Add per-listener connection limits

Configurable maximum concurrent connections per listener. When the limit is reached, new connections are closed immediately after accept. 0 means unlimited (default, preserving existing behavior). Config: Listener gains max_connections field, validated non-negative. DB: Migration 3 adds listeners.max_connections column. UpdateListenerMaxConns method for runtime changes via gRPC. CreateListener updated to persist max_connections on seed. Server: ListenerState/ListenerData gain MaxConnections. Limit checked in serve() after Accept but before handleConn — if ActiveConnections >= MaxConnections, connection is closed and the accept loop continues. SetMaxConnections method for runtime updates. Proto: SetListenerMaxConnections RPC added. ListenerStatus gains max_connections field. Generated code regenerated. gRPC server: SetListenerMaxConnections implements write-through (DB first, then in-memory update). GetStatus includes max_connections. Client: SetListenerMaxConnections method, MaxConnections in ListenerStatus. Tests: DB CRUD and UpdateListenerMaxConns, server connection limit enforcement (accept 2, reject 3rd, close one, accept again), gRPC SetListenerMaxConnections round-trip with DB persistence, not-found error handling. Also updates PROJECT_PLAN.md with phases 6-8 and PROGRESS.md with tracking for the new features. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-03-25 16:42:53 -07:00
parent 5bc8f4fc8e
commit 564e0a9c67
16 changed files with 595 additions and 102 deletions
--- a/PROGRESS.md
+++ b/PROGRESS.md
@@ -49,19 +49,42 @@ proceeds. Each item is marked:
 - [x] 5.4 Web UI through L7 validation (HTTP/1.1 fallback, HTTP/2)
 - [x] 5.5 Documentation (verified ARCHITECTURE.md, CLAUDE.md, Makefile)

+## Phase 6: Per-Listener Connection Limits
+
+- [x] 6.1 Config: `MaxConnections` on Listener, validation
+- [x] 6.2 DB: migration 3, CRUD updates, `UpdateListenerMaxConns`
+- [x] 6.3 Server: limit enforcement in `serve()`, `SetMaxConnections` method
+- [x] 6.4 Proto/gRPC: `SetListenerMaxConnections` RPC, `max_connections` in status
+- [x] 6.5 Client: `SetListenerMaxConnections` method, `MaxConnections` in status
+- [x] 6.6 Tests: DB CRUD, server limit enforcement, gRPC round-trip
+
+## Phase 7: L7 Policies
+
+- [ ] 7.1 Config: `L7Policy` struct, `L7Policies` on Route, validation
+- [ ] 7.2 DB: migration 4, `l7_policies` table, CRUD in `l7policies.go`
+- [ ] 7.3 L7 middleware: `PolicyMiddleware` in `internal/l7/policy.go`
+- [ ] 7.4 Server/L7 integration: thread policies from RouteInfo to RouteConfig
+- [ ] 7.5 Proto/gRPC: `L7Policy` message, policy management RPCs
+- [ ] 7.6 Client/CLI: policy methods, `mcproxyctl policies` subcommand
+- [ ] 7.7 Startup: load L7 policies per route in `loadListenersFromDB`
+- [ ] 7.8 Tests: middleware unit, DB CRUD + cascade, gRPC round-trip, e2e
+
+## Phase 8: Prometheus Metrics
+
+- [ ] 8.1 Dependency: add `prometheus/client_golang`
+- [ ] 8.2 Config: `Metrics` section (`addr`, `path`)
+- [ ] 8.3 Package: `internal/metrics/` definitions and HTTP server
+- [ ] 8.4 Instrumentation: connections, firewall, dial latency, bytes, HTTP status, policy blocks
+- [ ] 8.5 Firewall: `BlockedWithReason()` method
+- [ ] 8.6 L7: status recording on ResponseWriter
+- [ ] 8.7 Startup: conditionally start metrics server
+- [ ] 8.8 Tests: metric sanity, server endpoint, `BlockedWithReason`
+
 ---

 ## Current State

-All five phases are complete. The codebase implements the full dual-mode
-(L4/L7) architecture with PROXY protocol support:
-
- L4 passthrough: SNI extraction, raw TCP relay (original behavior)
- L7 terminating: TLS termination, HTTP/2 reverse proxy with h2c backends
- PROXY protocol: v1/v2 receive on listeners, v2 send on routes
- Per-route mode selection: L4 and L7 routes coexist on the same listener
- gRPC admin API: full CRUD for routes with L7 fields, PROXY protocol flags
- CLI tools: `mcproxyctl routes add` with `--mode`, `--tls-cert`, etc.
- Multi-hop deployment tested: edge→origin with real client IP preservation
+Phases 1-6 complete. Per-listener connection limits are implemented and
+tested. L7 policies and Prometheus metrics are next.

 `go vet` and `go test` pass across all 13 packages.
--- a/PROJECT_PLAN.md
+++ b/PROJECT_PLAN.md
@@ -329,3 +329,48 @@ Test that htmx-based web UIs work through the L7 proxy:
 - Verify ARCHITECTURE.md matches final implementation.
 - Update CLAUDE.md if any package structure or rules changed.
 - Update Makefile if new build targets are needed.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 6: Per-Listener Connection Limits
+
+Add configurable maximum concurrent connection limits per listener.
+
+### 6.1 Config: `MaxConnections int64` on `Listener` (0 = unlimited)
+### 6.2 DB: migration 3 adds `listeners.max_connections`, CRUD updates
+### 6.3 Server: enforce limit in `serve()` after Accept, before handleConn
+### 6.4 Proto/gRPC: `SetListenerMaxConnections` RPC, `max_connections` in `ListenerStatus`
+### 6.5 Client/CLI: `SetListenerMaxConnections` method, status display
+### 6.6 Tests: DB CRUD, server limit enforcement, gRPC round-trip
+
+---
+
+## Phase 7: L7 Policies
+
+Per-route HTTP blocking rules for L7 routes: user-agent blocking
+(substring match) and required header enforcement.
+
+### 7.1 Config: `L7Policy` struct (`type` + `value`), `L7Policies` on Route
+### 7.2 DB: migration 4 creates `l7_policies` table, new `l7policies.go` CRUD
+### 7.3 L7 middleware: `PolicyMiddleware` in `internal/l7/policy.go`
+### 7.4 Server/L7 integration: thread policies from RouteInfo to RouteConfig
+### 7.5 Proto/gRPC: `L7Policy` message, `ListL7Policies`/`AddL7Policy`/`RemoveL7Policy` RPCs
+### 7.6 Client/CLI: policy methods, `mcproxyctl policies` subcommand
+### 7.7 Startup: load L7 policies per route in `loadListenersFromDB`
+### 7.8 Tests: middleware unit tests, DB CRUD + cascade, gRPC round-trip, e2e
+
+---
+
+## Phase 8: Prometheus Metrics
+
+Instrument the proxy with Prometheus-compatible metrics exposed via a
+separate HTTP endpoint.
+
+### 8.1 Dependency: add `prometheus/client_golang`
+### 8.2 Config: `Metrics` section (`addr`, `path`)
+### 8.3 Package: `internal/metrics/` with metric definitions and HTTP server
+### 8.4 Instrumentation: connections, firewall blocks, dial latency, bytes, HTTP status codes, policy blocks
+### 8.5 Firewall: add `BlockedWithReason()` method
+### 8.6 L7: status recording wrapper on ResponseWriter
+### 8.7 Startup: conditionally start metrics server
+### 8.8 Tests: metric sanity, server endpoint, `BlockedWithReason`
--- a/client/mcproxy/client.go
+++ b/client/mcproxy/client.go
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ type ListenerStatus struct {
 	RouteCount        int
 	ActiveConnections int64
 	ProxyProtocol     bool
+	MaxConnections    int64
 }

 // Status contains the server's current status.
@@ -193,12 +194,23 @@ func (c *Client) GetStatus(ctx context.Context) (*Status, error) {
 			RouteCount:        int(ls.RouteCount),
 			ActiveConnections: ls.ActiveConnections,
 			ProxyProtocol:     ls.ProxyProtocol,
+			MaxConnections:    ls.MaxConnections,
 		}
 	}

 	return status, nil
 }

+// SetListenerMaxConnections updates the per-listener connection limit.
+// 0 means unlimited.
+func (c *Client) SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx context.Context, listenerAddr string, maxConns int64) error {
+	_, err := c.admin.SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx, &pb.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest{
+		ListenerAddr:   listenerAddr,
+		MaxConnections: maxConns,
+	})
+	return err
+}
+
 // HealthStatus represents the health of the server.
 type HealthStatus int

--- a/cmd/mc-proxy/server.go
+++ b/cmd/mc-proxy/server.go
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ func loadListenersFromDB(store *db.Store) ([]server.ListenerData, error) {
 			ID:             l.ID,
 			Addr:           l.Addr,
 			ProxyProtocol:  l.ProxyProtocol,
+			MaxConnections: l.MaxConnections,
 			Routes:         routes,
 		})
 	}
--- a/gen/mc_proxy/v1/admin.pb.go
+++ b/gen/mc_proxy/v1/admin.pb.go
@@ -730,19 +730,108 @@ func (*RemoveFirewallRuleResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
 	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{13}
 }

+type SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest struct {
+	state          protoimpl.MessageState `protogen:"open.v1"`
+	ListenerAddr   string                 `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=listener_addr,json=listenerAddr,proto3" json:"listener_addr,omitempty"`
+	MaxConnections int64                  `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=max_connections,json=maxConnections,proto3" json:"max_connections,omitempty"` // 0 = unlimited
+	unknownFields  protoimpl.UnknownFields
+	sizeCache      protoimpl.SizeCache
+}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) Reset() {
+	*x = SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest{}
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[14]
+	ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+	ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[14]
+	if x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{14}
+}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) GetListenerAddr() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.ListenerAddr
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) GetMaxConnections() int64 {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.MaxConnections
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+type SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse struct {
+	state         protoimpl.MessageState `protogen:"open.v1"`
+	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
+	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse) Reset() {
+	*x = SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse{}
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[15]
+	ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+	ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[15]
+	if x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{15}
+}
+
 type ListenerStatus struct {
 	state             protoimpl.MessageState `protogen:"open.v1"`
 	Addr              string                 `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=addr,proto3" json:"addr,omitempty"`
 	RouteCount        int32                  `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=route_count,json=routeCount,proto3" json:"route_count,omitempty"`
 	ActiveConnections int64                  `protobuf:"varint,3,opt,name=active_connections,json=activeConnections,proto3" json:"active_connections,omitempty"`
 	ProxyProtocol     bool                   `protobuf:"varint,4,opt,name=proxy_protocol,json=proxyProtocol,proto3" json:"proxy_protocol,omitempty"`
+	MaxConnections    int64                  `protobuf:"varint,5,opt,name=max_connections,json=maxConnections,proto3" json:"max_connections,omitempty"`
 	unknownFields     protoimpl.UnknownFields
 	sizeCache         protoimpl.SizeCache
 }

 func (x *ListenerStatus) Reset() {
 	*x = ListenerStatus{}
-	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[14]
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[16]
 	ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 	ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 }
@@ -754,7 +843,7 @@ func (x *ListenerStatus) String() string {
 func (*ListenerStatus) ProtoMessage() {}

 func (x *ListenerStatus) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[14]
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[16]
 	if x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -767,7 +856,7 @@ func (x *ListenerStatus) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {

 // Deprecated: Use ListenerStatus.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*ListenerStatus) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{14}
+	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{16}
 }

 func (x *ListenerStatus) GetAddr() string {
@@ -798,6 +887,13 @@ func (x *ListenerStatus) GetProxyProtocol() bool {
 	return false
 }

+func (x *ListenerStatus) GetMaxConnections() int64 {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.MaxConnections
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
 type GetStatusRequest struct {
 	state         protoimpl.MessageState `protogen:"open.v1"`
 	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
@@ -806,7 +902,7 @@ type GetStatusRequest struct {

 func (x *GetStatusRequest) Reset() {
 	*x = GetStatusRequest{}
-	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[15]
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[17]
 	ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 	ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 }
@@ -818,7 +914,7 @@ func (x *GetStatusRequest) String() string {
 func (*GetStatusRequest) ProtoMessage() {}

 func (x *GetStatusRequest) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[15]
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[17]
 	if x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -831,7 +927,7 @@ func (x *GetStatusRequest) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {

 // Deprecated: Use GetStatusRequest.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*GetStatusRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{15}
+	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{17}
 }

 type GetStatusResponse struct {
@@ -846,7 +942,7 @@ type GetStatusResponse struct {

 func (x *GetStatusResponse) Reset() {
 	*x = GetStatusResponse{}
-	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[16]
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[18]
 	ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 	ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
 }
@@ -858,7 +954,7 @@ func (x *GetStatusResponse) String() string {
 func (*GetStatusResponse) ProtoMessage() {}

 func (x *GetStatusResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
-	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[16]
+	mi := &file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes[18]
 	if x != nil {
 		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
 		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
@@ -871,7 +967,7 @@ func (x *GetStatusResponse) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {

 // Deprecated: Use GetStatusResponse.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
 func (*GetStatusResponse) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{16}
+	return file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{18}
 }

 func (x *GetStatusResponse) GetVersion() string {
@@ -940,13 +1036,18 @@ const file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDesc = "" +
 	"\x17AddFirewallRuleResponse\"J\n" +
 	"\x19RemoveFirewallRuleRequest\x12-\n" +
 	"\x04rule\x18\x01 \x01(\v2\x19.mc_proxy.v1.FirewallRuleR\x04rule\"\x1c\n" +
-	"\x1aRemoveFirewallRuleResponse\"\x9b\x01\n" +
+	"\x1aRemoveFirewallRuleResponse\"p\n" +
+	" SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest\x12#\n" +
+	"\rlistener_addr\x18\x01 \x01(\tR\flistenerAddr\x12'\n" +
+	"\x0fmax_connections\x18\x02 \x01(\x03R\x0emaxConnections\"#\n" +
+	"!SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse\"\xc4\x01\n" +
 	"\x0eListenerStatus\x12\x12\n" +
 	"\x04addr\x18\x01 \x01(\tR\x04addr\x12\x1f\n" +
 	"\vroute_count\x18\x02 \x01(\x05R\n" +
 	"routeCount\x12-\n" +
 	"\x12active_connections\x18\x03 \x01(\x03R\x11activeConnections\x12%\n" +
-	"\x0eproxy_protocol\x18\x04 \x01(\bR\rproxyProtocol\"\x12\n" +
+	"\x0eproxy_protocol\x18\x04 \x01(\bR\rproxyProtocol\x12'\n" +
+	"\x0fmax_connections\x18\x05 \x01(\x03R\x0emaxConnections\"\x12\n" +
 	"\x10GetStatusRequest\"\xd0\x01\n" +
 	"\x11GetStatusResponse\x12\x18\n" +
 	"\aversion\x18\x01 \x01(\tR\aversion\x129\n" +
@@ -958,7 +1059,7 @@ const file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDesc = "" +
 	"\x1eFIREWALL_RULE_TYPE_UNSPECIFIED\x10\x00\x12\x19\n" +
 	"\x15FIREWALL_RULE_TYPE_IP\x10\x01\x12\x1b\n" +
 	"\x17FIREWALL_RULE_TYPE_CIDR\x10\x02\x12\x1e\n" +
-	"\x1aFIREWALL_RULE_TYPE_COUNTRY\x10\x032\xef\x04\n" +
+	"\x1aFIREWALL_RULE_TYPE_COUNTRY\x10\x032\xeb\x05\n" +
 	"\x11ProxyAdminService\x12M\n" +
 	"\n" +
 	"ListRoutes\x12\x1e.mc_proxy.v1.ListRoutesRequest\x1a\x1f.mc_proxy.v1.ListRoutesResponse\x12G\n" +
@@ -966,7 +1067,8 @@ const file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDesc = "" +
 	"\vRemoveRoute\x12\x1f.mc_proxy.v1.RemoveRouteRequest\x1a .mc_proxy.v1.RemoveRouteResponse\x12_\n" +
 	"\x10GetFirewallRules\x12$.mc_proxy.v1.GetFirewallRulesRequest\x1a%.mc_proxy.v1.GetFirewallRulesResponse\x12\\\n" +
 	"\x0fAddFirewallRule\x12#.mc_proxy.v1.AddFirewallRuleRequest\x1a$.mc_proxy.v1.AddFirewallRuleResponse\x12e\n" +
-	"\x12RemoveFirewallRule\x12&.mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleRequest\x1a'.mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleResponse\x12J\n" +
+	"\x12RemoveFirewallRule\x12&.mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleRequest\x1a'.mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleResponse\x12z\n" +
+	"\x19SetListenerMaxConnections\x12-.mc_proxy.v1.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest\x1a..mc_proxy.v1.SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse\x12J\n" +
 	"\tGetStatus\x12\x1d.mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusRequest\x1a\x1e.mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponseB:Z8git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/mc-proxy/gen/mc_proxy/v1;mcproxyv1b\x06proto3"

 var (
@@ -982,7 +1084,7 @@ func file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDescGZIP() []byte {
 }

 var file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_enumTypes = make([]protoimpl.EnumInfo, 1)
-var file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes = make([]protoimpl.MessageInfo, 17)
+var file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_msgTypes = make([]protoimpl.MessageInfo, 19)
 var file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_goTypes = []any{
 	(FirewallRuleType)(0),                     // 0: mc_proxy.v1.FirewallRuleType
 	(*Route)(nil),                             // 1: mc_proxy.v1.Route
@@ -999,10 +1101,12 @@ var file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_goTypes = []any{
 	(*AddFirewallRuleResponse)(nil),           // 12: mc_proxy.v1.AddFirewallRuleResponse
 	(*RemoveFirewallRuleRequest)(nil),         // 13: mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleRequest
 	(*RemoveFirewallRuleResponse)(nil),        // 14: mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleResponse
-	(*ListenerStatus)(nil),             // 15: mc_proxy.v1.ListenerStatus
-	(*GetStatusRequest)(nil),           // 16: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusRequest
-	(*GetStatusResponse)(nil),          // 17: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse
-	(*timestamppb.Timestamp)(nil),      // 18: google.protobuf.Timestamp
+	(*SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest)(nil),  // 15: mc_proxy.v1.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest
+	(*SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse)(nil), // 16: mc_proxy.v1.SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse
+	(*ListenerStatus)(nil),                    // 17: mc_proxy.v1.ListenerStatus
+	(*GetStatusRequest)(nil),                  // 18: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusRequest
+	(*GetStatusResponse)(nil),                 // 19: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse
+	(*timestamppb.Timestamp)(nil),             // 20: google.protobuf.Timestamp
 }
 var file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_depIdxs = []int32{
 	1,  // 0: mc_proxy.v1.ListRoutesResponse.routes:type_name -> mc_proxy.v1.Route
@@ -1011,24 +1115,26 @@ var file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_depIdxs = []int32{
 	8,  // 3: mc_proxy.v1.GetFirewallRulesResponse.rules:type_name -> mc_proxy.v1.FirewallRule
 	8,  // 4: mc_proxy.v1.AddFirewallRuleRequest.rule:type_name -> mc_proxy.v1.FirewallRule
 	8,  // 5: mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleRequest.rule:type_name -> mc_proxy.v1.FirewallRule
-	18, // 6: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse.started_at:type_name -> google.protobuf.Timestamp
-	15, // 7: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse.listeners:type_name -> mc_proxy.v1.ListenerStatus
+	20, // 6: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse.started_at:type_name -> google.protobuf.Timestamp
+	17, // 7: mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse.listeners:type_name -> mc_proxy.v1.ListenerStatus
 	2,  // 8: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.ListRoutes:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.ListRoutesRequest
 	4,  // 9: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.AddRoute:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.AddRouteRequest
 	6,  // 10: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.RemoveRoute:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.RemoveRouteRequest
 	9,  // 11: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.GetFirewallRules:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.GetFirewallRulesRequest
 	11, // 12: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.AddFirewallRule:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.AddFirewallRuleRequest
 	13, // 13: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.RemoveFirewallRule:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleRequest
-	16, // 14: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.GetStatus:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusRequest
-	3,  // 15: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.ListRoutes:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.ListRoutesResponse
-	5,  // 16: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.AddRoute:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.AddRouteResponse
-	7,  // 17: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.RemoveRoute:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.RemoveRouteResponse
-	10, // 18: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.GetFirewallRules:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.GetFirewallRulesResponse
-	12, // 19: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.AddFirewallRule:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.AddFirewallRuleResponse
-	14, // 20: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.RemoveFirewallRule:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleResponse
-	17, // 21: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.GetStatus:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse
-	15, // [15:22] is the sub-list for method output_type
-	8,  // [8:15] is the sub-list for method input_type
+	15, // 14: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.SetListenerMaxConnections:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest
+	18, // 15: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.GetStatus:input_type -> mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusRequest
+	3,  // 16: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.ListRoutes:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.ListRoutesResponse
+	5,  // 17: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.AddRoute:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.AddRouteResponse
+	7,  // 18: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.RemoveRoute:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.RemoveRouteResponse
+	10, // 19: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.GetFirewallRules:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.GetFirewallRulesResponse
+	12, // 20: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.AddFirewallRule:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.AddFirewallRuleResponse
+	14, // 21: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.RemoveFirewallRule:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.RemoveFirewallRuleResponse
+	16, // 22: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.SetListenerMaxConnections:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse
+	19, // 23: mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService.GetStatus:output_type -> mc_proxy.v1.GetStatusResponse
+	16, // [16:24] is the sub-list for method output_type
+	8,  // [8:16] is the sub-list for method input_type
 	8,  // [8:8] is the sub-list for extension type_name
 	8,  // [8:8] is the sub-list for extension extendee
 	0,  // [0:8] is the sub-list for field type_name
@@ -1045,7 +1151,7 @@ func file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_init() {
 			GoPackagePath: reflect.TypeOf(x{}).PkgPath(),
 			RawDescriptor: unsafe.Slice(unsafe.StringData(file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDesc), len(file_proto_mc_proxy_v1_admin_proto_rawDesc)),
 			NumEnums:      1,
-			NumMessages:   17,
+			NumMessages:   19,
 			NumExtensions: 0,
 			NumServices:   1,
 		},
--- a/gen/mc_proxy/v1/admin_grpc.pb.go
+++ b/gen/mc_proxy/v1/admin_grpc.pb.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const (
 	ProxyAdminService_GetFirewallRules_FullMethodName          = "/mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService/GetFirewallRules"
 	ProxyAdminService_AddFirewallRule_FullMethodName           = "/mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService/AddFirewallRule"
 	ProxyAdminService_RemoveFirewallRule_FullMethodName        = "/mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService/RemoveFirewallRule"
+	ProxyAdminService_SetListenerMaxConnections_FullMethodName = "/mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService/SetListenerMaxConnections"
 	ProxyAdminService_GetStatus_FullMethodName                 = "/mc_proxy.v1.ProxyAdminService/GetStatus"
 )

@@ -40,6 +41,8 @@ type ProxyAdminServiceClient interface {
 	GetFirewallRules(ctx context.Context, in *GetFirewallRulesRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetFirewallRulesResponse, error)
 	AddFirewallRule(ctx context.Context, in *AddFirewallRuleRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*AddFirewallRuleResponse, error)
 	RemoveFirewallRule(ctx context.Context, in *RemoveFirewallRuleRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*RemoveFirewallRuleResponse, error)
+	// Connection limits
+	SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx context.Context, in *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse, error)
 	// Status
 	GetStatus(ctx context.Context, in *GetStatusRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetStatusResponse, error)
 }
@@ -112,6 +115,16 @@ func (c *proxyAdminServiceClient) RemoveFirewallRule(ctx context.Context, in *Re
 	return out, nil
 }

+func (c *proxyAdminServiceClient) SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx context.Context, in *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse, error) {
+	cOpts := append([]grpc.CallOption{grpc.StaticMethod()}, opts...)
+	out := new(SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse)
+	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, ProxyAdminService_SetListenerMaxConnections_FullMethodName, in, out, cOpts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
 func (c *proxyAdminServiceClient) GetStatus(ctx context.Context, in *GetStatusRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*GetStatusResponse, error) {
 	cOpts := append([]grpc.CallOption{grpc.StaticMethod()}, opts...)
 	out := new(GetStatusResponse)
@@ -134,6 +147,8 @@ type ProxyAdminServiceServer interface {
 	GetFirewallRules(context.Context, *GetFirewallRulesRequest) (*GetFirewallRulesResponse, error)
 	AddFirewallRule(context.Context, *AddFirewallRuleRequest) (*AddFirewallRuleResponse, error)
 	RemoveFirewallRule(context.Context, *RemoveFirewallRuleRequest) (*RemoveFirewallRuleResponse, error)
+	// Connection limits
+	SetListenerMaxConnections(context.Context, *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse, error)
 	// Status
 	GetStatus(context.Context, *GetStatusRequest) (*GetStatusResponse, error)
 	mustEmbedUnimplementedProxyAdminServiceServer()
@@ -164,6 +179,9 @@ func (UnimplementedProxyAdminServiceServer) AddFirewallRule(context.Context, *Ad
 func (UnimplementedProxyAdminServiceServer) RemoveFirewallRule(context.Context, *RemoveFirewallRuleRequest) (*RemoveFirewallRuleResponse, error) {
 	return nil, status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method RemoveFirewallRule not implemented")
 }
+func (UnimplementedProxyAdminServiceServer) SetListenerMaxConnections(context.Context, *SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) (*SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse, error) {
+	return nil, status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method SetListenerMaxConnections not implemented")
+}
 func (UnimplementedProxyAdminServiceServer) GetStatus(context.Context, *GetStatusRequest) (*GetStatusResponse, error) {
 	return nil, status.Error(codes.Unimplemented, "method GetStatus not implemented")
 }
@@ -296,6 +314,24 @@ func _ProxyAdminService_RemoveFirewallRule_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.
 	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
 }

+func _ProxyAdminService_SetListenerMaxConnections_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(ProxyAdminServiceServer).SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: ProxyAdminService_SetListenerMaxConnections_FullMethodName,
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(ProxyAdminServiceServer).SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx, req.(*SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
 func _ProxyAdminService_GetStatus_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
 	in := new(GetStatusRequest)
 	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
@@ -345,6 +381,10 @@ var ProxyAdminService_ServiceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 			MethodName: "RemoveFirewallRule",
 			Handler:    _ProxyAdminService_RemoveFirewallRule_Handler,
 		},
+		{
+			MethodName: "SetListenerMaxConnections",
+			Handler:    _ProxyAdminService_SetListenerMaxConnections_Handler,
+		},
 		{
 			MethodName: "GetStatus",
 			Handler:    _ProxyAdminService_GetStatus_Handler,
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ type GRPC struct {
 type Listener struct {
 	Addr           string  `toml:"addr"`
 	ProxyProtocol  bool    `toml:"proxy_protocol"`
+	MaxConnections int64   `toml:"max_connections"` // 0 = unlimited
 	Routes         []Route `toml:"routes"`
 }

@@ -176,6 +177,9 @@ func (c *Config) validate() error {
 		if l.Addr == "" {
 			return fmt.Errorf("listener %d: addr is required", i)
 		}
+		if l.MaxConnections < 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("listener %d (%s): max_connections must not be negative", i, l.Addr)
+		}
 		seen := make(map[string]bool)
 		for j := range l.Routes {
 			r := &l.Routes[j]
--- a/internal/db/db_test.go
+++ b/internal/db/db_test.go
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func TestIsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("expected empty database")
 	}

-	if _, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false); err != nil {
+	if _, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("create listener: %v", err)
 	}

@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func TestIsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
 func TestListenerCRUD(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	id, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false)
+	id, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("create: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func TestListenerCRUD(t *testing.T) {
 func TestListenerProxyProtocol(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	id, err := store.CreateListener(":443", true)
+	id, err := store.CreateListener(":443", true, 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("create: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -120,13 +120,52 @@ func TestListenerProxyProtocol(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }

+func TestListenerMaxConnections(t *testing.T) {
+	store := openTestDB(t)
+
+	id, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 5000)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("create: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	l, err := store.GetListenerByAddr(":443")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("get: %v", err)
+	}
+	if l.MaxConnections != 5000 {
+		t.Fatalf("max_connections = %d, want 5000", l.MaxConnections)
+	}
+
+	// Update max connections.
+	if err := store.UpdateListenerMaxConns(id, 10000); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	l, err = store.GetListenerByAddr(":443")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("get after update: %v", err)
+	}
+	if l.MaxConnections != 10000 {
+		t.Fatalf("max_connections = %d, want 10000", l.MaxConnections)
+	}
+
+	// Set to 0 (unlimited).
+	if err := store.UpdateListenerMaxConns(id, 0); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("update to 0: %v", err)
+	}
+	l, _ = store.GetListenerByAddr(":443")
+	if l.MaxConnections != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("max_connections = %d, want 0", l.MaxConnections)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestListenerDuplicateAddr(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	if _, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false); err != nil {
+	if _, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("first create: %v", err)
 	}
-	if _, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false); err == nil {
+	if _, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0); err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("expected error for duplicate addr")
 	}
 }
@@ -134,7 +173,7 @@ func TestListenerDuplicateAddr(t *testing.T) {
 func TestRouteCRUD(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	listenerID, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false)
+	listenerID, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("create listener: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -177,7 +216,7 @@ func TestRouteCRUD(t *testing.T) {
 func TestRouteL7Fields(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	listenerID, _ := store.CreateListener(":443", false)
+	listenerID, _ := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0)

 	_, err := store.CreateRoute(listenerID, "api.example.com", "127.0.0.1:8080", "l7",
 		"/certs/api.crt", "/certs/api.key", false, true)
@@ -214,7 +253,7 @@ func TestRouteL7Fields(t *testing.T) {
 func TestRouteDuplicateHostname(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	listenerID, _ := store.CreateListener(":443", false)
+	listenerID, _ := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0)
 	if _, err := store.CreateRoute(listenerID, "example.com", "127.0.0.1:8443", "l4", "", "", false, false); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("first create: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -226,7 +265,7 @@ func TestRouteDuplicateHostname(t *testing.T) {
 func TestRouteCascadeDelete(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	listenerID, _ := store.CreateListener(":443", false)
+	listenerID, _ := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0)
 	store.CreateRoute(listenerID, "a.example.com", "127.0.0.1:8443", "l4", "", "", false, false)
 	store.CreateRoute(listenerID, "b.example.com", "127.0.0.1:9443", "l4", "", "", false, false)

@@ -373,7 +412,7 @@ func TestSeed(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 	store := openTestDB(t)

-	store.CreateListener(":443", false)
+	store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0)

 	dest := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "backup.db")
 	if err := store.Snapshot(dest); err != nil {
@@ -432,7 +471,7 @@ func TestMigrationV2Upgrade(t *testing.T) {
 	}

 	// Insert a listener and route with defaults to verify new columns work.
-	lid, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false)
+	lid, err := store.CreateListener(":443", false, 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("create listener: %v", err)
 	}
--- a/internal/db/listeners.go
+++ b/internal/db/listeners.go
@@ -7,11 +7,12 @@ type Listener struct {
 	ID             int64
 	Addr           string
 	ProxyProtocol  bool
+	MaxConnections int64
 }

 // ListListeners returns all listeners.
 func (s *Store) ListListeners() ([]Listener, error) {
-	rows, err := s.db.Query("SELECT id, addr, proxy_protocol FROM listeners ORDER BY id")
+	rows, err := s.db.Query("SELECT id, addr, proxy_protocol, max_connections FROM listeners ORDER BY id")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("querying listeners: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ func (s *Store) ListListeners() ([]Listener, error) {
 	var listeners []Listener
 	for rows.Next() {
 		var l Listener
-		if err := rows.Scan(&l.ID, &l.Addr, &l.ProxyProtocol); err != nil {
+		if err := rows.Scan(&l.ID, &l.Addr, &l.ProxyProtocol, &l.MaxConnections); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scanning listener: %w", err)
 		}
 		listeners = append(listeners, l)
@@ -29,10 +30,10 @@ func (s *Store) ListListeners() ([]Listener, error) {
 }

 // CreateListener inserts a listener and returns its ID.
-func (s *Store) CreateListener(addr string, proxyProtocol bool) (int64, error) {
+func (s *Store) CreateListener(addr string, proxyProtocol bool, maxConnections int64) (int64, error) {
 	result, err := s.db.Exec(
-		"INSERT INTO listeners (addr, proxy_protocol) VALUES (?, ?)",
-		addr, proxyProtocol,
+		"INSERT INTO listeners (addr, proxy_protocol, max_connections) VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
+		addr, proxyProtocol, maxConnections,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return 0, fmt.Errorf("inserting listener: %w", err)
@@ -56,10 +57,26 @@ func (s *Store) DeleteListener(id int64) error {
 // GetListenerByAddr returns a listener by its address.
 func (s *Store) GetListenerByAddr(addr string) (Listener, error) {
 	var l Listener
-	err := s.db.QueryRow("SELECT id, addr, proxy_protocol FROM listeners WHERE addr = ?", addr).
-		Scan(&l.ID, &l.Addr, &l.ProxyProtocol)
+	err := s.db.QueryRow("SELECT id, addr, proxy_protocol, max_connections FROM listeners WHERE addr = ?", addr).
+		Scan(&l.ID, &l.Addr, &l.ProxyProtocol, &l.MaxConnections)
 	if err != nil {
 		return Listener{}, fmt.Errorf("querying listener by addr %q: %w", addr, err)
 	}
 	return l, nil
 }
+
+// UpdateListenerMaxConns updates the max_connections for a listener.
+func (s *Store) UpdateListenerMaxConns(listenerID int64, maxConns int64) error {
+	result, err := s.db.Exec(
+		"UPDATE listeners SET max_connections = ? WHERE id = ?",
+		maxConns, listenerID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("updating max_connections: %w", err)
+	}
+	n, _ := result.RowsAffected()
+	if n == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("listener %d not found", listenerID)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
--- a/internal/db/migrations.go
+++ b/internal/db/migrations.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ type migration struct {
 var migrations = []migration{
 	{1, "create_core_tables", migrate001CreateCoreTables},
 	{2, "add_proxy_protocol_and_l7_fields", migrate002AddL7Fields},
+	{3, "add_listener_max_connections", migrate003AddListenerMaxConnections},
 }

 // Migrate runs all unapplied migrations sequentially.
@@ -110,3 +111,8 @@ func migrate002AddL7Fields(tx *sql.Tx) error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+func migrate003AddListenerMaxConnections(tx *sql.Tx) error {
+	_, err := tx.Exec(`ALTER TABLE listeners ADD COLUMN max_connections INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`)
+	return err
+}
--- a/internal/db/seed.go
+++ b/internal/db/seed.go
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ func (s *Store) Seed(listeners []config.Listener, fw config.Firewall) error {

 	for _, l := range listeners {
 		result, err := tx.Exec(
-			"INSERT INTO listeners (addr, proxy_protocol) VALUES (?, ?)",
-			l.Addr, l.ProxyProtocol,
+			"INSERT INTO listeners (addr, proxy_protocol, max_connections) VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
+			l.Addr, l.ProxyProtocol, l.MaxConnections,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("seeding listener %q: %w", l.Addr, err)
--- a/internal/grpcserver/grpcserver.go
+++ b/internal/grpcserver/grpcserver.go
@@ -308,6 +308,28 @@ func (a *AdminServer) RemoveFirewallRule(_ context.Context, req *pb.RemoveFirewa
 	return &pb.RemoveFirewallRuleResponse{}, nil
 }

+// SetListenerMaxConnections updates the per-listener connection limit.
+func (a *AdminServer) SetListenerMaxConnections(_ context.Context, req *pb.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) (*pb.SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse, error) {
+	if req.MaxConnections < 0 {
+		return nil, status.Error(codes.InvalidArgument, "max_connections must not be negative")
+	}
+
+	ls, err := a.findListener(req.ListenerAddr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// Write-through: DB first, then memory.
+	if err := a.store.UpdateListenerMaxConns(ls.ID, req.MaxConnections); err != nil {
+		return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Internal, "%v", err)
+	}
+
+	ls.SetMaxConnections(req.MaxConnections)
+
+	a.logger.Info("connection limit updated", "listener", ls.Addr, "max_connections", req.MaxConnections)
+	return &pb.SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse{}, nil
+}
+
 // GetStatus returns the proxy's current status.
 func (a *AdminServer) GetStatus(_ context.Context, _ *pb.GetStatusRequest) (*pb.GetStatusResponse, error) {
 	var listeners []*pb.ListenerStatus
@@ -318,6 +340,7 @@ func (a *AdminServer) GetStatus(_ context.Context, _ *pb.GetStatusRequest) (*pb.
 			RouteCount:        int32(len(routes)),
 			ActiveConnections: ls.ActiveConnections.Load(),
 			ProxyProtocol:     ls.ProxyProtocol,
+			MaxConnections:    ls.MaxConnections,
 		})
 	}

--- a/internal/grpcserver/grpcserver_test.go
+++ b/internal/grpcserver/grpcserver_test.go
@@ -676,3 +676,62 @@ func TestGetStatusProxyProtocol(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("expected proxy_protocol = false")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestSetListenerMaxConnections(t *testing.T) {
+	env := setup(t)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// Set max connections.
+	_, err := env.client.SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx, &pb.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest{
+		ListenerAddr:   ":443",
+		MaxConnections: 5000,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetListenerMaxConnections: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Verify via GetStatus.
+	resp, err := env.client.GetStatus(ctx, &pb.GetStatusRequest{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("GetStatus: %v", err)
+	}
+	if resp.Listeners[0].MaxConnections != 5000 {
+		t.Fatalf("max_connections = %d, want 5000", resp.Listeners[0].MaxConnections)
+	}
+
+	// Verify DB persistence.
+	l, _ := env.store.GetListenerByAddr(":443")
+	if l.MaxConnections != 5000 {
+		t.Fatalf("DB max_connections = %d, want 5000", l.MaxConnections)
+	}
+
+	// Set to 0 (unlimited).
+	_, err = env.client.SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx, &pb.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest{
+		ListenerAddr:   ":443",
+		MaxConnections: 0,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("SetListenerMaxConnections to 0: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	resp, _ = env.client.GetStatus(ctx, &pb.GetStatusRequest{})
+	if resp.Listeners[0].MaxConnections != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("max_connections = %d, want 0", resp.Listeners[0].MaxConnections)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSetListenerMaxConnectionsNotFound(t *testing.T) {
+	env := setup(t)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	_, err := env.client.SetListenerMaxConnections(ctx, &pb.SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest{
+		ListenerAddr:   ":9999",
+		MaxConnections: 100,
+	})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for nonexistent listener")
+	}
+	if s, ok := status.FromError(err); !ok || s.Code() != codes.NotFound {
+		t.Fatalf("expected NotFound, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
--- a/internal/server/server.go
+++ b/internal/server/server.go
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ type ListenerState struct {
 	ID                int64 // database primary key
 	Addr              string
 	ProxyProtocol     bool
+	MaxConnections    int64 // 0 = unlimited
 	routes            map[string]RouteInfo // lowercase hostname → route info
 	mu                sync.RWMutex
 	ActiveConnections atomic.Int64
@@ -41,6 +42,13 @@ type ListenerState struct {
 	connMu            sync.Mutex
 }

+// SetMaxConnections updates the connection limit at runtime.
+func (ls *ListenerState) SetMaxConnections(n int64) {
+	ls.mu.Lock()
+	defer ls.mu.Unlock()
+	ls.MaxConnections = n
+}
+
 // Routes returns a snapshot of the listener's route table.
 func (ls *ListenerState) Routes() map[string]RouteInfo {
 	ls.mu.RLock()
@@ -96,6 +104,7 @@ type ListenerData struct {
 	ID             int64
 	Addr           string
 	ProxyProtocol  bool
+	MaxConnections int64
 	Routes         map[string]RouteInfo // lowercase hostname → route info
 }

@@ -119,6 +128,7 @@ func New(cfg *config.Config, fw *firewall.Firewall, listenerData []ListenerData,
 			ID:             ld.ID,
 			Addr:           ld.Addr,
 			ProxyProtocol:  ld.ProxyProtocol,
+			MaxConnections: ld.MaxConnections,
 			routes:         ld.Routes,
 			activeConns:    make(map[net.Conn]struct{}),
 		})
@@ -229,6 +239,13 @@ func (s *Server) serve(ctx context.Context, ln net.Listener, ls *ListenerState)
 			continue
 		}

+		// Enforce per-listener connection limit.
+		if ls.MaxConnections > 0 && ls.ActiveConnections.Load() >= ls.MaxConnections {
+			conn.Close()
+			s.logger.Debug("connection limit reached", "addr", ls.Addr, "limit", ls.MaxConnections)
+			continue
+		}
+
 		s.wg.Add(1)
 		ls.ActiveConnections.Add(1)
 		go s.handleConn(ctx, conn, ls)
--- a/internal/server/server_test.go
+++ b/internal/server/server_test.go
@@ -1052,6 +1052,96 @@ func TestProxyProtocolFirewallUsesRealIP(t *testing.T) {
 	wg.Wait()
 }

+// --- Connection limit tests ---
+
+func TestConnectionLimitEnforced(t *testing.T) {
+	// Backend that holds connections open.
+	backendLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backend listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer backendLn.Close()
+
+	go func() {
+		for {
+			conn, err := backendLn.Accept()
+			if err != nil {
+				return
+			}
+			go io.Copy(io.Discard, conn)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	proxyLn, err := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:0")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("proxy listen: %v", err)
+	}
+	proxyAddr := proxyLn.Addr().String()
+	proxyLn.Close()
+
+	srv := newTestServer(t, []ListenerData{
+		{
+			ID:             1,
+			Addr:           proxyAddr,
+			MaxConnections: 2,
+			Routes: map[string]RouteInfo{
+				"limit.test": l4Route(backendLn.Addr().String()),
+			},
+		},
+	})
+
+	stop := startAndStop(t, srv)
+	defer stop()
+
+	// Open 2 connections (should succeed).
+	var conns []net.Conn
+	for i := range 2 {
+		conn, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("dial %d: %v", i, err)
+		}
+		conn.Write(buildClientHello("limit.test"))
+		conns = append(conns, conn)
+	}
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// 3rd connection should be rejected (closed immediately).
+	conn3, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial 3: %v", err)
+	}
+	conn3.Write(buildClientHello("limit.test"))
+	conn3.SetReadDeadline(time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second))
+	_, err = conn3.Read(make([]byte, 1))
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected 3rd connection to be closed due to limit")
+	}
+	conn3.Close()
+
+	// Close one existing connection.
+	conns[0].Close()
+	time.Sleep(200 * time.Millisecond)
+
+	// Now a new connection should succeed.
+	conn4, err := net.DialTimeout("tcp", proxyAddr, 2*time.Second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dial 4: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer conn4.Close()
+	conn4.Write(buildClientHello("limit.test"))
+
+	// Give it time to be proxied.
+	time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	if got := srv.TotalConnections(); got < 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected at least 2 connections, got %d", got)
+	}
+
+	// Clean up.
+	for _, c := range conns[1:] {
+		c.Close()
+	}
+}
+
 // --- Multi-hop integration tests ---

 func TestMultiHopProxyProtocol(t *testing.T) {
--- a/proto/mc_proxy/v1/admin.proto
+++ b/proto/mc_proxy/v1/admin.proto
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ service ProxyAdminService {
  rpc AddFirewallRule(AddFirewallRuleRequest) returns (AddFirewallRuleResponse);
  rpc RemoveFirewallRule(RemoveFirewallRuleRequest) returns (RemoveFirewallRuleResponse);

+  // Connection limits
+  rpc SetListenerMaxConnections(SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest) returns (SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse);
+
  // Status
  rpc GetStatus(GetStatusRequest) returns (GetStatusResponse);
 }
@@ -90,11 +93,19 @@ message RemoveFirewallRuleResponse {}

 // Status

+message SetListenerMaxConnectionsRequest {
+  string listener_addr = 1;
+  int64 max_connections = 2;  // 0 = unlimited
+}
+
+message SetListenerMaxConnectionsResponse {}
+
 message ListenerStatus {
  string addr = 1;
  int32 route_count = 2;
  int64 active_connections = 3;
  bool proxy_protocol = 4;
+  int64 max_connections = 5;
 }

 message GetStatusRequest {}