Why not just run the torrenting stack behind the VPN in a separate docker container? Then the rest of your media server is completely unaffected by the VPN and no need for any split tunneling.

due to some technical considerations I don’t like to run a VPN on my media server

What’s the reasons against using a VPN here?

I use hard linking to manage my library. It’s far from ideal, because the actual files are still stored in the jumbled shit show of files that is my downloads folder. But at least it let’s me browse an ordered library of file names.

Gee officer, we dun’ kno’ nothin’ 'bout no hacking stuff sir…

Maybe not, but you and I definitely dont, so let’s stick to what they’re actually saying instead of guessing.

That’s not a firewall though, which is what OP mentions.

That sounds weird and super invasive…where is this?

Stop using your ISPs router and they’re not going to have much control over it.

So you’re saying there is a chance…

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I think the popularity of tamagotchis in the 90’s disproves that statement.