diff --git a/src/arena_allocator.hpp b/src/arena_allocator.hpp
index fec2507..c21e603 100644
--- a/src/arena_allocator.hpp
+++ b/src/arena_allocator.hpp
@@ -637,6 +637,14 @@ template <typename T> struct ArenaVector {
   T &operator[](size_t index) { return data_[index]; }
   const T &operator[](size_t index) const { return data_[index]; }
 
+  void clear() { size_ = 0; }
+
+  // Iterator support for range-based for loops
+  T *begin() { return data_; }
+  const T *begin() const { return data_; }
+  T *end() { return data_ + size_; }
+  const T *end() const { return data_ + size_; }
+
   // No destructor - arena cleanup handles memory
 
 private:
diff --git a/src/metric.cpp b/src/metric.cpp
index 91cb853..b490cb8 100644
--- a/src/metric.cpp
+++ b/src/metric.cpp
@@ -11,24 +11,19 @@
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <cstring>
 #include <functional>
-#include <memory>
 #include <mutex>
 #include <string>
 #include <thread>
+#include <type_traits>
 #include <unordered_map>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include <immintrin.h>
 #include <simdutf.h>
 
+#include "arena_allocator.hpp"
 #include "format.hpp"
 
-// Verify that malloc provides sufficient alignment for atomic 128-bit
-// operations
-static_assert(__STDCPP_DEFAULT_NEW_ALIGNMENT__ >= 16,
-              "Default new alignment must be at least 16 bytes for atomic "
-              "128-bit stores");
-
 // WeaselDB Metrics System Design:
 //
 // THREADING MODEL:
@@ -69,27 +64,53 @@ static void validate_or_abort(bool condition, const char *message,
   }
 }
 
-// Labels key for second level of map
-struct LabelsKey {
-  std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> labels;
+// Helper to copy a string into arena memory
+static std::string_view arena_copy_string(const std::string &str,
+                                          ArenaAllocator &arena) {
+  if (str.empty()) {
+    return std::string_view{};
+  }
+  char *copied = arena.allocate<char>(str.size() + 1);
+  std::memcpy(copied, str.c_str(), str.size());
+  copied[str.size()] = '\0';
+  return std::string_view(copied, str.size());
+}
 
-  LabelsKey(std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> l)
-      : labels(std::move(l)) {
-    // Validate all label keys and values
-    for (const auto &[key, value] : labels) {
+// Arena-based labels key for second level of map
+// Uses string_view to point to arena-allocated strings
+struct LabelsKey {
+  ArenaVector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>> labels;
+
+  LabelsKey(const std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> &l,
+            ArenaAllocator &arena)
+      : labels(&arena) {
+    // Copy and validate all label keys and values into arena
+    for (const auto &[key, value] : l) {
       validate_or_abort(is_valid_label_key(key), "invalid label key",
                         key.c_str());
       validate_or_abort(is_valid_label_value(value), "invalid label value",
                         value.c_str());
+
+      auto key_view = arena_copy_string(key, arena);
+      auto value_view = arena_copy_string(value, arena);
+      labels.push_back({key_view, value_view});
     }
 
     // Sort labels by key for Prometheus compatibility
-    std::sort(labels.begin(), labels.end(),
+    std::sort(labels.data(), labels.data() + labels.size(),
               [](const auto &a, const auto &b) { return a.first < b.first; });
   }
 
   bool operator==(const LabelsKey &other) const {
-    return labels == other.labels;
+    if (labels.size() != other.labels.size())
+      return false;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < labels.size(); ++i) {
+      if (labels[i].first != other.labels[i].first ||
+          labels[i].second != other.labels[i].second) {
+        return false;
+      }
+    }
+    return true;
   }
 };
 
@@ -99,11 +120,12 @@ namespace std {
 template <> struct hash<metric::LabelsKey> {
   std::size_t operator()(const metric::LabelsKey &k) const {
     std::size_t hash_value = 0;
-    for (const auto &[key, value] : k.labels) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < k.labels.size(); ++i) {
+      const auto &[key, value] = k.labels[i];
       // Combine hashes using a simple but effective method
-      hash_value ^= std::hash<std::string>{}(key) + 0x9e3779b9 +
+      hash_value ^= std::hash<std::string_view>{}(key) + 0x9e3779b9 +
                     (hash_value << 6) + (hash_value >> 2);
-      hash_value ^= std::hash<std::string>{}(value) + 0x9e3779b9 +
+      hash_value ^= std::hash<std::string_view>{}(value) + 0x9e3779b9 +
                     (hash_value << 6) + (hash_value >> 2);
     }
     return hash_value;
@@ -120,45 +142,82 @@ namespace metric {
 
 // Family::State structures own the second-level maps (labels -> instances)
 template <> struct Family<Counter>::State {
-  std::string name;
-  std::string help;
+  std::string_view name;
+  std::string_view help;
 
   struct PerThreadState {
-    std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, std::unique_ptr<Counter::State>> instances;
+    std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, Counter::State *> instances;
   };
   std::unordered_map<std::thread::id, PerThreadState> per_thread_state;
 
   // Global accumulation state for destroyed threads
-  std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, std::unique_ptr<Counter::State>>
+  std::unordered_map<
+      LabelsKey, Counter::State *, std::hash<LabelsKey>,
+      std::equal_to<LabelsKey>,
+      ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, Counter::State *>>>
       global_accumulated_values;
 
   // Callback-based metrics (global, not per-thread)
-  std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Counter>> callbacks;
+  std::unordered_map<
+      LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Counter>, std::hash<LabelsKey>,
+      std::equal_to<LabelsKey>,
+      ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Counter>>>>
+      callbacks;
+
+  State(ArenaAllocator &arena)
+      : global_accumulated_values(
+            ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, Counter::State *>>(
+                &arena)),
+        callbacks(
+            ArenaStlAllocator<
+                std::pair<const LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Counter>>>(&arena)) {}
 };
 
 template <> struct Family<Gauge>::State {
-  std::string name;
-  std::string help;
-  std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, std::unique_ptr<Gauge::State>> instances;
+  std::string_view name;
+  std::string_view help;
+  std::unordered_map<
+      LabelsKey, Gauge::State *, std::hash<LabelsKey>, std::equal_to<LabelsKey>,
+      ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, Gauge::State *>>>
+      instances;
 
   // Callback-based metrics
-  std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Gauge>> callbacks;
+  std::unordered_map<
+      LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Gauge>, std::hash<LabelsKey>,
+      std::equal_to<LabelsKey>,
+      ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Gauge>>>>
+      callbacks;
+
+  State(ArenaAllocator &arena)
+      : instances(ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, Gauge::State *>>(
+            &arena)),
+        callbacks(ArenaStlAllocator<
+                  std::pair<const LabelsKey, MetricCallback<Gauge>>>(&arena)) {}
 };
 
 template <> struct Family<Histogram>::State {
-  std::string name;
-  std::string help;
-  std::vector<double> buckets;
+  std::string_view name;
+  std::string_view help;
+  ArenaVector<double> buckets;
 
   struct PerThreadState {
-    std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, std::unique_ptr<Histogram::State>> instances;
+    std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, Histogram::State *> instances;
   };
   std::unordered_map<std::thread::id, PerThreadState> per_thread_state;
 
   // Global accumulation state for destroyed threads
-  std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, std::unique_ptr<Histogram::State>>
+  std::unordered_map<
+      LabelsKey, Histogram::State *, std::hash<LabelsKey>,
+      std::equal_to<LabelsKey>,
+      ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, Histogram::State *>>>
       global_accumulated_values;
 
+  State(ArenaAllocator &arena)
+      : buckets(&arena),
+        global_accumulated_values(
+            ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, Histogram::State *>>(
+                &arena)) {}
+
   // Note: No callbacks map - histograms don't support callback-based metrics
 };
 
@@ -178,46 +237,76 @@ struct Gauge::State {
 // Histogram: Thread-local buckets, single writer, mutex protection per thread,
 // per histogram
 struct Histogram::State {
-  std::vector<double> thresholds; // Bucket boundaries (sorted, deduplicated,
+  ArenaVector<double> thresholds; // Bucket boundaries (sorted, deduplicated,
                                   // sizes never change)
-  std::vector<uint64_t> counts;   // Count per bucket
+  ArenaVector<uint64_t> counts;   // Count per bucket
   double sum;                     // Sum of observations
   uint64_t observations;          // Total observation count
   std::mutex
       mutex; // Per-thread, per-histogram mutex for consistent reads/writes
+
+  State(ArenaAllocator &arena)
+      : thresholds(&arena), counts(&arena), sum(0.0), observations(0) {}
   friend struct Metric;
 };
 
 struct Metric {
+  // We use a raw pointer to these in a map, so we don't call their destructors
+  static_assert(std::is_trivially_destructible_v<Counter::State>);
+  static_assert(std::is_trivially_destructible_v<Gauge::State>);
+  static_assert(std::is_trivially_destructible_v<Histogram::State>);
   static std::mutex mutex;
 
+  // Global arena allocator for metric families and persistent global state
+  static ArenaAllocator &get_global_arena() {
+    static ArenaAllocator global_arena(64 * 1024); // 64KB initial size
+    return global_arena;
+  }
+
   // Function-local statics to avoid static initialization order fiasco
   static auto &get_counter_families() {
-    static std::unordered_map<std::string,
-                              std::unique_ptr<Family<Counter>::State>>
-        counterFamilies;
-    return counterFamilies;
+    using FamilyMap = std::unordered_map<
+        std::string_view, Family<Counter>::State *, std::hash<std::string_view>,
+        std::equal_to<std::string_view>,
+        ArenaStlAllocator<
+            std::pair<const std::string_view, Family<Counter>::State *>>>;
+    static FamilyMap *counterFamilies = new FamilyMap(
+        ArenaStlAllocator<
+            std::pair<const std::string_view, Family<Counter>::State *>>(
+            &get_global_arena()));
+    return *counterFamilies;
   }
 
   static auto &get_gauge_families() {
-    static std::unordered_map<std::string,
-                              std::unique_ptr<Family<Gauge>::State>>
-        gaugeFamilies;
-    return gaugeFamilies;
+    using FamilyMap = std::unordered_map<
+        std::string_view, Family<Gauge>::State *, std::hash<std::string_view>,
+        std::equal_to<std::string_view>,
+        ArenaStlAllocator<
+            std::pair<const std::string_view, Family<Gauge>::State *>>>;
+    static FamilyMap *gaugeFamilies = new FamilyMap(
+        ArenaStlAllocator<
+            std::pair<const std::string_view, Family<Gauge>::State *>>(
+            &get_global_arena()));
+    return *gaugeFamilies;
   }
 
   static auto &get_histogram_families() {
-    static std::unordered_map<std::string,
-                              std::unique_ptr<Family<Histogram>::State>>
-        histogramFamilies;
-    return histogramFamilies;
+    using FamilyMap = std::unordered_map<
+        std::string_view, Family<Histogram>::State *,
+        std::hash<std::string_view>, std::equal_to<std::string_view>,
+        ArenaStlAllocator<
+            std::pair<const std::string_view, Family<Histogram>::State *>>>;
+    static FamilyMap *histogramFamilies = new FamilyMap(
+        ArenaStlAllocator<
+            std::pair<const std::string_view, Family<Histogram>::State *>>(
+            &get_global_arena()));
+    return *histogramFamilies;
   }
 
   // Thread cleanup for per-family thread-local storage
   struct ThreadInit {
-    ThreadInit() {
-      // Thread registration happens lazily when metrics are created
-    }
+    ArenaAllocator arena;
+    ThreadInit() {}
     ~ThreadInit() {
       // Accumulate thread-local state into global state before cleanup
       std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{mutex};
@@ -234,7 +323,7 @@ struct Metric {
             // Ensure global accumulator exists
             auto &global_state = family->global_accumulated_values[labels_key];
             if (!global_state) {
-              global_state = std::make_unique<Counter::State>();
+              global_state = get_global_arena().construct<Counter::State>();
               global_state->value = 0.0;
             }
 
@@ -256,12 +345,16 @@ struct Metric {
             // Ensure global accumulator exists
             auto &global_state = family->global_accumulated_values[labels_key];
             if (!global_state) {
-              global_state = std::make_unique<Histogram::State>();
-              global_state->thresholds = instance->thresholds;
-              global_state->counts =
-                  std::vector<uint64_t>(instance->counts.size(), 0);
-              global_state->sum = 0.0;
-              global_state->observations = 0;
+              global_state = get_global_arena().construct<Histogram::State>(
+                  get_global_arena());
+              // Copy thresholds from instance
+              for (size_t i = 0; i < instance->thresholds.size(); ++i) {
+                global_state->thresholds.push_back(instance->thresholds[i]);
+              }
+              // Initialize counts with zeros
+              for (size_t i = 0; i < instance->counts.size(); ++i) {
+                global_state->counts.push_back(0);
+              }
             }
 
             // Accumulate bucket counts (mutex already held)
@@ -282,6 +375,9 @@ struct Metric {
   };
   static thread_local ThreadInit thread_init;
 
+  // Thread-local arena allocator for metric instances
+  static ArenaAllocator &get_thread_local_arena() { return thread_init.arena; }
+
   // Thread cleanup now handled by ThreadInit RAII
 
   static Counter create_counter_instance(
@@ -291,29 +387,33 @@ struct Metric {
     (void)thread_init;
 
     std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{mutex};
-    LabelsKey key{labels};
+    LabelsKey key{labels, get_thread_local_arena()};
 
     // Validate that labels aren't already registered as callback
     validate_or_abort(
         family->p->callbacks.find(key) == family->p->callbacks.end(),
         "labels already registered as callback",
-        key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)" : key.labels[0].first.c_str());
+        key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)"
+                           : std::string(key.labels[0].first).c_str());
 
-    auto &ptr =
-        family->p->per_thread_state[std::this_thread::get_id()].instances[key];
+    // Ensure thread state exists
+    auto thread_id = std::this_thread::get_id();
+    // Thread state is automatically created by operator[]
+
+    auto &ptr = family->p->per_thread_state[thread_id].instances[key];
     if (!ptr) {
-      ptr = std::make_unique<Counter::State>();
+      ptr = get_thread_local_arena().construct<Counter::State>();
       ptr->value = 0.0;
 
       // Ensure global accumulator exists for this label set
       auto &global_state = family->p->global_accumulated_values[key];
       if (!global_state) {
-        global_state = std::make_unique<Counter::State>();
+        global_state = get_global_arena().construct<Counter::State>();
         global_state->value = 0.0;
       }
     }
     Counter result;
-    result.p = ptr.get();
+    result.p = ptr;
     return result;
   }
 
@@ -321,21 +421,22 @@ struct Metric {
       Family<Gauge> *family,
       const std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> &labels) {
     std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{mutex};
-    LabelsKey key{labels};
+    LabelsKey key{labels, get_global_arena()};
 
     // Validate that labels aren't already registered as callback
     validate_or_abort(
         family->p->callbacks.find(key) == family->p->callbacks.end(),
         "labels already registered as callback",
-        key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)" : key.labels[0].first.c_str());
+        key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)"
+                           : std::string(key.labels[0].first).c_str());
 
     auto &ptr = family->p->instances[key];
     if (!ptr) {
-      ptr = std::make_unique<Gauge::State>();
+      ptr = get_global_arena().construct<Gauge::State>();
       ptr->value.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
     }
     Gauge result;
-    result.p = ptr.get();
+    result.p = ptr;
     return result;
   }
 
@@ -346,32 +447,45 @@ struct Metric {
     (void)thread_init;
 
     std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{mutex};
-    LabelsKey key{labels};
-    auto &ptr =
-        family->p->per_thread_state[std::this_thread::get_id()].instances[key];
+    LabelsKey key{labels, get_thread_local_arena()};
+
+    // Ensure thread state exists
+    auto thread_id = std::this_thread::get_id();
+    // Thread state is automatically created by operator[]
+
+    auto &ptr = family->p->per_thread_state[thread_id].instances[key];
     if (!ptr) {
-      ptr = std::make_unique<Histogram::State>();
+      ptr = get_thread_local_arena().construct<Histogram::State>(
+          get_thread_local_arena());
+
       // DESIGN: Prometheus-compatible histogram buckets
       // Use buckets from family configuration
-      ptr->thresholds = family->p->buckets; // Already sorted and deduplicated
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < family->p->buckets.size(); ++i) {
+        ptr->thresholds.push_back(family->p->buckets[i]);
+      }
 
       // Initialize with zero values, mutex protects all operations
-      ptr->counts = std::vector<uint64_t>(ptr->thresholds.size(), 0);
-      ptr->sum = 0.0;
-      ptr->observations = 0;
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < ptr->thresholds.size(); ++i) {
+        ptr->counts.push_back(0);
+      }
 
       // Ensure global accumulator exists for this label set
       auto &global_state = family->p->global_accumulated_values[key];
       if (!global_state) {
-        global_state = std::make_unique<Histogram::State>();
-        global_state->thresholds = ptr->thresholds;
-        global_state->counts = std::vector<uint64_t>(ptr->thresholds.size(), 0);
-        global_state->sum = 0.0;
-        global_state->observations = 0;
+        global_state =
+            get_global_arena().construct<Histogram::State>(get_global_arena());
+        // Copy thresholds
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < ptr->thresholds.size(); ++i) {
+          global_state->thresholds.push_back(ptr->thresholds[i]);
+        }
+        // Initialize counts with zeros
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < ptr->thresholds.size(); ++i) {
+          global_state->counts.push_back(0);
+        }
       }
     }
     Histogram result;
-    result.p = ptr.get();
+    result.p = ptr;
     return result;
   }
 };
@@ -439,8 +553,8 @@ Histogram::Histogram() = default;
 // AVX-optimized implementation for high performance
 
 __attribute__((target("avx"))) static void
-update_histogram_buckets_simd(const std::vector<double> &thresholds,
-                              std::vector<uint64_t> &counts, double x,
+update_histogram_buckets_simd(const ArenaVector<double> &thresholds,
+                              ArenaVector<uint64_t> &counts, double x,
                               size_t start_idx) {
   const size_t size = thresholds.size();
   size_t i = start_idx;
@@ -512,11 +626,17 @@ Family<Counter> create_counter(std::string name, std::string help) {
                     name.c_str());
 
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{Metric::mutex};
-  auto &familyPtr = Metric::get_counter_families()[name];
+  auto &global_arena = Metric::get_global_arena();
+  auto name_view = arena_copy_string(name, global_arena);
+  auto &familyPtr = Metric::get_counter_families()[name_view];
   if (!familyPtr) {
-    familyPtr = std::make_unique<Family<Counter>::State>();
-    familyPtr->name = std::move(name);
-    familyPtr->help = std::move(help);
+    // NOTE: Family<T>::State instances are never destroyed - this is fine
+    // because the number of metric families is bounded by application design
+    familyPtr = new (global_arena.allocate_raw(sizeof(Family<Counter>::State),
+                                               alignof(Family<Counter>::State)))
+        Family<Counter>::State(global_arena);
+    familyPtr->name = name_view;
+    familyPtr->help = arena_copy_string(help, global_arena);
   } else {
     validate_or_abort(
         familyPtr->help == help,
@@ -524,7 +644,7 @@ Family<Counter> create_counter(std::string name, std::string help) {
         name.c_str());
   }
   Family<Counter> family;
-  family.p = familyPtr.get();
+  family.p = familyPtr;
   return family;
 }
 
@@ -533,11 +653,17 @@ Family<Gauge> create_gauge(std::string name, std::string help) {
                     name.c_str());
 
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{Metric::mutex};
-  auto &familyPtr = Metric::get_gauge_families()[name];
+  auto &global_arena = Metric::get_global_arena();
+  auto name_view = arena_copy_string(name, global_arena);
+  auto &familyPtr = Metric::get_gauge_families()[name_view];
   if (!familyPtr) {
-    familyPtr = std::make_unique<Family<Gauge>::State>();
-    familyPtr->name = std::move(name);
-    familyPtr->help = std::move(help);
+    // NOTE: Family<T>::State instances are never destroyed - this is fine
+    // because the number of metric families is bounded by application design
+    familyPtr = new (global_arena.allocate_raw(sizeof(Family<Gauge>::State),
+                                               alignof(Family<Gauge>::State)))
+        Family<Gauge>::State(global_arena);
+    familyPtr->name = name_view;
+    familyPtr->help = arena_copy_string(help, global_arena);
   } else {
     validate_or_abort(
         familyPtr->help == help,
@@ -545,7 +671,7 @@ Family<Gauge> create_gauge(std::string name, std::string help) {
         name.c_str());
   }
   Family<Gauge> family;
-  family.p = familyPtr.get();
+  family.p = familyPtr;
   return family;
 }
 
@@ -555,23 +681,34 @@ Family<Histogram> create_histogram(std::string name, std::string help,
                     name.c_str());
 
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{Metric::mutex};
-  auto &familyPtr = Metric::get_histogram_families()[name];
-  if (!familyPtr) {
-    familyPtr = std::make_unique<Family<Histogram>::State>();
-    familyPtr->name = std::move(name);
-    familyPtr->help = std::move(help);
+  auto &global_arena = Metric::get_global_arena();
+  auto name_view = arena_copy_string(name, global_arena);
+  auto &family_ptr = Metric::get_histogram_families()[name_view];
+  if (!family_ptr) {
+    // NOTE: Family<T>::State instances are never destroyed - this is fine
+    // because the number of metric families is bounded by application design
+    family_ptr = new (global_arena.allocate_raw(
+        sizeof(Family<Histogram>::State), alignof(Family<Histogram>::State)))
+        Family<Histogram>::State(global_arena);
+    family_ptr->name = name_view;
+    family_ptr->help = arena_copy_string(help, global_arena);
 
     // DESIGN: Prometheus-compatible histogram buckets
-    familyPtr->buckets = std::vector<double>(buckets.begin(), buckets.end());
-    std::sort(familyPtr->buckets.begin(), familyPtr->buckets.end());
-    familyPtr->buckets.erase(
-        std::unique(familyPtr->buckets.begin(), familyPtr->buckets.end()),
-        familyPtr->buckets.end());
+    // Convert to vector for sorting
+    std::vector<double> temp_buckets(buckets.begin(), buckets.end());
+    std::sort(temp_buckets.begin(), temp_buckets.end());
+    temp_buckets.erase(std::unique(temp_buckets.begin(), temp_buckets.end()),
+                       temp_buckets.end());
+
+    // Copy sorted buckets to arena vector
+    for (double bucket : temp_buckets) {
+      family_ptr->buckets.push_back(bucket);
+    }
     // Note: +Inf bucket is not stored explicitly - we use total observations
     // count
   } else {
     validate_or_abort(
-        familyPtr->help == help,
+        family_ptr->help == help,
         "metric family already registered with different help text",
         name.c_str());
     std::vector<double> new_buckets_vec(buckets.begin(), buckets.end());
@@ -581,12 +718,23 @@ Family<Histogram> create_histogram(std::string name, std::string help,
         new_buckets_vec.end());
     // Note: +Inf bucket is not stored explicitly - we use total observations
     // count
-    validate_or_abort(familyPtr->buckets == new_buckets_vec,
+
+    // Compare with existing buckets
+    bool buckets_match = (family_ptr->buckets.size() == new_buckets_vec.size());
+    if (buckets_match) {
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < family_ptr->buckets.size(); ++i) {
+        if (family_ptr->buckets[i] != new_buckets_vec[i]) {
+          buckets_match = false;
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    validate_or_abort(buckets_match,
                       "metric family already registered with different buckets",
                       name.c_str());
   }
   Family<Histogram> family;
-  family.p = familyPtr.get();
+  family.p = family_ptr;
   return family;
 }
 
@@ -687,10 +835,10 @@ bool is_valid_label_value(const std::string &value) {
 std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{Metric::mutex};
 
-  std::vector<std::string_view> output;
+  ArenaVector<std::string_view> output(&arena);
 
   auto format_labels =
-      [&](const std::vector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>>
+      [&](const ArenaVector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>>
               &labels) -> std::string_view {
     if (labels.empty()) {
       return "";
@@ -747,16 +895,21 @@ std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
 
   // Render counters
   for (const auto &[name, family] : Metric::get_counter_families()) {
-    output.push_back(
-        format(arena, "# HELP %s %s\n", name.c_str(), family->help.c_str()));
-    output.push_back(format(arena, "# TYPE %s counter\n", name.c_str()));
+    output.push_back(format(arena, "# HELP %.*s %.*s\n",
+                            static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
+                            static_cast<int>(family->help.length()),
+                            family->help.data()));
+    output.push_back(format(arena, "# TYPE %.*s counter\n",
+                            static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data()));
 
-    std::vector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>> labels_sv;
+    ArenaVector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>> labels_sv(
+        &arena);
     for (const auto &[labels_key, callback] : family->callbacks) {
       auto value = callback();
       labels_sv.clear();
-      for (const auto &l : labels_key.labels)
-        labels_sv.push_back(l);
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < labels_key.labels.size(); ++i) {
+        labels_sv.push_back(labels_key.labels[i]);
+      }
       auto labels = format_labels(labels_sv);
       output.push_back(format(arena, "%.*s%.*s %.17g\n",
                               static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
@@ -765,7 +918,11 @@ std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
     }
 
     // Aggregate all counter values (thread-local + global accumulated)
-    std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, double> aggregated_values;
+    std::unordered_map<LabelsKey, double, std::hash<LabelsKey>,
+                       std::equal_to<LabelsKey>,
+                       ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, double>>>
+        aggregated_values{
+            ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, double>>(&arena)};
 
     // First, add thread-local values
     for (const auto &[thread_id, per_thread] : family->per_thread_state) {
@@ -788,8 +945,9 @@ std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
     // Render aggregated counter values
     for (const auto &[labels_key, total_value] : aggregated_values) {
       labels_sv.clear();
-      for (const auto &l : labels_key.labels)
-        labels_sv.push_back(l);
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < labels_key.labels.size(); ++i) {
+        labels_sv.push_back(labels_key.labels[i]);
+      }
       auto labels = format_labels(labels_sv);
       output.push_back(format(arena, "%.*s%.*s %.17g\n",
                               static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
@@ -800,16 +958,21 @@ std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
 
   // Render gauges
   for (const auto &[name, family] : Metric::get_gauge_families()) {
-    output.push_back(
-        format(arena, "# HELP %s %s\n", name.c_str(), family->help.c_str()));
-    output.push_back(format(arena, "# TYPE %s gauge\n", name.c_str()));
+    output.push_back(format(arena, "# HELP %.*s %.*s\n",
+                            static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
+                            static_cast<int>(family->help.length()),
+                            family->help.data()));
+    output.push_back(format(arena, "# TYPE %.*s gauge\n",
+                            static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data()));
 
-    std::vector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>> labels_sv;
+    ArenaVector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>> labels_sv(
+        &arena);
     for (const auto &[labels_key, callback] : family->callbacks) {
       auto value = callback();
       labels_sv.clear();
-      for (const auto &l : labels_key.labels)
-        labels_sv.push_back(l);
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < labels_key.labels.size(); ++i) {
+        labels_sv.push_back(labels_key.labels[i]);
+      }
       auto labels = format_labels(labels_sv);
       output.push_back(format(arena, "%.*s%.*s %.17g\n",
                               static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
@@ -821,8 +984,9 @@ std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
       auto value = std::bit_cast<double>(
           instance->value.load(std::memory_order_relaxed));
       labels_sv.clear();
-      for (const auto &l : labels_key.labels)
-        labels_sv.push_back(l);
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < labels_key.labels.size(); ++i) {
+        labels_sv.push_back(labels_key.labels[i]);
+      }
       auto labels = format_labels(labels_sv);
       output.push_back(format(arena, "%.*s%.*s %.17g\n",
                               static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
@@ -833,60 +997,85 @@ std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
 
   // Render histograms
   for (const auto &[name, family] : Metric::get_histogram_families()) {
-    output.push_back(
-        format(arena, "# HELP %s %s\n", name.c_str(), family->help.c_str()));
-    output.push_back(format(arena, "# TYPE %s histogram\n", name.c_str()));
+    output.push_back(format(arena, "# HELP %.*s %.*s\n",
+                            static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
+                            static_cast<int>(family->help.length()),
+                            family->help.data()));
+    output.push_back(format(arena, "# TYPE %.*s histogram\n",
+                            static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data()));
 
     // Aggregate all histogram values (thread-local + global accumulated)
-    std::unordered_map<LabelsKey,
-                       std::tuple<std::vector<double>, std::vector<uint64_t>,
-                                  double, uint64_t>>
-        aggregated_histograms;
+    // Use a simpler structure to avoid tuple constructor issues
+    struct AggregatedHistogram {
+      ArenaVector<double> thresholds;
+      ArenaVector<uint64_t> counts;
+      double sum;
+      uint64_t observations;
 
-    std::vector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>> bucket_labels_sv;
+      AggregatedHistogram(ArenaAllocator &arena)
+          : thresholds(&arena), counts(&arena), sum(0.0), observations(0) {}
+    };
+    std::unordered_map<
+        LabelsKey, AggregatedHistogram *, std::hash<LabelsKey>,
+        std::equal_to<LabelsKey>,
+        ArenaStlAllocator<std::pair<const LabelsKey, AggregatedHistogram *>>>
+        aggregated_histograms{ArenaStlAllocator<
+            std::pair<const LabelsKey, AggregatedHistogram *>>(&arena)};
+
+    ArenaVector<std::pair<std::string_view, std::string_view>> bucket_labels_sv(
+        &arena);
 
     // First, collect thread-local histogram data
     for (const auto &[thread_id, per_thread] : family->per_thread_state) {
       for (const auto &[labels_key, instance] : per_thread.instances) {
         // Extract data under lock - minimize critical section
-        // Pre-allocate vectors to avoid malloc inside critical section
         // Note: thresholds and counts sizes never change after histogram
         // creation
-        std::vector<double> thresholds_snapshot;
-        std::vector<uint64_t> counts_snapshot;
+        ArenaVector<double> thresholds_snapshot(&arena);
+        ArenaVector<uint64_t> counts_snapshot(&arena);
         double sum_snapshot;
         uint64_t observations_snapshot;
 
-        // Pre-allocate outside critical section using immutable sizes
-        thresholds_snapshot.resize(instance->thresholds.size());
-        counts_snapshot.resize(instance->counts.size());
-
         // Copy data with minimal critical section
         {
           std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(instance->mutex);
-          std::memcpy(thresholds_snapshot.data(), instance->thresholds.data(),
-                      instance->thresholds.size() * sizeof(double));
-          std::memcpy(counts_snapshot.data(), instance->counts.data(),
-                      instance->counts.size() * sizeof(uint64_t));
+          // Copy thresholds
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < instance->thresholds.size(); ++i) {
+            thresholds_snapshot.push_back(instance->thresholds[i]);
+          }
+          // Copy counts
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < instance->counts.size(); ++i) {
+            counts_snapshot.push_back(instance->counts[i]);
+          }
           sum_snapshot = instance->sum;
           observations_snapshot = instance->observations;
         }
 
         // Initialize or aggregate into aggregated_histograms
-        auto &[thresholds, counts, sum, observations] =
-            aggregated_histograms[labels_key];
-        if (thresholds.empty()) {
-          thresholds = thresholds_snapshot;
-          counts = counts_snapshot;
-          sum = sum_snapshot;
-          observations = observations_snapshot;
+        auto it = aggregated_histograms.find(labels_key);
+        if (it == aggregated_histograms.end()) {
+          // Create new entry
+          auto *agg_hist = new (arena.allocate_raw(
+              sizeof(AggregatedHistogram), alignof(AggregatedHistogram)))
+              AggregatedHistogram(arena);
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < thresholds_snapshot.size(); ++i) {
+            agg_hist->thresholds.push_back(thresholds_snapshot[i]);
+          }
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < counts_snapshot.size(); ++i) {
+            agg_hist->counts.push_back(counts_snapshot[i]);
+          }
+          agg_hist->sum = sum_snapshot;
+          agg_hist->observations = observations_snapshot;
+          aggregated_histograms[labels_key] = agg_hist;
         } else {
+          // Aggregate with existing entry
+          auto *agg_hist = it->second;
           // Aggregate counts
           for (size_t i = 0; i < counts_snapshot.size(); ++i) {
-            counts[i] += counts_snapshot[i];
+            agg_hist->counts[i] += counts_snapshot[i];
           }
-          sum += sum_snapshot;
-          observations += observations_snapshot;
+          agg_hist->sum += sum_snapshot;
+          agg_hist->observations += observations_snapshot;
         }
       }
     }
@@ -895,74 +1084,85 @@ std::span<std::string_view> render(ArenaAllocator &arena) {
     for (const auto &[labels_key, global_state] :
          family->global_accumulated_values) {
       if (global_state) {
-        auto &[thresholds, counts, sum, observations] =
-            aggregated_histograms[labels_key];
-        if (thresholds.empty()) {
-          thresholds = global_state->thresholds;
-          counts = global_state->counts;
-          sum = global_state->sum;
-          observations = global_state->observations;
-        } else {
-          // Add global accumulated values
-          for (size_t i = 0; i < global_state->counts.size(); ++i) {
-            counts[i] += global_state->counts[i];
+        auto it = aggregated_histograms.find(labels_key);
+        if (it == aggregated_histograms.end()) {
+          // Create new entry from global state
+          auto *agg_hist = new (arena.allocate_raw(
+              sizeof(AggregatedHistogram), alignof(AggregatedHistogram)))
+              AggregatedHistogram(arena);
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < global_state->thresholds.size(); ++i) {
+            agg_hist->thresholds.push_back(global_state->thresholds[i]);
           }
-          sum += global_state->sum;
-          observations += global_state->observations;
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < global_state->counts.size(); ++i) {
+            agg_hist->counts.push_back(global_state->counts[i]);
+          }
+          agg_hist->sum = global_state->sum;
+          agg_hist->observations = global_state->observations;
+          aggregated_histograms[labels_key] = agg_hist;
+        } else {
+          // Add global accumulated values to existing entry
+          auto *agg_hist = it->second;
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < global_state->counts.size(); ++i) {
+            agg_hist->counts[i] += global_state->counts[i];
+          }
+          agg_hist->sum += global_state->sum;
+          agg_hist->observations += global_state->observations;
         }
       }
     }
 
     // Render aggregated histogram data
-    for (const auto &[labels_key, histogram_data] : aggregated_histograms) {
-      const auto &[thresholds_snapshot, counts_snapshot, sum_snapshot,
-                   observations_snapshot] = histogram_data;
+    for (const auto &[labels_key, agg_hist] : aggregated_histograms) {
 
       // Render explicit bucket counts
-      for (size_t i = 0; i < thresholds_snapshot.size(); ++i) {
+      for (size_t i = 0; i < agg_hist->thresholds.size(); ++i) {
         bucket_labels_sv.clear();
-        for (const auto &l : labels_key.labels)
-          bucket_labels_sv.push_back(l);
+        for (size_t j = 0; j < labels_key.labels.size(); ++j) {
+          bucket_labels_sv.push_back(labels_key.labels[j]);
+        }
 
         bucket_labels_sv.push_back(
-            {"le", static_format(arena, thresholds_snapshot[i])});
+            {"le", static_format(arena, agg_hist->thresholds[i])});
         auto labels = format_labels(bucket_labels_sv);
-        output.push_back(
-            format(arena, "%s_bucket%.*s %llu\n", name.c_str(),
-                   static_cast<int>(labels.length()), labels.data(),
-                   static_cast<unsigned long long>(counts_snapshot[i])));
+        output.push_back(format(
+            arena, "%.*s_bucket%.*s %llu\n", static_cast<int>(name.length()),
+            name.data(), static_cast<int>(labels.length()), labels.data(),
+            static_cast<unsigned long long>(agg_hist->counts[i])));
       }
 
       // Render +Inf bucket using total observations count
       bucket_labels_sv.clear();
-      for (const auto &l : labels_key.labels)
-        bucket_labels_sv.push_back(l);
+      for (size_t j = 0; j < labels_key.labels.size(); ++j) {
+        bucket_labels_sv.push_back(labels_key.labels[j]);
+      }
       bucket_labels_sv.push_back({"le", "+Inf"});
       auto inf_labels = format_labels(bucket_labels_sv);
-      output.push_back(
-          format(arena, "%s_bucket%.*s %llu\n", name.c_str(),
-                 static_cast<int>(inf_labels.length()), inf_labels.data(),
-                 static_cast<unsigned long long>(observations_snapshot)));
+      output.push_back(format(
+          arena, "%.*s_bucket%.*s %llu\n", static_cast<int>(name.length()),
+          name.data(), static_cast<int>(inf_labels.length()), inf_labels.data(),
+          static_cast<unsigned long long>(agg_hist->observations)));
 
       // Render sum
       bucket_labels_sv.clear();
-      for (const auto &l : labels_key.labels)
-        bucket_labels_sv.push_back(l);
+      for (size_t j = 0; j < labels_key.labels.size(); ++j) {
+        bucket_labels_sv.push_back(labels_key.labels[j]);
+      }
       auto labels = format_labels(bucket_labels_sv);
-      output.push_back(format(arena, "%s_sum%.*s %.17g\n", name.c_str(),
+      output.push_back(format(arena, "%.*s_sum%.*s %.17g\n",
+                              static_cast<int>(name.length()), name.data(),
                               static_cast<int>(labels.length()), labels.data(),
-                              sum_snapshot));
+                              agg_hist->sum));
 
       // Render count
-      output.push_back(
-          format(arena, "%s_count%.*s %llu\n", name.c_str(),
-                 static_cast<int>(labels.length()), labels.data(),
-                 static_cast<unsigned long long>(observations_snapshot)));
+      output.push_back(format(
+          arena, "%.*s_count%.*s %llu\n", static_cast<int>(name.length()),
+          name.data(), static_cast<int>(labels.length()), labels.data(),
+          static_cast<unsigned long long>(agg_hist->observations)));
     }
   }
 
   auto result = arena.allocate<std::string_view>(output.size());
-  std::copy(output.begin(), output.end(), result);
+  std::copy(output.data(), output.data() + output.size(), result);
   return std::span<std::string_view>(result, output.size());
 }
 
@@ -972,21 +1172,23 @@ void Family<Counter>::register_callback(
     std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> labels,
     MetricCallback<Counter> callback) {
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{Metric::mutex};
-  LabelsKey key{std::move(labels)};
+  LabelsKey key{labels, Metric::get_global_arena()};
 
   // Validate that labels aren't already in use by create() calls
   for (const auto &[thread_id, per_thread] : p->per_thread_state) {
     validate_or_abort(
         per_thread.instances.find(key) == per_thread.instances.end(),
         "labels already registered as static instance",
-        key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)" : key.labels[0].first.c_str());
+        key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)"
+                           : std::string(key.labels[0].first).c_str());
   }
 
   // Validate that callback isn't already registered for these labels
   validate_or_abort(p->callbacks.find(key) == p->callbacks.end(),
                     "callback already registered for labels",
-                    key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)"
-                                       : key.labels[0].first.c_str());
+                    key.labels.empty()
+                        ? "(no labels)"
+                        : std::string(key.labels[0].first).c_str());
 
   p->callbacks[std::move(key)] = std::move(callback);
 }
@@ -996,19 +1198,21 @@ void Family<Gauge>::register_callback(
     std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> labels,
     MetricCallback<Gauge> callback) {
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> _{Metric::mutex};
-  LabelsKey key{std::move(labels)};
+  LabelsKey key{labels, Metric::get_global_arena()};
 
   // Validate that labels aren't already in use by create() calls
   validate_or_abort(p->instances.find(key) == p->instances.end(),
                     "labels already registered as static instance",
-                    key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)"
-                                       : key.labels[0].first.c_str());
+                    key.labels.empty()
+                        ? "(no labels)"
+                        : std::string(key.labels[0].first).c_str());
 
   // Validate that callback isn't already registered for these labels
   validate_or_abort(p->callbacks.find(key) == p->callbacks.end(),
                     "callback already registered for labels",
-                    key.labels.empty() ? "(no labels)"
-                                       : key.labels[0].first.c_str());
+                    key.labels.empty()
+                        ? "(no labels)"
+                        : std::string(key.labels[0].first).c_str());
 
   p->callbacks[std::move(key)] = std::move(callback);
 }
diff --git a/src/metric.hpp b/src/metric.hpp
index 7340ced..093e283 100644
--- a/src/metric.hpp
+++ b/src/metric.hpp
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@
 //   histogram.observe(0.25);  // ONLY call from creating thread
 
 #include <functional>
-#include <initializer_list>
 #include <span>
 #include <string>
 #include <type_traits>
@@ -197,4 +196,4 @@ bool is_valid_label_value(const std::string &value);
 // Note: Histograms do not support callbacks due to their multi-value nature
 // (buckets + sum + count). Use static histogram metrics only.
 
-} // namespace metric
\ No newline at end of file
+} // namespace metric