Optimize Initializing Speed

Goal

Minimize Create/Start -> Running latency without removing functionality. Base your decisions on what to optimize by using real measurements.

Priority Levers

1. Keep Running gated only on program-start + agent-ready markers.
2. Replace readiness polling with event-driven signaling
3. Move heavy non-critical setup (kernel headers) off the critical path (ask permission from user if moving logic to async / could be still processing after Running is set).
4. Add fast-path checks (skip work when already installed/valid).
5. Parallelize independent init stages with simple barriers (no DAG engine). Avoid parallel tasks that are likely to conflict.

Guardrails

• Keep guest-agent gate strict unless skip_guest_agent=true.
• Preserve lifecycle semantics and blocked/allowed operations in Initializing.

Measurement Protocol

1. Measure baseline and candidate on the same host with the same 5-run harness.
2. Report per-run samples + median/mean/min/max.
3. Validate full regression suite before merge.

Required Outputs

• Exact before/after latency numbers.
• Short breakdown of biggest contributors.
• Risk notes, if any