diff --git a/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serial.go b/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serial.go
index d8baddd..ffc2a53 100644
--- a/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serial.go
+++ b/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serial.go
@@ -41,12 +41,12 @@ func (d *D) GetFullIdPubkeyBySerial(ser *types.Uint40) (
 				).UnmarshalRead(buf2); chk.E(err) {
 					return
 				}
-				idpkts := store.IdPkTs{
-					Id:  fid.Bytes(),
-					Pub: p.Bytes(),
-					Ts:  int64(ca.Get()),
-					Ser: ser.Get(),
-				}
+				idpkts := store.NewIdPkTs(
+					fid.Bytes(),
+					p.Bytes(),
+					int64(ca.Get()),
+					ser.Get(),
+				)
 				fidpk = &idpkts
 			}
 			return
diff --git a/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serials.go b/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serials.go
index 4d011e2..d080dd4 100644
--- a/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serials.go
+++ b/pkg/database/get-fullidpubkey-by-serials.go
@@ -59,14 +59,13 @@ func (d *D) GetFullIdPubkeyBySerials(sers []*types.Uint40) (
 					).UnmarshalRead(bytes.NewBuffer(key)); chk.E(err) {
 						return
 					}
-					fidpks = append(
-						fidpks, &store.IdPkTs{
-							Id:  fid.Bytes(),
-							Pub: p.Bytes(),
-							Ts:  int64(ca.Get()),
-							Ser: ser.Get(),
-						},
+					idpkts := store.NewIdPkTs(
+						fid.Bytes(),
+						p.Bytes(),
+						int64(ca.Get()),
+						ser.Get(),
 					)
+					fidpks = append(fidpks, &idpkts)
 				}
 			}
 			return
diff --git a/pkg/database/process-delete.go b/pkg/database/process-delete.go
index 0cc61f5..4eaa669 100644
--- a/pkg/database/process-delete.go
+++ b/pkg/database/process-delete.go
@@ -129,11 +129,11 @@ func (d *D) ProcessDelete(ev *event.E, admins [][]byte) (err error) {
 			})
 			for _, v := range idPkTss {
 				if v.Ts < ev.CreatedAt {
-					if err = d.DeleteEvent(context.Background(), v.Id); chk.E(err) {
-						log.W.F("failed to delete event %x via a-tag: %v", v.Id, err)
+					if err = d.DeleteEvent(context.Background(), v.Id[:]); chk.E(err) {
+						log.W.F("failed to delete event %x via a-tag: %v", v.Id[:], err)
 						continue
 					}
-					log.D.F("deleted event %x via a-tag deletion", v.Id)
+					log.D.F("deleted event %x via a-tag deletion", v.Id[:])
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ func (d *D) ProcessDelete(ev *event.E, admins [][]byte) (err error) {
 			for _, v := range idPkTss {
 				if v.Ts < ev.CreatedAt {
 					if err = d.DeleteEvent(
-						context.Background(), v.Id,
+						context.Background(), v.Id[:],
 					); chk.E(err) {
 						continue
 					}
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-authors-tags_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-authors-tags_test.go
index 87d1c60..702fddf 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-authors-tags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-authors-tags_test.go
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/tag"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
@@ -56,10 +56,10 @@ func TestQueryForAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 
-				if !utils.FastEqual(ev.Pubkey, testEvent.Pubkey) {
+				if !bytes.Equal(ev.Pubkey[:], testEvent.Pubkey[:]) {
 					t.Fatalf(
 						"result %d has incorrect author, got %x, expected %x",
 						i, ev.Pubkey, testEvent.Pubkey,
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ func TestQueryForAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
 				var hasTag bool
 				for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 					if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-						if utils.FastEqual(
+						if bytes.Equal(
 							tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-						) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+						) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 							hasTag = true
 							break
 						}
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go
index fbc0273..ce80bf9 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/timestamp"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForCreatedAt(t *testing.T) {
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func TestQueryForCreatedAt(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				break
 			}
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func TestQueryForCreatedAt(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				break
 			}
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func TestQueryForCreatedAt(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				break
 			}
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go
index 6360f9d..ab85b6b 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/kind"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/tag"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/timestamp"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
-				if !utils.FastEqual(ev.Pubkey, events[1].Pubkey) {
+				if !bytes.Equal(ev.Pubkey[:], events[1].Pubkey[:]) {
 					t.Fatalf(
 						"result %d has incorrect author, got %x, expected %x",
 						i, ev.Pubkey, events[1].Pubkey,
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				if ev.Kind != testKind.K {
 					t.Fatalf(
@@ -131,16 +131,16 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 			// Find the event with this ID
 			var found bool
 			for _, ev := range events {
-				if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+				if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 					found = true
 
 					// Check if the event has the tag we're looking for
 					var hasTag bool
 					for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 						if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-							if utils.FastEqual(
+							if bytes.Equal(
 								tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-							) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+							) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 								hasTag = true
 								break
 							}
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 				// Find the event with this ID
 				var found bool
 				for _, ev := range events {
-					if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+					if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 						found = true
 						if ev.Kind != testKind.K {
 							t.Fatalf(
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 								i, ev.Kind, testKind.K,
 							)
 						}
-						if !utils.FastEqual(ev.Pubkey, events[1].Pubkey) {
+						if !bytes.Equal(ev.Pubkey[:], events[1].Pubkey[:]) {
 							t.Fatalf(
 								"result %d has incorrect author, got %x, expected %x",
 								i, ev.Pubkey, events[1].Pubkey,
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 			// Find the event with this ID
 			var found bool
 			for _, ev := range events {
-				if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+				if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 					found = true
 					if ev.Kind != testEventForTag.Kind {
 						t.Fatalf(
@@ -242,9 +242,9 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 					var hasTag bool
 					for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 						if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-							if utils.FastEqual(
+							if bytes.Equal(
 								tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-							) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+							) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 								hasTag = true
 								break
 							}
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 			// Find the event with this ID
 			var found bool
 			for _, ev := range events {
-				if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+				if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 					found = true
 					if ev.Kind != testEventForTag.Kind {
 						t.Fatalf(
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 						)
 					}
 
-					if !utils.FastEqual(ev.Pubkey, testEventForTag.Pubkey) {
+					if !bytes.Equal(ev.Pubkey[:], testEventForTag.Pubkey[:]) {
 						t.Fatalf(
 							"result %d has incorrect author, got %x, expected %x",
 							i, ev.Pubkey, testEventForTag.Pubkey,
@@ -310,9 +310,9 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 					var hasTag bool
 					for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 						if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-							if utils.FastEqual(
+							if bytes.Equal(
 								tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-							) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+							) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 								hasTag = true
 								break
 							}
@@ -357,10 +357,10 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 			// Find the event with this ID
 			var found bool
 			for _, ev := range events {
-				if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+				if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 					found = true
 
-					if !utils.FastEqual(ev.Pubkey, testEventForTag.Pubkey) {
+					if !bytes.Equal(ev.Pubkey[:], testEventForTag.Pubkey[:]) {
 						t.Fatalf(
 							"result %d has incorrect author, got %x, expected %x",
 							i, ev.Pubkey, testEventForTag.Pubkey,
@@ -371,9 +371,9 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 					var hasTag bool
 					for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 						if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-							if utils.FastEqual(
+							if bytes.Equal(
 								tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-							) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+							) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 								hasTag = true
 								break
 							}
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				break
 			}
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go
index c109b96..ab0b509 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/kind"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/tag"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForKindsAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				if ev.Kind != testKind {
 					t.Fatalf(
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
 					)
 				}
 
-				if !utils.FastEqual(ev.Pubkey, testEvent.Pubkey) {
+				if !bytes.Equal(ev.Pubkey[:], testEvent.Pubkey[:]) {
 					t.Fatalf(
 						"result %d has incorrect author, got %x, expected %x",
 						i, ev.Pubkey, testEvent.Pubkey,
@@ -82,9 +82,9 @@ func TestQueryForKindsAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
 				var hasTag bool
 				for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 					if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-						if utils.FastEqual(
+						if bytes.Equal(
 							tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-						) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+						) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 							hasTag = true
 							break
 						}
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go
index 1b25344..6bed535 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/kind"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/tag"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForKindsAuthors(t *testing.T) {
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsAuthors(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				if ev.Kind != testKind.K {
 					t.Fatalf(
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsAuthors(t *testing.T) {
 						i, ev.Kind, testKind.K,
 					)
 				}
-				if !utils.FastEqual(ev.Pubkey, events[1].Pubkey) {
+				if !bytes.Equal(ev.Pubkey[:], events[1].Pubkey[:]) {
 					t.Fatalf(
 						"result %d has incorrect author, got %x, expected %x",
 						i, ev.Pubkey, events[1].Pubkey,
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go
index 0878563..fff075b 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/kind"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/tag"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForKindsTags(t *testing.T) {
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsTags(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				if ev.Kind != testKind {
 					t.Fatalf(
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ func TestQueryForKindsTags(t *testing.T) {
 				var hasTag bool
 				for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 					if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-						if utils.FastEqual(
+						if bytes.Equal(
 							tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-						) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+						) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 							hasTag = true
 							break
 						}
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go
index 1e7a43d..343640b 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/kind"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForKinds(t *testing.T) {
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func TestQueryForKinds(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 				if ev.Kind != testKind.K {
 					t.Fatalf(
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go
index 50bef12..477c3eb 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 package database
 
 import (
+	"bytes"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/filter"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/tag"
-	"next.orly.dev/pkg/utils"
 )
 
 func TestQueryForTags(t *testing.T) {
@@ -52,16 +52,16 @@ func TestQueryForTags(t *testing.T) {
 		// Find the event with this ID
 		var found bool
 		for _, ev := range events {
-			if utils.FastEqual(result.Id, ev.ID) {
+			if bytes.Equal(result.Id[:], ev.ID[:]) {
 				found = true
 
 				// Check if the event has the tag we're looking for
 				var hasTag bool
 				for _, tg := range *ev.Tags {
 					if tg.Len() >= 2 && len(tg.Key()) == 1 {
-						if utils.FastEqual(
+						if bytes.Equal(
 							tg.Key(), testTag.Key(),
-						) && utils.FastEqual(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
+						) && bytes.Equal(tg.Value(), testTag.Value()) {
 							hasTag = true
 							break
 						}
diff --git a/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go b/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go
index c75b550..9b7d325 100644
--- a/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go
+++ b/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go
@@ -61,39 +61,54 @@ type Accountant interface {
 	EventCount() (count uint64, err error)
 }
 
-// IdPkTs holds event reference data with slice fields for backward compatibility.
-// For new code preferring stack-allocated, copy-on-assignment semantics,
-// use the IDFixed() and PubFixed() methods or convert to EventRef.
+// IdPkTs holds event reference data using fixed-size arrays for stack allocation.
+// Total size: 80 bytes (32+32+8+8), fits in a cache line.
+// Copies of this struct stay on the stack and are value-safe.
 type IdPkTs struct {
-	Id  []byte
-	Pub []byte
-	Ts  int64
-	Ser uint64
+	Id  ntypes.EventID // 32 bytes - event ID
+	Pub ntypes.Pubkey  // 32 bytes - author pubkey
+	Ts  int64          // 8 bytes - created_at timestamp
+	Ser uint64         // 8 bytes - database serial number
+}
+
+// NewIdPkTs creates an IdPkTs from byte slices (copies into fixed arrays).
+func NewIdPkTs(id, pub []byte, ts int64, ser uint64) IdPkTs {
+	return IdPkTs{
+		Id:  ntypes.EventIDFromBytes(id),
+		Pub: ntypes.PubkeyFromBytes(pub),
+		Ts:  ts,
+		Ser: ser,
+	}
 }
 
-// IDFixed returns the event ID as a fixed-size array (stack-allocated, copied on assignment).
-func (i *IdPkTs) IDFixed() ntypes.EventID {
-	return ntypes.EventIDFromBytes(i.Id)
+// IDSlice returns the event ID as a byte slice (shares memory with array).
+func (i *IdPkTs) IDSlice() []byte {
+	return i.Id[:]
 }
 
-// PubFixed returns the pubkey as a fixed-size array (stack-allocated, copied on assignment).
-func (i *IdPkTs) PubFixed() ntypes.Pubkey {
-	return ntypes.PubkeyFromBytes(i.Pub)
+// PubSlice returns the pubkey as a byte slice (shares memory with array).
+func (i *IdPkTs) PubSlice() []byte {
+	return i.Pub[:]
 }
 
 // IDHex returns the event ID as a lowercase hex string.
 func (i *IdPkTs) IDHex() string {
-	return ntypes.EventIDFromBytes(i.Id).Hex()
+	return i.Id.Hex()
 }
 
 // PubHex returns the pubkey as a lowercase hex string.
 func (i *IdPkTs) PubHex() string {
-	return ntypes.PubkeyFromBytes(i.Pub).Hex()
+	return i.Pub.Hex()
 }
 
-// ToEventRef converts IdPkTs to an EventRef (fully stack-allocated).
+// ToEventRef converts IdPkTs to an EventRef.
 func (i *IdPkTs) ToEventRef() EventRef {
-	return NewEventRef(i.Id, i.Pub, i.Ts, i.Ser)
+	return EventRef{
+		id:  i.Id,
+		pub: i.Pub,
+		ts:  i.Ts,
+		ser: i.Ser,
+	}
 }
 
 // EventRef is a stack-friendly event reference using fixed-size arrays.
@@ -141,12 +156,11 @@ func (r *EventRef) IDSlice() []byte { return r.id.Bytes() }
 // PubSlice returns a slice view of the pubkey (shares memory, use carefully).
 func (r *EventRef) PubSlice() []byte { return r.pub.Bytes() }
 
-// ToIdPkTs converts EventRef to IdPkTs for backward compatibility.
-// Note: This allocates new slices.
+// ToIdPkTs converts EventRef to IdPkTs.
 func (r EventRef) ToIdPkTs() *IdPkTs {
 	return &IdPkTs{
-		Id:  r.id.Copy(),
-		Pub: r.pub.Copy(),
+		Id:  r.id,
+		Pub: r.pub,
 		Ts:  r.ts,
 		Ser: r.ser,
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface_test.go b/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface_test.go
index ce3a09e..3bae1f5 100644
--- a/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface_test.go
+++ b/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface_test.go
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ import (
 	ntypes "git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/types"
 )
 
-func TestIdPkTsFixedMethods(t *testing.T) {
-	// Create an IdPkTs with sample data
+func TestNewIdPkTs(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create sample data
 	id := make([]byte, 32)
 	pub := make([]byte, 32)
 	for i := 0; i < 32; i++ {
@@ -16,29 +16,49 @@ func TestIdPkTsFixedMethods(t *testing.T) {
 		pub[i] = byte(i + 32)
 	}
 
-	ipk := &IdPkTs{
-		Id:  id,
-		Pub: pub,
-		Ts:  1234567890,
-		Ser: 42,
-	}
+	ipk := NewIdPkTs(id, pub, 1234567890, 42)
 
-	// Test IDFixed returns correct data
-	idFixed := ipk.IDFixed()
-	if !bytes.Equal(idFixed[:], id) {
-		t.Errorf("IDFixed: got %x, want %x", idFixed[:], id)
+	// Test that data was copied correctly
+	if !bytes.Equal(ipk.Id[:], id) {
+		t.Errorf("Id: got %x, want %x", ipk.Id[:], id)
+	}
+	if !bytes.Equal(ipk.Pub[:], pub) {
+		t.Errorf("Pub: got %x, want %x", ipk.Pub[:], pub)
+	}
+	if ipk.Ts != 1234567890 {
+		t.Errorf("Ts: got %d, want 1234567890", ipk.Ts)
+	}
+	if ipk.Ser != 42 {
+		t.Errorf("Ser: got %d, want 42", ipk.Ser)
 	}
 
-	// Test IDFixed returns a copy
-	idFixed[0] = 0xFF
+	// Test that Id is a copy (modifying original doesn't affect struct)
+	id[0] = 0xFF
 	if ipk.Id[0] == 0xFF {
-		t.Error("IDFixed should return a copy, not a reference")
+		t.Error("NewIdPkTs should copy data, not reference")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestIdPkTsSliceMethods(t *testing.T) {
+	id := make([]byte, 32)
+	pub := make([]byte, 32)
+	for i := 0; i < 32; i++ {
+		id[i] = byte(i)
+		pub[i] = byte(i + 32)
+	}
+
+	ipk := NewIdPkTs(id, pub, 1234567890, 42)
+
+	// Test IDSlice returns correct data
+	idSlice := ipk.IDSlice()
+	if !bytes.Equal(idSlice, id) {
+		t.Errorf("IDSlice: got %x, want %x", idSlice, id)
 	}
 
-	// Test PubFixed returns correct data
-	pubFixed := ipk.PubFixed()
-	if !bytes.Equal(pubFixed[:], pub) {
-		t.Errorf("PubFixed: got %x, want %x", pubFixed[:], pub)
+	// Test PubSlice returns correct data
+	pubSlice := ipk.PubSlice()
+	if !bytes.Equal(pubSlice, pub) {
+		t.Errorf("PubSlice: got %x, want %x", pubSlice, pub)
 	}
 
 	// Test hex methods
@@ -49,6 +69,26 @@ func TestIdPkTsFixedMethods(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestIdPkTsCopyOnAssignment(t *testing.T) {
+	id := make([]byte, 32)
+	pub := make([]byte, 32)
+	for i := 0; i < 32; i++ {
+		id[i] = byte(i)
+		pub[i] = byte(i + 32)
+	}
+
+	ipk1 := NewIdPkTs(id, pub, 1234567890, 42)
+	ipk2 := ipk1 // Copy
+
+	// Modify the copy
+	ipk2.Id[0] = 0xFF
+
+	// Original should be unchanged (arrays are copied on assignment)
+	if ipk1.Id[0] == 0xFF {
+		t.Error("IdPkTs should copy on assignment")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestEventRef(t *testing.T) {
 	id := make([]byte, 32)
 	pub := make([]byte, 32)
@@ -103,10 +143,10 @@ func TestEventRefToIdPkTs(t *testing.T) {
 	ipk := ref.ToIdPkTs()
 
 	// Verify conversion
-	if !bytes.Equal(ipk.Id, id) {
+	if !bytes.Equal(ipk.Id[:], id) {
 		t.Error("ToIdPkTs: Id mismatch")
 	}
-	if !bytes.Equal(ipk.Pub, pub) {
+	if !bytes.Equal(ipk.Pub[:], pub) {
 		t.Error("ToIdPkTs: Pub mismatch")
 	}
 	if ipk.Ts != 1234567890 {
@@ -131,13 +171,7 @@ func TestIdPkTsToEventRef(t *testing.T) {
 		pub[i] = byte(i + 100)
 	}
 
-	ipk := &IdPkTs{
-		Id:  id,
-		Pub: pub,
-		Ts:  1234567890,
-		Ser: 42,
-	}
-
+	ipk := NewIdPkTs(id, pub, 1234567890, 42)
 	ref := ipk.ToEventRef()
 
 	// Verify conversion - need addressable values for slicing
@@ -157,6 +191,23 @@ func TestIdPkTsToEventRef(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func BenchmarkIdPkTsCopy(b *testing.B) {
+	id := make([]byte, 32)
+	pub := make([]byte, 32)
+	for i := 0; i < 32; i++ {
+		id[i] = byte(i)
+		pub[i] = byte(i + 100)
+	}
+
+	ipk := NewIdPkTs(id, pub, 1234567890, 42)
+
+	b.ResetTimer()
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		ipk2 := ipk // Copy (should stay on stack)
+		_ = ipk2
+	}
+}
+
 func BenchmarkEventRefCopy(b *testing.B) {
 	id := make([]byte, 32)
 	pub := make([]byte, 32)
@@ -182,12 +233,7 @@ func BenchmarkIdPkTsToEventRef(b *testing.B) {
 		pub[i] = byte(i + 100)
 	}
 
-	ipk := &IdPkTs{
-		Id:  id,
-		Pub: pub,
-		Ts:  1234567890,
-		Ser: 42,
-	}
+	ipk := NewIdPkTs(id, pub, 1234567890, 42)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
@@ -215,7 +261,7 @@ func BenchmarkEventRefAccess(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkIdPkTsFixedAccess(b *testing.B) {
+func BenchmarkIdPkTsAccess(b *testing.B) {
 	id := make([]byte, 32)
 	pub := make([]byte, 32)
 	for i := 0; i < 32; i++ {
@@ -223,26 +269,55 @@ func BenchmarkIdPkTsFixedAccess(b *testing.B) {
 		pub[i] = byte(i + 100)
 	}
 
-	ipk := &IdPkTs{
-		Id:  id,
-		Pub: pub,
-		Ts:  1234567890,
-		Ser: 42,
-	}
+	ipk := NewIdPkTs(id, pub, 1234567890, 42)
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		idCopy := ipk.IDFixed()
-		pubCopy := ipk.PubFixed()
+		idCopy := ipk.Id
+		pubCopy := ipk.Pub
 		_ = idCopy
 		_ = pubCopy
 	}
 }
 
-// Ensure EventRef implements expected interface at compile time
-var _ interface {
-	ID() ntypes.EventID
-	Pub() ntypes.Pubkey
-	Ts() int64
-	Ser() uint64
-} = EventRef{}
+// Ensure types satisfy expected size for stack allocation
+func TestStructSizes(t *testing.T) {
+	var ipk IdPkTs
+	var ref EventRef
+
+	// Both should be exactly 80 bytes (32+32+8+8)
+	// This is not directly testable in Go, but we can verify the fields exist
+	_ = ipk.Id
+	_ = ipk.Pub
+	_ = ipk.Ts
+	_ = ipk.Ser
+	_ = ref
+}
+
+// Ensure ntypes.EventID and ntypes.Pubkey are used correctly
+func TestNtypesCompatibility(t *testing.T) {
+	var id ntypes.EventID
+	var pub ntypes.Pubkey
+
+	// Fill with test data
+	for i := 0; i < 32; i++ {
+		id[i] = byte(i)
+		pub[i] = byte(i + 32)
+	}
+
+	// Create IdPkTs directly with ntypes
+	ipk := IdPkTs{
+		Id:  id,
+		Pub: pub,
+		Ts:  1234567890,
+		Ser: 42,
+	}
+
+	// Verify
+	if ipk.Id != id {
+		t.Error("ntypes.EventID should be directly assignable to IdPkTs.Id")
+	}
+	if ipk.Pub != pub {
+		t.Error("ntypes.Pubkey should be directly assignable to IdPkTs.Pub")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/neo4j/fetch-event.go b/pkg/neo4j/fetch-event.go
index e045eac..07ab4ee 100644
--- a/pkg/neo4j/fetch-event.go
+++ b/pkg/neo4j/fetch-event.go
@@ -336,12 +336,8 @@ RETURN e.id AS id,
 				return nil, err
 			}
 
-			fidpk = &store.IdPkTs{
-				Id:  id,
-				Pub: pubkey,
-				Ts:  createdAt,
-				Ser: serial,
-			}
+			idpkts := store.NewIdPkTs(id, pubkey, createdAt, serial)
+			fidpk = &idpkts
 
 			return fidpk, nil
 		}
@@ -421,12 +417,8 @@ RETURN e.id AS id,
 			continue
 		}
 
-		fidpks = append(fidpks, &store.IdPkTs{
-			Id:  id,
-			Pub:  pubkey,
-			Ts:  createdAt,
-			Ser: uint64(serialVal),
-		})
+		idpkts := store.NewIdPkTs(id, pubkey, createdAt, uint64(serialVal))
+		fidpks = append(fidpks, &idpkts)
 	}
 
 	return fidpks, nil
diff --git a/pkg/neo4j/query-events.go b/pkg/neo4j/query-events.go
index cca64dc..ccfc9a6 100644
--- a/pkg/neo4j/query-events.go
+++ b/pkg/neo4j/query-events.go
@@ -595,12 +595,8 @@ func (n *N) QueryForIds(c context.Context, f *filter.F) (
 			continue
 		}
 
-		idPkTs = append(idPkTs, &store.IdPkTs{
-			Id:  id,
-			Pub: pubkey,
-			Ts:  createdAt,
-			Ser: uint64(serialVal),
-		})
+		ipkts := store.NewIdPkTs(id, pubkey, createdAt, uint64(serialVal))
+		idPkTs = append(idPkTs, &ipkts)
 	}
 
 	return idPkTs, nil
diff --git a/pkg/proto/orlydb/v1/converters.go b/pkg/proto/orlydb/v1/converters.go
index 89b02db..1e53573 100644
--- a/pkg/proto/orlydb/v1/converters.go
+++ b/pkg/proto/orlydb/v1/converters.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/kind"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/tag"
 	"git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/encoders/timestamp"
+	ntypes "git.mleku.dev/mleku/nostr/types"
 	"next.orly.dev/pkg/database"
 	indextypes "next.orly.dev/pkg/database/indexes/types"
 	"next.orly.dev/pkg/interfaces/store"
@@ -271,8 +272,8 @@ func IdPkTsToProto(i *store.IdPkTs) *IdPkTs {
 		return nil
 	}
 	return &IdPkTs{
-		Id:        i.Id,
-		Pubkey:    i.Pub,
+		Id:        i.Id[:],
+		Pubkey:    i.Pub[:],
 		Timestamp: i.Ts,
 		Serial:    i.Ser,
 	}
@@ -284,8 +285,8 @@ func ProtoToIdPkTs(pb *IdPkTs) *store.IdPkTs {
 		return nil
 	}
 	return &store.IdPkTs{
-		Id:  pb.Id,
-		Pub: pb.Pubkey,
+		Id:  ntypes.EventIDFromBytes(pb.Id),
+		Pub: ntypes.PubkeyFromBytes(pb.Pubkey),
 		Ts:  pb.Timestamp,
 		Ser: pb.Serial,
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/version/version b/pkg/version/version
index e0d5dc4..a5f6aab 100644
--- a/pkg/version/version
+++ b/pkg/version/version
@@ -1 +1 @@
-v0.56.5
+v0.56.6