Move auxiliary work off the main event loop

Run voice discovery, voice testing, clipboard I/O, and external scripts in isolated background worker lanes. Deliver results through Fenrir's event queue so manager state remains owned by the main loop.

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/apply_tested_voice.py

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ class command:
 
             module = self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedModule"]
             voice = self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"]
+            language = self.env["commandBuffer"].get("lastTestedLanguage")
 
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                 f"Applying {voice} from {module}", interrupt=True
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ class command:
             old_driver = SettingsManager.get_setting("speech", "driver")
             old_module = SettingsManager.get_setting("speech", "module")
             old_voice = SettingsManager.get_setting("speech", "voice")
+            old_language = SettingsManager.get_setting("speech", "language")
 
             try:
                 # Apply new settings to runtime only (use set_setting to update
@@ -55,6 +57,10 @@ class command:
                 )
                 SettingsManager.set_setting("speech", "module", module)
                 SettingsManager.set_setting("speech", "voice", voice)
+                if language:
+                    SettingsManager.set_setting(
+                        "speech", "language", language
+                    )
 
                 # Apply to speech driver instance directly
                 if "SpeechDriver" in self.env["runtime"]:
@@ -62,6 +68,8 @@ class command:
 
                     # Set the module and voice on the driver instance
                     SpeechDriver.set_module(module)
+                    if language:
+                        SpeechDriver.set_language(language)
                     SpeechDriver.set_voice(voice)
 
                     self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
@@ -77,6 +85,9 @@ class command:
                 SettingsManager.set_setting("speech", "driver", old_driver)
                 SettingsManager.set_setting("speech", "module", old_module)
                 SettingsManager.set_setting("speech", "voice", old_voice)
+                SettingsManager.set_setting(
+                    "speech", "language", old_language
+                )
 
                 self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                     f"Failed to apply voice, reverted: {str(e)}",

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/export_clipboard_to_x.py

@@ -4,30 +4,35 @@
 # Fenrir TTY screen reader
 # By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
 
-import _thread
-
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
 from fenrirscreenreader.utils import x_clipboard
 
 
+def write_clipboard(clipboard):
+    """Write the graphical clipboard without accessing Fenrir state."""
+    return x_clipboard.write_text(clipboard, scan_displays=True)
+
+
 class command:
     def __init__(self):
-        pass
+        self._task_ids = set()
 
     def initialize(self, environment, script_path=""):
         self.env = environment
         self.script_path = script_path
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        pass
+        task_manager = self.env["runtime"].get("BackgroundTaskManager")
+        if task_manager:
+            for task_id in self._task_ids:
+                task_manager.cancel_task(task_id)
+        self._task_ids.clear()
 
     def get_description(self):
         return _("Export current fenrir clipboard to X or GUI clipboard")
 
     def run(self):
-        _thread.start_new_thread(self._thread_run, ())
-
-    def _thread_run(self):
         try:
             # Check if clipboard is empty
             if self.env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].is_index_list_empty(
@@ -43,36 +48,43 @@ class command:
                 "MemoryManager"
             ].get_index_list_element("clipboardHistory")
 
-            try:
-                success = x_clipboard.write_text(
-                    clipboard, scan_displays=True
-                )
-            except Exception:
-                success = False
-
-            # Notify the user of the result
-            if success:
-                sync_manager = self.env["runtime"].get(
-                    "ClipboardSyncManager"
-                )
-                if sync_manager:
-                    sync_manager.mark_written_to_x(clipboard)
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    _("exported to the X session."), interrupt=True
-                )
-            else:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    _(
-                        "failed to export to X clipboard. No available display "
-                        "found."
-                    ),
-                    interrupt=True,
-                )
+            task_id = self.env["runtime"][
+                "BackgroundTaskManager"
+            ].submit_task(
+                write_clipboard,
+                lambda result: self._handle_result(clipboard, result),
+                clipboard,
+            )
+            if task_id is not None:
+                self._task_ids.add(task_id)
 
         except Exception as e:
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                 str(e), sound_icon="", interrupt=False
             )
 
+    def _handle_result(self, clipboard, result):
+        self._task_ids.discard(result.get("task_id"))
+        if result.get("succeeded") and result.get("value"):
+            sync_manager = self.env["runtime"].get("ClipboardSyncManager")
+            if sync_manager:
+                sync_manager.mark_written_to_x(clipboard)
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                _("exported to the X session."), interrupt=True
+            )
+            return
+
+        if not result.get("succeeded") and result.get("error"):
+            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                "Clipboard export failed: " + result["error"],
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+            )
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            _(
+                "failed to export to X clipboard. No available display found."
+            ),
+            interrupt=True,
+        )
+
     def set_callback(self, callback):
         pass

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/import_clipboard_from_x.py

@@ -4,60 +4,68 @@
 # Fenrir TTY screen reader
 # By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
 
-import _thread
-
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
 from fenrirscreenreader.utils import x_clipboard
 
 
+def read_clipboard():
+    """Read the graphical clipboard without accessing Fenrir state."""
+    return x_clipboard.read_text(scan_displays=True)
+
+
 class command:
     def __init__(self):
-        pass
+        self._task_ids = set()
 
     def initialize(self, environment, script_path=""):
         self.env = environment
         self.script_path = script_path
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        pass
+        task_manager = self.env["runtime"].get("BackgroundTaskManager")
+        if task_manager:
+            for task_id in self._task_ids:
+                task_manager.cancel_task(task_id)
+        self._task_ids.clear()
 
     def get_description(self):
         return _("imports the graphical clipboard to Fenrir's clipboard")
 
     def run(self):
-        _thread.start_new_thread(self._thread_run, ())
+        task_id = self.env["runtime"]["BackgroundTaskManager"].submit_task(
+            read_clipboard, self._handle_result
+        )
+        if task_id is not None:
+            self._task_ids.add(task_id)
 
-    def _thread_run(self):
-        try:
-            try:
-                clipboard_content = x_clipboard.read_text(
-                    scan_displays=True
-                )
-            except Exception:
-                clipboard_content = None
-
-            # Process the clipboard content if we found any
-            if clipboard_content and isinstance(clipboard_content, str):
-                self.env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].add_value_to_first_index(
-                    "clipboardHistory", clipboard_content
-                )
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    "Import to Clipboard",
-                    sound_icon="CopyToClipboard",
-                    interrupt=True,
-                )
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    clipboard_content, sound_icon="", interrupt=False
-                )
-            else:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    "No text found in clipboard or no accessible display",
-                    interrupt=True,
-                )
-        except Exception as e:
+    def _handle_result(self, result):
+        self._task_ids.discard(result.get("task_id"))
+        clipboard_content = result.get("value")
+        if not result.get("succeeded"):
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                str(e), sound_icon="", interrupt=False
+                result.get("error", "Clipboard import failed"),
+                sound_icon="",
+                interrupt=False,
             )
+            return
+        if not clipboard_content or not isinstance(clipboard_content, str):
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                "No text found in clipboard or no accessible display",
+                interrupt=True,
+            )
+            return
+
+        self.env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].add_value_to_first_index(
+            "clipboardHistory", clipboard_content
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            "Import to Clipboard",
+            sound_icon="CopyToClipboard",
+            interrupt=True,
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            clipboard_content, sound_icon="", interrupt=False
+        )
 
     def set_callback(self, callback):
         pass

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/subprocess.py

@@ -4,24 +4,42 @@
 # Fenrir TTY screen reader
 # By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
 
-import _thread
 import os
-from subprocess import PIPE
-from subprocess import Popen
+import subprocess
 
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
 
 
+def run_script(script_path, current_user):
+    """Run an external command without accessing Fenrir's shared state."""
+    process = subprocess.Popen(
+        [script_path, current_user],
+        stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+        stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
+        text=True,
+    )
+    stdout, stderr = process.communicate()
+    return {
+        "return_code": process.returncode,
+        "stdout": stdout,
+        "stderr": stderr,
+    }
+
+
 class command:
     def __init__(self):
-        pass
+        self._task_ids = set()
 
     def initialize(self, environment, script_path=""):
         self.env = environment
         self.script_path = script_path
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        pass
+        task_manager = self.env["runtime"].get("BackgroundTaskManager")
+        if task_manager:
+            for task_id in self._task_ids:
+                task_manager.cancel_task(task_id)
+        self._task_ids.clear()
 
     def get_description(self):
         return _("script: {0} fullpath: {1}").format(
@@ -48,30 +66,39 @@ class command:
                 interrupt=False,
             )
             return
-        _thread.start_new_thread(self._thread_run, ())
 
-    def _thread_run(self):
-        try:
-            p = Popen(
-                [self.script_path, self.env["general"]["curr_user"]],
-                stdout=PIPE,
-                stderr=PIPE,
-            )
-            stdout, stderr = p.communicate()
-            stdout = stdout.decode("utf-8")
-            stderr = stderr.decode("utf-8")
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].interrupt_output()
-            if stderr != "":
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    str(stderr), sound_icon="", interrupt=False
-                )
-            if stdout != "":
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    str(stdout), sound_icon="", interrupt=False
-                )
-        except Exception as e:
+        task_id = self.env["runtime"][
+            "BackgroundTaskManager"
+        ].submit_external_task(
+            run_script,
+            self._handle_result,
+            self.script_path,
+            self.env["general"]["curr_user"],
+        )
+        if task_id is not None:
+            self._task_ids.add(task_id)
+
+    def _handle_result(self, result):
+        self._task_ids.discard(result.get("task_id"))
+        if not result.get("succeeded"):
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                str(e), sound_icon="", interrupt=False
+                result.get("error", _("Script failed")),
+                sound_icon="",
+                interrupt=False,
+            )
+            return
+
+        output = result.get("value") or {}
+        stderr = output.get("stderr", "")
+        stdout = output.get("stdout", "")
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].interrupt_output()
+        if stderr:
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                stderr, sound_icon="", interrupt=False
+            )
+        if stdout:
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                stdout, sound_icon="", interrupt=False
             )
 
     def set_callback(self, callback):

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/voice_browser.py

@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
-import subprocess
 import time
 
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
-from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
 
 
 class command:
     def __init__(self):
-        pass
+        self._request_generation = 0
+        self._loading = False
 
     def initialize(self, environment):
         self.env = environment
-        self.testMessage = "This is a voice test. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
+        self.test_message = (
+            "This is a voice test. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
+        )
         self.modules = []
         self.voices = []
         self.module_index = 0
@@ -23,7 +24,9 @@ class command:
         self.lastAnnounceTime = 0
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        pass
+        self._request_generation += 1
+        self._loading = False
+        self._leave_voice_browser(False)
 
     def get_description(self):
         return "Interactive voice browser with arrow key navigation"
@@ -37,34 +40,59 @@ class command:
             "Starting voice browser", interrupt=True
         )
 
-        # Load modules
-        self.modules = self.get_speechd_modules()
-        if not self.modules:
+        if self._loading:
+            return
+        self._loading = True
+        self._request_generation += 1
+        generation = self._request_generation
+        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].request_modules(
+            lambda modules, error: self._modules_ready(
+                generation, modules, error
+            )
+        )
+
+    def _modules_ready(self, generation, modules, error):
+        if generation != self._request_generation:
+            return
+        if error or not modules:
+            self._loading = False
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                 "No speech modules found", interrupt=True
             )
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].play_sound("Error")
             return
-
-        # Set current module
+        self.modules = modules
         current_module = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].get_setting(
             "speech", "module"
         )
         if current_module and current_module in self.modules:
             self.module_index = self.modules.index(current_module)
+        self._request_current_module_voices(generation, True)
 
-        # Load voices
-        self.load_voices_for_current_module()
+    def _request_current_module_voices(self, generation, enter_browser=False):
+        module = self.modules[self.module_index]
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            f"Loading voices for {module}", interrupt=True
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].request_voices(
+            module,
+            lambda _module, voices, error: self._voices_ready(
+                generation, voices, error, enter_browser
+            ),
+        )
 
-        # Set current voice
+    def _voices_ready(self, generation, voices, error, enter_browser):
+        if generation != self._request_generation:
+            return
+        self._loading = False
+        self.voices = voices if not error else []
+        self.voice_index = 0
         current_voice = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].get_setting(
             "speech", "voice"
         )
         if current_voice and current_voice in self.voices:
             self.voice_index = self.voices.index(current_voice)
-
-        # Enter browser mode
-        self.enter_voice_browser()
+        if enter_browser:
+            self.enter_voice_browser()
         self.announce_current_selection()
 
     def enter_voice_browser(self):
@@ -113,6 +141,9 @@ class command:
 
     def exit_voice_browser(self):
         """Exit voice browser and restore normal key bindings"""
+        self._leave_voice_browser(True)
+
+    def _leave_voice_browser(self, announce):
         if not self.browserActive:
             return
 
@@ -125,16 +156,10 @@ class command:
         if "voiceBrowserInstance" in self.env["runtime"]:
             del self.env["runtime"]["voiceBrowserInstance"]
 
-        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-            "Voice browser exited", interrupt=True
-        )
-
-    def load_voices_for_current_module(self):
-        """Load voices for current module"""
-        if self.module_index < len(self.modules):
-            module = self.modules[self.module_index]
-            self.voices = self.get_module_voices(module)
-            self.voice_index = 0  # Reset to first voice when changing modules
+        if announce:
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                "Voice browser exited", interrupt=True
+            )
 
     def announce_current_selection(self):
         """Announce current module and voice"""
@@ -149,7 +174,7 @@ class command:
 
         module = self.modules[self.module_index]
         if self.voices and self.voice_index < len(self.voices):
-            voice = self.voices[self.voice_index]
+            voice = self.voices[self.voice_index].split("|", 1)[0]
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                 f"{module}: {voice} ({self.voice_index + 1}/{len(self.voices)})",
                 interrupt=True,
@@ -174,16 +199,19 @@ class command:
         self.announce_current_selection()
 
     def next_module(self):
-        """Move to next module"""
-        self.module_index = (self.module_index + 1) % len(self.modules)
-        self.load_voices_for_current_module()
-        self.announce_current_selection()
+        self._change_module(1)
 
     def prev_module(self):
-        """Move to previous module"""
-        self.module_index = (self.module_index - 1) % len(self.modules)
-        self.load_voices_for_current_module()
-        self.announce_current_selection()
+        self._change_module(-1)
+
+    def _change_module(self, offset):
+        if self._loading or not self.modules:
+            return
+        self._loading = True
+        self._request_generation += 1
+        generation = self._request_generation
+        self.module_index = (self.module_index + offset) % len(self.modules)
+        self._request_current_module_voices(generation)
 
     def test_voice(self):
         """Test current voice"""
@@ -194,15 +222,38 @@ class command:
             return
 
         module = self.modules[self.module_index]
-        voice = self.voices[self.voice_index]
+        encoded_voice = self.voices[self.voice_index]
+        voice_name = encoded_voice.split("|", 1)[0]
 
         self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
             "Testing...", interrupt=True
         )
-        if self.preview_voice(module, voice):
-            # Store for apply command
+        self._request_generation += 1
+        generation = self._request_generation
+        self._loading = True
+        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].request_voice_test(
+            module,
+            voice_name,
+            self.test_message,
+            lambda succeeded, error: self._voice_test_ready(
+                generation, module, encoded_voice, succeeded, error
+            ),
+        )
+
+    def _voice_test_ready(
+        self, generation, module, voice, succeeded, _error
+    ):
+        if generation != self._request_generation:
+            return
+        self._loading = False
+        if succeeded:
             self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedModule"] = module
-            self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] = voice
+            voice_name, separator, language = voice.partition("|")
+            self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] = voice_name
+            if separator:
+                self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedLanguage"] = language
+            else:
+                self.env["commandBuffer"].pop("lastTestedLanguage", None)
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].play_sound("Accept")
         else:
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].play_sound("Error")
@@ -213,13 +264,17 @@ class command:
             return
 
         module = self.modules[self.module_index]
-        voice = self.voices[self.voice_index]
+        voice, separator, language = self.voices[self.voice_index].partition(
+            "|"
+        )
 
         try:
             SettingsManager = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"]
             SettingsManager.settings["speech"]["driver"] = "speechdDriver"
             SettingsManager.settings["speech"]["module"] = module
             SettingsManager.settings["speech"]["voice"] = voice
+            if separator:
+                SettingsManager.settings["speech"]["language"] = language
 
             if "SpeechDriver" in self.env["runtime"]:
                 SpeechDriver = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"]
@@ -237,50 +292,5 @@ class command:
             )
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].play_sound("Error")
 
-    def preview_voice(self, module, voice):
-        """Test voice with spd-say"""
-        try:
-            cmd = ["spd-say", "-o", module, "-y", voice, self.testMessage]
-            result = subprocess.run(cmd, timeout=10)
-            return result.returncode == 0
-        except Exception:
-            return False
-
-    def get_speechd_modules(self):
-        """Get available speech modules"""
-        try:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                ["spd-say", "-O"], capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10
-            )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-                return [line.strip() for line in lines[1:] if line.strip()]
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        return []
-
-    def get_module_voices(self, module):
-        """Get voices for module"""
-        try:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                ["spd-say", "-o", module, "-L"],
-                capture_output=True,
-                text=True,
-                timeout=10,
-            )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-                voices = []
-                for line in lines[1:]:
-                    if not line.strip():
-                        continue
-                    voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                    if voice:
-                        voices.append(voice)
-                return voices
-        except Exception:
-            pass
-        return []
-
     def set_callback(self, callback):
         pass

src/fenrirscreenreader/commands/commands/voice_browser_safe.py

@@ -1,207 +1,160 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
-import subprocess
-import threading
-import time
-
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
-from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
 
 
 class command:
     def __init__(self):
-        pass
+        self._request_generation = 0
+        self._loading = False
 
     def initialize(self, environment):
         self.env = environment
-        self.testMessage = (
+        self.test_message = (
             "Voice test: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
         )
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        pass
+        self._request_generation += 1
+        self._loading = False
 
     def get_description(self):
-        return "Safe voice browser - cycles through voices without hanging"
+        return _("browse and test Speech Dispatcher voices")
 
     def run(self):
-        try:
+        if self._loading:
+            return
+        self._loading = True
+        self._request_generation += 1
+        generation = self._request_generation
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            _("Loading speech modules"), interrupt=True
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].request_modules(
+            lambda modules, error: self._modules_ready(
+                generation, modules, error
+            )
+        )
+
+    def _modules_ready(self, generation, modules, error):
+        if generation != self._request_generation:
+            return
+        if error or not modules:
+            self._loading = False
+            self._report_error(_("No speech modules found"), error)
+            return
+
+        module_index = self.env["commandBuffer"].get(
+            "safeBrowserModuleIndex", 0
+        )
+        if module_index >= len(modules):
+            module_index = 0
+        module = modules[module_index]
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            _("Loading voices for {module}").format(module=module),
+            interrupt=True,
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].request_voices(
+            module,
+            lambda _module, voices, voice_error: self._voices_ready(
+                generation,
+                modules,
+                module_index,
+                voices,
+                voice_error,
+            ),
+        )
+
+    def _voices_ready(
+        self, generation, modules, module_index, voices, error
+    ):
+        if generation != self._request_generation:
+            return
+        if error or not voices:
+            self._loading = False
+            next_module = (module_index + 1) % len(modules)
+            self.env["commandBuffer"]["safeBrowserModuleIndex"] = next_module
+            self.env["commandBuffer"]["safeBrowserVoiceIndex"] = 0
+            self._report_error(_("No voices found"), error)
+            return
+
+        voice_index = self.env["commandBuffer"].get(
+            "safeBrowserVoiceIndex", 0
+        )
+        if voice_index >= len(voices):
+            voice_index = 0
+        module = modules[module_index]
+        voice = voices[voice_index]
+        voice_name = voice.split("|", 1)[0]
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            _("Module: {module}, voice: {voice}").format(
+                module=module, voice=voice_name
+            ),
+            interrupt=True,
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            _("Testing voice"), interrupt=True
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].request_voice_test(
+            module,
+            voice_name,
+            self.test_message,
+            lambda succeeded, test_error: self._test_ready(
+                generation,
+                modules,
+                module_index,
+                voices,
+                voice_index,
+                succeeded,
+                test_error,
+            ),
+        )
+
+    def _test_ready(
+        self,
+        generation,
+        modules,
+        module_index,
+        voices,
+        voice_index,
+        succeeded,
+        error,
+    ):
+        if generation != self._request_generation:
+            return
+        self._loading = False
+        module = modules[module_index]
+        voice_name, separator, language = voices[voice_index].partition("|")
+        if succeeded:
+            self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedModule"] = module
+            self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] = voice_name
+            if separator:
+                self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedLanguage"] = language
+            else:
+                self.env["commandBuffer"].pop("lastTestedLanguage", None)
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                "Starting safe voice browser", interrupt=True
+                _("Voice test completed successfully"), interrupt=True
             )
+        else:
+            self._report_error(_("Voice test failed"), error)
 
-            # Get modules with timeout protection
-            modules = self.get_speechd_modules_with_timeout()
-            if not modules:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    "No speech modules found", interrupt=True
-                )
-                return
+        voice_index += 1
+        if voice_index >= len(voices):
+            voice_index = 0
+            module_index = (module_index + 1) % len(modules)
+        self.env["commandBuffer"]["safeBrowserModuleIndex"] = module_index
+        self.env["commandBuffer"]["safeBrowserVoiceIndex"] = voice_index
 
-            # Get current position from commandBuffer or start fresh
-            module_index = self.env["commandBuffer"].get(
-                "safeBrowserModuleIndex", 0
+    def _report_error(self, message, detail):
+        if detail:
+            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                f"voice_browser_safe: {detail}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
             )
-            voice_index = self.env["commandBuffer"].get(
-                "safeBrowserVoiceIndex", 0
-            )
-
-            # Ensure valid module index
-            if module_index >= len(modules):
-                module_index = 0
-
-            current_module = modules[module_index]
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                f"Loading voices for {current_module}...", interrupt=True
-            )
-
-            # Get voices with timeout protection
-            voices = self.get_module_voices_with_timeout(current_module)
-            if not voices:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    f"No voices in {current_module}, trying next module",
-                    interrupt=True,
-                )
-                module_index = (module_index + 1) % len(modules)
-                self.env["commandBuffer"][
-                    "safeBrowserModuleIndex"
-                ] = module_index
-                self.env["commandBuffer"]["safeBrowserVoiceIndex"] = 0
-                return
-
-            # Ensure valid voice index
-            if voice_index >= len(voices):
-                voice_index = 0
-
-            current_voice = voices[voice_index]
-
-            # Announce current selection
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                f"Module: {current_module} ({module_index + 1}/{len(modules)})",
-                interrupt=True,
-            )
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                f"Voice: {current_voice} ({voice_index + 1}/{len(voices)})",
-                interrupt=True,
-            )
-
-            # Test voice in background thread to avoid blocking
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                "Testing voice...", interrupt=True
-            )
-
-            # Use threading to prevent freezing
-            test_thread = threading.Thread(
-                target=self.test_voice_async,
-                args=(current_module, current_voice),
-            )
-            test_thread.daemon = True
-            test_thread.start()
-
-            # Store tested voice for apply command
-            self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedModule"] = current_module
-            self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] = current_voice
-
-            # Advance to next voice for next run
-            voice_index += 1
-            if voice_index >= len(voices):
-                voice_index = 0
-                module_index = (module_index + 1) % len(modules)
-
-            # Store position for next run
-            self.env["commandBuffer"]["safeBrowserModuleIndex"] = module_index
-            self.env["commandBuffer"]["safeBrowserVoiceIndex"] = voice_index
-
-            # Give instructions
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                "Run again for next voice, or use apply voice command",
-                interrupt=True,
-            )
-
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                f"Voice browser error: {str(e)}", interrupt=True
-            )
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].play_sound("Error")
-
-    def test_voice_async(self, module, voice):
-        """Test voice in background thread to avoid blocking"""
-        try:
-            # Run with strict timeout
-            cmd = ["spd-say", "-o", module, "-y", voice, self.testMessage]
-            result = subprocess.run(cmd, timeout=5, capture_output=True)
-
-            # Schedule success sound for main thread
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                # We can't call OutputManager from background thread safely
-                # So we'll just let the main thread handle feedback
-                pass
-
-        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
-            # Voice test timed out - this is okay, don't crash
-            pass
-        except Exception:
-            # Any other error - also okay, don't crash
-            pass
-
-    def get_speechd_modules_with_timeout(self):
-        """Get speech modules with timeout protection"""
-        try:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                ["spd-say", "-O"], capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=3
-            )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-                modules = [line.strip() for line in lines[1:] if line.strip()]
-                # Limit to first 10 modules to prevent overload
-                return modules[:10]
-        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                "Module detection timed out", interrupt=True
-            )
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                f"Module detection failed: {str(e)}", interrupt=True
-            )
-        return []
-
-    def get_module_voices_with_timeout(self, module):
-        """Get voices with timeout and limits"""
-        try:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                ["spd-say", "-o", module, "-L"],
-                capture_output=True,
-                text=True,
-                timeout=5,
-            )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-                voices = []
-                for line in lines[1:]:
-                    if not line.strip():
-                        continue
-                    voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                    if voice:
-                        voices.append(voice)
-
-                # Limit voice count to prevent memory issues
-                if len(voices) > 1000:
-                    self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                        f"found {len(voices)} voices, limiting to first 1000",
-                        interrupt=True,
-                    )
-                    voices = voices[:1000]
-
-                return voices
-        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                f"Voice detection for {module} timed out", interrupt=True
-            )
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                f"Voice detection failed: {str(e)}", interrupt=True
-            )
-        return []
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            message, interrupt=True
+        )
 
     def set_callback(self, callback):
         pass

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/backgroundTaskManager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+# Fenrir TTY screen reader
+# By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
+
+import itertools
+import queue
+import threading
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.eventData import FenrirEventType
+
+
+class BackgroundTaskManager:
+    """Run bounded auxiliary work without exposing Fenrir state to workers."""
+
+    def __init__(self, worker_count=4, external_worker_count=2):
+        self.worker_count = worker_count
+        self.external_worker_count = external_worker_count
+        self.env = None
+        self._accepting_tasks = False
+        self._callbacks = {}
+        self._callback_lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._task_ids = itertools.count(1)
+        self._task_queues = {
+            "default": queue.Queue(),
+            "external": queue.Queue(),
+        }
+        self._workers = []
+
+    def initialize(self, environment):
+        self.env = environment
+        self._accepting_tasks = True
+        self._start_workers("default", self.worker_count)
+        self._start_workers("external", self.external_worker_count)
+
+    def _start_workers(self, lane, worker_count):
+        task_queue = self._task_queues[lane]
+        for worker_index in range(worker_count):
+            worker = threading.Thread(
+                target=self._run_worker,
+                args=(task_queue,),
+                name=f"fenrir-{lane}-{worker_index + 1}",
+                daemon=True,
+            )
+            self._workers.append(worker)
+            worker.start()
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        self._accepting_tasks = False
+        with self._callback_lock:
+            self._callbacks.clear()
+
+        for task_queue in self._task_queues.values():
+            try:
+                while True:
+                    task_queue.get_nowait()
+                    task_queue.task_done()
+            except queue.Empty:
+                pass
+
+        for _worker_index in range(self.worker_count):
+            self._task_queues["default"].put(None)
+        for _worker_index in range(self.external_worker_count):
+            self._task_queues["external"].put(None)
+        for worker in self._workers:
+            worker.join(timeout=0.25)
+        self._workers = []
+
+    def submit_task(self, function, callback, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Schedule a pure worker function and return its task identifier."""
+        return self._submit_to_lane(
+            "default", function, callback, args, kwargs
+        )
+
+    def submit_external_task(self, function, callback, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Schedule potentially long-running user scripts on an isolated lane."""
+        return self._submit_to_lane(
+            "external", function, callback, args, kwargs
+        )
+
+    def _submit_to_lane(self, lane, function, callback, args, kwargs):
+        if not self._accepting_tasks or not callable(function):
+            return None
+        if not callable(callback):
+            return None
+
+        task_id = next(self._task_ids)
+        with self._callback_lock:
+            self._callbacks[task_id] = callback
+        self._task_queues[lane].put((task_id, function, args, kwargs))
+        return task_id
+
+    def cancel_task(self, task_id):
+        """Discard delivery for a task that is no longer relevant."""
+        if task_id is None:
+            return
+        with self._callback_lock:
+            self._callbacks.pop(task_id, None)
+
+    def handle_result(self, result):
+        """Deliver a completed task on Fenrir's main event-loop thread."""
+        if not isinstance(result, dict):
+            return
+        task_id = result.get("task_id")
+        with self._callback_lock:
+            callback = self._callbacks.pop(task_id, None)
+        if callback is None:
+            return
+        try:
+            callback(result)
+        except Exception as error:
+            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                "BackgroundTaskManager handle_result: " + str(error),
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+            )
+
+    def _run_worker(self, task_queue):
+        while True:
+            task = task_queue.get()
+            try:
+                if task is None:
+                    return
+                task_id, function, args, kwargs = task
+                try:
+                    value = function(*args, **kwargs)
+                    result = {
+                        "task_id": task_id,
+                        "succeeded": True,
+                        "value": value,
+                        "error": "",
+                    }
+                except Exception as error:
+                    result = {
+                        "task_id": task_id,
+                        "succeeded": False,
+                        "value": None,
+                        "error": str(error),
+                    }
+
+                if self._accepting_tasks:
+                    self.env["runtime"]["EventManager"].put_to_event_queue(
+                        FenrirEventType.background_task_result,
+                        result,
+                    )
+            finally:
+                task_queue.task_done()

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/clipboardSyncManager.py

@@ -6,12 +6,64 @@
 
 import os
 import threading
-import time
 
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.eventData import FenrirEventType
 from fenrirscreenreader.utils import x_clipboard
 
 
+def synchronize_clipboards(
+    display, fenrir_text, last_observed_fenrir, last_observed_x
+):
+    """Perform one clipboard I/O cycle without accessing Fenrir managers."""
+    result = {}
+    try:
+        x_text = x_clipboard.read_text(display)
+        if not isinstance(x_text, str) or not x_text:
+            x_text = None
+    except Exception as error:
+        return {"error": "ClipboardSyncManager paste failed: " + str(error)}
+
+    if fenrir_text and x_text and fenrir_text == x_text:
+        return {
+            "last_observed_fenrir": fenrir_text,
+            "last_observed_x": x_text,
+        }
+
+    fenrir_changed = (
+        fenrir_text and fenrir_text != last_observed_fenrir
+    )
+    x_changed = x_text and x_text != last_observed_x
+
+    if fenrir_changed:
+        try:
+            written = x_clipboard.write_text(fenrir_text, display)
+        except Exception as error:
+            written = False
+            result["error"] = (
+                "ClipboardSyncManager copy failed: " + str(error)
+            )
+        result["last_observed_fenrir"] = fenrir_text
+        if written:
+            result["last_written_to_x"] = fenrir_text
+            result["last_observed_x"] = fenrir_text
+        return result
+
+    if x_changed:
+        return {
+            "import_text": x_text,
+            "last_imported_from_x": x_text,
+            "last_observed_fenrir": x_text,
+            "last_observed_x": x_text,
+        }
+
+    if fenrir_text:
+        result["last_observed_fenrir"] = fenrir_text
+    if x_text:
+        result["last_observed_x"] = x_text
+    return result
+
+
 class ClipboardSyncManager:
     def __init__(self):
         self.env = None
@@ -19,7 +71,10 @@ class ClipboardSyncManager:
         self.display = ""
         self.interval = 0.5
         self.running = False
-        self.thread = None
+        self._task_id = None
+        self._scheduler_stop = threading.Event()
+        self._sync_event_pending = threading.Event()
+        self._scheduler_thread = None
         self.last_written_to_x = None
         self.last_imported_from_x = None
         self.last_observed_fenrir = None
@@ -82,19 +137,85 @@ class ClipboardSyncManager:
         if self.running:
             return
         self.running = True
-        self.thread = threading.Thread(target=self._run, daemon=True)
-        self.thread.start()
+        self._scheduler_stop.clear()
+        self._scheduler_thread = threading.Thread(
+            target=self._schedule_sync_events,
+            name="fenrir-clipboard-scheduler",
+            daemon=True,
+        )
+        self._scheduler_thread.start()
 
     def stop(self):
         self.running = False
-        if self.thread:
-            self.thread.join(timeout=1.0)
-            self.thread = None
+        task_manager = self.env["runtime"].get("BackgroundTaskManager")
+        if task_manager and self._task_id is not None:
+            task_manager.cancel_task(self._task_id)
+        self._task_id = None
+        self._scheduler_stop.set()
+        self._sync_event_pending.clear()
+        if self._scheduler_thread:
+            self._scheduler_thread.join(timeout=1.0)
+            self._scheduler_thread = None
 
-    def _run(self):
+    def _schedule_sync_events(self):
         while self.running:
-            self.poll_once()
-            time.sleep(self.interval)
+            if not self._sync_event_pending.is_set():
+                self._sync_event_pending.set()
+                self.env["runtime"]["EventManager"].put_to_event_queue(
+                    FenrirEventType.clipboard_sync, None
+                )
+            if self._scheduler_stop.wait(self.interval):
+                return
+
+    def handle_sync_event(self):
+        """Schedule clipboard I/O while keeping manager state on the loop."""
+        if not self.running or self._task_id is not None:
+            return
+
+        fenrir_text = self._get_fenrir_clipboard_text()
+        self._task_id = self.env["runtime"][
+            "BackgroundTaskManager"
+        ].submit_task(
+            synchronize_clipboards,
+            lambda result: self._handle_poll_result(fenrir_text, result),
+            self.display,
+            fenrir_text,
+            self.last_observed_fenrir,
+            self.last_observed_x,
+        )
+        if self._task_id is None:
+            self._sync_event_pending.clear()
+
+    def _handle_poll_result(self, fenrir_snapshot, task_result):
+        self._task_id = None
+        self._sync_event_pending.clear()
+        if not self.running:
+            return
+        if not task_result.get("succeeded"):
+            self._debug(
+                "ClipboardSyncManager poll failed: "
+                + task_result.get("error", "unknown error")
+            )
+            return
+
+        result = task_result.get("value") or {}
+        if result.get("error"):
+            self._debug(result["error"])
+        import_text = result.get("import_text")
+        if import_text:
+            if self._get_fenrir_clipboard_text() != fenrir_snapshot:
+                return
+            self.env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].add_value_to_first_index(
+                "clipboardHistory", import_text
+            )
+        for attribute in (
+            "last_written_to_x",
+            "last_imported_from_x",
+            "last_observed_fenrir",
+            "last_observed_x",
+        ):
+            if attribute in result:
+                setattr(self, attribute, result[attribute])
 
     def poll_once(self):
         fenrir_text = self._get_fenrir_clipboard_text()

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/dynamicVoiceMenu.py

@@ -1,12 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
-import importlib.util
-import os
-import subprocess
-import time
-
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
-from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
 
 
 class DynamicVoiceCommand:
@@ -14,51 +8,40 @@ class DynamicVoiceCommand:
 
     def __init__(self, module, voice, env):
         self.module = module
-        self.voice = voice
+        self.voice, separator, self.language = voice.partition("|")
+        if not separator:
+            self.language = ""
         self.env = env
-        self.testMessage = "This is a voice test. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
+        self.test_message = (
+            "This is a voice test. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
+        )
+        self._test_generation = 0
 
     def initialize(self, environment):
         self.env = environment
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        pass
+        self._test_generation += 1
 
     def get_description(self):
         return f"Select voice: {self.voice}"
 
     def run(self):
+        self._test_generation += 1
+        generation = self._test_generation
         try:
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                 f"Testing voice {self.voice} from {self.module}. Please wait.",
                 interrupt=True,
             )
-
-            # Brief pause before testing to avoid speech overlap
-            time.sleep(0.5)
-
-            # Test voice
-            testResult, errorMsg = self.test_voice()
-            if testResult:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    "Voice test completed successfully. Navigate to Apply Tested Voice to use this voice.",
-                    interrupt=False,
-                    flush=False,
-                )
-
-                # Store for confirmation (use same variables as
-                # apply_tested_voice.py)
-                self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedModule"] = self.module
-                self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] = self.voice
-                self.env["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceModule"] = self.module
-                self.env["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceVoice"] = self.voice
-                self.env["commandBuffer"]["voiceTestCompleted"] = True
-            else:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    f"Voice test failed: {errorMsg}",
-                    interrupt=False,
-                    flush=False,
-                )
+            self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].request_voice_test(
+                self.module,
+                self.voice,
+                self.test_message,
+                lambda succeeded, error: self._finish_voice_test(
+                    generation, succeeded, error
+                ),
+            )
 
         except Exception as e:
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
@@ -67,35 +50,32 @@ class DynamicVoiceCommand:
                 flush=False,
             )
 
-    def test_voice(self):
-        """Test voice with spd-say"""
-        try:
-            cmd = [
-                "spd-say",
-                "-C",
-                "-w",
-                "-o",
-                self.module,
-                "-y",
-                self.voice,
-                self.testMessage,
-            ]
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                cmd, timeout=8, capture_output=True, text=True
+    def _finish_voice_test(self, generation, succeeded, error):
+        if generation != self._test_generation:
+            return
+        if not succeeded:
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                f"Voice test failed: {error}",
+                interrupt=False,
+                flush=False,
             )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                return True, "Voice test successful"
-            else:
-                error_msg = (
-                    result.stderr.strip()
-                    if result.stderr
-                    else f"Command failed with return code {result.returncode}"
-                )
-                return False, error_msg
-        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
-            return False, "Voice test timed out"
-        except Exception as e:
-            return False, f"Error running voice test: {str(e)}"
+            return
+
+        self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedModule"] = self.module
+        self.env["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] = self.voice
+        self.env["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceModule"] = self.module
+        self.env["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceVoice"] = self.voice
+        if self.language:
+            self.env["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceLanguage"] = self.language
+        else:
+            self.env["commandBuffer"].pop("pendingVoiceLanguage", None)
+        self.env["commandBuffer"]["voiceTestCompleted"] = True
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            "Voice test completed successfully. "
+            "Navigate to Apply Tested Voice to use this voice.",
+            interrupt=False,
+            flush=False,
+        )
 
     def set_callback(self, callback):
         pass
@@ -126,6 +106,7 @@ class DynamicApplyVoiceCommand:
 
             module = self.env["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceModule"]
             voice = self.env["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceVoice"]
+            language = self.env["commandBuffer"].get("pendingVoiceLanguage")
 
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                 f"Applying {voice} from {module}", interrupt=True
@@ -148,6 +129,7 @@ class DynamicApplyVoiceCommand:
             old_driver = settings_manager.get_setting("speech", "driver")
             old_module = settings_manager.get_setting("speech", "module")
             old_voice = settings_manager.get_setting("speech", "voice")
+            old_language = settings_manager.get_setting("speech", "language")
 
             try:
                 # Apply new settings to runtime only (use set_setting to update
@@ -157,51 +139,36 @@ class DynamicApplyVoiceCommand:
                 )
                 settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "module", module)
                 settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "voice", voice)
+                if language:
+                    settings_manager.set_setting(
+                        "speech", "language", language
+                    )
 
                 # Apply settings to speech driver directly
                 if "SpeechDriver" in self.env["runtime"]:
-                    SpeechDriver = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"]
+                    speech_driver = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"]
 
-                    # Get current module to see if we're changing modules
-                    current_module = settings_manager.get_setting(
-                        "speech", "module"
-                    )
-                    module_changing = current_module != module
-
-                    # Set module and voice on driver instance first
-                    SpeechDriver.set_module(module)
-                    SpeechDriver.set_voice(voice)
-
-                    if module_changing:
-                        # Module change requires reinitializing the speech
-                        # driver
-                        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                            f"Switching from {current_module} to {module} module",
-                            interrupt=True,
-                        )
-                        SpeechDriver.shutdown()
-                        SpeechDriver.initialize(self.env)
-                        # Re-set after initialization
-                        SpeechDriver.set_module(module)
-                        SpeechDriver.set_voice(voice)
-                        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                            "Speech driver reinitialized", interrupt=True
-                        )
+                    # Set module and voice on the driver instance.
+                    speech_driver.set_module(module)
+                    if language:
+                        speech_driver.set_language(language)
+                    speech_driver.set_voice(voice)
 
                     # Debug: verify what was actually set
                     self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                        f"Speech driver now has module: {SpeechDriver.module}, voice: {SpeechDriver.voice}",
+                        "Speech driver now has module: "
+                        f"{speech_driver.module}, voice: "
+                        f"{speech_driver.voice}",
                         interrupt=True,
                     )
 
                     # Force application by speaking a test message
                     self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                        "Voice applied successfully! You should hear this in the new voice.",
+                        "Voice applied successfully! You should hear this in "
+                        "the new voice.",
                         interrupt=True,
                     )
 
-                    # Brief pause then more speech to test
-                    time.sleep(1)
                     self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                         "Use save settings to make permanent", interrupt=True
                     )
@@ -214,16 +181,19 @@ class DynamicApplyVoiceCommand:
 
             except Exception as e:
                 # Revert on failure
-                settings_manager.settings["speech"]["driver"] = old_driver
-                settings_manager.settings["speech"]["module"] = old_module
-                settings_manager.settings["speech"]["voice"] = old_voice
+                settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "driver", old_driver)
+                settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "module", old_module)
+                settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "voice", old_voice)
+                settings_manager.set_setting(
+                    "speech", "language", old_language
+                )
 
                 # Try to reinitialize with old settings
                 if "SpeechDriver" in self.env["runtime"]:
                     try:
-                        SpeechDriver = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"]
-                        SpeechDriver.shutdown()
-                        SpeechDriver.initialize(self.env)
+                        speech_driver = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"]
+                        speech_driver.shutdown()
+                        speech_driver.initialize(self.env)
                     except Exception as e:
                         self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
                             "dynamicVoiceMenu: Error reinitializing speech driver: "
@@ -246,56 +216,139 @@ class DynamicApplyVoiceCommand:
         pass
 
 
-def add_dynamic_voice_menus(VmenuManager):
-    """Add dynamic voice menus to vmenu system"""
+def add_dynamic_voice_menus(vmenu_manager):
+    """Populate cached voice menus and start non-blocking discovery if needed."""
     try:
-        env = VmenuManager.env
-
-        # Get speech modules
-        modules = get_speechd_modules()
-        if not modules:
-            return
-
-        # Create voice browser submenu
-        voice_browser_menu = {}
-
-        # Add apply voice command
-        apply_command = DynamicApplyVoiceCommand(env)
-        voice_browser_menu["Apply Tested Voice Action"] = apply_command
-
-        # Add modules as submenus
-        for module in modules[
-            :8
-        ]:  # Limit to 8 modules to keep menu manageable
-            module_menu = {}
-
-            # Get voices for this module
-            voices = get_module_voices(module)
-            if voices:
-
-                # Add voice commands
-                for voice in voices:
-                    voice_command = DynamicVoiceCommand(module, voice, env)
-                    module_menu[f"{voice} Action"] = voice_command
-            else:
-                module_menu["No voices available Action"] = (
-                    create_info_command(f"No voices found for {module}", env)
+        env = vmenu_manager.env
+        discovery = env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"]
+        generation = getattr(vmenu_manager, "_voice_menu_generation", 0) + 1
+        vmenu_manager._voice_menu_generation = generation
+        modules = discovery.get_cached_modules()
+        if modules is None:
+            _install_loading_menu(vmenu_manager)
+            discovery.request_modules(
+                lambda found, error: _request_dynamic_voice_lists(
+                    vmenu_manager, generation, found, error, False
                 )
-
-            voice_browser_menu[f"{module} Menu"] = module_menu
-
-        # Add to main menu dict
-        VmenuManager.menuDict["Voice Browser Menu"] = voice_browser_menu
-
-    except Exception as e:
-        # Use debug manager instead of print for error logging
+            )
+            return
+        _request_dynamic_voice_lists(
+            vmenu_manager, generation, modules, "", True
+        )
+    except Exception as error:
         if "DebugManager" in env["runtime"]:
             env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                f"Error creating dynamic voice menus: {e}",
+                f"Error creating dynamic voice menus: {error}",
                 debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
             )
         else:
-            print(f"Error creating dynamic voice menus: {e}")
+            print(f"Error creating dynamic voice menus: {error}")
+
+
+def _request_dynamic_voice_lists(
+    vmenu_manager, generation, modules, error, allow_active
+):
+    if generation != getattr(vmenu_manager, "_voice_menu_generation", 0):
+        return
+    if error or not modules:
+        if vmenu_manager.get_active() and not allow_active:
+            vmenu_manager._voice_menu_refresh_pending = True
+            return
+        _install_discovery_error_menu(vmenu_manager)
+        return
+
+    discovery = vmenu_manager.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"]
+    selected_modules = modules[:8]
+    voices_by_module = {}
+    missing_modules = []
+    for module in selected_modules:
+        voices = discovery.get_cached_voices(module)
+        if voices is None:
+            missing_modules.append(module)
+        else:
+            voices_by_module[module] = voices
+
+    if not missing_modules:
+        _install_dynamic_voice_menu(
+            vmenu_manager,
+            generation,
+            selected_modules,
+            voices_by_module,
+            allow_active,
+        )
+        return
+
+    _install_loading_menu(vmenu_manager)
+    remaining_modules = set(missing_modules)
+
+    def voices_ready(module, voices, _voice_error):
+        if generation != getattr(vmenu_manager, "_voice_menu_generation", 0):
+            return
+        voices_by_module[module] = voices
+        remaining_modules.discard(module)
+        if not remaining_modules:
+            _install_dynamic_voice_menu(
+                vmenu_manager,
+                generation,
+                selected_modules,
+                voices_by_module,
+                False,
+            )
+
+    for module in missing_modules:
+        discovery.request_voices(module, voices_ready)
+
+
+def _install_dynamic_voice_menu(
+    vmenu_manager,
+    generation,
+    modules,
+    voices_by_module,
+    allow_active,
+):
+    if generation != getattr(vmenu_manager, "_voice_menu_generation", 0):
+        return
+    if vmenu_manager.get_active() and not allow_active:
+        vmenu_manager._voice_menu_refresh_pending = True
+        return
+
+    env = vmenu_manager.env
+    voice_browser_menu = {
+        "Apply Tested Voice Action": DynamicApplyVoiceCommand(env)
+    }
+    for module in modules:
+        module_menu = {}
+        voices = voices_by_module.get(module, [])
+        for voice in voices:
+            voice_name = voice.split("|", 1)[0]
+            module_menu[f"{voice_name} Action"] = DynamicVoiceCommand(
+                module, voice, env
+            )
+        if not module_menu:
+            module_menu["No voices available Action"] = create_info_command(
+                f"No voices found for {module}", env
+            )
+        voice_browser_menu[f"{module} Menu"] = module_menu
+    vmenu_manager.menuDict["Voice Browser Menu"] = voice_browser_menu
+    vmenu_manager._voice_menu_refresh_pending = False
+
+
+def _install_loading_menu(vmenu_manager):
+    env = vmenu_manager.env
+    vmenu_manager.menuDict["Voice Browser Menu"] = {
+        "Loading voices Action": create_info_command(
+            "Voice information is still loading", env
+        )
+    }
+
+
+def _install_discovery_error_menu(vmenu_manager):
+    env = vmenu_manager.env
+    vmenu_manager.menuDict["Voice Browser Menu"] = {
+        "Voice discovery failed Action": create_info_command(
+            "Voice discovery failed", env
+        )
+    }
 
 
 def create_info_command(message, env):
@@ -324,41 +377,3 @@ def create_info_command(message, env):
             pass
 
     return InfoCommand(message, env)
-
-
-def get_speechd_modules():
-    """Get available speech modules"""
-    try:
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            ["spd-say", "-O"], capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5
-        )
-        if result.returncode == 0:
-            lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-            return [line.strip() for line in lines[1:] if line.strip()]
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-    return []
-
-
-def get_module_voices(module):
-    """Get voices for a module"""
-    try:
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            ["spd-say", "-o", module, "-L"],
-            capture_output=True,
-            text=True,
-            timeout=8,
-        )
-        if result.returncode == 0:
-            lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-            voices = []
-            for line in lines[1:]:
-                if not line.strip():
-                    continue
-                voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                if voice:
-                    voices.append(voice)
-            return voices
-    except Exception:
-        pass
-    return []

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/eventData.py

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ class FenrirEventType(Enum):
     heart_beat = 6
     execute_command = 7
     remote_incomming = 8
+    background_task_result = 9
+    clipboard_sync = 10
 
     def __int__(self):
         return self.value

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/eventManager.py

@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ class EventManager:
             self.env["runtime"]["FenrirManager"].handle_execute_command(event)
         elif event["Type"] == FenrirEventType.remote_incomming:
             self.env["runtime"]["FenrirManager"].handle_remote_incomming(event)
+        elif event["Type"] == FenrirEventType.background_task_result:
+            self.env["runtime"]["FenrirManager"].handle_background_task_result(
+                event
+            )
+        elif event["Type"] == FenrirEventType.clipboard_sync:
+            self.env["runtime"]["FenrirManager"].handle_clipboard_sync(event)
 
     def is_main_event_loop_running(self):
         return self.running.value == 1

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/fenrirManager.py

@@ -221,6 +221,11 @@ class FenrirManager:
             event["data"]
         )
 
+    def handle_background_task_result(self, event):
+        self.environment["runtime"]["BackgroundTaskManager"].handle_result(
+            event["data"]
+        )
+
     def handle_screen_change(self, event):
         self.environment["runtime"]["ScreenManager"].handle_screen_change(
             event["data"]
@@ -287,6 +292,13 @@ class FenrirManager:
             "onHeartBeat", force=True
         )
 
+    def handle_clipboard_sync(self, event):
+        clipboard_sync_manager = self.environment["runtime"].get(
+            "ClipboardSyncManager"
+        )
+        if clipboard_sync_manager:
+            clipboard_sync_manager.handle_sync_event()
+
     def detect_shortcut_command(self):
         if self.environment["input"]["key_forward"] != 0:
             return

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/generalData.py

@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ general_data = {
         "SpeechHistoryManager",
         "HelpManager",
         "MemoryManager",
+        "SpeechDiscoveryManager",
+        "BackgroundTaskManager",
         "EventManager",
         "ProcessManager",
         "VmenuManager",

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/quickMenuManager.py

@@ -4,135 +4,19 @@
 # Fenrir TTY screen reader
 # By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
 
-import subprocess
-import time
-
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.i18n import _
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.settingsData import settings_data
-from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import (
-    get_synthesis_voice_name,
-    parse_synthesis_voice_line,
-)
 
 
-class SpeechHelperMixin:
-    """Helper methods for querying speech-dispatcher modules and voices.
-
-    Provides caching and query functionality for speech-dispatcher module
-    and voice enumeration, reusing proven logic from voice_browser.py.
-    """
+class QuickMenuManager:
 
     def __init__(self):
-        self._modules_cache = None
-        self._voices_cache = {}  # {module_name: [voice_list]}
-        self._cache_timestamp = 0
-        self._cache_timeout = 300  # 5 minutes
-
-    def get_speechd_modules(self):
-        """Get available speech-dispatcher modules (cached).
-
-        Returns:
-            list: Available module names (e.g., ['espeak-ng', 'festival'])
-        """
-        now = time.time()
-
-        # Return cached if valid
-        if (self._modules_cache and
-                (now - self._cache_timestamp) < self._cache_timeout):
-            return self._modules_cache
-
-        # Query spd-say
-        try:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                ["spd-say", "-O"],
-                capture_output=True,
-                text=True,
-                timeout=8
-            )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-                self._modules_cache = [
-                    line.strip() for line in lines[1:]
-                    if line.strip() and line.strip().lower() != "dummy"
-                ]
-                self._cache_timestamp = now
-                return self._modules_cache
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                (f"QuickMenuManager get_speechd_modules: "
-                 f"Error querying modules: {e}"),
-                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR
-            )
-
-        return []
-
-    def get_module_voices(self, module):
-        """Get voices for a specific module (cached per-module).
-
-        Args:
-            module (str): Module name (e.g., 'espeak-ng')
-
-        Returns:
-            list: Available voice names for this module
-        """
-        # Return cached if available
-        if module in self._voices_cache:
-            return self._voices_cache[module]
-
-        # Query spd-say
-        try:
-            result = subprocess.run(
-                ["spd-say", "-o", module, "-L"],
-                capture_output=True,
-                text=True,
-                timeout=8
-            )
-            if result.returncode == 0:
-                lines = result.stdout.strip().split("\n")
-                voices = []
-                for line in lines[1:]:
-                    if not line.strip():
-                        continue
-                    if module.lower() == "voxin":
-                        # For Voxin, store voice name with language
-                        voice_data = self._process_voxin_voice(line)
-                        if voice_data:
-                            voices.append(voice_data)
-                    else:
-                        voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
-                        if voice:
-                            voices.append(voice)
-
-                self._voices_cache[module] = voices
-                return voices
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                (f"QuickMenuManager get_module_voices: "
-                 f"Error querying voices for {module}: {e}"),
-                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR
-            )
-
-        return []
-
-    def _process_voxin_voice(self, voice_line):
-        """Process Voxin voice format with language information.
-
-        Args:
-            voice_line (str): Raw line from spd-say -o voxin -L output
-                             Format: NAME LANGUAGE VARIANT
-
-        Returns:
-            str: Voice name with language encoded (e.g., 'daniel-embedded-high|en-GB')
-        """
-        voice_data = parse_synthesis_voice_line(voice_line)
-        if voice_data is None:
-            return None
-        voice_name, language, _variant = voice_data
-        if not language:
-            return None
-        # Encode language with voice for later extraction
-        return f"{voice_name}|{language}"
+        self.position = 0
+        self.quickMenu = []
+        self.settings = settings_data
+        self._module_request_pending = False
+        self._voice_requests_pending = set()
 
     def _select_default_voice(self, voices):
         """Select a sensible default voice from list, preferring user's
@@ -202,18 +86,7 @@ class SpeechHelperMixin:
         return voices[0]
 
     def invalidate_speech_cache(self):
-        """Clear cached module and voice data."""
-        self._modules_cache = None
-        self._voices_cache = {}
-        self._cache_timestamp = 0
-
-
-class QuickMenuManager(SpeechHelperMixin):
-    def __init__(self):
-        SpeechHelperMixin.__init__(self)
-        self.position = 0
-        self.quickMenu = []
-        self.settings = settings_data
+        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].invalidate_cache()
 
     def initialize(self, environment):
         self.env = environment
@@ -420,197 +293,202 @@ class QuickMenuManager(SpeechHelperMixin):
         return True
 
     def cycle_speech_module(self, direction):
-        """Cycle to next/previous speech-dispatcher module.
+        if self._module_request_pending:
+            return False
+        discovery = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"]
+        modules = discovery.get_cached_modules()
+        if modules is not None:
+            return self._continue_module_cycle(direction, modules, False)
 
-        Args:
-            direction (str): 'next' or 'prev'
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if successful, False otherwise
-        """
-        try:
-            # Get available modules
-            modules = self.get_speechd_modules()
-            if not modules:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    "No modules available", interrupt=True
-                )
-                return False
-
-            # Get current module
-            current_module = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].get_setting(
-                "speech", "module"
+        self._module_request_pending = True
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            "Loading speech modules", interrupt=True
+        )
+        discovery.request_modules(
+            lambda found, error: self._continue_module_cycle(
+                direction, found, True, error
             )
+        )
+        return False
 
-            # Find current index
-            try:
-                current_index = (modules.index(current_module)
-                                 if current_module else 0)
-            except ValueError:
-                current_index = 0
-
-            # Cycle to next/previous
-            if direction == "next":
-                new_index = (current_index + 1) % len(modules)
-            else:  # prev
-                new_index = (current_index - 1) % len(modules)
-
-            new_module = modules[new_index]
-
-            # Update setting (runtime only)
-            self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].set_setting(
-                "speech", "module", new_module
-            )
-
-            # Select sensible default voice for new module
-            voices = self.get_module_voices(new_module)
-            if voices:
-                default_voice = self._select_default_voice(voices)
-
-                # Parse voice name and language for modules like Voxin
-                voice_name = default_voice
-                voice_lang = None
-                if "|" in default_voice:
-                    voice_name, voice_lang = default_voice.split("|", 1)
-
-                self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].set_setting(
-                    "speech", "voice", voice_name
-                )
-
-                # Apply voice to speech driver immediately
-                if "SpeechDriver" in self.env["runtime"]:
-                    try:
-                        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"].set_module(
-                            new_module
-                        )
-                        # Set language first if available
-                        if voice_lang:
-                            self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"].set_language(
-                                voice_lang
-                            )
-                        # Then set voice
-                        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"].set_voice(
-                            voice_name
-                        )
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                            (f"QuickMenuManager cycle_speech_module: "
-                             f"Error applying voice: {e}"),
-                            debug.DebugLevel.ERROR
-                        )
-
-            # Announce new module
+    def _continue_module_cycle(
+        self, direction, modules, announce_result, error=""
+    ):
+        if error:
+            self._module_request_pending = False
+            self._report_discovery_error("module", error)
+            return False
+        if not modules:
+            self._module_request_pending = False
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                new_module, interrupt=True
-            )
-
-            return True
-
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                f"QuickMenuManager cycle_speech_module: Error: {e}",
-                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR
+                "No modules available", interrupt=True
             )
             return False
 
-    def cycle_speech_voice(self, direction):
-        """Cycle to next/previous voice for current module.
-
-        Args:
-            direction (str): 'next' or 'prev'
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if successful, False otherwise
-        """
         try:
-            # Get current module
             current_module = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].get_setting(
                 "speech", "module"
             )
+            try:
+                current_index = (
+                    modules.index(current_module) if current_module else 0
+                )
+            except ValueError:
+                current_index = 0
+            if direction == "next":
+                new_index = (current_index + 1) % len(modules)
+            else:
+                new_index = (current_index - 1) % len(modules)
+            new_module = modules[new_index]
+            discovery = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"]
+            voices = discovery.get_cached_voices(new_module)
+            if voices is not None:
+                self._module_request_pending = False
+                return self._apply_module(
+                    new_module, voices, announce_result
+                )
 
+            self._module_request_pending = True
+            discovery.request_voices(
+                new_module,
+                lambda _module, found, voice_error: self._finish_module_cycle(
+                    new_module, found, voice_error
+                ),
+            )
+            return False
+        except Exception as error:
+            self._module_request_pending = False
+            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                f"QuickMenuManager cycle_speech_module: Error: {error}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+            )
+            return False
+
+    def _finish_module_cycle(self, module, voices, error):
+        self._module_request_pending = False
+        if error:
+            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                f"QuickMenuManager voice discovery failed: {error}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+            )
+            self._apply_module(module, voices, False)
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                f"{module}; voice discovery failed", interrupt=True
+            )
+            return
+        self._apply_module(module, voices, True)
+
+    def _apply_module(self, module, voices, announce_result):
+        settings_manager = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"]
+        settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "module", module)
+        speech_driver = self.env["runtime"].get("SpeechDriver")
+        if speech_driver:
+            speech_driver.set_module(module)
+
+        if voices:
+            default_voice = self._select_default_voice(voices)
+            voice_name, voice_language = self._split_voice(default_voice)
+            settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "voice", voice_name)
+            if speech_driver:
+                if voice_language:
+                    speech_driver.set_language(voice_language)
+                speech_driver.set_voice(voice_name)
+
+        if announce_result:
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                module, interrupt=True
+            )
+        return True
+
+    def cycle_speech_voice(self, direction):
+        try:
+            current_module = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].get_setting(
+                "speech", "module"
+            )
             if not current_module:
                 self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                     "No module selected", interrupt=True
                 )
                 return False
-
-            # Get available voices for this module
-            voices = self.get_module_voices(current_module)
-            if not voices:
-                self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
-                    f"No voices for module {current_module}", interrupt=True
-                )
+            discovery = self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"]
+            voices = discovery.get_cached_voices(current_module)
+            if voices is not None:
+                return self._apply_voice(direction, voices, False)
+            if current_module in self._voice_requests_pending:
                 return False
 
-            # Get current voice
-            current_voice = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].get_setting(
-                "speech", "voice"
+            self._voice_requests_pending.add(current_module)
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                f"Loading voices for {current_module}", interrupt=True
             )
-
-            # Find current index (handle Voxin voice|language format)
-            current_index = 0
-            if current_voice:
-                try:
-                    # Try exact match first
-                    current_index = voices.index(current_voice)
-                except ValueError:
-                    # For Voxin, compare just the voice name part
-                    for i, voice in enumerate(voices):
-                        voice_name = voice.split("|")[0] if "|" in voice else voice
-                        if voice_name == current_voice:
-                            current_index = i
-                            break
-
-            # Cycle to next/previous
-            if direction == "next":
-                new_index = (current_index + 1) % len(voices)
-            else:  # prev
-                new_index = (current_index - 1) % len(voices)
-
-            new_voice = voices[new_index]
-
-            # Parse voice name and language for modules like Voxin
-            voice_name = new_voice
-            voice_lang = None
-            if "|" in new_voice:
-                # Format: "voicename|language" (e.g., "daniel-embedded-high|en-GB")
-                voice_name, voice_lang = new_voice.split("|", 1)
-
-            # Update setting (runtime only) - store the voice name only
-            self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].set_setting(
-                "speech", "voice", voice_name
+            discovery.request_voices(
+                current_module,
+                lambda module, found, error: self._finish_voice_cycle(
+                    direction, module, found, error
+                ),
             )
+            return False
+        except Exception as error:
+            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                f"QuickMenuManager cycle_speech_voice: Error: {error}",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+            )
+            return False
 
-            # Apply voice to speech driver immediately
-            if "SpeechDriver" in self.env["runtime"]:
-                try:
-                    # Set language first if available
-                    if voice_lang:
-                        self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"].set_language(
-                            voice_lang
-                        )
-                    # Then set voice
-                    self.env["runtime"]["SpeechDriver"].set_voice(voice_name)
-                except Exception as e:
-                    self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                        (f"QuickMenuManager cycle_speech_voice: "
-                         f"Error applying voice: {e}"),
-                        debug.DebugLevel.ERROR
-                    )
+    def _finish_voice_cycle(self, direction, module, voices, error):
+        self._voice_requests_pending.discard(module)
+        if error:
+            self._report_discovery_error("voice", error)
+            return
+        self._apply_voice(direction, voices, True)
 
-            # Announce new voice (voice name only, not language)
+    def _apply_voice(self, direction, voices, announce_result):
+        if not voices:
+            self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+                "No voices available", interrupt=True
+            )
+            return False
+
+        settings_manager = self.env["runtime"]["SettingsManager"]
+        current_voice = settings_manager.get_setting("speech", "voice")
+        current_index = 0
+        for voice_index, voice in enumerate(voices):
+            voice_name, _language = self._split_voice(voice)
+            if voice == current_voice or voice_name == current_voice:
+                current_index = voice_index
+                break
+        if direction == "next":
+            new_index = (current_index + 1) % len(voices)
+        else:
+            new_index = (current_index - 1) % len(voices)
+
+        voice_name, voice_language = self._split_voice(voices[new_index])
+        settings_manager.set_setting("speech", "voice", voice_name)
+        speech_driver = self.env["runtime"].get("SpeechDriver")
+        if speech_driver:
+            if voice_language:
+                speech_driver.set_language(voice_language)
+            speech_driver.set_voice(voice_name)
+        if announce_result:
             self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
                 voice_name, interrupt=True
             )
+        return True
 
-            return True
+    @staticmethod
+    def _split_voice(voice):
+        if "|" in voice:
+            return tuple(voice.split("|", 1))
+        return voice, None
 
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
-                f"QuickMenuManager cycle_speech_voice: Error: {e}",
-                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR
-            )
-            return False
+    def _report_discovery_error(self, kind, error):
+        self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+            f"QuickMenuManager {kind} discovery failed: {error}",
+            debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+        )
+        self.env["runtime"]["OutputManager"].present_text(
+            f"{kind.capitalize()} discovery failed", interrupt=True
+        )
 
     def get_current_entry(self):
         if len(self.quickMenu) == 0:

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/runtimeData.py

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ runtime_data = {
     "SettingsManager": None,
     "FenrirManager": None,
     "EventManager": None,
+    "BackgroundTaskManager": None,
     "ProcessManager": None,
+    "SpeechDiscoveryManager": None,
     "DiffReviewManager": None,
 }

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/settingsManager.py

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from configparser import ConfigParser
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import applicationManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import attributeManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import barrierManager
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import backgroundTaskManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import clipboardSyncManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import commandManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import cursorManager
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ from fenrirscreenreader.core import remoteManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import sayAllManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import screenManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import speechHistoryManager
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import speechDiscoveryManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import tableManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import textManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.core import vmenuManager
@@ -753,6 +755,11 @@ class SettingsManager:
         ] = processManager.ProcessManager()
         environment["runtime"]["ProcessManager"].initialize(environment)
 
+        environment["runtime"][
+            "BackgroundTaskManager"
+        ] = backgroundTaskManager.BackgroundTaskManager()
+        environment["runtime"]["BackgroundTaskManager"].initialize(environment)
+
         environment["runtime"]["OutputManager"] = outputManager.OutputManager()
         environment["runtime"]["OutputManager"].initialize(environment)
 
@@ -807,6 +814,10 @@ class SettingsManager:
         environment["runtime"]["BarrierManager"].initialize(environment)
         environment["runtime"]["SayAllManager"] = sayAllManager.SayAllManager()
         environment["runtime"]["SayAllManager"].initialize(environment)
+        environment["runtime"][
+            "SpeechDiscoveryManager"
+        ] = speechDiscoveryManager.SpeechDiscoveryManager()
+        environment["runtime"]["SpeechDiscoveryManager"].initialize(environment)
         environment["runtime"]["VmenuManager"] = vmenuManager.VmenuManager()
         environment["runtime"]["VmenuManager"].initialize(environment)
         environment["runtime"][

src/fenrirscreenreader/core/speechDiscoveryManager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,241 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+# Fenrir TTY screen reader
+# By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
+
+import subprocess
+import time
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import debug
+from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import (
+    get_synthesis_voice_name,
+    parse_synthesis_voice_line,
+)
+
+
+MODULE_QUERY_TIMEOUT = 5
+VOICE_QUERY_TIMEOUT = 8
+VOICE_TEST_TIMEOUT = 8
+
+
+def query_speechd_modules(timeout=MODULE_QUERY_TIMEOUT):
+    """Return available Speech Dispatcher output modules."""
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["spd-say", "-O"],
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        timeout=timeout,
+        check=False,
+    )
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        raise RuntimeError(result.stderr.strip() or "module discovery failed")
+    return [
+        line.strip()
+        for line in result.stdout.splitlines()[1:]
+        if line.strip() and line.strip().lower() != "dummy"
+    ]
+
+
+def query_speechd_voices(module, timeout=VOICE_QUERY_TIMEOUT):
+    """Return the synthesis voices exposed by one output module."""
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["spd-say", "-o", module, "-L"],
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        timeout=timeout,
+        check=False,
+    )
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            result.stderr.strip() or f"voice discovery failed for {module}"
+        )
+
+    voices = []
+    for line in result.stdout.splitlines()[1:]:
+        if not line.strip():
+            continue
+        voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(module, line)
+        if module.lower() == "voxin":
+            voice_data = parse_synthesis_voice_line(line)
+            if voice_data is not None:
+                voice_name, language, _variant = voice_data
+                voice = f"{voice_name}|{language}" if language else None
+        if voice:
+            voices.append(voice)
+    return voices
+
+
+def test_speechd_voice(module, voice, message, timeout=VOICE_TEST_TIMEOUT):
+    """Play one bounded voice test and return when Speech Dispatcher finishes."""
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["spd-say", "-C", "-w", "-o", module, "-y", voice, message],
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+        timeout=timeout,
+        check=False,
+    )
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        raise RuntimeError(result.stderr.strip() or "voice test failed")
+    return True
+
+
+class SpeechDiscoveryManager:
+    """Cache and coordinate asynchronous Speech Dispatcher discovery."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.env = None
+        self.cache_timeout = 300
+        self._modules = None
+        self._modules_timestamp = 0
+        self._voices = {}
+        self._voice_timestamps = {}
+        self._module_callbacks = []
+        self._voice_callbacks = {}
+        self._task_ids = set()
+        self._module_task_id = None
+        self._voice_task_ids = {}
+
+    def initialize(self, environment):
+        self.env = environment
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        task_manager = self.env["runtime"].get("BackgroundTaskManager")
+        if task_manager:
+            for task_id in self._task_ids:
+                task_manager.cancel_task(task_id)
+        self._task_ids.clear()
+        self._module_callbacks = []
+        self._voice_callbacks = {}
+
+    def get_cached_modules(self):
+        if not self._cache_is_current(self._modules_timestamp):
+            return None
+        return list(self._modules) if self._modules is not None else None
+
+    def get_cached_voices(self, module):
+        if not self._cache_is_current(self._voice_timestamps.get(module, 0)):
+            return None
+        voices = self._voices.get(module)
+        return list(voices) if voices is not None else None
+
+    def request_modules(self, callback, refresh=False):
+        modules = None if refresh else self.get_cached_modules()
+        if modules is not None:
+            callback(modules, "")
+            return None
+
+        self._module_callbacks.append(callback)
+        if self._module_task_id is not None:
+            return self._module_task_id
+
+        task_id = self._submit_task(query_speechd_modules, self._finish_modules)
+        if task_id is None:
+            self._finish_modules(self._submission_failure())
+            return None
+        self._module_task_id = task_id
+        return task_id
+
+    def request_voices(self, module, callback, refresh=False):
+        voices = None if refresh else self.get_cached_voices(module)
+        if voices is not None:
+            callback(module, voices, "")
+            return None
+
+        callbacks = self._voice_callbacks.setdefault(module, [])
+        callbacks.append(callback)
+        if module in self._voice_task_ids:
+            return self._voice_task_ids[module]
+
+        task_id = self._submit_task(
+            query_speechd_voices,
+            lambda result: self._finish_voices(module, result),
+            module,
+        )
+        if task_id is None:
+            self._finish_voices(module, self._submission_failure())
+            return None
+        self._voice_task_ids[module] = task_id
+        return task_id
+
+    def request_voice_test(self, module, voice, message, callback):
+        task_id = self._submit_task(
+            test_speechd_voice,
+            lambda result: callback(
+                bool(result.get("succeeded")), result.get("error", "")
+            ),
+            module,
+            voice,
+            message,
+        )
+        if task_id is None:
+            callback(False, "background task manager is unavailable")
+        return task_id
+
+    def invalidate_cache(self):
+        self._modules = None
+        self._modules_timestamp = 0
+        self._voices = {}
+        self._voice_timestamps = {}
+
+    def _cache_is_current(self, timestamp):
+        return timestamp > 0 and time.time() - timestamp < self.cache_timeout
+
+    def _submit_task(self, function, callback, *args):
+        task_manager = self.env["runtime"]["BackgroundTaskManager"]
+
+        def finish(result):
+            self._task_ids.discard(result.get("task_id"))
+            callback(result)
+
+        task_id = task_manager.submit_task(function, finish, *args)
+        if task_id is None:
+            self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                "SpeechDiscoveryManager could not submit background task",
+                debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+            )
+            return None
+        self._task_ids.add(task_id)
+        return task_id
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _submission_failure():
+        return {
+            "task_id": None,
+            "succeeded": False,
+            "value": None,
+            "error": "background task manager is unavailable",
+        }
+
+    def _finish_modules(self, result):
+        self._module_task_id = None
+        callbacks = self._module_callbacks
+        self._module_callbacks = []
+        error = result.get("error", "")
+        modules = []
+        if result.get("succeeded"):
+            modules = list(result.get("value") or [])
+            self._modules = modules
+            self._modules_timestamp = time.time()
+        self._run_callbacks(callbacks, list(modules), error)
+
+    def _finish_voices(self, module, result):
+        self._voice_task_ids.pop(module, None)
+        callbacks = self._voice_callbacks.pop(module, [])
+        error = result.get("error", "")
+        voices = []
+        if result.get("succeeded"):
+            voices = list(result.get("value") or [])
+            self._voices[module] = voices
+            self._voice_timestamps[module] = time.time()
+        self._run_callbacks(callbacks, module, list(voices), error)
+
+    def _run_callbacks(self, callbacks, *args):
+        for callback in callbacks:
+            try:
+                callback(*args)
+            except Exception as error:
+                self.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out(
+                    "SpeechDiscoveryManager callback failed: " + str(error),
+                    debug.DebugLevel.ERROR,
+                )

src/fenrirscreenreader/fenrirVersion.py

@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@
 # Fenrir TTY screen reader
 # By Chrys, Storm Dragon, and contributors.
 
-version = "2026.08.13"
+version = "2026.08.14"
 code_name = "testing"

tests/unit/test_async_voice_workflows.py

@@ -0,0 +1,303 @@
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import apply_tested_voice
+from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import voice_browser
+from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import voice_browser_safe
+from fenrirscreenreader.core import dynamicVoiceMenu
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.quickMenuManager import QuickMenuManager
+
+
+class FakeDiscoveryManager:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.cached_modules = None
+        self.cached_voices = {}
+        self.module_callbacks = []
+        self.voice_callbacks = {}
+        self.test_callbacks = []
+
+    def get_cached_modules(self):
+        return self.cached_modules
+
+    def get_cached_voices(self, module):
+        return self.cached_voices.get(module)
+
+    def request_modules(self, callback, refresh=False):
+        self.module_callbacks.append(callback)
+        return len(self.module_callbacks)
+
+    def request_voices(self, module, callback, refresh=False):
+        self.voice_callbacks.setdefault(module, []).append(callback)
+        return len(self.voice_callbacks[module])
+
+    def request_voice_test(self, module, voice, message, callback):
+        self.test_callbacks.append((module, voice, message, callback))
+        return len(self.test_callbacks)
+
+    def complete_modules(self, modules, error=""):
+        self.cached_modules = modules
+        callbacks = self.module_callbacks
+        self.module_callbacks = []
+        for callback in callbacks:
+            callback(list(modules), error)
+
+    def complete_voices(self, module, voices, error=""):
+        self.cached_voices[module] = voices
+        callbacks = self.voice_callbacks.pop(module, [])
+        for callback in callbacks:
+            callback(module, list(voices), error)
+
+    def complete_test(self, succeeded, error=""):
+        _module, _voice, _message, callback = self.test_callbacks.pop(0)
+        callback(succeeded, error)
+
+
+class RuntimeSettings:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        module="rhvoice",
+        voice="alan",
+        language="en-us",
+        driver="speechdDriver",
+    ):
+        self.values = {
+            ("speech", "driver"): driver,
+            ("speech", "module"): module,
+            ("speech", "voice"): voice,
+            ("speech", "language"): language,
+        }
+
+    def get_setting(self, section, setting):
+        return self.values[(section, setting)]
+
+    def set_setting(self, section, setting, value):
+        self.values[(section, setting)] = value
+
+
+def create_voice_environment(discovery):
+    return {
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            "OutputManager": Mock(),
+            "SpeechDiscoveryManager": discovery,
+        },
+        "commandBuffer": {},
+    }
+
+
+def test_safe_browser_records_voice_only_after_successful_test():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    browser = voice_browser_safe.command()
+    browser.initialize(environment)
+
+    browser.run()
+    assert "lastTestedVoice" not in environment["commandBuffer"]
+
+    discovery.complete_modules(["rhvoice"])
+    discovery.complete_voices("rhvoice", ["alan", "slt"])
+    assert "lastTestedVoice" not in environment["commandBuffer"]
+
+    discovery.complete_test(True)
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedModule"] == "rhvoice"
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] == "alan"
+
+
+def test_safe_browser_does_not_record_failed_test():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    browser = voice_browser_safe.command()
+    browser.initialize(environment)
+
+    browser.run()
+    discovery.complete_modules(["rhvoice"])
+    discovery.complete_voices("rhvoice", ["alan"])
+    discovery.complete_test(False, "test timed out")
+
+    assert "lastTestedVoice" not in environment["commandBuffer"]
+
+
+def test_safe_browser_keeps_voxin_language_separate():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    browser = voice_browser_safe.command()
+    browser.initialize(environment)
+
+    browser.run()
+    discovery.complete_modules(["voxin"])
+    discovery.complete_voices("voxin", ["Nathan|en-US"])
+    discovery.complete_test(True)
+
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] == "Nathan"
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedLanguage"] == "en-US"
+
+
+def test_interactive_browser_keeps_voxin_language_through_test_and_apply():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    environment["runtime"]["SettingsManager"] = Mock(
+        settings={"speech": {}},
+    )
+    browser = voice_browser.command()
+    browser.initialize(environment)
+    browser.modules = ["voxin"]
+    browser.voices = ["Nathan|en-US"]
+
+    browser.test_voice()
+    assert discovery.test_callbacks[0][1] == "Nathan"
+    discovery.complete_test(True)
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedVoice"] == "Nathan"
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["lastTestedLanguage"] == "en-US"
+
+    browser.apply_voice()
+    speech_settings = environment["runtime"]["SettingsManager"].settings[
+        "speech"
+    ]
+    assert speech_settings["voice"] == "Nathan"
+    assert speech_settings["language"] == "en-US"
+
+
+def test_apply_tested_voice_applies_voxin_language():
+    settings = RuntimeSettings()
+    speech_driver = Mock()
+    environment = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "OutputManager": Mock(),
+            "SettingsManager": settings,
+            "SpeechDriver": speech_driver,
+        },
+        "commandBuffer": {
+            "lastTestedModule": "voxin",
+            "lastTestedVoice": "Nathan",
+            "lastTestedLanguage": "en-US",
+        },
+    }
+    command = apply_tested_voice.command()
+    command.initialize(environment)
+
+    command.run()
+
+    assert settings.get_setting("speech", "language") == "en-US"
+    speech_driver.set_language.assert_called_once_with("en-US")
+
+
+def test_dynamic_voice_command_commits_result_on_main_loop_callback():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    voice_command = dynamicVoiceMenu.DynamicVoiceCommand(
+        "rhvoice", "alan", environment
+    )
+
+    voice_command.run()
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"] == {}
+
+    discovery.complete_test(True)
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceModule"] == "rhvoice"
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceVoice"] == "alan"
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["voiceTestCompleted"] is True
+
+
+def test_dynamic_voxin_voice_keeps_language_out_of_voice_name():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    voice_command = dynamicVoiceMenu.DynamicVoiceCommand(
+        "voxin", "Nathan|en-US", environment
+    )
+
+    voice_command.run()
+    assert discovery.test_callbacks[0][1] == "Nathan"
+
+    discovery.complete_test(True)
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceVoice"] == "Nathan"
+    assert environment["commandBuffer"]["pendingVoiceLanguage"] == "en-US"
+
+
+def test_quick_menu_waits_for_discovery_then_applies_module():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    settings = RuntimeSettings()
+    output_manager = Mock()
+    manager = QuickMenuManager()
+    manager.env = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            "OutputManager": output_manager,
+            "SettingsManager": settings,
+            "SpeechDriver": Mock(),
+            "SpeechDiscoveryManager": discovery,
+        }
+    }
+
+    assert manager.cycle_speech_module("next") is False
+    assert settings.get_setting("speech", "module") == "rhvoice"
+
+    discovery.complete_modules(["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"])
+    discovery.complete_voices("espeak-ng", ["en-us"])
+
+    assert settings.get_setting("speech", "module") == "espeak-ng"
+    assert settings.get_setting("speech", "voice") == "en-us"
+    output_manager.present_text.assert_any_call("espeak-ng", interrupt=True)
+
+
+def test_quick_menu_deduplicates_voice_request_for_module_cycle():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    discovery.cached_modules = ["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"]
+    settings = RuntimeSettings()
+    manager = QuickMenuManager()
+    manager.env = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            "OutputManager": Mock(),
+            "SettingsManager": settings,
+            "SpeechDriver": Mock(),
+            "SpeechDiscoveryManager": discovery,
+        }
+    }
+
+    assert manager.cycle_speech_module("next") is False
+    assert manager.cycle_speech_module("next") is False
+    assert len(discovery.voice_callbacks["espeak-ng"]) == 1
+
+
+def test_dynamic_vmenu_keeps_loading_entry_until_all_results_arrive():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    vmenu_manager = Mock()
+    vmenu_manager.env = environment
+    vmenu_manager.menuDict = {}
+    vmenu_manager._voice_menu_generation = 0
+    vmenu_manager.get_active.return_value = False
+
+    dynamicVoiceMenu.add_dynamic_voice_menus(vmenu_manager)
+    assert "Loading voices Action" in vmenu_manager.menuDict[
+        "Voice Browser Menu"
+    ]
+
+    discovery.complete_modules(["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"])
+    discovery.complete_voices("rhvoice", ["alan"])
+    assert "Loading voices Action" in vmenu_manager.menuDict[
+        "Voice Browser Menu"
+    ]
+
+    discovery.complete_voices("espeak-ng", ["en-us"])
+    voice_menu = vmenu_manager.menuDict["Voice Browser Menu"]
+    assert "rhvoice Menu" in voice_menu
+    assert "espeak-ng Menu" in voice_menu
+    assert "alan Action" in voice_menu["rhvoice Menu"]
+
+
+def test_dynamic_vmenu_does_not_replace_active_loading_menu():
+    discovery = FakeDiscoveryManager()
+    environment = create_voice_environment(discovery)
+    vmenu_manager = Mock()
+    vmenu_manager.env = environment
+    vmenu_manager.menuDict = {}
+    vmenu_manager._voice_menu_generation = 0
+    vmenu_manager.get_active.return_value = False
+
+    dynamicVoiceMenu.add_dynamic_voice_menus(vmenu_manager)
+    vmenu_manager.get_active.return_value = True
+    discovery.complete_modules(["voxin"])
+    discovery.complete_voices("voxin", ["Nathan|en-US"])
+
+    voice_menu = vmenu_manager.menuDict["Voice Browser Menu"]
+    assert "Loading voices Action" in voice_menu
+    assert vmenu_manager._voice_menu_refresh_pending is True

tests/unit/test_background_task_manager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+import threading
+import time
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.backgroundTaskManager import BackgroundTaskManager
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.eventData import FenrirEventType
+
+
+def wait_for_call(mock, timeout=1.0):
+    deadline = time.monotonic() + timeout
+    while not mock.called and time.monotonic() < deadline:
+        time.sleep(0.01)
+    assert mock.called
+
+
+def test_worker_returns_result_through_event_queue_before_callback_runs():
+    event_manager = Mock()
+    environment = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            "EventManager": event_manager,
+        }
+    }
+    manager = BackgroundTaskManager(worker_count=1)
+    manager.initialize(environment)
+    callback = Mock()
+    main_thread_id = threading.get_ident()
+
+    try:
+        task_id = manager.submit_task(lambda value: value * 2, callback, 21)
+        wait_for_call(event_manager.put_to_event_queue)
+
+        callback.assert_not_called()
+        event_type, result = event_manager.put_to_event_queue.call_args.args
+        assert event_type == FenrirEventType.background_task_result
+        assert result == {
+            "task_id": task_id,
+            "succeeded": True,
+            "value": 42,
+            "error": "",
+        }
+
+        callback.side_effect = lambda _result: setattr(
+            callback, "thread_id", threading.get_ident()
+        )
+        manager.handle_result(result)
+        callback.assert_called_once_with(result)
+        assert callback.thread_id == main_thread_id
+    finally:
+        manager.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_cancelled_task_result_is_not_delivered():
+    environment = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            "EventManager": Mock(),
+        }
+    }
+    manager = BackgroundTaskManager(worker_count=1)
+    manager.initialize(environment)
+    callback = Mock()
+
+    try:
+        task_id = manager.submit_task(lambda: "late", callback)
+        manager.cancel_task(task_id)
+        manager.handle_result(
+            {
+                "task_id": task_id,
+                "succeeded": True,
+                "value": "late",
+                "error": "",
+            }
+        )
+        callback.assert_not_called()
+    finally:
+        manager.shutdown()
+
+
+def test_external_tasks_cannot_starve_default_tasks():
+    event_manager = Mock()
+    environment = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            "EventManager": event_manager,
+        }
+    }
+    manager = BackgroundTaskManager(worker_count=1, external_worker_count=2)
+    manager.initialize(environment)
+    release_external = threading.Event()
+    external_started = [threading.Event(), threading.Event()]
+
+    def block_external(started):
+        started.set()
+        release_external.wait(timeout=2)
+
+    try:
+        for started in external_started:
+            manager.submit_external_task(block_external, Mock(), started)
+        for started in external_started:
+            assert started.wait(timeout=1)
+
+        manager.submit_task(lambda: "voice result", Mock())
+        wait_for_call(event_manager.put_to_event_queue)
+        result = event_manager.put_to_event_queue.call_args.args[1]
+        assert result["value"] == "voice result"
+    finally:
+        release_external.set()
+        manager.shutdown()

tests/unit/test_clipboard_commands_background_result.py

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import export_clipboard_to_x
+from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import import_clipboard_from_x
+
+
+class FakeTaskManager:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.callback = None
+        self.function = None
+        self.args = None
+
+    def submit_task(self, function, callback, *args):
+        self.function = function
+        self.callback = callback
+        self.args = args
+        return 7
+
+    def cancel_task(self, _task_id):
+        pass
+
+
+def test_clipboard_import_changes_history_only_after_result_event():
+    task_manager = FakeTaskManager()
+    memory_manager = Mock()
+    environment = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "BackgroundTaskManager": task_manager,
+            "MemoryManager": memory_manager,
+            "OutputManager": Mock(),
+        }
+    }
+    command = import_clipboard_from_x.command()
+    command.initialize(environment)
+
+    command.run()
+    memory_manager.add_value_to_first_index.assert_not_called()
+
+    task_manager.callback(
+        {"task_id": 7, "succeeded": True, "value": "copied text"}
+    )
+    memory_manager.add_value_to_first_index.assert_called_once_with(
+        "clipboardHistory", "copied text"
+    )
+
+
+def test_clipboard_export_updates_sync_state_only_after_result_event():
+    task_manager = FakeTaskManager()
+    memory_manager = Mock(
+        is_index_list_empty=Mock(return_value=False),
+        get_index_list_element=Mock(return_value="copied text"),
+    )
+    sync_manager = Mock()
+    environment = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "BackgroundTaskManager": task_manager,
+            "ClipboardSyncManager": sync_manager,
+            "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            "MemoryManager": memory_manager,
+            "OutputManager": Mock(),
+        }
+    }
+    command = export_clipboard_to_x.command()
+    command.initialize(environment)
+
+    command.run()
+    sync_manager.mark_written_to_x.assert_not_called()
+
+    task_manager.callback(
+        {"task_id": 7, "succeeded": True, "value": True}
+    )
+    sync_manager.mark_written_to_x.assert_called_once_with("copied text")

tests/unit/test_clipboard_sync_manager.py

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ from unittest.mock import Mock
 import pytest
 
 from fenrirscreenreader.core.clipboardSyncManager import ClipboardSyncManager
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.clipboardSyncManager import synchronize_clipboards
 
 
 def build_env(
@@ -270,3 +271,87 @@ def test_x_clipboard_paste_exception_is_ignored(monkeypatch):
 
     env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].add_value_to_first_index.assert_not_called()
     env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out.assert_called_once()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_runtime_sync_applies_worker_result_on_main_loop():
+    env = build_env(fenrir_text=None)
+    task_manager = Mock()
+    task_manager.submit_task.return_value = 12
+    env["runtime"]["BackgroundTaskManager"] = task_manager
+    manager = ClipboardSyncManager()
+    manager.env = env
+    manager.enabled = True
+    manager.display = ":1"
+    manager.running = True
+
+    manager.handle_sync_event()
+    env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].add_value_to_first_index.assert_not_called()
+
+    callback = task_manager.submit_task.call_args.args[1]
+    callback(
+        {
+            "task_id": 12,
+            "succeeded": True,
+            "value": {
+                "import_text": "from x",
+                "last_imported_from_x": "from x",
+                "last_observed_fenrir": "from x",
+                "last_observed_x": "from x",
+            },
+            "error": "",
+        }
+    )
+
+    env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].add_value_to_first_index.assert_called_once_with(
+        "clipboardHistory", "from x"
+    )
+    assert manager.last_imported_from_x == "from x"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_runtime_sync_discards_import_if_fenrir_clipboard_changed():
+    env = build_env(fenrir_text=None)
+    task_manager = Mock()
+    task_manager.submit_task.return_value = 12
+    env["runtime"]["BackgroundTaskManager"] = task_manager
+    manager = ClipboardSyncManager()
+    manager.env = env
+    manager.display = ":1"
+    manager.running = True
+
+    manager.handle_sync_event()
+    env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].is_index_list_empty.return_value = False
+    env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].get_index_list_element.return_value = (
+        "new fenrir copy"
+    )
+    callback = task_manager.submit_task.call_args.args[1]
+    callback(
+        {
+            "task_id": 12,
+            "succeeded": True,
+            "value": {
+                "import_text": "stale x text",
+                "last_imported_from_x": "stale x text",
+                "last_observed_fenrir": "stale x text",
+                "last_observed_x": "stale x text",
+            },
+            "error": "",
+        }
+    )
+
+    env["runtime"]["MemoryManager"].add_value_to_first_index.assert_not_called()
+    assert manager.last_imported_from_x is None
+
+
+@pytest.mark.unit
+def test_sync_worker_returns_changes_without_manager_access(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "fenrirscreenreader.core.clipboardSyncManager.x_clipboard.read_text",
+        Mock(return_value="from x"),
+    )
+
+    result = synchronize_clipboards(":1", None, None, None)
+
+    assert result["import_text"] == "from x"
+    assert result["last_observed_x"] == "from x"

tests/unit/test_speech_discovery_manager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.speechDiscoveryManager import (
+    SpeechDiscoveryManager,
+    query_speechd_voices,
+)
+
+
+class FakeBackgroundTaskManager:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.tasks = []
+
+    def submit_task(self, function, callback, *args, **kwargs):
+        task_id = len(self.tasks) + 1
+        self.tasks.append((task_id, function, callback, args, kwargs))
+        return task_id
+
+    def cancel_task(self, task_id):
+        pass
+
+    def complete(self, task_id, value=None, error=""):
+        _, _function, callback, _args, _kwargs = self.tasks[task_id - 1]
+        callback(
+            {
+                "task_id": task_id,
+                "succeeded": not error,
+                "value": value,
+                "error": error,
+            }
+        )
+
+
+def create_manager():
+    task_manager = FakeBackgroundTaskManager()
+    manager = SpeechDiscoveryManager()
+    manager.initialize(
+        {
+            "runtime": {
+                "BackgroundTaskManager": task_manager,
+                "DebugManager": Mock(),
+            }
+        }
+    )
+    return manager, task_manager
+
+
+def test_module_requests_share_one_worker_and_cache_main_thread_result():
+    manager, task_manager = create_manager()
+    first_callback = Mock()
+    second_callback = Mock()
+
+    first_task_id = manager.request_modules(first_callback)
+    second_task_id = manager.request_modules(second_callback)
+
+    assert first_task_id == second_task_id
+    assert len(task_manager.tasks) == 1
+
+    task_manager.complete(first_task_id, ["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"])
+
+    first_callback.assert_called_once_with(["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"], "")
+    second_callback.assert_called_once_with(["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"], "")
+
+    cached_callback = Mock()
+    assert manager.request_modules(cached_callback) is None
+    cached_callback.assert_called_once_with(["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"], "")
+    assert len(task_manager.tasks) == 1
+
+
+def test_voice_requests_are_deduplicated_per_module():
+    manager, task_manager = create_manager()
+    rhvoice_callback = Mock()
+    repeated_callback = Mock()
+    espeak_callback = Mock()
+
+    rhvoice_task = manager.request_voices("rhvoice", rhvoice_callback)
+    repeated_task = manager.request_voices("rhvoice", repeated_callback)
+    espeak_task = manager.request_voices("espeak-ng", espeak_callback)
+
+    assert rhvoice_task == repeated_task
+    assert espeak_task != rhvoice_task
+    assert len(task_manager.tasks) == 2
+
+    task_manager.complete(rhvoice_task, ["alan", "slt"])
+    rhvoice_callback.assert_called_once_with("rhvoice", ["alan", "slt"], "")
+    repeated_callback.assert_called_once_with(
+        "rhvoice", ["alan", "slt"], ""
+    )
+    espeak_callback.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def test_failing_discovery_callback_does_not_hide_result_from_others():
+    manager, task_manager = create_manager()
+    failing_callback = Mock(side_effect=RuntimeError("consumer failed"))
+    second_callback = Mock()
+
+    task_id = manager.request_modules(failing_callback)
+    manager.request_modules(second_callback)
+    task_manager.complete(task_id, ["rhvoice"])
+
+    failing_callback.assert_called_once_with(["rhvoice"], "")
+    second_callback.assert_called_once_with(["rhvoice"], "")
+    manager.env["runtime"]["DebugManager"].write_debug_out.assert_called_once()
+
+
+def test_voice_query_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(monkeypatch):
+    voice_list = (
+        "                     NAME                 LANGUAGE                  VARIANT\n"
+        "             Perfect Paul                    en-US                     none\n"
+        "                  Big Bob                    en-US                     none\n"
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "fenrirscreenreader.core.speechDiscoveryManager.subprocess.run",
+        Mock(return_value=Mock(returncode=0, stdout=voice_list, stderr="")),
+    )
+
+    assert query_speechd_voices("doubletalk") == ["Perfect Paul", "Big Bob"]

tests/unit/test_speechd_voice_selection.py

@@ -2,90 +2,11 @@ import sys
 from types import SimpleNamespace
 from unittest.mock import Mock
 
-from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import voice_browser
-from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import voice_browser_safe
-from fenrirscreenreader.core import dynamicVoiceMenu
-from fenrirscreenreader.core.quickMenuManager import (
-    QuickMenuManager,
-    SpeechHelperMixin,
-)
+from fenrirscreenreader.core.quickMenuManager import QuickMenuManager
 from fenrirscreenreader.speechDriver import speechdDriver
 from fenrirscreenreader.utils.speechd_utils import get_synthesis_voice_name
 
 
-VOICE_LIST = (
-    "                     NAME                 LANGUAGE                  VARIANT\n"
-    "             Perfect Paul                    en-US                     none\n"
-    "                  Big Bob                    en-US                     none\n"
-)
-
-
-def completed_voice_list():
-    return SimpleNamespace(returncode=0, stdout=VOICE_LIST)
-
-
-def test_quick_menu_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(monkeypatch):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "fenrirscreenreader.core.quickMenuManager.subprocess.run",
-        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
-    )
-    helper = SpeechHelperMixin()
-    helper.env = {"runtime": {"DebugManager": Mock()}}
-
-    assert helper.get_module_voices("doubletalk") == [
-        "Perfect Paul",
-        "Big Bob",
-    ]
-
-
-def test_safe_voice_browser_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(
-    monkeypatch,
-):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        voice_browser_safe.subprocess,
-        "run",
-        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
-    )
-    browser = voice_browser_safe.command()
-    browser.initialize({"runtime": {}})
-
-    assert browser.get_module_voices_with_timeout("doubletalk") == [
-        "Perfect Paul",
-        "Big Bob",
-    ]
-
-
-def test_interactive_voice_browser_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(
-    monkeypatch,
-):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        voice_browser.subprocess,
-        "run",
-        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
-    )
-    browser = voice_browser.command()
-
-    assert browser.get_module_voices("doubletalk") == [
-        "Perfect Paul",
-        "Big Bob",
-    ]
-
-
-def test_dynamic_voice_menu_preserves_multiword_synthesis_voice_names(
-    monkeypatch,
-):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        dynamicVoiceMenu.subprocess,
-        "run",
-        Mock(return_value=completed_voice_list()),
-    )
-
-    assert dynamicVoiceMenu.get_module_voices("doubletalk") == [
-        "Perfect Paul",
-        "Big Bob",
-    ]
-
-
 def test_espeak_voice_selection_keeps_language_and_variant_behavior():
     voice = get_synthesis_voice_name(
         "espeak-ng",
@@ -160,6 +81,12 @@ def test_speechd_driver_keeps_running_when_default_module_query_fails(
 
 def test_quick_menu_espeak_voice_can_move_away_and_return():
     settings = RuntimeSettings(module="rhvoice")
+    discovery = Mock()
+    discovery.get_cached_modules.return_value = ["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"]
+    discovery.get_cached_voices.side_effect = lambda module: {
+        "rhvoice": ["alan"],
+        "espeak-ng": ["en-gb", "en-us", "en-us+female2"],
+    }[module]
     manager = QuickMenuManager()
     manager.env = {
         "runtime": {
@@ -167,15 +94,9 @@ def test_quick_menu_espeak_voice_can_move_away_and_return():
             "OutputManager": Mock(),
             "SettingsManager": settings,
             "SpeechDriver": Mock(),
+            "SpeechDiscoveryManager": discovery,
         }
     }
-    manager._modules_cache = ["rhvoice", "espeak-ng"]
-    manager._cache_timestamp = float("inf")
-    manager._voices_cache["espeak-ng"] = [
-        "en-gb",
-        "en-us",
-        "en-us+female2",
-    ]
 
     assert manager.cycle_speech_module("next") is True
     assert settings.get_setting("speech", "module") == "espeak-ng"

tests/unit/test_subprocess_command.py

@@ -8,26 +8,19 @@ from fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands import subprocess as subprocess_comman
 @pytest.mark.unit
 def test_script_command_executes_without_shell(monkeypatch):
     process = Mock()
-    process.communicate.return_value = (b"done", b"")
+    process.returncode = 0
+    process.communicate.return_value = ("done", "")
     popen = Mock(return_value=process)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(subprocess_command, "Popen", popen)
-    output_manager = Mock()
-    command = subprocess_command.command()
-    command.initialize(
-        {
-            "general": {"curr_user": "Username"},
-            "runtime": {"OutputManager": output_manager},
-        },
-        "/tmp/script with spaces",
-    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(subprocess_command.subprocess, "Popen", popen)
 
-    command._thread_run()
+    result = subprocess_command.run_script(
+        "/tmp/script with spaces", "Username"
+    )
 
     popen.assert_called_once_with(
         ["/tmp/script with spaces", "Username"],
-        stdout=subprocess_command.PIPE,
-        stderr=subprocess_command.PIPE,
-    )
-    output_manager.present_text.assert_called_once_with(
-        "done", sound_icon="", interrupt=False
+        stdout=subprocess_command.subprocess.PIPE,
+        stderr=subprocess_command.subprocess.PIPE,
+        text=True,
     )
+    assert result == {"return_code": 0, "stdout": "done", "stderr": ""}

tests/unit/test_subprocess_command_background_result.py

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import importlib
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+
+subprocess_command = importlib.import_module(
+    "fenrirscreenreader.commands.commands.subprocess"
+)
+
+
+def test_external_script_output_is_delivered_by_main_loop_callback(tmp_path):
+    script_path = tmp_path / "helper.sh"
+    script_path.write_text("#!/bin/sh\necho ready\n", encoding="utf-8")
+    script_path.chmod(0o755)
+    task_manager = Mock()
+    task_manager.submit_external_task.return_value = 7
+    output_manager = Mock()
+    environment = {
+        "runtime": {
+            "BackgroundTaskManager": task_manager,
+            "OutputManager": output_manager,
+        },
+        "general": {"curr_user": "Username"},
+    }
+    script_command = subprocess_command.command()
+    script_command.initialize(environment, str(script_path))
+
+    script_command.run()
+
+    output_manager.present_text.assert_not_called()
+    function, callback, path, current_user = (
+        task_manager.submit_external_task.call_args.args
+    )
+    assert function is subprocess_command.run_script
+    assert path == str(script_path)
+    assert current_user == "Username"
+
+    callback(
+        {
+            "task_id": 7,
+            "succeeded": True,
+            "value": {"return_code": 0, "stdout": "ready\n", "stderr": ""},
+            "error": "",
+        }
+    )
+    output_manager.present_text.assert_called_once_with(
+        "ready\n", sound_icon="", interrupt=False
+    )