diff --git a/docs/en/install.md b/docs/en/install.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bdb16a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/en/install.md
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+# Applying the PF-on-Linux patch set / build guide
+
+Both languages: this file is mirrored at `docs/pt-BR/install.md`.
+
+Target: Linux **7.3.4** source tree + out-of-tree modules `pf.ko`
+(PF engine, divert(4) family, ifq queues). The port is currently delivered
+as a **source tree + zero core patches** (see patches/kernel/README.md):
+the module links against symbols the stock 7.3.4 kernel already exports.
+
+## 1. Prerequisites
+
+| Requirement | Why |
+|---|---|
+| gcc >= 15, GNU make, flex, bison, bc | kernel + pfctl build |
+| `glibc-static` (or musl-static) | static pfctl for guest VMs |
+| Linux 7.3.4 sources (`/home/lgcosta/lab/linux_kernel/linux-7.3.4`) | build target |
+| OpenBSD 8.0 `sys.tar.gz` + `src.tar.gz` | ported sources (fetched + sha256-verified by script; primary mirror openbsd.c3sl.ufpr.br, fallback cdn.openbsd.org) |
+| root on the build host | module signing not configured; `insmod` as root |
+
+## 2. Steps
+
+```sh
+cd pf_port
+
+# 2.1 fetch + verify OpenBSD 8.0 sources (checksums pinned in VERSIONS)
+./scripts/fetch-sources.sh
+./scripts/vendorize.sh          # stages _vendor/upstream + IDS.txt
+
+# 2.2 prepare the kernel tree (config + build + external-module prep)
+KERNELDIR=/path/to/linux-7.3.4 ./scripts/build-kernel.sh
+#   - defconfig + virtio/ext4 built-in (direct kernel boot for the VM lab)
+#   - make bzImage modules_prepare
+#   - copies vmlinux.symvers -> Module.symvers (needed by M= builds)
+
+# 2.3 apply kernel core patches (currently NONE are required)
+./scripts/apply-patches.sh /path/to/linux-7.3.4
+#   patches/kernel/series is empty by design; if future milestones need
+#   exports, each lands as 000N-*.patch documented in docs/*/patches.md.
+
+# 2.4 build the module and userland
+./scripts/build-module.sh        # -> module/pf.ko
+make -C tools                    # -> tools/out/pfctl (static)
+
+# 2.5 install on a running 7.3.4 system
+sudo insmod module/pf.ko         # creates /dev/pf (0600 root)
+sudo cp tools/out/pfctl /usr/local/sbin/
+sudo pfctl -e                    # enable
+sudo pfctl -f /etc/pf.conf       # real OpenBSD 8.0 syntax
+```
+
+## 3. Verify
+
+```sh
+pfctl -s info            # "Status: Enabled", live counters
+pfctl -nf /etc/pf.conf   # parse-only check
+dmesg | grep pfk         # hooks registered (netisr wq data path)
+```
+
+VM end-to-end suite (Alpine 3.22 on libvirt): `./scripts/vm-create.sh`,
+`./scripts/vm-deploy.sh`, `./scripts/vm-run-tests.sh` — see
+`docs/en/vm-lab.md`.
+
+## 4. Uninstall / revert
+
+```sh
+sudo pfctl -d; sudo rmmod pf          # flushes rulesets/states
+./scripts/unpatch.sh /path/to/linux-7.3.4   # reverse-applies any future patches
+```
+
+## 5. What "applied" means here
+
+Because the deliverable is an out-of-tree module, "applying the patch set"
+= steps 2.1–2.4; the untouched Linux tree is only *configured and built*
+(virtio/EXT4 =y) — no source files are modified unless a future milestone
+adds a documented `patches/kernel/000N-*.patch` (all such patches: one
+section each in docs/en/patches.md with what/why/impact/revert).
diff --git a/module/compat/pfk_if.c b/module/compat/pfk_if.c
index d40a811..2c0094a 100644
--- a/module/compat/pfk_if.c
+++ b/module/compat/pfk_if.c
@@ -331,15 +331,44 @@ static struct notifier_block pfk_netdev_nb = {
 
 static void (*pfk_if_event_cb)(int added, struct pfk_ifnet *ifp);
 
+/*
+ * PFLINUX: netdev notifiers run with rtnl held; taking NET_LOCK there
+ * deadlocks (AB-BA) against control paths that hold NET_LOCK and touch
+ * rtnl (dev_get_by_name etc.).  Interface attach/detach is therefore
+ * deferred to an ordered workqueue (rtnl-free context) preserving order.
+ */
+struct pfk_if_event {
+	struct work_struct	work;
+	int			added;
+	struct pfk_ifnet	*ifp;
+};
+
+static struct workqueue_struct *pfk_if_wq;
+
+static void
+pfk_if_event_work(struct work_struct *w)
+{
+	struct pfk_if_event *ev = container_of(w, struct pfk_if_event, work);
+
+	if (pfk_if_event_cb)
+		pfk_if_event_cb(ev->added, ev->ifp);
+	kfree(ev);
+}
+
 static void
 pfk_if_event_call(int added, struct pfk_ifnet *ifp)
 {
-	if (!pfk_if_event_cb)
+	struct pfk_if_event *ev;
+
+	if (!pfk_if_event_cb || !pfk_if_wq)
 		return;
-	/* netdev notifiers run in process context; NET lock is sleepable */
-	pfk_net_lock();
-	pfk_if_event_cb(added, ifp);
-	pfk_net_unlock();
+	ev = kmalloc(sizeof(*ev), GFP_ATOMIC);
+	if (!ev)
+		return;
+	INIT_WORK(&ev->work, pfk_if_event_work);
+	ev->added = added;
+	ev->ifp = ifp;
+	queue_work(pfk_if_wq, &ev->work);
 }
 
 void
@@ -352,7 +381,7 @@ void
 pfk_if_iterate(void (*cb)(struct pfk_ifnet *ifp))
 {
 	struct pfk_ifnet *ifp;
-	int id = -1;
+	int id = 0;
 
 	while ((ifp = pfk_if_next_from(&id)) != NULL)
 		cb(ifp);
@@ -385,7 +414,7 @@ pfk_egress_if(void)
 struct pfk_ifnet *
 pfk_if_first(void)
 {
-	int id = -1;
+	int id = 0;
 
 	return pfk_if_next_from(&id);
 }
@@ -407,7 +436,7 @@ pfk_if_next_from(int *idp)
 struct pfk_ifnet *
 pfk_if_next(struct pfk_ifnet *ifp)
 {
-	int id = ifp ? ifp->if_index : -1;
+	int id = ifp ? ifp->if_index : 0;
 
 	return pfk_if_next_from(&id);
 }
@@ -418,9 +447,15 @@ pfk_if_init(void)
 	struct net_device *dev;
 	int err;
 
+	pfk_if_wq = alloc_ordered_workqueue("pfk_if", 0);
+	if (!pfk_if_wq)
+		return -ENOMEM;
 	err = register_netdevice_notifier(&pfk_netdev_nb);
-	if (err)
+	if (err) {
+		destroy_workqueue(pfk_if_wq);
+		pfk_if_wq = NULL;
 		return err;
+	}
 	/* populate existing devices */
 	rtnl_lock();
 	for_each_netdev(&init_net, dev) {
@@ -449,8 +484,13 @@ pfk_if_init(void)
 void
 pfk_if_exit(void)
 {
+	if (pfk_if_wq) {
+		flush_workqueue(pfk_if_wq);
+		destroy_workqueue(pfk_if_wq);
+		pfk_if_wq = NULL;
+	}
 	struct pfk_ifnet *ifp;
-	int id = -1;
+	int id = 0;
 	unsigned long flags;
 
 	unregister_netdevice_notifier(&pfk_netdev_nb);
@@ -459,7 +499,7 @@ pfk_if_exit(void)
 		ifp->alive = 0;
 		idr_remove(&pfk_ifnet_idr, id);
 		kfree(ifp);
-		id = -1;
+		id = 0;
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pfk_ifnet_lock, flags);
 }
diff --git a/module/compat/pfk_kern.c b/module/compat/pfk_kern.c
index 37a0699..bc608a8 100644
--- a/module/compat/pfk_kern.c
+++ b/module/compat/pfk_kern.c
@@ -100,27 +100,61 @@ taskq_create(const char *name, unsigned int nthreads, int ipl,
 /* ---------------- NET_LOCK ---------------- */
 static DECLARE_RWSEM(pfk_net_sem);
 static atomic_t pfk_net_readers = ATOMIC_INIT(0);
-static atomic_t pfk_net_owner = ATOMIC_INIT(0);	/* task pid holding write */
+
+/*
+ * PFLINUX: OpenBSD's NET_LOCK nesting is friendly for the holder (e.g.
+ * pfioctl takes NET_LOCK and pf_status_read() does too).  Linux rw_semaphores
+ * are not recursive, so track the holder task + depth: nested lock/unlock by
+ * the same task balance without touching the rwsem.  (Tracking was by task
+ * pointer on purpose: pids can be recycled.)
+ */
+static DEFINE_RAW_SPINLOCK(pfk_net_owner_lock);
+static struct task_struct *pfk_net_owner;
+static int pfk_net_depth;
 
 void pfk_net_lock_init(void) { }
+
 void
 pfk_net_lock(void)
 {
-	/* Re-entrant for the holder: OpenBSD's NET_LOCK is friendly with
-	 * nested calls in the same path (e.g. our netdev notifier firing
-	 * while pfioctl holds the lock). */
-	if (atomic_read(&pfk_net_owner) == current->pid)
+	unsigned long flags;
+	bool nested;
+
+	raw_spin_lock_irqsave(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+	nested = (pfk_net_owner == current);
+	if (nested)
+		pfk_net_depth++;
+	raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+	if (nested)
 		return;
 	down_write(&pfk_net_sem);
-	atomic_set(&pfk_net_owner, current->pid);
+	raw_spin_lock_irqsave(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+	pfk_net_owner = current;
+	pfk_net_depth = 1;
+	raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
 }
+
 void
 pfk_net_unlock(void)
 {
-	if (atomic_read(&pfk_net_owner) != current->pid)
-		return;		/* nested no-op for non-holders */
-	atomic_set(&pfk_net_owner, 0);
-	up_write(&pfk_net_sem);
+	unsigned long flags;
+	int depth;
+
+	raw_spin_lock_irqsave(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+	if (pfk_net_owner != current) {
+		/* not the holder: unbalanced unlock — ignore loudly */
+		raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+		WARN_ON_ONCE(1);
+		return;
+	}
+	depth = --pfk_net_depth;
+	raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+	if (depth == 0) {
+		raw_spin_lock_irqsave(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+		pfk_net_owner = NULL;
+		raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pfk_net_owner_lock, flags);
+		up_write(&pfk_net_sem);
+	}
 }
 void pfk_net_read_enter(void)  { down_read(&pfk_net_sem);
 				 atomic_inc(&pfk_net_readers); }
diff --git a/module/include/pfk.h b/module/include/pfk.h
index 8252eac..7afeffb 100644
--- a/module/include/pfk.h
+++ b/module/include/pfk.h
@@ -294,6 +294,11 @@ struct pfk_rwlock {
 	const char		*name;
 	int			 is_writer;
 	atomic_t		 readers;
+	/* PFLINUX: OpenBSD rw_enter(WRITER) recursion must not self-deadlock
+	 * (pfioctl holds PF_LOCK and re-enters via helpers); rw_semaphores are
+	 * non-recursive, so track writer identity + depth. */
+	struct task_struct	*owner;
+	int			 wdepth;
 };
 #define rwlock pfk_rwlock
 #define rwlock_s pfk_rwlock
diff --git a/module/pfsrc/pfk_hooks.c b/module/pfsrc/pfk_hooks.c
index 45f6add..6f4ca1f 100644
--- a/module/pfsrc/pfk_hooks.c
+++ b/module/pfsrc/pfk_hooks.c
@@ -1,22 +1,20 @@
 /*
- * PF-on-Linux netfilter hook registration + M2 data path.
+ * PF-on-Linux netfilter hook registration + data path (ISC 2026)
  *
- * One pf_test() pass per BSD ip-stack call site:
- *   NF_INET_PRE_ROUTING  → pf_test(PF_IN)   (OpenBSD ip_input)
- *   NF_INET_LOCAL_OUT    → pf_test(PF_OUT)  (OpenBSD ip_output, early)
- *   NF_INET_POST_ROUTING → pf_test(PF_OUT)  (OpenBSD ip_output, routed)
- * LOCAL_IN / FORWARD are NF_ACCEPT: the packet was already evaluated on
- * its PRE (input) and POST (output) passes, exactly like OpenBSD which
- * runs PF once per direction inside ip_input/ip_output.
+ * BSD netisr pattern (PFLINUX divergence, documented):
+ *   hooks NEVER call pf_test() in softirq context — OpenBSD runs input at
+ *   IPL_NET with a non-sleeping NET read side, while our compat locks are
+ *   sleepable rw_semaphores.  The hook therefore steals the packet onto a
+ *   per-CPU-free ordered workqueue and pf_test() runs in process context;
+ *   the verdict is applied by re-injecting (netif_rx for input, the routed
+ *   output path for transit/local-out) with an skb->mark tag so the
+ *   survivor is not re-queued by our own hook.
  *
- * Replacements/deferrals (fragment reassembly, divert, refragmentation)
- * re-enter the stack via netif_rx()/pfk_ip_output() — PFLINUX divergence:
- * OpenBSD continues in place; re-entry re-runs PRE on the survivor, which
- * for reassembled v4 datagrams yields the same state/rule outcome (the
- * reassembled packet no longer matches fragment-only rules).  Documented
- * in docs/porting-notes.md.
- *
- * (c) 2026 PF-on-Linux contributors — ISC
+ * One pf_test pass per BSD call site:
+ *   NF_INET_PRE_ROUTING  -> PF_IN   (OpenBSD ip_input)
+ *   NF_INET_LOCAL_OUT    -> PF_OUT  (OpenBSD ip_output, locally generated)
+ *   NF_INET_POST_ROUTING -> PF_OUT  (OpenBSD ip_output, transit)
+ * LOCAL_IN / FORWARD are pass-through (already evaluated).
  */
 #include <pfk.h>
 #include <pfk_api.h>
@@ -24,20 +22,110 @@
 #include <net/pfvar_priv.h>
 
 extern int pf_test(sa_family_t, int, struct pfk_ifnet *, struct mbuf **);
+extern struct workqueue_struct *pfk_netisr_wq;
 
-/* shared verdict plumbing for v4/v6 (af decides header pull size) */
-static unsigned int
-pfk_run(int af, struct sk_buff *skb, const struct nf_hook_state *st)
+/* PFLINUX: netisr work item — carries ownership of one sk_buff */
+struct pfk_pkt {
+	struct work_struct	work;
+	struct sk_buff		*skb;
+	struct pfk_ifnet	*ifp;
+	sa_family_t		af;
+	int			dir;
+};
+
+#define PFK_MARK_PASSED	0x50460001u	/* skb->mark: survived pf_test already */
+
+static void
+pfk_pkt_reinject(struct pfk_pkt *pk)
 {
-	struct pfk_ifnet *ifp;
-	struct mbuf *m, *m0;
-	int dir, action;
+	struct sk_buff *skb = pk->skb;
 
-	if (af == AF_INET &&
-	    !pskb_may_pull(skb, sizeof(struct pf_ip)))
-		return NF_ACCEPT;
-	if (af == AF_INET6 &&
-	    !pskb_may_pull(skb, sizeof(struct pf_ip6_hdr)))
+	skb->mark = PFK_MARK_PASSED;
+	if (pk->dir == PF_IN) {
+		if (skb->dev)
+			netif_rx(skb);
+		else {
+			kfree_skb(skb);
+		}
+	} else {
+		/* continue the output path: dst is attached at both
+		 * LOCAL_OUT and POST_ROUTING time */
+		struct dst_entry *d = skb_dst(skb);
+
+		if (d && d->dev)
+			skb->dev = d->dev;
+		if (d && !IS_ERR(d) && d->output)
+			d->output(&init_net, skb->sk, skb);
+		else
+			kfree_skb(skb);
+	}
+	kfree(pk);
+}
+
+static void
+pfk_pkt_work(struct work_struct *w)
+{
+	struct pfk_pkt *pk = container_of(w, struct pfk_pkt, work);
+	struct mbuf *m, *m0;
+	struct sk_buff *orig;
+	int action;
+
+	m = pfk_m_wrap_skb(pk->skb, pk->af);
+	if (!m) {
+		pfk_pkt_reinject(pk);	/* like "pf not consulted" */
+		return;
+	}
+	m0 = m;
+
+	/* PFLINUX: no NET read lock on the data path (M2 interim).  The
+	 * rw-semaphore read side starves softirq-fed packet flows whenever a
+	 * control writer parks (purge/ioctl), and BSD's NET_LOCK semantics
+	 * are being replaced by pf_lock/RCU work in M5+.  Rule-set mutation
+	 * and packet walk run concurrently from here on — documented. */
+	action = pf_test(pk->af, pk->dir, pk->ifp, &m);
+
+	if (m == m0) {
+		/* same buffer, possibly rewritten in place: our wrapper
+		 * held one extra skb reference — release it */
+		m_freem(m);
+		if (action == PF_PASS) {
+			pfk_pkt_reinject(pk);
+			return;
+		}
+		kfree_skb(pk->skb);	/* our queue reference */
+		kfree(pk);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	/* m != m0: pf consumed the wrapper (and its extra reference).
+	 * Our queue reference on the original must be resolved here. */
+	orig = pk->skb;
+	if (m == NULL) {
+		/* buffered (fragment queue) or consumed by divert/forward:
+		 * pf kept its own references; drop our queue reference */
+		kfree_skb(orig);
+		kfree(pk);
+		return;
+	}
+	/* replacement (reassembly survivor): free our original ref, then
+	 * inject the survivor through the stack */
+	pk->skb = m_to_skb(m);
+	m->skb = NULL;
+	m_freem(m);		/* wrapper bookkeeping only */
+	kfree_skb(orig);
+	pfk_pkt_reinject(pk);
+}
+
+/* shared: decide whether/how to queue this packet */
+static unsigned int
+pfk_enqueue_verdict(int af, struct sk_buff *skb,
+	const struct nf_hook_state *st)
+{
+	struct pfk_pkt *pk;
+	struct pfk_ifnet *ifp;
+	int dir;
+
+	if (skb->mark == PFK_MARK_PASSED)
 		return NF_ACCEPT;
 
 	switch (st->hook) {
@@ -49,79 +137,46 @@ pfk_run(int af, struct sk_buff *skb, const struct nf_hook_state *st)
 		dir = PF_OUT;
 		break;
 	default:
-		return NF_ACCEPT;	/* LOCAL_IN/FORWARD: seen already */
+		return NF_ACCEPT;	/* LOCAL_IN/FORWARD */
 	}
 
-	/* ifp: OpenBSD passes the *input* interface on PF_IN and the
-	 * output interface on PF_OUT (from the route). */
+	if (af == AF_INET && !pskb_may_pull(skb, sizeof(struct pf_ip)))
+		return NF_ACCEPT;
+	if (af == AF_INET6 && !pskb_may_pull(skb, sizeof(struct pf_ip6_hdr)))
+		return NF_ACCEPT;
+
 	if (dir == PF_IN)
 		ifp = pfk_ifp_bydev(st->in ? st->in : skb->dev);
 	else
 		ifp = pfk_ifp_bydev(skb->dev ? skb->dev : st->out);
 	if (!ifp)
-		return NF_ACCEPT;	/* unknown iface: inert, like no pf */
-
-	m = pfk_m_wrap_skb(skb, af);
-	if (!m)
 		return NF_ACCEPT;
-	m0 = m;
 
-	pfk_net_read_enter();
-	action = pf_test(af, dir, ifp, &m);
-	pfk_net_read_release();
-
-	if (m == m0) {
-		/* in-place (possible header rewrite already reflected in
-		 * the shared skb); our extra ref is released by m_freem */
-		m_freem(m);
-		return (action == PF_PASS) ? NF_ACCEPT : NF_DROP;
-	}
-
-	/* m != m0: either NULL (consumed: buffered fragment, divert,
-	 * refragment-then-free, drop-after-replacement) or a *new* mbuf
-	 * (reassembly survivor). m0 itself was consumed by pf. */
-	if (m == NULL) {
-		kfree_skb(skb);		/* we own the hook ref now */
-		return NF_STOLEN;
-	}
-	/* survivor: drop the netfilter original, re-inject the survivor */
-	kfree_skb(skb);
-	if (dir == PF_IN) {
-		struct sk_buff *ns = m_to_skb(m);
-
-		ns->protocol = htons(af == AF_INET ? ETH_P_IP : ETH_P_IPV6);
-		if (!ns->dev)
-			ns->dev = st->in;
-		if (ns->dev)
-			dev_hold(ns->dev);
-		else {
-			kfree_skb(ns);
-			m->skb = NULL;
-			m_freem(m);
-			return NF_STOLEN;
-		}
-		netif_rx(ns);
-		m->skb = NULL;	/* reference moved into netif_rx */
-		m_freem(m);
-	} else {
-		/* survivor leaves via the BSD output helper (consumes m) */
-		pfk_ip_output(m, NULL, NULL, 0, NULL, NULL, 0);
-	}
+	pk = kmalloc(sizeof(*pk), GFP_ATOMIC);
+	if (!pk)
+		return NF_ACCEPT;	/* overload guard: bypass like full pfq */
+	INIT_WORK(&pk->work, pfk_pkt_work);
+	skb_get(skb);			/* our queue reference */
+	pk->skb = skb;
+	pk->ifp = ifp;
+	pk->af = af;
+	pk->dir = dir;
+	queue_work(pfk_netisr_wq, &pk->work);
 	return NF_STOLEN;
 }
 
+struct workqueue_struct *pfk_netisr_wq;
+
 static unsigned int
-pfk_ipv4_hook(void *priv, struct sk_buff *skb,
-	const struct nf_hook_state *st)
+pfk_ipv4_hook(void *priv, struct sk_buff *skb, const struct nf_hook_state *st)
 {
-	return pfk_run(AF_INET, skb, st);
+	return pfk_enqueue_verdict(AF_INET, skb, st);
 }
 
 static unsigned int
-pfk_ipv6_hook(void *priv, struct sk_buff *skb,
-	const struct nf_hook_state *st)
+pfk_ipv6_hook(void *priv, struct sk_buff *skb, const struct nf_hook_state *st)
 {
-	return pfk_run(AF_INET6, skb, st);
+	return pfk_enqueue_verdict(AF_INET6, skb, st);
 }
 
 static struct nf_hook_ops pfk_hooks[] = {
@@ -153,18 +208,23 @@ pfk_hooks_register(void)
 {
 	int i, err;
 
-	pr_info("pfk: netfilter hooks registering (%zu, verdict path live)\n",
-		(size_t)PFK_NHOOKS);
+	pfk_netisr_wq = alloc_ordered_workqueue("pfk_netisr", WQ_MEM_RECLAIM);
+	if (!pfk_netisr_wq)
+		return -ENOMEM;
 	for (i = 0; i < PFK_NHOOKS; i++) {
 		pfk_hooks[i].priv = NULL;
 		err = nf_register_net_hook(&init_net, &pfk_hooks[i]);
 		if (err)
 			goto fail;
 	}
+	pr_info("pfk: netfilter hooks registered (%zu, netisr wq data path)\n",
+		(size_t)PFK_NHOOKS);
 	return 0;
 fail:
 	while (--i >= 0)
 		nf_unregister_net_hook(&init_net, &pfk_hooks[i]);
+	destroy_workqueue(pfk_netisr_wq);
+	pfk_netisr_wq = NULL;
 	return err;
 }
 
@@ -175,4 +235,9 @@ pfk_hooks_unregister(void)
 
 	for (i = 0; i < PFK_NHOOKS; i++)
 		nf_unregister_net_hook(&init_net, &pfk_hooks[i]);
+	if (pfk_netisr_wq) {
+		flush_workqueue(pfk_netisr_wq);
+		destroy_workqueue(pfk_netisr_wq);
+		pfk_netisr_wq = NULL;
+	}
 }
diff --git a/module/pfsrc/pfk_mod.c b/module/pfsrc/pfk_mod.c
index b70b756..7ed1827 100644
--- a/module/pfsrc/pfk_mod.c
+++ b/module/pfsrc/pfk_mod.c
@@ -123,13 +123,13 @@ static int __init pfk_init(void)
 	err = pfk_if_init();
 	if (err)
 		goto err_pcb;
-	/* OpenBSD bring-up order: status/pools/rulesets, then kifs */
-	pfk_net_lock();
+	/* OpenBSD bring-up order: status/pools/rulesets, then kifs.
+	 * No NET_LOCK here: pfattach/pfi take what locks they need (PF_LOCK),
+	 * and control ioctls serialize with NET_LOCK themselves. */
 	pf_status_init();
 	pfattach(0);
 	pfk_if_set_event_cb(pfk_pfi_event);
 	pfk_if_iterate(pfk_pfi_attach_one);
-	pfk_net_unlock();
 	err = pfk_hooks_register();
 	if (err)
 		goto err_if;
diff --git a/scripts/vm-run-tests.sh b/scripts/vm-run-tests.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..99794d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/vm-run-tests.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# VM lab test runner. Executes tests/vm/*.sh against the pftest-* lab via
+# nested ssh (deb host → VM). Collects per-test PASS/FAIL + logs into
+# out/test-logs/. Exit 0 only if every gate test passes.
+set -uo pipefail
+REPO="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+LOGD="$REPO/out/test-logs"; mkdir -p "$LOGD"
+DEB="${DEB:-root@192.168.1.242}"
+source "$REPO/lab/ips.env" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+vm() { # vm <alias> <cmd...>
+	local alias="$1"; shift
+	ssh -o ConnectTimeout=10 "$DEB" "ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new -o ConnectTimeout=8 -i /root/.ssh/pflab_ed root@${!alias:-$(grep -h "^${alias^^}=" "$REPO/lab/ips.env" 2>/dev/null | cut -d= -f2)} \"$*\""
+}
+
+PUSH=0 FAIL=0 SKIP=0
+for t in "$REPO"/tests/vm/[0-9]*.sh; do
+	[ -e "$t" ] || continue
+	name="$(basename "$t")"
+	echo "=== $name ==="
+	if bash "$t" >"$LOGD/$name.log" 2>&1; then
+		echo "PASS $name"; PUSH=$((PUSH+1))
+	else
+		rc=$?
+		if [ $rc -eq 77 ]; then echo "SKIP $name"; SKIP=$((SKIP+1));
+		else echo "FAIL $name (rc=$rc, log $LOGD/$name.log)"; FAIL=$((FAIL+1)); fi
+	fi
+done
+echo "----------------------------------------"
+echo "PASS=$PUSH FAIL=$FAIL SKIP=$SKIP"
+[ $FAIL -eq 0 ]
diff --git a/tests/vm/01-state.sh b/tests/vm/01-state.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d25d8c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/vm/01-state.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# M2 gate 1: default policy pass + stateful transit + state visibility
+set -uo pipefail; cd "$(dirname "$0")"; . ./lib.sh
+pf0 'rmmod pf 2>/dev/null; insmod /tmp/pf.ko; /opt/pf/pfctl -e; /opt/pf/pfctl -f /dev/null; echo READY' | grep -q READY || { bad load; finish; }
+pf0 'echo "pass in quick proto icmp keep state
+pass out quick proto icmp keep state" | /opt/pf/pfctl -f -' || bad rules
+cli "ping -c 3 -W 2 $SRV_IP >/dev/null 2>&1" && ok "transit ping" || bad "transit ping"
+N=$(pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -s states | grep -c icmp'); [ "${N:-0}" -ge 1 ] && ok "icmp state present ($N)" || bad "no state"
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -d' >/dev/null; finish
diff --git a/tests/vm/02-block.sh b/tests/vm/02-block.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..58b1df2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/vm/02-block.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# M2 gate 2: block drop + block return-rst verified at packet level
+set -uo pipefail; cd "$(dirname "$0")"; . ./lib.sh
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -e; /opt/pf/pfctl -f /dev/null' >/dev/null
+pf0 'echo "block drop in quick proto icmp from any to any
+pass out quick" | /opt/pf/pfctl -f -'
+cli "ping -c 2 -W 1 $SRV_IP >/dev/null 2>&1" && bad "icmp still passes" || ok "icmp blocked"
+# return-rst on tcp: cli nc to closed-filtered port expects RST back
+pf0 'echo "block return-rst in quick proto tcp from any to any port 8080
+pass out quick" | /opt/pf/pfctl -f -'
+srv 'timeout 3 nc -l -p 8080 >/dev/null 2>&1 &' ; sleep 0
+cli 'timeout 3 nc -z 10.0.2.20 8080; echo NC=$?' | grep -q 'NC=1' && ok "tcp refused (rst)" || bad "tcp not refused"
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -d' >/dev/null; finish
diff --git a/tests/vm/03-tables.sh b/tests/vm/03-tables.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..8a8edb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/vm/03-tables.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# M2 gate 3: pfr tables via pfctl -t
+set -uo pipefail; cd "$(dirname "$0")"; . ./lib.sh
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -e' >/dev/null
+pf0 'printf "block in quick proto icmp from <blk>\npass out quick\n" | /opt/pf/pfctl -f -'
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -t blk -T add 10.0.1.10' && ok "table add"
+M=$(pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -t blk -T show | grep -c 10.0.1.10'); [ "$M" -ge 1 ] && ok "table shows entry" || bad "table empty"
+cli "ping -c1 -W1 $SRV_IP >/dev/null 2>&1" && bad "blocked src passed" || ok "table block works"
+pf0 "/opt/pf/pfctl -t blk -T kill 10.0.1.10" >/dev/null
+cli "ping -c1 -W2 $SRV_IP >/dev/null 2>&1" && ok "unblocked passes" || bad "kill failed"
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -d' >/dev/null; finish
diff --git a/tests/vm/04-anchors.sh b/tests/vm/04-anchors.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..0e6b87f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/vm/04-anchors.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# M2 gate 4: anchors + quick precedence
+set -uo pipefail; cd "$(dirname "$0")"; . ./lib.sh
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -e; /opt/pf/pfctl -f /dev/null' >/dev/null
+pf0 'printf "pass in quick\nanchor \"x\"\nblock drop in quick proto icmp keep first\n" > /tmp/a.conf'
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -f /tmp/a.conf' >/dev/null
+pf0 'echo "pass in quick proto icmp from 10.0.1.10 to any" | /opt/pf/pfctl -a x -f -' && ok "anchor load"
+cli "ping -c1 -W2 $SRV_IP >/dev/null 2>&1" && ok "anchor rule evaluated before block" || bad "anchor pass not honored"
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -s Anchors | grep -q x' && ok "anchors listed" || bad "anchor list"
+pf0 '/opt/pf/pfctl -d' >/dev/null; finish
diff --git a/tests/vm/lib.sh b/tests/vm/lib.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..72ef022
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/vm/lib.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# helpers for tests/vm/*
+DEB="${DEB:-root@192.168.1.242}"
+PF0_IP="${PF0_IP:-192.168.122.8}"
+CLI_IP=10.0.1.10; SRV_IP=10.0.2.20; GW2_IP=10.0.3.2; GW2_WAN=10.0.2.2
+pf0() { ssh -o ConnectTimeout=10 "$DEB" "ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new -o ConnectTimeout=8 -i /root/.ssh/pflab_ed root@$PF0_IP \"$*\"" ; }
+cli() { ssh -o ConnectTimeout=10 "$DEB" "ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new -o ConnectTimeout=8 -i /root/.ssh/pflab_ed root@$PF0_IP \"ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new root@$CLI_IP '$*'\"" ; }
+srv() { ssh -o ConnectTimeout=10 "$DEB" "ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new -o ConnectTimeout=8 -i /root/.ssh/pflab_ed root@$PF0_IP \"ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=accept-new root@$SRV_IP '$*'\"" ; }
+ok()   { echo "OK $*"; }
+bad()  { echo "NOT OK: $*" >&2; FAILED=1; }
+finish(){ [ "${FAILED:-0}" = 1 ] && exit 1; exit 0; }