[e2e] Close the two gaps the first spike run left on Vertex

The publisher listing answered only under v1beta1, and returned two
models — fewer than the catalog ships. That is what a publisher-global
list looks like rather than what a given project has enabled, and
per-project availability is most of why live discovery beats a static
catalogue. The project-scoped form was only tried under v1, which 404s
like every other v1 path here, so try it under the version that answers.

Also ask for all versions. A publisher model is addressed as
'<id>@<version>' on the rawPredict path while the plain listing reports
one versionId per model, so a model with several live versions would
have the rest silently hidden from a picker.

Report the version in the extracted id for the same reason: Vertex
splits the wire id across name and versionId, and a listing that showed
only the name would look usable without being so.

.git-branches.toml

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 [branches]
 main = "main"
 perennials = []
-perennial-regex = ""
+perennial-regex = "^release-"
 
 [create]
 new-branch-type = "feature"

.github/workflows/agent-network-e2e.yml

@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@ on:
           AWS issues it. Leave empty for the Sonnet 4.6 default.
         required: false
         default: ""
+      test_pattern:
+        description: >-
+          Package pattern to run. Defaults to the whole suite; narrow it to one
+          package (e.g. ./e2e/providerdiscovery/...) when a run only needs that
+          package's answer and not the sixteen minutes the container suite costs.
+        required: false
+        default: "./e2e/..."
 
 concurrency:
   group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}
@@ -77,4 +84,8 @@ jobs:
           GOOGLE_VERTEX_PROJECT: ${{ secrets.E2E_GOOGLE_VERTEX_PROJECT }}
           GOOGLE_VERTEX_REGION: ${{ secrets.E2E_GOOGLE_VERTEX_REGION }}
           GOOGLE_VERTEX_MODEL: ${{ secrets.E2E_GOOGLE_VERTEX_MODEL }}
-        run: go test -tags e2e -timeout 40m -v ./e2e/...
+          # Read through an env var rather than interpolated into the run
+          # script: a dispatch input reaching a shell command directly is a
+          # script-injection seam, however trusted the dispatcher.
+          TEST_PATTERN: ${{ inputs.test_pattern || './e2e/...' }}
+        run: go test -tags e2e -timeout 40m -v "$TEST_PATTERN"

.github/workflows/check-license-dependencies.yml

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ name: Check License Dependencies
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches: [main]
+    branches: [main, "release-*"]
     paths:
       - "go.mod"
       - "go.sum"

.github/workflows/frontend-ui.yml

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
     paths:
       - "client/ui/frontend/**"
       - "client/ui/i18n/**"

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

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

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

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

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

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

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

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 env:

.github/workflows/install-script-test.yml

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
     paths:
       - "release_files/install.sh"

.github/workflows/mobile-build-validation.yml

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ on:
       - "v*"
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 env:
@@ -254,15 +255,23 @@ jobs:
         id: tag_and_push_images
         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')
+          (github.event_name == 'push' && (github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' || startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/heads/release-')))
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
 
+          # $GITHUB_REF / $GITHUB_EVENT_NAME are read from the runner
+          # environment rather than substituted into this script with the
+          # workflow expression syntax: branch names may legally contain
+          # $(…), and interpolating github.ref would execute it.
           resolve_tags() {
-            if [[ "${{ github.event_name }}" == "pull_request" ]]; then
+            if [[ "$GITHUB_EVENT_NAME" == "pull_request" ]]; then
               echo "pr-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}"
-            else
+            elif [[ "$GITHUB_REF" == "refs/heads/main" ]]; then
               echo "main sha-$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
+            else
+              # Release branches get an immutable sha-* tag only — the floating
+              # "main" tag must never move from a release branch.
+              echo "sha-$(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
             fi
           }
 

.github/workflows/sync-tag.yml

@@ -9,21 +9,9 @@ concurrency:
   group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}-${{ github.head_ref || github.actor_id }}
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
-# Receiving workflows (cloud sync-tag, mobile bump-netbird) expect the short
-# tag form (e.g. v0.30.0), not refs/tags/v0.30.0 — github.ref_name, not github.ref.
+# The receiving bump-netbird workflows expect the short tag form
+# (e.g. v0.30.0), not refs/tags/v0.30.0 — github.ref_name, not github.ref.
 jobs:
-  trigger_sync_tag:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - name: Trigger release tag sync
-        uses: benc-uk/workflow-dispatch@31e2b3319479a63f0ab15bf800eff9e913504e26 # v1.3.2
-        with:
-          workflow: sync-tag.yml
-          ref: main
-          repo: ${{ secrets.UPSTREAM_REPO }}
-          token: ${{ secrets.NC_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-          inputs: '{ "tag": "${{ github.ref_name }}" }'
-
   trigger_android_bump:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     if: github.event.created && !github.event.deleted && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v') && !contains(github.ref_name, '-')

.github/workflows/test-infrastructure-files.yml

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
     paths:
       - "infrastructure_files/**"

.github/workflows/ui-translations.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+name: UI Translations
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    paths:
+      - "client/ui/i18n/locales/**"
+      - "client/ui/i18n/check-translations.mjs"
+      - ".github/workflows/ui-translations.yml"
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+    paths:
+      - "client/ui/i18n/locales/**"
+      - "client/ui/i18n/check-translations.mjs"
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+concurrency:
+  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}-${{ github.head_ref || github.actor_id }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+
+jobs:
+  check-translations:
+    name: Check translation key parity
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    timeout-minutes: 5
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: Set up Node.js
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: "22"
+
+      # English (en) is the source of truth for translation keys; every other
+      # locale declared in _index.json must carry the exact same key set.
+      - name: Check translation key parity
+        run: node client/ui/i18n/check-translations.mjs

.github/workflows/wasm-build-validation.yml

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - "release-*"
   pull_request:
 
 concurrency:

.goreleaser.yaml

@@ -468,6 +468,13 @@ checksum:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/migrate-to-enterprise.sh
 
 release:
+  # The signing pipeline (netbirdio/sign-pipelines, dispatched by
+  # trigger_signer) marks the release latest once the Windows and macOS
+  # artifacts are signed. Without this override goreleaser marks it latest
+  # at publish time, while those artifacts are still unsigned.
+  make_latest: false
+  # Mark x.y.z-rc.* and other prerelease tags as prereleases on GitHub.
+  prerelease: auto
   extra_files:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-with-zitadel.sh
     - glob: ./release_files/install.sh

.goreleaser_ui.yaml

@@ -144,3 +144,11 @@ uploads:
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/yum/{{ .Arch }}{{ if .Arm }}{{ .Arm }}{{ end }}
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com
     method: PUT
+
+release:
+  # Uploads into the release created by the main .goreleaser.yaml run.
+  # make_latest stays false everywhere: the signing pipeline
+  # (netbirdio/sign-pipelines) marks the release latest after the Windows
+  # and macOS artifacts are signed.
+  make_latest: false
+  prerelease: auto

.goreleaser_ui_darwin.yaml

@@ -43,3 +43,11 @@ checksum:
   name_template: "{{ .ProjectName }}_darwin_checksums.txt"
 changelog:
   disable: true
+
+release:
+  # Uploads into the release created by the main .goreleaser.yaml run.
+  # make_latest stays false everywhere: the signing pipeline
+  # (netbirdio/sign-pipelines) marks the release latest after the Windows
+  # and macOS artifacts are signed.
+  make_latest: false
+  prerelease: auto

.goreleaser_ui_gtk3.yaml

@@ -134,3 +134,11 @@ uploads:
     target: https://pkgs.wiretrustee.com/yum/{{ .Arch }}{{ if .Arm }}{{ .Arm }}{{ end }}
     username: dev@wiretrustee.com
     method: PUT
+
+release:
+  # Uploads into the release created by the main .goreleaser.yaml run.
+  # make_latest stays false everywhere: the signing pipeline
+  # (netbirdio/sign-pipelines) marks the release latest after the Windows
+  # and macOS artifacts are signed.
+  make_latest: false
+  prerelease: auto

AGENTS.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # NetBird Agent Guidelines
 
-**NetBird** is an open-source connectivity platform: a WireGuard®-based overlay
+**NetBird** is an open source connectivity platform: a WireGuard®-based overlay
 network with a control plane. The **agent** (`client/`) runs on user machines as
 a privileged daemon and manages the WireGuard interface, routing, firewall, and
 DNS. **Management** (`management/`) is the control plane and REST/gRPC API,

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -479,7 +479,7 @@ go test -race ./client/internal/dns/...
 
 ## Checklist before submitting a PR
 
-As a critical network service and open-source project, we must enforce a few
+As a critical network service and open source project, we must enforce a few
 things before submitting a pull request. The
 [pull request template](/.github/pull_request_template.md) mirrors this list —
 fill it in rather than deleting it.

README.md

@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ In November 2022, NetBird joined the [StartUpSecure program](https://www.forschu
 ![CISPA_Logo_BLACK_EN_RZ_RGB (1)](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/700848/203091324-c6d311a0-22b5-4b05-a288-91cbc6cdcc46.png)
 
 ### Acknowledgements
-We build on open-source technologies like [WireGuard®](https://www.wireguard.com/), [Pion ICE](https://github.com/pion/ice), and [Rosenpass](https://rosenpass.eu). We greatly appreciate the work these projects are doing, and we'd love it if you could support them too (e.g., by starring or contributing).
+We build on open source technologies like [WireGuard®](https://www.wireguard.com/), [Pion ICE](https://github.com/pion/ice), and [Rosenpass](https://rosenpass.eu). We greatly appreciate the work these projects are doing, and we'd love it if you could support them too (e.g., by starring or contributing).
 
 ### Legal
 This repository is licensed under the BSD-3-Clause license, which applies to all parts of the repository except for the directories management/, signal/ and relay/.

SECURITY.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Report security issues one of these two ways:
   on this repository. This is the preferred route: it keeps the discussion, the draft advisory, and the credit in one place.
 - **Email** — `security@netbird.io`.
 
-If the finding affects NetBird Cloud or our hosted infrastructure rather than the open-source code, email us rather than
+If the finding affects NetBird Cloud or our hosted infrastructure rather than the open source code, email us rather than
 filing a repository report.
 
 ### What to include

client/android/login.go

@@ -191,39 +191,49 @@ func (a *Auth) login(urlOpener URLOpener, isAndroidTV bool) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// loginHintSetter is implemented by both concrete flows (PKCE and device code)
-// but absent from the OAuthFlow interface, hence the assertion below — the same
-// way internal/auth wires it in authenticateWithPKCEFlow.
-type loginHintSetter interface {
-	SetLoginHint(hint string)
-}
-
 func (a *Auth) foregroundGetTokenInfo(authClient *auth.Auth, urlOpener URLOpener, isAndroidTV bool) (*auth.TokenInfo, error) {
-	oAuthFlow, err := authClient.GetOAuthFlow(a.ctx, isAndroidTV)
+	oAuthFlow, err := authClient.GetOAuthFlow(a.ctx, isAndroidTV, profileLoginHint(a.cfgPath))
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get OAuth flow: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// An empty hint is deliberate, not a fallback: a fresh or logged-out profile
-	// leaves the choice to the IdP, which is how accounts get switched.
-	if a.cfgPath != "" {
-		if hint := readProfileEmail(a.cfgPath); hint != "" {
-			if setter, ok := oAuthFlow.(loginHintSetter); ok {
-				setter.SetLoginHint(hint)
-			}
-		}
+	return runOAuthFlow(a.ctx, oAuthFlow, urlOpener, nil)
+}
+
+// profileLoginHint returns the stored account email for the profile at cfgPath.
+// An empty hint is deliberate, not a fallback: a fresh profile leaves the
+// choice to the IdP. Switching accounts is done by switching or removing
+// profiles, not by logging out — logout keeps the email.
+func profileLoginHint(cfgPath string) string {
+	if cfgPath == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return readProfileEmail(cfgPath)
+}
+
+// runOAuthFlow drives an already acquired OAuth flow to a token: requests the
+// flow info, presents the verification URL through the opener and waits for
+// the browser round-trip. Open is called synchronously — it is what marks the
+// surface as opened on the client side, and a fast token's OnLoginSuccess is
+// a no-op until it has, so the dismissal would be dropped rather than
+// delayed. Openers must therefore not block: they post their UI work and
+// return. onWaiting, when set, runs after the URL is shown, right before the
+// blocking wait.
+func runOAuthFlow(ctx context.Context, flow auth.OAuthFlow, urlOpener URLOpener, onWaiting func()) (*auth.TokenInfo, error) {
+	flowInfo, err := flow.RequestAuthInfo(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("request auth info: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	flowInfo, err := oAuthFlow.RequestAuthInfo(context.TODO())
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("getting a request OAuth flow info failed: %v", err)
+	urlOpener.Open(flowInfo.VerificationURIComplete, flowInfo.UserCode)
+
+	if onWaiting != nil {
+		onWaiting()
 	}
 
-	go urlOpener.Open(flowInfo.VerificationURIComplete, flowInfo.UserCode)
-
-	tokenInfo, err := oAuthFlow.WaitToken(a.ctx, flowInfo)
+	tokenInfo, err := flow.WaitToken(ctx, flowInfo)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("waiting for browser login failed: %v", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("wait for token: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	return &tokenInfo, nil

client/android/profile_manager.go

@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ type Profile struct {
 	ID   string
 	Name string
 	// Email is the account this profile last logged in with, "" if it never
-	// completed an SSO login or was logged out. See profile_state.go.
+	// completed an SSO login. Kept across logouts; cleared when the profile is
+	// removed. See profile_state.go.
 	Email    string
 	IsActive bool
 }
@@ -200,11 +201,9 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) LogoutProfile(id string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to save config: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Not fatal: a stale hint costs an account switch, not the logout itself.
-	if err := removeProfileEmail(configPath); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to clear stored account email for profile %s: %v", id, err)
-	}
-
+	// The stored account email is kept on purpose, matching the desktop and CLI
+	// logout semantics: the next login passes it as the login_hint so the IdP
+	// preselects the account. Removing the profile is what deletes it.
 	log.Infof("logged out from profile: %s", id)
 	return nil
 }
@@ -224,11 +223,24 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) RenameProfile(id string, newName string) error {
 
 // RemoveProfile deletes a profile
 func (pm *ProfileManager) RemoveProfile(id string) error {
+	configPath, err := pm.getProfileConfigPath(id)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
 	// Use ServiceManager (removes profile from profiles/ directory)
 	if err := pm.serviceMgr.RemoveProfile(profilemanager.ID(id), androidUsername); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove profile: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// The account file is this package's, not the ServiceManager's, so it must
+	// go here. The default profile has a fixed filename, so a recreated one
+	// would otherwise inherit the deleted profile's email as its login_hint.
+	// Not fatal: the profile itself is gone.
+	if err := removeProfileEmail(configPath); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to remove stored account email for profile %s: %v", id, err)
+	}
+
 	log.Infof("removed profile: %s", id)
 	return nil
 }

client/android/profile_prefs.go

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+//go:build android
+
+package android
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+)
+
+type prefsStore interface {
+	Get(namespace string, v any) (bool, error)
+	Put(namespace string, v any) error
+}
+
+type profilePrefs struct {
+	prefs *profilemanager.Prefs
+}
+
+func newProfilePrefs(configDir, profileID string) (*profilePrefs, error) {
+	if configDir == "" || profileID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("profile prefs require a config dir and profile ID")
+	}
+	pm := NewProfileManager(configDir)
+	prefs, err := pm.serviceMgr.ProfilePrefs(profilemanager.ID(profileID), androidUsername)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve profile prefs: %w", err)
+	}
+	return &profilePrefs{prefs: prefs}, nil
+}
+
+func (p *profilePrefs) Get(namespace string, v any) (bool, error) {
+	return p.prefs.Get(namespace, v)
+}
+
+func (p *profilePrefs) Put(namespace string, v any) error {
+	return p.prefs.Put(namespace, v)
+}

client/android/profile_state.go

@@ -90,10 +90,10 @@ func writeProfileEmail(configPath string, email string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// removeProfileEmail drops the stored account email. Called on logout: while the
-// email is on disk it goes out as a login_hint, which would steer the next login
-// straight back into the account just logged out of. Mirrors the desktop UI's
-// RemoveProfileState call.
+// removeProfileEmail drops the stored account email. Called on profile removal,
+// not on logout: a logged-out profile keeps its email so the next login passes
+// it as the login_hint, matching the desktop and CLI semantics. Mirrors the
+// desktop UI's RemoveProfileState call.
 func removeProfileEmail(configPath string) error {
 	accountPath, err := profileAccountPathFor(configPath)
 	if err != nil {

client/android/profile_state_test.go

@@ -127,10 +127,10 @@ func TestWriteThenReadProfileEmail(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("remove: %v", err)
 	}
 	if got := readProfileEmail(configPath); got != "" {
-		t.Errorf("expected no email after logout, got %q", got)
+		t.Errorf("expected no email after removal, got %q", got)
 	}
 
-	// Logout may run on a never-logged-in profile, so a second remove must pass.
+	// Removal may run on a never-logged-in profile, so a second remove must pass.
 	if err := removeProfileEmail(configPath); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("second remove should be a no-op: %v", err)
 	}

client/android/ssh_client.go

@@ -0,0 +1,649 @@
+//go:build android
+
+package android
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	gossh "golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/auth"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/detection"
+)
+
+const (
+	sshDialTimeout      = 30 * time.Second
+	sshDetectionTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+)
+
+// PasswordRequiredMarker tells Java to prompt for a password and retry. It is
+// a string because gomobile flattens errors to their message, so a sentinel
+// value would not survive the binding.
+const PasswordRequiredMarker = "netbird-ssh-password-required"
+
+// HostKeyUnknownMarker tells Java to show the fingerprint and, on confirmation,
+// retry with TrustHostKey set. The presented fingerprint is appended after the
+// marker so the prompt can display it and the retry can guard against a key
+// that changed between the two connects. Only regular (non-NetBird) servers
+// reach this: NetBird peers verify against the registry.
+const HostKeyUnknownMarker = "netbird-ssh-hostkey-unknown"
+
+var (
+	errPasswordRequired = errors.New(PasswordRequiredMarker)
+	errClientClosed     = errors.New("ssh client closed")
+)
+
+// errHostKeyUnknown carries the presented fingerprint so Connect can build the
+// marker message the Java side parses.
+type errHostKeyUnknown struct {
+	fingerprint string
+}
+
+func (e *errHostKeyUnknown) Error() string {
+	return HostKeyUnknownMarker + ":" + e.fingerprint
+}
+
+// SSHTerminalListener receives SSH session events. It is implemented in Java.
+//
+// All callbacks are invoked from goroutines and may run concurrently with each
+// other; the implementation must be safe to call from any thread.
+type SSHTerminalListener interface {
+	OnConnected()
+	OnData(data []byte)
+	OnClose(reason string)
+	OnError(message string)
+}
+
+// SSHClient is a NetBird-aware SSH client exposed to Java via gomobile.
+//
+// It dials through the running NetBird tunnel and runs a standard SSH session
+// on top with PTY enabled. Host-key verification uses the NetBird-provided
+// peer SSH host keys, identical to the desktop client.
+type SSHClient struct {
+	nb        *Client
+	mu        sync.Mutex
+	listener  SSHTerminalListener
+	urlOpener URLOpener
+
+	sshClient *gossh.Client
+	session   *gossh.Session
+	stdin     io.WriteCloser
+	closed    bool
+
+	// gen identifies the current connection attempt. Connect and Close bump it,
+	// so an in-flight dial or a reader left over from a previous connection
+	// finds itself stale and stays silent instead of publishing OnConnected or
+	// OnClose for a connection the caller already abandoned.
+	gen        uint64
+	dialCancel context.CancelFunc
+
+	// knownHostsConfigDir and knownHostsProfile locate the TOFU store for
+	// regular SSH servers in the profile's preferences. Java supplies them,
+	// since an overlay IP is a different host under a different profile. Empty
+	// until set: without them a regular server cannot be verified and Connect
+	// refuses one.
+	knownHostsConfigDir string
+	knownHostsProfile   string
+	// trustHostKey carries the fingerprint the user confirmed on a previous
+	// attempt, so the retry accepts exactly that key and persists it.
+	trustHostKey string
+}
+
+// NewSSHClient creates a new SSH client bound to the running NetBird Client.
+func NewSSHClient(c *Client) *SSHClient {
+	return &SSHClient{nb: c}
+}
+
+// SetListener registers the Java listener. Must be called before Connect to
+// receive any events.
+func (s *SSHClient) SetListener(l SSHTerminalListener) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.listener = l
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// SetURLOpener registers the Java URL opener used to display the device-code
+// authorization page in a Custom Tabs window when the target peer requires
+// JWT authentication. Must be set before Connect to be effective.
+func (s *SSHClient) SetURLOpener(opener URLOpener) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.urlOpener = opener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// SetKnownHostsStore points the TOFU host-key store at a profile's preferences.
+// Must be set before connecting to a regular SSH server; without it such a
+// server cannot be verified and Connect refuses one.
+func (s *SSHClient) SetKnownHostsStore(configDir, profileID string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.knownHostsConfigDir = configDir
+	s.knownHostsProfile = profileID
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// TrustHostKey records the fingerprint the user confirmed for a regular server,
+// so the next Connect accepts that exact key and adds it to the known-hosts
+// store. Passing a fingerprint that no longer matches makes the connect fail
+// rather than trust a key that changed since the prompt.
+func (s *SSHClient) TrustHostKey(fingerprint string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.trustHostKey = fingerprint
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// Connect dials the SSH server through the NetBird tunnel and performs the
+// SSH handshake. It auto-detects the server type via SSH banner inspection
+// and selects the appropriate authentication path:
+//
+//   - NetBird-SSH server requiring JWT: launches the OAuth 2.0 device-code
+//     flow, opens the verification URL through the registered URLOpener, and
+//     uses the resulting token as the SSH password. Host-key verification
+//     uses the NetBird peer registry.
+//   - NetBird-SSH server without JWT: authenticates with the NetBird SSH
+//     private key. Host-key verification uses the NetBird peer registry.
+//   - Regular SSH server (e.g. OpenSSH): authenticates with the NetBird key
+//     first (so a user-installed NetBird public key works), then falls back
+//     to the supplied password if non-empty. Host-key verification is
+//     trust-on-first-use against the per-profile known-hosts store.
+//
+// The password parameter is only consulted for regular SSH servers.
+func (s *SSHClient) Connect(host string, port int, user, password string) error {
+	if port < 1 || port > 65535 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid port: %d", port)
+	}
+
+	cfg, cfgPath, cc := s.nb.authSnapshot()
+	if cc == nil {
+		return errors.New("netbird client not running")
+	}
+	if cfg == nil {
+		return errors.New("netbird config not loaded")
+	}
+	engine := cc.Engine()
+	if engine == nil {
+		return errors.New("netbird engine not available")
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.gen++
+	gen := s.gen
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	serverType := detectServerType(host, port)
+	log.Debugf("SSH server type: %s", serverType)
+
+	authMethods, hostKeyCallback, err := s.buildAuth(cfg, cfgPath, engine, serverType, password)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	clientConfig := &gossh.ClientConfig{
+		User:            user,
+		Auth:            authMethods,
+		HostKeyCallback: hostKeyCallback,
+		Timeout:         sshDialTimeout,
+	}
+	err = s.dialAndHandshake(gen, host, port, clientConfig)
+
+	// An unknown host key is a prompt, not a failure: return the marker intact
+	// (rootCause would unwrap it) so Java can show the fingerprint and retry.
+	var unknownHost *errHostKeyUnknown
+	if errors.As(err, &unknownHost) {
+		return errors.New(unknownHost.Error())
+	}
+
+	// A regular server may still accept a password, so let the caller ask for
+	// one instead of failing. NetBird servers never use a password, so a
+	// failure there is genuine.
+	if err != nil && serverType != detection.ServerTypeNetBirdJWT &&
+		serverType != detection.ServerTypeNetBirdNoJWT && isAuthFailure(err) &&
+		passwordCouldHelp(err, password != "") {
+		return errPasswordRequired
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return rootCause(err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// StartSession requests a PTY and starts an interactive shell. Output from
+// the session is forwarded to the listener via OnData.
+func (s *SSHClient) StartSession(cols, rows int) error {
+	err := s.startSession(cols, rows)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Infof("SSH: start session failed: %v", err)
+		return rootCause(err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Write sends data to the SSH session stdin.
+func (s *SSHClient) Write(data []byte) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	stdin := s.stdin
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if stdin == nil {
+		return errors.New("ssh session not started")
+	}
+	if _, err := stdin.Write(data); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write stdin: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Resize updates the PTY window size.
+func (s *SSHClient) Resize(cols, rows int) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	session := s.session
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if session == nil {
+		return errors.New("ssh session not started")
+	}
+	return session.WindowChange(rows, cols)
+}
+
+// Reset makes a closed client usable for another Connect: Close leaves the
+// one-shot guard set, and clearing it lets the same client back a reconnect.
+func (s *SSHClient) Reset() {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	s.closed = false
+}
+
+// Close terminates the SSH session and underlying connection. Safe to call
+// multiple times.
+func (s *SSHClient) Close() error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.gen++
+	if s.dialCancel != nil {
+		s.dialCancel()
+		s.dialCancel = nil
+	}
+	sshClient := s.sshClient
+	session := s.session
+	stdin := s.stdin
+	s.sshClient = nil
+	s.session = nil
+	s.stdin = nil
+	notify := !s.closed
+	s.closed = true
+	listener := s.listener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if stdin != nil {
+		if err := stdin.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("ssh: stdin close: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if session != nil {
+		if err := session.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+			log.Debugf("ssh: session close: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	var firstErr error
+	if sshClient != nil {
+		if err := sshClient.Close(); err != nil {
+			firstErr = err
+		}
+	}
+	if notify && listener != nil {
+		listener.OnClose("closed by client")
+	}
+	return firstErr
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) startSession(cols, rows int) error {
+	log.Debugf("SSH: starting session %dx%d", cols, rows)
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	sshClient := s.sshClient
+	gen := s.gen
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if sshClient == nil {
+		return errors.New("ssh client not connected")
+	}
+
+	pty, err := nbssh.StartPTYSession(sshClient, cols, rows)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	if gen != s.gen {
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+		closeQuiet(pty.Session, "stale session")
+		return errClientClosed
+	}
+	s.session = pty.Session
+	s.stdin = pty.Stdin
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	readerDone := make(chan string, 2)
+	go func() { readerDone <- s.readLoop(pty.Stdout, "stdout") }()
+	go func() { readerDone <- s.readLoop(pty.Stderr, "stderr") }()
+	go func() {
+		reason := <-readerDone
+		if second := <-readerDone; reason == "" {
+			reason = second
+		}
+		s.notifyClose(gen, reason)
+	}()
+	log.Debug("SSH: session started, shell running")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) buildAuth(cfg *profilemanager.Config, cfgPath string, engine *internal.Engine,
+	serverType detection.ServerType, password string) ([]gossh.AuthMethod, gossh.HostKeyCallback, error) {
+
+	switch serverType {
+	case detection.ServerTypeNetBirdJWT:
+		token, err := s.requestJWTToken(cfg, cfgPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("jwt: %w", err)
+		}
+		auths := []gossh.AuthMethod{gossh.Password(token)}
+		return auths, nbssh.CreateHostKeyCallback(nbssh.PeerKeyLookup(engine.GetPeerSSHKey)), nil
+
+	case detection.ServerTypeNetBirdNoJWT:
+		if cfg.SSHKey == "" {
+			return nil, nil, errors.New("no NetBird SSH key available")
+		}
+		signer, err := gossh.ParsePrivateKey([]byte(cfg.SSHKey))
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("parse netbird ssh key: %w", err)
+		}
+		auths := []gossh.AuthMethod{gossh.PublicKeys(signer)}
+		return auths, nbssh.CreateHostKeyCallback(nbssh.PeerKeyLookup(engine.GetPeerSSHKey)), nil
+
+	case detection.ServerTypeRegular:
+		var auths []gossh.AuthMethod
+		if cfg.SSHKey != "" {
+			if signer, err := gossh.ParsePrivateKey([]byte(cfg.SSHKey)); err == nil {
+				auths = append(auths, gossh.PublicKeys(signer))
+			} else {
+				log.Debugf("ssh: parse netbird key for regular auth: %v", err)
+			}
+		}
+		if password != "" {
+			pw := password
+			auths = append(auths, gossh.Password(pw))
+			auths = append(auths, gossh.KeyboardInteractive(func(_, _ string, questions []string, _ []bool) ([]string, error) {
+				answers := make([]string, len(questions))
+				for i := range questions {
+					answers[i] = pw
+				}
+				return answers, nil
+			}))
+		}
+		if len(auths) == 0 {
+			// Nothing to offer at all: ask for a password rather than failing,
+			// so the caller can retry once the user supplies one.
+			return nil, nil, errPasswordRequired
+		}
+		callback, err := s.tofuHostKeyCallback()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+		return auths, callback, nil
+
+	default:
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported SSH server type: %v", serverType)
+	}
+}
+
+// tofuHostKeyCallback verifies a regular server's host key against the
+// per-profile known-hosts store. An unknown host returns errHostKeyUnknown so
+// Java can show the fingerprint and, once confirmed, retry with the key
+// trusted; a changed key is rejected outright, as OpenSSH does. When the user
+// has confirmed a fingerprint, the callback accepts exactly that key and
+// appends it to the store.
+func (s *SSHClient) tofuHostKeyCallback() (gossh.HostKeyCallback, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	configDir := s.knownHostsConfigDir
+	profileID := s.knownHostsProfile
+	trusted := s.trustHostKey
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if configDir == "" || profileID == "" {
+		return nil, errors.New("no known-hosts store configured for regular SSH")
+	}
+
+	store, err := openKnownHostsStore(configDir, profileID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("load known-hosts store: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return func(hostname string, remote net.Addr, key gossh.PublicKey) error {
+		verdict, err := store.verify(hostname, remote, key)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if verdict == hostKeyMatched {
+			return nil
+		}
+		if verdict == hostKeyChanged {
+			return fmt.Errorf("SSH host key changed for %s (possible attack)", hostname)
+		}
+
+		fingerprint := gossh.FingerprintSHA256(key)
+		if trusted == "" {
+			return &errHostKeyUnknown{fingerprint: fingerprint}
+		}
+		if trusted != fingerprint {
+			return fmt.Errorf("SSH host key changed since it was confirmed for %s", hostname)
+		}
+		if err := store.append(hostname, remote, key); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("persist trusted host key: %w", err)
+		}
+		// The confirmation is spent: now that the key is stored, a later
+		// reconnect must verify against the file, not re-accept this fingerprint.
+		s.mu.Lock()
+		s.trustHostKey = ""
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) requestJWTToken(cfg *profilemanager.Config, cfgPath string) (string, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	urlOpener := s.urlOpener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if urlOpener == nil {
+		return "", errors.New("URL opener not configured for JWT auth")
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Minute)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	flow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, cfg, false, true, profileLoginHint(cfgPath))
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("create oauth flow: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// The status callback covers the browser round-trip, which would
+	// otherwise leave the terminal blank.
+	tokenInfo, err := runOAuthFlow(ctx, flow, urlOpener, func() {
+		s.notifyStatus("Waiting for browser authentication...")
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	token := tokenInfo.GetTokenToUse()
+	if token == "" {
+		return "", errors.New("empty token returned by IdP")
+	}
+
+	// Tells the client the browser round-trip is over so it can dismiss the
+	// surface it opened, the same way the login and session-extend flows do.
+	// Without it the Custom Tab stays in front of the terminal even though the
+	// token has already been collected.
+	urlOpener.OnLoginSuccess()
+
+	return token, nil
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) dialAndHandshake(gen uint64, host string, port int, clientConfig *gossh.ClientConfig) error {
+	addr := net.JoinHostPort(host, strconv.Itoa(port))
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), sshDialTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	if gen != s.gen {
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+		return errClientClosed
+	}
+	s.dialCancel = cancel
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	var dialer net.Dialer
+	conn, err := dialer.DialContext(ctx, "tcp", addr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dial %s: %w", addr, err)
+	}
+
+	client, err := nbssh.Handshake(ctx, conn, addr, clientConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	if gen != s.gen {
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+		closeQuiet(client, "stale ssh client")
+		return errClientClosed
+	}
+	s.sshClient = client
+	listener := s.listener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if listener != nil {
+		listener.OnConnected()
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) readLoop(r io.Reader, name string) string {
+	buf := make([]byte, 4096)
+	for {
+		n, err := r.Read(buf)
+		if n > 0 {
+			s.mu.Lock()
+			listener := s.listener
+			s.mu.Unlock()
+			if listener != nil {
+				chunk := make([]byte, n)
+				copy(chunk, buf[:n])
+				listener.OnData(chunk)
+			}
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			// EOF is a normal shell exit, so report it without a reason.
+			if errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+				return ""
+			}
+			log.Debugf("ssh %s read: %v", name, err)
+			return rootCause(err).Error()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// notifyStatus writes a progress line to the terminal through the normal
+// output path, so long steps are visible while nothing else is arriving.
+func (s *SSHClient) notifyStatus(text string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	listener := s.listener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if listener != nil {
+		listener.OnData([]byte("\r\n\x1b[33m" + text + "\x1b[0m\r\n"))
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *SSHClient) notifyClose(gen uint64, reason string) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	if gen != s.gen || s.closed {
+		s.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	s.closed = true
+	listener := s.listener
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+	if listener != nil {
+		listener.OnClose(reason)
+	}
+}
+
+func closeQuiet(c io.Closer, label string) {
+	if c == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if err := c.Close(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, io.EOF) {
+		log.Debugf("ssh: close %s: %v", label, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func detectServerType(host string, port int) detection.ServerType {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), sshDetectionTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	dialer := &net.Dialer{}
+	serverType, err := detection.DetectSSHServerType(ctx, dialer, host, port)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("ssh: server detection failed: %v (assuming regular SSH)", err)
+		return detection.ServerTypeRegular
+	}
+	return serverType
+}
+
+// rootCause returns the innermost error of a %w chain, so the terminal shows
+// "i/o timeout" rather than every layer that added context on the way up.
+func rootCause(err error) error {
+	for {
+		// A joined error has no single root, so keep it as-is.
+		if _, ok := err.(interface{ Unwrap() []error }); ok {
+			return err
+		}
+		next := errors.Unwrap(err)
+		if next == nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		err = next
+	}
+}
+
+// isAuthFailure distinguishes credential rejection from dial, timeout and
+// host-key errors, which retrying with a password would not fix.
+func isAuthFailure(err error) bool {
+	if errors.Is(err, errPasswordRequired) {
+		return true
+	}
+	var partial *gossh.PartialSuccessError
+	if errors.As(err, &partial) {
+		return true
+	}
+	return strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unable to authenticate")
+}
+
+// passwordCouldHelp reports whether prompting for a password again can change
+// the outcome. gossh lists a method under "attempted methods" only when the
+// server offered it, so a supplied password that was never attempted means the
+// server does not accept passwords and the real error should surface instead.
+func passwordCouldHelp(err error, passwordOffered bool) bool {
+	if !passwordOffered {
+		return true
+	}
+	msg := err.Error()
+	return strings.Contains(msg, "password") || strings.Contains(msg, "keyboard-interactive")
+}

client/android/ssh_known_hosts.go

@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+//go:build android
+
+package android
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"net"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+
+	gossh "golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh/knownhosts"
+)
+
+const knownHostsNamespace = "ssh"
+
+const (
+	hostKeyUnknown hostKeyVerdict = iota
+	hostKeyMatched
+	hostKeyChanged
+)
+
+var knownHostsMu sync.Mutex
+
+type hostKeyVerdict uint8
+
+type knownHostsSection struct {
+	KnownHosts []string `json:"knownHosts"`
+}
+
+type knownHostsStore struct {
+	prefs prefsStore
+}
+
+// RemoveKnownHost deletes every known-hosts entry for host:port from the
+// profile's store, so a host trusted for a session that is being deleted does
+// not linger. Java calls this only once no session targets that host, so a
+// shared host stays trusted. A missing entry is not an error: the goal state
+// is "absent".
+func RemoveKnownHost(configDir, profileID, host string, port int) error {
+	store, err := openKnownHostsStore(configDir, profileID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return store.removeHost(host, port)
+}
+
+func openKnownHostsStore(configDir, profileID string) (*knownHostsStore, error) {
+	prefs, err := newProfilePrefs(configDir, profileID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &knownHostsStore{prefs: prefs}, nil
+}
+
+func (st *knownHostsStore) verify(hostname string, remote net.Addr, key gossh.PublicKey) (hostKeyVerdict, error) {
+	lines, err := st.lines()
+	if err != nil {
+		return hostKeyUnknown, err
+	}
+	targets := knownHostsTargets(hostname, remote)
+
+	verdict := hostKeyUnknown
+	for _, line := range lines {
+		pubKey, ok := knownHostsLineKey(line, targets)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		if pubKey.Type() == key.Type() && bytes.Equal(pubKey.Marshal(), key.Marshal()) {
+			return hostKeyMatched, nil
+		}
+		verdict = hostKeyChanged
+	}
+	return verdict, nil
+}
+
+func (st *knownHostsStore) append(hostname string, remote net.Addr, key gossh.PublicKey) error {
+	line := knownhosts.Line(knownHostsTargets(hostname, remote), key)
+
+	knownHostsMu.Lock()
+	defer knownHostsMu.Unlock()
+
+	lines, err := st.lines()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return st.prefs.Put(knownHostsNamespace, knownHostsSection{KnownHosts: append(lines, line)})
+}
+
+func (st *knownHostsStore) removeHost(host string, port int) error {
+	target := knownhosts.Normalize(net.JoinHostPort(host, strconv.Itoa(port)))
+
+	knownHostsMu.Lock()
+	defer knownHostsMu.Unlock()
+
+	lines, err := st.lines()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	kept := make([]string, 0, len(lines))
+	for _, line := range lines {
+		if knownHostsLineMatches(line, target) {
+			continue
+		}
+		kept = append(kept, line)
+	}
+	if len(kept) == len(lines) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return st.prefs.Put(knownHostsNamespace, knownHostsSection{KnownHosts: kept})
+}
+
+func (st *knownHostsStore) lines() ([]string, error) {
+	var section knownHostsSection
+	if _, err := st.prefs.Get(knownHostsNamespace, &section); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return section.KnownHosts, nil
+}
+
+func knownHostsTargets(hostname string, remote net.Addr) []string {
+	targets := []string{knownhosts.Normalize(hostname)}
+	if remote != nil {
+		if normalized := knownhosts.Normalize(remote.String()); normalized != targets[0] {
+			targets = append(targets, normalized)
+		}
+	}
+	return targets
+}
+
+func knownHostsLineKey(line string, targets []string) (gossh.PublicKey, bool) {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(line)
+	if trimmed == "" || strings.HasPrefix(trimmed, "#") {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	_, hosts, pubKey, _, _, err := gossh.ParseKnownHosts([]byte(trimmed))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	for _, host := range hosts {
+		for _, target := range targets {
+			if host == target {
+				return pubKey, true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, false
+}
+
+// knownHostsLineMatches reports whether a known-hosts line's address list
+// contains the normalized target. Comment and blank lines never match.
+func knownHostsLineMatches(line, target string) bool {
+	trimmed := strings.TrimSpace(line)
+	if trimmed == "" || strings.HasPrefix(trimmed, "#") {
+		return false
+	}
+	fields := strings.Fields(trimmed)
+	if len(fields) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, addr := range strings.Split(fields[0], ",") {
+		if addr == target {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}

client/android/ssh_sessions.go

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+//go:build android
+
+package android
+
+const (
+	sshSessionsNamespace = "ssh-sessions"
+	maxStoredSSHSessions = 50
+)
+
+type sshSessionRecord struct {
+	ID   string `json:"id"`
+	Host string `json:"host"`
+	Port int    `json:"port"`
+	User string `json:"user"`
+}
+
+type sshSessionsSection struct {
+	Sessions []sshSessionRecord `json:"sessions"`
+}
+
+// SSHSessionEntry is one stored SSH session, without any credential.
+type SSHSessionEntry struct {
+	ID   string
+	Host string
+	Port int
+	User string
+}
+
+// SSHSessionArray wraps stored SSH sessions for gomobile compatibility.
+type SSHSessionArray struct {
+	items []*SSHSessionEntry
+}
+
+// NewSSHSessionArray creates an empty session array to fill via Add.
+func NewSSHSessionArray() *SSHSessionArray {
+	return &SSHSessionArray{}
+}
+
+// Add appends a session entry, oldest first.
+func (a *SSHSessionArray) Add(id, host string, port int, user string) {
+	a.items = append(a.items, &SSHSessionEntry{ID: id, Host: host, Port: port, User: user})
+}
+
+// Length returns the number of entries.
+func (a *SSHSessionArray) Length() int {
+	return len(a.items)
+}
+
+// Get returns the entry at index i, or nil when out of range.
+func (a *SSHSessionArray) Get(i int) *SSHSessionEntry {
+	if i < 0 || i >= len(a.items) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return a.items[i]
+}
+
+// SSHSessionStore reads and writes a profile's stored SSH sessions.
+type SSHSessionStore struct {
+	prefs prefsStore
+}
+
+// NewSSHSessionStore opens the session store of the given profile.
+func NewSSHSessionStore(configDir, profileID string) (*SSHSessionStore, error) {
+	prefs, err := newProfilePrefs(configDir, profileID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &SSHSessionStore{prefs: prefs}, nil
+}
+
+// Load returns the stored sessions, oldest first.
+func (s *SSHSessionStore) Load() (*SSHSessionArray, error) {
+	var section sshSessionsSection
+	if _, err := s.prefs.Get(sshSessionsNamespace, &section); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	out := NewSSHSessionArray()
+	for _, record := range section.Sessions {
+		if record.ID == "" || record.Host == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		out.Add(record.ID, record.Host, record.Port, record.User)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// Save replaces the stored sessions, keeping only the newest entries when the
+// list exceeds the storage cap.
+func (s *SSHSessionStore) Save(sessions *SSHSessionArray) error {
+	var items []*SSHSessionEntry
+	if sessions != nil {
+		items = sessions.items
+	}
+	if len(items) > maxStoredSSHSessions {
+		items = items[len(items)-maxStoredSSHSessions:]
+	}
+
+	records := make([]sshSessionRecord, 0, len(items))
+	for _, item := range items {
+		records = append(records, sshSessionRecord{ID: item.ID, Host: item.Host, Port: item.Port, User: item.User})
+	}
+	return s.prefs.Put(sshSessionsNamespace, sshSessionsSection{Sessions: records})
+}

client/anonymize/anonymize.go

@@ -305,6 +305,12 @@ func (a *Anonymizer) AnonymizeDomain(domain string) string {
 		return domain
 	}
 
+	// A reverse zone names an address prefix, so it follows the address rules,
+	// which also keeps its digit labels intact.
+	if zone, ok := a.anonymizeReverseZone(baseDomain); ok {
+		return withTrailingDot(zone, hasDot)
+	}
+
 	if suffix := protectedSuffix(baseDomain); suffix != "" {
 		if a.level < LevelStrict || baseDomain == suffix || suffix == infraDomain {
 			return domain
@@ -405,6 +411,10 @@ func (a *Anonymizer) AnonymizeString(str string) string {
 	ipv4Regex := regexp.MustCompile(`\b(?:[0-9]{1,3}\.){3}[0-9]{1,3}\b`)
 	ipv6Regex := regexp.MustCompile(`\b([0-9a-fA-F:]+:+[0-9a-fA-F]{0,4})(?:%[0-9a-zA-Z]+)?(?:\/[0-9]{1,3})?(?::[0-9]{1,5})?\b`)
 
+	// Reverse zones go first and are then held out of the passes below: their
+	// labels are digits, which the address patterns would otherwise consume.
+	str, restoreZones := a.replaceReverseZones(str)
+
 	str = ipv4Regex.ReplaceAllStringFunc(str, a.AnonymizeIPString)
 	str = ipv6Regex.ReplaceAllStringFunc(str, a.AnonymizeIPString)
 
@@ -425,7 +435,7 @@ func (a *Anonymizer) AnonymizeString(str string) string {
 		str = wgKeyRegex.ReplaceAllStringFunc(str, a.AnonymizeWGKey)
 	}
 
-	return str
+	return restoreZones(str)
 }
 
 // sortedDomains returns the domain mappings longest-first, so a full-FQDN

client/anonymize/reverse_zone.go

@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+package anonymize
+
+import (
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"net/netip"
+	"regexp"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+const (
+	reverseZoneSuffixV4 = ".in-addr.arpa"
+	reverseZoneSuffixV6 = ".ip6.arpa"
+
+	v6Nibbles = 32
+	v4Octets  = 4
+)
+
+// reverseZoneRegexes match a reverse zone or a full reverse name in free text.
+// They are applied before the address passes of AnonymizeString, whose IPv4
+// pattern would otherwise consume the digit labels of a zone and replace parts
+// of it with unrelated addresses.
+var reverseZoneRegexes = []*regexp.Regexp{
+	regexp.MustCompile(`(?:[0-9]{1,3}\.){1,4}in-addr\.arpa\b`),
+	regexp.MustCompile(`(?:[0-9a-fA-F]\.){1,32}ip6\.arpa\b`),
+}
+
+// anonymizeReverseZone maps a reverse zone to the zone of the anonymized form
+// of the prefix it encodes, so it follows the address rules rather than the
+// domain ones: the zone of an address that is preserved is preserved too, and
+// the zone of one that is replaced names the replacement. This keeps a reverse
+// zone recognizable as such, and consistent with the addresses it belongs to
+// elsewhere in the same output. It reports false for anything that is not a
+// reverse zone.
+func (a *Anonymizer) anonymizeReverseZone(domain string) (string, bool) {
+	prefix, labelCount, suffix, ok := parseReverseZone(domain)
+	if !ok {
+		return "", false
+	}
+
+	anonymized := a.AnonymizeIP(prefix)
+	if anonymized == prefix {
+		return domain, true
+	}
+
+	return reverseZoneName(anonymized, labelCount) + suffix, true
+}
+
+// replaceReverseZones anonymizes every reverse zone in str and swaps each one
+// for a placeholder, returning a function that puts the anonymized zones back.
+// The placeholders carry no dots, digits or colons, so no later pass matches
+// them.
+func (a *Anonymizer) replaceReverseZones(str string) (string, func(string) string) {
+	var zones []string
+
+	for _, re := range reverseZoneRegexes {
+		str = re.ReplaceAllStringFunc(str, func(match string) string {
+			zone, ok := a.anonymizeReverseZone(match)
+			if !ok {
+				return match
+			}
+
+			zones = append(zones, zone)
+			return reverseZonePlaceholder(len(zones) - 1)
+		})
+	}
+
+	if len(zones) == 0 {
+		return str, func(s string) string { return s }
+	}
+
+	return str, func(s string) string {
+		for i, zone := range zones {
+			s = strings.ReplaceAll(s, reverseZonePlaceholder(i), zone)
+		}
+		return s
+	}
+}
+
+func reverseZonePlaceholder(index int) string {
+	return "\x00reversezone" + strconv.Itoa(index) + "\x00"
+}
+
+// parseReverseZone turns a reverse zone into the address of the prefix its
+// labels spell backwards, padding the absent low-order part with zeroes, and
+// returns the label count and zone suffix so the name can be rebuilt.
+func parseReverseZone(domain string) (netip.Addr, int, string, bool) {
+	lower := strings.ToLower(domain)
+
+	switch {
+	case strings.HasSuffix(lower, reverseZoneSuffixV4):
+		labels := strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(lower, reverseZoneSuffixV4), ".")
+		addr, ok := reverseZoneAddrV4(labels)
+		return addr, len(labels), reverseZoneSuffixV4, ok
+	case strings.HasSuffix(lower, reverseZoneSuffixV6):
+		labels := strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(lower, reverseZoneSuffixV6), ".")
+		addr, ok := reverseZoneAddrV6(labels)
+		return addr, len(labels), reverseZoneSuffixV6, ok
+	default:
+		return netip.Addr{}, 0, "", false
+	}
+}
+
+func reverseZoneAddrV4(labels []string) (netip.Addr, bool) {
+	if len(labels) == 0 || len(labels) > v4Octets {
+		return netip.Addr{}, false
+	}
+
+	var octets [v4Octets]byte
+	for i, label := range labels {
+		octet, err := strconv.ParseUint(label, 10, 8)
+		if err != nil {
+			return netip.Addr{}, false
+		}
+		octets[len(labels)-1-i] = byte(octet)
+	}
+
+	return netip.AddrFrom4(octets), true
+}
+
+func reverseZoneAddrV6(labels []string) (netip.Addr, bool) {
+	if len(labels) == 0 || len(labels) > v6Nibbles {
+		return netip.Addr{}, false
+	}
+
+	nibbles := make([]byte, 0, v6Nibbles)
+	for i := len(labels) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		if len(labels[i]) != 1 || !isHexDigit(labels[i][0]) {
+			return netip.Addr{}, false
+		}
+		nibbles = append(nibbles, labels[i][0])
+	}
+	for len(nibbles) < v6Nibbles {
+		nibbles = append(nibbles, '0')
+	}
+
+	var groups []string
+	for i := 0; i < len(nibbles); i += 4 {
+		groups = append(groups, string(nibbles[i:i+4]))
+	}
+
+	addr, err := netip.ParseAddr(strings.Join(groups, ":"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return netip.Addr{}, false
+	}
+
+	return addr, true
+}
+
+// reverseZoneName spells the first labelCount labels of addr backwards, the
+// inverse of parseReverseZone, without the zone suffix.
+func reverseZoneName(addr netip.Addr, labelCount int) string {
+	labels := make([]string, 0, labelCount)
+
+	if addr.Is4() {
+		octets := addr.As4()
+		for i := labelCount - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+			labels = append(labels, strconv.Itoa(int(octets[i])))
+		}
+		return strings.Join(labels, ".")
+	}
+
+	address := addr.As16()
+	nibbles := hex.EncodeToString(address[:])
+	for i := labelCount - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		labels = append(labels, string(nibbles[i]))
+	}
+
+	return strings.Join(labels, ".")
+}
+
+func isHexDigit(c byte) bool {
+	return c >= '0' && c <= '9' || c >= 'a' && c <= 'f' || c >= 'A' && c <= 'F'
+}

client/anonymize/reverse_zone_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+package anonymize
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func newLeveledAnonymizer(level Level) *Anonymizer {
+	a := NewAnonymizer(DefaultAddresses())
+	a.SetLevel(level)
+	return a
+}
+
+// TestAnonymizeDomainReverseZone covers reverse zones going through the address
+// rules instead of the domain ones, so a zone stays a zone and an address that
+// is preserved keeps the zone that names it.
+func TestAnonymizeDomainReverseZone(t *testing.T) {
+	// 100.64.0.0/10 is the overlay range, which is CGNAT: preserved at the
+	// default level and replaced from the internal pool at the strict one
+	const overlayZone = "64.100.in-addr.arpa"
+
+	t.Run("overlay zone preserved at the default level", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+		assert.Equal(t, overlayZone, a.AnonymizeDomain(overlayZone), "should keep the zone of a preserved address")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("private zone preserved at the default level", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+		assert.Equal(t, "168.192.in-addr.arpa", a.AnonymizeDomain("168.192.in-addr.arpa"), "should keep the zone of a private address")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("overlay zone replaced at the strict level", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelStrict)
+
+		got := a.AnonymizeDomain(overlayZone)
+		require.True(t, strings.HasSuffix(got, reverseZoneSuffixV4), "should stay a reverse zone, got %q", got)
+		assert.NotEqual(t, overlayZone, got, "should replace the encoded prefix")
+		assert.Len(t, strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(got, reverseZoneSuffixV4), "."), 2,
+			"should keep the label count, got %q", got)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("public zone replaced at the default level", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+
+		got := a.AnonymizeDomain("113.0.203.in-addr.arpa")
+		require.True(t, strings.HasSuffix(got, reverseZoneSuffixV4), "should stay a reverse zone, got %q", got)
+		assert.NotEqual(t, "113.0.203.in-addr.arpa", got, "should replace a public prefix")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("zone of an address keeps that address mapping", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+
+		anonymizedAddr := a.AnonymizeIPString("203.0.113.7")
+		got := a.AnonymizeDomain("7.113.0.203.in-addr.arpa")
+
+		octets := strings.Split(anonymizedAddr, ".")
+		want := octets[3] + "." + octets[2] + "." + octets[1] + "." + octets[0] + reverseZoneSuffixV4
+		assert.Equal(t, want, got, "should name the same replacement as the address itself")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("ipv6 nibble labels stay single digits", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+
+		zone := "0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.2.0.0.0" + reverseZoneSuffixV6
+		got := a.AnonymizeDomain(zone)
+
+		require.True(t, strings.HasSuffix(got, reverseZoneSuffixV6), "should stay a reverse zone, got %q", got)
+		labels := strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(got, reverseZoneSuffixV6), ".")
+		assert.Len(t, labels, 28, "should keep every nibble label, got %q", got)
+		for _, label := range labels {
+			assert.Len(t, label, 1, "nibble label %q should stay a single digit", label)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("trailing dot is kept", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+		assert.Equal(t, "64.100.in-addr.arpa.", a.AnonymizeDomain("64.100.in-addr.arpa."), "should keep the trailing dot")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("a domain that only looks like a zone is anonymized as a domain", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+
+		got := a.AnonymizeDomain("not-a-zone.in-addr.arpa")
+		assert.NotContains(t, got, "in-addr.arpa", "should fall back to domain anonymization")
+	})
+}
+
+// TestAnonymizeStringReverseZone verifies that a zone inside free text, such as
+// a DNS log line, is not chewed up by the address passes. The IPv4 pattern
+// matches any run of dotted digits, which a reverse zone is made of.
+func TestAnonymizeStringReverseZone(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("ipv6 zone survives the address passes", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+
+		zone := "0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.2.0.0.0" + reverseZoneSuffixV6
+		got := a.AnonymizeString("question: domain=" + zone + " type=PTR")
+
+		assert.Contains(t, got, "type=PTR", "should keep the rest of the line")
+		assert.NotContains(t, got, "198.51.100", "should not rewrite nibble labels as an address")
+
+		labels := strings.Split(strings.TrimSuffix(strings.TrimPrefix(got, "question: domain="), reverseZoneSuffixV6+" type=PTR"), ".")
+		assert.Len(t, labels, 28, "should keep every nibble label, got %q", got)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("preserved ipv4 zone is untouched", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+
+		line := "reverse zone 64.100.in-addr.arpa registered"
+		assert.Equal(t, line, a.AnonymizeString(line), "should keep the zone of a preserved address")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("public ipv4 zone is replaced consistently", func(t *testing.T) {
+		a := newLeveledAnonymizer(LevelDefault)
+
+		got := a.AnonymizeString("zone 113.0.203.in-addr.arpa and address 203.0.113.7")
+		assert.NotContains(t, got, "113.0.203.in-addr.arpa", "should replace the zone")
+		assert.NotContains(t, got, "203.0.113.7", "should replace the address")
+		assert.Contains(t, got, reverseZoneSuffixV4, "should keep the zone suffix")
+	})
+}
+
+func TestParseReverseZone(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		zone   string
+		addr   string
+		labels int
+	}{
+		{name: "v4 two labels", zone: "0.100" + reverseZoneSuffixV4, addr: "100.0.0.0", labels: 2},
+		{name: "v4 three labels", zone: "1.168.192" + reverseZoneSuffixV4, addr: "192.168.1.0", labels: 3},
+		{name: "v4 full address", zone: "7.113.0.203" + reverseZoneSuffixV4, addr: "203.0.113.7", labels: 4},
+		{
+			name:   "v6 prefix",
+			zone:   "0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.2.0.0.0" + reverseZoneSuffixV6,
+			addr:   "2::",
+			labels: 28,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			addr, labels, suffix, ok := parseReverseZone(tc.zone)
+			require.True(t, ok, "should decode the reverse zone")
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.addr, addr.String(), "should decode to the encoded prefix")
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.labels, labels, "should count the labels")
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.zone, reverseZoneName(addr, labels)+suffix, "should re-encode to the original zone")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseReverseZoneRejectsNonZones(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []string{
+		"example.com",
+		"in-addr.arpa",
+		"x.100" + reverseZoneSuffixV4,
+		"256" + reverseZoneSuffixV4,
+		"1.2.3.4.5" + reverseZoneSuffixV4,
+		"ab" + reverseZoneSuffixV6,
+		"g" + reverseZoneSuffixV6,
+	}
+
+	for _, zone := range tests {
+		t.Run(zone, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, _, _, ok := parseReverseZone(zone)
+			assert.False(t, ok, "should reject %q", zone)
+		})
+	}
+}

client/cmd/login.go

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/user"
-	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
@@ -121,7 +120,7 @@ func doDaemonLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, providedSetupKey str
 	loginRequest := proto.LoginRequest{
 		SetupKey:            providedSetupKey,
 		ManagementUrl:       managementURL,
-		IsUnixDesktopClient: isUnixRunningDesktop(),
+		IsUnixDesktopClient: util.HasGraphicalSession(),
 		Hostname:            hostName,
 		DnsLabels:           dnsLabelsReq,
 		ProfileName:         &handle,
@@ -189,7 +188,8 @@ func doExtendSession(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 
 	client := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
 
-	req := &proto.RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest{}
+	// the CLI runs in the user's session, the daemon does not: tell it what we can see
+	req := &proto.RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest{HasGraphicalSession: util.HasGraphicalSession()}
 	// Pre-fill the IdP login hint from the active profile so the user
 	// doesn't have to retype their email. Best-effort: we still proceed
 	// without a hint if the lookup fails.
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ func foregroundGetTokenInfo(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, config *pro
 		hint = profileState.Email
 	}
 
-	oAuthFlow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, config, isUnixRunningDesktop(), false, hint)
+	oAuthFlow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, config, util.HasGraphicalSession(), false, hint)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -458,14 +458,6 @@ func openURL(cmd *cobra.Command, verificationURIComplete, userCode string, noBro
 	}
 }
 
-// isUnixRunningDesktop checks if a Linux OS is running desktop environment
-func isUnixRunningDesktop() bool {
-	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" && runtime.GOOS != "freebsd" {
-		return false
-	}
-	return os.Getenv("DESKTOP_SESSION") != "" || os.Getenv("XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP") != ""
-}
-
 func setEnvAndFlags(cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 	SetFlagsFromEnvVars(rootCmd)
 

client/cmd/up.go

@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/server"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ func setupLoginRequest(providedSetupKey string, customDNSAddressConverted []byte
 		NatExternalIPs:      natExternalIPs,
 		CleanNATExternalIPs: natExternalIPs != nil && len(natExternalIPs) == 0,
 		CustomDNSAddress:    customDNSAddressConverted,
-		IsUnixDesktopClient: isUnixRunningDesktop(),
+		IsUnixDesktopClient: util.HasGraphicalSession(),
 		Hostname:            hostName,
 		ExtraIFaceBlacklist: extraIFaceBlackList,
 		DnsLabels:           dnsLabels,

client/embed/embed.go

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/auth"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
-	sshcommon "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
@@ -521,12 +521,7 @@ func (c *Client) VerifySSHHostKey(peerAddress string, key []byte) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	storedKey, found := engine.GetPeerSSHKey(peerAddress)
-	if !found {
-		return sshcommon.ErrPeerNotFound
-	}
-
-	return sshcommon.VerifyHostKey(storedKey, key, peerAddress)
+	return nbssh.PeerKeyLookup(engine.GetPeerSSHKey).VerifySSHHostKey(peerAddress, key)
 }
 
 // SetPerformance retunes a running Client. Only PreallocatedBuffersPerPool

client/firewall/iptables/acl_linux.go

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ type aclManager struct {
 	optionalEntries map[string][]entry
 	ipsetStore      *ipsetStore
 	v6              bool
+	ipsetSupported  bool
 
 	stateManager *statemanager.Manager
 }
@@ -60,6 +61,8 @@ func newAclManager(iptablesClient *iptables.IPTables, wgIface iFaceMapper) (*acl
 func (m *aclManager) init(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) error {
 	m.stateManager = stateManager
 
+	m.ipsetSupported = m.probeIPSetSupport()
+
 	m.seedInitialEntries()
 	m.seedInitialOptionalEntries()
 
@@ -91,6 +94,12 @@ func (m *aclManager) AddPeerFiltering(
 	if m.v6 && ipsetName != "" {
 		ipsetName += "-v6"
 	}
+	// When the kernel lacks the required ipset hash module, fall back to
+	// per-IP iptables rules (pre-0.68 behavior) so ACLs keep working instead
+	// of silently leaving the chain empty.
+	if ipsetName != "" && !m.ipsetSupported {
+		ipsetName = ""
+	}
 	proto := protoForFamily(protocol, m.v6)
 	specs := filterRuleSpecs(ip, proto, sPort, dPort, action, ipsetName)
 
@@ -498,6 +507,40 @@ func transformIPsetName(ipsetName string, sPort, dPort *firewall.Port, action fi
 	}
 }
 
+// probeIPSetSupport checks whether the kernel can create the ipset type used for
+// ACL rules. On kernels lacking the required ipset hash module, ipset creation
+// fails (e.g. "invalid argument"), which would otherwise leave the ACL chain
+// empty and silently drop all policy-permitted inbound traffic. When unsupported,
+// the manager falls back to per-IP iptables rules.
+func (m *aclManager) probeIPSetSupport() bool {
+	// Use a unique name so concurrent processes don't collide and we only ever
+	// destroy the set we created ourselves. ipset names are limited to 31 chars,
+	// so use a short random suffix.
+	probeName := "nb-probe-" + uuid.New().String()[:8]
+
+	opts := ipset.CreateOptions{
+		Replace: true,
+	}
+	if m.v6 {
+		opts.Family = ipset.FamilyIPV6
+	}
+
+	if err := ipset.Create(probeName, ipset.TypeHashNet, opts); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("ipset is not available (failed to create probe set: %v); "+
+			"falling back to per-IP iptables ACL rules. Ensure the kernel provides "+
+			"the ipset hash:net module (ip_set_hash_net) for better performance with large rule sets", err)
+		return false
+	}
+
+	defer func() {
+		if err := ipset.Destroy(probeName); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("destroy ipset probe set %q: %v", probeName, err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return true
+}
+
 func (m *aclManager) createIPSet(name string) error {
 	opts := ipset.CreateOptions{
 		Replace: true,

client/firewall/iptables/dnat_refcount_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,240 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package iptables
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	fw "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+)
+
+func iptRefcountIfaceV4() *iFaceMock {
+	return &iFaceMock{
+		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.1"),
+				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.20.0.0/24"),
+			}
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func iptRefcountIfaceDual() *iFaceMock {
+	return &iFaceMock{
+		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.1"),
+				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.20.0.0/24"),
+				IPv6:    netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::1"),
+				IPv6Net: netip.MustParsePrefix("fd00::/64"),
+			}
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func newIptRefcountManager(t *testing.T, dual bool) *Manager {
+	t.Helper()
+	var ifMock *iFaceMock
+	if dual {
+		ifMock = iptRefcountIfaceDual()
+	} else {
+		ifMock = iptRefcountIfaceV4()
+	}
+	m, err := Create(ifMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "create manager")
+	require.NoError(t, m.Init(nil), "init manager")
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, m.Close(nil), "close manager")
+	})
+	return m
+}
+
+func iptDnatV4(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
+	return fw.ForwardRule{
+		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
+		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.2"),
+		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
+	}
+}
+
+func iptDnatV6(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
+	return fw.ForwardRule{
+		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
+		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::2"),
+		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
+	}
+}
+
+// TestIptablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference verifies that EnableRouting
+// (called on every network-map update) holds at most one reference per family
+// and a single DisableRouting drops both back to zero.
+func TestIptablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "first enable")
+	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "second enable")
+	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "third enable")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "repeated enable holds a single v4 reference")
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "repeated enable holds a single v6 reference")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "disable")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single disable releases the v4 reference")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "single disable releases the v6 reference")
+}
+
+// TestIptablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference verifies that an unpaired
+// DisableRouting does not release references held by active DNAT rules.
+func TestIptablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9095))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "unpaired disable")
+	_, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "DNAT-held reference survives unpaired DisableRouting")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v6 dnat")
+	_, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "delete releases the DNAT reference")
+}
+
+// TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4 covers a Balanced Add/Delete pair on v4.
+func TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, false)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV4(7081))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 1")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first add")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+
+	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV4(7082))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 2")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, v4, "v4 refcount after second add")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first delete")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2))
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount after second delete")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+}
+
+// TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6 checks the v6 path increments v6 only and
+// decrements back to zero.
+func TestIptablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
+	require.NotNil(t, m.router6, "v6 router")
+	require.Same(t, m.router.ipFwdState, m.router6.ipFwdState, "shared state")
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9081))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 1")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first add")
+
+	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9082))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 2")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, v6, "v6 refcount after second add")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first delete")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2))
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount after second delete")
+}
+
+// TestIptablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak verifies the duplicate-rule path returns
+// without bumping the refcount.
+func TestIptablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	rule := iptDnatV4(7083)
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(rule)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	v4, _ := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4)
+
+	_, err = m.AddDNATRule(rule)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "duplicate add")
+	v4, _ = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "duplicate add must not increment")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
+	v4, _ = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single delete must drop to zero")
+}
+
+// TestIptablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow verifies Delete on an unknown rule
+// neither errors nor releases the refcount.
+func TestIptablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	phantom := iptDnatV4(7099)
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom), "delete missing v4")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
+
+	phantom6 := iptDnatV6(9099)
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom6), "delete missing v6")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV4(7100))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	v4, _ = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "real add still increments after phantom delete")
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
+}
+
+// TestIptablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow verifies a second Delete on the same
+// rule is a no-op.
+func TestIptablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newIptRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(iptDnatV6(9083))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	_, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "first delete")
+	_, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "second delete must be no-op")
+	_, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "double delete must not underflow")
+}

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux.go

@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func (m *Manager) createIPv6Components(wgIface iFaceMapper, mtu uint16) error {
 	}
 
 	// Share the same IP forwarding state with the v4 router, since
-	// EnableIPForwarding controls both v4 and v6 sysctls.
+	// Forwarding refcounter is per-family but shared between v4 and v6 routers.
 	m.router6.ipFwdState = m.router.ipFwdState
 
 	m.aclMgr6, err = newAclManager(ip6Client, wgIface)
@@ -402,17 +402,12 @@ func (m *Manager) SetLogLevel(log.Level) {
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) EnableRouting() error {
-	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("enable IP forwarding: %w", err)
-	}
-	return nil
+	// v6 only when the overlay actually has v6.
+	return m.router.ipFwdState.RequestRouting(m.router6 != nil)
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) DisableRouting() error {
-	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("disable IP forwarding: %w", err)
-	}
-	return nil
+	return m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseRouting()
 }
 
 // AddDNATRule adds a DNAT rule

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux_test.go

@@ -291,3 +291,40 @@ func TestIptablesCreatePerformance(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+// TestIptablesACLIPSetFallback verifies that when the kernel lacks ipset support,
+// the ACL manager falls back to per-IP iptables rules (-s <ip>) instead of
+// silently leaving the chain empty. See discussion #6125.
+func TestIptablesACLIPSetFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	ipv4Client, err := iptables.NewWithProtocol(iptables.ProtocolIPv4)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Use Create()/Init() so the router-owned chains (chainRTFWDIN/OUT) are
+	// created before the ACL manager's createDefaultChains() references them.
+	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, manager.Init(nil))
+
+	aclMgr := manager.aclMgr
+	// Simulate a kernel without the ipset hash module.
+	aclMgr.ipsetSupported = false
+
+	defer func() {
+		require.NoError(t, manager.Close(nil))
+	}()
+
+	ip := netip.MustParseAddr("10.20.0.42")
+	port := &fw.Port{Values: []uint16{22}}
+
+	rules, err := aclMgr.AddPeerFiltering(nil, ip.AsSlice(), "tcp", nil, port, fw.ActionAccept, "nb0000001")
+	require.NoError(t, err, "AddPeerFiltering should succeed via fallback")
+	require.NotEmpty(t, rules)
+
+	rule := rules[0].(*Rule)
+	require.Empty(t, rule.ipsetName, "fallback rule must not reference an ipset")
+	require.Contains(t, strings.Join(rule.specs, " "), "-s 10.20.0.42", "fallback rule must match by source IP")
+	require.NotContains(t, strings.Join(rule.specs, " "), "--match-set", "fallback rule must not use ipset matching")
+
+	// The rule must actually be present in the ACL chain (not silently dropped).
+	checkRuleSpecs(t, ipv4Client, rule.chain, true, rule.specs...)
+}

client/firewall/iptables/router_linux.go

@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func newRouter(iptablesClient *iptables.IPTables, wgIface iFaceMapper, mtu uint1
 		wgIface:        wgIface,
 		mtu:            mtu,
 		v6:             iptablesClient.Proto() == iptables.ProtocolIPv6,
-		ipFwdState:     ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(),
+		ipFwdState:     ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(wgIface.Name()),
 	}
 
 	r.ipsetCounter = refcounter.New(
@@ -770,10 +770,6 @@ func (r *router) updateState() {
 }
 
 func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
-	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
 	ruleKey := rule.ID()
 	if _, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]; exists {
 		return rule, nil
@@ -840,18 +836,34 @@ func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
 
 	for key, ruleInfo := range rules {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Append(ruleInfo.table, ruleInfo.chain, ruleInfo.rule...); err != nil {
-			if rollbackErr := r.rollbackRules(rules); rollbackErr != nil {
-				log.Errorf("rollback failed: %v", rollbackErr)
-			}
+			r.cleanupFailedDNATAdd(rules)
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("add rule %s: %w", key, err)
 		}
 		r.rules[key] = ruleInfo.rule
 	}
 
+	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(r.v6); err != nil {
+		r.cleanupFailedDNATAdd(rules)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("enable forwarding: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	r.updateState()
 	return rule, nil
 }
 
+// cleanupFailedDNATAdd removes the bookkeeping written by a partially applied
+// AddDNATRule before rolling back the kernel rules, so no entries remain that
+// never got a forwarding refcount. rollbackRules re-adds entries it failed to
+// remove from the kernel.
+func (r *router) cleanupFailedDNATAdd(rules map[string]ruleInfo) {
+	for key := range rules {
+		delete(r.rules, key)
+	}
+	if err := r.rollbackRules(rules); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("rollback failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func (r *router) rollbackRules(rules map[string]ruleInfo) error {
 	var merr *multierror.Error
 	for key, ruleInfo := range rules {
@@ -868,32 +880,47 @@ func (r *router) rollbackRules(rules map[string]ruleInfo) error {
 }
 
 func (r *router) DeleteDNATRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
-	if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("%v", err)
-	}
-
 	ruleKey := rule.ID()
 
+	_, hadDNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]
+	_, hadSNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+snatSuffix]
+	_, hadFWD := r.rules[ruleKey+fwdSuffix]
+	if !hadDNAT && !hadSNAT && !hadFWD {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	var merr *multierror.Error
 	if dnatRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]; exists {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Delete(tableNat, chainRTRDR, dnatRule...); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete DNAT rule: %w", err))
+		} else {
+			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
 		}
-		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
 	}
 
 	if snatRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+snatSuffix]; exists {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Delete(tableNat, chainRTNAT, snatRule...); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete SNAT rule: %w", err))
+		} else {
+			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
 		}
-		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
 	}
 
 	if fwdRule, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+fwdSuffix]; exists {
 		if err := r.iptablesClient.Delete(tableFilter, chainRTFWDOUT, fwdRule...); err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("delete forward rule: %w", err))
+		} else {
+			delete(r.rules, ruleKey+fwdSuffix)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Release the refcount only once all rules are gone from the kernel. On
+	// partial failure the failed entries stay in r.rules so a retry can remove
+	// them and release then.
+	if merr == nil {
+		if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(r.v6); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("%v", err)
 		}
-		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+fwdSuffix)
 	}
 
 	r.updateState()

client/firewall/nftables/dnat_refcount_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,249 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package nftables
+
+import (
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	fw "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
+)
+
+func nftRefcountIfaceV4() *iFaceMock {
+	return &iFaceMock{
+		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("100.96.0.1"),
+				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("100.96.0.0/16"),
+			}
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func nftRefcountIfaceDual() *iFaceMock {
+	return &iFaceMock{
+		NameFunc: func() string { return "wt-refcount" },
+		AddressFunc: func() wgaddr.Address {
+			return wgaddr.Address{
+				IP:      netip.MustParseAddr("100.96.0.1"),
+				Network: netip.MustParsePrefix("100.96.0.0/16"),
+				IPv6:    netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::1"),
+				IPv6Net: netip.MustParsePrefix("fd00::/64"),
+			}
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func newNftRefcountManager(t *testing.T, dual bool) *Manager {
+	t.Helper()
+	if check() != NFTABLES {
+		t.Skip("nftables not supported on this system")
+	}
+	var ifMock *iFaceMock
+	if dual {
+		ifMock = nftRefcountIfaceDual()
+	} else {
+		ifMock = nftRefcountIfaceV4()
+	}
+	m, err := Create(ifMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "create manager")
+	require.NoError(t, m.Init(nil), "init manager")
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		require.NoError(t, m.Close(nil), "close manager")
+	})
+	return m
+}
+
+func dnatV4(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
+	return fw.ForwardRule{
+		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
+		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("100.96.0.2"),
+		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
+	}
+}
+
+func dnatV6(port uint16) fw.ForwardRule {
+	return fw.ForwardRule{
+		Protocol:          fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		DestinationPort:   fw.Port{Values: []uint16{port}},
+		TranslatedAddress: netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::2"),
+		TranslatedPort:    fw.Port{Values: []uint16{80}},
+	}
+}
+
+// TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4 verifies that Add/Delete pairs leave the
+// v4 refcount at zero.
+func TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV4(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, false)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV4(8081))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 1")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first add")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+
+	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV4(8082))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat 2")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, v4, "v4 refcount after second add")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v4 dnat 1")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 refcount after first delete")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2), "delete v4 dnat 2")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount after second delete")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unchanged")
+}
+
+// TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6 verifies the v6 path increments v6 only
+// and decrements back to zero on Delete.
+func TestNftablesDNAT_RefcountBalancedV6(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
+	require.NotNil(t, m.router6, "v6 router")
+	require.Same(t, m.router.ipFwdState, m.router6.ipFwdState, "shared state")
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9091))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 1")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first add")
+
+	r2, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9092))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat 2")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, v6, "v6 refcount after second add")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v6 dnat 1")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unchanged")
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 refcount after first delete")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r2), "delete v6 dnat 2")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount after second delete")
+}
+
+// TestNftablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak verifies that a duplicate Add (same
+// ForwardRule) does not double-increment the refcount.
+func TestNftablesDNAT_DuplicateAddNoLeak(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	rule := dnatV4(8083)
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(rule)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat")
+	v4, _ := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4)
+
+	// duplicate add: same rule ID, must be a no-op for the refcount.
+	_, err = m.AddDNATRule(rule)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "duplicate add")
+	v4, _ = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "duplicate add must not increment")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v4 dnat")
+	v4, _ = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single delete must drop to zero")
+}
+
+// TestNftablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow verifies deleting a rule that was
+// never added does not underflow the refcount.
+func TestNftablesDNAT_DeleteMissingNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	// Construct a Rule reference for something never added. The router stores
+	// rules by ID(), and DeleteDNATRule looks them up in r.rules; a missing
+	// entry must be a no-op rather than calling Release.
+	phantom := dnatV4(8099)
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom), "delete missing v4 dnat")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "v4 refcount unaffected by missing delete")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unaffected")
+
+	phantom6 := dnatV6(9099)
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(&phantom6), "delete missing v6 dnat")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4)
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "v6 refcount unaffected by missing delete")
+
+	// And after a phantom delete, a real add still results in count=1.
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV4(8100))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v4 dnat after phantom delete")
+	v4, _ = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "real add still increments after phantom delete")
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1))
+}
+
+// TestNftablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference verifies that EnableRouting
+// (called on every network-map update) holds at most one reference per family
+// and a single DisableRouting drops both back to zero.
+func TestNftablesRouting_RepeatedEnableSingleReference(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "first enable")
+	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "second enable")
+	require.NoError(t, m.EnableRouting(), "third enable")
+	v4, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "repeated enable holds a single v4 reference")
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "repeated enable holds a single v6 reference")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "disable")
+	v4, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "single disable releases the v4 reference")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "single disable releases the v6 reference")
+}
+
+// TestNftablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference verifies that an unpaired
+// DisableRouting does not release references held by active DNAT rules.
+func TestNftablesRouting_DisableKeepsDNATReference(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9095))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "add v6 dnat")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DisableRouting(), "unpaired disable")
+	_, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "DNAT-held reference survives unpaired DisableRouting")
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "delete v6 dnat")
+	_, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "delete releases the DNAT reference")
+}
+
+// TestNftablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow verifies that deleting the same rule
+// twice does not underflow the refcount (the second delete is a no-op).
+func TestNftablesDNAT_DoubleDeleteNoUnderflow(t *testing.T) {
+	m := newNftRefcountManager(t, true)
+	state := m.router.ipFwdState
+
+	r1, err := m.AddDNATRule(dnatV6(9093))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	_, v6 := state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "first delete")
+	_, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6)
+
+	require.NoError(t, m.DeleteDNATRule(r1), "second delete must be no-op")
+	_, v6 = state.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "double delete must not underflow")
+}

client/firewall/nftables/manager_linux.go

@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ func (m *Manager) createIPv6Components(tableName string, wgIface iFaceMapper, mt
 		return fmt.Errorf("create v6 router: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Share the same IP forwarding state with the v4 router, since
-	// EnableIPForwarding controls both v4 and v6 sysctls.
+	// Share the per-family forwarding refcounter with the v4 router so a v4
+	// rule and a v6 rule against the same state machine cooperate cleanly.
 	m.router6.ipFwdState = m.router.ipFwdState
 
 	m.aclManager6, err = newAclManager(workTable6, wgIface, chainNameRoutingFw)
@@ -530,17 +530,12 @@ func (m *Manager) SetLogLevel(log.Level) {
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) EnableRouting() error {
-	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("enable IP forwarding: %w", err)
-	}
-	return nil
+	// v6 only when the overlay actually has v6.
+	return m.router.ipFwdState.RequestRouting(m.router6 != nil)
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) DisableRouting() error {
-	if err := m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("disable IP forwarding: %w", err)
-	}
-	return nil
+	return m.router.ipFwdState.ReleaseRouting()
 }
 
 // Flush rule/chain/set operations from the buffer

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux.go

@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func newRouter(workTable *nftables.Table, wgIface iFaceMapper, mtu uint16) (*rou
 		rules:      make(map[string]*nftables.Rule),
 		af:         familyForAddr(workTable.Family == nftables.TableFamilyIPv4),
 		wgIface:    wgIface,
-		ipFwdState: ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(),
+		ipFwdState: ipfwdstate.NewIPForwardingState(wgIface.Name()),
 		mtu:        mtu,
 	}
 
@@ -1553,10 +1553,6 @@ func (r *router) refreshRulesMap() error {
 }
 
 func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
-	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
 	ruleKey := rule.ID()
 	if _, exists := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]; exists {
 		return rule, nil
@@ -1567,7 +1563,18 @@ func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("convert protocol to number: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// Request forwarding before queueing rules: addDnatRedirect/addDnatMasq
+	// buffer netlink messages on r.conn that the next caller's Flush would
+	// commit if we returned without flushing them ourselves.
+	v6 := r.af.tableFamily == nftables.TableFamilyIPv6
+	if err := r.ipFwdState.RequestForwarding(v6); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("enable forwarding: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	if err := r.addDnatRedirect(rule, protoNum, ruleKey); err != nil {
+		if rerr := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(v6); rerr != nil {
+			log.Warnf("rollback forwarding refcount: %v", rerr)
+		}
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -1579,6 +1586,11 @@ func (r *router) AddDNATRule(rule firewall.ForwardRule) (firewall.Rule, error) {
 	// TODO: find chains with drop policies and add rules there
 
 	if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
+		if rerr := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(v6); rerr != nil {
+			log.Warnf("rollback forwarding refcount: %v", rerr)
+		}
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
+		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("flush rules: %w", err)
 	}
 
@@ -1781,16 +1793,18 @@ func (r *router) addDnatMasq(rule firewall.ForwardRule, protoNum uint8, ruleKey
 }
 
 func (r *router) DeleteDNATRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
-	if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("%v", err)
-	}
-
 	ruleKey := rule.ID()
 
 	if err := r.refreshRulesMap(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf(refreshRulesMapError, err)
 	}
 
+	_, hadDNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+dnatSuffix]
+	_, hadSNAT := r.rules[ruleKey+snatSuffix]
+	if !hadDNAT && !hadSNAT {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	var merr *multierror.Error
 	var needsFlush bool
 
@@ -1822,9 +1836,16 @@ func (r *router) DeleteDNATRule(rule firewall.Rule) error {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Release the refcount only once the rules are gone from the kernel. On
+	// failure (including the refreshRulesMap error above) the rules and their
+	// map entries remain, keeping forwarding on until a retry removes them.
 	if merr == nil {
 		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+dnatSuffix)
 		delete(r.rules, ruleKey+snatSuffix)
+
+		if err := r.ipFwdState.ReleaseForwarding(r.af.tableFamily == nftables.TableFamilyIPv6); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("%v", err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(merr)

client/installer.nsis

@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@
 !define UI_REG_APP_PATH "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 !define UI_UNINSTALL_PATH "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\${UI_APP_NAME}"
 
-!define AUTOSTART_REG_KEY "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"
-
 !define NETBIRD_DATA_DIR "$COMMONPROGRAMDATA\Netbird"
 
 Unicode True
@@ -228,13 +226,6 @@ WriteRegStr ${REG_ROOT} "${UNINSTALL_PATH}"  "Publisher" "${COMP_NAME}"
 
 WriteRegStr ${REG_ROOT} "${UI_REG_APP_PATH}" "" "$INSTDIR\${UI_APP_EXE}"
 
-; Autostart is owned by the UI's per-user setting (HKCU\...\Run via Wails),
-; not the installer. Drop the machine-wide entry older installers wrote so the
-; toggle is the single source of truth. HKCU is left untouched -- it may hold
-; the user's own toggle state, which must survive upgrades.
-DetailPrint "Removing installer-managed autostart registry entry if present..."
-DeleteRegValue HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
-
 EnVar::SetHKLM
 EnVar::AddValueEx "path" "$INSTDIR"
 
@@ -299,15 +290,6 @@ ExecWait '"$INSTDIR\${MAIN_APP_EXE}" service uninstall'
 DetailPrint "Terminating Netbird UI process..."
 ExecWait `taskkill /im ${UI_APP_EXE}.exe /f`
 
-; Remove autostart registry entries
-DetailPrint "Removing autostart registry entries if they exist..."
-; Legacy machine-wide entry written by older installers.
-DeleteRegValue HKLM "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
-; Per-user entry the UI toggle writes via Wails (value name is the lowercase
-; app-name slug). Uninstall removes the app, so drop it too.
-DeleteRegValue HKCU "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "${APP_NAME}"
-DeleteRegValue HKCU "${AUTOSTART_REG_KEY}" "netbird"
-
 ; Handle data deletion based on checkbox
 DetailPrint "Checking if user requested data deletion..."
 ${If} $DeleteDataEnabled == "1"

client/internal/auth/auth.go

@@ -138,26 +138,37 @@ func (a *Auth) IsSSOSupported(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
 
 // GetOAuthFlow returns an OAuth flow (PKCE or Device) using the existing management connection
 // This avoids creating a new connection to the management server
-func (a *Auth) GetOAuthFlow(ctx context.Context, forceDeviceAuth bool) (OAuthFlow, error) {
+func (a *Auth) GetOAuthFlow(ctx context.Context, forceDeviceAuth bool, hint string) (OAuthFlow, error) {
 	var flow OAuthFlow
-	var err error
 
-	err = a.withRetry(ctx, func(client *mgm.GrpcClient) error {
+	err := a.withRetry(ctx, func(client *mgm.GrpcClient) error {
 		if forceDeviceAuth {
-			flow, err = a.getDeviceFlow(client)
-			return err
+			deviceFlow, err := a.getDeviceFlow(client)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			deviceFlow.SetLoginHint(hint)
+			flow = deviceFlow
+			return nil
 		}
 
 		// Try PKCE flow first
-		flow, err = a.getPKCEFlow(client)
+		pkceFlow, err := a.getPKCEFlow(client)
 		if err != nil {
 			// If PKCE not supported, try Device flow
 			if s, ok := status.FromError(err); ok && (s.Code() == codes.NotFound || s.Code() == codes.Unimplemented) {
-				flow, err = a.getDeviceFlow(client)
-				return err
+				deviceFlow, err := a.getDeviceFlow(client)
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				deviceFlow.SetLoginHint(hint)
+				flow = deviceFlow
+				return nil
 			}
 			return err
 		}
+		pkceFlow.SetLoginHint(hint)
+		flow = pkceFlow
 		return nil
 	})
 

client/internal/auth/oauth.go

@@ -97,9 +97,7 @@ func authenticateWithPKCEFlow(ctx context.Context, config *profilemanager.Config
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("getting pkce authorization flow info failed with error: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	if hint != "" {
-		pkceFlowInfo.SetLoginHint(hint)
-	}
+	pkceFlowInfo.SetLoginHint(hint)
 
 	return pkceFlowInfo, nil
 }
@@ -127,9 +125,7 @@ func authenticateWithDeviceCodeFlow(ctx context.Context, config *profilemanager.
 		}
 	}
 
-	if hint != "" {
-		deviceFlowInfo.SetLoginHint(hint)
-	}
+	deviceFlowInfo.SetLoginHint(hint)
 
 	return deviceFlowInfo, nil
 }

client/internal/debug/debug.go

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ nftables.txt: Anonymized nftables rules with packet counters across all families
 sysctls.txt: Forwarding, reverse-path filter, source-validation, and conntrack accounting sysctl values that the NetBird client may read or modify, if --system-info flag was provided (Linux only).
 resolv.conf: DNS resolver configuration from /etc/resolv.conf (Unix systems only), if --system-info flag was provided.
 scutil_dns.txt: DNS configuration from scutil --dns (macOS only), if --system-info flag was provided.
+dns_windows.txt: Anonymized NRPT rules and policy table in effect, DNS client policy, and per-interface and per-adapter DNS configuration (Windows only), if --system-info flag was provided.
 resolved_domains.txt: Anonymized resolved domain IP addresses from the status recorder.
 config.txt: Anonymized configuration information of the NetBird client.
 network_map.json: Anonymized sync response containing peer configurations, routes, DNS settings, and firewall rules.
@@ -237,6 +238,13 @@ scutil_dns.txt (macOS only):
 - Shows DNS configuration for all network interfaces
 - Includes search domains, nameservers, and DNS resolver settings
 - All IP addresses and domain names are anonymized
+
+dns_windows.txt (Windows only):
+- Lists the NRPT rules of both policy stores, the local one and the group policy one, marking the rules the client created
+- Follows them with the policy table the resolver has loaded, which differs from the rules while a change has not been picked up yet
+- Includes the DNS client group policy, the global TCP/IP and Dnscache parameters, and the DNS values of every interface that has any
+- Ends with the resolver configuration in effect per adapter, from GetAdaptersAddresses
+- All IP addresses and domain names are anonymized
 `
 
 const (

client/internal/debug/debug_linux.go

@@ -844,6 +844,10 @@ func collectSysctls() string {
 		[]string{"net.ipv4.conf.all.src_valid_mark", "net.ipv4.conf.default.src_valid_mark"},
 		listInterfaceSysctls("ipv4", "src_valid_mark")...,
 	))
+	writeSysctlGroup(&builder, "accept_ra", append(
+		[]string{"net.ipv6.conf.all.accept_ra", "net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra"},
+		listInterfaceSysctls("ipv6", "accept_ra")...,
+	))
 	writeSysctlGroup(&builder, "conntrack", []string{
 		"net.netfilter.nf_conntrack_acct",
 		"net.netfilter.nf_conntrack_tcp_loose",

client/internal/debug/debug_nonunix.go

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-//go:build !unix
+//go:build !unix && !windows
 
 package debug
 

client/internal/debug/debug_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,443 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package debug
+
+import (
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/netip"
+	"strings"
+	"unsafe"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/windows/registry"
+
+	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
+)
+
+const dnsInfoFileName = "dns_windows.txt"
+
+const (
+	gpoDNSClientRoot = `SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient`
+	tcpipParamsPath  = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters`
+	dnscacheParams   = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters`
+)
+
+// interfaceDNSValues are the per-interface values that decide how a name is
+// resolved and registered. Everything the DNS host manager writes is in here,
+// so a bundle shows both what we set and what it replaced.
+var interfaceDNSValues = []string{
+	"NameServer",
+	"DhcpNameServer",
+	"Domain",
+	"DhcpDomain",
+	"SearchList",
+	"RegistrationEnabled",
+	"DisableDynamicUpdate",
+	"MaxNumberOfAddressesToRegister",
+	"EnableDHCP",
+}
+
+// addDNSInfo collects and adds DNS configuration information to the archive
+func (g *BundleGenerator) addDNSInfo() error {
+	if err := g.addFileToZip(strings.NewReader(g.collectDNSInfo()), dnsInfoFileName); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add DNS info to zip: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// collectDNSInfo renders the report. Everything below it reaches the platform
+// through COM and through lazily resolved procedures, which panic when a
+// procedure is missing rather than returning an error, and a debug bundle is not
+// allowed to take the daemon down. The panic is contained here, and whatever was
+// collected before it is kept and reported with it.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) collectDNSInfo() (content string) {
+	var sb strings.Builder
+
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			log.Errorf("collecting Windows DNS configuration panicked: %v", r)
+			fmt.Fprintf(&sb, "\nerror: collection stopped: %v\n", r)
+		}
+		content = sb.String()
+	}()
+
+	sb.WriteString("Windows DNS configuration\n")
+	sb.WriteString("=========================\n")
+
+	adapters, adaptersErr := adapterAddresses()
+
+	g.writeNRPTRules(&sb, "NRPT rules, local policy store", nbdns.DNSPolicyConfigRoot)
+	g.writeNRPTRules(&sb, "NRPT rules, group policy store", nbdns.GPODNSPolicyConfigRoot)
+	g.writeEffectiveNRPTPolicies(&sb)
+	g.writeRegistryKey(&sb, "DNS client group policy", gpoDNSClientRoot)
+	g.writeRegistryKey(&sb, "Global TCP/IP parameters", tcpipParamsPath)
+	g.writeRegistryKey(&sb, "Dnscache parameters", dnscacheParams)
+	g.writeInterfaceDNS(&sb, "Per-interface DNS, IPv4", nbdns.InterfaceConfigPath, adapterNames(adapters))
+	g.writeInterfaceDNS(&sb, "Per-interface DNS, IPv6", nbdns.InterfaceConfigPathV6, adapterNames(adapters))
+	g.writeAdapterDNS(&sb, adapters, adaptersErr)
+
+	return sb.String()
+}
+
+// writeNRPTRules lists every rule in a policy store, ours and any other
+// product's, since a foreign rule for the same namespace decides resolution
+// just as ours does. Rules the client wrote are marked.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) writeNRPTRules(sb *strings.Builder, title, root string) {
+	writeSection(sb, title, root)
+
+	names, err := subKeyNames(root)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "error: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if len(names) == 0 {
+		sb.WriteString("no rules\n")
+		return
+	}
+
+	for _, name := range names {
+		owner := ""
+		if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(name), strings.ToLower(nbdns.NRPTKeyPrefix)) {
+			owner = "  (netbird)"
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%s%s\n", name, owner)
+		g.writeValues(sb, root+`\`+name, nil, "  ")
+	}
+}
+
+// writeEffectiveNRPTPolicies reports the table the resolver answers from, which
+// the registry cannot show: a rule is written before it is loaded, and it keeps
+// being enforced after its key is gone until the resolver reloads its policy.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) writeEffectiveNRPTPolicies(sb *strings.Builder) {
+	writeSection(sb, "NRPT policy table in effect", nrptPolicyClass+"."+nrptPolicyMethod+" in "+nrptPolicyNamespace)
+
+	entries, err := effectiveNRPTPolicies()
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "error: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if len(entries) == 0 {
+		sb.WriteString("no policies\n")
+		return
+	}
+
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%s\n", g.anonymizeValue("Namespace", entry.namespace))
+		for _, value := range entry.values {
+			fmt.Fprintf(sb, "  %s: %s\n", value.name, g.anonymizeValue(value.name, value.value))
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// writeInterfaceDNS reports the DNS values of every interface that has any, so
+// the netbird interface can be compared against the physical ones. The registry
+// keys the values by GUID, so each is named from the adapter list; a GUID with
+// no adapter is a leftover key of an interface that no longer exists.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) writeInterfaceDNS(sb *strings.Builder, title, root string, names map[string]string) {
+	writeSection(sb, title, root)
+
+	guids, err := subKeyNames(root)
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "error: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	var reported int
+	for _, guid := range guids {
+		var iface strings.Builder
+		g.writeValues(&iface, root+`\`+guid, interfaceDNSValues, "  ")
+		if iface.Len() == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		name, ok := names[strings.ToLower(guid)]
+		if !ok {
+			name = "no adapter with this GUID"
+		}
+
+		reported++
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%s (%s)\n%s", guid, name, iface.String())
+	}
+
+	if reported == 0 {
+		sb.WriteString("no interface holds DNS values\n")
+	}
+}
+
+// writeRegistryKey reports the values of a single key, without its subkeys.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) writeRegistryKey(sb *strings.Builder, title, path string) {
+	writeSection(sb, title, path)
+
+	var values strings.Builder
+	g.writeValues(&values, path, nil, "")
+	if values.Len() == 0 {
+		sb.WriteString("no values\n")
+		return
+	}
+
+	sb.WriteString(values.String())
+}
+
+// writeValues renders the values of a key. A nil names list reports every
+// value, otherwise only those named and present.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) writeValues(sb *strings.Builder, path string, names []string, indent string) {
+	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, path, registry.QUERY_VALUE)
+	switch {
+	case errors.Is(err, registry.ErrNotExist), errors.Is(err, windows.ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND):
+		// an absent key is the normal state for the GPO store and for
+		// interfaces without DNS settings
+		log.Debugf("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\%s does not exist", path)
+		return
+	case err != nil:
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%serror: open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\%s: %v\n", indent, path, err)
+		return
+	}
+	defer closeKey(k)
+
+	if names == nil {
+		names, err = k.ReadValueNames(-1)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%serror: read value names: %v\n", indent, err)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
+	for _, name := range names {
+		value, err := readRegistryValue(k, name)
+		switch {
+		case errors.Is(err, registry.ErrNotExist):
+			// the caller asks for a fixed set of values, most of which a
+			// given interface does not carry
+			continue
+		case err != nil:
+			// report rather than omit: a value that is there but cannot be
+			// read reads as unset otherwise
+			fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%s%s: error: %v\n", indent, name, err)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%s%s: %s\n", indent, name, g.anonymizeValue(name, value))
+	}
+}
+
+// anonymizeValue redacts a registry value according to what its name says it
+// holds. Domains and addresses are handled per entry rather than by the string
+// pass: the pass only replaces domains something else in the bundle already
+// seeded, and its address regex would eat the digit labels of a reverse zone.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) anonymizeValue(name, value string) string {
+	if !g.anonymize || value == "" {
+		return value
+	}
+
+	switch {
+	case holdsDomains(name):
+		return joinValueEntries(splitValueEntries(value), g.anonymizeDomain)
+	case holdsAddresses(name):
+		return joinValueEntries(splitValueEntries(value), g.anonymizer.AnonymizeIPString)
+	default:
+		return g.anonymizer.AnonymizeString(value)
+	}
+}
+
+// holdsDomains reports whether a value name holds domains: the domain list of
+// an NRPT rule (Name) or of the policy table (Namespace), a search list, the
+// DNS suffix values of the TCP/IP and policy keys, which all end in "Domain"
+// (Domain, DhcpDomain, NV Domain, ICSDomain), and a proxy host name.
+func holdsDomains(name string) bool {
+	lower := strings.ToLower(name)
+	return lower == "name" || lower == "namespace" || lower == "searchlist" ||
+		strings.HasSuffix(lower, "domain") || strings.HasSuffix(lower, "proxyname")
+}
+
+// holdsAddresses reports whether a value name holds DNS server addresses
+// (NameServer, DhcpNameServer, GenericDNSServers, NameServers).
+func holdsAddresses(name string) bool {
+	lower := strings.ToLower(name)
+	return strings.Contains(lower, "nameserver") || strings.Contains(lower, "dnsserver")
+}
+
+// adapterNames maps adapter GUIDs, as the registry keys the interfaces, to the
+// names an operator sees.
+func adapterNames(adapters []*windows.IpAdapterAddresses) map[string]string {
+	names := make(map[string]string, len(adapters))
+	for _, adapter := range adapters {
+		guid := windows.BytePtrToString(adapter.AdapterName)
+		names[strings.ToLower(guid)] = windows.UTF16PtrToString(adapter.FriendlyName)
+	}
+	return names
+}
+
+// writeAdapterDNS reports the resolver configuration in effect per adapter,
+// which is what the resolver uses for a name no NRPT rule matches.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) writeAdapterDNS(sb *strings.Builder, adapters []*windows.IpAdapterAddresses, err error) {
+	writeSection(sb, "Adapter DNS configuration", "GetAdaptersAddresses")
+
+	if err != nil {
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "error: %v\n", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	for _, adapter := range adapters {
+		name := windows.UTF16PtrToString(adapter.FriendlyName)
+		suffix := g.anonymizeDomain(windows.UTF16PtrToString(adapter.DnsSuffix))
+
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "%s (index %d, oper status %d)\n", name, adapter.IfIndex, adapter.OperStatus)
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "  DNS suffix: %s\n", suffix)
+
+		var servers []string
+		for server := adapter.FirstDnsServerAddress; server != nil; server = server.Next {
+			addr, ok := netip.AddrFromSlice(server.Address.IP())
+			if !ok {
+				continue
+			}
+
+			addr = addr.Unmap()
+			if g.anonymize {
+				addr = g.anonymizer.AnonymizeIP(addr)
+			}
+			servers = append(servers, addr.String())
+		}
+
+		fmt.Fprintf(sb, "  DNS servers: %s\n", strings.Join(servers, ", "))
+	}
+}
+
+// anonymizeDomain anonymizes a single domain, keeping the leading dot an NRPT
+// match domain carries.
+func (g *BundleGenerator) anonymizeDomain(entry string) string {
+	if !g.anonymize {
+		return entry
+	}
+
+	domain, dot := strings.CutPrefix(entry, ".")
+	if domain == "" {
+		return entry
+	}
+
+	anonymized := g.anonymizer.AnonymizeDomain(domain)
+	if dot {
+		anonymized = "." + anonymized
+	}
+	return anonymized
+}
+
+// splitValueEntries splits a registry value that holds a list. The separator
+// differs per value: a REG_MULTI_SZ arrives joined with ", ", a SearchList is
+// comma separated and a NameServer may use commas or spaces.
+func splitValueEntries(value string) []string {
+	return strings.FieldsFunc(value, func(r rune) bool {
+		return r == ',' || r == ';' || r == ' ' || r == '\t'
+	})
+}
+
+func joinValueEntries(entries []string, anonymize func(string) string) string {
+	for i, entry := range entries {
+		entries[i] = anonymize(entry)
+	}
+	return strings.Join(entries, ", ")
+}
+
+func writeSection(sb *strings.Builder, title, source string) {
+	fmt.Fprintf(sb, "\n%s\n%s\n%s\n", title, strings.Repeat("-", len(title)), source)
+}
+
+func subKeyNames(root string) ([]string, error) {
+	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, root, registry.ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\%s: %w", root, err)
+	}
+	defer closeKey(k)
+
+	names, err := k.ReadSubKeyNames(-1)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read subkey names: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return names, nil
+}
+
+// readRegistryValue renders a value as text regardless of its type, so an
+// unexpected type in a policy key still shows up instead of being dropped.
+func readRegistryValue(k registry.Key, name string) (string, error) {
+	_, valueType, err := k.GetValue(name, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("get value %s: %w", name, err)
+	}
+
+	switch valueType {
+	case registry.SZ, registry.EXPAND_SZ:
+		value, _, err := k.GetStringValue(name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("get string value %s: %w", name, err)
+		}
+		return value, nil
+	case registry.MULTI_SZ:
+		values, _, err := k.GetStringsValue(name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("get strings value %s: %w", name, err)
+		}
+		return strings.Join(values, ", "), nil
+	case registry.DWORD, registry.QWORD:
+		value, _, err := k.GetIntegerValue(name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("get integer value %s: %w", name, err)
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%d (0x%x)", value, value), nil
+	case registry.BINARY:
+		value, _, err := k.GetBinaryValue(name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("get binary value %s: %w", name, err)
+		}
+		return hex.EncodeToString(value), nil
+	default:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("<unhandled registry type %d>", valueType), nil
+	}
+}
+
+// adapterAddresses returns the adapter list including DNS servers. The call
+// reports the size it needs, so grow the buffer and retry until it fits.
+func adapterAddresses() (adapters []*windows.IpAdapterAddresses, err error) {
+	// GetAdaptersAddresses is resolved on first use and panics when it is
+	// missing, so this reports it as an error and leaves the rest of the
+	// report intact.
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			adapters, err = nil, fmt.Errorf("GetAdaptersAddresses: %v", r)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	const flags = windows.GAA_FLAG_SKIP_ANYCAST | windows.GAA_FLAG_SKIP_MULTICAST
+
+	size := uint32(15000)
+	for range 3 {
+		buf := make([]byte, size)
+		first := (*windows.IpAdapterAddresses)(unsafe.Pointer(&buf[0]))
+
+		err := windows.GetAdaptersAddresses(windows.AF_UNSPEC, flags, 0, first, &size)
+		if errors.Is(err, windows.ERROR_BUFFER_OVERFLOW) {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetAdaptersAddresses: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		for adapter := first; adapter != nil; adapter = adapter.Next {
+			adapters = append(adapters, adapter)
+		}
+		return adapters, nil
+	}
+
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetAdaptersAddresses: buffer kept growing")
+}
+
+func closeKey(k registry.Key) {
+	if err := k.Close(); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("close registry key: %v", err)
+	}
+}

client/internal/debug/debug_windows_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package debug
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/anonymize"
+)
+
+func newDNSValueGenerator(level anonymize.Level) *BundleGenerator {
+	anonymizer := anonymize.NewAnonymizer(anonymize.DefaultAddresses())
+	anonymizer.SetLevel(level)
+
+	return &BundleGenerator{
+		anonymize:      true,
+		anonymizeLevel: level,
+		anonymizer:     anonymizer,
+	}
+}
+
+// TestAnonymizeValueByName covers the value kinds of the DNS registry keys. The
+// names decide the treatment, because the string pass alone replaces only
+// domains another part of the bundle already seeded.
+func TestAnonymizeValueByName(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		valueName string
+		value     string
+		assert    func(t *testing.T, got string)
+	}{
+		{
+			name:      "NRPT match domains keep the leading dot",
+			valueName: "Name",
+			value:     ".internal.example.com, .corp.example.org",
+			assert: func(t *testing.T, got string) {
+				t.Helper()
+				for _, entry := range strings.Split(got, ", ") {
+					assert.True(t, strings.HasPrefix(entry, "."), "entry %q should keep its leading dot", entry)
+					assert.NotContains(t, entry, "example", "entry %q should not keep the original domain", entry)
+				}
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "any value name ending in Domain is treated as a domain",
+			valueName: "ICSDomain",
+			value:     "mshome.net",
+			assert: func(t *testing.T, got string) {
+				t.Helper()
+				assert.NotContains(t, got, "mshome", "should anonymize a domain suffix value")
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "search list is a comma separated domain list",
+			valueName: "SearchList",
+			value:     "corp.example.com,branch.example.com",
+			assert: func(t *testing.T, got string) {
+				t.Helper()
+				assert.NotContains(t, got, "example", "should anonymize every search domain")
+				assert.Len(t, strings.Split(got, ", "), 2, "should keep both search domains")
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "name servers are anonymized as addresses",
+			valueName: "DhcpNameServer",
+			value:     "203.0.113.10 8.8.8.8",
+			assert: func(t *testing.T, got string) {
+				t.Helper()
+				assert.NotContains(t, got, "203.0.113.10", "should anonymize a public resolver address")
+				// well-known resolvers stay readable at every level
+				assert.Contains(t, got, "8.8.8.8", "should keep a well-known resolver address")
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "opaque values are left to the string pass",
+			valueName: "DataBasePath",
+			value:     `%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc`,
+			assert: func(t *testing.T, got string) {
+				t.Helper()
+				assert.Equal(t, `%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc`, got, "should not alter a path")
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			g := newDNSValueGenerator(anonymize.LevelDefault)
+			tc.assert(t, g.anonymizeValue(tc.valueName, tc.value))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestParseNRPTPolicyTable parses the MOF text of the policy table out
+// parameters, as the provider on a client with one NRPT rule renders it.
+func TestParseNRPTPolicyTable(t *testing.T) {
+	const text = `[abstract]
+class __PARAMETERS
+{
+	[Out, EmbeddedInstance("DnsClientPolicyConfiguration"): ToSubClass, ID(2): DisableOverride ToInstance] DnsClientPolicyConfiguration cmdletOutput[] = {
+instance of DnsClientPolicyConfiguration
+{
+	DirectAccessProxyType = "NoProxy";
+	DirectAccessQueryIPsecRequired = FALSE;
+	NameEncoding = "Utf8WithoutMapping";
+	Namespace = ".0.100.in-addr.arpa";
+}, 
+instance of DnsClientPolicyConfiguration
+{
+	DirectAccessProxyType = "NoProxy";
+	NameEncoding = "Utf8WithoutMapping";
+	NameServers = {"100.0.255.254", "100.0.255.253"};
+	Namespace = ".nb.internal";
+}};
+	[in] boolean Effective;
+	[out] uint32 ReturnValue = 0;
+};
+`
+
+	entries := parseNRPTPolicyTable(text)
+	require.Len(t, entries, 2, "should parse both embedded instances")
+
+	assert.Equal(t, ".0.100.in-addr.arpa", entries[0].namespace, "should read the namespace of the first instance")
+	assert.Equal(t, ".nb.internal", entries[1].namespace, "should read the namespace of the second instance")
+
+	assert.Equal(t, []registryValue{
+		{name: "DirectAccessProxyType", value: "NoProxy"},
+		{name: "DirectAccessQueryIPsecRequired", value: "FALSE"},
+		{name: "NameEncoding", value: "Utf8WithoutMapping"},
+	}, entries[0].values, "should keep the remaining values in order")
+
+	assert.Contains(t, entries[1].values, registryValue{name: "NameServers", value: "100.0.255.254, 100.0.255.253"},
+		"should flatten a MOF array")
+
+	for _, value := range entries[1].values {
+		assert.NotContains(t, value.name, "ReturnValue", "should not read the class level parameters as values")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseNRPTPolicyTableEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	assert.Empty(t, parseNRPTPolicyTable(""), "should parse no entries from empty text")
+	assert.Empty(t, parseNRPTPolicyTable("class __PARAMETERS\n{\n};\n"), "should parse no entries from a table with no instances")
+}

client/internal/debug/nrpt_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,317 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package debug
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/go-ole/go-ole"
+	"github.com/go-ole/go-ole/oleutil"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+const (
+	// The NRPT policy table is reachable through the CIM class that backs
+	// Get-DnsClientNrptPolicy. Unlike the rules in the registry, the table is
+	// what the resolver currently has loaded, which is the only way to tell an
+	// applied rule from one that is merely written, in either direction.
+	nrptPolicyNamespace = `root\Microsoft\Windows\DNS`
+	nrptPolicyClass     = "PS_DnsClientNrptPolicy"
+	nrptPolicyMethod    = "Get"
+
+	// The class has no instances, so the table comes from the out parameters
+	// of a static method call, rendered as MOF text: the embedded instances
+	// arrive as a safe array of objects, which cannot be read back through the
+	// COM bindings, and the text form carries all of them.
+	nrptPolicyInstanceKeyword = "instance of DnsClientPolicyConfiguration"
+
+	nrptPolicyTimeout = 15 * time.Second
+)
+
+// COM initialization results that leave the calling thread usable: S_FALSE for
+// a thread this process already initialized, RPC_E_CHANGED_MODE for one that
+// belongs to another apartment.
+const (
+	sFalse          = 0x00000001
+	rpcEChangedMode = 0x80010106
+)
+
+// nrptQueryInFlight admits one read of the policy table at a time. A provider
+// that stops answering keeps its goroutine and the OS thread that goroutine
+// pinned, so a later bundle reports that instead of pinning another one.
+var nrptQueryInFlight = make(chan struct{}, 1)
+
+// nrptPolicyEntry is one namespace of the effective policy table, holding the
+// values of an embedded DnsClientPolicyConfiguration instance in the order the
+// provider reported them.
+type nrptPolicyEntry struct {
+	namespace string
+	values    []registryValue
+}
+
+// registryValue is a name and its rendered value, shared by the registry and
+// policy table readers so both anonymize by value name the same way.
+type registryValue struct {
+	name  string
+	value string
+}
+
+// effectiveNRPTPolicies reads the effective NRPT table. The call is bounded
+// because a WMI provider can block indefinitely and a debug bundle must not.
+func effectiveNRPTPolicies() ([]nrptPolicyEntry, error) {
+	type result struct {
+		text string
+		err  error
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case nrptQueryInFlight <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+		return nil, errors.New("an earlier read of the policy table has not returned")
+	}
+
+	done := make(chan result, 1)
+	go func() {
+		// the slot is released here rather than by the caller, so a read that
+		// outlives the timeout holds it until the provider answers
+		defer func() { <-nrptQueryInFlight }()
+
+		text, err := nrptPolicyTableText()
+		done <- result{text: text, err: err}
+	}()
+
+	select {
+	case res := <-done:
+		if res.err != nil {
+			return nil, res.err
+		}
+		return parseNRPTPolicyTable(res.text), nil
+	case <-time.After(nrptPolicyTimeout):
+		return nil, errors.New("read of the policy table timed out")
+	}
+}
+
+// nrptPolicyTableText calls the policy table method and returns the MOF text of
+// its out parameters.
+func nrptPolicyTableText() (text string, err error) {
+	// COM is per thread, and the collection is short lived, so the thread is
+	// pinned for the duration rather than initialized for the process.
+	runtime.LockOSThread()
+	defer runtime.UnlockOSThread()
+
+	defer func() {
+		// The COM call chain is dynamically typed, so a provider that answers
+		// with an unexpected shape must not take the daemon down with it.
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("read NRPT policy table: %v", r)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	owns, err := coInitialize()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if owns {
+		defer ole.CoUninitialize()
+	}
+
+	locator, err := oleutil.CreateObject("WbemScripting.SWbemLocator")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("create WMI locator: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer locator.Release()
+
+	dispatch, err := locator.QueryInterface(ole.IID_IDispatch)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("query WMI locator interface: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer dispatch.Release()
+
+	service, err := dispatchCall(dispatch, "ConnectServer", nil, nrptPolicyNamespace)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("connect to %s: %w", nrptPolicyNamespace, err)
+	}
+	defer service.Release()
+
+	inParams, err := spawnMethodInParams(service)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer inParams.Release()
+
+	// The effective table is the merge of the local and the group policy
+	// store, which is what the resolver answers from.
+	if _, err := oleutil.PutProperty(inParams, "Effective", true); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("set Effective parameter: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	outParams, err := dispatchCall(service, "ExecMethod", nrptPolicyClass, nrptPolicyMethod, inParams)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("call %s.%s: %w", nrptPolicyClass, nrptPolicyMethod, err)
+	}
+	defer outParams.Release()
+
+	textVariant, err := oleutil.CallMethod(outParams, "GetObjectText_")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("render policy table: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := textVariant.Clear(); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("clear policy table variant: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return textVariant.ToString(), nil
+}
+
+// spawnMethodInParams builds the in parameters instance the method needs. The
+// provider rejects the call without one, even when every parameter is optional.
+func spawnMethodInParams(service *ole.IDispatch) (*ole.IDispatch, error) {
+	class, err := dispatchCall(service, "Get", nrptPolicyClass)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get class %s: %w", nrptPolicyClass, err)
+	}
+	defer class.Release()
+
+	methods, err := dispatchProperty(class, "Methods_")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get class methods: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer methods.Release()
+
+	method, err := dispatchCall(methods, "Item", nrptPolicyMethod)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get method %s: %w", nrptPolicyMethod, err)
+	}
+	defer method.Release()
+
+	params, err := dispatchProperty(method, "InParameters")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get method parameters: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer params.Release()
+
+	inParams, err := dispatchCall(params, "SpawnInstance_")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("spawn parameter instance: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return inParams, nil
+}
+
+// parseNRPTPolicyTable pulls the embedded instances out of the MOF text. Each
+// instance is a namespace of the table, with one name and value per line.
+func parseNRPTPolicyTable(text string) []nrptPolicyEntry {
+	var entries []nrptPolicyEntry
+	var current *nrptPolicyEntry
+
+	for _, line := range strings.Split(text, "\n") {
+		line = strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimSuffix(strings.TrimSpace(line), ";"))
+
+		switch {
+		case strings.HasPrefix(line, nrptPolicyInstanceKeyword):
+			entries = append(entries, nrptPolicyEntry{})
+			current = &entries[len(entries)-1]
+			continue
+		case strings.HasPrefix(line, "}"):
+			// closes an instance, and the array with the last one, so the
+			// class level parameters that follow are not read as values
+			current = nil
+			continue
+		case current == nil, line == "{":
+			continue
+		}
+
+		name, value, ok := strings.Cut(line, " = ")
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		value = unquoteMOFValue(value)
+		if name == "Namespace" {
+			current.namespace = value
+			continue
+		}
+
+		current.values = append(current.values, registryValue{name: name, value: value})
+	}
+
+	return entries
+}
+
+// unquoteMOFValue renders a MOF scalar or array as plain text: "a" becomes a,
+// and {"a", "b"} becomes a, b.
+func unquoteMOFValue(value string) string {
+	value = strings.TrimSpace(value)
+
+	if inner, ok := strings.CutPrefix(value, "{"); ok {
+		value = strings.TrimSuffix(inner, "}")
+
+		entries := strings.Split(value, ",")
+		for i, entry := range entries {
+			entries[i] = strings.Trim(strings.TrimSpace(entry), `"`)
+		}
+		return strings.Join(entries, ", ")
+	}
+
+	return strings.Trim(value, `"`)
+}
+
+// coInitialize prepares the calling thread for COM and reports whether this
+// call owns the initialization, which decides whether it may be balanced with
+// CoUninitialize. S_FALSE took a reference on a thread this process had already
+// initialized and so has to be released, while RPC_E_CHANGED_MODE took none:
+// the thread belongs to another apartment, which is usable but is not ours to
+// uninitialize.
+func coInitialize() (bool, error) {
+	err := ole.CoInitializeEx(0, ole.COINIT_MULTITHREADED)
+	if err == nil {
+		return true, nil
+	}
+
+	var oleErr *ole.OleError
+	if errors.As(err, &oleErr) {
+		switch oleErr.Code() {
+		case sFalse:
+			return true, nil
+		case rpcEChangedMode:
+			return false, nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	return false, fmt.Errorf("initialize COM: %w", err)
+}
+
+// dispatchCall calls a COM method that returns an object.
+func dispatchCall(dispatch *ole.IDispatch, method string, params ...any) (*ole.IDispatch, error) {
+	variant, err := oleutil.CallMethod(dispatch, method, params...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	object := variant.ToIDispatch()
+	if object == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s returned no object", method)
+	}
+
+	return object, nil
+}
+
+// dispatchProperty reads a COM property that holds an object.
+func dispatchProperty(dispatch *ole.IDispatch, property string) (*ole.IDispatch, error) {
+	variant, err := oleutil.GetProperty(dispatch, property)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	object := variant.ToIDispatch()
+	if object == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("property %s holds no object", property)
+	}
+
+	return object, nil
+}

client/internal/dns/host_darwin.go

@@ -267,18 +267,38 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getSystemDNSSettings() (SystemDNSSettings, error) {
 		return SystemDNSSettings{}, fmt.Errorf("sending the command: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	var dnsSettings SystemDNSSettings
+	dnsSettings, serverAddresses, err := parseSystemDNSSettings(b)
+	if err != nil {
+		return dnsSettings, err
+	}
+
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	s.origNameservers = serverAddresses
+	s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	return dnsSettings, nil
+}
+
+// parseSystemDNSSettings parses the output of `scutil show State:/Network/Service/<id>/DNS`.
+// Lines that don't match the expected "index : value" shape are skipped: hosts with unusual
+// network services (e.g. orphaned hardware ports) can produce entries without a value.
+func parseSystemDNSSettings(out []byte) (SystemDNSSettings, []netip.Addr, error) {
+	// port is not exposed by scutil, default to 53
+	dnsSettings := SystemDNSSettings{ServerPort: DefaultPort}
 	var serverAddresses []netip.Addr
 	inSearchDomainsArray := false
 	inServerAddressesArray := false
 
-	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(bytes.NewReader(b))
+	scanner := bufio.NewScanner(bytes.NewReader(out))
 	for scanner.Scan() {
 		line := strings.TrimSpace(scanner.Text())
 		switch {
 		case strings.HasPrefix(line, "DomainName :"):
-			domainName := strings.TrimSpace(strings.Split(line, ":")[1])
-			dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, domainName)
+			domainName := strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(line, "DomainName :"))
+			if domainName != "" {
+				dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, domainName)
+			}
+			continue
 		case line == "SearchDomains : <array> {":
 			inSearchDomainsArray = true
 			continue
@@ -288,36 +308,45 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getSystemDNSSettings() (SystemDNSSettings, error) {
 		case line == "}":
 			inSearchDomainsArray = false
 			inServerAddressesArray = false
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if !inSearchDomainsArray && !inServerAddressesArray {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		parts := strings.SplitN(line, " : ", 2)
+		if len(parts) != 2 {
+			log.Debugf("skipping unexpected scutil DNS line %q", line)
+			continue
+		}
+		value := strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
+		if value == "" {
+			continue
 		}
 
 		if inSearchDomainsArray {
-			searchDomain := strings.Split(line, " : ")[1]
-			dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, searchDomain)
-		} else if inServerAddressesArray {
-			address := strings.Split(line, " : ")[1]
-			if ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(address); err == nil && !ip.IsUnspecified() {
-				ip = ip.Unmap()
-				serverAddresses = append(serverAddresses, ip)
-				// Prefer the first IPv4 server as ServerIP since our DNS listener is IPv4.
-				if !dnsSettings.ServerIP.IsValid() && ip.Is4() {
-					dnsSettings.ServerIP = ip
-				}
-			}
+			dnsSettings.Domains = append(dnsSettings.Domains, value)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		ip, err := netip.ParseAddr(value)
+		if err != nil || ip.IsUnspecified() {
+			continue
+		}
+		ip = ip.Unmap()
+		serverAddresses = append(serverAddresses, ip)
+		// Prefer the first IPv4 server as ServerIP since our DNS listener is IPv4.
+		if !dnsSettings.ServerIP.IsValid() && ip.Is4() {
+			dnsSettings.ServerIP = ip
 		}
 	}
 
 	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil {
-		return dnsSettings, err
+		return dnsSettings, serverAddresses, err
 	}
 
-	// default to 53 port
-	dnsSettings.ServerPort = DefaultPort
-
-	s.mu.Lock()
-	s.origNameservers = serverAddresses
-	s.mu.Unlock()
-
-	return dnsSettings, nil
+	return dnsSettings, serverAddresses, nil
 }
 
 func (s *systemConfigurator) getOriginalNameservers() []netip.Addr {
@@ -435,11 +464,15 @@ func (s *systemConfigurator) getPrimaryService() (string, string, error) {
 	router := ""
 	for scanner.Scan() {
 		text := scanner.Text()
+		parts := strings.SplitN(text, ":", 2)
+		if len(parts) != 2 {
+			continue
+		}
 		if strings.Contains(text, "PrimaryService") {
-			primaryService = strings.TrimSpace(strings.Split(text, ":")[1])
+			primaryService = strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
 		}
 		if strings.Contains(text, "Router") {
-			router = strings.TrimSpace(strings.Split(text, ":")[1])
+			router = strings.TrimSpace(parts[1])
 		}
 	}
 	if err := scanner.Err(); err != nil && err != io.EOF {

client/internal/dns/host_darwin_test.go

@@ -328,6 +328,120 @@ func removeTestDNSKey(key string) error {
 	return err
 }
 
+func TestParseSystemDNSSettings(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name            string
+		output          string
+		expectedDomains []string
+		expectedServers []netip.Addr
+		expectedIP      netip.Addr
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "well_formed",
+			output: `<dictionary> {
+  DomainName : example.com
+  SearchDomains : <array> {
+    0 : example.com
+    1 : corp.example.com
+  }
+  ServerAddresses : <array> {
+    0 : 192.168.1.1
+    1 : fd00::53
+  }
+}
+`,
+			expectedDomains: []string{"example.com", "example.com", "corp.example.com"},
+			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"), netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::53")},
+			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
+		},
+		{
+			// entries without a value after the separator used to panic with
+			// "index out of range [1] with length 1"
+			name: "malformed_array_entries_skipped",
+			output: `<dictionary> {
+  SearchDomains : <array> {
+    0 :
+    (null)
+
+    1 : corp.example.com
+  }
+  ServerAddresses : <array> {
+    0 :
+    1 : 192.168.1.1
+  }
+}
+`,
+			expectedDomains: []string{"corp.example.com"},
+			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
+			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
+		},
+		{
+			name: "domain_name_without_value_skipped",
+			output: `<dictionary> {
+  DomainName :
+  ServerAddresses : <array> {
+    0 : 192.168.1.1
+  }
+}
+`,
+			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
+			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
+		},
+		{
+			name: "ipv6_first_prefers_ipv4_server_ip",
+			output: `<dictionary> {
+  ServerAddresses : <array> {
+    0 : fd00::53
+    1 : 192.168.1.1
+  }
+}
+`,
+			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("fd00::53"), netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
+			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
+		},
+		{
+			name: "invalid_and_unspecified_addresses_skipped",
+			output: `<dictionary> {
+  ServerAddresses : <array> {
+    0 : (null)
+    1 : 0.0.0.0
+    2 : 192.168.1.1
+  }
+}
+`,
+			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
+			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
+		},
+		{
+			name: "v4_mapped_address_unmapped",
+			output: `<dictionary> {
+  ServerAddresses : <array> {
+    0 : ::ffff:192.168.1.1
+  }
+}
+`,
+			expectedServers: []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1")},
+			expectedIP:      netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.1"),
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "empty_output",
+			output: "",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			settings, servers, err := parseSystemDNSSettings([]byte(tc.output))
+			require.NoError(t, err, "parsing should not fail")
+
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedDomains, settings.Domains, "domains should match")
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedServers, servers, "server addresses should match")
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedIP, settings.ServerIP, "server IP should match")
+			assert.Equal(t, DefaultPort, settings.ServerPort, "server port should default to 53")
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestGetOriginalNameservers(t *testing.T) {
 	configurator := &systemConfigurator{
 		createdKeys: make(map[string]struct{}),

client/internal/dns/host_windows.go

@@ -31,10 +31,30 @@ var (
 	dnsFlushResolverCacheFn = dnsapi.NewProc("DnsFlushResolverCache")
 )
 
+// Registry locations of the host DNS configuration this package programs,
+// exported so a diagnostic reader reports the same locations that are written.
 const (
-	dnsPolicyConfigMatchPath    = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters\DnsPolicyConfig\NetBird-Match`
-	gpoDnsPolicyRoot            = `SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient\DnsPolicyConfig`
-	gpoDnsPolicyConfigMatchPath = gpoDnsPolicyRoot + `\NetBird-Match`
+	// NRPTKeyPrefix starts the name of every NRPT rule key this client creates.
+	// Older versions used different layouts under the same prefix: a single
+	// unsuffixed key, then one key per domain, now one key per batch of domains.
+	NRPTKeyPrefix = "NetBird-Match"
+
+	// DNSPolicyConfigRoot holds the NRPT rules of the local policy store.
+	DNSPolicyConfigRoot = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters\DnsPolicyConfig`
+
+	// GPODNSPolicyConfigRoot holds the NRPT rules of the group policy store,
+	// which takes precedence over the local one when it is present.
+	GPODNSPolicyConfigRoot = `SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient\DnsPolicyConfig`
+
+	// InterfaceConfigPath and InterfaceConfigPathV6 hold the per-interface DNS
+	// settings, keyed by interface GUID, in separate hives per address family.
+	InterfaceConfigPath   = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces`
+	InterfaceConfigPathV6 = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters\Interfaces`
+)
+
+const (
+	dnsPolicyConfigMatchPath    = DNSPolicyConfigRoot + `\` + NRPTKeyPrefix
+	gpoDnsPolicyConfigMatchPath = GPODNSPolicyConfigRoot + `\` + NRPTKeyPrefix
 
 	dnsPolicyConfigVersionKey           = "Version"
 	dnsPolicyConfigVersionValue         = 2
@@ -45,8 +65,6 @@ const (
 
 	nrptMaxDomainsPerRule = 50
 
-	interfaceConfigPath           = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces`
-	interfaceConfigPathV6         = `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters\Interfaces`
 	interfaceConfigNameServerKey  = "NameServer"
 	interfaceConfigDhcpNameSrvKey = "DhcpNameServer"
 	interfaceConfigSearchListKey  = "SearchList"
@@ -73,7 +91,6 @@ type registryConfigurator struct {
 	guid            string
 	routingAll      bool
 	gpo             bool
-	nrptEntryCount  int
 	origNameservers []netip.Addr
 }
 
@@ -84,7 +101,7 @@ func newHostManager(wgInterface WGIface) (*registryConfigurator, error) {
 	}
 
 	var useGPO bool
-	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, gpoDnsPolicyRoot, registry.QUERY_VALUE)
+	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, GPODNSPolicyConfigRoot, registry.QUERY_VALUE)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debugf("failed to open GPO DNS policy root: %v", err)
 	} else {
@@ -123,7 +140,7 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) captureOriginalNameservers() ([]netip.Addr, error
 	seen := make(map[netip.Addr]struct{})
 	var out []netip.Addr
 	var merr *multierror.Error
-	for _, root := range []string{interfaceConfigPath, interfaceConfigPathV6} {
+	for _, root := range []string{InterfaceConfigPath, InterfaceConfigPathV6} {
 		addrs, err := r.captureFromTcpipRoot(root)
 		if err != nil {
 			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", root, err))
@@ -306,14 +323,9 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) applyDNSConfig(config HostDNSConfig, stateManager
 	}
 
 	if len(matchDomains) != 0 {
-		count, err := r.addDNSMatchPolicy(matchDomains, config.ServerIP)
-		// Update count even on error to ensure cleanup covers partially created rules
-		r.nrptEntryCount = count
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := r.addDNSMatchPolicy(matchDomains, config.ServerIP); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("add dns match policy: %w", err)
 		}
-	} else {
-		r.nrptEntryCount = 0
 	}
 
 	r.updateState(stateManager)
@@ -329,9 +341,8 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) applyDNSConfig(config HostDNSConfig, stateManager
 
 func (r *registryConfigurator) updateState(stateManager *statemanager.Manager) {
 	if err := stateManager.UpdateState(&ShutdownState{
-		Guid:           r.guid,
-		GPO:            r.gpo,
-		NRPTEntryCount: r.nrptEntryCount,
+		Guid: r.guid,
+		GPO:  r.gpo,
 	}); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to update shutdown state: %s", err)
 	}
@@ -346,7 +357,7 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) addDNSSetupForAll(ip netip.Addr) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (r *registryConfigurator) addDNSMatchPolicy(domains []string, ip netip.Addr) (int, error) {
+func (r *registryConfigurator) addDNSMatchPolicy(domains []string, ip netip.Addr) error {
 	// if the gpo key is present, we need to put our DNS settings there, otherwise our config might be ignored
 	// see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/windows_protocols/ms-gpnrpt/8cc31cb9-20cb-4140-9e85-3e08703b4745
 
@@ -363,19 +374,17 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) addDNSMatchPolicy(domains []string, ip netip.Addr
 		gpoPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", gpoDnsPolicyConfigMatchPath, ruleIndex)
 
 		if err := r.configureDNSPolicy(localPath, batchDomains, ip); err != nil {
-			return ruleIndex, fmt.Errorf("configure DNS Local policy for rule %d: %w", ruleIndex, err)
+			return fmt.Errorf("configure DNS Local policy for rule %d: %w", ruleIndex, err)
 		}
 
-		// Increment immediately so the caller's cleanup path knows about this rule
-		ruleIndex++
-
 		if r.gpo {
 			if err := r.configureDNSPolicy(gpoPath, batchDomains, ip); err != nil {
-				return ruleIndex, fmt.Errorf("configure gpo DNS policy for rule %d: %w", ruleIndex-1, err)
+				return fmt.Errorf("configure gpo DNS policy for rule %d: %w", ruleIndex, err)
 			}
 		}
 
-		log.Debugf("added NRPT rule %d with %d domains", ruleIndex-1, len(batchDomains))
+		log.Debugf("added NRPT rule %d with %d domains", ruleIndex, len(batchDomains))
+		ruleIndex++
 	}
 
 	if r.gpo {
@@ -385,7 +394,7 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) addDNSMatchPolicy(domains []string, ip netip.Addr
 	}
 
 	log.Infof("added %d NRPT rules for %d domains", ruleIndex, len(domains))
-	return ruleIndex, nil
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (r *registryConfigurator) configureDNSPolicy(policyPath string, domains []string, ip netip.Addr) error {
@@ -496,7 +505,7 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) deleteInterfaceRegistryKeyProperty(propertyKey st
 }
 
 func (r *registryConfigurator) getInterfaceRegistryKey() (registry.Key, error) {
-	regKeyPath := interfaceConfigPath + "\\" + r.guid
+	regKeyPath := InterfaceConfigPath + "\\" + r.guid
 	regKey, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, regKeyPath, registry.SET_VALUE)
 	if err != nil {
 		return regKey, fmt.Errorf("open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\%s: %w", regKeyPath, err)
@@ -518,28 +527,28 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) restoreHostDNS() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// removeDNSMatchPolicies deletes every NRPT rule this client may have created,
+// from the local and the GPO policy store. The rules are found by enumerating
+// the registry, the only authoritative record of what was written. Cleanup must
+// not depend on a rule count: the in-memory one is scoped to a single
+// registryConfigurator and the persisted one is deleted on every clean
+// disconnect, and a rule left behind keeps resolving names over an interface
+// that is gone, until reboot discards the volatile key.
 func (r *registryConfigurator) removeDNSMatchPolicies() error {
 	var merr *multierror.Error
 
-	// Try to remove the base entries (for backward compatibility)
-	if err := removeRegistryKeyFromDNSPolicyConfig(dnsPolicyConfigMatchPath); err != nil {
-		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove local base entry: %w", err))
-	}
-
-	if err := removeRegistryKeyFromDNSPolicyConfig(gpoDnsPolicyConfigMatchPath); err != nil {
-		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove GPO base entry: %w", err))
-	}
-
-	for i := 0; i < r.nrptEntryCount; i++ {
-		localPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", dnsPolicyConfigMatchPath, i)
-		gpoPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", gpoDnsPolicyConfigMatchPath, i)
-
-		if err := removeRegistryKeyFromDNSPolicyConfig(localPath); err != nil {
-			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove local entry %d: %w", i, err))
+	for _, root := range []string{DNSPolicyConfigRoot, GPODNSPolicyConfigRoot} {
+		names, err := listNRPTRuleKeys(root)
+		if err != nil {
+			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("list rule keys under %s: %w", root, err))
+			continue
 		}
 
-		if err := removeRegistryKeyFromDNSPolicyConfig(gpoPath); err != nil {
-			merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove GPO entry %d: %w", i, err))
+		for _, name := range names {
+			path := root + `\` + name
+			if err := removeRegistryKeyFromDNSPolicyConfig(path); err != nil {
+				merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("remove entry %s: %w", path, err))
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -554,6 +563,39 @@ func (r *registryConfigurator) restoreUncleanShutdownDNS() error {
 	return r.restoreHostDNS()
 }
 
+// listNRPTRuleKeys returns the names of our NRPT rule keys under a policy store
+// root. An absent root holds nothing to clean up, which is the normal state of
+// the GPO store on a machine without DNS Client policy.
+func listNRPTRuleKeys(root string) ([]string, error) {
+	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, root, registry.ENUMERATE_SUB_KEYS)
+	switch {
+	case errors.Is(err, registry.ErrNotExist), errors.Is(err, syscall.ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND):
+		// the GPO store is absent on a machine without DNS client policy
+		log.Debugf("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\%s does not exist", root)
+		return nil, nil
+	case err != nil:
+		// any other failure has to reach the caller: reporting no rules would
+		// report a successful cleanup while leaving the rules in place
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\%s: %w", root, err)
+	}
+	defer closer(k)
+
+	names, err := k.ReadSubKeyNames(-1)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read subkey names: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	var ruleKeys []string
+	for _, name := range names {
+		// registry key names are case insensitive
+		if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(name), strings.ToLower(NRPTKeyPrefix)) {
+			ruleKeys = append(ruleKeys, name)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return ruleKeys, nil
+}
+
 func removeRegistryKeyFromDNSPolicyConfig(regKeyPath string) error {
 	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, regKeyPath, registry.QUERY_VALUE)
 	if err != nil {

client/internal/dns/host_windows_test.go

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func TestNRPTEntriesCleanupOnConfigChange(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Create a test interface registry key so updateSearchDomains doesn't fail
 	testGUID := "{12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789ABC}"
-	interfacePath := `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\` + testGUID
+	interfacePath := InterfaceConfigPath + `\` + testGUID
 	testKey, _, err := registry.CreateKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, interfacePath, registry.SET_VALUE)
 	require.NoError(t, err, "Should create test interface registry key")
 	testKey.Close()
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func TestNRPTEntriesCleanupOnConfigChange(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Verify 3 NRPT rules exist
-	assert.Equal(t, 3, cfg.nrptEntryCount, "Should create 3 NRPT rules for 125 domains")
+	assert.Equal(t, 3, countNRPTRuleKeys(t), "Should create 3 NRPT rules for 125 domains")
 	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
 		exists, err := registryKeyExists(fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", dnsPolicyConfigMatchPath, i))
 		require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func TestNRPTEntriesCleanupOnConfigChange(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Verify first 2 NRPT rules exist
-	assert.Equal(t, 2, cfg.nrptEntryCount, "Should create 2 NRPT rules for 75 domains")
+	assert.Equal(t, 2, countNRPTRuleKeys(t), "Should create 2 NRPT rules for 75 domains")
 	for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
 		exists, err := registryKeyExists(fmt.Sprintf("%s-%d", dnsPolicyConfigMatchPath, i))
 		require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -106,9 +106,65 @@ func registryKeyExists(path string) (bool, error) {
 	return true, nil
 }
 
+// TestNRPTCleanupWithoutRuleCount verifies that rules written by a previous run
+// are removed by a configurator that has no record of how many there are: an
+// unclean exit loses the in-memory count and a clean disconnect deletes the
+// persisted one, so cleanup cannot depend on either.
+func TestNRPTCleanupWithoutRuleCount(t *testing.T) {
+	if testing.Short() {
+		t.Skip("skipping registry integration test in short mode")
+	}
+
+	defer cleanupRegistryKeys(t)
+	cleanupRegistryKeys(t)
+
+	testIP := netip.MustParseAddr("100.64.0.1")
+
+	// 75 domains produce two indexed rules, as the current layout does
+	domains := make([]string, 75)
+	for i := range domains {
+		domains[i] = fmt.Sprintf(".domain%d.com", i+1)
+	}
+
+	previousRun := &registryConfigurator{}
+	require.NoError(t, previousRun.addDNSMatchPolicy(domains, testIP))
+
+	// the unsuffixed key an older version would have written
+	require.NoError(t, previousRun.configureDNSPolicy(dnsPolicyConfigMatchPath, []string{".legacy.example.com"}, testIP))
+
+	// a policy owned by someone else, which cleanup must not touch
+	foreignPath := DNSPolicyConfigRoot + `\DnsPolicyConfigTestForeign`
+	foreignKey, _, err := registry.CreateKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, foreignPath, registry.SET_VALUE)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Should create foreign policy key")
+	foreignKey.Close()
+	defer func() {
+		_ = registry.DeleteKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, foreignPath)
+	}()
+
+	require.Equal(t, 3, countNRPTRuleKeys(t), "Should have two indexed rules and the legacy one")
+
+	// a configurator that never applied a DNS config, as one built after a
+	// restart or from a shutdown state without a count is
+	freshRun := &registryConfigurator{}
+	require.NoError(t, freshRun.removeDNSMatchPolicies())
+
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, countNRPTRuleKeys(t), "Should remove every rule left by the previous run")
+
+	exists, err := registryKeyExists(foreignPath)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.True(t, exists, "Should not remove a policy that is not ours")
+}
+
+func countNRPTRuleKeys(t *testing.T) int {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	names, err := listNRPTRuleKeys(DNSPolicyConfigRoot)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Should list NRPT rule keys")
+	return len(names)
+}
+
 func cleanupRegistryKeys(*testing.T) {
-	// Clean up more entries to account for batching tests with many domains
-	cfg := &registryConfigurator{nrptEntryCount: 20}
+	cfg := &registryConfigurator{}
 	_ = cfg.removeDNSMatchPolicies()
 }
 
@@ -125,7 +181,7 @@ func TestNRPTDomainBatching(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Create a test interface registry key so updateSearchDomains doesn't fail
 	testGUID := "{12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789ABC}"
-	interfacePath := `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\` + testGUID
+	interfacePath := InterfaceConfigPath + `\` + testGUID
 	testKey, _, err := registry.CreateKey(registry.LOCAL_MACHINE, interfacePath, registry.SET_VALUE)
 	require.NoError(t, err, "Should create test interface registry key")
 	testKey.Close()
@@ -193,7 +249,7 @@ func TestNRPTDomainBatching(t *testing.T) {
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
 			// Verify that exactly expectedRuleCount rules were created
-			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedRuleCount, cfg.nrptEntryCount,
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedRuleCount, countNRPTRuleKeys(t),
 				"Should create %d NRPT rules for %d domains", tc.expectedRuleCount, tc.domainCount)
 
 			// Verify all expected rules exist

client/internal/dns/unclean_shutdown_windows.go

@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 type ShutdownState struct {
-	Guid           string
-	GPO            bool
-	NRPTEntryCount int
+	Guid string
+	GPO  bool
 }
 
 func (s *ShutdownState) Name() string {
@@ -16,9 +15,8 @@ func (s *ShutdownState) Name() string {
 
 func (s *ShutdownState) Cleanup() error {
 	manager := &registryConfigurator{
-		guid:           s.Guid,
-		gpo:            s.GPO,
-		nrptEntryCount: s.NRPTEntryCount,
+		guid: s.Guid,
+		gpo:  s.GPO,
 	}
 
 	if err := manager.restoreUncleanShutdownDNS(); err != nil {

client/internal/ebpf/ebpf/manager_linux.go

@@ -2,17 +2,21 @@ package ebpf
 
 import (
 	_ "embed"
+	"fmt"
 	"net"
 	"sync"
 
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf/link"
 	"github.com/cilium/ebpf/rlimit"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/ebpf/manager"
 )
 
 const (
+	xdpProgName = "nb_xdp_prog"
+
 	mapKeyFeatures uint32 = 0
 
 	featureFlagWGProxy      = 0b00000001
@@ -68,21 +72,50 @@ func (tf *GeneralManager) loadXdp() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// load pre-compiled programs into the kernel.
-	err = loadBpfObjects(&tf.bpfObjs, nil)
+	// lo has no native XDP, so the program runs in generic mode. Unless it
+	// declares multi-buffer support the kernel must linearize every non-linear
+	// skb before running it. Loopback packets are up to 64 KB, so that is a
+	// contiguous GFP_ATOMIC allocation per packet, and when it fails the packet
+	// is dropped before the program runs, stalling local TCP connections.
+	// Multi-buffer XDP in generic mode requires kernel 6.3, so fall back to a
+	// plain attach when the kernel rejects it.
+	err = tf.attachXdp(iFace.Index, true)
+	if err == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	log.Debugf("failed to attach multi-buffer xdp program, retrying without it: %s", err)
+
+	return tf.attachXdp(iFace.Index, false)
+}
+
+func (tf *GeneralManager) attachXdp(iFaceIndex int, multiBuffer bool) error {
+	spec, err := loadBpf()
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("load bpf spec: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if multiBuffer {
+		prog, ok := spec.Programs[xdpProgName]
+		if !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("program %s not found in bpf spec", xdpProgName)
+		}
+		prog.Flags |= unix.BPF_F_XDP_HAS_FRAGS
+	}
+
+	if err := spec.LoadAndAssign(&tf.bpfObjs, nil); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("load bpf objects: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	tf.link, err = link.AttachXDP(link.XDPOptions{
 		Program:   tf.bpfObjs.NbXdpProg,
-		Interface: iFace.Index,
+		Interface: iFaceIndex,
 	})
-
 	if err != nil {
-		_ = tf.bpfObjs.Close()
+		if closeErr := tf.bpfObjs.Close(); closeErr != nil {
+			log.Debugf("failed to close bpf objects after xdp attach error: %s", closeErr)
+		}
 		tf.link = nil
-		return err
+		return fmt.Errorf("attach xdp: %w", err)
 	}
 	return nil
 }

client/internal/profilemanager/prefs.go

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+package profilemanager
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
+)
+
+const prefsFileSuffix = ".prefs.json"
+
+var prefsMu sync.Mutex
+
+// Prefs is a namespaced per-profile preference store backed by a single JSON
+// file next to the profile config; it is deleted together with the profile.
+type Prefs struct {
+	path string
+}
+
+// ProfilePrefs returns the preference store of the profile identified by id.
+func (s *ServiceManager) ProfilePrefs(id ID, username string) (*Prefs, error) {
+	if !IsValidProfileFilenameStem(id) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid profile ID: %q", id)
+	}
+	if id == defaultProfileName {
+		return &Prefs{path: filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(DefaultConfigPath), id.String()+prefsFileSuffix)}, nil
+	}
+	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get config directory for user %s: %w", username, err)
+	}
+	return &Prefs{path: filepath.Join(configDir, id.String()+prefsFileSuffix)}, nil
+}
+
+// Get unmarshals the namespace section into v and reports whether it exists.
+func (p *Prefs) Get(namespace string, v any) (bool, error) {
+	if namespace == "" {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("empty prefs namespace")
+	}
+
+	prefsMu.Lock()
+	defer prefsMu.Unlock()
+
+	sections, err := readPrefsFile(p.path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	raw, ok := sections[namespace]
+	if !ok {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, v); err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("decode prefs namespace %q: %w", namespace, err)
+	}
+	return true, nil
+}
+
+// Put stores v as the namespace section, replacing any previous value.
+func (p *Prefs) Put(namespace string, v any) error {
+	if namespace == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("empty prefs namespace")
+	}
+	raw, err := json.Marshal(v)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("encode prefs namespace %q: %w", namespace, err)
+	}
+
+	prefsMu.Lock()
+	defer prefsMu.Unlock()
+
+	sections, err := readPrefsFile(p.path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	sections[namespace] = raw
+	return writePrefsFile(p.path, sections)
+}
+
+// Remove deletes the namespace section; a missing one is not an error.
+func (p *Prefs) Remove(namespace string) error {
+	if namespace == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("empty prefs namespace")
+	}
+
+	prefsMu.Lock()
+	defer prefsMu.Unlock()
+
+	sections, err := readPrefsFile(p.path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if _, ok := sections[namespace]; !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	delete(sections, namespace)
+	return writePrefsFile(p.path, sections)
+}
+
+func removePrefsFile(path string) error {
+	prefsMu.Lock()
+	defer prefsMu.Unlock()
+	return os.Remove(path)
+}
+
+func readPrefsFile(path string) (map[string]json.RawMessage, error) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return map[string]json.RawMessage{}, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read prefs: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	sections := map[string]json.RawMessage{}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &sections); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("decode prefs: %w", err)
+	}
+	return sections, nil
+}
+
+func writePrefsFile(path string, sections map[string]json.RawMessage) error {
+	if err := util.WriteJsonWithRestrictedPermission(context.Background(), path, sections); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write prefs: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/prefs_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+package profilemanager
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+type testPrefsSection struct {
+	Mode uint8  `json:"mode"`
+	Dest string `json:"dest"`
+}
+
+func TestProfilePrefs_RoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		prefs, err := sm.ProfilePrefs(created.ID, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Put("filedrop", testPrefsSection{Mode: 2, Dest: "/tmp/x"}))
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Put("other", map[string]int{"n": 1}))
+
+		var got testPrefsSection
+		found, err := prefs.Get("filedrop", &got)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, found)
+		assert.Equal(t, testPrefsSection{Mode: 2, Dest: "/tmp/x"}, got)
+
+		var other map[string]int
+		found, err = prefs.Get("other", &other)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, found)
+		assert.Equal(t, map[string]int{"n": 1}, other)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestProfilePrefs_GetMissingNamespace(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		prefs, err := sm.ProfilePrefs(created.ID, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		var got testPrefsSection
+		found, err := prefs.Get("filedrop", &got)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.False(t, found)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestProfilePrefs_RemoveNamespace(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		prefs, err := sm.ProfilePrefs(created.ID, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Put("filedrop", testPrefsSection{Mode: 1}))
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Put("other", map[string]int{"n": 1}))
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Remove("filedrop"))
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Remove("missing"))
+
+		var got testPrefsSection
+		found, err := prefs.Get("filedrop", &got)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.False(t, found)
+
+		var other map[string]int
+		found, err = prefs.Get("other", &other)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.True(t, found)
+		assert.Equal(t, map[string]int{"n": 1}, other)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestProfilePrefs_RejectsInvalidID(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		_, err := sm.ProfilePrefs("../escape", username)
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestProfilePrefs_RejectsEmptyNamespace(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		prefs, err := sm.ProfilePrefs(created.ID, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = prefs.Get("", &testPrefsSection{})
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+		assert.Error(t, prefs.Put("", testPrefsSection{}))
+		assert.Error(t, prefs.Remove(""))
+	})
+}
+
+func TestProfilePrefs_DefaultProfile(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		prefs, err := sm.ProfilePrefs(defaultProfileName, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Put("filedrop", testPrefsSection{Mode: 1}))
+
+		expected := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(DefaultConfigPath), "default"+prefsFileSuffix)
+		_, err = os.Stat(expected)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+	})
+}
+
+func TestRemoveProfile_DeletesPrefsFile(t *testing.T) {
+	withTestSM(t, func(sm *ServiceManager, username string) {
+		created, err := sm.AddProfile("work", username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		prefs, err := sm.ProfilePrefs(created.ID, username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		require.NoError(t, prefs.Put("filedrop", testPrefsSection{Mode: 2}))
+
+		configDir, err := sm.getConfigDir(username)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		prefsPath := filepath.Join(configDir, created.ID.String()+prefsFileSuffix)
+		_, err = os.Stat(prefsPath)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		require.NoError(t, sm.RemoveProfile(created.ID, username))
+		_, err = os.Stat(prefsPath)
+		assert.True(t, errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist), "prefs file should be removed")
+	})
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/service.go

@@ -420,6 +420,11 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(id ID, username string) error {
 		log.Warnf("failed to remove profile state file %s: %v", stateFile, err)
 	}
 
+	prefsFile := filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(target.Path), id.String()+prefsFileSuffix)
+	if err := removePrefsFile(prefsFile); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		log.Warnf("failed to remove profile prefs file %s: %v", prefsFile, err)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/profilemanager/state.go

@@ -87,9 +87,10 @@ func (pm *ProfileManager) SetActiveProfileState(state *ProfileState) error {
 
 // RemoveProfileState deletes the per-profile state file (which holds the
 // account email used for the SSO login hint and the UI display). Called after
-// a successful logout so a logged-out profile no longer shows a stale account
-// email. The state file only stores the email, so deleting it is equivalent to
-// clearing it; the next SSO login recreates it. A missing file is not an error.
+// profile removal; logout keeps the file so the next login can pass the email
+// as the login_hint. The state file only stores the email, so deleting it is
+// equivalent to clearing it; the next SSO login recreates it. A missing file
+// is not an error.
 func (pm *ProfileManager) RemoveProfileState(profileName string) error {
 	configDir, err := getConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {

client/internal/routemanager/ipfwdstate/ipfwdstate.go

@@ -2,54 +2,183 @@ package ipfwdstate
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"sync"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/systemops"
 )
 
-// IPForwardingState is a struct that keeps track of the IP forwarding state.
-// todo: read initial state of the IP forwarding from the system and reset the state based on it.
-// todo: separate v4/v6 forwarding state, since the sysctls are independent
-// (net.ipv4.ip_forward vs net.ipv6.conf.all.forwarding). Currently the nftables
-// manager shares one instance between both routers, which works only because
-// EnableIPForwarding enables both sysctls in a single call.
+// IPForwardingState tracks v4 and v6 IP-forwarding sysctl enables with
+// independent refcounts so a v4-only routing setup doesn't flip v6 sysctls.
 type IPForwardingState struct {
-	enabledCounter int
+	mu sync.Mutex
+
+	v4Count int
+	v6Count int
+
+	// routingV4/routingV6 track whether the routing path currently holds a
+	// reference, so repeated EnableRouting calls (one per network-map update)
+	// hold at most one reference per family and an unpaired DisableRouting
+	// can't release references held by DNAT rules.
+	routingV4 bool
+	routingV6 bool
+
+	wgIfaceName string
+	v6Saved     map[string]int
 }
 
-func NewIPForwardingState() *IPForwardingState {
-	return &IPForwardingState{}
+// NewIPForwardingState returns a state tracker for the IP-forwarding sysctls.
+// wgIfaceName is excluded from the per-interface accept_ra handling.
+func NewIPForwardingState(wgIfaceName string) *IPForwardingState {
+	return &IPForwardingState{wgIfaceName: wgIfaceName}
 }
 
-func (f *IPForwardingState) RequestForwarding() error {
-	if f.enabledCounter != 0 {
-		f.enabledCounter++
+// Counts returns the current v4 and v6 refcounts. Intended for diagnostics
+// and tests.
+func (f *IPForwardingState) Counts() (v4, v6 int) {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	return f.v4Count, f.v6Count
+}
+
+// RequestRouting takes the forwarding references for the routing path. It is
+// idempotent: while routing already holds a reference, further calls don't
+// increment the refcounts, and a v4-only request releases a previously held v6
+// reference. A v6 sysctl failure is logged and not returned so it can't take
+// down v4 routing (the sysctl may be unwritable, e.g. read-only /proc/sys or
+// IPv6 disabled on the kernel command line); v6 is retried on the next call.
+func (f *IPForwardingState) RequestRouting(v6 bool) error {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if !f.routingV4 {
+		if err := f.requestV4(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		f.routingV4 = true
+	}
+
+	if !v6 {
+		if !f.routingV6 {
+			return nil
+		}
+		f.routingV6 = false
+		return f.releaseV6()
+	}
+
+	if f.routingV6 {
 		return nil
 	}
-
-	if err := systemops.EnableIPForwarding(); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to enable IP forwarding with sysctl: %w", err)
+	if err := f.requestV6(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("enable IPv6 forwarding for routing: %v", err)
+		return nil
 	}
-	f.enabledCounter = 1
-	log.Info("IP forwarding enabled")
-
+	f.routingV6 = true
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (f *IPForwardingState) ReleaseForwarding() error {
-	if f.enabledCounter == 0 {
-		return nil
+// ReleaseRouting releases the references RequestRouting holds. Calls without a
+// held reference are no-ops.
+func (f *IPForwardingState) ReleaseRouting() error {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if f.routingV4 {
+		f.routingV4 = false
+		f.releaseV4()
 	}
-
-	if f.enabledCounter > 1 {
-		f.enabledCounter--
-		return nil
+	if f.routingV6 {
+		f.routingV6 = false
+		return f.releaseV6()
 	}
-
-	// if failed to disable IP forwarding we anyway decrement the counter
-	f.enabledCounter = 0
-
-	// todo call systemops.DisableIPForwarding()
+	return nil
+}
+
+// RequestForwarding enables the family's forwarding sysctl on first request.
+func (f *IPForwardingState) RequestForwarding(v6 bool) error {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if v6 {
+		return f.requestV6()
+	}
+	return f.requestV4()
+}
+
+// ReleaseForwarding decrements the family counter. The last v6 release restores
+// what enable captured. v4 stays on: net.ipv4.ip_forward is co-owned by other
+// tooling (docker, k8s, libvirt).
+func (f *IPForwardingState) ReleaseForwarding(v6 bool) error {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if v6 {
+		return f.releaseV6()
+	}
+	f.releaseV4()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (f *IPForwardingState) requestV4() error {
+	if f.v4Count == 0 {
+		if err := systemops.EnableV4IPForwarding(); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("enable IPv4 forwarding: %w", err)
+		}
+		log.Info("IPv4 forwarding enabled")
+	}
+	f.v4Count++
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (f *IPForwardingState) releaseV4() {
+	if f.v4Count > 0 {
+		f.v4Count--
+	}
+}
+
+func (f *IPForwardingState) requestV6() error {
+	if f.v6Count == 0 {
+		saved, err := systemops.EnableV6IPForwarding(f.wgIfaceName)
+		if err != nil {
+			if rerr := systemops.DisableV6IPForwarding(saved); rerr != nil {
+				log.Warnf("rollback partial v6 sysctls: %v", rerr)
+			}
+			return fmt.Errorf("enable IPv6 forwarding: %w", err)
+		}
+		// A failed restore on a previous release keeps its saved values; those
+		// are the true originals, so keep them over what this enable captured.
+		if f.v6Saved == nil {
+			f.v6Saved = saved
+		} else {
+			for k, v := range saved {
+				if _, ok := f.v6Saved[k]; !ok {
+					f.v6Saved[k] = v
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		log.Info("IPv6 forwarding enabled")
+	}
+	f.v6Count++
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (f *IPForwardingState) releaseV6() error {
+	if f.v6Count == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	f.v6Count--
+	if f.v6Count > 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Keep the saved values on failure so a later release or enable/release
+	// cycle can still restore them; re-restoring an already-restored key is a
+	// no-op since the sysctl already holds the desired value.
+	if err := systemops.DisableV6IPForwarding(f.v6Saved); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("disable IPv6 forwarding: %w", err)
+	}
+	f.v6Saved = nil
+	log.Info("IPv6 forwarding disabled")
 	return nil
 }

client/internal/routemanager/ipfwdstate/ipfwdstate_privileged_linux_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+//go:build privileged
+
+package ipfwdstate
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// TestRequestRoutingV6ToV4Transition verifies that a v4-only routing request
+// releases a previously held routing-owned v6 reference without touching
+// references held by DNAT rules.
+func TestRequestRoutingV6ToV4Transition(t *testing.T) {
+	f := NewIPForwardingState("wt-fwd-test")
+
+	require.NoError(t, f.RequestRouting(true), "request routing with v6")
+	v4, v6 := f.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 reference held")
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "v6 reference held")
+
+	require.NoError(t, f.RequestRouting(false), "request routing v4-only")
+	v4, v6 = f.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v4, "v4 reference kept")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "routing-owned v6 reference released")
+
+	// A DNAT-held reference survives a v4-only routing request.
+	require.NoError(t, f.RequestForwarding(true), "dnat v6 reference")
+	require.NoError(t, f.RequestRouting(false), "repeat v4-only request")
+	_, v6 = f.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 1, v6, "dnat-held v6 reference survives")
+	require.NoError(t, f.ReleaseForwarding(true), "release dnat v6 reference")
+
+	require.NoError(t, f.ReleaseRouting(), "release routing")
+	v4, v6 = f.Counts()
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v4, "all v4 references released")
+	assert.Equal(t, 0, v6, "all v6 references released")
+}

client/internal/routemanager/sysctl/sysctl_linux.go

@@ -58,11 +58,7 @@ func Setup(wgIface iface) (map[string]int, error) {
 			continue
 		}
 
-		// Escape '%' and '.' so they survive the dot-to-slash conversion in Set()
-		safeName := strings.ReplaceAll(intf.Name, "%", percentEscape)
-		safeName = strings.ReplaceAll(safeName, ".", dotEscape)
-
-		i := fmt.Sprintf(rpFilterInterfacePath, safeName)
+		i := fmt.Sprintf(rpFilterInterfacePath, EscapeInterfaceName(intf.Name))
 		oldVal, err := Set(i, 2, true)
 		if err != nil {
 			result = multierror.Append(result, err)
@@ -74,6 +70,13 @@ func Setup(wgIface iface) (map[string]int, error) {
 	return keys, nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
 }
 
+// EscapeInterfaceName escapes '%' and '.' in an interface name (e.g. VLANs
+// like eth0.100) so the name survives the dot-to-slash conversion in Set.
+func EscapeInterfaceName(name string) string {
+	safe := strings.ReplaceAll(name, "%", percentEscape)
+	return strings.ReplaceAll(safe, ".", dotEscape)
+}
+
 // Set sets a sysctl configuration, if onlyIfOne is true it will only set the new value if it's set to 1
 func Set(key string, desiredValue int, onlyIfOne bool) (int, error) {
 	path := strings.ReplaceAll(key, ".", "/")

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/routeselection_windows_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+//go:build windows
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"math"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestSortRouteCandidates(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name       string
+		candidates []candidateRoute
+		wantOrder  []uint32
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "longest prefix wins over metrics",
+			candidates: []candidateRoute{
+				{interfaceIndex: 1, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 0, interfaceMetric: 5},
+				{interfaceIndex: 2, prefixLength: 24, routeMetric: 100, interfaceMetric: 50},
+			},
+			wantOrder: []uint32{2, 1},
+		},
+		{
+			// Windows ranks equal-length prefixes by route metric + interface metric,
+			// so a higher route metric on a low metric interface can still win.
+			name: "combined metric beats route metric alone",
+			candidates: []candidateRoute{
+				{interfaceIndex: 8, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 0, interfaceMetric: 100},
+				{interfaceIndex: 5, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 10, interfaceMetric: 5},
+			},
+			wantOrder: []uint32{5, 8},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "lower combined metric wins",
+			candidates: []candidateRoute{
+				{interfaceIndex: 5, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 300, interfaceMetric: 5},
+				{interfaceIndex: 8, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 0, interfaceMetric: 100},
+			},
+			wantOrder: []uint32{8, 5},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "equal combined metric falls back to route metric",
+			candidates: []candidateRoute{
+				{interfaceIndex: 1, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 20, interfaceMetric: 10},
+				{interfaceIndex: 2, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 5, interfaceMetric: 25},
+			},
+			wantOrder: []uint32{2, 1},
+		},
+		{
+			// The metrics are uint32 on the Windows side, so the sum must not wrap.
+			name: "combined metric beyond the uint32 range",
+			candidates: []candidateRoute{
+				{interfaceIndex: 1, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: math.MaxUint32, interfaceMetric: 5},
+				{interfaceIndex: 2, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: math.MaxUint32 - 10, interfaceMetric: 5},
+			},
+			wantOrder: []uint32{2, 1},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "unknown interface metric ranks on route metric only",
+			candidates: []candidateRoute{
+				{interfaceIndex: 1, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 30, interfaceMetric: -1},
+				{interfaceIndex: 2, prefixLength: 0, routeMetric: 5, interfaceMetric: 10},
+			},
+			wantOrder: []uint32{2, 1},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			sortRouteCandidates(tt.candidates)
+
+			got := make([]uint32, 0, len(tt.candidates))
+			for _, c := range tt.candidates {
+				got = append(got, c.interfaceIndex)
+			}
+			assert.Equal(t, tt.wantOrder, got)
+		})
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_android.go

@@ -32,8 +32,17 @@ func (r *SysOps) removeFromRouteTable(netip.Prefix, Nexthop) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func EnableIPForwarding() error {
-	log.Infof("Enable IP forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
+	log.Infof("Enable IPv4 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func EnableV6IPForwarding(string) (map[string]int, error) {
+	log.Infof("Enable IPv6 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	return map[string]int{}, nil
+}
+
+func DisableV6IPForwarding(map[string]int) error {
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_ios.go

@@ -58,8 +58,17 @@ func (r *SysOps) removeFromRouteTable(netip.Prefix, Nexthop) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func EnableIPForwarding() error {
-	log.Infof("Enable IP forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
+	log.Infof("Enable IPv4 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func EnableV6IPForwarding(string) (map[string]int, error) {
+	log.Infof("Enable IPv6 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	return map[string]int{}, nil
+}
+
+func DisableV6IPForwarding(map[string]int) error {
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_linux.go

@@ -763,13 +763,10 @@ func flushRoutes(tableID, family int) error {
 	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
 }
 
-func EnableIPForwarding() error {
+func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
 	if _, err := sysctl.Set(ipv4ForwardingPath, 1, false); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if _, err := sysctl.Set(ipv6ForwardingPath, 1, false); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to enable IPv6 forwarding: %v", err)
-	}
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_nonlinux.go

@@ -43,8 +43,17 @@ func (r *SysOps) RemoveVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface) error
 	return r.genericRemoveVPNRoute(prefix, intf)
 }
 
-func EnableIPForwarding() error {
-	log.Infof("Enable IP forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+func EnableV4IPForwarding() error {
+	log.Infof("Enable IPv4 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func EnableV6IPForwarding(string) (map[string]int, error) {
+	log.Infof("Enable IPv6 forwarding is not implemented on %s", runtime.GOOS)
+	return map[string]int{}, nil
+}
+
+func DisableV6IPForwarding(map[string]int) error {
 	return nil
 }
 

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_windows.go

@@ -882,26 +882,40 @@ func getInterfaceMetric(interfaceIndex uint32, family int16) int {
 	return int(ipInterfaceRow.Metric)
 }
 
-// sortRouteCandidates sorts route candidates by priority: prefix length -> route metric -> interface metric
+// sortRouteCandidates sorts route candidates by priority: prefix length -> combined metric -> route metric.
+// Windows prefers the longest matching prefix and, among prefixes of the same length, the lowest metric, see
+// https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/customize/desktop/unattend/microsoft-windows-tcpip-interfaces-interface-routes-route-metric
 func sortRouteCandidates(candidates []candidateRoute) {
 	sort.Slice(candidates, func(i, j int) bool {
 		if candidates[i].prefixLength != candidates[j].prefixLength {
 			return candidates[i].prefixLength > candidates[j].prefixLength
 		}
-		if candidates[i].routeMetric != candidates[j].routeMetric {
-			return candidates[i].routeMetric < candidates[j].routeMetric
+		mi, mj := combinedMetric(candidates[i]), combinedMetric(candidates[j])
+		if mi != mj {
+			return mi < mj
 		}
-		return candidates[i].interfaceMetric < candidates[j].interfaceMetric
+		return candidates[i].routeMetric < candidates[j].routeMetric
 	})
 }
 
+// combinedMetric returns the effective metric Windows uses to rank routes with an equal prefix length:
+// the sum of the route metric and the metric of the interface the route is on, see
+// https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/network-subsystem/net-sub-interface-metric
+// An unknown interface metric contributes nothing.
+func combinedMetric(candidate candidateRoute) uint64 {
+	if candidate.interfaceMetric < 0 {
+		return uint64(candidate.routeMetric)
+	}
+	return uint64(candidate.routeMetric) + uint64(candidate.interfaceMetric)
+}
+
 // GetBestInterface finds the best interface for reaching a destination,
 // excluding the VPN interface to avoid routing loops.
 //
 // Route selection priority:
 // 1. Longest prefix match (most specific route)
-// 2. Lowest route metric
-// 3. Lowest interface metric
+// 2. Lowest combined metric (route metric + interface metric)
+// 3. Lowest route metric.
 func GetBestInterface(dest netip.Addr, vpnIntf string) (*net.Interface, error) {
 	var skipInterfaceIndex int
 	if vpnIntf != "" {
@@ -925,7 +939,6 @@ func GetBestInterface(dest netip.Addr, vpnIntf string) (*net.Interface, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no route to %s", dest)
 	}
 
-	// Sort routes: prefix length -> route metric -> interface metric
 	sortRouteCandidates(candidates)
 
 	for _, candidate := range candidates {

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6forwarding_linux.go

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+//go:build !android
+
+package systemops
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/sysctl"
+)
+
+const (
+	// 1 (default) accepts RAs only while forwarding is off; 2 keeps RA
+	// acceptance on regardless, so RA-installed host defaults survive our
+	// v6 forwarding flip.
+	acceptRAInterfacePath  = "net.ipv6.conf.%s.accept_ra"
+	acceptRADefaultPath    = "net.ipv6.conf.default.accept_ra"
+	acceptRAProcPathFormat = "/proc/sys/net/ipv6/conf/%s/accept_ra"
+)
+
+// EnableV6IPForwarding bumps accept_ra=2 on host v6 interfaces before flipping
+// forwarding=1, so RA-installed host defaults survive. Returns the prior values
+// of sysctls we actually changed; entries already at the target are omitted.
+func EnableV6IPForwarding(wgIfaceName string) (map[string]int, error) {
+	saved := map[string]int{}
+	bumpAcceptRA(saved, wgIfaceName)
+
+	oldVal, err := sysctl.Set(ipv6ForwardingPath, 1, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		return saved, err
+	}
+	if oldVal != 1 {
+		saved[ipv6ForwardingPath] = oldVal
+	}
+	return saved, nil
+}
+
+// DisableV6IPForwarding restores what EnableV6IPForwarding captured.
+func DisableV6IPForwarding(saved map[string]int) error {
+	var result *multierror.Error
+	for key, value := range saved {
+		if _, err := sysctl.Set(key, value, false); err != nil {
+			result = multierror.Append(result, fmt.Errorf("restore %s: %w", key, err))
+		}
+	}
+	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
+}
+
+func bumpAcceptRA(saved map[string]int, wgIfaceName string) {
+	// Also bump conf.default so interfaces created while forwarding is on
+	// (hotplug, new Wi-Fi/dock) inherit accept_ra=2 and keep accepting RAs.
+	bumpAcceptRAKey(saved, acceptRADefaultPath)
+
+	interfaces, err := net.Interfaces()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("list interfaces for accept_ra: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+	for _, intf := range interfaces {
+		if intf.Name == "lo" || intf.Name == wgIfaceName {
+			continue
+		}
+		bumpAcceptRAForInterface(saved, intf.Name)
+	}
+}
+
+func bumpAcceptRAForInterface(saved map[string]int, name string) {
+	// Build procfs path from name, not the dotted key: VLAN names like eth0.100.
+	if _, err := os.Stat(fmt.Sprintf(acceptRAProcPathFormat, name)); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	bumpAcceptRAKey(saved, fmt.Sprintf(acceptRAInterfacePath, sysctl.EscapeInterfaceName(name)))
+}
+
+func bumpAcceptRAKey(saved map[string]int, key string) {
+	// onlyIfOne=true: leave admin overrides (0, 2) alone.
+	oldVal, err := sysctl.Set(key, 2, true)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("bump %s: %v", key, err)
+		return
+	}
+	// With onlyIfOne, a write only happened when the old value was 1; values
+	// left untouched (0, 2) must not be recorded for restore.
+	if oldVal == 1 {
+		saved[key] = oldVal
+	}
+}

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/v6route_linux_test.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package systemops
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"net"
+	"net/netip"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ func ensureIPv6DefaultRoute(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	if err := netlink.RouteAdd(route); err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, syscall.EEXIST) {
+			requireUsableIPv6Nexthop(t)
 			return
 		}
 		t.Skipf("install IPv6 fallback default route: %v", err)
@@ -38,4 +40,36 @@ func ensureIPv6DefaultRoute(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Logf("delete IPv6 fallback default route: %v", err)
 		}
 	})
+
+	requireUsableIPv6Nexthop(t)
+}
+
+// requireUsableIPv6Nexthop skips the test unless the resolved IPv6 default
+// nexthop can actually carry a route. Installing the default route succeeding
+// does not imply the kernel accepts it as a nexthop for a concrete prefix.
+func requireUsableIPv6Nexthop(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	nexthop, err := GetNextHop(netip.IPv6Unspecified())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("resolve IPv6 default nexthop: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	probe := &netlink.Route{
+		Scope:  netlink.SCOPE_UNIVERSE,
+		Table:  syscall.RT_TABLE_MAIN,
+		Family: netlink.FAMILY_V6,
+		Dst:    &net.IPNet{IP: net.ParseIP("100::64"), Mask: net.CIDRMask(128, 128)},
+	}
+	require.NoError(t, addNextHop(nexthop, probe), "build IPv6 probe route")
+
+	switch err := netlink.RouteAdd(probe); {
+	case err == nil:
+		if err := netlink.RouteDel(probe); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, syscall.ESRCH) {
+			t.Logf("delete IPv6 probe route: %v", err)
+		}
+	case errors.Is(err, syscall.EEXIST):
+	default:
+		t.Skipf("IPv6 nexthop %s unusable for route installation: %v", nexthop, err)
+	}
 }

client/ios/NetBirdSDK/login.go

@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ func (a *Auth) login(urlOpener URLOpener, forceDeviceAuth bool, deviceName strin
 const authInfoRequestTimeout = 30 * time.Second
 
 func (a *Auth) foregroundGetTokenInfo(authClient *auth.Auth, urlOpener URLOpener, forceDeviceAuth bool) (*auth.TokenInfo, error) {
-	oAuthFlow, err := authClient.GetOAuthFlow(a.ctx, forceDeviceAuth)
+	oAuthFlow, err := authClient.GetOAuthFlow(a.ctx, forceDeviceAuth, "")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get OAuth flow: %v", err)
 	}

client/proto/daemon.pb.go

@@ -5628,9 +5628,13 @@ func (x *GetPeerSSHHostKeyResponse) GetFound() bool {
 type RequestJWTAuthRequest struct {
 	state protoimpl.MessageState `protogen:"open.v1"`
 	// hint for OIDC login_hint parameter (typically email address)
-	Hint          *string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=hint,proto3,oneof" json:"hint,omitempty"`
-	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
-	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	Hint *string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=hint,proto3,oneof" json:"hint,omitempty"`
+	// hasGraphicalSession tells the daemon that the caller has a graphical session,
+	// which decides whether PKCE or the device code flow is preferred. The daemon
+	// cannot detect this itself: it does not inherit the session environment.
+	HasGraphicalSession bool `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=hasGraphicalSession,proto3" json:"hasGraphicalSession,omitempty"`
+	unknownFields       protoimpl.UnknownFields
+	sizeCache           protoimpl.SizeCache
 }
 
 func (x *RequestJWTAuthRequest) Reset() {
@@ -5670,6 +5674,13 @@ func (x *RequestJWTAuthRequest) GetHint() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+func (x *RequestJWTAuthRequest) GetHasGraphicalSession() bool {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.HasGraphicalSession
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // RequestJWTAuthResponse contains authentication flow information
 type RequestJWTAuthResponse struct {
 	state protoimpl.MessageState `protogen:"open.v1"`
@@ -5894,9 +5905,13 @@ type RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest struct {
 	state protoimpl.MessageState `protogen:"open.v1"`
 	// Optional OIDC login_hint (typically the user's email) to pre-fill the
 	// IdP login form.
-	Hint          *string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=hint,proto3,oneof" json:"hint,omitempty"`
-	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
-	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	Hint *string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=hint,proto3,oneof" json:"hint,omitempty"`
+	// hasGraphicalSession tells the daemon that the caller has a graphical session,
+	// which decides whether PKCE or the device code flow is preferred. The daemon
+	// cannot detect this itself: it does not inherit the session environment.
+	HasGraphicalSession bool `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=hasGraphicalSession,proto3" json:"hasGraphicalSession,omitempty"`
+	unknownFields       protoimpl.UnknownFields
+	sizeCache           protoimpl.SizeCache
 }
 
 func (x *RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest) Reset() {
@@ -5936,6 +5951,13 @@ func (x *RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest) GetHint() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+func (x *RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest) GetHasGraphicalSession() bool {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.HasGraphicalSession
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // RequestExtendAuthSessionResponse carries the verification URI the UI
 // should open in a browser. The daemon retains the flow state and resolves
 // it via WaitExtendAuthSession.
@@ -7503,9 +7525,10 @@ const file_daemon_proto_rawDesc = "" +
 	"sshHostKey\x12\x16\n" +
 	"\x06peerIP\x18\x02 \x01(\tR\x06peerIP\x12\x1a\n" +
 	"\bpeerFQDN\x18\x03 \x01(\tR\bpeerFQDN\x12\x14\n" +
-	"\x05found\x18\x04 \x01(\bR\x05found\"9\n" +
+	"\x05found\x18\x04 \x01(\bR\x05found\"k\n" +
 	"\x15RequestJWTAuthRequest\x12\x17\n" +
-	"\x04hint\x18\x01 \x01(\tH\x00R\x04hint\x88\x01\x01B\a\n" +
+	"\x04hint\x18\x01 \x01(\tH\x00R\x04hint\x88\x01\x01\x120\n" +
+	"\x13hasGraphicalSession\x18\x02 \x01(\bR\x13hasGraphicalSessionB\a\n" +
 	"\x05_hint\"\x9a\x02\n" +
 	"\x16RequestJWTAuthResponse\x12(\n" +
 	"\x0fverificationURI\x18\x01 \x01(\tR\x0fverificationURI\x128\n" +
@@ -7525,9 +7548,10 @@ const file_daemon_proto_rawDesc = "" +
 	"\x14WaitJWTTokenResponse\x12\x14\n" +
 	"\x05token\x18\x01 \x01(\tR\x05token\x12\x1c\n" +
 	"\ttokenType\x18\x02 \x01(\tR\ttokenType\x12\x1c\n" +
-	"\texpiresIn\x18\x03 \x01(\x03R\texpiresIn\"C\n" +
+	"\texpiresIn\x18\x03 \x01(\x03R\texpiresIn\"u\n" +
 	"\x1fRequestExtendAuthSessionRequest\x12\x17\n" +
-	"\x04hint\x18\x01 \x01(\tH\x00R\x04hint\x88\x01\x01B\a\n" +
+	"\x04hint\x18\x01 \x01(\tH\x00R\x04hint\x88\x01\x01\x120\n" +
+	"\x13hasGraphicalSession\x18\x02 \x01(\bR\x13hasGraphicalSessionB\a\n" +
 	"\x05_hint\"\xe0\x01\n" +
 	" RequestExtendAuthSessionResponse\x12(\n" +
 	"\x0fverificationURI\x18\x01 \x01(\tR\x0fverificationURI\x128\n" +

client/proto/daemon.proto

@@ -894,6 +894,10 @@ message GetPeerSSHHostKeyResponse {
 message RequestJWTAuthRequest {
   // hint for OIDC login_hint parameter (typically email address)
   optional string hint = 1;
+  // hasGraphicalSession tells the daemon that the caller has a graphical session,
+  // which decides whether PKCE or the device code flow is preferred. The daemon
+  // cannot detect this itself: it does not inherit the session environment.
+  bool hasGraphicalSession = 2;
 }
 
 // RequestJWTAuthResponse contains authentication flow information
@@ -937,6 +941,10 @@ message RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest {
   // Optional OIDC login_hint (typically the user's email) to pre-fill the
   // IdP login form.
   optional string hint = 1;
+  // hasGraphicalSession tells the daemon that the caller has a graphical session,
+  // which decides whether PKCE or the device code flow is preferred. The daemon
+  // cannot detect this itself: it does not inherit the session environment.
+  bool hasGraphicalSession = 2;
 }
 
 // RequestExtendAuthSessionResponse carries the verification URI the UI

client/server/server.go

@@ -1723,8 +1723,8 @@ func (s *Server) RequestJWTAuth(
 		hint = profilemanager.GetLoginHint()
 	}
 
-	isDesktop := isUnixRunningDesktop()
-	oAuthFlow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, config, isDesktop, false, hint)
+	// the daemon has no graphical session of its own, only the caller can answer this
+	oAuthFlow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, config, msg.GetHasGraphicalSession(), false, hint)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.Internal, "failed to create OAuth flow: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1827,8 +1827,8 @@ func (s *Server) RequestExtendAuthSession(
 		hint = profilemanager.GetLoginHint()
 	}
 
-	isDesktop := isUnixRunningDesktop()
-	oAuthFlow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, config, isDesktop, false, hint)
+	// the daemon has no graphical session of its own, only the caller can answer this
+	oAuthFlow, err := auth.NewOAuthFlow(ctx, config, msg.GetHasGraphicalSession(), false, hint)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, gstatus.Errorf(codes.Internal, "failed to create OAuth flow: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -2000,13 +2000,6 @@ func (s *Server) ExposeService(req *proto.ExposeServiceRequest, srv proto.Daemon
 	return nil
 }
 
-func isUnixRunningDesktop() bool {
-	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" && runtime.GOOS != "freebsd" {
-		return false
-	}
-	return os.Getenv("DESKTOP_SESSION") != "" || os.Getenv("XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP") != ""
-}
-
 func (s *Server) runProbes(ctx context.Context, waitForProbeResult bool) {
 	if s.connectClient == nil {
 		return

client/ssh/client/client.go

@@ -313,21 +313,23 @@ func Dial(ctx context.Context, addr, user string, opts DialOptions) (*Client, er
 
 // dialSSH establishes an SSH connection without JWT authentication
 func dialSSH(ctx context.Context, network, addr string, config *ssh.ClientConfig) (*Client, error) {
+	if config.Timeout > 0 {
+		var cancel context.CancelFunc
+		ctx, cancel = context.WithTimeout(ctx, config.Timeout)
+		defer cancel()
+	}
+
 	dialer := &net.Dialer{}
 	conn, err := dialer.DialContext(ctx, network, addr)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("dial %s: %w", addr, err)
 	}
 
-	clientConn, chans, reqs, err := ssh.NewClientConn(conn, addr, config)
+	client, err := nbssh.Handshake(ctx, conn, addr, config)
 	if err != nil {
-		if closeErr := conn.Close(); closeErr != nil {
-			log.Debugf("connection close after handshake failure: %v", closeErr)
-		}
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ssh handshake: %w", err)
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	client := ssh.NewClient(clientConn, chans, reqs)
 	return &Client{
 		client: client,
 	}, nil

client/ssh/client/terminal_unix.go

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 	"golang.org/x/term"
+
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
 )
 
 func (c *Client) setupTerminalMode(ctx context.Context, session *ssh.Session) error {
@@ -82,37 +84,7 @@ func (c *Client) setupTerminal(session *ssh.Session, fd int) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("get terminal size: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	modes := ssh.TerminalModes{
-		ssh.ECHO:          1,
-		ssh.TTY_OP_ISPEED: 14400,
-		ssh.TTY_OP_OSPEED: 14400,
-		// Ctrl+C
-		ssh.VINTR: 3,
-		// Ctrl+\
-		ssh.VQUIT: 28,
-		// Backspace
-		ssh.VERASE: 127,
-		// Ctrl+U
-		ssh.VKILL: 21,
-		// Ctrl+D
-		ssh.VEOF:  4,
-		ssh.VEOL:  0,
-		ssh.VEOL2: 0,
-		// Ctrl+Q
-		ssh.VSTART: 17,
-		// Ctrl+S
-		ssh.VSTOP: 19,
-		// Ctrl+Z
-		ssh.VSUSP: 26,
-		// Ctrl+O
-		ssh.VDISCARD: 15,
-		// Ctrl+R
-		ssh.VREPRINT: 18,
-		// Ctrl+W
-		ssh.VWERASE: 23,
-		// Ctrl+V
-		ssh.VLNEXT: 22,
-	}
+	modes := nbssh.DefaultTerminalModes
 
 	terminal := os.Getenv("TERM")
 	if terminal == "" {

client/ssh/client/terminal_windows.go

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import (
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+
+	nbssh "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -80,28 +82,14 @@ func (c *Client) setupTerminalMode(_ context.Context, session *ssh.Session) erro
 	w, h := c.getWindowsConsoleSize()
 
 	modes := ssh.TerminalModes{
-		ssh.ECHO:          1,
-		ssh.TTY_OP_ISPEED: 14400,
-		ssh.TTY_OP_OSPEED: 14400,
-		ssh.ICRNL:         1,
-		ssh.OPOST:         1,
-		ssh.ONLCR:         1,
-		ssh.ISIG:          1,
-		ssh.ICANON:        1,
-		ssh.VINTR:         3,   // Ctrl+C
-		ssh.VQUIT:         28,  // Ctrl+\
-		ssh.VERASE:        127, // Backspace
-		ssh.VKILL:         21,  // Ctrl+U
-		ssh.VEOF:          4,   // Ctrl+D
-		ssh.VEOL:          0,
-		ssh.VEOL2:         0,
-		ssh.VSTART:        17, // Ctrl+Q
-		ssh.VSTOP:         19, // Ctrl+S
-		ssh.VSUSP:         26, // Ctrl+Z
-		ssh.VDISCARD:      15, // Ctrl+O
-		ssh.VWERASE:       23, // Ctrl+W
-		ssh.VLNEXT:        22, // Ctrl+V
-		ssh.VREPRINT:      18, // Ctrl+R
+		ssh.ICRNL:  1,
+		ssh.OPOST:  1,
+		ssh.ONLCR:  1,
+		ssh.ISIG:   1,
+		ssh.ICANON: 1,
+	}
+	for mode, value := range nbssh.DefaultTerminalModes {
+		modes[mode] = value
 	}
 
 	if err := session.RequestPty("xterm-256color", h, w, modes); err != nil {

client/ssh/common.go

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -34,6 +35,19 @@ type HostKeyVerifier interface {
 	VerifySSHHostKey(peerAddress string, key []byte) error
 }
 
+// PeerKeyLookup returns the stored SSH host key for a peer address.
+type PeerKeyLookup func(peerAddress string) ([]byte, bool)
+
+// VerifySSHHostKey implements HostKeyVerifier by looking up the stored key
+// and comparing it against the presented key.
+func (l PeerKeyLookup) VerifySSHHostKey(peerAddress string, presentedKey []byte) error {
+	storedKey, found := l(peerAddress)
+	if !found {
+		return ErrPeerNotFound
+	}
+	return VerifyHostKey(storedKey, presentedKey, peerAddress)
+}
+
 // DaemonHostKeyVerifier implements HostKeyVerifier using the NetBird daemon
 type DaemonHostKeyVerifier struct {
 	client proto.DaemonServiceClient
@@ -92,7 +106,8 @@ func printAuthInstructions(stderr io.Writer, authResponse *proto.RequestJWTAuthR
 
 // RequestJWTToken requests or retrieves a JWT token for SSH authentication
 func RequestJWTToken(ctx context.Context, client proto.DaemonServiceClient, stdout, stderr io.Writer, useCache bool, hint string, openBrowser func(string) error) (string, error) {
-	req := &proto.RequestJWTAuthRequest{}
+	// the ssh client runs in the user's session, the daemon does not: tell it what we can see
+	req := &proto.RequestJWTAuthRequest{HasGraphicalSession: util.HasGraphicalSession()}
 	if hint != "" {
 		req.Hint = &hint
 	}
@@ -193,4 +208,3 @@ func buildAddressList(hostname string, remote net.Addr) []string {
 	}
 	return addresses
 }
-

client/ssh/handshake.go

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+package ssh
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+)
+
+// Handshake runs the SSH client handshake on an already dialed conn and
+// returns the resulting client. Dialing bounds only the TCP establishment;
+// without a deadline on the socket a peer that accepts and then goes silent
+// blocks the handshake forever, so the context deadline is applied to conn
+// for the duration of the handshake. conn is closed on any error.
+func Handshake(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, addr string, config *ssh.ClientConfig) (*ssh.Client, error) {
+	if deadline, ok := ctx.Deadline(); ok {
+		if err := conn.SetDeadline(deadline); err != nil {
+			closeHandshake(conn, "conn after deadline error")
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("set handshake deadline: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	sshConn, chans, reqs, err := ssh.NewClientConn(conn, addr, config)
+	if err != nil {
+		closeHandshake(conn, "conn after handshake error")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ssh handshake: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := conn.SetDeadline(time.Time{}); err != nil {
+		closeHandshake(sshConn, "ssh conn after deadline clear error")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("clear handshake deadline: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return ssh.NewClient(sshConn, chans, reqs), nil
+}
+
+func closeHandshake(c io.Closer, label string) {
+	if err := c.Close(); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("ssh: close %s: %v", label, err)
+	}
+}

client/ssh/proxy/proxy.go

@@ -610,13 +610,10 @@ func (p *SSHProxy) dialBackend(ctx context.Context, addr, user, jwtToken string)
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("connect to server: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	clientConn, chans, reqs, err := cryptossh.NewClientConn(conn, addr, config)
-	if err != nil {
-		_ = conn.Close()
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("SSH handshake: %w", err)
-	}
+	handshakeCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, sshHandshakeTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
 
-	return cryptossh.NewClient(clientConn, chans, reqs), nil
+	return nbssh.Handshake(handshakeCtx, conn, addr, config)
 }
 
 func (p *SSHProxy) verifyHostKey(hostname string, remote net.Addr, key cryptossh.PublicKey) error {

client/ssh/session.go

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package ssh
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+)
+
+// DefaultTerminalModes are the PTY modes used by the interactive terminal clients.
+var DefaultTerminalModes = ssh.TerminalModes{
+	ssh.ECHO:          1,
+	ssh.TTY_OP_ISPEED: 14400,
+	ssh.TTY_OP_OSPEED: 14400,
+	ssh.VINTR:         3,   // Ctrl+C
+	ssh.VQUIT:         28,  // Ctrl+\
+	ssh.VERASE:        127, // Backspace
+	ssh.VKILL:         21,  // Ctrl+U
+	ssh.VEOF:          4,   // Ctrl+D
+	ssh.VEOL:          0,
+	ssh.VEOL2:         0,
+	ssh.VSTART:        17, // Ctrl+Q
+	ssh.VSTOP:         19, // Ctrl+S
+	ssh.VSUSP:         26, // Ctrl+Z
+	ssh.VDISCARD:      15, // Ctrl+O
+	ssh.VREPRINT:      18, // Ctrl+R
+	ssh.VWERASE:       23, // Ctrl+W
+	ssh.VLNEXT:        22, // Ctrl+V
+}
+
+// PTYSession is an interactive shell session with a PTY and its I/O pipes.
+type PTYSession struct {
+	Session *ssh.Session
+	Stdin   io.WriteCloser
+	Stdout  io.Reader
+	Stderr  io.Reader
+}
+
+// StartPTYSession opens a session on the client, requests an xterm-256color PTY
+// with the default terminal modes, wires up the I/O pipes and starts a shell.
+// The session is closed on any error.
+func StartPTYSession(client *ssh.Client, cols, rows int) (*PTYSession, error) {
+	session, err := client.NewSession()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("new session: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	pty, err := setupPTYSession(session, cols, rows)
+	if err != nil {
+		if closeErr := session.Close(); closeErr != nil {
+			log.Debugf("ssh: session close after setup error: %v", closeErr)
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return pty, nil
+}
+
+// setupPTYSession requests the PTY, opens the pipes and starts the shell on an
+// already created session.
+func setupPTYSession(session *ssh.Session, cols, rows int) (*PTYSession, error) {
+	if err := session.RequestPty("xterm-256color", rows, cols, DefaultTerminalModes); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("request pty: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	stdin, err := session.StdinPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("stdin pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	stdout, err := session.StdoutPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("stdout pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+	stderr, err := session.StderrPipe()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("stderr pipe: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := session.Shell(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("start shell: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return &PTYSession{Session: session, Stdin: stdin, Stdout: stdout, Stderr: stderr}, nil
+}

client/ui/authsession/service.go

@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"time"
 
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
 	gstatus "google.golang.org/grpc/status"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 )
 
@@ -58,10 +60,21 @@ func (s *Session) RequestExtend(ctx context.Context, p ExtendStartParams) (Exten
 		return ExtendStartResult{}, err
 	}
 
-	req := &proto.RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest{}
-	if p.Hint != "" {
-		h := p.Hint
-		req.Hint = &h
+	// a request from the UI implies a graphical session, which the daemon cannot detect itself
+	req := &proto.RequestExtendAuthSessionRequest{HasGraphicalSession: true}
+	hint := p.Hint
+	if hint == "" {
+		pm := profilemanager.NewProfileManager()
+		if active, perr := pm.GetActiveProfile(); perr != nil {
+			log.Debugf("failed to get active profile for login hint: %v", perr)
+		} else if state, serr := pm.GetProfileState(active.ID); serr != nil {
+			log.Debugf("failed to get profile state for login hint: %v", serr)
+		} else {
+			hint = state.Email
+		}
+	}
+	if hint != "" {
+		req.Hint = &hint
 	}
 
 	resp, err := cli.RequestExtendAuthSession(ctx, req)

client/ui/frontend/package.json

@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
     "lint": "eslint \"src/**/*.{ts,tsx}\"",
     "lint:fix": "eslint \"src/**/*.{ts,tsx}\" --fix",
     "check": "pnpm lint && pnpm typecheck && pnpm format:check",
-    "check:fix": "pnpm lint:fix && pnpm format && pnpm typecheck"
+    "check:fix": "pnpm lint:fix && pnpm format && pnpm typecheck",
+    "i18n:check": "node ../i18n/check-translations.mjs"
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@radix-ui/react-dialog": "^1.1.15",

client/ui/i18n/check-translations.mjs

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+// Validates that every shipped translation bundle carries exactly the same set
+// of keys as the English source of truth. English (en) defines the keys; every
+// other locale declared in _index.json must match it 1:1:
+//
+//   - no missing keys — a missing key silently falls back to English at runtime
+//     (see i18n bundle fallback), so the gap never surfaces to users or CI
+//     without this check;
+//   - no orphaned keys — keys left behind after an English key is renamed or
+//     removed are dead weight and a sign the locale is drifting.
+//
+// Pure Node, no dependencies, so it runs without installing the frontend
+// toolchain.
+//
+//   Local:  node client/ui/i18n/check-translations.mjs   (or: pnpm i18n:check)
+//   CI:     .github/workflows/ui-translations.yml
+
+import { readdirSync, readFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { dirname, join } from "node:path";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
+
+const SOURCE = "en";
+const localesDir = join(dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url)), "locales");
+const isCI = Boolean(process.env.GITHUB_ACTIONS);
+
+function readJSON(path) {
+    return JSON.parse(readFileSync(path, "utf8"));
+}
+
+function keysOf(langCode) {
+    return Object.keys(readJSON(join(localesDir, langCode, "common.json")));
+}
+
+// Emit a GitHub Actions annotation so failures render inline on the PR diff.
+function annotate(file, message) {
+    if (isCI) console.log(`::error file=${file}::${message}`);
+}
+
+const index = readJSON(join(localesDir, "_index.json"));
+const declared = index.languages.map((l) => l.code);
+
+if (!declared.includes(SOURCE)) {
+    console.error(`FATAL: source language "${SOURCE}" is not declared in _index.json`);
+    process.exit(1);
+}
+
+const sourceKeys = keysOf(SOURCE);
+const sourceSet = new Set(sourceKeys);
+console.log(`Source of truth: ${SOURCE}/common.json — ${sourceKeys.length} keys\n`);
+
+let failed = false;
+
+for (const code of declared) {
+    if (code === SOURCE) continue;
+    const file = `client/ui/i18n/locales/${code}/common.json`;
+
+    let keys;
+    try {
+        keys = keysOf(code);
+    } catch (e) {
+        failed = true;
+        const msg = `bundle is declared in _index.json but common.json is missing or invalid (${e.message})`;
+        console.error(`✗ ${code}: ${msg}`);
+        annotate("client/ui/i18n/locales/_index.json", `${code}: ${msg}`);
+        continue;
+    }
+
+    const set = new Set(keys);
+    const missing = sourceKeys.filter((k) => !set.has(k));
+    const extra = keys.filter((k) => !sourceSet.has(k));
+
+    if (missing.length === 0 && extra.length === 0) {
+        console.log(`✓ ${code}: ${keys.length} keys`);
+        continue;
+    }
+
+    failed = true;
+    console.error(`✗ ${code}: ${keys.length} keys (expected ${sourceKeys.length})`);
+    if (missing.length) {
+        console.error(`    missing ${missing.length}: ${missing.join(", ")}`);
+        annotate(file, `Missing ${missing.length} key(s) present in ${SOURCE}: ${missing.join(", ")}`);
+    }
+    if (extra.length) {
+        console.error(`    extra ${extra.length}: ${extra.join(", ")}`);
+        annotate(file, `Has ${extra.length} key(s) not present in ${SOURCE}: ${extra.join(", ")}`);
+    }
+}
+
+// Locale directories present on disk but not declared in _index.json are never
+// loaded by the app — surface them so dead translation files don't rot silently.
+const onDisk = readdirSync(localesDir, { withFileTypes: true })
+    .filter((e) => e.isDirectory())
+    .map((e) => e.name);
+const undeclared = onDisk.filter((d) => !declared.includes(d));
+if (undeclared.length) {
+    console.warn(`\n⚠ locale directories not declared in _index.json (not shipped): ${undeclared.join(", ")}`);
+}
+
+console.log();
+if (failed) {
+    console.error("Translation check FAILED — every locale must match the English key set.");
+    process.exit(1);
+}
+console.log("Translation check passed — all locales match the English key set.");

client/ui/i18n/locales/ja/common.json

@@ -1312,6 +1312,9 @@
     "daemon.outdated.description": {
         "message": "このアプリを使用するには NetBird サービスを更新してください。"
     },
+    "daemon.outdated.download": {
+        "message": "最新版をダウンロード"
+    },
     "error.jwt_clock_skew": {
         "message": "サインインに失敗しました: このデバイスの時計がサーバーと同期していません。システムの時計を同期してからもう一度お試しください。"
     },

client/ui/services/connection.go

@@ -108,10 +108,11 @@ func (s *Connection) Login(ctx context.Context, p LoginParams) (LoginResult, err
 	}
 
 	req := &proto.LoginRequest{
-		ManagementUrl:       p.ManagementURL,
-		SetupKey:            p.SetupKey,
-		Hostname:            p.Hostname,
-		IsUnixDesktopClient: runtime.GOOS == "linux",
+		ManagementUrl: p.ManagementURL,
+		SetupKey:      p.SetupKey,
+		Hostname:      p.Hostname,
+		// a login driven by the UI always has a graphical session available
+		IsUnixDesktopClient: true,
 	}
 	if profileName != "" {
 		req.ProfileName = ptrStr(profileName)
@@ -122,8 +123,16 @@ func (s *Connection) Login(ctx context.Context, p LoginParams) (LoginResult, err
 	if p.PreSharedKey != "" {
 		req.OptionalPreSharedKey = ptrStr(p.PreSharedKey)
 	}
-	if p.Hint != "" {
-		req.Hint = ptrStr(p.Hint)
+	hint := p.Hint
+	if hint == "" && profileID != "" {
+		if state, serr := profilemanager.NewProfileManager().GetProfileState(profilemanager.ID(profileID)); serr == nil {
+			hint = state.Email
+		} else {
+			log.Debugf("failed to get profile state for login hint: %v", serr)
+		}
+	}
+	if hint != "" {
+		req.Hint = ptrStr(hint)
 	}
 
 	resp, err := cli.Login(ctx, req)
@@ -227,16 +236,6 @@ func (s *Connection) Logout(ctx context.Context, p LogoutParams) error {
 		return s.classifyDaemonError(err)
 	}
 
-	// The daemon runs as root and can't reach the user-owned per-profile state
-	// file holding the account email (see Profiles.List), so clear the stale
-	// email here; the next SSO login recreates it.
-	if p.ProfileName != "" {
-		if err := profilemanager.NewProfileManager().RemoveProfileState(p.ProfileName); err != nil {
-			// Non-fatal: the logout itself succeeded.
-			log.Warnf("failed to remove profile state for %s: %v", p.ProfileName, err)
-		}
-	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -260,7 +259,7 @@ func (s *Connection) waitSSOLogin(ctx context.Context, p WaitSSOParams) (string,
 
 	// Persist the account email the same way the CLI does after its own
 	// WaitSSOLogin: the daemon returns it but cannot store it, since it runs as
-	// root and the per-profile state file is user-owned (see Logout below).
+	// root and the per-profile state file is user-owned (see Profiles.List).
 	// Without this the profile has no email, so Profiles.List shows no account
 	// and later logins and session extends go out without a login_hint —
 	// leaving the IdP to guess which account was meant.

client/ui/services/profile.go

@@ -162,8 +162,9 @@ func (s *Profiles) Remove(ctx context.Context, p ProfileRef) error {
 	}
 
 	// The daemon deletes what it owns but runs as root, so it leaves the
-	// user-owned state file holding the account email behind (same split as
-	// Connection.Logout). Legacy profiles are keyed by name rather than by a
+	// user-owned state file holding the account email behind. Logout keeps the
+	// email on purpose so later logins can pass it as the login_hint; profile
+	// removal is what deletes it. Legacy profiles are keyed by name rather than by a
 	// generated ID, so a recreated profile of the same name would inherit the
 	// deleted one's email and offer it as the login_hint.
 	//

client/wasm/internal/ssh/client.go

@@ -80,13 +80,12 @@ func (c *Client) Connect(host string, port int, username, jwtToken string, ipVer
 		return fmt.Errorf("dial %s: %w", addr, err)
 	}
 
-	sshConn, chans, reqs, err := ssh.NewClientConn(conn, addr, config)
+	sshClient, err := nbssh.Handshake(ctx, conn, addr, config)
 	if err != nil {
-		closeWithLog(conn, "connection after handshake error")
-		return fmt.Errorf("SSH handshake: %w", err)
+		return err
 	}
 
-	c.sshClient = ssh.NewClient(sshConn, chans, reqs)
+	c.sshClient = sshClient
 	logrus.Infof("SSH: Connected to %s", addr)
 
 	return nil
@@ -119,57 +118,26 @@ func (c *Client) getAuthMethods(jwtToken string) ([]ssh.AuthMethod, error) {
 	return []ssh.AuthMethod{ssh.PublicKeys(signer)}, nil
 }
 
-// StartSession starts an SSH session with PTY
+// StartSession starts an SSH session with PTY. It holds the client lock for
+// the whole startup so Close cannot tear the client down mid-setup and the
+// new session cannot be installed into an already closed client.
 func (c *Client) StartSession(cols, rows int) error {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+
 	if c.sshClient == nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("SSH client not connected")
 	}
 
-	session, err := c.sshClient.NewSession()
+	pty, err := nbssh.StartPTYSession(c.sshClient, cols, rows)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("create session: %w", err)
+		return err
 	}
 
-	c.mu.Lock()
-	defer c.mu.Unlock()
-	c.session = session
-
-	modes := ssh.TerminalModes{
-		ssh.ECHO:          1,
-		ssh.TTY_OP_ISPEED: 14400,
-		ssh.TTY_OP_OSPEED: 14400,
-		ssh.VINTR:         3,
-		ssh.VQUIT:         28,
-		ssh.VERASE:        127,
-	}
-
-	if err := session.RequestPty("xterm-256color", rows, cols, modes); err != nil {
-		closeWithLog(session, "session after PTY error")
-		return fmt.Errorf("PTY request: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	c.stdin, err = session.StdinPipe()
-	if err != nil {
-		closeWithLog(session, "session after stdin error")
-		return fmt.Errorf("get stdin: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	c.stdout, err = session.StdoutPipe()
-	if err != nil {
-		closeWithLog(session, "session after stdout error")
-		return fmt.Errorf("get stdout: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	c.stderr, err = session.StderrPipe()
-	if err != nil {
-		closeWithLog(session, "session after stderr error")
-		return fmt.Errorf("get stderr: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if err := session.Shell(); err != nil {
-		closeWithLog(session, "session after shell error")
-		return fmt.Errorf("start shell: %w", err)
-	}
+	c.session = pty.Session
+	c.stdin = pty.Stdin
+	c.stdout = pty.Stdout
+	c.stderr = pty.Stderr
 
 	logrus.Info("SSH: Session started with PTY")
 	return nil

docs/agent-networks/01-end-to-end-flows.md

@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ sequenceDiagram
         Resp->>Resp: parse usage tokens, completion
         Note over Resp: capture_completion gates raw<br/>completion capture
         Resp->>Cost: tokens
-        Cost->>Cost: lookup pricing.yaml + compute cost
+        Cost->>Cost: lookup rates from config-delivered<br/>pricing table + compute cost
         Cost->>Rec: tokens + cost
         Rec->>MgmtGrpc: RecordLLMUsage(provider, model, prompt_t, completion_t, cost, groups, user)
         Rec-->>Log: emit access-log entry<br/>(if EnableLogCollection)

docs/agent-networks/modules/21-management-agentnetwork.md

@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ Inside the package: `manager.go` is the CRUD + permissions-gated facade; `synthe
 | ---- | ---- |
 | `agentnetwork/manager.go` | Manager interface + CRUD + permission gates + bootstrap-settings + reconcile trigger |
 | `agentnetwork/synthesizer.go` | Settings/policy → wire-format synthesis; sole writer of the proxy middleware chain |
+| `agentnetwork/synthesizer_pricing.go` | `buildCostMeterConfigJSON` — default table + per-provider prices → `cost_meter` config |
+| `agentnetwork/pricing/defaults.go` | Default pricing table derived from the catalog + supplementals; `DefaultTable`, `LookupDefault`, wire `Entry` |
+| `agentnetwork/pricing/override.go` | `LoadFile`/`StartReloader` for `AgentNetwork.PricingDefaultsFile` (mtime poll, merge over compiled-in base) |
+| `agentnetwork/pricing/{exampleyaml,gen}.go` | Generates `defaults_llm_pricing.example.yaml` from the compiled-in table (golden-tested) |
 | `agentnetwork/policyselect.go` | Per-request policy attribution + account-budget ceiling (min-wins) |
 | `agentnetwork/reconcile.go` | Per-account synth diff vs in-memory cache → Create/Update/Delete |
 | `agentnetwork/catalog/catalog.go` | Static provider catalogue (auth headers, identity-injection shapes) |
@@ -48,6 +52,8 @@ flowchart TD
     I --> J[indexProviderGroups: providerID -> sorted source groups]
     J --> K[buildRouterConfigJSON drops orphan providers]
     J --> L[buildIdentityInjectConfigJSON per catalog entry]
+    J --> K2[buildCostMeterConfigJSON: default table + per-provider prices]
+    K2 --> P
     H --> M[mergeGuardrails: union allowlist, OR redact]
     M --> N[applyAccountCollectionControls account toggle = SOLE capture control]
     N --> O[marshalGuardrailConfig]
@@ -60,6 +66,84 @@ flowchart TD
     R --> T[accountManager.UpdateAccountPeers — fans synth ACLs into network map]
 ```
 
+### LLM pricing (management is the sole authority)
+
+**The proxy carries no price list.** Management synthesizes the entire pricing
+table and ships it inside `cost_meter`'s `ConfigJSON`, so a price change reaches
+the proxies as an ordinary mapping push — the chain rebuild installs a fresh
+table and there is nothing to reload on the proxy side.
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart TD
+    A[catalog.All — PricingSurfaces x Models] --> B[buildDefaultTable + supplementalDefaults]
+    B --> C{AgentNetwork.PricingDefaultsFile}
+    C -- absent --> D[compiled-in table serves]
+    C -- loaded --> E[LoadFile: merge file entries WHOLE over compiled base]
+    E --> F[mergedTable atomic.Pointer]
+    D --> G[DefaultTable]
+    F --> G
+    G --> H[buildCostMeterConfigJSON — pricing.defaults]
+    I[types.Provider.Models operator prices] --> J[normalizePricingModelID<br/>bedrock ARN/region/version, vertex @version]
+    J --> K[materializeEntry: default entry as base,<br/>operator input/output verbatim,<br/>cache pointers only when non-nil]
+    K --> L[pricing.providers keyed by provider record ID]
+    H --> M[cost_meter ConfigJSON]
+    L --> M
+    G --> N[GET /catalog — applyDefaultPricing prefills dashboard rows]
+    O[StartReloader: mtime poll every ReloadInterval 1m] --> E
+```
+
+**Two tiers, resolved per request on the proxy** (`synthesizer_pricing.go:22-35`):
+
+- `pricing.defaults` — surface (`openai`/`anthropic`/`bedrock`) → normalized model
+  id → rates. The **full** default table ships to every account: it is small
+  (~10 KB) and it is what keeps gateway-style providers (which enumerate no
+  models, so they claim every model) priced.
+- `pricing.providers` — provider **record** id → normalized model id → rates,
+  matched against the `llm.resolved_provider_id` the router stamps. Entries are
+  **fully materialized here**, at synth time: `materializeEntry` starts from the
+  default entry for that model so cache rates the operator didn't state are
+  inherited, overlays operator `input`/`output` verbatim (**including an explicit
+  0**, which prices a self-hosted or internal endpoint as free rather than
+  silently reverting to list price), and overlays cache-rate **pointers only when
+  non-nil** — `nil` means "inherit the default", an explicit `0` means "no
+  discount, bill this bucket at the input rate". The proxy therefore does two map
+  lookups and no merging.
+
+Same orphan rule as the router: a provider no enabled policy authorises is
+unreachable, so its prices aren't shipped. Model ids are normalized with the
+**same** functions the request parser uses (`NormalizeBedrockModel` /
+`NormalizeVertexModel`), which is what makes the per-record lookup key compare
+equal to the `llm.model` the proxy meters. Post-normalization duplicates resolve
+first-occurrence-wins, matching the routing dedup order.
+
+**`AgentNetwork.PricingDefaultsFile`** (`config.go:190-207`) lets an operator
+replace default rates without a rebuild. Schema is `surface → model → rates`
+(`input_per_1k`, `output_per_1k`, and optional `cached_input_per_1k` /
+`cache_read_per_1k` / `cache_creation_per_1k`). Semantics:
+
+- A **relative** path resolves against `<Datadir>`, so a bare filename lands
+  alongside the store. Empty config probes `<Datadir>/defaults_llm_pricing.yaml`.
+- An **explicitly configured** path is *required to load*: a typo or malformed
+  file fails startup, because the operator believes those rates are live. The
+  conventional probe is optional — an absent file just serves compiled-in
+  defaults, and the path stays watched in case it appears later.
+- File entries **replace** the compiled-in entry for the same (surface, model)
+  **whole** — they are not field-merged, so an entry must repeat the cache rates
+  it wants to keep. Everything the file doesn't mention keeps built-in rates.
+- Unknown YAML fields are rejected (`KnownFields(true)`) and every rate must be
+  finite and non-negative — the same constraints the HTTP API enforces on
+  operator per-provider prices.
+- Reload is an mtime poll (`ReloadInterval`, 1 min) and is **lenient at runtime**:
+  a parse error keeps the previous table, a deleted file reverts to compiled-in
+  defaults. A mid-edit save can never take pricing down.
+
+The live table feeds **both** consumers, which is what keeps them consistent: the
+synthesizer (what proxies actually bill with) and `GET /api/agent-network/catalog`
+via `applyDefaultPricing` (what the dashboard's model-row prices prefill with).
+`defaults_llm_pricing.example.yaml` is generated from the compiled-in table
+(`go generate ./management/internals/modules/agentnetwork/pricing`) and
+golden-tested, so operators start from a file matching the built-in rates exactly.
+
 ### Budget rule resolution (min-wins, group+user bound)
 
 ```mermaid
@@ -124,7 +208,7 @@ At request time the path is independent: the proxy calls `SelectPolicyForRequest
   | on_request | 3 | `llm_identity_inject` | `{"providers":[{provider_id, header_pair?, json_metadata?, extra_headers?}]}` | **true** |
   | on_request | 4 | `llm_guardrail` | `{"provider_allowlists"?: {providerID: []model}, "prompt_capture":{enabled,redact_pii}}` | – |
   | on_response | 5 | `llm_limit_record` | `{}` (runs LAST at runtime) | – |
-  | on_response | 6 | `cost_meter` | `{}` | – |
+  | on_response | 6 | `cost_meter` | `{"pricing":{"defaults":{surface:{model:rates}},"providers"?:{providerRecordID:{model:rates}}}}` — rates are `{input_per_1k, output_per_1k, cached_input_per_1k?, cache_read_per_1k?, cache_creation_per_1k?}` | – |
   | on_response | 7 | `llm_response_parser` | `{"capture_completion": <bool>, "redact_pii"?: true}` | – |
 - **Synthesized service shape** (`synthesizer.go:739`): `Mode=HTTP`, `Private=true`, `Domain=<subdomain>.<cluster>`, `AccessGroups=unionSourceGroups(enabledPolicies)`, one `TargetTypeCluster` target with `Host=noop.invalid:443` (router rewrites per request), `Options.{DirectUpstream,AgentNetwork}=true`, `DisableAccessLog=!settings.EnableLogCollection`, `CaptureMax{Req,Resp}Bytes=1<<20`, `CaptureContentTypes=["application/json","text/event-stream"]`.
 
@@ -139,6 +223,12 @@ At request time the path is independent: the proxy calls `SelectPolicyForRequest
 - **Orphan providers (no enabled policy authorises them) NEVER reach the router** (`synthesizer.go:351-357`); skipped from `identity_inject` for symmetry.
 - **Provider creation refuses empty `api_key`** (`manager.go:175`); **deletion refuses while any policy still references it** (`manager.go:265-273`).
 - **Session keypair stability across provider edits** (`manager.go:226-228`) — server-managed, copied through every `UpdateProvider`, never API-surfaced.
+- **Management is the sole pricing authority.** The proxy has no embedded price list, so an account whose `cost_meter` config carries no `pricing` block bills **nothing** (`cost.skipped=unknown_model`, $0) rather than falling back to stale built-ins. The top-level `pricing` wrapper is also the feature-detection signal in both directions: an old proxy ignores it as an unknown field, and a new proxy reads its absence as "old management".
+- **Per-provider prices are materialized at synth time, not merged on the proxy** (`synthesizer_pricing.go:114-131`). A per-record entry is always complete, so the proxy's lookup is per-record-then-defaults with no field-level fallback between tiers.
+- **An explicit operator price of `0` prices the model as free** — it must not be treated as "unset" and reverted to list price (`synthesizer_pricing.go:49-54`). Only *cache*-rate fields distinguish unset from zero, via `*float64`.
+- **Pricing model ids are normalized with the same functions the request parser uses** (`normalizePricingModelID`). If the two ever diverge, per-record prices silently stop matching and every request falls through to surface defaults.
+- **The default table's coverage is structural, not curated.** It is derived from the catalog via each provider's `PricingSurfaces`; `TestDefaultTable_CoversEveryCatalogModel` fails on an unpriced catalog model and `TestDefaultTable_NoConflictingContributions` fails if two providers contribute the same (surface, model) at different rates.
+- **A pricing-defaults file failure is fatal only at startup, and only for an explicitly configured path.** Runtime reload failures keep the previous table; a deleted file reverts to compiled-in defaults (`pricing/override.go:62-81, 113-148`).
 
 ## Things to scrutinize
 
@@ -176,10 +266,12 @@ At request time the path is independent: the proxy calls `SelectPolicyForRequest
 - **Capture-pointer semantics (restated):** non-agent-network callers see no field → legacy nil-default emit, identical to pre-PR. Agent-network targets always carry an explicit `capture_*` value.
 - **`TestSynthesizeServices_HappyPath` was updated:** request-parser config moved from `{}` to `{"capture_prompt":false}` (`synthesizer_test.go:174`). External snapshot tests against synth output need updating.
 - **`MergedGuardrails` retains zeroed `TokenLimits`/`Budget`/`Retention`** even though `Policy.Limits` carries the real values now; `llm_limit_check` is the authoritative enforcement. Comment at `synthesizer.go:940-948` calls this out.
+- **`cost_meter`'s `pricing` block is version-skew-safe in both directions.** A proxy predating config-delivered pricing ignores the field as unknown JSON (it previously priced from its own embedded table, so it keeps billing — at its own rates, which is the skew to be aware of during a rolling upgrade). A current proxy paired with old management sees no `pricing` block, logs one warning at chain-build time, and records `cost.skipped=unknown_model` — token counting and cap enforcement are unaffected, only the USD annotation goes to $0.
 
 ### Performance
 
 - **`SynthesizeServices` runs on every controller tick / mutation reconcile.** Cost: 4 store reads + optional per-provider keypair backfill. Sort + index + merge are O(N log N) / O(P × G); dominant cost is JSON marshalling. No nested loops escape these dimensions.
+- **The full default pricing table is marshalled into every account's `cost_meter` config on every synth** (~10 KB serialized). This is a deliberate trade: it keeps gateway-style providers priced for every catalog model, and it is the largest single contributor to the synth JSON. `DefaultTable()` itself is a pointer load (or a `sync.Once`-built map) — the cost is the marshal, not the build.
 - **`reconcile.diffMappings` is O(N + M)** with N=M=1 per account today — effectively constant.
 - **`SynthesizeServicesForCluster`** (`synthesizer.go:71`) walks every account on a cluster; per-account failures are **swallowed** (`synthesizer.go:91-93`) so a single misconfigured account doesn't drop the cluster. Runs per proxy reconnect.
 
@@ -188,6 +280,7 @@ At request time the path is independent: the proxy calls `SelectPolicyForRequest
 - **Activity codes:** `AgentNetwork{Provider,Policy,Guardrail,BudgetRule}{Created,Updated,Deleted}`; `AgentNetworkSettingsUpdated` with `log_collection/prompt_collection/redact_pii` payload (`manager.go:567-571`). **No activity code for `SelectPolicyForRequest` denies** — surfaced via proxy access log only (likely intentional given volume).
 - **Deny codes** namespaced: `llm_policy.{token,budget}_cap_exceeded`, `llm_account.{token,budget}_cap_exceeded` (`policyselect.go:18-26`).
 - **Reconcile failures are logged at warn and swallowed** (`reconcile.go:42-44`). Persistent synth failures (e.g. unknown catalog id) silently keep the proxy out of sync — consider a manager-level synth-health surface if this becomes a support burden.
+- **Pricing-file lifecycle logs at info** (load, reload, revert-to-built-ins) and **at warn** for a runtime reload failure; the mtime check itself is `Debugf`. There is no metric on reload failures, so an operator who breaks the file mid-flight keeps billing at the previous table with only a log line to show it (`pricing/override.go:113-148`).
 
 ## Test coverage
 
@@ -198,6 +291,9 @@ At request time the path is independent: the proxy calls `SelectPolicyForRequest
 | `synthesizer_guardrail_realstore_test.go` | `PromptCaptureAccountIsSoleControl`; `PromptCaptureFlowsWhenAccountOptsIn`; `AccountRedactWithoutGuardrailRedact`; `NoGuardrail_CaptureOff`. |
 | `synthesizer_log_collection_realstore_test.go` | `LogCollection{Off_SuppressesAccessLog,On_PermitsAccessLog}` — verifies `DisableAccessLog` propagation through `ToProtoMapping`. |
 | `synthesizer_parser_redact_realstore_test.go` | **Capture-pointer regression suite:** `ParserConfigsCarryRedactPii`; `ParserConfigsSuppressCaptureWhenLogCollectionOnly` (log=on/prompt=off ⇒ both capture flags false); `ParserConfigsOmitRedactPiiWhenOff`. |
+| `synthesizer_pricing_test.go` | `BuildCostMeterConfig_{BedrockModelNormalization,CacheRateNilVsZero,OrphanAndGatewayProviders}` — the per-record tier's three load-bearing rules: keys normalized like the parser's, `nil` cache pointer inherits vs explicit `0` bills at input rate, and orphan / gateway (empty `Models`) providers ship no per-record entry. |
+| `pricing/defaults_test.go` | `DefaultTable_{CoversEveryCatalogModel,NoConflictingContributions,AllRatesFiniteNonNegative,PinnedRates}`; `LookupDefault_SurfaceOrder`. Catalog-derived coverage + rate sanity are structural, not curated. |
+| `pricing/override_test.go` | `LoadFile_{MergesOverCompiledDefaults,MissingPath,RejectsInvalid}`; `Reload_LifeCycle` (mtime detect, parse error keeps previous, delete reverts to built-ins); `ExampleYAML_InSyncWithBuiltins` golden. |
 | `policyselect_test.go` | Mock-store: `NoApplicablePolicies`; `AllowWithLowestGroupAttribution`; `LargerPoolWinsAcrossUsageLevels`; `StaysOnLargerPoolAfterPartialDrain`; `FallsThroughToSmallerPoolWhenLargerExhausted`; `TiebreakBy{LargerGroupPool,CreatedAt}`; `DeniesWhenAllExhausted`; `UncappedPolicyAlwaysWinsAgainstCapped`; `DisabledPolicyIgnored`; `StoreErrorPropagates`; `RejectsEmptyAccount`; `SharesGroupCounterAcrossPolicies`; `AntiFallThroughOnLowestGroup`; `BudgetOnlyExhaustionDenies`; `BudgetTighterThanTokenWins`. |
 | `policyselect_realstore_test.go` | Real-sqlite regression guard: `NoApplicablePolicies`; `AllowAndLowestGroupAttribution`; `LargerPoolWins_FallsThroughWhenExhausted`; `BudgetCapDenies`; `GroupCounterSharedAcrossPolicies`; `DisabledPolicyIgnored`. |
 | `policyselect_account_realstore_test.go` | Account budget rules: `AccountCeilingBindsEvenWithUncappedPolicy` (min-wins); `AccountGroupCeiling`; `AccountTargetUsersBindsOnlyThatUser`; `AccountRuleRecordsToOwnWindow`. |

docs/agent-networks/modules/31-proxy-middleware-builtin.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ LLM request. The two highest-blast-radius areas are the **capture-pointer
 semantics** and the **limit_check ⇒ limit_record** record-once invariant.
 
 Sibling module: [32-proxy-llm-parsers.md](./32-proxy-llm-parsers.md) — the SDK
-adapters + pricing catalog this chain delegates to.
+adapters + pricing table and cost formula this chain delegates to.
 
 ---
 
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ rewrites.
 | `llm_identity_inject` | OnRequest | `llm.{resolved_provider_id,authorising_groups}`, `Input.{UserEmail,UserID,UserGroups,UserGroupNames}` | none | header strip/inject + optional body rewrite |
 | `llm_guardrail` | OnRequest | `llm.{model,request_prompt_raw}` | `llm_policy.{decision,reason}`, `llm.request_prompt` | none (model allowlist deny) |
 | `llm_response_parser` | OnResponse | `llm.provider`, `Input.{RespHeaders,RespBody,Status}` | `llm.{input,output,total,cached_input,cache_creation}_tokens`, `llm.response_completion` | none |
-| `cost_meter` | OnResponse | `llm.{provider,model}`, token buckets | `cost.usd_total` or `cost.skipped` | pricing lookup |
+| `cost_meter` | OnResponse | `llm.{provider,model,resolved_provider_id}`, token buckets | `cost.usd_{input,cached_input,cache_creation,output,total,cache}` or `cost.skipped` | none (in-memory pricing lookup) |
 | `llm_limit_record` | OnResponse | `llm.{attribution_group_id,attribution_window_seconds,input_tokens,output_tokens}`, `cost.usd_total` | none | gRPC `RecordLLMUsage` |
 
 [all_test.go:26–40](../../../proxy/internal/middleware/builtin/all_test.go)
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ locks the ID set; adding or removing one is a conscious extension.
 
 | File | LOC | Notes |
 |---|---:|---|
-| `builtin.go` | 86 | Registry + `FactoryContext` (ctx, data dir, meter, logger, mgmt client) |
+| `builtin.go` | 90 | Registry + `FactoryContext` (ctx, meter, logger, mgmt client) |
 | `all_test.go` | 41 | Locks the 8-ID registry surface |
 | `agentnetwork_chain_integration_test.go` | 319 | Live sqlite + real gRPC bufconn; gate→recorder wire path |
 | `llm_request_parser/*` | 162 / 66 / 356 | Provider detection, body parse, prompt extraction with capture-pointer gating |
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ locks the ID set; adding or removing one is a conscious extension.
 | `llm_identity_inject/*` | 440 / 108 / 666 | HeaderPair (LiteLLM) + JSONMetadata (Portkey) + ExtraHeaders |
 | `llm_guardrail/*` | 176 / 82 / 75 / 219 / 217 | Model allowlist + optional prompt capture with PII redaction |
 | `llm_response_parser/*` | 258 / 222 / 43 / 433 / 169 / 111 | Buffered + SSE accumulation; AWS event-stream accumulator (`streaming_bedrock.go`) for Bedrock; capture-pointer gates completion emit |
-| `cost_meter/*` | 181 / 84 / 439 | Token → USD via `proxy/internal/llm/pricing` |
+| `cost_meter/*` | 236 / 98 / 586 | Token → USD via `proxy/internal/llm/pricing`; both pricing tiers arrive in the middleware config |
 | `llm_limit_record/*` | 144 / 35 / 191 | Post-flight `RecordLLMUsage` (5s, debug-on-error) |
 
 ## Per-middleware
@@ -168,12 +168,46 @@ token schema.
 
 ### cost_meter
 
-Reads `llm.provider` + `llm.model` + token buckets, looks up per-1k rate via
-`pricing.Loader`, emits `cost.usd_total` or a closed-set `cost.skipped`
-reason (`missing_provider/model/tokens`, `unparseable_tokens`, `zero_tokens`,
-`unknown_model`). Loader's hot-reload goroutine is bound to proxy-lifetime
-context via `startReloader`. **Key invariant:** provider-shape switch lives
-in `pricing.Table.Cost` (sibling doc) — `cost_meter` stays provider-agnostic.
+Reads `llm.provider` + `llm.model` + token buckets, looks up the per-1k rates,
+and emits the full `cost.usd_*` breakdown (four per-bucket values plus the
+`_total` and `_cache` aggregates) or a closed-set `cost.skipped` reason
+(`missing_provider/model/tokens`, `unparseable_tokens`, `zero_tokens`,
+`unknown_model`).
+
+**Management owns pricing.** The proxy carries no embedded price list: the whole
+table arrives in this middleware's `ConfigJSON` as
+`{pricing: {defaults, providers}}`, synthesized by management from the catalog
+plus the operator's stored per-provider prices
+([factory.go:13–34](../../../proxy/internal/middleware/builtin/cost_meter/factory.go)).
+Both tiers are validated by `pricing.NewTable` / `pricing.NewEntries` at
+construction, so a non-finite or negative rate fails the chain build. A price
+change is an ordinary mapping push — the chain rebuild yields a fresh instance
+over a fresh immutable table, so there is no data dir, no pricing file, no
+reload goroutine, and nothing to invalidate.
+
+**Two-tier lookup**
+([middleware.go:165–183](../../../proxy/internal/middleware/builtin/cost_meter/middleware.go)):
+
+1. **Per-provider-record** — the operator's stored price for the route that
+   actually served the request, keyed by the `llm.resolved_provider_id` that
+   `llm_router` stamped on the allow path, then by normalized model id. Entries
+   arrive fully materialized (management folds default cache rates in at synth
+   time), so there is no merging here. Absent metadata — no router in the chain
+   — skips this tier.
+2. **Surface defaults** — the catalog-derived table keyed by `llm.provider`
+   (`openai`/`anthropic`/`bedrock`). This is also what prices gateway-style
+   providers, which enumerate no models and therefore get no per-record entry.
+
+**Backward compatibility:** a config with no `pricing` block means management
+predates config-delivered pricing. The factory logs one warning at build time
+and the instance records `cost.skipped=unknown_model` ($0) for every request
+rather than falling back to a stale built-in price list
+([factory.go:55–60](../../../proxy/internal/middleware/builtin/cost_meter/factory.go)).
+
+**Key invariant:** the provider-shape switch lives in `pricing.EntryCosts`
+(sibling doc) and is selected by the **surface**, not by which tier the entry
+came from — `cost_meter` stays provider-agnostic, and a per-record override on
+an Anthropic route still bills its cache buckets additively.
 
 ### llm_limit_record
 
@@ -246,12 +280,14 @@ no mocks. Tests: `TestChain_AllowPath_StampsAttributionAndRecordsCounter`
 | `llm_identity_inject` | `{providers: [{provider_id, header_pair?|json_metadata?, extra_headers?}]}` |
 | `llm_guardrail` | `{provider_allowlists: {providerID: []string}, prompt_capture: {enabled, redact_pii}}` — allowlist keyed by resolved provider id; a provider absent from the map is unrestricted (fail-closed backstop; authoritative per-policy/group check is management's `CheckLLMPolicyLimits`) |
 | `llm_response_parser` | `{redact_pii?, capture_completion?: *bool}` |
-| `cost_meter` | `{pricing_path?}` (basename inside data-dir; defaults `pricing.yaml`) |
+| `cost_meter` | `{pricing: {defaults: {surface: {model: rates}}, providers: {providerRecordID: {model: rates}}}}` — rates are `{input_per_1k, output_per_1k, cached_input_per_1k?, cache_read_per_1k?, cache_creation_per_1k?}`. A missing `pricing` key means "management predates config-delivered pricing": every request records `cost.skipped=unknown_model` |
 | `llm_limit_record` | `{}` — same pattern as `llm_limit_check` |
 
 All factories accept empty / null / `{}` / whitespace as zero-value config;
 only structurally invalid JSON is rejected so misconfig surfaces at chain
-build time.
+build time. `cost_meter` adds a semantic check on top of that: a `pricing`
+block carrying a negative or non-finite rate fails the build too, rather than
+mispricing live traffic.
 
 ## Invariants
 
@@ -320,10 +356,11 @@ non-object `metadata` field
 — header path still attributes, but body-level tag-budget enforcement
 doesn't run for that request.
 
-**Concurrency.** `cost_meter` shares a `pricing.Loader` via
-`atomic.Pointer[Table]`; readers always see a consistent table. Every
-middleware is a stateless value receiver. Integration test uses real bufconn
-gRPC — race detector is the meaningful bar.
+**Concurrency.** `cost_meter`'s two pricing tables are built once from the
+middleware config and never mutated, so the lookup path needs no lock or atomic
+swap — a price change replaces the whole instance. Every middleware is
+otherwise a stateless value receiver. Integration test uses real bufconn gRPC —
+race detector is the meaningful bar.
 
 **Perf.** Hot path is `lookupKV` linear scan over <10 KVs; `cost_meter.Cost`
 is O(1); SSE accumulation is single-pass. No map allocation per call.
@@ -349,13 +386,13 @@ counter accuracy.
 | `llm_guardrail/redact_test.go` | 15 | Email, SSN, phone (E.164 + NA), bearer, IPv4; fixture-driven |
 | `llm_response_parser/middleware_test.go` | 18 | Buffered OAI+Anthro, capture-pointer, redact, truncation |
 | `llm_response_parser/streaming_test.go` | 7 | OAI usage frame, Anthro message_delta, truncated body best-effort |
-| `cost_meter/middleware_test.go` | 17 | Each skip reason, provider-shape, pricing loader integration |
+| `cost_meter/middleware_test.go` | 22 | Each skip reason, provider-shape formulas, config-delivered defaults, per-record-beats-defaults + miss-falls-back, per-record uses surface formula, nil-pricing skips everything, invalid-rate rejection |
 | `llm_limit_record/middleware_test.go` | 7 | Skip-on-no-signal, skip-on-missing-attribution, RPC failure swallowed |
 
 ## Cross-references
 
 - Sibling: [32-proxy-llm-parsers.md](./32-proxy-llm-parsers.md) — SDK adapters
-  + SSE framer + pricing loader.
+  + SSE framer + pricing table and cost formula.
 - Path-routed providers (Vertex AI + Bedrock), `keyfile::` credential, GCP
   token minting, `/bedrock` prefix:
   [50-path-routed-providers.md](./50-path-routed-providers.md).

docs/agent-networks/modules/32-proxy-llm-parsers.md

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ pricing table's per-provider cost formula is the highest-leverage place a
 small bug would silently mis-bill operators.
 
 Sibling module: [31-proxy-middleware-builtin.md](./31-proxy-middleware-builtin.md)
-— the 8 middlewares that consume this package's parsers + pricing loader.
+— the 8 middlewares that consume this package's parsers + pricing table.
 
 ---
 
@@ -24,8 +24,9 @@ proxy-framework dependencies:
 - `openai.go` / `anthropic.go` / `bedrock.go` — per-provider `Parser` impls.
 - `sse.go` — SSE scanner (`Scanner`, `Event`, `NewScanner`).
 - `errors.go` — sentinels callers branch on with `errors.Is`.
-- `pricing/` — embedded-default + hot-reload override table with
-  symlink-safe Unix loader (build-tagged stub elsewhere).
+- `pricing/` — immutable pricing table + the per-surface cost formula. The
+  rates themselves come from management inside `cost_meter`'s middleware
+  config; this package holds no price list and reads no files.
 - `fixtures/` — captured request/response/stream bodies the tests replay.
 
 The package carries zero proxy-framework dependencies so the same parsers can
@@ -47,12 +48,9 @@ be reused later by a WASM adapter
 | `sse_test.go` | 175 | 12 tests; fixture replay + multiline + size limits |
 | `parser_test.go` | 53 | `Parsers()`, `DetectParser`, provider enum values |
 | `errors.go` | 31 | 6 sentinels: `Err{Unknown,Unsupported}Provider/Model`, `Err{NotLLM,Malformed}Response`, `ErrStreamingUnsupported`, `ErrMalformedRequest` |
-| `pricing/pricing.go` | 421 | `Loader`, `Table`, `Entry`; embedded defaults + atomic swap + mtime reload |
-| `pricing/pricing_unix.go` | 69 | `O_NOFOLLOW` + fstat-from-FD + 1 MiB cap |
-| `pricing/pricing_other.go` | 21 | Stub returning "not supported on this platform" |
-| `pricing/pricing_test.go` | 432 | 21 tests — symlink rejection, reload race, path traversal, oversize |
-| `pricing/defaults_pricing.yaml` | 85 | go:embed source of truth |
-| `fixtures/*` | 21–59 | OAI chat/responses/stream + Anthro messages/stream + pricing starter |
+| `pricing/pricing.go` | 234 | `Table`, `Entry`, `EntryJSON`, `Costs`; `NewTable`/`NewEntries` validation + `EntryCosts` formula. No I/O, no reload, no embedded rates |
+| `pricing/pricing_test.go` | 177 | 10 tests — provider-shape formulas, cached clamp, rate fallback, nil-safety, rate validation |
+| `fixtures/*` | 21–59 | OAI chat/responses/stream + Anthro messages/stream |
 
 ## Request body → parser dispatch
 
@@ -188,9 +186,11 @@ response leg, covering both Bedrock body shapes:
   `totalTokens`). `firstNonZero` folds the two naming conventions into one
   `Usage`; when Converse omits `totalTokens` the parser sums the buckets.
 
-`ProviderName()` returns `"bedrock"` — its own `defaults_pricing.yaml` block,
-keyed by the **normalised** model id (region prefix + version suffix stripped by
-the request parser). `ParseResponse` returns `ErrStreamingUnsupported` for an
+`ProviderName()` returns `"bedrock"` — its own pricing surface in the table
+management ships, keyed by the **normalised** model id (region prefix + version
+suffix stripped by the request parser; management normalises its keys the same
+way at synth time so the two compare equal). `ParseResponse` returns
+`ErrStreamingUnsupported` for an
 AWS binary event-stream content-type (`application/vnd.amazon.eventstream`,
 `isAWSEventStream`) so the caller routes to the streaming accumulator instead.
 
@@ -205,11 +205,34 @@ response body. Streaming accumulators live in the middleware package
 ([llm_response_parser/streaming.go](../../../proxy/internal/middleware/builtin/llm_response_parser/streaming.go))
 but use `llm.NewScanner` so the framing contract stays here.
 
-### Pricing catalog
+### Pricing table
 
-`Table.Cost`
-([pricing.go:129–174](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go))
-is the cost formula — most security-relevant math in this module:
+**Management is the sole pricing authority.** The proxy carries no embedded
+price list and reads no pricing file: the whole table arrives inside
+`cost_meter`'s `ConfigJSON` on the ordinary mapping push, and a price change
+is just another push — the chain rebuild constructs a fresh `Table`, so there
+is nothing to reload
+([pricing.go:1–7](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)). The
+management side of the contract (catalog defaults, the operator's stored
+per-provider prices, and `AgentNetwork.PricingDefaultsFile`) is covered in the
+management-side module guide; `cost_meter`'s wire shape is in
+[31-proxy-middleware-builtin.md](./31-proxy-middleware-builtin.md).
+
+`EntryJSON`
+([pricing.go:36–45](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)) is the
+management→proxy contract — five USD-per-1k rates under `input_per_1k`,
+`output_per_1k`, `cached_input_per_1k`, `cache_read_per_1k`,
+`cache_creation_per_1k`. Management's `pricing.Entry` marshals the identical
+names, and `EntryJSON`/`Entry` are field-identical so `NewEntries` converts by
+direct struct conversion rather than field-by-field copying (a new rate can't
+be silently dropped in transit).
+
+`EntryCosts`
+([pricing.go:183–234](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go))
+is the cost formula — most security-relevant math in this module. The
+**surface** (the `llm.provider` value the request parser stamped) selects the
+formula, never the tier the entry came from: a per-provider-record override on
+an Anthropic route still bills its cache buckets additively.
 
 | Provider | Formula |
 |---|---|
@@ -218,7 +241,7 @@ is the cost formula — most security-relevant math in this module:
 | default | `inTokens × InputPer1K + outTokens × OutputPer1K` |
 
 `bedrock` shares the Anthropic additive-cache formula
-([pricing.go:172-174](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)):
+([pricing.go:214–229](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)):
 Anthropic-on-Bedrock reports the same additive cache buckets, while non-Anthropic
 Bedrock models (Nova, Llama) simply report zero in those buckets so cost reduces
 to `input + output`.
@@ -226,15 +249,12 @@ to `input + output`.
 Each per-bucket rate falls back to `InputPer1K` when zero — operators opt in
 to discounts by setting the field.
 
-`Loader`
-([pricing.go:212–268](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go))
-overlays an optional `pricing.yaml` from data-dir on top of the go:embed
-defaults. Atomic pointer swap means readers never observe a partial update.
-The mtime-poll reloader (30s default cadence) keeps the previous table on
-parse failure so cost annotation never goes blank during a botched edit.
-
-`defaults_pricing.yaml` is the source of truth for built-in pricing.
-Operator overrides only carry the entries they want to change.
+`Costs`
+([pricing.go:143–163](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)) is the
+per-request split. The four per-bucket fields are the base; `TotalUSD` and
+`CacheUSD` are **derived** in `newCosts` so the aggregates can never drift from
+the breakdown. `InputUSD` is always the non-cached input bucket on both
+provider shapes, so input and cached-input never double-count.
 
 ## Public contracts
 
@@ -264,29 +284,38 @@ Order matters: `DetectFromURL` ties resolve by registration order.
 `ProviderBedrock = 3`. Numeric values are persisted in nothing today but treat
 them as wire-stable — new providers must take fresh numbers.
 
-**`Pricing` lookup**
-([pricing.go:129](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)):
+**`Pricing` construction + lookup**
+([pricing.go:60–130](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)):
 
 ```go
+func NewEntries(raw map[string]map[string]EntryJSON) (map[string]map[string]Entry, error)
+func NewTable(raw map[string]map[string]EntryJSON) (*Table, error)
+
+func (t *Table) Lookup(provider, model string) (Entry, bool)
 func (t *Table) Cost(provider, model string, inTokens, outTokens, cachedInput, cacheCreation int64) (float64, bool)
+func (t *Table) Costs(provider, model string, inTokens, outTokens, cachedInput, cacheCreation int64) (Costs, bool)
+func EntryCosts(entry Entry, surface string, inTokens, outTokens, cachedInput, cacheCreation int64) Costs
 ```
 
-Nil-safe: `t.Cost` on a nil receiver returns `(0, false)`
-([pricing.go:130–132](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)).
-`ok=false` means provider or model is absent from the loaded table; the caller
-emits `cost.skipped=unknown_model`.
+`NewTable` is the surface-keyed defaults table; `NewEntries` returns the raw
+two-level map `cost_meter` uses for the per-provider-record tier (it looks up an
+`Entry` directly and calls `EntryCosts`, so it needs no `Table` wrapper). Both
+reject any non-finite or negative rate, so a corrupt config fails the chain
+build rather than mispricing silently. Nil input yields an empty,
+never-matching table.
+
+Nil-safe: `t.Cost`/`t.Lookup` on a nil receiver returns `ok=false`
+([pricing.go:96–99](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)).
+`ok=false` means the surface or model is absent from the table management sent;
+the caller emits `cost.skipped=unknown_model`.
 
 ## Invariants
 
-1. **Cross-platform pricing build.** `pricing_unix.go` carries the only
-   functional `loadPricing` (uses `syscall.O_NOFOLLOW` and `f.Stat()` on an
-   open descriptor — both Unix-only). `pricing_other.go` is a build-tag
-   fallback that returns `"not supported on this platform"`
-   ([pricing_other.go:14–16](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing_other.go)).
-   The proxy is Linux-only in production today; a Windows port needs an
-   equivalent path-as-handle implementation. Reviewers building on Windows
-   should expect this surface to return an error at startup if an override
-   file is configured.
+1. **The pricing package is pure and platform-independent.** No file I/O, no
+   `//go:embed`, no goroutines, no build tags — the rates arrive as config, so
+   there is nothing platform-specific left to port. Anything reintroducing a
+   read-from-disk path here re-splits pricing authority between management and
+   the proxy, which is exactly what this design removed.
 
 2. **SSE scanner handles partial chunks.** A buffered prefix that doesn't end
    in `\n\n` still yields its accumulated event before `io.EOF`
@@ -298,38 +327,45 @@ emits `cost.skipped=unknown_model`.
    usage rather than aborting
    ([streaming.go:68–73, 144–150](../../../proxy/internal/middleware/builtin/llm_response_parser/streaming.go)).
 
-3. **`defaults_pricing.yaml` is the source of truth.** Compiled into the
-   binary via `//go:embed`
-   ([pricing.go:29–30](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)).
-   `DefaultTable()` parses once and panics on parse failure
-   ([pricing.go:42–49](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go))
-   — by design: a broken embedded YAML must not ship to production.
+3. **Management is the only source of rates.** `Table` has no constructor that
+   invents prices: the only way in is `NewTable`/`NewEntries` over the wire map
+   management sent. A missing or empty `pricing` block therefore means *no
+   prices at all* (`cost_meter` records `cost.skipped=unknown_model`, $0) —
+   never a stale built-in fallback that would silently bill list price.
 
-4. **Loader path validation.** `resolveMiddlewareDataPath`
-   ([pricing.go:370–394](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go))
-   rejects absolute paths, traversal segments, and basenames that fail
-   `basenameRegex = ^[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+$`. The resolved path must remain
-   inside `baseDir` even after `filepath.Clean`. Tests:
-   `TestNewLoader_PathValidation`, `TestNewLoader_PathValidation_Extended`,
-   `TestNewLoader_SymlinkOutsideBaseDirRejected`, `TestNewLoader_SymlinkRejected`.
+4. **Tables are immutable once built.** `Table.entries` is written only in
+   `NewEntries` and never mutated afterwards, and `cost_meter`'s `perRecord`
+   map is likewise build-time-only
+   ([pricing.go:47–52](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)). This
+   is what makes the no-reload design safe: a price change arrives as a mapping
+   push that builds a new middleware instance over a new table, so concurrent
+   readers can't observe a half-updated price list and no atomic swap or lock
+   is needed on the hot path.
 
-5. **Unix loader symlink safety.** `O_NOFOLLOW` on open, `f.Stat()` on the
-   open descriptor (never re-stat by path), `info.Mode().IsRegular()` check,
-   `io.LimitReader(f, maxPricingBytes+1)` with a final size assertion
-   ([pricing_unix.go:25–57](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing_unix.go)).
-   A mid-read symlink swap is detected because the fstat is on the original
-   fd. Test: `TestNewLoader_RejectsOversizedFile_FixesM4`.
+5. **Rate validation happens at chain-build time, not per request.**
+   `NewEntries` rejects negative, NaN, and ±Inf rates field by field
+   ([pricing.go:60–83](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)), naming
+   the offending surface/model/field in the error. Management enforces the same
+   constraints at its API boundary and in its YAML parser, so this is
+   defense-in-depth — but it means a corrupt push fails loudly at build instead
+   of producing negative costs on live traffic. Test:
+   `TestNewTable_ValidatesRates`.
 
-6. **`yaml.NewDecoder(...).KnownFields(true)`**
-   ([pricing.go:397–398](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go))
-   rejects YAML files that carry fields not in the schema. A typo in an
-   operator override file fails loud instead of silently zeroing rates.
+6. **New rates must be added to `Entry`, `EntryJSON`, *and* management's
+   `pricing.Entry` together.** `NewEntries` converts by direct struct
+   conversion `Entry(e)`
+   ([pricing.go:76–78](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)), which
+   only compiles while the two structs stay field-identical — so the proxy half
+   is compiler-enforced. The management half is not: a rate added there but not
+   here unmarshals into nothing and prices that bucket at `InputPer1K`.
 
 ## Things to scrutinise
 
-**Correctness.** Verify OpenAI cached-prompt clamp at
-[pricing.go:147–149](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)
-short-circuits before subtraction. `Anthropic.TotalTokens` sums all four
+**Correctness.** Verify the OpenAI cached-prompt clamp at
+[pricing.go:203–206](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)
+short-circuits before subtraction. Negative token counts are clamped to zero up
+front ([pricing.go:186–197](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/pricing.go)) so
+no formula can yield a negative cost. `Anthropic.TotalTokens` sums all four
 buckets (in + out + cache_read + cache_creation) — downstream dashboards
 need to know this differs from `input + output`.
 `OpenAIParser.ExtractPrompt` falls through `messages → input → prompt`; a
@@ -338,22 +374,27 @@ noting).
 
 **Security.** `Scanner.maxLine = 1 MiB`; a 2 MiB single-line `data:` event
 errors from `Scanner.Next` and both accumulators stop with partial usage.
-Pricing file 1 MiB cap is orders of magnitude larger than realistic. Confirm
-new schema additions are mirrored in both `pricingFile` and `Entry`;
-`KnownFields(true)` will reject silently-typo'd operator overrides
-otherwise.
+Pricing is no longer file-backed, so the loader's path-traversal / symlink /
+oversize surface is gone entirely — the config channel (an authenticated
+mapping push from management) is now the only way rates enter the proxy, and
+`NewEntries` is the validation boundary on it. A new rate added to management's
+`pricing.Entry` but not to `EntryJSON` here is the remaining silent-mispricing
+path (see invariant 6).
 
-**Concurrency.** `Loader.table` is `atomic.Pointer[Table]`; readers never
-block or see a torn table. `Loader.Reload` is one goroutine, cancelled via
-context (`TestLoader_ReloadBackgroundLoopCancellation`). `DefaultTable()`
-uses `sync.Once`. Per-call `Scanner` instances mean no shared state across
-concurrent response-parser calls.
+**Concurrency.** Nothing in this package is shared mutable state: tables are
+built once and never written again, so `cost_meter`'s hot path is lock-free by
+construction rather than by atomic swap. Per-call `Scanner` instances mean no
+shared state across concurrent response-parser calls.
 
-**Perf.** `Table.Cost` is two map lookups + multiplications, O(1).
-`Scanner.Next` is one `ReadString('\n')` per line. Pricing reload poll 30s.
+**Perf.** `Table.Cost` is two map lookups + multiplications, O(1); the
+per-provider-record tier adds at most one more lookup. `Scanner.Next` is one
+`ReadString('\n')` per line. No background goroutines and no per-request
+allocation of pricing state.
 
-**Observability.** Reload failures count via `metric.Int64Counter` keyed
-`plugin`; warning log rate-limited at 5 min so a broken file doesn't flood.
+**Observability.** A config carrying no `pricing` block logs one warning at
+chain-build time (`cost_meter` factory) and then records
+`cost.skipped=unknown_model` per request, so an old-management deployment is
+visible in both logs and the access log rather than quietly reporting $0.
 Parser errors return sentinels — middleware uses `errors.Is` to map to the
 right `cost.skipped` reason.
 
@@ -365,7 +406,7 @@ right `cost.skipped` reason.
 | `openai_test.go` | 11 | Chat Completions + Responses API + legacy `prompt`; cached-tokens subset for both naming conventions; fixture replays |
 | `anthropic_test.go` | 7 | Messages + legacy `/v1/complete`; streaming REJECTED on `ParseResponse` (must use scanner); fixture replays |
 | `sse_test.go` | 12 | Fixture replay both providers; multiline `data:`; CRLF; comment skip; trailing-event-without-blank-line; oversize rejection |
-| `pricing/pricing_test.go` | 21 | Provider-shape switch; cached-rate fallback; cached-clamp; symlink rejection (target outside basedir + symlink to file); path validation matrix; oversize rejection; reload-keeps-previous-on-parse-error; mtime change detection; goroutine cancellation |
+| `pricing/pricing_test.go` | 10 | Provider-shape switch (surface selects the formula); cached-rate + cache-read/creation fallback to `InputPer1K`; cached-clamp; negative-token clamp; nil-receiver safety; rate validation (negative / NaN / Inf rejected); nil + empty table |
 
 **Fixtures** ([proxy/internal/llm/fixtures/](../../../proxy/internal/llm/fixtures/)):
 `openai_chat_completion.json` (chat.completions with usage),
@@ -373,14 +414,15 @@ right `cost.skipped` reason.
 `openai_stream.txt` (3 deltas + usage + `[DONE]`),
 `anthropic_messages.json` (Messages API non-streaming),
 `anthropic_stream.txt` (full 7-event sequence: message_start →
-content_block_{start,delta×2,stop} → message_delta (usage) → message_stop),
-`pricing.yaml` (realistic-pricing starter for operator overrides).
+content_block_{start,delta×2,stop} → message_delta (usage) → message_stop).
+No pricing fixture: the table is config-delivered, so pricing tests construct
+it in-process from a wire-shape map.
 
 ## Cross-references
 
 - Sibling: [31-proxy-middleware-builtin.md](./31-proxy-middleware-builtin.md)
   — the chain that calls `llm.Parsers()`, `llm.ParserByName`,
-  `llm.NewScanner`, `pricing.NewLoader`.
+  `llm.NewScanner`, `pricing.NewTable` / `pricing.NewEntries`.
 - Path-routed providers (Vertex AI + Bedrock), credential syntax, and the
   Bedrock AWS event-stream accumulator:
   [50-path-routed-providers.md](./50-path-routed-providers.md).

docs/agent-networks/modules/33-proxy-runtime.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # proxy/runtime — translate + serve + log
 
 > **Risk level:** High — every config push from management is translated here, and the chain runs on every HTTP request to a synth target.
-> **Backward-compat impact:** Additive at the wire (`PathTargetOptions.middlewares`, `agent_network`, `disable_access_log`, capture caps) and on the proxy `Server` struct (`MiddlewareDataDir`, `MiddlewareCaptureBudgetBytes`). Non-agent-network targets stay on the no-middleware fast path.
+> **Backward-compat impact:** Additive at the wire (`PathTargetOptions.middlewares`, `agent_network`, `disable_access_log`, capture caps) and on the proxy `Server` struct (`MiddlewareCaptureBudgetBytes`). Non-agent-network targets stay on the no-middleware fast path. Middleware config is entirely wire-delivered — no proxy-side data dir is involved, including for LLM pricing, which management ships inside `cost_meter`'s config.
 
 ## Module boundary
 
@@ -114,8 +114,7 @@ At **request time** the access-log middleware stamps `CapturedData`; the auth ch
 
 ## Public contracts touched
 
-- `proxy.Server.MiddlewareDataDir` (string) — base dir for file-backed middleware config (server.go:238-241).
-- `proxy.Server.MiddlewareCaptureBudgetBytes` (int64) — process-wide capture cap; defaults to 256 MiB (server.go:248-250).
+- `proxy.Server.MiddlewareCaptureBudgetBytes` (int64) — process-wide capture cap; defaults to 256 MiB (server.go:249-253). There is no `MiddlewareDataDir`: no built-in middleware reads config from disk, so `builtin.FactoryContext` carries only the proxy-lifetime context, meter, logger, and management client.
 - `proxy/internal/proxy.WithMiddlewareManager(*middleware.Manager) Option` — new option on `NewReverseProxy`; nil keeps the fast path (reverseproxy.go:48-56).
 - `proxy/internal/proxy.PathTarget` adds `Middlewares`, `CaptureConfig`, `AgentNetwork`, `DisableAccessLog` (servicemapping.go:27-51), all zero-default.
 - `proxy/internal/proxy.CapturedData` adds `agentNetwork`, `suppressAccessLog`, `userGroupNames` behind `sync.RWMutex`; slices deep-copied (context.go:47-66, 183-258).

docs/agent-networks/modules/50-path-routed-providers.md

@@ -87,9 +87,9 @@ strips the `@version` suffix from the model, and maps the publisher to a parser
 surface via `vertexPublisherVendor`:
 
 - `anthropic` → `llm.provider="anthropic"` → metered through the Anthropic
-  parser, priced under the **`anthropic`** block in `defaults_pricing.yaml`
-  (the parser emits the standard Anthropic provider label, so Vertex Claude
-  reuses first-party Anthropic prices).
+  parser, priced under the **`anthropic`** surface of the pricing table
+  management ships (the parser emits the standard Anthropic provider label, so
+  Vertex Claude reuses first-party Anthropic prices).
 - `openai` → `llm.provider="openai"` (reserved; not in the catalog lineup
   today).
 - anything else (notably `google` / Gemini) → empty vendor → **no parser**.
@@ -104,8 +104,9 @@ is omitted from the catalog.
 
 > Caveat: cross-region inference profiles in `eu` / `apac` carry a ~10% price
 > premium that the base per-token rates do **not** model — cost annotations for
-> those regions read low. Operators who need exact regional billing override
-> the affected entries in `pricing.yaml`.
+> those regions read low. Operators who need exact regional billing set the
+> affected models' prices on the provider record, or replace the default entries
+> via management's `AgentNetwork.PricingDefaultsFile`.
 
 ## AWS Bedrock (`bedrock_api`)
 
@@ -211,15 +212,19 @@ so a model-listing call can't be rewritten onto an upstream that would 404 it.
 ## Catalog ↔ pricing cross-check
 
 Catalog prices and context windows are cross-checked against LiteLLM's
-`model_prices_and_context_window.json`. The proxy's embedded
-`defaults_pricing.yaml` covers **every metered first-party model** the catalog
-enumerates — guarded by
-`TestDefaultTable_FirstPartyModelCoverage`
-([pricing/defaults_coverage_test.go](../../../proxy/internal/llm/pricing/defaults_coverage_test.go)),
-which fails if a catalog model has no embedded price. Bedrock entries are keyed
-by the **normalised** id the request parser emits (region prefix + version
-suffix stripped). Vertex Claude carries no Bedrock-style prefix, so it prices
-straight off the `anthropic` block.
+`model_prices_and_context_window.json`. The **catalog is the source of default
+prices**: management's `pricing.DefaultTable` folds every catalog provider's
+models into the surfaces that provider declares (`PricingSurfaces`), so coverage
+is structural rather than maintained in a parallel file
+([pricing/defaults.go](../../../management/internals/modules/agentnetwork/pricing/defaults.go)).
+`TestDefaultTable_CoversEveryCatalogModel` fails if a catalog model ends up
+unpriced, and `TestDefaultTable_NoConflictingContributions` fails if two
+providers contribute the same (surface, model) at different rates. Bedrock
+entries are keyed by the **normalised** id the request parser emits (region
+prefix + version suffix stripped) — management applies the same normalisation to
+per-provider prices at synth time, so the two keys compare equal. Vertex Claude
+carries no Bedrock-style prefix, so it prices straight off the `anthropic`
+surface.
 
 ## Things to scrutinise
 
@@ -232,16 +237,17 @@ operator-misconfigured Vertex provider and unmetered Gemini traffic; verify
 publishers).
 
 **Correctness.** `normalizeBedrockModel` is the join between the wire id and the
-pricing key — a model that normalises to something not in `defaults_pricing.yaml`
-meters at `cost.skipped=unknown_model` rather than failing the request. The
+pricing key — a model that normalises to something absent from the shipped
+pricing table meters at `cost.skipped=unknown_model` rather than failing the
+request. The
 `/bedrock` prefix strip must run on both the parser side (so the model is
 extracted) and the router side (so the upstream path is native); a regression in
 either silently breaks the other.
 
 **Metering caveats.** eu/apac cross-region Bedrock + Vertex profiles carry a
-~10% premium not modelled by base pricing — flagged in both the catalog comment
-and `defaults_pricing.yaml`. Operators needing exact regional billing override
-the relevant entries.
+~10% premium not modelled by base pricing — flagged in the catalog comment.
+Operators needing exact regional billing set per-provider prices on the model
+rows (or replace the default entries via `AgentNetwork.PricingDefaultsFile`).
 
 ## Cross-references
 

e2e/providerdiscovery/discovery_spike_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,403 @@
+//go:build e2e
+
+// Package providerdiscovery is a credential-driven spike, not a regression
+// suite. It calls each vendor's model-discovery endpoint DIRECTLY — no proxy,
+// no tunnel, no containers — to answer a question the mock upstream cannot:
+// what does each vendor return to a caller holding only the credential an
+// operator gave us, and in what shape?
+//
+// That is the call management would have to make to populate the provider-config
+// model picker from live data instead of the hand-maintained catalog in
+// management/internals/modules/agentnetwork/catalog. Today that catalog is
+// curated by hand — it carries comments tracking which models a vendor retired
+// on which date — and it cannot know what a particular account may actually
+// invoke.
+//
+// The load-bearing unknown is Bedrock. ListInferenceProfiles is a CONTROL PLANE
+// operation on bedrock.<region>.amazonaws.com, while a provider record's
+// upstream is bedrock-runtime.<region> because that is what InvokeModel needs.
+// Whether a Bedrock API key (AWS_BEARER_TOKEN_BEDROCK) authorises the control
+// plane at all is undocumented, and the answer decides whether live discovery
+// for Bedrock is a small feature or needs SigV4 signing in management. The
+// other three surfaces are here to corroborate the shape.
+//
+// NOTHING HERE ASSERTS A STATUS CODE, deliberately: the status is the finding.
+// A probe fails the test only when its credential is present and the request
+// could not be made at all, which is a harness problem rather than an answer.
+package providerdiscovery
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"golang.org/x/oauth2/google"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// probeTimeout bounds a single vendor call. Generous for a discovery GET, and
+// short enough that a hanging endpoint reports rather than stalls the job.
+const probeTimeout = 20 * time.Second
+
+// maxLoggedBody bounds what a probe echoes into the job log. A full model
+// listing runs to tens of kilobytes and the useful part is the front; an error
+// body is short and is reproduced whole.
+const maxLoggedBody = 1500
+
+// gcpScope matches the scope llm_router mints Vertex tokens under, so this
+// probe exercises the same credential the proxy already uses in production
+// rather than a differently-scoped one that might succeed where it fails.
+const gcpScope = "https://www.googleapis.com/auth/cloud-platform"
+
+// probe is one discovery endpoint to try.
+type probe struct {
+	// surface is the provider-config entry this informs (openai_api, …).
+	surface string
+	// variant distinguishes several candidate endpoints for one surface,
+	// because part of the spike is finding out WHICH path answers.
+	variant string
+	url     string
+	headers map[string]string
+}
+
+// result is what came back, including the failure cases — those are answers too.
+type result struct {
+	probe
+	status int
+	// shape names the JSON envelope the ids were found under, so the eventual
+	// implementation knows which parser each surface needs.
+	shape string
+	ids   []string
+	body  string
+	err   error
+}
+
+// TestProviderModelDiscoverySpike probes every configured vendor and prints a
+// verdict table. Read the log, not the pass/fail.
+func TestProviderModelDiscoverySpike(t *testing.T) {
+	probes := configuredProbes(t)
+	if len(probes) == 0 {
+		t.Skip("no provider credentials set; source ~/.llm-keys to run the discovery spike")
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Minute)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	results := make([]result, 0, len(probes))
+	for _, p := range probes {
+		t.Run(p.surface+"/"+p.variant, func(t *testing.T) {
+			res := runProbe(ctx, p)
+			results = append(results, res)
+
+			// A transport error means we never got an answer — that is a broken
+			// probe, not a finding about the vendor.
+			require.NoError(t, res.err, "%s %s: request could not be made", p.surface, p.variant)
+
+			t.Logf("[spike] %s %s -> %d", p.surface, p.variant, res.status)
+			t.Logf("[spike] %s %s url: %s", p.surface, p.variant, p.url)
+			if res.shape != "" {
+				t.Logf("[spike] %s %s shape=%s ids=%d: %s",
+					p.surface, p.variant, res.shape, len(res.ids), strings.Join(sample(res.ids, 12), ", "))
+			}
+			t.Logf("[spike] %s %s body: %s", p.surface, p.variant, truncate(res.body, maxLoggedBody))
+		})
+	}
+
+	t.Log("[spike] ==================== VERDICT ====================")
+	for _, r := range results {
+		t.Logf("[spike] %-28s %-42s %3d  %s",
+			r.surface+"/"+r.variant, verdict(r), r.status, shapeNote(r))
+	}
+	t.Log("[spike] =================================================")
+}
+
+// configuredProbes assembles the probe list from whichever credentials are
+// present, mirroring the env-var gating the rest of the e2e suite uses.
+func configuredProbes(t *testing.T) []probe {
+	t.Helper()
+	var ps []probe
+
+	if k := os.Getenv("OPENAI_TOKEN"); k != "" {
+		ps = append(ps, probe{
+			surface: "openai_api", variant: "v1-models",
+			url:     "https://api.openai.com/v1/models",
+			headers: map[string]string{"Authorization": "Bearer " + k},
+		})
+	}
+
+	if k := os.Getenv("ANTHROPIC_TOKEN"); k != "" {
+		// limit=1000 because the default page is small and a picker wants the
+		// whole catalogue in one call if it can get it.
+		ps = append(ps, probe{
+			surface: "anthropic_api", variant: "v1-models",
+			url: "https://api.anthropic.com/v1/models?limit=1000",
+			headers: map[string]string{
+				"x-api-key":         k,
+				"anthropic-version": "2023-06-01",
+			},
+		})
+	}
+
+	ps = append(ps, bedrockProbes()...)
+	ps = append(ps, vertexProbes(t)...)
+	return ps
+}
+
+// bedrockProbes covers the three candidate hosts/paths. The runtime probe is
+// the control: we already know it 404s, and having it in the same table makes
+// the control-plane result unambiguous rather than a lone data point.
+func bedrockProbes() []probe {
+	k := os.Getenv("AWS_BEARER_TOKEN_BEDROCK")
+	if k == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	region := os.Getenv("AWS_REGION")
+	if region == "" {
+		region = "eu-central-1"
+	}
+	auth := map[string]string{"Authorization": "Bearer " + k}
+	return []probe{
+		{
+			surface: "bedrock_api", variant: "control-inference-profiles",
+			url:     "https://bedrock." + region + ".amazonaws.com/inference-profiles",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+		{
+			surface: "bedrock_api", variant: "control-foundation-models",
+			url:     "https://bedrock." + region + ".amazonaws.com/foundation-models",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+		{
+			// The control: the record's real upstream, which we expect to
+			// answer <UnknownOperationException/>.
+			surface: "bedrock_api", variant: "runtime-inference-profiles",
+			url:     "https://bedrock-runtime." + region + ".amazonaws.com/inference-profiles",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+// vertexProbes covers the publisher-model listing under both API versions and
+// both the global and project-scoped forms, because which one answers is itself
+// part of what the spike is for.
+func vertexProbes(t *testing.T) []probe {
+	t.Helper()
+	sa := os.Getenv("GOOGLE_VERTEX_SA_BASE64")
+	project := os.Getenv("GOOGLE_VERTEX_PROJECT")
+	if sa == "" || project == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	region := os.Getenv("GOOGLE_VERTEX_REGION")
+	if region == "" {
+		region = "global"
+	}
+	host := "aiplatform.googleapis.com"
+	if region != "global" {
+		host = region + "-aiplatform.googleapis.com"
+	}
+
+	token, err := mintGCPToken(sa)
+	if err != nil {
+		// Report rather than fail: a credential we cannot mint from is a
+		// finding about the credential, and the other surfaces still have
+		// something to say.
+		t.Logf("[spike] vertex_ai_api: could not mint an OAuth token from the service-account key: %v", err)
+		return nil
+	}
+	auth := map[string]string{"Authorization": "Bearer " + token}
+
+	return []probe{
+		{
+			surface: "vertex_ai_api", variant: "v1-publishers",
+			url:     "https://" + host + "/v1/publishers/anthropic/models",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+		{
+			surface: "vertex_ai_api", variant: "v1beta1-publishers",
+			url:     "https://" + host + "/v1beta1/publishers/anthropic/models",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+		{
+			surface: "vertex_ai_api", variant: "v1-project-scoped",
+			url: "https://" + host + "/v1/projects/" + project +
+				"/locations/" + region + "/publishers/anthropic/models",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+		{
+			// The project-scoped list under the version that actually answers.
+			// The first run's publisher list returned only two models, fewer
+			// than the catalog ships, which is what a publisher-global list
+			// looks like rather than what THIS project has enabled — and
+			// per-project availability is most of why live discovery beats a
+			// static catalogue. The v1 form 404s, so v1beta1 is the one form
+			// left that could carry it.
+			surface: "vertex_ai_api", variant: "v1beta1-project-scoped",
+			url: "https://" + host + "/v1beta1/projects/" + project +
+				"/locations/" + region + "/publishers/anthropic/models",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+		{
+			// A publisher model is addressed as "<id>@<version>" on the
+			// rawPredict path, and the plain listing reports one versionId per
+			// model. If a model has several live versions, a picker that only
+			// ever saw one would silently hide the rest.
+			surface: "vertex_ai_api", variant: "v1beta1-all-versions",
+			url:     "https://" + host + "/v1beta1/publishers/anthropic/models?listAllVersions=true",
+			headers: auth,
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+// mintGCPToken builds an access token from the base64 service-account key,
+// the same way llm_router does at request time.
+func mintGCPToken(saKeyB64 string) (string, error) {
+	jsonKey, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(strings.TrimSpace(saKeyB64))
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("decode service-account key: %w", err)
+	}
+	conf, err := google.JWTConfigFromJSON(jsonKey, gcpScope)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("parse service-account key: %w", err)
+	}
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), probeTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+	tok, err := conf.TokenSource(ctx).Token()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("mint token: %w", err)
+	}
+	return tok.AccessToken, nil
+}
+
+// runProbe issues one request and extracts whatever model ids it can find.
+func runProbe(ctx context.Context, p probe) result {
+	res := result{probe: p}
+
+	reqCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, probeTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(reqCtx, http.MethodGet, p.url, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		res.err = err
+		return res
+	}
+	for k, v := range p.headers {
+		req.Header.Set(k, v)
+	}
+	req.Header.Set("Accept", "application/json")
+
+	resp, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		res.err = err
+		return res
+	}
+	defer func() { _ = resp.Body.Close() }()
+
+	body, err := io.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(resp.Body, 4<<20))
+	if err != nil {
+		res.err = err
+		return res
+	}
+	res.status = resp.StatusCode
+	res.body = string(body)
+	res.shape, res.ids = extractIDs(body)
+	return res
+}
+
+// listingShapes maps a response envelope to the field naming the model id
+// inside it. Each vendor invented its own; a picker has to read all of them.
+var listingShapes = []struct {
+	envelope string
+	idField  string
+}{
+	{"data", "id"}, // OpenAI, Anthropic
+	{"inferenceProfileSummaries", "inferenceProfileId"}, // Bedrock control plane
+	{"modelSummaries", "modelId"},                       // Bedrock foundation models
+	{"publisherModels", "name"},                         // Vertex publisher models
+	{"models", "name"},                                  // Vertex, older shape
+}
+
+// extractIDs returns the envelope that matched and the ids under it. An empty
+// shape means the body is not a listing this spike recognises — which for an
+// error response is the expected outcome.
+func extractIDs(body []byte) (string, []string) {
+	var doc map[string]json.RawMessage
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(body, &doc); err != nil {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	for _, shape := range listingShapes {
+		raw, ok := doc[shape.envelope]
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		var entries []map[string]json.RawMessage
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &entries); err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		ids := make([]string, 0, len(entries))
+		for _, entry := range entries {
+			var id string
+			if err := json.Unmarshal(entry[shape.idField], &id); err != nil || id == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			// Vertex splits the wire id across two fields: a publisher model is
+			// addressed as "<id>@<version>" on rawPredict, so a listing that
+			// reported only the name would look usable and not be.
+			var version string
+			if raw, ok := entry["versionId"]; ok {
+				if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &version); err == nil && version != "" {
+					id += "@" + version
+				}
+			}
+			ids = append(ids, id)
+		}
+		return shape.envelope, ids
+	}
+	return "", nil
+}
+
+// verdict renders the one-line answer for the summary table.
+func verdict(r result) string {
+	switch {
+	case r.err != nil:
+		return "REQUEST FAILED"
+	case r.status == http.StatusOK && len(r.ids) > 0:
+		return "USABLE — listing returned"
+	case r.status == http.StatusOK:
+		return "200 but no ids parsed"
+	case r.status == http.StatusUnauthorized, r.status == http.StatusForbidden:
+		return "CREDENTIAL REJECTED"
+	case r.status == http.StatusNotFound:
+		return "NOT SERVED HERE"
+	default:
+		return "UNEXPECTED"
+	}
+}
+
+func shapeNote(r result) string {
+	if r.shape == "" {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("shape=%s ids=%d", r.shape, len(r.ids))
+}
+
+func sample(ids []string, n int) []string {
+	if len(ids) <= n {
+		return ids
+	}
+	return append(append([]string{}, ids[:n]...), fmt.Sprintf("… +%d more", len(ids)-n))
+}
+
+func truncate(s string, limit int) string {
+	if len(s) <= limit {
+		return s
+	}
+	return s[:limit] + fmt.Sprintf("… (%d more bytes)", len(s)-limit)
+}