fix: console not connected when fast-lane RPC still connecting

The console tab was passed fast_rpc_ even before its async connection
completed, causing 'Not connected to daemon' errors despite the main
RPC being connected and sync data flowing. Fall back to the main
rpc_/worker_ until fast_rpc_ reports isConnected().

CMakeLists.txt

@@ -3,6 +3,17 @@
 # Released under the GPLv3
 
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20)
+
+# macOS: set deployment target and universal architectures BEFORE project()
+# so they propagate to all targets, including FetchContent dependencies (SDL3, etc.)
+if(APPLE)
+    set(CMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET "11.0" CACHE STRING "Minimum macOS version" FORCE)
+    # Build universal binary (Apple Silicon + Intel) unless the user explicitly set architectures
+    if(NOT DEFINED CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES OR CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES STREQUAL "")
+        set(CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES "arm64;x86_64" CACHE STRING "macOS architectures" FORCE)
+    endif()
+endif()
+
 project(ObsidianDragon 
     VERSION 1.1.1
     LANGUAGES C CXX

build.sh

@@ -197,7 +197,14 @@ bundle_linux_daemon() {
 # ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 build_dev() {
     header "Dev Build ($(uname -s) / $BUILD_TYPE)"
-    local bd="$SCRIPT_DIR/build/linux"
+
+    # Use platform-appropriate build directory
+    if [[ "$(uname -s)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+        local bd="$SCRIPT_DIR/build/mac"
+        export MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET="11.0"
+    else
+        local bd="$SCRIPT_DIR/build/linux"
+    fi
 
     if $CLEAN; then
         info "Cleaning $bd ..."; rm -rf "$bd"
@@ -732,7 +739,9 @@ build_release_mac() {
         fi
         info "macOS cross-compiler: $OSXCROSS_CXX (arch: $MAC_ARCH)"
     else
-        MAC_ARCH=$(uname -m)
+        # Native macOS: build universal binary (arm64 + x86_64)
+        MAC_ARCH="universal"
+        export MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET="11.0"
     fi
 
     header "Release: macOS ($MAC_ARCH$(${IS_CROSS} && echo ' — cross-compile'))"
@@ -811,12 +820,31 @@ TOOLCHAIN
             -DCMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=11.0 \
             ${COMPILER_RT:+-DOSXCROSS_COMPILER_RT="$COMPILER_RT"}
     else
-        info "Configuring (native) ..."
+        # Build libsodium as universal if needed
+        local need_sodium=false
+        if [[ ! -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/libs/libsodium/lib/libsodium.a" ]] && \
+           [[ ! -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/libs/libsodium-mac/lib/libsodium.a" ]]; then
+            need_sodium=true
+        elif [[ -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/libs/libsodium/lib/libsodium.a" ]]; then
+            # Rebuild if existing lib is not universal (single-arch won't link)
+            if ! lipo -info "$SCRIPT_DIR/libs/libsodium/lib/libsodium.a" 2>/dev/null | grep -q "arm64.*x86_64\|x86_64.*arm64"; then
+                info "Existing libsodium is not universal — rebuilding ..."
+                rm -rf "$SCRIPT_DIR/libs/libsodium"
+                need_sodium=true
+            fi
+        fi
+        if $need_sodium; then
+            info "Building libsodium (universal) ..."
+            "$SCRIPT_DIR/scripts/fetch-libsodium.sh"
+        fi
+
+        info "Configuring (native universal arm64+x86_64) ..."
         cmake "$SCRIPT_DIR" \
             -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
             -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS_RELEASE="-O3 -DNDEBUG" \
             -DDRAGONX_USE_SYSTEM_SDL3=OFF \
-            -DCMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=11.0
+            -DCMAKE_OSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=11.0 \
+            -DCMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES="arm64;x86_64"
     fi
 
     info "Building with $JOBS jobs ..."
@@ -836,6 +864,11 @@ TOOLCHAIN
     else
         info "Stripping ..."
         strip bin/ObsidianDragon
+        # Verify universal binary
+        if command -v lipo &>/dev/null; then
+            info "Architecture info:"
+            lipo -info bin/ObsidianDragon
+        fi
     fi
     info "Binary: $(du -h bin/ObsidianDragon | cut -f1)"
 

scripts/fetch-libsodium.sh

@@ -50,12 +50,20 @@ if [[ ! -f "$TARBALL" ]]; then
     curl -fSL -o "$TARBALL" "$SODIUM_URL"
 fi
 
-# Verify checksum
+# Verify checksum (sha256sum on Linux, shasum on macOS)
-echo "$SODIUM_SHA256  $TARBALL" | sha256sum -c - || {
+if command -v sha256sum &>/dev/null; then
-    echo "[fetch-libsodium] ERROR: SHA256 mismatch! Removing corrupted download."
+    echo "$SODIUM_SHA256  $TARBALL" | sha256sum -c - || {
-    rm -f "$TARBALL"
+        echo "[fetch-libsodium] ERROR: SHA256 mismatch! Removing corrupted download."
-    exit 1
+        rm -f "$TARBALL"
-}
+        exit 1
+    }
+elif command -v shasum &>/dev/null; then
+    echo "$SODIUM_SHA256  $TARBALL" | shasum -a 256 -c - || {
+        echo "[fetch-libsodium] ERROR: SHA256 mismatch! Removing corrupted download."
+        rm -f "$TARBALL"
+        exit 1
+    }
+fi
 
 # ── Extract ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 if [[ ! -d "$SRC_DIR" ]]; then
@@ -115,6 +123,69 @@ case "$TARGET" in
         ;;
 esac
 
+# ── Native macOS: build universal binary (arm64 + x86_64) ───────────────────
+IS_MACOS_NATIVE=false
+if [[ "$TARGET" == "native" && "$(uname -s)" == "Darwin" ]]; then
+    IS_MACOS_NATIVE=true
+fi
+
+if $IS_MACOS_NATIVE; then
+    echo "[fetch-libsodium] Building universal (arm64 + x86_64) for macOS..."
+    export MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET="11.0"
+
+    INSTALL_ARM64="$PROJECT_DIR/libs/libsodium-arm64"
+    INSTALL_X86_64="$PROJECT_DIR/libs/libsodium-x86_64"
+
+    for ARCH in arm64 x86_64; do
+        echo "[fetch-libsodium] Building for $ARCH..."
+        cd "$SRC_DIR"
+        make clean 2>/dev/null || true
+        make distclean 2>/dev/null || true
+
+        if [[ "$ARCH" == "arm64" ]]; then
+            ARCH_INSTALL="$INSTALL_ARM64"
+            HOST_TRIPLE="aarch64-apple-darwin"
+        else
+            ARCH_INSTALL="$INSTALL_X86_64"
+            HOST_TRIPLE="x86_64-apple-darwin"
+        fi
+
+        ARCH_CFLAGS="-arch $ARCH -mmacosx-version-min=11.0"
+
+        ./configure \
+            --prefix="$ARCH_INSTALL" \
+            --disable-shared \
+            --enable-static \
+            --with-pic \
+            --host="$HOST_TRIPLE" \
+            CFLAGS="$ARCH_CFLAGS" \
+            LDFLAGS="-arch $ARCH" \
+            > /dev/null
+
+        make -j"$(sysctl -n hw.ncpu 2>/dev/null || echo 4)" > /dev/null 2>&1
+        make install > /dev/null
+    done
+
+    # Merge with lipo
+    echo "[fetch-libsodium] Creating universal binary with lipo..."
+    mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR/lib" "$INSTALL_DIR/include"
+    lipo -create \
+        "$INSTALL_ARM64/lib/libsodium.a" \
+        "$INSTALL_X86_64/lib/libsodium.a" \
+        -output "$INSTALL_DIR/lib/libsodium.a"
+    cp -R "$INSTALL_ARM64/include/"* "$INSTALL_DIR/include/"
+
+    # Clean up per-arch builds
+    rm -rf "$INSTALL_ARM64" "$INSTALL_X86_64"
+    cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+    rm -rf "$SRC_DIR"
+    rm -f "$TARBALL"
+
+    echo "[fetch-libsodium] Done (universal): $INSTALL_DIR/lib/libsodium.a"
+    lipo -info "$INSTALL_DIR/lib/libsodium.a"
+    exit 0
+fi
+
 echo "[fetch-libsodium] Configuring for target: $TARGET ..."
 ./configure "${CONFIGURE_ARGS[@]}" > /dev/null
 

src/app.cpp

@@ -1108,9 +1108,10 @@ void App::render()
         case ui::NavPage::Console:
             // Use fast-lane worker for console commands to avoid head-of-line
             // blocking behind the consolidated refreshData() batch.
+            // Fall back to main rpc/worker if fast-lane hasn't connected yet.
             console_tab_.render(embedded_daemon_.get(),
-                fast_rpc_ ? fast_rpc_.get() : rpc_.get(),
+                (fast_rpc_ && fast_rpc_->isConnected()) ? fast_rpc_.get() : rpc_.get(),
-                fast_worker_ ? fast_worker_.get() : worker_.get(),
+                (fast_rpc_ && fast_rpc_->isConnected() && fast_worker_) ? fast_worker_.get() : worker_.get(),
                 xmrig_manager_.get());
             break;
         case ui::NavPage::Settings:

src/app.h

@@ -173,6 +173,9 @@ public:
     // Pool mining (xmrig)
     void startPoolMining(int threads);
     void stopPoolMining();
+    int getXmrigRequestedThreads() const {
+        return xmrig_manager_ ? xmrig_manager_->getRequestedThreads() : 0;
+    }
 
     // Mine-when-idle state query
     bool isIdleMiningActive() const { return idle_mining_active_; }

src/app_security.cpp

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "ui/schema/ui_schema.h"
 #include "ui/theme.h"
 #include "ui/effects/imgui_acrylic.h"
+#include "ui/windows/mining_tab.h"
 #include "util/platform.h"
 #include "util/secure_vault.h"
 #include "util/perf_log.h"
@@ -439,12 +440,25 @@ void App::checkIdleMining() {
         return;
     }
 
+    // Skip idle mining adjustments while thread benchmark is running
+    if (ui::IsMiningBenchmarkActive()) return;
+
     int idleSec = util::Platform::getSystemIdleSeconds();
     int delay = settings_->getMineIdleDelay();
     bool isPool = settings_->getPoolMode();
     bool threadScaling = settings_->getIdleThreadScaling();
     int maxThreads = std::max(1, (int)std::thread::hardware_concurrency());
 
+    // GPU-aware idle detection: if enabled, treat GPU utilization >= 10%
+    // as "user active" (e.g. watching a video).  Disabled = unrestricted
+    // mode that only looks at keyboard/mouse input.
+    bool gpuBusy = false;
+    if (settings_->getIdleGpuAware()) {
+        int gpuUtil = util::Platform::getGpuUtilization();
+        gpuBusy = (gpuUtil >= 10);
+    }
+    bool systemIdle = (idleSec >= delay) && !gpuBusy;
+
     // Check if mining is already running (manually started by user)
     bool miningActive = isPool
         ? (xmrig_manager_ && xmrig_manager_->isRunning())
@@ -461,7 +475,7 @@ void App::checkIdleMining() {
         if (activeThreads <= 0) activeThreads = std::max(1, maxThreads / 2);
         if (idleThreads   <= 0) idleThreads   = maxThreads;
 
-        if (idleSec >= delay) {
+        if (systemIdle) {
             // System is idle — scale up to idle thread count
             if (!idle_scaled_to_idle_) {
                 idle_scaled_to_idle_ = true;
@@ -474,7 +488,7 @@ void App::checkIdleMining() {
                 DEBUG_LOGF("[App] Idle thread scaling: %d -> %d threads (idle)\n", activeThreads, idleThreads);
             }
         } else {
-            // User is active — scale down to active thread count
+            // User is active (or GPU busy) — scale down to active thread count
             if (idle_scaled_to_idle_) {
                 idle_scaled_to_idle_ = false;
                 if (isPool) {
@@ -484,11 +498,26 @@ void App::checkIdleMining() {
                     startMining(activeThreads);
                 }
                 DEBUG_LOGF("[App] Idle thread scaling: %d -> %d threads (active)\n", idleThreads, activeThreads);
+            } else {
+                // Mining just started while user is active — ensure active
+                // thread count is applied (grid selection may differ).
+                int currentThreads = isPool
+                    ? xmrig_manager_->getStats().threads_active
+                    : state_.mining.genproclimit;
+                if (currentThreads > 0 && currentThreads != activeThreads) {
+                    if (isPool) {
+                        stopPoolMining();
+                        startPoolMining(activeThreads);
+                    } else {
+                        startMining(activeThreads);
+                    }
+                    DEBUG_LOGF("[App] Idle thread scaling: initial %d -> %d threads (active)\n", currentThreads, activeThreads);
+                }
             }
         }
     } else {
         // --- Start/Stop mode (original behavior) ---
-        if (idleSec >= delay) {
+        if (systemIdle) {
             // System is idle — start mining if not already running
             if (!miningActive && !idle_mining_active_ && !mining_toggle_in_progress_.load()) {
                 // For solo mining, need daemon connected and synced

src/config/settings.cpp

@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ bool Settings::load(const std::string& path)
         if (j.contains("idle_thread_scaling"))  idle_thread_scaling_ = j["idle_thread_scaling"].get<bool>();
         if (j.contains("idle_threads_active")) idle_threads_active_ = j["idle_threads_active"].get<int>();
         if (j.contains("idle_threads_idle"))   idle_threads_idle_   = j["idle_threads_idle"].get<int>();
+        if (j.contains("idle_gpu_aware"))       idle_gpu_aware_      = j["idle_gpu_aware"].get<bool>();
         if (j.contains("saved_pool_urls") && j["saved_pool_urls"].is_array()) {
             saved_pool_urls_.clear();
             for (const auto& u : j["saved_pool_urls"])
@@ -250,6 +251,7 @@ bool Settings::save(const std::string& path)
     j["idle_thread_scaling"]  = idle_thread_scaling_;
     j["idle_threads_active"] = idle_threads_active_;
     j["idle_threads_idle"]   = idle_threads_idle_;
+    j["idle_gpu_aware"]      = idle_gpu_aware_;
     j["saved_pool_urls"] = json::array();
     for (const auto& u : saved_pool_urls_)
         j["saved_pool_urls"].push_back(u);

src/config/settings.h

@@ -221,6 +221,8 @@ public:
     void setIdleThreadsActive(int v) { idle_threads_active_ = std::max(0, v); }
     int getIdleThreadsIdle() const { return idle_threads_idle_; }
     void setIdleThreadsIdle(int v) { idle_threads_idle_ = std::max(0, v); }
+    bool getIdleGpuAware() const { return idle_gpu_aware_; }
+    void setIdleGpuAware(bool v) { idle_gpu_aware_ = v; }
 
     // Saved pool URLs (user-managed favorites dropdown)
     const std::vector<std::string>& getSavedPoolUrls() const { return saved_pool_urls_; }
@@ -317,6 +319,7 @@ private:
     bool        idle_thread_scaling_ = false; // scale threads instead of start/stop
     int         idle_threads_active_ = 0;    // threads when user active (0 = auto)
     int         idle_threads_idle_   = 0;    // threads when idle (0 = auto = all)
+    bool        idle_gpu_aware_  = true;     // treat GPU activity as non-idle
     std::vector<std::string> saved_pool_urls_; // user-saved pool URL favorites
     std::vector<std::string> saved_pool_workers_; // user-saved worker address favorites
 

src/daemon/xmrig_manager.h

@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@ public:
     const PoolStats& getStats() const { return stats_; }
     const std::string& getLastError() const { return last_error_; }
 
+    /// Thread count requested at start() — available immediately, unlike
+    /// PoolStats::threads_active which requires an API response.
+    int getRequestedThreads() const { return threads_; }
+
     /**
      * @brief Get last N lines of xmrig stdout (thread-safe snapshot).
      */

src/ui/windows/mining_tab.cpp

@@ -43,6 +43,81 @@ static int  s_drag_anchor_thread = 0;   // thread# where drag started
 // Earnings filter: 0 = All, 1 = Solo, 2 = Pool
 static int s_earnings_filter = 0;
 
+// Thread benchmark state
+struct ThreadBenchmark {
+    enum class Phase { Idle, Starting, WarmingUp, Measuring, Advancing, Done };
+    Phase phase = Phase::Idle;
+
+    std::vector<int> candidates;
+    int current_index = 0;
+
+    struct Result {
+        int threads;
+        double hashrate;
+    };
+    std::vector<Result> results;
+
+    float phase_timer = 0.0f;
+    static constexpr float WARMUP_SECS  = 20.0f;
+    static constexpr float MEASURE_SECS = 10.0f;
+    double best_sample = 0.0;   // best hashrate_10s during current measurement window
+    int sample_count = 0;       // number of non-zero hashrate samples collected
+
+    int optimal_threads  = 0;
+    double optimal_hashrate = 0.0;
+    bool was_pool_running = false;
+    int  prev_threads     = 0;
+
+    void reset() {
+        phase = Phase::Idle;
+        candidates.clear();
+        current_index = 0;
+        results.clear();
+        phase_timer = 0.0f;
+        best_sample = 0.0;
+        sample_count = 0;
+        optimal_threads = 0;
+        optimal_hashrate = 0.0;
+        was_pool_running = false;
+        prev_threads = 0;
+    }
+
+    void buildCandidates(int max_threads) {
+        candidates.clear();
+        if (max_threads <= 16) {
+            for (int t = 1; t <= max_threads; t++)
+                candidates.push_back(t);
+        } else {
+            // Sample: 1, then every ceil(max/10) step, always including max
+            int step = std::max(1, (max_threads + 9) / 10);
+            for (int t = 1; t <= max_threads; t += step)
+                candidates.push_back(t);
+            if (candidates.back() != max_threads)
+                candidates.push_back(max_threads);
+        }
+    }
+
+    float totalEstimatedSecs() const {
+        return (float)candidates.size() * (WARMUP_SECS + MEASURE_SECS);
+    }
+
+    float elapsedSecs() const {
+        float completed = (float)current_index * (WARMUP_SECS + MEASURE_SECS);
+        return completed + phase_timer;
+    }
+
+    float progress() const {
+        float total = totalEstimatedSecs();
+        return (total > 0.0f) ? std::min(1.0f, elapsedSecs() / total) : 0.0f;
+    }
+};
+static ThreadBenchmark s_benchmark;
+
+bool IsMiningBenchmarkActive() {
+    return s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Idle &&
+           s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Done;
+}
+
 // Pool mode state
 static bool  s_pool_mode = false;
 static char  s_pool_url[256] = "pool.dragonx.is:3433";
@@ -162,9 +237,16 @@ static void RenderMiningTabContent(App* app)
     }
 
     // Sync thread grid with actual count when idle thread scaling adjusts threads
-    if (app->settings()->getMineWhenIdle() && app->settings()->getIdleThreadScaling() && !s_drag_active) {
+    // Skip during benchmark — the benchmark controls thread counts directly
-        if (s_pool_mode && state.pool_mining.xmrig_running && state.pool_mining.threads_active > 0) {
+    if (app->settings()->getMineWhenIdle() && app->settings()->getIdleThreadScaling() && !s_drag_active && !IsMiningBenchmarkActive()) {
-            s_selected_threads = std::min(state.pool_mining.threads_active, max_threads);
+        if (s_pool_mode && state.pool_mining.xmrig_running) {
+            // Use the requested thread count (available immediately) rather
+            // than threads_active from the xmrig API which lags during restarts.
+            int reqThreads = app->getXmrigRequestedThreads();
+            if (reqThreads > 0)
+                s_selected_threads = std::min(reqThreads, max_threads);
+            else if (state.pool_mining.threads_active > 0)
+                s_selected_threads = std::min(state.pool_mining.threads_active, max_threads);
         } else if (mining.generate && mining.genproclimit > 0) {
             s_selected_threads = std::min(mining.genproclimit, max_threads);
         }
@@ -239,6 +321,84 @@ static void RenderMiningTabContent(App* app)
         ? state.pool_mining.xmrig_running
         : (mining.generate || state.pool_mining.xmrig_running);
 
+    // ================================================================
+    // Thread Benchmark state machine — runs pool mining at each candidate
+    // thread count to find the optimal setting for this CPU.
+    // ================================================================
+    if (s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Idle &&
+        s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Done) {
+        float dt = ImGui::GetIO().DeltaTime;
+        s_benchmark.phase_timer += dt;
+
+        switch (s_benchmark.phase) {
+        case ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Starting:
+            // Start pool mining at current candidate
+            if (s_benchmark.current_index < (int)s_benchmark.candidates.size()) {
+                int t = s_benchmark.candidates[s_benchmark.current_index];
+                app->stopPoolMining();
+                app->startPoolMining(t);
+                s_benchmark.phase = ThreadBenchmark::Phase::WarmingUp;
+                s_benchmark.phase_timer = 0.0f;
+                s_benchmark.best_sample = 0.0;
+                s_benchmark.sample_count = 0;
+            } else {
+                s_benchmark.phase = ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Done;
+            }
+            break;
+
+        case ThreadBenchmark::Phase::WarmingUp:
+            if (s_benchmark.phase_timer >= ThreadBenchmark::WARMUP_SECS) {
+                s_benchmark.phase = ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Measuring;
+                s_benchmark.phase_timer = 0.0f;
+                s_benchmark.best_sample = 0.0;
+                s_benchmark.sample_count = 0;
+            }
+            break;
+
+        case ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Measuring:
+            // Sample hashrate during measurement window
+            if (state.pool_mining.hashrate_10s > 0.0) {
+                s_benchmark.sample_count++;
+                if (state.pool_mining.hashrate_10s > s_benchmark.best_sample)
+                    s_benchmark.best_sample = state.pool_mining.hashrate_10s;
+            }
+            if (s_benchmark.phase_timer >= ThreadBenchmark::MEASURE_SECS) {
+                int t = s_benchmark.candidates[s_benchmark.current_index];
+                s_benchmark.results.push_back({t, s_benchmark.best_sample});
+                if (s_benchmark.best_sample > s_benchmark.optimal_hashrate) {
+                    s_benchmark.optimal_hashrate = s_benchmark.best_sample;
+                    s_benchmark.optimal_threads = t;
+                }
+                s_benchmark.phase = ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Advancing;
+                s_benchmark.phase_timer = 0.0f;
+            }
+            break;
+
+        case ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Advancing:
+            app->stopPoolMining();
+            s_benchmark.current_index++;
+            if (s_benchmark.current_index < (int)s_benchmark.candidates.size()) {
+                s_benchmark.phase = ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Starting;
+            } else {
+                // Done — apply optimal thread count
+                s_benchmark.phase = ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Done;
+                if (s_benchmark.optimal_threads > 0) {
+                    s_selected_threads = s_benchmark.optimal_threads;
+                    app->settings()->setPoolThreads(s_selected_threads);
+                    app->settings()->save();
+                }
+                // Restart mining if it was running before, using optimal count
+                if (s_benchmark.was_pool_running && s_benchmark.optimal_threads > 0) {
+                    app->startPoolMining(s_benchmark.optimal_threads);
+                }
+            }
+            break;
+
+        default:
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
     // ================================================================
     // Proportional section budget — ensures all content fits without
     // scrolling at the minimum window size (1024×775).
@@ -936,6 +1096,41 @@ static void RenderMiningTabContent(App* app)
                     idleRightEdge = sBtnX - 4.0f * dp;
                 }
 
+                // GPU-aware idle toggle (to the left, when idle is on)
+                // When ON (default): GPU utilization >= 10% counts as "not idle"
+                // When OFF: unrestricted mode, only keyboard/mouse input matters
+                if (idleOn) {
+                    bool gpuAware = app->settings()->getIdleGpuAware();
+                    const char* gpuIcon = gpuAware ? ICON_MD_MONITOR : ICON_MD_MONITOR;
+                    float gBtnX = idleRightEdge - btnSz;
+                    float gBtnY = btnY;
+
+                    if (gpuAware) {
+                        dl->AddRectFilled(ImVec2(gBtnX, gBtnY), ImVec2(gBtnX + btnSz, gBtnY + btnSz),
+                                          WithAlpha(Primary(), 40), btnSz * 0.5f);
+                    }
+
+                    ImVec2 gIcoSz = icoFont->CalcTextSizeA(icoFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0, gpuIcon);
+                    ImU32 gIcoCol = gpuAware ? Primary() : OnSurfaceDisabled();
+                    dl->AddText(icoFont, icoFont->LegacySize,
+                                ImVec2(gBtnX + (btnSz - gIcoSz.x) * 0.5f, gBtnY + (btnSz - gIcoSz.y) * 0.5f),
+                                gIcoCol, gpuIcon);
+
+                    ImGui::SetCursorScreenPos(ImVec2(gBtnX, gBtnY));
+                    ImGui::InvisibleButton("##IdleGpuAware", ImVec2(btnSz, btnSz));
+                    if (ImGui::IsItemClicked()) {
+                        app->settings()->setIdleGpuAware(!gpuAware);
+                        app->settings()->save();
+                    }
+                    if (ImGui::IsItemHovered()) {
+                        ImGui::SetMouseCursor(ImGuiMouseCursor_Hand);
+                        ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", gpuAware
+                            ? TR("mining_idle_gpu_on_tooltip")
+                            : TR("mining_idle_gpu_off_tooltip"));
+                    }
+                    idleRightEdge = gBtnX - 4.0f * dp;
+                }
+
                 // Idle delay combo (to the left, when idle is enabled and NOT in thread scaling mode)
                 if (idleOn && !threadScaling) {
                     struct DelayOption { int seconds; const char* label; };
@@ -1076,6 +1271,145 @@ static void RenderMiningTabContent(App* app)
                 ImGui::SetCursorScreenPos(savedCur);
             }
 
+            // --- Thread Benchmark button / progress (left of idle toggle) ---
+            {
+                ImVec2 benchSavedCur = ImGui::GetCursorScreenPos();
+                bool benchRunning = s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Idle &&
+                                    s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Done;
+                bool benchDone    = s_benchmark.phase == ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Done;
+                ImFont* icoFont = Type().iconSmall();
+
+                if (benchRunning) {
+                    // Show progress bar + current test info
+                    float barW = std::min(180.0f * hs, idleRightEdge - (cardMin.x + pad) - 10.0f * dp);
+                    float barH = 4.0f * dp;
+                    float barX = idleRightEdge - barW;
+                    float barY = curY + headerH - barH - 2.0f * dp;
+
+                    // Progress bar track
+                    dl->AddRectFilled(ImVec2(barX, barY), ImVec2(barX + barW, barY + barH),
+                                      WithAlpha(OnSurface(), 30), barH * 0.5f);
+                    // Progress bar fill
+                    float pct = s_benchmark.progress();
+                    dl->AddRectFilled(ImVec2(barX, barY), ImVec2(barX + barW * pct, barY + barH),
+                                      Primary(), barH * 0.5f);
+
+                    // Status text above bar
+                    int ct = s_benchmark.current_index < (int)s_benchmark.candidates.size()
+                           ? s_benchmark.candidates[s_benchmark.current_index] : 0;
+                    snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "%s %d/%d (%dt)",
+                             TR("mining_benchmark_testing"),
+                             s_benchmark.current_index + 1,
+                             (int)s_benchmark.candidates.size(), ct);
+                    ImVec2 txtSz = capFont->CalcTextSizeA(capFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0, buf);
+                    dl->AddText(capFont, capFont->LegacySize,
+                                ImVec2(barX + (barW - txtSz.x) * 0.5f, barY - txtSz.y - 2.0f * dp),
+                                OnSurfaceMedium(), buf);
+
+                    // Cancel button (small X)
+                    float cancelSz = icoFont->LegacySize + 4.0f * dp;
+                    float cancelX  = barX - cancelSz - 4.0f * dp;
+                    float cancelY  = curY + (headerH - cancelSz) * 0.5f;
+                    ImGui::SetCursorScreenPos(ImVec2(cancelX, cancelY));
+                    ImGui::InvisibleButton("##BenchCancel", ImVec2(cancelSz, cancelSz));
+                    if (ImGui::IsItemClicked()) {
+                        app->stopPoolMining();
+                        if (s_benchmark.was_pool_running)
+                            app->startPoolMining(s_benchmark.prev_threads);
+                        s_benchmark.reset();
+                    }
+                    if (ImGui::IsItemHovered()) {
+                        ImGui::SetMouseCursor(ImGuiMouseCursor_Hand);
+                        ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", TR("mining_benchmark_cancel"));
+                    }
+                    const char* cancelIcon = ICON_MD_CLOSE;
+                    ImVec2 cIcoSz = icoFont->CalcTextSizeA(icoFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0, cancelIcon);
+                    dl->AddText(icoFont, icoFont->LegacySize,
+                                ImVec2(cancelX + (cancelSz - cIcoSz.x) * 0.5f,
+                                       cancelY + (cancelSz - cIcoSz.y) * 0.5f),
+                                OnSurfaceMedium(), cancelIcon);
+
+                    idleRightEdge = cancelX - 4.0f * dp;
+
+                } else if (benchDone && s_benchmark.optimal_threads > 0) {
+                    // Show result briefly, then reset on next click
+                    snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "%s: %dt (%.1f H/s)",
+                             TR("mining_benchmark_result"),
+                             s_benchmark.optimal_threads, s_benchmark.optimal_hashrate);
+                    ImVec2 txtSz = capFont->CalcTextSizeA(capFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0, buf);
+                    float txtX = idleRightEdge - txtSz.x;
+                    dl->AddText(capFont, capFont->LegacySize,
+                                ImVec2(txtX, curY + (headerH - txtSz.y) * 0.5f),
+                                WithAlpha(Success(), 220), buf);
+
+                    // Dismiss button
+                    float dismissSz = icoFont->LegacySize + 4.0f * dp;
+                    float dismissX  = txtX - dismissSz - 4.0f * dp;
+                    float dismissY  = curY + (headerH - dismissSz) * 0.5f;
+                    ImGui::SetCursorScreenPos(ImVec2(dismissX, dismissY));
+                    ImGui::InvisibleButton("##BenchDismiss", ImVec2(dismissSz, dismissSz));
+                    if (ImGui::IsItemClicked())
+                        s_benchmark.reset();
+                    if (ImGui::IsItemHovered()) {
+                        ImGui::SetMouseCursor(ImGuiMouseCursor_Hand);
+                        ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", TR("mining_benchmark_dismiss"));
+                    }
+                    const char* okIcon = ICON_MD_CHECK;
+                    ImVec2 oIcoSz = icoFont->CalcTextSizeA(icoFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0, okIcon);
+                    dl->AddText(icoFont, icoFont->LegacySize,
+                                ImVec2(dismissX + (dismissSz - oIcoSz.x) * 0.5f,
+                                       dismissY + (dismissSz - oIcoSz.y) * 0.5f),
+                                WithAlpha(Success(), 200), okIcon);
+
+                    idleRightEdge = dismissX - 4.0f * dp;
+
+                } else if (s_pool_mode) {
+                    // Show benchmark button (only in pool mode)
+                    float btnSz = icoFont->LegacySize + 8.0f * dp;
+                    float btnX  = idleRightEdge - btnSz;
+                    float btnY  = curY + (headerH - btnSz) * 0.5f;
+
+                    ImGui::SetCursorScreenPos(ImVec2(btnX, btnY));
+                    ImGui::InvisibleButton("##BenchStart", ImVec2(btnSz, btnSz));
+                    bool benchHovered = ImGui::IsItemHovered();
+                    bool benchClicked = ImGui::IsItemClicked();
+
+                    // Hover highlight
+                    if (benchHovered) {
+                        dl->AddRectFilled(ImVec2(btnX, btnY), ImVec2(btnX + btnSz, btnY + btnSz),
+                                          StateHover(), btnSz * 0.5f);
+                        ImGui::SetMouseCursor(ImGuiMouseCursor_Hand);
+                        ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", TR("mining_benchmark_tooltip"));
+                    }
+
+                    const char* benchIcon = ICON_MD_SPEED;
+                    ImVec2 bIcoSz = icoFont->CalcTextSizeA(icoFont->LegacySize, FLT_MAX, 0, benchIcon);
+                    dl->AddText(icoFont, icoFont->LegacySize,
+                                ImVec2(btnX + (btnSz - bIcoSz.x) * 0.5f,
+                                       btnY + (btnSz - bIcoSz.y) * 0.5f),
+                                OnSurfaceMedium(), benchIcon);
+
+                    if (benchClicked) {
+                        // Require a wallet address for pool mining
+                        std::string worker(s_pool_worker);
+                        if (!worker.empty()) {
+                            s_benchmark.reset();
+                            s_benchmark.was_pool_running = state.pool_mining.xmrig_running;
+                            s_benchmark.prev_threads = s_selected_threads;
+                            s_benchmark.buildCandidates(max_threads);
+                            s_benchmark.phase = ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Starting;
+                            // Stop any active solo mining first
+                            if (mining.generate)
+                                app->stopMining();
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    idleRightEdge = btnX - 4.0f * dp;
+                }
+
+                ImGui::SetCursorScreenPos(benchSavedCur);
+            }
+
             // Active mining indicator (left of idle toggle)
             if (mining.generate) {
                 float pulse = effects::isLowSpecMode()
@@ -1115,11 +1449,13 @@ static void RenderMiningTabContent(App* app)
             }
 
             // Show pointer cursor when hovering the thread grid
-            if (hovered_thread > 0)
+            bool benchActive = s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Idle &&
+                               s_benchmark.phase != ThreadBenchmark::Phase::Done;
+            if (hovered_thread > 0 && !benchActive)
                 ImGui::SetMouseCursor(ImGuiMouseCursor_Hand);
 
-            // Drag-to-select logic
+            // Drag-to-select logic (disabled during benchmark)
-            if (ImGui::IsMouseClicked(0) && hovered_thread > 0) {
+            if (!benchActive && ImGui::IsMouseClicked(0) && hovered_thread > 0) {
                 // Begin drag
                 s_drag_active = true;
                 s_drag_anchor_thread = hovered_thread;

src/ui/windows/mining_tab.h

@@ -15,5 +15,11 @@ namespace ui {
  */
 void RenderMiningTab(App* app);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Returns true when the thread benchmark is actively running.
+ * Used by idle mining to avoid interfering with measurements.
+ */
+bool IsMiningBenchmarkActive();
+
 } // namespace ui
 } // namespace dragonx

src/util/i18n.cpp

@@ -845,6 +845,8 @@ void I18n::loadBuiltinEnglish()
         strings_["mining_idle_on_tooltip"] = "Disable idle mining";
         strings_["mining_idle_scale_on_tooltip"] = "Thread scaling: ON\nClick to switch to start/stop mode";
         strings_["mining_idle_scale_off_tooltip"] = "Start/stop mode: ON\nClick to switch to thread scaling mode";
+        strings_["mining_idle_gpu_on_tooltip"] = "GPU-aware: ON\nGPU activity (video, games) prevents idle mining\nClick for unrestricted mode";
+        strings_["mining_idle_gpu_off_tooltip"] = "Unrestricted: ON\nOnly keyboard/mouse input determines idle state\nClick to enable GPU-aware detection";
         strings_["mining_idle_threads_active_tooltip"] = "Threads when user is active";
         strings_["mining_idle_threads_idle_tooltip"] = "Threads when system is idle";
         strings_["mining_local_hashrate"] = "Local Hashrate";
@@ -866,6 +868,11 @@ void I18n::loadBuiltinEnglish()
         strings_["mining_recent_payouts"] = "RECENT POOL PAYOUTS";
         strings_["mining_remove"] = "Remove";
         strings_["mining_reset_defaults"] = "Reset Defaults";
+        strings_["mining_benchmark_tooltip"] = "Find optimal thread count for this CPU";
+        strings_["mining_benchmark_testing"] = "Testing";
+        strings_["mining_benchmark_cancel"] = "Cancel benchmark";
+        strings_["mining_benchmark_result"] = "Optimal";
+        strings_["mining_benchmark_dismiss"] = "Dismiss";
         strings_["mining_save_payout_address"] = "Save payout address";
         strings_["mining_save_pool_url"] = "Save pool URL";
         strings_["mining_saved_addresses"] = "Saved Addresses:";

src/util/platform.cpp

@@ -688,5 +688,106 @@ int Platform::getSystemIdleSeconds()
 #endif
 }
 
+// ============================================================================
+// GPU utilization detection
+// ============================================================================
+
+int Platform::getGpuUtilization()
+{
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    // Windows: read GPU utilization via SetupAPI / D3DKMT
+    // Not all GPUs expose this; return -1 if unavailable.
+    // Use a popen fallback: nvidia-smi for NVIDIA, or return -1.
+    static bool s_tried_nvidia = false;
+    static bool s_has_nvidia = false;
+    if (!s_tried_nvidia) {
+        s_tried_nvidia = true;
+        FILE* f = _popen("where nvidia-smi 2>nul", "r");
+        if (f) {
+            char buf[256];
+            s_has_nvidia = (fgets(buf, sizeof(buf), f) != nullptr);
+            _pclose(f);
+        }
+    }
+    if (s_has_nvidia) {
+        FILE* f = _popen("nvidia-smi --query-gpu=utilization.gpu --format=csv,noheader,nounits 2>nul", "r");
+        if (f) {
+            char buf[64];
+            int util = -1;
+            if (fgets(buf, sizeof(buf), f)) {
+                util = atoi(buf);
+                if (util < 0 || util > 100) util = -1;
+            }
+            _pclose(f);
+            return util;
+        }
+    }
+    return -1;
+#elif defined(__APPLE__)
+    return -1;
+#else
+    // Linux: try multiple GPU sysfs paths
+
+    // AMD: /sys/class/drm/card*/device/gpu_busy_percent
+    {
+        // Try card0 through card3
+        char path[128];
+        for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+            snprintf(path, sizeof(path), "/sys/class/drm/card%d/device/gpu_busy_percent", i);
+            std::ifstream ifs(path);
+            if (ifs.is_open()) {
+                int val = -1;
+                ifs >> val;
+                if (val >= 0 && val <= 100)
+                    return val;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // NVIDIA: nvidia-smi (binary may exist even without sysfs)
+    {
+        static bool s_tried = false;
+        static bool s_has_nvidia_smi = false;
+        if (!s_tried) {
+            s_tried = true;
+            FILE* f = popen("which nvidia-smi 2>/dev/null", "r");
+            if (f) {
+                char buf[256];
+                s_has_nvidia_smi = (fgets(buf, sizeof(buf), f) != nullptr);
+                pclose(f);
+            }
+        }
+        if (s_has_nvidia_smi) {
+            FILE* f = popen("nvidia-smi --query-gpu=utilization.gpu --format=csv,noheader,nounits 2>/dev/null", "r");
+            if (f) {
+                char buf[64];
+                int util = -1;
+                if (fgets(buf, sizeof(buf), f)) {
+                    util = atoi(buf);
+                    if (util < 0 || util > 100) util = -1;
+                }
+                pclose(f);
+                return util;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Intel: compare current vs max freq as a rough proxy
+    {
+        std::ifstream curF("/sys/class/drm/card0/gt_cur_freq_mhz");
+        std::ifstream maxF("/sys/class/drm/card0/gt_max_freq_mhz");
+        if (curF.is_open() && maxF.is_open()) {
+            int cur = 0, mx = 0;
+            curF >> cur;
+            maxF >> mx;
+            if (mx > 0)
+                return std::min(100, (cur * 100) / mx);
+        }
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+#endif
+}
+
 } // namespace util
 } // namespace dragonx

src/util/platform.h

@@ -131,6 +131,14 @@ public:
      * @return Seconds since last user input, or 0 on failure
      */
     static int getSystemIdleSeconds();
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Get GPU utilization percentage (0–100).
+     * Linux: reads sysfs for AMD, /proc for NVIDIA.
+     * Windows: queries PDH GPU engine counters.
+     * @return GPU busy percent, or -1 if unavailable.
+     */
+    static int getGpuUtilization();
 };
 
 /**