diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0008941
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+# gocron: Go Job Scheduling Library
+
+Always reference these instructions first and fallback to search or bash commands only when you encounter unexpected information that does not match the info here.
+
+## Working Effectively
+
+### Bootstrap and Build Commands
+- Install dependencies: `go mod tidy`
+- Build the library: `go build -v ./...`
+- Install required tools:
+  - `go install go.uber.org/mock/mockgen@latest` 
+  - `export PATH=$PATH:$(go env GOPATH)/bin` (add to shell profile)
+- Generate mocks: `make mocks`
+- Format code: `make fmt`
+
+### Testing Commands  
+- Run all tests: `make test` -- takes 50 seconds. NEVER CANCEL. Set timeout to 90+ seconds.
+- Run CI tests: `make test_ci` -- takes 50 seconds. NEVER CANCEL. Set timeout to 90+ seconds.
+- Run with coverage: `make test_coverage` -- takes 50 seconds. NEVER CANCEL. Set timeout to 90+ seconds.
+- Run specific tests: `go test -v -race -count=1 ./...`
+
+### Linting Commands
+- Format verification: `grep "^func [a-zA-Z]" example_test.go | sort -c`
+- Full linting: `make lint` -- MAY FAIL due to golangci-lint config compatibility issues. This is a known issue.
+- Alternative basic linting: `go vet ./...` and `gofmt -d .`
+
+## Validation
+
+### Required Validation Steps
+- ALWAYS run `make test` before submitting changes. Tests must pass.
+- ALWAYS run `make fmt` to ensure proper formatting.
+- ALWAYS run `make mocks` if you change interface definitions.
+- ALWAYS verify examples still work by running them: `cd examples/elector && go run main.go`
+
+### Manual Testing Scenarios
+Since this is a library, not an application, testing involves:
+1. **Basic Scheduler Creation**: Verify you can create a scheduler with `gocron.NewScheduler()`
+2. **Job Creation**: Verify you can create jobs with various `JobDefinition` types
+3. **Scheduler Lifecycle**: Verify Start() and Shutdown() work correctly
+4. **Example Validation**: Run examples in `examples/` directory to ensure functionality
+
+Example validation script:
+```go
+package main
+import (
+    "fmt"
+    "time"
+    "github.com/go-co-op/gocron/v2"
+)
+func main() {
+    s, err := gocron.NewScheduler()
+    if err != nil { panic(err) }
+    j, err := s.NewJob(
+        gocron.DurationJob(2*time.Second),
+        gocron.NewTask(func() { fmt.Println("Working!") }),
+    )
+    if err != nil { panic(err) }
+    fmt.Printf("Job ID: %s\n", j.ID())
+    s.Start()
+    time.Sleep(6 * time.Second)
+    s.Shutdown()
+}
+```
+
+### CI Requirements
+The CI will fail if:
+- Tests don't pass (`make test_ci`)
+- Function order in `example_test.go` is incorrect
+- golangci-lint finds issues (though config compatibility varies)
+
+## Common Tasks
+
+### Repository Structure
+```
+.
+├── README.md              # Main documentation
+├── CONTRIBUTING.md        # Contribution guidelines  
+├── SECURITY.md           # Security policy
+├── Makefile              # Build automation
+├── go.mod               # Go module definition
+├── .github/             # GitHub workflows and configs
+├── .golangci.yaml       # Linting configuration
+├── examples/            # Usage examples
+│   └── elector/         # Distributed elector example
+├── mocks/               # Generated mock files
+├── *.go                # Library source files
+└── *_test.go           # Test files
+```
+
+### Key Source Files
+- `scheduler.go` - Main scheduler implementation
+- `job.go` - Job definitions and scheduling logic
+- `executor.go` - Job execution engine
+- `logger.go` - Logging interfaces and implementations  
+- `distributed.go` - Distributed scheduling support
+- `monitor.go` - Job monitoring interfaces
+- `util.go` - Utility functions
+- `errors.go` - Error definitions
+
+### Dependencies and Versions
+- Requires Go 1.23.0+
+- Key dependencies automatically managed via `go mod`:
+  - `github.com/google/uuid` - UUID generation
+  - `github.com/jonboulle/clockwork` - Time mocking for tests
+  - `github.com/robfig/cron/v3` - Cron expression parsing
+  - `github.com/stretchr/testify` - Testing utilities
+  - `go.uber.org/goleak` - Goroutine leak detection
+
+### Testing Patterns
+- Uses table-driven tests following Go best practices
+- Extensive use of goroutine leak detection (may be skipped in CI via TEST_ENV)
+- Mock-based testing for interfaces
+- Race condition detection enabled (`-race` flag)
+- 93.8% test coverage expected
+
+### Build and Release
+- No application to build - this is a library
+- Version managed via Git tags (v2.x.x)
+- Distribution via Go module system
+- CI tests on Go 1.23 and 1.24
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Common Issues
+1. **mockgen not found**: Install with `go install go.uber.org/mock/mockgen@latest`
+2. **golangci-lint config errors**: Known compatibility issue - use `go vet` instead
+3. **Test timeouts**: Tests can take 50+ seconds, always set adequate timeouts
+4. **PATH issues**: Ensure `$(go env GOPATH)/bin` is in PATH
+5. **Import errors in examples**: Run `go mod tidy` to resolve dependencies
+
+### Expected Timings
+- `make test`: ~50 seconds
+- `make test_coverage`: ~50 seconds  
+- `make test_ci`: ~50 seconds
+- `go build`: ~5 seconds
+- `make mocks`: ~2 seconds
+- `make fmt`: <1 second
+
+### Known Limitations
+- golangci-lint configuration may have compatibility issues with certain versions
+- Some tests are skipped in CI environments (controlled by TEST_ENV variable)
+- Examples directory has no tests but should be manually validated
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/executor.go b/executor.go
index 37fccb4..594d5ea 100644
--- a/executor.go
+++ b/executor.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ type executor struct {
 	// sends out jobs once completed
 	jobsOutCompleted chan uuid.UUID
 	// used to request jobs from the scheduler
-	jobOutRequest chan jobOutRequest
+	jobOutRequest chan *jobOutRequest
 
 	// sends out job needs to update the next runs
 	jobUpdateNextRuns chan uuid.UUID
diff --git a/job.go b/job.go
index 1a73915..4c4e1bd 100644
--- a/job.go
+++ b/job.go
@@ -1136,7 +1136,7 @@ type job struct {
 	id            uuid.UUID
 	name          string
 	tags          []string
-	jobOutRequest chan jobOutRequest
+	jobOutRequest chan *jobOutRequest
 	runJobRequest chan runJobRequest
 }
 
diff --git a/mocks/distributed.go b/mocks/distributed.go
index 357dc2b..92649d3 100644
--- a/mocks/distributed.go
+++ b/mocks/distributed.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 //
 //	mockgen -destination=mocks/distributed.go -package=gocronmocks . Elector,Locker,Lock
 //
+
 // Package gocronmocks is a generated GoMock package.
 package gocronmocks
 
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ import (
 	context "context"
 	reflect "reflect"
 
-	gocron "github.com/go-co-op/gocron/v2"
+	v2 "github.com/go-co-op/gocron/v2"
 	gomock "go.uber.org/mock/gomock"
 )
 
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 type MockElector struct {
 	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
 	recorder *MockElectorMockRecorder
+	isgomock struct{}
 }
 
 // MockElectorMockRecorder is the mock recorder for MockElector.
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@ func (mr *MockElectorMockRecorder) IsLeader(arg0 any) *gomock.Call {
 type MockLocker struct {
 	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
 	recorder *MockLockerMockRecorder
+	isgomock struct{}
 }
 
 // MockLockerMockRecorder is the mock recorder for MockLocker.
@@ -77,24 +80,25 @@ func (m *MockLocker) EXPECT() *MockLockerMockRecorder {
 }
 
 // Lock mocks base method.
-func (m *MockLocker) Lock(arg0 context.Context, arg1 string) (gocron.Lock, error) {
+func (m *MockLocker) Lock(ctx context.Context, key string) (v2.Lock, error) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Lock", arg0, arg1)
-	ret0, _ := ret[0].(gocron.Lock)
+	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Lock", ctx, key)
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].(v2.Lock)
 	ret1, _ := ret[1].(error)
 	return ret0, ret1
 }
 
 // Lock indicates an expected call of Lock.
-func (mr *MockLockerMockRecorder) Lock(arg0, arg1 any) *gomock.Call {
+func (mr *MockLockerMockRecorder) Lock(ctx, key any) *gomock.Call {
 	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Lock", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLocker)(nil).Lock), arg0, arg1)
+	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Lock", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLocker)(nil).Lock), ctx, key)
 }
 
 // MockLock is a mock of Lock interface.
 type MockLock struct {
 	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
 	recorder *MockLockMockRecorder
+	isgomock struct{}
 }
 
 // MockLockMockRecorder is the mock recorder for MockLock.
@@ -115,15 +119,15 @@ func (m *MockLock) EXPECT() *MockLockMockRecorder {
 }
 
 // Unlock mocks base method.
-func (m *MockLock) Unlock(arg0 context.Context) error {
+func (m *MockLock) Unlock(ctx context.Context) error {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Unlock", arg0)
+	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Unlock", ctx)
 	ret0, _ := ret[0].(error)
 	return ret0
 }
 
 // Unlock indicates an expected call of Unlock.
-func (mr *MockLockMockRecorder) Unlock(arg0 any) *gomock.Call {
+func (mr *MockLockMockRecorder) Unlock(ctx any) *gomock.Call {
 	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Unlock", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLock)(nil).Unlock), arg0)
+	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Unlock", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLock)(nil).Unlock), ctx)
 }
diff --git a/mocks/job.go b/mocks/job.go
index 0c233e4..6b49b46 100644
--- a/mocks/job.go
+++ b/mocks/job.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 //
 //	mockgen -destination=mocks/job.go -package=gocronmocks . Job
 //
+
 // Package gocronmocks is a generated GoMock package.
 package gocronmocks
 
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 type MockJob struct {
 	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
 	recorder *MockJobMockRecorder
+	isgomock struct{}
 }
 
 // MockJobMockRecorder is the mock recorder for MockJob.
diff --git a/mocks/logger.go b/mocks/logger.go
index abc1b7a..f7291e3 100644
--- a/mocks/logger.go
+++ b/mocks/logger.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 //
 //	mockgen -destination=mocks/logger.go -package=gocronmocks . Logger
 //
+
 // Package gocronmocks is a generated GoMock package.
 package gocronmocks
 
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 type MockLogger struct {
 	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
 	recorder *MockLoggerMockRecorder
+	isgomock struct{}
 }
 
 // MockLoggerMockRecorder is the mock recorder for MockLogger.
@@ -38,69 +40,69 @@ func (m *MockLogger) EXPECT() *MockLoggerMockRecorder {
 }
 
 // Debug mocks base method.
-func (m *MockLogger) Debug(arg0 string, arg1 ...any) {
+func (m *MockLogger) Debug(msg string, args ...any) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := []any{arg0}
-	for _, a := range arg1 {
+	varargs := []any{msg}
+	for _, a := range args {
 		varargs = append(varargs, a)
 	}
 	m.ctrl.Call(m, "Debug", varargs...)
 }
 
 // Debug indicates an expected call of Debug.
-func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Debug(arg0 any, arg1 ...any) *gomock.Call {
+func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Debug(msg any, args ...any) *gomock.Call {
 	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := append([]any{arg0}, arg1...)
+	varargs := append([]any{msg}, args...)
 	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Debug", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLogger)(nil).Debug), varargs...)
 }
 
 // Error mocks base method.
-func (m *MockLogger) Error(arg0 string, arg1 ...any) {
+func (m *MockLogger) Error(msg string, args ...any) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := []any{arg0}
-	for _, a := range arg1 {
+	varargs := []any{msg}
+	for _, a := range args {
 		varargs = append(varargs, a)
 	}
 	m.ctrl.Call(m, "Error", varargs...)
 }
 
 // Error indicates an expected call of Error.
-func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Error(arg0 any, arg1 ...any) *gomock.Call {
+func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Error(msg any, args ...any) *gomock.Call {
 	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := append([]any{arg0}, arg1...)
+	varargs := append([]any{msg}, args...)
 	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Error", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLogger)(nil).Error), varargs...)
 }
 
 // Info mocks base method.
-func (m *MockLogger) Info(arg0 string, arg1 ...any) {
+func (m *MockLogger) Info(msg string, args ...any) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := []any{arg0}
-	for _, a := range arg1 {
+	varargs := []any{msg}
+	for _, a := range args {
 		varargs = append(varargs, a)
 	}
 	m.ctrl.Call(m, "Info", varargs...)
 }
 
 // Info indicates an expected call of Info.
-func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Info(arg0 any, arg1 ...any) *gomock.Call {
+func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Info(msg any, args ...any) *gomock.Call {
 	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := append([]any{arg0}, arg1...)
+	varargs := append([]any{msg}, args...)
 	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Info", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLogger)(nil).Info), varargs...)
 }
 
 // Warn mocks base method.
-func (m *MockLogger) Warn(arg0 string, arg1 ...any) {
+func (m *MockLogger) Warn(msg string, args ...any) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := []any{arg0}
-	for _, a := range arg1 {
+	varargs := []any{msg}
+	for _, a := range args {
 		varargs = append(varargs, a)
 	}
 	m.ctrl.Call(m, "Warn", varargs...)
 }
 
 // Warn indicates an expected call of Warn.
-func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Warn(arg0 any, arg1 ...any) *gomock.Call {
+func (mr *MockLoggerMockRecorder) Warn(msg any, args ...any) *gomock.Call {
 	mr.mock.ctrl.T.Helper()
-	varargs := append([]any{arg0}, arg1...)
+	varargs := append([]any{msg}, args...)
 	return mr.mock.ctrl.RecordCallWithMethodType(mr.mock, "Warn", reflect.TypeOf((*MockLogger)(nil).Warn), varargs...)
 }
diff --git a/mocks/scheduler.go b/mocks/scheduler.go
index 5fb4797..ce5eea4 100644
--- a/mocks/scheduler.go
+++ b/mocks/scheduler.go
@@ -5,13 +5,14 @@
 //
 //	mockgen -destination=mocks/scheduler.go -package=gocronmocks . Scheduler
 //
+
 // Package gocronmocks is a generated GoMock package.
 package gocronmocks
 
 import (
 	reflect "reflect"
 
-	gocron "github.com/go-co-op/gocron/v2"
+	v2 "github.com/go-co-op/gocron/v2"
 	uuid "github.com/google/uuid"
 	gomock "go.uber.org/mock/gomock"
 )
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ import (
 type MockScheduler struct {
 	ctrl     *gomock.Controller
 	recorder *MockSchedulerMockRecorder
+	isgomock struct{}
 }
 
 // MockSchedulerMockRecorder is the mock recorder for MockScheduler.
@@ -40,10 +42,10 @@ func (m *MockScheduler) EXPECT() *MockSchedulerMockRecorder {
 }
 
 // Jobs mocks base method.
-func (m *MockScheduler) Jobs() []gocron.Job {
+func (m *MockScheduler) Jobs() []v2.Job {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
 	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Jobs")
-	ret0, _ := ret[0].([]gocron.Job)
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].([]v2.Job)
 	return ret0
 }
 
@@ -68,14 +70,14 @@ func (mr *MockSchedulerMockRecorder) JobsWaitingInQueue() *gomock.Call {
 }
 
 // NewJob mocks base method.
-func (m *MockScheduler) NewJob(arg0 gocron.JobDefinition, arg1 gocron.Task, arg2 ...gocron.JobOption) (gocron.Job, error) {
+func (m *MockScheduler) NewJob(arg0 v2.JobDefinition, arg1 v2.Task, arg2 ...v2.JobOption) (v2.Job, error) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
 	varargs := []any{arg0, arg1}
 	for _, a := range arg2 {
 		varargs = append(varargs, a)
 	}
 	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "NewJob", varargs...)
-	ret0, _ := ret[0].(gocron.Job)
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].(v2.Job)
 	ret1, _ := ret[1].(error)
 	return ret0, ret1
 }
@@ -158,14 +160,14 @@ func (mr *MockSchedulerMockRecorder) StopJobs() *gomock.Call {
 }
 
 // Update mocks base method.
-func (m *MockScheduler) Update(arg0 uuid.UUID, arg1 gocron.JobDefinition, arg2 gocron.Task, arg3 ...gocron.JobOption) (gocron.Job, error) {
+func (m *MockScheduler) Update(arg0 uuid.UUID, arg1 v2.JobDefinition, arg2 v2.Task, arg3 ...v2.JobOption) (v2.Job, error) {
 	m.ctrl.T.Helper()
 	varargs := []any{arg0, arg1, arg2}
 	for _, a := range arg3 {
 		varargs = append(varargs, a)
 	}
 	ret := m.ctrl.Call(m, "Update", varargs...)
-	ret0, _ := ret[0].(gocron.Job)
+	ret0, _ := ret[0].(v2.Job)
 	ret1, _ := ret[1].(error)
 	return ret0, ret1
 }
diff --git a/scheduler.go b/scheduler.go
index b395e63..3676627 100644
--- a/scheduler.go
+++ b/scheduler.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ type scheduler struct {
 	// used to send all the jobs out when a request is made by the client
 	allJobsOutRequest chan allJobsOutRequest
 	// used to send a jobs out when a request is made by the client
-	jobOutRequestCh chan jobOutRequest
+	jobOutRequestCh chan *jobOutRequest
 	// used to run a job on-demand when requested by the client
 	runJobRequestCh chan runJobRequest
 	// new jobs are received here
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func NewScheduler(options ...SchedulerOption) (Scheduler, error) {
 		jobsOutForRescheduling: make(chan uuid.UUID),
 		jobUpdateNextRuns:      make(chan uuid.UUID),
 		jobsOutCompleted:       make(chan uuid.UUID),
-		jobOutRequest:          make(chan jobOutRequest, 1000),
+		jobOutRequest:          make(chan *jobOutRequest, 100),
 		done:                   make(chan error, 1),
 	}
 
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func NewScheduler(options ...SchedulerOption) (Scheduler, error) {
 		startedCh:          make(chan struct{}),
 		stopCh:             make(chan struct{}),
 		stopErrCh:          make(chan error, 1),
-		jobOutRequestCh:    make(chan jobOutRequest),
+		jobOutRequestCh:    make(chan *jobOutRequest),
 		runJobRequestCh:    make(chan runJobRequest),
 		allJobsOutRequest:  make(chan allJobsOutRequest),
 	}
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ func (s *scheduler) selectExecJobsOutCompleted(id uuid.UUID) {
 	s.jobs[id] = j
 }
 
-func (s *scheduler) selectJobOutRequest(out jobOutRequest) {
+func (s *scheduler) selectJobOutRequest(out *jobOutRequest) {
 	if j, ok := s.jobs[out.id]; ok {
 		select {
 		case out.outChan <- j:
diff --git a/util.go b/util.go
index 2dd1c26..282463a 100644
--- a/util.go
+++ b/util.go
@@ -35,16 +35,16 @@ func callJobFuncWithParams(jobFunc any, params ...any) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func requestJob(id uuid.UUID, ch chan jobOutRequest) *internalJob {
+func requestJob(id uuid.UUID, ch chan *jobOutRequest) *internalJob {
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), time.Second)
 	defer cancel()
 	return requestJobCtx(ctx, id, ch)
 }
 
-func requestJobCtx(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID, ch chan jobOutRequest) *internalJob {
+func requestJobCtx(ctx context.Context, id uuid.UUID, ch chan *jobOutRequest) *internalJob {
 	resp := make(chan internalJob, 1)
 	select {
-	case ch <- jobOutRequest{
+	case ch <- &jobOutRequest{
 		id:      id,
 		outChan: resp,
 	}: