# How to Configure Internet Circumvention on Merlin Routers Using the Fancyss Plugin

> Learn how to configure internet circumvention on Merlin routers. Install the Fancyss plugin, add your subscription URL, and activate a node for seamless access.

- Repository: [如何翻墙/fanqiang](https://github.com/bannedbook/fanqiang)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-09-05

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**Configure internet circumvention on Merlin routers by installing the Fancyss plugin from the hq450/fancyss repository, importing a V2Ray or Shadowsocks subscription URL, and activating a node with your preferred routing mode.**

Merlin routers running ASUSWRT-Merlin firmware can bypass internet censorship through the Fancyss scientific-access plugin. According to the `bannedbook/fanqiang` repository, this integration allows routers to tunnel traffic through V2Ray or Shadowsocks protocols directly at the network level. The configuration process involves installing an offline package and importing subscription nodes via the router's web interface.

## Prerequisites for Merlin Router Setup

Before installing the circumvention tools, verify your hardware compatibility. The Fancyss plugin supports specific ASUS router models that run ASUSWRT-Merlin firmware, such as the RT-AC68U and similar architectures. You must download the **offline package** matching your exact router model from the Fancyss GitHub repository, as documented in [`router/Merlin.md`](https://github.com/bannedbook/fanqiang/blob/main/router/Merlin.md) lines 3-8.

## Installing the Fancyss Plugin on Merlin Routers

The installation uses the router's Software Center rather than package managers.

### Downloading the Correct Offline Package

Navigate to `https://github.com/hq450/fancyss` and locate your router model using **Ctrl+F**. The repository organizes packages by architecture in the "Related Links" section. Download the **Scientific-Access Offline Package** (a `.tgz` file) corresponding to your device.

### Installing via the Software Center

Access your router's Web UI and navigate to the **Software Center**. Upload the downloaded `.tgz` file and confirm the installation. Once complete, the plugin appears under **Applications → Fancyss**, ready for configuration as noted in the [`router/Merlin.md`](https://github.com/bannedbook/fanqiang/blob/main/router/Merlin.md) installation instructions.

## Configuring Internet Circumvention with Node Subscriptions

After installation, you must import proxy nodes through subscription URLs.

### Adding a V2Ray Subscription URL

Open **Applications → Fancyss** and click the **"Add Subscription"** tab. Paste your V2Ray or Shadowsocks subscription URL—available from services documented in the bannedbook/fanqiang wiki—and click **"Save & Subscribe"**. The router fetches the node list automatically, which may take several minutes according to the subscription import steps in [`router/Merlin.md`](https://github.com/bannedbook/fanqiang/blob/main/router/Merlin.md) lines 10-21.

### Selecting and Activating Nodes

Navigate to **Client → Node List** to view available nodes. Select a node marked as "available" and click **"Save & Apply"** to activate it. This configures the router to route traffic through the selected proxy endpoint.

## Optimizing Traffic with Routing Modes

Fancyss provides multiple routing strategies to balance performance and circumvention.

The **China whitelist mode** routes only non-Chinese IP addresses through the proxy, using an IP list to bypass domestic sites and reduce latency for local services. Alternatively, **Game mode** optimizes for low-latency connections. Configure these under the **Mode** section before toggling the Fancyss switch to **ON**, at which point the UI displays "ShadowsocksR Plus+ Running".

## Automating Configuration via CLI

For advanced users, the Merlin CLI allows programmatic configuration through NVRAM variables. The following shell commands replicate the web UI actions:

```sh

# Install and start Fancyss

nvram set rc_service="fancyss"
nvram commit
service start_fancyss

# Configure subscription URL

nvram set fancyss_sub_url="https://example.com/subscription.txt"
nvram commit
service restart_fancyss

# Select node (0 = first node)

nvram set fancyss_node_index="0"
nvram commit
service restart_fancyss

# Set routing mode (0=whitelist, 1=game, 2=global)

nvram set fancyss_mode="0"
nvram commit
service restart_fancyss

```

These commands manipulate `fancyss_sub_url`, `fancyss_node_index`, and `fancyss_mode` variables that the plugin reads on startup, enabling automated deployment across multiple routers.

## Summary

- Configure internet circumvention on Merlin routers by installing the **Fancyss plugin** from the appropriate `.tgz` offline package via the Software Center.
- Import **V2Ray or Shadowsocks subscription URLs** through the plugin's subscription page to populate available nodes.
- Select routing modes like **China whitelist** to proxy only foreign traffic, or **Game mode** for optimized latency.
- Automate setup using **NVRAM variables** (`fancyss_sub_url`, `fancyss_node_index`, `fancyss_mode`) and service commands via SSH.
- Verify functionality by browsing blocked sites after the "ShadowsocksR Plus+ Running" status appears.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the Fancyss plugin and where do I download it for my Merlin router?

The Fancyss plugin is a scientific-access tool that integrates V2Ray and Shadowsocks cores directly into ASUSWRT-Merlin firmware. Download architecture-specific offline packages from the `hq450/fancyss` GitHub repository by searching for your exact router model (e.g., RT-AC68U) and selecting the corresponding `.tgz` file as instructed in [`router/Merlin.md`](https://github.com/bannedbook/fanqiang/blob/main/router/Merlin.md).

### How do I obtain a V2Ray subscription URL for the Fancyss plugin?

Subscription URLs are provided by proxy service providers (often called airports). The bannedbook/fanqiang project wiki lists free and paid V2Ray nodes, accessible through registration links documented in [`router/Merlin.md`](https://github.com/bannedbook/fanqiang/blob/main/router/Merlin.md) lines 23-28. After registering with a service, you receive a personal subscription URL to paste into the Fancyss subscription tab.

### Can I configure internet circumvention on Merlin routers without using the web interface?

Yes. You can automate the entire configuration through SSH using NVRAM commands. Set `fancyss_sub_url` for the subscription, `fancyss_node_index` to select a specific node (starting at 0), and `fancyss_mode` to specify routing (0 for whitelist, 1 for game mode), then restart the service with `service restart_fancyss`.

### Why should I use China whitelist mode instead of global proxy mode?

China whitelist mode maintains an IP list of Chinese destinations, routing only traffic to foreign addresses through the proxy tunnel. This reduces latency for domestic services while still bypassing censorship for international sites, whereas global mode would tunnel all traffic including local Chinese websites unnecessarily.