add disk encryption check

The following vulnerabilities are fixed with an upgrade:
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-ALPINE322-BUSYBOX-14091698
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-ALPINE322-BUSYBOX-14091698
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-ALPINE322-BUSYBOX-14091698
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-ALPINE322-BUSYBOX-14091701
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-ALPINE322-BUSYBOX-14091701

Co-authored-by: snyk-bot <snyk-bot@snyk.io>

.devcontainer/Dockerfile

@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
-FROM golang:1.23-bullseye
+FROM golang:1.25-bookworm
 
 RUN apt-get update && export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive \
     && apt-get -y install --no-install-recommends\
-        gettext-base=0.21-4 \ 
-        iptables=1.8.7-1 \
-        libgl1-mesa-dev=20.3.5-1 \
-        xorg-dev=1:7.7+22 \
-        libayatana-appindicator3-dev=0.5.5-2+deb11u2 \
+        gettext-base=0.21-12 \
+        iptables=1.8.9-2 \
+        libgl1-mesa-dev=22.3.6-1+deb12u1 \
+        xorg-dev=1:7.7+23 \
+        libayatana-appindicator3-dev=0.5.92-1 \
     && apt-get clean \
     && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/* \
-    && go install -v golang.org/x/tools/gopls@v0.18.1
+    && go install -v golang.org/x/tools/gopls@latest
 
 
 WORKDIR /app

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

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ jobs:
           release: "14.2"
           prepare: |
             pkg install -y curl pkgconf xorg
-            GO_TARBALL="go1.24.10.freebsd-amd64.tar.gz"
+            GO_TARBALL="go1.25.3.freebsd-amd64.tar.gz"
             GO_URL="https://go.dev/dl/$GO_TARBALL"
             curl -vLO "$GO_URL"
             tar -C /usr/local -vxzf "$GO_TARBALL"            
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ jobs:
             # check all component except management, since we do not support management server on freebsd
             time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./base62/...
             # NOTE: without -p1 `client/internal/dns` will fail because of `listen udp4 :33100: bind: address already in use`
-            time go test -timeout 8m -failfast -p 1 ./client/...
+            time go test -timeout 8m -failfast -v -p 1 ./client/...
             time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./dns/...
             time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./encryption/...
             time go test -timeout 1m -failfast ./formatter/...

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

@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ jobs:
             -e GOCACHE=${CONTAINER_GOCACHE} \
             -e GOMODCACHE=${CONTAINER_GOMODCACHE} \
             -e CONTAINER=${CONTAINER} \
-            golang:1.24-alpine \
+            golang:1.25-alpine \
             sh -c ' \
               apk update; apk add --no-cache \
                 ca-certificates iptables ip6tables dbus dbus-dev libpcap-dev build-base; \
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ jobs:
           CGO_ENABLED=1 GOARCH=${{ matrix.arch }} \
           go test ${{ matrix.raceFlag }} \
             -exec 'sudo' \
-            -timeout 10m ./relay/... ./shared/relay/...
+            -timeout 10m -p 1 ./relay/... ./shared/relay/...
 
   test_signal:
     name: "Signal / Unit"

.github/workflows/golangci-lint.yml

@@ -52,7 +52,10 @@ jobs:
         if: matrix.os == 'ubuntu-latest'
         run: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y -q libgtk-3-dev libayatana-appindicator3-dev libgl1-mesa-dev xorg-dev libpcap-dev
       - name: golangci-lint
-        uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v4
+        uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@4afd733a84b1f43292c63897423277bb7f4313a9 # v8.0.0
         with:
           version: latest
-          args: --timeout=12m --out-format colored-line-number
+          skip-cache: true
+          skip-save-cache: true
+          cache-invalidation-interval: 0
+          args: --timeout=12m

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ on:
   pull_request:
 
 env:
-  SIGN_PIPE_VER: "v0.0.23"
+  SIGN_PIPE_VER: "v0.1.0"
   GORELEASER_VER: "v2.3.2"
   PRODUCT_NAME: "NetBird"
   COPYRIGHT: "NetBird GmbH"
@@ -19,6 +19,100 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
+  release_freebsd_port:
+    name: "FreeBSD Port / Build & Test"
+    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Generate FreeBSD port diff
+        run: bash release_files/freebsd-port-diff.sh
+
+      - name: Generate FreeBSD port issue body
+        run: bash release_files/freebsd-port-issue-body.sh
+
+      - name: Check if diff was generated
+        id: check_diff
+        run: |
+          if ls netbird-*.diff 1> /dev/null 2>&1; then
+            echo "diff_exists=true" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          else
+            echo "diff_exists=false" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "No diff file generated (port may already be up to date)"
+          fi
+
+      - name: Extract version
+        if: steps.check_diff.outputs.diff_exists == 'true'
+        id: version
+        run: |
+          VERSION=$(ls netbird-*.diff | sed 's/netbird-\(.*\)\.diff/\1/')
+          echo "version=$VERSION" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "Generated files for version: $VERSION"
+          cat netbird-*.diff
+
+      - name: Test FreeBSD port
+        if: steps.check_diff.outputs.diff_exists == 'true'
+        uses: vmactions/freebsd-vm@v1
+        with:
+          usesh: true
+          copyback: false
+          release: "15.0"
+          prepare: |
+            # Install required packages
+            pkg install -y git curl portlint go
+
+            # Install Go for building
+            GO_TARBALL="go1.25.5.freebsd-amd64.tar.gz"
+            GO_URL="https://go.dev/dl/$GO_TARBALL"
+            curl -LO "$GO_URL"
+            tar -C /usr/local -xzf "$GO_TARBALL"
+
+            # Clone ports tree (shallow, only what we need)
+            git clone --depth 1 --filter=blob:none https://git.FreeBSD.org/ports.git /usr/ports
+            cd /usr/ports
+
+          run: |
+            set -e -x
+            export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin
+
+            # Find the diff file
+            echo "Finding diff file..."
+            DIFF_FILE=$(find $PWD -name "netbird-*.diff" -type f 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+            echo "Found: $DIFF_FILE"
+
+            if [[ -z "$DIFF_FILE" ]]; then
+              echo "ERROR: Could not find diff file"
+              find ~ -name "*.diff" -type f 2>/dev/null || true
+              exit 1
+            fi
+
+            # Apply the generated diff from /usr/ports (diff has a/security/netbird/... paths)
+            cd /usr/ports
+            patch -p1 -V none < "$DIFF_FILE"
+
+            # Show patched Makefile
+            version=$(cat security/netbird/Makefile | grep -E '^DISTVERSION=' | awk '{print $NF}')
+            
+            cd /usr/ports/security/netbird
+            export BATCH=yes
+            make package
+            pkg add ./work/pkg/netbird-*.pkg
+            
+            netbird version | grep "$version"
+
+            echo "FreeBSD port test completed successfully!"
+
+      - name: Upload FreeBSD port files
+        if: steps.check_diff.outputs.diff_exists == 'true'
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: freebsd-port-files
+          path: |
+            ./netbird-*-issue.txt
+            ./netbird-*.diff
+          retention-days: 30
+
   release:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest-m
     env:

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

@@ -243,6 +243,7 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: infrastructure_files/artifacts
         run: |
           sleep 30
+          docker compose logs
           docker compose exec management ls -l /var/lib/netbird/ | grep -i GeoLite2-City_[0-9]*.mmdb
           docker compose exec management ls -l /var/lib/netbird/ | grep -i geonames_[0-9]*.db
 

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

@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ jobs:
   js_lint:
     name: "JS / Lint"
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    env:
+      GOOS: js
+      GOARCH: wasm
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -24,16 +27,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y -q libgtk-3-dev libayatana-appindicator3-dev libgl1-mesa-dev xorg-dev libpcap-dev
       - name: Install golangci-lint
-        uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@d6238b002a20823d52840fda27e2d4891c5952dc
+        uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@4afd733a84b1f43292c63897423277bb7f4313a9 # v8.0.0
         with:
           version: latest
           install-mode: binary
           skip-cache: true
-          skip-pkg-cache: true
-          skip-build-cache: true
-      - name: Run golangci-lint for WASM
-        run: |
-          GOOS=js GOARCH=wasm golangci-lint run --timeout=12m --out-format colored-line-number ./client/...
+          skip-save-cache: true
+          cache-invalidation-interval: 0
+          working-directory: ./client
         continue-on-error: true
 
   js_build:

.gitignore

@@ -31,3 +31,4 @@ infrastructure_files/setup-*.env
 .DS_Store
 vendor/
 /netbird
+client/netbird-electron/

.golangci.yaml

@@ -1,139 +1,124 @@
-run:
-  # Timeout for analysis, e.g. 30s, 5m.
-  # Default: 1m
-  timeout: 6m
-
-# This file contains only configs which differ from defaults.
-# All possible options can be found here https://github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/blob/master/.golangci.reference.yml
-linters-settings:
-  errcheck:
-    # Report about not checking of errors in type assertions: `a := b.(MyStruct)`.
-    # Such cases aren't reported by default.
-    # Default: false
-    check-type-assertions: false
-
-  gosec:
-    includes:
-      - G101 # Look for hard coded credentials
-      #- G102 # Bind to all interfaces
-      - G103 # Audit the use of unsafe block
-      - G104 # Audit errors not checked
-      - G106 # Audit the use of ssh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey
-      #- G107 # Url provided to HTTP request as taint input
-      - G108 # Profiling endpoint automatically exposed on /debug/pprof
-      - G109 # Potential Integer overflow made by strconv.Atoi result conversion to int16/32
-      - G110 # Potential DoS vulnerability via decompression bomb
-      - G111 # Potential directory traversal
-      #- G112 # Potential slowloris attack
-      - G113 # Usage of Rat.SetString in math/big with an overflow (CVE-2022-23772)
-      #- G114 # Use of net/http serve function that has no support for setting timeouts
-      - G201 # SQL query construction using format string
-      - G202 # SQL query construction using string concatenation
-      - G203 # Use of unescaped data in HTML templates
-      #- G204 # Audit use of command execution
-      - G301 # Poor file permissions used when creating a directory
-      - G302 # Poor file permissions used with chmod
-      - G303 # Creating tempfile using a predictable path
-      - G304 # File path provided as taint input
-      - G305 # File traversal when extracting zip/tar archive
-      - G306 # Poor file permissions used when writing to a new file
-      - G307 # Poor file permissions used when creating a file with os.Create
-      #- G401 # Detect the usage of DES, RC4, MD5 or SHA1
-      #- G402 # Look for bad TLS connection settings
-      - G403 # Ensure minimum RSA key length of 2048 bits
-      #- G404 # Insecure random number source (rand)
-      #- G501 # Import blocklist: crypto/md5
-      - G502 # Import blocklist: crypto/des
-      - G503 # Import blocklist: crypto/rc4
-      - G504 # Import blocklist: net/http/cgi
-      #- G505 # Import blocklist: crypto/sha1
-      - G601 # Implicit memory aliasing of items from a range statement
-      - G602 # Slice access out of bounds
-
-  gocritic:
-    disabled-checks:
-      - commentFormatting
-      - captLocal
-      - deprecatedComment
-
-  govet:
-    # Enable all analyzers.
-    # Default: false
-    enable-all: false
-    enable:
-      - nilness
-
-  revive:
-    rules:
-      - name: exported
-        severity: warning
-        disabled: false
-        arguments:
-          - "checkPrivateReceivers"
-          - "sayRepetitiveInsteadOfStutters"
-  tenv:
-    # The option `all` will run against whole test files (`_test.go`) regardless of method/function signatures.
-    # Otherwise, only methods that take `*testing.T`, `*testing.B`, and `testing.TB` as arguments are checked.
-    # Default: false
-    all: true
-
+version: "2"
 linters:
-  disable-all: true
+  default: none
   enable:
-    ## enabled by default
-    - errcheck # checking for unchecked errors, these unchecked errors can be critical bugs in some cases
-    - gosimple # specializes in simplifying a code
-    - govet # reports suspicious constructs, such as Printf calls whose arguments do not align with the format string
-    - ineffassign # detects when assignments to existing variables are not used
-    - staticcheck # is a go vet on steroids, applying a ton of static analysis checks
-    - tenv # Tenv is analyzer that detects using os.Setenv instead of t.Setenv since Go1.17.
-    - typecheck # like the front-end of a Go compiler, parses and type-checks Go code
-    - unused # checks for unused constants, variables, functions and types
-    ## disable by default but the have interesting results so lets add them
-    - bodyclose # checks whether HTTP response body is closed successfully
-    - dupword # dupword checks for duplicate words in the source code
-    - durationcheck # durationcheck checks for two durations multiplied together
-    - forbidigo # forbidigo forbids identifiers
-    - gocritic # provides diagnostics that check for bugs, performance and style issues
-    - gosec # inspects source code for security problems
-    - mirror # mirror reports wrong mirror patterns of bytes/strings usage
-    - misspell # misspess finds commonly misspelled English words in comments
-    - nilerr # finds the code that returns nil even if it checks that the error is not nil
-    - nilnil # checks that there is no simultaneous return of nil error and an invalid value
-    - predeclared # predeclared finds code that shadows one of Go's predeclared identifiers
-    - revive # Fast, configurable, extensible, flexible, and beautiful linter for Go. Drop-in replacement of golint.
-    - sqlclosecheck # checks that sql.Rows and sql.Stmt are closed
-    # - thelper # thelper detects Go test helpers without t.Helper() call and checks the consistency of test helpers.
-    - wastedassign # wastedassign finds wasted assignment statements
+    - bodyclose
+    - dupword
+    - durationcheck
+    - errcheck
+    - forbidigo
+    - gocritic
+    - gosec
+    - govet
+    - ineffassign
+    - mirror
+    - misspell
+    - nilerr
+    - nilnil
+    - predeclared
+    - revive
+    - sqlclosecheck
+    - staticcheck
+    - unused
+    - wastedassign
+  settings:
+    errcheck:
+      check-type-assertions: false
+    gocritic:
+      disabled-checks:
+        - commentFormatting
+        - captLocal
+        - deprecatedComment
+    gosec:
+      includes:
+        - G101
+        - G103
+        - G104
+        - G106
+        - G108
+        - G109
+        - G110
+        - G111
+        - G201
+        - G202
+        - G203
+        - G301
+        - G302
+        - G303
+        - G304
+        - G305
+        - G306
+        - G307
+        - G403
+        - G502
+        - G503
+        - G504
+        - G601
+        - G602
+    govet:
+      enable:
+        - nilness
+      enable-all: false
+    revive:
+      rules:
+        - name: exported
+          arguments:
+            - checkPrivateReceivers
+            - sayRepetitiveInsteadOfStutters
+          severity: warning
+          disabled: false
+  exclusions:
+    generated: lax
+    presets:
+      - comments
+      - common-false-positives
+      - legacy
+      - std-error-handling
+    rules:
+      - linters:
+          - forbidigo
+        path: management/cmd/root\.go
+      - linters:
+          - forbidigo
+        path: signal/cmd/root\.go
+      - linters:
+          - unused
+        path: sharedsock/filter\.go
+      - linters:
+          - unused
+        path: client/firewall/iptables/rule\.go
+      - linters:
+          - gosec
+          - mirror
+        path: test\.go
+      - linters:
+          - nilnil
+        path: mock\.go
+      - linters:
+          - staticcheck
+        text: grpc.DialContext is deprecated
+      - linters:
+          - staticcheck
+        text: grpc.WithBlock is deprecated
+      - linters:
+          - staticcheck
+        text: "QF1001"
+      - linters:
+          - staticcheck
+        text: "QF1008"
+      - linters:
+          - staticcheck
+        text: "QF1012"
+    paths:
+      - third_party$
+      - builtin$
+      - examples$
 issues:
-  # Maximum count of issues with the same text.
-  # Set to 0 to disable.
-  # Default: 3
   max-same-issues: 5
-
-  exclude-rules:
-    # allow fmt
-    - path: management/cmd/root\.go
-      linters: forbidigo
-    - path: signal/cmd/root\.go
-      linters: forbidigo
-    - path: sharedsock/filter\.go
-      linters:
-      - unused
-    - path: client/firewall/iptables/rule\.go
-      linters:
-      - unused
-    - path: test\.go
-      linters:
-      - mirror
-      - gosec
-    - path: mock\.go
-      linters:
-      - nilnil
-    # Exclude specific deprecation warnings for grpc methods
-    - linters:
-       - staticcheck
-      text: "grpc.DialContext is deprecated"
-    - linters:
-        - staticcheck
-      text: "grpc.WithBlock is deprecated"
+formatters:
+  exclusions:
+    generated: lax
+    paths:
+      - third_party$
+      - builtin$
+      - examples$

.goreleaser.yaml

@@ -713,8 +713,10 @@ checksum:
   extra_files:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-with-zitadel.sh
     - glob: ./release_files/install.sh
+    - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started.sh
 
 release:
   extra_files:
     - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started-with-zitadel.sh
     - glob: ./release_files/install.sh
+    - glob: ./infrastructure_files/getting-started.sh

README.md

@@ -38,6 +38,11 @@
  
 </strong>
 <br>
+<strong>
+  🚀 <a href="https://careers.netbird.io">We are hiring! Join us at careers.netbird.io</a>
+</strong>
+<br>
+<br>
 <a href="https://registry.terraform.io/providers/netbirdio/netbird/latest">
     New: NetBird terraform provider
   </a> 
@@ -85,7 +90,7 @@ Follow the [Advanced guide with a custom identity provider](https://docs.netbird
 
 **Infrastructure requirements:**
 - A Linux VM with at least **1CPU** and **2GB** of memory.
-- The VM should be publicly accessible on TCP ports **80** and **443** and UDP ports: **3478**, **49152-65535**.
+- The VM should be publicly accessible on TCP ports **80** and **443** and UDP port: **3478**.
 - **Public domain** name pointing to the VM.
 
 **Software requirements:**
@@ -98,7 +103,7 @@ Follow the [Advanced guide with a custom identity provider](https://docs.netbird
 **Steps**
 - Download and run the installation script:
 ```bash
-export NETBIRD_DOMAIN=netbird.example.com; curl -fsSL https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/releases/latest/download/getting-started-with-zitadel.sh | bash
+export NETBIRD_DOMAIN=netbird.example.com; curl -fsSL https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/releases/latest/download/getting-started.sh | bash
 ```
 - Once finished, you can manage the resources via `docker-compose`
 
@@ -113,7 +118,7 @@ export NETBIRD_DOMAIN=netbird.example.com; curl -fsSL https://github.com/netbird
 [Coturn](https://github.com/coturn/coturn) is the one that has been successfully used for STUN and TURN in NetBird setups.
 
 <p float="left" align="middle">
-  <img src="https://docs.netbird.io/docs-static/img/architecture/high-level-dia.png" width="700"/>
+  <img src="https://docs.netbird.io/docs-static/img/about-netbird/high-level-dia.png" width="700"/>
 </p>
 
 See a complete [architecture overview](https://docs.netbird.io/about-netbird/how-netbird-works#architecture) for details.

client/Dockerfile

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #   sudo podman build -t localhost/netbird:latest -f client/Dockerfile --ignorefile .dockerignore-client .
 #   sudo podman run --rm -it --cap-add={BPF,NET_ADMIN,NET_RAW} localhost/netbird:latest
 
-FROM alpine:3.22.2
+FROM alpine:3.23.2
 # iproute2: busybox doesn't display ip rules properly
 RUN apk add --no-cache \
     bash \

client/android/client.go

@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ func init() {
 
 // Client struct manage the life circle of background service
 type Client struct {
-	cfgFile               string
 	tunAdapter            device.TunAdapter
 	iFaceDiscover         IFaceDiscover
 	recorder              *peer.Status
@@ -68,18 +67,16 @@ type Client struct {
 	deviceName            string
 	uiVersion             string
 	networkChangeListener listener.NetworkChangeListener
-	stateFile             string
 
 	connectClient *internal.ConnectClient
 }
 
 // NewClient instantiate a new Client
-func NewClient(platformFiles PlatformFiles, androidSDKVersion int, deviceName string, uiVersion string, tunAdapter TunAdapter, iFaceDiscover IFaceDiscover, networkChangeListener NetworkChangeListener) *Client {
+func NewClient(androidSDKVersion int, deviceName string, uiVersion string, tunAdapter TunAdapter, iFaceDiscover IFaceDiscover, networkChangeListener NetworkChangeListener) *Client {
 	execWorkaround(androidSDKVersion)
 
 	net.SetAndroidProtectSocketFn(tunAdapter.ProtectSocket)
 	return &Client{
-		cfgFile:               platformFiles.ConfigurationFilePath(),
 		deviceName:            deviceName,
 		uiVersion:             uiVersion,
 		tunAdapter:            tunAdapter,
@@ -87,15 +84,20 @@ func NewClient(platformFiles PlatformFiles, androidSDKVersion int, deviceName st
 		recorder:              peer.NewRecorder(""),
 		ctxCancelLock:         &sync.Mutex{},
 		networkChangeListener: networkChangeListener,
-		stateFile:             platformFiles.StateFilePath(),
 	}
 }
 
 // Run start the internal client. It is a blocker function
-func (c *Client) Run(urlOpener URLOpener, isAndroidTV bool, dns *DNSList, dnsReadyListener DnsReadyListener, envList *EnvList) error {
+func (c *Client) Run(platformFiles PlatformFiles, urlOpener URLOpener, isAndroidTV bool, dns *DNSList, dnsReadyListener DnsReadyListener, envList *EnvList) error {
 	exportEnvList(envList)
+
+	cfgFile := platformFiles.ConfigurationFilePath()
+	stateFile := platformFiles.StateFilePath()
+
+	log.Infof("Starting client with config: %s, state: %s", cfgFile, stateFile)
+
 	cfg, err := profilemanager.UpdateOrCreateConfig(profilemanager.ConfigInput{
-		ConfigPath: c.cfgFile,
+		ConfigPath: cfgFile,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -122,16 +124,22 @@ func (c *Client) Run(urlOpener URLOpener, isAndroidTV bool, dns *DNSList, dnsRea
 
 	// todo do not throw error in case of cancelled context
 	ctx = internal.CtxInitState(ctx)
-	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder)
-	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener, c.stateFile)
+	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder, false)
+	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener, stateFile)
 }
 
 // RunWithoutLogin we apply this type of run function when the backed has been started without UI (i.e. after reboot).
 // In this case make no sense handle registration steps.
-func (c *Client) RunWithoutLogin(dns *DNSList, dnsReadyListener DnsReadyListener, envList *EnvList) error {
+func (c *Client) RunWithoutLogin(platformFiles PlatformFiles, dns *DNSList, dnsReadyListener DnsReadyListener, envList *EnvList) error {
 	exportEnvList(envList)
+
+	cfgFile := platformFiles.ConfigurationFilePath()
+	stateFile := platformFiles.StateFilePath()
+
+	log.Infof("Starting client without login with config: %s, state: %s", cfgFile, stateFile)
+
 	cfg, err := profilemanager.UpdateOrCreateConfig(profilemanager.ConfigInput{
-		ConfigPath: c.cfgFile,
+		ConfigPath: cfgFile,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -149,8 +157,8 @@ func (c *Client) RunWithoutLogin(dns *DNSList, dnsReadyListener DnsReadyListener
 
 	// todo do not throw error in case of cancelled context
 	ctx = internal.CtxInitState(ctx)
-	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder)
-	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener, c.stateFile)
+	c.connectClient = internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, cfg, c.recorder, false)
+	return c.connectClient.RunOnAndroid(c.tunAdapter, c.iFaceDiscover, c.networkChangeListener, slices.Clone(dns.items), dnsReadyListener, stateFile)
 }
 
 // Stop the internal client and free the resources

client/android/profile_manager.go

@@ -0,0 +1,257 @@
+//go:build android
+
+package android
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+)
+
+const (
+	// Android-specific config filename (different from desktop default.json)
+	defaultConfigFilename = "netbird.cfg"
+	// Subdirectory for non-default profiles (must match Java Preferences.java)
+	profilesSubdir = "profiles"
+	// Android uses a single user context per app (non-empty username required by ServiceManager)
+	androidUsername = "android"
+)
+
+// Profile represents a profile for gomobile
+type Profile struct {
+	Name     string
+	IsActive bool
+}
+
+// ProfileArray wraps profiles for gomobile compatibility
+type ProfileArray struct {
+	items []*Profile
+}
+
+// Length returns the number of profiles
+func (p *ProfileArray) Length() int {
+	return len(p.items)
+}
+
+// Get returns the profile at index i
+func (p *ProfileArray) Get(i int) *Profile {
+	if i < 0 || i >= len(p.items) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return p.items[i]
+}
+
+/*
+
+/data/data/io.netbird.client/files/           ← configDir parameter
+├── netbird.cfg                                 ← Default profile config
+├── state.json                                  ← Default profile state
+├── active_profile.json                         ← Active profile tracker (JSON with Name + Username)
+└── profiles/                                   ← Subdirectory for non-default profiles
+    ├── work.json                              ← Work profile config
+    ├── work.state.json                        ← Work profile state
+    ├── personal.json                          ← Personal profile config
+    └── personal.state.json                    ← Personal profile state
+*/
+
+// ProfileManager manages profiles for Android
+// It wraps the internal profilemanager to provide Android-specific behavior
+type ProfileManager struct {
+	configDir  string
+	serviceMgr *profilemanager.ServiceManager
+}
+
+// NewProfileManager creates a new profile manager for Android
+func NewProfileManager(configDir string) *ProfileManager {
+	// Set the default config path for Android (stored in root configDir, not profiles/)
+	defaultConfigPath := filepath.Join(configDir, defaultConfigFilename)
+
+	// Set global paths for Android
+	profilemanager.DefaultConfigPathDir = configDir
+	profilemanager.DefaultConfigPath = defaultConfigPath
+	profilemanager.ActiveProfileStatePath = filepath.Join(configDir, "active_profile.json")
+
+	// Create ServiceManager with profiles/ subdirectory
+	// This avoids modifying the global ConfigDirOverride for profile listing
+	profilesDir := filepath.Join(configDir, profilesSubdir)
+	serviceMgr := profilemanager.NewServiceManagerWithProfilesDir(defaultConfigPath, profilesDir)
+
+	return &ProfileManager{
+		configDir:  configDir,
+		serviceMgr: serviceMgr,
+	}
+}
+
+// ListProfiles returns all available profiles
+func (pm *ProfileManager) ListProfiles() (*ProfileArray, error) {
+	// Use ServiceManager (looks in profiles/ directory, checks active_profile.json for IsActive)
+	internalProfiles, err := pm.serviceMgr.ListProfiles(androidUsername)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to list profiles: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Convert internal profiles to Android Profile type
+	var profiles []*Profile
+	for _, p := range internalProfiles {
+		profiles = append(profiles, &Profile{
+			Name:     p.Name,
+			IsActive: p.IsActive,
+		})
+	}
+
+	return &ProfileArray{items: profiles}, nil
+}
+
+// GetActiveProfile returns the currently active profile name
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveProfile() (string, error) {
+	// Use ServiceManager to stay consistent with ListProfiles
+	// ServiceManager uses active_profile.json
+	activeState, err := pm.serviceMgr.GetActiveProfileState()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	return activeState.Name, nil
+}
+
+// SwitchProfile switches to a different profile
+func (pm *ProfileManager) SwitchProfile(profileName string) error {
+	// Use ServiceManager to stay consistent with ListProfiles
+	// ServiceManager uses active_profile.json
+	err := pm.serviceMgr.SetActiveProfileState(&profilemanager.ActiveProfileState{
+		Name:     profileName,
+		Username: androidUsername,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to switch profile: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("switched to profile: %s", profileName)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// AddProfile creates a new profile
+func (pm *ProfileManager) AddProfile(profileName string) error {
+	// Use ServiceManager (creates profile in profiles/ directory)
+	if err := pm.serviceMgr.AddProfile(profileName, androidUsername); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to add profile: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("created new profile: %s", profileName)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// LogoutProfile logs out from a profile (clears authentication)
+func (pm *ProfileManager) LogoutProfile(profileName string) error {
+	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
+
+	configPath, err := pm.getProfileConfigPath(profileName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Check if profile exists
+	if _, err := os.Stat(configPath); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("profile '%s' does not exist", profileName)
+	}
+
+	// Read current config using internal profilemanager
+	config, err := profilemanager.ReadConfig(configPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read profile config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Clear authentication by removing private key and SSH key
+	config.PrivateKey = ""
+	config.SSHKey = ""
+
+	// Save config using internal profilemanager
+	if err := profilemanager.WriteOutConfig(configPath, config); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to save config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("logged out from profile: %s", profileName)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// RemoveProfile deletes a profile
+func (pm *ProfileManager) RemoveProfile(profileName string) error {
+	// Use ServiceManager (removes profile from profiles/ directory)
+	if err := pm.serviceMgr.RemoveProfile(profileName, androidUsername); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove profile: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("removed profile: %s", profileName)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// getProfileConfigPath returns the config file path for a profile
+// This is needed for Android-specific path handling (netbird.cfg for default profile)
+func (pm *ProfileManager) getProfileConfigPath(profileName string) (string, error) {
+	if profileName == "" || profileName == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
+		// Android uses netbird.cfg for default profile instead of default.json
+		// Default profile is stored in root configDir, not in profiles/
+		return filepath.Join(pm.configDir, defaultConfigFilename), nil
+	}
+
+	// Non-default profiles are stored in profiles subdirectory
+	// This matches the Java Preferences.java expectation
+	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
+	profilesDir := filepath.Join(pm.configDir, profilesSubdir)
+	return filepath.Join(profilesDir, profileName+".json"), nil
+}
+
+// GetConfigPath returns the config file path for a given profile
+// Java should call this instead of constructing paths with Preferences.configFile()
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetConfigPath(profileName string) (string, error) {
+	return pm.getProfileConfigPath(profileName)
+}
+
+// GetStateFilePath returns the state file path for a given profile
+// Java should call this instead of constructing paths with Preferences.stateFile()
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetStateFilePath(profileName string) (string, error) {
+	if profileName == "" || profileName == profilemanager.DefaultProfileName {
+		return filepath.Join(pm.configDir, "state.json"), nil
+	}
+
+	profileName = sanitizeProfileName(profileName)
+	profilesDir := filepath.Join(pm.configDir, profilesSubdir)
+	return filepath.Join(profilesDir, profileName+".state.json"), nil
+}
+
+// GetActiveConfigPath returns the config file path for the currently active profile
+// Java should call this instead of Preferences.getActiveProfileName() + Preferences.configFile()
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveConfigPath() (string, error) {
+	activeProfile, err := pm.GetActiveProfile()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	return pm.GetConfigPath(activeProfile)
+}
+
+// GetActiveStateFilePath returns the state file path for the currently active profile
+// Java should call this instead of Preferences.getActiveProfileName() + Preferences.stateFile()
+func (pm *ProfileManager) GetActiveStateFilePath() (string, error) {
+	activeProfile, err := pm.GetActiveProfile()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get active profile: %w", err)
+	}
+	return pm.GetStateFilePath(activeProfile)
+}
+
+// sanitizeProfileName removes invalid characters from profile name
+func sanitizeProfileName(name string) string {
+	// Keep only alphanumeric, underscore, and hyphen
+	var result strings.Builder
+	for _, r := range name {
+		if (r >= 'a' && r <= 'z') || (r >= 'A' && r <= 'Z') ||
+			(r >= '0' && r <= '9') || r == '_' || r == '-' {
+			result.WriteRune(r)
+		}
+	}
+	return result.String()
+}

client/cmd/debug.go

@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ func setLogLevel(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	client := proto.NewDaemonServiceClient(conn)
 	level := server.ParseLogLevel(args[0])
 	if level == proto.LogLevel_UNKNOWN {
+		//nolint
 		return fmt.Errorf("unknown log level: %s. Available levels are: panic, fatal, error, warn, info, debug, trace\n", args[0])
 	}
 
@@ -313,9 +314,8 @@ func getStatusOutput(cmd *cobra.Command, anon bool) string {
 			profName = activeProf.Name
 		}
 
-		statusOutputString = nbstatus.ParseToFullDetailSummary(
-			nbstatus.ConvertToStatusOutputOverview(statusResp, anon, "", nil, nil, nil, "", profName),
-		)
+		overview := nbstatus.ConvertToStatusOutputOverview(statusResp, anon, "", nil, nil, nil, "", profName)
+		statusOutputString = overview.FullDetailSummary()
 	}
 	return statusOutputString
 }

client/cmd/login.go

@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ var loginCmd = &cobra.Command{
 func doDaemonLogin(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, providedSetupKey string, activeProf *profilemanager.Profile, username string, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManager) error {
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
+		//nolint
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
 			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
 			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)
@@ -206,6 +207,7 @@ func switchProfileOnDaemon(ctx context.Context, pm *profilemanager.ProfileManage
 func switchProfile(ctx context.Context, profileName string, username string) error {
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
+		//nolint
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
 			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
 			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)

client/cmd/pprof.go

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 //go:build pprof
-// +build pprof
 
 package cmd
 

client/cmd/root.go

@@ -85,6 +85,9 @@ var (
 
 // Execute executes the root command.
 func Execute() error {
+	if isUpdateBinary() {
+		return updateCmd.Execute()
+	}
 	return rootCmd.Execute()
 }
 
@@ -387,6 +390,7 @@ func getClient(cmd *cobra.Command) (*grpc.ClientConn, error) {
 
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(cmd.Context(), daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
+		//nolint
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
 			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
 			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)

client/cmd/signer/artifactkey.go

@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+)
+
+var (
+	bundlePubKeysRootPrivKeyFile string
+	bundlePubKeysPubKeyFiles     []string
+	bundlePubKeysFile            string
+
+	createArtifactKeyRootPrivKeyFile string
+	createArtifactKeyPrivKeyFile     string
+	createArtifactKeyPubKeyFile      string
+	createArtifactKeyExpiration      time.Duration
+)
+
+var createArtifactKeyCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "create-artifact-key",
+	Short: "Create a new artifact signing key",
+	Long: `Generate a new artifact signing key pair signed by the root private key.
+The artifact key will be used to sign software artifacts/updates.`,
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		if createArtifactKeyExpiration <= 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("--expiration must be a positive duration (e.g., 720h, 365d, 8760h)")
+		}
+
+		if err := handleCreateArtifactKey(cmd, createArtifactKeyRootPrivKeyFile, createArtifactKeyPrivKeyFile, createArtifactKeyPubKeyFile, createArtifactKeyExpiration); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to create artifact key: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+
+var bundlePubKeysCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "bundle-pub-keys",
+	Short: "Bundle multiple artifact public keys into a signed package",
+	Long: `Bundle one or more artifact public keys into a signed package using the root private key.
+This command is typically used to distribute or authorize a set of valid artifact signing keys.`,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		if len(bundlePubKeysPubKeyFiles) == 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("at least one --artifact-pub-key-file must be provided")
+		}
+
+		if err := handleBundlePubKeys(cmd, bundlePubKeysRootPrivKeyFile, bundlePubKeysPubKeyFiles, bundlePubKeysFile); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to bundle public keys: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+
+func init() {
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(createArtifactKeyCmd)
+
+	createArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&createArtifactKeyRootPrivKeyFile, "root-private-key-file", "", "Path to the root private key file used to sign the artifact key")
+	createArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&createArtifactKeyPrivKeyFile, "artifact-priv-key-file", "", "Path where the artifact private key will be saved")
+	createArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&createArtifactKeyPubKeyFile, "artifact-pub-key-file", "", "Path where the artifact public key will be saved")
+	createArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().DurationVar(&createArtifactKeyExpiration, "expiration", 0, "Expiration duration for the artifact key (e.g., 720h, 365d, 8760h)")
+
+	if err := createArtifactKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("root-private-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark root-private-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := createArtifactKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("artifact-priv-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark artifact-priv-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := createArtifactKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("artifact-pub-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark artifact-pub-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := createArtifactKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("expiration"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark expiration as required: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(bundlePubKeysCmd)
+
+	bundlePubKeysCmd.Flags().StringVar(&bundlePubKeysRootPrivKeyFile, "root-private-key-file", "", "Path to the root private key file used to sign the bundle")
+	bundlePubKeysCmd.Flags().StringArrayVar(&bundlePubKeysPubKeyFiles, "artifact-pub-key-file", nil, "Path(s) to the artifact public key files to include in the bundle (can be repeated)")
+	bundlePubKeysCmd.Flags().StringVar(&bundlePubKeysFile, "bundle-pub-key-file", "", "Path where the public keys will be saved")
+
+	if err := bundlePubKeysCmd.MarkFlagRequired("root-private-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark root-private-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := bundlePubKeysCmd.MarkFlagRequired("artifact-pub-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark artifact-pub-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := bundlePubKeysCmd.MarkFlagRequired("bundle-pub-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark bundle-pub-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+}
+
+func handleCreateArtifactKey(cmd *cobra.Command, rootPrivKeyFile, artifactPrivKeyFile, artifactPubKeyFile string, expiration time.Duration) error {
+	cmd.Println("Creating new artifact signing key...")
+
+	privKeyPEM, err := os.ReadFile(rootPrivKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read root private key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	privateRootKey, err := reposign.ParseRootKey(privKeyPEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse private root key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	artifactKey, privPEM, pubPEM, signature, err := reposign.GenerateArtifactKey(privateRootKey, expiration)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("generate artifact key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.WriteFile(artifactPrivKeyFile, privPEM, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write private key file (%s): %w", artifactPrivKeyFile, err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.WriteFile(artifactPubKeyFile, pubPEM, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write public key file (%s): %w", artifactPubKeyFile, err)
+	}
+
+	signatureFile := artifactPubKeyFile + ".sig"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(signatureFile, signature, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write signature file (%s): %w", signatureFile, err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Printf("✅ Artifact key created successfully.\n")
+	cmd.Printf("%s\n", artifactKey.String())
+	return nil
+}
+
+func handleBundlePubKeys(cmd *cobra.Command, rootPrivKeyFile string, artifactPubKeyFiles []string, bundlePubKeysFile string) error {
+	cmd.Println("📦 Bundling public keys into signed package...")
+
+	privKeyPEM, err := os.ReadFile(rootPrivKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read root private key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	privateRootKey, err := reposign.ParseRootKey(privKeyPEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse private root key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	publicKeys := make([]reposign.PublicKey, 0, len(artifactPubKeyFiles))
+	for _, pubFile := range artifactPubKeyFiles {
+		pubPem, err := os.ReadFile(pubFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("read public key file: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		pk, err := reposign.ParseArtifactPubKey(pubPem)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse artifact key: %w", err)
+		}
+		publicKeys = append(publicKeys, pk)
+	}
+
+	parsedKeys, signature, err := reposign.BundleArtifactKeys(privateRootKey, publicKeys)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("bundle artifact keys: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.WriteFile(bundlePubKeysFile, parsedKeys, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write public keys file (%s): %w", bundlePubKeysFile, err)
+	}
+
+	signatureFile := bundlePubKeysFile + ".sig"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(signatureFile, signature, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write signature file (%s): %w", signatureFile, err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Printf("✅ Bundle created with %d public keys.\n", len(artifactPubKeyFiles))
+	return nil
+}

client/cmd/signer/artifactsign.go

@@ -0,0 +1,276 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+)
+
+const (
+	envArtifactPrivateKey = "NB_ARTIFACT_PRIV_KEY"
+)
+
+var (
+	signArtifactPrivKeyFile  string
+	signArtifactArtifactFile string
+
+	verifyArtifactPubKeyFile    string
+	verifyArtifactFile          string
+	verifyArtifactSignatureFile string
+
+	verifyArtifactKeyPubKeyFile     string
+	verifyArtifactKeyRootPubKeyFile string
+	verifyArtifactKeySignatureFile  string
+	verifyArtifactKeyRevocationFile string
+)
+
+var signArtifactCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "sign-artifact",
+	Short: "Sign an artifact using an artifact private key",
+	Long: `Sign a software artifact (e.g., update bundle or binary) using the artifact's private key.
+This command produces a detached signature that can be verified using the corresponding artifact public key.`,
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		if err := handleSignArtifact(cmd, signArtifactPrivKeyFile, signArtifactArtifactFile); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to sign artifact: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+
+var verifyArtifactCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:          "verify-artifact",
+	Short:        "Verify an artifact signature using an artifact public key",
+	Long:         `Verify a software artifact signature using the artifact's public key.`,
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		if err := handleVerifyArtifact(cmd, verifyArtifactPubKeyFile, verifyArtifactFile, verifyArtifactSignatureFile); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to verify artifact: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+
+var verifyArtifactKeyCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "verify-artifact-key",
+	Short: "Verify an artifact public key was signed by a root key",
+	Long: `Verify that an artifact public key (or bundle) was properly signed by a root key.
+This validates the chain of trust from the root key to the artifact key.`,
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		if err := handleVerifyArtifactKey(cmd, verifyArtifactKeyPubKeyFile, verifyArtifactKeyRootPubKeyFile, verifyArtifactKeySignatureFile, verifyArtifactKeyRevocationFile); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to verify artifact key: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+
+func init() {
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(signArtifactCmd)
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(verifyArtifactCmd)
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(verifyArtifactKeyCmd)
+
+	signArtifactCmd.Flags().StringVar(&signArtifactPrivKeyFile, "artifact-key-file", "", fmt.Sprintf("Path to the artifact private key file used for signing (or set %s env var)", envArtifactPrivateKey))
+	signArtifactCmd.Flags().StringVar(&signArtifactArtifactFile, "artifact-file", "", "Path to the artifact to be signed")
+
+	// artifact-file is required, but artifact-key-file can come from env var
+	if err := signArtifactCmd.MarkFlagRequired("artifact-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark artifact-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	verifyArtifactCmd.Flags().StringVar(&verifyArtifactPubKeyFile, "artifact-public-key-file", "", "Path to the artifact public key file")
+	verifyArtifactCmd.Flags().StringVar(&verifyArtifactFile, "artifact-file", "", "Path to the artifact to be verified")
+	verifyArtifactCmd.Flags().StringVar(&verifyArtifactSignatureFile, "signature-file", "", "Path to the signature file")
+
+	if err := verifyArtifactCmd.MarkFlagRequired("artifact-public-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark artifact-public-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := verifyArtifactCmd.MarkFlagRequired("artifact-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark artifact-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := verifyArtifactCmd.MarkFlagRequired("signature-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark signature-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	verifyArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&verifyArtifactKeyPubKeyFile, "artifact-key-file", "", "Path to the artifact public key file or bundle")
+	verifyArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&verifyArtifactKeyRootPubKeyFile, "root-key-file", "", "Path to the root public key file or bundle")
+	verifyArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&verifyArtifactKeySignatureFile, "signature-file", "", "Path to the signature file")
+	verifyArtifactKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&verifyArtifactKeyRevocationFile, "revocation-file", "", "Path to the revocation list file (optional)")
+
+	if err := verifyArtifactKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("artifact-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark artifact-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := verifyArtifactKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("root-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark root-key-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+	if err := verifyArtifactKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("signature-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("mark signature-file as required: %w", err))
+	}
+}
+
+func handleSignArtifact(cmd *cobra.Command, privKeyFile, artifactFile string) error {
+	cmd.Println("🖋️  Signing artifact...")
+
+	// Load private key from env var or file
+	var privKeyPEM []byte
+	var err error
+
+	if envKey := os.Getenv(envArtifactPrivateKey); envKey != "" {
+		// Use key from environment variable
+		privKeyPEM = []byte(envKey)
+	} else if privKeyFile != "" {
+		// Fall back to file
+		privKeyPEM, err = os.ReadFile(privKeyFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("read private key file: %w", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		return fmt.Errorf("artifact private key must be provided via %s environment variable or --artifact-key-file flag", envArtifactPrivateKey)
+	}
+
+	privateKey, err := reposign.ParseArtifactKey(privKeyPEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse artifact private key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	artifactData, err := os.ReadFile(artifactFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read artifact file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	signature, err := reposign.SignData(privateKey, artifactData)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("sign artifact: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	sigFile := artifactFile + ".sig"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(artifactFile+".sig", signature, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write signature file (%s): %w", sigFile, err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Printf("✅ Artifact signed successfully.\n")
+	cmd.Printf("Signature file: %s\n", sigFile)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func handleVerifyArtifact(cmd *cobra.Command, pubKeyFile, artifactFile, signatureFile string) error {
+	cmd.Println("🔍 Verifying artifact...")
+
+	// Read artifact public key
+	pubKeyPEM, err := os.ReadFile(pubKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read public key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	publicKey, err := reposign.ParseArtifactPubKey(pubKeyPEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse artifact public key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read artifact data
+	artifactData, err := os.ReadFile(artifactFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read artifact file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read signature
+	sigBytes, err := os.ReadFile(signatureFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read signature file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	signature, err := reposign.ParseSignature(sigBytes)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse signature: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Validate artifact
+	if err := reposign.ValidateArtifact([]reposign.PublicKey{publicKey}, artifactData, *signature); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("artifact verification failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Println("✅ Artifact signature is valid")
+	cmd.Printf("Artifact: %s\n", artifactFile)
+	cmd.Printf("Signed by key: %s\n", signature.KeyID)
+	cmd.Printf("Signature timestamp: %s\n", signature.Timestamp.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05 MST"))
+	return nil
+}
+
+func handleVerifyArtifactKey(cmd *cobra.Command, artifactKeyFile, rootKeyFile, signatureFile, revocationFile string) error {
+	cmd.Println("🔍 Verifying artifact key...")
+
+	// Read artifact key data
+	artifactKeyData, err := os.ReadFile(artifactKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read artifact key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read root public key(s)
+	rootKeyData, err := os.ReadFile(rootKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read root key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	rootPublicKeys, err := parseRootPublicKeys(rootKeyData)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse root public key(s): %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read signature
+	sigBytes, err := os.ReadFile(signatureFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("read signature file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	signature, err := reposign.ParseSignature(sigBytes)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse signature: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read optional revocation list
+	var revocationList *reposign.RevocationList
+	if revocationFile != "" {
+		revData, err := os.ReadFile(revocationFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("read revocation file: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		revocationList, err = reposign.ParseRevocationList(revData)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse revocation list: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Validate artifact key(s)
+	validKeys, err := reposign.ValidateArtifactKeys(rootPublicKeys, artifactKeyData, *signature, revocationList)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("artifact key verification failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Println("✅ Artifact key(s) verified successfully")
+	cmd.Printf("Signed by root key: %s\n", signature.KeyID)
+	cmd.Printf("Signature timestamp: %s\n", signature.Timestamp.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05 MST"))
+	cmd.Printf("\nValid artifact keys (%d):\n", len(validKeys))
+	for i, key := range validKeys {
+		cmd.Printf("  [%d] Key ID: %s\n", i+1, key.Metadata.ID)
+		cmd.Printf("      Created: %s\n", key.Metadata.CreatedAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05 MST"))
+		if !key.Metadata.ExpiresAt.IsZero() {
+			cmd.Printf("      Expires: %s\n", key.Metadata.ExpiresAt.Format("2006-01-02 15:04:05 MST"))
+		} else {
+			cmd.Printf("      Expires: Never\n")
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// parseRootPublicKeys parses a root public key from PEM data
+func parseRootPublicKeys(data []byte) ([]reposign.PublicKey, error) {
+	key, err := reposign.ParseRootPublicKey(data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return []reposign.PublicKey{key}, nil
+}

client/cmd/signer/main.go

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+)
+
+var rootCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:   "signer",
+	Short: "A CLI tool for managing cryptographic keys and artifacts",
+	Long: `signer is a command-line tool that helps you manage
+root keys, artifact keys, and revocation lists securely.`,
+}
+
+func main() {
+	if err := rootCmd.Execute(); err != nil {
+		rootCmd.Println(err)
+		os.Exit(1)
+	}
+}

client/cmd/signer/revocation.go

@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+)
+
+const (
+	defaultRevocationListExpiration = 365 * 24 * time.Hour // 1 year
+)
+
+var (
+	keyID              string
+	revocationListFile string
+	privateRootKeyFile string
+	publicRootKeyFile  string
+	signatureFile      string
+	expirationDuration time.Duration
+)
+
+var createRevocationListCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:          "create-revocation-list",
+	Short:        "Create a new revocation list signed by the private root key",
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		return handleCreateRevocationList(cmd, revocationListFile, privateRootKeyFile)
+	},
+}
+
+var extendRevocationListCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:          "extend-revocation-list",
+	Short:        "Extend an existing revocation list with a given key ID",
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		return handleExtendRevocationList(cmd, keyID, revocationListFile, privateRootKeyFile)
+	},
+}
+
+var verifyRevocationListCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:          "verify-revocation-list",
+	Short:        "Verify a revocation list signature using the public root key",
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		return handleVerifyRevocationList(cmd, revocationListFile, signatureFile, publicRootKeyFile)
+	},
+}
+
+func init() {
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(createRevocationListCmd)
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(extendRevocationListCmd)
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(verifyRevocationListCmd)
+
+	createRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&revocationListFile, "revocation-list-file", "", "Path to the existing revocation list file")
+	createRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&privateRootKeyFile, "private-root-key", "", "Path to the private root key PEM file")
+	createRevocationListCmd.Flags().DurationVar(&expirationDuration, "expiration", defaultRevocationListExpiration, "Expiration duration for the revocation list (e.g., 8760h for 1 year)")
+	if err := createRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("revocation-list-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if err := createRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("private-root-key"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+
+	extendRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&keyID, "key-id", "", "ID of the key to extend the revocation list for")
+	extendRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&revocationListFile, "revocation-list-file", "", "Path to the existing revocation list file")
+	extendRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&privateRootKeyFile, "private-root-key", "", "Path to the private root key PEM file")
+	extendRevocationListCmd.Flags().DurationVar(&expirationDuration, "expiration", defaultRevocationListExpiration, "Expiration duration for the revocation list (e.g., 8760h for 1 year)")
+	if err := extendRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("key-id"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if err := extendRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("revocation-list-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if err := extendRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("private-root-key"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+
+	verifyRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&revocationListFile, "revocation-list-file", "", "Path to the revocation list file")
+	verifyRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&signatureFile, "signature-file", "", "Path to the signature file")
+	verifyRevocationListCmd.Flags().StringVar(&publicRootKeyFile, "public-root-key", "", "Path to the public root key PEM file")
+	if err := verifyRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("revocation-list-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if err := verifyRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("signature-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if err := verifyRevocationListCmd.MarkFlagRequired("public-root-key"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func handleCreateRevocationList(cmd *cobra.Command, revocationListFile string, privateRootKeyFile string) error {
+	privKeyPEM, err := os.ReadFile(privateRootKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read private root key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	privateRootKey, err := reposign.ParseRootKey(privKeyPEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse private root key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	rlBytes, sigBytes, err := reposign.CreateRevocationList(*privateRootKey, expirationDuration)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create revocation list: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := writeOutputFiles(revocationListFile, revocationListFile+".sig", rlBytes, sigBytes); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write output files: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Println("✅ Revocation list created successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func handleExtendRevocationList(cmd *cobra.Command, keyID, revocationListFile, privateRootKeyFile string) error {
+	privKeyPEM, err := os.ReadFile(privateRootKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read private root key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	privateRootKey, err := reposign.ParseRootKey(privKeyPEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse private root key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	rlBytes, err := os.ReadFile(revocationListFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read revocation list file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	rl, err := reposign.ParseRevocationList(rlBytes)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse revocation list: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	kid, err := reposign.ParseKeyID(keyID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid key ID: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	newRLBytes, sigBytes, err := reposign.ExtendRevocationList(*privateRootKey, *rl, kid, expirationDuration)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to extend revocation list: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := writeOutputFiles(revocationListFile, revocationListFile+".sig", newRLBytes, sigBytes); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write output files: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Println("✅ Revocation list extended successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func handleVerifyRevocationList(cmd *cobra.Command, revocationListFile, signatureFile, publicRootKeyFile string) error {
+	// Read revocation list file
+	rlBytes, err := os.ReadFile(revocationListFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read revocation list file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read signature file
+	sigBytes, err := os.ReadFile(signatureFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read signature file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Read public root key file
+	pubKeyPEM, err := os.ReadFile(publicRootKeyFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read public root key file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Parse public root key
+	publicKey, err := reposign.ParseRootPublicKey(pubKeyPEM)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse public root key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Parse signature
+	signature, err := reposign.ParseSignature(sigBytes)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse signature: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Validate revocation list
+	rl, err := reposign.ValidateRevocationList([]reposign.PublicKey{publicKey}, rlBytes, *signature)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to validate revocation list: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Display results
+	cmd.Println("✅ Revocation list signature is valid")
+	cmd.Printf("Last Updated: %s\n", rl.LastUpdated.Format(time.RFC3339))
+	cmd.Printf("Expires At: %s\n", rl.ExpiresAt.Format(time.RFC3339))
+	cmd.Printf("Number of revoked keys: %d\n", len(rl.Revoked))
+
+	if len(rl.Revoked) > 0 {
+		cmd.Println("\nRevoked Keys:")
+		for keyID, revokedTime := range rl.Revoked {
+			cmd.Printf("  - %s (revoked at: %s)\n", keyID, revokedTime.Format(time.RFC3339))
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func writeOutputFiles(rlPath, sigPath string, rlBytes, sigBytes []byte) error {
+	if err := os.WriteFile(rlPath, rlBytes, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write revocation list file: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(sigPath, sigBytes, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write signature file: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}

client/cmd/signer/rootkey.go

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+)
+
+var (
+	privKeyFile    string
+	pubKeyFile     string
+	rootExpiration time.Duration
+)
+
+var createRootKeyCmd = &cobra.Command{
+	Use:          "create-root-key",
+	Short:        "Create a new root key pair",
+	Long:         `Create a new root key pair and specify an expiration time for it.`,
+	SilenceUsage: true,
+	RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		// Validate expiration
+		if rootExpiration <= 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("--expiration must be a positive duration (e.g., 720h, 365d, 8760h)")
+		}
+
+		// Run main logic
+		if err := handleGenerateRootKey(cmd, privKeyFile, pubKeyFile, rootExpiration); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to generate root key: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	},
+}
+
+func init() {
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(createRootKeyCmd)
+	createRootKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&privKeyFile, "priv-key-file", "", "Path to output private key file")
+	createRootKeyCmd.Flags().StringVar(&pubKeyFile, "pub-key-file", "", "Path to output public key file")
+	createRootKeyCmd.Flags().DurationVar(&rootExpiration, "expiration", 0, "Expiration time for the root key (e.g., 720h,)")
+
+	if err := createRootKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("priv-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if err := createRootKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("pub-key-file"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	if err := createRootKeyCmd.MarkFlagRequired("expiration"); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func handleGenerateRootKey(cmd *cobra.Command, privKeyFile, pubKeyFile string, expiration time.Duration) error {
+	rk, privPEM, pubPEM, err := reposign.GenerateRootKey(expiration)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("generate root key: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Write private key
+	if err := os.WriteFile(privKeyFile, privPEM, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write private key file (%s): %w", privKeyFile, err)
+	}
+
+	// Write public key
+	if err := os.WriteFile(pubKeyFile, pubPEM, 0o600); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("write public key file (%s): %w", pubKeyFile, err)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Printf("%s\n\n", rk.String())
+	cmd.Printf("✅ Root key pair generated successfully.\n")
+	return nil
+}

client/cmd/ssh.go

@@ -634,7 +634,11 @@ func parseAndStartLocalForward(ctx context.Context, c *sshclient.Client, forward
 		return err
 	}
 
-	cmd.Printf("Local port forwarding: %s -> %s\n", localAddr, remoteAddr)
+	if err := validateDestinationPort(remoteAddr); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid remote address: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Debugf("Local port forwarding: %s -> %s", localAddr, remoteAddr)
 
 	go func() {
 		if err := c.LocalPortForward(ctx, localAddr, remoteAddr); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
@@ -652,7 +656,11 @@ func parseAndStartRemoteForward(ctx context.Context, c *sshclient.Client, forwar
 		return err
 	}
 
-	cmd.Printf("Remote port forwarding: %s -> %s\n", remoteAddr, localAddr)
+	if err := validateDestinationPort(localAddr); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid local address: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Debugf("Remote port forwarding: %s -> %s", remoteAddr, localAddr)
 
 	go func() {
 		if err := c.RemotePortForward(ctx, remoteAddr, localAddr); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
@@ -663,6 +671,35 @@ func parseAndStartRemoteForward(ctx context.Context, c *sshclient.Client, forwar
 	return nil
 }
 
+// validateDestinationPort checks that the destination address has a valid port.
+// Port 0 is only valid for bind addresses (where the OS picks an available port),
+// not for destination addresses where we need to connect.
+func validateDestinationPort(addr string) error {
+	if strings.HasPrefix(addr, "/") || strings.HasPrefix(addr, "./") {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	_, portStr, err := net.SplitHostPort(addr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parse address %s: %w", addr, err)
+	}
+
+	port, err := strconv.Atoi(portStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid port %s: %w", portStr, err)
+	}
+
+	if port == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("port 0 is not valid for destination address")
+	}
+
+	if port < 0 || port > 65535 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("port %d out of range (1-65535)", port)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // parsePortForwardSpec parses port forward specifications like "8080:localhost:80" or "[::1]:8080:localhost:80".
 // Also supports Unix sockets like "8080:/tmp/socket" or "127.0.0.1:8080:/tmp/socket".
 func parsePortForwardSpec(spec string) (string, string, error) {

client/cmd/status.go

@@ -103,13 +103,13 @@ func statusFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	var statusOutputString string
 	switch {
 	case detailFlag:
-		statusOutputString = nbstatus.ParseToFullDetailSummary(outputInformationHolder)
+		statusOutputString = outputInformationHolder.FullDetailSummary()
 	case jsonFlag:
-		statusOutputString, err = nbstatus.ParseToJSON(outputInformationHolder)
+		statusOutputString, err = outputInformationHolder.JSON()
 	case yamlFlag:
-		statusOutputString, err = nbstatus.ParseToYAML(outputInformationHolder)
+		statusOutputString, err = outputInformationHolder.YAML()
 	default:
-		statusOutputString = nbstatus.ParseGeneralSummary(outputInformationHolder, false, false, false, false)
+		statusOutputString = outputInformationHolder.GeneralSummary(false, false, false, false)
 	}
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ func statusFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 func getStatus(ctx context.Context, shouldRunProbes bool) (*proto.StatusResponse, error) {
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
+		//nolint
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
 			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
 			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)

client/cmd/testutil_test.go

@@ -89,9 +89,6 @@ func startManagement(t *testing.T, config *config.Config, testFile string) (*grp
 	t.Cleanup(cleanUp)
 
 	eventStore := &activity.InMemoryEventStore{}
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
 
 	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
 	t.Cleanup(ctrl.Finish)
@@ -127,7 +124,7 @@ func startManagement(t *testing.T, config *config.Config, testFile string) (*grp
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &mgmt.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController)
+	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &mgmt.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}

client/cmd/up.go

@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ func runInForegroundMode(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, activeProf *pr
 	r := peer.NewRecorder(config.ManagementURL.String())
 	r.GetFullStatus()
 
-	connectClient := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, config, r)
+	connectClient := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, config, r, false)
 	SetupDebugHandler(ctx, config, r, connectClient, "")
 
 	return connectClient.Run(nil)
@@ -216,6 +216,7 @@ func runInDaemonMode(ctx context.Context, cmd *cobra.Command, pm *profilemanager
 
 	conn, err := DialClientGRPCServer(ctx, daemonAddr)
 	if err != nil {
+		//nolint
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to daemon error: %v\n"+
 			"If the daemon is not running please run: "+
 			"\nnetbird service install \nnetbird service start\n", err)

client/cmd/update.go

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+//go:build !windows && !darwin
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+)
+
+var updateCmd *cobra.Command
+
+func isUpdateBinary() bool {
+	return false
+}

client/cmd/update_supported.go

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+//go:build windows || darwin
+
+package cmd
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/installer"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
+)
+
+var (
+	updateCmd = &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "update",
+		Short: "Update the NetBird client application",
+		RunE:  updateFunc,
+	}
+
+	tempDirFlag    string
+	installerFile  string
+	serviceDirFlag string
+	dryRunFlag     bool
+)
+
+func init() {
+	updateCmd.Flags().StringVar(&tempDirFlag, "temp-dir", "", "temporary dir")
+	updateCmd.Flags().StringVar(&installerFile, "installer-file", "", "installer file")
+	updateCmd.Flags().StringVar(&serviceDirFlag, "service-dir", "", "service directory")
+	updateCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&dryRunFlag, "dry-run", false, "dry run the update process without making any changes")
+}
+
+// isUpdateBinary checks if the current executable is named "update" or "update.exe"
+func isUpdateBinary() bool {
+	// Remove extension for cross-platform compatibility
+	execPath, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	baseName := filepath.Base(execPath)
+	name := strings.TrimSuffix(baseName, filepath.Ext(baseName))
+
+	return name == installer.UpdaterBinaryNameWithoutExtension()
+}
+
+func updateFunc(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+	if err := setupLogToFile(tempDirFlag); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("updater started: %s", serviceDirFlag)
+	updater := installer.NewWithDir(tempDirFlag)
+	if err := updater.Setup(context.Background(), dryRunFlag, installerFile, serviceDirFlag); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to update application: %v", err)
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func setupLogToFile(dir string) error {
+	logFile := filepath.Join(dir, installer.LogFile)
+
+	if _, err := os.Stat(logFile); err == nil {
+		if err := os.Remove(logFile); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to remove existing log file: %v\n", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return util.InitLog(logLevel, util.LogConsole, logFile)
+}

client/embed/embed.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	sshcommon "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
+	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ type Client struct {
 	setupKey   string
 	jwtToken   string
 	connect    *internal.ConnectClient
+	recorder   *peer.Status
 }
 
 // Options configures a new Client.
@@ -161,11 +163,17 @@ func New(opts Options) (*Client, error) {
 func (c *Client) Start(startCtx context.Context) error {
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	defer c.mu.Unlock()
-	if c.cancel != nil {
+	if c.connect != nil {
 		return ErrClientAlreadyStarted
 	}
 
-	ctx := internal.CtxInitState(context.Background())
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(internal.CtxInitState(context.Background()))
+	defer func() {
+		if c.connect == nil {
+			cancel()
+		}
+	}()
+
 	// nolint:staticcheck
 	ctx = context.WithValue(ctx, system.DeviceNameCtxKey, c.deviceName)
 	if err := internal.Login(ctx, c.config, c.setupKey, c.jwtToken); err != nil {
@@ -173,7 +181,9 @@ func (c *Client) Start(startCtx context.Context) error {
 	}
 
 	recorder := peer.NewRecorder(c.config.ManagementURL.String())
-	client := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, c.config, recorder)
+	c.recorder = recorder
+	client := internal.NewConnectClient(ctx, c.config, recorder, false)
+	client.SetSyncResponsePersistence(true)
 
 	// either startup error (permanent backoff err) or nil err (successful engine up)
 	// TODO: make after-startup backoff err available
@@ -197,6 +207,7 @@ func (c *Client) Start(startCtx context.Context) error {
 	}
 
 	c.connect = client
+	c.cancel = cancel
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -211,17 +222,23 @@ func (c *Client) Stop(ctx context.Context) error {
 		return ErrClientNotStarted
 	}
 
+	if c.cancel != nil {
+		c.cancel()
+		c.cancel = nil
+	}
+
 	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	connect := c.connect
 	go func() {
-		done <- c.connect.Stop()
+		done <- connect.Stop()
 	}()
 
 	select {
 	case <-ctx.Done():
-		c.cancel = nil
+		c.connect = nil
 		return ctx.Err()
 	case err := <-done:
-		c.cancel = nil
+		c.connect = nil
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("stop: %w", err)
 		}
@@ -315,6 +332,62 @@ func (c *Client) NewHTTPClient() *http.Client {
 	}
 }
 
+// Status returns the current status of the client.
+func (c *Client) Status() (peer.FullStatus, error) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	recorder := c.recorder
+	connect := c.connect
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if recorder == nil {
+		return peer.FullStatus{}, errors.New("client not started")
+	}
+
+	if connect != nil {
+		engine := connect.Engine()
+		if engine != nil {
+			_ = engine.RunHealthProbes(false)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return recorder.GetFullStatus(), nil
+}
+
+// GetLatestSyncResponse returns the latest sync response from the management server.
+func (c *Client) GetLatestSyncResponse() (*mgmProto.SyncResponse, error) {
+	engine, err := c.getEngine()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	syncResp, err := engine.GetLatestSyncResponse()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get sync response: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return syncResp, nil
+}
+
+// SetLogLevel sets the logging level for the client and its components.
+func (c *Client) SetLogLevel(levelStr string) error {
+	level, err := logrus.ParseLevel(levelStr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parse log level: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	logrus.SetLevel(level)
+
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	connect := c.connect
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if connect != nil {
+		connect.SetLogLevel(level)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // VerifySSHHostKey verifies an SSH host key against stored peer keys.
 // Returns nil if the key matches, ErrPeerNotFound if peer is not in network,
 // ErrNoStoredKey if peer has no stored key, or an error for verification failures.

client/firewall/iptables/acl_linux.go

@@ -386,11 +386,8 @@ func (m *aclManager) updateState() {
 
 // filterRuleSpecs returns the specs of a filtering rule
 func filterRuleSpecs(ip net.IP, protocol string, sPort, dPort *firewall.Port, action firewall.Action, ipsetName string) (specs []string) {
-	matchByIP := true
 	// don't use IP matching if IP is 0.0.0.0
-	if ip.IsUnspecified() {
-		matchByIP = false
-	}
+	matchByIP := !ip.IsUnspecified()
 
 	if matchByIP {
 		if ipsetName != "" {

client/firewall/iptables/manager_linux_test.go

@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func TestIptablesManagerDenyRules(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Logf("  [%d] %s", i, rule)
 		}
 
-		var denyRuleIndex, acceptRuleIndex int = -1, -1
+		var denyRuleIndex, acceptRuleIndex = -1, -1
 		for i, rule := range rules {
 			if strings.Contains(rule, "DROP") {
 				t.Logf("Found DROP rule at index %d: %s", i, rule)

client/firewall/nftables/manager_linux_test.go

@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ func TestNftablesManagerRuleOrder(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Logf("Found %d rules in nftables chain", len(rules))
 
 	// Find the accept and deny rules and verify deny comes before accept
-	var acceptRuleIndex, denyRuleIndex int = -1, -1
+	var acceptRuleIndex, denyRuleIndex = -1, -1
 	for i, rule := range rules {
 		hasAcceptHTTPSet := false
 		hasDenyHTTPSet := false
@@ -208,11 +208,13 @@ func TestNftablesManagerRuleOrder(t *testing.T) {
 		for _, e := range rule.Exprs {
 			// Check for set lookup
 			if lookup, ok := e.(*expr.Lookup); ok {
-				if lookup.SetName == "accept-http" {
+				switch lookup.SetName {
+				case "accept-http":
 					hasAcceptHTTPSet = true
-				} else if lookup.SetName == "deny-http" {
+				case "deny-http":
 					hasDenyHTTPSet = true
 				}
+
 			}
 			// Check for port 80
 			if cmp, ok := e.(*expr.Cmp); ok {
@@ -222,9 +224,10 @@ func TestNftablesManagerRuleOrder(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 			// Check for verdict
 			if verdict, ok := e.(*expr.Verdict); ok {
-				if verdict.Kind == expr.VerdictAccept {
+				switch verdict.Kind {
+				case expr.VerdictAccept:
 					action = "ACCEPT"
-				} else if verdict.Kind == expr.VerdictDrop {
+				case expr.VerdictDrop:
 					action = "DROP"
 				}
 			}
@@ -386,6 +389,97 @@ func TestNftablesManagerCompatibilityWithIptables(t *testing.T) {
 	verifyIptablesOutput(t, stdout, stderr)
 }
 
+func TestNftablesManagerCompatibilityWithIptablesFor6kPrefixes(t *testing.T) {
+	if check() != NFTABLES {
+		t.Skip("nftables not supported on this system")
+	}
+
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("iptables-save"); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("iptables-save not available on this system: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// First ensure iptables-nft tables exist by running iptables-save
+	stdout, stderr := runIptablesSave(t)
+	verifyIptablesOutput(t, stdout, stderr)
+
+	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to create manager")
+	require.NoError(t, manager.Init(nil))
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		err := manager.Close(nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err, "failed to reset manager state")
+
+		// Verify iptables output after reset
+		stdout, stderr := runIptablesSave(t)
+		verifyIptablesOutput(t, stdout, stderr)
+	})
+
+	const octet2Count = 25
+	const octet3Count = 255
+	prefixes := make([]netip.Prefix, 0, (octet2Count-1)*(octet3Count-1))
+	for i := 1; i < octet2Count; i++ {
+		for j := 1; j < octet3Count; j++ {
+			addr := netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte{192, byte(j), byte(i), 0})
+			prefixes = append(prefixes, netip.PrefixFrom(addr, 24))
+		}
+	}
+	_, err = manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		nil,
+		prefixes,
+		fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.2.0.0/24")},
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{443}},
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add route filtering rule")
+
+	stdout, stderr = runIptablesSave(t)
+	verifyIptablesOutput(t, stdout, stderr)
+}
+
+func TestNftablesManagerCompatibilityWithIptablesForEmptyPrefixes(t *testing.T) {
+	if check() != NFTABLES {
+		t.Skip("nftables not supported on this system")
+	}
+
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("iptables-save"); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("iptables-save not available on this system: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// First ensure iptables-nft tables exist by running iptables-save
+	stdout, stderr := runIptablesSave(t)
+	verifyIptablesOutput(t, stdout, stderr)
+
+	manager, err := Create(ifaceMock, iface.DefaultMTU)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to create manager")
+	require.NoError(t, manager.Init(nil))
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() {
+		err := manager.Close(nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err, "failed to reset manager state")
+
+		// Verify iptables output after reset
+		stdout, stderr := runIptablesSave(t)
+		verifyIptablesOutput(t, stdout, stderr)
+	})
+
+	_, err = manager.AddRouteFiltering(
+		nil,
+		[]netip.Prefix{},
+		fw.Network{Prefix: netip.MustParsePrefix("10.2.0.0/24")},
+		fw.ProtocolTCP,
+		nil,
+		&fw.Port{Values: []uint16{443}},
+		fw.ActionAccept,
+	)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to add route filtering rule")
+
+	stdout, stderr = runIptablesSave(t)
+	verifyIptablesOutput(t, stdout, stderr)
+}
+
 func compareExprsIgnoringCounters(t *testing.T, got, want []expr.Any) {
 	t.Helper()
 	require.Equal(t, len(got), len(want), "expression count mismatch")

client/firewall/nftables/router_linux.go

@@ -48,9 +48,11 @@ const (
 
 	// ipTCPHeaderMinSize represents minimum IP (20) + TCP (20) header size for MSS calculation
 	ipTCPHeaderMinSize = 40
-)
 
-const refreshRulesMapError = "refresh rules map: %w"
+	// maxPrefixesSet 1638 prefixes start to fail, taking some margin
+	maxPrefixesSet       = 1500
+	refreshRulesMapError = "refresh rules map: %w"
+)
 
 var (
 	errFilterTableNotFound = fmt.Errorf("'filter' table not found")
@@ -513,16 +515,35 @@ func (r *router) createIpSet(setName string, input setInput) (*nftables.Set, err
 	}
 
 	elements := convertPrefixesToSet(prefixes)
-	if err := r.conn.AddSet(nfset, elements); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error adding elements to set %s: %w", setName, err)
-	}
+	nElements := len(elements)
 
+	maxElements := maxPrefixesSet * 2
+	initialElements := elements[:min(maxElements, nElements)]
+
+	if err := r.conn.AddSet(nfset, initialElements); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error adding set %s: %w", setName, err)
+	}
 	if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("flush error: %w", err)
 	}
+	log.Debugf("Created new ipset: %s with %d initial prefixes (total prefixes %d)", setName, len(initialElements)/2, len(prefixes))
 
-	log.Printf("Created new ipset: %s with %d elements", setName, len(elements)/2)
+	var subEnd int
+	for subStart := maxElements; subStart < nElements; subStart += maxElements {
+		subEnd = min(subStart+maxElements, nElements)
+		subElement := elements[subStart:subEnd]
+		nSubPrefixes := len(subElement) / 2
+		log.Tracef("Adding new prefixes (%d) in ipset: %s", nSubPrefixes, setName)
+		if err := r.conn.SetAddElements(nfset, subElement); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("error adding prefixes (%d) to set %s: %w", nSubPrefixes, setName, err)
+		}
+		if err := r.conn.Flush(); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("flush error: %w", err)
+		}
+		log.Debugf("Added new prefixes (%d) in ipset: %s", nSubPrefixes, setName)
+	}
 
+	log.Infof("Created new ipset: %s with %d prefixes", setName, len(prefixes))
 	return nfset, nil
 }
 

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter.go

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	layerTypeAll = 0
+	layerTypeAll = 255
 
 	// ipTCPHeaderMinSize represents minimum IP (20) + TCP (20) header size for MSS calculation
 	ipTCPHeaderMinSize = 40
@@ -262,10 +262,7 @@ func create(iface common.IFaceMapper, nativeFirewall firewall.Manager, disableSe
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) blockInvalidRouted(iface common.IFaceMapper) (firewall.Rule, error) {
-	wgPrefix, err := netip.ParsePrefix(iface.Address().Network.String())
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse wireguard network: %w", err)
-	}
+	wgPrefix := iface.Address().Network
 	log.Debugf("blocking invalid routed traffic for %s", wgPrefix)
 
 	rule, err := m.addRouteFiltering(
@@ -439,19 +436,7 @@ func (m *Manager) AddPeerFiltering(
 	r.sPort = sPort
 	r.dPort = dPort
 
-	switch proto {
-	case firewall.ProtocolTCP:
-		r.protoLayer = layers.LayerTypeTCP
-	case firewall.ProtocolUDP:
-		r.protoLayer = layers.LayerTypeUDP
-	case firewall.ProtocolICMP:
-		r.protoLayer = layers.LayerTypeICMPv4
-		if r.ipLayer == layers.LayerTypeIPv6 {
-			r.protoLayer = layers.LayerTypeICMPv6
-		}
-	case firewall.ProtocolALL:
-		r.protoLayer = layerTypeAll
-	}
+	r.protoLayer = protoToLayer(proto, r.ipLayer)
 
 	m.mutex.Lock()
 	var targetMap map[netip.Addr]RuleSet
@@ -496,16 +481,17 @@ func (m *Manager) addRouteFiltering(
 	}
 
 	ruleID := uuid.New().String()
+
 	rule := RouteRule{
 		// TODO: consolidate these IDs
-		id:      ruleID,
-		mgmtId:  id,
-		sources: sources,
-		dstSet:  destination.Set,
-		proto:   proto,
-		srcPort: sPort,
-		dstPort: dPort,
-		action:  action,
+		id:         ruleID,
+		mgmtId:     id,
+		sources:    sources,
+		dstSet:     destination.Set,
+		protoLayer: protoToLayer(proto, layers.LayerTypeIPv4),
+		srcPort:    sPort,
+		dstPort:    dPort,
+		action:     action,
 	}
 	if destination.IsPrefix() {
 		rule.destinations = []netip.Prefix{destination.Prefix}
@@ -795,7 +781,7 @@ func (m *Manager) recalculateTCPChecksum(packetData []byte, d *decoder, tcpHeade
 	pseudoSum += uint32(d.ip4.Protocol)
 	pseudoSum += uint32(tcpLength)
 
-	var sum uint32 = pseudoSum
+	var sum = pseudoSum
 	for i := 0; i < tcpLength-1; i += 2 {
 		sum += uint32(tcpLayer[i])<<8 | uint32(tcpLayer[i+1])
 	}
@@ -945,7 +931,7 @@ func (m *Manager) filterInbound(packetData []byte, size int) bool {
 func (m *Manager) handleLocalTraffic(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, packetData []byte, size int) bool {
 	ruleID, blocked := m.peerACLsBlock(srcIP, d, packetData)
 	if blocked {
-		_, pnum := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
+		pnum := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
 		srcPort, dstPort := getPortsFromPacket(d)
 
 		m.logger.Trace6("Dropping local packet (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
@@ -1010,20 +996,22 @@ func (m *Manager) handleRoutedTraffic(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, packe
 		return false
 	}
 
-	proto, pnum := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
+	protoLayer := d.decoded[1]
 	srcPort, dstPort := getPortsFromPacket(d)
 
-	ruleID, pass := m.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, proto, srcPort, dstPort)
+	ruleID, pass := m.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoLayer, srcPort, dstPort)
 	if !pass {
+		proto := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
+
 		m.logger.Trace6("Dropping routed packet (ACL denied): rule_id=%s proto=%v src=%s:%d dst=%s:%d",
-			ruleID, pnum, srcIP, srcPort, dstIP, dstPort)
+			ruleID, proto, srcIP, srcPort, dstIP, dstPort)
 
 		m.flowLogger.StoreEvent(nftypes.EventFields{
 			FlowID:     uuid.New(),
 			Type:       nftypes.TypeDrop,
 			RuleID:     ruleID,
 			Direction:  nftypes.Ingress,
-			Protocol:   pnum,
+			Protocol:   proto,
 			SourceIP:   srcIP,
 			DestIP:     dstIP,
 			SourcePort: srcPort,
@@ -1052,16 +1040,33 @@ func (m *Manager) handleRoutedTraffic(d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, packe
 	return true
 }
 
-func getProtocolFromPacket(d *decoder) (firewall.Protocol, nftypes.Protocol) {
+func protoToLayer(proto firewall.Protocol, ipLayer gopacket.LayerType) gopacket.LayerType {
+	switch proto {
+	case firewall.ProtocolTCP:
+		return layers.LayerTypeTCP
+	case firewall.ProtocolUDP:
+		return layers.LayerTypeUDP
+	case firewall.ProtocolICMP:
+		if ipLayer == layers.LayerTypeIPv6 {
+			return layers.LayerTypeICMPv6
+		}
+		return layers.LayerTypeICMPv4
+	case firewall.ProtocolALL:
+		return layerTypeAll
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+func getProtocolFromPacket(d *decoder) nftypes.Protocol {
 	switch d.decoded[1] {
 	case layers.LayerTypeTCP:
-		return firewall.ProtocolTCP, nftypes.TCP
+		return nftypes.TCP
 	case layers.LayerTypeUDP:
-		return firewall.ProtocolUDP, nftypes.UDP
+		return nftypes.UDP
 	case layers.LayerTypeICMPv4, layers.LayerTypeICMPv6:
-		return firewall.ProtocolICMP, nftypes.ICMP
+		return nftypes.ICMP
 	default:
-		return firewall.ProtocolALL, nftypes.ProtocolUnknown
+		return nftypes.ProtocolUnknown
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1233,19 +1238,30 @@ func validateRule(ip netip.Addr, packetData []byte, rules map[string]PeerRule, d
 }
 
 // routeACLsPass returns true if the packet is allowed by the route ACLs
-func (m *Manager) routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, proto firewall.Protocol, srcPort, dstPort uint16) ([]byte, bool) {
+func (m *Manager) routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, protoLayer gopacket.LayerType, srcPort, dstPort uint16) ([]byte, bool) {
 	m.mutex.RLock()
 	defer m.mutex.RUnlock()
 
 	for _, rule := range m.routeRules {
-		if matches := m.ruleMatches(rule, srcIP, dstIP, proto, srcPort, dstPort); matches {
+		if matches := m.ruleMatches(rule, srcIP, dstIP, protoLayer, srcPort, dstPort); matches {
 			return rule.mgmtId, rule.action == firewall.ActionAccept
 		}
 	}
 	return nil, false
 }
 
-func (m *Manager) ruleMatches(rule *RouteRule, srcAddr, dstAddr netip.Addr, proto firewall.Protocol, srcPort, dstPort uint16) bool {
+func (m *Manager) ruleMatches(rule *RouteRule, srcAddr, dstAddr netip.Addr, protoLayer gopacket.LayerType, srcPort, dstPort uint16) bool {
+	// TODO: handle ipv6 vs ipv4 icmp rules
+	if rule.protoLayer != layerTypeAll && rule.protoLayer != protoLayer {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if protoLayer == layers.LayerTypeTCP || protoLayer == layers.LayerTypeUDP {
+		if !portsMatch(rule.srcPort, srcPort) || !portsMatch(rule.dstPort, dstPort) {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+
 	destMatched := false
 	for _, dst := range rule.destinations {
 		if dst.Contains(dstAddr) {
@@ -1264,21 +1280,8 @@ func (m *Manager) ruleMatches(rule *RouteRule, srcAddr, dstAddr netip.Addr, prot
 			break
 		}
 	}
-	if !sourceMatched {
-		return false
-	}
 
-	if rule.proto != firewall.ProtocolALL && rule.proto != proto {
-		return false
-	}
-
-	if proto == firewall.ProtocolTCP || proto == firewall.ProtocolUDP {
-		if !portsMatch(rule.srcPort, srcPort) || !portsMatch(rule.dstPort, dstPort) {
-			return false
-		}
-	}
-
-	return true
+	return sourceMatched
 }
 
 // AddUDPPacketHook calls hook when UDP packet from given direction matched

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter_bench_test.go

@@ -955,7 +955,7 @@ func BenchmarkRouteACLs(b *testing.B) {
 		for _, tc := range cases {
 			srcIP := netip.MustParseAddr(tc.srcIP)
 			dstIP := netip.MustParseAddr(tc.dstIP)
-			manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, tc.proto, 0, tc.dstPort)
+			manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoToLayer(tc.proto, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 0, tc.dstPort)
 		}
 	}
 }

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter_filter_test.go

@@ -1259,7 +1259,7 @@ func TestRouteACLFiltering(t *testing.T) {
 
 			// testing routeACLsPass only and not FilterInbound, as routed packets are dropped after being passed
 			// to the forwarder
-			_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, tc.proto, tc.srcPort, tc.dstPort)
+			_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoToLayer(tc.proto, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), tc.srcPort, tc.dstPort)
 			require.Equal(t, tc.shouldPass, isAllowed)
 		})
 	}
@@ -1445,7 +1445,7 @@ func TestRouteACLOrder(t *testing.T) {
 				srcIP := netip.MustParseAddr(p.srcIP)
 				dstIP := netip.MustParseAddr(p.dstIP)
 
-				_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, p.proto, p.srcPort, p.dstPort)
+				_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoToLayer(p.proto, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), p.srcPort, p.dstPort)
 				require.Equal(t, p.shouldPass, isAllowed, "packet %d failed", i)
 			}
 		})
@@ -1488,13 +1488,13 @@ func TestRouteACLSet(t *testing.T) {
 	dstIP := netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.100")
 
 	// Check that traffic is dropped (empty set shouldn't match anything)
-	_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
 	require.False(t, isAllowed, "Empty set should not allow any traffic")
 
 	err = manager.UpdateSet(set, []netip.Prefix{netip.MustParsePrefix("192.168.1.0/24")})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Now the packet should be allowed
-	_, isAllowed = manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed = manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
 	require.True(t, isAllowed, "After set update, traffic to the added network should be allowed")
 }

client/firewall/uspfilter/filter_test.go

@@ -767,9 +767,9 @@ func TestUpdateSetMerge(t *testing.T) {
 	dstIP2 := netip.MustParseAddr("192.168.1.100")
 	dstIP3 := netip.MustParseAddr("172.16.0.100")
 
-	_, isAllowed1 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP1, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
-	_, isAllowed2 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP2, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
-	_, isAllowed3 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP3, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed1 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP1, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed2 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP2, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed3 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP3, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
 
 	require.True(t, isAllowed1, "Traffic to 10.0.0.100 should be allowed")
 	require.True(t, isAllowed2, "Traffic to 192.168.1.100 should be allowed")
@@ -784,8 +784,8 @@ func TestUpdateSetMerge(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	// Check that all original prefixes are still included
-	_, isAllowed1 = manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP1, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
-	_, isAllowed2 = manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP2, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed1 = manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP1, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed2 = manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP2, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
 	require.True(t, isAllowed1, "Traffic to 10.0.0.100 should still be allowed after update")
 	require.True(t, isAllowed2, "Traffic to 192.168.1.100 should still be allowed after update")
 
@@ -793,8 +793,8 @@ func TestUpdateSetMerge(t *testing.T) {
 	dstIP4 := netip.MustParseAddr("172.16.1.100")
 	dstIP5 := netip.MustParseAddr("10.1.0.50")
 
-	_, isAllowed4 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP4, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
-	_, isAllowed5 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP5, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed4 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP4, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
+	_, isAllowed5 := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP5, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
 
 	require.True(t, isAllowed4, "Traffic to new prefix 172.16.0.0/16 should be allowed")
 	require.True(t, isAllowed5, "Traffic to new prefix 10.1.0.0/24 should be allowed")
@@ -922,7 +922,7 @@ func TestUpdateSetDeduplication(t *testing.T) {
 
 	srcIP := netip.MustParseAddr("100.10.0.1")
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
-		_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, tc.dstIP, fw.ProtocolTCP, 12345, 80)
+		_, isAllowed := manager.routeACLsPass(srcIP, tc.dstIP, protoToLayer(fw.ProtocolTCP, layers.LayerTypeIPv4), 12345, 80)
 		require.Equal(t, tc.expected, isAllowed, tc.desc)
 	}
 }

client/firewall/uspfilter/forwarder/endpoint.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package forwarder
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"sync/atomic"
 
 	wgdevice "golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/device"
 	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/tcpip"
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ type endpoint struct {
 	logger     *nblog.Logger
 	dispatcher stack.NetworkDispatcher
 	device     *wgdevice.Device
-	mtu        uint32
+	mtu        atomic.Uint32
 }
 
 func (e *endpoint) Attach(dispatcher stack.NetworkDispatcher) {
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) IsAttached() bool {
 }
 
 func (e *endpoint) MTU() uint32 {
-	return e.mtu
+	return e.mtu.Load()
 }
 
 func (e *endpoint) Capabilities() stack.LinkEndpointCapabilities {
@@ -82,6 +83,22 @@ func (e *endpoint) ParseHeader(*stack.PacketBuffer) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
+func (e *endpoint) Close() {
+	// Endpoint cleanup - nothing to do as device is managed externally
+}
+
+func (e *endpoint) SetLinkAddress(tcpip.LinkAddress) {
+	// Link address is not used for this endpoint type
+}
+
+func (e *endpoint) SetMTU(mtu uint32) {
+	e.mtu.Store(mtu)
+}
+
+func (e *endpoint) SetOnCloseAction(func()) {
+	// No action needed on close
+}
+
 type epID stack.TransportEndpointID
 
 func (i epID) String() string {

client/firewall/uspfilter/forwarder/forwarder.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"net/netip"
 	"runtime"
 	"sync"
+	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/buffer"
@@ -35,14 +36,16 @@ type Forwarder struct {
 	logger     *nblog.Logger
 	flowLogger nftypes.FlowLogger
 	// ruleIdMap is used to store the rule ID for a given connection
-	ruleIdMap    sync.Map
-	stack        *stack.Stack
-	endpoint     *endpoint
-	udpForwarder *udpForwarder
-	ctx          context.Context
-	cancel       context.CancelFunc
-	ip           tcpip.Address
-	netstack     bool
+	ruleIdMap        sync.Map
+	stack            *stack.Stack
+	endpoint         *endpoint
+	udpForwarder     *udpForwarder
+	ctx              context.Context
+	cancel           context.CancelFunc
+	ip               tcpip.Address
+	netstack         bool
+	hasRawICMPAccess bool
+	pingSemaphore    chan struct{}
 }
 
 func New(iface common.IFaceMapper, logger *nblog.Logger, flowLogger nftypes.FlowLogger, netstack bool, mtu uint16) (*Forwarder, error) {
@@ -60,8 +63,8 @@ func New(iface common.IFaceMapper, logger *nblog.Logger, flowLogger nftypes.Flow
 	endpoint := &endpoint{
 		logger: logger,
 		device: iface.GetWGDevice(),
-		mtu:    uint32(mtu),
 	}
+	endpoint.mtu.Store(uint32(mtu))
 
 	if err := s.CreateNIC(nicID, endpoint); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create NIC: %v", err)
@@ -103,15 +106,16 @@ func New(iface common.IFaceMapper, logger *nblog.Logger, flowLogger nftypes.Flow
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	f := &Forwarder{
-		logger:       logger,
-		flowLogger:   flowLogger,
-		stack:        s,
-		endpoint:     endpoint,
-		udpForwarder: newUDPForwarder(mtu, logger, flowLogger),
-		ctx:          ctx,
-		cancel:       cancel,
-		netstack:     netstack,
-		ip:           tcpip.AddrFromSlice(iface.Address().IP.AsSlice()),
+		logger:        logger,
+		flowLogger:    flowLogger,
+		stack:         s,
+		endpoint:      endpoint,
+		udpForwarder:  newUDPForwarder(mtu, logger, flowLogger),
+		ctx:           ctx,
+		cancel:        cancel,
+		netstack:      netstack,
+		ip:            tcpip.AddrFromSlice(iface.Address().IP.AsSlice()),
+		pingSemaphore: make(chan struct{}, 3),
 	}
 
 	receiveWindow := defaultReceiveWindow
@@ -129,6 +133,8 @@ func New(iface common.IFaceMapper, logger *nblog.Logger, flowLogger nftypes.Flow
 
 	s.SetTransportProtocolHandler(icmp.ProtocolNumber4, f.handleICMP)
 
+	f.checkICMPCapability()
+
 	log.Debugf("forwarder: Initialization complete with NIC %d", nicID)
 	return f, nil
 }
@@ -198,3 +204,24 @@ func buildKey(srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr, srcPort, dstPort uint16) conntrack.ConnKe
 		DstPort: dstPort,
 	}
 }
+
+// checkICMPCapability tests whether we have raw ICMP socket access at startup.
+func (f *Forwarder) checkICMPCapability() {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 100*time.Millisecond)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	lc := net.ListenConfig{}
+	conn, err := lc.ListenPacket(ctx, "ip4:icmp", "0.0.0.0")
+	if err != nil {
+		f.hasRawICMPAccess = false
+		f.logger.Debug("forwarder: No raw ICMP socket access, will use ping binary fallback")
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := conn.Close(); err != nil {
+		f.logger.Debug1("forwarder: Failed to close ICMP capability test socket: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	f.hasRawICMPAccess = true
+	f.logger.Debug("forwarder: Raw ICMP socket access available")
+}

client/firewall/uspfilter/forwarder/icmp.go

@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@ package forwarder
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
+	"os/exec"
+	"runtime"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
@@ -14,30 +17,95 @@ import (
 )
 
 // handleICMP handles ICMP packets from the network stack
-func (f *Forwarder) handleICMP(id stack.TransportEndpointID, pkt stack.PacketBufferPtr) bool {
+func (f *Forwarder) handleICMP(id stack.TransportEndpointID, pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) bool {
 	icmpHdr := header.ICMPv4(pkt.TransportHeader().View().AsSlice())
-	icmpType := uint8(icmpHdr.Type())
-	icmpCode := uint8(icmpHdr.Code())
-
-	if header.ICMPv4Type(icmpType) == header.ICMPv4EchoReply {
-		// dont process our own replies
-		return true
-	}
 
 	flowID := uuid.New()
-	f.sendICMPEvent(nftypes.TypeStart, flowID, id, icmpType, icmpCode, 0, 0)
+	f.sendICMPEvent(nftypes.TypeStart, flowID, id, uint8(icmpHdr.Type()), uint8(icmpHdr.Code()), 0, 0)
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(f.ctx, 5*time.Second)
+	// For Echo Requests, send and wait for response
+	if icmpHdr.Type() == header.ICMPv4Echo {
+		return f.handleICMPEcho(flowID, id, pkt, uint8(icmpHdr.Type()), uint8(icmpHdr.Code()))
+	}
+
+	// For other ICMP types (Time Exceeded, Destination Unreachable, etc), forward without waiting
+	if !f.hasRawICMPAccess {
+		f.logger.Debug2("forwarder: Cannot handle ICMP type %v without raw socket access for %v", icmpHdr.Type(), epID(id))
+		return false
+	}
+
+	icmpData := stack.PayloadSince(pkt.TransportHeader()).AsSlice()
+	conn, err := f.forwardICMPPacket(id, icmpData, uint8(icmpHdr.Type()), uint8(icmpHdr.Code()), 100*time.Millisecond)
+	if err != nil {
+		f.logger.Error2("forwarder: Failed to forward ICMP packet for %v: %v", epID(id), err)
+		return true
+	}
+	if err := conn.Close(); err != nil {
+		f.logger.Debug1("forwarder: Failed to close ICMP socket: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return true
+}
+
+// handleICMPEcho handles ICMP echo requests asynchronously with rate limiting.
+func (f *Forwarder) handleICMPEcho(flowID uuid.UUID, id stack.TransportEndpointID, pkt *stack.PacketBuffer, icmpType, icmpCode uint8) bool {
+	select {
+	case f.pingSemaphore <- struct{}{}:
+		icmpData := stack.PayloadSince(pkt.TransportHeader()).ToSlice()
+		rxBytes := pkt.Size()
+
+		go func() {
+			defer func() { <-f.pingSemaphore }()
+
+			if f.hasRawICMPAccess {
+				f.handleICMPViaSocket(flowID, id, icmpType, icmpCode, icmpData, rxBytes)
+			} else {
+				f.handleICMPViaPing(flowID, id, icmpType, icmpCode, icmpData, rxBytes)
+			}
+		}()
+	default:
+		f.logger.Debug3("forwarder: ICMP rate limit exceeded for %v type %v code %v",
+			epID(id), icmpType, icmpCode)
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// forwardICMPPacket creates a raw ICMP socket and sends the packet, returning the connection.
+// The caller is responsible for closing the returned connection.
+func (f *Forwarder) forwardICMPPacket(id stack.TransportEndpointID, payload []byte, icmpType, icmpCode uint8, timeout time.Duration) (net.PacketConn, error) {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(f.ctx, timeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
 	lc := net.ListenConfig{}
-	// TODO: support non-root
 	conn, err := lc.ListenPacket(ctx, "ip4:icmp", "0.0.0.0")
 	if err != nil {
-		f.logger.Error2("forwarder: Failed to create ICMP socket for %v: %v", epID(id), err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create ICMP socket: %w", err)
+	}
 
-		// This will make netstack reply on behalf of the original destination, that's ok for now
-		return false
+	dstIP := f.determineDialAddr(id.LocalAddress)
+	dst := &net.IPAddr{IP: dstIP}
+
+	if _, err = conn.WriteTo(payload, dst); err != nil {
+		if closeErr := conn.Close(); closeErr != nil {
+			f.logger.Debug1("forwarder: Failed to close ICMP socket: %v", closeErr)
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("write ICMP packet: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	f.logger.Trace3("forwarder: Forwarded ICMP packet %v type %v code %v",
+		epID(id), icmpType, icmpCode)
+
+	return conn, nil
+}
+
+// handleICMPViaSocket handles ICMP echo requests using raw sockets.
+func (f *Forwarder) handleICMPViaSocket(flowID uuid.UUID, id stack.TransportEndpointID, icmpType, icmpCode uint8, icmpData []byte, rxBytes int) {
+	sendTime := time.Now()
+
+	conn, err := f.forwardICMPPacket(id, icmpData, icmpType, icmpCode, 5*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		f.logger.Error2("forwarder: Failed to send ICMP packet for %v: %v", epID(id), err)
+		return
 	}
 	defer func() {
 		if err := conn.Close(); err != nil {
@@ -45,38 +113,22 @@ func (f *Forwarder) handleICMP(id stack.TransportEndpointID, pkt stack.PacketBuf
 		}
 	}()
 
-	dstIP := f.determineDialAddr(id.LocalAddress)
-	dst := &net.IPAddr{IP: dstIP}
+	txBytes := f.handleEchoResponse(conn, id)
+	rtt := time.Since(sendTime).Round(10 * time.Microsecond)
 
-	fullPacket := stack.PayloadSince(pkt.TransportHeader())
-	payload := fullPacket.AsSlice()
+	f.logger.Trace4("forwarder: Forwarded ICMP echo reply %v type %v code %v (rtt=%v, raw socket)",
+		epID(id), icmpType, icmpCode, rtt)
 
-	if _, err = conn.WriteTo(payload, dst); err != nil {
-		f.logger.Error2("forwarder: Failed to write ICMP packet for %v: %v", epID(id), err)
-		return true
-	}
-
-	f.logger.Trace3("forwarder: Forwarded ICMP packet %v type %v code %v",
-		epID(id), icmpHdr.Type(), icmpHdr.Code())
-
-	// For Echo Requests, send and handle response
-	if header.ICMPv4Type(icmpType) == header.ICMPv4Echo {
-		rxBytes := pkt.Size()
-		txBytes := f.handleEchoResponse(icmpHdr, conn, id)
-		f.sendICMPEvent(nftypes.TypeEnd, flowID, id, icmpType, icmpCode, uint64(rxBytes), uint64(txBytes))
-	}
-
-	// For other ICMP types (Time Exceeded, Destination Unreachable, etc) do nothing
-	return true
+	f.sendICMPEvent(nftypes.TypeEnd, flowID, id, icmpType, icmpCode, uint64(rxBytes), uint64(txBytes))
 }
 
-func (f *Forwarder) handleEchoResponse(icmpHdr header.ICMPv4, conn net.PacketConn, id stack.TransportEndpointID) int {
+func (f *Forwarder) handleEchoResponse(conn net.PacketConn, id stack.TransportEndpointID) int {
 	if err := conn.SetReadDeadline(time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)); err != nil {
 		f.logger.Error1("forwarder: Failed to set read deadline for ICMP response: %v", err)
 		return 0
 	}
 
-	response := make([]byte, f.endpoint.mtu)
+	response := make([]byte, f.endpoint.mtu.Load())
 	n, _, err := conn.ReadFrom(response)
 	if err != nil {
 		if !isTimeout(err) {
@@ -85,31 +137,7 @@ func (f *Forwarder) handleEchoResponse(icmpHdr header.ICMPv4, conn net.PacketCon
 		return 0
 	}
 
-	ipHdr := make([]byte, header.IPv4MinimumSize)
-	ip := header.IPv4(ipHdr)
-	ip.Encode(&header.IPv4Fields{
-		TotalLength: uint16(header.IPv4MinimumSize + n),
-		TTL:         64,
-		Protocol:    uint8(header.ICMPv4ProtocolNumber),
-		SrcAddr:     id.LocalAddress,
-		DstAddr:     id.RemoteAddress,
-	})
-	ip.SetChecksum(^ip.CalculateChecksum())
-
-	fullPacket := make([]byte, 0, len(ipHdr)+n)
-	fullPacket = append(fullPacket, ipHdr...)
-	fullPacket = append(fullPacket, response[:n]...)
-
-	if err := f.InjectIncomingPacket(fullPacket); err != nil {
-		f.logger.Error1("forwarder: Failed to inject ICMP response: %v", err)
-
-		return 0
-	}
-
-	f.logger.Trace3("forwarder: Forwarded ICMP echo reply for %v type %v code %v",
-		epID(id), icmpHdr.Type(), icmpHdr.Code())
-
-	return len(fullPacket)
+	return f.injectICMPReply(id, response[:n])
 }
 
 // sendICMPEvent stores flow events for ICMP packets
@@ -152,3 +180,95 @@ func (f *Forwarder) sendICMPEvent(typ nftypes.Type, flowID uuid.UUID, id stack.T
 
 	f.flowLogger.StoreEvent(fields)
 }
+
+// handleICMPViaPing handles ICMP echo requests by executing the system ping binary.
+// This is used as a fallback when raw socket access is not available.
+func (f *Forwarder) handleICMPViaPing(flowID uuid.UUID, id stack.TransportEndpointID, icmpType, icmpCode uint8, icmpData []byte, rxBytes int) {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(f.ctx, 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	dstIP := f.determineDialAddr(id.LocalAddress)
+	cmd := buildPingCommand(ctx, dstIP, 5*time.Second)
+
+	pingStart := time.Now()
+	if err := cmd.Run(); err != nil {
+		f.logger.Warn4("forwarder: Ping binary failed for %v type %v code %v: %v", epID(id),
+			icmpType, icmpCode, err)
+		return
+	}
+	rtt := time.Since(pingStart).Round(10 * time.Microsecond)
+
+	f.logger.Trace3("forwarder: Forwarded ICMP echo request %v type %v code %v",
+		epID(id), icmpType, icmpCode)
+
+	txBytes := f.synthesizeEchoReply(id, icmpData)
+
+	f.logger.Trace4("forwarder: Forwarded ICMP echo reply %v type %v code %v (rtt=%v, ping binary)",
+		epID(id), icmpType, icmpCode, rtt)
+
+	f.sendICMPEvent(nftypes.TypeEnd, flowID, id, icmpType, icmpCode, uint64(rxBytes), uint64(txBytes))
+}
+
+// buildPingCommand creates a platform-specific ping command.
+func buildPingCommand(ctx context.Context, target net.IP, timeout time.Duration) *exec.Cmd {
+	timeoutSec := int(timeout.Seconds())
+	if timeoutSec < 1 {
+		timeoutSec = 1
+	}
+
+	switch runtime.GOOS {
+	case "linux", "android":
+		return exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ping", "-c", "1", "-W", fmt.Sprintf("%d", timeoutSec), "-q", target.String())
+	case "darwin", "ios":
+		return exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ping", "-c", "1", "-t", fmt.Sprintf("%d", timeoutSec), "-q", target.String())
+	case "freebsd":
+		return exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ping", "-c", "1", "-t", fmt.Sprintf("%d", timeoutSec), target.String())
+	case "openbsd", "netbsd":
+		return exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ping", "-c", "1", "-w", fmt.Sprintf("%d", timeoutSec), target.String())
+	case "windows":
+		return exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ping", "-n", "1", "-w", fmt.Sprintf("%d", timeoutSec*1000), target.String())
+	default:
+		return exec.CommandContext(ctx, "ping", "-c", "1", target.String())
+	}
+}
+
+// synthesizeEchoReply creates an ICMP echo reply from raw ICMP data and injects it back into the network stack.
+// Returns the size of the injected packet.
+func (f *Forwarder) synthesizeEchoReply(id stack.TransportEndpointID, icmpData []byte) int {
+	replyICMP := make([]byte, len(icmpData))
+	copy(replyICMP, icmpData)
+
+	replyICMPHdr := header.ICMPv4(replyICMP)
+	replyICMPHdr.SetType(header.ICMPv4EchoReply)
+	replyICMPHdr.SetChecksum(0)
+	replyICMPHdr.SetChecksum(header.ICMPv4Checksum(replyICMPHdr, 0))
+
+	return f.injectICMPReply(id, replyICMP)
+}
+
+// injectICMPReply wraps an ICMP payload in an IP header and injects it into the network stack.
+// Returns the total size of the injected packet, or 0 if injection failed.
+func (f *Forwarder) injectICMPReply(id stack.TransportEndpointID, icmpPayload []byte) int {
+	ipHdr := make([]byte, header.IPv4MinimumSize)
+	ip := header.IPv4(ipHdr)
+	ip.Encode(&header.IPv4Fields{
+		TotalLength: uint16(header.IPv4MinimumSize + len(icmpPayload)),
+		TTL:         64,
+		Protocol:    uint8(header.ICMPv4ProtocolNumber),
+		SrcAddr:     id.LocalAddress,
+		DstAddr:     id.RemoteAddress,
+	})
+	ip.SetChecksum(^ip.CalculateChecksum())
+
+	fullPacket := make([]byte, 0, len(ipHdr)+len(icmpPayload))
+	fullPacket = append(fullPacket, ipHdr...)
+	fullPacket = append(fullPacket, icmpPayload...)
+
+	// Bypass netstack and send directly to peer to avoid looping through our ICMP handler
+	if err := f.endpoint.device.CreateOutboundPacket(fullPacket, id.RemoteAddress.AsSlice()); err != nil {
+		f.logger.Error1("forwarder: Failed to send ICMP reply to peer: %v", err)
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	return len(fullPacket)
+}

client/firewall/uspfilter/forwarder/udp.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"sync"
@@ -131,10 +132,10 @@ func (f *udpForwarder) cleanup() {
 }
 
 // handleUDP is called by the UDP forwarder for new packets
-func (f *Forwarder) handleUDP(r *udp.ForwarderRequest) {
+func (f *Forwarder) handleUDP(r *udp.ForwarderRequest) bool {
 	if f.ctx.Err() != nil {
 		f.logger.Trace("forwarder: context done, dropping UDP packet")
-		return
+		return false
 	}
 
 	id := r.ID()
@@ -144,7 +145,7 @@ func (f *Forwarder) handleUDP(r *udp.ForwarderRequest) {
 	f.udpForwarder.RUnlock()
 	if exists {
 		f.logger.Trace1("forwarder: existing UDP connection for %v", epID(id))
-		return
+		return true
 	}
 
 	flowID := uuid.New()
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ func (f *Forwarder) handleUDP(r *udp.ForwarderRequest) {
 	if err != nil {
 		f.logger.Debug2("forwarder: UDP dial error for %v: %v", epID(id), err)
 		// TODO: Send ICMP error message
-		return
+		return false
 	}
 
 	// Create wait queue for blocking syscalls
@@ -173,10 +174,10 @@ func (f *Forwarder) handleUDP(r *udp.ForwarderRequest) {
 		if err := outConn.Close(); err != nil {
 			f.logger.Debug2("forwarder: UDP outConn close error for %v: %v", epID(id), err)
 		}
-		return
+		return false
 	}
 
-	inConn := gonet.NewUDPConn(f.stack, &wq, ep)
+	inConn := gonet.NewUDPConn(&wq, ep)
 	connCtx, connCancel := context.WithCancel(f.ctx)
 
 	pConn := &udpPacketConn{
@@ -199,7 +200,7 @@ func (f *Forwarder) handleUDP(r *udp.ForwarderRequest) {
 		if err := outConn.Close(); err != nil {
 			f.logger.Debug2("forwarder: UDP outConn close error for %v: %v", epID(id), err)
 		}
-		return
+		return true
 	}
 	f.udpForwarder.conns[id] = pConn
 	f.udpForwarder.Unlock()
@@ -208,6 +209,7 @@ func (f *Forwarder) handleUDP(r *udp.ForwarderRequest) {
 	f.logger.Trace1("forwarder: established UDP connection %v", epID(id))
 
 	go f.proxyUDP(connCtx, pConn, id, ep)
+	return true
 }
 
 func (f *Forwarder) proxyUDP(ctx context.Context, pConn *udpPacketConn, id stack.TransportEndpointID, ep tcpip.Endpoint) {
@@ -348,7 +350,7 @@ func (c *udpPacketConn) copy(ctx context.Context, dst net.Conn, src net.Conn, bu
 }
 
 func isClosedError(err error) bool {
-	return errors.Is(err, net.ErrClosed) || errors.Is(err, context.Canceled)
+	return errors.Is(err, net.ErrClosed) || errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) || errors.Is(err, io.EOF)
 }
 
 func isTimeout(err error) bool {

client/firewall/uspfilter/localip.go

@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ func (m *localIPManager) UpdateLocalIPs(iface common.IFaceMapper) (err error) {
 	// 127.0.0.0/8
 	newIPv4Bitmap[127] = &ipv4LowBitmap{}
 	for i := 0; i < 8192; i++ {
+		// #nosec G602 -- bitmap is defined as [8192]uint32, loop range is correct
 		newIPv4Bitmap[127].bitmap[i] = 0xFFFFFFFF
 	}
 

client/firewall/uspfilter/localip_test.go

@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func BenchmarkIPChecks(b *testing.B) {
 		b.ResetTimer()
 		for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 			// nolint:gosimple
-			_, _ = mapManager.localIPs[ip.String()]
+			_ = mapManager.localIPs[ip.String()]
 		}
 	})
 
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ func BenchmarkIPChecks(b *testing.B) {
 		b.ResetTimer()
 		for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 			// nolint:gosimple
-			_, _ = mapManager.localIPs[ip.String()]
+			_ = mapManager.localIPs[ip.String()]
 		}
 	})
 }

client/firewall/uspfilter/log/log.go

@@ -168,6 +168,15 @@ func (l *Logger) Warn3(format string, arg1, arg2, arg3 any) {
 	}
 }
 
+func (l *Logger) Warn4(format string, arg1, arg2, arg3, arg4 any) {
+	if l.level.Load() >= uint32(LevelWarn) {
+		select {
+		case l.msgChannel <- logMessage{level: LevelWarn, format: format, arg1: arg1, arg2: arg2, arg3: arg3, arg4: arg4}:
+		default:
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func (l *Logger) Debug1(format string, arg1 any) {
 	if l.level.Load() >= uint32(LevelDebug) {
 		select {

client/firewall/uspfilter/nat_test.go

@@ -234,9 +234,10 @@ func TestInboundPortDNATNegative(t *testing.T) {
 			require.False(t, translated, "Packet should NOT be translated for %s", tc.name)
 
 			d = parsePacket(t, packet)
-			if tc.protocol == layers.IPProtocolTCP {
+			switch tc.protocol {
+			case layers.IPProtocolTCP:
 				require.Equal(t, tc.dstPort, uint16(d.tcp.DstPort), "Port should remain unchanged")
-			} else if tc.protocol == layers.IPProtocolUDP {
+			case layers.IPProtocolUDP:
 				require.Equal(t, tc.dstPort, uint16(d.udp.DstPort), "Port should remain unchanged")
 			}
 		})

client/firewall/uspfilter/rule.go

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ type RouteRule struct {
 	sources      []netip.Prefix
 	dstSet       firewall.Set
 	destinations []netip.Prefix
-	proto        firewall.Protocol
+	protoLayer   gopacket.LayerType
 	srcPort      *firewall.Port
 	dstPort      *firewall.Port
 	action       firewall.Action

client/firewall/uspfilter/tracer.go

@@ -379,9 +379,9 @@ func (m *Manager) handleNativeRouter(trace *PacketTrace) *PacketTrace {
 }
 
 func (m *Manager) handleRouteACLs(trace *PacketTrace, d *decoder, srcIP, dstIP netip.Addr) *PacketTrace {
-	proto, _ := getProtocolFromPacket(d)
+	protoLayer := d.decoded[1]
 	srcPort, dstPort := getPortsFromPacket(d)
-	id, allowed := m.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, proto, srcPort, dstPort)
+	id, allowed := m.routeACLsPass(srcIP, dstIP, protoLayer, srcPort, dstPort)
 
 	strId := string(id)
 	if id == nil {

client/iface/bind/ice_bind.go

@@ -27,8 +27,23 @@ type receiverCreator struct {
 	iceBind *ICEBind
 }
 
-func (rc receiverCreator) CreateIPv4ReceiverFn(pc *ipv4.PacketConn, conn *net.UDPConn, rxOffload bool, msgPool *sync.Pool) wgConn.ReceiveFunc {
-	return rc.iceBind.createIPv4ReceiverFn(pc, conn, rxOffload, msgPool)
+func (rc receiverCreator) CreateReceiverFn(pc wgConn.BatchReader, conn *net.UDPConn, rxOffload bool, msgPool *sync.Pool) wgConn.ReceiveFunc {
+	if ipv4PC, ok := pc.(*ipv4.PacketConn); ok {
+		return rc.iceBind.createIPv4ReceiverFn(ipv4PC, conn, rxOffload, msgPool)
+	}
+	// IPv6 is currently not supported in the udpmux, this is a stub for compatibility with the
+	// wireguard-go ReceiverCreator interface which is called for both IPv4 and IPv6.
+	return func(bufs [][]byte, sizes []int, eps []wgConn.Endpoint) (n int, err error) {
+		buf := bufs[0]
+		size, ep, err := conn.ReadFromUDPAddrPort(buf)
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		sizes[0] = size
+		stdEp := &wgConn.StdNetEndpoint{AddrPort: ep}
+		eps[0] = stdEp
+		return 1, nil
+	}
 }
 
 // ICEBind is a bind implementation with two main features:

client/iface/device/device_ios.go

@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
-//go:build ios
-// +build ios
-
 package device
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
 
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
@@ -45,10 +43,31 @@ func NewTunDevice(name string, address wgaddr.Address, port int, key string, mtu
 	}
 }
 
+// ErrInvalidTunnelFD is returned when the tunnel file descriptor is invalid (0).
+// This typically means the Swift code couldn't find the utun control socket.
+var ErrInvalidTunnelFD = fmt.Errorf("invalid tunnel file descriptor: fd is 0 (Swift failed to locate utun socket)")
+
 func (t *TunDevice) Create() (WGConfigurer, error) {
 	log.Infof("create tun interface")
 
-	dupTunFd, err := unix.Dup(t.tunFd)
+	var tunDevice tun.Device
+	var err error
+
+	// Validate the tunnel file descriptor.
+	// On iOS/tvOS, the FD must be provided by the NEPacketTunnelProvider.
+	// A value of 0 means the Swift code couldn't find the utun control socket
+	// (the low-level APIs like ctl_info, sockaddr_ctl may not be exposed in
+	// tvOS SDK headers). This is a hard error - there's no viable fallback
+	// since tun.CreateTUN() cannot work within the iOS/tvOS sandbox.
+	if t.tunFd == 0 {
+		log.Errorf("Tunnel file descriptor is 0 - Swift code failed to locate the utun control socket. " +
+			"On tvOS, ensure the NEPacketTunnelProvider is properly configured and the tunnel is started.")
+		return nil, ErrInvalidTunnelFD
+	}
+
+	// Normal iOS/tvOS path: use the provided file descriptor from NEPacketTunnelProvider
+	var dupTunFd int
+	dupTunFd, err = unix.Dup(t.tunFd)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("Unable to dup tun fd: %v", err)
 		return nil, err
@@ -60,7 +79,7 @@ func (t *TunDevice) Create() (WGConfigurer, error) {
 		_ = unix.Close(dupTunFd)
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	tunDevice, err := tun.CreateTUNFromFile(os.NewFile(uintptr(dupTunFd), "/dev/tun"), 0)
+	tunDevice, err = tun.CreateTUNFromFile(os.NewFile(uintptr(dupTunFd), "/dev/tun"), 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("Unable to create new tun device from fd: %v", err)
 		_ = unix.Close(dupTunFd)

client/iface/wgproxy/factory_kernel.go

@@ -3,12 +3,19 @@
 package wgproxy
 
 import (
+	"os"
+	"strconv"
+
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgproxy/ebpf"
 	udpProxy "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgproxy/udp"
 )
 
+const (
+	envDisableEBPFWGProxy = "NB_DISABLE_EBPF_WG_PROXY"
+)
+
 type KernelFactory struct {
 	wgPort int
 	mtu    uint16
@@ -22,6 +29,12 @@ func NewKernelFactory(wgPort int, mtu uint16) *KernelFactory {
 		mtu:    mtu,
 	}
 
+	if isEBPFDisabled() {
+		log.Infof("WireGuard Proxy Factory will produce UDP proxy")
+		log.Infof("eBPF WireGuard proxy is disabled via %s environment variable", envDisableEBPFWGProxy)
+		return f
+	}
+
 	ebpfProxy := ebpf.NewWGEBPFProxy(wgPort, mtu)
 	if err := ebpfProxy.Listen(); err != nil {
 		log.Infof("WireGuard Proxy Factory will produce UDP proxy")
@@ -47,3 +60,16 @@ func (w *KernelFactory) Free() error {
 	}
 	return w.ebpfProxy.Free()
 }
+
+func isEBPFDisabled() bool {
+	val := os.Getenv(envDisableEBPFWGProxy)
+	if val == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	disabled, err := strconv.ParseBool(val)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to parse %s: %v", envDisableEBPFWGProxy, err)
+		return false
+	}
+	return disabled
+}

client/internal/connect.go

@@ -24,10 +24,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/listener"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/stdnet"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/installer"
 	nbnet "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/net"
 	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh"
+	sshconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/config"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/system"
 	mgm "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
@@ -39,11 +43,13 @@ import (
 )
 
 type ConnectClient struct {
-	ctx            context.Context
-	config         *profilemanager.Config
-	statusRecorder *peer.Status
-	engine         *Engine
-	engineMutex    sync.Mutex
+	ctx                 context.Context
+	config              *profilemanager.Config
+	statusRecorder      *peer.Status
+	doInitialAutoUpdate bool
+
+	engine      *Engine
+	engineMutex sync.Mutex
 
 	persistSyncResponse bool
 }
@@ -52,13 +58,15 @@ func NewConnectClient(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	config *profilemanager.Config,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
+	doInitalAutoUpdate bool,
 
 ) *ConnectClient {
 	return &ConnectClient{
-		ctx:            ctx,
-		config:         config,
-		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
-		engineMutex:    sync.Mutex{},
+		ctx:                 ctx,
+		config:              config,
+		statusRecorder:      statusRecorder,
+		doInitialAutoUpdate: doInitalAutoUpdate,
+		engineMutex:         sync.Mutex{},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -162,6 +170,33 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		return err
 	}
 
+	var path string
+	if runtime.GOOS == "ios" || runtime.GOOS == "android" {
+		// On mobile, use the provided state file path directly
+		if !fileExists(mobileDependency.StateFilePath) {
+			if err := createFile(mobileDependency.StateFilePath); err != nil {
+				log.Errorf("failed to create state file: %v", err)
+				// we are not exiting as we can run without the state manager
+			}
+		}
+		path = mobileDependency.StateFilePath
+	} else {
+		sm := profilemanager.NewServiceManager("")
+		path = sm.GetStatePath()
+	}
+	stateManager := statemanager.New(path)
+	stateManager.RegisterState(&sshconfig.ShutdownState{})
+
+	updateManager, err := updatemanager.NewManager(c.statusRecorder, stateManager)
+	if err == nil {
+		updateManager.CheckUpdateSuccess(c.ctx)
+
+		inst := installer.New()
+		if err := inst.CleanUpInstallerFiles(); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to clean up temporary installer file: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
 	defer c.statusRecorder.ClientStop()
 	operation := func() error {
 		// if context cancelled we not start new backoff cycle
@@ -273,7 +308,7 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 		checks := loginResp.GetChecks()
 
 		c.engineMutex.Lock()
-		engine := NewEngine(engineCtx, cancel, signalClient, mgmClient, relayManager, engineConfig, mobileDependency, c.statusRecorder, checks)
+		engine := NewEngine(engineCtx, cancel, signalClient, mgmClient, relayManager, engineConfig, mobileDependency, c.statusRecorder, checks, stateManager)
 		engine.SetSyncResponsePersistence(c.persistSyncResponse)
 		c.engine = engine
 		c.engineMutex.Unlock()
@@ -283,6 +318,15 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) run(mobileDependency MobileDependency, runningChan chan
 			return wrapErr(err)
 		}
 
+		if loginResp.PeerConfig != nil && loginResp.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate != nil {
+			// AutoUpdate will be true when the user click on "Connect" menu on the UI
+			if c.doInitialAutoUpdate {
+				log.Infof("start engine by ui, run auto-update check")
+				c.engine.InitialUpdateHandling(loginResp.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate)
+				c.doInitialAutoUpdate = false
+			}
+		}
+
 		log.Infof("Netbird engine started, the IP is: %s", peerConfig.GetAddress())
 		state.Set(StatusConnected)
 
@@ -376,6 +420,19 @@ func (c *ConnectClient) GetLatestSyncResponse() (*mgmProto.SyncResponse, error)
 	return syncResponse, nil
 }
 
+// SetLogLevel sets the log level for the firewall manager if the engine is running.
+func (c *ConnectClient) SetLogLevel(level log.Level) {
+	engine := c.Engine()
+	if engine == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	fwManager := engine.GetFirewallManager()
+	if fwManager != nil {
+		fwManager.SetLogLevel(level)
+	}
+}
+
 // Status returns the current client status
 func (c *ConnectClient) Status() StatusType {
 	if c == nil {

client/internal/debug/debug.go

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/anonymize"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/installer"
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util"
 )
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ block.prof: Block profiling information.
 heap.prof: Heap profiling information (snapshot of memory allocations).
 allocs.prof: Allocations profiling information.
 threadcreate.prof: Thread creation profiling information.
+stack_trace.txt: Complete stack traces of all goroutines at the time of bundle creation.
 
 
 Anonymization Process
@@ -109,6 +111,9 @@ go tool pprof -http=:8088 heap.prof
 
 This will open a web browser tab with the profiling information.
 
+Stack Trace
+The stack_trace.txt file contains a complete snapshot of all goroutine stack traces at the time the debug bundle was created.
+
 Routes
 The routes.txt file contains detailed routing table information in a tabular format:
 
@@ -327,6 +332,10 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) createArchive() error {
 		log.Errorf("failed to add profiles to debug bundle: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	if err := g.addStackTrace(); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to add stack trace to debug bundle: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	if err := g.addSyncResponse(); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("add sync response: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -354,6 +363,10 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) createArchive() error {
 		log.Errorf("failed to add systemd logs: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	if err := g.addUpdateLogs(); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to add updater logs: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -522,6 +535,18 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addProf() (err error) {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (g *BundleGenerator) addStackTrace() error {
+	buf := make([]byte, 5242880) // 5 MB buffer
+	n := runtime.Stack(buf, true)
+
+	stackTrace := bytes.NewReader(buf[:n])
+	if err := g.addFileToZip(stackTrace, "stack_trace.txt"); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("add stack trace file to zip: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (g *BundleGenerator) addInterfaces() error {
 	interfaces, err := net.Interfaces()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -630,6 +655,29 @@ func (g *BundleGenerator) addStateFile() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (g *BundleGenerator) addUpdateLogs() error {
+	inst := installer.New()
+	logFiles := inst.LogFiles()
+	if len(logFiles) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("adding updater logs")
+	for _, logFile := range logFiles {
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(logFile)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("failed to read update log file %s: %v", logFile, err)
+			continue
+		}
+
+		baseName := filepath.Base(logFile)
+		if err := g.addFileToZip(bytes.NewReader(data), filepath.Join("update-logs", baseName)); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("add update log file %s to zip: %w", baseName, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (g *BundleGenerator) addCorruptedStateFiles() error {
 	sm := profilemanager.NewServiceManager("")
 	pattern := sm.GetStatePath()

client/internal/debug/debug_linux.go

@@ -507,15 +507,13 @@ func formatPayloadWithCmp(p *expr.Payload, cmp *expr.Cmp) string {
 	if p.Base == expr.PayloadBaseNetworkHeader {
 		switch p.Offset {
 		case 12:
-			if p.Len == 4 {
-				return fmt.Sprintf("ip saddr %s %s", formatCmpOp(cmp.Op), formatIPBytes(cmp.Data))
-			} else if p.Len == 2 {
+			switch p.Len {
+			case 4, 2:
 				return fmt.Sprintf("ip saddr %s %s", formatCmpOp(cmp.Op), formatIPBytes(cmp.Data))
 			}
 		case 16:
-			if p.Len == 4 {
-				return fmt.Sprintf("ip daddr %s %s", formatCmpOp(cmp.Op), formatIPBytes(cmp.Data))
-			} else if p.Len == 2 {
+			switch p.Len {
+			case 4, 2:
 				return fmt.Sprintf("ip daddr %s %s", formatCmpOp(cmp.Op), formatIPBytes(cmp.Data))
 			}
 		}

client/internal/dns.go

@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func collectPTRRecords(config *nbdns.Config, prefix netip.Prefix) []nbdns.Simple
 	var records []nbdns.SimpleRecord
 
 	for _, zone := range config.CustomZones {
-		if zone.SkipPTRProcess {
+		if zone.NonAuthoritative {
 			continue
 		}
 		for _, record := range zone.Records {

client/internal/dns/handler_chain.go

@@ -3,17 +3,21 @@ package dns
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"slices"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 )
 
 const (
 	PriorityMgmtCache = 150
-	PriorityLocal     = 100
-	PriorityDNSRoute  = 75
+	PriorityDNSRoute  = 100
+	PriorityLocal     = 75
 	PriorityUpstream  = 50
 	PriorityDefault   = 1
 	PriorityFallback  = -100
@@ -43,7 +47,23 @@ type HandlerChain struct {
 type ResponseWriterChain struct {
 	dns.ResponseWriter
 	origPattern    string
+	requestID      string
 	shouldContinue bool
+	response       *dns.Msg
+	meta           map[string]string
+}
+
+// RequestID returns the request ID for tracing
+func (w *ResponseWriterChain) RequestID() string {
+	return w.requestID
+}
+
+// SetMeta sets a metadata key-value pair for logging
+func (w *ResponseWriterChain) SetMeta(key, value string) {
+	if w.meta == nil {
+		w.meta = make(map[string]string)
+	}
+	w.meta[key] = value
 }
 
 func (w *ResponseWriterChain) WriteMsg(m *dns.Msg) error {
@@ -52,6 +72,7 @@ func (w *ResponseWriterChain) WriteMsg(m *dns.Msg) error {
 		w.shouldContinue = true
 		return nil
 	}
+	w.response = m
 	return w.ResponseWriter.WriteMsg(m)
 }
 
@@ -101,6 +122,8 @@ func (c *HandlerChain) AddHandler(pattern string, handler dns.Handler, priority
 
 	pos := c.findHandlerPosition(entry)
 	c.handlers = append(c.handlers[:pos], append([]HandlerEntry{entry}, c.handlers[pos:]...)...)
+
+	c.logHandlers()
 }
 
 // findHandlerPosition determines where to insert a new handler based on priority and specificity
@@ -140,68 +163,109 @@ func (c *HandlerChain) removeEntry(pattern string, priority int) {
 	for i := len(c.handlers) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
 		entry := c.handlers[i]
 		if strings.EqualFold(entry.OrigPattern, pattern) && entry.Priority == priority {
+			log.Debugf("removing handler pattern: domain=%s priority=%d", entry.OrigPattern, priority)
 			c.handlers = append(c.handlers[:i], c.handlers[i+1:]...)
+			c.logHandlers()
 			break
 		}
 	}
 }
 
+// logHandlers logs the current handler chain state. Caller must hold the lock.
+func (c *HandlerChain) logHandlers() {
+	if !log.IsLevelEnabled(log.TraceLevel) {
+		return
+	}
+
+	var b strings.Builder
+	b.WriteString("handler chain (" + strconv.Itoa(len(c.handlers)) + "):\n")
+	for _, h := range c.handlers {
+		b.WriteString("  - pattern: domain=" + h.Pattern + " original: domain=" + h.OrigPattern +
+			" wildcard=" + strconv.FormatBool(h.IsWildcard) +
+			" match_subdomain=" + strconv.FormatBool(h.MatchSubdomains) +
+			" priority=" + strconv.Itoa(h.Priority) + "\n")
+	}
+	log.Trace(strings.TrimSuffix(b.String(), "\n"))
+}
+
 func (c *HandlerChain) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 	if len(r.Question) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
 
-	qname := strings.ToLower(r.Question[0].Name)
+	startTime := time.Now()
+	requestID := resutil.GenerateRequestID()
+	logger := log.WithFields(log.Fields{
+		"request_id": requestID,
+		"dns_id":     fmt.Sprintf("%04x", r.Id),
+	})
+
+	question := r.Question[0]
+	qname := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
 
 	c.mu.RLock()
 	handlers := slices.Clone(c.handlers)
 	c.mu.RUnlock()
 
-	if log.IsLevelEnabled(log.TraceLevel) {
-		var b strings.Builder
-		b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("DNS request domain=%s, handlers (%d):\n", qname, len(handlers)))
-		for _, h := range handlers {
-			b.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("  - pattern: domain=%s original: domain=%s wildcard=%v match_subdomain=%v priority=%d\n",
-				h.Pattern, h.OrigPattern, h.IsWildcard, h.MatchSubdomains, h.Priority))
-		}
-		log.Trace(strings.TrimSuffix(b.String(), "\n"))
-	}
-
 	// Try handlers in priority order
 	for _, entry := range handlers {
-		matched := c.isHandlerMatch(qname, entry)
-
-		if matched {
-			log.Tracef("handler matched: domain=%s -> pattern=%s wildcard=%v match_subdomain=%v priority=%d",
-				qname, entry.OrigPattern, entry.IsWildcard, entry.MatchSubdomains, entry.Priority)
-
-			chainWriter := &ResponseWriterChain{
-				ResponseWriter: w,
-				origPattern:    entry.OrigPattern,
-			}
-			entry.Handler.ServeDNS(chainWriter, r)
-
-			// If handler wants to continue, try next handler
-			if chainWriter.shouldContinue {
-				// Only log continue for non-management cache handlers to reduce noise
-				if entry.Priority != PriorityMgmtCache {
-					log.Tracef("handler requested continue to next handler for domain=%s", qname)
-				}
-				continue
-			}
-			return
+		if !c.isHandlerMatch(qname, entry) {
+			continue
 		}
+
+		handlerName := entry.OrigPattern
+		if s, ok := entry.Handler.(interface{ String() string }); ok {
+			handlerName = s.String()
+		}
+
+		logger.Tracef("question: domain=%s type=%s class=%s -> handler=%s pattern=%s wildcard=%v match_subdomain=%v priority=%d",
+			qname, dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], dns.ClassToString[question.Qclass],
+			handlerName, entry.OrigPattern, entry.IsWildcard, entry.MatchSubdomains, entry.Priority)
+
+		chainWriter := &ResponseWriterChain{
+			ResponseWriter: w,
+			origPattern:    entry.OrigPattern,
+			requestID:      requestID,
+		}
+		entry.Handler.ServeDNS(chainWriter, r)
+
+		// If handler wants to continue, try next handler
+		if chainWriter.shouldContinue {
+			if entry.Priority != PriorityMgmtCache {
+				logger.Tracef("handler requested continue for domain=%s", qname)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+
+		c.logResponse(logger, chainWriter, qname, startTime)
+		return
 	}
 
 	// No handler matched or all handlers passed
-	log.Tracef("no handler found for domain=%s", qname)
+	logger.Tracef("no handler found for domain=%s type=%s class=%s",
+		qname, dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], dns.ClassToString[question.Qclass])
 	resp := &dns.Msg{}
 	resp.SetRcode(r, dns.RcodeRefused)
 	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
+		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
 	}
 }
 
+func (c *HandlerChain) logResponse(logger *log.Entry, cw *ResponseWriterChain, qname string, startTime time.Time) {
+	if cw.response == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	var meta string
+	for k, v := range cw.meta {
+		meta += " " + k + "=" + v
+	}
+
+	logger.Tracef("response: domain=%s rcode=%s answers=%s%s took=%s",
+		qname, dns.RcodeToString[cw.response.Rcode], resutil.FormatAnswers(cw.response.Answer),
+		meta, time.Since(startTime))
+}
+
 func (c *HandlerChain) isHandlerMatch(qname string, entry HandlerEntry) bool {
 	switch {
 	case entry.Pattern == ".":

client/internal/dns/local/local.go

@@ -1,30 +1,52 @@
 package local
 
 import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
 	"slices"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"golang.org/x/exp/maps"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/types"
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 )
 
+const externalResolutionTimeout = 4 * time.Second
+
+type resolver interface {
+	LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error)
+}
+
 type Resolver struct {
 	mu      sync.RWMutex
 	records map[dns.Question][]dns.RR
 	domains map[domain.Domain]struct{}
+	// zones maps zone domain -> NonAuthoritative (true = non-authoritative, user-created zone)
+	zones    map[domain.Domain]bool
+	resolver resolver
+
+	ctx    context.Context
+	cancel context.CancelFunc
 }
 
 func NewResolver() *Resolver {
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	return &Resolver{
 		records: make(map[dns.Question][]dns.RR),
 		domains: make(map[domain.Domain]struct{}),
+		zones:   make(map[domain.Domain]bool),
+		ctx:     ctx,
+		cancel:  cancel,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -37,7 +59,18 @@ func (d *Resolver) String() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("LocalResolver [%d records]", len(d.records))
 }
 
-func (d *Resolver) Stop() {}
+func (d *Resolver) Stop() {
+	if d.cancel != nil {
+		d.cancel()
+	}
+
+	d.mu.Lock()
+	defer d.mu.Unlock()
+
+	maps.Clear(d.records)
+	maps.Clear(d.domains)
+	maps.Clear(d.zones)
+}
 
 // ID returns the unique handler ID
 func (d *Resolver) ID() types.HandlerID {
@@ -48,35 +81,85 @@ func (d *Resolver) ProbeAvailability() {}
 
 // ServeDNS handles a DNS request
 func (d *Resolver) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
+	logger := log.WithField("request_id", resutil.GetRequestID(w))
+
 	if len(r.Question) == 0 {
-		log.Debugf("received local resolver request with no question")
+		logger.Debug("received local resolver request with no question")
 		return
 	}
 	question := r.Question[0]
 	question.Name = strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(question.Name))
 
-	log.Tracef("received local question: domain=%s type=%v class=%v", r.Question[0].Name, question.Qtype, question.Qclass)
-
 	replyMessage := &dns.Msg{}
 	replyMessage.SetReply(r)
 	replyMessage.RecursionAvailable = true
 
-	// lookup all records matching the question
-	records := d.lookupRecords(question)
-	if len(records) > 0 {
-		replyMessage.Rcode = dns.RcodeSuccess
-		replyMessage.Answer = append(replyMessage.Answer, records...)
-	} else {
-		// Check if we have any records for this domain name with different types
-		if d.hasRecordsForDomain(domain.Domain(question.Name)) {
-			replyMessage.Rcode = dns.RcodeSuccess // NOERROR with 0 records
-		} else {
-			replyMessage.Rcode = dns.RcodeNameError // NXDOMAIN
-		}
+	result := d.lookupRecords(logger, question)
+	replyMessage.Authoritative = !result.hasExternalData
+	replyMessage.Answer = result.records
+	replyMessage.Rcode = d.determineRcode(question, result)
+
+	if replyMessage.Rcode == dns.RcodeNameError && d.shouldFallthrough(question.Name) {
+		d.continueToNext(logger, w, r)
+		return
 	}
 
 	if err := w.WriteMsg(replyMessage); err != nil {
-		log.Warnf("failed to write the local resolver response: %v", err)
+		logger.Warnf("failed to write the local resolver response: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// determineRcode returns the appropriate DNS response code.
+// Per RFC 6604, CNAME chains should return the rcode of the final target resolution,
+// even if CNAME records are included in the answer.
+func (d *Resolver) determineRcode(question dns.Question, result lookupResult) int {
+	// Use the rcode from lookup - this properly handles CNAME chains where
+	// the target may be NXDOMAIN or SERVFAIL even though we have CNAME records
+	if result.rcode != 0 {
+		return result.rcode
+	}
+
+	// No records found, but domain exists with different record types (NODATA)
+	if d.hasRecordsForDomain(domain.Domain(question.Name)) {
+		return dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+
+	return dns.RcodeNameError
+}
+
+// findZone finds the matching zone for a query name using reverse suffix lookup.
+// Returns (nonAuthoritative, found). This is O(k) where k = number of labels in qname.
+func (d *Resolver) findZone(qname string) (nonAuthoritative bool, found bool) {
+	qname = strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(qname))
+	for {
+		if nonAuth, ok := d.zones[domain.Domain(qname)]; ok {
+			return nonAuth, true
+		}
+		// Move to parent domain
+		idx := strings.Index(qname, ".")
+		if idx == -1 || idx == len(qname)-1 {
+			return false, false
+		}
+		qname = qname[idx+1:]
+	}
+}
+
+// shouldFallthrough checks if the query should fallthrough to the next handler.
+// Returns true if the queried name belongs to a non-authoritative zone.
+func (d *Resolver) shouldFallthrough(qname string) bool {
+	d.mu.RLock()
+	defer d.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	nonAuth, found := d.findZone(qname)
+	return found && nonAuth
+}
+
+func (d *Resolver) continueToNext(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
+	resp := &dns.Msg{}
+	resp.SetRcode(r, dns.RcodeNameError)
+	resp.MsgHdr.Zero = true
+	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
+		logger.Warnf("failed to write continue signal: %v", err)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -89,8 +172,27 @@ func (d *Resolver) hasRecordsForDomain(domainName domain.Domain) bool {
 	return exists
 }
 
+// isInManagedZone checks if the given name falls within any of our managed zones.
+// This is used to avoid unnecessary external resolution for CNAME targets that
+// are within zones we manage - if we don't have a record for it, it doesn't exist.
+// Caller must NOT hold the lock.
+func (d *Resolver) isInManagedZone(name string) bool {
+	d.mu.RLock()
+	defer d.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	_, found := d.findZone(name)
+	return found
+}
+
+// lookupResult contains the result of a DNS lookup operation.
+type lookupResult struct {
+	records         []dns.RR
+	rcode           int
+	hasExternalData bool
+}
+
 // lookupRecords fetches *all* DNS records matching the first question in r.
-func (d *Resolver) lookupRecords(question dns.Question) []dns.RR {
+func (d *Resolver) lookupRecords(logger *log.Entry, question dns.Question) lookupResult {
 	d.mu.RLock()
 	records, found := d.records[question]
 
@@ -98,10 +200,14 @@ func (d *Resolver) lookupRecords(question dns.Question) []dns.RR {
 		d.mu.RUnlock()
 		// alternatively check if we have a cname
 		if question.Qtype != dns.TypeCNAME {
-			question.Qtype = dns.TypeCNAME
-			return d.lookupRecords(question)
+			cnameQuestion := dns.Question{
+				Name:   question.Name,
+				Qtype:  dns.TypeCNAME,
+				Qclass: question.Qclass,
+			}
+			return d.lookupCNAMEChain(logger, cnameQuestion, question.Qtype)
 		}
-		return nil
+		return lookupResult{rcode: dns.RcodeNameError}
 	}
 
 	recordsCopy := slices.Clone(records)
@@ -119,20 +225,178 @@ func (d *Resolver) lookupRecords(question dns.Question) []dns.RR {
 		d.mu.Unlock()
 	}
 
-	return recordsCopy
+	return lookupResult{records: recordsCopy, rcode: dns.RcodeSuccess}
 }
 
-func (d *Resolver) Update(update []nbdns.SimpleRecord) {
+// lookupCNAMEChain follows a CNAME chain and returns the CNAME records along with
+// the final resolved record of the requested type. This is required for musl libc
+// compatibility, which expects the full answer chain rather than just the CNAME.
+func (d *Resolver) lookupCNAMEChain(logger *log.Entry, cnameQuestion dns.Question, targetType uint16) lookupResult {
+	const maxDepth = 8
+	var chain []dns.RR
+
+	for range maxDepth {
+		cnameRecords := d.getRecords(cnameQuestion)
+		if len(cnameRecords) == 0 {
+			break
+		}
+
+		chain = append(chain, cnameRecords...)
+
+		cname, ok := cnameRecords[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		if !ok {
+			break
+		}
+
+		targetName := strings.ToLower(cname.Target)
+		targetResult := d.resolveCNAMETarget(logger, targetName, targetType, cnameQuestion.Qclass)
+
+		// keep following chain
+		if targetResult.rcode == -1 {
+			cnameQuestion = dns.Question{Name: targetName, Qtype: dns.TypeCNAME, Qclass: cnameQuestion.Qclass}
+			continue
+		}
+
+		return d.buildChainResult(chain, targetResult)
+	}
+
+	if len(chain) > 0 {
+		return lookupResult{records: chain, rcode: dns.RcodeSuccess}
+	}
+	return lookupResult{rcode: dns.RcodeSuccess}
+}
+
+// buildChainResult combines CNAME chain records with the target resolution result.
+// Per RFC 6604, the final rcode is propagated through the chain.
+func (d *Resolver) buildChainResult(chain []dns.RR, target lookupResult) lookupResult {
+	records := chain
+	if len(target.records) > 0 {
+		records = append(records, target.records...)
+	}
+
+	// preserve hasExternalData for SERVFAIL so caller knows the error came from upstream
+	if target.hasExternalData && target.rcode == dns.RcodeServerFailure {
+		return lookupResult{
+			records:         records,
+			rcode:           dns.RcodeServerFailure,
+			hasExternalData: true,
+		}
+	}
+
+	return lookupResult{
+		records:         records,
+		rcode:           target.rcode,
+		hasExternalData: target.hasExternalData,
+	}
+}
+
+// resolveCNAMETarget attempts to resolve a CNAME target name.
+// Returns rcode=-1 to signal "keep following the chain".
+func (d *Resolver) resolveCNAMETarget(logger *log.Entry, targetName string, targetType uint16, qclass uint16) lookupResult {
+	if records := d.getRecords(dns.Question{Name: targetName, Qtype: targetType, Qclass: qclass}); len(records) > 0 {
+		return lookupResult{records: records, rcode: dns.RcodeSuccess}
+	}
+
+	// another CNAME, keep following
+	if d.hasRecord(dns.Question{Name: targetName, Qtype: dns.TypeCNAME, Qclass: qclass}) {
+		return lookupResult{rcode: -1}
+	}
+
+	// domain exists locally but not this record type (NODATA)
+	if d.hasRecordsForDomain(domain.Domain(targetName)) {
+		return lookupResult{rcode: dns.RcodeSuccess}
+	}
+
+	// in our zone but doesn't exist (NXDOMAIN)
+	if d.isInManagedZone(targetName) {
+		return lookupResult{rcode: dns.RcodeNameError}
+	}
+
+	return d.resolveExternal(logger, targetName, targetType)
+}
+
+func (d *Resolver) getRecords(q dns.Question) []dns.RR {
+	d.mu.RLock()
+	defer d.mu.RUnlock()
+	return d.records[q]
+}
+
+func (d *Resolver) hasRecord(q dns.Question) bool {
+	d.mu.RLock()
+	defer d.mu.RUnlock()
+	_, ok := d.records[q]
+	return ok
+}
+
+// resolveExternal resolves a domain name using the system resolver.
+// This is used to resolve CNAME targets that point outside our local zone,
+// which is required for musl libc compatibility (musl expects complete answers).
+func (d *Resolver) resolveExternal(logger *log.Entry, name string, qtype uint16) lookupResult {
+	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(qtype)
+	if network == "" {
+		return lookupResult{rcode: dns.RcodeNotImplemented}
+	}
+
+	resolver := d.resolver
+	if resolver == nil {
+		resolver = net.DefaultResolver
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(d.ctx, externalResolutionTimeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, resolver, network, name, qtype)
+	if result.Err != nil {
+		d.logDNSError(logger, name, qtype, result.Err)
+		return lookupResult{rcode: result.Rcode, hasExternalData: true}
+	}
+
+	return lookupResult{
+		records:         resutil.IPsToRRs(name, result.IPs, 60),
+		rcode:           dns.RcodeSuccess,
+		hasExternalData: true,
+	}
+}
+
+// logDNSError logs DNS resolution errors for debugging.
+func (d *Resolver) logDNSError(logger *log.Entry, hostname string, qtype uint16, err error) {
+	qtypeName := dns.TypeToString[qtype]
+
+	var dnsErr *net.DNSError
+	if !errors.As(err, &dnsErr) {
+		logger.Debugf("DNS resolution failed for %s type %s: %v", hostname, qtypeName, err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if dnsErr.IsNotFound {
+		logger.Tracef("DNS target not found: %s type %s", hostname, qtypeName)
+		return
+	}
+
+	if dnsErr.Server != "" {
+		logger.Debugf("DNS resolution failed for %s type %s server=%s: %v", hostname, qtypeName, dnsErr.Server, err)
+	} else {
+		logger.Debugf("DNS resolution failed for %s type %s: %v", hostname, qtypeName, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Update replaces all zones and their records
+func (d *Resolver) Update(customZones []nbdns.CustomZone) {
 	d.mu.Lock()
 	defer d.mu.Unlock()
 
 	maps.Clear(d.records)
 	maps.Clear(d.domains)
+	maps.Clear(d.zones)
 
-	for _, rec := range update {
-		if err := d.registerRecord(rec); err != nil {
-			log.Warnf("failed to register the record (%s): %v", rec, err)
-			continue
+	for _, zone := range customZones {
+		zoneDomain := domain.Domain(strings.ToLower(dns.Fqdn(zone.Domain)))
+		d.zones[zoneDomain] = zone.NonAuthoritative
+
+		for _, rec := range zone.Records {
+			if err := d.registerRecord(rec); err != nil {
+				log.Warnf("failed to register the record (%s): %v", rec, err)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }

client/internal/dns/local/local_test.go

@@ -1,8 +1,14 @@
 package local
 
 import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -12,6 +18,18 @@ import (
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
 )
 
+// mockResolver implements resolver for testing
+type mockResolver struct {
+	lookupFunc func(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error)
+}
+
+func (m *mockResolver) LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+	if m.lookupFunc != nil {
+		return m.lookupFunc(ctx, network, host)
+	}
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
 func TestLocalResolver_ServeDNS(t *testing.T) {
 	recordA := nbdns.SimpleRecord{
 		Name:  "peera.netbird.cloud.",
@@ -106,11 +124,11 @@ func TestLocalResolver_Update_StaleRecord(t *testing.T) {
 
 	resolver := NewResolver()
 
-	update1 := []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record1}
-	update2 := []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record2}
+	zone1 := []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "example.com.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record1}}}
+	zone2 := []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "example.com.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record2}}}
 
 	// Apply first update
-	resolver.Update(update1)
+	resolver.Update(zone1)
 
 	// Verify first update
 	resolver.mu.RLock()
@@ -122,7 +140,7 @@ func TestLocalResolver_Update_StaleRecord(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Contains(t, rrSlice1[0].String(), record1.RData, "Record after first update should be %s", record1.RData)
 
 	// Apply second update
-	resolver.Update(update2)
+	resolver.Update(zone2)
 
 	// Verify second update
 	resolver.mu.RLock()
@@ -151,10 +169,10 @@ func TestLocalResolver_MultipleRecords_SameQuestion(t *testing.T) {
 		Name: recordName, Type: int(recordType), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.2",
 	}
 
-	update := []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record1, record2}
+	zones := []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "example.com.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record1, record2}}}
 
 	// Apply update with both records
-	resolver.Update(update)
+	resolver.Update(zones)
 
 	// Create question that matches both records
 	question := dns.Question{
@@ -195,10 +213,10 @@ func TestLocalResolver_RecordRotation(t *testing.T) {
 		Name: recordName, Type: int(recordType), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "192.168.1.3",
 	}
 
-	update := []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record1, record2, record3}
+	zones := []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "example.com.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record1, record2, record3}}}
 
 	// Apply update with all three records
-	resolver.Update(update)
+	resolver.Update(zones)
 
 	msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion(recordName, recordType)
 
@@ -264,7 +282,7 @@ func TestLocalResolver_CaseInsensitiveMatching(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Update resolver with the records
-	resolver.Update([]nbdns.SimpleRecord{lowerCaseRecord, mixedCaseRecord})
+	resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "example.com.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{lowerCaseRecord, mixedCaseRecord}}})
 
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name          string
@@ -379,7 +397,7 @@ func TestLocalResolver_CNAMEFallback(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	// Update resolver with both records
-	resolver.Update([]nbdns.SimpleRecord{cnameRecord, targetRecord})
+	resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "example.com.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{cnameRecord, targetRecord}}})
 
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name          string
@@ -476,6 +494,20 @@ func TestLocalResolver_CNAMEFallback(t *testing.T) {
 // with 0 records instead of NXDOMAIN
 func TestLocalResolver_NoErrorWithDifferentRecordType(t *testing.T) {
 	resolver := NewResolver()
+	// Mock external resolver for CNAME target resolution
+	resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+		lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+			if host == "target.example.com." {
+				if network == "ip4" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("93.184.216.34")}, nil
+				}
+				if network == "ip6" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946")}, nil
+				}
+			}
+			return nil, &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: host}
+		},
+	}
 
 	recordA := nbdns.SimpleRecord{
 		Name:  "example.netbird.cloud.",
@@ -493,7 +525,7 @@ func TestLocalResolver_NoErrorWithDifferentRecordType(t *testing.T) {
 		RData: "target.example.com.",
 	}
 
-	resolver.Update([]nbdns.SimpleRecord{recordA, recordCNAME})
+	resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{recordA, recordCNAME}}})
 
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name           string
@@ -582,3 +614,808 @@ func TestLocalResolver_NoErrorWithDifferentRecordType(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+// TestLocalResolver_CNAMEChainResolution tests comprehensive CNAME chain following
+func TestLocalResolver_CNAMEChainResolution(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("simple internal CNAME chain", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "example.com.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.example.com.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "target.example.com."},
+				{Name: "target.example.com.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "192.168.1.1"},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 2)
+
+		cname, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.Equal(t, "target.example.com.", cname.Target)
+
+		a, ok := resp.Answer[1].(*dns.A)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.Equal(t, "192.168.1.1", a.A.String())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("multi-hop CNAME chain", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "hop1.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "hop2.test."},
+				{Name: "hop2.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "hop3.test."},
+				{Name: "hop3.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("hop1.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 3)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME to non-existent internal target returns only CNAME", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "nonexistent.test."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1)
+		_, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		assert.True(t, ok)
+	})
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_CNAMEMaxDepth tests the maximum depth limit for CNAME chains
+func TestLocalResolver_CNAMEMaxDepth(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("chain at max depth resolves", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		var records []nbdns.SimpleRecord
+		// Create chain of 7 CNAMEs (under max of 8)
+		for i := 1; i <= 7; i++ {
+			records = append(records, nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				Name:  fmt.Sprintf("hop%d.test.", i),
+				Type:  int(dns.TypeCNAME),
+				Class: nbdns.DefaultClass,
+				TTL:   300,
+				RData: fmt.Sprintf("hop%d.test.", i+1),
+			})
+		}
+		records = append(records, nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+			Name: "hop8.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.10.10.10",
+		})
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "test.", Records: records}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("hop1.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 8)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("chain exceeding max depth stops", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		var records []nbdns.SimpleRecord
+		// Create chain of 10 CNAMEs (exceeds max of 8)
+		for i := 1; i <= 10; i++ {
+			records = append(records, nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				Name:  fmt.Sprintf("deep%d.test.", i),
+				Type:  int(dns.TypeCNAME),
+				Class: nbdns.DefaultClass,
+				TTL:   300,
+				RData: fmt.Sprintf("deep%d.test.", i+1),
+			})
+		}
+		records = append(records, nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+			Name: "deep11.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.10.10.10",
+		})
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "test.", Records: records}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("deep1.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		// Should NOT have the final A record (chain too deep)
+		assert.LessOrEqual(t, len(resp.Answer), 8)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("circular CNAME is protected by max depth", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "loop1.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "loop2.test."},
+				{Name: "loop2.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "loop1.test."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("loop1.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		assert.LessOrEqual(t, len(resp.Answer), 8)
+	})
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_ExternalCNAMEResolution tests CNAME resolution to external domains
+func TestLocalResolver_ExternalCNAMEResolution(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("CNAME to external domain resolves via external resolver", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				if host == "external.example.com." && network == "ip4" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("93.184.216.34")}, nil
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			},
+		}
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.example.com."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 2, "Should have CNAME + A record")
+
+		cname, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.Equal(t, "external.example.com.", cname.Target)
+
+		a, ok := resp.Answer[1].(*dns.A)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.Equal(t, "93.184.216.34", a.A.String())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME to external domain resolves IPv6", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				if host == "external.example.com." && network == "ip6" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946")}, nil
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			},
+		}
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.example.com."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.test.", dns.TypeAAAA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 2, "Should have CNAME + AAAA record")
+
+		cname, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.Equal(t, "external.example.com.", cname.Target)
+
+		aaaa, ok := resp.Answer[1].(*dns.AAAA)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.Equal(t, "2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946", aaaa.AAAA.String())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("concurrent external resolution", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				if host == "external.example.com." && network == "ip4" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("93.184.216.34")}, nil
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			},
+		}
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "concurrent.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.example.com."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		var wg sync.WaitGroup
+		results := make([]*dns.Msg, 10)
+
+		for i := 0; i < 10; i++ {
+			wg.Add(1)
+			go func(idx int) {
+				defer wg.Done()
+				msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("concurrent.test.", dns.TypeA)
+				var resp *dns.Msg
+				resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+				results[idx] = resp
+			}(i)
+		}
+		wg.Wait()
+
+		for i, resp := range results {
+			require.NotNil(t, resp, "Response %d should not be nil", i)
+			require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 2, "Response %d should have CNAME + A", i)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_ZoneManagement tests zone-aware CNAME resolution
+func TestLocalResolver_ZoneManagement(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("Update sets zones correctly", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{
+			{Domain: "example.com.", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "host.example.com.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"},
+			}},
+			{Domain: "test.local."},
+		})
+
+		assert.True(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("host.example.com."))
+		assert.True(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("other.example.com."))
+		assert.True(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("sub.test.local."))
+		assert.False(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("external.com."))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("isInManagedZone case insensitive", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "Example.COM."}})
+
+		assert.True(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("host.example.com."))
+		assert.True(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("HOST.EXAMPLE.COM."))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Update clears zones", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "example.com."}})
+		assert.True(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("host.example.com."))
+
+		resolver.Update(nil)
+		assert.False(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("host.example.com."))
+	})
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_CNAMEZoneAwareResolution tests CNAME resolution with zone awareness
+func TestLocalResolver_CNAMEZoneAwareResolution(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("CNAME target in managed zone returns NXDOMAIN per RFC 6604", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "myzone.test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.myzone.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "nonexistent.myzone.test."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.myzone.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeNameError, resp.Rcode, "Should return NXDOMAIN")
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1, "Should include CNAME in answer")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME to external domain skips zone check", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				if host == "external.other.com." && network == "ip4" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("203.0.113.1")}, nil
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			},
+		}
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "myzone.test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.myzone.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.other.com."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.myzone.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 2, "Should have CNAME + A from external resolution")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CNAME target exists with different type returns NODATA not NXDOMAIN", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		// CNAME points to target that has A but no AAAA - query for AAAA should be NODATA
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "myzone.test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.myzone.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "target.myzone.test."},
+				{Name: "target.myzone.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "1.1.1.1"},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.myzone.test.", dns.TypeAAAA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode, "Should return NODATA (success), not NXDOMAIN")
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1, "Should have only CNAME, no AAAA")
+		_, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		assert.True(t, ok, "Answer should be CNAME record")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("external CNAME target exists but no AAAA records (NODATA)", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				if host == "external.example.com." {
+					if network == "ip6" {
+						// No AAAA records
+						return nil, &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: host}
+					}
+					if network == "ip4" {
+						// But A records exist - domain exists
+						return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("93.184.216.34")}, nil
+					}
+				}
+				return nil, &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: host}
+			},
+		}
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.example.com."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.test.", dns.TypeAAAA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode, "Should return NODATA (success), not NXDOMAIN")
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 1, "Should have only CNAME")
+		_, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+		assert.True(t, ok, "Answer should be CNAME record")
+	})
+
+	// Table-driven test for all external resolution outcomes
+	externalCases := []struct {
+		name           string
+		lookupFunc     func(context.Context, string, string) ([]netip.Addr, error)
+		expectedRcode  int
+		expectedAnswer int
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "external NXDOMAIN (both A and AAAA not found)",
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				return nil, &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: host}
+			},
+			expectedRcode:  dns.RcodeNameError,
+			expectedAnswer: 1, // CNAME only
+		},
+		{
+			name: "external SERVFAIL (temporary error)",
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				return nil, &net.DNSError{IsTemporary: true, Name: host}
+			},
+			expectedRcode:  dns.RcodeServerFailure,
+			expectedAnswer: 1, // CNAME only
+		},
+		{
+			name: "external SERVFAIL (timeout)",
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				return nil, &net.DNSError{IsTimeout: true, Name: host}
+			},
+			expectedRcode:  dns.RcodeServerFailure,
+			expectedAnswer: 1, // CNAME only
+		},
+		{
+			name: "external SERVFAIL (generic error)",
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("connection refused")
+			},
+			expectedRcode:  dns.RcodeServerFailure,
+			expectedAnswer: 1, // CNAME only
+		},
+		{
+			name: "external success with IPs",
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				if network == "ip4" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("93.184.216.34")}, nil
+				}
+				return nil, &net.DNSError{IsNotFound: true, Name: host}
+			},
+			expectedRcode:  dns.RcodeSuccess,
+			expectedAnswer: 2, // CNAME + A
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range externalCases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			resolver := NewResolver()
+			resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{lookupFunc: tc.lookupFunc}
+
+			resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+				Domain: "test.",
+				Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+					{Name: "alias.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.example.com."},
+				},
+			}})
+
+			msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.test.", dns.TypeA)
+			var resp *dns.Msg
+			resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+			require.NotNil(t, resp)
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedRcode, resp.Rcode, "rcode mismatch")
+			assert.Len(t, resp.Answer, tc.expectedAnswer, "answer count mismatch")
+			if tc.expectedAnswer > 0 {
+				_, ok := resp.Answer[0].(*dns.CNAME)
+				assert.True(t, ok, "first answer should be CNAME")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_Fallthrough verifies that non-authoritative zones
+// trigger fallthrough (Zero bit set) when no records match
+func TestLocalResolver_Fallthrough(t *testing.T) {
+	resolver := NewResolver()
+
+	record := nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+		Name:  "existing.custom.zone.",
+		Type:  int(dns.TypeA),
+		Class: nbdns.DefaultClass,
+		TTL:   300,
+		RData: "10.0.0.1",
+	}
+
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name              string
+		zones             []nbdns.CustomZone
+		queryName         string
+		expectFallthrough bool
+		expectRecord      bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "Authoritative zone returns NXDOMAIN without fallthrough",
+			zones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{
+				Domain:  "custom.zone.",
+				Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record},
+			}},
+			queryName:         "nonexistent.custom.zone.",
+			expectFallthrough: false,
+			expectRecord:      false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "Non-authoritative zone triggers fallthrough",
+			zones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{
+				Domain:           "custom.zone.",
+				Records:          []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record},
+				NonAuthoritative: true,
+			}},
+			queryName:         "nonexistent.custom.zone.",
+			expectFallthrough: true,
+			expectRecord:      false,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "Record found in non-authoritative zone returns normally",
+			zones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{
+				Domain:           "custom.zone.",
+				Records:          []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record},
+				NonAuthoritative: true,
+			}},
+			queryName:         "existing.custom.zone.",
+			expectFallthrough: false,
+			expectRecord:      true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "Record found in authoritative zone returns normally",
+			zones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{
+				Domain:  "custom.zone.",
+				Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{record},
+			}},
+			queryName:         "existing.custom.zone.",
+			expectFallthrough: false,
+			expectRecord:      true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range testCases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			resolver.Update(tc.zones)
+
+			var responseMSG *dns.Msg
+			responseWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
+				WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
+					responseMSG = m
+					return nil
+				},
+			}
+
+			msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion(tc.queryName, dns.TypeA)
+			resolver.ServeDNS(responseWriter, msg)
+
+			require.NotNil(t, responseMSG, "Should have received a response")
+
+			if tc.expectFallthrough {
+				assert.True(t, responseMSG.MsgHdr.Zero, "Zero bit should be set for fallthrough")
+				assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeNameError, responseMSG.Rcode, "Should return NXDOMAIN")
+			} else {
+				assert.False(t, responseMSG.MsgHdr.Zero, "Zero bit should not be set")
+			}
+
+			if tc.expectRecord {
+				assert.Greater(t, len(responseMSG.Answer), 0, "Should have answer records")
+				assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, responseMSG.Rcode)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_AuthoritativeFlag tests the AA flag behavior
+func TestLocalResolver_AuthoritativeFlag(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("direct record lookup is authoritative", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "example.com.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "host.example.com.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("host.example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		assert.True(t, resp.Authoritative)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("external resolution is not authoritative", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+			lookupFunc: func(_ context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				if host == "external.example.com." && network == "ip4" {
+					return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("93.184.216.34")}, nil
+				}
+				return nil, nil
+			},
+		}
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.example.com."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.test.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		require.Len(t, resp.Answer, 2)
+		assert.False(t, resp.Authoritative)
+	})
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_Stop tests cleanup on Stop
+func TestLocalResolver_Stop(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("Stop clears all state", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "example.com.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "host.example.com.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		resolver.Stop()
+
+		msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("host.example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+		var resp *dns.Msg
+		resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { resp = m; return nil }}, msg)
+
+		require.NotNil(t, resp)
+		assert.Len(t, resp.Answer, 0)
+		assert.False(t, resolver.isInManagedZone("host.example.com."))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Stop is safe to call multiple times", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "example.com.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "host.example.com.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		resolver.Stop()
+		resolver.Stop()
+		resolver.Stop()
+	})
+
+	t.Run("Stop cancels in-flight external resolution", func(t *testing.T) {
+		resolver := NewResolver()
+
+		lookupStarted := make(chan struct{})
+		lookupCtxCanceled := make(chan struct{})
+
+		resolver.resolver = &mockResolver{
+			lookupFunc: func(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+				close(lookupStarted)
+				<-ctx.Done()
+				close(lookupCtxCanceled)
+				return nil, ctx.Err()
+			},
+		}
+
+		resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+			Domain: "test.",
+			Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
+				{Name: "alias.test.", Type: int(dns.TypeCNAME), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "external.example.com."},
+			},
+		}})
+
+		done := make(chan struct{})
+		go func() {
+			msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("alias.test.", dns.TypeA)
+			resolver.ServeDNS(&test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { return nil }}, msg)
+			close(done)
+		}()
+
+		<-lookupStarted
+		resolver.Stop()
+
+		select {
+		case <-lookupCtxCanceled:
+		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("external lookup context was not canceled")
+		}
+
+		select {
+		case <-done:
+		case <-time.After(time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("ServeDNS did not return after Stop")
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// TestLocalResolver_FallthroughCaseInsensitive verifies case-insensitive domain matching for fallthrough
+func TestLocalResolver_FallthroughCaseInsensitive(t *testing.T) {
+	resolver := NewResolver()
+
+	resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+		Domain:           "EXAMPLE.COM.",
+		Records:          []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "host.example.com.", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "1.2.3.4"}},
+		NonAuthoritative: true,
+	}})
+
+	var responseMSG *dns.Msg
+	responseWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{
+		WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error {
+			responseMSG = m
+			return nil
+		},
+	}
+
+	msg := new(dns.Msg).SetQuestion("nonexistent.example.com.", dns.TypeA)
+	resolver.ServeDNS(responseWriter, msg)
+
+	require.NotNil(t, responseMSG)
+	assert.True(t, responseMSG.MsgHdr.Zero, "Should fallthrough for non-authoritative zone with case-insensitive match")
+}
+
+// BenchmarkFindZone_BestCase benchmarks zone lookup with immediate match (first label)
+func BenchmarkFindZone_BestCase(b *testing.B) {
+	resolver := NewResolver()
+
+	// Single zone that matches immediately
+	resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{
+		Domain:           "example.com.",
+		NonAuthoritative: true,
+	}})
+
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		resolver.shouldFallthrough("example.com.")
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkFindZone_WorstCase benchmarks zone lookup with many zones, no match, many labels
+func BenchmarkFindZone_WorstCase(b *testing.B) {
+	resolver := NewResolver()
+
+	// 100 zones that won't match
+	var zones []nbdns.CustomZone
+	for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
+		zones = append(zones, nbdns.CustomZone{
+			Domain:           fmt.Sprintf("zone%d.internal.", i),
+			NonAuthoritative: true,
+		})
+	}
+	resolver.Update(zones)
+
+	// Query with many labels that won't match any zone
+	qname := "a.b.c.d.e.f.g.h.external.com."
+
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		resolver.shouldFallthrough(qname)
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkFindZone_TypicalCase benchmarks typical usage: few zones, subdomain match
+func BenchmarkFindZone_TypicalCase(b *testing.B) {
+	resolver := NewResolver()
+
+	// Typical setup: peer zone (authoritative) + one user zone (non-authoritative)
+	resolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{
+		{Domain: "netbird.cloud.", NonAuthoritative: false},
+		{Domain: "custom.local.", NonAuthoritative: true},
+	})
+
+	// Query for subdomain of user zone
+	qname := "myhost.custom.local."
+
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		resolver.shouldFallthrough(qname)
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkIsInManagedZone_ManyZones benchmarks isInManagedZone with 100 zones
+func BenchmarkIsInManagedZone_ManyZones(b *testing.B) {
+	resolver := NewResolver()
+
+	var zones []nbdns.CustomZone
+	for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
+		zones = append(zones, nbdns.CustomZone{
+			Domain: fmt.Sprintf("zone%d.internal.", i),
+		})
+	}
+	resolver.Update(zones)
+
+	// Query that matches zone50
+	qname := "host.zone50.internal."
+
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		resolver.isInManagedZone(qname)
+	}
+}

client/internal/dns/mgmt/mgmt.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
+	"net/netip"
 	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -26,6 +27,11 @@ type Resolver struct {
 	mutex         sync.RWMutex
 }
 
+type ipsResponse struct {
+	ips []netip.Addr
+	err error
+}
+
 // NewResolver creates a new management domains cache resolver.
 func NewResolver() *Resolver {
 	return &Resolver{
@@ -99,9 +105,9 @@ func (m *Resolver) AddDomain(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain) error {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, dnsTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	ips, err := net.DefaultResolver.LookupNetIP(ctx, "ip", d.PunycodeString())
+	ips, err := lookupIPWithExtraTimeout(ctx, d)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("resolve domain %s: %w", d.SafeString(), err)
+		return err
 	}
 
 	var aRecords, aaaaRecords []dns.RR
@@ -159,6 +165,36 @@ func (m *Resolver) AddDomain(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func lookupIPWithExtraTimeout(ctx context.Context, d domain.Domain) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+	log.Infof("looking up IP for mgmt domain=%s", d.SafeString())
+	defer log.Infof("done looking up IP for mgmt domain=%s", d.SafeString())
+	resultChan := make(chan *ipsResponse, 1)
+
+	go func() {
+		ips, err := net.DefaultResolver.LookupNetIP(ctx, "ip", d.PunycodeString())
+		resultChan <- &ipsResponse{
+			err: err,
+			ips: ips,
+		}
+	}()
+
+	var resp *ipsResponse
+
+	select {
+	case <-time.After(dnsTimeout + time.Millisecond*500):
+		log.Warnf("timed out waiting for IP for mgmt domain=%s", d.SafeString())
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("timed out waiting for ips to be available for domain %s", d.SafeString())
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return nil, ctx.Err()
+	case resp = <-resultChan:
+	}
+
+	if resp.err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("resolve domain %s: %w", d.SafeString(), resp.err)
+	}
+	return resp.ips, nil
+}
+
 // PopulateFromConfig extracts and caches domains from the client configuration.
 func (m *Resolver) PopulateFromConfig(ctx context.Context, mgmtURL *url.URL) error {
 	if mgmtURL == nil {

client/internal/dns/resutil/resolve.go

@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+// Package resutil provides shared DNS resolution utilities
+package resutil
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+// GenerateRequestID creates a random 8-character hex string for request tracing.
+func GenerateRequestID() string {
+	bytes := make([]byte, 4)
+	if _, err := rand.Read(bytes); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("generate request ID: %v", err)
+		return ""
+	}
+	return hex.EncodeToString(bytes)
+}
+
+// IPsToRRs converts a slice of IP addresses to DNS resource records.
+// IPv4 addresses become A records, IPv6 addresses become AAAA records.
+func IPsToRRs(name string, ips []netip.Addr, ttl uint32) []dns.RR {
+	var result []dns.RR
+
+	for _, ip := range ips {
+		if ip.Is6() {
+			result = append(result, &dns.AAAA{
+				Hdr: dns.RR_Header{
+					Name:   name,
+					Rrtype: dns.TypeAAAA,
+					Class:  dns.ClassINET,
+					Ttl:    ttl,
+				},
+				AAAA: ip.AsSlice(),
+			})
+		} else {
+			result = append(result, &dns.A{
+				Hdr: dns.RR_Header{
+					Name:   name,
+					Rrtype: dns.TypeA,
+					Class:  dns.ClassINET,
+					Ttl:    ttl,
+				},
+				A: ip.AsSlice(),
+			})
+		}
+	}
+
+	return result
+}
+
+// NetworkForQtype returns the network string ("ip4" or "ip6") for a DNS query type.
+// Returns empty string for unsupported types.
+func NetworkForQtype(qtype uint16) string {
+	switch qtype {
+	case dns.TypeA:
+		return "ip4"
+	case dns.TypeAAAA:
+		return "ip6"
+	default:
+		return ""
+	}
+}
+
+type resolver interface {
+	LookupNetIP(ctx context.Context, network, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error)
+}
+
+// chainedWriter is implemented by ResponseWriters that carry request metadata
+type chainedWriter interface {
+	RequestID() string
+	SetMeta(key, value string)
+}
+
+// GetRequestID extracts a request ID from the ResponseWriter if available,
+// otherwise generates a new one.
+func GetRequestID(w dns.ResponseWriter) string {
+	if cw, ok := w.(chainedWriter); ok {
+		if id := cw.RequestID(); id != "" {
+			return id
+		}
+	}
+	return GenerateRequestID()
+}
+
+// SetMeta sets metadata on the ResponseWriter if it supports it.
+func SetMeta(w dns.ResponseWriter, key, value string) {
+	if cw, ok := w.(chainedWriter); ok {
+		cw.SetMeta(key, value)
+	}
+}
+
+// LookupResult contains the result of an external DNS lookup
+type LookupResult struct {
+	IPs   []netip.Addr
+	Rcode int
+	Err   error // Original error for caller's logging needs
+}
+
+// LookupIP performs a DNS lookup and determines the appropriate rcode.
+func LookupIP(ctx context.Context, r resolver, network, host string, qtype uint16) LookupResult {
+	ips, err := r.LookupNetIP(ctx, network, host)
+	if err != nil {
+		return LookupResult{
+			Rcode: getRcodeForError(ctx, r, host, qtype, err),
+			Err:   err,
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Unmap IPv4-mapped IPv6 addresses that some resolvers may return
+	for i, ip := range ips {
+		ips[i] = ip.Unmap()
+	}
+
+	return LookupResult{
+		IPs:   ips,
+		Rcode: dns.RcodeSuccess,
+	}
+}
+
+func getRcodeForError(ctx context.Context, r resolver, host string, qtype uint16, err error) int {
+	var dnsErr *net.DNSError
+	if !errors.As(err, &dnsErr) {
+		return dns.RcodeServerFailure
+	}
+
+	if dnsErr.IsNotFound {
+		return getRcodeForNotFound(ctx, r, host, qtype)
+	}
+
+	return dns.RcodeServerFailure
+}
+
+// getRcodeForNotFound distinguishes between NXDOMAIN (domain doesn't exist) and NODATA
+// (domain exists but no records of requested type) by checking the opposite record type.
+//
+// musl libc (the reason we need this distinction) only queries A/AAAA pairs in getaddrinfo,
+// so checking the opposite A/AAAA type is sufficient. Other record types (MX, TXT, etc.)
+// are not queried by musl and don't need this handling.
+func getRcodeForNotFound(ctx context.Context, r resolver, domain string, originalQtype uint16) int {
+	// Try querying for a different record type to see if the domain exists
+	// If the original query was for AAAA, try A. If it was for A, try AAAA.
+	// This helps distinguish between NXDOMAIN and NODATA.
+	var alternativeNetwork string
+	switch originalQtype {
+	case dns.TypeAAAA:
+		alternativeNetwork = "ip4"
+	case dns.TypeA:
+		alternativeNetwork = "ip6"
+	default:
+		return dns.RcodeNameError
+	}
+
+	if _, err := r.LookupNetIP(ctx, alternativeNetwork, domain); err != nil {
+		var dnsErr *net.DNSError
+		if errors.As(err, &dnsErr) && dnsErr.IsNotFound {
+			// Alternative query also returned not found - domain truly doesn't exist
+			return dns.RcodeNameError
+		}
+		// Some other error (timeout, server failure, etc.) - can't determine, assume domain exists
+		return dns.RcodeSuccess
+	}
+
+	// Alternative query succeeded - domain exists but has no records of this type
+	return dns.RcodeSuccess
+}
+
+// FormatAnswers formats DNS resource records for logging.
+func FormatAnswers(answers []dns.RR) string {
+	if len(answers) == 0 {
+		return "[]"
+	}
+
+	parts := make([]string, 0, len(answers))
+	for _, rr := range answers {
+		switch r := rr.(type) {
+		case *dns.A:
+			parts = append(parts, r.A.String())
+		case *dns.AAAA:
+			parts = append(parts, r.AAAA.String())
+		case *dns.CNAME:
+			parts = append(parts, "CNAME:"+r.Target)
+		case *dns.PTR:
+			parts = append(parts, "PTR:"+r.Ptr)
+		default:
+			parts = append(parts, dns.TypeToString[rr.Header().Rrtype])
+		}
+	}
+	return "[" + strings.Join(parts, ", ") + "]"
+}

client/internal/dns/server.go

@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ type DefaultServer struct {
 	updateSerial       uint64
 	previousConfigHash uint64
 	currentConfig      HostDNSConfig
+	currentConfigHash  uint64
 	handlerChain       *HandlerChain
 	extraDomains       map[domain.Domain]int
 
@@ -207,6 +208,7 @@ func newDefaultServer(
 		hostsDNSHolder:    newHostsDNSHolder(),
 		hostManager:       &noopHostConfigurator{},
 		mgmtCacheResolver: mgmtCacheResolver,
+		currentConfigHash: ^uint64(0), // Initialize to max uint64 to ensure first config is always applied
 	}
 
 	// register with root zone, handler chain takes care of the routing
@@ -483,7 +485,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) applyConfiguration(update nbdns.Config) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	localMuxUpdates, localRecords, err := s.buildLocalHandlerUpdate(update.CustomZones)
+	localMuxUpdates, localZones, err := s.buildLocalHandlerUpdate(update.CustomZones)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("local handler updater: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -496,8 +498,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) applyConfiguration(update nbdns.Config) error {
 
 	s.updateMux(muxUpdates)
 
-	// register local records
-	s.localResolver.Update(localRecords)
+	s.localResolver.Update(localZones)
 
 	s.currentConfig = dnsConfigToHostDNSConfig(update, s.service.RuntimeIP(), s.service.RuntimePort())
 
@@ -586,8 +587,29 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) applyHostConfig() {
 
 	log.Debugf("extra match domains: %v", maps.Keys(s.extraDomains))
 
+	hash, err := hashstructure.Hash(config, hashstructure.FormatV2, &hashstructure.HashOptions{
+		ZeroNil:         true,
+		IgnoreZeroValue: true,
+		SlicesAsSets:    true,
+		UseStringer:     true,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("unable to hash the host dns configuration, will apply config anyway: %s", err)
+		// Fall through to apply config anyway (fail-safe approach)
+	} else if s.currentConfigHash == hash {
+		log.Debugf("not applying host config as there are no changes")
+		return
+	}
+
+	log.Debugf("applying host config as there are changes")
 	if err := s.hostManager.applyDNSConfig(config, s.stateManager); err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("failed to apply DNS host manager update: %v", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Only update hash if it was computed successfully and config was applied
+	if err == nil {
+		s.currentConfigHash = hash
 	}
 
 	s.registerFallback(config)
@@ -609,9 +631,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) registerFallback(config HostDNSConfig) {
 
 	handler, err := newUpstreamResolver(
 		s.ctx,
-		s.wgInterface.Name(),
-		s.wgInterface.Address().IP,
-		s.wgInterface.Address().Network,
+		s.wgInterface,
 		s.statusRecorder,
 		s.hostsDNSHolder,
 		nbdns.RootZone,
@@ -636,9 +656,9 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) registerFallback(config HostDNSConfig) {
 	s.registerHandler([]string{nbdns.RootZone}, handler, PriorityFallback)
 }
 
-func (s *DefaultServer) buildLocalHandlerUpdate(customZones []nbdns.CustomZone) ([]handlerWrapper, []nbdns.SimpleRecord, error) {
+func (s *DefaultServer) buildLocalHandlerUpdate(customZones []nbdns.CustomZone) ([]handlerWrapper, []nbdns.CustomZone, error) {
 	var muxUpdates []handlerWrapper
-	var localRecords []nbdns.SimpleRecord
+	var zones []nbdns.CustomZone
 
 	for _, customZone := range customZones {
 		if len(customZone.Records) == 0 {
@@ -652,17 +672,20 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) buildLocalHandlerUpdate(customZones []nbdns.CustomZone)
 			priority: PriorityLocal,
 		})
 
+		// zone records contain the fqdn, so we can just flatten them
+		var localRecords []nbdns.SimpleRecord
 		for _, record := range customZone.Records {
 			if record.Class != nbdns.DefaultClass {
 				log.Warnf("received an invalid class type: %s", record.Class)
 				continue
 			}
-			// zone records contain the fqdn, so we can just flatten them
 			localRecords = append(localRecords, record)
 		}
+		customZone.Records = localRecords
+		zones = append(zones, customZone)
 	}
 
-	return muxUpdates, localRecords, nil
+	return muxUpdates, zones, nil
 }
 
 func (s *DefaultServer) buildUpstreamHandlerUpdate(nameServerGroups []*nbdns.NameServerGroup) ([]handlerWrapper, error) {
@@ -718,9 +741,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) createHandlersForDomainGroup(domainGroup nsGroupsByDomai
 		log.Debugf("creating handler for domain=%s with priority=%d", domainGroup.domain, priority)
 		handler, err := newUpstreamResolver(
 			s.ctx,
-			s.wgInterface.Name(),
-			s.wgInterface.Address().IP,
-			s.wgInterface.Address().Network,
+			s.wgInterface,
 			s.statusRecorder,
 			s.hostsDNSHolder,
 			domainGroup.domain,
@@ -901,9 +922,7 @@ func (s *DefaultServer) addHostRootZone() {
 
 	handler, err := newUpstreamResolver(
 		s.ctx,
-		s.wgInterface.Name(),
-		s.wgInterface.Address().IP,
-		s.wgInterface.Address().Network,
+		s.wgInterface,
 		s.statusRecorder,
 		s.hostsDNSHolder,
 		nbdns.RootZone,

client/internal/dns/server_test.go

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/mock"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/uspfilter"
@@ -81,6 +82,10 @@ func (w *mocWGIface) GetStats(_ string) (configurer.WGStats, error) {
 	return configurer.WGStats{}, nil
 }
 
+func (w *mocWGIface) GetNet() *netstack.Net {
+	return nil
+}
+
 var zoneRecords = []nbdns.SimpleRecord{
 	{
 		Name:  "peera.netbird.cloud",
@@ -128,7 +133,7 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name                string
 		initUpstreamMap     registeredHandlerMap
-		initLocalRecords    []nbdns.SimpleRecord
+		initLocalZones      []nbdns.CustomZone
 		initSerial          uint64
 		inputSerial         uint64
 		inputUpdate         nbdns.Config
@@ -180,8 +185,8 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: "peera.netbird.cloud.", Qtype: dns.TypeA, Qclass: dns.ClassINET}},
 		},
 		{
-			name:             "New Config Should Succeed",
-			initLocalRecords: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: 1, Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}},
+			name:           "New Config Should Succeed",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: 1, Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
 			initUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
 				generateDummyHandler(zoneRecords[0].Name, nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
 					domain:   "netbird.cloud",
@@ -221,19 +226,19 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 			expectedLocalQs: []dns.Question{{Name: zoneRecords[0].Name, Qtype: 1, Qclass: 1}},
 		},
 		{
-			name:             "Smaller Config Serial Should Be Skipped",
-			initLocalRecords: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{},
-			initUpstreamMap:  make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:       2,
-			inputSerial:      1,
-			shouldFail:       true,
+			name:            "Smaller Config Serial Should Be Skipped",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
+			initSerial:      2,
+			inputSerial:     1,
+			shouldFail:      true,
 		},
 		{
-			name:             "Empty NS Group Domain Or Not Primary Element Should Fail",
-			initLocalRecords: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{},
-			initUpstreamMap:  make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:       0,
-			inputSerial:      1,
+			name:            "Empty NS Group Domain Or Not Primary Element Should Fail",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
 			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
 				ServiceEnable: true,
 				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
@@ -251,11 +256,11 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 			shouldFail: true,
 		},
 		{
-			name:             "Invalid NS Group Nameservers list Should Fail",
-			initLocalRecords: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{},
-			initUpstreamMap:  make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:       0,
-			inputSerial:      1,
+			name:            "Invalid NS Group Nameservers list Should Fail",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
 			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
 				ServiceEnable: true,
 				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
@@ -273,11 +278,11 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 			shouldFail: true,
 		},
 		{
-			name:             "Invalid Custom Zone Records list Should Skip",
-			initLocalRecords: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{},
-			initUpstreamMap:  make(registeredHandlerMap),
-			initSerial:       0,
-			inputSerial:      1,
+			name:            "Invalid Custom Zone Records list Should Skip",
+			initLocalZones:  []nbdns.CustomZone{},
+			initUpstreamMap: make(registeredHandlerMap),
+			initSerial:      0,
+			inputSerial:     1,
 			inputUpdate: nbdns.Config{
 				ServiceEnable: true,
 				CustomZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{
@@ -299,8 +304,8 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 			}},
 		},
 		{
-			name:             "Empty Config Should Succeed and Clean Maps",
-			initLocalRecords: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}},
+			name:           "Empty Config Should Succeed and Clean Maps",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
 			initUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
 				generateDummyHandler(zoneRecords[0].Name, nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
 					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
@@ -315,8 +320,8 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 			expectedLocalQs:     []dns.Question{},
 		},
 		{
-			name:             "Disabled Service Should clean map",
-			initLocalRecords: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}},
+			name:           "Disabled Service Should clean map",
+			initLocalZones: []nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}},
 			initUpstreamMap: registeredHandlerMap{
 				generateDummyHandler(zoneRecords[0].Name, nameServers).ID(): handlerWrapper{
 					domain:   zoneRecords[0].Name,
@@ -385,7 +390,7 @@ func TestUpdateDNSServer(t *testing.T) {
 			}()
 
 			dnsServer.dnsMuxMap = testCase.initUpstreamMap
-			dnsServer.localResolver.Update(testCase.initLocalRecords)
+			dnsServer.localResolver.Update(testCase.initLocalZones)
 			dnsServer.updateSerial = testCase.initSerial
 
 			err = dnsServer.UpdateDNSServer(testCase.inputSerial, testCase.inputUpdate)
@@ -510,8 +515,7 @@ func TestDNSFakeResolverHandleUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 			priority: PriorityUpstream,
 		},
 	}
-	//dnsServer.localResolver.RegisteredMap = local.RegistrationMap{local.BuildRecordKey("netbird.cloud", dns.ClassINET, dns.TypeA): struct{}{}}
-	dnsServer.localResolver.Update([]nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}})
+	dnsServer.localResolver.Update([]nbdns.CustomZone{{Domain: "netbird.cloud", Records: []nbdns.SimpleRecord{{Name: "netbird.cloud", Type: int(dns.TypeA), Class: nbdns.DefaultClass, TTL: 300, RData: "10.0.0.1"}}}})
 	dnsServer.updateSerial = 0
 
 	nameServers := []nbdns.NameServer{
@@ -1602,7 +1606,10 @@ func TestExtraDomains(t *testing.T) {
 				"other.example.com.",
 				"duplicate.example.com.",
 			},
-			applyHostConfigCall: 4,
+			// Expect 3 calls instead of 4 because when deregistering duplicate.example.com,
+			// the domain remains in the config (ref count goes from 2 to 1), so the host
+			// config hash doesn't change and applyDNSConfig is not called.
+			applyHostConfigCall: 3,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Config update with new domains after registration",
@@ -1657,7 +1664,10 @@ func TestExtraDomains(t *testing.T) {
 			expectedMatchOnly: []string{
 				"extra.example.com.",
 			},
-			applyHostConfigCall: 3,
+			// Expect 2 calls instead of 3 because when deregistering protected.example.com,
+			// it's removed from extraDomains but still remains in the config (from customZones),
+			// so the host config hash doesn't change and applyDNSConfig is not called.
+			applyHostConfigCall: 2,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "Register domain that is part of nameserver group",
@@ -2042,7 +2052,7 @@ func TestLocalResolverPriorityInServer(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestLocalResolverPriorityConstants(t *testing.T) {
 	// Test that priority constants are ordered correctly
-	assert.Greater(t, PriorityLocal, PriorityDNSRoute, "Local priority should be higher than DNS route")
+	assert.Greater(t, PriorityDNSRoute, PriorityLocal, "DNS Route should be higher than Local priority")
 	assert.Greater(t, PriorityLocal, PriorityUpstream, "Local priority should be higher than upstream")
 	assert.Greater(t, PriorityUpstream, PriorityDefault, "Upstream priority should be higher than default")
 

client/internal/dns/upstream.go

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package dns
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"crypto/rand"
 	"crypto/sha256"
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
@@ -19,8 +18,10 @@ import (
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
 	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
@@ -113,10 +114,7 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) Stop() {
 
 // ServeDNS handles a DNS request
 func (u *upstreamResolverBase) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
-	requestID := GenerateRequestID()
-	logger := log.WithField("request_id", requestID)
-
-	logger.Tracef("received upstream question: domain=%s type=%v class=%v", r.Question[0].Name, r.Question[0].Qtype, r.Question[0].Qclass)
+	logger := log.WithField("request_id", resutil.GetRequestID(w))
 
 	u.prepareRequest(r)
 
@@ -202,11 +200,18 @@ func (u *upstreamResolverBase) handleUpstreamError(err error, upstream netip.Add
 
 func (u *upstreamResolverBase) writeSuccessResponse(w dns.ResponseWriter, rm *dns.Msg, upstream netip.AddrPort, domain string, t time.Duration, logger *log.Entry) bool {
 	u.successCount.Add(1)
-	logger.Tracef("took %s to query the upstream %s for question domain=%s", t, upstream, domain)
+
+	resutil.SetMeta(w, "upstream", upstream.String())
+
+	// Clear Zero bit from external responses to prevent upstream servers from
+	// manipulating our internal fallthrough signaling mechanism
+	rm.MsgHdr.Zero = false
 
 	if err := w.WriteMsg(rm); err != nil {
 		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response for question domain=%s: %s", domain, err)
+		return true
 	}
+
 	return true
 }
 
@@ -414,16 +419,56 @@ func ExchangeWithFallback(ctx context.Context, client *dns.Client, r *dns.Msg, u
 	return rm, t, nil
 }
 
-func GenerateRequestID() string {
-	bytes := make([]byte, 4)
-	_, err := rand.Read(bytes)
+// ExchangeWithNetstack performs a DNS exchange using netstack for dialing.
+// This is needed when netstack is enabled to reach peer IPs through the tunnel.
+func ExchangeWithNetstack(ctx context.Context, nsNet *netstack.Net, r *dns.Msg, upstream string) (*dns.Msg, error) {
+	reply, err := netstackExchange(ctx, nsNet, r, upstream, "udp")
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to generate request ID: %v", err)
-		return ""
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	return hex.EncodeToString(bytes)
+
+	// If response is truncated, retry with TCP
+	if reply != nil && reply.MsgHdr.Truncated {
+		log.Tracef("udp response for domain=%s type=%v class=%v is truncated, trying TCP",
+			r.Question[0].Name, r.Question[0].Qtype, r.Question[0].Qclass)
+		return netstackExchange(ctx, nsNet, r, upstream, "tcp")
+	}
+
+	return reply, nil
 }
 
+func netstackExchange(ctx context.Context, nsNet *netstack.Net, r *dns.Msg, upstream, network string) (*dns.Msg, error) {
+	conn, err := nsNet.DialContext(ctx, network, upstream)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("with %s: %w", network, err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := conn.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Debugf("failed to close DNS connection: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if deadline, ok := ctx.Deadline(); ok {
+		if err := conn.SetDeadline(deadline); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("set deadline: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	dnsConn := &dns.Conn{Conn: conn}
+
+	if err := dnsConn.WriteMsg(r); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("write %s message: %w", network, err)
+	}
+
+	reply, err := dnsConn.ReadMsg()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("read %s message: %w", network, err)
+	}
+
+	return reply, nil
+}
+
+
 // FormatPeerStatus formats peer connection status information for debugging DNS timeouts
 func FormatPeerStatus(peerState *peer.State) string {
 	isConnected := peerState.ConnStatus == peer.StatusConnected

client/internal/dns/upstream_android.go

@@ -23,9 +23,7 @@ type upstreamResolver struct {
 // first time, and we need to wait for a while to start to use again the proper DNS resolver.
 func newUpstreamResolver(
 	ctx context.Context,
-	_ string,
-	_ netip.Addr,
-	_ netip.Prefix,
+	_ WGIface,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
 	hostsDNSHolder *hostsDNSHolder,
 	domain string,

client/internal/dns/upstream_general.go

@@ -5,22 +5,23 @@ package dns
 import (
 	"context"
 	"net/netip"
+	"runtime"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 )
 
 type upstreamResolver struct {
 	*upstreamResolverBase
+	nsNet *netstack.Net
 }
 
 func newUpstreamResolver(
 	ctx context.Context,
-	_ string,
-	_ netip.Addr,
-	_ netip.Prefix,
+	wgIface WGIface,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
 	_ *hostsDNSHolder,
 	domain string,
@@ -28,12 +29,23 @@ func newUpstreamResolver(
 	upstreamResolverBase := newUpstreamResolverBase(ctx, statusRecorder, domain)
 	nonIOS := &upstreamResolver{
 		upstreamResolverBase: upstreamResolverBase,
+		nsNet:                wgIface.GetNet(),
 	}
 	upstreamResolverBase.upstreamClient = nonIOS
 	return nonIOS, nil
 }
 
 func (u *upstreamResolver) exchange(ctx context.Context, upstream string, r *dns.Msg) (rm *dns.Msg, t time.Duration, err error) {
+	// TODO: Check if upstream DNS server is routed through a peer before using netstack.
+	// Similar to iOS logic, we should determine if the DNS server is reachable directly
+	// or needs to go through the tunnel, and only use netstack when necessary.
+	// For now, only use netstack on JS platform where direct access is not possible.
+	if u.nsNet != nil && runtime.GOOS == "js" {
+		start := time.Now()
+		reply, err := ExchangeWithNetstack(ctx, u.nsNet, r, upstream)
+		return reply, time.Since(start), err
+	}
+
 	client := &dns.Client{
 		Timeout: ClientTimeout,
 	}

client/internal/dns/upstream_ios.go

@@ -26,9 +26,7 @@ type upstreamResolverIOS struct {
 
 func newUpstreamResolver(
 	ctx context.Context,
-	interfaceName string,
-	ip netip.Addr,
-	net netip.Prefix,
+	wgIface WGIface,
 	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
 	_ *hostsDNSHolder,
 	domain string,
@@ -37,9 +35,9 @@ func newUpstreamResolver(
 
 	ios := &upstreamResolverIOS{
 		upstreamResolverBase: upstreamResolverBase,
-		lIP:                  ip,
-		lNet:                 net,
-		interfaceName:        interfaceName,
+		lIP:                  wgIface.Address().IP,
+		lNet:                 wgIface.Address().Network,
+		interfaceName:        wgIface.Name(),
 	}
 	ios.upstreamClient = ios
 

client/internal/dns/upstream_test.go

@@ -2,13 +2,17 @@ package dns
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
 
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/test"
 )
 
@@ -58,7 +62,7 @@ func TestUpstreamResolver_ServeDNS(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, testCase := range testCases {
 		t.Run(testCase.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.TODO())
-			resolver, _ := newUpstreamResolver(ctx, "", netip.Addr{}, netip.Prefix{}, nil, nil, ".")
+			resolver, _ := newUpstreamResolver(ctx, &mockNetstackProvider{}, nil, nil, ".")
 			// Convert test servers to netip.AddrPort
 			var servers []netip.AddrPort
 			for _, server := range testCase.InputServers {
@@ -112,6 +116,19 @@ func TestUpstreamResolver_ServeDNS(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+type mockNetstackProvider struct{}
+
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) Name() string                      { return "mock" }
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) Address() wgaddr.Address           { return wgaddr.Address{} }
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) ToInterface() *net.Interface       { return nil }
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) IsUserspaceBind() bool             { return false }
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) GetFilter() device.PacketFilter    { return nil }
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) GetDevice() *device.FilteredDevice { return nil }
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) GetNet() *netstack.Net             { return nil }
+func (m *mockNetstackProvider) GetInterfaceGUIDString() (string, error) {
+	return "", nil
+}
+
 type mockUpstreamResolver struct {
 	r   *dns.Msg
 	rtt time.Duration

client/internal/dns/wgiface.go

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ package dns
 import (
 	"net"
 
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
+
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 )
@@ -17,4 +19,5 @@ type WGIface interface {
 	IsUserspaceBind() bool
 	GetFilter() device.PacketFilter
 	GetDevice() *device.FilteredDevice
+	GetNet() *netstack.Net
 }

client/internal/dns/wgiface_windows.go

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package dns
 
 import (
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
+
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 )
@@ -12,5 +14,6 @@ type WGIface interface {
 	IsUserspaceBind() bool
 	GetFilter() device.PacketFilter
 	GetDevice() *device.FilteredDevice
+	GetNet() *netstack.Net
 	GetInterfaceGUIDString() (string, error)
 }

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder.go

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 
 	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 )
@@ -189,29 +190,22 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
 }
 
-func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) *dns.Msg {
+func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(logger *log.Entry, w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) *dns.Msg {
 	if len(query.Question) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
 	question := query.Question[0]
-	log.Tracef("received DNS request for DNS forwarder: domain=%v type=%v class=%v",
-		question.Name, question.Qtype, question.Qclass)
+	logger.Tracef("received DNS request for DNS forwarder: domain=%s type=%s class=%s",
+		question.Name, dns.TypeToString[question.Qtype], dns.ClassToString[question.Qclass])
 
 	domain := strings.ToLower(question.Name)
 
 	resp := query.SetReply(query)
-	var network string
-	switch question.Qtype {
-	case dns.TypeA:
-		network = "ip4"
-	case dns.TypeAAAA:
-		network = "ip6"
-	default:
-		// TODO: Handle other types
-
+	network := resutil.NetworkForQtype(question.Qtype)
+	if network == "" {
 		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeNotImplemented
 		if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
+			logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
 		}
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -221,33 +215,35 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQuery(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) *dns
 	if mostSpecificResId == "" {
 		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeRefused
 		if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
+			logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
 		}
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), upstreamTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
-	ips, err := f.resolver.LookupNetIP(ctx, network, domain)
-	if err != nil {
-		f.handleDNSError(ctx, w, question, resp, domain, err)
+
+	result := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, network, domain, question.Qtype)
+	if result.Err != nil {
+		f.handleDNSError(ctx, logger, w, question, resp, domain, result)
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// Unmap IPv4-mapped IPv6 addresses that some resolvers may return
-	for i, ip := range ips {
-		ips[i] = ip.Unmap()
-	}
-
-	f.updateInternalState(ips, mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries)
-	f.addIPsToResponse(resp, domain, ips)
-	f.cache.set(domain, question.Qtype, ips)
+	f.updateInternalState(result.IPs, mostSpecificResId, matchingEntries)
+	resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, resutil.IPsToRRs(domain, result.IPs, f.ttl)...)
+	f.cache.set(domain, question.Qtype, result.IPs)
 
 	return resp
 }
 
 func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQueryUDP(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) {
-	resp := f.handleDNSQuery(w, query)
+	startTime := time.Now()
+	logger := log.WithFields(log.Fields{
+		"request_id": resutil.GenerateRequestID(),
+		"dns_id":     fmt.Sprintf("%04x", query.Id),
+	})
+
+	resp := f.handleDNSQuery(logger, w, query)
 	if resp == nil {
 		return
 	}
@@ -265,19 +261,33 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQueryUDP(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) {
 	}
 
 	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
+		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
+		return
 	}
+
+	logger.Tracef("response: domain=%s rcode=%s answers=%s took=%s",
+		query.Question[0].Name, dns.RcodeToString[resp.Rcode], resutil.FormatAnswers(resp.Answer), time.Since(startTime))
 }
 
 func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSQueryTCP(w dns.ResponseWriter, query *dns.Msg) {
-	resp := f.handleDNSQuery(w, query)
+	startTime := time.Now()
+	logger := log.WithFields(log.Fields{
+		"request_id": resutil.GenerateRequestID(),
+		"dns_id":     fmt.Sprintf("%04x", query.Id),
+	})
+
+	resp := f.handleDNSQuery(logger, w, query)
 	if resp == nil {
 		return
 	}
 
 	if err := w.WriteMsg(resp); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
+		logger.Errorf("failed to write DNS response: %v", err)
+		return
 	}
+
+	logger.Tracef("response: domain=%s rcode=%s answers=%s took=%s",
+		query.Question[0].Name, dns.RcodeToString[resp.Rcode], resutil.FormatAnswers(resp.Answer), time.Since(startTime))
 }
 
 func (f *DNSForwarder) updateInternalState(ips []netip.Addr, mostSpecificResId route.ResID, matchingEntries []*ForwarderEntry) {
@@ -315,140 +325,64 @@ func (f *DNSForwarder) updateFirewall(matchingEntries []*ForwarderEntry, prefixe
 	}
 }
 
-// setResponseCodeForNotFound determines and sets the appropriate response code when IsNotFound is true
-// It distinguishes between NXDOMAIN (domain doesn't exist) and NODATA (domain exists but no records of requested type)
-//
-// LIMITATION: This function only checks A and AAAA record types to determine domain existence.
-// If a domain has only other record types (MX, TXT, CNAME, etc.) but no A/AAAA records,
-// it may incorrectly return NXDOMAIN instead of NODATA. This is acceptable since the forwarder
-// only handles A/AAAA queries and returns NOTIMP for other types.
-func (f *DNSForwarder) setResponseCodeForNotFound(ctx context.Context, resp *dns.Msg, domain string, originalQtype uint16) {
-	// Try querying for a different record type to see if the domain exists
-	// If the original query was for AAAA, try A. If it was for A, try AAAA.
-	// This helps distinguish between NXDOMAIN and NODATA.
-	var alternativeNetwork string
-	switch originalQtype {
-	case dns.TypeAAAA:
-		alternativeNetwork = "ip4"
-	case dns.TypeA:
-		alternativeNetwork = "ip6"
-	default:
-		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeNameError
-		return
-	}
-
-	if _, err := f.resolver.LookupNetIP(ctx, alternativeNetwork, domain); err != nil {
-		var dnsErr *net.DNSError
-		if errors.As(err, &dnsErr) && dnsErr.IsNotFound {
-			// Alternative query also returned not found - domain truly doesn't exist
-			resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeNameError
-			return
-		}
-		// Some other error (timeout, server failure, etc.) - can't determine, assume domain exists
-		resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeSuccess
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Alternative query succeeded - domain exists but has no records of this type
-	resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeSuccess
-}
-
 // handleDNSError processes DNS lookup errors and sends an appropriate error response.
 func (f *DNSForwarder) handleDNSError(
 	ctx context.Context,
+	logger *log.Entry,
 	w dns.ResponseWriter,
 	question dns.Question,
 	resp *dns.Msg,
 	domain string,
-	err error,
+	result resutil.LookupResult,
 ) {
-	// Default to SERVFAIL; override below when appropriate.
-	resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeServerFailure
-
 	qType := question.Qtype
 	qTypeName := dns.TypeToString[qType]
 
-	// Prefer typed DNS errors; fall back to generic logging otherwise.
-	var dnsErr *net.DNSError
-	if !errors.As(err, &dnsErr) {
-		log.Warnf(errResolveFailed, domain, err)
-		if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-			log.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-		}
-		return
-	}
+	resp.Rcode = result.Rcode
 
-	// NotFound: set NXDOMAIN / appropriate code via helper.
-	if dnsErr.IsNotFound {
-		f.setResponseCodeForNotFound(ctx, resp, domain, qType)
-		if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-			log.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-		}
+	// NotFound: cache negative result and respond
+	if result.Rcode == dns.RcodeNameError || result.Rcode == dns.RcodeSuccess {
 		f.cache.set(domain, question.Qtype, nil)
+		if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
+			logger.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
+		}
 		return
 	}
 
 	// Upstream failed but we might have a cached answer—serve it if present.
 	if ips, ok := f.cache.get(domain, qType); ok {
 		if len(ips) > 0 {
-			log.Debugf("serving cached DNS response after upstream failure: domain=%s type=%s", domain, qTypeName)
-			f.addIPsToResponse(resp, domain, ips)
+			logger.Debugf("serving cached DNS response after upstream failure: domain=%s type=%s", domain, qTypeName)
+			resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, resutil.IPsToRRs(domain, ips, f.ttl)...)
 			resp.Rcode = dns.RcodeSuccess
 			if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-				log.Errorf("failed to write cached DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-			}
-		} else { // send NXDOMAIN / appropriate code if cache is empty
-			f.setResponseCodeForNotFound(ctx, resp, domain, qType)
-			if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-				log.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
+				logger.Errorf("failed to write cached DNS response: %v", writeErr)
 			}
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Cached negative result - re-verify NXDOMAIN vs NODATA
+		verifyResult := resutil.LookupIP(ctx, f.resolver, resutil.NetworkForQtype(qType), domain, qType)
+		if verifyResult.Rcode == dns.RcodeNameError || verifyResult.Rcode == dns.RcodeSuccess {
+			resp.Rcode = verifyResult.Rcode
+			if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
+				logger.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
+			}
+			return
 		}
-		return
 	}
 
-	// No cache. Log with or without the server field for more context.
-	if dnsErr.Server != "" {
-		log.Warnf("failed to resolve: type=%s domain=%s server=%s: %v", qTypeName, domain, dnsErr.Server, err)
+	// No cache or verification failed. Log with or without the server field for more context.
+	var dnsErr *net.DNSError
+	if errors.As(result.Err, &dnsErr) && dnsErr.Server != "" {
+		logger.Warnf("failed to resolve: type=%s domain=%s server=%s: %v", qTypeName, domain, dnsErr.Server, result.Err)
 	} else {
-		log.Warnf(errResolveFailed, domain, err)
+		logger.Warnf(errResolveFailed, domain, result.Err)
 	}
 
 	// Write final failure response.
 	if writeErr := w.WriteMsg(resp); writeErr != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
-	}
-}
-
-// addIPsToResponse adds IP addresses to the DNS response as appropriate A or AAAA records
-func (f *DNSForwarder) addIPsToResponse(resp *dns.Msg, domain string, ips []netip.Addr) {
-	for _, ip := range ips {
-		var respRecord dns.RR
-		if ip.Is6() {
-			log.Tracef("resolved domain=%s to IPv6=%s", domain, ip)
-			rr := dns.AAAA{
-				AAAA: ip.AsSlice(),
-				Hdr: dns.RR_Header{
-					Name:   domain,
-					Rrtype: dns.TypeAAAA,
-					Class:  dns.ClassINET,
-					Ttl:    f.ttl,
-				},
-			}
-			respRecord = &rr
-		} else {
-			log.Tracef("resolved domain=%s to IPv4=%s", domain, ip)
-			rr := dns.A{
-				A: ip.AsSlice(),
-				Hdr: dns.RR_Header{
-					Name:   domain,
-					Rrtype: dns.TypeA,
-					Class:  dns.ClassINET,
-					Ttl:    f.ttl,
-				},
-			}
-			respRecord = &rr
-		}
-		resp.Answer = append(resp.Answer, respRecord)
+		logger.Errorf("failed to write failure DNS response: %v", writeErr)
 	}
 }
 

client/internal/dnsfwd/forwarder_test.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/miekg/dns"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/mock"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
@@ -317,7 +318,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_UnauthorizedDomainAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			query.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(tt.queryDomain), dns.TypeA)
 
 			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(mockWriter, query)
+			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
 
 			if tt.shouldResolve {
 				require.NotNil(t, resp, "Expected response for authorized domain")
@@ -465,7 +466,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_FirewallSetUpdates(t *testing.T) {
 			dnsQuery.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn(tt.query), dns.TypeA)
 
 			mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(mockWriter, dnsQuery)
+			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, dnsQuery)
 
 			// Verify response
 			if tt.shouldResolve {
@@ -527,7 +528,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_MultipleIPsInSingleUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	query.SetQuestion("example.com.", dns.TypeA)
 
 	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(mockWriter, query)
+	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
 
 	// Verify response contains all IPs
 	require.NotNil(t, resp)
@@ -604,7 +605,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ResponseCodes(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			}
 
-			_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(mockWriter, query)
+			_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
 
 			// Check the response written to the writer
 			require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "Expected response to be written")
@@ -674,7 +675,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ServeFromCacheOnUpstreamFailure(t *testing.T) {
 	q1 := &dns.Msg{}
 	q1.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn("example.com"), dns.TypeA)
 	w1 := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp1 := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(w1, q1)
+	resp1 := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w1, q1)
 	require.NotNil(t, resp1)
 	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp1.Rcode)
 	require.Len(t, resp1.Answer, 1)
@@ -684,7 +685,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_ServeFromCacheOnUpstreamFailure(t *testing.T) {
 	q2.SetQuestion(dns.Fqdn("example.com"), dns.TypeA)
 	var writtenResp *dns.Msg
 	w2 := &test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { writtenResp = m; return nil }}
-	_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(w2, q2)
+	_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w2, q2)
 
 	require.NotNil(t, writtenResp, "expected response to be written")
 	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, writtenResp.Rcode)
@@ -714,7 +715,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_CacheNormalizationCasingAndDot(t *testing.T) {
 	q1 := &dns.Msg{}
 	q1.SetQuestion(mixedQuery+".", dns.TypeA)
 	w1 := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp1 := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(w1, q1)
+	resp1 := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w1, q1)
 	require.NotNil(t, resp1)
 	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp1.Rcode)
 	require.Len(t, resp1.Answer, 1)
@@ -728,7 +729,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_CacheNormalizationCasingAndDot(t *testing.T) {
 	q2.SetQuestion("EXAMPLE.COM", dns.TypeA)
 	var writtenResp *dns.Msg
 	w2 := &test.MockResponseWriter{WriteMsgFunc: func(m *dns.Msg) error { writtenResp = m; return nil }}
-	_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(w2, q2)
+	_ = forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), w2, q2)
 
 	require.NotNil(t, writtenResp)
 	require.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, writtenResp.Rcode)
@@ -783,7 +784,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_MultipleOverlappingPatterns(t *testing.T) {
 	query.SetQuestion("smtp.mail.example.com.", dns.TypeA)
 
 	mockWriter := &test.MockResponseWriter{}
-	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(mockWriter, query)
+	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
 
 	require.NotNil(t, resp)
 	assert.Equal(t, dns.RcodeSuccess, resp.Rcode)
@@ -904,7 +905,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_NodataVsNxdomain(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			}
 
-			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(mockWriter, query)
+			resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
 
 			// If a response was returned, it means it should be written (happens in wrapper functions)
 			if resp != nil && writtenResp == nil {
@@ -937,7 +938,7 @@ func TestDNSForwarder_EmptyQuery(t *testing.T) {
 			return nil
 		},
 	}
-	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(mockWriter, query)
+	resp := forwarder.handleDNSQuery(log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()), mockWriter, query)
 
 	assert.Nil(t, resp, "Should return nil for empty query")
 	assert.False(t, writeCalled, "Should not write response for empty query")

client/internal/engine.go

@@ -42,14 +42,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/guard"
 	icemaker "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer/ice"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peerstore"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/profilemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/relay"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/rosenpass"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/systemops"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/statemanager"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager"
 	cProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/proto"
-	sshconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/config"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 	semaphoregroup "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/util/semaphore-group"
 
@@ -73,6 +72,7 @@ const (
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMax = 45000 // ms
 	PeerConnectionTimeoutMin = 30000 // ms
 	connInitLimit            = 200
+	disableAutoUpdate        = "disabled"
 )
 
 var ErrResetConnection = fmt.Errorf("reset connection")
@@ -201,6 +201,9 @@ type Engine struct {
 	connSemaphore       *semaphoregroup.SemaphoreGroup
 	flowManager         nftypes.FlowManager
 
+	// auto-update
+	updateManager *updatemanager.Manager
+
 	// WireGuard interface monitor
 	wgIfaceMonitor *WGIfaceMonitor
 
@@ -221,17 +224,7 @@ type localIpUpdater interface {
 }
 
 // NewEngine creates a new Connection Engine with probes attached
-func NewEngine(
-	clientCtx context.Context,
-	clientCancel context.CancelFunc,
-	signalClient signal.Client,
-	mgmClient mgm.Client,
-	relayManager *relayClient.Manager,
-	config *EngineConfig,
-	mobileDep MobileDependency,
-	statusRecorder *peer.Status,
-	checks []*mgmProto.Checks,
-) *Engine {
+func NewEngine(clientCtx context.Context, clientCancel context.CancelFunc, signalClient signal.Client, mgmClient mgm.Client, relayManager *relayClient.Manager, config *EngineConfig, mobileDep MobileDependency, statusRecorder *peer.Status, checks []*mgmProto.Checks, stateManager *statemanager.Manager) *Engine {
 	engine := &Engine{
 		clientCtx:      clientCtx,
 		clientCancel:   clientCancel,
@@ -247,28 +240,12 @@ func NewEngine(
 		TURNs:          []*stun.URI{},
 		networkSerial:  0,
 		statusRecorder: statusRecorder,
+		stateManager:   stateManager,
 		checks:         checks,
 		connSemaphore:  semaphoregroup.NewSemaphoreGroup(connInitLimit),
 		probeStunTurn:  relay.NewStunTurnProbe(relay.DefaultCacheTTL),
 	}
 
-	sm := profilemanager.NewServiceManager("")
-
-	path := sm.GetStatePath()
-	if runtime.GOOS == "ios" || runtime.GOOS == "android" {
-		if !fileExists(mobileDep.StateFilePath) {
-			err := createFile(mobileDep.StateFilePath)
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Errorf("failed to create state file: %v", err)
-				// we are not exiting as we can run without the state manager
-			}
-		}
-
-		path = mobileDep.StateFilePath
-	}
-	engine.stateManager = statemanager.New(path)
-	engine.stateManager.RegisterState(&sshconfig.ShutdownState{})
-
 	log.Infof("I am: %s", config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String())
 	return engine
 }
@@ -308,6 +285,10 @@ func (e *Engine) Stop() error {
 		e.srWatcher.Close()
 	}
 
+	if e.updateManager != nil {
+		e.updateManager.Stop()
+	}
+
 	log.Info("cleaning up status recorder states")
 	e.statusRecorder.ReplaceOfflinePeers([]peer.State{})
 	e.statusRecorder.UpdateDNSStates([]peer.NSGroupState{})
@@ -541,6 +522,13 @@ func (e *Engine) Start(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mgmtURL *url.URL)
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (e *Engine) InitialUpdateHandling(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdateSettings) {
+	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
+	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
+
+	e.handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings, true)
+}
+
 func (e *Engine) createFirewall() error {
 	if e.config.DisableFirewall {
 		log.Infof("firewall is disabled")
@@ -749,6 +737,41 @@ func (e *Engine) PopulateNetbirdConfig(netbirdConfig *mgmProto.NetbirdConfig, mg
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (e *Engine) handleAutoUpdateVersion(autoUpdateSettings *mgmProto.AutoUpdateSettings, initialCheck bool) {
+	if autoUpdateSettings == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	disabled := autoUpdateSettings.Version == disableAutoUpdate
+
+	// Stop and cleanup if disabled
+	if e.updateManager != nil && disabled {
+		log.Infof("auto-update is disabled, stopping update manager")
+		e.updateManager.Stop()
+		e.updateManager = nil
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Skip check unless AlwaysUpdate is enabled or this is the initial check at startup
+	if !autoUpdateSettings.AlwaysUpdate && !initialCheck {
+		log.Debugf("skipping auto-update check, AlwaysUpdate is false and this is not the initial check")
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Start manager if needed
+	if e.updateManager == nil {
+		log.Infof("starting auto-update manager")
+		updateManager, err := updatemanager.NewManager(e.statusRecorder, e.stateManager)
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		e.updateManager = updateManager
+		e.updateManager.Start(e.ctx)
+	}
+	log.Infof("handling auto-update version: %s", autoUpdateSettings.Version)
+	e.updateManager.SetVersion(autoUpdateSettings.Version)
+}
+
 func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 	e.syncMsgMux.Lock()
 	defer e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
@@ -758,6 +781,10 @@ func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 		return e.ctx.Err()
 	}
 
+	if update.NetworkMap != nil && update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig != nil {
+		e.handleAutoUpdateVersion(update.NetworkMap.PeerConfig.AutoUpdate, false)
+	}
+
 	if update.GetNetbirdConfig() != nil {
 		wCfg := update.GetNetbirdConfig()
 		err := e.updateTURNs(wCfg.GetTurns())
@@ -797,7 +824,7 @@ func (e *Engine) handleSync(update *mgmProto.SyncResponse) error {
 	}
 
 	nm := update.GetNetworkMap()
-	if nm == nil || update.SkipNetworkMapUpdate {
+	if nm == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -963,7 +990,7 @@ func (e *Engine) receiveManagementEvents() {
 			e.config.DisableSSHAuth,
 		)
 
-		err = e.mgmClient.Sync(e.ctx, info, e.networkSerial, e.handleSync)
+		err = e.mgmClient.Sync(e.ctx, info, e.handleSync)
 		if err != nil {
 			// happens if management is unavailable for a long time.
 			// We want to cancel the operation of the whole client
@@ -1094,6 +1121,15 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 
 	e.updateOfflinePeers(networkMap.GetOfflinePeers())
 
+	// Filter out own peer from the remote peers list
+	localPubKey := e.config.WgPrivateKey.PublicKey().String()
+	remotePeers := make([]*mgmProto.RemotePeerConfig, 0, len(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()))
+	for _, p := range networkMap.GetRemotePeers() {
+		if p.GetWgPubKey() != localPubKey {
+			remotePeers = append(remotePeers, p)
+		}
+	}
+
 	// cleanup request, most likely our peer has been deleted
 	if networkMap.GetRemotePeersIsEmpty() {
 		err := e.removeAllPeers()
@@ -1102,32 +1138,34 @@ func (e *Engine) updateNetworkMap(networkMap *mgmProto.NetworkMap) error {
 			return err
 		}
 	} else {
-		err := e.removePeers(networkMap.GetRemotePeers())
+		err := e.removePeers(remotePeers)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		err = e.modifyPeers(networkMap.GetRemotePeers())
+		err = e.modifyPeers(remotePeers)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
-		err = e.addNewPeers(networkMap.GetRemotePeers())
+		err = e.addNewPeers(remotePeers)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 
 		e.statusRecorder.FinishPeerListModifications()
 
-		e.updatePeerSSHHostKeys(networkMap.GetRemotePeers())
+		e.updatePeerSSHHostKeys(remotePeers)
 
-		if err := e.updateSSHClientConfig(networkMap.GetRemotePeers()); err != nil {
+		if err := e.updateSSHClientConfig(remotePeers); err != nil {
 			log.Warnf("failed to update SSH client config: %v", err)
 		}
+
+		e.updateSSHServerAuth(networkMap.GetSshAuth())
 	}
 
 	// must set the exclude list after the peers are added. Without it the manager can not figure out the peers parameters from the store
-	excludedLazyPeers := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(forwardingRules, networkMap.GetRemotePeers())
+	excludedLazyPeers := e.toExcludedLazyPeers(forwardingRules, remotePeers)
 	e.connMgr.SetExcludeList(e.ctx, excludedLazyPeers)
 
 	e.networkSerial = serial
@@ -1213,11 +1251,16 @@ func toDNSConfig(protoDNSConfig *mgmProto.DNSConfig, network netip.Prefix) nbdns
 		ForwarderPort:    forwarderPort,
 	}
 
-	for _, zone := range protoDNSConfig.GetCustomZones() {
+	protoZones := protoDNSConfig.GetCustomZones()
+	// Treat single zone as authoritative for backward compatibility with old servers
+	// that only send the peer FQDN zone without setting field 4.
+	singleZoneCompat := len(protoZones) == 1
+
+	for _, zone := range protoZones {
 		dnsZone := nbdns.CustomZone{
 			Domain:               zone.GetDomain(),
 			SearchDomainDisabled: zone.GetSearchDomainDisabled(),
-			SkipPTRProcess:       zone.GetSkipPTRProcess(),
+			NonAuthoritative:     zone.GetNonAuthoritative() && !singleZoneCompat,
 		}
 		for _, record := range zone.Records {
 			dnsRecord := nbdns.SimpleRecord{
@@ -1705,22 +1748,26 @@ func (e *Engine) RunHealthProbes(waitForResult bool) bool {
 	}
 
 	e.syncMsgMux.Unlock()
-	var results []relay.ProbeResult
-	if waitForResult {
-		results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAllWaitResult(e.ctx, stuns, turns)
-	} else {
-		results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAll(e.ctx, stuns, turns)
-	}
-	e.statusRecorder.UpdateRelayStates(results)
 
+	// Skip STUN/TURN probing for JS/WASM as it's not available
 	relayHealthy := true
-	for _, res := range results {
-		if res.Err != nil {
-			relayHealthy = false
-			break
+	if runtime.GOOS != "js" {
+		var results []relay.ProbeResult
+		if waitForResult {
+			results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAllWaitResult(e.ctx, stuns, turns)
+		} else {
+			results = e.probeStunTurn.ProbeAll(e.ctx, stuns, turns)
 		}
+		e.statusRecorder.UpdateRelayStates(results)
+
+		for _, res := range results {
+			if res.Err != nil {
+				relayHealthy = false
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		log.Debugf("relay health check: healthy=%t", relayHealthy)
 	}
-	log.Debugf("relay health check: healthy=%t", relayHealthy)
 
 	allHealthy := signalHealthy && managementHealthy && relayHealthy
 	log.Debugf("all health checks completed: healthy=%t", allHealthy)

client/internal/engine_ssh.go

@@ -11,15 +11,18 @@ import (
 
 	firewallManager "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
 	nftypes "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/netflow/types"
+	sshauth "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/auth"
 	sshconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/config"
 	sshserver "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/ssh/server"
 	mgmProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
+	sshuserhash "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/sshauth"
 )
 
 type sshServer interface {
 	Start(ctx context.Context, addr netip.AddrPort) error
 	Stop() error
 	GetStatus() (bool, []sshserver.SessionInfo)
+	UpdateSSHAuth(config *sshauth.Config)
 }
 
 func (e *Engine) setupSSHPortRedirection() error {
@@ -69,9 +72,16 @@ func (e *Engine) updateSSH(sshConf *mgmProto.SSHConfig) error {
 	}
 
 	if protoJWT := sshConf.GetJwtConfig(); protoJWT != nil {
+		audiences := protoJWT.GetAudiences()
+		if len(audiences) == 0 && protoJWT.GetAudience() != "" {
+			audiences = []string{protoJWT.GetAudience()}
+		}
+
+		log.Debugf("starting SSH server with JWT authentication: audiences=%v", audiences)
+
 		jwtConfig := &sshserver.JWTConfig{
 			Issuer:       protoJWT.GetIssuer(),
-			Audience:     protoJWT.GetAudience(),
+			Audiences:    audiences,
 			KeysLocation: protoJWT.GetKeysLocation(),
 			MaxTokenAge:  protoJWT.GetMaxTokenAge(),
 		}
@@ -353,3 +363,38 @@ func (e *Engine) GetSSHServerStatus() (enabled bool, sessions []sshserver.Sessio
 
 	return sshServer.GetStatus()
 }
+
+// updateSSHServerAuth updates SSH fine-grained access control configuration on a running SSH server
+func (e *Engine) updateSSHServerAuth(sshAuth *mgmProto.SSHAuth) {
+	if sshAuth == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if e.sshServer == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	protoUsers := sshAuth.GetAuthorizedUsers()
+	authorizedUsers := make([]sshuserhash.UserIDHash, len(protoUsers))
+	for i, hash := range protoUsers {
+		if len(hash) != 16 {
+			log.Warnf("invalid hash length %d, expected 16 - skipping SSH server auth update", len(hash))
+			return
+		}
+		authorizedUsers[i] = sshuserhash.UserIDHash(hash)
+	}
+
+	machineUsers := make(map[string][]uint32)
+	for osUser, indexes := range sshAuth.GetMachineUsers() {
+		machineUsers[osUser] = indexes.GetIndexes()
+	}
+
+	// Update SSH server with new authorization configuration
+	authConfig := &sshauth.Config{
+		UserIDClaim:     sshAuth.GetUserIDClaim(),
+		AuthorizedUsers: authorizedUsers,
+		MachineUsers:    machineUsers,
+	}
+
+	e.sshServer.UpdateSSHAuth(authConfig)
+}

client/internal/engine_sync_test.go

@@ -1,79 +0,0 @@
-package internal
-
-import (
-    "context"
-    "testing"
-
-    "golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/wgctrl/wgtypes"
-
-    "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface"
-    "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
-    "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/client"
-    mgmtProto "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/proto"
-)
-
-// Ensures handleSync exits early when SkipNetworkMapUpdate is true
-func TestEngine_HandleSync_SkipNetworkMapUpdate(t *testing.T) {
-    key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-    if err != nil {
-        t.Fatal(err)
-    }
-
-    ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-    defer cancel()
-
-    engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, nil, &client.MockClient{}, nil, &EngineConfig{
-        WgIfaceName:  "utun199",
-        WgAddr:       "100.70.0.1/24",
-        WgPrivateKey: key,
-        WgPort:       33100,
-        MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-    }, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil)
-    engine.ctx = ctx
-
-    // Precondition
-    if engine.networkSerial != 0 {
-        t.Fatalf("unexpected initial serial: %d", engine.networkSerial)
-    }
-
-    resp := &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{
-        NetworkMap: &mgmtProto.NetworkMap{Serial: 42},
-        SkipNetworkMapUpdate: true,
-    }
-
-    if err := engine.handleSync(resp); err != nil {
-        t.Fatalf("handleSync returned error: %v", err)
-    }
-
-    if engine.networkSerial != 0 {
-        t.Fatalf("networkSerial changed despite SkipNetworkMapUpdate; got %d, want 0", engine.networkSerial)
-    }
-}
-
-// Ensures handleSync exits early when NetworkMap is nil
-func TestEngine_HandleSync_NilNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
-    key, err := wgtypes.GeneratePrivateKey()
-    if err != nil {
-        t.Fatal(err)
-    }
-
-    ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-    defer cancel()
-
-    engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, nil, &client.MockClient{}, nil, &EngineConfig{
-        WgIfaceName:  "utun198",
-        WgAddr:       "100.70.0.2/24",
-        WgPrivateKey: key,
-        WgPort:       33101,
-        MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-    }, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil)
-    engine.ctx = ctx
-
-    resp := &mgmtProto.SyncResponse{NetworkMap: nil}
-
-    if err := engine.handleSync(resp); err != nil {
-        t.Fatalf("handleSync returned error: %v", err)
-    }
-}
-
-

client/internal/engine_test.go

@@ -253,6 +253,7 @@ func TestEngine_SSH(t *testing.T) {
 		MobileDependency{},
 		peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
 		nil,
+		nil,
 	)
 
 	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
@@ -414,21 +415,13 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMap(t *testing.T) {
 	defer cancel()
 
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	engine := NewEngine(
-		ctx, cancel,
-		&signal.MockClient{},
-		&mgmt.MockClient{},
-		relayMgr,
-		&EngineConfig{
-			WgIfaceName:  "utun102",
-			WgAddr:       "100.64.0.1/24",
-			WgPrivateKey: key,
-			WgPort:       33100,
-			MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-		},
-		MobileDependency{},
-		peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"),
-		nil)
+	engine := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, &signal.MockClient{}, &mgmt.MockClient{}, relayMgr, &EngineConfig{
+		WgIfaceName:  "utun102",
+		WgAddr:       "100.64.0.1/24",
+		WgPrivateKey: key,
+		WgPort:       33100,
+		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
+	}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
 
 	wgIface := &MockWGIface{
 		NameFunc: func() string { return "utun102" },
@@ -631,7 +624,7 @@ func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
 	// feed updates to Engine via mocked Management client
 	updates := make(chan *mgmtProto.SyncResponse)
 	defer close(updates)
-	syncFunc := func(ctx context.Context, info *system.Info, networkSerial uint64, msgHandler func(msg *mgmtProto.SyncResponse) error) error {
+	syncFunc := func(ctx context.Context, info *system.Info, msgHandler func(msg *mgmtProto.SyncResponse) error) error {
 		for msg := range updates {
 			err := msgHandler(msg)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -647,7 +640,7 @@ func TestEngine_Sync(t *testing.T) {
 		WgPrivateKey: key,
 		WgPort:       33100,
 		MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-	}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil)
+	}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
 	engine.ctx = ctx
 
 	engine.dnsServer = &dns.MockServer{
@@ -812,7 +805,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 				WgPrivateKey: key,
 				WgPort:       33100,
 				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-			}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil)
+			}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
 			engine.ctx = ctx
 			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -1014,7 +1007,7 @@ func TestEngine_UpdateNetworkMapWithDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 				WgPrivateKey: key,
 				WgPort:       33100,
 				MTU:          iface.DefaultMTU,
-			}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil)
+			}, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil)
 			engine.ctx = ctx
 
 			newNet, err := stdnet.NewNet(context.Background(), nil)
@@ -1540,7 +1533,7 @@ func createEngine(ctx context.Context, cancel context.CancelFunc, setupKey strin
 	}
 
 	relayMgr := relayClient.NewManager(ctx, nil, key.PublicKey().String(), iface.DefaultMTU)
-	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, signalClient, mgmtClient, relayMgr, conf, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil), nil
+	e, err := NewEngine(ctx, cancel, signalClient, mgmtClient, relayMgr, conf, MobileDependency{}, peer.NewRecorder("https://mgm"), nil, nil), nil
 	e.ctx = ctx
 	return e, err
 }
@@ -1638,7 +1631,7 @@ func startManagement(t *testing.T, dataDir, testFile string) (*grpc.Server, stri
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, "", err
 	}
-	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController)
+	mgmtServer, err := nbgrpc.NewServer(config, accountManager, settingsMockManager, secretsManager, nil, nil, &server.MockIntegratedValidator{}, networkMapController, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, "", err
 	}

client/internal/iface.go

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 //go:build !windows
-// +build !windows
 
 package internal
 

client/internal/networkmonitor/check_change_darwin.go

@@ -110,7 +110,6 @@ func wakeUpListen(ctx context.Context) {
 			}
 
 			if newHash == initialHash {
-				log.Tracef("no wakeup detected")
 				continue
 			}
 

client/internal/peer/conn.go

@@ -148,13 +148,15 @@ func NewConn(config ConnConfig, services ServiceDependencies) (*Conn, error) {
 // It will try to establish a connection using ICE and in parallel with relay. The higher priority connection type will
 // be used.
 func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
-	conn.semaphore.Add(engineCtx)
+	if err := conn.semaphore.Add(engineCtx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
 	conn.mu.Lock()
 	defer conn.mu.Unlock()
 
 	if conn.opened {
-		conn.semaphore.Done(engineCtx)
+		conn.semaphore.Done()
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -165,6 +167,7 @@ func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
 	relayIsSupportedLocally := conn.workerRelay.RelayIsSupportedLocally()
 	workerICE, err := NewWorkerICE(conn.ctx, conn.Log, conn.config, conn, conn.signaler, conn.iFaceDiscover, conn.statusRecorder, relayIsSupportedLocally)
 	if err != nil {
+		conn.semaphore.Done()
 		return err
 	}
 	conn.workerICE = workerICE
@@ -200,7 +203,7 @@ func (conn *Conn) Open(engineCtx context.Context) error {
 		defer conn.wg.Done()
 
 		conn.waitInitialRandomSleepTime(conn.ctx)
-		conn.semaphore.Done(conn.ctx)
+		conn.semaphore.Done()
 
 		conn.guard.Start(conn.ctx, conn.onGuardEvent)
 	}()
@@ -666,10 +669,17 @@ func (conn *Conn) isConnectedOnAllWay() (connected bool) {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	if runtime.GOOS != "js" && conn.statusICE.Get() == worker.StatusDisconnected && !conn.workerICE.InProgress() {
+	// For JS platform: only relay connection is supported
+	if runtime.GOOS == "js" {
+		return conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusConnected
+	}
+
+	// For non-JS platforms: check ICE connection status
+	if conn.statusICE.Get() == worker.StatusDisconnected && !conn.workerICE.InProgress() {
 		return false
 	}
 
+	// If relay is supported with peer, it must also be connected
 	if conn.workerRelay.IsRelayConnectionSupportedWithPeer() {
 		if conn.statusRelay.Get() == worker.StatusDisconnected {
 			return false

client/internal/peer/endpoint.go

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ type EndpointUpdater struct {
 	wgConfig  WgConfig
 	initiator bool
 
-	// mu protects updateWireGuardPeer and cancelFunc
+	// mu protects cancelFunc
 	mu         sync.Mutex
 	cancelFunc func()
 	updateWg   sync.WaitGroup
@@ -86,11 +86,9 @@ func (e *EndpointUpdater) scheduleDelayedUpdate(ctx context.Context, addr *net.U
 	case <-ctx.Done():
 		return
 	case <-t.C:
-		e.mu.Lock()
 		if err := e.updateWireGuardPeer(addr, presharedKey); err != nil {
 			e.log.Errorf("failed to update WireGuard peer, address: %s, error: %v", addr, err)
 		}
-		e.mu.Unlock()
 	}
 }
 

client/internal/peer/status.go

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/exp/maps"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
 	gstatus "google.golang.org/grpc/status"
+	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/durationpb"
 	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/timestamppb"
 
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
@@ -158,6 +159,7 @@ type FullStatus struct {
 	NSGroupStates         []NSGroupState
 	NumOfForwardingRules  int
 	LazyConnectionEnabled bool
+	Events                []*proto.SystemEvent
 }
 
 type StatusChangeSubscription struct {
@@ -981,6 +983,7 @@ func (d *Status) GetFullStatus() FullStatus {
 	}
 
 	fullStatus.Peers = append(fullStatus.Peers, d.offlinePeers...)
+	fullStatus.Events = d.GetEventHistory()
 	return fullStatus
 }
 
@@ -1181,3 +1184,97 @@ type EventSubscription struct {
 func (s *EventSubscription) Events() <-chan *proto.SystemEvent {
 	return s.events
 }
+
+// ToProto converts FullStatus to proto.FullStatus.
+func (fs FullStatus) ToProto() *proto.FullStatus {
+	pbFullStatus := proto.FullStatus{
+		ManagementState: &proto.ManagementState{},
+		SignalState:     &proto.SignalState{},
+		LocalPeerState:  &proto.LocalPeerState{},
+		Peers:           []*proto.PeerState{},
+	}
+
+	pbFullStatus.ManagementState.URL = fs.ManagementState.URL
+	pbFullStatus.ManagementState.Connected = fs.ManagementState.Connected
+	if err := fs.ManagementState.Error; err != nil {
+		pbFullStatus.ManagementState.Error = err.Error()
+	}
+
+	pbFullStatus.SignalState.URL = fs.SignalState.URL
+	pbFullStatus.SignalState.Connected = fs.SignalState.Connected
+	if err := fs.SignalState.Error; err != nil {
+		pbFullStatus.SignalState.Error = err.Error()
+	}
+
+	pbFullStatus.LocalPeerState.IP = fs.LocalPeerState.IP
+	pbFullStatus.LocalPeerState.PubKey = fs.LocalPeerState.PubKey
+	pbFullStatus.LocalPeerState.KernelInterface = fs.LocalPeerState.KernelInterface
+	pbFullStatus.LocalPeerState.Fqdn = fs.LocalPeerState.FQDN
+	pbFullStatus.LocalPeerState.RosenpassPermissive = fs.RosenpassState.Permissive
+	pbFullStatus.LocalPeerState.RosenpassEnabled = fs.RosenpassState.Enabled
+	pbFullStatus.NumberOfForwardingRules = int32(fs.NumOfForwardingRules)
+	pbFullStatus.LazyConnectionEnabled = fs.LazyConnectionEnabled
+
+	pbFullStatus.LocalPeerState.Networks = maps.Keys(fs.LocalPeerState.Routes)
+
+	for _, peerState := range fs.Peers {
+		networks := maps.Keys(peerState.GetRoutes())
+
+		pbPeerState := &proto.PeerState{
+			IP:                         peerState.IP,
+			PubKey:                     peerState.PubKey,
+			ConnStatus:                 peerState.ConnStatus.String(),
+			ConnStatusUpdate:           timestamppb.New(peerState.ConnStatusUpdate),
+			Relayed:                    peerState.Relayed,
+			LocalIceCandidateType:      peerState.LocalIceCandidateType,
+			RemoteIceCandidateType:     peerState.RemoteIceCandidateType,
+			LocalIceCandidateEndpoint:  peerState.LocalIceCandidateEndpoint,
+			RemoteIceCandidateEndpoint: peerState.RemoteIceCandidateEndpoint,
+			RelayAddress:               peerState.RelayServerAddress,
+			Fqdn:                       peerState.FQDN,
+			LastWireguardHandshake:     timestamppb.New(peerState.LastWireguardHandshake),
+			BytesRx:                    peerState.BytesRx,
+			BytesTx:                    peerState.BytesTx,
+			RosenpassEnabled:           peerState.RosenpassEnabled,
+			Networks:                   networks,
+			Latency:                    durationpb.New(peerState.Latency),
+			SshHostKey:                 peerState.SSHHostKey,
+		}
+		pbFullStatus.Peers = append(pbFullStatus.Peers, pbPeerState)
+	}
+
+	for _, relayState := range fs.Relays {
+		pbRelayState := &proto.RelayState{
+			URI:       relayState.URI,
+			Available: relayState.Err == nil,
+		}
+		if err := relayState.Err; err != nil {
+			pbRelayState.Error = err.Error()
+		}
+		pbFullStatus.Relays = append(pbFullStatus.Relays, pbRelayState)
+	}
+
+	for _, dnsState := range fs.NSGroupStates {
+		var err string
+		if dnsState.Error != nil {
+			err = dnsState.Error.Error()
+		}
+
+		var servers []string
+		for _, server := range dnsState.Servers {
+			servers = append(servers, server.String())
+		}
+
+		pbDnsState := &proto.NSGroupState{
+			Servers: servers,
+			Domains: dnsState.Domains,
+			Enabled: dnsState.Enabled,
+			Error:   err,
+		}
+		pbFullStatus.DnsServers = append(pbFullStatus.DnsServers, pbDnsState)
+	}
+
+	pbFullStatus.Events = fs.Events
+
+	return &pbFullStatus
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/config.go

@@ -3,9 +3,11 @@ package profilemanager
 import (
 	"context"
 	"crypto/tls"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"os"
+	"os/user"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
 	"runtime"
@@ -165,19 +167,26 @@ func getConfigDir() (string, error) {
 	if ConfigDirOverride != "" {
 		return ConfigDirOverride, nil
 	}
-	configDir, err := os.UserConfigDir()
+
+	base, err := baseConfigDir()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
 
-	configDir = filepath.Join(configDir, "netbird")
-	if _, err := os.Stat(configDir); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		if err := os.MkdirAll(configDir, 0755); err != nil {
-			return "", err
+	configDir := filepath.Join(base, "netbird")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(configDir, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return configDir, nil
+}
+
+func baseConfigDir() (string, error) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "darwin" {
+		if u, err := user.Current(); err == nil && u.HomeDir != "" {
+			return filepath.Join(u.HomeDir, "Library", "Application Support"), nil
 		}
 	}
-
-	return configDir, nil
+	return os.UserConfigDir()
 }
 
 func getConfigDirForUser(username string) (string, error) {
@@ -676,7 +685,7 @@ func update(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
 	return config, nil
 }
 
-// GetConfig read config file and return with Config. Errors out if it does not exist
+// GetConfig read config file and return with Config and if it was created. Errors out if it does not exist
 func GetConfig(configPath string) (*Config, error) {
 	return readConfig(configPath, false)
 }
@@ -812,3 +821,85 @@ func readConfig(configPath string, createIfMissing bool) (*Config, error) {
 func WriteOutConfig(path string, config *Config) error {
 	return util.WriteJson(context.Background(), path, config)
 }
+
+// DirectWriteOutConfig writes config directly without atomic temp file operations.
+// Use this on platforms where atomic writes are blocked (e.g., tvOS sandbox).
+func DirectWriteOutConfig(path string, config *Config) error {
+	return util.DirectWriteJson(context.Background(), path, config)
+}
+
+// DirectUpdateOrCreateConfig is like UpdateOrCreateConfig but uses direct (non-atomic) writes.
+// Use this on platforms where atomic writes are blocked (e.g., tvOS sandbox).
+func DirectUpdateOrCreateConfig(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
+	if !fileExists(input.ConfigPath) {
+		log.Infof("generating new config %s", input.ConfigPath)
+		cfg, err := createNewConfig(input)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		err = util.DirectWriteJson(context.Background(), input.ConfigPath, cfg)
+		return cfg, err
+	}
+
+	if isPreSharedKeyHidden(input.PreSharedKey) {
+		input.PreSharedKey = nil
+	}
+
+	// Enforce permissions on existing config files (same as UpdateOrCreateConfig)
+	if err := util.EnforcePermission(input.ConfigPath); err != nil {
+		log.Errorf("failed to enforce permission on config file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return directUpdate(input)
+}
+
+func directUpdate(input ConfigInput) (*Config, error) {
+	config := &Config{}
+
+	if _, err := util.ReadJson(input.ConfigPath, config); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	updated, err := config.apply(input)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if updated {
+		if err := util.DirectWriteJson(context.Background(), input.ConfigPath, config); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return config, nil
+}
+
+// ConfigToJSON serializes a Config struct to a JSON string.
+// This is useful for exporting config to alternative storage mechanisms
+// (e.g., UserDefaults on tvOS where file writes are blocked).
+func ConfigToJSON(config *Config) (string, error) {
+	bs, err := json.MarshalIndent(config, "", "    ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return string(bs), nil
+}
+
+// ConfigFromJSON deserializes a JSON string to a Config struct.
+// This is useful for restoring config from alternative storage mechanisms.
+// After unmarshaling, defaults are applied to ensure the config is fully initialized.
+func ConfigFromJSON(jsonStr string) (*Config, error) {
+	config := &Config{}
+	err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(jsonStr), config)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// Apply defaults to ensure required fields are initialized.
+	// This mirrors what readConfig does after loading from file.
+	if _, err := config.apply(ConfigInput{}); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to apply defaults to config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return config, nil
+}

client/internal/profilemanager/service.go

@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ func (a *ActiveProfileState) FilePath() (string, error) {
 }
 
 type ServiceManager struct {
+	profilesDir string // If set, overrides ConfigDirOverride for profile operations
 }
 
 func NewServiceManager(defaultConfigPath string) *ServiceManager {
@@ -85,6 +86,17 @@ func NewServiceManager(defaultConfigPath string) *ServiceManager {
 	return &ServiceManager{}
 }
 
+// NewServiceManagerWithProfilesDir creates a ServiceManager with a specific profiles directory
+// This allows setting the profiles directory without modifying the global ConfigDirOverride
+func NewServiceManagerWithProfilesDir(defaultConfigPath string, profilesDir string) *ServiceManager {
+	if defaultConfigPath != "" {
+		DefaultConfigPath = defaultConfigPath
+	}
+	return &ServiceManager{
+		profilesDir: profilesDir,
+	}
+}
+
 func (s *ServiceManager) CopyDefaultProfileIfNotExists() (bool, error) {
 
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(DefaultConfigPathDir, 0600); err != nil {
@@ -114,14 +126,6 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) CopyDefaultProfileIfNotExists() (bool, error) {
 		log.Warnf("failed to set permissions for default profile: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	if err := s.SetActiveProfileState(&ActiveProfileState{
-		Name:     "default",
-		Username: "",
-	}); err != nil {
-		log.Errorf("failed to set active profile state: %v", err)
-		return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to set active profile state: %w", err)
-	}
-
 	return true, nil
 }
 
@@ -240,7 +244,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) DefaultProfilePath() string {
 }
 
 func (s *ServiceManager) AddProfile(profileName, username string) error {
-	configDir, err := getConfigDirForUser(username)
+	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -270,7 +274,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) AddProfile(profileName, username string) error {
 }
 
 func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(profileName, username string) error {
-	configDir, err := getConfigDirForUser(username)
+	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -302,7 +306,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) RemoveProfile(profileName, username string) error {
 }
 
 func (s *ServiceManager) ListProfiles(username string) ([]Profile, error) {
-	configDir, err := getConfigDirForUser(username)
+	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(username)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get config directory: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -361,7 +365,7 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetStatePath() string {
 		return defaultStatePath
 	}
 
-	configDir, err := getConfigDirForUser(activeProf.Username)
+	configDir, err := s.getConfigDir(activeProf.Username)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Warnf("failed to get config directory for user %s: %v", activeProf.Username, err)
 		return defaultStatePath
@@ -369,3 +373,12 @@ func (s *ServiceManager) GetStatePath() string {
 
 	return filepath.Join(configDir, activeProf.Name+".state.json")
 }
+
+// getConfigDir returns the profiles directory, using profilesDir if set, otherwise getConfigDirForUser
+func (s *ServiceManager) getConfigDir(username string) (string, error) {
+	if s.profilesDir != "" {
+		return s.profilesDir, nil
+	}
+
+	return getConfigDirForUser(username)
+}

client/internal/routemanager/dnsinterceptor/handler.go

@@ -17,12 +17,13 @@ import (
 
 	nberrors "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/errors"
 	firewall "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/firewall/manager"
-	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/dns/resutil"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peer"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/peerstore"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/common"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/fakeip"
+	iface "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/iface"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/routemanager/refcounter"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
@@ -37,11 +38,6 @@ type internalDNATer interface {
 	AddInternalDNATMapping(netip.Addr, netip.Addr) error
 }
 
-type wgInterface interface {
-	Name() string
-	Address() wgaddr.Address
-}
-
 type DnsInterceptor struct {
 	mu                   sync.RWMutex
 	route                *route.Route
@@ -51,7 +47,7 @@ type DnsInterceptor struct {
 	dnsServer            nbdns.Server
 	currentPeerKey       string
 	interceptedDomains   domainMap
-	wgInterface          wgInterface
+	wgInterface          iface.WGIface
 	peerStore            *peerstore.Store
 	firewall             firewall.Manager
 	fakeIPManager        *fakeip.Manager
@@ -219,14 +215,14 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) RemoveAllowedIPs() error {
 
 // ServeDNS implements the dns.Handler interface
 func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
-	requestID := nbdns.GenerateRequestID()
-	logger := log.WithField("request_id", requestID)
+	logger := log.WithFields(log.Fields{
+		"request_id": resutil.GetRequestID(w),
+		"dns_id":     fmt.Sprintf("%04x", r.Id),
+	})
 
 	if len(r.Question) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
-	logger.Tracef("received DNS request for domain=%s type=%v class=%v",
-		r.Question[0].Name, r.Question[0].Qtype, r.Question[0].Qclass)
 
 	// pass if non A/AAAA query
 	if r.Question[0].Qtype != dns.TypeA && r.Question[0].Qtype != dns.TypeAAAA {
@@ -249,12 +245,6 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	client, err := nbdns.GetClientPrivate(d.wgInterface.Address().IP, d.wgInterface.Name(), dnsTimeout)
-	if err != nil {
-		d.writeDNSError(w, r, logger, fmt.Sprintf("create DNS client: %v", err))
-		return
-	}
-
 	if r.Extra == nil {
 		r.MsgHdr.AuthenticatedData = true
 	}
@@ -263,32 +253,15 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) ServeDNS(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), dnsTimeout)
 	defer cancel()
 
-	startTime := time.Now()
-	reply, _, err := nbdns.ExchangeWithFallback(ctx, client, r, upstream)
-	if err != nil {
-		if errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) {
-			elapsed := time.Since(startTime)
-			peerInfo := d.debugPeerTimeout(upstreamIP, peerKey)
-			logger.Errorf("peer DNS timeout after %v (timeout=%v) for domain=%s to peer %s (%s)%s - error: %v",
-				elapsed.Truncate(time.Millisecond), dnsTimeout, r.Question[0].Name, upstreamIP.String(), peerKey, peerInfo, err)
-		} else {
-			logger.Errorf("failed to exchange DNS request with %s (%s) for domain=%s: %v", upstreamIP.String(), peerKey, r.Question[0].Name, err)
-		}
-		if err := w.WriteMsg(&dns.Msg{MsgHdr: dns.MsgHdr{Rcode: dns.RcodeServerFailure, Id: r.Id}}); err != nil {
-			logger.Errorf("failed writing DNS response: %v", err)
-		}
+	reply := d.queryUpstreamDNS(ctx, w, r, upstream, upstreamIP, peerKey, logger)
+	if reply == nil {
 		return
 	}
 
-	var answer []dns.RR
-	if reply != nil {
-		answer = reply.Answer
-	}
-
-	logger.Tracef("upstream %s (%s) DNS response for domain=%s answers=%v", upstreamIP.String(), peerKey, r.Question[0].Name, answer)
+	resutil.SetMeta(w, "peer", peerKey)
 
 	reply.Id = r.Id
-	if err := d.writeMsg(w, reply); err != nil {
+	if err := d.writeMsg(w, reply, logger); err != nil {
 		logger.Errorf("failed writing DNS response: %v", err)
 	}
 }
@@ -324,11 +297,15 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) getUpstreamIP(peerKey string) (netip.Addr, error) {
 	return peerAllowedIP, nil
 }
 
-func (d *DnsInterceptor) writeMsg(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) error {
+func (d *DnsInterceptor) writeMsg(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg, logger *log.Entry) error {
 	if r == nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("received nil DNS message")
 	}
 
+	// Clear Zero bit from peer responses to prevent external sources from
+	// manipulating our internal fallthrough signaling mechanism
+	r.MsgHdr.Zero = false
+
 	if len(r.Answer) > 0 && len(r.Question) > 0 {
 		origPattern := ""
 		if writer, ok := w.(*nbdns.ResponseWriterChain); ok {
@@ -350,14 +327,14 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) writeMsg(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) error {
 			case *dns.A:
 				addr, ok := netip.AddrFromSlice(rr.A)
 				if !ok {
-					log.Tracef("failed to convert A record for domain=%s ip=%v", resolvedDomain, rr.A)
+					logger.Tracef("failed to convert A record for domain=%s ip=%v", resolvedDomain, rr.A)
 					continue
 				}
 				ip = addr
 			case *dns.AAAA:
 				addr, ok := netip.AddrFromSlice(rr.AAAA)
 				if !ok {
-					log.Tracef("failed to convert AAAA record for domain=%s ip=%v", resolvedDomain, rr.AAAA)
+					logger.Tracef("failed to convert AAAA record for domain=%s ip=%v", resolvedDomain, rr.AAAA)
 					continue
 				}
 				ip = addr
@@ -370,11 +347,11 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) writeMsg(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) error {
 		}
 
 		if len(newPrefixes) > 0 {
-			if err := d.updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain, newPrefixes); err != nil {
-				log.Errorf("failed to update domain prefixes: %v", err)
+			if err := d.updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain, newPrefixes, logger); err != nil {
+				logger.Errorf("failed to update domain prefixes: %v", err)
 			}
 
-			d.replaceIPsInDNSResponse(r, newPrefixes)
+			d.replaceIPsInDNSResponse(r, newPrefixes, logger)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -386,22 +363,22 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) writeMsg(w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg) error {
 }
 
 // logPrefixChanges handles the logging for prefix changes
-func (d *DnsInterceptor) logPrefixChanges(resolvedDomain, originalDomain domain.Domain, toAdd, toRemove []netip.Prefix) {
+func (d *DnsInterceptor) logPrefixChanges(resolvedDomain, originalDomain domain.Domain, toAdd, toRemove []netip.Prefix, logger *log.Entry) {
 	if len(toAdd) > 0 {
-		log.Debugf("added dynamic route(s) for domain=%s (pattern: domain=%s): %s",
+		logger.Debugf("added dynamic route(s) for domain=%s (pattern: domain=%s): %s",
 			resolvedDomain.SafeString(),
 			originalDomain.SafeString(),
 			toAdd)
 	}
 	if len(toRemove) > 0 && !d.route.KeepRoute {
-		log.Debugf("removed dynamic route(s) for domain=%s (pattern: domain=%s): %s",
+		logger.Debugf("removed dynamic route(s) for domain=%s (pattern: domain=%s): %s",
 			resolvedDomain.SafeString(),
 			originalDomain.SafeString(),
 			toRemove)
 	}
 }
 
-func (d *DnsInterceptor) updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain domain.Domain, newPrefixes []netip.Prefix) error {
+func (d *DnsInterceptor) updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain domain.Domain, newPrefixes []netip.Prefix, logger *log.Entry) error {
 	d.mu.Lock()
 	defer d.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -418,9 +395,9 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain dom
 			realIP := prefix.Addr()
 			if fakeIP, err := d.fakeIPManager.AllocateFakeIP(realIP); err == nil {
 				dnatMappings[fakeIP] = realIP
-				log.Tracef("allocated fake IP %s for real IP %s", fakeIP, realIP)
+				logger.Tracef("allocated fake IP %s for real IP %s", fakeIP, realIP)
 			} else {
-				log.Errorf("Failed to allocate fake IP for %s: %v", realIP, err)
+				logger.Errorf("failed to allocate fake IP for %s: %v", realIP, err)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -432,7 +409,7 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain dom
 		}
 	}
 
-	d.addDNATMappings(dnatMappings)
+	d.addDNATMappings(dnatMappings, logger)
 
 	if !d.route.KeepRoute {
 		// Remove old prefixes
@@ -448,7 +425,7 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain dom
 			}
 		}
 
-		d.removeDNATMappings(toRemove)
+		d.removeDNATMappings(toRemove, logger)
 	}
 
 	// Update domain prefixes using resolved domain as key - store real IPs
@@ -463,14 +440,14 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) updateDomainPrefixes(resolvedDomain, originalDomain dom
 		// Store real IPs for status (user-facing), not fake IPs
 		d.statusRecorder.UpdateResolvedDomainsStates(originalDomain, resolvedDomain, newPrefixes, d.route.GetResourceID())
 
-		d.logPrefixChanges(resolvedDomain, originalDomain, toAdd, toRemove)
+		d.logPrefixChanges(resolvedDomain, originalDomain, toAdd, toRemove, logger)
 	}
 
 	return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(merr)
 }
 
 // removeDNATMappings removes DNAT mappings from the firewall for real IP prefixes
-func (d *DnsInterceptor) removeDNATMappings(realPrefixes []netip.Prefix) {
+func (d *DnsInterceptor) removeDNATMappings(realPrefixes []netip.Prefix, logger *log.Entry) {
 	if len(realPrefixes) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
@@ -484,9 +461,9 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) removeDNATMappings(realPrefixes []netip.Prefix) {
 		realIP := prefix.Addr()
 		if fakeIP, exists := d.fakeIPManager.GetFakeIP(realIP); exists {
 			if err := dnatFirewall.RemoveInternalDNATMapping(fakeIP); err != nil {
-				log.Errorf("Failed to remove DNAT mapping for %s: %v", fakeIP, err)
+				logger.Errorf("failed to remove DNAT mapping for %s: %v", fakeIP, err)
 			} else {
-				log.Debugf("Removed DNAT mapping for: %s -> %s", fakeIP, realIP)
+				logger.Debugf("removed DNAT mapping: %s -> %s", fakeIP, realIP)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -502,7 +479,7 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) internalDnatFw() (internalDNATer, bool) {
 }
 
 // addDNATMappings adds DNAT mappings to the firewall
-func (d *DnsInterceptor) addDNATMappings(mappings map[netip.Addr]netip.Addr) {
+func (d *DnsInterceptor) addDNATMappings(mappings map[netip.Addr]netip.Addr, logger *log.Entry) {
 	if len(mappings) == 0 {
 		return
 	}
@@ -514,9 +491,9 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) addDNATMappings(mappings map[netip.Addr]netip.Addr) {
 
 	for fakeIP, realIP := range mappings {
 		if err := dnatFirewall.AddInternalDNATMapping(fakeIP, realIP); err != nil {
-			log.Errorf("Failed to add DNAT mapping %s -> %s: %v", fakeIP, realIP, err)
+			logger.Errorf("failed to add DNAT mapping %s -> %s: %v", fakeIP, realIP, err)
 		} else {
-			log.Debugf("Added DNAT mapping: %s -> %s", fakeIP, realIP)
+			logger.Debugf("added DNAT mapping: %s -> %s", fakeIP, realIP)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -528,12 +505,12 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) cleanupDNATMappings() {
 	}
 
 	for _, prefixes := range d.interceptedDomains {
-		d.removeDNATMappings(prefixes)
+		d.removeDNATMappings(prefixes, log.NewEntry(log.StandardLogger()))
 	}
 }
 
 // replaceIPsInDNSResponse replaces real IPs with fake IPs in the DNS response
-func (d *DnsInterceptor) replaceIPsInDNSResponse(reply *dns.Msg, realPrefixes []netip.Prefix) {
+func (d *DnsInterceptor) replaceIPsInDNSResponse(reply *dns.Msg, realPrefixes []netip.Prefix, logger *log.Entry) {
 	if _, ok := d.internalDnatFw(); !ok {
 		return
 	}
@@ -549,7 +526,7 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) replaceIPsInDNSResponse(reply *dns.Msg, realPrefixes []
 
 			if fakeIP, exists := d.fakeIPManager.GetFakeIP(realIP); exists {
 				rr.A = fakeIP.AsSlice()
-				log.Tracef("Replaced real IP %s with fake IP %s in DNS response", realIP, fakeIP)
+				logger.Tracef("replaced real IP %s with fake IP %s in DNS response", realIP, fakeIP)
 			}
 
 		case *dns.AAAA:
@@ -560,7 +537,7 @@ func (d *DnsInterceptor) replaceIPsInDNSResponse(reply *dns.Msg, realPrefixes []
 
 			if fakeIP, exists := d.fakeIPManager.GetFakeIP(realIP); exists {
 				rr.AAAA = fakeIP.AsSlice()
-				log.Tracef("Replaced real IP %s with fake IP %s in DNS response", realIP, fakeIP)
+				logger.Tracef("replaced real IP %s with fake IP %s in DNS response", realIP, fakeIP)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -586,6 +563,44 @@ func determinePrefixChanges(oldPrefixes, newPrefixes []netip.Prefix) (toAdd, toR
 	return
 }
 
+// queryUpstreamDNS queries the upstream DNS server using netstack if available, otherwise uses regular client.
+// Returns the DNS reply on success, or nil on error (error responses are written internally).
+func (d *DnsInterceptor) queryUpstreamDNS(ctx context.Context, w dns.ResponseWriter, r *dns.Msg, upstream string, upstreamIP netip.Addr, peerKey string, logger *log.Entry) *dns.Msg {
+	startTime := time.Now()
+
+	nsNet := d.wgInterface.GetNet()
+	var reply *dns.Msg
+	var err error
+
+	if nsNet != nil {
+		reply, err = nbdns.ExchangeWithNetstack(ctx, nsNet, r, upstream)
+	} else {
+		client, clientErr := nbdns.GetClientPrivate(d.wgInterface.Address().IP, d.wgInterface.Name(), dnsTimeout)
+		if clientErr != nil {
+			d.writeDNSError(w, r, logger, fmt.Sprintf("create DNS client: %v", clientErr))
+			return nil
+		}
+		reply, _, err = nbdns.ExchangeWithFallback(ctx, client, r, upstream)
+	}
+
+	if err == nil {
+		return reply
+	}
+
+	if errors.Is(err, context.DeadlineExceeded) {
+		elapsed := time.Since(startTime)
+		peerInfo := d.debugPeerTimeout(upstreamIP, peerKey)
+		logger.Errorf("peer DNS timeout after %v (timeout=%v) for domain=%s to peer %s (%s)%s - error: %v",
+			elapsed.Truncate(time.Millisecond), dnsTimeout, r.Question[0].Name, upstreamIP.String(), peerKey, peerInfo, err)
+	} else {
+		logger.Errorf("failed to exchange DNS request with %s (%s) for domain=%s: %v", upstreamIP.String(), peerKey, r.Question[0].Name, err)
+	}
+	if err := w.WriteMsg(&dns.Msg{MsgHdr: dns.MsgHdr{Rcode: dns.RcodeServerFailure, Id: r.Id}}); err != nil {
+		logger.Errorf("failed writing DNS response: %v", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (d *DnsInterceptor) debugPeerTimeout(peerIP netip.Addr, peerKey string) string {
 	if d.statusRecorder == nil {
 		return ""

client/internal/routemanager/iface/iface.go

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 //go:build !windows
-// +build !windows
 
 package iface
 

client/internal/routemanager/iface/iface_common.go

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"net/netip"
 
+	"golang.zx2c4.com/wireguard/tun/netstack"
+
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/device"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/iface/wgaddr"
 )
@@ -18,4 +20,5 @@ type wgIfaceBase interface {
 	IsUserspaceBind() bool
 	GetFilter() device.PacketFilter
 	GetDevice() *device.FilteredDevice
+	GetNet() *netstack.Net
 }

client/internal/routemanager/systemops/systemops_generic.go

@@ -210,7 +210,8 @@ func (r *SysOps) refreshLocalSubnetsCache() {
 func (r *SysOps) genericAddVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface) error {
 	nextHop := Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, intf}
 
-	if prefix == vars.Defaultv4 {
+	switch prefix {
+	case vars.Defaultv4:
 		if err := r.addToRouteTable(splitDefaultv4_1, nextHop); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ func (r *SysOps) genericAddVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface) er
 		}
 
 		return nil
-	} else if prefix == vars.Defaultv6 {
+	case vars.Defaultv6:
 		if err := r.addToRouteTable(splitDefaultv6_1, nextHop); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("add unreachable route split 1: %w", err)
 		}
@@ -255,7 +256,8 @@ func (r *SysOps) genericAddVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface) er
 func (r *SysOps) genericRemoveVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface) error {
 	nextHop := Nexthop{netip.Addr{}, intf}
 
-	if prefix == vars.Defaultv4 {
+	switch prefix {
+	case vars.Defaultv4:
 		var result *multierror.Error
 		if err := r.removeFromRouteTable(splitDefaultv4_1, nextHop); err != nil {
 			result = multierror.Append(result, err)
@@ -273,7 +275,7 @@ func (r *SysOps) genericRemoveVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface)
 		}
 
 		return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
-	} else if prefix == vars.Defaultv6 {
+	case vars.Defaultv6:
 		var result *multierror.Error
 		if err := r.removeFromRouteTable(splitDefaultv6_1, nextHop); err != nil {
 			result = multierror.Append(result, err)
@@ -283,9 +285,9 @@ func (r *SysOps) genericRemoveVPNRoute(prefix netip.Prefix, intf *net.Interface)
 		}
 
 		return nberrors.FormatErrorOrNil(result)
+	default:
+		return r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nextHop)
 	}
-
-	return r.removeFromRouteTable(prefix, nextHop)
 }
 
 func (r *SysOps) setupHooks(initAddresses []net.IP, stateManager *statemanager.Manager) error {

client/internal/updatemanager/doc.go

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+// Package updatemanager provides automatic update management for the NetBird client.
+// It monitors for new versions, handles update triggers from management server directives,
+// and orchestrates the download and installation of client updates.
+//
+// # Overview
+//
+// The update manager operates as a background service that continuously monitors for
+// available updates and automatically initiates the update process when conditions are met.
+// It integrates with the installer package to perform the actual installation.
+//
+// # Update Flow
+//
+// The complete update process follows these steps:
+//
+//  1. Manager receives update directive via SetVersion() or detects new version
+//  2. Manager validates update should proceed (version comparison, rate limiting)
+//  3. Manager publishes "updating" event to status recorder
+//  4. Manager persists UpdateState to track update attempt
+//  5. Manager downloads installer file (.msi or .exe) to temporary directory
+//  6. Manager triggers installation via installer.RunInstallation()
+//  7. Installer package handles the actual installation process
+//  8. On next startup, CheckUpdateSuccess() verifies update completion
+//  9. Manager publishes success/failure event to status recorder
+//  10. Manager cleans up UpdateState
+//
+// # State Management
+//
+// Update state is persisted across restarts to track update attempts:
+//
+//   - PreUpdateVersion: Version before update attempt
+//   - TargetVersion: Version attempting to update to
+//
+// This enables verification of successful updates and appropriate user notification
+// after the client restarts with the new version.
+package updatemanager

client/internal/updatemanager/downloader/downloader.go

@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+package downloader
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/version"
+)
+
+const (
+	userAgent         = "NetBird agent installer/%s"
+	DefaultRetryDelay = 3 * time.Second
+)
+
+func DownloadToFile(ctx context.Context, retryDelay time.Duration, url, dstFile string) error {
+	log.Debugf("starting download from %s", url)
+
+	out, err := os.Create(dstFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create destination file %q: %w", dstFile, err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if cerr := out.Close(); cerr != nil {
+			log.Warnf("error closing file %q: %v", dstFile, cerr)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	// First attempt
+	err = downloadToFileOnce(ctx, url, out)
+	if err == nil {
+		log.Infof("successfully downloaded file to %s", dstFile)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// If retryDelay is 0, don't retry
+	if retryDelay == 0 {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	log.Warnf("download failed, retrying after %v: %v", retryDelay, err)
+
+	// Sleep before retry
+	if sleepErr := sleepWithContext(ctx, retryDelay); sleepErr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("download cancelled during retry delay: %w", sleepErr)
+	}
+
+	// Truncate file before retry
+	if err := out.Truncate(0); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to truncate file on retry: %w", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := out.Seek(0, 0); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to seek to beginning of file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Second attempt
+	if err := downloadToFileOnce(ctx, url, out); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("download failed after retry: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("successfully downloaded file to %s", dstFile)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func DownloadToMemory(ctx context.Context, url string, limit int64) ([]byte, error) {
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodGet, url, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create HTTP request: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Add User-Agent header
+	req.Header.Set("User-Agent", fmt.Sprintf(userAgent, version.NetbirdVersion()))
+
+	resp, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to perform HTTP request: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if cerr := resp.Body.Close(); cerr != nil {
+			log.Warnf("error closing response body: %v", cerr)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unexpected HTTP status: %d", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+
+	data, err := io.ReadAll(io.LimitReader(resp.Body, limit))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read response body: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return data, nil
+}
+
+func downloadToFileOnce(ctx context.Context, url string, out *os.File) error {
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodGet, url, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create HTTP request: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Add User-Agent header
+	req.Header.Set("User-Agent", fmt.Sprintf(userAgent, version.NetbirdVersion()))
+
+	resp, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to perform HTTP request: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if cerr := resp.Body.Close(); cerr != nil {
+			log.Warnf("error closing response body: %v", cerr)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected HTTP status: %d", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+
+	if _, err := io.Copy(out, resp.Body); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write response body to file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func sleepWithContext(ctx context.Context, duration time.Duration) error {
+	select {
+	case <-time.After(duration):
+		return nil
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	}
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/downloader/downloader_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,199 @@
+package downloader
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+const (
+	retryDelay = 100 * time.Millisecond
+)
+
+func TestDownloadToFile_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create a test server that responds successfully
+	content := "test file content"
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte(content))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	// Create a temporary file for download
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	dstFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, "downloaded.txt")
+
+	// Download the file
+	err := DownloadToFile(context.Background(), retryDelay, server.URL, dstFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no error, got: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify the file content
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(dstFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to read downloaded file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if string(data) != content {
+		t.Errorf("expected content %q, got %q", content, string(data))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDownloadToFile_SuccessAfterRetry(t *testing.T) {
+	content := "test file content after retry"
+	var attemptCount atomic.Int32
+
+	// Create a test server that fails on first attempt, succeeds on second
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		attempt := attemptCount.Add(1)
+		if attempt == 1 {
+			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			_, _ = w.Write([]byte("error"))
+			return
+		}
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte(content))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	// Create a temporary file for download
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	dstFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, "downloaded.txt")
+
+	// Download the file (should succeed after retry)
+	if err := DownloadToFile(context.Background(), 10*time.Millisecond, server.URL, dstFile); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected no error after retry, got: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify the file content
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(dstFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to read downloaded file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if string(data) != content {
+		t.Errorf("expected content %q, got %q", content, string(data))
+	}
+
+	// Verify it took 2 attempts
+	if attemptCount.Load() != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 2 attempts, got %d", attemptCount.Load())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDownloadToFile_FailsAfterRetry(t *testing.T) {
+	var attemptCount atomic.Int32
+
+	// Create a test server that always fails
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		attemptCount.Add(1)
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte("error"))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	// Create a temporary file for download
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	dstFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, "downloaded.txt")
+
+	// Download the file (should fail after retry)
+	if err := DownloadToFile(context.Background(), 10*time.Millisecond, server.URL, dstFile); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error after retry, got nil")
+	}
+
+	// Verify it tried 2 times
+	if attemptCount.Load() != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 2 attempts, got %d", attemptCount.Load())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDownloadToFile_ContextCancellationDuringRetry(t *testing.T) {
+	var attemptCount atomic.Int32
+
+	// Create a test server that always fails
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		attemptCount.Add(1)
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusInternalServerError)
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	// Create a temporary file for download
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	dstFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, "downloaded.txt")
+
+	// Create a context that will be cancelled during retry delay
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+
+	// Cancel after a short delay (during the retry sleep)
+	go func() {
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+		cancel()
+	}()
+
+	// Download the file (should fail due to context cancellation during retry)
+	err := DownloadToFile(ctx, 1*time.Second, server.URL, dstFile)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error due to context cancellation, got nil")
+	}
+
+	// Should have only made 1 attempt (cancelled during retry delay)
+	if attemptCount.Load() != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 attempt, got %d", attemptCount.Load())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDownloadToFile_InvalidURL(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	dstFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, "downloaded.txt")
+
+	err := DownloadToFile(context.Background(), retryDelay, "://invalid-url", dstFile)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for invalid URL, got nil")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDownloadToFile_InvalidDestination(t *testing.T) {
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte("test"))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	// Use an invalid destination path
+	err := DownloadToFile(context.Background(), retryDelay, server.URL, "/invalid/path/that/does/not/exist/file.txt")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for invalid destination, got nil")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDownloadToFile_NoRetry(t *testing.T) {
+	var attemptCount atomic.Int32
+
+	// Create a test server that always fails
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		attemptCount.Add(1)
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte("error"))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	// Create a temporary file for download
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+	dstFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, "downloaded.txt")
+
+	// Download the file with retryDelay = 0 (should not retry)
+	if err := DownloadToFile(context.Background(), 0, server.URL, dstFile); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error, got nil")
+	}
+
+	// Verify it only made 1 attempt (no retry)
+	if attemptCount.Load() != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("expected 1 attempt, got %d", attemptCount.Load())
+	}
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/binary_nowindows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+//go:build !windows
+
+package installer
+
+func UpdaterBinaryNameWithoutExtension() string {
+	return updaterBinary
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/binary_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+func UpdaterBinaryNameWithoutExtension() string {
+	ext := filepath.Ext(updaterBinary)
+	return strings.TrimSuffix(updaterBinary, ext)
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/doc.go

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+// Package installer provides functionality for managing NetBird application
+// updates and installations across Windows, macOS. It handles
+// the complete update lifecycle including artifact download, cryptographic verification,
+// installation execution, process management, and result reporting.
+//
+// # Architecture
+//
+// The installer package uses a two-process architecture to enable self-updates:
+//
+//  1. Service Process: The main NetBird daemon process that initiates updates
+//  2. Updater Process: A detached child process that performs the actual installation
+//
+// This separation is critical because:
+//   - The service binary cannot update itself while running
+//   - The installer (EXE/MSI/PKG) will terminate the service during installation
+//   - The updater process survives service termination and restarts it after installation
+//   - Results can be communicated back to the service after it restarts
+//
+// # Update Flow
+//
+// Service Process (RunInstallation):
+//
+//  1. Validates target version format (semver)
+//  2. Determines installer type (EXE, MSI, PKG, or Homebrew)
+//  3. Downloads installer file from GitHub releases (if applicable)
+//  4. Verifies installer signature using reposign package (cryptographic verification in service process before
+//     launching updater)
+//  5. Copies service binary to tempDir as "updater" (or "updater.exe" on Windows)
+//  6. Launches updater process with detached mode:
+//     - --temp-dir: Temporary directory path
+//     - --service-dir: Service installation directory
+//     - --installer-file: Path to downloaded installer (if applicable)
+//     - --dry-run: Optional flag to test without actually installing
+//  7. Service process continues running (will be terminated by installer later)
+//  8. Service can watch for result.json using ResultHandler.Watch() to detect completion
+//
+// Updater Process (Setup):
+//
+//  1. Receives parameters from service via command-line arguments
+//  2. Runs installer with appropriate silent/quiet flags:
+//     - Windows EXE: installer.exe /S
+//     - Windows MSI: msiexec.exe /i installer.msi /quiet /qn /l*v msi.log
+//     - macOS PKG: installer -pkg installer.pkg -target /
+//     - macOS Homebrew: brew upgrade netbirdio/tap/netbird
+//  3. Installer terminates daemon and UI processes
+//  4. Installer replaces binaries with new version
+//  5. Updater waits for installer to complete
+//  6. Updater restarts daemon:
+//     - Windows: netbird.exe service start
+//     - macOS/Linux: netbird service start
+//  7. Updater restarts UI:
+//     - Windows: Launches netbird-ui.exe as active console user using CreateProcessAsUser
+//     - macOS: Uses launchctl asuser to launch NetBird.app for console user
+//     - Linux: Not implemented (UI typically auto-starts)
+//  8. Updater writes result.json with success/error status
+//  9. Updater process exits
+//
+// # Result Communication
+//
+// The ResultHandler (result.go) manages communication between updater and service:
+//
+// Result Structure:
+//
+//	type Result struct {
+//	    Success    bool      // true if installation succeeded
+//	    Error      string    // error message if Success is false
+//	    ExecutedAt time.Time // when installation completed
+//	}
+//
+// Result files are automatically cleaned up after being read.
+//
+// # File Locations
+//
+// Temporary Directory (platform-specific):
+//
+// Windows:
+//   - Path: %ProgramData%\Netbird\tmp-install
+//   - Example: C:\ProgramData\Netbird\tmp-install
+//
+// macOS:
+//   - Path: /var/lib/netbird/tmp-install
+//   - Requires root permissions
+//
+// Files created during installation:
+//
+//		tmp-install/
+//	   installer.log
+//		  updater[.exe]                    # Copy of service binary
+//		  netbird_installer_*.[exe|msi|pkg] # Downloaded installer
+//		  result.json                       # Installation result
+//		  msi.log                           # MSI verbose log (Windows MSI only)
+//
+// # API Reference
+//
+// # Cleanup
+//
+// CleanUpInstallerFiles() removes temporary files after successful installation:
+//   - Downloaded installer files (*.exe, *.msi, *.pkg)
+//   - Updater binary copy
+//   - Does NOT remove result.json (cleaned by ResultHandler after read)
+//   - Does NOT remove msi.log (kept for debugging)
+//
+// # Dry-Run Mode
+//
+// Dry-run mode allows testing the update process without actually installing:
+//
+// Enable via environment variable:
+//
+//	export NB_AUTO_UPDATE_DRY_RUN=true
+//	netbird service install-update 0.29.0
+package installer

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/installer.go

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+//go:build !windows && !darwin
+
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+const (
+	updaterBinary = "updater"
+)
+
+type Installer struct {
+	tempDir string
+}
+
+// New used by the service
+func New() *Installer {
+	return &Installer{}
+}
+
+// NewWithDir used by the updater process, get the tempDir from the service via cmd line
+func NewWithDir(tempDir string) *Installer {
+	return &Installer{
+		tempDir: tempDir,
+	}
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) TempDir() string {
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (c *Installer) LogFiles() []string {
+	return []string{}
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) CleanUpInstallerFiles() error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) RunInstallation(ctx context.Context, targetVersion string) error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("unsupported platform")
+}
+
+// Setup runs the installer with appropriate arguments and manages the daemon/UI state
+// This will be run by the updater process
+func (u *Installer) Setup(ctx context.Context, dryRun bool, targetVersion string, daemonFolder string) (resultErr error) {
+	return fmt.Errorf("unsupported platform")
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/installer_common.go

@@ -0,0 +1,293 @@
+//go:build windows || darwin
+
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/hashicorp/go-multierror"
+	goversion "github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/downloader"
+	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/client/internal/updatemanager/reposign"
+)
+
+type Installer struct {
+	tempDir string
+}
+
+// New used by the service
+func New() *Installer {
+	return &Installer{
+		tempDir: defaultTempDir,
+	}
+}
+
+// NewWithDir used by the updater process, get the tempDir from the service via cmd line
+func NewWithDir(tempDir string) *Installer {
+	return &Installer{
+		tempDir: tempDir,
+	}
+}
+
+// RunInstallation starts the updater process to run the installation
+// This will run by the original service process
+func (u *Installer) RunInstallation(ctx context.Context, targetVersion string) (err error) {
+	resultHandler := NewResultHandler(u.tempDir)
+
+	defer func() {
+		if err != nil {
+			if writeErr := resultHandler.WriteErr(err); writeErr != nil {
+				log.Errorf("failed to write error result: %v", writeErr)
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if err := validateTargetVersion(targetVersion); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if err := u.mkTempDir(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	var installerFile string
+	// Download files only when not using any third-party store
+	if installerType := TypeOfInstaller(ctx); installerType.Downloadable() {
+		log.Infof("download installer")
+		var err error
+		installerFile, err = u.downloadInstaller(ctx, installerType, targetVersion)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to download installer: %v", err)
+			return err
+		}
+
+		artifactVerify, err := reposign.NewArtifactVerify(DefaultSigningKeysBaseURL)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to create artifact verify: %v", err)
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if err := artifactVerify.Verify(ctx, targetVersion, installerFile); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("artifact verification error: %v", err)
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("running installer")
+	updaterPath, err := u.copyUpdater()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// the directory where the service has been installed
+	workspace, err := getServiceDir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	args := []string{
+		"--temp-dir", u.tempDir,
+		"--service-dir", workspace,
+	}
+
+	if isDryRunEnabled() {
+		args = append(args, "--dry-run=true")
+	}
+
+	if installerFile != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--installer-file", installerFile)
+	}
+
+	updateCmd := exec.Command(updaterPath, args...)
+	log.Infof("starting updater process: %s", updateCmd.String())
+
+	// Configure the updater to run in a separate session/process group
+	// so it survives the parent daemon being stopped
+	setUpdaterProcAttr(updateCmd)
+
+	// Start the updater process asynchronously
+	if err := updateCmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	pid := updateCmd.Process.Pid
+	log.Infof("updater started with PID %d", pid)
+
+	// Release the process so the OS can fully detach it
+	if err := updateCmd.Process.Release(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to release updater process: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// CleanUpInstallerFiles
+// - the installer file (pkg, exe, msi)
+// - the selfcopy updater.exe
+func (u *Installer) CleanUpInstallerFiles() error {
+	// Check if tempDir exists
+	info, err := os.Stat(u.tempDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if !info.IsDir() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var merr *multierror.Error
+
+	if err := os.Remove(filepath.Join(u.tempDir, updaterBinary)); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("failed to remove updater binary: %w", err))
+	}
+
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(u.tempDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		name := entry.Name()
+		for _, ext := range binaryExtensions {
+			if strings.HasSuffix(strings.ToLower(name), strings.ToLower(ext)) {
+				if err := os.Remove(filepath.Join(u.tempDir, name)); err != nil {
+					merr = multierror.Append(merr, fmt.Errorf("failed to remove %s: %w", name, err))
+				}
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return merr.ErrorOrNil()
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) downloadInstaller(ctx context.Context, installerType Type, targetVersion string) (string, error) {
+	fileURL := urlWithVersionArch(installerType, targetVersion)
+
+	// Clean up temp directory on error
+	var success bool
+	defer func() {
+		if !success {
+			if err := os.RemoveAll(u.tempDir); err != nil {
+				log.Errorf("error cleaning up temporary directory: %v", err)
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+
+	fileName := path.Base(fileURL)
+	if fileName == "." || fileName == "/" || fileName == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid file URL: %s", fileURL)
+	}
+
+	outputFilePath := filepath.Join(u.tempDir, fileName)
+	if err := downloader.DownloadToFile(ctx, downloader.DefaultRetryDelay, fileURL, outputFilePath); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	success = true
+	return outputFilePath, nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) TempDir() string {
+	return u.tempDir
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) mkTempDir() error {
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(u.tempDir, 0o755); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("failed to create tempdir: %s", u.tempDir)
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) copyUpdater() (string, error) {
+	src, err := getServiceBinary()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to get updater binary: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	dst := filepath.Join(u.tempDir, updaterBinary)
+	if err := copyFile(src, dst); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to copy updater binary: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Chmod(dst, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to set permissions: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return dst, nil
+}
+
+func validateTargetVersion(targetVersion string) error {
+	if targetVersion == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("target version cannot be empty")
+	}
+
+	_, err := goversion.NewVersion(targetVersion)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid target version %q: %w", targetVersion, err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func copyFile(src, dst string) error {
+	log.Infof("copying %s to %s", src, dst)
+	in, err := os.Open(src)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("open source: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := in.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("failed to close source file: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	out, err := os.Create(dst)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("create destination: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := out.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("failed to close destination file: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if _, err := io.Copy(out, in); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("copy: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func getServiceDir() (string, error) {
+	exePath, err := os.Executable()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return filepath.Dir(exePath), nil
+}
+
+func getServiceBinary() (string, error) {
+	return os.Executable()
+}
+
+func isDryRunEnabled() bool {
+	return strings.EqualFold(strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv("NB_AUTO_UPDATE_DRY_RUN")), "true")
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/installer_log_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+)
+
+func (u *Installer) LogFiles() []string {
+	return []string{
+		filepath.Join(u.tempDir, LogFile),
+	}
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/installer_log_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+)
+
+func (u *Installer) LogFiles() []string {
+	return []string{
+		filepath.Join(u.tempDir, msiLogFile),
+		filepath.Join(u.tempDir, LogFile),
+	}
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/installer_run_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"os/user"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"syscall"
+	"time"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+const (
+	daemonName    = "netbird"
+	updaterBinary = "updater"
+	uiBinary      = "/Applications/NetBird.app"
+
+	defaultTempDir = "/var/lib/netbird/tmp-install"
+
+	pkgDownloadURL = "https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/releases/download/v%version/netbird_%version_darwin_%arch.pkg"
+)
+
+var (
+	binaryExtensions = []string{"pkg"}
+)
+
+// Setup runs the installer with appropriate arguments and manages the daemon/UI state
+// This will be run by the updater process
+func (u *Installer) Setup(ctx context.Context, dryRun bool, installerFile string, daemonFolder string) (resultErr error) {
+	resultHandler := NewResultHandler(u.tempDir)
+
+	// Always ensure daemon and UI are restarted after setup
+	defer func() {
+		log.Infof("write out result")
+		var err error
+		if resultErr == nil {
+			err = resultHandler.WriteSuccess()
+		} else {
+			err = resultHandler.WriteErr(resultErr)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to write update result: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		// skip service restart if dry-run mode is enabled
+		if dryRun {
+			return
+		}
+
+		log.Infof("starting daemon back")
+		if err := u.startDaemon(daemonFolder); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to start daemon: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		log.Infof("starting UI back")
+		if err := u.startUIAsUser(); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to start UI: %v", err)
+		}
+
+	}()
+
+	if dryRun {
+		time.Sleep(7 * time.Second)
+		log.Infof("dry-run mode enabled, skipping actual installation")
+		resultErr = fmt.Errorf("dry-run mode enabled")
+		return
+	}
+
+	switch TypeOfInstaller(ctx) {
+	case TypePKG:
+		resultErr = u.installPkgFile(ctx, installerFile)
+	case TypeHomebrew:
+		resultErr = u.updateHomeBrew(ctx)
+	}
+
+	return resultErr
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) startDaemon(daemonFolder string) error {
+	log.Infof("starting netbird service")
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 15*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, filepath.Join(daemonFolder, daemonName), "service", "start")
+	if output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to start netbird service: %v, output: %s", err, string(output))
+		return err
+	}
+	log.Infof("netbird service started successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) startUIAsUser() error {
+	log.Infof("starting netbird-ui: %s", uiBinary)
+
+	// Get the current console user
+	cmd := exec.Command("stat", "-f", "%Su", "/dev/console")
+	output, err := cmd.Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to get console user: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	username := strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
+	if username == "" || username == "root" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no active user session found")
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("starting UI for user: %s", username)
+
+	// Get user's UID
+	userInfo, err := user.Lookup(username)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to lookup user %s: %w", username, err)
+	}
+
+	// Start the UI process as the console user using launchctl
+	// This ensures the app runs in the user's context with proper GUI access
+	launchCmd := exec.Command("launchctl", "asuser", userInfo.Uid, "open", "-a", uiBinary)
+	log.Infof("launchCmd: %s", launchCmd.String())
+	// Set the user's home directory for proper macOS app behavior
+	launchCmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), "HOME="+userInfo.HomeDir)
+	log.Infof("set HOME environment variable: %s", userInfo.HomeDir)
+
+	if err := launchCmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to start UI process: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Release the process so it can run independently
+	if err := launchCmd.Process.Release(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to release UI process: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("netbird-ui started successfully for user %s", username)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) installPkgFile(ctx context.Context, path string) error {
+	log.Infof("installing pkg file: %s", path)
+
+	// Kill any existing UI processes before installation
+	// This ensures the postinstall script's "open $APP" will start the new version
+	u.killUI()
+
+	volume := "/"
+
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, "installer", "-pkg", path, "-target", volume)
+	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error running pkg file: %w", err)
+	}
+	log.Infof("installer started with PID %d", cmd.Process.Pid)
+	if err := cmd.Wait(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error running pkg file: %w", err)
+	}
+	log.Infof("pkg file installed successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) updateHomeBrew(ctx context.Context) error {
+	log.Infof("updating homebrew")
+
+	// Kill any existing UI processes before upgrade
+	// This ensures the new version will be started after upgrade
+	u.killUI()
+
+	// Homebrew must be run as a non-root user
+	// To find out which user installed NetBird using HomeBrew we can check the owner of our brew tap directory
+	// Check both Apple Silicon and Intel Mac paths
+	brewTapPath := "/opt/homebrew/Library/Taps/netbirdio/homebrew-tap/"
+	brewBinPath := "/opt/homebrew/bin/brew"
+	if _, err := os.Stat(brewTapPath); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		// Try Intel Mac path
+		brewTapPath = "/usr/local/Homebrew/Library/Taps/netbirdio/homebrew-tap/"
+		brewBinPath = "/usr/local/bin/brew"
+	}
+
+	fileInfo, err := os.Stat(brewTapPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error getting homebrew installation path info: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	fileSysInfo, ok := fileInfo.Sys().(*syscall.Stat_t)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error checking file owner, sysInfo type is %T not *syscall.Stat_t", fileInfo.Sys())
+	}
+
+	// Get username from UID
+	brewUser, err := user.LookupId(fmt.Sprintf("%d", fileSysInfo.Uid))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error looking up brew installer user: %w", err)
+	}
+	userName := brewUser.Username
+	// Get user HOME, required for brew to run correctly
+	// https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/issues/15833
+	homeDir := brewUser.HomeDir
+
+	// Check if netbird-ui is installed (must run as the brew user, not root)
+	checkUICmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, "sudo", "-u", userName, brewBinPath, "list", "--formula", "netbirdio/tap/netbird-ui")
+	checkUICmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), "HOME="+homeDir)
+	uiInstalled := checkUICmd.Run() == nil
+
+	// Homebrew does not support installing specific versions
+	// Thus it will always update to latest and ignore targetVersion
+	upgradeArgs := []string{"-u", userName, brewBinPath, "upgrade", "netbirdio/tap/netbird"}
+	if uiInstalled {
+		upgradeArgs = append(upgradeArgs, "netbirdio/tap/netbird-ui")
+	}
+
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, "sudo", upgradeArgs...)
+	cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), "HOME="+homeDir)
+
+	if output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error running brew upgrade: %w, output: %s", err, string(output))
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("homebrew updated successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) killUI() {
+	log.Infof("killing existing netbird-ui processes")
+	cmd := exec.Command("pkill", "-x", "netbird-ui")
+	if output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		// pkill returns exit code 1 if no processes matched, which is fine
+		log.Debugf("pkill netbird-ui result: %v, output: %s", err, string(output))
+	} else {
+		log.Infof("netbird-ui processes killed")
+	}
+}
+
+func urlWithVersionArch(_ Type, version string) string {
+	url := strings.ReplaceAll(pkgDownloadURL, "%version", version)
+	return strings.ReplaceAll(url, "%arch", runtime.GOARCH)
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/installer_run_windows.go

@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+	"unsafe"
+
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+	"golang.org/x/sys/windows"
+)
+
+const (
+	daemonName    = "netbird.exe"
+	uiName        = "netbird-ui.exe"
+	updaterBinary = "updater.exe"
+
+	msiLogFile = "msi.log"
+
+	msiDownloadURL = "https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/releases/download/v%version/netbird_installer_%version_windows_%arch.msi"
+	exeDownloadURL = "https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/releases/download/v%version/netbird_installer_%version_windows_%arch.exe"
+)
+
+var (
+	defaultTempDir = filepath.Join(os.Getenv("ProgramData"), "Netbird", "tmp-install")
+
+	// for the cleanup
+	binaryExtensions = []string{"msi", "exe"}
+)
+
+// Setup runs the installer with appropriate arguments and manages the daemon/UI state
+// This will be run by the updater process
+func (u *Installer) Setup(ctx context.Context, dryRun bool, installerFile string, daemonFolder string) (resultErr error) {
+	resultHandler := NewResultHandler(u.tempDir)
+
+	// Always ensure daemon and UI are restarted after setup
+	defer func() {
+		log.Infof("starting daemon back")
+		if err := u.startDaemon(daemonFolder); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to start daemon: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		log.Infof("starting UI back")
+		if err := u.startUIAsUser(daemonFolder); err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to start UI: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		log.Infof("write out result")
+		var err error
+		if resultErr == nil {
+			err = resultHandler.WriteSuccess()
+		} else {
+			err = resultHandler.WriteErr(resultErr)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Errorf("failed to write update result: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if dryRun {
+		log.Infof("dry-run mode enabled, skipping actual installation")
+		resultErr = fmt.Errorf("dry-run mode enabled")
+		return
+	}
+
+	installerType, err := typeByFileExtension(installerFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("%v", err)
+		resultErr = err
+		return
+	}
+
+	var cmd *exec.Cmd
+	switch installerType {
+	case TypeExe:
+		log.Infof("run exe installer: %s", installerFile)
+		cmd = exec.CommandContext(ctx, installerFile, "/S")
+	default:
+		installerDir := filepath.Dir(installerFile)
+		logPath := filepath.Join(installerDir, msiLogFile)
+		log.Infof("run msi installer: %s", installerFile)
+		cmd = exec.CommandContext(ctx, "msiexec.exe", "/i", filepath.Base(installerFile), "/quiet", "/qn", "/l*v", logPath)
+	}
+
+	cmd.Dir = filepath.Dir(installerFile)
+
+	if resultErr = cmd.Start(); resultErr != nil {
+		log.Errorf("error starting installer: %v", resultErr)
+		return
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("installer started with PID %d", cmd.Process.Pid)
+	if resultErr = cmd.Wait(); resultErr != nil {
+		log.Errorf("installer process finished with error: %v", resultErr)
+		return
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) startDaemon(daemonFolder string) error {
+	log.Infof("starting netbird service")
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 15*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, filepath.Join(daemonFolder, daemonName), "service", "start")
+	if output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		log.Debugf("failed to start netbird service: %v, output: %s", err, string(output))
+		return err
+	}
+	log.Infof("netbird service started successfully")
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (u *Installer) startUIAsUser(daemonFolder string) error {
+	uiPath := filepath.Join(daemonFolder, uiName)
+	log.Infof("starting netbird-ui: %s", uiPath)
+
+	// Get the active console session ID
+	sessionID := windows.WTSGetActiveConsoleSessionId()
+	if sessionID == 0xFFFFFFFF {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no active user session found")
+	}
+
+	// Get the user token for that session
+	var userToken windows.Token
+	err := windows.WTSQueryUserToken(sessionID, &userToken)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to query user token: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := userToken.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("failed to close user token: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	// Duplicate the token to a primary token
+	var primaryToken windows.Token
+	err = windows.DuplicateTokenEx(
+		userToken,
+		windows.MAXIMUM_ALLOWED,
+		nil,
+		windows.SecurityImpersonation,
+		windows.TokenPrimary,
+		&primaryToken,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to duplicate token: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := primaryToken.Close(); err != nil {
+			log.Warnf("failed to close token: %v", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	// Prepare startup info
+	var si windows.StartupInfo
+	si.Cb = uint32(unsafe.Sizeof(si))
+	si.Desktop = windows.StringToUTF16Ptr("winsta0\\default")
+
+	var pi windows.ProcessInformation
+
+	cmdLine, err := windows.UTF16PtrFromString(fmt.Sprintf("\"%s\"", uiPath))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to convert path to UTF16: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	creationFlags := uint32(0x00000200 | 0x00000008 | 0x00000400) // CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP | DETACHED_PROCESS | CREATE_UNICODE_ENVIRONMENT
+
+	err = windows.CreateProcessAsUser(
+		primaryToken,
+		nil,
+		cmdLine,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		false,
+		creationFlags,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		&si,
+		&pi,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("CreateProcessAsUser failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Close handles
+	if err := windows.CloseHandle(pi.Process); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to close process handle: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := windows.CloseHandle(pi.Thread); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to close thread handle: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	log.Infof("netbird-ui started successfully in session %d", sessionID)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func urlWithVersionArch(it Type, version string) string {
+	var url string
+	if it == TypeExe {
+		url = exeDownloadURL
+	} else {
+		url = msiDownloadURL
+	}
+	url = strings.ReplaceAll(url, "%version", version)
+	return strings.ReplaceAll(url, "%arch", runtime.GOARCH)
+}

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/log.go

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+package installer
+
+const (
+	LogFile = "installer.log"
+)

client/internal/updatemanager/installer/procattr_darwin.go

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package installer
+
+import (
+	"os/exec"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+// setUpdaterProcAttr configures the updater process to run in a new session,
+// making it independent of the parent daemon process. This ensures the updater
+// survives when the daemon is stopped during the pkg installation.
+func setUpdaterProcAttr(cmd *exec.Cmd) {
+	cmd.SysProcAttr = &syscall.SysProcAttr{
+		Setsid: true,
+	}
+}