diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index d9ec05f..761ee53 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ name: CI
 
 on:
   push:
-    branches: [master, main]
+    branches: [master, main, 'release/*']
   pull_request:
-    branches: [master, main]
+    branches: [master, main, 'release/*']
 
 jobs:
   # Single source of truth for Nim / Nimble versions used by every job and
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index c009658..7729732 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -83,4 +83,4 @@ jobs:
           if [ "$RUNNER_OS" == "Windows" ]; then
             export PATH="$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/.nim_runtime/bin:$HOME/.nimble/bin:$PATH"
           fi
-          nim c -r --mm:${{ matrix.mm }} -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN tests/unit/${{ inputs.test }}.nim
+          nim c -r --mm:${{ matrix.mm }} -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN -d:ffiAllowSignalHandler tests/unit/${{ inputs.test }}.nim
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 805b8fa..dada7b6 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,32 +4,12 @@ All notable changes to this project are documented in this file.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
-### Changed
-- User event callbacks now run on a dedicated event thread fed by a
-  bounded SPSC queue (default capacity 1024), so a slow listener can no
-  longer block the FFI thread or concurrent `add_event_listener` /
-  `remove_event_listener` calls
-  ([#6](https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi/issues/6)).
-- Replaced the dedicated watchdog thread with a heartbeat check that
-  runs on the event thread. The FFI thread advances an atomic heartbeat
-  each loop iteration; if it stalls for more than 1s past the start-up
-  grace window, the event thread emits the `not_responding` event.
-
 ### Added
 - Queue-overflow handling: when the bounded event queue is full, the
   library sets a sticky "stuck" flag, logs an error, fires
   `not_responding` from the event thread, and rejects subsequent
   `sendRequestToFFIThread` calls with `event queue stuck - library
   cannot accept new requests`.
-
-## [0.2.0] - 2026-06-04
-
-Major release introducing the CBOR-based wire format, CBOR-backed FFI events
-with a multi-listener registry, multi-language binding generation (C++, Rust,
-CDDL), CI hardening with sanitizers, and several robustness fixes around
-context lifetime and memory safety.
-
-### Added
 - **CBOR serialization** as the FFI wire format, replacing the previous
   JSON/string-based `serial.nim`
   ([#23](https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi/pull/23)).
@@ -64,6 +44,21 @@ context lifetime and memory safety.
   ([#41](https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi/pull/41)).
 
 ### Changed
+- Enforce `-d:noSignalHandler` at compile time: the build now fails with an
+  actionable message unless the consumer sets `-d:noSignalHandler` (libraries
+  embedded in a foreign host such as Go/Rust) or `-d:ffiAllowSignalHandler`
+  (standalone Nim binaries). Prevents the Nim runtime from installing its own
+  OS signal handlers and clobbering the host's — the cause of a real status-go
+  regression.
+- User event callbacks now run on a dedicated event thread fed by a
+  bounded SPSC queue (default capacity 1024), so a slow listener can no
+  longer block the FFI thread or concurrent `add_event_listener` /
+  `remove_event_listener` calls
+  ([#6](https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi/issues/6)).
+- Replaced the dedicated watchdog thread with a heartbeat check that
+  runs on the event thread. The FFI thread advances an atomic heartbeat
+  each loop iteration; if it stalls for more than 1s past the start-up
+  grace window, the event thread emits the `not_responding` event.
 - Removed the redundant `ffiType` macro; the `ffi` macro is now the single
   authoring entry point
   ([#22](https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi/pull/22)).
@@ -91,7 +86,7 @@ context lifetime and memory safety.
   and `rust_client`, the latter with a Tokio async variant) (#15).
 - JSON/string-based FFI (de)serialization via `ffi/serial.nim`
   (`ffiSerialize`/`ffiDeserialize`), with `tests/test_serial.nim` coverage.
-  (CBOR replaced this layer later, in 0.2.0.)
+  (CBOR replaced this layer later.)
 - FFI context pool (`ffi/ffi_context_pool.nim`) using a fixed array of contexts.
 - Test suite expansion: `test_alloc.nim`, `test_ctx_validation.nim`,
   `test_ffi_context.nim`, `test_gc_compat.nim`.
diff --git a/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt
index 77dd7aa..6b6bd51 100644
--- a/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ add_custom_command(
     COMMAND "${NIM_EXECUTABLE}" c
                 --mm:orc
                 -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN
+                -d:noSignalHandler
                 --app:lib
                 --noMain
                 "--nimMainPrefix:libecho"
diff --git a/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/echo.hpp b/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/echo.hpp
index efcfa2e..39824e7 100644
--- a/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/echo.hpp
+++ b/examples/echo/cpp_bindings/echo.hpp
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ typedef void (*FFICallback)(int ret, const char* msg, size_t len, void* user_dat
 void* echo_create(const uint8_t* req_cbor, size_t req_cbor_len, FFICallback callback, void* user_data);
 int echo_shout(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data, const uint8_t* req_cbor, size_t req_cbor_len);
 int echo_version(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data, const uint8_t* req_cbor, size_t req_cbor_len);
-int echo_destroy(void* ctx);
+int echo_destroy(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data);
 uint64_t echo_add_event_listener(void* ctx, const char* event_name, FFICallback callback, void* user_data);
 int echo_remove_event_listener(void* ctx, uint64_t listener_id);
 } // extern "C"
@@ -516,7 +516,14 @@ public:
     // context.
     ~EchoCtx() {
         if (ptr_) {
-            echo_destroy(ptr_);
+            // `echo_destroy` is non-blocking at the C ABI: it parks the
+            // context for reuse and reports the outcome via the callback. Block
+            // here until that callback fires so the pool slot is fully drained
+            // and parked before this object goes away — otherwise a rapid
+            // create/destroy churn could outrun the recycle and exhaust the pool.
+            (void)ffi_call_([this](FFICallback cb, void* ud) {
+                return echo_destroy(ptr_, cb, ud);
+            }, timeout_);
             ptr_ = nullptr;
         }
     }
diff --git a/examples/echo/echo.nimble b/examples/echo/echo.nimble
index 013a49e..8243d43 100644
--- a/examples/echo/echo.nimble
+++ b/examples/echo/echo.nimble
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ requires "nim >= 2.2.4"
 requires "chronos"
 requires "chronicles"
 requires "taskpools"
-requires "https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi >= 0.2.0"
+requires "https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi >= 0.1.4"
 
 const nimFlags = "--mm:orc -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN"
 
diff --git a/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt
index 162d844..11713cb 100644
--- a/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ add_custom_command(
     COMMAND "${NIM_EXECUTABLE}" c
                 --mm:orc
                 -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN
+                -d:noSignalHandler
                 --app:lib
                 --noMain
                 "--nimMainPrefix:libmy_timer"
diff --git a/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/my_timer.hpp b/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/my_timer.hpp
index 8fa440b..a4a6a3a 100644
--- a/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/my_timer.hpp
+++ b/examples/timer/cpp_bindings/my_timer.hpp
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ int my_timer_echo(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data, const uint8_
 int my_timer_version(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data, const uint8_t* req_cbor, size_t req_cbor_len);
 int my_timer_complex(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data, const uint8_t* req_cbor, size_t req_cbor_len);
 int my_timer_schedule(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data, const uint8_t* req_cbor, size_t req_cbor_len);
-int my_timer_destroy(void* ctx);
+int my_timer_destroy(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data);
 uint64_t my_timer_add_event_listener(void* ctx, const char* event_name, FFICallback callback, void* user_data);
 int my_timer_remove_event_listener(void* ctx, uint64_t listener_id);
 } // extern "C"
@@ -816,7 +816,14 @@ public:
     // context.
     ~MyTimerCtx() {
         if (ptr_) {
-            my_timer_destroy(ptr_);
+            // `my_timer_destroy` is non-blocking at the C ABI: it parks the
+            // context for reuse and reports the outcome via the callback. Block
+            // here until that callback fires so the pool slot is fully drained
+            // and parked before this object goes away — otherwise a rapid
+            // create/destroy churn could outrun the recycle and exhaust the pool.
+            (void)ffi_call_([this](FFICallback cb, void* ud) {
+                return my_timer_destroy(ptr_, cb, ud);
+            }, timeout_);
             ptr_ = nullptr;
         }
     }
diff --git a/examples/timer/rust_bindings/build.rs b/examples/timer/rust_bindings/build.rs
index ce9c76f..4d3b9b4 100644
--- a/examples/timer/rust_bindings/build.rs
+++ b/examples/timer/rust_bindings/build.rs
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ fn main() {
     cmd.arg("c")
         .arg("--mm:orc")
         .arg("-d:chronicles_log_level=WARN")
+        .arg("-d:noSignalHandler")
         .arg("--app:lib")
         .arg("--noMain")
         .arg(format!("--nimMainPrefix:libmy_timer"))
diff --git a/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/api.rs b/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/api.rs
index 709f9c1..8ad86ca 100644
--- a/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/api.rs
+++ b/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/api.rs
@@ -141,7 +141,9 @@ unsafe impl Sync for MyTimerCtx {}
 impl Drop for MyTimerCtx {
     fn drop(&mut self) {
         if !self.ptr.is_null() {
-            unsafe { ffi::my_timer_destroy(self.ptr); }
+            let _ = ffi_call_sync(self.timeout, |cb, ud| unsafe {
+                ffi::my_timer_destroy(self.ptr, cb, ud)
+            });
             self.ptr = std::ptr::null_mut();
         }
     }
diff --git a/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/ffi.rs b/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/ffi.rs
index 905acf4..6626b92 100644
--- a/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/ffi.rs
+++ b/examples/timer/rust_bindings/src/ffi.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ extern "C" {
     pub fn my_timer_version(ctx: *mut c_void, callback: FFICallback, user_data: *mut c_void, req_cbor: *const u8, req_cbor_len: usize) -> c_int;
     pub fn my_timer_complex(ctx: *mut c_void, callback: FFICallback, user_data: *mut c_void, req_cbor: *const u8, req_cbor_len: usize) -> c_int;
     pub fn my_timer_schedule(ctx: *mut c_void, callback: FFICallback, user_data: *mut c_void, req_cbor: *const u8, req_cbor_len: usize) -> c_int;
-    pub fn my_timer_destroy(ctx: *mut c_void) -> c_int;
+    pub fn my_timer_destroy(ctx: *mut c_void, callback: FFICallback, user_data: *mut c_void) -> c_int;
     pub fn my_timer_add_event_listener(ctx: *mut c_void, event_name: *const c_char, callback: FFICallback, user_data: *mut c_void) -> u64;
     pub fn my_timer_remove_event_listener(ctx: *mut c_void, listener_id: u64) -> c_int;
 }
diff --git a/examples/timer/timer.nimble b/examples/timer/timer.nimble
index 0b1966d..7c23f00 100644
--- a/examples/timer/timer.nimble
+++ b/examples/timer/timer.nimble
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ requires "nim >= 2.2.4"
 requires "chronos"
 requires "chronicles"
 requires "taskpools"
-requires "https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi >= 0.2.0"
+requires "https://github.com/logos-messaging/nim-ffi >= 0.1.4"
 
 const nimFlags = "--mm:orc -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN"
 
diff --git a/ffi.nimble b/ffi.nimble
index dc168db..5878338 100644
--- a/ffi.nimble
+++ b/ffi.nimble
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # ffi.nimble
 
-version = "0.2.0"
+version = "0.1.4"
 author = "Institute of Free Technology"
 description = "FFI framework with custom header generation"
 license = "MIT or Apache License 2.0"
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ requires "chronicles"
 requires "taskpools"
 requires "cbor_serialization == 0.3.0"
 
-const nimFlagsOrc = "--mm:orc -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN"
-const nimFlagsRefc = "--mm:refc -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN"
+const nimFlagsOrc = "--mm:orc -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN -d:ffiAllowSignalHandler"
+const nimFlagsRefc = "--mm:refc -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN -d:ffiAllowSignalHandler"
 
 import std/[algorithm, os, strutils]
 
diff --git a/ffi/codegen/cpp.nim b/ffi/codegen/cpp.nim
index d0454c2..02b8410 100644
--- a/ffi/codegen/cpp.nim
+++ b/ffi/codegen/cpp.nim
@@ -339,7 +339,9 @@ proc generateCppHeader*(
           [p.procName]
       )
     of FFIKind.DTOR:
-      lines.add("int $1(void* ctx);" % [p.procName])
+      lines.add(
+        "int $1(void* ctx, FFICallback callback, void* user_data);" % [p.procName]
+      )
   # `declareLibrary` always exports the listener-registration ABI. Declare
   # it here so the typed event-handler wiring below can call into it.
   lines.add(
@@ -570,8 +572,8 @@ proc generateCppHeader*(
   lines.add("    std::chrono::milliseconds timeout_;")
   if events.len > 0:
     # One owning entry per live listener, keyed by id. Destroyed after
-    # the destructor body runs `<lib>_destroy(ptr_)`, by which point the
-    # FFI side has joined its threads so no callback is mid-flight.
+    # the destructor blocks on `<lib>_destroy`'s recycle callback, by which
+    # point the FFI side has drained/parked the slot so no callback is mid-flight.
     lines.add(
       "    std::unordered_map<std::uint64_t, std::unique_ptr<ListenerBase>> listeners_;"
     )
diff --git a/ffi/codegen/rust.nim b/ffi/codegen/rust.nim
index aaedd35..656398b 100644
--- a/ffi/codegen/rust.nim
+++ b/ffi/codegen/rust.nim
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ fn main() {
     cmd.arg("c")
         .arg("--mm:orc")
         .arg("-d:chronicles_log_level=WARN")
+        .arg("-d:noSignalHandler")
         .arg("--app:lib")
         .arg("--noMain")
         .arg(format!("--nimMainPrefix:lib$2"))
@@ -206,6 +207,8 @@ proc generateFFIRs*(procs: seq[FFIProcMeta]): string =
       lines.add("    pub fn $1($2) -> *mut c_void;" % [p.procName, params.join(", ")])
     of FFIKind.DTOR:
       params.add("ctx: *mut c_void")
+      params.add("callback: FFICallback")
+      params.add("user_data: *mut c_void")
       lines.add("    pub fn $1($2) -> c_int;" % [p.procName, params.join(", ")])
 
   # Listener-registration ABI — emitted on the Nim side by `declareLibrary`,
@@ -530,7 +533,14 @@ proc generateApiRs*(
     lines.add("impl Drop for $1 {" % [ctxTypeName])
     lines.add("    fn drop(&mut self) {")
     lines.add("        if !self.ptr.is_null() {")
-    lines.add("            unsafe { ffi::$1(self.ptr); }" % [dtorProcName])
+    # `<lib>_destroy` is non-blocking at the C ABI: it parks the context for
+    # reuse and reports the outcome via the callback. Block until that callback
+    # fires so the pool slot is fully drained and parked before this handle goes
+    # away — otherwise rapid create/destroy churn could outrun the recycle and
+    # exhaust the pool. The recycle outcome is best-effort on drop, so discard it.
+    lines.add("            let _ = ffi_call_sync(self.timeout, |cb, ud| unsafe {")
+    lines.add("                ffi::$1(self.ptr, cb, ud)" % [dtorProcName])
+    lines.add("            });")
     lines.add("            self.ptr = std::ptr::null_mut();")
     lines.add("        }")
     # `listeners` is dropped automatically after this body returns. By
diff --git a/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/CMakeLists.txt.tpl b/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/CMakeLists.txt.tpl
index b204d4e..76fe8ef 100644
--- a/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/CMakeLists.txt.tpl
+++ b/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/CMakeLists.txt.tpl
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ add_custom_command(
     COMMAND "${NIM_EXECUTABLE}" c
                 --mm:orc
                 -d:chronicles_log_level=WARN
+                -d:noSignalHandler
                 --app:lib
                 --noMain
                 "--nimMainPrefix:lib{{LIB}}"
diff --git a/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/context_rule_of_5.hpp.tpl b/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/context_rule_of_5.hpp.tpl
index 22ce19d..e93aa2c 100644
--- a/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/context_rule_of_5.hpp.tpl
+++ b/ffi/codegen/templates/cpp/context_rule_of_5.hpp.tpl
@@ -9,7 +9,14 @@
     // context.
     ~{{CTX}}() {
         if (ptr_) {
-            {{LIB}}_destroy(ptr_);
+            // `{{LIB}}_destroy` is non-blocking at the C ABI: it parks the
+            // context for reuse and reports the outcome via the callback. Block
+            // here until that callback fires so the pool slot is fully drained
+            // and parked before this object goes away — otherwise a rapid
+            // create/destroy churn could outrun the recycle and exhaust the pool.
+            (void)ffi_call_([this](FFICallback cb, void* ud) {
+                return {{LIB}}_destroy(ptr_, cb, ud);
+            }, timeout_);
             ptr_ = nullptr;
         }
     }
diff --git a/ffi/ffi_context.nim b/ffi/ffi_context.nim
index ef1b6f5..9be1791 100644
--- a/ffi/ffi_context.nim
+++ b/ffi/ffi_context.nim
@@ -6,7 +6,20 @@
 
 {.passc: "-fPIC".}
 
-import std/[atomics, locks, options, tables]
+# Embedded in a foreign host (Go/Rust/...) the host must own OS signal handling;
+# Nim installing its own handlers clobbers it (e.g. Go's SIGSEGV -> sigpanic).
+# Enforce -d:noSignalHandler; standalone Nim binaries opt out via -d:ffiAllowSignalHandler.
+when not defined(noSignalHandler) and not defined(ffiAllowSignalHandler):
+  {.
+    error:
+      "nim-ffi: missing required compile flag. If this library is embedded in a " &
+      "host process (Go/Rust/...), build with -d:noSignalHandler so the host keeps " &
+      "ownership of OS signal handlers (it needs SIGSEGV for crash recovery, stack " &
+      "growth and preemption). If instead this is a standalone Nim program that owns " &
+      "its own process, build with -d:ffiAllowSignalHandler."
+  .}
+
+import std/[atomics, locks, options, sequtils, tables]
 import chronicles, chronos, chronos/threadsync, taskpools/channels_spsc_single, results
 import
   ./ffi_types,
@@ -18,6 +31,20 @@ import
 
 export ffi_events, ffi_handles
 
+type CtxLifecycle {.pure.} = enum
+  ## State machine guarding a pooled FFI context, held as an Atomic on FFIContext.
+  ## The threads, signals and dispatcher kqueues are created once per slot and
+  ## REUSED across acquire/release — chronos never frees a dispatcher's kqueue fd
+  ## (design decision; freed only at process exit), so spawning a thread per
+  ## context would leak fds unboundedly. Recycling parks the context instead.
+  ## Transitions:
+  ##   Active         -> RecyclePending   when the destructor is invoked
+  ##   RecyclePending -> Recycling        FFI loop drains handlers, frees lib, releases slot
+  ##   Recycling      -> Active           next createFFIContext reuses the slot (markAsActive)
+  Active ## accepting and serving requests
+  RecyclePending ## recycle requested; FFI thread loop hasn't claimed it yet
+  Recycling ## FFI loop draining handlers, then frees lib + returns to pool
+
 type FFIContext*[T] = object
   myLib*: ptr T # main library object (Waku, LibP2P, SDS, …)
   ffiThread: Thread[(ptr FFIContext[T])]
@@ -39,6 +66,15 @@ type FFIContext*[T] = object
     # advanced each FFI-thread loop; event thread reads for liveness
   eventQueueStuck*: Atomic[bool] # sticky overflow flag
   running: Atomic[bool] # To control when the threads are running
+  lifecycle: Atomic[CtxLifecycle] # Active / RecyclePending / Recycling
+  recycleCallback: FFICallBack
+    # destructor's callback, fired by the recycle handler with the outcome:
+    # RET_OK once drained, RET_ERR if it timed out. Set by requestRecycle.
+  recycleUserData: pointer
+  inUse: Atomic[bool]
+    # whether the slot is claimed; createFFIContext claims it, the recycle
+    # handler clears it once drained so the owning thread can release without
+    # reaching into the pool.
   registeredRequests: ptr Table[cstring, FFIRequestProc]
 
 var onFFIThread* {.threadvar.}: bool
@@ -51,6 +87,21 @@ const
   FFIHeartbeatStartDelay* = 10.seconds # grace window for library startup
   FFIHeartbeatStaleThreshold* = 1.seconds
 
+proc tryClaim*[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]): bool =
+  ## Returns true if the slot was free and is now claimed, false if already in use.
+  var expected = false
+  ctx.inUse.compareExchange(expected, true)
+
+proc release*[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]) =
+  ctx.inUse.store(false)
+
+proc isInUse*[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]): bool =
+  ctx.inUse.load()
+
+proc markAsActive*[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]) =
+  ## Re-arms a reused (recycled) slot to accept requests again.
+  ctx.lifecycle.store(CtxLifecycle.Active)
+
 include ./event_thread
 include ./ffi_thread
 
@@ -124,6 +175,7 @@ proc initContextResources*[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]): Result[void, string] =
 
   ctx.registeredRequests = addr ffi_types.registeredRequests
 
+  ctx.lifecycle.store(CtxLifecycle.Active)
   ctx.running.store(true)
 
   try:
@@ -153,14 +205,21 @@ proc fireOrErr(sig: ThreadSignalPtr, name: string): Result[void, string] =
     return err("failed to signal: " & name & " on time")
   ok()
 
-proc waitExitOrErr(
-    sig: ThreadSignalPtr, name: string, timeout: Duration
-): Result[void, string] =
-  let exited = sig.waitSync(timeout).valueOr:
-    return err("error waiting for exit: " & name & ": " & $error)
-  if not exited:
-    return err("did not exit in time: " & name & " (leaking ctx to avoid hang)")
-  ok()
+proc reachedExitOrTimedOut(sig: ThreadSignalPtr, timeout: Duration): bool =
+  ## Best-effort bounded pre-check before joining a stopping thread.
+  ## Returns false ONLY on a genuine timeout (the exit signal was not observed
+  ## within `timeout`, so the thread may be wedged and the caller should skip
+  ## the join to avoid hanging). Returns true otherwise — including when
+  ## `waitSync` itself errors: it uses `select()`, which returns EINVAL once a
+  ## signal fd exceeds FD_SETSIZE under load. That error is NOT evidence the
+  ## thread is stuck (it was already signaled to stop and the async event loop
+  ## that drives its exit is unaffected), so we proceed to the authoritative,
+  ## fd-free joinThread rather than spuriously failing teardown and leaking the
+  ## pool slot.
+  let waited = sig.waitSync(timeout)
+  if waited.isOk() and not waited.get():
+    return false # genuine timeout
+  true
 
 proc signalStop*[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]): Result[void, string] =
   # Skip onNotResponding on error: it takes reg.lock, which a back-pressuring
@@ -183,9 +242,11 @@ proc stopAndJoinThreads*[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]): Result[void, string] =
   ctx.signalStop().isOkOr:
     return err("signalStop failed: " & $error)
 
-  ?ctx.threadExitSignal.waitExitOrErr("FFI thread", ThreadExitTimeout)
+  if not ctx.threadExitSignal.reachedExitOrTimedOut(ThreadExitTimeout):
+    return err("FFI thread did not exit in time (leaking ctx to avoid hang)")
   joinThread(ctx.ffiThread)
-  ?ctx.eventThreadExitSignal.waitExitOrErr("event thread", ThreadExitTimeout)
+  if not ctx.eventThreadExitSignal.reachedExitOrTimedOut(ThreadExitTimeout):
+    return err("event thread did not exit in time (leaking ctx to avoid hang)")
   joinThread(ctx.eventThread)
   ok()
 
@@ -196,3 +257,26 @@ proc clearContext[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]): Result[void, string] =
   ctx.cleanUpResources().isOkOr:
     return err("cleanUpResources failed: " & $error)
   ok()
+
+proc requestRecycle*[T](
+    ctx: ptr FFIContext[T], callback: FFICallBack, userData: pointer
+): Result[void, string] =
+  ## Starts the context's recycle WITHOUT stopping its worker threads, so the
+  ## next createFFIContext reuses the same threads, signals and kqueue fds.
+  ## The FFI thread loop drains the in-flight handlers, frees the lib, clears the
+  ## per-context state and releases the slot, then fires `callback`
+  ## (RET_OK drained, RET_ERR stuck). Non-blocking.
+  ctx.lock.acquire()
+  if ctx.lifecycle.load() != CtxLifecycle.Active:
+    ctx.lock.release()
+    return err("requestRecycle: context is not Active (already recycling)")
+  ctx.recycleCallback = callback
+  ctx.recycleUserData = userData
+  ctx.lifecycle.store(CtxLifecycle.RecyclePending)
+  ctx.lock.release()
+
+  let fired = ctx.reqSignal.fireSync().valueOr:
+    return err("requestRecycle: failed to signal the FFI thread: " & $error)
+  if not fired:
+    return err("requestRecycle: failed to signal the FFI thread in time")
+  ok()
diff --git a/ffi/ffi_context_pool.nim b/ffi/ffi_context_pool.nim
index 5e2d2cb..e39f077 100644
--- a/ffi/ffi_context_pool.nim
+++ b/ffi/ffi_context_pool.nim
@@ -1,56 +1,76 @@
 import std/atomics
 import results
-import ./ffi_context
+import ./ffi_context, ./ffi_types
 
 const MaxFFIContexts* = 32
-  # Only affects upfront pool memory; fds/threads consumed per acquired slot.
+  ## Maximum number of concurrently live FFI contexts when using FFIContextPool.
+  ## Each slot's threads, signals and dispatcher kqueue fds are created once and
+  ## reused, so this also caps the process's steady-state fd usage.
 
 type FFIContextPool*[T] = object
-  ## Fixed pool. Bounds ThreadSignalPtr fds at MaxFFIContexts * 2.
-  slots: array[MaxFFIContexts, FFIContext[T]]
-  inUse: array[MaxFFIContexts, Atomic[bool]]
-
-proc acquireSlot[T](pool: var FFIContextPool[T]): Result[ptr FFIContext[T], string] =
-  for i in 0 ..< MaxFFIContexts:
-    var expected = false
-    if pool.inUse[i].compareExchange(expected, true):
-      return ok(pool.slots[i].addr)
-  err("FFI context pool exhausted (max " & $MaxFFIContexts & " contexts)")
-
-proc releaseSlot[T](pool: var FFIContextPool[T], ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]) =
-  for i in 0 ..< MaxFFIContexts:
-    if pool.slots[i].addr == ctx:
-      pool.inUse[i].store(false)
-      return
+  contexts: array[MaxFFIContexts, FFIContext[T]]
+  initialized: array[MaxFFIContexts, Atomic[bool]]
+    ## Whether the slot's worker has been built. Once true it stays true for the
+    ## process lifetime — destroy recycles the context rather than tearing it down.
 
 proc createFFIContext*[T](
     pool: var FFIContextPool[T]
 ): Result[ptr FFIContext[T], string] =
-  let ctx = pool.acquireSlot().valueOr:
-    return err("createFFIContext: acquireSlot failed: " & $error)
-  initContextResources(ctx).isOkOr:
-    pool.releaseSlot(ctx)
-    return err("createFFIContext: initContextResources failed: " & $error)
-  ok(ctx)
+  ## Acquires a context from the fixed pool. The worker (threads + signals +
+  ## dispatcher kqueues) is built once on first use and REUSED on every later
+  ## acquisition — chronos never frees a dispatcher's kqueue fd, so a
+  ## thread-per-context model would leak fds unboundedly.
+  for i in 0 ..< MaxFFIContexts:
+    let ctx = pool.contexts[i].addr
+    if not ctx.tryClaim():
+      continue
+    if pool.initialized[i].load():
+      ## Reused slot: a prior destroy drained and parked it; worker still alive.
+      ctx.markAsActive()
+      return ok(ctx)
+    initContextResources(ctx).isOkOr:
+      ctx.release()
+      return err("createFFIContext: initContextResources failed: " & $error)
+    pool.initialized[i].store(true)
+    return ok(ctx)
+  return err("FFI context pool exhausted (max " & $MaxFFIContexts & " contexts)")
+
+proc releaseFFIContext*[T](
+    ctx: ptr FFIContext[T], callback: FFICallBack, userData: pointer
+): Result[void, string] =
+  ## Recycle/park the context for reuse without stopping its worker threads.
+  ## `callback` fires once the FFI thread has drained and parked it.
+  ctx.requestRecycle(callback, userData)
 
 proc destroyFFIContext*[T](
     pool: var FFIContextPool[T], ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]
 ): Result[void, string] =
-  ## On thread-exit timeout the slot is leaked — closing live-thread resources is unsafe.
+  ## Full teardown: stops/joins the worker threads and returns the context to the
+  ## pool, marking it uninitialised so a later createFFIContext rebuilds it. Only
+  ## for process/pool shutdown — normal destruction uses releaseFFIContext.
   ctx.stopAndJoinThreads().isOkOr:
     return err("destroyFFIContext(pool): " & $error)
-  # Required: next acquisition would otherwise re-init a live lock (UB).
+  # Close the ThreadSignalPtr fds and deinit the lock + event registry/queue
+  # BEFORE the slot is marked for rebuild. createFFIContext's rebuild path reruns
+  # initContextResources (initLock / initEventRegistry / initEventQueue + fresh
+  # signals); skipping deinit here would re-init still-live locks (UB) and orphan
+  # the old fds — the very leak this teardown exists to prevent.
   let deinitRes = ctx.deinitContextResources()
-  pool.releaseSlot(ctx)
+  for i in 0 ..< MaxFFIContexts:
+    if pool.contexts[i].addr == ctx:
+      pool.initialized[i].store(false)
+      break
+  ctx.release()
   deinitRes.isOkOr:
     return err("destroyFFIContext(pool): " & $error)
-  ok()
+  return ok()
 
 proc isValidCtx*[T](pool: var FFIContextPool[T], ctx: pointer): bool =
-  ## Rejects nil / offset-invalid / dangling pointers at the API boundary.
+  ## True only if ctx points to one of the pool's contexts that is currently
+  ## claimed (in use). Rejects nil / dangling / parked contexts at the API boundary.
   if ctx.isNil():
     return false
   for i in 0 ..< MaxFFIContexts:
-    if cast[pointer](pool.slots[i].addr) == ctx:
-      return pool.inUse[i].load()
-  false
+    if cast[pointer](pool.contexts[i].addr) == ctx:
+      return cast[ptr FFIContext[T]](ctx).isInUse()
+  return false
diff --git a/ffi/ffi_thread.nim b/ffi/ffi_thread.nim
index ae5b6d8..7f11054 100644
--- a/ffi/ffi_thread.nim
+++ b/ffi/ffi_thread.nim
@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@ proc sendRequestToFFIThread*(
   defer:
     ctx.lock.release()
 
+  # Reject once recycling has been requested: the slot is being drained/parked
+  # and its handler table/lib are about to be torn down. requestRecycle flips
+  # this under the same lock, so the check is race-free.
+  if ctx.lifecycle.load() != CtxLifecycle.Active:
+    deleteRequest(ffiRequest)
+    return err("FFI context is not accepting requests (being recycled)")
+
   let sentOk = ctx.reqChannel.trySend(ffiRequest)
   if not sentOk:
     deleteRequest(ffiRequest)
@@ -42,10 +49,15 @@ proc sendRequestToFFIThread*(
     deleteRequest(ffiRequest)
     return err("Couldn't fireSync in time")
 
+  # The request is now owned by the FFI thread: it has been queued and the FFI
+  # thread signaled, so it WILL be received, processed, and answered through the
+  # callback via handleRes. The waitSync below only confirms prompt receipt; its
+  # failure (e.g. EINVAL/EINTR under load or signal teardown) must NOT be
+  # surfaced as an error, or the caller would fire the callback a SECOND time
+  # while handleRes also fires it — a double callback onto a freed response.
   let res = ctx.reqReceivedSignal.waitSync(timeout)
   if res.isErr():
-    # FFI thread was signaled and owns the request; don't double-free.
-    return err("Couldn't receive reqReceivedSignal signal")
+    return ok()
 
   # On ok the FFI thread's processRequest deallocShared(req)'s.
   ok()
@@ -79,6 +91,75 @@ proc processRequest[T](
   except Exception as e:
     error "Unexpected exception in handleRes", error = e.msg
 
+proc freeLib[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]) {.gcsafe.} =
+  ## Frees the createShared'd library object built by the ctor. Logical resource
+  ## cleanup is the destructor body's job; this only releases the Nim storage.
+  if ctx.myLib.isNil():
+    return
+  when not defined(gcRefc):
+    {.cast(gcsafe).}:
+      `=destroy`(ctx.myLib[])
+  else:
+    discard
+  freeShared(ctx.myLib)
+  ctx.myLib = nil
+
+var RecycleTimeout* = 1500.milliseconds
+  ## Upper bound the recycle handler waits for in-flight handlers before it
+  ## cancels them and reports the ctx as stuck. Returns as soon as they finish,
+  ## so this only bounds a *stuck* handler. A `var` so tests can shorten it.
+
+proc recycleContext[T](
+    ctx: ptr FFIContext[T], ongoingProcessReq: ptr seq[Future[void]]
+) {.async.} =
+  ## Runs on the FFI thread. Drains in-flight handlers, frees the lib, clears the
+  ## per-context event state, releases the slot for reuse, and fires the recycle
+  ## callback. The worker threads (and their kqueue fds) stay alive for reuse.
+  ongoingProcessReq[].keepItIf(not it.finished())
+
+  ## 1. Let in-flight handlers finish on their own, bounded by RecycleTimeout.
+  var naturallyDrained = ongoingProcessReq[].len == 0
+  if not naturallyDrained:
+    naturallyDrained = await allFutures(ongoingProcessReq[]).withTimeout(RecycleTimeout)
+
+  ## 2. If any are wedged, cancel them and give the cancellations a bounded moment.
+  var safeToRecycle = naturallyDrained
+  if not naturallyDrained:
+    for fut in ongoingProcessReq[]:
+      if not fut.finished():
+        fut.cancelSoon()
+    safeToRecycle = await allFutures(ongoingProcessReq[]).withTimeout(RecycleTimeout)
+
+  let cb = ctx.recycleCallback
+  let ud = ctx.recycleUserData
+  ctx.recycleCallback = nil
+
+  if safeToRecycle:
+    freeLib(ctx)
+    # Reset per-context event state so a reused slot starts clean: drop listeners
+    # and drain/free any queued events so they aren't delivered to the next owner.
+    removeAllEventListeners(ctx[].eventRegistry)
+    while true:
+      let opt = ctx.eventQueue.tryDequeueEvent()
+      if opt.isNone():
+        break
+      let qe = opt.get()
+      freeEventBuffers(qe.name, qe.data)
+    ctx.eventQueueStuck.store(false)
+    ongoingProcessReq[].setLen(0)
+    ctx.release()
+
+  if not cb.isNil():
+    foreignThreadGc:
+      let msg =
+        if naturallyDrained:
+          ""
+        else:
+          "recycle: in-flight requests did not finish in time"
+      let cmsg = msg.cstring
+      let retCode = if naturallyDrained: RET_OK else: RET_ERR
+      cb(retCode, unsafeAddr cmsg[0], cast[csize_t](msg.len), ud)
+
 var ffiEventQueueSignalPtr {.threadvar.}: ThreadSignalPtr
   # Stashed so the hook has no closure env.
 
@@ -123,6 +204,14 @@ proc ffiThreadBody[T](ctx: ptr FFIContext[T]) {.thread.} =
         pending.del(i)
 
     while ctx.running.load():
+      # A destructor requested recycle: drain + free + park this slot for reuse,
+      # keeping the threads (and their kqueue fds) alive. Claim it atomically so
+      # only this loop runs the recycle.
+      var expectedRecycle = CtxLifecycle.RecyclePending
+      if ctx.lifecycle.compareExchange(expectedRecycle, CtxLifecycle.Recycling):
+        await recycleContext(ctx, addr pending)
+        continue
+
       # Freezes if a sync handler blocks the dispatcher; event thread reads to detect wedged FFI thread.
       discard ctx.ffiHeartbeat.fetchAdd(1)
 
diff --git a/ffi/internal/ffi_library.nim b/ffi/internal/ffi_library.nim
index e0e00e8..663dbea 100644
--- a/ffi/internal/ffi_library.nim
+++ b/ffi/internal/ffi_library.nim
@@ -147,6 +147,12 @@ macro declareLibrary*(libraryName: static[string], libType: untyped): untyped =
   let addName = libraryName & "_add_event_listener"
   let addErr = "error: invalid context in " & addName
   let addBody = quote:
+    # Sets up the calling (foreign) thread's GC before any Nim allocation
+    # below ($eventName / registry table+seq ops). Request entry procs do the
+    # same; without it a foreign thread with no Nim heap segfaults in the
+    # allocator under GC pressure.
+    when declared(initializeLibrary):
+      initializeLibrary()
     var ret: uint64 = 0
     if isNil(ctx):
       echo `addErr`
@@ -181,6 +187,10 @@ macro declareLibrary*(libraryName: static[string], libType: untyped): untyped =
   let removeName = libraryName & "_remove_event_listener"
   let removeErr = "error: invalid context in " & removeName
   let removeBody = quote:
+    # See add_event_listener: removeEventListener mutates the registry's
+    # GC-allocated table/seqs, so the calling foreign thread needs a GC.
+    when declared(initializeLibrary):
+      initializeLibrary()
     var ret: cint = 1
     if isNil(ctx):
       echo `removeErr`
diff --git a/ffi/internal/ffi_macro.nim b/ffi/internal/ffi_macro.nim
index 7ec84fe..05304a1 100644
--- a/ffi/internal/ffi_macro.nim
+++ b/ffi/internal/ffi_macro.nim
@@ -835,6 +835,14 @@ macro ffi*(prc: untyped): untyped =
 
     let ffiBody = newStmtList()
 
+    # Set up the calling (foreign) thread's GC before any Nim allocation in
+    # this wrapper (e.g. `$reqTypeName` below). Without it a foreign thread
+    # with no Nim heap segfaults in the allocator under GC pressure. `ffiRaw`
+    # already does this; the `.ffi.` path must too.
+    ffiBody.add quote do:
+      when declared(initializeLibrary):
+        initializeLibrary()
+
     ffiBody.add quote do:
       if callback.isNil:
         return RET_MISSING_CALLBACK
@@ -1336,23 +1344,25 @@ macro ffiCtor*(prc: untyped): untyped =
   return stmts
 
 macro ffiDtor*(prc: untyped): untyped =
-  ## Defines a C-exported destructor that tears down the FFIContext after the
-  ## body runs.
+  ## Defines a C-exported destructor that RECYCLES the FFIContext after the
+  ## body runs — it parks the context for reuse instead of tearing down its
+  ## worker threads, because chronos never frees a dispatcher's kqueue fd, so a
+  ## thread-per-context teardown would leak fds unboundedly.
   ##
   ## The annotated proc must have exactly one parameter of the library type.
-  ## The body contains any library-level cleanup to run before context teardown.
+  ## The body contains any library-level cleanup to run before recycle.
   ##
   ## Example:
   ##   proc waku_destroy*(w: Waku) {.ffiDtor.} =
   ##     w.cleanup()
   ##
   ## The generated C-exported proc has the signature:
-  ##   int waku_destroy(void* ctx)
+  ##   int waku_destroy(void* ctx, FfiCallback callback, void* userData)
   ##
-  ## It extracts the library value from ctx, runs the body, then calls
-  ## destroyFFIContext to tear down the FFI thread and free the context.
-  ## Returns RET_OK on success, RET_ERR on failure (null/invalid ctx, or
-  ## destroyFFIContext failure).
+  ## NON-BLOCKING: it runs the body, requests recycle, and returns RET_OK once
+  ## accepted; the real outcome (RET_OK drained / RET_ERR stuck) arrives via
+  ## `callback`. Returns RET_ERR synchronously only for a null/invalid ctx or a
+  ## rejected recycle request.
 
   let procName = prc[0]
   let formalParams = prc[3]
@@ -1379,7 +1389,7 @@ macro ffiDtor*(prc: untyped): untyped =
   if procName.kind == nnkPostfix:
     cExportProcName = procName[1]
 
-  let destroyResIdent = genSym(nskLet, "destroyRes")
+  let releaseResIdent = genSym(nskLet, "releaseRes")
 
   let ffiBody = newStmtList()
 
@@ -1389,6 +1399,9 @@ macro ffiDtor*(prc: untyped): untyped =
 
   ffiBody.add quote do:
     if ctx.isNil or cast[ptr FFIContext[`libTypeName`]](ctx)[].myLib.isNil:
+      if not callback.isNil:
+        let errStr = "destroy: invalid context"
+        callback(RET_ERR, unsafeAddr errStr[0], cast[csize_t](errStr.len), userData)
       return RET_ERR
 
   ffiBody.add quote do:
@@ -1402,19 +1415,28 @@ macro ffiDtor*(prc: untyped): untyped =
   if not isNoop:
     ffiBody.add(bodyNode)
 
-  let poolIdent = ident($libTypeName & "FFIPool")
   ffiBody.add quote do:
-    let `destroyResIdent` =
-      `poolIdent`.destroyFFIContext(cast[ptr FFIContext[`libTypeName`]](ctx))
-    if `destroyResIdent`.isErr():
+    # Recycle (park) the context for reuse instead of tearing down its threads.
+    # The callback fires from the recycle handler once drained.
+    let `releaseResIdent` =
+      releaseFFIContext(cast[ptr FFIContext[`libTypeName`]](ctx), callback, userData)
+    if `releaseResIdent`.isErr():
+      if not callback.isNil:
+        let errStr = "destroy: " & `releaseResIdent`.error
+        callback(RET_ERR, unsafeAddr errStr[0], cast[csize_t](errStr.len), userData)
       return RET_ERR
-
-  ffiBody.add quote do:
     return RET_OK
 
+  let poolIdent = ident($libTypeName & "FFIPool")
+
   let ffiProc = newProc(
     name = postfix(cExportProcName, "*"),
-    params = @[ident("cint"), newIdentDefs(ident("ctx"), ident("pointer"))],
+    params = @[
+      ident("cint"),
+      newIdentDefs(ident("ctx"), ident("pointer")),
+      newIdentDefs(ident("callback"), ident("FFICallBack")),
+      newIdentDefs(ident("userData"), ident("pointer")),
+    ],
     body = ffiBody,
     pragmas = newTree(
       nnkPragma,