diff --git a/benchmarks/string.lua b/benchmarks/string.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34b8f30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/benchmarks/string.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,250 @@
+require("../tests/tests")
+local str = require("string")
+
+-- Pure Lua implementations for comparison
+local pure_lua = {}
+
+function pure_lua.capitalize(s)
+	return s:gsub("(%a)([%w_']*)", function(first, rest)
+		return first:upper() .. rest:lower()
+	end)
+end
+
+function pure_lua.camel_case(s)
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word:lower())
+	end
+	if #words == 0 then return s end
+	
+	local result = words[1]
+	for i = 2, #words do
+		result = result .. words[i]:gsub("^%l", string.upper)
+	end
+	return result
+end
+
+function pure_lua.template(template, vars)
+	vars = vars or {}
+	return template:gsub("%${([%w_]+)}", function(var)
+		return tostring(vars[var] or "")
+	end)
+end
+
+function pure_lua.distance(a, b)
+	local len_a, len_b = #a, #b
+	if len_a == 0 then return len_b end
+	if len_b == 0 then return len_a end
+	
+	local matrix = {}
+	for i = 0, len_a do
+		matrix[i] = {[0] = i}
+	end
+	for j = 0, len_b do
+		matrix[0][j] = j
+	end
+	
+	for i = 1, len_a do
+		for j = 1, len_b do
+			local cost = (a:sub(i,i) == b:sub(j,j)) and 0 or 1
+			matrix[i][j] = math.min(
+				matrix[i-1][j] + 1,
+				matrix[i][j-1] + 1,
+				matrix[i-1][j-1] + cost
+			)
+		end
+	end
+	
+	return matrix[len_a][len_b]
+end
+
+function pure_lua.wrap(s, width)
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word)
+	end
+	
+	local lines = {}
+	local current_line = ""
+	
+	for _, word in ipairs(words) do
+		if #current_line + #word + 1 <= width then
+			if current_line == "" then
+				current_line = word
+			else
+				current_line = current_line .. " " .. word
+			end
+		else
+			if current_line ~= "" then
+				table.insert(lines, current_line)
+			end
+			current_line = word
+		end
+	end
+	
+	if current_line ~= "" then
+		table.insert(lines, current_line)
+	end
+	
+	return lines
+end
+
+function pure_lua.slug(s)
+	-- Remove accents (simplified)
+	local result = s:lower()
+	result = result:gsub("[àáâãäå]", "a")
+	result = result:gsub("[èéêë]", "e")
+	result = result:gsub("[ìíîï]", "i")
+	result = result:gsub("[òóôõö]", "o")
+	result = result:gsub("[ùúûü]", "u")
+	result = result:gsub("[ñ]", "n")
+	result = result:gsub("[ç]", "c")
+	result = result:gsub("[^%w%s]", "")
+	result = result:gsub("%s+", "-")
+	result = result:gsub("^%-+", ""):gsub("%-+$", "")
+	return result
+end
+
+-- Test data
+local test_texts = {
+	short = "Hello World",
+	medium = "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This is a test sentence for benchmarking.",
+	long = string.rep("Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. ", 100),
+	template_str = "Hello ${name}, you are ${age} years old and work as a ${job}.",
+	template_vars = {name = "John", age = 30, job = "developer"}
+}
+
+-- Benchmark function
+local function benchmark_comparison(name, go_func, lua_func, test_data, iterations)
+	iterations = iterations or 10000
+	
+	print(string.format("\n=== %s Benchmark (%d iterations) ===", name, iterations))
+	
+	-- Warmup
+	for i = 1, 100 do
+		go_func(test_data)
+		lua_func(test_data)
+	end
+	
+	-- Benchmark Go version
+	local go_start = os.clock()
+	for i = 1, iterations do
+		go_func(test_data)
+	end
+	local go_time = os.clock() - go_start
+	
+	-- Benchmark Lua version
+	local lua_start = os.clock()
+	for i = 1, iterations do
+		lua_func(test_data)
+	end
+	local lua_time = os.clock() - lua_start
+	
+	-- Results
+	local go_rate = iterations / go_time
+	local lua_rate = iterations / lua_time
+	local speedup = lua_time / go_time
+	
+	print(string.format("Go (enhanced):   %.3fs (%.0f ops/sec)", go_time, go_rate))
+	print(string.format("Lua (pure):      %.3fs (%.0f ops/sec)", lua_time, lua_rate))
+	print(string.format("Speedup: %.2fx %s", math.abs(speedup), speedup > 1 and "(Go faster)" or "(Lua faster)"))
+	
+	return {
+		go_time = go_time,
+		lua_time = lua_time,
+		speedup = speedup,
+		go_rate = go_rate,
+		lua_rate = lua_rate
+	}
+end
+
+-- Benchmark wrapper functions
+local function run_benchmarks()
+	print("String Operations Performance Comparison")
+	print("=" .. string.rep("=", 50))
+	
+	local results = {}
+	
+	-- Capitalize benchmark
+	results.capitalize = benchmark_comparison(
+		"Capitalize",
+		function(text) return str.capitalize(text) end,
+		function(text) return pure_lua.capitalize(text) end,
+		test_texts.medium
+	)
+	
+	-- CamelCase benchmark
+	results.camel_case = benchmark_comparison(
+		"CamelCase",
+		function(text) return str.camel_case(text) end,
+		function(text) return pure_lua.camel_case(text) end,
+		test_texts.medium
+	)
+	
+	-- Template benchmark
+	results.template = benchmark_comparison(
+		"Template",
+		function(data) return str.template(test_texts.template_str, data) end,
+		function(data) return pure_lua.template(test_texts.template_str, data) end,
+		test_texts.template_vars
+	)
+	
+	-- Distance benchmark (shorter strings due to O(n²) complexity)
+	results.distance = benchmark_comparison(
+		"Levenshtein Distance",
+		function(texts) return str.distance(texts[1], texts[2]) end,
+		function(texts) return pure_lua.distance(texts[1], texts[2]) end,
+		{"kitten", "sitting"},
+		1000  -- Fewer iterations for expensive operation
+	)
+	
+	-- Wrap benchmark
+	results.wrap = benchmark_comparison(
+		"Text Wrap",
+		function(text) return str.wrap(text, 40) end,
+		function(text) return pure_lua.wrap(text, 40) end,
+		test_texts.long
+	)
+	
+	-- Slug benchmark
+	results.slug = benchmark_comparison(
+		"Slug Generation",
+		function(text) return str.slug(text) end,
+		function(text) return pure_lua.slug(text) end,
+		"Café & Restaurant!! Special Characters"
+	)
+	
+	-- Summary
+	print("\n" .. string.rep("=", 50))
+	print("PERFORMANCE SUMMARY")
+	print(string.rep("=", 50))
+	
+	local go_wins = 0
+	local lua_wins = 0
+	
+	for name, result in pairs(results) do
+		local winner = result.speedup > 1 and "Go" or "Lua"
+		local margin = string.format("%.2fx", math.abs(result.speedup))
+		print(string.format("%-20s: %s wins by %s", name, winner, margin))
+		
+		if result.speedup > 1 then
+			go_wins = go_wins + 1
+		else
+			lua_wins = lua_wins + 1
+		end
+	end
+	
+	print(string.rep("-", 50))
+	print(string.format("Go wins: %d, Lua wins: %d", go_wins, lua_wins))
+	
+	-- Analysis
+	print("\nANALYSIS:")
+	print("• Go functions benefit from optimized implementations")
+	print("• Lua functions avoid CGO overhead for simple operations")
+	print("• Choice depends on operation complexity vs call frequency")
+	
+	return results
+end
+
+-- Run the benchmarks
+run_benchmarks()
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/functions/string.go b/functions/string.go
index 2f5752e..9fc220d 100644
--- a/functions/string.go
+++ b/functions/string.go
@@ -15,6 +15,19 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/text/language"
 )
 
+const (
+	maxStringLength = 10_000_000 // 10MB limit for safety
+	maxRepeatCount  = 1_000_000  // Prevent excessive memory usage
+	maxRandomLength = 100_000    // Reasonable limit for random strings
+)
+
+func validateStringLength(s string) error {
+	if len(s) > maxStringLength {
+		return fmt.Errorf("string too large (max %d bytes)", maxStringLength)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 	return map[string]luajit.GoFunction{
 		"string_split": func(s *luajit.State) int {
@@ -29,6 +42,24 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_split: second argument must be a string")
 			}
+
+			if err := validateStringLength(str); err != nil {
+				return s.PushError("string_split: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			// Handle empty separator - split into characters
+			if sep == "" {
+				runes := []rune(str)
+				parts := make([]string, len(runes))
+				for i, r := range runes {
+					parts[i] = string(r)
+				}
+				if err := s.PushValue(parts); err != nil {
+					return s.PushError("string_split: failed to push result: %v", err)
+				}
+				return 1
+			}
+
 			parts := strings.Split(str, sep)
 			if err := s.PushValue(parts); err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_split: failed to push result: %v", err)
@@ -50,25 +81,33 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			}
 
 			var parts []string
-			if slice, ok := arr.([]string); ok {
-				parts = slice
-			} else if anySlice, ok := arr.([]interface{}); ok {
-				parts = make([]string, len(anySlice))
-				for i, v := range anySlice {
-					parts[i] = fmt.Sprintf("%v", v)
+			switch v := arr.(type) {
+			case []string:
+				parts = v
+			case []interface{}:
+				parts = make([]string, len(v))
+				for i, val := range v {
+					if val == nil {
+						parts[i] = ""
+					} else {
+						parts[i] = fmt.Sprintf("%v", val)
+					}
 				}
-			} else if anyMap, ok := arr.(map[string]interface{}); ok {
-				// Handle empty table case - check if it's meant to be an array
-				if len(anyMap) == 0 {
-					parts = []string{} // Empty array
+			case map[string]interface{}:
+				if len(v) == 0 {
+					parts = []string{}
 				} else {
-					return s.PushError("string_join: first argument must be an array")
+					return s.PushError("string_join: first argument must be an array, not a map")
 				}
-			} else {
+			default:
 				return s.PushError("string_join: first argument must be an array")
 			}
 
 			result := strings.Join(parts, sep)
+			if err := validateStringLength(result); err != nil {
+				return s.PushError("string_join: result %v", err)
+			}
+
 			s.PushString(result)
 			return 1
 		},
@@ -94,7 +133,7 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_trim_left: first argument must be a string")
 			}
 
-			if s.GetTop() >= 2 && s.IsString(2) {
+			if s.GetTop() >= 2 && !s.IsNil(2) {
 				cutset, err := s.SafeToString(2)
 				if err != nil {
 					return s.PushError("string_trim_left: second argument must be a string")
@@ -115,7 +154,7 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_trim_right: first argument must be a string")
 			}
 
-			if s.GetTop() >= 2 && s.IsString(2) {
+			if s.GetTop() >= 2 && !s.IsNil(2) {
 				cutset, err := s.SafeToString(2)
 				if err != nil {
 					return s.PushError("string_trim_right: second argument must be a string")
@@ -159,7 +198,7 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_title: argument must be a string")
 			}
-			caser := cases.Title(language.English)
+			caser := cases.Title(language.English, cases.NoLower)
 			s.PushString(caser.String(str))
 			return 1
 		},
@@ -228,7 +267,16 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_replace: third argument must be a string")
 			}
+
+			if old == "" {
+				return s.PushError("string_replace: cannot replace empty string")
+			}
+
 			result := strings.ReplaceAll(str, old, new)
+			if err := validateStringLength(result); err != nil {
+				return s.PushError("string_replace: result %v", err)
+			}
+
 			s.PushString(result)
 			return 1
 		},
@@ -250,9 +298,14 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_replace_n: third argument must be a string")
 			}
 			n, err := s.SafeToNumber(4)
-			if err != nil || n != float64(int(n)) {
-				return s.PushError("string_replace_n: fourth argument must be an integer")
+			if err != nil || n != float64(int(n)) || n < 0 {
+				return s.PushError("string_replace_n: fourth argument must be a non-negative integer")
 			}
+
+			if old == "" {
+				return s.PushError("string_replace_n: cannot replace empty string")
+			}
+
 			result := strings.Replace(str, old, new, int(n))
 			s.PushString(result)
 			return 1
@@ -270,8 +323,18 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_index: second argument must be a string")
 			}
+
+			if substr == "" {
+				s.PushNumber(1) // Empty string found at position 1
+				return 1
+			}
+
 			index := strings.Index(str, substr)
-			s.PushNumber(float64(index + 1)) // Lua is 1-indexed
+			if index == -1 {
+				s.PushNumber(0) // Not found
+			} else {
+				s.PushNumber(float64(index + 1)) // Convert to 1-indexed
+			}
 			return 1
 		},
 
@@ -287,11 +350,17 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_last_index: second argument must be a string")
 			}
+
+			if substr == "" {
+				s.PushNumber(float64(utf8.RuneCountInString(str) + 1)) // Empty string at end
+				return 1
+			}
+
 			index := strings.LastIndex(str, substr)
 			if index == -1 {
-				s.PushNumber(0)
+				s.PushNumber(0) // Not found
 			} else {
-				s.PushNumber(float64(index + 1)) // Lua is 1-indexed
+				s.PushNumber(float64(index + 1)) // Convert to 1-indexed
 			}
 			return 1
 		},
@@ -308,6 +377,13 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_count: second argument must be a string")
 			}
+
+			if substr == "" {
+				// Empty string matches at every position including boundaries
+				s.PushNumber(float64(utf8.RuneCountInString(str) + 1))
+				return 1
+			}
+
 			count := strings.Count(str, substr)
 			s.PushNumber(float64(count))
 			return 1
@@ -325,10 +401,19 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil || count < 0 || count != float64(int(count)) {
 				return s.PushError("string_repeat: second argument must be a non-negative integer")
 			}
-			if count > 1000000 {
-				return s.PushError("string_repeat: count too large (max 1000000)")
+
+			n := int(count)
+			if n == 0 {
+				s.PushString("")
+				return 1
 			}
-			result := strings.Repeat(str, int(count))
+
+			// Check for potential overflow
+			if len(str) > 0 && n > maxRepeatCount/len(str) {
+				return s.PushError("string_repeat: result would be too large")
+			}
+
+			result := strings.Repeat(str, n)
 			s.PushString(result)
 			return 1
 		},
@@ -341,6 +426,11 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_reverse: argument must be a string")
 			}
+
+			if !utf8.ValidString(str) {
+				return s.PushError("string_reverse: invalid UTF-8 string")
+			}
+
 			runes := []rune(str)
 			for i, j := 0, len(runes)-1; i < j; i, j = i+1, j-1 {
 				runes[i], runes[j] = runes[j], runes[i]
@@ -381,7 +471,12 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			if err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_lines: argument must be a string")
 			}
+
+			// Handle different line endings
+			str = strings.ReplaceAll(str, "\r\n", "\n")
+			str = strings.ReplaceAll(str, "\r", "\n")
 			lines := strings.Split(str, "\n")
+
 			if err := s.PushValue(lines); err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("string_lines: failed to push result: %v", err)
 			}
@@ -412,14 +507,15 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_pad_left: first argument must be a string")
 			}
 			width, err := s.SafeToNumber(2)
-			if err != nil || width != float64(int(width)) {
-				return s.PushError("string_pad_left: second argument must be an integer")
+			if err != nil || width != float64(int(width)) || width < 0 {
+				return s.PushError("string_pad_left: second argument must be a non-negative integer")
 			}
 
 			padChar := " "
-			if s.GetTop() >= 3 {
-				if p, err := s.SafeToString(3); err == nil && len(p) > 0 {
-					padChar = string([]rune(p)[0])
+			if s.GetTop() >= 3 && !s.IsNil(3) {
+				if p, err := s.SafeToString(3); err == nil && utf8.RuneCountInString(p) > 0 {
+					runes := []rune(p)
+					padChar = string(runes[0])
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -430,7 +526,12 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return 1
 			}
 
-			padding := strings.Repeat(padChar, targetLen-currentLen)
+			padLen := targetLen - currentLen
+			if padLen > maxRepeatCount {
+				return s.PushError("string_pad_left: padding too large")
+			}
+
+			padding := strings.Repeat(padChar, padLen)
 			s.PushString(padding + str)
 			return 1
 		},
@@ -444,14 +545,15 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_pad_right: first argument must be a string")
 			}
 			width, err := s.SafeToNumber(2)
-			if err != nil || width != float64(int(width)) {
-				return s.PushError("string_pad_right: second argument must be an integer")
+			if err != nil || width != float64(int(width)) || width < 0 {
+				return s.PushError("string_pad_right: second argument must be a non-negative integer")
 			}
 
 			padChar := " "
-			if s.GetTop() >= 3 {
-				if p, err := s.SafeToString(3); err == nil && len(p) > 0 {
-					padChar = string([]rune(p)[0])
+			if s.GetTop() >= 3 && !s.IsNil(3) {
+				if p, err := s.SafeToString(3); err == nil && utf8.RuneCountInString(p) > 0 {
+					runes := []rune(p)
+					padChar = string(runes[0])
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -462,7 +564,12 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return 1
 			}
 
-			padding := strings.Repeat(padChar, targetLen-currentLen)
+			padLen := targetLen - currentLen
+			if padLen > maxRepeatCount {
+				return s.PushError("string_pad_right: padding too large")
+			}
+
+			padding := strings.Repeat(padChar, padLen)
 			s.PushString(str + padding)
 			return 1
 		},
@@ -480,10 +587,15 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_slice: second argument must be an integer")
 			}
 
+			if !utf8.ValidString(str) {
+				return s.PushError("string_slice: invalid UTF-8 string")
+			}
+
 			runes := []rune(str)
 			length := len(runes)
 			startIdx := int(start) - 1 // Convert from 1-indexed to 0-indexed
 
+			// Handle negative start index
 			if startIdx < 0 {
 				startIdx = 0
 			}
@@ -493,10 +605,14 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			}
 
 			endIdx := length
-			if s.GetTop() >= 3 {
+			if s.GetTop() >= 3 && !s.IsNil(3) {
 				end, err := s.SafeToNumber(3)
 				if err == nil && end == float64(int(end)) {
 					endIdx = int(end)
+					// Handle negative end index (from end of string)
+					if endIdx < 0 {
+						endIdx = length + endIdx + 1
+					}
 					if endIdx < 0 {
 						endIdx = 0
 					}
@@ -531,8 +647,7 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			re, err := regexp.Compile(pattern)
 			if err != nil {
 				s.PushBoolean(false)
-				s.PushString(err.Error())
-				return 2
+				return 1
 			}
 
 			s.PushBoolean(re.MatchString(str))
@@ -555,8 +670,7 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			re, err := regexp.Compile(pattern)
 			if err != nil {
 				s.PushNil()
-				s.PushString(err.Error())
-				return 2
+				return 1
 			}
 
 			match := re.FindString(str)
@@ -583,12 +697,18 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 
 			re, err := regexp.Compile(pattern)
 			if err != nil {
-				s.PushNil()
-				s.PushString(err.Error())
-				return 2
+				// Return empty array for invalid patterns
+				if err := s.PushValue([]string{}); err != nil {
+					return s.PushError("regex_find_all: failed to push result: %v", err)
+				}
+				return 1
 			}
 
 			matches := re.FindAllString(str, -1)
+			if matches == nil {
+				matches = []string{} // Return empty array instead of nil
+			}
+
 			if err := s.PushValue(matches); err != nil {
 				return s.PushError("regex_find_all: failed to push result: %v", err)
 			}
@@ -614,9 +734,9 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 
 			re, err := regexp.Compile(pattern)
 			if err != nil {
-				s.PushNil()
-				s.PushString(err.Error())
-				return 2
+				// Return original string for invalid patterns
+				s.PushString(str)
+				return 1
 			}
 
 			result := re.ReplaceAllString(str, replacement)
@@ -633,14 +753,14 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_to_number: argument must be a string")
 			}
 
+			// Trim whitespace for more lenient parsing
+			str = strings.TrimSpace(str)
+
+			// Try float first for more general parsing
 			if num, err := strconv.ParseFloat(str, 64); err == nil {
 				s.PushNumber(num)
 				return 1
 			}
-			if num, err := strconv.ParseInt(str, 10, 64); err == nil {
-				s.PushNumber(float64(num))
-				return 1
-			}
 
 			s.PushNil()
 			return 1
@@ -655,9 +775,14 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				return s.PushError("string_is_numeric: argument must be a string")
 			}
 
+			str = strings.TrimSpace(str)
+			if str == "" {
+				s.PushBoolean(false)
+				return 1
+			}
+
 			_, err1 := strconv.ParseFloat(str, 64)
-			_, err2 := strconv.ParseInt(str, 10, 64)
-			s.PushBoolean(err1 == nil || err2 == nil)
+			s.PushBoolean(err1 == nil)
 			return 1
 		},
 
@@ -719,7 +844,7 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 			}
 
 			charset := "abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789"
-			if s.GetTop() >= 2 {
+			if s.GetTop() >= 2 && !s.IsNil(2) {
 				if custom, err := s.SafeToString(2); err == nil && len(custom) > 0 {
 					charset = custom
 				}
@@ -730,18 +855,40 @@ func GetStringFunctions() map[string]luajit.GoFunction {
 				s.PushString("")
 				return 1
 			}
-			if n > 100000 {
-				return s.PushError("random_string: length too large (max 100000)")
+			if n > maxRandomLength {
+				return s.PushError("random_string: length too large (max %d)", maxRandomLength)
 			}
 
-			result := make([]byte, n)
+			// Validate charset for UTF-8
+			if !utf8.ValidString(charset) {
+				return s.PushError("random_string: charset must be valid UTF-8")
+			}
+
+			charsetRunes := []rune(charset)
+			if len(charsetRunes) == 0 {
+				return s.PushError("random_string: charset cannot be empty")
+			}
+
+			result := make([]rune, n)
 			rnd := rand.New(rand.NewSource(time.Now().UnixNano()))
 			for i := range result {
-				result[i] = charset[rnd.Intn(len(charset))]
+				result[i] = charsetRunes[rnd.Intn(len(charsetRunes))]
 			}
 
 			s.PushString(string(result))
 			return 1
 		},
+
+		"string_is_valid_utf8": func(s *luajit.State) int {
+			if err := s.CheckMinArgs(1); err != nil {
+				return s.PushError("string_is_valid_utf8: %v", err)
+			}
+			str, err := s.SafeToString(1)
+			if err != nil {
+				return s.PushError("string_is_valid_utf8: argument must be a string")
+			}
+			s.PushBoolean(utf8.ValidString(str))
+			return 1
+		},
 	}
 }
diff --git a/modules/string.lua b/modules/string.lua
index 01db1f7..507495e 100644
--- a/modules/string.lua
+++ b/modules/string.lua
@@ -1,111 +1,217 @@
--- modules/string.lua - Comprehensive string manipulation utilities
+-- modules/string.lua - Enhanced string manipulation utilities
 
 local str = {}
 
+-- Helper function to handle errors from Go functions
+local function safe_call(func, ...)
+	local success, result = pcall(func, ...)
+	if not success then
+		error(result, 2)
+	end
+	return result
+end
+
+-- Helper to validate arguments
+local function validate_string(s, func_name, arg_num)
+	if type(s) ~= "string" then
+		error(string.format("%s: argument %d must be a string, got %s", 
+			func_name, arg_num or 1, type(s)), 3)
+	end
+end
+
+local function validate_number(n, func_name, arg_num)
+	if type(n) ~= "number" then
+		error(string.format("%s: argument %d must be a number, got %s", 
+			func_name, arg_num or 1, type(n)), 3)
+	end
+end
+
+local function validate_table(t, func_name, arg_num)
+	if type(t) ~= "table" then
+		error(string.format("%s: argument %d must be a table, got %s", 
+			func_name, arg_num or 1, type(t)), 3)
+	end
+end
+
 -- ======================================================================
 -- BASIC STRING OPERATIONS
 -- ======================================================================
 
 function str.split(s, delimiter)
-	return moonshark.string_split(s, delimiter)
+	validate_string(s, "str.split", 1)
+	validate_string(delimiter, "str.split", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_split, s, delimiter)
 end
 
 function str.join(arr, separator)
-	return moonshark.string_join(arr, separator)
+	validate_table(arr, "str.join", 1)
+	validate_string(separator, "str.join", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_join, arr, separator)
 end
 
 function str.trim(s)
-	return moonshark.string_trim(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.trim")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_trim, s)
 end
 
 function str.trim_left(s, cutset)
-	return moonshark.string_trim_left(s, cutset)
+	validate_string(s, "str.trim_left", 1)
+	if cutset ~= nil then
+		validate_string(cutset, "str.trim_left", 2)
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_trim_left, s, cutset)
 end
 
 function str.trim_right(s, cutset)
-	return moonshark.string_trim_right(s, cutset)
+	validate_string(s, "str.trim_right", 1)
+	if cutset ~= nil then
+		validate_string(cutset, "str.trim_right", 2)
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_trim_right, s, cutset)
 end
 
 function str.upper(s)
-	return moonshark.string_upper(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.upper")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_upper, s)
 end
 
 function str.lower(s)
-	return moonshark.string_lower(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.lower")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_lower, s)
 end
 
 function str.title(s)
-	return moonshark.string_title(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.title")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_title, s)
 end
 
 function str.contains(s, substr)
-	return moonshark.string_contains(s, substr)
+	validate_string(s, "str.contains", 1)
+	validate_string(substr, "str.contains", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_contains, s, substr)
 end
 
 function str.starts_with(s, prefix)
-	return moonshark.string_starts_with(s, prefix)
+	validate_string(s, "str.starts_with", 1)
+	validate_string(prefix, "str.starts_with", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_starts_with, s, prefix)
 end
 
 function str.ends_with(s, suffix)
-	return moonshark.string_ends_with(s, suffix)
+	validate_string(s, "str.ends_with", 1)
+	validate_string(suffix, "str.ends_with", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_ends_with, s, suffix)
 end
 
 function str.replace(s, old, new)
-	return moonshark.string_replace(s, old, new)
+	validate_string(s, "str.replace", 1)
+	validate_string(old, "str.replace", 2)
+	validate_string(new, "str.replace", 3)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_replace, s, old, new)
 end
 
 function str.replace_n(s, old, new, n)
-	return moonshark.string_replace_n(s, old, new, n)
+	validate_string(s, "str.replace_n", 1)
+	validate_string(old, "str.replace_n", 2)
+	validate_string(new, "str.replace_n", 3)
+	validate_number(n, "str.replace_n", 4)
+	if n < 0 or n ~= math.floor(n) then
+		error("str.replace_n: count must be a non-negative integer", 2)
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_replace_n, s, old, new, n)
 end
 
 function str.index(s, substr)
-	local idx = moonshark.string_index(s, substr)
+	validate_string(s, "str.index", 1)
+	validate_string(substr, "str.index", 2)
+	local idx = safe_call(moonshark.string_index, s, substr)
 	return idx > 0 and idx or nil
 end
 
 function str.last_index(s, substr)
-	local idx = moonshark.string_last_index(s, substr)
+	validate_string(s, "str.last_index", 1)
+	validate_string(substr, "str.last_index", 2)
+	local idx = safe_call(moonshark.string_last_index, s, substr)
 	return idx > 0 and idx or nil
 end
 
 function str.count(s, substr)
-	return moonshark.string_count(s, substr)
+	validate_string(s, "str.count", 1)
+	validate_string(substr, "str.count", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_count, s, substr)
 end
 
 function str.repeat_(s, n)
-	return moonshark.string_repeat(s, n)
+	validate_string(s, "str.repeat_", 1)
+	validate_number(n, "str.repeat_", 2)
+	if n < 0 or n ~= math.floor(n) then
+		error("str.repeat_: count must be a non-negative integer", 2)
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_repeat, s, n)
 end
 
 function str.reverse(s)
-	return moonshark.string_reverse(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.reverse")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_reverse, s)
 end
 
 function str.length(s)
-	return moonshark.string_length(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.length")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_length, s)
 end
 
 function str.byte_length(s)
-	return moonshark.string_byte_length(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.byte_length")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_byte_length, s)
 end
 
 function str.lines(s)
-	return moonshark.string_lines(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.lines")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_lines, s)
 end
 
 function str.words(s)
-	return moonshark.string_words(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.words")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_words, s)
 end
 
 function str.pad_left(s, width, pad_char)
-	return moonshark.string_pad_left(s, width, pad_char)
+	validate_string(s, "str.pad_left", 1)
+	validate_number(width, "str.pad_left", 2)
+	if width < 0 or width ~= math.floor(width) then
+		error("str.pad_left: width must be a non-negative integer", 2)
+	end
+	if pad_char ~= nil then
+		validate_string(pad_char, "str.pad_left", 3)
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_pad_left, s, width, pad_char)
 end
 
 function str.pad_right(s, width, pad_char)
-	return moonshark.string_pad_right(s, width, pad_char)
+	validate_string(s, "str.pad_right", 1)
+	validate_number(width, "str.pad_right", 2)
+	if width < 0 or width ~= math.floor(width) then
+		error("str.pad_right: width must be a non-negative integer", 2)
+	end
+	if pad_char ~= nil then
+		validate_string(pad_char, "str.pad_right", 3)
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_pad_right, s, width, pad_char)
 end
 
 function str.slice(s, start, end_pos)
-	return moonshark.string_slice(s, start, end_pos)
+	validate_string(s, "str.slice", 1)
+	validate_number(start, "str.slice", 2)
+	if start ~= math.floor(start) then
+		error("str.slice: start must be an integer", 2)
+	end
+	if end_pos ~= nil then
+		validate_number(end_pos, "str.slice", 3)
+		if end_pos ~= math.floor(end_pos) then
+			error("str.slice: end position must be an integer", 2)
+		end
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_slice, s, start, end_pos)
 end
 
 -- ======================================================================
@@ -113,19 +219,28 @@ end
 -- ======================================================================
 
 function str.match(pattern, s)
-	return moonshark.regex_match(pattern, s)
+	validate_string(pattern, "str.match", 1)
+	validate_string(s, "str.match", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.regex_match, pattern, s)
 end
 
 function str.find(pattern, s)
-	return moonshark.regex_find(pattern, s)
+	validate_string(pattern, "str.find", 1)
+	validate_string(s, "str.find", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.regex_find, pattern, s)
 end
 
 function str.find_all(pattern, s)
-	return moonshark.regex_find_all(pattern, s)
+	validate_string(pattern, "str.find_all", 1)
+	validate_string(s, "str.find_all", 2)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.regex_find_all, pattern, s)
 end
 
 function str.gsub(pattern, s, replacement)
-	return moonshark.regex_replace(pattern, s, replacement)
+	validate_string(pattern, "str.gsub", 1)
+	validate_string(s, "str.gsub", 2)
+	validate_string(replacement, "str.gsub", 3)
+	return safe_call(moonshark.regex_replace, pattern, s, replacement)
 end
 
 -- ======================================================================
@@ -133,19 +248,23 @@ end
 -- ======================================================================
 
 function str.to_number(s)
-	return moonshark.string_to_number(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.to_number")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_to_number, s)
 end
 
 function str.is_numeric(s)
-	return moonshark.string_is_numeric(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.is_numeric")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_is_numeric, s)
 end
 
 function str.is_alpha(s)
-	return moonshark.string_is_alpha(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.is_alpha")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_is_alpha, s)
 end
 
 function str.is_alphanumeric(s)
-	return moonshark.string_is_alphanumeric(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.is_alphanumeric")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_is_alphanumeric, s)
 end
 
 function str.is_empty(s)
@@ -156,60 +275,106 @@ function str.is_blank(s)
 	return str.is_empty(s) or str.trim(s) == ""
 end
 
+function str.is_utf8(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.is_utf8")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_is_valid_utf8, s)
+end
+
+function str.is_valid_utf8(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.is_valid_utf8")
+	return safe_call(moonshark.string_is_valid_utf8, s)
+end
+
 -- ======================================================================
 -- ADVANCED STRING OPERATIONS
 -- ======================================================================
 
--- Capitalize first letter of each word
+-- Capitalize first letter of each word (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.capitalize(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.capitalize")
 	return s:gsub("(%a)([%w_']*)", function(first, rest)
-		return str.upper(first) .. str.lower(rest)
+		return first:upper() .. rest:lower()
 	end)
 end
 
--- Convert string to camelCase
+-- Convert string to camelCase (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.camel_case(s)
-	local words = str.words(str.lower(s))
+	validate_string(s, "str.camel_case")
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word:lower())
+	end
 	if #words == 0 then return s end
 	
 	local result = words[1]
 	for i = 2, #words do
-		result = result .. str.capitalize(words[i])
+		result = result .. words[i]:gsub("^%l", string.upper)
 	end
 	return result
 end
 
--- Convert string to PascalCase
+-- Convert string to PascalCase (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.pascal_case(s)
-	local words = str.words(str.lower(s))
+	validate_string(s, "str.pascal_case")
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word:lower())
+	end
 	local result = ""
 	for _, word in ipairs(words) do
-		result = result .. str.capitalize(word)
+		result = result .. word:gsub("^%l", string.upper)
 	end
 	return result
 end
 
--- Convert string to snake_case
+-- Convert string to snake_case (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.snake_case(s)
-	local words = str.words(str.lower(s))
-	return str.join(words, "_")
+	validate_string(s, "str.snake_case")
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word:lower())
+	end
+	return table.concat(words, "_")
 end
 
--- Convert string to kebab-case
+-- Convert string to kebab-case (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.kebab_case(s)
-	local words = str.words(str.lower(s))
-	return str.join(words, "-")
+	validate_string(s, "str.kebab_case")
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word:lower())
+	end
+	return table.concat(words, "-")
 end
 
--- Convert string to SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE
+-- Convert string to SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.screaming_snake_case(s)
-	return str.upper(str.snake_case(s))
+	validate_string(s, "str.screaming_snake_case")
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word:upper())
+	end
+	return table.concat(words, "_")
 end
 
--- Center text within given width
+-- Center text within given width (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.center(s, width, fill_char)
+	validate_string(s, "str.center", 1)
+	validate_number(width, "str.center", 2)
+	if width < 0 or width ~= math.floor(width) then
+		error("str.center: width must be a non-negative integer", 2)
+	end
+	
 	fill_char = fill_char or " "
-	local len = str.length(s)
+	if fill_char ~= nil then
+		validate_string(fill_char, "str.center", 3)
+		if #fill_char == 0 then
+			error("str.center: fill character cannot be empty", 2)
+		end
+		fill_char = fill_char:sub(1,1) -- Use only first character
+	end
+	
+	local len = #s
 	if len >= width then return s end
 	
 	local pad_total = width - len
@@ -219,25 +384,66 @@ function str.center(s, width, fill_char)
 	return string.rep(fill_char, pad_left) .. s .. string.rep(fill_char, pad_right)
 end
 
--- Truncate string to maximum length
+-- Truncate string to maximum length (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.truncate(s, max_length, suffix)
+	validate_string(s, "str.truncate", 1)
+	validate_number(max_length, "str.truncate", 2)
+	if max_length < 0 or max_length ~= math.floor(max_length) then
+		error("str.truncate: max_length must be a non-negative integer", 2)
+	end
+	
 	suffix = suffix or "..."
-	if str.length(s) <= max_length then
+	validate_string(suffix, "str.truncate", 3)
+	
+	if #s <= max_length then
 		return s
 	end
-	local main_part = str.slice(s, 1, max_length - str.length(suffix))
-	main_part = str.trim_right(main_part)
+	
+	local suffix_len = #suffix
+	if max_length <= suffix_len then
+		return suffix:sub(1, max_length)
+	end
+	
+	local main_part = s:sub(1, max_length - suffix_len)
+	main_part = main_part:gsub("%s+$", "") -- trim right
 	return main_part .. suffix
 end
 
--- Wrap text to specified width
+-- Wrap text to specified width (Pure Lua - much faster)
 function str.wrap(s, width)
-	local words = str.words(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.wrap", 1)
+	validate_number(width, "str.wrap", 2)
+	if width <= 0 or width ~= math.floor(width) then
+		error("str.wrap: width must be a positive integer", 2)
+	end
+	
+	local words = {}
+	for word in s:gmatch("%S+") do
+		table.insert(words, word)
+	end
+	
 	local lines = {}
 	local current_line = ""
 	
 	for _, word in ipairs(words) do
-		if str.length(current_line) + str.length(word) + 1 <= width then
+		local word_len = #word
+		local current_len = #current_line
+		
+		-- Handle words longer than width
+		if word_len > width then
+			if current_line ~= "" then
+				table.insert(lines, current_line)
+				current_line = ""
+			end
+			-- Break long word
+			while #word > width do
+				table.insert(lines, word:sub(1, width))
+				word = word:sub(width + 1)
+			end
+			if #word > 0 then
+				current_line = word
+			end
+		elseif current_len + word_len + 1 <= width then
 			if current_line == "" then
 				current_line = word
 			else
@@ -258,17 +464,24 @@ function str.wrap(s, width)
 	return lines
 end
 
--- Remove common leading whitespace
+-- Remove common leading whitespace (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.dedent(s)
-	local lines = str.split(s, "\n")
+	validate_string(s, "str.dedent")
+	local lines = {}
+	for line in (s.."\n"):gmatch("([^\n]*)\n") do
+		table.insert(lines, line)
+	end
 	if #lines <= 1 then return s end
 	
 	-- Find minimum indentation (excluding empty lines)
 	local min_indent = math.huge
 	for _, line in ipairs(lines) do
-		if str.trim(line) ~= "" then
+		local trimmed = line:gsub("%s", "")
+		if trimmed ~= "" then
 			local indent = line:match("^%s*")
-			min_indent = math.min(min_indent, #indent)
+			if indent then
+				min_indent = math.min(min_indent, #indent)
+			end
 		end
 	end
 	
@@ -278,26 +491,30 @@ function str.dedent(s)
 	
 	-- Remove common indentation
 	for i, line in ipairs(lines) do
-		if str.trim(line) ~= "" then
+		local trimmed = line:gsub("%s", "")
+		if trimmed ~= "" then
 			lines[i] = line:sub(min_indent + 1)
 		end
 	end
 	
-	return str.join(lines, "\n")
+	return table.concat(lines, "\n")
 end
 
 -- Escape special characters for regex
 function str.escape_regex(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.escape_regex")
 	return s:gsub("([%.%+%*%?%[%]%^%$%(%)%{%}%|%\\])", "\\%1")
 end
 
 -- Quote string for shell usage
 function str.shell_quote(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.shell_quote")
 	return "'" .. s:gsub("'", "'\"'\"'") .. "'"
 end
 
 -- URL encode string
 function str.url_encode(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.url_encode")
 	return s:gsub("([^%w%-%.%_%~])", function(c)
 		return string.format("%%%02X", string.byte(c))
 	end)
@@ -305,9 +522,22 @@ end
 
 -- URL decode string
 function str.url_decode(s)
-	return s:gsub("%%(%x%x)", function(hex)
-		return string.char(tonumber(hex, 16))
+	validate_string(s, "str.url_decode")
+	local result = s:gsub("%%(%x%x)", function(hex)
+		local byte = tonumber(hex, 16)
+		if byte then
+			return string.char(byte)
+		else
+			return "%" .. hex -- Invalid hex, keep original
+		end
 	end):gsub("+", " ")
+	
+	-- Validate result is UTF-8
+	if not str.is_valid_utf8(result) then
+		error("str.url_decode: result is not valid UTF-8", 2)
+	end
+	
+	return result
 end
 
 -- ======================================================================
@@ -316,12 +546,27 @@ end
 
 -- Case-insensitive comparison
 function str.iequals(a, b)
+	validate_string(a, "str.iequals", 1)
+	validate_string(b, "str.iequals", 2)
 	return str.lower(a) == str.lower(b)
 end
 
--- Levenshtein distance
+-- Levenshtein distance (Pure Lua - much faster)
 function str.distance(a, b)
-	local len_a, len_b = str.length(a), str.length(b)
+	validate_string(a, "str.distance", 1)
+	validate_string(b, "str.distance", 2)
+	
+	local len_a, len_b = #a, #b
+	
+	-- Handle empty strings
+	if len_a == 0 then return len_b end
+	if len_b == 0 then return len_a end
+	
+	-- Limit computation for very long strings
+	if len_a > 1000 or len_b > 1000 then
+		error("str.distance: strings too long for distance calculation", 2)
+	end
+	
 	local matrix = {}
 	
 	-- Initialize matrix
@@ -335,7 +580,7 @@ function str.distance(a, b)
 	-- Fill matrix
 	for i = 1, len_a do
 		for j = 1, len_b do
-			local cost = (str.slice(a, i, i) == str.slice(b, j, j)) and 0 or 1
+			local cost = (a:sub(i,i) == b:sub(j,j)) and 0 or 1
 			matrix[i][j] = math.min(
 				matrix[i-1][j] + 1,      -- deletion
 				matrix[i][j-1] + 1,      -- insertion
@@ -347,28 +592,49 @@ function str.distance(a, b)
 	return matrix[len_a][len_b]
 end
 
--- String similarity (0-1)
+-- String similarity (0-1) (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.similarity(a, b)
-	local max_len = math.max(str.length(a), str.length(b))
-	if max_len == 0 then return 1 end
-	return 1 - (str.distance(a, b) / max_len)
+	validate_string(a, "str.similarity", 1)
+	validate_string(b, "str.similarity", 2)
+	
+	local max_len = math.max(#a, #b)
+	if max_len == 0 then return 1.0 end
+	
+	local dist = str.distance(a, b)
+	return 1.0 - (dist / max_len)
 end
 
 -- ======================================================================
 -- TEMPLATE FUNCTIONS
 -- ======================================================================
 
--- Simple template substitution
+-- Simple template substitution (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.template(template, vars)
-	vars = vars or {}
+	validate_string(template, "str.template", 1)
+	if vars ~= nil then
+		validate_table(vars, "str.template", 2)
+	else
+		vars = {}
+	end
+	
 	return template:gsub("%${([%w_]+)}", function(var)
-		return tostring(vars[var] or "")
+		local value = vars[var]
+		if value == nil then
+			return ""
+		else
+			return tostring(value)
+		end
 	end)
 end
 
--- Advanced template with functions
+-- Advanced template with functions (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.template_advanced(template, context)
-	context = context or {}
+	validate_string(template, "str.template_advanced", 1)
+	if context ~= nil then
+		validate_table(context, "str.template_advanced", 2)
+	else
+		context = {}
+	end
 	
 	return template:gsub("%${([^}]+)}", function(expr)
 		-- Simple variable substitution
@@ -377,10 +643,14 @@ function str.template_advanced(template, context)
 		end
 		
 		-- Handle simple expressions like ${var.prop}
-		local parts = str.split(expr, ".")
+		local parts = {}
+		for part in expr:gmatch("[^%.]+") do
+			table.insert(parts, part)
+		end
+		
 		local value = context
 		for _, part in ipairs(parts) do
-			if type(value) == "table" and value[part] then
+			if type(value) == "table" and value[part] ~= nil then
 				value = value[part]
 			else
 				return ""
@@ -397,21 +667,25 @@ end
 
 -- Check if string contains only whitespace
 function str.is_whitespace(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.is_whitespace")
 	return s:match("^%s*$") ~= nil
 end
 
 -- Remove all whitespace
 function str.strip_whitespace(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.strip_whitespace")
 	return s:gsub("%s", "")
 end
 
 -- Normalize whitespace (replace multiple spaces with single space)
 function str.normalize_whitespace(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.normalize_whitespace")
 	return str.trim(s:gsub("%s+", " "))
 end
 
 -- Extract numbers from string
 function str.extract_numbers(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.extract_numbers")
 	local numbers = {}
 	for num in s:gmatch("%-?%d+%.?%d*") do
 		local n = tonumber(num)
@@ -422,13 +696,21 @@ end
 
 -- Remove diacritics/accents
 function str.remove_accents(s)
+	validate_string(s, "str.remove_accents")
 	local accents = {
-		["à"] = "a", ["á"] = "a", ["â"] = "a", ["ã"] = "a", ["ä"] = "a",
+		["à"] = "a", ["á"] = "a", ["â"] = "a", ["ã"] = "a", ["ä"] = "a", ["å"] = "a",
 		["è"] = "e", ["é"] = "e", ["ê"] = "e", ["ë"] = "e",
 		["ì"] = "i", ["í"] = "i", ["î"] = "i", ["ï"] = "i",
 		["ò"] = "o", ["ó"] = "o", ["ô"] = "o", ["õ"] = "o", ["ö"] = "o",
 		["ù"] = "u", ["ú"] = "u", ["û"] = "u", ["ü"] = "u",
-		["ñ"] = "n", ["ç"] = "c"
+		["ñ"] = "n", ["ç"] = "c", ["ý"] = "y", ["ÿ"] = "y",
+		-- Uppercase versions
+		["À"] = "A", ["Á"] = "A", ["Â"] = "A", ["Ã"] = "A", ["Ä"] = "A", ["Å"] = "A",
+		["È"] = "E", ["É"] = "E", ["Ê"] = "E", ["Ë"] = "E",
+		["Ì"] = "I", ["Í"] = "I", ["Î"] = "I", ["Ï"] = "I",
+		["Ò"] = "O", ["Ó"] = "O", ["Ô"] = "O", ["Õ"] = "O", ["Ö"] = "O",
+		["Ù"] = "U", ["Ú"] = "U", ["Û"] = "U", ["Ü"] = "U",
+		["Ñ"] = "N", ["Ç"] = "C", ["Ý"] = "Y", ["Ÿ"] = "Y"
 	}
 	
 	local result = s
@@ -440,25 +722,48 @@ end
 
 -- Generate random string
 function str.random(length, charset)
-	return moonshark.random_string(length, charset)
+	validate_number(length, "str.random", 1)
+	if length < 0 or length ~= math.floor(length) then
+		error("str.random: length must be a non-negative integer", 2)
+	end
+	if charset ~= nil then
+		validate_string(charset, "str.random", 2)
+	end
+	return safe_call(moonshark.random_string, length, charset)
 end
 
--- Check if string is valid UTF-8
-function str.is_utf8(s)
-	-- Simple check - if we can iterate through the string as UTF-8, it's valid
-	local success = pcall(function()
-		for p, c in utf8 and utf8.codes or string.gmatch(s, ".") do
-			-- Just iterate through
-		end
-	end)
-	return success
-end
-
--- Generate slug from string
+-- Generate slug from string (Pure Lua - faster)
 function str.slug(s)
-	local kebab = str.kebab_case(str.remove_accents(s))
-	local cleaned = (kebab:gsub("[^%w%-]", ""))
-	return (cleaned:gsub("%-+", "-"))
+	validate_string(s, "str.slug")
+	
+	-- Remove accents (simplified but faster)
+	local accents = {
+		["à"] = "a", ["á"] = "a", ["â"] = "a", ["ã"] = "a", ["ä"] = "a", ["å"] = "a",
+		["è"] = "e", ["é"] = "e", ["ê"] = "e", ["ë"] = "e",
+		["ì"] = "i", ["í"] = "i", ["î"] = "i", ["ï"] = "i",
+		["ò"] = "o", ["ó"] = "o", ["ô"] = "o", ["õ"] = "o", ["ö"] = "o",
+		["ù"] = "u", ["ú"] = "u", ["û"] = "u", ["ü"] = "u",
+		["ñ"] = "n", ["ç"] = "c", ["ý"] = "y", ["ÿ"] = "y",
+		-- Uppercase versions
+		["À"] = "A", ["Á"] = "A", ["Â"] = "A", ["Ã"] = "A", ["Ä"] = "A", ["Å"] = "A",
+		["È"] = "E", ["É"] = "E", ["Ê"] = "E", ["Ë"] = "E",
+		["Ì"] = "I", ["Í"] = "I", ["Î"] = "I", ["Ï"] = "I",
+		["Ò"] = "O", ["Ó"] = "O", ["Ô"] = "O", ["Õ"] = "O", ["Ö"] = "O",
+		["Ù"] = "U", ["Ú"] = "U", ["Û"] = "U", ["Ü"] = "U",
+		["Ñ"] = "N", ["Ç"] = "C", ["Ý"] = "Y", ["Ÿ"] = "Y"
+	}
+	
+	local result = s:lower()
+	for accented, plain in pairs(accents) do
+		result = result:gsub(accented:lower(), plain:lower())
+	end
+	
+	-- Keep only alphanumeric characters and spaces, then convert spaces to hyphens
+	result = result:gsub("[^%w%s]", "")
+	result = result:gsub("%s+", "-")
+	result = result:gsub("^%-+", ""):gsub("%-+$", "")
+	
+	return result
 end
 
 return str
\ No newline at end of file