diff --git a/apps/emqx/include/emqx_cm.hrl b/apps/emqx/include/emqx_cm.hrl
index 6478a6162..a84a06688 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/include/emqx_cm.hrl
+++ b/apps/emqx/include/emqx_cm.hrl
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 -define(CHAN_INFO_TAB, emqx_channel_info).
 -define(CHAN_LIVE_TAB, emqx_channel_live).
 
-%% Mria/Mnesia Tables for channel management.
+%% Mria table for session registration.
 -define(CHAN_REG_TAB, emqx_channel_registry).
 
 -define(T_KICK, 5_000).
@@ -32,4 +32,11 @@
 
 -define(CM_POOL, emqx_cm_pool).
 
+%% Registered sessions.
+-record(channel, {
+    chid :: emqx_types:clientid() | '_',
+    %% pid field is extended in 5.6.0 to support recording unregistration timestamp.
+    pid :: pid() | non_neg_integer() | '$1'
+}).
+
 -endif.
diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl
index d9d5aa941..0cf015141 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm.erl
@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@
     {?CHAN_TAB, 'channels.count', 'channels.max'},
     {?CHAN_TAB, 'sessions.count', 'sessions.max'},
     {?CHAN_CONN_TAB, 'connections.count', 'connections.max'},
-    {?CHAN_LIVE_TAB, 'live_connections.count', 'live_connections.max'}
+    {?CHAN_LIVE_TAB, 'live_connections.count', 'live_connections.max'},
+    {?CHAN_REG_TAB, 'cluster_sessions.count', 'cluster_sessions.max'}
 ]).
 
 %% Batch drain
diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_registry.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_registry.erl
index 058bb53ec..683afcb86 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_registry.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_registry.erl
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
-%% Copyright (c) 2019-2023 EMQ Technologies Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
+%% Copyright (c) 2019-2024 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.
@@ -19,18 +19,15 @@
 
 -behaviour(gen_server).
 
--include("emqx.hrl").
--include("emqx_cm.hrl").
--include("logger.hrl").
--include("types.hrl").
-
 -export([start_link/0]).
 
--export([is_enabled/0]).
+-export([is_enabled/0, is_hist_enabled/0]).
 
 -export([
     register_channel/1,
-    unregister_channel/1
+    register_channel2/1,
+    unregister_channel/1,
+    unregister_channel2/1
 ]).
 
 -export([lookup_channels/1]).
@@ -50,10 +47,13 @@
     do_cleanup_channels/1
 ]).
 
--define(REGISTRY, ?MODULE).
--define(LOCK, {?MODULE, cleanup_down}).
+-include("emqx.hrl").
+-include("emqx_cm.hrl").
+-include("logger.hrl").
+-include("types.hrl").
 
--record(channel, {chid, pid}).
+-define(REGISTRY, ?MODULE).
+-define(NODE_DOWN_CLEANUP_LOCK, {?MODULE, cleanup_down}).
 
 %% @doc Start the global channel registry.
 -spec start_link() -> startlink_ret().
@@ -69,6 +69,11 @@ start_link() ->
 is_enabled() ->
     emqx:get_config([broker, enable_session_registry]).
 
+%% @doc Is the global session registration history enabled?
+-spec is_hist_enabled() -> boolean().
+is_hist_enabled() ->
+    retain_duration() > 0.
+
 %% @doc Register a global channel.
 -spec register_channel(
     emqx_types:clientid()
@@ -77,11 +82,21 @@ is_enabled() ->
 register_channel(ClientId) when is_binary(ClientId) ->
     register_channel({ClientId, self()});
 register_channel({ClientId, ChanPid}) when is_binary(ClientId), is_pid(ChanPid) ->
+    IsHistEnabled = is_hist_enabled(),
     case is_enabled() of
-        true -> mria:dirty_write(?CHAN_REG_TAB, record(ClientId, ChanPid));
-        false -> ok
+        true when IsHistEnabled ->
+            mria:async_dirty(?CM_SHARD, fun ?MODULE:register_channel2/1, [record(ClientId, ChanPid)]);
+        true ->
+            mria:dirty_write(?CHAN_REG_TAB, record(ClientId, ChanPid));
+        false ->
+            ok
     end.
 
+%% @private
+register_channel2(#channel{chid = ClientId} = Record) ->
+    _ = delete_hist_d(ClientId),
+    mria:dirty_write(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Record).
+
 %% @doc Unregister a global channel.
 -spec unregister_channel(
     emqx_types:clientid()
@@ -90,19 +105,54 @@ register_channel({ClientId, ChanPid}) when is_binary(ClientId), is_pid(ChanPid)
 unregister_channel(ClientId) when is_binary(ClientId) ->
     unregister_channel({ClientId, self()});
 unregister_channel({ClientId, ChanPid}) when is_binary(ClientId), is_pid(ChanPid) ->
+    IsHistEnabled = is_hist_enabled(),
     case is_enabled() of
-        true -> mria:dirty_delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, record(ClientId, ChanPid));
-        false -> ok
+        true when IsHistEnabled ->
+            mria:async_dirty(?CM_SHARD, fun ?MODULE:unregister_channel2/1, [
+                record(ClientId, ChanPid)
+            ]);
+        true ->
+            mria:dirty_delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, record(ClientId, ChanPid));
+        false ->
+            ok
     end.
 
+%% @private
+unregister_channel2(#channel{chid = ClientId} = Record) ->
+    mria:dirty_delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Record),
+    ok = insert_hist_d(ClientId).
+
 %% @doc Lookup the global channels.
 -spec lookup_channels(emqx_types:clientid()) -> list(pid()).
 lookup_channels(ClientId) ->
-    [ChanPid || #channel{pid = ChanPid} <- mnesia:dirty_read(?CHAN_REG_TAB, ClientId)].
+    lists:filtermap(
+        fun
+            (#channel{pid = ChanPid}) when is_pid(ChanPid) ->
+                case is_pid_down(ChanPid) of
+                    true ->
+                        false;
+                    _ ->
+                        {true, ChanPid}
+                end;
+            (_) ->
+                false
+        end,
+        mnesia:dirty_read(?CHAN_REG_TAB, ClientId)
+    ).
+
+%% Return 'true' or 'false' if it's a local pid.
+%% Otherwise return 'unknown'.
+is_pid_down(Pid) when node(Pid) =:= node() ->
+    not erlang:is_process_alive(Pid);
+is_pid_down(_) ->
+    unknown.
 
 record(ClientId, ChanPid) ->
     #channel{chid = ClientId, pid = ChanPid}.
 
+hist(ClientId) ->
+    #channel{chid = ClientId, pid = now_ts()}.
+
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
 %% gen_server callbacks
 %%--------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -158,15 +208,95 @@ code_change(_OldVsn, State, _Extra) ->
 
 cleanup_channels(Node) ->
     global:trans(
-        {?LOCK, self()},
+        {?NODE_DOWN_CLEANUP_LOCK, self()},
         fun() ->
             mria:transaction(?CM_SHARD, fun ?MODULE:do_cleanup_channels/1, [Node])
         end
     ).
 
 do_cleanup_channels(Node) ->
-    Pat = [{#channel{pid = '$1', _ = '_'}, [{'==', {node, '$1'}, Node}], ['$_']}],
-    lists:foreach(fun delete_channel/1, mnesia:select(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Pat, write)).
+    Pat = [
+        {
+            #channel{pid = '$1', _ = '_'},
+            _Match = [{'andalso', {is_pid, '$1'}, {'==', {node, '$1'}, Node}}],
+            _Return = ['$_']
+        }
+    ],
+    IsHistEnabled = is_hist_enabled(),
+    lists:foreach(
+        fun(Chan) -> delete_channel(IsHistEnabled, Chan) end,
+        mnesia:select(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Pat, write)
+    ).
 
-delete_channel(Chan) ->
-    mnesia:delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Chan, write).
+delete_channel(IsHistEnabled, Chan) ->
+    mnesia:delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Chan, write),
+    case IsHistEnabled of
+        true ->
+            insert_hist_t(Chan#channel.chid);
+        false ->
+            ok
+    end.
+
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% History entry operations
+
+%% Insert unregistration history in a transaction when unregistering the last channel for a clientid.
+insert_hist_t(ClientId) ->
+    case delete_hist_t(ClientId) of
+        true ->
+            ok;
+        false ->
+            mnesia:write(?CHAN_REG_TAB, hist(ClientId), write)
+    end.
+
+%% Dirty insert unregistration history.
+%% Since dirty opts are used, async pool workers may race deletes and inserts,
+%% so there could be more than one history records for a clientid,
+%% but it should be eventually consistent after the client re-registers or the periodic cleanup.
+insert_hist_d(ClientId) ->
+    %% delete old hist records first
+    case delete_hist_d(ClientId) of
+        true ->
+            ok;
+        false ->
+            mria:dirty_write(?CHAN_REG_TAB, hist(ClientId))
+    end.
+
+%% Current timestamp in seconds.
+now_ts() ->
+    erlang:system_time(seconds).
+
+%% Delete all history records for a clientid, return true if there is a Pid found.
+delete_hist_t(ClientId) ->
+    fold_hist(
+        fun(Hist) -> mnesia:delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Hist, write) end,
+        mnesia:read(?CHAN_REG_TAB, ClientId, write)
+    ).
+
+%% Delete all history records for a clientid, return true if there is a Pid found.
+delete_hist_d(ClientId) ->
+    fold_hist(
+        fun(Hist) -> mria:dirty_delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Hist) end,
+        mnesia:dirty_read(?CHAN_REG_TAB, ClientId)
+    ).
+
+%% Fold over the history records, return true if there is a Pid found.
+fold_hist(F, List) ->
+    lists:foldl(
+        fun(#channel{pid = Ts} = Record, HasPid) ->
+            case is_integer(Ts) of
+                true ->
+                    ok = F(Record),
+                    HasPid;
+                false ->
+                    true
+            end
+        end,
+        false,
+        List
+    ).
+
+%% Return the session registration history retain duration.
+-spec retain_duration() -> non_neg_integer().
+retain_duration() ->
+    emqx:get_config([broker, session_history_retain]).
diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_registry_keeper.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_registry_keeper.erl
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e96fcdd7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_registry_keeper.erl
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% Copyright (c) 2024 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.
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+%% @doc This module implements the global session registry history cleaner.
+-module(emqx_cm_registry_keeper).
+-behaviour(gen_server).
+
+-export([
+    start_link/0,
+    count/1
+]).
+
+%% gen_server callbacks
+-export([
+    init/1,
+    handle_call/3,
+    handle_cast/2,
+    handle_info/2,
+    terminate/2,
+    code_change/3
+]).
+
+-include_lib("stdlib/include/ms_transform.hrl").
+-include("emqx_cm.hrl").
+
+-define(CACHE_COUNT_THRESHOLD, 1000).
+-define(MIN_COUNT_INTERVAL_SECONDS, 5).
+-define(CLEANUP_CHUNK_SIZE, 10000).
+
+-define(IS_HIST_ENABLED(RETAIN), (RETAIN > 0)).
+
+start_link() ->
+    gen_server:start_link({local, ?MODULE}, ?MODULE, [], []).
+
+init(_) ->
+    case mria_config:whoami() =:= replicant of
+        true ->
+            ignore;
+        false ->
+            ok = send_delay_start(),
+            {ok, #{next_clientid => undefined}}
+    end.
+
+%% @doc Count the number of sessions.
+%% Include sessions which are expired since the given timestamp if `since' is greater than 0.
+-spec count(non_neg_integer()) -> non_neg_integer().
+count(Since) ->
+    Retain = retain_duration(),
+    Now = now_ts(),
+    %% Get table size if hist is not enabled or
+    %% Since is before the earliest possible retention time.
+    IsCountAll = (not ?IS_HIST_ENABLED(Retain) orelse (Now - Retain >= Since)),
+    case IsCountAll of
+        true ->
+            mnesia:table_info(?CHAN_REG_TAB, size);
+        false ->
+            %% make a gen call to avoid many callers doing the same concurrently
+            gen_server:call(?MODULE, {count, Since}, infinity)
+    end.
+
+handle_call({count, Since}, _From, State) ->
+    {LastCountTime, LastCount} =
+        case State of
+            #{last_count_time := T, last_count := C} ->
+                {T, C};
+            _ ->
+                {0, 0}
+        end,
+    Now = now_ts(),
+    Total = mnesia:table_info(?CHAN_REG_TAB, size),
+    %% Always count if the table is small enough
+    %% or when the last count is too old
+    IsTableSmall = (Total < ?CACHE_COUNT_THRESHOLD),
+    IsLastCountOld = (Now - LastCountTime > ?MIN_COUNT_INTERVAL_SECONDS),
+    case IsTableSmall orelse IsLastCountOld of
+        true ->
+            Count = do_count(Since),
+            CountFinishedAt = now_ts(),
+            {reply, Count, State#{last_count_time => CountFinishedAt, last_count => Count}};
+        false ->
+            {reply, LastCount, State}
+    end;
+handle_call(_Request, _From, State) ->
+    {reply, ok, State}.
+
+handle_cast(_Msg, State) ->
+    {noreply, State}.
+
+handle_info(start, #{next_clientid := NextClientId} = State) ->
+    case is_hist_enabled() of
+        true ->
+            NewNext =
+                case cleanup_one_chunk(NextClientId) of
+                    '$end_of_table' ->
+                        ok = send_delay_start(),
+                        undefined;
+                    Id ->
+                        _ = erlang:garbage_collect(),
+                        Id
+                end,
+            {noreply, State#{next_clientid := NewNext}};
+        false ->
+            %% if not enabled, delay and check again
+            %% because it might be enabled from online config change while waiting
+            ok = send_delay_start(),
+            {noreply, State}
+    end;
+handle_info(_Info, State) ->
+    {noreply, State}.
+
+terminate(_Reason, _State) ->
+    ok.
+
+code_change(_OldVsn, State, _Extra) ->
+    {ok, State}.
+
+cleanup_one_chunk(NextClientId) ->
+    Retain = retain_duration(),
+    Now = now_ts(),
+    IsExpired = fun(#channel{pid = Ts}) ->
+        is_integer(Ts) andalso (Ts < Now - Retain)
+    end,
+    cleanup_loop(NextClientId, ?CLEANUP_CHUNK_SIZE, IsExpired).
+
+cleanup_loop(ClientId, 0, _IsExpired) ->
+    ClientId;
+cleanup_loop('$end_of_table', _Count, _IsExpired) ->
+    '$end_of_table';
+cleanup_loop(undefined, Count, IsExpired) ->
+    cleanup_loop(mnesia:dirty_first(?CHAN_REG_TAB), Count, IsExpired);
+cleanup_loop(ClientId, Count, IsExpired) ->
+    Records = mnesia:dirty_read(?CHAN_REG_TAB, ClientId),
+    Next = mnesia:dirty_next(?CHAN_REG_TAB, ClientId),
+    lists:foreach(
+        fun(R) ->
+            case IsExpired(R) of
+                true ->
+                    mria:dirty_delete_object(?CHAN_REG_TAB, R);
+                false ->
+                    ok
+            end
+        end,
+        Records
+    ),
+    cleanup_loop(Next, Count - 1, IsExpired).
+
+is_hist_enabled() ->
+    retain_duration() > 0.
+
+%% Return the session registration history retain duration in seconds.
+-spec retain_duration() -> non_neg_integer().
+retain_duration() ->
+    emqx:get_config([broker, session_history_retain]).
+
+cleanup_delay() ->
+    Default = timer:minutes(2),
+    case retain_duration() of
+        0 ->
+            %% prepare for online config change
+            Default;
+        RetainSeconds ->
+            Min = max(timer:seconds(1), timer:seconds(RetainSeconds) div 4),
+            min(Min, Default)
+    end.
+
+send_delay_start() ->
+    Delay = cleanup_delay(),
+    ok = send_delay_start(Delay).
+
+send_delay_start(Delay) ->
+    _ = erlang:send_after(Delay, self(), start),
+    ok.
+
+now_ts() ->
+    erlang:system_time(seconds).
+
+do_count(Since) ->
+    Ms = ets:fun2ms(fun(#channel{pid = V}) ->
+        is_pid(V) orelse (is_integer(V) andalso (V >= Since))
+    end),
+    ets:select_count(?CHAN_REG_TAB, Ms).
diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_sup.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_sup.erl
index 622921f1d..3306b7ccd 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_sup.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_cm_sup.erl
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ init([]) ->
     Locker = child_spec(emqx_cm_locker, 5000, worker),
     CmPool = emqx_pool_sup:spec(emqx_cm_pool_sup, [?CM_POOL, random, {emqx_pool, start_link, []}]),
     Registry = child_spec(emqx_cm_registry, 5000, worker),
+    RegistryKeeper = child_spec(emqx_cm_registry_keeper, 5000, worker),
     Manager = child_spec(emqx_cm, 5000, worker),
     DSSessionGCSup = child_spec(emqx_persistent_session_ds_sup, infinity, supervisor),
     Children =
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ init([]) ->
             Locker,
             CmPool,
             Registry,
+            RegistryKeeper,
             Manager,
             DSSessionGCSup
         ],
diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_schema.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_schema.erl
index d9171f711..d5989687d 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_schema.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_schema.erl
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@
 -define(DEFAULT_MULTIPLIER, 1.5).
 -define(DEFAULT_BACKOFF, 0.75).
 
-namespace() -> broker.
+namespace() -> emqx.
 
 tags() ->
     [<<"EMQX">>].
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ roots(high) ->
         );
 roots(medium) ->
     [
-        {"broker",
+        {broker,
             sc(
                 ref("broker"),
                 #{
@@ -1347,24 +1347,43 @@ fields("deflate_opts") ->
     ];
 fields("broker") ->
     [
-        {"enable_session_registry",
+        {enable_session_registry,
             sc(
                 boolean(),
                 #{
                     default => true,
+                    importance => ?IMPORTANCE_HIGH,
                     desc => ?DESC(broker_enable_session_registry)
                 }
             )},
-        {"session_locking_strategy",
+        {session_history_retain,
+            sc(
+                duration_s(),
+                #{
+                    default => <<"0s">>,
+                    importance => ?IMPORTANCE_LOW,
+                    desc => ?DESC("broker_session_history_retain")
+                }
+            )},
+        {session_locking_strategy,
             sc(
                 hoconsc:enum([local, leader, quorum, all]),
                 #{
                     default => quorum,
+                    importance => ?IMPORTANCE_HIDDEN,
                     desc => ?DESC(broker_session_locking_strategy)
                 }
             )},
-        shared_subscription_strategy(),
-        {"shared_dispatch_ack_enabled",
+        %% moved to under mqtt root
+        {shared_subscription_strategy,
+            sc(
+                string(),
+                #{
+                    deprecated => {since, "5.1.0"},
+                    importance => ?IMPORTANCE_HIDDEN
+                }
+            )},
+        {shared_dispatch_ack_enabled,
             sc(
                 boolean(),
                 #{
@@ -1374,7 +1393,7 @@ fields("broker") ->
                     desc => ?DESC(broker_shared_dispatch_ack_enabled)
                 }
             )},
-        {"route_batch_clean",
+        {route_batch_clean,
             sc(
                 boolean(),
                 #{
@@ -1383,18 +1402,18 @@ fields("broker") ->
                     importance => ?IMPORTANCE_HIDDEN
                 }
             )},
-        {"perf",
+        {perf,
             sc(
                 ref("broker_perf"),
                 #{importance => ?IMPORTANCE_HIDDEN}
             )},
-        {"routing",
+        {routing,
             sc(
                 ref("broker_routing"),
                 #{importance => ?IMPORTANCE_HIDDEN}
             )},
         %% FIXME: Need new design for shared subscription group
-        {"shared_subscription_group",
+        {shared_subscription_group,
             sc(
                 map(name, ref("shared_subscription_group")),
                 #{
@@ -3640,7 +3659,22 @@ mqtt_general() ->
                     desc => ?DESC(mqtt_shared_subscription)
                 }
             )},
-        shared_subscription_strategy(),
+        {"shared_subscription_strategy",
+            sc(
+                hoconsc:enum([
+                    random,
+                    round_robin,
+                    round_robin_per_group,
+                    sticky,
+                    local,
+                    hash_topic,
+                    hash_clientid
+                ]),
+                #{
+                    default => round_robin,
+                    desc => ?DESC(mqtt_shared_subscription_strategy)
+                }
+            )},
         {"exclusive_subscription",
             sc(
                 boolean(),
@@ -3846,24 +3880,6 @@ mqtt_session() ->
             )}
     ].
 
-shared_subscription_strategy() ->
-    {"shared_subscription_strategy",
-        sc(
-            hoconsc:enum([
-                random,
-                round_robin,
-                round_robin_per_group,
-                sticky,
-                local,
-                hash_topic,
-                hash_clientid
-            ]),
-            #{
-                default => round_robin,
-                desc => ?DESC(broker_shared_subscription_strategy)
-            }
-        )}.
-
 default_mem_check_interval() ->
     case emqx_os_mon:is_os_check_supported() of
         true -> <<"60s">>;
diff --git a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_stats.erl b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_stats.erl
index 4954d0a45..b919d472d 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/src/emqx_stats.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/src/emqx_stats.erl
@@ -99,7 +99,11 @@
     [
         'sessions.count',
         %% Maximum Number of Concurrent Sessions
-        'sessions.max'
+        'sessions.max',
+        %% Count of Sessions in the cluster
+        'cluster_sessions.count',
+        %% Maximum Number of Sessions in the cluster
+        'cluster_sessions.max'
     ]
 ).
 
@@ -164,6 +168,8 @@ names() ->
         emqx_connections_max,
         emqx_live_connections_count,
         emqx_live_connections_max,
+        emqx_cluster_sessions_count,
+        emqx_cluster_sessions_max,
         emqx_sessions_count,
         emqx_sessions_max,
         emqx_channels_count,
diff --git a/apps/emqx/test/emqx_cm_registry_keeper_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_cm_registry_keeper_SUITE.erl
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f3899fb3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_cm_registry_keeper_SUITE.erl
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% Copyright (c) 2024 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_cm_registry_keeper_SUITE).
+
+-compile(export_all).
+-compile(nowarn_export_all).
+
+-include_lib("eunit/include/eunit.hrl").
+-include_lib("snabbkaffe/include/snabbkaffe.hrl").
+-include("emqx_cm.hrl").
+
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+%% CT callbacks
+%%--------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+all() -> emqx_common_test_helpers:all(?MODULE).
+
+init_per_suite(Config) ->
+    AppConfig = "broker.session_history_retain = 2s",
+    Apps = emqx_cth_suite:start(
+        [{emqx, #{config => AppConfig}}],
+        #{work_dir => emqx_cth_suite:work_dir(Config)}
+    ),
+    [{apps, Apps} | Config].
+
+end_per_suite(Config) ->
+    emqx_cth_suite:stop(proplists:get_value(apps, Config)).
+
+init_per_testcase(_TestCase, Config) ->
+    Config.
+
+end_per_testcase(_TestCase, Config) ->
+    Config.
+
+t_cleanup_after_retain(_) ->
+    Pid = spawn(fun() ->
+        receive
+            stop -> ok
+        end
+    end),
+    ClientId = <<"clientid">>,
+    ClientId2 = <<"clientid2">>,
+    emqx_cm_registry:register_channel({ClientId, Pid}),
+    emqx_cm_registry:register_channel({ClientId2, Pid}),
+    ?assertEqual([Pid], emqx_cm_registry:lookup_channels(ClientId)),
+    ?assertEqual([Pid], emqx_cm_registry:lookup_channels(ClientId2)),
+    ?assertEqual(2, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(0)),
+    T0 = erlang:system_time(seconds),
+    exit(Pid, kill),
+    %% lookup_channel chesk if the channel is still alive
+    ?assertEqual([], emqx_cm_registry:lookup_channels(ClientId)),
+    ?assertEqual([], emqx_cm_registry:lookup_channels(ClientId2)),
+    %% simulate a DOWN message which causes emqx_cm to call clean_down
+    %% to clean the channels for real
+    ok = emqx_cm:clean_down({Pid, ClientId}),
+    ok = emqx_cm:clean_down({Pid, ClientId2}),
+    ?assertEqual(2, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(T0)),
+    ?assertEqual(2, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(0)),
+    ?retry(_Interval = 1000, _Attempts = 4, begin
+        ?assertEqual(0, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(T0)),
+        ?assertEqual(0, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(0))
+    end),
+    ok.
+
+%% count is cached when the number of entries is greater than 1000
+t_count_cache(_) ->
+    Pid = self(),
+    ClientsCount = 999,
+    ClientIds = lists:map(fun erlang:integer_to_binary/1, lists:seq(1, ClientsCount)),
+    Channels = lists:map(fun(ClientId) -> {ClientId, Pid} end, ClientIds),
+    lists:foreach(
+        fun emqx_cm_registry:register_channel/1,
+        Channels
+    ),
+    T0 = erlang:system_time(seconds),
+    ?assertEqual(ClientsCount, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(0)),
+    ?assertEqual(ClientsCount, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(T0)),
+    %% insert another one to trigger the cache threshold
+    emqx_cm_registry:register_channel({<<"-1">>, Pid}),
+    ?assertEqual(ClientsCount + 1, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(0)),
+    ?assertEqual(ClientsCount, emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(T0)),
+    mnesia:clear_table(?CHAN_REG_TAB),
+    ok.
+
+channel(Id, Pid) ->
+    #channel{chid = Id, pid = Pid}.
diff --git a/apps/emqx/test/emqx_config_SUITE.erl b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_config_SUITE.erl
index 4ddebd278..72611c3a6 100644
--- a/apps/emqx/test/emqx_config_SUITE.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx/test/emqx_config_SUITE.erl
@@ -76,8 +76,7 @@ t_fill_default_values(C) when is_list(C) ->
                             <<"trie_compaction">> := true
                         },
                     <<"route_batch_clean">> := false,
-                    <<"session_locking_strategy">> := <<"quorum">>,
-                    <<"shared_subscription_strategy">> := <<"round_robin">>
+                    <<"session_history_retain">> := <<"0s">>
                 }
         },
         WithDefaults
diff --git a/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor.erl b/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor.erl
index 4891b5293..c8f92de0d 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor.erl
@@ -415,6 +415,7 @@ getstats(Key) ->
 
 stats(connections) -> emqx_stats:getstat('connections.count');
 stats(live_connections) -> emqx_stats:getstat('live_connections.count');
+stats(cluster_sessions) -> emqx_stats:getstat('cluster_sessions.count');
 stats(topics) -> emqx_stats:getstat('topics.count');
 stats(subscriptions) -> emqx_stats:getstat('subscriptions.count');
 stats(received) -> emqx_metrics:val('messages.received');
diff --git a/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor_api.erl b/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor_api.erl
index d7e3c094c..c36c6d0f3 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor_api.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_dashboard/src/emqx_dashboard_monitor_api.erl
@@ -194,6 +194,12 @@ swagger_desc(live_connections) ->
         "Connections at the time of sampling."
         " Can only represent the approximate state"
     >>;
+swagger_desc(cluster_sessions) ->
+    <<
+        "Total number of sessions in the cluster at the time of sampling. "
+        "It includes expired sessions when `broker.session_history_retain` is set to a duration greater than `0s`. "
+        "Can only represent the approximate state"
+    >>;
 swagger_desc(received_msg_rate) ->
     swagger_desc_format("Dropped messages ", per);
 %swagger_desc(received_bytes_rate) -> swagger_desc_format("Received bytes ", per);
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt.erl
index 1995ec9da..a5cf0b584 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt.erl
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ node_info() ->
         ),
         connections => ets:info(?CHAN_TAB, size),
         live_connections => ets:info(?CHAN_LIVE_TAB, size),
+        cluster_sessions => ets:info(?CHAN_REG_TAB, size),
         node_status => 'running',
         uptime => proplists:get_value(uptime, BrokerInfo),
         version => iolist_to_binary(proplists:get_value(version, BrokerInfo)),
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl
index f394ffefa..8965f4633 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.erl
@@ -45,7 +45,8 @@
     subscribe_batch/2,
     unsubscribe/2,
     unsubscribe_batch/2,
-    set_keepalive/2
+    set_keepalive/2,
+    sessions_count/2
 ]).
 
 -export([
@@ -96,7 +97,8 @@ paths() ->
         "/clients/:clientid/subscribe/bulk",
         "/clients/:clientid/unsubscribe",
         "/clients/:clientid/unsubscribe/bulk",
-        "/clients/:clientid/keepalive"
+        "/clients/:clientid/keepalive",
+        "/sessions_count"
     ].
 
 schema("/clients") ->
@@ -385,6 +387,30 @@ schema("/clients/:clientid/keepalive") ->
                 )
             }
         }
+    };
+schema("/sessions_count") ->
+    #{
+        'operationId' => sessions_count,
+        get => #{
+            description => ?DESC(get_sessions_count),
+            tags => ?TAGS,
+            parameters => [
+                {since,
+                    hoconsc:mk(non_neg_integer(), #{
+                        in => query,
+                        required => false,
+                        default => 0,
+                        desc =>
+                            <<"Include sessions expired after this time (UNIX Epoch in seconds precision)">>,
+                        example => 1705391625
+                    })}
+            ],
+            responses => #{
+                200 => hoconsc:mk(binary(), #{
+                    desc => <<"Number of sessions">>
+                })
+            }
+        }
     }.
 
 fields(clients) ->
@@ -1059,3 +1085,8 @@ client_example() ->
         <<"recv_cnt">> => 4,
         <<"recv_msg.qos0">> => 0
     }.
+
+sessions_count(get, #{query_string := QString}) ->
+    Since = maps:get(<<"since">>, QString, 0),
+    Count = emqx_cm_registry_keeper:count(Since),
+    {200, integer_to_binary(Count)}.
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_configs.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_configs.erl
index ca1a9fc0b..8db1ef720 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_configs.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_configs.erl
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@
     <<"alarm">>,
     <<"sys_topics">>,
     <<"sysmon">>,
-    <<"log">>
+    <<"log">>,
+    <<"broker">>
     | ?ROOT_KEYS_EE
 ]).
 
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_nodes.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_nodes.erl
index 9afb74f38..07d775f6e 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_nodes.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_nodes.erl
@@ -160,6 +160,19 @@ fields(node_info) ->
                 non_neg_integer(),
                 #{desc => <<"Number of clients currently connected to this node">>, example => 0}
             )},
+        {cluster_sessions,
+            mk(
+                non_neg_integer(),
+                #{
+                    desc =>
+                        <<
+                            "By default, it includes only those sessions that have not expired. "
+                            "If the `broker.session_history_retain` config is set to a duration greater than `0s`, "
+                            "this count will also include sessions that expired within the specified retain time"
+                        >>,
+                    example => 0
+                }
+            )},
         {load1,
             mk(
                 float(),
diff --git a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_stats.erl b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_stats.erl
index b57565671..cddc2a7c3 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_stats.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_management/src/emqx_mgmt_api_stats.erl
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@ fields(node_stats_data) ->
         stats_schema('delayed.max', <<"Historical maximum number of delayed messages">>),
         stats_schema('live_connections.count', <<"Number of current live connections">>),
         stats_schema('live_connections.max', <<"Historical maximum number of live connections">>),
+        stats_schema('cluster_sessions.count', <<"Number of sessions in the cluster">>),
+        stats_schema(
+            'cluster_sessions.max', <<"Historical maximum number of sessions in the cluster">>
+        ),
         stats_schema('retained.count', <<"Number of currently retained messages">>),
         stats_schema('retained.max', <<"Historical maximum number of retained messages">>),
         stats_schema('sessions.count', <<"Number of current sessions">>),
diff --git a/apps/emqx_prometheus/src/emqx_prometheus.erl b/apps/emqx_prometheus/src/emqx_prometheus.erl
index 59241bd02..2942ac485 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_prometheus/src/emqx_prometheus.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_prometheus/src/emqx_prometheus.erl
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ add_collect_family(Name, Data, Callback, Type) ->
 
 %% behaviour
 fetch_from_local_node(Mode) ->
-    {node(self()), #{
+    {node(), #{
         stats_data => stats_data(Mode),
         vm_data => vm_data(Mode),
         cluster_data => cluster_data(Mode),
@@ -308,6 +308,8 @@ emqx_collect(K = emqx_sessions_count, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
 emqx_collect(K = emqx_sessions_max, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
 emqx_collect(K = emqx_channels_count, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
 emqx_collect(K = emqx_channels_max, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
+emqx_collect(K = emqx_cluster_sessions_count, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
+emqx_collect(K = emqx_cluster_sessions_max, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
 %% pub/sub stats
 emqx_collect(K = emqx_topics_count, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
 emqx_collect(K = emqx_topics_max, D) -> gauge_metrics(?MG(K, D));
@@ -500,6 +502,8 @@ stats_metric_meta() ->
         {emqx_sessions_max, gauge, 'sessions.max'},
         {emqx_channels_count, gauge, 'channels.count'},
         {emqx_channels_max, gauge, 'channels.max'},
+        {emqx_cluster_sessions_count, gauge, 'cluster_sessions.count'},
+        {emqx_cluster_sessions_max, gauge, 'cluster_sessions.max'},
         %% pub/sub stats
         {emqx_suboptions_count, gauge, 'suboptions.count'},
         {emqx_suboptions_max, gauge, 'suboptions.max'},
diff --git a/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.app.src b/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.app.src
index 32c2baa91..b4b0ebcfe 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.app.src
+++ b/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.app.src
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {application, emqx_telemetry, [
     {description, "Report telemetry data for EMQX Opensource edition"},
-    {vsn, "0.1.3"},
+    {vsn, "0.2.0"},
     {registered, [emqx_telemetry_sup, emqx_telemetry]},
     {mod, {emqx_telemetry_app, []}},
     {applications, [
diff --git a/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.erl b/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.erl
index 8842d7a86..2e54549b8 100644
--- a/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.erl
+++ b/apps/emqx_telemetry/src/emqx_telemetry.erl
@@ -303,6 +303,9 @@ active_plugins() ->
 num_clients() ->
     emqx_stats:getstat('live_connections.count').
 
+num_cluster_sessions() ->
+    emqx_stats:getstat('cluster_sessions.count').
+
 messages_sent() ->
     emqx_metrics:val('messages.sent').
 
@@ -348,6 +351,7 @@ get_telemetry(State0 = #state{node_uuid = NodeUUID, cluster_uuid = ClusterUUID})
         {nodes_uuid, nodes_uuid()},
         {active_plugins, active_plugins()},
         {num_clients, num_clients()},
+        {num_cluster_sessions, num_cluster_sessions()},
         {messages_received, messages_received()},
         {messages_sent, messages_sent()},
         {build_info, build_info()},
diff --git a/changes/ce/feat-12326.en.md b/changes/ce/feat-12326.en.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bfef51eb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/ce/feat-12326.en.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+Add session registration history.
+
+Setting config `broker.session_history_retain` allows EMQX to keep track of expired sessions for the retained period.
+
+API `GET /api/v5/sessions_count?since=1705682238` can be called to count the cluster-wide sessions which were alive (unexpired) since the provided timestamp (UNIX epoch at seconds precision).
+
+A new gauge `cluster_sessions` is added to the metrics collection. Exposed to prometheus as
+
+```
+# TYPE emqx_cluster_sessions_count gauge
+emqx_cluster_sessions_count 1234
+```
+
+The counter can only be used for an approximate estimation as the collection and calculations are async.
diff --git a/rel/i18n/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.hocon b/rel/i18n/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.hocon
index 64d4e5279..2431c09ec 100644
--- a/rel/i18n/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.hocon
+++ b/rel/i18n/emqx_mgmt_api_clients.hocon
@@ -60,4 +60,14 @@ set_keepalive_seconds.desc:
 set_keepalive_seconds.label:
 """Set the online client keepalive by seconds"""
 
+get_sessions_count.desc:
+"""Get the total number of sessions in the cluster.
+By default, it includes only those sessions that have not expired.
+If the `broker.session_history_retain` config is set to a duration greater than 0s,
+this count will also include sessions that expired within the specified retain time.
+By specifying the `since` parameter, it can return the number of sessions that have expired within the specified time."""
+
+get_sessions_count.label:
+"""Count number of sessions"""
+
 }
diff --git a/rel/i18n/emqx_plugins_schema.hocon b/rel/i18n/emqx_plugins_schema.hocon
index b72c87054..af1fb4a0b 100644
--- a/rel/i18n/emqx_plugins_schema.hocon
+++ b/rel/i18n/emqx_plugins_schema.hocon
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ install_dir.label:
 """Install Directory"""
 
 name_vsn.desc:
-"""The {name}-{version} of the plugin.<br/>
-It should match the plugin application name-version as the for the plugin release package name<br/>
-For example: my_plugin-0.1.0."""
+"""The `{name}-{version}` of the plugin.<br/>
+It should match the plugin application name-version as plugin release package name<br/>
+For example: `my_plugin-0.1.0`."""
 
 name_vsn.label:
 """Name-Version"""
diff --git a/rel/i18n/emqx_schema.hocon b/rel/i18n/emqx_schema.hocon
index 40da8d75e..a53104c0c 100644
--- a/rel/i18n/emqx_schema.hocon
+++ b/rel/i18n/emqx_schema.hocon
@@ -1022,7 +1022,7 @@ fields_ws_opts_supported_subprotocols.desc:
 fields_ws_opts_supported_subprotocols.label:
 """Supported subprotocols"""
 
-broker_shared_subscription_strategy.desc:
+mqtt_shared_subscription_strategy.desc:
 """Dispatch strategy for shared subscription.
  - `random`: Randomly select a subscriber for dispatch;
  - `round_robin`: Messages from a single publisher are dispatched to subscribers in turn;
@@ -1420,7 +1420,21 @@ force_shutdown_enable.label:
 """Enable `force_shutdown` feature"""
 
 broker_enable_session_registry.desc:
-"""Enable session registry"""
+"""The Global Session Registry is a cluster-wide mechanism designed to maintain the uniqueness of client IDs within the cluster.
+Recommendations for Use<br/>
+- Default Setting: It is generally advisable to enable. This feature is crucial for session takeover to work properly. For example if a client reconnected to another node in the cluster, the new connection will need to find the old session and take it over.
+- Disabling the Feature: Disabling is an option for scenarios when all sessions expire immediately after client is disconnected (i.e. session expiry interval is zero). This can be relevant in certain specialized use cases.
+
+Advantages of Disabling<br/>
+- Reduced Memory Usage: Turning off the session registry can lower the overall memory footprint of the system.
+- Improved Performance: Without the overhead of maintaining a global registry, the node can process client connections faster."""
+
+broker_session_history_retain.desc:
+"""The duration to retain the session registration history. Setting this to a value greater than `0s` will increase memory usage and impact peformance.
+This retained history can be used to monitor how many sessions were registered in the past configured duration.
+Note: This config has no effect if `enable_session_registry` is set to `false`.<br/>
+Note: If the clients are using random client IDs, it's not recommended to enable this feature, at least not for a long retention period.<br/>
+Note: When clustered, the lowest (but greater than `0s`) value among the nodes in the cluster will take effect."""
 
 overload_protection_backoff_delay.desc:
 """The maximum duration of delay for background task execution during high load conditions."""