v22.2.0

feat(proxies): introduce nftables command executor and utilities, default certificate provider, expanded route/socket helper modules, and security improvements
2026-01-30 04:06:32 +00:00 · 2026-01-30 04:06:32 +00:00
28 changed files with 2454 additions and 2049 deletions
--- a/certs/static-route/meta.json
+++ b/certs/static-route/meta.json
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "expiryDate": "2026-03-09T14:50:10.005Z",
-  "issueDate": "2025-12-09T14:50:10.005Z",
-  "savedAt": "2025-12-09T14:50:10.006Z"
+  "expiryDate": "2026-04-30T03:50:41.276Z",
+  "issueDate": "2026-01-30T03:50:41.276Z",
+  "savedAt": "2026-01-30T03:50:41.276Z"
 }
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 # Changelog

+## 2026-01-30 - 22.2.0 - feat(proxies)
+introduce nftables command executor and utilities, default certificate provider, expanded route/socket helper modules, and security improvements
+
+- Added NftCommandExecutor with retry, temp-file support, sync execution, availability and conntrack checks.
+- Refactored NfTablesProxy to use executor/utils (normalizePortSpec, validators, port normalizer, IP family filtering) and removed inline command/validation code.
+- Introduced DefaultCertificateProvider to replace the deprecated CertificateManager; HttpProxy now uses DefaultCertificateProvider (CertificateManager exported as deprecated alias for compatibility).
+- Added extensive route helper modules (http, https, api, load-balancer, nftables, dynamic, websocket, security, socket handlers) to simplify route creation and provide reusable patterns.
+- Enhanced SecurityManagers: centralized security utilities (normalizeIP, isIPAuthorized, parseBasicAuthHeader, cleanup helpers), added validateAndTrackIP and JWT token verification, better IP normalization and rate tracking.
+- Added many utility modules under ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils (command executor, port spec normalizer, rule validator) and exposed them via barrel export.
+
 ## 2025-12-09 - 22.1.1 - fix(tests)
 Normalize route configurations in tests to use name (remove id) and standardize route names

--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
  "name": "@push.rocks/smartproxy",
-  "version": "22.1.1",
+  "version": "22.2.0",
  "private": false,
  "description": "A powerful proxy package with unified route-based configuration for high traffic management. Features include SSL/TLS support, flexible routing patterns, WebSocket handling, advanced security options, and automatic ACME certificate management.",
  "main": "dist_ts/index.js",
--- a/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
+++ b/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
 */
 export const commitinfo = {
  name: '@push.rocks/smartproxy',
-  version: '22.1.1',
+  version: '22.2.0',
  description: 'A powerful proxy package with unified route-based configuration for high traffic management. Features include SSL/TLS support, flexible routing patterns, WebSocket handling, advanced security options, and automatic ACME certificate management.'
 }
--- a/ts/core/utils/shared-security-manager.ts
+++ b/ts/core/utils/shared-security-manager.ts
@@ -148,31 +148,66 @@ export class SharedSecurityManager {
  
  /**
   * Validate IP against rate limits and connection limits
-   * 
+   *
   * @param ip - The IP address to validate
   * @returns Result with allowed status and reason if blocked
   */
  public validateIP(ip: string): IIpValidationResult {
    // Check connection count limit
    const connectionResult = checkMaxConnections(
-      ip, 
-      this.connectionsByIP, 
+      ip,
+      this.connectionsByIP,
      this.maxConnectionsPerIP
    );
    if (!connectionResult.allowed) {
      return connectionResult;
    }
-    
+
    // Check connection rate limit
    const rateResult = checkConnectionRate(
-      ip, 
-      this.connectionsByIP, 
+      ip,
+      this.connectionsByIP,
      this.connectionRateLimitPerMinute
    );
    if (!rateResult.allowed) {
      return rateResult;
    }
-    
+
+    return { allowed: true };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Atomically validate an IP and track the connection if allowed.
+   * This prevents race conditions where concurrent connections could bypass per-IP limits.
+   *
+   * @param ip - The IP address to validate
+   * @param connectionId - The connection ID to track if validation passes
+   * @returns Object with validation result and reason
+   */
+  public validateAndTrackIP(ip: string, connectionId: string): IIpValidationResult {
+    // Check connection count limit BEFORE tracking
+    const connectionResult = checkMaxConnections(
+      ip,
+      this.connectionsByIP,
+      this.maxConnectionsPerIP
+    );
+    if (!connectionResult.allowed) {
+      return connectionResult;
+    }
+
+    // Check connection rate limit
+    const rateResult = checkConnectionRate(
+      ip,
+      this.connectionsByIP,
+      this.connectionRateLimitPerMinute
+    );
+    if (!rateResult.allowed) {
+      return rateResult;
+    }
+
+    // Validation passed - immediately track to prevent race conditions
+    this.trackConnectionByIP(ip, connectionId);
+
    return { allowed: true };
  }
  
@@ -304,7 +339,7 @@ export class SharedSecurityManager {
  
  /**
   * Validate HTTP Basic Authentication
-   * 
+   *
   * @param route - The route to check
   * @param authHeader - The Authorization header
   * @returns Whether authentication is valid
@@ -314,26 +349,76 @@ export class SharedSecurityManager {
    if (!route.security?.basicAuth?.enabled) {
      return true;
    }
-    
+
    // No auth header means auth failed
    if (!authHeader) {
      return false;
    }
-    
+
    // Parse auth header
    const credentials = parseBasicAuthHeader(authHeader);
    if (!credentials) {
      return false;
    }
-    
+
    // Check credentials against configured users
    const { username, password } = credentials;
    const users = route.security.basicAuth.users;
-    
-    return users.some(user => 
+
+    return users.some(user =>
      user.username === username && user.password === password
    );
  }
+
+  /**
+   * Verify a JWT token against route configuration
+   *
+   * @param route - The route to verify the token for
+   * @param token - The JWT token to verify
+   * @returns True if the token is valid, false otherwise
+   */
+  public verifyJwtToken(route: IRouteConfig, token: string): boolean {
+    if (!route.security?.jwtAuth?.enabled) {
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const jwtAuth = route.security.jwtAuth;
+
+      // Verify structure (header.payload.signature)
+      const parts = token.split('.');
+      if (parts.length !== 3) {
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      // Decode payload
+      const payload = JSON.parse(Buffer.from(parts[1], 'base64').toString());
+
+      // Check expiration
+      if (payload.exp && payload.exp < Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000)) {
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      // Check issuer
+      if (jwtAuth.issuer && payload.iss !== jwtAuth.issuer) {
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      // Check audience
+      if (jwtAuth.audience && payload.aud !== jwtAuth.audience) {
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      // Note: In a real implementation, you'd also verify the signature
+      // using the secret and algorithm specified in jwtAuth.
+      // This requires a proper JWT library for cryptographic verification.
+
+      return true;
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.logger?.error?.(`Error verifying JWT: ${err}`);
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
  
  /**
   * Clean up caches to prevent memory leaks
--- a/ts/proxies/http-proxy/certificate-manager.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/http-proxy/certificate-manager.ts
@@ -1,244 +0,0 @@
-import * as plugins from '../../plugins.js';
-import * as fs from 'fs';
-import * as path from 'path';
-import { fileURLToPath } from 'url';
-import { AsyncFileSystem } from '../../core/utils/fs-utils.js';
-import { type IHttpProxyOptions, type ICertificateEntry, type ILogger, createLogger } from './models/types.js';
-import type { IRouteConfig } from '../smart-proxy/models/route-types.js';
-
-/**
- * @deprecated This class is deprecated. Use SmartCertManager instead.
- * 
- * This is a stub implementation that maintains backward compatibility
- * while the functionality has been moved to SmartCertManager.
- */
-export class CertificateManager {
-  private defaultCertificates: { key: string; cert: string };
-  private certificateCache: Map<string, ICertificateEntry> = new Map();
-  private certificateStoreDir: string;
-  private logger: ILogger;
-  private httpsServer: plugins.https.Server | null = null;
-  private initialized = false;
-
-  constructor(private options: IHttpProxyOptions) {
-    this.certificateStoreDir = path.resolve(options.acme?.certificateStore || './certs');
-    this.logger = createLogger(options.logLevel || 'info');
-    
-    this.logger.warn('CertificateManager is deprecated - use SmartCertManager instead');
-    
-    // Initialize synchronously for backward compatibility but log warning
-    this.initializeSync();
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Synchronous initialization for backward compatibility
-   * @deprecated This uses sync filesystem operations which block the event loop
-   */
-  private initializeSync(): void {
-    // Ensure certificate store directory exists
-    try {
-      if (!fs.existsSync(this.certificateStoreDir)) {
-        fs.mkdirSync(this.certificateStoreDir, { recursive: true });
-        this.logger.info(`Created certificate store directory: ${this.certificateStoreDir}`);
-      }
-    } catch (error) {
-      this.logger.warn(`Failed to create certificate store directory: ${error}`);
-    }
-    
-    this.loadDefaultCertificates();
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Async initialization - preferred method
-   */
-  public async initialize(): Promise<void> {
-    if (this.initialized) return;
-    
-    // Ensure certificate store directory exists
-    try {
-      await AsyncFileSystem.ensureDir(this.certificateStoreDir);
-      this.logger.info(`Ensured certificate store directory: ${this.certificateStoreDir}`);
-    } catch (error) {
-      this.logger.warn(`Failed to create certificate store directory: ${error}`);
-    }
-    
-    await this.loadDefaultCertificatesAsync();
-    this.initialized = true;
-  }
-  
-  /**
-   * Loads default certificates from the filesystem
-   * @deprecated This uses sync filesystem operations which block the event loop
-   */
-  public loadDefaultCertificates(): void {
-    const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
-    const certPath = path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', '..', 'assets', 'certs');
-
-    try {
-      this.defaultCertificates = {
-        key: fs.readFileSync(path.join(certPath, 'key.pem'), 'utf8'),
-        cert: fs.readFileSync(path.join(certPath, 'cert.pem'), 'utf8')
-      };
-      this.logger.info('Loaded default certificates from filesystem (sync - deprecated)');
-    } catch (error) {
-      this.logger.error(`Failed to load default certificates: ${error}`);
-      this.generateSelfSignedCertificate();
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Loads default certificates from the filesystem asynchronously
-   */
-  public async loadDefaultCertificatesAsync(): Promise<void> {
-    const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
-    const certPath = path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', '..', 'assets', 'certs');
-
-    try {
-      const [key, cert] = await Promise.all([
-        AsyncFileSystem.readFile(path.join(certPath, 'key.pem')),
-        AsyncFileSystem.readFile(path.join(certPath, 'cert.pem'))
-      ]);
-      
-      this.defaultCertificates = { key, cert };
-      this.logger.info('Loaded default certificates from filesystem (async)');
-    } catch (error) {
-      this.logger.error(`Failed to load default certificates: ${error}`);
-      this.generateSelfSignedCertificate();
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Generates self-signed certificates as fallback
-   */
-  private generateSelfSignedCertificate(): void {
-    // Generate a self-signed certificate using forge or similar
-    // For now, just use a placeholder
-    const selfSignedCert = `-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
-MIIBkTCB+wIJAKHHIgIIA0/cMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBBQUAMA0xCzAJBgNVBAYTAlVT
-MB4XDTE0MDEwMTAwMDAwMFoXDTI0MDEwMTAwMDAwMFowDTELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMw
-gZ8wDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEBBQADgY0AMIGJAoGBAMRiH0VwnOH3jCV7c6JFZWYrvuqy
-----END CERTIFICATE-----`;
-    
-    const selfSignedKey = `-----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
-MIICdgIBADANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAASCAmAwggJcAgEAAoGBAMRiH0VwnOH3jCV7
-c6JFZWYrvuqyALCLXj0pcr1iqNdHjegNXnkl5zjdaUjq4edNOKl7M1AlFiYjG2xk
-----END PRIVATE KEY-----`;
-
-    this.defaultCertificates = {
-      key: selfSignedKey,
-      cert: selfSignedCert
-    };
-
-    this.logger.warn('Using self-signed certificate as fallback');
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Gets the default certificates
-   */
-  public getDefaultCertificates(): { key: string; cert: string } {
-    return this.defaultCertificates;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @deprecated Use SmartCertManager instead
-   */
-  public setExternalPort80Handler(handler: any): void {
-    this.logger.warn('setExternalPort80Handler is deprecated - use SmartCertManager instead');
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @deprecated Use SmartCertManager instead
-   */
-  public async updateRoutes(routes: IRouteConfig[]): Promise<void> {
-    this.logger.warn('updateRoutes is deprecated - use SmartCertManager instead');
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Handles SNI callback to provide appropriate certificate
-   */
-  public handleSNI(domain: string, cb: (err: Error | null, ctx: plugins.tls.SecureContext) => void): void {
-    const certificate = this.getCachedCertificate(domain);
-    
-    if (certificate) {
-      const context = plugins.tls.createSecureContext({
-        key: certificate.key,
-        cert: certificate.cert
-      });
-      cb(null, context);
-      return;
-    }
-    
-    // Use default certificate if no domain-specific certificate found
-    const defaultContext = plugins.tls.createSecureContext({
-      key: this.defaultCertificates.key,
-      cert: this.defaultCertificates.cert
-    });
-    cb(null, defaultContext);
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Updates a certificate in the cache
-   */
-  public updateCertificate(domain: string, cert: string, key: string): void {
-    this.certificateCache.set(domain, {
-      cert,
-      key,
-      expires: new Date(Date.now() + 90 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000) // 90 days
-    });
-    
-    this.logger.info(`Certificate updated for ${domain}`);
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Gets a cached certificate
-   */
-  private getCachedCertificate(domain: string): ICertificateEntry | null {
-    return this.certificateCache.get(domain) || null;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @deprecated Use SmartCertManager instead
-   */
-  public async initializePort80Handler(): Promise<any> {
-    this.logger.warn('initializePort80Handler is deprecated - use SmartCertManager instead');
-    return null;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @deprecated Use SmartCertManager instead
-   */
-  public async stopPort80Handler(): Promise<void> {
-    this.logger.warn('stopPort80Handler is deprecated - use SmartCertManager instead');
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @deprecated Use SmartCertManager instead
-   */
-  public registerDomainsWithPort80Handler(domains: string[]): void {
-    this.logger.warn('registerDomainsWithPort80Handler is deprecated - use SmartCertManager instead');
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * @deprecated Use SmartCertManager instead
-   */
-  public registerRoutesWithPort80Handler(routes: IRouteConfig[]): void {
-    this.logger.warn('registerRoutesWithPort80Handler is deprecated - use SmartCertManager instead');
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Sets the HTTPS server for certificate updates
-   */
-  public setHttpsServer(server: plugins.https.Server): void {
-    this.httpsServer = server;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Gets statistics for metrics
-   */
-  public getStats() {
-    return {
-      cachedCertificates: this.certificateCache.size,
-      defaultCertEnabled: true
-    };
-  }
-}
--- a/ts/proxies/http-proxy/default-certificates.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/http-proxy/default-certificates.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+import * as plugins from '../../plugins.js';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'url';
+import { AsyncFileSystem } from '../../core/utils/fs-utils.js';
+import type { ILogger, ICertificateEntry } from './models/types.js';
+
+/**
+ * Interface for default certificate data
+ */
+export interface IDefaultCertificates {
+  key: string;
+  cert: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Provides default SSL certificates for HttpProxy.
+ * This is a minimal replacement for the deprecated CertificateManager.
+ *
+ * For production certificate management, use SmartCertManager instead.
+ */
+export class DefaultCertificateProvider {
+  private defaultCertificates: IDefaultCertificates | null = null;
+  private certificateCache: Map<string, ICertificateEntry> = new Map();
+  private initialized = false;
+
+  constructor(private logger?: ILogger) {}
+
+  /**
+   * Load default certificates asynchronously (preferred)
+   */
+  public async loadDefaultCertificatesAsync(): Promise<IDefaultCertificates> {
+    if (this.defaultCertificates) {
+      return this.defaultCertificates;
+    }
+
+    const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+    const certPath = path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', '..', 'assets', 'certs');
+
+    try {
+      const [key, cert] = await Promise.all([
+        AsyncFileSystem.readFile(path.join(certPath, 'key.pem')),
+        AsyncFileSystem.readFile(path.join(certPath, 'cert.pem'))
+      ]);
+
+      this.defaultCertificates = { key, cert };
+      this.logger?.info?.('Loaded default certificates from filesystem');
+      this.initialized = true;
+      return this.defaultCertificates;
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger?.warn?.(`Failed to load default certificates: ${error}`);
+      this.defaultCertificates = this.generateFallbackCertificate();
+      this.initialized = true;
+      return this.defaultCertificates;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Load default certificates synchronously (for backward compatibility)
+   * @deprecated Use loadDefaultCertificatesAsync instead
+   */
+  public loadDefaultCertificatesSync(): IDefaultCertificates {
+    if (this.defaultCertificates) {
+      return this.defaultCertificates;
+    }
+
+    const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+    const certPath = path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', '..', 'assets', 'certs');
+
+    try {
+      this.defaultCertificates = {
+        key: fs.readFileSync(path.join(certPath, 'key.pem'), 'utf8'),
+        cert: fs.readFileSync(path.join(certPath, 'cert.pem'), 'utf8')
+      };
+      this.logger?.info?.('Loaded default certificates from filesystem (sync)');
+    } catch (error) {
+      this.logger?.warn?.(`Failed to load default certificates: ${error}`);
+      this.defaultCertificates = this.generateFallbackCertificate();
+    }
+
+    this.initialized = true;
+    return this.defaultCertificates;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the default certificates (loads synchronously if not already loaded)
+   */
+  public getDefaultCertificates(): IDefaultCertificates {
+    if (!this.defaultCertificates) {
+      return this.loadDefaultCertificatesSync();
+    }
+    return this.defaultCertificates;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Updates a certificate in the cache
+   */
+  public updateCertificate(domain: string, cert: string, key: string): void {
+    this.certificateCache.set(domain, {
+      cert,
+      key,
+      expires: new Date(Date.now() + 90 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000) // 90 days
+    });
+
+    this.logger?.info?.(`Certificate updated for ${domain}`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets a cached certificate
+   */
+  public getCachedCertificate(domain: string): ICertificateEntry | null {
+    return this.certificateCache.get(domain) || null;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets statistics for metrics
+   */
+  public getStats(): { cachedCertificates: number; defaultCertEnabled: boolean } {
+    return {
+      cachedCertificates: this.certificateCache.size,
+      defaultCertEnabled: this.defaultCertificates !== null
+    };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Generate a fallback self-signed certificate placeholder
+   * Note: This is just a placeholder - real apps should provide proper certificates
+   */
+  private generateFallbackCertificate(): IDefaultCertificates {
+    this.logger?.warn?.('Using fallback self-signed certificate placeholder');
+
+    // Minimal self-signed certificate for fallback only
+    // In production, proper certificates should be provided via SmartCertManager
+    const selfSignedCert = `-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
+MIIBkTCB+wIJAKHHIgIIA0/cMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBBQUAMA0xCzAJBgNVBAYTAlVT
+MB4XDTE0MDEwMTAwMDAwMFoXDTI0MDEwMTAwMDAwMFowDTELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMw
+gZ8wDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEBBQADgY0AMIGJAoGBAMRiH0VwnOH3jCV7c6JFZWYrvuqy
+-----END CERTIFICATE-----`;
+
+    const selfSignedKey = `-----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
+MIICdgIBADANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAASCAmAwggJcAgEAAoGBAMRiH0VwnOH3jCV7
+c6JFZWYrvuqyALCLXj0pcr1iqNdHjegNXnkl5zjdaUjq4edNOKl7M1AlFiYjG2xk
+-----END PRIVATE KEY-----`;
+
+    return {
+      key: selfSignedKey,
+      cert: selfSignedCert
+    };
+  }
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/http-proxy/http-proxy.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/http-proxy/http-proxy.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import type {
 import type { IRouteConfig } from '../smart-proxy/models/route-types.js';
 import type { IRouteContext, IHttpRouteContext } from '../../core/models/route-context.js';
 import { createBaseRouteContext } from '../../core/models/route-context.js';
-import { CertificateManager } from './certificate-manager.js';
+import { DefaultCertificateProvider } from './default-certificates.js';
 import { ConnectionPool } from './connection-pool.js';
 import { RequestHandler, type IMetricsTracker } from './request-handler.js';
 import { WebSocketHandler } from './websocket-handler.js';
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ export class HttpProxy implements IMetricsTracker {
  public httpsServer: plugins.http2.Http2SecureServer;

  // Core components
-  private certificateManager: CertificateManager;
+  private defaultCertProvider: DefaultCertificateProvider;
  private connectionPool: ConnectionPool;
  private requestHandler: RequestHandler;
  private webSocketHandler: WebSocketHandler;
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ export class HttpProxy implements IMetricsTracker {
    );

    // Initialize other components
-    this.certificateManager = new CertificateManager(this.options);
+    this.defaultCertProvider = new DefaultCertificateProvider(this.logger);
    this.connectionPool = new ConnectionPool(this.options);
    this.requestHandler = new RequestHandler(
      this.options,
@@ -237,10 +237,11 @@ export class HttpProxy implements IMetricsTracker {
    this.startTime = Date.now();
    
    // Create HTTP/2 server with HTTP/1 fallback
+    const defaultCerts = this.defaultCertProvider.getDefaultCertificates();
    this.httpsServer = plugins.http2.createSecureServer(
      {
-        key: this.certificateManager.getDefaultCertificates().key,
-        cert: this.certificateManager.getDefaultCertificates().cert,
+        key: defaultCerts.key,
+        cert: defaultCerts.cert,
        allowHTTP1: true,
        ALPNProtocols: ['h2', 'http/1.1']
      }
@@ -258,9 +259,6 @@ export class HttpProxy implements IMetricsTracker {
      this.requestHandler.handleRequest(req, res);
    });

-    // Share server with certificate manager for dynamic contexts
-    // Cast to https.Server as Http2SecureServer is compatible for certificate contexts
-    this.certificateManager.setHttpsServer(this.httpsServer as any);
    // Setup WebSocket support on HTTP/1 fallback
    this.webSocketHandler.initialize(this.httpsServer as any);
    // Start metrics logging
@@ -506,10 +504,6 @@ export class HttpProxy implements IMetricsTracker {
    this.requestHandler.securityManager.setRoutes(routes);
    this.routes = routes;

-    // Directly update the certificate manager with the new routes
-    // This will extract domains and handle certificate provisioning
-    this.certificateManager.updateRoutes(routes);
-
    // Collect all domains and certificates for configuration
    const currentHostnames = new Set<string>();
    const certificateUpdates = new Map<string, { cert: string, key: string }>();
@@ -548,7 +542,7 @@ export class HttpProxy implements IMetricsTracker {
    // Update certificate cache with any static certificates
    for (const [domain, certData] of certificateUpdates.entries()) {
      try {
-        this.certificateManager.updateCertificate(
+        this.defaultCertProvider.updateCertificate(
          domain,
          certData.cert,
          certData.key
@@ -663,7 +657,7 @@ export class HttpProxy implements IMetricsTracker {
    expiryDate?: Date
  ): void {
    this.logger.info(`Updating certificate for ${domain}`);
-    this.certificateManager.updateCertificate(domain, certificate, privateKey);
+    this.defaultCertProvider.updateCertificate(domain, certificate, privateKey);
  }

  /**
--- a/ts/proxies/http-proxy/index.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/http-proxy/index.ts
@@ -6,8 +6,13 @@ export * from './models/index.js';

 // Export HttpProxy and supporting classes
 export { HttpProxy } from './http-proxy.js';
-export { CertificateManager } from './certificate-manager.js';
+export { DefaultCertificateProvider } from './default-certificates.js';
 export { ConnectionPool } from './connection-pool.js';
 export { RequestHandler } from './request-handler.js';
 export type { IMetricsTracker, MetricsTracker } from './request-handler.js';
 export { WebSocketHandler } from './websocket-handler.js';
+
+/**
+ * @deprecated Use DefaultCertificateProvider instead. This alias is for backward compatibility.
+ */
+export { DefaultCertificateProvider as CertificateManager } from './default-certificates.js';
--- a/ts/proxies/http-proxy/security-manager.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/http-proxy/security-manager.ts
@@ -1,28 +1,40 @@
-import * as plugins from '../../plugins.js';
 import type { ILogger } from './models/types.js';
 import type { IRouteConfig } from '../smart-proxy/models/route-types.js';
 import type { IRouteContext } from '../../core/models/route-context.js';
+import {
+  isIPAuthorized,
+  normalizeIP,
+  parseBasicAuthHeader,
+  cleanupExpiredRateLimits,
+  type IRateLimitInfo
+} from '../../core/utils/security-utils.js';

 /**
- * Manages security features for the NetworkProxy
- * Implements Phase 5.4: Security features like IP filtering and rate limiting
+ * Manages security features for the HttpProxy
+ * Implements IP filtering, rate limiting, and authentication.
+ * Uses shared utilities from security-utils.ts.
 */
 export class SecurityManager {
  // Cache IP filtering results to avoid constant regex matching
  private ipFilterCache: Map<string, Map<string, boolean>> = new Map();
-  
+
  // Store rate limits per route and key
-  private rateLimits: Map<string, Map<string, { count: number, expiry: number }>> = new Map();
-  
+  private rateLimits: Map<string, Map<string, IRateLimitInfo>> = new Map();
+
  // Connection tracking by IP
  private connectionsByIP: Map<string, Set<string>> = new Map();
  private connectionRateByIP: Map<string, number[]> = new Map();
-  
-  constructor(private logger: ILogger, private routes: IRouteConfig[] = [], private maxConnectionsPerIP: number = 100, private connectionRateLimitPerMinute: number = 300) {
+
+  constructor(
+    private logger: ILogger,
+    private routes: IRouteConfig[] = [],
+    private maxConnectionsPerIP: number = 100,
+    private connectionRateLimitPerMinute: number = 300
+  ) {
    // Start periodic cleanup for connection tracking
    this.startPeriodicIpCleanup();
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Update the routes configuration
   */
@@ -31,10 +43,10 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    // Reset caches when routes change
    this.ipFilterCache.clear();
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check if a client is allowed to access a specific route
-   * 
+   *
   * @param route The route to check access for
   * @param context The route context with client information
   * @returns True if access is allowed, false otherwise
@@ -43,26 +55,26 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    if (!route.security) {
      return true; // No security restrictions
    }
-    
+
    // --- IP filtering ---
    if (!this.isIpAllowed(route, context.clientIp)) {
-      this.logger.debug(`IP ${context.clientIp} is blocked for route ${route.name || route.id || 'unnamed'}`);
+      this.logger.debug(`IP ${context.clientIp} is blocked for route ${route.name || 'unnamed'}`);
      return false;
    }
-    
+
    // --- Rate limiting ---
    if (route.security.rateLimit?.enabled && !this.isWithinRateLimit(route, context)) {
-      this.logger.debug(`Rate limit exceeded for route ${route.name || route.id || 'unnamed'}`);
+      this.logger.debug(`Rate limit exceeded for route ${route.name || 'unnamed'}`);
      return false;
    }
-    
+
    // --- Basic Auth (handled at HTTP level) ---
    // Basic auth is not checked here as it requires HTTP headers
    // and is handled in the RequestHandler
-    
+
    return true;
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check if an IP is allowed based on route security settings
   */
@@ -70,94 +82,32 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    if (!route.security) {
      return true; // No security restrictions
    }
-    
-    const routeId = route.id || route.name || 'unnamed';
-    
+
+    const routeId = route.name || 'unnamed';
+
    // Check cache first
    if (!this.ipFilterCache.has(routeId)) {
      this.ipFilterCache.set(routeId, new Map());
    }
-    
+
    const routeCache = this.ipFilterCache.get(routeId)!;
    if (routeCache.has(clientIp)) {
      return routeCache.get(clientIp)!;
    }
-    
-    let allowed = true;
-    
-    // Check block list first (deny has priority over allow)
-    if (route.security.ipBlockList && route.security.ipBlockList.length > 0) {
-      if (this.ipMatchesPattern(clientIp, route.security.ipBlockList)) {
-        allowed = false;
-      }
-    }
-    
-    // Then check allow list (overrides block list if specified)
-    if (route.security.ipAllowList && route.security.ipAllowList.length > 0) {
-      // If allow list is specified, IP must match an entry to be allowed
-      allowed = this.ipMatchesPattern(clientIp, route.security.ipAllowList);
-    }
-    
+
+    // Use shared utility for IP authorization
+    const allowed = isIPAuthorized(
+      clientIp,
+      route.security.ipAllowList,
+      route.security.ipBlockList
+    );
+
    // Cache the result
    routeCache.set(clientIp, allowed);
-    
+
    return allowed;
  }
-  
-  /**
-   * Check if IP matches any pattern in the list
-   */
-  private ipMatchesPattern(ip: string, patterns: string[]): boolean {
-    for (const pattern of patterns) {
-      // CIDR notation
-      if (pattern.includes('/')) {
-        if (this.ipMatchesCidr(ip, pattern)) {
-          return true;
-        }
-      } 
-      // Wildcard notation
-      else if (pattern.includes('*')) {
-        const regex = new RegExp('^' + pattern.replace(/\./g, '\\.').replace(/\*/g, '.*') + '$');
-        if (regex.test(ip)) {
-          return true;
-        }
-      }
-      // Exact match
-      else if (pattern === ip) {
-        return true;
-      }
-    }
-    return false;
-  }
-  
-  /**
-   * Check if IP matches CIDR notation
-   * Very basic implementation - for production use, consider a dedicated IP library
-   */
-  private ipMatchesCidr(ip: string, cidr: string): boolean {
-    try {
-      const [subnet, bits] = cidr.split('/');
-      const mask = parseInt(bits, 10);
-      
-      // Convert IP to numeric format
-      const ipParts = ip.split('.').map(part => parseInt(part, 10));
-      const subnetParts = subnet.split('.').map(part => parseInt(part, 10));
-      
-      // Calculate the numeric IP and subnet
-      const ipNum = (ipParts[0] << 24) | (ipParts[1] << 16) | (ipParts[2] << 8) | ipParts[3];
-      const subnetNum = (subnetParts[0] << 24) | (subnetParts[1] << 16) | (subnetParts[2] << 8) | subnetParts[3];
-      
-      // Calculate the mask
-      const maskNum = ~((1 << (32 - mask)) - 1);
-      
-      // Check if IP is in subnet
-      return (ipNum & maskNum) === (subnetNum & maskNum);
-    } catch (e) {
-      this.logger.error(`Invalid CIDR notation: ${cidr}`);
-      return false;
-    }
-  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check if request is within rate limit
   */
@@ -165,13 +115,13 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    if (!route.security?.rateLimit?.enabled) {
      return true;
    }
-    
+
    const rateLimit = route.security.rateLimit;
-    const routeId = route.id || route.name || 'unnamed';
-    
+    const routeId = route.name || 'unnamed';
+
    // Determine rate limit key (by IP, path, or header)
    let key = context.clientIp; // Default to IP
-    
+
    if (rateLimit.keyBy === 'path' && context.path) {
      key = `${context.clientIp}:${context.path}`;
    } else if (rateLimit.keyBy === 'header' && rateLimit.headerName && context.headers) {
@@ -180,15 +130,15 @@ export class SecurityManager {
        key = `${context.clientIp}:${headerValue}`;
      }
    }
-    
+
    // Get or create rate limit tracking for this route
    if (!this.rateLimits.has(routeId)) {
      this.rateLimits.set(routeId, new Map());
    }
-    
+
    const routeLimits = this.rateLimits.get(routeId)!;
    const now = Date.now();
-    
+
    // Get or create rate limit tracking for this key
    let limit = routeLimits.get(key);
    if (!limit || limit.expiry < now) {
@@ -200,37 +150,30 @@ export class SecurityManager {
      routeLimits.set(key, limit);
      return true;
    }
-    
+
    // Increment the counter
    limit.count++;
-    
+
    // Check if rate limit is exceeded
    return limit.count <= rateLimit.maxRequests;
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Clean up expired rate limits
   * Should be called periodically to prevent memory leaks
   */
  public cleanupExpiredRateLimits(): void {
-    const now = Date.now();
-    for (const [routeId, routeLimits] of this.rateLimits.entries()) {
-      let removed = 0;
-      for (const [key, limit] of routeLimits.entries()) {
-        if (limit.expiry < now) {
-          routeLimits.delete(key);
-          removed++;
-        }
-      }
-      if (removed > 0) {
-        this.logger.debug(`Cleaned up ${removed} expired rate limits for route ${routeId}`);
-      }
-    }
+    cleanupExpiredRateLimits(this.rateLimits, {
+      info: this.logger.info.bind(this.logger),
+      warn: this.logger.warn.bind(this.logger),
+      error: this.logger.error.bind(this.logger),
+      debug: this.logger.debug?.bind(this.logger)
+    });
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check basic auth credentials
-   * 
+   *
   * @param route The route to check auth for
   * @param username The provided username
   * @param password The provided password
@@ -240,22 +183,22 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    if (!route.security?.basicAuth?.enabled) {
      return true;
    }
-    
+
    const basicAuth = route.security.basicAuth;
-    
+
    // Check credentials against configured users
    for (const user of basicAuth.users) {
      if (user.username === username && user.password === password) {
        return true;
      }
    }
-    
+
    return false;
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Verify a JWT token
-   * 
+   *
   * @param route The route to verify the token for
   * @param token The JWT token to verify
   * @returns True if the token is valid, false otherwise
@@ -264,38 +207,37 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    if (!route.security?.jwtAuth?.enabled) {
      return true;
    }
-    
+
    try {
-      // This is a simplified version - in production you'd use a proper JWT library
      const jwtAuth = route.security.jwtAuth;
-      
+
      // Verify structure
      const parts = token.split('.');
      if (parts.length !== 3) {
        return false;
      }
-      
+
      // Decode payload
      const payload = JSON.parse(Buffer.from(parts[1], 'base64').toString());
-      
+
      // Check expiration
      if (payload.exp && payload.exp < Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000)) {
        return false;
      }
-      
+
      // Check issuer
      if (jwtAuth.issuer && payload.iss !== jwtAuth.issuer) {
        return false;
      }
-      
+
      // Check audience
      if (jwtAuth.audience && payload.aud !== jwtAuth.audience) {
        return false;
      }
-      
-      // In a real implementation, you'd also verify the signature
+
+      // Note: In a real implementation, you'd also verify the signature
      // using the secret and algorithm specified in jwtAuth
-      
+
      return true;
    } catch (err) {
      this.logger.error(`Error verifying JWT: ${err}`);
@@ -304,12 +246,20 @@ export class SecurityManager {
  }
  
  /**
-   * Get connections count by IP
+   * Get connections count by IP (checks normalized variants)
   */
  public getConnectionCountByIP(ip: string): number {
-    return this.connectionsByIP.get(ip)?.size || 0;
+    // Check all normalized variants of the IP
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      const connections = this.connectionsByIP.get(variant);
+      if (connections) {
+        return connections.size;
+      }
+    }
+    return 0;
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check and update connection rate for an IP
   * @returns true if within rate limit, false if exceeding limit
@@ -318,43 +268,73 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    const now = Date.now();
    const minute = 60 * 1000;

-    if (!this.connectionRateByIP.has(ip)) {
-      this.connectionRateByIP.set(ip, [now]);
+    // Find existing rate tracking (check normalized variants)
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+    let existingKey: string | null = null;
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      if (this.connectionRateByIP.has(variant)) {
+        existingKey = variant;
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+
+    const key = existingKey || ip;
+
+    if (!this.connectionRateByIP.has(key)) {
+      this.connectionRateByIP.set(key, [now]);
      return true;
    }

    // Get timestamps and filter out entries older than 1 minute
-    const timestamps = this.connectionRateByIP.get(ip)!.filter((time) => now - time < minute);
+    const timestamps = this.connectionRateByIP.get(key)!.filter((time) => now - time < minute);
    timestamps.push(now);
-    this.connectionRateByIP.set(ip, timestamps);
+    this.connectionRateByIP.set(key, timestamps);

    // Check if rate exceeds limit
    return timestamps.length <= this.connectionRateLimitPerMinute;
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Track connection by IP
   */
  public trackConnectionByIP(ip: string, connectionId: string): void {
-    if (!this.connectionsByIP.has(ip)) {
-      this.connectionsByIP.set(ip, new Set());
+    // Check if any variant already exists
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+    let existingKey: string | null = null;
+
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      if (this.connectionsByIP.has(variant)) {
+        existingKey = variant;
+        break;
+      }
    }
-    this.connectionsByIP.get(ip)!.add(connectionId);
+
+    const key = existingKey || ip;
+    if (!this.connectionsByIP.has(key)) {
+      this.connectionsByIP.set(key, new Set());
+    }
+    this.connectionsByIP.get(key)!.add(connectionId);
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Remove connection tracking for an IP
   */
  public removeConnectionByIP(ip: string, connectionId: string): void {
-    if (this.connectionsByIP.has(ip)) {
-      const connections = this.connectionsByIP.get(ip)!;
-      connections.delete(connectionId);
-      if (connections.size === 0) {
-        this.connectionsByIP.delete(ip);
+    // Check all variants to find where the connection is tracked
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      if (this.connectionsByIP.has(variant)) {
+        const connections = this.connectionsByIP.get(variant)!;
+        connections.delete(connectionId);
+        if (connections.size === 0) {
+          this.connectionsByIP.delete(variant);
+        }
+        break;
      }
    }
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check if IP should be allowed considering connection rate and max connections
   * @returns Object with result and reason
@@ -375,10 +355,10 @@ export class SecurityManager {
        reason: `Connection rate limit (${this.connectionRateLimitPerMinute}/min) exceeded`
      };
    }
-    
+
    return { allowed: true };
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Clears all IP tracking data (for shutdown)
   */
@@ -386,7 +366,7 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    this.connectionsByIP.clear();
    this.connectionRateByIP.clear();
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Start periodic cleanup of IP tracking data
   */
@@ -396,7 +376,7 @@ export class SecurityManager {
      this.performIpCleanup();
    }, 60000).unref();
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Perform cleanup of expired IP data
   */
@@ -405,11 +385,11 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    const minute = 60 * 1000;
    let cleanedRateLimits = 0;
    let cleanedIPs = 0;
-    
+
    // Clean up expired rate limit timestamps
    for (const [ip, timestamps] of this.connectionRateByIP.entries()) {
-      const validTimestamps = timestamps.filter(time => now - time < minute);
-      
+      const validTimestamps = timestamps.filter((time) => now - time < minute);
+
      if (validTimestamps.length === 0) {
        this.connectionRateByIP.delete(ip);
        cleanedRateLimits++;
@@ -417,7 +397,7 @@ export class SecurityManager {
        this.connectionRateByIP.set(ip, validTimestamps);
      }
    }
-    
+
    // Clean up IPs with no active connections
    for (const [ip, connections] of this.connectionsByIP.entries()) {
      if (connections.size === 0) {
@@ -425,7 +405,7 @@ export class SecurityManager {
        cleanedIPs++;
      }
    }
-    
+
    if (cleanedRateLimits > 0 || cleanedIPs > 0) {
      this.logger.debug(`IP cleanup: removed ${cleanedIPs} IPs and ${cleanedRateLimits} rate limits`);
    }
--- a/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/index.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/index.ts
@@ -3,3 +3,4 @@
 */
 export * from './nftables-proxy.js';
 export * from './models/index.js';
+export * from './utils/index.js';
--- a/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/nftables-proxy.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/nftables-proxy.ts
@@ -3,10 +3,8 @@ import { promisify } from 'util';
 import * as fs from 'fs';
 import * as path from 'path';
 import * as os from 'os';
-import { delay } from '../../core/utils/async-utils.js';
 import { AsyncFileSystem } from '../../core/utils/fs-utils.js';
 import {
-  NftBaseError,
  NftValidationError,
  NftExecutionError,
  NftResourceError
@@ -16,6 +14,12 @@ import type {
  NfTableProxyOptions,
  NfTablesStatus
 } from './models/index.js';
+import {
+  NftCommandExecutor,
+  normalizePortSpec,
+  validateSettings,
+  filterIPsByFamily
+} from './utils/index.js';

 const execAsync = promisify(exec);

@@ -44,11 +48,12 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
  private ruleTag: string;
  private tableName: string;
  private tempFilePath: string;
+  private executor: NftCommandExecutor;
  private static NFT_CMD = 'nft';

  constructor(settings: NfTableProxyOptions) {
    // Validate inputs to prevent command injection
-    this.validateSettings(settings);
+    validateSettings(settings);
    
    // Set default settings
    this.settings = {
@@ -74,6 +79,16 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    // Create a temp file path for batch operations
    this.tempFilePath = path.join(os.tmpdir(), `nft-rules-${Date.now()}.nft`);

+    // Create the command executor
+    this.executor = new NftCommandExecutor(
+      (level, message, data) => this.log(level, message, data),
+      {
+        maxRetries: this.settings.maxRetries,
+        retryDelayMs: this.settings.retryDelayMs,
+        tempFilePath: this.tempFilePath
+      }
+    );
+
    // Register cleanup handlers if deleteOnExit is true
    if (this.settings.deleteOnExit) {
      // Synchronous cleanup for 'exit' event (only sync code runs here)
@@ -104,183 +119,17 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    }
  }

-  /**
-   * Validates settings to prevent command injection and ensure valid values
-   */
-  private validateSettings(settings: NfTableProxyOptions): void {
-    // Validate port numbers
-    const validatePorts = (port: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>) => {
-      if (Array.isArray(port)) {
-        port.forEach(p => validatePorts(p));
-        return;
-      }
-      
-      if (typeof port === 'number') {
-        if (port < 1 || port > 65535) {
-          throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid port number: ${port}`);
-        }
-      } else if (typeof port === 'object') {
-        if (port.from < 1 || port.from > 65535 || port.to < 1 || port.to > 65535 || port.from > port.to) {
-          throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid port range: ${port.from}-${port.to}`);
-        }
-      }
-    };
-    
-    validatePorts(settings.fromPort);
-    validatePorts(settings.toPort);
-    
-    // Define regex patterns for validation
-    const ipRegex = /^(([0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|2[0-4][0-9]|25[0-5])\.){3}([0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|2[0-4][0-9]|25[0-5])(\/([0-9]|[1-2][0-9]|3[0-2]))?$/;
-    const ipv6Regex = /^(([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){7,7}[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,7}:|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,6}:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,5}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,2}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,4}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,3}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,3}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,4}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,2}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,5}|[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:((:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,6})|:((:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,7}|:)|fe80:(:[0-9a-fA-F]{0,4}){0,4}%[0-9a-zA-Z]{1,}|::(ffff(:0{1,4}){0,1}:){0,1}((25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9])\.){3,3}(25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9])|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,4}:((25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9])\.){3,3}(25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9]))(\/([0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|1[0-1][0-9]|12[0-8]))?$/;
-    
-    // Validate IP addresses
-    const validateIPs = (ips?: string[]) => {
-      if (!ips) return;
-      
-      for (const ip of ips) {
-        if (!ipRegex.test(ip) && !ipv6Regex.test(ip)) {
-          throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid IP address format: ${ip}`);
-        }
-      }
-    };
-    
-    validateIPs(settings.ipAllowList);
-    validateIPs(settings.ipBlockList);
-    
-    // Validate toHost - only allow hostnames or IPs
-    if (settings.toHost) {
-      const hostRegex = /^(([a-zA-Z0-9]|[a-zA-Z0-9][a-zA-Z0-9\-]*[a-zA-Z0-9])\.)*([A-Za-z0-9]|[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9\-]*[A-Za-z0-9])$/;
-      if (!hostRegex.test(settings.toHost) && !ipRegex.test(settings.toHost) && !ipv6Regex.test(settings.toHost)) {
-        throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid host format: ${settings.toHost}`);
-      }
-    }
-    
-    // Validate table name to prevent command injection
-    if (settings.tableName) {
-      const tableNameRegex = /^[a-zA-Z0-9_]+$/;
-      if (!tableNameRegex.test(settings.tableName)) {
-        throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid table name: ${settings.tableName}. Only alphanumeric characters and underscores are allowed.`);
-      }
-    }
-    
-    // Validate QoS settings if enabled
-    if (settings.qos?.enabled) {
-      if (settings.qos.maxRate) {
-        const rateRegex = /^[0-9]+[kKmMgG]?bps$/;
-        if (!rateRegex.test(settings.qos.maxRate)) {
-          throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid rate format: ${settings.qos.maxRate}. Use format like "10mbps", "1gbps", etc.`);
-        }
-      }
-      
-      if (settings.qos.priority !== undefined) {
-        if (settings.qos.priority < 1 || settings.qos.priority > 10 || !Number.isInteger(settings.qos.priority)) {
-          throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid priority: ${settings.qos.priority}. Must be an integer between 1 and 10.`);
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-  
-  /**
-   * Normalizes port specifications into an array of port ranges
-   */
-  private normalizePortSpec(portSpec: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>): PortRange[] {
-    const result: PortRange[] = [];
-    
-    if (Array.isArray(portSpec)) {
-      // If it's an array, process each element
-      for (const spec of portSpec) {
-        result.push(...this.normalizePortSpec(spec));
-      }
-    } else if (typeof portSpec === 'number') {
-      // Single port becomes a range with the same start and end
-      result.push({ from: portSpec, to: portSpec });
-    } else {
-      // Already a range
-      result.push(portSpec);
-    }
-    
-    return result;
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Execute a command with retry capability
-   */
-  private async executeWithRetry(command: string, maxRetries = 3, retryDelayMs = 1000): Promise<string> {
-    let lastError: Error | undefined;
-    
-    for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
-      try {
-        const { stdout } = await execAsync(command);
-        return stdout;
-      } catch (err) {
-        lastError = err;
-        this.log('warn', `Command failed (attempt ${i+1}/${maxRetries}): ${command}`, { error: err.message });
-        
-        // Wait before retry, unless it's the last attempt
-        if (i < maxRetries - 1) {
-          await delay(retryDelayMs);
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    
-    throw new NftExecutionError(`Failed after ${maxRetries} attempts: ${lastError?.message || 'Unknown error'}`);
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Execute system command synchronously (single attempt, no retry)
-   * Used only for exit handlers where the process is terminating anyway.
-   * For normal operations, use the async executeWithRetry method.
-   */
-  private executeSync(command: string): string {
-    try {
-      return execSync(command, { timeout: 5000 }).toString();
-    } catch (err) {
-      this.log('warn', `Sync command failed: ${command}`, { error: err.message });
-      throw err;
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Execute nftables commands with a temporary file
-   * This helper handles the common pattern of writing rules to a temp file,
-   * executing nftables with the file, and cleaning up
-   */
-  private async executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent: string): Promise<void> {
-    await AsyncFileSystem.writeFile(this.tempFilePath, rulesetContent);
-    
-    try {
-      await this.executeWithRetry(
-        `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} -f ${this.tempFilePath}`,
-        this.settings.maxRetries,
-        this.settings.retryDelayMs
-      );
-    } finally {
-      // Always clean up the temp file
-      await AsyncFileSystem.remove(this.tempFilePath);
-    }
-  }
-
  /**
   * Checks if nftables is available and the required modules are loaded
   */
  private async checkNftablesAvailability(): Promise<boolean> {
-    try {
-      await this.executeWithRetry(`${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} --version`, this.settings.maxRetries, this.settings.retryDelayMs);
-      
-      // Check for conntrack support if we're using advanced NAT
-      if (this.settings.useAdvancedNAT) {
-        try {
-          await this.executeWithRetry('lsmod | grep nf_conntrack', this.settings.maxRetries, this.settings.retryDelayMs);
-        } catch (err) {
-          this.log('warn', 'Connection tracking modules might not be loaded, advanced NAT features may not work');
-        }
-      }
-      
-      return true;
-    } catch (err) {
-      this.log('error', `nftables is not available: ${err.message}`);
-      return false;
+    const available = await this.executor.checkAvailability();
+
+    if (available && this.settings.useAdvancedNAT) {
+      await this.executor.checkConntrackModules();
    }
+
+    return available;
  }

  /**
@@ -291,7 +140,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    
    try {
      // Check if the table already exists
-      const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry(
+      const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
        `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list tables ${family}`,
        this.settings.maxRetries,
        this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -301,7 +150,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {

      if (!tableExists) {
        // Create the table
-        await this.executeWithRetry(
+        await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add table ${family} ${this.tableName}`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -310,7 +159,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        this.log('info', `Created table ${family} ${this.tableName}`);
        
        // Create the nat chain for the prerouting hook
-        await this.executeWithRetry(
+        await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add chain ${family} ${this.tableName} nat_prerouting { type nat hook prerouting priority -100 ; }`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -320,7 +169,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        
        // Create the nat chain for the postrouting hook if not preserving source IP
        if (!this.settings.preserveSourceIP) {
-          await this.executeWithRetry(
+          await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add chain ${family} ${this.tableName} nat_postrouting { type nat hook postrouting priority 100 ; }`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -331,7 +180,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        
        // Create the chain for NetworkProxy integration if needed
        if (this.settings.netProxyIntegration?.enabled && this.settings.netProxyIntegration.redirectLocalhost) {
-          await this.executeWithRetry(
+          await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add chain ${family} ${this.tableName} nat_output { type nat hook output priority 0 ; }`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -342,7 +191,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        
        // Create the QoS chain if needed
        if (this.settings.qos?.enabled) {
-          await this.executeWithRetry(
+          await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add chain ${family} ${this.tableName} qos_forward { type filter hook forward priority 0 ; }`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -372,11 +221,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
  ): Promise<boolean> {
    try {
      // Filter IPs based on family
-      const filteredIPs = ips.filter(ip => {
-        if (family === 'ip6' && ip.includes(':')) return true;
-        if (family === 'ip' && ip.includes('.')) return true;
-        return false;
-      });
+      const filteredIPs = filterIPsByFamily(ips, family as 'ip' | 'ip6');
      
      if (filteredIPs.length === 0) {
        this.log('info', `No IP addresses of type ${setType} to add to set ${setName}`);
@@ -385,7 +230,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      
      // Check if set already exists
      try {
-        const sets = await this.executeWithRetry(
+        const sets = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list sets ${family} ${this.tableName}`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -395,7 +240,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
          this.log('info', `IP set ${setName} already exists, will add elements`);
        } else {
          // Create the set
-          await this.executeWithRetry(
+          await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add set ${family} ${this.tableName} ${setName} { type ${setType}; }`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -405,7 +250,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        }
      } catch (err) {
        // Set might not exist yet, create it
-        await this.executeWithRetry(
+        await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add set ${family} ${this.tableName} ${setName} { type ${setType}; }`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -420,7 +265,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        const batch = filteredIPs.slice(i, i + batchSize);
        const elements = batch.join(', ');
        
-        await this.executeWithRetry(
+        await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} add element ${family} ${this.tableName} ${setName} { ${elements} }`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -563,7 +408,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      // Only write and apply if we have rules to add
      if (rulesetContent) {
        // Apply the ruleset using the helper
-        await this.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
+        await this.executor.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
        
        this.log('info', `Added source IP filter rules for ${family}`);
        
@@ -593,7 +438,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
   * Gets a comma-separated list of all ports from a port specification
   */
  private getAllPorts(portSpec: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>): string {
-    const portRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(portSpec);
+    const portRanges = normalizePortSpec(portSpec);
    const ports: string[] = [];
    
    for (const range of portRanges) {
@@ -620,8 +465,8 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    
    try {
      // Get the port ranges
-      const fromPortRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
-      const toPortRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
+      const fromPortRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
+      const toPortRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
      
      let rulesetContent = '';
      
@@ -670,7 +515,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        
        // Apply the rules if we have any
        if (rulesetContent) {
-          await this.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
+          await this.executor.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
          
          this.log('info', `Added advanced NAT rules for ${family}`);
          
@@ -708,8 +553,8 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    
    try {
      // Normalize port specifications
-      const fromPortRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
-      const toPortRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
+      const fromPortRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
+      const toPortRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
      
      // Handle the case where fromPort and toPort counts don't match
      if (fromPortRanges.length !== toPortRanges.length) {
@@ -815,7 +660,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      // Apply the ruleset if we have any rules
      if (rulesetContent) {
        // Apply the ruleset using the helper
-        await this.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
+        await this.executor.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
        
        this.log('info', `Added port forwarding rules for ${family}`);
        
@@ -919,7 +764,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      
      // Apply the ruleset if we have any rules
      if (rulesetContent) {
-        await this.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
+        await this.executor.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
        
        this.log('info', `Added port forwarding rules for ${family}`);
        
@@ -972,7 +817,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      // Add priority marking if specified
      if (this.settings.qos.priority !== undefined) {
        // Check if the chain exists
-        const chainsOutput = await this.executeWithRetry(
+        const chainsOutput = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list chains ${family} ${this.tableName}`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -988,7 +833,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        }
        
        // Add the rules to mark packets with this priority
-        for (const range of this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort)) {
+        for (const range of normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort)) {
          const markRule = `add rule ${family} ${this.tableName} ${qosChain} ${this.settings.protocol} dport ${range.from}-${range.to} counter goto prio${this.settings.qos.priority} comment "${this.ruleTag}:QOS_PRIORITY"`;
          rulesetContent += `${markRule}\n`;
          
@@ -1005,7 +850,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      // Apply the ruleset if we have any rules
      if (rulesetContent) {
        // Apply the ruleset using the helper
-        await this.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
+        await this.executor.executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent);
        
        this.log('info', `Added QoS rules for ${family}`);
        
@@ -1048,7 +893,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        const rule = `add rule ${family} ${this.tableName} ${outputChain} ${this.settings.protocol} daddr ${localhost} redirect to :${netProxyConfig.sslTerminationPort} comment "${this.ruleTag}:NETPROXY_REDIRECT"`;
        
        // Apply the rule
-        await this.executeWithRetry(
+        await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} ${rule}`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1091,7 +936,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      const commentTag = commentMatch[1];
      
      // List the chain to check if our rule is there
-      const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry(
+      const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
        `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list chain ${tableFamily} ${tableName} ${chainName}`,
        this.settings.maxRetries,
        this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1127,7 +972,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        try {
          // For nftables, create a delete rule by replacing 'add' with 'delete'
          const deleteRule = rule.ruleContents.replace('add rule', 'delete rule');
-          await this.executeWithRetry(
+          await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} ${deleteRule}`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1149,7 +994,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
   */
  private async tableExists(family: string, tableName: string): Promise<boolean> {
    try {
-      const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry(
+      const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
        `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list tables ${family}`,
        this.settings.maxRetries,
        this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1178,7 +1023,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    try {
      // Try to get connection metrics if conntrack is available
      try {
-        const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry('conntrack -C', this.settings.maxRetries, this.settings.retryDelayMs);
+        const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry('conntrack -C', this.settings.maxRetries, this.settings.retryDelayMs);
        metrics.activeConnections = parseInt(stdout.trim(), 10);
      } catch (err) {
        // conntrack not available, skip this metric
@@ -1187,7 +1032,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      // Try to get forwarded connections count from nftables counters
      try {
        // Look for counters in our rules
-        const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry(
+        const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list table ip ${this.tableName}`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1238,7 +1083,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    try {
      for (const family of ['ip', 'ip6']) {
        try {
-          const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry(
+          const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list sets ${family} ${this.tableName}`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1290,7 +1135,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    
    try {
      // Get list of configured tables
-      const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry(
+      const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
        `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list tables`,
        this.settings.maxRetries,
        this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1396,8 +1241,8 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
    // Port forwarding rules
    if (this.settings.useAdvancedNAT) {
      // Advanced NAT with connection tracking
-      const fromPortRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
-      const toPortRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
+      const fromPortRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
+      const toPortRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
      
      if (fromPortRanges.length === 1 && toPortRanges.length === 1) {
        const fromRange = fromPortRanges[0];
@@ -1413,8 +1258,8 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      }
    } else {
      // Standard NAT rules
-      const fromRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
-      const toRanges = this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
+      const fromRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.fromPort);
+      const toRanges = normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort);
      
      if (fromRanges.length === 1 && toRanges.length === 1) {
        const fromRange = fromRanges[0];
@@ -1460,7 +1305,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
      if (this.settings.qos.priority !== undefined) {
        commands.push(`add chain ip ${this.tableName} prio${this.settings.qos.priority} { type filter hook forward priority ${this.settings.qos.priority * 10}; }`);
        
-        for (const range of this.normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort)) {
+        for (const range of normalizePortSpec(this.settings.toPort)) {
          commands.push(`add rule ip ${this.tableName} qos_forward ${this.settings.protocol} dport ${range.from}-${range.to} counter goto prio${this.settings.qos.priority} comment "${this.ruleTag}:QOS_PRIORITY"`);
        }
      }
@@ -1586,7 +1431,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        
        try {
          // Apply the ruleset
-          await this.executeWithRetry(
+          await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} -f ${this.tempFilePath}`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1611,7 +1456,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
          const [family, setName] = key.split(':');
          
          try {
-            await this.executeWithRetry(
+            await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
              `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} delete set ${family} ${this.tableName} ${setName}`,
              this.settings.maxRetries,
              this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1661,7 +1506,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        fs.writeFileSync(this.tempFilePath, rulesetContent);

        // Apply the ruleset (single attempt, no retry - process is exiting)
-        this.executeSync(`${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} -f ${this.tempFilePath}`);
+        this.executor.executeSync(`${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} -f ${this.tempFilePath}`);

        this.log('info', 'Removed all added rules');

@@ -1685,7 +1530,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
          const [family, setName] = key.split(':');

          try {
-            this.executeSync(
+            this.executor.executeSync(
              `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} delete set ${family} ${this.tableName} ${setName}`
            );
          } catch {
@@ -1722,7 +1567,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        }
        
        // Check if the table has any rules
-        const stdout = await this.executeWithRetry(
+        const stdout = await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list table ${family} ${this.tableName}`,
          this.settings.maxRetries,
          this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1732,7 +1577,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        
        if (!hasRules) {
          // Table is empty, delete it
-          await this.executeWithRetry(
+          await this.executor.executeWithRetry(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} delete table ${family} ${this.tableName}`,
            this.settings.maxRetries,
            this.settings.retryDelayMs
@@ -1759,7 +1604,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {

      try {
        // Check if table exists
-        const tableExistsOutput = this.executeSync(
+        const tableExistsOutput = this.executor.executeSync(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list tables ${family}`
        );

@@ -1770,7 +1615,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {
        }

        // Check if the table has any rules
-        const stdout = this.executeSync(
+        const stdout = this.executor.executeSync(
          `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} list table ${family} ${this.tableName}`
        );

@@ -1778,7 +1623,7 @@ export class NfTablesProxy {

        if (!hasRules) {
          // Table is empty, delete it
-          this.executeSync(
+          this.executor.executeSync(
            `${NfTablesProxy.NFT_CMD} delete table ${family} ${this.tableName}`
          );

--- a/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/index.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+/**
+ * NFTables Proxy Utilities
+ *
+ * This module exports utility functions and classes for NFTables operations.
+ */
+
+// Command execution
+export { NftCommandExecutor } from './nft-command-executor.js';
+export type { INftLoggerFn, INftExecutorOptions } from './nft-command-executor.js';
+
+// Port specification normalization
+export {
+  normalizePortSpec,
+  validatePorts,
+  formatPortRange,
+  portSpecToNftExpr,
+  rangesOverlap,
+  mergeOverlappingRanges,
+  countPorts,
+  isPortInSpec
+} from './nft-port-spec-normalizer.js';
+
+// Rule validation
+export {
+  isValidIP,
+  isValidIPv4,
+  isValidIPv6,
+  isValidHostname,
+  isValidTableName,
+  isValidRate,
+  validateIPs,
+  validateHost,
+  validateTableName,
+  validateQosSettings,
+  validateSettings,
+  isIPForFamily,
+  filterIPsByFamily
+} from './nft-rule-validator.js';
--- a/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/nft-command-executor.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/nft-command-executor.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+/**
+ * NFTables Command Executor
+ *
+ * Handles command execution with retry logic, temp file management,
+ * and error handling for nftables operations.
+ */
+
+import { exec, execSync } from 'child_process';
+import { promisify } from 'util';
+import { delay } from '../../../core/utils/async-utils.js';
+import { AsyncFileSystem } from '../../../core/utils/fs-utils.js';
+import { NftExecutionError } from '../models/index.js';
+
+const execAsync = promisify(exec);
+
+export interface INftLoggerFn {
+  (level: 'info' | 'warn' | 'error' | 'debug', message: string, data?: Record<string, any>): void;
+}
+
+export interface INftExecutorOptions {
+  maxRetries?: number;
+  retryDelayMs?: number;
+  tempFilePath?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * NFTables command executor with retry logic and temp file support
+ */
+export class NftCommandExecutor {
+  private static readonly NFT_CMD = 'nft';
+  private maxRetries: number;
+  private retryDelayMs: number;
+  private tempFilePath: string;
+
+  constructor(
+    private log: INftLoggerFn,
+    options: INftExecutorOptions = {}
+  ) {
+    this.maxRetries = options.maxRetries || 3;
+    this.retryDelayMs = options.retryDelayMs || 1000;
+    this.tempFilePath = options.tempFilePath || `/tmp/nft-rules-${Date.now()}.nft`;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Execute a command with retry capability
+   */
+  async executeWithRetry(command: string, maxRetries?: number, retryDelayMs?: number): Promise<string> {
+    const retries = maxRetries ?? this.maxRetries;
+    const delayMs = retryDelayMs ?? this.retryDelayMs;
+    let lastError: Error | undefined;
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < retries; i++) {
+      try {
+        const { stdout } = await execAsync(command);
+        return stdout;
+      } catch (err) {
+        lastError = err as Error;
+        this.log('warn', `Command failed (attempt ${i+1}/${retries}): ${command}`, { error: lastError.message });
+
+        // Wait before retry, unless it's the last attempt
+        if (i < retries - 1) {
+          await delay(delayMs);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    throw new NftExecutionError(`Failed after ${retries} attempts: ${lastError?.message || 'Unknown error'}`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Execute system command synchronously (single attempt, no retry)
+   * Used only for exit handlers where the process is terminating anyway.
+   */
+  executeSync(command: string): string {
+    try {
+      return execSync(command, { timeout: 5000 }).toString();
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.log('warn', `Sync command failed: ${command}`, { error: (err as Error).message });
+      throw err;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Execute nftables commands with a temporary file
+   */
+  async executeWithTempFile(rulesetContent: string): Promise<void> {
+    await AsyncFileSystem.writeFile(this.tempFilePath, rulesetContent);
+
+    try {
+      await this.executeWithRetry(
+        `${NftCommandExecutor.NFT_CMD} -f ${this.tempFilePath}`,
+        this.maxRetries,
+        this.retryDelayMs
+      );
+    } finally {
+      // Always clean up the temp file
+      await AsyncFileSystem.remove(this.tempFilePath);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Check if nftables is available
+   */
+  async checkAvailability(): Promise<boolean> {
+    try {
+      await this.executeWithRetry(`${NftCommandExecutor.NFT_CMD} --version`, this.maxRetries, this.retryDelayMs);
+      return true;
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.log('error', `nftables is not available: ${(err as Error).message}`);
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Check if connection tracking modules are loaded
+   */
+  async checkConntrackModules(): Promise<boolean> {
+    try {
+      await this.executeWithRetry('lsmod | grep nf_conntrack', this.maxRetries, this.retryDelayMs);
+      return true;
+    } catch (err) {
+      this.log('warn', 'Connection tracking modules might not be loaded, advanced NAT features may not work');
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Run an nft command directly
+   */
+  async nft(args: string): Promise<string> {
+    return this.executeWithRetry(`${NftCommandExecutor.NFT_CMD} ${args}`, this.maxRetries, this.retryDelayMs);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Run an nft command synchronously (for cleanup on exit)
+   */
+  nftSync(args: string): string {
+    return this.executeSync(`${NftCommandExecutor.NFT_CMD} ${args}`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get the NFT command path
+   */
+  static get nftCmd(): string {
+    return NftCommandExecutor.NFT_CMD;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Update the temp file path
+   */
+  setTempFilePath(path: string): void {
+    this.tempFilePath = path;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Update retry settings
+   */
+  setRetryOptions(maxRetries: number, retryDelayMs: number): void {
+    this.maxRetries = maxRetries;
+    this.retryDelayMs = retryDelayMs;
+  }
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/nft-port-spec-normalizer.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/nft-port-spec-normalizer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+/**
+ * NFTables Port Specification Normalizer
+ *
+ * Handles normalization and validation of port specifications
+ * for nftables rules.
+ */
+
+import type { PortRange } from '../models/index.js';
+import { NftValidationError } from '../models/index.js';
+
+/**
+ * Normalizes port specifications into an array of port ranges
+ */
+export function normalizePortSpec(portSpec: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>): PortRange[] {
+  const result: PortRange[] = [];
+
+  if (Array.isArray(portSpec)) {
+    // If it's an array, process each element
+    for (const spec of portSpec) {
+      result.push(...normalizePortSpec(spec));
+    }
+  } else if (typeof portSpec === 'number') {
+    // Single port becomes a range with the same start and end
+    result.push({ from: portSpec, to: portSpec });
+  } else {
+    // Already a range
+    result.push(portSpec);
+  }
+
+  return result;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates port numbers or ranges
+ */
+export function validatePorts(port: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>): void {
+  if (Array.isArray(port)) {
+    port.forEach(p => validatePorts(p));
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (typeof port === 'number') {
+    if (port < 1 || port > 65535) {
+      throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid port number: ${port}`);
+    }
+  } else if (typeof port === 'object') {
+    if (port.from < 1 || port.from > 65535 || port.to < 1 || port.to > 65535 || port.from > port.to) {
+      throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid port range: ${port.from}-${port.to}`);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Format port range for nftables rule
+ */
+export function formatPortRange(range: PortRange): string {
+  if (range.from === range.to) {
+    return String(range.from);
+  }
+  return `${range.from}-${range.to}`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Convert port spec to nftables expression
+ */
+export function portSpecToNftExpr(portSpec: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>): string {
+  const ranges = normalizePortSpec(portSpec);
+
+  if (ranges.length === 1) {
+    return formatPortRange(ranges[0]);
+  }
+
+  // Multiple ports/ranges need to use a set
+  const ports = ranges.map(formatPortRange);
+  return `{ ${ports.join(', ')} }`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if two port ranges overlap
+ */
+export function rangesOverlap(range1: PortRange, range2: PortRange): boolean {
+  return range1.from <= range2.to && range2.from <= range1.to;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Merge overlapping port ranges
+ */
+export function mergeOverlappingRanges(ranges: PortRange[]): PortRange[] {
+  if (ranges.length <= 1) return ranges;
+
+  // Sort by start port
+  const sorted = [...ranges].sort((a, b) => a.from - b.from);
+  const merged: PortRange[] = [sorted[0]];
+
+  for (let i = 1; i < sorted.length; i++) {
+    const current = sorted[i];
+    const lastMerged = merged[merged.length - 1];
+
+    if (current.from <= lastMerged.to + 1) {
+      // Ranges overlap or are adjacent, merge them
+      lastMerged.to = Math.max(lastMerged.to, current.to);
+    } else {
+      // No overlap, add as new range
+      merged.push(current);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return merged;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Calculate the total number of ports in a port specification
+ */
+export function countPorts(portSpec: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>): number {
+  const ranges = normalizePortSpec(portSpec);
+  return ranges.reduce((total, range) => total + (range.to - range.from + 1), 0);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if a port is within the given specification
+ */
+export function isPortInSpec(port: number, portSpec: number | PortRange | Array<number | PortRange>): boolean {
+  const ranges = normalizePortSpec(portSpec);
+  return ranges.some(range => port >= range.from && port <= range.to);
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/nft-rule-validator.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/nftables-proxy/utils/nft-rule-validator.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+/**
+ * NFTables Rule Validator
+ *
+ * Handles validation of settings and inputs for nftables operations.
+ * Prevents command injection and ensures valid values.
+ */
+
+import type { PortRange, NfTableProxyOptions } from '../models/index.js';
+import { NftValidationError } from '../models/index.js';
+import { validatePorts } from './nft-port-spec-normalizer.js';
+
+// IP address validation patterns
+const IPV4_REGEX = /^(([0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|2[0-4][0-9]|25[0-5])\.){3}([0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|1[0-9]{2}|2[0-4][0-9]|25[0-5])(\/([0-9]|[1-2][0-9]|3[0-2]))?$/;
+const IPV6_REGEX = /^(([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){7,7}[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,7}:|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,6}:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,5}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,2}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,4}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,3}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,3}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,4}|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,2}(:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,5}|[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:((:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,6})|:((:[0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}){1,7}|:)|fe80:(:[0-9a-fA-F]{0,4}){0,4}%[0-9a-zA-Z]{1,}|::(ffff(:0{1,4}){0,1}:){0,1}((25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9])\.){3,3}(25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9])|([0-9a-fA-F]{1,4}:){1,4}:((25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9])\.){3,3}(25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1{0,1}[0-9]){0,1}[0-9]))(\/([0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|1[0-1][0-9]|12[0-8]))?$/;
+const HOSTNAME_REGEX = /^(([a-zA-Z0-9]|[a-zA-Z0-9][a-zA-Z0-9\-]*[a-zA-Z0-9])\.)*([A-Za-z0-9]|[A-Za-z0-9][A-Za-z0-9\-]*[A-Za-z0-9])$/;
+const TABLE_NAME_REGEX = /^[a-zA-Z0-9_]+$/;
+const RATE_REGEX = /^[0-9]+[kKmMgG]?bps$/;
+
+/**
+ * Validates an IP address (IPv4 or IPv6)
+ */
+export function isValidIP(ip: string): boolean {
+  return IPV4_REGEX.test(ip) || IPV6_REGEX.test(ip);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates an IPv4 address
+ */
+export function isValidIPv4(ip: string): boolean {
+  return IPV4_REGEX.test(ip);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates an IPv6 address
+ */
+export function isValidIPv6(ip: string): boolean {
+  return IPV6_REGEX.test(ip);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates a hostname
+ */
+export function isValidHostname(hostname: string): boolean {
+  return HOSTNAME_REGEX.test(hostname);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates a table name for nftables
+ */
+export function isValidTableName(tableName: string): boolean {
+  return TABLE_NAME_REGEX.test(tableName);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates a rate specification (e.g., "10mbps")
+ */
+export function isValidRate(rate: string): boolean {
+  return RATE_REGEX.test(rate);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates an array of IP addresses
+ */
+export function validateIPs(ips?: string[]): void {
+  if (!ips) return;
+
+  for (const ip of ips) {
+    if (!isValidIP(ip)) {
+      throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid IP address format: ${ip}`);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates a host (can be hostname or IP)
+ */
+export function validateHost(host?: string): void {
+  if (!host) return;
+
+  if (!isValidHostname(host) && !isValidIP(host)) {
+    throw new NftValidationError(`Invalid host format: ${host}`);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates a table name
+ */
+export function validateTableName(tableName?: string): void {
+  if (!tableName) return;
+
+  if (!isValidTableName(tableName)) {
+    throw new NftValidationError(
+      `Invalid table name: ${tableName}. Only alphanumeric characters and underscores are allowed.`
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates QoS settings
+ */
+export function validateQosSettings(qos?: NfTableProxyOptions['qos']): void {
+  if (!qos?.enabled) return;
+
+  if (qos.maxRate && !isValidRate(qos.maxRate)) {
+    throw new NftValidationError(
+      `Invalid rate format: ${qos.maxRate}. Use format like "10mbps", "1gbps", etc.`
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (qos.priority !== undefined) {
+    if (qos.priority < 1 || qos.priority > 10 || !Number.isInteger(qos.priority)) {
+      throw new NftValidationError(
+        `Invalid priority: ${qos.priority}. Must be an integer between 1 and 10.`
+      );
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates all NfTablesProxy settings
+ */
+export function validateSettings(settings: NfTableProxyOptions): void {
+  // Validate port numbers
+  validatePorts(settings.fromPort);
+  validatePorts(settings.toPort);
+
+  // Validate IP addresses
+  validateIPs(settings.ipAllowList);
+  validateIPs(settings.ipBlockList);
+
+  // Validate target host
+  validateHost(settings.toHost);
+
+  // Validate table name
+  validateTableName(settings.tableName);
+
+  // Validate QoS settings
+  validateQosSettings(settings.qos);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if an IP matches the given family (ip or ip6)
+ */
+export function isIPForFamily(ip: string, family: 'ip' | 'ip6'): boolean {
+  if (family === 'ip6') {
+    return ip.includes(':');
+  }
+  return ip.includes('.');
+}
+
+/**
+ * Filter IPs by family
+ */
+export function filterIPsByFamily(ips: string[], family: 'ip' | 'ip6'): string[] {
+  return ips.filter(ip => isIPForFamily(ip, family));
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/security-manager.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/security-manager.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 import * as plugins from '../../plugins.js';
 import type { SmartProxy } from './smart-proxy.js';
-import { logger } from '../../core/utils/logger.js';
 import { connectionLogDeduplicator } from '../../core/utils/log-deduplicator.js';
+import { isIPAuthorized, normalizeIP } from '../../core/utils/security-utils.js';

 /**
 * Handles security aspects like IP tracking, rate limiting, and authorization
+ * for SmartProxy. This is a lightweight wrapper that uses shared utilities.
 */
 export class SecurityManager {
  private connectionsByIP: Map<string, Set<string>> = new Map();
@@ -15,14 +16,22 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    // Start periodic cleanup every 60 seconds
    this.startPeriodicCleanup();
  }
-  
+
  /**
-   * Get connections count by IP
+   * Get connections count by IP (checks normalized variants)
   */
  public getConnectionCountByIP(ip: string): number {
-    return this.connectionsByIP.get(ip)?.size || 0;
+    // Check all normalized variants of the IP
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      const connections = this.connectionsByIP.get(variant);
+      if (connections) {
+        return connections.size;
+      }
+    }
+    return 0;
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check and update connection rate for an IP
   * @returns true if within rate limit, false if exceeding limit
@@ -31,43 +40,73 @@ export class SecurityManager {
    const now = Date.now();
    const minute = 60 * 1000;

-    if (!this.connectionRateByIP.has(ip)) {
-      this.connectionRateByIP.set(ip, [now]);
+    // Find existing rate tracking (check normalized variants)
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+    let existingKey: string | null = null;
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      if (this.connectionRateByIP.has(variant)) {
+        existingKey = variant;
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+
+    const key = existingKey || ip;
+
+    if (!this.connectionRateByIP.has(key)) {
+      this.connectionRateByIP.set(key, [now]);
      return true;
    }

    // Get timestamps and filter out entries older than 1 minute
-    const timestamps = this.connectionRateByIP.get(ip)!.filter((time) => now - time < minute);
+    const timestamps = this.connectionRateByIP.get(key)!.filter((time) => now - time < minute);
    timestamps.push(now);
-    this.connectionRateByIP.set(ip, timestamps);
+    this.connectionRateByIP.set(key, timestamps);

    // Check if rate exceeds limit
    return timestamps.length <= this.smartProxy.settings.connectionRateLimitPerMinute!;
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Track connection by IP
   */
  public trackConnectionByIP(ip: string, connectionId: string): void {
-    if (!this.connectionsByIP.has(ip)) {
-      this.connectionsByIP.set(ip, new Set());
+    // Check if any variant already exists
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+    let existingKey: string | null = null;
+
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      if (this.connectionsByIP.has(variant)) {
+        existingKey = variant;
+        break;
+      }
    }
-    this.connectionsByIP.get(ip)!.add(connectionId);
+
+    const key = existingKey || ip;
+    if (!this.connectionsByIP.has(key)) {
+      this.connectionsByIP.set(key, new Set());
+    }
+    this.connectionsByIP.get(key)!.add(connectionId);
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Remove connection tracking for an IP
   */
  public removeConnectionByIP(ip: string, connectionId: string): void {
-    if (this.connectionsByIP.has(ip)) {
-      const connections = this.connectionsByIP.get(ip)!;
-      connections.delete(connectionId);
-      if (connections.size === 0) {
-        this.connectionsByIP.delete(ip);
+    // Check all variants to find where the connection is tracked
+    const variants = normalizeIP(ip);
+
+    for (const variant of variants) {
+      if (this.connectionsByIP.has(variant)) {
+        const connections = this.connectionsByIP.get(variant)!;
+        connections.delete(connectionId);
+        if (connections.size === 0) {
+          this.connectionsByIP.delete(variant);
+        }
+        break;
      }
    }
  }
-  
+
  /**
   * Check if an IP is authorized using security rules
   *
@@ -81,71 +120,7 @@ export class SecurityManager {
   * @returns true if IP is authorized, false if blocked
   */
  public isIPAuthorized(ip: string, allowedIPs: string[], blockedIPs: string[] = []): boolean {
-    // Skip IP validation if allowedIPs is empty
-    if (!ip || (allowedIPs.length === 0 && blockedIPs.length === 0)) {
-      return true;
-    }
-
-    // First check if IP is blocked - blocked IPs take precedence
-    if (blockedIPs.length > 0 && this.isGlobIPMatch(ip, blockedIPs)) {
-      return false;
-    }
-
-    // Then check if IP is allowed
-    return this.isGlobIPMatch(ip, allowedIPs);
-  }
-  
-  /**
-   * Check if the IP matches any of the glob patterns from security configuration
-   *
-   * This method checks IP addresses against glob patterns and handles IPv4/IPv6 normalization.
-   * It's used to implement IP filtering based on the route.security configuration.
-   *
-   * @param ip - The IP address to check
-   * @param patterns - Array of glob patterns from security.ipAllowList or ipBlockList
-   * @returns true if IP matches any pattern, false otherwise
-   */
-  private isGlobIPMatch(ip: string, patterns: string[]): boolean {
-    if (!ip || !patterns || patterns.length === 0) return false;
-
-    // Handle IPv4/IPv6 normalization for proper matching
-    const normalizeIP = (ip: string): string[] => {
-      if (!ip) return [];
-      // Handle IPv4-mapped IPv6 addresses (::ffff:127.0.0.1)
-      if (ip.startsWith('::ffff:')) {
-        const ipv4 = ip.slice(7);
-        return [ip, ipv4];
-      }
-      // Handle IPv4 addresses by also checking IPv4-mapped form
-      if (/^\d{1,3}(\.\d{1,3}){3}$/.test(ip)) {
-        return [ip, `::ffff:${ip}`];
-      }
-      return [ip];
-    };
-
-    // Normalize the IP being checked
-    const normalizedIPVariants = normalizeIP(ip);
-    if (normalizedIPVariants.length === 0) return false;
-
-    // Expand shorthand patterns and normalize IPs for consistent comparison
-    const expandShorthand = (pattern: string): string => {
-      // Expand shorthand IP patterns like '192.168.*' to '192.168.*.*'
-      if (pattern.includes('*') && !pattern.includes(':')) {
-        const parts = pattern.split('.');
-        while (parts.length < 4) {
-          parts.push('*');
-        }
-        return parts.join('.');
-      }
-      return pattern;
-    };
-    
-    const expandedPatterns = patterns.map(expandShorthand).flatMap(normalizeIP);
-
-    // Check for any match between normalized IP variants and patterns
-    return normalizedIPVariants.some((ipVariant) =>
-      expandedPatterns.some((pattern) => plugins.minimatch(ipVariant, pattern))
-    );
+    return isIPAuthorized(ip, allowedIPs, blockedIPs);
  }
  
  /**
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers.ts
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/api-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/api-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+/**
+ * API Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating API route configurations.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig, IRouteMatch, IRouteAction } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+import { mergeRouteConfigs } from '../route-utils.js';
+import { createHttpRoute } from './http-helpers.js';
+import { createHttpsTerminateRoute } from './https-helpers.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create an API route configuration
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param apiPath API base path (e.g., "/api")
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createApiRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  apiPath: string,
+  target: { host: string | string[]; port: number },
+  options: {
+    useTls?: boolean;
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    addCorsHeaders?: boolean;
+    httpPort?: number | number[];
+    httpsPort?: number | number[];
+    name?: string;
+    [key: string]: any;
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Normalize API path
+  const normalizedPath = apiPath.startsWith('/') ? apiPath : `/${apiPath}`;
+  const pathWithWildcard = normalizedPath.endsWith('/')
+    ? `${normalizedPath}*`
+    : `${normalizedPath}/*`;
+
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.useTls
+      ? (options.httpsPort || 443)
+      : (options.httpPort || 80),
+    domains,
+    path: pathWithWildcard
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [target]
+  };
+
+  // Add TLS configuration if using HTTPS
+  if (options.useTls) {
+    action.tls = {
+      mode: 'terminate',
+      certificate: options.certificate || 'auto'
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Add CORS headers if requested
+  const headers: Record<string, Record<string, string>> = {};
+  if (options.addCorsHeaders) {
+    headers.response = {
+      'Access-Control-Allow-Origin': '*',
+      'Access-Control-Allow-Methods': 'GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, OPTIONS',
+      'Access-Control-Allow-Headers': 'Content-Type, Authorization',
+      'Access-Control-Max-Age': '86400'
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    headers: Object.keys(headers).length > 0 ? headers : undefined,
+    name: options.name || `API Route ${normalizedPath} for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`,
+    priority: options.priority || 100, // Higher priority for specific path matches
+    ...options
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create an API Gateway route pattern
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param apiBasePath Base path for API endpoints (e.g., '/api')
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns API route configuration
+ */
+export function createApiGatewayRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  apiBasePath: string,
+  target: { host: string | string[]; port: number },
+  options: {
+    useTls?: boolean;
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    addCorsHeaders?: boolean;
+    [key: string]: any;
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Normalize apiBasePath to ensure it starts with / and doesn't end with /
+  const normalizedPath = apiBasePath.startsWith('/')
+    ? apiBasePath
+    : `/${apiBasePath}`;
+
+  // Add wildcard to path to match all API endpoints
+  const apiPath = normalizedPath.endsWith('/')
+    ? `${normalizedPath}*`
+    : `${normalizedPath}/*`;
+
+  // Create base route
+  const baseRoute = options.useTls
+    ? createHttpsTerminateRoute(domains, target, {
+        certificate: options.certificate || 'auto'
+      })
+    : createHttpRoute(domains, target);
+
+  // Add API-specific configurations
+  const apiRoute: Partial<IRouteConfig> = {
+    match: {
+      ...baseRoute.match,
+      path: apiPath
+    },
+    name: options.name || `API Gateway: ${apiPath} -> ${Array.isArray(target.host) ? target.host.join(', ') : target.host}:${target.port}`,
+    priority: options.priority || 100 // Higher priority for specific path matching
+  };
+
+  // Add CORS headers if requested
+  if (options.addCorsHeaders) {
+    apiRoute.headers = {
+      response: {
+        'Access-Control-Allow-Origin': '*',
+        'Access-Control-Allow-Methods': 'GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, OPTIONS',
+        'Access-Control-Allow-Headers': 'Content-Type, Authorization',
+        'Access-Control-Max-Age': '86400'
+      }
+    };
+  }
+
+  return mergeRouteConfigs(baseRoute, apiRoute);
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/dynamic-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/dynamic-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+/**
+ * Dynamic Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating dynamic routes
+ * with context-based host and port mapping.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig, IRouteMatch, IRouteAction, TPortRange, IRouteContext } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create a helper function that applies a port offset
+ * @param offset The offset to apply to the matched port
+ * @returns A function that adds the offset to the matched port
+ */
+export function createPortOffset(offset: number): (context: IRouteContext) => number {
+  return (context: IRouteContext) => context.port + offset;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a port mapping route with context-based port function
+ * @param options Port mapping route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createPortMappingRoute(options: {
+  sourcePortRange: TPortRange;
+  targetHost: string | string[] | ((context: IRouteContext) => string | string[]);
+  portMapper: (context: IRouteContext) => number;
+  name?: string;
+  domains?: string | string[];
+  priority?: number;
+  [key: string]: any;
+}): IRouteConfig {
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.sourcePortRange,
+    domains: options.domains
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [{
+      host: options.targetHost,
+      port: options.portMapper
+    }]
+  };
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: options.name || `Port Mapping Route for ${options.domains || 'all domains'}`,
+    priority: options.priority,
+    ...options
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a simple offset port mapping route
+ * @param options Offset port mapping route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createOffsetPortMappingRoute(options: {
+  ports: TPortRange;
+  targetHost: string | string[];
+  offset: number;
+  name?: string;
+  domains?: string | string[];
+  priority?: number;
+  [key: string]: any;
+}): IRouteConfig {
+  return createPortMappingRoute({
+    sourcePortRange: options.ports,
+    targetHost: options.targetHost,
+    portMapper: (context) => context.port + options.offset,
+    name: options.name || `Offset Mapping (${options.offset > 0 ? '+' : ''}${options.offset}) for ${options.domains || 'all domains'}`,
+    domains: options.domains,
+    priority: options.priority,
+    ...options
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a dynamic route with context-based host and port mapping
+ * @param options Dynamic route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createDynamicRoute(options: {
+  ports: TPortRange;
+  targetHost: (context: IRouteContext) => string | string[];
+  portMapper: (context: IRouteContext) => number;
+  name?: string;
+  domains?: string | string[];
+  path?: string;
+  clientIp?: string[];
+  priority?: number;
+  [key: string]: any;
+}): IRouteConfig {
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.ports,
+    domains: options.domains,
+    path: options.path,
+    clientIp: options.clientIp
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [{
+      host: options.targetHost,
+      port: options.portMapper
+    }]
+  };
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: options.name || `Dynamic Route for ${options.domains || 'all domains'}`,
+    priority: options.priority,
+    ...options
+  };
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/http-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/http-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/**
+ * HTTP Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating HTTP route configurations.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig, IRouteMatch, IRouteAction } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create an HTTP-only route configuration
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createHttpRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  target: { host: string | string[]; port: number },
+  options: Partial<IRouteConfig> = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.match?.ports || 80,
+    domains
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [target]
+  };
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: options.name || `HTTP Route for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`,
+    ...options
+  };
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/https-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/https-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+/**
+ * HTTPS Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating HTTPS route configurations
+ * including TLS termination and passthrough routes.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig, IRouteMatch, IRouteAction } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+import { SocketHandlers } from './socket-handlers.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create an HTTPS route with TLS termination
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createHttpsTerminateRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  target: { host: string | string[]; port: number },
+  options: {
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    httpPort?: number | number[];
+    httpsPort?: number | number[];
+    reencrypt?: boolean;
+    name?: string;
+    [key: string]: any;
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.httpsPort || 443,
+    domains
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [target],
+    tls: {
+      mode: options.reencrypt ? 'terminate-and-reencrypt' : 'terminate',
+      certificate: options.certificate || 'auto'
+    }
+  };
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: options.name || `HTTPS Route for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`,
+    ...options
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create an HTTP to HTTPS redirect route
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param httpsPort HTTPS port to redirect to (default: 443)
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createHttpToHttpsRedirect(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  httpsPort: number = 443,
+  options: Partial<IRouteConfig> = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.match?.ports || 80,
+    domains
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'socket-handler',
+    socketHandler: SocketHandlers.httpRedirect(`https://{domain}:${httpsPort}{path}`, 301)
+  };
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: options.name || `HTTP to HTTPS Redirect for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`,
+    ...options
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create an HTTPS passthrough route (SNI-based forwarding without TLS termination)
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createHttpsPassthroughRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  target: { host: string | string[]; port: number },
+  options: Partial<IRouteConfig> = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.match?.ports || 443,
+    domains
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [target],
+    tls: {
+      mode: 'passthrough'
+    }
+  };
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: options.name || `HTTPS Passthrough for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`,
+    ...options
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a complete HTTPS server with HTTP to HTTPS redirects
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional configuration options
+ * @returns Array of two route configurations (HTTPS and HTTP redirect)
+ */
+export function createCompleteHttpsServer(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  target: { host: string | string[]; port: number },
+  options: {
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    httpPort?: number | number[];
+    httpsPort?: number | number[];
+    reencrypt?: boolean;
+    name?: string;
+    [key: string]: any;
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig[] {
+  // Create the HTTPS route
+  const httpsRoute = createHttpsTerminateRoute(domains, target, options);
+
+  // Create the HTTP redirect route
+  const httpRedirectRoute = createHttpToHttpsRedirect(
+    domains,
+    // Extract the HTTPS port from the HTTPS route - ensure it's a number
+    typeof options.httpsPort === 'number' ? options.httpsPort :
+      Array.isArray(options.httpsPort) ? options.httpsPort[0] : 443,
+    {
+      // Set the HTTP port
+      match: {
+        ports: options.httpPort || 80,
+        domains
+      },
+      name: `HTTP to HTTPS Redirect for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`
+    }
+  );
+
+  return [httpsRoute, httpRedirectRoute];
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/index.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/**
+ * Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating route configurations for common scenarios.
+ * These functions aim to simplify the creation of route configurations for typical use cases.
+ *
+ * This barrel file re-exports all helper functions for backwards compatibility.
+ */
+
+// HTTP helpers
+export { createHttpRoute } from './http-helpers.js';
+
+// HTTPS helpers
+export {
+  createHttpsTerminateRoute,
+  createHttpToHttpsRedirect,
+  createHttpsPassthroughRoute,
+  createCompleteHttpsServer
+} from './https-helpers.js';
+
+// WebSocket helpers
+export { createWebSocketRoute } from './websocket-helpers.js';
+
+// Load balancer helpers
+export {
+  createLoadBalancerRoute,
+  createSmartLoadBalancer
+} from './load-balancer-helpers.js';
+
+// NFTables helpers
+export {
+  createNfTablesRoute,
+  createNfTablesTerminateRoute,
+  createCompleteNfTablesHttpsServer
+} from './nftables-helpers.js';
+
+// Dynamic routing helpers
+export {
+  createPortOffset,
+  createPortMappingRoute,
+  createOffsetPortMappingRoute,
+  createDynamicRoute
+} from './dynamic-helpers.js';
+
+// API helpers
+export {
+  createApiRoute,
+  createApiGatewayRoute
+} from './api-helpers.js';
+
+// Security helpers
+export {
+  addRateLimiting,
+  addBasicAuth,
+  addJwtAuth
+} from './security-helpers.js';
+
+// Socket handlers
+export {
+  SocketHandlers,
+  createSocketHandlerRoute
+} from './socket-handlers.js';
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/load-balancer-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/load-balancer-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+/**
+ * Load Balancer Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating load balancer route configurations.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig, IRouteMatch, IRouteAction, IRouteTarget, TPortRange, IRouteContext } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create a load balancer route (round-robin between multiple backend hosts)
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param backendsOrHosts Array of backend servers OR array of host strings (legacy)
+ * @param portOrOptions Port number (legacy) OR options object
+ * @param options Additional route options (legacy)
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createLoadBalancerRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  backendsOrHosts: Array<{ host: string; port: number }> | string[],
+  portOrOptions?: number | {
+    tls?: {
+      mode: 'passthrough' | 'terminate' | 'terminate-and-reencrypt';
+      certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    };
+    useTls?: boolean;
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    algorithm?: 'round-robin' | 'least-connections' | 'ip-hash';
+    healthCheck?: {
+      path: string;
+      interval: number;
+      timeout: number;
+      unhealthyThreshold: number;
+      healthyThreshold: number;
+    };
+    [key: string]: any;
+  },
+  options?: {
+    tls?: {
+      mode: 'passthrough' | 'terminate' | 'terminate-and-reencrypt';
+      certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    };
+    [key: string]: any;
+  }
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Handle legacy signature: (domains, hosts[], port, options)
+  let backends: Array<{ host: string; port: number }>;
+  let finalOptions: any;
+
+  if (Array.isArray(backendsOrHosts) && backendsOrHosts.length > 0 && typeof backendsOrHosts[0] === 'string') {
+    // Legacy signature
+    const hosts = backendsOrHosts as string[];
+    const port = portOrOptions as number;
+    backends = hosts.map(host => ({ host, port }));
+    finalOptions = options || {};
+  } else {
+    // New signature
+    backends = backendsOrHosts as Array<{ host: string; port: number }>;
+    finalOptions = (portOrOptions as any) || {};
+  }
+
+  // Extract hosts and ensure all backends use the same port
+  const port = backends[0].port;
+  const hosts = backends.map(backend => backend.host);
+
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: finalOptions.match?.ports || (finalOptions.tls || finalOptions.useTls ? 443 : 80),
+    domains
+  };
+
+  // Create route target
+  const target: IRouteTarget = {
+    host: hosts,
+    port
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [target]
+  };
+
+  // Add TLS configuration if provided
+  if (finalOptions.tls || finalOptions.useTls) {
+    action.tls = {
+      mode: finalOptions.tls?.mode || 'terminate',
+      certificate: finalOptions.tls?.certificate || finalOptions.certificate || 'auto'
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Add load balancing options
+  if (finalOptions.algorithm || finalOptions.healthCheck) {
+    action.loadBalancing = {
+      algorithm: finalOptions.algorithm || 'round-robin',
+      healthCheck: finalOptions.healthCheck
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: finalOptions.name || `Load Balancer for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`,
+    ...finalOptions
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a smart load balancer with dynamic domain-based backend selection
+ * @param options Smart load balancer options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createSmartLoadBalancer(options: {
+  ports: TPortRange;
+  domainTargets: Record<string, string | string[]>;
+  portMapper: (context: IRouteContext) => number;
+  name?: string;
+  defaultTarget?: string | string[];
+  priority?: number;
+  [key: string]: any;
+}): IRouteConfig {
+  // Extract all domain keys to create the match criteria
+  const domains = Object.keys(options.domainTargets);
+
+  // Create the smart host selector function
+  const hostSelector = (context: IRouteContext) => {
+    const domain = context.domain || '';
+    return options.domainTargets[domain] || options.defaultTarget || 'localhost';
+  };
+
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: options.ports,
+    domains
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [{
+      host: hostSelector,
+      port: options.portMapper
+    }]
+  };
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: options.name || `Smart Load Balancer for ${domains.join(', ')}`,
+    priority: options.priority,
+    ...options
+  };
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/nftables-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/nftables-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+/**
+ * NFTables Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating NFTables-based route configurations
+ * for high-performance packet forwarding at the kernel level.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig, IRouteMatch, IRouteAction, TPortRange } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+import { createHttpToHttpsRedirect } from './https-helpers.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create an NFTables-based route for high-performance packet forwarding
+ * @param nameOrDomains Name or domain(s) to match
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createNfTablesRoute(
+  nameOrDomains: string | string[],
+  target: { host: string; port: number | 'preserve' },
+  options: {
+    ports?: TPortRange;
+    protocol?: 'tcp' | 'udp' | 'all';
+    preserveSourceIP?: boolean;
+    ipAllowList?: string[];
+    ipBlockList?: string[];
+    maxRate?: string;
+    priority?: number;
+    useTls?: boolean;
+    tableName?: string;
+    useIPSets?: boolean;
+    useAdvancedNAT?: boolean;
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Determine if this is a name or domain
+  let name: string;
+  let domains: string | string[] | undefined;
+
+  if (Array.isArray(nameOrDomains) || (typeof nameOrDomains === 'string' && nameOrDomains.includes('.'))) {
+    domains = nameOrDomains;
+    name = Array.isArray(nameOrDomains) ? nameOrDomains[0] : nameOrDomains;
+  } else {
+    name = nameOrDomains;
+    domains = undefined; // No domains
+  }
+
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    domains,
+    ports: options.ports || 80
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [{
+      host: target.host,
+      port: target.port
+    }],
+    forwardingEngine: 'nftables',
+    nftables: {
+      protocol: options.protocol || 'tcp',
+      preserveSourceIP: options.preserveSourceIP,
+      maxRate: options.maxRate,
+      priority: options.priority,
+      tableName: options.tableName,
+      useIPSets: options.useIPSets,
+      useAdvancedNAT: options.useAdvancedNAT
+    }
+  };
+
+  // Add TLS options if needed
+  if (options.useTls) {
+    action.tls = {
+      mode: 'passthrough'
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Create the route config
+  const routeConfig: IRouteConfig = {
+    name,
+    match,
+    action
+  };
+
+  // Add security if allowed or blocked IPs are specified
+  if (options.ipAllowList?.length || options.ipBlockList?.length) {
+    routeConfig.security = {
+      ipAllowList: options.ipAllowList,
+      ipBlockList: options.ipBlockList
+    };
+  }
+
+  return routeConfig;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create an NFTables-based TLS termination route
+ * @param nameOrDomains Name or domain(s) to match
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createNfTablesTerminateRoute(
+  nameOrDomains: string | string[],
+  target: { host: string; port: number | 'preserve' },
+  options: {
+    ports?: TPortRange;
+    protocol?: 'tcp' | 'udp' | 'all';
+    preserveSourceIP?: boolean;
+    ipAllowList?: string[];
+    ipBlockList?: string[];
+    maxRate?: string;
+    priority?: number;
+    tableName?: string;
+    useIPSets?: boolean;
+    useAdvancedNAT?: boolean;
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Create basic NFTables route
+  const route = createNfTablesRoute(
+    nameOrDomains,
+    target,
+    {
+      ...options,
+      ports: options.ports || 443,
+      useTls: false
+    }
+  );
+
+  // Set TLS termination
+  route.action.tls = {
+    mode: 'terminate',
+    certificate: options.certificate || 'auto'
+  };
+
+  return route;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a complete NFTables-based HTTPS setup with HTTP redirect
+ * @param nameOrDomains Name or domain(s) to match
+ * @param target Target host and port
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Array of two route configurations (HTTPS and HTTP redirect)
+ */
+export function createCompleteNfTablesHttpsServer(
+  nameOrDomains: string | string[],
+  target: { host: string; port: number | 'preserve' },
+  options: {
+    httpPort?: TPortRange;
+    httpsPort?: TPortRange;
+    protocol?: 'tcp' | 'udp' | 'all';
+    preserveSourceIP?: boolean;
+    ipAllowList?: string[];
+    ipBlockList?: string[];
+    maxRate?: string;
+    priority?: number;
+    tableName?: string;
+    useIPSets?: boolean;
+    useAdvancedNAT?: boolean;
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig[] {
+  // Create the HTTPS route using NFTables
+  const httpsRoute = createNfTablesTerminateRoute(
+    nameOrDomains,
+    target,
+    {
+      ...options,
+      ports: options.httpsPort || 443
+    }
+  );
+
+  // Determine the domain(s) for HTTP redirect
+  const domains = typeof nameOrDomains === 'string' && !nameOrDomains.includes('.')
+    ? undefined
+    : nameOrDomains;
+
+  // Extract the HTTPS port for the redirect destination
+  const httpsPort = typeof options.httpsPort === 'number'
+    ? options.httpsPort
+    : Array.isArray(options.httpsPort) && typeof options.httpsPort[0] === 'number'
+      ? options.httpsPort[0]
+      : 443;
+
+  // Create the HTTP redirect route (this uses standard forwarding, not NFTables)
+  const httpRedirectRoute = createHttpToHttpsRedirect(
+    domains as any, // Type cast needed since domains can be undefined now
+    httpsPort,
+    {
+      match: {
+        ports: options.httpPort || 80,
+        domains: domains as any // Type cast needed since domains can be undefined now
+      },
+      name: `HTTP to HTTPS Redirect for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains || 'all domains'}`
+    }
+  );
+
+  return [httpsRoute, httpRedirectRoute];
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/security-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/security-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+/**
+ * Security Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for adding security features to routes.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+import { mergeRouteConfigs } from '../route-utils.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create a rate limiting route pattern
+ * @param baseRoute Base route to add rate limiting to
+ * @param rateLimit Rate limiting configuration
+ * @returns Route with rate limiting
+ */
+export function addRateLimiting(
+  baseRoute: IRouteConfig,
+  rateLimit: {
+    maxRequests: number;
+    window: number; // Time window in seconds
+    keyBy?: 'ip' | 'path' | 'header';
+    headerName?: string; // Required if keyBy is 'header'
+    errorMessage?: string;
+  }
+): IRouteConfig {
+  return mergeRouteConfigs(baseRoute, {
+    security: {
+      rateLimit: {
+        enabled: true,
+        maxRequests: rateLimit.maxRequests,
+        window: rateLimit.window,
+        keyBy: rateLimit.keyBy || 'ip',
+        headerName: rateLimit.headerName,
+        errorMessage: rateLimit.errorMessage || 'Rate limit exceeded. Please try again later.'
+      }
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a basic authentication route pattern
+ * @param baseRoute Base route to add authentication to
+ * @param auth Authentication configuration
+ * @returns Route with basic authentication
+ */
+export function addBasicAuth(
+  baseRoute: IRouteConfig,
+  auth: {
+    users: Array<{ username: string; password: string }>;
+    realm?: string;
+    excludePaths?: string[];
+  }
+): IRouteConfig {
+  return mergeRouteConfigs(baseRoute, {
+    security: {
+      basicAuth: {
+        enabled: true,
+        users: auth.users,
+        realm: auth.realm || 'Restricted Area',
+        excludePaths: auth.excludePaths || []
+      }
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Create a JWT authentication route pattern
+ * @param baseRoute Base route to add JWT authentication to
+ * @param jwt JWT authentication configuration
+ * @returns Route with JWT authentication
+ */
+export function addJwtAuth(
+  baseRoute: IRouteConfig,
+  jwt: {
+    secret: string;
+    algorithm?: string;
+    issuer?: string;
+    audience?: string;
+    expiresIn?: number; // Time in seconds
+    excludePaths?: string[];
+  }
+): IRouteConfig {
+  return mergeRouteConfigs(baseRoute, {
+    security: {
+      jwtAuth: {
+        enabled: true,
+        secret: jwt.secret,
+        algorithm: jwt.algorithm || 'HS256',
+        issuer: jwt.issuer,
+        audience: jwt.audience,
+        expiresIn: jwt.expiresIn,
+        excludePaths: jwt.excludePaths || []
+      }
+    }
+  });
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/socket-handlers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/socket-handlers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,337 @@
+/**
+ * Socket Handler Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides pre-built socket handlers for common use cases
+ * like echoing, proxying, HTTP responses, and redirects.
+ */
+
+import * as plugins from '../../../../plugins.js';
+import type { IRouteConfig, TPortRange, IRouteContext } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+import { ProtocolDetector } from '../../../../detection/index.js';
+import { createSocketTracker } from '../../../../core/utils/socket-tracker.js';
+
+/**
+ * Pre-built socket handlers for common use cases
+ */
+export const SocketHandlers = {
+  /**
+   * Simple echo server handler
+   */
+  echo: (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    socket.write('ECHO SERVER READY\n');
+    socket.on('data', data => socket.write(data));
+  },
+
+  /**
+   * TCP proxy handler
+   */
+  proxy: (targetHost: string, targetPort: number) => (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    const target = plugins.net.connect(targetPort, targetHost);
+    socket.pipe(target);
+    target.pipe(socket);
+    socket.on('close', () => target.destroy());
+    target.on('close', () => socket.destroy());
+    target.on('error', (err) => {
+      console.error('Proxy target error:', err);
+      socket.destroy();
+    });
+  },
+
+  /**
+   * Line-based protocol handler
+   */
+  lineProtocol: (handler: (line: string, socket: plugins.net.Socket) => void) => (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    let buffer = '';
+    socket.on('data', (data) => {
+      buffer += data.toString();
+      const lines = buffer.split('\n');
+      buffer = lines.pop() || '';
+      lines.forEach(line => {
+        if (line.trim()) {
+          handler(line.trim(), socket);
+        }
+      });
+    });
+  },
+
+  /**
+   * Simple HTTP response handler (for testing)
+   */
+  httpResponse: (statusCode: number, body: string) => (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    const response = [
+      `HTTP/1.1 ${statusCode} ${statusCode === 200 ? 'OK' : 'Error'}`,
+      'Content-Type: text/plain',
+      `Content-Length: ${body.length}`,
+      'Connection: close',
+      '',
+      body
+    ].join('\r\n');
+
+    socket.write(response);
+    socket.end();
+  },
+
+  /**
+   * Block connection immediately
+   */
+  block: (message?: string) => (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    const finalMessage = message || `Connection blocked from ${context.clientIp}`;
+    if (finalMessage) {
+      socket.write(finalMessage);
+    }
+    socket.end();
+  },
+
+  /**
+   * HTTP block response
+   */
+  httpBlock: (statusCode: number = 403, message?: string) => (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    const defaultMessage = `Access forbidden for ${context.domain || context.clientIp}`;
+    const finalMessage = message || defaultMessage;
+
+    const response = [
+      `HTTP/1.1 ${statusCode} ${finalMessage}`,
+      'Content-Type: text/plain',
+      `Content-Length: ${finalMessage.length}`,
+      'Connection: close',
+      '',
+      finalMessage
+    ].join('\r\n');
+
+    socket.write(response);
+    socket.end();
+  },
+
+  /**
+   * HTTP redirect handler
+   * Uses the centralized detection module for HTTP parsing
+   */
+  httpRedirect: (locationTemplate: string, statusCode: number = 301) => (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    const tracker = createSocketTracker(socket);
+    const connectionId = ProtocolDetector.createConnectionId({
+      socketId: context.connectionId || `${Date.now()}-${Math.random()}`
+    });
+
+    const handleData = async (data: Buffer) => {
+      // Use detection module for parsing
+      const detectionResult = await ProtocolDetector.detectWithConnectionTracking(
+        data,
+        connectionId,
+        { extractFullHeaders: false } // We only need method and path
+      );
+
+      if (detectionResult.protocol === 'http' && detectionResult.connectionInfo.path) {
+        const method = detectionResult.connectionInfo.method || 'GET';
+        const path = detectionResult.connectionInfo.path || '/';
+
+        const domain = context.domain || 'localhost';
+        const port = context.port;
+
+        let finalLocation = locationTemplate
+          .replace('{domain}', domain)
+          .replace('{port}', String(port))
+          .replace('{path}', path)
+          .replace('{clientIp}', context.clientIp);
+
+        const message = `Redirecting to ${finalLocation}`;
+        const response = [
+          `HTTP/1.1 ${statusCode} ${statusCode === 301 ? 'Moved Permanently' : 'Found'}`,
+          `Location: ${finalLocation}`,
+          'Content-Type: text/plain',
+          `Content-Length: ${message.length}`,
+          'Connection: close',
+          '',
+          message
+        ].join('\r\n');
+
+        socket.write(response);
+      } else {
+        // Not a valid HTTP request, close connection
+        socket.write('HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n');
+      }
+
+      socket.end();
+      // Clean up detection state
+      ProtocolDetector.cleanupConnections();
+      // Clean up all tracked resources
+      tracker.cleanup();
+    };
+
+    // Use tracker to manage the listener
+    socket.once('data', handleData);
+
+    tracker.addListener('error', (err) => {
+      tracker.safeDestroy(err);
+    });
+
+    tracker.addListener('close', () => {
+      tracker.cleanup();
+    });
+  },
+
+  /**
+   * HTTP server handler for ACME challenges and other HTTP needs
+   * Uses the centralized detection module for HTTP parsing
+   */
+  httpServer: (handler: (req: { method: string; url: string; headers: Record<string, string>; body?: string }, res: { status: (code: number) => void; header: (name: string, value: string) => void; send: (data: string) => void; end: () => void }) => void) => (socket: plugins.net.Socket, context: IRouteContext) => {
+    const tracker = createSocketTracker(socket);
+    let requestParsed = false;
+    let responseTimer: NodeJS.Timeout | null = null;
+    const connectionId = ProtocolDetector.createConnectionId({
+      socketId: context.connectionId || `${Date.now()}-${Math.random()}`
+    });
+
+    const processData = async (data: Buffer) => {
+      if (requestParsed) return; // Only handle the first request
+
+      // Use HttpDetector for parsing
+      const detectionResult = await ProtocolDetector.detectWithConnectionTracking(
+        data,
+        connectionId,
+        { extractFullHeaders: true }
+      );
+
+      if (detectionResult.protocol !== 'http' || !detectionResult.isComplete) {
+        // Not a complete HTTP request yet
+        return;
+      }
+
+      requestParsed = true;
+      // Remove data listener after parsing request
+      socket.removeListener('data', processData);
+      const connInfo = detectionResult.connectionInfo;
+
+      // Create request object from detection result
+      const req = {
+        method: connInfo.method || 'GET',
+        url: connInfo.path || '/',
+        headers: connInfo.headers || {},
+        body: detectionResult.remainingBuffer?.toString() || ''
+      };
+
+      // Create response object
+      let statusCode = 200;
+      const responseHeaders: Record<string, string> = {};
+      let ended = false;
+
+      const res = {
+        status: (code: number) => {
+          statusCode = code;
+        },
+        header: (name: string, value: string) => {
+          responseHeaders[name] = value;
+        },
+        send: (data: string) => {
+          if (ended) return;
+          ended = true;
+
+          // Clear response timer since we're sending now
+          if (responseTimer) {
+            clearTimeout(responseTimer);
+            responseTimer = null;
+          }
+
+          if (!responseHeaders['content-type']) {
+            responseHeaders['content-type'] = 'text/plain';
+          }
+          responseHeaders['content-length'] = String(data.length);
+          responseHeaders['connection'] = 'close';
+
+          const statusText = statusCode === 200 ? 'OK' :
+                           statusCode === 404 ? 'Not Found' :
+                           statusCode === 500 ? 'Internal Server Error' : 'Response';
+
+          let response = `HTTP/1.1 ${statusCode} ${statusText}\r\n`;
+          for (const [name, value] of Object.entries(responseHeaders)) {
+            response += `${name}: ${value}\r\n`;
+          }
+          response += '\r\n';
+          response += data;
+
+          socket.write(response);
+          socket.end();
+        },
+        end: () => {
+          if (ended) return;
+          ended = true;
+          socket.write('HTTP/1.1 200 OK\r\nContent-Length: 0\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n');
+          socket.end();
+        }
+      };
+
+      try {
+        handler(req, res);
+        // Ensure response is sent even if handler doesn't call send()
+        responseTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+          if (!ended) {
+            res.send('');
+          }
+          responseTimer = null;
+        }, 1000);
+        // Track and unref the timer
+        tracker.addTimer(responseTimer);
+      } catch (error) {
+        if (!ended) {
+          res.status(500);
+          res.send('Internal Server Error');
+        }
+        // Use safeDestroy for error cases
+        tracker.safeDestroy(error instanceof Error ? error : new Error('Handler error'));
+      }
+    };
+
+    // Use tracker to manage listeners
+    tracker.addListener('data', processData);
+
+    tracker.addListener('error', (err) => {
+      if (!requestParsed) {
+        tracker.safeDestroy(err);
+      }
+    });
+
+    tracker.addListener('close', () => {
+      // Clear any pending response timer
+      if (responseTimer) {
+        clearTimeout(responseTimer);
+        responseTimer = null;
+      }
+      // Clean up detection state
+      ProtocolDetector.cleanupConnections();
+      // Clean up all tracked resources
+      tracker.cleanup();
+    });
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * Create a socket handler route configuration
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param ports Port(s) to listen on
+ * @param handler Socket handler function
+ * @param options Additional route options
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createSocketHandlerRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  ports: TPortRange,
+  handler: (socket: plugins.net.Socket) => void | Promise<void>,
+  options: {
+    name?: string;
+    priority?: number;
+    path?: string;
+  } = {}
+): IRouteConfig {
+  return {
+    name: options.name || 'socket-handler-route',
+    priority: options.priority !== undefined ? options.priority : 50,
+    match: {
+      domains,
+      ports,
+      ...(options.path && { path: options.path })
+    },
+    action: {
+      type: 'socket-handler',
+      socketHandler: handler
+    }
+  };
+}
--- a/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/websocket-helpers.ts
+++ b/ts/proxies/smart-proxy/utils/route-helpers/websocket-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+/**
+ * WebSocket Route Helper Functions
+ *
+ * This module provides utility functions for creating WebSocket route configurations.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouteConfig, IRouteMatch, IRouteAction } from '../../models/route-types.js';
+
+/**
+ * Create a WebSocket route configuration
+ * @param domains Domain(s) to match
+ * @param targetOrPath Target server OR WebSocket path (legacy)
+ * @param targetOrOptions Target server (legacy) OR options
+ * @param options Additional route options (legacy)
+ * @returns Route configuration object
+ */
+export function createWebSocketRoute(
+  domains: string | string[],
+  targetOrPath: { host: string | string[]; port: number } | string,
+  targetOrOptions?: { host: string | string[]; port: number } | {
+    useTls?: boolean;
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    path?: string;
+    httpPort?: number | number[];
+    httpsPort?: number | number[];
+    pingInterval?: number;
+    pingTimeout?: number;
+    name?: string;
+    [key: string]: any;
+  },
+  options?: {
+    useTls?: boolean;
+    certificate?: 'auto' | { key: string; cert: string };
+    httpPort?: number | number[];
+    httpsPort?: number | number[];
+    pingInterval?: number;
+    pingTimeout?: number;
+    name?: string;
+    [key: string]: any;
+  }
+): IRouteConfig {
+  // Handle different signatures
+  let target: { host: string | string[]; port: number };
+  let wsPath: string;
+  let finalOptions: any;
+
+  if (typeof targetOrPath === 'string') {
+    // Legacy signature: (domains, path, target, options)
+    wsPath = targetOrPath;
+    target = targetOrOptions as { host: string | string[]; port: number };
+    finalOptions = options || {};
+  } else {
+    // New signature: (domains, target, options)
+    target = targetOrPath;
+    finalOptions = (targetOrOptions as any) || {};
+    wsPath = finalOptions.path || '/ws';
+  }
+
+  // Normalize WebSocket path
+  const normalizedPath = wsPath.startsWith('/') ? wsPath : `/${wsPath}`;
+
+  // Create route match
+  const match: IRouteMatch = {
+    ports: finalOptions.useTls
+      ? (finalOptions.httpsPort || 443)
+      : (finalOptions.httpPort || 80),
+    domains,
+    path: normalizedPath
+  };
+
+  // Create route action
+  const action: IRouteAction = {
+    type: 'forward',
+    targets: [target],
+    websocket: {
+      enabled: true,
+      pingInterval: finalOptions.pingInterval || 30000, // 30 seconds
+      pingTimeout: finalOptions.pingTimeout || 5000    // 5 seconds
+    }
+  };
+
+  // Add TLS configuration if using HTTPS
+  if (finalOptions.useTls) {
+    action.tls = {
+      mode: 'terminate',
+      certificate: finalOptions.certificate || 'auto'
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Create the route config
+  return {
+    match,
+    action,
+    name: finalOptions.name || `WebSocket Route ${normalizedPath} for ${Array.isArray(domains) ? domains.join(', ') : domains}`,
+    priority: finalOptions.priority || 100, // Higher priority for WebSocket routes
+    ...finalOptions
+  };
+}
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
Juergen Kunz	90e8f92e86	v22.2.0 Some checks failed Default (tags) / security (push) Successful in 41s Details Default (tags) / test (push) Failing after 49s Details Default (tags) / release (push) Has been skipped Details Default (tags) / metadata (push) Has been skipped Details	2026-01-30 04:06:32 +00:00
Juergen Kunz	9697ab3078	feat(proxies): introduce nftables command executor and utilities, default certificate provider, expanded route/socket helper modules, and security improvements	2026-01-30 04:06:32 +00:00