diff --git a/PROGRESS.md b/PROGRESS.md
index 1cdd835..1547f45 100644
--- a/PROGRESS.md
+++ b/PROGRESS.md
@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@ proceeds. Each item is marked:
 
 ## Phase 2: PROXY Protocol
 
-- [ ] 2.1 `internal/proxyproto/` package (v1/v2 parser, v2 writer)
-- [ ] 2.2 Server integration — receive (parse PROXY header before firewall on enabled listeners)
-- [ ] 2.3 Server integration — send on L4 (write PROXY v2 header before ClientHello on enabled routes)
-- [ ] 2.4 Tests (receive, send, firewall uses real IP, malformed header rejection)
+- [x] 2.1 `internal/proxyproto/` package (v1/v2 parser, v2 writer)
+- [x] 2.2 Server integration — receive (parse PROXY header before firewall on enabled listeners)
+- [x] 2.3 Server integration — send on L4 (write PROXY v2 header before ClientHello on enabled routes)
+- [x] 2.4 Tests (receive, send, firewall uses real IP, malformed header rejection)
 
 ## Phase 3: L7 Proxying
 
diff --git a/internal/proxyproto/proxyproto.go b/internal/proxyproto/proxyproto.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..acffed8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/proxyproto/proxyproto.go
@@ -0,0 +1,264 @@
+// Package proxyproto implements PROXY protocol v1 and v2 parsing and v2 writing.
+//
+// See https://www.haproxy.org/download/2.9/doc/proxy-protocol.txt
+package proxyproto
+
+import (
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// Command represents the PROXY protocol command.
+type Command byte
+
+const (
+	CommandLocal Command = 0x00
+	CommandProxy Command = 0x01
+)
+
+// Header is a parsed PROXY protocol header.
+type Header struct {
+	Version int // 1 or 2
+	Command Command
+	SrcAddr netip.AddrPort
+	DstAddr netip.AddrPort
+}
+
+// v2 binary signature (12 bytes).
+var v2Signature = [12]byte{
+	0x0D, 0x0A, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x00, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x51, 0x55, 0x49, 0x54, 0x0A,
+}
+
+const (
+	// maxV1Length is the maximum length of a v1 header line (including CRLF).
+	maxV1Length = 108
+
+	// v2HeaderLen is the fixed portion of a v2 header (signature + ver/cmd + fam + len).
+	v2HeaderLen = 16
+
+	// maxV2AddrLen limits the address block we'll read.
+	maxV2AddrLen = 536
+)
+
+// Parse reads a PROXY protocol header from conn, using deadline for timeout.
+// It reads only the exact bytes of the PROXY header, leaving the connection
+// positioned at the first byte after the header (e.g., TLS ClientHello).
+func Parse(conn net.Conn, deadline time.Time) (Header, error) {
+	conn.SetReadDeadline(deadline)
+	defer conn.SetReadDeadline(time.Time{})
+
+	// Read the first byte to determine version.
+	var first [1]byte
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, first[:]); err != nil {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("reading first byte: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if first[0] == 'P' {
+		return parseV1(conn)
+	}
+	if first[0] == v2Signature[0] {
+		return parseV2(conn, first[0])
+	}
+	return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("invalid PROXY protocol header: unexpected first byte 0x%02x", first[0])
+}
+
+// parseV1 parses a v1 text header. The leading 'P' has already been consumed.
+// Reads byte-by-byte until CRLF to avoid buffering past the header.
+func parseV1(conn net.Conn) (Header, error) {
+	// We already consumed 'P'. Read until \r\n, byte by byte.
+	var buf []byte
+	buf = append(buf, 'P')
+	var b [1]byte
+	for len(buf) < maxV1Length {
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, b[:]); err != nil {
+			return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("reading v1 header: %w", err)
+		}
+		buf = append(buf, b[0])
+		if len(buf) >= 2 && buf[len(buf)-2] == '\r' && buf[len(buf)-1] == '\n' {
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	line := string(buf)
+	if !strings.HasSuffix(line, "\r\n") {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header too long or missing CRLF")
+	}
+	line = strings.TrimSuffix(line, "\r\n")
+
+	parts := strings.Split(line, " ")
+	if len(parts) != 6 {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header: expected 6 fields, got %d", len(parts))
+	}
+	if parts[0] != "PROXY" {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header: expected PROXY prefix, got %q", parts[0])
+	}
+
+	proto := parts[1]
+	if proto != "TCP4" && proto != "TCP6" {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header: unsupported protocol %q", proto)
+	}
+
+	srcIP, err := netip.ParseAddr(parts[2])
+	if err != nil {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header: invalid source IP %q: %w", parts[2], err)
+	}
+	dstIP, err := netip.ParseAddr(parts[3])
+	if err != nil {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header: invalid destination IP %q: %w", parts[3], err)
+	}
+	srcPort, err := strconv.ParseUint(parts[4], 10, 16)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header: invalid source port %q: %w", parts[4], err)
+	}
+	dstPort, err := strconv.ParseUint(parts[5], 10, 16)
+	if err != nil {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v1 header: invalid destination port %q: %w", parts[5], err)
+	}
+
+	return Header{
+		Version: 1,
+		Command: CommandProxy,
+		SrcAddr: netip.AddrPortFrom(srcIP, uint16(srcPort)),
+		DstAddr: netip.AddrPortFrom(dstIP, uint16(dstPort)),
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// parseV2 parses a v2 binary header. The first byte has already been consumed.
+func parseV2(conn net.Conn, firstByte byte) (Header, error) {
+	// Read the remaining 15 bytes of the fixed header.
+	var hdr [v2HeaderLen]byte
+	hdr[0] = firstByte
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, hdr[1:]); err != nil {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("reading v2 header: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify signature.
+	if [12]byte(hdr[:12]) != v2Signature {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: invalid signature")
+	}
+
+	// Version (upper 4 bits of byte 12) must be 0x2.
+	verCmd := hdr[12]
+	if verCmd>>4 != 0x02 {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: unsupported version %d", verCmd>>4)
+	}
+
+	cmd := Command(verCmd & 0x0F)
+	if cmd != CommandLocal && cmd != CommandProxy {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: unsupported command %d", cmd)
+	}
+
+	addrLen := binary.BigEndian.Uint16(hdr[14:16])
+	if int(addrLen) > maxV2AddrLen {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: address length %d exceeds maximum", addrLen)
+	}
+
+	// Read the exact address block.
+	addrBuf := make([]byte, addrLen)
+	if addrLen > 0 {
+		if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, addrBuf); err != nil {
+			return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("reading v2 addresses: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// LOCAL command: no addresses to parse.
+	if cmd == CommandLocal {
+		return Header{
+			Version: 2,
+			Command: CommandLocal,
+		}, nil
+	}
+
+	// PROXY command: parse addresses based on family/protocol.
+	famProto := hdr[13]
+	family := famProto >> 4
+	protocol := famProto & 0x0F
+
+	// We only support STREAM (TCP) protocol = 0x01.
+	if protocol != 0x01 {
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: unsupported protocol %d (only TCP/stream supported)", protocol)
+	}
+
+	switch family {
+	case 0x01: // AF_INET (IPv4)
+		if len(addrBuf) < 12 {
+			return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: IPv4 address block too short (%d bytes)", len(addrBuf))
+		}
+		srcIP := netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte(addrBuf[0:4]))
+		dstIP := netip.AddrFrom4([4]byte(addrBuf[4:8]))
+		srcPort := binary.BigEndian.Uint16(addrBuf[8:10])
+		dstPort := binary.BigEndian.Uint16(addrBuf[10:12])
+		return Header{
+			Version: 2,
+			Command: CommandProxy,
+			SrcAddr: netip.AddrPortFrom(srcIP, srcPort),
+			DstAddr: netip.AddrPortFrom(dstIP, dstPort),
+		}, nil
+
+	case 0x02: // AF_INET6 (IPv6)
+		if len(addrBuf) < 36 {
+			return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: IPv6 address block too short (%d bytes)", len(addrBuf))
+		}
+		srcIP := netip.AddrFrom16([16]byte(addrBuf[0:16]))
+		dstIP := netip.AddrFrom16([16]byte(addrBuf[16:32]))
+		srcPort := binary.BigEndian.Uint16(addrBuf[32:34])
+		dstPort := binary.BigEndian.Uint16(addrBuf[34:36])
+		return Header{
+			Version: 2,
+			Command: CommandProxy,
+			SrcAddr: netip.AddrPortFrom(srcIP, srcPort),
+			DstAddr: netip.AddrPortFrom(dstIP, dstPort),
+		}, nil
+
+	default:
+		return Header{}, fmt.Errorf("v2 header: unsupported address family %d", family)
+	}
+}
+
+// WriteV2 writes a PROXY protocol v2 header with the PROXY command.
+// src is the original client address; dst is the backend/proxy address.
+func WriteV2(w io.Writer, src, dst netip.AddrPort) error {
+	var buf []byte
+
+	// Signature (12 bytes).
+	buf = append(buf, v2Signature[:]...)
+
+	// Version (0x2) and command (PROXY = 0x1) → 0x21.
+	buf = append(buf, 0x21)
+
+	srcAddr := src.Addr()
+	dstAddr := dst.Addr()
+
+	if srcAddr.Is4() && dstAddr.Is4() {
+		// AF_INET, STREAM → 0x11.
+		buf = append(buf, 0x11)
+		// Address length: 4+4+2+2 = 12.
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 12)
+		src4 := srcAddr.As4()
+		dst4 := dstAddr.As4()
+		buf = append(buf, src4[:]...)
+		buf = append(buf, dst4[:]...)
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, src.Port())
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, dst.Port())
+	} else {
+		// AF_INET6, STREAM → 0x21.
+		buf = append(buf, 0x21)
+		// Address length: 16+16+2+2 = 36.
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 36)
+		src16 := srcAddr.As16()
+		dst16 := dstAddr.As16()
+		buf = append(buf, src16[:]...)
+		buf = append(buf, dst16[:]...)
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, src.Port())
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, dst.Port())
+	}
+
+	_, err := w.Write(buf)
+	return err
+}
diff --git a/internal/proxyproto/proxyproto_test.go b/internal/proxyproto/proxyproto_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..24706ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/proxyproto/proxyproto_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,389 @@
+package proxyproto
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"net"
+	"net/netip"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// pipeWithDeadline returns a net.Conn pair where the reader side supports deadlines.
+func pipeWithDeadline(t *testing.T) (reader net.Conn, writer net.Conn) {
+	t.Helper()
+	ln, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { ln.Close() })
+
+	ch := make(chan net.Conn, 1)
+	go func() {
+		c, err := ln.Accept()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		ch <- c
+	}()
+
+	w, err := net.Dial("tcp", ln.Addr().String())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { w.Close() })
+
+	r := <-ch
+	t.Cleanup(func() { r.Close() })
+	return r, w
+}
+
+func TestParseV1TCP4(t *testing.T) {
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	go func() {
+		writer.Write([]byte("PROXY TCP4 192.168.1.1 10.0.0.1 56324 443\r\n"))
+	}()
+
+	hdr, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hdr.Version != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("version = %d, want 1", hdr.Version)
+	}
+	if hdr.Command != CommandProxy {
+		t.Fatalf("command = %d, want CommandProxy", hdr.Command)
+	}
+	if got := hdr.SrcAddr.String(); got != "192.168.1.1:56324" {
+		t.Fatalf("src = %s, want 192.168.1.1:56324", got)
+	}
+	if got := hdr.DstAddr.String(); got != "10.0.0.1:443" {
+		t.Fatalf("dst = %s, want 10.0.0.1:443", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseV1TCP6(t *testing.T) {
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	go func() {
+		writer.Write([]byte("PROXY TCP6 2001:db8::1 2001:db8::2 56324 8443\r\n"))
+	}()
+
+	hdr, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hdr.Version != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("version = %d, want 1", hdr.Version)
+	}
+	wantSrc := "[2001:db8::1]:56324"
+	if got := hdr.SrcAddr.String(); got != wantSrc {
+		t.Fatalf("src = %s, want %s", got, wantSrc)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseV2TCP4(t *testing.T) {
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	go func() {
+		var buf []byte
+		buf = append(buf, v2Signature[:]...)
+		buf = append(buf, 0x21) // version 2, PROXY command
+		buf = append(buf, 0x11) // AF_INET, STREAM
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 12)
+		buf = append(buf, 192, 168, 1, 100) // src IP
+		buf = append(buf, 10, 0, 0, 1)      // dst IP
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 12345)
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 443)
+		writer.Write(buf)
+	}()
+
+	hdr, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hdr.Version != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("version = %d, want 2", hdr.Version)
+	}
+	if hdr.Command != CommandProxy {
+		t.Fatalf("command = %d, want CommandProxy", hdr.Command)
+	}
+	if got := hdr.SrcAddr.String(); got != "192.168.1.100:12345" {
+		t.Fatalf("src = %s, want 192.168.1.100:12345", got)
+	}
+	if got := hdr.DstAddr.String(); got != "10.0.0.1:443" {
+		t.Fatalf("dst = %s, want 10.0.0.1:443", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseV2TCP6(t *testing.T) {
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	go func() {
+		var buf []byte
+		buf = append(buf, v2Signature[:]...)
+		buf = append(buf, 0x21) // version 2, PROXY command
+		buf = append(buf, 0x21) // AF_INET6, STREAM
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 36)
+		// src: 2001:db8::1
+		src := netip.MustParseAddr("2001:db8::1").As16()
+		buf = append(buf, src[:]...)
+		// dst: 2001:db8::2
+		dst := netip.MustParseAddr("2001:db8::2").As16()
+		buf = append(buf, dst[:]...)
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 56324)
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 8443)
+		writer.Write(buf)
+	}()
+
+	hdr, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hdr.Version != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("version = %d, want 2", hdr.Version)
+	}
+	wantSrc := "[2001:db8::1]:56324"
+	if got := hdr.SrcAddr.String(); got != wantSrc {
+		t.Fatalf("src = %s, want %s", got, wantSrc)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseV2Local(t *testing.T) {
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	go func() {
+		var buf []byte
+		buf = append(buf, v2Signature[:]...)
+		buf = append(buf, 0x20) // version 2, LOCAL command
+		buf = append(buf, 0x00) // unspec family, unspec protocol
+		buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 0)
+		writer.Write(buf)
+	}()
+
+	hdr, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hdr.Version != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("version = %d, want 2", hdr.Version)
+	}
+	if hdr.Command != CommandLocal {
+		t.Fatalf("command = %d, want CommandLocal", hdr.Command)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseV1Malformed(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name string
+		data string
+	}{
+		{"wrong prefix", "XROXY TCP4 1.2.3.4 5.6.7.8 1 2\r\n"},
+		{"missing fields", "PROXY TCP4 1.2.3.4\r\n"},
+		{"bad protocol", "PROXY UDP4 1.2.3.4 5.6.7.8 1 2\r\n"},
+		{"bad src IP", "PROXY TCP4 not-an-ip 5.6.7.8 1 2\r\n"},
+		{"bad src port", "PROXY TCP4 1.2.3.4 5.6.7.8 notport 2\r\n"},
+		{"missing CRLF", "PROXY TCP4 1.2.3.4 5.6.7.8 1 2\n"},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+			go func() {
+				writer.Write([]byte(tt.data))
+			}()
+			_, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(2*time.Second))
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseV2Malformed(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("bad signature", func(t *testing.T) {
+		reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+		go func() {
+			bad := make([]byte, v2HeaderLen)
+			bad[0] = v2Signature[0] // first byte matches but rest doesn't
+			writer.Write(bad)
+		}()
+		_, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(2*time.Second))
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("expected error for bad signature")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("bad version", func(t *testing.T) {
+		reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+		go func() {
+			var buf []byte
+			buf = append(buf, v2Signature[:]...)
+			buf = append(buf, 0x31) // version 3, PROXY command
+			buf = append(buf, 0x11)
+			buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 0)
+			writer.Write(buf)
+		}()
+		_, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(2*time.Second))
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("expected error for bad version")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("truncated address", func(t *testing.T) {
+		reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+		go func() {
+			var buf []byte
+			buf = append(buf, v2Signature[:]...)
+			buf = append(buf, 0x21) // version 2, PROXY
+			buf = append(buf, 0x11) // AF_INET, STREAM
+			buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 12)
+			buf = append(buf, 1, 2, 3) // only 3 bytes, need 12
+			writer.Write(buf)
+			writer.Close()
+		}()
+		_, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(2*time.Second))
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("expected error for truncated address")
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unsupported family", func(t *testing.T) {
+		reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+		go func() {
+			var buf []byte
+			buf = append(buf, v2Signature[:]...)
+			buf = append(buf, 0x21) // version 2, PROXY
+			buf = append(buf, 0x31) // AF_UNIX (3), STREAM
+			buf = binary.BigEndian.AppendUint16(buf, 0)
+			writer.Write(buf)
+		}()
+		_, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(2*time.Second))
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("expected error for unsupported family")
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestParseTimeout(t *testing.T) {
+	reader, _ := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	// No data sent — should hit deadline.
+	_, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(100*time.Millisecond))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected timeout error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWriteV2IPv4(t *testing.T) {
+	src := netip.MustParseAddrPort("192.168.1.1:56324")
+	dst := netip.MustParseAddrPort("10.0.0.1:443")
+
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	if err := WriteV2(&buf, src, dst); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("WriteV2: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b := buf.Bytes()
+	// Signature (12) + ver/cmd (1) + fam (1) + len (2) + 4+4+2+2 = 28
+	if len(b) != 28 {
+		t.Fatalf("wrote %d bytes, want 28", len(b))
+	}
+	// Verify signature.
+	if [12]byte(b[:12]) != v2Signature {
+		t.Fatal("bad signature")
+	}
+	if b[12] != 0x21 {
+		t.Fatalf("ver/cmd = 0x%02x, want 0x21", b[12])
+	}
+	if b[13] != 0x11 {
+		t.Fatalf("fam/proto = 0x%02x, want 0x11", b[13])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWriteV2IPv6(t *testing.T) {
+	src := netip.MustParseAddrPort("[2001:db8::1]:56324")
+	dst := netip.MustParseAddrPort("[2001:db8::2]:443")
+
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	if err := WriteV2(&buf, src, dst); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("WriteV2: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	b := buf.Bytes()
+	// Signature (12) + ver/cmd (1) + fam (1) + len (2) + 16+16+2+2 = 52
+	if len(b) != 52 {
+		t.Fatalf("wrote %d bytes, want 52", len(b))
+	}
+	if b[13] != 0x21 {
+		t.Fatalf("fam/proto = 0x%02x, want 0x21", b[13])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoundTripV2IPv4(t *testing.T) {
+	src := netip.MustParseAddrPort("203.0.113.50:12345")
+	dst := netip.MustParseAddrPort("198.51.100.1:443")
+
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	go func() {
+		WriteV2(writer, src, dst)
+	}()
+
+	hdr, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hdr.Version != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("version = %d, want 2", hdr.Version)
+	}
+	if hdr.Command != CommandProxy {
+		t.Fatalf("command = %d, want CommandProxy", hdr.Command)
+	}
+	if hdr.SrcAddr != src {
+		t.Fatalf("src = %s, want %s", hdr.SrcAddr, src)
+	}
+	if hdr.DstAddr != dst {
+		t.Fatalf("dst = %s, want %s", hdr.DstAddr, dst)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoundTripV2IPv6(t *testing.T) {
+	src := netip.MustParseAddrPort("[2001:db8:cafe::1]:40000")
+	dst := netip.MustParseAddrPort("[2001:db8:beef::2]:8443")
+
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+
+	go func() {
+		WriteV2(writer, src, dst)
+	}()
+
+	hdr, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hdr.SrcAddr != src {
+		t.Fatalf("src = %s, want %s", hdr.SrcAddr, src)
+	}
+	if hdr.DstAddr != dst {
+		t.Fatalf("dst = %s, want %s", hdr.DstAddr, dst)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseGarbageFirstByte(t *testing.T) {
+	reader, writer := pipeWithDeadline(t)
+	go func() {
+		writer.Write([]byte{0xFF, 0x00, 0x01})
+	}()
+	_, err := Parse(reader, time.Now().Add(2*time.Second))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for garbage first byte")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/server/server.go b/internal/server/server.go
index c8712ab..c22396d 100644
--- a/internal/server/server.go
+++ b/internal/server/server.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/config"
 	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/firewall"
 	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/proxy"
+	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/proxyproto"
 	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/sni"
 )
 
@@ -266,6 +267,20 @@ func (s *Server) handleConn(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, ls *ListenerStat
 	}
 	addr := addrPort.Addr()
 
+	// Parse PROXY protocol header if enabled on this listener.
+	if ls.ProxyProtocol {
+		hdr, err := proxyproto.Parse(conn, time.Now().Add(5*time.Second))
+		if err != nil {
+			s.logger.Debug("PROXY protocol parse failed", "addr", addr, "error", err)
+			return
+		}
+		if hdr.Command == proxyproto.CommandProxy {
+			addr = hdr.SrcAddr.Addr()
+			addrPort = hdr.SrcAddr
+			s.logger.Debug("PROXY protocol", "real_addr", addr, "peer_addr", remoteAddr)
+		}
+	}
+
 	if s.fw.Blocked(addr) {
 		s.logger.Debug("blocked by firewall", "addr", addr)
 		return
@@ -289,12 +304,12 @@ func (s *Server) handleConn(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, ls *ListenerStat
 		s.logger.Error("L7 mode not yet implemented", "hostname", hostname)
 		return
 	default:
-		s.handleL4(ctx, conn, ls, addr, hostname, route, peeked)
+		s.handleL4(ctx, conn, addr, addrPort, hostname, route, peeked)
 	}
 }
 
 // handleL4 handles an L4 (passthrough) connection.
-func (s *Server) handleL4(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, _ *ListenerState, addr netip.Addr, hostname string, route RouteInfo, peeked []byte) {
+func (s *Server) handleL4(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, addr netip.Addr, clientAddrPort netip.AddrPort, hostname string, route RouteInfo, peeked []byte) {
 	backendConn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", route.Backend, s.cfg.Proxy.ConnectTimeout.Duration)
 	if err != nil {
 		s.logger.Error("backend dial failed", "hostname", hostname, "backend", route.Backend, "error", err)
@@ -302,6 +317,15 @@ func (s *Server) handleL4(ctx context.Context, conn net.Conn, _ *ListenerState,
 	}
 	defer backendConn.Close()
 
+	// Send PROXY protocol v2 header to backend if configured.
+	if route.SendProxyProtocol {
+		backendAddrPort, _ := netip.ParseAddrPort(backendConn.RemoteAddr().String())
+		if err := proxyproto.WriteV2(backendConn, clientAddrPort, backendAddrPort); err != nil {
+			s.logger.Error("writing PROXY protocol header", "hostname", hostname, "error", err)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
 	s.logger.Debug("proxying", "addr", addr, "hostname", hostname, "backend", route.Backend)
 
 	result, err := proxy.Relay(ctx, conn, backendConn, peeked, s.cfg.Proxy.IdleTimeout.Duration)
diff --git a/internal/server/server_test.go b/internal/server/server_test.go
index e93375d..8ca9577 100644
--- a/internal/server/server_test.go
+++ b/internal/server/server_test.go
@@ -1,17 +1,20 @@
 package server
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"encoding/binary"
 	"io"
 	"log/slog"
 	"net"
+	"net/netip"
 	"sync"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
 	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/config"
 	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/firewall"
+	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/internal/proxyproto"
 )
 
 // l4Route creates a RouteInfo for an L4 passthrough route.
@@ -696,6 +699,345 @@ func TestListenerStateRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestProxyProtocolReceive(t *testing.T) {
+	// Backend echoes everything back.
+	backendLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backend listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer backendLn.Close()
+	go echoServer(t, backendLn)
+
+	proxyLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("finding free port: %v", err)
+	}
+	proxyAddr := proxyLn.Addr().String()
+	proxyLn.Close()
+
+	srv := newTestServer(t, []ListenerData{
+		{
+			ID:            1,
+			Addr:          proxyAddr,
+			ProxyProtocol: true,
+			Routes: map[string]RouteInfo{
+				"echo.test": l4Route(backendLn.Addr().String()),
+			},
+		},
+	})
+
+	stop := startAndStop(t, srv)
+	defer stop()
+
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	// Send PROXY v2 header followed by TLS ClientHello.
+	var ppBuf bytes.Buffer
+	proxyproto.WriteV2(&ppBuf,
+		netip.MustParseAddrPort("203.0.113.50:12345"),
+		netip.MustParseAddrPort("198.51.100.1:443"),
+	)
+	conn.Write(ppBuf.Bytes())
+
+	hello := buildClientHello("echo.test")
+	conn.Write(hello)
+
+	// Backend should echo the ClientHello back (not the PROXY header).
+	echoed := make([]byte, len(hello))
+	conn.SetReadDeadline(time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second))
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(conn, echoed); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("read echoed data: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProxyProtocolReceiveGarbage(t *testing.T) {
+	proxyLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("finding free port: %v", err)
+	}
+	proxyAddr := proxyLn.Addr().String()
+	proxyLn.Close()
+
+	srv := newTestServer(t, []ListenerData{
+		{
+			ID:            1,
+			Addr:          proxyAddr,
+			ProxyProtocol: true,
+			Routes: map[string]RouteInfo{
+				"echo.test": l4Route("127.0.0.1:1"),
+			},
+		},
+	})
+
+	stop := startAndStop(t, srv)
+	defer stop()
+
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	// Send garbage instead of a valid PROXY header.
+	conn.Write([]byte("NOT A PROXY HEADER\r\n"))
+
+	// Connection should be closed.
+	conn.SetReadDeadline(time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second))
+	_, err = conn.Read(make([]byte, 1))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected connection to be closed for invalid PROXY header")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProxyProtocolSend(t *testing.T) {
+	// Backend that captures the first bytes it receives.
+	backendLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backend listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer backendLn.Close()
+
+	received := make(chan []byte, 1)
+	go func() {
+		conn, err := backendLn.Accept()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		defer conn.Close()
+		// Read all available data; the proxy sends PROXY header + ClientHello.
+		conn.SetReadDeadline(time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second))
+		var all []byte
+		buf := make([]byte, 4096)
+		for {
+			n, err := conn.Read(buf)
+			all = append(all, buf[:n]...)
+			if err != nil {
+				break
+			}
+			// We expect at least pp header (28) + some TLS data.
+			if len(all) >= 28+5 {
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		received <- all
+	}()
+
+	proxyLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("finding free port: %v", err)
+	}
+	proxyAddr := proxyLn.Addr().String()
+	proxyLn.Close()
+
+	srv := newTestServer(t, []ListenerData{
+		{
+			ID:   1,
+			Addr: proxyAddr,
+			Routes: map[string]RouteInfo{
+				"pp.test": {
+					Backend:           backendLn.Addr().String(),
+					Mode:              "l4",
+					SendProxyProtocol: true,
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	})
+
+	stop := startAndStop(t, srv)
+	defer stop()
+
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	hello := buildClientHello("pp.test")
+	conn.Write(hello)
+
+	// The backend should receive: PROXY v2 header + ClientHello.
+	select {
+	case data := <-received:
+		// PROXY v2 IPv4 header is 28 bytes (12 sig + 1 ver/cmd + 1 fam + 2 len + 12 addrs).
+		if len(data) < 28 {
+			t.Fatalf("backend received only %d bytes, want at least 28", len(data))
+		}
+		// Check PROXY v2 signature.
+		sig := [12]byte{0x0D, 0x0A, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x00, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x51, 0x55, 0x49, 0x54, 0x0A}
+		if [12]byte(data[:12]) != sig {
+			t.Fatal("backend data does not start with PROXY v2 signature")
+		}
+		// Verify TLS record header follows the PROXY header.
+		ppLen := 28 // v2 IPv4
+		if len(data) <= ppLen {
+			t.Fatalf("backend received only PROXY header, no TLS data")
+		}
+		if data[ppLen] != 0x16 {
+			t.Fatalf("expected TLS record (0x16) after PROXY header, got 0x%02x", data[ppLen])
+		}
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timeout waiting for backend data")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProxyProtocolNotSent(t *testing.T) {
+	// Backend captures first bytes.
+	backendLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backend listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer backendLn.Close()
+
+	received := make(chan []byte, 1)
+	go func() {
+		conn, err := backendLn.Accept()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		defer conn.Close()
+		buf := make([]byte, 4096)
+		n, _ := conn.Read(buf)
+		received <- buf[:n]
+	}()
+
+	proxyLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("finding free port: %v", err)
+	}
+	proxyAddr := proxyLn.Addr().String()
+	proxyLn.Close()
+
+	srv := newTestServer(t, []ListenerData{
+		{
+			ID:   1,
+			Addr: proxyAddr,
+			Routes: map[string]RouteInfo{
+				"nopp.test": l4Route(backendLn.Addr().String()),
+			},
+		},
+	})
+
+	stop := startAndStop(t, srv)
+	defer stop()
+
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	hello := buildClientHello("nopp.test")
+	conn.Write(hello)
+
+	select {
+	case data := <-received:
+		// First byte should be TLS record header, not PROXY signature.
+		if data[0] != 0x16 {
+			t.Fatalf("expected TLS record (0x16) as first byte, got 0x%02x", data[0])
+		}
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timeout waiting for backend data")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestProxyProtocolFirewallUsesRealIP(t *testing.T) {
+	// Backend that should never be reached.
+	backendLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backend listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer backendLn.Close()
+
+	reached := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	go func() {
+		conn, err := backendLn.Accept()
+		if err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		conn.Close()
+		reached <- struct{}{}
+	}()
+
+	proxyLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("finding free port: %v", err)
+	}
+	proxyAddr := proxyLn.Addr().String()
+	proxyLn.Close()
+
+	// Block 203.0.113.50 (the "real" client IP from PROXY header).
+	// 127.0.0.1 (the actual TCP peer) is NOT blocked.
+	fw, err := firewall.New("", []string{"203.0.113.50"}, nil, nil, 0, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("creating firewall: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cfg := &config.Config{
+		Proxy: config.Proxy{
+			ConnectTimeout:  config.Duration{Duration: 5 * time.Second},
+			IdleTimeout:     config.Duration{Duration: 30 * time.Second},
+			ShutdownTimeout: config.Duration{Duration: 5 * time.Second},
+		},
+	}
+	logger := slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil))
+	srv := New(cfg, fw, []ListenerData{
+		{
+			ID:            1,
+			Addr:          proxyAddr,
+			ProxyProtocol: true,
+			Routes: map[string]RouteInfo{
+				"blocked.test": l4Route(backendLn.Addr().String()),
+			},
+		},
+	}, logger, "test")
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+	wg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer wg.Done()
+		srv.Run(ctx)
+	}()
+	time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial proxy: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn.Close()
+
+	// Send PROXY v2 with the blocked real IP.
+	var ppBuf bytes.Buffer
+	proxyproto.WriteV2(&ppBuf,
+		netip.MustParseAddrPort("203.0.113.50:12345"),
+		netip.MustParseAddrPort("198.51.100.1:443"),
+	)
+	conn.Write(ppBuf.Bytes())
+	conn.Write(buildClientHello("blocked.test"))
+
+	// Connection should be closed (firewall blocks real IP).
+	conn.SetReadDeadline(time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second))
+	_, err = conn.Read(make([]byte, 1))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected connection to be closed by firewall")
+	}
+
+	// Backend should not have been reached.
+	select {
+	case <-reached:
+		t.Fatal("backend was reached despite firewall blocking real IP")
+	case <-time.After(200 * time.Millisecond):
+		// Expected.
+	}
+
+	cancel()
+	wg.Wait()
+}
+
 // --- ClientHello builder helpers (mirrors internal/sni test helpers) ---
 
 func buildClientHello(serverName string) []byte {