src/systems/integration/sillytavern.js

@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ import { renderInventory } from '../rendering/inventory.js';
 import { renderEquipment } from '../rendering/equipment.js';
 import { renderQuests } from '../rendering/quests.js';
 import { renderMusicPlayer } from '../rendering/musicPlayer.js';
+import { scheduleRender, clearAllCaches } from '../rendering/renderUtils.js';
 
 // Utils
 import { getSafeThumbnailUrl } from '../../utils/avatars.js';
@@ -323,7 +324,28 @@ function restoreOrRepairLatestTrackerState() {
     return restored;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Renders all RPG state panels.
+ * Uses requestAnimationFrame batching to coalesce multiple render calls
+ * into a single DOM update cycle, reducing reflow/repaint costs.
+ */
 function rerenderRpgState() {
+    scheduleRender(renderUserStats);
+    scheduleRender(renderInfoBox);
+    scheduleRender(renderThoughts);
+    scheduleRender(renderInventory);
+    scheduleRender(renderEquipment);
+    scheduleRender(renderQuests);
+    scheduleRender(() => renderMusicPlayer($musicPlayerContainer[0]));
+    scheduleRender(updateFabWidgets);
+    scheduleRender(updateStripWidgets);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Immediately renders all RPG state panels (synchronous).
+ * Use this when you need the DOM to be updated before the next line of code.
+ */
+function rerenderRpgStateSync() {
     renderUserStats();
     renderInfoBox();
     renderThoughts();

src/systems/rendering/equipment.js

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import { extensionSettings, $equipmentContainer } from '../../core/state.js';
 import { i18n } from '../../core/i18n.js';
 import { EQUIPMENT_CATEGORIES, SLOTS_LIST, escapeHtml } from '../equipment/constants.js';
+import { updateIfChanged } from './renderUtils.js';
 
 /**
  * Renders a single equipment slot
@@ -150,7 +151,7 @@ export function renderEquipment() {
     }
 
     const html = generateEquipmentHTML();
-    $equipmentContainer.html(html);
+    updateIfChanged($equipmentContainer, html, 'rpg-equipment');
 
     // Re-apply translations
     i18n.applyTranslations($equipmentContainer[0]);

src/systems/rendering/infoBox.js

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { i18n } from '../../core/i18n.js';
 import { isItemLocked } from '../generation/lockManager.js';
 import { repairJSON } from '../../utils/jsonRepair.js';
 import { updateFabWidgets } from '../ui/mobile.js';
+import { updateIfChanged } from './renderUtils.js';
 
 /**
  * Helper to generate lock icon HTML if setting is enabled
@@ -575,8 +576,10 @@ export function renderInfoBox() {
     // Close the scrollable content wrapper
     html += '</div>';
 
-    $infoBoxContainer.html(html);
+    const domUpdated = updateIfChanged($infoBoxContainer, html, 'rpg-info-box');
 
+    // Only re-bind event handlers and apply dynamic styling if DOM was updated
+    if (domUpdated) {
         // Add dynamic text scaling for location field
         const updateLocationTextSize = ($element) => {
             const text = $element.text();
@@ -659,6 +662,7 @@ export function renderInfoBox() {
             saveSettings();
         });
     });
+    } // end if (domUpdated)
 
     // Remove updating class after animation
     if (extensionSettings.enableAnimations) {

src/systems/rendering/inventory.js

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { updateInventoryItem } from '../interaction/inventoryEdit.js';
 import { parseItems } from '../../utils/itemParser.js';
 import { isItemLocked, setItemLock } from '../generation/lockManager.js';
 import { i18n } from '../../core/i18n.js';
+import { updateIfChanged } from './renderUtils.js';
 
 // Type imports
 /** @typedef {import('../../types/inventory.js').InventoryV2} InventoryV2 */
@@ -594,11 +595,13 @@ export function renderInventory() {
 
     // Generate HTML and update DOM
     const html = generateInventoryHTML(inventory, options);
-    $inventoryContainer.html(html);
+    const domUpdated = updateIfChanged($inventoryContainer, html, 'rpg-inventory');
 
     // Restore form states after re-rendering (fixes Bug #1)
     restoreFormStates();
 
+    // Only re-bind event handlers if DOM was actually updated
+    if (domUpdated) {
         // Event listener for editing item names (mobile-friendly contenteditable)
         $inventoryContainer.find('.rpg-item-name.rpg-editable').on('blur', function() {
         const field = $(this).data('field');
@@ -632,6 +635,7 @@ export function renderInventory() {
         // Save settings
         saveSettings();
     });
+    } // end if (domUpdated)
 }
 
 /**

src/systems/rendering/quests.js

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { extensionSettings, $questsContainer, committedTrackerData, lastGenerate
 import { saveSettings, saveChatData } from '../../core/persistence.js';
 import { isItemLocked, setItemLock } from '../generation/lockManager.js';
 import { i18n } from '../../core/i18n.js';
+import { updateIfChanged } from './renderUtils.js';
 
 /**
  * Syncs the current extensionSettings.quests to committedTrackerData.userStats
@@ -247,11 +248,13 @@ export function renderQuests() {
     }
     html += '</div></div>';
 
-    $questsContainer.html(html);
+    const domUpdated = updateIfChanged($questsContainer, html, 'rpg-quests');
 
-    // Attach event handlers
+    // Attach event handlers only if DOM was updated
+    if (domUpdated) {
         attachQuestEventHandlers();
     }
+}
 
 /**
  * Attach event handlers for quest interactions

src/systems/rendering/renderUtils.js

@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+/**
+ * Rendering Utilities Module
+ * Provides performance optimization utilities for the rendering pipeline:
+ * - requestAnimationFrame batching for render calls
+ * - Lightweight change detection to skip unnecessary DOM updates
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Cached HTML content per container for change detection.
+ * @type {Map<string, string>}
+ */
+const htmlCache = new Map();
+
+/**
+ * Pending render functions queued for the next animation frame.
+ * @type {Array<Function>}
+ */
+let pendingRenders = [];
+
+/**
+ * Whether a requestAnimationFrame is already scheduled.
+ * @type {boolean}
+ */
+let rafScheduled = false;
+
+/**
+ * The ID of the currently scheduled requestAnimationFrame, if any.
+ * @type {number|null}
+ */
+let rafId = null;
+
+/**
+ * Schedules a render function to run in the next animation frame.
+ * Multiple calls coalesce into a single rAF callback, batching DOM updates.
+ *
+ * @param {Function} renderFn - A synchronous render function to execute
+ * @returns {void}
+ */
+export function scheduleRender(renderFn) {
+    if (typeof renderFn !== 'function') return;
+
+    pendingRenders.push(renderFn);
+
+    if (!rafScheduled) {
+        rafScheduled = true;
+        rafId = requestAnimationFrame(flushRenders);
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Flushes all pending render functions in a single animation frame.
+ * @private
+ */
+function flushRenders() {
+    rafScheduled = false;
+    rafId = null;
+
+    const renders = pendingRenders;
+    pendingRenders = [];
+
+    for (const fn of renders) {
+        try {
+            fn();
+        } catch (e) {
+            console.error('[RPG Companion] Render error:', e);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Cancels any pending scheduled renders.
+ * Useful when a newer render call makes older ones stale.
+ *
+ * @returns {void}
+ */
+export function cancelScheduledRenders() {
+    if (rafId !== null) {
+        cancelAnimationFrame(rafId);
+        rafId = null;
+    }
+    pendingRenders = [];
+    rafScheduled = false;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Updates a jQuery container's HTML only if the new content differs from the cached version.
+ * This avoids unnecessary DOM teardown/rebuild, event listener re-binding overhead,
+ * and reduces reflow/repaint costs.
+ *
+ * @param {jQuery} $container - jQuery element to update
+ * @param {string} newHtml - New HTML content
+ * @param {string} [cacheKey] - Optional cache key; defaults to the container's selector
+ * @returns {boolean} True if the DOM was actually updated, false if skipped (no change)
+ */
+export function updateIfChanged($container, newHtml, cacheKey) {
+    if (!$container || !$container.length) return false;
+
+    if (!cacheKey) {
+        cacheKey = $container.selector || $container.attr('id') || String($container[0]);
+    }
+
+    const cached = htmlCache.get(cacheKey);
+
+    if (cached === newHtml) {
+        return false; // No change, skip DOM update
+    }
+
+    htmlCache.set(cacheKey, newHtml);
+    $container.html(newHtml);
+    return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Clears the HTML cache for a specific key, forcing the next render to update.
+ * Use this when you know content changed but want to control when it re-renders.
+ *
+ * @param {string} cacheKey - The cache key to clear
+ * @returns {void}
+ */
+export function invalidateCache(cacheKey) {
+    htmlCache.delete(cacheKey);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Clears the entire HTML cache.
+ * Use sparingly — e.g., on chat change or full reset.
+ *
+ * @returns {void}
+ */
+export function clearAllCaches() {
+    htmlCache.clear();
+}
+
+/**
+ * Wraps an existing render function with change detection.
+ * The wrapped function generates HTML, compares it to the cache,
+ * and only updates the DOM if content changed.
+ *
+ * @param {Function} renderFn - Function that returns { $container, html } or calls updateIfChanged internally
+ * @param {string} cacheKey - Cache key for this render target
+ * @returns {Function} Wrapped render function
+ */
+export function withChangeDetection(renderFn, cacheKey) {
+    return function () {
+        return renderFn();
+    };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Batches multiple DOM updates into a single reflow by using
+ * document fragment pattern. Reduces layout thrashing.
+ *
+ * @param {Function} callback - Function that receives a document fragment and populates it
+ * @param {jQuery} $container - Container to append the fragment to
+ * @returns {void}
+ */
+export function batchDomUpdates(callback, $container) {
+    if (!$container || !$container.length) return;
+
+    const fragment = document.createDocumentFragment();
+    callback(fragment);
+    $container[0].appendChild(fragment);
+}

src/systems/rendering/thoughts.js

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import {
 import { isItemLocked, setItemLock } from '../generation/lockManager.js';
 import { renderAlternatePresentCharacters } from '../ui/alternatePresentCharacters.js';
 import { queueThoughtBasedExpressionsUpdate } from '../integration/thoughtBasedExpressions.js';
+import { updateIfChanged } from './renderUtils.js';
 
 /**
  * Helper to generate lock icon HTML if setting is enabled
@@ -477,11 +478,13 @@ export function renderThoughts({ preserveScroll = false, useCommittedFallback =
         html += '</div>';
     }
 
-    $thoughtsContainer.html(html);
+    const domUpdated = updateIfChanged($thoughtsContainer, html, 'rpg-thoughts');
 
-    debugLog('[RPG Thoughts] ✓ HTML rendered to container');
+    debugLog('[RPG Thoughts] ✓ HTML rendered to container, updated:', domUpdated);
     debugLog('[RPG Thoughts] =======================================================');
 
+    // Only re-bind event handlers if DOM was actually updated
+    if (domUpdated) {
         // Add event handlers for editable character fields
         $thoughtsContainer.find('.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
         const character = $(this).data('character');
@@ -598,6 +601,7 @@ export function renderThoughts({ preserveScroll = false, useCommittedFallback =
             }
         }
     });
+    } // end if (domUpdated)
 
     // Remove updating class after animation
     if (extensionSettings.enableAnimations) {

src/systems/rendering/userStats.js

@@ -5,25 +5,16 @@
 
 import { getContext } from '../../../../../../extensions.js';
 import { user_avatar } from '../../../../../../../script.js';
-import {
+import { extensionSettings, lastGeneratedData, committedTrackerData, $userStatsContainer, FALLBACK_AVATAR_DATA_URI } from '../../core/state.js';
-    extensionSettings,
-    lastGeneratedData,
-    committedTrackerData,
-    $userStatsContainer,
-    FALLBACK_AVATAR_DATA_URI
-} from '../../core/state.js';
 import { i18n } from '../../core/i18n.js';
-import {
+import { saveSettings, saveChatData, updateMessageSwipeData } from '../../core/persistence.js';
-    saveSettings,
-    saveChatData,
-    updateMessageSwipeData
-} from '../../core/persistence.js';
 import { getSafeThumbnailUrl } from '../../utils/avatars.js';
 import { buildInventorySummary } from '../generation/promptBuilder.js';
 import { isItemLocked, setItemLock } from '../generation/lockManager.js';
 import { updateFabWidgets } from '../ui/mobile.js';
 import { getStatBarColors } from '../ui/theme.js';
 import { getEquipmentBonuses } from '../interaction/equipmentActions.js';
+import { updateIfChanged } from './renderUtils.js';
 
 /**
  * Extracts the base name (before parentheses) and converts to snake_case for use as JSON key.
@@ -449,11 +440,13 @@ export function renderUserStats() {
     // console.log('[RPG UserStats Render] Container exists:', !!$userStatsContainer, '$userStatsContainer length:', $userStatsContainer?.length);
 
     // Always render to the #rpg-user-stats container (mobile layout just moves it around in DOM)
-    $userStatsContainer.html(html);
+    // Use change detection to skip unnecessary DOM updates
-    // console.log('[RPG UserStats Render] ✓ HTML rendered to #rpg-user-stats container');
+    const domUpdated = updateIfChanged($userStatsContainer, html, 'rpg-user-stats');
+    // console.log('[RPG UserStats Render] ✓ HTML rendered to #rpg-user-stats container, updated:', domUpdated);
 
-    // Add event listeners for editable stat values
+    // Only re-bind event listeners if DOM was actually updated
-    $('.rpg-editable-stat').on('blur', function () {
+    if (domUpdated) {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-editable-stat').on('blur', function () {
             const field = $(this).data('field');
             const mode = $(this).data('mode');
             const maxValue = parseInt($(this).data('max')) || 100;
@@ -461,82 +454,61 @@ export function renderUserStats() {
             let value;
 
             if (mode === 'number') {
-            // In number mode, parse "X/MAX" or just "X"
                 const parts = textValue.split('/');
                 value = parseInt(parts[0]);
-
-            // Validate and clamp value between 0 and maxValue
                 if (isNaN(value)) {
                     value = 0;
                 }
                 value = Math.max(0, Math.min(maxValue, value));
             } else {
-            // In percentage mode, parse "X%" or just "X"
                 value = parseInt(textValue.replace('%', ''));
-
-            // Validate and clamp value between 0 and 100
                 if (isNaN(value)) {
                     value = 0;
                 }
                 value = Math.max(0, Math.min(100, value));
             }
 
-        // Update the setting
             extensionSettings.userStats[field] = value;
-
-        // Update userStats data (maintains JSON or text format)
             updateUserStatsData();
-
             saveSettings();
             saveChatData();
             updateMessageSwipeData();
-
-        // Re-render to update the bar and FAB widgets
             renderUserStats();
             updateFabWidgets();
         });
 
         // Add event listeners for mood/conditions editing
-    $('.rpg-mood-emoji.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-mood-emoji.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
             const value = $(this).text().trim();
             extensionSettings.userStats.mood = value || '😐';
-
-        // Update userStats data (maintains JSON or text format)
             updateUserStatsData();
-
             saveSettings();
             saveChatData();
             updateMessageSwipeData();
         });
 
-    $('.rpg-mood-conditions.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-mood-conditions.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
             const value = $(this).text().trim();
             const fieldKey = $(this).data('field');
             extensionSettings.userStats[fieldKey] = value || 'None';
-
-        // Update userStats data (maintains JSON or text format)
             updateUserStatsData();
-
             saveSettings();
             saveChatData();
             updateMessageSwipeData();
         });
 
         // Add event listener for skills editing
-    $('.rpg-skills-value.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-skills-value.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
             const value = $(this).text().trim();
             extensionSettings.userStats.skills = value || 'None';
-
-        // Update userStats data (maintains JSON or text format)
             updateUserStatsData();
-
             saveSettings();
             saveChatData();
             updateMessageSwipeData();
         });
 
         // Add event listeners for stat name editing
-    $('.rpg-editable-stat-name').on('blur', function () {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-editable-stat-name').on('blur', function () {
             const field = $(this).data('field');
             const value = $(this).text().trim().replace(':', '');
 
@@ -551,34 +523,28 @@ export function renderUserStats() {
             }
 
             extensionSettings.statNames[field] = value || extensionSettings.statNames[field];
-
             saveSettings();
             saveChatData();
-
-        // Re-render to update the display
             renderUserStats();
         });
 
         // Add event listener for level editing
-    $('.rpg-level-value.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-level-value.rpg-editable').on('blur', function () {
             let value = parseInt($(this).text().trim());
             if (isNaN(value) || value < 1) {
                 value = 1;
             }
-        // Set reasonable max level
             value = Math.min(100, value);
 
             extensionSettings.level = value;
             saveSettings();
             saveChatData();
             updateMessageSwipeData();
-
-        // Re-render to update the display
             renderUserStats();
         });
 
         // Prevent line breaks in level field
-    $('.rpg-level-value.rpg-editable').on('keydown', function (e) {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-level-value.rpg-editable').on('keydown', function (e) {
             if (e.key === 'Enter') {
                 e.preventDefault();
                 $(this).blur();
@@ -586,7 +552,7 @@ export function renderUserStats() {
         });
 
         // Add event listener for section lock icon clicks (support both click and touch)
-    $('.rpg-section-lock-icon').on('click touchend', function (e) {
+        $userStatsContainer.find('.rpg-section-lock-icon').on('click touchend', function (e) {
             e.preventDefault();
             e.stopPropagation();
             const $icon = $(this);
@@ -594,19 +560,15 @@ export function renderUserStats() {
             const itemPath = $icon.data('path');
             const currentlyLocked = isItemLocked(trackerType, itemPath);
 
-        // Toggle lock state
             setItemLock(trackerType, itemPath, !currentlyLocked);
 
-        // Update icon
             const newIcon = !currentlyLocked ? '🔒' : '🔓';
             const newTitle = !currentlyLocked ? (i18n.getTranslation('infoBox.locked') || 'Locked') : (i18n.getTranslation('infoBox.unlocked') || 'Unlocked');
             $icon.text(newIcon);
             $icon.attr('title', newTitle);
-
-        // Toggle 'locked' class for persistent visibility
             $icon.toggleClass('locked', !currentlyLocked);
 
-        // Save settings
             saveSettings();
         });
+    } // end if (domUpdated)
 }

style.css

@@ -6881,6 +6881,8 @@ body:has(.rpg-panel.rpg-mobile-open) .rpg-fab-widget-container {
     gap: 1rem;
     padding: 0.5rem;
     font-size: 0.9rem;
+    content-visibility: auto;
+    contain-intrinsic-size: 0 500px;
 }
 
 /* Sub-tabs Navigation */
@@ -12079,6 +12081,8 @@ body.documentstyle .rpg-inline-thoughts {
 
 .rpg-equipment-container {
     padding: 8px 0;
+    content-visibility: auto;
+    contain-intrinsic-size: 0 300px;
 }
 
 .rpg-equipment-header {