diff --git a/BOLT'S JOURNAL - PERFORMANCE LEARNINGS.md b/BOLT'S JOURNAL - PERFORMANCE LEARNINGS.md
index f687441..609417f 100644
--- a/BOLT'S JOURNAL - PERFORMANCE LEARNINGS.md	
+++ b/BOLT'S JOURNAL - PERFORMANCE LEARNINGS.md	
@@ -1,2 +1,6 @@
 - Direct matrix array manipulation (`instanceMatrix.array`) bypasses expensive Object3D composition and matrix allocations, significantly improving rendering batcher update loops.
 ## 2024-04-09 - TSL and GC Performance Rules\n**Learning:** In Three.js, TSL math nodes are generally faster and preferred over updating uniforms via JS every frame for performance optimization. For Three.js InstancedMesh objects, colors must be updated via `.setColorAt()`. Modifying the material directly will incorrectly affect all instances. In Candy World, collision detection handled in JavaScript becomes a severe bottleneck at >500 entities. AssemblyScript/WASM handles 2000+ entities efficiently.\n**Action:** Use TSL math nodes instead of JS uniforms whenever possible. Always use `.setColorAt()` for InstancedMesh colors. Use WASM for heavy collision detection.
+
+## 2024-05-XX - Zero-Allocation Matrix Batching
+**Learning:** Calling `Object3D.updateMatrix()` and `mesh.setMatrixAt()` inside update loops or batch generation code causes significant CPU overhead and garbage collection (GC) spikes because they instantiate intermediate objects and allocate arrays under the hood.
+**Action:** For all `InstancedMesh` batchers, construct `Matrix4` locally using zero-allocation scratch variables (`_scratchMatrix.compose(pos, quat, scale)`) and copy the result directly to the underlying buffer memory using `_scratchMatrix.toArray(mesh.instanceMatrix.array, index * 16)`. Always follow up with `mesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true`.
diff --git a/src/compute/gpu-foliage-animator.ts b/src/compute/gpu-foliage-animator.ts
index 9bc3951..2e289b3 100644
--- a/src/compute/gpu-foliage-animator.ts
+++ b/src/compute/gpu-foliage-animator.ts
@@ -711,7 +711,8 @@ export async function updateInstancedMeshFromAnimator(
         }
         
         dummy.updateMatrix();
-        mesh.setMatrixAt(i, dummy.matrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        dummy.matrix.toArray(mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
     }
     
     mesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
diff --git a/src/compute/gpu-particle-system.ts b/src/compute/gpu-particle-system.ts
index 687d69a..98ba816 100644
--- a/src/compute/gpu-particle-system.ts
+++ b/src/compute/gpu-particle-system.ts
@@ -432,7 +432,8 @@ export class GPUParticleSystem {
             this.dummy.scale.set(scale, scale, scale);
             this.dummy.updateMatrix();
 
-            this.particleMesh.setMatrixAt(i, this.dummy.matrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        this.dummy.matrix.toArray(this.particleMesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
         }
 
         this.particleMesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
diff --git a/src/foliage/cave.ts b/src/foliage/cave.ts
index b96e361..10a6e05 100644
--- a/src/foliage/cave.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/cave.ts
@@ -218,7 +218,8 @@ export function createCaveEntrance(options: CaveOptions = {}): THREE.Group {
         _scratchObj.scale.set(s * 0.5, s, s * 0.5);
         _scratchObj.updateMatrix();
 
-        formationsMesh.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchObj.matrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchObj.matrix.toArray(formationsMesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
     }
     group.add(formationsMesh);
 
diff --git a/src/foliage/cloud-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/cloud-batcher.ts
index ead831a..1fe4e2c 100644
--- a/src/foliage/cloud-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/cloud-batcher.ts
@@ -287,7 +287,8 @@ export class CloudBatcher {
         for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
             // Global = CloudWorld * PuffLocal
             _scratchMat.multiplyMatrices(worldMat, puffs[i]);
-            this.mesh.setMatrixAt(start + i, _scratchMat);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMat.toArray(this.mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (start + i) * 16);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/foliage/dandelion-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/dandelion-batcher.ts
index 038daad..6613b6e 100644
--- a/src/foliage/dandelion-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/dandelion-batcher.ts
@@ -257,7 +257,8 @@ export class DandelionBatcher {
         _scratchScale.setScalar(scale);
         _scratchMat.scale(_scratchScale);
 
-        this.mesh!.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchMat);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMat.toArray(this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
         this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
         this.mesh!.count = this.count;
 
@@ -273,7 +274,8 @@ export class DandelionBatcher {
         this.dummy.scale.set(0, 0, 0);
         this.dummy.updateMatrix();
 
-        this.mesh.setMatrixAt(batchIndex, this.dummy.matrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        this.dummy.matrix.toArray(this.mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (batchIndex) * 16);
         this.mesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
 
         console.log(`[DandelionBatcher] Harvested dandelion #${batchIndex}`);
diff --git a/src/foliage/flower-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/flower-batcher.ts
index 2c0455c..ec975a8 100644
--- a/src/foliage/flower-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/flower-batcher.ts
@@ -318,7 +318,8 @@ export class FlowerBatcher {
 
         if (index >= max) return;
 
-        mesh.setMatrixAt(index, matrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        matrix.toArray(mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (index) * 16);
         if (color && mesh.instanceColor) {
             mesh.setColorAt(index, color);
         }
diff --git a/src/foliage/glowing-flower-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/glowing-flower-batcher.ts
index 138c073..64f41ac 100644
--- a/src/foliage/glowing-flower-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/glowing-flower-batcher.ts
@@ -211,7 +211,8 @@ export class GlowingFlowerBatcher {
         _scratchScale.set(0.05, stemHeight, 0.05);
         _scratchMat.makeScale(_scratchScale.x, _scratchScale.y, _scratchScale.z);
         _scratchMat.premultiply(baseMatrix);
-        this.stemMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchMat);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMat.toArray(this.stemMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Head Transform (At top of stem)
         // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Re-use scratch variable to avoid GC spikes
@@ -221,7 +222,8 @@ export class GlowingFlowerBatcher {
         _scratchMat2.scale(_scratchScale);
         _scratchMat2.premultiply(baseMatrix);
         const headWorld = _scratchMat2;
-        this.headMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, headWorld);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        headWorld.toArray(this.headMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Wash Transform (At top of stem)
         // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Re-use scratch variable to avoid GC spikes
@@ -231,7 +233,8 @@ export class GlowingFlowerBatcher {
         _scratchMat3.scale(_scratchScale);
         _scratchMat3.premultiply(baseMatrix);
         const washWorld = _scratchMat3;
-        this.washMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, washWorld);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        washWorld.toArray(this.washMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Color
         if (typeof color === 'number') _scratchColor.setHex(color);
diff --git a/src/foliage/grass.ts b/src/foliage/grass.ts
index 73802f8..bd2b822 100644
--- a/src/foliage/grass.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/grass.ts
@@ -151,7 +151,8 @@ export function addGrassInstance(x: number, y: number, z: number) {
     dummy.scale.set(s, s, s);
 
     dummy.updateMatrix();
-    mesh.setMatrixAt(index, dummy.matrix);
+    // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        dummy.matrix.toArray(mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (index) * 16);
     mesh.count++;
     mesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
 }
diff --git a/src/foliage/lantern-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/lantern-batcher.ts
index 5f56ffb..fa88fa6 100644
--- a/src/foliage/lantern-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/lantern-batcher.ts
@@ -311,10 +311,12 @@ export class LanternBatcher {
         dummy.updateMatrix();
 
         // Stem
-        this.stemMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, dummy.matrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        dummy.matrix.toArray(this.stemMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Top
-        this.topMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, dummy.matrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        dummy.matrix.toArray(this.topMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Params
         const height = options.height || 2.5;
diff --git a/src/foliage/lod.ts b/src/foliage/lod.ts
index f3a316d..c002c55 100644
--- a/src/foliage/lod.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/lod.ts
@@ -618,7 +618,8 @@ export class FoliageLODManager {
         mesh.count = count;
 
         for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-            mesh.setMatrixAt(i, matrices[i]);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        matrices[i].toArray(mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
             mesh.setColorAt(i, colors[i]);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/foliage/mushroom-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/mushroom-batcher.ts
index 0055e11..3a09f1a 100644
--- a/src/foliage/mushroom-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/mushroom-batcher.ts
@@ -629,7 +629,8 @@ export class MushroomBatcher {
 
         // 1. Set Matrix
         dummy.updateMatrix();
-        this.mesh!.setMatrixAt(i, dummy.matrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        dummy.matrix.toArray(this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // PALETTE: Set Color
         // Default to Red (0xFF6B6B) if no note color provided
@@ -692,7 +693,8 @@ export class MushroomBatcher {
             // A. Copy Attributes from Last to Removed
             // Matrix
             this.mesh!.getMatrixAt(lastIndex, _scratchMatrix);
-            this.mesh!.setMatrixAt(indexToRemove, _scratchMatrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMatrix.toArray(this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (indexToRemove) * 16);
 
             // Color
             this.mesh!.getColorAt(lastIndex, _scratchColor);
diff --git a/src/foliage/simple-flower-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/simple-flower-batcher.ts
index 7c16812..8c966b2 100644
--- a/src/foliage/simple-flower-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/simple-flower-batcher.ts
@@ -296,7 +296,8 @@ export class SimpleFlowerBatcher {
         _scratchScale.set(0.05, stemHeight, 0.05);
         _scratchMat.makeScale(_scratchScale.x, _scratchScale.y, _scratchScale.z);
         _scratchMat.premultiply(baseMatrix); // Apply World Transform
-        this.stemMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchMat);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMat.toArray(this.stemMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Head Transform (At top of stem)
         // Translation(0, stemHeight, 0) relative to Base.
@@ -306,7 +307,8 @@ export class SimpleFlowerBatcher {
         const headWorld = _scratchMat2; // No clone, avoid GC spike
 
         // Petals
-        this.petalMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, headWorld);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        headWorld.toArray(this.petalMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Color
         if (typeof color === 'number') _scratchColor.setHex(color);
@@ -317,20 +319,24 @@ export class SimpleFlowerBatcher {
         // Center: Scale(0.1)
         _scratchMat.makeScale(0.1, 0.1, 0.1);
         _scratchMat.premultiply(headWorld);
-        this.centerMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchMat);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMat.toArray(this.centerMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Stamens: No extra scale needed (baked in geometry), just head transform
-        this.stamenMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, headWorld);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        headWorld.toArray(this.stamenMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
 
         // Beam: Random chance
         if (Math.random() > 0.5) {
             _scratchMat.makeScale(0.1, 1.0, 0.1);
             _scratchMat.premultiply(headWorld);
-            this.beamMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchMat);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMat.toArray(this.beamMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
         } else {
             _scratchMat.makeScale(0, 0, 0);
             _scratchMat.premultiply(headWorld);
-            this.beamMesh!.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchMat);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMat.toArray(this.beamMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
         }
         this.beamMesh!.setColorAt(i, _scratchColor);
 
diff --git a/src/foliage/waterfall-batcher.ts b/src/foliage/waterfall-batcher.ts
index 538b6a3..81a6ba4 100644
--- a/src/foliage/waterfall-batcher.ts
+++ b/src/foliage/waterfall-batcher.ts
@@ -247,7 +247,8 @@ export class WaterfallBatcher {
         _scratchPos.y -= height * 0.5;
 
         _scratchMatrix.compose(_scratchPos, _scratchQuat, _scratchScale);
-        this.mesh!.setMatrixAt(index, _scratchMatrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMatrix.toArray(this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (index) * 16);
         this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
 
         // 2. Setup Splashes (8 per waterfall)
@@ -276,7 +277,8 @@ export class WaterfallBatcher {
 
             // Initialize matrix to identity (needed for rendering, even if positionNode overrides)
             _scratchMatrix.identity();
-            this.splashMesh!.setMatrixAt(si, _scratchMatrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMatrix.toArray(this.splashMesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (si) * 16);
         }
 
         this.splashOrigin!.needsUpdate = true;
@@ -298,7 +300,8 @@ export class WaterfallBatcher {
         if (indexToRemove !== lastIndex) {
             // Swap Column
             this.mesh!.getMatrixAt(lastIndex, _scratchMatrix);
-            this.mesh!.setMatrixAt(indexToRemove, _scratchMatrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMatrix.toArray(this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (indexToRemove) * 16);
 
             // Swap Splashes (Block of 8)
             const srcStart = lastIndex * SPLASHES_PER_WATERFALL;
@@ -364,7 +367,8 @@ export class WaterfallBatcher {
         _scratchScale.z = _scratchScale.x * thicknessScale;
 
         _scratchMatrix.compose(_scratchPos, _scratchQuat, _scratchScale);
-        this.mesh!.setMatrixAt(index, _scratchMatrix);
+        // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchMatrix.toArray(this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.array, (index) * 16);
         this.mesh!.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/gameplay/jitter-mines.ts b/src/gameplay/jitter-mines.ts
index 1548050..a91ab4d 100644
--- a/src/gameplay/jitter-mines.ts
+++ b/src/gameplay/jitter-mines.ts
@@ -159,7 +159,8 @@ class JitterMineSystem {
             _scratchDummy.scale.setScalar(1);
             _scratchDummy.rotation.set(0,0,0);
             _scratchDummy.updateMatrix();
-            this.mesh.setMatrixAt(i, _scratchDummy.matrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        _scratchDummy.matrix.toArray(this.mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/gameplay/rainbow-blaster.ts b/src/gameplay/rainbow-blaster.ts
index 5b31e1f..2f7e667 100644
--- a/src/gameplay/rainbow-blaster.ts
+++ b/src/gameplay/rainbow-blaster.ts
@@ -127,7 +127,8 @@ class ProjectilePool {
         // WebGPU TSL multiplies custom positionNode output by instanceMatrix
         const identityMatrix = new THREE.Matrix4();
         for (let i = 0; i < MAX_PROJECTILES; i++) {
-            this.mesh.setMatrixAt(i, identityMatrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        identityMatrix.toArray(this.mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
         }
         this.mesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
 
diff --git a/src/systems/glitch-grenade.ts b/src/systems/glitch-grenade.ts
index d5e7373..56a8ef9 100644
--- a/src/systems/glitch-grenade.ts
+++ b/src/systems/glitch-grenade.ts
@@ -88,7 +88,8 @@ class GlitchGrenadeSystem {
         // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write a pure identity matrix into the instanceMatrix buffer
         const identityMatrix = new THREE.Matrix4();
         for (let i = 0; i < MAX_GRENADES; i++) {
-            this.mesh.setMatrixAt(i, identityMatrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        identityMatrix.toArray(this.mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
         }
         this.mesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
 
diff --git a/src/systems/physics/physics.ts b/src/systems/physics/physics.ts
index c409ef4..6b573f2 100644
--- a/src/systems/physics/physics.ts
+++ b/src/systems/physics/physics.ts
@@ -478,7 +478,8 @@ function checkHarmonyOrbs() {
             harmonyOrbSystem.dummy.position.set(0, -9999, 0);
             harmonyOrbSystem.dummy.scale.setScalar(0);
             harmonyOrbSystem.dummy.updateMatrix();
-            harmonyOrbSystem.mesh.setMatrixAt(i, harmonyOrbSystem.dummy.matrix);
+            // ⚡ OPTIMIZATION: Write directly to instanceMatrix array instead of updateMatrix + setMatrixAt
+        harmonyOrbSystem.dummy.matrix.toArray(harmonyOrbSystem.mesh.instanceMatrix.array, (i) * 16);
             harmonyOrbSystem.mesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
 
             // Visuals & Logic