diff --git a/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.js b/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.js
index 9058abb..32ef433 100644
--- a/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.js
+++ b/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.js
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ const AUTH_CACHE_PATH = path.join(STATE_DIR, "auth.json");
 const LAST_CONNECTION_PATH = path.join(STATE_DIR, "last-connection.json");
 const MAC_DNS_STATE_PATH = path.join(STATE_DIR, "dns.json");
 const MAC_TAILSCALE_STATE_PATH = path.join(STATE_DIR, "tailscale.json");
+const OPERATION_LOCK_PATH = path.join(STATE_DIR, "operation.lock");
 const OPENCLAW_NORDVPN_CREDENTIALS_DIR = path.join(
   os.homedir(),
   ".openclaw",
@@ -38,6 +39,9 @@ const MAC_WG_HELPER_PATH = path.join(
 const CLIENT_IPV4 = "10.5.0.2";
 const DNS_FALLBACK_RESOLVERS = ["1.1.1.1", "8.8.8.8"];
 const NORDVPN_MAC_DNS_SERVERS = ["103.86.96.100", "103.86.99.100"];
+const CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_ATTEMPTS = 6;
+const CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_DELAY_MS = 2000;
+const CONNECT_TOTAL_TIMEOUT_MS = 90000;
 const REDACTED_PATH_KEYS = new Set(["cliPath", "appPath", "configPath", "helperPath", "tokenSource"]);
 
 function sanitizeOutputPayload(payload) {
@@ -253,6 +257,78 @@ function sleep(ms) {
   return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
 }
 
+function processExists(pid) {
+  if (!Number.isInteger(pid) || pid <= 0) return false;
+  try {
+    process.kill(pid, 0);
+    return true;
+  } catch (error) {
+    return error && error.code === "EPERM";
+  }
+}
+
+function isOperationLockStale(lockRecord, options = {}) {
+  if (!lockRecord || typeof lockRecord !== "object") return true;
+  const now = Number.isFinite(options.nowMs) ? options.nowMs : Date.now();
+  const maxAgeMs = Number.isFinite(options.maxAgeMs) ? options.maxAgeMs : CONNECT_TOTAL_TIMEOUT_MS;
+  const startedAtMs = Number.isFinite(lockRecord.startedAtMs)
+    ? lockRecord.startedAtMs
+    : Date.parse(lockRecord.startedAt || "");
+
+  if (!processExists(lockRecord.pid)) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (!Number.isFinite(startedAtMs)) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  return now - startedAtMs > maxAgeMs;
+}
+
+function cleanupOperationLock(lockPath = OPERATION_LOCK_PATH) {
+  try {
+    if (lockPath && fs.existsSync(lockPath)) {
+      fs.unlinkSync(lockPath);
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // Ignore cleanup errors.
+  }
+}
+
+function acquireOperationLock(action, options = {}) {
+  const lockPath = options.lockPath || OPERATION_LOCK_PATH;
+  const nowMs = Number.isFinite(options.nowMs) ? options.nowMs : Date.now();
+  const maxAgeMs = Number.isFinite(options.maxAgeMs) ? options.maxAgeMs : CONNECT_TOTAL_TIMEOUT_MS;
+  const existing = readJsonFile(lockPath);
+
+  if (existing) {
+    if (isOperationLockStale(existing, { nowMs, maxAgeMs })) {
+      cleanupOperationLock(lockPath);
+    } else {
+      const activeAction = existing.action || "unknown";
+      throw new Error(`Another nordvpn-client ${activeAction} operation is already running.`);
+    }
+  }
+
+  const record = {
+    action,
+    pid: process.pid,
+    startedAt: new Date(nowMs).toISOString(),
+    startedAtMs: nowMs,
+  };
+  writeJsonFile(lockPath, record);
+
+  return {
+    lockPath,
+    record,
+    release() {
+      const current = readJsonFile(lockPath);
+      if (current && current.pid === record.pid && current.startedAtMs === record.startedAtMs) {
+        cleanupOperationLock(lockPath);
+      }
+    },
+  };
+}
+
 function detectMacWireguardActiveFromIfconfig(ifconfigOutput) {
   let inUtunBlock = false;
   const lines = `${ifconfigOutput || ""}`.split("\n");
@@ -428,6 +504,28 @@ function normalizeMacDnsCommandOutput(output) {
     .filter(Boolean);
 }
 
+function isNordDnsServerList(dnsServers) {
+  if (!Array.isArray(dnsServers) || !dnsServers.length) return false;
+  const normalized = dnsServers.map((value) => `${value}`.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+  if (!normalized.length) return false;
+  return normalized.every((value) => NORDVPN_MAC_DNS_SERVERS.includes(value));
+}
+
+function buildAutomaticMacDnsState(serviceNames) {
+  return {
+    services: (serviceNames || []).map((name) => ({
+      name,
+      dnsServers: [],
+      searchDomains: [],
+    })),
+  };
+}
+
+function shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline(state) {
+  if (!state || !Array.isArray(state.services) || !state.services.length) return false;
+  return state.services.every((service) => isNordDnsServerList(service.dnsServers || []));
+}
+
 async function listMacDnsServices() {
   const result = await runExec("networksetup", ["-listallnetworkservices"]);
   if (!result.ok) {
@@ -482,7 +580,14 @@ async function setMacSearchDomains(serviceName, searchDomains) {
 }
 
 async function applyMacNordDns() {
-  const snapshot = readJsonFile(MAC_DNS_STATE_PATH) || (await snapshotMacDnsState());
+  let snapshot = readJsonFile(MAC_DNS_STATE_PATH);
+  if (!snapshot || !Array.isArray(snapshot.services) || !snapshot.services.length) {
+    snapshot = await snapshotMacDnsState();
+  } else if (shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline(snapshot)) {
+    const services = await listMacDnsServices();
+    snapshot = buildAutomaticMacDnsState(services);
+    writeJsonFile(MAC_DNS_STATE_PATH, snapshot);
+  }
   for (const service of snapshot.services || []) {
     await setMacDnsServers(service.name, NORDVPN_MAC_DNS_SERVERS);
     await setMacSearchDomains(service.name, []);
@@ -495,7 +600,10 @@ async function restoreMacDnsIfNeeded() {
   if (!snapshot || !Array.isArray(snapshot.services) || !snapshot.services.length) {
     return { restored: false };
   }
-  for (const service of snapshot.services) {
+  const servicesToRestore = shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline(snapshot)
+    ? buildAutomaticMacDnsState(snapshot.services.map((service) => service.name)).services
+    : snapshot.services;
+  for (const service of servicesToRestore) {
     await setMacDnsServers(service.name, service.dnsServers || []);
     await setMacSearchDomains(service.name, service.searchDomains || []);
   }
@@ -658,8 +766,100 @@ function isBenignMacWireguardAbsentError(message) {
   );
 }
 
-function shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect(connectResult, verified) {
-  return Boolean(connectResult && connectResult.backend === "wireguard" && verified && verified.ok);
+function parseMacWireguardHelperStatus(output) {
+  const parsed = {};
+  for (const line of `${output || ""}`.split("\n")) {
+    const trimmed = line.trim();
+    if (!trimmed) continue;
+    const separator = trimmed.indexOf("=");
+    if (separator <= 0) continue;
+    const key = trimmed.slice(0, separator).trim();
+    const value = trimmed.slice(separator + 1).trim();
+    parsed[key] = value;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    active: ["1", "true", "yes", "on"].includes(`${parsed.active || ""}`.toLowerCase()),
+    interfaceName: parsed.interfaceName || MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
+    configPath: parsed.configPath || null,
+    raw: `${output || ""}`.trim(),
+  };
+}
+
+async function getMacWireguardHelperStatus(installProbe, options = {}) {
+  const runSudoWireguardFn = options.runSudoWireguard || runSudoWireguard;
+  const result = await runSudoWireguardFn(installProbe, "status");
+  const parsed = parseMacWireguardHelperStatus(result.stdout || result.stderr || "");
+  return {
+    ...parsed,
+    ok: result.ok,
+    error: result.ok ? "" : (result.stderr || result.stdout || result.error).trim(),
+  };
+}
+
+async function checkMacWireguardPersistence(target, options = {}) {
+  const attempts = Math.max(1, Number(options.attempts || CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_ATTEMPTS));
+  const delayMs = Math.max(0, Number(options.delayMs || CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_DELAY_MS));
+  const getHelperStatus = options.getHelperStatus || (async () => ({ active: false, interfaceName: MAC_WG_INTERFACE }));
+  const verifyConnectionFn = options.verifyConnection || verifyConnection;
+  const sleepFn = options.sleep || sleep;
+  let lastHelperStatus = { active: false, interfaceName: MAC_WG_INTERFACE };
+  let lastVerified = { ok: false, ipInfo: null };
+
+  for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= attempts; attempt += 1) {
+    try {
+      lastHelperStatus = await getHelperStatus();
+    } catch (error) {
+      lastHelperStatus = {
+        active: false,
+        interfaceName: MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
+        error: error.message || String(error),
+      };
+    }
+
+    try {
+      lastVerified = await verifyConnectionFn(target);
+    } catch (error) {
+      lastVerified = {
+        ok: false,
+        ipInfo: {
+          ok: false,
+          error: error.message || String(error),
+        },
+      };
+    }
+
+    if (lastHelperStatus.active && lastVerified.ok) {
+      return {
+        stable: true,
+        attempts: attempt,
+        helperStatus: lastHelperStatus,
+        verified: lastVerified,
+      };
+    }
+
+    if (attempt < attempts) {
+      await sleepFn(delayMs);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return {
+    stable: false,
+    attempts,
+    helperStatus: lastHelperStatus,
+    verified: lastVerified,
+  };
+}
+
+function shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect(connectResult, verified, persistence) {
+  return Boolean(
+    connectResult &&
+      connectResult.backend === "wireguard" &&
+      verified &&
+      verified.ok &&
+      persistence &&
+      persistence.stable
+  );
 }
 
 function normalizeSuccessfulConnectState(state, connectResult, verified) {
@@ -812,14 +1012,20 @@ async function probeMacWireguard() {
   const helperPath = fileExists(MAC_WG_HELPER_PATH) ? MAC_WG_HELPER_PATH : null;
   const helperSecurity = inspectMacWireguardHelperSecurity(helperPath);
   const sudoProbe = helperPath ? await runExec("sudo", ["-n", helperPath, "probe"]) : { ok: false };
+  const helperStatus =
+    helperPath && sudoProbe.ok ? parseMacWireguardHelperStatus((await runExec("sudo", ["-n", helperPath, "status"])).stdout) : null;
   let active = false;
   let showRaw = "";
   let endpoint = "";
   let ifconfigRaw = "";
 
+  if (helperStatus) {
+    active = helperStatus.active;
+  }
+
   if (wgPath) {
     const show = await runExec(wgPath, ["show", MAC_WG_INTERFACE]);
-    active = show.ok;
+    active = active || show.ok;
     showRaw = (show.stdout || show.stderr).trim();
     if (show.ok) {
       const endpointResult = await runExec(wgPath, ["show", MAC_WG_INTERFACE, "endpoints"]);
@@ -846,8 +1052,8 @@ async function probeMacWireguard() {
     helperSecurity,
     dependenciesReady: Boolean(wgPath && wgQuickPath && wireguardGoPath),
     sudoReady: sudoProbe.ok,
-    interfaceName: MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
-    configPath: fileExists(WG_CONFIG_PATH) ? WG_CONFIG_PATH : null,
+    interfaceName: helperStatus && helperStatus.interfaceName ? helperStatus.interfaceName : MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
+    configPath: (helperStatus && helperStatus.configPath) || (fileExists(WG_CONFIG_PATH) ? WG_CONFIG_PATH : null),
     active,
     endpoint: endpoint || null,
     showRaw,
@@ -1462,6 +1668,7 @@ async function disconnectNordvpn(installProbe) {
     if (!down.ok) {
       const message = (down.stderr || down.stdout || down.error).trim();
       if (isBenignMacWireguardAbsentError(message)) {
+        await runSudoWireguard(installProbe, "cleanup");
         const dnsState = await restoreMacDnsIfNeeded();
         const cleaned = cleanupMacWireguardAndDnsState();
         const tailscale = await resumeMacTailscaleIfNeeded();
@@ -1476,6 +1683,7 @@ async function disconnectNordvpn(installProbe) {
       }
       throw new Error(message || "wg-quick down failed");
     }
+    await runSudoWireguard(installProbe, "cleanup");
     const dnsState = await restoreMacDnsIfNeeded();
     const cleaned = cleanupMacWireguardAndDnsState();
     const tailscale = await resumeMacTailscaleIfNeeded();
@@ -1623,117 +1831,204 @@ async function main() {
     }
 
     if (action === "connect") {
-      const target = buildConnectTarget(args);
-      let connectResult;
+      const lock = acquireOperationLock(action);
+      try {
+        const target = buildConnectTarget(args);
+        let connectResult;
+        let verified;
+        let persistence = null;
 
-      if (installProbe.cliPath) {
-        connectResult = await connectViaCli(installProbe.cliPath, target);
-      } else if (platform === "darwin" && installProbe.wireguard && installProbe.wireguard.dependenciesReady && installProbe.tokenAvailable) {
-        connectResult = await connectViaMacWireguard(installProbe, target);
-      } else if (platform === "darwin" && installProbe.appInstalled) {
-        connectResult = await connectViaMacApp(target);
-      } else if (platform === "darwin" && !installProbe.tokenAvailable) {
-        throw new Error(`macOS automated NordLynx/WireGuard connects require NORDVPN_TOKEN, NORDVPN_TOKEN_FILE, or a token at ${DEFAULT_TOKEN_FILE}.`);
-      } else if (platform === "darwin") {
-        throw new Error("No usable macOS NordVPN backend is ready. Run install to bootstrap WireGuard tooling.");
-      } else if (!installProbe.installed) {
-        throw new Error("NordVPN is not installed.");
-      } else {
-        throw new Error("No usable NordVPN control path found.");
-      }
+        if (installProbe.cliPath) {
+          connectResult = await connectViaCli(installProbe.cliPath, target);
+        } else if (platform === "darwin" && installProbe.wireguard && installProbe.wireguard.dependenciesReady && installProbe.tokenAvailable) {
+          connectResult = await connectViaMacWireguard(installProbe, target);
+        } else if (platform === "darwin" && installProbe.appInstalled) {
+          connectResult = await connectViaMacApp(target);
+        } else if (platform === "darwin" && !installProbe.tokenAvailable) {
+          throw new Error(`macOS automated NordLynx/WireGuard connects require NORDVPN_TOKEN, NORDVPN_TOKEN_FILE, or a token at ${DEFAULT_TOKEN_FILE}.`);
+        } else if (platform === "darwin") {
+          throw new Error("No usable macOS NordVPN backend is ready. Run install to bootstrap WireGuard tooling.");
+        } else if (!installProbe.installed) {
+          throw new Error("NordVPN is not installed.");
+        } else {
+          throw new Error("No usable NordVPN control path found.");
+        }
 
-      if (connectResult.manualActionRequired) {
-        emitJson({ action, requestedTarget: target, ...connectResult });
-      }
+        if (connectResult.manualActionRequired) {
+          lock.release();
+          emitJson({ action, requestedTarget: target, ...connectResult });
+        }
 
-      const verified = await verifyConnectionWithRetry(target, { attempts: 6, delayMs: 2000 });
-      const refreshed = await probeInstallation(platform);
-      if (!verified.ok && connectResult && connectResult.backend === "wireguard" && platform === "darwin") {
-        const diagnostics = await collectMacWireguardDiagnostics({
-          interfaceName: connectResult.interfaceName || MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
-          wgPath: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.wgPath,
-          helperPath: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.helperPath,
-          helperSecurity: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.helperSecurity,
-        });
-        const rollback = await disconnectNordvpn(refreshed);
-        emitJson(
-          {
-            action,
-            requestedTarget: target,
-            connectResult,
-            verified: false,
-            verification: verified.ipInfo,
-            diagnostics: debugOutput ? diagnostics : undefined,
-            diagnosticsSummary: summarizeMacWireguardDiagnostics(diagnostics),
-            rollback,
-            state: buildStateSummary(await probeInstallation(platform), await getPublicIpInfo()),
-          },
-          1,
-          true
-        );
-      }
-      if (platform === "darwin" && shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect(connectResult, verified)) {
-        try {
-          await snapshotMacDnsState();
-          await applyMacNordDns();
-          writeJsonFile(LAST_CONNECTION_PATH, {
-            backend: "wireguard",
-            interfaceName: MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
-            requestedTarget: connectResult.requestedTarget,
-            resolvedTarget: connectResult.resolvedTarget,
-            server: {
-              hostname: connectResult.server.hostname,
-              city: connectResult.server.city,
-              country: connectResult.server.country,
-              load: connectResult.server.load,
-            },
-            connectedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+        if (connectResult && connectResult.backend === "wireguard" && platform === "darwin") {
+          persistence = await checkMacWireguardPersistence(target, {
+            attempts: CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_ATTEMPTS,
+            delayMs: CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_DELAY_MS,
+            getHelperStatus: async () => getMacWireguardHelperStatus(installProbe),
+            verifyConnection: verifyConnection,
           });
-        } catch (error) {
-          const rollback = await disconnectNordvpn(await probeInstallation(platform));
+          verified = persistence.verified;
+
+          if (!persistence.stable) {
+            const refreshed = await probeInstallation(platform);
+            const diagnostics = await collectMacWireguardDiagnostics({
+              interfaceName: connectResult.interfaceName || MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
+              wgPath: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.wgPath,
+              helperPath: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.helperPath,
+              helperSecurity: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.helperSecurity,
+            });
+            const rollback = await disconnectNordvpn(refreshed);
+            lock.release();
+            emitJson(
+              {
+                action,
+                requestedTarget: target,
+                connectResult,
+                persistence,
+                verified: false,
+                verification: verified && verified.ipInfo ? verified.ipInfo : null,
+                diagnostics: debugOutput ? diagnostics : undefined,
+                diagnosticsSummary: summarizeMacWireguardDiagnostics(diagnostics),
+                rollback,
+                state: buildStateSummary(await probeInstallation(platform), await getPublicIpInfo()),
+              },
+              1,
+              true
+            );
+          }
+
+          verified = await verifyConnection(target);
+        } else {
+          verified = await verifyConnectionWithRetry(target, {
+            attempts: CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_ATTEMPTS,
+            delayMs: CONNECT_PERSISTENCE_DELAY_MS,
+          });
+        }
+
+        const refreshed = await probeInstallation(platform);
+        if (!verified.ok && connectResult && connectResult.backend === "wireguard" && platform === "darwin") {
+          const diagnostics = await collectMacWireguardDiagnostics({
+            interfaceName: connectResult.interfaceName || MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
+            wgPath: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.wgPath,
+            helperPath: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.helperPath,
+            helperSecurity: refreshed.wireguard && refreshed.wireguard.helperSecurity,
+          });
+          const rollback = await disconnectNordvpn(refreshed);
+          lock.release();
           emitJson(
             {
               action,
               requestedTarget: target,
               connectResult,
-              verified: true,
+              persistence,
+              verified: false,
               verification: verified.ipInfo,
+              diagnostics: debugOutput ? diagnostics : undefined,
+              diagnosticsSummary: summarizeMacWireguardDiagnostics(diagnostics),
               rollback,
-              error: `Connected but failed to finalize macOS DNS/state: ${error.message || String(error)}`,
               state: buildStateSummary(await probeInstallation(platform), await getPublicIpInfo()),
             },
             1,
             true
           );
         }
-      }
-      const connectState = normalizeSuccessfulConnectState(
-        buildStateSummary(await probeInstallation(platform), verified.ipInfo),
-        connectResult,
-        verified
-      );
-      emitJson(
-        {
-          action,
-          requestedTarget: target,
+
+        if (platform === "darwin" && shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect(connectResult, verified, persistence)) {
+          try {
+            await snapshotMacDnsState();
+            const liveness = await verifyConnection(target);
+            if (!liveness.ok) {
+              const rollback = await disconnectNordvpn(await probeInstallation(platform));
+              lock.release();
+              emitJson(
+                {
+                  action,
+                  requestedTarget: target,
+                  connectResult,
+                  persistence,
+                  verified: false,
+                  verification: liveness.ipInfo,
+                  rollback,
+                  error: "Connected but failed the final liveness check before DNS finalization.",
+                  state: buildStateSummary(await probeInstallation(platform), await getPublicIpInfo()),
+                },
+                1,
+                true
+              );
+            }
+            verified = liveness;
+            await applyMacNordDns();
+            writeJsonFile(LAST_CONNECTION_PATH, {
+              backend: "wireguard",
+              interfaceName: MAC_WG_INTERFACE,
+              requestedTarget: connectResult.requestedTarget,
+              resolvedTarget: connectResult.resolvedTarget,
+              server: {
+                hostname: connectResult.server.hostname,
+                city: connectResult.server.city,
+                country: connectResult.server.country,
+                load: connectResult.server.load,
+              },
+              connectedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+            });
+          } catch (error) {
+            const rollback = await disconnectNordvpn(await probeInstallation(platform));
+            lock.release();
+            emitJson(
+              {
+                action,
+                requestedTarget: target,
+                connectResult,
+                persistence,
+                verified: true,
+                verification: verified.ipInfo,
+                rollback,
+                error: `Connected but failed to finalize macOS DNS/state: ${error.message || String(error)}`,
+                state: buildStateSummary(await probeInstallation(platform), await getPublicIpInfo()),
+              },
+              1,
+              true
+            );
+          }
+        }
+
+        const connectState = normalizeSuccessfulConnectState(
+          buildStateSummary(await probeInstallation(platform), verified.ipInfo),
           connectResult,
-          verified: verified.ok,
-          verification: verified.ipInfo,
-          state: connectState,
-        },
-        verified.ok ? 0 : 1,
-        !verified.ok
-      );
+          verified
+        );
+        lock.release();
+        emitJson(
+          {
+            action,
+            requestedTarget: target,
+            connectResult,
+            persistence,
+            verified: verified.ok,
+            verification: verified.ipInfo,
+            state: connectState,
+          },
+          verified.ok ? 0 : 1,
+          !verified.ok
+        );
+      } finally {
+        lock.release();
+      }
     }
 
     if (action === "disconnect") {
-      const result = await disconnectNordvpn(installProbe);
-      const refreshed = await probeInstallation(platform);
-      emitJson({
-        action,
-        ...result,
-        state: buildStateSummary(refreshed, await getPublicIpInfo()),
-      });
+      const lock = acquireOperationLock(action);
+      try {
+        const result = await disconnectNordvpn(installProbe);
+        const refreshed = await probeInstallation(platform);
+        lock.release();
+        emitJson({
+          action,
+          ...result,
+          state: buildStateSummary(refreshed, await getPublicIpInfo()),
+        });
+      } finally {
+        lock.release();
+      }
     }
 
     emitJson({ error: `Unknown action: ${action}`, ...usage() }, 1, true);
diff --git a/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.test.js b/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.test.js
index 4c96333..7fbcfd0 100644
--- a/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.test.js
+++ b/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-client.test.js
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ module.exports = {
     typeof cleanupMacWireguardAndDnsState === "function" ? cleanupMacWireguardAndDnsState : undefined,
   collectMacWireguardDiagnostics:
     typeof collectMacWireguardDiagnostics === "function" ? collectMacWireguardDiagnostics : undefined,
+  acquireOperationLock:
+    typeof acquireOperationLock === "function" ? acquireOperationLock : undefined,
   inspectMacWireguardHelperSecurity:
     typeof inspectMacWireguardHelperSecurity === "function" ? inspectMacWireguardHelperSecurity : undefined,
   getMacTailscalePath:
@@ -31,10 +33,16 @@ module.exports = {
     typeof isBenignMacWireguardAbsentError === "function" ? isBenignMacWireguardAbsentError : undefined,
   isMacTailscaleActive:
     typeof isMacTailscaleActive === "function" ? isMacTailscaleActive : undefined,
+  checkMacWireguardPersistence:
+    typeof checkMacWireguardPersistence === "function" ? checkMacWireguardPersistence : undefined,
   normalizeSuccessfulConnectState:
     typeof normalizeSuccessfulConnectState === "function" ? normalizeSuccessfulConnectState : undefined,
   normalizeStatusState:
     typeof normalizeStatusState === "function" ? normalizeStatusState : undefined,
+  parseMacWireguardHelperStatus:
+    typeof parseMacWireguardHelperStatus === "function" ? parseMacWireguardHelperStatus : undefined,
+  shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline:
+    typeof shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline === "function" ? shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline : undefined,
   shouldManageMacDnsService:
     typeof shouldManageMacDnsService === "function" ? shouldManageMacDnsService : undefined,
   sanitizeOutputPayload:
@@ -142,6 +150,36 @@ test("buildMacDnsState records DNS and search domains per service", () => {
   );
 });
 
+test("shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline flags a NordVPN-pinned restore snapshot", () => {
+  const { shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline } = loadInternals();
+  assert.equal(typeof shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline, "function");
+
+  assert.equal(
+    shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline({
+      services: [
+        {
+          name: "Wi-Fi",
+          dnsServers: ["103.86.96.100", "103.86.99.100"],
+          searchDomains: [],
+        },
+      ],
+    }),
+    true
+  );
+  assert.equal(
+    shouldRejectMacDnsBaseline({
+      services: [
+        {
+          name: "Wi-Fi",
+          dnsServers: ["1.1.1.1"],
+          searchDomains: [],
+        },
+      ],
+    }),
+    false
+  );
+});
+
 test("getMacTailscalePath falls back to /opt/homebrew/bin/tailscale when PATH lookup is missing", () => {
   const { getMacTailscalePath } = loadInternals();
   assert.equal(typeof getMacTailscalePath, "function");
@@ -293,6 +331,92 @@ test("collectMacWireguardDiagnostics captures bounded wg/ifconfig/route/process
   assert.equal(result.processes.includes("wireguard-go"), true);
 });
 
+test("parseMacWireguardHelperStatus reads active helper key-value output", () => {
+  const { parseMacWireguardHelperStatus } = loadInternals();
+  assert.equal(typeof parseMacWireguardHelperStatus, "function");
+
+  const result = parseMacWireguardHelperStatus("active=1\ninterfaceName=nordvpnctl\n");
+
+  assert.equal(result.active, true);
+  assert.equal(result.interfaceName, "nordvpnctl");
+});
+
+test("checkMacWireguardPersistence waits for both helper-active and verified exit", async () => {
+  const { checkMacWireguardPersistence } = loadInternals();
+  assert.equal(typeof checkMacWireguardPersistence, "function");
+
+  const helperStatuses = [
+    { active: false, interfaceName: "nordvpnctl" },
+    { active: true, interfaceName: "nordvpnctl" },
+  ];
+  const verifications = [
+    { ok: false, ipInfo: { ok: false, error: "timeout" } },
+    { ok: true, ipInfo: { ok: true, country: "Germany", city: "Frankfurt" } },
+  ];
+
+  const result = await checkMacWireguardPersistence(
+    { country: "Germany", city: "" },
+    {
+      attempts: 2,
+      delayMs: 1,
+      getHelperStatus: async () => helperStatuses.shift(),
+      verifyConnection: async () => verifications.shift(),
+      sleep: async () => {},
+    }
+  );
+
+  assert.equal(result.stable, true);
+  assert.equal(result.attempts, 2);
+  assert.equal(result.helperStatus.active, true);
+  assert.equal(result.verified.ok, true);
+});
+
+test("checkMacWireguardPersistence returns the last failed status when stability is not reached", async () => {
+  const { checkMacWireguardPersistence } = loadInternals();
+  assert.equal(typeof checkMacWireguardPersistence, "function");
+
+  const result = await checkMacWireguardPersistence(
+    { country: "Germany", city: "" },
+    {
+      attempts: 2,
+      delayMs: 1,
+      getHelperStatus: async () => ({ active: false, interfaceName: "nordvpnctl" }),
+      verifyConnection: async () => ({ ok: false, ipInfo: { ok: false, error: "timeout" } }),
+      sleep: async () => {},
+    }
+  );
+
+  assert.equal(result.stable, false);
+  assert.equal(result.attempts, 2);
+  assert.equal(result.helperStatus.active, false);
+  assert.equal(result.verified.ok, false);
+});
+
+test("acquireOperationLock cleans a stale dead-pid lock before taking ownership", () => {
+  const { acquireOperationLock } = loadInternals();
+  assert.equal(typeof acquireOperationLock, "function");
+
+  const tmpDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(fs.mkdtempSync("/tmp/nordvpn-client-test-"), "lock-"));
+  const lockPath = path.join(tmpDir, "operation.lock");
+  fs.writeFileSync(
+    lockPath,
+    JSON.stringify({
+      action: "connect",
+      pid: 0,
+      startedAt: new Date(0).toISOString(),
+      startedAtMs: 0,
+    })
+  );
+
+  const lock = acquireOperationLock("disconnect", { lockPath });
+  const lockFile = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(lockPath, "utf8"));
+
+  assert.equal(lockFile.action, "disconnect");
+  assert.equal(lockFile.pid, process.pid);
+  lock.release();
+  assert.equal(fs.existsSync(lockPath), false);
+});
+
 test("shouldAttemptMacWireguardDisconnect does not trust active=false when residual state exists", () => {
   const { shouldAttemptMacWireguardDisconnect } = loadInternals();
   assert.equal(typeof shouldAttemptMacWireguardDisconnect, "function");
@@ -370,14 +494,15 @@ test("normalizeSuccessfulConnectState marks the connect snapshot active after ve
   assert.equal(state.wireguard.endpoint, "de1227.nordvpn.com:51820");
 });
 
-test("shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect requires a verified wireguard connect", () => {
+test("shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect requires a verified and stable wireguard connect", () => {
   const { shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect } = loadInternals();
   assert.equal(typeof shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect, "function");
 
-  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect({ backend: "wireguard" }, { ok: true }), true);
-  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect({ backend: "wireguard" }, { ok: false }), false);
-  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect({ backend: "cli" }, { ok: true }), false);
-  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect(null, { ok: true }), false);
+  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect({ backend: "wireguard" }, { ok: true }, { stable: true }), true);
+  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect({ backend: "wireguard" }, { ok: true }, { stable: false }), false);
+  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect({ backend: "wireguard" }, { ok: false }, { stable: true }), false);
+  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect({ backend: "cli" }, { ok: true }, { stable: true }), false);
+  assert.equal(shouldFinalizeMacWireguardConnect(null, { ok: true }, { stable: true }), false);
 });
 
 test("normalizeStatusState marks macOS wireguard connected when public IP matches the last successful target", () => {
diff --git a/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-wireguard-helper.sh b/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-wireguard-helper.sh
index 294e981..62f76a3 100755
--- a/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-wireguard-helper.sh
+++ b/skills/nordvpn-client/scripts/nordvpn-wireguard-helper.sh
@@ -3,16 +3,18 @@ set -eu
 
 ACTION="${1:-}"
 case "$ACTION" in
-  probe|up|down)
+  probe|up|down|status|cleanup)
     ;;
   *)
-    echo "Usage: nordvpn-wireguard-helper.sh [probe|up|down]" >&2
+    echo "Usage: nordvpn-wireguard-helper.sh [probe|up|down|status|cleanup]" >&2
     exit 2
     ;;
 esac
 
 WG_QUICK="/opt/homebrew/bin/wg-quick"
+WG="/opt/homebrew/bin/wg"
 WG_CONFIG="/Users/stefano/.nordvpn-client/wireguard/nordvpnctl.conf"
+WG_INTERFACE="nordvpnctl"
 PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin"
 export PATH
 
@@ -21,4 +23,25 @@ if [ "$ACTION" = "probe" ]; then
   exit 0
 fi
 
+if [ "$ACTION" = "status" ]; then
+  ACTIVE=0
+  if [ -x "$WG" ] && "$WG" show "$WG_INTERFACE" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ACTIVE=1
+  elif /sbin/ifconfig "$WG_INTERFACE" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ACTIVE=1
+  fi
+
+  echo "active=$ACTIVE"
+  echo "interfaceName=$WG_INTERFACE"
+  if [ -f "$WG_CONFIG" ]; then
+    echo "configPath=$WG_CONFIG"
+  fi
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+if [ "$ACTION" = "cleanup" ]; then
+  "$WG_QUICK" down "$WG_CONFIG" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  exit 0
+fi
+
 exec "$WG_QUICK" "$ACTION" "$WG_CONFIG"