diff --git a/doc/userguide/rules/intro.rst b/doc/userguide/rules/intro.rst
index 41f7fe0b8327..4dcf97f2ad4a 100644
--- a/doc/userguide/rules/intro.rst
+++ b/doc/userguide/rules/intro.rst
@@ -227,10 +227,15 @@ Direction
 
 The directional arrow indicates which way the signature will be evaluated.
 In most signatures an arrow to the right (``->``) is used. This means that only
-packets with the same direction can match. However, it is also possible to
-have a rule match both directions (``<>``)::
+packets with the same direction can match.
+It is also possible to have a double arrow (``=>``) which means that the
+directionality for adresses and ports is used,
+but such a rule can match a bidirectional transaction, using keywords
+matching in each direction.
+However, it is also possible to have a rule match both directions (``<>``)::
 
   source -> destination
+  source => destination
   source <> destination  (both directions)
 
 The following example illustrates direction. In this example there is a client
@@ -251,6 +256,32 @@ as the direction specifies that we do not want to evaluate the response packet.
 
    There is no 'reverse' style direction, i.e. there is no ``<-``.
 
+Here is an example of a bidirectional rule:
+
+.. container:: example-rule
+
+    alert http any any :example-rule-emphasis:`=>` 5.6.7.8 80 (msg:"matching both uri and status"; sid: 1; http.uri; content: "/download"; http.stat_code; content: "200";)
+
+It will match on flows to 5.6.7.8 and port 80.
+And it will match on a full transaction, using both the uri from the request,
+and the stat_code from the response.
+As such, it will match only when Suricata got both request and response.
+
+Bidirectional rules can use direction-abmibuous keywords, by first using
+``bidir.toclient`` or ``bidir.toserver`` keywords.
+
+.. container:: example-rule
+
+    alert http any any => 5.6.7.8 80 (msg:"matching json to server and xml to client"; sid: 1;  :example-rule-emphasis:`bidir.toserver;` http.content_type; content: "json";  :example-rule-emphasis:`bidir.toclient;` http.content_type; content: "xml";)
+
+Bidirectional rules have some limitations :
+- They are only meant to work on transactions with first a request to the server,
+and then a response to the client, and not the other way around.
+- They cann have ``fast_pattern`` or ``prefilter`` on a keyword which is on
+the direction to client only if they do not have any have streaming buffers
+for detection on the other side.
+- They will refuse to load if a single directional rule is enough.
+
 Rule options
 ------------
 The rest of the rule consists of options. These are enclosed by parenthesis
diff --git a/src/app-layer-htp.c b/src/app-layer-htp.c
index a325f34c22a6..53d5067eb9c1 100644
--- a/src/app-layer-htp.c
+++ b/src/app-layer-htp.c
@@ -1377,6 +1377,8 @@ static void FlagDetectStateNewFile(HtpTxUserData *tx, int dir)
             SCLogDebug("DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW set");
             tx->tx_data.de_state->dir_state[1].flags |= DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW;
         }
+        tx->tx_data.de_state->dir_state[DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTION_BOTHDIR].flags |=
+                DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/app-layer-smtp.c b/src/app-layer-smtp.c
index b9e029788360..fae04cd88e28 100644
--- a/src/app-layer-smtp.c
+++ b/src/app-layer-smtp.c
@@ -475,6 +475,8 @@ static void FlagDetectStateNewFile(SMTPTransaction *tx)
     if (tx && tx->tx_data.de_state) {
         SCLogDebug("DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW set");
         tx->tx_data.de_state->dir_state[0].flags |= DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW;
+        tx->tx_data.de_state->dir_state[DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTION_BOTHDIR].flags |=
+                DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW;
     } else if (tx == NULL) {
         SCLogDebug("DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW NOT set, no TX");
     } else if (tx->tx_data.de_state == NULL) {
diff --git a/src/detect-engine-mpm.c b/src/detect-engine-mpm.c
index 6ceeaa63f233..a4db5bcbdaf6 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine-mpm.c
+++ b/src/detect-engine-mpm.c
@@ -1049,6 +1049,24 @@ static SigMatch *GetMpmForList(const Signature *s, SigMatch *list, SigMatch *mpm
 
 int g_skip_prefilter = 0;
 
+bool DetectBufferToClient(const DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, int buf_id, AppProto alproto)
+{
+    bool r = false;
+    const DetectEngineAppInspectionEngine *app = de_ctx->app_inspect_engines;
+    for (; app != NULL; app = app->next) {
+        if (app->sm_list == buf_id && (AppProtoEquals(alproto, app->alproto) || alproto == 0)) {
+            if (app->dir == 1) {
+                // do not return yet in case we have app engines on both sides
+                r = true;
+            } else {
+                // ambiguous keywords have a app-engine to server
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return r;
+}
+
 void RetrieveFPForSig(const DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s)
 {
     if (g_skip_prefilter)
@@ -1151,6 +1169,12 @@ void RetrieveFPForSig(const DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s)
              tmp != NULL && priority == tmp->priority;
              tmp = tmp->next)
         {
+            if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR) {
+                // prefer to choose a fast_pattern to server by default
+                if (DetectBufferToClient(de_ctx, tmp->list_id, s->alproto)) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+            }
             SCLogDebug("tmp->list_id %d tmp->priority %d", tmp->list_id, tmp->priority);
             if (tmp->list_id >= nlists)
                 continue;
diff --git a/src/detect-engine-mpm.h b/src/detect-engine-mpm.h
index 197416fdc941..587c1e324656 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine-mpm.h
+++ b/src/detect-engine-mpm.h
@@ -132,4 +132,6 @@ struct MpmListIdDataArgs {
 
 void EngineAnalysisAddAllRulePatterns(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, const Signature *s);
 
+bool DetectBufferToClient(const DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, int buf_id, AppProto alproto);
+
 #endif /* SURICATA_DETECT_ENGINE_MPM_H */
diff --git a/src/detect-engine-prefilter.h b/src/detect-engine-prefilter.h
index 58daeca6e736..fe4de99cefd4 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine-prefilter.h
+++ b/src/detect-engine-prefilter.h
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ typedef struct DetectTransaction_ {
     const uint64_t tx_id;
     struct AppLayerTxData *tx_data_ptr;
     DetectEngineStateDirection *de_state;
+    // state for bidirectional signatures
+    DetectEngineStateDirection *de_state_bidir;
     const uint64_t detect_flags; /* detect flags get/set from/to applayer */
     uint64_t prefilter_flags; /* prefilter flags for direction, to be updated by prefilter code */
     const uint64_t
diff --git a/src/detect-engine-register.c b/src/detect-engine-register.c
index 5608ae218f51..e644db7e3c45 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine-register.c
+++ b/src/detect-engine-register.c
@@ -579,6 +579,7 @@ void SigTableSetup(void)
     DetectOffsetRegister();
     DetectReplaceRegister();
     DetectFlowRegister();
+    DetectBidirRegister();
     DetectFlowAgeRegister();
     DetectFlowPktsToClientRegister();
     DetectFlowPktsToServerRegister();
diff --git a/src/detect-engine-register.h b/src/detect-engine-register.h
index cd2edf5979b8..e1dc42cc95a5 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine-register.h
+++ b/src/detect-engine-register.h
@@ -328,6 +328,9 @@ enum DetectKeywordId {
 
     DETECT_PREFILTER,
 
+    DETECT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT,
+    DETECT_BIDIR_TOSERVER,
+
     DETECT_TRANSFORM_COMPRESS_WHITESPACE,
     DETECT_TRANSFORM_STRIP_WHITESPACE,
     DETECT_TRANSFORM_STRIP_PSEUDO_HEADERS,
diff --git a/src/detect-engine-state.c b/src/detect-engine-state.c
index 74f87ff938f1..3adee226462d 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine-state.c
+++ b/src/detect-engine-state.c
@@ -92,9 +92,9 @@ static DeStateStore *DeStateStoreAlloc(void)
 }
 
 #ifdef DEBUG_VALIDATION
-static int DeStateSearchState(DetectEngineState *state, uint8_t direction, SigIntId num)
+static int DeStateSearchState(DetectEngineState *state, uint8_t dsi, SigIntId num)
 {
-    DetectEngineStateDirection *dir_state = &state->dir_state[direction & STREAM_TOSERVER ? 0 : 1];
+    DetectEngineStateDirection *dir_state = &state->dir_state[dsi];
     DeStateStore *tx_store = dir_state->head;
     SigIntId store_cnt;
     SigIntId state_cnt = 0;
@@ -123,11 +123,15 @@ static void DeStateSignatureAppend(DetectEngineState *state,
 {
     SCEnter();
 
-    DetectEngineStateDirection *dir_state =
-            &state->dir_state[(direction & STREAM_TOSERVER) ? 0 : 1];
+    uint8_t dsi = (direction & STREAM_TOSERVER) ? 0 : 1;
+    if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR) {
+        dsi = DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTION_BOTHDIR;
+    }
+
+    DetectEngineStateDirection *dir_state = &state->dir_state[dsi];
 
 #ifdef DEBUG_VALIDATION
-    BUG_ON(DeStateSearchState(state, direction, s->num));
+    BUG_ON(DeStateSearchState(state, dsi, s->num));
 #endif
     DeStateStore *store = dir_state->tail;
     if (store == NULL) {
@@ -175,7 +179,7 @@ void DetectEngineStateFree(DetectEngineState *state)
     DeStateStore *store_next;
     int i = 0;
 
-    for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
+    for (i = 0; i < DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTIONS; i++) {
         store = state->dir_state[i].head;
         while (store != NULL) {
             store_next = store->next;
@@ -246,17 +250,13 @@ void DetectRunStoreStateTx(
 static inline void ResetTxState(DetectEngineState *s)
 {
     if (s) {
-        s->dir_state[0].cnt = 0;
-        s->dir_state[0].filestore_cnt = 0;
-        s->dir_state[0].flags = 0;
-        /* reset 'cur' back to the list head */
-        s->dir_state[0].cur = s->dir_state[0].head;
-
-        s->dir_state[1].cnt = 0;
-        s->dir_state[1].filestore_cnt = 0;
-        s->dir_state[1].flags = 0;
-        /* reset 'cur' back to the list head */
-        s->dir_state[1].cur = s->dir_state[1].head;
+        for (int i = 0; i < DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTIONS; i++) {
+            s->dir_state[i].cnt = 0;
+            s->dir_state[i].filestore_cnt = 0;
+            s->dir_state[i].flags = 0;
+            /* reset 'cur' back to the list head */
+            s->dir_state[i].cur = s->dir_state[0].head;
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/detect-engine-state.h b/src/detect-engine-state.h
index 326b3bad4ecd..34f78e89754c 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine-state.h
+++ b/src/detect-engine-state.h
@@ -89,8 +89,17 @@ typedef struct DetectEngineStateDirection_ {
     /* coccinelle: DetectEngineStateDirection:flags:DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_ */
 } DetectEngineStateDirection;
 
+#define DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTIONS 3
+
+enum {
+    DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTION_TOSERVER = 0,
+    DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTION_TOCLIENT = 1,
+    DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTION_BOTHDIR = 2,
+};
+
 typedef struct DetectEngineState_ {
-    DetectEngineStateDirection dir_state[2];
+    // to server, to client, and bidirectional
+    DetectEngineStateDirection dir_state[DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTIONS];
 } DetectEngineState;
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/detect-engine.c b/src/detect-engine.c
index 75a198e8fabd..f317ba71551d 100644
--- a/src/detect-engine.c
+++ b/src/detect-engine.c
@@ -741,6 +741,15 @@ int DetectEngineAppInspectionEngine2Signature(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature
             for (const DetectEngineAppInspectionEngine *t = de_ctx->app_inspect_engines; t != NULL;
                     t = t->next) {
                 if (t->sm_list == s->init_data->buffers[x].id) {
+                    if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR) {
+                        // ambiguous keywords have app engines in both directions
+                        // so we skip the wrong direction for this buffer
+                        if (s->init_data->buffers[x].only_tc && t->dir == 0) {
+                            continue;
+                        } else if (s->init_data->buffers[x].only_ts && t->dir == 1) {
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                    }
                     AppendAppInspectEngine(
                             de_ctx, t, s, smd, mpm_list, files_id, &last_id, &head_is_mpm);
                 }
@@ -1332,6 +1341,30 @@ bool DetectBufferIsPresent(const Signature *s, const uint32_t buf_id)
     return false;
 }
 
+static bool DetectEngineBufferAmbiguousDir(
+        DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, const int list, AppProto alproto)
+{
+    bool has_ts = false;
+    bool has_tc = false;
+    const DetectEngineAppInspectionEngine *app = de_ctx->app_inspect_engines;
+    for (; app != NULL; app = app->next) {
+        if (app->sm_list == list && (AppProtoEquals(alproto, app->alproto) || alproto == 0)) {
+            if (app->dir == 0) {
+                if (has_tc) {
+                    return true;
+                }
+                has_ts = true;
+            } else if (app->dir == 1) {
+                if (has_ts) {
+                    return true;
+                }
+                has_tc = true;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 int DetectBufferSetActiveList(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const int list)
 {
     BUG_ON(s->init_data == NULL);
@@ -1370,7 +1403,12 @@ int DetectBufferSetActiveList(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const int l
 
             } else if (DetectEngineBufferTypeSupportsMultiInstanceGetById(de_ctx, list)) {
                 // fall through
+            } else if (b->only_tc && (s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOSERVER)) {
+                // fall through
+            } else if (b->only_ts && (s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT)) {
+                // fall through
             } else {
+                // we create a new buffer for the same id but forced different direction
                 SCLogWarning("duplicate instance for %s in '%s'",
                         DetectEngineBufferTypeGetNameById(de_ctx, list), s->sig_str);
                 s->init_data->curbuf = b;
@@ -1394,6 +1432,13 @@ int DetectBufferSetActiveList(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const int l
     s->init_data->curbuf->tail = NULL;
     s->init_data->curbuf->multi_capable =
             DetectEngineBufferTypeSupportsMultiInstanceGetById(de_ctx, list);
+    if (s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) {
+        s->init_data->curbuf->only_tc = DetectEngineBufferAmbiguousDir(de_ctx, list, s->alproto);
+    }
+    if (s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOSERVER) {
+        s->init_data->curbuf->only_ts = DetectEngineBufferAmbiguousDir(de_ctx, list, s->alproto);
+    }
+
     SCLogDebug("new: idx %u list %d set up curbuf %p", s->init_data->buffer_index - 1, list,
             s->init_data->curbuf);
 
diff --git a/src/detect-fast-pattern.c b/src/detect-fast-pattern.c
index 6748186727c9..7550c973f2f8 100644
--- a/src/detect-fast-pattern.c
+++ b/src/detect-fast-pattern.c
@@ -238,6 +238,19 @@ static int DetectFastPatternSetup(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const c
         pm = pm2;
     }
 
+    if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR && s->init_data->curbuf != NULL) {
+        if (DetectBufferToClient(de_ctx, s->init_data->curbuf->id, s->alproto)) {
+            if (s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER) {
+                SCLogError("fast_pattern cannot be used on to_client keyword for "
+                           "bidirectional rule with a streaming buffer to server %u",
+                        s->id);
+                goto error;
+            } else {
+                s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_FAST_TOCLIENT;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     cd = (DetectContentData *)pm->ctx;
     if ((cd->flags & DETECT_CONTENT_NEGATED) &&
         ((cd->flags & DETECT_CONTENT_DISTANCE) ||
diff --git a/src/detect-file-data.c b/src/detect-file-data.c
index 533fc8441d93..949bda11aa7a 100644
--- a/src/detect-file-data.c
+++ b/src/detect-file-data.c
@@ -151,6 +151,9 @@ static int DetectFiledataSetup (DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const cha
         return -1;
 
     s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_FILEDATA;
+    if ((s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) == 0) {
+        s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
+    }
     SetupDetectEngineConfig(de_ctx);
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/detect-file-hash-common.c b/src/detect-file-hash-common.c
index f81ce4be29ea..e7bd692b9c7b 100644
--- a/src/detect-file-hash-common.c
+++ b/src/detect-file-hash-common.c
@@ -332,6 +332,9 @@ int DetectFileHashSetup(
     }
 
     s->file_flags |= FILE_SIG_NEED_FILE;
+    if ((s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) == 0) {
+        s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
+    }
 
     // Setup the file flags depending on the hashing algorithm
     if (type == DETECT_FILEMD5) {
diff --git a/src/detect-filemagic.c b/src/detect-filemagic.c
index b7a737e6c7b7..5e399bd2ad18 100644
--- a/src/detect-filemagic.c
+++ b/src/detect-filemagic.c
@@ -212,6 +212,9 @@ static int DetectFilemagicSetup (DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const ch
     }
     s->init_data->list = DETECT_SM_LIST_NOTSET;
     s->file_flags |= (FILE_SIG_NEED_FILE | FILE_SIG_NEED_MAGIC);
+    if ((s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) == 0) {
+        s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
+    }
 
     if (DetectContentSetup(de_ctx, s, str) < 0) {
         return -1;
diff --git a/src/detect-filename.c b/src/detect-filename.c
index 10646f019f1a..c7d193730b65 100644
--- a/src/detect-filename.c
+++ b/src/detect-filename.c
@@ -129,6 +129,9 @@ static int DetectFileextSetup(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const char
     }
     s->init_data->list = DETECT_SM_LIST_NOTSET;
     s->file_flags |= (FILE_SIG_NEED_FILE | FILE_SIG_NEED_FILENAME);
+    if ((s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) == 0) {
+        s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
+    }
 
     size_t dotstr_len = strlen(str) + 2;
     char *dotstr = SCCalloc(1, dotstr_len);
@@ -176,6 +179,9 @@ static int DetectFilenameSetup (DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const cha
     }
     s->init_data->list = DETECT_SM_LIST_NOTSET;
     s->file_flags |= (FILE_SIG_NEED_FILE | FILE_SIG_NEED_FILENAME);
+    if ((s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) == 0) {
+        s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
+    }
 
     if (DetectContentSetup(de_ctx, s, str) < 0) {
         return -1;
@@ -211,6 +217,9 @@ static int DetectFilenameSetupSticky(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, cons
     if (DetectBufferSetActiveList(de_ctx, s, g_file_name_buffer_id) < 0)
         return -1;
     s->file_flags |= (FILE_SIG_NEED_FILE | FILE_SIG_NEED_FILENAME);
+    if ((s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) == 0) {
+        s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
+    }
     return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/detect-filesize.c b/src/detect-filesize.c
index c29957d2870b..9fbfac04f26d 100644
--- a/src/detect-filesize.c
+++ b/src/detect-filesize.c
@@ -134,6 +134,9 @@ static int DetectFilesizeSetup (DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const cha
     }
 
     s->file_flags |= (FILE_SIG_NEED_FILE|FILE_SIG_NEED_SIZE);
+    if ((s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT) == 0) {
+        s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
+    }
     SCReturnInt(0);
 
 error:
diff --git a/src/detect-flow.c b/src/detect-flow.c
index 696e5013a03e..46535ae695cb 100644
--- a/src/detect-flow.c
+++ b/src/detect-flow.c
@@ -79,6 +79,48 @@ void DetectFlowRegister (void)
     DetectSetupParseRegexes(PARSE_REGEX, &parse_regex);
 }
 
+static int DetectBidirToClientSetup(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const char *flowstr)
+{
+    if (!(s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR)) {
+        SCLogError("Cannot have bidir keyword in a non bidirectional signature");
+        return -1;
+    }
+    s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT;
+    s->init_data->init_flags &= ~SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOSERVER;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int DetectBidirToServerSetup(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const char *flowstr)
+{
+    if (!(s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR)) {
+        SCLogError("Cannot have bidir keyword in a non bidirectional signature");
+        return -1;
+    }
+    s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOSERVER;
+    s->init_data->init_flags &= ~SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * \brief Registration function for flow: keyword
+ */
+void DetectBidirRegister(void)
+{
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT].name = "bidir.toclient";
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT].desc =
+            "match next keywords only toclient side for bidirectional rules";
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT].url = "/rules/flow-keywords.html#TODO";
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT].Setup = DetectBidirToClientSetup;
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT].flags |= SIGMATCH_NOOPT;
+
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOSERVER].name = "bidir.toserver";
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOSERVER].desc =
+            "match next keywords only toclient side for bidirectional rules";
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOSERVER].url = "/rules/flow-keywords.html#TODO";
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOSERVER].Setup = DetectBidirToServerSetup;
+    sigmatch_table[DETECT_BIDIR_TOSERVER].flags |= SIGMATCH_NOOPT;
+}
+
 /**
  * \param pflags packet flags (p->flags)
  * \param pflowflags packet flow flags (p->flowflags)
@@ -391,8 +433,18 @@ int DetectFlowSetup (DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const char *flowstr)
     bool appendsm = true;
     /* set the signature direction flags */
     if (fd->flags & DETECT_FLOW_FLAG_TOSERVER) {
+        if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR) {
+            SCLogError(
+                    "rule %u means to use both directions, cannot specify a flow direction", s->id);
+            goto error;
+        }
         s->flags |= SIG_FLAG_TOSERVER;
     } else if (fd->flags & DETECT_FLOW_FLAG_TOCLIENT) {
+        if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR) {
+            SCLogError(
+                    "rule %u means to use both directions, cannot specify a flow direction", s->id);
+            goto error;
+        }
         s->flags |= SIG_FLAG_TOCLIENT;
     } else {
         s->flags |= SIG_FLAG_TOSERVER;
diff --git a/src/detect-flow.h b/src/detect-flow.h
index 990d07b83a04..43445290efa0 100644
--- a/src/detect-flow.h
+++ b/src/detect-flow.h
@@ -44,4 +44,6 @@ int DetectFlowSetupImplicit(Signature *s, uint32_t flags);
 /* prototypes */
 void DetectFlowRegister (void);
 
+void DetectBidirRegister(void);
+
 #endif /* SURICATA_DETECT_FLOW_H */
diff --git a/src/detect-http-client-body.c b/src/detect-http-client-body.c
index 5e5604ea594d..047b7df2cba5 100644
--- a/src/detect-http-client-body.c
+++ b/src/detect-http-client-body.c
@@ -167,6 +167,8 @@ static int DetectHttpClientBodySetupSticky(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s
         return -1;
     if (DetectSignatureSetAppProto(s, ALPROTO_HTTP) < 0)
         return -1;
+    // we cannot use a bidirectional rule with a fast pattern to client and this
+    s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER;
     return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/detect-parse.c b/src/detect-parse.c
index de898f556966..5fe9d583c45d 100644
--- a/src/detect-parse.c
+++ b/src/detect-parse.c
@@ -1394,6 +1394,8 @@ static int SigParseBasics(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const char *sig
 
     if (strcmp(parser->direction, "<>") == 0) {
         s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIREC;
+    } else if (strcmp(parser->direction, "=>") == 0) {
+        s->flags |= SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR;
     } else if (strcmp(parser->direction, "->") != 0) {
         SCLogError("\"%s\" is not a valid direction modifier, "
                    "\"->\" and \"<>\" are supported.",
@@ -1949,6 +1951,9 @@ static int SigValidate(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s)
     } bufdir[nlists + 1];
     memset(&bufdir, 0, (nlists + 1) * sizeof(struct BufferVsDir));
 
+    int ts_excl = 0;
+    int tc_excl = 0;
+
     for (uint32_t x = 0; x < s->init_data->buffer_index; x++) {
         SignatureInitDataBuffer *b = &s->init_data->buffers[x];
         const DetectBufferType *bt = DetectEngineBufferTypeGetById(de_ctx, b->id);
@@ -1986,8 +1991,16 @@ static int SigValidate(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s)
                         DetectEngineBufferTypeGetNameById(de_ctx, app->sm_list), app->dir,
                         app->alproto);
                 SCLogDebug("b->id %d nlists %d", b->id, nlists);
-                bufdir[b->id].ts += (app->dir == 0);
-                bufdir[b->id].tc += (app->dir == 1);
+                if (b->only_tc) {
+                    if (app->dir == 1)
+                        tc_excl++;
+                } else if (b->only_ts) {
+                    if (app->dir == 0)
+                        ts_excl++;
+                } else {
+                    bufdir[b->id].ts += (app->dir == 0);
+                    bufdir[b->id].tc += (app->dir == 1);
+                }
             }
         }
 
@@ -2000,8 +2013,6 @@ static int SigValidate(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s)
         }
     }
 
-    int ts_excl = 0;
-    int tc_excl = 0;
     int dir_amb = 0;
     for (int x = 0; x < nlists; x++) {
         if (bufdir[x].ts == 0 && bufdir[x].tc == 0)
@@ -2013,8 +2024,21 @@ static int SigValidate(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s)
         SCLogDebug("%s/%d: %d/%d", DetectEngineBufferTypeGetNameById(de_ctx, x), x, bufdir[x].ts,
                 bufdir[x].tc);
     }
-    if (ts_excl && tc_excl) {
-        SCLogError("rule %u mixes keywords with conflicting directions", s->id);
+    if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR) {
+        if (!ts_excl || !tc_excl) {
+            SCLogError("rule %u should use both directions, but does not", s->id);
+            SCReturnInt(0);
+        }
+        if (dir_amb) {
+            SCLogError("rule %u means to use both directions, cannot have keywords ambiguous about "
+                       "directions",
+                    s->id);
+            SCReturnInt(0);
+        }
+    } else if (ts_excl && tc_excl) {
+        SCLogError("rule %u mixes keywords with conflicting directions, a bidirection rule with => "
+                   "should be used",
+                s->id);
         SCReturnInt(0);
     } else if (ts_excl) {
         SCLogDebug("%u: implied rule direction is toserver", s->id);
diff --git a/src/detect-prefilter.c b/src/detect-prefilter.c
index f38b56bf8b9c..825fe87cc79d 100644
--- a/src/detect-prefilter.c
+++ b/src/detect-prefilter.c
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "detect.h"
 #include "detect-parse.h"
 #include "detect-content.h"
+#include "detect-engine-mpm.h"
 #include "detect-prefilter.h"
 #include "util-debug.h"
 
@@ -75,6 +76,19 @@ static int DetectPrefilterSetup (DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx, Signature *s, const ch
     /* if the sig match is content, prefilter should act like
      * 'fast_pattern' w/o options. */
     if (sm->type == DETECT_CONTENT) {
+        if (s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR && s->init_data->curbuf != NULL) {
+            if (s->init_data->init_flags & SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER) {
+                if (DetectBufferToClient(de_ctx, s->init_data->curbuf->id, s->alproto)) {
+                    SCLogError("prefilter cannot be used on to_client keyword for "
+                               "bidirectional rule %u",
+                            s->id);
+                    SCReturnInt(-1);
+                } else {
+                    s->init_data->init_flags |= SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_FAST_TOCLIENT;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         DetectContentData *cd = (DetectContentData *)sm->ctx;
         if ((cd->flags & DETECT_CONTENT_NEGATED) &&
                 ((cd->flags & DETECT_CONTENT_DISTANCE) ||
diff --git a/src/detect.c b/src/detect.c
index 9d595e66dc4a..37b1c88d6b0a 100644
--- a/src/detect.c
+++ b/src/detect.c
@@ -1107,9 +1107,10 @@ static bool DetectRunTxInspectRule(ThreadVars *tv,
     const DetectEngineAppInspectionEngine *engine = s->app_inspect;
     do {
         TRACE_SID_TXS(s->id, tx, "engine %p inspect_flags %x", engine, inspect_flags);
+        // also if it is not the same direction, but
+        // this is a bidrectional signature, and we are toclient
         if (!(inspect_flags & BIT_U32(engine->id)) &&
-                direction == engine->dir)
-        {
+                (direction == engine->dir || ((s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR) && direction == 1))) {
             const bool skip_engine = (engine->alproto != 0 && engine->alproto != f->alproto);
             /* special case: file_data on 'alert tcp' will have engines
              * in the list that are not for us. */
@@ -1141,6 +1142,10 @@ static bool DetectRunTxInspectRule(ThreadVars *tv,
                 }
             }
 
+            uint8_t engine_flags = flow_flags;
+            if (direction != engine->dir) {
+                engine_flags = flow_flags ^ (STREAM_TOCLIENT | STREAM_TOSERVER);
+            }
             /* run callback: but bypass stream callback if we can */
             uint8_t match;
             if (unlikely(engine->stream && can->stream_stored)) {
@@ -1149,8 +1154,8 @@ static bool DetectRunTxInspectRule(ThreadVars *tv,
             } else {
                 KEYWORD_PROFILING_SET_LIST(det_ctx, engine->sm_list);
                 DEBUG_VALIDATE_BUG_ON(engine->v2.Callback == NULL);
-                match = engine->v2.Callback(
-                        de_ctx, det_ctx, engine, s, f, flow_flags, alstate, tx->tx_ptr, tx->tx_id);
+                match = engine->v2.Callback(de_ctx, det_ctx, engine, s, f, engine_flags, alstate,
+                        tx->tx_ptr, tx->tx_id);
                 TRACE_SID_TXS(s->id, tx, "engine %p match %d", engine, match);
                 if (engine->stream) {
                     can->stream_stored = true;
@@ -1184,7 +1189,19 @@ static bool DetectRunTxInspectRule(ThreadVars *tv,
                 inspect_flags |= BIT_U32(engine->id);
             }
             break;
+        } else if (!(inspect_flags & BIT_U32(engine->id)) && s->flags & SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR &&
+                   direction != engine->dir) {
+            // for bidirectional rules, the engines on the opposite direction
+            // are ordered by progress on the different side
+            // so we have a two mixed-up lists, and we skip the elements
+            if (direction == 0 && engine->next == NULL) {
+                // do not match yet on request only
+                break;
+            }
+            engine = engine->next;
+            continue;
         }
+
         engine = engine->next;
     } while (engine != NULL);
     TRACE_SID_TXS(s->id, tx, "inspect_flags %x, total_matches %u, engine %p",
@@ -1243,7 +1260,7 @@ static bool DetectRunTxInspectRule(ThreadVars *tv,
 
 #define NO_TX                                                                                      \
     {                                                                                              \
-        NULL, 0, NULL, NULL, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,                                                        \
+        NULL, 0, NULL, NULL, NULL, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,                                                  \
     }
 
 /** \internal
@@ -1283,16 +1300,18 @@ static DetectTransaction GetDetectTx(const uint8_t ipproto, const AppProto alpro
     DEBUG_VALIDATE_BUG_ON(prefilter_flags & APP_LAYER_TX_RESERVED_FLAGS);
 
     DetectTransaction tx = {
-                            .tx_ptr = tx_ptr,
-                            .tx_id = tx_id,
-                            .tx_data_ptr = (struct AppLayerTxData *)txd,
-                            .de_state = tx_dir_state,
-                            .detect_flags = detect_flags,
-                            .prefilter_flags = prefilter_flags,
-                            .prefilter_flags_orig = prefilter_flags,
-                            .tx_progress = tx_progress,
-                            .tx_end_state = tx_end_state,
-                           };
+        .tx_ptr = tx_ptr,
+        .tx_id = tx_id,
+        .tx_data_ptr = (struct AppLayerTxData *)txd,
+        .de_state = tx_dir_state,
+        .de_state_bidir =
+                tx_de_state ? &tx_de_state->dir_state[DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_DIRECTION_BOTHDIR] : NULL,
+        .detect_flags = detect_flags,
+        .prefilter_flags = prefilter_flags,
+        .prefilter_flags_orig = prefilter_flags,
+        .tx_progress = tx_progress,
+        .tx_end_state = tx_end_state,
+    };
     return tx;
 }
 
@@ -1309,6 +1328,52 @@ static inline void StoreDetectFlags(DetectTransaction *tx, const uint8_t flow_fl
     }
 }
 
+static bool RuleMatchCandidateMergeStoredState(DetectEngineCtx *de_ctx,
+        DetectEngineThreadCtx *det_ctx, DetectTransaction tx, DetectEngineStateDirection *de_state,
+        uint32_t *array_idx)
+{
+    if (de_state == NULL) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    const uint32_t old = *array_idx;
+
+    /* if de_state->flags has 'new file' set and sig below has
+     * 'file inspected' flag, reset the file part of the state */
+    const bool have_new_file = (de_state->flags & DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW);
+    if (have_new_file) {
+        SCLogDebug("%p/%" PRIu64 " destate: need to consider new file", tx.tx_ptr, tx.tx_id);
+        de_state->flags &= ~DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW;
+    }
+
+    SigIntId state_cnt = 0;
+    DeStateStore *tx_store = de_state->head;
+    for (; tx_store != NULL; tx_store = tx_store->next) {
+        SCLogDebug("tx_store %p", tx_store);
+
+        SigIntId store_cnt = 0;
+        for (store_cnt = 0; store_cnt < DE_STATE_CHUNK_SIZE && state_cnt < de_state->cnt;
+                store_cnt++, state_cnt++) {
+            DeStateStoreItem *item = &tx_store->store[store_cnt];
+            SCLogDebug("rule id %u, inspect_flags %u", item->sid, item->flags);
+            if (have_new_file && (item->flags & DE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_INSPECT)) {
+                /* remove part of the state. File inspect engine will now
+                 * be able to run again */
+                item->flags &= ~(DE_STATE_FLAG_SIG_CANT_MATCH | DE_STATE_FLAG_FULL_INSPECT |
+                                 DE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_INSPECT);
+                SCLogDebug("rule id %u, post file reset inspect_flags %u", item->sid, item->flags);
+            }
+            det_ctx->tx_candidates[*array_idx].s = de_ctx->sig_array[item->sid];
+            det_ctx->tx_candidates[*array_idx].id = item->sid;
+            det_ctx->tx_candidates[*array_idx].flags = &item->flags;
+            det_ctx->tx_candidates[*array_idx].stream_reset = 0;
+            (*array_idx)++;
+        }
+    }
+    SCLogDebug("%p/%" PRIu64 " rules added from 'continue' list: %u", tx.tx_ptr, tx.tx_id,
+            *array_idx - old);
+    return (old && old != *array_idx); // sort if continue list adds sids
+}
+
 // Merge 'state' rules from the regular prefilter
 // updates array_idx on the way
 static inline void RuleMatchCandidateMergeStateRules(
@@ -1425,6 +1490,7 @@ static void DetectRunTx(ThreadVars *tv,
         uint32_t array_idx = 0;
         uint32_t total_rules = det_ctx->match_array_cnt;
         total_rules += (tx.de_state ? tx.de_state->cnt : 0);
+        total_rules += (tx.de_state_bidir ? tx.de_state_bidir->cnt : 0);
 
         /* run prefilter engines and merge results into a candidates array */
         if (sgh->tx_engines) {
@@ -1463,47 +1529,9 @@ static void DetectRunTx(ThreadVars *tv,
         RuleMatchCandidateMergeStateRules(det_ctx, &array_idx);
 
         /* merge stored state into results */
-        if (tx.de_state != NULL) {
-            const uint32_t old = array_idx;
-
-            /* if tx.de_state->flags has 'new file' set and sig below has
-             * 'file inspected' flag, reset the file part of the state */
-            const bool have_new_file = (tx.de_state->flags & DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW);
-            if (have_new_file) {
-                SCLogDebug("%p/%"PRIu64" destate: need to consider new file",
-                        tx.tx_ptr, tx.tx_id);
-                tx.de_state->flags &= ~DETECT_ENGINE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_NEW;
-            }
-
-            SigIntId state_cnt = 0;
-            DeStateStore *tx_store = tx.de_state->head;
-            for (; tx_store != NULL; tx_store = tx_store->next) {
-                SCLogDebug("tx_store %p", tx_store);
-
-                SigIntId store_cnt = 0;
-                for (store_cnt = 0;
-                        store_cnt < DE_STATE_CHUNK_SIZE && state_cnt < tx.de_state->cnt;
-                        store_cnt++, state_cnt++)
-                {
-                    DeStateStoreItem *item = &tx_store->store[store_cnt];
-                    SCLogDebug("rule id %u, inspect_flags %u", item->sid, item->flags);
-                    if (have_new_file && (item->flags & DE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_INSPECT)) {
-                        /* remove part of the state. File inspect engine will now
-                         * be able to run again */
-                        item->flags &= ~(DE_STATE_FLAG_SIG_CANT_MATCH|DE_STATE_FLAG_FULL_INSPECT|DE_STATE_FLAG_FILE_INSPECT);
-                        SCLogDebug("rule id %u, post file reset inspect_flags %u", item->sid, item->flags);
-                    }
-                    det_ctx->tx_candidates[array_idx].s = de_ctx->sig_array[item->sid];
-                    det_ctx->tx_candidates[array_idx].id = item->sid;
-                    det_ctx->tx_candidates[array_idx].flags = &item->flags;
-                    det_ctx->tx_candidates[array_idx].stream_reset = 0;
-                    array_idx++;
-                }
-            }
-            do_sort |= (old && old != array_idx); // sort if continue list adds sids
-            SCLogDebug("%p/%" PRIu64 " rules added from 'continue' list: %u", tx.tx_ptr, tx.tx_id,
-                    array_idx - old);
-        }
+        do_sort |= RuleMatchCandidateMergeStoredState(de_ctx, det_ctx, tx, tx.de_state, &array_idx);
+        do_sort |= RuleMatchCandidateMergeStoredState(
+                de_ctx, det_ctx, tx, tx.de_state_bidir, &array_idx);
         if (do_sort) {
             qsort(det_ctx->tx_candidates, array_idx, sizeof(RuleMatchCandidateTx),
                     DetectRunTxSortHelper);
diff --git a/src/detect.h b/src/detect.h
index 52b456318969..a8f37e7fbc69 100644
--- a/src/detect.h
+++ b/src/detect.h
@@ -243,6 +243,7 @@ typedef struct DetectPort_ {
 #define SIG_FLAG_NOALERT                BIT_U32(4)  /**< no alert flag is set */
 #define SIG_FLAG_DSIZE                  BIT_U32(5)  /**< signature has a dsize setting */
 #define SIG_FLAG_APPLAYER               BIT_U32(6) /**< signature applies to app layer instead of packets */
+#define SIG_FLAG_BOTHDIR                BIT_U32(7) /**< signature needs both directions to match */
 
 // vacancy
 
@@ -294,6 +295,13 @@ typedef struct DetectPort_ {
     BIT_U32(8) /**< priority is explicitly set by the priority keyword */
 #define SIG_FLAG_INIT_FILEDATA              BIT_U32(9)  /**< signature has filedata keyword */
 #define SIG_FLAG_INIT_JA                    BIT_U32(10) /**< signature has ja3/ja4 keyword */
+#define SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOCLIENT        BIT_U32(11) /**< signature now takes keywords toclient */
+#define SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_TOSERVER        BIT_U32(12) /**< signature now takes keywords toserver */
+// Two following flags are meant to be mutually exclusive
+#define SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_STREAMING_TOSERVER                                                     \
+    BIT_U32(13) /**< bidirectional signature uses a streaming buffer to server */
+#define SIG_FLAG_INIT_BIDIR_FAST_TOCLIENT                                                          \
+    BIT_U32(14) /**< bidirectional signature uses a fast pattern to client */
 
 /* signature mask flags */
 /** \note: additions should be added to the rule analyzer as well */
@@ -526,6 +534,8 @@ typedef struct SignatureInitDataBuffer_ {
                      set up. */
     bool multi_capable; /**< true if we can have multiple instances of this buffer, so e.g. for
                            http.uri. */
+    bool only_tc;       /**< true if we can only used toclient. */
+    bool only_ts;       /**< true if we can only used toserver. */
     /* sig match list */
     SigMatch *head;
     SigMatch *tail;