| component.id == id) {
+            if component.started_at_epoch_ms.is_none() {
+                component.started_at_epoch_ms = Some(now_epoch_ms());
+            }
+            component.attempts = component.attempts.saturating_add(1);
+            component.status = StartupComponentStatus::Running;
+            component.details = normalize_details(details);
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub async fn complete_component(&self, id: &'static str, details: Option<String>) {
+        self.finish_component(id, StartupComponentStatus::Ready, details)
+            .await;
+    }
+
+    pub async fn fail_component(&self, id: &'static str, details: Option<String>) {
+        self.finish_component(id, StartupComponentStatus::Failed, details)
+            .await;
+    }
+
+    pub async fn skip_component(&self, id: &'static str, details: Option<String>) {
+        self.finish_component(id, StartupComponentStatus::Skipped, details)
+            .await;
+    }
+
+    async fn finish_component(
+        &self,
+        id: &'static str,
+        status: StartupComponentStatus,
+        details: Option<String>,
+    ) {
+        let mut guard = self.state.write().await;
+        let finished_at = now_epoch_ms();
+        if let Some(component) = guard.components.iter_mut().find(|component| component.id == id) {
+            if component.started_at_epoch_ms.is_none() {
+                component.started_at_epoch_ms = Some(finished_at);
+                component.attempts = component.attempts.saturating_add(1);
+            }
+            component.finished_at_epoch_ms = Some(finished_at);
+            component.duration_ms = component
+                .started_at_epoch_ms
+                .map(|started_at| finished_at.saturating_sub(started_at));
+            component.status = status;
+            component.details = normalize_details(details);
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub async fn set_me_status(&self, status: StartupMeStatus, stage: &'static str) {
+        let mut guard = self.state.write().await;
+        guard.me.status = status;
+        guard.me.current_stage = stage.to_string();
+    }
+
+    pub async fn set_me_retry_limit(&self, retry_limit: String) {
+        self.state.write().await.me.retry_limit = retry_limit;
+    }
+
+    pub async fn set_me_init_attempt(&self, attempt: u32) {
+        self.state.write().await.me.init_attempt = attempt;
+    }
+
+    pub async fn set_me_last_error(&self, error: Option<String>) {
+        self.state.write().await.me.last_error = normalize_details(error);
+    }
+
+    pub async fn mark_ready(&self) {
+        let mut guard = self.state.write().await;
+        if guard.status == StartupStatus::Ready {
+            return;
+        }
+        guard.status = StartupStatus::Ready;
+        guard.current_stage = "ready".to_string();
+        guard.ready_at_epoch_secs = Some(now_epoch_secs());
+    }
+
+    pub async fn snapshot(&self) -> StartupSnapshot {
+        let guard = self.state.read().await;
+        StartupSnapshot {
+            status: guard.status,
+            degraded: guard.degraded,
+            current_stage: guard.current_stage.clone(),
+            started_at_epoch_secs: guard.started_at_epoch_secs,
+            ready_at_epoch_secs: guard.ready_at_epoch_secs,
+            total_elapsed_ms: self.started_at_instant.elapsed().as_millis() as u64,
+            transport_mode: guard.transport_mode.clone(),
+            me: guard.me.clone(),
+            components: guard
+                .components
+                .iter()
+                .map(|component| StartupComponentSnapshot {
+                    id: component.id,
+                    title: component.title,
+                    weight: component.weight,
+                    status: component.status,
+                    started_at_epoch_ms: component.started_at_epoch_ms,
+                    finished_at_epoch_ms: component.finished_at_epoch_ms,
+                    duration_ms: component.duration_ms,
+                    attempts: component.attempts,
+                    details: component.details.clone(),
+                })
+                .collect(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn compute_progress_pct(snapshot: &StartupSnapshot, me_stage_progress: Option<f64>) -> f64 {
+    if snapshot.status == StartupStatus::Ready {
+        return 100.0;
+    }
+
+    let mut total_weight = 0.0f64;
+    let mut completed_weight = 0.0f64;
+
+    for component in &snapshot.components {
+        total_weight += component.weight;
+        let unit_progress = match component.status {
+            StartupComponentStatus::Pending => 0.0,
+            StartupComponentStatus::Running => {
+                if component.id == COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1 {
+                    me_stage_progress.unwrap_or(0.0).clamp(0.0, 1.0)
+                } else {
+                    0.0
+                }
+            }
+            StartupComponentStatus::Ready
+            | StartupComponentStatus::Failed
+            | StartupComponentStatus::Skipped => 1.0,
+        };
+        completed_weight += component.weight * unit_progress;
+    }
+
+    if total_weight <= f64::EPSILON {
+        0.0
+    } else {
+        ((completed_weight / total_weight) * 100.0).clamp(0.0, 100.0)
+    }
+}
+
+fn component_blueprint() -> Vec<StartupComponent> {
+    vec![
+        component(COMPONENT_CONFIG_LOAD, "Config load", 5.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_TRACING_INIT, "Tracing init", 3.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_API_BOOTSTRAP, "API bootstrap", 5.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_TLS_FRONT_BOOTSTRAP, "TLS front bootstrap", 5.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_NETWORK_PROBE, "Network probe", 10.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_ME_SECRET_FETCH, "ME secret fetch", 8.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V4, "ME config v4 fetch", 4.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_ME_PROXY_CONFIG_V6, "ME config v6 fetch", 4.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_ME_POOL_CONSTRUCT, "ME pool construct", 6.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_ME_POOL_INIT_STAGE1, "ME pool init stage1", 24.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_ME_CONNECTIVITY_PING, "ME connectivity ping", 6.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_DC_CONNECTIVITY_PING, "DC connectivity ping", 8.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_LISTENERS_BIND, "Listener bind", 8.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_CONFIG_WATCHER_START, "Config watcher start", 2.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_METRICS_START, "Metrics start", 1.0),
+        component(COMPONENT_RUNTIME_READY, "Runtime ready", 1.0),
+    ]
+}
+
+fn component(id: &'static str, title: &'static str, weight: f64) -> StartupComponent {
+    StartupComponent {
+        id,
+        title,
+        weight,
+        status: StartupComponentStatus::Pending,
+        started_at_epoch_ms: None,
+        finished_at_epoch_ms: None,
+        duration_ms: None,
+        attempts: 0,
+        details: None,
+    }
+}
+
+fn normalize_details(details: Option<String>) -> Option<String> {
+    details.map(|detail| {
+        if detail.len() <= 256 {
+            detail
+        } else {
+            detail[..256].to_string()
+        }
+    })
+}
+
+fn now_epoch_secs() -> u64 {
+    SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_secs()
+}
+
+fn now_epoch_ms() -> u64 {
+    SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_millis() as u64
+}

src/stats/mod.rs

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ use std::collections::hash_map::DefaultHasher;
 use std::collections::VecDeque;
 use tracing::debug;
 
-use crate::config::MeTelemetryLevel;
+use crate::config::{MeTelemetryLevel, MeWriterPickMode};
 use self::telemetry::TelemetryPolicy;
 
 // ============= Stats =============
@@ -80,6 +80,12 @@ pub struct Stats {
     me_floor_global_cap_raw_gauge: AtomicU64,
     me_floor_global_cap_effective_gauge: AtomicU64,
     me_floor_target_writers_total_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_floor_active_cap_effective_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_floor_warm_cap_effective_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_writers_active_current_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_writers_warm_current_gauge: AtomicU64,
     me_floor_cap_block_total: AtomicU64,
     me_floor_swap_idle_total: AtomicU64,
     me_floor_swap_idle_failed_total: AtomicU64,
@@ -89,6 +95,18 @@ pub struct Stats {
     me_route_drop_queue_full: AtomicU64,
     me_route_drop_queue_full_base: AtomicU64,
     me_route_drop_queue_full_high: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_try_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_fallback_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_full_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_closed_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_no_candidate_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_p2c_success_try_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_p2c_success_fallback_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_p2c_full_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_p2c_closed_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_p2c_no_candidate_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total: AtomicU64,
     me_socks_kdf_strict_reject: AtomicU64,
     me_socks_kdf_compat_fallback: AtomicU64,
     secure_padding_invalid: AtomicU64,
@@ -491,6 +509,93 @@ impl Stats {
             self.me_route_drop_queue_full_high.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         }
     }
+    pub fn increment_me_writer_pick_success_try_total(&self, mode: MeWriterPickMode) {
+        if !self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            return;
+        }
+        match mode {
+            MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_try_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+            MeWriterPickMode::P2c => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_p2c_success_try_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn increment_me_writer_pick_success_fallback_total(&self, mode: MeWriterPickMode) {
+        if !self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            return;
+        }
+        match mode {
+            MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_fallback_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+            MeWriterPickMode::P2c => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_p2c_success_fallback_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(&self, mode: MeWriterPickMode) {
+        if !self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            return;
+        }
+        match mode {
+            MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_full_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+            MeWriterPickMode::P2c => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_p2c_full_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn increment_me_writer_pick_closed_total(&self, mode: MeWriterPickMode) {
+        if !self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            return;
+        }
+        match mode {
+            MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_closed_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+            MeWriterPickMode::P2c => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_p2c_closed_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn increment_me_writer_pick_no_candidate_total(&self, mode: MeWriterPickMode) {
+        if !self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            return;
+        }
+        match mode {
+            MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_no_candidate_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+            MeWriterPickMode::P2c => {
+                self.me_writer_pick_p2c_no_candidate_total
+                    .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn increment_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total(&self) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total
+                .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn increment_me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total(&self) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total
+                .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
     pub fn increment_me_socks_kdf_strict_reject(&self) {
         if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
             self.me_socks_kdf_strict_reject.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -764,6 +869,42 @@ impl Stats {
                 .store(value, Ordering::Relaxed);
         }
     }
+    pub fn set_me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge(&self, value: u64) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge
+                .store(value, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn set_me_floor_active_cap_effective_gauge(&self, value: u64) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_floor_active_cap_effective_gauge
+                .store(value, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn set_me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge(&self, value: u64) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge
+                .store(value, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn set_me_floor_warm_cap_effective_gauge(&self, value: u64) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_floor_warm_cap_effective_gauge
+                .store(value, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn set_me_writers_active_current_gauge(&self, value: u64) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_writers_active_current_gauge
+                .store(value, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn set_me_writers_warm_current_gauge(&self, value: u64) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_writers_warm_current_gauge
+                .store(value, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
     pub fn increment_me_floor_cap_block_total(&self) {
         if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
             self.me_floor_cap_block_total.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -904,6 +1045,30 @@ impl Stats {
         self.me_floor_target_writers_total_gauge
             .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
+    pub fn get_me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_floor_active_cap_effective_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_floor_active_cap_effective_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_floor_warm_cap_effective_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_floor_warm_cap_effective_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writers_active_current_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writers_active_current_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writers_warm_current_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writers_warm_current_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
     pub fn get_me_floor_cap_block_total(&self) -> u64 {
         self.me_floor_cap_block_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
@@ -935,6 +1100,52 @@ impl Stats {
     pub fn get_me_route_drop_queue_full_high(&self) -> u64 {
         self.me_route_drop_queue_full_high.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_try_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_try_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_fallback_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_success_fallback_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_full_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_full_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_closed_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_closed_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_no_candidate_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_sorted_rr_no_candidate_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_p2c_success_try_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_p2c_success_try_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_p2c_success_fallback_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_p2c_success_fallback_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_p2c_full_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_p2c_full_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_p2c_closed_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_p2c_closed_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_p2c_no_candidate_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_p2c_no_candidate_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    pub fn get_me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
     pub fn get_me_socks_kdf_strict_reject(&self) -> u64 {
         self.me_socks_kdf_strict_reject.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }

src/transport/middle_proxy/config_updater.rs

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ use crate::error::Result;
 use super::MePool;
 use super::rotation::{MeReinitTrigger, enqueue_reinit_trigger};
 use super::secret::download_proxy_secret_with_max_len;
+use super::selftest::record_timeskew_sample;
 use std::time::SystemTime;
 
 async fn retry_fetch(url: &str) -> Option<ProxyConfigData> {
@@ -109,6 +110,7 @@ pub async fn fetch_proxy_config_with_raw(url: &str) -> Result<(ProxyConfigData,
         })
     {
         let skew_secs = skew.as_secs();
+        record_timeskew_sample("proxy_config_date_header", skew_secs);
         if skew_secs > 60 {
             warn!(skew_secs, "Time skew >60s detected from fetch_proxy_config Date header");
         } else if skew_secs > 30 {
@@ -306,6 +308,8 @@ async fn run_update_cycle(
         cfg.general.me_bind_stale_ttl_secs,
         cfg.general.me_secret_atomic_snapshot,
         cfg.general.me_deterministic_writer_sort,
+        cfg.general.me_writer_pick_mode,
+        cfg.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers,
         cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled,
         cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_disable_quarantine,
@@ -321,6 +325,13 @@ async fn run_update_cycle(
         cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override,
         cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core,
         cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+        cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+        cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+        cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+        cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
+        cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy,
+        cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy,
+        cfg.general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms,
     );
 
     let required_cfg_snapshots = cfg.general.me_config_stable_snapshots.max(1);
@@ -523,6 +534,8 @@ pub async fn me_config_updater(
                     cfg.general.me_bind_stale_ttl_secs,
                     cfg.general.me_secret_atomic_snapshot,
                     cfg.general.me_deterministic_writer_sort,
+                    cfg.general.me_writer_pick_mode,
+                    cfg.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
                     cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers,
                     cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled,
                     cfg.general.me_single_endpoint_outage_disable_quarantine,
@@ -538,6 +551,13 @@ pub async fn me_config_updater(
                     cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override,
                     cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core,
                     cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core,
+                    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core,
+                    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core,
+                    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+                    cfg.general.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
+                    cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy,
+                    cfg.general.me_health_interval_ms_healthy,
+                    cfg.general.me_warn_rate_limit_ms,
                 );
                 let new_secs = cfg.general.effective_update_every_secs().max(1);
                 if new_secs == update_every_secs {

src/transport/middle_proxy/handshake.rs

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ use super::codec::{
     cbc_decrypt_inplace, cbc_encrypt_padded, parse_handshake_flags, parse_nonce_payload,
     read_rpc_frame_plaintext, rpc_crc,
 };
+use super::selftest::{BndAddrStatus, BndPortStatus, record_bnd_status};
 use super::wire::{extract_ip_material, IpMaterial};
 use super::MePool;
 
@@ -131,6 +132,14 @@ impl MePool {
         )
     }
 
+    fn bnd_port_status(bound: Option<SocketAddr>) -> BndPortStatus {
+        match bound {
+            Some(addr) if addr.port() == 0 => BndPortStatus::Zero,
+            Some(_) => BndPortStatus::Ok,
+            None => BndPortStatus::Error,
+        }
+    }
+
     /// TCP connect with timeout + return RTT in milliseconds.
     pub(crate) async fn connect_tcp(
         &self,
@@ -239,7 +248,27 @@ impl MePool {
             IpFamily::V6
         };
         let is_socks_route = Self::is_socks_route(upstream_egress);
+        let raw_socks_bound_addr = if is_socks_route {
+            upstream_egress.and_then(|info| info.socks_bound_addr)
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
         let socks_bound_addr = Self::select_socks_bound_addr(family, upstream_egress);
+        let bnd_addr_status = if !is_socks_route {
+            BndAddrStatus::Error
+        } else if raw_socks_bound_addr.is_some() && socks_bound_addr.is_none() {
+            BndAddrStatus::Bogon
+        } else if socks_bound_addr.is_some() {
+            BndAddrStatus::Ok
+        } else {
+            BndAddrStatus::Error
+        };
+        let bnd_port_status = if is_socks_route {
+            Self::bnd_port_status(raw_socks_bound_addr)
+        } else {
+            BndPortStatus::Error
+        };
+        record_bnd_status(bnd_addr_status, bnd_port_status, raw_socks_bound_addr);
         let reflected = if let Some(bound) = socks_bound_addr {
             Some(bound)
         } else if is_socks_route {

src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ use crate::network::IpFamily;
 
 use super::MePool;
 
-const HEALTH_INTERVAL_SECS: u64 = 1;
 const JITTER_FRAC_NUM: u64 = 2; // jitter up to 50% of backoff
 #[allow(dead_code)]
 const MAX_CONCURRENT_PER_DC_DEFAULT: usize = 1;
@@ -42,7 +41,12 @@ struct DcFloorPlanEntry {
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 struct FamilyFloorPlan {
     by_dc: HashMap<i32, DcFloorPlanEntry>,
-    global_cap_effective_total: usize,
+    active_cap_configured_total: usize,
+    active_cap_effective_total: usize,
+    warm_cap_configured_total: usize,
+    warm_cap_effective_total: usize,
+    active_writers_current: usize,
+    warm_writers_current: usize,
     target_writers_total: usize,
 }
 
@@ -57,11 +61,18 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
     let mut idle_refresh_next_attempt: HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant> = HashMap::new();
     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 degraded_interval = true;
     loop {
-        tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(HEALTH_INTERVAL_SECS)).await;
+        let interval = if degraded_interval {
+            pool.health_interval_unhealthy()
+        } else {
+            pool.health_interval_healthy()
+        };
+        tokio::time::sleep(interval).await;
         pool.prune_closed_writers().await;
         reap_draining_writers(&pool).await;
-        check_family(
+        let v4_degraded = check_family(
             IpFamily::V4,
             &pool,
             &rng,
@@ -75,9 +86,10 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
             &mut idle_refresh_next_attempt,
             &mut adaptive_idle_since,
             &mut adaptive_recover_until,
+            &mut floor_warn_next_allowed,
         )
         .await;
-        check_family(
+        let v6_degraded = check_family(
             IpFamily::V6,
             &pool,
             &rng,
@@ -91,8 +103,10 @@ pub async fn me_health_monitor(pool: Arc<MePool>, rng: Arc<SecureRandom>, _min_c
             &mut idle_refresh_next_attempt,
             &mut adaptive_idle_since,
             &mut adaptive_recover_until,
+            &mut floor_warn_next_allowed,
         )
         .await;
+        degraded_interval = v4_degraded || v6_degraded;
     }
 }
 
@@ -132,15 +146,18 @@ async fn check_family(
     idle_refresh_next_attempt: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
     adaptive_idle_since: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
     adaptive_recover_until: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
-) {
+    floor_warn_next_allowed: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
+) -> bool {
     let enabled = match family {
         IpFamily::V4 => pool.decision.ipv4_me,
         IpFamily::V6 => pool.decision.ipv6_me,
     };
     if !enabled {
-        return;
+        return false;
     }
 
+    let mut family_degraded = false;
+
     let mut dc_endpoints = HashMap::<i32, Vec<SocketAddr>>::new();
     let map_guard = match family {
         IpFamily::V4 => pool.proxy_map_v4.read().await,
@@ -169,6 +186,14 @@ async fn check_family(
     for writer in pool.writers.read().await.iter().filter(|w| {
         !w.draining.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed)
     }) {
+        if !matches!(
+            super::pool::WriterContour::from_u8(
+                writer.contour.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed),
+            ),
+            super::pool::WriterContour::Active
+        ) {
+            continue;
+        }
         let key = (writer.writer_dc, writer.addr);
         *live_addr_counts.entry(key).or_insert(0) += 1;
         live_writer_ids_by_addr
@@ -194,8 +219,13 @@ async fn check_family(
     )
     .await;
     pool.set_adaptive_floor_runtime_caps(
-        floor_plan.global_cap_effective_total,
+        floor_plan.active_cap_configured_total,
+        floor_plan.active_cap_effective_total,
+        floor_plan.warm_cap_configured_total,
+        floor_plan.warm_cap_effective_total,
         floor_plan.target_writers_total,
+        floor_plan.active_writers_current,
+        floor_plan.warm_writers_current,
     );
 
     for (dc, endpoints) in dc_endpoints {
@@ -216,6 +246,7 @@ async fn check_family(
             .sum::<usize>();
 
         if endpoints.len() == 1 && pool.single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled() && alive == 0 {
+            family_degraded = true;
             if single_endpoint_outage.insert(key) {
                 pool.stats.increment_me_single_endpoint_outage_enter_total();
                 warn!(
@@ -292,6 +323,7 @@ async fn check_family(
             continue;
         }
         let missing = required - alive;
+        family_degraded = true;
 
         let now = Instant::now();
         if reconnect_budget == 0 {
@@ -344,8 +376,8 @@ async fn check_family(
                 break;
             }
             reconnect_budget = reconnect_budget.saturating_sub(1);
-            if pool.floor_mode() == MeFloorMode::Adaptive
-                && pool.active_writer_count_total().await >= floor_plan.global_cap_effective_total
+            if pool.active_contour_writer_count_total().await
+                >= floor_plan.active_cap_effective_total
             {
                 let swapped = maybe_swap_idle_writer_for_cap(
                     pool,
@@ -370,7 +402,7 @@ async fn check_family(
                     ?family,
                     alive,
                     required,
-                    global_cap_effective_total = floor_plan.global_cap_effective_total,
+                    active_cap_effective_total = floor_plan.active_cap_effective_total,
                     "Adaptive floor cap reached, reconnect attempt blocked"
                 );
                 break;
@@ -420,15 +452,23 @@ async fn check_family(
                 + Duration::from_millis(rand::rng().random_range(0..=jitter.max(1)));
             next_attempt.insert(key, now + wait);
             if pool.is_runtime_ready() {
-                warn!(
-                    dc = %dc,
-                    ?family,
-                    alive = now_alive,
-                    required,
-                    endpoint_count = endpoints.len(),
-                    backoff_ms = next_ms,
-                    "DC writer floor is below required level, scheduled reconnect"
-                );
+                let warn_cooldown = pool.warn_rate_limit_duration();
+                if should_emit_rate_limited_warn(
+                    floor_warn_next_allowed,
+                    key,
+                    now,
+                    warn_cooldown,
+                ) {
+                    warn!(
+                        dc = %dc,
+                        ?family,
+                        alive = now_alive,
+                        required,
+                        endpoint_count = endpoints.len(),
+                        backoff_ms = next_ms,
+                        "DC writer floor is below required level, scheduled reconnect"
+                    );
+                }
             } else {
                 info!(
                     dc = %dc,
@@ -445,6 +485,8 @@ async fn check_family(
             *v = v.saturating_sub(1);
         }
     }
+
+    family_degraded
 }
 
 fn health_reconnect_budget(pool: &Arc<MePool>, dc_groups: usize) -> usize {
@@ -456,6 +498,23 @@ fn health_reconnect_budget(pool: &Arc<MePool>, dc_groups: usize) -> usize {
         .clamp(HEALTH_RECONNECT_BUDGET_MIN, HEALTH_RECONNECT_BUDGET_MAX)
 }
 
+fn should_emit_rate_limited_warn(
+    next_allowed: &mut HashMap<(i32, IpFamily), Instant>,
+    key: (i32, IpFamily),
+    now: Instant,
+    cooldown: Duration,
+) -> bool {
+    let Some(ready_at) = next_allowed.get(&key).copied() else {
+        next_allowed.insert(key, now + cooldown);
+        return true;
+    };
+    if now >= ready_at {
+        next_allowed.insert(key, now + cooldown);
+        return true;
+    }
+    false
+}
+
 fn adaptive_floor_class_min(
     pool: &Arc<MePool>,
     endpoint_count: usize,
@@ -518,6 +577,8 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
     let floor_mode = pool.floor_mode();
     let is_adaptive = floor_mode == MeFloorMode::Adaptive;
     let cpu_cores = pool.adaptive_floor_effective_cpu_cores().max(1);
+    let (active_writers_current, warm_writers_current, _) =
+        pool.non_draining_writer_counts_by_contour().await;
 
     for (dc, endpoints) in dc_endpoints {
         if endpoints.is_empty() {
@@ -576,9 +637,16 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
     }
 
     if entries.is_empty() {
+        let active_cap_configured_total = pool.adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured_total();
+        let warm_cap_configured_total = pool.adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured_total();
         return FamilyFloorPlan {
             by_dc,
-            global_cap_effective_total: 0,
+            active_cap_configured_total,
+            active_cap_effective_total: active_cap_configured_total,
+            warm_cap_configured_total,
+            warm_cap_effective_total: warm_cap_configured_total,
+            active_writers_current,
+            warm_writers_current,
             target_writers_total: 0,
         };
     }
@@ -588,20 +656,26 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
             .iter()
             .map(|entry| entry.target_required)
             .sum::<usize>();
-        let active_total = pool.active_writer_count_total().await;
+        let active_cap_configured_total = pool.adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured_total();
+        let warm_cap_configured_total = pool.adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured_total();
         for entry in entries {
             by_dc.insert(entry.dc, entry);
         }
         return FamilyFloorPlan {
             by_dc,
-            global_cap_effective_total: active_total.max(target_total),
+            active_cap_configured_total,
+            active_cap_effective_total: active_cap_configured_total.max(target_total),
+            warm_cap_configured_total,
+            warm_cap_effective_total: warm_cap_configured_total,
+            active_writers_current,
+            warm_writers_current,
             target_writers_total: target_total,
         };
     }
 
-    let global_cap_raw = pool.adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw();
-    let total_active = pool.active_writer_count_total().await;
-    let other_active = total_active.saturating_sub(family_active_total);
+    let active_cap_configured_total = pool.adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured_total();
+    let warm_cap_configured_total = pool.adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured_total();
+    let other_active = active_writers_current.saturating_sub(family_active_total);
     let min_sum = entries
         .iter()
         .map(|entry| entry.min_required)
@@ -610,7 +684,7 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
         .iter()
         .map(|entry| entry.target_required)
         .sum::<usize>();
-    let family_cap = global_cap_raw
+    let family_cap = active_cap_configured_total
         .saturating_sub(other_active)
         .max(min_sum);
     if target_sum > family_cap {
@@ -645,11 +719,17 @@ async fn build_family_floor_plan(
     for entry in entries {
         by_dc.insert(entry.dc, entry);
     }
-    let global_cap_effective_total = global_cap_raw.max(other_active.saturating_add(min_sum));
+    let active_cap_effective_total =
+        active_cap_configured_total.max(other_active.saturating_add(min_sum));
     let target_writers_total = other_active.saturating_add(target_sum);
     FamilyFloorPlan {
         by_dc,
-        global_cap_effective_total,
+        active_cap_configured_total,
+        active_cap_effective_total,
+        warm_cap_configured_total,
+        warm_cap_effective_total: warm_cap_configured_total,
+        active_writers_current,
+        warm_writers_current,
         target_writers_total,
     }
 }

src/transport/middle_proxy/mod.rs

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ mod registry;
 mod rotation;
 mod send;
 mod secret;
+mod selftest;
 mod wire;
 mod pool_status;
 
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ pub use config_updater::{
     me_config_updater, save_proxy_config_cache,
 };
 pub use rotation::{MeReinitTrigger, me_reinit_scheduler, me_rotation_task};
+pub(crate) use selftest::{bnd_snapshot, timeskew_snapshot};
 pub use wire::proto_flags_for_tag;
 
 #[derive(Debug)]

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs

@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ use std::time::{Duration, Instant, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 use tokio::sync::{Mutex, Notify, RwLock, mpsc};
 use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
-use crate::config::{MeBindStaleMode, MeFloorMode, MeRouteNoWriterMode, MeSocksKdfPolicy};
+use crate::config::{
+    MeBindStaleMode, MeFloorMode, MeRouteNoWriterMode, MeSocksKdfPolicy, MeWriterPickMode,
+};
 use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
 use crate::network::IpFamily;
 use crate::network::probe::NetworkDecision;
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ pub struct MeWriter {
     pub tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>,
     pub cancel: CancellationToken,
     pub degraded: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    pub rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc<AtomicU32>,
     pub draining: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     pub draining_started_at_epoch_secs: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     pub drain_deadline_epoch_secs: Arc<AtomicU64>,
@@ -103,6 +106,7 @@ pub struct MePool {
     pub(super) me_keepalive_jitter: Duration,
     pub(super) me_keepalive_payload_random: bool,
     pub(super) rpc_proxy_req_every_secs: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) writer_cmd_channel_capacity: usize,
     pub(super) me_warmup_stagger_enabled: bool,
     pub(super) me_warmup_step_delay: Duration,
     pub(super) me_warmup_step_jitter: Duration,
@@ -125,11 +129,21 @@ pub struct MePool {
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: AtomicU32,
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: AtomicU32,
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: AtomicU32,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: AtomicU32,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: AtomicU32,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: AtomicU32,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: AtomicU32,
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected: AtomicU32,
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective: AtomicU32,
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_target_writers_total: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_active_writers_current: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) proxy_map_v4: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<i32, Vec<(IpAddr, u16)>>>>,
     pub(super) proxy_map_v6: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<i32, Vec<(IpAddr, u16)>>>>,
     pub(super) endpoint_dc_map: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<SocketAddr, Option<i32>>>>,
@@ -166,13 +180,20 @@ pub struct MePool {
     pub(super) me_bind_stale_ttl_secs: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) secret_atomic_snapshot: AtomicBool,
     pub(super) me_deterministic_writer_sort: AtomicBool,
+    pub(super) me_writer_pick_mode: AtomicU8,
+    pub(super) me_writer_pick_sample_size: AtomicU8,
     pub(super) me_socks_kdf_policy: AtomicU8,
+    pub(super) me_reader_route_data_wait_ms: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     pub(super) me_route_no_writer_mode: AtomicU8,
     pub(super) me_route_no_writer_wait: Duration,
     pub(super) me_route_inline_recovery_attempts: u32,
     pub(super) me_route_inline_recovery_wait: Duration,
+    pub(super) me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_health_interval_ms_healthy: AtomicU64,
+    pub(super) me_warn_rate_limit_ms: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) runtime_ready: AtomicBool,
     pool_size: usize,
+    pub(super) preferred_endpoints_by_dc: Arc<RwLock<HashMap<i32, Vec<SocketAddr>>>>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Default)]
@@ -243,6 +264,10 @@ impl MePool {
         me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: u16,
         me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: u16,
         me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: u16,
+        me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: u16,
+        me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: u16,
+        me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: u32,
+        me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
         hardswap: bool,
         me_pool_drain_ttl_secs: u64,
         me_pool_force_close_secs: u64,
@@ -255,17 +280,29 @@ impl MePool {
         me_bind_stale_ttl_secs: u64,
         me_secret_atomic_snapshot: bool,
         me_deterministic_writer_sort: bool,
+        me_writer_pick_mode: MeWriterPickMode,
+        me_writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
         me_socks_kdf_policy: MeSocksKdfPolicy,
+        me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity: usize,
+        me_route_channel_capacity: usize,
         me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms: u64,
         me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms: u64,
         me_route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct: u8,
+        me_reader_route_data_wait_ms: u64,
+        me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: u64,
+        me_health_interval_ms_healthy: u64,
+        me_warn_rate_limit_ms: u64,
         me_route_no_writer_mode: MeRouteNoWriterMode,
         me_route_no_writer_wait_ms: u64,
         me_route_inline_recovery_attempts: u32,
         me_route_inline_recovery_wait_ms: u64,
     ) -> Arc<Self> {
         let endpoint_dc_map = Self::build_endpoint_dc_map_from_maps(&proxy_map_v4, &proxy_map_v6);
-        let registry = Arc::new(ConnRegistry::new());
+        let preferred_endpoints_by_dc =
+            Self::build_preferred_endpoints_by_dc(&decision, &proxy_map_v4, &proxy_map_v6);
+        let registry = Arc::new(ConnRegistry::with_route_channel_capacity(
+            me_route_channel_capacity,
+        ));
         registry.update_route_backpressure_policy(
             me_route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms,
             me_route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms,
@@ -312,6 +349,7 @@ impl MePool {
             me_keepalive_jitter: Duration::from_secs(me_keepalive_jitter_secs),
             me_keepalive_payload_random,
             rpc_proxy_req_every_secs: AtomicU64::new(rpc_proxy_req_every_secs),
+            writer_cmd_channel_capacity: me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity.max(1),
             me_warmup_stagger_enabled,
             me_warmup_step_delay: Duration::from_millis(me_warmup_step_delay_ms),
             me_warmup_step_jitter: Duration::from_millis(me_warmup_step_jitter_ms),
@@ -358,11 +396,29 @@ impl MePool {
             me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: AtomicU32::new(
                 me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core as u32,
             ),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: AtomicU32::new(
+                me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core as u32,
+            ),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: AtomicU32::new(
+                me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core as u32,
+            ),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: AtomicU32::new(
+                me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global,
+            ),
+            me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: AtomicU32::new(
+                me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global,
+            ),
             me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected: AtomicU32::new(1),
             me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective: AtomicU32::new(1),
             me_adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw: AtomicU64::new(0),
             me_adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective: AtomicU64::new(0),
             me_adaptive_floor_target_writers_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            me_adaptive_floor_active_writers_current: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            me_adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current: AtomicU64::new(0),
             pool_size: 2,
             proxy_map_v4: Arc::new(RwLock::new(proxy_map_v4)),
             proxy_map_v6: Arc::new(RwLock::new(proxy_map_v6)),
@@ -403,12 +459,19 @@ impl MePool {
             me_bind_stale_ttl_secs: AtomicU64::new(me_bind_stale_ttl_secs),
             secret_atomic_snapshot: AtomicBool::new(me_secret_atomic_snapshot),
             me_deterministic_writer_sort: AtomicBool::new(me_deterministic_writer_sort),
+            me_writer_pick_mode: AtomicU8::new(me_writer_pick_mode.as_u8()),
+            me_writer_pick_sample_size: AtomicU8::new(me_writer_pick_sample_size.clamp(2, 4)),
             me_socks_kdf_policy: AtomicU8::new(me_socks_kdf_policy.as_u8()),
+            me_reader_route_data_wait_ms: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(me_reader_route_data_wait_ms)),
             me_route_no_writer_mode: AtomicU8::new(me_route_no_writer_mode.as_u8()),
             me_route_no_writer_wait: Duration::from_millis(me_route_no_writer_wait_ms),
             me_route_inline_recovery_attempts,
             me_route_inline_recovery_wait: Duration::from_millis(me_route_inline_recovery_wait_ms),
+            me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: AtomicU64::new(me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy.max(1)),
+            me_health_interval_ms_healthy: AtomicU64::new(me_health_interval_ms_healthy.max(1)),
+            me_warn_rate_limit_ms: AtomicU64::new(me_warn_rate_limit_ms.max(1)),
             runtime_ready: AtomicBool::new(false),
+            preferred_endpoints_by_dc: Arc::new(RwLock::new(preferred_endpoints_by_dc)),
         })
     }
 
@@ -438,6 +501,8 @@ impl MePool {
         bind_stale_ttl_secs: u64,
         secret_atomic_snapshot: bool,
         deterministic_writer_sort: bool,
+        writer_pick_mode: MeWriterPickMode,
+        writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
         single_endpoint_shadow_writers: u8,
         single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled: bool,
         single_endpoint_outage_disable_quarantine: bool,
@@ -453,6 +518,13 @@ impl MePool {
         adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: u16,
         adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: u16,
         adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: u16,
+        adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: u16,
+        adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: u16,
+        adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: u32,
+        adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
+        me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy: u64,
+        me_health_interval_ms_healthy: u64,
+        me_warn_rate_limit_ms: u64,
     ) {
         self.hardswap.store(hardswap, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_pool_drain_ttl_secs
@@ -477,6 +549,14 @@ impl MePool {
             .store(secret_atomic_snapshot, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_deterministic_writer_sort
             .store(deterministic_writer_sort, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        let previous_writer_pick_mode = self.writer_pick_mode();
+        self.me_writer_pick_mode
+            .store(writer_pick_mode.as_u8(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_writer_pick_sample_size
+            .store(writer_pick_sample_size.clamp(2, 4), Ordering::Relaxed);
+        if previous_writer_pick_mode != writer_pick_mode {
+            self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total();
+        }
         self.me_single_endpoint_shadow_writers
             .store(single_endpoint_shadow_writers, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_single_endpoint_outage_mode_enabled
@@ -514,6 +594,26 @@ impl MePool {
                 adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core as u32,
                 Ordering::Relaxed,
             );
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core
+            .store(
+                adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core as u32,
+                Ordering::Relaxed,
+            );
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core
+            .store(
+                adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core as u32,
+                Ordering::Relaxed,
+            );
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global
+            .store(adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global
+            .store(adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy
+            .store(me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy.max(1), Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_health_interval_ms_healthy
+            .store(me_health_interval_ms_healthy.max(1), Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_warn_rate_limit_ms
+            .store(me_warn_rate_limit_ms.max(1), Ordering::Relaxed);
         if previous_floor_mode != floor_mode {
             self.stats.increment_me_floor_mode_switch_total();
             match (previous_floor_mode, floor_mode) {
@@ -553,9 +653,12 @@ impl MePool {
         route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms: u64,
         route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms: u64,
         route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct: u8,
+        reader_route_data_wait_ms: u64,
     ) {
         self.me_socks_kdf_policy
             .store(socks_kdf_policy.as_u8(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms
+            .store(reader_route_data_wait_ms, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.registry.update_route_backpressure_policy(
             route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms,
             route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms,
@@ -584,11 +687,26 @@ impl MePool {
         self.proxy_secret.read().await.key_selector
     }
 
-    pub(super) async fn active_writer_count_total(&self) -> usize {
+    pub(super) async fn non_draining_writer_counts_by_contour(&self) -> (usize, usize, usize) {
         let ws = self.writers.read().await;
-        ws.iter()
-            .filter(|w| !w.draining.load(Ordering::Relaxed))
-            .count()
+        let mut active = 0usize;
+        let mut warm = 0usize;
+        for writer in ws.iter() {
+            if writer.draining.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            match WriterContour::from_u8(writer.contour.load(Ordering::Relaxed)) {
+                WriterContour::Active => active = active.saturating_add(1),
+                WriterContour::Warm => warm = warm.saturating_add(1),
+                WriterContour::Draining => {}
+            }
+        }
+        (active, warm, active.saturating_add(warm))
+    }
+
+    pub(super) async fn active_contour_writer_count_total(&self) -> usize {
+        let (active, _, _) = self.non_draining_writer_counts_by_contour().await;
+        active
     }
 
     pub(super) async fn secret_snapshot(&self) -> SecretSnapshot {
@@ -599,6 +717,16 @@ impl MePool {
         MeBindStaleMode::from_u8(self.me_bind_stale_mode.load(Ordering::Relaxed))
     }
 
+    pub(super) fn writer_pick_mode(&self) -> MeWriterPickMode {
+        MeWriterPickMode::from_u8(self.me_writer_pick_mode.load(Ordering::Relaxed))
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn writer_pick_sample_size(&self) -> usize {
+        self.me_writer_pick_sample_size
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+            .clamp(2, 4) as usize
+    }
+
     pub(super) fn required_writers_for_dc(&self, endpoint_count: usize) -> usize {
         if endpoint_count == 0 {
             return 0;
@@ -634,13 +762,6 @@ impl MePool {
             .max(1)
     }
 
-    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_writers_per_core_total(&self) -> usize {
-        (self
-            .me_adaptive_floor_writers_per_core_total
-            .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize)
-            .max(1)
-    }
-
     pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_max_extra_single_per_core(&self) -> usize {
         self.me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core
             .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize
@@ -651,6 +772,34 @@ impl MePool {
             .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize
     }
 
+    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core(&self) -> usize {
+        (self
+            .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize)
+            .max(1)
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core(&self) -> usize {
+        (self
+            .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize)
+            .max(1)
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global(&self) -> usize {
+        (self
+            .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize)
+            .max(1)
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global(&self) -> usize {
+        (self
+            .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize)
+            .max(1)
+    }
+
     pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_detected_cpu_cores(&self) -> usize {
         std::thread::available_parallelism()
             .map(|value| value.get())
@@ -679,28 +828,149 @@ impl MePool {
         effective
     }
 
-    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw(&self) -> usize {
+    // Keeps per-contour (active/warm) writer budget bounded by CPU count.
+    // Baseline is 86 writers on the first core and +48 for each extra core.
+    fn adaptive_floor_cpu_budget_per_contour_cap(&self, cores: usize) -> usize {
+        const FIRST_CORE_WRITER_BUDGET: usize = 86;
+        const EXTRA_CORE_WRITER_BUDGET: usize = 48;
+        if cores == 0 {
+            return FIRST_CORE_WRITER_BUDGET;
+        }
+        FIRST_CORE_WRITER_BUDGET.saturating_add(
+            cores
+                .saturating_sub(1)
+                .saturating_mul(EXTRA_CORE_WRITER_BUDGET),
+        )
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured_total(&self) -> usize {
         let cores = self.adaptive_floor_effective_cpu_cores();
-        let cap = cores.saturating_mul(self.adaptive_floor_writers_per_core_total());
-        self.me_adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw
-            .store(cap as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
-        self.stats.set_me_floor_global_cap_raw_gauge(cap as u64);
-        cap
+        let per_contour_budget = self.adaptive_floor_cpu_budget_per_contour_cap(cores);
+        let configured = cores
+            .saturating_mul(self.adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core())
+            .min(self.adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global())
+            .min(per_contour_budget)
+            .max(1);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured
+            .store(configured as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge(configured as u64);
+        configured
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured_total(&self) -> usize {
+        let cores = self.adaptive_floor_effective_cpu_cores();
+        let per_contour_budget = self.adaptive_floor_cpu_budget_per_contour_cap(cores);
+        let configured = cores
+            .saturating_mul(self.adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core())
+            .min(self.adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global())
+            .min(per_contour_budget)
+            .max(1);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured
+            .store(configured as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge(configured as u64);
+        configured
     }
 
     pub(super) fn set_adaptive_floor_runtime_caps(
         &self,
-        global_cap_effective: usize,
+        active_cap_configured: usize,
+        active_cap_effective: usize,
+        warm_cap_configured: usize,
+        warm_cap_effective: usize,
         target_writers_total: usize,
+        active_writers_current: usize,
+        warm_writers_current: usize,
     ) {
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw
+            .store(active_cap_configured as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective
-            .store(global_cap_effective as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            .store(active_cap_effective as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.me_adaptive_floor_target_writers_total
             .store(target_writers_total as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured
+            .store(active_cap_configured as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective
+            .store(active_cap_effective as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured
+            .store(warm_cap_configured as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective
+            .store(warm_cap_effective as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_active_writers_current
+            .store(active_writers_current as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.me_adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current
+            .store(warm_writers_current as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.stats
-            .set_me_floor_global_cap_effective_gauge(global_cap_effective as u64);
+            .set_me_floor_global_cap_raw_gauge(active_cap_configured as u64);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_floor_global_cap_effective_gauge(active_cap_effective as u64);
         self.stats
             .set_me_floor_target_writers_total_gauge(target_writers_total as u64);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_floor_active_cap_configured_gauge(active_cap_configured as u64);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_floor_active_cap_effective_gauge(active_cap_effective as u64);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_floor_warm_cap_configured_gauge(warm_cap_configured as u64);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_floor_warm_cap_effective_gauge(warm_cap_effective as u64);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_writers_active_current_gauge(active_writers_current as u64);
+        self.stats
+            .set_me_writers_warm_current_gauge(warm_writers_current as u64);
+    }
+
+    pub(super) async fn active_coverage_required_total(&self) -> usize {
+        let mut endpoints_by_dc = HashMap::<i32, HashSet<SocketAddr>>::new();
+
+        if self.decision.ipv4_me {
+            let map = self.proxy_map_v4.read().await;
+            for (dc, addrs) in map.iter() {
+                let entry = endpoints_by_dc.entry(*dc).or_default();
+                for (ip, port) in addrs.iter().copied() {
+                    entry.insert(SocketAddr::new(ip, port));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if self.decision.ipv6_me {
+            let map = self.proxy_map_v6.read().await;
+            for (dc, addrs) in map.iter() {
+                let entry = endpoints_by_dc.entry(*dc).or_default();
+                for (ip, port) in addrs.iter().copied() {
+                    entry.insert(SocketAddr::new(ip, port));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        endpoints_by_dc
+            .values()
+            .map(|endpoints| self.required_writers_for_dc_with_floor_mode(endpoints.len(), false))
+            .sum()
+    }
+
+    pub(super) async fn can_open_writer_for_contour(
+        &self,
+        contour: WriterContour,
+        allow_coverage_override: bool,
+    ) -> bool {
+        let (active_writers, warm_writers, _) = self.non_draining_writer_counts_by_contour().await;
+        match contour {
+            WriterContour::Active => {
+                let active_cap = self.adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured_total();
+                if active_writers < active_cap {
+                    return true;
+                }
+                if !allow_coverage_override {
+                    return false;
+                }
+                let coverage_required = self.active_coverage_required_total().await;
+                active_writers < coverage_required
+            }
+            WriterContour::Warm => warm_writers < self.adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured_total(),
+            WriterContour::Draining => true,
+        }
     }
 
     pub(super) fn required_writers_for_dc_with_floor_mode(
@@ -858,6 +1128,62 @@ impl MePool {
         }
     }
 
+    fn build_preferred_endpoints_by_dc(
+        decision: &NetworkDecision,
+        map_v4: &HashMap<i32, Vec<(IpAddr, u16)>>,
+        map_v6: &HashMap<i32, Vec<(IpAddr, u16)>>,
+    ) -> HashMap<i32, Vec<SocketAddr>> {
+        let mut out = HashMap::<i32, Vec<SocketAddr>>::new();
+        let mut dcs = HashSet::<i32>::new();
+        dcs.extend(map_v4.keys().copied());
+        dcs.extend(map_v6.keys().copied());
+
+        for dc in dcs {
+            let v4 = map_v4
+                .get(&dc)
+                .map(|items| {
+                    items
+                        .iter()
+                        .map(|(ip, port)| SocketAddr::new(*ip, *port))
+                        .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+                })
+                .unwrap_or_default();
+            let v6 = map_v6
+                .get(&dc)
+                .map(|items| {
+                    items
+                        .iter()
+                        .map(|(ip, port)| SocketAddr::new(*ip, *port))
+                        .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+                })
+                .unwrap_or_default();
+
+            let mut selected = if decision.effective_multipath {
+                let mut both = Vec::<SocketAddr>::with_capacity(v4.len().saturating_add(v6.len()));
+                if decision.prefer_ipv6() {
+                    both.extend(v6.iter().copied());
+                    both.extend(v4.iter().copied());
+                } else {
+                    both.extend(v4.iter().copied());
+                    both.extend(v6.iter().copied());
+                }
+                both
+            } else if decision.prefer_ipv6() {
+                if !v6.is_empty() { v6 } else { v4 }
+            } else if !v4.is_empty() {
+                v4
+            } else {
+                v6
+            };
+
+            selected.sort_unstable();
+            selected.dedup();
+            out.insert(dc, selected);
+        }
+
+        out
+    }
+
     fn build_endpoint_dc_map_from_maps(
         map_v4: &HashMap<i32, Vec<(IpAddr, u16)>>,
         map_v6: &HashMap<i32, Vec<(IpAddr, u16)>>,
@@ -880,6 +1206,25 @@ impl MePool {
         let map_v4 = self.proxy_map_v4.read().await.clone();
         let map_v6 = self.proxy_map_v6.read().await.clone();
         let rebuilt = Self::build_endpoint_dc_map_from_maps(&map_v4, &map_v6);
+        let preferred = Self::build_preferred_endpoints_by_dc(&self.decision, &map_v4, &map_v6);
         *self.endpoint_dc_map.write().await = rebuilt;
+        *self.preferred_endpoints_by_dc.write().await = preferred;
+    }
+
+    pub(super) async fn preferred_endpoints_for_dc(&self, dc: i32) -> Vec<SocketAddr> {
+        let guard = self.preferred_endpoints_by_dc.read().await;
+        guard.get(&dc).cloned().unwrap_or_default()
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn health_interval_unhealthy(&self) -> Duration {
+        Duration::from_millis(self.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy.load(Ordering::Relaxed).max(1))
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn health_interval_healthy(&self) -> Duration {
+        Duration::from_millis(self.me_health_interval_ms_healthy.load(Ordering::Relaxed).max(1))
+    }
+
+    pub(super) fn warn_rate_limit_duration(&self) -> Duration {
+        Duration::from_millis(self.me_warn_rate_limit_ms.load(Ordering::Relaxed).max(1))
     }
 }

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_init.rs

@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ impl MePool {
                         target_writers,
                         rng_clone,
                         connect_concurrency,
+                        true,
                     )
                     .await
                 });
@@ -114,6 +115,7 @@ impl MePool {
                                 target_writers,
                                 rng_clone_local,
                                 connect_concurrency,
+                                false,
                             )
                             .await
                     });
@@ -147,6 +149,7 @@ impl MePool {
         target_writers: usize,
         rng: Arc<SecureRandom>,
         connect_concurrency: usize,
+        allow_coverage_override: bool,
     ) -> bool {
         if addrs.is_empty() {
             return false;
@@ -180,9 +183,17 @@ impl MePool {
                 let pool = Arc::clone(&self);
                 let rng_clone = Arc::clone(&rng);
                 let endpoints_clone = endpoints.clone();
+                let generation = self.current_generation();
                 join.spawn(async move {
-                    pool.connect_endpoints_round_robin(dc, &endpoints_clone, rng_clone.as_ref())
-                        .await
+                    pool.connect_endpoints_round_robin_with_generation_contour(
+                        dc,
+                        &endpoints_clone,
+                        rng_clone.as_ref(),
+                        generation,
+                        super::pool::WriterContour::Active,
+                        allow_coverage_override,
+                    )
+                    .await
                 });
             }
 
@@ -212,12 +223,25 @@ impl MePool {
                 return true;
             }
             if !progress {
-                warn!(
-                    dc = %dc,
-                    alive = alive_after,
-                    target_writers,
-                    "All ME servers for DC failed at init"
-                );
+                let active_writers_current = self.active_contour_writer_count_total().await;
+                let active_cap_configured = self.adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured_total();
+                if !allow_coverage_override && active_writers_current >= active_cap_configured {
+                    info!(
+                        dc = %dc,
+                        alive = alive_after,
+                        target_writers,
+                        active_writers_current,
+                        active_cap_configured,
+                        "ME init saturation stopped by active writer cap"
+                    );
+                } else {
+                    warn!(
+                        dc = %dc,
+                        alive = alive_after,
+                        target_writers,
+                        "All ME servers for DC failed at init"
+                    );
+                }
                 return false;
             }
 

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_refill.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::collections::HashSet;
+use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
 use std::net::SocketAddr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ impl MePool {
             rng,
             self.current_generation(),
             WriterContour::Active,
+            false,
         )
         .await
     }
@@ -110,17 +111,50 @@ impl MePool {
         rng: &SecureRandom,
         generation: u64,
         contour: WriterContour,
+        allow_coverage_override: bool,
     ) -> bool {
-        let candidates = self.connectable_endpoints(endpoints).await;
+        let mut candidates = self.connectable_endpoints(endpoints).await;
         if candidates.is_empty() {
             return false;
         }
+        if candidates.len() > 1 {
+            let mut active_by_endpoint = HashMap::<SocketAddr, usize>::new();
+            let ws = self.writers.read().await;
+            for writer in ws.iter() {
+                if writer.draining.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if writer.writer_dc != dc {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if !matches!(
+                    super::pool::WriterContour::from_u8(
+                        writer.contour.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                    ),
+                    super::pool::WriterContour::Active
+                ) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if candidates.contains(&writer.addr) {
+                    *active_by_endpoint.entry(writer.addr).or_insert(0) += 1;
+                }
+            }
+            drop(ws);
+            candidates.sort_by_key(|addr| (active_by_endpoint.get(addr).copied().unwrap_or(0), *addr));
+        }
         let start = (self.rr.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed) as usize) % candidates.len();
         for offset in 0..candidates.len() {
             let idx = (start + offset) % candidates.len();
             let addr = candidates[idx];
             match self
-                .connect_one_with_generation_contour_for_dc(addr, rng, generation, contour, dc)
+                .connect_one_with_generation_contour_for_dc_with_cap_policy(
+                    addr,
+                    rng,
+                    generation,
+                    contour,
+                    dc,
+                    allow_coverage_override,
+                )
                 .await
             {
                 Ok(()) => return true,

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_reinit.rs

@@ -249,6 +249,7 @@ impl MePool {
                             rng,
                             generation,
                             WriterContour::Warm,
+                            false,
                         )
                         .await;
                     debug!(

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_status.rs

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiWriterStatusSnapshot {
 pub(crate) struct MeApiDcStatusSnapshot {
     pub dc: i16,
     pub endpoints: Vec<SocketAddr>,
+    pub endpoint_writers: Vec<MeApiDcEndpointWriterSnapshot>,
     pub available_endpoints: usize,
     pub available_pct: f64,
     pub required_writers: usize,
@@ -38,6 +39,12 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiDcStatusSnapshot {
     pub load: usize,
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub(crate) struct MeApiDcEndpointWriterSnapshot {
+    pub endpoint: SocketAddr,
+    pub active_writers: usize,
+}
+
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub(crate) struct MeApiStatusSnapshot {
     pub generated_at_epoch_secs: u64,
@@ -82,11 +89,21 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiRuntimeSnapshot {
     pub adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_override: u16,
     pub adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_single_per_core: u16,
     pub adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: u16,
+    pub adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: u16,
+    pub adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: u32,
+    pub adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: u32,
     pub adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected: u32,
     pub adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_effective: u32,
     pub adaptive_floor_global_cap_raw: u64,
     pub adaptive_floor_global_cap_effective: u64,
     pub adaptive_floor_target_writers_total: u64,
+    pub adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured: u64,
+    pub adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective: u64,
+    pub adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured: u64,
+    pub adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective: u64,
+    pub adaptive_floor_active_writers_current: u64,
+    pub adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current: u64,
     pub me_keepalive_enabled: bool,
     pub me_keepalive_interval_secs: u64,
     pub me_keepalive_jitter_secs: u64,
@@ -108,6 +125,8 @@ pub(crate) struct MeApiRuntimeSnapshot {
     pub me_single_endpoint_outage_backoff_max_ms: u64,
     pub me_single_endpoint_shadow_rotate_every_secs: u64,
     pub me_deterministic_writer_sort: bool,
+    pub me_writer_pick_mode: &'static str,
+    pub me_writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
     pub me_socks_kdf_policy: &'static str,
     pub quarantined_endpoints: Vec<MeApiQuarantinedEndpointSnapshot>,
     pub network_path: Vec<MeApiDcPathSnapshot>,
@@ -328,6 +347,16 @@ impl MePool {
 
             dcs.push(MeApiDcStatusSnapshot {
                 dc,
+                endpoint_writers: endpoints
+                    .iter()
+                    .map(|endpoint| MeApiDcEndpointWriterSnapshot {
+                        endpoint: *endpoint,
+                        active_writers: live_writers_by_dc_endpoint
+                            .get(&(dc, *endpoint))
+                            .copied()
+                            .unwrap_or(0),
+                    })
+                    .collect(),
                 endpoints: endpoints.into_iter().collect(),
                 available_endpoints: dc_available_endpoints,
                 available_pct: ratio_pct(dc_available_endpoints, endpoint_count),
@@ -430,6 +459,18 @@ impl MePool {
             adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core: self
                 .me_adaptive_floor_max_extra_writers_multi_per_core
                 .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u16,
+            adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_per_core
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u16,
+            adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_per_core
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u16,
+            adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_active_writers_global
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_max_warm_writers_global
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected: self
                 .me_adaptive_floor_cpu_cores_detected
                 .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
@@ -445,6 +486,24 @@ impl MePool {
             adaptive_floor_target_writers_total: self
                 .me_adaptive_floor_target_writers_total
                 .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_configured
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_active_cap_effective
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_configured
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_warm_cap_effective
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            adaptive_floor_active_writers_current: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_active_writers_current
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current: self
+                .me_adaptive_floor_warm_writers_current
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             me_keepalive_enabled: self.me_keepalive_enabled,
             me_keepalive_interval_secs: self.me_keepalive_interval.as_secs(),
             me_keepalive_jitter_secs: self.me_keepalive_jitter.as_secs(),
@@ -482,6 +541,8 @@ impl MePool {
             me_deterministic_writer_sort: self
                 .me_deterministic_writer_sort
                 .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            me_writer_pick_mode: writer_pick_mode_label(self.writer_pick_mode()),
+            me_writer_pick_sample_size: self.writer_pick_sample_size() as u8,
             me_socks_kdf_policy: socks_kdf_policy_label(self.socks_kdf_policy()),
             quarantined_endpoints,
             network_path,
@@ -530,6 +591,13 @@ fn bind_stale_mode_label(mode: MeBindStaleMode) -> &'static str {
     }
 }
 
+fn writer_pick_mode_label(mode: crate::config::MeWriterPickMode) -> &'static str {
+    match mode {
+        crate::config::MeWriterPickMode::SortedRr => "sorted_rr",
+        crate::config::MeWriterPickMode::P2c => "p2c",
+    }
+}
+
 fn socks_kdf_policy_label(policy: MeSocksKdfPolicy) -> &'static str {
     match policy {
         MeSocksKdfPolicy::Strict => "strict",

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use std::net::SocketAddr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU8, AtomicU64, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU8, AtomicU32, AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 use std::io::ErrorKind;
 
@@ -86,6 +86,35 @@ impl MePool {
         contour: WriterContour,
         writer_dc: i32,
     ) -> Result<()> {
+        self.connect_one_with_generation_contour_for_dc_with_cap_policy(
+            addr,
+            rng,
+            generation,
+            contour,
+            writer_dc,
+            false,
+        )
+        .await
+    }
+
+    pub(super) async fn connect_one_with_generation_contour_for_dc_with_cap_policy(
+        self: &Arc<Self>,
+        addr: SocketAddr,
+        rng: &SecureRandom,
+        generation: u64,
+        contour: WriterContour,
+        writer_dc: i32,
+        allow_coverage_override: bool,
+    ) -> Result<()> {
+        if !self
+            .can_open_writer_for_contour(contour, allow_coverage_override)
+            .await
+        {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(format!(
+                "ME {contour:?} writer cap reached"
+            )));
+        }
+
         let secret_len = self.proxy_secret.read().await.secret.len();
         if secret_len < 32 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("proxy-secret too short for ME auth".into()));
@@ -99,11 +128,12 @@ impl MePool {
         let contour = Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(contour.as_u8()));
         let cancel = CancellationToken::new();
         let degraded = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
+        let rtt_ema_ms_x10 = Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0));
         let draining = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
         let draining_started_at_epoch_secs = Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0));
         let drain_deadline_epoch_secs = Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0));
         let allow_drain_fallback = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
-        let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(4096);
+        let (tx, mut rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(self.writer_cmd_channel_capacity);
         let mut rpc_writer = RpcWriter {
             writer: hs.wr,
             key: hs.write_key,
@@ -140,6 +170,7 @@ impl MePool {
             tx: tx.clone(),
             cancel: cancel.clone(),
             degraded: degraded.clone(),
+            rtt_ema_ms_x10: rtt_ema_ms_x10.clone(),
             draining: draining.clone(),
             draining_started_at_epoch_secs: draining_started_at_epoch_secs.clone(),
             drain_deadline_epoch_secs: drain_deadline_epoch_secs.clone(),
@@ -177,6 +208,7 @@ impl MePool {
         let keepalive_jitter_signal = self.me_keepalive_jitter;
         let cancel_reader_token = cancel.clone();
         let cancel_ping_token = cancel_ping.clone();
+        let reader_route_data_wait_ms = self.me_reader_route_data_wait_ms.clone();
 
         tokio::spawn(async move {
             let res = reader_loop(
@@ -193,6 +225,8 @@ impl MePool {
                 stats_reader,
                 writer_id,
                 degraded.clone(),
+                rtt_ema_ms_x10.clone(),
+                reader_route_data_wait_ms,
                 cancel_reader_token.clone(),
             )
             .await;

src/transport/middle_proxy/reader.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::io::ErrorKind;
 use std::sync::Arc;
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicU32, AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::time::Instant;
 
 use bytes::{Bytes, BytesMut};
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn reader_loop(
     stats: Arc<Stats>,
     _writer_id: u64,
     degraded: Arc<AtomicBool>,
+    writer_rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc<AtomicU32>,
+    reader_route_data_wait_ms: Arc<AtomicU64>,
     cancel: CancellationToken,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     let mut raw = enc_leftover;
@@ -56,17 +58,14 @@ pub(crate) async fn reader_loop(
 
         let blocks = raw.len() / 16 * 16;
         if blocks > 0 {
+            let mut chunk = raw.split_to(blocks);
             let mut new_iv = [0u8; 16];
-            new_iv.copy_from_slice(&raw[blocks - 16..blocks]);
-
-            let mut chunk = vec![0u8; blocks];
-            chunk.copy_from_slice(&raw[..blocks]);
+            new_iv.copy_from_slice(&chunk[blocks - 16..blocks]);
             AesCbc::new(dk, div)
-                .decrypt_in_place(&mut chunk)
+                .decrypt_in_place(&mut chunk[..])
                 .map_err(|e| ProxyError::Crypto(format!("{e}")))?;
             div = new_iv;
             dec.extend_from_slice(&chunk);
-            let _ = raw.split_to(blocks);
         }
 
         while dec.len() >= 12 {
@@ -84,7 +83,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn reader_loop(
                 break;
             }
 
-            let frame = dec.split_to(fl);
+            let frame = dec.split_to(fl).freeze();
             let pe = fl - 4;
             let ec = u32::from_le_bytes(frame[pe..pe + 4].try_into().unwrap());
             let actual_crc = rpc_crc(crc_mode, &frame[..pe]);
@@ -110,21 +109,27 @@ pub(crate) async fn reader_loop(
             }
             expected_seq = expected_seq.wrapping_add(1);
 
-            let payload = &frame[8..pe];
+            let payload = frame.slice(8..pe);
             if payload.len() < 4 {
                 continue;
             }
 
             let pt = u32::from_le_bytes(payload[0..4].try_into().unwrap());
-            let body = &payload[4..];
+            let body = payload.slice(4..);
 
             if pt == RPC_PROXY_ANS_U32 && body.len() >= 12 {
                 let flags = u32::from_le_bytes(body[0..4].try_into().unwrap());
                 let cid = u64::from_le_bytes(body[4..12].try_into().unwrap());
-                let data = Bytes::copy_from_slice(&body[12..]);
+                let data = body.slice(12..);
                 trace!(cid, flags, len = data.len(), "RPC_PROXY_ANS");
 
-                let routed = reg.route_nowait(cid, MeResponse::Data { flags, data }).await;
+                let data_wait_ms = reader_route_data_wait_ms.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+                let routed = if data_wait_ms == 0 {
+                    reg.route_nowait(cid, MeResponse::Data { flags, data }).await
+                } else {
+                    reg.route_with_timeout(cid, MeResponse::Data { flags, data }, data_wait_ms)
+                        .await
+                };
                 if !matches!(routed, RouteResult::Routed) {
                     match routed {
                         RouteResult::NoConn => stats.increment_me_route_drop_no_conn(),
@@ -208,6 +213,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn reader_loop(
                     }
                     let degraded_now = entry.1 > entry.0 * 2.0;
                     degraded.store(degraded_now, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                    writer_rtt_ema_ms_x10
+                        .store((entry.1 * 10.0).clamp(0.0, u32::MAX as f64) as u32, Ordering::Relaxed);
                     trace!(writer_id = wid, rtt_ms = rtt, ema_ms = entry.1, base_ms = entry.0, degraded = degraded_now, "ME RTT sample");
                 }
             } else {

src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ use tokio::sync::mpsc::error::TrySendError;
 use super::codec::WriterCommand;
 use super::MeResponse;
 
-const ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 4096;
 const ROUTE_BACKPRESSURE_BASE_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 25;
 const ROUTE_BACKPRESSURE_HIGH_TIMEOUT_MS: u64 = 120;
 const ROUTE_BACKPRESSURE_HIGH_WATERMARK_PCT: u8 = 80;
@@ -78,6 +77,7 @@ impl RegistryInner {
 pub struct ConnRegistry {
     inner: RwLock<RegistryInner>,
     next_id: AtomicU64,
+    route_channel_capacity: usize,
     route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms: AtomicU64,
     route_backpressure_high_timeout_ms: AtomicU64,
     route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct: AtomicU8,
@@ -91,11 +91,12 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
             .as_secs()
     }
 
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
+    pub fn with_route_channel_capacity(route_channel_capacity: usize) -> Self {
         let start = rand::random::<u64>() | 1;
         Self {
             inner: RwLock::new(RegistryInner::new()),
             next_id: AtomicU64::new(start),
+            route_channel_capacity: route_channel_capacity.max(1),
             route_backpressure_base_timeout_ms: AtomicU64::new(
                 ROUTE_BACKPRESSURE_BASE_TIMEOUT_MS,
             ),
@@ -108,6 +109,11 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
         }
     }
 
+    #[cfg(test)]
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self::with_route_channel_capacity(4096)
+    }
+
     pub fn update_route_backpressure_policy(
         &self,
         base_timeout_ms: u64,
@@ -127,7 +133,7 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
 
     pub async fn register(&self) -> (u64, mpsc::Receiver<MeResponse>) {
         let id = self.next_id.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
-        let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel(ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY);
+        let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel(self.route_channel_capacity);
         self.inner.write().await.map.insert(id, tx);
         (id, rx)
     }
@@ -179,11 +185,11 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
                     .route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct
                     .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
                     .clamp(1, 100);
-                let used = ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY.saturating_sub(tx.capacity());
-                let used_pct = if ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY == 0 {
+                let used = self.route_channel_capacity.saturating_sub(tx.capacity());
+                let used_pct = if self.route_channel_capacity == 0 {
                     100
                 } else {
-                    (used.saturating_mul(100) / ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY) as u8
+                    (used.saturating_mul(100) / self.route_channel_capacity) as u8
                 };
                 let high_profile = used_pct >= high_watermark_pct;
                 let timeout_ms = if high_profile {
@@ -225,6 +231,57 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
         }
     }
 
+    pub async fn route_with_timeout(
+        &self,
+        id: u64,
+        resp: MeResponse,
+        timeout_ms: u64,
+    ) -> RouteResult {
+        if timeout_ms == 0 {
+            return self.route_nowait(id, resp).await;
+        }
+
+        let tx = {
+            let inner = self.inner.read().await;
+            inner.map.get(&id).cloned()
+        };
+
+        let Some(tx) = tx else {
+            return RouteResult::NoConn;
+        };
+
+        match tx.try_send(resp) {
+            Ok(()) => RouteResult::Routed,
+            Err(TrySendError::Closed(_)) => RouteResult::ChannelClosed,
+            Err(TrySendError::Full(resp)) => {
+                let high_watermark_pct = self
+                    .route_backpressure_high_watermark_pct
+                    .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+                    .clamp(1, 100);
+                let used = self.route_channel_capacity.saturating_sub(tx.capacity());
+                let used_pct = if self.route_channel_capacity == 0 {
+                    100
+                } else {
+                    (used.saturating_mul(100) / self.route_channel_capacity) as u8
+                };
+                let high_profile = used_pct >= high_watermark_pct;
+                let timeout_dur = Duration::from_millis(timeout_ms.max(1));
+
+                match tokio::time::timeout(timeout_dur, tx.send(resp)).await {
+                    Ok(Ok(())) => RouteResult::Routed,
+                    Ok(Err(_)) => RouteResult::ChannelClosed,
+                    Err(_) => {
+                        if high_profile {
+                            RouteResult::QueueFullHigh
+                        } else {
+                            RouteResult::QueueFullBase
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     pub async fn bind_writer(
         &self,
         conn_id: u64,

src/transport/middle_proxy/secret.rs

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ use std::time::SystemTime;
 use httpdate;
 
 use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
+use super::selftest::record_timeskew_sample;
 
 pub const PROXY_SECRET_MIN_LEN: usize = 32;
 
@@ -98,6 +99,7 @@ pub async fn download_proxy_secret_with_max_len(max_len: usize) -> Result<Vec<u8
         })
     {
         let skew_secs = skew.as_secs();
+        record_timeskew_sample("proxy_secret_date_header", skew_secs);
         if skew_secs > 60 {
             warn!(skew_secs, "Time skew >60s detected from proxy-secret Date header");
         } else if skew_secs > 30 {

src/transport/middle_proxy/selftest.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+use std::collections::VecDeque;
+use std::net::SocketAddr;
+use std::sync::{Mutex, OnceLock};
+use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub(crate) enum BndAddrStatus {
+    Ok,
+    Bogon,
+    Error,
+}
+
+impl BndAddrStatus {
+    pub(crate) fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Ok => "ok",
+            Self::Bogon => "bogon",
+            Self::Error => "error",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub(crate) enum BndPortStatus {
+    Ok,
+    Zero,
+    Error,
+}
+
+impl BndPortStatus {
+    pub(crate) fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Ok => "ok",
+            Self::Zero => "zero",
+            Self::Error => "error",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub(crate) struct MeBndSnapshot {
+    pub addr_status: &'static str,
+    pub port_status: &'static str,
+    pub last_addr: Option<SocketAddr>,
+    pub last_seen_age_secs: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default)]
+pub(crate) struct MeTimeskewSnapshot {
+    pub max_skew_secs_15m: Option<u64>,
+    pub samples_15m: usize,
+    pub last_skew_secs: Option<u64>,
+    pub last_source: Option<&'static str>,
+    pub last_seen_age_secs: Option<u64>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+struct MeTimeskewSample {
+    ts_epoch_secs: u64,
+    skew_secs: u64,
+    source: &'static str,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct MeSelftestState {
+    bnd_addr_status: BndAddrStatus,
+    bnd_port_status: BndPortStatus,
+    bnd_last_addr: Option<SocketAddr>,
+    bnd_last_seen_epoch_secs: Option<u64>,
+    timeskew_samples: VecDeque<MeTimeskewSample>,
+}
+
+impl Default for MeSelftestState {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            bnd_addr_status: BndAddrStatus::Error,
+            bnd_port_status: BndPortStatus::Error,
+            bnd_last_addr: None,
+            bnd_last_seen_epoch_secs: None,
+            timeskew_samples: VecDeque::new(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+const MAX_TIMESKEW_SAMPLES: usize = 512;
+const TIMESKEW_WINDOW_SECS: u64 = 15 * 60;
+
+static ME_SELFTEST_STATE: OnceLock<Mutex<MeSelftestState>> = OnceLock::new();
+
+fn state() -> &'static Mutex<MeSelftestState> {
+    ME_SELFTEST_STATE.get_or_init(|| Mutex::new(MeSelftestState::default()))
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn record_bnd_status(
+    addr_status: BndAddrStatus,
+    port_status: BndPortStatus,
+    last_addr: Option<SocketAddr>,
+) {
+    let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
+    let Ok(mut guard) = state().lock() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    guard.bnd_addr_status = addr_status;
+    guard.bnd_port_status = port_status;
+    guard.bnd_last_addr = last_addr;
+    guard.bnd_last_seen_epoch_secs = Some(now_epoch_secs);
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn bnd_snapshot() -> MeBndSnapshot {
+    let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
+    let Ok(guard) = state().lock() else {
+        return MeBndSnapshot {
+            addr_status: BndAddrStatus::Error.as_str(),
+            port_status: BndPortStatus::Error.as_str(),
+            last_addr: None,
+            last_seen_age_secs: None,
+        };
+    };
+    MeBndSnapshot {
+        addr_status: guard.bnd_addr_status.as_str(),
+        port_status: guard.bnd_port_status.as_str(),
+        last_addr: guard.bnd_last_addr,
+        last_seen_age_secs: guard
+            .bnd_last_seen_epoch_secs
+            .map(|value| now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(value)),
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn record_timeskew_sample(source: &'static str, skew_secs: u64) {
+    let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
+    let Ok(mut guard) = state().lock() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    guard.timeskew_samples.push_back(MeTimeskewSample {
+        ts_epoch_secs: now_epoch_secs,
+        skew_secs,
+        source,
+    });
+    while guard.timeskew_samples.len() > MAX_TIMESKEW_SAMPLES {
+        guard.timeskew_samples.pop_front();
+    }
+    let cutoff = now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(TIMESKEW_WINDOW_SECS * 2);
+    while guard
+        .timeskew_samples
+        .front()
+        .is_some_and(|sample| sample.ts_epoch_secs < cutoff)
+    {
+        guard.timeskew_samples.pop_front();
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn timeskew_snapshot() -> MeTimeskewSnapshot {
+    let now_epoch_secs = now_epoch_secs();
+    let Ok(guard) = state().lock() else {
+        return MeTimeskewSnapshot::default();
+    };
+
+    let mut max_skew_secs_15m = None;
+    let mut samples_15m = 0usize;
+    let window_start = now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(TIMESKEW_WINDOW_SECS);
+    for sample in &guard.timeskew_samples {
+        if sample.ts_epoch_secs < window_start {
+            continue;
+        }
+        samples_15m = samples_15m.saturating_add(1);
+        max_skew_secs_15m = Some(max_skew_secs_15m.unwrap_or(0).max(sample.skew_secs));
+    }
+
+    let (last_skew_secs, last_source, last_seen_age_secs) =
+        if let Some(last) = guard.timeskew_samples.back() {
+            (
+                Some(last.skew_secs),
+                Some(last.source),
+                Some(now_epoch_secs.saturating_sub(last.ts_epoch_secs)),
+            )
+        } else {
+            (None, None, None)
+        };
+
+    MeTimeskewSnapshot {
+        max_skew_secs_15m,
+        samples_15m,
+        last_skew_secs,
+        last_source,
+        last_seen_age_secs,
+    }
+}
+
+fn now_epoch_secs() -> u64 {
+    SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_secs()
+}

src/transport/middle_proxy/send.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use bytes::Bytes;
 use tokio::sync::mpsc::error::TrySendError;
 use tracing::{debug, warn};
 
-use crate::config::MeRouteNoWriterMode;
+use crate::config::{MeRouteNoWriterMode, MeWriterPickMode};
 use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
 use crate::network::IpFamily;
 use crate::protocol::constants::{RPC_CLOSE_CONN_U32, RPC_CLOSE_EXT_U32};
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ use super::registry::ConnMeta;
 const IDLE_WRITER_PENALTY_MID_SECS: u64 = 45;
 const IDLE_WRITER_PENALTY_HIGH_SECS: u64 = 55;
 const HYBRID_GLOBAL_BURST_PERIOD_ROUNDS: u32 = 4;
+const PICK_PENALTY_WARM: u64 = 200;
+const PICK_PENALTY_DRAINING: u64 = 600;
+const PICK_PENALTY_STALE: u64 = 300;
+const PICK_PENALTY_DEGRADED: u64 = 250;
 
 impl MePool {
     /// Send RPC_PROXY_REQ. `tag_override`: per-user ad_tag (from access.user_ad_tags); if None, uses pool default.
@@ -181,6 +185,7 @@ impl MePool {
                     .await;
             }
             if candidate_indices.is_empty() {
+                let pick_mode = self.writer_pick_mode();
                 match no_writer_mode {
                     MeRouteNoWriterMode::AsyncRecoveryFailfast => {
                         let deadline = *no_writer_deadline.get_or_insert_with(|| {
@@ -196,6 +201,7 @@ impl MePool {
                         if self.wait_for_candidate_until(routed_dc, deadline).await {
                             continue;
                         }
+                        self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_no_candidate_total(pick_mode);
                         self.stats.increment_me_no_writer_failfast_total();
                         return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
                             "No ME writers available for target DC in failfast window".into(),
@@ -209,10 +215,12 @@ impl MePool {
                             if self.wait_for_candidate_until(routed_dc, deadline).await {
                                 continue;
                             }
+                            self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_no_candidate_total(pick_mode);
                             self.stats.increment_me_no_writer_failfast_total();
                             return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("No ME writers available for target DC".into()));
                         }
                         if emergency_attempts >= self.me_route_inline_recovery_attempts.max(1) {
+                            self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_no_candidate_total(pick_mode);
                             self.stats.increment_me_no_writer_failfast_total();
                             return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("No ME writers available for target DC".into()));
                         }
@@ -237,6 +245,7 @@ impl MePool {
                                 .await;
                         }
                         if candidate_indices.is_empty() {
+                            self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_no_candidate_total(pick_mode);
                             return Err(ProxyError::Proxy("No ME writers available for target DC".into()));
                         }
                     }
@@ -259,6 +268,8 @@ impl MePool {
                 }
             }
             hybrid_wait_current = hybrid_wait_step;
+            let pick_mode = self.writer_pick_mode();
+            let pick_sample_size = self.writer_pick_sample_size();
             let writer_ids: Vec<u64> = candidate_indices
                 .iter()
                 .map(|idx| writers_snapshot[*idx].id)
@@ -268,69 +279,84 @@ impl MePool {
                 .writer_idle_since_for_writer_ids(&writer_ids)
                 .await;
             let now_epoch_secs = Self::now_epoch_secs();
-
-            if self.me_deterministic_writer_sort.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
-                candidate_indices.sort_by(|lhs, rhs| {
-                    let left = &writers_snapshot[*lhs];
-                    let right = &writers_snapshot[*rhs];
-                    let left_key = (
-                        self.writer_contour_rank_for_selection(left),
-                        (left.generation < self.current_generation()) as usize,
-                        left.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize,
-                        self.writer_idle_rank_for_selection(
-                            left,
-                            &writer_idle_since,
-                            now_epoch_secs,
-                        ),
-                        Reverse(left.tx.capacity()),
-                        left.addr,
-                        left.id,
-                    );
-                    let right_key = (
-                        self.writer_contour_rank_for_selection(right),
-                        (right.generation < self.current_generation()) as usize,
-                        right.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize,
-                        self.writer_idle_rank_for_selection(
-                            right,
-                            &writer_idle_since,
-                            now_epoch_secs,
-                        ),
-                        Reverse(right.tx.capacity()),
-                        right.addr,
-                        right.id,
-                    );
-                    left_key.cmp(&right_key)
-                });
-            } else {
-                candidate_indices.sort_by_key(|idx| {
-                    let w = &writers_snapshot[*idx];
-                    let degraded = w.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
-                    let stale = (w.generation < self.current_generation()) as usize;
-                    (
-                        self.writer_contour_rank_for_selection(w),
-                        stale,
-                        degraded as usize,
-                        self.writer_idle_rank_for_selection(
-                            w,
-                            &writer_idle_since,
-                            now_epoch_secs,
-                        ),
-                        Reverse(w.tx.capacity()),
-                    )
-                });
-            }
-
             let start = self.rr.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed) as usize % candidate_indices.len();
+            let ordered_candidate_indices = if pick_mode == MeWriterPickMode::P2c {
+                self.p2c_ordered_candidate_indices(
+                    &candidate_indices,
+                    &writers_snapshot,
+                    &writer_idle_since,
+                    now_epoch_secs,
+                    start,
+                    pick_sample_size,
+                )
+            } else {
+                if self.me_deterministic_writer_sort.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+                    candidate_indices.sort_by(|lhs, rhs| {
+                        let left = &writers_snapshot[*lhs];
+                        let right = &writers_snapshot[*rhs];
+                        let left_key = (
+                            self.writer_contour_rank_for_selection(left),
+                            (left.generation < self.current_generation()) as usize,
+                            left.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize,
+                            self.writer_idle_rank_for_selection(
+                                left,
+                                &writer_idle_since,
+                                now_epoch_secs,
+                            ),
+                            Reverse(left.tx.capacity()),
+                            left.addr,
+                            left.id,
+                        );
+                        let right_key = (
+                            self.writer_contour_rank_for_selection(right),
+                            (right.generation < self.current_generation()) as usize,
+                            right.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize,
+                            self.writer_idle_rank_for_selection(
+                                right,
+                                &writer_idle_since,
+                                now_epoch_secs,
+                            ),
+                            Reverse(right.tx.capacity()),
+                            right.addr,
+                            right.id,
+                        );
+                        left_key.cmp(&right_key)
+                    });
+                } else {
+                    candidate_indices.sort_by_key(|idx| {
+                        let w = &writers_snapshot[*idx];
+                        let degraded = w.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+                        let stale = (w.generation < self.current_generation()) as usize;
+                        (
+                            self.writer_contour_rank_for_selection(w),
+                            stale,
+                            degraded as usize,
+                            self.writer_idle_rank_for_selection(
+                                w,
+                                &writer_idle_since,
+                                now_epoch_secs,
+                            ),
+                            Reverse(w.tx.capacity()),
+                        )
+                    });
+                }
+
+                let mut ordered = Vec::<usize>::with_capacity(candidate_indices.len());
+                for offset in 0..candidate_indices.len() {
+                    ordered.push(candidate_indices[(start + offset) % candidate_indices.len()]);
+                }
+                ordered
+            };
             let mut fallback_blocking_idx: Option<usize> = None;
 
-            for offset in 0..candidate_indices.len() {
-                let idx = candidate_indices[(start + offset) % candidate_indices.len()];
+            for idx in ordered_candidate_indices {
                 let w = &writers_snapshot[idx];
                 if !self.writer_accepts_new_binding(w) {
                     continue;
                 }
                 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.clone())
                             .await;
@@ -352,6 +378,7 @@ impl MePool {
                         }
                     }
                     Err(TrySendError::Closed(_)) => {
+                        self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_closed_total(pick_mode);
                         warn!(writer_id = w.id, "ME writer channel closed");
                         self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.id).await;
                         continue;
@@ -360,15 +387,20 @@ impl MePool {
             }
 
             let Some(blocking_idx) = fallback_blocking_idx else {
+                self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(pick_mode);
                 continue;
             };
 
             let w = writers_snapshot[blocking_idx].clone();
             if !self.writer_accepts_new_binding(&w) {
+                self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(pick_mode);
                 continue;
             }
+            self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total();
             match w.tx.send(WriterCommand::Data(payload.clone())).await {
                 Ok(()) => {
+                    self.stats
+                        .increment_me_writer_pick_success_fallback_total(pick_mode);
                     self.registry
                         .bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, w.tx.clone(), meta.clone())
                         .await;
@@ -378,6 +410,7 @@ impl MePool {
                     return Ok(());
                 }
                 Err(_) => {
+                    self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_closed_total(pick_mode);
                     warn!(writer_id = w.id, "ME writer channel closed (blocking)");
                     self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.id).await;
                 }
@@ -480,31 +513,7 @@ impl MePool {
     }
 
     async fn endpoint_candidates_for_target_dc(&self, routed_dc: i32) -> Vec<SocketAddr> {
-        let mut preferred = Vec::<SocketAddr>::new();
-        let mut seen = HashSet::<SocketAddr>::new();
-
-        for family in self.family_order() {
-            let map_guard = match family {
-                IpFamily::V4 => self.proxy_map_v4.read().await,
-                IpFamily::V6 => self.proxy_map_v6.read().await,
-            };
-            let mut family_selected = Vec::<SocketAddr>::new();
-            if let Some(addrs) = map_guard.get(&routed_dc) {
-                for (ip, port) in addrs {
-                    family_selected.push(SocketAddr::new(*ip, *port));
-                }
-            }
-            for addr in family_selected {
-                if seen.insert(addr) {
-                    preferred.push(addr);
-                }
-            }
-            if !preferred.is_empty() && !self.decision.effective_multipath {
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-
-        preferred
+        self.preferred_endpoints_for_dc(routed_dc).await
     }
 
     async fn maybe_trigger_hybrid_recovery(
@@ -591,28 +600,7 @@ impl MePool {
         routed_dc: i32,
         include_warm: bool,
     ) -> Vec<usize> {
-        let mut preferred = HashSet::<SocketAddr>::new();
-
-        for family in self.family_order() {
-            let map_guard = match family {
-                IpFamily::V4 => self.proxy_map_v4.read().await,
-                IpFamily::V6 => self.proxy_map_v6.read().await,
-            };
-            let mut family_selected = Vec::<SocketAddr>::new();
-            if let Some(v) = map_guard.get(&routed_dc) {
-                family_selected.extend(v.iter().map(|(ip, port)| SocketAddr::new(*ip, *port)));
-            }
-            for endpoint in family_selected {
-                preferred.insert(endpoint);
-            }
-
-            drop(map_guard);
-
-            if !preferred.is_empty() && !self.decision.effective_multipath {
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-
+        let preferred = self.preferred_endpoints_for_dc(routed_dc).await;
         if preferred.is_empty() {
             return Vec::new();
         }
@@ -622,7 +610,7 @@ impl MePool {
             if !self.writer_eligible_for_selection(w, include_warm) {
                 continue;
             }
-            if w.writer_dc == routed_dc && preferred.contains(&w.addr) {
+            if w.writer_dc == routed_dc && preferred.iter().any(|endpoint| *endpoint == w.addr) {
                 out.push(idx);
             }
         }
@@ -671,4 +659,87 @@ impl MePool {
             0
         }
     }
+
+    fn writer_pick_score(
+        &self,
+        writer: &super::pool::MeWriter,
+        idle_since_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, u64>,
+        now_epoch_secs: u64,
+    ) -> u64 {
+        let contour_penalty = match WriterContour::from_u8(writer.contour.load(Ordering::Relaxed)) {
+            WriterContour::Active => 0,
+            WriterContour::Warm => PICK_PENALTY_WARM,
+            WriterContour::Draining => PICK_PENALTY_DRAINING,
+        };
+        let stale_penalty = if writer.generation < self.current_generation() {
+            PICK_PENALTY_STALE
+        } else {
+            0
+        };
+        let degraded_penalty = if writer.degraded.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            PICK_PENALTY_DEGRADED
+        } else {
+            0
+        };
+        let idle_penalty =
+            (self.writer_idle_rank_for_selection(writer, idle_since_by_writer, now_epoch_secs) as u64)
+                * 100;
+        let queue_cap = self.writer_cmd_channel_capacity.max(1) as u64;
+        let queue_remaining = writer.tx.capacity() as u64;
+        let queue_used = queue_cap.saturating_sub(queue_remaining.min(queue_cap));
+        let queue_util_pct = queue_used.saturating_mul(100) / queue_cap;
+        let queue_penalty = queue_util_pct.saturating_mul(4);
+        let rtt_penalty = ((writer.rtt_ema_ms_x10.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as u64).saturating_add(5) / 10)
+            .min(400);
+
+        contour_penalty
+            .saturating_add(stale_penalty)
+            .saturating_add(degraded_penalty)
+            .saturating_add(idle_penalty)
+            .saturating_add(queue_penalty)
+            .saturating_add(rtt_penalty)
+    }
+
+    fn p2c_ordered_candidate_indices(
+        &self,
+        candidate_indices: &[usize],
+        writers_snapshot: &[super::pool::MeWriter],
+        idle_since_by_writer: &HashMap<u64, u64>,
+        now_epoch_secs: u64,
+        start: usize,
+        sample_size: usize,
+    ) -> Vec<usize> {
+        let total = candidate_indices.len();
+        if total == 0 {
+            return Vec::new();
+        }
+
+        let mut sampled = Vec::<usize>::with_capacity(sample_size.min(total));
+        let mut seen = HashSet::<usize>::with_capacity(total);
+        for offset in 0..sample_size.min(total) {
+            let idx = candidate_indices[(start + offset) % total];
+            if seen.insert(idx) {
+                sampled.push(idx);
+            }
+        }
+
+        sampled.sort_by_key(|idx| {
+            let writer = &writers_snapshot[*idx];
+            (
+                self.writer_pick_score(writer, idle_since_by_writer, now_epoch_secs),
+                writer.addr,
+                writer.id,
+            )
+        });
+
+        let mut ordered = Vec::<usize>::with_capacity(total);
+        ordered.extend(sampled.iter().copied());
+        for offset in 0..total {
+            let idx = candidate_indices[(start + offset) % total];
+            if seen.insert(idx) {
+                ordered.push(idx);
+            }
+        }
+        ordered
+    }
 }

telemt.service

@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Telemt
-After=network.target
+After=network-online.target
+Wants=network-online.target
 
 [Service]
 Type=simple
-WorkingDirectory=/bin
+WorkingDirectory=/etc/telemt
 ExecStart=/bin/telemt /etc/telemt.toml
 Restart=on-failure
-LimitNOFILE=65536
+LimitNOFILE=262144
+TasksMax=8192
+MemoryAccounting=yes
 
 [Install]
 WantedBy=multi-user.target