diff --git a/API-CHANGELOG.md b/API-CHANGELOG.md
index a04f2653285..81709f2a548 100644
--- a/API-CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/API-CHANGELOG.md
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ This section contains changes targeting a future version.
 
 ### Additions
 
+- `server_info` (admin): The `node_size` field has been removed along with the deprecated `[node_size]` config setting it reported. Admin responses now include `memory_limit`, the cache memory budget in gigabytes (0 when enforcement is disabled).
+
 - `account_tx`: Added an optional `delegate` request object to filter delegated transactions. The object requires `delegate_filter`, which must be either `actor` for transactions owned by the requested account but signed by another account, or `authorizer` for transactions signed by the requested account on behalf of another account. The optional `counter_party` account narrows the results to a specific signer/delegate for `actor` or a specific owner/delegator for `authorizer`. Malformed `delegate`, `delegate_filter`, and `counter_party` values return standard invalid field errors, and invalid account IDs return `actMalformed`.
   When paginating delegate-filtered queries, a marker from a delegate-filtered query includes a `delegate` flag and is only valid for follow-up requests that also supply `delegate` (mixing marker conventions returns `invalidParams`). Because filtering is applied after the ledger scan, a page may contain fewer results than `limit` (possibly zero) while still returning a marker, so callers must continue until no marker is present.
 
diff --git a/cfg/xrpld-example.cfg b/cfg/xrpld-example.cfg
index 9e334e6f4f3..fdc9af06cb3 100644
--- a/cfg/xrpld-example.cfg
+++ b/cfg/xrpld-example.cfg
@@ -1306,23 +1306,40 @@
 #
 # [node_size]
 #
-#   Tunes the servers based on the expected load and available memory. Legal
-#   sizes are "tiny", "small", "medium", "large", and "huge". We recommend
-#   you start at the default and raise the setting if you have extra memory.
-#
-#   The code attempts to automatically determine the appropriate size for
-#   this parameter based on the amount of RAM and the number of execution
-#   cores available to the server. The current decision matrix is:
-#
-#   |         |         Cores          |
-#   |---------|------------------------|
-#   |   RAM   |   1  | 2 or 3 |   ≥ 4  |
-#   |---------|------|--------|--------|
-#   |  < ~8GB | tiny |   tiny |   tiny |
-#   | < ~12GB | tiny |  small |  small |
-#   | < ~16GB | tiny |  small | medium |
-#   | < ~24GB | tiny |  small |  large |
-#   | < ~32GB | tiny |  small |   huge |
+#   DEPRECATED. Each size is now an alias for a [memory_limit] value:
+#   tiny = 4, small = 8, medium = 32, large = 64, huge = 128. Set
+#   [memory_limit] instead; setting this logs a warning at startup.
+#
+# [memory_limit]
+#
+#   The memory budget, in gigabytes, that the server sizes its caches
+#   within. Cache sizes scale with the budget; the SHAMap tree node cache
+#   is capped to fit within half of it, enforced as it grows. Defaults to
+#   detected physical RAM (capped by the container limit when one is set);
+#   0 selects minimal sizes with no enforcement. Values above 1024 are
+#   rejected, and a value above detected RAM logs a warning.
+#   Set this when xrpld shares the machine with other services or runs in
+#   a container with a memory limit below the host's RAM. Thread counts
+#   are unrelated: they come from the core count and the [workers] /
+#   [io_workers] overrides.
+#
+#   Example:
+#       memory_limit = 16
+#
+# [tree_cache_age]
+#
+#   Seconds a SHAMap tree node stays cached after its last use. The default
+#   is 300. Accepted values are 10 to 3600.
+#
+# [ledger_cache_age]
+#
+#   Seconds a full ledger stays in the ledger cache after its last use. The
+#   default is 180. Accepted values are 10 to 3600.
+#
+# [ledger_fetch_size]
+#
+#   How many historical ledgers to acquire per fetch pass while backfilling.
+#   The default is 4. Accepted values are 1 to 16.
 #
 # [signing_support]
 #
diff --git a/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.h b/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.h
index 7bb2cb552b5..2eeb4996e72 100644
--- a/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.h
+++ b/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.h
@@ -74,13 +74,20 @@ class TaggedCache
     using shared_pointer_type = SharedPointerType;
 
 public:
+    /**
+     * @param cacheHardCap When positive, a hard upper bound on the number of
+     *     strongly-cached entries, enforced by demoting the approximately
+     *     oldest entry whenever growth would exceed it. 0 disables the cap
+     *     (the periodic sweep alone bounds the cache).
+     */
     TaggedCache(
         std::string const& name,
         int size,
         clock_type::duration expiration,
         clock_type& clock,
         beast::Journal journal,
-        beast::insight::Collector::ptr const& collector = beast::insight::NullCollector::make());
+        beast::insight::Collector::ptr const& collector = beast::insight::NullCollector::make(),
+        int cacheHardCap = 0);
 
 public:
     /**
@@ -357,6 +364,13 @@ class TaggedCache
 
     using cache_type = hardened_partitioned_hash_map<key_type, Entry, Hash, KeyEqual>;
 
+    // Bounded approximate-LRU eviction from a single partition. Keeps the
+    // strong-entry count at/below cacheHardCap_ as new entries are inserted, so
+    // a burst can't drive the cache past its RAM budget between timer sweeps.
+    // No-op unless cacheHardCap_ > 0 (opt-in); caller holds mutex_.
+    void
+    evictForHardCap(cache_type::map_type& partition, cache_type::map_type::iterator const& keep);
+
     [[nodiscard]] std::thread
     sweepHelper(
         clock_type::time_point const& whenExpire,
@@ -390,8 +404,23 @@ class TaggedCache
     // Desired maximum cache age
     clock_type::duration const targetAge_;
 
+    // Hard upper bound on strongly-cached entries, enforced by
+    // evictForHardCap whenever the strong count grows (fresh inserts and
+    // weak-to-strong revivals). 0 disables it (sweep-only sizing).
+    int const cacheHardCap_;
+
+    // Total hard-cap evictions (under mutex_); the first marks saturation
+    // onset for logging.
+    std::uint64_t hardCapEvictions_{0};
+
     // Number of items cached
     int cacheCount_{0};
+
+    // Rotating bucket cursor for evictForHardCap so successive over-cap
+    // evictions sweep the whole partition (CLOCK hand) instead of repeatedly
+    // sampling the head buckets. Advanced under mutex_.
+    std::size_t evictHand_{0};
+
     cache_type cache_;  // Hold strong reference to recent objects
     std::uint64_t hits_{0};
     std::uint64_t misses_{0};
diff --git a/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.ipp b/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.ipp
index 447743a7b77..55a6f986c7e 100644
--- a/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.ipp
+++ b/include/xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.ipp
@@ -57,7 +57,8 @@ inline TaggedCache<
         clock_type::duration expiration,
         clock_type& clock,
         beast::Journal journal,
-        beast::insight::Collector::ptr const& collector)
+        beast::insight::Collector::ptr const& collector,
+        int cacheHardCap)
     : journal_(journal)
     , clock_(clock)
     , stats_(
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ inline TaggedCache<
     , name_(name)
     , targetSize_(size)
     , targetAge_(expiration)
+    , cacheHardCap_(cacheHardCap)
 {
 }
 
@@ -219,6 +221,102 @@ TaggedCache<Key, T, IsKeyCache, SharedWeakUnionPointer, SharedPointerType, Hash,
     return true;
 }
 
+template <
+    class Key,
+    class T,
+    bool IsKeyCache,
+    class SharedWeakUnionPointer,
+    class SharedPointerType,
+    class Hash,
+    class KeyEqual,
+    class Mutex>
+inline void
+TaggedCache<Key, T, IsKeyCache, SharedWeakUnionPointer, SharedPointerType, Hash, KeyEqual, Mutex>::
+    evictForHardCap(cache_type::map_type& partition, cache_type::map_type::iterator const& keep)
+{
+    // Caller holds mutex_. Only value caches carry strong/weak entries; key
+    // caches never enable the hard cap, so this is a no-op for them.
+    if constexpr (!IsKeyCache)
+    {
+        std::size_t const bucketCount = partition.bucket_count();
+        if (bucketCount == 0)
+            return;
+
+        // Approximate LRU with bounded work per call: sample a window of
+        // strong entries starting at the rotating bucket cursor and demote
+        // the oldest, repeating until the count is back under the cap or the
+        // demotion budget is spent. Growth paths raise the count by one at a
+        // time, so the budget lets eviction catch up without stalling them.
+        constexpr int kEvictSampleBudget = 64;
+        constexpr int kMaxDemotionsPerCall = 8;
+        std::size_t const maxBuckets = std::min<std::size_t>(bucketCount, 4 * kEvictSampleBudget);
+
+        for (int demotions = 0; cacheCount_ > cacheHardCap_ && demotions < kMaxDemotionsPerCall;
+             ++demotions)
+        {
+            int sampled = 0;
+            std::size_t bucketsWalked = 0;
+            key_type oldestKey{};
+            bool haveOldest = false;
+            clock_type::time_point oldestAccess{};
+
+            std::size_t b = evictHand_ % bucketCount;
+            while (sampled < kEvictSampleBudget && bucketsWalked < maxBuckets)
+            {
+                for (auto lit = partition.begin(b); lit != partition.end(b); ++lit)
+                {
+                    if (lit->first == keep->first || lit->second.isWeak())
+                        continue;
+                    if (!haveOldest || lit->second.lastAccess < oldestAccess)
+                    {
+                        oldestAccess = lit->second.lastAccess;
+                        oldestKey = lit->first;
+                        haveOldest = true;
+                    }
+                    if (++sampled >= kEvictSampleBudget)
+                        break;
+                }
+                b = (b + 1) % bucketCount;
+                ++bucketsWalked;
+            }
+            evictHand_ = b;  // resume the scan here on the next over-cap call
+
+            if (!haveOldest)
+            {
+                JLOG(journal_.debug()) << name_ << ": over hard cap " << cacheHardCap_
+                                       << " but eviction sample found no strong entry to demote";
+                return;
+            }
+
+            auto oldest = partition.find(oldestKey);
+            if (oldest == partition.end() || oldest == keep || oldest->second.isWeak())
+                return;
+
+            if (oldest->second.ptr.useCount() == 1)
+            {
+                // Sole owner: release entirely.
+                partition.erase(oldest);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // Others hold it: keep it weakly tracked.
+                oldest->second.ptr.convertToWeak();
+            }
+            --cacheCount_;
+
+            // First eviction marks saturation onset; then a heartbeat every
+            // 100k to avoid flooding.
+            ++hardCapEvictions_;
+            if (hardCapEvictions_ == 1 || hardCapEvictions_ % 100000 == 0)
+            {
+                JLOG(journal_.warn()) << name_ << ": hard-cap eviction #" << hardCapEvictions_
+                                      << " (cap " << cacheHardCap_ << ", strong " << cacheCount_
+                                      << ") - cache saturated, growth now evicts";
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 template <
     class Key,
     class T,
@@ -360,11 +458,17 @@ TaggedCache<Key, T, IsKeyCache, SharedWeakUnionPointer, SharedPointerType, Hash,
 
     if (cit == cache_.end())
     {
-        cache_.emplace(
-            std::piecewise_construct,
-            std::forward_as_tuple(key),
-            std::forward_as_tuple(clock_.now(), data));
+        auto const emplacedIt = cache_
+                                    .emplace(
+                                        std::piecewise_construct,
+                                        std::forward_as_tuple(key),
+                                        std::forward_as_tuple(clock_.now(), data))
+                                    .first;
         ++cacheCount_;
+        // The just-inserted entry is the newest; evictForHardCap skips it
+        // and drops the oldest in its partition.
+        if (cacheHardCap_ > 0 && cacheCount_ > cacheHardCap_)
+            evictForHardCap(*emplacedIt.ait, emplacedIt.mit);
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -415,11 +519,15 @@ TaggedCache<Key, T, IsKeyCache, SharedWeakUnionPointer, SharedPointerType, Hash,
         }
 
         ++cacheCount_;
+        if (cacheHardCap_ > 0 && cacheCount_ > cacheHardCap_)
+            evictForHardCap(*cit.ait, cit.mit);
         return true;
     }
 
     entry.ptr = data;
     ++cacheCount_;
+    if (cacheHardCap_ > 0 && cacheCount_ > cacheHardCap_)
+        evictForHardCap(*cit.ait, cit.mit);
 
     return false;
 }
@@ -729,6 +837,8 @@ TaggedCache<Key, T, IsKeyCache, SharedWeakUnionPointer, SharedPointerType, Hash,
     {
         // independent of cache size, so not counted as a hit
         ++cacheCount_;
+        if (cacheHardCap_ > 0 && cacheCount_ > cacheHardCap_)
+            evictForHardCap(*cit.ait, cit.mit);
         entry.touch(clock_.now());
         return entry.ptr.getStrong();
     }
diff --git a/include/xrpl/config/Constants.h b/include/xrpl/config/Constants.h
index 5514e0e77ba..a947e17fead 100644
--- a/include/xrpl/config/Constants.h
+++ b/include/xrpl/config/Constants.h
@@ -22,10 +22,13 @@ struct Sections
     static constexpr auto kIoWorkers = "io_workers";
     static constexpr auto kIps = "ips";
     static constexpr auto kIpsFixed = "ips_fixed";
+    static constexpr auto kLedgerCacheAge = "ledger_cache_age";
+    static constexpr auto kLedgerFetchSize = "ledger_fetch_size";
     static constexpr auto kLedgerHistory = "ledger_history";
     static constexpr auto kLedgerReplay = "ledger_replay";
     static constexpr auto kLedgerTxTables = "ledger_tx_tables";
     static constexpr auto kMaxTransactions = "max_transactions";
+    static constexpr auto kMemoryLimit = "memory_limit";
     static constexpr auto kNetworkId = "network_id";
     static constexpr auto kNetworkQuorum = "network_quorum";
     static constexpr auto kNodeDatabase = "node_db";
@@ -63,6 +66,7 @@ struct Sections
     static constexpr auto kSslVerifyFile = "ssl_verify_file";
     static constexpr auto kSweepInterval = "sweep_interval";
     static constexpr auto kTransactionQueue = "transaction_queue";
+    static constexpr auto kTreeCacheAge = "tree_cache_age";
     static constexpr auto kValidationSeed = "validation_seed";
     static constexpr auto kValidatorKeys = "validator_keys";
     static constexpr auto kValidatorKeyRevocation = "validator_key_revocation";
diff --git a/include/xrpl/protocol/jss.h b/include/xrpl/protocol/jss.h
index 63e877ca311..5b0f978b4c7 100644
--- a/include/xrpl/protocol/jss.h
+++ b/include/xrpl/protocol/jss.h
@@ -395,6 +395,7 @@ JSS(mean);                        // out: get_aggregate_price
 JSS(median);                      // out: get_aggregate_price
 JSS(median_fee);                  // out: TxQ
 JSS(median_level);                // out: TxQ
+JSS(memory_limit);                // out: server_info
 JSS(message);                     // error.
 JSS(meta);                        // out: NetworkOPs, AccountTx*, Tx
 JSS(meta_blob);                   // out: NetworkOPs, AccountTx*, Tx
@@ -435,7 +436,6 @@ JSS(node_read_retries);           // out: GetCounts
 JSS(node_reads_hit);              // out: GetCounts
 JSS(node_reads_total);            // out: GetCounts
 JSS(node_reads_duration_us);      // out: GetCounts
-JSS(node_size);                   // out: server_info
 JSS(nodes);                       // out: VaultInfo
 JSS(nodestore);                   // out: GetCounts
 JSS(node_writes);                 // out: GetCounts
diff --git a/src/test/app/SHAMapStore_test.cpp b/src/test/app/SHAMapStore_test.cpp
index 6ee7442d235..a13c273bcb0 100644
--- a/src/test/app/SHAMapStore_test.cpp
+++ b/src/test/app/SHAMapStore_test.cpp
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ class SHAMapStore_test : public beast::unit_test::Suite
 
         auto backend{node_store::Manager::instance().makeBackend(
             section,
-            megabytes(env.app().config().getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize, std::nullopt)),
+            megabytes(env.app().config().getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize)),
             scheduler,
             env.app().getJournal("NodeStoreTest"))};
         backend->open();
@@ -524,22 +524,12 @@ class SHAMapStore_test : public beast::unit_test::Suite
         // Normally, SHAMapStoreImp handles all these details.
         auto nscfg = env.app().config().section(Sections::kNodeDatabase);
 
-        // Provide default values.
+        // Provide default values (mirrors SHAMapStoreImp::makeNodeStore).
         if (!nscfg.exists(Keys::kCacheSize))
-        {
-            nscfg.set(
-                Keys::kCacheSize,
-                std::to_string(
-                    env.app().config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize, std::nullopt)));
-        }
+            nscfg.set(Keys::kCacheSize, "16384");
 
         if (!nscfg.exists(Keys::kCacheAge))
-        {
-            nscfg.set(
-                Keys::kCacheAge,
-                std::to_string(
-                    env.app().config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheAge, std::nullopt)));
-        }
+            nscfg.set(Keys::kCacheAge, "5");
 
         NodeStoreScheduler scheduler(env.app().getJobQueue());
 
diff --git a/src/test/core/Config_test.cpp b/src/test/core/Config_test.cpp
index e98a0e1e881..e670b7851ea 100644
--- a/src/test/core/Config_test.cpp
+++ b/src/test/core/Config_test.cpp
@@ -596,6 +596,87 @@ main
         BEAST_EXPECT(c.networkId == 10000);
     }
 
+    void
+    testMemoryLimit()
+    {
+        testcase("memory limit");
+
+        {
+            Config c;
+            c.loadFromString("");
+            BEAST_EXPECT(!c.memoryLimit);
+        }
+
+        auto const parse = [](std::string const& value) {
+            Config c;
+            c.loadFromString("[memory_limit]\n" + value + "\n");
+            return c;
+        };
+
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("16").memoryLimit == std::uint64_t{16} << 30);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("0").memoryLimit == std::uint64_t{0});
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("0").cacheMemoryBudget() == 0);
+
+        // Garbage and out-of-range values are rejected.
+        expectException([&parse] { parse("banana"); });
+        expectException([&parse] { parse("2000"); });
+
+        // Standalone mode does not change the budget: detected RAM unless
+        // a limit is configured.
+        {
+            Config c;
+            c.setupControl(true, true, true);
+            c.loadFromString("[memory_limit]\n8\n");
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c.cacheMemoryBudget() == std::uint64_t{8} << 30);
+        }
+
+        // Values derive from the budget: half of it at 8 KiB per entry for
+        // the tree cache; 0 yields the floors.
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("16").getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize) == 1048576);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("64").getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize) == 4194304);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("0").getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize) == 16384);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("16").getValueFor(SizedItem::TxnDbCache) == 32);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("0").getValueFor(SizedItem::TxnDbCache) == 4);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("16").getValueFor(SizedItem::SweepInterval) == 30);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("16").getValueFor(SizedItem::LedgerSize) == 96);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("16").getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize) == 16);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(parse("1024").getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize) == 48);
+
+        // Deprecated [node_size] tiers are aliases for budgets (by name,
+        // case-insensitively, or legacy 0-4 index); an explicit
+        // [memory_limit] wins.
+        auto const alias = [](std::string const& value) {
+            Config c;
+            c.loadFromString("[node_size]\n" + value + "\n");
+            return c;
+        };
+
+        BEAST_EXPECT(alias("large").cacheMemoryBudget() == std::uint64_t{64} << 30);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(alias("large").getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize) == 4194304);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(alias("HUGE").cacheMemoryBudget() == std::uint64_t{128} << 30);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(alias("3").cacheMemoryBudget() == std::uint64_t{64} << 30);
+        BEAST_EXPECT(alias("9").cacheMemoryBudget() == std::uint64_t{128} << 30);
+
+        {
+            Config c;
+            c.loadFromString("[node_size]\nsmall\n\n[memory_limit]\n100\n");
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c.cacheMemoryBudget() == std::uint64_t{100} << 30);
+        }
+
+        // Policy values are fixed but individually overridable.
+        {
+            Config c;
+            c.loadFromString("[tree_cache_age]\n900\n\n[ledger_fetch_size]\n8\n");
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c.getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheAge) == 900);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c.getValueFor(SizedItem::LedgerFetch) == 8);
+            BEAST_EXPECT(c.getValueFor(SizedItem::LedgerAge) == 180);
+        }
+        expectException([] {
+            Config c;
+            c.loadFromString("[ledger_fetch_size]\n100\n");
+        });
+    }
+
     void
     testValidatorsFile()
     {
@@ -1596,6 +1677,7 @@ r.ripple.com:51235
         testAmendment();
         testOverlay();
         testNetworkID();
+        testMemoryLimit();
     }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/test/rpc/LedgerRequest_test.cpp b/src/test/rpc/LedgerRequest_test.cpp
index 98bde4e5a5d..6f2102b6971 100644
--- a/src/test/rpc/LedgerRequest_test.cpp
+++ b/src/test/rpc/LedgerRequest_test.cpp
@@ -301,7 +301,6 @@ class LedgerRequest_test : public beast::unit_test::Suite
         using namespace std::chrono_literals;
         Env env{*this, envconfig([](std::unique_ptr<Config> cfg) {
                     cfg->fees.referenceFee = 10;
-                    cfg->nodeSize = 0;
                     return cfg;
                 })};
         Account const gw{"gateway"};
diff --git a/src/test/rpc/ServerInfo_test.cpp b/src/test/rpc/ServerInfo_test.cpp
index 52a1e6cdb0d..c6f11568fae 100644
--- a/src/test/rpc/ServerInfo_test.cpp
+++ b/src/test/rpc/ServerInfo_test.cpp
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ admin = 127.0.0.1
             BEAST_EXPECT(result.isMember(jss::info));
             auto const& info = result[jss::info];
             BEAST_EXPECT(info.isMember(jss::build_version));
+            // Admin request: reports the cache memory budget in GB.
+            BEAST_EXPECT(info.isMember(jss::memory_limit));
             // Git info is not guaranteed to be present
             if (info.isMember(jss::git))
             {
diff --git a/src/tests/libxrpl/basics/TaggedCache.cpp b/src/tests/libxrpl/basics/TaggedCache.cpp
index c8ccc415ad4..2789da8f7f4 100644
--- a/src/tests/libxrpl/basics/TaggedCache.cpp
+++ b/src/tests/libxrpl/basics/TaggedCache.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <xrpl/basics/IntrusiveRefCounts.h>
 #include <xrpl/basics/TaggedCache.ipp>  // IWYU pragma: keep
 #include <xrpl/basics/chrono.h>
+#include <xrpl/beast/insight/NullCollector.h>
 #include <xrpl/beast/utility/Journal.h>
 #include <xrpl/protocol/Protocol.h>
 
@@ -243,4 +244,57 @@ TEST(TaggedCacheTest, tagged_cache)
     }
 }
 
+TEST(TaggedCacheTest, hard_cap_enforced_on_insert)
+{
+    using namespace std::chrono_literals;
+    beast::Journal const journal{TestSink::instance()};
+
+    TestStopwatch clock;
+    clock.set(0);
+
+    using Key = LedgerIndex;
+    using Value = std::string;
+    using Cache = TaggedCache<Key, Value>;
+
+    // A cap-enabled cache must never let the strong-cache count exceed the
+    // cap, enforced on the insert path alone (no sweep). The large targetSize
+    // and long age make the periodic sweep irrelevant here, so only
+    // evictForHardCap can be bounding it.
+    int const cap = 100;
+    Cache capped(
+        "capped", 1'000'000, 3600s, clock, journal, beast::insight::NullCollector::make(), cap);
+
+    bool everExceeded = false;
+    for (Key k = 1; k <= 1000; ++k)
+    {
+        capped.insert(k, "v");
+        if (capped.getCacheSize() > cap)
+            everExceeded = true;
+    }
+    EXPECT_FALSE(everExceeded);
+    EXPECT_LE(capped.getCacheSize(), cap);
+    EXPECT_GT(capped.getCacheSize(), 0);
+}
+
+TEST(TaggedCacheTest, hard_cap_disabled)
+{
+    using namespace std::chrono_literals;
+    beast::Journal const journal{TestSink::instance()};
+
+    TestStopwatch clock;
+    clock.set(0);
+
+    using Key = LedgerIndex;
+    using Value = std::string;
+    using Cache = TaggedCache<Key, Value>;
+
+    // cacheHardCap = 0: growth is bounded only by the periodic sweep.
+    Cache uncapped(
+        "uncapped", 1'000'000, 3600s, clock, journal, beast::insight::NullCollector::make(), 0);
+
+    for (Key k = 1; k <= 1000; ++k)
+        uncapped.insert(k, "v");
+    EXPECT_EQ(uncapped.getCacheSize(), 1000);
+}
+
 }  // namespace xrpl
diff --git a/src/xrpld/app/main/Application.cpp b/src/xrpld/app/main/Application.cpp
index 52ec9ce5449..62e04a03ed2 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/app/main/Application.cpp
+++ b/src/xrpld/app/main/Application.cpp
@@ -292,9 +292,8 @@ class ApplicationImp : public Application, public BasicApp
 
         auto const cores = std::thread::hardware_concurrency();
 
-        // Use a single thread when running on under-provisioned systems
-        // or if we are configured to use minimal resources.
-        if ((cores == 1) || ((config.nodeSize == 0) && (cores == 2)))
+        // Use a single thread on under-provisioned systems.
+        if (cores <= 2)
             return 1;
 
         // Otherwise, prefer six threads.
@@ -336,14 +335,12 @@ class ApplicationImp : public Application, public BasicApp
 
                       auto count = static_cast<int>(std::thread::hardware_concurrency());
 
-                      // Be more aggressive about the number of threads to use
-                      // for the job queue if the server is configured as
-                      // "large" or "huge" if there are enough cores.
-                      if (config->nodeSize >= 4 && count >= 16)
+                      // Scale the job queue with the available cores.
+                      if (count >= 16)
                       {
                           count = 6 + std::min(count, 8);
                       }
-                      else if (config->nodeSize >= 3 && count >= 8)
+                      else if (count >= 8)
                       {
                           count = 4 + std::min(count, 6);
                       }
@@ -863,7 +860,7 @@ class ApplicationImp : public Application, public BasicApp
             node_store::DummyScheduler dummyScheduler;
             std::unique_ptr<node_store::Database> source =
                 node_store::Manager::instance().makeDatabase(
-                    megabytes(config_->getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize, std::nullopt)),
+                    megabytes(config_->getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize)),
                     dummyScheduler,
                     0,
                     config_->section(Sections::kImportNodeDatabase),
diff --git a/src/xrpld/app/misc/NetworkOPs.cpp b/src/xrpld/app/misc/NetworkOPs.cpp
index 8f31ce1eb39..59d54964f99 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/app/misc/NetworkOPs.cpp
+++ b/src/xrpld/app/misc/NetworkOPs.cpp
@@ -2703,27 +2703,9 @@ NetworkOPsImp::getServerInfo(bool human, bool admin, bool counters)
 
     if (admin)
     {
-        // Note: By default the node size is "tiny". When parsing it's an error if the final
-        // NODE_SIZE is over 4 so below code should be safe.
-        // NOLINTNEXTLINE(bugprone-switch-missing-default-case)
-        switch (registry_.get().getApp().config().nodeSize)
-        {
-            case 0:
-                info[jss::node_size] = "tiny";
-                break;
-            case 1:
-                info[jss::node_size] = "small";
-                break;
-            case 2:
-                info[jss::node_size] = "medium";
-                break;
-            case 3:
-                info[jss::node_size] = "large";
-                break;
-            case 4:
-                info[jss::node_size] = "huge";
-                break;
-        }
+        // The cache memory budget in GB; 0 means enforcement is disabled.
+        info[jss::memory_limit] =
+            static_cast<json::UInt>(registry_.get().getApp().config().cacheMemoryBudget() >> 30);
 
         auto when = registry_.get().getValidators().expires();
 
diff --git a/src/xrpld/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp b/src/xrpld/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp
index e41837d2065..5c5fc2877b7 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp
+++ b/src/xrpld/app/misc/SHAMapStoreImp.cpp
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::SHAMapStoreImp(
                 Keys::kCacheMb, std::to_string(config.getValueFor(SizedItem::HashNodeDbCache)));
         }
 
-        if (!section.exists(Keys::kFilterBits) && (config.nodeSize >= 2))
+        if (!section.exists(Keys::kFilterBits) && config.cacheMemoryBudget() != 0)
             section.set(Keys::kFilterBits, "10");
     }
 
@@ -170,20 +170,13 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::makeNodeStore(int readThreads)
 {
     auto nscfg = app_.config().section(Sections::kNodeDatabase);
 
-    // Provide default values.
+    // Documented defaults: 16384 records, 5 minutes (DatabaseNodeImp reads
+    // cache_age in minutes).
     if (!nscfg.exists(Keys::kCacheSize))
-    {
-        nscfg.set(
-            Keys::kCacheSize,
-            std::to_string(app_.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize, std::nullopt)));
-    }
+        nscfg.set(Keys::kCacheSize, "16384");
 
     if (!nscfg.exists(Keys::kCacheAge))
-    {
-        nscfg.set(
-            Keys::kCacheAge,
-            std::to_string(app_.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheAge, std::nullopt)));
-    }
+        nscfg.set(Keys::kCacheAge, "5");
 
     std::unique_ptr<node_store::Database> db;
 
@@ -215,7 +208,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::makeNodeStore(int readThreads)
     else
     {
         db = node_store::Manager::instance().makeDatabase(
-            megabytes(app_.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize, std::nullopt)),
+            megabytes(app_.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize)),
             scheduler_,
             readThreads,
             nscfg,
@@ -537,7 +530,7 @@ SHAMapStoreImp::makeBackendRotating(std::string path)
 
     auto backend{node_store::Manager::instance().makeBackend(
         section,
-        megabytes(app_.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize, std::nullopt)),
+        megabytes(app_.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::BurstSize)),
         scheduler_,
         app_.getJournal(kNodeStoreName))};
     backend->open();
diff --git a/src/xrpld/core/Config.h b/src/xrpld/core/Config.h
index d43a7a566db..ba5b642d48f 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/core/Config.h
+++ b/src/xrpld/core/Config.h
@@ -38,9 +38,7 @@ enum class SizedItem : std::size_t {
     HashNodeDbCache,
     TxnDbCache,
     LgrDbCache,
-    OpenFinalLimit,
     BurstSize,
-    RamSizeGb,
     AccountIdCacheSize,
 };
 
@@ -138,7 +136,8 @@ class Config : public BasicConfig
      */
     bool signingEnabled_ = false;
 
-    // The amount of RAM, in bytes, that we detected on this system.
+    // The amount of RAM, in GiB, that we detected on this system.
+    // 0 when detection failed.
     std::uint64_t const ramSize_;
 
 public:
@@ -209,10 +208,10 @@ class Config : public BasicConfig
     std::uint32_t ledgerHistory = 256;
     std::uint32_t fetchDepth = 1000000000;
 
-    // Tunable that adjusts various parameters, typically associated
-    // with hardware parameters (RAM size and CPU cores). The default
-    // is 'tiny'.
-    std::size_t nodeSize = 0;
+    // Cache memory budget in bytes, from [memory_limit] (gigabytes). Unset
+    // defaults to detected physical RAM; 0 disables enforcement. The
+    // deprecated [node_size] tiers map onto this budget.
+    std::optional<std::uint64_t> memoryLimit;
 
     bool sslVerify = true;
     std::string sslVerifyFile;
@@ -244,6 +243,11 @@ class Config : public BasicConfig
     // size, but we allow admins to explicitly set it in the config.
     std::optional<int> sweepInterval;
 
+    // Optional overrides for the fixed cache policy values.
+    std::optional<int> treeCacheAge;     // [tree_cache_age], seconds
+    std::optional<int> ledgerCacheAge;   // [ledger_cache_age], seconds
+    std::optional<int> ledgerFetchSize;  // [ledger_fetch_size], ledgers per fetch pass
+
     // Reduce-relay - Experimental parameters to control p2p routing algorithms
 
     // Enable base squelching of duplicate validation/proposal messages
@@ -352,25 +356,22 @@ class Config : public BasicConfig
     }
 
     /**
-     * Retrieve the default value for the item at the specified node size
-     *
-     * @param item The item for which the default value is needed
-     * @param node Optional value, used to adjust the result to match the
-     *             size of a node (0: tiny, ..., 4: huge). If unseated,
-     *             uses the configured size (NODE_SIZE).
-     *
-     * @throws This method can throw std::out_of_range if you ask for values
-     *         that it does not recognize or request a non-default node-size.
+     * Retrieve the value for the item, derived from the memory budget.
      *
+     * @param item The item for which the value is needed
      * @return The value for the requested item.
-     *
-     * @note The defaults are selected so as to be reasonable, but the node
-     *       size is an imprecise metric that combines multiple aspects of
-     *       the underlying system; this means that we can't provide optimal
-     *       defaults in the code for every case.
      */
     [[nodiscard]] int
-    getValueFor(SizedItem item, std::optional<std::size_t> node = std::nullopt) const;
+    getValueFor(SizedItem item) const;
+
+    /**
+     * The effective cache memory budget in bytes.
+     *
+     * [memory_limit] if set, otherwise detected physical RAM. 0 means
+     * enforcement is disabled (explicit 0, or RAM detection failed).
+     */
+    [[nodiscard]] std::uint64_t
+    cacheMemoryBudget() const;
 
     [[nodiscard]] beast::Journal
     journal() const
diff --git a/src/xrpld/core/detail/Config.cpp b/src/xrpld/core/detail/Config.cpp
index 3b7b57328b1..5edd5570b62 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/core/detail/Config.cpp
+++ b/src/xrpld/core/detail/Config.cpp
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <iostream>
-#include <iterator>
 #include <limits>
 #include <memory>
 #include <optional>
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@
 #include <sstream>
 #include <stdexcept>
 #include <string>
-#include <thread>
+#include <string_view>
 #include <type_traits>
 #include <utility>
 #include <vector>
@@ -71,15 +70,144 @@ getMemorySize()
 #if BOOST_OS_LINUX
 #include <sys/sysinfo.h>  // IWYU pragma: keep
 
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+#include <fstream>
+
 namespace xrpl::detail {
 
+// This process's cgroup path from /proc/self/cgroup: the v2 line is
+// "0::<path>"; a v1 line is "<id>:<controllers>:<path>". Empty when absent.
+[[nodiscard]] std::string
+getOwnCgroupPath(std::string_view controller)
+{
+    std::ifstream in("/proc/self/cgroup");
+    std::string line;
+
+    while (std::getline(in, line))
+    {
+        auto const first = line.find(':');
+        auto const second = line.find(':', first + 1);
+        if (first == std::string::npos || second == std::string::npos)
+            continue;
+
+        std::string_view const controllers(line.data() + first + 1, second - first - 1);
+        if (controller.empty())
+        {
+            // The v2 entry is exactly "0::<path>".
+            if (first == 1 && line[0] == '0' && controllers.empty())
+                return line.substr(second + 1);
+        }
+        else if (controllers.contains(controller))
+        {
+            return line.substr(second + 1);
+        }
+    }
+
+    return {};
+}
+
+// The value in a cgroup limit file; 0 when absent or unlimited. "max" (v2)
+// fails the read, and the page-counter maximum (v1) both mean unlimited.
+[[nodiscard]] std::uint64_t
+readCgroupLimit(std::string const& path)
+{
+    std::ifstream in(path);
+    std::uint64_t limit = 0;
+
+    if (in >> limit && limit < (std::uint64_t{1} << 62))
+        return limit;
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+// Whether the cgroup directory contains this process. /proc/self/cgroup
+// paths are namespace-relative, so a resolved directory can name-collide
+// with a different cgroup when the cgroup mount shows another view; only
+// trust a directory this process is actually in.
+[[nodiscard]] bool
+cgroupContainsSelf(std::string const& dir)
+{
+    std::ifstream in(dir + "/cgroup.procs");
+    pid_t const self = ::getpid();
+    pid_t pid = 0;
+
+    while (in >> pid)
+    {
+        if (pid == self)
+            return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+}
+
+// The smallest numeric limit in `file` from the leaf cgroup up through its
+// ancestors (the effective limit is the minimum over the hierarchy); 0 when
+// none is set or the leaf does not belong to this process.
+[[nodiscard]] std::uint64_t
+minCgroupLimit(std::string const& mount, std::string path, char const* file)
+{
+    if (!cgroupContainsSelf(mount + path))
+        return 0;
+
+    std::uint64_t best = 0;
+    auto const consider = [&best](std::uint64_t limit) {
+        if (limit != 0 && (best == 0 || limit < best))
+            best = limit;
+    };
+
+    while (!path.empty() && path != "/")
+    {
+        consider(readCgroupLimit(mount + path + "/" + file));
+
+        auto const slash = path.find_last_of('/');
+        if (slash == std::string::npos)
+            break;
+        path.resize(slash);
+    }
+    consider(readCgroupLimit(mount + "/" + file));
+
+    return best;
+}
+
+// The cgroup (v2, then v1) memory limit in bytes; 0 when absent or
+// unlimited. Checks this process's own cgroup and its ancestors (covering
+// nested limits such as systemd MemoryMax=) before the root-level files
+// containers expose.
+[[nodiscard]] std::uint64_t
+getCgroupMemoryLimit()
+{
+    if (auto const path = getOwnCgroupPath(""); !path.empty() && path != "/")
+    {
+        if (auto const limit = minCgroupLimit("/sys/fs/cgroup", path, "memory.max"))
+            return limit;
+    }
+
+    if (auto const limit = readCgroupLimit("/sys/fs/cgroup/memory.max"))
+        return limit;
+
+    if (auto const path = getOwnCgroupPath("memory"); !path.empty() && path != "/")
+    {
+        if (auto const limit =
+                minCgroupLimit("/sys/fs/cgroup/memory", path, "memory.limit_in_bytes"))
+            return limit;
+    }
+
+    return readCgroupLimit("/sys/fs/cgroup/memory/memory.limit_in_bytes");
+}
+
 [[nodiscard]] std::uint64_t
 getMemorySize()
 {
+    std::uint64_t ram = 0;
+
     if (struct sysinfo si{}; sysinfo(&si) == 0)
-        return static_cast<std::uint64_t>(si.totalram) * si.mem_unit;
+        ram = static_cast<std::uint64_t>(si.totalram) * si.mem_unit;
 
-    return 0;
+    if (auto const limit = getCgroupMemoryLimit(); limit != 0 && (ram == 0 || limit < ram))
+        return limit;
+
+    return ram;
 }
 
 }  // namespace xrpl::detail
@@ -110,50 +238,6 @@ getMemorySize()
 
 namespace xrpl {
 
-// clang-format off
-// The configurable node sizes are "tiny", "small", "medium", "large", "huge"
-inline constexpr std::array<std::pair<SizedItem, std::array<int, 5>>, 13>
-kSizedItems
-{{
-    // FIXME: We should document each of these items, explaining exactly
-    //        what they control and whether there exists an explicit
-    //        config option that can be used to override the default.
-
-    //                                   tiny    small   medium    large     huge
-    {SizedItem::SweepInterval,      {{     10,      30,      60,      90,     120 }}},
-    {SizedItem::TreeCacheSize,      {{ 262144,  524288, 2097152, 4194304, 8388608 }}},
-    {SizedItem::TreeCacheAge,       {{     30,      60,      90,     120,     900 }}},
-    {SizedItem::LedgerSize,         {{     32,      32,      64,     256,     384 }}},
-    {SizedItem::LedgerAge,          {{     30,      60,     180,     300,     600 }}},
-    {SizedItem::LedgerFetch,        {{      2,       3,       4,       5,       8 }}},
-    {SizedItem::HashNodeDbCache,    {{      4,      12,      24,      64,     128 }}},
-    {SizedItem::TxnDbCache,         {{      4,      12,      24,      64,     128 }}},
-    {SizedItem::LgrDbCache,         {{      4,       8,      16,      32,     128 }}},
-    {SizedItem::OpenFinalLimit,     {{      8,      16,      32,      64,     128 }}},
-    {SizedItem::BurstSize,          {{      4,       8,      16,      32,      48 }}},
-    {SizedItem::RamSizeGb,          {{      6,       8,      12,      24,       0 }}},
-    {SizedItem::AccountIdCacheSize, {{  20047,   50053,   77081,  150061,  300007 }}}
-}};
-// clang-format on
-
-// Ensure that the order of entries in the table corresponds to the
-// order of entries in the enum:
-static_assert(
-    []() constexpr -> bool {
-        std::underlying_type_t<SizedItem> idx = 0;
-
-        for (auto const& i : kSizedItems)
-        {
-            if (static_cast<std::underlying_type_t<SizedItem>>(i.first) != idx)
-                return false;
-
-            ++idx;
-        }
-
-        return true;
-    }(),
-    "Mismatch between sized item enum & array indices");
-
 //
 // TODO: Check permissions on config file before using it.
 //
@@ -271,36 +355,9 @@ Config::Config()
 void
 Config::setupControl(bool bQuiet, bool bSilent, bool bStandalone)
 {
-    XRPL_ASSERT(nodeSize == 0, "xrpl::Config::setupControl : node size not set");
-
     quiet_ = bQuiet || bSilent;
     silent_ = bSilent;
     runStandalone_ = bStandalone;
-
-    // We try to autodetect the appropriate node size by checking available
-    // RAM and CPU resources. We default to "tiny" for standalone mode.
-    if (!bStandalone)
-    {
-        // First, check against 'minimum' RAM requirements per node size:
-        auto const& threshold =
-            kSizedItems[std::underlying_type_t<SizedItem>(SizedItem::RamSizeGb)];
-
-        auto ns = std::ranges::find_if(threshold.second, [this](std::size_t limit) {
-            return (limit == 0) || (ramSize_ < limit);
-        });
-
-        XRPL_ASSERT(ns != threshold.second.end(), "xrpl::Config::setupControl : valid node size");
-
-        if (ns != threshold.second.end())
-            nodeSize = std::distance(threshold.second.begin(), ns);
-
-        // Adjust the size based on the number of hardware threads of
-        // execution available to us:
-        if (auto const hc = std::thread::hardware_concurrency(); hc != 0)
-            nodeSize = std::min<std::size_t>(hc / 2, nodeSize);
-    }
-
-    XRPL_ASSERT(nodeSize <= 4, "xrpl::Config::setupControl : node size is set");
 }
 
 void
@@ -583,34 +640,55 @@ Config::loadFromString(std::string const& fileContents)
         }
     }
 
-    if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kNodeSize, strTemp, j_))
+    if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kMemoryLimit, strTemp, j_))
     {
-        if (boost::iequals(strTemp, "tiny"))
-        {
-            nodeSize = 0;
-        }
-        else if (boost::iequals(strTemp, "small"))
-        {
-            nodeSize = 1;
-        }
-        else if (boost::iequals(strTemp, "medium"))
-        {
-            nodeSize = 2;
-        }
-        else if (boost::iequals(strTemp, "large"))
-        {
-            nodeSize = 3;
-        }
-        else if (boost::iequals(strTemp, "huge"))
+        // Gigabytes; 0 disables enforcement.
+        auto const gb = beast::lexicalCastThrow<std::uint64_t>(strTemp);
+        if (gb > 1024)
         {
-            nodeSize = 4;
+            Throw<std::runtime_error>(
+                "Invalid value '" + strTemp + "' for key '" + Sections::kMemoryLimit +
+                "'; the limit is in gigabytes and may not exceed 1024");
         }
-        else
+        memoryLimit = gb << 30;
+    }
+
+    if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kNodeSize, strTemp, j_))
+    {
+        // Deprecated: each tier (by name or its legacy 0-4 index) is an
+        // alias for a memory budget. [memory_limit], when present, wins.
+        static constexpr std::array<std::pair<std::string_view, std::uint64_t>, 5> kTiers{
+            {{"tiny", 4}, {"small", 8}, {"medium", 32}, {"large", 64}, {"huge", 128}}};
+
+        auto const tier = std::ranges::find_if(
+            kTiers, [&strTemp](auto const& t) { return boost::iequals(strTemp, t.first); });
+
+        std::uint64_t const budgetGb = tier != kTiers.end()
+            ? tier->second
+            : kTiers[std::min<std::size_t>(4, beast::lexicalCastThrow<std::size_t>(strTemp))]
+                  .second;
+
+        if (!memoryLimit)
+            memoryLimit = budgetGb << 30;
+
+        if (!quiet_)
         {
-            nodeSize = std::min<std::size_t>(4, beast::lexicalCastThrow<std::size_t>(strTemp));
+            std::cerr << "WARNING: [node_size] is deprecated and will be removed "
+                         "in a future release. Set [memory_limit] instead; thread "
+                         "counts derive from the core count and [workers] / "
+                         "[io_workers].\n";
         }
     }
 
+    // A budget beyond physical memory cannot be honored and recreates the
+    // oversized-preset OOM this setting exists to prevent.
+    if (memoryLimit && ramSize_ != 0 && *memoryLimit > (ramSize_ << 30) && !quiet_)
+    {
+        std::cerr << "WARNING: the configured memory budget (" << (*memoryLimit >> 30)
+                  << " GB) exceeds detected RAM (" << ramSize_ << " GB); set [memory_limit] to "
+                  << ramSize_ << " or less.\n";
+    }
+
     if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kSigningSupport, strTemp, j_))
         signingEnabled_ = beast::lexicalCastThrow<bool>(strTemp);
 
@@ -747,6 +825,42 @@ Config::loadFromString(std::string const& fileContents)
         }
     }
 
+    if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kTreeCacheAge, strTemp, j_))
+    {
+        treeCacheAge = beast::lexicalCastThrow<int>(strTemp);
+
+        if (*treeCacheAge < 10 || *treeCacheAge > 3600)
+        {
+            Throw<std::runtime_error>(
+                std::string("Invalid ") + Sections::kTreeCacheAge +
+                ": must be between 10 and 3600 inclusive");
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kLedgerCacheAge, strTemp, j_))
+    {
+        ledgerCacheAge = beast::lexicalCastThrow<int>(strTemp);
+
+        if (*ledgerCacheAge < 10 || *ledgerCacheAge > 3600)
+        {
+            Throw<std::runtime_error>(
+                std::string("Invalid ") + Sections::kLedgerCacheAge +
+                ": must be between 10 and 3600 inclusive");
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kLedgerFetchSize, strTemp, j_))
+    {
+        ledgerFetchSize = beast::lexicalCastThrow<int>(strTemp);
+
+        if (*ledgerFetchSize < 1 || *ledgerFetchSize > 16)
+        {
+            Throw<std::runtime_error>(
+                std::string("Invalid ") + Sections::kLedgerFetchSize +
+                ": must be between 1 and 16 inclusive");
+        }
+    }
+
     if (getSingleSection(secConfig, Sections::kWorkers, strTemp, j_))
     {
         workers = beast::lexicalCastThrow<int>(strTemp);
@@ -1195,12 +1309,57 @@ Config::getDebugLogFile() const
 }
 
 int
-Config::getValueFor(SizedItem item, std::optional<std::size_t> node) const
+Config::getValueFor(SizedItem item) const
+{
+    // Memory-shaped items scale linearly with the budget between a floor and
+    // a ceiling; time and policy items are fixed. A budget of 0 (enforcement
+    // disabled) yields the floors. The 1024 bound keeps gb * 65536 within
+    // int range (the config parser enforces it too).
+    auto const gb = static_cast<int>(std::min<std::uint64_t>(cacheMemoryBudget() >> 30, 1024));
+
+    switch (item)
+    {
+        case SizedItem::SweepInterval:
+            return 30;
+        case SizedItem::TreeCacheSize:
+            // Half the budget at an estimated 8 KiB per entry (the node plus
+            // its weak-tracking entry, hash buckets, and control block):
+            // 1 GiB / 2 / 8 KiB = 65536 entries per budget GB.
+            return std::max(16384, gb * 65536);
+        case SizedItem::TreeCacheAge:
+            return treeCacheAge.value_or(300);
+        case SizedItem::LedgerSize:
+            return std::clamp(gb * 6, 32, 384);
+        case SizedItem::LedgerAge:
+            return ledgerCacheAge.value_or(180);
+        case SizedItem::LedgerFetch:
+            return ledgerFetchSize.value_or(4);
+        case SizedItem::HashNodeDbCache:
+        case SizedItem::TxnDbCache:
+        case SizedItem::LgrDbCache:
+            // HashNodeDbCache is consumed in MB (RocksDB cache_mb); the two
+            // SQLite page caches are consumed in KB.
+            return std::clamp(gb * 2, 4, 128);
+        case SizedItem::BurstSize:
+            return std::clamp(gb, 4, 48);
+        case SizedItem::AccountIdCacheSize:
+            // Fixed regardless of budget: ~22 MB at 72 bytes per slot, and
+            // the value stays prime for hash distribution.
+            return 300007;
+    }
+
+    UNREACHABLE("xrpl::Config::getValueFor : invalid item");
+    return 0;
+}
+
+std::uint64_t
+Config::cacheMemoryBudget() const
 {
-    auto const index = static_cast<std::underlying_type_t<SizedItem>>(item);
-    XRPL_ASSERT(index < kSizedItems.size(), "xrpl::Config::getValueFor : valid index input");
-    XRPL_ASSERT(!node || *node <= 4, "xrpl::Config::getValueFor : unset or valid node");
-    return kSizedItems.at(index).second.at(node.value_or(nodeSize));
+    if (memoryLimit)
+        return *memoryLimit;
+
+    // ramSize_ is in GiB; 0 when detection failed, which disables enforcement.
+    return ramSize_ << 30;
 }
 
 FeeSetup
diff --git a/src/xrpld/shamap/NodeFamily.cpp b/src/xrpld/shamap/NodeFamily.cpp
index 2e48117d6a9..1e89c65db2c 100644
--- a/src/xrpld/shamap/NodeFamily.cpp
+++ b/src/xrpld/shamap/NodeFamily.cpp
@@ -39,8 +39,17 @@ NodeFamily::NodeFamily(Application& app, CollectorManager& cm)
               app.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize),
               std::chrono::seconds(app.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheAge)),
               stopwatch(),
-              j_))
+              j_,
+              beast::insight::NullCollector::make(),
+              // Hard cap: the clamped target, enforced on insert; 0 = off.
+              app.config().cacheMemoryBudget() != 0
+                  ? app.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize)
+                  : 0))
 {
+    auto const budget = app.config().cacheMemoryBudget();
+    JLOG(j_.info()) << "TreeNodeCache sizing: target="
+                    << app.config().getValueFor(SizedItem::TreeCacheSize) << " entries, budget "
+                    << (budget >> 30) << " GB" << (budget == 0 ? " (enforcement disabled)" : "");
 }
 
 void