diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index de077ede87ad..54c300a9e5cd 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -1695,6 +1695,11 @@ async def _handle_message(self, event: MessageEvent) -> Optional[str]:
             # In DMs: offer pairing code. In groups: silently ignore.
             if source.chat_type == "dm" and self._get_unauthorized_dm_behavior(source.platform) == "pair":
                 platform_name = source.platform.value if source.platform else "unknown"
+                # Rate-limit ALL pairing responses (code or rejection) to
+                # prevent spamming the user with repeated messages when
+                # multiple DMs arrive in quick succession.
+                if self.pairing_store._is_rate_limited(platform_name, source.user_id):
+                    return None
                 code = self.pairing_store.generate_code(
                     platform_name, source.user_id, source.user_name or ""
                 )
@@ -1716,6 +1721,8 @@ async def _handle_message(self, event: MessageEvent) -> Optional[str]:
                             "Too many pairing requests right now~ "
                             "Please try again later!"
                         )
+                    # Record rate limit so subsequent messages are silently ignored
+                    self.pairing_store._record_rate_limit(platform_name, source.user_id)
             return None
         
         # PRIORITY handling when an agent is already running for this session.
diff --git a/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py b/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py
index 02aae301c161..0ef90c327f44 100644
--- a/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py
+++ b/tests/gateway/test_unauthorized_dm_behavior.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ def _make_runner(platform: Platform, config: GatewayConfig):
     runner.adapters = {platform: adapter}
     runner.pairing_store = MagicMock()
     runner.pairing_store.is_approved.return_value = False
+    runner.pairing_store._is_rate_limited.return_value = False
     return runner, adapter