refactor: optimize user management, fix speed limit hot-reload and improve performance

internal/kernel/kernel.go

@@ -7,32 +7,60 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/time/rate"
 )
 
-// Kernel is the interface for proxy kernel backends (sing-box, xray, etc.)
+// Kernel is the interface for proxy kernel backends (sing-box, xray, etc.).
+//
+// The interface is split into lifecycle, user management, and observability
+// groups. User operations (AddUsers/RemoveUsers) are designed to be atomic
+// and non-disruptive — they MUST NOT restart listeners or drop existing
+// connections. Only Start and Reload may (re)bind ports.
+//
+// Implementors: singbox.SingBox, xray.Xray
 type Kernel interface {
-	// Name returns the kernel identifier (e.g. "sing-box")
+	// ─── Identity ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	// Name returns the kernel identifier (e.g. "sing-box", "xray").
 	Name() string
-	// ApplyConfig generates kernel config from panel data and (re)starts the process
-	ApplyConfig(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error
-	// Stop gracefully stops the kernel process
+	// Protocols returns the protocol names this kernel supports.
+	Protocols() []string
+
+	// ─── Lifecycle ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	// Start initialises the kernel with the given node config and initial
+	// user set, binds listeners, and begins accepting connections.
+	// Calling Start on an already-running kernel stops the old instance first.
+	Start(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error
+	// Stop gracefully shuts down the kernel, draining active connections.
 	Stop()
-	// IsRunning returns whether the kernel is currently active
+	// IsRunning returns whether the kernel is currently accepting connections.
 	IsRunning() bool
-	// GetConnections returns all active proxy connections
-	GetConnections(ctx context.Context) ([]Connection, error)
-	// CloseConnection terminates a specific connection by ID
-	CloseConnection(ctx context.Context, connID string) error
-	// SetSpeedLimitFunc configures optional per-user bandwidth throttling.
-	// The function resolves a user UUID to a *rate.Limiter (nil = unlimited).
-	// For sing-box, the limiter is embedded in the connection tracker wrapper
-	// so both byte counting and rate limiting happen in a single CountFunc
-	// callback, allowing splice/zero-copy paths.
-	SetSpeedLimitFunc(fn func(uuid string) *rate.Limiter)
-	// Reload hot-swaps the inbound users and routing rules without full kernel restart.
-	// Existing connections may be briefly interrupted, but routes/outbounds stay alive.
+	// Reload re-generates the full config and hot-swaps listeners/routes.
+	// Use this when port, protocol, or TLS settings change.
+	// Existing connections MAY be briefly interrupted.
 	Reload(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error
+
+	// ─── User management (non-disruptive) ───────────────────────────────
+	// AddUsers registers new users with the running kernel.
+	// Existing connections are unaffected. Returns the count actually added
+	// (duplicates are silently skipped).
+	AddUsers(users []panel.User) (added int, err error)
+	// RemoveUsers deregisters users from the running kernel.
+	// Active connections of removed users are terminated. Returns the count
+	// actually removed (unknown IDs are silently skipped).
+	RemoveUsers(users []panel.User) (removed int, err error)
+	// UpdateUsers replaces the entire user set atomically.
+	// This is equivalent to computing the diff and calling Add/Remove, but
+	// may be more efficient for bulk changes. Returns (added, removed) counts.
+	UpdateUsers(users []panel.User) (added, removed int, err error)
+
+	// ─── Observability ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+	// GetConnections returns a snapshot of all active proxy connections.
+	GetConnections(ctx context.Context) ([]Connection, error)
+	// CloseConnection terminates a specific connection by ID.
+	CloseConnection(ctx context.Context, connID string) error
+	// SetSpeedLimitFunc configures per-user bandwidth throttling.
+	// The function resolves a user UUID to a *rate.Limiter (nil = unlimited).
+	SetSpeedLimitFunc(fn func(uuid string) *rate.Limiter)
 }
 
-// Connection represents an active proxy connection reported by the kernel
+// Connection represents an active proxy connection reported by the kernel.
 type Connection struct {
 	ID       string
 	UserID   int    // extracted user ID (0 if unknown)
@@ -40,3 +68,30 @@ type Connection struct {
 	Download int64  // cumulative download bytes
 	SourceIP string // client source IP (cleaned, no port/brackets)
 }
+
+// UserDiff computes which users to add and which to remove when transitioning
+// from oldUsers to newUsers. This is a pure helper used by callers; kernels
+// may also use it internally.
+func UserDiff(oldUsers, newUsers []panel.User) (toAdd, toRemove []panel.User) {
+	oldMap := make(map[int]panel.User, len(oldUsers))
+	for _, u := range oldUsers {
+		oldMap[u.ID] = u
+	}
+	newMap := make(map[int]panel.User, len(newUsers))
+	for _, u := range newUsers {
+		newMap[u.ID] = u
+	}
+
+	for _, u := range newUsers {
+		old, exists := oldMap[u.ID]
+		if !exists || old.UUID != u.UUID {
+			toAdd = append(toAdd, u)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, u := range oldUsers {
+		if _, exists := newMap[u.ID]; !exists {
+			toRemove = append(toRemove, u)
+		}
+	}
+	return
+}

internal/kernel/singbox/singbox.go

@@ -29,10 +29,9 @@ const drainTimeout = 5 * time.Second
 
 // SingBox implements kernel.Kernel by embedding sing-box as a Go library.
 //
-// Connection tracking is done entirely in-process via ConnTracker, which is
-// registered as an adapter.ConnectionTracker with sing-box's router. This
-// avoids the HTTP/JSON overhead of the Clash API (saves 5-15 MB at 500+
-// concurrent connections).
+// User operations (AddUsers/RemoveUsers/UpdateUsers) use sing-box's native
+// UpdatableInbound interface, which hot-swaps user credentials without
+// restarting listeners — zero connection disruption.
 type SingBox struct {
 	cfg config.KernelConfig
 
@@ -41,9 +40,14 @@ type SingBox struct {
 	ctx    context.Context
 	cancel context.CancelFunc
 
+	users      []panel.User
+	nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig
+	certFile   string
+	keyFile    string
+
 	// connTracker is our lightweight in-process byte/IP tracker.
-	// Created fresh on every ApplyConfig (full restart).
-	// Survives ReloadUsers (hot-swap) since live connections persist.
+	// Created fresh on every Start (full restart).
+	// Survives Reload (hot-swap) since live connections persist.
 	connTracker *ConnTracker
 
 	// speedLimitFunc resolves a user UUID to a *rate.Limiter.
@@ -51,7 +55,7 @@ type SingBox struct {
 	speedLimitFunc func(string) *rate.Limiter
 
 	// trackerRegistered prevents duplicate AppendTracker calls on the same
-	// Router instance during ReloadUsers. Reset to false on full restart.
+	// Router instance during Reload. Reset to false on full restart.
 	trackerRegistered bool
 }
 
@@ -59,9 +63,18 @@ func New(cfg config.KernelConfig) *SingBox {
 	return &SingBox{cfg: cfg}
 }
 
+var _ kernel.Kernel = (*SingBox)(nil)
+
 func (s *SingBox) Name() string { return "sing-box" }
 
-func (s *SingBox) ApplyConfig(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error {
+func (s *SingBox) Protocols() []string {
+	return []string{
+		"vmess", "vless", "trojan", "shadowsocks",
+		"hysteria2", "tuic", "naive", "socks", "http", "anytls",
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *SingBox) Start(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error {
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	defer s.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -102,6 +115,10 @@ func (s *SingBox) ApplyConfig(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User,
 	s.box = instance
 	s.ctx = ctx
 	s.cancel = cancel
+	s.users = users
+	s.nodeConfig = nodeConfig
+	s.certFile = certFile
+	s.keyFile = keyFile
 
 	// Fresh tracker on full restart (all connections were terminated by s.stop).
 	s.connTracker = NewConnTracker(0)
@@ -113,7 +130,7 @@ func (s *SingBox) ApplyConfig(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User,
 	s.trackerRegistered = false
 	s.registerTracker(ctx)
 
-	slog.Info("sing-box started (in-process)", "users", len(users))
+	slog.Info("sing-box started", "users", len(users))
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -225,6 +242,10 @@ func (s *SingBox) Reload(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certF
 	}
 
 	slog.Info("sing-box reloaded (users and routes hot-swapped)", "users", len(users))
+	s.users = users
+	s.nodeConfig = nodeConfig
+	s.certFile = certFile
+	s.keyFile = keyFile
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -312,8 +333,192 @@ func (s *SingBox) SetSpeedLimitFunc(fn func(uuid string) *rate.Limiter) {
 	}
 }
 
-// GetConnections returns a snapshot of all active and recently-closed
-// connections directly from the in-process ConnTracker.
+// ─── User management (non-disruptive) ───────────────────────────────────────
+
+// AddUsers hot-swaps users into running inbounds. Zero connection disruption.
+func (s *SingBox) AddUsers(users []panel.User) (int, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if s.box == nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("not running")
+	}
+
+	existing := make(map[int]struct{}, len(s.users))
+	for _, u := range s.users {
+		existing[u.ID] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	var toAdd []panel.User
+	for _, u := range users {
+		if _, dup := existing[u.ID]; !dup {
+			toAdd = append(toAdd, u)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(toAdd) == 0 {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+
+	merged := append(append([]panel.User{}, s.users...), toAdd...)
+	if err := s.reloadInboundsLocked(merged); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	s.users = merged
+	return len(toAdd), nil
+}
+
+// RemoveUsers hot-swaps users out of running inbounds. Zero connection disruption
+// for remaining users.
+func (s *SingBox) RemoveUsers(users []panel.User) (int, error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if s.box == nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("not running")
+	}
+
+	removeSet := make(map[int]struct{}, len(users))
+	for _, u := range users {
+		removeSet[u.ID] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	var kept []panel.User
+	removed := 0
+	for _, u := range s.users {
+		if _, rm := removeSet[u.ID]; rm {
+			removed++
+		} else {
+			kept = append(kept, u)
+		}
+	}
+	if removed == 0 {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+
+	if err := s.reloadInboundsLocked(kept); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	s.users = kept
+	return removed, nil
+}
+
+// UpdateUsers replaces the entire user set atomically via hot-swap.
+func (s *SingBox) UpdateUsers(users []panel.User) (added, removed int, err error) {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if s.box == nil {
+		return 0, 0, fmt.Errorf("not running")
+	}
+
+	toAdd, toRemove := kernel.UserDiff(s.users, users)
+	added, removed = len(toAdd), len(toRemove)
+
+	if added == 0 && removed == 0 {
+		// Only limits may have changed — update tracker map.
+		if s.connTracker != nil {
+			s.connTracker.SetUserMap(buildUserMap(users))
+		}
+		s.users = users
+		return 0, 0, nil
+	}
+
+	if err = s.reloadInboundsLocked(users); err != nil {
+		return 0, 0, err
+	}
+	s.users = users
+	return
+}
+
+// reloadInboundsLocked hot-swaps inbound users using UpdatableInbound.
+// Must be called with s.mu held.
+func (s *SingBox) reloadInboundsLocked(users []panel.User) error {
+	cfgMap := buildConfig(s.cfg, s.nodeConfig, users, s.certFile, s.keyFile)
+	data, err := json.Marshal(cfgMap)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("marshal config: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	opts, err := singJSON.UnmarshalExtendedContext[option.Options](s.ctx, data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("parse options: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	im := service.FromContext[adapter.InboundManager](s.ctx)
+	if im == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("inbound manager not available")
+	}
+
+	router := service.FromContext[adapter.Router](s.ctx)
+	if router == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("router not available")
+	}
+
+	nopFactory := singLog.NewNOPFactory()
+
+	for _, inb := range opts.Inbounds {
+		tag := inb.Tag
+		if existing, ok := im.Get(tag); ok && existing.Type() == inb.Type {
+			var err error
+			switch v := existing.(type) {
+			case adapter.UpdatableInbound[option.VMessUser]:
+				if opts, ok := inb.Options.(*option.VMessInboundOptions); ok {
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				}
+			case adapter.UpdatableInbound[option.VLESSUser]:
+				if opts, ok := inb.Options.(*option.VLESSInboundOptions); ok {
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				}
+			case adapter.UpdatableInbound[option.TrojanUser]:
+				if opts, ok := inb.Options.(*option.TrojanInboundOptions); ok {
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				}
+			case adapter.UpdatableInbound[option.Hysteria2User]:
+				if opts, ok := inb.Options.(*option.Hysteria2InboundOptions); ok {
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				}
+			case adapter.UpdatableShadowsocksInbound:
+				if opts, ok := inb.Options.(*option.ShadowsocksInboundOptions); ok {
+					err = v.UpdateUsersByOptions(opts.Users)
+				}
+			case adapter.UpdatableInbound[option.TUICUser]:
+				if opts, ok := inb.Options.(*option.TUICInboundOptions); ok {
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				}
+			case adapter.UpdatableInbound[option.AnyTLSUser]:
+				if opts, ok := inb.Options.(*option.AnyTLSInboundOptions); ok {
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				}
+			case adapter.UpdatableInbound[auth.User]:
+				switch opts := inb.Options.(type) {
+				case *option.NaiveInboundOptions:
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				case *option.SocksInboundOptions:
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				case *option.HTTPMixedInboundOptions:
+					err = v.UpdateUsers(opts.Users)
+				}
+			}
+			if err == nil {
+				continue
+			}
+			slog.Warn("incremental update failed, recreating inbound", "tag", tag, "error", err)
+		}
+
+		_ = im.Remove(tag)
+		logger := nopFactory.NewLogger(fmt.Sprintf("inbound/%s[%s]", inb.Type, tag))
+		if err := im.Create(s.ctx, router, logger, tag, inb.Type, inb.Options); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("recreate inbound %s: %w", tag, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if s.connTracker != nil {
+		s.connTracker.SetUserMap(buildUserMap(users))
+	}
+
+	slog.Info("sing-box users hot-swapped", "users", len(users))
+	return nil
+}
+
+// ─── Observability ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 func (s *SingBox) GetConnections(_ context.Context) ([]kernel.Connection, error) {
 	ct := s.connTrackerSafe()
 	if ct == nil {

internal/kernel/xray/config.go

@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ func buildConfig(kcfg config.KernelConfig, nc *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.U
 	cfg := M{
 		"log": M{
 			"loglevel": xrayLogLevel(kcfg.LogLevel),
+			"error":    "stdout",
+			"access":   "stdout",
 		},
 		"stats": M{},
 		"policy": M{
@@ -202,6 +204,11 @@ func buildInbound(nc *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile st
 		"listen":   listenAddr,
 		"port":     nc.ServerPort,
 		"protocol": nc.Protocol,
+		"streamSettings": M{
+			"sockopt": M{
+				"reusePort": true,
+			},
+		},
 	}
 
 	switch nc.Protocol {
@@ -316,6 +323,7 @@ func buildSocks(base M, users []panel.User) M {
 		accounts = append(accounts, M{
 			"user":  u.UUID,
 			"pass":  u.UUID,
+			"email": userEmail(u.ID),
 		})
 	}
 	base["settings"] = M{
@@ -333,6 +341,7 @@ func buildHTTP(base M, nc *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFi
 		accounts = append(accounts, M{
 			"user":  u.UUID,
 			"pass":  u.UUID,
+			"email": userEmail(u.ID),
 		})
 	}
 	base["settings"] = M{

internal/kernel/xray/config_test.go

@@ -411,3 +411,29 @@ func TestBuildConfig_Shadowsocks_MultiUser(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected 2 clients, got %d", len(clients))
 	}
 }
+
+func TestBuildConfig_SocksStats(t *testing.T) {
+	nc := panel.NodeConfig{
+		Protocol:   "socks",
+		ServerPort: 1080,
+	}
+	cfg := buildConfig(testKernelCfg, &nc, testUsers, "", "")
+	data, _ := json.Marshal(cfg)
+
+	var parsed map[string]interface{}
+	json.Unmarshal(data, &parsed)
+
+	inbounds := parsed["inbounds"].([]interface{})
+	ib := inbounds[0].(map[string]interface{})
+	settings := ib["settings"].(map[string]interface{})
+	accounts := settings["accounts"].([]interface{})
+	
+	if len(accounts) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("no accounts in socks config")
+	}
+
+	a1 := accounts[0].(map[string]interface{})
+	if a1["email"] != "user@1" {
+		t.Errorf("expected email user@1 for socks account, got %v", a1["email"])
+	}
+}

internal/kernel/xray/xray.go

@@ -9,12 +9,23 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"sort"
+	"strings"
 	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/common/protocol"
+	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/common/uuid"
 	xrayCore "github.com/xtls/xray-core/core"
+	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/features/inbound"
 	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/features/stats"
 	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/infra/conf/serial"
+	xrayProxy "github.com/xtls/xray-core/proxy"
+	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/proxy/shadowsocks"
+	ss2022 "github.com/xtls/xray-core/proxy/shadowsocks_2022"
+	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/proxy/trojan"
+	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/proxy/vless"
+	"github.com/xtls/xray-core/proxy/vmess"
 	"golang.org/x/time/rate"
 
 	_ "github.com/xtls/xray-core/main/distro/all"
@@ -25,38 +36,42 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cedar2025/xboard-node/internal/panel"
 )
 
-// drainTimeout is how long stop() waits for in-flight connections to finish
-// naturally before hard-killing the xray instance.
-const drainTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+const (
+	// drainTimeout is how long Stop waits for in-flight connections to finish
+	// before hard-killing the instance. Skipped during hot-reload for speed.
+	drainTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+	// startTimeout caps how long instance.Start() may block.
+	startTimeout = 30 * time.Second
+)
 
 // Xray implements kernel.Kernel by embedding xray-core as a Go library.
 //
-// Device limits and speed limits are enforced through a custom dispatcher
-// wrapper (LimitDispatcher) that hooks into session.InboundFromContext(ctx)
-// — the same approach used by V2bX and XrayR. This works for ALL protocols
-// because the dispatcher is called AFTER the protocol handler has identified
-// the user and recorded the source IP in the session context.
+// Lifecycle:  Start  →  running  →  Stop / Reload
+//
+// Lock discipline:
+//   - mu is held only for brief field swaps (microseconds).
+//   - instance.Start() and instance.Close() run OUTSIDE the lock.
+//   - running (atomic) gates fast-path checks in IsRunning / GetConnections.
 type Xray struct {
 	cfg config.KernelConfig
 
+	// mu protects instance, limitDispatcher, users, protocol, inboundTag,
+	// lastKernelHash, and cumTraffic. Never held during slow I/O.
 	mu              sync.Mutex
 	instance        *xrayCore.Instance
-	users    []panel.User
-	protocol string
-
-	inboundTag string
-
-	// limitDispatcher is the per-instance LimitDispatcher created during
-	// xrayCore.New(). Stored here (instead of using the global pointer)
-	// so that multi-node mode with multiple Xray instances works correctly.
 	limitDispatcher *LimitDispatcher
-
-	// lastKernelHash caches a hash of the kernel-affecting config + user
-	// identities. Used by Reload to skip unnecessary full restarts.
+	users           []panel.User
+	nodeConfig      *panel.NodeConfig
+	certFile        string
+	keyFile         string
+	protocol        string
+	inboundTag      string
 	lastKernelHash  string
-
-	// cumTraffic keeps running totals for the aggregate stats fallback.
 	cumTraffic      map[int][2]int64
+
+	// running is set after a successful Start and cleared before shutdown.
+	// Atomic so IsRunning / GetConnections never block.
+	running atomic.Bool
 }
 
 func New(cfg config.KernelConfig) *Xray {
@@ -68,138 +83,136 @@ func New(cfg config.KernelConfig) *Xray {
 
 func (x *Xray) Name() string { return "xray" }
 
-func (x *Xray) ApplyConfig(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error {
-	x.mu.Lock()
-	defer x.mu.Unlock()
-
-	// Auto-download geo databases and set XRAY_LOCATION_ASSET when panel
-	// routes reference geoip:/geosite: entries.
-	if kernel.NeedsGeoIP(nodeConfig.Routes) || kernel.NeedsGeoSite(nodeConfig.Routes) {
-		geoDataDir := x.cfg.GeoDataDir
-		if err := geodata.Ensure(geoDataDir,
-			kernel.NeedsGeoIP(nodeConfig.Routes),
-			kernel.NeedsGeoSite(nodeConfig.Routes),
-			"xray",
-		); err != nil {
-			slog.Warn("geo database unavailable; geoip/geosite rules may not match", "error", err)
-		}
-		os.Setenv("XRAY_LOCATION_ASSET", geoDataDir)
+func (x *Xray) Protocols() []string {
+	return []string{
+		"vmess", "vless", "trojan", "shadowsocks",
+		"socks", "http", "dokodemo-door",
 	}
+}
 
-	cfgMap := buildConfig(x.cfg, nodeConfig, users, certFile, keyFile)
-	data, err := json.Marshal(cfgMap)
+// ─── Lifecycle ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// Start builds a new xray-core instance and atomically replaces the old
+// one. The method is organised in four non-overlapping phases so that the
+// kernel mutex is never held during slow operations (Start / Close).
+//
+//	Phase 1 – Build:   generate protobuf config  (no lock, pure computation)
+//	Phase 2 – Create:  xrayCore.New + capture LD (brief global lock)
+//	Phase 3 – Swap:    stop old instance          (brief kernel lock)
+//	Phase 4 – Start:   instance.Start             (no lock, potentially slow)
+//	Phase 5 – Commit:  store new state            (brief kernel lock)
+func (x *Xray) Start(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error {
+	// ── Phase 1: Build config (no shared state) ─────────────────────────
+	x.ensureGeoData(nodeConfig)
+
+	data, err := marshalConfig(x.cfg, nodeConfig, users, certFile, keyFile)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("marshal config: %w", err)
+		return err
 	}
 
-	slog.Debug("xray config generated", "len", len(data))
-
 	pbConfig, err := serial.LoadJSONConfig(bytes.NewReader(data))
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("parse xray config: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	x.stop()
-
-	// Hold the global creation mutex around xrayCore.New() + capture so that
-	// concurrent Xray instances (multi-node) don't clobber each other's
-	// LimitDispatcher reference.
+	// ── Phase 2: Create instance (global lock for LD capture) ───────────
 	xrayCreationMu.Lock()
-	instance, err := xrayCore.New(pbConfig)
+	inst, err := xrayCore.New(pbConfig)
+	ld := globalLimitDispatcher.Load()
+	xrayCreationMu.Unlock()
 	if err != nil {
-		xrayCreationMu.Unlock()
-		return fmt.Errorf("create xray instance: %w", err)
-	}
-	x.limitDispatcher = globalLimitDispatcher.Load()
-	xrayCreationMu.Unlock()
-
-	if err := instance.Start(); err != nil {
-		instance.Close()
-		return fmt.Errorf("start xray: %w", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("create xray: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	x.instance = instance
+	// ── Phase 3: Stop old (brief kernel lock, no drain) ─────────────────
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	x.running.Store(false)
+	old := x.instance
+	x.instance = nil
+	oldLD := x.limitDispatcher
+	x.limitDispatcher = nil
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+
+	closeOld(old, oldLD)
+
+	// ── Phase 4: Start new (no lock, potentially slow) ──────────────────
+	if err := startWithTimeout(inst, startTimeout); err != nil {
+		inst.Close()
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// ── Phase 5: Commit (brief kernel lock) ─────────────────────────────
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	x.instance = inst
+	x.limitDispatcher = ld
 	x.users = users
+	x.nodeConfig = nodeConfig
+	x.certFile = certFile
+	x.keyFile = keyFile
 	x.protocol = nodeConfig.Protocol
 	x.inboundTag = nodeConfig.Protocol + "-in"
 	x.cumTraffic = make(map[int][2]int64)
 	x.lastKernelHash = computeKernelHash(nodeConfig, users)
+	x.running.Store(true)
+	x.mu.Unlock()
 
-	// Configure the limit dispatcher with user limits
 	x.updateDispatcherLimits(users)
 
-	slog.Info("xray started (in-process)",
+	slog.Info("xray started",
 		"users", len(users),
 		"protocol", nodeConfig.Protocol,
-		"device_limits", "enabled (all protocols via dispatcher hook)",
-		"speed_limits", "enabled (all protocols via dispatcher hook)",
 	)
-
 	return nil
 }
 
+// Reload hot-swaps dispatcher limits and, only when kernel-affecting fields
+// have changed (user identities, routes, protocol), triggers a full restart.
 func (x *Xray) Reload(nodeConfig *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) error {
-	// Always update dispatcher limits (instant, no restart).
 	x.updateDispatcherLimits(users)
 
-	// Skip full restart if kernel-affecting fields are unchanged.
-	// This covers user-only limit changes where identities (ID, UUID) and
-	// config (routes, protocol settings, port) haven't changed.
 	newHash := computeKernelHash(nodeConfig, users)
+
 	x.mu.Lock()
 	same := x.lastKernelHash == newHash
-	x.mu.Unlock()
 	if same {
-		x.mu.Lock()
 		x.users = users
 		x.mu.Unlock()
-		slog.Info("xray: config/users unchanged, limits updated without restart")
+		slog.Info("xray: limits updated, kernel unchanged")
 		return nil
 	}
+	x.mu.Unlock()
 
-	return x.ApplyConfig(nodeConfig, users, certFile, keyFile)
+	return x.Start(nodeConfig, users, certFile, keyFile)
 }
 
+// Stop gracefully shuts down the kernel, draining active connections first.
 func (x *Xray) Stop() {
-	x.mu.Lock()
-	defer x.mu.Unlock()
-	x.stop()
-}
+	x.running.Store(false)
 
-func (x *Xray) stop() {
-	if x.instance != nil {
-		// Drain: wait for in-flight connections to finish naturally.
-		if x.limitDispatcher != nil {
-			deadline := time.Now().Add(drainTimeout)
-			for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
-				x.limitDispatcher.mu.RLock()
-				n := len(x.limitDispatcher.conns)
-				x.limitDispatcher.mu.RUnlock()
-				if n == 0 {
-					break
-				}
-				time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
-			}
-		}
-		x.instance.Close()
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	inst := x.instance
+	ld := x.limitDispatcher
 	x.instance = nil
-	}
-	if x.limitDispatcher != nil {
-		x.limitDispatcher.ResetConns()
 	x.limitDispatcher = nil
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if ld != nil {
+		drainConns(ld, drainTimeout)
 	}
+	closeOld(inst, ld)
 }
 
-func (x *Xray) IsRunning() bool {
-	x.mu.Lock()
-	defer x.mu.Unlock()
-	return x.instance != nil
-}
+func (x *Xray) IsRunning() bool { return x.running.Load() }
 
-// GetConnections returns per-connection data from the dispatcher.
-// Each connection has a real source IP and user ID, enabling device limit
-// enforcement by the upper-layer limiter.
+// ─── Connection queries ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// GetConnections returns a snapshot of active proxy connections.
+// The lock is safe to take here because mu is never held during slow I/O.
 func (x *Xray) GetConnections(ctx context.Context) ([]kernel.Connection, error) {
+	if !x.running.Load() {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
 	x.mu.Lock()
 	defer x.mu.Unlock()
 
@@ -207,58 +220,13 @@ func (x *Xray) GetConnections(ctx context.Context) ([]kernel.Connection, error)
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
-	// Primary: use LimitDispatcher's per-connection tracking
 	if x.limitDispatcher != nil {
-		conns := x.limitDispatcher.Snapshot()
-		if len(conns) > 0 {
+		if conns := x.limitDispatcher.Snapshot(); len(conns) > 0 {
 			return conns, nil
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Fallback: aggregate stats (for edge cases)
-	return x.getAggregateStats()
-}
-
-func (x *Xray) getAggregateStats() ([]kernel.Connection, error) {
-	sm := x.instance.GetFeature(stats.ManagerType())
-	if sm == nil {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
-	statsManager, ok := sm.(stats.Manager)
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
-
-	var conns []kernel.Connection
-	for _, u := range x.users {
-		email := userEmail(u.ID)
-
-		var deltaUp, deltaDown int64
-		if c := statsManager.GetCounter(fmt.Sprintf("user>>>%s>>>traffic>>>uplink", email)); c != nil {
-			deltaUp = c.Set(0)
-		}
-		if c := statsManager.GetCounter(fmt.Sprintf("user>>>%s>>>traffic>>>downlink", email)); c != nil {
-			deltaDown = c.Set(0)
-		}
-
-		if deltaUp > 0 || deltaDown > 0 {
-			cum := x.cumTraffic[u.ID]
-			cum[0] += deltaUp
-			cum[1] += deltaDown
-			x.cumTraffic[u.ID] = cum
-		}
-
-		cum := x.cumTraffic[u.ID]
-		if cum[0] > 0 || cum[1] > 0 {
-			conns = append(conns, kernel.Connection{
-				ID:       fmt.Sprintf("xray-%d", u.ID),
-				UserID:   u.ID,
-				Upload:   cum[0],
-				Download: cum[1],
-			})
-		}
-	}
-	return conns, nil
+	return x.aggregateStats()
 }
 
 func (x *Xray) CloseConnection(_ context.Context, connID string) error {
@@ -273,10 +241,477 @@ func (x *Xray) CloseConnection(_ context.Context, connID string) error {
 
 func (x *Xray) SetSpeedLimitFunc(_ func(string) *rate.Limiter) {}
 
+// ─── User management (non-disruptive where possible) ────────────────────────
+
+// AddUsers adds new users to the running kernel via xray's UserManager API.
+// For protocols that support UserManager (vmess, vless, trojan, shadowsocks),
+// this is truly hitless — no restart, no connection disruption.
+// For unsupported protocols (socks, http), falls back to full restart.
+//
+// Delta "add" events also carry property updates (speed/device limits) for
+// existing users, so this method always merges properties and refreshes the
+// dispatcher limits — even when no brand-new users need to be added.
+func (x *Xray) AddUsers(users []panel.User) (int, error) {
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	if x.instance == nil {
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("not running")
+	}
+
+	// Merge: overwrite existing users' properties, collect truly new ones.
+	userMap := make(map[int]panel.User, len(x.users))
+	for _, u := range x.users {
+		userMap[u.ID] = u
+	}
+	var toAdd []panel.User
+	for _, u := range users {
+		if _, exists := userMap[u.ID]; !exists {
+			toAdd = append(toAdd, u)
+		}
+		userMap[u.ID] = u // always overwrite properties
+	}
+	merged := make([]panel.User, 0, len(userMap))
+	for _, u := range userMap {
+		merged = append(merged, u)
+	}
+
+	if len(toAdd) == 0 {
+		// No new kernel users, but properties (limits) may have changed.
+		x.users = merged
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		x.updateDispatcherLimits(merged)
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+
+	um, err := x.getUserManager()
+	if err != nil {
+		// Protocol doesn't support UserManager → full restart
+		nc, cf, kf := x.nodeConfig, x.certFile, x.keyFile
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		slog.Debug("xray: AddUsers fallback to restart", "reason", err)
+		if err := x.Start(nc, merged, cf, kf); err != nil {
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		return len(toAdd), nil
+	}
+
+	proto := x.protocol
+	nc := x.nodeConfig
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	added := 0
+	for _, u := range toAdd {
+		mu, err := toMemoryUser(proto, nc, u)
+		if err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("xray: skip user, cannot build account", "user", u.ID, "error", err)
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := um.AddUser(ctx, mu); err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("xray: AddUser failed", "user", u.ID, "error", err)
+			continue
+		}
+		added++
+	}
+
+	// Update bookkeeping with full merged list (new users + updated properties).
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	x.users = merged
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+	x.updateDispatcherLimits(merged)
+
+	slog.Info("xray: users added via UserManager", "added", added, "total", len(merged))
+	return added, nil
+}
+
+// RemoveUsers removes users from the running kernel via xray's UserManager API.
+// Truly hitless for supported protocols — remaining connections unaffected.
+func (x *Xray) RemoveUsers(users []panel.User) (int, error) {
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	if x.instance == nil {
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("not running")
+	}
+	removeSet := make(map[int]struct{}, len(users))
+	for _, u := range users {
+		removeSet[u.ID] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	var kept []panel.User
+	removed := 0
+	for _, u := range x.users {
+		if _, rm := removeSet[u.ID]; rm {
+			removed++
+		} else {
+			kept = append(kept, u)
+		}
+	}
+	if removed == 0 {
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+
+	if len(kept) == 0 {
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		x.Stop()
+		return removed, nil
+	}
+
+	um, err := x.getUserManager()
+	if err != nil {
+		nc, cf, kf := x.nodeConfig, x.certFile, x.keyFile
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		slog.Debug("xray: RemoveUsers fallback to restart", "reason", err)
+		if err := x.Start(nc, kept, cf, kf); err != nil {
+			return 0, err
+		}
+		return removed, nil
+	}
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	actualRemoved := 0
+	for _, u := range users {
+		email := userEmail(u.ID)
+		if err := um.RemoveUser(ctx, email); err != nil {
+			slog.Debug("xray: RemoveUser skipped", "user", u.ID, "error", err)
+			continue
+		}
+		actualRemoved++
+	}
+
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	x.users = kept
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+	x.updateDispatcherLimits(kept)
+
+	slog.Info("xray: users removed via UserManager", "removed", actualRemoved, "total", len(kept))
+	return actualRemoved, nil
+}
+
+// UpdateUsers replaces the entire user set. If only speed/device limits
+// changed, updates the dispatcher without restarting. Otherwise uses
+// UserManager for hitless add/remove where supported.
+func (x *Xray) UpdateUsers(users []panel.User) (added, removed int, err error) {
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	if x.instance == nil {
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		return 0, 0, fmt.Errorf("not running")
+	}
+	toAdd, toRemove := kernel.UserDiff(x.users, users)
+	added, removed = len(toAdd), len(toRemove)
+
+	if added == 0 && removed == 0 {
+		// Only limits changed — update dispatcher without restart.
+		x.users = users
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		x.updateDispatcherLimits(users)
+		slog.Info("xray: limits updated, kernel unchanged")
+		return 0, 0, nil
+	}
+
+	um, umErr := x.getUserManager()
+	if umErr != nil {
+		// Protocol doesn't support UserManager → full restart
+		nc, cf, kf := x.nodeConfig, x.certFile, x.keyFile
+		x.mu.Unlock()
+		slog.Debug("xray: UpdateUsers fallback to restart", "reason", umErr)
+		if err = x.Start(nc, users, cf, kf); err != nil {
+			return 0, 0, err
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	proto := x.protocol
+	nc := x.nodeConfig
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// Remove first, then add (order matters for UUID changes on same ID)
+	for _, u := range toRemove {
+		email := userEmail(u.ID)
+		if err := um.RemoveUser(ctx, email); err != nil {
+			slog.Debug("xray: RemoveUser skipped in UpdateUsers", "user", u.ID, "error", err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, u := range toAdd {
+		mu, err := toMemoryUser(proto, nc, u)
+		if err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("xray: skip user in UpdateUsers", "user", u.ID, "error", err)
+			continue
+		}
+		if err := um.AddUser(ctx, mu); err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("xray: AddUser failed in UpdateUsers", "user", u.ID, "error", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	x.mu.Lock()
+	x.users = users
+	x.mu.Unlock()
+	x.updateDispatcherLimits(users)
+
+	slog.Info("xray: users updated via UserManager", "added", added, "removed", removed, "total", len(users))
+	return
+}
+
 var _ kernel.Kernel = (*Xray)(nil)
 
-// updateDispatcherLimits configures the global LimitDispatcher with
-// per-user device limits and speed limits.
+// ─── Internal helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// getUserManager extracts the UserManager from the running xray instance's
+// inbound handler. Must be called with x.mu held.
+// Returns error for protocols that don't support UserManager (socks, http).
+func (x *Xray) getUserManager() (xrayProxy.UserManager, error) {
+	if x.instance == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("instance is nil")
+	}
+
+	im := x.instance.GetFeature(inbound.ManagerType())
+	if im == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("inbound manager not available")
+	}
+	inboundMgr, ok := im.(inbound.Manager)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("inbound manager type assertion failed")
+	}
+
+	handler, err := inboundMgr.GetHandler(context.Background(), x.inboundTag)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get handler %q: %w", x.inboundTag, err)
+	}
+
+	gi, ok := handler.(xrayProxy.GetInbound)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("handler does not implement GetInbound")
+	}
+
+	um, ok := gi.GetInbound().(xrayProxy.UserManager)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("protocol %q does not support UserManager", x.protocol)
+	}
+
+	return um, nil
+}
+
+// toMemoryUser converts a panel.User into an xray protocol.MemoryUser for the
+// given protocol. Each protocol needs a different Account type.
+func toMemoryUser(proto string, nc *panel.NodeConfig, u panel.User) (*protocol.MemoryUser, error) {
+	email := userEmail(u.ID)
+	mu := &protocol.MemoryUser{Email: email, Level: 0}
+
+	switch proto {
+	case "vmess":
+		id, err := uuid.ParseString(u.UUID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse vmess UUID: %w", err)
+		}
+		mu.Account = &vmess.MemoryAccount{
+			ID:       protocol.NewID(id),
+			Security: protocol.SecurityType_AUTO,
+		}
+
+	case "vless":
+		id, err := uuid.ParseString(u.UUID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("parse vless UUID: %w", err)
+		}
+		account := &vless.MemoryAccount{
+			ID:         protocol.NewID(id),
+			Encryption: "none",
+		}
+		if nc.Flow != "" {
+			account.Flow = nc.Flow
+		}
+		mu.Account = account
+
+	case "trojan":
+		mu.Account = &trojan.MemoryAccount{
+			Password: u.UUID,
+			Key:      trojanHexSha224(u.UUID),
+		}
+
+	case "shadowsocks":
+		if strings.HasPrefix(nc.Cipher, "2022-blake3-") {
+			// 2022-blake3 multi-user mode
+			mu.Account = &ss2022.MemoryAccount{Key: u.UUID}
+		} else {
+			// Traditional SS — build via getCipher path
+			ct := parseCipherType(nc.Cipher)
+			cipherObj, err := (&shadowsocks.Account{CipherType: ct, Password: u.UUID}).AsAccount()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("build ss account: %w", err)
+			}
+			mu.Account = cipherObj
+		}
+
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("protocol %q does not support MemoryUser", proto)
+	}
+
+	return mu, nil
+}
+
+// parseCipherType maps a cipher name string to the xray CipherType enum.
+func parseCipherType(cipher string) shadowsocks.CipherType {
+	switch cipher {
+	case "aes-128-gcm":
+		return shadowsocks.CipherType_AES_128_GCM
+	case "aes-256-gcm":
+		return shadowsocks.CipherType_AES_256_GCM
+	case "chacha20-ietf-poly1305", "chacha20-poly1305":
+		return shadowsocks.CipherType_CHACHA20_POLY1305
+	case "xchacha20-ietf-poly1305", "xchacha20-poly1305":
+		return shadowsocks.CipherType_XCHACHA20_POLY1305
+	case "none", "plain":
+		return shadowsocks.CipherType_NONE
+	default:
+		return shadowsocks.CipherType_AES_256_GCM
+	}
+}
+
+// trojanHexSha224 computes the SHA-224 hex key used by trojan protocol.
+func trojanHexSha224(password string) []byte {
+	// Replicates the exact logic from xray-core/proxy/trojan/config.go hexSha224
+	h := sha256.New224()
+	h.Write([]byte(password))
+	buf := make([]byte, 56)
+	hexEncode(buf, h.Sum(nil))
+	return buf
+}
+
+// hexEncode is a minimal hex encoder (avoids importing encoding/hex).
+func hexEncode(dst, src []byte) {
+	const hextable = "0123456789abcdef"
+	for i, v := range src {
+		dst[i*2] = hextable[v>>4]
+		dst[i*2+1] = hextable[v&0x0f]
+	}
+}
+
+// ensureGeoData downloads geo databases when routes reference geoip/geosite.
+func (x *Xray) ensureGeoData(nc *panel.NodeConfig) {
+	needIP, needSite := kernel.NeedsGeoIP(nc.Routes), kernel.NeedsGeoSite(nc.Routes)
+	if !needIP && !needSite {
+		return
+	}
+	dir := x.cfg.GeoDataDir
+	if err := geodata.Ensure(dir, needIP, needSite, "xray"); err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("geo database unavailable", "error", err)
+	}
+	os.Setenv("XRAY_LOCATION_ASSET", dir)
+}
+
+// marshalConfig builds the xray JSON config and returns the raw bytes.
+func marshalConfig(cfg config.KernelConfig, nc *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User, certFile, keyFile string) ([]byte, error) {
+	cfgMap := buildConfig(cfg, nc, users, certFile, keyFile)
+	data, err := json.Marshal(cfgMap)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("marshal config: %w", err)
+	}
+	slog.Debug("xray config generated", "len", len(data))
+	return data, nil
+}
+
+// startWithTimeout runs instance.Start() with a bounded deadline.
+func startWithTimeout(inst *xrayCore.Instance, timeout time.Duration) error {
+	done := make(chan error, 1)
+	go func() { done <- inst.Start() }()
+
+	select {
+	case err := <-done:
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("start xray: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	case <-time.After(timeout):
+		return fmt.Errorf("start xray: timeout after %v", timeout)
+	}
+}
+
+// closeOld shuts down a previously running instance and its dispatcher.
+// Recycling happens in a background goroutine to prevent the main thread
+// from blocking on slow connection draining, enabling "hitless" reload.
+func closeOld(inst *xrayCore.Instance, ld *LimitDispatcher) {
+	if inst == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	go func() {
+		// 1. Drain connections gracefully (best effort, e.g. 5 minutes)
+		// We use a much longer timeout here than the default Stop() because
+		// it's running in background and doesn't block new user connections.
+		if ld != nil {
+			drainConns(ld, 5*time.Minute)
+		}
+		// 2. Hard close
+		inst.Close()
+		if ld != nil {
+			ld.ResetConns()
+		}
+		slog.Debug("xray: old instance recycled")
+	}()
+}
+
+// drainConns waits up to timeout for the dispatcher's active connections to
+// reach zero. Used only during graceful Stop, not during hot-reload.
+func drainConns(ld *LimitDispatcher, timeout time.Duration) {
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		ld.mu.RLock()
+		n := len(ld.conns)
+		ld.mu.RUnlock()
+		if n == 0 {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+}
+
+// aggregateStats is a fallback path that reads xray's built-in stats counters
+// when LimitDispatcher has no active connections (e.g. short-lived UDP flows).
+// Must be called with x.mu held.
+func (x *Xray) aggregateStats() ([]kernel.Connection, error) {
+	sm := x.instance.GetFeature(stats.ManagerType())
+	if sm == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	mgr, ok := sm.(stats.Manager)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
+	var conns []kernel.Connection
+	for _, u := range x.users {
+		email := userEmail(u.ID)
+
+		var dUp, dDown int64
+		if c := mgr.GetCounter(fmt.Sprintf("user>>>%s>>>traffic>>>uplink", email)); c != nil {
+			dUp = c.Set(0)
+		}
+		if c := mgr.GetCounter(fmt.Sprintf("user>>>%s>>>traffic>>>downlink", email)); c != nil {
+			dDown = c.Set(0)
+		}
+
+		if dUp > 0 || dDown > 0 {
+			cum := x.cumTraffic[u.ID]
+			cum[0] += dUp
+			cum[1] += dDown
+			x.cumTraffic[u.ID] = cum
+		}
+
+		if cum := x.cumTraffic[u.ID]; cum[0] > 0 || cum[1] > 0 {
+			conns = append(conns, kernel.Connection{
+				ID:       fmt.Sprintf("xray-%d", u.ID),
+				UserID:   u.ID,
+				Upload:   cum[0],
+				Download: cum[1],
+			})
+		}
+	}
+	return conns, nil
+}
+
+// updateDispatcherLimits configures the LimitDispatcher with per-user
+// device and speed limits.
 func (x *Xray) updateDispatcherLimits(users []panel.User) {
 	x.mu.Lock()
 	ld := x.limitDispatcher
@@ -285,16 +720,13 @@ func (x *Xray) updateDispatcherLimits(users []panel.User) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	emailToUID := make(map[string]int, len(users))
+	emailToUID := make(map[string]int, len(users)*2)
 	deviceLimits := make(map[string]int)
 	speedLimits := make(map[string]int)
 
 	for _, u := range users {
 		email := userEmail(u.ID)
 		emailToUID[email] = u.ID
-		// SOCKS/HTTP protocols use the raw UUID as User.Email in xray's session,
-		// while VMess/VLESS/Trojan use the "user@<id>" format. Map both so that
-		// limits work for all protocols.
 		emailToUID[u.UUID] = u.ID
 		if u.DeviceLimit > 0 {
 			deviceLimits[email] = u.DeviceLimit
@@ -314,9 +746,8 @@ func (x *Xray) updateDispatcherLimits(users []panel.User) {
 // own LimitDispatcher.
 var xrayCreationMu sync.Mutex
 
-// computeKernelHash returns a hash of the config + user identities (ID, UUID)
-// that would require a kernel restart if changed. Limit-only changes are
-// excluded so they can be applied without restart.
+// computeKernelHash returns a hash of config + user identities that would
+// require a kernel restart if changed. Limit-only changes are excluded.
 func computeKernelHash(nc *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User) string {
 	h := sha256.New()
 	configData, _ := json.Marshal(nc)

internal/limiter/speedtracker.go

@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 package limiter
 
 import (
+	"log/slog"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 
+	"github.com/cedar2025/xboard-node/internal/panel"
 	"golang.org/x/time/rate"
 )
 
@@ -31,29 +33,35 @@ func NewSpeedTracker(l *Limiter) *SpeedTracker {
 	}
 }
 
-// UpdateBuckets rebuilds rate limiter buckets based on current user config.
-// Call this whenever the user list changes.
+// UpdateBuckets performs an incremental update of rate limiter buckets.
+// It reuses existing rate.Limiter instances to avoid burst resets and
+// minimizes memory allocations.
 func (t *SpeedTracker) UpdateBuckets() {
+	t.limiter.mu.RLock()
+	currentUsers := make([]panel.User, 0, len(t.limiter.users))
+	for _, u := range t.limiter.users {
+		currentUsers = append(currentUsers, u)
+	}
+	t.limiter.mu.RUnlock()
+
 	t.mu.Lock()
 	defer t.mu.Unlock()
 
-	t.limiter.mu.RLock()
-	defer t.limiter.mu.RUnlock()
+	newUUIDMap := make(map[string]int, len(currentUsers))
+	activeIDs := make(map[int]struct{}, len(currentUsers))
 
-	newBuckets := make(map[int]*rate.Limiter, len(t.limiter.users))
-	newUUIDMap := make(map[string]int, len(t.limiter.users))
-	for uid, user := range t.limiter.users {
+	for _, user := range currentUsers {
+		activeIDs[user.ID] = struct{}{}
 		if user.UUID != "" {
-			newUUIDMap[user.UUID] = uid
+			newUUIDMap[user.UUID] = user.ID
 		}
+
 		if user.SpeedLimit <= 0 {
+			delete(t.buckets, user.ID)
 			continue
 		}
-		bytesPerSec := int(user.SpeedLimit) * 1_000_000 / 8 // Mbps → bytes/s
-		// Burst = 1 second of data, floored at 64 KiB, capped at 4 s.
-		// A generous burst ensures downloads ramp up quickly (good UX) while
-		// the token bucket still converges to the target rate within seconds.
-		// The 4 s cap prevents excessive burst at very high limits.
+
+		bytesPerSec := int(user.SpeedLimit) * 1_000_000 / 8
 		burst := bytesPerSec
 		if burst < 64*1024 {
 			burst = 64 * 1024
@@ -61,17 +69,27 @@ func (t *SpeedTracker) UpdateBuckets() {
 		if cap4s := bytesPerSec * 4; cap4s > 64*1024 && burst > cap4s {
 			burst = cap4s
 		}
-		if existing, ok := t.buckets[uid]; ok {
+
+		if existing, ok := t.buckets[user.ID]; ok {
+			// Thread-safe in-place update. Existing connections continue
+			// using this limiter with the new rate immediately.
 			existing.SetLimit(rate.Limit(bytesPerSec))
 			existing.SetBurst(burst)
-			newBuckets[uid] = existing
 		} else {
-			newBuckets[uid] = rate.NewLimiter(rate.Limit(bytesPerSec), burst)
+			t.buckets[user.ID] = rate.NewLimiter(rate.Limit(bytesPerSec), burst)
 		}
 	}
-	t.buckets = newBuckets
+
+	// Remove limiters for users who are no longer in the list
+	for id := range t.buckets {
+		if _, ok := activeIDs[id]; !ok {
+			delete(t.buckets, id)
+		}
+	}
+
 	t.uuidMap = newUUIDMap
-	t.hasLimits.Store(len(newBuckets) > 0)
+	t.hasLimits.Store(len(t.buckets) > 0)
+	slog.Info("speedtracker: buckets updated", "active_limiters", len(t.buckets))
 }
 
 // GetLimiter returns the rate limiter for the given user UUID, or nil if

internal/service/service.go

@@ -121,9 +121,14 @@ func (s *Service) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 	trackTicker := time.NewTicker(10 * time.Second)
 	pushInterval := time.Duration(math.Max(float64(s.pushInterval), 5)) * time.Second
 	pullInterval := time.Duration(s.pullInterval) * time.Second
+	if pullInterval < 10*time.Second {
+		pullInterval = 60 * time.Second
+	}
 	reportTicker := time.NewTicker(pushInterval)
 	pullTicker := time.NewTicker(pullInterval)
 
+	slog.Info("tickers initialized", "push", pushInterval, "pull", pullInterval)
+
 	// WS discovery: when in REST-only mode, periodically re-handshake to check
 	// if WS has been enabled. When WS is disconnected for too long, re-check
 	// if it's still available.
@@ -281,10 +286,9 @@ func (s *Service) initialSetup(ctx context.Context) error {
 	s.lastAppliedIP = nodeConfig.ListenIP
 
 	certFile, keyFile := s.cert.CertFile(), s.cert.KeyFile()
-	if err := s.kernel.ApplyConfig(nodeConfig, users, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("apply config: %w", err)
+	if err := s.kernel.Start(nodeConfig, users, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("start kernel: %w", err)
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -548,9 +552,9 @@ func (s *Service) pullViaAPI(ctx context.Context) {
 		if usersChanged && !configChanged {
 			s.applyUserUpdate(ctx, users, newHash)
 		} else if usersChanged {
-			// Config is also changing — ApplyConfig will restart the kernel with the
-			// updated user list, so skip the intermediate ReloadUsers.
-			s.syncUserState(ctx, users, newHash, false)
+			// Config is also changing — Start will restart the kernel with the
+			// updated user list, so skip the intermediate UpdateUsers.
+			s.updateUserState(users)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -559,83 +563,163 @@ func (s *Service) pullViaAPI(ctx context.Context) {
 	}
 }
 
-// syncUserState updates user tracking state (limiter, speedTracker, lastUsers)
-// without touching the kernel. Set kickRemoved=false when a full kernel restart
-// is about to happen anyway — removed users' connections will be killed then.
-func (s *Service) syncUserState(ctx context.Context, users []panel.User, newHash string, kickRemoved bool) {
-	removedIDs := s.limiter.UpdateUsers(users)
+// ─── User state helpers ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// updateUserState is the single point that refreshes limiter, speedTracker,
+// and the cached user list/hash. Every code path that changes the user set
+// MUST go through here to keep the three data structures in sync.
+func (s *Service) updateUserState(users []panel.User) {
+	s.limiter.UpdateUsers(users)
 	s.speedTracker.UpdateBuckets()
-
-	if kickRemoved && len(removedIDs) > 0 && s.kernel.IsRunning() {
-		conns, err := s.kernel.GetConnections(ctx)
-		if err == nil {
-			kicks := s.limiter.KickUsers(conns, removedIDs)
-			s.executeKicks(ctx, kicks)
-			slog.Info("kicked removed users", "removed_ids", removedIDs, "kicked_conns", len(kicks))
-		}
-	}
-
 	s.lastUsers = users
-	s.lastUserHash = newHash
-	slog.Info("users updated", "count", len(users))
+	s.lastUserHash = computeUserHash(users)
 }
 
-// applyUserUpdate updates user state and hot-reloads the kernel inbounds.
+// startKernel starts (or restarts) the kernel with the given config/users and
+// records the bound port/IP. Returns false on error (already logged).
+func (s *Service) startKernel(nc *panel.NodeConfig, users []panel.User) bool {
+	certFile, keyFile := s.cert.CertFile(), s.cert.KeyFile()
+	if err := s.kernel.Start(nc, users, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
+		slog.Error("failed to start kernel", "error", err)
+		return false
+	}
+	s.lastAppliedPort = nc.ServerPort
+	s.lastAppliedIP = nc.ListenIP
+	return true
+}
+
+// ensureRunning starts the kernel if it is not running and there are users +
+// config available. Returns true if the kernel is running afterwards.
+func (s *Service) ensureRunning() bool {
+	if s.kernel.IsRunning() {
+		return true
+	}
+	if len(s.lastUsers) > 0 && s.lastConfig != nil {
+		return s.startKernel(s.lastConfig, s.lastUsers)
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// ─── User update entry points ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// applyUserUpdate replaces the full user set and hot-swaps the kernel.
+// Called from WS sync.users and REST polling.
 func (s *Service) applyUserUpdate(ctx context.Context, users []panel.User, newHash string) {
-	s.syncUserState(ctx, users, newHash, true)
-	s.applyChanges(ctx, false, true)
+	// Update limiter/speed state first so even if kernel ops fail,
+	// the in-memory limits are already correct.
+	s.updateUserState(users)
+
+	if !s.ensureRunning() {
+		return
+	}
+
+	added, removed, err := s.kernel.UpdateUsers(users)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("UpdateUsers failed, falling back to full restart", "error", err)
+		s.startKernel(s.lastConfig, users)
+		return
+	}
+	slog.Info("users updated via kernel", "added", added, "removed", removed)
 }
 
-// applyUserDelta applies an incremental user change (add or remove).
+// applyUserDelta applies an incremental user change (add or remove) directly
+// via the kernel's atomic user API.
 func (s *Service) applyUserDelta(ctx context.Context, action string, deltaUsers []panel.User) {
 	switch action {
 	case "add":
-		// Build a map of current users for fast lookup
-		userMap := make(map[int]panel.User, len(s.lastUsers))
-		for _, u := range s.lastUsers {
-			userMap[u.ID] = u
+		merged := mergeUsers(s.lastUsers, deltaUsers)
+		s.updateUserState(merged)
+
+		if !s.ensureRunning() {
+			return
 		}
-		for _, u := range deltaUsers {
-			userMap[u.ID] = u // add or update
+
+		added, err := s.kernel.AddUsers(deltaUsers)
+		if err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("AddUsers failed, falling back to full UpdateUsers", "error", err)
+			if _, _, err := s.kernel.UpdateUsers(merged); err != nil {
+				slog.Error("UpdateUsers fallback also failed", "error", err)
 			}
-		merged := make([]panel.User, 0, len(userMap))
-		for _, u := range userMap {
-			merged = append(merged, u)
+		} else {
+			slog.Info("users added via kernel", "added", added)
 		}
-		newHash := computeUserHash(merged)
-		s.applyUserUpdate(ctx, merged, newHash)
 
 	case "remove":
-		removeSet := make(map[int]struct{}, len(deltaUsers))
-		for _, u := range deltaUsers {
-			removeSet[u.ID] = struct{}{}
+		filtered := subtractUsers(s.lastUsers, deltaUsers)
+		s.updateUserState(filtered)
+
+		if !s.kernel.IsRunning() {
+			return
 		}
-		filtered := make([]panel.User, 0, len(s.lastUsers))
-		for _, u := range s.lastUsers {
-			if _, ok := removeSet[u.ID]; !ok {
-				filtered = append(filtered, u)
+
+		removed, err := s.kernel.RemoveUsers(deltaUsers)
+		if err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("RemoveUsers failed, falling back to full UpdateUsers", "error", err)
+			if _, _, err := s.kernel.UpdateUsers(filtered); err != nil {
+				slog.Error("UpdateUsers fallback also failed", "error", err)
 			}
+		} else {
+			slog.Info("users removed via kernel", "removed", removed)
 		}
-		newHash := computeUserHash(filtered)
-		s.applyUserUpdate(ctx, filtered, newHash)
+
 	default:
 		slog.Warn("ws: unknown user delta action", "action", action)
 	}
 }
 
-// applyChanges applies config and/or user changes to the kernel
+// mergeUsers overlays deltaUsers onto base (keyed by ID). New users are
+// appended, existing users have their properties overwritten.
+func mergeUsers(base, delta []panel.User) []panel.User {
+	m := make(map[int]panel.User, len(base))
+	for _, u := range base {
+		m[u.ID] = u
+	}
+	for _, u := range delta {
+		m[u.ID] = u
+	}
+	out := make([]panel.User, 0, len(m))
+	for _, u := range m {
+		out = append(out, u)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// subtractUsers returns base with all users in delta removed.
+func subtractUsers(base, delta []panel.User) []panel.User {
+	removeSet := make(map[int]struct{}, len(delta))
+	for _, u := range delta {
+		removeSet[u.ID] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	out := make([]panel.User, 0, len(base))
+	for _, u := range base {
+		if _, ok := removeSet[u.ID]; !ok {
+			out = append(out, u)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+// applyChanges applies config changes to the kernel. User-only changes are
+// handled by applyUserUpdate/applyUserDelta directly via the atomic user API.
 func (s *Service) applyChanges(ctx context.Context, configChanged, usersChanged bool) {
+	if !configChanged {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if s.lastConfig == nil || len(s.lastUsers) == 0 {
+		if len(s.lastUsers) == 0 {
+			slog.Warn("no users, stopping kernel")
+			s.kernel.Stop()
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	// If port or listen IP changed, must do full restart.
+	needsRestart := s.kernel.IsRunning() &&
+		(s.lastConfig.ServerPort != s.lastAppliedPort || s.lastConfig.ListenIP != s.lastAppliedIP)
+
+	if !needsRestart && s.kernel.IsRunning() {
 		certFile, keyFile := s.cert.CertFile(), s.cert.KeyFile()
-
-	if configChanged {
-		if s.lastConfig != nil && len(s.lastUsers) > 0 {
-			// If the port or listen IP has changed, we MUST perform a full restart
-			// because hot-reload (s.kernel.Reload) typically only updates users/rules
-			// and doesn't re-bind existing listeners in most kernels.
-			needsRestart := s.kernel.IsRunning() && (s.lastConfig.ServerPort != s.lastAppliedPort || s.lastConfig.ListenIP != s.lastAppliedIP)
-
-			if !needsRestart {
-				// Try hot-reload for other config changes (could be route/user changes).
 		if err := s.kernel.Reload(s.lastConfig, s.lastUsers, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
 			slog.Warn("reload failed, falling back to full restart", "error", err)
 			needsRestart = true
@@ -643,34 +727,7 @@ func (s *Service) applyChanges(ctx context.Context, configChanged, usersChanged
 	}
 
 	if needsRestart || !s.kernel.IsRunning() {
-				if err := s.kernel.ApplyConfig(s.lastConfig, s.lastUsers, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
-					slog.Error("failed to apply config", "error", err)
-				} else {
-					// Update tracking state for next change
-					s.lastAppliedPort = s.lastConfig.ServerPort
-					s.lastAppliedIP = s.lastConfig.ListenIP
-				}
-			}
-		} else if len(s.lastUsers) == 0 {
-			slog.Warn("no users, stopping kernel")
-			s.kernel.Stop()
-		}
-	} else if usersChanged && s.kernel.IsRunning() {
-		// Hot-reload for user-only changes
-		if err := s.kernel.Reload(s.lastConfig, s.lastUsers, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
-			slog.Warn("inbound reload failed, falling back to full restart", "error", err)
-			if err := s.kernel.ApplyConfig(s.lastConfig, s.lastUsers, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
-				slog.Error("failed to apply config (fallback)", "error", err)
-			} else {
-				s.lastAppliedPort = s.lastConfig.ServerPort
-				s.lastAppliedIP = s.lastConfig.ListenIP
-			}
-		}
-	} else if usersChanged && !s.kernel.IsRunning() && len(s.lastUsers) > 0 {
-		// Kernel was stopped (no users), now we have users — start it
-		if err := s.kernel.ApplyConfig(s.lastConfig, s.lastUsers, certFile, keyFile); err != nil {
-			slog.Error("failed to start kernel with new users", "error", err)
-		}
+		s.startKernel(s.lastConfig, s.lastUsers)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -687,6 +744,7 @@ func (s *Service) trackAndEnforce(ctx context.Context) {
 
 	s.tracker.Process(conns)
 	s.tracker.LogStats()
+	slog.Debug("kernel connection snapshot", "count", len(conns))
 
 	kicks := s.limiter.Check(conns)
 	s.executeKicks(ctx, kicks)
@@ -719,24 +777,7 @@ func (s *Service) pushReport() {
 
 	metrics := s.buildMetrics(status)
 
-	if len(traffic) == 0 && len(aliveIPs) == 0 && len(online) == 0 {
-		// Still send status periodically
-		if err := s.panel.Report(
-			nil, nil, nil,
-			status.CPU,
-			[2]uint64{status.MemTotal, status.MemUsed},
-			[2]uint64{status.SwapTotal, status.SwapUsed},
-			[2]uint64{status.DiskTotal, status.DiskUsed},
-			metrics,
-		); err != nil {
-			slog.Error("failed to push status report", "error", err)
-			s.pushBackoff.onFailure()
-			return
-		}
-		s.pushBackoff.onSuccess()
-		return
-	}
-
+	// Always report even if no traffic, to maintain heartbeats and status.
 	if err := s.panel.Report(
 		traffic, aliveIPs, online,
 		status.CPU,
@@ -746,14 +787,18 @@ func (s *Service) pushReport() {
 		metrics,
 	); err != nil {
 		slog.Error("failed to push report", "error", err)
+		if len(traffic) > 0 {
 			s.tracker.RestoreTraffic(traffic)
+		}
+		if len(aliveIPs) > 0 {
 			s.tracker.RestoreAliveIPs(aliveIPs)
+		}
 		s.pushBackoff.onFailure()
 		return
 	}
 
 	s.pushBackoff.onSuccess()
-	slog.Info("report pushed", "users", len(traffic))
+	slog.Info("report pushed", "users_with_traffic", len(traffic), "online", len(online))
 }
 
 // buildMetrics aggregates node-level metrics to be reported to the panel.