diff --git a/sources/Adapters/adv/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp b/sources/Adapters/adv/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp
index 113673d37..a58899fe8 100644
--- a/sources/Adapters/adv/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp
+++ b/sources/Adapters/adv/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include "../system/advSystem.h"
 #include "Adapters/adv/audio/record.h"
 #include "Application/Model/Config.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "System/FileSystem/FileSystem.h"
 #include "System/FileSystem/I_File.h"
 #include "System/System/System.h"
@@ -195,11 +196,13 @@ void SerialDebugUI::catFile(const char *path) {
 
 void SerialDebugUI::listFiles(const char *path) {
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   if (!fs->chdir(path)) {
     Trace::Error("failed to ls files path:%s", path);
   }
-  etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexes;
-  fs->list(&fileIndexes, "", false);
+
+  fs->list(&(*fileIndexList), "", false);
 
   // No need to actually do the printing below for now as the current debug code
   // in PicoFileSystem class is already printing all the files fetched when the
diff --git a/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.cpp b/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.cpp
index fceebd5ee..3347a8447 100644
--- a/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.cpp
+++ b/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
  */
 
 #include "picoTrackerFileSystem.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "Externals/etl/include/etl/pool.h"
 #include "pico/multicore.h"
 #include <cstring>
@@ -277,21 +278,27 @@ bool picoTrackerFileSystem::CopyFile(const char *srcFilename,
   auto fSrc = sd.open(srcFilename, O_READ);
   auto fDest = sd.open(destFilename, O_WRITE | O_CREAT);
 
+  auto buffer = MemoryPool::getBuffer();
+  char *fileBuffer = buffer.data();
+
   int n = 0;
-  int bufferSize = sizeof(fileBuffer_);
+
   while (true) {
-    n = fSrc.read(fileBuffer_, bufferSize);
+    n = fSrc.read(fileBuffer, MEMORYPOOL_SCRATCH_SIZE);
     // check for read error and only write if no error
     if (n >= 0) {
-      fDest.write(fileBuffer_, n);
+      fDest.write(fileBuffer, n);
     } else {
       Trace::Error("Failed to read file: %s", srcFilename);
+      fSrc.close();
+      fDest.close();
       return false;
     }
-    if (n < bufferSize) {
+    if ((size_t)n < MEMORYPOOL_SCRATCH_SIZE) {
       break;
     }
   }
+
   fSrc.close();
   fDest.close();
   return true;
diff --git a/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.h b/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.h
index e17a02974..cf0a1d0b1 100644
--- a/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.h
+++ b/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/filesystem/picoTrackerFileSystem.h
@@ -50,9 +50,6 @@ class picoTrackerFileSystem : public FileSystem {
 private:
   SdFs sd;
   void tolowercase(char *temp);
-  // buffer needs to be allocated here as too big for allocation as local
-  // variable on the stack
-  uint8_t fileBuffer_[512];
 };
 
 // Concrete implementation of PI_File for picoTracker
diff --git a/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp b/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp
index ef7e869a2..7f2a58d28 100644
--- a/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp
+++ b/sources/Adapters/picoTracker/gui/SerialDebugUI.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "SerialDebugUI.h"
 #include "Application/Model/Config.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "System/FileSystem/FileSystem.h"
 #include "System/FileSystem/I_File.h"
 #include "hardware/uart.h"
@@ -131,16 +132,17 @@ void SerialDebugUI::catFile(const char *path) {
 
 void SerialDebugUI::listFiles(const char *path) {
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
   if (!fs->chdir(path)) {
     Trace::Error("failed to ls files path:%s", path);
   }
-  etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexes;
-  fs->list(&fileIndexes, "", false);
+
+  fs->list(&(*fileIndexList), "", false);
 
   char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < fileIndexes.size(); i++) {
-    fs->getFileName(fileIndexes[i], name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
-    if (fs->getFileType(fileIndexes[i]) == PFT_FILE) {
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < fileIndexList->size(); i++) {
+    fs->getFileName((*fileIndexList)[i], name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
+    if (fs->getFileType((*fileIndexList)[i]) == PFT_FILE) {
       printf("[file] %s\n", name);
     } else {
       printf("[dir] %s\n", name);
diff --git a/sources/Application/AppWindow.cpp b/sources/Application/AppWindow.cpp
index 5016c401e..c248a5a2f 100644
--- a/sources/Application/AppWindow.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/AppWindow.cpp
@@ -152,8 +152,6 @@ AppWindow::AppWindow(I_GUIWindowImp &imp, const char *projectName)
 
   // Init all members
 
-  _statusLine[0] = 0;
-
   _currentView = nullptr;
   _closeProject = false;
   _lastA = 0;
diff --git a/sources/Application/AppWindow.h b/sources/Application/AppWindow.h
index 278575d30..bb74e09ea 100644
--- a/sources/Application/AppWindow.h
+++ b/sources/Application/AppWindow.h
@@ -104,7 +104,6 @@ class AppWindow : public GUIWindow, I_Observer, Status {
   unsigned short _mask;
   unsigned long _lastA;
   unsigned long _lastB;
-  char _statusLine[80];
 
   bool lowBatteryState_;
   bool lowBatteryMessageShown_;
diff --git a/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.cpp b/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.cpp
index 9ebefaaa6..0d7c02c81 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 #include "AudioFileStreamer.h"
 #include "Application/Model/Config.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "Application/Utils/fixed.h"
 #include "Services/Audio/Audio.h"
 #include "System/Console/Trace.h"
@@ -46,17 +47,16 @@ bool AudioFileStreamer::Start(const char *name, int startSample, bool looping) {
     return false;
   }
 
-  name_ = name;
   position_ = (startSample > 0) ? float(startSample) : 0.0f;
 #ifndef ADV
   stopRequested_ = false;
 #endif
 
   wav_.Close();
-  Trace::Log("", "wave open:%s", name_.c_str());
-  auto res = wav_.Open(name_.c_str());
+  Trace::Log("", "wave open:%s", name);
+  auto res = wav_.Open(name);
   if (!res) {
-    Trace::Error("Failed to open streaming of file:%s", name_.c_str());
+    Trace::Error("Failed to open streaming of file:%s", name);
     mode_ = AFSM_STOPPED;
     return false;
   }
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ bool AudioFileStreamer::Start(const char *name, int startSample, bool looping) {
   fpSpeed_ = fl2fp(ratio);
   Trace::Debug("AudioFileStreamer: File '%s' - Sample Rate: %d Hz, Channels: "
                "%d",
-               name_.c_str(), fileSampleRate_, channels);
+               name, fileSampleRate_, channels);
   Trace::Debug("Size: %ld samples, Speed: %d", size, fp2i(fpSpeed_));
 
   // Load the entire buffer for single cycle waveforms
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ bool AudioFileStreamer::Render(fixed *buffer, int samplecount) {
   }
   // look if we have the file loaded
   if (!wav_.IsOpen()) {
-    Trace::Error("Failed to open streaming of file:%s", name_.c_str());
+    Trace::Error("Failed to open streaming of file");
     mode_ = AFSM_STOPPED;
     return false;
   }
diff --git a/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.h b/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.h
index bec3a50b5..fdb0f2360 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.h
+++ b/sources/Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.h
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ class AudioFileStreamer : public AudioModule {
 
 protected:
   AudioFileStreamerMode mode_;
-  etl::string<PFILENAME_SIZE - 1> name_;
   WavFile wav_;
   float position_;
   Project *project_;
diff --git a/sources/Application/Instruments/SamplePool.cpp b/sources/Application/Instruments/SamplePool.cpp
index 03b3956da..6f42ef8da 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Instruments/SamplePool.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/Instruments/SamplePool.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "Application/Model/Config.h"
 #include "Application/Persistency/PersistencyService.h"
 #include "Application/Utils/DrawUtils.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "Externals/SRC/common.h"
 #include "Externals/etl/include/etl/string.h"
 #include "Externals/etl/include/etl/string_stream.h"
@@ -57,10 +58,11 @@ void SamplePool::Load(const char *projectName) {
                  PROJECT_SAMPLES_DIR);
   }
   // First, find all wav files
-  etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexes;
-  fs->list(&fileIndexes, ".wav", false);
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
+  fs->list(&(*fileIndexList), ".wav", false);
   char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
-  uint totalSamples = fileIndexes.size();
+  uint totalSamples = fileIndexList->size();
 
   // store for ui updates
   importCount = totalSamples;
@@ -69,8 +71,8 @@ void SamplePool::Load(const char *projectName) {
     importIndex = i;
     importName = name;
 
-    fs->getFileName(fileIndexes[i], name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
-    if (fs->getFileType(fileIndexes[i]) == PFT_FILE) {
+    fs->getFileName((*fileIndexList)[i], name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
+    if (fs->getFileType((*fileIndexList)[i]) == PFT_FILE) {
       // Check if the filename exceeds the maximum allowed length
       if (strlen(name) > MAX_INSTRUMENT_FILENAME_LENGTH) {
         Trace::Error(
diff --git a/sources/Application/Utils/CMakeLists.txt b/sources/Application/Utils/CMakeLists.txt
index c7d11033d..ff1438d6a 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Utils/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/sources/Application/Utils/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 add_library(application_utils
+  MemoryPool.cpp
   HexBuffers.cpp
   char.cpp
   fixed.cpp
@@ -9,6 +10,12 @@ target_link_libraries(application_utils PUBLIC
   etl
 )
 
+if(NOT ADV)
+  target_link_libraries(application_utils PUBLIC
+    pico_sync
+  )
+endif()
+
 target_include_directories(application_utils PUBLIC ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR})
 
 include_directories(${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR})
diff --git a/sources/Application/Utils/MemoryPool.cpp b/sources/Application/Utils/MemoryPool.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7b7c7493d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/Application/Utils/MemoryPool.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/*
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 xiphonics, inc.
+ *
+ * This file is part of the picoTracker firmware
+ */
+
+#include "MemoryPool.h"
+
+#ifdef ADV
+#include "Adapters/adv/mutex/advMutex.h"
+using Mutex = advMutex;
+#else
+#include "Adapters/picoTracker/mutex/picoTrackerMutex.h"
+using Mutex = picoTrackerMutex;
+#endif
+
+// globally available 1k scratch buffer for temporary use, e.g. for file
+// loading, string rendering, file sorting
+char MemoryPool::buffer_[MEMORYPOOL_SCRATCH_SIZE];
+static Mutex s_scratchBufferMutex;
+SysMutex *MemoryPool::scratchBufferMutex_ = &s_scratchBufferMutex;
+
+// globally available list of file indexes for the current directory
+etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> MemoryPool::fileIndexList_;
+static Mutex s_fileIndexListMutex;
+SysMutex *MemoryPool::fileIndexListMutex_ = &s_fileIndexListMutex;
+const void *MemoryPool::fileIndexCurrentKey_ = nullptr;
+int MemoryPool::fileIndexLockDepth_ = 0;
diff --git a/sources/Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h b/sources/Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..eb60862ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+/*
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 xiphonics, inc.
+ *
+ * This file is part of the picoTracker firmware
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "System/FileSystem/FileSystem.h"
+
+#include "ScopedLock.h"
+
+constexpr size_t MEMORYPOOL_SCRATCH_SIZE = 1024;
+
+class MemoryPool {
+public:
+  template <typename T> class ScopedRef {
+  public:
+    ScopedRef(T &resource, SysMutex &mutex)
+        : resource_(resource), lock_(mutex) {}
+    T *operator->() { return &resource_; }
+    T &operator*() { return resource_; }
+    ScopedRef(const ScopedRef &) = delete;
+    ScopedRef &operator=(const ScopedRef &) = delete;
+
+  private:
+    T &resource_;
+    ScopedLock lock_;
+  };
+
+  // Scoped accessor for the raw scratch buffer.
+  //
+  // CORRECT:
+  //   auto buf = MemoryPool::getBuffer();
+  //   char *p = buf.data();  // lock held until 'buf' goes out of scope
+  //
+  // WRONG - lock released immediately, p is unprotected:
+  //   char *p = MemoryPool::getBuffer().data();
+  class ScopedBuffer {
+  public:
+    ScopedBuffer(char *buf, SysMutex &m) : buf_(buf), lock_(m) {}
+    char *data() { return buf_; }
+    ScopedBuffer(const ScopedBuffer &) = delete;
+    ScopedBuffer &operator=(const ScopedBuffer &) = delete;
+
+  private:
+    char *buf_;
+    ScopedLock lock_;
+  };
+
+  // Scoped accessor for the file index list with key-based recursive locking.
+  //
+  // Pass 'this' as the key so the same object can re-enter without deadlocking:
+  //   auto list = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  //
+  // A different key (or the first caller) acquires the mutex; the same key
+  // simply increments a depth counter and skips re-locking.  The mutex is
+  // released only when the depth reaches zero (outermost scope exits).
+  class KeyedScopedRef {
+  public:
+    using VecType = etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE>;
+
+    KeyedScopedRef(VecType &resource, SysMutex &mutex)
+        : resource_(resource), mutex_(mutex) {}
+
+    ~KeyedScopedRef() {
+      if (--fileIndexLockDepth_ == 0) {
+        fileIndexCurrentKey_ = nullptr;
+        mutex_.Unlock();
+      }
+    }
+
+    VecType *operator->() { return &resource_; }
+    VecType &operator*() { return resource_; }
+    KeyedScopedRef(const KeyedScopedRef &) = delete;
+    KeyedScopedRef &operator=(const KeyedScopedRef &) = delete;
+
+  private:
+    VecType &resource_;
+    SysMutex &mutex_;
+  };
+
+  [[nodiscard]] static KeyedScopedRef getFileIndexList(const void *key) {
+    if (fileIndexCurrentKey_ != key) {
+      fileIndexListMutex_->Lock();
+      fileIndexCurrentKey_ = key;
+    }
+    ++fileIndexLockDepth_;
+    return {fileIndexList_, *fileIndexListMutex_};
+  }
+
+  [[nodiscard]] static ScopedBuffer getBuffer() {
+    return {buffer_, *scratchBufferMutex_};
+  }
+
+private:
+  static char buffer_[MEMORYPOOL_SCRATCH_SIZE];
+  static etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexList_;
+  static SysMutex *fileIndexListMutex_;
+  static SysMutex *scratchBufferMutex_;
+  static const void *fileIndexCurrentKey_;
+  static int fileIndexLockDepth_;
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/sources/Application/Utils/ScopedLock.h b/sources/Application/Utils/ScopedLock.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5574a4c62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/Application/Utils/ScopedLock.h
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 xiphonics, inc.
+ *
+ * This file is part of the picoTracker firmware
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "System/Process/SysMutex.h"
+
+// minimal RAII lock guard using the SysMutex interface ************************
+
+class ScopedLock {
+public:
+  explicit ScopedLock(SysMutex &m) : m_(m) { m_.Lock(); }
+  ~ScopedLock() { m_.Unlock(); }
+  ScopedLock(const ScopedLock &) = delete;
+  ScopedLock &operator=(const ScopedLock &) = delete;
+
+private:
+  SysMutex &m_;
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.cpp b/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.cpp
index 3be04c51b..bd4ab2219 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.cpp
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@
  */
 
 #include "ImportView.h"
+
 #include "Application/Audio/AudioFileStreamer.h"
 #include "Application/Instruments/SampleInstrument.h"
 #include "Application/Instruments/SamplePool.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "Application/Views/SampleEditorView.h"
 #include "Externals/etl/include/etl/string.h"
 #include "Externals/etl/include/etl/to_string.h"
@@ -63,13 +65,16 @@ void ImportView::Reset() {
   enterKeyHeld_ = false;
   pendingDirEnterOnRelease_ = false;
   inProjectSampleDir_ = false;
-  fileIndexList_.clear();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  fileIndexList->clear();
 }
 
 // Static method to set the source view type before opening ImportView
 void ImportView::SetSourceViewType(ViewType vt) { sourceViewType_ = vt; }
 
 void ImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   // Check for key release events
   if (!pressed) {
     // Open selected directory only when ENTER is released, unless ENTER was
@@ -126,6 +131,8 @@ void ImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
       return;
     }
 
+    unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
+
     if (mask & EPBM_EDIT) {
       // Set flag to track that edit key is being held
       editKeyHeld_ = true;
@@ -198,7 +205,7 @@ void ImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
           return; // Do nothing if the list is empty
         }
         if (selectedButton_ == kProjectButtonEdit) {
-          unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+          unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList[currentIndex_];
           char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
           fs->getFileName(fileIndex, name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
           showSampleEditor(name, false);
@@ -249,7 +256,7 @@ void ImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
     // handle changing selected "bottom button", note: ignore if this is a
     // nav+arrow combo
     if ((mask & EPBM_LEFT || mask & EPBM_RIGHT) && !(mask & EPBM_NAV)) {
-      if (inProjectSampleDir_ && fileIndexList_.empty()) {
+      if (inProjectSampleDir_ && fileIndexList->empty()) {
         return; // Do nothing if the list is empty
       }
       uint8_t buttonCount = inProjectSampleDir_
@@ -270,12 +277,12 @@ void ImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
 
   // handle moving up and down the file list
   if (mask & EPBM_UP) {
-    if (inProjectSampleDir_ && fileIndexList_.empty()) {
+    if (inProjectSampleDir_ && fileIndexList->empty()) {
       return; // Do nothing if the list is empty
     }
     warpToNextSample(true);
   } else if (mask & EPBM_DOWN) {
-    if (inProjectSampleDir_ && fileIndexList_.empty()) {
+    if (inProjectSampleDir_ && fileIndexList->empty()) {
       return; // Do nothing if the list is empty
     }
     warpToNextSample(false);
@@ -320,11 +327,13 @@ void ImportView::DrawView() {
       SamplePool::GetInstance()->GetAvailableSampleStorageSpace();
 
   // Loop through visible files in the list
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   for (size_t i = topIndex_;
-       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < fileIndexList_.size()); i++) {
+       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < fileIndexList->size()); i++) {
     props.invert_ = false;
 
-    unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[i];
+    unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[i];
     etl::string<PFILENAME_SIZE> displayName;
 
     if (fs->getFileType(fileIndex) != PFT_DIR) {
@@ -421,7 +430,7 @@ void ImportView::DrawView() {
     npf_snprintf(volField, sizeof(volField), "Vol:%2d", previewVolume);
     DrawString(x + 23, y, volField, props);
   } else {
-    if (fileIndexList_.empty()) {
+    if (fileIndexList->empty()) {
       // draw this a few lines down from *top* of screen
       SetColor(CD_NORMAL);
       props.invert_ = false;
@@ -511,6 +520,7 @@ void ImportView::OnPlayerUpdate(PlayerEventType, unsigned int tick){};
 
 void ImportView::OnFocus() {
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
 
   toInstr_ = viewData_->currentInstrumentID_;
 
@@ -525,6 +535,8 @@ void ImportView::OnFocus() {
 };
 
 void ImportView::warpToNextSample(bool goUp) {
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   if (goUp) {
     if (currentIndex_ > 0) {
       currentIndex_--;
@@ -535,7 +547,7 @@ void ImportView::warpToNextSample(bool goUp) {
       }
     }
   } else {
-    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size() - 1) {
+    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList->size() - 1) {
       currentIndex_++;
       // if we have scrolled off the bottom, page the file list down if not
       // at end of the list
@@ -549,7 +561,9 @@ void ImportView::warpToNextSample(bool goUp) {
 
 void ImportView::preview(char *name) {
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
-  unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
+  unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
 
   // do not preview directories
   if (fs->getFileType(fileIndex) == PFT_DIR) {
@@ -624,7 +638,8 @@ void ImportView::import() {
 
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
   char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
-  unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
   fs->getFileName(fileIndex, name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
 
   // Get current project name
@@ -878,20 +893,24 @@ void ImportView::onConfirmRemoveProjectSample(View &, ModalView &dialog) {
 }
 
 void ImportView::refreshFileIndexList(FileSystem *fs) {
-  fs->list(&fileIndexList_, ".wav", false);
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
+  fs->list(&(*fileIndexList), ".wav", false);
 
   if (fs->isCurrentRoot() || inProjectSampleDir_) {
-    for (auto it = fileIndexList_.begin(); it != fileIndexList_.end(); ++it) {
+    for (auto it = (*fileIndexList).begin(); it != (*fileIndexList).end();
+         ++it) {
       char entryName[PFILENAME_SIZE];
       fs->getFileName(*it, entryName, PFILENAME_SIZE);
       if (strcmp(entryName, "..") == 0) {
-        fileIndexList_.erase(it);
+        (*fileIndexList).erase(it);
         break;
       }
     }
   }
 
-  if (currentIndex_ >= fileIndexList_.size()) {
-    currentIndex_ = fileIndexList_.empty() ? 0 : fileIndexList_.size() - 1;
+  size_t sz = (*fileIndexList).size();
+  if (currentIndex_ >= sz) {
+    currentIndex_ = (*fileIndexList).empty() ? 0 : sz - 1;
   }
 }
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.h b/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.h
index fb365333d..d7b2aaec9 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.h
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/ImportView.h
@@ -61,6 +61,5 @@ class ImportView : public ScreenView {
       false; // Flag to track if we're in the project's sample directory
   FileSystem *pendingDeleteFs_ = nullptr;
   char pendingDeleteFilename_[PFILENAME_SIZE] = {};
-  etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexList_;
 };
 #endif
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.cpp b/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.cpp
index eda74d003..5342c2a52 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "Application/AppWindow.h"
 #include "Application/Instruments/I_Instrument.h"
 #include "Application/Persistency/PersistencyService.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "ModalDialogs/MessageBox.h"
 #include <memory>
 #include <nanoprintf.h>
@@ -32,7 +33,8 @@ void InstrumentImportView::Reset() {
   currentIndex_ = 0;
   selected_ = 0;
   toInstrID_ = 0;
-  fileIndexList_.clear();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  fileIndexList->clear();
 }
 
 void InstrumentImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask,
@@ -42,10 +44,12 @@ void InstrumentImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask,
 
   if (mask & EPBM_PLAY) {
     auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
+    auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
     char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
 
-    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size()) {
-      unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList->size()) {
+      unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
       fs->getFileName(fileIndex, name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
 
       if (mask & EPBM_ALT) {
@@ -73,9 +77,10 @@ void InstrumentImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask,
     // ENTER modifier
     if (mask & EPBM_ENTER) {
       auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
+      auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
 
-      if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size()) {
-        unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+      if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList->size()) {
+        unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
         char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
         fs->getFileName(fileIndex, name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
 
@@ -113,9 +118,11 @@ void InstrumentImportView::DrawView() {
 
   // need to use fullsize buffer as sdfat doesnt truncate if filename longer
   // than buffer but instead returns empty string in buffer :-(
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
   char buffer[PFILENAME_SIZE];
+
   for (size_t i = topIndex_;
-       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < fileIndexList_.size()); i++) {
+       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < fileIndexList->size()); i++) {
     if (i == currentIndex_) {
       SetColor(CD_HILITE2);
       props.invert_ = true;
@@ -125,7 +132,7 @@ void InstrumentImportView::DrawView() {
     }
 
     memset(buffer, '\0', sizeof(buffer));
-    unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[i];
+    unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[i];
     fs->getFileName(fileIndex, buffer, PFILENAME_SIZE);
 
     if (fs->getFileType(fileIndex) == PFT_DIR) {
@@ -151,7 +158,9 @@ void InstrumentImportView::OnFocus() {
 }
 
 void InstrumentImportView::warpToNextInstrument(bool goUp) {
-  if (fileIndexList_.empty())
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
+  if (fileIndexList->empty())
     return;
 
   if (goUp) {
@@ -162,7 +171,7 @@ void InstrumentImportView::warpToNextInstrument(bool goUp) {
       }
     }
   } else {
-    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size() - 1) {
+    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList->size() - 1) {
       currentIndex_++;
       if (currentIndex_ >= topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE) {
         topIndex_ = currentIndex_ - LIST_PAGE_SIZE + 1;
@@ -337,13 +346,16 @@ void InstrumentImportView::setCurrentFolder(FileSystem *fs, const char *name) {
     Trace::Error("FAILED to chdir to %s", name);
     return;
   }
+
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   currentIndex_ = 0;
   topIndex_ = 0;
   isDirty_ = true;
 
   // Update list of file indexes in this new dir
-  fileIndexList_.clear();
+  fileIndexList->clear();
   // Use false for subDirOnly to include both files and directories
-  fs->list(&fileIndexList_, INSTRUMENT_FILE_EXTENSION, false);
-  Trace::Debug("loaded %d files from %s", fileIndexList_.size(), name);
+  fs->list(&(*fileIndexList), INSTRUMENT_FILE_EXTENSION, false);
+  Trace::Debug("loaded %d files from %s", fileIndexList->size(), name);
 }
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.h b/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.h
index ebf309156..d22b88b02 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.h
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/InstrumentImportView.h
@@ -37,6 +37,5 @@ class InstrumentImportView : public ScreenView {
   size_t currentIndex_ = 0;
   short selected_ = 0;
   int toInstrID_ = 0;
-  etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexList_;
 };
 #endif
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.cpp b/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.cpp
index e543e0a28..fa758c284 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "Application/AppWindow.h"
 #include "Application/Persistency/PersistencyService.h"
 #include "Application/Utils/DrawUtils.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "Application/Views/ModalDialogs/MessageBox.h"
 #include "BaseClasses/ViewEvent.h"
 #include "Foundation/Constants/SpecialCharacters.h"
@@ -191,7 +192,8 @@ void SelectProjectView::Reset() {
   topIndex_ = 0;
   currentIndex_ = 0;
   selection_[0] = '\0';
-  fileIndexList_.clear();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  fileIndexList->clear();
 }
 
 void SelectProjectView::DrawView() {
@@ -217,8 +219,10 @@ void SelectProjectView::DrawView() {
   etl::string<MAX_PROJECT_NAME_LENGTH> projectName = var->GetString();
   const char *currentProject = projectName.c_str();
 
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   for (size_t i = topIndex_;
-       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < fileIndexList_.size()); i++) {
+       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < fileIndexList->size()); i++) {
     if (i == currentIndex_) {
       SetColor(CD_HILITE2);
       props.invert_ = true;
@@ -229,7 +233,7 @@ void SelectProjectView::DrawView() {
 
     char buffer[MAX_PROJECT_NAME_LENGTH + 1];
     memset(buffer, '\0', sizeof(buffer));
-    unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[i];
+    unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[i];
 
     if (fs->getFileType(fileIndex) == PFT_DIR) {
       fs->getFileName(fileIndex, buffer, MAX_PROJECT_NAME_LENGTH + 1);
@@ -268,7 +272,8 @@ void SelectProjectView::DrawView() {
 };
 
 void SelectProjectView::DrawScrollBar() {
-  int totalItems = fileIndexList_.size();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  int totalItems = fileIndexList->size();
   if (totalItems <= LIST_PAGE_SIZE) {
     return; // no scrollbar needed
   }
@@ -354,6 +359,7 @@ void SelectProjectView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
 }
 
 void SelectProjectView::warpToNextProject(bool goUp) {
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
 
   if (goUp) {
     if (currentIndex_ > 0) {
@@ -365,7 +371,7 @@ void SelectProjectView::warpToNextProject(bool goUp) {
       }
     }
   } else {
-    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size() - 1) {
+    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList->size() - 1) {
       currentIndex_++;
       // if we have scrolled off the bottom, page the file list down if not
       // at end of the list
@@ -378,17 +384,18 @@ void SelectProjectView::warpToNextProject(bool goUp) {
 }
 
 void SelectProjectView::setCurrentFolder() {
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
   fs->chdir(PROJECTS_DIR);
 
   // get ready
-  fileIndexList_.clear();
+  fileIndexList->clear();
 
   // Let's read all the directory in the project dir
-  fs->list(&fileIndexList_, "", true);
+  fs->list(&(*fileIndexList), "", true);
 
   // Filter out "." and ".." along with the hidden default project entry
-  for (auto it = fileIndexList_.begin(); it != fileIndexList_.end();) {
+  for (auto it = fileIndexList->begin(); it != fileIndexList->end();) {
     fs->getFileName(*it, selection_, MAX_PROJECT_NAME_LENGTH + 1);
 
     const bool isDotEntry =
@@ -398,16 +405,16 @@ void SelectProjectView::setCurrentFolder() {
     if (isDotEntry || isUntitled) {
       if (isUntitled) {
         Trace::Log("SELECTPROJECTVIEW", "skipping untitled project on Index:%d",
-                   static_cast<int>(it - fileIndexList_.begin()));
+                   static_cast<int>(it - fileIndexList->begin()));
       }
-      it = fileIndexList_.erase(it);
+      it = fileIndexList->erase(it);
     } else {
       ++it;
     }
   }
 
   // reset & redraw screen
-  currentIndex_ = std::min(currentIndex_, fileIndexList_.size() - 1);
+  currentIndex_ = std::min(currentIndex_, fileIndexList->size() - 1);
   topIndex_ = 0;
   currentIndex_ = 0;
   isDirty_ = true;
@@ -418,13 +425,15 @@ void SelectProjectView::getSelectedProjectName(char *name) {
 }
 
 void SelectProjectView::getHighlightedProjectName(char *name) {
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
   name[0] = '\0';
-  if (currentIndex_ >= fileIndexList_.size()) {
+
+  if (currentIndex_ >= fileIndexList->size()) {
     return;
   }
 
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
-  unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+  unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
   fs->getFileName(fileIndex, name, MAX_PROJECT_NAME_LENGTH + 1);
 }
 
@@ -434,12 +443,14 @@ void SelectProjectView::SelectButton(int direction) {
 }
 
 void SelectProjectView::LoadProject() {
-  if (currentIndex_ >= fileIndexList_.size()) {
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
+  if (currentIndex_ >= fileIndexList->size()) {
     return;
   }
 
   // all subdirs directly inside /project are expected to be projects
-  unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+  unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
   auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
   fs->getFileName(fileIndex, selection_, MAX_PROJECT_NAME_LENGTH + 1);
   if (strlen(selection_) == 0) {
@@ -476,7 +487,9 @@ bool SelectProjectView::SelectionIsCurrentProject() {
 }
 
 void SelectProjectView::AttemptDeletingSelectedProject() {
-  if (currentIndex_ >= fileIndexList_.size()) {
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
+  if (currentIndex_ >= fileIndexList->size()) {
     return;
   }
 
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.h b/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.h
index 2d75bb6e6..da45604e1 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.h
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/SelectProjectView.h
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ class SelectProjectView : public ScreenView {
   size_t topIndex_ = 0;
   size_t currentIndex_ = 0;
   char selection_[MAX_PROJECT_NAME_LENGTH + 1];
-  etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexList_;
   int selectedButton_ = 0;
 
   void DrawScrollBar();
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.cpp b/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.cpp
index 4d411f6e3..0a9e688d8 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.cpp
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "Application/AppWindow.h"
 #include "Application/Model/Config.h"
 #include "Application/Persistency/PersistenceConstants.h"
+#include "Application/Utils/MemoryPool.h"
 #include "Application/Views/ModalDialogs/MessageBox.h"
 #include "ModalDialogs/MessageBox.h"
 #include "System/Console/Trace.h"
@@ -30,19 +31,22 @@ ThemeImportView::~ThemeImportView() {}
 void ThemeImportView::Reset() {
   topIndex_ = 0;
   currentIndex_ = 0;
-  fileIndexList_.clear();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  (*fileIndexList).clear();
 }
 
 void ThemeImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
   if (!pressed)
     return;
 
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   if (mask & EPBM_PLAY) {
     auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
     char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
 
-    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size()) {
-      unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+    if (currentIndex_ < (*fileIndexList).size()) {
+      unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
       fs->getFileName(fileIndex, name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
 
       if (mask & EPBM_ALT) {
@@ -68,8 +72,8 @@ void ThemeImportView::ProcessButtonMask(unsigned short mask, bool pressed) {
     if (mask & EPBM_ENTER) {
       auto fs = FileSystem::GetInstance();
 
-      if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size()) {
-        unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[currentIndex_];
+      if (currentIndex_ < (*fileIndexList).size()) {
+        unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[currentIndex_];
         char name[PFILENAME_SIZE];
         fs->getFileName(fileIndex, name, PFILENAME_SIZE);
 
@@ -111,8 +115,10 @@ void ThemeImportView::DrawView() {
   // need to use fullsize buffer as sdfat doesnt truncate if filename longer
   // than buffer but instead returns empty string in buffer :-(
   char buffer[PFILENAME_SIZE];
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+
   for (size_t i = topIndex_;
-       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < fileIndexList_.size()); i++) {
+       i < topIndex_ + LIST_PAGE_SIZE && (i < (*fileIndexList).size()); i++) {
     if (i == currentIndex_) {
       SetColor(CD_HILITE2);
       props.invert_ = true;
@@ -122,7 +128,7 @@ void ThemeImportView::DrawView() {
     }
 
     memset(buffer, '\0', sizeof(buffer));
-    unsigned fileIndex = fileIndexList_[i];
+    unsigned fileIndex = (*fileIndexList)[i];
     fs->getFileName(fileIndex, buffer, PFILENAME_SIZE);
 
     if (fs->getFileType(fileIndex) == PFT_DIR) {
@@ -153,7 +159,8 @@ void ThemeImportView::OnFocus() {
 }
 
 void ThemeImportView::warpToNextTheme(bool goUp) {
-  if (fileIndexList_.empty())
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  if (fileIndexList->empty())
     return;
 
   if (goUp) {
@@ -166,7 +173,7 @@ void ThemeImportView::warpToNextTheme(bool goUp) {
       }
     }
   } else {
-    if (currentIndex_ < fileIndexList_.size() - 1) {
+    if (currentIndex_ < (*fileIndexList).size() - 1) {
       currentIndex_++;
       // if we have scrolled off the bottom, page the file list down if not
       // at end of the list
@@ -234,8 +241,9 @@ void ThemeImportView::setCurrentFolder(FileSystem *fs, const char *name) {
   isDirty_ = true;
 
   // Update list of file indexes in this new dir
-  fileIndexList_.clear();
+  auto fileIndexList = MemoryPool::getFileIndexList(this);
+  fileIndexList->clear();
   // Use false for subDirOnly to include both files and directories
-  fs->list(&fileIndexList_, THEME_FILE_EXTENSION, false);
-  Trace::Debug("loaded %d files from %s", fileIndexList_.size(), name);
+  fs->list(&(*fileIndexList), THEME_FILE_EXTENSION, false);
+  Trace::Debug("loaded %d files from %s", fileIndexList->size(), name);
 }
diff --git a/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.h b/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.h
index 2bb4197cb..022a7c6e4 100644
--- a/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.h
+++ b/sources/Application/Views/ThemeImportView.h
@@ -35,6 +35,5 @@ class ThemeImportView : public ScreenView {
 
   size_t topIndex_ = 0;
   size_t currentIndex_ = 0;
-  etl::vector<int, MAX_FILE_INDEX_SIZE> fileIndexList_;
 };
 #endif