Align the framed header section so decode can avoid hidden alignment repair on the hot path, and teach protocol_bench.rs to build and run the standalone tracing binaries directly. The updated benchmark shows lower encode, decode, forward, local call, and hook data costs than the previous baseline.
Implement an aligned two-section frame format, a compiled prefix router, a minimal pending and active hook engine, and a header-first receive path that only decodes payloads on local delivery. Recreate the protocol-focused test suite and document the explicit framing deviation in src/protocol/PROTOCOL_CHANGES.md.
Compile routing prefixes once per endpoint, restore minimal pending-to-active hook transitions, and route call/data/fault packets from the header before decoding payloads for local delivery only. Document the remaining protocol-level pressure points in src/protocol/PROTOCOL_CHANGES.md.
Document public APIs and non-obvious control flow so the protocol, simulator, and macro crates are easier to follow. Tighten a few helper paths and feature gates while preserving behavior and keeping the workspace warning-free.
Michael Mikovsky