diff --git a/bench/bench_test.go b/bench/bench_test.go
index 08100cf..4a3bfdf 100644
--- a/bench/bench_test.go
+++ b/bench/bench_test.go
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ import (
 func BenchmarkSmallConfig(b *testing.B) {
 	// Small config with just a few key-value pairs
 	smallConfig := `
-	host = "localhost"
-	port = 8080
-	debug = true
-	timeout = 30
+	host "localhost"
+	port 8080
+	debug true
+	timeout 30
 	`
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -35,21 +35,21 @@ func BenchmarkMediumConfig(b *testing.B) {
 	// Medium config with nested structures and arrays
 	mediumConfig := `
 	app {
-		name = "TestApp"
-		version = "1.0.0"
-		enableLogging = true
+		name "TestApp"
+		version "1.0.0"
+		enableLogging true
 	}
 
 	database {
-		host = "db.example.com"
-		port = 5432
+		host "db.example.com"
+		port 5432
 		credentials {
-			username = "admin"
-			password = "secure123"
+			username "admin"
+			password "secure123"
 		}
 	}
 
-	features = {
+	features {
 		"authentication"
 		"authorization"
 		"reporting"
@@ -57,18 +57,18 @@ func BenchmarkMediumConfig(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 
 	timeouts {
-		connect = 5
-		read = 10
-		write = 10
-		idle = 60
+		connect 5
+		read 10
+		write 10
+		idle 60
 	}
 
 	-- Comments to add some parsing overhead
 	endpoints {
-		api = "/api/v1"
-		web = "/web"
-		admin = "/admin"
-		health = "/health"
+		api "/api/v1"
+		web "/web"
+		admin "/admin"
+		health "/health"
 	}
 	`
 
@@ -86,38 +86,38 @@ func BenchmarkLargeConfig(b *testing.B) {
 	// Simpler large config with careful bracket matching
 	largeConfig := `
 	application {
-		name = "EnterpriseApp"
-		version = "2.5.1"
-		environment = "production"
-		debug = false
-		maxConnections = 1000
-		timeout = 30
-		retryCount = 3
-		logLevel = "info"
+		name "EnterpriseApp"
+		version "2.5.1"
+		environment "production"
+		debug false
+		maxConnections 1000
+		timeout 30
+		retryCount 3
+		logLevel "info"
 	}
 
 	-- Database cluster configuration
 	databases {
 		primary {
-			host = "primary-db.example.com"
-			port = 5432
-			maxConnections = 100
+			host "primary-db.example.com"
+			port 5432
+			maxConnections 100
 			credentials {
-				username = "app_user"
-				password = "super_secret"
-				ssl = true
-				timeout = 5
+				username "app_user"
+				password "super_secret"
+				ssl true
+				timeout 5
 			}
 		}
 
 		replica {
-			host = "replica-db.example.com"
-			port = 5432
-			maxConnections = 200
+			host "replica-db.example.com"
+			port 5432
+			maxConnections 200
 			credentials {
-				username = "read_user"
-				password = "read_only_pw"
-				ssl = true
+				username "read_user"
+				password "read_only_pw"
+				ssl true
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func BenchmarkLargeConfig(b *testing.B) {
 	for i := 1; i <= 50; i++ {
 		builder.WriteString("\n\t\tsetting")
 		builder.WriteString(strconv.Itoa(i))
-		builder.WriteString(" = ")
+		builder.WriteString(" ")
 		builder.WriteString(strconv.Itoa(i * 10))
 	}
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ func BenchmarkLargeConfig(b *testing.B) {
 
 	roles {
 		admin {
-			permissions = {
+			permissions {
 				"read"
 				"write"
 				"delete"
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ func BenchmarkLargeConfig(b *testing.B) {
 			}
 		}
 		user {
-			permissions = {
+			permissions {
 				"read"
 				"write"
 			}
@@ -619,10 +619,10 @@ permissions = ["read", "write"]
 // Value Retrieval Benchmarks for Custom Config Format
 func BenchmarkRetrieveSimpleValues(b *testing.B) {
 	configData := `
-	host = "localhost"
-	port = 8080
-	debug = true
-	timeout = 30
+	host "localhost"
+	port 8080
+	debug true
+	timeout 30
 	`
 
 	// Parse once before benchmarking retrieval
@@ -663,19 +663,19 @@ func BenchmarkRetrieveSimpleValues(b *testing.B) {
 func BenchmarkRetrieveNestedValues(b *testing.B) {
 	configData := `
 	app {
-		name = "TestApp"
-		version = "1.0.0"
+		name "TestApp"
+		version "1.0.0"
 		settings {
-			enableLogging = true
-			maxConnections = 100
+			enableLogging true
+			maxConnections 100
 		}
 	}
 	database {
-		host = "db.example.com"
-		port = 5432
+		host "db.example.com"
+		port 5432
 		credentials {
-			username = "admin"
-			password = "secure123"
+			username "admin"
+			password "secure123"
 		}
 	}
 	`
@@ -715,13 +715,13 @@ func BenchmarkRetrieveNestedValues(b *testing.B) {
 
 func BenchmarkRetrieveArrayValues(b *testing.B) {
 	configData := `
-	features = {
+	features {
 		"authentication"
 		"authorization"
 		"reporting"
 		"analytics"
 	}
-	numbers = {
+	numbers {
 		1
 		2
 		3
@@ -767,19 +767,19 @@ func BenchmarkRetrieveArrayValues(b *testing.B) {
 func BenchmarkRetrieveMixedValues(b *testing.B) {
 	configData := `
 	app {
-		name = "TestApp"
-		version = "1.0.0"
-		environments = {
+		name "TestApp"
+		version "1.0.0"
+		environments {
 			"development"
 			"testing"
 			"production"
 		}
 		limits {
-			requests = 1000
-			connections = 100
+			requests 1000
+			connections 100
 			timeouts {
-				read = 5
-				write = 10
+				read 5
+				write 10
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -1065,17 +1065,17 @@ func BenchmarkComplexValueRetrieval(b *testing.B) {
 	// Setup complex config with deep nesting and arrays for all formats
 	customConfig := `
 	app {
-		name = "TestApp"
-		version = "1.0.0"
+		name "TestApp"
+		version "1.0.0"
 		settings {
-			enableLogging = true
-			maxConnections = 100
+			enableLogging true
+			maxConnections 100
 			timeouts {
-				read = 5
-				write = 10
+				read 5
+				write 10
 			}
 		}
-		environments = {
+		environments {
 			"development"
 			"testing"
 			"production"
diff --git a/config.go b/config.go
index a19ff50..725d596 100644
--- a/config.go
+++ b/config.go
@@ -6,18 +6,10 @@ import (
 	"strconv"
 )
 
-// ParseState represents a parsing level state
-type ParseState struct {
-	object        map[string]any
-	arrayElements []any
-	isArray       bool
-	currentKey    string
-	expectValue   bool
-}
-
 // Config holds a single hierarchical structure like JSON and handles parsing
 type Config struct {
 	data          map[string]any
+	dataRef       *map[string]any // Reference to pooled map
 	scanner       *Scanner
 	currentObject map[string]any
 	stack         []map[string]any
@@ -26,14 +18,34 @@ type Config struct {
 
 // NewConfig creates a new empty config
 func NewConfig() *Config {
+	dataRef := GetMap()
+	data := *dataRef
+
 	cfg := &Config{
-		data:  make(map[string]any, 16), // Pre-allocate with expected capacity
-		stack: make([]map[string]any, 0, 8),
+		data:    data,
+		dataRef: dataRef,
+		stack:   make([]map[string]any, 0, 8),
 	}
 	cfg.currentObject = cfg.data
 	return cfg
 }
 
+// Release frees any resources and returns them to pools
+func (c *Config) Release() {
+	if c.scanner != nil {
+		ReleaseScanner(c.scanner)
+		c.scanner = nil
+	}
+
+	if c.dataRef != nil {
+		PutMap(c.dataRef)
+		c.data = nil
+		c.dataRef = nil
+	}
+	c.currentObject = nil
+	c.stack = nil
+}
+
 // Get retrieves a value from the config using dot notation
 func (c *Config) Get(key string) (any, error) {
 	if key == "" {
@@ -56,7 +68,6 @@ func (c *Config) Get(key string) (any, error) {
 			// Handle current node based on its type
 			switch node := current.(type) {
 			case map[string]any:
-				// Simple map lookup
 				val, ok := node[part]
 				if !ok {
 					return nil, fmt.Errorf("key %s not found", part)
@@ -64,7 +75,6 @@ func (c *Config) Get(key string) (any, error) {
 				current = val
 
 			case []any:
-				// Must be numeric index
 				index, err := strconv.Atoi(part)
 				if err != nil {
 					return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid array index: %s", part)
@@ -78,7 +88,6 @@ func (c *Config) Get(key string) (any, error) {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot access %s in non-container value", part)
 			}
 
-			// If we've processed the entire key, return the current value
 			if i == len(key)-1 || (i < len(key)-1 && key[i] == '.' && end == i) {
 				if i == len(key)-1 {
 					return current, nil
@@ -203,8 +212,6 @@ func (c *Config) GetMap(key string) (map[string]any, error) {
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("value for key %s is not a map", key)
 }
 
-// --- Parser Methods (integrated into Config) ---
-
 // Error creates an error with line information from the current token
 func (c *Config) Error(msg string) error {
 	return fmt.Errorf("line %d, column %d: %s",
@@ -257,244 +264,198 @@ func (c *Config) parseContent() error {
 
 		// We expect top level entries to be names
 		if token.Type != TokenName {
-			return c.Error("expected name at top level")
+			return c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("expected name at top level, got token type %v", token.Type))
 		}
 
 		// Get the property name - copy to create a stable key
-		nameBytes := token.Value
-		name := string(nameBytes)
+		nameBytes := GetByteSlice()
+		*nameBytes = append((*nameBytes)[:0], token.Value...)
+		name := string(*nameBytes)
+		PutByteSlice(nameBytes)
 
-		// Get the next token (should be = or {)
-		token, err = c.nextToken()
+		// Get the next token
+		nextToken, err := c.nextToken()
 		if err != nil {
+			if err == io.EOF {
+				// EOF after name - store as empty string
+				c.currentObject[name] = ""
+				break
+			}
 			return err
 		}
 
 		var value any
 
-		if token.Type == TokenEquals {
-			// It's a standard key=value assignment
-			value, err = c.parseValue()
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		} else if token.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
-			// It's a map/array without '='
+		if nextToken.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
+			// It's a nested object/array
 			value, err = c.parseObject()
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		} else {
-			return c.Error("expected '=' or '{' after name")
+			// It's a simple value
+			value = c.tokenToValue(nextToken)
+
+			// Check for potential nested object - look ahead
+			lookAhead, nextErr := c.nextToken()
+			if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
+				// It's a complex object that follows a value
+				nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				// Store the previous simple value in a map to add to the object
+				if mapValue, ok := nestedValue.(map[string]any); ok {
+					// Create a new map value with both the simple value and the map
+					mapRef := GetMap()
+					newMap := *mapRef
+					for k, v := range mapValue {
+						newMap[k] = v
+					}
+					newMap["value"] = value // Store simple value under "value" key
+					value = newMap
+				}
+			} else if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type != TokenEOF {
+				// Put the token back if it's not EOF
+				c.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
+			}
 		}
 
 		// Store the value in the config
-		if mapValue, ok := value.(map[string]any); ok {
-			// Add an entry in current object
-			newMap := make(map[string]any, 8) // Pre-allocate with capacity
-			c.currentObject[name] = newMap
-
-			// Process the map contents
-			c.stack = append(c.stack, c.currentObject)
-			c.currentObject = newMap
-
-			// Copy values from scanned map to our object
-			for k, v := range mapValue {
-				c.currentObject[k] = v
-			}
-
-			// Restore parent object
-			n := len(c.stack)
-			if n > 0 {
-				c.currentObject = c.stack[n-1]
-				c.stack = c.stack[:n-1]
-			}
-		} else {
-			// Direct storage for primitives and arrays
-			c.currentObject[name] = value
-		}
+		c.currentObject[name] = value
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
-// parseValue parses a value after an equals sign
-func (c *Config) parseValue() (any, error) {
-	token, err := c.nextToken()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	switch token.Type {
-	case TokenString:
-		// Copy the value for string stability
-		return string(token.Value), nil
-
-	case TokenNumber:
-		strValue := string(token.Value)
-		for i := 0; i < len(strValue); i++ {
-			if strValue[i] == '.' {
-				// It's a float
-				val, err := strconv.ParseFloat(strValue, 64)
-				if err != nil {
-					return nil, c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("invalid float: %s", strValue))
-				}
-				return val, nil
-			}
-		}
-		// It's an integer
-		val, err := strconv.ParseInt(strValue, 10, 64)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("invalid integer: %s", strValue))
-		}
-		return val, nil
-
-	case TokenBoolean:
-		return bytesEqual(token.Value, []byte("true")), nil
-
-	case TokenOpenBrace:
-		// It's a map or array
-		return c.parseObject()
-
-	case TokenName:
-		// Treat as a string value - copy to create a stable string
-		return string(token.Value), nil
-
-	default:
-		return nil, c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("unexpected token: %v", token.Type))
-	}
-}
-
 // parseObject parses a map or array
 func (c *Config) parseObject() (any, error) {
-	// Initialize stack with first state
-	stack := []*ParseState{{
-		object:        make(map[string]any, 8),
-		arrayElements: make([]any, 0, 8),
-		isArray:       true,
-	}}
+	// Default to treating as an array until we see a name
+	isArray := true
+	arrayRef := GetArray()
+	arrayElements := *arrayRef
 
-	for len(stack) > 0 {
-		// Get current state from top of stack
-		current := stack[len(stack)-1]
+	mapRef := GetMap()
+	objectElements := *mapRef
 
+	defer func() {
+		if !isArray {
+			PutArray(arrayRef) // We didn't use the array
+		} else {
+			PutMap(mapRef) // We didn't use the map
+		}
+	}()
+
+	for {
 		token, err := c.nextToken()
 		if err != nil {
+			if err == io.EOF {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("unexpected EOF in object/array")
+			}
 			return nil, err
 		}
 
 		// Handle closing brace - finish current object/array
 		if token.Type == TokenCloseBrace {
-			// Determine result based on what we've collected
-			var result any
-			if current.isArray && len(current.object) == 0 {
-				result = current.arrayElements
-			} else {
-				result = current.object
-			}
-
-			// Pop the stack
-			stack = stack[:len(stack)-1]
-
-			// If stack is empty, we're done with the root object
-			if len(stack) == 0 {
+			if isArray && len(arrayElements) > 0 {
+				result := arrayElements
+				// Don't release the array, transfer ownership
+				*arrayRef = nil // Detach from pool reference
 				return result, nil
 			}
-
-			// Otherwise, add result to parent
-			parent := stack[len(stack)-1]
-			if parent.expectValue {
-				parent.object[parent.currentKey] = result
-				parent.expectValue = false
-			} else {
-				parent.arrayElements = append(parent.arrayElements, result)
-			}
-			continue
+			result := objectElements
+			// Don't release the map, transfer ownership
+			*mapRef = nil // Detach from pool reference
+			return result, nil
 		}
 
 		// Handle tokens based on type
 		switch token.Type {
 		case TokenName:
-			name := string(token.Value)
+			// Copy token value to create a stable key
+			keyBytes := GetByteSlice()
+			*keyBytes = append((*keyBytes)[:0], token.Value...)
+			key := string(*keyBytes)
+			PutByteSlice(keyBytes)
 
-			// Look ahead to determine context
+			// Look ahead to see what follows
 			nextToken, err := c.nextToken()
+			if err != nil {
+				if err == io.EOF {
+					// EOF after key - store as empty value
+					objectElements[key] = ""
+					isArray = false
+					return objectElements, nil
+				}
+				return nil, err
+			}
+
+			if nextToken.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
+				// Nested object
+				isArray = false // If we see a key, it's a map
+				nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				objectElements[key] = nestedValue
+			} else {
+				// Key-value pair
+				isArray = false // If we see a key, it's a map
+				value := c.tokenToValue(nextToken)
+				objectElements[key] = value
+
+				// Check if there's an object following
+				lookAhead, nextErr := c.nextToken()
+				if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
+					// Nested object after value
+					nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
+					if err != nil {
+						return nil, err
+					}
+
+					// Check if we need to convert the value to a map
+					if mapValue, ok := nestedValue.(map[string]any); ok {
+						// Create a combined map
+						combinedMapRef := GetMap()
+						combinedMap := *combinedMapRef
+						for k, v := range mapValue {
+							combinedMap[k] = v
+						}
+						combinedMap["value"] = value
+						objectElements[key] = combinedMap
+					}
+				} else if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type != TokenEOF && lookAhead.Type != TokenCloseBrace {
+					c.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
+				} else if nextErr == nil && lookAhead.Type == TokenCloseBrace {
+					// We found the closing brace - unread it so it's handled by the main loop
+					c.scanner.UnreadToken(lookAhead)
+				}
+			}
+
+		case TokenString, TokenNumber, TokenBoolean:
+			// Array element
+			value := c.tokenToValue(token)
+			arrayElements = append(arrayElements, value)
+
+		case TokenOpenBrace:
+			// Nested object/array
+			nestedValue, err := c.parseObject()
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
 
-			if nextToken.Type == TokenEquals {
-				// Key-value pair
-				current.isArray = false
-				current.currentKey = name
-				current.expectValue = true
-
-				// Parse the value
-				valueToken, err := c.nextToken()
-				if err != nil {
-					return nil, err
-				}
-
-				if valueToken.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
-					// Push new state for nested object/array
-					newState := &ParseState{
-						object:        make(map[string]any, 8),
-						arrayElements: make([]any, 0, 8),
-						isArray:       true,
-					}
-					stack = append(stack, newState)
-				} else {
-					// Handle primitive value
-					value := c.tokenToValue(valueToken)
-					current.object[name] = value
-				}
-			} else if nextToken.Type == TokenOpenBrace {
-				// Nested object with name
-				current.isArray = false
-				current.currentKey = name
-				current.expectValue = true
-
-				// Push new state for nested object
-				newState := &ParseState{
-					object:        make(map[string]any, 8),
-					arrayElements: make([]any, 0, 8),
-					isArray:       true,
-				}
-				stack = append(stack, newState)
+			if isArray {
+				arrayElements = append(arrayElements, nestedValue)
 			} else {
-				// Array element
-				c.scanner.UnreadToken(nextToken)
-
-				// Convert name to appropriate type
-				value := c.convertNameValue(name)
-				current.arrayElements = append(current.arrayElements, value)
+				// If we're in an object context, this is an error
+				return nil, c.Error("unexpected nested object without a key")
 			}
 
-		case TokenString, TokenNumber, TokenBoolean:
-			value := c.tokenToValue(token)
-
-			if current.expectValue {
-				current.object[current.currentKey] = value
-				current.expectValue = false
-			} else {
-				current.arrayElements = append(current.arrayElements, value)
-			}
-
-		case TokenOpenBrace:
-			// New nested object/array
-			newState := &ParseState{
-				object:        make(map[string]any, 8),
-				arrayElements: make([]any, 0, 8),
-				isArray:       true,
-			}
-			stack = append(stack, newState)
-
 		default:
-			return nil, c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("unexpected token: %v", token.Type))
+			return nil, c.Error(fmt.Sprintf("unexpected token type: %v", token.Type))
 		}
 	}
-
-	return nil, fmt.Errorf("unexpected end of parsing")
 }
 
 // Load parses a config from a reader
@@ -503,13 +464,80 @@ func Load(r io.Reader) (*Config, error) {
 	err := config.Parse(r)
 
 	if err != nil {
+		config.Release()
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	return config, nil
 }
 
-// Helpers
+// tokenToValue converts a token to a Go value, preserving byte slices until final conversion
+func (c *Config) tokenToValue(token Token) any {
+	switch token.Type {
+	case TokenString:
+		// Convert to string using pooled buffer
+		valueBytes := GetByteSlice()
+		*valueBytes = append((*valueBytes)[:0], token.Value...)
+		result := string(*valueBytes)
+		PutByteSlice(valueBytes)
+		return result
+
+	case TokenNumber:
+		// Parse number
+		valueStr := string(token.Value)
+		if containsChar(token.Value, '.') {
+			// Float
+			val, _ := strconv.ParseFloat(valueStr, 64)
+			return val
+		}
+		// Integer
+		val, _ := strconv.ParseInt(valueStr, 10, 64)
+		return val
+
+	case TokenBoolean:
+		return bytesEqual(token.Value, []byte("true"))
+
+	case TokenName:
+		// Check if name is a special value
+		valueBytes := GetByteSlice()
+		*valueBytes = append((*valueBytes)[:0], token.Value...)
+
+		if bytesEqual(*valueBytes, []byte("true")) {
+			PutByteSlice(valueBytes)
+			return true
+		} else if bytesEqual(*valueBytes, []byte("false")) {
+			PutByteSlice(valueBytes)
+			return false
+		} else if isDigitOrMinus((*valueBytes)[0]) {
+			// Try to convert to number
+			valueStr := string(*valueBytes)
+			PutByteSlice(valueBytes)
+
+			if containsChar(token.Value, '.') {
+				val, err := strconv.ParseFloat(valueStr, 64)
+				if err == nil {
+					return val
+				}
+			} else {
+				val, err := strconv.ParseInt(valueStr, 10, 64)
+				if err == nil {
+					return val
+				}
+			}
+			return valueStr
+		}
+
+		// Default to string
+		result := string(*valueBytes)
+		PutByteSlice(valueBytes)
+		return result
+
+	default:
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
+// Helper functions
 
 func isLetter(b byte) bool {
 	return (b >= 'a' && b <= 'z') || (b >= 'A' && b <= 'Z')
@@ -519,77 +547,27 @@ func isDigit(b byte) bool {
 	return b >= '0' && b <= '9'
 }
 
-// ParseNumber converts a string to a number (int64 or float64)
-func ParseNumber(s string) (any, error) {
-	// Check if it has a decimal point
-	for i := 0; i < len(s); i++ {
-		if s[i] == '.' {
-			// It's a float
-			return strconv.ParseFloat(s, 64)
-		}
-	}
-	// It's an integer
-	return strconv.ParseInt(s, 10, 64)
+func isDigitOrMinus(b byte) bool {
+	return isDigit(b) || b == '-'
 }
 
-// bytesEqual compares a byte slice with either a string or byte slice
-func bytesEqual(b []byte, s []byte) bool {
-	if len(b) != len(s) {
+func bytesEqual(b1, b2 []byte) bool {
+	if len(b1) != len(b2) {
 		return false
 	}
-	for i := 0; i < len(b); i++ {
-		if b[i] != s[i] {
+	for i := 0; i < len(b1); i++ {
+		if b1[i] != b2[i] {
 			return false
 		}
 	}
 	return true
 }
 
-// isDigitOrMinus checks if a string starts with a digit or minus sign
-func isDigitOrMinus(s string) bool {
-	if len(s) == 0 {
-		return false
-	}
-	return isDigit(s[0]) || (s[0] == '-' && len(s) > 1 && isDigit(s[1]))
-}
-
-// parseStringAsNumber tries to parse a string as a number (float or int)
-func parseStringAsNumber(s string) (any, error) {
-	// Check if it has a decimal point
-	for i := 0; i < len(s); i++ {
-		if s[i] == '.' {
-			// It's a float
-			return strconv.ParseFloat(s, 64)
+func containsChar(b []byte, c byte) bool {
+	for _, v := range b {
+		if v == c {
+			return true
 		}
 	}
-	// It's an integer
-	return strconv.ParseInt(s, 10, 64)
-}
-
-func (c *Config) tokenToValue(token Token) any {
-	switch token.Type {
-	case TokenString:
-		return string(token.Value)
-	case TokenNumber:
-		val, _ := parseStringAsNumber(string(token.Value))
-		return val
-	case TokenBoolean:
-		return bytesEqual(token.Value, []byte("true"))
-	default:
-		return string(token.Value)
-	}
-}
-
-func (c *Config) convertNameValue(name string) any {
-	if name == "true" {
-		return true
-	} else if name == "false" {
-		return false
-	} else if isDigitOrMinus(name) {
-		val, err := parseStringAsNumber(name)
-		if err == nil {
-			return val
-		}
-	}
-	return name
+	return false
 }
diff --git a/pool.go b/pool.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10bcfe8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pool.go
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"sync"
+)
+
+// byteSlicePool helps reuse byte slices
+var byteSlicePool = sync.Pool{
+	New: func() interface{} {
+		b := make([]byte, 0, 128)
+		return &b
+	},
+}
+
+// GetByteSlice gets a byte slice from the pool
+func GetByteSlice() *[]byte {
+	return byteSlicePool.Get().(*[]byte)
+}
+
+// PutByteSlice returns a byte slice to the pool
+func PutByteSlice(b *[]byte) {
+	if b != nil {
+		*b = (*b)[:0] // Clear but keep capacity
+		byteSlicePool.Put(b)
+	}
+}
+
+// mapPool helps reuse maps for config objects
+var mapPool = sync.Pool{
+	New: func() interface{} {
+		m := make(map[string]any, 16)
+		return &m
+	},
+}
+
+// GetMap gets a map from the pool
+func GetMap() *map[string]any {
+	return mapPool.Get().(*map[string]any)
+}
+
+// PutMap returns a map to the pool after clearing it
+func PutMap(m *map[string]any) {
+	if m != nil {
+		// Clear the map
+		for k := range *m {
+			delete(*m, k)
+		}
+		mapPool.Put(m)
+	}
+}
+
+// arrayPool helps reuse slices
+var arrayPool = sync.Pool{
+	New: func() interface{} {
+		a := make([]any, 0, 8)
+		return &a
+	},
+}
+
+// GetArray gets a slice from the pool
+func GetArray() *[]any {
+	return arrayPool.Get().(*[]any)
+}
+
+// PutArray returns a slice to the pool
+func PutArray(a *[]any) {
+	if a != nil {
+		*a = (*a)[:0] // Clear but keep capacity
+		arrayPool.Put(a)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/scanner.go b/scanner.go
index c70584f..68617b7 100644
--- a/scanner.go
+++ b/scanner.go
@@ -19,20 +19,23 @@ var (
 
 // Scanner handles the low-level parsing of the configuration format
 type Scanner struct {
-	reader *bufio.Reader
-	line   int
-	col    int
-	buffer []byte
-	token  Token // Current token for unread
+	reader    *bufio.Reader
+	line      int
+	col       int
+	buffer    []byte  // Slice to the pooled buffer
+	bufferRef *[]byte // Reference to the pooled buffer
+	token     Token   // Current token for unread
 }
 
 // scannerPool helps reuse scanner objects
 var scannerPool = sync.Pool{
 	New: func() interface{} {
+		bufferRef := GetByteSlice()
 		return &Scanner{
-			line:   1,
-			col:    0,
-			buffer: make([]byte, 0, 128),
+			line:      1,
+			col:       0,
+			bufferRef: bufferRef,
+			buffer:    (*bufferRef)[:0],
 		}
 	},
 }
@@ -43,7 +46,7 @@ func NewScanner(r io.Reader) *Scanner {
 	s.reader = bufio.NewReader(r)
 	s.line = 1
 	s.col = 0
-	s.buffer = s.buffer[:0]
+	s.buffer = (*s.bufferRef)[:0]
 	s.token = Token{Type: TokenError}
 	return s
 }
@@ -53,7 +56,7 @@ func ReleaseScanner(s *Scanner) {
 	if s != nil {
 		// Clear references but keep allocated memory
 		s.reader = nil
-		s.buffer = s.buffer[:0]
+		s.buffer = (*s.bufferRef)[:0]
 		scannerPool.Put(s)
 	}
 }
@@ -139,19 +142,19 @@ func (s *Scanner) NextToken() (Token, error) {
 
 	// Skip whitespace
 	err := s.SkipWhitespace()
-	if err == io.EOF {
-		return Token{Type: TokenEOF}, nil
-	}
 	if err != nil {
-		return Token{Type: TokenError, Value: []byte(err.Error())}, err
+		if err == io.EOF {
+			return Token{Type: TokenEOF, Line: s.line, Column: s.col}, nil
+		}
+		return Token{Type: TokenError, Value: []byte(err.Error()), Line: s.line, Column: s.col}, err
 	}
 
 	b, err := s.PeekByte()
 	if err != nil {
 		if err == io.EOF {
-			return Token{Type: TokenEOF}, nil
+			return Token{Type: TokenEOF, Line: s.line, Column: s.col}, nil
 		}
-		return Token{Type: TokenError, Value: []byte(err.Error())}, err
+		return Token{Type: TokenError, Value: []byte(err.Error()), Line: s.line, Column: s.col}, err
 	}
 
 	// Record start position for error reporting
@@ -159,10 +162,6 @@ func (s *Scanner) NextToken() (Token, error) {
 
 	// Process based on first character
 	switch {
-	case b == '=':
-		_, _ = s.ReadByte() // consume equals
-		return Token{Type: TokenEquals, Line: startLine, Column: startColumn}, nil
-
 	case b == '{':
 		_, _ = s.ReadByte() // consume open brace
 		return Token{Type: TokenOpenBrace, Line: startLine, Column: startColumn}, nil
@@ -264,7 +263,7 @@ func (s *Scanner) scanComment() error {
 // scanString scans a quoted string
 func (s *Scanner) scanString(startLine, startColumn int) (Token, error) {
 	// Reset buffer
-	s.buffer = s.buffer[:0]
+	s.buffer = (*s.bufferRef)[:0]
 
 	// Consume opening quote
 	_, err := s.ReadByte()
@@ -317,7 +316,7 @@ func (s *Scanner) scanString(startLine, startColumn int) (Token, error) {
 // scanName scans an identifier
 func (s *Scanner) scanName(startLine, startColumn int) (Token, error) {
 	// Reset buffer
-	s.buffer = s.buffer[:0]
+	s.buffer = (*s.bufferRef)[:0]
 
 	// Read first character
 	b, err := s.ReadByte()
@@ -363,7 +362,7 @@ func (s *Scanner) scanName(startLine, startColumn int) (Token, error) {
 // scanNumber scans a numeric value
 func (s *Scanner) scanNumber(startLine, startColumn int) (Token, error) {
 	// Reset buffer
-	s.buffer = s.buffer[:0]
+	s.buffer = (*s.bufferRef)[:0]
 
 	// Read first character (might be a minus sign or digit)
 	b, err := s.ReadByte()
diff --git a/tests/config_test.go b/tests/config_test.go
index 3d5be5f..2c3571a 100644
--- a/tests/config_test.go
+++ b/tests/config_test.go
@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@ import (
 
 func TestBasicKeyValuePairs(t *testing.T) {
 	input := `
-	boolTrue = true
-	boolFalse = false
-	integer = 42
-	negativeInt = -10
-	floatValue = 3.14
-	negativeFloat = -2.5
-	stringValue = "hello world"
+	boolTrue true
+	boolFalse false
+	integer 42
+	negativeInt -10
+	floatValue 3.14
+	negativeFloat -2.5
+	stringValue "hello world"
 	`
 	config, err := config.Load(strings.NewReader(input))
 	if err != nil {
@@ -83,18 +83,18 @@ func TestBasicKeyValuePairs(t *testing.T) {
 func TestComments(t *testing.T) {
 	input := `
 	-- This is a line comment
-	key1 = "value1"
+	key1 "value1"
 	
 	--[[ This is a 
 	     block comment spanning
 	     multiple lines ]]
-	key2 = "value2"
+	key2 "value2"
 	
 	settings {
 		-- Comment inside a map
-		timeout = 30
+		timeout 30
 		--[[ Another block comment ]]
-		retries = 3
+		retries 3
 	}
 	`
 
@@ -135,15 +135,6 @@ func TestArrays(t *testing.T) {
 		"cherry"
 	}
 	
-	-- Array with equals sign
-	numbers = {
-		1
-		2
-		3
-		4
-		5
-	}
-	
 	-- Mixed types array
 	mixed {
 		"string"
@@ -175,23 +166,6 @@ func TestArrays(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected fruits.0=\"apple\", got %v, err: %v", apple, err)
 	}
 
-	// Verify array with equals sign
-	numbers, err := config.GetArray("numbers")
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to get numbers array: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	// Check array length
-	if len(numbers) != 5 {
-		t.Errorf("expected 5 numbers, got %d", len(numbers))
-	}
-
-	// Verify first number
-	firstNumber, err := config.GetInt("numbers.0")
-	if err != nil || firstNumber != 1 {
-		t.Errorf("expected numbers.0=1, got %v, err: %v", firstNumber, err)
-	}
-
 	// Verify mixed types array
 	mixed, err := config.GetArray("mixed")
 	if err != nil {
@@ -228,28 +202,20 @@ func TestMaps(t *testing.T) {
 	input := `
 	-- Simple map
 	server {
-		host = "localhost"
-		port = 8080
-	}
-
-	-- Map with equals sign
-	database = {
-		username = "admin"
-		password = "secret"
-		enabled = true
-		maxConnections = 100
+		host "localhost"
+		port 8080
 	}
 
 	-- Nested maps
 	application {
-		name = "MyApp"
-		version = "1.0.0"
+		name "MyApp"
+		version "1.0.0"
 		settings {
-			theme = "dark"
-			notifications = true
+			theme "dark"
+			notifications true
 			logging {
-				level = "info"
-				file = "app.log"
+				level "info"
+				file "app.log"
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -281,17 +247,6 @@ func TestMaps(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected server.port=8080, got %v, err: %v", port, err)
 	}
 
-	// Verify map with equals sign
-	dbUser, err := config.GetString("database.username")
-	if err != nil || dbUser != "admin" {
-		t.Errorf("expected database.username=\"admin\", got %v, err: %v", dbUser, err)
-	}
-
-	dbEnabled, err := config.GetBool("database.enabled")
-	if err != nil || dbEnabled != true {
-		t.Errorf("expected database.enabled=true, got %v, err: %v", dbEnabled, err)
-	}
-
 	// Verify deeply nested maps
 	appName, err := config.GetString("application.name")
 	if err != nil || appName != "MyApp" {
diff --git a/token.go b/token.go
index 9170548..176fd0e 100644
--- a/token.go
+++ b/token.go
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ const (
 	TokenString
 	TokenNumber
 	TokenBoolean
-	TokenEquals
 	TokenOpenBrace
 	TokenCloseBrace
 	TokenComment