diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f8e3985..a8a21a7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -66,7 +66,38 @@ the way Jarl and Steward are.
   open.
 - **At boot:** the confirmed ruleset is loaded by
   `housecarl-ruleset.service` before the network comes up, without
-  housecarld. An empty configuration applies nothing.
+  housecarld. An empty configuration applies nothing. It fails closed:
+  if the saved ruleset doesn't load, a fallback saved beside it
+  (`ruleset-fallback.nft`) is, until housecarld puts the real one back:
+  nothing new gets in from external zones, the inside keeps working
+  (masqueraded), and the unit is marked failed with a critical message.
+  `hc status`, the dashboard and `/healthz` say while the fallback is in
+  force; the warning `no_external_zone` says when no zone is external,
+  which would make the fallback close everything (docs/operations.md).
+- **The flowtable and interfaces that come and go:** the boot ruleset
+  has no flowtable (nftables on Debian 13's kernel refuses one naming a
+  device that doesn't exist yet, such as `ppp0` before PPPoE is up, and
+  with it the whole file); housecarld watches the kernel's link messages
+  and applies the ruleset again when a flowtable device appears or comes
+  back as a new interface (PPPoE reconnecting). A guide to when the
+  flowtable helps, and what it costs (docs/flowtable.md).
+- **`GET /healthz` for monitoring:** `ok`, `firewall` (applied,
+  unconfigured, fallback, missing), changes on probation and the
+  machine's warnings, with HTTP 503 unless the firewall is in force;
+  no login needed, read at most every five seconds.
+- **Import keeps a chain's head in order:** once a would-be built-in at
+  the head of a chain has to stay a rule (an invalid drop the forward
+  chain needs after an exception), the built-ins after it stay rules
+  too, in their place, instead of moving ahead of it: an ICMPv6 accept
+  no longer jumps ahead of the invalid drop it came after.
+- **Renaming a zone, set or service** changes the rules, NAT rules and
+  port forwards that name it, in the same change (one history entry, one
+  undo); before, a name in use couldn't change. Dynamic sets keep their
+  names (their tokens and programs go by them).
+- VLAN sub-interfaces (`enp2s0.20`) in zones and the flowtable, tested
+  with tagged traffic (docs/rules.md).
+- `hc settings set --flowtable none` (and `none` for the other lists)
+  empties the list.
 - **Warnings about the machine:** while `nftables.service` is enabled
   (it loads `/etc/nftables.conf` at boot, and flushes every table when
   stopped), and while the table an import came from still applies.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 37337b4..3f3b668 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ table of its own.
 * **The rules every firewall needs**, built in and each one switchable:
   loopback, established connections, invalid packets, the ICMPv6 that
   IPv6 needs, antispoofing for your prefixes, MSS clamping for PPPoE, the
-  DHCPv6 client, and a flowtable fast path.
+  DHCPv6 client, and a flowtable fast path
+  ([docs/flowtable.md](docs/flowtable.md)).
 * **Changes you can trust.** Each change is validated as a whole, checked
   by nftables itself, and applied in one transaction. As in Jarl, edits
   can be collected in a changeset, reviewed with the diff of the ruleset,
@@ -56,7 +57,8 @@ table of its own.
   the history of every change, field by field, with undo.
 * **Its own table only.** Docker, Incus and libvirt keep theirs. The
   confirmed ruleset is loaded at boot, before the network comes up, even
-  if housecarld doesn't start.
+  if housecarld doesn't start; should it fail to load, a fallback keeps
+  anything new from the internet out until housecarld puts it back.
 * **Sets other programs can fill.** A dynamic set's entries expire by
   themselves, and a token can be limited to one set: that is how
   Steward's captive portal will let a guest in.
@@ -102,7 +104,8 @@ The web UI is on `http://127.0.0.1:8070/` (see `listen` in
 * [rules.md](docs/rules.md): zones, address sets, services, rules and the built-ins
 * [nat.md](docs/nat.md): port forwards, hairpin NAT, IPv6 pinholes, source NAT, redirects
 * [import.md](docs/import.md): moving from an existing nftables ruleset
-* [operations.md](docs/operations.md): probation, the boot, hits and the log, backups, troubleshooting
+* [operations.md](docs/operations.md): probation, the boot and its fallback, hits and the log, monitoring, backups, troubleshooting
+* [flowtable.md](docs/flowtable.md): the fast path for forwarded traffic, and when (not) to use it
 * [certificates.md](docs/certificates.md): HTTPS with a certificate from Let's Encrypt, through Jarl
 * [jarl.md](docs/jarl.md): connecting Housecarl to Jarl, and what its token may do
 * [cli.md](docs/cli.md): the `hc` command line client
diff --git a/cmd/hc/firewall.go b/cmd/hc/firewall.go
index b6fc972..52f4452 100644
--- a/cmd/hc/firewall.go
+++ b/cmd/hc/firewall.go
@@ -176,6 +176,10 @@ dhcpv6_client, antispoof, mss_clamp.
 			}
 			for flag, v := range map[string][]string{"own-prefix": own, "flowtable": flowtable, "antispoof-v4": spoof4, "antispoof-v6": spoof6} {
 				if fl.Changed(flag) {
+					// "none" (or "") empties the list.
+					if len(v) == 1 && (v[0] == "none" || v[0] == "") {
+						v = []string{}
+					}
 					p[map[string]string{"own-prefix": "own_prefixes", "flowtable": "flowtable_devices", "antispoof-v4": "antispoof_v4", "antispoof-v6": "antispoof_v6"}[flag]] = v
 				}
 			}
diff --git a/cmd/housecarld/main.go b/cmd/housecarld/main.go
index 2fa9a16..660acb8 100644
--- a/cmd/housecarld/main.go
+++ b/cmd/housecarld/main.go
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import (
 	"housecarl/internal/engine"
 	"housecarl/internal/hostif"
 	"housecarl/internal/jarl"
+	"housecarl/internal/linkwatch"
 	"housecarl/internal/model"
 	"housecarl/internal/nflog"
 	"housecarl/internal/nft"
@@ -196,6 +197,24 @@ func serveCmd() *cobra.Command {
 					a.log.Error("saving the ruleset for the next boot failed", "err", err)
 				}
 			}
+			// A flowtable device that appears later (ppp0 once PPPoE is up,
+			// or again after it reconnects) is added by applying again.
+			go func() {
+				err := linkwatch.Watch(ctx, func() {
+					host.Forget()
+					if !fw.FlowtableStale(eng.State()) {
+						return
+					}
+					if err := eng.ApplyCurrent(ctx); err != nil {
+						a.log.Error("applying the ruleset again for the flowtable's devices failed", "err", err)
+						return
+					}
+					a.log.Info("interfaces changed: applied the ruleset again, with the flowtable's devices that exist now")
+				})
+				if err != nil {
+					a.log.Warn("not watching the interfaces: a flowtable device that appears later is only added by the next change", "err", err)
+				}
+			}()
 			go nflog.Listen(ctx, render.LogGroup, a.log, srv.LogPacket)
 			go srv.RunQuotas(ctx)
 			srv.SetConntrack(conntrack.Client{})
diff --git a/deploy/systemd/housecarl-ruleset.service b/deploy/systemd/housecarl-ruleset.service
index 002b8f8..5d799b3 100644
--- a/deploy/systemd/housecarl-ruleset.service
+++ b/deploy/systemd/housecarl-ruleset.service
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 # Housecarl: loads the last confirmed ruleset at boot, before the network
-# comes up and whether or not housecarld starts.
+# comes up and whether or not housecarld starts. If it fails to load, the
+# fallback housecarld saved beside it is loaded instead: nothing new gets
+# in from external zones (docs/operations.md), and the unit is marked
+# failed, until housecarld starts and puts the real ruleset back.
 # Installed as /etc/systemd/system/housecarl-ruleset.service.
 [Unit]
 Description=Housecarl firewall ruleset
@@ -15,7 +18,8 @@ ConditionPathExists=/var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft
 [Service]
 Type=oneshot
 RemainAfterExit=yes
-ExecStart=/usr/sbin/nft -f /var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft
+# "<2>": logged as critical.
+ExecStart=/bin/sh -c '/usr/sbin/nft -f /var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft && exit 0; echo "<2>the saved ruleset failed to load: loading the fallback (nothing new gets in from external zones) until housecarld puts the real one back" >&2; /usr/sbin/nft -f /var/lib/housecarl/ruleset-fallback.nft; exit 1'
 
 [Install]
 WantedBy=sysinit.target
diff --git a/docs/api.md b/docs/api.md
index cc6438c..0dc52f0 100644
--- a/docs/api.md
+++ b/docs/api.md
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ Creating answers 201, other changes 200.
 
 | | |
 |---|---|
-| `GET /healthz` | `{"ok": true, "version"}`, without authentication |
+| `GET /healthz` | `ok`, `version`, `firewall` (`applied`, `unconfigured`, `fallback`, `missing`), `probation` (changes waiting to be confirmed), `warnings` (codes); HTTP 503 unless `ok`. Without authentication; read at most every five seconds ([operations.md](operations.md#monitoring)) |
 | `GET /status` | `build`, `started`, `applied` (the ruleset is in force), `apply_error`, `problems`, `probation`, `interfaces`, `counts` (objects by kind), `other_tables` (other nftables tables, `"inet main"`) |
 | `GET /interfaces` | the machine's interfaces: `name`, `up`, `addresses`, `zone` |
 | `GET /matrix[?changeset=ID]` | the zone matrix: `zones`, `cells` (`from`, `to` (a zone, or `firewall`), `chain`, `verdict` (allowed, blocked), `decided_by`, `rule_id`, `exceptions`: `rule_id`, `chain`, `label`, `verdict` (allowed, blocked, logged, unknown), `what`) ([rules.md](rules.md#the-zone-matrix)) |
diff --git a/docs/cli.md b/docs/cli.md
index aac9906..6b02443 100644
--- a/docs/cli.md
+++ b/docs/cli.md
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ by name.
 |---|---|
 | `zone list`, `zone show ZONE` | |
 | `zone add NAME -i IFACE... [--external] [--comment C]` | |
-| `zone update ZONE [-i IFACE]... [--add IFACE] [--remove IFACE] [--external[=false]] [--name N] [--comment C]` | `-i` replaces the interfaces |
+| `zone update ZONE [-i IFACE]... [--add IFACE] [--remove IFACE] [--external[=false]] [--name N] [--comment C]` | `-i` replaces the interfaces; `--name` renames it, and the rules naming it follow |
 | `zone delete ZONE` | refused while rules use it |
 | `set list`, `set show SET` | |
 | `set add NAME [ENTRY...] [--dynamic] [--timeout 24h] [--comment C]` | |
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ See [nat.md](nat.md).
 | Command | |
 |---|---|
 | `settings show` | |
-| `settings set [--input-policy\|--forward-policy\|--output-policy accept\|drop] [--log-drops on\|off] [--builtin NAME=on\|off]... [--own-prefix P]... [--antispoof-v4 P]... [--antispoof-v6 P]... [--flowtable DEV]... [--probation 2m] [--auto-confirm on\|off] [--stats-per-device on\|off]` | lists given replace the old ones |
+| `settings set [--input-policy\|--forward-policy\|--output-policy accept\|drop] [--log-drops on\|off] [--builtin NAME=on\|off]... [--own-prefix P]... [--antispoof-v4 P]... [--antispoof-v6 P]... [--flowtable DEV]... [--probation 2m] [--auto-confirm on\|off] [--stats-per-device on\|off]` | lists given replace the old ones; `none` empties one (`--flowtable none`: off) |
 
 ### probation, history, import
 
diff --git a/docs/configuration.md b/docs/configuration.md
index 3b7ca93..cee76eb 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/configuration.md
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ reads the file when it starts.
 | `tls.cert_file`, `tls.key_file` | none | serve HTTPS with this certificate; housecarld rereads it when the file changes, or on `systemctl reload housecarl` |
 | `tls.acme.*` | off | get the certificate from Let's Encrypt, with Jarl publishing the challenge ([certificates.md](certificates.md#settings)) |
 | `jarl.server`, `jarl.token_file` (or `jarl.token`), `jarl.ca_cert`, `jarl.insecure` | none | the Jarl server for the certificate's challenge, and its token ([jarl.md](jarl.md)) |
-| `ruleset` | `/var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft` | the confirmed ruleset, which `housecarl-ruleset.service` loads at boot |
+| `ruleset` | `/var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft` | the confirmed ruleset, which `housecarl-ruleset.service` loads at boot; its fallback is saved beside it as `ruleset-fallback.nft` ([operations.md](operations.md#if-the-ruleset-fails-to-load-at-boot)). Change both paths in the unit too |
 | `trusted_proxies` | `[]` | addresses or prefixes of reverse proxies whose `X-Forwarded-For` and `X-Forwarded-Proto` are believed |
 | `socket` | `/run/housecarl/housecarl.sock` | the local API socket; `""` turns it off |
 | `database` | `/var/lib/housecarl/housecarl.db` | the SQLite database: configuration, history, users, audit log |
diff --git a/docs/design.md b/docs/design.md
index 1f2b9d4..c42c5f3 100644
--- a/docs/design.md
+++ b/docs/design.md
@@ -139,6 +139,19 @@ firewall is up even if housecarld can't start. An unconfirmed ruleset is
 never saved there: a reboot during probation brings back the last
 confirmed one.
 
+It fails closed. A fallback saved beside it (`ruleset-fallback.nft`,
+`render.Fallback`) is loaded if it doesn't: no sets, no flowtable,
+interfaces by name only, so there is little in it to fail. It keeps
+anything new from the external zones out and lets the inside work,
+which is as far as a ruleset can go without knowing the rules; a
+fallback that let everything in would leave a router open on the
+internet, and one that let nothing in would lock out the person who has
+to fix it. The boot ruleset has no flowtable either: nftables refuses a
+flowtable naming a device that doesn't exist yet (on Debian 13's
+kernel), and before the network is up, `ppp0` doesn't. housecarld
+watches the kernel's link messages (internal/linkwatch) and applies
+again when a flowtable device appears, or comes back as a new interface.
+
 ## The drop log
 
 Rules with logging on, and the policies (Settings), send packets to
diff --git a/docs/flowtable.md b/docs/flowtable.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97ec151
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/flowtable.md
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+# The flowtable: a fast path for forwarded traffic
+
+The flowtable is a shortcut inside the kernel for traffic the firewall
+**forwards** (between the internet and your LAN, between zones). It
+speeds up routing on a machine whose CPU can't keep up with its line.
+It doesn't make the firewall any safer or less safe, but it changes what
+some features can see, so read [when not to use it](#when-not-to-use-it)
+before you turn it on.
+
+It is off until you name its devices.
+
+## What it does
+
+Without a flowtable, every forwarded packet takes the whole way through
+the kernel: the prerouting hooks, the routing decision, Housecarl's
+forward chain (the built-ins, then your rules) and postrouting with NAT.
+For an established connection almost all of that work only ends in the
+`established` built-in accepting it again, packet after packet.
+
+With a flowtable, Housecarl adds one built-in to the forward chain:
+
+```
+meta l4proto { tcp, udp } flow add @ft
+```
+
+A TCP or UDP connection takes the whole way for its first packets, as
+always: your rules decide whether it is allowed at all. Once the kernel
+has seen it established (and your rules let it through), it is added
+to the flowtable. From then on its packets are caught as soon as they
+arrive on one of the flowtable's devices (the *ingress* hook) and sent
+straight out on the other side: NAT is still applied, the TTL still
+counts down, but every chain in between is skipped.
+
+```
+                 first packets                         every packet after
+in ─► prerouting ─► routing ─► forward ─► postrouting ─► out
+ │                                                        ▲
+ └────────────── flowtable (ingress) ─────────────────────┘
+```
+
+It is the software flowtable, run by the CPU. Offloading to the network
+card's hardware isn't supported ([design.md](design.md#not-in-01)).
+
+## When to use it
+
+Turn it on when **the router's CPU is what limits your speed**:
+
+* a speed test through the router gets less than your line gives (or
+  less than the same test from the router itself), and
+* during it, one CPU core is busy with network work: in `top`, press `1`
+  for every core, and look at `si` (softirq) near 100 % on a core.
+
+Typical cases: a small or old machine (Atom, Celeron, a Raspberry Pi, an
+old Core 2) on a fast line (500 Mbit/s and up), lots of small packets
+(gaming, VoIP, many downloads at once), or a machine that is busy with
+other work besides routing. The gain is CPU time per packet: often well
+over half of the forwarding cost, which shows up as speed only when the
+CPU was the limit, and otherwise as a cooler, quieter, more responsive
+machine.
+
+## When not to use it
+
+**When the CPU keeps up anyway.** If the speed test already reaches your
+line and `si` stays low, the flowtable buys you nothing you'd notice,
+and costs you the figures below. Most modern x86 machines route a
+gigabit line without it.
+
+**When you count or limit traffic in the forward chain.** The fast path
+skips the forward chain, so whatever must see *every* packet of a
+connection only sees the first few. Housecarl warns about each:
+
+| Feature | With the flowtable | Warning |
+|---|---|---|
+| quotas and byte-rate limits on forward rules | only count first packets: a device can go far past its allowance | `flowtable_traffic` |
+| forward rules with "every packet" (`--every-packet`) | only see first packets | `flowtable_traffic` |
+| statistics' traffic per device (`stats_per_device`) | only count first packets | `stats_flowtable` |
+| hit counters of the `established` built-in (forward) | stop rising once a connection is offloaded | |
+
+Rate limits by packets (`--limit 10/second`) and connection limits act
+on new connections, so they work the same.
+
+**When other tables must see forwarded traffic.** Offloaded packets skip
+the forward hooks of *every* table, not only Housecarl's: Docker's,
+Incus', libvirt's or a table of your own. Those normally only judge new
+connections, which still pass through them, but a table that counts or
+shapes established traffic in its forward chain won't see it.
+
+What keeps working as before:
+
+* **Your rules** decide every new connection: nothing gets offloaded
+  that your rules didn't let through. A rule you add later doesn't stop
+  a connection already open, but that is true without the flowtable too
+  (the `established` built-in accepts it).
+* **NAT**: port forwards, hairpin NAT, masquerading and SNAT.
+* **The input and output chains**: traffic to and from the firewall
+  itself never uses the flowtable.
+* **Closing connections** (`hc connections close`, Traffic →
+  Connections) ends their fast path too: the kernel drops a flow with
+  its tracking entry.
+* **Interface statistics** (traffic per zone and interface) come from the
+  interfaces' own counters, which count every packet.
+* **Traffic shaping with `tc`** on the outgoing interface still applies.
+* **The log** and **the packet tracer** see what goes through the rules:
+  new connections, as always. The tracer doesn't see the packets of an
+  offloaded connection; trace a new one.
+* ICMP, and protocols other than TCP and UDP (GRE, ESP, SCTP), always
+  take the normal way.
+
+## How to turn it on
+
+Name the devices whose traffic should take the fast path, **both
+sides**: the interface connections come in on and the one their replies
+come in on. For a router that means the external interface and the
+inside ones:
+
+```sh
+hc settings set --flowtable wan --flowtable enp2s0
+hc settings                     # Flowtable: wan, enp2s0
+```
+
+In the web UI: Settings → Flowtable, add each device. The fast path
+only catches packets arriving on a listed device, so a connection to or
+from an unlisted one gains little or nothing: leave a device out only on
+purpose (say, a WireGuard interface whose traffic you'd rather keep on
+the normal way).
+
+* Use **exact device names**, not wildcards (`incusbr*` is refused):
+  the kernel attaches the flowtable to each device by name.
+* With **PPPoE**, name the PPP interface (`ppp0`, or the name your
+  `ppp@` unit gives it), the one in your external zone.
+* `--flowtable` replaces the whole list; `hc settings set --flowtable
+  none` turns the flowtable off.
+
+The change is applied (and on probation, if made over the network) like
+any other.
+
+### Devices that come and go
+
+PPP and WireGuard interfaces don't exist until their service brings
+them up, and PPPoE makes a new `ppp0` each time it reconnects. Housecarl
+handles that:
+
+* A device that doesn't exist yet is left out of the flowtable, with the
+  warning `flowtable_device_missing`, instead of failing the whole
+  ruleset.
+* housecarld watches the kernel's interface changes: when a flowtable
+  device appears, or comes back as a new interface after a reconnect,
+  it applies the ruleset again with it, a couple of seconds later. The
+  journal says `interfaces changed: applied the ruleset again`.
+  Applying again keeps the counters, dynamic sets and quotas, as any
+  change does, and adds no history entry.
+* The ruleset saved for boot has no flowtable at all: it loads before
+  the network is up, when `ppp0` and `wg0` can't exist yet, and
+  nftables on Debian 13's kernel refuses a flowtable naming a device
+  that doesn't exist (and with it the whole file). housecarld adds the
+  flowtable once it starts. Until then, traffic takes the normal way,
+  through the same rules.
+
+## Checking it works
+
+```sh
+sudo nft list flowtables          # the devices it is attached to
+sudo conntrack -L | grep OFFLOAD  # connections on the fast path
+```
+
+`conntrack` is in Debian's `conntrack` package. A long download through
+the router should show up as `[OFFLOAD]`. Compare a speed test, and `si`
+in `top`, before and after.
+
+If nothing gets offloaded, check that both of the connection's devices
+are listed, that `flowtable_device_missing` isn't in `hc status`, and
+that the connection is TCP or UDP and established.
+
+## Turning it off
+
+```sh
+hc settings set --flowtable none
+```
+
+Connections on the fast path go back to the normal way with their next
+packet.
diff --git a/docs/import.md b/docs/import.md
index fdba5f7..dde2772 100644
--- a/docs/import.md
+++ b/docs/import.md
@@ -50,8 +50,11 @@ Import a ruleset.
   established, invalid, the ICMPv6 rules, MSS clamping, the DHCPv6 client
   rule, antispoofing) becomes that built-in only when it sits where the
   built-in goes, at the head of every chain it covers. Otherwise it stays
-  a rule where it was, so the ruleset does what it did. Built-ins your
-  ruleset doesn't have are turned off.
+  a rule where it was, so the ruleset does what it did. Since built-ins
+  come before every rule, once one at a chain's head stays a rule, the
+  ones after it there stay rules too, in order: an invalid drop that
+  stays a rule keeps the ICMPv6 accepts after it behind it, as they were.
+  Built-ins your ruleset doesn't have are turned off.
 * **DNAT** rules become port forwards, TCP and UDP of the same port
   merged into one. The forward-chain accepts that let them through
   become part of the port forward, and a masquerade for inside sources
diff --git a/docs/operations.md b/docs/operations.md
index 4d97590..71415c2 100644
--- a/docs/operations.md
+++ b/docs/operations.md
@@ -71,14 +71,63 @@ sudo hc history undo 42
 
 A confirmed ruleset (or one changed through the socket) is saved to
 `/var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft`, which `housecarl-ruleset.service`
-loads before the network comes up. To see what would load:
+loads before the network comes up, so before PPPoE, WireGuard or DHCP
+bring up their interfaces. To see what would load:
 
 ```sh
 sudo cat /var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft
 sudo nft -c -f /var/lib/housecarl/ruleset.nft     # check it
 ```
 
-Dynamic sets start empty after a reboot.
+Dynamic sets start empty after a reboot. The saved ruleset has no
+flowtable, since its devices may not exist yet: housecarld adds it when
+it starts, and whenever a flowtable device appears
+([flowtable.md](flowtable.md#devices-that-come-and-go)).
+
+### If the ruleset fails to load at boot
+
+Should `ruleset.nft` fail to load (a damaged file, an nftables or kernel
+upgrade that refuses something in it), the machine would otherwise boot
+with no firewall at all until housecarld starts. Instead,
+`housecarl-ruleset.service` loads a **fallback** that housecarld saves
+beside it, `/var/lib/housecarl/ruleset-fallback.nft`, from the same
+confirmed configuration:
+
+* **Nothing new gets in from the external zones' interfaces**, to the
+  firewall or through it: no port forwards, no SSH or web UI from the
+  internet.
+* What the firewall and the inside need to keep working is let in:
+  established connections, the ICMPv6 IPv6 needs (neighbour discovery,
+  router advertisements, packet too big), and DHCPv6 replies from
+  link-local addresses.
+* **Everything else is let through**: the LAN, WireGuard and the
+  firewall itself are reachable from the inside, so you can log in and
+  fix it.
+* IPv4 leaving an external zone is masqueraded (when any source NAT is
+  configured), so the inside still reaches the internet. MSS clamping
+  stays, if it is on.
+
+PPPoE itself isn't affected: its discovery and session are Ethernet
+frames, and the PPP link's negotiation happens before any IP, neither
+of which an `inet` table sees.
+
+The fallback only knows which interfaces face the internet from the
+zones marked **external**. With none, it lets nothing but loopback
+through, and the warning `no_external_zone` says so.
+
+When the fallback loads, the unit is marked failed, and the journal says
+why (as a critical message):
+
+```sh
+systemctl status housecarl-ruleset
+journalctl -b -u housecarl-ruleset
+```
+
+housecarld puts the real ruleset back when it starts, and saves a fresh
+`ruleset.nft`. If it can't apply it either, the fallback stays in force:
+`hc status` and the dashboard say "NOT in force: the boot fallback is in
+force", and `/healthz` answers 503 ([Monitoring](#monitoring)). Fix
+what `hc status` or the journal reports, then restart housecarld.
 
 Keep Debian's `nftables.service` disabled (`systemctl disable
 nftables`, without `--now`): at boot it loads `/etc/nftables.conf`, and
@@ -224,6 +273,30 @@ database is kept next to it as `housecarl.db.before-restore-<time>`.
 database when it starts, and an older one refuses a database a newer one
 has upgraded: restore a backup to go back.
 
+## Monitoring
+
+`GET /healthz` needs no login, and answers within a few seconds of any
+change (it reads the ruleset at most every five seconds, however often
+it is asked):
+
+```sh
+$ curl -s https://firewall.example.net:8070/healthz
+{"ok":true,"version":"0.1.0","firewall":"applied","probation":0,"warnings":[]}
+```
+
+| Field | |
+|---|---|
+| `ok` | `true` with HTTP 200 when the firewall is as it should be; `false` with HTTP **503** otherwise |
+| `firewall` | `applied` (Housecarl's ruleset is in force), `unconfigured` (nothing configured yet, so nothing to apply), `fallback` (the [boot fallback](#if-the-ruleset-fails-to-load-at-boot) is in force), `missing` (no Housecarl table: flushed, or never applied) |
+| `probation` | changes waiting to be confirmed, rolled back unless they are |
+| `warnings` | codes of problems with the machine, as `hc status` shows them (`nftables_service`) |
+
+For Checkmk, an HTTP check on the URL that expects status 200 (and,
+if you like, the string `"firewall":"applied"`) covers housecarld being
+down, the fallback and a missing ruleset. Reach it from where the input
+rules let the monitor in (a rule for the Checkmk server's address and
+port 8070).
+
 ## Checks
 
 `housecarld check` validates the configuration in the database against
diff --git a/docs/rules.md b/docs/rules.md
index ead7b87..3a2117b 100644
--- a/docs/rules.md
+++ b/docs/rules.md
@@ -21,6 +21,32 @@ A zone may name an interface that doesn't exist yet (a WireGuard
 interface that comes up later): its rules match once it appears, and
 `hc status` warns until then.
 
+**VLANs.** A VLAN sub-interface is an interface like any other, by its
+name: `enp2s0.20` (or whatever your network configuration calls it,
+`vlan20`, `br0.20`). Tagged traffic arrives on the sub-interface, and
+untagged traffic on the parent, so `enp2s0` alone doesn't cover
+`enp2s0.20`. Give each VLAN its own zone to keep them apart:
+
+```sh
+hc zone add lan --interface enp2s0          # untagged
+hc zone add iot --interface enp2s0.20
+hc zone add guest --interface enp2s0.30
+hc rule add forward --in iot --out wan
+```
+
+or one zone for the parent and all of its VLANs, when they should be
+treated alike: `--interface enp2s0 --interface 'enp2s0.*'`. Interface
+names are at most 15 characters (the kernel's limit). The flowtable
+takes VLAN sub-interfaces too, by exact name
+([flowtable.md](flowtable.md)).
+
+**Renaming** a zone (`hc zone update dhcp --name lan`, or Edit on the
+Zones page) changes every rule and NAT rule that names it, in the same
+change: the history shows them together, and undoing it puts them all
+back. Sets and services rename the same way, except dynamic sets: their
+entries, and the API tokens and programs that fill them, go by their
+name.
+
 ## Address sets
 
 A set is a named list of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, prefixes and ranges,
@@ -183,7 +209,8 @@ first, marked "every packet"). So they can drop, reject or log, but not
 accept: an accept there would let packets past every later rule. Let the
 traffic in with a rule of its own. The flowtable's fast path skips the
 forward chain for established connections, so with it on, forward
-quotas and byte rates only count first packets (a warning says so).
+quotas and byte rates only count first packets (a warning says so;
+[flowtable.md](flowtable.md)).
 
 **Per-address limits group addresses**: each IPv4 address on its own, and
 IPv6 addresses by /64, since one device uses several (privacy addresses
@@ -232,8 +259,10 @@ them. The antispoof lists can be changed with `--antispoof-v4` and
 
 The **flowtable** (`--flowtable wan --flowtable eth1`) lets established
 TCP and UDP connections forwarded between those devices skip the rules,
-which helps on a slow CPU. It needs exact device names. Counters of
-forward rules then only count each connection's first packets.
+which helps when the CPU can't keep up with the line. It needs exact
+device names, and costs quotas, byte rates and traffic per device in the
+forward chain their accuracy: see [flowtable.md](flowtable.md) for when
+to use it, and when not.
 
 ## The zone matrix
 
diff --git a/docs/validation.md b/docs/validation.md
index eea4046..28e1fd9 100644
--- a/docs/validation.md
+++ b/docs/validation.md
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ are unique per kind, ignoring case.
 | `zone_interface` | error | not an interface name (up to 15 characters; a trailing `*` matches many) |
 | `zone_interface_taken` | error | the interface is in another zone already |
 | `zone_interface_missing` | warning, *host* | the interface doesn't exist here (yet); its rules match once it does |
-| `no_external_zone` | warning | no zone is external: antispoofing, MSS clamping, the DHCPv6 client rule and port forwards without public addresses need one |
+| `no_external_zone` | warning | no zone is external: antispoofing, MSS clamping, the DHCPv6 client rule and port forwards without public addresses need one, and the boot fallback lets nothing but loopback through without one ([operations.md](operations.md#if-the-ruleset-fails-to-load-at-boot)) |
 
 ## Sets and services
 
diff --git a/internal/engine/engine.go b/internal/engine/engine.go
index 54707cf..01adbcd 100644
--- a/internal/engine/engine.go
+++ b/internal/engine/engine.go
@@ -244,12 +244,16 @@ func newProblems(before, after []validate.Problem) []validate.Problem {
 	return out
 }
 
-// ApplyCurrent puts the current configuration in force (at start).
+// ApplyCurrent puts the current configuration in force again: at start,
+// and when a flowtable device appears. It holds the engine's lock, so a
+// change can't be applied in between.
 func (e *Engine) ApplyCurrent(ctx context.Context) error {
 	if e.Firewall == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return e.Firewall.Apply(ctx, e.State())
+	e.mu.Lock()
+	defer e.mu.Unlock()
+	return e.Firewall.Apply(ctx, e.state.Clone())
 }
 
 // Revert undoes a history entry, if the objects it changed are still as
diff --git a/internal/hostif/hostif.go b/internal/hostif/hostif.go
index 14a26bb..c393803 100644
--- a/internal/hostif/hostif.go
+++ b/internal/hostif/hostif.go
@@ -63,6 +63,14 @@ func (h *Host) Up(name string) bool {
 	return h.up[name]
 }
 
+// Forget drops what was read, so the next question reads the interfaces
+// again (after the kernel said one appeared or went).
+func (h *Host) Forget() {
+	h.mu.Lock()
+	h.at = time.Time{}
+	h.mu.Unlock()
+}
+
 // Exists returns the set of interface names (nil if they can't be read).
 func (h *Host) Exists() map[string]bool {
 	h.mu.Lock()
diff --git a/internal/importer/importer.go b/internal/importer/importer.go
index c6a9ad7..c18918e 100644
--- a/internal/importer/importer.go
+++ b/internal/importer/importer.go
@@ -940,8 +940,10 @@ func (im *importer) run() {
 	order := map[string]int{"dstnat": 0, "srcnat": 1, model.ChainEarly: 2, model.ChainInput: 3, model.ChainForward: 4, model.ChainOutput: 5}
 	sort.SliceStable(bases, func(i, j int) bool { return order[bases[i].kind] < order[bases[j].kind] })
 	im.st.Settings.Builtins = model.Builtins{}
-	found := map[string]map[string]string{} // builtin → chain → "prefix" or "later"
-	var deferred []func()
+	found := map[string]map[string]string{} // builtin → chain → "prefix", "later" or "demoted"
+	heads := map[string][]headRule{}        // chain → the built-ins its rules start with, in order
+	var chains []string
+	rest := map[string][]*parsed{} // chain → the rules after its head
 	for _, b := range bases {
 		rules := im.flatten(b.name, nil, 0)
 		switch b.kind {
@@ -954,9 +956,9 @@ func (im *importer) run() {
 				im.srcnat(p)
 			}
 		default:
+			chains = append(chains, b.kind)
 			prefix := true
 			for _, p := range rules {
-				p := p
 				if bi := im.builtinOf(b.kind, p); bi != "" {
 					if found[bi] == nil {
 						found[bi] = map[string]string{}
@@ -967,18 +969,25 @@ func (im *importer) run() {
 					}
 					found[bi][b.kind] = where
 					if prefix {
+						heads[b.kind] = append(heads[b.kind], headRule{bi, p})
 						continue
 					}
 				}
 				prefix = false
-				kind := b.kind
-				deferred = append(deferred, func() { im.rule(kind, p) })
+				rest[b.kind] = append(rest[b.kind], p)
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	im.settleBuiltins(found)
-	for _, f := range deferred {
-		f()
+	im.settleBuiltins(found, heads)
+	for _, chain := range chains {
+		for _, h := range heads[chain] {
+			if found[h.builtin][chain] == "demoted" {
+				im.rule(chain, h.p)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, p := range rest[chain] {
+			im.rule(chain, p)
+		}
 	}
 	if len(im.flow) > 0 {
 		im.st.Settings.FlowtableDevices = im.flow[0].Dev
@@ -1239,10 +1248,20 @@ func (im *importer) builtinOf(chain string, p *parsed) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+// headRule is a rule at the head of a chain that is a built-in.
+type headRule struct {
+	builtin string
+	p       *parsed
+}
+
 // settleBuiltins turns on the built-ins found where they go, in every
 // chain they apply to; the others stay off, and the rules that looked
-// like them are kept as rules.
-func (im *importer) settleBuiltins(found map[string]map[string]string) {
+// like them are kept as rules. Built-ins come before every rule, so once
+// one at a chain's head stays a rule, the ones after it there stay rules
+// too ("demoted"), in their order: an accept moved ahead of a drop (ICMPv6
+// ahead of dropping invalid packets) would let through what the drop
+// stopped.
+func (im *importer) settleBuiltins(found map[string]map[string]string, heads map[string][]headRule) {
 	b := &im.st.Settings.Builtins
 	on := func(name string, chains ...string) bool {
 		for _, c := range chains {
@@ -1252,14 +1271,36 @@ func (im *importer) settleBuiltins(found map[string]map[string]string) {
 		}
 		return true
 	}
-	b.Loopback = on("loopback", model.ChainInput)
-	b.Established = on("established", model.ChainInput, model.ChainForward)
-	b.DropInvalid = on("invalid", model.ChainInput, model.ChainForward)
-	b.ICMPv6 = on("icmpv6", model.ChainInput) && on("icmpv6-nd", model.ChainInput)
-	b.PingInternal = on("ping", model.ChainInput)
-	b.DHCPv6Client = on("dhcpv6-client", model.ChainInput)
-	b.MSSClamp = on("mss-clamp", model.ChainForward)
-	b.Antispoof = on("antispoof", model.ChainEarly)
+	for {
+		b.Loopback = on("loopback", model.ChainInput)
+		b.Established = on("established", model.ChainInput, model.ChainForward)
+		b.DropInvalid = on("invalid", model.ChainInput, model.ChainForward)
+		b.ICMPv6 = on("icmpv6", model.ChainInput) && on("icmpv6-nd", model.ChainInput)
+		b.PingInternal = on("ping", model.ChainInput)
+		b.DHCPv6Client = on("dhcpv6-client", model.ChainInput)
+		b.MSSClamp = on("mss-clamp", model.ChainForward)
+		b.Antispoof = on("antispoof", model.ChainEarly)
+		kept := map[string]bool{"loopback": b.Loopback, "established": b.Established, "invalid": b.DropInvalid, "icmpv6": b.ICMPv6, "icmpv6-nd": b.ICMPv6,
+			"ping": b.PingInternal, "dhcpv6-client": b.DHCPv6Client, "mss-clamp": b.MSSClamp, "antispoof": b.Antispoof, "flowtable": true}
+		changed := false
+		for chain, hs := range heads {
+			cut := false
+			for _, h := range hs {
+				// mss-clamp and flowtable decide nothing: their place
+				// doesn't matter.
+				if !kept[h.builtin] && h.builtin != "mss-clamp" && h.builtin != "flowtable" {
+					cut = true
+				}
+				if cut && found[h.builtin][chain] == "prefix" {
+					found[h.builtin][chain] = "demoted"
+					changed = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if !changed {
+			break
+		}
+	}
 	if !b.Antispoof {
 		im.st.Settings.AntispoofV4, im.st.Settings.AntispoofV6, im.st.Settings.OwnPrefixes = nil, nil, nil
 	} else if im.st.Settings.AntispoofV6 == nil {
@@ -1268,40 +1309,16 @@ func (im *importer) settleBuiltins(found map[string]map[string]string) {
 	if b.ICMPv6 {
 		im.note("the ICMPv6 built-in also accepts MLD from link-local addresses, and lets ICMPv6 errors through the forward chain (RFC 4890)")
 	}
-	// The ones found in one chain's head but not another's: explicit rules
-	// in the chains where they were found.
-	for name, chains := range found {
-		for chain, where := range chains {
-			if where != "prefix" {
-				continue
-			}
-			kept := map[string]bool{"loopback": b.Loopback, "established": b.Established, "invalid": b.DropInvalid, "icmpv6": b.ICMPv6, "icmpv6-nd": b.ICMPv6,
-				"ping": b.PingInternal, "dhcpv6-client": b.DHCPv6Client, "mss-clamp": b.MSSClamp, "antispoof": b.Antispoof, "flowtable": true}[name]
-			if !kept {
-				im.note("%s in the %s chain stays a rule (it isn't in every chain the built-in covers, or comes after other rules)", name, chain)
-				im.builtinRule(name, chain)
+	// The ones that stay rules, in their place: say which.
+	for _, chain := range []string{model.ChainEarly, model.ChainInput, model.ChainForward, model.ChainOutput} {
+		for _, h := range heads[chain] {
+			if found[h.builtin][chain] == "demoted" {
+				im.note("%s in the %s chain stays a rule, in its place (the built-in isn't in every chain it covers, or a rule before it stays a rule)", h.builtin, chain)
 			}
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-// builtinRule writes a built-in that stays off as a rule of its chain.
-func (im *importer) builtinRule(name, chain string) {
-	r := &model.Rule{ID: im.newID(), Chain: chain, Position: im.nextPos(chain) - 1000}
-	switch name {
-	case "established":
-		r.CtState, r.Action = []string{"established", "related"}, model.ActionAccept
-	case "invalid":
-		r.CtState, r.Action = []string{"invalid"}, model.ActionDrop
-	case "loopback":
-		r.Raw, r.Action = `iifname "lo" accept`, model.ActionAccept
-	default:
-		im.note("built-in %s of the %s chain couldn't be kept; add it by hand", name, chain)
-		return
-	}
-	im.st.Rules = append(im.st.Rules, r)
-}
-
 func (im *importer) nextPos(chain string) float64 {
 	im.positions[chain]++
 	return im.positions[chain]
diff --git a/internal/importer/importer_test.go b/internal/importer/importer_test.go
index 6968ec3..815393d 100644
--- a/internal/importer/importer_test.go
+++ b/internal/importer/importer_test.go
@@ -50,11 +50,24 @@ func TestImportRouter(t *testing.T) {
 	if s := st.Set("masq_to_internet"); s == nil {
 		t.Errorf("no set masq_to_internet (sets %v)", setNames(st))
 	}
-	// Built-ins: the ones at the head of their chains.
+	// Built-ins: the ones at the head of their chains, up to the invalid
+	// drop, which stays a rule (below): the ICMP, ICMPv6 and DHCPv6
+	// accepts after it stay rules too, in their order, so nothing the
+	// drop stopped gets through ahead of it.
 	b := st.Settings.Builtins
-	if !b.Loopback || !b.Established || !b.ICMPv6 || !b.PingInternal || !b.DHCPv6Client || !b.MSSClamp || !b.Antispoof {
+	if !b.Loopback || !b.Established || b.ICMPv6 || b.PingInternal || b.DHCPv6Client || !b.MSSClamp || !b.Antispoof {
 		t.Errorf("built-ins %+v", b)
 	}
+	var input []string
+	for _, r := range st.Rules {
+		if r.Chain == model.ChainInput {
+			input = append(input, strings.Join(r.CtState, ",")+"|"+strings.Join(r.Services, ",")+"|"+r.Raw)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(input) < 5 || input[0] != "invalid||" || !strings.HasPrefix(input[1], "|icmp/echo-reply,icmp/echo-request|") ||
+		!strings.Contains(input[2], "icmpv6/packet-too-big") || !strings.Contains(input[3], "ip6 hoplimit 255") || !strings.Contains(input[4], "udp/546") {
+		t.Errorf("input rules start %q", input)
+	}
 	// The forward chain's asymmetric-routing rule sits between the
 	// established and invalid rules: invalid stays rules, in order.
 	if b.DropInvalid {
diff --git a/internal/linkwatch/linkwatch.go b/internal/linkwatch/linkwatch.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4255bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/linkwatch/linkwatch.go
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+// Package linkwatch tells when the machine's network interfaces change:
+// one appears, goes, or comes back (ppp0 when PPPoE reconnects). It
+// listens to the kernel's rtnetlink link messages and calls back once
+// they have been quiet for a moment, since one change brings several.
+package linkwatch
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+)
+
+// Settle is how long the link messages must be quiet before the callback.
+const Settle = 2 * time.Second
+
+// Watch calls changed after interfaces changed, until ctx ends. It returns
+// an error only if it can't listen at all.
+func Watch(ctx context.Context, changed func()) error {
+	fd, err := unix.Socket(unix.AF_NETLINK, unix.SOCK_RAW|unix.SOCK_CLOEXEC|unix.SOCK_NONBLOCK, unix.NETLINK_ROUTE)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("opening a netlink socket: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := unix.Bind(fd, &unix.SockaddrNetlink{Family: unix.AF_NETLINK, Groups: unix.RTMGRP_LINK}); err != nil {
+		unix.Close(fd)
+		return fmt.Errorf("listening to link changes: %w", err)
+	}
+	// A non-blocking descriptor goes through Go's poller, so closing the
+	// file ends a Read in progress.
+	f := os.NewFile(uintptr(fd), "rtnetlink")
+	go func() {
+		<-ctx.Done()
+		f.Close()
+	}()
+	events := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	go func() {
+		buf := make([]byte, 64<<10)
+		for {
+			n, err := f.Read(buf)
+			switch {
+			case err != nil && ctx.Err() != nil:
+				close(events)
+				return
+			case errors.Is(err, unix.ENOBUFS):
+				// Messages were lost: something changed anyway.
+			case err != nil:
+				time.Sleep(time.Second)
+				continue
+			case !links(buf[:n]):
+				continue
+			}
+			select {
+			case events <- struct{}{}:
+			default:
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+	var timer <-chan time.Time
+	for {
+		select {
+		case _, ok := <-events:
+			if !ok {
+				return nil
+			}
+			timer = time.After(Settle)
+		case <-timer:
+			timer = nil
+			changed()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// links reports whether a netlink datagram holds a link being added,
+// changed or deleted.
+func links(b []byte) bool {
+	for len(b) >= unix.NLMSG_HDRLEN {
+		size := int(binary.NativeEndian.Uint32(b[0:4]))
+		typ := binary.NativeEndian.Uint16(b[4:6])
+		if size < unix.NLMSG_HDRLEN || size > len(b) {
+			return false
+		}
+		if typ == unix.RTM_NEWLINK || typ == unix.RTM_DELLINK {
+			return true
+		}
+		size = (size + unix.NLMSG_ALIGNTO - 1) &^ (unix.NLMSG_ALIGNTO - 1)
+		if size >= len(b) {
+			return false
+		}
+		b = b[size:]
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/internal/linkwatch/linkwatch_test.go b/internal/linkwatch/linkwatch_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4d8419c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/linkwatch/linkwatch_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+package linkwatch
+
+import (
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"testing"
+
+	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
+)
+
+// msg is a netlink message of a type, with a payload of n bytes.
+func msg(typ uint16, n int) []byte {
+	b := make([]byte, unix.NLMSG_HDRLEN+n)
+	binary.NativeEndian.PutUint32(b[0:4], uint32(len(b)))
+	binary.NativeEndian.PutUint16(b[4:6], typ)
+	return b
+}
+
+func TestLinks(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct {
+		name string
+		b    []byte
+		want bool
+	}{
+		{"a new link", msg(unix.RTM_NEWLINK, 16), true},
+		{"a link going", msg(unix.RTM_DELLINK, 16), true},
+		{"an address", msg(unix.RTM_NEWADDR, 16), false},
+		{"a link after an address (padded)", append(msg(unix.RTM_NEWADDR, 13), append(make([]byte, 3), msg(unix.RTM_NEWLINK, 8)...)...), true},
+		{"truncated", msg(unix.RTM_NEWLINK, 16)[:10], false},
+		{"a length beyond the datagram", msg(unix.RTM_NEWLINK, 16)[:unix.NLMSG_HDRLEN+4], false},
+		{"empty", nil, false},
+	} {
+		if got := links(c.b); got != c.want {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %v", c.name, got)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/nft/nft.go b/internal/nft/nft.go
index 3ba848e..c61a8ac 100644
--- a/internal/nft/nft.go
+++ b/internal/nft/nft.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"net"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -209,6 +210,9 @@ type Table struct {
 	// Tables are all the machine's tables ("inet main"), when the whole
 	// ruleset was read.
 	Tables []string
+	// Fallback: the table is the boot fallback (render.Fallback), not a
+	// ruleset housecarld applied.
+	Fallback bool
 }
 
 // QuotaUsage is what the quotas used: kept across reloads, and saved in
@@ -306,6 +310,9 @@ func ParseTable(data []byte) (*Table, error) {
 				continue
 			}
 			mark, _, _ := strings.Cut(strings.TrimPrefix(r.Comment, "hc:"), " ")
+			if strings.HasPrefix(mark, render.FallbackMark+"-") {
+				t.Fallback = true
+			}
 			for _, e := range r.Expr {
 				var c struct {
 					Counter *Counter `json:"counter"`
@@ -411,6 +418,35 @@ type Firewall struct {
 	// restore is the quota usage saved before housecarld (or the machine)
 	// stopped, put back by the next apply.
 	restore *QuotaUsage
+	// flowDevs are the flowtable's devices in the ruleset in force, by
+	// name, with their interface index then (0: left out, missing).
+	flowDevs map[string]int
+}
+
+// ifIndex is an interface's index, 0 if it doesn't exist (tests change it).
+var ifIndex = func(name string) int {
+	if i, err := net.InterfaceByName(name); err == nil {
+		return i.Index
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+// FlowtableStale reports whether the flowtable in force no longer matches
+// the machine: a device of st's flowtable appeared, went, or came back as
+// a new interface (ppp0 after PPPoE reconnects; the kernel drops a
+// device from the flowtable when it goes). Applying again fixes it.
+func (f *Firewall) FlowtableStale(st *model.State) bool {
+	f.mu.Lock()
+	defer f.mu.Unlock()
+	if f.flowDevs == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	for _, d := range st.Settings.FlowtableDevices {
+		if ifIndex(d) != f.flowDevs[d] {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
 }
 
 // RestoreQuotas has the next apply put this saved quota usage back where
@@ -482,6 +518,12 @@ func (f *Firewall) Apply(ctx context.Context, st *model.State) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	f.restore = nil
+	f.flowDevs = map[string]int{}
+	for _, d := range st.Settings.FlowtableDevices {
+		if opt.Interfaces == nil || opt.Interfaces[d] {
+			f.flowDevs[d] = ifIndex(d)
+		}
+	}
 	if f.base == nil {
 		f.base, f.since = map[string]Counter{}, time.Now()
 	}
@@ -496,20 +538,37 @@ func (f *Firewall) Apply(ctx context.Context, st *model.State) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// SaveBoot writes the ruleset of st for the boot unit, atomically.
+// SaveBoot writes the ruleset of st for the boot unit, and the fallback
+// it loads if that fails (FallbackFile), atomically. The boot ruleset has
+// no flowtable: it loads before the network comes up, when its devices
+// (ppp0, wg0) don't exist yet and nftables would refuse the whole file;
+// housecarld adds it once they do.
 func (f *Firewall) SaveBoot(st *model.State) error {
 	if f.BootFile == "" {
 		return nil
 	}
-	rs := render.Render(st, f.options())
-	tmp := f.BootFile + ".tmp"
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(f.BootFile), 0o750); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := os.WriteFile(tmp, []byte(rs.Text), 0o640); err != nil {
+	if err := writeAtomic(FallbackFile(f.BootFile), render.Fallback(st)); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	return os.Rename(tmp, f.BootFile)
+	rs := render.Render(st, render.Options{Interfaces: map[string]bool{}})
+	return writeAtomic(f.BootFile, rs.Text)
+}
+
+// FallbackFile is where the fallback for a boot ruleset is saved:
+// ruleset.nft's is ruleset-fallback.nft beside it.
+func FallbackFile(boot string) string {
+	return strings.TrimSuffix(boot, ".nft") + "-fallback.nft"
+}
+
+func writeAtomic(path, text string) error {
+	tmp := path + ".tmp"
+	if err := os.WriteFile(tmp, []byte(text), 0o640); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	return os.Rename(tmp, path)
 }
 
 // Table reads Housecarl's table back, with counters totalled since
diff --git a/internal/nft/nft_test.go b/internal/nft/nft_test.go
index d7f8d43..f484e07 100644
--- a/internal/nft/nft_test.go
+++ b/internal/nft/nft_test.go
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ package nft
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -257,3 +259,109 @@ func TestDeviceCountsInContainer(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("after a reload: %+v", e)
 	}
 }
+
+// TestFlowtableStale: the flowtable in force goes stale when one of its
+// devices appears, goes, or comes back as a new interface.
+func TestFlowtableStale(t *testing.T) {
+	idx := map[string]int{"eth1": 3}
+	old := ifIndex
+	ifIndex = func(name string) int { return idx[name] }
+	t.Cleanup(func() { ifIndex = old })
+	exists := func() map[string]bool {
+		out := map[string]bool{}
+		for n, i := range idx {
+			out[n] = i > 0
+		}
+		return out
+	}
+	// "true" stands in for nft: every apply succeeds, and lists nothing.
+	fw := &Firewall{Runner: &Runner{Command: []string{"true"}}, Interfaces: exists}
+	st := model.NewState()
+	st.Settings.FlowtableDevices = []string{"ppp0", "eth1"}
+	if fw.FlowtableStale(st) {
+		t.Error("stale before anything was applied")
+	}
+	if err := fw.Apply(context.Background(), st); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if fw.FlowtableStale(st) {
+		t.Error("stale right after applying")
+	}
+	idx["ppp0"] = 7 // PPPoE came up
+	if !fw.FlowtableStale(st) {
+		t.Error("ppp0 appeared, yet not stale")
+	}
+	fw.Apply(context.Background(), st)
+	idx["ppp0"] = 9 // and reconnected: a new interface by the same name
+	if !fw.FlowtableStale(st) {
+		t.Error("ppp0 came back as a new interface, yet not stale")
+	}
+	fw.Apply(context.Background(), st)
+	idx["eth9"] = 4 // not a flowtable device
+	if fw.FlowtableStale(st) {
+		t.Error("stale over an interface the flowtable doesn't use")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestBootInContainer: the boot ruleset loads although its flowtable
+// devices don't exist yet, the fallback loads and is recognised, and
+// housecarld's apply replaces it.
+func TestBootInContainer(t *testing.T) {
+	image := os.Getenv("HOUSECARL_NFT_IMAGE")
+	if image == "" {
+		t.Skip("HOUSECARL_NFT_IMAGE not set")
+	}
+	name := "housecarl-nft-boot-test"
+	exec.Command("docker", "rm", "-f", name).Run()
+	if out, err := exec.Command("docker", "run", "-d", "--name", name, "--cap-add", "NET_ADMIN", image, "sleep", "300").CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("starting the container: %v %s", err, out)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { exec.Command("docker", "rm", "-f", name).Run() })
+	nft := func(script string) error {
+		c := exec.Command("docker", "exec", "-i", name, "nft", "-f", "/dev/stdin")
+		c.Stdin = strings.NewReader(script)
+		if out, err := c.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%v: %s", err, out)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	// ppp0 exists when housecarld saves, but not at boot.
+	fw := &Firewall{Runner: &Runner{Command: []string{"docker", "exec", "-i", name, "nft"}}, BootFile: filepath.Join(dir, "ruleset.nft"),
+		Interfaces: func() map[string]bool { return map[string]bool{"ppp0": true, "eth0": true} }}
+	st := model.NewState()
+	st.Zones = []*model.Zone{{ID: 1, Name: "wan", Interfaces: []string{"ppp0"}, External: true}, {ID: 2, Name: "lan", Interfaces: []string{"eth0"}}}
+	st.SNATs = []*model.SourceNAT{{ID: 3, Match: model.Match{OutZones: []string{"wan"}}}}
+	st.Settings.FlowtableDevices = []string{"ppp0", "eth0"}
+	if err := fw.SaveBoot(st); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	boot, _ := os.ReadFile(fw.BootFile)
+	if strings.Contains(string(boot), "flowtable") {
+		t.Errorf("the boot ruleset has a flowtable:\n%s", boot)
+	}
+	fallback, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(dir, "ruleset-fallback.nft"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := nft(string(boot)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the boot ruleset doesn't load: %v", err)
+	}
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	if tb, err := fw.Table(ctx); err != nil || tb.Fallback {
+		t.Errorf("after the boot ruleset: %+v %v", tb, err)
+	}
+	if err := nft(string(fallback)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("the fallback doesn't load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if tb, err := fw.Table(ctx); err != nil || !tb.Fallback {
+		t.Errorf("the fallback isn't recognised: %+v %v", tb, err)
+	}
+	fw.Interfaces = func() map[string]bool { return map[string]bool{"eth0": true} }
+	if err := fw.Apply(ctx, st); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("apply over the fallback: %v", err)
+	}
+	if tb, err := fw.Table(ctx); err != nil || tb.Fallback {
+		t.Errorf("the fallback stayed after an apply: %+v %v", tb, err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/render/fallback.go b/internal/render/fallback.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b54cd0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/render/fallback.go
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+package render
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"housecarl/internal/model"
+)
+
+// FallbackMark starts the comment of every fallback rule ("hc:fallback-…"):
+// how housecarld tells the fallback is in force.
+const FallbackMark = "fallback"
+
+// Fallback builds the ruleset housecarl-ruleset.service loads at boot when
+// the saved one fails to: nothing new gets in from the external zones'
+// interfaces, everything else is let through, and IPv4 leaving an
+// external zone is masqueraded (when any source NAT is configured), so the
+// inside keeps working until housecarld puts the real ruleset back. With
+// no external zone it can't tell which interface faces the internet, and
+// lets nothing but loopback through.
+//
+// It is deliberately small: no sets, flowtable, meters or quotas, and
+// interfaces by name only, so it loads before they exist.
+func Fallback(st *model.State) string {
+	var b strings.Builder
+	line := func(format string, args ...any) {
+		fmt.Fprintf(&b, format, args...)
+		b.WriteByte('\n')
+	}
+	// rule writes a counted rule: what it matches, then its verdict.
+	rule := func(name, match, verdict string) {
+		line("\t\t%s counter %s comment \"hc:%s-%s\"", match, verdict, FallbackMark, name)
+	}
+	ext := st.ExternalInterfaces()
+	line("# Housecarl's fallback: loaded at boot only if ruleset.nft fails to load,")
+	line("# until housecarld starts and puts the real ruleset back.")
+	line("table inet %s {}", Table)
+	line("delete table inet %s", Table)
+	line("table inet %s {", Table)
+	if len(ext) == 0 {
+		// Nothing says which interface faces the internet: close it all.
+		for _, c := range []string{"input", "forward"} {
+			line("\tchain %s {", c)
+			line("\t\ttype filter hook %s priority filter; policy drop;", c)
+			line("\t\tiifname \"lo\" accept")
+			line("\t\tcounter comment \"hc:%s-%s\"", FallbackMark, c)
+			line("\t}")
+		}
+		line("}")
+		return b.String()
+	}
+	e := ifaces(ext)
+	line("\tchain input {")
+	line("\t\ttype filter hook input priority filter; policy accept;")
+	line("\t\tiifname \"lo\" accept")
+	line("\t\tct state established,related accept")
+	rule("icmpv6", fmt.Sprintf("iifname %s icmpv6 type { %s, echo-request, echo-reply }", e, icmpv6Errors), "accept")
+	rule("icmpv6-nd", fmt.Sprintf("iifname %s icmpv6 type { %s } ip6 hoplimit 255", e, icmpv6ND), "accept")
+	rule("icmpv6-mld", fmt.Sprintf("iifname %s ip6 saddr fe80::/10 icmpv6 type { %s }", e, icmpv6MLD), "accept")
+	rule("dhcpv6-client", fmt.Sprintf("iifname %s ip6 saddr fe80::/10 udp dport 546", e), "accept")
+	rule("input", "iifname "+e, "drop")
+	line("\t}")
+	line("\tchain forward {")
+	line("\t\ttype filter hook forward priority filter; policy accept;")
+	if st.Settings.Builtins.MSSClamp {
+		line("\t\toifname %s tcp flags syn tcp option maxseg size set rt mtu", e)
+	}
+	line("\t\tct state established,related accept")
+	rule("forward", "iifname "+e, "drop")
+	line("\t}")
+	if masquerades(st) {
+		line("\tchain srcnat {")
+		line("\t\ttype nat hook postrouting priority srcnat; policy accept;")
+		rule("masquerade", "meta nfproto ipv4 oifname "+e, "masquerade")
+		line("\t}")
+	}
+	line("}")
+	return b.String()
+}
+
+// masquerades reports whether any source NAT is configured.
+func masquerades(st *model.State) bool {
+	for _, x := range st.SNATs {
+		if !x.Disabled {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/internal/render/fallback_test.go b/internal/render/fallback_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3980860
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/render/fallback_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+package render
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"housecarl/internal/model"
+)
+
+func TestFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	st := router()
+	text := Fallback(st)
+	for _, want := range []string{
+		"delete table inet housecarl",
+		"type filter hook input priority filter; policy accept;",
+		`iifname "wan" counter drop comment "hc:fallback-input"`,
+		`iifname "wan" counter drop comment "hc:fallback-forward"`,
+		`iifname "wan" ip6 saddr fe80::/10 udp dport 546 counter accept`,
+		`ip6 hoplimit 255 counter accept`,
+		`oifname "wan" tcp flags syn tcp option maxseg size set rt mtu`,
+		`meta nfproto ipv4 oifname "wan" counter masquerade comment "hc:fallback-masquerade"`,
+	} {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Errorf("no %q in\n%s", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+	// Nothing that could fail to load before the network is up.
+	for _, not := range []string{"flowtable", "@", "\tset ", "enp2s0", "wg0"} {
+		if strings.Contains(text, not) {
+			t.Errorf("%q in the fallback:\n%s", not, text)
+		}
+	}
+	// Established connections are accepted before the drops.
+	if strings.Index(text, "ct state established,related accept") > strings.Index(text, "hc:fallback-input") {
+		t.Errorf("established after the drop:\n%s", text)
+	}
+
+	// No source NAT: no masquerade.
+	st.SNATs = nil
+	if text := Fallback(st); strings.Contains(text, "masquerade") {
+		t.Errorf("masquerade without source NAT:\n%s", text)
+	}
+
+	// No external zone: everything but loopback is dropped.
+	for _, z := range st.Zones {
+		z.External = false
+	}
+	text = Fallback(st)
+	if strings.Count(text, "policy drop;") != 2 || strings.Contains(text, "policy accept") || strings.Contains(text, "established") {
+		t.Errorf("no external zone:\n%s", text)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFallbackPassesNft(t *testing.T) {
+	cmd := strings.Fields(os.Getenv("HOUSECARL_NFT"))
+	if len(cmd) == 0 {
+		t.Skip("HOUSECARL_NFT not set")
+	}
+	closed := router()
+	for _, z := range closed.Zones {
+		z.External = false
+	}
+	wild := router()
+	wild.Zones = append(wild.Zones, &model.Zone{ID: 99, Name: "lte", Interfaces: []string{"wwan*"}, External: true})
+	for name, st := range map[string]*model.State{"router": router(), "closed": closed, "wildcard": wild} {
+		c := exec.CommandContext(context.Background(), cmd[0], append(cmd[1:], "-c", "-f", "/dev/stdin")...)
+		c.Stdin = strings.NewReader(Fallback(st))
+		if out, err := c.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("%s: nft -c: %v\n%s\n%s", name, err, out, Fallback(st))
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/render/render_test.go b/internal/render/render_test.go
index c88d4d1..ad7d568 100644
--- a/internal/render/render_test.go
+++ b/internal/render/render_test.go
@@ -244,7 +244,15 @@ func TestRenderedRulesetPassesNft(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	stats := router()
 	stats.Settings.StatsPerDevice = true
-	for name, st := range map[string]*model.State{"router": router(), "empty": model.NewState(), "stats": stats} {
+	// VLAN sub-interfaces: zones of one VLAN, of all of a parent's, and
+	// the flowtable on one.
+	vlan := router()
+	vlan.Zones = append(vlan.Zones, &model.Zone{ID: 900, Name: "iot", Interfaces: []string{"enp2s0.20"}},
+		&model.Zone{ID: 901, Name: "vlans", Interfaces: []string{"enp3s0.*"}})
+	vlan.Rules = append(vlan.Rules, &model.Rule{ID: 902, Chain: model.ChainForward, Position: 99, Action: model.ActionAccept,
+		Match: model.Match{InZones: []string{"iot", "vlans"}, OutZones: []string{"wan"}}})
+	vlan.Settings.FlowtableDevices = []string{"lo", "enp2s0.20"}
+	for name, st := range map[string]*model.State{"router": router(), "empty": model.NewState(), "stats": stats, "vlan": vlan} {
 		q, qs := quotaOptions(st)
 		rs := Render(st, Options{Elements: map[string][]Element{"guests": {{Addr: "10.0.30.5", Timeout: 1700}, {Addr: "2a02:8013:7f3d:30::5"}}}, Quotas: q, QuotaSets: qs,
 			DeviceSets: map[string][]Element{"stats_up_v4": {{Addr: "10.0.10.5", Timeout: 3000, Packets: 7, Bytes: 7000}}, "stats_down_v6": {{Addr: "2001:db8:1:2::", Packets: 1, Bytes: 100}}}})
diff --git a/internal/server/h_config.go b/internal/server/h_config.go
index ac0acd0..7558b46 100644
--- a/internal/server/h_config.go
+++ b/internal/server/h_config.go
@@ -381,6 +381,47 @@ func usedBy(st *model.State, kind string, o model.Object) string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+// renameRefs makes every object that refers to a zone, set or service by
+// its old name use the new one: renaming it changes them in the same
+// change, so the history shows (and undoes) them together.
+func renameRefs(st *model.State, kind, old, now string) {
+	fix := func(list []string) {
+		for i, x := range list {
+			if strings.EqualFold(x, old) {
+				list[i] = now
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	match := func(m *model.Match) {
+		switch kind {
+		case model.KindZone:
+			fix(m.InZones)
+			fix(m.OutZones)
+		case model.KindSet:
+			fix(m.Sources)
+			fix(m.Destinations)
+		case model.KindService:
+			fix(m.Services)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, x := range st.Rules {
+		match(&x.Match)
+	}
+	for _, x := range st.SNATs {
+		match(&x.Match)
+	}
+	for _, x := range st.Redirects {
+		match(&x.Match)
+	}
+	if kind == model.KindSet {
+		for _, f := range st.Forwards {
+			fix(f.Sources)
+			fix(f.PublicAddresses)
+			fix(f.HairpinSources)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // moveObject reorders a rule or NAT rule (moveOp).
 func (s *Server) moveObject(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *auth.Principal) error {
 	kind, err := pathKind(r)
diff --git a/internal/server/h_health.go b/internal/server/h_health.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eae83d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/server/h_health.go
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+package server
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"housecarl/internal/version"
+)
+
+// fallbackInForce is what status and /healthz say while the boot fallback
+// (render.Fallback) is in force.
+const fallbackInForce = "the boot fallback is in force, not Housecarl's ruleset: the saved ruleset failed to load at boot (journalctl -u housecarl-ruleset), and housecarld couldn't apply it since; it lets nothing new in from external zones (with none, nothing but loopback)"
+
+// health is GET /healthz, for monitoring (Checkmk, a load balancer). It
+// needs no authentication, so it says only what a monitor needs, and reads
+// the ruleset at most every few seconds however often it is asked.
+type health struct {
+	OK       bool   `json:"ok"`
+	Version  string `json:"version"`
+	Firewall string `json:"firewall"` // applied, unconfigured, fallback, missing
+	// Probation: changes waiting to be confirmed, rolled back otherwise.
+	Probation int `json:"probation"`
+	// Warnings are the codes of the machine's problems (nftables_service).
+	Warnings []string `json:"warnings"`
+}
+
+const healthTTL = 5 * time.Second
+
+type healthCache struct {
+	mu  sync.Mutex
+	at  time.Time
+	out health
+}
+
+func (s *Server) healthz(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+	c := &s.health
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	if time.Since(c.at) >= healthTTL {
+		c.out, c.at = s.checkHealth(r), time.Now()
+	}
+	out := c.out
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	code := http.StatusOK
+	if !out.OK {
+		code = http.StatusServiceUnavailable
+	}
+	writeJSON(w, code, out)
+}
+
+func (s *Server) checkHealth(r *http.Request) health {
+	out := health{Version: version.String(), Warnings: []string{}}
+	t, err := s.fw.Table(r.Context())
+	switch {
+	case err != nil && s.eng.State().Empty():
+		out.Firewall, out.OK = "unconfigured", true
+	case err != nil:
+		out.Firewall = "missing"
+	case t.Fallback:
+		out.Firewall = "fallback"
+	default:
+		out.Firewall, out.OK = "applied", true
+	}
+	pr := s.probationStatus()
+	out.Probation = len(pr.Pending) + pr.Takeovers
+	for _, p := range s.hostProblems(r.Context(), nil) {
+		out.Warnings = append(out.Warnings, p.Code)
+	}
+	return out
+}
diff --git a/internal/server/h_health_test.go b/internal/server/h_health_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd45e0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/server/h_health_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+package server
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"housecarl/internal/api"
+)
+
+func TestHealthz(t *testing.T) {
+	e := newEnv(t)
+	link := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "nftables.service")
+	e.srv.unitLinks = []string{link}
+	get := func() (int, health) {
+		t.Helper()
+		e.srv.health.at = time.Time{} // no caching between the steps
+		resp, err := http.Get(e.ts.URL + "/healthz")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		defer resp.Body.Close()
+		var h health
+		json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&h)
+		return resp.StatusCode, h
+	}
+	// Nothing configured yet: nothing to be in force.
+	if code, h := get(); code != 200 || !h.OK || h.Firewall != "unconfigured" || h.Version == "" {
+		t.Errorf("unconfigured: %d %+v", code, h)
+	}
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "POST", "/zones", map[string]any{"name": "wan", "interfaces": []string{"wan"}, "external": true}, nil); code != 201 {
+		t.Fatalf("creating a zone: %d", code)
+	}
+	if code, h := get(); code != 200 || h.Firewall != "applied" || h.Probation != 1 || len(h.Warnings) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("applied, on probation: %d %+v", code, h)
+	}
+	os.WriteFile(link, nil, 0o644)
+	if _, h := get(); strings.Join(h.Warnings, ",") != "nftables_service" {
+		t.Errorf("warnings %v", h.Warnings)
+	}
+	e.fw.mu.Lock()
+	e.fw.fallback = true
+	e.fw.mu.Unlock()
+	if code, h := get(); code != 503 || h.OK || h.Firewall != "fallback" {
+		t.Errorf("fallback: %d %+v", code, h)
+	}
+	var st api.Status
+	e.call(e.token, "GET", "/status", nil, &st)
+	if st.Applied || !strings.Contains(st.ApplyError, "boot fallback") {
+		t.Errorf("status with the fallback: applied %v, %q", st.Applied, st.ApplyError)
+	}
+	// Asked often, the ruleset is read once per few seconds.
+	e.fw.mu.Lock()
+	e.fw.fallback = false
+	e.fw.mu.Unlock()
+	resp, _ := http.Get(e.ts.URL + "/healthz")
+	resp.Body.Close()
+	if resp.StatusCode != 503 {
+		t.Errorf("not cached: %d", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/server/h_status.go b/internal/server/h_status.go
index 0e2b38a..d3dae2d 100644
--- a/internal/server/h_status.go
+++ b/internal/server/h_status.go
@@ -37,10 +37,12 @@ func (s *Server) status(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, p *auth.Principa
 	for _, k := range model.Kinds {
 		out.Counts[k] = len(st.Objects(k))
 	}
-	if _, err := s.fw.Table(r.Context()); err != nil && st.Empty() {
+	if t, err := s.fw.Table(r.Context()); err != nil && st.Empty() {
 		out.Unconfigured = true
 	} else if err != nil {
 		out.ApplyError = err.Error()
+	} else if t.Fallback {
+		out.ApplyError = fallbackInForce
 	} else {
 		out.Applied = true
 	}
diff --git a/internal/server/ops.go b/internal/server/ops.go
index 1c13812..2770344 100644
--- a/internal/server/ops.go
+++ b/internal/server/ops.go
@@ -94,10 +94,21 @@ func updateOp(st *model.State, op *model.Op) (int64, error) {
 		return 0, err
 	}
 	setID(next, id)
+	if old, now := o.Label(), next.Label(); old != now && isNamed(op.Kind) {
+		if set, ok := o.(*model.AddressSet); ok && set.Dynamic {
+			return 0, conflict("set %s is dynamic: its entries, and the API tokens and programs that fill it, go by its name; make a new set instead", old)
+		}
+		renameRefs(st, op.Kind, old, now)
+	}
 	data, _ := json.Marshal(next)
 	return id, st.Put(op.Kind, id, data)
 }
 
+// isNamed reports whether other objects refer to a kind by name.
+func isNamed(kind string) bool {
+	return kind == model.KindZone || kind == model.KindSet || kind == model.KindService
+}
+
 func deleteOp(st *model.State, op *model.Op) error {
 	o, err := findObject(st, op.Kind, op.Ref)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/server/rename_test.go b/internal/server/rename_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab02ef6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/server/rename_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package server
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"housecarl/internal/api"
+)
+
+// TestRename: renaming a zone, set or service changes what refers to it,
+// in the same change, which undoes as one.
+func TestRename(t *testing.T) {
+	e := newEnv(t)
+	e.srv.probationFor = 0
+	post := func(path string, body map[string]any) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if code := e.call(e.token, "POST", path, body, nil); code != 201 {
+			t.Fatalf("POST %s: %d", path, code)
+		}
+	}
+	post("/zones", map[string]any{"name": "wan", "interfaces": []string{"wan"}, "external": true})
+	post("/zones", map[string]any{"name": "dhcp", "interfaces": []string{"eth1"}})
+	post("/sets", map[string]any{"name": "trusted_ips", "entries": []string{"10.0.10.0/24"}})
+	post("/sets", map[string]any{"name": "guests", "dynamic": true})
+	post("/services", map[string]any{"name": "jarl", "entries": []string{"tcp/8053"}})
+	post("/rules", map[string]any{"chain": "forward", "in_zones": []string{"dhcp"}, "out_zones": []string{"wan"}, "sources": []string{"trusted_ips"}})
+	post("/rules", map[string]any{"chain": "input", "in_zones": []string{"dhcp"}, "services": []string{"jarl"}})
+	post("/snats", map[string]any{"out_zones": []string{"wan"}, "sources": []string{"trusted_ips"}})
+	post("/forwards", map[string]any{"name": "jf", "ports": "8096", "to": "10.0.10.57", "public_addresses": []string{"217.155.8.194"}, "sources": []string{"trusted_ips"}})
+
+	var res api.MutationResponse
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "PATCH", "/zones/dhcp", map[string]any{"name": "lan"}, &res); code != 200 {
+		t.Fatalf("renaming the zone: %d %+v", code, res)
+	}
+	zoneRename := res.HistoryID
+	e.call(e.token, "PATCH", "/sets/trusted_ips", map[string]any{"name": "trusted"}, &res)
+	setRename := res.HistoryID
+	e.call(e.token, "PATCH", "/services/jarl", map[string]any{"name": "jarl-api"}, &res)
+	serviceRename := res.HistoryID
+	st := e.eng.State()
+	if st.Zone("dhcp") != nil || st.Zone("lan") == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("zones %+v", st.Zones)
+	}
+	for _, r := range st.Rules {
+		if strings.Join(r.InZones, ",") != "lan" {
+			t.Errorf("rule %d in zones %v", r.ID, r.InZones)
+		}
+		if r.Chain == "forward" && strings.Join(r.Sources, ",") != "trusted" {
+			t.Errorf("rule %d sources %v", r.ID, r.Sources)
+		}
+		if r.Chain == "input" && strings.Join(r.Services, ",") != "jarl-api" {
+			t.Errorf("rule %d services %v", r.ID, r.Services)
+		}
+	}
+	if s := st.SNATs[0].Sources; strings.Join(s, ",") != "trusted" {
+		t.Errorf("snat sources %v", s)
+	}
+	if s := st.Forwards[0].Sources; strings.Join(s, ",") != "trusted" {
+		t.Errorf("forward sources %v", s)
+	}
+	if ps := e.eng.Problems(); len(ps) != 0 {
+		for _, p := range ps {
+			if p.Severity == "error" {
+				t.Errorf("problem after renaming: %+v", p)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	// Undoing the renames (newest first) puts the references back too.
+	for _, id := range []int64{serviceRename, setRename, zoneRename} {
+		if code := e.call(e.token, "POST", "/history/"+itoa(id)+"/revert", nil, nil); code != 200 {
+			t.Fatalf("undo %d: %d", id, code)
+		}
+	}
+	st = e.eng.State()
+	for _, r := range st.Rules {
+		if strings.Join(r.InZones, ",") != "dhcp" || r.Chain == "forward" && r.Sources[0] != "trusted_ips" || r.Chain == "input" && r.Services[0] != "jarl" {
+			t.Errorf("after undo: rule %+v", r.Match)
+		}
+	}
+	// A dynamic set keeps its name: tokens and programs go by it.
+	if code := e.call(e.token, "PATCH", "/sets/guests", map[string]any{"name": "visitors"}, nil); code != 409 {
+		t.Errorf("renaming a dynamic set: %d", code)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/server/routes.go b/internal/server/routes.go
index e407e9c..ce3ccb3 100644
--- a/internal/server/routes.go
+++ b/internal/server/routes.go
@@ -10,15 +10,12 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"housecarl/internal/api"
-	"housecarl/internal/version"
 )
 
 func (s *Server) routes() {
 	m := s.mux
 	p := api.Prefix
-	m.HandleFunc("GET /healthz", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		writeJSON(w, http.StatusOK, map[string]any{"ok": true, "version": version.String()})
-	})
+	m.HandleFunc("GET /healthz", s.healthz)
 	// Authentication, users and tokens
 	m.HandleFunc("POST "+p+"/auth/login", s.public(s.login))
 	m.HandleFunc("POST "+p+"/auth/logout", s.authed(s.logout))
diff --git a/internal/server/server.go b/internal/server/server.go
index 987e601..d27c35f 100644
--- a/internal/server/server.go
+++ b/internal/server/server.go
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ type Server struct {
 	srvs []*http.Server
 
 	probation probation
+	health    healthCache
 	logs      *logRing
 	// unitLinks are where an enabled nftables.service shows (tests change
 	// them).
diff --git a/internal/server/server_test.go b/internal/server/server_test.go
index aa5044d..005b6aa 100644
--- a/internal/server/server_test.go
+++ b/internal/server/server_test.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ type fakeFW struct {
 	resets     []string
 	traced     string
 	traceLines []string
+	fallback   bool // the boot fallback is in force
 }
 
 func (f *fakeFW) Check(_ context.Context, st *model.State) error { return nil }
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ func (f *fakeFW) Table(context.Context) (*nft.Table, error) {
 	if len(f.applied) == 0 {
 		return nil, errors.New("No such file or directory: list table inet housecarl")
 	}
-	return &nft.Table{Counters: map[string]nft.Counter{"r1": {Packets: 3, Bytes: 180}}, Elements: f.elements}, nil
+	return &nft.Table{Counters: map[string]nft.Counter{"r1": {Packets: 3, Bytes: 180}}, Elements: f.elements, Fallback: f.fallback}, nil
 }
 func (f *fakeFW) AddElement(_ context.Context, set, addr string, timeout int) error {
 	f.mu.Lock()
diff --git a/internal/validate/validate.go b/internal/validate/validate.go
index 2d07271..9dac123 100644
--- a/internal/validate/validate.go
+++ b/internal/validate/validate.go
@@ -223,8 +223,8 @@ func (c *checker) zones() {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if len(c.st.Zones) > 0 && !external {
-		c.add(Warning, "no_external_zone", "zones", "no zone is external: antispoofing, MSS clamping and the DHCPv6 client rule need one, and port forwards without public addresses")
+	if !c.st.Empty() && !external {
+		c.add(Warning, "no_external_zone", "zones", "no zone is external: antispoofing, MSS clamping and the DHCPv6 client rule need one, and port forwards without public addresses; and if the saved ruleset fails to load at boot, the fallback can't tell which interface faces the internet, and lets nothing but loopback through")
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/validate/validate_test.go b/internal/validate/validate_test.go
index 30e1102..ec073bb 100644
--- a/internal/validate/validate_test.go
+++ b/internal/validate/validate_test.go
@@ -165,3 +165,29 @@ func TestHostWarnings(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func TestNoExternalZone(t *testing.T) {
+	st := base()
+	if got := codes(Check(st, nil)); strings.Contains(got, "no_external_zone") {
+		t.Errorf("an external zone, yet: [%s]", got)
+	}
+	st.Zones[0].External = false
+	if got := codes(Check(st, nil)); !strings.Contains(got, "no_external_zone") {
+		t.Errorf("no external zone, and no warning: [%s]", got)
+	}
+	// An empty configuration applies nothing, so has no fallback either.
+	if got := codes(Check(&model.State{Settings: model.DefaultSettings()}, nil)); strings.Contains(got, "no_external_zone") {
+		t.Errorf("empty configuration: [%s]", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestVLANInterfaces(t *testing.T) {
+	st := base()
+	st.Zones[1].Interfaces = []string{"enp2s0.10", "enp2s0.4094", "br0.20", "enp3s0.*"}
+	st.Settings.FlowtableDevices = []string{"enp2s0.10"}
+	for _, p := range Check(st, nil) {
+		if p.Severity == Error {
+			t.Errorf("VLAN interfaces refused: %+v", p)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/web/static/assets/pages/settings.js b/internal/web/static/assets/pages/settings.js
index 8f486f8..818ebf7 100644
--- a/internal/web/static/assets/pages/settings.js
+++ b/internal/web/static/assets/pages/settings.js
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ export async function render(el) {
       field("Your prefixes", own, "Your public prefixes (your delegated IPv6 /48): they can't come from outside."),
       field("Antispoof IPv4", v4),
       field("Antispoof IPv6", v6),
-      field("Flowtable", flow, "Forwarded TCP and UDP between these devices skip the rules once established (fast path). Exact names; none: off."),
+      field("Flowtable", flow, "Forwarded TCP and UDP between these devices skip the rules once established (fast path): for a CPU that can't keep up with the line. Forward quotas, byte rates and traffic per device then only count first packets (docs/flowtable.md). Exact names, both sides (wan and lan); none: off."),
       field("Probation", probation, "How long a change made over the network has to be confirmed before it is rolled back."),
       h("label"), manual,
       field("Statistics", perDevice)),
diff --git a/scripts/e2e.sh b/scripts/e2e.sh
index 09ad826..2d28fc1 100755
--- a/scripts/e2e.sh
+++ b/scripts/e2e.sh
@@ -355,6 +355,53 @@ sleep 1
 run "the log shows it" 0 H log
 contains "hc input #.* drop.*198.18.1.10:.*198.18.1.2:8070"
 
+# ---- the flowtable, and devices that appear later
+
+run "a flowtable device that doesn't exist yet" 0 H settings set --flowtable wan --flowtable enp2s0 --flowtable hcft0
+contains "flowtable_device_missing"
+run "the flowtable has the devices that exist" 0 R nft list flowtables
+contains "devices = { enp2s0, wan }"
+run "forwarded through the flowtable" 0 connect net $WAN4 8096
+contains "jellyfin"
+run "the device appears" 0 R ip link add hcft0 type veth peer name hcft1
+R ip link set hcft0 up
+sleep 4
+run "applied again with it" 0 R nft list flowtables
+contains "hcft0"
+run "logged" 0 R grep -c "interfaces changed: applied the ruleset again" /w/srv.log
+run "it comes back as a new interface" 0 R sh -c 'ip link del hcft0 && ip link add hcft0 type veth peer name hcft1 && ip link set hcft0 up'
+sleep 4
+run "applied again" 0 R sh -c 'grep -c "interfaces changed: applied the ruleset again" /w/srv.log | grep -qx 2'
+run "the flowtable still has it" 0 R nft list flowtables
+contains "hcft0"
+
+# ---- VLAN sub-interfaces: tagged traffic between the router and the client
+
+R sh -c 'ip link add link enp2s0 name enp2s0.30 type vlan id 30 && ip addr add 10.88.30.1/24 dev enp2s0.30 && ip link set enp2s0.30 up'
+docker exec ${P}-client sh -c 'ip link add link eth0 name eth0.30 type vlan id 30 && ip addr add 10.88.30.20/24 dev eth0.30 && ip link set eth0.30 up'
+run "a zone of a VLAN" 0 H zone add iot --interface enp2s0.30
+run "nothing from the VLAN to the API yet" 1 connect client 10.88.30.1 8070
+VR=$(H -o id rule add input --in iot --service tcp/8070 --comment "e2e vlan")
+run "a rule for the VLAN's zone" 0 test -n "$VR"
+run "the VLAN reaches the API" 0 connect client 10.88.30.1 8070
+run "the rule counted it" 0 H rule list input
+contains "e2e vlan"
+run "the flowtable on the VLAN" 0 H settings set --flowtable wan --flowtable enp2s0 --flowtable hcft0 --flowtable enp2s0.30
+run "attached" 0 R nft list flowtables
+contains "enp2s0.30"
+run "the VLAN rule goes" 0 H rule delete -y "$VR"
+run "the VLAN zone goes" 0 H zone delete -y iot
+R ip link del enp2s0.30
+
+# ---- renaming a zone others refer to
+
+run "rename the imported dhcp zone" 0 H zone update dhcp --name lan
+run "its rules follow" 0 H rule list input
+contains "lan"
+not_contains "dhcp "
+run "the ruleset is unchanged by it" 0 R nft list chain inet housecarl input
+contains 'iifname "enp2s0" udp dport 67'
+
 # ---- restart and boot
 
 docker exec ${P}-router sh -c 'kill $(pidof housecarld)'; sleep 1
@@ -369,6 +416,39 @@ run "nothing forwarded after a flush" 1 connect net $WAN4 8096
 run "the boot unit's command restores it" 0 R nft -f /w/data/ruleset.nft
 run "forwarded again" 0 connect net $WAN4 8096
 contains "jellyfin"
+run "the boot ruleset has no flowtable (its devices may not exist yet)" 1 R grep -q flowtable /w/data/ruleset.nft
+run "healthz" 0 R curl -sf http://127.0.0.1:8070/healthz
+contains '"firewall":"applied"'
+
+# ---- the boot fallback: what the boot unit runs, with the lab's paths
+
+UNIT=$(sed -n 's/^ExecStart=//p' "$ROOT/deploy/systemd/housecarl-ruleset.service" | sed 's|/var/lib/housecarl|/w/data|g; s|/usr/sbin/nft|nft|g')
+run "the fallback was saved" 0 R test -s /w/data/ruleset-fallback.nft
+R cp /w/data/ruleset.nft /w/ruleset.good
+R sh -c 'echo "this is not nftables" >> /w/data/ruleset.nft'
+R nft flush ruleset
+run "the boot unit fails, and loads the fallback" 1 R sh -c "$UNIT"
+contains "the saved ruleset failed to load"
+run "the fallback is in force" 0 R nft list table inet housecarl
+contains "hc:fallback-input"
+run "nothing new gets in from the internet" 1 connect net $WAN4 8096
+run "not to the firewall either" 1 connect net $WAN4 8070
+: > "$WORK/net.log"
+run "the LAN still reaches the internet" 0 connect client $NET4 9000
+sleep 1
+run "masqueraded" 0 grep -q "$WAN4" "$WORK/net.log"
+run "healthz says so" 0 R sh -c 'curl -s -w " %{http_code}" http://127.0.0.1:8070/healthz'
+contains '"firewall":"fallback"'
+contains " 503"
+run "status says so" 0 H status
+contains "NOT in force: the boot fallback"
+docker exec ${P}-router sh -c 'kill $(pidof housecarld)'; sleep 1
+run "housecarld starts" 0 start
+run "and puts the real ruleset back" 0 connect net $WAN4 8096
+contains "jellyfin"
+run "and saves a good boot ruleset" 0 R nft -c -f /w/data/ruleset.nft
+run "healthz is happy again" 0 R curl -sf http://127.0.0.1:8070/healthz
+contains '"firewall":"applied"'
 
 # ---- backup