perf: add Vulkan pipeline cache persistence for faster startup

Create a VkPipelineCache at device init, loaded from disk if available.
All 65 pipeline creation calls across 19 renderer files now use the
shared cache. On shutdown, the cache is serialized to disk so subsequent
launches skip redundant shader compilation.

Cache path: ~/.local/share/wowee/pipeline_cache.bin (Linux),
~/Library/Caches/wowee/ (macOS), %APPDATA%\wowee\ (Windows).
Stale/corrupt caches are handled gracefully (fallback to empty cache).

include/rendering/vk_context.hpp

@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ public:
     uint32_t getGraphicsQueueFamily() const { return graphicsQueueFamily; }
     VmaAllocator getAllocator() const { return allocator; }
     VkSurfaceKHR getSurface() const { return surface; }
+    VkPipelineCache getPipelineCache() const { return pipelineCache_; }
 
     VkSwapchainKHR getSwapchain() const { return swapchain; }
     VkFormat getSwapchainFormat() const { return swapchainFormat; }
@@ -130,6 +131,8 @@ private:
     void destroySwapchain();
     bool createCommandPools();
     bool createSyncObjects();
+    bool createPipelineCache();
+    void savePipelineCache();
     bool createImGuiResources();
     void destroyImGuiResources();
 
@@ -144,6 +147,9 @@ private:
     VkDevice device = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
     VmaAllocator allocator = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
 
+    // Pipeline cache (persisted to disk for faster startup)
+    VkPipelineCache pipelineCache_ = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
+
     VkQueue graphicsQueue = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
     VkQueue presentQueue = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
     uint32_t graphicsQueueFamily = 0;

include/rendering/vk_pipeline.hpp

@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ public:
     // Dynamic state
     PipelineBuilder& setDynamicStates(const std::vector<VkDynamicState>& states);
 
-    // Build the pipeline
+    // Build the pipeline (pass a VkPipelineCache for faster creation)
-    VkPipeline build(VkDevice device) const;
+    VkPipeline build(VkDevice device, VkPipelineCache cache = VK_NULL_HANDLE) const;
 
     // Common blend states
     static VkPipelineColorBlendAttachmentState blendDisabled();

src/rendering/celestial.cpp

@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ bool Celestial::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout)
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ void Celestial::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/character_renderer.cpp

@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ bool CharacterRenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFram
             .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(mainPass)
             .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
     };
 
     opaquePipeline_ = buildCharPipeline(PipelineBuilder::blendDisabled(), true);
@@ -2648,7 +2648,7 @@ bool CharacterRenderer::initializeShadow(VkRenderPass shadowRenderPass) {
         .setLayout(shadowPipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(shadowRenderPass)
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();
@@ -3315,7 +3315,7 @@ void CharacterRenderer::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(mainPass)
             .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
     };
 
     LOG_INFO("CharacterRenderer::recreatePipelines: renderPass=", (void*)mainPass,

src/rendering/charge_effect.cpp

@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ bool ChargeEffect::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayo
             .setLayout(ribbonPipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ bool ChargeEffect::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayo
             .setLayout(dustPipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ void ChargeEffect::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(ribbonPipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ void ChargeEffect::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(dustPipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/clouds.cpp

@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ bool Clouds::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout) {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ void Clouds::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/lens_flare.cpp

@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ bool LensFlare::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout /*perFrameLayou
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     // Shader modules can be freed after pipeline creation
     vertModule.destroy();
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ void LensFlare::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/lightning.cpp

@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ bool Lightning::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout)
             .setLayout(boltPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ bool Lightning::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout)
             .setLayout(flashPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ void Lightning::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(boltPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ void Lightning::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(flashPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/m2_renderer.cpp

@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ bool M2Renderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout
             .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(mainPass)
             .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
     };
 
     opaquePipeline_ = buildM2Pipeline(PipelineBuilder::blendDisabled(), true);
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ bool M2Renderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout
                 .setLayout(particlePipelineLayout_)
                 .setRenderPass(mainPass)
                 .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-                .build(device);
+                .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
         };
 
         particlePipeline_ = buildParticlePipeline(PipelineBuilder::blendAlpha());
@@ -575,7 +575,7 @@ bool M2Renderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout
             .setLayout(smokePipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(mainPass)
             .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
     }
 
     // --- Build ribbon pipelines ---
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ bool M2Renderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout
                     .setLayout(ribbonPipelineLayout_)
                     .setRenderPass(mainPass)
                     .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-                    .build(device);
+                    .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
             };
 
             ribbonPipeline_         = buildRibbonPipeline(PipelineBuilder::blendAlpha());
@@ -3228,7 +3228,7 @@ bool M2Renderer::initializeShadow(VkRenderPass shadowRenderPass) {
         .setLayout(shadowPipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(shadowRenderPass)
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();
@@ -5076,7 +5076,7 @@ void M2Renderer::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(mainPass)
             .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
     };
 
     opaquePipeline_ = buildM2Pipeline(PipelineBuilder::blendDisabled(), true);
@@ -5111,7 +5111,7 @@ void M2Renderer::recreatePipelines() {
                 .setLayout(particlePipelineLayout_)
                 .setRenderPass(mainPass)
                 .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-                .build(device);
+                .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
         };
 
         particlePipeline_ = buildParticlePipeline(PipelineBuilder::blendAlpha());
@@ -5144,7 +5144,7 @@ void M2Renderer::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(smokePipelineLayout_)
             .setRenderPass(mainPass)
             .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
     }
 
     // --- Ribbon pipelines ---
@@ -5178,7 +5178,7 @@ void M2Renderer::recreatePipelines() {
                     .setLayout(ribbonPipelineLayout_)
                     .setRenderPass(mainPass)
                     .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-                    .build(device);
+                    .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
             };
 
             ribbonPipeline_         = buildRibbonPipeline(PipelineBuilder::blendAlpha());

src/rendering/minimap.cpp

@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ bool Minimap::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout /*perFrameLayout*
             .setLayout(tilePipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(compositeTarget->getRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vs.destroy();
         fs.destroy();
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ bool Minimap::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout /*perFrameLayout*
             .setLayout(displayPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vs.destroy();
         fs.destroy();
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ void Minimap::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(displayPipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vs.destroy();
     fs.destroy();

src/rendering/mount_dust.cpp

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ bool MountDust::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout)
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ void MountDust::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/quest_marker_renderer.cpp

@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ bool QuestMarkerRenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFr
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ void QuestMarkerRenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx_->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/renderer.cpp

@@ -3820,7 +3820,7 @@ void Renderer::initSelectionCircle() {
         .setLayout(selCirclePipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();
@@ -3932,7 +3932,7 @@ void Renderer::initOverlayPipeline() {
         .setLayout(overlayPipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertMod.destroy(); fragMod.destroy();
 
@@ -4144,7 +4144,7 @@ bool Renderer::initFSRResources() {
         .setLayout(fsr_.pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertMod.destroy();
     fragMod.destroy();
@@ -4668,7 +4668,7 @@ bool Renderer::initFSR2Resources() {
             .setLayout(fsr2_.sharpenPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertMod.destroy();
         fragMod.destroy();
@@ -5353,7 +5353,7 @@ bool Renderer::initFXAAResources() {
         .setLayout(fxaa_.pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertMod.destroy();
     fragMod.destroy();

src/rendering/skybox.cpp

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ bool Skybox::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout) {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     // Shader modules can be freed after pipeline creation
     vertModule.destroy();
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ void Skybox::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/starfield.cpp

@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ bool StarField::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout)
         .setMultisample(vkCtx->getMsaaSamples())
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void StarField::recreatePipelines() {
         .setMultisample(vkCtx->getMsaaSamples())
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/swim_effects.cpp

@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ bool SwimEffects::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayou
             .setLayout(ripplePipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ bool SwimEffects::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayou
             .setLayout(bubblePipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ bool SwimEffects::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayou
             .setLayout(insectPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ void SwimEffects::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(ripplePipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ void SwimEffects::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(bubblePipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ void SwimEffects::recreatePipelines() {
             .setLayout(insectPipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vertModule.destroy();
         fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/terrain_renderer.cpp

@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ bool TerrainRenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameL
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     if (!pipeline) {
         LOG_ERROR("TerrainRenderer: failed to create fill pipeline");
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ bool TerrainRenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameL
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     if (!wireframePipeline) {
         LOG_WARNING("TerrainRenderer: wireframe pipeline not available");
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ void TerrainRenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     if (!pipeline) {
         LOG_ERROR("TerrainRenderer::recreatePipelines: failed to create fill pipeline");
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ void TerrainRenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     if (!wireframePipeline) {
         LOG_WARNING("TerrainRenderer::recreatePipelines: wireframe pipeline not available");
@@ -932,7 +932,7 @@ bool TerrainRenderer::initializeShadow(VkRenderPass shadowRenderPass) {
         .setLayout(shadowPipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(shadowRenderPass)
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();

src/rendering/vk_context.cpp

@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 #include <imgui_impl_vulkan.h>
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cstring>
+#include <filesystem>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <string>
 
 namespace wowee {
 namespace rendering {
@@ -37,6 +40,10 @@ bool VkContext::initialize(SDL_Window* window) {
     if (!createLogicalDevice()) return false;
     if (!createAllocator()) return false;
 
+    // Pipeline cache: try to load from disk, fall back to empty cache.
+    // Not fatal — if it fails we just skip caching.
+    createPipelineCache();
+
     int w, h;
     SDL_Vulkan_GetDrawableSize(window, &w, &h);
     if (!createSwapchain(w, h)) return false;
@@ -83,6 +90,13 @@ void VkContext::shutdown() {
     if (immFence) { vkDestroyFence(device, immFence, nullptr); immFence = VK_NULL_HANDLE; }
     if (immCommandPool) { vkDestroyCommandPool(device, immCommandPool, nullptr); immCommandPool = VK_NULL_HANDLE; }
 
+    // Persist pipeline cache to disk before tearing down the device.
+    savePipelineCache();
+    if (pipelineCache_) {
+        vkDestroyPipelineCache(device, pipelineCache_, nullptr);
+        pipelineCache_ = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
+    }
+
     LOG_WARNING("VkContext::shutdown - destroySwapchain...");
     destroySwapchain();
 
@@ -267,6 +281,106 @@ bool VkContext::createAllocator() {
     return true;
 }
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Pipeline cache persistence
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+static std::string getPipelineCachePath() {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    if (const char* appdata = std::getenv("APPDATA"))
+        return std::string(appdata) + "\\wowee\\pipeline_cache.bin";
+    return ".\\pipeline_cache.bin";
+#elif defined(__APPLE__)
+    if (const char* home = std::getenv("HOME"))
+        return std::string(home) + "/Library/Caches/wowee/pipeline_cache.bin";
+    return "./pipeline_cache.bin";
+#else
+    if (const char* home = std::getenv("HOME"))
+        return std::string(home) + "/.local/share/wowee/pipeline_cache.bin";
+    return "./pipeline_cache.bin";
+#endif
+}
+
+bool VkContext::createPipelineCache() {
+    std::string path = getPipelineCachePath();
+
+    // Try to load existing cache data from disk.
+    std::vector<char> cacheData;
+    {
+        std::ifstream file(path, std::ios::binary | std::ios::ate);
+        if (file.is_open()) {
+            auto size = file.tellg();
+            if (size > 0) {
+                cacheData.resize(static_cast<size_t>(size));
+                file.seekg(0);
+                file.read(cacheData.data(), size);
+                if (!file) {
+                    LOG_WARNING("Pipeline cache file read failed, starting with empty cache");
+                    cacheData.clear();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    VkPipelineCacheCreateInfo cacheCI{};
+    cacheCI.sType = VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_PIPELINE_CACHE_CREATE_INFO;
+    cacheCI.initialDataSize = cacheData.size();
+    cacheCI.pInitialData = cacheData.empty() ? nullptr : cacheData.data();
+
+    VkResult result = vkCreatePipelineCache(device, &cacheCI, nullptr, &pipelineCache_);
+    if (result != VK_SUCCESS) {
+        // If loading stale/corrupt data caused failure, retry with empty cache.
+        if (!cacheData.empty()) {
+            LOG_WARNING("Pipeline cache creation failed with saved data, retrying empty");
+            cacheCI.initialDataSize = 0;
+            cacheCI.pInitialData = nullptr;
+            result = vkCreatePipelineCache(device, &cacheCI, nullptr, &pipelineCache_);
+        }
+        if (result != VK_SUCCESS) {
+            LOG_WARNING("Pipeline cache creation failed — pipelines will not be cached");
+            pipelineCache_ = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (!cacheData.empty()) {
+        LOG_INFO("Pipeline cache loaded from disk (", cacheData.size(), " bytes)");
+    } else {
+        LOG_INFO("Pipeline cache created (empty)");
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
+void VkContext::savePipelineCache() {
+    if (!pipelineCache_ || !device) return;
+
+    size_t dataSize = 0;
+    if (vkGetPipelineCacheData(device, pipelineCache_, &dataSize, nullptr) != VK_SUCCESS || dataSize == 0) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to query pipeline cache size");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    std::vector<char> data(dataSize);
+    if (vkGetPipelineCacheData(device, pipelineCache_, &dataSize, data.data()) != VK_SUCCESS) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to retrieve pipeline cache data");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    std::string path = getPipelineCachePath();
+    std::filesystem::create_directories(std::filesystem::path(path).parent_path());
+
+    std::ofstream file(path, std::ios::binary | std::ios::trunc);
+    if (!file.is_open()) {
+        LOG_WARNING("Failed to open pipeline cache file for writing: ", path);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    file.write(data.data(), static_cast<std::streamsize>(dataSize));
+    file.close();
+
+    LOG_INFO("Pipeline cache saved to disk (", dataSize, " bytes)");
+}
+
 bool VkContext::createSwapchain(int width, int height) {
     vkb::SwapchainBuilder swapchainBuilder{physicalDevice, device, surface};
 

src/rendering/vk_pipeline.cpp

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ PipelineBuilder& PipelineBuilder::setDynamicStates(const std::vector<VkDynamicSt
     return *this;
 }
 
-VkPipeline PipelineBuilder::build(VkDevice device) const {
+VkPipeline PipelineBuilder::build(VkDevice device, VkPipelineCache cache) const {
     // Vertex input
     VkPipelineVertexInputStateCreateInfo vertexInput{};
     vertexInput.sType = VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_PIPELINE_VERTEX_INPUT_STATE_CREATE_INFO;
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ VkPipeline PipelineBuilder::build(VkDevice device) const {
     pipelineInfo.subpass = subpass_;
 
     VkPipeline pipeline = VK_NULL_HANDLE;
-    if (vkCreateGraphicsPipelines(device, VK_NULL_HANDLE, 1, &pipelineInfo,
+    if (vkCreateGraphicsPipelines(device, cache, 1, &pipelineInfo,
             nullptr, &pipeline) != VK_SUCCESS)
     {
         LOG_ERROR("Failed to create graphics pipeline");

src/rendering/water_renderer.cpp

@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ bool WaterRenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLay
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ void WaterRenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();
@@ -2092,7 +2092,7 @@ bool WaterRenderer::createWater1xPass(VkFormat colorFormat, VkFormat depthFormat
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(water1xRenderPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();

src/rendering/weather.cpp

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ bool Weather::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayout) {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ void Weather::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout)
         .setRenderPass(vkCtx->getImGuiRenderPass())
         .setDynamicStates(dynamicStates)
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertModule.destroy();
     fragModule.destroy();

src/rendering/wmo_renderer.cpp

@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ bool WMORenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayou
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     if (!opaquePipeline_) {
         core::Logger::getInstance().error("WMORenderer: failed to create opaque pipeline");
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ bool WMORenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayou
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     if (!transparentPipeline_) {
         core::Logger::getInstance().warning("WMORenderer: transparent pipeline not available");
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ bool WMORenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayou
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     // --- Build wireframe pipeline ---
     wireframePipeline_ = PipelineBuilder()
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ bool WMORenderer::initialize(VkContext* ctx, VkDescriptorSetLayout perFrameLayou
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     if (!wireframePipeline_) {
         core::Logger::getInstance().warning("WMORenderer: wireframe pipeline not available");
@@ -1679,7 +1679,7 @@ bool WMORenderer::initializeShadow(VkRenderPass shadowRenderPass) {
         .setLayout(shadowPipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(shadowRenderPass)
         .setDynamicStates({VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR})
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();
@@ -3681,7 +3681,7 @@ void WMORenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     transparentPipeline_ = PipelineBuilder()
         .setShaders(vertShader.stageInfo(VK_SHADER_STAGE_VERTEX_BIT),
@@ -3695,7 +3695,7 @@ void WMORenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     glassPipeline_ = PipelineBuilder()
         .setShaders(vertShader.stageInfo(VK_SHADER_STAGE_VERTEX_BIT),
@@ -3709,7 +3709,7 @@ void WMORenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     wireframePipeline_ = PipelineBuilder()
         .setShaders(vertShader.stageInfo(VK_SHADER_STAGE_VERTEX_BIT),
@@ -3723,7 +3723,7 @@ void WMORenderer::recreatePipelines() {
         .setLayout(pipelineLayout_)
         .setRenderPass(mainPass)
         .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-        .build(device);
+        .build(device, vkCtx_->getPipelineCache());
 
     vertShader.destroy();
     fragShader.destroy();

src/rendering/world_map.cpp

@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ bool WorldMap::initialize(VkContext* ctx, pipeline::AssetManager* am) {
             .setLayout(tilePipelineLayout)
             .setRenderPass(compositeTarget->getRenderPass())
             .setDynamicStates({ VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_VIEWPORT, VK_DYNAMIC_STATE_SCISSOR })
-            .build(device);
+            .build(device, vkCtx->getPipelineCache());
 
         vs.destroy();
         fs.destroy();