Rustfmt

Co-Authored-By: brekotis <93345790+brekotis@users.noreply.github.com>

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -1,18 +1,20 @@
 # Issues
-## Warnung
+### Warnung
+
 Before opening Issue, if it is more question than problem or bug - ask about that [in our chat](https://t.me/telemtrs)
 
-## What it is not
-- NOT Question and Answer
-- NOT Helpdesk
-
 ***Each of your Issues triggers attempts to reproduce problems and analyze them, which are done manually by people***
 
+Issues is **NOT** about:
+- Question and Answer
+- Helpdesk
+- Configuration or Intergraion Support
+
 ---
 
 # Pull Requests
 
-## General
+### General
 - ONLY signed and verified commits
 - ONLY from your name
 - DO NOT commit with `codex`, `claude`, or other AI tools as author/committer
@@ -20,7 +22,7 @@ Before opening Issue, if it is more question than problem or bug - ask about tha
 
 ---
 
-## Definition of Ready (MANDATORY)
+### Definition of Ready (MANDATORY)
 
 A Pull Request WILL be ignored or closed if:
 
@@ -32,14 +34,14 @@ A Pull Request WILL be ignored or closed if:
 
 ---
 
-## Blessed Principles
+### Blessed Principles
 - PR must build
 - PR must pass tests
 - PR must be understood by author
 
 ---
 
-## AI Usage Policy
+### AI Usage Policy
 
 AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, DeepSeek, etc.) are allowed as **assistants**, NOT as decision-makers.
 
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@ PRs that look like unverified AI dumps WILL be closed
 
 ---
 
-## Maintainer Policy
+### Maintainer Policy
 
 Maintainers reserve the right to:
 
@@ -72,7 +74,7 @@ Respect the reviewers time
 
 ---
 
-## Enforcement
+### Enforcement
 
 Pull Requests that violate project standards may be closed without review.
 

Cargo.lock

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "cipher",
  "cpufeatures 0.2.17",
+ "zeroize",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -2899,7 +2900,7 @@ checksum = "7b2093cf4c8eb1e67749a6762251bc9cd836b6fc171623bd0a9d324d37af2417"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "telemt"
-version = "3.4.19"
+version = "3.4.24"
 dependencies = [
  "aes",
  "anyhow",

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "telemt"
-version = "3.4.19"
+version = "3.4.24"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [features]
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ tokio = { version = "1.52.3", features = ["full", "tracing"] }
 tokio-util = { version = "0.7.18", features = ["full"] }
 
 # Crypto
-aes = "0.8.4"
-ctr = "0.9.2"
+aes = { version = "0.8.4", features = ["zeroize"] }
+ctr = { version = "0.9.2", features = ["zeroize"] }
 cbc = "0.1.2"
 sha2 = "0.10.9"
 sha1 = "0.10.6"

docker-compose.host-netfilter.yml

@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ services:
       context: .
       target: prod-netfilter
     network_mode: host
-    ports: []
+    ports: !reset []
     cap_add:
-      - NET_BIND_SERVICE
-      - NET_ADMIN
+      - NET_ADMIN

docs/Config_params/CONFIG_PARAMS.en.md

@@ -3186,7 +3186,7 @@ If your backend or network is very bandwidth-constrained, reduce cap first. If p
 | [`replay_window_secs`](#replay_window_secs) | `u64` | `120` | `✘` |
 | [`ignore_time_skew`](#ignore_time_skew) | `bool` | `false` | `✘` |
 | [`user_rate_limits`](#user_rate_limits) | `Map<String, RateLimitBps>` | `{}` | `✔` |
-| [`cidr_rate_limits`](#cidr_rate_limits) | `Map<IpNetwork, RateLimitBps>` | `{}` | `✔` |
+| [`cidr_rate_limits`](#cidr_rate_limits) | `Map<CidrRateLimitKey, RateLimitBps>` | `{}` | `✔` |
 
 ## users
   - **Constraints / validation**: Must not be empty (at least one user must exist). Each value must be **exactly 32 hex characters**.
@@ -3349,13 +3349,15 @@ If your backend or network is very bandwidth-constrained, reduce cap first. If p
     alice = { up_bps = 1048576, down_bps = 2097152 }
     ```
 ## cidr_rate_limits
-  - **Constraints / validation**: Table `CIDR -> { up_bps, down_bps }`. CIDR must parse as `IpNetwork`; at least one direction must be non-zero.
-  - **Description**: Source-subnet bandwidth caps applied alongside per-user limits.
+  - **Constraints / validation**: Table `CIDR or auto-template -> { up_bps, down_bps }`. Explicit CIDR keys must parse as `IpNetwork`; auto-template keys must be `*4/N` (`N=0..32`), `*6/N` (`N=0..128`), or `*/N` (`N=0..32`). At least one direction must be non-zero. Duplicate normalized auto-templates are rejected.
+  - **Description**: Source-subnet bandwidth caps applied alongside per-user limits. Explicit CIDR rules use longest-prefix-wins and take priority over auto-templates. Auto-templates create buckets lazily per matched source subnet: `*4/N` for IPv4, `*6/N` for IPv6, and `*/N` as a dual-stack shorthand where IPv4 uses `/N` and IPv6 uses `/(N * 4)`.
   - **Example**:
 
     ```toml
     [access.cidr_rate_limits]
     "203.0.113.0/24" = { up_bps = 0, down_bps = 1048576 }
+    "*4/32" = { up_bps = 262144, down_bps = 1048576 }
+    "*6/64" = { up_bps = 262144, down_bps = 1048576 }
     ```
 # [[upstreams]]
 

docs/Config_params/CONFIG_PARAMS.ru.md

@@ -3112,7 +3112,7 @@
 | [`replay_window_secs`](#replay_window_secs) | `u64` | `120` | `✘` |
 | [`ignore_time_skew`](#ignore_time_skew) | `bool` | `false` | `✘` |
 | [`user_rate_limits`](#user_rate_limits) | `Map<String, RateLimitBps>` | `{}` | `✔` |
-| [`cidr_rate_limits`](#cidr_rate_limits) | `Map<IpNetwork, RateLimitBps>` | `{}` | `✔` |
+| [`cidr_rate_limits`](#cidr_rate_limits) | `Map<CidrRateLimitKey, RateLimitBps>` | `{}` | `✔` |
 
 ## users
   - **Ограничения / валидация**: Не должно быть пустым (должен существовать хотя бы один пользователь). Каждое значение должно состоять **ровно из 32 шестнадцатеричных символов**.
@@ -3265,13 +3265,15 @@
     alice = { up_bps = 1048576, down_bps = 2097152 }
     ```
 ## cidr_rate_limits
-  - **Ограничения / валидация**: Таблица `CIDR -> { up_bps, down_bps }`. CIDR должен корректно разбираться как `IpNetwork`; хотя бы одно направление должно быть ненулевым.
-  - **Описание**: Лимиты скорости для подсетей источников, применяются поверх пользовательских ограничений.
+  - **Ограничения / валидация**: Таблица `CIDR или auto-template -> { up_bps, down_bps }`. Explicit CIDR-ключи должны корректно разбираться как `IpNetwork`; auto-template ключи должны иметь вид `*4/N` (`N=0..32`), `*6/N` (`N=0..128`) или `*/N` (`N=0..32`). Хотя бы одно направление должно быть ненулевым. Дублирующиеся нормализованные auto-template отклоняются.
+  - **Описание**: Лимиты скорости для подсетей источников, применяются поверх пользовательских ограничений. Explicit CIDR-правила используют longest-prefix-wins и имеют приоритет над auto-template. Auto-template создают bucket’ы лениво по matched source subnet: `*4/N` для IPv4, `*6/N` для IPv6, а `*/N` является dual-stack shorthand, где IPv4 использует `/N`, а IPv6 — `/(N * 4)`.
   - **Example**:
 
     ```toml
     [access.cidr_rate_limits]
     "203.0.113.0/24" = { up_bps = 0, down_bps = 1048576 }
+    "*4/32" = { up_bps = 262144, down_bps = 1048576 }
+    "*6/64" = { up_bps = 262144, down_bps = 1048576 }
     ```
 # [[upstreams]]
 

src/config/defaults.rs

@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ const DEFAULT_ME_ADAPTIVE_FLOOR_MAX_WARM_WRITERS_GLOBAL: u32 = 256;
 const DEFAULT_ME_ROUTE_BACKPRESSURE_ENABLED: bool = false;
 const DEFAULT_ME_ROUTE_FAIRSHARE_ENABLED: bool = false;
 const DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_CMD_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 4096;
+pub(crate) const ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES: usize = 16 * 1024;
+pub(crate) const ME_WRITER_FRAME_OVERHEAD_RESERVE_BYTES: usize = 256;
+const DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_BYTE_BUDGET_BYTES: usize =
+    32 * 1024 * 1024 + ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES;
 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;
@@ -35,6 +39,8 @@ const DEFAULT_ME_QUOTA_SOFT_OVERSHOOT_BYTES: u64 = 64 * 1024;
 const DEFAULT_ME_D2C_FRAME_BUF_SHRINK_THRESHOLD_BYTES: usize = 256 * 1024;
 const DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_COPY_BUF_C2S_BYTES: usize = 64 * 1024;
 const DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_COPY_BUF_S2C_BYTES: usize = 256 * 1024;
+pub(crate) const DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_UNIT_BYTES: usize = 4 * 1024;
+const DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_MAX_BYTES: usize = 0;
 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;
@@ -455,6 +461,18 @@ pub(crate) fn default_me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity() -> usize {
     DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_CMD_CHANNEL_CAPACITY
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn default_me_writer_byte_budget_bytes() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_BYTE_BUDGET_BYTES
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn minimum_me_writer_byte_budget_bytes(max_client_frame: usize) -> usize {
+    max_client_frame
+        .saturating_mul(2)
+        .saturating_add(ME_WRITER_FRAME_OVERHEAD_RESERVE_BYTES)
+        .div_ceil(ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES)
+        .saturating_mul(ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES)
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn default_me_route_channel_capacity() -> usize {
     DEFAULT_ME_ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY
 }
@@ -499,6 +517,10 @@ pub(crate) fn default_direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes() -> usize {
     DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_COPY_BUF_S2C_BYTES
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn default_direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes() -> usize {
+    DEFAULT_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_MAX_BYTES
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn default_me_writer_pick_sample_size() -> u8 {
     DEFAULT_ME_WRITER_PICK_SAMPLE_SIZE
 }

src/config/hot_reload.rs

@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
 use super::load::{LoadedConfig, ProxyConfig};
 use crate::config::{
-    ListenerConfig, LogLevel, MeBindStaleMode, MeFloorMode, MeSocksKdfPolicy, MeTelemetryLevel,
-    MeWriterPickMode, SynLimitMode,
+    CidrRateLimitKey, ListenerConfig, LogLevel, MeBindStaleMode, MeFloorMode, MeSocksKdfPolicy,
+    MeTelemetryLevel, MeWriterPickMode, SynLimitMode,
 };
 
 const HOT_RELOAD_DEBOUNCE: Duration = Duration::from_millis(50);
@@ -128,8 +128,7 @@ pub struct HotFields {
     pub user_expirations: std::collections::HashMap<String, chrono::DateTime<chrono::Utc>>,
     pub user_data_quota: std::collections::HashMap<String, u64>,
     pub user_rate_limits: std::collections::HashMap<String, crate::config::RateLimitBps>,
-    pub cidr_rate_limits:
-        std::collections::HashMap<ipnetwork::IpNetwork, crate::config::RateLimitBps>,
+    pub cidr_rate_limits: std::collections::HashMap<CidrRateLimitKey, crate::config::RateLimitBps>,
     pub user_max_unique_ips: std::collections::HashMap<String, usize>,
     pub user_max_unique_ips_global_each: usize,
     pub user_max_unique_ips_mode: crate::config::UserMaxUniqueIpsMode,

src/config/load.rs

@@ -39,8 +39,11 @@ use self::validation::{
 };
 
 const MAX_ME_WRITER_CMD_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 16_384;
+const MAX_ME_WRITER_BYTE_BUDGET_BYTES: usize = 256 * 1024 * 1024;
 const MAX_ME_ROUTE_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 8_192;
 const MAX_ME_C2ME_CHANNEL_CAPACITY: usize = 8_192;
+const MIN_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_BYTES: usize = 16 * 1024 * 1024;
+const MAX_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_BYTES: usize = 2 * 1024 * 1024 * 1024;
 const MIN_MAX_CLIENT_FRAME_BYTES: usize = 4 * 1024;
 const MAX_MAX_CLIENT_FRAME_BYTES: usize = 16 * 1024 * 1024;
 const MAX_API_REQUEST_BODY_LIMIT_BYTES: usize = 1024 * 1024;
@@ -540,6 +543,22 @@ impl ProxyConfig {
             )));
         }
 
+        let min_writer_byte_budget =
+            minimum_me_writer_byte_budget_bytes(config.general.max_client_frame);
+        if config.general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes % ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES != 0 {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(format!(
+                "general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes must be a multiple of {ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES}"
+            )));
+        }
+        if !(min_writer_byte_budget..=MAX_ME_WRITER_BYTE_BUDGET_BYTES)
+            .contains(&config.general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes)
+        {
+            return Err(ProxyError::Config(format!(
+                "general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes must be within [{min_writer_byte_budget}, {MAX_ME_WRITER_BYTE_BUDGET_BYTES}] for general.max_client_frame={}",
+                config.general.max_client_frame
+            )));
+        }
+
         if config.general.me_c2me_send_timeout_ms > 60_000 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Config(
                 "general.me_c2me_send_timeout_ms must be within [0, 60000]".to_string(),
@@ -599,6 +618,24 @@ impl ProxyConfig {
             ));
         }
 
+        if config.general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes != 0 {
+            if config.general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes
+                % DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_UNIT_BYTES
+                != 0
+            {
+                return Err(ProxyError::Config(format!(
+                    "general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes must be 0 or a multiple of {DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_UNIT_BYTES}"
+                )));
+            }
+            if !(MIN_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_BYTES..=MAX_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_BYTES)
+                .contains(&config.general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes)
+            {
+                return Err(ProxyError::Config(format!(
+                    "general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes must be 0 or within [{MIN_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_BYTES}, {MAX_DIRECT_RELAY_BUFFER_BUDGET_BYTES}]"
+                )));
+            }
+        }
+
         if config.general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy == 0 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Config(
                 "general.me_health_interval_ms_unhealthy must be > 0".to_string(),
@@ -673,6 +710,16 @@ impl ProxyConfig {
                 )));
             }
         }
+        let mut cidr_auto_templates = HashSet::new();
+        for cidr in config.access.cidr_rate_limits.keys() {
+            for template in cidr.auto_templates().into_iter().flatten() {
+                if !cidr_auto_templates.insert(template) {
+                    return Err(ProxyError::Config(format!(
+                        "access.cidr_rate_limits.{cidr} duplicates normalized auto-template {template}"
+                    )));
+                }
+            }
+        }
 
         if config.general.me_reinit_every_secs == 0 {
             return Err(ProxyError::Config(
@@ -958,6 +1005,10 @@ impl ProxyConfig {
             .server
             .client_mss_value()
             .map_err(|error| ProxyError::Config(format!("server.client_mss {error}")))?;
+        config
+            .server
+            .client_mss_bulk_value()
+            .map_err(|error| ProxyError::Config(format!("server.client_mss_bulk {error}")))?;
         for (idx, listener) in config.server.listeners.iter().enumerate() {
             if listener.client_mss.is_some() {
                 listener

src/config/load/strict_keys.rs

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ const GENERAL_CONFIG_KEYS: &[&str] = &[
     "me_keepalive_payload_random",
     "rpc_proxy_req_every",
     "me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity",
+    "me_writer_byte_budget_bytes",
     "me_route_channel_capacity",
     "me_c2me_channel_capacity",
     "me_c2me_send_timeout_ms",
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ const GENERAL_CONFIG_KEYS: &[&str] = &[
     "me_d2c_frame_buf_shrink_threshold_bytes",
     "direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes",
     "direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes",
+    "direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes",
     "crypto_pending_buffer",
     "max_client_frame",
     "desync_all_full",

src/config/tests/load_basic_tests.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use super::*;
+use crate::config::CidrRateLimitKey;
 
 const TEST_SHADOWSOCKS_URL: &str =
     "ss://2022-blake3-aes-256-gcm:MDEyMzQ1Njc4OTAxMjM0NTY3ODkwMTIzNDU2Nzg5MDE=@127.0.0.1:8388";
@@ -319,6 +320,80 @@ fn logging_config_is_loaded_from_strict_config() {
     assert_eq!(cfg.logging.max_age_secs, 60);
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn cidr_rate_limits_accept_auto_templates_in_strict_config() {
+    let cfg = load_config_from_temp_toml(
+        r#"
+            [general]
+            config_strict = true
+
+            [censorship]
+            tls_domain = "example.com"
+
+            [access.users]
+            user = "00000000000000000000000000000000"
+
+            [access.cidr_rate_limits]
+            "*/24" = { up_bps = 1024, down_bps = 0 }
+            "*4/30" = { up_bps = 0, down_bps = 2048 }
+            "*6/64" = { up_bps = 4096, down_bps = 0 }
+        "#,
+    );
+
+    assert!(
+        cfg.access
+            .cidr_rate_limits
+            .contains_key(&CidrRateLimitKey::AutoDual(24))
+    );
+    assert!(
+        cfg.access
+            .cidr_rate_limits
+            .contains_key(&CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV4(30))
+    );
+    assert!(
+        cfg.access
+            .cidr_rate_limits
+            .contains_key(&CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV6(64))
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn cidr_rate_limits_reject_invalid_auto_template_prefix() {
+    let error = load_config_error_from_temp_toml(
+        r#"
+            [censorship]
+            tls_domain = "example.com"
+
+            [access.users]
+            user = "00000000000000000000000000000000"
+
+            [access.cidr_rate_limits]
+            "*4/33" = { up_bps = 1024, down_bps = 0 }
+        "#,
+    );
+
+    assert!(error.contains("prefix must be within 0..=32"));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn cidr_rate_limits_reject_duplicate_normalized_auto_templates() {
+    let error = load_config_error_from_temp_toml(
+        r#"
+            [censorship]
+            tls_domain = "example.com"
+
+            [access.users]
+            user = "00000000000000000000000000000000"
+
+            [access.cidr_rate_limits]
+            "*/32" = { up_bps = 1024, down_bps = 0 }
+            "*6/128" = { up_bps = 2048, down_bps = 0 }
+        "#,
+    );
+
+    assert!(error.contains("duplicates normalized auto-template *6/128"));
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn file_logging_requires_path() {
     let error = load_config_error_from_temp_toml(
@@ -1652,6 +1727,7 @@ fn client_mss_custom_value_is_accepted() {
     let toml = r#"
         [server]
         client_mss = "4096"
+        client_mss_bulk = "1400"
 
         [censorship]
         tls_domain = "example.com"
@@ -1665,6 +1741,7 @@ fn client_mss_custom_value_is_accepted() {
     let cfg = ProxyConfig::load(&path).unwrap();
 
     assert_eq!(cfg.server.client_mss_value(), Ok(Some(4096)));
+    assert_eq!(cfg.server.client_mss_bulk_value(), Ok(Some(1400)));
     let _ = std::fs::remove_file(path);
 }
 
@@ -1693,6 +1770,33 @@ fn client_mss_out_of_range_is_rejected() {
     }
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn client_mss_bulk_out_of_range_is_rejected() {
+    for value in ["87", "4097"] {
+        let toml = format!(
+            r#"
+            [server]
+            client_mss_bulk = "{value}"
+
+            [censorship]
+            tls_domain = "example.com"
+
+            [access.users]
+            user = "00000000000000000000000000000000"
+        "#
+        );
+        let dir = std::env::temp_dir();
+        let path = dir.join(format!(
+            "telemt_client_mss_bulk_out_of_range_{value}_test.toml"
+        ));
+        std::fs::write(&path, toml).unwrap();
+        let err = ProxyConfig::load(&path).unwrap_err().to_string();
+
+        assert!(err.contains("server.client_mss_bulk custom value must be within [88, 4096]"));
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(path);
+    }
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn client_mss_unquoted_number_is_rejected() {
     let toml = r#"

src/config/tests/load_memory_envelope_tests.rs

@@ -95,6 +95,101 @@ max_client_frame = 16777217
     remove_temp_config(&path);
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn load_rejects_writer_byte_budget_below_frame_residency_minimum() {
+    let path = write_temp_config(
+        r#"
+[general]
+max_client_frame = 16777216
+me_writer_byte_budget_bytes = 33554432
+"#,
+    );
+
+    let err = ProxyConfig::load(&path)
+        .expect_err("writer byte budget below frame residency minimum must fail");
+    let msg = err.to_string();
+    assert!(
+        msg.contains("general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes must be within [33570816, 268435456]"),
+        "error must explain writer byte budget minimum, got: {msg}"
+    );
+
+    remove_temp_config(&path);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn load_rejects_unaligned_writer_byte_budget() {
+    let path = write_temp_config(
+        r#"
+[general]
+me_writer_byte_budget_bytes = 33570817
+"#,
+    );
+
+    let err = ProxyConfig::load(&path)
+        .expect_err("writer byte budget outside permit granularity must fail");
+    let msg = err.to_string();
+    assert!(
+        msg.contains("general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes must be a multiple of 16384"),
+        "error must explain writer byte budget alignment, got: {msg}"
+    );
+
+    remove_temp_config(&path);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn load_rejects_writer_byte_budget_above_hard_cap() {
+    let path = write_temp_config(
+        r#"
+[general]
+me_writer_byte_budget_bytes = 268451840
+"#,
+    );
+
+    let err = ProxyConfig::load(&path).expect_err("writer byte budget above hard cap must fail");
+    let msg = err.to_string();
+    assert!(
+        msg.contains("general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes must be within [33570816, 268435456]"),
+        "error must explain writer byte budget hard cap, got: {msg}"
+    );
+
+    remove_temp_config(&path);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn load_rejects_unaligned_direct_relay_buffer_budget() {
+    let path = write_temp_config(
+        r#"
+[general]
+direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes = 16777217
+"#,
+    );
+
+    let err = ProxyConfig::load(&path).expect_err("unaligned direct relay buffer budget must fail");
+    assert!(
+        err.to_string().contains(
+            "general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes must be 0 or a multiple of 4096"
+        )
+    );
+    remove_temp_config(&path);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn load_rejects_direct_relay_buffer_budget_above_hard_cap() {
+    let path = write_temp_config(
+        r#"
+[general]
+direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes = 2147487744
+"#,
+    );
+
+    let err =
+        ProxyConfig::load(&path).expect_err("direct relay buffer budget above hard cap must fail");
+    assert!(err.to_string().contains(
+        "general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes must be 0 or within [16777216, 2147483648]"
+    ));
+    remove_temp_config(&path);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn load_rejects_listen_backlog_above_i32_upper_bound() {
     let path = write_temp_config(
@@ -139,16 +234,23 @@ fn load_accepts_memory_limits_at_hard_upper_bounds() {
         r#"
 [general]
 me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity = 16384
+me_writer_byte_budget_bytes = 268435456
 me_route_channel_capacity = 8192
 me_c2me_channel_capacity = 8192
+direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes = 2147483648
 max_client_frame = 16777216
 "#,
     );
 
     let cfg = ProxyConfig::load(&path).expect("hard upper bound values must be accepted");
     assert_eq!(cfg.general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity, 16384);
+    assert_eq!(cfg.general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes, 256 * 1024 * 1024);
     assert_eq!(cfg.general.me_route_channel_capacity, 8192);
     assert_eq!(cfg.general.me_c2me_channel_capacity, 8192);
+    assert_eq!(
+        cfg.general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes,
+        2 * 1024 * 1024 * 1024
+    );
     assert_eq!(cfg.general.max_client_frame, 16 * 1024 * 1024);
 
     remove_temp_config(&path);

src/config/types.rs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use ipnetwork::IpNetwork;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::fmt;
 use std::net::IpAddr;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
@@ -578,6 +579,10 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity")]
     pub me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity: usize,
 
+    /// Resident-memory budget in bytes for each ME writer data queue.
+    #[serde(default = "default_me_writer_byte_budget_bytes")]
+    pub me_writer_byte_budget_bytes: usize,
+
     /// Capacity of per-connection ME response route channel.
     #[serde(default = "default_me_route_channel_capacity")]
     pub me_route_channel_capacity: usize,
@@ -621,7 +626,7 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_me_d2c_frame_buf_shrink_threshold_bytes")]
     pub me_d2c_frame_buf_shrink_threshold_bytes: usize,
 
-    /// Copy buffer size for client->DC direction in direct relay.
+    /// Copy buffer ceiling for client->DC direction in direct relay.
     ///
     /// This is also the upper bound for one amortized upload rate-limit burst:
     /// upload debt is settled before the next relay read instead of blocking
@@ -629,13 +634,18 @@ pub struct GeneralConfig {
     #[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.
+    /// Copy buffer ceiling for DC->client direction in direct relay.
     ///
     /// This bounds one direct download rate-limit grant because writes are
     /// clipped to the currently available shaper budget.
     #[serde(default = "default_direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes")]
     pub direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes: usize,
 
+    /// Process-wide hard ceiling for Direct relay copy buffers.
+    /// `0` derives the ceiling from host and cgroup memory limits.
+    #[serde(default = "default_direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes")]
+    pub direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes: usize,
+
     /// Max pending ciphertext buffer per client writer (bytes).
     /// Controls FakeTLS backpressure vs throughput.
     #[serde(default = "default_crypto_pending_buffer")]
@@ -1102,6 +1112,7 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
             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_writer_byte_budget_bytes: default_me_writer_byte_budget_bytes(),
             me_route_channel_capacity: default_me_route_channel_capacity(),
             me_c2me_channel_capacity: default_me_c2me_channel_capacity(),
             me_c2me_send_timeout_ms: default_me_c2me_send_timeout_ms(),
@@ -1115,6 +1126,7 @@ impl Default for GeneralConfig {
                 default_me_d2c_frame_buf_shrink_threshold_bytes(),
             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(),
+            direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes: default_direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_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(),
@@ -2098,11 +2110,13 @@ pub struct AccessConfig {
 
     /// Per-CIDR aggregate transport rate limits in bits-per-second.
     ///
-    /// Matching uses longest-prefix-wins semantics. A value of `0` in one
-    /// direction means "unlimited" for that direction. Limits are amortized
-    /// with the same bounded-burst contract as per-user rate limits.
+    /// Explicit CIDR keys use longest-prefix-wins semantics. Auto-template
+    /// keys (`*4/N`, `*6/N`, `*/N`) lazily create per-source-subnet buckets
+    /// after explicit CIDR matching misses. A value of `0` in one direction
+    /// means "unlimited" for that direction. Limits are amortized with the
+    /// same bounded-burst contract as per-user rate limits.
     #[serde(default)]
-    pub cidr_rate_limits: HashMap<IpNetwork, RateLimitBps>,
+    pub cidr_rate_limits: HashMap<CidrRateLimitKey, RateLimitBps>,
 
     /// Per-username client source IP/CIDR deny list. Checked after successful
     /// authentication; matching IPs get the same rejection path as invalid auth
@@ -2171,10 +2185,156 @@ impl AccessConfig {
     }
 }
 
+/// Key used by `access.cidr_rate_limits`.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
+pub enum CidrRateLimitKey {
+    /// Explicit source CIDR rule.
+    Network(IpNetwork),
+    /// IPv4 auto-template that creates one bucket for each matching `/N`.
+    AutoV4(u8),
+    /// IPv6 auto-template that creates one bucket for each matching `/N`.
+    AutoV6(u8),
+    /// Dual-stack auto-template; IPv4 uses `/N`, IPv6 uses `/(N * 4)`.
+    AutoDual(u8),
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
+pub(crate) enum CidrAutoTemplateFamily {
+    V4,
+    V6,
+}
+
+impl CidrAutoTemplateFamily {
+    pub(crate) fn marker(self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::V4 => "*4",
+            Self::V6 => "*6",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
+pub(crate) struct CidrAutoTemplate {
+    pub(crate) family: CidrAutoTemplateFamily,
+    pub(crate) prefix_len: u8,
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for CidrAutoTemplate {
+    fn fmt(&self, formatter: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        write!(formatter, "{}/{}", self.family.marker(), self.prefix_len)
+    }
+}
+
+impl CidrRateLimitKey {
+    pub(crate) fn auto_templates(&self) -> [Option<CidrAutoTemplate>; 2] {
+        match *self {
+            Self::Network(_) => [None, None],
+            Self::AutoV4(prefix_len) => [
+                Some(CidrAutoTemplate {
+                    family: CidrAutoTemplateFamily::V4,
+                    prefix_len,
+                }),
+                None,
+            ],
+            Self::AutoV6(prefix_len) => [
+                Some(CidrAutoTemplate {
+                    family: CidrAutoTemplateFamily::V6,
+                    prefix_len,
+                }),
+                None,
+            ],
+            Self::AutoDual(prefix_len) => [
+                Some(CidrAutoTemplate {
+                    family: CidrAutoTemplateFamily::V4,
+                    prefix_len,
+                }),
+                Some(CidrAutoTemplate {
+                    family: CidrAutoTemplateFamily::V6,
+                    prefix_len: prefix_len.saturating_mul(4),
+                }),
+            ],
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for CidrRateLimitKey {
+    fn fmt(&self, formatter: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        match self {
+            Self::Network(cidr) => write!(formatter, "{cidr}"),
+            Self::AutoV4(prefix_len) => write!(formatter, "*4/{prefix_len}"),
+            Self::AutoV6(prefix_len) => write!(formatter, "*6/{prefix_len}"),
+            Self::AutoDual(prefix_len) => write!(formatter, "*/{prefix_len}"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Serialize for CidrRateLimitKey {
+    fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: S) -> std::result::Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
+    where
+        S: serde::Serializer,
+    {
+        serializer.collect_str(self)
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'de> Deserialize<'de> for CidrRateLimitKey {
+    fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: D) -> std::result::Result<Self, D::Error>
+    where
+        D: serde::Deserializer<'de>,
+    {
+        let value = String::deserialize(deserializer)?;
+        parse_cidr_rate_limit_key(&value).map_err(serde::de::Error::custom)
+    }
+}
+
+fn parse_cidr_rate_limit_key(value: &str) -> std::result::Result<CidrRateLimitKey, String> {
+    if let Some(prefix) = value.strip_prefix("*4/") {
+        return parse_cidr_auto_prefix(value, prefix, 32).map(CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV4);
+    }
+    if let Some(prefix) = value.strip_prefix("*6/") {
+        return parse_cidr_auto_prefix(value, prefix, 128).map(CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV6);
+    }
+    if let Some(prefix) = value.strip_prefix("*/") {
+        return parse_cidr_auto_prefix(value, prefix, 32).map(CidrRateLimitKey::AutoDual);
+    }
+    if value.starts_with('*') {
+        return Err(format!(
+            "invalid CIDR rate limit key {value:?}; expected CIDR, *4/N, *6/N, or */N"
+        ));
+    }
+    value
+        .parse::<IpNetwork>()
+        .map(CidrRateLimitKey::Network)
+        .map_err(|error| {
+            format!(
+                "invalid CIDR rate limit key {value:?}: {error}; expected CIDR, *4/N, *6/N, or */N"
+            )
+        })
+}
+
+fn parse_cidr_auto_prefix(
+    key: &str,
+    prefix: &str,
+    max_prefix: u8,
+) -> std::result::Result<u8, String> {
+    let prefix = prefix.parse::<u8>().map_err(|_| {
+        format!("invalid CIDR auto-template key {key:?}; prefix must be within 0..={max_prefix}")
+    })?;
+    if prefix > max_prefix {
+        return Err(format!(
+            "invalid CIDR auto-template key {key:?}; prefix must be within 0..={max_prefix}"
+        ));
+    }
+    Ok(prefix)
+}
+
+/// Transport rate limit in bits-per-second.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Default, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct RateLimitBps {
+    /// Upload direction limit in bits-per-second; `0` means unlimited.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub up_bps: u64,
+    /// Download direction limit in bits-per-second; `0` means unlimited.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub down_bps: u64,
 }

src/crypto/aes.rs

@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@
 //!
 //! ## Zeroize policy
 //!
-//! - `AesCbc` stores raw key/IV bytes and zeroizes them on drop.
-//! - `AesCtr` wraps an opaque `Aes256Ctr` cipher from the `ctr` crate.
-//!   The expanded key schedule lives inside that type and cannot be
-//!   zeroized from outside. Callers that hold raw key material (e.g.
-//!   `HandshakeSuccess`, `ObfuscationParams`) are responsible for
-//!   zeroizing their own copies.
+//! - `AesCbc` stores raw key/IV bytes and zeroizes them on drop. Temporary
+//!   expanded key schedules are also zeroized by the RustCrypto backend.
+//! - `AesCtr` uses the RustCrypto `zeroize` contract to clear its expanded
+//!   key schedule, counter, and buffered keystream on drop.
+//! - Callers that hold raw key material (e.g. `HandshakeSuccess`,
+//!   `ObfuscationParams`) remain responsible for zeroizing their own copies.
 
 #![allow(dead_code)]
 
@@ -19,24 +19,28 @@ use ctr::{
     Ctr128BE,
     cipher::{KeyIvInit, StreamCipher},
 };
-use zeroize::Zeroize;
+use zeroize::{Zeroize, ZeroizeOnDrop};
 
 type Aes256Ctr = Ctr128BE<Aes256>;
 
+static_assertions::assert_impl_all!(Aes256: ZeroizeOnDrop);
+static_assertions::assert_impl_all!(Aes256Ctr: ZeroizeOnDrop);
+
 // ============= AES-256-CTR =============
 
 /// AES-256-CTR encryptor/decryptor
 ///
 /// CTR mode is symmetric — encryption and decryption are the same operation.
 ///
-/// **Zeroize note:** The inner `Aes256Ctr` cipher state (expanded key schedule
-///     + counter) is opaque and cannot be zeroized. If you need to protect key
-///     material, zeroize the `[u8; 32]` key and `u128` IV at the call site
-///     before dropping them.
+/// **Zeroize note:** The inner `Aes256Ctr` zeroizes its expanded key schedule,
+/// counter, and buffered keystream on drop. Callers remain responsible for
+/// zeroizing their own raw key and IV copies.
 pub struct AesCtr {
     cipher: Aes256Ctr,
 }
 
+impl ZeroizeOnDrop for AesCtr {}
+
 impl AesCtr {
     /// Create new AES-CTR cipher with key and IV
     pub fn new(key: &[u8; 32], iv: u128) -> Self {
@@ -92,7 +96,7 @@ impl AesCtr {
 /// are different operations. This implementation handles CBC chaining
 /// correctly across multiple blocks.
 ///
-/// Key and IV are zeroized on drop.
+/// Key, IV, and temporary expanded key schedules are zeroized on drop.
 pub struct AesCbc {
     key: [u8; 32],
     iv: [u8; 16],
@@ -105,6 +109,8 @@ impl Drop for AesCbc {
     }
 }
 
+impl ZeroizeOnDrop for AesCbc {}
+
 impl AesCbc {
     /// AES block size
     const BLOCK_SIZE: usize = 16;

src/maestro/me_startup.rs

@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn initialize_me_pool(
                     config.general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
                     config.general.me_socks_kdf_policy,
                     config.general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+                    config.general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
                     config.general.me_route_channel_capacity,
                     config.general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
                     config.general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,

src/maestro/mod.rs

@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ use crate::conntrack_control;
 use crate::crypto::SecureRandom;
 use crate::ip_tracker::UserIpTracker;
 use crate::network::probe::{decide_network_capabilities, log_probe_result, run_probe};
+use crate::proxy::direct_buffer_budget::{
+    DirectBufferBudget, resolve_direct_buffer_hard_limit, spawn_direct_buffer_budget_controller,
+};
 use crate::proxy::route_mode::{RelayRouteMode, RouteRuntimeController};
 use crate::proxy::shared_state::ProxySharedState;
 use crate::startup::{
@@ -473,7 +476,16 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
             config.network.dns_overrides.len()
         );
     }
-    let shared_state = ProxySharedState::new();
+    let direct_buffer_hard_limit =
+        resolve_direct_buffer_hard_limit(config.general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes).await;
+    let direct_buffer_budget = DirectBufferBudget::new(direct_buffer_hard_limit);
+    info!(
+        hard_limit_bytes = direct_buffer_hard_limit,
+        configured_override_bytes = config.general.direct_relay_buffer_budget_max_bytes,
+        "Direct relay buffer budget initialized"
+    );
+    let shared_state =
+        ProxySharedState::new_with_direct_buffer_budget(direct_buffer_budget.clone());
     shared_state.apply_user_enabled_config(&config.access.user_enabled);
     shared_state.traffic_limiter.apply_policy(
         config.access.user_rate_limits.clone(),
@@ -882,6 +894,13 @@ async fn run_telemt_core(
         stats.clone(),
         shared_state.clone(),
     );
+    spawn_direct_buffer_budget_controller(
+        direct_buffer_budget,
+        buffer_pool.clone(),
+        stats.clone(),
+        shared_state.clone(),
+        config.server.max_connections,
+    );
 
     let bound = listeners::bind_listeners(
         &config,

src/metrics.rs

@@ -595,6 +595,81 @@ async fn render_metrics(
         "telemt_buffer_pool_buffers_total{{kind=\"in_use\"}} {}",
         stats.get_buffer_pool_in_use_gauge()
     );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_buffer_pool_events_total Buffer-pool allocation lifecycle events"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_buffer_pool_events_total counter");
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_buffer_pool_events_total{{event=\"replaced_nonstandard\"}} {}",
+        stats.get_buffer_pool_replaced_nonstandard_total()
+    );
+
+    let direct_budget = shared_state.direct_buffer_budget.snapshot();
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_direct_relay_buffer_budget_bytes Direct relay copy-buffer budget and memory inputs"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_direct_relay_buffer_budget_bytes gauge");
+    for (kind, value) in [
+        ("hard_limit", direct_budget.hard_limit_bytes),
+        ("target", direct_budget.target_bytes),
+        ("reserved", direct_budget.reserved_bytes),
+        ("memory_total", direct_budget.memory_total_bytes),
+        ("memory_available", direct_budget.memory_available_bytes),
+        ("process_rss", direct_budget.process_rss_bytes),
+    ] {
+        let _ = writeln!(
+            out,
+            "telemt_direct_relay_buffer_budget_bytes{{kind=\"{}\"}} {}",
+            kind, value
+        );
+    }
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_direct_relay_buffer_budget_events_total Direct relay buffer-budget lifecycle events"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_direct_relay_buffer_budget_events_total counter"
+    );
+    for (result, value) in [
+        ("promotion", direct_budget.promotion_total),
+        ("promotion_denied", direct_budget.promotion_denied_total),
+        ("minimum_fallback", direct_budget.minimum_fallback_total),
+        ("admission_rejected", direct_budget.admission_rejected_total),
+        ("quiet_demotion", direct_budget.quiet_demotion_total),
+        (
+            "write_pressure_demotion",
+            direct_budget.write_pressure_demotion_total,
+        ),
+        (
+            "global_pressure_demotion",
+            direct_budget.global_pressure_demotion_total,
+        ),
+    ] {
+        let _ = writeln!(
+            out,
+            "telemt_direct_relay_buffer_budget_events_total{{result=\"{}\"}} {}",
+            result, value
+        );
+    }
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_direct_relay_buffer_sessions Current Direct relay sessions by adaptive tier"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_direct_relay_buffer_sessions gauge");
+    for (tier, value) in ["base", "tier1", "tier2", "tier3"]
+        .into_iter()
+        .zip(direct_budget.tier_sessions)
+    {
+        let _ = writeln!(
+            out,
+            "telemt_direct_relay_buffer_sessions{{tier=\"{}\"}} {}",
+            tier, value
+        );
+    }
 
     let _ = writeln!(
         out,
@@ -2435,6 +2510,82 @@ async fn render_metrics(
         }
     );
 
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes Configured resident-memory budget per ME writer"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(out, "# TYPE telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes gauge");
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_reserved_bytes Aggregate ME writer memory reservations by lifecycle state"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_reserved_bytes gauge"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_reserved_bytes{{state=\"queued\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_reserved_bytes{{state=\"inflight\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# HELP telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_events_total ME writer byte-budget outcomes"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "# TYPE telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_events_total counter"
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_events_total{{result=\"wait\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_wait_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_events_total{{result=\"timeout\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_timeout_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+    let _ = writeln!(
+        out,
+        "telemt_me_writer_byte_budget_events_total{{result=\"oversize\"}} {}",
+        if me_allows_normal {
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total()
+        } else {
+            0
+        }
+    );
+
     let _ = writeln!(
         out,
         "# HELP telemt_me_writer_pick_total ME writer-pick outcomes by mode and result"

src/protocol/constants.rs

@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ pub fn secure_payload_len_from_wire_len(wire_len: usize) -> Option<usize> {
 }
 
 /// Generate padding length for Secure Intermediate protocol.
-/// Telegram Desktop uses a 4-bit random padding length for VersionD packets.
+/// Outbound padding is 1..=3 so a receiver can strip it by 4-byte alignment.
 pub fn secure_padding_len(data_len: usize, rng: &SecureRandom) -> usize {
     debug_assert!(
         is_valid_secure_payload_len(data_len),
@@ -425,15 +425,21 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn secure_padding_matches_tdesktop_range() {
+    fn secure_padding_never_produces_aligned_total() {
         let rng = SecureRandom::new();
         for data_len in (0..1000).step_by(4) {
             for _ in 0..100 {
                 let padding = secure_padding_len(data_len, &rng);
                 assert!(
-                    padding <= 15,
+                    (1..=3).contains(&padding),
                     "padding out of range: data_len={data_len}, padding={padding}"
                 );
+                assert_ne!(
+                    (data_len + padding) % 4,
+                    0,
+                    "invariant violated: data_len={data_len}, padding={padding}, total={}",
+                    data_len + padding
+                );
             }
         }
     }

src/protocol/framing.rs

@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ pub(crate) const INTERMEDIATE_QUICKACK_FLAG: u32 = 0x8000_0000;
 /// Payload length mask used by Intermediate and Secure Intermediate headers.
 pub(crate) const INTERMEDIATE_WIRE_LEN_MASK: u32 = 0x7fff_ffff;
 
-/// Maximum random tail length used by Telegram Desktop VersionD packets.
-pub(crate) const SECURE_VERSION_D_PADDING_MAX: usize = 15;
+/// Maximum outbound Secure tail length that keeps wire lengths non-aligned.
+pub(crate) const SECURE_VERSION_D_PADDING_MAX: usize = 3;
 
 /// Parsed Intermediate/Secure Intermediate length header.
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ pub(crate) fn secure_version_d_body_len_from_wire_len(wire_len: usize) -> Option
     Some(wire_len - (wire_len % 4))
 }
 
-/// Generate Telegram Desktop-compatible VersionD random tail length.
+/// Generate outbound Secure tail length without ambiguous full-word padding.
 pub(crate) fn secure_version_d_padding_len(rng: &SecureRandom) -> usize {
-    rng.range(SECURE_VERSION_D_PADDING_MAX + 1)
+    rng.range(SECURE_VERSION_D_PADDING_MAX) + 1
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]

src/proxy/adaptive_buffers.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
-#![allow(dead_code)]
-
-// Adaptive buffer policy is staged and retained for deterministic rollout.
-// Keep definitions compiled for compatibility and security test scaffolding.
+// Adaptive buffer policy shared by active Direct relay sessions.
 
 use dashmap::DashMap;
 use std::cmp::max;
@@ -13,29 +10,42 @@ const PROFILE_TTL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(300);
 const THROUGHPUT_UP_BPS: f64 = 8_000_000.0;
 const THROUGHPUT_DOWN_BPS: f64 = 2_000_000.0;
 const RATIO_CONFIRM_THRESHOLD: f64 = 1.12;
-const TIER1_HOLD_TICKS: u32 = 8;
-const TIER2_HOLD_TICKS: u32 = 4;
-const QUIET_DEMOTE_TICKS: u32 = 480;
-const HARD_COOLDOWN_TICKS: u32 = 20;
+const TIER1_HOLD: Duration = Duration::from_secs(2);
+const TIER2_HOLD: Duration = Duration::from_secs(1);
+const QUIET_DEMOTE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(120);
+const HARD_COOLDOWN: Duration = Duration::from_secs(5);
+const SUSTAINED_PRESSURE_DEMOTE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(30);
+const PRESSURE_DEMOTE_COOLDOWN: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
 const HARD_PENDING_THRESHOLD: u32 = 3;
 const HARD_PARTIAL_RATIO_THRESHOLD: f64 = 0.25;
+#[cfg(test)]
 const DIRECT_C2S_CAP_BYTES: usize = 128 * 1024;
+#[cfg(test)]
 const DIRECT_S2C_CAP_BYTES: usize = 512 * 1024;
+#[cfg(test)]
 const ME_FRAMES_CAP: usize = 96;
+#[cfg(test)]
 const ME_BYTES_CAP: usize = 384 * 1024;
+#[cfg(test)]
 const ME_DELAY_MIN_US: u64 = 150;
 const MAX_USER_PROFILES_ENTRIES: usize = 50_000;
 const MAX_USER_KEY_BYTES: usize = 512;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord)]
+/// Per-session Direct copy-buffer capacity tier.
 pub enum AdaptiveTier {
+    /// Conservative baseline capacity.
     Base = 0,
+    /// First throughput promotion.
     Tier1 = 1,
+    /// Sustained bidirectional pressure promotion.
     Tier2 = 2,
+    /// Configured per-direction ceilings.
     Tier3 = 3,
 }
 
 impl AdaptiveTier {
+    /// Returns the next larger tier, saturating at `Tier3`.
     pub fn promote(self) -> Self {
         match self {
             Self::Base => Self::Tier1,
@@ -45,6 +55,7 @@ impl AdaptiveTier {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Returns the next smaller tier, saturating at `Base`.
     pub fn demote(self) -> Self {
         match self {
             Self::Base => Self::Base,
@@ -54,6 +65,7 @@ impl AdaptiveTier {
         }
     }
 
+    #[cfg(test)]
     fn ratio(self) -> (usize, usize) {
         match self {
             Self::Base => (1, 1),
@@ -63,49 +75,70 @@ impl AdaptiveTier {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Returns the stable numeric tier used by bounded metrics.
     pub fn as_u8(self) -> u8 {
         self as u8
     }
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+/// Signal that caused an accepted adaptive tier transition.
 pub enum TierTransitionReason {
+    /// Sustained throughput and directional ratio confirmation.
     SoftConfirmed,
+    /// Short pending or partial-write pressure burst.
     HardPressure,
+    /// Sustained low-throughput period.
     QuietDemotion,
+    /// Sustained pending or partial-write pressure.
+    SustainedWritePressure,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+/// Proposed transition emitted by the per-session controller.
 pub struct TierTransition {
+    /// Tier active before the observation.
     pub from: AdaptiveTier,
+    /// Tier requested after the observation.
     pub to: AdaptiveTier,
+    /// Pressure or throughput condition that requested the transition.
     pub reason: TierTransitionReason,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Default)]
+/// Directional byte and write-pressure deltas for one observation period.
 pub struct RelaySignalSample {
+    /// Client-to-DC bytes copied during the period.
     pub c2s_bytes: u64,
+    /// Bytes offered to DC-to-client writes during the period.
     pub s2c_requested_bytes: u64,
+    /// Bytes accepted by DC-to-client writes during the period.
     pub s2c_written_bytes: u64,
+    /// Successful DC-to-client write operations during the period.
     pub s2c_write_ops: u64,
+    /// Partial DC-to-client write operations during the period.
     pub s2c_partial_writes: u64,
+    /// Consecutive pending DC-to-client writes at sample time.
     pub s2c_consecutive_pending_writes: u32,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+/// Stateful hysteresis controller for one active Direct session.
 pub struct SessionAdaptiveController {
     tier: AdaptiveTier,
     max_tier_seen: AdaptiveTier,
     throughput_ema_bps: f64,
     incoming_ema_bps: f64,
     outgoing_ema_bps: f64,
-    tier1_hold_ticks: u32,
-    tier2_hold_ticks: u32,
-    quiet_ticks: u32,
-    hard_cooldown_ticks: u32,
+    tier1_hold: Duration,
+    tier2_hold: Duration,
+    quiet: Duration,
+    hard_cooldown: Duration,
+    sustained_pressure: Duration,
 }
 
 impl SessionAdaptiveController {
+    /// Creates a controller at the tier whose memory reservation was accepted.
     pub fn new(initial_tier: AdaptiveTier) -> Self {
         Self {
             tier: initial_tier,
@@ -113,25 +146,33 @@ impl SessionAdaptiveController {
             throughput_ema_bps: 0.0,
             incoming_ema_bps: 0.0,
             outgoing_ema_bps: 0.0,
-            tier1_hold_ticks: 0,
-            tier2_hold_ticks: 0,
-            quiet_ticks: 0,
-            hard_cooldown_ticks: 0,
+            tier1_hold: Duration::ZERO,
+            tier2_hold: Duration::ZERO,
+            quiet: Duration::ZERO,
+            hard_cooldown: Duration::ZERO,
+            sustained_pressure: Duration::ZERO,
         }
     }
 
+    /// Returns the highest tier proposed by controller observations.
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
     pub fn max_tier_seen(&self) -> AdaptiveTier {
         self.max_tier_seen
     }
 
+    /// Returns the controller's current logical tier.
+    pub fn tier(&self) -> AdaptiveTier {
+        self.tier
+    }
+
+    /// Observes one period and returns at most one hysteresis-controlled transition.
     pub fn observe(&mut self, sample: RelaySignalSample, tick_secs: f64) -> Option<TierTransition> {
         if tick_secs <= f64::EPSILON {
             return None;
         }
 
-        if self.hard_cooldown_ticks > 0 {
-            self.hard_cooldown_ticks -= 1;
-        }
+        let tick = Duration::from_secs_f64(tick_secs);
+        self.hard_cooldown = self.hard_cooldown.saturating_sub(tick);
 
         let c2s_bps = (sample.c2s_bytes as f64 * 8.0) / tick_secs;
         let incoming_bps = (sample.s2c_requested_bytes as f64 * 8.0) / tick_secs;
@@ -144,9 +185,9 @@ impl SessionAdaptiveController {
 
         let tier1_now = self.throughput_ema_bps >= THROUGHPUT_UP_BPS;
         if tier1_now {
-            self.tier1_hold_ticks = self.tier1_hold_ticks.saturating_add(1);
+            self.tier1_hold = self.tier1_hold.saturating_add(tick);
         } else {
-            self.tier1_hold_ticks = 0;
+            self.tier1_hold = Duration::ZERO;
         }
 
         let ratio = if self.outgoing_ema_bps <= f64::EPSILON {
@@ -156,9 +197,9 @@ impl SessionAdaptiveController {
         };
         let tier2_now = ratio >= RATIO_CONFIRM_THRESHOLD;
         if tier2_now {
-            self.tier2_hold_ticks = self.tier2_hold_ticks.saturating_add(1);
+            self.tier2_hold = self.tier2_hold.saturating_add(tick);
         } else {
-            self.tier2_hold_ticks = 0;
+            self.tier2_hold = Duration::ZERO;
         }
 
         let partial_ratio = if sample.s2c_write_ops == 0 {
@@ -169,24 +210,37 @@ impl SessionAdaptiveController {
         let hard_now = sample.s2c_consecutive_pending_writes >= HARD_PENDING_THRESHOLD
             || partial_ratio >= HARD_PARTIAL_RATIO_THRESHOLD;
 
-        if hard_now && self.hard_cooldown_ticks == 0 {
-            return self.promote(TierTransitionReason::HardPressure, HARD_COOLDOWN_TICKS);
+        if hard_now {
+            self.sustained_pressure = self.sustained_pressure.saturating_add(tick);
+            if self.sustained_pressure >= SUSTAINED_PRESSURE_DEMOTE {
+                self.sustained_pressure = Duration::ZERO;
+                return self.demote(
+                    TierTransitionReason::SustainedWritePressure,
+                    PRESSURE_DEMOTE_COOLDOWN,
+                );
+            }
+        } else {
+            self.sustained_pressure = Duration::ZERO;
         }
 
-        if self.tier1_hold_ticks >= TIER1_HOLD_TICKS && self.tier2_hold_ticks >= TIER2_HOLD_TICKS {
-            return self.promote(TierTransitionReason::SoftConfirmed, 0);
+        if hard_now && self.hard_cooldown.is_zero() {
+            return self.promote(TierTransitionReason::HardPressure, HARD_COOLDOWN);
+        }
+
+        if self.tier1_hold >= TIER1_HOLD && self.tier2_hold >= TIER2_HOLD {
+            return self.promote(TierTransitionReason::SoftConfirmed, Duration::ZERO);
         }
 
         let demote_candidate =
             self.throughput_ema_bps < THROUGHPUT_DOWN_BPS && !tier2_now && !hard_now;
         if demote_candidate {
-            self.quiet_ticks = self.quiet_ticks.saturating_add(1);
-            if self.quiet_ticks >= QUIET_DEMOTE_TICKS {
-                self.quiet_ticks = 0;
-                return self.demote(TierTransitionReason::QuietDemotion);
+            self.quiet = self.quiet.saturating_add(tick);
+            if self.quiet >= QUIET_DEMOTE {
+                self.quiet = Duration::ZERO;
+                return self.demote(TierTransitionReason::QuietDemotion, Duration::ZERO);
             }
         } else {
-            self.quiet_ticks = 0;
+            self.quiet = Duration::ZERO;
         }
 
         None
@@ -195,7 +249,7 @@ impl SessionAdaptiveController {
     fn promote(
         &mut self,
         reason: TierTransitionReason,
-        hard_cooldown_ticks: u32,
+        hard_cooldown: Duration,
     ) -> Option<TierTransition> {
         let from = self.tier;
         let to = from.promote();
@@ -204,22 +258,27 @@ impl SessionAdaptiveController {
         }
         self.tier = to;
         self.max_tier_seen = max(self.max_tier_seen, to);
-        self.hard_cooldown_ticks = hard_cooldown_ticks;
-        self.tier1_hold_ticks = 0;
-        self.tier2_hold_ticks = 0;
-        self.quiet_ticks = 0;
+        self.hard_cooldown = hard_cooldown;
+        self.tier1_hold = Duration::ZERO;
+        self.tier2_hold = Duration::ZERO;
+        self.quiet = Duration::ZERO;
         Some(TierTransition { from, to, reason })
     }
 
-    fn demote(&mut self, reason: TierTransitionReason) -> Option<TierTransition> {
+    fn demote(
+        &mut self,
+        reason: TierTransitionReason,
+        hard_cooldown: Duration,
+    ) -> Option<TierTransition> {
         let from = self.tier;
         let to = from.demote();
         if from == to {
             return None;
         }
         self.tier = to;
-        self.tier1_hold_ticks = 0;
-        self.tier2_hold_ticks = 0;
+        self.hard_cooldown = hard_cooldown;
+        self.tier1_hold = Duration::ZERO;
+        self.tier2_hold = Duration::ZERO;
         Some(TierTransition { from, to, reason })
     }
 }
@@ -235,6 +294,8 @@ fn profiles() -> &'static DashMap<String, UserAdaptiveProfile> {
     USER_PROFILES.get_or_init(DashMap::new)
 }
 
+/// Returns a fresh user's recent successful Direct tier, or `Base` when stale.
+#[allow(dead_code)]
 pub fn seed_tier_for_user(user: &str) -> AdaptiveTier {
     if user.len() > MAX_USER_KEY_BYTES {
         return AdaptiveTier::Base;
@@ -253,6 +314,8 @@ pub fn seed_tier_for_user(user: &str) -> AdaptiveTier {
     AdaptiveTier::Base
 }
 
+/// Records the highest successfully allocated tier for bounded session seeding.
+#[allow(dead_code)]
 pub fn record_user_tier(user: &str, tier: AdaptiveTier) {
     if user.len() > MAX_USER_KEY_BYTES {
         return;
@@ -282,6 +345,8 @@ pub fn record_user_tier(user: &str, tier: AdaptiveTier) {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(test)]
+/// Returns the legacy staged scaling policy retained by security fixtures.
 pub fn direct_copy_buffers_for_tier(
     tier: AdaptiveTier,
     base_c2s: usize,
@@ -294,6 +359,32 @@ pub fn direct_copy_buffers_for_tier(
     )
 }
 
+/// Maps an adaptive tier to independent capacities within configured ceilings.
+pub(crate) fn direct_copy_buffers_for_tier_with_ceilings(
+    tier: AdaptiveTier,
+    base_c2s: usize,
+    base_s2c: usize,
+    ceiling_c2s: usize,
+    ceiling_s2c: usize,
+) -> (usize, usize) {
+    (
+        direct_direction_size(tier, base_c2s, ceiling_c2s),
+        direct_direction_size(tier, base_s2c, ceiling_s2c),
+    )
+}
+
+fn direct_direction_size(tier: AdaptiveTier, base: usize, ceiling: usize) -> usize {
+    let target = match tier {
+        AdaptiveTier::Base => base,
+        AdaptiveTier::Tier1 => ceiling / 4,
+        AdaptiveTier::Tier2 => ceiling / 2,
+        AdaptiveTier::Tier3 => ceiling,
+    };
+    target.max(base).min(ceiling.max(base)).max(1)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+/// Returns the staged Middle-End flush policy retained by security fixtures.
 pub fn me_flush_policy_for_tier(
     tier: AdaptiveTier,
     base_frames: usize,
@@ -323,6 +414,7 @@ fn ema(prev: f64, value: f64) -> f64 {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(test)]
 fn scale(base: usize, numerator: usize, denominator: usize, cap: usize) -> usize {
     let scaled = base
         .saturating_mul(numerator)
@@ -338,6 +430,10 @@ mod adaptive_buffers_security_tests;
 #[path = "tests/adaptive_buffers_record_race_security_tests.rs"]
 mod adaptive_buffers_record_race_security_tests;
 
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "tests/adaptive_direct_budget_policy_tests.rs"]
+mod adaptive_direct_budget_policy_tests;
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
@@ -396,7 +492,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_quiet_demotion_is_slow_and_stepwise() {
         let mut ctrl = SessionAdaptiveController::new(AdaptiveTier::Tier2);
         let mut demotion = None;
-        for _ in 0..QUIET_DEMOTE_TICKS {
+        for _ in 0..480 {
             demotion = ctrl.observe(sample(1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0), 0.25);
         }
 

src/proxy/direct_buffer_budget.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,570 @@
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use tokio::sync::watch;
+
+use crate::stats::Stats;
+use crate::stream::BufferPool;
+
+use super::shared_state::ProxySharedState;
+
+/// Accounting granularity for process-wide Direct copy-buffer reservations.
+pub(crate) const DIRECT_BUFFER_UNIT_BYTES: usize = 4 * 1024;
+/// Minimum client-to-DC copy-buffer capacity for one Direct session.
+pub(crate) const DIRECT_BASE_C2S_BYTES: usize = 4 * 1024;
+/// Minimum DC-to-client copy-buffer capacity for one Direct session.
+pub(crate) const DIRECT_BASE_S2C_BYTES: usize = 8 * 1024;
+
+const AUTO_HARD_MIN_BYTES: usize = 64 * 1024 * 1024;
+const AUTO_HARD_MAX_BYTES: usize = 2 * 1024 * 1024 * 1024;
+const AUTO_HARD_FALLBACK_BYTES: usize = 512 * 1024 * 1024;
+const TARGET_FLOOR_MIN_BYTES: usize = 16 * 1024 * 1024;
+const CONTROL_INTERVAL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(1);
+const HEALTHY_RECOVERY_SAMPLES: u8 = 30;
+const BUFFER_POOL_TRIM_LOW_WATERMARK: usize = 64;
+const BUFFER_POOL_TRIM_HIGH_WATERMARK: usize = 128;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Default)]
+/// Lock-free observability snapshot of the Direct copy-buffer envelope.
+pub(crate) struct DirectBufferBudgetSnapshot {
+    /// Absolute process-wide copy-buffer ceiling.
+    pub(crate) hard_limit_bytes: u64,
+    /// Current pressure-adjusted promotion target.
+    pub(crate) target_bytes: u64,
+    /// Bytes currently covered by active session leases.
+    pub(crate) reserved_bytes: u64,
+    /// Effective host or cgroup memory limit.
+    pub(crate) memory_total_bytes: u64,
+    /// Effective host or cgroup memory headroom.
+    pub(crate) memory_available_bytes: u64,
+    /// Current process resident set size.
+    pub(crate) process_rss_bytes: u64,
+    /// Successful tier growth reservations.
+    pub(crate) promotion_total: u64,
+    /// Tier growth attempts rejected by the adaptive target.
+    pub(crate) promotion_denied_total: u64,
+    /// Sessions admitted at minimum size above the adaptive target.
+    pub(crate) minimum_fallback_total: u64,
+    /// Sessions rejected by the absolute ceiling.
+    pub(crate) admission_rejected_total: u64,
+    /// Quiet-period tier reductions.
+    pub(crate) quiet_demotion_total: u64,
+    /// Sustained write-pressure tier reductions.
+    pub(crate) write_pressure_demotion_total: u64,
+    /// Process-wide pressure tier reductions.
+    pub(crate) global_pressure_demotion_total: u64,
+    /// Current sessions for Base through Tier3.
+    pub(crate) tier_sessions: [u64; 4],
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Default)]
+struct SystemMemorySample {
+    total_bytes: u64,
+    available_bytes: u64,
+    process_rss_bytes: u64,
+}
+
+/// Process-wide hard envelope and adaptive target for Direct copy buffers.
+pub(crate) struct DirectBufferBudget {
+    hard_limit_bytes: u64,
+    target_bytes: AtomicU64,
+    reserved_bytes: AtomicU64,
+    pressure_generation: AtomicU64,
+    pressure_tx: watch::Sender<u64>,
+    memory_total_bytes: AtomicU64,
+    memory_available_bytes: AtomicU64,
+    process_rss_bytes: AtomicU64,
+    promotion_total: AtomicU64,
+    promotion_denied_total: AtomicU64,
+    minimum_fallback_total: AtomicU64,
+    admission_rejected_total: AtomicU64,
+    quiet_demotion_total: AtomicU64,
+    write_pressure_demotion_total: AtomicU64,
+    global_pressure_demotion_total: AtomicU64,
+    tier_sessions: [AtomicU64; 4],
+}
+
+impl DirectBufferBudget {
+    /// Creates an envelope with a fixed absolute ceiling.
+    pub(crate) fn new(hard_limit_bytes: usize) -> Arc<Self> {
+        let hard_limit_bytes = align_down(hard_limit_bytes.max(DIRECT_BUFFER_UNIT_BYTES)) as u64;
+        let (pressure_tx, _) = watch::channel(0);
+        Arc::new(Self {
+            hard_limit_bytes,
+            target_bytes: AtomicU64::new(hard_limit_bytes),
+            reserved_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            pressure_generation: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            pressure_tx,
+            memory_total_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            memory_available_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            process_rss_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            promotion_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            promotion_denied_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            minimum_fallback_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            admission_rejected_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            quiet_demotion_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            write_pressure_demotion_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            global_pressure_demotion_total: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            tier_sessions: std::array::from_fn(|_| AtomicU64::new(0)),
+        })
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the current pressure-adjusted reservation target.
+    pub(crate) fn target_bytes(&self) -> usize {
+        self.target_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as usize
+    }
+
+    /// Subscribes to target reductions that require prompt session demotion.
+    pub(crate) fn subscribe_pressure(&self) -> watch::Receiver<u64> {
+        self.pressure_tx.subscribe()
+    }
+
+    /// Reserves bytes against either the adaptive target or the absolute ceiling.
+    pub(crate) fn try_reserve(
+        self: &Arc<Self>,
+        bytes: usize,
+        allow_above_target: bool,
+    ) -> Option<DirectBufferLease> {
+        let bytes = align_up(bytes) as u64;
+        let limit = if allow_above_target {
+            self.hard_limit_bytes
+        } else {
+            self.target_bytes
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+                .min(self.hard_limit_bytes)
+        };
+        if !self.try_add_reserved(bytes, limit) {
+            return None;
+        }
+        self.tier_sessions[0].fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        Some(DirectBufferLease {
+            budget: Arc::clone(self),
+            reserved_bytes: bytes,
+            tier: 0,
+        })
+    }
+
+    fn try_add_reserved(&self, bytes: u64, limit: u64) -> bool {
+        let mut current = self.reserved_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire);
+        loop {
+            if bytes > limit.saturating_sub(current) {
+                return false;
+            }
+            match self.reserved_bytes.compare_exchange_weak(
+                current,
+                current + bytes,
+                Ordering::AcqRel,
+                Ordering::Acquire,
+            ) {
+                Ok(_) => return true,
+                Err(observed) => current = observed,
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn target_floor_bytes(&self) -> u64 {
+        (self.hard_limit_bytes / 8)
+            .max(TARGET_FLOOR_MIN_BYTES as u64)
+            .min(self.hard_limit_bytes)
+    }
+
+    fn set_target_bytes(&self, target: u64) {
+        let target =
+            align_down(target.clamp(self.target_floor_bytes(), self.hard_limit_bytes) as usize)
+                as u64;
+        let previous = self.target_bytes.swap(target, Ordering::AcqRel);
+        if target < previous {
+            let generation = self
+                .pressure_generation
+                .fetch_add(1, Ordering::AcqRel)
+                .wrapping_add(1);
+            self.pressure_tx.send_replace(generation);
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn update_system_sample(&self, sample: SystemMemorySample) {
+        self.memory_total_bytes
+            .store(sample.total_bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.memory_available_bytes
+            .store(sample.available_bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.process_rss_bytes
+            .store(sample.process_rss_bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Records a session that had to bypass the adaptive target at minimum size.
+    pub(crate) fn increment_minimum_fallback(&self) {
+        self.minimum_fallback_total.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Records a session rejected because the absolute ceiling was exhausted.
+    pub(crate) fn increment_admission_rejected(&self) {
+        self.admission_rejected_total
+            .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Records a tier reduction after sustained low throughput.
+    pub(crate) fn increment_quiet_demotion(&self) {
+        self.quiet_demotion_total.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Records a tier reduction after sustained partial or pending writes.
+    pub(crate) fn increment_write_pressure_demotion(&self) {
+        self.write_pressure_demotion_total
+            .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Records a tier reduction requested by the process-wide controller.
+    pub(crate) fn increment_global_pressure_demotion(&self) {
+        self.global_pressure_demotion_total
+            .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
+    /// Captures all bounded metrics without allocating or locking.
+    pub(crate) fn snapshot(&self) -> DirectBufferBudgetSnapshot {
+        DirectBufferBudgetSnapshot {
+            hard_limit_bytes: self.hard_limit_bytes,
+            target_bytes: self.target_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            reserved_bytes: self.reserved_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            memory_total_bytes: self.memory_total_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            memory_available_bytes: self.memory_available_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            process_rss_bytes: self.process_rss_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            promotion_total: self.promotion_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            promotion_denied_total: self.promotion_denied_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            minimum_fallback_total: self.minimum_fallback_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            admission_rejected_total: self.admission_rejected_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            quiet_demotion_total: self.quiet_demotion_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            write_pressure_demotion_total: self
+                .write_pressure_demotion_total
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            global_pressure_demotion_total: self
+                .global_pressure_demotion_total
+                .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            tier_sessions: std::array::from_fn(|index| {
+                self.tier_sessions[index].load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+            }),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Returns the conservative ceiling used when memory discovery is unavailable.
+pub(crate) fn fallback_direct_buffer_hard_limit() -> usize {
+    AUTO_HARD_FALLBACK_BYTES
+}
+
+/// RAII ownership of all copy-buffer bytes retained by one Direct session.
+pub(crate) struct DirectBufferLease {
+    budget: Arc<DirectBufferBudget>,
+    reserved_bytes: u64,
+    tier: usize,
+}
+
+impl DirectBufferLease {
+    /// Returns the currently covered allocation rounded to accounting units.
+    pub(crate) fn reserved_bytes(&self) -> usize {
+        self.reserved_bytes as usize
+    }
+
+    /// Attempts to cover a larger tier before its buffers are resized.
+    pub(crate) fn try_grow_to(&mut self, bytes: usize) -> bool {
+        let bytes = align_up(bytes) as u64;
+        if bytes <= self.reserved_bytes {
+            return true;
+        }
+        let delta = bytes - self.reserved_bytes;
+        let limit = self
+            .budget
+            .target_bytes
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+            .min(self.budget.hard_limit_bytes);
+        if !self.budget.try_add_reserved(delta, limit) {
+            self.budget
+                .promotion_denied_total
+                .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            return false;
+        }
+        self.reserved_bytes = bytes;
+        self.budget.promotion_total.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        true
+    }
+
+    /// Releases bytes only after both directional buffers report smaller coverage.
+    pub(crate) fn shrink_to(&mut self, bytes: usize) {
+        let bytes = align_up(bytes) as u64;
+        if bytes >= self.reserved_bytes {
+            return;
+        }
+        let released = self.reserved_bytes - bytes;
+        self.reserved_bytes = bytes;
+        self.budget
+            .reserved_bytes
+            .fetch_sub(released, Ordering::AcqRel);
+    }
+
+    /// Updates bounded per-tier session gauges for an accepted transition.
+    pub(crate) fn set_tier(&mut self, tier: usize) {
+        let tier = tier.min(self.budget.tier_sessions.len() - 1);
+        if tier == self.tier {
+            return;
+        }
+        decrement_saturating(&self.budget.tier_sessions[self.tier]);
+        self.budget.tier_sessions[tier].fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.tier = tier;
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for DirectBufferLease {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        self.budget
+            .reserved_bytes
+            .fetch_sub(self.reserved_bytes, Ordering::AcqRel);
+        decrement_saturating(&self.budget.tier_sessions[self.tier]);
+    }
+}
+
+/// Resolves the startup hard ceiling from config, cgroup, and host memory.
+pub(crate) async fn resolve_direct_buffer_hard_limit(configured: usize) -> usize {
+    if configured != 0 {
+        return align_down(configured);
+    }
+    let sample = read_system_memory_sample().await;
+    if sample.total_bytes == 0 {
+        return AUTO_HARD_FALLBACK_BYTES;
+    }
+    let derived = (sample.total_bytes / 4)
+        .clamp(AUTO_HARD_MIN_BYTES as u64, AUTO_HARD_MAX_BYTES as u64)
+        .min(sample.total_bytes);
+    align_down(derived as usize).max(DIRECT_BUFFER_UNIT_BYTES)
+}
+
+/// Starts the single control-plane task for Direct budget and shared pool pressure.
+pub(crate) fn spawn_direct_buffer_budget_controller(
+    budget: Arc<DirectBufferBudget>,
+    buffer_pool: Arc<BufferPool>,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    shared: Arc<ProxySharedState>,
+    max_connections: u32,
+) {
+    tokio::spawn(async move {
+        let mut interval = tokio::time::interval(CONTROL_INTERVAL);
+        interval.set_missed_tick_behavior(tokio::time::MissedTickBehavior::Skip);
+        let mut healthy_streak = 0u8;
+        let mut previous_denied = 0u64;
+        let mut previous_fallback = 0u64;
+        let mut previous_rejected = 0u64;
+        let pool_trim_low = buffer_pool
+            .max_buffers()
+            .min(BUFFER_POOL_TRIM_LOW_WATERMARK);
+        let pool_trim_high = buffer_pool
+            .max_buffers()
+            .min(BUFFER_POOL_TRIM_HIGH_WATERMARK);
+        let mut pool_trim_armed = true;
+
+        loop {
+            interval.tick().await;
+            let sample = read_system_memory_sample().await;
+            budget.update_system_sample(sample);
+
+            let snapshot = budget.snapshot();
+            let denied_delta = snapshot
+                .promotion_denied_total
+                .saturating_sub(previous_denied);
+            previous_denied = snapshot.promotion_denied_total;
+            let fallback_delta = snapshot
+                .minimum_fallback_total
+                .saturating_sub(previous_fallback);
+            previous_fallback = snapshot.minimum_fallback_total;
+            let rejected_delta = snapshot
+                .admission_rejected_total
+                .saturating_sub(previous_rejected);
+            previous_rejected = snapshot.admission_rejected_total;
+
+            let connection_pct = connection_fill_pct(stats.as_ref(), max_connections);
+            let memory_available_pct = percentage(sample.available_bytes, sample.total_bytes);
+            let target_utilization_pct = percentage(snapshot.reserved_bytes, snapshot.target_bytes);
+            let pressure = shared.conntrack_pressure_active()
+                || connection_pct.is_some_and(|value| value >= 85)
+                || memory_available_pct.is_some_and(|value| value <= 15)
+                || target_utilization_pct.is_some_and(|value| value >= 90)
+                || denied_delta > 0
+                || fallback_delta > 0
+                || rejected_delta > 0;
+
+            if !pressure {
+                pool_trim_armed = true;
+            } else if pool_trim_armed && buffer_pool.pooled() > pool_trim_high {
+                buffer_pool.trim_to(pool_trim_low);
+                pool_trim_armed = false;
+            }
+
+            let pool_snapshot = buffer_pool.stats();
+            stats.set_buffer_pool_gauges(
+                pool_snapshot.pooled,
+                pool_snapshot.allocated,
+                pool_snapshot.allocated.saturating_sub(pool_snapshot.pooled),
+            );
+            stats.set_buffer_pool_replaced_nonstandard_total(pool_snapshot.replaced_nonstandard);
+
+            let headroom_target = if sample.total_bytes == 0 {
+                snapshot.hard_limit_bytes
+            } else {
+                snapshot
+                    .reserved_bytes
+                    .saturating_add(sample.available_bytes / 4)
+                    .min(snapshot.hard_limit_bytes)
+            };
+
+            if pressure {
+                healthy_streak = 0;
+                let reduced = snapshot.target_bytes.saturating_mul(3) / 4;
+                budget.set_target_bytes(reduced.min(headroom_target));
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            let healthy = memory_available_pct.is_none_or(|value| value >= 30)
+                && connection_pct.is_none_or(|value| value <= 70);
+            if !healthy {
+                healthy_streak = 0;
+                if headroom_target < snapshot.target_bytes {
+                    budget.set_target_bytes(headroom_target);
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            healthy_streak = healthy_streak.saturating_add(1);
+            if healthy_streak >= HEALTHY_RECOVERY_SAMPLES {
+                healthy_streak = 0;
+                let increment = (snapshot.target_bytes / 16).max(4 * 1024 * 1024);
+                budget.set_target_bytes(
+                    snapshot
+                        .target_bytes
+                        .saturating_add(increment)
+                        .min(headroom_target),
+                );
+            }
+        }
+    });
+}
+
+fn connection_fill_pct(stats: &Stats, max_connections: u32) -> Option<u8> {
+    if max_connections == 0 {
+        return None;
+    }
+    Some(
+        ((stats.get_current_connections_total().saturating_mul(100)) / u64::from(max_connections))
+            .min(100) as u8,
+    )
+}
+
+fn percentage(value: u64, total: u64) -> Option<u8> {
+    if total == 0 {
+        return None;
+    }
+    Some(((value.saturating_mul(100)) / total).min(100) as u8)
+}
+
+async fn read_system_memory_sample() -> SystemMemorySample {
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    {
+        let meminfo = tokio::fs::read_to_string("/proc/meminfo")
+            .await
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        let status = tokio::fs::read_to_string("/proc/self/status")
+            .await
+            .unwrap_or_default();
+        let host_total = parse_kib_field(&meminfo, "MemTotal:");
+        let host_available = parse_kib_field(&meminfo, "MemAvailable:");
+        let process_rss = parse_kib_field(&status, "VmRSS:");
+
+        let cgroup_v2_max = read_cgroup_limit("/sys/fs/cgroup/memory.max").await;
+        let cgroup_v2_current = read_u64_file("/sys/fs/cgroup/memory.current").await;
+        let cgroup_v1_max = read_cgroup_limit("/sys/fs/cgroup/memory/memory.limit_in_bytes").await;
+        let cgroup_v1_current = read_u64_file("/sys/fs/cgroup/memory/memory.usage_in_bytes").await;
+        let cgroup_max = cgroup_v2_max.or(cgroup_v1_max);
+        let cgroup_current = cgroup_v2_current.or(cgroup_v1_current);
+
+        let total = match (host_total, cgroup_max) {
+            (0, Some(limit)) => limit,
+            (host, Some(limit)) => host.min(limit),
+            (host, None) => host,
+        };
+        let cgroup_available = cgroup_max
+            .zip(cgroup_current)
+            .map(|(limit, current)| limit.saturating_sub(current));
+        let available = match (host_available, cgroup_available) {
+            (0, Some(value)) => value,
+            (host, Some(value)) => host.min(value),
+            (host, None) => host,
+        };
+        return SystemMemorySample {
+            total_bytes: total,
+            available_bytes: available,
+            process_rss_bytes: process_rss,
+        };
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+    {
+        SystemMemorySample::default()
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+async fn read_cgroup_limit(path: &str) -> Option<u64> {
+    let raw = tokio::fs::read_to_string(path).await.ok()?;
+    let raw = raw.trim();
+    if raw == "max" {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let value = raw.parse::<u64>().ok()?;
+    (value < (1u64 << 60)).then_some(value)
+}
+
+#[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+async fn read_u64_file(path: &str) -> Option<u64> {
+    tokio::fs::read_to_string(path)
+        .await
+        .ok()?
+        .trim()
+        .parse()
+        .ok()
+}
+
+#[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+fn parse_kib_field(raw: &str, key: &str) -> u64 {
+    raw.lines()
+        .find_map(|line| {
+            let value = line.strip_prefix(key)?.split_whitespace().next()?;
+            value.parse::<u64>().ok()
+        })
+        .unwrap_or(0)
+        .saturating_mul(1024)
+}
+
+fn align_up(bytes: usize) -> usize {
+    bytes
+        .div_ceil(DIRECT_BUFFER_UNIT_BYTES)
+        .saturating_mul(DIRECT_BUFFER_UNIT_BYTES)
+}
+
+fn align_down(bytes: usize) -> usize {
+    bytes / DIRECT_BUFFER_UNIT_BYTES * DIRECT_BUFFER_UNIT_BYTES
+}
+
+fn decrement_saturating(value: &AtomicU64) {
+    let mut current = value.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+    while current != 0 {
+        match value.compare_exchange_weak(
+            current,
+            current - 1,
+            Ordering::Relaxed,
+            Ordering::Relaxed,
+        ) {
+            Ok(_) => return,
+            Err(observed) => current = observed,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "tests/direct_buffer_budget_tests.rs"]
+mod tests;

src/proxy/direct_relay.rs

@@ -345,22 +345,22 @@ where
     } else {
         Duration::from_secs(1800)
     };
-    let relay_result =
-        crate::proxy::relay::relay_bidirectional_with_activity_timeout_lease_and_cancel(
-            client_reader,
-            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),
-            config.access.user_data_quota.get(user).copied(),
-            buffer_pool,
-            traffic_lease,
-            relay_activity_timeout,
-            session_cancel.clone(),
-        );
+    let relay_result = crate::proxy::relay::relay_direct_adaptive(
+        client_reader,
+        client_writer,
+        tg_reader,
+        tg_writer,
+        config.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_c2s_bytes,
+        config.general.direct_relay_copy_buf_s2c_bytes,
+        config.server.max_connections,
+        user,
+        Arc::clone(&stats),
+        config.access.user_data_quota.get(user).copied(),
+        traffic_lease,
+        relay_activity_timeout,
+        session_cancel.clone(),
+        Arc::clone(&shared.direct_buffer_budget),
+    );
     tokio::pin!(relay_result);
     let relay_result = loop {
         if let Some(cutover) =
@@ -400,7 +400,6 @@ where
         Err(e) => debug!(user = %user, error = %e, "Direct relay ended with error"),
     }
 
-    buffer_pool_trim.trim_to(buffer_pool_trim.max_buffers().min(64));
     let pool_snapshot = buffer_pool_trim.stats();
     stats.set_buffer_pool_gauges(
         pool_snapshot.pooled,

src/proxy/middle_relay.rs

@@ -69,7 +69,9 @@ use self::quota::{
 #[cfg(test)]
 use self::c2me::enqueue_c2me_command;
 #[cfg(test)]
-use self::d2c::{compute_intermediate_secure_wire_len, process_me_writer_response};
+use self::d2c::{
+    compute_intermediate_secure_wire_len, process_me_writer_response, write_client_payload,
+};
 #[cfg(test)]
 pub(crate) use self::desync::{
     clear_desync_dedup_for_testing_in_shared, desync_dedup_get_for_testing,
@@ -166,3 +168,7 @@ mod middle_relay_atomic_quota_invariant_tests;
 #[cfg(test)]
 #[path = "tests/middle_relay_baseline_invariant_tests.rs"]
 mod middle_relay_baseline_invariant_tests;
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "tests/middle_relay_d2c_flush_padding_security_tests.rs"]
+mod middle_relay_d2c_flush_padding_security_tests;

src/proxy/middle_relay/session.rs

@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ where
                             peer,
                             translated_local_addr,
                             payload,
+                            _permit,
                             flags,
                             effective_tag_array,
                         )
@@ -822,7 +823,6 @@ where
 
     clear_relay_idle_candidate_in(shared.as_ref(), conn_id);
     me_pool.registry().unregister(conn_id).await;
-    buffer_pool.trim_to(buffer_pool.max_buffers().min(64));
     let pool_snapshot = buffer_pool.stats();
     stats.set_buffer_pool_gauges(
         pool_snapshot.pooled,

src/proxy/mod.rs

@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@
 
 pub mod adaptive_buffers;
 pub mod client;
+// Process-wide Direct relay copy-buffer ownership and pressure policy.
+pub(crate) mod direct_buffer_budget;
 pub mod direct_relay;
 pub mod handshake;
 pub mod masking;

src/proxy/relay.rs

@@ -84,8 +84,11 @@ fn watchdog_delta(current: u64, previous: u64) -> u64 {
     current.saturating_sub(previous)
 }
 
+mod adaptive_copy;
 mod io;
 
+pub(crate) use self::adaptive_copy::relay_direct_adaptive;
+
 use self::io::{CombinedStream, SharedCounters, StatsIo, is_quota_io_error};
 #[cfg(test)]
 use self::io::{quota_adaptive_interval_bytes, should_immediate_quota_check};
@@ -217,6 +220,7 @@ where
     .await
 }
 
+#[allow(dead_code)]
 pub async fn relay_bidirectional_with_activity_timeout_lease_and_cancel<CR, CW, SR, SW>(
     client_reader: CR,
     client_writer: CW,

src/proxy/relay/adaptive_copy.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,527 @@
+use std::io;
+use std::pin::Pin;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::task::{Context, Poll};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use tokio::io::{AsyncBufRead, AsyncRead, AsyncWrite, AsyncWriteExt, ReadBuf, copy_buf};
+use tokio::time::Instant;
+use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
+use tracing::{debug, warn};
+
+use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
+use crate::proxy::adaptive_buffers::{
+    AdaptiveTier, RelaySignalSample, SessionAdaptiveController, TierTransitionReason,
+    direct_copy_buffers_for_tier_with_ceilings,
+};
+use crate::proxy::direct_buffer_budget::{
+    DIRECT_BASE_C2S_BYTES, DIRECT_BASE_S2C_BYTES, DirectBufferBudget, DirectBufferLease,
+};
+use crate::proxy::traffic_limiter::TrafficLease;
+use crate::stats::Stats;
+
+use super::WATCHDOG_INTERVAL;
+use super::io::{SharedCounters, StatsIo, is_quota_io_error};
+use super::watchdog_delta;
+
+mod write_pressure;
+
+use self::write_pressure::WritePressureIo;
+
+struct AdaptiveBufferState {
+    desired_bytes: AtomicUsize,
+    actual_bytes: AtomicUsize,
+}
+
+impl AdaptiveBufferState {
+    fn new(bytes: usize) -> Arc<Self> {
+        Arc::new(Self {
+            desired_bytes: AtomicUsize::new(bytes.max(1)),
+            actual_bytes: AtomicUsize::new(bytes.max(1)),
+        })
+    }
+}
+
+struct AdaptiveBufReader<R> {
+    inner: R,
+    buffer: Box<[u8]>,
+    pos: usize,
+    cap: usize,
+    state: Arc<AdaptiveBufferState>,
+}
+
+impl<R> AdaptiveBufReader<R> {
+    fn new(inner: R, state: Arc<AdaptiveBufferState>) -> Self {
+        let bytes = state.actual_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed).max(1);
+        Self {
+            inner,
+            buffer: vec![0; bytes].into_boxed_slice(),
+            pos: 0,
+            cap: 0,
+            state,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn resize_if_drained(&mut self) {
+        if self.pos != self.cap {
+            return;
+        }
+        let desired = self.state.desired_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire).max(1);
+        if desired == self.buffer.len() {
+            return;
+        }
+        self.buffer = vec![0; desired].into_boxed_slice();
+        self.pos = 0;
+        self.cap = 0;
+        self.state.actual_bytes.store(desired, Ordering::Release);
+    }
+}
+
+impl<R: AsyncRead + Unpin> AsyncRead for AdaptiveBufReader<R> {
+    fn poll_read(
+        self: Pin<&mut Self>,
+        cx: &mut Context<'_>,
+        output: &mut ReadBuf<'_>,
+    ) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        let this = self.get_mut();
+        if this.pos < this.cap {
+            let available = &this.buffer[this.pos..this.cap];
+            let copied = available.len().min(output.remaining());
+            output.put_slice(&available[..copied]);
+            this.pos += copied;
+            return Poll::Ready(Ok(()));
+        }
+        this.resize_if_drained();
+        Pin::new(&mut this.inner).poll_read(cx, output)
+    }
+}
+
+impl<R: AsyncRead + Unpin> AsyncBufRead for AdaptiveBufReader<R> {
+    fn poll_fill_buf(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<io::Result<&[u8]>> {
+        let this = self.get_mut();
+        if this.pos < this.cap {
+            return Poll::Ready(Ok(&this.buffer[this.pos..this.cap]));
+        }
+
+        this.resize_if_drained();
+        let mut read_buf = ReadBuf::new(&mut this.buffer);
+        match Pin::new(&mut this.inner).poll_read(cx, &mut read_buf) {
+            Poll::Ready(Ok(())) => {
+                this.pos = 0;
+                this.cap = read_buf.filled().len();
+                Poll::Ready(Ok(&this.buffer[..this.cap]))
+            }
+            Poll::Ready(Err(error)) => Poll::Ready(Err(error)),
+            Poll::Pending => Poll::Pending,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn consume(self: Pin<&mut Self>, amount: usize) {
+        let this = self.get_mut();
+        this.pos = this.pos.saturating_add(amount).min(this.cap);
+    }
+}
+
+enum AdaptiveRelayOutcome {
+    Copy(io::Result<(u64, u64)>),
+    ActivityTimeout,
+    UserDisabled,
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+/// Relays one Direct session with independently resizable directional buffers.
+pub(crate) async fn relay_direct_adaptive<CR, CW, SR, SW>(
+    client_reader: CR,
+    client_writer: CW,
+    server_reader: SR,
+    server_writer: SW,
+    ceiling_c2s_bytes: usize,
+    ceiling_s2c_bytes: usize,
+    max_connections: u32,
+    user: &str,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    quota_limit: Option<u64>,
+    traffic_lease: Option<Arc<TrafficLease>>,
+    activity_timeout: Duration,
+    session_cancel: CancellationToken,
+    budget: Arc<DirectBufferBudget>,
+) -> Result<()>
+where
+    CR: AsyncRead + Unpin + Send + 'static,
+    CW: AsyncWrite + Unpin + Send + 'static,
+    SR: AsyncRead + Unpin + Send + 'static,
+    SW: AsyncWrite + Unpin + Send + 'static,
+{
+    let activity_timeout = activity_timeout.max(Duration::from_secs(1));
+    let epoch = Instant::now();
+    let counters = Arc::new(SharedCounters::new());
+    let quota_exceeded = Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false));
+    let user_owned = user.to_string();
+
+    let (base_c2s, base_s2c) = initial_base_sizes(
+        ceiling_c2s_bytes,
+        ceiling_s2c_bytes,
+        max_connections,
+        budget.target_bytes(),
+    );
+    let base_total = base_c2s.saturating_add(base_s2c);
+    let mut lease = match budget.try_reserve(base_total, false) {
+        Some(lease) => lease,
+        None => {
+            let minimum_total = DIRECT_BASE_C2S_BYTES + DIRECT_BASE_S2C_BYTES;
+            match budget.try_reserve(minimum_total, true) {
+                Some(lease) => {
+                    budget.increment_minimum_fallback();
+                    lease
+                }
+                None => {
+                    budget.increment_admission_rejected();
+                    return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                        "Direct relay buffer pressure: budget exhausted".to_string(),
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    let effective_base = if lease.reserved_bytes() < base_total {
+        (DIRECT_BASE_C2S_BYTES, DIRECT_BASE_S2C_BYTES)
+    } else {
+        (base_c2s, base_s2c)
+    };
+    let c2s_state = AdaptiveBufferState::new(effective_base.0);
+    let s2c_state = AdaptiveBufferState::new(effective_base.1);
+
+    let mut controller = SessionAdaptiveController::new(AdaptiveTier::Base);
+
+    let c2s_client = StatsIo::new_with_traffic_lease(
+        client_reader,
+        Arc::clone(&counters),
+        Arc::clone(&stats),
+        user_owned.clone(),
+        traffic_lease.clone(),
+        quota_limit,
+        Arc::clone(&quota_exceeded),
+        epoch,
+    );
+    let client_writer = StatsIo::new_with_traffic_lease(
+        client_writer,
+        Arc::clone(&counters),
+        Arc::clone(&stats),
+        user_owned.clone(),
+        traffic_lease,
+        quota_limit,
+        Arc::clone(&quota_exceeded),
+        epoch,
+    );
+    let mut client_writer = WritePressureIo::new(client_writer, Arc::clone(&counters));
+    let mut c2s_reader = AdaptiveBufReader::new(c2s_client, Arc::clone(&c2s_state));
+    let mut s2c_reader = AdaptiveBufReader::new(server_reader, Arc::clone(&s2c_state));
+    let mut server_writer = server_writer;
+    let mut pressure_rx = budget.subscribe_pressure();
+
+    let relay_outcome = {
+        let copy = async {
+            let c2s = async {
+                let copied = copy_buf(&mut c2s_reader, &mut server_writer).await?;
+                server_writer.shutdown().await?;
+                Ok::<u64, io::Error>(copied)
+            };
+            let s2c = async {
+                let copied = copy_buf(&mut s2c_reader, &mut client_writer).await?;
+                client_writer.shutdown().await?;
+                Ok::<u64, io::Error>(copied)
+            };
+            tokio::try_join!(c2s, s2c)
+        };
+        tokio::pin!(copy);
+
+        let mut interval = tokio::time::interval(WATCHDOG_INTERVAL);
+        interval.set_missed_tick_behavior(tokio::time::MissedTickBehavior::Skip);
+        interval.tick().await;
+        let mut previous = RelaySignalSample::default();
+        let mut previous_log_c2s = 0u64;
+        let mut previous_log_s2c = 0u64;
+        let mut previous_sample_at = epoch;
+
+        loop {
+            tokio::select! {
+                result = &mut copy => break AdaptiveRelayOutcome::Copy(result),
+                _ = session_cancel.cancelled() => break AdaptiveRelayOutcome::UserDisabled,
+                changed = pressure_rx.changed() => {
+                    if changed.is_ok() {
+                        apply_global_pressure_demotion(
+                            &mut controller,
+                            &mut lease,
+                            &c2s_state,
+                            &s2c_state,
+                            effective_base,
+                            (ceiling_c2s_bytes, ceiling_s2c_bytes),
+                            budget.as_ref(),
+                        );
+                        reconcile_reservation(&mut lease, &c2s_state, &s2c_state);
+                    }
+                }
+                _ = interval.tick() => {
+                    let now = Instant::now();
+                    let idle = counters.idle_duration(now, epoch);
+                    if quota_exceeded.load(Ordering::Acquire) {
+                        warn!(user = %user_owned, "User data quota reached, closing relay");
+                        break AdaptiveRelayOutcome::ActivityTimeout;
+                    }
+                    if idle >= activity_timeout {
+                        warn!(
+                            user = %user_owned,
+                            c2s_bytes = counters.c2s_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                            s2c_bytes = counters.s2c_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                            idle_secs = idle.as_secs(),
+                            "Activity timeout"
+                        );
+                        break AdaptiveRelayOutcome::ActivityTimeout;
+                    }
+
+                    let sample = current_sample(counters.as_ref());
+                    let c2s_delta = watchdog_delta(sample.c2s_bytes, previous_log_c2s);
+                    let s2c_delta = watchdog_delta(sample.s2c_written_bytes, previous_log_s2c);
+                    if c2s_delta > 0 || s2c_delta > 0 {
+                        let secs = now.saturating_duration_since(previous_sample_at).as_secs_f64();
+                        debug!(
+                            user = %user_owned,
+                            c2s_kbps = (c2s_delta as f64 / secs / 1024.0) as u64,
+                            s2c_kbps = (s2c_delta as f64 / secs / 1024.0) as u64,
+                            c2s_total = sample.c2s_bytes,
+                            s2c_total = sample.s2c_written_bytes,
+                            "Relay active"
+                        );
+                    }
+
+                    let delta = sample_delta(sample, previous);
+                    let tick_secs = now.saturating_duration_since(previous_sample_at).as_secs_f64();
+                    if let Some(transition) = controller.observe(delta, tick_secs) {
+                        apply_controller_transition(
+                            transition,
+                            &mut controller,
+                            &mut lease,
+                            &c2s_state,
+                            &s2c_state,
+                            effective_base,
+                            (ceiling_c2s_bytes, ceiling_s2c_bytes),
+                            budget.as_ref(),
+                        );
+                    }
+                    reconcile_reservation(&mut lease, &c2s_state, &s2c_state);
+                    previous = sample;
+                    previous_log_c2s = sample.c2s_bytes;
+                    previous_log_s2c = sample.s2c_written_bytes;
+                    previous_sample_at = now;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    let _ = client_writer.shutdown().await;
+    let _ = server_writer.shutdown().await;
+    let c2s_ops = counters.c2s_ops.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+    let s2c_ops = counters.s2c_ops.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+    let duration = epoch.elapsed();
+    match relay_outcome {
+        AdaptiveRelayOutcome::Copy(Ok((c2s, s2c))) => {
+            debug!(
+                user = %user_owned,
+                c2s_bytes = c2s,
+                s2c_bytes = s2c,
+                c2s_msgs = c2s_ops,
+                s2c_msgs = s2c_ops,
+                duration_secs = duration.as_secs(),
+                "Relay finished"
+            );
+            Ok(())
+        }
+        AdaptiveRelayOutcome::Copy(Err(error)) if is_quota_io_error(&error) => {
+            warn!(
+                user = %user_owned,
+                c2s_bytes = counters.c2s_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                s2c_bytes = counters.s2c_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                c2s_msgs = c2s_ops,
+                s2c_msgs = s2c_ops,
+                duration_secs = duration.as_secs(),
+                "Data quota reached, closing relay"
+            );
+            Err(ProxyError::DataQuotaExceeded { user: user_owned })
+        }
+        AdaptiveRelayOutcome::Copy(Err(error)) => {
+            debug!(
+                user = %user_owned,
+                c2s_bytes = counters.c2s_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                s2c_bytes = counters.s2c_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                c2s_msgs = c2s_ops,
+                s2c_msgs = s2c_ops,
+                duration_secs = duration.as_secs(),
+                error = %error,
+                "Relay error"
+            );
+            Err(error.into())
+        }
+        AdaptiveRelayOutcome::ActivityTimeout => {
+            debug!(
+                user = %user_owned,
+                c2s_bytes = counters.c2s_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                s2c_bytes = counters.s2c_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                c2s_msgs = c2s_ops,
+                s2c_msgs = s2c_ops,
+                duration_secs = duration.as_secs(),
+                "Relay finished (activity timeout)"
+            );
+            Ok(())
+        }
+        AdaptiveRelayOutcome::UserDisabled => {
+            debug!(
+                user = %user_owned,
+                c2s_bytes = counters.c2s_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                s2c_bytes = counters.s2c_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+                c2s_msgs = c2s_ops,
+                s2c_msgs = s2c_ops,
+                duration_secs = duration.as_secs(),
+                "Relay finished (user disabled)"
+            );
+            Err(ProxyError::UserDisabled { user: user_owned })
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn initial_base_sizes(
+    ceiling_c2s: usize,
+    ceiling_s2c: usize,
+    max_connections: u32,
+    target_bytes: usize,
+) -> (usize, usize) {
+    let configured_total = ceiling_c2s.saturating_add(ceiling_s2c);
+    let configured_worst_case = configured_total.saturating_mul(max_connections as usize);
+    if max_connections != 0 && configured_worst_case <= target_bytes {
+        return (ceiling_c2s, ceiling_s2c);
+    }
+    (
+        DIRECT_BASE_C2S_BYTES.min(ceiling_c2s),
+        DIRECT_BASE_S2C_BYTES.min(ceiling_s2c),
+    )
+}
+
+fn current_sample(counters: &SharedCounters) -> RelaySignalSample {
+    RelaySignalSample {
+        c2s_bytes: counters.c2s_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+        s2c_requested_bytes: counters.s2c_requested_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+        s2c_written_bytes: counters.s2c_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+        s2c_write_ops: counters.s2c_ops.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+        s2c_partial_writes: counters.s2c_partial_writes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+        s2c_consecutive_pending_writes: counters
+            .s2c_consecutive_pending_writes
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+    }
+}
+
+fn sample_delta(current: RelaySignalSample, previous: RelaySignalSample) -> RelaySignalSample {
+    RelaySignalSample {
+        c2s_bytes: current.c2s_bytes.saturating_sub(previous.c2s_bytes),
+        s2c_requested_bytes: current
+            .s2c_requested_bytes
+            .saturating_sub(previous.s2c_requested_bytes),
+        s2c_written_bytes: current
+            .s2c_written_bytes
+            .saturating_sub(previous.s2c_written_bytes),
+        s2c_write_ops: current.s2c_write_ops.saturating_sub(previous.s2c_write_ops),
+        s2c_partial_writes: current
+            .s2c_partial_writes
+            .saturating_sub(previous.s2c_partial_writes),
+        s2c_consecutive_pending_writes: current.s2c_consecutive_pending_writes,
+    }
+}
+
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn apply_controller_transition(
+    transition: crate::proxy::adaptive_buffers::TierTransition,
+    controller: &mut SessionAdaptiveController,
+    lease: &mut DirectBufferLease,
+    c2s_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+    s2c_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+    base: (usize, usize),
+    ceilings: (usize, usize),
+    budget: &DirectBufferBudget,
+) {
+    let sizes = direct_copy_buffers_for_tier_with_ceilings(
+        transition.to,
+        base.0,
+        base.1,
+        ceilings.0,
+        ceilings.1,
+    );
+    if transition.to > transition.from {
+        if !lease.try_grow_to(sizes.0.saturating_add(sizes.1)) {
+            *controller = SessionAdaptiveController::new(transition.from);
+            return;
+        }
+    } else {
+        match transition.reason {
+            TierTransitionReason::QuietDemotion => budget.increment_quiet_demotion(),
+            TierTransitionReason::SustainedWritePressure => {
+                budget.increment_write_pressure_demotion();
+            }
+            TierTransitionReason::SoftConfirmed | TierTransitionReason::HardPressure => {}
+        }
+    }
+    set_desired_sizes(c2s_state, s2c_state, sizes);
+    lease.set_tier(transition.to.as_u8() as usize);
+}
+
+fn apply_global_pressure_demotion(
+    controller: &mut SessionAdaptiveController,
+    lease: &mut DirectBufferLease,
+    c2s_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+    s2c_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+    base: (usize, usize),
+    ceilings: (usize, usize),
+    budget: &DirectBufferBudget,
+) {
+    let current = controller.tier();
+    let target = current.demote();
+    if target == current {
+        return;
+    }
+    *controller = SessionAdaptiveController::new(target);
+    let sizes =
+        direct_copy_buffers_for_tier_with_ceilings(target, base.0, base.1, ceilings.0, ceilings.1);
+    set_desired_sizes(c2s_state, s2c_state, sizes);
+    lease.set_tier(target.as_u8() as usize);
+    budget.increment_global_pressure_demotion();
+}
+
+fn set_desired_sizes(
+    c2s_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+    s2c_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+    sizes: (usize, usize),
+) {
+    c2s_state
+        .desired_bytes
+        .store(sizes.0.max(1), Ordering::Release);
+    s2c_state
+        .desired_bytes
+        .store(sizes.1.max(1), Ordering::Release);
+}
+
+fn reconcile_reservation(
+    lease: &mut DirectBufferLease,
+    c2s_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+    s2c_state: &AdaptiveBufferState,
+) {
+    // Promotion reserves the desired allocation before either reader grows.
+    // Demotion keeps the actual allocation covered until its buffered bytes drain.
+    let covered_c2s = c2s_state
+        .actual_bytes
+        .load(Ordering::Acquire)
+        .max(c2s_state.desired_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire));
+    let covered_s2c = s2c_state
+        .actual_bytes
+        .load(Ordering::Acquire)
+        .max(s2c_state.desired_bytes.load(Ordering::Acquire));
+    lease.shrink_to(covered_c2s.saturating_add(covered_s2c));
+}

src/proxy/relay/adaptive_copy/write_pressure.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+use std::io;
+use std::pin::Pin;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
+use std::task::{Context, Poll};
+
+use tokio::io::AsyncWrite;
+
+use super::super::io::SharedCounters;
+
+/// Direct-only writer wrapper that exposes bounded backpressure signals.
+pub(super) struct WritePressureIo<W> {
+    inner: W,
+    counters: Arc<SharedCounters>,
+}
+
+impl<W> WritePressureIo<W> {
+    /// Wraps the client writer without changing its I/O or error contract.
+    pub(super) fn new(inner: W, counters: Arc<SharedCounters>) -> Self {
+        Self { inner, counters }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for WritePressureIo<W> {
+    fn poll_write(
+        self: Pin<&mut Self>,
+        cx: &mut Context<'_>,
+        buffer: &[u8],
+    ) -> Poll<io::Result<usize>> {
+        let this = self.get_mut();
+        if !buffer.is_empty() {
+            this.counters
+                .s2c_requested_bytes
+                .fetch_add(buffer.len() as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+        match Pin::new(&mut this.inner).poll_write(cx, buffer) {
+            Poll::Ready(Ok(written)) => {
+                this.counters
+                    .s2c_consecutive_pending_writes
+                    .store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                if written < buffer.len() {
+                    this.counters
+                        .s2c_partial_writes
+                        .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                }
+                Poll::Ready(Ok(written))
+            }
+            Poll::Ready(Err(error)) => {
+                this.counters
+                    .s2c_consecutive_pending_writes
+                    .store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+                Poll::Ready(Err(error))
+            }
+            Poll::Pending => {
+                let _ = this.counters.s2c_consecutive_pending_writes.fetch_update(
+                    Ordering::Relaxed,
+                    Ordering::Relaxed,
+                    |current| Some(current.saturating_add(1)),
+                );
+                Poll::Pending
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn poll_flush(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        Pin::new(&mut self.get_mut().inner).poll_flush(cx)
+    }
+
+    fn poll_shutdown(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        Pin::new(&mut self.get_mut().inner).poll_shutdown(cx)
+    }
+}

src/proxy/relay/io/counters.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU32, AtomicU64, Ordering};
 use std::time::Duration;
 
 use tokio::time::Instant;
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ pub(in crate::proxy::relay) struct SharedCounters {
     pub(in crate::proxy::relay) c2s_ops: AtomicU64,
     /// Number of poll_write completions (≈ S→C chunks)
     pub(in crate::proxy::relay) s2c_ops: AtomicU64,
+    /// Bytes presented to client writes, including retried pending writes.
+    pub(in crate::proxy::relay) s2c_requested_bytes: AtomicU64,
+    /// Successful client writes that consumed only part of the offered slice.
+    pub(in crate::proxy::relay) s2c_partial_writes: AtomicU64,
+    /// Consecutive pending client writes observed by the active copy loop.
+    pub(in crate::proxy::relay) s2c_consecutive_pending_writes: AtomicU32,
     /// Milliseconds since relay epoch of last I/O activity
     last_activity_ms: AtomicU64,
 }
@@ -31,6 +37,9 @@ impl SharedCounters {
             s2c_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
             c2s_ops: AtomicU64::new(0),
             s2c_ops: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            s2c_requested_bytes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            s2c_partial_writes: AtomicU64::new(0),
+            s2c_consecutive_pending_writes: AtomicU32::new(0),
             last_activity_ms: AtomicU64::new(0),
         }
     }

src/proxy/shared_state.rs

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use dashmap::DashMap;
 use tokio::sync::{OwnedSemaphorePermit, Semaphore, mpsc};
 use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
+use crate::proxy::direct_buffer_budget::{DirectBufferBudget, fallback_direct_buffer_hard_limit};
 use crate::proxy::handshake::{AuthProbeSaturationState, AuthProbeState};
 use crate::proxy::middle_relay::{DesyncDedupRotationState, RelayIdleCandidateRegistry};
 use crate::proxy::traffic_limiter::TrafficLimiter;
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ pub(crate) struct ProxySharedState {
     pub(crate) handshake: HandshakeSharedState,
     pub(crate) middle_relay: MiddleRelaySharedState,
     pub(crate) traffic_limiter: Arc<TrafficLimiter>,
+    pub(crate) direct_buffer_budget: Arc<DirectBufferBudget>,
     disabled_users: DashMap<String, ()>,
     active_user_sessions: DashMap<(String, u64), CancellationToken>,
     pub(crate) conntrack_pressure_active: AtomicBool,
@@ -101,6 +103,15 @@ impl Drop for UserSessionGuard {
 
 impl ProxySharedState {
     pub(crate) fn new() -> Arc<Self> {
+        Self::new_with_direct_buffer_budget(DirectBufferBudget::new(
+            fallback_direct_buffer_hard_limit(),
+        ))
+    }
+
+    /// Creates process state with the startup-resolved Direct buffer envelope.
+    pub(crate) fn new_with_direct_buffer_budget(
+        direct_buffer_budget: Arc<DirectBufferBudget>,
+    ) -> Arc<Self> {
         Arc::new(Self {
             handshake: HandshakeSharedState {
                 auth_probe: DashMap::new(),
@@ -129,6 +140,7 @@ impl ProxySharedState {
                 relay_idle_mark_seq: AtomicU64::new(0),
             },
             traffic_limiter: TrafficLimiter::new(),
+            direct_buffer_budget,
             disabled_users: DashMap::new(),
             active_user_sessions: DashMap::new(),
             conntrack_pressure_active: AtomicBool::new(false),

src/proxy/tests/adaptive_direct_budget_policy_tests.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+use super::*;
+
+#[test]
+fn configured_direct_sizes_are_strict_tier_ceilings() {
+    let base = (4 * 1024, 8 * 1024);
+    let ceilings = (64 * 1024, 256 * 1024);
+    assert_eq!(
+        direct_copy_buffers_for_tier_with_ceilings(
+            AdaptiveTier::Base,
+            base.0,
+            base.1,
+            ceilings.0,
+            ceilings.1,
+        ),
+        base
+    );
+    assert_eq!(
+        direct_copy_buffers_for_tier_with_ceilings(
+            AdaptiveTier::Tier3,
+            base.0,
+            base.1,
+            ceilings.0,
+            ceilings.1,
+        ),
+        ceilings
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn sustained_pending_pressure_demotes_after_transient_promotion() {
+    let mut controller = SessionAdaptiveController::new(AdaptiveTier::Tier1);
+    let pressure = RelaySignalSample {
+        c2s_bytes: 0,
+        s2c_requested_bytes: 1024,
+        s2c_written_bytes: 0,
+        s2c_write_ops: 0,
+        s2c_partial_writes: 0,
+        s2c_consecutive_pending_writes: 3,
+    };
+
+    let first = controller
+        .observe(pressure, 10.0)
+        .expect("transient pressure must retain the staged promotion");
+    assert_eq!(first.reason, TierTransitionReason::HardPressure);
+
+    let second = controller
+        .observe(pressure, 10.0)
+        .expect("bounded transient pressure may promote one additional tier");
+    assert_eq!(second.reason, TierTransitionReason::HardPressure);
+    let sustained = controller
+        .observe(pressure, 10.0)
+        .expect("sustained pressure must release one tier");
+    assert_eq!(
+        sustained.reason,
+        TierTransitionReason::SustainedWritePressure
+    );
+    assert_eq!(sustained.to, AdaptiveTier::Tier2);
+}

src/proxy/tests/direct_buffer_budget_tests.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+use super::*;
+
+#[test]
+fn lease_drop_releases_the_complete_reservation() {
+    let budget = DirectBufferBudget::new(16 * 1024);
+    {
+        let lease = budget
+            .try_reserve(12 * 1024, false)
+            .expect("minimum reservation must fit");
+        assert_eq!(lease.reserved_bytes(), 12 * 1024);
+        assert_eq!(budget.snapshot().reserved_bytes, 12 * 1024);
+    }
+    assert_eq!(budget.snapshot().reserved_bytes, 0);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn absolute_ceiling_rejects_excess_minimum_reservations() {
+    let budget = DirectBufferBudget::new(16 * 1024);
+    let _lease = budget
+        .try_reserve(12 * 1024, true)
+        .expect("first minimum reservation must fit");
+    assert!(budget.try_reserve(8 * 1024, true).is_none());
+    assert_eq!(budget.snapshot().reserved_bytes, 12 * 1024);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn growth_and_shrink_keep_accounting_balanced() {
+    let budget = DirectBufferBudget::new(32 * 1024);
+    let mut lease = budget
+        .try_reserve(12 * 1024, false)
+        .expect("base reservation must fit");
+    assert!(lease.try_grow_to(24 * 1024));
+    assert_eq!(budget.snapshot().reserved_bytes, 24 * 1024);
+    lease.shrink_to(16 * 1024);
+    assert_eq!(budget.snapshot().reserved_bytes, 16 * 1024);
+    drop(lease);
+    assert_eq!(budget.snapshot().reserved_bytes, 0);
+}

src/proxy/tests/middle_relay_d2c_flush_padding_security_tests.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+use std::io;
+use std::pin::Pin;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::task::{Context, Poll};
+
+use tokio::io::AsyncWrite;
+
+use super::*;
+use crate::crypto::AesCtr;
+use crate::protocol::framing::INTERMEDIATE_WIRE_LEN_MASK;
+
+#[derive(Clone, Default)]
+struct RecordingWriter {
+    writes: Arc<Mutex<Vec<u8>>>,
+    flushes: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+}
+
+impl RecordingWriter {
+    fn captured(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+        self.writes
+            .lock()
+            .expect("test writer capture lock must not be poisoned")
+            .clone()
+    }
+}
+
+impl AsyncWrite for RecordingWriter {
+    fn poll_write(
+        self: Pin<&mut Self>,
+        _cx: &mut Context<'_>,
+        buf: &[u8],
+    ) -> Poll<io::Result<usize>> {
+        self.writes
+            .lock()
+            .expect("test writer capture lock must not be poisoned")
+            .extend_from_slice(buf);
+        Poll::Ready(Ok(buf.len()))
+    }
+
+    fn poll_flush(self: Pin<&mut Self>, _cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        self.flushes.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        Poll::Ready(Ok(()))
+    }
+
+    fn poll_shutdown(self: Pin<&mut Self>, _cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<io::Result<()>> {
+        Poll::Ready(Ok(()))
+    }
+}
+
+fn crypto_writer(inner: RecordingWriter) -> CryptoWriter<RecordingWriter> {
+    let key = [0u8; 32];
+    CryptoWriter::new(inner, AesCtr::new(&key, 0), 8 * 1024 * 1024)
+}
+
+fn decrypt_capture(mut encrypted: Vec<u8>) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let key = [0u8; 32];
+    let mut cipher = AesCtr::new(&key, 0);
+    cipher.apply(&mut encrypted);
+    encrypted
+}
+
+fn secure_wire_len(cleartext: &[u8]) -> usize {
+    let header = cleartext
+        .get(..4)
+        .expect("secure frame must include an intermediate header");
+    (u32::from_le_bytes(
+        header
+            .try_into()
+            .expect("secure frame header must be four bytes"),
+    ) & INTERMEDIATE_WIRE_LEN_MASK) as usize
+}
+
+async fn write_secure_payload(payload_len: usize) -> (MeD2cWriteMode, Vec<u8>) {
+    let inner = RecordingWriter::default();
+    let capture = inner.clone();
+    let mut writer = crypto_writer(inner);
+    let payload = vec![0xa5; payload_len];
+    let mut frame_buf = Vec::new();
+    let cancel = CancellationToken::new();
+    let rng = SecureRandom::new();
+
+    let mode = write_client_payload(
+        &mut writer,
+        ProtoTag::Secure,
+        0,
+        &payload,
+        &rng,
+        &mut frame_buf,
+        &cancel,
+    )
+    .await
+    .expect("secure payload write must succeed");
+    flush_client_or_cancel(&mut writer, &cancel)
+        .await
+        .expect("secure payload flush must succeed");
+
+    (mode, decrypt_capture(capture.captured()))
+}
+
+fn assert_secure_payload_with_tail_padding(cleartext: &[u8], payload_len: usize) {
+    let wire_len = secure_wire_len(cleartext);
+    assert_eq!(cleartext.len(), 4 + wire_len);
+    assert!(
+        cleartext[4..4 + payload_len]
+            .iter()
+            .all(|byte| *byte == 0xa5)
+    );
+
+    let padding_len = wire_len
+        .checked_sub(payload_len)
+        .expect("secure wire length must include payload bytes");
+    assert!((1..=3).contains(&padding_len));
+    assert_ne!(wire_len % 4, 0);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn queue_drain_flush_reason_performs_physical_client_flush() {
+    let inner = RecordingWriter::default();
+    let flushes = inner.flushes.clone();
+    let mut writer = crypto_writer(inner);
+    let cancel = CancellationToken::new();
+
+    assert!(me_d2c_flush_reason_requires_client_flush(
+        MeD2cFlushReason::QueueDrain
+    ));
+    flush_client_or_cancel(&mut writer, &cancel)
+        .await
+        .expect("client flush must succeed");
+
+    assert_eq!(flushes.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 1);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn secure_payload_coalesced_path_keeps_tail_padding() {
+    let payload_len = 8;
+    let (mode, cleartext) = write_secure_payload(payload_len).await;
+
+    assert!(matches!(mode, MeD2cWriteMode::Coalesced));
+    assert_secure_payload_with_tail_padding(&cleartext, payload_len);
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn secure_payload_split_path_keeps_tail_padding() {
+    let payload_len = ME_D2C_SINGLE_WRITE_COALESCE_MAX_BYTES;
+    let (mode, cleartext) = write_secure_payload(payload_len).await;
+
+    assert!(matches!(mode, MeD2cWriteMode::Split));
+    assert_secure_payload_with_tail_padding(&cleartext, payload_len);
+}

src/proxy/traffic_limiter.rs

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use arc_swap::ArcSwap;
 use dashmap::DashMap;
 use ipnetwork::IpNetwork;
 
-use crate::config::RateLimitBps;
+use crate::config::{CidrRateLimitKey, RateLimitBps};
 
 const REGISTRY_SHARDS: usize = 64;
 const FAIR_EPOCH_MS: u64 = 20;
@@ -413,16 +413,29 @@ struct CidrRule {
     prefix_len: u8,
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+struct CidrAutoRule {
+    prefix_len: u8,
+    limits: RateLimitBps,
+}
+
+enum CidrPolicyMatch<'a> {
+    Explicit(&'a CidrRule),
+    Auto { key: String, limits: RateLimitBps },
+}
+
 #[derive(Default)]
 struct PolicySnapshot {
     user_limits: HashMap<String, RateLimitBps>,
     cidr_rules_v4: Vec<CidrRule>,
     cidr_rules_v6: Vec<CidrRule>,
+    cidr_auto_rules_v4: Vec<CidrAutoRule>,
+    cidr_auto_rules_v6: Vec<CidrAutoRule>,
     cidr_rule_keys: HashSet<String>,
 }
 
 impl PolicySnapshot {
-    fn match_cidr(&self, ip: IpAddr) -> Option<&CidrRule> {
+    fn match_cidr(&self, ip: IpAddr) -> Option<CidrPolicyMatch<'_>> {
         match ip {
             IpAddr::V4(_) => self
                 .cidr_rules_v4
@@ -433,6 +446,20 @@ impl PolicySnapshot {
                 .iter()
                 .find(|rule| rule.cidr.contains(ip)),
         }
+        .map(CidrPolicyMatch::Explicit)
+        .or_else(|| self.match_auto_cidr(ip))
+    }
+
+    fn match_auto_cidr(&self, ip: IpAddr) -> Option<CidrPolicyMatch<'_>> {
+        let rule = match ip {
+            IpAddr::V4(_) => self.cidr_auto_rules_v4.first()?,
+            IpAddr::V6(_) => self.cidr_auto_rules_v6.first()?,
+        };
+        let key = auto_cidr_bucket_key(ip, rule.prefix_len)?;
+        Some(CidrPolicyMatch::Auto {
+            key,
+            limits: rule.limits,
+        })
     }
 }
 
@@ -633,7 +660,7 @@ impl TrafficLimiter {
     pub fn apply_policy(
         &self,
         user_limits: HashMap<String, RateLimitBps>,
-        cidr_limits: HashMap<IpNetwork, RateLimitBps>,
+        cidr_limits: HashMap<CidrRateLimitKey, RateLimitBps>,
     ) {
         let filtered_users = user_limits
             .into_iter()
@@ -642,39 +669,64 @@ impl TrafficLimiter {
 
         let mut cidr_rules_v4 = Vec::new();
         let mut cidr_rules_v6 = Vec::new();
+        let mut cidr_auto_rules_v4 = Vec::new();
+        let mut cidr_auto_rules_v6 = Vec::new();
         let mut cidr_rule_keys = HashSet::new();
-        for (cidr, limits) in cidr_limits {
+        for (key, limits) in cidr_limits {
             if limits.up_bps == 0 && limits.down_bps == 0 {
                 continue;
             }
-            let key = cidr.to_string();
-            let rule = CidrRule {
-                key: key.clone(),
-                cidr,
-                limits,
-                prefix_len: cidr.prefix(),
-            };
-            cidr_rule_keys.insert(key);
-            match rule.cidr {
-                IpNetwork::V4(_) => cidr_rules_v4.push(rule),
-                IpNetwork::V6(_) => cidr_rules_v6.push(rule),
+            match key {
+                CidrRateLimitKey::Network(cidr) => {
+                    let key = cidr.to_string();
+                    let rule = CidrRule {
+                        key: key.clone(),
+                        cidr,
+                        limits,
+                        prefix_len: cidr.prefix(),
+                    };
+                    cidr_rule_keys.insert(key);
+                    match rule.cidr {
+                        IpNetwork::V4(_) => cidr_rules_v4.push(rule),
+                        IpNetwork::V6(_) => cidr_rules_v6.push(rule),
+                    }
+                }
+                CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV4(prefix_len) => {
+                    cidr_auto_rules_v4.push(CidrAutoRule { prefix_len, limits });
+                }
+                CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV6(prefix_len) => {
+                    cidr_auto_rules_v6.push(CidrAutoRule { prefix_len, limits });
+                }
+                CidrRateLimitKey::AutoDual(prefix_len) => {
+                    cidr_auto_rules_v4.push(CidrAutoRule { prefix_len, limits });
+                    cidr_auto_rules_v6.push(CidrAutoRule {
+                        prefix_len: prefix_len.saturating_mul(4),
+                        limits,
+                    });
+                }
             }
         }
 
         cidr_rules_v4.sort_by(|a, b| b.prefix_len.cmp(&a.prefix_len));
         cidr_rules_v6.sort_by(|a, b| b.prefix_len.cmp(&a.prefix_len));
+        cidr_auto_rules_v4.sort_by(|a, b| b.prefix_len.cmp(&a.prefix_len));
+        cidr_auto_rules_v6.sort_by(|a, b| b.prefix_len.cmp(&a.prefix_len));
+        let cidr_policy_entries =
+            cidr_rule_keys.len() + cidr_auto_rules_v4.len() + cidr_auto_rules_v6.len();
 
         self.user_scope
             .policy_entries
             .store(filtered_users.len() as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.cidr_scope
             .policy_entries
-            .store(cidr_rule_keys.len() as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            .store(cidr_policy_entries as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
         self.policy.store(Arc::new(PolicySnapshot {
             user_limits: filtered_users,
             cidr_rules_v4,
             cidr_rules_v6,
+            cidr_auto_rules_v4,
+            cidr_auto_rules_v6,
             cidr_rule_keys,
         }));
 
@@ -703,11 +755,15 @@ impl TrafficLimiter {
         let mut cidr_bucket = None;
         let mut cidr_user_key = None;
         let mut cidr_user_share = None;
-        if let Some(rule) = policy.match_cidr(client_ip) {
+        if let Some(rule_match) = policy.match_cidr(client_ip) {
+            let (key, limits) = match &rule_match {
+                CidrPolicyMatch::Explicit(rule) => (rule.key.as_str(), rule.limits),
+                CidrPolicyMatch::Auto { key, limits } => (key.as_str(), *limits),
+            };
             let bucket = self
                 .cidr_buckets
-                .get_or_insert_with(rule.key.as_str(), || CidrBucket::new(rule.limits));
-            bucket.set_rates(rule.limits);
+                .get_or_insert_with(key, || CidrBucket::new(limits));
+            bucket.set_rates(limits);
             bucket.active_leases.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
             self.cidr_scope
                 .active_leases
@@ -841,6 +897,16 @@ fn bytes_per_epoch(bps: u64) -> u64 {
     bytes.max(1)
 }
 
+fn auto_cidr_bucket_key(ip: IpAddr, prefix_len: u8) -> Option<String> {
+    let cidr = IpNetwork::new(ip, prefix_len).ok()?;
+    let network = IpNetwork::new(cidr.network(), prefix_len).ok()?;
+    let family = match network {
+        IpNetwork::V4(_) => "4",
+        IpNetwork::V6(_) => "6",
+    };
+    Some(format!("auto:{family}:{network}"))
+}
+
 fn current_epoch() -> u64 {
     let start = limiter_epoch_start();
     let elapsed_ms = start.elapsed().as_millis() as u64;
@@ -851,3 +917,82 @@ fn limiter_epoch_start() -> &'static Instant {
     static START: OnceLock<Instant> = OnceLock::new();
     START.get_or_init(Instant::now)
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn rate(up_bps: u64, down_bps: u64) -> RateLimitBps {
+        RateLimitBps { up_bps, down_bps }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn explicit_cidr_rule_wins_over_auto_template() {
+        let limiter = TrafficLimiter::new();
+        let mut cidr_limits = HashMap::new();
+        cidr_limits.insert(CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV4(24), rate(1_000, 0));
+        cidr_limits.insert(
+            CidrRateLimitKey::Network("203.0.113.7/32".parse().unwrap()),
+            rate(2_000, 0),
+        );
+
+        limiter.apply_policy(HashMap::new(), cidr_limits);
+        let policy = limiter.policy.load_full();
+        let matched = policy.match_cidr("203.0.113.7".parse().unwrap()).unwrap();
+
+        match matched {
+            CidrPolicyMatch::Explicit(rule) => assert_eq!(rule.key.as_str(), "203.0.113.7/32"),
+            CidrPolicyMatch::Auto { .. } => panic!("explicit CIDR must have priority"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn auto_template_uses_longest_prefix() {
+        let limiter = TrafficLimiter::new();
+        let mut cidr_limits = HashMap::new();
+        cidr_limits.insert(CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV4(24), rate(1_000, 0));
+        cidr_limits.insert(CidrRateLimitKey::AutoV4(32), rate(2_000, 0));
+
+        limiter.apply_policy(HashMap::new(), cidr_limits);
+        let policy = limiter.policy.load_full();
+        let matched = policy.match_cidr("203.0.113.129".parse().unwrap()).unwrap();
+
+        match matched {
+            CidrPolicyMatch::Auto { key, limits } => {
+                assert_eq!(key, "auto:4:203.0.113.129/32");
+                assert_eq!(limits.up_bps, 2_000);
+            }
+            CidrPolicyMatch::Explicit(_) => panic!("auto-template match expected"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn dual_auto_template_maps_v6_prefix_by_four() {
+        let limiter = TrafficLimiter::new();
+        let mut cidr_limits = HashMap::new();
+        cidr_limits.insert(CidrRateLimitKey::AutoDual(32), rate(1_000, 0));
+
+        limiter.apply_policy(HashMap::new(), cidr_limits);
+        let policy = limiter.policy.load_full();
+        let matched = policy.match_cidr("2001:db8::1".parse().unwrap()).unwrap();
+
+        match matched {
+            CidrPolicyMatch::Auto { key, .. } => {
+                assert_eq!(key, "auto:6:2001:db8::1/128");
+            }
+            CidrPolicyMatch::Explicit(_) => panic!("auto-template match expected"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn auto_cidr_bucket_key_canonicalizes_network_address() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            auto_cidr_bucket_key("203.0.113.129".parse().unwrap(), 24).unwrap(),
+            "auto:4:203.0.113.0/24"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            auto_cidr_bucket_key("2001:db8::abcd".parse().unwrap(), 64).unwrap(),
+            "auto:6:2001:db8::/64"
+        );
+    }
+}

src/stats/me_getters.rs

@@ -204,6 +204,12 @@ impl Stats {
         self.buffer_pool_in_use_gauge.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
 
+    /// Returns the count of non-standard buffers replaced before pooling.
+    pub fn get_buffer_pool_replaced_nonstandard_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.buffer_pool_replaced_nonstandard_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+
     pub fn get_me_c2me_send_full_total(&self) -> u64 {
         self.me_c2me_send_full_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
@@ -269,6 +275,36 @@ impl Stats {
         self.me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total
             .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
+    /// Returns the configured resident-memory limit per ME writer.
+    pub fn get_me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    /// Returns aggregate queued or enqueueing writer memory reservations.
+    pub fn get_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    /// Returns aggregate writer reservations currently owned by socket writes.
+    pub fn get_me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    /// Returns the count of blocking writer byte-budget waits.
+    pub fn get_me_writer_byte_budget_wait_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_wait_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    /// Returns the count of writer byte-budget wait timeouts.
+    pub fn get_me_writer_byte_budget_timeout_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_timeout_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+    /// Returns the count of payloads that cannot fit the configured writer budget.
+    pub fn get_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total
+            .load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
     pub fn get_me_socks_kdf_strict_reject(&self) -> u64 {
         self.me_socks_kdf_strict_reject.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }

src/stats/mod.rs

@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ pub struct Stats {
     buffer_pool_pooled_gauge: AtomicU64,
     buffer_pool_allocated_gauge: AtomicU64,
     buffer_pool_in_use_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    buffer_pool_replaced_nonstandard_total: AtomicU64,
     // C2ME enqueue observability
     me_c2me_send_full_total: AtomicU64,
     me_c2me_send_high_water_total: AtomicU64,
@@ -292,6 +293,12 @@ pub struct Stats {
     me_writer_pick_p2c_no_candidate_total: AtomicU64,
     me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total: AtomicU64,
     me_writer_pick_mode_switch_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_byte_budget_wait_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_byte_budget_timeout_total: AtomicU64,
+    me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total: AtomicU64,
     me_socks_kdf_strict_reject: AtomicU64,
     me_socks_kdf_compat_fallback: AtomicU64,
     secure_padding_invalid: AtomicU64,

src/stats/writer_counters.rs

@@ -88,6 +88,56 @@ impl Stats {
                 .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         }
     }
+    /// Publishes the configured resident-memory limit applied to each ME writer.
+    pub fn set_me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes(&self, bytes: usize) {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes_gauge
+            .store(bytes as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+    pub(crate) fn add_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes(&self, bytes: u64) {
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge
+            .fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+    pub(crate) fn move_me_writer_byte_budget_to_inflight(&self, bytes: u64) {
+        let _ = self.me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge.fetch_update(
+            Ordering::Relaxed,
+            Ordering::Relaxed,
+            |current| Some(current.saturating_sub(bytes)),
+        );
+        self.me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge
+            .fetch_add(bytes, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+    pub(crate) fn release_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes(&self, bytes: u64) {
+        let _ = self.me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge.fetch_update(
+            Ordering::Relaxed,
+            Ordering::Relaxed,
+            |current| Some(current.saturating_sub(bytes)),
+        );
+    }
+    pub(crate) fn release_me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes(&self, bytes: u64) {
+        let _ = self
+            .me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge
+            .fetch_update(Ordering::Relaxed, Ordering::Relaxed, |current| {
+                Some(current.saturating_sub(bytes))
+            });
+    }
+    pub(crate) fn increment_me_writer_byte_budget_wait_total(&self) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_writer_byte_budget_wait_total
+                .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub(crate) fn increment_me_writer_byte_budget_timeout_total(&self) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_writer_byte_budget_timeout_total
+                .fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+    pub(crate) fn increment_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total(&self) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_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
@@ -502,6 +552,14 @@ impl Stats {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Publishes the cumulative count of non-standard pool buffer replacements.
+    pub fn set_buffer_pool_replaced_nonstandard_total(&self, value: usize) {
+        if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
+            self.buffer_pool_replaced_nonstandard_total
+                .store(value as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn increment_me_c2me_send_full_total(&self) {
         if self.telemetry_me_allows_normal() {
             self.me_c2me_send_full_total.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);

src/stream/crypto_stream.rs

@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@ use crate::crypto::AesCtr;
 /// Actual limit is supplied at runtime from configuration.
 const DEFAULT_MAX_PENDING_WRITE: usize = 64 * 1024;
 
-/// Default read buffer capacity (reader mostly decrypts in-place into caller buffer).
-const DEFAULT_READ_CAPACITY: usize = 16 * 1024;
+/// Maximum scratch capacity retained after a completed write.
+const MAX_RETAINED_SCRATCH_CAPACITY: usize = 32 * 1024;
 
 // ============= CryptoReader State =============
 
@@ -110,10 +110,6 @@ pub struct CryptoReader<R> {
     upstream: R,
     decryptor: AesCtr,
     state: CryptoReaderState,
-
-    /// Reserved for future coalescing optimizations.
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
-    read_buf: BytesMut,
 }
 
 impl<R> CryptoReader<R> {
@@ -122,7 +118,6 @@ impl<R> CryptoReader<R> {
             upstream,
             decryptor,
             state: CryptoReaderState::Idle,
-            read_buf: BytesMut::with_capacity(DEFAULT_READ_CAPACITY),
         }
     }
 
@@ -321,7 +316,7 @@ struct PendingCiphertext {
 impl PendingCiphertext {
     fn new(max_len: usize) -> Self {
         Self {
-            buf: BytesMut::with_capacity(16 * 1024),
+            buf: BytesMut::new(),
             pos: 0,
             max_len,
         }
@@ -372,15 +367,12 @@ impl PendingCiphertext {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Replace the entire pending ciphertext by moving `src` in (swap, no copy).
-    fn replace_with(&mut self, mut src: BytesMut) {
+    /// Replace the entire pending ciphertext by moving `src` in without copying.
+    fn replace_with(&mut self, src: BytesMut) {
         debug_assert!(src.len() <= self.max_len);
 
-        self.buf.clear();
+        self.buf = src;
         self.pos = 0;
-
-        // Swap: keep allocations hot and avoid copying bytes.
-        std::mem::swap(&mut self.buf, &mut src);
     }
 
     /// Append plaintext and encrypt appended range in-place.
@@ -465,7 +457,7 @@ impl<W> CryptoWriter<W> {
             upstream,
             encryptor,
             state: CryptoWriterState::Idle,
-            scratch: BytesMut::with_capacity(16 * 1024),
+            scratch: BytesMut::new(),
             max_pending_write: max_pending.max(4 * 1024),
         }
     }
@@ -502,6 +494,7 @@ impl<W> CryptoWriter<W> {
     }
 
     fn poison(&mut self, error: io::Error) {
+        self.scratch = BytesMut::new();
         self.state = CryptoWriterState::Poisoned { error: Some(error) };
     }
 
@@ -552,6 +545,15 @@ impl<W> CryptoWriter<W> {
         scratch.extend_from_slice(plaintext);
         encryptor.apply(&mut scratch[..]);
     }
+
+    /// Clear reusable scratch while releasing allocations inflated by large writes.
+    fn recycle_scratch(scratch: &mut BytesMut) {
+        if scratch.capacity() > MAX_RETAINED_SCRATCH_CAPACITY {
+            *scratch = BytesMut::new();
+        } else {
+            scratch.clear();
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> CryptoWriter<W> {
@@ -698,13 +700,13 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for CryptoWriter<W> {
 
             Poll::Ready(Ok(n)) => {
                 if n == this.scratch.len() {
-                    this.scratch.clear();
+                    Self::recycle_scratch(&mut this.scratch);
                     return Poll::Ready(Ok(to_accept));
                 }
 
                 // Partial upstream write of ciphertext
-                let remainder = this.scratch.split_off(n);
-                this.scratch.clear();
+                let mut remainder = std::mem::take(&mut this.scratch);
+                let _ = remainder.split_to(n);
 
                 let pending = Self::ensure_pending(&mut this.state, this.max_pending_write);
                 pending.replace_with(remainder);

src/stream/frame_codec.rs

@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ fn encode_secure(frame: &Frame, dst: &mut BytesMut, rng: &SecureRandom) -> io::R
         ));
     }
 
-    // Telegram Desktop VersionD uses a 4-bit random padding length.
+    // Outbound Secure padding avoids full-word tails that readers cannot strip.
     let padding_len = secure_padding_len(data.len(), rng);
 
     let total_len = data.len() + padding_len;
@@ -521,13 +521,7 @@ mod tests {
     use tokio_util::codec::{FramedRead, FramedWrite};
 
     fn assert_secure_decoded_payload(decoded: &[u8], original: &[u8]) {
-        assert!(decoded.starts_with(original));
-        assert!(
-            (original.len()..=original.len() + 12).contains(&decoded.len()),
-            "Secure decoded payload may retain up to 12 bytes of full-word padding, got {}",
-            decoded.len()
-        );
-        assert_eq!(decoded.len() % 4, 0);
+        assert_eq!(decoded, original);
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]
@@ -653,7 +647,7 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn secure_codec_uses_tdesktop_padding_range_and_jitters_wire_length() {
+    fn secure_codec_uses_non_aligned_padding_and_jitters_wire_length() {
         let codec = SecureCodec::new(Arc::new(SecureRandom::new()));
         let payload = Bytes::from_static(&[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]);
         let mut wire_lens = HashSet::new();
@@ -666,9 +660,10 @@ mod tests {
             let wire_len = u32::from_le_bytes([out[0], out[1], out[2], out[3]]) as usize;
             assert_eq!(out.len(), 4 + wire_len);
             assert!(
-                (payload.len()..=payload.len() + 15).contains(&wire_len),
-                "Secure wire length must be payload+0..15, got {wire_len}"
+                (payload.len() + 1..=payload.len() + 3).contains(&wire_len),
+                "Secure wire length must be payload+1..3, got {wire_len}"
             );
+            assert_ne!(wire_len % 4, 0);
             wire_lens.insert(wire_len);
         }
 

src/stream/frame_stream.rs

@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> SecureIntermediateFrameWriter<W> {
             ));
         }
 
-        // Telegram Desktop VersionD uses a 4-bit random padding length.
+        // Outbound Secure padding avoids full-word tails that readers cannot strip.
         let padding_len = secure_padding_len(data.len(), &self.rng);
         let padding = self.rng.bytes(padding_len);
 
@@ -633,13 +633,7 @@ mod tests {
     use tokio::time::{Duration, timeout};
 
     fn assert_secure_decoded_payload(decoded: &[u8], original: &[u8]) {
-        assert!(decoded.starts_with(original));
-        assert!(
-            (original.len()..=original.len() + 12).contains(&decoded.len()),
-            "Secure decoded payload may retain up to 12 bytes of full-word padding, got {}",
-            decoded.len()
-        );
-        assert_eq!(decoded.len() % 4, 0);
+        assert_eq!(decoded, original);
     }
 
     #[tokio::test]

src/stream/tls_stream.rs

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ use std::pin::Pin;
 use std::task::{Context, Poll};
 use tokio::io::{AsyncRead, AsyncReadExt, AsyncWrite, AsyncWriteExt, ReadBuf};
 
-use super::state::{HeaderBuffer, StreamState, WriteBuffer, YieldBuffer};
+use super::state::{HeaderBuffer, StreamState, YieldBuffer};
 use crate::protocol::constants::{
     MAX_TLS_CIPHERTEXT_SIZE, MAX_TLS_PLAINTEXT_SIZE, TLS_RECORD_ALERT, TLS_RECORD_APPLICATION,
     TLS_RECORD_CHANGE_CIPHER, TLS_RECORD_HANDSHAKE, TLS_VERSION,
@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@ const MAX_TLS_PAYLOAD: usize = MAX_TLS_CIPHERTEXT_SIZE;
 /// Note: we never queue unlimited amount of data here; state holds at most one record.
 const MAX_PENDING_WRITE: usize = 64 * 1024;
 
+/// Maximum record buffer capacity retained between writes.
+const MAX_RETAINED_RECORD_CAPACITY: usize = 2 * (TLS_HEADER_SIZE + MAX_TLS_PAYLOAD);
+
 // ============= TLS Record Types =============
 
 /// Parsed TLS record header (5 bytes)
@@ -639,7 +642,7 @@ enum TlsWriterState {
 
     /// Writing a complete TLS record (header + body), possibly partially
     WritingRecord {
-        record: WriteBuffer,
+        position: usize,
         payload_size: usize,
     },
 
@@ -676,6 +679,7 @@ impl StreamState for TlsWriterState {
 pub struct FakeTlsWriter<W> {
     upstream: W,
     state: TlsWriterState,
+    record_buffer: BytesMut,
 }
 
 impl<W> FakeTlsWriter<W> {
@@ -683,6 +687,7 @@ impl<W> FakeTlsWriter<W> {
         Self {
             upstream,
             state: TlsWriterState::Idle,
+            record_buffer: BytesMut::new(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -704,10 +709,15 @@ impl<W> FakeTlsWriter<W> {
     }
 
     pub fn has_pending(&self) -> bool {
-        matches!(&self.state, TlsWriterState::WritingRecord { record, .. } if !record.is_empty())
+        matches!(
+            &self.state,
+            TlsWriterState::WritingRecord { position, .. }
+                if *position < self.record_buffer.len()
+        )
     }
 
     fn poison(&mut self, error: io::Error) {
+        self.record_buffer = BytesMut::new();
         self.state = TlsWriterState::Poisoned { error: Some(error) };
     }
 
@@ -720,17 +730,26 @@ impl<W> FakeTlsWriter<W> {
         }
     }
 
-    fn build_record(data: &[u8]) -> BytesMut {
+    fn build_record(&mut self, data: &[u8]) {
         let header = TlsRecordHeader {
             record_type: TLS_RECORD_APPLICATION,
             version: TLS_VERSION,
             length: data.len() as u16,
         };
 
-        let mut record = BytesMut::with_capacity(TLS_HEADER_SIZE + data.len());
-        record.extend_from_slice(&header.to_bytes());
-        record.extend_from_slice(data);
-        record
+        self.record_buffer.clear();
+        self.record_buffer.reserve(TLS_HEADER_SIZE + data.len());
+        self.record_buffer.extend_from_slice(&header.to_bytes());
+        self.record_buffer.extend_from_slice(data);
+        debug_assert!(self.record_buffer.len() <= MAX_PENDING_WRITE);
+    }
+
+    fn recycle_record_buffer(&mut self) {
+        if self.record_buffer.capacity() > MAX_RETAINED_RECORD_CAPACITY {
+            self.record_buffer = BytesMut::new();
+        } else {
+            self.record_buffer.clear();
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -744,10 +763,11 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> FakeTlsWriter<W> {
     fn poll_flush_record_inner(
         upstream: &mut W,
         cx: &mut Context<'_>,
-        record: &mut WriteBuffer,
+        record: &[u8],
+        position: &mut usize,
     ) -> FlushResult {
-        while !record.is_empty() {
-            let data = record.pending();
+        while *position < record.len() {
+            let data = &record[*position..];
             match Pin::new(&mut *upstream).poll_write(cx, data) {
                 Poll::Pending => return FlushResult::Pending,
                 Poll::Ready(Err(e)) => return FlushResult::Error(e),
@@ -757,7 +777,7 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> FakeTlsWriter<W> {
                         "upstream returned 0 bytes written",
                     ));
                 }
-                Poll::Ready(Ok(n)) => record.advance(n),
+                Poll::Ready(Ok(n)) => *position += n,
             }
         }
 
@@ -780,14 +800,19 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for FakeTlsWriter<W> {
             }
 
             TlsWriterState::WritingRecord {
-                mut record,
+                mut position,
                 payload_size,
             } => {
                 // Finish writing previous record before accepting new bytes.
-                match Self::poll_flush_record_inner(&mut this.upstream, cx, &mut record) {
+                match Self::poll_flush_record_inner(
+                    &mut this.upstream,
+                    cx,
+                    &this.record_buffer,
+                    &mut position,
+                ) {
                     FlushResult::Pending => {
                         this.state = TlsWriterState::WritingRecord {
-                            record,
+                            position,
                             payload_size,
                         };
                         return Poll::Pending;
@@ -797,6 +822,7 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for FakeTlsWriter<W> {
                         return Poll::Ready(Err(e));
                     }
                     FlushResult::Complete(_) => {
+                        this.recycle_record_buffer();
                         this.state = TlsWriterState::Idle;
                         // continue to accept new buf below
                     }
@@ -818,19 +844,17 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for FakeTlsWriter<W> {
         let chunk = &buf[..chunk_size];
 
         // Build the complete record (header + payload)
-        let record_data = Self::build_record(chunk);
+        this.build_record(chunk);
 
-        match Pin::new(&mut this.upstream).poll_write(cx, &record_data) {
-            Poll::Ready(Ok(n)) if n == record_data.len() => Poll::Ready(Ok(chunk_size)),
+        match Pin::new(&mut this.upstream).poll_write(cx, &this.record_buffer) {
+            Poll::Ready(Ok(n)) if n == this.record_buffer.len() => {
+                this.recycle_record_buffer();
+                Poll::Ready(Ok(chunk_size))
+            }
 
             Poll::Ready(Ok(n)) => {
-                // Partial write of the record: store remainder.
-                let mut write_buffer = WriteBuffer::with_max_size(MAX_PENDING_WRITE);
-                // record_data length is <= 16389, fits MAX_PENDING_WRITE
-                let _ = write_buffer.extend(&record_data[n..]);
-
                 this.state = TlsWriterState::WritingRecord {
-                    record: write_buffer,
+                    position: n,
                     payload_size: chunk_size,
                 };
 
@@ -844,12 +868,8 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for FakeTlsWriter<W> {
             }
 
             Poll::Pending => {
-                // Buffer entire record and report success for this chunk.
-                let mut write_buffer = WriteBuffer::with_max_size(MAX_PENDING_WRITE);
-                let _ = write_buffer.extend(&record_data);
-
                 this.state = TlsWriterState::WritingRecord {
-                    record: write_buffer,
+                    position: 0,
                     payload_size: chunk_size,
                 };
 
@@ -871,12 +891,17 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for FakeTlsWriter<W> {
             }
 
             TlsWriterState::WritingRecord {
-                mut record,
+                mut position,
                 payload_size,
-            } => match Self::poll_flush_record_inner(&mut this.upstream, cx, &mut record) {
+            } => match Self::poll_flush_record_inner(
+                &mut this.upstream,
+                cx,
+                &this.record_buffer,
+                &mut position,
+            ) {
                 FlushResult::Pending => {
                     this.state = TlsWriterState::WritingRecord {
-                        record,
+                        position,
                         payload_size,
                     };
                     return Poll::Pending;
@@ -886,6 +911,7 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for FakeTlsWriter<W> {
                     return Poll::Ready(Err(e));
                 }
                 FlushResult::Complete(_) => {
+                    this.recycle_record_buffer();
                     this.state = TlsWriterState::Idle;
                 }
             },
@@ -905,11 +931,17 @@ impl<W: AsyncWrite + Unpin> AsyncWrite for FakeTlsWriter<W> {
 
         match state {
             TlsWriterState::WritingRecord {
-                mut record,
+                mut position,
                 payload_size: _,
             } => {
                 // Best-effort flush (do not block shutdown forever).
-                let _ = Self::poll_flush_record_inner(&mut this.upstream, cx, &mut record);
+                let _ = Self::poll_flush_record_inner(
+                    &mut this.upstream,
+                    cx,
+                    &this.record_buffer,
+                    &mut position,
+                );
+                this.recycle_record_buffer();
                 this.state = TlsWriterState::Idle;
             }
             _ => {

src/synlimit_control/iptables.rs

@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 use std::net::IpAddr;
 
 use super::command::run_command;
-use super::model::{SynLimitRule, SynLimitTargets, synlimit_rate_arg};
+use super::model::{SynLimitNamespace, SynLimitRule, SynLimitTargets, synlimit_rate_arg};
 
-const IPTABLES_CHAIN: &str = "TELEMT_SYNLIMIT";
-const IPTABLES_HASHLIMIT_PREFIX: &str = "TMT-SYN";
 const IPV4_IOS_PACKET_LENGTH: u16 = 64;
 const IPV6_IOS_PACKET_LENGTH: u16 = 84;
 const IOS_TTL_LIMIT: u8 = 65;
@@ -38,49 +36,57 @@ impl IpTablesFamily {
     }
 }
 
-pub(super) async fn apply_synlimit_rules(targets: &SynLimitTargets) -> Result<(), String> {
-    apply_rules_for_binary("iptables", &targets.iptables_v4, IpTablesFamily::V4).await?;
-    apply_rules_for_binary("ip6tables", &targets.iptables_v6, IpTablesFamily::V6).await
+pub(super) async fn apply_synlimit_rules(
+    targets: &SynLimitTargets,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
+) -> Result<(), String> {
+    apply_rules_for_binary(
+        "iptables",
+        &targets.iptables_v4,
+        IpTablesFamily::V4,
+        namespace,
+    )
+    .await?;
+    apply_rules_for_binary(
+        "ip6tables",
+        &targets.iptables_v6,
+        IpTablesFamily::V6,
+        namespace,
+    )
+    .await
 }
 
 async fn apply_rules_for_binary(
     binary: &str,
     targets: &[SynLimitRule],
     family: IpTablesFamily,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
 ) -> Result<(), String> {
     if targets.is_empty() {
         return Ok(());
     }
-    let _ = run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-N", IPTABLES_CHAIN], None).await;
-    run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-F", IPTABLES_CHAIN], None).await?;
-    if run_command(
-        binary,
-        &["-t", "filter", "-C", "INPUT", "-j", IPTABLES_CHAIN],
-        None,
-    )
-    .await
-    .is_err()
+    let chain = namespace.iptables_chain.as_str();
+    let _ = run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-N", chain], None).await;
+    run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-F", chain], None).await?;
+    if run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-C", "INPUT", "-j", chain], None)
+        .await
+        .is_err()
     {
         run_command(
             binary,
-            &["-t", "filter", "-I", "INPUT", "1", "-j", IPTABLES_CHAIN],
+            &["-t", "filter", "-I", "INPUT", "1", "-j", chain],
             None,
         )
         .await?;
     }
 
     for (idx, target) in targets.iter().enumerate() {
-        for rule in iptables_synfix_rule_args(target, idx, family) {
+        for rule in iptables_synfix_rule_args(target, idx, family, namespace) {
             let refs: Vec<&str> = rule.iter().map(String::as_str).collect();
             run_command(binary, &refs, None).await?;
         }
     }
-    run_command(
-        binary,
-        &["-t", "filter", "-A", IPTABLES_CHAIN, "-j", "RETURN"],
-        None,
-    )
-    .await?;
+    run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-A", chain, "-j", "RETURN"], None).await?;
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -89,12 +95,13 @@ fn iptables_synfix_rule_args(
     target: &SynLimitRule,
     idx: usize,
     family: IpTablesFamily,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
 ) -> Vec<Vec<String>> {
     vec![
-        iptables_ios_accept_rule_args(target, idx, family),
-        iptables_ios_reject_rule_args(target, family),
-        iptables_generic_accept_rule_args(target, idx, family),
-        iptables_generic_reject_rule_args(target),
+        iptables_ios_accept_rule_args(target, idx, family, namespace),
+        iptables_ios_reject_rule_args(target, family, namespace),
+        iptables_generic_accept_rule_args(target, idx, family, namespace),
+        iptables_generic_reject_rule_args(target, namespace),
     ]
 }
 
@@ -102,12 +109,15 @@ fn iptables_ios_accept_rule_args(
     target: &SynLimitRule,
     idx: usize,
     family: IpTablesFamily,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
 ) -> Vec<String> {
     let hashlimit_name = format!(
-        "{IPTABLES_HASHLIMIT_PREFIX}-I{}-{idx}",
+        "{}-I{}-{idx}",
+        namespace.iptables_hashlimit_prefix,
         family.hashlimit_tag()
     );
-    let mut args = iptables_base_rule_args(target.ip, target.port);
+    let mut args =
+        iptables_base_rule_args(namespace.iptables_chain.as_str(), target.ip, target.port);
     args.extend(iptables_ios_match_args(family));
     args.extend(iptables_hashlimit_args(
         &hashlimit_name,
@@ -121,8 +131,13 @@ fn iptables_ios_accept_rule_args(
     args
 }
 
-fn iptables_ios_reject_rule_args(target: &SynLimitRule, family: IpTablesFamily) -> Vec<String> {
-    let mut args = iptables_base_rule_args(target.ip, target.port);
+fn iptables_ios_reject_rule_args(
+    target: &SynLimitRule,
+    family: IpTablesFamily,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
+) -> Vec<String> {
+    let mut args =
+        iptables_base_rule_args(namespace.iptables_chain.as_str(), target.ip, target.port);
     args.extend(iptables_ios_match_args(family));
     args.extend(iptables_reject_args());
     args
@@ -132,12 +147,15 @@ fn iptables_generic_accept_rule_args(
     target: &SynLimitRule,
     idx: usize,
     family: IpTablesFamily,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
 ) -> Vec<String> {
     let hashlimit_name = format!(
-        "{IPTABLES_HASHLIMIT_PREFIX}-G{}-{idx}",
+        "{}-G{}-{idx}",
+        namespace.iptables_hashlimit_prefix,
         family.hashlimit_tag()
     );
-    let mut args = iptables_base_rule_args(target.ip, target.port);
+    let mut args =
+        iptables_base_rule_args(namespace.iptables_chain.as_str(), target.ip, target.port);
     args.extend(iptables_hashlimit_args(
         &hashlimit_name,
         target.generic_seconds,
@@ -150,18 +168,22 @@ fn iptables_generic_accept_rule_args(
     args
 }
 
-fn iptables_generic_reject_rule_args(target: &SynLimitRule) -> Vec<String> {
-    let mut args = iptables_base_rule_args(target.ip, target.port);
+fn iptables_generic_reject_rule_args(
+    target: &SynLimitRule,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
+) -> Vec<String> {
+    let mut args =
+        iptables_base_rule_args(namespace.iptables_chain.as_str(), target.ip, target.port);
     args.extend(iptables_reject_args());
     args
 }
 
-fn iptables_base_rule_args(ip: Option<IpAddr>, port: u16) -> Vec<String> {
+fn iptables_base_rule_args(chain: &str, ip: Option<IpAddr>, port: u16) -> Vec<String> {
     let mut args = vec![
         "-t".to_string(),
         "filter".to_string(),
         "-A".to_string(),
-        IPTABLES_CHAIN.to_string(),
+        chain.to_string(),
         "-p".to_string(),
         "tcp".to_string(),
         "--syn".to_string(),
@@ -226,17 +248,18 @@ fn iptables_reject_args() -> Vec<String> {
     ]
 }
 
-pub(super) async fn clear_rules_for_binary(binary: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
+pub(super) async fn clear_rules_for_binary(
+    binary: &str,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
+) -> Result<bool, String> {
     let mut errors = Vec::new();
+    let mut removed = false;
+    let chain = namespace.iptables_chain.as_str();
     for _ in 0..8 {
-        match run_command(
-            binary,
-            &["-t", "filter", "-D", "INPUT", "-j", IPTABLES_CHAIN],
-            None,
-        )
-        .await
-        {
-            Ok(()) => {}
+        match run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-D", "INPUT", "-j", chain], None).await {
+            Ok(()) => {
+                removed = true;
+            }
             Err(error) if is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(&error) => break,
             Err(error) => {
                 errors.push(format!("{binary} delete INPUT jump failed: {error}"));
@@ -244,19 +267,27 @@ pub(super) async fn clear_rules_for_binary(binary: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
             }
         }
     }
-    if let Err(error) = run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-F", IPTABLES_CHAIN], None).await
-        && !is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(&error)
-    {
-        errors.push(format!("{binary} flush chain failed: {error}"));
+    match run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-F", chain], None).await {
+        Ok(()) => {
+            removed = true;
+        }
+        Err(error) if is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(&error) => {}
+        Err(error) => {
+            errors.push(format!("{binary} flush chain failed: {error}"));
+        }
     }
-    if let Err(error) = run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-X", IPTABLES_CHAIN], None).await
-        && !is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(&error)
-    {
-        errors.push(format!("{binary} delete chain failed: {error}"));
+    match run_command(binary, &["-t", "filter", "-X", chain], None).await {
+        Ok(()) => {
+            removed = true;
+        }
+        Err(error) if is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(&error) => {}
+        Err(error) => {
+            errors.push(format!("{binary} delete chain failed: {error}"));
+        }
     }
 
     if errors.is_empty() {
-        Ok(())
+        Ok(removed)
     } else {
         Err(errors.join(", "))
     }
@@ -266,6 +297,7 @@ fn is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(error: &str) -> bool {
     error.contains("is not available")
         || error.contains("No chain/target/match by that name")
         || error.contains("does not exist")
+        || error.contains("Couldn't load target")
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -280,12 +312,26 @@ mod tests {
             .any(|pair| pair[0].as_str() == key && pair[1].as_str() == value)
     }
 
+    fn has_key(args: &[String], key: &str) -> bool {
+        args.iter().any(|arg| arg == key)
+    }
+
+    fn test_namespace() -> SynLimitNamespace {
+        SynLimitNamespace {
+            nft_table: "telemt_synlimit_test".to_string(),
+            iptables_chain: "TMT_SYN_TEST".to_string(),
+            iptables_hashlimit_prefix: "TMTTEST".to_string(),
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn iptables_rules_use_synfix_order_and_rejects() {
         let target = test_rule(Some(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 7))), 443);
-        let rules = iptables_synfix_rule_args(&target, 0, IpTablesFamily::V4);
+        let namespace = test_namespace();
+        let rules = iptables_synfix_rule_args(&target, 0, IpTablesFamily::V4, &namespace);
 
         assert_eq!(rules.len(), 4);
+        assert!(has_pair(&rules[0], "-A", "TMT_SYN_TEST"));
         assert!(has_pair(&rules[0], "--length", "64"));
         assert!(has_pair(&rules[0], "--ttl-lt", "65"));
         assert!(has_pair(&rules[0], "--hashlimit-upto", "12/second"));
@@ -302,10 +348,42 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn ip6tables_rules_use_ipv6_hoplimit_classifier() {
         let target = test_rule(Some(IpAddr::V6(Ipv6Addr::LOCALHOST)), 443);
-        let rules = iptables_synfix_rule_args(&target, 0, IpTablesFamily::V6);
+        let namespace = test_namespace();
+        let rules = iptables_synfix_rule_args(&target, 0, IpTablesFamily::V6, &namespace);
 
         assert!(has_pair(&rules[0], "--length", "84"));
         assert!(has_pair(&rules[0], "--hl-lt", "65"));
         assert!(has_pair(&rules[0], "-d", "::1"));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn iptables_missing_rule_errors_are_cleanup_benign() {
+        assert!(is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(
+            "iptables is not available"
+        ));
+        assert!(is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(
+            "iptables: No chain/target/match by that name."
+        ));
+        assert!(is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(
+            "iptables: Chain TELEMT_SYNLIMIT does not exist."
+        ));
+        assert!(is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(
+            "Couldn't load target `TELEMT_SYNLIMIT': No such file or directory"
+        ));
+        assert!(!is_missing_command_or_iptables_rule(
+            "iptables: Permission denied"
+        ));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn iptables_wildcard_rule_omits_destination_match() {
+        let target = test_rule(None, 443);
+        let namespace = test_namespace();
+        let rules = iptables_synfix_rule_args(&target, 0, IpTablesFamily::V4, &namespace);
+
+        for rule in rules {
+            assert!(!has_key(&rule, "-d"));
+            assert!(has_pair(&rule, "--dport", "443"));
+        }
+    }
 }

src/synlimit_control/mod.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 
 use tokio::sync::watch;
 use tracing::warn;
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ mod model;
 mod nftables;
 
 use self::command::has_cap_net_admin;
-use self::model::synlimit_targets;
+use self::model::{SynLimitNamespace, synlimit_namespace, synlimit_targets};
+
+static ACTIVE_SYNLIMIT_NAMESPACE: Mutex<Option<SynLimitNamespace>> = Mutex::new(None);
 
 pub(crate) fn spawn_synlimit_controller(config_rx: watch::Receiver<Arc<ProxyConfig>>) {
     if !cfg!(target_os = "linux") {
@@ -39,14 +41,26 @@ async fn wait_for_config_channel_close_and_reconcile(
 }
 
 pub(crate) async fn reconcile_synlimit_rules(cfg: &ProxyConfig) {
-    if let Err(error) = clear_synlimit_rules_all_backends().await {
-        warn!(error = %error, "Failed to clear existing SYN limiter rules before reconcile");
+    let targets = synlimit_targets(cfg);
+    let namespace = synlimit_namespace(&targets);
+    if let Some(previous_namespace) = set_active_synlimit_namespace(namespace.clone()) {
+        match clear_synlimit_rules_for_namespace(&previous_namespace).await {
+            Ok(true) => {
+                warn!("Removed previous SYN limiter namespace before reconcile");
+            }
+            Ok(false) => {}
+            Err(error) => {
+                warn!(error = %error, "Failed to clear previous SYN limiter namespace before reconcile");
+            }
+        }
     }
 
-    let targets = synlimit_targets(cfg);
     if targets.is_empty() {
         return;
     }
+    let Some(namespace) = namespace else {
+        return;
+    };
     if !has_cap_net_admin() {
         warn!(
             "SYN limiter configured but CAP_NET_ADMIN is not available; netfilter rules not applied"
@@ -54,41 +68,100 @@ pub(crate) async fn reconcile_synlimit_rules(cfg: &ProxyConfig) {
         return;
     }
 
+    match clear_synlimit_rules_for_namespace(&namespace).await {
+        Ok(true) => {
+            warn!("Removed stale SYN limiter rules left by a previous run before reconcile");
+        }
+        Ok(false) => {}
+        Err(error) => {
+            warn!(error = %error, "Failed to clear stale SYN limiter rules before reconcile");
+        }
+    }
+
     if targets.has_iptables_targets()
-        && let Err(error) = iptables::apply_synlimit_rules(&targets).await
+        && let Err(error) = iptables::apply_synlimit_rules(&targets, &namespace).await
     {
         warn!(error = %error, "Failed to apply iptables SYN limiter rules");
     }
     if targets.has_nft_targets()
-        && let Err(error) = nftables::apply_synlimit_rules(&targets).await
+        && let Err(error) = nftables::apply_synlimit_rules(&targets, &namespace).await
     {
         warn!(error = %error, "Failed to apply nftables SYN limiter rules");
     }
 }
 
-pub(crate) async fn clear_synlimit_rules_all_backends() -> Result<(), String> {
+pub(crate) async fn clear_synlimit_rules_all_backends() -> Result<bool, String> {
+    let Some(namespace) = take_active_synlimit_namespace() else {
+        return Ok(false);
+    };
+    clear_synlimit_rules_for_namespace(&namespace).await
+}
+
+async fn clear_synlimit_rules_for_namespace(namespace: &SynLimitNamespace) -> Result<bool, String> {
     if !has_cap_net_admin() {
-        return Ok(());
+        return Ok(false);
     }
 
     let mut errors = Vec::new();
-    if let Err(error) = nftables::clear_rules_all_families().await {
-        errors.push(error);
+    let mut removed = false;
+    match nftables::clear_rules_all_families(namespace).await {
+        Ok(value) => {
+            removed |= value;
+        }
+        Err(error) => {
+            errors.push(error);
+        }
     }
-    if let Err(error) = iptables::clear_rules_for_binary("iptables").await {
-        errors.push(error);
+    match iptables::clear_rules_for_binary("iptables", namespace).await {
+        Ok(value) => {
+            removed |= value;
+        }
+        Err(error) => {
+            errors.push(error);
+        }
     }
-    if let Err(error) = iptables::clear_rules_for_binary("ip6tables").await {
-        errors.push(error);
+    match iptables::clear_rules_for_binary("ip6tables", namespace).await {
+        Ok(value) => {
+            removed |= value;
+        }
+        Err(error) => {
+            errors.push(error);
+        }
     }
 
     if errors.is_empty() {
-        Ok(())
+        Ok(removed)
     } else {
         Err(errors.join("; "))
     }
 }
 
+fn set_active_synlimit_namespace(next: Option<SynLimitNamespace>) -> Option<SynLimitNamespace> {
+    match ACTIVE_SYNLIMIT_NAMESPACE.lock() {
+        Ok(mut active) => {
+            if *active == next {
+                None
+            } else {
+                std::mem::replace(&mut *active, next)
+            }
+        }
+        Err(error) => {
+            warn!(error = %error, "Failed to update active SYN limiter namespace");
+            None
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn take_active_synlimit_namespace() -> Option<SynLimitNamespace> {
+    match ACTIVE_SYNLIMIT_NAMESPACE.lock() {
+        Ok(mut active) => active.take(),
+        Err(error) => {
+            warn!(error = %error, "Failed to read active SYN limiter namespace");
+            None
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 fn has_synlimit_config(cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> bool {
     cfg.server
         .listeners

src/synlimit_control/model.rs

@@ -17,6 +17,13 @@ pub(super) struct SynLimitRule {
     pub(super) hashlimit_size: u32,
 }
 
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
+pub(super) struct SynLimitNamespace {
+    pub(super) nft_table: String,
+    pub(super) iptables_chain: String,
+    pub(super) iptables_hashlimit_prefix: String,
+}
+
 #[derive(Default)]
 pub(super) struct SynLimitTargets {
     pub(super) iptables_v4: Vec<SynLimitRule>,
@@ -42,6 +49,44 @@ impl SynLimitTargets {
     }
 }
 
+struct SynLimitNamespaceHasher {
+    value: u64,
+}
+
+impl SynLimitNamespaceHasher {
+    const OFFSET: u64 = 0xcbf2_9ce4_8422_2325;
+    const PRIME: u64 = 0x0000_0100_0000_01b3;
+
+    fn new() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            value: Self::OFFSET,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn write(&mut self, bytes: &[u8]) {
+        for byte in bytes {
+            self.value ^= u64::from(*byte);
+            self.value = self.value.wrapping_mul(Self::PRIME);
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn write_u8(&mut self, value: u8) {
+        self.write(&[value]);
+    }
+
+    fn write_u16(&mut self, value: u16) {
+        self.write(&value.to_le_bytes());
+    }
+
+    fn write_u32(&mut self, value: u32) {
+        self.write(&value.to_le_bytes());
+    }
+
+    fn finish(self) -> u64 {
+        self.value
+    }
+}
+
 pub(super) fn synlimit_targets(cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> SynLimitTargets {
     let mut iptables_v4 = BTreeSet::new();
     let mut iptables_v6 = BTreeSet::new();
@@ -91,6 +136,64 @@ pub(super) fn synlimit_targets(cfg: &ProxyConfig) -> SynLimitTargets {
     }
 }
 
+pub(super) fn synlimit_namespace(targets: &SynLimitTargets) -> Option<SynLimitNamespace> {
+    if targets.is_empty() {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let mut hasher = SynLimitNamespaceHasher::new();
+    write_namespace_rule_group(&mut hasher, b"iptables-v4", &targets.iptables_v4);
+    write_namespace_rule_group(&mut hasher, b"iptables-v6", &targets.iptables_v6);
+    write_namespace_rule_group(&mut hasher, b"nft-v4", &targets.nft_v4);
+    write_namespace_rule_group(&mut hasher, b"nft-v6", &targets.nft_v6);
+
+    let suffix = format!("{:016x}", hasher.finish());
+    let iptables_suffix = &suffix[..12];
+    let hashlimit_suffix = &suffix[..10];
+    Some(SynLimitNamespace {
+        nft_table: format!("telemt_synlimit_{suffix}"),
+        iptables_chain: format!("TMT_SYN_{iptables_suffix}"),
+        iptables_hashlimit_prefix: format!("TMT{hashlimit_suffix}"),
+    })
+}
+
+fn write_namespace_rule_group(
+    hasher: &mut SynLimitNamespaceHasher,
+    group: &[u8],
+    rules: &[SynLimitRule],
+) {
+    hasher.write(group);
+    hasher.write_u32(rules.len() as u32);
+    for rule in rules {
+        write_namespace_rule(hasher, rule);
+    }
+}
+
+fn write_namespace_rule(hasher: &mut SynLimitNamespaceHasher, rule: &SynLimitRule) {
+    match rule.ip {
+        Some(IpAddr::V4(ip)) => {
+            hasher.write_u8(4);
+            hasher.write(&ip.octets());
+        }
+        Some(IpAddr::V6(ip)) => {
+            hasher.write_u8(6);
+            hasher.write(&ip.octets());
+        }
+        None => {
+            hasher.write_u8(0);
+        }
+    }
+    hasher.write_u16(rule.port);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.generic_seconds);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.generic_hitcount);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.generic_burst);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.ios_seconds);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.ios_hitcount);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.ios_burst);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.hashlimit_expire_ms);
+    hasher.write_u32(rule.hashlimit_size);
+}
+
 pub(super) fn synlimit_rate_arg(seconds: u32, hitcount: u32) -> String {
     let seconds = u64::from(seconds.max(1));
     let hitcount = u64::from(hitcount.max(1));
@@ -124,3 +227,139 @@ pub(super) fn test_rule(ip: Option<IpAddr>, port: u16) -> SynLimitRule {
         hashlimit_size: 32_768,
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use std::net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, Ipv6Addr};
+
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::config::ListenerConfig;
+
+    fn listener(ip: IpAddr, port: Option<u16>, synlimit: SynLimitMode) -> ListenerConfig {
+        ListenerConfig {
+            ip,
+            port,
+            client_mss: None,
+            synlimit,
+            synlimit_seconds: 60,
+            synlimit_hitcount: 48,
+            synlimit_burst: 1,
+            synlimit_ios_seconds: 1,
+            synlimit_ios_hitcount: 12,
+            synlimit_ios_burst: 24,
+            synlimit_hashlimit_expire_ms: 60_000,
+            synlimit_hashlimit_size: 32_768,
+            announce: None,
+            announce_ip: None,
+            proxy_protocol: None,
+            reuse_allow: false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn synlimit_targets_deduplicate_and_use_legacy_port_fallback() {
+        let mut cfg = ProxyConfig::default();
+        cfg.server.port = 9443;
+        cfg.server.listeners = vec![
+            listener(
+                IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::UNSPECIFIED),
+                None,
+                SynLimitMode::Iptables,
+            ),
+            listener(
+                IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::UNSPECIFIED),
+                None,
+                SynLimitMode::Iptables,
+            ),
+        ];
+
+        let targets = synlimit_targets(&cfg);
+
+        assert_eq!(targets.iptables_v4.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(targets.iptables_v4[0].ip, None);
+        assert_eq!(targets.iptables_v4[0].port, 9443);
+        assert!(targets.iptables_v6.is_empty());
+        assert!(targets.nft_v4.is_empty());
+        assert!(targets.nft_v6.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn synlimit_targets_separate_backends_and_ip_families() {
+        let mut cfg = ProxyConfig::default();
+        cfg.server.listeners = vec![
+            listener(
+                IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 1)),
+                Some(443),
+                SynLimitMode::Iptables,
+            ),
+            listener(
+                IpAddr::V6(Ipv6Addr::LOCALHOST),
+                Some(443),
+                SynLimitMode::Iptables,
+            ),
+            listener(
+                IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 2)),
+                Some(444),
+                SynLimitMode::Nftables,
+            ),
+            listener(
+                IpAddr::V6(Ipv6Addr::UNSPECIFIED),
+                Some(444),
+                SynLimitMode::Nftables,
+            ),
+        ];
+
+        let targets = synlimit_targets(&cfg);
+
+        assert_eq!(targets.iptables_v4.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(targets.iptables_v6.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(targets.nft_v4.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(targets.nft_v6.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(
+            targets.iptables_v4[0].ip,
+            Some(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 1)))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            targets.iptables_v6[0].ip,
+            Some(IpAddr::V6(Ipv6Addr::LOCALHOST))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            targets.nft_v4[0].ip,
+            Some(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 2)))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(targets.nft_v6[0].ip, None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn synlimit_namespace_is_stable_and_changes_by_targets() {
+        let mut cfg = ProxyConfig::default();
+        cfg.server.listeners = vec![listener(
+            IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 1)),
+            Some(443),
+            SynLimitMode::Nftables,
+        )];
+        let first = synlimit_namespace(&synlimit_targets(&cfg))
+            .expect("configured targets must have a namespace");
+        let second = synlimit_namespace(&synlimit_targets(&cfg))
+            .expect("configured targets must have a namespace");
+
+        cfg.server.listeners[0].port = Some(444);
+        let changed = synlimit_namespace(&synlimit_targets(&cfg))
+            .expect("configured targets must have a namespace");
+
+        assert_eq!(first, second);
+        assert_ne!(first, changed);
+        assert!(first.nft_table.starts_with("telemt_synlimit_"));
+        assert!(first.iptables_chain.starts_with("TMT_SYN_"));
+        assert!(first.iptables_chain.len() <= 28);
+        assert!(first.iptables_hashlimit_prefix.starts_with("TMT"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn synlimit_rate_arg_uses_native_units_without_fractional_rates() {
+        assert_eq!(synlimit_rate_arg(1, 12), "12/second");
+        assert_eq!(synlimit_rate_arg(60, 48), "48/minute");
+        assert_eq!(synlimit_rate_arg(3600, 121), "121/hour");
+        assert_eq!(synlimit_rate_arg(86400, 241), "241/day");
+    }
+}

src/synlimit_control/nftables.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 use super::command::{run_command, run_command_stdout};
-use super::model::{SynLimitRule, SynLimitTargets, synlimit_rate_arg};
+use super::model::{SynLimitNamespace, SynLimitRule, SynLimitTargets, synlimit_rate_arg};
 
-const NFT_TABLE: &str = "telemt_synlimit";
 const NFT_CHAIN: &str = "input";
 const NFT_INPUT_PRIORITY: i16 = -5;
 const IPV4_IOS_PACKET_LENGTH: u16 = 64;
@@ -38,10 +37,13 @@ impl NftFamily {
     }
 }
 
-pub(super) async fn apply_synlimit_rules(targets: &SynLimitTargets) -> Result<(), String> {
+pub(super) async fn apply_synlimit_rules(
+    targets: &SynLimitTargets,
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
+) -> Result<(), String> {
     let families = detect_nft_table_families().await;
     for plan in nft_apply_plan(families, &targets.nft_v4, &targets.nft_v6) {
-        let script = nft_synlimit_script(plan);
+        let script = nft_synlimit_script(plan, namespace);
         run_command("nft", &["-f", "-"], Some(script)).await?;
     }
 
@@ -114,9 +116,13 @@ fn nft_apply_plan<'a>(
     Vec::new()
 }
 
-fn nft_synlimit_script(plan: NftApplyPlan<'_>) -> String {
+fn nft_synlimit_script(plan: NftApplyPlan<'_>, namespace: &SynLimitNamespace) -> String {
     let mut script = String::new();
-    script.push_str(&format!("table {} {NFT_TABLE} {{\n", plan.family.as_str()));
+    script.push_str(&format!(
+        "table {} {} {{\n",
+        plan.family.as_str(),
+        namespace.nft_table
+    ));
     script.push_str(&format!("  chain {NFT_CHAIN} {{\n"));
     script.push_str(&format!(
         "    type filter hook input priority {NFT_INPUT_PRIORITY}; policy accept;\n"
@@ -186,26 +192,29 @@ fn push_nft_v6_rules(script: &mut String, target: &SynLimitRule, idx: usize) {
     ));
 }
 
-pub(super) async fn clear_rules_all_families() -> Result<(), String> {
+pub(super) async fn clear_rules_all_families(
+    namespace: &SynLimitNamespace,
+) -> Result<bool, String> {
     let mut errors = Vec::new();
+    let mut removed = false;
+    let table = namespace.nft_table.as_str();
     for family in [NftFamily::Inet, NftFamily::Ip, NftFamily::Ip6] {
-        if let Err(error) = run_command(
-            "nft",
-            &["delete", "table", family.as_str(), NFT_TABLE],
-            None,
-        )
-        .await
-            && !is_missing_command_or_nft_table(&error)
-        {
-            errors.push(format!(
-                "nft delete table {} {NFT_TABLE} failed: {error}",
-                family.as_str()
-            ));
+        match run_command("nft", &["delete", "table", family.as_str(), table], None).await {
+            Ok(()) => {
+                removed = true;
+            }
+            Err(error) if is_missing_command_or_nft_table(&error) => {}
+            Err(error) => {
+                errors.push(format!(
+                    "nft delete table {} {table} failed: {error}",
+                    family.as_str(),
+                ));
+            }
         }
     }
 
     if errors.is_empty() {
-        Ok(())
+        Ok(removed)
     } else {
         Err(errors.join(", "))
     }
@@ -222,15 +231,28 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::synlimit_control::model::test_rule;
 
+    fn test_namespace(table: &str) -> SynLimitNamespace {
+        SynLimitNamespace {
+            nft_table: table.to_string(),
+            iptables_chain: "TMT_SYN_TEST".to_string(),
+            iptables_hashlimit_prefix: "TMTTEST".to_string(),
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn nft_script_uses_synfix_v4_rules_and_early_priority() {
         let rule = test_rule(Some(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 7))), 443);
-        let script = nft_synlimit_script(NftApplyPlan {
-            family: NftFamily::Inet,
-            v4_targets: &[rule],
-            v6_targets: &[],
-        });
+        let namespace = test_namespace("telemt_synlimit_test_a");
+        let script = nft_synlimit_script(
+            NftApplyPlan {
+                family: NftFamily::Inet,
+                v4_targets: &[rule],
+                v6_targets: &[],
+            },
+            &namespace,
+        );
 
+        assert!(script.contains("table inet telemt_synlimit_test_a"));
         assert!(script.contains("type filter hook input priority -5; policy accept;"));
         assert!(script.contains("ip daddr 203.0.113.7"));
         assert!(script.contains("meta length 64 ip ttl < 65"));
@@ -242,15 +264,53 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn nft_script_uses_ipv6_hoplimit_classifier() {
         let rule = test_rule(Some(IpAddr::V6(Ipv6Addr::LOCALHOST)), 443);
-        let script = nft_synlimit_script(NftApplyPlan {
-            family: NftFamily::Inet,
-            v4_targets: &[],
-            v6_targets: &[rule],
-        });
+        let namespace = test_namespace("telemt_synlimit_test_b");
+        let script = nft_synlimit_script(
+            NftApplyPlan {
+                family: NftFamily::Inet,
+                v4_targets: &[],
+                v6_targets: &[rule],
+            },
+            &namespace,
+        );
 
+        assert!(script.contains("table inet telemt_synlimit_test_b"));
         assert!(script.contains("ip6 daddr ::1"));
         assert!(script.contains("meta length 84 ip6 hoplimit < 65"));
         assert!(script.contains("ip6 saddr limit rate over 12/second burst 24 packets"));
         assert!(script.contains("ip6 saddr limit rate over 48/minute burst 1 packets"));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn nft_missing_table_errors_are_cleanup_benign() {
+        assert!(is_missing_command_or_nft_table("nft is not available"));
+        assert!(is_missing_command_or_nft_table(
+            "Error: No such file or directory"
+        ));
+        assert!(!is_missing_command_or_nft_table(
+            "Error: Operation not permitted"
+        ));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn nft_apply_plan_keeps_dual_stack_rules_in_inet_table() {
+        let v4_rule = test_rule(Some(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 7))), 443);
+        let v6_rule = test_rule(Some(IpAddr::V6(Ipv6Addr::LOCALHOST)), 443);
+        let v4_rules = [v4_rule];
+        let v6_rules = [v6_rule];
+        let plans = nft_apply_plan(
+            NftTableFamilies {
+                inet: false,
+                ip: false,
+                ip6: false,
+            },
+            &v4_rules,
+            &v6_rules,
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(plans.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(plans[0].family.as_str(), "inet");
+        assert_eq!(plans[0].v4_targets, v4_rules.as_slice());
+        assert_eq!(plans[0].v6_targets, v6_rules.as_slice());
+    }
 }

src/transport/middle_proxy/codec.rs

@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 use bytes::Bytes;
+use std::sync::Arc;
 use tokio::io::{AsyncReadExt, AsyncWriteExt};
+use tokio::sync::OwnedSemaphorePermit;
 
 use crate::crypto::{AesCbc, crc32, crc32c};
 use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
 use crate::protocol::constants::*;
+use crate::stats::Stats;
 use crate::stream::PooledBuffer;
 
 use super::wire::{append_proxy_req_payload_into, proxy_req_payload_len};
@@ -11,9 +14,66 @@ use super::wire::{append_proxy_req_payload_into, proxy_req_payload_len};
 const RPC_WRITER_FRAME_BUF_SHRINK_THRESHOLD: usize = 256 * 1024;
 const RPC_WRITER_FRAME_BUF_RETAIN: usize = 64 * 1024;
 
+enum WriterBytePermitState {
+    Queued,
+    Inflight,
+}
+
+/// Holds one writer memory reservation through queueing and socket write completion.
+pub(crate) struct WriterBytePermit {
+    _permit: OwnedSemaphorePermit,
+    reserved_bytes: u64,
+    stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    state: WriterBytePermitState,
+}
+
+impl WriterBytePermit {
+    /// Creates a queued reservation and publishes its rounded resident-byte cost.
+    pub(crate) fn new(
+        permit: OwnedSemaphorePermit,
+        reserved_bytes: usize,
+        stats: Arc<Stats>,
+    ) -> Self {
+        let reserved_bytes = reserved_bytes as u64;
+        stats.add_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes(reserved_bytes);
+        Self {
+            _permit: permit,
+            reserved_bytes,
+            stats,
+            state: WriterBytePermitState::Queued,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Moves the reservation from queued to in-flight accounting exactly once.
+    pub(crate) fn mark_inflight(&mut self) {
+        if matches!(self.state, WriterBytePermitState::Queued) {
+            self.stats
+                .move_me_writer_byte_budget_to_inflight(self.reserved_bytes);
+            self.state = WriterBytePermitState::Inflight;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for WriterBytePermit {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        match self.state {
+            WriterBytePermitState::Queued => self
+                .stats
+                .release_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes(self.reserved_bytes),
+            WriterBytePermitState::Inflight => self
+                .stats
+                .release_me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes(self.reserved_bytes),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Commands sent to dedicated writer tasks to avoid mutex contention on TCP writes.
 pub(crate) enum WriterCommand {
-    Data(Bytes),
+    Data {
+        payload: Bytes,
+        _permit: Option<OwnedSemaphorePermit>,
+        writer_permit: WriterBytePermit,
+    },
     DataAndFlush(Bytes),
     ProxyReq(ProxyReqCommand),
     ControlAndFlush([u8; 12]),
@@ -28,6 +88,8 @@ pub(crate) struct ProxyReqCommand {
     pub(crate) proto_flags: u32,
     pub(crate) proxy_tag: Option<[u8; 16]>,
     pub(crate) payload: PooledBuffer,
+    pub(crate) _permit: OwnedSemaphorePermit,
+    pub(crate) writer_permit: WriterBytePermit,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -82,7 +144,7 @@ fn build_rpc_frame_into(
 ) {
     let total_len = 4 + 4 + payload.len() + 4;
     frame.clear();
-    frame.reserve(total_len + 15);
+    frame.reserve_exact(total_len + 15);
     let total_len = total_len as u32;
     frame.extend_from_slice(&total_len.to_le_bytes());
     frame.extend_from_slice(&seq_no.to_le_bytes());
@@ -274,7 +336,7 @@ impl RpcWriter {
         );
         let total_len = 4 + 4 + payload_len + 4;
         self.frame_buf.clear();
-        self.frame_buf.reserve(total_len + 15);
+        self.frame_buf.reserve_exact(total_len + 15);
         self.frame_buf
             .extend_from_slice(&(total_len as u32).to_le_bytes());
         self.frame_buf.extend_from_slice(&self.seq_no.to_le_bytes());
@@ -322,3 +384,38 @@ impl RpcWriter {
         self.writer.flush().await.map_err(ProxyError::Io)
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use tokio::sync::Semaphore;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn writer_byte_permit_tracks_queued_and_inflight_lifecycle() {
+        let stats = Arc::new(Stats::default());
+        let semaphore = Arc::new(Semaphore::new(2));
+        let permit = semaphore
+            .clone()
+            .try_acquire_many_owned(2)
+            .expect("writer byte permits must be available");
+        let mut writer_permit = WriterBytePermit::new(permit, 32 * 1024, stats.clone());
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge(),
+            32 * 1024
+        );
+        assert_eq!(stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge(), 0);
+
+        writer_permit.mark_inflight();
+        assert_eq!(stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge(), 0);
+        assert_eq!(
+            stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge(),
+            32 * 1024
+        );
+
+        drop(writer_permit);
+        assert_eq!(stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_queued_bytes_gauge(), 0);
+        assert_eq!(stats.get_me_writer_byte_budget_inflight_bytes_gauge(), 0);
+        assert_eq!(semaphore.available_permits(), 2);
+    }
+}

src/transport/middle_proxy/handshake.rs

@@ -675,8 +675,122 @@ fn hex_dump(data: &[u8]) -> String {
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use std::io::ErrorKind;
+    use std::net::{Ipv4Addr, Ipv6Addr};
     use tokio::net::{TcpListener, TcpStream};
 
+    fn upstream_egress(
+        route_kind: UpstreamRouteKind,
+        socks_bound_addr: Option<SocketAddr>,
+    ) -> UpstreamEgressInfo {
+        UpstreamEgressInfo {
+            upstream_id: 7,
+            route_kind,
+            local_addr: None,
+            direct_bind_ip: None,
+            socks_bound_addr,
+            socks_proxy_addr: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn socks_bound_addr_is_used_only_for_public_same_family_tuple() {
+        let v4_bound = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(93, 184, 216, 34)), 443);
+        let v6_bound = SocketAddr::new(
+            IpAddr::V6(
+                "2606:4700:4700::1111"
+                    .parse::<Ipv6Addr>()
+                    .expect("test IPv6 address must parse"),
+            ),
+            443,
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            MePool::select_socks_bound_addr(
+                IpFamily::V4,
+                Some(upstream_egress(UpstreamRouteKind::Socks5, Some(v4_bound)))
+            ),
+            Some(v4_bound)
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            MePool::select_socks_bound_addr(
+                IpFamily::V6,
+                Some(upstream_egress(UpstreamRouteKind::Socks5, Some(v6_bound)))
+            ),
+            Some(v6_bound)
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn socks_bound_addr_rejects_bogon_unspecified_wrong_family_and_non_socks_routes() {
+        let bogon_bound = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(10, 0, 0, 1)), 443);
+        let unspecified_bound = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::UNSPECIFIED), 443);
+        let public_v4_bound = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(93, 184, 216, 34)), 443);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            MePool::select_socks_bound_addr(
+                IpFamily::V4,
+                Some(upstream_egress(
+                    UpstreamRouteKind::Socks5,
+                    Some(bogon_bound)
+                ))
+            ),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            MePool::select_socks_bound_addr(
+                IpFamily::V4,
+                Some(upstream_egress(
+                    UpstreamRouteKind::Socks5,
+                    Some(unspecified_bound)
+                ))
+            ),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            MePool::select_socks_bound_addr(
+                IpFamily::V6,
+                Some(upstream_egress(
+                    UpstreamRouteKind::Socks5,
+                    Some(public_v4_bound)
+                ))
+            ),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            MePool::select_socks_bound_addr(
+                IpFamily::V4,
+                Some(upstream_egress(
+                    UpstreamRouteKind::Direct,
+                    Some(public_v4_bound)
+                ))
+            ),
+            None
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn kdf_client_port_source_tracks_only_valid_socks_bound_port() {
+        let bound = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(93, 184, 216, 34)), 443);
+        let zero_port_bound = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(93, 184, 216, 34)), 0);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            KdfClientPortSource::from_socks_bound_port(Some(bound.port())),
+            KdfClientPortSource::SocksBound
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            KdfClientPortSource::from_socks_bound_port(
+                Some(zero_port_bound)
+                    .filter(|addr| addr.port() != 0)
+                    .map(|addr| addr.port())
+            ),
+            KdfClientPortSource::LocalSocket
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            KdfClientPortSource::from_socks_bound_port(None),
+            KdfClientPortSource::LocalSocket
+        );
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn test_configure_keepalive_loopback() {
         let listener = match TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").await {

src/transport/middle_proxy/health.rs

@@ -1795,6 +1795,7 @@ mod tests {
             general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
             MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
             general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+            general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
             general.me_route_channel_capacity,
             general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
             general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,
@@ -1821,6 +1822,7 @@ mod tests {
     ) -> u64 {
         let (conn_id, _rx) = pool.registry.register().await;
         let (tx, _writer_rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+        let byte_budget = pool.new_writer_byte_budget();
         let writer = MeWriter {
             id: writer_id,
             addr: SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 4000 + writer_id as u16),
@@ -1830,6 +1832,7 @@ mod tests {
             contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Draining.as_u8())),
             created_at: Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(writer_id),
             tx: tx.clone(),
+            byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
             cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
             degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
             rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
@@ -1839,7 +1842,9 @@ mod tests {
             allow_drain_fallback: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
         };
         pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
-        pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+        pool.registry
+            .register_writer(writer_id, tx, byte_budget)
+            .await;
         pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         assert!(
             pool.registry
@@ -1860,6 +1865,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     async fn insert_live_writer(pool: &Arc<MePool>, writer_id: u64, writer_dc: i32) {
         let (tx, _writer_rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+        let byte_budget = pool.new_writer_byte_budget();
         let writer = MeWriter {
             id: writer_id,
             addr: SocketAddr::new(
@@ -1877,6 +1883,7 @@ mod tests {
             contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Active.as_u8())),
             created_at: Instant::now(),
             tx: tx.clone(),
+            byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
             cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
             degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
             rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
@@ -1886,7 +1893,9 @@ mod tests {
             allow_drain_fallback: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
         };
         pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
-        pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+        pool.registry
+            .register_writer(writer_id, tx, byte_budget)
+            .await;
         pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
     }
 

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool.rs

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use std::sync::atomic::{
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 use arc_swap::ArcSwap;
-use tokio::sync::{Mutex, RwLock, mpsc, watch};
+use tokio::sync::{Mutex, RwLock, Semaphore, mpsc, watch};
 use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 use crate::config::{
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ pub struct MeWriter {
     pub contour: Arc<AtomicU8>,
     pub created_at: Instant,
     pub tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>,
+    /// Aggregate resident-memory budget shared by all data commands for this writer.
+    pub byte_budget: Arc<Semaphore>,
     pub cancel: CancellationToken,
     pub degraded: Arc<AtomicBool>,
     pub rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc<AtomicU32>,
@@ -277,6 +279,7 @@ pub(super) struct WriterLifecycleCore {
     pub(super) me_keepalive_payload_random: bool,
     pub(super) rpc_proxy_req_every_secs: AtomicU64,
     pub(super) writer_cmd_channel_capacity: usize,
+    pub(super) writer_byte_budget_permits: usize,
 }
 
 pub(super) struct RouteRuntimeCore {
@@ -553,6 +556,7 @@ impl MePool {
         me_writer_pick_sample_size: u8,
         me_socks_kdf_policy: MeSocksKdfPolicy,
         me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity: usize,
+        me_writer_byte_budget_bytes: usize,
         me_route_channel_capacity: usize,
         me_route_backpressure_enabled: bool,
         me_route_fairshare_enabled: bool,
@@ -583,6 +587,7 @@ impl MePool {
         );
         let (writer_epoch, _) = watch::channel(0u64);
         let now_epoch_secs = Self::now_epoch_secs();
+        stats.set_me_writer_byte_budget_limit_bytes(me_writer_byte_budget_bytes);
         Arc::new(Self {
             routing: Arc::new(RoutingCore {
                 registry,
@@ -615,6 +620,9 @@ impl MePool {
                 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),
+                writer_byte_budget_permits: me_writer_byte_budget_bytes
+                    .div_ceil(crate::config::defaults::ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES)
+                    .max(1),
             }),
             route_runtime: Arc::new(RouteRuntimeCore {
                 me_route_no_writer_mode: AtomicU8::new(me_route_no_writer_mode.as_u8()),
@@ -833,6 +841,13 @@ impl MePool {
         })
     }
 
+    /// Creates the immutable byte semaphore assigned to one ME writer generation.
+    pub(crate) fn new_writer_byte_budget(&self) -> Arc<Semaphore> {
+        Arc::new(Semaphore::new(
+            self.writer_lifecycle.writer_byte_budget_permits,
+        ))
+    }
+
     pub fn current_generation(&self) -> u64 {
         self.reinit.active_generation.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }

src/transport/middle_proxy/pool_writer.rs

@@ -63,13 +63,19 @@ async fn writer_command_loop(
             _ = cancel.cancelled() => return Ok(()),
             cmd = rx.recv() => {
                 match cmd {
-                    Some(WriterCommand::Data(payload)) => {
+                    Some(WriterCommand::Data {
+                        payload,
+                        _permit,
+                        mut writer_permit,
+                    }) => {
+                        writer_permit.mark_inflight();
                         rpc_writer.send(&payload).await?;
                     }
                     Some(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(payload)) => {
                         rpc_writer.send_and_flush(&payload).await?;
                     }
-                    Some(WriterCommand::ProxyReq(command)) => {
+                    Some(WriterCommand::ProxyReq(mut command)) => {
+                        command.writer_permit.mark_inflight();
                         rpc_writer.send_proxy_req(&command).await?;
                     }
                     Some(WriterCommand::ControlAndFlush(payload)) => {
@@ -419,6 +425,7 @@ impl MePool {
         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 byte_budget = self.new_writer_byte_budget();
         let (tx, rx) =
             mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(self.writer_lifecycle.writer_cmd_channel_capacity);
         let rpc_writer = RpcWriter {
@@ -438,6 +445,7 @@ impl MePool {
             contour: contour.clone(),
             created_at: Instant::now(),
             tx: tx.clone(),
+            byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
             cancel: cancel.clone(),
             degraded: degraded.clone(),
             rtt_ema_ms_x10: rtt_ema_ms_x10.clone(),
@@ -449,7 +457,9 @@ impl MePool {
         self.writers
             .update(|writers| writers.push(writer.clone()))
             .await;
-        self.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx.clone()).await;
+        self.registry
+            .register_writer(writer_id, tx.clone(), byte_budget)
+            .await;
         self.registry.mark_writer_idle(writer_id).await;
         self.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.notify_writer_epoch();

src/transport/middle_proxy/registry.rs

@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ pub struct BoundConn {
 pub struct ConnWriter {
     pub writer_id: u64,
     pub tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>,
+    /// Writer-local memory budget used by the hot bound-client route.
+    pub byte_budget: Arc<Semaphore>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default)]
@@ -62,7 +64,13 @@ struct RoutingTable {
 }
 
 struct WriterTable {
-    map: DashMap<u64, mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>>,
+    map: DashMap<u64, WriterRoute>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+struct WriterRoute {
+    tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>,
+    byte_budget: Arc<Semaphore>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone)]

src/transport/middle_proxy/registry/tests.rs

@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 use std::net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, SocketAddr};
+use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
+use tokio::sync::Semaphore;
 
 use super::{ConnMeta, ConnRegistry, RouteResult};
 use crate::transport::middle_proxy::MeResponse;
 
+fn writer_byte_budget() -> Arc<Semaphore> {
+    Arc::new(Semaphore::new(2049))
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn writer_activity_snapshot_tracks_writer_and_dc_load() {
     let registry = ConnRegistry::new();
@@ -14,8 +20,12 @@ async fn writer_activity_snapshot_tracks_writer_and_dc_load() {
     let (conn_c, _rx_c) = registry.register().await;
     let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
     let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
-    registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a.clone()).await;
-    registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b.clone()).await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(10, writer_tx_a.clone(), writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(20, writer_tx_b.clone(), writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
 
     let addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
     assert!(
@@ -124,8 +134,12 @@ async fn bind_writer_rebinds_conn_atomically() {
     let (conn_id, _rx) = registry.register().await;
     let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
     let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
-    registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a).await;
-    registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b).await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(10, writer_tx_a, writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(20, writer_tx_b, writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
 
     let client_addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
     let first_our_addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(1, 1, 1, 1)), 443);
@@ -184,8 +198,12 @@ async fn writer_lost_does_not_drop_rebound_conn() {
     let (conn_id, _rx) = registry.register().await;
     let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
     let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
-    registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a).await;
-    registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b).await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(10, writer_tx_a, writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(20, writer_tx_b, writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
 
     let addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
     assert!(
@@ -262,8 +280,12 @@ async fn non_empty_writer_ids_returns_only_writers_with_bound_clients() {
     let (conn_id, _rx) = registry.register().await;
     let (writer_tx_a, _writer_rx_a) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
     let (writer_tx_b, _writer_rx_b) = tokio::sync::mpsc::channel(8);
-    registry.register_writer(10, writer_tx_a).await;
-    registry.register_writer(20, writer_tx_b).await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(10, writer_tx_a, writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
+    registry
+        .register_writer(20, writer_tx_b, writer_byte_budget())
+        .await;
 
     let addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 443);
     assert!(

src/transport/middle_proxy/registry/writer.rs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
+use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
 use std::time::Duration;
 
@@ -56,7 +57,13 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
         }
     }
 
-    pub async fn register_writer(&self, writer_id: u64, tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>) {
+    /// Registers one writer command route and its matching memory budget atomically.
+    pub async fn register_writer(
+        &self,
+        writer_id: u64,
+        tx: mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>,
+        byte_budget: Arc<tokio::sync::Semaphore>,
+    ) {
         let mut binding = self.binding.inner.lock().await;
         binding
             .conns_for_writer
@@ -70,7 +77,9 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
             .writer_idle_since_epoch_secs
             .entry(writer_id)
             .or_insert_with(Self::now_epoch_secs);
-        self.writers.map.insert(writer_id, tx);
+        self.writers
+            .map
+            .insert(writer_id, super::WriterRoute { tx, byte_budget });
     }
 
     /// Unregister connection, returning associated writer_id if any.
@@ -417,7 +426,8 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
             .map(|entry| entry.value().clone())?;
         Some(ConnWriter {
             writer_id,
-            tx: writer,
+            tx: writer.tx,
+            byte_budget: writer.byte_budget,
         })
     }
 
@@ -438,7 +448,8 @@ impl ConnRegistry {
         Some((
             ConnWriter {
                 writer_id,
-                tx: writer,
+                tx: writer.tx,
+                byte_budget: writer.byte_budget,
             },
             meta,
         ))

src/transport/middle_proxy/send.rs

@@ -6,16 +6,18 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
-use tokio::sync::mpsc;
 use tokio::sync::mpsc::error::TrySendError;
+use tokio::sync::{OwnedSemaphorePermit, Semaphore, TryAcquireError, mpsc};
 use tracing::{debug, warn};
 
 use super::MePool;
-use super::codec::{ProxyReqCommand, WriterCommand};
+use super::codec::{ProxyReqCommand, WriterBytePermit, WriterCommand};
 use super::registry::ConnMeta;
-use super::wire::build_proxy_req_payload;
+use super::wire::{build_proxy_req_payload, proxy_req_payload_len};
+use crate::config::defaults::ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES;
 use crate::config::{MeRouteNoWriterMode, MeWriterPickMode};
 use crate::error::{ProxyError, Result};
+use crate::stats::Stats;
 use crate::stream::PooledBuffer;
 use rand::seq::SliceRandom;
 
@@ -29,6 +31,8 @@ const PICK_PENALTY_WARM: u64 = 200;
 const PICK_PENALTY_DRAINING: u64 = 600;
 const PICK_PENALTY_STALE: u64 = 300;
 const PICK_PENALTY_DEGRADED: u64 = 250;
+const RPC_WRITER_FRAME_CAPACITY_OVERHEAD_BYTES: usize = 27;
+const LEGACY_PROXY_REQ_SOURCE_CAPACITY_OVERHEAD_BYTES: usize = 128;
 
 mod close;
 mod recovery;
@@ -39,34 +43,133 @@ enum WriterCommandReserveError {
     TimedOut,
 }
 
+enum WriterByteReserveError {
+    Closed,
+    TimedOut,
+}
+
 fn proxy_tag_array(tag: Option<&[u8]>) -> Option<[u8; 16]> {
     tag.and_then(|tag| <[u8; 16]>::try_from(tag).ok())
 }
 
-fn proxy_req_payload_from_command(cmd: WriterCommand) -> Option<PooledBuffer> {
+fn proxy_req_payload_from_command(
+    cmd: WriterCommand,
+) -> Option<(PooledBuffer, OwnedSemaphorePermit)> {
     match cmd {
-        WriterCommand::ProxyReq(command) => Some(command.payload),
+        WriterCommand::ProxyReq(command) => Some((command.payload, command._permit)),
+        _ => None,
+    }
+}
+
+fn payload_permit_from_data_command(cmd: WriterCommand) -> Option<OwnedSemaphorePermit> {
+    match cmd {
+        WriterCommand::Data { _permit, .. } => _permit,
         _ => None,
     }
 }
 
 async fn reserve_writer_command_slot(
     tx: &mpsc::Sender<WriterCommand>,
-    wait: Option<Duration>,
+    deadline: Option<Instant>,
 ) -> std::result::Result<mpsc::OwnedPermit<WriterCommand>, WriterCommandReserveError> {
     let reserve = tx.clone().reserve_owned();
-    match wait {
-        Some(wait) => match tokio::time::timeout(wait, reserve).await {
-            Ok(Ok(permit)) => Ok(permit),
-            Ok(Err(_)) => Err(WriterCommandReserveError::Closed),
-            Err(_) => Err(WriterCommandReserveError::TimedOut),
-        },
+    match deadline {
+        Some(deadline) => {
+            match tokio::time::timeout(deadline.saturating_duration_since(Instant::now()), reserve)
+                .await
+            {
+                Ok(Ok(permit)) => Ok(permit),
+                Ok(Err(_)) => Err(WriterCommandReserveError::Closed),
+                Err(_) => Err(WriterCommandReserveError::TimedOut),
+            }
+        }
         None => reserve.await.map_err(|_| WriterCommandReserveError::Closed),
     }
 }
 
+fn writer_send_deadline(wait: Option<Duration>) -> Option<Instant> {
+    wait.map(|wait| Instant::now() + wait)
+}
+
+fn writer_resident_permits(
+    source_capacity: usize,
+    encoded_payload_len: usize,
+) -> Option<(u32, usize)> {
+    let resident_bytes = source_capacity
+        .checked_add(encoded_payload_len)?
+        .checked_add(RPC_WRITER_FRAME_CAPACITY_OVERHEAD_BYTES)?;
+    let permits = resident_bytes.div_ceil(ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES);
+    let permits = u32::try_from(permits).ok()?;
+    let reserved_bytes = (permits as usize).checked_mul(ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES)?;
+    Some((
+        permits.max(1),
+        reserved_bytes.max(ME_WRITER_BYTE_PERMIT_UNIT_BYTES),
+    ))
+}
+
+fn proxy_req_resident_permits(
+    source_capacity: usize,
+    data_len: usize,
+    proxy_tag: Option<&[u8]>,
+    proto_flags: u32,
+) -> Option<(u32, usize)> {
+    writer_resident_permits(
+        source_capacity,
+        proxy_req_payload_len(data_len, proxy_tag, proto_flags),
+    )
+}
+
+fn try_reserve_writer_bytes(
+    byte_budget: &Arc<Semaphore>,
+    permits: u32,
+    reserved_bytes: usize,
+    stats: &Arc<Stats>,
+) -> std::result::Result<WriterBytePermit, TryAcquireError> {
+    byte_budget
+        .clone()
+        .try_acquire_many_owned(permits)
+        .map(|permit| WriterBytePermit::new(permit, reserved_bytes, stats.clone()))
+}
+
+async fn reserve_writer_bytes(
+    byte_budget: &Arc<Semaphore>,
+    permits: u32,
+    reserved_bytes: usize,
+    deadline: Option<Instant>,
+    stats: &Arc<Stats>,
+) -> std::result::Result<WriterBytePermit, WriterByteReserveError> {
+    match try_reserve_writer_bytes(byte_budget, permits, reserved_bytes, stats) {
+        Ok(permit) => return Ok(permit),
+        Err(TryAcquireError::Closed) => return Err(WriterByteReserveError::Closed),
+        Err(TryAcquireError::NoPermits) => {
+            stats.increment_me_writer_byte_budget_wait_total();
+        }
+    }
+
+    let acquire = byte_budget.clone().acquire_many_owned(permits);
+    match deadline {
+        Some(deadline) => {
+            match tokio::time::timeout(deadline.saturating_duration_since(Instant::now()), acquire)
+                .await
+            {
+                Ok(Ok(permit)) => Ok(WriterBytePermit::new(permit, reserved_bytes, stats.clone())),
+                Ok(Err(_)) => Err(WriterByteReserveError::Closed),
+                Err(_) => {
+                    stats.increment_me_writer_byte_budget_timeout_total();
+                    Err(WriterByteReserveError::TimedOut)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        None => acquire
+            .await
+            .map(|permit| WriterBytePermit::new(permit, reserved_bytes, stats.clone()))
+            .map_err(|_| WriterByteReserveError::Closed),
+    }
+}
+
 impl MePool {
     /// Send RPC_PROXY_REQ. `tag_override`: per-user ad_tag (from access.user_ad_tags); if None, uses pool default.
+    /// `payload_permit` keeps optional client byte accounting alive until the writer consumes the command.
     pub async fn send_proxy_req(
         self: &Arc<Self>,
         conn_id: u64,
@@ -76,8 +179,32 @@ impl MePool {
         data: &[u8],
         proto_flags: u32,
         tag_override: Option<&[u8]>,
+        mut payload_permit: Option<OwnedSemaphorePermit>,
     ) -> Result<()> {
         let tag = tag_override.or(self.proxy_tag.as_deref());
+        let Some(source_capacity) = data
+            .len()
+            .checked_add(LEGACY_PROXY_REQ_SOURCE_CAPACITY_OVERHEAD_BYTES)
+        else {
+            self.stats.increment_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total();
+            return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                "ME writer payload residency calculation overflow".into(),
+            ));
+        };
+        let Some((writer_byte_permits, writer_reserved_bytes)) =
+            proxy_req_resident_permits(source_capacity, data.len(), tag, proto_flags)
+        else {
+            self.stats.increment_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total();
+            return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                "ME writer payload residency calculation overflow".into(),
+            ));
+        };
+        if writer_byte_permits as usize > self.writer_lifecycle.writer_byte_budget_permits {
+            self.stats.increment_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total();
+            return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                "ME writer payload exceeds configured byte budget".into(),
+            ));
+        }
         let build_routed_payload = |effective_our_addr: SocketAddr| {
             (
                 build_proxy_req_payload(
@@ -118,19 +245,48 @@ impl MePool {
         loop {
             if let Some((current, current_meta)) = self.registry.get_writer_with_meta(conn_id).await
             {
+                let deadline =
+                    writer_send_deadline(self.route_runtime.me_route_blocking_send_timeout);
+                let writer_permit = match reserve_writer_bytes(
+                    &current.byte_budget,
+                    writer_byte_permits,
+                    writer_reserved_bytes,
+                    deadline,
+                    &self.stats,
+                )
+                .await
+                {
+                    Ok(permit) => permit,
+                    Err(WriterByteReserveError::TimedOut) => {
+                        self.stats
+                            .increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(self.writer_pick_mode());
+                        return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                            "ME writer byte budget full within blocking send timeout".into(),
+                        ));
+                    }
+                    Err(WriterByteReserveError::Closed) => {
+                        warn!(
+                            writer_id = current.writer_id,
+                            "ME writer byte budget closed"
+                        );
+                        self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(current.writer_id)
+                            .await;
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                };
                 let (current_payload, _) = build_routed_payload(current_meta.our_addr);
-                match current.tx.try_send(WriterCommand::Data(current_payload)) {
+                let command = WriterCommand::Data {
+                    payload: current_payload,
+                    _permit: payload_permit.take(),
+                    writer_permit,
+                };
+                match current.tx.try_send(command) {
                     Ok(()) => {
                         self.note_hybrid_route_success();
                         return Ok(());
                     }
                     Err(TrySendError::Full(cmd)) => {
-                        match reserve_writer_command_slot(
-                            &current.tx,
-                            self.route_runtime.me_route_blocking_send_timeout,
-                        )
-                        .await
-                        {
+                        match reserve_writer_command_slot(&current.tx, deadline).await {
                             Ok(permit) => {
                                 permit.send(cmd);
                                 self.note_hybrid_route_success();
@@ -143,14 +299,17 @@ impl MePool {
                                     "ME writer channel full within blocking send timeout".into(),
                                 ));
                             }
-                            Err(WriterCommandReserveError::Closed) => {}
+                            Err(WriterCommandReserveError::Closed) => {
+                                payload_permit = payload_permit_from_data_command(cmd);
+                            }
                         }
                         warn!(writer_id = current.writer_id, "ME writer channel closed");
                         self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(current.writer_id)
                             .await;
                         continue;
                     }
-                    Err(TrySendError::Closed(_)) => {
+                    Err(TrySendError::Closed(cmd)) => {
+                        payload_permit = payload_permit_from_data_command(cmd);
                         warn!(writer_id = current.writer_id, "ME writer channel closed");
                         self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(current.writer_id)
                             .await;
@@ -464,9 +623,31 @@ impl MePool {
                 if !self.writer_accepts_new_binding(w) {
                     continue;
                 }
-                let (payload, meta) = build_routed_payload(our_addr);
+                let writer_permit = match try_reserve_writer_bytes(
+                    &w.byte_budget,
+                    writer_byte_permits,
+                    writer_reserved_bytes,
+                    &self.stats,
+                ) {
+                    Ok(permit) => permit,
+                    Err(TryAcquireError::NoPermits) => {
+                        if fallback_blocking_idx.is_none() {
+                            fallback_blocking_idx = Some(idx);
+                        }
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    Err(TryAcquireError::Closed) => {
+                        self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_closed_total(pick_mode);
+                        warn!(writer_id = w.id, "ME writer byte budget closed");
+                        self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.id).await;
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                };
                 match w.tx.clone().try_reserve_owned() {
                     Ok(permit) => {
+                        // Keep the advertised proxy IP aligned with the selected ME writer source.
+                        let effective_our_addr = SocketAddr::new(w.source_ip, our_addr.port());
+                        let (payload, meta) = build_routed_payload(effective_our_addr);
                         if !self.registry.bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, meta).await {
                             debug!(
                                 conn_id,
@@ -477,7 +658,11 @@ impl MePool {
                             self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.id).await;
                             continue;
                         }
-                        permit.send(WriterCommand::Data(payload));
+                        permit.send(WriterCommand::Data {
+                            payload,
+                            _permit: payload_permit.take(),
+                            writer_permit,
+                        });
                         self.stats
                             .increment_me_writer_pick_success_try_total(pick_mode);
                         if w.generation < self.current_generation() {
@@ -519,50 +704,71 @@ impl MePool {
             }
             self.stats
                 .increment_me_writer_pick_blocking_fallback_total();
-            let (payload, meta) = build_routed_payload(our_addr);
-            let reserve_result =
-                if let Some(timeout) = self.route_runtime.me_route_blocking_send_timeout {
-                    match tokio::time::timeout(timeout, w.tx.clone().reserve_owned()).await {
-                        Ok(result) => result,
-                        Err(_) => {
-                            self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(pick_mode);
-                            continue;
-                        }
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    w.tx.clone().reserve_owned().await
-                };
-            match reserve_result {
-                Ok(permit) => {
-                    if !self.registry.bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, meta).await {
-                        debug!(
-                            conn_id,
-                            writer_id = w.id,
-                            "ME writer disappeared before fallback bind commit, pruning stale writer"
-                        );
-                        drop(permit);
-                        self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.id).await;
-                        continue;
-                    }
-                    permit.send(WriterCommand::Data(payload));
-                    self.stats
-                        .increment_me_writer_pick_success_fallback_total(pick_mode);
-                    if w.generation < self.current_generation() {
-                        self.stats.increment_pool_stale_pick_total();
-                    }
-                    self.note_hybrid_route_success();
-                    return Ok(());
+            let deadline = writer_send_deadline(self.route_runtime.me_route_blocking_send_timeout);
+            let writer_permit = match reserve_writer_bytes(
+                &w.byte_budget,
+                writer_byte_permits,
+                writer_reserved_bytes,
+                deadline,
+                &self.stats,
+            )
+            .await
+            {
+                Ok(permit) => permit,
+                Err(WriterByteReserveError::TimedOut) => {
+                    self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(pick_mode);
+                    continue;
                 }
-                Err(_) => {
+                Err(WriterByteReserveError::Closed) => {
+                    self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_closed_total(pick_mode);
+                    warn!(writer_id = w.id, "ME writer byte budget closed (blocking)");
+                    self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.id).await;
+                    continue;
+                }
+            };
+            let permit = match reserve_writer_command_slot(&w.tx, deadline).await {
+                Ok(permit) => permit,
+                Err(WriterCommandReserveError::TimedOut) => {
+                    self.stats.increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(pick_mode);
+                    continue;
+                }
+                Err(WriterCommandReserveError::Closed) => {
                     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;
+                    continue;
                 }
+            };
+            // Keep the advertised proxy IP aligned with the selected ME writer source.
+            let effective_our_addr = SocketAddr::new(w.source_ip, our_addr.port());
+            let (payload, meta) = build_routed_payload(effective_our_addr);
+            if !self.registry.bind_writer(conn_id, w.id, meta).await {
+                debug!(
+                    conn_id,
+                    writer_id = w.id,
+                    "ME writer disappeared before fallback bind commit, pruning stale writer"
+                );
+                drop(permit);
+                self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(w.id).await;
+                continue;
             }
+            permit.send(WriterCommand::Data {
+                payload,
+                _permit: payload_permit.take(),
+                writer_permit,
+            });
+            self.stats
+                .increment_me_writer_pick_success_fallback_total(pick_mode);
+            if w.generation < self.current_generation() {
+                self.stats.increment_pool_stale_pick_total();
+            }
+            self.note_hybrid_route_success();
+            return Ok(());
         }
     }
 
     /// Send RPC_PROXY_REQ while keeping the first bound-writer path allocation-light.
+    /// The client byte permit follows the payload until writer completion or command drop.
     pub async fn send_proxy_req_pooled(
         self: &Arc<Self>,
         conn_id: u64,
@@ -570,12 +776,69 @@ impl MePool {
         client_addr: SocketAddr,
         our_addr: SocketAddr,
         payload: PooledBuffer,
+        _permit: OwnedSemaphorePermit,
         proto_flags: u32,
         tag_override: Option<[u8; 16]>,
     ) -> Result<()> {
         let tag = tag_override.or_else(|| proxy_tag_array(self.proxy_tag.as_deref()));
+        let Some((writer_byte_permits, writer_reserved_bytes)) = proxy_req_resident_permits(
+            payload.capacity(),
+            payload.len(),
+            tag.as_ref().map(|tag| tag.as_slice()),
+            proto_flags,
+        ) else {
+            self.stats.increment_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total();
+            return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                "ME writer payload residency calculation overflow".into(),
+            ));
+        };
+        if writer_byte_permits as usize > self.writer_lifecycle.writer_byte_budget_permits {
+            self.stats.increment_me_writer_byte_budget_oversize_total();
+            return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                "ME writer payload exceeds configured byte budget".into(),
+            ));
+        }
 
         if let Some((current, current_meta)) = self.registry.get_writer_with_meta(conn_id).await {
+            let deadline = writer_send_deadline(self.route_runtime.me_route_blocking_send_timeout);
+            let writer_permit = match reserve_writer_bytes(
+                &current.byte_budget,
+                writer_byte_permits,
+                writer_reserved_bytes,
+                deadline,
+                &self.stats,
+            )
+            .await
+            {
+                Ok(permit) => permit,
+                Err(WriterByteReserveError::TimedOut) => {
+                    self.stats
+                        .increment_me_writer_pick_full_total(self.writer_pick_mode());
+                    return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
+                        "ME writer byte budget full within blocking send timeout".into(),
+                    ));
+                }
+                Err(WriterByteReserveError::Closed) => {
+                    warn!(
+                        writer_id = current.writer_id,
+                        "ME writer byte budget closed"
+                    );
+                    self.remove_writer_and_close_clients(current.writer_id)
+                        .await;
+                    return self
+                        .send_proxy_req(
+                            conn_id,
+                            target_dc,
+                            client_addr,
+                            our_addr,
+                            payload.as_ref(),
+                            proto_flags,
+                            tag.as_ref().map(|tag| tag.as_slice()),
+                            Some(_permit),
+                        )
+                        .await;
+                }
+            };
             let command = WriterCommand::ProxyReq(ProxyReqCommand {
                 conn_id,
                 client_addr,
@@ -583,6 +846,8 @@ impl MePool {
                 proto_flags,
                 proxy_tag: tag,
                 payload,
+                _permit,
+                writer_permit,
             });
             match current.tx.try_send(command) {
                 Ok(()) => {
@@ -590,12 +855,7 @@ impl MePool {
                     return Ok(());
                 }
                 Err(TrySendError::Full(cmd)) => {
-                    match reserve_writer_command_slot(
-                        &current.tx,
-                        self.route_runtime.me_route_blocking_send_timeout,
-                    )
-                    .await
-                    {
+                    match reserve_writer_command_slot(&current.tx, deadline).await {
                         Ok(permit) => {
                             permit.send(cmd);
                             self.note_hybrid_route_success();
@@ -609,7 +869,8 @@ impl MePool {
                             ));
                         }
                         Err(WriterCommandReserveError::Closed) => {
-                            let Some(payload) = proxy_req_payload_from_command(cmd) else {
+                            let Some((payload, _permit)) = proxy_req_payload_from_command(cmd)
+                            else {
                                 return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
                                     "ME writer rejected unexpected command type".into(),
                                 ));
@@ -626,13 +887,14 @@ impl MePool {
                                     payload.as_ref(),
                                     proto_flags,
                                     tag.as_ref().map(|tag| tag.as_slice()),
+                                    Some(_permit),
                                 )
                                 .await;
                         }
                     }
                 }
                 Err(TrySendError::Closed(cmd)) => {
-                    let Some(payload) = proxy_req_payload_from_command(cmd) else {
+                    let Some((payload, _permit)) = proxy_req_payload_from_command(cmd) else {
                         return Err(ProxyError::Proxy(
                             "ME writer rejected unexpected command type".into(),
                         ));
@@ -649,6 +911,7 @@ impl MePool {
                             payload.as_ref(),
                             proto_flags,
                             tag.as_ref().map(|tag| tag.as_slice()),
+                            Some(_permit),
                         )
                         .await;
                 }
@@ -663,6 +926,7 @@ impl MePool {
             payload.as_ref(),
             proto_flags,
             tag.as_ref().map(|tag| tag.as_slice()),
+            Some(_permit),
         )
         .await
     }

src/transport/middle_proxy/send/close.rs

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use crate::protocol::constants::{RPC_CLOSE_CONN_U32, RPC_CLOSE_EXT_U32};
 
 use super::super::MePool;
 use super::super::codec::{WriterCommand, build_control_payload};
-use super::{WriterCommandReserveError, reserve_writer_command_slot};
+use super::{WriterCommandReserveError, reserve_writer_command_slot, writer_send_deadline};
 
 const ME_CLOSE_SIGNAL_SEND_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_millis(50);
 
@@ -22,8 +22,11 @@ impl MePool {
             match w.tx.try_send(WriterCommand::ControlAndFlush(payload)) {
                 Ok(()) => {}
                 Err(TrySendError::Full(cmd)) => {
-                    match reserve_writer_command_slot(&w.tx, Some(ME_CLOSE_SIGNAL_SEND_TIMEOUT))
-                        .await
+                    match reserve_writer_command_slot(
+                        &w.tx,
+                        writer_send_deadline(Some(ME_CLOSE_SIGNAL_SEND_TIMEOUT)),
+                    )
+                    .await
                     {
                         Ok(permit) => {
                             permit.send(cmd);
@@ -63,9 +66,12 @@ impl MePool {
             match w.tx.try_send(WriterCommand::ControlAndFlush(payload)) {
                 Ok(()) => {}
                 Err(TrySendError::Full(cmd)) => {
-                    let _ = reserve_writer_command_slot(&w.tx, Some(ME_CLOSE_SIGNAL_SEND_TIMEOUT))
-                        .await
-                        .map(|permit| permit.send(cmd));
+                    let _ = reserve_writer_command_slot(
+                        &w.tx,
+                        writer_send_deadline(Some(ME_CLOSE_SIGNAL_SEND_TIMEOUT)),
+                    )
+                    .await
+                    .map(|permit| permit.send(cmd));
                 }
                 Err(TrySendError::Closed(_)) => {
                     debug!(conn_id, "ME close_conn skipped: writer channel closed");

src/transport/middle_proxy/tests/health_adversarial_tests.rs

@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ async fn make_pool(
         general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
         general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+        general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
         general.me_route_channel_capacity,
         general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
         general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,
@@ -134,6 +135,7 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
     drain_deadline_epoch_secs: u64,
 ) {
     let (tx, _writer_rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+    let byte_budget = pool.new_writer_byte_budget();
     let writer = MeWriter {
         id: writer_id,
         addr: SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 6000 + writer_id as u16),
@@ -143,6 +145,7 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
         contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Draining.as_u8())),
         created_at: Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(writer_id),
         tx: tx.clone(),
+        byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
         cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
         degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
         rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
@@ -153,7 +156,9 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
     };
 
     pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
-    pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+    pool.registry
+        .register_writer(writer_id, tx, byte_budget)
+        .await;
     pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
     for idx in 0..bound_clients {

src/transport/middle_proxy/tests/health_integration_tests.rs

@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ async fn make_pool(
         general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
         general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+        general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
         general.me_route_channel_capacity,
         general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
         general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,
@@ -131,6 +132,7 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
     drain_deadline_epoch_secs: u64,
 ) {
     let (tx, _writer_rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+    let byte_budget = pool.new_writer_byte_budget();
     let writer = MeWriter {
         id: writer_id,
         addr: SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 5500 + writer_id as u16),
@@ -140,6 +142,7 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
         contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Draining.as_u8())),
         created_at: Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(writer_id),
         tx: tx.clone(),
+        byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
         cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
         degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
         rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
@@ -149,7 +152,9 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
         allow_drain_fallback: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
     };
     pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
-    pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+    pool.registry
+        .register_writer(writer_id, tx, byte_budget)
+        .await;
     pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
     for idx in 0..bound_clients {
         let (conn_id, _rx) = pool.registry.register().await;

src/transport/middle_proxy/tests/health_regression_tests.rs

@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ async fn make_pool(me_pool_drain_threshold: u64) -> Arc<MePool> {
         general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
         general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+        general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
         general.me_route_channel_capacity,
         general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
         general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,
@@ -126,6 +127,7 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
 ) -> Vec<u64> {
     let mut conn_ids = Vec::with_capacity(bound_clients);
     let (tx, _writer_rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+    let byte_budget = pool.new_writer_byte_budget();
     let writer = MeWriter {
         id: writer_id,
         addr: SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST), 4500 + writer_id as u16),
@@ -135,6 +137,7 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
         contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Draining.as_u8())),
         created_at: Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(writer_id),
         tx: tx.clone(),
+        byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
         cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
         degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
         rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
@@ -144,7 +147,9 @@ async fn insert_draining_writer(
         allow_drain_fallback: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
     };
     pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
-    pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+    pool.registry
+        .register_writer(writer_id, tx, byte_budget)
+        .await;
     pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
     for idx in 0..bound_clients {
         let (conn_id, _rx) = pool.registry.register().await;

src/transport/middle_proxy/tests/pool_refill_security_tests.rs

@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ async fn make_pool() -> Arc<MePool> {
         general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
         general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+        general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
         general.me_route_channel_capacity,
         general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
         general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,

src/transport/middle_proxy/tests/pool_writer_security_tests.rs

@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ async fn make_pool() -> Arc<MePool> {
         general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
         general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+        general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
         general.me_route_channel_capacity,
         general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
         general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,
@@ -120,6 +121,7 @@ async fn insert_writer(
     created_at: Instant,
 ) {
     let (tx, _rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+    let byte_budget = pool.new_writer_byte_budget();
     let contour = if draining {
         WriterContour::Draining
     } else {
@@ -134,6 +136,7 @@ async fn insert_writer(
         contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(contour.as_u8())),
         created_at,
         tx: tx.clone(),
+        byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
         cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
         degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
         rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
@@ -144,7 +147,9 @@ async fn insert_writer(
     };
 
     pool.writers.write().await.push(writer);
-    pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+    pool.registry
+        .register_writer(writer_id, tx, byte_budget)
+        .await;
     pool.conn_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
 }
 

src/transport/middle_proxy/tests/send_adversarial_tests.rs

@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ async fn make_pool() -> (Arc<MePool>, Arc<SecureRandom>) {
         general.me_writer_pick_sample_size,
         MeSocksKdfPolicy::default(),
         general.me_writer_cmd_channel_capacity,
+        general.me_writer_byte_budget_bytes,
         general.me_route_channel_capacity,
         general.me_route_backpressure_enabled,
         general.me_route_fairshare_enabled,
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ async fn insert_writer(
     register_in_registry: bool,
 ) -> mpsc::Receiver<WriterCommand> {
     let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel::<WriterCommand>(8);
+    let byte_budget = pool.new_writer_byte_budget();
     let writer = MeWriter {
         id: writer_id,
         addr,
@@ -136,6 +138,7 @@ async fn insert_writer(
         contour: Arc::new(AtomicU8::new(WriterContour::Active.as_u8())),
         created_at: Instant::now(),
         tx: tx.clone(),
+        byte_budget: byte_budget.clone(),
         cancel: CancellationToken::new(),
         degraded: Arc::new(AtomicBool::new(false)),
         rtt_ema_ms_x10: Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0)),
@@ -154,7 +157,9 @@ async fn insert_writer(
     }
     pool.rebuild_endpoint_dc_map().await;
     if register_in_registry {
-        pool.registry.register_writer(writer_id, tx).await;
+        pool.registry
+            .register_writer(writer_id, tx, byte_budget)
+            .await;
     }
     rx
 }
@@ -165,7 +170,7 @@ async fn recv_data_count(rx: &mut mpsc::Receiver<WriterCommand>, budget: Duratio
     while Instant::now().duration_since(start) < budget {
         let remaining = budget.saturating_sub(Instant::now().duration_since(start));
         match tokio::time::timeout(remaining.min(Duration::from_millis(10)), rx.recv()).await {
-            Ok(Some(WriterCommand::Data(_))) => data_count += 1,
+            Ok(Some(WriterCommand::Data { .. })) => data_count += 1,
             Ok(Some(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(_))) => data_count += 1,
             Ok(Some(WriterCommand::ProxyReq(_))) => data_count += 1,
             Ok(Some(WriterCommand::ControlAndFlush(_))) => data_count += 1,
@@ -185,7 +190,7 @@ async fn recv_first_data_payload(
     while Instant::now().duration_since(start) < budget {
         let remaining = budget.saturating_sub(Instant::now().duration_since(start));
         match tokio::time::timeout(remaining.min(Duration::from_millis(10)), rx.recv()).await {
-            Ok(Some(WriterCommand::Data(payload))) => return Some(payload.to_vec()),
+            Ok(Some(WriterCommand::Data { payload, .. })) => return Some(payload.to_vec()),
             Ok(Some(WriterCommand::DataAndFlush(payload))) => return Some(payload.to_vec()),
             Ok(Some(_)) => {}
             Ok(None) => break,
@@ -240,6 +245,7 @@ async fn send_proxy_req_does_not_replay_when_first_bind_commit_fails() {
             b"hello",
             0,
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
 
@@ -299,6 +305,7 @@ async fn send_proxy_req_prunes_iterative_stale_bind_failures_without_data_replay
             b"storm",
             0,
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
 
@@ -323,7 +330,7 @@ async fn send_proxy_req_prunes_iterative_stale_bind_failures_without_data_replay
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
-async fn send_proxy_req_preserves_client_facing_our_addr_when_writer_source_ip_differs() {
+async fn send_proxy_req_uses_writer_source_ip_when_advertised_our_addr_differs() {
     let (pool, _rng) = make_pool().await;
     pool.rr.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
 
@@ -356,6 +363,7 @@ async fn send_proxy_req_preserves_client_facing_our_addr_when_writer_source_ip_d
             b"route",
             0,
             None,
+            None,
         )
         .await;
 
@@ -363,5 +371,69 @@ async fn send_proxy_req_preserves_client_facing_our_addr_when_writer_source_ip_d
     let payload = recv_first_data_payload(&mut live_rx, Duration::from_millis(50))
         .await
         .expect("writer must receive routed payload");
-    assert_eq!(proxy_req_our_addr_from_payload(&payload), our_addr);
+    assert_eq!(
+        proxy_req_our_addr_from_payload(&payload),
+        SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 31)), our_addr.port())
+    );
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn send_proxy_req_blocking_fallback_uses_writer_source_ip() {
+    let (pool, _rng) = make_pool().await;
+    pool.rr.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+
+    let (conn_id, _rx) = pool.registry.register().await;
+    let mut live_rx = insert_writer(
+        &pool,
+        32,
+        2,
+        SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(127, 0, 2, 32)), 443),
+        true,
+    )
+    .await;
+    let source_ip = IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(203, 0, 113, 32));
+
+    let tx = {
+        let mut writers = pool.writers.write().await;
+        let writer = writers
+            .iter_mut()
+            .find(|writer| writer.id == 32)
+            .expect("test writer must exist");
+        writer.source_ip = source_ip;
+        writer.tx.clone()
+    };
+    for _ in 0..8 {
+        tx.try_send(WriterCommand::Close)
+            .expect("test writer channel must accept preload");
+    }
+
+    let our_addr = SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(198, 51, 100, 8)), 9443);
+    let pool_for_send = pool.clone();
+    let send_task = tokio::spawn(async move {
+        pool_for_send
+            .send_proxy_req(
+                conn_id,
+                2,
+                SocketAddr::new(IpAddr::V4(Ipv4Addr::new(10, 0, 0, 8)), 30003),
+                our_addr,
+                b"blocking",
+                0,
+                None,
+                None,
+            )
+            .await
+    });
+
+    tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_millis(10)).await;
+    assert!(matches!(live_rx.recv().await, Some(WriterCommand::Close)));
+
+    let result = send_task.await.expect("send task must not panic");
+    assert!(result.is_ok());
+    let payload = recv_first_data_payload(&mut live_rx, Duration::from_millis(50))
+        .await
+        .expect("writer must receive blocking fallback payload");
+    assert_eq!(
+        proxy_req_our_addr_from_payload(&payload),
+        SocketAddr::new(source_ip, our_addr.port())
+    );
 }