more house keeping

house keeping
better readme
2026-02-21 20:50:14 -05:00 · 2026-02-21 19:17:36 -05:00 · 2026-02-21 19:14:00 -05:00 · 2026-02-17 15:02:57 -05:00 · 2026-02-17 14:54:29 -05:00 · 2026-02-17 14:50:50 -05:00
22 changed files with 1745 additions and 1336 deletions
--- a/40
+++ b/40
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.PHONY: all build release run test clean fmt help install sdk_test
+.PHONY: all build release run test clean fmt help install

 # Project configuration
 PROJECT_NAME := jormundb
@@ -147,42 +147,6 @@ check-deps:
 	@pkg-config --exists rocksdb || (echo "$(RED)✗ RocksDB not found$(NC)" && exit 1)
 	@echo "$(GREEN)✓ All dependencies found$(NC)"

-# AWS CLI test commands
-aws-test: run &
-	@sleep 2
-	@echo "$(BLUE)Testing with AWS CLI...$(NC)"
-	@echo "\n$(YELLOW)Creating table...$(NC)"
-	@aws dynamodb create-table \
-		--endpoint-url http://localhost:$(PORT) \
-		--table-name TestTable \
-		--key-schema AttributeName=pk,KeyType=HASH \
-		--attribute-definitions AttributeName=pk,AttributeType=S \
-		--billing-mode PAY_PER_REQUEST || true
-	@echo "\n$(YELLOW)Listing tables...$(NC)"
-	@aws dynamodb list-tables --endpoint-url http://localhost:$(PORT)
-	@echo "\n$(YELLOW)Putting item...$(NC)"
-	@aws dynamodb put-item \
-		--endpoint-url http://localhost:$(PORT) \
-		--table-name TestTable \
-		--item '{"pk":{"S":"test1"},"data":{"S":"hello world"}}'
-	@echo "\n$(YELLOW)Getting item...$(NC)"
-	@aws dynamodb get-item \
-		--endpoint-url http://localhost:$(PORT) \
-		--table-name TestTable \
-		--key '{"pk":{"S":"test1"}}'
-	@echo "\n$(YELLOW)Scanning table...$(NC)"
-	@aws dynamodb scan \
-		--endpoint-url http://localhost:$(PORT) \
-		--table-name TestTable
-	@echo "\n$(GREEN)✓ AWS CLI test complete$(NC)"
-
-# Python SDK integration tests (requires JormunDB running on localhost)
-sdk_test:
-	@echo "$(BLUE)Running Python SDK tests against localhost:$(PORT)...$(NC)"
-	@docker compose -f $(SDK_TEST_COMPOSE) down --remove-orphans 2>/dev/null || true
-	@JORMUN_PORT=$(PORT) docker compose -f $(SDK_TEST_COMPOSE) run --rm --build sdk-test
-	@docker compose -f $(SDK_TEST_COMPOSE) down --remove-orphans 2>/dev/null || true
-
 # Development workflow
 dev: clean build run

@@ -207,8 +171,6 @@ help:
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "$(GREEN)Test Commands:$(NC)"
 	@echo "  make test           - Run unit tests"
-	@echo "  make aws-test       - Test with AWS CLI commands"
-	@echo "  make sdk_test       - Run Python SDK integration tests (requires running server)"
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "$(GREEN)Utility Commands:$(NC)"
 	@echo "  make fmt            - Format source code"
--- a/QUICKSTART.md
+++ b/QUICKSTART.md
@@ -404,7 +404,6 @@ brew upgrade odin  # macOS

 ## Next Steps

- Read [ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md) for internals
 - Check [TODO.md](TODO.md) for implementation status
 - Browse source code in `dynamodb/`, `rocksdb/`, etc.

--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -189,16 +189,38 @@ make run PORT=9000 DATA_DIR=/tmp/db VERBOSE=1

 ## Performance

-From benchmarks on the original Zig version (Odin expected to be similar or better):
+Benchmarked on single node localhost, 1000 iterations per test.

-```
-Sequential Writes     |      10000 ops |   245.32 ms |    40765 ops/sec
-Random Reads          |      10000 ops |   312.45 ms |    32006 ops/sec
-Batch Writes          |      10000 ops |    89.23 ms |   112071 ops/sec
-PutItem               |       5000 ops |   892.34 ms |     5604 ops/sec
-GetItem               |       5000 ops |   678.91 ms |     7365 ops/sec
-Scan (full table)     |       5000 ops |   234.56 ms |    21320 ops/sec
-```
+### Basic Operations
+
+| Operation | Throughput | Avg Latency | P95 Latency | P99 Latency |
+|-----------|------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
+| **PutItem** | 1,021 ops/sec | 0.98ms | 1.02ms | 1.64ms |
+| **GetItem** | 1,207 ops/sec | 0.83ms | 0.90ms | 1.14ms |
+| **Query** | 1,002 ops/sec | 1.00ms | 1.11ms | 1.85ms |
+| **Scan** (100 items) | 18,804 ops/sec | 0.05ms | - | - |
+| **DeleteItem** | 1,254 ops/sec | 0.80ms | - | - |
+
+### Batch Operations
+
+| Operation | Throughput | Batch Size |
+|-----------|------------|------------|
+| **BatchWriteItem** | 9,297 ops/sec | 25 items |
+| **BatchGetItem** | 9,113 ops/sec | 25 items |
+
+### Concurrent Operations
+
+| Workers | Throughput | Avg Latency | P95 Latency | P99 Latency |
+|---------|------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
+| **10 concurrent** | 1,286 ops/sec | 7.70ms | 15.16ms | 19.72ms |
+
+### Large Payloads
+
+| Payload Size | Throughput | Avg Latency |
+|--------------|------------|-------------|
+| **10KB** | 522 ops/sec | 1.91ms |
+| **50KB** | 166 ops/sec | 6.01ms |
+| **100KB** | 96 ops/sec | 10.33ms |

 ## API Compatibility

@@ -218,11 +240,11 @@ Scan (full table)     |       5000 ops |   234.56 ms |    21320 ops/sec
 - ✅ ProjectionExpression
 - ✅ BatchWriteItem
 - ✅ BatchGetItem
+- ✅ Global Secondary Indexes

 ### Coming Soon

 - ⏳ UpdateItem (works but needs UPDATED_NEW/UPDATED_OLD response filtering to work for full Dynamo Parity)
- ⏳ Global Secondary Indexes
 - ⏳ Local Secondary Indexes

 ## Configuration
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Goal: "aws cli works reliably for CreateTable/ListTables/PutItem/GetItem/DeleteI

 ### 1) HTTP + routing hardening
 - [ ] Audit request parsing boundaries:
-  - Max body size enforcement (config exists, need to verify enforcement path)
+  - Max body size enforcement — **DONE**
  - Missing/invalid headers → correct DynamoDB error types
  - Content-Type handling (be permissive but consistent)
 - [x] Ensure **all request-scoped allocations** come from the request arena (no accidental long-lived allocs)
--- a/docker-compose-python-sdk-test.yaml
+++ b/docker-compose-python-sdk-test.yaml
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-services:
-  sdk-test:
-    image: python:3.12-slim
-    network_mode: host
-    working_dir: /tests
-    volumes:
-      - ./tests/sdk:/tests
-    environment:
-      - JORMUN_ENDPOINT=http://localhost:${JORMUN_PORT:-8002}
-      - AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=local
-      - AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=local
-      - AWS_DEFAULT_REGION=us-east-1
-    command: >
-      sh -c "pip install --quiet boto3 && python test_sdk.py"
--- a/dynamodb/batch.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/batch.odin
@@ -98,8 +98,15 @@ batch_write_item :: proc(
 					delete(failed_requests)
 					return result, var_err

-				case .RocksDB_Error, .Item_Not_Found, .Table_Not_Found:
-					// Transient/throttling errors — add to unprocessed
+				case .Table_Not_Found:
+					// Non-existent table is a hard request failure, not a retryable condition.
+					// DynamoDB returns ResourceNotFoundException for the whole request.
+					batch_write_result_destroy(&result)
+					delete(failed_requests)
+					return result, .Table_Not_Found
+
+				case .RocksDB_Error, .Item_Not_Found:
+					// Genuinely transient/infrastructure errors — add to UnprocessedItems.
 					failed_item := item_deep_copy(req.item)
 					append(&failed_requests, Write_Request{
 						type = req.type,
--- a/dynamodb/condition.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/condition.odin
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 package dynamodb

 import "core:encoding/json"
+import "core:strings"

 // ============================================================================
 // Condition Evaluation Result
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ parse_condition_expression_string :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (expr: string
 		return
 	}

-	expr = string(ce_str)
+	expr = strings.clone(string(ce_str))
 	ok = true
 	return
 }
@@ -88,6 +89,7 @@ evaluate_condition_expression :: proc(
 	if !has_condition {
 		return .Passed // No condition → always pass
 	}
+	defer delete(condition_str)

 	// Parse the condition into a filter tree (same grammar as FilterExpression)
 	filter_node, parse_ok := parse_filter_expression(condition_str, attr_names, attr_values)
--- a/dynamodb/expression.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/expression.odin
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ tokenizer_next :: proc(t: ^Tokenizer) -> Maybe(string) {
 	}

 	// Single-character operators
-	if c == '=' || c == '<' || c == '>' {
+	if c == '=' || c == '<' || c == '>' || c == '+' || c == '-' {
 		t.pos += 1
 		return t.input[start:t.pos]
 	}
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ is_ident_char :: proc(c: byte) -> bool {
 	return (c >= 'a' && c <= 'z') ||
 			(c >= 'A' && c <= 'Z') ||
 			(c >= '0' && c <= '9') ||
-	       c == '_' || c == ':' || c == '#' || c == '-' || c == '.'
+			c == '_' || c == ':' || c == '#' || c == '.'
 }

 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ parse_key_condition_expression_string :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (expr: st
 		return
 	}

-	expr = string(kce_str)
+	expr = strings.clone(string(kce_str))
 	ok = true
 	return
 }
@@ -488,6 +488,7 @@ parse_key_condition_expression_string :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (expr: st
 // Convenience: parse a complete Query key condition from request body
 parse_query_key_condition :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (kc: Key_Condition, ok: bool) {
 	expression := parse_key_condition_expression_string(request_body) or_return
+	defer delete(expression)

 	attr_names := parse_expression_attribute_names(request_body)
 	defer {
--- a/dynamodb/filter.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/filter.odin
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ package dynamodb

 import "core:encoding/json"
 import "core:strings"
+import "core:mem"

 // ============================================================================
 // ProjectionExpression
@@ -142,6 +143,7 @@ Filter_Node :: struct {
 	right:    ^Filter_Node,
 	// For Not
 	child:    ^Filter_Node,
+	allocator: mem.Allocator, // allocator that created this node
 }

 filter_node_destroy :: proc(node: ^Filter_Node) {
@@ -171,8 +173,8 @@ filter_node_destroy :: proc(node: ^Filter_Node) {
 		filter_node_destroy(node.child)
 	}

-	// Free the node itself (allocated with new(Filter_Node))
-	free(node)
+	// Free the node itself using the allocator that created it
+	free(node, node.allocator)
 }

 // ============================================================================
@@ -224,7 +226,7 @@ parse_or_expr :: proc(
 				return nil, false
 			}

-			parent := new(Filter_Node)
+			parent := make_filter_node()
 			parent.type = .Or
 			parent.left = left
 			parent.right = right
@@ -263,7 +265,7 @@ parse_and_expr :: proc(
 				return nil, false
 			}

-			parent := new(Filter_Node)
+			parent := make_filter_node()
 			parent.type = .And
 			parent.left = left
 			parent.right = right
@@ -294,7 +296,7 @@ parse_not_expr :: proc(
 		if !child_ok {
 			return nil, false
 		}
-		node := new(Filter_Node)
+		node := make_filter_node()
 		node.type = .Not
 		node.child = child
 		return node, true
@@ -390,7 +392,7 @@ parse_primary_expr :: proc(
 		return nil, false
 	}

-	node := new(Filter_Node)
+	node := make_filter_node()
 	node.type = .Comparison
 	node.path = path
 	node.comp_op = comp_op
@@ -437,7 +439,7 @@ parse_filter_begins_with :: proc(
 		return nil, false
 	}

-	node := new(Filter_Node)
+	node := make_filter_node()
 	node.type = .Begins_With
 	node.path = path
 	node.value = val
@@ -483,7 +485,7 @@ parse_filter_contains :: proc(
 		return nil, false
 	}

-	node := new(Filter_Node)
+	node := make_filter_node()
 	node.type = .Contains
 	node.path = path
 	node.value = val
@@ -514,7 +516,7 @@ parse_filter_attr_exists :: proc(
 		return nil, false
 	}

-	node := new(Filter_Node)
+	node := make_filter_node()
 	node.type = .Attribute_Exists if exists else .Attribute_Not_Exists
 	node.path = path
 	return node, true
@@ -552,7 +554,7 @@ parse_filter_between :: proc(
 		return nil, false
 	}

-	node := new(Filter_Node)
+	node := make_filter_node()
 	node.type = .Between
 	node.path = path
 	node.value = lo_val
@@ -613,7 +615,7 @@ parse_filter_in :: proc(
 		}
 	}

-	node := new(Filter_Node)
+	node := make_filter_node()
 	node.type = .In
 	node.path = path
 	node.in_values = in_vals[:]
@@ -815,7 +817,17 @@ parse_filter_expression_string :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (expr: string, o
 		return
 	}

-	expr = string(fe_str)
+	expr = strings.clone(string(fe_str))
 	ok = true
 	return
 }
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Allocator Helper
+// ============================================================================
+
+make_filter_node :: proc() -> ^Filter_Node {
+	node := new(Filter_Node)
+	node.allocator = context.allocator
+	return node
+}
--- a/dynamodb/gsi.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/gsi.odin
@@ -175,15 +175,31 @@ gsi_batch_write_entries :: proc(
 		return .None
 	}

+	base_key, base_ok := key_from_item(item, metadata.key_schema)
+	if !base_ok {
+		return .Missing_Key_Attribute
+	}
+	defer key_destroy(&base_key)
+
+	base_vals, base_vals_ok := key_get_values(&base_key)
+	if !base_vals_ok {
+		return .Invalid_Key
+	}
+
 	for &gsi in gsis {
 		// Extract GSI key from item
 		gsi_kv, kv_ok := gsi_extract_key_values(item, gsi.key_schema)
-		if !kv_ok {
-			continue // Sparse: item doesn't have GSI PK, skip
-		}
+		if !kv_ok do continue // item doesn't have GSI PK, skip

 		// Build GSI storage key
-		gsi_storage_key := build_gsi_key(table_name, gsi.index_name, gsi_kv.pk, gsi_kv.sk)
+		gsi_storage_key := build_gsi_key(
+			table_name,
+			gsi.index_name,
+			gsi_kv.pk,
+			gsi_kv.sk,
+			base_vals.pk,
+			base_vals.sk,
+		)
 		defer delete(gsi_storage_key)

 		// Build projected item
@@ -218,103 +234,35 @@ gsi_batch_delete_entries :: proc(
 		return .None
 	}

-	for &gsi in gsis {
-		gsi_kv, kv_ok := gsi_extract_key_values(old_item, gsi.key_schema)
-		if !kv_ok {
-			continue // Item didn't have a GSI entry
+	base_key, base_ok := key_from_item(old_item, metadata.key_schema)
+	if !base_ok {
+		return .Missing_Key_Attribute
 	}
+	defer key_destroy(&base_key)

-		gsi_storage_key := build_gsi_key(table_name, gsi.index_name, gsi_kv.pk, gsi_kv.sk)
-		defer delete(gsi_storage_key)
-
-		// Add to batch (not written yet)
-		rocksdb.batch_delete(batch, gsi_storage_key)
-	}
-
-	return .None
-}
-
-// ============================================================================
-// DEPRECATED - Non-atomic GSI maintenance
-//
-// These procedures are kept for backwards compatibility but should NOT be used.
-// They perform individual database writes which is NOT atomic.
-// Use gsi_batch_write_entries and gsi_batch_delete_entries instead.
-// ============================================================================
-
-// DEPRECATED: Use gsi_batch_write_entries instead for atomic operations.
-// Write GSI entries for an item across all GSIs defined on the table.
-// WARNING: This performs individual writes which is NOT atomic!
-gsi_write_entries :: proc(
-	engine: ^Storage_Engine,
-	table_name: string,
-	item: Item,
-	metadata: ^Table_Metadata,
-) -> Storage_Error {
-	gsis, has_gsis := metadata.global_secondary_indexes.?
-	if !has_gsis || len(gsis) == 0 {
-		return .None
+	base_vals, base_vals_ok := key_get_values(&base_key)
+	if !base_vals_ok {
+		return .Invalid_Key
 	}

 	for &gsi in gsis {
 		// Extract GSI key from item
-		gsi_kv, kv_ok := gsi_extract_key_values(item, gsi.key_schema)
-		if !kv_ok {
-			continue // Sparse: item doesn't have GSI PK, skip
-		}
+		gsi_kv, kv_ok := gsi_extract_key_values(old_item, gsi.key_schema)
+		if !kv_ok do continue // old item doesn't have GSI PK, skip

 		// Build GSI storage key
-		gsi_storage_key := build_gsi_key(table_name, gsi.index_name, gsi_kv.pk, gsi_kv.sk)
+		gsi_storage_key := build_gsi_key(
+			table_name,
+			gsi.index_name,
+			gsi_kv.pk,
+			gsi_kv.sk,
+			base_vals.pk,
+			base_vals.sk,
+		)
 		defer delete(gsi_storage_key)

-		// Build projected item
-		projected := gsi_project_item(item, &gsi, metadata.key_schema)
-		defer item_destroy(&projected)
-
-		// Encode projected item
-		encoded, encode_ok := encode(projected)
-		if !encode_ok {
-			return .Serialization_Error
-		}
-		defer delete(encoded)
-
-		// Write to RocksDB
-		put_err := rocksdb.db_put(&engine.db, gsi_storage_key, encoded)
-		if put_err != .None {
-			return .RocksDB_Error
-		}
-	}
-
-	return .None
-}
-
-// DEPRECATED: Use gsi_batch_delete_entries instead for atomic operations.
-// Delete GSI entries for an item across all GSIs.
-// WARNING: This performs individual writes which is NOT atomic!
-gsi_delete_entries :: proc(
-	engine: ^Storage_Engine,
-	table_name: string,
-	old_item: Item,
-	metadata: ^Table_Metadata,
-) -> Storage_Error {
-	gsis, has_gsis := metadata.global_secondary_indexes.?
-	if !has_gsis || len(gsis) == 0 {
-		return .None
-	}
-
-	for &gsi in gsis {
-		gsi_kv, kv_ok := gsi_extract_key_values(old_item, gsi.key_schema)
-		if !kv_ok {
-			continue // Item didn't have a GSI entry
-		}
-
-		gsi_storage_key := build_gsi_key(table_name, gsi.index_name, gsi_kv.pk, gsi_kv.sk)
-		defer delete(gsi_storage_key)
-
-		del_err := rocksdb.db_delete(&engine.db, gsi_storage_key)
-		if del_err != .None {
-			return .RocksDB_Error
-		}
+		// Add to batch (not written yet)
+		rocksdb.batch_delete(batch, gsi_storage_key)
 	}

 	return .None
--- a/dynamodb/json.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/json.odin
@@ -322,17 +322,25 @@ serialize_item_to_builder :: proc(b: ^strings.Builder, item: Item) {
 serialize_attribute_value :: proc(b: ^strings.Builder, attr: Attribute_Value) {
 	switch v in attr {
 	case String:
-		fmt.sbprintf(b, `{"S":"%s"}`, string(v))
+		strings.write_string(b, `{"S":"`)
+		strings.write_string(b, string(v))
+		strings.write_string(b, `"}`)

 	case DDB_Number:
 		num_str := format_ddb_number(v)
-		fmt.sbprintf(b, `{"N":"%s"}`, num_str)
+		strings.write_string(b, `{"N":"`)
+		strings.write_string(b, num_str)
+		strings.write_string(b, `"}`)

 	case Binary:
-		fmt.sbprintf(b, `{"B":"%s"}`, string(v))
+		strings.write_string(b, `{"B":"`)
+		strings.write_string(b, string(v))
+		strings.write_string(b, `"}`)

 	case Bool:
-		fmt.sbprintf(b, `{"BOOL":%v}`, bool(v))
+		strings.write_string(b, `{"BOOL":`)
+		if bool(v) { strings.write_string(b, "true") } else { strings.write_string(b, "false") }
+		strings.write_string(b, "}")

 	case Null:
 		strings.write_string(b, `{"NULL":true}`)
@@ -431,7 +439,7 @@ parse_table_name :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (string, bool) {
 		return "", false
 	}

-	return string(table_name_str), true
+	return strings.clone(string(table_name_str)), true
 }

 // Parse Item field from request body
@@ -521,45 +529,49 @@ parse_limit :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> int {
 // Returns nil (not an error) when the field is absent.
 // ============================================================================

+// Returns (key, ok, body_parse_err).
+//   ok=true,  body_parse_err=false → key present and valid, or key absent (no pagination)
+//   ok=false, body_parse_err=true  → request body is not valid JSON or not an object
+//   ok=false, body_parse_err=false → ExclusiveStartKey present but malformed/invalid
 parse_exclusive_start_key :: proc(
 	request_body: []byte,
 	table_name: string,
 	key_schema: []Key_Schema_Element,
-) -> (result: Maybe([]byte), ok: bool) {
+) -> (result: Maybe([]byte), ok: bool, body_err: bool) {
 	data, parse_err := json.parse(request_body, allocator = context.temp_allocator)
 	if parse_err != nil {
-		return nil, true // no ESK is fine
+		return nil, false, true // body is not valid JSON — real error
 	}
 	defer json.destroy_value(data)

 	root, root_ok := data.(json.Object)
 	if !root_ok {
-		return nil, true
+		return nil, false, true // root must be an object — real error
 	}

 	esk_val, found := root["ExclusiveStartKey"]
 	if !found {
-		return nil, true // absent → no pagination, that's ok
+		return nil, true, false // absent → no pagination, that's ok
 	}

 	// Parse ExclusiveStartKey as a DynamoDB Item
 	key_item, item_ok := parse_item_from_value(esk_val)
 	if !item_ok {
-		return nil, false // present but malformed → real error
+		return nil, false, false // present but malformed → validation error
 	}
 	defer item_destroy(&key_item)

 	// Validate and extract key struct using schema
 	key_struct, key_ok := key_from_item(key_item, key_schema)
 	if !key_ok {
-		return nil, false // missing required key attributes
+		return nil, false, false // missing required key attributes
 	}
 	defer key_destroy(&key_struct)

 	// Get raw byte values
 	key_values, kv_ok := key_get_values(&key_struct)
 	if !kv_ok {
-		return nil, false
+		return nil, false, false
 	}

 	// Build binary storage key
@@ -569,6 +581,53 @@ parse_exclusive_start_key :: proc(
 	return
 }

+// parse_exclusive_start_key_gsi ... Just a helper for GSI keys
+// Returns (key, ok, body_parse_err) — same contract as parse_exclusive_start_key.
+parse_exclusive_start_key_gsi :: proc(
+	request_body: []byte,
+	table_name: string,
+	metadata: ^Table_Metadata,
+	gsi: ^Global_Secondary_Index,
+) -> (Maybe([]byte), bool, bool) {
+	root, parse_err := json.parse(request_body)
+	if parse_err != nil do return nil, false, true // body not valid JSON
+	defer json.destroy_value(root)
+
+	obj, obj_ok := root.(json.Object)
+	if !obj_ok do return nil, false, true // root must be an object
+
+	esk_val, has := obj["ExclusiveStartKey"]
+	if !has do return nil, true, false // absent → no pagination
+
+	key_item, key_ok := parse_item_from_value(esk_val)
+	if !key_ok do return nil, false, false
+	defer item_destroy(&key_item)
+
+	idx_key, idx_ok := key_from_item(key_item, gsi.key_schema)
+	if !idx_ok do return nil, false, false
+	defer key_destroy(&idx_key)
+
+	idx_vals, idx_vals_ok := key_get_values(&idx_key)
+	if !idx_vals_ok do return nil, false, false
+
+	base_key, base_ok := key_from_item(key_item, metadata.key_schema)
+	if !base_ok do return nil, false, false
+	defer key_destroy(&base_key)
+
+	base_vals, base_vals_ok := key_get_values(&base_key)
+	if !base_vals_ok do return nil, false, false
+
+	k := build_gsi_key(
+		table_name,
+		gsi.index_name,
+		idx_vals.pk,
+		idx_vals.sk,
+		base_vals.pk,
+		base_vals.sk,
+	)
+	return k, true, false
+}
+
 // ============================================================================
 // LastEvaluatedKey Generation (Pagination Output)
 //
@@ -640,3 +699,122 @@ serialize_last_evaluated_key :: proc(

 	return serialize_item(item), true
 }
+
+Decoded_GSI_Key_Full :: struct {
+	gsi_pk:  []byte,
+	gsi_sk:  Maybe([]byte),
+	base_pk: []byte,
+	base_sk: Maybe([]byte),
+}
+
+// Decode binary GSI key:
+//
+//   [gsi][table_name][index_name][gsi_pk][gsi_sk?][base_pk][base_sk?]
+//
+// Presence of gsi_sk/base_sk depends on whether the index/table has a RANGE key.
+decode_gsi_key_full_borrowed :: proc(
+	binary_key: []byte,
+	gsi_has_sort_key: bool,
+	table_has_sort_key: bool,
+) -> (result: Decoded_GSI_Key_Full, ok: bool) {
+	decoder := Key_Decoder{data = binary_key, pos = 0}
+
+	et := decoder_read_entity_type(&decoder) or_return
+	if et != .GSI {
+		return {}, false
+	}
+
+	// Skip table name + index name
+	_ = decoder_read_segment_borrowed(&decoder) or_return
+	_ = decoder_read_segment_borrowed(&decoder) or_return
+
+	// Read GSI PK
+	result.gsi_pk = decoder_read_segment_borrowed(&decoder) or_return
+
+	// Read GSI SK if index has one
+	if gsi_has_sort_key {
+		sk := decoder_read_segment_borrowed(&decoder) or_return
+		result.gsi_sk = sk
+	}
+
+	// Read base PK
+	result.base_pk = decoder_read_segment_borrowed(&decoder) or_return
+
+	// Read base SK if table has one
+	if table_has_sort_key {
+		sk := decoder_read_segment_borrowed(&decoder) or_return
+		result.base_sk = sk
+	}
+
+	return result, true
+}
+
+
+// Serialize a binary *GSI* key into a DynamoDB LastEvaluatedKey JSON object.
+// The output must include the *index* key attrs + the *base table* primary key attrs,
+// so boto can round-trip ExclusiveStartKey correctly.
+serialize_last_evaluated_key_gsi :: proc(
+	binary_key: []byte,
+	metadata: ^Table_Metadata,
+	gsi: ^Global_Secondary_Index,
+) -> (result: string, ok: bool) {
+
+	// Determine whether index/table have range keys
+	_, gsi_has_sk := gsi_get_sort_key_name(gsi).?
+	_, tbl_has_sk := table_metadata_get_sort_key_name(metadata).?
+
+	decoded, dec_ok := decode_gsi_key_full_borrowed(binary_key, gsi_has_sk, tbl_has_sk)
+	if !dec_ok {
+		return "", false
+	}
+
+	// Resolve key attribute names + types
+	idx_pk_name := gsi_get_partition_key_name(gsi).? or_return
+	idx_pk_type := table_metadata_get_attribute_type(metadata, idx_pk_name).? or_return
+
+	idx_sk_name: Maybe(string) = gsi_get_sort_key_name(gsi)
+	idx_sk_type: Maybe(Scalar_Attribute_Type) = nil
+	if n, has := idx_sk_name.?; has {
+		idx_sk_type = table_metadata_get_attribute_type(metadata, n)
+	}
+
+	base_pk_name := table_metadata_get_partition_key_name(metadata).? or_return
+	base_pk_type := table_metadata_get_attribute_type(metadata, base_pk_name).? or_return
+
+	base_sk_name: Maybe(string) = table_metadata_get_sort_key_name(metadata)
+	base_sk_type: Maybe(Scalar_Attribute_Type) = nil
+	if n, has := base_sk_name.?; has {
+		base_sk_type = table_metadata_get_attribute_type(metadata, n)
+	}
+
+	// Build LEK item
+	lek := make(Item)
+	defer item_destroy(&lek)
+
+	add_attr_once :: proc(item: ^Item, name: string, raw: []byte, t: Scalar_Attribute_Type) {
+		if _, exists := item^[name]; exists {
+			return
+		}
+		item^[strings.clone(name)] = build_attribute_value_with_type(raw, t)
+	}
+
+	// Index keys
+	add_attr_once(&lek, idx_pk_name, decoded.gsi_pk, idx_pk_type)
+
+	if sk_raw, has := decoded.gsi_sk.?; has {
+		skn := idx_sk_name.? or_return
+		skt := idx_sk_type.? or_return
+		add_attr_once(&lek, skn, sk_raw, skt)
+	}
+
+	// Base table keys
+	add_attr_once(&lek, base_pk_name, decoded.base_pk, base_pk_type)
+
+	if sk_raw, has := decoded.base_sk.?; has {
+		skn := base_sk_name.? or_return
+		skt := base_sk_type.? or_return
+		add_attr_once(&lek, skn, sk_raw, skt)
+	}
+
+	return serialize_item(lek), true
+}
--- a/dynamodb/key_codec.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/key_codec.odin
@@ -130,32 +130,43 @@ build_partition_prefix :: proc(table_name: string, pk_value: []byte) -> []byte {
 	return bytes.buffer_to_bytes(&buf)
 }

-// Build GSI key: [gsi][table_name][index_name][gsi_pk][gsi_sk?]
-build_gsi_key :: proc(table_name: string, index_name: string, gsi_pk: []byte, gsi_sk: Maybe([]byte)) -> []byte {
+// Build GSI key: [gsi][table_name][index_name][gsi_pk][gsi_sk?][base_pk][base_sk?]
+build_gsi_key :: proc(
+	table_name: string,
+	index_name: string,
+	gsi_pk: []byte,
+	gsi_sk: Maybe([]byte),
+	base_pk: []byte,
+	base_sk: Maybe([]byte),
+) -> []byte {
 	buf: bytes.Buffer
 	bytes.buffer_init_allocator(&buf, 0, 512, context.allocator)

-	// Write entity type
 	bytes.buffer_write_byte(&buf, u8(Entity_Type.GSI))

-	// Write table name
 	encode_varint(&buf, len(table_name))
 	bytes.buffer_write_string(&buf, table_name)

-	// Write index name
 	encode_varint(&buf, len(index_name))
 	bytes.buffer_write_string(&buf, index_name)

-	// Write GSI partition key
 	encode_varint(&buf, len(gsi_pk))
 	bytes.buffer_write(&buf, gsi_pk)

-	// Write GSI sort key if present
 	if sk, ok := gsi_sk.?; ok {
 		encode_varint(&buf, len(sk))
 		bytes.buffer_write(&buf, sk)
 	}

+	// tie-breaker: base table primary key
+	encode_varint(&buf, len(base_pk))
+	bytes.buffer_write(&buf, base_pk)
+
+	if sk, ok := base_sk.?; ok {
+		encode_varint(&buf, len(sk))
+		bytes.buffer_write(&buf, sk)
+	}
+
 	return bytes.buffer_to_bytes(&buf)
 }

--- a/dynamodb/storage.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/storage.odin
@@ -193,10 +193,14 @@ remove_table_lock :: proc(engine: ^Storage_Engine, table_name: string) {
 	sync.mutex_lock(&engine.table_locks_mutex)
 	defer sync.mutex_unlock(&engine.table_locks_mutex)

-	if lock, found := engine.table_locks[table_name]; found {
-		delete(table_name, engine.allocator)
+	// Find the actual heap-allocated key string from the map
+	for key, lock in engine.table_locks {
+		if key == table_name {
+			delete_key(&engine.table_locks, key)
+			delete(key, engine.allocator) // free the map's owned key!
 			free(lock, engine.allocator)
-		delete_key(&engine.table_locks, table_name)
+			break
+		}
 	}
 }

@@ -269,7 +273,7 @@ serialize_table_metadata :: proc(metadata: ^Table_Metadata) -> ([]byte, bool) {
 				fmt.sbprintf(&gsi_builder, `{{"AttributeName":"%s","KeyType":"%s"}}`,
 					ks.attribute_name, key_type_to_string(ks.key_type))
 			}
-			strings.write_string(&gsi_builder, `],"Projection":{{"ProjectionType":"`)
+			strings.write_string(&gsi_builder, `],"Projection":{"ProjectionType":"`)
 			switch gsi.projection.projection_type {
 			case .ALL:       strings.write_string(&gsi_builder, "ALL")
 			case .KEYS_ONLY: strings.write_string(&gsi_builder, "KEYS_ONLY")
@@ -528,6 +532,10 @@ get_table_metadata :: proc(engine: ^Storage_Engine, table_name: string) -> (Tabl
 		return {}, .Serialization_Error
 	}

+	// table_name is not stored in the serialized blob (it IS the RocksDB key),
+	// so we populate it here from the argument we already have.
+	metadata.table_name = strings.clone(table_name, engine.allocator)
+
 	return metadata, .None
 }

@@ -785,12 +793,20 @@ put_item :: proc(engine: ^Storage_Engine, table_name: string, item: Item) -> Sto
 	// --- Check if item already exists (need old item for GSI cleanup) ---
 	old_item: Maybe(Item) = nil
 	existing_value, existing_err := rocksdb.db_get(&engine.db, storage_key)
-	if existing_err == .None && existing_value != nil {
+	if existing_err == .NotFound {
+		// Item does not exist — nothing to clean up, proceed normally.
+	} else if existing_err != .None {
+		// Unexpected RocksDB I/O error — fail closed to avoid orphaned GSI entries.
+		return .RocksDB_Error
+	} else if existing_value != nil {
 		defer delete(existing_value)
 		decoded_old, decode_ok := decode(existing_value)
-		if decode_ok {
-			old_item = decoded_old
+		if !decode_ok {
+			// Value exists but is unreadable — fail closed rather than leaving
+			// stale GSI entries behind after the overwrite.
+			return .Serialization_Error
 		}
+		old_item = decoded_old
 	}
 	// Cleanup old_item at the end
 	defer {
@@ -937,12 +953,21 @@ delete_item :: proc(engine: ^Storage_Engine, table_name: string, key: Item) -> S
 	// --- Read existing item to know which GSI entries to remove ---
 	old_item: Maybe(Item) = nil
 	existing_value, existing_err := rocksdb.db_get(&engine.db, storage_key)
-	if existing_err == .None && existing_value != nil {
+	if existing_err == .NotFound {
+		// Item does not exist — nothing to delete (DynamoDB idempotent delete).
+		return .None
+	} else if existing_err != .None {
+		// Unexpected RocksDB I/O error — fail closed.
+		return .RocksDB_Error
+	} else if existing_value != nil {
 		defer delete(existing_value)
 		decoded_old, decode_ok := decode(existing_value)
-		if decode_ok {
-			old_item = decoded_old
+		if !decode_ok {
+			// Value exists but is corrupt — fail closed rather than deleting the
+			// base item while leaving its GSI entries dangling.
+			return .Serialization_Error
 		}
+		old_item = decoded_old
 	}
 	// Cleanup old_item at the end
 	defer {
@@ -952,7 +977,7 @@ delete_item :: proc(engine: ^Storage_Engine, table_name: string, key: Item) -> S
 		}
 	}

-	// If item doesn't exist, nothing to delete (not an error in DynamoDB)
+	// If item doesn't exist (existing_value was nil with no error), nothing to delete.
 	if _, has_old := old_item.?; !has_old {
 		return .None
 	}
--- a/dynamodb/transact.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/transact.odin
@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@ Cancellation_Reason :: struct {
 }

 transact_write_action_destroy :: proc(action: ^Transact_Write_Action) {
+	delete(action.table_name)
+	if ce, has := action.condition_expr.?; has {
+		delete(ce)
+	}
 	if item, has := action.item.?; has {
 		item_copy := item
 		item_destroy(&item_copy)
@@ -329,7 +333,31 @@ transact_write_items :: proc(
 			}
 		}

-		existing, _ := get_item_internal(engine, action.table_name, key_item, metadata)
+		existing, read_err := get_item_internal(engine, action.table_name, key_item, metadata)
+		#partial switch read_err {
+			case .None:
+				// Item found or not found — both fine.
+			case .RocksDB_Error, .Serialization_Error, .Internal_Error:
+				// Cannot safely determine old index keys — cancel the entire transaction.
+				reasons[idx] = Cancellation_Reason{
+					code    = "InternalError",
+					message = "Failed to read existing item for index maintenance",
+				}
+				result.cancellation_reasons = reasons
+				return result, .Internal_Error
+			case .Missing_Key_Attribute, .Invalid_Key:
+				// The key we built from the action's own item/key should always be valid
+				// by this point (validated earlier), but treat defensively.
+				reasons[idx] = Cancellation_Reason{
+					code    = "ValidationError",
+					message = "Invalid key when reading existing item",
+				}
+				result.cancellation_reasons = reasons
+				return result, .Internal_Error
+			case .Table_Not_Found, .Item_Not_Found, .Validation_Error:
+				// These should not be returned by get_item_internal, but handle
+				// defensively — treat as "item does not exist" and continue.
+		}
 		old_items[idx] = existing
 	}

@@ -528,9 +556,9 @@ update_item_batch :: proc(
 	}
 	defer item_destroy(&existing_item)

-	// Apply update plan
-	if !execute_update_plan(&existing_item, plan) {
-		return .Invalid_Key
+	// Apply update plan.
+	if exec_err := execute_update_plan(&existing_item, plan); exec_err != .None {
+		return .Validation_Error
 	}

 	// Encode updated item
@@ -618,8 +646,12 @@ Transact_Get_Result :: struct {
 }

 transact_get_action_destroy :: proc(action: ^Transact_Get_Action) {
+	delete(action.table_name)
 	item_destroy(&action.key)
 	if proj, has := action.projection.?; has {
+		for path in proj {
+			delete(path)
+		}
 		delete(proj)
 	}
 }
--- a/dynamodb/update.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/update.odin
@@ -594,7 +594,23 @@ is_clause_keyword :: proc(tok: string) -> bool {
 // Execute Update Plan — apply mutations to an Item (in-place)
 // ============================================================================

-execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
+// Reasons an update plan can fail at execution time.
+// All of these map to ValidationException at the HTTP layer.
+Update_Exec_Error :: enum {
+	None,
+	// SET x = source +/- val: source attribute does not exist in the item
+	Operand_Not_Found,
+	// SET x = source +/- val: source or value attribute is not a Number
+	Operand_Not_Number,
+	// SET x = list_append(source, val): source attribute is not a List
+	Operand_Not_List,
+	// ADD path val: existing attribute is not a Number, String_Set, or Number_Set
+	Add_Type_Mismatch,
+	// ADD path val: value type does not match the existing set type
+	Add_Value_Type_Mismatch,
+}
+
+execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> Update_Exec_Error {
 	// Execute SET actions
 	for &action in plan.sets {
 		switch action.value_kind {
@@ -613,11 +629,11 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 			if src, found := item[action.source]; found {
 				existing = src
 			} else {
-				return false // source attribute not found
+				return .Operand_Not_Found
 			}
 			result, add_ok := numeric_add(existing, action.value)
 			if !add_ok {
-				return false
+				return .Operand_Not_Number
 			}
 			if old, found := item[action.path]; found {
 				old_copy := old
@@ -632,11 +648,11 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 			if src, found := item[action.source]; found {
 				existing = src
 			} else {
-				return false
+				return .Operand_Not_Found
 			}
 			result, sub_ok := numeric_subtract(existing, action.value)
 			if !sub_ok {
-				return false
+				return .Operand_Not_Number
 			}
 			if old, found := item[action.path]; found {
 				old_copy := old
@@ -664,7 +680,7 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 				if l, is_list := src.(List); is_list {
 					existing_list = ([]Attribute_Value)(l)
 				} else {
-					return false
+					return .Operand_Not_List
 				}
 			} else {
 				existing_list = {}
@@ -674,7 +690,7 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 			if l, is_list := action.value.(List); is_list {
 				append_list = ([]Attribute_Value)(l)
 			} else {
-				return false
+				return .Operand_Not_List
 			}

 			new_list := make([]Attribute_Value, len(existing_list) + len(append_list))
@@ -711,7 +727,7 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 			case DDB_Number:
 				result, add_ok := numeric_add(existing, action.value)
 				if !add_ok {
-					return false
+					return .Operand_Not_Number
 				}
 				old_copy := existing
 				attr_value_destroy(&old_copy)
@@ -727,7 +743,7 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 					delete_key(item, action.path)
 					item[strings.clone(action.path)] = String_Set(merged)
 				} else {
-					return false
+					return .Add_Value_Type_Mismatch
 				}

 			case DDB_Number_Set:
@@ -738,11 +754,11 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 					delete_key(item, action.path)
 					item[strings.clone(action.path)] = DDB_Number_Set(merged)
 				} else {
-					return false
+					return .Add_Value_Type_Mismatch
 				}

 			case:
-				return false
+				return .Add_Type_Mismatch
 			}
 		} else {
 			// Attribute doesn't exist — create it
@@ -786,7 +802,7 @@ execute_update_plan :: proc(item: ^Item, plan: ^Update_Plan) -> bool {
 		}
 	}

-	return true
+	return .None
 }

 // ============================================================================
@@ -930,7 +946,7 @@ parse_update_expression_string :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (expr: string, o
 		return
 	}

-	expr = string(ue_str)
+	expr = strings.clone(string(ue_str))
 	ok = true
 	return
 }
@@ -939,24 +955,24 @@ parse_update_expression_string :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> (expr: string, o
 parse_return_values :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> string {
 	data, parse_err := json.parse(request_body, allocator = context.temp_allocator)
 	if parse_err != nil {
-		return "NONE"
+		return strings.clone("NONE")
 	}
 	defer json.destroy_value(data)

 	root, root_ok := data.(json.Object)
 	if !root_ok {
-		return "NONE"
+		return strings.clone("NONE")
 	}

 	rv_val, found := root["ReturnValues"]
 	if !found {
-		return "NONE"
+		return strings.clone("NONE")
 	}

 	rv_str, str_ok := rv_val.(json.String)
 	if !str_ok {
-		return "NONE"
+		return strings.clone("NONE")
 	}

-	return string(rv_str)
+	return strings.clone(string(rv_str))
 }
--- a/dynamodb/update_item.odin
+++ b/dynamodb/update_item.odin
@@ -73,14 +73,14 @@ update_item :: proc(
 		return nil, nil, .RocksDB_Error
 	}

-	// Apply update plan
-	if !execute_update_plan(&existing_item, plan) {
+	// Apply update plan.
+	if exec_err := execute_update_plan(&existing_item, plan); exec_err != .None {
 		item_destroy(&existing_item)
 		if old, has := old_item.?; has {
 			old_copy := old
 			item_destroy(&old_copy)
 		}
-		return nil, nil, .Invalid_Key
+		return nil, nil, .Validation_Error
 	}

 	// Validate key attributes are still present and correct type
--- a/gsi_handlers.odin
+++ b/gsi_handlers.odin
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ parse_index_name :: proc(request_body: []byte) -> Maybe(string) {
 		return nil
 	}

-	return string(idx_str)
+	return strings.clone(string(idx_str))
 }

 // ============================================================================
--- a/http.odin
+++ b/http.odin
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import vmem "core:mem/virtual"
 import "core:net"
 import "core:strings"
 import "core:strconv"
+import "core:thread"

 // HTTP Method enumeration
 HTTP_Method :: enum {
@@ -100,9 +101,16 @@ response_set_body :: proc(resp: ^HTTP_Response, data: []byte) {
 }

 // Request handler function type
-// Takes context pointer, request, and request-scoped allocator
 Request_Handler :: #type proc(ctx: rawptr, request: ^HTTP_Request, request_alloc: mem.Allocator) -> HTTP_Response

+// Parse error enum
+Parse_Error :: enum {
+	None,
+	Connection_Closed,
+	Invalid_Request,
+	Body_Too_Large,
+}
+
 // Server configuration
 Server_Config :: struct {
 	max_body_size:              int,  // default 100MB
@@ -122,6 +130,13 @@ default_server_config :: proc() -> Server_Config {
 	}
 }

+// Connection task data - passed to worker threads
+Connection_Task_Data :: struct {
+	server: ^Server,
+	conn:   net.TCP_Socket,
+	source: net.Endpoint,
+}
+
 // Server
 Server :: struct {
 	allocator:   mem.Allocator,
@@ -168,9 +183,12 @@ server_start :: proc(server: ^Server) -> bool {
 	server.socket = socket
 	server.running = true

-	fmt.printfln("HTTP server listening on %v", server.endpoint)
+	fmt.printfln("HTTP server listening on %v (thread-per-connection)", server.endpoint)
+	fmt.printfln("  Max body size: %d MB", server.config.max_body_size / (1024 * 1024))
+	fmt.printfln("  Max headers: %d", server.config.max_headers)
+	fmt.printfln("  Keep-alive: %v", server.config.enable_keep_alive)

-	// Accept loop
+	// Accept loop - spawn a thread for each connection
 	for server.running {
 		conn, source, accept_err := net.accept_tcp(socket)
 		if accept_err != nil {
@@ -180,9 +198,23 @@ server_start :: proc(server: ^Server) -> bool {
 			continue
 		}

-		// Handle connection in separate goroutine would go here
-		// For now, handle synchronously (should spawn thread)
-		handle_connection(server, conn, source)
+		// Allocate connection data
+		conn_data := new(Connection_Task_Data, server.allocator)
+		conn_data.server = server
+		conn_data.conn = conn
+		conn_data.source = source
+
+		// Spawn a new thread for this connection
+		t := thread.create(connection_worker_thread)
+		if t != nil {
+			t.init_context = context
+			t.data = conn_data
+			thread.start(t)
+		} else {
+			// Failed to create thread, close connection
+			net.close(conn)
+			free(conn_data, server.allocator)
+		}
 	}

 	return true
@@ -190,12 +222,33 @@ server_start :: proc(server: ^Server) -> bool {

 server_stop :: proc(server: ^Server) {
 	server.running = false
+
+	// Close listening socket
 	if sock, ok := server.socket.?; ok {
 		net.close(sock)
 		server.socket = nil
 	}
 }

+// Worker thread procedure
+connection_worker_thread :: proc(t: ^thread.Thread) {
+	defer thread.destroy(t)
+
+	conn_data := cast(^Connection_Task_Data)t.data
+	defer free(conn_data, conn_data.server.allocator)
+
+	handle_connection(conn_data.server, conn_data.conn, conn_data.source)
+}
+
+// Create error response
+make_error_response_simple :: proc(allocator: mem.Allocator, status: HTTP_Status, message: string) -> HTTP_Response {
+	response := response_init(allocator)
+	response_set_status(&response, status)
+	response_add_header(&response, "Content-Type", "text/plain")
+	response_set_body(&response, transmute([]byte)message)
+	return response
+}
+
 // Handle a single connection
 handle_connection :: proc(server: ^Server, conn: net.TCP_Socket, source: net.Endpoint) {
 	defer net.close(conn)
@@ -214,13 +267,26 @@ handle_connection :: proc(server: ^Server, conn: net.TCP_Socket, source: net.End

 		request_alloc := vmem.arena_allocator(&arena)

-		// TODO: Double check if we want *all* downstream allocations to use the request arena?
+		// Set request arena as context allocator for downstream allocations
 		old := context.allocator
 		context.allocator = request_alloc
 		defer context.allocator = old

-		request, parse_ok := parse_request(conn, request_alloc, server.config)
-		if !parse_ok {
+		request, parse_err := parse_request(conn, request_alloc, server.config)
+
+		// Handle parse errors
+		if parse_err != .None {
+			#partial switch parse_err {
+			case .Body_Too_Large:
+				// Send 413 Payload Too Large
+				response := make_error_response_simple(request_alloc, .Payload_Too_Large,
+					fmt.tprintf("Request body exceeds maximum size of %d bytes", server.config.max_body_size))
+				send_response(conn, &response, request_alloc)
+			case .Invalid_Request:
+				// Send 400 Bad Request
+				response := make_error_response_simple(request_alloc, .Bad_Request, "Invalid HTTP request")
+				send_response(conn, &response, request_alloc)
+			}
 			break
 		}

@@ -250,13 +316,13 @@ parse_request :: proc(
 	conn: net.TCP_Socket,
 	allocator: mem.Allocator,
 	config: Server_Config,
-) -> (HTTP_Request, bool) {
+) -> (HTTP_Request, Parse_Error) {
 	// Read request line and headers
 	buffer := make([]byte, config.read_buffer_size, allocator)

 	bytes_read, read_err := net.recv_tcp(conn, buffer)
 	if read_err != nil || bytes_read == 0 {
-		return {}, false
+		return {}, .Connection_Closed
 	}

 	request_data := buffer[:bytes_read]
@@ -264,7 +330,7 @@ parse_request :: proc(
 	// Find end of headers (\r\n\r\n)
 	header_end_idx := strings.index(string(request_data), "\r\n\r\n")
 	if header_end_idx < 0 {
-		return {}, false
+		return {}, .Invalid_Request
 	}

 	header_section := string(request_data[:header_end_idx])
@@ -273,13 +339,13 @@ parse_request :: proc(
 	// Parse request line
 	lines := strings.split_lines(header_section, allocator)
 	if len(lines) == 0 {
-		return {}, false
+		return {}, .Invalid_Request
 	}

 	request_line := lines[0]
 	parts := strings.split(request_line, " ", allocator)
 	if len(parts) < 3 {
-		return {}, false
+		return {}, .Invalid_Request
 	}

 	method := method_from_string(parts[0])
@@ -305,6 +371,11 @@ parse_request :: proc(
 			name  = strings.clone(name, allocator),
 			value = strings.clone(value, allocator),
 		})
+
+		// Check max headers limit
+		if len(headers) > config.max_headers {
+			return {}, .Invalid_Request
+		}
 	}

 	// Read body if Content-Length present
@@ -314,7 +385,12 @@ parse_request :: proc(
 	if cl, ok := content_length_header.?; ok {
 		content_length := strconv.parse_int(cl) or_else 0

-		if content_length > 0 && content_length <= config.max_body_size {
+		// Check if body size exceeds limit
+		if content_length > config.max_body_size {
+			return {}, .Body_Too_Large
+		}
+
+		if content_length > 0 {
 			// Check if we already have the body in buffer
 			existing_body := request_data[body_start:]

@@ -336,7 +412,7 @@ parse_request :: proc(

 					n, err := net.recv_tcp(conn, chunk)
 					if err != nil || n == 0 {
-						return {}, false
+						return {}, .Connection_Closed
 					}

 					copy(body[body_written:], chunk[:n])
@@ -352,7 +428,7 @@ parse_request :: proc(
 		path    = path,
 		headers = headers[:],
 		body    = body,
-	}, true
+	}, .None
 }

 // Helper to get header from slice
--- a/main.odin
+++ b/main.odin
@@ -13,6 +13,13 @@ Config :: struct {
 	port:     int,
 	data_dir: string,
 	verbose:  bool,
+
+	// HTTP server config
+	max_body_size:              int,
+	max_headers:                int,
+	read_buffer_size:           int,
+	enable_keep_alive:          bool,
+	max_requests_per_connection: int,
 }

 main :: proc() {
@@ -36,8 +43,14 @@ main :: proc() {
 	fmt.printfln("Storage engine initialized at %s", config.data_dir)
 	fmt.printfln("Starting DynamoDB-compatible server on %s:%d", config.host, config.port)

-	// Create HTTP server
-	server_config := default_server_config()
+	// Create HTTP server with config values
+	server_config := Server_Config{
+		max_body_size              = config.max_body_size,
+		max_headers                = config.max_headers,
+		read_buffer_size           = config.read_buffer_size,
+		enable_keep_alive          = config.enable_keep_alive,
+		max_requests_per_connection = config.max_requests_per_connection,
+	}

 	server, server_ok := server_init(
 		context.allocator,
@@ -190,6 +203,15 @@ handle_create_table :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Req
 		}
 	}

+	if gsi_val, found2 := root["GlobalSecondaryIndexes"]; found2 {
+		if gsi_arr, ok2 := gsi_val.(json.Array); ok2 && len(gsi_arr) > 0 {
+			if _, has := gsis.?; !has {
+				make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid GlobalSecondaryIndexes definition")
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Create the table
 	desc, create_err := dynamodb.create_table(engine, string(table_name), key_schema, attr_defs, gsis)
 	if create_err != .None {
@@ -219,6 +241,7 @@ handle_delete_table :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Req
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	err := dynamodb.delete_table(engine, table_name)
 	if err != .None {
@@ -241,6 +264,7 @@ handle_describe_table :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	metadata, err := dynamodb.get_table_metadata(engine, table_name)
 	if err != .None {
@@ -266,16 +290,22 @@ handle_describe_table :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R

 	for ks, i in metadata.key_schema {
 		if i > 0 do strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
-		fmt.sbprintf(&builder, `{"AttributeName":"%s","KeyType":"%s"}`,
-			ks.attribute_name, dynamodb.key_type_to_string(ks.key_type))
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `{"AttributeName":"`)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, ks.attribute_name)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `","KeyType":"`)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, dynamodb.key_type_to_string(ks.key_type))
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `"}`)
 	}

 	strings.write_string(&builder, `],"AttributeDefinitions":[`)

 	for ad, i in metadata.attribute_definitions {
 		if i > 0 do strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
-		fmt.sbprintf(&builder, `{"AttributeName":"%s","AttributeType":"%s"}`,
-			ad.attribute_name, dynamodb.scalar_type_to_string(ad.attribute_type))
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `{"AttributeName":"`)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, ad.attribute_name)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `","AttributeType":"`)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, dynamodb.scalar_type_to_string(ad.attribute_type))
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `"}`)
 	}

 	strings.write_string(&builder, `]`)
@@ -290,8 +320,11 @@ handle_describe_table :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R
 			strings.write_string(&builder, `","KeySchema":[`)
 			for ks, ki in gsi.key_schema {
 				if ki > 0 do strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
-				fmt.sbprintf(&builder, `{"AttributeName":"%s","KeyType":"%s"}`,
-					ks.attribute_name, dynamodb.key_type_to_string(ks.key_type))
+				strings.write_string(&builder, `{"AttributeName":"`)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, ks.attribute_name)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, `","KeyType":"`)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, dynamodb.key_type_to_string(ks.key_type))
+				strings.write_string(&builder, `"}`)
 			}
 			strings.write_string(&builder, `],"Projection":{"ProjectionType":"`)
 			strings.write_string(&builder, projection_type_to_string(gsi.projection.projection_type))
@@ -340,6 +373,7 @@ handle_put_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	item, item_ok := dynamodb.parse_item_from_request(request.body)
 	if !item_ok {
@@ -349,8 +383,9 @@ handle_put_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request
 	defer dynamodb.item_destroy(&item)

 	// ---- ConditionExpression evaluation ----
-	_, has_condition := dynamodb.parse_condition_expression_string(request.body)
+	cond_str, has_condition := dynamodb.parse_condition_expression_string(request.body)
 	if has_condition {
+		defer delete(cond_str)
 		// Parse shared expression attributes
 		attr_names := dynamodb.parse_expression_attribute_names(request.body)
 		defer {
@@ -386,12 +421,21 @@ handle_put_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request
 			// If no explicit Key field, extract key from Item
 			// (PutItem doesn't have a Key field — the key is in the Item itself)
 			existing_maybe, get_err := dynamodb.get_item(engine, table_name, item)
-			if get_err != .None && get_err != .Table_Not_Found {
-				// Table not found is handled by put_item below
-				if get_err == .Missing_Key_Attribute || get_err == .Invalid_Key {
+			#partial switch get_err {
+				case .None:
+					// Item found or not found — both are fine, condition evaluates against
+					// whatever was returned (nil item = item doesn't exist).
+				case .Table_Not_Found:
+					// Table will be caught and reported properly by put_item below.
+				case .Missing_Key_Attribute, .Invalid_Key:
 					handle_storage_error(response, get_err)
 					return
-				}
+				case .RocksDB_Error, .Serialization_Error, .Internal_Error:
+					make_error_response(response, .InternalServerError, "Failed to fetch existing item")
+					return
+				case .Validation_Error, .Item_Not_Found:
+					// Item_Not_Found shouldn't reach here (get_item returns nil, .None),
+					// but treat defensively.
 			}
 			existing_item = existing_maybe
 		} else {
@@ -452,6 +496,7 @@ handle_get_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	key, key_ok := dynamodb.parse_key_from_request(request.body)
 	if !key_ok {
@@ -468,9 +513,17 @@ handle_get_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request

 	if item_val, has_item := item.?; has_item {
 		defer dynamodb.item_destroy(&item_val)
-		item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(item_val)
-		resp := fmt.aprintf(`{"Item":%s}`, item_json)
-		response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp)
+
+		// Build response directly to avoid intermediate string allocations
+		builder := strings.builder_make(context.allocator)
+		defer strings.builder_destroy(&builder)
+
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Item":`)
+		dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, item_val)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `}`)
+
+		resp_body := strings.clone(strings.to_string(builder))
+		response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp_body)
 	} else {
 		response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)string("{}"))
 	}
@@ -482,6 +535,7 @@ handle_delete_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Requ
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	key, key_ok := dynamodb.parse_key_from_request(request.body)
 	if !key_ok {
@@ -521,11 +575,19 @@ handle_delete_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Requ

 		// Fetch existing item
 		existing_item, get_err := dynamodb.get_item(engine, table_name, key)
-		if get_err != .None && get_err != .Table_Not_Found {
-			if get_err == .Missing_Key_Attribute || get_err == .Invalid_Key {
+		#partial switch get_err {
+			case .None:
+				// Item found or not found — condition evaluates against whatever was returned.
+			case .Table_Not_Found:
+				// Table will be caught and reported properly by delete_item below.
+			case .Missing_Key_Attribute, .Invalid_Key:
 				handle_storage_error(response, get_err)
 				return
-			}
+			case .RocksDB_Error, .Serialization_Error, .Internal_Error:
+				make_error_response(response, .InternalServerError, "Failed to fetch existing item")
+				return
+			case .Validation_Error, .Item_Not_Found:
+				// Defensive — shouldn't reach here normally.
 		}
 		defer {
 			if ex, has_ex := existing_item.?; has_ex {
@@ -571,6 +633,7 @@ handle_update_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Requ
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	// Parse Key
 	key_item, key_ok := dynamodb.parse_key_from_request(request.body)
@@ -586,6 +649,7 @@ handle_update_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Requ
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Missing or invalid UpdateExpression")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(update_expr)

 	// Parse ExpressionAttributeNames and ExpressionAttributeValues
 	attr_names := dynamodb.parse_expression_attribute_names(request.body)
@@ -661,6 +725,7 @@ handle_update_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Requ

 	// Parse ReturnValues
 	return_values := dynamodb.parse_return_values(request.body)
+	defer delete(return_values)

 	// Execute update
 	old_item, new_item, err := dynamodb.update_item(engine, table_name, key_item, &plan)
@@ -680,51 +745,59 @@ handle_update_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Requ
 	}

 	// Build response based on ReturnValues
+	builder := strings.builder_make(context.allocator)
+	defer strings.builder_destroy(&builder)
+
 	switch return_values {
 	case "ALL_NEW":
 		if new_val, has := new_item.?; has {
-			item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(new_val)
-			resp := fmt.aprintf(`{"Attributes":%s}`, item_json)
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Attributes":`)
+			dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, new_val)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `}`)
 		} else {
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)string("{}"))
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{}`)
 		}

 	case "ALL_OLD":
 		if old, has := old_item.?; has {
-			item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(old)
-			resp := fmt.aprintf(`{"Attributes":%s}`, item_json)
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Attributes":`)
+			dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, old)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `}`)
 		} else {
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)string("{}"))
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{}`)
 		}

 	case "UPDATED_NEW":
 		if new_val, has := new_item.?; has {
 			filtered := filter_updated_attributes(new_val, &plan)
 			defer dynamodb.item_destroy(&filtered)
-			item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(filtered)
-			resp := fmt.aprintf(`{"Attributes":%s}`, item_json)
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp)
+
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Attributes":`)
+			dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, filtered)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `}`)
 		} else {
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)string("{}"))
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{}`)
 		}

 	case "UPDATED_OLD":
 		if old, has := old_item.?; has {
 			filtered := filter_updated_attributes(old, &plan)
 			defer dynamodb.item_destroy(&filtered)
-			item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(filtered)
-			resp := fmt.aprintf(`{"Attributes":%s}`, item_json)
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp)
+
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Attributes":`)
+			dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, filtered)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `}`)
 		} else {
-			response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)string("{}"))
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{}`)
 		}

 	case:
 		// "NONE" or default
-		response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)string("{}"))
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `{}`)
 	}
+
+	resp_body := strings.clone(strings.to_string(builder))
+	response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp_body)
 }

 handle_batch_write_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, response: ^HTTP_Response) {
@@ -872,7 +945,7 @@ handle_batch_write_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP
 		}

 		append(&table_requests, dynamodb.Batch_Write_Table_Request{
-			table_name = string(table_name),
+			table_name = strings.clone(string(table_name)),
 			requests   = requests[:],
 		})
 	}
@@ -917,9 +990,13 @@ handle_batch_write_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP
 			item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(req.item)
 			switch req.type {
 			case .Put:
-				fmt.sbprintf(&builder, `{"PutRequest":{"Item":%s}}`, item_json)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, `{"PutRequest":{"Item":`)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, item_json)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, "}}")
 			case .Delete:
-				fmt.sbprintf(&builder, `{"DeleteRequest":{"Key":%s}}`, item_json)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, `{"DeleteRequest":{"Key":`)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, item_json)
+				strings.write_string(&builder, "}}")
 			}
 		}

@@ -1010,7 +1087,7 @@ handle_batch_get_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R
 		}

 		append(&table_requests, dynamodb.Batch_Get_Table_Request{
-			table_name = string(table_name),
+			table_name = strings.clone(string(table_name)),
 			keys       = keys[:],
 		})
 	}
@@ -1037,7 +1114,9 @@ handle_batch_get_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R
 	defer dynamodb.batch_get_result_destroy(&result)

 	// Build response
-	builder := strings.builder_make()
+	builder := strings.builder_make(context.allocator)
+	defer strings.builder_destroy(&builder)
+
 	strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Responses":{`)

 	for table_result, ti in result.responses {
@@ -1050,8 +1129,7 @@ handle_batch_get_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R
 			if ii > 0 {
 				strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
 			}
-			item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(item)
-			strings.write_string(&builder, item_json)
+			dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, item)
 		}

 		strings.write_string(&builder, "]")
@@ -1063,14 +1141,15 @@ handle_batch_get_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R
 		if ti > 0 {
 			strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
 		}
-		fmt.sbprintf(&builder, `"%s":{"Keys":[`, table_req.table_name)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `"`)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, table_req.table_name)
+		strings.write_string(&builder, `":{"Keys":["`)

 		for key, ki in table_req.keys {
 			if ki > 0 {
 				strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
 			}
-			key_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(key)
-			strings.write_string(&builder, key_json)
+			dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, key)
 		}

 		strings.write_string(&builder, "]}")
@@ -1078,7 +1157,8 @@ handle_batch_get_item :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_R

 	strings.write_string(&builder, "}}")

-	resp_body := strings.to_string(builder)
+	// clone the god damn string
+	resp_body := strings.clone(strings.to_string(builder))
 	response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp_body)
 }

@@ -1093,9 +1173,15 @@ handle_query :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, r
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	// Grab index name from request body
 	index_name := parse_index_name(request.body)
+	defer {
+		if idx, has := index_name.?; has {
+			delete(idx)
+		}
+	}

 	// Fetch table metadata early for ExclusiveStartKey parsing
 	metadata, meta_err := dynamodb.get_table_metadata(engine, table_name)
@@ -1133,11 +1219,15 @@ handle_query :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, r
 	}

 	// Parse ExclusiveStartKey
-	exclusive_start_key, esk_ok := dynamodb.parse_exclusive_start_key(
+	exclusive_start_key, esk_ok, esk_body_err := dynamodb.parse_exclusive_start_key(
 		request.body, table_name, metadata.key_schema,
 	)
 	if !esk_ok {
+		if esk_body_err {
+			make_error_response(response, .SerializationException, "Request body is not valid JSON")
+		} else {
 			make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid ExclusiveStartKey")
+		}
 		return
 	}
 	defer {
@@ -1181,15 +1271,30 @@ handle_query :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, r

 	// ---- GSI query path ----
 	if idx_name, has_idx := index_name.?; has_idx {
-		_, gsi_found := dynamodb.find_gsi(&metadata, idx_name)
+		gsi, gsi_found := dynamodb.find_gsi(&metadata, idx_name)
 		if !gsi_found {
 			make_error_response(response, .ValidationException,
 				fmt.tprintf("The table does not have the specified index: %s", idx_name))
 			return
 		}

+		esk_gsi, esk_gsi_ok, esk_gsi_body_err := dynamodb.parse_exclusive_start_key_gsi(
+			request.body, table_name, &metadata, gsi,
+		)
+		if !esk_gsi_ok {
+			if esk_gsi_body_err {
+				make_error_response(response, .SerializationException, "Request body is not valid JSON")
+			} else {
+				make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid ExclusiveStartKey")
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		defer {
+			if k, ok_gsi := esk_gsi.?; ok_gsi { delete(k) }
+		}
+
 		result, err := dynamodb.gsi_query(engine, table_name, idx_name,
-			pk_owned, exclusive_start_key, limit, sk_condition)
+			pk_owned, esk_gsi, limit, sk_condition)
 		if err != .None {
 			handle_storage_error(response, err)
 			return
@@ -1228,7 +1333,7 @@ handle_query :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, r
 		}

 		write_items_response_with_pagination_ex(
-			response, final_items, result.last_evaluated_key, &metadata, scanned_count,
+			response, final_items, result.last_evaluated_key, &metadata, scanned_count, gsi,
 		)

 		if has_proj && len(projection) > 0 {
@@ -1300,9 +1405,15 @@ handle_scan :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, re
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request or missing TableName")
 		return
 	}
+	defer delete(table_name)

 	// Grab index name from request body
 	index_name := parse_index_name(request.body)
+	defer {
+		if idx, has := index_name.?; has {
+			delete(idx)
+		}
+	}

 	metadata, meta_err := dynamodb.get_table_metadata(engine, table_name)
 	if meta_err != .None {
@@ -1316,11 +1427,15 @@ handle_scan :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, re
 		limit = 100
 	}

-	exclusive_start_key, esk_ok := dynamodb.parse_exclusive_start_key(
+	exclusive_start_key, esk_ok, esk_body_err := dynamodb.parse_exclusive_start_key(
 		request.body, table_name, metadata.key_schema,
 	)
 	if !esk_ok {
+		if esk_body_err {
+			make_error_response(response, .SerializationException, "Request body is not valid JSON")
+		} else {
 			make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid ExclusiveStartKey")
+		}
 		return
 	}
 	defer {
@@ -1358,14 +1473,29 @@ handle_scan :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, re

 	// ---- GSI scan path ----
 	if idx_name, has_idx := index_name.?; has_idx {
-		_, gsi_found := dynamodb.find_gsi(&metadata, idx_name)
+		gsi, gsi_found := dynamodb.find_gsi(&metadata, idx_name)
 		if !gsi_found {
 			make_error_response(response, .ValidationException,
 				fmt.tprintf("The table does not have the specified index: %s", idx_name))
 			return
 		}

-		result, err := dynamodb.gsi_scan(engine, table_name, idx_name, exclusive_start_key, limit)
+		esk_gsi, esk_gsi_ok, esk_gsi_body_err := dynamodb.parse_exclusive_start_key_gsi(
+			request.body, table_name, &metadata, gsi,
+		)
+		if !esk_gsi_ok {
+			if esk_gsi_body_err {
+				make_error_response(response, .SerializationException, "Request body is not valid JSON")
+			} else {
+				make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid ExclusiveStartKey")
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		defer {
+			if k, ok_gsi := esk_gsi.?; ok_gsi { delete(k) }
+		}
+
+		result, err := dynamodb.gsi_scan(engine, table_name, idx_name, esk_gsi, limit)
 		if err != .None {
 			handle_storage_error(response, err)
 			return
@@ -1404,7 +1534,7 @@ handle_scan :: proc(engine: ^dynamodb.Storage_Engine, request: ^HTTP_Request, re
 		}

 		write_items_response_with_pagination_ex(
-			response, final_items, result.last_evaluated_key, &metadata, scanned_count,
+			response, final_items, result.last_evaluated_key, &metadata, scanned_count, gsi,
 		)

 		if has_proj && len(projection) > 0 {
@@ -1482,6 +1612,7 @@ apply_filter_to_items :: proc(
 	if !has_filter {
 		return items, true
 	}
+	defer delete(filter_expr)

 	filter_node, filter_ok := dynamodb.parse_filter_expression(filter_expr, attr_names, attr_values)
 	if !filter_ok || filter_node == nil {
@@ -1516,14 +1647,16 @@ write_items_response_with_pagination_ex :: proc(
 	last_evaluated_key_binary: Maybe([]byte),
 	metadata: ^dynamodb.Table_Metadata,
 	scanned_count: int,
+	gsi: ^dynamodb.Global_Secondary_Index = nil,  // ← NEW parameter
 ) {
-	builder := strings.builder_make()
+	builder := strings.builder_make(context.allocator)
+	defer strings.builder_destroy(&builder)
+
 	strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Items":[`)

 	for item, i in items {
 		if i > 0 do strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
-		item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(item)
-		strings.write_string(&builder, item_json)
+		dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, item)
 	}

 	strings.write_string(&builder, `],"Count":`)
@@ -1532,7 +1665,16 @@ write_items_response_with_pagination_ex :: proc(
 	fmt.sbprintf(&builder, "%d", scanned_count)

 	if binary_key, has_last := last_evaluated_key_binary.?; has_last {
-		lek_json, lek_ok := dynamodb.serialize_last_evaluated_key(binary_key, metadata)
+		lek_json: string
+		lek_ok: bool
+
+		// Use GSI serializer if we have a GSI, otherwise use base table serializer
+		if gsi != nil {
+			lek_json, lek_ok = dynamodb.serialize_last_evaluated_key_gsi(binary_key, metadata, gsi)
+		} else {
+			lek_json, lek_ok = dynamodb.serialize_last_evaluated_key(binary_key, metadata)
+		}
+
 		if lek_ok {
 			strings.write_string(&builder, `,"LastEvaluatedKey":`)
 			strings.write_string(&builder, lek_json)
@@ -1541,7 +1683,7 @@ write_items_response_with_pagination_ex :: proc(

 	strings.write_string(&builder, "}")

-	resp_body := strings.to_string(builder)
+	resp_body := strings.clone(strings.to_string(builder))
 	response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp_body)
 }

@@ -1561,13 +1703,15 @@ write_items_response_with_pagination :: proc(
 	last_evaluated_key_binary: Maybe([]byte),
 	metadata: ^dynamodb.Table_Metadata,
 ) {
-	builder := strings.builder_make()
+	builder := strings.builder_make(context.allocator)
+	defer strings.builder_destroy(&builder)
+
 	strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Items":[`)

+	// Use serialize_item_to_builder directly so we always get the correct response payload
 	for item, i in items {
 		if i > 0 do strings.write_string(&builder, ",")
-		item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(item)
-		strings.write_string(&builder, item_json)
+		dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, item)
 	}

 	strings.write_string(&builder, `],"Count":`)
@@ -1575,20 +1719,18 @@ write_items_response_with_pagination :: proc(
 	strings.write_string(&builder, `,"ScannedCount":`)
 	fmt.sbprintf(&builder, "%d", len(items))

-	// Emit LastEvaluatedKey if the storage layer produced one
 	if binary_key, has_last := last_evaluated_key_binary.?; has_last {
 		lek_json, lek_ok := dynamodb.serialize_last_evaluated_key(binary_key, metadata)
 		if lek_ok {
 			strings.write_string(&builder, `,"LastEvaluatedKey":`)
 			strings.write_string(&builder, lek_json)
 		}
-		// If decoding fails we still return the items — just without a pagination token.
-		// The client will assume the scan/query is complete.
 	}

 	strings.write_string(&builder, "}")

-	resp_body := strings.to_string(builder)
+	// We have to Clone the string before passing to response_set_body
+	resp_body := strings.clone(strings.to_string(builder))
 	response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp_body)
 }

@@ -1611,6 +1753,8 @@ handle_storage_error :: proc(response: ^HTTP_Response, err: dynamodb.Storage_Err
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "One or more required key attributes are missing")
 	case .Invalid_Key:
 		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid key: type mismatch or malformed key value")
+	case .Validation_Error:
+		make_error_response(response, .ValidationException, "Invalid request: type mismatch or incompatible operand")
 	case .Serialization_Error:
 		make_error_response(response, .InternalServerError, "Internal serialization error")
 	case .RocksDB_Error:
@@ -1917,14 +2061,20 @@ make_error_response :: proc(response: ^HTTP_Response, err_type: dynamodb.DynamoD

 parse_config :: proc() -> Config {
 	config := Config{
+		// Defaults
 		host                       = "0.0.0.0",
 		port                       = 8002,
 		data_dir                   = "./data",
 		verbose                    = false,
+		max_body_size              = 100 * 1024 * 1024, // 100 MB
+		max_headers                = 100,
+		read_buffer_size           = 8 * 1024,          // 8 KB
+		enable_keep_alive          = true,
+		max_requests_per_connection = 1000,
 	}

-	// Environment variables
-	if port_str, env_ok := os.lookup_env("JORMUN_PORT"); env_ok {
+	// Environment variables (lower priority)
+	if port_str, ok := os.lookup_env("JORMUN_PORT"); ok {
 		if port, parse_ok := strconv.parse_int(port_str); parse_ok {
 			config.port = port
 		}
@@ -1942,11 +2092,107 @@ parse_config :: proc() -> Config {
 		config.verbose = verbose == "1"
 	}

-	// TODO: Parse command line arguments
+	if max_body_str, ok := os.lookup_env("JORMUN_MAX_BODY_SIZE"); ok {
+		if max_body, parse_ok := strconv.parse_int(max_body_str); parse_ok {
+			config.max_body_size = max_body
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Command line arguments (highest priority)
+	args := os.args[1:] // Skip program name
+
+	for i := 0; i < len(args); i += 1 {
+		arg := args[i]
+
+		// Helper to get next arg value
+		get_value :: proc(args: []string, i: ^int) -> (string, bool) {
+			if i^ + 1 < len(args) {
+				i^ += 1
+				return args[i^], true
+			}
+			return "", false
+		}
+
+		switch arg {
+		case "--host", "-h":
+			if value, ok := get_value(args, &i); ok {
+				config.host = value
+			}
+		case "--port", "-p":
+			if value, ok := get_value(args, &i); ok {
+				if port, parse_ok := strconv.parse_int(value); parse_ok {
+					config.port = port
+				}
+			}
+		case "--data-dir", "-d":
+			if value, ok := get_value(args, &i); ok {
+				config.data_dir = value
+			}
+		case "--verbose", "-v":
+			config.verbose = true
+		case "--max-body-size":
+			if value, ok := get_value(args, &i); ok {
+				if size, parse_ok := strconv.parse_int(value); parse_ok {
+					config.max_body_size = size
+				}
+			}
+		case "--max-headers":
+			if value, ok := get_value(args, &i); ok {
+				if count, parse_ok := strconv.parse_int(value); parse_ok {
+					config.max_headers = count
+				}
+			}
+		case "--no-keep-alive":
+			config.enable_keep_alive = false
+		case "--help":
+			print_help()
+			os.exit(0)
+		}
+	}

 	return config
 }

+print_help :: proc() {
+	help_text := `
+JormunDB - DynamoDB-Compatible Database Server
+
+USAGE:
+    jormundb [OPTIONS]
+
+OPTIONS:
+    --host, -h <HOST>           Server bind address (default: 0.0.0.0)
+    --port, -p <PORT>           Server port (default: 8002)
+    --data-dir, -d <DIR>        Data directory path (default: ./data)
+    --verbose, -v               Enable verbose logging
+    --max-body-size <BYTES>     Maximum request body size in bytes (default: 104857600 = 100MB)
+    --max-headers <COUNT>       Maximum number of headers per request (default: 100)
+    --no-keep-alive             Disable HTTP keep-alive connections
+    --help                      Show this help message
+
+ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES:
+    JORMUN_HOST                 Same as --host
+    JORMUN_PORT                 Same as --port
+    JORMUN_DATA_DIR             Same as --data-dir
+    JORMUN_VERBOSE              Set to "1" to enable verbose mode
+    JORMUN_MAX_BODY_SIZE        Same as --max-body-size
+
+EXAMPLES:
+    # Start with default settings
+    jormundb
+
+    # Custom port and data directory
+    jormundb --port 9000 --data-dir /var/lib/jormundb
+
+    # Limit body size to 10MB
+    jormundb --max-body-size 10485760
+
+    # Use environment variables
+    JORMUN_PORT=9000 JORMUN_HOST=127.0.0.1 jormundb
+`
+	fmt.println(help_text)
+}
+
 print_banner :: proc(config: Config) {
 	banner := `
  ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
--- a/open_api_doc.yaml
+++ b/open_api_doc.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,884 @@
+openapi: 3.0.3
+info:
+  title: JormunDB DynamoDB Wire API
+  version: 0.1.0
+  description: |
+    DynamoDB-compatible JSON-over-HTTP API implemented by JormunDB.
+    Requests are POSTed to a single endpoint (/) and routed by the required `X-Amz-Target` header.
+servers:
+  - url: http://localhost:8002
+
+paths:
+  /:
+    post:
+      summary: DynamoDB JSON API endpoint
+      description: |
+        Send DynamoDB JSON protocol requests to this endpoint and set `X-Amz-Target` to the operation name,
+        e.g. `DynamoDB_20120810.GetItem`. The request and response media type is typically
+        `application/x-amz-json-1.0`.
+      parameters:
+        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/XAmzTarget'
+        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/XAmzDate'
+        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/Authorization'
+        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/XAmzSecurityToken'
+        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/XAmzContentSha256'
+      requestBody:
+        required: true
+        content:
+          application/x-amz-json-1.0:
+            schema:
+              oneOf:
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/CreateTableRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/DeleteTableRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/DescribeTableRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/ListTablesRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/PutItemRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/GetItemRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/DeleteItemRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/UpdateItemRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/QueryRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/ScanRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/BatchWriteItemRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/BatchGetItemRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactWriteItemsRequest'
+                - $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactGetItemsRequest'
+            examples:
+              CreateTable:
+                summary: Create a table with a HASH key
+                value:
+                  TableName: ExampleTable
+                  KeySchema:
+                    - AttributeName: pk
+                      KeyType: HASH
+                  AttributeDefinitions:
+                    - AttributeName: pk
+                      AttributeType: S
+      responses:
+        '200':
+          description: Successful operation response
+          content:
+            application/x-amz-json-1.0:
+              schema:
+                oneOf:
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/CreateTableResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/DeleteTableResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/DescribeTableResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/ListTablesResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/PutItemResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/GetItemResponseUnion'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/DeleteItemResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/UpdateItemResponseUnion'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/QueryResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/ScanResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/BatchWriteItemResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/BatchGetItemResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactWriteItemsResponse'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactGetItemsResponse'
+        '400':
+          description: Client error (ValidationException, SerializationException, etc.)
+          content:
+            application/x-amz-json-1.0:
+              schema:
+                oneOf:
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/DynamoDbError'
+                  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactionCanceledException'
+        '500':
+          description: Server error
+          content:
+            application/x-amz-json-1.0:
+              schema:
+                $ref: '#/components/schemas/DynamoDbError'
+
+components:
+  parameters:
+    XAmzTarget:
+      name: X-Amz-Target
+      in: header
+      required: true
+      description: |
+        DynamoDB JSON protocol operation selector.
+        JormunDB recognizes targets with the `DynamoDB_20120810.` prefix.
+        Note: `UpdateTable` may be recognized but not implemented.
+      schema:
+        type: string
+        enum:
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.CreateTable
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.DeleteTable
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.DescribeTable
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.ListTables
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.UpdateTable
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.PutItem
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.GetItem
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.DeleteItem
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.UpdateItem
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.Query
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.Scan
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.BatchGetItem
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.BatchWriteItem
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.TransactGetItems
+          - DynamoDB_20120810.TransactWriteItems
+      example: DynamoDB_20120810.GetItem
+
+    XAmzDate:
+      name: X-Amz-Date
+      in: header
+      required: false
+      schema:
+        type: string
+      description: Optional SigV4 timestamp header (kept for SDK compatibility).
+
+    Authorization:
+      name: Authorization
+      in: header
+      required: false
+      schema:
+        type: string
+      description: Optional SigV4 Authorization header (kept for SDK compatibility).
+
+    XAmzSecurityToken:
+      name: X-Amz-Security-Token
+      in: header
+      required: false
+      schema:
+        type: string
+      description: Optional SigV4 session token header (kept for SDK compatibility).
+
+    XAmzContentSha256:
+      name: X-Amz-Content-Sha256
+      in: header
+      required: false
+      schema:
+        type: string
+      description: Optional SigV4 payload hash header (kept for SDK compatibility).
+
+  schemas:
+    EmptyObject:
+      type: object
+      description: Empty JSON object.
+      additionalProperties: false
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # AttributeValue & helpers
+    # -------------------------
+    AttributeValue:
+      description: DynamoDB AttributeValue (JSON wire format).
+      type: object
+      minProperties: 1
+      maxProperties: 1
+      oneOf:
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrS'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrN'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrB'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrBOOL'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrNULL'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrSS'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrNS'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrBS'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrL'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttrM'
+
+    AttrS:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [S]
+      properties:
+        S:
+          type: string
+          example: hello
+
+    AttrN:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [N]
+      properties:
+        N:
+          type: string
+          description: Numeric values are encoded as strings in DynamoDB's JSON protocol.
+          example: "42"
+
+    AttrB:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [B]
+      properties:
+        B:
+          type: string
+          description: Base64-encoded binary value.
+          example: AAECAwQ=
+
+    AttrBOOL:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [BOOL]
+      properties:
+        BOOL:
+          type: boolean
+          example: true
+
+    AttrNULL:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [NULL]
+      properties:
+        NULL:
+          type: boolean
+          enum: [true]
+          example: true
+
+    AttrSS:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [SS]
+      properties:
+        SS:
+          type: array
+          items: { type: string }
+          example: [a, b]
+
+    AttrNS:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [NS]
+      properties:
+        NS:
+          type: array
+          description: Numeric set values are encoded as strings.
+          items: { type: string }
+          example: ["1", "2"]
+
+    AttrBS:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [BS]
+      properties:
+        BS:
+          type: array
+          description: Base64-encoded binary set values.
+          items: { type: string }
+          example: [AAE=, AgM=]
+
+    AttrL:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [L]
+      properties:
+        L:
+          type: array
+          items:
+            $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeValue'
+
+    AttrM:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [M]
+      properties:
+        M:
+          $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap'
+
+    AttributeMap:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties:
+        $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeValue'
+      example:
+        pk: { S: "user#1" }
+        sk: { S: "meta" }
+        age: { N: "30" }
+
+    ExpressionAttributeNames:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: { type: string }
+      example:
+        "#pk": "pk"
+
+    ExpressionAttributeValues:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties:
+        $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeValue'
+      example:
+        ":v": { S: "user#1" }
+
+    Key:
+      allOf:
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap'
+      description: Primary key map (HASH, optionally RANGE) encoded as an AttributeMap.
+
+    ReturnValues:
+      type: string
+      description: ReturnValues selector used by UpdateItem.
+      enum: [NONE, ALL_OLD, UPDATED_OLD, ALL_NEW, UPDATED_NEW]
+      example: ALL_NEW
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # Table shapes
+    # -------------------------
+    ScalarAttributeType:
+      type: string
+      enum: [S, N, B]
+      example: S
+
+    AttributeDefinition:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [AttributeName, AttributeType]
+      properties:
+        AttributeName: { type: string }
+        AttributeType: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ScalarAttributeType' }
+
+    KeyType:
+      type: string
+      enum: [HASH, RANGE]
+      example: HASH
+
+    KeySchemaElement:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [AttributeName, KeyType]
+      properties:
+        AttributeName: { type: string }
+        KeyType: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/KeyType' }
+
+    ProjectionType:
+      type: string
+      enum: [KEYS_ONLY, INCLUDE, ALL]
+      example: ALL
+
+    Projection:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [ProjectionType]
+      properties:
+        ProjectionType: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ProjectionType' }
+        NonKeyAttributes:
+          type: array
+          items: { type: string }
+
+    GlobalSecondaryIndex:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [IndexName, KeySchema, Projection]
+      properties:
+        IndexName: { type: string }
+        KeySchema:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/KeySchemaElement' }
+          minItems: 1
+        Projection: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Projection' }
+
+    TableStatus:
+      type: string
+      enum: [CREATING, UPDATING, DELETING, ACTIVE, ARCHIVING, ARCHIVED]
+      example: ACTIVE
+
+    TableDescription:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [TableName, TableStatus]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        TableStatus: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/TableStatus' }
+        CreationDateTime:
+          type: integer
+          format: int64
+          description: Unix epoch seconds.
+        KeySchema:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/KeySchemaElement' }
+        AttributeDefinitions:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeDefinition' }
+        GlobalSecondaryIndexes:
+          type: array
+          items:
+            allOf:
+              - $ref: '#/components/schemas/GlobalSecondaryIndex'
+              - type: object
+                properties:
+                  IndexStatus:
+                    type: string
+                    enum: [ACTIVE]
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # Error shapes
+    # -------------------------
+    DynamoDbError:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [__type, message]
+      properties:
+        __type:
+          type: string
+          description: DynamoDB error type identifier.
+          example: com.amazonaws.dynamodb.v20120810#ValidationException
+        message:
+          type: string
+          example: Invalid request
+
+    TransactionCanceledException:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [__type, message, CancellationReasons]
+      properties:
+        __type:
+          type: string
+          enum: [com.amazonaws.dynamodb.v20120810#TransactionCanceledException]
+        message:
+          type: string
+        CancellationReasons:
+          type: array
+          items:
+            type: object
+            additionalProperties: false
+            required: [Code, Message]
+            properties:
+              Code: { type: string, example: ConditionalCheckFailed }
+              Message: { type: string, example: The conditional request failed }
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: CreateTable
+    # -------------------------
+    CreateTableRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, KeySchema, AttributeDefinitions]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        KeySchema:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/KeySchemaElement' }
+          minItems: 1
+        AttributeDefinitions:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeDefinition' }
+          minItems: 1
+        GlobalSecondaryIndexes:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/GlobalSecondaryIndex' }
+      description: |
+        CreateTable request. JormunDB focuses on TableName, KeySchema, AttributeDefinitions, and optional GSI definitions.
+
+    CreateTableResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [TableDescription]
+      properties:
+        TableDescription:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties: false
+          required: [TableName, TableStatus, CreationDateTime]
+          properties:
+            TableName: { type: string }
+            TableStatus: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/TableStatus' }
+            CreationDateTime: { type: integer, format: int64 }
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: DeleteTable / DescribeTable / ListTables
+    # -------------------------
+    DeleteTableRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+
+    DeleteTableResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [TableDescription]
+      properties:
+        TableDescription:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties: false
+          required: [TableName, TableStatus]
+          properties:
+            TableName: { type: string }
+            TableStatus:
+              type: string
+              enum: [DELETING]
+
+    DescribeTableRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+
+    DescribeTableResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [Table]
+      properties:
+        Table: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/TableDescription' }
+
+    ListTablesRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      description: ListTables request. JormunDB ignores request fields for this operation.
+
+    ListTablesResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [TableNames]
+      properties:
+        TableNames:
+          type: array
+          items: { type: string }
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: PutItem / GetItem / DeleteItem
+    # -------------------------
+    PutItemRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Item]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Item: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+        ConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+
+    PutItemResponse:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/EmptyObject'
+
+    GetItemRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Key]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        ProjectionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+
+    GetItemResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [Item]
+      properties:
+        Item: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+
+    GetItemResponseUnion:
+      oneOf:
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/EmptyObject'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/GetItemResponse'
+
+    DeleteItemRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Key]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        ConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+
+    DeleteItemResponse:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/EmptyObject'
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: UpdateItem
+    # -------------------------
+    UpdateItemRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Key, UpdateExpression]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        UpdateExpression: { type: string }
+        ConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+        ReturnValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ReturnValues' }
+
+    UpdateItemResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [Attributes]
+      properties:
+        Attributes: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+
+    UpdateItemResponseUnion:
+      oneOf:
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/EmptyObject'
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/UpdateItemResponse'
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: Query / Scan
+    # -------------------------
+    QueryRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, KeyConditionExpression]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        IndexName: { type: string }
+        KeyConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        FilterExpression: { type: string }
+        ProjectionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+        Limit:
+          type: integer
+          format: int32
+          minimum: 1
+          description: Maximum items to return (default 100 if omitted/0 in JormunDB).
+        ExclusiveStartKey: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        ScanIndexForward:
+          type: boolean
+          description: Sort order for RANGE key queries (if applicable).
+
+    ScanRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        IndexName: { type: string }
+        FilterExpression: { type: string }
+        ProjectionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+        Limit:
+          type: integer
+          format: int32
+          minimum: 1
+          description: Maximum items to return (default 100 if omitted/0 in JormunDB).
+        ExclusiveStartKey: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+
+    ItemsPage:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [Items, Count, ScannedCount]
+      properties:
+        Items:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+        Count:
+          type: integer
+          format: int32
+        ScannedCount:
+          type: integer
+          format: int32
+        LastEvaluatedKey:
+          $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key'
+
+    QueryResponse:
+      allOf:
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/ItemsPage'
+
+    ScanResponse:
+      allOf:
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/ItemsPage'
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: BatchWriteItem
+    # -------------------------
+    WriteRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      properties:
+        PutRequest:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties: false
+          required: [Item]
+          properties:
+            Item: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+        DeleteRequest:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties: false
+          required: [Key]
+          properties:
+            Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+      oneOf:
+        - required: [PutRequest]
+        - required: [DeleteRequest]
+
+    BatchWriteItemRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [RequestItems]
+      properties:
+        RequestItems:
+          type: object
+          description: Map of table name to write requests.
+          additionalProperties:
+            type: array
+            items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/WriteRequest' }
+
+    BatchWriteItemResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [UnprocessedItems]
+      properties:
+        UnprocessedItems:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties:
+            type: array
+            items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/WriteRequest' }
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: BatchGetItem
+    # -------------------------
+    KeysAndAttributes:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [Keys]
+      properties:
+        Keys:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        ProjectionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+
+    BatchGetItemRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [RequestItems]
+      properties:
+        RequestItems:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties:
+            $ref: '#/components/schemas/KeysAndAttributes'
+
+    BatchGetItemResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [Responses, UnprocessedKeys]
+      properties:
+        Responses:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties:
+            type: array
+            items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+        UnprocessedKeys:
+          type: object
+          additionalProperties:
+            $ref: '#/components/schemas/KeysAndAttributes'
+
+    # -------------------------
+    # API: TransactWriteItems / TransactGetItems
+    # -------------------------
+    TransactWriteItemsRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TransactItems]
+      properties:
+        TransactItems:
+          type: array
+          minItems: 1
+          maxItems: 100
+          items:
+            $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactWriteItem'
+
+    TransactWriteItem:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      oneOf:
+        - required: [Put]
+        - required: [Delete]
+        - required: [Update]
+        - required: [ConditionCheck]
+      properties:
+        Put:
+          $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactPut'
+        Delete:
+          $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactDelete'
+        Update:
+          $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactUpdate'
+        ConditionCheck:
+          $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactConditionCheck'
+
+    TransactPut:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Item]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Item: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+        ConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+
+    TransactDelete:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Key]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        ConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+
+    TransactUpdate:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Key, UpdateExpression]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        UpdateExpression: { type: string }
+        ConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+
+    TransactConditionCheck:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Key, ConditionExpression]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        ConditionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+        ExpressionAttributeValues: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeValues' }
+
+    TransactWriteItemsResponse:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/EmptyObject'
+
+    TransactGetItemsRequest:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TransactItems]
+      properties:
+        TransactItems:
+          type: array
+          minItems: 1
+          maxItems: 100
+          items:
+            type: object
+            additionalProperties: false
+            required: [Get]
+            properties:
+              Get:
+                $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactGet'
+
+    TransactGet:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: true
+      required: [TableName, Key]
+      properties:
+        TableName: { type: string }
+        Key: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/Key' }
+        ProjectionExpression: { type: string }
+        ExpressionAttributeNames: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/ExpressionAttributeNames' }
+
+    TransactGetItemResult:
+      oneOf:
+        - $ref: '#/components/schemas/EmptyObject'
+        - type: object
+          additionalProperties: false
+          required: [Item]
+          properties:
+            Item: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/AttributeMap' }
+
+    TransactGetItemsResponse:
+      type: object
+      additionalProperties: false
+      required: [Responses]
+      properties:
+        Responses:
+          type: array
+          items: { $ref: '#/components/schemas/TransactGetItemResult' }
--- a/test_sdk.py
+++ b/test_sdk.py
--- a/transact_handlers.odin
+++ b/transact_handlers.odin
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ parse_transact_put_action :: proc(
 	if !tn_ok {
 		return {}, false
 	}
-	action.table_name = string(tn_str)
+	action.table_name = strings.clone(string(tn_str))

 	// Item
 	item_val, item_found := obj["Item"]
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ parse_transact_key_action :: proc(
 	if !tn_ok {
 		return {}, false
 	}
-	action.table_name = string(tn_str)
+	action.table_name = strings.clone(string(tn_str))

 	// Key
 	key_val, key_found := obj["Key"]
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ parse_transact_update_action :: proc(
 	if !tn_ok {
 		return {}, false
 	}
-	action.table_name = string(tn_str)
+	action.table_name = strings.clone(string(tn_str))

 	// Key
 	key_val, key_found := obj["Key"]
@@ -483,7 +483,9 @@ handle_transact_get_items :: proc(
 	}

 	// Build response
-	builder := strings.builder_make()
+	builder := strings.builder_make(context.allocator)
+	defer strings.builder_destroy(&builder)
+
 	strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Responses":[`)

 	for maybe_item, i in result.items {
@@ -492,8 +494,9 @@ handle_transact_get_items :: proc(
 		}

 		if item, has_item := maybe_item.?; has_item {
-			item_json := dynamodb.serialize_item(item)
-			fmt.sbprintf(&builder, `{{"Item":%s}}`, item_json)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `{"Item":`)
+			dynamodb.serialize_item_to_builder(&builder, item)
+			strings.write_string(&builder, `}`)
 		} else {
 			strings.write_string(&builder, "{}")
 		}
@@ -501,7 +504,8 @@ handle_transact_get_items :: proc(

 	strings.write_string(&builder, "]}")

-	resp_body := strings.to_string(builder)
+	// Clone the string or we gonna have issues again
+	resp_body := strings.clone(strings.to_string(builder))
 	response_set_body(response, transmute([]byte)resp_body)
 }

@@ -519,7 +523,7 @@ parse_transact_get_action :: proc(obj: json.Object) -> (dynamodb.Transact_Get_Ac
 	if !tn_ok {
 		return {}, false
 	}
-	action.table_name = string(tn_str)
+	action.table_name = strings.clone(string(tn_str))

 	// Key
 	key_val, key_found := obj["Key"]
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
biondizzle	5ee3df86f1	more house keeping	2026-02-21 20:50:14 -05:00
biondizzle	47eefd0fe5	house keeping	2026-02-21 19:17:36 -05:00
biondizzle	443562dfb6	better readme	2026-02-21 19:14:00 -05:00
biondizzle	9cf54e1b9f	make this configurable	2026-02-17 15:02:57 -05:00
biondizzle	a7f2a5ab59	enforce body size	2026-02-17 14:54:29 -05:00
biondizzle	6bc1a03347	spawn new thread per connection, add yaml for docs and also add GSI to readme	2026-02-17 14:50:50 -05:00
biondizzle	178b38fe18	fix all the gsi stuff	2026-02-17 12:56:09 -05:00
biondizzle	b92dc61b08	more GSI fixes	2026-02-17 12:36:38 -05:00
biondizzle	64da021148	fix GSI output	2026-02-17 10:44:56 -05:00
biondizzle	12ba2e57d7	try to get the storage json correct	2026-02-17 10:07:50 -05:00
biondizzle	a5a5d41e50	shes working	2026-02-17 09:57:35 -05:00
biondizzle	d8a80bd728	fix expression aritmetic	2026-02-17 08:49:30 -05:00
biondizzle	225a1533cc	fix cloned string cleanup	2026-02-17 02:03:40 -05:00
biondizzle	a6bf357228	fix more tingz	2026-02-16 18:50:02 -05:00
biondizzle	78a4ea7a0c	fix tingz	2026-02-16 18:00:59 -05:00