diff --git a/internal/config/blrules.go b/internal/config/blrules.go
index 4118d22..1dbd02c 100644
--- a/internal/config/blrules.go
+++ b/internal/config/blrules.go
@@ -55,28 +55,11 @@ func (c *Config) validateBlrules() error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("blrules[%d]: dest required", i)
 		}
 
-		if r.Source != "all" && r.Source != "any" && r.Source != "none" &&
-			!hasPrefix(r.Source, "all!") && !hasPrefix(r.Source, "any!") {
-			for _, zs := range SplitZoneList(r.Source) {
-				if _, ok := c.Zones[zs.Zone]; !ok {
-					return fmt.Errorf("blrules[%d]: source zone %q not defined", i, zs.Zone)
-				}
-				if !validAddrList(zs.Addr) {
-					return fmt.Errorf("blrules[%d]: source %q: '!' may only prefix the whole address list", i, zs.Addr)
-				}
-			}
+		if err := c.validateZoneRef(r.Source); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("blrules[%d]: source %w", i, err)
 		}
-
-		if r.Dest != "all" && r.Dest != "any" && r.Dest != "none" &&
-			!hasPrefix(r.Dest, "all!") && !hasPrefix(r.Dest, "any!") {
-			for _, zs := range SplitZoneList(r.Dest) {
-				if _, ok := c.Zones[zs.Zone]; !ok {
-					return fmt.Errorf("blrules[%d]: dest zone %q not defined", i, zs.Zone)
-				}
-				if !validAddrList(zs.Addr) {
-					return fmt.Errorf("blrules[%d]: dest %q: '!' may only prefix the whole address list", i, zs.Addr)
-				}
-			}
+		if err := c.validateZoneRef(r.Dest); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("blrules[%d]: dest %w", i, err)
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
diff --git a/internal/config/conntrack.go b/internal/config/conntrack.go
index 527a00f..9b5be24 100644
--- a/internal/config/conntrack.go
+++ b/internal/config/conntrack.go
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 package config
 
-import "fmt"
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+)
 
 type ConntrackAction string
 
@@ -68,8 +71,14 @@ func (c *Config) validateConntrack() error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: helper name required for helper action", i)
 		}
 
-		if ct.Source == "" && ct.Dest == "" && ct.Action != ConntrackHelper {
-			return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: source or dest required", i)
+		if HasZoneExclusion(ct.Source) || HasZoneExclusion(ct.Dest) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries", i)
+		}
+		if err := c.validateZoneRef(ct.Source); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: source %w", i, err)
+		}
+		if err := c.validateZoneRef(ct.Dest); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: dest %w", i, err)
 		}
 
 		if ct.User != "" {
@@ -84,3 +93,9 @@ func (c *Config) validateConntrack() error {
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// HasZoneExclusion reports an all/any zone ref with a "+" or "!" modifier (all+, all!x, any+!x, ...).
+func HasZoneExclusion(spec string) bool {
+	zones, _, _ := strings.Cut(spec, ":")
+	return (strings.HasPrefix(zones, "all") || strings.HasPrefix(zones, "any")) && strings.ContainsAny(zones[3:], "+!")
+}
diff --git a/internal/config/extras_test.go b/internal/config/extras_test.go
index f83941d..d312ed9 100644
--- a/internal/config/extras_test.go
+++ b/internal/config/extras_test.go
@@ -53,11 +53,52 @@ func TestValidateConntrack(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 		{
-			name: "source or dest required for non-helper",
-			rules: []ConntrackRule{
-				{Action: ConntrackDrop},
-			},
-			wantErr: "source or dest required",
+			name:  "omitted source and dest is valid",
+			rules: []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Proto: "udp", DPort: PortSpec{"53"}}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "unknown source zone",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "nte"}},
+			wantErr: `source zone "nte" not defined`,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "unknown dest zone",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackDrop, Source: "net", Dest: "nte:192.0.2.1"}},
+			wantErr: `dest zone "nte" not defined`,
+		},
+		{
+			name:  "all and plain zone forms are valid",
+			rules: []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net,fw", Dest: "all:192.0.2.1"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "Source all!net rejected",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "all!net"}},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "Dest all!net:192.0.2.1 rejected",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Dest: "all!net:192.0.2.1"}},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "Source all+ rejected",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "all+"}},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "Dest all+!net rejected",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Dest: "all+!net"}},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "Source any!net rejected",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "any!net"}},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "Dest any+ rejected",
+			rules:   []ConntrackRule{{Action: ConntrackNoTrack, Dest: "any+"}},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "helper without source/dest is valid",
diff --git a/internal/config/rules.go b/internal/config/rules.go
index fb94e31..4099b79 100644
--- a/internal/config/rules.go
+++ b/internal/config/rules.go
@@ -173,29 +173,13 @@ func (c *Config) validateRules() error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: dest required", i)
 		}
 
-		if r.Source != "all" && r.Source != "any" && r.Source != "none" &&
-			!hasPrefix(r.Source, "all+") && !hasPrefix(r.Source, "all!") && !hasPrefix(r.Source, "any!") {
-			for _, zs := range SplitZoneList(r.Source) {
-				if _, ok := c.Zones[zs.Zone]; !ok {
-					return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: source zone %q not defined", i, zs.Zone)
-				}
-				if !validAddrList(zs.Addr) {
-					return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: source %q: '!' may only prefix the whole address list", i, zs.Addr)
-				}
-			}
+		if err := c.validateZoneRef(r.Source); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: source %w", i, err)
 		}
 
 		if r.Action != RuleDNAT && r.Action != RuleRedirect && r.Action != RuleNoNAT {
-			if r.Dest != "all" && r.Dest != "any" && r.Dest != "none" &&
-				!hasPrefix(r.Dest, "all+") && !hasPrefix(r.Dest, "all!") && !hasPrefix(r.Dest, "any!") {
-				for _, zs := range SplitZoneList(r.Dest) {
-					if _, ok := c.Zones[zs.Zone]; !ok {
-						return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: dest zone %q not defined", i, zs.Zone)
-					}
-					if !validAddrList(zs.Addr) {
-						return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: dest %q: '!' may only prefix the whole address list", i, zs.Addr)
-					}
-				}
+			if err := c.validateZoneRef(r.Dest); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: dest %w", i, err)
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -264,6 +248,32 @@ func zoneFromSpec(spec string) string {
 	return spec
 }
 
-func hasPrefix(s, prefix string) bool {
-	return len(s) >= len(prefix) && s[:len(prefix)] == prefix
+// validateZoneRef checks a SOURCE/DEST spec: all/any[+][!excluded,...][:addr], none, or a declared zone list.
+func (c *Config) validateZoneRef(spec string) error {
+	zones, addr, _ := strings.Cut(spec, ":")
+	base, excl, isExcl := strings.Cut(zones, "!")
+	switch base {
+	case "", "none", "all", "all+", "any", "any+":
+		if base == "" && isExcl {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%q: exclusion needs all or any", spec)
+		}
+		for _, z := range strings.Split(excl, ",") {
+			if _, ok := c.Zones[strings.TrimSpace(z)]; isExcl && !ok {
+				return fmt.Errorf("excluded zone %q not defined", z)
+			}
+		}
+		if !validAddrList(addr) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%q: '!' may only prefix the whole address list", addr)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, zs := range SplitZoneList(spec) {
+		if _, ok := c.Zones[zs.Zone]; !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("zone %q not defined", zs.Zone)
+		}
+		if !validAddrList(zs.Addr) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%q: '!' may only prefix the whole address list", zs.Addr)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/nftables/compiler.go b/internal/nftables/compiler.go
index 62543cd..a86c5b5 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/compiler.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/compiler.go
@@ -219,97 +219,138 @@ var helperProtos = map[string]string{
 	"Q.931": "tcp", "RAS": "udp", "sane": "tcp", "sip": "udp", "snmp": "udp", "tftp": "udp",
 }
 
-// compileHelper declares a ct helper object per (helper, proto) and assigns it
-// after conntrack (-200) has created the entry; a raw-priority assignment is a no-op.
-func (c *Compiler) compileHelper(state *FirewallState, tag string, ct config.ConntrackRule) error {
-	if ct.Source != "" || ct.Dest != "" {
-		slog.Warn("conntrack helper source/dest not supported, assigning globally", "rule", tag, "helper", ct.Helper)
-	}
-	chains := []string{"helper_prerouting", "helper_output"}
-	switch ct.Chain {
-	case config.ConntrackPrerouting:
-		chains = chains[:1]
-	case config.ConntrackOutput:
-		chains = chains[1:]
+func helperObjName(helper, proto string) string {
+	if proto != helperProtos[helper] {
+		return helper + "-" + proto
 	}
+	return helper
+}
 
+// expandHelper declares a ct helper object per (helper, proto) and returns one entry per proto.
+func expandHelper(state *FirewallState, ct config.ConntrackRule) ([]config.ConntrackRule, error) {
 	proto := ct.Proto
 	if proto == "" {
 		if proto = helperProtos[ct.Helper]; proto == "" {
-			return fmt.Errorf("proto required for helper %q", ct.Helper)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("proto required for helper %q", ct.Helper)
 		}
 	}
+	var out []config.ConntrackRule
 	for _, p := range strings.Split(proto, ",") {
 		p = strings.TrimSpace(p)
 		n, err := protoNumber(p)
 		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		name := ct.Helper
-		if p != helperProtos[ct.Helper] {
-			name += "-" + p
+			return nil, err
 		}
+		name := helperObjName(ct.Helper, p)
 		if !slices.ContainsFunc(state.Helpers, func(h Helper) bool { return h.Name == name }) {
 			state.Helpers = append(state.Helpers, Helper{Name: name,
 				Helper: expr.CtHelper{Name: ct.Helper, L3Proto: unix.NFPROTO_INET, L4Proto: n}})
 		}
+		pct := ct
+		pct.Proto = p
+		out = append(out, pct)
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
 
-		matches, err := l4Matches(p, ct.DPort, ct.SPort)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
+func (c *Compiler) compileConntrack(state *FirewallState) error {
+	fwZone := c.cfg.FirewallZone()
+	for i, ct := range c.cfg.Conntrack {
+		tag := fmt.Sprintf("conntrack:%d", i)
+		if config.HasZoneExclusion(ct.Source) || config.HasZoneExclusion(ct.Dest) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries", i)
 		}
-		for _, chain := range chains {
-			for _, m := range matches {
-				state.Rules[chain] = append(state.Rules[chain], ManagedRule{
-					Chain: chain,
-					Exprs: append(append([]expr.Any{}, m.exprs...),
-						&expr.Objref{Type: unix.NFT_OBJECT_CT_HELPER, Name: name}),
-					Tag: tag + ":" + chain,
-				})
+		cts := []config.ConntrackRule{ct}
+		if ct.Action == config.ConntrackHelper {
+			if ct.Chain == "" {
+				ct.Chain = config.ConntrackBoth
+			}
+			var err error
+			if cts, err = expandHelper(state, ct); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: %w", i, err)
+			}
+		}
+		srcs, dsts := c.zoneSpecs(ct.Source), c.zoneSpecs(ct.Dest)
+		if len(srcs) == 0 {
+			srcs = []config.ZoneSpec{{}}
+		}
+		if len(dsts) == 0 {
+			dsts = []config.ZoneSpec{{}}
+		}
+
+		for _, src := range srcs {
+			if src.Zone == "all" || src.Zone == "any" {
+				src.Zone = ""
+			}
+			chains := []string{"raw_prerouting"}
+			switch {
+			case ct.Chain == config.ConntrackOutput && src.Zone != fwZone && src.Zone != "":
+				return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: chain output needs SOURCE %s, got %q", i, fwZone, src.Zone)
+			case ct.Chain == config.ConntrackPrerouting && src.Zone == fwZone:
+				return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: SOURCE %s cannot use chain prerouting", i, fwZone)
+			case ct.Chain != config.ConntrackPrerouting && src.Zone == fwZone, ct.Chain == config.ConntrackOutput:
+				chains = []string{"raw_output"}
+			case ct.Chain == config.ConntrackBoth && src.Zone == "":
+				chains = []string{"raw_prerouting", "raw_output"}
+			}
+			for _, srcAddr := range splitAddrs(src.Addr) {
+				for _, dst := range dsts {
+					for _, dstAddr := range splitAddrs(dst.Addr) {
+						for _, chain := range chains {
+							for _, pct := range cts {
+								if err := c.compileConntrackPair(state, tag, chain, pct, src.Zone, srcAddr, dst.Zone, dstAddr); err != nil {
+									return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: %w", i, err)
+								}
+							}
+						}
+					}
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (c *Compiler) compileConntrack(state *FirewallState) error {
-	for i, ct := range c.cfg.Conntrack {
-		tag := fmt.Sprintf("conntrack:%d", i)
-		if ct.Action == config.ConntrackHelper {
-			if err := c.compileHelper(state, tag, ct); err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: %w", i, err)
+// compileConntrackPair matches iif of the source zone in raw_prerouting and oif of the dest zone in raw_output.
+// Helpers are assigned after conntrack (-200) has created the entry, so they go to the mangle-priority
+// helper_* chain instead; a raw-priority assignment is a no-op.
+func (c *Compiler) compileConntrackPair(state *FirewallState, tag, chain string, ct config.ConntrackRule,
+	srcZone, srcAddr, dstZone, dstAddr string) error {
+	if _, ok := c.cfg.Zones[dstZone]; ok && chain == "raw_prerouting" &&
+		(dstAddr == "" || strings.HasPrefix(dstAddr, "!")) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("conntrack DEST zone %q needs an address in prerouting", dstZone)
+	}
+	srcIfaces, dstIfaces := c.resolveZoneInterfaces(srcZone, srcAddr), []string{""}
+	if chain == "raw_prerouting" && c.resolveZoneInterfaces(dstZone, dstAddr) == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if chain == "raw_output" {
+		srcIfaces, dstIfaces = []string{""}, c.resolveZoneInterfaces(dstZone, dstAddr)
+	}
+	out := chain
+	if ct.Action == config.ConntrackHelper {
+		out = "helper_" + strings.TrimPrefix(chain, "raw_")
+	}
+	for _, srcIface := range srcIfaces {
+		for _, dstIface := range dstIfaces {
+			matches, err := c.buildMatchExprs(srcIface, dstIface, chain, ct.Proto, ct.DPort, ct.SPort, srcAddr, dstAddr)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
 			}
-			continue
-		}
-
-		chains := []string{"prerouting"}
-		switch ct.Chain {
-		case config.ConntrackOutput:
-			chains = []string{"output"}
-		case config.ConntrackBoth:
-			chains = []string{"prerouting", "output"}
-		}
-
-		matches, err := l4Matches(ct.Proto, ct.DPort, nil)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("conntrack[%d]: %w", i, err)
-		}
-
-		for _, chain := range chains {
 			for _, m := range matches {
-				exprs := append([]expr.Any{}, m.exprs...)
-
+				exprs := m.exprs
 				switch ct.Action {
 				case config.ConntrackNoTrack:
 					exprs = append(exprs, &expr.Notrack{})
 				case config.ConntrackDrop:
 					exprs = append(exprs, &expr.Verdict{Kind: expr.VerdictDrop})
+				case config.ConntrackHelper:
+					exprs = append(exprs, &expr.Objref{Type: unix.NFT_OBJECT_CT_HELPER, Name: helperObjName(ct.Helper, ct.Proto)})
 				}
-
-				state.Rules[chain] = append(state.Rules[chain], ManagedRule{
-					Chain: chain,
+				state.Rules[out] = append(state.Rules[out], ManagedRule{
+					Chain: out,
 					Exprs: exprs,
-					Tag:   tag + ":" + chain,
+					Tag:   tag + ":" + out,
 				})
 			}
 		}
@@ -340,7 +381,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) compileRules(state *FirewallState) error {
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: %w", i, err)
 			}
-			if len(matches)*specCount(rule.Source, rule.Dest, rule.OrigDest, rule.Action) > 1 {
+			if len(matches)*c.specCount(rule.Source, rule.Dest, rule.OrigDest, rule.Action) > 1 {
 				return fmt.Errorf("rule[%d]: ratelimit/connlimit cannot be combined with proto, port, zone or address lists (each expanded rule would get its own limiter)", i)
 			}
 		}
@@ -426,7 +467,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) compileOneRule(state *FirewallState, tag, srcSpec, dstSpec, p
 	dports, sports config.PortSpec, action config.RuleAction, logLevel string,
 	dnatDest, origDest string, fwZone string, section config.RuleSection) error {
 
-	for _, src := range zoneSpecs(srcSpec) {
+	for _, src := range c.zoneSpecs(srcSpec) {
 		for _, srcAddr := range splitAddrs(src.Addr) {
 			for _, od := range splitAddrs(origDest) {
 				if action == config.RuleDNAT || action == config.RuleRedirect {
@@ -435,7 +476,12 @@ func (c *Compiler) compileOneRule(state *FirewallState, tag, srcSpec, dstSpec, p
 					}
 					continue
 				}
-				for _, dst := range zoneSpecs(dstSpec) {
+				for _, dst := range c.zoneSpecs(dstSpec) {
+					// Exclusion expansion never pairs fw with itself, and pairs a zone with itself only for "all+".
+					if src.Zone == dst.Zone && (isZoneExclusion(srcSpec) || isZoneExclusion(dstSpec)) &&
+						(src.Zone == fwZone || !strings.Contains(srcSpec, "+!") && !strings.Contains(dstSpec, "+!")) {
+						continue
+					}
 					for _, dstAddr := range splitAddrs(dst.Addr) {
 						if err := c.compileZonePair(state, tag, src.Zone, srcAddr, dst.Zone, dstAddr, od, proto,
 							dports, sports, action, logLevel, fwZone, section); err != nil {
@@ -450,9 +496,9 @@ func (c *Compiler) compileOneRule(state *FirewallState, tag, srcSpec, dstSpec, p
 }
 
 // specCount is how many zone/address combinations compileOneRule expands src and dst into.
-func specCount(srcSpec, dstSpec, origDest string, action config.RuleAction) int {
+func (c *Compiler) specCount(srcSpec, dstSpec, origDest string, action config.RuleAction) int {
 	count := func(spec string) (n int) {
-		for _, z := range zoneSpecs(spec) {
+		for _, z := range c.zoneSpecs(spec) {
 			n += len(splitAddrs(z.Addr))
 		}
 		return n
@@ -464,13 +510,26 @@ func specCount(srcSpec, dstSpec, origDest string, action config.RuleAction) int
 	return n * count(dstSpec)
 }
 
-// zoneSpecs expands a comma zone list; "all"/"any" forms keep their own comma (exclusion) syntax.
-func zoneSpecs(spec string) []config.ZoneSpec {
+// zoneSpecs expands a comma zone list; "all"/"any" stay global and "all!x,y" becomes every zone but x and y.
+func (c *Compiler) zoneSpecs(spec string) []config.ZoneSpec {
 	zone, addr := splitZoneSpec(spec)
-	if base, _, _ := strings.Cut(strings.TrimSuffix(zone, "+"), "!"); base == "all" || base == "any" {
-		return []config.ZoneSpec{{Zone: zone, Addr: addr}}
+	if !isZoneExclusion(zone) {
+		if base := strings.TrimSuffix(zone, "+"); base == "all" || base == "any" {
+			return []config.ZoneSpec{{Zone: zone, Addr: addr}}
+		}
+		return config.SplitZoneList(spec)
 	}
-	return config.SplitZoneList(spec)
+	var out []config.ZoneSpec
+	for _, z := range c.expandZoneRef(zone) {
+		out = append(out, config.ZoneSpec{Zone: z, Addr: addr})
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func isZoneExclusion(spec string) bool {
+	base, _, ok := strings.Cut(spec, "!")
+	base = strings.TrimSuffix(base, "+")
+	return ok && (base == "all" || base == "any")
 }
 
 // splitAddrs yields one alternative per listed address; a negated list stays one AND-ed match.
@@ -1023,9 +1082,18 @@ func (c *Compiler) selectChain(srcZone, dstZone, fwZone string) string {
 	return "forward"
 }
 
-// resolveZoneInterfaces returns nil (fail closed) for a zone with no interfaces unless a non-negated address match narrows the rule.
+// resolveZoneInterfaces returns nil (fail closed) for an unknown zone, or one with no interfaces unless a non-negated address match narrows the rule.
 func (c *Compiler) resolveZoneInterfaces(zone, addr string) []string {
-	if z, ok := c.cfg.Zones[zone]; !ok || z.Type == config.ZoneFirewall {
+	switch zone {
+	case "", "all", "all+", "any", "any+":
+		return []string{""}
+	}
+	z, ok := c.cfg.Zones[zone]
+	if !ok {
+		slog.Warn("compiler: unknown zone, skipping its rules", "zone", zone)
+		return nil
+	}
+	if z.Type == config.ZoneFirewall {
 		return []string{""}
 	}
 	if ifaces := c.cfg.ZoneInterfaces(zone); len(ifaces) > 0 {
@@ -1059,7 +1127,7 @@ func (c *Compiler) expandZoneRef(ref string) []string {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if base == "all" || base == "all+" {
+	if base == "all" || base == "all+" || base == "any" || base == "any+" {
 		var zones []string
 		for name := range c.cfg.Zones {
 			if excluded != nil && excluded[name] {
diff --git a/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go b/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go
index f970417..7be75de 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/compiler_test.go
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ func TestCompile_ConntrackNoTrack(t *testing.T) {
 			{
 				Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack,
 				Source: "net",
-				Dest:   "fw",
+				Dest:   "fw:192.0.2.1",
 				Proto:  "udp",
 				DPort:  config.PortSpec{"53"},
 			},
@@ -597,14 +597,17 @@ func TestCompile_ConntrackNoTrack(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	found := false
-	for _, r := range state.Rules["prerouting"] {
-		if r.Tag == "conntrack:0:prerouting" {
+	for _, r := range state.Rules["raw_prerouting"] {
+		if r.Tag == "conntrack:0:raw_prerouting" {
 			found = true
 			break
 		}
 	}
 	if !found {
-		t.Error("no notrack rule found in prerouting chain")
+		t.Error("no notrack rule found in raw_prerouting chain")
+	}
+	if len(state.Rules["prerouting"]) != 0 {
+		t.Error("conntrack rule leaked into the nat prerouting chain")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1872,6 +1875,9 @@ func describeRule(r ManagedRule) string {
 				}
 				parts = append(parts, name+"="+net.IP(cmp.Data).String())
 			}
+			if m.Base == expr.PayloadBaseTransportHeader && m.Offset == 0 && m.Len == 2 && cmp.Op == expr.CmpOpEq {
+				parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("sport=%d", binary.BigEndian.Uint16(cmp.Data)))
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	return strings.Join(parts, " ")
@@ -2181,7 +2187,7 @@ func TestCompile_ListExpansionCounts(t *testing.T) {
 		}, "postrouting", "snat:0", 4},
 		{"conntrack dport list", func(c *config.Config) {
 			c.Conntrack = []config.ConntrackRule{{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53", "123"}}}
-		}, "prerouting", "conntrack:0:prerouting", 2},
+		}, "raw_prerouting", "conntrack:0:raw_prerouting", 2},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -2357,7 +2363,7 @@ func TestCompile_ColonRanges(t *testing.T) {
 		}, "postrouting", "snat:0", 2},
 		{"conntrack dport", func(c *config.Config) {
 			c.Conntrack = []config.ConntrackRule{{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"1024:2048"}}}
-		}, "prerouting", "conntrack:0:prerouting", 2},
+		}, "raw_prerouting", "conntrack:0:raw_prerouting", 2},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -2477,3 +2483,319 @@ func TestCompile_ConntrackHelper(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("expected error for unknown helper without proto")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestCompile_ConntrackZones(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		ct      config.ConntrackRule
+		want    map[string][]string
+		wantErr string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "source zone matches iif",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net", Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"iif=eth0"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "source and dest addresses",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackDrop, Source: "net:192.0.2.1,198.51.100.1", Dest: "fw:203.0.113.1"},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"iif=eth0 saddr=192.0.2.1 daddr=203.0.113.1", "iif=eth0 saddr=198.51.100.1 daddr=203.0.113.1"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "fw source goes to raw_output with dest oif",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "fw", Dest: "net,lan"},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_output": {"oif=eth0", "oif=eth1"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "all matches no interface",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "all", Dest: "fw:192.0.2.53"},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"daddr=192.0.2.53"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "interface-less zone fails closed",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "dmz"},
+			want: map[string][]string{},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "chain output with fw source matches dest oif",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "fw", Dest: "net", Chain: config.ConntrackOutput},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_output": {"oif=eth0"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "chain output with non-fw source is rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net", Dest: "fw", Chain: config.ConntrackOutput},
+			wantErr: "chain output needs SOURCE fw",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "chain prerouting with fw source is rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "fw", Dest: "net", Chain: config.ConntrackPrerouting},
+			wantErr: "SOURCE fw cannot use chain prerouting",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "omitted source and dest is global in both chains",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}, Chain: config.ConntrackBoth},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {""}, "raw_output": {""}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "all source with chain both is global in both chains",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "all", Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}, Chain: config.ConntrackBoth},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {""}, "raw_output": {""}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "all source with chain output is global in raw_output",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "all", Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}, Chain: config.ConntrackOutput},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_output": {""}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "any source with chain both is global in both chains",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "any", Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}, Chain: config.ConntrackBoth},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {""}, "raw_output": {""}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "any source with chain output is global in raw_output",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "any", Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}, Chain: config.ConntrackOutput},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_output": {""}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "chain both with non-fw source emits prerouting only",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net", Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}, Chain: config.ConntrackBoth},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"iif=eth0"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "chain both with fw source emits output only",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "fw", Dest: "lan", Chain: config.ConntrackBoth},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_output": {"oif=eth1"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "negated addresses stay one AND-ed match",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackDrop, Source: "net:!192.0.2.1,198.51.100.1"},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"iif=eth0 !saddr=192.0.2.1 !saddr=198.51.100.1"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "sport",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net", Proto: "udp", SPort: config.PortSpec{"123"}},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"iif=eth0 sport=123"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "dest zone without address is rejected in prerouting",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net", Dest: "lan"},
+			wantErr: `conntrack DEST zone "lan" needs an address in prerouting`,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "fw dest zone without address is rejected in prerouting",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackDrop, Source: "net", Dest: "fw"},
+			wantErr: `conntrack DEST zone "fw" needs an address in prerouting`,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "fw dest zone with address matches daddr",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net", Dest: "fw:192.0.2.1"},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"iif=eth0 daddr=192.0.2.1"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "unknown zone fails closed",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackDrop, Source: "nte"},
+			want: map[string][]string{},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "unknown dest zone fails closed in prerouting",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackDrop, Source: "net", Dest: "typo"},
+			want: map[string][]string{},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "none dest zone yields no rule",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackDrop, Source: "net", Dest: "none"},
+			want: map[string][]string{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "all!net rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "all!net"},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "all!net rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Dest: "all!net"},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "all+ rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "all+"},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "all+!net rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Dest: "all+!net"},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "any!net rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "any!net"},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "any+ rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Dest: "any+"},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "omitted source and dest is global",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Proto: "udp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"53"}},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {""}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "dest zone with address matches daddr",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Action: config.ConntrackNoTrack, Source: "net", Dest: "lan:203.0.113.10"},
+			want: map[string][]string{"raw_prerouting": {"iif=eth0 daddr=203.0.113.10"}},
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			cfg := listCfg(func(cfg *config.Config) {
+				cfg.Zones["lan"] = config.Zone{Type: config.ZoneIP}
+				cfg.Zones["dmz"] = config.Zone{Type: config.ZoneIP}
+				cfg.Interfaces = append(cfg.Interfaces, config.Interface{Zone: "lan", Interface: "eth1"})
+				cfg.Conntrack = []config.ConntrackRule{tt.ct}
+			})
+			if tt.wantErr != "" {
+				if _, err := NewCompiler(cfg).Compile(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.wantErr) {
+					t.Fatalf("Compile() error = %v, want %q", err, tt.wantErr)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			state := mustCompile(t, cfg)
+			got := map[string][]string{}
+			for _, chain := range []string{"raw_prerouting", "raw_output"} {
+				for _, r := range taggedRules(state, chain, "conntrack:0:"+chain) {
+					got[chain] = append(got[chain], describeRule(r))
+				}
+			}
+			if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
+				t.Errorf("rules = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCompile_RuleZoneExclusionExpands(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := listCfg(func(cfg *config.Config) {
+		cfg.Zones["lan"] = config.Zone{Type: config.ZoneIP}
+		cfg.Interfaces = append(cfg.Interfaces, config.Interface{Zone: "lan", Interface: "eth1"})
+		cfg.Rules = []config.Rule{
+			{Source: "all!net", Dest: "fw", Action: config.RuleAccept, Proto: "tcp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"22"}},
+			{Source: "nte", Dest: "fw", Action: config.RuleAccept},
+		}
+	})
+	state := mustCompile(t, cfg)
+	var got []string
+	for _, r := range taggedRules(state, "input", "rule:0") {
+		got = append(got, describeRule(r))
+	}
+	if want := []string{"iif=eth1"}; !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Errorf("all!net -> fw input rules = %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+	if r := taggedRules(state, "input", "rule:1"); len(r) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("unknown zone compiled %d rules, want 0", len(r))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCompile_RuleZoneExclusionIntraZoneSymmetric(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := listCfg(func(cfg *config.Config) {
+		cfg.Zones["lan"] = config.Zone{Type: config.ZoneIP}
+		cfg.Interfaces = append(cfg.Interfaces, config.Interface{Zone: "lan", Interface: "eth1"})
+		cfg.Rules = []config.Rule{
+			{Source: "lan", Dest: "all+!net", Action: config.RuleAccept},
+			{Source: "lan", Dest: "all!net", Action: config.RuleAccept},
+		}
+	})
+	state := mustCompile(t, cfg)
+	for i, want := range []bool{true, false} {
+		got := false
+		for _, r := range taggedRules(state, "forward", fmt.Sprintf("rule:%d", i)) {
+			got = got || describeRule(r) == "iif=eth1 oif=eth1"
+		}
+		if got != want {
+			t.Errorf("rule:%d lan->lan forward = %v, want %v", i, got, want)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCompile_ConntrackHelperZones(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		ct      config.ConntrackRule
+		want    map[string][]string
+		wantErr string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "non-fw source is prerouting only",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Source: "net", Proto: "tcp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"21"}},
+			want: map[string][]string{"helper_prerouting": {"iif=eth0"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "fw source is output only with dest oif",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Source: "fw", Dest: "lan", Proto: "tcp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"21"}},
+			want: map[string][]string{"helper_output": {"oif=eth1"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "any source is global in both chains",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Source: "any", Proto: "tcp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"21"}},
+			want: map[string][]string{"helper_prerouting": {""}, "helper_output": {""}},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "dest zone with address in prerouting",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Source: "net", Dest: "lan:203.0.113.10", Proto: "tcp", DPort: config.PortSpec{"21"}},
+			want: map[string][]string{"helper_prerouting": {"iif=eth0 daddr=203.0.113.10"}},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "dest zone without address is rejected in prerouting",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Source: "net", Dest: "lan"},
+			wantErr: `conntrack DEST zone "lan" needs an address in prerouting`,
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "chain output with non-fw source is rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Source: "net", Chain: config.ConntrackOutput},
+			wantErr: "chain output needs SOURCE fw",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "interface-less zone fails closed",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Source: "dmz"},
+			want: map[string][]string{},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "unknown zone fails closed",
+			ct:   config.ConntrackRule{Source: "nte"},
+			want: map[string][]string{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "exclusion rejected",
+			ct:      config.ConntrackRule{Source: "all!net"},
+			wantErr: "zone exclusions are not supported in conntrack entries",
+		},
+	}
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			tt.ct.Action, tt.ct.Helper = config.ConntrackHelper, "ftp"
+			cfg := listCfg(func(cfg *config.Config) {
+				cfg.Zones["lan"] = config.Zone{Type: config.ZoneIP}
+				cfg.Zones["dmz"] = config.Zone{Type: config.ZoneIP}
+				cfg.Interfaces = append(cfg.Interfaces, config.Interface{Zone: "lan", Interface: "eth1"})
+				cfg.Conntrack = []config.ConntrackRule{tt.ct}
+			})
+			if tt.wantErr != "" {
+				if _, err := NewCompiler(cfg).Compile(); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.wantErr) {
+					t.Fatalf("Compile() error = %v, want %q", err, tt.wantErr)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			state := mustCompile(t, cfg)
+			got := map[string][]string{}
+			for _, chain := range []string{"helper_prerouting", "helper_output"} {
+				for _, r := range taggedRules(state, chain, "conntrack:0:"+chain) {
+					got[chain] = append(got[chain], describeRule(r))
+				}
+			}
+			if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
+				t.Errorf("rules = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/nftables/engine.go b/internal/nftables/engine.go
index b783e6a..c6781c6 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/engine.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/engine.go
@@ -84,6 +84,22 @@ func (e *Engine) ensureChains(table *nftables.Table, policies map[string]nftable
 			Hooknum:  nftables.ChainHookOutput,
 			Priority: nftables.ChainPriorityMangle,
 		},
+		"raw_prerouting": {
+			Name:     "raw_prerouting",
+			Table:    table,
+			Type:     nftables.ChainTypeFilter,
+			Hooknum:  nftables.ChainHookPrerouting,
+			Priority: nftables.ChainPriorityRaw,
+			Policy:   policyPtr(nftables.ChainPolicyAccept),
+		},
+		"raw_output": {
+			Name:     "raw_output",
+			Table:    table,
+			Type:     nftables.ChainTypeFilter,
+			Hooknum:  nftables.ChainHookOutput,
+			Priority: nftables.ChainPriorityRaw,
+			Policy:   policyPtr(nftables.ChainPolicyAccept),
+		},
 	}
 
 	for name, chain := range chains {
diff --git a/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go b/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go
index 3098119..babe6ba 100644
--- a/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go
+++ b/internal/nftables/snapshot_test.go
@@ -243,3 +243,17 @@ func testEngine(t *testing.T, dial func([]netlink.Message) ([]netlink.Message, e
 	}
 	return &Engine{cfg: &config.Config{Settings: config.Settings{TableName: "tomswall"}}, conn: conn}
 }
+
+func TestEnsureChainsRawPriority(t *testing.T) {
+	e := testEngine(t, nil)
+	chains := e.ensureChains(e.ensureTable(), nil)
+	for name, hook := range map[string]*nftables.ChainHook{"raw_prerouting": nftables.ChainHookPrerouting, "raw_output": nftables.ChainHookOutput} {
+		c, ok := chains[name]
+		if !ok {
+			t.Fatalf("%s chain not declared", name)
+		}
+		if *c.Priority != *nftables.ChainPriorityRaw || *c.Hooknum != *hook || c.Type != nftables.ChainTypeFilter || *c.Policy != nftables.ChainPolicyAccept {
+			t.Errorf("%s: got type %s hook %d prio %d", name, c.Type, *c.Hooknum, *c.Priority)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/tomswall.example.yaml b/tomswall.example.yaml
index 452f0d1..b48acf4 100644
--- a/tomswall.example.yaml
+++ b/tomswall.example.yaml
@@ -191,13 +191,12 @@ snat:
 # conntrack:
 #   - action: notrack
 #     source: net
-#     dest: fw
+#     dest: fw:203.0.113.1
 #     proto: udp
 #     dport: [53]
 #     comment: "Skip conntrack for DNS"
 #   - action: helper
 #     source: loc
-#     dest: net
 #     proto: tcp
 #     dport: [21]
 #     helper: ftp