diff --git a/.devcontainer/Dockerfile b/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
index d09c8a60..1340da91 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
+++ b/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
@@ -2,12 +2,7 @@
 
 # [Choice] Python version: 3, 3.9, 3.8, 3.7, 3.6
 ARG VARIANT="3"
-FROM mcr.microsoft.com/vscode/devcontainers/python:0-${VARIANT}
-
-# [Option] Install Node.js
-ARG INSTALL_NODE="true"
-ARG NODE_VERSION="lts/*"
-RUN if [ "${INSTALL_NODE}" = "true" ]; then su vscode -c "source /usr/local/share/nvm/nvm.sh && nvm install ${NODE_VERSION} 2>&1"; fi
+FROM mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/python:0-${VARIANT}
 
 # [Optional] If your pip requirements rarely change, uncomment this section to add them to the image.
 # COPY requirements.txt /tmp/pip-tmp/
diff --git a/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
index 2a8e4712..241acd79 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
+++ b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@
 		"context": "..",
 		"args": { 
 			// Update 'VARIANT' to pick a Python version: 3, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9
-			"VARIANT": "3",
-			// Options
-			"INSTALL_NODE": "true",
-			"NODE_VERSION": "lts/*"
+			"VARIANT": "3"
 		}
 	},
 
@@ -54,7 +51,7 @@
 	// "forwardPorts": [],
 
 	// Use 'postCreateCommand' to run commands after the container is created.
-	"postCreateCommand": "npm install",
+	"postCreateCommand": "bash -i -c 'nvm install && npm ci'",
 
 	// Comment out connect as root instead. More info: https://aka.ms/vscode-remote/containers/non-root.
 	"remoteUser": "vscode"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index e5fdfc5a..2bac314f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Node.js
       uses: actions/setup-node@v4
       with:
+        node-version-file: '.nvmrc'
         cache: 'npm'
     - run: npm ci
     - name: Cache PlatformIO
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Use Node.js
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
         with:
-          node-version: '20.x'
+          node-version-file: '.nvmrc'
           cache: 'npm'
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
diff --git a/.nvmrc b/.nvmrc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..10fef252
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.nvmrc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+20.18
diff --git a/platformio_override.sample.ini b/platformio_override.sample.ini
index 86d7080b..308130d8 100644
--- a/platformio_override.sample.ini
+++ b/platformio_override.sample.ini
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ build_flags = ${common.build_flags} ${esp32.build_flags} -D WLED_DISABLE_BROWNOU
 monitor_filters = esp32_exception_decoder
 lib_deps =
   ${esp32.lib_deps}
-    TFT_eSPI @ 2.5.33  ;; this is the last version that compiles with the WLED default framework - newer versions require platform = espressif32 @ ^6.3.2
+  TFT_eSPI @ 2.5.33  ;; this is the last version that compiles with the WLED default framework - newer versions require platform = espressif32 @ ^6.3.2
 
 
 [env:esp32dev_hub75]
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ platform = ${esp32_idf_V4.platform}
 platform_packages = ${esp32_idf_V4.platform_packages}
 build_unflags = ${common.build_unflags}
 build_flags = ${common.build_flags}
-  -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=ESP32_hub75
+  -D WLED_RELEASE_NAME=\"ESP32_hub75\"
   -D WLED_ENABLE_HUB75MATRIX -D NO_GFX -D NO_CIE1931
   ; -D ESP32_FORUM_PINOUT ;; enable for SmartMatrix default pins
   ; -D WLED_DEBUG
diff --git a/wled00/FX.cpp b/wled00/FX.cpp
index 5e43430a..7bf05458 100644
--- a/wled00/FX.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX.cpp
@@ -2032,7 +2032,7 @@ uint16_t mode_palette() {
       const mathType sourceX = xtSinTheta + ytCosTheta + centerX;
       // The computation was scaled just right so that the result should always be in range [0, maxXOut], but enforce this anyway
       // to account for imprecision. Then scale it so that the range is [0, 255], which we can use with the palette.
-      int colorIndex = (std::min(std::max(sourceX, mathType(0)), maxXOut * sInt16Scale) * 255) / (sInt16Scale * maxXOut);
+      int colorIndex = (std::min(std::max(sourceX, mathType(0)), maxXOut * sInt16Scale) * wideMathType(255)) / (sInt16Scale * maxXOut);
       // inputSize determines by how much we want to scale the palette:
       // values < 128 display a fraction of a palette,
       // values > 128 display multiple palettes.
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
index 7956df13..8cb19796 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.cpp
@@ -1011,7 +1011,7 @@ BusHub75Matrix::BusHub75Matrix(BusConfig &bc) : Bus(bc.type, bc.start, bc.autoWh
   }
 }
 
-void __attribute__((hot)) BusHub75Matrix::setPixelColor(uint16_t pix, uint32_t c) {
+void __attribute__((hot)) BusHub75Matrix::setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) {
   if (!_valid || pix >= _len) return;
   // if (_cct >= 1900) c = colorBalanceFromKelvin(_cct, c); //color correction from CCT
 
@@ -1045,7 +1045,7 @@ void __attribute__((hot)) BusHub75Matrix::setPixelColor(uint16_t pix, uint32_t c
   }
 }
 
-uint32_t BusHub75Matrix::getPixelColor(uint16_t pix) const {
+uint32_t BusHub75Matrix::getPixelColor(unsigned pix) const {
   if (!_valid || pix >= _len) return IS_BLACK;
   if (_ledBuffer)
     return uint32_t(_ledBuffer[pix].scale8(_bri)) & 0x00FFFFFF;  // scale8() is needed to mimic NeoPixelBus, which returns scaled-down colours
diff --git a/wled00/bus_manager.h b/wled00/bus_manager.h
index 55aae2f7..ba93f0ff 100644
--- a/wled00/bus_manager.h
+++ b/wled00/bus_manager.h
@@ -328,8 +328,8 @@ class BusNetwork : public Bus {
 class BusHub75Matrix : public Bus {
   public:
     BusHub75Matrix(BusConfig &bc);
-    void setPixelColor(uint16_t pix, uint32_t c) override;
-    uint32_t getPixelColor(uint16_t pix) const override;
+    void setPixelColor(unsigned pix, uint32_t c) override;
+    uint32_t getPixelColor(unsigned pix) const override;
     void show() override;
     void setBrightness(uint8_t b) override;
     uint8_t getPins(uint8_t* pinArray) const override;
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ class BusHub75Matrix : public Bus {
 
   private:
     MatrixPanel_I2S_DMA *display = nullptr;
-    VirtualMatrixPanel  *fourScanPanel = nullptr;
+    VirtualMatrixPanel  *virtualDisp = nullptr;
     HUB75_I2S_CFG mxconfig;
     unsigned _panelWidth = 0;
     CRGB *_ledBuffer = nullptr;
diff --git a/wled00/button.cpp b/wled00/button.cpp
index 4d6f954f..6f9c8456 100644
--- a/wled00/button.cpp
+++ b/wled00/button.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ void shortPressAction(uint8_t b)
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   // publish MQTT message
   if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
-    char subuf[64];
+    char subuf[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 32];
     sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
     mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, "short");
   }
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ void longPressAction(uint8_t b)
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   // publish MQTT message
   if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
-    char subuf[64];
+    char subuf[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 32];
     sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
     mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, "long");
   }
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ void doublePressAction(uint8_t b)
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   // publish MQTT message
   if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
-    char subuf[64];
+    char subuf[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 32];
     sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
     mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, "double");
   }
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ void handleSwitch(uint8_t b)
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
     // publish MQTT message
     if (buttonPublishMqtt && WLED_MQTT_CONNECTED) {
-      char subuf[64];
+      char subuf[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 32];
       if (buttonType[b] == BTN_TYPE_PIR_SENSOR) sprintf_P(subuf, PSTR("%s/motion/%d"), mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
       else sprintf_P(subuf, _mqtt_topic_button, mqttDeviceTopic, (int)b);
       mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, false, !buttonPressedBefore[b] ? "off" : "on");
diff --git a/wled00/fcn_declare.h b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
index bc5206b7..cb21e8c2 100644
--- a/wled00/fcn_declare.h
+++ b/wled00/fcn_declare.h
@@ -417,36 +417,33 @@ class Usermod {
 #endif
 };
 
-class UsermodManager {
-  private:
-    static Usermod* ums[WLED_MAX_USERMODS];
-    static byte numMods;
+namespace UsermodManager {
+  extern byte numMods;
 
-  public:
-    static void loop();
-    static void handleOverlayDraw();
-    static bool handleButton(uint8_t b);
-    static bool getUMData(um_data_t **um_data, uint8_t mod_id = USERMOD_ID_RESERVED); // USERMOD_ID_RESERVED will poll all usermods
-    static void setup();
-    static void connected();
-    static void appendConfigData(Print&);
-    static void addToJsonState(JsonObject& obj);
-    static void addToJsonInfo(JsonObject& obj);
-    static void readFromJsonState(JsonObject& obj);
-    static void addToConfig(JsonObject& obj);
-    static bool readFromConfig(JsonObject& obj);
+  void loop();
+  void handleOverlayDraw();
+  bool handleButton(uint8_t b);
+  bool getUMData(um_data_t **um_data, uint8_t mod_id = USERMOD_ID_RESERVED); // USERMOD_ID_RESERVED will poll all usermods
+  void setup();
+  void connected();
+  void appendConfigData(Print&);
+  void addToJsonState(JsonObject& obj);
+  void addToJsonInfo(JsonObject& obj);
+  void readFromJsonState(JsonObject& obj);
+  void addToConfig(JsonObject& obj);
+  bool readFromConfig(JsonObject& obj);
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
-    static void onMqttConnect(bool sessionPresent);
-    static bool onMqttMessage(char* topic, char* payload);
+  void onMqttConnect(bool sessionPresent);
+  bool onMqttMessage(char* topic, char* payload);
 #endif
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_ESPNOW
-    static bool onEspNowMessage(uint8_t* sender, uint8_t* payload, uint8_t len);
+  bool onEspNowMessage(uint8_t* sender, uint8_t* payload, uint8_t len);
 #endif
-    static void onUpdateBegin(bool);
-    static void onStateChange(uint8_t);
-    static bool add(Usermod* um);
-    static Usermod* lookup(uint16_t mod_id);
-    static inline byte getModCount() {return numMods;};
+  void onUpdateBegin(bool);
+  void onStateChange(uint8_t);
+  bool add(Usermod* um);
+  Usermod* lookup(uint16_t mod_id);
+  inline byte getModCount() {return numMods;};
 };
 
 //usermods_list.cpp
diff --git a/wled00/mqtt.cpp b/wled00/mqtt.cpp
index a476db87..38afeffe 100644
--- a/wled00/mqtt.cpp
+++ b/wled00/mqtt.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 #ifndef WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
 #define MQTT_KEEP_ALIVE_TIME 60    // contact the MQTT broker every 60 seconds
 
+#if MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN > 32
+#warning "MQTT topics length > 32 is not recommended for compatibility with usermods!"
+#endif
+
 static void parseMQTTBriPayload(char* payload)
 {
   if      (strstr(payload, "ON") || strstr(payload, "on") || strstr(payload, "true")) {bri = briLast; stateUpdated(CALL_MODE_DIRECT_CHANGE);}
@@ -23,24 +27,24 @@ static void parseMQTTBriPayload(char* payload)
 static void onMqttConnect(bool sessionPresent)
 {
   //(re)subscribe to required topics
-  char subuf[38];
+  char subuf[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 6];
 
   if (mqttDeviceTopic[0] != 0) {
-    strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, 33);
+    strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
     mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
     strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/col"));
     mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
-    strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, 33);
+    strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
     strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/api"));
     mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
   }
 
   if (mqttGroupTopic[0] != 0) {
-    strlcpy(subuf, mqttGroupTopic, 33);
+    strlcpy(subuf, mqttGroupTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
     mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
     strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/col"));
     mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
-    strlcpy(subuf, mqttGroupTopic, 33);
+    strlcpy(subuf, mqttGroupTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
     strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/api"));
     mqtt->subscribe(subuf, 0);
   }
@@ -158,19 +162,19 @@ void publishMqtt()
 
   #ifndef USERMOD_SMARTNEST
   char s[10];
-  char subuf[48];
+  char subuf[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 16];
 
   sprintf_P(s, PSTR("%u"), bri);
-  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, 33);
+  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
   strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/g"));
   mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, retainMqttMsg, s);         // optionally retain message (#2263)
 
   sprintf_P(s, PSTR("#%06X"), (col[3] << 24) | (col[0] << 16) | (col[1] << 8) | (col[2]));
-  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, 33);
+  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
   strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/c"));
   mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, retainMqttMsg, s);         // optionally retain message (#2263)
 
-  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, 33);
+  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
   strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/status"));
   mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, true, "online");          // retain message for a LWT
 
@@ -178,7 +182,7 @@ void publishMqtt()
   DynamicBuffer buf(1024);
   bufferPrint pbuf(buf.data(), buf.size());
   XML_response(pbuf);
-  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, 33);
+  strlcpy(subuf, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
   strcat_P(subuf, PSTR("/v"));
   mqtt->publish(subuf, 0, retainMqttMsg, buf.data(), pbuf.size());   // optionally retain message (#2263)
   #endif
@@ -211,7 +215,7 @@ bool initMqtt()
   if (mqttUser[0] && mqttPass[0]) mqtt->setCredentials(mqttUser, mqttPass);
 
   #ifndef USERMOD_SMARTNEST
-  strlcpy(mqttStatusTopic, mqttDeviceTopic, 33);
+  strlcpy(mqttStatusTopic, mqttDeviceTopic, MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1);
   strcat_P(mqttStatusTopic, PSTR("/status"));
   mqtt->setWill(mqttStatusTopic, 0, true, "offline"); // LWT message
   #endif
diff --git a/wled00/pin_manager.cpp b/wled00/pin_manager.cpp
index ab38eb8b..2f96bb4a 100644
--- a/wled00/pin_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/pin_manager.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,16 @@
   #endif
 #endif
 
+// Pin management state variables
+#ifdef ESP8266
+static uint32_t pinAlloc = 0UL;     // 1 bit per pin, we use first 17bits
+#else
+static uint64_t pinAlloc = 0ULL;     // 1 bit per pin, we use 50 bits on ESP32-S3
+static uint16_t ledcAlloc = 0;    // up to 16 LEDC channels (WLED_MAX_ANALOG_CHANNELS)
+#endif
+static uint8_t i2cAllocCount = 0; // allow multiple allocation of I2C bus pins but keep track of allocations
+static uint8_t spiAllocCount = 0; // allow multiple allocation of SPI bus pins but keep track of allocations
+static PinOwner ownerTag[WLED_NUM_PINS] = { PinOwner::None };
 
 /// Actual allocation/deallocation routines
 bool PinManager::deallocatePin(byte gpio, PinOwner tag)
@@ -296,13 +306,3 @@ void PinManager::deallocateLedc(byte pos, byte channels)
   }
 }
 #endif
-
-#ifdef ESP8266
-uint32_t PinManager::pinAlloc = 0UL;
-#else
-uint64_t PinManager::pinAlloc = 0ULL;
-uint16_t PinManager::ledcAlloc = 0;
-#endif
-uint8_t PinManager::i2cAllocCount = 0;
-uint8_t PinManager::spiAllocCount = 0;
-PinOwner PinManager::ownerTag[WLED_NUM_PINS] = { PinOwner::None };
diff --git a/wled00/pin_manager.h b/wled00/pin_manager.h
index d87f409f..b4bde123 100644
--- a/wled00/pin_manager.h
+++ b/wled00/pin_manager.h
@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@
 #endif
 #include "const.h" // for USERMOD_* values
 
+#ifdef ESP8266
+#define WLED_NUM_PINS (GPIO_PIN_COUNT+1) // somehow they forgot GPIO 16 (0-16==17)
+#else
+#define WLED_NUM_PINS (GPIO_PIN_COUNT)
+#endif
+
 typedef struct PinManagerPinType {
   int8_t pin;
   bool   isOutput;
@@ -71,55 +77,46 @@ enum struct PinOwner : uint8_t {
 };
 static_assert(0u == static_cast<uint8_t>(PinOwner::None), "PinOwner::None must be zero, so default array initialization works as expected");
 
-class PinManager {
-  private:
-    #ifdef ESP8266
-    #define WLED_NUM_PINS (GPIO_PIN_COUNT+1) // somehow they forgot GPIO 16 (0-16==17)
-    static uint32_t pinAlloc;     // 1 bit per pin, we use first 17bits
-    #else
-    #define WLED_NUM_PINS (GPIO_PIN_COUNT)
-    static uint64_t pinAlloc;     // 1 bit per pin, we use 50 bits on ESP32-S3
-    static uint16_t ledcAlloc;    // up to 16 LEDC channels (WLED_MAX_ANALOG_CHANNELS)
-    #endif
-    static uint8_t i2cAllocCount; // allow multiple allocation of I2C bus pins but keep track of allocations
-    static uint8_t spiAllocCount; // allow multiple allocation of SPI bus pins but keep track of allocations
-    static PinOwner ownerTag[WLED_NUM_PINS];
+namespace PinManager {
+  // De-allocates a single pin
+  bool deallocatePin(byte gpio, PinOwner tag);
+  // De-allocates multiple pins but only if all can be deallocated (PinOwner has to be specified)
+  bool deallocateMultiplePins(const uint8_t *pinArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag);
+  bool deallocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type *pinArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag);
+  // Allocates a single pin, with an owner tag.
+  // De-allocation requires the same owner tag (or override)
+  bool allocatePin(byte gpio, bool output, PinOwner tag);
+  // Allocates all the pins, or allocates none of the pins, with owner tag.
+  // Provided to simplify error condition handling in clients
+  // using more than one pin, such as I2C, SPI, rotary encoders,
+  // ethernet, etc..
+  bool allocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type * mptArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag );
+
+  [[deprecated("Replaced by three-parameter allocatePin(gpio, output, ownerTag), for improved debugging")]]
+  inline bool allocatePin(byte gpio, bool output = true) { return allocatePin(gpio, output, PinOwner::None); }
+  [[deprecated("Replaced by two-parameter deallocatePin(gpio, ownerTag), for improved debugging")]]
+  inline void deallocatePin(byte gpio) { deallocatePin(gpio, PinOwner::None); }
 
-  public:
-    // De-allocates a single pin
-    static bool deallocatePin(byte gpio, PinOwner tag);
     // De-allocates multiple pins but only if all can be deallocated (PinOwner has to be specified)
-    static bool deallocateMultiplePins(const uint8_t *pinArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag);
-    static bool deallocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type *pinArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag);
-    // Allocates a single pin, with an owner tag.
-    // De-allocation requires the same owner tag (or override)
-    static bool allocatePin(byte gpio, bool output, PinOwner tag);
-    // Allocates all the pins, or allocates none of the pins, with owner tag.
-    // Provided to simplify error condition handling in clients
-    // using more than one pin, such as I2C, SPI, rotary encoders,
-    // ethernet, etc..
-    static bool allocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type * mptArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag );
-    static bool allocateMultiplePins(const int8_t * mptArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag, boolean output);
+   bool deallocateMultiplePins(const uint8_t *pinArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag);
+   bool deallocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type *pinArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag);
+  
+   bool allocateMultiplePins(const managed_pin_type * mptArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag );
+   bool allocateMultiplePins(const int8_t * mptArray, byte arrayElementCount, PinOwner tag, boolean output);
 
+  // will return true for reserved pins
+  bool isPinAllocated(byte gpio, PinOwner tag = PinOwner::None);
+  // will return false for reserved pins
+  bool isPinOk(byte gpio, bool output = true);
+  
+  bool isReadOnlyPin(byte gpio);
 
-    [[deprecated("Replaced by three-parameter allocatePin(gpio, output, ownerTag), for improved debugging")]]
-    static inline bool allocatePin(byte gpio, bool output = true) { return allocatePin(gpio, output, PinOwner::None); }
-    [[deprecated("Replaced by two-parameter deallocatePin(gpio, ownerTag), for improved debugging")]]
-    static inline void deallocatePin(byte gpio) { deallocatePin(gpio, PinOwner::None); }
+  PinOwner getPinOwner(byte gpio);
 
-    // will return true for reserved pins
-    static bool isPinAllocated(byte gpio, PinOwner tag = PinOwner::None);
-    // will return false for reserved pins
-    static bool isPinOk(byte gpio, bool output = true);
-    
-    static bool isReadOnlyPin(byte gpio);
-
-    static PinOwner getPinOwner(byte gpio);
-
-    #ifdef ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32
-    static byte allocateLedc(byte channels);
-    static void deallocateLedc(byte pos, byte channels);
-    #endif
+  #ifdef ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32
+  byte allocateLedc(byte channels);
+  void deallocateLedc(byte pos, byte channels);
+  #endif
 };
 
 //extern PinManager pinManager;
diff --git a/wled00/um_manager.cpp b/wled00/um_manager.cpp
index 46fdf5b3..1fdb6d68 100644
--- a/wled00/um_manager.cpp
+++ b/wled00/um_manager.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
  * Registration and management utility for v2 usermods
  */
 
+static Usermod* ums[WLED_MAX_USERMODS] = {nullptr};
+byte UsermodManager::numMods = 0;
+
 //Usermod Manager internals
 void UsermodManager::setup()             { for (unsigned i = 0; i < numMods; i++) ums[i]->setup(); }
 void UsermodManager::connected()         { for (unsigned i = 0; i < numMods; i++) ums[i]->connected(); }
@@ -69,8 +72,6 @@ bool UsermodManager::add(Usermod* um)
   return true;
 }
 
-Usermod* UsermodManager::ums[WLED_MAX_USERMODS] = {nullptr};
-byte UsermodManager::numMods = 0;
 
 /* Usermod v2 interface shim for oappend */
 Print* Usermod::oappend_shim = nullptr;
diff --git a/wled00/wled.h b/wled00/wled.h
index d0cee80d..ae93d954 100644
--- a/wled00/wled.h
+++ b/wled00/wled.h
@@ -482,10 +482,10 @@ WLED_GLOBAL unsigned long lastMqttReconnectAttempt _INIT(0);  // used for other
   #endif
 WLED_GLOBAL AsyncMqttClient *mqtt _INIT(NULL);
 WLED_GLOBAL bool mqttEnabled _INIT(false);
-WLED_GLOBAL char mqttStatusTopic[40] _INIT("");            // this must be global because of async handlers
-WLED_GLOBAL char mqttDeviceTopic[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN+1] _INIT("");         // main MQTT topic (individual per device, default is wled/mac)
-WLED_GLOBAL char mqttGroupTopic[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN+1]  _INIT("wled/all"); // second MQTT topic (for example to group devices)
-WLED_GLOBAL char mqttServer[MQTT_MAX_SERVER_LEN+1]     _INIT("");         // both domains and IPs should work (no SSL)
+WLED_GLOBAL char mqttStatusTopic[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 8] _INIT("");         // this must be global because of async handlers
+WLED_GLOBAL char mqttDeviceTopic[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1] _INIT("");         // main MQTT topic (individual per device, default is wled/mac)
+WLED_GLOBAL char mqttGroupTopic[MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN + 1]  _INIT("wled/all"); // second MQTT topic (for example to group devices)
+WLED_GLOBAL char mqttServer[MQTT_MAX_SERVER_LEN + 1]     _INIT("");         // both domains and IPs should work (no SSL)
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttUser[41] _INIT("");                   // optional: username for MQTT auth
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttPass[65] _INIT("");                   // optional: password for MQTT auth
 WLED_GLOBAL char mqttClientID[41] _INIT("");               // override the client ID
@@ -895,9 +895,6 @@ WLED_GLOBAL uint32_t ledMaps _INIT(0); // bitfield representation of available l
 WLED_GLOBAL uint16_t ledMaps _INIT(0); // bitfield representation of available ledmaps
 #endif
 
-// Usermod manager
-WLED_GLOBAL UsermodManager usermods _INIT(UsermodManager());
-
 // global I2C SDA pin (used for usermods)
 #ifndef I2CSDAPIN
 WLED_GLOBAL int8_t i2c_sda  _INIT(-1);
diff --git a/wled00/wled_eeprom.cpp b/wled00/wled_eeprom.cpp
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index 57d82f7e..c6738239
--- a/wled00/wled_eeprom.cpp
+++ b/wled00/wled_eeprom.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 #include <EEPROM.h>
 #include "wled.h"
 
+#if defined(WLED_ENABLE_MQTT) && MQTT_MAX_TOPIC_LEN < 32
+#error "MQTT topics length < 32 is not supported by the EEPROM module!"
+#endif
+
 /*
  * DEPRECATED, do not use for new settings
  * Only used to restore config from pre-0.11 installations using the deEEP() methods