diff --git a/samples/breakout/src/main.c b/samples/breakout/src/main.c
index 86d54b0..7cfa813 100644
--- a/samples/breakout/src/main.c
+++ b/samples/breakout/src/main.c
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ int check_collision(oc_rect block)
 
 ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_frame_refresh(void)
 {
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
     f32 aspect = frameSize.x / frameSize.y;
 
     if(leftDown)
@@ -422,7 +423,7 @@ ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_frame_refresh(void)
             oc_rounded_rectangle_stroke(r.x, r.y, r.w, r.h, 4);
 
             int fontSize = 18;
-            oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(oc_scratch(), "%d", blockHealth[i]);
+            oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena, "%d", blockHealth[i]);
             oc_rect textRect = oc_font_text_metrics(font, fontSize, text).ink;
 
             oc_vec2 textPos = {
@@ -457,7 +458,7 @@ ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_frame_refresh(void)
         // draw score text
         {
             oc_move_to(20, 20);
-            oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(oc_scratch(), "Destroy all %d blocks to win! Current score: %d", NUM_BLOCKS_TO_WIN, score);
+            oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena, "Destroy all %d blocks to win! Current score: %d", NUM_BLOCKS_TO_WIN, score);
             oc_vec2 textPos = { 20, 20 };
             oc_matrix_multiply_push(flip_y_at(textPos));
             {
@@ -474,5 +475,5 @@ ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_frame_refresh(void)
     oc_render(canvas);
     oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-    oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
 }
diff --git a/samples/ui/src/main.c b/samples/ui/src/main.c
index 32dc6ae..aaa8b96 100644
--- a/samples/ui/src/main.c
+++ b/samples/ui/src/main.c
@@ -25,13 +25,15 @@ ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_init(void)
 
     //NOTE: load font
     {
+        oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
         oc_file file = oc_file_open(OC_STR8("/OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf"), OC_FILE_ACCESS_READ, 0);
         if(oc_file_last_error(file) != OC_IO_OK)
         {
             oc_log_error("Couldn't open file OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf\n");
         }
         u64 size = oc_file_size(file);
-        char* buffer = (char*)oc_arena_push(oc_scratch(), size);
+        char* buffer = (char*)oc_arena_push(scratch.arena, size);
         oc_file_read(file, size, buffer);
         oc_file_close(file);
         oc_unicode_range ranges[5] = { OC_UNICODE_BASIC_LATIN,
@@ -41,9 +43,10 @@ ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_init(void)
                                        OC_UNICODE_SPECIALS };
 
         font = oc_font_create_from_memory(oc_str8_from_buffer(size, buffer), 5, ranges);
+
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
-    oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
     oc_arena_init(&textArena);
 }
 
@@ -82,6 +85,8 @@ void widget_end_view(void)
 
 ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_frame_refresh(void)
 {
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
     oc_ui_style defaultStyle = { .font = font };
 
     oc_ui_style_mask defaultMask = OC_UI_STYLE_FONT;
@@ -285,7 +290,7 @@ ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_frame_refresh(void)
                                                          .size.height = { OC_UI_SIZE_TEXT } },
                                          OC_UI_STYLE_SIZE);
                         static oc_str8 text = { 0 };
-                        oc_ui_text_box_result res = oc_ui_text_box("textbox", oc_scratch(), text);
+                        oc_ui_text_box_result res = oc_ui_text_box("textbox", scratch.arena, text);
                         if(res.changed)
                         {
                             oc_arena_clear(&textArena);
@@ -368,5 +373,5 @@ ORCA_EXPORT void oc_on_frame_refresh(void)
     oc_render(canvas);
     oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-    oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
 }
diff --git a/sketches/atlas/main.c b/sketches/atlas/main.c
index fb73783..c51fb91 100644
--- a/sketches/atlas/main.c
+++ b/sketches/atlas/main.c
@@ -41,14 +41,17 @@ int main()
     }
 
     //NOTE: create atlas
+
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
     oc_arena permanentArena = { 0 };
     oc_arena_init(&permanentArena);
 
     oc_rect_atlas* atlas = oc_rect_atlas_create(&permanentArena, 16000, 16000);
     oc_image atlasImage = oc_image_create(surface, 16000, 16000);
 
-    oc_str8 path1 = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../../../sketches/resources/triceratops.png"));
-    oc_str8 path2 = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../../../sketches/resources/Top512.png"));
+    oc_str8 path1 = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../../../sketches/resources/triceratops.png"));
+    oc_str8 path2 = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../../../sketches/resources/Top512.png"));
 
     oc_image_region image1 = oc_image_atlas_alloc_from_file(atlas, atlasImage, path1, false);
     oc_image_region image2 = oc_image_atlas_alloc_from_file(atlas, atlasImage, path2, false);
@@ -57,11 +60,14 @@ int main()
     oc_window_bring_to_front(window);
     oc_window_focus(window);
 
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
+
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -89,7 +95,7 @@ int main()
         oc_render(canvas);
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_image_atlas_recycle(atlas, image1);
diff --git a/sketches/canvas/main.c b/sketches/canvas/main.c
index 3df0c45..bac0cb5 100644
--- a/sketches/canvas/main.c
+++ b/sketches/canvas/main.c
@@ -51,10 +51,11 @@ int main()
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
         f64 startTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
 
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -182,7 +183,8 @@ int main()
         oc_render(canvas);
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
+
         frameTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC) - startTime;
     }
 
diff --git a/sketches/image/main.c b/sketches/image/main.c
index 3b07f67..cfa72eb 100644
--- a/sketches/image/main.c
+++ b/sketches/image/main.c
@@ -42,23 +42,28 @@ int main()
     }
 
     //NOTE: create image
-    oc_str8 imagePath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../../resources/triceratops.png"));
+    oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
+    oc_str8 imagePath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../../resources/triceratops.png"));
     oc_image image = oc_image_create_from_file(surface, imagePath, false);
     oc_vec2 imageSize = oc_image_size(image);
 
-    oc_str8 imagePath2 = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../../resources/Top512.png"));
+    oc_str8 imagePath2 = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../../resources/Top512.png"));
     oc_image image2 = oc_image_create_from_file(surface, imagePath2, false);
     oc_vec2 imageSize2 = oc_image_size(image2);
 
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     // start app
     oc_window_bring_to_front(window);
     oc_window_focus(window);
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -104,7 +109,7 @@ int main()
         oc_render(canvas);
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_image_destroy(image);
diff --git a/sketches/keyboard/main.c b/sketches/keyboard/main.c
index c26857d..7f77a50 100644
--- a/sketches/keyboard/main.c
+++ b/sketches/keyboard/main.c
@@ -23,9 +23,10 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ int main()
                     break;
             }
         }
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
     oc_terminate();
     return (0);
diff --git a/sketches/multi_surface/main.c b/sketches/multi_surface/main.c
index 7ef9331..f724023 100644
--- a/sketches/multi_surface/main.c
+++ b/sketches/multi_surface/main.c
@@ -58,11 +58,12 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         f64 startTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
 
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ int main()
         oc_surface_present(surface1);
         oc_surface_present(surface2);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_canvas_destroy(canvas1);
diff --git a/sketches/perf_text/main.c b/sketches/perf_text/main.c
index 251302a..cc967ed 100644
--- a/sketches/perf_text/main.c
+++ b/sketches/perf_text/main.c
@@ -64,13 +64,15 @@ static const char* TEST_STRING =
 oc_font create_font(const char* path)
 {
     //NOTE(martin): create font
-    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8(path));
-    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(oc_scratch(), fontPath);
+    oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin()
+        oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8(path));
+    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(scratch.arena, fontPath);
 
     FILE* fontFile = fopen(fontPathCString, "r");
     if(!fontFile)
     {
         oc_log_error("Could not load font file '%s'\n", fontPathCString);
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
         return (oc_font_nil());
     }
     unsigned char* fontData = 0;
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ oc_font create_font(const char* path)
 
     oc_font font = oc_font_create_from_memory(oc_str8_from_buffer(fontDataSize, (char*)fontData), 5, ranges);
     free(fontData);
-
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     return (font);
 }
 
@@ -167,10 +169,11 @@ int main()
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
         f64 startFrameTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
 
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             oc_input_process_event(&inputState, event);
 
@@ -250,7 +253,7 @@ int main()
 */
 
         oc_matrix_multiply_push((oc_mat2x3){ zoom, 0, 0,
-                                    0, zoom, 0 });
+                                             0, zoom, 0 });
 
         oc_set_color_rgba(1, 1, 1, 1);
         oc_clear();
@@ -294,7 +297,7 @@ int main()
         oc_set_font_size(14);
         oc_move_to(10, contentRect.h - 10 - lineHeights[fontIndex]);
 
-        oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(oc_scratch(),
+        oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena,
                                      "Test program: %i glyphs, frame time = %fs, fps = %f",
                                      glyphCount,
                                      frameTime,
@@ -322,7 +325,7 @@ int main()
                (endFrameTime - startPresentTime) * 1000);
 
         oc_input_next_frame(&inputState);
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     for(int i = 0; i < FONT_COUNT; i++)
diff --git a/sketches/render_thread/main.c b/sketches/render_thread/main.c
index e83ed7a..6a8f087 100644
--- a/sketches/render_thread/main.c
+++ b/sketches/render_thread/main.c
@@ -18,8 +18,10 @@ i32 render_thread(void* user)
 {
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ i32 render_thread(void* user)
 
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
     return (0);
 }
diff --git a/sketches/simpleWindow/main.c b/sketches/simpleWindow/main.c
index bdfad76..3839d0b 100644
--- a/sketches/simpleWindow/main.c
+++ b/sketches/simpleWindow/main.c
@@ -25,9 +25,10 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ int main()
                     break;
             }
         }
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_terminate();
diff --git a/sketches/smiley/main.c b/sketches/smiley/main.c
index 2878f53..2b5ce76 100644
--- a/sketches/smiley/main.c
+++ b/sketches/smiley/main.c
@@ -18,13 +18,15 @@
 oc_font create_font()
 {
     //NOTE(martin): create font
-    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../../resources/OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf"));
-    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(oc_scratch(), fontPath);
+    oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../../resources/OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf"));
+    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(scratch.arena, fontPath);
 
     FILE* fontFile = fopen(fontPathCString, "r");
     if(!fontFile)
     {
         oc_log_error("Could not load font file '%s': %s\n", fontPathCString, strerror(errno));
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
         return (oc_font_nil());
     }
     unsigned char* fontData = 0;
@@ -43,7 +45,7 @@ oc_font create_font()
 
     oc_font font = oc_font_create_from_memory(oc_str8_from_buffer(fontDataSize, (char*)fontData), 5, ranges);
     free(fontData);
-
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     return (font);
 }
 
@@ -87,10 +89,11 @@ int main()
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
         f64 startTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
 
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -185,7 +188,7 @@ int main()
         oc_set_font_size(12);
         oc_move_to(50, 600 - 50);
 
-        oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(oc_scratch(),
+        oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena,
                                      "Orca vector graphics test program (frame time = %fs, fps = %f)...",
                                      frameTime,
                                      1. / frameTime);
@@ -200,7 +203,7 @@ int main()
         oc_render(canvas);
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
         frameTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC) - startTime;
     }
 
diff --git a/sketches/smooth_resize/main.c b/sketches/smooth_resize/main.c
index 03b7a46..861b941 100644
--- a/sketches/smooth_resize/main.c
+++ b/sketches/smooth_resize/main.c
@@ -120,8 +120,6 @@ void update_and_render(app_data* app)
     glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, 3);
 
     oc_surface_present(app->surface);
-
-    oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
 }
 
 i32 render(void* user)
@@ -169,14 +167,16 @@ i32 render(void* user)
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
         oc_event* event = 0;
 
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             process_event(app, *event);
         }
         update_and_render(app);
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     return (0);
diff --git a/sketches/tiger/main.c b/sketches/tiger/main.c
index a13d643..ae3fdbf 100644
--- a/sketches/tiger/main.c
+++ b/sketches/tiger/main.c
@@ -20,13 +20,15 @@
 oc_font create_font()
 {
     //NOTE(martin): create font
-    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../../resources/OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf"));
-    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(oc_scratch(), fontPath);
+    oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../../resources/OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf"));
+    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(scratch.arena, fontPath);
 
     FILE* fontFile = fopen(fontPathCString, "r");
     if(!fontFile)
     {
         oc_log_error("Could not load font file '%s': %s\n", fontPathCString, strerror(errno));
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
         return (oc_font_nil());
     }
     unsigned char* fontData = 0;
@@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ oc_font create_font()
 
     oc_font font = oc_font_create_from_memory(oc_str8_from_buffer(fontDataSize, (char*)fontData), 5, ranges);
     free(fontData);
-
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     return (font);
 }
 
@@ -96,11 +98,12 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         f64 startTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
 
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             oc_input_process_event(&inputState, event);
 
@@ -203,7 +206,7 @@ int main()
         oc_clear();
 
         oc_matrix_multiply_push((oc_mat2x3){ zoom, 0, startX,
-                                    0, zoom, startY });
+                                             0, zoom, startY });
 
         draw_tiger(singlePath, singlePathIndex);
 
@@ -221,7 +224,7 @@ int main()
         oc_set_font_size(12);
         oc_move_to(50, 600 - 50);
 
-        oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(oc_scratch(),
+        oc_str8 text = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena,
                                      "Orca vector graphics test program (frame time = %fs, fps = %f)...",
                                      frameTime,
                                      1. / frameTime);
@@ -236,7 +239,9 @@ int main()
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
         oc_input_next_frame(&inputState);
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
+
         frameTime = oc_clock_time(OC_CLOCK_MONOTONIC) - startTime;
     }
 
diff --git a/sketches/triangleGL/main.c b/sketches/triangleGL/main.c
index 9c2496f..eb65631 100644
--- a/sketches/triangleGL/main.c
+++ b/sketches/triangleGL/main.c
@@ -120,9 +120,10 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -163,7 +164,7 @@ int main()
 
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_terminate();
diff --git a/sketches/triangleGLES/main.c b/sketches/triangleGLES/main.c
index ac10ce8..4d67298 100644
--- a/sketches/triangleGLES/main.c
+++ b/sketches/triangleGLES/main.c
@@ -109,9 +109,10 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -150,7 +151,7 @@ int main()
 
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_surface_destroy(surface);
diff --git a/sketches/triangleMetal/main.m b/sketches/triangleMetal/main.m
index 5c126a1..edb1ba6 100644
--- a/sketches/triangleMetal/main.m
+++ b/sketches/triangleMetal/main.m
@@ -36,8 +36,10 @@ int main()
     //NOTE(martin): load the library
     id<MTLDevice> device = MTLCreateSystemDefaultDevice();
 
-    oc_str8 shaderPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("triangle_shader.metallib"));
-    const char* shaderPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(oc_scratch(), shaderPath);
+    oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
+    oc_str8 shaderPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("triangle_shader.metallib"));
+    const char* shaderPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(scratch.arena, shaderPath);
     NSString* metalFileName = [[NSString alloc] initWithCString:shaderPathCString encoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding];
     NSError* err = 0;
     id<MTLLibrary> library = [device newLibraryWithFile:metalFileName error:&err];
@@ -67,6 +69,7 @@ int main()
         return (-1);
     }
 
+    oc_scratch_end(scrathc);
     // start app
 
     oc_window_bring_to_front(window);
@@ -74,9 +77,10 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
+        scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         oc_pump_events(0);
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             switch(event->type)
             {
@@ -89,8 +93,6 @@ int main()
                 default:
                     break;
             }
-
-            oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
         }
 
         vector_uint2 viewportSize;
@@ -116,6 +118,8 @@ int main()
         [encoder endEncoding];
 
         oc_surface_present(surface);
+
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_terminate();
diff --git a/sketches/ui/main.c b/sketches/ui/main.c
index c8e8673..aaec438 100644
--- a/sketches/ui/main.c
+++ b/sketches/ui/main.c
@@ -152,13 +152,15 @@ void debug_print_styles(oc_ui_box* box, int indent)
 oc_font create_font()
 {
     //NOTE(martin): create font
-    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../../resources/OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf"));
-    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(oc_scratch(), fontPath);
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../../resources/OpenSansLatinSubset.ttf"));
+    char* fontPathCString = oc_str8_to_cstring(scratch.arena, fontPath);
 
     FILE* fontFile = fopen(fontPathCString, "r");
     if(!fontFile)
     {
         oc_log_error("Could not load font file '%s': %s\n", fontPathCString, strerror(errno));
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
         return (oc_font_nil());
     }
     unsigned char* fontData = 0;
@@ -178,6 +180,7 @@ oc_font create_font()
     oc_font font = oc_font_create_from_memory(oc_str8_from_buffer(fontDataSize, (char*)fontData), 5, ranges);
     free(fontData);
 
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     return (font);
 }
 
@@ -240,7 +243,7 @@ int main()
 
     while(!oc_should_quit())
     {
-        oc_arena* scratch = oc_scratch();
+        oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
 
         bool printDebugStyle = false;
 
@@ -545,7 +548,7 @@ int main()
                                                              .size.height = { OC_UI_SIZE_TEXT } },
                                              OC_UI_STYLE_SIZE);
                             static oc_str8 text = { 0 };
-                            oc_ui_text_box_result res = oc_ui_text_box("textbox", oc_scratch(), text);
+                            oc_ui_text_box_result res = oc_ui_text_box("textbox", scratch.arena, text);
                             if(res.changed)
                             {
                                 oc_arena_clear(&textArena);
@@ -559,7 +562,7 @@ int main()
                         widget_view("Test")
                         {
                             oc_ui_pattern pattern = { 0 };
-                            oc_ui_pattern_push(oc_scratch(), &pattern, (oc_ui_selector){ .kind = OC_UI_SEL_TEXT, .text = OC_STR8("panel") });
+                            oc_ui_pattern_push(scratch.arena, &pattern, (oc_ui_selector){ .kind = OC_UI_SEL_TEXT, .text = OC_STR8("panel") });
                             oc_ui_style_match_after(pattern, &(oc_ui_style){ .bgColor = { 0.3, 0.3, 1, 1 } }, OC_UI_STYLE_BG_COLOR);
 
                             static int selected = 0;
@@ -634,7 +637,7 @@ int main()
         oc_render(canvas);
         oc_surface_present(surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(scratch);
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     oc_surface_destroy(surface);
diff --git a/src/graphics/mtl_renderer.m b/src/graphics/mtl_renderer.m
index 10088bf..fd75ba8 100644
--- a/src/graphics/mtl_renderer.m
+++ b/src/graphics/mtl_renderer.m
@@ -1484,8 +1484,13 @@ oc_canvas_backend* oc_mtl_canvas_backend_create(oc_mtl_surface* surface)
     @autoreleasepool
     {
         //NOTE: load metal library
-        oc_str8 shaderPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("mtl_renderer.metallib"));
+        oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
+        oc_str8 shaderPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("mtl_renderer.metallib"));
         NSString* metalFileName = [[NSString alloc] initWithBytes:shaderPath.ptr length:shaderPath.len encoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding];
+
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
+
         NSError* err = 0;
         id<MTLLibrary> library = [surface->device newLibraryWithFile:metalFileName error:&err];
         if(err != nil)
diff --git a/src/platform/native_debug.c b/src/platform/native_debug.c
index b1a7c12..acdae4d 100644
--- a/src/platform/native_debug.c
+++ b/src/platform/native_debug.c
@@ -86,14 +86,14 @@ void platform_log_push(oc_log_output* output,
 
 _Noreturn void oc_abort_ext(const char* file, const char* function, int line, const char* fmt, ...)
 {
-    oc_arena* scratch = oc_scratch();
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
 
     va_list ap;
     va_start(ap, fmt);
-    oc_str8 note = oc_str8_pushfv(scratch, fmt, ap);
+    oc_str8 note = oc_str8_pushfv(scratch.arena, fmt, ap);
     va_end(ap);
 
-    oc_str8 msg = oc_str8_pushf(scratch,
+    oc_str8 msg = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena,
                                 "Fatal error in function %s() in file \"%s\", line %i:\n%.*s\n",
                                 function,
                                 file,
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ _Noreturn void oc_abort_ext(const char* file, const char* function, int line, co
     oc_log_error(msg.ptr);
 
     oc_str8_list options = { 0 };
-    oc_str8_list_push(scratch, &options, OC_STR8("OK"));
+    oc_str8_list_push(scratch.arena, &options, OC_STR8("OK"));
 
     oc_alert_popup(OC_STR8("Fatal Error"), msg, options);
 
@@ -114,14 +114,14 @@ _Noreturn void oc_abort_ext(const char* file, const char* function, int line, co
 
 _Noreturn void oc_assert_fail(const char* file, const char* function, int line, const char* src, const char* fmt, ...)
 {
-    oc_arena* scratch = oc_scratch();
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
 
     va_list ap;
     va_start(ap, fmt);
-    oc_str8 note = oc_str8_pushfv(scratch, fmt, ap);
+    oc_str8 note = oc_str8_pushfv(scratch.arena, fmt, ap);
     va_end(ap);
 
-    oc_str8 msg = oc_str8_pushf(scratch,
+    oc_str8 msg = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena,
                                 "Assertion failed in function %s() in file \"%s\", line %i:\n%s\nNote: %.*s\n",
                                 function,
                                 file,
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ _Noreturn void oc_assert_fail(const char* file, const char* function, int line,
     oc_log_error(msg.ptr);
 
     oc_str8_list options = { 0 };
-    oc_str8_list_push(scratch, &options, OC_STR8("OK"));
+    oc_str8_list_push(scratch.arena, &options, OC_STR8("OK"));
 
     oc_alert_popup(OC_STR8("Assertion Failed"), msg, options);
 
diff --git a/src/platform/orca_debug.c b/src/platform/orca_debug.c
index ad96985..3d0daf3 100644
--- a/src/platform/orca_debug.c
+++ b/src/platform/orca_debug.c
@@ -50,13 +50,13 @@ static oc_log_output oc_logDefaultOutput = { .kind = ORCA_LOG_OUTPUT_CONSOLE };
 oc_log_output* OC_LOG_DEFAULT_OUTPUT = &oc_logDefaultOutput;
 
 void ORCA_IMPORT(oc_bridge_log)(oc_log_level level,
-                                 int fileLen,
-                                 const char* file,
-                                 int functionLen,
-                                 const char* function,
-                                 int line,
-                                 int msgLen,
-                                 const char* msg);
+                                int fileLen,
+                                const char* file,
+                                int functionLen,
+                                const char* function,
+                                int line,
+                                int msgLen,
+                                const char* msg);
 
 void platform_log_push(oc_log_output* output,
                        oc_log_level level,
@@ -66,20 +66,19 @@ void platform_log_push(oc_log_output* output,
                        const char* fmt,
                        va_list ap)
 {
-    oc_arena* scratch = oc_scratch();
-    oc_arena_scope tmp = oc_arena_scope_begin(scratch);
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
 
-    oc_stbsp_context ctx = { .arena = scratch,
+    oc_stbsp_context ctx = { .arena = scratch.arena,
                              .list = { 0 } };
 
     char buf[STB_SPRINTF_MIN];
     stbsp_vsprintfcb(oc_stbsp_callback, &ctx, buf, fmt, ap);
 
-    oc_str8 string = oc_str8_list_join(scratch, ctx.list);
+    oc_str8 string = oc_str8_list_join(scratch.arena, ctx.list);
 
     oc_bridge_log(level, strlen(file), file, strlen(function), function, line, oc_str8_ip(string));
 
-    oc_arena_scope_end(tmp);
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/runtime.c b/src/runtime.c
index d9e6f4d..6d99c8c 100644
--- a/src/runtime.c
+++ b/src/runtime.c
@@ -21,32 +21,37 @@
 oc_font orca_font_create(const char* resourcePath)
 {
     //NOTE(martin): create default fonts
-    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8(resourcePath));
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+    oc_str8 fontPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8(resourcePath));
+
+    oc_font font = oc_font_nil();
 
     FILE* fontFile = fopen(fontPath.ptr, "r");
     if(!fontFile)
     {
         oc_log_error("Could not load font file '%s': %s\n", fontPath.ptr, strerror(errno));
-        return (oc_font_nil());
     }
-    char* fontData = 0;
-    fseek(fontFile, 0, SEEK_END);
-    u32 fontDataSize = ftell(fontFile);
-    rewind(fontFile);
-    fontData = malloc(fontDataSize);
-    fread(fontData, 1, fontDataSize, fontFile);
-    fclose(fontFile);
+    else
+    {
+        char* fontData = 0;
+        fseek(fontFile, 0, SEEK_END);
+        u32 fontDataSize = ftell(fontFile);
+        rewind(fontFile);
+        fontData = malloc(fontDataSize);
+        fread(fontData, 1, fontDataSize, fontFile);
+        fclose(fontFile);
 
-    oc_unicode_range ranges[5] = { OC_UNICODE_BASIC_LATIN,
-                                   OC_UNICODE_C1_CONTROLS_AND_LATIN_1_SUPPLEMENT,
-                                   OC_UNICODE_LATIN_EXTENDED_A,
-                                   OC_UNICODE_LATIN_EXTENDED_B,
-                                   OC_UNICODE_SPECIALS };
+        oc_unicode_range ranges[5] = { OC_UNICODE_BASIC_LATIN,
+                                       OC_UNICODE_C1_CONTROLS_AND_LATIN_1_SUPPLEMENT,
+                                       OC_UNICODE_LATIN_EXTENDED_A,
+                                       OC_UNICODE_LATIN_EXTENDED_B,
+                                       OC_UNICODE_SPECIALS };
 
-    oc_font font = oc_font_create_from_memory(oc_str8_from_buffer(fontDataSize, fontData), 5, ranges);
-
-    free(fontData);
+        font = oc_font_create_from_memory(oc_str8_from_buffer(fontDataSize, fontData), 5, ranges);
 
+        free(fontData);
+    }
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     return (font);
 }
 
@@ -301,6 +306,8 @@ void debug_overlay_toggle(oc_debug_overlay* overlay)
 
 void log_entry_ui(oc_debug_overlay* overlay, log_entry* entry)
 {
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
     static const char* levelNames[] = { "Error: ", "Warning: ", "Info: " };
     static const oc_color levelColors[] = { { 0.8, 0, 0, 1 },
                                             { 1, 0.5, 0, 1 },
@@ -325,7 +332,7 @@ void log_entry_ui(oc_debug_overlay* overlay, log_entry* entry)
                          | OC_UI_STYLE_LAYOUT_MARGINS
                          | OC_UI_STYLE_BG_COLOR);
 
-    oc_str8 key = oc_str8_pushf(oc_scratch(), "%ull", entry->recordIndex);
+    oc_str8 key = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena, "%ull", entry->recordIndex);
 
     oc_ui_container_str8(key, OC_UI_FLAG_DRAW_BACKGROUND)
     {
@@ -343,7 +350,7 @@ void log_entry_ui(oc_debug_overlay* overlay, log_entry* entry)
                                  | OC_UI_STYLE_FONT);
             oc_ui_label(levelNames[entry->level]);
 
-            oc_str8 loc = oc_str8_pushf(oc_scratch(),
+            oc_str8 loc = oc_str8_pushf(scratch.arena,
                                         "%.*s() in %.*s:%i:",
                                         oc_str8_ip(entry->file),
                                         oc_str8_ip(entry->function),
@@ -352,6 +359,7 @@ void log_entry_ui(oc_debug_overlay* overlay, log_entry* entry)
         }
         oc_ui_label_str8(entry->msg);
     }
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
 }
 
 char m3_type_to_tag(M3ValueType type)
@@ -399,8 +407,10 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
     oc_wasm_env_init(&app->env);
 
     //NOTE: loads wasm module
+    oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
     const char* bundleNameCString = "module";
-    oc_str8 modulePath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../app/wasm/module.wasm"));
+    oc_str8 modulePath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../app/wasm/module.wasm"));
 
     FILE* file = fopen(modulePath.ptr, "rb");
     if(!file)
@@ -437,7 +447,7 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
     }
     m3_SetModuleName(app->env.m3Module, bundleNameCString);
 
-    oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+    oc_scratch_end(scratch);
 
     //NOTE: bind orca APIs
     {
@@ -522,7 +532,9 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
 
     //NOTE: preopen the app local root dir
     {
-        oc_str8 localRootPath = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../app/data"));
+        scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
+        oc_str8 localRootPath = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../app/data"));
 
         oc_io_req req = { .op = OC_IO_OPEN_AT,
                           .open.rights = OC_FILE_ACCESS_READ | OC_FILE_ACCESS_WRITE,
@@ -530,6 +542,8 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
                           .buffer = localRootPath.ptr };
         oc_io_cmp cmp = oc_io_wait_single_req_for_table(&req, &app->fileTable);
         app->rootDir = cmp.handle;
+
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
     }
 
     IM3Function* exports = app->env.exports;
@@ -561,8 +575,10 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
 
     while(!app->quit)
     {
+        scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
         oc_event* event = 0;
-        while((event = oc_next_event(oc_scratch())) != 0)
+
+        while((event = oc_next_event(scratch.arena)) != 0)
         {
             if(app->debugOverlay.show)
             {
@@ -571,7 +587,6 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
 
             if(exports[OC_EXPORT_RAW_EVENT])
             {
-                oc_arena_scope scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
                 oc_event* clipboardEvent = oc_runtime_clipboard_process_event_begin(&__orcaApp.clipboard, scratch.arena, event);
                 oc_event* events[2];
                 u64 eventsCount;
@@ -605,7 +620,6 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
                 }
 
                 oc_runtime_clipboard_process_event_end(&__orcaApp.clipboard);
-                oc_scratch_end(scratch);
             }
 
             switch(event->type)
@@ -818,8 +832,8 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
                     //      and we need to change that to size according to its parent (whereas the default is sizing according
                     //      to its children)
                     oc_ui_pattern pattern = { 0 };
-                    oc_ui_pattern_push(oc_scratch(), &pattern, (oc_ui_selector){ .kind = OC_UI_SEL_OWNER });
-                    oc_ui_pattern_push(oc_scratch(), &pattern, (oc_ui_selector){ .kind = OC_UI_SEL_TEXT, .text = OC_STR8("contents") });
+                    oc_ui_pattern_push(scratch.arena, &pattern, (oc_ui_selector){ .kind = OC_UI_SEL_OWNER });
+                    oc_ui_pattern_push(scratch.arena, &pattern, (oc_ui_selector){ .kind = OC_UI_SEL_TEXT, .text = OC_STR8("contents") });
                     oc_ui_style_match_after(pattern, &(oc_ui_style){ .size.width = { OC_UI_SIZE_PARENT, 1 } }, OC_UI_STYLE_SIZE_WIDTH);
 
                     oc_ui_box* panel = oc_ui_box_lookup("log view");
@@ -877,7 +891,7 @@ i32 orca_runloop(void* user)
         oc_render(app->debugOverlay.canvas);
         oc_surface_present(app->debugOverlay.surface);
 
-        oc_arena_clear(oc_scratch());
+        oc_scratch_end(scratch);
 
 #if OC_PLATFORM_WINDOWS
         //NOTE(martin): on windows we set all surfaces to non-synced, and do a single "manual" wait here.
diff --git a/src/util/memory.c b/src/util/memory.c
index 7531b16..65e00fe 100644
--- a/src/util/memory.c
+++ b/src/util/memory.c
@@ -216,40 +216,34 @@ static oc_arena* oc_scratch_at_index(int index)
     return (scratch);
 }
 
-oc_arena* oc_scratch()
-{
-    return (oc_scratch_at_index(0));
-}
-
-ORCA_API oc_arena* oc_scratch_next(oc_arena* used)
-{
-    oc_arena* res = 0;
-    if((used >= __scratchPool)
-       && (used - __scratchPool < OC_SCRATCH_POOL_SIZE))
-    {
-        u64 index = used - __scratchPool;
-        if(index + 1 < OC_SCRATCH_POOL_SIZE)
-        {
-            res = oc_scratch_at_index(index + 1);
-        }
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        res = oc_scratch_at_index(0);
-    }
-    return (res);
-}
-
 ORCA_API oc_arena_scope oc_scratch_begin(void)
 {
-    oc_arena* scratch = oc_scratch();
+    oc_arena* scratch = oc_scratch_at_index(0);
     oc_arena_scope scope = oc_arena_scope_begin(scratch);
     return (scope);
 }
 
 ORCA_API oc_arena_scope oc_scratch_begin_next(oc_arena* used)
 {
-    oc_arena* scratch = oc_scratch_next(used);
-    oc_arena_scope scope = oc_arena_scope_begin(scratch);
+    oc_arena_scope scope = { 0 };
+    oc_arena* arena = 0;
+    if((used >= __scratchPool)
+       && (used - __scratchPool < OC_SCRATCH_POOL_SIZE))
+    {
+        u64 index = used - __scratchPool;
+        if(index + 1 < OC_SCRATCH_POOL_SIZE)
+        {
+            arena = oc_scratch_at_index(index + 1);
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        arena = oc_scratch_at_index(0);
+    }
+
+    OC_ASSERT(arena);
+
+    scope = oc_arena_scope_begin(arena);
+
     return (scope);
 }
diff --git a/src/util/memory.h b/src/util/memory.h
index 4b5d7fe..ae2115c 100644
--- a/src/util/memory.h
+++ b/src/util/memory.h
@@ -96,8 +96,6 @@ ORCA_API void oc_pool_clear(oc_pool* pool);
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 //NOTE(martin): per-thread implicit scratch arena
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-ORCA_API oc_arena* oc_scratch();
-ORCA_API oc_arena* oc_scratch_next(oc_arena* used);
 ORCA_API oc_arena_scope oc_scratch_begin(void);
 ORCA_API oc_arena_scope oc_scratch_begin_next(oc_arena* used);
 
diff --git a/tests/file_dialog/main.c b/tests/file_dialog/main.c
index bf60eab..44a1d14 100644
--- a/tests/file_dialog/main.c
+++ b/tests/file_dialog/main.c
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 {
     oc_init();
 
-    oc_str8 path = oc_path_executable_relative(oc_scratch(), OC_STR8("../"));
+    oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+    oc_str8 path = oc_path_executable_relative(scratch.arena, OC_STR8("../"));
     oc_file dir = oc_file_open(path, OC_FILE_ACCESS_READ, 0);
 
     oc_file_dialog_desc desc = {
@@ -24,9 +25,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         .startPath = OC_STR8(".."),
     };
 
-    oc_str8_list_push(oc_scratch(), &desc.filters, OC_STR8("txt"));
+    oc_str8_list_push(scratch.arena, &desc.filters, OC_STR8("txt"));
 
-    oc_file_dialog_result res = oc_file_dialog(oc_scratch(), &desc);
+    oc_file_dialog_result res = oc_file_dialog(scratch.arena, &desc);
 
     if(res.button == OC_FILE_DIALOG_CANCEL)
     {
diff --git a/tests/file_open_dialog/main.c b/tests/file_open_dialog/main.c
index bbd82ad..f01e9ce 100644
--- a/tests/file_open_dialog/main.c
+++ b/tests/file_open_dialog/main.c
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         .okLabel = OC_STR8("Select")
     };
 
-    oc_str8_list_push(oc_scratch(), &desc.filters, OC_STR8("txt"));
+    oc_arena_scope* scratch = oc_scratch_begin();
+
+    oc_str8_list_push(scratch.arena, &desc.filters, OC_STR8("txt"));
 
     oc_file file = oc_file_open_with_dialog(OC_FILE_ACCESS_READ, 0, &desc);
     if(oc_file_is_nil(file))