diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/AudioPlayback_minimal.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/AudioPlayback_minimal.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..af65a6e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/AudioPlayback_minimal.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+metadata:
+  name: AudioPlayback minimal build
+  format: "Lava-Test Test Definition 1.0"
+  description: "AudioPlayback on minimal build using direct ALSA path"
+  maintainer:
+    - srikanth kumar
+  os:
+    - linux
+  scope:
+    - functional
+
+params:
+  CLIPS_PATH: "/home/AudioClips"
+  BACKEND: "alsa"
+  SINK: "speakers"
+  LOOPS: "1"
+  TIMEOUT: "0"
+
+run:
+  steps:
+    - REPO_PATH=$PWD
+    - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${BACKEND}" --sink "${SINK}" --audio-clips-path "${CLIPS_PATH}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --audio-bootstrap false || true
+    - ./send-to-lava.sh AudioPlayback.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/run.sh b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/run.sh
index e685987a..83fafa9b 100755
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/run.sh
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioPlayback/run.sh
@@ -40,8 +40,13 @@ fi
 # shellcheck disable=SC1091
 . "$TOOLS/lib_video.sh"
 
+SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE=0
+if [ -d /run/systemd/system ] && command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE=1
+fi
+
 TESTNAME="AudioPlayback"
-RES_SUFFIX=""  # Optional suffix for unique result files (e.g., "Config1")
+RES_SUFFIX="" # Optional suffix for unique result files (e.g., "Config1")
 # RES_FILE will be set after parsing command-line arguments
 
 # Pre-parse --res-suffix for early failure handling
@@ -57,28 +62,15 @@ for arg in "$@"; do
   prev_arg="$arg"
 done
 
-# Early failure handling with suffix support
-if ! setup_overlay_audio_environment; then
-    log_fail "Overlay audio environment setup failed"
-    if [ -n "$RES_SUFFIX" ]; then
-      echo "$TESTNAME FAIL" > "$SCRIPT_DIR/${TESTNAME}_${RES_SUFFIX}.res"
-    else
-      echo "$TESTNAME FAIL" > "$SCRIPT_DIR/${TESTNAME}.res"
-    fi
-    exit 0
-fi
-
-# LOGDIR will be set after parsing command-line arguments (to apply RES_SUFFIX correctly)
-
 # ---- Assets ----
-AUDIO_TAR_URL="${AUDIO_TAR_URL:-https://github.com/qualcomm-linux/qcom-linux-testkit/releases/download/Pulse-Audio-Files-v1.0/AudioClips.tar.gz}"
+AUDIO_TAR_URL="${AUDIO_TAR_URL:-https://github.com/qualcomm-linux/qcom-linux-testkit/releases/download/AudioClips-v1.1/AudioClips.tar.gz}"
 export AUDIO_TAR_URL
 
 # ------------- Defaults / CLI -------------
 AUDIO_BACKEND=""
 SINK_CHOICE="${SINK_CHOICE:-speakers}" # speakers|null
-FORMATS=""  # Will be set to default only if using legacy mode
-DURATIONS=""  # Will be set to default only if using legacy mode
+FORMATS="" # Will be set to default only if using legacy mode
+DURATIONS="" # Will be set to default only if using legacy mode
 LOOPS="${LOOPS:-1}"
 TIMEOUT="${TIMEOUT:-0}" # 0 = no timeout (recommended)
 STRICT="${STRICT:-0}"
@@ -88,10 +80,19 @@ EXTRACT_AUDIO_ASSETS="${EXTRACT_AUDIO_ASSETS:-true}"
 ENABLE_NETWORK_DOWNLOAD="${ENABLE_NETWORK_DOWNLOAD:-false}" # Default: no network operations
 AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR="${AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR:-}" # Custom path for audio clips (CI use)
 
+AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE="${AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE:-auto}"
+AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR="${AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR:-}"
+MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE=0
+AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS=""
+AUDIO_CREATED_RUNTIME_DIR=0
+AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+AUDIO_ALSA_PLAYBACK_DEVICE=""
+export AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS AUDIO_CREATED_RUNTIME_DIR MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED AUDIO_ALSA_PLAYBACK_DEVICE
+
 # New clip-based testing options
-CLIP_NAMES=""        # Explicit clip names to test (e.g., "play_48KHz_16b_2ch play_8KHz_8b_1ch")
-CLIP_FILTER=""       # Filter pattern for clips (e.g., "48KHz" or "16b")
-USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY="${USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY:-auto}"  # auto|true|false
+CLIP_NAMES="" # Explicit clip names to test (e.g., "play_48KHz_16b_2ch play_8KHz_8b_1ch")
+CLIP_FILTER="" # Filter pattern for clips (e.g., "48KHz" or "16b")
+USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY="${USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY:-auto}" # auto|true|false
 
 # Network bring-up knobs (match video behavior)
 if [ -z "${NET_STABILIZE_SLEEP:-}" ]; then
@@ -109,17 +110,19 @@ usage() {
 Usage: $0 [options]
   --backend {pipewire|pulseaudio}
   --sink {speakers|null}
-  --formats "wav"                    # Legacy matrix mode only 
-  --durations "short|short medium"   # Legacy matrix mode only (not recommended for new tests)
-  --clip-name "play_48KHz_16b_2ch"   # Test specific clip(s) by name (space-separated)
+  --formats "wav" # Legacy matrix mode only
+  --durations "short|short medium" # Legacy matrix mode only (not recommended for new tests)
+  --clip-name "play_48KHz_16b_2ch" # Test specific clip(s) by name (space-separated)
                                      # Also supports playback_config1, playback_config2, ..., playback_config10
-  --clip-filter "48KHz"              # Filter clips by pattern
-  --res-suffix SUFFIX                # Suffix for unique result file (e.g., "Config1")
+  --clip-filter "48KHz" # Filter clips by pattern
+  --res-suffix SUFFIX # Suffix for unique result file (e.g., "Config1")
                                      # Generates AudioPlayback_SUFFIX.res instead of AudioPlayback.res
   --loops N
   --timeout SECS # set 0 to disable watchdog
   --enable-network-download
   --audio-clips-path PATH # Custom location for audio clips (CI use)
+  --audio-bootstrap {auto|true|false}
+  --runtime-dir PATH
   --strict
   --no-dmesg
   --no-extract-assets
@@ -136,8 +139,8 @@ Testing Modes:
     - Examples:
         $0 --clip-name "playback_config1 playback_config7"
         $0 --clip-filter "48KHz"
-        $0 --clip-name "playback_config1" --res-suffix "Config1"  # CI/LAVA use
-  
+        $0 --clip-name "playback_config1" --res-suffix "Config1" # CI/LAVA use
+
   Legacy Matrix Mode:
     - Uses --formats and --durations to generate test matrix
     - Maintained for backward compatibility
@@ -158,12 +161,12 @@ while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
       ;;
     --formats)
       FORMATS="$2"
-      USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY=false  # Explicit formats = use old matrix mode
+      USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY=false # Explicit formats = use old matrix mode
       shift 2
       ;;
     --durations)
       DURATIONS="$2"
-      USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY=false  # Explicit durations = use old matrix mode
+      USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY=false # Explicit durations = use old matrix mode
       shift 2
       ;;
     --clip-name)
@@ -188,6 +191,16 @@ while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
       TIMEOUT="$2"
       shift 2
       ;;
+    --audio-bootstrap)
+      AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE="$2"
+      export AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE
+      shift 2
+      ;;
+    --runtime-dir)
+      AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR="$2"
+      export AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR
+      shift 2
+      ;;
     --strict)
       case "$2" in
         --*|"")
@@ -271,6 +284,24 @@ mkdir -p "$LOGDIR"
 
 # ------------- Mode Detection and Validation -------------
 
+if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ]; then
+  if ! setup_overlay_audio_environment; then
+    log_warn "Overlay audio environment setup failed; continuing with backend recovery flow"
+  fi
+else
+  log_info "systemd not available; skipping overlay audio environment setup (minimal ramdisk mode)"
+fi
+
+if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 0 ]; then
+  MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE=1
+  export MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE
+  log_info "Detected minimal ramdisk environment (systemd unavailable)"
+else
+  log_info "Detected standard userspace environment (systemd available)"
+fi
+
+trap 'audio_cleanup_started_daemons' EXIT HUP INT TERM
+
 # Check for conflicting parameters (discovery vs legacy mode)
 if { [ -n "$CLIP_NAMES" ] || [ -n "$CLIP_FILTER" ]; } && { [ -n "$FORMATS" ] || [ -n "$DURATIONS" ]; }; then
   log_error "Cannot mix clip discovery parameters (--clip-name, --clip-filter) with legacy matrix parameters (--formats, --durations)"
@@ -299,7 +330,7 @@ if [ "$USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY" = "auto" ]; then
         break
       fi
     done
-    
+
     if [ "$wav_found" = "true" ]; then
       USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY=true
       log_info "Auto-detected clip discovery mode (found clips in $clips_dir)"
@@ -313,7 +344,6 @@ if [ "$USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY" = "auto" ]; then
   fi
 fi
 
-
 # Validate CLI option conflicts
 if [ -n "$CLIP_NAMES" ] && [ -n "$CLIP_FILTER" ]; then
   log_warn "Both --clip-name and --clip-filter specified"
@@ -323,7 +353,7 @@ fi
 
 # Validate numeric parameters
 case "$LOOPS" in
-  ''|*[!0-9]*) 
+  ''|*[!0-9]*)
     log_error "Invalid --loops value: $LOOPS (must be positive integer)"
     exit 1
     ;;
@@ -357,7 +387,7 @@ if [ -n "$AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR" ]; then
   log_info "Using custom audio clips path: $AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR"
 fi
 
-log_info "Args: backend=${AUDIO_BACKEND:-auto} sink=$SINK_CHOICE loops=$LOOPS timeout=$TIMEOUT formats='$FORMATS' durations='$DURATIONS' strict=$STRICT dmesg=$DMESG_SCAN extract=$EXTRACT_AUDIO_ASSETS network_download=$ENABLE_NETWORK_DOWNLOAD clips_path=${AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR:-default}"
+log_info "Args: backend=${AUDIO_BACKEND:-auto} sink=$SINK_CHOICE loops=$LOOPS timeout=$TIMEOUT formats='$FORMATS' durations='$DURATIONS' strict=$STRICT dmesg=$DMESG_SCAN extract=$EXTRACT_AUDIO_ASSETS network_download=$ENABLE_NETWORK_DOWNLOAD clips_path=${AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR:-default} bootstrap=$AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE runtime_dir=${AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR:-auto}"
 
 # --- Rootfs minimum size check (mirror video policy) ---
 if [ "$TOP_LEVEL_RUN" -eq 1 ]; then
@@ -370,9 +400,20 @@ fi
 if [ "$TOP_LEVEL_RUN" -eq 1 ]; then
   if [ "${EXTRACT_AUDIO_ASSETS}" = "true" ]; then
     # First check: Do we have all files we need?
-    if audio_check_clips_available "$FORMATS" "$DURATIONS"; then
-      log_info "All required audio clips present locally, skipping all network operations"
+    clips_ready=1
+    if [ "$USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
+      if audio_has_runnable_discovery_clips; then
+        log_info "Runnable discovery clips present locally, skipping all network operations"
+        clips_ready=0
+      fi
     else
+      if audio_check_clips_available "$FORMATS" "$DURATIONS"; then
+        log_info "All required audio clips present locally, skipping all network operations"
+        clips_ready=0
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$clips_ready" -ne 0 ]; then
       # Files missing - check if network download is enabled
       if [ "${ENABLE_NETWORK_DOWNLOAD}" = "true" ]; then
         log_info "Audio clips missing, network download enabled - bringing network online"
@@ -393,9 +434,10 @@ if [ "$TOP_LEVEL_RUN" -eq 1 ]; then
         else
           sleep "${NET_STABILIZE_SLEEP}"
         fi
-        
+
         # Download and extract audio clips tarball
         log_info "Downloading audio clips from: $AUDIO_TAR_URL"
+        log_info "exec: audio_fetch_assets_from_url \"$AUDIO_TAR_URL\""
         if audio_fetch_assets_from_url "$AUDIO_TAR_URL"; then
           log_info "Audio clips downloaded and extracted successfully"
         else
@@ -419,33 +461,196 @@ fi
 
 # Resolve backend
 if [ -z "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
-  AUDIO_BACKEND="$(detect_audio_backend)"
+  AUDIO_BACKEND="$(detect_audio_backend 2>/dev/null || echo "")"
 fi
+
+AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+if [ -n "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
+  if audio_backend_is_systemd_managed "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+    AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=1
+  fi
+fi
+export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+
 if [ -z "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
-  log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - no audio backend running"
-  echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
-  exit 0
+  if audio_playback_alsa_probe; then
+    AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+    AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+    export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+    log_info "Using backend: alsa (direct minimal-build fallback)"
+  elif audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed; then
+    AUDIO_BACKEND="$(detect_audio_backend 2>/dev/null || echo "")"
+    if [ -z "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
+      if audio_playback_alsa_probe; then
+        AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+        AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+        export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+        log_info "Using backend: alsa (direct minimal-build fallback)"
+      else
+        log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - no audio backend running"
+        echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
+        exit 0
+      fi
+    fi
+  else
+    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - no audio backend running"
+    echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
+    exit 0
+  fi
 fi
+
 log_info "Using backend: $AUDIO_BACKEND"
 
-if ! check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+backend_ok=0
+if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ]; then
+  if audio_playback_alsa_probe; then
+    backend_ok=1
+  fi
+else
+  if audio_backend_ready "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+    backend_ok=1
+  else
+    if check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+      backend_ok=1
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [ "$backend_ok" -ne 1 ]; then
+  if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+    log_warn "$TESTNAME: backend not available ($AUDIO_BACKEND) - attempting restart+retry once"
+    audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    if audio_backend_ready "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+      backend_ok=1
+    else
+      if check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+        backend_ok=1
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [ "$backend_ok" -ne 1 ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "alsa" ]; then
+  log_warn "$TESTNAME: backend not available ($AUDIO_BACKEND) - attempting manual bootstrap"
+  if audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed; then
+    AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+    export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+    if audio_backend_ready "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+      backend_ok=1
+    else
+      if check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+        backend_ok=1
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [ "$backend_ok" -ne 1 ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "alsa" ]; then
+  if audio_playback_alsa_probe; then
+    log_warn "$TESTNAME: falling back to ALSA direct playback path"
+    AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+    AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+    export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+    backend_ok=1
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [ "$backend_ok" -ne 1 ]; then
   log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - backend not available: $AUDIO_BACKEND"
   echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
   exit 0
 fi
 
 # Dependencies per backend
-if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
-  if ! check_dependencies wpctl pw-play; then
-    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PipeWire utils"
+case "$AUDIO_BACKEND" in
+  pipewire)
+    if ! check_dependencies pw-play; then
+      if audio_playback_alsa_probe && check_dependencies aplay; then
+        log_warn "$TESTNAME: PipeWire playback utility missing - falling back to ALSA"
+        AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+        AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+        export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+      else
+        log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PipeWire playback utility"
+        echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
+        exit 0
+      fi
+    fi
+    ;;
+  pulseaudio)
+    if ! check_dependencies paplay; then
+      if audio_playback_alsa_probe && check_dependencies aplay; then
+        log_warn "$TESTNAME: PulseAudio playback utility missing - falling back to ALSA"
+        AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+        AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+        export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+      else
+        log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PulseAudio playback utility"
+        echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
+        exit 0
+      fi
+    fi
+    ;;
+  alsa)
+    if ! check_dependencies aplay; then
+      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing ALSA playback utility"
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    ;;
+  *)
+    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - unsupported backend: $AUDIO_BACKEND"
     echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
     exit 0
+    ;;
+esac
+
+if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
+  if ! audio_pw_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
+    if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: wpctl not responsive - attempting restart+retry once"
+      audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    else
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: PipeWire control-plane not responsive - attempting ALSA fallback"
+    fi
+
+    if ! audio_pw_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
+      if audio_playback_alsa_probe && check_dependencies aplay; then
+        log_warn "$TESTNAME: falling back to ALSA direct playback path"
+        AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+        AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+        export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+      else
+        log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - PipeWire control-plane not responsive"
+        echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+        exit 0
+      fi
+    fi
   fi
-else
-  if ! check_dependencies pactl paplay; then
-    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PulseAudio utils"
-    echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" >"$RES_FILE"
-    exit 0
+elif [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
+  if ! audio_pa_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
+    if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: pactl not responsive - attempting restart+retry once"
+      audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    else
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: PulseAudio control-plane not responsive - attempting ALSA fallback"
+    fi
+
+    if ! audio_pa_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
+      if audio_playback_alsa_probe && check_dependencies aplay; then
+        log_warn "$TESTNAME: falling back to ALSA direct playback path"
+        AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+        AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+        export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+      else
+        log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - PulseAudio control-plane not responsive"
+        echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+        exit 0
+      fi
+    fi
   fi
 fi
 
@@ -464,6 +669,17 @@ case "$AUDIO_BACKEND:$SINK_CHOICE" in
   pulseaudio:*)
     SINK_ID="$(pa_default_speakers)"
     ;;
+  alsa:null)
+    SINK_ID="null"
+    ;;
+  alsa:*)
+    audio_playback_alsa_prepare >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    if [ -n "${AUDIO_ALSA_PLAYBACK_DEVICE:-}" ]; then
+      SINK_ID="$AUDIO_ALSA_PLAYBACK_DEVICE"
+    else
+      SINK_ID="$(audio_playback_pick_alsa_sink)"
+    fi
+    ;;
 esac
 
 if [ -z "$SINK_ID" ]; then
@@ -479,13 +695,16 @@ if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
     SINK_NAME="unknown"
   fi
   log_info "Routing to sink: id=$SINK_ID name='$SINK_NAME' choice=$SINK_CHOICE"
-else
+elif [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
   SINK_NAME="$(pa_sink_name "$SINK_ID")"
   if [ -z "$SINK_NAME" ]; then
     SINK_NAME="$SINK_ID"
   fi
   pa_set_default_sink "$SINK_ID" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
   log_info "Routing to sink: name='$SINK_NAME' choice=$SINK_CHOICE"
+else
+  SINK_NAME="$SINK_ID"
+  log_info "Routing to sink: device='$SINK_NAME' choice=$SINK_CHOICE"
 fi
 
 # Decide minimum ok seconds if timeout>0
@@ -496,7 +715,7 @@ fi
 
 min_ok=0
 if [ "$dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null; then
-  min_ok=$(expr $dur_s - 1)
+  min_ok=$($dur_s - 1)
   if [ "$min_ok" -lt 1 ]; then
     min_ok=1
   fi
@@ -515,62 +734,58 @@ suite_rc=0
 if [ "$USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
   # ========== NEW: Clip Discovery Mode ==========
   log_info "Using clip discovery mode"
-  
+
   # Discover and filter clips
   clips_dir="${AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR:-AudioClips}"
-  
+
   # Get list of clips to test
   if [ -n "$CLIP_NAMES" ] || [ -n "$CLIP_FILTER" ]; then
-    # Use discover_and_filter_clips helper (logs go to stderr automatically)
     CLIPS_TO_TEST="$(discover_and_filter_clips "$CLIP_NAMES" "$CLIP_FILTER")" || {
-      # Error messages already printed to stderr, just skip
       log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - Invalid clip/config name(s) provided"
       echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
       exit 0
     }
   else
-    # Discover all clips (logs go to stderr automatically)
     CLIPS_TO_TEST="$(discover_audio_clips)" || {
-      # Error messages already printed to stderr, just skip
       log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - No audio clips found in $clips_dir"
       echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
       exit 0
     }
   fi
-  
+
   # Count clips
   clip_count=0
   for clip_file in $CLIPS_TO_TEST; do
-    clip_count=$(expr $clip_count + 1)
+    clip_count=$((clip_count + 1))
   done
-  
+
   log_info "Discovered $clip_count clips to test"
-  
+
   # Test each clip
   for clip_file in $CLIPS_TO_TEST; do
-    # Generate test case name from clip filename
-    case_name="$(generate_clip_testcase_name "$clip_file")" || {
-      log_warn "Skipping clip with unparseable name: $clip_file"
-      continue
-    }
-    
+    case_name="$(generate_clip_testcase_name "$clip_file" 2>/dev/null || true)"
+    if [ -z "$case_name" ]; then
+      case_name="$(printf '%s' "$clip_file" | sed 's/\.[Ww][Aa][Vv]$//' | tr ' /' '__')"
+      log_warn "Clip name not in expected format; using generic testcase name: $case_name"
+    fi
+
     # Resolve full path
     clip_path="$clips_dir/$clip_file"
-    
+
     # Validate clip file
     if ! validate_clip_file "$clip_path"; then
       log_skip "[$case_name] SKIP: Invalid clip file: $clip_path"
       echo "$case_name SKIP (invalid file)" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
-      skip=$(expr $skip + 1)
+      skip=$((skip + 1))
       continue
     fi
-    
+
     # Extract clip duration for accurate timeout handling
     clip_duration="$(extract_clip_duration "$clip_file" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
     if [ "$clip_duration" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null; then
       # Use clip duration for timeout calculations
       clip_dur_s="$clip_duration"
-      clip_min_ok=$(expr $clip_duration - 1)
+      clip_min_ok=$((clip_duration - 1))
       if [ "$clip_min_ok" -lt 1 ]; then
         clip_min_ok=1
       fi
@@ -580,30 +795,30 @@ if [ "$USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
       clip_dur_s="$dur_s"
       clip_min_ok="$min_ok"
     fi
-    
-    total=$(expr $total + 1)
+
+    total=$((total + 1))
     logf="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.log"
     : > "$logf"
     export AUDIO_LOGCTX="$logf"
-    
+
     CLIP_BYTES="$(file_size_bytes "$clip_path" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
     log_info "[$case_name] Using clip: $clip_file (${CLIP_BYTES} bytes)"
-    
+
     i=1
     ok_runs=0
     last_elapsed=0
-    
+
     while [ "$i" -le "$LOOPS" ]; do
       iso="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)"
-      
+
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
         loop_hdr="sink=$SINK_CHOICE($SINK_ID)"
       else
         loop_hdr="sink=$SINK_CHOICE($SINK_NAME)"
       fi
-      
+
       log_info "[$case_name] loop $i/$LOOPS start=$iso clip=$clip_file backend=$AUDIO_BACKEND $loop_hdr"
-      
+
       # Determine effective timeout: use clip duration when TIMEOUT is disabled
       effective_timeout="$TIMEOUT"
       if [ "$TIMEOUT" = "0" ] || [ "$TIMEOUT" = "" ]; then
@@ -612,43 +827,47 @@ if [ "$USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
           log_info "[$case_name] Using clip duration as timeout: ${effective_timeout}s"
         fi
       fi
-      
+
       start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-      
+
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
         log_info "[$case_name] exec: pw-play -v \"$clip_path\""
         audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" pw-play -v "$clip_path" >>"$logf" 2>&1
         rc=$?
-      else
+      elif [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
         log_info "[$case_name] exec: paplay --device=\"$SINK_NAME\" \"$clip_path\""
         audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" paplay --device="$SINK_NAME" "$clip_path" >>"$logf" 2>&1
         rc=$?
+      else
+        log_info "[$case_name] exec: aplay -D \"$SINK_NAME\" \"$clip_path\""
+        audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" aplay -D "$SINK_NAME" "$clip_path" >>"$logf" 2>&1
+        rc=$?
       fi
-      
+
       end_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-      last_elapsed=$(expr $end_s - $start_s)
+      last_elapsed=$((end_s - start_s))
       if [ "$last_elapsed" -lt 0 ]; then
         last_elapsed=0
       fi
-      
+
       # Evidence collection
       pw_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_streaming || echo 0)"
       pa_ev="$(audio_evidence_pa_streaming || echo 0)"
-      
+
       # Minimal PulseAudio fallback
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] && [ "$pa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
         if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ] || { [ "$rc" -eq 124 ] && [ "$dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null && [ "$last_elapsed" -ge "$min_ok" ]; }; then
           pa_ev=1
         fi
       fi
-      
+
       alsa_ev="$(audio_evidence_alsa_running_any || echo 0)"
       asoc_ev="$(audio_evidence_asoc_path_on || echo 0)"
       pwlog_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_log_seen || echo 0)"
-      if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
+      if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] || [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ]; then
         pwlog_ev=0
       fi
-      
+
       # Fast teardown fallback
       if [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
         if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ] && [ "$pw_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
@@ -658,188 +877,192 @@ if [ "$USE_CLIP_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
           alsa_ev=1
         fi
       fi
-      
+
       if [ "$asoc_ev" -eq 0 ] && [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
         asoc_ev=1
       fi
-      
+
       log_info "[$case_name] evidence: pw_streaming=$pw_ev pa_streaming=$pa_ev alsa_running=$alsa_ev asoc_path_on=$asoc_ev pw_log=$pwlog_ev"
-      
+
       # Determine result (use clip-specific timeout thresholds)
       if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ]; then
         log_pass "[$case_name] loop $i OK (rc=0, ${last_elapsed}s)"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
+	ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
       elif [ "$rc" -eq 124 ] && [ "$clip_dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null && [ "$last_elapsed" -ge "$clip_min_ok" ]; then
         log_warn "[$case_name] TIMEOUT ($TIMEOUT) - PASS (ran ~${last_elapsed}s, expected ${clip_duration}s)"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
+	ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
       elif [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && { [ "$pw_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$pa_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$asoc_ev" -eq 1 ]; }; then
         log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but evidence indicates playback - PASS"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
+	ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
       else
         log_fail "[$case_name] loop $i FAILED (rc=$rc, ${last_elapsed}s) - see $logf"
       fi
-      
-      i=$(expr $i + 1)
+
+      i=$((i + 1))
     done
-    
+
     # Aggregate result for this clip
     if [ "$ok_runs" -ge 1 ]; then
-      pass=$(expr $pass + 1)
+      pass=$((pass + 1))
       echo "$case_name PASS" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
     else
-      fail=$(expr $fail + 1)
+      fail=$((fail + 1))
       echo "$case_name FAIL" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
       suite_rc=1
     fi
   done
-  
-  # Collect evidence once at end (not per clip)
-  if [ "$DMESG_SCAN" -eq 1 ]; then
-    scan_audio_dmesg "$LOGDIR"
-    dump_mixers "$LOGDIR/mixer_dump.txt"
-  fi
 
 else
   # ========== LEGACY: Matrix Mode ==========
-  
+
   for fmt in $FORMATS; do
     for dur in $DURATIONS; do
-    clip="$(resolve_clip "$fmt" "$dur")"
-    case_name="play_${fmt}_${dur}"
-    total=$(expr $total + 1)
-    logf="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.log"
-    : > "$logf"
-    export AUDIO_LOGCTX="$logf"
-
-    if [ -z "$clip" ]; then
-      log_warn "[$case_name] No clip mapping for format=$fmt duration=$dur"
-      echo "$case_name SKIP (no clip mapping)" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
-      skip=$(expr $skip + 1)
-      continue
-    fi
+      clip="$(resolve_clip "$fmt" "$dur")"
+      case_name="play_${fmt}_${dur}"
+      total=$((total + 1))
+      logf="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.log"
+      : > "$logf"
+      export AUDIO_LOGCTX="$logf"
+
+      if [ -z "$clip" ]; then
+        log_warn "[$case_name] No clip mapping for format=$fmt duration=$dur"
+        echo "$case_name SKIP (no clip mapping)" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
+	skip=$((skip + 1)) 
+        continue
+      fi
 
-    # Check if clip is available (should have been downloaded at top level if needed)
-    if [ "${EXTRACT_AUDIO_ASSETS}" = "true" ]; then
-      if [ -s "$clip" ]; then
-        CLIP_BYTES="$(file_size_bytes "$clip" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-        log_info "[$case_name] Using clip: $clip (${CLIP_BYTES} bytes)"
-      else
-        # Clip missing or empty - this shouldn't happen if top-level download succeeded
-        log_skip "[$case_name] SKIP: Clip not available: $clip"
-        if [ "${ENABLE_NETWORK_DOWNLOAD}" = "true" ]; then
-          log_info "[$case_name] Hint: Clip should have been downloaded at test startup"
+      # Check if clip is available (should have been downloaded at top level if needed)
+      if [ "${EXTRACT_AUDIO_ASSETS}" = "true" ]; then
+        if [ -s "$clip" ]; then
+          CLIP_BYTES="$(file_size_bytes "$clip" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+          log_info "[$case_name] Using clip: $clip (${CLIP_BYTES} bytes)"
         else
-          log_info "[$case_name] Hint: Run with --enable-network-download to download clips"
+          # Clip missing or empty - this shouldn't happen if top-level download succeeded
+          log_skip "[$case_name] SKIP: Clip not available: $clip"
+          if [ "${ENABLE_NETWORK_DOWNLOAD}" = "true" ]; then
+            log_info "[$case_name] Hint: Clip should have been downloaded at test startup"
+          else
+            log_info "[$case_name] Hint: Run with --enable-network-download to download clips"
+          fi
+          echo "$case_name SKIP (clip unavailable)" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
+	  skip=$((skip + 1))
+          continue
         fi
-        echo "$case_name SKIP (clip unavailable)" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
-        skip=$(expr $skip + 1)
-        continue
       fi
-    fi
 
-    i=1
-    ok_runs=0
-    last_elapsed=0
+      i=1
+      ok_runs=0
+      last_elapsed=0
 
-    while [ "$i" -le "$LOOPS" ]; do
-      iso="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)"
+      while [ "$i" -le "$LOOPS" ]; do
+        iso="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)"
 
-      if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
-        loop_hdr="sink=$SINK_CHOICE($SINK_ID)"
-      else
-        loop_hdr="sink=$SINK_CHOICE($SINK_NAME)"
-      fi
+        if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
+          loop_hdr="sink=$SINK_CHOICE($SINK_ID)"
+        else
+          loop_hdr="sink=$SINK_CHOICE($SINK_NAME)"
+        fi
 
-      log_info "[$case_name] loop $i/$LOOPS start=$iso clip=$clip backend=$AUDIO_BACKEND $loop_hdr"
+        log_info "[$case_name] loop $i/$LOOPS start=$iso clip=$clip backend=$AUDIO_BACKEND $loop_hdr"
 
-      start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+        start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 
-      if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
-        log_info "[$case_name] exec: pw-play -v \"$clip\""
-        audio_exec_with_timeout "$TIMEOUT" pw-play -v "$clip" >>"$logf" 2>&1
-        rc=$?
-      else
-        log_info "[$case_name] exec: paplay --device=\"$SINK_NAME\" \"$clip\""
-        audio_exec_with_timeout "$TIMEOUT" paplay --device="$SINK_NAME" "$clip" >>"$logf" 2>&1
-        rc=$?
-      fi
+        if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
+          log_info "[$case_name] exec: pw-play -v \"$clip\""
+          audio_exec_with_timeout "$TIMEOUT" pw-play -v "$clip" >>"$logf" 2>&1
+          rc=$?
+        elif [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
+          log_info "[$case_name] exec: paplay --device=\"$SINK_NAME\" \"$clip\""
+          audio_exec_with_timeout "$TIMEOUT" paplay --device="$SINK_NAME" "$clip" >>"$logf" 2>&1
+          rc=$?
+        else
+          log_info "[$case_name] exec: aplay -D \"$SINK_NAME\" \"$clip\""
+          audio_exec_with_timeout "$TIMEOUT" aplay -D "$SINK_NAME" "$clip" >>"$logf" 2>&1
+          rc=$?
+        fi
 
-      end_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-      last_elapsed=$(expr $end_s - $start_s)
-      if [ "$last_elapsed" -lt 0 ]; then
-        last_elapsed=0
-      fi
+        end_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+	last_elapsed=$((end_s - start_s))
+        if [ "$last_elapsed" -lt 0 ]; then
+          last_elapsed=0
+        fi
 
-      # Evidence
-      pw_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_streaming || echo 0)"
-      pa_ev="$(audio_evidence_pa_streaming || echo 0)"
+        # Evidence
+        pw_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_streaming || echo 0)"
+        pa_ev="$(audio_evidence_pa_streaming || echo 0)"
 
-      # Minimal PulseAudio fallback so pa_streaming doesn't read as 0 after teardown
-      if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] && [ "$pa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
-        if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ] || { [ "$rc" -eq 124 ] && [ "$dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null && [ "$last_elapsed" -ge "$min_ok" ]; }; then
-          pa_ev=1
+        # Minimal PulseAudio fallback so pa_streaming doesn't read as 0 after teardown
+        if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] && [ "$pa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
+          if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ] || { [ "$rc" -eq 124 ] && [ "$dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null && [ "$last_elapsed" -ge "$min_ok" ]; }; then
+            pa_ev=1
+          fi
         fi
-      fi
 
-      alsa_ev="$(audio_evidence_alsa_running_any || echo 0)"
-      asoc_ev="$(audio_evidence_asoc_path_on || echo 0)"
-      pwlog_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_log_seen || echo 0)"
-      if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
-        pwlog_ev=0
-      fi
+        alsa_ev="$(audio_evidence_alsa_running_any || echo 0)"
+        asoc_ev="$(audio_evidence_asoc_path_on || echo 0)"
+        pwlog_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_log_seen || echo 0)"
+        if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] || [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ]; then
+          pwlog_ev=0
+        fi
 
-      # Fast teardown fallback: if user-space stream was active, trust ALSA/ASoC too.
-      if [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
-        if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ] && [ "$pw_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
-          alsa_ev=1
+        # Fast teardown fallback: if user-space stream was active, trust ALSA/ASoC too.
+        if [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
+          if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ] && [ "$pw_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
+            alsa_ev=1
+          fi
+          if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] && [ "$pa_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
+            alsa_ev=1
+          fi
         fi
-        if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] && [ "$pa_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
-          alsa_ev=1
+
+        if [ "$asoc_ev" -eq 0 ] && [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
+          asoc_ev=1
         fi
-      fi
 
-      if [ "$asoc_ev" -eq 0 ] && [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
-        asoc_ev=1
-      fi
+        log_info "[$case_name] evidence: pw_streaming=$pw_ev pa_streaming=$pa_ev alsa_running=$alsa_ev asoc_path_on=$asoc_ev pw_log=$pwlog_ev"
+
+        if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ]; then
+          log_pass "[$case_name] loop $i OK (rc=0, ${last_elapsed}s)"
+	  ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
+        elif [ "$rc" -eq 124 ] && [ "$dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null && [ "$last_elapsed" -ge "$min_ok" ]; then
+          log_warn "[$case_name] TIMEOUT ($TIMEOUT) - PASS (ran ~${last_elapsed}s)"
+	  ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
+        elif [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && { [ "$pw_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$pa_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$asoc_ev" -eq 1 ]; }; then
+          log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but evidence indicates playback - PASS"
+	  ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
+        else
+          log_fail "[$case_name] loop $i FAILED (rc=$rc, ${last_elapsed}s) - see $logf"
+        fi
 
-      log_info "[$case_name] evidence: pw_streaming=$pw_ev pa_streaming=$pa_ev alsa_running=$alsa_ev asoc_path_on=$asoc_ev pw_log=$pwlog_ev"
+	i=$((i + 1))
+      done
 
-      if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ]; then
-        log_pass "[$case_name] loop $i OK (rc=0, ${last_elapsed}s)"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
-      elif [ "$rc" -eq 124 ] && [ "$dur_s" -gt 0 ] 2>/dev/null && [ "$last_elapsed" -ge "$min_ok" ]; then
-        log_warn "[$case_name] TIMEOUT ($TIMEOUT) - PASS (ran ~${last_elapsed}s)"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
-      elif [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && { [ "$pw_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$pa_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 1 ] || [ "$asoc_ev" -eq 1 ]; }; then
-        log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but evidence indicates playback - PASS"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
+      if [ "$ok_runs" -ge 1 ]; then
+	pass=$((pass + 1))
+        echo "$case_name PASS" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
       else
-        log_fail "[$case_name] loop $i FAILED (rc=$rc, ${last_elapsed}s) - see $logf"
+	fail=$((fail + 1))
+        echo "$case_name FAIL" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
+        suite_rc=1
       fi
-
-      i=$(expr $i + 1)
-    done
-
-    if [ "$ok_runs" -ge 1 ]; then
-      pass=$(expr $pass + 1)
-      echo "$case_name PASS" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
-    else
-      fail=$(expr $fail + 1)
-      echo "$case_name FAIL" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
-      suite_rc=1
-    fi
     done
   done
-  
-  # Collect evidence once at end (not per test case)
-  if [ "$DMESG_SCAN" -eq 1 ]; then
-    scan_audio_dmesg "$LOGDIR"
-    dump_mixers "$LOGDIR/mixer_dump.txt"
-  fi
+fi
+
+# Collect evidence once at end (not per test case)
+if [ "$DMESG_SCAN" -eq 1 ]; then
+  scan_audio_dmesg "$LOGDIR"
+  dump_mixers "$LOGDIR/mixer_dump.txt"
 fi
 
 log_info "Summary: total=$total pass=$pass fail=$fail skip=$skip"
 
+if [ "$total" -eq 0 ] && [ "$pass" -eq 0 ] && [ "$fail" -eq 0 ]; then
+  log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - no runnable playback testcases"
+  echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+  exit 0
+fi
+
 # --- Proper exit codes: PASS=0, FAIL=1, SKIP-only=0 ---
 if [ "$pass" -eq 0 ] && [ "$fail" -eq 0 ] && [ "$skip" -gt 0 ]; then
   log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP"
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_minimal.yaml b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_minimal.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ad90058c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/AudioRecord_minimal.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+metadata:
+  name: AudioRecord minimal build
+  format: "Lava-Test Test Definition 1.0"
+  description: "AudioRecord on minimal build using direct ALSA capture probe/path"
+  maintainer:
+    - srikanth kumar
+  os:
+    - linux
+  scope:
+    - functional
+
+params:
+  BACKEND: "alsa"
+  SOURCE: "mic"
+  LOOPS: "1"
+  TIMEOUT: "0"
+  RECORD_SECONDS: "30s"
+
+run:
+  steps:
+    - REPO_PATH=$PWD
+    - cd Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/
+    - ./run.sh --backend "${BACKEND}" --source "${SOURCE}" --loops "${LOOPS}" --timeout "${TIMEOUT}" --record-seconds "${RECORD_SECONDS}" --audio-bootstrap false || true
+    - ./send-to-lava.sh AudioRecord.res
diff --git a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh
index 27f37f49..da454088 100755
--- a/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh
+++ b/Runner/suites/Multimedia/Audio/AudioRecord/run.sh
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
 # ---- Source init_env & tools ----
 INIT_ENV=""
 SEARCH="$SCRIPT_DIR"
+
 while [ "$SEARCH" != "/" ]; do
   if [ -f "$SEARCH/init_env" ]; then
     INIT_ENV="$SEARCH/init_env"
@@ -20,9 +21,11 @@ if [ -z "$INIT_ENV" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
-# shellcheck disable=SC1090
-if [ -z "$__INIT_ENV_LOADED" ]; then
+# Only source once (idempotent)
+if [ -z "${__INIT_ENV_LOADED:-}" ]; then
+  # shellcheck disable=SC1090
   . "$INIT_ENV"
+  __INIT_ENV_LOADED=1
 fi
 
 # shellcheck disable=SC1091
@@ -30,6 +33,11 @@ fi
 # shellcheck disable=SC1091
 . "$TOOLS/audio_common.sh"
 
+SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE=0
+if [ -d /run/systemd/system ] && command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE=1
+fi
+
 TESTNAME="AudioRecord"
 RES_SUFFIX="" # Optional suffix for unique result files (e.g., "Config1")
 # RES_FILE will be set after parsing command-line arguments
@@ -47,19 +55,6 @@ for arg in "$@"; do
   prev_arg="$arg"
 done
 
-# Early failure handling with suffix support
-if ! setup_overlay_audio_environment; then
-    log_fail "Overlay audio environment setup failed"
-    if [ -n "$RES_SUFFIX" ]; then
-      echo "$TESTNAME FAIL" > "$SCRIPT_DIR/${TESTNAME}_${RES_SUFFIX}.res"
-    else
-      echo "$TESTNAME FAIL" > "$SCRIPT_DIR/${TESTNAME}.res"
-    fi
-    exit 0
-fi
-
-# LOGDIR will be set after parsing command-line arguments (to apply RES_SUFFIX correctly)
-
 # ---------------- Defaults / CLI ----------------
 AUDIO_BACKEND=""
 SRC_CHOICE="${SRC_CHOICE:-mic}" # mic|null
@@ -72,6 +67,15 @@ DMESG_SCAN="${DMESG_SCAN:-1}"
 VERBOSE=0
 JUNIT_OUT=""
 
+# Minimal ramdisk audio bootstrap options
+AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE="${AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE:-auto}" # auto|true|false
+AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR="${AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR:-}" # optional override
+MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE=0
+AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS=""
+AUDIO_CREATED_RUNTIME_DIR=0
+AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+export AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS AUDIO_CREATED_RUNTIME_DIR AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+
 # New config-based testing options
 CONFIG_NAMES="" # Explicit config names to test (e.g., "record_config1 record_config2")
 CONFIG_FILTER="" # Filter pattern for configs (e.g., "48KHz" or "2ch")
@@ -80,15 +84,20 @@ USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY="${USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY:-auto}" # auto|true|false
 usage() {
   cat <<EOF
 Usage: $0 [options]
-  --backend {pipewire|pulseaudio}
+  --backend {pipewire|pulseaudio|alsa}
   --source {mic|null}
   --config-name "record_config1" # Test specific config(s) by name (space-separated)
-                                         # Also supports record_config1, record_config2, ..., record_config10
+                                 # Also supports record_config1, record_config2, ..., record_config10
   --config-filter "48KHz" # Filter configs by pattern
   --res-suffix SUFFIX # Suffix for unique result file (e.g., "Config1")
-                                         # Generates AudioRecord_SUFFIX.res instead of AudioRecord.res
+                      # Generates AudioRecord_SUFFIX.res instead of AudioRecord.res
   --record-seconds SECS|auto (default: 30s; 'auto' maps short=5s, medium=15s, long=30s)
   --durations "short [medium] [long] [10s] [35secs]" (used when --record-seconds auto)
+  --audio-bootstrap {auto|true|false}
+                      # auto = bootstrap backend only when systemd is absent
+                      # true = always allow manual backend bootstrap
+                      # false = never bootstrap manually
+  --runtime-dir PATH # Override XDG_RUNTIME_DIR for minimal ramdisk mode
   --loops N
   --timeout SECS
   --strict [0|1]
@@ -145,6 +154,16 @@ while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
       RECORD_SECONDS="$2"
       shift 2
       ;;
+    --audio-bootstrap)
+      AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE="$2"
+      export AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE
+      shift 2
+      ;;
+    --runtime-dir)
+      AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR="$2"
+      export AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR
+      shift 2
+      ;;
     --loops)
       LOOPS="$2"
       shift 2
@@ -210,6 +229,27 @@ mkdir -p "$LOGDIR"
 # Initialize summary file to prevent accumulation from previous test runs
 : > "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
 
+# Overlay setup must happen after CLI parsing so --help can exit cleanly.
+# Make it best-effort; later backend recovery logic will handle retry/bootstrap.
+if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ]; then
+  if ! setup_overlay_audio_environment; then
+    log_warn "Overlay audio environment setup failed; continuing with backend recovery flow"
+  fi
+else
+  log_info "systemd not available; skipping overlay audio environment setup (minimal ramdisk mode)"
+fi
+
+# Minimal ramdisk detection and cleanup trap (kills any manually bootstrapped daemons)
+if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 0 ]; then
+  MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE=1
+  export MINIMAL_RAMDISK_MODE
+  log_info "Detected minimal ramdisk environment (systemd unavailable)"
+else
+  log_info "Detected standard userspace environment (systemd available)"
+fi
+
+trap 'audio_cleanup_started_daemons' EXIT HUP INT TERM
+
 # Ensure we run from the testcase dir
 test_path="$(find_test_case_by_name "$TESTNAME" 2>/dev/null || echo "$SCRIPT_DIR")"
 if ! cd "$test_path"; then
@@ -249,7 +289,6 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "auto" ]; then
   log_info "Auto-detected config discovery mode (testing all 10 record configs)"
 fi
 
-
 # Validate CLI option conflicts
 if [ -n "$CONFIG_NAMES" ] && [ -n "$CONFIG_FILTER" ]; then
   log_warn "Both --config-name and --config-filter specified"
@@ -257,68 +296,180 @@ if [ -n "$CONFIG_NAMES" ] && [ -n "$CONFIG_FILTER" ]; then
   CONFIG_FILTER=""
 fi
 
-log_info "Args: backend=${AUDIO_BACKEND:-auto} source=$SRC_CHOICE loops=$LOOPS durations='$DURATIONS' record_seconds=$RECORD_SECONDS timeout=$TIMEOUT strict=$STRICT dmesg=$DMESG_SCAN"
+log_info "Args: backend=${AUDIO_BACKEND:-auto} source=$SRC_CHOICE loops=$LOOPS durations='$DURATIONS' record_seconds=$RECORD_SECONDS timeout=$TIMEOUT strict=$STRICT dmesg=$DMESG_SCAN bootstrap=$AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE runtime_dir=${AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR:-auto}"
 
-# Resolve backend
+# Resolve backend (allow minimal-build ALSA capture fallback)
 if [ -z "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
-  AUDIO_BACKEND="$(detect_audio_backend)"
+  AUDIO_BACKEND="$(detect_audio_backend 2>/dev/null || echo "")"
+fi
+
+AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+if [ -n "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
+  if audio_backend_is_systemd_managed "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+    AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=1
+  fi
 fi
-BACKENDS_TO_TRY="$(build_backend_chain)"
-# Use it for visibility and to satisfy shellcheck usage
-log_info "Backend fallback chain: $BACKENDS_TO_TRY"
+export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+
+BACKENDS_TO_TRY="$(build_backend_chain 2>/dev/null || echo "")"
+log_info "Backend fallback chain: ${BACKENDS_TO_TRY:-unknown}"
+
+ALSA_CAPTURE_PROBED=0
+AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE=""
+AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_FORMAT=""
+AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_RATE=""
+AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_CHANNELS=""
+AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON=""
+
 if [ -z "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ]; then
-  log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - no audio backend running"
-  echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
-  exit 0
+  if audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed; then
+    AUDIO_BACKEND="$(detect_audio_backend 2>/dev/null || echo "")"
+    AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+    export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+  else
+    if audio_probe_alsa_capture_profile; then
+      ALSA_CAPTURE_PROBED=1
+      AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+      AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+      export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: no managed audio backend running - using direct ALSA capture path"
+    else
+      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - no audio backend running and ALSA capture probe failed: ${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON:-capture path unavailable}"
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+  fi
 fi
+
 log_info "Using backend: $AUDIO_BACKEND"
 
-if ! check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
-  log_warn "$TESTNAME: backend not available ($AUDIO_BACKEND) - attempting restart+retry once"
-  audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-  audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+backend_ok=0
+if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ]; then
+  if [ "$ALSA_CAPTURE_PROBED" -eq 1 ]; then
+    backend_ok=1
+  else
+    if audio_probe_alsa_capture_profile; then
+      ALSA_CAPTURE_PROBED=1
+      backend_ok=1
+    fi
+  fi
+else
+  if audio_backend_ready "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+    backend_ok=1
+  else
+    if check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+      backend_ok=1
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
 
-  if ! check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
-    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - backend not available: $AUDIO_BACKEND"
-    echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
-    exit 0
+if [ "$backend_ok" -ne 1 ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "alsa" ]; then
+  if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+    log_warn "$TESTNAME: backend not available ($AUDIO_BACKEND) - attempting restart+retry once"
+    audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    if audio_backend_ready "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+      backend_ok=1
+    else
+      if check_audio_daemon "$AUDIO_BACKEND"; then
+        backend_ok=1
+      fi
+    fi
+  else
+    log_warn "$TESTNAME: backend not available ($AUDIO_BACKEND) - attempting manual bootstrap"
+    if audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed; then
+      backend_ok=1
+      AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+      export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+      AUDIO_BACKEND="$(detect_audio_backend 2>/dev/null || echo "$AUDIO_BACKEND")"
+    fi
   fi
 fi
 
-# Dependencies per backend
-if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
-  if ! check_dependencies wpctl pw-record; then
-    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PipeWire utils"
-    echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
-    exit 0
+if [ "$backend_ok" -ne 1 ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "alsa" ]; then
+  if audio_probe_alsa_capture_profile; then
+    ALSA_CAPTURE_PROBED=1
+    AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+    AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+    export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+    backend_ok=1
+    log_warn "$TESTNAME: falling back to ALSA direct capture path"
   fi
-else
-  if ! check_dependencies pactl parecord; then
-    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PulseAudio utils"
-    echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
-    exit 0
+fi
+
+if [ "$backend_ok" -ne 1 ]; then
+  if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ] || [ "$ALSA_CAPTURE_PROBED" -eq 1 ]; then
+    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - ALSA capture path unavailable: ${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON:-capture device could not be opened}"
+  else
+    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - backend not available: $AUDIO_BACKEND"
   fi
+  echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+  exit 0
 fi
 
+# Dependencies per backend (include ALSA)
+case "$AUDIO_BACKEND" in
+  pipewire)
+    if ! check_dependencies wpctl pw-record; then
+      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PipeWire utils"
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    ;;
+  pulseaudio)
+    if ! check_dependencies pactl parecord; then
+      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PulseAudio utils"
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    ;;
+  alsa)
+    if ! check_dependencies arecord; then
+      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing arecord"
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    ;;
+  *)
+    log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - unsupported backend: $AUDIO_BACKEND"
+    echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+    exit 0
+    ;;
+esac
+
 # ----- Control-plane sanity (prevents wpctl/pactl hangs during source selection) -----
 if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
   if ! audio_pw_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-    log_warn "$TESTNAME: wpctl not responsive - attempting restart+retry once"
-    audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-    audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: wpctl not responsive - attempting restart+retry once"
+      audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    else
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: wpctl not responsive - attempting manual bootstrap"
+      audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+      export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+    fi
     if ! audio_pw_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - PipeWire control-plane not responsive after restart"
+      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - PipeWire control-plane not responsive"
       echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
       exit 0
     fi
   fi
 elif [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
   if ! audio_pa_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-    log_warn "$TESTNAME: pactl not responsive - attempting restart+retry once"
-    audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-    audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: pactl not responsive - attempting restart+retry once"
+      audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    else
+      log_warn "$TESTNAME: pactl not responsive - attempting manual bootstrap"
+      audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+      export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+    fi
     if ! audio_pa_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - PulseAudio control-plane not responsive after restart"
+      log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - PulseAudio control-plane not responsive"
       echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
       exit 0
     fi
@@ -340,10 +491,20 @@ case "$AUDIO_BACKEND:$SRC_CHOICE" in
   pulseaudio:*)
     SRC_ID="$(pa_default_mic)"
     ;;
+  alsa:null)
+    SRC_ID=""
+    ;;
+  alsa:*)
+    if [ "$ALSA_CAPTURE_PROBED" -eq 1 ] && [ -n "$AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE" ]; then
+      SRC_ID="$AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE"
+    else
+      SRC_ID="$(alsa_pick_capture)"
+    fi
+    ;;
 esac
 
 # ---- Dynamic fallback when mic is missing on the chosen backend ----
-# Stay on PipeWire even if SRC_ID is empty; pw-record and arecord -D pipewire can use the default source.
+# Stay on PipeWire even if SRC_ID is empty; pw-record can use the default source.
 if [ -z "$SRC_ID" ] && [ "$SRC_CHOICE" = "mic" ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "pipewire" ]; then
   for b in $BACKENDS_TO_TRY; do
     [ "$b" = "$AUDIO_BACKEND" ] && continue
@@ -351,7 +512,8 @@ if [ -z "$SRC_ID" ] && [ "$SRC_CHOICE" = "mic" ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "pipew
       pipewire)
         cand="$(pw_default_mic)"
         if [ -n "$cand" ]; then
-          AUDIO_BACKEND="pipewire"; SRC_ID="$cand"
+          AUDIO_BACKEND="pipewire"
+          SRC_ID="$cand"
           log_info "Falling back to backend: pipewire (source id=$SRC_ID)"
           break
         fi
@@ -359,7 +521,8 @@ if [ -z "$SRC_ID" ] && [ "$SRC_CHOICE" = "mic" ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "pipew
       pulseaudio)
         cand="$(pa_default_mic)"
         if [ -n "$cand" ]; then
-          AUDIO_BACKEND="pulseaudio"; SRC_ID="$cand"
+          AUDIO_BACKEND="pulseaudio"
+          SRC_ID="$cand"
           log_info "Falling back to backend: pulseaudio (source=$SRC_ID)"
           break
         fi
@@ -367,7 +530,8 @@ if [ -z "$SRC_ID" ] && [ "$SRC_CHOICE" = "mic" ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "pipew
       alsa)
         cand="$(alsa_pick_capture)"
         if [ -n "$cand" ]; then
-          AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"; SRC_ID="$cand"
+          AUDIO_BACKEND="alsa"
+          SRC_ID="$cand"
           log_info "Falling back to backend: alsa (device=$SRC_ID)"
           break
         fi
@@ -378,7 +542,7 @@ fi
 
 # Only skip if no source AND not on PipeWire.
 if [ -z "$SRC_ID" ] && [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" != "pipewire" ]; then
-  log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - requested source '$SRC_CHOICE' not available on any backend ($BACKENDS_TO_TRY)"
+  log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - requested source '$SRC_CHOICE' not available on any backend (${BACKENDS_TO_TRY:-unknown})"
   echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
   exit 0
 fi
@@ -405,10 +569,7 @@ if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ]; then
       if [ -z "$cand" ]; then
         cand="$(sed -n 's/^\([0-9][0-9]*\)-\([0-9][0-9]*\):.*capture.*/hw:\1,\2/p' /proc/asound/pcm 2>/dev/null | head -n 1)"
       fi
-      if [ -z "$cand" ]; then
-        cand="$(sed -n 's/.*\[\s*\([0-9][0-9]*\)-\s*\([0-9][0-9]*\)\]:.*capture.*/hw:\1,\2/p' /proc/asound/devices 2>/dev/null | head -n 1)"
-      fi
-      if printf '%s\n' "$cand" | grep -Eq '^hw:[0-9][0-9]*,[0-9][0-9]*$'; then
+      if [ -n "$cand" ] && printf '%s\n' "$cand" | grep -Eq '^hw:[0-9][0-9]*,[0-9][0-9]*$'; then
         SRC_ID="$cand"
         log_info "ALSA auto-pick: using $SRC_ID"
       else
@@ -436,7 +597,7 @@ elif [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
   pa_set_default_source "$SRC_ID" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
   log_info "Routing to source: name='$SRC_LABEL' choice=$SRC_CHOICE"
 else # ALSA
-  SRC_LABEL="$SRC_ID"
+  SRC_LABEL="${SRC_ID:-default}"
   log_info "Routing to source: name='$SRC_LABEL' choice=$SRC_CHOICE"
 fi
 
@@ -445,18 +606,24 @@ case "$AUDIO_BACKEND" in
   pipewire)
     if ! check_dependencies wpctl pw-record; then
       log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PipeWire utils"
-      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"; exit 0
-    fi ;;
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    ;;
   pulseaudio)
     if ! check_dependencies pactl parecord; then
       log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing PulseAudio utils"
-      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"; exit 0
-    fi ;;
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    ;;
   alsa)
     if ! check_dependencies arecord; then
       log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - missing arecord"
-      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"; exit 0
-    fi ;;
+      echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+      exit 0
+    fi
+    ;;
 esac
 
 # Watchdog info
@@ -524,81 +691,79 @@ suite_rc=0
 if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
   # ========== NEW: Config Discovery Mode ==========
   log_info "Using config discovery mode"
- 
+
   # Discover and filter configs
   if [ -n "$CONFIG_NAMES" ] || [ -n "$CONFIG_FILTER" ]; then
-    # Use discover_and_filter_record_configs helper (logs go to stderr automatically)
     CONFIGS_TO_TEST="$(discover_and_filter_record_configs "$CONFIG_NAMES" "$CONFIG_FILTER")" || {
-      # Error messages already printed to stderr, just skip
       log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - Invalid config name(s) provided"
       echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
       exit 0
     }
   else
-    # Discover all configs (logs go to stderr automatically)
     CONFIGS_TO_TEST="$(discover_record_configs)" || {
-      # Error messages already printed to stderr, just skip
       log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - No record configs found"
       echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
       exit 0
     }
   fi
- 
+
   if [ -z "$CONFIGS_TO_TEST" ]; then
     log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - No valid record configs found"
     echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
     exit 0
   fi
- 
+
   # Count configs
   config_count=0
   for config in $CONFIGS_TO_TEST; do
-    config_count=$(expr $config_count + 1)
+    config_count=$((config_count + 1))
   done
- 
+
   log_info "Discovered $config_count configs to test"
- 
+
   # Test each config
   for config in $CONFIGS_TO_TEST; do
-    # Generate test case name
     case_name="$(generate_record_testcase_name "$config")" || {
       log_warn "Skipping config with invalid name: $config"
+      echo "$config SKIP (invalid config name)" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
+      skip=$((skip + 1))
       continue
     }
-   
-    # Get recording parameters
+
     params="$(get_record_config_params "$config")" || {
       log_warn "Skipping config with invalid parameters: $config"
+      echo "$config SKIP (invalid config parameters)" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
+      skip=$((skip + 1))
       continue
     }
-   
+
     rate="$(printf '%s' "$params" | awk '{print $1}')"
     channels="$(printf '%s' "$params" | awk '{print $2}')"
-   
-    total=$(expr $total + 1)
+
+    total=$((total + 1))
     logf="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.log"
     : > "$logf"
     export AUDIO_LOGCTX="$logf"
-   
+
     log_info "[$case_name] Using config: $config (rate=${rate}Hz channels=$channels)"
-   
+
     # Determine recording duration
     secs="$RECORD_SECONDS"
     if [ "$secs" = "auto" ]; then
       secs="5s" # Default for config discovery mode
     fi
-   
+
     i=1
     ok_runs=0
     last_elapsed=0
-   
+
     while [ "$i" -le "$LOOPS" ]; do
       iso="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ)"
       effective_timeout="$secs"
       if [ -n "$TIMEOUT" ] && [ "$TIMEOUT" != "0" ]; then
         effective_timeout="$TIMEOUT"
       fi
-     
+
       loop_hdr="source=$SRC_CHOICE"
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
         if [ -n "$SRC_ID" ]; then
@@ -609,33 +774,40 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
       else
         loop_hdr="$loop_hdr($SRC_LABEL)"
       fi
-     
+
       log_info "[$case_name] loop $i/$LOOPS start=$iso rate=${rate}Hz channels=$channels backend=$AUDIO_BACKEND $loop_hdr"
-     
+
       out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
       : > "$out"
-     
       start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-     
+
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
         log_info "[$case_name] exec: pw-record -v --rate=$rate --channels=$channels \"$out\""
         audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" pw-record -v --rate="$rate" --channels="$channels" "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
         rc=$?
         bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 
-        # If pw-record failed AND PipeWire control-plane is broken, restart+retry once
+        # If pw-record failed AND PipeWire control-plane is broken, restart/bootstrap and retry once
         if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && ! audio_pw_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-          log_warn "[$case_name] pw-record rc=$rc and wpctl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
-          audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-          audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-	  out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
+          if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+            log_warn "[$case_name] pw-record rc=$rc and wpctl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
+            audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+            audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+          else
+            log_warn "[$case_name] pw-record rc=$rc and wpctl not responsive - attempting bootstrap and retrying once"
+            audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+            AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+            export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+          fi
+
+          out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
           : > "$out"
-          log_info "[$case_name] retry after restart: pw-record -v --rate=$rate --channels=$channels \"$out\""
+          log_info "[$case_name] retry: pw-record -v --rate=$rate --channels=$channels \"$out\""
           audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" pw-record -v --rate="$rate" --channels="$channels" "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
           rc=$?
           bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
         fi
-       
+
         # If we already got real audio, accept and skip fallbacks
         if [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
           if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ]; then
@@ -643,11 +815,12 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
             rc=0
           fi
         else
-          # Only if output is tiny/empty do we try a virtual PCM (pipewire/pulse/default)
+          # Only if output is tiny/empty do we try a virtual PCM
           if command -v arecord >/dev/null 2>&1; then
             pcm="$(alsa_pick_virtual_pcm || true)"
             if [ -n "$pcm" ]; then
-              secs_int="$(audio_parse_secs "$secs" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"; [ -z "$secs_int" ] && secs_int=0
+              secs_int="$(audio_parse_secs "$secs" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+              [ -z "$secs_int" ] && secs_int=0
               : > "$out"
               log_info "[$case_name] fallback: arecord -D $pcm -f S16_LE -r $rate -c $channels -d $secs_int \"$out\""
               audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" \
@@ -656,9 +829,17 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
               bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
             fi
           fi
-         
+
           # As a last resort, retry pw-record with --target (only if we have a source id)
-          if { [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] || [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; } && [ -n "$SRC_ID" ]; then
+          retry_target=0
+          if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ]; then
+            retry_target=1
+          else
+            if [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+              retry_target=1
+            fi
+          fi
+          if [ "$retry_target" -eq 1 ] && [ -n "$SRC_ID" ]; then
             : > "$out"
             log_info "[$case_name] exec: pw-record -v --rate=$rate --channels=$channels --target \"$SRC_ID\" \"$out\""
             audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" pw-record -v --rate="$rate" --channels="$channels" --target "$SRC_ID" "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
@@ -666,12 +847,13 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
             bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
           fi
         fi
-       
-        # (Optional safety) If nonzero rc but output is clearly valid, accept.
+
+        # Optional safety: If nonzero rc but output is clearly valid, accept
         if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
-          log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc==$rc but recording looks valid (bytes=$bytes) - PASS"
+          log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but recording looks valid (bytes=$bytes) - PASS"
           rc=0
         fi
+
       else
         if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ]; then
           secs_int="$(audio_parse_secs "$secs" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
@@ -681,29 +863,51 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
             arecord -D "$SRC_ID" -f S16_LE -r "$rate" -c "$channels" -d "$secs_int" "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
           rc=$?
           bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-         
-          if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] || [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+
+          retry_alsa=0
+          if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ]; then
+            retry_alsa=1
+          else
+            if [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+              retry_alsa=1
+            fi
+          fi
+
+          if [ "$retry_alsa" -eq 1 ]; then
             if printf '%s\n' "$SRC_ID" | grep -q '^hw:'; then
               alt_dev="plughw:${SRC_ID#hw:}"
             else
               alt_dev="$SRC_ID"
             fi
-           
-            # Try with the specific config parameters
+
             : > "$out"
             log_info "[$case_name] retry: arecord -D \"$alt_dev\" -f S16_LE -r $rate -c $channels -d $secs_int \"$out\""
             audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" \
               arecord -D "$alt_dev" -f S16_LE -r "$rate" -c "$channels" -d "$secs_int" "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
             rc=$?
             bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-           
-            # If still failing, try fallback combinations
-            if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] || [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
-              for combo in "S16_LE 48000 2" "S16_LE 44100 2" "S16_LE 16000 1"; do
-                fmt=$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $1}')
-                fallback_rate=$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $2}')
-                fallback_ch=$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $3}')
+
+            retry_fallback=0
+            if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ]; then
+              retry_fallback=1
+            else
+              if [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+                retry_fallback=1
+              fi
+            fi
+
+            if [ "$retry_fallback" -eq 1 ]; then
+              for combo in \
+                "${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_FORMAT:-S16_LE} ${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_RATE:-48000} ${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_CHANNELS:-2}" \
+                "S16_LE 48000 2" \
+                "S16_LE 44100 2" \
+                "S16_LE 16000 1"
+              do
+                fmt="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $1}')"
+                fallback_rate="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $2}')"
+                fallback_ch="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $3}')"
                 [ -z "$fmt" ] || [ -z "$fallback_rate" ] || [ -z "$fallback_ch" ] && continue
+
                 : > "$out"
                 log_info "[$case_name] fallback: arecord -D \"$alt_dev\" -f $fmt -r $fallback_rate -c $fallback_ch -d $secs_int \"$out\""
                 audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" \
@@ -716,11 +920,12 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
               done
             fi
           fi
-         
+
           if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
             log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but recording looks valid (bytes=$bytes) - PASS"
             rc=0
           fi
+
         else
           # PulseAudio
           log_info "[$case_name] exec: parecord --rate=$rate --channels=$channels --file-format=wav \"$out\""
@@ -728,47 +933,53 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
           rc=$?
           bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 
-          # If parecord failed AND PulseAudio control-plane is broken, restart+retry once
+          # If parecord failed AND PulseAudio control-plane is broken, restart/bootstrap and retry once
           if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && ! audio_pa_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-            log_warn "[$case_name] parecord rc=$rc and pactl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
-            audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-	    audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-	    out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
+            if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+              log_warn "[$case_name] parecord rc=$rc and pactl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
+              audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+              audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+            else
+              log_warn "[$case_name] parecord rc=$rc and pactl not responsive - attempting bootstrap and retrying once"
+              audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+              AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+              export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+            fi
+
+            out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
             : > "$out"
-            log_info "[$case_name] retry after restart: parecord --rate=$rate --channels=$channels --file-format=wav \"$out\""
+            log_info "[$case_name] retry: parecord --rate=$rate --channels=$channels --file-format=wav \"$out\""
             audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" parecord --rate="$rate" --channels="$channels" --file-format=wav "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
             rc=$?
             bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
           fi
-+
+
           if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
             log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but recording looks valid (bytes=$bytes) - PASS"
             rc=0
           fi
         fi
       fi
-     
+
       end_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-      last_elapsed=$(expr $end_s - $start_s)
+      last_elapsed=$((end_s - start_s))
       [ "$last_elapsed" -lt 0 ] && last_elapsed=0
-     
+
       # Evidence
-      pw_ev=$(audio_evidence_pw_streaming || echo 0)
-      pa_ev=$(audio_evidence_pa_streaming || echo 0)
-     
+      pw_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_streaming || echo 0)"
+      pa_ev="$(audio_evidence_pa_streaming || echo 0)"
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] && [ "$pa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
         if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
           pa_ev=1
         fi
       fi
-     
-      alsa_ev=$(audio_evidence_alsa_running_any || echo 0)
-      asoc_ev=$(audio_evidence_asoc_path_on || echo 0)
-      pwlog_ev=$(audio_evidence_pw_log_seen || echo 0)
+      alsa_ev="$(audio_evidence_alsa_running_any || echo 0)"
+      asoc_ev="$(audio_evidence_asoc_path_on || echo 0)"
+      pwlog_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_log_seen || echo 0)"
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
         pwlog_ev=0
       fi
-     
+
       if [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
         if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ] && [ "$pw_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
           alsa_ev=1
@@ -777,53 +988,53 @@ if [ "$USE_CONFIG_DISCOVERY" = "true" ]; then
           alsa_ev=1
         fi
       fi
-     
+
       if [ "$asoc_ev" -eq 0 ] && [ "$alsa_ev" -eq 1 ]; then
         asoc_ev=1
       fi
-     
+
       log_info "[$case_name] evidence: pw_streaming=$pw_ev pa_streaming=$pa_ev alsa_running=$alsa_ev asoc_path_on=$asoc_ev bytes=${bytes:-0} pw_log=$pwlog_ev"
-     
+
       if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
         log_pass "[$case_name] loop $i OK (rc=0, ${last_elapsed}s, bytes=$bytes)"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
+	ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
       else
         log_fail "[$case_name] loop $i FAILED (rc=$rc, ${last_elapsed}s, bytes=${bytes:-0}) - see $logf"
       fi
-     
-      i=$(expr $i + 1)
+
+      i=$((i + 1))
     done
-   
+
     # Aggregate result for this config
     status="FAIL"
     if [ "$ok_runs" -ge 1 ]; then
       status="PASS"
     fi
-   
+
     append_junit "$case_name" "$last_elapsed" "$status" "$logf"
-   
+
     case "$status" in
       PASS)
-        pass=$(expr $pass + 1)
+	pass=$((pass + 1))
         echo "$case_name PASS" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
         ;;
       SKIP)
-        skip=$(expr $skip + 1)
+	skip=$((skip + 1))
         echo "$case_name SKIP" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
         ;;
       FAIL)
-        fail=$(expr $fail + 1)
+	fail=$((fail + 1))
         echo "$case_name FAIL" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
         suite_rc=1
         ;;
     esac
   done
+
 else
   # ========== LEGACY: Matrix Mode ==========
   for dur in $DURATIONS; do
     case_name="record_${dur}"
-    total=$(expr $total + 1)
-
+    total=$((total + 1))
     logf="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.log"
     : > "$logf"
     export AUDIO_LOGCTX="$logf"
@@ -865,7 +1076,6 @@ else
 
       out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
       : > "$out"
-
       start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pipewire" ]; then
@@ -874,14 +1084,22 @@ else
         rc=$?
         bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 
-        # If pw-record failed AND PipeWire control-plane is broken, restart+retry once
+        # If pw-record failed AND PipeWire control-plane is broken, restart/bootstrap and retry once
         if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && ! audio_pw_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-          log_warn "[$case_name] pw-record rc=$rc and wpctl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
-          audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-          audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-	  out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
+          if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+            log_warn "[$case_name] pw-record rc=$rc and wpctl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
+            audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+            audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+          else
+            log_warn "[$case_name] pw-record rc=$rc and wpctl not responsive - attempting bootstrap and retrying once"
+            audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+            AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+            export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+          fi
+
+          out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
           : > "$out"
-          log_info "[$case_name] retry after restart: pw-record -v \"$out\""
+          log_info "[$case_name] retry: pw-record -v \"$out\""
           audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" pw-record -v "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
           rc=$?
           bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
@@ -894,11 +1112,12 @@ else
             rc=0
           fi
         else
-          # Only if output is tiny/empty do we try a virtual PCM (pipewire/pulse/default)
+          # Only if output is tiny/empty do we try a virtual PCM
           if command -v arecord >/dev/null 2>&1; then
             pcm="$(alsa_pick_virtual_pcm || true)"
             if [ -n "$pcm" ]; then
-              secs_int="$(audio_parse_secs "$secs" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"; [ -z "$secs_int" ] && secs_int=0
+              secs_int="$(audio_parse_secs "$secs" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+              [ -z "$secs_int" ] && secs_int=0
               : > "$out"
               log_info "[$case_name] fallback: arecord -D $pcm -f S16_LE -r 48000 -c 2 -d $secs_int \"$out\""
               audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" \
@@ -909,7 +1128,15 @@ else
           fi
 
           # As a last resort, retry pw-record with --target (only if we have a source id)
-          if { [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] || [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; } && [ -n "$SRC_ID" ]; then
+          retry_target=0
+          if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ]; then
+            retry_target=1
+          else
+            if [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+              retry_target=1
+            fi
+          fi
+          if [ "$retry_target" -eq 1 ] && [ -n "$SRC_ID" ]; then
             : > "$out"
             log_info "[$case_name] exec: pw-record -v --target \"$SRC_ID\" \"$out\""
             audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" pw-record -v --target "$SRC_ID" "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
@@ -918,11 +1145,12 @@ else
           fi
         fi
 
-        # (Optional safety) If nonzero rc but output is clearly valid, accept.
+        # Optional safety: If nonzero rc but output is clearly valid, accept
         if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
-          log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc==$rc but recording looks valid (bytes=$bytes) - PASS"
+          log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but recording looks valid (bytes=$bytes) - PASS"
           rc=0
         fi
+
       else
         if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "alsa" ]; then
           secs_int="$(audio_parse_secs "$secs" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
@@ -933,17 +1161,33 @@ else
           rc=$?
           bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 
-          if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] || [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+          retry_alsa=0
+          if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ]; then
+            retry_alsa=1
+          else
+            if [ "${bytes:-0}" -le 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+              retry_alsa=1
+            fi
+          fi
+
+          if [ "$retry_alsa" -eq 1 ]; then
             if printf '%s\n' "$SRC_ID" | grep -q '^hw:'; then
               alt_dev="plughw:${SRC_ID#hw:}"
             else
               alt_dev="$SRC_ID"
             fi
-            for combo in "S16_LE 48000 2" "S16_LE 44100 2" "S16_LE 16000 1"; do
-              fmt=$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $1}')
-              rate=$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $2}')
-              ch=$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $3}')
+
+            for combo in \
+              "${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_FORMAT:-S16_LE} ${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_RATE:-48000} ${AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_CHANNELS:-2}" \
+              "S16_LE 48000 2" \
+              "S16_LE 44100 2" \
+              "S16_LE 16000 1"
+            do
+              fmt="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $1}')"
+              rate="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $2}')"
+              ch="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $3}')"
               [ -z "$fmt" ] || [ -z "$rate" ] || [ -z "$ch" ] && continue
+
               : > "$out"
               log_info "[$case_name] retry: arecord -D \"$alt_dev\" -f $fmt -r $rate -c $ch -d $secs_int \"$out\""
               audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" \
@@ -960,20 +1204,30 @@ else
             log_warn "[$case_name] nonzero rc=$rc but recording looks valid (bytes=$bytes) - PASS"
             rc=0
           fi
+
         else
+          # PulseAudio
           log_info "[$case_name] exec: parecord --file-format=wav \"$out\""
           audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" parecord --file-format=wav "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
           rc=$?
           bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
 
-          # If parecord failed AND PulseAudio control-plane is broken, restart+retry once
+          # If parecord failed AND PulseAudio control-plane is broken, restart/bootstrap and retry once
           if [ "$rc" -ne 0 ] && ! audio_pa_ctl_ok 2>/dev/null; then
-            log_warn "[$case_name] parecord rc=$rc and pactl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
-            audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-            audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
-	    out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
+            if [ "$SYSTEMD_AVAILABLE" -eq 1 ] && [ "${AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED:-0}" -eq 1 ]; then
+              log_warn "[$case_name] parecord rc=$rc and pactl not responsive - restarting and retrying once"
+              audio_restart_services_best_effort >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+              audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+            else
+              log_warn "[$case_name] parecord rc=$rc and pactl not responsive - attempting bootstrap and retrying once"
+              audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+              AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED=0
+              export AUDIO_SYSTEMD_MANAGED
+            fi
+
+            out="$LOGDIR/${case_name}.wav"
             : > "$out"
-            log_info "[$case_name] retry after restart: parecord --file-format=wav \"$out\""
+            log_info "[$case_name] retry: parecord --file-format=wav \"$out\""
             audio_exec_with_timeout "$effective_timeout" parecord --file-format=wav "$out" >> "$logf" 2>&1
             rc=$?
             bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$out" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
@@ -987,22 +1241,20 @@ else
       fi
 
       end_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
-      last_elapsed=$(expr $end_s - $start_s)
+      last_elapsed=$((end_s - start_s))
       [ "$last_elapsed" -lt 0 ] && last_elapsed=0
 
       # Evidence
-      pw_ev=$(audio_evidence_pw_streaming || echo 0)
-      pa_ev=$(audio_evidence_pa_streaming || echo 0)
-
+      pw_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_streaming || echo 0)"
+      pa_ev="$(audio_evidence_pa_streaming || echo 0)"
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ] && [ "$pa_ev" -eq 0 ]; then
         if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
           pa_ev=1
         fi
       fi
-
-      alsa_ev=$(audio_evidence_alsa_running_any || echo 0)
-      asoc_ev=$(audio_evidence_asoc_path_on || echo 0)
-      pwlog_ev=$(audio_evidence_pw_log_seen || echo 0)
+      alsa_ev="$(audio_evidence_alsa_running_any || echo 0)"
+      asoc_ev="$(audio_evidence_asoc_path_on || echo 0)"
+      pwlog_ev="$(audio_evidence_pw_log_seen || echo 0)"
       if [ "$AUDIO_BACKEND" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
         pwlog_ev=0
       fi
@@ -1024,12 +1276,12 @@ else
 
       if [ "$rc" -eq 0 ] && [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 1024 ] 2>/dev/null; then
         log_pass "[$case_name] loop $i OK (rc=0, ${last_elapsed}s, bytes=$bytes)"
-        ok_runs=$(expr $ok_runs + 1)
+	ok_runs=$((ok_runs + 1))
       else
         log_fail "[$case_name] loop $i FAILED (rc=$rc, ${last_elapsed}s, bytes=${bytes:-0}) - see $logf"
       fi
 
-      i=$(expr $i + 1)
+      i=$((i + 1))
     done
 
     # Aggregate result for this duration
@@ -1042,15 +1294,15 @@ else
 
     case "$status" in
       PASS)
-        pass=$(expr $pass + 1)
+	pass=$((pass + 1))
         echo "$case_name PASS" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
         ;;
       SKIP)
-        skip=$(expr $skip + 1)
+	skip=$((skip + 1))
         echo "$case_name SKIP" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
         ;;
       FAIL)
-        fail=$(expr $fail + 1)
+	fail=$((fail + 1))
         echo "$case_name FAIL" >> "$LOGDIR/summary.txt"
         suite_rc=1
         ;;
@@ -1080,6 +1332,12 @@ fi
 log_info "Summary: total=$total pass=$pass fail=$fail skip=$skip"
 
 # --- Proper exit codes: PASS=0, FAIL=1, SKIP-only=0 ---
+if [ "$total" -eq 0 ] && [ "$pass" -eq 0 ] && [ "$fail" -eq 0 ]; then
+  log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP - no runnable record testcases"
+  echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
+  exit 0
+fi
+
 if [ "$pass" -eq 0 ] && [ "$fail" -eq 0 ] && [ "$skip" -gt 0 ]; then
   log_skip "$TESTNAME SKIP"
   echo "$TESTNAME SKIP" > "$RES_FILE"
diff --git a/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh b/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh
index 154dcb54..a3b6e4a7 100755
--- a/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh
+++ b/Runner/utils/audio_common.sh
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@
 # Common audio helpers for PipeWire / PulseAudio runners.
 # Requires: functestlib.sh (log_* helpers, extract_tar_from_url, scan_dmesg_errors)
 
+# Check whether a command exists in PATH.
+# Used by bootstrap helpers before attempting backend startup.
+have_cmd() {
+  command -v "$1" >/dev/null 2>&1
+}
+
 # ---------- Backend detection & daemon checks ----------
 detect_audio_backend() {
   if pgrep -x pipewire >/dev/null 2>&1 && command -v wpctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
@@ -93,26 +99,162 @@ audio_download_with_any() {
         return 1
     fi
 }
+
+audio_has_runnable_discovery_clips() {
+  clips_dir="${AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR:-AudioClips}"
+  found_any=0
+
+  if [ ! -d "$clips_dir" ]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  for audio_clip_path in "$clips_dir"/*.wav; do
+    if [ ! -f "$audio_clip_path" ]; then
+      continue
+    fi
+
+    found_any=1
+    audio_clip_file="$(basename "$audio_clip_path")"
+    if generate_clip_testcase_name "$audio_clip_file" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      return 0
+    fi
+  done
+
+  if [ "$found_any" -eq 1 ]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
 # audio_fetch_assets_from_url <url>
 # Prefer functestlib's extract_tar_from_url; otherwise download + extract.
 audio_fetch_assets_from_url() {
-    url="$1"
-    if command -v extract_tar_from_url >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-        extract_tar_from_url "$url"
-        return $?
-    fi
-    fname="$(basename "$url")"
-    log_info "Fetching assets: $url"
-    if ! audio_download_with_any "$url" "$fname"; then
-        log_warn "Download failed: $url"
-        return 1
+  url="$1"
+  clips_dir="${AUDIO_CLIPS_BASE_DIR:-AudioClips}"
+  marker_file="${AUDIO_EXTRACT_MARKER:-$clips_dir/.audioclips_extracted}"
+  work_dir="${SCRIPT_DIR:-$(pwd)}"
+  ts="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+  archive_path="$work_dir/AudioClips.$$.${ts}.tar.gz"
+  fetch_log="$work_dir/AudioClips_fetch.$$.${ts}.log"
+  fetch_attempts="${AUDIO_FETCH_RETRIES:-2}"
+  fetch_retry_delay="${AUDIO_FETCH_RETRY_DELAY:-3}"
+  fetch_attempt=1
+
+  if [ -z "$url" ]; then
+    log_error "audio_fetch_assets_from_url: URL is empty"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if [ ! -d "$clips_dir" ]; then
+    if ! mkdir -p "$clips_dir"; then
+      log_error "Failed to create clips directory: $clips_dir"
+      return 1
     fi
-    tar -xzf "$fname" >/dev/null 2>&1 || tar -xf "$fname" >/dev/null 2>&1 || {
-        log_warn "Extraction failed: $fname"
-        return 1
-    }
-    return 0
+  fi
+
+  if [ -f "$marker_file" ]; then
+    if audio_has_runnable_discovery_clips; then
+      log_pass "AudioClips.tar.gz has already been extracted (marker present, runnable clips available)."
+      log_info "Already extracted. Skipping download."
+      return 0
+    fi
+    log_warn "Extraction marker present but runnable clips not found; continuing with download/re-extract path"
+  fi
+
+  while [ "$fetch_attempt" -le "$fetch_attempts" ]; do
+    rm -f "$archive_path" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    rm -f "$fetch_log" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+    download_ok=0
+
+    if command -v curl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      log_info "exec: curl -fL --retry 3 --retry-delay 2 --connect-timeout 20 -o \"$archive_path\" \"$url\" (attempt ${fetch_attempt}/${fetch_attempts})"
+      if curl -fL --retry 3 --retry-delay 2 --connect-timeout 20 -o "$archive_path" "$url" >"$fetch_log" 2>&1; then
+        download_ok=1
+      else
+        log_warn "curl download failed on attempt ${fetch_attempt}/${fetch_attempts}; showing last lines from $fetch_log"
+        tail -n 20 "$fetch_log" 2>/dev/null || true
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$download_ok" -ne 1 ]; then
+      if command -v wget >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        log_info "exec: wget --tries=3 --timeout=20 -O \"$archive_path\" \"$url\" (attempt ${fetch_attempt}/${fetch_attempts})"
+        if wget --tries=3 --timeout=20 -O "$archive_path" "$url" >"$fetch_log" 2>&1; then
+          download_ok=1
+        else
+          log_warn "wget download failed on attempt ${fetch_attempt}/${fetch_attempts}; showing last lines from $fetch_log"
+          tail -n 20 "$fetch_log" 2>/dev/null || true
+        fi
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$download_ok" -eq 1 ]; then
+      break
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$fetch_attempt" -lt "$fetch_attempts" ]; then
+      log_warn "Download attempt ${fetch_attempt}/${fetch_attempts} failed; retrying after ${fetch_retry_delay}s"
+      sleep "$fetch_retry_delay"
+    fi
+
+    fetch_attempt=$((fetch_attempt + 1))
+  done
+
+  if [ "$download_ok" -ne 1 ]; then
+    log_error "Failed to download audio clips using available download tools"
+    log_error "Fetch log preserved at: $fetch_log"
+    rm -f "$archive_path" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if [ ! -s "$archive_path" ]; then
+    log_error "Downloaded archive is missing or empty: $archive_path"
+    log_error "Fetch log preserved at: $fetch_log"
+    rm -f "$archive_path" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  log_info "exec: tar -xzf \"$archive_path\" -C \"$clips_dir\""
+  if ! tar -xzf "$archive_path" -C "$clips_dir" >>"$fetch_log" 2>&1; then
+    log_error "Failed to extract audio clips archive into $clips_dir"
+    log_error "Fetch log preserved at: $fetch_log"
+    rm -f "$archive_path" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  rm -f "$archive_path" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+  # Normalize nested archive layout like AudioClips/AudioClips/*.wav -> AudioClips/*.wav
+  if [ -d "$clips_dir/AudioClips" ]; then
+    log_warn "Detected nested AudioClips directory after extraction.. normalizing layout"
+    for nested_item in "$clips_dir/AudioClips"/*; do
+      [ -e "$nested_item" ] || continue
+      nested_name=$(basename "$nested_item")
+      if [ ! -e "$clips_dir/$nested_name" ]; then
+        if ! mv "$nested_item" "$clips_dir/"; then
+          log_error "Failed to normalize extracted clips layout"
+          log_error "Fetch log preserved at: $fetch_log"
+          return 1
+        fi
+      fi
+    done
+    rmdir "$clips_dir/AudioClips" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  fi
+
+  if ! audio_has_runnable_discovery_clips; then
+    log_error "Extraction completed, but no runnable discovery clips were found in $clips_dir"
+    log_error "Fetch log preserved at: $fetch_log"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  : > "$marker_file" || true
+  log_info "Audio clips download/extract validation completed"
+  log_info "Fetch log saved at: $fetch_log"
+  return 0
 }
+
 # audio_ensure_clip_ready <clip-path> [tarball-url]
 # Return codes:
 #   0 = clip exists/ready
@@ -277,78 +419,151 @@ audio_restart_services_best_effort() {
  
   return 0
 }
+
+# Restart PipeWire through systemd without blocking forever in `systemctl restart`.
+# Polls the unit state until the restart job settles or times out.
+audio_restart_pipewire_service() {
+  aprs_label="$1"
+  aprs_timeout="${PIPEWIRE_SYSTEMCTL_TIMEOUT:-180}"
+  aprs_start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+  aprs_next_log=10
+
+  if [ -z "$aprs_label" ]; then
+    aprs_label="1/1"
+  fi
+
+  if ! command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    log_fail "systemctl not available, cannot restart pipewire"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  log_info "exec: systemctl restart pipewire (attempt ${aprs_label})"
+  if ! systemctl restart pipewire >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    log_warn "Failed to queue pipewire restart job on attempt ${aprs_label}"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  while :; do
+    aprs_now_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+    aprs_elapsed=$((aprs_now_s - aprs_start_s))
+    if [ "$aprs_elapsed" -lt 0 ]; then
+      aprs_elapsed=0
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$aprs_elapsed" -ge "$aprs_timeout" ]; then
+      aprs_active_state="$(systemctl show -p ActiveState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+      aprs_sub_state="$(systemctl show -p SubState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+      aprs_job_state="$(systemctl show -p Job --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+      log_warn "PipeWire restart attempt ${aprs_label} timed out after ${aprs_timeout}s (state=${aprs_active_state}/${aprs_sub_state}, job=${aprs_job_state})"
+      return 1
+    fi
+
+    aprs_active_state="$(systemctl show -p ActiveState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+    aprs_sub_state="$(systemctl show -p SubState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+    aprs_result_state="$(systemctl show -p Result --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+    aprs_job_state="$(systemctl show -p Job --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+
+    case "$aprs_job_state" in
+      ""|0)
+        aprs_job_done=1
+        ;;
+      *)
+        aprs_job_done=0
+        ;;
+    esac
+
+    if [ "$aprs_active_state" = "active" ] && [ "$aprs_sub_state" = "running" ] && [ "$aprs_job_done" -eq 1 ]; then
+      return 0
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$aprs_active_state" = "failed" ]; then
+      log_warn "PipeWire entered failed state on attempt ${aprs_label} (state=${aprs_active_state}/${aprs_sub_state}, result=${aprs_result_state})"
+      return 1
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$aprs_result_state" = "failed" ]; then
+      log_warn "PipeWire restart job failed on attempt ${aprs_label} (state=${aprs_active_state}/${aprs_sub_state}, result=${aprs_result_state})"
+      return 1
+    fi
+
+    if [ "$aprs_elapsed" -ge "$aprs_next_log" ]; then
+      log_info "Still waiting for pipewire restart job... (state=${aprs_active_state}/${aprs_sub_state} job=${aprs_job_state} ${aprs_elapsed}s/${aprs_timeout}s)"
+      aprs_next_log=$((aprs_next_log + 10))
+    fi
+
+    sleep 1
+  done
+}
+
 # Function: setup_overlay_audio_environment
 # Purpose: Configure audio environment for overlay builds (audioreach-based)
 # Returns: 0 on success, 1 on failure
 # Usage: Call early in audio test initialization, before backend detection
-
+# Configure overlay-specific audio prerequisites and restart PipeWire.
+# Restart and readiness share the same centralized timeout to avoid drift.
 setup_overlay_audio_environment() {
-    # Detect overlay build
-    if ! lsmod 2>/dev/null | awk '$1 ~ /^audioreach/ { found=1; exit } END { exit !found }'; then
-        log_info "Base build detected (no audioreach modules), skipping overlay setup"
-        return 0
-    fi
-    
-    log_info "Overlay build detected (audioreach modules present), configuring environment..."
-    
-    # Check root permissions
-    if [ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ]; then
-        log_fail "Overlay audio setup requires root permissions"
-        return 1
-    fi
-    
-    # Configure DMA heap permissions
-    if [ -e /dev/dma_heap/system ]; then
-        log_info "Setting permissions on /dev/dma_heap/system"
-        chmod 666 /dev/dma_heap/system || {
-            log_fail "Failed to chmod /dev/dma_heap/system"
-            return 1
-        }
-    else
-        log_warn "/dev/dma_heap/system not found, skipping chmod"
+  PIPEWIRE_SYSTEMCTL_TIMEOUT="${PIPEWIRE_SYSTEMCTL_TIMEOUT:-180}"
+  PIPEWIRE_READY_TIMEOUT="${PIPEWIRE_READY_TIMEOUT:-120}"
+  PIPEWIRE_RESTART_RETRIES="${PIPEWIRE_RESTART_RETRIES:-3}"
+
+  sao_attempt=1
+
+  if ! lsmod 2>/dev/null | awk '$1 ~ /^audioreach/ { found=1; exit } END { exit !found }'; then
+    log_info "Base build detected (no audioreach modules), skipping overlay setup"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  log_info "Overlay build detected (audioreach modules present), configuring environment..."
+
+  if [ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ]; then
+    log_fail "Overlay audio setup requires root permissions"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if [ -e /dev/dma_heap/system ]; then
+    log_info "Setting permissions on /dev/dma_heap/system"
+    if ! chmod 666 /dev/dma_heap/system; then
+      log_fail "Failed to chmod /dev/dma_heap/system"
+      return 1
     fi
-    
-    # Check systemctl availability
-    if ! command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-        log_fail "systemctl not available, cannot restart pipewire"
-        return 1
+  else
+    log_warn "/dev/dma_heap/system not found, skipping chmod"
+  fi
+
+  if ! audio_should_use_service_recovery "pipewire"; then
+    log_info "pipewire service unit not available; skipping service restart and leaving backend recovery to manual bootstrap"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  while [ "$sao_attempt" -le "$PIPEWIRE_RESTART_RETRIES" ]; do
+    sao_label="${sao_attempt}/${PIPEWIRE_RESTART_RETRIES}"
+
+    if audio_restart_pipewire_service "$sao_label"; then
+      log_info "Waiting for pipewire to be ready..."
+      if audio_wait_audio_ready "$PIPEWIRE_READY_TIMEOUT" pipewire; then
+        log_pass "PipeWire is ready"
+        return 0
+      fi
+
+      sao_active_state="$(systemctl show -p ActiveState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+      sao_sub_state="$(systemctl show -p SubState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+      log_warn "PipeWire restart attempt ${sao_label} reached active state but backend was not ready within ${PIPEWIRE_READY_TIMEOUT}s (state=${sao_active_state}/${sao_sub_state})"
     fi
-    
-    # Restart PipeWire
-    log_info "Restarting pipewire service..."
-    if ! audio_exec_with_timeout 30s systemctl restart pipewire 2>/dev/null; then
-        log_fail "Failed to restart pipewire service"
-        return 1
+
+    if [ "$sao_attempt" -lt "$PIPEWIRE_RESTART_RETRIES" ]; then
+      log_warn "Retrying full pipewire restart flow after short delay"
+      sleep 2
     fi
-    
-    # Wait for PipeWire with polling (max 60s, check every 2s)
-    log_info "Waiting for pipewire to be ready..."
-    max_wait=60
-    elapsed=0
-    poll_interval=2
-    
-    while [ $elapsed -lt $max_wait ]; do
-        # Check if pipewire process is running
-        if pgrep -x pipewire >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-            # Verify wpctl can communicate
-	    if command -v audio_pw_ctl_ok >/dev/null 2>&1 && audio_pw_ctl_ok; then
-                log_pass "PipeWire is ready (took ${elapsed}s)"
-                return 0
-            fi
-        fi
-        
-        sleep $poll_interval
-        elapsed=$(expr $elapsed + $poll_interval)
-        
-        if [ "$(expr $elapsed % 10)" -eq 0 ]; then
-          log_info "Still waiting for pipewire... (${elapsed}s/${max_wait}s)"
-        fi
-    done
-    
-    # Timeout reached
-    log_fail "PipeWire failed to become ready within ${max_wait}s"
-    log_fail "Check 'systemctl status pipewire' and 'journalctl -u pipewire' for details"
-    return 1
+
+    sao_attempt=$((sao_attempt + 1))
+  done
+
+  sao_active_state="$(systemctl show -p ActiveState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+  sao_sub_state="$(systemctl show -p SubState --value pipewire 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
+  log_fail "PipeWire failed to become ready after ${PIPEWIRE_RESTART_RETRIES} attempts (state=${sao_active_state}/${sao_sub_state})"
+  log_fail "This usually means the sound card is still not online"
+  log_fail "Check 'systemctl status pipewire' and 'journalctl -u pipewire' for details"
+  return 1
 }
 
 # ---------- PipeWire control helpers (bounded; never hang) ----------
@@ -844,26 +1059,63 @@ audio_exec_with_timeout() {
   return $?
 }
 
+# Wait until the requested audio backend becomes usable.
+# Uses real elapsed time, not loop count, so slow ctl probes do not skew timeout logs.
 audio_wait_audio_ready() {
-  max_s="${1:-20}"
-  i=0
-
-  while [ "$i" -lt "$max_s" ] 2>/dev/null; do
-    if command -v wpctl >/dev/null 2>&1 && audio_pw_ctl_ok; then
-      return 0
+  max_s="${1:-${PIPEWIRE_READY_TIMEOUT:-120}}"
+  backend_name="${2:-auto}"
+  start_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+  next_log=10
+
+  while :; do
+    now_s="$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+    elapsed=$((now_s - start_s))
+    if [ "$elapsed" -lt 0 ]; then
+      elapsed=0
     fi
-    if command -v pactl >/dev/null 2>&1 && audio_pa_ctl_ok; then
-      return 0
+
+    if [ "$elapsed" -ge "$max_s" ]; then
+      break
     fi
-    if [ -d /dev/snd ] || [ -e /proc/asound/cards ]; then
-      return 0
+
+    case "$backend_name" in
+      pipewire)
+        if audio_backend_ready pipewire; then
+          return 0
+        fi
+        ;;
+      pulseaudio)
+        if audio_backend_ready pulseaudio; then
+          return 0
+        fi
+        ;;
+      auto|"")
+        if audio_backend_ready pipewire; then
+          return 0
+        fi
+        if audio_backend_ready pulseaudio; then
+          return 0
+        fi
+        if [ -d /dev/snd ] || [ -e /proc/asound/cards ]; then
+          return 0
+        fi
+        ;;
+      *)
+        return 1
+        ;;
+    esac
+
+    if [ "$elapsed" -ge "$next_log" ]; then
+      log_info "Still waiting for ${backend_name:-audio}... (${elapsed}s/${max_s}s)"
+      next_log=$((next_log + 10))
     fi
+
     sleep 1
-    i="$(expr "$i" + 1)"
   done
 
   return 1
 }
+
 # --- bounded wpctl helpers (never hang) ---
 pwctl_status_safe() {
   # Prints wpctl status to stdout on success, returns nonzero on failure/timeout.
@@ -979,17 +1231,21 @@ alsa_pick_virtual_pcm() {
 audio_check_clips_available() {
   formats="$1"
   durations="$2"
-  
+
+  if [ -z "$formats" ] || [ -z "$durations" ]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
   for fmt in $formats; do
     for dur in $durations; do
       clip="$(resolve_clip "$fmt" "$dur")"
-      # If resolve_clip returns empty string or clip doesn't exist/is empty
       if [ -z "$clip" ] || [ ! -s "$clip" ]; then
-        return 1  # At least one clip missing or empty
+        return 1
       fi
     done
   done
-  return 0  # All clips present and non-empty
+
+  return 0
 }
 
 # ---------- New Clip Discovery Functions (for 20-clip enhancement) ----------
@@ -1599,3 +1855,696 @@ discover_and_filter_record_configs() {
   printf '%s\n' "$available_configs"
   return 0
 }
+
+# Generic backend readiness wrapper used by run.sh.
+# Reuses existing daemon/control-plane helpers instead of duplicating probe logic.
+audio_backend_ready() {
+  case "$1" in
+    pipewire)
+      if check_audio_daemon pipewire >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        if audio_pw_ctl_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+          return 0
+        fi
+      fi
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    pulseaudio)
+      if check_audio_daemon pulseaudio >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        if audio_pa_ctl_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+          return 0
+        fi
+      fi
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    alsa)
+      if command -v arecord >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        return 0
+      fi
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    *)
+      return 1
+      ;;
+  esac
+}
+
+# Track background daemon PIDs started by this script.
+# These PIDs are later cleaned up on exit.
+audio_add_started_pid() {
+  if [ -n "$1" ]; then
+    if [ -n "${AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS:-}" ]; then
+      AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS="$AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS $1"
+    else
+      AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS="$1"
+    fi
+    export AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS
+  fi
+}
+
+# Stop any audio daemons started by manual bootstrap.
+# Also removes the temporary runtime directory if this script created it.
+audio_cleanup_started_daemons() {
+  for pid in ${AUDIO_STARTED_PIDS:-}; do
+    if kill -0 "$pid" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      kill "$pid" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    fi
+  done
+
+  if [ "${AUDIO_CREATED_RUNTIME_DIR:-0}" -eq 1 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+    if [ -n "${XDG_RUNTIME_DIR:-}" ]; then
+      rmdir "$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
+# Ensure XDG_RUNTIME_DIR is available for PipeWire/PulseAudio in minimal userspace.
+# Reuses an existing writable runtime dir when possible, otherwise creates one under /tmp.
+audio_ensure_runtime_dir() {
+  uid_now="$(id -u 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+
+  if [ -n "${AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR:-}" ]; then
+    run_dir="$AUDIO_RUNTIME_DIR"
+  elif [ -n "${XDG_RUNTIME_DIR:-}" ] && [ -d "$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR" ] && [ -w "$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR" ]; then
+    return 0
+  elif [ -d "/run/user/$uid_now" ] && [ -w "/run/user/$uid_now" ]; then
+    run_dir="/run/user/$uid_now"
+  else
+    run_dir="/tmp/audio-runtime-$uid_now"
+    AUDIO_CREATED_RUNTIME_DIR=1
+    export AUDIO_CREATED_RUNTIME_DIR
+  fi
+
+  if [ ! -d "$run_dir" ]; then
+    mkdir -p "$run_dir" || return 1
+  fi
+
+  chmod 700 "$run_dir" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  XDG_RUNTIME_DIR="$run_dir"
+  export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR
+  return 0
+}
+
+# Start a background process and redirect its output to a log file.
+# Returns the spawned PID so the caller can track and clean it up later.
+audio_start_bg_logged() {
+  bg_log="$1"
+  shift
+  "$@" >>"$bg_log" 2>&1 &
+  echo "$!"
+}
+
+# Manually start PipeWire and its session manager in minimal ramdisk userspace.
+# Reuses existing daemon/control-plane helpers to validate readiness.
+audio_manual_start_pipewire() {
+  pipewire_log="$LOGDIR/pipewire-bootstrap.log"
+  session_log="$LOGDIR/pipewire-session.log"
+  pulse_log="$LOGDIR/pipewire-pulse.log"
+
+  if check_audio_daemon pipewire >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    if audio_pw_ctl_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if ! have_cmd pipewire; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if ! audio_ensure_runtime_dir; then
+    log_error "Failed to prepare XDG_RUNTIME_DIR for PipeWire"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  export HOME="${HOME:-/tmp}"
+
+  pw_pid="$(audio_start_bg_logged "$pipewire_log" pipewire)"
+  audio_add_started_pid "$pw_pid"
+  sleep 2
+
+  if have_cmd pipewire-media-session; then
+    sm_pid="$(audio_start_bg_logged "$session_log" pipewire-media-session)"
+    audio_add_started_pid "$sm_pid"
+  elif have_cmd wireplumber; then
+    sm_pid="$(audio_start_bg_logged "$session_log" wireplumber)"
+    audio_add_started_pid "$sm_pid"
+  else
+    log_warn "No PipeWire session manager found (wireplumber / pipewire-media-session)"
+  fi
+
+  if have_cmd pipewire-pulse; then
+    pp_pid="$(audio_start_bg_logged "$pulse_log" pipewire-pulse)"
+    audio_add_started_pid "$pp_pid"
+  fi
+
+  AUDIO_BACKEND="pipewire"
+  export AUDIO_BACKEND
+
+  audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+  if check_audio_daemon pipewire >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    if audio_pw_ctl_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
+# Manually start PulseAudio in minimal ramdisk userspace.
+# Reuses existing daemon/control-plane helpers to validate readiness.
+audio_manual_start_pulseaudio() {
+  pulseaudio_log="$LOGDIR/pulseaudio-bootstrap.log"
+  uid_now="$(id -u 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+
+  if check_audio_daemon pulseaudio >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    if audio_pa_ctl_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if ! have_cmd pulseaudio; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if ! audio_ensure_runtime_dir; then
+    log_error "Failed to prepare XDG_RUNTIME_DIR for PulseAudio"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  export HOME="${HOME:-/tmp}"
+
+  if [ "$uid_now" -eq 0 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+    pa_pid="$(audio_start_bg_logged "$pulseaudio_log" pulseaudio --system --daemonize=no --disallow-exit --exit-idle-time=-1)"
+  else
+    pa_pid="$(audio_start_bg_logged "$pulseaudio_log" pulseaudio --daemonize=no --exit-idle-time=-1)"
+  fi
+  audio_add_started_pid "$pa_pid"
+
+  AUDIO_BACKEND="pulseaudio"
+  export AUDIO_BACKEND
+
+  audio_wait_audio_ready 20 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+  if check_audio_daemon pulseaudio >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    if [ -z "${PULSE_SERVER:-}" ]; then
+      if [ -S "$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/pulse/native" ]; then
+        PULSE_SERVER="unix:$XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/pulse/native"
+        export PULSE_SERVER
+      elif [ -S /run/pulse/native ]; then
+        PULSE_SERVER="unix:/run/pulse/native"
+        export PULSE_SERVER
+      elif [ -S /var/run/pulse/native ]; then
+        PULSE_SERVER="unix:/var/run/pulse/native"
+        export PULSE_SERVER
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if audio_pa_ctl_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
+# Choose which backend to bootstrap when none is explicitly running yet.
+# Prefers PipeWire first, then PulseAudio, based on available binaries/tools.
+audio_choose_bootstrap_backend() {
+  if [ -n "${AUDIO_BACKEND:-}" ]; then
+    echo "$AUDIO_BACKEND"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  if have_cmd pipewire; then
+    if have_cmd pw-play || have_cmd pw-record || have_cmd wpctl || have_cmd pw-cli; then
+      echo "pipewire"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if have_cmd pulseaudio; then
+    if have_cmd paplay || have_cmd parecord || have_cmd pactl; then
+      echo "pulseaudio"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  echo ""
+  return 1
+}
+
+# Return success only when the given systemd unit actually exists on this target.
+audio_systemd_unit_exists() {
+  unit_name="$1"
+
+  if ! command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if systemctl list-unit-files "$unit_name" --no-legend 2>/dev/null | awk 'NF { found=1 } END { exit !found }'; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
+# Return success only when the requested backend is genuinely managed by systemd here.
+# This avoids assuming that "systemctl exists" means "pipewire/pulseaudio service exists".
+audio_backend_is_systemd_managed() {
+  backend_name="$1"
+
+  case "$backend_name" in
+    pipewire)
+      if audio_systemd_unit_exists "pipewire.service" \
+        || audio_systemd_unit_exists "pipewire.socket" \
+        || audio_systemd_unit_exists "pipewire-pulse.service" \
+        || audio_systemd_unit_exists "pipewire-pulse.socket"; then
+        return 0
+      fi
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    pulseaudio)
+      if audio_systemd_unit_exists "pulseaudio.service" \
+        || audio_systemd_unit_exists "pulseaudio.socket"; then
+        return 0
+      fi
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    *)
+      return 1
+      ;;
+  esac
+}
+
+# Decide whether manual bootstrap is allowed, then start the best available backend.
+# In auto mode, bootstrap is allowed when:
+# 1) there is no normal systemd userspace, or
+# 2) the chosen backend is not systemd-managed on this target.
+audio_bootstrap_backend_if_needed() {
+  start_allowed=0
+  requested_backend="${AUDIO_BACKEND:-}"
+  chosen_backend=""
+  backend_probe=""
+
+  case "${AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE:-auto}" in
+    true|1|yes)
+      start_allowed=1
+      ;;
+    auto)
+      backend_probe="$requested_backend"
+      if [ -z "$backend_probe" ]; then
+        backend_probe="$(audio_choose_bootstrap_backend 2>/dev/null || echo "")"
+      fi
+
+      if [ -n "$backend_probe" ]; then
+        if ! audio_should_use_service_recovery "$backend_probe"; then
+          start_allowed=1
+        fi
+      fi
+      ;;
+    false|0|no)
+      start_allowed=0
+      ;;
+    *)
+      log_warn "Unknown AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE='${AUDIO_BOOTSTRAP_MODE:-}', treating as auto"
+      backend_probe="$requested_backend"
+      if [ -z "$backend_probe" ]; then
+        backend_probe="$(audio_choose_bootstrap_backend 2>/dev/null || echo "")"
+      fi
+      if [ -n "$backend_probe" ]; then
+        if ! audio_should_use_service_recovery "$backend_probe"; then
+          start_allowed=1
+        fi
+      fi
+      ;;
+  esac
+
+  if [ "$start_allowed" -ne 1 ]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  chosen_backend="$(audio_choose_bootstrap_backend)"
+  if [ -z "$chosen_backend" ]; then
+    log_warn "No backend binaries available for manual bootstrap"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  log_info "Attempting manual audio backend bootstrap: $chosen_backend"
+
+  if [ "$chosen_backend" = "pipewire" ]; then
+    if audio_manual_start_pipewire; then
+      AUDIO_BACKEND="pipewire"
+      export AUDIO_BACKEND
+      return 0
+    fi
+
+    if [ -z "$requested_backend" ]; then
+      if have_cmd pulseaudio && have_cmd paplay; then
+        log_warn "PipeWire bootstrap failed, trying PulseAudio fallback"
+        if audio_manual_start_pulseaudio; then
+          AUDIO_BACKEND="pulseaudio"
+          export AUDIO_BACKEND
+          return 0
+        fi
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [ "$chosen_backend" = "pulseaudio" ]; then
+    if audio_manual_start_pulseaudio; then
+      AUDIO_BACKEND="pulseaudio"
+      export AUDIO_BACKEND
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
+audio_backend_has_service_unit() {
+  case "$1" in
+    pipewire)
+      if audio_systemd_unit_exists "pipewire.service"; then
+        return 0
+      fi
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    pulseaudio)
+      if audio_systemd_unit_exists "pulseaudio.service"; then
+        return 0
+      fi
+      if audio_systemd_unit_exists "pulseaudio.socket"; then
+        return 0
+      fi
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    *)
+      return 1
+      ;;
+  esac
+}
+
+audio_should_use_service_recovery() {
+  backend_name="$1"
+
+  if [ ! -d /run/systemd/system ]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if ! command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  if audio_backend_has_service_unit "$backend_name"; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
+audio_playback_alsa_prepare() {
+  ap_ucm_card=""
+
+  if [ "${SINK_CHOICE:-speakers}" = "null" ]; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  if command -v alsaucm >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ap_ucm_card="$(alsaucm listcards 2>/dev/null | awk 'NR==2 {sub(/^[[:space:]]+/, "", $0); print; exit}')"
+    if [ -n "$ap_ucm_card" ]; then
+      alsaucm -n -b - <<EOF >/dev/null 2>&1
+open $ap_ucm_card
+reset
+set _verb HiFi
+set _enadev Speaker
+EOF
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if command -v amixer >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    if amixer -c 0 scontrols 2>/dev/null | grep -F "PRIMARY_MI2S_RX Audio Mixer MultiMedia1" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      amixer -c 0 cset name='PRIMARY_MI2S_RX Audio Mixer MultiMedia1' 1 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    fi
+    if amixer -c 0 scontrols 2>/dev/null | grep -F "stream0.vol_ctrl0 MultiMedia1 Playback Volu" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      amixer -c 0 cset name='stream0.vol_ctrl0 MultiMedia1 Playback Volu' 65535 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  return 0
+}
+
+audio_playback_pick_alsa_sink() {
+  ap_dev=""
+
+  if [ "${SINK_CHOICE:-speakers}" = "null" ]; then
+    echo "null"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  if command -v aplay >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ap_dev="$(aplay -L 2>/dev/null | awk '/^default:CARD=/{print $1; exit}')"
+    if [ -n "$ap_dev" ]; then
+      echo "$ap_dev"
+      return 0
+    fi
+
+    ap_dev="$(aplay -L 2>/dev/null | awk '/^sysdefault:CARD=/{print $1; exit}')"
+    if [ -n "$ap_dev" ]; then
+      echo "$ap_dev"
+      return 0
+    fi
+
+    ap_dev="$(aplay -l 2>/dev/null | sed -n 's/^card[[:space:]]*\([0-9][0-9]*\):.*device[[:space:]]*\([0-9][0-9]*\):.*/plughw:\1,\2/p' | head -n 1)"
+    if [ -n "$ap_dev" ]; then
+      echo "$ap_dev"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  echo ""
+  return 1
+}
+
+audio_playback_alsa_probe() {
+  ap_probe_dev="$(audio_playback_pick_alsa_sink)"
+  if [ -z "$ap_probe_dev" ]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  audio_playback_alsa_prepare >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+  if audio_exec_with_timeout 5s aplay -D "$ap_probe_dev" -t raw -f S16_LE -r 48000 -c 2 -d 1 /dev/zero >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    AUDIO_ALSA_PLAYBACK_DEVICE="$ap_probe_dev"
+    export AUDIO_ALSA_PLAYBACK_DEVICE
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
+audio_record_alsa_prepare_capture() {
+  ar_ucm_card=""
+
+  if command -v alsaucm >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ar_ucm_card="$(alsaucm listcards 2>/dev/null | awk 'NR==2 {sub(/^[[:space:]]+/, "", $0); print; exit}')"
+    if [ -n "$ar_ucm_card" ]; then
+      alsaucm -n -b - <<EOF >/dev/null 2>&1
+open $ar_ucm_card
+reset
+set _verb HiFi
+set _enadev Mic
+EOF
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if command -v amixer >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    if amixer -c 0 scontrols 2>/dev/null | grep -F "MultiMedia2 Mixer TERTIARY_MI2S_TX" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      amixer -c 0 cset name='MultiMedia2 Mixer TERTIARY_MI2S_TX' 1 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  return 0
+}
+
+audio_record_pick_alsa_capture() {
+  ar_dev=""
+
+  if command -v arecord >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ar_dev="$(arecord -l 2>/dev/null | sed -n 's/^card[[:space:]]*\([0-9][0-9]*\):.*device[[:space:]]*\([0-9][0-9]*\):.*/hw:\1,\2/p' | head -n 1)"
+    if [ -n "$ar_dev" ]; then
+      echo "$ar_dev"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  ar_dev="$(sed -n 's/^\([0-9][0-9]*\)-\([0-9][0-9]*\):.*capture.*/hw:\1,\2/p' /proc/asound/pcm 2>/dev/null | head -n 1)"
+  if [ -n "$ar_dev" ]; then
+    echo "$ar_dev"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  echo ""
+  return 1
+}
+
+audio_record_alsa_capture_probe() {
+  ar_probe_dev="$(audio_record_pick_alsa_capture)"
+  if [ -z "$ar_probe_dev" ]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  audio_record_alsa_prepare_capture >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+  ar_probe_out="$(mktemp /tmp/audio_record_probe.XXXXXX.wav 2>/dev/null || echo /tmp/audio_record_probe.$$)"
+  rm -f "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+  for ar_probe_combo in "S16_LE 16000 1" "S16_LE 48000 1" "S16_LE 48000 2"; do
+    ar_fmt="$(printf '%s\n' "$ar_probe_combo" | awk '{print $1}')"
+    ar_rate="$(printf '%s\n' "$ar_probe_combo" | awk '{print $2}')"
+    ar_ch="$(printf '%s\n' "$ar_probe_combo" | awk '{print $3}')"
+
+    if audio_exec_with_timeout 5s arecord -D "$ar_probe_dev" -f "$ar_fmt" -r "$ar_rate" -c "$ar_ch" -d 1 "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      if [ -s "$ar_probe_out" ]; then
+        AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE="$ar_probe_dev"
+        export AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE
+        rm -f "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+        return 0
+      fi
+    fi
+    rm -f "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+    case "$ar_probe_dev" in
+      hw:*)
+        ar_alt_dev="plughw:${ar_probe_dev#hw:}"
+        if audio_exec_with_timeout 5s arecord -D "$ar_alt_dev" -f "$ar_fmt" -r "$ar_rate" -c "$ar_ch" -d 1 "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+          if [ -s "$ar_probe_out" ]; then
+            AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE="$ar_alt_dev"
+            export AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE
+            rm -f "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+            return 0
+          fi
+        fi
+        rm -f "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+        ;;
+    esac
+  done
+
+  rm -f "$ar_probe_out" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  return 1
+}
+
+audio_probe_alsa_capture_profile() {
+  # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+  AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE=""
+  # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+  AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_FORMAT=""
+  # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+  AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_RATE=""
+  # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+  AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_CHANNELS=""
+  # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+  AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON=""
+
+  if ! command -v arecord >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+    AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON="arecord not available"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  probe_tmp=""
+  if command -v mktemp >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    probe_tmp="$(mktemp /tmp/audio_record_probe.XXXXXX.wav 2>/dev/null || true)"
+  fi
+  if [ -z "$probe_tmp" ]; then
+    probe_tmp="/tmp/audio_record_probe.$$.$(date +%s 2>/dev/null || echo 0).wav"
+  fi
+
+  probe_cleanup() {
+    if [ -n "$probe_tmp" ] && [ -f "$probe_tmp" ]; then
+      rm -f "$probe_tmp" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    fi
+  }
+
+  probe_devices=""
+  cand="$(alsa_pick_capture 2>/dev/null || true)"
+  if [ -n "$cand" ]; then
+    probe_devices="$cand"
+    case "$cand" in
+      hw:*)
+        probe_devices="$probe_devices plughw:${cand#hw:}"
+        ;;
+      plughw:*)
+        probe_devices="$probe_devices hw:${cand#plughw:}"
+        ;;
+    esac
+  fi
+
+  extra_devices="$(sed -n 's/^\([0-9][0-9]*\)-\([0-9][0-9]*\):.*capture.*/hw:\1,\2/p' /proc/asound/pcm 2>/dev/null)"
+  if [ -n "$extra_devices" ]; then
+    for dev in $extra_devices; do
+      seen=0
+      for existing in $probe_devices; do
+        if [ "$existing" = "$dev" ]; then
+          seen=1
+          break
+        fi
+      done
+      if [ "$seen" -eq 0 ]; then
+        probe_devices="$probe_devices $dev"
+        case "$dev" in
+          hw:*)
+            probe_devices="$probe_devices plughw:${dev#hw:}"
+            ;;
+        esac
+      fi
+    done
+  fi
+
+  if [ -z "$probe_devices" ]; then
+    # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+    AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON="no ALSA capture device candidates found"
+    probe_cleanup
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  for dev in $probe_devices; do
+    for combo in \
+      "S16_LE 48000 1" \
+      "S16_LE 16000 1" \
+      "S16_LE 48000 2" \
+      "S16_LE 16000 2" \
+      "S24_LE 48000 2"
+    do
+      fmt="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $1}')"
+      rate="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $2}')"
+      ch="$(printf '%s\n' "$combo" | awk '{print $3}')"
+
+      : > "$probe_tmp"
+
+      if audio_exec_with_timeout 5s \
+        arecord -q -D "$dev" -f "$fmt" -r "$rate" -c "$ch" -d 1 "$probe_tmp" >/dev/null 2>&1
+      then
+        bytes="$(file_size_bytes "$probe_tmp" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)"
+        if [ "${bytes:-0}" -gt 44 ] 2>/dev/null; then
+          # Used later by sourced run.sh
+          # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+          AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_DEVICE="$dev"
+          # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+          AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_FORMAT="$fmt"
+          # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+          AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_RATE="$rate"
+          # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+          AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_CHANNELS="$ch"
+          # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+          AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON=""
+          probe_cleanup
+          return 0
+        fi
+      fi
+    done
+  done
+
+  # Used later by sourced run.sh
+  # shellcheck disable=SC2034
+  AUDIO_ALSA_CAPTURE_REASON="no ALSA capture profile could be opened"
+  probe_cleanup
+  return 1
+}