diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 953ae93..a19a07d 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -286,5 +286,5 @@
 # Maximum total connections to the relay
 # Prevents connection exhaustion DoS attacks
 # CLI: --max-connections <count>
-# Default: 500
-# NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS=500
\ No newline at end of file
+# Default: 4096
+# NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS=4096
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/reference/configuration.md b/docs/reference/configuration.md
index c3001d3..c1cb712 100644
--- a/docs/reference/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/reference/configuration.md
@@ -931,17 +931,17 @@ Event blacklist does **not** affect NIP-11 metadata:
 
 **Description:** Maximum total connections to the relay. Prevents connection exhaustion DoS attacks.  
 **Type:** Integer  
-**Default:** `500`  
+**Default:** `4096`  
 **Required:** No
 
 **Examples:**
 
 ```bash
-# Default: 500 connections
-NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS=500
+# Default: 4096 connections
+NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS=4096
 
 # Higher limit for large public relay
-NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS=1000
+NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS=8000
 
 # Lower limit for private relay
 NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS=100
diff --git a/nix/module.nix b/nix/module.nix
index 4117b6d..5debc9e 100644
--- a/nix/module.nix
+++ b/nix/module.nix
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ let
 
       maxConnections = mkOption {
         type = types.int;
-        default = 500;
+        default = 4096;
         description = "Maximum total connections to the relay";
       };
 
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 0014003..320661f 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -470,9 +470,9 @@ pub struct Config {
     #[arg(long, env = "NGIT_EVENT_BLACKLIST", default_value = "")]
     pub event_blacklist: String,
 
-    /// Maximum total connections to the relay (default: 500)
+    /// Maximum total connections to the relay (default: 4096)
     /// Prevents connection exhaustion DoS attacks
-    #[arg(long, env = "NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS", default_value_t = 500)]
+    #[arg(long, env = "NGIT_MAX_CONNECTIONS", default_value_t = 4096)]
     pub max_connections: usize,
 }