diff --git a/benchmarks/bench_reference.cpp b/benchmarks/bench_reference.cpp
index b2fe9fe..d9e5768 100644
--- a/benchmarks/bench_reference.cpp
+++ b/benchmarks/bench_reference.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,18 @@ template <typename T> struct PointerTraits<std::shared_ptr<T>> {
     return std::make_shared<T>(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
   }
 
+  static pointer_type copy(const pointer_type &ptr) {
+    return ptr; // std::shared_ptr copies implicitly
+  }
+
+  static weak_type as_weak(const pointer_type &ptr) {
+    return ptr; // std::weak_ptr converts implicitly from std::shared_ptr
+  }
+
+  static weak_type copy_weak(const weak_type &weak) {
+    return weak; // std::weak_ptr copies implicitly
+  }
+
   static const char *name() { return "std::shared_ptr"; }
   static const char *weak_name() { return "std::weak_ptr"; }
 };
@@ -39,6 +51,18 @@ template <typename T> struct PointerTraits<Ref<T>> {
     return make_ref<T>(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
   }
 
+  static pointer_type copy(const pointer_type &ptr) {
+    return ptr.copy(); // Ref requires explicit copy
+  }
+
+  static weak_type as_weak(const pointer_type &ptr) {
+    return ptr.as_weak(); // Ref requires explicit as_weak
+  }
+
+  static weak_type copy_weak(const weak_type &weak) {
+    return weak.copy(); // WeakRef requires explicit copy
+  }
+
   static const char *name() { return "Ref"; }
   static const char *weak_name() { return "WeakRef"; }
 };
@@ -67,7 +91,7 @@ void benchmark_copy(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench) {
 
   auto original = Traits::make(TestObject{123});
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::name()) + " copy", [&] {
-    auto copy = original;
+    auto copy = Traits::copy(original);
     ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(copy);
   });
 }
@@ -91,9 +115,9 @@ void benchmark_weak_copy(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench) {
   force_multithreaded();
 
   auto strong_ptr = Traits::make(TestObject{123});
-  typename Traits::weak_type weak_original = strong_ptr;
+  typename Traits::weak_type weak_original = Traits::as_weak(strong_ptr);
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::weak_name()) + " copy", [&] {
-    auto weak_copy = weak_original;
+    auto weak_copy = Traits::copy_weak(weak_original);
     ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(weak_copy);
   });
 }
@@ -103,7 +127,7 @@ void benchmark_weak_move(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench) {
   using Traits = PointerTraits<PtrType>;
 
   auto strong_ptr = Traits::make(TestObject{123});
-  typename Traits::weak_type weak_original = strong_ptr;
+  typename Traits::weak_type weak_original = Traits::as_weak(strong_ptr);
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::weak_name()) + " move", [&] {
     auto weak_moved = std::move(weak_original);
     ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(weak_moved);
@@ -126,7 +150,7 @@ void benchmark_weak_lock_success(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench) {
   using Traits = PointerTraits<PtrType>;
 
   auto strong_ptr = Traits::make(TestObject{789});
-  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = strong_ptr;
+  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = Traits::as_weak(strong_ptr);
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::weak_name()) + " lock success", [&] {
     auto locked = weak_ptr.lock();
     ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(locked);
@@ -140,7 +164,7 @@ void benchmark_weak_lock_failure(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench) {
   typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr;
   {
     auto strong_ptr = Traits::make(TestObject{999});
-    weak_ptr = strong_ptr;
+    weak_ptr = Traits::as_weak(strong_ptr);
   }
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::weak_name()) + " lock failure", [&] {
     auto locked = weak_ptr.lock();
@@ -163,7 +187,7 @@ void benchmark_multithreaded_copy(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
   for (int i = 0; i < num_threads - 1; ++i) {
     background_threads.emplace_back([&]() {
       while (keep_running.load(std::memory_order_relaxed)) {
-        auto copy = ptr;
+        auto copy = Traits::copy(ptr);
         ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(copy);
       }
     });
@@ -171,7 +195,7 @@ void benchmark_multithreaded_copy(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
 
   // Benchmark the foreground thread under contention
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::name()) + " copy under contention", [&] {
-    auto copy = ptr;
+    auto copy = Traits::copy(ptr);
     ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(copy);
   });
 
@@ -189,7 +213,7 @@ void benchmark_multithreaded_weak_lock(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
 
   // Create the shared object and weak reference outside the benchmark
   auto strong_ptr = Traits::make(TestObject{789});
-  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = strong_ptr;
+  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = Traits::as_weak(strong_ptr);
 
   // Create background threads that will create contention
   std::atomic<bool> keep_running{true};
@@ -224,7 +248,7 @@ void benchmark_weak_copy_with_strong_contention(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
 
   // Create the shared object and weak reference outside the benchmark
   auto strong_ptr = Traits::make(TestObject{456});
-  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = strong_ptr;
+  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = Traits::as_weak(strong_ptr);
 
   // Create background threads copying the strong pointer
   std::atomic<bool> keep_running{true};
@@ -233,7 +257,7 @@ void benchmark_weak_copy_with_strong_contention(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
   for (int i = 0; i < num_threads - 1; ++i) {
     background_threads.emplace_back([&]() {
       while (keep_running.load(std::memory_order_relaxed)) {
-        auto copy = strong_ptr;
+        auto copy = Traits::copy(strong_ptr);
         ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(copy);
       }
     });
@@ -242,7 +266,7 @@ void benchmark_weak_copy_with_strong_contention(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
   // Benchmark weak reference copying under strong reference contention
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::weak_name()) + " copy with strong contention",
             [&] {
-              auto weak_copy = weak_ptr;
+              auto weak_copy = Traits::copy_weak(weak_ptr);
               ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(weak_copy);
             });
 
@@ -260,7 +284,7 @@ void benchmark_strong_copy_with_weak_contention(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
 
   // Create the shared object and weak reference outside the benchmark
   auto strong_ptr = Traits::make(TestObject{789});
-  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = strong_ptr;
+  typename Traits::weak_type weak_ptr = Traits::as_weak(strong_ptr);
 
   // Create background threads copying the weak pointer
   std::atomic<bool> keep_running{true};
@@ -269,7 +293,7 @@ void benchmark_strong_copy_with_weak_contention(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
   for (int i = 0; i < num_threads - 1; ++i) {
     background_threads.emplace_back([&]() {
       while (keep_running.load(std::memory_order_relaxed)) {
-        auto weak_copy = weak_ptr;
+        auto weak_copy = Traits::copy_weak(weak_ptr);
         ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(weak_copy);
       }
     });
@@ -277,7 +301,7 @@ void benchmark_strong_copy_with_weak_contention(ankerl::nanobench::Bench &bench,
 
   // Benchmark strong reference copying under weak reference contention
   bench.run(std::string(Traits::name()) + " copy with weak contention", [&] {
-    auto strong_copy = strong_ptr;
+    auto strong_copy = Traits::copy(strong_ptr);
     ankerl::nanobench::doNotOptimizeAway(strong_copy);
   });
 
diff --git a/src/reference.hpp b/src/reference.hpp
index cc69773..714c6a3 100644
--- a/src/reference.hpp
+++ b/src/reference.hpp
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@
  * Basic usage:
  * @code
  * auto obj = make_ref<MyClass>(args...);     // Create managed object
- * auto copy = obj;                           // Copy (thread-safe)
- * WeakRef<MyClass> weak = obj;               // Create weak reference
+ * auto copy = obj.copy();                    // Explicit copy (thread-safe)
+ * WeakRef<MyClass> weak = obj.as_weak();     // Create weak reference
  * auto locked = weak.lock();                 // Try to promote to strong
  * @endcode
  *
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@
  * safely copy, move, and destroy references to the same object.
  */
 
+// Forward declaration
+template <typename T> struct WeakRef;
+
 namespace detail {
 struct ControlBlock {
   std::atomic<uint32_t> strong_count;
@@ -126,57 +129,28 @@ template <typename T> struct Ref {
   ~Ref() { release(); }
 
   /**
-   * @brief Copy constructor - increments strong reference count
+   * @brief Copy constructor - deleted to prevent accidental copies
+   * Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  Ref(const Ref &other) noexcept
-      : ptr(other.ptr), control_block(other.control_block) {
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_strong();
-    }
-  }
+  Ref(const Ref &other) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Converting copy constructor for polymorphism (Derived -> Base)
+   * @brief Converting copy constructor - deleted to prevent accidental copies
+   * Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  template <typename U>
-  Ref(const Ref<U> &other) noexcept
-    requires std::is_convertible_v<U *, T *>
-      : ptr(other.ptr), control_block(other.control_block) {
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_strong();
-    }
-  }
+  template <typename U> Ref(const Ref<U> &other) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Copy assignment operator
+   * @brief Copy assignment operator - deleted to prevent accidental copies
+   * Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  Ref &operator=(const Ref &other) noexcept {
-    if (this != &other) {
-      release();
-      ptr = other.ptr;
-      control_block = other.control_block;
-      if (control_block) {
-        control_block->increment_strong();
-      }
-    }
-    return *this;
-  }
+  Ref &operator=(const Ref &other) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Converting assignment operator for polymorphism (Derived -> Base)
+   * @brief Converting assignment operator - deleted to prevent accidental
+   * copies Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  template <typename U>
-  Ref &operator=(const Ref<U> &other) noexcept
-    requires std::is_convertible_v<U *, T *>
-  {
-    release();
-    ptr = other.ptr;
-    control_block = other.control_block;
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_strong();
-    }
-    return *this;
-  }
+  template <typename U> Ref &operator=(const Ref<U> &other) = delete;
 
   /**
    * @brief Move constructor - transfers ownership
@@ -228,6 +202,28 @@ template <typename T> struct Ref {
     return *this;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @brief Explicitly create a copy with shared ownership
+   * @return New Ref that shares ownership of the same object
+   */
+  [[nodiscard]] Ref copy() const noexcept {
+    if (control_block) {
+      control_block->increment_strong();
+    }
+    return Ref(ptr, control_block);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Create a WeakRef that observes this object
+   * @return New WeakRef that observes the same object
+   */
+  [[nodiscard]] WeakRef<T> as_weak() const noexcept {
+    if (control_block) {
+      control_block->increment_weak();
+    }
+    return WeakRef<T>(control_block);
+  }
+
   /**
    * @brief Reset to empty state
    */
@@ -347,76 +343,40 @@ template <typename T> struct WeakRef {
   ~WeakRef() { release(); }
 
   /**
-   * @brief Copy constructor from WeakRef
+   * @brief Copy constructor from WeakRef - deleted to prevent accidental copies
+   * Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  WeakRef(const WeakRef &other) noexcept : control_block(other.control_block) {
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_weak();
-    }
-  }
+  WeakRef(const WeakRef &other) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Copy constructor from Ref
+   * @brief Copy constructor from Ref - deleted to prevent accidental copies
+   * Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  WeakRef(const Ref<T> &ref) noexcept : control_block(ref.control_block) {
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_weak();
-    }
-  }
+  WeakRef(const Ref<T> &ref) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Converting copy constructor from WeakRef for polymorphism
+   * @brief Converting copy constructor from WeakRef - deleted to prevent
+   * accidental copies Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  template <typename U>
-  WeakRef(const WeakRef<U> &other) noexcept
-    requires std::is_convertible_v<U *, T *>
-      : control_block(other.control_block) {
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_weak();
-    }
-  }
+  template <typename U> WeakRef(const WeakRef<U> &other) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Converting copy constructor from Ref for polymorphism
+   * @brief Converting copy constructor from Ref - deleted to prevent accidental
+   * copies Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  template <typename U>
-  WeakRef(const Ref<U> &ref) noexcept
-    requires std::is_convertible_v<U *, T *>
-      : control_block(ref.control_block) {
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_weak();
-    }
-  }
+  template <typename U> WeakRef(const Ref<U> &ref) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Converting copy assignment from WeakRef for polymorphism
+   * @brief Converting copy assignment from WeakRef - deleted to prevent
+   * accidental copies Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  template <typename U>
-  WeakRef &operator=(const WeakRef<U> &other) noexcept
-    requires std::is_convertible_v<U *, T *>
-  {
-    release();
-    control_block = other.control_block;
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_weak();
-    }
-    return *this;
-  }
+  template <typename U> WeakRef &operator=(const WeakRef<U> &other) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Converting copy assignment from Ref for polymorphism
+   * @brief Converting copy assignment from Ref - deleted to prevent accidental
+   * copies Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  template <typename U>
-  WeakRef &operator=(const Ref<U> &ref) noexcept
-    requires std::is_convertible_v<U *, T *>
-  {
-    release();
-    control_block = ref.control_block;
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_weak();
-    }
-    return *this;
-  }
+  template <typename U> WeakRef &operator=(const Ref<U> &ref) = delete;
 
   /**
    * @brief Converting move constructor from WeakRef for polymorphism
@@ -442,30 +402,16 @@ template <typename T> struct WeakRef {
   }
 
   /**
-   * @brief Copy assignment from WeakRef
+   * @brief Copy assignment from WeakRef - deleted to prevent accidental copies
+   * Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  WeakRef &operator=(const WeakRef &other) noexcept {
-    if (this != &other) {
-      release();
-      control_block = other.control_block;
-      if (control_block) {
-        control_block->increment_weak();
-      }
-    }
-    return *this;
-  }
+  WeakRef &operator=(const WeakRef &other) = delete;
 
   /**
-   * @brief Copy assignment from Ref
+   * @brief Copy assignment from Ref - deleted to prevent accidental copies
+   * Use copy() method for explicit copying
    */
-  WeakRef &operator=(const Ref<T> &ref) noexcept {
-    release();
-    control_block = ref.control_block;
-    if (control_block) {
-      control_block->increment_weak();
-    }
-    return *this;
-  }
+  WeakRef &operator=(const Ref<T> &ref) = delete;
 
   /**
    * @brief Move constructor
@@ -486,6 +432,17 @@ template <typename T> struct WeakRef {
     return *this;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @brief Explicitly create a copy with shared weak reference
+   * @return New WeakRef that observes the same object
+   */
+  [[nodiscard]] WeakRef copy() const noexcept {
+    if (control_block) {
+      control_block->increment_weak();
+    }
+    return WeakRef(control_block);
+  }
+
   /**
    * @brief Reset to empty state
    */
@@ -550,6 +507,8 @@ private:
  * @code
  * auto obj = make_ref<MyClass>(arg1, arg2);
  * auto empty_vec = make_ref<std::vector<int>>();
+ * auto obj_copy = obj.copy();                    // Explicit copy
+ * WeakRef<MyClass> weak = obj.as_weak();         // Create weak reference
  * @endcode
  *
  * Thread safety: Safe to call from multiple threads simultaneously.
diff --git a/src/server.cpp b/src/server.cpp
index 596cc24..fee574b 100644
--- a/src/server.cpp
+++ b/src/server.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Ref<Server> Server::create(const weaseldb::Config &config,
                            ConnectionHandler &handler,
                            const std::vector<int> &listen_fds) {
   auto result = make_ref<Server>(config, handler, listen_fds);
-  result->self_ = result;
+  result->self_ = result.as_weak();
   return result;
 }
 
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ int Server::create_local_connection() {
   // Create Connection object
   auto connection = std::unique_ptr<Connection>(new Connection(
       addr, server_fd, connection_id_.fetch_add(1, std::memory_order_relaxed),
-      epoll_index, &handler_, self_));
+      epoll_index, &handler_, self_.copy()));
 
   // Store in registry
   connection_registry_.store(server_fd, std::move(connection));
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ void Server::start_io_threads(std::vector<std::thread> &threads) {
             batch[batch_count] = std::unique_ptr<Connection>(new Connection(
                 addr, fd,
                 connection_id_.fetch_add(1, std::memory_order_relaxed),
-                epoll_index, &handler_, self_));
+                epoll_index, &handler_, self_.copy()));
             batch_events[batch_count] =
                 EPOLLIN; // New connections always start with read
             batch_count++;
diff --git a/tests/test_reference.cpp b/tests/test_reference.cpp
index a86ea1b..e4d41ae 100644
--- a/tests/test_reference.cpp
+++ b/tests/test_reference.cpp
@@ -52,9 +52,9 @@ TEST_CASE("Ref basic functionality") {
     CHECK((*ref).value == 42);
   }
 
-  SUBCASE("copy construction increments reference count") {
+  SUBCASE("explicit copy increments reference count") {
     auto ref1 = make_ref<TestObject>(123);
-    auto ref2 = ref1;
+    auto ref2 = ref1.copy();
 
     CHECK(ref1);
     CHECK(ref2);
@@ -63,11 +63,11 @@ TEST_CASE("Ref basic functionality") {
     CHECK(ref2->value == 123);
   }
 
-  SUBCASE("copy assignment works correctly") {
+  SUBCASE("explicit copy assignment works correctly") {
     auto ref1 = make_ref<TestObject>(100);
     auto ref2 = make_ref<TestObject>(200);
 
-    ref2 = ref1;
+    ref2 = ref1.copy();
     CHECK(ref1.get() == ref2.get());
     CHECK(ref1->value == 100);
     CHECK(ref2->value == 100);
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Ref basic functionality") {
 TEST_CASE("WeakRef basic functionality") {
   SUBCASE("construction from Ref") {
     auto ref = make_ref<TestObject>(333);
-    WeakRef<TestObject> weak_ref = ref;
+    WeakRef<TestObject> weak_ref = ref.as_weak();
 
     auto locked = weak_ref.lock();
     CHECK(locked);
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ TEST_CASE("WeakRef basic functionality") {
     WeakRef<TestObject> weak_ref;
     {
       auto ref = make_ref<TestObject>(444);
-      weak_ref = ref;
+      weak_ref = ref.as_weak();
     }
     // ref goes out of scope, object should be destroyed
 
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ TEST_CASE("WeakRef basic functionality") {
 
   SUBCASE("copy and move semantics") {
     auto ref = make_ref<TestObject>(666);
-    WeakRef<TestObject> weak1 = ref;
-    WeakRef<TestObject> weak2 = weak1;            // copy
+    WeakRef<TestObject> weak1 = ref.as_weak();
+    WeakRef<TestObject> weak2 = weak1.copy();     // explicit copy
     WeakRef<TestObject> weak3 = std::move(weak1); // move
 
     auto locked2 = weak2.lock();
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Ref thread safety") {
           start_latch.arrive_and_wait();
 
           for (int j = 0; j < copies_per_thread; ++j) {
-            auto copy = ref;
+            auto copy = ref.copy();
             CHECK(copy);
             CHECK(copy->value == 777);
           }
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Control block cleanup race condition test") {
   WeakRef<TestObject> ptr2;
   auto setup = [&]() {
     ptr1 = make_ref<TestObject>(0);
-    ptr2 = ptr1;
+    ptr2 = ptr1.as_weak();
   };
 
   // Barrier for synchronization - 2 participants (main thread + worker thread)
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ TEST_CASE("WeakRef prevents circular references") {
     // Create object and weak reference
     {
       auto ref = make_ref<TestObject>(123);
-      weak_ref = ref;
+      weak_ref = ref.as_weak();
 
       // Should be able to lock while object exists
       auto locked = weak_ref.lock();
@@ -262,8 +262,8 @@ TEST_CASE("WeakRef prevents circular references") {
     auto child = make_ref<Node>(2);
 
     // Create potential cycle
-    parent->next = child;   // Strong reference: parent → child
-    child->parent = parent; // WeakRef: child ⇝ parent (breaks cycle)
+    parent->next = child.copy();      // Strong reference: parent → child
+    child->parent = parent.as_weak(); // WeakRef: child ⇝ parent (breaks cycle)
 
     CHECK(parent->data == 1);
     CHECK(child->data == 2);
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic Ref conversions") {
     CHECK(derived_ref->get_value() == 30); // 10 + 20
 
     // Convert Ref<Derived> to Ref<Base>
-    Ref<Base> base_ref = derived_ref;
+    Ref<Base> base_ref = derived_ref.copy();
     CHECK(base_ref);
     CHECK(base_ref->get_value() == 30); // Virtual dispatch works
     CHECK(base_ref->base_value == 10);
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic Ref conversions") {
     CHECK(base_ref->get_value() == 100);
 
     // Assign derived to base
-    base_ref = derived_ref;
+    base_ref = derived_ref.copy();
     CHECK(base_ref->get_value() == 20); // 5 + 15
     CHECK(base_ref.get() == derived_ref.get());
   }
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic Ref conversions") {
     CHECK(another_derived->get_value() == 24); // 6 * 4
 
     // Convert to base
-    Ref<Base> base_ref = another_derived;
+    Ref<Base> base_ref = another_derived.copy();
     CHECK(base_ref->get_value() == 24); // Virtual dispatch
     CHECK(base_ref.get() == another_derived.get());
   }
@@ -349,10 +349,10 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic WeakRef conversions") {
     auto derived_ref = make_ref<Derived>(3, 7);
 
     // Create WeakRef<Derived>
-    WeakRef<Derived> weak_derived = derived_ref;
+    WeakRef<Derived> weak_derived = derived_ref.as_weak();
 
     // Convert to WeakRef<Base>
-    WeakRef<Base> weak_base = weak_derived;
+    WeakRef<Base> weak_base = weak_derived.copy();
 
     // Both should lock to same object
     auto locked_derived = weak_derived.lock();
@@ -368,11 +368,11 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic WeakRef conversions") {
     auto derived_ref = make_ref<Derived>(4, 6);
     auto base_ref = make_ref<Base>(999);
 
-    WeakRef<Derived> weak_derived = derived_ref;
-    WeakRef<Base> weak_base = base_ref;
+    WeakRef<Derived> weak_derived = derived_ref.as_weak();
+    WeakRef<Base> weak_base = base_ref.as_weak();
 
     // Assign derived weak ref to base weak ref
-    weak_base = weak_derived;
+    weak_base = weak_derived.copy();
 
     auto locked = weak_base.lock();
     CHECK(locked);
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic WeakRef conversions") {
     auto derived_ref = make_ref<Derived>(2, 8);
 
     // Create WeakRef<Base> directly from Ref<Derived>
-    WeakRef<Base> weak_base = derived_ref;
+    WeakRef<Base> weak_base = derived_ref.as_weak();
 
     auto locked = weak_base.lock();
     CHECK(locked);
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic WeakRef conversions") {
 
   SUBCASE("WeakRef move operations") {
     auto derived_ref = make_ref<Derived>(1, 9);
-    WeakRef<Derived> weak_derived = derived_ref;
+    WeakRef<Derived> weak_derived = derived_ref.as_weak();
 
     // Move construct
     WeakRef<Base> weak_base = std::move(weak_derived);
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic edge cases") {
     CHECK(!empty_derived);
 
     // Convert empty derived to base
-    Ref<Base> empty_base = empty_derived;
+    Ref<Base> empty_base = empty_derived.copy();
     CHECK(!empty_base);
 
     // Move empty derived to base
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic edge cases") {
     CHECK(!empty_weak_derived.lock());
 
     // Convert empty weak derived to weak base
-    WeakRef<Base> empty_weak_base = empty_weak_derived;
+    WeakRef<Base> empty_weak_base = empty_weak_derived.copy();
     CHECK(!empty_weak_base.lock());
   }
 
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ TEST_CASE("Polymorphic edge cases") {
     auto derived_ref = make_ref<Derived>(5, 5);
 
     // Ref<Derived> → WeakRef<Base>
-    WeakRef<Base> weak_base_from_ref = derived_ref;
+    WeakRef<Base> weak_base_from_ref = derived_ref.as_weak();
 
     // WeakRef<Base> → Ref<Base> via lock
     auto base_ref_from_weak = weak_base_from_ref.lock();
@@ -457,5 +457,5 @@ TEST_CASE("Self-referencing WeakRef pattern") {
     WeakRef<SelfReferencing> self_;
   };
   auto x = make_ref<SelfReferencing>();
-  x->self_ = x;
+  x->self_ = x.as_weak();
 }