Add fairness config docs and tweak helper

docs/asynchronous-outbound-messaging-design.md

@@ -146,9 +146,10 @@ An optional time slice (for example 100 µs) can also be configured. When the
 elapsed time spent handling high-priority frames exceeds this slice, and the low
 queue is not empty, the actor yields to a low-priority frame. Application
 builders expose `with_fairness(FairnessConfig)` where `FairnessConfig` groups
-the counter threshold and an optional `time_slice`. The counter defaults to 16
-while `time_slice` is disabled. Setting the counter to zero preserves the
-original strict ordering.
+the counter threshold and an optional `time_slice`. The counter defaults to 8
+while `time_slice` is disabled. Setting the counter to zero disables the
+threshold logic and relies solely on `time_slice` for fairness, preserving
+strict high-priority ordering otherwise.
 
 This fairness mechanism ensures low-priority traffic continues to progress even
 under sustained high-priority load.
@@ -181,6 +182,31 @@ flowchart TD
     K --> A
 ```
 
+The following sequence diagram illustrates the runtime behaviour:
+
+```mermaid
+sequenceDiagram
+    participant Client
+    participant ConnectionActor
+    participant HighQueue
+    participant LowQueue
+
+    loop While processing frames
+        ConnectionActor->>HighQueue: Poll high-priority frame
+        alt High-priority frame received
+            ConnectionActor->>ConnectionActor: after_high()
+            alt Max high before low or time slice reached
+                ConnectionActor->>LowQueue: Try receive low-priority frame
+                alt Low-priority frame available
+                    ConnectionActor->>ConnectionActor: after_low()
+                end
+            end
+        else No high-priority frame
+            ConnectionActor->>ConnectionActor: reset_high_counter()
+        end
+    end
+```
+
 ### 3.3 Connection Actor Overview
 
 ```mermaid

docs/asynchronous-outbound-messaging-roadmap.md

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ design documents.
 - [x] **Connection actor** with a biased `select!` loop that polls for shutdown,
   high/low queues and response streams as described in
   [Design §3.2][design-write-loop].
-- [ ] **Fairness counter** to yield to the low-priority queue after bursts of
+- [x] **Fairness counter** to yield to the low-priority queue after bursts of
   high-priority frames ([Design §3.2.1][design-fairness]).
 - [ ] **Run state consolidation** using `Option` receivers and a closed source
   counter ([Design §3.4][design-actor-state]).

docs/contents.md

@@ -1,61 +1,58 @@
 # Documentation contents
 
-This page summarizes each file in the `docs/` directory.
-Use it as a quick reference when navigating the project's design and
-architecture material.
+This page summarizes each file in the `docs/` directory. Use it as a quick
+reference when navigating the project's design and architecture material.
 
 ## Design documents
 
-- [Outbound messaging design](asynchronous-outbound-messaging-design.md)  
+- [Outbound messaging design](asynchronous-outbound-messaging-design.md)
   Comprehensive design for server-initiated pushes.
-- [Message fragments](generic-message-fragmentation-and-re-assembly-design.md)  
+- [Message fragments](generic-message-fragmentation-and-re-assembly-design.md)
   Design for fragmenting and reassembling messages.
-- [Streaming response design](multi-packet-and-streaming-responses-design.md)  
+- [Streaming response design](multi-packet-and-streaming-responses-design.md)
   Design for handling multi-packet and streaming responses.
-- [Router library design](rust-binary-router-library-design.md)  
-  In-depth design of the binary router library.
-- [Client design](wireframe-client-design.md)  
-  Proposal for adding client-side support.
-- [Frame metadata](frame-metadata.md)  
-  How frame metadata assists with routing decisions.
-- [Message versioning](message-versioning.md)  
-  Approaches to message versioning and compatibility.
-- [Preamble validator](preamble-validator.md)  
-  Validating client connection preambles.
+- [Router library design](rust-binary-router-library-design.md) In-depth design
+  of the binary router library.
+- [Client design](wireframe-client-design.md) Proposal for adding client-side
+  support.
+- [Frame metadata](frame-metadata.md) How frame metadata assists with routing
+  decisions.
+- [Message versioning](message-versioning.md) Approaches to message versioning
+  and compatibility.
+- [Preamble validator](preamble-validator.md) Validating client connection
+  preambles.
 
 ## Roadmaps
 
-- [Outbound messaging roadmap](asynchronous-outbound-messaging-roadmap.md)  
-  Task list for implementing asynchronous outbound messaging.
-- [Wireframe 1.0 roadmap](wireframe-1-0-detailed-development-roadmap.md)  
+- [Outbound messaging roadmap](asynchronous-outbound-messaging-roadmap.md) Task
+  list for implementing asynchronous outbound messaging.
+- [Wireframe 1.0 roadmap](wireframe-1-0-detailed-development-roadmap.md)
   Detailed tasks leading to Wireframe 1.0.
-- [Project roadmap](roadmap.md)  
-  High-level development roadmap.
-- [1.0 philosophy](the-road-to-wireframe-1-0-feature-set-philosophy-and-capability-maturity.md)  
+- [Project roadmap](roadmap.md) High-level development roadmap.
+- [1.0 philosophy](the-road-to-wireframe-1-0-feature-set-philosophy-and-capability-maturity.md)
   Philosophy and feature set for Wireframe 1.0.
 
 ## Testing
 
-- [Multi-layered testing strategy](multi-layered-testing-strategy.md)  
-  Overview of the library's testing approach.
-- [RSTest fixtures](rust-testing-with-rstest-fixtures.md)  
-  Using `rstest` fixtures for clean tests.
-- [Mocking network outages](mocking-network-outages-in-rust.md)  
-  Tutorial for simulating network outages in tests.
-- [Testing helpers](wireframe-testing-crate.md)  
-  Planned companion crate with testing helpers.
+- [Multi-layered testing strategy](multi-layered-testing-strategy.md) Overview
+  of the library's testing approach.
+- [RSTest fixtures](rust-testing-with-rstest-fixtures.md) Using `rstest`
+  fixtures for clean tests.
+- [Mocking network outages](mocking-network-outages-in-rust.md) Tutorial for
+  simulating network outages in tests.
+- [Testing helpers](wireframe-testing-crate.md) Planned companion crate with
+  testing helpers.
 
 ## Operations and resilience
 
-- [Resilience guide](hardening-wireframe-a-guide-to-production-resilience.md)  
+- [Resilience guide](hardening-wireframe-a-guide-to-production-resilience.md)
   Guidance on achieving production resilience.
-- [Observability and operability](observability-operability-and-maturity.md)  
+- [Observability and operability](observability-operability-and-maturity.md)
   Guide to observability and operational maturity.
 
 ## Reference guides
 
-- [Refactoring guide](complexity-antipatterns-and-refactoring-strategies.md)  
+- [Refactoring guide](complexity-antipatterns-and-refactoring-strategies.md)
   Strategies for taming code complexity and refactoring.
-- [Documentation style guide](documentation-style-guide.md)  
-  Conventions for writing project documentation.
-
+- [Documentation style guide](documentation-style-guide.md) Conventions for
+  writing project documentation.

src/connection.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@
 //! low-priority ones, with streamed responses handled last.
 
 use futures::StreamExt;
-use tokio::sync::mpsc;
+use tokio::{
+    sync::mpsc,
+    time::{Duration, Instant},
+};
 use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 
 use crate::{
@@ -15,12 +18,37 @@ use crate::{
     response::{FrameStream, WireframeError},
 };
 
+/// Configuration controlling fairness when draining push queues.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+pub struct FairnessConfig {
+    /// Number of consecutive high-priority frames to process before
+    /// checking the low-priority queue.
+    pub max_high_before_low: usize,
+    /// A zero value disables the counter and relies solely on `time_slice` for
+    /// fairness, preserving strict high-priority ordering otherwise.
+    /// Optional time slice after which the low-priority queue is checked
+    /// if high-priority traffic has been continuous.
+    pub time_slice: Option<Duration>,
+}
+
+impl Default for FairnessConfig {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            max_high_before_low: 8,
+            time_slice: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Actor driving outbound frame delivery for a connection.
 pub struct ConnectionActor<F, E> {
     queues: PushQueues<F>,
     response: Option<FrameStream<F, E>>, // current streaming response
     shutdown: CancellationToken,
     hooks: ProtocolHooks<F>,
+    fairness: FairnessConfig,
+    high_counter: usize,
+    high_start: Option<Instant>,
 }
 
 impl<F, E> ConnectionActor<F, E>
@@ -50,6 +78,9 @@ where
             response,
             shutdown,
             hooks,
+            fairness: FairnessConfig::default(),
+            high_counter: 0,
+            high_start: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -60,6 +91,9 @@ where
     #[must_use]
     pub fn queues_mut(&mut self) -> &mut PushQueues<F> { &mut self.queues }
 
+    /// Replace the fairness configuration.
+    pub fn set_fairness(&mut self, fairness: FairnessConfig) { self.fairness = fairness; }
+
     /// Set or replace the current streaming response.
     pub fn set_response(&mut self, stream: Option<FrameStream<F, E>>) { self.response = stream; }
 
@@ -100,29 +134,65 @@ where
             biased;
 
             () = Self::wait_shutdown(self.shutdown.clone()), if !state.shutting_down => {
-                state.shutting_down = true;
-                self.start_shutdown(&mut state.resp_closed);
+                self.process_shutdown(state);
             }
 
             res = Self::recv_push(&mut self.queues.high_priority_rx), if !state.push.high => {
-                self.handle_push(res, &mut state.push.high, out);
+                self.process_high(res, state, out);
             }
 
             res = Self::recv_push(&mut self.queues.low_priority_rx), if !state.push.low => {
-                self.handle_push(res, &mut state.push.low, out);
+                self.process_low(res, state, out);
             }
 
             res = Self::next_response(&mut self.response), if !state.shutting_down && !state.resp_closed => {
-                self.handle_response(res, &mut state.resp_closed, out)?;
-                if state.resp_closed {
-                    self.response = None;
-                }
+                self.process_response(res, state, out)?;
             }
         }
 
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    fn process_shutdown(&mut self, state: &mut ActorState) {
+        state.shutting_down = true;
+        self.start_shutdown(&mut state.resp_closed);
+    }
+
+    fn process_high(&mut self, res: Option<F>, state: &mut ActorState, out: &mut Vec<F>) {
+        let processed = res.is_some();
+        self.handle_push(res, &mut state.push.high, out);
+        if processed {
+            self.after_high(out, &mut state.push.low);
+        } else {
+            self.reset_high_counter();
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn process_low(&mut self, res: Option<F>, state: &mut ActorState, out: &mut Vec<F>) {
+        let processed = res.is_some();
+        self.handle_push(res, &mut state.push.low, out);
+        if processed {
+            self.after_low();
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn process_response(
+        &mut self,
+        res: Option<Result<F, WireframeError<E>>>,
+        state: &mut ActorState,
+        out: &mut Vec<F>,
+    ) -> Result<(), WireframeError<E>> {
+        let processed = matches!(res, Some(Ok(_)));
+        self.handle_response(res, &mut state.resp_closed, out)?;
+        if processed {
+            self.after_low();
+        }
+        if state.resp_closed {
+            self.response = None;
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     fn start_shutdown(&mut self, resp_closed: &mut bool) {
         self.queues.high_priority_rx.close();
         self.queues.low_priority_rx.close();
@@ -142,6 +212,44 @@ where
         }
     }
 
+    fn after_high(&mut self, out: &mut Vec<F>, low_closed: &mut bool) {
+        self.high_counter += 1;
+        if self.high_counter == 1 {
+            self.high_start = Some(Instant::now());
+        }
+
+        if self.should_yield_to_low_priority() {
+            match self.queues.low_priority_rx.try_recv() {
+                Ok(mut frame) => {
+                    self.hooks.before_send(&mut frame);
+                    out.push(frame);
+                    self.after_low();
+                    *low_closed = false;
+                }
+                Err(mpsc::error::TryRecvError::Empty) => {}
+                Err(mpsc::error::TryRecvError::Disconnected) => *low_closed = true,
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn should_yield_to_low_priority(&self) -> bool {
+        let threshold_hit = self.fairness.max_high_before_low > 0
+            && self.high_counter >= self.fairness.max_high_before_low;
+        let time_hit = self
+            .fairness
+            .time_slice
+            .zip(self.high_start)
+            .is_some_and(|(slice, start)| start.elapsed() >= slice);
+        threshold_hit || time_hit
+    }
+
+    fn after_low(&mut self) { self.reset_high_counter(); }
+
+    fn reset_high_counter(&mut self) {
+        self.high_counter = 0;
+        self.high_start = None;
+    }
+
     fn handle_response(
         &mut self,
         res: Option<Result<F, WireframeError<E>>>,

tests/connection_actor.rs

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use rstest::{fixture, rstest};
 use tokio::time::{Duration, sleep, timeout};
 use tokio_util::sync::CancellationToken;
 use wireframe::{
-    connection::ConnectionActor,
+    connection::{ConnectionActor, FairnessConfig},
     push::PushQueues,
     response::{FrameStream, WireframeError},
 };
@@ -44,6 +44,31 @@ async fn strict_priority_order(
     assert_eq!(out, vec![1, 2, 3]);
 }
 
+#[rstest]
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn fairness_yields_low_after_burst(
+    queues: (PushQueues<u8>, wireframe::push::PushHandle<u8>),
+    shutdown_token: CancellationToken,
+) {
+    let (queues, handle) = queues;
+    let fairness = FairnessConfig {
+        max_high_before_low: 2,
+        time_slice: None,
+    };
+
+    for n in 1..=5 {
+        handle.push_high_priority(n).await.unwrap();
+    }
+    handle.push_low_priority(99).await.unwrap();
+    drop(handle);
+
+    let mut actor: ConnectionActor<_, ()> = ConnectionActor::new(queues, None, shutdown_token);
+    actor.set_fairness(fairness);
+    let mut out = Vec::new();
+    actor.run(&mut out).await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(out, vec![1, 2, 99, 3, 4, 5]);
+}
+
 #[rstest]
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn shutdown_signal_precedence(