[management] Refactor peer activity checks to prevent stale status updates

Auto-update logic moved out of the UI into a dedicated updatemanager.Manager service that runs in the connection layer. The
UI no longer polls or checks for updates independently.
The update manager supports three modes driven by the management server's auto-update policy:
No policy set by mgm: checks GitHub for the latest version and notifies the user (previous behavior, now centralized)
mgm enforces update: the "About" menu triggers installation directly instead of just downloading the file — user still initiates the action
mgm forces update: installation proceeds automatically without user interaction
updateManager lifecycle is now owned by daemon, giving the daemon server direct control via a new TriggerUpdate RPC
Introduces EngineServices struct to group external service dependencies passed to NewEngine, reducing its argument count from 11 to 4

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+blank_issues_enabled: true
+contact_links:
+  - name: Community Support
+    url: https://forum.netbird.io/
+    about: Community support forum
+  - name: Cloud Support
+    url: https://docs.netbird.io/help/report-bug-issues
+    about: Contact us for support
+  - name: Client/Connection Troubleshooting
+    url: https://docs.netbird.io/help/troubleshooting-client
+    about: See our client troubleshooting guide for help addressing common issues
+  - name: Self-host Troubleshooting
+    url: https://docs.netbird.io/selfhosted/troubleshooting
+    about: See our self-host troubleshooting guide for help addressing common issues

.github/workflows/golang-test-linux.yml

@@ -409,12 +409,19 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
 
       - name: Login to Docker hub
-        if: matrix.store == 'mysql' && (github.repository == github.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref)
-        uses: docker/login-action@v1
+        if: github.event.pull_request && github.event.pull_request.head.repo && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == '' || github.repository == github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
         with:
           username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER }}
           password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_TOKEN }}
 
+      - name: docker login for root user
+        if: github.event.pull_request && github.event.pull_request.head.repo && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == '' || github.repository == github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref
+        env:
+          DOCKER_USER: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER }}
+          DOCKER_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_TOKEN }}
+        run: echo "$DOCKER_TOKEN" | sudo docker login --username "$DOCKER_USER" --password-stdin
+
       - name: download mysql image
         if: matrix.store == 'mysql'
         run: docker pull mlsmaycon/warmed-mysql:8
@@ -497,15 +504,18 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
 
       - name: Login to Docker hub
-        if: matrix.store == 'mysql' && (github.repository == github.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref)
-        uses: docker/login-action@v1
+        if: github.event.pull_request && github.event.pull_request.head.repo && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == '' || github.repository == github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
         with:
           username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER }}
           password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_TOKEN }}
 
-      - name: download mysql image
-        if: matrix.store == 'mysql'
-        run: docker pull mlsmaycon/warmed-mysql:8
+      - name: docker login for root user
+        if: github.event.pull_request && github.event.pull_request.head.repo && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == '' || github.repository == github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref
+        env:
+          DOCKER_USER: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER }}
+          DOCKER_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_TOKEN }}
+        run: echo "$DOCKER_TOKEN" | sudo docker login --username "$DOCKER_USER" --password-stdin
 
       - name: Test
         run: |
@@ -586,15 +596,18 @@ jobs:
         run: git --no-pager diff --exit-code
 
       - name: Login to Docker hub
-        if: matrix.store == 'mysql' && (github.repository == github.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref)
-        uses: docker/login-action@v1
+        if: github.event.pull_request && github.event.pull_request.head.repo && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == '' || github.repository == github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
         with:
           username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER }}
           password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_TOKEN }}
 
-      - name: download mysql image
-        if: matrix.store == 'mysql'
-        run: docker pull mlsmaycon/warmed-mysql:8
+      - name: docker login for root user
+        if: github.event.pull_request && github.event.pull_request.head.repo && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == '' || github.repository == github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name || !github.head_ref
+        env:
+          DOCKER_USER: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER }}
+          DOCKER_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_TOKEN }}
+        run: echo "$DOCKER_TOKEN" | sudo docker login --username "$DOCKER_USER" --password-stdin
 
       - name: Test
         run: |

.github/workflows/golangci-lint.yml

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: codespell
         uses: codespell-project/actions-codespell@v2
         with:
-          ignore_words_list: erro,clienta,hastable,iif,groupd,testin,groupe,cros,ans,deriver
+          ignore_words_list: erro,clienta,hastable,iif,groupd,testin,groupe,cros,ans,deriver,te
           skip: go.mod,go.sum,**/proxy/web/**
   golangci:
     strategy:

.github/workflows/pr-title-check.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+name: PR Title Check
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    types: [opened, edited, synchronize, reopened]
+
+jobs:
+  check-title:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Validate PR title prefix
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const title = context.payload.pull_request.title;
+            const allowedTags = [
+              'management',
+              'client',
+              'signal',
+              'proxy',
+              'relay',
+              'misc',
+              'infrastructure',
+              'self-hosted',
+              'doc',
+            ];
+
+            const pattern = /^\[([^\]]+)\]\s+.+/;
+            const match = title.match(pattern);
+
+            if (!match) {
+              core.setFailed(
+                `PR title must start with a tag in brackets.\n` +
+                `Example: [client] fix something\n` +
+                `Allowed tags: ${allowedTags.join(', ')}`
+              );
+              return;
+            }
+
+            const tags = match[1].split(',').map(t => t.trim().toLowerCase());
+
+            const invalid = tags.filter(t => !allowedTags.includes(t));
+            if (invalid.length > 0) {
+              core.setFailed(
+                `Invalid tag(s): ${invalid.join(', ')}\n` +
+                `Allowed tags: ${allowedTags.join(', ')}`
+              );
+              return;
+            }
+
+            console.log(`Valid PR title tags: [${tags.join(', ')}]`);

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ on:
 
 env:
   SIGN_PIPE_VER: "v0.1.1"
-  GORELEASER_VER: "v2.3.2"
+  GORELEASER_VER: "v2.14.3"
   PRODUCT_NAME: "NetBird"
   COPYRIGHT: "NetBird GmbH"
 
@@ -169,6 +169,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install OS build dependencies
         run: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y -q gcc-arm-linux-gnueabihf gcc-aarch64-linux-gnu
 
+      - name: Decode GPG signing key
+        env:
+          GPG_RPM_PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.GPG_RPM_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+        run: |
+          echo "$GPG_RPM_PRIVATE_KEY" | base64 -d > /tmp/gpg-rpm-signing-key.asc
+          echo "GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE=/tmp/gpg-rpm-signing-key.asc" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+
       - name: Install goversioninfo
         run: go install github.com/josephspurrier/goversioninfo/cmd/goversioninfo@233067e
       - name: Generate windows syso amd64
@@ -186,18 +193,54 @@ jobs:
           HOMEBREW_TAP_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.HOMEBREW_TAP_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           UPLOAD_DEBIAN_SECRET: ${{ secrets.PKG_UPLOAD_SECRET }}
           UPLOAD_YUM_SECRET: ${{ secrets.PKG_UPLOAD_SECRET }}
-      - name: Tag and push PR images (amd64 only)
-        if: github.event_name == 'pull_request' && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == github.repository
+          GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE: ${{ env.GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE }}
+          NFPM_NETBIRD_RPM_PASSPHRASE: ${{ secrets.GPG_RPM_PASSPHRASE }}
+      - name: Verify RPM signatures
         run: |
-          PR_TAG="pr-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}"
+          docker run --rm -v $(pwd)/dist:/dist fedora:41 bash -c '
+            dnf install -y -q rpm-sign curl >/dev/null 2>&1
+            curl -sSL https://pkgs.netbird.io/yum/repodata/repomd.xml.key -o /tmp/rpm-pub.key
+            rpm --import /tmp/rpm-pub.key
+            echo "=== Verifying RPM signatures ==="
+            for rpm_file in /dist/*amd64*.rpm; do
+              [ -f "$rpm_file" ] || continue
+              echo "--- $(basename $rpm_file) ---"
+              rpm -K "$rpm_file"
+            done
+          '
+      - name: Clean up GPG key
+        if: always()
+        run: rm -f /tmp/gpg-rpm-signing-key.asc
+      - name: Tag and push images (amd64 only)
+        if: |
+          (github.event_name == 'pull_request' && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name == github.repository) ||
+          (github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main')
+        run: |
+          resolve_tags() {
+            if [[ "${{ github.event_name }}" == "pull_request" ]]; then
+              echo "pr-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}"
+            else
+              echo "main sha-$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
+            fi
+          }
+
+          tag_and_push() {
+            local src="$1" img_name tag dst
+            img_name="${src%%:*}"
+            for tag in $(resolve_tags); do
+              dst="${img_name}:${tag}"
+              echo "Tagging ${src} -> ${dst}"
+              docker tag "$src" "$dst"
+              docker push "$dst"
+            done
+          }
+
+          export -f tag_and_push resolve_tags
+
           echo '${{ steps.goreleaser.outputs.artifacts }}' | \
             jq -r '.[] | select(.type == "Docker Image") | select(.goarch == "amd64") | .name' | \
             grep '^ghcr.io/' | while read -r SRC; do
-              IMG_NAME="${SRC%%:*}"
-              DST="${IMG_NAME}:${PR_TAG}"
-              echo "Tagging ${SRC} -> ${DST}"
-              docker tag "$SRC" "$DST"
-              docker push "$DST"
+              tag_and_push "$SRC"
             done
       - name: upload non tags for debug purposes
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
@@ -265,6 +308,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y -q libappindicator3-dev gir1.2-appindicator3-0.1 libxxf86vm-dev gcc-mingw-w64-x86-64
 
+      - name: Decode GPG signing key
+        env:
+          GPG_RPM_PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.GPG_RPM_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+        run: |
+          echo "$GPG_RPM_PRIVATE_KEY" | base64 -d > /tmp/gpg-rpm-signing-key.asc
+          echo "GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE=/tmp/gpg-rpm-signing-key.asc" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+
       - name: Install LLVM-MinGW for ARM64 cross-compilation
         run: |
           cd /tmp
@@ -289,6 +339,24 @@ jobs:
           HOMEBREW_TAP_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.HOMEBREW_TAP_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           UPLOAD_DEBIAN_SECRET: ${{ secrets.PKG_UPLOAD_SECRET }}
           UPLOAD_YUM_SECRET: ${{ secrets.PKG_UPLOAD_SECRET }}
+          GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE: ${{ env.GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE }}
+          NFPM_NETBIRD_UI_RPM_PASSPHRASE: ${{ secrets.GPG_RPM_PASSPHRASE }}
+      - name: Verify RPM signatures
+        run: |
+          docker run --rm -v $(pwd)/dist:/dist fedora:41 bash -c '
+            dnf install -y -q rpm-sign curl >/dev/null 2>&1
+            curl -sSL https://pkgs.netbird.io/yum/repodata/repomd.xml.key -o /tmp/rpm-pub.key
+            rpm --import /tmp/rpm-pub.key
+            echo "=== Verifying RPM signatures ==="
+            for rpm_file in /dist/*.rpm; do
+              [ -f "$rpm_file" ] || continue
+              echo "--- $(basename $rpm_file) ---"
+              rpm -K "$rpm_file"
+            done
+          '
+      - name: Clean up GPG key
+        if: always()
+        run: rm -f /tmp/gpg-rpm-signing-key.asc
       - name: upload non tags for debug purposes
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:

.goreleaser.yaml

@@ -171,13 +171,12 @@ nfpms:
   - maintainer: Netbird <dev@netbird.io>
     description: Netbird client.
     homepage: https://netbird.io/
-    id: netbird-deb
+    id: netbird_deb
     bindir: /usr/bin
     builds:
       - netbird
     formats:
       - deb
-
     scripts:
       postinstall: "release_files/post_install.sh"
       preremove: "release_files/pre_remove.sh"
@@ -185,16 +184,18 @@ nfpms:
   - maintainer: Netbird <dev@netbird.io>
     description: Netbird client.
     homepage: https://netbird.io/
-    id: netbird-rpm
+    id: netbird_rpm
     bindir: /usr/bin
     builds:
       - netbird
     formats:
       - rpm
-
     scripts:
       postinstall: "release_files/post_install.sh"
       preremove: "release_files/pre_remove.sh"
+    rpm:
+      signature:
+        key_file: '{{ if index .Env "GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE" }}{{ .Env.GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE }}{{ end }}'
 dockers:
   - image_templates:
       - netbirdio/netbird:{{ .Version }}-amd64
@@ -876,7 +877,7 @@ brews:
 uploads:
   - name: debian
     ids:
-      - netbird-deb
+      - netbird_deb
     mode: archive
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/debian/pool/{{ .ArtifactName }};deb.distribution=stable;deb.component=main;deb.architecture={{ if .Arm }}armhf{{ else }}{{ .Arch }}{{ end }};deb.package=
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com
@@ -884,7 +885,7 @@ uploads:
 
   - name: yum
     ids:
-      - netbird-rpm
+      - netbird_rpm
     mode: archive
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/yum/{{ .Arch }}{{ if .Arm }}{{ .Arm }}{{ end }}
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com

.goreleaser_ui.yaml

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ nfpms:
   - maintainer: Netbird <dev@netbird.io>
     description: Netbird client UI.
     homepage: https://netbird.io/
-    id: netbird-ui-deb
+    id: netbird_ui_deb
     package_name: netbird-ui
     builds:
       - netbird-ui
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ nfpms:
   - maintainer: Netbird <dev@netbird.io>
     description: Netbird client UI.
     homepage: https://netbird.io/
-    id: netbird-ui-rpm
+    id: netbird_ui_rpm
     package_name: netbird-ui
     builds:
       - netbird-ui
@@ -95,11 +95,14 @@ nfpms:
         dst: /usr/share/pixmaps/netbird.png
     dependencies:
       - netbird
+    rpm:
+      signature:
+        key_file: '{{ if index .Env "GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE" }}{{ .Env.GPG_RPM_KEY_FILE }}{{ end }}'
 
 uploads:
   - name: debian
     ids:
-      - netbird-ui-deb
+      - netbird_ui_deb
     mode: archive
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/debian/pool/{{ .ArtifactName }};deb.distribution=stable;deb.component=main;deb.architecture={{ if .Arm }}armhf{{ else }}{{ .Arch }}{{ end }};deb.package=
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com
@@ -107,7 +110,7 @@ uploads:
 
   - name: yum
     ids:
-      - netbird-ui-rpm
+      - netbird_ui_rpm
     mode: archive
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/yum/{{ .Arch }}{{ if .Arm }}{{ .Arm }}{{ end }}
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com

client/Dockerfile

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #   sudo podman build -t localhost/netbird:latest -f client/Dockerfile --ignorefile .dockerignore-client .
 #   sudo podman run --rm -it --cap-add={BPF,NET_ADMIN,NET_RAW} localhost/netbird:latest
 
-FROM alpine:3.23.2
+FROM alpine:3.23.3
 # iproute2: busybox doesn't display ip rules properly
 RUN apk add --no-cache \
     bash \

client/android/client.go

@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ func (c *Client) Run(platformFiles PlatformFiles, urlOpener URLOpener, isAndroid
 
 	// todo do not throw error in case of cancelled context
 	ctx = internal.CtxInitState(ctx)
-	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder, false)
+	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder)
 	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener, stateFile)
 }
 
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func (c *Client) RunWithoutLogin(platformFiles PlatformFiles, dns *DNSList, dnsR
 
 	// todo do not throw error in case of cancelled context
 	ctx = internal.CtxInitState(ctx)
-	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder, false)
+	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder)
 	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener, stateFile)
 }
 

client/cmd/expose.go

@@ -0,0 +1,280 @@
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"os/signal"
+	"regexp"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"syscall"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
+)
+
+var pinRegexp = regexp.MustCompile(`^\d{6}$`)
+
+var (
+	exposePin          string
+	exposePassword     string
+	exposeUserGroups   []string
+	exposeDomain       string
+	exposeNamePrefix   string
+	exposeProtocol     string
+	exposeExternalPort uint16
+)
+
+var exposeCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "expose <port>",
+	Short: "Expose a local port via the NetBird reverse proxy",
+	Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
+	Example: `  netbird expose --with-password safe-pass 8080
+  netbird expose --protocol tcp 5432
+  netbird expose --protocol tcp --with-external-port 5433 5432
+  netbird expose --protocol tls --with-custom-domain tls.example.com 4443`,
+	RunE: exposeFn,
+}
+
+func init() {
+	exposeCmd.Flags().StringVar(&exposePin, "with-pin", "", "Protect the exposed service with a 6-digit PIN (e.g. --with-pin 123456)")
+	exposeCmd.Flags().StringVar(&exposePassword, "with-password", "", "Protect the exposed service with a password (e.g. --with-password my-secret)")
+	exposeCmd.Flags().StringSliceVar(&exposeUserGroups, "with-user-groups", nil, "Restrict access to specific user groups with SSO (e.g. --with-user-groups devops,Backend)")
+	exposeCmd.Flags().StringVar(&exposeDomain, "with-custom-domain", "", "Custom domain for the exposed service, must be configured to your account (e.g. --with-custom-domain myapp.example.com)")
+	exposeCmd.Flags().StringVar(&exposeNamePrefix, "with-name-prefix", "", "Prefix for the generated service name (e.g. --with-name-prefix my-app)")
+	exposeCmd.Flags().StringVar(&exposeProtocol, "protocol", "http", "Protocol to use: http, https, tcp, udp, or tls (e.g. --protocol tcp)")
+	exposeCmd.Flags().Uint16Var(&exposeExternalPort, "with-external-port", 0, "Public-facing external port on the proxy cluster (defaults to the target port for L4)")
+}
+
+// isClusterProtocol returns true for L4/TLS protocols that reject HTTP-style auth flags.
+func isClusterProtocol(protocol string) bool {
+	switch strings.ToLower(protocol) {
+	case "tcp", "udp", "tls":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+// isPortBasedProtocol returns true for pure port-based protocols (TCP/UDP)
+// where domain display doesn't apply. TLS uses SNI so it has a domain.
+func isPortBasedProtocol(protocol string) bool {
+	switch strings.ToLower(protocol) {
+	case "tcp", "udp":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+// extractPort returns the port portion of a URL like "tcp://host:12345", or
+// falls back to the given default formatted as a string.
+func extractPort(serviceURL string, fallback uint16) string {
+	u := serviceURL
+	if idx := strings.Index(u, "://"); idx != -1 {
+		u = u[idx+3:]
+	}
+	if i := strings.LastIndex(u, ":"); i != -1 {
+		if p := u[i+1:]; p != "" {
+			return p
+		}
+	}
+	return strconv.FormatUint(uint64(fallback), 10)
+}
+
+// resolveExternalPort returns the effective external port, defaulting to the target port.
+func resolveExternalPort(targetPort uint64) uint16 {
+	if exposeExternalPort != 0 {
+		return exposeExternalPort
+	}
+	return uint16(targetPort)
+}
+
+func validateExposeFlags(cmd *cobra.Command, portStr string) (uint64, error) {
+	port, err := strconv.ParseUint(portStr, 10, 32)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("invalid port number: %s", portStr)
+	}
+	if port == 0 || port > 65535 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("invalid port number: must be between 1 and 65535")
+	}
+
+	if !isProtocolValid(exposeProtocol) {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("unsupported protocol %q: must be http, https, tcp, udp, or tls", exposeProtocol)
+	}
+
+	if isClusterProtocol(exposeProtocol) {
+		if exposePin != "" || exposePassword != "" || len(exposeUserGroups) > 0 {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("auth flags (--with-pin, --with-password, --with-user-groups) are not supported for %s protocol", exposeProtocol)
+		}
+	} else if cmd.Flags().Changed("with-external-port") {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("--with-external-port is not supported for %s protocol", exposeProtocol)
+	}
+
+	if exposePin != "" && !pinRegexp.MatchString(exposePin) {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("invalid pin: must be exactly 6 digits")
+	}
+
+	if cmd.Flags().Changed("with-password") && exposePassword == "" {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("password cannot be empty")
+	}
+
+	if cmd.Flags().Changed("with-user-groups") && len(exposeUserGroups) == 0 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("user groups cannot be empty")
+	}
+
+	return port, nil
+}
+
+func isProtocolValid(exposeProtocol string) bool {
+	switch strings.ToLower(exposeProtocol) {
+	case "http", "https", "tcp", "udp", "tls":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+func exposeFn(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	SetFlagsFromEnvVars(rootCmd)
+
+	if err := util.InitLog(logLevel, util.LogConsole); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed initializing log %v", err)
+		return err
+	}
+
+	cmd.Root().SilenceUsage = false
+
+	port, err := validateExposeFlags(cmd, args[0])
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	cmd.Root().SilenceUsage = true
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(cmd.Context())
+	defer cancel()
+
+	sigCh := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+	signal.Notify(sigCh, syscall.SIGINT, syscall.SIGTERM)
+	go func() {
+		<-sigCh
+		cancel()
+	}()
+
+	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("connect to daemon: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := conn.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("failed to close daemon connection: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	client := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
+
+	protocol, err := toExposeProtocol(exposeProtocol)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	req := &proto.ExposeServiceRequest{
+		Port:       uint32(port),
+		Protocol:   protocol,
+		Pin:        exposePin,
+		Password:   exposePassword,
+		UserGroups: exposeUserGroups,
+		Domain:     exposeDomain,
+		NamePrefix: exposeNamePrefix,
+	}
+	if isClusterProtocol(exposeProtocol) {
+		req.ListenPort = uint32(resolveExternalPort(port))
+	}
+
+	stream, err := client.ExposeService(ctx, req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("expose service: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := handleExposeReady(cmd, stream, port); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return waitForExposeEvents(cmd, ctx, stream)
+}
+
+func toExposeProtocol(exposeProtocol string) (proto.ExposeProtocol, error) {
+	switch strings.ToLower(exposeProtocol) {
+	case "http":
+		return proto.ExposeProtocol_EXPOSE_HTTP, nil
+	case "https":
+		return proto.ExposeProtocol_EXPOSE_HTTPS, nil
+	case "tcp":
+		return proto.ExposeProtocol_EXPOSE_TCP, nil
+	case "udp":
+		return proto.ExposeProtocol_EXPOSE_UDP, nil
+	case "tls":
+		return proto.ExposeProtocol_EXPOSE_TLS, nil
+	default:
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("unsupported protocol %q: must be http, https, tcp, udp, or tls", exposeProtocol)
+	}
+}
+
+func handleExposeReady(cmd *cobra.Command, stream proto.DaemonService_ExposeServiceClient, port uint64) error {
+	event, err := stream.Recv()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("receive expose event: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	ready, ok := event.Event.(*proto.ExposeServiceEvent_Ready)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected expose event: %T", event.Event)
+	}
+	printExposeReady(cmd, ready.Ready, port)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func printExposeReady(cmd *cobra.Command, r *proto.ExposeServiceReady, port uint64) {
+	cmd.Println("Service exposed successfully!")
+	cmd.Printf("  Name:     %s\n", r.ServiceName)
+	if r.ServiceUrl != "" {
+		cmd.Printf("  URL:      %s\n", r.ServiceUrl)
+	}
+	if r.Domain != "" && !isPortBasedProtocol(exposeProtocol) {
+		cmd.Printf("  Domain:   %s\n", r.Domain)
+	}
+	cmd.Printf("  Protocol: %s\n", exposeProtocol)
+	cmd.Printf("  Internal: %d\n", port)
+	if isClusterProtocol(exposeProtocol) {
+		cmd.Printf("  External: %s\n", extractPort(r.ServiceUrl, resolveExternalPort(port)))
+	}
+	if r.PortAutoAssigned && exposeExternalPort != 0 {
+		cmd.Printf("\n  Note: requested port %d was reassigned\n", exposeExternalPort)
+	}
+	cmd.Println()
+	cmd.Println("Press Ctrl+C to stop exposing.")
+}
+
+func waitForExposeEvents(cmd *cobra.Command, ctx context.Context, stream proto.DaemonService_ExposeServiceClient) error {
+	for {
+		_, err := stream.Recv()
+		if err != nil {
+			if ctx.Err() != nil {
+				cmd.Println("\nService stopped.")
+				//nolint:nilerr
+				return nil
+			}
+			if errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("connection to daemon closed unexpectedly")
+			}
+			return fmt.Errorf("stream error: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+}

client/cmd/root.go

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/credentials/insecure"
 
+	daddr "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/daemonaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 )
 
@@ -80,6 +81,15 @@ var (
 		Short:        "",
 		Long:         "",
 		SilenceUsage: true,
+		PersistentPreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			SetFlagsFromEnvVars(cmd.Root())
+
+			// Don't resolve for service commands — they create the socket, not connect to it.
+			if !isServiceCmd(cmd) {
+				daemonAddr = daddr.ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(daemonAddr)
+			}
+			return nil
+		},
 	}
 )
 
@@ -144,6 +154,7 @@ func init() {
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(forwardingRulesCmd)
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(debugCmd)
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(profileCmd)
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(exposeCmd)
 
 	networksCMD.AddCommand(routesListCmd)
 	networksCMD.AddCommand(routesSelectCmd, routesDeselectCmd)
@@ -385,7 +396,6 @@ func migrateToNetbird(oldPath, newPath string) bool {
 }
 
 func getClient(cmd *cobra.Command) (*grpc.ClientConn, error) {
-	SetFlagsFromEnvVars(rootCmd)
 	cmd.SetOut(cmd.OutOrStdout())
 
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(cmd.Context(), daemonAddr)
@@ -398,3 +408,13 @@ func getClient(cmd *cobra.Command) (*grpc.ClientConn, error) {
 
 	return conn, nil
 }
+
+// isServiceCmd returns true if cmd is the "service" command or a child of it.
+func isServiceCmd(cmd *cobra.Command) bool {
+	for c := cmd; c != nil; c = c.Parent() {
+		if c.Name() == "service" {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}

client/cmd/signer/artifactkey.go

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/reposign"
 )
 
 var (

client/cmd/signer/artifactsign.go

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/reposign"
 )
 
 const (

client/cmd/signer/revocation.go

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/reposign"
 )
 
 const (

client/cmd/signer/rootkey.go

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/reposign"
 )
 
 var (

client/cmd/up.go

@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ func runInForegroundMode(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, activeProf *pr
 	r := peer.NewRecorder(config.ManagementURL.String())
 	r.GetFullStatus()
 
-	connectClient := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, config, r, false)
+	connectClient := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, config, r)
 	SetupDebugHandler(ctx, config, r, connectClient, "")
 
 	return connectClient.Run(nil, util.FindFirstLogPath(logFiles))

client/cmd/update_supported.go

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/installer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/installer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 

client/embed/embed.go

@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ func (c *Client) Start(startCtx context.Context) error {
 	if err, _ := authClient.Login(ctx, c.setupKey, c.jwtToken); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("login: %w", err)
 	}
-	client := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, c.config, c.recorder, false)
+	client := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, c.config, c.recorder)
 	client.SetSyncResponsePersistence(true)
 
 	// either startup error (permanent backoff err) or nil err (successful engine up)

client/iface/configurer/uapi.go

@@ -5,20 +5,18 @@ package configurer
 import (
 	"net"
 
-	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/ipc"
 )
 
 func openUAPI(deviceName string) (net.Listener, error) {
 	uapiSock, err := ipc.UAPIOpen(deviceName)
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to open uapi socket: %v", err)
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	listener, err := ipc.UAPIListen(deviceName, uapiSock)
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to listen on uapi socket: %v", err)
+		_ = uapiSock.Close()
 		return nil, err
 	}
 

client/iface/configurer/usp.go

@@ -54,6 +54,14 @@ func NewUSPConfigurer(device *device.Device, deviceName string, activityRecorder
 	return wgCfg
 }
 
+func NewUSPConfigurerNoUAPI(device *device.Device, deviceName string, activityRecorder *bind.ActivityRecorder) *WGUSPConfigurer {
+	return &WGUSPConfigurer{
+		device:           device,
+		deviceName:       deviceName,
+		activityRecorder: activityRecorder,
+	}
+}
+
 func (c *WGUSPConfigurer) ConfigureInterface(privateKey string, port int) error {
 	log.Debugf("adding Wireguard private key")
 	key, err := wgtypes.ParseKey(privateKey)

client/iface/device/device_netstack.go

@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func (t *TunNetstackDevice) create() (WGConfigurer, error) {
 		device.NewLogger(wgLogLevel(), "[netbird] "),
 	)
 
-	t.configurer = configurer.NewUSPConfigurer(t.device, t.name, t.bind.ActivityRecorder())
+	t.configurer = configurer.NewUSPConfigurerNoUAPI(t.device, t.name, t.bind.ActivityRecorder())
 	err = t.configurer.ConfigureInterface(t.key, t.port)
 	if err != nil {
 		if cErr := tunIface.Close(); cErr != nil {

client/internal/connect.go

@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/installer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/installer"
 	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
 	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
@@ -44,13 +44,13 @@ import (
 )
 
 type ConnectClient struct {
-	ctx                 context.Context
-	config              *profilemanager.Config
-	statusRecorder      *peer.Status
-	doInitialAutoUpdate bool
+	ctx            context.Context
+	config         *profilemanager.Config
+	statusRecorder *peer.Status
 
-	engine      *Engine
-	engineMutex sync.Mutex
+	engine        *Engine
+	engineMutex   sync.Mutex
+	updateManager *updater.Manager
 
 	persistSyncResponse bool
 }
@@ -59,17 +59,19 @@ func NewConnectClient(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	config *profilemanager.Config,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
-	doInitalAutoUpdate bool,
 ) *ConnectClient {
 	return &ConnectClient{
-		ctx:                 ctx,
-		config:              config,
-		statusRecorder:      statusRecorder,
-		doInitialAutoUpdate: doInitalAutoUpdate,
-		engineMutex:         sync.Mutex{},
+		ctx:            ctx,
+		config:         config,
+		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
+		engineMutex:    sync.Mutex{},
 	}
 }
 
+func (c *ConnectClient) SetUpdateManager(um *updater.Manager) {
+	c.updateManager = um
+}
+
 // Run with main logic.
 func (c *ConnectClient) Run(runningChan chan struct{}, logPath string) error {
 	return c.run(MobileDependency{}, runningChan, logPath)
@@ -187,14 +189,13 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 	stateManager := statemanager.New(path)
 	stateManager.RegisterState(&sshconfig.ShutdownState{})
 
-	updateManager, err := updatemanager.NewManager(c.statusRecorder, stateManager)
-	if err == nil {
-		updateManager.CheckUpdateSuccess(c.ctx)
+	if c.updateManager != nil {
+		c.updateManager.CheckUpdateSuccess(c.ctx)
+	}
 
-		inst := installer.New()
-		if err := inst.CleanUpInstallerFiles(); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("failed to clean up temporary installer file: %v", err)
-		}
+	inst := installer.New()
+	if err := inst.CleanUpInstallerFiles(); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to clean up temporary installer file: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	defer c.statusRecorder.ClientStop()
@@ -308,7 +309,15 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		checks := loginResp.GetChecks()
 
 		c.engineMutex.Lock()
-		engine := NewEngine(engineCtx, cancel, signalClient, mgmClient, relayManager, engineConfig, mobileDependency, c.statusRecorder, checks, stateManager)
+		engine := NewEngine(engineCtx, cancel, engineConfig, EngineServices{
+			SignalClient:   signalClient,
+			MgmClient:      mgmClient,
+			RelayManager:   relayManager,
+			StatusRecorder: c.statusRecorder,
+			Checks:         checks,
+			StateManager:   stateManager,
+			UpdateManager:  c.updateManager,
+		}, mobileDependency)
 		engine.SetSyncResponsePersistence(c.persistSyncResponse)
 		c.engine = engine
 		c.engineMutex.Unlock()
@@ -318,21 +327,15 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 			return wrapErr(err)
 		}
 
-		if loginResp.PeerConfig != nil && loginResp.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate != nil {
-			// AutoUpdate will be true when the user click on "Connect" menu on the UI
-			if c.doInitialAutoUpdate {
-				log.Infof("start engine by ui, run auto-update check")
-				c.engine.InitialUpdateHandling(loginResp.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate)
-				c.doInitialAutoUpdate = false
-			}
-		}
-
 		log.Infof("Netbird engine started, the IP is: %s", peerConfig.GetAddress())
 		state.Set(StatusConnected)
 
 		if runningChan != nil {
-			close(runningChan)
-			runningChan = nil
+			select {
+			case <-runningChan:
+			default:
+				close(runningChan)
+			}
 		}
 
 		<-engineCtx.Done()

client/internal/daemonaddr/resolve.go

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+//go:build !windows && !ios && !android
+
+package daemonaddr
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+var scanDir = "/var/run/netbird"
+
+// setScanDir overrides the scan directory (used by tests).
+func setScanDir(dir string) {
+	scanDir = dir
+}
+
+// ResolveUnixDaemonAddr checks whether the default Unix socket exists and, if not,
+// scans /var/run/netbird/ for a single .sock file to use instead. This handles the
+// mismatch between the netbird@.service template (which places the socket under
+// /var/run/netbird/<instance>.sock) and the CLI default (/var/run/netbird.sock).
+func ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(addr string) string {
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(addr, "unix://") {
+		return addr
+	}
+
+	sockPath := strings.TrimPrefix(addr, "unix://")
+	if _, err := os.Stat(sockPath); err == nil {
+		return addr
+	}
+
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(scanDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return addr
+	}
+
+	var found []string
+	for _, e := range entries {
+		if e.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasSuffix(e.Name(), ".sock") {
+			found = append(found, filepath.Join(scanDir, e.Name()))
+		}
+	}
+
+	switch len(found) {
+	case 1:
+		resolved := "unix://" + found[0]
+		log.Debugf("Default daemon socket not found, using discovered socket: %s", resolved)
+		return resolved
+	case 0:
+		return addr
+	default:
+		log.Warnf("Default daemon socket not found and multiple sockets discovered in %s; pass --daemon-addr explicitly", scanDir)
+		return addr
+	}
+}

client/internal/daemonaddr/resolve_stub.go

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+//go:build windows || ios || android
+
+package daemonaddr
+
+// ResolveUnixDaemonAddr is a no-op on platforms that don't use Unix sockets.
+func ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(addr string) string {
+	return addr
+}

client/internal/daemonaddr/resolve_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+//go:build !windows && !ios && !android
+
+package daemonaddr
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// createSockFile creates a regular file with a .sock extension.
+// ResolveUnixDaemonAddr uses os.Stat (not net.Dial), so a regular file is
+// sufficient and avoids Unix socket path-length limits on macOS.
+func createSockFile(t *testing.T, path string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, nil, 0o600); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create test sock file at %s: %v", path, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveUnixDaemonAddr_DefaultExists(t *testing.T) {
+	tmp := t.TempDir()
+	sock := filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird.sock")
+	createSockFile(t, sock)
+
+	addr := "unix://" + sock
+	got := ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(addr)
+	if got != addr {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", addr, got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveUnixDaemonAddr_SingleDiscovered(t *testing.T) {
+	tmp := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Default socket does not exist
+	defaultAddr := "unix://" + filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird.sock")
+
+	// Create a scan dir with one socket
+	sd := filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(sd, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	instanceSock := filepath.Join(sd, "main.sock")
+	createSockFile(t, instanceSock)
+
+	origScanDir := scanDir
+	setScanDir(sd)
+	t.Cleanup(func() { setScanDir(origScanDir) })
+
+	got := ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(defaultAddr)
+	expected := "unix://" + instanceSock
+	if got != expected {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", expected, got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveUnixDaemonAddr_MultipleDiscovered(t *testing.T) {
+	tmp := t.TempDir()
+
+	defaultAddr := "unix://" + filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird.sock")
+
+	sd := filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(sd, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	createSockFile(t, filepath.Join(sd, "main.sock"))
+	createSockFile(t, filepath.Join(sd, "other.sock"))
+
+	origScanDir := scanDir
+	setScanDir(sd)
+	t.Cleanup(func() { setScanDir(origScanDir) })
+
+	got := ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(defaultAddr)
+	if got != defaultAddr {
+		t.Errorf("expected original %s, got %s", defaultAddr, got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveUnixDaemonAddr_NoSocketsFound(t *testing.T) {
+	tmp := t.TempDir()
+
+	defaultAddr := "unix://" + filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird.sock")
+
+	sd := filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(sd, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	origScanDir := scanDir
+	setScanDir(sd)
+	t.Cleanup(func() { setScanDir(origScanDir) })
+
+	got := ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(defaultAddr)
+	if got != defaultAddr {
+		t.Errorf("expected original %s, got %s", defaultAddr, got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveUnixDaemonAddr_NonUnixAddr(t *testing.T) {
+	addr := "tcp://127.0.0.1:41731"
+	got := ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(addr)
+	if got != addr {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", addr, got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResolveUnixDaemonAddr_ScanDirMissing(t *testing.T) {
+	tmp := t.TempDir()
+
+	defaultAddr := "unix://" + filepath.Join(tmp, "netbird.sock")
+
+	origScanDir := scanDir
+	setScanDir(filepath.Join(tmp, "nonexistent"))
+	t.Cleanup(func() { setScanDir(origScanDir) })
+
+	got := ResolveUnixDaemonAddr(defaultAddr)
+	if got != defaultAddr {
+		t.Errorf("expected original %s, got %s", defaultAddr, got)
+	}
+}

client/internal/debug/debug.go

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/anonymize"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/installer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/installer"
 	nbstatus "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/status"
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"

client/internal/dns/host_darwin.go

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
+	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.org/x/exp/maps"
 
@@ -22,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 
 const (
 	netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat            = "State:/Network/Service/NetBird-%s/DNS"
+	netbirdDNSStateKeyIndexedFormat     = "State:/Network/Service/NetBird-%s-%d/DNS"
 	globalIPv4State                     = "State:/Network/Global/IPv4"
 	primaryServiceStateKeyFormat        = "State:/Network/Service/%s/DNS"
 	keySupplementalMatchDomains         = "SupplementalMatchDomains"
@@ -35,6 +38,14 @@ const (
 	searchSuffix                        = "Search"
 	matchSuffix                         = "Match"
 	localSuffix                         = "Local"
+
+	// maxDomainsPerResolverEntry is the max number of domains per scutil resolver key.
+	// scutil's d.add has maxArgs=101 (key + * + 99 values), so 99 is the hard cap.
+	maxDomainsPerResolverEntry = 50
+
+	// maxDomainBytesPerResolverEntry is the max total bytes of domain strings per key.
+	// scutil has an undocumented ~2048 byte value buffer; we stay well under it.
+	maxDomainBytesPerResolverEntry = 1500
 )
 
 type systemConfigurator struct {
@@ -84,28 +95,23 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) applyDNSConfig(config HostDNSConfig, stateManager *
 		searchDomains = append(searchDomains, strings.TrimSuffix(""+dConf.Domain, "."))
 	}
 
-	matchKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, matchSuffix)
-	var err error
-	if len(matchDomains) != 0 {
-		err = s.addMatchDomains(matchKey, strings.Join(matchDomains, " "), config.ServerIP, config.ServerPort)
-	} else {
-		log.Infof("removing match domains from the system")
-		err = s.removeKeyFromSystemConfig(matchKey)
+	if err := s.removeKeysContaining(matchSuffix); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to remove old match keys: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("add match domains: %w", err)
+	if len(matchDomains) != 0 {
+		if err := s.addBatchedDomains(matchSuffix, matchDomains, config.ServerIP, config.ServerPort, false); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("add match domains: %w", err)
+		}
 	}
 	s.updateState(stateManager)
 
-	searchKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, searchSuffix)
-	if len(searchDomains) != 0 {
-		err = s.addSearchDomains(searchKey, strings.Join(searchDomains, " "), config.ServerIP, config.ServerPort)
-	} else {
-		log.Infof("removing search domains from the system")
-		err = s.removeKeyFromSystemConfig(searchKey)
+	if err := s.removeKeysContaining(searchSuffix); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to remove old search keys: %v", err)
 	}
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("add search domains: %w", err)
+	if len(searchDomains) != 0 {
+		if err := s.addBatchedDomains(searchSuffix, searchDomains, config.ServerIP, config.ServerPort, true); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("add search domains: %w", err)
+		}
 	}
 	s.updateState(stateManager)
 
@@ -149,8 +155,7 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) restoreHostDNS() error {
 
 func (s *systemConfigurator) getRemovableKeysWithDefaults() []string {
 	if len(s.createdKeys) == 0 {
-		// return defaults for startup calls
-		return []string{getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, searchSuffix), getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, matchSuffix)}
+		return s.discoverExistingKeys()
 	}
 
 	keys := make([]string, 0, len(s.createdKeys))
@@ -160,6 +165,47 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getRemovableKeysWithDefaults() []string {
 	return keys
 }
 
+// discoverExistingKeys probes scutil for all NetBird DNS keys that may exist.
+// This handles the case where createdKeys is empty (e.g., state file lost after unclean shutdown).
+func (s *systemConfigurator) discoverExistingKeys() []string {
+	dnsKeys, err := getSystemDNSKeys()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to get system DNS keys: %v", err)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var keys []string
+
+	for _, suffix := range []string{searchSuffix, matchSuffix, localSuffix} {
+		key := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, suffix)
+		if strings.Contains(dnsKeys, key) {
+			keys = append(keys, key)
+		}
+	}
+
+	for _, suffix := range []string{searchSuffix, matchSuffix} {
+		for i := 0; ; i++ {
+			key := fmt.Sprintf(netbirdDNSStateKeyIndexedFormat, suffix, i)
+			if !strings.Contains(dnsKeys, key) {
+				break
+			}
+			keys = append(keys, key)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return keys
+}
+
+// getSystemDNSKeys gets all DNS keys
+func getSystemDNSKeys() (string, error) {
+	command := "list .*DNS\nquit\n"
+	out, err := runSystemConfigCommand(command)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return string(out), nil
+}
+
 func (s *systemConfigurator) removeKeyFromSystemConfig(key string) error {
 	line := buildRemoveKeyOperation(key)
 	_, err := runSystemConfigCommand(wrapCommand(line))
@@ -184,12 +230,11 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) addLocalDNS() error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	if err := s.addSearchDomains(
-		localKey,
-		strings.Join(s.systemDNSSettings.Domains, " "), s.systemDNSSettings.ServerIP, s.systemDNSSettings.ServerPort,
-	); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("add search domains: %w", err)
+	domainsStr := strings.Join(s.systemDNSSettings.Domains, " ")
+	if err := s.addDNSState(localKey, domainsStr, s.systemDNSSettings.ServerIP, s.systemDNSSettings.ServerPort, true); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add local dns state: %w", err)
 	}
+	s.createdKeys[localKey] = struct{}{}
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -280,28 +325,77 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getOriginalNameservers() []netip.Addr {
 	return slices.Clone(s.origNameservers)
 }
 
-func (s *systemConfigurator) addSearchDomains(key, domains string, ip netip.Addr, port int) error {
-	err := s.addDNSState(key, domains, ip, port, true)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("add dns state: %w", err)
+// splitDomainsIntoBatches splits domains into batches respecting both element count and byte size limits.
+func splitDomainsIntoBatches(domains []string) [][]string {
+	if len(domains) == 0 {
+		return nil
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("added %d search domains to the state. Domain list: %s", len(strings.Split(domains, " ")), domains)
+	var batches [][]string
+	var current []string
+	currentBytes := 0
 
-	s.createdKeys[key] = struct{}{}
+	for _, d := range domains {
+		domainLen := len(d)
+		newBytes := currentBytes + domainLen
+		if currentBytes > 0 {
+			newBytes++ // space separator
+		}
 
-	return nil
+		if len(current) > 0 && (len(current) >= maxDomainsPerResolverEntry || newBytes > maxDomainBytesPerResolverEntry) {
+			batches = append(batches, current)
+			current = nil
+			currentBytes = 0
+		}
+
+		current = append(current, d)
+		if currentBytes > 0 {
+			currentBytes += 1 + domainLen
+		} else {
+			currentBytes = domainLen
+		}
+	}
+
+	if len(current) > 0 {
+		batches = append(batches, current)
+	}
+
+	return batches
 }
 
-func (s *systemConfigurator) addMatchDomains(key, domains string, dnsServer netip.Addr, port int) error {
-	err := s.addDNSState(key, domains, dnsServer, port, false)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("add dns state: %w", err)
+// removeKeysContaining removes all created keys that contain the given substring.
+func (s *systemConfigurator) removeKeysContaining(suffix string) error {
+	var toRemove []string
+	for key := range s.createdKeys {
+		if strings.Contains(key, suffix) {
+			toRemove = append(toRemove, key)
+		}
+	}
+	var multiErr *multierror.Error
+	for _, key := range toRemove {
+		if err := s.removeKeyFromSystemConfig(key); err != nil {
+			multiErr = multierror.Append(multiErr, fmt.Errorf("couldn't remove key %s: %w", key, err))
+		}
+	}
+	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(multiErr)
+}
+
+// addBatchedDomains splits domains into batches and creates indexed scutil keys for each batch.
+func (s *systemConfigurator) addBatchedDomains(suffix string, domains []string, ip netip.Addr, port int, enableSearch bool) error {
+	batches := splitDomainsIntoBatches(domains)
+
+	for i, batch := range batches {
+		key := fmt.Sprintf(netbirdDNSStateKeyIndexedFormat, suffix, i)
+		domainsStr := strings.Join(batch, " ")
+
+		if err := s.addDNSState(key, domainsStr, ip, port, enableSearch); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("add dns state for batch %d: %w", i, err)
+		}
+
+		s.createdKeys[key] = struct{}{}
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("added %d match domains to the state. Domain list: %s", len(strings.Split(domains, " ")), domains)
-
-	s.createdKeys[key] = struct{}{}
+	log.Infof("added %d %s domains across %d resolver entries", len(domains), suffix, len(batches))
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -364,7 +458,6 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) flushDNSCache() error {
 	if out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("restart mDNSResponder: %w, output: %s", err, out)
 	}
-
 	log.Info("flushed DNS cache")
 	return nil
 }

client/internal/dns/host_darwin_test.go

@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@
 package dns
 
 import (
+	"bufio"
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"net/netip"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -49,17 +52,22 @@ func TestDarwinDNSUncleanShutdownCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 
 	require.NoError(t, sm.PersistState(context.Background()))
 
-	searchKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, searchSuffix)
-	matchKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, matchSuffix)
 	localKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, localSuffix)
 
+	// Collect all created keys for cleanup verification
+	createdKeys := make([]string, 0, len(configurator.createdKeys))
+	for key := range configurator.createdKeys {
+		createdKeys = append(createdKeys, key)
+	}
+
 	defer func() {
-		for _, key := range []string{searchKey, matchKey, localKey} {
+		for _, key := range createdKeys {
 			_ = removeTestDNSKey(key)
 		}
+		_ = removeTestDNSKey(localKey)
 	}()
 
-	for _, key := range []string{searchKey, matchKey, localKey} {
+	for _, key := range createdKeys {
 		exists, err := checkDNSKeyExists(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		if exists {
@@ -83,13 +91,223 @@ func TestDarwinDNSUncleanShutdownCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 	err = shutdownState.Cleanup()
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	for _, key := range []string{searchKey, matchKey, localKey} {
+	for _, key := range createdKeys {
 		exists, err := checkDNSKeyExists(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		assert.False(t, exists, "Key %s should NOT exist after cleanup", key)
 	}
 }
 
+// generateShortDomains generates domains like a.com, b.com, ..., aa.com, ab.com, etc.
+func generateShortDomains(count int) []string {
+	domains := make([]string, 0, count)
+	for i := range count {
+		label := ""
+		n := i
+		for {
+			label = string(rune('a'+n%26)) + label
+			n = n/26 - 1
+			if n < 0 {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		domains = append(domains, label+".com")
+	}
+	return domains
+}
+
+// generateLongDomains generates domains like subdomain-000.department.organization-name.example.com
+func generateLongDomains(count int) []string {
+	domains := make([]string, 0, count)
+	for i := range count {
+		domains = append(domains, fmt.Sprintf("subdomain-%03d.department.organization-name.example.com", i))
+	}
+	return domains
+}
+
+// readDomainsFromKey reads the SupplementalMatchDomains array back from scutil for a given key.
+func readDomainsFromKey(t *testing.T, key string) []string {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	cmd := exec.Command(scutilPath)
+	cmd.Stdin = strings.NewReader(fmt.Sprintf("open\nshow %s\nquit\n", key))
+	out, err := cmd.Output()
+	require.NoError(t, err, "scutil show should succeed")
+
+	var domains []string
+	inArray := false
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(bytes.NewReader(out))
+	for scanner.Scan() {
+		line := strings.TrimSpace(scanner.Text())
+		if strings.HasPrefix(line, "SupplementalMatchDomains") && strings.Contains(line, "<array>") {
+			inArray = true
+			continue
+		}
+		if inArray {
+			if line == "}" {
+				break
+			}
+			// lines look like: "0 : a.com"
+			parts := strings.SplitN(line, " : ", 2)
+			if len(parts) == 2 {
+				domains = append(domains, parts[1])
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	require.NoError(t, scanner.Err())
+	return domains
+}
+
+func TestSplitDomainsIntoBatches(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name            string
+		domains         []string
+		expectedCount   int
+		checkAllPresent bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:          "empty",
+			domains:       nil,
+			expectedCount: 0,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "under_limit",
+			domains:         generateShortDomains(10),
+			expectedCount:   1,
+			checkAllPresent: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "at_element_limit",
+			domains:         generateShortDomains(50),
+			expectedCount:   1,
+			checkAllPresent: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "over_element_limit",
+			domains:         generateShortDomains(51),
+			expectedCount:   2,
+			checkAllPresent: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "triple_element_limit",
+			domains:         generateShortDomains(150),
+			expectedCount:   3,
+			checkAllPresent: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "long_domains_hit_byte_limit",
+			domains:         generateLongDomains(50),
+			checkAllPresent: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "500_short_domains",
+			domains:         generateShortDomains(500),
+			expectedCount:   10,
+			checkAllPresent: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "500_long_domains",
+			domains:         generateLongDomains(500),
+			checkAllPresent: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			batches := splitDomainsIntoBatches(tc.domains)
+
+			if tc.expectedCount > 0 {
+				assert.Len(t, batches, tc.expectedCount, "expected %d batches", tc.expectedCount)
+			}
+
+			// Verify each batch respects limits
+			for i, batch := range batches {
+				assert.LessOrEqual(t, len(batch), maxDomainsPerResolverEntry,
+					"batch %d exceeds element limit", i)
+
+				totalBytes := 0
+				for j, d := range batch {
+					if j > 0 {
+						totalBytes++
+					}
+					totalBytes += len(d)
+				}
+				assert.LessOrEqual(t, totalBytes, maxDomainBytesPerResolverEntry,
+					"batch %d exceeds byte limit (%d bytes)", i, totalBytes)
+			}
+
+			if tc.checkAllPresent {
+				var all []string
+				for _, batch := range batches {
+					all = append(all, batch...)
+				}
+				assert.Equal(t, tc.domains, all, "all domains should be present in order")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestMatchDomainBatching writes increasing numbers of domains via the batching mechanism
+// and verifies all domains are readable across multiple scutil keys.
+func TestMatchDomainBatching(t *testing.T) {
+	if testing.Short() {
+		t.Skip("skipping scutil integration test in short mode")
+	}
+
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name      string
+		count     int
+		generator func(int) []string
+	}{
+		{"short_10", 10, generateShortDomains},
+		{"short_50", 50, generateShortDomains},
+		{"short_100", 100, generateShortDomains},
+		{"short_200", 200, generateShortDomains},
+		{"short_500", 500, generateShortDomains},
+		{"long_10", 10, generateLongDomains},
+		{"long_50", 50, generateLongDomains},
+		{"long_100", 100, generateLongDomains},
+		{"long_200", 200, generateLongDomains},
+		{"long_500", 500, generateLongDomains},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range testCases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			configurator := &systemConfigurator{
+				createdKeys: make(map[string]struct{}),
+			}
+
+			defer func() {
+				for key := range configurator.createdKeys {
+					_ = removeTestDNSKey(key)
+				}
+			}()
+
+			domains := tc.generator(tc.count)
+			err := configurator.addBatchedDomains(matchSuffix, domains, netip.MustParseAddr("100.64.0.1"), 53, false)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			batches := splitDomainsIntoBatches(domains)
+			t.Logf("wrote %d domains across %d batched keys", tc.count, len(batches))
+
+			// Read back all domains from all batched keys
+			var got []string
+			for i := range batches {
+				key := fmt.Sprintf(netbirdDNSStateKeyIndexedFormat, matchSuffix, i)
+				exists, err := checkDNSKeyExists(key)
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+				require.True(t, exists, "key %s should exist", key)
+
+				got = append(got, readDomainsFromKey(t, key)...)
+			}
+
+			t.Logf("read back %d/%d domains from %d keys", len(got), tc.count, len(batches))
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.count, len(got), "all domains should be readable")
+			assert.Equal(t, domains, got, "domains should match in order")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func checkDNSKeyExists(key string) (bool, error) {
 	cmd := exec.Command(scutilPath)
 	cmd.Stdin = strings.NewReader("show " + key + "\nquit\n")
@@ -158,15 +376,15 @@ func setupTestConfigurator(t *testing.T) (*systemConfigurator, *statemanager.Man
 		createdKeys: make(map[string]struct{}),
 	}
 
-	searchKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, searchSuffix)
-	matchKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, matchSuffix)
-	localKey := getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, localSuffix)
-
 	cleanup := func() {
 		_ = sm.Stop(context.Background())
-		for _, key := range []string{searchKey, matchKey, localKey} {
+		for key := range configurator.createdKeys {
 			_ = removeTestDNSKey(key)
 		}
+		// Also clean up old-format keys and local key in case they exist
+		_ = removeTestDNSKey(getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, searchSuffix))
+		_ = removeTestDNSKey(getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, matchSuffix))
+		_ = removeTestDNSKey(getKeyWithInput(netbirdDNSStateKeyFormat, localSuffix))
 	}
 
 	return configurator, sm, cleanup

client/internal/dns/host_windows.go

@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) addDNSMatchPolicy(domains []string, ip netip.Addr
 		}
 	}
 
-	log.Infof("added %d NRPT rules for %d domains. Domain list: %v", ruleIndex, len(domains), domains)
+	log.Infof("added %d NRPT rules for %d domains", ruleIndex, len(domains))
 	return ruleIndex, nil
 }
 

client/internal/dns/local/local.go

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func (d *Resolver) ID() types.HandlerID {
 	return "local-resolver"
 }
 
-func (d *Resolver) ProbeAvailability() {}
+func (d *Resolver) ProbeAvailability(context.Context) {}
 
 // ServeDNS handles a DNS request
 func (d *Resolver) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt.go

@@ -376,9 +376,9 @@ func (m *Resolver) extractDomainsFromServerDomains(serverDomains dnsconfig.Serve
 		}
 	}
 
-	if serverDomains.Flow != "" {
-		domains = append(domains, serverDomains.Flow)
-	}
+	// Flow receiver domain is intentionally excluded from caching.
+	// Cloud providers may rotate the IP behind this domain; a stale cached record
+	// causes TLS certificate verification failures on reconnect.
 
 	for _, stun := range serverDomains.Stuns {
 		if stun != "" {

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt_test.go

@@ -391,7 +391,8 @@ func TestResolver_PartialUpdateAddsNewTypePreservesExisting(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	assert.Len(t, resolver.GetCachedDomains(), 3)
 
-	// Update with partial ServerDomains (only flow domain - new type, should preserve all existing)
+	// Update with partial ServerDomains (only flow domain - flow is intentionally excluded from
+	// caching to prevent TLS failures from stale records, so all existing domains are preserved)
 	partialDomains := dnsconfig.ServerDomains{
 		Flow: "github.com",
 	}
@@ -400,10 +401,10 @@ func TestResolver_PartialUpdateAddsNewTypePreservesExisting(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Skipf("Skipping test due to DNS resolution failure: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	assert.Len(t, removedDomains, 0, "Should not remove any domains when adding new type")
+	assert.Len(t, removedDomains, 0, "Should not remove any domains when only flow domain is provided")
 
 	finalDomains := resolver.GetCachedDomains()
-	assert.Len(t, finalDomains, 4, "Should have all original domains plus new flow domain")
+	assert.Len(t, finalDomains, 3, "Flow domain is not cached; all original domains should be preserved")
 
 	domainStrings := make([]string, len(finalDomains))
 	for i, d := range finalDomains {
@@ -412,5 +413,5 @@ func TestResolver_PartialUpdateAddsNewTypePreservesExisting(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Contains(t, domainStrings, "example.org")
 	assert.Contains(t, domainStrings, "google.com")
 	assert.Contains(t, domainStrings, "cloudflare.com")
-	assert.Contains(t, domainStrings, "github.com")
+	assert.NotContains(t, domainStrings, "github.com")
 }

client/internal/dns/server.go

@@ -104,12 +104,16 @@ type DefaultServer struct {
 
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status
 	stateManager   *statemanager.Manager
+
+	probeMu     sync.Mutex
+	probeCancel context.CancelFunc
+	probeWg     sync.WaitGroup
 }
 
 type handlerWithStop interface {
 	dns.Handler
 	Stop()
-	ProbeAvailability()
+	ProbeAvailability(context.Context)
 	ID() types.HandlerID
 }
 
@@ -362,7 +366,13 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) DnsIP() netip.Addr {
 
 // Stop stops the server
 func (s *DefaultServer) Stop() {
+	s.probeMu.Lock()
+	if s.probeCancel != nil {
+		s.probeCancel()
+	}
 	s.ctxCancel()
+	s.probeMu.Unlock()
+	s.probeWg.Wait()
 	s.shutdownWg.Wait()
 
 	s.mux.Lock()
@@ -479,7 +489,8 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) SearchDomains() []string {
 }
 
 // ProbeAvailability tests each upstream group's servers for availability
-// and deactivates the group if no server responds
+// and deactivates the group if no server responds.
+// If a previous probe is still running, it will be cancelled before starting a new one.
 func (s *DefaultServer) ProbeAvailability() {
 	if val := os.Getenv(envSkipDNSProbe); val != "" {
 		skipProbe, err := strconv.ParseBool(val)
@@ -492,15 +503,52 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) ProbeAvailability() {
 		}
 	}
 
-	var wg sync.WaitGroup
-	for _, mux := range s.dnsMuxMap {
-		wg.Add(1)
-		go func(mux handlerWithStop) {
-			defer wg.Done()
-			mux.ProbeAvailability()
-		}(mux.handler)
+	s.probeMu.Lock()
+
+	// don't start probes on a stopped server
+	if s.ctx.Err() != nil {
+		s.probeMu.Unlock()
+		return
 	}
+
+	// cancel any running probe
+	if s.probeCancel != nil {
+		s.probeCancel()
+		s.probeCancel = nil
+	}
+
+	// wait for the previous probe goroutines to finish while holding
+	// the mutex so no other caller can start a new probe concurrently
+	s.probeWg.Wait()
+
+	// start a new probe
+	probeCtx, probeCancel := context.WithCancel(s.ctx)
+	s.probeCancel = probeCancel
+
+	s.probeWg.Add(1)
+	defer s.probeWg.Done()
+
+	// Snapshot handlers under s.mux to avoid racing with updateMux/dnsMuxMap writers.
+	s.mux.Lock()
+	handlers := make([]handlerWithStop, 0, len(s.dnsMuxMap))
+	for _, mux := range s.dnsMuxMap {
+		handlers = append(handlers, mux.handler)
+	}
+	s.mux.Unlock()
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	for _, handler := range handlers {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(h handlerWithStop) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			h.ProbeAvailability(probeCtx)
+		}(handler)
+	}
+
+	s.probeMu.Unlock()
+
 	wg.Wait()
+	probeCancel()
 }
 
 func (s *DefaultServer) UpdateServerConfig(domains dnsconfig.ServerDomains) error {

client/internal/dns/server_test.go

@@ -1065,7 +1065,7 @@ type mockHandler struct {
 
 func (m *mockHandler) ServeDNS(dns.ResponseWriter, *dns.Msg) {}
 func (m *mockHandler) Stop()                                 {}
-func (m *mockHandler) ProbeAvailability()                    {}
+func (m *mockHandler) ProbeAvailability(context.Context)     {}
 func (m *mockHandler) ID() types.HandlerID                   { return types.HandlerID(m.Id) }
 
 type mockService struct{}

client/internal/dns/upstream.go

@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ type upstreamResolverBase struct {
 	mutex            sync.Mutex
 	reactivatePeriod time.Duration
 	upstreamTimeout  time.Duration
+	wg               sync.WaitGroup
 
 	deactivate     func(error)
 	reactivate     func()
@@ -115,6 +116,11 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) MatchSubdomains() bool {
 func (u *upstreamResolverBase) Stop() {
 	log.Debugf("stopping serving DNS for upstreams %s", u.upstreamServers)
 	u.cancel()
+
+	u.mutex.Lock()
+	u.wg.Wait()
+	u.mutex.Unlock()
+
 }
 
 // ServeDNS handles a DNS request
@@ -260,16 +266,10 @@ func formatFailures(failures []upstreamFailure) string {
 
 // ProbeAvailability tests all upstream servers simultaneously and
 // disables the resolver if none work
-func (u *upstreamResolverBase) ProbeAvailability() {
+func (u *upstreamResolverBase) ProbeAvailability(ctx context.Context) {
 	u.mutex.Lock()
 	defer u.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	select {
-	case <-u.ctx.Done():
-		return
-	default:
-	}
-
 	// avoid probe if upstreams could resolve at least one query
 	if u.successCount.Load() > 0 {
 		return
@@ -279,31 +279,39 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) ProbeAvailability() {
 	var mu sync.Mutex
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 
-	var errors *multierror.Error
+	var errs *multierror.Error
 	for _, upstream := range u.upstreamServers {
-		upstream := upstream
-
 		wg.Add(1)
-		go func() {
+		go func(upstream netip.AddrPort) {
 			defer wg.Done()
-			err := u.testNameserver(upstream, 500*time.Millisecond)
+			err := u.testNameserver(u.ctx, ctx, upstream, 500*time.Millisecond)
 			if err != nil {
-				errors = multierror.Append(errors, err)
+				mu.Lock()
+				errs = multierror.Append(errs, err)
+				mu.Unlock()
 				log.Warnf("probing upstream nameserver %s: %s", upstream, err)
 				return
 			}
 
 			mu.Lock()
-			defer mu.Unlock()
 			success = true
-		}()
+			mu.Unlock()
+		}(upstream)
 	}
 
 	wg.Wait()
 
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return
+	case <-u.ctx.Done():
+		return
+	default:
+	}
+
 	// didn't find a working upstream server, let's disable and try later
 	if !success {
-		u.disable(errors.ErrorOrNil())
+		u.disable(errs.ErrorOrNil())
 
 		if u.statusRecorder == nil {
 			return
@@ -339,7 +347,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) waitUntilResponse() {
 		}
 
 		for _, upstream := range u.upstreamServers {
-			if err := u.testNameserver(upstream, probeTimeout); err != nil {
+			if err := u.testNameserver(u.ctx, nil, upstream, probeTimeout); err != nil {
 				log.Tracef("upstream check for %s: %s", upstream, err)
 			} else {
 				// at least one upstream server is available, stop probing
@@ -351,16 +359,22 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) waitUntilResponse() {
 		return fmt.Errorf("upstream check call error")
 	}
 
-	err := backoff.Retry(operation, exponentialBackOff)
+	err := backoff.Retry(operation, backoff.WithContext(exponentialBackOff, u.ctx))
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Warn(err)
+		if errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+			log.Debugf("upstream retry loop exited for upstreams %s", u.upstreamServersString())
+		} else {
+			log.Warnf("upstream retry loop exited for upstreams %s: %v", u.upstreamServersString(), err)
+		}
 		return
 	}
 
 	log.Infof("upstreams %s are responsive again. Adding them back to system", u.upstreamServersString())
 	u.successCount.Add(1)
 	u.reactivate()
+	u.mutex.Lock()
 	u.disabled = false
+	u.mutex.Unlock()
 }
 
 // isTimeout returns true if the given error is a network timeout error.
@@ -383,7 +397,11 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) disable(err error) {
 	u.successCount.Store(0)
 	u.deactivate(err)
 	u.disabled = true
-	go u.waitUntilResponse()
+	u.wg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer u.wg.Done()
+		u.waitUntilResponse()
+	}()
 }
 
 func (u *upstreamResolverBase) upstreamServersString() string {
@@ -394,13 +412,18 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) upstreamServersString() string {
 	return strings.Join(servers, ", ")
 }
 
-func (u *upstreamResolverBase) testNameserver(server netip.AddrPort, timeout time.Duration) error {
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(u.ctx, timeout)
+func (u *upstreamResolverBase) testNameserver(baseCtx context.Context, externalCtx context.Context, server netip.AddrPort, timeout time.Duration) error {
+	mergedCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(baseCtx, timeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
+	if externalCtx != nil {
+		stop2 := context.AfterFunc(externalCtx, cancel)
+		defer stop2()
+	}
+
 	r := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion(testRecord, dns.TypeSOA)
 
-	_, _, err := u.upstreamClient.exchange(ctx, server.String(), r)
+	_, _, err := u.upstreamClient.exchange(mergedCtx, server.String(), r)
 	return err
 }
 

client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go

@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ func TestUpstreamResolver_DeactivationReactivation(t *testing.T) {
 		reactivated = true
 	}
 
-	resolver.ProbeAvailability()
+	resolver.ProbeAvailability(context.TODO())
 
 	if !failed {
 		t.Errorf("expected that resolving was deactivated")

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -28,14 +28,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall"
 	firewallManager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
-	nbnetstack "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
+	nbnetstack "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/netstack"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/udpmux"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/acl"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/debug"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
 	dnsconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/config"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dnsfwd"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/expose"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/ingressgw"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
@@ -50,16 +51,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/systemops"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/jobexec"
 	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
-	semaphoregroup "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util/semaphore-group"
-
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 	mgm "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
 	auth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/auth/hmac"
 	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
@@ -75,13 +74,11 @@ import (
 const (
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMax = 45000 // ms
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMin = 30000 // ms
-	connInitLimit            = 200
 	disableAutoUpdate        = "disabled"
 )
 
 var ErrResetConnection = fmt.Errorf("reset connection")
 
-// EngineConfig is a config for the Engine
 type EngineConfig struct {
 	WgPort      int
 	WgIfaceName string
@@ -143,6 +140,17 @@ type EngineConfig struct {
 	LogPath string
 }
 
+// EngineServices holds the external service dependencies required by the Engine.
+type EngineServices struct {
+	SignalClient   signal.Client
+	MgmClient      mgm.Client
+	RelayManager   *relayClient.Manager
+	StatusRecorder *peer.Status
+	Checks         []*mgmProto.Checks
+	StateManager   *statemanager.Manager
+	UpdateManager  *updater.Manager
+}
+
 // Engine is a mechanism responsible for reacting on Signal and Management stream events and managing connections to the remote peers.
 type Engine struct {
 	// signal is a Signal Service client
@@ -208,11 +216,10 @@ type Engine struct {
 	syncRespMux         sync.RWMutex
 	persistSyncResponse bool
 	latestSyncResponse  *mgmProto.SyncResponse
-	connSemaphore       *semaphoregroup.SemaphoreGroup
 	flowManager         nftypes.FlowManager
 
 	// auto-update
-	updateManager *updatemanager.Manager
+	updateManager *updater.Manager
 
 	// WireGuard interface monitor
 	wgIfaceMonitor *WGIfaceMonitor
@@ -224,6 +231,8 @@ type Engine struct {
 
 	jobExecutor   *jobexec.Executor
 	jobExecutorWG sync.WaitGroup
+
+	exposeManager *expose.Manager
 }
 
 // Peer is an instance of the Connection Peer
@@ -240,22 +249,17 @@ type localIpUpdater interface {
 func NewEngine(
 	clientCtx context.Context,
 	clientCancel context.CancelFunc,
-	signalClient signal.Client,
-	mgmClient mgm.Client,
-	relayManager *relayClient.Manager,
 	config *EngineConfig,
+	services EngineServices,
 	mobileDep MobileDependency,
-	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
-	checks []*mgmProto.Checks,
-	stateManager *statemanager.Manager,
 ) *Engine {
 	engine := &Engine{
 		clientCtx:      clientCtx,
 		clientCancel:   clientCancel,
-		signal:         signalClient,
-		signaler:       peer.NewSignaler(signalClient, config.WgPrivateKey),
-		mgmClient:      mgmClient,
-		relayManager:   relayManager,
+		signal:         services.SignalClient,
+		signaler:       peer.NewSignaler(services.SignalClient, config.WgPrivateKey),
+		mgmClient:      services.MgmClient,
+		relayManager:   services.RelayManager,
 		peerStore:      peerstore.NewConnStore(),
 		syncMsgMux:     &sync.Mutex{},
 		config:         config,
@@ -263,12 +267,12 @@ func NewEngine(
 		STUNs:          []*stun.URI{},
 		TURNs:          []*stun.URI{},
 		networkSerial:  0,
-		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
-		stateManager:   stateManager,
-		checks:         checks,
-		connSemaphore:  semaphoregroup.NewSemaphoreGroup(connInitLimit),
+		statusRecorder: services.StatusRecorder,
+		stateManager:   services.StateManager,
+		checks:         services.Checks,
 		probeStunTurn:  relay.NewStunTurnProbe(relay.DefaultCacheTTL),
 		jobExecutor:    jobexec.NewExecutor(),
+		updateManager:  services.UpdateManager,
 	}
 
 	log.Infof("I am: %s", config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String())
@@ -311,7 +315,7 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 	}
 
 	if e.updateManager != nil {
-		e.updateManager.Stop()
+		e.updateManager.SetDownloadOnly()
 	}
 
 	log.Info("cleaning up status recorder states")
@@ -419,6 +423,7 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 		e.cancel()
 	}
 	e.ctx, e.cancel = context.WithCancel(e.clientCtx)
+	e.exposeManager = expose.NewManager(e.ctx, e.mgmClient)
 
 	wgIface, err := e.newWgIface()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -560,13 +565,6 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (e *Engine) InitialUpdateHandling(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdateSettings) {
-	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
-	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-
-	e.handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings, true)
-}
-
 func (e *Engine) createFirewall() error {
 	if e.config.DisableFirewall {
 		log.Infof("firewall is disabled")
@@ -794,39 +792,22 @@ func (e *Engine) PopulateNetbirdConfig(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mg
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (e *Engine) handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdateSettings, initialCheck bool) {
+func (e *Engine) handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdateSettings) {
+	if e.updateManager == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
 	if autoUpdateSettings == nil {
 		return
 	}
 
-	disabled := autoUpdateSettings.Version == disableAutoUpdate
-
-	// Stop and cleanup if disabled
-	if e.updateManager != nil && disabled {
-		log.Infof("auto-update is disabled, stopping update manager")
-		e.updateManager.Stop()
-		e.updateManager = nil
+	if autoUpdateSettings.Version == disableAutoUpdate {
+		log.Infof("auto-update is disabled")
+		e.updateManager.SetDownloadOnly()
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Skip check unless AlwaysUpdate is enabled or this is the initial check at startup
-	if !autoUpdateSettings.AlwaysUpdate && !initialCheck {
-		log.Debugf("skipping auto-update check, AlwaysUpdate is false and this is not the initial check")
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Start manager if needed
-	if e.updateManager == nil {
-		log.Infof("starting auto-update manager")
-		updateManager, err := updatemanager.NewManager(e.statusRecorder, e.stateManager)
-		if err != nil {
-			return
-		}
-		e.updateManager = updateManager
-		e.updateManager.Start(e.ctx)
-	}
-	log.Infof("handling auto-update version: %s", autoUpdateSettings.Version)
-	e.updateManager.SetVersion(autoUpdateSettings.Version)
+	e.updateManager.SetVersion(autoUpdateSettings.Version, autoUpdateSettings.AlwaysUpdate)
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
@@ -843,7 +824,7 @@ func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 	}
 
 	if update.NetworkMap != nil && update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig != nil {
-		e.handleAutoUpdateVersion(update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate, false)
+		e.handleAutoUpdateVersion(update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate)
 	}
 
 	if update.GetNetbirdConfig() != nil {
@@ -1316,8 +1297,7 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 
 	// Test received (upstream) servers for availability right away instead of upon usage.
 	// If no server of a server group responds this will disable the respective handler and retry later.
-	e.dnsServer.ProbeAvailability()
-
+	go e.dnsServer.ProbeAvailability()
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -1539,7 +1519,6 @@ func (e *Engine) createPeerConn(pubKey string, allowedIPs []netip.Prefix, agentV
 		IFaceDiscover:  e.mobileDep.IFaceDiscover,
 		RelayManager:   e.relayManager,
 		SrWatcher:      e.srWatcher,
-		Semaphore:      e.connSemaphore,
 	}
 	peerConn, err := peer.NewConn(config, serviceDependencies)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1562,8 +1541,10 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
 		defer e.shutdownWg.Done()
 		// connect to a stream of messages coming from the signal server
 		err := e.signal.Receive(e.ctx, func(msg *sProto.Message) error {
+			start := time.Now()
 			e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 			defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+			gotLock := time.Since(start)
 
 			// Check context INSIDE lock to ensure atomicity with shutdown
 			if e.ctx.Err() != nil {
@@ -1587,6 +1568,8 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveSignalEvents() {
 					return err
 				}
 
+				log.Debugf("receiveMSG: took %s to get lock for peer %s with session id %s", gotLock, msg.Key, offerAnswer.SessionID)
+
 				if msg.Body.Type == sProto.Body_OFFER {
 					conn.OnRemoteOffer(*offerAnswer)
 				} else {
@@ -1820,11 +1803,18 @@ func (e *Engine) GetRouteManager() routemanager.Manager {
 	return e.routeManager
 }
 
-// GetFirewallManager returns the firewall manager
+// GetFirewallManager returns the firewall manager.
 func (e *Engine) GetFirewallManager() firewallManager.Manager {
 	return e.firewall
 }
 
+// GetExposeManager returns the expose session manager.
+func (e *Engine) GetExposeManager() *expose.Manager {
+	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
+	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+	return e.exposeManager
+}
+
 func findIPFromInterfaceName(ifaceName string) (net.IP, error) {
 	iface, err := net.InterfaceByName(ifaceName)
 	if err != nil {

client/internal/engine_test.go

@@ -251,9 +251,6 @@ func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
 	engine := NewEngine(
 		ctx, cancel,
-		&signal.MockClient{},
-		&mgmt.MockClient{},
-		relayMgr,
 		&EngineConfig{
 			WgIfaceName:      "utun101",
 			WgAddr:           "100.64.0.1/24",
@@ -263,10 +260,13 @@ func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
 			MTU:              iface.DefaultMTU,
 			SSHKey:           sshKey,
 		},
+		EngineServices{
+			SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+			MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
+			RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+			StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+		},
 		MobileDependency{},
-		peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-		nil,
-		nil,
 	)
 
 	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
@@ -428,13 +428,18 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 	defer cancel()
 
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &signal.MockClient{}, &mgmt.MockClient{}, relayMgr, &EngineConfig{
+	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
 		WgIfaceName:  "utun102",
 		WgAddr:       "100.64.0.1/24",
 		WgPrivateKey: key,
 		WgPort:       33100,
 		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
+	}, EngineServices{
+		SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+		MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
+		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+	}, MobileDependency{})
 
 	wgIface := &MockWGIface{
 		NameFunc: func() string { return "utun102" },
@@ -647,13 +652,18 @@ func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	}
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &signal.MockClient{}, &mgmt.MockClient{SyncFunc: syncFunc}, relayMgr, &EngineConfig{
+	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
 		WgIfaceName:  "utun103",
 		WgAddr:       "100.64.0.1/24",
 		WgPrivateKey: key,
 		WgPort:       33100,
 		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
+	}, EngineServices{
+		SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+		MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{SyncFunc: syncFunc},
+		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+	}, MobileDependency{})
 	engine.ctx = ctx
 
 	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
@@ -812,13 +822,18 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 			wgAddr := fmt.Sprintf("100.66.%d.1/24", n)
 
 			relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-			engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &signal.MockClient{}, &mgmt.MockClient{}, relayMgr, &EngineConfig{
+			engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
 				WgIfaceName:  wgIfaceName,
 				WgAddr:       wgAddr,
 				WgPrivateKey: key,
 				WgPort:       33100,
 				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-			}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
+			}, EngineServices{
+				SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+				MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
+				RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+				StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+			}, MobileDependency{})
 			engine.ctx = ctx
 			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -1014,13 +1029,18 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 			wgAddr := fmt.Sprintf("100.66.%d.1/24", n)
 
 			relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-			engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &signal.MockClient{}, &mgmt.MockClient{}, relayMgr, &EngineConfig{
+			engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &EngineConfig{
 				WgIfaceName:  wgIfaceName,
 				WgAddr:       wgAddr,
 				WgPrivateKey: key,
 				WgPort:       33100,
 				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-			}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
+			}, EngineServices{
+				SignalClient:   &signal.MockClient{},
+				MgmClient:      &mgmt.MockClient{},
+				RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+				StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+			}, MobileDependency{})
 			engine.ctx = ctx
 
 			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
@@ -1546,7 +1566,12 @@ func createEngine(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, setupKey strin
 	}
 
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, signalClient, mgmtClient, relayMgr, conf, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil), nil
+	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, conf, EngineServices{
+		SignalClient:   signalClient,
+		MgmClient:      mgmtClient,
+		RelayManager:   relayMgr,
+		StatusRecorder: peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
+	}, MobileDependency{}), nil
 	e.ctx = ctx
 	return e, err
 }

client/internal/expose/manager.go

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package expose
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"time"
+
+	mgm "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+const renewTimeout = 10 * time.Second
+
+// Response holds the response from exposing a service.
+type Response struct {
+	ServiceName      string
+	ServiceURL       string
+	Domain           string
+	PortAutoAssigned bool
+}
+
+type Request struct {
+	NamePrefix string
+	Domain     string
+	Port       uint16
+	Protocol   int
+	Pin        string
+	Password   string
+	UserGroups []string
+	ListenPort uint16
+}
+
+type ManagementClient interface {
+	CreateExpose(ctx context.Context, req mgm.ExposeRequest) (*mgm.ExposeResponse, error)
+	RenewExpose(ctx context.Context, domain string) error
+	StopExpose(ctx context.Context, domain string) error
+}
+
+// Manager handles expose session lifecycle via the management client.
+type Manager struct {
+	mgmClient ManagementClient
+	ctx       context.Context
+}
+
+// NewManager creates a new expose Manager using the given management client.
+func NewManager(ctx context.Context, mgmClient ManagementClient) *Manager {
+	return &Manager{mgmClient: mgmClient, ctx: ctx}
+}
+
+// Expose creates a new expose session via the management server.
+func (m *Manager) Expose(ctx context.Context, req Request) (*Response, error) {
+	log.Infof("exposing service on port %d", req.Port)
+	resp, err := m.mgmClient.CreateExpose(ctx, toClientExposeRequest(req))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("expose session created for %s", resp.Domain)
+
+	return fromClientExposeResponse(resp), nil
+}
+
+func (m *Manager) KeepAlive(ctx context.Context, domain string) error {
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(30 * time.Second)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+	defer m.stop(domain)
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			log.Infof("context canceled, stopping keep alive for %s", domain)
+
+			return nil
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			if err := m.renew(ctx, domain); err != nil {
+				log.Errorf("renewing expose session for %s: %v", domain, err)
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// renew extends the TTL of an active expose session.
+func (m *Manager) renew(ctx context.Context, domain string) error {
+	renewCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, renewTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+	return m.mgmClient.RenewExpose(renewCtx, domain)
+}
+
+// stop terminates an active expose session.
+func (m *Manager) stop(domain string) {
+	stopCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(m.ctx, renewTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+	err := m.mgmClient.StopExpose(stopCtx, domain)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("Failed stopping expose session for %s: %v", domain, err)
+	}
+}

client/internal/expose/manager_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+package expose
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	daemonProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+	mgm "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
+)
+
+func TestManager_Expose_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mgm.MockClient{
+		CreateExposeFunc: func(ctx context.Context, req mgm.ExposeRequest) (*mgm.ExposeResponse, error) {
+			return &mgm.ExposeResponse{
+				ServiceName: "my-service",
+				ServiceURL:  "https://my-service.example.com",
+				Domain:      "my-service.example.com",
+			}, nil
+		},
+	}
+
+	m := NewManager(context.Background(), mock)
+	result, err := m.Expose(context.Background(), Request{Port: 8080})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "my-service", result.ServiceName, "service name should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, "https://my-service.example.com", result.ServiceURL, "service URL should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, "my-service.example.com", result.Domain, "domain should match")
+}
+
+func TestManager_Expose_Error(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mgm.MockClient{
+		CreateExposeFunc: func(ctx context.Context, req mgm.ExposeRequest) (*mgm.ExposeResponse, error) {
+			return nil, errors.New("permission denied")
+		},
+	}
+
+	m := NewManager(context.Background(), mock)
+	_, err := m.Expose(context.Background(), Request{Port: 8080})
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "permission denied", "error should propagate")
+}
+
+func TestManager_Renew_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mgm.MockClient{
+		RenewExposeFunc: func(ctx context.Context, domain string) error {
+			assert.Equal(t, "my-service.example.com", domain, "domain should be passed through")
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+
+	m := NewManager(context.Background(), mock)
+	err := m.renew(context.Background(), "my-service.example.com")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestManager_Renew_Timeout(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	cancel()
+
+	mock := &mgm.MockClient{
+		RenewExposeFunc: func(ctx context.Context, domain string) error {
+			return ctx.Err()
+		},
+	}
+
+	m := NewManager(ctx, mock)
+	err := m.renew(ctx, "my-service.example.com")
+	require.Error(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestNewRequest(t *testing.T) {
+	req := &daemonProto.ExposeServiceRequest{
+		Port:       8080,
+		Protocol:   daemonProto.ExposeProtocol_EXPOSE_HTTPS,
+		Pin:        "123456",
+		Password:   "secret",
+		UserGroups: []string{"group1", "group2"},
+		Domain:     "custom.example.com",
+		NamePrefix: "my-prefix",
+	}
+
+	exposeReq := NewRequest(req)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, uint16(8080), exposeReq.Port, "port should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, int(daemonProto.ExposeProtocol_EXPOSE_HTTPS), exposeReq.Protocol, "protocol should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, "123456", exposeReq.Pin, "pin should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, "secret", exposeReq.Password, "password should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, []string{"group1", "group2"}, exposeReq.UserGroups, "user groups should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, "custom.example.com", exposeReq.Domain, "domain should match")
+	assert.Equal(t, "my-prefix", exposeReq.NamePrefix, "name prefix should match")
+}

client/internal/expose/request.go

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+package expose
+
+import (
+	daemonProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+	mgm "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
+)
+
+// NewRequest converts a daemon ExposeServiceRequest to a management ExposeServiceRequest.
+func NewRequest(req *daemonProto.ExposeServiceRequest) *Request {
+	return &Request{
+		Port:       uint16(req.Port),
+		Protocol:   int(req.Protocol),
+		Pin:        req.Pin,
+		Password:   req.Password,
+		UserGroups: req.UserGroups,
+		Domain:     req.Domain,
+		NamePrefix: req.NamePrefix,
+		ListenPort: uint16(req.ListenPort),
+	}
+}
+
+func toClientExposeRequest(req Request) mgm.ExposeRequest {
+	return mgm.ExposeRequest{
+		NamePrefix: req.NamePrefix,
+		Domain:     req.Domain,
+		Port:       req.Port,
+		Protocol:   req.Protocol,
+		Pin:        req.Pin,
+		Password:   req.Password,
+		UserGroups: req.UserGroups,
+		ListenPort: req.ListenPort,
+	}
+}
+
+func fromClientExposeResponse(response *mgm.ExposeResponse) *Response {
+	return &Response{
+		ServiceName:      response.ServiceName,
+		Domain:           response.Domain,
+		ServiceURL:       response.ServiceURL,
+		PortAutoAssigned: response.PortAutoAssigned,
+	}
+}

client/internal/networkmonitor/check_change_common.go

@@ -22,51 +22,56 @@ func prepareFd() (int, error) {
 
 func routeCheck(ctx context.Context, fd int, nexthopv4, nexthopv6 systemops.Nexthop) error {
 	for {
-		select {
-		case <-ctx.Done():
-			return ctx.Err()
-		default:
-			buf := make([]byte, 2048)
-			n, err := unix.Read(fd, buf)
+		// Wait until fd is readable or context is cancelled, to avoid a busy-loop
+		// when the routing socket returns EAGAIN (e.g. immediately after wakeup).
+		if err := waitReadable(ctx, fd); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		buf := make([]byte, 2048)
+		n, err := unix.Read(fd, buf)
+		if err != nil {
+			if errors.Is(err, unix.EAGAIN) || errors.Is(err, unix.EINTR) {
+				continue
+			}
+			if errors.Is(err, unix.EBADF) || errors.Is(err, unix.EINVAL) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("routing socket closed: %w", err)
+			}
+			return fmt.Errorf("read routing socket: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		if n < unix.SizeofRtMsghdr {
+			log.Debugf("Network monitor: read from routing socket returned less than expected: %d bytes", n)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		msg := (*unix.RtMsghdr)(unsafe.Pointer(&buf[0]))
+
+		switch msg.Type {
+		// handle route changes
+		case unix.RTM_ADD, syscall.RTM_DELETE:
+			route, err := parseRouteMessage(buf[:n])
 			if err != nil {
-				if !errors.Is(err, unix.EBADF) && !errors.Is(err, unix.EINVAL) {
-					log.Warnf("Network monitor: failed to read from routing socket: %v", err)
-				}
-				continue
-			}
-			if n < unix.SizeofRtMsghdr {
-				log.Debugf("Network monitor: read from routing socket returned less than expected: %d bytes", n)
+				log.Debugf("Network monitor: error parsing routing message: %v", err)
 				continue
 			}
 
-			msg := (*unix.RtMsghdr)(unsafe.Pointer(&buf[0]))
+			if route.Dst.Bits() != 0 {
+				continue
+			}
 
+			intf := "<nil>"
+			if route.Interface != nil {
+				intf = route.Interface.Name
+			}
 			switch msg.Type {
-			// handle route changes
-			case unix.RTM_ADD, syscall.RTM_DELETE:
-				route, err := parseRouteMessage(buf[:n])
-				if err != nil {
-					log.Debugf("Network monitor: error parsing routing message: %v", err)
-					continue
-				}
-
-				if route.Dst.Bits() != 0 {
-					continue
-				}
-
-				intf := "<nil>"
-				if route.Interface != nil {
-					intf = route.Interface.Name
-				}
-				switch msg.Type {
-				case unix.RTM_ADD:
-					log.Infof("Network monitor: default route changed: via %s, interface %s", route.Gw, intf)
+			case unix.RTM_ADD:
+				log.Infof("Network monitor: default route changed: via %s, interface %s", route.Gw, intf)
+				return nil
+			case unix.RTM_DELETE:
+				if nexthopv4.Intf != nil && route.Gw.Compare(nexthopv4.IP) == 0 || nexthopv6.Intf != nil && route.Gw.Compare(nexthopv6.IP) == 0 {
+					log.Infof("Network monitor: default route removed: via %s, interface %s", route.Gw, intf)
 					return nil
-				case unix.RTM_DELETE:
-					if nexthopv4.Intf != nil && route.Gw.Compare(nexthopv4.IP) == 0 || nexthopv6.Intf != nil && route.Gw.Compare(nexthopv6.IP) == 0 {
-						log.Infof("Network monitor: default route removed: via %s, interface %s", route.Gw, intf)
-						return nil
-					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -90,3 +95,33 @@ func parseRouteMessage(buf []byte) (*systemops.Route, error) {
 
 	return systemops.MsgToRoute(msg)
 }
+
+// waitReadable blocks until fd has data to read, or ctx is cancelled.
+func waitReadable(ctx context.Context, fd int) error {
+	var fdset unix.FdSet
+	if fd < 0 || fd/unix.NFDBITS >= len(fdset.Bits) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("fd %d out of range for FdSet", fd)
+	}
+
+	for {
+		if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		fdset = unix.FdSet{}
+		fdset.Set(fd)
+		// Use a 1-second timeout so we can re-check ctx periodically.
+		tv := unix.Timeval{Sec: 1}
+		n, err := unix.Select(fd+1, &fdset, nil, nil, &tv)
+		if err != nil {
+			if errors.Is(err, unix.EINTR) {
+				continue
+			}
+			return fmt.Errorf("select on routing socket: %w", err)
+		}
+		if n > 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+		// timeout — loop back and re-check ctx
+	}
+}

client/internal/peer/conn.go

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package peer
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"math/rand"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"runtime"
@@ -25,7 +24,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 	relayClient "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/relay/client"
-	semaphoregroup "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util/semaphore-group"
 )
 
 type ServiceDependencies struct {
@@ -34,7 +32,6 @@ type ServiceDependencies struct {
 	IFaceDiscover      stdnet.ExternalIFaceDiscover
 	RelayManager       *relayClient.Manager
 	SrWatcher          *guard.SRWatcher
-	Semaphore          *semaphoregroup.SemaphoreGroup
 	PeerConnDispatcher *dispatcher.ConnectionDispatcher
 }
 
@@ -111,9 +108,8 @@ type Conn struct {
 	wgProxyRelay wgproxy.Proxy
 	handshaker   *Handshaker
 
-	guard     *guard.Guard
-	semaphore *semaphoregroup.SemaphoreGroup
-	wg        sync.WaitGroup
+	guard *guard.Guard
+	wg    sync.WaitGroup
 
 	// debug purpose
 	dumpState *stateDump
@@ -139,7 +135,6 @@ func NewConn(config ConnConfig, services ServiceDependencies) (*Conn, error) {
 		iFaceDiscover:   services.IFaceDiscover,
 		relayManager:    services.RelayManager,
 		srWatcher:       services.SrWatcher,
-		semaphore:       services.Semaphore,
 		statusRelay:     worker.NewAtomicStatus(),
 		statusICE:       worker.NewAtomicStatus(),
 		dumpState:       dumpState,
@@ -154,15 +149,10 @@ func NewConn(config ConnConfig, services ServiceDependencies) (*Conn, error) {
 // It will try to establish a connection using ICE and in parallel with relay. The higher priority connection type will
 // be used.
 func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
-	if err := conn.semaphore.Add(engineCtx); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
 	conn.mu.Lock()
 	defer conn.mu.Unlock()
 
 	if conn.opened {
-		conn.semaphore.Done()
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -173,7 +163,6 @@ func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
 	relayIsSupportedLocally := conn.workerRelay.RelayIsSupportedLocally()
 	workerICE, err := NewWorkerICE(conn.ctx, conn.Log, conn.config, conn, conn.signaler, conn.iFaceDiscover, conn.statusRecorder, relayIsSupportedLocally)
 	if err != nil {
-		conn.semaphore.Done()
 		return err
 	}
 	conn.workerICE = workerICE
@@ -207,10 +196,6 @@ func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
 	conn.wg.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer conn.wg.Done()
-
-		conn.waitInitialRandomSleepTime(conn.ctx)
-		conn.semaphore.Done()
-
 		conn.guard.Start(conn.ctx, conn.onGuardEvent)
 	}()
 	conn.opened = true
@@ -434,14 +419,14 @@ func (conn *Conn) onICEStateDisconnected(sessionChanged bool) {
 			conn.resetEndpoint()
 		}
 
+		// todo consider to move after the ConfigureWGEndpoint
 		conn.wgProxyRelay.Work()
 
 		presharedKey := conn.presharedKey(conn.rosenpassRemoteKey)
-		if err := conn.endpointUpdater.ConfigureWGEndpoint(conn.wgProxyRelay.EndpointAddr(), presharedKey); err != nil {
+		if err := conn.endpointUpdater.SwitchWGEndpoint(conn.wgProxyRelay.EndpointAddr(), presharedKey); err != nil {
 			conn.Log.Errorf("failed to switch to relay conn: %v", err)
 		}
 
-		conn.wgProxyRelay.Work()
 		conn.currentConnPriority = conntype.Relay
 	} else {
 		conn.Log.Infof("ICE disconnected, do not switch to Relay. Reset priority to: %s", conntype.None.String())
@@ -503,20 +488,22 @@ func (conn *Conn) onRelayConnectionIsReady(rci RelayConnInfo) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	wgProxy.Work()
-	presharedKey := conn.presharedKey(rci.rosenpassPubKey)
+	controller := isController(conn.config)
 
+	if controller {
+		wgProxy.Work()
+	}
 	conn.enableWgWatcherIfNeeded()
-
-	if err := conn.endpointUpdater.ConfigureWGEndpoint(wgProxy.EndpointAddr(), presharedKey); err != nil {
+	if err := conn.endpointUpdater.ConfigureWGEndpoint(wgProxy.EndpointAddr(), conn.presharedKey(rci.rosenpassPubKey)); err != nil {
 		if err := wgProxy.CloseConn(); err != nil {
 			conn.Log.Warnf("Failed to close relay connection: %v", err)
 		}
 		conn.Log.Errorf("Failed to update WireGuard peer configuration: %v", err)
 		return
 	}
-
-	wgConfigWorkaround()
+	if !controller {
+		wgProxy.Work()
+	}
 	conn.rosenpassRemoteKey = rci.rosenpassPubKey
 	conn.currentConnPriority = conntype.Relay
 	conn.statusRelay.SetConnected()
@@ -668,19 +655,6 @@ func (conn *Conn) doOnConnected(remoteRosenpassPubKey []byte, remoteRosenpassAdd
 	}
 }
 
-func (conn *Conn) waitInitialRandomSleepTime(ctx context.Context) {
-	maxWait := 300
-	duration := time.Duration(rand.Intn(maxWait)) * time.Millisecond
-
-	timeout := time.NewTimer(duration)
-	defer timeout.Stop()
-
-	select {
-	case <-ctx.Done():
-	case <-timeout.C:
-	}
-}
-
 func (conn *Conn) isRelayed() bool {
 	switch conn.currentConnPriority {
 	case conntype.Relay, conntype.ICETurn:
@@ -877,9 +851,3 @@ func isController(config ConnConfig) bool {
 func isRosenpassEnabled(remoteRosenpassPubKey []byte) bool {
 	return remoteRosenpassPubKey != nil
 }
-
-// wgConfigWorkaround is a workaround for the issue with WireGuard configuration update
-// When update a peer configuration in near to each other time, the second update can be ignored by WireGuard
-func wgConfigWorkaround() {
-	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
-}

client/internal/peer/conn_test.go

@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/ice"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
-	semaphoregroup "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util/semaphore-group"
 )
 
 var testDispatcher = dispatcher.NewConnectionDispatcher()
@@ -53,7 +52,6 @@ func TestConn_GetKey(t *testing.T) {
 
 	sd := ServiceDependencies{
 		SrWatcher:          swWatcher,
-		Semaphore:          semaphoregroup.NewSemaphoreGroup(1),
 		PeerConnDispatcher: testDispatcher,
 	}
 	conn, err := NewConn(connConf, sd)
@@ -71,7 +69,6 @@ func TestConn_OnRemoteOffer(t *testing.T) {
 	sd := ServiceDependencies{
 		StatusRecorder:     NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
 		SrWatcher:          swWatcher,
-		Semaphore:          semaphoregroup.NewSemaphoreGroup(1),
 		PeerConnDispatcher: testDispatcher,
 	}
 	conn, err := NewConn(connConf, sd)
@@ -110,7 +107,6 @@ func TestConn_OnRemoteAnswer(t *testing.T) {
 	sd := ServiceDependencies{
 		StatusRecorder:     NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
 		SrWatcher:          swWatcher,
-		Semaphore:          semaphoregroup.NewSemaphoreGroup(1),
 		PeerConnDispatcher: testDispatcher,
 	}
 	conn, err := NewConn(connConf, sd)

client/internal/peer/endpoint.go

@@ -34,28 +34,27 @@ func NewEndpointUpdater(log *logrus.Entry, wgConfig WgConfig, initiator bool) *E
 	}
 }
 
-// ConfigureWGEndpoint sets up the WireGuard endpoint configuration.
-// The initiator immediately configures the endpoint, while the non-initiator
-// waits for a fallback period before configuring to avoid handshake congestion.
 func (e *EndpointUpdater) ConfigureWGEndpoint(addr *net.UDPAddr, presharedKey *wgtypes.Key) error {
 	e.mu.Lock()
 	defer e.mu.Unlock()
 
 	if e.initiator {
-		e.log.Debugf("configure up WireGuard as initiatr")
-		return e.updateWireGuardPeer(addr, presharedKey)
+		e.log.Debugf("configure up WireGuard as initiator")
+		return e.configureAsInitiator(addr, presharedKey)
 	}
 
+	e.log.Debugf("configure up WireGuard as responder")
+	return e.configureAsResponder(addr, presharedKey)
+}
+
+func (e *EndpointUpdater) SwitchWGEndpoint(addr *net.UDPAddr, presharedKey *wgtypes.Key) error {
+	e.mu.Lock()
+	defer e.mu.Unlock()
+
 	// prevent to run new update while cancel the previous update
 	e.waitForCloseTheDelayedUpdate()
 
-	var ctx context.Context
-	ctx, e.cancelFunc = context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	e.updateWg.Add(1)
-	go e.scheduleDelayedUpdate(ctx, addr, presharedKey)
-
-	e.log.Debugf("configure up WireGuard and wait for handshake")
-	return e.updateWireGuardPeer(nil, presharedKey)
+	return e.updateWireGuardPeer(addr, presharedKey)
 }
 
 func (e *EndpointUpdater) RemoveWgPeer() error {
@@ -67,9 +66,37 @@ func (e *EndpointUpdater) RemoveWgPeer() error {
 }
 
 func (e *EndpointUpdater) RemoveEndpointAddress() error {
+	e.mu.Lock()
+	defer e.mu.Unlock()
+
+	e.waitForCloseTheDelayedUpdate()
 	return e.wgConfig.WgInterface.RemoveEndpointAddress(e.wgConfig.RemoteKey)
 }
 
+func (e *EndpointUpdater) configureAsInitiator(addr *net.UDPAddr, presharedKey *wgtypes.Key) error {
+	if err := e.updateWireGuardPeer(addr, presharedKey); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (e *EndpointUpdater) configureAsResponder(addr *net.UDPAddr, presharedKey *wgtypes.Key) error {
+	// prevent to run new update while cancel the previous update
+	e.waitForCloseTheDelayedUpdate()
+
+	e.log.Debugf("configure up WireGuard and wait for handshake")
+	var ctx context.Context
+	ctx, e.cancelFunc = context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	e.updateWg.Add(1)
+	go e.scheduleDelayedUpdate(ctx, addr, presharedKey)
+
+	if err := e.updateWireGuardPeer(nil, presharedKey); err != nil {
+		e.waitForCloseTheDelayedUpdate()
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (e *EndpointUpdater) waitForCloseTheDelayedUpdate() {
 	if e.cancelFunc == nil {
 		return
@@ -105,3 +132,9 @@ func (e *EndpointUpdater) updateWireGuardPeer(endpoint *net.UDPAddr, presharedKe
 		presharedKey,
 	)
 }
+
+// wgConfigWorkaround is a workaround for the issue with WireGuard configuration update
+// When update a peer configuration in near to each other time, the second update can be ignored by WireGuard
+func wgConfigWorkaround() {
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ func getConfigDirForUser(username string) (string, error) {
 
 	configDir := filepath.Join(DefaultConfigPathDir, username)
 	if _, err := os.Stat(configDir); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		if err := os.MkdirAll(configDir, 0600); err != nil {
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(configDir, 0700); err != nil {
 			return "", err
 		}
 	}
@@ -206,9 +206,15 @@ func getConfigDirForUser(username string) (string, error) {
 	return configDir, nil
 }
 
-func fileExists(path string) bool {
+func fileExists(path string) (bool, error) {
 	_, err := os.Stat(path)
-	return !os.IsNotExist(err)
+	if err == nil {
+		return true, nil
+	}
+	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	return false, err
 }
 
 // createNewConfig creates a new config generating a new Wireguard key and saving to file
@@ -635,7 +641,11 @@ func isPreSharedKeyHidden(preSharedKey *string) bool {
 
 // UpdateConfig update existing configuration according to input configuration and return with the configuration
 func UpdateConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
-	if !fileExists(input.ConfigPath) {
+	configExists, err := fileExists(input.ConfigPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check if config file exists: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !configExists {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("config file %s does not exist", input.ConfigPath)
 	}
 
@@ -644,7 +654,11 @@ func UpdateConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
 
 // UpdateOrCreateConfig reads existing config or generates a new one
 func UpdateOrCreateConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
-	if !fileExists(input.ConfigPath) {
+	configExists, err := fileExists(input.ConfigPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check if config file exists: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !configExists {
 		log.Infof("generating new config %s", input.ConfigPath)
 		cfg, err := createNewConfig(input)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -657,7 +671,7 @@ func UpdateOrCreateConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
 	if isPreSharedKeyHidden(input.PreSharedKey) {
 		input.PreSharedKey = nil
 	}
-	err := util.EnforcePermission(input.ConfigPath)
+	err = util.EnforcePermission(input.ConfigPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to enforce permission on config dir: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -784,7 +798,12 @@ func ReadConfig(configPath string) (*Config, error) {
 
 // ReadConfig read config file and return with Config. If it is not exists create a new with default values
 func readConfig(configPath string, createIfMissing bool) (*Config, error) {
-	if fileExists(configPath) {
+	configExists, err := fileExists(configPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check if config file exists: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if configExists {
 		err := util.EnforcePermission(configPath)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Errorf("failed to enforce permission on config dir: %v", err)
@@ -831,7 +850,11 @@ func DirectWriteOutConfig(path string, config *Config) error {
 // DirectUpdateOrCreateConfig is like UpdateOrCreateConfig but uses direct (non-atomic) writes.
 // Use this on platforms where atomic writes are blocked (e.g., tvOS sandbox).
 func DirectUpdateOrCreateConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
-	if !fileExists(input.ConfigPath) {
+	configExists, err := fileExists(input.ConfigPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check if config file exists: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !configExists {
 		log.Infof("generating new config %s", input.ConfigPath)
 		cfg, err := createNewConfig(input)
 		if err != nil {

client/internal/profilemanager/service.go

@@ -256,7 +256,11 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) AddProfile(profileName, username string) error {
 	}
 
 	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".json")
-	if fileExists(profPath) {
+	profileExists, err := fileExists(profPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile exists: %w", err)
+	}
+	if profileExists {
 		return ErrProfileAlreadyExists
 	}
 
@@ -285,7 +289,11 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(profileName, username string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("cannot remove profile with reserved name: %s", defaultProfileName)
 	}
 	profPath := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".json")
-	if !fileExists(profPath) {
+	profileExists, err := fileExists(profPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile exists: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !profileExists {
 		return ErrProfileNotFound
 	}
 

client/internal/profilemanager/state.go

@@ -20,7 +20,11 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) GetProfileState(profileName string) (*ProfileState, er
 	}
 
 	stateFile := filepath.Join(configDir, profileName+".state.json")
-	if !fileExists(stateFile) {
+	stateFileExists, err := fileExists(stateFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check if profile state file exists: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !stateFileExists {
 		return nil, errors.New("profile state file does not exist")
 	}
 

client/internal/routemanager/client/client.go

@@ -263,8 +263,14 @@ func (w *Watcher) watchPeerStatusChanges(ctx context.Context, peerKey string, pe
 		case <-closer:
 			return
 		case routerStates := <-subscription.Events():
-			peerStateUpdate <- routerStates
-			log.Debugf("triggered route state update for Peer: %s", peerKey)
+			select {
+			case peerStateUpdate <- routerStates:
+				log.Debugf("triggered route state update for Peer: %s", peerKey)
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case <-closer:
+				return
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }

client/internal/routemanager/dnsinterceptor/handler.go

@@ -351,6 +351,11 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) writeMsg(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg, logger *log.
 				logger.Errorf("failed to update domain prefixes: %v", err)
 			}
 
+			// Allow time for route changes to be applied before sending
+			// the DNS response (relevant on iOS where setTunnelNetworkSettings
+			// is asynchronous).
+			waitForRouteSettlement(logger)
+
 			d.replaceIPsInDNSResponse(r, newPrefixes, logger)
 		}
 	}

client/internal/routemanager/dnsinterceptor/handler_ios.go

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+//go:build ios
+
+package dnsinterceptor
+
+import (
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+const routeSettleDelay = 500 * time.Millisecond
+
+// waitForRouteSettlement introduces a short delay on iOS to allow
+// setTunnelNetworkSettings to apply route changes before the DNS
+// response reaches the application. Without this, the first request
+// to a newly resolved domain may bypass the tunnel.
+func waitForRouteSettlement(logger *log.Entry) {
+	logger.Tracef("waiting %v for iOS route settlement", routeSettleDelay)
+	time.Sleep(routeSettleDelay)
+}

client/internal/routemanager/dnsinterceptor/handler_nonios.go

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+//go:build !ios
+
+package dnsinterceptor
+
+import log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+func waitForRouteSettlement(_ *log.Entry) {
+	// No-op on non-iOS platforms: route changes are applied synchronously by
+	// the kernel, so no settlement delay is needed before the DNS response
+	// reaches the application. The delay is only required on iOS where
+	// setTunnelNetworkSettings applies routes asynchronously.
+}

client/internal/sleep/handler/handler.go

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+package handler
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
+)
+
+type Agent interface {
+	Up(ctx context.Context) error
+	Down(ctx context.Context) error
+	Status() (internal.StatusType, error)
+}
+
+type SleepHandler struct {
+	agent Agent
+
+	mu sync.Mutex
+	// sleepTriggeredDown indicates whether the sleep handler triggered the last client down, to avoid unnecessary up on wake
+	sleepTriggeredDown bool
+}
+
+func New(agent Agent) *SleepHandler {
+	return &SleepHandler{
+		agent: agent,
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *SleepHandler) HandleWakeUp(ctx context.Context) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if !s.sleepTriggeredDown {
+		log.Info("skipping up because wasn't sleep down")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// avoid other wakeup runs if sleep didn't make the computer sleep
+	s.sleepTriggeredDown = false
+
+	log.Info("running up after wake up")
+	err := s.agent.Up(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("running up failed: %v", err)
+		return err
+	}
+
+	log.Info("running up command executed successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *SleepHandler) HandleSleep(ctx context.Context) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	status, err := s.agent.Status()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if status != internal.StatusConnecting && status != internal.StatusConnected {
+		log.Infof("skipping setting the agent down because status is %s", status)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	log.Info("running down after system started sleeping")
+
+	if err = s.agent.Down(ctx); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("running down failed: %v", err)
+		return err
+	}
+
+	s.sleepTriggeredDown = true
+
+	log.Info("running down executed successfully")
+	return nil
+}

client/internal/sleep/handler/handler_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+package handler
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
+)
+
+type mockAgent struct {
+	upErr     error
+	downErr   error
+	statusErr error
+	status    internal.StatusType
+	upCalls   int
+}
+
+func (m *mockAgent) Up(_ context.Context) error {
+	m.upCalls++
+	return m.upErr
+}
+
+func (m *mockAgent) Down(_ context.Context) error {
+	return m.downErr
+}
+
+func (m *mockAgent) Status() (internal.StatusType, error) {
+	return m.status, m.statusErr
+}
+
+func newHandler(status internal.StatusType) (*SleepHandler, *mockAgent) {
+	agent := &mockAgent{status: status}
+	return New(agent), agent
+}
+
+func TestHandleWakeUp_SkipsWhenFlagFalse(t *testing.T) {
+	h, agent := newHandler(internal.StatusIdle)
+
+	err := h.HandleWakeUp(context.Background())
+
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, agent.upCalls, "Up should not be called when flag is false")
+}
+
+func TestHandleWakeUp_ResetsFlagBeforeUp(t *testing.T) {
+	h, _ := newHandler(internal.StatusIdle)
+	h.sleepTriggeredDown = true
+
+	// Even if Up fails, flag should be reset
+	_ = h.HandleWakeUp(context.Background())
+
+	assert.False(t, h.sleepTriggeredDown, "flag must be reset before calling Up")
+}
+
+func TestHandleWakeUp_CallsUpWhenFlagSet(t *testing.T) {
+	h, agent := newHandler(internal.StatusIdle)
+	h.sleepTriggeredDown = true
+
+	err := h.HandleWakeUp(context.Background())
+
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, agent.upCalls)
+	assert.False(t, h.sleepTriggeredDown)
+}
+
+func TestHandleWakeUp_ReturnsErrorFromUp(t *testing.T) {
+	h, agent := newHandler(internal.StatusIdle)
+	h.sleepTriggeredDown = true
+	agent.upErr = errors.New("up failed")
+
+	err := h.HandleWakeUp(context.Background())
+
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, agent.upErr)
+	assert.False(t, h.sleepTriggeredDown, "flag should still be reset even when Up fails")
+}
+
+func TestHandleWakeUp_SecondCallIsNoOp(t *testing.T) {
+	h, agent := newHandler(internal.StatusIdle)
+	h.sleepTriggeredDown = true
+
+	_ = h.HandleWakeUp(context.Background())
+	err := h.HandleWakeUp(context.Background())
+
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, agent.upCalls, "second wakeup should be no-op")
+}
+
+func TestHandleSleep_SkipsForNonActiveStates(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		status internal.StatusType
+	}{
+		{"Idle", internal.StatusIdle},
+		{"NeedsLogin", internal.StatusNeedsLogin},
+		{"LoginFailed", internal.StatusLoginFailed},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			h, _ := newHandler(tt.status)
+
+			err := h.HandleSleep(context.Background())
+
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			assert.False(t, h.sleepTriggeredDown)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandleSleep_ProceedsForActiveStates(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		status internal.StatusType
+	}{
+		{"Connecting", internal.StatusConnecting},
+		{"Connected", internal.StatusConnected},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			h, _ := newHandler(tt.status)
+
+			err := h.HandleSleep(context.Background())
+
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			assert.True(t, h.sleepTriggeredDown)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHandleSleep_ReturnsErrorFromStatus(t *testing.T) {
+	agent := &mockAgent{statusErr: errors.New("status error")}
+	h := New(agent)
+
+	err := h.HandleSleep(context.Background())
+
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, agent.statusErr)
+	assert.False(t, h.sleepTriggeredDown)
+}
+
+func TestHandleSleep_ReturnsErrorFromDown(t *testing.T) {
+	agent := &mockAgent{status: internal.StatusConnected, downErr: errors.New("down failed")}
+	h := New(agent)
+
+	err := h.HandleSleep(context.Background())
+
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, err, agent.downErr)
+	assert.False(t, h.sleepTriggeredDown, "flag should not be set when Down fails")
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/manager_test.go

@@ -1,214 +0,0 @@
-//go:build windows || darwin
-
-package updatemanager
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"fmt"
-	"path"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-
-	v "github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
-)
-
-type versionUpdateMock struct {
-	latestVersion *v.Version
-	onUpdate      func()
-}
-
-func (v versionUpdateMock) StopWatch() {}
-
-func (v versionUpdateMock) SetDaemonVersion(newVersion string) bool {
-	return false
-}
-
-func (v *versionUpdateMock) SetOnUpdateListener(updateFn func()) {
-	v.onUpdate = updateFn
-}
-
-func (v versionUpdateMock) LatestVersion() *v.Version {
-	return v.latestVersion
-}
-
-func (v versionUpdateMock) StartFetcher() {}
-
-func Test_LatestVersion(t *testing.T) {
-	testMatrix := []struct {
-		name                 string
-		daemonVersion        string
-		initialLatestVersion *v.Version
-		latestVersion        *v.Version
-		shouldUpdateInit     bool
-		shouldUpdateLater    bool
-	}{
-		{
-			name:                 "Should only trigger update once due to time between triggers being < 5 Minutes",
-			daemonVersion:        "1.0.0",
-			initialLatestVersion: v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1")),
-			latestVersion:        v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.2")),
-			shouldUpdateInit:     true,
-			shouldUpdateLater:    false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:                 "Shouldn't update initially, but should update as soon as latest version is fetched",
-			daemonVersion:        "1.0.0",
-			initialLatestVersion: nil,
-			latestVersion:        v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1")),
-			shouldUpdateInit:     false,
-			shouldUpdateLater:    true,
-		},
-	}
-
-	for idx, c := range testMatrix {
-		mockUpdate := &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: c.initialLatestVersion}
-		tmpFile := path.Join(t.TempDir(), fmt.Sprintf("update-test-%d.json", idx))
-		m, _ := newManager(peer.NewRecorder(""), statemanager.New(tmpFile))
-		m.update = mockUpdate
-
-		targetVersionChan := make(chan string, 1)
-
-		m.triggerUpdateFn = func(ctx context.Context, targetVersion string) error {
-			targetVersionChan <- targetVersion
-			return nil
-		}
-		m.currentVersion = c.daemonVersion
-		m.Start(context.Background())
-		m.SetVersion("latest")
-		var triggeredInit bool
-		select {
-		case targetVersion := <-targetVersionChan:
-			if targetVersion != c.initialLatestVersion.String() {
-				t.Errorf("%s: Initial update version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.initialLatestVersion.String(), targetVersion)
-			}
-			triggeredInit = true
-		case <-time.After(10 * time.Millisecond):
-			triggeredInit = false
-		}
-		if triggeredInit != c.shouldUpdateInit {
-			t.Errorf("%s: Initial update trigger mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdateInit, triggeredInit)
-		}
-
-		mockUpdate.latestVersion = c.latestVersion
-		mockUpdate.onUpdate()
-
-		var triggeredLater bool
-		select {
-		case targetVersion := <-targetVersionChan:
-			if targetVersion != c.latestVersion.String() {
-				t.Errorf("%s: Update version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.latestVersion.String(), targetVersion)
-			}
-			triggeredLater = true
-		case <-time.After(10 * time.Millisecond):
-			triggeredLater = false
-		}
-		if triggeredLater != c.shouldUpdateLater {
-			t.Errorf("%s: Update trigger mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdateLater, triggeredLater)
-		}
-
-		m.Stop()
-	}
-}
-
-func Test_HandleUpdate(t *testing.T) {
-	testMatrix := []struct {
-		name            string
-		daemonVersion   string
-		latestVersion   *v.Version
-		expectedVersion string
-		shouldUpdate    bool
-	}{
-		{
-			name:            "Update to a specific version should update regardless of if latestVersion is available yet",
-			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
-			latestVersion:   nil,
-			expectedVersion: "0.56.0",
-			shouldUpdate:    true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Update to specific version should not update if version matches",
-			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
-			latestVersion:   nil,
-			expectedVersion: "0.55.0",
-			shouldUpdate:    false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Update to specific version should not update if current version is newer",
-			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
-			latestVersion:   nil,
-			expectedVersion: "0.54.0",
-			shouldUpdate:    false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Update to latest version should update if latest is newer",
-			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
-			latestVersion:   v.Must(v.NewSemver("0.56.0")),
-			expectedVersion: "latest",
-			shouldUpdate:    true,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Update to latest version should not update if latest == current",
-			daemonVersion:   "0.56.0",
-			latestVersion:   v.Must(v.NewSemver("0.56.0")),
-			expectedVersion: "latest",
-			shouldUpdate:    false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Should not update if daemon version is invalid",
-			daemonVersion:   "development",
-			latestVersion:   v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.0")),
-			expectedVersion: "latest",
-			shouldUpdate:    false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Should not update if expecting latest and latest version is unavailable",
-			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
-			latestVersion:   nil,
-			expectedVersion: "latest",
-			shouldUpdate:    false,
-		},
-		{
-			name:            "Should not update if expected version is invalid",
-			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
-			latestVersion:   nil,
-			expectedVersion: "development",
-			shouldUpdate:    false,
-		},
-	}
-	for idx, c := range testMatrix {
-		tmpFile := path.Join(t.TempDir(), fmt.Sprintf("update-test-%d.json", idx))
-		m, _ := newManager(peer.NewRecorder(""), statemanager.New(tmpFile))
-		m.update = &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: c.latestVersion}
-		targetVersionChan := make(chan string, 1)
-
-		m.triggerUpdateFn = func(ctx context.Context, targetVersion string) error {
-			targetVersionChan <- targetVersion
-			return nil
-		}
-
-		m.currentVersion = c.daemonVersion
-		m.Start(context.Background())
-		m.SetVersion(c.expectedVersion)
-
-		var updateTriggered bool
-		select {
-		case targetVersion := <-targetVersionChan:
-			if c.expectedVersion == "latest" && targetVersion != c.latestVersion.String() {
-				t.Errorf("%s: Update version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.latestVersion.String(), targetVersion)
-			} else if c.expectedVersion != "latest" && targetVersion != c.expectedVersion {
-				t.Errorf("%s: Update version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.expectedVersion, targetVersion)
-			}
-			updateTriggered = true
-		case <-time.After(10 * time.Millisecond):
-			updateTriggered = false
-		}
-
-		if updateTriggered != c.shouldUpdate {
-			t.Errorf("%s: Update trigger mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdate, updateTriggered)
-		}
-		m.Stop()
-	}
-}

client/internal/updatemanager/manager_unsupported.go

@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-//go:build !windows && !darwin
-
-package updatemanager
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"fmt"
-
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
-)
-
-// Manager is a no-op stub for unsupported platforms
-type Manager struct{}
-
-// NewManager returns a no-op manager for unsupported platforms
-func NewManager(statusRecorder *peer.Status, stateManager *statemanager.Manager) (*Manager, error) {
-	return nil, fmt.Errorf("update manager is not supported on this platform")
-}
-
-// CheckUpdateSuccess is a no-op on unsupported platforms
-func (m *Manager) CheckUpdateSuccess(ctx context.Context) {
-	// no-op
-}
-
-// Start is a no-op on unsupported platforms
-func (m *Manager) Start(ctx context.Context) {
-	// no-op
-}
-
-// SetVersion is a no-op on unsupported platforms
-func (m *Manager) SetVersion(expectedVersion string) {
-	// no-op
-}
-
-// Stop is a no-op on unsupported platforms
-func (m *Manager) Stop() {
-	// no-op
-}

client/internal/updater/doc.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Package updatemanager provides automatic update management for the NetBird client.
+// Package updater provides automatic update management for the NetBird client.
 // It monitors for new versions, handles update triggers from management server directives,
 // and orchestrates the download and installation of client updates.
 //
@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@
 //
 // This enables verification of successful updates and appropriate user notification
 // after the client restarts with the new version.
-package updatemanager
+package updater

client/internal/updater/installer/installer_common.go

@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ import (
 	goversion "github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/downloader"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/downloader"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/reposign"
 )
 
 type Installer struct {

client/internal/updater/installer/result.go

@@ -203,7 +203,10 @@ func (rh *ResultHandler) write(result Result) error {
 
 func (rh *ResultHandler) cleanup() error {
 	err := os.Remove(rh.resultFile)
-	if err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+	if err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return nil
+		}
 		return err
 	}
 	log.Debugf("delete installer result file: %s", rh.resultFile)

client/internal/updater/manager.go

@@ -1,12 +1,9 @@
-//go:build windows || darwin
-
-package updatemanager
+package updater
 
 import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"runtime"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -15,7 +12,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/installer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/installer"
 	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/version"
 )
@@ -41,6 +38,9 @@ type Manager struct {
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status
 	stateManager   *statemanager.Manager
 
+	downloadOnly bool // true when no enforcement from management; notifies UI to download latest
+	forceUpdate  bool // true when management sets AlwaysUpdate; skips UI interaction and installs directly
+
 	lastTrigger    time.Time
 	mgmUpdateChan  chan struct{}
 	updateChannel  chan struct{}
@@ -53,37 +53,38 @@ type Manager struct {
 	expectedVersion       *v.Version
 	updateToLatestVersion bool
 
-	// updateMutex protect update and expectedVersion fields
+	pendingVersion *v.Version
+
+	// updateMutex protects update, expectedVersion, updateToLatestVersion,
+	// downloadOnly, forceUpdate, pendingVersion, and lastTrigger fields
 	updateMutex sync.Mutex
 
-	triggerUpdateFn func(context.Context, string) error
+	// installMutex and installing guard against concurrent installation attempts
+	installMutex sync.Mutex
+	installing   bool
+
+	// protect to start the service multiple times
+	mu sync.Mutex
+
+	autoUpdateSupported func() bool
 }
 
-func NewManager(statusRecorder *peer.Status, stateManager *statemanager.Manager) (*Manager, error) {
-	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
-		isBrew := !installer.TypeOfInstaller(context.Background()).Downloadable()
-		if isBrew {
-			log.Warnf("auto-update disabled on Home Brew installation")
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("auto-update not supported on Home Brew installation yet")
-		}
-	}
-	return newManager(statusRecorder, stateManager)
-}
-
-func newManager(statusRecorder *peer.Status, stateManager *statemanager.Manager) (*Manager, error) {
+// NewManager creates a new update manager. The manager is single-use: once Stop() is called, it cannot be restarted.
+func NewManager(statusRecorder *peer.Status, stateManager *statemanager.Manager) *Manager {
 	manager := &Manager{
-		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
-		stateManager:   stateManager,
-		mgmUpdateChan:  make(chan struct{}, 1),
-		updateChannel:  make(chan struct{}, 1),
-		currentVersion: version.NetbirdVersion(),
-		update:         version.NewUpdate("nb/client"),
+		statusRecorder:      statusRecorder,
+		stateManager:        stateManager,
+		mgmUpdateChan:       make(chan struct{}, 1),
+		updateChannel:       make(chan struct{}, 1),
+		currentVersion:      version.NetbirdVersion(),
+		update:              version.NewUpdate("nb/client"),
+		downloadOnly:        true,
+		autoUpdateSupported: isAutoUpdateSupported,
 	}
-	manager.triggerUpdateFn = manager.triggerUpdate
 
 	stateManager.RegisterState(&UpdateState{})
 
-	return manager, nil
+	return manager
 }
 
 // CheckUpdateSuccess checks if the update was successful and send a notification.
@@ -124,8 +125,10 @@ func (m *Manager) CheckUpdateSuccess(ctx context.Context) {
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) Start(ctx context.Context) {
+	log.Infof("starting update manager")
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
 	if m.cancel != nil {
-		log.Errorf("Manager already started")
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -142,13 +145,32 @@ func (m *Manager) Start(ctx context.Context) {
 	m.cancel = cancel
 
 	m.wg.Add(1)
-	go m.updateLoop(ctx)
+	go func() {
+		defer m.wg.Done()
+		m.updateLoop(ctx)
+	}()
 }
 
-func (m *Manager) SetVersion(expectedVersion string) {
-	log.Infof("set expected agent version for upgrade: %s", expectedVersion)
-	if m.cancel == nil {
-		log.Errorf("manager not started")
+func (m *Manager) SetDownloadOnly() {
+	m.updateMutex.Lock()
+	m.downloadOnly = true
+	m.forceUpdate = false
+	m.expectedVersion = nil
+	m.updateToLatestVersion = false
+	m.lastTrigger = time.Time{}
+	m.updateMutex.Unlock()
+
+	select {
+	case m.mgmUpdateChan <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+func (m *Manager) SetVersion(expectedVersion string, forceUpdate bool) {
+	log.Infof("expected version changed to %s, force update: %t", expectedVersion, forceUpdate)
+
+	if !m.autoUpdateSupported() {
+		log.Warnf("auto-update not supported on this platform")
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -159,6 +181,7 @@ func (m *Manager) SetVersion(expectedVersion string) {
 		log.Errorf("empty expected version provided")
 		m.expectedVersion = nil
 		m.updateToLatestVersion = false
+		m.downloadOnly = true
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -178,12 +201,97 @@ func (m *Manager) SetVersion(expectedVersion string) {
 		m.updateToLatestVersion = false
 	}
 
+	m.lastTrigger = time.Time{}
+	m.downloadOnly = false
+	m.forceUpdate = forceUpdate
+
 	select {
 	case m.mgmUpdateChan <- struct{}{}:
 	default:
 	}
 }
 
+// Install triggers the installation of the pending version. It is called when the user clicks the install button in the UI.
+func (m *Manager) Install(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if !m.autoUpdateSupported() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("auto-update not supported on this platform")
+	}
+
+	m.updateMutex.Lock()
+	pending := m.pendingVersion
+	m.updateMutex.Unlock()
+
+	if pending == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no pending version to install")
+	}
+
+	return m.tryInstall(ctx, pending)
+}
+
+// tryInstall ensures only one installation runs at a time. Concurrent callers
+// receive an error immediately rather than queuing behind a running install.
+func (m *Manager) tryInstall(ctx context.Context, targetVersion *v.Version) error {
+	m.installMutex.Lock()
+	if m.installing {
+		m.installMutex.Unlock()
+		return fmt.Errorf("installation already in progress")
+	}
+	m.installing = true
+	m.installMutex.Unlock()
+
+	defer func() {
+		m.installMutex.Lock()
+		m.installing = false
+		m.installMutex.Unlock()
+	}()
+
+	return m.install(ctx, targetVersion)
+}
+
+// NotifyUI re-publishes the current update state to a newly connected UI client.
+// Only needed for download-only mode where the latest version is already cached
+// NotifyUI re-publishes the current update state so a newly connected UI gets the info.
+func (m *Manager) NotifyUI() {
+	m.updateMutex.Lock()
+	if m.update == nil {
+		m.updateMutex.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	downloadOnly := m.downloadOnly
+	pendingVersion := m.pendingVersion
+	latestVersion := m.update.LatestVersion()
+	m.updateMutex.Unlock()
+
+	if downloadOnly {
+		if latestVersion == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		currentVersion, err := v.NewVersion(m.currentVersion)
+		if err != nil || currentVersion.GreaterThanOrEqual(latestVersion) {
+			return
+		}
+		m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
+			cProto.SystemEvent_INFO,
+			cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
+			"New version available",
+			"",
+			map[string]string{"new_version_available": latestVersion.String()},
+		)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if pendingVersion != nil {
+		m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
+			cProto.SystemEvent_INFO,
+			cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
+			"New version available",
+			"",
+			map[string]string{"new_version_available": pendingVersion.String(), "enforced": "true"},
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+// Stop is not used at the moment because it fully depends on the daemon. In a future refactor it may make sense to use it.
 func (m *Manager) Stop() {
 	if m.cancel == nil {
 		return
@@ -214,8 +322,6 @@ func (m *Manager) onContextCancel() {
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) updateLoop(ctx context.Context) {
-	defer m.wg.Done()
-
 	for {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
@@ -239,55 +345,89 @@ func (m *Manager) handleUpdate(ctx context.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	expectedVersion := m.expectedVersion
-	useLatest := m.updateToLatestVersion
+	downloadOnly := m.downloadOnly
+	forceUpdate := m.forceUpdate
 	curLatestVersion := m.update.LatestVersion()
-	m.updateMutex.Unlock()
 
 	switch {
-	// Resolve "latest" to actual version
-	case useLatest:
+	// Download-only mode or resolve "latest" to actual version
+	case downloadOnly, m.updateToLatestVersion:
 		if curLatestVersion == nil {
 			log.Tracef("latest version not fetched yet")
+			m.updateMutex.Unlock()
 			return
 		}
 		updateVersion = curLatestVersion
-	// Update to specific version
-	case expectedVersion != nil:
-		updateVersion = expectedVersion
+	// Install to specific version
+	case m.expectedVersion != nil:
+		updateVersion = m.expectedVersion
 	default:
 		log.Debugf("no expected version information set")
+		m.updateMutex.Unlock()
 		return
 	}
 
 	log.Debugf("checking update option, current version: %s, target version: %s", m.currentVersion, updateVersion)
-	if !m.shouldUpdate(updateVersion) {
+	if !m.shouldUpdate(updateVersion, forceUpdate) {
+		m.updateMutex.Unlock()
 		return
 	}
 
 	m.lastTrigger = time.Now()
-	log.Infof("Auto-update triggered, current version: %s, target version: %s", m.currentVersion, updateVersion)
-	m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
-		cProto.SystemEvent_CRITICAL,
-		cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
-		"Automatically updating client",
-		"Your client version is older than auto-update version set in Management, updating client now.",
-		nil,
-	)
+	log.Infof("new version available: %s", updateVersion)
+
+	if !downloadOnly && !forceUpdate {
+		m.pendingVersion = updateVersion
+	}
+	m.updateMutex.Unlock()
+
+	if downloadOnly {
+		m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
+			cProto.SystemEvent_INFO,
+			cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
+			"New version available",
+			"",
+			map[string]string{"new_version_available": updateVersion.String()},
+		)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if forceUpdate {
+		if err := m.tryInstall(ctx, updateVersion); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("force update failed: %v", err)
+		}
+		return
+	}
 
+	m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
+		cProto.SystemEvent_INFO,
+		cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
+		"New version available",
+		"",
+		map[string]string{"new_version_available": updateVersion.String(), "enforced": "true"},
+	)
+}
+
+func (m *Manager) install(ctx context.Context, pendingVersion *v.Version) error {
+	m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
+		cProto.SystemEvent_CRITICAL,
+		cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
+		"Updating client",
+		"Installing update now.",
+		nil,
+	)
 	m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
 		cProto.SystemEvent_CRITICAL,
 		cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
 		"",
 		"",
-		map[string]string{"progress_window": "show", "version": updateVersion.String()},
+		map[string]string{"progress_window": "show", "version": pendingVersion.String()},
 	)
 
 	updateState := UpdateState{
 		PreUpdateVersion: m.currentVersion,
-		TargetVersion:    updateVersion.String(),
+		TargetVersion:    pendingVersion.String(),
 	}
-
 	if err := m.stateManager.UpdateState(updateState); err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("failed to update state: %v", err)
 	} else {
@@ -296,8 +436,9 @@ func (m *Manager) handleUpdate(ctx context.Context) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if err := m.triggerUpdateFn(ctx, updateVersion.String()); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("Error triggering auto-update: %v", err)
+	inst := installer.New()
+	if err := inst.RunInstallation(ctx, pendingVersion.String()); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("error triggering update: %v", err)
 		m.statusRecorder.PublishEvent(
 			cProto.SystemEvent_ERROR,
 			cProto.SystemEvent_SYSTEM,
@@ -305,7 +446,9 @@ func (m *Manager) handleUpdate(ctx context.Context) {
 			fmt.Sprintf("Auto-update failed: %v", err),
 			nil,
 		)
+		return err
 	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 // loadAndDeleteUpdateState loads the update state, deletes it from storage, and returns it.
@@ -339,7 +482,7 @@ func (m *Manager) loadAndDeleteUpdateState(ctx context.Context) (*UpdateState, e
 	return updateState, nil
 }
 
-func (m *Manager) shouldUpdate(updateVersion *v.Version) bool {
+func (m *Manager) shouldUpdate(updateVersion *v.Version, forceUpdate bool) bool {
 	if m.currentVersion == developmentVersion {
 		log.Debugf("skipping auto-update, running development version")
 		return false
@@ -354,8 +497,8 @@ func (m *Manager) shouldUpdate(updateVersion *v.Version) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 
-	if time.Since(m.lastTrigger) < 5*time.Minute {
-		log.Debugf("skipping auto-update, last update was %s ago", time.Since(m.lastTrigger))
+	if forceUpdate && time.Since(m.lastTrigger) < 3*time.Minute {
+		log.Infof("skipping auto-update, last update was %s ago", time.Since(m.lastTrigger))
 		return false
 	}
 
@@ -367,8 +510,3 @@ func (m *Manager) lastResultErrReason() string {
 	result := installer.NewResultHandler(inst.TempDir())
 	return result.GetErrorResultReason()
 }
-
-func (m *Manager) triggerUpdate(ctx context.Context, targetVersion string) error {
-	inst := installer.New()
-	return inst.RunInstallation(ctx, targetVersion)
-}

client/internal/updater/manager_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+//go:build !windows && !darwin
+
+package updater
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"path"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	v "github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
+)
+
+// On Linux, only Mode 1 (downloadOnly) is supported.
+// SetVersion is a no-op because auto-update installation is not supported.
+
+func Test_LatestVersion_Linux(t *testing.T) {
+	testMatrix := []struct {
+		name                 string
+		daemonVersion        string
+		initialLatestVersion *v.Version
+		latestVersion        *v.Version
+		shouldUpdateInit     bool
+		shouldUpdateLater    bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:                 "Should notify again when a newer version arrives even within 5 minutes",
+			daemonVersion:        "1.0.0",
+			initialLatestVersion: v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1")),
+			latestVersion:        v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.2")),
+			shouldUpdateInit:     true,
+			shouldUpdateLater:    true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:                 "Shouldn't notify initially, but should notify as soon as latest version is fetched",
+			daemonVersion:        "1.0.0",
+			initialLatestVersion: nil,
+			latestVersion:        v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1")),
+			shouldUpdateInit:     false,
+			shouldUpdateLater:    true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for idx, c := range testMatrix {
+		mockUpdate := &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: c.initialLatestVersion}
+		tmpFile := path.Join(t.TempDir(), fmt.Sprintf("update-test-%d.json", idx))
+		recorder := peer.NewRecorder("")
+		sub := recorder.SubscribeToEvents()
+		defer recorder.UnsubscribeFromEvents(sub)
+
+		m := NewManager(recorder, statemanager.New(tmpFile))
+		m.update = mockUpdate
+		m.currentVersion = c.daemonVersion
+		m.Start(context.Background())
+		m.SetDownloadOnly()
+
+		ver, enforced := waitForUpdateEvent(sub, 500*time.Millisecond)
+		triggeredInit := ver != ""
+		if enforced {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Linux Mode 1 must never have enforced metadata", c.name)
+		}
+		if triggeredInit != c.shouldUpdateInit {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Initial notify mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdateInit, triggeredInit)
+		}
+		if triggeredInit && c.initialLatestVersion != nil && ver != c.initialLatestVersion.String() {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Initial version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.initialLatestVersion.String(), ver)
+		}
+
+		mockUpdate.latestVersion = c.latestVersion
+		mockUpdate.onUpdate()
+
+		ver, enforced = waitForUpdateEvent(sub, 500*time.Millisecond)
+		triggeredLater := ver != ""
+		if enforced {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Linux Mode 1 must never have enforced metadata", c.name)
+		}
+		if triggeredLater != c.shouldUpdateLater {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Later notify mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdateLater, triggeredLater)
+		}
+		if triggeredLater && c.latestVersion != nil && ver != c.latestVersion.String() {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Later version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.latestVersion.String(), ver)
+		}
+
+		m.Stop()
+	}
+}
+
+func Test_SetVersion_NoOp_Linux(t *testing.T) {
+	// On Linux, SetVersion should be a no-op — no events fired
+	tmpFile := path.Join(t.TempDir(), "update-test-noop.json")
+	recorder := peer.NewRecorder("")
+	sub := recorder.SubscribeToEvents()
+	defer recorder.UnsubscribeFromEvents(sub)
+
+	m := NewManager(recorder, statemanager.New(tmpFile))
+	m.update = &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1"))}
+	m.currentVersion = "1.0.0"
+	m.Start(context.Background())
+	m.SetVersion("1.0.1", false)
+
+	ver, _ := waitForUpdateEvent(sub, 500*time.Millisecond)
+	if ver != "" {
+		t.Errorf("SetVersion should be a no-op on Linux, but got event with version %s", ver)
+	}
+
+	m.Stop()
+}

client/internal/updater/manager_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+//go:build windows || darwin
+
+package updater
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"path"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	v "github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
+	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+)
+
+func Test_LatestVersion(t *testing.T) {
+	testMatrix := []struct {
+		name                 string
+		daemonVersion        string
+		initialLatestVersion *v.Version
+		latestVersion        *v.Version
+		shouldUpdateInit     bool
+		shouldUpdateLater    bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:                 "Should notify again when a newer version arrives even within 5 minutes",
+			daemonVersion:        "1.0.0",
+			initialLatestVersion: v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1")),
+			latestVersion:        v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.2")),
+			shouldUpdateInit:     true,
+			shouldUpdateLater:    true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:                 "Shouldn't update initially, but should update as soon as latest version is fetched",
+			daemonVersion:        "1.0.0",
+			initialLatestVersion: nil,
+			latestVersion:        v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1")),
+			shouldUpdateInit:     false,
+			shouldUpdateLater:    true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for idx, c := range testMatrix {
+		mockUpdate := &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: c.initialLatestVersion}
+		tmpFile := path.Join(t.TempDir(), fmt.Sprintf("update-test-%d.json", idx))
+		recorder := peer.NewRecorder("")
+		sub := recorder.SubscribeToEvents()
+		defer recorder.UnsubscribeFromEvents(sub)
+
+		m := NewManager(recorder, statemanager.New(tmpFile))
+		m.update = mockUpdate
+		m.currentVersion = c.daemonVersion
+		m.autoUpdateSupported = func() bool { return true }
+		m.Start(context.Background())
+		m.SetVersion("latest", false)
+
+		ver, _ := waitForUpdateEvent(sub, 500*time.Millisecond)
+		triggeredInit := ver != ""
+		if triggeredInit != c.shouldUpdateInit {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Initial update trigger mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdateInit, triggeredInit)
+		}
+		if triggeredInit && c.initialLatestVersion != nil && ver != c.initialLatestVersion.String() {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Initial update version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.initialLatestVersion.String(), ver)
+		}
+
+		mockUpdate.latestVersion = c.latestVersion
+		mockUpdate.onUpdate()
+
+		ver, _ = waitForUpdateEvent(sub, 500*time.Millisecond)
+		triggeredLater := ver != ""
+		if triggeredLater != c.shouldUpdateLater {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Later update trigger mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdateLater, triggeredLater)
+		}
+		if triggeredLater && c.latestVersion != nil && ver != c.latestVersion.String() {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Later update version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.latestVersion.String(), ver)
+		}
+
+		m.Stop()
+	}
+}
+
+func Test_HandleUpdate(t *testing.T) {
+	testMatrix := []struct {
+		name            string
+		daemonVersion   string
+		latestVersion   *v.Version
+		expectedVersion string
+		shouldUpdate    bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:            "Install to a specific version should update regardless of if latestVersion is available yet",
+			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
+			latestVersion:   nil,
+			expectedVersion: "0.56.0",
+			shouldUpdate:    true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Install to specific version should not update if version matches",
+			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
+			latestVersion:   nil,
+			expectedVersion: "0.55.0",
+			shouldUpdate:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Install to specific version should not update if current version is newer",
+			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
+			latestVersion:   nil,
+			expectedVersion: "0.54.0",
+			shouldUpdate:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Install to latest version should update if latest is newer",
+			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
+			latestVersion:   v.Must(v.NewSemver("0.56.0")),
+			expectedVersion: "latest",
+			shouldUpdate:    true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Install to latest version should not update if latest == current",
+			daemonVersion:   "0.56.0",
+			latestVersion:   v.Must(v.NewSemver("0.56.0")),
+			expectedVersion: "latest",
+			shouldUpdate:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Should not update if daemon version is invalid",
+			daemonVersion:   "development",
+			latestVersion:   v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.0")),
+			expectedVersion: "latest",
+			shouldUpdate:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Should not update if expecting latest and latest version is unavailable",
+			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
+			latestVersion:   nil,
+			expectedVersion: "latest",
+			shouldUpdate:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			name:            "Should not update if expected version is invalid",
+			daemonVersion:   "0.55.0",
+			latestVersion:   nil,
+			expectedVersion: "development",
+			shouldUpdate:    false,
+		},
+	}
+	for idx, c := range testMatrix {
+		tmpFile := path.Join(t.TempDir(), fmt.Sprintf("update-test-%d.json", idx))
+		recorder := peer.NewRecorder("")
+		sub := recorder.SubscribeToEvents()
+		defer recorder.UnsubscribeFromEvents(sub)
+
+		m := NewManager(recorder, statemanager.New(tmpFile))
+		m.update = &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: c.latestVersion}
+		m.currentVersion = c.daemonVersion
+		m.autoUpdateSupported = func() bool { return true }
+		m.Start(context.Background())
+		m.SetVersion(c.expectedVersion, false)
+
+		ver, _ := waitForUpdateEvent(sub, 500*time.Millisecond)
+		updateTriggered := ver != ""
+
+		if updateTriggered {
+			if c.expectedVersion == "latest" && c.latestVersion != nil && ver != c.latestVersion.String() {
+				t.Errorf("%s: Version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.latestVersion.String(), ver)
+			} else if c.expectedVersion != "latest" && c.expectedVersion != "development" && ver != c.expectedVersion {
+				t.Errorf("%s: Version mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.expectedVersion, ver)
+			}
+		}
+
+		if updateTriggered != c.shouldUpdate {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Update trigger mismatch, expected %v, got %v", c.name, c.shouldUpdate, updateTriggered)
+		}
+		m.Stop()
+	}
+}
+
+func Test_EnforcedMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	// Mode 1 (downloadOnly): no enforced metadata
+	tmpFile := path.Join(t.TempDir(), "update-test-mode1.json")
+	recorder := peer.NewRecorder("")
+	sub := recorder.SubscribeToEvents()
+	defer recorder.UnsubscribeFromEvents(sub)
+
+	m := NewManager(recorder, statemanager.New(tmpFile))
+	m.update = &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: v.Must(v.NewSemver("1.0.1"))}
+	m.currentVersion = "1.0.0"
+	m.Start(context.Background())
+	m.SetDownloadOnly()
+
+	ver, enforced := waitForUpdateEvent(sub, 500*time.Millisecond)
+	if ver == "" {
+		t.Fatal("Mode 1: expected new_version_available event")
+	}
+	if enforced {
+		t.Error("Mode 1: expected no enforced metadata")
+	}
+	m.Stop()
+
+	// Mode 2 (enforced, forceUpdate=false): enforced metadata present, no auto-install
+	tmpFile2 := path.Join(t.TempDir(), "update-test-mode2.json")
+	recorder2 := peer.NewRecorder("")
+	sub2 := recorder2.SubscribeToEvents()
+	defer recorder2.UnsubscribeFromEvents(sub2)
+
+	m2 := NewManager(recorder2, statemanager.New(tmpFile2))
+	m2.update = &versionUpdateMock{latestVersion: nil}
+	m2.currentVersion = "1.0.0"
+	m2.autoUpdateSupported = func() bool { return true }
+	m2.Start(context.Background())
+	m2.SetVersion("1.0.1", false)
+
+	ver, enforced2 := waitForUpdateEvent(sub2, 500*time.Millisecond)
+	if ver == "" {
+		t.Fatal("Mode 2: expected new_version_available event")
+	}
+	if !enforced2 {
+		t.Error("Mode 2: expected enforced metadata")
+	}
+	m2.Stop()
+}
+
+// ensure the proto import is used
+var _ = cProto.SystemEvent_INFO

client/internal/updater/manager_test_helpers_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+package updater
+
+import (
+	"strconv"
+	"time"
+
+	v "github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
+)
+
+type versionUpdateMock struct {
+	latestVersion *v.Version
+	onUpdate      func()
+}
+
+func (m versionUpdateMock) StopWatch() {}
+
+func (m versionUpdateMock) SetDaemonVersion(newVersion string) bool {
+	return false
+}
+
+func (m *versionUpdateMock) SetOnUpdateListener(updateFn func()) {
+	m.onUpdate = updateFn
+}
+
+func (m versionUpdateMock) LatestVersion() *v.Version {
+	return m.latestVersion
+}
+
+func (m versionUpdateMock) StartFetcher() {}
+
+// waitForUpdateEvent waits for a new_version_available event, returns the version string or "" on timeout.
+func waitForUpdateEvent(sub *peer.EventSubscription, timeout time.Duration) (version string, enforced bool) {
+	timer := time.NewTimer(timeout)
+	defer timer.Stop()
+	for {
+		select {
+		case event, ok := <-sub.Events():
+			if !ok {
+				return "", false
+			}
+			if val, ok := event.Metadata["new_version_available"]; ok {
+				enforced := false
+				if raw, ok := event.Metadata["enforced"]; ok {
+					if parsed, err := strconv.ParseBool(raw); err == nil {
+						enforced = parsed
+					}
+				}
+				return val, enforced
+			}
+		case <-timer.C:
+			return "", false
+		}
+	}
+}

client/internal/updater/reposign/verify.go

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/downloader"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/downloader"
 )
 
 const (

client/internal/updater/supported_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package updater
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updater/installer"
+)
+
+func isAutoUpdateSupported() bool {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	isBrew := !installer.TypeOfInstaller(ctx).Downloadable()
+	if isBrew {
+		log.Warnf("auto-update disabled on Homebrew installation")
+		return false
+	}
+	return true
+}

client/internal/updater/supported_other.go

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+//go:build !windows && !darwin
+
+package updater
+
+func isAutoUpdateSupported() bool {
+	return false
+}