diff --git a/backend/src/api/nft_api.py b/backend/src/api/nft_api.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0118e6a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/api/nft_api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,410 @@
+"""
+FastAPI router specialized for managing nftables rules for the
+'bridge' family, 'filter' table, 'forward' chain.
+
+This enhanced version uses Python enums and narrowly-typed Pydantic
+models wherever sensible so the frontend can request 'options' and
+present user-friendly dropdowns. It keeps the dynamic `expr` model but
+provides many structured expression types (meta, ether, ip, tcp/udp,
+ct, verdict, raw) implemented as discriminated unions.
+
+Features added in this version:
+- Rich enums for fields (MetaKey, EtherField, IPDir, Ops, Verdict, Proto,
+  ConntrackState, RejectType, IcmpType, LogGroup).
+- FastAPI endpoint `/options` that returns allowed enum choices for the
+  frontend to populate dropdowns.
+- Strict Pydantic models with `kind` discriminators for expression types.
+- Validation to ensure family==bridge and chain/table default to
+  filter/forward but still configurable if needed.
+- Preview and apply endpoints unchanged in behavior but now accept
+  enumerated inputs which make the generated nft syntax safer and
+  simpler to render in the UI.
+- Improved `nft_list_rules` parsing: returns rule `handle`, `position`
+  (1-based within chain), `comment`, and best-effort `verdict` so the
+  frontend can present accurate update/delete controls.
+
+Security: still run as root or with nft capabilities.
+"""
+import logging
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Union, Literal
+import subprocess
+import shutil
+import json
+from enum import Enum
+from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, Body
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, validator
+
+# Router + logger
+router = APIRouter()
+logger = logging.getLogger("nftables")
+logger.debug("nftables router module loaded")
+
+# Defaults
+DEFAULT_TABLE = "mitm_tbl"
+DEFAULT_CHAIN = "forward"
+DEFAULT_FAMILY = "bridge"
+
+NFT_BIN = shutil.which("nft")
+
+# ------------------ Enums (for front-end dropdowns) ------------------
+class Family(str, Enum):
+    bridge = "bridge"
+
+class Table(str, Enum):
+    filter = "filter"
+    raw = "raw"
+
+class Chain(str, Enum):
+    forward = "forward"
+    input = "input"
+    output = "output"
+
+class MetaKey(str, Enum):
+    iifname = "iifname"
+    oifname = "oifname"
+    iif = "iif"
+    oif = "oif"
+    prio = "prio"
+
+class EtherField(str, Enum):
+    saddr = "saddr"
+    daddr = "daddr"
+
+class IPDir(str, Enum):
+    saddr = "saddr"
+    daddr = "daddr"
+
+class Op(str, Enum):
+    eq = "=="
+    neq = "!="
+    lt = "<"
+    gt = ">"
+    contains = "in"
+
+class Verdict(str, Enum):
+    accept = "accept"
+    drop = "drop"
+    reject = "reject"
+    continue_ = "continue"
+
+class Proto(str, Enum):
+    tcp = "tcp"
+    udp = "udp"
+    icmp = "icmp"
+
+class ConntrackState(str, Enum):
+    new = "new"
+    established = "established"
+    related = "related"
+    invalid = "invalid"
+
+class RejectType(str, Enum):
+    icmp = "icmp"
+    tcp_reset = "tcp reset"
+    # user may also supply raw later
+
+class IcmpType(str, Enum):
+    dest_unreachable = "destination-unreachable"
+    time_exceeded = "time-exceeded"
+    echo_reply = "echo-reply"
+    echo_request = "echo-request"
+    port_unreachable = "port-unreachable"
+    host_unreachable = "host-unreachable"
+    fragmentation_needed = "fragmentation-needed"
+
+class LogGroup(int, Enum):
+    g0 = 0
+    g1 = 1
+    g2 = 2
+    g3 = 3
+    g4 = 4
+    g5 = 5
+    g6 = 6
+    g7 = 7
+
+# ------------------ Pydantic expression models (discriminated unions) ------------------
+class BaseExpr(BaseModel):
+    kind: str
+
+    class Config:
+        extra = "forbid"
+
+class MetaExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["meta"] = Field("meta", const=True)
+    key: MetaKey
+    op: Op = Op.eq
+    value: str
+
+class EtherExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["ether"] = Field("ether", const=True)
+    field: EtherField
+    op: Op = Op.eq
+    value: str
+
+class IPExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["ip"] = Field("ip", const=True)
+    side: IPDir
+    op: Op = Op.eq
+    value: str
+
+class ProtoPortExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["l4"] = Field("l4", const=True)
+    proto: Proto
+    sport: Optional[str] = None
+    dport: Optional[str] = None
+
+class CTEexpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["ct"] = Field("ct", const=True)
+    state: ConntrackState
+
+class VerdictExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["verdict"] = Field("verdict", const=True)
+    verdict: Verdict
+
+class RejectExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["reject"] = Field("reject", const=True)
+    reject_type: RejectType
+    icmp_type: Optional[IcmpType] = None
+
+class LogExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["log"] = Field("log", const=True)
+    prefix: Optional[str] = None
+    group: Optional[LogGroup] = None
+
+class RawExpr(BaseExpr):
+    kind: Literal["raw"] = Field("raw", const=True)
+    snippet: str
+
+# Combine into a discriminated union
+Expr = Union[MetaExpr, EtherExpr, IPExpr, ProtoPortExpr, CTEexpr, VerdictExpr, RejectExpr, LogExpr, RawExpr]
+
+# ------------------ Rule model ------------------
+class RuleModel(BaseModel):
+    family: Family = Family.bridge
+    table: Table = Table.filter
+    chain: Chain = Chain.forward
+    expr: List[Expr] = Field(default_factory=list)
+    comment: Optional[str] = None
+    position: Optional[int] = None  # position to insert (1-based)
+    handle: Optional[int] = None
+
+    @validator("family")
+    def only_bridge(cls, v):
+        if v != Family.bridge:
+            raise ValueError("This router only manages family 'bridge'")
+        return v
+
+# ------------------ Helpers ------------------
+
+def ensure_nft_available():
+    if not NFT_BIN:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="nft binary not found on server")
+
+
+def nft_list_rules(table: str = "filter", chain: str = "forward") -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Return nft rules parsed from `nft --json list ruleset`.
+
+    For each rule we return a dict with at least:
+      - family, table, chain
+      - handle (if present)
+      - position (1-based index within chain)
+      - comment (if present in expr)
+      - verdict (best-effort string like 'accept'/'drop'/'reject')
+      - raw_exprs: the original expr list from nft JSON
+
+    This makes it easier for the frontend to show position and edit
+    or replace a specific rule by handle/position.
+    """
+    ensure_nft_available()
+    cmd = [NFT_BIN, "--json", "list", "ruleset"]
+    try:
+        out = subprocess.check_output(cmd, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+        parsed = json.loads(out)
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"nft failed: {e.stderr.decode()}")
+
+    results: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+    # counters per chain to compute position
+    counters: Dict[str, int] = {}
+
+    # The JSON usually contains a top-level dict with key 'nftables' -> list
+    items = parsed.get("nftables") if isinstance(parsed, dict) else parsed
+    if not isinstance(items, list):
+        items = []
+
+    for item in items:
+        # Keep a simple mapping of current table/chain context
+        if 'table' in item:
+            tbl = item['table']
+            # nothing to do for context; continue
+            continue
+        if 'chain' in item:
+            ch = item['chain']
+            # continue; chain metadata present
+            continue
+        if 'rule' in item:
+            r = item['rule']
+            family = r.get('family')
+            table_name = r.get('table')
+            chain_name = r.get('chain')
+            key = f"{family}:{table_name}:{chain_name}"
+            counters.setdefault(key, 0)
+            counters[key] += 1
+            position = counters[key]
+            handle = r.get('handle')
+            # extract comment and verdict best-effort
+            raw_exprs = r.get('expr', [])
+            comment = None
+            verdict = None
+            for expr in raw_exprs:
+                if isinstance(expr, dict):
+                    if 'comment' in expr:
+                        comment = expr.get('comment')
+                    if 'verdict' in expr:
+                        # verdict might be dict like {'verdict': {'kind': 'accept'}}
+                        v = expr['verdict']
+                        if isinstance(v, dict):
+                            verdict = list(v.keys())[0]
+                        else:
+                            verdict = str(v)
+                    # some JSON formats have 'match' or 'payload' etc. look for 'type' fields
+                    if 'reject' in expr:
+                        verdict = 'reject'
+            results.append({
+                'family': family,
+                'table': table_name,
+                'chain': chain_name,
+                'handle': handle,
+                'position': position,
+                'comment': comment,
+                'verdict': verdict,
+                'raw_exprs': raw_exprs,
+                'raw_rule': r,
+            })
+    # Optionally filter by table/chain if requested
+    if table or chain:
+        results = [x for x in results if x['table'] == table and x['chain'] == chain]
+    return {"rules": results}
+
+
+def expr_to_nft_snippet(e: Expr) -> str:
+    # runtime dispatch via model type
+    if isinstance(e, MetaExpr):
+        val = e.value
+        key = e.key.value
+        return f"meta {key} {e.op.value} {val}"
+    if isinstance(e, EtherExpr):
+        return f"ether {e.field.value} {e.op.value} {e.value}"
+    if isinstance(e, IPExpr):
+        return f"ip {e.side.value} {e.op.value} {e.value}"
+    if isinstance(e, ProtoPortExpr):
+        parts = [e.proto.value]
+        if e.sport:
+            parts.append(f"sport {e.sport}")
+        if e.dport:
+            parts.append(f"dport {e.dport}")
+        return " ".join(parts)
+    if isinstance(e, CTEexpr):
+        return f"ct state {e.state.value}"
+    if isinstance(e, VerdictExpr):
+        return e.verdict.value if e.verdict != Verdict.continue_ else "continue"
+    if isinstance(e, RejectExpr):
+        if e.reject_type == RejectType.icmp:
+            t = f"reject with icmp type {e.icmp_type.value}" if e.icmp_type else "reject"
+            return t
+        else:
+            return e.reject_type.value
+    if isinstance(e, LogExpr):
+        parts = ["log"]
+        if e.prefix:
+            parts.append(f"prefix \"{e.prefix}\"")
+        if e.group is not None:
+            parts.append(f"group {int(e.group)}")
+        return " ".join(parts)
+    if isinstance(e, RawExpr):
+        return e.snippet
+    raise ValueError("Unsupported expression type")
+
+
+def rule_to_nft_cmd(rule: RuleModel) -> str:
+    expr_snippets = [expr_to_nft_snippet(e) for e in rule.expr]
+    body = " ".join(s for s in expr_snippets if s)
+    if rule.position is not None:
+        cmd = f"insert rule {rule.table.value} {rule.chain.value} position {rule.position} {body}"
+    else:
+        cmd = f"add rule {rule.table.value} {rule.chain.value} {body}"
+    if rule.comment:
+        cmd += f" comment \"{rule.comment}\""
+    return cmd
+
+
+def run_nft_cmd(cmd: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    ensure_nft_available()
+    full_cmd = [NFT_BIN, "-f", "-"]
+    script = cmd + ""
+    try:
+        proc = subprocess.run(full_cmd, input=script.encode(), stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE, check=True)
+        return {"stdout": proc.stdout.decode(), "stderr": proc.stderr.decode()}
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=(e.stderr.decode() or str(e)))
+
+# ------------------ Endpoints ------------------
+
+@router.get("/options")
+def get_options():
+    """Return available enum choices for the frontend dropdowns."""
+    return {
+        "family": [f.value for f in Family],
+        "table": [t.value for t in Table],
+        "chain": [c.value for c in Chain],
+        "meta_keys": [m.value for m in MetaKey],
+        "ether_fields": [e.value for e in EtherField],
+        "ip_dirs": [d.value for d in IPDir],
+        "ops": [o.value for o in Op],
+        "verdicts": [v.value for v in Verdict],
+        "protocols": [p.value for p in Proto],
+        "ct_states": [s.value for s in ConntrackState],
+        "reject_types": [r.value for r in RejectType],
+        "icmp_types": [i.value for i in IcmpType],
+        "log_groups": [int(g.value) for g in LogGroup],
+    }
+
+@router.get("/rules")
+def list_rules(table: str = DEFAULT_TABLE, chain: str = DEFAULT_CHAIN):
+    return nft_list_rules(table=table, chain=chain)
+
+@router.post("/rules/preview")
+def preview_rule(rule: RuleModel = Body(...)):
+    try:
+        cmd = rule_to_nft_cmd(rule)
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
+    return {"cmd": cmd}
+
+@router.post("/rules")
+def add_rule(rule: RuleModel = Body(...)):
+    cmd = rule_to_nft_cmd(rule)
+    return run_nft_cmd(cmd)
+
+@router.delete("/rules/{handle}")
+def delete_rule(handle: int, table: str = DEFAULT_TABLE, chain: str = DEFAULT_CHAIN):
+    ensure_nft_available()
+    cmd = f"delete rule {table} {chain} handle {handle}"
+    return run_nft_cmd(cmd)
+
+@router.put("/rules/{handle}")
+def update_rule(handle: int, rule: RuleModel = Body(...), table: str = DEFAULT_TABLE, chain: str = DEFAULT_CHAIN):
+    # Delete by handle then insert at the same position (if available via list parse)
+    # We attempt to find the position of the handle so the replacement keeps position.
+    rules_info = nft_list_rules(table=table, chain=chain)
+    position = None
+    for r in rules_info.get('rules', []):
+        if r.get('handle') == handle:
+            position = r.get('position')
+            break
+    # delete by handle
+    delete_rule(handle, table=table, chain=chain)
+    # if we found position, insert at that position; otherwise append
+    if position is not None:
+        rule.position = position
+    return add_rule(rule)
diff --git a/backend/src/main.py b/backend/src/main.py
index 00046c8..e552d94 100644
--- a/backend/src/main.py
+++ b/backend/src/main.py
@@ -5,12 +5,14 @@ import os
 from fastapi import FastAPI
 from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
 
-from src.api import packet_api
+
 from src.utilities.packet_broadcaster import PacketBroadcaster
 import src.shared_objects as shared_objects
 from src.utilities.database import DatabasePool
 import src.api.network_api as network_api
 import src.api.sniffer_api as sniffer_api
+from src.api import nft_api
+from src.api import packet_api
 import src.api.nftables_api as nftables_api
 
 # ---- Config -----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -134,4 +136,5 @@ def versions():
 app.include_router(network_api.router, prefix="/network", tags=["network"])
 app.include_router(sniffer_api.router, prefix="/sniffer", tags=["sniffer"])
 app.include_router(packet_api.router, prefix="/packets", tags=["packets"])
-app.include_router(nftables_api.router, prefix="/nftables", tags=["nftables"])
\ No newline at end of file
+app.include_router(nftables_api.router, prefix="/nftables", tags=["nftables"])
+app.include_router(nft_api.router, prefix="/nft", tags=["nft"])
\ No newline at end of file