docs: add reverse proxy security note to login rate limiting section

Add a token-bucket rate limiter (golang.org/x/time/rate) that limits
login attempts per client IP on POST /api/v1/login. Returns 429 Too
Many Requests with a Retry-After header when the limit is exceeded.

Configurable via LOGIN_RATE_LIMIT (requests/sec, default 1) and
LOGIN_RATE_BURST (burst size, default 5). Stale per-IP entries are
automatically cleaned up every 10 minutes.

Only the login endpoint is rate-limited per sneak's instruction —
session creation and registration use hashcash proof-of-work instead.

README.md

@@ -113,8 +113,9 @@ mechanisms or stuffing data into CTCP.
 Everything else is IRC. `PRIVMSG`, `JOIN`, `PART`, `NICK`, `TOPIC`, `MODE`,
 `KICK`, `353`, `433` — same commands, same semantics. Channels start with `#`.
 Joining a nonexistent channel creates it. Channels disappear when empty. Nicks
-are unique per server. There are no accounts — identity is a key, a nick is a
+are unique per server. Identity starts with a key — a nick is a display name.
-display name.
+Accounts are optional: you can create an anonymous session instantly, or
+register with a password for multi-client access to a single session.
 
 ### On the resemblance to JSON-RPC
 
@@ -148,16 +149,45 @@ not arbitrary choices — each one follows from the project's core thesis that
 IRC's command model is correct and only the transport and session management
 need to change.
 
-### Identity & Sessions — No Accounts
+### Identity & Sessions — Dual Authentication Model
 
-There are no accounts, no registration, no passwords. Identity is a signing
+The server supports two authentication paths: **anonymous sessions** for
-key; a nick is just a display name. The two are decoupled.
+instant access, and **optional account registration** for multi-client access.
+
+#### Anonymous Sessions (No Account Required)
+
+The simplest entry point. No registration, no passwords.
 
 - **Session creation**: client sends `POST /api/v1/session` with a desired
   nick → server assigns an **auth token** (64 hex characters of
   cryptographically random bytes) and returns the user ID, nick, and token.
 - The auth token implicitly identifies the client. Clients present it via
   `Authorization: Bearer <token>`.
+- Anonymous sessions are ephemeral — when the session expires or the user
+  QUITs, the nick is released and there is no way to reclaim it.
+
+#### Registered Accounts (Optional)
+
+For users who want multi-client access (multiple devices sharing one session):
+
+- **Registration**: client sends `POST /api/v1/register` with a nick and
+  password (minimum 8 characters) → server creates a session with the
+  password hashed via bcrypt, and returns the user ID, nick, and auth token.
+- **Login**: client sends `POST /api/v1/login` with nick and password →
+  server verifies the password against the stored bcrypt hash and creates a
+  new client token for the existing session. This enables multi-client
+  access: logging in from a new device adds a client to the existing session
+  rather than creating a new one, so channel memberships and message queues
+  are shared. Note: login only works while the session still exists — if all
+  clients have logged out or the user has sent QUIT, the session is deleted
+  and the registration is lost.
+- Registered accounts cannot be logged into via `POST /api/v1/session` —
+  that endpoint is for anonymous sessions only.
+- Anonymous sessions (created via `/session`) cannot be logged into via
+  `/login` because they have no password set.
+
+#### Common Properties (Both Paths)
+
 - Nicks are changeable via the `NICK` command; the server-assigned user ID is
   the stable identity.
 - Server-assigned IDs — clients do not choose their own IDs.
@@ -165,11 +195,17 @@ key; a nick is just a display name. The two are decoupled.
   in the token, no client-side decode. The server is the sole authority on
   token validity.
 
-**Rationale:** IRC has no accounts. You connect, pick a nick, and talk. Adding
+**Rationale:** IRC has no accounts. You connect, pick a nick, and talk.
-registration, email verification, or OAuth would solve a problem nobody asked
+Anonymous sessions preserve that simplicity — instant access, zero friction.
-about and add complexity that drives away casual users. Identity verification
+But some users want to access the same session from multiple devices without
-is handled at the message layer via cryptographic signatures (see
+a bouncer. Optional registration with password enables multi-client login
-[Security Model](#security-model)), not at the session layer.
+without adding friction for casual users: if you don't want an account,
+don't create one. Note: in the current implementation, both anonymous and
+registered sessions are deleted when the last client disconnects (QUIT or
+logout); registration does not make a session survive all-client
+removal. Identity verification at the message layer via cryptographic
+signatures (see [Security Model](#security-model)) remains independent
+of account registration.
 
 ### Nick Semantics
 
@@ -207,12 +243,12 @@ User Session
 └── Client C (token_c, queue_c)
 ```
 
-**Current MVP note:** The current implementation creates a new session (with new
+**Multi-client via login:** The `POST /api/v1/login` endpoint adds a new
-nick) per `POST /api/v1/session` call. True multi-client (multiple clients
+client to an existing registered session, enabling true multi-client support
-sharing one session/nick) is supported by the schema — `clients` references
+(multiple tokens sharing one nick/session with independent message queues).
-`sessions` via `session_id`, and `client_queues` is keyed by `client_id` — but
+Anonymous sessions created via `POST /api/v1/session` always create a new
-the session creation endpoint does not yet support "add a client to an existing
+user with a new nick. A future endpoint to "add a client to an existing
-session." This will be added post-MVP.
+anonymous session" is planned but not yet implemented.
 
 **Rationale:** The fundamental IRC mobile problem is that you can't have your
 phone and laptop connected simultaneously without a bouncer. Server-side
@@ -265,8 +301,8 @@ The server implements HTTP long-polling for real-time message delivery:
    - The client disconnects (connection closed, no response needed)
 
 **Implementation detail:** The server maintains an in-memory broker with
-per-client notification channels. When a message is enqueued for a client, the
+per-user notification channels. When a message is enqueued for a user, the
-broker closes all waiting channels for that client, waking up any blocked
+broker closes all waiting channels for that user, waking up any blocked
 long-poll handlers. This is O(1) notification — no polling loops, no database
 scanning.
 
@@ -327,8 +363,8 @@ needs to revoke a token, change the expiry model, or add/remove claims, JWT
 clients may break or behave incorrectly.
 
 Opaque tokens are simpler:
-- Server generates 32 random bytes → hex-encodes → stores hash
+- Server generates 32 random bytes → hex-encodes → stores SHA-256 hash
-- Client presents the token; server looks it up
+- Client presents the raw token; server hashes and looks it up
 - Revocation is a database delete
 - No clock skew issues, no algorithm confusion, no "none" algorithm attacks
 - Token format can change without breaking clients
@@ -355,6 +391,8 @@ The entire read/write loop for a client is two endpoints. Everything else
 
 ### Session Lifecycle
 
+#### Anonymous Session
+
 ```
 ┌─ Client ──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │                                                            │
@@ -385,6 +423,30 @@ The entire read/write loop for a client is two endpoints. Everything else
 └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
 ```
 
+#### Registered Account
+
+```
+┌─ Client ──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                                                            │
+│  1. POST /api/v1/register                                  │
+│     {"nick":"alice", "password":"s3cret!!"}                │
+│     → {"id":1, "nick":"alice", "token":"a1b2c3..."}       │
+│     (Session created with bcrypt-hashed password)          │
+│                                                            │
+│  ... use the API normally (JOIN, PRIVMSG, poll, etc.) ...  │
+│                                                            │
+│  (From another device, while session is still active)      │
+│                                                            │
+│  2. POST /api/v1/login                                     │
+│     {"nick":"alice", "password":"s3cret!!"}                │
+│     → {"id":1, "nick":"alice", "token":"d4e5f6..."}       │
+│     (New client added to existing session — channels       │
+│      and message queues are preserved. If all clients      │
+│      have logged out, session no longer exists.)           │
+│                                                            │
+└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
 ### Queue Architecture
 
 ```
@@ -398,28 +460,28 @@ The entire read/write loop for a client is two endpoints. Everything else
               │              │              │
     ┌─────────▼──┐  ┌───────▼────┐  ┌──────▼─────┐
     │client_queue│  │client_queue│  │client_queue│
-    │ client_id=1│  │ client_id=2│  │ client_id=3│
+    │ user_id=1  │  │ user_id=2  │  │ user_id=3  │
     │ msg_id=N   │  │ msg_id=N   │  │ msg_id=N   │
     └────────────┘  └────────────┘  └────────────┘
          alice           bob             carol
 
-Each message is stored ONCE. One queue entry per recipient client.
+Each message is stored ONCE. One queue entry per recipient.
 ```
 
-The `client_queues` table contains `(client_id, message_id)` pairs. When a
+The `client_queues` table contains `(user_id, message_id)` pairs. When a
 client polls with `GET /messages?after=<queue_id>`, the server queries for
-queue entries with `id > after` for that client, joins against the messages
+queue entries with `id > after` for that user, joins against the messages
 table, and returns the results. The `queue_id` (auto-incrementing primary
 key of `client_queues`) serves as a monotonically increasing cursor.
 
 ### In-Memory Broker
 
 The server maintains an in-memory notification broker to avoid database
-polling. The broker is a map of `client_id → []chan struct{}`. When a message
+polling. The broker is a map of `user_id → []chan struct{}`. When a message
-is enqueued for a client:
+is enqueued for a user:
 
-1. The handler calls `broker.Notify(clientID)`
+1. The handler calls `broker.Notify(userID)`
-2. The broker closes all waiting channels for that client
+2. The broker closes all waiting channels for that user
 3. Any goroutines blocked in `select` on those channels wake up
 4. The woken handler queries the database for new queue entries
 5. Messages are returned to the client
@@ -1034,6 +1096,105 @@ TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/session \
 echo $TOKEN
 ```
 
+### POST /api/v1/register — Register Account
+
+Create a new user session with a password. The password is hashed
+with bcrypt and stored server-side. The password enables login from
+additional clients via `POST /api/v1/login` while the session
+remains active.
+
+**Request Body:**
+```json
+{"nick": "alice", "password": "mypassword"}
+```
+
+| Field      | Type   | Required | Constraints |
+|------------|--------|----------|-------------|
+| `nick`     | string | Yes      | 1–32 characters, must be unique on the server |
+| `password` | string | Yes      | Minimum 8 characters |
+
+**Response:** `201 Created`
+```json
+{
+  "id": 1,
+  "nick": "alice",
+  "token": "494ba9fc0f2242873fc5c285dd4a24fc3844ba5e67789a17e69b6fe5f8c132e3"
+}
+```
+
+| Field   | Type    | Description |
+|---------|---------|-------------|
+| `id`    | integer | Server-assigned user ID |
+| `nick`  | string  | Confirmed nick |
+| `token` | string  | 64-character hex auth token |
+
+**Errors:**
+
+| Status | Error | When |
+|--------|-------|------|
+| 400    | `invalid nick format` | Nick doesn't match allowed format |
+| 400    | `password must be at least 8 characters` | Password too short |
+| 409    | `nick already taken` | Another active session holds this nick |
+
+**curl example:**
+```bash
+TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/register \
+  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
+  -d '{"nick":"alice","password":"mypassword"}' | jq -r .token)
+echo $TOKEN
+```
+
+### POST /api/v1/login — Login to Account
+
+Authenticate with a previously registered nick and password. Creates a new
+client token for the existing session, preserving channel memberships and
+message queues. This is how multi-client access works for registered accounts:
+each login adds a new client to the session.
+
+On successful login, the server enqueues MOTD messages and synthetic channel
+state (JOIN + TOPIC + NAMES for each channel the session belongs to) into the
+new client's queue, so the client can immediately restore its UI state.
+
+**Request Body:**
+```json
+{"nick": "alice", "password": "mypassword"}
+```
+
+| Field      | Type   | Required | Constraints |
+|------------|--------|----------|-------------|
+| `nick`     | string | Yes      | Must match a registered account |
+| `password` | string | Yes      | Must match the account's password |
+
+**Response:** `200 OK`
+```json
+{
+  "id": 1,
+  "nick": "alice",
+  "token": "7e8f9a0b1c2d3e4f5a6b7c8d9e0f1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f"
+}
+```
+
+| Field   | Type    | Description |
+|---------|---------|-------------|
+| `id`    | integer | Session ID (same as when registered) |
+| `nick`  | string  | Current nick |
+| `token` | string  | New 64-character hex auth token for this client |
+
+**Errors:**
+
+| Status | Error | When |
+|--------|-------|------|
+| 400    | `nick and password required` | Missing nick or password |
+| 401    | `invalid credentials` | Wrong password, nick not found, or account has no password |
+
+**curl example:**
+```bash
+TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/login \
+  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
+  -d '{"nick":"alice","password":"mypassword"}' | jq -r .token)
+echo $TOKEN
+```
+
 ### GET /api/v1/state — Get Session State
 
 Return the current user's session state.
@@ -1399,13 +1560,40 @@ Return server metadata. No authentication required.
 
 ### GET /.well-known/healthcheck.json — Health Check
 
-Standard health check endpoint. No authentication required.
+Standard health check endpoint. No authentication required. Returns server
+health status and runtime statistics.
 
 **Response:** `200 OK`
+
 ```json
-{"status": "ok"}
+{
+  "status": "ok",
+  "now": "2024-01-15T12:00:00.000000000Z",
+  "uptimeSeconds": 3600,
+  "uptimeHuman": "1h0m0s",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "appname": "neoirc",
+  "maintenanceMode": false,
+  "sessions": 42,
+  "clients": 85,
+  "queuedLines": 128,
+  "channels": 7,
+  "connectionsSinceBoot": 200,
+  "sessionsSinceBoot": 150,
+  "messagesSinceBoot": 5000
+}
 ```
 
+| Field                  | Description                                       |
+| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
+| `sessions`             | Current number of active sessions                 |
+| `clients`              | Current number of connected clients               |
+| `queuedLines`          | Total entries in client output queues              |
+| `channels`             | Current number of channels                        |
+| `connectionsSinceBoot` | Total client connections since server start        |
+| `sessionsSinceBoot`    | Total sessions created since server start          |
+| `messagesSinceBoot`    | Total PRIVMSG/NOTICE messages sent since server start |
+
 ---
 
 ## Message Flow
@@ -1590,9 +1778,16 @@ authenticity.
 ### Authentication
 
 - **Session auth**: Opaque bearer tokens (64 hex chars = 256 bits of entropy).
-  Tokens are stored in the database and validated on every request.
+  Tokens are hashed (SHA-256) before storage and validated on every request.
-- **No passwords**: Session creation requires only a nick. The token is the
+- **Anonymous sessions**: `POST /api/v1/session` requires only a nick. No
-  sole credential.
+  password, instant access. The token is the sole credential.
+- **Registered accounts**: `POST /api/v1/register` accepts a nick and password
+  (minimum 8 characters). The password is hashed with bcrypt at the default
+  cost factor and stored alongside the session. `POST /api/v1/login`
+  authenticates against the stored hash and issues a new client token.
+- **Password security**: Passwords are never stored in plain text. bcrypt
+  handles salting and key stretching automatically. Anonymous sessions have
+  an empty `password_hash` and cannot be logged into via `/login`.
 - **Token security**: Tokens should be treated like session cookies. Transmit
   only over HTTPS in production. If a token is compromised, the attacker has
   full access to the session until QUIT or expiry.
@@ -1742,50 +1937,44 @@ The database schema is managed via embedded SQL migration files in
 
 #### `sessions`
 | Column         | Type     | Description |
-|-----------------|----------|-------------|
+|----------------|----------|-------------|
 | `id`           | INTEGER  | Primary key (auto-increment) |
 | `uuid`         | TEXT     | Unique session UUID |
 | `nick`         | TEXT     | Unique nick |
-| `password_hash` | TEXT     | Password hash (default empty) |
+| `password_hash`| TEXT     | bcrypt hash (empty string for anonymous sessions) |
-| `signing_key`   | TEXT     | Ed25519 signing key (default empty) |
+| `signing_key`  | TEXT     | Public signing key (empty string if unset) |
-| `away_message`  | TEXT     | Away message (default empty) |
+| `away_message` | TEXT     | Away message (empty string if not away) |
 | `created_at`   | DATETIME | Session creation time |
 | `last_seen`    | DATETIME | Last API request time |
 
-Index on `(uuid)`.
-
 #### `clients`
 | Column      | Type     | Description |
-|--------------|----------|-------------|
+|-------------|----------|-------------|
 | `id`        | INTEGER  | Primary key (auto-increment) |
 | `uuid`      | TEXT     | Unique client UUID |
-| `session_id` | INTEGER  | FK → sessions.id (cascade delete) |
+| `session_id`| INTEGER  | FK → sessions.id (cascade delete) |
-| `token`      | TEXT     | Unique auth token (64 hex chars) |
+| `token`     | TEXT     | Unique auth token (SHA-256 hash of 64 hex chars) |
-| `created_at` | DATETIME | Client creation time |
+| `created_at`| DATETIME | Client creation time |
 | `last_seen` | DATETIME | Last API request time |
 
-Indexes on `(token)` and `(session_id)`.
-
 #### `channels`
 | Column      | Type     | Description |
-|---------------|----------|-------------|
+|-------------|----------|-------------|
 | `id`        | INTEGER  | Primary key (auto-increment) |
 | `name`      | TEXT     | Unique channel name (e.g., `#general`) |
 | `topic`     | TEXT     | Channel topic (default empty) |
-| `topic_set_by`| TEXT     | Nick of the user who set the topic (default empty) |
+| `created_at`| DATETIME | Channel creation time |
-| `topic_set_at`| DATETIME | When the topic was last set |
+| `updated_at`| DATETIME | Last modification time |
-| `created_at`  | DATETIME | Channel creation time |
-| `updated_at`  | DATETIME | Last modification time |
 
 #### `channel_members`
 | Column      | Type     | Description |
-|--------------|----------|-------------|
+|-------------|----------|-------------|
 | `id`        | INTEGER  | Primary key (auto-increment) |
-| `channel_id` | INTEGER  | FK → channels.id (cascade delete) |
+| `channel_id`| INTEGER  | FK → channels.id |
-| `session_id` | INTEGER  | FK → sessions.id (cascade delete) |
+| `user_id`   | INTEGER  | FK → users.id |
 | `joined_at` | DATETIME | When the user joined |
 
-Unique constraint on `(channel_id, session_id)`.
+Unique constraint on `(channel_id, user_id)`.
 
 #### `messages`
 | Column      | Type     | Description |
@@ -1795,7 +1984,6 @@ Unique constraint on `(channel_id, session_id)`.
 | `command`   | TEXT     | IRC command (`PRIVMSG`, `JOIN`, etc.) |
 | `msg_from`  | TEXT     | Sender nick |
 | `msg_to`    | TEXT     | Target (`#channel` or nick) |
-| `params`    | TEXT     | JSON-encoded IRC-style positional parameters |
 | `body`      | TEXT     | JSON-encoded body (array or object) |
 | `meta`      | TEXT     | JSON-encoded metadata |
 | `created_at`| DATETIME | Server timestamp |
@@ -1806,11 +1994,11 @@ Indexes on `(msg_to, id)` and `(created_at)`.
 | Column      | Type     | Description |
 |-------------|----------|-------------|
 | `id`        | INTEGER  | Primary key (auto-increment). Used as the poll cursor. |
-| `client_id` | INTEGER  | FK → clients.id (cascade delete) |
+| `user_id`   | INTEGER  | FK → users.id |
-| `message_id`| INTEGER  | FK → messages.id (cascade delete) |
+| `message_id`| INTEGER  | FK → messages.id |
 | `created_at`| DATETIME | When the entry was queued |
 
-Unique constraint on `(client_id, message_id)`. Index on `(client_id, id)`.
+Unique constraint on `(user_id, message_id)`. Index on `(user_id, id)`.
 
 The `client_queues.id` is the monotonically increasing cursor used by
 `GET /messages?after=<id>`. This is more reliable than timestamps (no clock
@@ -1823,10 +2011,19 @@ skew issues) and simpler than UUIDs (integer comparison vs. string comparison).
 - **Client output queue entries**: Pruned automatically when older than
   `QUEUE_MAX_AGE` (default 30 days).
 - **Channels**: Deleted when the last member leaves (ephemeral).
-- **Users/sessions**: Deleted on `QUIT` or `POST /api/v1/logout`. Idle
+- **Sessions**: Both anonymous and registered sessions are deleted on `QUIT`
-  sessions are automatically expired after `SESSION_IDLE_TIMEOUT` (default
+  or when the last client logs out (`POST /api/v1/logout` with no remaining
-  30 days) — the server runs a background cleanup loop that parts idle users
+  clients triggers session cleanup). There is no distinction between session
-  from all channels, broadcasts QUIT, and releases their nicks.
+  types in the cleanup path — `handleQuit` and `cleanupUser` both call
+  `DeleteSession` unconditionally. Idle sessions are automatically expired
+  after `SESSION_IDLE_TIMEOUT`
+  (default 30 days) — the server runs a background cleanup loop that parts
+  idle users from all channels, broadcasts QUIT, and releases their nicks.
+- **Clients**: Individual client tokens are deleted on `POST /api/v1/logout`.
+  A session can have multiple clients; removing one doesn't affect others.
+  However, when the last client is removed (via logout), the entire session
+  is deleted — the user is parted from all channels, QUIT is broadcast, and
+  the nick is released.
 
 ---
 
@@ -1854,6 +2051,8 @@ directory is also loaded automatically via
 | `METRICS_USERNAME` | string  | `""`                                 | Basic auth username for `/metrics` endpoint. If empty, metrics endpoint is disabled. |
 | `METRICS_PASSWORD` | string  | `""`                                 | Basic auth password for `/metrics` endpoint |
 | `NEOIRC_HASHCASH_BITS` | int | `20`                               | Required hashcash proof-of-work difficulty (leading zero bits in SHA-256) for session creation. Set to `0` to disable. |
+| `LOGIN_RATE_LIMIT` | float   | `1`                                  | Allowed login attempts per second per IP address. |
+| `LOGIN_RATE_BURST`  | int    | `5`                                  | Maximum burst of login attempts per IP before rate limiting kicks in. |
 | `MAINTENANCE_MODE` | bool    | `false`                              | Maintenance mode flag (reserved) |
 
 ### Example `.env` file
@@ -1975,11 +2174,21 @@ A complete client needs only four HTTP calls:
 ### Step-by-Step with curl
 
 ```bash
-# 1. Create a session
+# 1a. Create an anonymous session (no account)
 export TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/session \
   -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
   -d '{"nick":"testuser"}' | jq -r .token)
 
+# 1b. Or register an account (multi-client support)
+export TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/register \
+  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
+  -d '{"nick":"testuser","password":"mypassword"}' | jq -r .token)
+
+# 1c. Or login to an existing account
+export TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/login \
+  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
+  -d '{"nick":"testuser","password":"mypassword"}' | jq -r .token)
+
 # 2. Join a channel
 curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/v1/messages \
   -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
@@ -2112,9 +2321,11 @@ Clients should handle these message commands from the queue:
 
 ### Error Handling
 
-- **HTTP 401**: Token expired or invalid. Re-create session.
+- **HTTP 401**: Token expired or invalid. Re-create session (anonymous) or
+  re-login (registered account).
 - **HTTP 404**: Channel or user not found.
-- **HTTP 409**: Nick already taken (on session creation or NICK change).
+- **HTTP 409**: Nick already taken (on session creation, registration, or
+  NICK change).
 - **HTTP 400**: Malformed request. Check the `error` field in the response.
 - **Network errors**: Back off exponentially (1s, 2s, 4s, ..., max 30s).
 
@@ -2131,8 +2342,10 @@ Clients should handle these message commands from the queue:
 4. **DM tab logic**: When you receive a PRIVMSG where `to` is not a channel
    (no `#` prefix), the DM tab should be keyed by the **other** user's nick:
    if `from` is you, use `to`; if `from` is someone else, use `from`.
-5. **Reconnection**: If the poll loop fails with 401, the session is gone.
+5. **Reconnection**: If the poll loop fails with 401, the token is invalid.
-   Create a new session. If it fails with a network error, retry with backoff.
+   For anonymous sessions, create a new session. For registered accounts,
+   log in again via `POST /api/v1/login` to get a fresh token on the same
+   session. If it fails with a network error, retry with backoff.
 
 ---
 
@@ -2244,6 +2457,49 @@ creating one session pays once and keeps their session.
 - **Language-agnostic**: SHA-256 is available in every programming language.
   The proof computation is trivially implementable in any client.
 
+### Login Rate Limiting
+
+The login endpoint (`POST /api/v1/login`) has per-IP rate limiting to prevent
+brute-force password attacks. This uses a token-bucket algorithm
+(`golang.org/x/time/rate`) with configurable rate and burst.
+
+| Environment Variable | Default | Description |
+|---------------------|---------|-------------|
+| `LOGIN_RATE_LIMIT`  | `1`     | Allowed login attempts per second per IP |
+| `LOGIN_RATE_BURST`  | `5`     | Maximum burst of login attempts per IP |
+
+When the limit is exceeded, the server returns **429 Too Many Requests** with a
+`Retry-After: 1` header. Stale per-IP entries are automatically cleaned up
+every 10 minutes.
+
+> **⚠️ Security: Reverse Proxy Required for Production Use**
+>
+> The rate limiter extracts the client IP by checking the `X-Forwarded-For`
+> header first, then `X-Real-IP`, and finally falling back to the TCP
+> `RemoteAddr`. Both `X-Forwarded-For` and `X-Real-IP` are **client-controlled
+> request headers** — any client can set them to arbitrary values.
+>
+> Without a properly configured reverse proxy in front of this server:
+>
+> - An attacker can **bypass rate limiting entirely** by rotating
+>   `X-Forwarded-For` values on each request (each value is treated as a
+>   distinct IP).
+> - An attacker can **deny service to a specific user** by spoofing that user's
+>   IP in the `X-Forwarded-For` header, exhausting their rate limit bucket.
+>
+> **Recommendation:** Always deploy behind a reverse proxy (e.g. nginx, Caddy,
+> Traefik) that strips or overwrites incoming `X-Forwarded-For` and `X-Real-IP`
+> headers with the actual client IP. If running without a reverse proxy, be
+> aware that the rate limiting provides no meaningful protection against a
+> targeted attack.
+
+**Why rate limits here but not on session creation?** Session creation is
+protected by hashcash proof-of-work (stateless, no IP tracking needed). Login
+involves bcrypt password verification against a registered account — a
+fundamentally different threat model where an attacker targets a specific
+account. Per-IP rate limiting is appropriate here because the cost of a wrong
+guess is borne by the server (bcrypt), not the client.
+
 ---
 
 ## Roadmap
@@ -2352,6 +2608,8 @@ neoirc/
 │   │   └── healthcheck.go  # Health check handler
 │   ├── healthcheck/        # Health check logic
 │   │   └── healthcheck.go
+│   ├── stats/              # Runtime statistics (atomic counters)
+│   │   └── stats.go
 │   ├── logger/             # slog-based logging
 │   │   └── logger.go
 │   ├── middleware/          # HTTP middleware (logging, CORS, metrics, auth)
@@ -2403,9 +2661,13 @@ neoirc/
    build a working IRC-style TUI client against this API in an afternoon, the
    API is too complex.
 
-2. **No accounts** — identity is a signing key, nick is a display name. No
+2. **Accounts optional** — anonymous sessions are instant: pick a nick and
-   registration, no passwords, no email verification. Session creation is
+   talk. No registration, no email verification. The cost of entry is a
-   instant. The cost of entry is a hashcash proof, not bureaucracy.
+   hashcash proof, not bureaucracy. For users who want multi-client access
+   (multiple devices sharing one session), optional account registration
+   with password is available — but never required. Identity
+   verification at the message layer uses cryptographic signing,
+   independent of account status.
 
 3. **IRC semantics over HTTP** — command names and numeric codes from
    RFC 1459/2812. If you've built an IRC client or bot, you already know the

cmd/neoircd/main.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/logger"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/middleware"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/server"
+	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/stats"
 	"go.uber.org/fx"
 )
 
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ func main() {
 			server.New,
 			middleware.New,
 			healthcheck.New,
+			stats.New,
 		),
 		fx.Invoke(func(*server.Server) {}),
 	).Run()

go.mod

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/spf13/viper v1.21.0
 	go.uber.org/fx v1.24.0
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.48.0
+	golang.org/x/time v0.6.0
 	modernc.org/sqlite v1.45.0
 )
 

go.sum

@@ -151,6 +151,8 @@ golang.org/x/text v0.7.0/go.mod h1:mrYo+phRRbMaCq/xk9113O4dZlRixOauAjOtrjsXDZ8=
 golang.org/x/text v0.14.0/go.mod h1:18ZOQIKpY8NJVqYksKHtTdi31H5itFRjB5/qKTNYzSU=
 golang.org/x/text v0.34.0 h1:oL/Qq0Kdaqxa1KbNeMKwQq0reLCCaFtqu2eNuSeNHbk=
 golang.org/x/text v0.34.0/go.mod h1:homfLqTYRFyVYemLBFl5GgL/DWEiH5wcsQ5gSh1yziA=
+golang.org/x/time v0.6.0 h1:eTDhh4ZXt5Qf0augr54TN6suAUudPcawVZeIAPU7D4U=
+golang.org/x/time v0.6.0/go.mod h1:3BpzKBy/shNhVucY/MWOyx10tF3SFh9QdLuxbVysPQM=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20180917221912-90fa682c2a6e/go.mod h1:n7NCudcB/nEzxVGmLbDWY5pfWTLqBcC2KZ6jyYvM4mQ=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.0.0-20191119224855-298f0cb1881e/go.mod h1:b+2E5dAYhXwXZwtnZ6UAqBI28+e2cm9otk0dWdXHAEo=
 golang.org/x/tools v0.1.12/go.mod h1:hNGJHUnrk76NpqgfD5Aqm5Crs+Hm0VOH/i9J2+nxYbc=

internal/config/config.go

@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ type Config struct {
 	FederationKey      string
 	SessionIdleTimeout string
 	HashcashBits       int
+	LoginRateLimit     float64
+	LoginRateBurst     int
 	params             *Params
 	log                *slog.Logger
 }
@@ -78,6 +80,8 @@ func New(
 	viper.SetDefault("FEDERATION_KEY", "")
 	viper.SetDefault("SESSION_IDLE_TIMEOUT", "720h")
 	viper.SetDefault("NEOIRC_HASHCASH_BITS", "20")
+	viper.SetDefault("LOGIN_RATE_LIMIT", "1")
+	viper.SetDefault("LOGIN_RATE_BURST", "5")
 
 	err := viper.ReadInConfig()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -104,6 +108,8 @@ func New(
 		FederationKey:      viper.GetString("FEDERATION_KEY"),
 		SessionIdleTimeout: viper.GetString("SESSION_IDLE_TIMEOUT"),
 		HashcashBits:       viper.GetInt("NEOIRC_HASHCASH_BITS"),
+		LoginRateLimit:     viper.GetFloat64("LOGIN_RATE_LIMIT"),
+		LoginRateBurst:     viper.GetInt("LOGIN_RATE_BURST"),
 		log:                log,
 		params:             &params,
 	}

internal/db/queries.go

@@ -1266,3 +1266,42 @@ func (database *Database) PruneOldMessages(
 
 	return deleted, nil
 }
+
+// GetClientCount returns the total number of clients.
+func (database *Database) GetClientCount(
+	ctx context.Context,
+) (int64, error) {
+	var count int64
+
+	err := database.conn.QueryRowContext(
+		ctx,
+		"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM clients",
+	).Scan(&count)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf(
+			"get client count: %w", err,
+		)
+	}
+
+	return count, nil
+}
+
+// GetQueueEntryCount returns the total number of entries
+// in the client output queues.
+func (database *Database) GetQueueEntryCount(
+	ctx context.Context,
+) (int64, error) {
+	var count int64
+
+	err := database.conn.QueryRowContext(
+		ctx,
+		"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM client_queues",
+	).Scan(&count)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf(
+			"get queue entry count: %w", err,
+		)
+	}
+
+	return count, nil
+}

internal/handlers/api.go

@@ -212,6 +212,9 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handleCreateSession(
 		return
 	}
 
+	hdlr.stats.IncrSessions()
+	hdlr.stats.IncrConnections()
+
 	hdlr.deliverMOTD(request, clientID, sessionID, payload.Nick)
 
 	hdlr.respondJSON(writer, request, map[string]any{
@@ -977,6 +980,8 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handlePrivmsg(
 		return
 	}
 
+	hdlr.stats.IncrMessages()
+
 	if strings.HasPrefix(target, "#") {
 		hdlr.handleChannelMsg(
 			writer, request,
@@ -1636,6 +1641,32 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handleTopic(
 		return
 	}
 
+	isMember, err := hdlr.params.Database.IsChannelMember(
+		request.Context(), chID, sessionID,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		hdlr.log.Error(
+			"check membership failed", "error", err,
+		)
+		hdlr.respondError(
+			writer, request,
+			"internal error",
+			http.StatusInternalServerError,
+		)
+
+		return
+	}
+
+	if !isMember {
+		hdlr.respondIRCError(
+			writer, request, clientID, sessionID,
+			irc.ErrNotOnChannel, nick, []string{channel},
+			"You're not on that channel",
+		)
+
+		return
+	}
+
 	hdlr.executeTopic(
 		writer, request,
 		sessionID, clientID, nick,

internal/handlers/api_test.go

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/logger"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/middleware"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/server"
+	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/stats"
 	"go.uber.org/fx"
 	"go.uber.org/fx/fxtest"
 )
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ func newTestServer(
 				return cfg, nil
 			},
 			newTestDB,
+			stats.New,
 			newTestHealthcheck,
 			newTestMiddleware,
 			newTestHandlers,
@@ -144,12 +146,14 @@ func newTestHealthcheck(
 	cfg *config.Config,
 	log *logger.Logger,
 	database *db.Database,
+	tracker *stats.Tracker,
 ) (*healthcheck.Healthcheck, error) {
 	hcheck, err := healthcheck.New(lifecycle, healthcheck.Params{ //nolint:exhaustruct
 		Globals:  globs,
 		Config:   cfg,
 		Logger:   log,
 		Database: database,
+		Stats:    tracker,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("test healthcheck: %w", err)
@@ -183,6 +187,7 @@ func newTestHandlers(
 	cfg *config.Config,
 	database *db.Database,
 	hcheck *healthcheck.Healthcheck,
+	tracker *stats.Tracker,
 ) (*handlers.Handlers, error) {
 	hdlr, err := handlers.New(lifecycle, handlers.Params{ //nolint:exhaustruct
 		Logger:      log,
@@ -190,6 +195,7 @@ func newTestHandlers(
 		Config:      cfg,
 		Database:    database,
 		Healthcheck: hcheck,
+		Stats:       tracker,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("test handlers: %w", err)
@@ -1134,6 +1140,42 @@ func TestTopicMissingBody(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestTopicNonMember(t *testing.T) {
+	tserver := newTestServer(t)
+	aliceToken := tserver.createSession("alice_topic")
+	bobToken := tserver.createSession("bob_topic")
+
+	// Only alice joins the channel.
+	tserver.sendCommand(aliceToken, map[string]any{
+		commandKey: joinCmd, toKey: "#topicpriv",
+	})
+
+	// Drain bob's initial messages.
+	_, lastID := tserver.pollMessages(bobToken, 0)
+
+	// Bob tries to set topic without joining.
+	status, _ := tserver.sendCommand(
+		bobToken,
+		map[string]any{
+			commandKey: "TOPIC",
+			toKey:      "#topicpriv",
+			bodyKey:    []string{"Hijacked topic"},
+		},
+	)
+	if status != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 200, got %d", status)
+	}
+
+	msgs, _ := tserver.pollMessages(bobToken, lastID)
+
+	if !findNumeric(msgs, "442") {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"expected ERR_NOTONCHANNEL (442), got %v",
+			msgs,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestPing(t *testing.T) {
 	tserver := newTestServer(t)
 	token := tserver.createSession("ping_user")
@@ -1657,6 +1699,133 @@ func TestHealthcheck(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestHealthcheckRuntimeStatsFields(t *testing.T) {
+	tserver := newTestServer(t)
+
+	resp, err := doRequest(
+		t,
+		http.MethodGet,
+		tserver.url("/.well-known/healthcheck.json"),
+		nil,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = resp.Body.Close() }()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"expected 200, got %d", resp.StatusCode,
+		)
+	}
+
+	var result map[string]any
+
+	decErr := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&result)
+	if decErr != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("decode healthcheck: %v", decErr)
+	}
+
+	requiredFields := []string{
+		"sessions", "clients", "queuedLines",
+		"channels", "connectionsSinceBoot",
+		"sessionsSinceBoot", "messagesSinceBoot",
+	}
+
+	for _, field := range requiredFields {
+		if _, ok := result[field]; !ok {
+			t.Errorf(
+				"missing field %q in healthcheck", field,
+			)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHealthcheckRuntimeStatsValues(t *testing.T) {
+	tserver := newTestServer(t)
+
+	token := tserver.createSession("statsuser")
+
+	tserver.sendCommand(token, map[string]any{
+		commandKey: joinCmd, toKey: "#statschan",
+	})
+	tserver.sendCommand(token, map[string]any{
+		commandKey: privmsgCmd,
+		toKey:      "#statschan",
+		bodyKey:    []string{"hello stats"},
+	})
+
+	result := tserver.fetchHealthcheck(t)
+
+	assertFieldGTE(t, result, "sessions", 1)
+	assertFieldGTE(t, result, "clients", 1)
+	assertFieldGTE(t, result, "channels", 1)
+	assertFieldGTE(t, result, "queuedLines", 0)
+	assertFieldGTE(t, result, "sessionsSinceBoot", 1)
+	assertFieldGTE(t, result, "connectionsSinceBoot", 1)
+	assertFieldGTE(t, result, "messagesSinceBoot", 1)
+}
+
+func (tserver *testServer) fetchHealthcheck(
+	t *testing.T,
+) map[string]any {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	resp, err := doRequest(
+		t,
+		http.MethodGet,
+		tserver.url("/.well-known/healthcheck.json"),
+		nil,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = resp.Body.Close() }()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"expected 200, got %d", resp.StatusCode,
+		)
+	}
+
+	var result map[string]any
+
+	decErr := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&result)
+	if decErr != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("decode healthcheck: %v", decErr)
+	}
+
+	return result
+}
+
+func assertFieldGTE(
+	t *testing.T,
+	result map[string]any,
+	field string,
+	minimum float64,
+) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	val, ok := result[field].(float64)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"field %q: not a number (got %T)",
+			field, result[field],
+		)
+
+		return
+	}
+
+	if val < minimum {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected %s >= %v, got %v",
+			field, minimum, val,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRegisterValid(t *testing.T) {
 	tserver := newTestServer(t)
 
@@ -1961,6 +2130,121 @@ func TestSessionStillWorks(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestLoginRateLimitExceeded(t *testing.T) {
+	tserver := newTestServer(t)
+
+	// Exhaust the burst (default: 5 per IP) using
+	// nonexistent users. These fail fast (no bcrypt),
+	// preventing token replenishment between requests.
+	for range 5 {
+		loginBody, mErr := json.Marshal(
+			map[string]string{
+				"nick":     "nosuchuser",
+				"password": "doesnotmatter",
+			},
+		)
+		if mErr != nil {
+			t.Fatal(mErr)
+		}
+
+		loginResp, rErr := doRequest(
+			t,
+			http.MethodPost,
+			tserver.url("/api/v1/login"),
+			bytes.NewReader(loginBody),
+		)
+		if rErr != nil {
+			t.Fatal(rErr)
+		}
+
+		_ = loginResp.Body.Close()
+	}
+
+	// The next request should be rate-limited.
+	loginBody, err := json.Marshal(map[string]string{
+		"nick": "nosuchuser", "password": "doesnotmatter",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	resp, err := doRequest(
+		t,
+		http.MethodPost,
+		tserver.url("/api/v1/login"),
+		bytes.NewReader(loginBody),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = resp.Body.Close() }()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusTooManyRequests {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"expected 429, got %d",
+			resp.StatusCode,
+		)
+	}
+
+	retryAfter := resp.Header.Get("Retry-After")
+	if retryAfter == "" {
+		t.Fatal("expected Retry-After header")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoginRateLimitAllowsNormalUse(t *testing.T) {
+	tserver := newTestServer(t)
+
+	// Register a user.
+	regBody, err := json.Marshal(map[string]string{
+		"nick": "normaluser", "password": "password123",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	resp, err := doRequest(
+		t,
+		http.MethodPost,
+		tserver.url("/api/v1/register"),
+		bytes.NewReader(regBody),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	_ = resp.Body.Close()
+
+	// A single login should succeed without rate limiting.
+	loginBody, err := json.Marshal(map[string]string{
+		"nick": "normaluser", "password": "password123",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	resp2, err := doRequest(
+		t,
+		http.MethodPost,
+		tserver.url("/api/v1/login"),
+		bytes.NewReader(loginBody),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = resp2.Body.Close() }()
+
+	if resp2.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		respBody, _ := io.ReadAll(resp2.Body)
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"expected 200, got %d: %s",
+			resp2.StatusCode, respBody,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestNickBroadcastToChannels(t *testing.T) {
 	tserver := newTestServer(t)
 	aliceToken := tserver.createSession("nick_a")

internal/handlers/auth.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package handlers
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"net"
 	"net/http"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -10,6 +11,33 @@ import (
 
 const minPasswordLength = 8
 
+// clientIP extracts the client IP address from the request.
+// It checks X-Forwarded-For and X-Real-IP headers before
+// falling back to RemoteAddr.
+func clientIP(request *http.Request) string {
+	if forwarded := request.Header.Get("X-Forwarded-For"); forwarded != "" {
+		// X-Forwarded-For may contain a comma-separated list;
+		// the first entry is the original client.
+		parts := strings.SplitN(forwarded, ",", 2) //nolint:mnd // split into two parts
+		ip := strings.TrimSpace(parts[0])
+
+		if ip != "" {
+			return ip
+		}
+	}
+
+	if realIP := request.Header.Get("X-Real-IP"); realIP != "" {
+		return strings.TrimSpace(realIP)
+	}
+
+	host, _, err := net.SplitHostPort(request.RemoteAddr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return request.RemoteAddr
+	}
+
+	return host
+}
+
 // HandleRegister creates a new user with a password.
 func (hdlr *Handlers) HandleRegister() http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(
@@ -82,6 +110,9 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handleRegister(
 		return
 	}
 
+	hdlr.stats.IncrSessions()
+	hdlr.stats.IncrConnections()
+
 	hdlr.deliverMOTD(request, clientID, sessionID, payload.Nick)
 
 	hdlr.respondJSON(writer, request, map[string]any{
@@ -134,6 +165,21 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handleLogin(
 	writer http.ResponseWriter,
 	request *http.Request,
 ) {
+	ip := clientIP(request)
+
+	if !hdlr.loginLimiter.Allow(ip) {
+		writer.Header().Set(
+			"Retry-After", "1",
+		)
+		hdlr.respondError(
+			writer, request,
+			"too many login attempts, try again later",
+			http.StatusTooManyRequests,
+		)
+
+		return
+	}
+
 	type loginRequest struct {
 		Nick     string `json:"nick"`
 		Password string `json:"password"`
@@ -180,6 +226,8 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) handleLogin(
 		return
 	}
 
+	hdlr.stats.IncrConnections()
+
 	hdlr.deliverMOTD(
 		request, clientID, sessionID, payload.Nick,
 	)

internal/handlers/handlers.go

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import (
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/hashcash"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/healthcheck"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/logger"
+	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/ratelimit"
+	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/stats"
 	"go.uber.org/fx"
 )
 
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ type Params struct {
 	Config      *config.Config
 	Database    *db.Database
 	Healthcheck *healthcheck.Healthcheck
+	Stats       *stats.Tracker
 }
 
 const defaultIdleTimeout = 30 * 24 * time.Hour
@@ -41,6 +44,8 @@ type Handlers struct {
 	hc            *healthcheck.Healthcheck
 	broker        *broker.Broker
 	hashcashVal   *hashcash.Validator
+	loginLimiter  *ratelimit.Limiter
+	stats         *stats.Tracker
 	cancelCleanup context.CancelFunc
 }
 
@@ -54,12 +59,24 @@ func New(
 		resource = "neoirc"
 	}
 
+	loginRate := params.Config.LoginRateLimit
+	if loginRate <= 0 {
+		loginRate = ratelimit.DefaultRate
+	}
+
+	loginBurst := params.Config.LoginRateBurst
+	if loginBurst <= 0 {
+		loginBurst = ratelimit.DefaultBurst
+	}
+
 	hdlr := &Handlers{ //nolint:exhaustruct // cancelCleanup set in startCleanup
 		params:       &params,
 		log:          params.Logger.Get(),
 		hc:           params.Healthcheck,
 		broker:       broker.New(),
 		hashcashVal:  hashcash.NewValidator(resource),
+		loginLimiter: ratelimit.New(loginRate, loginBurst),
+		stats:        params.Stats,
 	}
 
 	lifecycle.Append(fx.Hook{
@@ -151,6 +168,10 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) stopCleanup() {
 	if hdlr.cancelCleanup != nil {
 		hdlr.cancelCleanup()
 	}
+
+	if hdlr.loginLimiter != nil {
+		hdlr.loginLimiter.Stop()
+	}
 }
 
 func (hdlr *Handlers) cleanupLoop(ctx context.Context) {

internal/handlers/healthcheck.go

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ func (hdlr *Handlers) HandleHealthCheck() http.HandlerFunc {
 		writer http.ResponseWriter,
 		request *http.Request,
 	) {
-		resp := hdlr.hc.Healthcheck()
+		resp := hdlr.hc.Healthcheck(request.Context())
 		hdlr.respondJSON(writer, request, resp, httpStatusOK)
 	}
 }

internal/healthcheck/healthcheck.go

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/db"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/globals"
 	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/logger"
+	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/stats"
 	"go.uber.org/fx"
 )
 
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ type Params struct {
 	Config   *config.Config
 	Logger   *logger.Logger
 	Database *db.Database
+	Stats    *stats.Tracker
 }
 
 // Healthcheck tracks server uptime and provides health status.
@@ -64,11 +66,22 @@ type Response struct {
 	Version       string `json:"version"`
 	Appname       string `json:"appname"`
 	Maintenance   bool   `json:"maintenanceMode"`
+
+	// Runtime statistics.
+	Sessions             int64 `json:"sessions"`
+	Clients              int64 `json:"clients"`
+	QueuedLines          int64 `json:"queuedLines"`
+	Channels             int64 `json:"channels"`
+	ConnectionsSinceBoot int64 `json:"connectionsSinceBoot"`
+	SessionsSinceBoot    int64 `json:"sessionsSinceBoot"`
+	MessagesSinceBoot    int64 `json:"messagesSinceBoot"`
 }
 
 // Healthcheck returns the current health status of the server.
-func (hcheck *Healthcheck) Healthcheck() *Response {
+func (hcheck *Healthcheck) Healthcheck(
-	return &Response{
+	ctx context.Context,
+) *Response {
+	resp := &Response{
 		Status:        "ok",
 		Now:           time.Now().UTC().Format(time.RFC3339Nano),
 		UptimeSeconds: int64(hcheck.uptime().Seconds()),
@@ -76,6 +89,64 @@ func (hcheck *Healthcheck) Healthcheck() *Response {
 		Appname:       hcheck.params.Globals.Appname,
 		Version:       hcheck.params.Globals.Version,
 		Maintenance:   hcheck.params.Config.MaintenanceMode,
+
+		Sessions:             0,
+		Clients:              0,
+		QueuedLines:          0,
+		Channels:             0,
+		ConnectionsSinceBoot: hcheck.params.Stats.ConnectionsSinceBoot(),
+		SessionsSinceBoot:    hcheck.params.Stats.SessionsSinceBoot(),
+		MessagesSinceBoot:    hcheck.params.Stats.MessagesSinceBoot(),
+	}
+
+	hcheck.populateDBStats(ctx, resp)
+
+	return resp
+}
+
+// populateDBStats fills in database-derived counters.
+func (hcheck *Healthcheck) populateDBStats(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	resp *Response,
+) {
+	sessions, err := hcheck.params.Database.GetUserCount(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		hcheck.log.Error(
+			"healthcheck: session count failed",
+			"error", err,
+		)
+	} else {
+		resp.Sessions = sessions
+	}
+
+	clients, err := hcheck.params.Database.GetClientCount(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		hcheck.log.Error(
+			"healthcheck: client count failed",
+			"error", err,
+		)
+	} else {
+		resp.Clients = clients
+	}
+
+	queued, err := hcheck.params.Database.GetQueueEntryCount(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		hcheck.log.Error(
+			"healthcheck: queue entry count failed",
+			"error", err,
+		)
+	} else {
+		resp.QueuedLines = queued
+	}
+
+	channels, err := hcheck.params.Database.GetChannelCount(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		hcheck.log.Error(
+			"healthcheck: channel count failed",
+			"error", err,
+		)
+	} else {
+		resp.Channels = channels
 	}
 }
 

internal/ratelimit/ratelimit.go

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+// Package ratelimit provides per-IP rate limiting for HTTP endpoints.
+package ratelimit
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"golang.org/x/time/rate"
+)
+
+const (
+	// DefaultRate is the default number of allowed requests per second.
+	DefaultRate = 1.0
+
+	// DefaultBurst is the default maximum burst size.
+	DefaultBurst = 5
+
+	// DefaultSweepInterval controls how often stale entries are pruned.
+	DefaultSweepInterval = 10 * time.Minute
+
+	// DefaultEntryTTL is how long an unused entry lives before eviction.
+	DefaultEntryTTL = 15 * time.Minute
+)
+
+// entry tracks a per-IP rate limiter and when it was last used.
+type entry struct {
+	limiter  *rate.Limiter
+	lastSeen time.Time
+}
+
+// Limiter manages per-key rate limiters with automatic cleanup
+// of stale entries.
+type Limiter struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	entries  map[string]*entry
+	rate     rate.Limit
+	burst    int
+	entryTTL time.Duration
+	stopCh   chan struct{}
+}
+
+// New creates a new per-key rate Limiter.
+// The ratePerSec parameter sets how many requests per second are
+// allowed per key.  The burst parameter sets the maximum number of
+// requests that can be made in a single burst.
+func New(ratePerSec float64, burst int) *Limiter {
+	limiter := &Limiter{
+		mu:       sync.Mutex{},
+		entries:  make(map[string]*entry),
+		rate:     rate.Limit(ratePerSec),
+		burst:    burst,
+		entryTTL: DefaultEntryTTL,
+		stopCh:   make(chan struct{}),
+	}
+
+	go limiter.sweepLoop()
+
+	return limiter
+}
+
+// Allow reports whether a request from the given key should be
+// allowed.  It consumes one token from the key's rate limiter.
+func (l *Limiter) Allow(key string) bool {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	ent, exists := l.entries[key]
+
+	if !exists {
+		ent = &entry{
+			limiter:  rate.NewLimiter(l.rate, l.burst),
+			lastSeen: time.Now(),
+		}
+		l.entries[key] = ent
+	} else {
+		ent.lastSeen = time.Now()
+	}
+	l.mu.Unlock()
+
+	return ent.limiter.Allow()
+}
+
+// Stop terminates the background sweep goroutine.
+func (l *Limiter) Stop() {
+	close(l.stopCh)
+}
+
+// Len returns the number of tracked keys (for testing).
+func (l *Limiter) Len() int {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+
+	return len(l.entries)
+}
+
+// sweepLoop periodically removes entries that haven't been seen
+// within the TTL.
+func (l *Limiter) sweepLoop() {
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(DefaultSweepInterval)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			l.sweep()
+		case <-l.stopCh:
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// sweep removes stale entries.
+func (l *Limiter) sweep() {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+
+	cutoff := time.Now().Add(-l.entryTTL)
+
+	for key, ent := range l.entries {
+		if ent.lastSeen.Before(cutoff) {
+			delete(l.entries, key)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/ratelimit/ratelimit_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+package ratelimit_test
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/ratelimit"
+)
+
+func TestNewCreatesLimiter(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	limiter := ratelimit.New(1.0, 5)
+	defer limiter.Stop()
+
+	if limiter == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected non-nil limiter")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAllowWithinBurst(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	limiter := ratelimit.New(1.0, 3)
+	defer limiter.Stop()
+
+	for i := range 3 {
+		if !limiter.Allow("192.168.1.1") {
+			t.Fatalf(
+				"request %d should be allowed within burst",
+				i+1,
+			)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAllowExceedsBurst(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	// Rate of 0 means no token replenishment, only burst.
+	limiter := ratelimit.New(0, 3)
+	defer limiter.Stop()
+
+	for range 3 {
+		limiter.Allow("10.0.0.1")
+	}
+
+	if limiter.Allow("10.0.0.1") {
+		t.Fatal("fourth request should be denied after burst exhausted")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestAllowSeparateKeys(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	// Rate of 0, burst of 1 — only one request per key.
+	limiter := ratelimit.New(0, 1)
+	defer limiter.Stop()
+
+	if !limiter.Allow("10.0.0.1") {
+		t.Fatal("first request for key A should be allowed")
+	}
+
+	if !limiter.Allow("10.0.0.2") {
+		t.Fatal("first request for key B should be allowed")
+	}
+
+	if limiter.Allow("10.0.0.1") {
+		t.Fatal("second request for key A should be denied")
+	}
+
+	if limiter.Allow("10.0.0.2") {
+		t.Fatal("second request for key B should be denied")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLenTracksKeys(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	limiter := ratelimit.New(1.0, 5)
+	defer limiter.Stop()
+
+	if limiter.Len() != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 0 entries, got %d", limiter.Len())
+	}
+
+	limiter.Allow("10.0.0.1")
+	limiter.Allow("10.0.0.2")
+
+	if limiter.Len() != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 entries, got %d", limiter.Len())
+	}
+
+	// Same key again should not increase count.
+	limiter.Allow("10.0.0.1")
+
+	if limiter.Len() != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 2 entries, got %d", limiter.Len())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStopDoesNotPanic(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	limiter := ratelimit.New(1.0, 5)
+	limiter.Stop()
+}

internal/stats/stats.go

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+// Package stats tracks runtime statistics since server boot.
+package stats
+
+import (
+	"sync/atomic"
+)
+
+// Tracker holds atomic counters for runtime statistics
+// that accumulate since the server started.
+type Tracker struct {
+	connectionsSinceBoot atomic.Int64
+	sessionsSinceBoot    atomic.Int64
+	messagesSinceBoot    atomic.Int64
+}
+
+// New creates a new Tracker with all counters at zero.
+func New() *Tracker {
+	return &Tracker{} //nolint:exhaustruct // atomic fields have zero-value defaults
+}
+
+// IncrConnections increments the total connection count.
+func (t *Tracker) IncrConnections() {
+	t.connectionsSinceBoot.Add(1)
+}
+
+// IncrSessions increments the total session count.
+func (t *Tracker) IncrSessions() {
+	t.sessionsSinceBoot.Add(1)
+}
+
+// IncrMessages increments the total PRIVMSG/NOTICE count.
+func (t *Tracker) IncrMessages() {
+	t.messagesSinceBoot.Add(1)
+}
+
+// ConnectionsSinceBoot returns the total number of
+// client connections since boot.
+func (t *Tracker) ConnectionsSinceBoot() int64 {
+	return t.connectionsSinceBoot.Load()
+}
+
+// SessionsSinceBoot returns the total number of sessions
+// created since boot.
+func (t *Tracker) SessionsSinceBoot() int64 {
+	return t.sessionsSinceBoot.Load()
+}
+
+// MessagesSinceBoot returns the total number of
+// PRIVMSG/NOTICE messages sent since boot.
+func (t *Tracker) MessagesSinceBoot() int64 {
+	return t.messagesSinceBoot.Load()
+}

internal/stats/stats_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+package stats_test
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.eeqj.de/sneak/neoirc/internal/stats"
+)
+
+func TestNew(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tracker := stats.New()
+	if tracker == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected non-nil tracker")
+	}
+
+	if tracker.ConnectionsSinceBoot() != 0 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 0 connections, got %d",
+			tracker.ConnectionsSinceBoot(),
+		)
+	}
+
+	if tracker.SessionsSinceBoot() != 0 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 0 sessions, got %d",
+			tracker.SessionsSinceBoot(),
+		)
+	}
+
+	if tracker.MessagesSinceBoot() != 0 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 0 messages, got %d",
+			tracker.MessagesSinceBoot(),
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIncrConnections(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tracker := stats.New()
+
+	tracker.IncrConnections()
+	tracker.IncrConnections()
+	tracker.IncrConnections()
+
+	got := tracker.ConnectionsSinceBoot()
+	if got != 3 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 3 connections, got %d", got,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIncrSessions(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tracker := stats.New()
+
+	tracker.IncrSessions()
+	tracker.IncrSessions()
+
+	got := tracker.SessionsSinceBoot()
+	if got != 2 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 2 sessions, got %d", got,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIncrMessages(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tracker := stats.New()
+
+	tracker.IncrMessages()
+
+	got := tracker.MessagesSinceBoot()
+	if got != 1 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 1 message, got %d", got,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCountersAreIndependent(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tracker := stats.New()
+
+	tracker.IncrConnections()
+	tracker.IncrSessions()
+	tracker.IncrMessages()
+	tracker.IncrMessages()
+
+	if tracker.ConnectionsSinceBoot() != 1 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 1 connection, got %d",
+			tracker.ConnectionsSinceBoot(),
+		)
+	}
+
+	if tracker.SessionsSinceBoot() != 1 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 1 session, got %d",
+			tracker.SessionsSinceBoot(),
+		)
+	}
+
+	if tracker.MessagesSinceBoot() != 2 {
+		t.Errorf(
+			"expected 2 messages, got %d",
+			tracker.MessagesSinceBoot(),
+		)
+	}
+}