# Decision 0003: Real-time thread rules

**Status:** Accepted

## Context

Audio glitches and unsafe graph changes can undermine the whole application.

## Decision

The audio callback performs bounded processing using preallocated resources.
It performs no allocation/free, blocking locks, file I/O, logging, GUI calls,
plugin loading, or waits. Graphs are prepared outside the callback and active
graph resources are retired only after safe reclamation.

## Consequences

Thread ownership and publication mechanisms must be documented and tested.
Any exception to these rules requires explicit evidence and review.