diff --git a/Docs/Backend-Development.md b/Docs/Backend-Development.md
index 22b8fdf..13e217e 100644
--- a/Docs/Backend-Development.md
+++ b/Docs/Backend-Development.md
@@ -1196,6 +1196,99 @@ async def test_migration_2_is_atomic(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
 
 ---
 
+## 6.3 Database Transactions
+
+Database transactions ensure atomicity for multi-step operations and prevent race conditions when concurrent requests interact with the database. BanGUI uses **SQLite with WAL (Write-Ahead Logging)** mode, which enables concurrent readers but serializes writers.
+
+### When to Use Explicit Transactions
+
+**Use `BEGIN IMMEDIATE ... COMMIT` for:**
+
+1. **Multi-step logical operations** — Operations that should succeed or fail as a unit. Example:
+   ```python
+   # Bad — two separate operations, race condition window exists
+   await db.execute("INSERT INTO sessions ...")
+   await db.commit()
+   
+   # Good — atomic single operation, no need for explicit transaction
+   ```
+
+2. **Operations that combine multiple queries with shared state** — When the operation outcome depends on reading and then writing based on that read:
+   ```python
+   # Bad — race condition: another request checks between our read and write
+   existing_run = await import_run_repo.get_by_source_and_hash(db, source_id, content_hash)
+   if existing_run is None:
+       run_id = await import_run_repo.create_pending(db, source_id, content_hash)
+   
+   # Good — atomic: both operations within same transaction boundary
+   try:
+       await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+       cursor = await db.execute("INSERT INTO import_runs ...")
+       await db.commit()
+   except aiosqlite.IntegrityError:
+       # Another request won the race; fetch the existing record
+       existing = await import_run_repo.get_by_source_and_hash(...)
+       ...
+   ```
+
+3. **Bulk operations that should be all-or-nothing** — For example, upserting positive and negative geo cache entries:
+   ```python
+   try:
+       await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+       await bulk_upsert_entries(db, positive_rows)
+       await bulk_upsert_neg_entries(db, negative_ips)
+       await db.commit()
+   except Exception:
+       await db.rollback()
+       raise
+   ```
+
+**Do NOT use explicit transactions for:**
+
+- Single SQL statements — SQLite guarantees atomic writes for individual statements. No explicit transaction needed.
+- Read-only queries — Queries do not modify data and do not need transaction boundaries.
+
+### Transaction Pattern
+
+Always use this pattern for wrapped operations:
+
+```python
+try:
+    await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+    # ... perform all operations ...
+    await db.commit()
+except Exception:
+    await db.rollback()
+    raise
+```
+
+- **`BEGIN IMMEDIATE`** — Acquires a write lock immediately, preventing other writers from entering the transaction window. This is critical for crash-safety and consistency.
+- **`COMMIT`** — Persists all changes.
+- **`ROLLBACK`** — Rolls back on any exception, ensuring the database is left in a consistent state.
+
+### Handling Race Condition Errors
+
+When a `UNIQUE` constraint violation occurs due to a race condition (two concurrent requests attempt the same insert), the database raises `aiosqlite.IntegrityError`. **Handle this at the call site** by retrying the lookup:
+
+```python
+try:
+    run_id = await import_run_repo.create_pending(db, source_id, content_hash)
+except aiosqlite.IntegrityError:
+    # Another concurrent request created it first
+    existing = await import_run_repo.get_by_source_and_hash(db, source_id, content_hash)
+    if existing is None:
+        raise RuntimeError("Constraint error indicates row exists but lookup failed")
+    run_id = existing.id
+    log.info("lost_race", run_id=run_id)
+```
+
+This approach:
+1. Lets the database constraint prevent data corruption.
+2. Gracefully handles the concurrent case in application logic.
+3. Avoids unnecessary locking overhead for the common case (no concurrent writers).
+
+---
+
 ## 7. Structured Logging Policy
 
 All logging in BanGUI services and tasks must use **structlog** for consistent, queryable event tracking. This policy defines when and how to log at each level.
diff --git a/Docs/Tasks.md b/Docs/Tasks.md
index 53c7e06..81766c3 100644
--- a/Docs/Tasks.md
+++ b/Docs/Tasks.md
@@ -1,48 +1,3 @@
-## [CRITICAL] Health check endpoint returns wrong status code
-
-**Where found**
-
-- `backend/app/routers/health.py` — always returns 200, even when fail2ban offline
-
-**Why this is needed**
-
-Docker health checks interpret 200 as "healthy". If fail2ban offline but backend returns 200, Docker thinks container healthy and doesn't restart it.
-
-**Goal**
-
-Return 503 Service Unavailable when fail2ban is offline.
-
-**What to do**
-
-1. Change health endpoint to return 503 when offline:
-   ```python
-   if not server_status.online:
-       return JSONResponse(
-           status_code=503,
-           content={"status": "unavailable", "fail2ban": "offline"}
-       )
-   ```
-
-2. Update Docker health check to expect 503 as "unhealthy"
-
-**Possible traps and issues**
-
-- Returning 503 causes orchestration tools to restart container
-- If fail2ban restarts frequently, health check becomes flaky
-- Consider gradual degradation
-
-**Docs changes needed**
-
-- Update `Docker/Dockerfile.backend` health check documentation
-- Update `Docs/Deployment.md` § Health Checks
-
-**Doc references**
-
-- `backend/app/routers/health.py`
-- `Docker/Dockerfile.backend`
-
----
-
 ## [IMPORTANT] Database transactions lack explicit isolation
 
 **Where found**
diff --git a/backend/app/repositories/geo_cache_repo.py b/backend/app/repositories/geo_cache_repo.py
index c379991..68c9d92 100644
--- a/backend/app/repositories/geo_cache_repo.py
+++ b/backend/app/repositories/geo_cache_repo.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 from app.models.geo import GeoCacheEntry
 
-
 # Alias for backward compatibility with protocols
 GeoCacheRow = GeoCacheEntry
 
@@ -109,9 +108,17 @@ async def upsert_entry_and_commit(
     asn: str | None,
     org: str | None,
 ) -> None:
-    """Insert or update a resolved geo cache entry and commit."""
-    await upsert_entry(db, ip, country_code, country_name, asn, org)
-    await db.commit()
+    """Insert or update a resolved geo cache entry and commit.
+
+    Wraps the upsert in an explicit transaction to ensure atomicity.
+    """
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        await upsert_entry(db, ip, country_code, country_name, asn, org)
+        await db.commit()
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
 
 
 async def upsert_neg_entry(db: aiosqlite.Connection, ip: str) -> None:
@@ -127,9 +134,17 @@ async def upsert_neg_entry(db: aiosqlite.Connection, ip: str) -> None:
 
 
 async def upsert_neg_entry_and_commit(db: aiosqlite.Connection, ip: str) -> None:
-    """Record a failed lookup attempt and commit the transaction."""
-    await upsert_neg_entry(db, ip)
-    await db.commit()
+    """Record a failed lookup attempt and commit the transaction.
+
+    Wraps the upsert in an explicit transaction to ensure atomicity.
+    """
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        await upsert_neg_entry(db, ip)
+        await db.commit()
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
 
 
 async def bulk_upsert_entries(
@@ -173,17 +188,33 @@ async def bulk_upsert_entries_and_commit(
     db: aiosqlite.Connection,
     rows: Sequence[tuple[str, str | None, str | None, str | None, str | None]],
 ) -> int:
-    """Bulk insert or update multiple geo cache entries and commit."""
-    count = await bulk_upsert_entries(db, rows)
-    await db.commit()
-    return count
+    """Bulk insert or update multiple geo cache entries and commit.
+
+    Wraps the bulk upsert in an explicit transaction to ensure atomicity.
+    """
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        count = await bulk_upsert_entries(db, rows)
+        await db.commit()
+        return count
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
 
 
 async def bulk_upsert_neg_entries_and_commit(db: aiosqlite.Connection, ips: list[str]) -> int:
-    """Bulk insert negative lookup entries and commit."""
-    count = await bulk_upsert_neg_entries(db, ips)
-    await db.commit()
-    return count
+    """Bulk insert negative lookup entries and commit.
+
+    Wraps the bulk upsert in an explicit transaction to ensure atomicity.
+    """
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        count = await bulk_upsert_neg_entries(db, ips)
+        await db.commit()
+        return count
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
 
 
 async def bulk_upsert_entries_and_neg_entries_and_commit(
@@ -191,17 +222,34 @@ async def bulk_upsert_entries_and_neg_entries_and_commit(
     rows: Sequence[tuple[str, str | None, str | None, str | None, str | None]],
     ips: list[str],
 ) -> tuple[int, int]:
-    """Persist positive and negative geo cache rows together, then commit."""
+    """Persist positive and negative geo cache rows together, then commit.
+
+    Wraps both upserts in a single transaction to ensure atomicity.
+    Either all rows are persisted or none are.
+
+    Args:
+        db: Active aiosqlite connection.
+        rows: Sequence of (ip, country_code, country_name, asn, org) tuples.
+        ips: List of IP strings for negative entries (failed lookups).
+
+    Returns:
+        A tuple (positive_count, negative_count) of rows persisted.
+    """
     positive_count = 0
     negative_count = 0
 
-    if rows:
-        positive_count = await bulk_upsert_entries(db, rows)
-    if ips:
-        negative_count = await bulk_upsert_neg_entries(db, ips)
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        if rows:
+            positive_count = await bulk_upsert_entries(db, rows)
+        if ips:
+            negative_count = await bulk_upsert_neg_entries(db, ips)
 
-    if rows or ips:
-        await db.commit()
+        if rows or ips:
+            await db.commit()
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
 
     return positive_count, negative_count
 
diff --git a/backend/app/repositories/import_run_repo.py b/backend/app/repositories/import_run_repo.py
index 24cf1cb..6e0a4df 100644
--- a/backend/app/repositories/import_run_repo.py
+++ b/backend/app/repositories/import_run_repo.py
@@ -68,6 +68,10 @@ async def create_pending(
 ) -> int:
     """Create a pending import run entry.
 
+    Wraps the insert in an explicit transaction to ensure atomicity and enable
+    proper error handling if a UNIQUE(source_id, content_hash) constraint
+    violation occurs due to concurrent requests.
+
     Args:
         db: Active aiosqlite connection.
         source_id: FK to ``blocklist_sources.id``.
@@ -75,16 +79,26 @@ async def create_pending(
 
     Returns:
         Primary key of the inserted row.
+
+    Raises:
+        aiosqlite.IntegrityError: If a row with this (source_id, content_hash)
+            already exists (constraint violation). The caller should catch this
+            and retry the lookup to get the existing run's ID.
     """
-    cursor = await db.execute(
-        """
-        INSERT INTO import_runs (source_id, content_hash, status)
-        VALUES (?, ?, 'pending')
-        """,
-        (source_id, content_hash),
-    )
-    await db.commit()
-    return int(cursor.lastrowid)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        cursor = await db.execute(
+            """
+            INSERT INTO import_runs (source_id, content_hash, status)
+            VALUES (?, ?, 'pending')
+            """,
+            (source_id, content_hash),
+        )
+        await db.commit()
+        return int(cursor.lastrowid)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
 
 
 async def mark_completed(
@@ -95,24 +109,31 @@ async def mark_completed(
 ) -> None:
     """Mark an import run as completed with final counts.
 
+    Wraps the update in an explicit transaction to ensure atomicity.
+
     Args:
         db: Active aiosqlite connection.
         run_id: Primary key of the import run.
         imported_count: Number of IPs successfully banned.
         skipped_count: Number of entries skipped (invalid or CIDR).
     """
-    await db.execute(
-        """
-        UPDATE import_runs
-        SET status = 'completed',
-            imported_count = ?,
-            skipped_count = ?,
-            updated_at = strftime('%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%fZ', 'now')
-        WHERE id = ?
-        """,
-        (imported_count, skipped_count, run_id),
-    )
-    await db.commit()
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        await db.execute(
+            """
+            UPDATE import_runs
+            SET status = 'completed',
+                imported_count = ?,
+                skipped_count = ?,
+                updated_at = strftime('%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%fZ', 'now')
+            WHERE id = ?
+            """,
+            (imported_count, skipped_count, run_id),
+        )
+        await db.commit()
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
 
 
 async def mark_failed(
@@ -122,19 +143,26 @@ async def mark_failed(
 ) -> None:
     """Mark an import run as failed with error details.
 
+    Wraps the update in an explicit transaction to ensure atomicity.
+
     Args:
         db: Active aiosqlite connection.
         run_id: Primary key of the import run.
         error_message: Error description.
     """
-    await db.execute(
-        """
-        UPDATE import_runs
-        SET status = 'failed',
-            error_message = ?,
-            updated_at = strftime('%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%fZ', 'now')
-        WHERE id = ?
-        """,
-        (error_message, run_id),
-    )
-    await db.commit()
+    try:
+        await db.execute("BEGIN IMMEDIATE")
+        await db.execute(
+            """
+            UPDATE import_runs
+            SET status = 'failed',
+                error_message = ?,
+                updated_at = strftime('%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%fZ', 'now')
+            WHERE id = ?
+            """,
+            (error_message, run_id),
+        )
+        await db.commit()
+    except Exception:
+        await db.rollback()
+        raise
diff --git a/backend/app/services/blocklist_import_workflow.py b/backend/app/services/blocklist_import_workflow.py
index 30cf0ab..00709d2 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/blocklist_import_workflow.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/blocklist_import_workflow.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import hashlib
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import aiohttp
+import aiosqlite
 import structlog
 
 from app.models.blocklist import BlocklistSource, ImportSourceResult
@@ -26,8 +27,6 @@ from app.services.blocklist_parser import BlocklistParser
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from collections.abc import Awaitable, Callable
 
-    import aiosqlite
-
     from app.services.geo_cache import GeoCache
 
 log: structlog.stdlib.BoundLogger = structlog.get_logger()
@@ -191,17 +190,41 @@ class BlocklistImportWorkflow:
 
         # --- Create or update pending import run entry ---
         if existing_run is None:
-            run_id = await import_run_repo.create_pending(
-                db,
-                source.id,
-                content_hash,
-            )
-            log.info(
-                "blocklist_import_tracking_created",
-                source_id=source.id,
-                run_id=run_id,
-                content_hash=content_hash[:8],
-            )
+            try:
+                run_id = await import_run_repo.create_pending(
+                    db,
+                    source.id,
+                    content_hash,
+                )
+                log.info(
+                    "blocklist_import_tracking_created",
+                    source_id=source.id,
+                    run_id=run_id,
+                    content_hash=content_hash[:8],
+                )
+            except aiosqlite.IntegrityError as e:
+                # Race condition: another request created the same import between
+                # our check and this insert. Fetch the existing run and use its ID.
+                existing_run = await import_run_repo.get_by_source_and_hash(
+                    db,
+                    source.id,
+                    content_hash,
+                )
+                if existing_run is None:
+                    # Unexpected: the constraint error indicates a row exists, but
+                    # we can't find it. This should not happen in normal operation.
+                    raise RuntimeError(
+                        f"Integrity error indicates import exists, "
+                        f"but lookup failed for source_id={source.id}, "
+                        f"content_hash={content_hash[:8]}"
+                    ) from e
+                run_id = existing_run.id
+                log.info(
+                    "blocklist_import_lost_race",
+                    source_id=source.id,
+                    run_id=run_id,
+                    content_hash=content_hash[:8],
+                )
         else:
             # Retry case: existing run is pending or failed, try again
             run_id = existing_run.id