diff --git a/packages/backend/src/core/CoreModule.ts b/packages/backend/src/core/CoreModule.ts
index b18db7f366..caf135ae4b 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/core/CoreModule.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/core/CoreModule.ts
@@ -155,6 +155,8 @@ import { QueueModule } from './QueueModule.js';
 import { QueueService } from './QueueService.js';
 import { LoggerService } from './LoggerService.js';
 import { SponsorsService } from './SponsorsService.js';
+import { RedisConnectionPool } from './RedisConnectionPool.js';
+import { TimeoutService } from './TimeoutService.js';
 import type { Provider } from '@nestjs/common';
 
 //#region 文字列ベースでのinjection用(循環参照対応のため)
@@ -383,6 +385,8 @@ const $SponsorsService: Provider = { provide: 'SponsorsService', useExisting: Sp
 		ChannelFollowingService,
 		RegistryApiService,
 		ReversiService,
+		RedisConnectionPool,
+		TimeoutService,
 		TimeService,
 		EnvService,
 
@@ -684,6 +688,8 @@ const $SponsorsService: Provider = { provide: 'SponsorsService', useExisting: Sp
 		ChannelFollowingService,
 		RegistryApiService,
 		ReversiService,
+		RedisConnectionPool,
+		TimeoutService,
 		TimeService,
 		EnvService,
 
diff --git a/packages/backend/src/core/RedisConnectionPool.ts b/packages/backend/src/core/RedisConnectionPool.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7ebefdfcb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/backend/src/core/RedisConnectionPool.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+/*
+ * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: hazelnoot and other Sharkey contributors
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+ */
+
+import { Inject, Injectable, OnApplicationShutdown } from '@nestjs/common';
+import Redis, { RedisOptions } from 'ioredis';
+import { DI } from '@/di-symbols.js';
+import type { Config } from '@/config.js';
+import Logger from '@/logger.js';
+import { Timeout, TimeoutService } from '@/core/TimeoutService.js';
+import { LoggerService } from './LoggerService.js';
+
+/**
+ * Target number of connections to keep open and ready for use.
+ * The pool may grow beyond this during bursty traffic, but it will always shrink back to this number.
+ * The pool may remain below this number is the server never experiences enough traffic to consume this many clients.
+ */
+export const poolSize = 16;
+
+/**
+ * How often to drop an idle connection from the pool.
+ * This will never shrink the pool below poolSize.
+ */
+export const poolShrinkInterval = 5 * 1000; // 5 seconds
+
+@Injectable()
+export class RedisConnectionPool implements OnApplicationShutdown {
+	private readonly poolShrinkTimer: Timeout;
+	private readonly pool: Redis.Redis[] = [];
+	private readonly logger: Logger;
+	private readonly redisOptions: RedisOptions;
+
+	constructor(@Inject(DI.config) config: Config, loggerService: LoggerService, timeoutService: TimeoutService) {
+		this.logger = loggerService.getLogger('redis-pool');
+		this.poolShrinkTimer = timeoutService.setInterval(() => this.shrinkPool(), poolShrinkInterval);
+		this.redisOptions = {
+			...config.redis,
+
+			// Set lazyConnect so that we can await() the connection manually.
+			// This helps to avoid a "stampede" of new connections (which are processed in the background!) under bursty conditions.
+			lazyConnect: true,
+			enableOfflineQueue: false,
+		};
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Gets a Redis connection from the pool, or creates a new connection if the pool is empty.
+	 * The returned object MUST be returned with a call to free(), even in the case of exceptions!
+	 * Use a try...finally block for safe handling.
+	 */
+	public async alloc(): Promise<Redis.Redis> {
+		let redis = this.pool.pop();
+
+		// The pool may be empty if we're under heavy load and/or we haven't opened all connections.
+		// Just construct a new instance, which will eventually be added to the pool.
+		// Excess clients will be disposed eventually.
+		if (!redis) {
+			redis = new Redis.Redis(this.redisOptions);
+			await redis.connect();
+		}
+
+		return redis;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Returns a Redis connection to the pool.
+	 * The instance MUST not be used after returning!
+	 * Use a try...finally block for safe handling.
+	 */
+	public async free(redis: Redis.Redis): Promise<void> {
+		// https://redis.io/docs/latest/commands/reset/
+		await redis.reset();
+
+		this.pool.push(redis);
+	}
+
+	public async onApplicationShutdown(): Promise<void> {
+		// Cancel timer, otherwise it will cause a memory leak
+		clearInterval(this.poolShrinkTimer);
+
+		// Disconnect all remaining instances
+		while (this.pool.length > 0) {
+			await this.dropClient();
+		}
+	}
+
+	private async shrinkPool(): Promise<void> {
+		this.logger.debug(`Pool size is ${this.pool.length}`);
+		if (this.pool.length > poolSize) {
+			await this.dropClient();
+		}
+	}
+
+	private async dropClient(): Promise<void> {
+		try {
+			const redis = this.pool.pop();
+			await redis?.quit();
+		} catch (err) {
+			this.logger.warn(`Error disconnecting from redis: ${err}`, { err });
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/packages/backend/src/core/TimeoutService.ts b/packages/backend/src/core/TimeoutService.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..093b9a7b04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/backend/src/core/TimeoutService.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+/*
+ * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: hazelnoot and other Sharkey contributors
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Provides access to setTimeout, setInterval, and related functions.
+ * Used to support deterministic unit testing.
+ */
+export class TimeoutService {
+	/**
+	 * Returns a promise that resolves after the specified timeout in milliseconds.
+	 */
+	public delay(timeout: number): Promise<void> {
+		return new Promise(resolve => {
+			this.setTimeout(resolve, timeout);
+		});
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Passthrough to node's setTimeout
+	 */
+	public setTimeout(handler: TimeoutHandler, timeout?: number): Timeout {
+		return setTimeout(() => handler(), timeout);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Passthrough to node's setInterval
+	 */
+	public setInterval(handler: TimeoutHandler, timeout?: number): Timeout {
+		return setInterval(() => handler(), timeout);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Passthrough to node's clearTimeout
+	 */
+	public clearTimeout(timeout: Timeout) {
+		clearTimeout(timeout);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Passthrough to node's clearInterval
+	 */
+	public clearInterval(timeout: Timeout) {
+		clearInterval(timeout);
+	}
+}
+
+/**
+ * Function to be called when a timer or interval elapses.
+ */
+export type TimeoutHandler = () => void;
+
+/**
+ * A fucked TS issue causes the DOM setTimeout to get merged with Node setTimeout, creating a "quantum method" that returns either "number" or "NodeJS.Timeout" depending on how it's called.
+ * This would be fine, except it always matches the *wrong type*!
+ * The result is this "impossible" scenario:
+ *
+ * ```typescript
+ * // Test evaluates to "false", because the method's return type is not equal to itself.
+ * type Test = ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> extends ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> ? true : false;
+ *
+ * // This is a compiler error, because the type is broken and triggers some internal TS bug.
+ * const timeout = setTimeout(handler);
+ * clearTimeout(timeout); // compiler error here, because even type inference doesn't work.
+ *
+ * // This fails to compile.
+ * function test(handler, timeout): ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> {
+ *   return setTimeout(handler, timeout);
+ * }
+ * ```
+ *
+ * The bug is marked as "wontfix" by TS devs, so we have to work around it ourselves. -_-
+ * By forcing the return type to *explicitly* include both types, we at least make it possible to work with the resulting token.
+ */
+export type Timeout = NodeJS.Timeout | number;
diff --git a/packages/backend/src/misc/rate-limit-utils.ts b/packages/backend/src/misc/rate-limit-utils.ts
index 9909bb97fa..cc13111390 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/misc/rate-limit-utils.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/misc/rate-limit-utils.ts
@@ -117,12 +117,27 @@ export interface LimitInfo {
 	fullResetMs: number;
 }
 
+export const disabledLimitInfo: Readonly<LimitInfo> = Object.freeze({
+	blocked: false,
+	remaining: Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER,
+	resetSec: 0,
+	resetMs: 0,
+	fullResetSec: 0,
+	fullResetMs: 0,
+});
+
 export function isLegacyRateLimit(limit: RateLimit): limit is LegacyRateLimit {
 	return limit.type === undefined;
 }
 
-export function hasMinLimit(limit: LegacyRateLimit): limit is LegacyRateLimit & { minInterval: number } {
-	return !!limit.minInterval;
+export type MaxLegacyLimit = LegacyRateLimit & { duration: number, max: number };
+export function hasMaxLimit(limit: LegacyRateLimit): limit is MaxLegacyLimit {
+	return limit.max != null && limit.duration != null;
+}
+
+export type MinLegacyLimit = LegacyRateLimit & { minInterval: number };
+export function hasMinLimit(limit: LegacyRateLimit): limit is MinLegacyLimit {
+	return limit.minInterval != null;
 }
 
 export function sendRateLimitHeaders(reply: FastifyReply, info: LimitInfo): void {
diff --git a/packages/backend/src/server/api/SkRateLimiterService.ts b/packages/backend/src/server/api/SkRateLimiterService.ts
index b11d1556ba..71681aadc9 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/server/api/SkRateLimiterService.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/server/api/SkRateLimiterService.ts
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ import { Inject, Injectable } from '@nestjs/common';
 import Redis from 'ioredis';
 import { TimeService } from '@/core/TimeService.js';
 import { EnvService } from '@/core/EnvService.js';
-import { DI } from '@/di-symbols.js';
-import { BucketRateLimit, LegacyRateLimit, LimitInfo, RateLimit, hasMinLimit, isLegacyRateLimit, Keyed } from '@/misc/rate-limit-utils.js';
+import { BucketRateLimit, LegacyRateLimit, LimitInfo, RateLimit, hasMinLimit, isLegacyRateLimit, Keyed, hasMaxLimit, disabledLimitInfo, MaxLegacyLimit, MinLegacyLimit } from '@/misc/rate-limit-utils.js';
+import { RedisConnectionPool } from '@/core/RedisConnectionPool.js';
+import { TimeoutService } from '@/core/TimeoutService.js';
 
 @Injectable()
 export class SkRateLimiterService {
@@ -18,8 +19,11 @@ export class SkRateLimiterService {
 		@Inject(TimeService)
 		private readonly timeService: TimeService,
 
-		@Inject(DI.redis)
-		private readonly redisClient: Redis.Redis,
+		@Inject(TimeoutService)
+		private readonly timeoutService: TimeoutService,
+
+		@Inject(RedisConnectionPool)
+		private readonly redisPool: RedisConnectionPool,
 
 		@Inject(EnvService)
 		envService: EnvService,
@@ -29,117 +33,110 @@ export class SkRateLimiterService {
 
 	public async limit(limit: Keyed<RateLimit>, actor: string, factor = 1): Promise<LimitInfo> {
 		if (this.disabled || factor === 0) {
-			return {
-				blocked: false,
-				remaining: Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER,
-				resetSec: 0,
-				resetMs: 0,
-				fullResetSec: 0,
-				fullResetMs: 0,
-			};
+			return disabledLimitInfo;
 		}
 
 		if (factor < 0) {
 			throw new Error(`Rate limit factor is zero or negative: ${factor}`);
 		}
 
-		return await this.tryLimit(limit, actor, factor);
+		const redis = await this.redisPool.alloc();
+		try {
+			return await this.tryLimit(redis, limit, actor, factor);
+		} finally {
+			await this.redisPool.free(redis);
+		}
 	}
 
-	private async tryLimit(limit: Keyed<RateLimit>, actor: string, factor: number, retry = 1): Promise<LimitInfo> {
+	private async tryLimit(redis: Redis.Redis, limit: Keyed<RateLimit>, actor: string, factor: number, retry = 0): Promise<LimitInfo> {
 		try {
+			if (retry > 0) {
+				// Real-world testing showed the need for backoff to "spread out" bursty traffic.
+				const backoff = Math.round(Math.pow(2, retry + Math.random()));
+				await this.timeoutService.delay(backoff);
+			}
+
 			if (isLegacyRateLimit(limit)) {
-				return await this.limitLegacy(limit, actor, factor);
+				return await this.limitLegacy(redis, limit, actor, factor);
 			} else {
-				return await this.limitBucket(limit, actor, factor);
+				return await this.limitBucket(redis, limit, actor, factor);
 			}
 		} catch (err) {
 			// We may experience collision errors from optimistic locking.
 			// This is expected, so we should retry a few times before giving up.
 			// https://redis.io/docs/latest/develop/interact/transactions/#optimistic-locking-using-check-and-set
-			if (err instanceof TransactionError && retry < 3) {
-				return await this.tryLimit(limit, actor, factor, retry + 1);
+			if (err instanceof ConflictError && retry < 4) {
+				// We can reuse the same connection to reduce pool contention, but we have to reset it first.
+				await redis.reset();
+				return await this.tryLimit(redis, limit, actor, factor, retry + 1);
 			}
 
 			throw err;
 		}
 	}
 
-	private async limitLegacy(limit: Keyed<LegacyRateLimit>, actor: string, factor: number): Promise<LimitInfo> {
-		const promises: Promise<LimitInfo | null>[] = [];
-
-		// The "min" limit - if present - is handled directly.
-		if (hasMinLimit(limit)) {
-			promises.push(
-				this.limitMin(limit, actor, factor),
-			);
+	private async limitLegacy(redis: Redis.Redis, limit: Keyed<LegacyRateLimit>, actor: string, factor: number): Promise<LimitInfo> {
+		if (hasMaxLimit(limit)) {
+			return await this.limitMaxLegacy(redis, limit, actor, factor);
+		} else if (hasMinLimit(limit)) {
+			return await this.limitMinLegacy(redis, limit, actor, factor);
+		} else {
+			return disabledLimitInfo;
 		}
-
-		// Convert the "max" limit into a leaky bucket with 1 drip / second rate.
-		if (limit.max != null && limit.duration != null) {
-			promises.push(
-				this.limitBucket({
-					type: 'bucket',
-					key: limit.key,
-					size: limit.max,
-					dripRate: Math.max(Math.round(limit.duration / limit.max), 1),
-				}, actor, factor),
-			);
-		}
-
-		const [lim1, lim2] = await Promise.all(promises);
-		return {
-			blocked: (lim1?.blocked || lim2?.blocked) ?? false,
-			remaining: Math.min(lim1?.remaining ?? Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER, lim2?.remaining ?? Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER),
-			resetSec: Math.max(lim1?.resetSec ?? 0, lim2?.resetSec ?? 0),
-			resetMs: Math.max(lim1?.resetMs ?? 0, lim2?.resetMs ?? 0),
-			fullResetSec: Math.max(lim1?.fullResetSec ?? 0, lim2?.fullResetSec ?? 0),
-			fullResetMs: Math.max(lim1?.fullResetMs ?? 0, lim2?.fullResetMs ?? 0),
-		};
 	}
 
-	private async limitMin(limit: Keyed<LegacyRateLimit> & { minInterval: number }, actor: string, factor: number): Promise<LimitInfo | null> {
-		if (limit.minInterval === 0) return null;
+	private async limitMaxLegacy(redis: Redis.Redis, limit: Keyed<MaxLegacyLimit>, actor: string, factor: number): Promise<LimitInfo> {
+		if (limit.duration === 0) return disabledLimitInfo;
+		if (limit.duration < 0) throw new Error(`Invalid rate limit ${limit.key}: duration is negative (${limit.duration})`);
+		if (limit.max < 1) throw new Error(`Invalid rate limit ${limit.key}: max is less than 1 (${limit.max})`);
+
+		// Derive initial dripRate from minInterval OR duration/max.
+		const initialDripRate = Math.max(limit.minInterval ?? Math.round(limit.duration / limit.max), 1);
+
+		// Calculate dripSize to reach max at exactly duration
+		const dripSize = Math.max(Math.round(limit.max / (limit.duration / initialDripRate)), 1);
+
+		// Calculate final dripRate from dripSize and duration/max
+		const dripRate = Math.max(Math.round(limit.duration / (limit.max / dripSize)), 1);
+
+		const bucketLimit: Keyed<BucketRateLimit> = {
+			type: 'bucket',
+			key: limit.key,
+			size: limit.max,
+			dripRate,
+			dripSize,
+		};
+		return await this.limitBucket(redis, bucketLimit, actor, factor);
+	}
+
+	private async limitMinLegacy(redis: Redis.Redis, limit: Keyed<MinLegacyLimit>, actor: string, factor: number): Promise<LimitInfo> {
+		if (limit.minInterval === 0) return disabledLimitInfo;
 		if (limit.minInterval < 0) throw new Error(`Invalid rate limit ${limit.key}: minInterval is negative (${limit.minInterval})`);
 
-		const minInterval = Math.max(Math.ceil(limit.minInterval * factor), 0);
-		const expirationSec = Math.max(Math.ceil(minInterval / 1000), 1);
-
-		// Check for window clear
-		const counter = await this.getLimitCounter(limit, actor, 'min');
-		if (counter.counter > 0) {
-			const isCleared = this.timeService.now - counter.timestamp >= minInterval;
-			if (isCleared) {
-				counter.counter = 0;
-			}
-		}
-
-		// Increment the limit, then synchronize with redis
-		const blocked = counter.counter > 0;
-		if (!blocked) {
-			counter.counter++;
-			counter.timestamp = this.timeService.now;
-			await this.updateLimitCounter(limit, actor, 'min', expirationSec, counter);
-		}
-
-		// Calculate limit status
-		const resetMs = Math.max(minInterval - (this.timeService.now - counter.timestamp), 0);
-		const resetSec = Math.ceil(resetMs / 1000);
-		return { blocked, remaining: 0, resetSec, resetMs, fullResetSec: resetSec, fullResetMs: resetMs };
+		const dripRate = Math.max(Math.round(limit.minInterval), 1);
+		const bucketLimit: Keyed<BucketRateLimit> = {
+			type: 'bucket',
+			key: limit.key,
+			size: 1,
+			dripRate,
+			dripSize: 1,
+		};
+		return await this.limitBucket(redis, bucketLimit, actor, factor);
 	}
 
-	private async limitBucket(limit: Keyed<BucketRateLimit>, actor: string, factor: number): Promise<LimitInfo> {
+	private async limitBucket(redis: Redis.Redis, limit: Keyed<BucketRateLimit>, actor: string, factor: number): Promise<LimitInfo> {
 		if (limit.size < 1) throw new Error(`Invalid rate limit ${limit.key}: size is less than 1 (${limit.size})`);
 		if (limit.dripRate != null && limit.dripRate < 1) throw new Error(`Invalid rate limit ${limit.key}: dripRate is less than 1 (${limit.dripRate})`);
 		if (limit.dripSize != null && limit.dripSize < 1) throw new Error(`Invalid rate limit ${limit.key}: dripSize is less than 1 (${limit.dripSize})`);
 
+		const redisKey = createLimitKey(limit, actor);
 		const bucketSize = Math.max(Math.ceil(limit.size / factor), 1);
 		const dripRate = Math.ceil(limit.dripRate ?? 1000);
 		const dripSize = Math.ceil(limit.dripSize ?? 1);
 		const expirationSec = Math.max(Math.ceil(bucketSize / dripRate), 1);
 
 		// Simulate bucket drips
-		const counter = await this.getLimitCounter(limit, actor, 'bucket');
+		const counter = await this.getLimitCounter(redis, redisKey);
 		if (counter.counter > 0) {
 			const dripsSinceLastTick = Math.floor((this.timeService.now - counter.timestamp) / dripRate) * dripSize;
 			counter.counter = Math.max(counter.counter - dripsSinceLastTick, 0);
@@ -150,7 +147,7 @@ export class SkRateLimiterService {
 		if (!blocked) {
 			counter.counter++;
 			counter.timestamp = this.timeService.now;
-			await this.updateLimitCounter(limit, actor, 'bucket', expirationSec, counter);
+			await this.updateLimitCounter(redis, redisKey, expirationSec, counter);
 		}
 
 		// Calculate how much time is needed to free up a bucket slot
@@ -167,60 +164,49 @@ export class SkRateLimiterService {
 		return { blocked, remaining, resetSec, resetMs, fullResetSec, fullResetMs };
 	}
 
-	private async getLimitCounter(limit: Keyed<RateLimit>, actor: string, subject: string): Promise<LimitCounter> {
-		const timestampKey = createLimitKey(limit, actor, subject, 't');
-		const counterKey = createLimitKey(limit, actor, subject, 'c');
+	private async getLimitCounter(redis: Redis.Redis, key: string): Promise<LimitCounter> {
+		const counter: LimitCounter = { counter: 0, timestamp: 0 };
 
-		const [timestamp, counter] = await this.executeRedis(
-			[
-				['get', timestampKey],
-				['get', counterKey],
-			],
-			[
-				timestampKey,
-				counterKey,
-			],
-		);
+		// Watch the key BEFORE reading it!
+		await redis.watch(key);
+		const data = await redis.get(key);
 
-		return {
-			timestamp: timestamp ? parseInt(timestamp) : 0,
-			counter: counter ? parseInt(counter) : 0,
-		};
-	}
-
-	private async updateLimitCounter(limit: Keyed<RateLimit>, actor: string, subject: string, expirationSec: number, counter: LimitCounter): Promise<void> {
-		const timestampKey = createLimitKey(limit, actor, subject, 't');
-		const counterKey = createLimitKey(limit, actor, subject, 'c');
-
-		await this.executeRedis(
-			[
-				['set', timestampKey, counter.timestamp.toString(), 'EX', expirationSec],
-				['set', counterKey, counter.counter.toString(), 'EX', expirationSec],
-			],
-			[
-				timestampKey,
-				counterKey,
-			],
-		);
-	}
-
-	private async executeRedis<Num extends number>(batch: RedisBatch<Num>, watch: string[]): Promise<RedisResults<Num>> {
-		const results = await this.redisClient
-			.multi(batch)
-			.watch(watch)
-			.exec();
-
-		// Transaction error
-		if (!results) {
-			throw new TransactionError('Redis error: transaction conflict');
+		// Data may be missing or corrupt if the key doesn't exist.
+		// This is an expected edge case.
+		if (data) {
+			const parts = data.split(':');
+			if (parts.length === 2) {
+				counter.counter = parseInt(parts[0]);
+				counter.timestamp = parseInt(parts[1]);
+			}
 		}
 
-		// The entire call failed
+		return counter;
+	}
+
+	private async updateLimitCounter(redis: Redis.Redis, key: string, expirationSec: number, counter: LimitCounter): Promise<void> {
+		const data = `${counter.counter}:${counter.timestamp}`;
+
+		await this.executeRedisMulti(
+			redis,
+			[['set', key, data, 'EX', expirationSec]],
+		);
+	}
+
+	private async executeRedisMulti<Num extends number>(redis: Redis.Redis, batch: RedisBatch<Num>): Promise<RedisResults<Num>> {
+		const results = await redis.multi(batch).exec();
+
+		// Transaction conflict (retryable)
+		if (!results) {
+			throw new ConflictError('Redis error: transaction conflict');
+		}
+
+		// Transaction failed (fatal)
 		if (results.length !== batch.length) {
 			throw new Error('Redis error: failed to execute batch');
 		}
 
-		// A particular command failed
+		// Command failed (fatal)
 		const errors = results.map(r => r[0]).filter(e => e != null);
 		if (errors.length > 0) {
 			throw new AggregateError(errors, `Redis error: failed to execute command(s): '${errors.join('\', \'')}'`);
@@ -233,11 +219,11 @@ export class SkRateLimiterService {
 type RedisBatch<Num extends number> = [string, ...unknown[]][] & { length: Num };
 type RedisResults<Num extends number> = (string | null)[] & { length: Num };
 
-function createLimitKey(limit: Keyed<RateLimit>, actor: string, subject: string, value: string): string {
-	return `rl_${actor}_${limit.key}_${subject}_${value}`;
+function createLimitKey(limit: Keyed<RateLimit>, actor: string): string {
+	return `rl_${actor}_${limit.key}`;
 }
 
-class TransactionError extends Error {}
+class ConflictError extends Error {}
 
 interface LimitCounter {
 	timestamp: number;
diff --git a/packages/backend/test/unit/server/api/SkRateLimiterServiceTests.ts b/packages/backend/test/unit/server/api/SkRateLimiterServiceTests.ts
index 90030495ed..deb6b9f80e 100644
--- a/packages/backend/test/unit/server/api/SkRateLimiterServiceTests.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/test/unit/server/api/SkRateLimiterServiceTests.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 import type Redis from 'ioredis';
 import { SkRateLimiterService } from '@/server/api/SkRateLimiterService.js';
 import { BucketRateLimit, Keyed, LegacyRateLimit } from '@/misc/rate-limit-utils.js';
+import { RedisConnectionPool } from '@/core/RedisConnectionPool.js';
+import { Timeout, TimeoutHandler, TimeoutService } from '@/core/TimeoutService.js';
 
 /* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-non-null-assertion */
 
@@ -24,28 +26,50 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 			},
 		};
 
+		function callMockRedis(command: [string, ...unknown[]]) {
+			const handlerResults = mockRedis.map(handler => handler(command));
+			const finalResult = handlerResults.findLast(result => result != null);
+			return finalResult ?? [null, null];
+		}
+
+		// I apologize to anyone who tries to read this later 🥲
 		mockRedis = [];
 		mockRedisExec = (batch) => {
 			const results: [Error | null, unknown][] = batch.map(command => {
-				const handlerResults = mockRedis.map(handler => handler(command));
-				const finalResult = handlerResults.findLast(result => result != null);
-				return finalResult ?? [new Error('test error: no handler'), null];
+				return callMockRedis(command);
 			});
 			return Promise.resolve(results);
 		};
 		const mockRedisClient = {
+			watch(...args: unknown[]) {
+				const result = callMockRedis(['watch', ...args]);
+				return Promise.resolve(result[0] ?? result[1]);
+			},
+			get(...args: unknown[]) {
+				const result = callMockRedis(['get', ...args]);
+				return Promise.resolve(result[0] ?? result[1]);
+			},
+			set(...args: unknown[]) {
+				const result = callMockRedis(['set', ...args]);
+				return Promise.resolve(result[0] ?? result[1]);
+			},
 			multi(batch: [string, ...unknown[]][]) {
 				return {
-					watch() {
-						return {
-							exec() {
-								return mockRedisExec(batch);
-							},
-						};
+					exec() {
+						return mockRedisExec(batch);
 					},
 				};
 			},
+			reset() {
+				return Promise.resolve();
+			},
 		} as unknown as Redis.Redis;
+		const mockRedisPool = {
+			alloc() {
+				return Promise.resolve(mockRedisClient);
+			},
+			free() {},
+		} as unknown as RedisConnectionPool;
 
 		mockEnvironment = Object.create(process.env);
 		mockEnvironment.NODE_ENV = 'production';
@@ -53,9 +77,22 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 			env: mockEnvironment,
 		};
 
+		const mockTimeoutService = new class extends TimeoutService {
+			setTimeout(handler: TimeoutHandler): Timeout {
+				handler();
+				return 0;
+			}
+			setInterval(handler: TimeoutHandler): Timeout {
+				handler();
+				return 0;
+			}
+			clearTimeout() {}
+			clearInterval() {}
+		};
+
 		let service: SkRateLimiterService | undefined = undefined;
 		serviceUnderTest = () => {
-			return service ??= new SkRateLimiterService(mockTimeService, mockRedisClient, mockEnvService);
+			return service ??= new SkRateLimiterService(mockTimeService, mockTimeoutService, mockRedisPool, mockEnvService);
 		};
 	});
 
@@ -65,56 +102,22 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 		let limitCounter: number | undefined = undefined;
 		let limitTimestamp: number | undefined = undefined;
-		let minCounter: number | undefined = undefined;
-		let minTimestamp: number | undefined = undefined;
 
 		beforeEach(() => {
 			limitCounter = undefined;
 			limitTimestamp = undefined;
-			minCounter = undefined;
-			minTimestamp = undefined;
 
 			mockRedis.push(([command, ...args]) => {
-				if (command === 'set' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_bucket_t') {
-					limitTimestamp = parseInt(args[1] as string);
+				if (command === 'set' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test') {
+					const parts = (args[1] as string).split(':');
+					limitCounter = parseInt(parts[0] as string);
+					limitTimestamp = parseInt(parts[1] as string);
 					return [null, args[1]];
 				}
-				if (command === 'get' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_bucket_t') {
-					return [null, limitTimestamp?.toString() ?? null];
+				if (command === 'get' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test') {
+					const data = `${limitCounter ?? 0}:${limitTimestamp ?? 0}`;
+					return [null, data];
 				}
-				// if (command === 'incr' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_bucket_c') {
-				// 	limitCounter = (limitCounter ?? 0) + 1;
-				// 	return [null, null];
-				// }
-				if (command === 'set' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_bucket_c') {
-					limitCounter = parseInt(args[1] as string);
-					return [null, args[1]];
-				}
-				if (command === 'get' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_bucket_c') {
-					return [null, limitCounter?.toString() ?? null];
-				}
-
-				if (command === 'set' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_min_t') {
-					minTimestamp = parseInt(args[1] as string);
-					return [null, args[1]];
-				}
-				if (command === 'get' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_min_t') {
-					return [null, minTimestamp?.toString() ?? null];
-				}
-				// if (command === 'incr' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_min_c') {
-				// 	minCounter = (minCounter ?? 0) + 1;
-				// 	return [null, null];
-				// }
-				if (command === 'set' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_min_c') {
-					minCounter = parseInt(args[1] as string);
-					return [null, args[1]];
-				}
-				if (command === 'get' && args[0] === 'rl_actor_test_min_c') {
-					return [null, minCounter?.toString() ?? null];
-				}
-				// if (command === 'expire') {
-				// 	return [null, null];
-				// }
 
 				return null;
 			});
@@ -266,19 +269,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_bucket_c', '1', 'EX', 1]);
-			});
-
-			it('should set timestamp expiration', async () => {
-				const commands: unknown[][] = [];
-				mockRedis.push(command => {
-					commands.push(command);
-					return null;
-				});
-
-				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_bucket_t', '0', 'EX', 1]);
+				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test', '1:0', 'EX', 1]);
 			});
 
 			it('should not increment when already blocked', async () => {
@@ -379,12 +370,12 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 			it('should retry when redis conflicts', async () => {
 				let numCalls = 0;
-				const realMockRedisExec = mockRedisExec;
+				const originalExec = mockRedisExec;
 				mockRedisExec = () => {
-					if (numCalls > 0) {
-						mockRedisExec = realMockRedisExec;
-					}
 					numCalls++;
+					if (numCalls > 1) {
+						mockRedisExec = originalExec;
+					}
 					return Promise.resolve(null);
 				};
 
@@ -393,7 +384,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				expect(numCalls).toBe(2);
 			});
 
-			it('should bail out after 3 tries', async () => {
+			it('should bail out after 5 tries', async () => {
 				let numCalls = 0;
 				mockRedisExec = () => {
 					numCalls++;
@@ -403,7 +394,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				const promise = serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
 				await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow(/transaction conflict/);
-				expect(numCalls).toBe(3);
+				expect(numCalls).toBe(5);
 			});
 
 			it('should apply correction if extra calls slip through', async () => {
@@ -450,8 +441,8 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 			it('should increment counter when called', async () => {
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(minCounter).not.toBeUndefined();
-				expect(minCounter).toBe(1);
+				expect(limitCounter).not.toBeUndefined();
+				expect(limitCounter).toBe(1);
 			});
 
 			it('should set timestamp when called', async () => {
@@ -459,30 +450,19 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(minCounter).not.toBeUndefined();
-				expect(minTimestamp).toBe(1000);
+				expect(limitCounter).not.toBeUndefined();
+				expect(limitTimestamp).toBe(1000);
 			});
 
 			it('should decrement counter when minInterval has passed', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
+				limitCounter = 1;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
 				mockTimeService.now = 1000;
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(minCounter).not.toBeUndefined();
-				expect(minCounter).toBe(1); // 1 (starting) - 1 (interval) + 1 (call) = 1
-			});
-
-			it('should reset counter entirely', async () => {
-				minCounter = 2;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
-				mockTimeService.now = 1000;
-
-				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(minCounter).not.toBeUndefined();
-				expect(minCounter).toBe(1); // 2 (starting) - 2 (interval) + 1 (call) = 1
+				expect(limitCounter).not.toBeUndefined();
+				expect(limitCounter).toBe(1); // 1 (starting) - 1 (interval) + 1 (call) = 1
 			});
 
 			it('should maintain counter between calls over time', async () => {
@@ -495,13 +475,13 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				mockTimeService.now += 1000; // 0 - 1 = 0
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor); // 0 + 1 = 1
 
-				expect(minCounter).toBe(1);
-				expect(minTimestamp).toBe(3000);
+				expect(limitCounter).toBe(1);
+				expect(limitTimestamp).toBe(3000);
 			});
 
 			it('should block when interval exceeded', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
+				limitCounter = 1;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
@@ -509,8 +489,8 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 			});
 
 			it('should calculate correct info when blocked', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
+				limitCounter = 1;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
@@ -521,8 +501,8 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 			});
 
 			it('should allow when bucket is filled but interval has passed', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
+				limitCounter = 1;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
 				mockTimeService.now = 1000;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
@@ -531,8 +511,8 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 			});
 
 			it('should scale interval by factor', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
+				limitCounter = 1;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
 				mockTimeService.now += 500;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor, 0.5);
@@ -549,30 +529,18 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_min_c', '1', 'EX', 1]);
-			});
-
-			it('should set timestamp expiration', async () => {
-				const commands: unknown[][] = [];
-				mockRedis.push(command => {
-					commands.push(command);
-					return null;
-				});
-
-				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_min_t', '0', 'EX', 1]);
+				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test', '1:0', 'EX', 1]);
 			});
 
 			it('should not increment when already blocked', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
+				limitCounter = 1;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
 				mockTimeService.now += 100;
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(minCounter).toBe(1);
-				expect(minTimestamp).toBe(0);
+				expect(limitCounter).toBe(1);
+				expect(limitTimestamp).toBe(0);
 			});
 
 			it('should skip if factor is zero', async () => {
@@ -605,17 +573,17 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow(/minInterval is negative/);
 			});
 
-			it('should not apply correction to extra calls', async () => {
-				minCounter = 2;
+			it('should apply correction if extra calls slip through', async () => {
+				limitCounter = 2;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
 				expect(info.blocked).toBeTruthy();
 				expect(info.remaining).toBe(0);
-				expect(info.resetMs).toBe(1000);
-				expect(info.resetSec).toBe(1);
-				expect(info.fullResetMs).toBe(1000);
-				expect(info.fullResetSec).toBe(1);
+				expect(info.resetMs).toBe(2000);
+				expect(info.resetSec).toBe(2);
+				expect(info.fullResetMs).toBe(2000);
+				expect(info.fullResetSec).toBe(2);
 			});
 		});
 
@@ -720,19 +688,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_bucket_c', '1', 'EX', 1]);
-			});
-
-			it('should set timestamp expiration', async () => {
-				const commands: unknown[][] = [];
-				mockRedis.push(command => {
-					commands.push(command);
-					return null;
-				});
-
-				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_bucket_t', '0', 'EX', 1]);
+				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test', '1:0', 'EX', 1]);
 			});
 
 			it('should not increment when already blocked', async () => {
@@ -774,12 +730,21 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow(/factor is zero or negative/);
 			});
 
+			it('should skip if duration is zero', async () => {
+				limit.duration = 0;
+
+				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
+
+				expect(info.blocked).toBeFalsy();
+				expect(info.remaining).toBe(Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER);
+			});
+
 			it('should throw if max is zero', async () => {
 				limit.max = 0;
 
 				const promise = serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow(/size is less than 1/);
+				await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow(/max is less than 1/);
 			});
 
 			it('should throw if max is negative', async () => {
@@ -787,7 +752,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 				const promise = serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow(/size is less than 1/);
+				await expect(promise).rejects.toThrow(/max is less than 1/);
 			});
 
 			it('should apply correction if extra calls slip through', async () => {
@@ -811,7 +776,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				limit = {
 					type: undefined,
 					key,
-					max: 5,
+					max: 10,
 					duration: 5000,
 					minInterval: 1000,
 				};
@@ -824,7 +789,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 			});
 
 			it('should block when limit exceeded', async () => {
-				limitCounter = 5;
+				limitCounter = 10;
 				limitTimestamp = 0;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
@@ -832,30 +797,8 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				expect(info.blocked).toBeTruthy();
 			});
 
-			it('should block when minInterval exceeded', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
-
-				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(info.blocked).toBeTruthy();
-			});
-
 			it('should calculate correct info when allowed', async () => {
-				limitCounter = 1;
-				limitTimestamp = 0;
-
-				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(info.remaining).toBe(0);
-				expect(info.resetSec).toBe(1);
-				expect(info.resetMs).toBe(1000);
-				expect(info.fullResetSec).toBe(2);
-				expect(info.fullResetMs).toBe(2000);
-			});
-
-			it('should calculate correct info when blocked by limit', async () => {
-				limitCounter = 5;
+				limitCounter = 9;
 				limitTimestamp = 0;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
@@ -867,17 +810,17 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				expect(info.fullResetMs).toBe(5000);
 			});
 
-			it('should calculate correct info when blocked by minInterval', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
+			it('should calculate correct info when blocked', async () => {
+				limitCounter = 10;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
 				expect(info.remaining).toBe(0);
 				expect(info.resetSec).toBe(1);
 				expect(info.resetMs).toBe(1000);
-				expect(info.fullResetSec).toBe(1);
-				expect(info.fullResetMs).toBe(1000);
+				expect(info.fullResetSec).toBe(5);
+				expect(info.fullResetMs).toBe(5000);
 			});
 
 			it('should allow when counter is filled but interval has passed', async () => {
@@ -890,21 +833,23 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				expect(info.blocked).toBeFalsy();
 			});
 
-			it('should allow when minCounter is filled but interval has passed', async () => {
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
-				mockTimeService.now = 1000;
+			it('should drip according to minInterval', async () => {
+				limitCounter = 10;
+				limitTimestamp = 0;
+				mockTimeService.now += 1000;
 
-				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
+				const i1 = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
+				const i2 = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
+				const i3 = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(info.blocked).toBeFalsy();
+				expect(i1.blocked).toBeFalsy();
+				expect(i2.blocked).toBeFalsy();
+				expect(i3.blocked).toBeTruthy();
 			});
 
 			it('should scale limit and interval by factor', async () => {
 				limitCounter = 5;
 				limitTimestamp = 0;
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
 				mockTimeService.now += 500;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor, 0.5);
@@ -912,7 +857,7 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 				expect(info.blocked).toBeFalsy();
 			});
 
-			it('should set bucket counter expiration', async () => {
+			it('should set counter expiration', async () => {
 				const commands: unknown[][] = [];
 				mockRedis.push(command => {
 					commands.push(command);
@@ -921,63 +866,22 @@ describe(SkRateLimiterService, () => {
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_bucket_c', '1', 'EX', 1]);
-			});
-
-			it('should set bucket timestamp expiration', async () => {
-				const commands: unknown[][] = [];
-				mockRedis.push(command => {
-					commands.push(command);
-					return null;
-				});
-
-				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_bucket_t', '0', 'EX', 1]);
-			});
-
-			it('should set min counter expiration', async () => {
-				const commands: unknown[][] = [];
-				mockRedis.push(command => {
-					commands.push(command);
-					return null;
-				});
-
-				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_min_c', '1', 'EX', 1]);
-			});
-
-			it('should set min timestamp expiration', async () => {
-				const commands: unknown[][] = [];
-				mockRedis.push(command => {
-					commands.push(command);
-					return null;
-				});
-
-				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
-
-				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test_min_t', '0', 'EX', 1]);
+				expect(commands).toContainEqual(['set', 'rl_actor_test', '1:0', 'EX', 1]);
 			});
 
 			it('should not increment when already blocked', async () => {
-				limitCounter = 5;
+				limitCounter = 10;
 				limitTimestamp = 0;
-				minCounter = 1;
-				minTimestamp = 0;
 				mockTimeService.now += 100;
 
 				await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);
 
-				expect(limitCounter).toBe(5);
+				expect(limitCounter).toBe(10);
 				expect(limitTimestamp).toBe(0);
-				expect(minCounter).toBe(1);
-				expect(minTimestamp).toBe(0);
 			});
 
 			it('should apply correction if extra calls slip through', async () => {
-				limitCounter = 6;
-				minCounter = 6;
+				limitCounter = 12;
 
 				const info = await serviceUnderTest().limit(limit, actor);