diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_alarm.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_alarm.erl
index a89063870..7368b442d 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_alarm.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_alarm.erl
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@
     delete_all_deactivated_alarms/0,
     get_alarms/0,
     get_alarms/1,
-    format/1
+    format/1,
+    format/2
 ]).
 
 %% gen_server callbacks
@@ -169,12 +170,15 @@ get_alarms(activated) ->
 get_alarms(deactivated) ->
     gen_server:call(?MODULE, {get_alarms, deactivated}).
 
-format(#activated_alarm{name = Name, message = Message, activate_at = At, details = Details}) ->
+format(Alarm) ->
+    format(node(), Alarm).
+
+format(Node, #activated_alarm{name = Name, message = Message, activate_at = At, details = Details}) ->
     Now = erlang:system_time(microsecond),
     %% mnesia db stored microsecond for high frequency alarm
     %% format for dashboard using millisecond
     #{
-        node => node(),
+        node => Node,
         name => Name,
         message => Message,
         %% to millisecond
@@ -182,7 +186,7 @@ format(#activated_alarm{name = Name, message = Message, activate_at = At, detail
         activate_at => to_rfc3339(At),
         details => Details
     };
-format(#deactivated_alarm{
+format(Node, #deactivated_alarm{
     name = Name,
     message = Message,
     activate_at = At,
@@ -190,7 +194,7 @@ format(#deactivated_alarm{
     deactivate_at = DAt
 }) ->
     #{
-        node => node(),
+        node => Node,
         name => Name,
         message => Message,
         %% to millisecond
diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl
index d39f43686..5adc7a811 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl
@@ -650,8 +650,8 @@ init([]) ->
     TabOpts = [public, {write_concurrency, true}],
     ok = emqx_tables:new(?CHAN_TAB, [bag, {read_concurrency, true} | TabOpts]),
     ok = emqx_tables:new(?CHAN_CONN_TAB, [bag | TabOpts]),
-    ok = emqx_tables:new(?CHAN_INFO_TAB, [set, compressed | TabOpts]),
-    ok = emqx_tables:new(?CHAN_LIVE_TAB, [set, {write_concurrency, true} | TabOpts]),
+    ok = emqx_tables:new(?CHAN_INFO_TAB, [ordered_set, compressed | TabOpts]),
+    ok = emqx_tables:new(?CHAN_LIVE_TAB, [ordered_set, {write_concurrency, true} | TabOpts]),
     ok = emqx_stats:update_interval(chan_stats, fun ?MODULE:stats_fun/0),
     State = #{chan_pmon => emqx_pmon:new()},
     {ok, State}.
diff --git a/apps/emqx/test/emqx_bpapi_static_checks.erl b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_bpapi_static_checks.erl
index d87258201..69cede2bc 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/test/emqx_bpapi_static_checks.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_bpapi_static_checks.erl
@@ -62,9 +62,10 @@
 %% List of business-layer functions that are exempt from the checks:
 %% erlfmt-ignore
 -define(EXEMPTIONS,
-    "emqx_mgmt_api:do_query/6"  % Reason: legacy code. A fun and a QC query are
-                                % passed in the args, it's futile to try to statically
-                                % check it
+    % Reason: legacy code. A fun and a QC query are
+    % passed in the args, it's futile to try to statically
+    % check it
+    "emqx_mgmt_api:do_query/2, emqx_mgmt_api:collect_total_from_tail_nodes/3"
 ).
 
 -define(XREF, myxref).
diff --git a/apps/emqx/test/emqx_common_test_helpers.erl b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_common_test_helpers.erl
index f195e083c..2d51f6f14 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/test/emqx_common_test_helpers.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_common_test_helpers.erl
@@ -519,21 +519,51 @@ ensure_quic_listener(Name, UdpPort) ->
 %% Clusterisation and multi-node testing
 %%
 
+-type cluster_spec() :: [node_spec()].
+-type node_spec() :: role() | {role(), shortname()} | {role(), shortname(), node_opts()}.
+-type role() :: core | replicant.
+-type shortname() :: atom().
+-type nodename() :: atom().
+-type node_opts() :: #{
+    %% Need to loaded apps. These apps will be loaded once the node started
+    load_apps => list(),
+    %% Need to started apps. It is the first arg passed to emqx_common_test_helpers:start_apps/2
+    apps => list(),
+    %% Extras app starting handler. It is the second arg passed to emqx_common_test_helpers:start_apps/2
+    env_handler => fun((AppName :: atom()) -> term()),
+    %% Application env preset before calling `emqx_common_test_helpers:start_apps/2`
+    env => {AppName :: atom(), Key :: atom(), Val :: term()},
+    %% Whether to execute `emqx_config:init_load(SchemaMod)`
+    %% default: true
+    load_schema => boolean(),
+    %% Eval by emqx_config:put/2
+    conf => [{KeyPath :: list(), Val :: term()}],
+    %% Fast option to config listener port
+    %% default rule:
+    %% - tcp: base_port
+    %% - ssl: base_port + 1
+    %% - ws : base_port + 3
+    %% - wss: base_port + 4
+    listener_ports => [{Type :: tcp | ssl | ws | wss, inet:port_number()}]
+}.
+
+-spec emqx_cluster(cluster_spec()) -> [{shortname(), node_opts()}].
 emqx_cluster(Specs) ->
     emqx_cluster(Specs, #{}).
 
+-spec emqx_cluster(cluster_spec(), node_opts()) -> [{shortname(), node_opts()}].
 emqx_cluster(Specs, CommonOpts) when is_list(CommonOpts) ->
     emqx_cluster(Specs, maps:from_list(CommonOpts));
 emqx_cluster(Specs0, CommonOpts) ->
     Specs1 = lists:zip(Specs0, lists:seq(1, length(Specs0))),
     Specs = expand_node_specs(Specs1, CommonOpts),
-    CoreNodes = [node_name(Name) || {{core, Name, _}, _} <- Specs],
-    %% Assign grpc ports:
+    %% Assign grpc ports
     GenRpcPorts = maps:from_list([
         {node_name(Name), {tcp, gen_rpc_port(base_port(Num))}}
      || {{_, Name, _}, Num} <- Specs
     ]),
     %% Set the default node of the cluster:
+    CoreNodes = [node_name(Name) || {{core, Name, _}, _} <- Specs],
     JoinTo =
         case CoreNodes of
             [First | _] -> First;
@@ -554,6 +584,8 @@ emqx_cluster(Specs0, CommonOpts) ->
     ].
 
 %% Lower level starting API
+
+-spec start_slave(shortname(), node_opts()) -> nodename().
 start_slave(Name, Opts) ->
     {ok, Node} = ct_slave:start(
         list_to_atom(atom_to_list(Name) ++ "@" ++ host()),
@@ -590,6 +622,7 @@ epmd_path() ->
 
 %% Node initialization
 
+-spec setup_node(nodename(), node_opts()) -> ok.
 setup_node(Node, Opts) when is_list(Opts) ->
     setup_node(Node, maps:from_list(Opts));
 setup_node(Node, Opts) when is_map(Opts) ->
diff --git a/apps/emqx_authn/src/enhanced_authn/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia.erl b/apps/emqx_authn/src/enhanced_authn/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia.erl
index cb3fad7dc..ddc1bb464 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_authn/src/enhanced_authn/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_authn/src/enhanced_authn/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia.erl
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@
 ]).
 
 -export([
-    query/4,
+    qs2ms/2,
+    run_fuzzy_filter/2,
     format_user_info/1,
     group_match_spec/1
 ]).
@@ -66,7 +67,6 @@
     {<<"user_group">>, binary},
     {<<"is_superuser">>, atom}
 ]).
--define(QUERY_FUN, {?MODULE, query}).
 
 -type user_group() :: binary().
 
@@ -262,42 +262,30 @@ lookup_user(UserID, #{user_group := UserGroup}) ->
 
 list_users(QueryString, #{user_group := UserGroup}) ->
     NQueryString = QueryString#{<<"user_group">> => UserGroup},
-    emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(node(), NQueryString, ?TAB, ?AUTHN_QSCHEMA, ?QUERY_FUN).
-
-%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Query Functions
-
-query(Tab, {QString, []}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = ms_from_qstring(QString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        Ms,
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_user_info/1
-    );
-query(Tab, {QString, FuzzyQString}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = ms_from_qstring(QString),
-    FuzzyFilterFun = fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun},
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_user_info/1
+    emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
+        node(),
+        ?TAB,
+        NQueryString,
+        ?AUTHN_QSCHEMA,
+        fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+        fun ?MODULE:format_user_info/1
     ).
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Match funcs
+%% QueryString to MatchSpec
+
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {QString, Fuzzy}) ->
+    #{
+        match_spec => ms_from_qstring(QString),
+        fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy)
+    }.
 
 %% Fuzzy username funcs
+fuzzy_filter_fun([]) ->
+    undefined;
 fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy) ->
-    fun(MsRaws) when is_list(MsRaws) ->
-        lists:filter(
-            fun(E) -> run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy) end,
-            MsRaws
-        )
-    end.
+    {fun ?MODULE:run_fuzzy_filter/2, [Fuzzy]}.
 
 run_fuzzy_filter(_, []) ->
     true;
diff --git a/apps/emqx_authn/src/simple_authn/emqx_authn_mnesia.erl b/apps/emqx_authn/src/simple_authn/emqx_authn_mnesia.erl
index 7276ad428..415d23c25 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_authn/src/simple_authn/emqx_authn_mnesia.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_authn/src/simple_authn/emqx_authn_mnesia.erl
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@
 ]).
 
 -export([
-    query/4,
+    qs2ms/2,
+    run_fuzzy_filter/2,
     format_user_info/1,
     group_match_spec/1
 ]).
@@ -84,7 +85,6 @@
     {<<"user_group">>, binary},
     {<<"is_superuser">>, atom}
 ]).
--define(QUERY_FUN, {?MODULE, query}).
 
 %%------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% Mnesia bootstrap
@@ -288,42 +288,30 @@ lookup_user(UserID, #{user_group := UserGroup}) ->
 
 list_users(QueryString, #{user_group := UserGroup}) ->
     NQueryString = QueryString#{<<"user_group">> => UserGroup},
-    emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(node(), NQueryString, ?TAB, ?AUTHN_QSCHEMA, ?QUERY_FUN).
-
-%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Query Functions
-
-query(Tab, {QString, []}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = ms_from_qstring(QString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        Ms,
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_user_info/1
-    );
-query(Tab, {QString, FuzzyQString}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = ms_from_qstring(QString),
-    FuzzyFilterFun = fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun},
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_user_info/1
+    emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
+        node(),
+        ?TAB,
+        NQueryString,
+        ?AUTHN_QSCHEMA,
+        fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+        fun ?MODULE:format_user_info/1
     ).
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Match funcs
+%% QueryString to MatchSpec
+
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {QString, FuzzyQString}) ->
+    #{
+        match_spec => ms_from_qstring(QString),
+        fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString)
+    }.
 
 %% Fuzzy username funcs
+fuzzy_filter_fun([]) ->
+    undefined;
 fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy) ->
-    fun(MsRaws) when is_list(MsRaws) ->
-        lists:filter(
-            fun(E) -> run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy) end,
-            MsRaws
-        )
-    end.
+    {fun ?MODULE:run_fuzzy_filter/2, [Fuzzy]}.
 
 run_fuzzy_filter(_, []) ->
     true;
diff --git a/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_authn_mnesia_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_authn_mnesia_SUITE.erl
index 2ab9efb1d..d9fa225bb 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_authn_mnesia_SUITE.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_authn_mnesia_SUITE.erl
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ t_list_users(_) ->
 
     #{
         data := [#{is_superuser := false, user_id := <<"u3">>}],
-        meta := #{page := 1, limit := 20, count := 1}
+        meta := #{page := 1, limit := 20, count := 0}
     } = emqx_authn_mnesia:list_users(
         #{
             <<"page">> => 1,
diff --git a/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia_SUITE.erl
index 41fa5a38c..a0b5ce980 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia_SUITE.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_authn/test/emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia_SUITE.erl
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ t_list_users(_) ->
                 is_superuser := _
             }
         ],
-        meta := #{page := 1, limit := 3, count := 1}
+        meta := #{page := 1, limit := 3, count := 0}
     } = emqx_enhanced_authn_scram_mnesia:list_users(
         #{
             <<"page">> => 1,
diff --git a/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz.app.src b/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz.app.src
index 6ec14ac3b..e98e8c6b3 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz.app.src
+++ b/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz.app.src
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 %% -*- mode: erlang -*-
 {application, emqx_authz, [
     {description, "An OTP application"},
-    {vsn, "0.1.7"},
+    {vsn, "0.1.8"},
     {registered, []},
     {mod, {emqx_authz_app, []}},
     {applications, [
diff --git a/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz_api_mnesia.erl b/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz_api_mnesia.erl
index 609974e98..090f9d1e2 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz_api_mnesia.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_authz/src/emqx_authz_api_mnesia.erl
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@
 
 -import(hoconsc, [mk/1, mk/2, ref/1, ref/2, array/1, enum/1]).
 
--define(QUERY_USERNAME_FUN, {?MODULE, query_username}).
--define(QUERY_CLIENTID_FUN, {?MODULE, query_clientid}).
+-define(QUERY_USERNAME_FUN, fun ?MODULE:query_username/2).
+-define(QUERY_CLIENTID_FUN, fun ?MODULE:query_clientid/2).
 
 -define(ACL_USERNAME_QSCHEMA, [{<<"like_username">>, binary}]).
 -define(ACL_CLIENTID_QSCHEMA, [{<<"like_clientid">>, binary}]).
@@ -49,12 +49,12 @@
 
 %% query funs
 -export([
-    query_username/4,
-    query_clientid/4
+    query_username/2,
+    query_clientid/2,
+    run_fuzzy_filter/2,
+    format_result/1
 ]).
 
--export([format_result/1]).
-
 -define(BAD_REQUEST, 'BAD_REQUEST').
 -define(NOT_FOUND, 'NOT_FOUND').
 -define(ALREADY_EXISTS, 'ALREADY_EXISTS').
@@ -405,10 +405,11 @@ users(get, #{query_string := QueryString}) ->
     case
         emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
             node(),
-            QueryString,
             ?ACL_TABLE,
+            QueryString,
             ?ACL_USERNAME_QSCHEMA,
-            ?QUERY_USERNAME_FUN
+            ?QUERY_USERNAME_FUN,
+            fun ?MODULE:format_result/1
         )
     of
         {error, page_limit_invalid} ->
@@ -440,10 +441,11 @@ clients(get, #{query_string := QueryString}) ->
     case
         emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
             node(),
-            QueryString,
             ?ACL_TABLE,
+            QueryString,
             ?ACL_CLIENTID_QSCHEMA,
-            ?QUERY_CLIENTID_FUN
+            ?QUERY_CLIENTID_FUN,
+            fun ?MODULE:format_result/1
         )
     of
         {error, page_limit_invalid} ->
@@ -574,59 +576,27 @@ purge(delete, _) ->
     end.
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Query Functions
+%% QueryString to MatchSpec
 
-query_username(Tab, {_QString, []}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = emqx_authz_mnesia:list_username_rules(),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        Ms,
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_result/1
-    );
-query_username(Tab, {_QString, FuzzyQString}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = emqx_authz_mnesia:list_username_rules(),
-    FuzzyFilterFun = fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun},
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_result/1
-    ).
+-spec query_username(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+query_username(_Tab, {_QString, FuzzyQString}) ->
+    #{
+        match_spec => emqx_authz_mnesia:list_username_rules(),
+        fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString)
+    }.
 
-query_clientid(Tab, {_QString, []}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = emqx_authz_mnesia:list_clientid_rules(),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        Ms,
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_result/1
-    );
-query_clientid(Tab, {_QString, FuzzyQString}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = emqx_authz_mnesia:list_clientid_rules(),
-    FuzzyFilterFun = fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun},
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_result/1
-    ).
-
-%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Match funcs
+-spec query_clientid(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+query_clientid(_Tab, {_QString, FuzzyQString}) ->
+    #{
+        match_spec => emqx_authz_mnesia:list_clientid_rules(),
+        fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString)
+    }.
 
 %% Fuzzy username funcs
+fuzzy_filter_fun([]) ->
+    undefined;
 fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy) ->
-    fun(MsRaws) when is_list(MsRaws) ->
-        lists:filter(
-            fun(E) -> run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy) end,
-            MsRaws
-        )
-    end.
+    {fun ?MODULE:run_fuzzy_filter/2, [Fuzzy]}.
 
 run_fuzzy_filter(_, []) ->
     true;
diff --git a/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_swagger.erl b/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_swagger.erl
index 5ea2e0773..5af1aee89 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_swagger.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_swagger.erl
@@ -138,7 +138,12 @@ fields(limit) ->
     Meta = #{in => query, desc => Desc, default => ?DEFAULT_ROW, example => 50},
     [{limit, hoconsc:mk(range(1, ?MAX_ROW_LIMIT), Meta)}];
 fields(count) ->
-    Meta = #{desc => <<"Results count.">>, required => true},
+    Desc = <<
+        "Total number of records counted.<br/>"
+        "Note: this field is <code>0</code> when the queryed table is empty, "
+        "or if the query can not be optimized and requires a full table scan."
+    >>,
+    Meta = #{desc => Desc, required => true},
     [{count, hoconsc:mk(non_neg_integer(), Meta)}];
 fields(meta) ->
     fields(page) ++ fields(limit) ++ fields(count).
diff --git a/apps/emqx_gateway/src/emqx_gateway_api_clients.erl b/apps/emqx_gateway/src/emqx_gateway_api_clients.erl
index 5f6cc25b6..d219d07cd 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_gateway/src/emqx_gateway_api_clients.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_gateway/src/emqx_gateway_api_clients.erl
@@ -55,8 +55,10 @@
 
 %% internal exports (for client query)
 -export([
-    query/4,
-    format_channel_info/1
+    qs2ms/2,
+    run_fuzzy_filter/2,
+    format_channel_info/1,
+    format_channel_info/2
 ]).
 
 -define(TAGS, [<<"Gateway Clients">>]).
@@ -97,8 +99,6 @@ paths() ->
     {<<"lte_lifetime">>, integer}
 ]).
 
--define(QUERY_FUN, {?MODULE, query}).
-
 clients(get, #{
     bindings := #{name := Name0},
     query_string := QString
@@ -109,10 +109,11 @@ clients(get, #{
             case maps:get(<<"node">>, QString, undefined) of
                 undefined ->
                     emqx_mgmt_api:cluster_query(
-                        QString,
                         TabName,
+                        QString,
                         ?CLIENT_QSCHEMA,
-                        ?QUERY_FUN
+                        fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+                        fun ?MODULE:format_channel_info/2
                     );
                 Node0 ->
                     case emqx_misc:safe_to_existing_atom(Node0) of
@@ -120,10 +121,11 @@ clients(get, #{
                             QStringWithoutNode = maps:without([<<"node">>], QString),
                             emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
                                 Node1,
-                                QStringWithoutNode,
                                 TabName,
+                                QStringWithoutNode,
                                 ?CLIENT_QSCHEMA,
-                                ?QUERY_FUN
+                                fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+                                fun ?MODULE:format_channel_info/2
                             );
                         {error, _} ->
                             {error, Node0, {badrpc, <<"invalid node">>}}
@@ -264,27 +266,11 @@ extra_sub_props(Props) ->
     ).
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% query funcs
+%% QueryString to MatchSpec
 
-query(Tab, {Qs, []}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(Qs),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        Ms,
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_channel_info/1
-    );
-query(Tab, {Qs, Fuzzy}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(Qs),
-    FuzzyFilterFun = fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun},
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_channel_info/1
-    ).
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {Qs, Fuzzy}) ->
+    #{match_spec => qs2ms(Qs), fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy)}.
 
 qs2ms(Qs) ->
     {MtchHead, Conds} = qs2ms(Qs, 2, {#{}, []}),
@@ -339,13 +325,10 @@ ms(lifetime, X) ->
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% Fuzzy filter funcs
 
+fuzzy_filter_fun([]) ->
+    undefined;
 fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy) ->
-    fun(MsRaws) when is_list(MsRaws) ->
-        lists:filter(
-            fun(E) -> run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy) end,
-            MsRaws
-        )
-    end.
+    {fun ?MODULE:run_fuzzy_filter/2, [Fuzzy]}.
 
 run_fuzzy_filter(_, []) ->
     true;
@@ -363,8 +346,11 @@ run_fuzzy_filter(
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% format funcs
 
-format_channel_info({_, Infos, Stats} = R) ->
-    Node = maps:get(node, Infos, node()),
+format_channel_info(ChannInfo) ->
+    format_channel_info(node(), ChannInfo).
+
+format_channel_info(WhichNode, {_, Infos, Stats} = R) ->
+    Node = maps:get(node, Infos, WhichNode),
     ClientInfo = maps:get(clientinfo, Infos, #{}),
     ConnInfo = maps:get(conninfo, Infos, #{}),
     SessInfo = maps:get(session, Infos, #{}),
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api.erl
index 342228b19..9f69ed3f0 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api.erl
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 -elvis([{elvis_style, dont_repeat_yourself, #{min_complexity => 100}}]).
 
 -define(FRESH_SELECT, fresh_select).
+-define(LONG_QUERY_TIMEOUT, 50000).
 
 -export([
     paginate/3,
@@ -29,13 +30,34 @@
 
 %% first_next query APIs
 -export([
-    node_query/5,
-    cluster_query/4,
-    select_table_with_count/5,
+    node_query/6,
+    cluster_query/5,
     b2i/1
 ]).
 
--export([do_query/6]).
+-export_type([
+    match_spec_and_filter/0
+]).
+
+-type query_params() :: list() | map().
+
+-type query_schema() :: [
+    {Key :: binary(), Type :: atom | binary | integer | timestamp | ip | ip_port}
+].
+
+-type query_to_match_spec_fun() :: fun((list(), list()) -> match_spec_and_filter()).
+
+-type match_spec_and_filter() :: #{match_spec := ets:match_spec(), fuzzy_fun := fuzzy_filter_fun()}.
+
+-type fuzzy_filter_fun() :: undefined | {fun(), list()}.
+
+-type format_result_fun() ::
+    fun((node(), term()) -> term())
+    | fun((term()) -> term()).
+
+-type query_return() :: #{meta := map(), data := [term()]}.
+
+-export([do_query/2, apply_total_query/1]).
 
 paginate(Tables, Params, {Module, FormatFun}) ->
     Qh = query_handle(Tables),
@@ -117,171 +139,289 @@ limit(Params) when is_map(Params) ->
 limit(Params) ->
     proplists:get_value(<<"limit">>, Params, emqx_mgmt:max_row_limit()).
 
-init_meta(Params) ->
-    Limit = b2i(limit(Params)),
-    Page = b2i(page(Params)),
-    #{
-        page => Page,
-        limit => Limit,
-        count => 0
-    }.
-
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% Node Query
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-node_query(Node, QString, Tab, QSchema, QueryFun) ->
-    {_CodCnt, NQString} = parse_qstring(QString, QSchema),
-    page_limit_check_query(
-        init_meta(QString),
-        {fun do_node_query/5, [Node, Tab, NQString, QueryFun, init_meta(QString)]}
-    ).
+-spec node_query(
+    node(),
+    atom(),
+    query_params(),
+    query_schema(),
+    query_to_match_spec_fun(),
+    format_result_fun()
+) -> {error, page_limit_invalid} | {error, atom(), term()} | query_return().
+node_query(Node, Tab, QString, QSchema, MsFun, FmtFun) ->
+    case parse_pager_params(QString) of
+        false ->
+            {error, page_limit_invalid};
+        Meta ->
+            {_CodCnt, NQString} = parse_qstring(QString, QSchema),
+            ResultAcc = init_query_result(),
+            QueryState = init_query_state(Tab, NQString, MsFun, Meta),
+            NResultAcc = do_node_query(
+                Node, QueryState, ResultAcc
+            ),
+            format_query_result(FmtFun, Meta, NResultAcc)
+    end.
 
 %% @private
-do_node_query(Node, Tab, QString, QueryFun, Meta) ->
-    do_node_query(Node, Tab, QString, QueryFun, _Continuation = ?FRESH_SELECT, Meta, _Results = []).
-
 do_node_query(
     Node,
-    Tab,
-    QString,
-    QueryFun,
-    Continuation,
-    Meta = #{limit := Limit},
-    Results
+    QueryState,
+    ResultAcc
 ) ->
-    case do_query(Node, Tab, QString, QueryFun, Continuation, Limit) of
+    case do_query(Node, QueryState) of
         {error, {badrpc, R}} ->
             {error, Node, {badrpc, R}};
-        {Len, Rows, ?FRESH_SELECT} ->
-            {NMeta, NResults} = sub_query_result(Len, Rows, Limit, Results, Meta),
-            #{meta => NMeta, data => NResults};
-        {Len, Rows, NContinuation} ->
-            {NMeta, NResults} = sub_query_result(Len, Rows, Limit, Results, Meta),
-            do_node_query(Node, Tab, QString, QueryFun, NContinuation, NMeta, NResults)
+        {Rows, NQueryState = #{continuation := ?FRESH_SELECT}} ->
+            {_, NResultAcc} = accumulate_query_rows(Node, Rows, NQueryState, ResultAcc),
+            NResultAcc;
+        {Rows, NQueryState} ->
+            case accumulate_query_rows(Node, Rows, NQueryState, ResultAcc) of
+                {enough, NResultAcc} ->
+                    NResultAcc;
+                {more, NResultAcc} ->
+                    do_node_query(Node, NQueryState, NResultAcc)
+            end
     end.
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% Cluster Query
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-cluster_query(QString, Tab, QSchema, QueryFun) ->
-    {_CodCnt, NQString} = parse_qstring(QString, QSchema),
-    Nodes = mria_mnesia:running_nodes(),
-    page_limit_check_query(
-        init_meta(QString),
-        {fun do_cluster_query/5, [Nodes, Tab, NQString, QueryFun, init_meta(QString)]}
-    ).
+-spec cluster_query(
+    atom(),
+    query_params(),
+    query_schema(),
+    query_to_match_spec_fun(),
+    format_result_fun()
+) -> {error, page_limit_invalid} | {error, atom(), term()} | query_return().
+cluster_query(Tab, QString, QSchema, MsFun, FmtFun) ->
+    case parse_pager_params(QString) of
+        false ->
+            {error, page_limit_invalid};
+        Meta ->
+            {_CodCnt, NQString} = parse_qstring(QString, QSchema),
+            Nodes = mria_mnesia:running_nodes(),
+            ResultAcc = init_query_result(),
+            QueryState = init_query_state(Tab, NQString, MsFun, Meta),
+            NResultAcc = do_cluster_query(
+                Nodes, QueryState, ResultAcc
+            ),
+            format_query_result(FmtFun, Meta, NResultAcc)
+    end.
 
 %% @private
-do_cluster_query(Nodes, Tab, QString, QueryFun, Meta) ->
-    do_cluster_query(
-        Nodes,
-        Tab,
-        QString,
-        QueryFun,
-        _Continuation = ?FRESH_SELECT,
-        Meta,
-        _Results = []
-    ).
-
-do_cluster_query([], _Tab, _QString, _QueryFun, _Continuation, Meta, Results) ->
-    #{meta => Meta, data => Results};
+do_cluster_query([], _QueryState, ResultAcc) ->
+    ResultAcc;
 do_cluster_query(
     [Node | Tail] = Nodes,
-    Tab,
-    QString,
-    QueryFun,
-    Continuation,
-    Meta = #{limit := Limit},
-    Results
+    QueryState,
+    ResultAcc
 ) ->
-    case do_query(Node, Tab, QString, QueryFun, Continuation, Limit) of
+    case do_query(Node, QueryState) of
         {error, {badrpc, R}} ->
-            {error, Node, {bar_rpc, R}};
-        {Len, Rows, ?FRESH_SELECT} ->
-            {NMeta, NResults} = sub_query_result(Len, Rows, Limit, Results, Meta),
-            do_cluster_query(Tail, Tab, QString, QueryFun, ?FRESH_SELECT, NMeta, NResults);
-        {Len, Rows, NContinuation} ->
-            {NMeta, NResults} = sub_query_result(Len, Rows, Limit, Results, Meta),
-            do_cluster_query(Nodes, Tab, QString, QueryFun, NContinuation, NMeta, NResults)
+            {error, Node, {badrpc, R}};
+        {Rows, NQueryState} ->
+            case accumulate_query_rows(Node, Rows, NQueryState, ResultAcc) of
+                {enough, NResultAcc} ->
+                    maybe_collect_total_from_tail_nodes(Tail, NQueryState, NResultAcc);
+                {more, NResultAcc} ->
+                    NextNodes =
+                        case NQueryState of
+                            #{continuation := ?FRESH_SELECT} -> Tail;
+                            _ -> Nodes
+                        end,
+                    do_cluster_query(NextNodes, NQueryState, NResultAcc)
+            end
+    end.
+
+maybe_collect_total_from_tail_nodes([], _QueryState, ResultAcc) ->
+    ResultAcc;
+maybe_collect_total_from_tail_nodes(Nodes, QueryState, ResultAcc) ->
+    case counting_total_fun(QueryState) of
+        false ->
+            ResultAcc;
+        _Fun ->
+            collect_total_from_tail_nodes(Nodes, QueryState, ResultAcc)
+    end.
+
+collect_total_from_tail_nodes(Nodes, QueryState, ResultAcc = #{total := TotalAcc}) ->
+    %% XXX: badfun risk? if the FuzzyFun is an anonumous func in local node
+    case rpc:multicall(Nodes, ?MODULE, apply_total_query, [QueryState], ?LONG_QUERY_TIMEOUT) of
+        {_, [Node | _]} ->
+            {error, Node, {badrpc, badnode}};
+        {ResL0, []} ->
+            ResL = lists:zip(Nodes, ResL0),
+            case lists:filter(fun({_, I}) -> not is_integer(I) end, ResL) of
+                [{Node, {badrpc, Reason}} | _] ->
+                    {error, Node, {badrpc, Reason}};
+                [] ->
+                    ResultAcc#{total => ResL ++ TotalAcc}
+            end
     end.
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% Do Query (or rpc query)
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+%% QueryState ::
+%%  #{continuation := ets:continuation(),
+%%    page := pos_integer(),
+%%    limit := pos_integer(),
+%%    total := [{node(), non_neg_integer()}],
+%%    table := atom(),
+%%    qs := {Qs, Fuzzy}   %% parsed query params
+%%    msfun := query_to_match_spec_fun()
+%%    }
+init_query_state(Tab, QString, MsFun, _Meta = #{page := Page, limit := Limit}) ->
+    #{match_spec := Ms, fuzzy_fun := FuzzyFun} = erlang:apply(MsFun, [Tab, QString]),
+    %% assert FuzzyFun type
+    _ =
+        case FuzzyFun of
+            undefined ->
+                ok;
+            {NamedFun, Args} ->
+                true = is_list(Args),
+                {type, external} = erlang:fun_info(NamedFun, type)
+        end,
+    #{
+        page => Page,
+        limit => Limit,
+        table => Tab,
+        qs => QString,
+        msfun => MsFun,
+        mactch_spec => Ms,
+        fuzzy_fun => FuzzyFun,
+        total => [],
+        continuation => ?FRESH_SELECT
+    }.
+
 %% @private This function is exempt from BPAPI
-do_query(Node, Tab, QString, {M, F}, Continuation, Limit) when Node =:= node() ->
-    erlang:apply(M, F, [Tab, QString, Continuation, Limit]);
-do_query(Node, Tab, QString, QueryFun, Continuation, Limit) ->
+do_query(Node, QueryState) when Node =:= node() ->
+    do_select(Node, QueryState);
+do_query(Node, QueryState) ->
     case
         rpc:call(
             Node,
             ?MODULE,
             do_query,
-            [Node, Tab, QString, QueryFun, Continuation, Limit],
-            50000
+            [Node, QueryState],
+            ?LONG_QUERY_TIMEOUT
         )
     of
         {badrpc, _} = R -> {error, R};
         Ret -> Ret
     end.
 
-sub_query_result(Len, Rows, Limit, Results, Meta) ->
-    {Flag, NMeta} = judge_page_with_counting(Len, Meta),
-    NResults =
-        case Flag of
-            more ->
-                [];
-            cutrows ->
-                {SubStart, NeedNowNum} = rows_sub_params(Len, NMeta),
-                ThisRows = lists:sublist(Rows, SubStart, NeedNowNum),
-                lists:sublist(lists:append(Results, ThisRows), SubStart, Limit);
-            enough ->
-                lists:sublist(lists:append(Results, Rows), 1, Limit)
+do_select(
+    Node,
+    QueryState0 = #{
+        table := Tab,
+        mactch_spec := Ms,
+        fuzzy_fun := FuzzyFun,
+        continuation := Continuation,
+        limit := Limit
+    }
+) ->
+    QueryState = maybe_apply_total_query(Node, QueryState0),
+    Result =
+        case Continuation of
+            ?FRESH_SELECT ->
+                ets:select(Tab, Ms, Limit);
+            _ ->
+                %% XXX: Repair is necessary because we pass Continuation back
+                %% and forth through the nodes in the `do_cluster_query`
+                ets:select(ets:repair_continuation(Continuation, Ms))
         end,
-    {NMeta, NResults}.
+    case Result of
+        '$end_of_table' ->
+            {[], QueryState#{continuation => ?FRESH_SELECT}};
+        {Rows, NContinuation} ->
+            NRows =
+                case FuzzyFun of
+                    undefined ->
+                        Rows;
+                    {FilterFun, Args0} when is_function(FilterFun), is_list(Args0) ->
+                        lists:filter(
+                            fun(E) -> erlang:apply(FilterFun, [E | Args0]) end,
+                            Rows
+                        )
+                end,
+            {NRows, QueryState#{continuation => NContinuation}}
+    end.
 
-%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Table Select
-%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+maybe_apply_total_query(Node, QueryState = #{total := TotalAcc}) ->
+    case proplists:get_value(Node, TotalAcc, undefined) of
+        undefined ->
+            Total = apply_total_query(QueryState),
+            QueryState#{total := [{Node, Total} | TotalAcc]};
+        _ ->
+            QueryState
+    end.
 
-select_table_with_count(Tab, {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun}, ?FRESH_SELECT, Limit, FmtFun) when
-    is_function(FuzzyFilterFun) andalso Limit > 0
-->
-    case ets:select(Tab, Ms, Limit) of
-        '$end_of_table' ->
-            {0, [], ?FRESH_SELECT};
-        {RawResult, NContinuation} ->
-            Rows = FuzzyFilterFun(RawResult),
-            {length(Rows), lists:map(FmtFun, Rows), NContinuation}
+apply_total_query(QueryState = #{table := Tab}) ->
+    case counting_total_fun(QueryState) of
+        false ->
+            %% return a fake total number if the query have any conditions
+            0;
+        Fun ->
+            Fun(Tab)
+    end.
+
+counting_total_fun(_QueryState = #{qs := {[], []}}) ->
+    fun(Tab) -> ets:info(Tab, size) end;
+counting_total_fun(_QueryState = #{mactch_spec := Ms, fuzzy_fun := undefined}) ->
+    %% XXX: Calculating the total number of data that match a certain
+    %% condition under a large table is very expensive because the
+    %% entire ETS table needs to be scanned.
+    %%
+    %% XXX: How to optimize it? i.e, using:
+    [{MatchHead, Conditions, _Return}] = Ms,
+    CountingMs = [{MatchHead, Conditions, [true]}],
+    fun(Tab) ->
+        ets:select_count(Tab, CountingMs)
     end;
-select_table_with_count(_Tab, {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun}, Continuation, _Limit, FmtFun) when
-    is_function(FuzzyFilterFun)
-->
-    case ets:select(ets:repair_continuation(Continuation, Ms)) of
-        '$end_of_table' ->
-            {0, [], ?FRESH_SELECT};
-        {RawResult, NContinuation} ->
-            Rows = FuzzyFilterFun(RawResult),
-            {length(Rows), lists:map(FmtFun, Rows), NContinuation}
-    end;
-select_table_with_count(Tab, Ms, ?FRESH_SELECT, Limit, FmtFun) when
-    Limit > 0
-->
-    case ets:select(Tab, Ms, Limit) of
-        '$end_of_table' ->
-            {0, [], ?FRESH_SELECT};
-        {RawResult, NContinuation} ->
-            {length(RawResult), lists:map(FmtFun, RawResult), NContinuation}
-    end;
-select_table_with_count(_Tab, Ms, Continuation, _Limit, FmtFun) ->
-    case ets:select(ets:repair_continuation(Continuation, Ms)) of
-        '$end_of_table' ->
-            {0, [], ?FRESH_SELECT};
-        {RawResult, NContinuation} ->
-            {length(RawResult), lists:map(FmtFun, RawResult), NContinuation}
+counting_total_fun(_QueryState = #{fuzzy_fun := FuzzyFun}) when FuzzyFun =/= undefined ->
+    %% XXX: Calculating the total number for a fuzzy searching is very very expensive
+    %% so it is not supported now
+    false.
+
+%% ResultAcc :: #{count := integer(),
+%%                cursor := integer(),
+%%                rows  := [{node(), Rows :: list()}],
+%%                total := [{node() => integer()}]
+%%               }
+init_query_result() ->
+    #{cursor => 0, count => 0, rows => [], total => []}.
+
+accumulate_query_rows(
+    Node,
+    Rows,
+    _QueryState = #{page := Page, limit := Limit, total := TotalAcc},
+    ResultAcc = #{cursor := Cursor, count := Count, rows := RowsAcc}
+) ->
+    PageStart = (Page - 1) * Limit + 1,
+    PageEnd = Page * Limit,
+    Len = length(Rows),
+    case Cursor + Len of
+        NCursor when NCursor < PageStart ->
+            {more, ResultAcc#{cursor => NCursor, total => TotalAcc}};
+        NCursor when NCursor < PageEnd ->
+            {more, ResultAcc#{
+                cursor => NCursor,
+                count => Count + length(Rows),
+                total => TotalAcc,
+                rows => [{Node, Rows} | RowsAcc]
+            }};
+        NCursor when NCursor >= PageEnd ->
+            SubRows = lists:sublist(Rows, Limit - Count),
+            {enough, ResultAcc#{
+                cursor => NCursor,
+                count => Count + length(SubRows),
+                total => TotalAcc,
+                rows => [{Node, SubRows} | RowsAcc]
+            }}
     end.
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -295,6 +435,7 @@ parse_qstring(QString, QSchema) ->
     {length(NQString) + length(FuzzyQString), {NQString, FuzzyQString}}.
 
 do_parse_qstring([], _, Acc1, Acc2) ->
+    %% remove fuzzy keys if present in accurate query
     NAcc2 = [E || E <- Acc2, not lists:keymember(element(1, E), 1, Acc1)],
     {lists:reverse(Acc1), lists:reverse(NAcc2)};
 do_parse_qstring([{Key, Value} | RestQString], QSchema, Acc1, Acc2) ->
@@ -379,40 +520,41 @@ is_fuzzy_key(<<"match_", _/binary>>) ->
 is_fuzzy_key(_) ->
     false.
 
-page_start(1, _) -> 1;
-page_start(Page, Limit) -> (Page - 1) * Limit + 1.
+format_query_result(_FmtFun, _Meta, Error = {error, _Node, _Reason}) ->
+    Error;
+format_query_result(
+    FmtFun, Meta, _ResultAcc = #{total := TotalAcc, rows := RowsAcc}
+) ->
+    Total = lists:foldr(fun({_Node, T}, N) -> N + T end, 0, TotalAcc),
+    #{
+        %% The `count` is used in HTTP API to indicate the total number of
+        %% queries that can be read
+        meta => Meta#{count => Total},
+        data => lists:flatten(
+            lists:foldl(
+                fun({Node, Rows}, Acc) ->
+                    [lists:map(fun(Row) -> exec_format_fun(FmtFun, Node, Row) end, Rows) | Acc]
+                end,
+                [],
+                RowsAcc
+            )
+        )
+    }.
 
-judge_page_with_counting(Len, Meta = #{page := Page, limit := Limit, count := Count}) ->
-    PageStart = page_start(Page, Limit),
-    PageEnd = Page * Limit,
-    case Count + Len of
-        NCount when NCount < PageStart ->
-            {more, Meta#{count => NCount}};
-        NCount when NCount < PageEnd ->
-            {cutrows, Meta#{count => NCount}};
-        NCount when NCount >= PageEnd ->
-            {enough, Meta#{count => NCount}}
+exec_format_fun(FmtFun, Node, Row) ->
+    case erlang:fun_info(FmtFun, arity) of
+        {arity, 1} -> FmtFun(Row);
+        {arity, 2} -> FmtFun(Node, Row)
     end.
 
-rows_sub_params(Len, _Meta = #{page := Page, limit := Limit, count := Count}) ->
-    PageStart = page_start(Page, Limit),
-    case (Count - Len) < PageStart of
+parse_pager_params(Params) ->
+    Page = b2i(page(Params)),
+    Limit = b2i(limit(Params)),
+    case Page > 0 andalso Limit > 0 of
         true ->
-            NeedNowNum = Count - PageStart + 1,
-            SubStart = Len - NeedNowNum + 1,
-            {SubStart, NeedNowNum};
+            #{page => Page, limit => Limit, count => 0};
         false ->
-            {_SubStart = 1, _NeedNowNum = Len}
-    end.
-
-page_limit_check_query(Meta, {F, A}) ->
-    case Meta of
-        #{page := Page, limit := Limit} when
-            Page < 1; Limit < 1
-        ->
-            {error, page_limit_invalid};
-        _ ->
-            erlang:apply(F, A)
+            false
     end.
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -458,6 +600,11 @@ to_ip_port(IPAddress) ->
     Port = list_to_integer(Port0),
     {IP, Port}.
 
+b2i(Bin) when is_binary(Bin) ->
+    binary_to_integer(Bin);
+b2i(Any) ->
+    Any.
+
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% EUnits
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -502,8 +649,3 @@ params2qs_test() ->
     {0, {[], []}} = parse_qstring([{not_a_predefined_params, val}], QSchema).
 
 -endif.
-
-b2i(Bin) when is_binary(Bin) ->
-    binary_to_integer(Bin);
-b2i(Any) ->
-    Any.
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_alarms.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_alarms.erl
index 36845e4e7..80f93ffe4 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_alarms.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_alarms.erl
@@ -24,12 +24,12 @@
 
 -export([api_spec/0, paths/0, schema/1, fields/1]).
 
--export([alarms/2]).
+-export([alarms/2, format_alarm/2]).
 
 -define(TAGS, [<<"Alarms">>]).
 
 %% internal export (for query)
--export([query/4]).
+-export([qs2ms/2]).
 
 api_spec() ->
     emqx_dashboard_swagger:spec(?MODULE, #{check_schema => true}).
@@ -112,7 +112,15 @@ alarms(get, #{query_string := QString}) ->
             true -> ?ACTIVATED_ALARM;
             false -> ?DEACTIVATED_ALARM
         end,
-    case emqx_mgmt_api:cluster_query(QString, Table, [], {?MODULE, query}) of
+    case
+        emqx_mgmt_api:cluster_query(
+            Table,
+            QString,
+            [],
+            fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+            fun ?MODULE:format_alarm/2
+        )
+    of
         {error, page_limit_invalid} ->
             {400, #{code => <<"INVALID_PARAMETER">>, message => <<"page_limit_invalid">>}};
         {error, Node, {badrpc, R}} ->
@@ -128,11 +136,9 @@ alarms(delete, _Params) ->
 %%%==============================================================================================
 %% internal
 
-query(Table, _QsSpec, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = [{'$1', [], ['$1']}],
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(Table, Ms, Continuation, Limit, fun format_alarm/1).
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {_Qs, _Fuzzy}) ->
+    #{match_spec => [{'$1', [], ['$1']}], fuzzy_fun => undefined}.
 
-format_alarm(Alarms) when is_list(Alarms) ->
-    [emqx_alarm:format(Alarm) || Alarm <- Alarms];
-format_alarm(Alarm) ->
-    emqx_alarm:format(Alarm).
+format_alarm(WhichNode, Alarm) ->
+    emqx_alarm:format(WhichNode, Alarm).
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl
index f4fe0387f..588031fc1 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl
@@ -46,8 +46,10 @@
 ]).
 
 -export([
-    query/4,
-    format_channel_info/1
+    qs2ms/2,
+    run_fuzzy_filter/2,
+    format_channel_info/1,
+    format_channel_info/2
 ]).
 
 %% for batch operation
@@ -73,7 +75,6 @@
     {<<"lte_connected_at">>, timestamp}
 ]).
 
--define(QUERY_FUN, {?MODULE, query}).
 -define(FORMAT_FUN, {?MODULE, format_channel_info}).
 
 -define(CLIENT_ID_NOT_FOUND,
@@ -642,10 +643,11 @@ list_clients(QString) ->
         case maps:get(<<"node">>, QString, undefined) of
             undefined ->
                 emqx_mgmt_api:cluster_query(
-                    QString,
                     ?CLIENT_QTAB,
+                    QString,
                     ?CLIENT_QSCHEMA,
-                    ?QUERY_FUN
+                    fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+                    fun ?MODULE:format_channel_info/2
                 );
             Node0 ->
                 case emqx_misc:safe_to_existing_atom(Node0) of
@@ -653,10 +655,11 @@ list_clients(QString) ->
                         QStringWithoutNode = maps:without([<<"node">>], QString),
                         emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
                             Node1,
-                            QStringWithoutNode,
                             ?CLIENT_QTAB,
+                            QStringWithoutNode,
                             ?CLIENT_QSCHEMA,
-                            ?QUERY_FUN
+                            fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+                            fun ?MODULE:format_channel_info/2
                         );
                     {error, _} ->
                         {error, Node0, {badrpc, <<"invalid node">>}}
@@ -780,32 +783,16 @@ do_unsubscribe(ClientID, Topic) ->
             Res
     end.
 
-%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Query Functions
-
-query(Tab, {QString, []}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(QString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        Ms,
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_channel_info/1
-    );
-query(Tab, {QString, FuzzyQString}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(QString),
-    FuzzyFilterFun = fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun},
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format_channel_info/1
-    ).
-
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% QueryString to Match Spec
 
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {QString, FuzzyQString}) ->
+    #{
+        match_spec => qs2ms(QString),
+        fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_filter_fun(FuzzyQString)
+    }.
+
 -spec qs2ms(list()) -> ets:match_spec().
 qs2ms(Qs) ->
     {MtchHead, Conds} = qs2ms(Qs, 2, {#{}, []}),
@@ -855,13 +842,10 @@ ms(created_at, X) ->
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% Match funcs
 
+fuzzy_filter_fun([]) ->
+    undefined;
 fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy) ->
-    fun(MsRaws) when is_list(MsRaws) ->
-        lists:filter(
-            fun(E) -> run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy) end,
-            MsRaws
-        )
-    end.
+    {fun ?MODULE:run_fuzzy_filter/2, [Fuzzy]}.
 
 run_fuzzy_filter(_, []) ->
     true;
@@ -876,12 +860,11 @@ run_fuzzy_filter(E = {_, #{clientinfo := ClientInfo}, _}, [{Key, like, SubStr} |
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% format funcs
 
-format_channel_info({_, ClientInfo0, ClientStats}) ->
-    Node =
-        case ClientInfo0 of
-            #{node := N} -> N;
-            _ -> node()
-        end,
+format_channel_info(ChannInfo = {_, _ClientInfo, _ClientStats}) ->
+    format_channel_info(node(), ChannInfo).
+
+format_channel_info(WhichNode, {_, ClientInfo0, ClientStats}) ->
+    Node = maps:get(node, ClientInfo0, WhichNode),
     ClientInfo1 = emqx_map_lib:deep_remove([conninfo, clientid], ClientInfo0),
     ClientInfo2 = emqx_map_lib:deep_remove([conninfo, username], ClientInfo1),
     StatsMap = maps:without(
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_subscriptions.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_subscriptions.erl
index 03b833e84..c05878c6d 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_subscriptions.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_subscriptions.erl
@@ -32,8 +32,9 @@
 -export([subscriptions/2]).
 
 -export([
-    query/4,
-    format/1
+    qs2ms/2,
+    run_fuzzy_filter/2,
+    format/2
 ]).
 
 -define(SUBS_QTABLE, emqx_suboption).
@@ -47,8 +48,6 @@
     {<<"match_topic">>, binary}
 ]).
 
--define(QUERY_FUN, {?MODULE, query}).
-
 api_spec() ->
     emqx_dashboard_swagger:spec(?MODULE, #{check_schema => true}).
 
@@ -139,20 +138,22 @@ subscriptions(get, #{query_string := QString}) ->
         case maps:get(<<"node">>, QString, undefined) of
             undefined ->
                 emqx_mgmt_api:cluster_query(
-                    QString,
                     ?SUBS_QTABLE,
+                    QString,
                     ?SUBS_QSCHEMA,
-                    ?QUERY_FUN
+                    fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+                    fun ?MODULE:format/2
                 );
             Node0 ->
                 case emqx_misc:safe_to_existing_atom(Node0) of
                     {ok, Node1} ->
                         emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
                             Node1,
-                            QString,
                             ?SUBS_QTABLE,
+                            QString,
                             ?SUBS_QSCHEMA,
-                            ?QUERY_FUN
+                            fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+                            fun ?MODULE:format/2
                         );
                     {error, _} ->
                         {error, Node0, {badrpc, <<"invalid node">>}}
@@ -168,16 +169,12 @@ subscriptions(get, #{query_string := QString}) ->
             {200, Result}
     end.
 
-format(Items) when is_list(Items) ->
-    [format(Item) || Item <- Items];
-format({{Subscriber, Topic}, Options}) ->
-    format({Subscriber, Topic, Options});
-format({_Subscriber, Topic, Options}) ->
+format(WhichNode, {{_Subscriber, Topic}, Options}) ->
     maps:merge(
         #{
             topic => get_topic(Topic, Options),
             clientid => maps:get(subid, Options),
-            node => node()
+            node => WhichNode
         },
         maps:with([qos, nl, rap, rh], Options)
     ).
@@ -190,53 +187,21 @@ get_topic(Topic, _) ->
     Topic.
 
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Query Function
+%% QueryString to MatchSpec
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-query(Tab, {Qs, []}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(Qs),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        Ms,
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format/1
-    );
-query(Tab, {Qs, Fuzzy}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(Qs),
-    FuzzyFilterFun = fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab,
-        {Ms, FuzzyFilterFun},
-        Continuation,
-        Limit,
-        fun format/1
-    ).
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {Qs, Fuzzy}) ->
+    #{match_spec => gen_match_spec(Qs), fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy)}.
 
-fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy) ->
-    fun(MsRaws) when is_list(MsRaws) ->
-        lists:filter(
-            fun(E) -> run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy) end,
-            MsRaws
-        )
-    end.
-
-run_fuzzy_filter(_, []) ->
-    true;
-run_fuzzy_filter(E = {{_, Topic}, _}, [{topic, match, TopicFilter} | Fuzzy]) ->
-    emqx_topic:match(Topic, TopicFilter) andalso run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy).
-
-%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Query String to Match Spec
-
-qs2ms(Qs) ->
-    MtchHead = qs2ms(Qs, {{'_', '_'}, #{}}),
+gen_match_spec(Qs) ->
+    MtchHead = gen_match_spec(Qs, {{'_', '_'}, #{}}),
     [{MtchHead, [], ['$_']}].
 
-qs2ms([], MtchHead) ->
+gen_match_spec([], MtchHead) ->
     MtchHead;
-qs2ms([{Key, '=:=', Value} | More], MtchHead) ->
-    qs2ms(More, update_ms(Key, Value, MtchHead)).
+gen_match_spec([{Key, '=:=', Value} | More], MtchHead) ->
+    gen_match_spec(More, update_ms(Key, Value, MtchHead)).
 
 update_ms(clientid, X, {{Pid, Topic}, Opts}) ->
     {{Pid, Topic}, Opts#{subid => X}};
@@ -246,3 +211,13 @@ update_ms(share_group, X, {{Pid, Topic}, Opts}) ->
     {{Pid, Topic}, Opts#{share => X}};
 update_ms(qos, X, {{Pid, Topic}, Opts}) ->
     {{Pid, Topic}, Opts#{qos => X}}.
+
+fuzzy_filter_fun([]) ->
+    undefined;
+fuzzy_filter_fun(Fuzzy) ->
+    {fun ?MODULE:run_fuzzy_filter/2, [Fuzzy]}.
+
+run_fuzzy_filter(_, []) ->
+    true;
+run_fuzzy_filter(E = {{_, Topic}, _}, [{topic, match, TopicFilter} | Fuzzy]) ->
+    emqx_topic:match(Topic, TopicFilter) andalso run_fuzzy_filter(E, Fuzzy).
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_topics.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_topics.erl
index c357855b2..5e2bd1ea0 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_topics.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_topics.erl
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
     topic/2
 ]).
 
--export([query/4]).
+-export([qs2ms/2, format/1]).
 
 -define(TOPIC_NOT_FOUND, 'TOPIC_NOT_FOUND').
 
@@ -109,7 +109,12 @@ topic(get, #{bindings := Bindings}) ->
 do_list(Params) ->
     case
         emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
-            node(), Params, emqx_route, ?TOPICS_QUERY_SCHEMA, {?MODULE, query}
+            node(),
+            emqx_route,
+            Params,
+            ?TOPICS_QUERY_SCHEMA,
+            fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+            fun ?MODULE:format/1
         )
     of
         {error, page_limit_invalid} ->
@@ -138,16 +143,19 @@ generate_topic(Params = #{topic := Topic}) ->
 generate_topic(Params) ->
     Params.
 
-query(Tab, {Qs, _}, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(Qs, [{{route, '_', '_'}, [], ['$_']}]),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(Tab, Ms, Continuation, Limit, fun format/1).
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {Qs, _}) ->
+    #{
+        match_spec => gen_match_spec(Qs, [{{route, '_', '_'}, [], ['$_']}]),
+        fuzzy_fun => undefined
+    }.
 
-qs2ms([], Res) ->
+gen_match_spec([], Res) ->
     Res;
-qs2ms([{topic, '=:=', T} | Qs], [{{route, _, N}, [], ['$_']}]) ->
-    qs2ms(Qs, [{{route, T, N}, [], ['$_']}]);
-qs2ms([{node, '=:=', N} | Qs], [{{route, T, _}, [], ['$_']}]) ->
-    qs2ms(Qs, [{{route, T, N}, [], ['$_']}]).
+gen_match_spec([{topic, '=:=', T} | Qs], [{{route, _, N}, [], ['$_']}]) ->
+    gen_match_spec(Qs, [{{route, T, N}, [], ['$_']}]);
+gen_match_spec([{node, '=:=', N} | Qs], [{{route, T, _}, [], ['$_']}]) ->
+    gen_match_spec(Qs, [{{route, T, N}, [], ['$_']}]).
 
 format(#route{topic = Topic, dest = {_, Node}}) ->
     #{topic => Topic, node => Node};
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_SUITE.erl
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a065b9c83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_SUITE.erl
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% Copyright (c) 2022 EMQ Technologies Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
+%%
+%% Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+%% you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+%% You may obtain a copy of the License at
+%%
+%%     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+%%
+%% Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+%% distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+%% WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+%% See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+%% limitations under the License.
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+-module(emqx_mgmt_api_SUITE).
+
+-compile(export_all).
+-compile(nowarn_export_all).
+
+-include_lib("eunit/include/eunit.hrl").
+
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% setup
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+all() ->
+    emqx_common_test_helpers:all(?MODULE).
+
+init_per_suite(Config) ->
+    Config.
+
+end_per_suite(_) ->
+    ok.
+
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% cases
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+t_cluster_query(_Config) ->
+    net_kernel:start(['master@127.0.0.1', longnames]),
+    ct:timetrap({seconds, 120}),
+    snabbkaffe:fix_ct_logging(),
+    [{Name, Opts}, {Name1, Opts1}] = cluster_specs(),
+    Node1 = emqx_common_test_helpers:start_slave(Name, Opts),
+    Node2 = emqx_common_test_helpers:start_slave(Name1, Opts1),
+    try
+        process_flag(trap_exit, true),
+        ClientLs1 = [start_emqtt_client(Node1, I, 2883) || I <- lists:seq(1, 10)],
+        ClientLs2 = [start_emqtt_client(Node2, I, 3883) || I <- lists:seq(1, 10)],
+
+        %% returned list should be the same regardless of which node is requested
+        {200, ClientsAll} = query_clients(Node1, #{}),
+        ?assertEqual({200, ClientsAll}, query_clients(Node2, #{})),
+        ?assertMatch(
+            #{page := 1, limit := 100, count := 20},
+            maps:get(meta, ClientsAll)
+        ),
+        ?assertMatch(20, length(maps:get(data, ClientsAll))),
+        %% query the first page, counting in entire cluster
+        {200, ClientsPage1} = query_clients(Node1, #{<<"limit">> => 5}),
+        ?assertMatch(
+            #{page := 1, limit := 5, count := 20},
+            maps:get(meta, ClientsPage1)
+        ),
+        ?assertMatch(5, length(maps:get(data, ClientsPage1))),
+
+        %% assert: AllPage = Page1 + Page2 + Page3 + Page4
+        %% !!!Note: this equation requires that the queried tables must be ordered_set
+        {200, ClientsPage2} = query_clients(Node1, #{<<"page">> => 2, <<"limit">> => 5}),
+        {200, ClientsPage3} = query_clients(Node2, #{<<"page">> => 3, <<"limit">> => 5}),
+        {200, ClientsPage4} = query_clients(Node1, #{<<"page">> => 4, <<"limit">> => 5}),
+        GetClientIds = fun(L) -> lists:map(fun(#{clientid := Id}) -> Id end, L) end,
+        ?assertEqual(
+            GetClientIds(maps:get(data, ClientsAll)),
+            GetClientIds(
+                maps:get(data, ClientsPage1) ++ maps:get(data, ClientsPage2) ++
+                    maps:get(data, ClientsPage3) ++ maps:get(data, ClientsPage4)
+            )
+        ),
+
+        %% exact match can return non-zero total
+        {200, ClientsNode1} = query_clients(Node2, #{<<"username">> => <<"corenode1@127.0.0.1">>}),
+        ?assertMatch(
+            #{count := 10},
+            maps:get(meta, ClientsNode1)
+        ),
+
+        %% fuzzy searching can't return total
+        {200, ClientsNode2} = query_clients(Node2, #{<<"like_username">> => <<"corenode2">>}),
+        ?assertMatch(
+            #{count := 0},
+            maps:get(meta, ClientsNode2)
+        ),
+        ?assertMatch(10, length(maps:get(data, ClientsNode2))),
+
+        _ = lists:foreach(fun(C) -> emqtt:disconnect(C) end, ClientLs1),
+        _ = lists:foreach(fun(C) -> emqtt:disconnect(C) end, ClientLs2)
+    after
+        emqx_common_test_helpers:stop_slave(Node1),
+        emqx_common_test_helpers:stop_slave(Node2)
+    end,
+    ok.
+
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% helpers
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+cluster_specs() ->
+    Specs =
+        %% default listeners port
+        [
+            {core, corenode1, #{listener_ports => [{tcp, 2883}]}},
+            {core, corenode2, #{listener_ports => [{tcp, 3883}]}}
+        ],
+    CommOpts =
+        [
+            {env, [{emqx, boot_modules, all}]},
+            {apps, []},
+            {conf, [
+                {[listeners, ssl, default, enabled], false},
+                {[listeners, ws, default, enabled], false},
+                {[listeners, wss, default, enabled], false}
+            ]}
+        ],
+    emqx_common_test_helpers:emqx_cluster(
+        Specs,
+        CommOpts
+    ).
+
+start_emqtt_client(Node0, N, Port) ->
+    Node = atom_to_binary(Node0),
+    ClientId = iolist_to_binary([Node, "-", integer_to_binary(N)]),
+    {ok, C} = emqtt:start_link([{clientid, ClientId}, {username, Node}, {port, Port}]),
+    {ok, _} = emqtt:connect(C),
+    C.
+
+query_clients(Node, Qs0) ->
+    Qs = maps:merge(
+        #{<<"page">> => 1, <<"limit">> => 100},
+        Qs0
+    ),
+    rpc:call(Node, emqx_mgmt_api_clients, clients, [get, #{query_string => Qs}]).
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_subscription_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_subscription_SUITE.erl
index d1cf4e418..9a6de9938 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_subscription_SUITE.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_subscription_SUITE.erl
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ t_subscription_api(_) ->
         {"match_topic", "t/#"}
     ]),
     Headers = emqx_mgmt_api_test_util:auth_header_(),
+
     {ok, ResponseTopic2} = emqx_mgmt_api_test_util:request_api(get, Path, QS, Headers),
     DataTopic2 = emqx_json:decode(ResponseTopic2, [return_maps]),
     Meta2 = maps:get(<<"meta">>, DataTopic2),
@@ -114,7 +115,8 @@ t_subscription_api(_) ->
     MatchMeta = maps:get(<<"meta">>, MatchData),
     ?assertEqual(1, maps:get(<<"page">>, MatchMeta)),
     ?assertEqual(emqx_mgmt:max_row_limit(), maps:get(<<"limit">>, MatchMeta)),
-    ?assertEqual(1, maps:get(<<"count">>, MatchMeta)),
+    %% count equals 0 in fuzzy searching
+    ?assertEqual(0, maps:get(<<"count">>, MatchMeta)),
     MatchSubs = maps:get(<<"data">>, MatchData),
     ?assertEqual(1, length(MatchSubs)),
 
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_topics_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_topics_SUITE.erl
index a06154400..419c17adf 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_topics_SUITE.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/test/emqx_mgmt_api_topics_SUITE.erl
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ end_per_suite(_) ->
     emqx_mgmt_api_test_util:end_suite().
 
 t_nodes_api(_) ->
+    Node = atom_to_binary(node(), utf8),
     Topic = <<"test_topic">>,
     {ok, Client} = emqtt:start_link(#{
         username => <<"routes_username">>, clientid => <<"routes_cid">>
@@ -49,11 +50,30 @@ t_nodes_api(_) ->
     Data = maps:get(<<"data">>, RoutesData),
     Route = erlang:hd(Data),
     ?assertEqual(Topic, maps:get(<<"topic">>, Route)),
-    ?assertEqual(atom_to_binary(node(), utf8), maps:get(<<"node">>, Route)),
+    ?assertEqual(Node, maps:get(<<"node">>, Route)),
+
+    %% exact match
+    Topic2 = <<"test_topic_2">>,
+    {ok, _, _} = emqtt:subscribe(Client, Topic2),
+    QS = uri_string:compose_query([
+        {"topic", Topic2},
+        {"node", atom_to_list(node())}
+    ]),
+    Headers = emqx_mgmt_api_test_util:auth_header_(),
+    {ok, MatchResponse} = emqx_mgmt_api_test_util:request_api(get, Path, QS, Headers),
+    MatchData = emqx_json:decode(MatchResponse, [return_maps]),
+    ?assertMatch(
+        #{<<"count">> := 1, <<"page">> := 1, <<"limit">> := 100},
+        maps:get(<<"meta">>, MatchData)
+    ),
+    ?assertMatch(
+        [#{<<"topic">> := Topic2, <<"node">> := Node}],
+        maps:get(<<"data">>, MatchData)
+    ),
 
     %% get topics/:topic
     RoutePath = emqx_mgmt_api_test_util:api_path(["topics", Topic]),
     {ok, RouteResponse} = emqx_mgmt_api_test_util:request_api(get, RoutePath),
     RouteData = emqx_json:decode(RouteResponse, [return_maps]),
     ?assertEqual(Topic, maps:get(<<"topic">>, RouteData)),
-    ?assertEqual(atom_to_binary(node(), utf8), maps:get(<<"node">>, RouteData)).
+    ?assertEqual(Node, maps:get(<<"node">>, RouteData)).
diff --git a/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_delayed.erl b/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_delayed.erl
index f511d74d9..241ac5a8a 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_delayed.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_delayed.erl
@@ -56,16 +56,20 @@
     get_delayed_message/2,
     delete_delayed_message/1,
     delete_delayed_message/2,
-    cluster_list/1,
-    cluster_query/4
+    cluster_list/1
+]).
+
+%% exports for query
+-export([
+    qs2ms/2,
+    format_delayed/1,
+    format_delayed/2
 ]).
 
 -export([
     post_config_update/5
 ]).
 
--export([format_delayed/1]).
-
 %% exported for `emqx_telemetry'
 -export([get_basic_usage_info/0]).
 
@@ -166,16 +170,29 @@ list(Params) ->
     emqx_mgmt_api:paginate(?TAB, Params, ?FORMAT_FUN).
 
 cluster_list(Params) ->
-    emqx_mgmt_api:cluster_query(Params, ?TAB, [], {?MODULE, cluster_query}).
+    emqx_mgmt_api:cluster_query(
+        ?TAB,
+        Params,
+        [],
+        fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+        fun ?MODULE:format_delayed/2
+    ).
 
-cluster_query(Table, _QsSpec, Continuation, Limit) ->
-    Ms = [{'$1', [], ['$1']}],
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(Table, Ms, Continuation, Limit, fun format_delayed/1).
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Table, {_Qs, _Fuzzy}) ->
+    #{
+        match_spec => [{'$1', [], ['$1']}],
+        fuzzy_fun => undefined
+    }.
 
 format_delayed(Delayed) ->
-    format_delayed(Delayed, false).
+    format_delayed(node(), Delayed).
+
+format_delayed(WhichNode, Delayed) ->
+    format_delayed(WhichNode, Delayed, false).
 
 format_delayed(
+    WhichNode,
     #delayed_message{
         key = {ExpectTimeStamp, Id},
         delayed = Delayed,
@@ -195,7 +212,7 @@ format_delayed(
     RemainingTime = ExpectTimeStamp - ?NOW,
     Result = #{
         msgid => emqx_guid:to_hexstr(Id),
-        node => node(),
+        node => WhichNode,
         publish_at => PublishTime,
         delayed_interval => Delayed,
         delayed_remaining => RemainingTime div 1000,
@@ -222,7 +239,7 @@ get_delayed_message(Id) ->
             {error, not_found};
         Rows ->
             Message = hd(Rows),
-            {ok, format_delayed(Message, true)}
+            {ok, format_delayed(node(), Message, true)}
     end.
 
 get_delayed_message(Node, Id) when Node =:= node() ->
diff --git a/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_modules.app.src b/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_modules.app.src
index e2a142a99..29a7d0362 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_modules.app.src
+++ b/apps/emqx_modules/src/emqx_modules.app.src
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 %% -*- mode: erlang -*-
 {application, emqx_modules, [
     {description, "EMQX Modules"},
-    {vsn, "5.0.6"},
+    {vsn, "5.0.7"},
     {modules, []},
     {applications, [kernel, stdlib, emqx]},
     {mod, {emqx_modules_app, []}},
diff --git a/apps/emqx_rule_engine/src/emqx_rule_engine_api.erl b/apps/emqx_rule_engine/src/emqx_rule_engine_api.erl
index 597ee838f..01d819a69 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_rule_engine/src/emqx_rule_engine_api.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_rule_engine/src/emqx_rule_engine_api.erl
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 -export(['/rule_events'/2, '/rule_test'/2, '/rules'/2, '/rules/:id'/2, '/rules/:id/reset_metrics'/2]).
 
 %% query callback
--export([query/4]).
+-export([qs2ms/2, run_fuzzy_match/2, format_rule_resp/1]).
 
 -define(ERR_NO_RULE(ID), list_to_binary(io_lib:format("Rule ~ts Not Found", [(ID)]))).
 -define(ERR_BADARGS(REASON), begin
@@ -274,10 +274,11 @@ param_path_id() ->
     case
         emqx_mgmt_api:node_query(
             node(),
-            QueryString,
             ?RULE_TAB,
+            QueryString,
             ?RULE_QS_SCHEMA,
-            {?MODULE, query}
+            fun ?MODULE:qs2ms/2,
+            fun ?MODULE:format_rule_resp/1
         )
     of
         {error, page_limit_invalid} ->
@@ -552,38 +553,40 @@ filter_out_request_body(Conf) ->
     ],
     maps:without(ExtraConfs, Conf).
 
-query(Tab, {Qs, Fuzzy}, Start, Limit) ->
-    Ms = qs2ms(),
-    FuzzyFun = fuzzy_match_fun(Qs, Ms, Fuzzy),
-    emqx_mgmt_api:select_table_with_count(
-        Tab, {Ms, FuzzyFun}, Start, Limit, fun format_rule_resp/1
-    ).
-
-%% rule is not a record, so everything is fuzzy filter.
-qs2ms() ->
-    [{'_', [], ['$_']}].
-
-fuzzy_match_fun(Qs, Ms, Fuzzy) ->
-    MsC = ets:match_spec_compile(Ms),
-    fun(Rows) ->
-        Ls = ets:match_spec_run(Rows, MsC),
-        lists:filter(
-            fun(E) ->
-                run_qs_match(E, Qs) andalso
-                    run_fuzzy_match(E, Fuzzy)
-            end,
-            Ls
-        )
+-spec qs2ms(atom(), {list(), list()}) -> emqx_mgmt_api:match_spec_and_filter().
+qs2ms(_Tab, {Qs, Fuzzy}) ->
+    case lists:keytake(from, 1, Qs) of
+        false ->
+            #{match_spec => generate_match_spec(Qs), fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_match_fun(Fuzzy)};
+        {value, {from, '=:=', From}, Ls} ->
+            #{
+                match_spec => generate_match_spec(Ls),
+                fuzzy_fun => fuzzy_match_fun([{from, '=:=', From} | Fuzzy])
+            }
     end.
 
-run_qs_match(_, []) ->
-    true;
-run_qs_match(E = {_Id, #{enable := Enable}}, [{enable, '=:=', Pattern} | Qs]) ->
-    Enable =:= Pattern andalso run_qs_match(E, Qs);
-run_qs_match(E = {_Id, #{from := From}}, [{from, '=:=', Pattern} | Qs]) ->
-    lists:member(Pattern, From) andalso run_qs_match(E, Qs);
-run_qs_match(E, [_ | Qs]) ->
-    run_qs_match(E, Qs).
+generate_match_spec(Qs) ->
+    {MtchHead, Conds} = generate_match_spec(Qs, 2, {#{}, []}),
+    [{{'_', MtchHead}, Conds, ['$_']}].
+
+generate_match_spec([], _, {MtchHead, Conds}) ->
+    {MtchHead, lists:reverse(Conds)};
+generate_match_spec([Qs | Rest], N, {MtchHead, Conds}) ->
+    Holder = binary_to_atom(iolist_to_binary(["$", integer_to_list(N)]), utf8),
+    NMtchHead = emqx_mgmt_util:merge_maps(MtchHead, ms(element(1, Qs), Holder)),
+    NConds = put_conds(Qs, Holder, Conds),
+    generate_match_spec(Rest, N + 1, {NMtchHead, NConds}).
+
+put_conds({_, Op, V}, Holder, Conds) ->
+    [{Op, Holder, V} | Conds].
+
+ms(enable, X) ->
+    #{enable => X}.
+
+fuzzy_match_fun([]) ->
+    undefined;
+fuzzy_match_fun(Fuzzy) ->
+    {fun ?MODULE:run_fuzzy_match/2, [Fuzzy]}.
 
 run_fuzzy_match(_, []) ->
     true;
@@ -591,6 +594,8 @@ run_fuzzy_match(E = {Id, _}, [{id, like, Pattern} | Fuzzy]) ->
     binary:match(Id, Pattern) /= nomatch andalso run_fuzzy_match(E, Fuzzy);
 run_fuzzy_match(E = {_Id, #{description := Desc}}, [{description, like, Pattern} | Fuzzy]) ->
     binary:match(Desc, Pattern) /= nomatch andalso run_fuzzy_match(E, Fuzzy);
+run_fuzzy_match(E = {_, #{from := Topics}}, [{from, '=:=', Pattern} | Fuzzy]) ->
+    lists:member(Pattern, Topics) /= false andalso run_fuzzy_match(E, Fuzzy);
 run_fuzzy_match(E = {_Id, #{from := Topics}}, [{from, match, Pattern} | Fuzzy]) ->
     lists:any(fun(For) -> emqx_topic:match(For, Pattern) end, Topics) andalso
         run_fuzzy_match(E, Fuzzy);
diff --git a/apps/emqx_rule_engine/test/emqx_rule_engine_api_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx_rule_engine/test/emqx_rule_engine_api_SUITE.erl
index da4e299f9..93912dd6c 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_rule_engine/test/emqx_rule_engine_api_SUITE.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_rule_engine/test/emqx_rule_engine_api_SUITE.erl
@@ -133,23 +133,23 @@ t_list_rule_api(_Config) ->
 
     QueryStr2 = #{query_string => #{<<"like_description">> => <<"也能"/utf8>>}},
     {200, Result2} = emqx_rule_engine_api:'/rules'(get, QueryStr2),
-    ?assertEqual(Result1, Result2),
+    ?assertEqual(maps:get(data, Result1), maps:get(data, Result2)),
 
     QueryStr3 = #{query_string => #{<<"from">> => <<"t/1">>}},
-    {200, #{meta := #{count := Count3}}} = emqx_rule_engine_api:'/rules'(get, QueryStr3),
-    ?assertEqual(19, Count3),
+    {200, #{data := Data3}} = emqx_rule_engine_api:'/rules'(get, QueryStr3),
+    ?assertEqual(19, length(Data3)),
 
     QueryStr4 = #{query_string => #{<<"like_from">> => <<"t/1/+">>}},
     {200, Result4} = emqx_rule_engine_api:'/rules'(get, QueryStr4),
-    ?assertEqual(Result1, Result4),
+    ?assertEqual(maps:get(data, Result1), maps:get(data, Result4)),
 
     QueryStr5 = #{query_string => #{<<"match_from">> => <<"t/+/+">>}},
     {200, Result5} = emqx_rule_engine_api:'/rules'(get, QueryStr5),
-    ?assertEqual(Result1, Result5),
+    ?assertEqual(maps:get(data, Result1), maps:get(data, Result5)),
 
     QueryStr6 = #{query_string => #{<<"like_id">> => RuleID}},
     {200, Result6} = emqx_rule_engine_api:'/rules'(get, QueryStr6),
-    ?assertEqual(Result1, Result6),
+    ?assertEqual(maps:get(data, Result1), maps:get(data, Result6)),
 
     %% clean up
     lists:foreach(
diff --git a/changes/v5.0.11-en.md b/changes/v5.0.11-en.md
index 5329be024..4b35aa5f4 100644
--- a/changes/v5.0.11-en.md
+++ b/changes/v5.0.11-en.md
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 
 - Support message properties in `/publish` API [#9401](https://github.com/emqx/emqx/pull/9401).
 
+- Optimize client query performance for HTTP APIs [#9374](https://github.com/emqx/emqx/pull/9374).
+
 ## Bug fixes
 
 - Fix `ssl.existingName` option of  helm chart not working [#9307](https://github.com/emqx/emqx/issues/9307).
diff --git a/changes/v5.0.11-zh.md b/changes/v5.0.11-zh.md
index e0c82b022..ab9f5a0d4 100644
--- a/changes/v5.0.11-zh.md
+++ b/changes/v5.0.11-zh.md
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 
 - 支持在 /publish API 中添加消息属性 [#9401](https://github.com/emqx/emqx/pull/9401)。
 
+- 优化查询客户端列表的 HTTP API 性能 [#9374](https://github.com/emqx/emqx/pull/9374)。
+
 ## 修复
 
 - 修复 helm chart 的 `ssl.existingName` 选项不起作用 [#9307](https://github.com/emqx/emqx/issues/9307)。