diff --git a/backend/requirements.txt b/backend/requirements.txt
index 4aee002..d685ae2 100644
Binary files a/backend/requirements.txt and b/backend/requirements.txt differ
diff --git a/backend/src/api/nft_api.py b/backend/src/api/nft_api.py
index b96d913..24eb9cb 100644
--- a/backend/src/api/nft_api.py
+++ b/backend/src/api/nft_api.py
@@ -404,7 +404,6 @@ def nft_list_rules(table: str = DEFAULT_TABLE, chain: str = DEFAULT_CHAIN) -> Di
             add_command = f"add rule {table_name} {chain_name} {nft_rule_text}".strip() if nft_rule_text else None
             logger.debug("Attached textual rule for handle %s", handle)
         else:
-            # If mapping missing, per your instruction do not attempt to reconstruct — leave textual fields None
             logger.debug("No textual mapping for handle %s — textual fields will be None", handle)
 
         results.append({
diff --git a/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py b/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70202f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/api/nft_manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,303 @@
+# app.py
+"""
+Stateless nftables FastAPI service (libnftables only, no CLI fallback, no annotations).
+Endpoints:
+  GET  /firewall/rules            -> list rules (kernel-provided rules with handles)
+  POST /firewall/rules            -> add a constrained rule (returns 201)
+  DELETE /firewall/rules/{handle} -> delete rule by handle
+Requirements:
+  python-nftables must be installed and usable:
+    pip install python-nftables fastapi uvicorn pydantic
+  The process must have CAP_NET_ADMIN (or be run as root) to modify nftables.
+"""
+
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
+from fastapi import FastAPI, APIRouter, HTTPException, status
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+import ipaddress
+import logging
+
+# libnftables import (must be present)
+from nftables import Nftables  # type: ignore
+
+# ---------- logging ----------
+logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
+logger = logging.getLogger("nft_api")
+
+# ---------- NftManager (libnftables only) ----------
+class NftError(RuntimeError):
+    pass
+
+
+class NftManager:
+    """
+    Minimal libnftables wrapper that performs JSON transactions only via python-nftables.
+    No CLI fallback, no comments/annotations.
+    """
+
+    # Tighten these to your environment
+    ALLOWED_FAMILIES = {"inet"}
+    ALLOWED_TABLES = {"filter"}
+    ALLOWED_CHAINS = {"input", "output", "forward"}
+    ALLOWED_PROTOS = {"tcp", "udp"}
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.nft = Nftables()
+        # Request JSON output where applicable
+        try:
+            self.nft.set_json_output(True)
+        except Exception:
+            # Some libnftables builds may ignore this; proceed anyway
+            logger.debug("set_json_output not available or failed")
+
+    def _json_cmd(self, cmd: Dict[str, Any]) -> Any:
+        rc, out, err = self.nft.json_cmd(cmd)
+        if rc != 0:
+            logger.error("libnftables error: %s", err)
+            raise NftError(err)
+        return out
+
+    def _validate_family_table_chain(self, family: str, table: str, chain: str) -> None:
+        if family not in self.ALLOWED_FAMILIES:
+            raise ValueError(f"family '{family}' not allowed")
+        if table not in self.ALLOWED_TABLES:
+            raise ValueError(f"table '{table}' not allowed")
+        if chain not in self.ALLOWED_CHAINS:
+            raise ValueError(f"chain '{chain}' not allowed")
+
+    def _validate_proto(self, proto: Optional[str]) -> None:
+        if proto is None:
+            return
+        if proto not in self.ALLOWED_PROTOS:
+            raise ValueError(f"protocol '{proto}' not allowed")
+
+    def _validate_src(self, src: Optional[str]) -> None:
+        if not src:
+            return
+        try:
+            # allow host or network
+            ipaddress.ip_network(src, strict=False)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise ValueError(f"invalid src '{src}': {e}")
+
+    def _validate_port(self, port: Optional[int]) -> None:
+        if port is None:
+            return
+        if not (1 <= port <= 65535):
+            raise ValueError(f"invalid port: {port}")
+
+    def list_rules(self) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """
+        Return raw rule dicts extracted from libnftables JSON output.
+        Each item is the inner 'rule' dict returned by nftables JSON.
+        """
+        out = self._json_cmd({"nftables": [{"list": {"ruleset": None}}]})
+        rules: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+        for item in out.get("nftables", []):
+            if "rule" in item:
+                rules.append(item["rule"])
+        return rules
+
+    def add_rule(
+        self,
+        family: str,
+        table: str,
+        chain: str,
+        proto: Optional[str],
+        src: Optional[str],
+        dst_port: Optional[int],
+        verdict: str,
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Add a constrained rule via libnftables JSON.
+        This constructs an 'expr' list that covers:
+          - ip saddr match (if src provided)
+          - l4 proto match (if proto provided)
+          - dport match (if dst_port provided)
+          - final verdict (accept/drop)
+        """
+        # validate
+        self._validate_family_table_chain(family, table, chain)
+        self._validate_proto(proto)
+        self._validate_src(src)
+        self._validate_port(dst_port)
+        if verdict not in {"accept", "drop"}:
+            raise ValueError("verdict must be 'accept' or 'drop'")
+
+        expr: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+
+        # match source address (IP)
+        if src:
+            # Construct prefix match using nft JSON structure (ip payload -> saddr)
+            # The json shape used here is compatible with python-nftables expectations.
+            # We use ip payload field and prefix match for networks.
+            try:
+                net = ipaddress.ip_network(src, strict=False)
+                addr = str(net.network_address)
+                prefix_len = net.prefixlen
+            except Exception:
+                # fallback to treating as single IP
+                addr = src
+                prefix_len = 32 if ":" not in src else 128
+            expr.append({
+                "match": {
+                    "left": {"payload": {"protocol": "ip", "field": "saddr"}},
+                    "op": "==",
+                    "right": {"prefix": {"addr": addr, "len": prefix_len}}
+                }
+            })
+
+        # match L4 protocol
+        if proto:
+            # meta.l4proto match is a common approach in JSON exprs
+            expr.append({
+                "match": {
+                    "left": {"meta": {"key": "l4proto"}},
+                    "op": "==",
+                    "right": proto
+                }
+            })
+
+        # match destination port (only meaningful if proto provided)
+        if dst_port:
+            if not proto:
+                raise ValueError("dst_port requires proto to be set")
+            expr.append({
+                "match": {
+                    "left": {"payload": {"protocol": proto, "field": "dport"}},
+                    "op": "==",
+                    "right": dst_port
+                }
+            })
+
+        # final verdict
+        expr.append({"verdict": verdict})
+
+        payload = {
+            "nftables": [{
+                "add": {
+                    "rule": {
+                        "family": family,
+                        "table": table,
+                        "chain": chain,
+                        "expr": expr
+                    }
+                }
+            }]
+        }
+
+        self._json_cmd(payload)
+
+    def delete_rule(self, family: str, table: str, chain: str, handle: int) -> None:
+        """
+        Delete a rule by handle (authoritative).
+        """
+        self._validate_family_table_chain(family, table, chain)
+        if not isinstance(handle, int) or handle <= 0:
+            raise ValueError("handle must be a positive integer")
+
+        payload = {
+            "nftables": [{
+                "delete": {
+                    "rule": {
+                        "family": family,
+                        "table": table,
+                        "chain": chain,
+                        "handle": handle
+                    }
+                }
+            }]
+        }
+        self._json_cmd(payload)
+
+
+# ---------- FastAPI application (router combined) ----------
+router = APIRouter(prefix="/firewall", tags=["firewall"])
+manager = NftManager()
+
+
+class CreateRuleRequest(BaseModel):
+    family: str = Field("inet", description="family (whitelisted)")
+    table: str = Field("filter", description="table (whitelisted)")
+    chain: str = Field("input", description="chain (whitelisted)")
+    proto: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="tcp|udp")
+    src: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="source IP or CIDR")
+    dst_port: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="destination port")
+    verdict: str = Field("accept", description="accept|drop")
+
+
+class RuleOut(BaseModel):
+    family: Optional[str]
+    table: Optional[str]
+    chain: Optional[str]
+    handle: Optional[int]
+    expr: Optional[Any]
+
+
+@router.get("/rules", response_model=List[RuleOut])
+def list_rules():
+    """
+    Returns a list of rules (raw rule dicts from nftables) that include kernel handles.
+    Clients should save handles if they want to delete rules later.
+    """
+    try:
+        rules = manager.list_rules()
+        # Normalize fields for the response model: ensure expected keys exist
+        out = []
+        for r in rules:
+            out.append({
+                "family": r.get("family"),
+                "table": r.get("table"),
+                "chain": r.get("chain"),
+                "handle": r.get("handle"),
+                "expr": r.get("expr")
+            })
+        return out
+    except NftError as e:
+        logger.exception("list_rules failed")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(e))
+
+
+@router.post("/rules", status_code=status.HTTP_201_CREATED)
+def create_rule(req: CreateRuleRequest):
+    """
+    Create a constrained rule. Returns 201 on success.
+    Use GET /firewall/rules to obtain the kernel-assigned handle.
+    """
+    try:
+        manager.add_rule(
+            family=req.family,
+            table=req.table,
+            chain=req.chain,
+            proto=req.proto,
+            src=req.src,
+            dst_port=req.dst_port,
+            verdict=req.verdict,
+        )
+        return {"status": "created"}
+    except (ValueError, NftError) as e:
+        logger.warning("create_rule bad request: %s", e)
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.exception("create_rule internal error")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(e))
+
+
+@router.delete("/rules/{handle}", status_code=status.HTTP_204_NO_CONTENT)
+def delete_rule(
+    handle: int,
+    family: str = "inet",
+    table: str = "filter",
+    chain: str = "input",
+):
+    """
+    Delete a rule by handle. family/table/chain default to common values but must match.
+    """
+    try:
+        manager.delete_rule(family=family, table=table, chain=chain, handle=handle)
+    except ValueError as e:
+        logger.warning("delete_rule client error: %s", e)
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(e))
+    except NftError as e:
+        logger.exception("delete_rule failed")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(e))
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/src/main.py b/backend/src/main.py
index e552d94..122a177 100644
--- a/backend/src/main.py
+++ b/backend/src/main.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from fastapi import FastAPI
 from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
 
 
+from src.api import nft_manager
 from src.utilities.packet_broadcaster import PacketBroadcaster
 import src.shared_objects as shared_objects
 from src.utilities.database import DatabasePool
@@ -137,4 +138,5 @@ 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"])
-app.include_router(nft_api.router, prefix="/nft", tags=["nft"])
\ No newline at end of file
+app.include_router(nft_api.router, prefix="/nft", tags=["nft"])
+app.include_router(nft_manager.router, prefix="/firewall", tags=["firewall"])
\ No newline at end of file