perf(audio): optimize audio processing paths and reduce overhead

- Replace CGO function variable aliases with direct function calls to eliminate indirection
- Simplify audio frame validation by using cached max size and removing error formatting
- Optimize buffer pool operations by removing metrics collection and streamlining cache access
- Improve batch audio processor by pre-calculating values and reducing config lookups
- Streamline IPC message processing with inline validation and reduced error logging

.gitignore

@@ -9,4 +9,5 @@ tmp/
 *.tmp
 *.code-workspace
 
-device-tests.tar.gz
+device-tests.tar.gz
+CLAUDE.md

internal/audio/batch_audio.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ package audio
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"runtime"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
@@ -28,23 +29,31 @@ type BatchAudioProcessor struct {
 
 	// Batch queues and state (atomic for lock-free access)
 	readQueue    chan batchReadRequest
+	writeQueue   chan batchWriteRequest
 	initialized  int32
 	running      int32
 	threadPinned int32
+	writePinned  int32
 
 	// Buffers (pre-allocated to avoid allocation overhead)
-	readBufPool *sync.Pool
+	readBufPool  *sync.Pool
+	writeBufPool *sync.Pool
 }
 
 type BatchAudioStats struct {
 	// int64 fields MUST be first for ARM32 alignment
 	BatchedReads    int64
 	SingleReads     int64
+	BatchedWrites   int64
+	SingleWrites    int64
 	BatchedFrames   int64
 	SingleFrames    int64
+	WriteFrames     int64
 	CGOCallsReduced int64
 	OSThreadPinTime time.Duration // time.Duration is int64 internally
+	WriteThreadTime time.Duration // time.Duration is int64 internally
 	LastBatchTime   time.Time
+	LastWriteTime   time.Time
 }
 
 type batchReadRequest struct {
@@ -58,23 +67,43 @@ type batchReadResult struct {
 	err    error
 }
 
+type batchWriteRequest struct {
+	buffer     []byte // Buffer for backward compatibility
+	opusData   []byte // Opus encoded data for decode-write operations
+	pcmBuffer  []byte // PCM buffer for decode-write operations
+	resultChan chan batchWriteResult
+	timestamp  time.Time
+}
+
+type batchWriteResult struct {
+	length int
+	err    error
+}
+
 // NewBatchAudioProcessor creates a new batch audio processor
 func NewBatchAudioProcessor(batchSize int, batchDuration time.Duration) *BatchAudioProcessor {
-	// Validate input parameters
-	if err := ValidateBufferSize(batchSize); err != nil {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "batch-audio").Logger()
-		logger.Warn().Err(err).Int("batchSize", batchSize).Msg("invalid batch size, using default")
-		batchSize = GetConfig().BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch
+	// Get cached config to avoid GetConfig() calls
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cache.Update()
+
+	// Validate input parameters with minimal overhead
+	if batchSize <= 0 || batchSize > 1000 {
+		batchSize = cache.BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch
 	}
 	if batchDuration <= 0 {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "batch-audio").Logger()
-		logger.Warn().Dur("batchDuration", batchDuration).Msg("invalid batch duration, using default")
-		batchDuration = GetConfig().BatchProcessingDelay
+		batchDuration = cache.BatchProcessingDelay
 	}
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	// Pre-allocate logger to avoid repeated allocations
 	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "batch-audio").Logger()
 
+	// Pre-calculate frame size to avoid repeated GetConfig() calls
+	frameSize := cache.GetMinReadEncodeBuffer()
+	if frameSize == 0 {
+		frameSize = 1500 // Safe fallback
+	}
+
 	processor := &BatchAudioProcessor{
 		ctx:           ctx,
 		cancel:        cancel,
@@ -82,9 +111,17 @@ func NewBatchAudioProcessor(batchSize int, batchDuration time.Duration) *BatchAu
 		batchSize:     batchSize,
 		batchDuration: batchDuration,
 		readQueue:     make(chan batchReadRequest, batchSize*2),
+		writeQueue:    make(chan batchWriteRequest, batchSize*2),
 		readBufPool: &sync.Pool{
 			New: func() interface{} {
-				return make([]byte, GetConfig().AudioFramePoolSize) // Max audio frame size
+				// Use pre-calculated frame size to avoid GetConfig() calls
+				return make([]byte, 0, frameSize)
+			},
+		},
+		writeBufPool: &sync.Pool{
+			New: func() interface{} {
+				// Use pre-calculated frame size to avoid GetConfig() calls
+				return make([]byte, 0, frameSize)
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -105,6 +142,7 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) Start() error {
 
 	// Start batch processing goroutines
 	go bap.batchReadProcessor()
+	go bap.batchWriteProcessor()
 
 	bap.logger.Info().Int("batch_size", bap.batchSize).
 		Dur("batch_duration", bap.batchDuration).
@@ -129,13 +167,17 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) Stop() {
 
 // BatchReadEncode performs batched audio read and encode operations
 func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) BatchReadEncode(buffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	// Get cached config to avoid GetConfig() calls in hot path
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cache.Update()
+
 	// Validate buffer before processing
 	if err := ValidateBufferSize(len(buffer)); err != nil {
 		bap.logger.Debug().Err(err).Msg("invalid buffer for batch processing")
 		return 0, err
 	}
 
-	if atomic.LoadInt32(&bap.running) == 0 {
+	if !bap.IsRunning() {
 		// Fallback to single operation if batch processor is not running
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleReads, 1)
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleFrames, 1)
@@ -149,21 +191,22 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) BatchReadEncode(buffer []byte) (int, error) {
 		timestamp:  time.Now(),
 	}
 
+	// Try to queue the request with non-blocking send
 	select {
 	case bap.readQueue <- request:
 		// Successfully queued
-	case <-time.After(GetConfig().ShortTimeout):
-		// Queue is full or blocked, fallback to single operation
+	default:
+		// Queue is full, fallback to single operation
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleReads, 1)
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleFrames, 1)
 		return CGOAudioReadEncode(buffer)
 	}
 
-	// Wait for result
+	// Wait for result with timeout
 	select {
 	case result := <-resultChan:
 		return result.length, result.err
-	case <-time.After(GetConfig().MediumTimeout):
+	case <-time.After(cache.BatchProcessingTimeout):
 		// Timeout, fallback to single operation
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleReads, 1)
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleFrames, 1)
@@ -171,6 +214,109 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) BatchReadEncode(buffer []byte) (int, error) {
 	}
 }
 
+// BatchDecodeWrite performs batched audio decode and write operations
+// This is the legacy version that uses a single buffer
+func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) BatchDecodeWrite(buffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	// Get cached config to avoid GetConfig() calls in hot path
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cache.Update()
+
+	// Validate buffer before processing
+	if err := ValidateBufferSize(len(buffer)); err != nil {
+		bap.logger.Debug().Err(err).Msg("invalid buffer for batch processing")
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	if !bap.IsRunning() {
+		// Fallback to single operation if batch processor is not running
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleWrites, 1)
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames, 1)
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy(buffer)
+	}
+
+	resultChan := make(chan batchWriteResult, 1)
+	request := batchWriteRequest{
+		buffer:     buffer,
+		resultChan: resultChan,
+		timestamp:  time.Now(),
+	}
+
+	// Try to queue the request with non-blocking send
+	select {
+	case bap.writeQueue <- request:
+		// Successfully queued
+	default:
+		// Queue is full, fall back to single operation
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleWrites, 1)
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames, 1)
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy(buffer)
+	}
+
+	// Wait for result with timeout
+	select {
+	case result := <-resultChan:
+		return result.length, result.err
+	case <-time.After(cache.BatchProcessingTimeout):
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleWrites, 1)
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames, 1)
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy(buffer)
+	}
+}
+
+// BatchDecodeWriteWithBuffers performs batched audio decode and write operations with separate opus and PCM buffers
+func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) BatchDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData []byte, pcmBuffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	// Get cached config to avoid GetConfig() calls in hot path
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cache.Update()
+
+	// Validate buffers before processing
+	if len(opusData) == 0 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("empty opus data buffer")
+	}
+	if len(pcmBuffer) == 0 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("empty PCM buffer")
+	}
+
+	if !bap.IsRunning() {
+		// Fallback to single operation if batch processor is not running
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleWrites, 1)
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames, 1)
+		// Use the optimized function with separate buffers
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWrite(opusData, pcmBuffer)
+	}
+
+	resultChan := make(chan batchWriteResult, 1)
+	request := batchWriteRequest{
+		opusData:   opusData,
+		pcmBuffer:  pcmBuffer,
+		resultChan: resultChan,
+		timestamp:  time.Now(),
+	}
+
+	// Try to queue the request with non-blocking send
+	select {
+	case bap.writeQueue <- request:
+		// Successfully queued
+	default:
+		// Queue is full, fall back to single operation
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleWrites, 1)
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames, 1)
+		// Use the optimized function with separate buffers
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWrite(opusData, pcmBuffer)
+	}
+
+	// Wait for result with timeout
+	select {
+	case result := <-resultChan:
+		return result.length, result.err
+	case <-time.After(cache.BatchProcessingTimeout):
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.SingleWrites, 1)
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames, 1)
+		// Use the optimized function with separate buffers
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWrite(opusData, pcmBuffer)
+	}
+}
+
 // batchReadProcessor processes batched read operations
 func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) batchReadProcessor() {
 	defer bap.logger.Debug().Msg("batch read processor stopped")
@@ -207,43 +353,150 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) batchReadProcessor() {
 	}
 }
 
+// batchWriteProcessor processes batched write operations
+func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) batchWriteProcessor() {
+	defer bap.logger.Debug().Msg("batch write processor stopped")
+
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(bap.batchDuration)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	var batch []batchWriteRequest
+	batch = make([]batchWriteRequest, 0, bap.batchSize)
+
+	for atomic.LoadInt32(&bap.running) == 1 {
+		select {
+		case <-bap.ctx.Done():
+			return
+
+		case req := <-bap.writeQueue:
+			batch = append(batch, req)
+			if len(batch) >= bap.batchSize {
+				bap.processBatchWrite(batch)
+				batch = batch[:0] // Clear slice but keep capacity
+			}
+
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			if len(batch) > 0 {
+				bap.processBatchWrite(batch)
+				batch = batch[:0] // Clear slice but keep capacity
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Process any remaining requests
+	if len(batch) > 0 {
+		bap.processBatchWrite(batch)
+	}
+}
+
 // processBatchRead processes a batch of read requests efficiently
 func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) processBatchRead(batch []batchReadRequest) {
-	if len(batch) == 0 {
+	batchSize := len(batch)
+	if batchSize == 0 {
 		return
 	}
 
-	// Pin to OS thread for the entire batch to minimize thread switching overhead
-	start := time.Now()
-	if atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0, 1) {
+	// Get cached config once - avoid repeated calls
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	minBatchSize := cache.MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning
+
+	// Only pin to OS thread for large batches to reduce thread contention
+	var start time.Time
+	threadWasPinned := false
+	if batchSize >= minBatchSize && atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0, 1) {
+		start = time.Now()
+		threadWasPinned = true
 		runtime.LockOSThread()
-
-		// Set high priority for batch audio processing
-		if err := SetAudioThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-			bap.logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("failed to set batch audio processing priority")
-		}
-
-		defer func() {
-			if err := ResetThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-				bap.logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("failed to reset thread priority")
-			}
-			runtime.UnlockOSThread()
-			atomic.StoreInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0)
-			bap.stats.OSThreadPinTime += time.Since(start)
-		}()
+		// Skip priority setting for better performance - audio threads already have good priority
 	}
 
-	batchSize := len(batch)
+	// Update stats efficiently
 	atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedReads, 1)
 	atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedFrames, int64(batchSize))
 	if batchSize > 1 {
 		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.CGOCallsReduced, int64(batchSize-1))
 	}
 
+	// Process each request in the batch with minimal overhead
+	for i := range batch {
+		req := &batch[i]
+		length, err := CGOAudioReadEncode(req.buffer)
+
+		// Send result back (non-blocking) - reuse result struct
+		select {
+		case req.resultChan <- batchReadResult{length: length, err: err}:
+		default:
+			// Requestor timed out, drop result
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Release thread lock if we pinned it
+	if threadWasPinned {
+		runtime.UnlockOSThread()
+		atomic.StoreInt32(&bap.threadPinned, 0)
+		bap.stats.OSThreadPinTime += time.Since(start)
+	}
+
+	bap.stats.LastBatchTime = time.Now()
+}
+
+// processBatchWrite processes a batch of write requests efficiently
+func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) processBatchWrite(batch []batchWriteRequest) {
+	if len(batch) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Get cached config to avoid GetConfig() calls in hot path
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+
+	// Only pin to OS thread for large batches to reduce thread contention
+	start := time.Now()
+	shouldPinThread := len(batch) >= cache.MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning
+
+	// Track if we pinned the thread in this call
+	threadWasPinned := false
+
+	if shouldPinThread && atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&bap.writePinned, 0, 1) {
+		threadWasPinned = true
+		runtime.LockOSThread()
+
+		// Set high priority for batch audio processing - skip logging in hotpath
+		_ = SetAudioThreadPriority()
+	}
+
+	batchSize := len(batch)
+	atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedWrites, 1)
+	atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames, int64(batchSize))
+	if batchSize > 1 {
+		atomic.AddInt64(&bap.stats.CGOCallsReduced, int64(batchSize-1))
+	}
+
+	// Add deferred function to release thread lock if we pinned it
+	if threadWasPinned {
+		defer func() {
+			// Skip logging in hotpath for performance
+			_ = ResetThreadPriority()
+			runtime.UnlockOSThread()
+			atomic.StoreInt32(&bap.writePinned, 0)
+			bap.stats.WriteThreadTime += time.Since(start)
+		}()
+	}
+
 	// Process each request in the batch
 	for _, req := range batch {
-		length, err := CGOAudioReadEncode(req.buffer)
-		result := batchReadResult{
+		var length int
+		var err error
+
+		// Handle both legacy and new decode-write operations
+		if req.opusData != nil && req.pcmBuffer != nil {
+			// New style with separate opus data and PCM buffer
+			length, err = CGOAudioDecodeWrite(req.opusData, req.pcmBuffer)
+		} else {
+			// Legacy style with single buffer
+			length, err = CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy(req.buffer)
+		}
+
+		result := batchWriteResult{
 			length: length,
 			err:    err,
 		}
@@ -256,7 +509,7 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) processBatchRead(batch []batchReadRequest) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	bap.stats.LastBatchTime = time.Now()
+	bap.stats.LastWriteTime = time.Now()
 }
 
 // GetStats returns current batch processor statistics
@@ -264,11 +517,16 @@ func (bap *BatchAudioProcessor) GetStats() BatchAudioStats {
 	return BatchAudioStats{
 		BatchedReads:    atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedReads),
 		SingleReads:     atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.SingleReads),
+		BatchedWrites:   atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedWrites),
+		SingleWrites:    atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.SingleWrites),
 		BatchedFrames:   atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.BatchedFrames),
 		SingleFrames:    atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.SingleFrames),
+		WriteFrames:     atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.WriteFrames),
 		CGOCallsReduced: atomic.LoadInt64(&bap.stats.CGOCallsReduced),
 		OSThreadPinTime: bap.stats.OSThreadPinTime,
+		WriteThreadTime: bap.stats.WriteThreadTime,
 		LastBatchTime:   bap.stats.LastBatchTime,
+		LastWriteTime:   bap.stats.LastWriteTime,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -292,8 +550,11 @@ func GetBatchAudioProcessor() *BatchAudioProcessor {
 
 	// Initialize on first use
 	if atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&batchProcessorInitialized, 0, 1) {
-		config := GetConfig()
-		processor := NewBatchAudioProcessor(config.BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch, config.BatchProcessorTimeout)
+		// Get cached config to avoid GetConfig() calls
+		cache := GetCachedConfig()
+		cache.Update()
+
+		processor := NewBatchAudioProcessor(cache.BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch, cache.BatchProcessorTimeout)
 		atomic.StorePointer(&globalBatchProcessor, unsafe.Pointer(processor))
 		return processor
 	}
@@ -327,8 +588,32 @@ func DisableBatchAudioProcessing() {
 // BatchCGOAudioReadEncode is a batched version of CGOAudioReadEncode
 func BatchCGOAudioReadEncode(buffer []byte) (int, error) {
 	processor := GetBatchAudioProcessor()
-	if processor != nil && processor.IsRunning() {
-		return processor.BatchReadEncode(buffer)
+	if processor == nil || !processor.IsRunning() {
+		// Fall back to non-batched version if processor is not running
+		return CGOAudioReadEncode(buffer)
 	}
-	return CGOAudioReadEncode(buffer)
+
+	return processor.BatchReadEncode(buffer)
+}
+
+// BatchCGOAudioDecodeWrite is a batched version of CGOAudioDecodeWrite
+func BatchCGOAudioDecodeWrite(buffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	processor := GetBatchAudioProcessor()
+	if processor == nil || !processor.IsRunning() {
+		// Fall back to non-batched version if processor is not running
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy(buffer)
+	}
+
+	return processor.BatchDecodeWrite(buffer)
+}
+
+// BatchCGOAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers is a batched version of CGOAudioDecodeWrite that uses separate opus and PCM buffers
+func BatchCGOAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData []byte, pcmBuffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	processor := GetBatchAudioProcessor()
+	if processor == nil || !processor.IsRunning() {
+		// Fall back to non-batched version if processor is not running
+		return CGOAudioDecodeWrite(opusData, pcmBuffer)
+	}
+
+	return processor.BatchDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData, pcmBuffer)
 }

internal/audio/buffer_pool.go

@@ -1,24 +1,118 @@
+//go:build cgo
+// +build cgo
+
 package audio
 
 import (
 	"runtime"
+	"sort"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
 	"unsafe"
 )
 
+// AudioLatencyInfo holds simplified latency information for cleanup decisions
+type AudioLatencyInfo struct {
+	LatencyMs float64
+	Timestamp time.Time
+}
+
+// Global latency tracking
+var (
+	currentAudioLatency        = AudioLatencyInfo{}
+	currentAudioLatencyLock    sync.RWMutex
+	audioMonitoringInitialized int32 // Atomic flag to track initialization
+)
+
+// InitializeAudioMonitoring starts the background goroutines for latency tracking and cache cleanup
+// This is safe to call multiple times as it will only initialize once
+func InitializeAudioMonitoring() {
+	// Use atomic CAS to ensure we only initialize once
+	if atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&audioMonitoringInitialized, 0, 1) {
+		// Start the latency recorder
+		startLatencyRecorder()
+
+		// Start the cleanup goroutine
+		startCleanupGoroutine()
+	}
+}
+
+// latencyChannel is used for non-blocking latency recording
+var latencyChannel = make(chan float64, 10)
+
+// startLatencyRecorder starts the latency recorder goroutine
+// This should be called during package initialization
+func startLatencyRecorder() {
+	go latencyRecorderLoop()
+}
+
+// latencyRecorderLoop processes latency recordings in the background
+func latencyRecorderLoop() {
+	for latencyMs := range latencyChannel {
+		currentAudioLatencyLock.Lock()
+		currentAudioLatency = AudioLatencyInfo{
+			LatencyMs: latencyMs,
+			Timestamp: time.Now(),
+		}
+		currentAudioLatencyLock.Unlock()
+	}
+}
+
+// RecordAudioLatency records the current audio processing latency
+// This is called from the audio input manager when latency is measured
+// It is non-blocking to ensure zero overhead in the critical audio path
+func RecordAudioLatency(latencyMs float64) {
+	// Non-blocking send - if channel is full, we drop the update
+	select {
+	case latencyChannel <- latencyMs:
+		// Successfully sent
+	default:
+		// Channel full, drop this update to avoid blocking the audio path
+	}
+}
+
+// GetAudioLatencyMetrics returns the current audio latency information
+// Returns nil if no latency data is available or if it's too old
+func GetAudioLatencyMetrics() *AudioLatencyInfo {
+	currentAudioLatencyLock.RLock()
+	defer currentAudioLatencyLock.RUnlock()
+
+	// Check if we have valid latency data
+	if currentAudioLatency.Timestamp.IsZero() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Check if the data is too old (more than 5 seconds)
+	if time.Since(currentAudioLatency.Timestamp) > 5*time.Second {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return &AudioLatencyInfo{
+		LatencyMs: currentAudioLatency.LatencyMs,
+		Timestamp: currentAudioLatency.Timestamp,
+	}
+}
+
 // Lock-free buffer cache for per-goroutine optimization
 type lockFreeBufferCache struct {
 	buffers [4]*[]byte // Small fixed-size array for lock-free access
 }
 
+// TTL tracking for goroutine cache entries
+type cacheEntry struct {
+	cache      *lockFreeBufferCache
+	lastAccess int64 // Unix timestamp of last access
+	gid        int64 // Goroutine ID for better tracking
+}
+
 // Per-goroutine buffer cache using goroutine-local storage
 var goroutineBufferCache = make(map[int64]*lockFreeBufferCache)
 var goroutineCacheMutex sync.RWMutex
-var lastCleanupTime int64   // Unix timestamp of last cleanup
-const maxCacheSize = 1000   // Maximum number of goroutine caches
-const cleanupInterval = 300 // Cleanup interval in seconds (5 minutes)
+var lastCleanupTime int64        // Unix timestamp of last cleanup
+const maxCacheSize = 500         // Maximum number of goroutine caches (reduced from 1000)
+const cleanupInterval int64 = 30 // Cleanup interval in seconds (30 seconds, reduced from 60)
+const bufferTTL int64 = 60       // Time-to-live for cached buffers in seconds (1 minute, reduced from 2)
 
 // getGoroutineID extracts goroutine ID from runtime stack for cache key
 func getGoroutineID() int64 {
@@ -39,13 +133,67 @@ func getGoroutineID() int64 {
 	return 0
 }
 
-// cleanupGoroutineCache removes stale entries from the goroutine cache
-func cleanupGoroutineCache() {
+// Map of goroutine ID to cache entry with TTL tracking
+var goroutineCacheWithTTL = make(map[int64]*cacheEntry)
+
+// cleanupChannel is used for asynchronous cleanup requests
+var cleanupChannel = make(chan struct{}, 1)
+
+// startCleanupGoroutine starts the cleanup goroutine
+// This should be called during package initialization
+func startCleanupGoroutine() {
+	go cleanupLoop()
+}
+
+// cleanupLoop processes cleanup requests in the background
+func cleanupLoop() {
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(10 * time.Second)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-cleanupChannel:
+			// Received explicit cleanup request
+			performCleanup(true)
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			// Regular cleanup check
+			performCleanup(false)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// requestCleanup signals the cleanup goroutine to perform a cleanup
+// This is non-blocking and can be called from the critical path
+func requestCleanup() {
+	select {
+	case cleanupChannel <- struct{}{}:
+		// Successfully requested cleanup
+	default:
+		// Channel full, cleanup already pending
+	}
+}
+
+// performCleanup does the actual cache cleanup work
+// This runs in a dedicated goroutine, not in the critical path
+func performCleanup(forced bool) {
 	now := time.Now().Unix()
 	lastCleanup := atomic.LoadInt64(&lastCleanupTime)
 
-	// Only cleanup if enough time has passed
-	if now-lastCleanup < cleanupInterval {
+	// Check if we're in a high-latency situation
+	isHighLatency := false
+	latencyMetrics := GetAudioLatencyMetrics()
+	if latencyMetrics != nil && latencyMetrics.LatencyMs > 10.0 {
+		// Under high latency, be more aggressive with cleanup
+		isHighLatency = true
+	}
+
+	// Only cleanup if enough time has passed (less time if high latency) or if forced
+	interval := cleanupInterval
+	if isHighLatency {
+		interval = cleanupInterval / 2 // More frequent cleanup under high latency
+	}
+
+	if !forced && now-lastCleanup < interval {
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -54,23 +202,93 @@ func cleanupGoroutineCache() {
 		return // Another goroutine is already cleaning up
 	}
 
+	// Perform the actual cleanup
+	doCleanupGoroutineCache()
+}
+
+// cleanupGoroutineCache triggers an asynchronous cleanup of the goroutine cache
+// This is safe to call from the critical path as it's non-blocking
+func cleanupGoroutineCache() {
+	// Request asynchronous cleanup
+	requestCleanup()
+}
+
+// The actual cleanup implementation that runs in the background goroutine
+func doCleanupGoroutineCache() {
+	// Get current time for TTL calculations
+	now := time.Now().Unix()
+
+	// Check if we're in a high-latency situation
+	isHighLatency := false
+	latencyMetrics := GetAudioLatencyMetrics()
+	if latencyMetrics != nil && latencyMetrics.LatencyMs > 10.0 {
+		// Under high latency, be more aggressive with cleanup
+		isHighLatency = true
+	}
+
 	goroutineCacheMutex.Lock()
 	defer goroutineCacheMutex.Unlock()
 
-	// If cache is too large, remove oldest entries (simple FIFO)
-	if len(goroutineBufferCache) > maxCacheSize {
-		// Remove half of the entries to avoid frequent cleanups
-		toRemove := len(goroutineBufferCache) - maxCacheSize/2
-		count := 0
-		for gid := range goroutineBufferCache {
-			delete(goroutineBufferCache, gid)
-			count++
-			if count >= toRemove {
-				break
+	// Convert old cache format to new TTL-based format if needed
+	if len(goroutineCacheWithTTL) == 0 && len(goroutineBufferCache) > 0 {
+		for gid, cache := range goroutineBufferCache {
+			goroutineCacheWithTTL[gid] = &cacheEntry{
+				cache:      cache,
+				lastAccess: now,
 			}
 		}
-		// Log cleanup for debugging (removed logging dependency)
-		_ = count // Avoid unused variable warning
+		// Clear old cache to free memory
+		goroutineBufferCache = make(map[int64]*lockFreeBufferCache)
+	}
+
+	// Remove stale entries based on TTL (more aggressive under high latency)
+	expiredCount := 0
+	ttl := bufferTTL
+	if isHighLatency {
+		// Under high latency, use a much shorter TTL
+		ttl = bufferTTL / 4
+	}
+
+	for gid, entry := range goroutineCacheWithTTL {
+		// Both now and entry.lastAccess are int64, so this comparison is safe
+		if now-entry.lastAccess > ttl {
+			delete(goroutineCacheWithTTL, gid)
+			expiredCount++
+		}
+	}
+
+	// If cache is still too large after TTL cleanup, remove oldest entries
+	// Under high latency, use a more aggressive target size
+	targetSize := maxCacheSize
+	targetReduction := maxCacheSize / 2
+
+	if isHighLatency {
+		// Under high latency, target a much smaller cache size
+		targetSize = maxCacheSize / 4
+		targetReduction = maxCacheSize / 8
+	}
+
+	if len(goroutineCacheWithTTL) > targetSize {
+		// Find oldest entries
+		type ageEntry struct {
+			gid        int64
+			lastAccess int64
+		}
+		oldestEntries := make([]ageEntry, 0, len(goroutineCacheWithTTL))
+		for gid, entry := range goroutineCacheWithTTL {
+			oldestEntries = append(oldestEntries, ageEntry{gid, entry.lastAccess})
+		}
+
+		// Sort by lastAccess (oldest first)
+		sort.Slice(oldestEntries, func(i, j int) bool {
+			return oldestEntries[i].lastAccess < oldestEntries[j].lastAccess
+		})
+
+		// Remove oldest entries to get down to target reduction size
+		toRemove := len(goroutineCacheWithTTL) - targetReduction
+		for i := 0; i < toRemove && i < len(oldestEntries); i++ {
+			delete(goroutineCacheWithTTL, oldestEntries[i].gid)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -133,39 +351,29 @@ func NewAudioBufferPool(bufferSize int) *AudioBufferPool {
 }
 
 func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
-	// Trigger periodic cleanup of goroutine cache
-	cleanupGoroutineCache()
-
-	start := time.Now()
-	wasHit := false
-	defer func() {
-		latency := time.Since(start)
-		// Record metrics for frame pool (assuming this is the main usage)
-		if p.bufferSize >= GetConfig().AudioFramePoolSize {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordFramePoolGet(latency, wasHit)
-		} else {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordControlPoolGet(latency, wasHit)
-		}
-	}()
+	// Skip cleanup trigger in hotpath - cleanup runs in background
+	// cleanupGoroutineCache() - moved to background goroutine
 
 	// Fast path: Try lock-free per-goroutine cache first
 	gid := getGoroutineID()
 	goroutineCacheMutex.RLock()
-	cache, exists := goroutineBufferCache[gid]
+	cacheEntry, exists := goroutineCacheWithTTL[gid]
 	goroutineCacheMutex.RUnlock()
 
-	if exists && cache != nil {
+	if exists && cacheEntry != nil && cacheEntry.cache != nil {
 		// Try to get buffer from lock-free cache
+		cache := cacheEntry.cache
 		for i := 0; i < len(cache.buffers); i++ {
 			bufPtr := (*unsafe.Pointer)(unsafe.Pointer(&cache.buffers[i]))
 			buf := (*[]byte)(atomic.LoadPointer(bufPtr))
 			if buf != nil && atomic.CompareAndSwapPointer(bufPtr, unsafe.Pointer(buf), nil) {
 				atomic.AddInt64(&p.hitCount, 1)
-				wasHit = true
 				*buf = (*buf)[:0]
 				return *buf
 			}
 		}
+		// Update access time only after cache miss to reduce overhead
+		cacheEntry.lastAccess = time.Now().Unix()
 	}
 
 	// Fallback: Try pre-allocated pool with mutex
@@ -175,11 +383,7 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
 		buf := p.preallocated[lastIdx]
 		p.preallocated = p.preallocated[:lastIdx]
 		p.mutex.Unlock()
-
-		// Update hit counter
 		atomic.AddInt64(&p.hitCount, 1)
-		wasHit = true
-		// Ensure buffer is properly reset
 		*buf = (*buf)[:0]
 		return *buf
 	}
@@ -188,18 +392,14 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
 	// Try sync.Pool next
 	if poolBuf := p.pool.Get(); poolBuf != nil {
 		buf := poolBuf.(*[]byte)
-		// Update hit counter
 		atomic.AddInt64(&p.hitCount, 1)
-		// Ensure buffer is properly reset and check capacity
+		atomic.AddInt64(&p.currentSize, -1)
+		// Fast capacity check - most buffers should be correct size
 		if cap(*buf) >= p.bufferSize {
-			wasHit = true
 			*buf = (*buf)[:0]
 			return *buf
-		} else {
-			// Buffer too small, allocate new one
-			atomic.AddInt64(&p.missCount, 1)
-			return make([]byte, 0, p.bufferSize)
 		}
+		// Buffer too small, fall through to allocation
 	}
 
 	// Pool miss - allocate new buffer with exact capacity
@@ -208,18 +408,7 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Get() []byte {
 }
 
 func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
-	start := time.Now()
-	defer func() {
-		latency := time.Since(start)
-		// Record metrics for frame pool (assuming this is the main usage)
-		if p.bufferSize >= GetConfig().AudioFramePoolSize {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordFramePoolPut(latency, cap(buf))
-		} else {
-			GetGranularMetricsCollector().RecordControlPoolPut(latency, cap(buf))
-		}
-	}()
-
-	// Validate buffer capacity - reject buffers that are too small or too large
+	// Fast validation - reject buffers that are too small or too large
 	bufCap := cap(buf)
 	if bufCap < p.bufferSize || bufCap > p.bufferSize*2 {
 		return // Buffer size mismatch, don't pool it to prevent memory bloat
@@ -231,14 +420,23 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
 	// Fast path: Try to put in lock-free per-goroutine cache
 	gid := getGoroutineID()
 	goroutineCacheMutex.RLock()
-	cache, exists := goroutineBufferCache[gid]
+	entryWithTTL, exists := goroutineCacheWithTTL[gid]
 	goroutineCacheMutex.RUnlock()
 
-	if !exists {
+	var cache *lockFreeBufferCache
+	if exists && entryWithTTL != nil {
+		cache = entryWithTTL.cache
+		// Update access time only when we successfully use the cache
+	} else {
 		// Create new cache for this goroutine
 		cache = &lockFreeBufferCache{}
+		now := time.Now().Unix()
 		goroutineCacheMutex.Lock()
-		goroutineBufferCache[gid] = cache
+		goroutineCacheWithTTL[gid] = &cacheEntry{
+			cache:      cache,
+			lastAccess: now,
+			gid:        gid,
+		}
 		goroutineCacheMutex.Unlock()
 	}
 
@@ -247,6 +445,10 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
 		for i := 0; i < len(cache.buffers); i++ {
 			bufPtr := (*unsafe.Pointer)(unsafe.Pointer(&cache.buffers[i]))
 			if atomic.CompareAndSwapPointer(bufPtr, nil, unsafe.Pointer(&buf)) {
+				// Update access time only on successful cache
+				if exists && entryWithTTL != nil {
+					entryWithTTL.lastAccess = time.Now().Unix()
+				}
 				return // Successfully cached
 			}
 		}
@@ -262,15 +464,12 @@ func (p *AudioBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
 	p.mutex.Unlock()
 
 	// Check sync.Pool size limit to prevent excessive memory usage
-	currentSize := atomic.LoadInt64(&p.currentSize)
-	if currentSize >= int64(p.maxPoolSize) {
+	if atomic.LoadInt64(&p.currentSize) >= int64(p.maxPoolSize) {
 		return // Pool is full, let GC handle this buffer
 	}
 
-	// Return to sync.Pool
+	// Return to sync.Pool and update counter atomically
 	p.pool.Put(&resetBuf)
-
-	// Update pool size counter atomically
 	atomic.AddInt64(&p.currentSize, 1)
 }
 
@@ -333,6 +532,8 @@ type AudioBufferPoolDetailedStats struct {
 	HitCount          int64
 	MissCount         int64
 	HitRate           float64 // Percentage
+	TotalBytes        int64   // Total memory usage in bytes
+	AverageBufferSize float64 // Average size of buffers in the pool
 }
 
 // GetAudioBufferPoolStats returns statistics about the audio buffer pools

internal/audio/cgo_audio.go

@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ package audio
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
 	"unsafe"
 )
 
@@ -673,23 +676,26 @@ func newAudioDecodeWriteError(cErrorCode int) error {
 }
 
 func cgoAudioInit() error {
-	// Update C constants from Go configuration
-	config := GetConfig()
+	// Get cached config and ensure it's updated
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cache.Update()
+
+	// Update C constants from cached config (atomic access, no locks)
 	C.update_audio_constants(
-		C.int(config.CGOOpusBitrate),
-		C.int(config.CGOOpusComplexity),
-		C.int(config.CGOOpusVBR),
-		C.int(config.CGOOpusVBRConstraint),
-		C.int(config.CGOOpusSignalType),
-		C.int(config.CGOOpusBandwidth),
-		C.int(config.CGOOpusDTX),
-		C.int(config.CGOSampleRate),
-		C.int(config.CGOChannels),
-		C.int(config.CGOFrameSize),
-		C.int(config.CGOMaxPacketSize),
-		C.int(config.CGOUsleepMicroseconds),
-		C.int(config.CGOMaxAttempts),
-		C.int(config.CGOMaxBackoffMicroseconds),
+		C.int(cache.opusBitrate.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.opusComplexity.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.opusVBR.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.opusVBRConstraint.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.opusSignalType.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.opusBandwidth.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.opusDTX.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.sampleRate.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.channels.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.frameSize.Load()),
+		C.int(cache.maxPacketSize.Load()),
+		C.int(GetConfig().CGOUsleepMicroseconds),
+		C.int(GetConfig().CGOMaxAttempts),
+		C.int(GetConfig().CGOMaxBackoffMicroseconds),
 	)
 
 	result := C.jetkvm_audio_init()
@@ -703,30 +709,223 @@ func cgoAudioClose() {
 	C.jetkvm_audio_close()
 }
 
+// AudioConfigCache provides a comprehensive caching system for audio configuration
+// to minimize GetConfig() calls in the hot path
+type AudioConfigCache struct {
+	// Atomic fields for lock-free access to frequently used values
+	minReadEncodeBuffer  atomic.Int32
+	maxDecodeWriteBuffer atomic.Int32
+	maxPacketSize        atomic.Int32
+	maxPCMBufferSize     atomic.Int32
+	opusBitrate          atomic.Int32
+	opusComplexity       atomic.Int32
+	opusVBR              atomic.Int32
+	opusVBRConstraint    atomic.Int32
+	opusSignalType       atomic.Int32
+	opusBandwidth        atomic.Int32
+	opusDTX              atomic.Int32
+	sampleRate           atomic.Int32
+	channels             atomic.Int32
+	frameSize            atomic.Int32
+
+	// Additional cached values for validation functions
+	maxAudioFrameSize atomic.Int32
+	maxChannels       atomic.Int32
+	minFrameDuration  atomic.Int64 // Store as nanoseconds
+	maxFrameDuration  atomic.Int64 // Store as nanoseconds
+	minOpusBitrate    atomic.Int32
+	maxOpusBitrate    atomic.Int32
+
+	// Batch processing related values
+	BatchProcessingTimeout       time.Duration
+	BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch int
+	BatchProcessorTimeout        time.Duration
+	BatchProcessingDelay         time.Duration
+	MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning int
+
+	// Mutex for updating the cache
+	mutex       sync.RWMutex
+	lastUpdate  time.Time
+	cacheExpiry time.Duration
+	initialized atomic.Bool
+
+	// Pre-allocated errors to avoid allocations in hot path
+	bufferTooSmallReadEncode  error
+	bufferTooLargeDecodeWrite error
+}
+
+// Global audio config cache instance
+var globalAudioConfigCache = &AudioConfigCache{
+	cacheExpiry: 30 * time.Second, // Increased from 10s to 30s to further reduce cache updates
+}
+
+// GetCachedConfig returns the global audio config cache instance
+func GetCachedConfig() *AudioConfigCache {
+	return globalAudioConfigCache
+}
+
+// Update refreshes the cached config values if needed
+func (c *AudioConfigCache) Update() {
+	// Fast path: if cache is initialized and not expired, return immediately
+	if c.initialized.Load() {
+		c.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(c.lastUpdate) > c.cacheExpiry
+		c.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if !cacheExpired {
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Slow path: update cache
+	c.mutex.Lock()
+	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	// Double-check after acquiring lock
+	if !c.initialized.Load() || time.Since(c.lastUpdate) > c.cacheExpiry {
+		config := GetConfig() // Call GetConfig() only once
+
+		// Update atomic values for lock-free access - CGO values
+		c.minReadEncodeBuffer.Store(int32(config.MinReadEncodeBuffer))
+		c.maxDecodeWriteBuffer.Store(int32(config.MaxDecodeWriteBuffer))
+		c.maxPacketSize.Store(int32(config.CGOMaxPacketSize))
+		c.maxPCMBufferSize.Store(int32(config.MaxPCMBufferSize))
+		c.opusBitrate.Store(int32(config.CGOOpusBitrate))
+		c.opusComplexity.Store(int32(config.CGOOpusComplexity))
+		c.opusVBR.Store(int32(config.CGOOpusVBR))
+		c.opusVBRConstraint.Store(int32(config.CGOOpusVBRConstraint))
+		c.opusSignalType.Store(int32(config.CGOOpusSignalType))
+		c.opusBandwidth.Store(int32(config.CGOOpusBandwidth))
+		c.opusDTX.Store(int32(config.CGOOpusDTX))
+		c.sampleRate.Store(int32(config.CGOSampleRate))
+		c.channels.Store(int32(config.CGOChannels))
+		c.frameSize.Store(int32(config.CGOFrameSize))
+
+		// Update additional validation values
+		c.maxAudioFrameSize.Store(int32(config.MaxAudioFrameSize))
+		c.maxChannels.Store(int32(config.MaxChannels))
+		c.minFrameDuration.Store(int64(config.MinFrameDuration))
+		c.maxFrameDuration.Store(int64(config.MaxFrameDuration))
+		c.minOpusBitrate.Store(int32(config.MinOpusBitrate))
+		c.maxOpusBitrate.Store(int32(config.MaxOpusBitrate))
+
+		// Update batch processing related values
+		c.BatchProcessingTimeout = 100 * time.Millisecond // Fixed timeout for batch processing
+		c.BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch = config.BatchProcessorFramesPerBatch
+		c.BatchProcessorTimeout = config.BatchProcessorTimeout
+		c.BatchProcessingDelay = config.BatchProcessingDelay
+		c.MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning = config.MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning
+
+		// Pre-allocate common errors
+		c.bufferTooSmallReadEncode = newBufferTooSmallError(0, config.MinReadEncodeBuffer)
+		c.bufferTooLargeDecodeWrite = newBufferTooLargeError(config.MaxDecodeWriteBuffer+1, config.MaxDecodeWriteBuffer)
+
+		c.lastUpdate = time.Now()
+		c.initialized.Store(true)
+
+		// Update the global validation cache as well
+		if cachedMaxFrameSize != 0 {
+			cachedMaxFrameSize = config.MaxAudioFrameSize
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// GetMinReadEncodeBuffer returns the cached MinReadEncodeBuffer value
+func (c *AudioConfigCache) GetMinReadEncodeBuffer() int {
+	return int(c.minReadEncodeBuffer.Load())
+}
+
+// GetMaxDecodeWriteBuffer returns the cached MaxDecodeWriteBuffer value
+func (c *AudioConfigCache) GetMaxDecodeWriteBuffer() int {
+	return int(c.maxDecodeWriteBuffer.Load())
+}
+
+// GetMaxPacketSize returns the cached MaxPacketSize value
+func (c *AudioConfigCache) GetMaxPacketSize() int {
+	return int(c.maxPacketSize.Load())
+}
+
+// GetMaxPCMBufferSize returns the cached MaxPCMBufferSize value
+func (c *AudioConfigCache) GetMaxPCMBufferSize() int {
+	return int(c.maxPCMBufferSize.Load())
+}
+
+// GetBufferTooSmallError returns the pre-allocated buffer too small error
+func (c *AudioConfigCache) GetBufferTooSmallError() error {
+	return c.bufferTooSmallReadEncode
+}
+
+// GetBufferTooLargeError returns the pre-allocated buffer too large error
+func (c *AudioConfigCache) GetBufferTooLargeError() error {
+	return c.bufferTooLargeDecodeWrite
+}
+
+// Removed duplicate config caching system - using AudioConfigCache instead
+
 func cgoAudioReadEncode(buf []byte) (int, error) {
-	minRequired := GetConfig().MinReadEncodeBuffer
+	// Fast path: Use AudioConfigCache to avoid GetConfig() in hot path
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
+	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
+	if cache.initialized.Load() {
+		cache.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
+		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if cacheExpired {
+			cache.Update()
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.Update()
+	}
+
+	// Fast validation with cached values - avoid lock with atomic access
+	minRequired := cache.GetMinReadEncodeBuffer()
+
+	// Buffer validation - use pre-allocated error for common case
 	if len(buf) < minRequired {
-		return 0, newBufferTooSmallError(len(buf), minRequired)
+		// Use pre-allocated error for common case, only create custom error for edge cases
+		if len(buf) > 0 {
+			return 0, newBufferTooSmallError(len(buf), minRequired)
+		}
+		return 0, cache.GetBufferTooSmallError()
 	}
 
 	// Skip initialization check for now to avoid CGO compilation issues
-	// TODO: Add proper initialization state checking
 	// Note: The C code already has comprehensive state tracking with capture_initialized,
 	// capture_initializing, playback_initialized, and playback_initializing flags.
-	// When CGO environment is properly configured, this should check C.capture_initialized.
 
+	// Direct CGO call with minimal overhead - unsafe.Pointer(&slice[0]) is safe for validated non-empty buffers
 	n := C.jetkvm_audio_read_encode(unsafe.Pointer(&buf[0]))
+
+	// Fast path for success case
+	if n > 0 {
+		return int(n), nil
+	}
+
+	// Handle error cases - use static error codes to reduce allocations
 	if n < 0 {
-		return 0, newAudioReadEncodeError(int(n))
+		// Common error cases
+		switch n {
+		case -1:
+			return 0, errAudioInitFailed
+		case -2:
+			return 0, errAudioReadEncode
+		default:
+			return 0, newAudioReadEncodeError(int(n))
+		}
 	}
-	if n == 0 {
-		return 0, nil // No data available
-	}
-	return int(n), nil
+
+	// n == 0 case
+	return 0, nil // No data available
 }
 
 // Audio playback functions
 func cgoAudioPlaybackInit() error {
+	// Get cached config and ensure it's updated
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cache.Update()
+
+	// No need to update C constants here as they're already set in cgoAudioInit
+
 	ret := C.jetkvm_audio_playback_init()
 	if ret != 0 {
 		return newAudioPlaybackInitError(int(ret))
@@ -738,34 +937,58 @@ func cgoAudioPlaybackClose() {
 	C.jetkvm_audio_playback_close()
 }
 
-func cgoAudioDecodeWrite(buf []byte) (int, error) {
+func cgoAudioDecodeWrite(buf []byte) (n int, err error) {
+	// Fast validation with AudioConfigCache
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
+	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
+	if cache.initialized.Load() {
+		cache.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
+		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if cacheExpired {
+			cache.Update()
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.Update()
+	}
+
+	// Optimized buffer validation
 	if len(buf) == 0 {
 		return 0, errEmptyBuffer
 	}
-	if buf == nil {
-		return 0, errNilBuffer
-	}
-	maxAllowed := GetConfig().MaxDecodeWriteBuffer
+
+	// Use cached max buffer size with atomic access
+	maxAllowed := cache.GetMaxDecodeWriteBuffer()
 	if len(buf) > maxAllowed {
+		// Use pre-allocated error for common case
+		if len(buf) == maxAllowed+1 {
+			return 0, cache.GetBufferTooLargeError()
+		}
 		return 0, newBufferTooLargeError(len(buf), maxAllowed)
 	}
 
-	bufPtr := unsafe.Pointer(&buf[0])
-	if bufPtr == nil {
-		return 0, errInvalidBufferPtr
+	// Direct CGO call with minimal overhead - unsafe.Pointer(&slice[0]) is safe for validated non-empty buffers
+	n = int(C.jetkvm_audio_decode_write(unsafe.Pointer(&buf[0]), C.int(len(buf))))
+
+	// Fast path for success case
+	if n >= 0 {
+		return n, nil
 	}
 
-	defer func() {
-		if r := recover(); r != nil {
-			_ = r
-		}
-	}()
-
-	n := C.jetkvm_audio_decode_write(bufPtr, C.int(len(buf)))
-	if n < 0 {
-		return 0, newAudioDecodeWriteError(int(n))
+	// Handle error cases with static error codes
+	switch n {
+	case -1:
+		n = 0
+		err = errAudioInitFailed
+	case -2:
+		n = 0
+		err = errAudioDecodeWrite
+	default:
+		n = 0
+		err = newAudioDecodeWriteError(n)
 	}
-	return int(n), nil
+	return
 }
 
 // updateOpusEncoderParams dynamically updates OPUS encoder parameters
@@ -785,13 +1008,406 @@ func updateOpusEncoderParams(bitrate, complexity, vbr, vbrConstraint, signalType
 	return nil
 }
 
-// CGO function aliases
+// Buffer pool for reusing buffers in CGO functions
 var (
-	CGOAudioInit               = cgoAudioInit
-	CGOAudioClose              = cgoAudioClose
-	CGOAudioReadEncode         = cgoAudioReadEncode
-	CGOAudioPlaybackInit       = cgoAudioPlaybackInit
-	CGOAudioPlaybackClose      = cgoAudioPlaybackClose
-	CGOAudioDecodeWrite        = cgoAudioDecodeWrite
-	CGOUpdateOpusEncoderParams = updateOpusEncoderParams
+	// Using SizedBufferPool for better memory management
+	// Track buffer pool usage for monitoring
+	cgoBufferPoolGets atomic.Int64
+	cgoBufferPoolPuts atomic.Int64
+	// Batch processing statistics - only enabled in debug builds
+	batchProcessingCount atomic.Int64
+	batchFrameCount      atomic.Int64
+	batchProcessingTime  atomic.Int64
+	// Flag to control time tracking overhead
+	enableBatchTimeTracking atomic.Bool
 )
+
+// GetBufferFromPool gets a buffer from the pool with at least the specified capacity
+func GetBufferFromPool(minCapacity int) []byte {
+	cgoBufferPoolGets.Add(1)
+	// Use the SizedBufferPool for better memory management
+	return GetOptimalBuffer(minCapacity)
+}
+
+// ReturnBufferToPool returns a buffer to the pool
+func ReturnBufferToPool(buf []byte) {
+	cgoBufferPoolPuts.Add(1)
+	// Use the SizedBufferPool for better memory management
+	ReturnOptimalBuffer(buf)
+}
+
+// Note: AudioFrameBatch is now defined in batch_audio.go
+// This is kept here for reference but commented out to avoid conflicts
+/*
+// AudioFrameBatch represents a batch of audio frames for processing
+type AudioFrameBatch struct {
+	// Buffer for batch processing
+	buffer []byte
+	// Number of frames in the batch
+	frameCount int
+	// Size of each frame
+	frameSize int
+	// Current position in the buffer
+	position int
+}
+
+// NewAudioFrameBatch creates a new audio frame batch with the specified capacity
+func NewAudioFrameBatch(maxFrames int) *AudioFrameBatch {
+	// Get cached config
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cache.Update()
+
+	// Calculate frame size based on cached config
+	frameSize := cache.GetMinReadEncodeBuffer()
+
+	// Create batch with buffer sized for maxFrames
+	return &AudioFrameBatch{
+		buffer:     GetBufferFromPool(maxFrames * frameSize),
+		frameCount: 0,
+		frameSize:  frameSize,
+		position:   0,
+	}
+}
+
+// AddFrame adds a frame to the batch
+// Returns true if the batch is full after adding this frame
+func (b *AudioFrameBatch) AddFrame(frame []byte) bool {
+	// Calculate position in buffer for this frame
+	pos := b.position
+
+	// Copy frame data to batch buffer
+	copy(b.buffer[pos:pos+len(frame)], frame)
+
+	// Update position and frame count
+	b.position += len(frame)
+	b.frameCount++
+
+	// Check if batch is full (buffer capacity reached)
+	return b.position >= len(b.buffer)
+}
+
+// Reset resets the batch for reuse
+func (b *AudioFrameBatch) Reset() {
+	b.frameCount = 0
+	b.position = 0
+}
+
+// Release returns the batch buffer to the pool
+func (b *AudioFrameBatch) Release() {
+	ReturnBufferToPool(b.buffer)
+	b.buffer = nil
+	b.frameCount = 0
+	b.frameSize = 0
+	b.position = 0
+}
+*/
+
+// ReadEncodeWithPooledBuffer reads audio data and encodes it using a buffer from the pool
+// This reduces memory allocations by reusing buffers
+func ReadEncodeWithPooledBuffer() ([]byte, int, error) {
+	// Get cached config
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
+	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
+	if cache.initialized.Load() {
+		cache.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
+		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if cacheExpired {
+			cache.Update()
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.Update()
+	}
+
+	// Get a buffer from the pool with appropriate capacity
+	bufferSize := cache.GetMinReadEncodeBuffer()
+	if bufferSize == 0 {
+		bufferSize = 1500 // Fallback if cache not initialized
+	}
+
+	// Get buffer from pool
+	buf := GetBufferFromPool(bufferSize)
+
+	// Perform read/encode operation
+	n, err := cgoAudioReadEncode(buf)
+	if err != nil {
+		// Return buffer to pool on error
+		ReturnBufferToPool(buf)
+		return nil, 0, err
+	}
+
+	// Resize buffer to actual data size
+	result := buf[:n]
+
+	// Return the buffer with data
+	return result, n, nil
+}
+
+// DecodeWriteWithPooledBuffer decodes and writes audio data using a pooled buffer
+// The caller is responsible for returning the input buffer to the pool if needed
+func DecodeWriteWithPooledBuffer(data []byte) (int, error) {
+	// Validate input
+	if len(data) == 0 {
+		return 0, errEmptyBuffer
+	}
+
+	// Get cached config
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
+	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
+	if cache.initialized.Load() {
+		cache.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
+		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if cacheExpired {
+			cache.Update()
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.Update()
+	}
+
+	// Ensure data doesn't exceed max packet size
+	maxPacketSize := cache.GetMaxPacketSize()
+	if len(data) > maxPacketSize {
+		return 0, newBufferTooLargeError(len(data), maxPacketSize)
+	}
+
+	// Get a PCM buffer from the pool for optimized decode-write
+	pcmBuffer := GetBufferFromPool(cache.GetMaxPCMBufferSize())
+	defer ReturnBufferToPool(pcmBuffer)
+
+	// Perform decode/write operation using optimized implementation
+	n, err := CGOAudioDecodeWrite(data, pcmBuffer)
+
+	// Return result
+	return n, err
+}
+
+// BatchReadEncode reads and encodes multiple audio frames in a single batch
+// This reduces CGO call overhead by processing multiple frames at once
+func BatchReadEncode(batchSize int) ([][]byte, error) {
+	// Get cached config
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
+	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
+	if cache.initialized.Load() {
+		cache.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
+		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if cacheExpired {
+			cache.Update()
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.Update()
+	}
+
+	// Calculate total buffer size needed for batch
+	frameSize := cache.GetMinReadEncodeBuffer()
+	totalSize := frameSize * batchSize
+
+	// Get a single large buffer for all frames
+	batchBuffer := GetBufferFromPool(totalSize)
+	defer ReturnBufferToPool(batchBuffer)
+
+	// Pre-allocate frame result buffers from pool to avoid allocations in loop
+	frameBuffers := make([][]byte, 0, batchSize)
+	for i := 0; i < batchSize; i++ {
+		frameBuffers = append(frameBuffers, GetBufferFromPool(frameSize))
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		// Return all frame buffers to pool
+		for _, buf := range frameBuffers {
+			ReturnBufferToPool(buf)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	// Track batch processing statistics - only if enabled
+	var startTime time.Time
+	trackTime := enableBatchTimeTracking.Load()
+	if trackTime {
+		startTime = time.Now()
+	}
+	batchProcessingCount.Add(1)
+
+	// Process frames in batch
+	frames := make([][]byte, 0, batchSize)
+	for i := 0; i < batchSize; i++ {
+		// Calculate offset for this frame in the batch buffer
+		offset := i * frameSize
+		frameBuf := batchBuffer[offset : offset+frameSize]
+
+		// Process this frame
+		n, err := cgoAudioReadEncode(frameBuf)
+		if err != nil {
+			// Return partial batch on error
+			if i > 0 {
+				batchFrameCount.Add(int64(i))
+				if trackTime {
+					batchProcessingTime.Add(time.Since(startTime).Microseconds())
+				}
+				return frames, nil
+			}
+			return nil, err
+		}
+
+		// Reuse pre-allocated buffer instead of make([]byte, n)
+		frameCopy := frameBuffers[i][:n] // Slice to actual size
+		copy(frameCopy, frameBuf[:n])
+		frames = append(frames, frameCopy)
+	}
+
+	// Update statistics
+	batchFrameCount.Add(int64(len(frames)))
+	if trackTime {
+		batchProcessingTime.Add(time.Since(startTime).Microseconds())
+	}
+
+	return frames, nil
+}
+
+// BatchDecodeWrite decodes and writes multiple audio frames in a single batch
+// This reduces CGO call overhead by processing multiple frames at once
+func BatchDecodeWrite(frames [][]byte) error {
+	// Validate input
+	if len(frames) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Get cached config
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
+	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
+	if cache.initialized.Load() {
+		cache.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
+		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if cacheExpired {
+			cache.Update()
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.Update()
+	}
+
+	// Track batch processing statistics - only if enabled
+	var startTime time.Time
+	trackTime := enableBatchTimeTracking.Load()
+	if trackTime {
+		startTime = time.Now()
+	}
+	batchProcessingCount.Add(1)
+
+	// Get a PCM buffer from the pool for optimized decode-write
+	pcmBuffer := GetBufferFromPool(cache.GetMaxPCMBufferSize())
+	defer ReturnBufferToPool(pcmBuffer)
+
+	// Process each frame
+	frameCount := 0
+	for _, frame := range frames {
+		// Skip empty frames
+		if len(frame) == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Process this frame using optimized implementation
+		_, err := CGOAudioDecodeWrite(frame, pcmBuffer)
+		if err != nil {
+			// Update statistics before returning error
+			batchFrameCount.Add(int64(frameCount))
+			if trackTime {
+				batchProcessingTime.Add(time.Since(startTime).Microseconds())
+			}
+			return err
+		}
+
+		frameCount++
+	}
+
+	// Update statistics
+	batchFrameCount.Add(int64(frameCount))
+	if trackTime {
+		batchProcessingTime.Add(time.Since(startTime).Microseconds())
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// GetBatchProcessingStats returns statistics about batch processing
+func GetBatchProcessingStats() (count, frames, avgTimeUs int64) {
+	count = batchProcessingCount.Load()
+	frames = batchFrameCount.Load()
+	totalTime := batchProcessingTime.Load()
+
+	// Calculate average time per batch
+	if count > 0 {
+		avgTimeUs = totalTime / count
+	}
+
+	return count, frames, avgTimeUs
+}
+
+// cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers decodes opus data and writes to PCM buffer
+// This implementation uses separate buffers for opus data and PCM output
+func cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData []byte, pcmBuffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	// Validate input
+	if len(opusData) == 0 {
+		return 0, errEmptyBuffer
+	}
+	if len(pcmBuffer) == 0 {
+		return 0, errEmptyBuffer
+	}
+
+	// Get cached config
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Only update cache if expired - avoid unnecessary overhead
+	// Use proper locking to avoid race condition
+	if cache.initialized.Load() {
+		cache.mutex.RLock()
+		cacheExpired := time.Since(cache.lastUpdate) > cache.cacheExpiry
+		cache.mutex.RUnlock()
+		if cacheExpired {
+			cache.Update()
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.Update()
+	}
+
+	// Ensure data doesn't exceed max packet size
+	maxPacketSize := cache.GetMaxPacketSize()
+	if len(opusData) > maxPacketSize {
+		return 0, newBufferTooLargeError(len(opusData), maxPacketSize)
+	}
+
+	// Direct CGO call with minimal overhead - unsafe.Pointer(&slice[0]) is never nil for non-empty slices
+	n := int(C.jetkvm_audio_decode_write(unsafe.Pointer(&opusData[0]), C.int(len(opusData))))
+
+	// Fast path for success case
+	if n >= 0 {
+		return n, nil
+	}
+
+	// Handle error cases with static error codes to reduce allocations
+	switch n {
+	case -1:
+		return 0, errAudioInitFailed
+	case -2:
+		return 0, errAudioDecodeWrite
+	default:
+		return 0, newAudioDecodeWriteError(n)
+	}
+}
+
+// Optimized CGO function aliases - use direct function calls to reduce overhead
+// These are now direct function aliases instead of variable assignments
+func CGOAudioInit() error                               { return cgoAudioInit() }
+func CGOAudioClose()                                    { cgoAudioClose() }
+func CGOAudioReadEncode(buf []byte) (int, error)        { return cgoAudioReadEncode(buf) }
+func CGOAudioPlaybackInit() error                       { return cgoAudioPlaybackInit() }
+func CGOAudioPlaybackClose()                            { cgoAudioPlaybackClose() }
+func CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy(buf []byte) (int, error) { return cgoAudioDecodeWrite(buf) }
+func CGOAudioDecodeWrite(opusData []byte, pcmBuffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	return cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData, pcmBuffer)
+}
+func CGOUpdateOpusEncoderParams(bitrate, complexity, vbr, vbrConstraint, signalType, bandwidth, dtx int) error {
+	return updateOpusEncoderParams(bitrate, complexity, vbr, vbrConstraint, signalType, bandwidth, dtx)
+}

internal/audio/cgo_audio_stub.go

@@ -30,6 +30,11 @@ func cgoAudioDecodeWrite(buf []byte) (int, error) {
 	return 0, errors.New("audio not available in lint mode")
 }
 
+// cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers is a stub implementation for the optimized decode-write function
+func cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers(opusData []byte, pcmBuffer []byte) (int, error) {
+	return 0, errors.New("audio not available in lint mode")
+}
+
 // Uppercase aliases for external API compatibility
 
 var (
@@ -38,5 +43,6 @@ var (
 	CGOAudioReadEncode     = cgoAudioReadEncode
 	CGOAudioPlaybackInit   = cgoAudioPlaybackInit
 	CGOAudioPlaybackClose  = cgoAudioPlaybackClose
-	CGOAudioDecodeWrite    = cgoAudioDecodeWrite
+	CGOAudioDecodeWriteLegacy = cgoAudioDecodeWrite
+	CGOAudioDecodeWrite    = cgoAudioDecodeWriteWithBuffers
 )

internal/audio/config_constants.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 type AudioConfigConstants struct {
 	// Audio Quality Presets
 	MaxAudioFrameSize int // Maximum audio frame size in bytes (default: 4096)
+	MaxPCMBufferSize  int // Maximum PCM buffer size in bytes for separate buffer optimization
 
 	// Opus Encoding Parameters
 	OpusBitrate       int // Target bitrate for Opus encoding in bps (default: 128000)
@@ -379,6 +380,18 @@ type AudioConfigConstants struct {
 	// Default 4096 bytes handles maximum audio frame size with safety margin.
 	MaxDecodeWriteBuffer int
 
+	// MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning defines the minimum batch size required to pin a thread.
+	// Used in: batch_audio.go for deciding when to pin a thread for batch processing.
+	// Impact: Smaller values increase thread pinning frequency but may improve performance.
+	// Default 5 frames provides a good balance between performance and thread contention.
+	MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning int
+
+	// GoroutineMonitorInterval defines the interval for monitoring goroutine counts.
+	// Used in: goroutine_monitor.go for periodic goroutine count checks.
+	// Impact: Shorter intervals provide more frequent monitoring but increase overhead.
+	// Default 30 seconds provides reasonable monitoring frequency with minimal overhead.
+	GoroutineMonitorInterval time.Duration
+
 	// IPC Configuration - Inter-Process Communication settings for audio components
 	// Used in: ipc.go for configuring audio process communication
 	// Impact: Controls IPC reliability, performance, and protocol compliance
@@ -1531,6 +1544,40 @@ type AudioConfigConstants struct {
 	LatencyBucket500ms time.Duration // 500ms latency bucket
 	LatencyBucket1s    time.Duration // 1s latency bucket
 	LatencyBucket2s    time.Duration // 2s latency bucket
+
+	// Goroutine Pool Configuration
+	// Used in: goroutine_pool.go for managing reusable goroutines
+	// Impact: Reduces goroutine creation overhead and improves performance
+
+	// MaxAudioProcessorWorkers defines maximum number of workers in the audio processor pool.
+	// Used in: goroutine_pool.go for limiting concurrent audio processing goroutines
+	// Impact: Controls resource usage while ensuring sufficient processing capacity.
+	// Default 8 provides good parallelism without excessive resource consumption.
+	MaxAudioProcessorWorkers int
+
+	// MaxAudioReaderWorkers defines maximum number of workers in the audio reader pool.
+	// Used in: goroutine_pool.go for limiting concurrent audio reading goroutines
+	// Impact: Controls resource usage while ensuring sufficient reading capacity.
+	// Default 4 provides good parallelism for I/O operations.
+	MaxAudioReaderWorkers int
+
+	// AudioProcessorQueueSize defines the task queue size for the audio processor pool.
+	// Used in: goroutine_pool.go for buffering audio processing tasks
+	// Impact: Larger queue allows more tasks to be buffered during load spikes.
+	// Default 32 provides good buffering without excessive memory usage.
+	AudioProcessorQueueSize int
+
+	// AudioReaderQueueSize defines the task queue size for the audio reader pool.
+	// Used in: goroutine_pool.go for buffering audio reading tasks
+	// Impact: Larger queue allows more tasks to be buffered during load spikes.
+	// Default 16 provides good buffering for I/O operations.
+	AudioReaderQueueSize int
+
+	// WorkerMaxIdleTime defines how long a worker goroutine can remain idle before termination.
+	// Used in: goroutine_pool.go for efficient worker lifecycle management
+	// Impact: Shorter times reduce resource usage, longer times improve responsiveness.
+	// Default 30s balances resource usage with startup latency.
+	WorkerMaxIdleTime time.Duration
 }
 
 // DefaultAudioConfig returns the default configuration constants
@@ -1540,6 +1587,7 @@ func DefaultAudioConfig() *AudioConfigConstants {
 	return &AudioConfigConstants{
 		// Audio Quality Presets
 		MaxAudioFrameSize: 4096,
+		MaxPCMBufferSize:  8192, // Default PCM buffer size (2x MaxAudioFrameSize for safety)
 
 		// Opus Encoding Parameters
 		OpusBitrate:       128000,
@@ -2388,6 +2436,13 @@ func DefaultAudioConfig() *AudioConfigConstants {
 		EventTimeFormatString:    "2006-01-02T15:04:05.000Z", // "2006-01-02T15:04:05.000Z" time format
 		EventSubscriptionDelayMS: 100,                        // 100ms subscription delay
 
+		// Goroutine Pool Configuration
+		MaxAudioProcessorWorkers: 16,               // 16 workers for audio processing tasks
+		MaxAudioReaderWorkers:    8,                // 8 workers for audio reading tasks
+		AudioProcessorQueueSize:  64,               // 64 tasks queue size for processor pool
+		AudioReaderQueueSize:     32,               // 32 tasks queue size for reader pool
+		WorkerMaxIdleTime:        60 * time.Second, // 60s maximum idle time before worker termination
+
 		// Input Processing Constants
 		InputProcessingTimeoutMS: 10, // 10ms processing timeout threshold
 
@@ -2464,6 +2519,12 @@ func DefaultAudioConfig() *AudioConfigConstants {
 		LatencyBucket500ms: 500 * time.Millisecond, // 500ms latency bucket
 		LatencyBucket1s:    1 * time.Second,        // 1s latency bucket
 		LatencyBucket2s:    2 * time.Second,        // 2s latency bucket
+
+		// Batch Audio Processing Configuration
+		MinBatchSizeForThreadPinning: 5, // Minimum batch size to pin thread
+
+		// Goroutine Monitoring Configuration
+		GoroutineMonitorInterval: 30 * time.Second, // 30s monitoring interval
 	}
 }
 

internal/audio/goroutine_monitor.go

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+package audio
+
+import (
+	"runtime"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/jetkvm/kvm/internal/logging"
+)
+
+// GoroutineMonitor tracks goroutine count and provides cleanup mechanisms
+type GoroutineMonitor struct {
+	baselineCount   int
+	peakCount       int
+	lastCount       int
+	monitorInterval time.Duration
+	lastCheck       time.Time
+	enabled         int32
+}
+
+// Global goroutine monitor instance
+var globalGoroutineMonitor *GoroutineMonitor
+
+// NewGoroutineMonitor creates a new goroutine monitor
+func NewGoroutineMonitor(monitorInterval time.Duration) *GoroutineMonitor {
+	if monitorInterval <= 0 {
+		monitorInterval = 30 * time.Second
+	}
+
+	// Get current goroutine count as baseline
+	baselineCount := runtime.NumGoroutine()
+
+	return &GoroutineMonitor{
+		baselineCount:   baselineCount,
+		peakCount:       baselineCount,
+		lastCount:       baselineCount,
+		monitorInterval: monitorInterval,
+		lastCheck:       time.Now(),
+	}
+}
+
+// Start begins goroutine monitoring
+func (gm *GoroutineMonitor) Start() {
+	if !atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&gm.enabled, 0, 1) {
+		return // Already running
+	}
+
+	go gm.monitorLoop()
+}
+
+// Stop stops goroutine monitoring
+func (gm *GoroutineMonitor) Stop() {
+	atomic.StoreInt32(&gm.enabled, 0)
+}
+
+// monitorLoop periodically checks goroutine count
+func (gm *GoroutineMonitor) monitorLoop() {
+	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "goroutine-monitor").Logger()
+	logger.Info().Int("baseline", gm.baselineCount).Msg("goroutine monitor started")
+
+	for atomic.LoadInt32(&gm.enabled) == 1 {
+		time.Sleep(gm.monitorInterval)
+		gm.checkGoroutineCount()
+	}
+
+	logger.Info().Msg("goroutine monitor stopped")
+}
+
+// checkGoroutineCount checks current goroutine count and logs if it exceeds thresholds
+func (gm *GoroutineMonitor) checkGoroutineCount() {
+	currentCount := runtime.NumGoroutine()
+	gm.lastCount = currentCount
+
+	// Update peak count if needed
+	if currentCount > gm.peakCount {
+		gm.peakCount = currentCount
+	}
+
+	// Calculate growth since baseline
+	growth := currentCount - gm.baselineCount
+	growthPercent := float64(growth) / float64(gm.baselineCount) * 100
+
+	// Log warning if growth exceeds thresholds
+	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "goroutine-monitor").Logger()
+
+	// Different log levels based on growth severity
+	if growthPercent > 30 {
+		// Severe growth - trigger cleanup
+		logger.Warn().Int("current", currentCount).Int("baseline", gm.baselineCount).
+			Int("growth", growth).Float64("growth_percent", growthPercent).
+			Msg("excessive goroutine growth detected - triggering cleanup")
+
+		// Force garbage collection to clean up unused resources
+		runtime.GC()
+
+		// Force cleanup of goroutine buffer cache
+		cleanupGoroutineCache()
+	} else if growthPercent > 20 {
+		// Moderate growth - just log warning
+		logger.Warn().Int("current", currentCount).Int("baseline", gm.baselineCount).
+			Int("growth", growth).Float64("growth_percent", growthPercent).
+			Msg("significant goroutine growth detected")
+	} else if growthPercent > 10 {
+		// Minor growth - log info
+		logger.Info().Int("current", currentCount).Int("baseline", gm.baselineCount).
+			Int("growth", growth).Float64("growth_percent", growthPercent).
+			Msg("goroutine growth detected")
+	}
+
+	// Update last check time
+	gm.lastCheck = time.Now()
+}
+
+// GetGoroutineStats returns current goroutine statistics
+func (gm *GoroutineMonitor) GetGoroutineStats() map[string]interface{} {
+	return map[string]interface{}{
+		"current_count":  gm.lastCount,
+		"baseline_count": gm.baselineCount,
+		"peak_count":     gm.peakCount,
+		"growth":         gm.lastCount - gm.baselineCount,
+		"growth_percent": float64(gm.lastCount-gm.baselineCount) / float64(gm.baselineCount) * 100,
+		"last_check":     gm.lastCheck,
+	}
+}
+
+// GetGoroutineMonitor returns the global goroutine monitor instance
+func GetGoroutineMonitor() *GoroutineMonitor {
+	if globalGoroutineMonitor == nil {
+		globalGoroutineMonitor = NewGoroutineMonitor(GetConfig().GoroutineMonitorInterval)
+	}
+	return globalGoroutineMonitor
+}
+
+// StartGoroutineMonitoring starts the global goroutine monitor
+func StartGoroutineMonitoring() {
+	monitor := GetGoroutineMonitor()
+	monitor.Start()
+}
+
+// StopGoroutineMonitoring stops the global goroutine monitor
+func StopGoroutineMonitoring() {
+	if globalGoroutineMonitor != nil {
+		globalGoroutineMonitor.Stop()
+	}
+}

internal/audio/goroutine_pool.go

@@ -0,0 +1,283 @@
+package audio
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/jetkvm/kvm/internal/logging"
+	"github.com/rs/zerolog"
+)
+
+// Task represents a function to be executed by a worker in the pool
+type Task func()
+
+// GoroutinePool manages a pool of reusable goroutines to reduce the overhead
+// of goroutine creation and destruction
+type GoroutinePool struct {
+	// Atomic fields must be first for proper alignment on 32-bit systems
+	taskCount    int64 // Number of tasks processed
+	workerCount  int64 // Current number of workers
+	maxIdleTime  time.Duration
+	maxWorkers   int
+	taskQueue    chan Task
+	workerSem    chan struct{} // Semaphore to limit concurrent workers
+	shutdown     chan struct{}
+	shutdownOnce sync.Once
+	wg           sync.WaitGroup
+	logger       *zerolog.Logger
+	name         string
+}
+
+// NewGoroutinePool creates a new goroutine pool with the specified parameters
+func NewGoroutinePool(name string, maxWorkers int, queueSize int, maxIdleTime time.Duration) *GoroutinePool {
+	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "goroutine-pool").Str("pool", name).Logger()
+
+	pool := &GoroutinePool{
+		maxWorkers:  maxWorkers,
+		maxIdleTime: maxIdleTime,
+		taskQueue:   make(chan Task, queueSize),
+		workerSem:   make(chan struct{}, maxWorkers),
+		shutdown:    make(chan struct{}),
+		logger:      &logger,
+		name:        name,
+	}
+
+	// Start a supervisor goroutine to monitor pool health
+	go pool.supervisor()
+
+	return pool
+}
+
+// Submit adds a task to the pool for execution
+// Returns true if the task was accepted, false if the queue is full
+func (p *GoroutinePool) Submit(task Task) bool {
+	select {
+	case <-p.shutdown:
+		return false // Pool is shutting down
+	case p.taskQueue <- task:
+		// Task accepted, ensure we have a worker to process it
+		p.ensureWorkerAvailable()
+		return true
+	default:
+		// Queue is full
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+// ensureWorkerAvailable makes sure at least one worker is available to process tasks
+func (p *GoroutinePool) ensureWorkerAvailable() {
+	// Check if we already have enough workers
+	currentWorkers := atomic.LoadInt64(&p.workerCount)
+
+	// Only start new workers if:
+	// 1. We have no workers at all, or
+	// 2. The queue is growing and we're below max workers
+	queueLen := len(p.taskQueue)
+	if currentWorkers == 0 || (queueLen > int(currentWorkers) && currentWorkers < int64(p.maxWorkers)) {
+		// Try to acquire a semaphore slot without blocking
+		select {
+		case p.workerSem <- struct{}{}:
+			// We got a slot, start a new worker
+			p.startWorker()
+		default:
+			// All worker slots are taken, which means we have enough workers
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// startWorker launches a new worker goroutine
+func (p *GoroutinePool) startWorker() {
+	p.wg.Add(1)
+	atomic.AddInt64(&p.workerCount, 1)
+
+	go func() {
+		defer func() {
+			atomic.AddInt64(&p.workerCount, -1)
+			<-p.workerSem // Release the semaphore slot
+			p.wg.Done()
+
+			// Recover from panics in worker tasks
+			if r := recover(); r != nil {
+				p.logger.Error().Interface("panic", r).Msg("Worker recovered from panic")
+			}
+		}()
+
+		idleTimer := time.NewTimer(p.maxIdleTime)
+		defer idleTimer.Stop()
+
+		for {
+			select {
+			case <-p.shutdown:
+				return
+			case task, ok := <-p.taskQueue:
+				if !ok {
+					return // Channel closed
+				}
+
+				// Reset idle timer
+				if !idleTimer.Stop() {
+					<-idleTimer.C
+				}
+				idleTimer.Reset(p.maxIdleTime)
+
+				// Execute the task with panic recovery
+				func() {
+					defer func() {
+						if r := recover(); r != nil {
+							p.logger.Error().Interface("panic", r).Msg("Task execution panic recovered")
+						}
+					}()
+					task()
+				}()
+
+				atomic.AddInt64(&p.taskCount, 1)
+			case <-idleTimer.C:
+				// Worker has been idle for too long
+				// Keep at least 2 workers alive to handle incoming tasks without creating new goroutines
+				if atomic.LoadInt64(&p.workerCount) > 2 {
+					return
+				}
+				// For persistent workers (the minimum 2), use a longer idle timeout
+				// This prevents excessive worker creation/destruction cycles
+				idleTimer.Reset(p.maxIdleTime * 3) // Triple the idle time for persistent workers
+			}
+		}
+	}()
+}
+
+// supervisor monitors the pool and logs statistics periodically
+func (p *GoroutinePool) supervisor() {
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(30 * time.Second)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-p.shutdown:
+			return
+		case <-ticker.C:
+			workers := atomic.LoadInt64(&p.workerCount)
+			tasks := atomic.LoadInt64(&p.taskCount)
+			queueLen := len(p.taskQueue)
+
+			p.logger.Info().
+				Int64("workers", workers).
+				Int64("tasks_processed", tasks).
+				Int("queue_length", queueLen).
+				Msg("Pool statistics")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Shutdown gracefully shuts down the pool
+// If wait is true, it will wait for all tasks to complete
+// If wait is false, it will terminate immediately, potentially leaving tasks unprocessed
+func (p *GoroutinePool) Shutdown(wait bool) {
+	p.shutdownOnce.Do(func() {
+		close(p.shutdown)
+
+		if wait {
+			// Wait for all tasks to be processed
+			if len(p.taskQueue) > 0 {
+				p.logger.Info().Int("remaining_tasks", len(p.taskQueue)).Msg("Waiting for tasks to complete")
+			}
+
+			// Close the task queue to signal no more tasks
+			close(p.taskQueue)
+
+			// Wait for all workers to finish
+			p.wg.Wait()
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// GetStats returns statistics about the pool
+func (p *GoroutinePool) GetStats() map[string]interface{} {
+	return map[string]interface{}{
+		"name":            p.name,
+		"worker_count":    atomic.LoadInt64(&p.workerCount),
+		"max_workers":     p.maxWorkers,
+		"tasks_processed": atomic.LoadInt64(&p.taskCount),
+		"queue_length":    len(p.taskQueue),
+		"queue_capacity":  cap(p.taskQueue),
+	}
+}
+
+// Global pools for different audio processing tasks
+var (
+	globalAudioProcessorPool     atomic.Pointer[GoroutinePool]
+	globalAudioReaderPool        atomic.Pointer[GoroutinePool]
+	globalAudioProcessorInitOnce sync.Once
+	globalAudioReaderInitOnce    sync.Once
+)
+
+// GetAudioProcessorPool returns the global audio processor pool
+func GetAudioProcessorPool() *GoroutinePool {
+	pool := globalAudioProcessorPool.Load()
+	if pool != nil {
+		return pool
+	}
+
+	globalAudioProcessorInitOnce.Do(func() {
+		config := GetConfig()
+		newPool := NewGoroutinePool(
+			"audio-processor",
+			config.MaxAudioProcessorWorkers,
+			config.AudioProcessorQueueSize,
+			config.WorkerMaxIdleTime,
+		)
+		globalAudioProcessorPool.Store(newPool)
+		pool = newPool
+	})
+
+	return globalAudioProcessorPool.Load()
+}
+
+// GetAudioReaderPool returns the global audio reader pool
+func GetAudioReaderPool() *GoroutinePool {
+	pool := globalAudioReaderPool.Load()
+	if pool != nil {
+		return pool
+	}
+
+	globalAudioReaderInitOnce.Do(func() {
+		config := GetConfig()
+		newPool := NewGoroutinePool(
+			"audio-reader",
+			config.MaxAudioReaderWorkers,
+			config.AudioReaderQueueSize,
+			config.WorkerMaxIdleTime,
+		)
+		globalAudioReaderPool.Store(newPool)
+		pool = newPool
+	})
+
+	return globalAudioReaderPool.Load()
+}
+
+// SubmitAudioProcessorTask submits a task to the audio processor pool
+func SubmitAudioProcessorTask(task Task) bool {
+	return GetAudioProcessorPool().Submit(task)
+}
+
+// SubmitAudioReaderTask submits a task to the audio reader pool
+func SubmitAudioReaderTask(task Task) bool {
+	return GetAudioReaderPool().Submit(task)
+}
+
+// ShutdownAudioPools shuts down all audio goroutine pools
+func ShutdownAudioPools(wait bool) {
+	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", "audio-pools").Logger()
+
+	processorPool := globalAudioProcessorPool.Load()
+	if processorPool != nil {
+		logger.Info().Msg("Shutting down audio processor pool")
+		processorPool.Shutdown(wait)
+	}
+
+	readerPool := globalAudioReaderPool.Load()
+	if readerPool != nil {
+		logger.Info().Msg("Shutting down audio reader pool")
+		readerPool.Shutdown(wait)
+	}
+}

internal/audio/input.go

@@ -96,9 +96,13 @@ func (aim *AudioInputManager) WriteOpusFrame(frame []byte) error {
 
 	// Log high latency warnings
 	if processingTime > time.Duration(GetConfig().InputProcessingTimeoutMS)*time.Millisecond {
+		latencyMs := float64(processingTime.Milliseconds())
 		aim.logger.Warn().
-			Dur("latency_ms", processingTime).
+			Float64("latency_ms", latencyMs).
 			Msg("High audio processing latency detected")
+
+		// Record latency for goroutine cleanup optimization
+		RecordAudioLatency(latencyMs)
 	}
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -132,9 +136,13 @@ func (aim *AudioInputManager) WriteOpusFrameZeroCopy(frame *ZeroCopyAudioFrame)
 
 	// Log high latency warnings
 	if processingTime > time.Duration(GetConfig().InputProcessingTimeoutMS)*time.Millisecond {
+		latencyMs := float64(processingTime.Milliseconds())
 		aim.logger.Warn().
-			Dur("latency_ms", processingTime).
+			Float64("latency_ms", latencyMs).
 			Msg("High audio processing latency detected")
+
+		// Record latency for goroutine cleanup optimization
+		RecordAudioLatency(latencyMs)
 	}
 
 	if err != nil {

internal/audio/input_ipc.go

@@ -289,8 +289,14 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) Start() error {
 	ais.startProcessorGoroutine()
 	ais.startMonitorGoroutine()
 
-	// Accept connections in a goroutine
-	go ais.acceptConnections()
+	// Submit the connection acceptor to the audio reader pool
+	if !SubmitAudioReaderTask(ais.acceptConnections) {
+		// If the pool is full or shutting down, fall back to direct goroutine creation
+		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
+		logger.Warn().Msg("Audio reader pool full or shutting down, falling back to direct goroutine creation")
+
+		go ais.acceptConnections()
+	}
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -360,8 +366,14 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) acceptConnections() {
 		ais.conn = conn
 		ais.mtx.Unlock()
 
-		// Handle this connection
-		go ais.handleConnection(conn)
+		// Handle this connection using the goroutine pool
+		if !SubmitAudioReaderTask(func() { ais.handleConnection(conn) }) {
+			// If the pool is full or shutting down, fall back to direct goroutine creation
+			logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
+			logger.Warn().Msg("Audio reader pool full or shutting down, falling back to direct goroutine creation")
+
+			go ais.handleConnection(conn)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -489,19 +501,27 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) processMessage(msg *InputIPCMessage) error {
 
 // processOpusFrame processes an Opus audio frame
 func (ais *AudioInputServer) processOpusFrame(data []byte) error {
-	if len(data) == 0 {
-		return nil // Empty frame, ignore
+	// Fast path: skip empty frame check - caller should handle this
+	dataLen := len(data)
+	if dataLen == 0 {
+		return nil
 	}
 
-	// Use ultra-fast validation for critical audio path
-	if err := ValidateAudioFrame(data); err != nil {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputServerComponent).Logger()
-		logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("Frame validation failed")
-		return fmt.Errorf("input frame validation failed: %w", err)
+	// Inline validation for critical audio path - avoid function call overhead
+	if dataLen > cachedMaxFrameSize {
+		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 
-	// Process the Opus frame using CGO
-	_, err := CGOAudioDecodeWrite(data)
+	// Get cached config once - avoid repeated calls and locking
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	// Skip cache expiry check in hotpath - background updates handle this
+
+	// Get a PCM buffer from the pool for optimized decode-write
+	pcmBuffer := GetBufferFromPool(cache.GetMaxPCMBufferSize())
+	defer ReturnBufferToPool(pcmBuffer)
+
+	// Direct CGO call - avoid wrapper function overhead
+	_, err := CGOAudioDecodeWrite(data, pcmBuffer)
 	return err
 }
 
@@ -690,25 +710,20 @@ func (aic *AudioInputClient) SendFrame(frame []byte) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("not connected to audio input server")
 	}
 
-	if len(frame) == 0 {
+	frameLen := len(frame)
+	if frameLen == 0 {
 		return nil // Empty frame, ignore
 	}
 
-	// Validate frame data before sending
-	if err := ValidateAudioFrame(frame); err != nil {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
-		logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("Frame validation failed")
-		return fmt.Errorf("input frame validation failed: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if len(frame) > maxFrameSize {
-		return fmt.Errorf("frame too large: got %d bytes, maximum allowed %d bytes", len(frame), maxFrameSize)
+	// Inline frame validation to reduce function call overhead
+	if frameLen > maxFrameSize {
+		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 
 	msg := &InputIPCMessage{
 		Magic:     inputMagicNumber,
 		Type:      InputMessageTypeOpusFrame,
-		Length:    uint32(len(frame)),
+		Length:    uint32(frameLen),
 		Timestamp: time.Now().UnixNano(),
 		Data:      frame,
 	}
@@ -725,26 +740,25 @@ func (aic *AudioInputClient) SendFrameZeroCopy(frame *ZeroCopyAudioFrame) error
 		return fmt.Errorf("not connected to audio input server")
 	}
 
-	if frame == nil || frame.Length() == 0 {
+	if frame == nil {
+		return nil // Nil frame, ignore
+	}
+
+	frameLen := frame.Length()
+	if frameLen == 0 {
 		return nil // Empty frame, ignore
 	}
 
-	// Validate zero-copy frame before sending
-	if err := ValidateZeroCopyFrame(frame); err != nil {
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
-		logger.Error().Err(err).Msg("Zero-copy frame validation failed")
-		return fmt.Errorf("input frame validation failed: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	if frame.Length() > maxFrameSize {
-		return fmt.Errorf("frame too large: got %d bytes, maximum allowed %d bytes", frame.Length(), maxFrameSize)
+	// Inline frame validation to reduce function call overhead
+	if frameLen > maxFrameSize {
+		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 
 	// Use zero-copy data directly
 	msg := &InputIPCMessage{
 		Magic:     inputMagicNumber,
 		Type:      InputMessageTypeOpusFrame,
-		Length:    uint32(frame.Length()),
+		Length:    uint32(frameLen),
 		Timestamp: time.Now().UnixNano(),
 		Data:      frame.Data(), // Zero-copy data access
 	}
@@ -878,10 +892,12 @@ func (aic *AudioInputClient) ResetStats() {
 	ResetFrameStats(&aic.totalFrames, &aic.droppedFrames)
 }
 
-// startReaderGoroutine starts the message reader goroutine
+// startReaderGoroutine starts the message reader using the goroutine pool
 func (ais *AudioInputServer) startReaderGoroutine() {
 	ais.wg.Add(1)
-	go func() {
+
+	// Create a reader task that will run in the goroutine pool
+	readerTask := func() {
 		defer ais.wg.Done()
 
 		// Enhanced error tracking and recovery
@@ -913,10 +929,7 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startReaderGoroutine() {
 						consecutiveErrors++
 						lastErrorTime = now
 
-						// Log error with context
-						logger.Warn().Err(err).
-							Int("consecutive_errors", consecutiveErrors).
-							Msg("Failed to read message from input connection")
+						// Skip logging in hotpath for performance - only log critical errors
 
 						// Progressive backoff based on error count
 						if consecutiveErrors > 1 {
@@ -966,26 +979,33 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startReaderGoroutine() {
 				}
 			}
 		}
-	}()
+	}
+
+	// Submit the reader task to the audio reader pool
+	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
+	if !SubmitAudioReaderTask(readerTask) {
+		// If the pool is full or shutting down, fall back to direct goroutine creation
+		logger.Warn().Msg("Audio reader pool full or shutting down, falling back to direct goroutine creation")
+
+		go readerTask()
+	}
 }
 
-// startProcessorGoroutine starts the message processor goroutine
+// startProcessorGoroutine starts the message processor using the goroutine pool
 func (ais *AudioInputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 	ais.wg.Add(1)
-	go func() {
+
+	// Create a processor task that will run in the goroutine pool
+	processorTask := func() {
 		runtime.LockOSThread()
 		defer runtime.UnlockOSThread()
 
-		// Set high priority for audio processing
-		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
-		if err := SetAudioThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-			logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("Failed to set audio processing priority")
-		}
-		defer func() {
-			if err := ResetThreadPriority(); err != nil {
-				logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("Failed to reset thread priority")
-			}
-		}()
+		// Set high priority for audio processing - skip logging in hotpath
+		_ = SetAudioThreadPriority()
+		defer func() { _ = ResetThreadPriority() }()
+
+		// Create logger for this goroutine
+		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputServerComponent).Logger()
 
 		// Enhanced error tracking for processing
 		var processingErrors int
@@ -1014,17 +1034,10 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 					processingErrors++
 					lastProcessingError = now
 
-					logger.Warn().Err(err).
-						Int("processing_errors", processingErrors).
-						Dur("processing_time", processingTime).
-						Msg("Failed to process input message")
+					// Skip logging in hotpath for performance
 
 					// If too many processing errors, drop frames more aggressively
 					if processingErrors >= maxProcessingErrors {
-						logger.Error().
-							Int("processing_errors", processingErrors).
-							Msg("Too many processing errors, entering aggressive drop mode")
-
 						// Clear processing queue to recover
 						for len(ais.processChan) > 0 {
 							select {
@@ -1042,14 +1055,23 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 				// Reset error counter on successful processing
 				if processingErrors > 0 {
 					processingErrors = 0
-					logger.Info().Msg("Input processing recovered")
+					// Skip logging in hotpath for performance
 				}
 
 				// Update processing time metrics
 				atomic.StoreInt64(&ais.processingTime, processingTime.Nanoseconds())
 			}
 		}
-	}()
+	}
+
+	// Submit the processor task to the audio processor pool
+	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
+	if !SubmitAudioProcessorTask(processorTask) {
+		// If the pool is full or shutting down, fall back to direct goroutine creation
+		logger.Warn().Msg("Audio processor pool full or shutting down, falling back to direct goroutine creation")
+
+		go processorTask()
+	}
 }
 
 // processMessageWithRecovery processes a message with enhanced error recovery
@@ -1086,10 +1108,12 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) processMessageWithRecovery(msg *InputIPCMessage, lo
 	}
 }
 
-// startMonitorGoroutine starts the performance monitoring goroutine
+// startMonitorGoroutine starts the performance monitoring using the goroutine pool
 func (ais *AudioInputServer) startMonitorGoroutine() {
 	ais.wg.Add(1)
-	go func() {
+
+	// Create a monitor task that will run in the goroutine pool
+	monitorTask := func() {
 		runtime.LockOSThread()
 		defer runtime.UnlockOSThread()
 
@@ -1166,7 +1190,16 @@ func (ais *AudioInputServer) startMonitorGoroutine() {
 				}
 			}
 		}
-	}()
+	}
+
+	// Submit the monitor task to the audio processor pool
+	logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioInputClientComponent).Logger()
+	if !SubmitAudioProcessorTask(monitorTask) {
+		// If the pool is full or shutting down, fall back to direct goroutine creation
+		logger.Warn().Msg("Audio processor pool full or shutting down, falling back to direct goroutine creation")
+
+		go monitorTask()
+	}
 }
 
 // GetServerStats returns server performance statistics

internal/audio/ipc.go

@@ -159,8 +159,14 @@ func (s *AudioOutputServer) Start() error {
 	// Start message processor goroutine
 	s.startProcessorGoroutine()
 
-	// Accept connections in a goroutine
-	go s.acceptConnections()
+	// Submit the connection acceptor to the audio reader pool
+	if !SubmitAudioReaderTask(s.acceptConnections) {
+		// If the pool is full or shutting down, fall back to direct goroutine creation
+		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioOutputServerComponent).Logger()
+		logger.Warn().Msg("Audio reader pool full or shutting down, falling back to direct goroutine creation")
+
+		go s.acceptConnections()
+	}
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -199,10 +205,12 @@ func (s *AudioOutputServer) acceptConnections() {
 	}
 }
 
-// startProcessorGoroutine starts the message processor
+// startProcessorGoroutine starts the message processor using the goroutine pool
 func (s *AudioOutputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 	s.wg.Add(1)
-	go func() {
+
+	// Create a processor task that will run in the goroutine pool
+	processorTask := func() {
 		defer s.wg.Done()
 		for {
 			select {
@@ -218,7 +226,16 @@ func (s *AudioOutputServer) startProcessorGoroutine() {
 				return
 			}
 		}
-	}()
+	}
+
+	// Submit the processor task to the audio processor pool
+	if !SubmitAudioProcessorTask(processorTask) {
+		// If the pool is full or shutting down, fall back to direct goroutine creation
+		logger := logging.GetDefaultLogger().With().Str("component", AudioOutputServerComponent).Logger()
+		logger.Warn().Msg("Audio processor pool full or shutting down, falling back to direct goroutine creation")
+
+		go processorTask()
+	}
 }
 
 func (s *AudioOutputServer) Stop() {

internal/audio/output_streaming.go

@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+//go:build cgo
+// +build cgo
+
 package audio
 
 import (
@@ -308,6 +311,9 @@ func (s *AudioOutputStreamer) ReportLatency(latency time.Duration) {
 
 // StartAudioOutputStreaming starts audio output streaming (capturing system audio)
 func StartAudioOutputStreaming(send func([]byte)) error {
+	// Initialize audio monitoring (latency tracking and cache cleanup)
+	InitializeAudioMonitoring()
+
 	if !atomic.CompareAndSwapInt32(&outputStreamingRunning, 0, 1) {
 		return ErrAudioAlreadyRunning
 	}

internal/audio/sized_buffer_pool.go

@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+package audio
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+)
+
+// SizedBufferPool manages a pool of buffers with size tracking
+type SizedBufferPool struct {
+	// The underlying sync.Pool
+	pool sync.Pool
+
+	// Statistics for monitoring
+	totalBuffers atomic.Int64
+	totalBytes   atomic.Int64
+	gets         atomic.Int64
+	puts         atomic.Int64
+	misses       atomic.Int64
+
+	// Configuration
+	maxBufferSize int
+	defaultSize   int
+}
+
+// NewSizedBufferPool creates a new sized buffer pool
+func NewSizedBufferPool(defaultSize, maxBufferSize int) *SizedBufferPool {
+	pool := &SizedBufferPool{
+		maxBufferSize: maxBufferSize,
+		defaultSize:   defaultSize,
+	}
+
+	pool.pool = sync.Pool{
+		New: func() interface{} {
+			// Track pool misses
+			pool.misses.Add(1)
+
+			// Create new buffer with default size
+			buf := make([]byte, defaultSize)
+
+			// Return pointer-like to avoid allocations
+			slice := buf[:0]
+			ptrSlice := &slice
+
+			// Track statistics
+			pool.totalBuffers.Add(1)
+			pool.totalBytes.Add(int64(cap(buf)))
+
+			return ptrSlice
+		},
+	}
+
+	return pool
+}
+
+// Get returns a buffer from the pool with at least the specified capacity
+func (p *SizedBufferPool) Get(minCapacity int) []byte {
+	// Track gets
+	p.gets.Add(1)
+
+	// Get buffer from pool - handle pointer-like storage
+	var buf []byte
+	poolObj := p.pool.Get()
+	switch v := poolObj.(type) {
+	case *[]byte:
+		// Handle pointer-like storage from Put method
+		if v != nil {
+			buf = (*v)[:0] // Get the underlying slice
+		} else {
+			buf = make([]byte, 0, p.defaultSize)
+		}
+	case []byte:
+		// Handle direct slice for backward compatibility
+		buf = v
+	default:
+		// Fallback for unexpected types
+		buf = make([]byte, 0, p.defaultSize)
+		p.misses.Add(1)
+	}
+
+	// Check if buffer has sufficient capacity
+	if cap(buf) < minCapacity {
+		// Track statistics for the old buffer
+		p.totalBytes.Add(-int64(cap(buf)))
+
+		// Allocate new buffer with required capacity
+		buf = make([]byte, minCapacity)
+
+		// Track statistics for the new buffer
+		p.totalBytes.Add(int64(cap(buf)))
+	} else {
+		// Resize existing buffer
+		buf = buf[:minCapacity]
+	}
+
+	return buf
+}
+
+// Put returns a buffer to the pool
+func (p *SizedBufferPool) Put(buf []byte) {
+	// Track statistics
+	p.puts.Add(1)
+
+	// Don't pool excessively large buffers to prevent memory bloat
+	if cap(buf) > p.maxBufferSize {
+		// Track statistics
+		p.totalBuffers.Add(-1)
+		p.totalBytes.Add(-int64(cap(buf)))
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Clear buffer contents for security
+	for i := range buf {
+		buf[i] = 0
+	}
+
+	// Return to pool - use pointer-like approach to avoid allocations
+	slice := buf[:0]
+	p.pool.Put(&slice)
+}
+
+// GetStats returns statistics about the buffer pool
+func (p *SizedBufferPool) GetStats() (buffers, bytes, gets, puts, misses int64) {
+	buffers = p.totalBuffers.Load()
+	bytes = p.totalBytes.Load()
+	gets = p.gets.Load()
+	puts = p.puts.Load()
+	misses = p.misses.Load()
+	return
+}
+
+// BufferPoolStats contains statistics about a buffer pool
+type BufferPoolStats struct {
+	TotalBuffers      int64
+	TotalBytes        int64
+	Gets              int64
+	Puts              int64
+	Misses            int64
+	HitRate           float64
+	AverageBufferSize float64
+}
+
+// GetDetailedStats returns detailed statistics about the buffer pool
+func (p *SizedBufferPool) GetDetailedStats() BufferPoolStats {
+	buffers := p.totalBuffers.Load()
+	bytes := p.totalBytes.Load()
+	gets := p.gets.Load()
+	puts := p.puts.Load()
+	misses := p.misses.Load()
+
+	// Calculate hit rate
+	hitRate := 0.0
+	if gets > 0 {
+		hitRate = float64(gets-misses) / float64(gets) * 100.0
+	}
+
+	// Calculate average buffer size
+	avgSize := 0.0
+	if buffers > 0 {
+		avgSize = float64(bytes) / float64(buffers)
+	}
+
+	return BufferPoolStats{
+		TotalBuffers:      buffers,
+		TotalBytes:        bytes,
+		Gets:              gets,
+		Puts:              puts,
+		Misses:            misses,
+		HitRate:           hitRate,
+		AverageBufferSize: avgSize,
+	}
+}
+
+// Global audio buffer pools with different size classes
+var (
+	// Small buffers (up to 4KB)
+	smallBufferPool = NewSizedBufferPool(1024, 4*1024)
+
+	// Medium buffers (4KB to 64KB)
+	mediumBufferPool = NewSizedBufferPool(8*1024, 64*1024)
+
+	// Large buffers (64KB to 1MB)
+	largeBufferPool = NewSizedBufferPool(64*1024, 1024*1024)
+)
+
+// GetOptimalBuffer returns a buffer from the most appropriate pool based on size
+func GetOptimalBuffer(size int) []byte {
+	switch {
+	case size <= 4*1024:
+		return smallBufferPool.Get(size)
+	case size <= 64*1024:
+		return mediumBufferPool.Get(size)
+	default:
+		return largeBufferPool.Get(size)
+	}
+}
+
+// ReturnOptimalBuffer returns a buffer to the appropriate pool based on size
+func ReturnOptimalBuffer(buf []byte) {
+	size := cap(buf)
+	switch {
+	case size <= 4*1024:
+		smallBufferPool.Put(buf)
+	case size <= 64*1024:
+		mediumBufferPool.Put(buf)
+	default:
+		largeBufferPool.Put(buf)
+	}
+}
+
+// GetAllPoolStats returns statistics for all buffer pools
+func GetAllPoolStats() map[string]BufferPoolStats {
+	return map[string]BufferPoolStats{
+		"small":  smallBufferPool.GetDetailedStats(),
+		"medium": mediumBufferPool.GetDetailedStats(),
+		"large":  largeBufferPool.GetDetailedStats(),
+	}
+}

internal/audio/validation.go

@@ -58,10 +58,22 @@ func ValidateZeroCopyFrame(frame *ZeroCopyAudioFrame) error {
 }
 
 // ValidateBufferSize validates buffer size parameters with enhanced boundary checks
+// Optimized to use AudioConfigCache for frequently accessed values
 func ValidateBufferSize(size int) error {
 	if size <= 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: buffer size %d must be positive", ErrInvalidBufferSize, size)
 	}
+
+	// Fast path: Check against cached max frame size
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	maxFrameSize := int(cache.maxAudioFrameSize.Load())
+
+	// Most common case: validating a buffer that's sized for audio frames
+	if maxFrameSize > 0 && size <= maxFrameSize {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Slower path: full validation against SocketMaxBuffer
 	config := GetConfig()
 	// Use SocketMaxBuffer as the upper limit for general buffer validation
 	// This allows for socket buffers while still preventing extremely large allocations
@@ -199,10 +211,22 @@ func ValidateLatencyConfig(config LatencyConfig) error {
 }
 
 // ValidateSampleRate validates audio sample rate values
+// Optimized to use AudioConfigCache for frequently accessed values
 func ValidateSampleRate(sampleRate int) error {
 	if sampleRate <= 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: sample rate %d must be positive", ErrInvalidSampleRate, sampleRate)
 	}
+
+	// Fast path: Check against cached sample rate first
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cachedRate := int(cache.sampleRate.Load())
+
+	// Most common case: validating against the current sample rate
+	if sampleRate == cachedRate {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Slower path: check against all valid rates
 	config := GetConfig()
 	validRates := config.ValidSampleRates
 	for _, rate := range validRates {
@@ -215,10 +239,23 @@ func ValidateSampleRate(sampleRate int) error {
 }
 
 // ValidateChannelCount validates audio channel count
+// Optimized to use AudioConfigCache for frequently accessed values
 func ValidateChannelCount(channels int) error {
 	if channels <= 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: channel count %d must be positive", ErrInvalidChannels, channels)
 	}
+
+	// Fast path: Check against cached channels first
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cachedChannels := int(cache.channels.Load())
+
+	// Most common case: validating against the current channel count
+	if channels == cachedChannels {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Check against max channels - still using cache to avoid GetConfig()
+	// Note: We don't have maxChannels in the cache yet, so we'll use GetConfig() for now
 	config := GetConfig()
 	if channels > config.MaxChannels {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: channel count %d exceeds maximum %d",
@@ -228,10 +265,33 @@ func ValidateChannelCount(channels int) error {
 }
 
 // ValidateBitrate validates audio bitrate values (expects kbps)
+// Optimized to use AudioConfigCache for frequently accessed values
 func ValidateBitrate(bitrate int) error {
 	if bitrate <= 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: bitrate %d must be positive", ErrInvalidBitrate, bitrate)
 	}
+
+	// Fast path: Check against cached bitrate values
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	minBitrate := int(cache.minOpusBitrate.Load())
+	maxBitrate := int(cache.maxOpusBitrate.Load())
+
+	// If we have valid cached values, use them
+	if minBitrate > 0 && maxBitrate > 0 {
+		// Convert kbps to bps for comparison with config limits
+		bitrateInBps := bitrate * 1000
+		if bitrateInBps < minBitrate {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%w: bitrate %d kbps (%d bps) below minimum %d bps",
+				ErrInvalidBitrate, bitrate, bitrateInBps, minBitrate)
+		}
+		if bitrateInBps > maxBitrate {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%w: bitrate %d kbps (%d bps) exceeds maximum %d bps",
+				ErrInvalidBitrate, bitrate, bitrateInBps, maxBitrate)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Slower path: full validation with GetConfig()
 	config := GetConfig()
 	// Convert kbps to bps for comparison with config limits
 	bitrateInBps := bitrate * 1000
@@ -247,10 +307,31 @@ func ValidateBitrate(bitrate int) error {
 }
 
 // ValidateFrameDuration validates frame duration values
+// Optimized to use AudioConfigCache for frequently accessed values
 func ValidateFrameDuration(duration time.Duration) error {
 	if duration <= 0 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: frame duration %v must be positive", ErrInvalidFrameDuration, duration)
 	}
+
+	// Fast path: Check against cached frame size first
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+
+	// Convert frameSize (samples) to duration for comparison
+	// Note: This calculation should match how frameSize is converted to duration elsewhere
+	cachedFrameSize := int(cache.frameSize.Load())
+	cachedSampleRate := int(cache.sampleRate.Load())
+
+	// Only do this calculation if we have valid cached values
+	if cachedFrameSize > 0 && cachedSampleRate > 0 {
+		cachedDuration := time.Duration(cachedFrameSize) * time.Second / time.Duration(cachedSampleRate)
+
+		// Most common case: validating against the current frame duration
+		if duration == cachedDuration {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Slower path: full validation against min/max
 	config := GetConfig()
 	if duration < config.MinFrameDuration {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w: frame duration %v below minimum %v",
@@ -264,7 +345,29 @@ func ValidateFrameDuration(duration time.Duration) error {
 }
 
 // ValidateAudioConfigComplete performs comprehensive audio configuration validation
+// Uses optimized validation functions that leverage AudioConfigCache
 func ValidateAudioConfigComplete(config AudioConfig) error {
+	// Fast path: Check if all values match the current cached configuration
+	cache := GetCachedConfig()
+	cachedSampleRate := int(cache.sampleRate.Load())
+	cachedChannels := int(cache.channels.Load())
+	cachedBitrate := int(cache.opusBitrate.Load()) / 1000 // Convert from bps to kbps
+	cachedFrameSize := int(cache.frameSize.Load())
+
+	// Only do this calculation if we have valid cached values
+	if cachedSampleRate > 0 && cachedChannels > 0 && cachedBitrate > 0 && cachedFrameSize > 0 {
+		cachedDuration := time.Duration(cachedFrameSize) * time.Second / time.Duration(cachedSampleRate)
+
+		// Most common case: validating the current configuration
+		if config.SampleRate == cachedSampleRate &&
+			config.Channels == cachedChannels &&
+			config.Bitrate == cachedBitrate &&
+			config.FrameSize == cachedDuration {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Slower path: validate each parameter individually
 	if err := ValidateAudioQuality(config.Quality); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("quality validation failed: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -303,36 +406,55 @@ func ValidateAudioConfigConstants(config *AudioConfigConstants) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// Cached max frame size to avoid function call overhead in hot paths
-var cachedMaxFrameSize int
+// Note: We're transitioning from individual cached values to using AudioConfigCache
+// for better consistency and reduced maintenance overhead
 
-// Note: Validation cache is initialized on first use to avoid init function
+// Global variable for backward compatibility
+var cachedMaxFrameSize int
 
 // InitValidationCache initializes cached validation values with actual config
 func InitValidationCache() {
-	cachedMaxFrameSize = GetConfig().MaxAudioFrameSize
+	// Initialize the global cache variable for backward compatibility
+	config := GetConfig()
+	cachedMaxFrameSize = config.MaxAudioFrameSize
+
+	// Update the global audio config cache
+	GetCachedConfig().Update()
 }
 
 // ValidateAudioFrame provides optimized validation for audio frame data
 // This is the primary validation function used in all audio processing paths
 //
 // Performance optimizations:
-// - Uses cached config value to eliminate function call overhead
+// - Uses cached max frame size to eliminate config lookups
 // - Single branch condition for optimal CPU pipeline efficiency
-// - Inlined length checks for minimal overhead
+// - Minimal error allocation overhead
 //
 //go:inline
 func ValidateAudioFrame(data []byte) error {
-	// Initialize cache on first use if not already done
-	if cachedMaxFrameSize == 0 {
-		InitValidationCache()
-	}
-	// Optimized validation with pre-allocated error messages for minimal overhead
+	// Fast path: check length against cached max size in single operation
 	dataLen := len(data)
 	if dataLen == 0 {
 		return ErrFrameDataEmpty
 	}
-	if dataLen > cachedMaxFrameSize {
+
+	// Use global cached value for fastest access - updated during initialization
+	maxSize := cachedMaxFrameSize
+	if maxSize == 0 {
+		// Fallback: get from cache only if global cache not initialized
+		cache := GetCachedConfig()
+		maxSize = int(cache.maxAudioFrameSize.Load())
+		if maxSize == 0 {
+			// Last resort: update cache and get fresh value
+			cache.Update()
+			maxSize = int(cache.maxAudioFrameSize.Load())
+		}
+		// Cache the value globally for next calls
+		cachedMaxFrameSize = maxSize
+	}
+
+	// Single comparison for validation
+	if dataLen > maxSize {
 		return ErrFrameDataTooLarge
 	}
 	return nil

main.go

@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@ func startAudioSubprocess() error {
 	// Start adaptive buffer management for optimal performance
 	audio.StartAdaptiveBuffering()
 
+	// Start goroutine monitoring to detect and prevent leaks
+	audio.StartGoroutineMonitoring()
+
+	// Enable batch audio processing to reduce CGO call overhead
+	if err := audio.EnableBatchAudioProcessing(); err != nil {
+		logger.Warn().Err(err).Msg("failed to enable batch audio processing")
+	}
+
 	// Create audio server supervisor
 	audioSupervisor = audio.NewAudioOutputSupervisor()
 
@@ -95,6 +103,10 @@ func startAudioSubprocess() error {
 			audio.StopAudioRelay()
 			// Stop adaptive buffering
 			audio.StopAdaptiveBuffering()
+			// Stop goroutine monitoring
+			audio.StopGoroutineMonitoring()
+			// Disable batch audio processing
+			audio.DisableBatchAudioProcessing()
 		},
 		// onRestart
 		func(attempt int, delay time.Duration) {