diff --git a/include/ssh_server.h b/include/ssh_server.h
index ed5092c..0f8419e 100644
--- a/include/ssh_server.h
+++ b/include/ssh_server.h
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ typedef struct client {
     char command_output[2048];
     pthread_t thread;
     bool connected;
+    int ref_count;                   /* Reference count for safe cleanup */
+    pthread_mutex_t ref_lock;        /* Lock for ref_count */
 } client_t;
 
 /* Initialize SSH server */