diff --git a/.github/workflows/perf-gate.yml b/.github/workflows/perf-gate.yml
index 12d677dc95..85fd662dce 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/perf-gate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/perf-gate.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-name: Scrolling Performance Gate
+name: Performance Gate
 
 on:
   push:
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ jobs:
           retention-days: 7
 
   perf-benchmarks:
-    name: Scrolling Benchmarks (Linux, ShortRun)
+    name: Benchmarks (Linux, ShortRun)
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     # Only run on pushes to develop/main, not on every PR (slow and not blocking).
     if: github.event_name == 'push'
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build Release
         run: dotnet build --configuration Release --no-restore -property:NoWarn=0618%3B0612
 
-      - name: Run scrolling benchmarks (ShortRun ≈ 30–60 s)
+      - name: Run benchmarks (ShortRun ≈ 30–60 s)
         id: run_benchmarks
         run: |
           dotnet run \
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ jobs:
             --configuration Release \
             --no-build \
             -- \
-            --filter '*Scroll*' \
+            --filter '*Scroll*' '*Config*' '*Scheme*' '*Theme*' \
             --job short \
             --exporters json \
             --artifacts ./BenchmarkResults
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ jobs:
               )
 
           # --- Write step summary ---
-          summary = "## 📊 Scrolling Benchmark Comparison\n\n"
+          summary = "## 📊 Benchmark Comparison\n\n"
           summary += "| Benchmark | Baseline | Current | Ratio |\n"
           summary += "|-----------|----------|---------|-------|\n"
           summary += "\n".join(rows) + "\n\n"
diff --git a/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/ConfigurationManagerLoadBenchmark.cs b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/ConfigurationManagerLoadBenchmark.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1af8f3b722
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/ConfigurationManagerLoadBenchmark.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+using BenchmarkDotNet.Attributes;
+using Terminal.Gui.Configuration;
+
+namespace Terminal.Gui.Benchmarks.Configuration;
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Measures the cold-start cost of loading the embedded library configuration:
+///     <c>ConfigurationManager.Disable (true)</c> → <c>Enable (ConfigLocations.LibraryResources)</c> → <c>Apply ()</c>.
+///     This is the app-startup hot path.
+/// </summary>
+/// <remarks>
+///     <para>
+///         Run:
+///         <code>dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*ConfigurationManagerLoad*'</code>
+///     </para>
+/// </remarks>
+[MemoryDiagnoser]
+[BenchmarkCategory ("Configuration")]
+public class ConfigurationManagerLoadBenchmark
+{
+    /// <summary>Resets ConfigurationManager to a clean state before each iteration.</summary>
+    [IterationSetup]
+    public void IterationSetup ()
+    {
+        ConfigurationManager.Disable (true);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     Loads the embedded library configuration from scratch and applies it.
+    ///     Captures the full deserialize + merge + apply path.
+    /// </summary>
+    [Benchmark]
+    public void LoadAndApply ()
+    {
+        ConfigurationManager.Enable (ConfigLocations.LibraryResources);
+        ConfigurationManager.Apply ();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Ensures ConfigurationManager is disabled after all iterations.</summary>
+    [GlobalCleanup]
+    public void Cleanup ()
+    {
+        ConfigurationManager.Disable (true);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/SchemeAttributeBenchmark.cs b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/SchemeAttributeBenchmark.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6e97a10e7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/SchemeAttributeBenchmark.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+using BenchmarkDotNet.Attributes;
+using Terminal.Gui.Drawing;
+using TgAttribute = Terminal.Gui.Drawing.Attribute;
+
+namespace Terminal.Gui.Benchmarks.Configuration;
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Measures <see cref="Scheme.GetAttributeForRole"/> for roles at different depths of the derivation chain:
+///     <list type="bullet">
+///         <item><see cref="VisualRole.Normal"/> — explicitly set (O(1) lookup)</item>
+///         <item><see cref="VisualRole.HotFocus"/> — derived from <see cref="VisualRole.Focus"/></item>
+///         <item><see cref="VisualRole.Code"/> — deepest derivation (<c>Code → Editable → Normal</c>)</item>
+///     </list>
+///     No <see cref="Terminal.Gui.Configuration.ConfigurationManager"/> required; operates on a standalone
+///     <see cref="Scheme"/> instance.
+/// </summary>
+/// <remarks>
+///     <para>
+///         Run:
+///         <code>dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*SchemeAttribute*'</code>
+///     </para>
+/// </remarks>
+[MemoryDiagnoser]
+[BenchmarkCategory ("Configuration", "Scheme")]
+public class SchemeAttributeBenchmark
+{
+    private Scheme _scheme = null!;
+
+    /// <summary>Creates a scheme with only <see cref="VisualRole.Normal"/> explicitly set.</summary>
+    [GlobalSetup]
+    public void Setup ()
+    {
+        _scheme = new Scheme { Normal = new TgAttribute (Color.White, Color.Black) };
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Lookup for an explicitly-set role — the fastest path.</summary>
+    [Benchmark (Baseline = true)]
+    public TgAttribute GetNormal () => _scheme.GetAttributeForRole (VisualRole.Normal);
+
+    /// <summary>Lookup for a role derived from Focus (which itself is derived from Normal).</summary>
+    [Benchmark]
+    public TgAttribute GetHotFocus () => _scheme.GetAttributeForRole (VisualRole.HotFocus);
+
+    /// <summary>Lookup for the deepest derivation path: Code → Editable → Normal.</summary>
+    [Benchmark]
+    public TgAttribute GetCode () => _scheme.GetAttributeForRole (VisualRole.Code);
+}
diff --git a/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/SchemeSerializationBenchmark.cs b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/SchemeSerializationBenchmark.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4d1b419c46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/SchemeSerializationBenchmark.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using BenchmarkDotNet.Attributes;
+using Terminal.Gui.Configuration;
+using Terminal.Gui.Drawing;
+using TgAttribute = Terminal.Gui.Drawing.Attribute;
+
+namespace Terminal.Gui.Benchmarks.Configuration;
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Measures serialize-then-deserialize of a representative <c>Base</c> <see cref="Scheme"/> via
+///     <see cref="JsonSerializer"/> and <see cref="SchemeJsonConverter"/>. Catches regressions in the JSON
+///     code paths when future PRs add fields to <see cref="Scheme"/>.
+/// </summary>
+/// <remarks>
+///     <para>
+///         Run:
+///         <code>dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*SchemeSerialization*'</code>
+///     </para>
+/// </remarks>
+[MemoryDiagnoser]
+[BenchmarkCategory ("Configuration", "Scheme")]
+public class SchemeSerializationBenchmark
+{
+    private Scheme _scheme = null!;
+    private string _json = null!;
+    private JsonSerializerOptions _options = null!;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     Creates a representative <c>Base</c> scheme with only <see cref="VisualRole.Normal"/> explicitly set
+    ///     and prepares serialization options with the <see cref="SchemeJsonConverter"/>.
+    /// </summary>
+    [GlobalSetup]
+    public void Setup ()
+    {
+        _scheme = new Scheme { Normal = new TgAttribute (Color.White, Color.Black) };
+
+        _options = new JsonSerializerOptions
+                   {
+                       Converters = { new SchemeJsonConverter () },
+                       PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = true
+                   };
+
+        // Pre-serialize to have a stable JSON string for deserialization benchmarks.
+        _json = JsonSerializer.Serialize (_scheme, _options);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Serializes a <see cref="Scheme"/> to JSON.</summary>
+    [Benchmark]
+    public string Serialize () => JsonSerializer.Serialize (_scheme, _options);
+
+    /// <summary>Deserializes a <see cref="Scheme"/> from JSON.</summary>
+    [Benchmark]
+    public Scheme? Deserialize () => JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Scheme> (_json, _options);
+
+    /// <summary>Full round-trip: serialize then immediately deserialize.</summary>
+    [Benchmark (Baseline = true)]
+    public Scheme? RoundTrip ()
+    {
+        string json = JsonSerializer.Serialize (_scheme, _options);
+
+        return JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Scheme> (json, _options);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/ThemeSwitchBenchmark.cs b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/ThemeSwitchBenchmark.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0affe3bdcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Benchmarks/Configuration/ThemeSwitchBenchmark.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+using BenchmarkDotNet.Attributes;
+using Terminal.Gui.Configuration;
+
+namespace Terminal.Gui.Benchmarks.Configuration;
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Measures the cost of switching the active theme via
+///     <c>ThemeManager.Theme = "X"; ConfigurationManager.Apply ()</c>.
+///     Parametric over every built-in theme name shipped in the embedded <c>config.json</c>.
+/// </summary>
+/// <remarks>
+///     <para>
+///         Run:
+///         <code>dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*ThemeSwitch*'</code>
+///     </para>
+/// </remarks>
+[MemoryDiagnoser]
+[BenchmarkCategory ("Configuration", "Theme")]
+public class ThemeSwitchBenchmark
+{
+    /// <summary>The built-in theme to switch to during each benchmark invocation.</summary>
+    [ParamsSource (nameof (ThemeNames))]
+    public string ThemeName { get; set; } = ThemeManager.DEFAULT_THEME_NAME;
+
+    /// <summary>Returns the set of built-in theme names available after loading library resources.</summary>
+    public static IEnumerable<string> ThemeNames
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            ConfigurationManager.Disable (true);
+            ConfigurationManager.Enable (ConfigLocations.LibraryResources);
+
+            IEnumerable<string> names = ThemeManager.GetThemeNames ();
+
+            ConfigurationManager.Disable (true);
+
+            return names;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Loads the embedded configuration so all built-in themes are available.</summary>
+    [GlobalSetup]
+    public void Setup ()
+    {
+        ConfigurationManager.Disable (true);
+        ConfigurationManager.Enable (ConfigLocations.LibraryResources);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Resets the theme to Default before each iteration for a stable starting point.</summary>
+    [IterationSetup]
+    public void IterationSetup ()
+    {
+        ThemeManager.Theme = ThemeManager.DEFAULT_THEME_NAME;
+        ConfigurationManager.Apply ();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     Switches the active theme and applies the change.
+    ///     This is the user-facing hot path when cycling themes via a <see cref="Views.Shortcut"/>.
+    /// </summary>
+    [Benchmark]
+    public void SwitchTheme ()
+    {
+        ThemeManager.Theme = ThemeName;
+        ConfigurationManager.Apply ();
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Ensures ConfigurationManager is disabled after all iterations.</summary>
+    [GlobalCleanup]
+    public void Cleanup ()
+    {
+        ConfigurationManager.Disable (true);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Tests/Benchmarks/README.md b/Tests/Benchmarks/README.md
index f08f70d27f..5ed8111231 100644
--- a/Tests/Benchmarks/README.md
+++ b/Tests/Benchmarks/README.md
@@ -126,6 +126,37 @@ Minimal `View` subclass with a large `ContentSize` and no rendering logic. Isola
 dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*Scroll*'
 ```
 
+## Configuration Benchmarks
+
+The `Configuration/` directory contains benchmarks for the configuration, theming, and scheme subsystems.
+
+### ConfigurationManagerLoadBenchmark
+
+Measures the cold-start cost of `ConfigurationManager.Disable(true)` → `Enable(ConfigLocations.LibraryResources)` → `Apply()`. This is the app-startup hot path covering embedded-config load, deserialization, and apply.
+
+### ThemeSwitchBenchmark
+
+Measures `ThemeManager.Theme = "X"; ConfigurationManager.Apply()` against the embedded configuration. Parametric over all built-in theme names (`Default`, `Dark`, `Light`, `TurboPascal 5`, `Anders`, `Green Phosphor`, `Amber Phosphor`).
+
+### SchemeAttributeBenchmark
+
+Measures `Scheme.GetAttributeForRole(VisualRole)` for roles at different depths of the derivation chain:
+- **GetNormal**: Explicitly-set role — the fastest path
+- **GetHotFocus**: Derived from `Focus` (which itself derives from `Normal`)
+- **GetCode**: Deepest derivation path (`Code` → `Editable` → `Normal`)
+
+No `ConfigurationManager` required; operates on a standalone `Scheme` instance.
+
+### SchemeSerializationBenchmark
+
+Measures serialize/deserialize of a representative `Base` `Scheme` via `JsonSerializer` + `SchemeJsonConverter`. Catches regressions in JSON code paths when future PRs add fields to `Scheme`.
+
+### Run all configuration benchmarks
+
+```bash
+dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*Config*|*Scheme*|*Theme*'
+```
+
 ## Adding New Benchmarks
 
 1. Create a new class in an appropriate subdirectory (e.g., `Layout/`, `Text/`, `ViewBase/`, `Scrolling/`)
@@ -157,7 +188,7 @@ This detects if a draw function accidentally iterates the entire document instea
 
 The `.github/workflows/perf-gate.yml` workflow runs on every push to `main` / `develop` (not PRs) and:
 
-1. Runs the `*Scroll*` benchmarks with `--job short` (~30–60 s total)
+1. Runs the `*Scroll*`, `*Config*`, `*Scheme*`, and `*Theme*` benchmarks with `--job short` (~30–60 s total)
 2. Compares results to `Tests/Benchmarks/baseline.json`
 3. **Fails** if any benchmark exceeds **3×** the baseline
 4. **Celebrates** 🎉 if any benchmark drops below **0.8×** the baseline
@@ -169,7 +200,7 @@ After a deliberate performance change, re-run the focused scrolling benchmarks,
 
 ```bash
 # Run ShortRun and export JSON results
-dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*Scroll*' -j short --exporters json
+dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter '*Scroll*|*Config*|*Scheme*|*Theme*' -j short --exporters json
 
 # Inspect the JSON output in BenchmarkDotNet.Artifacts/ and update baseline.json
 ```
diff --git a/Tests/Benchmarks/baseline.json b/Tests/Benchmarks/baseline.json
index 63a907f4e5..6374d8c2d2 100644
--- a/Tests/Benchmarks/baseline.json
+++ b/Tests/Benchmarks/baseline.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
-  "_comment": "Baseline benchmark results for the scrolling performance gate.",
-  "_howto": "Re-run 'dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter \"*Scroll*\" -j short --exporters json' then update this file.",
+  "_comment": "Baseline benchmark results for the performance gate (Scrolling + Configuration).",
+  "_howto": "Re-run 'dotnet run --project Tests/Benchmarks -c Release -- --filter \"*Scroll*|*Config*|*Scheme*|*Theme*\" -j short --exporters json' then update this file.",
   "_version": "1",
   "benchmarks": [
     {
@@ -142,6 +142,108 @@
       "params": "Rows=1000",
       "meanNs": 300000,
       "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+
+    {
+      "type": "ConfigurationManagerLoadBenchmark",
+      "method": "LoadAndApply",
+      "params": "",
+      "meanNs": 5000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+
+    {
+      "type": "ThemeSwitchBenchmark",
+      "method": "SwitchTheme",
+      "params": "ThemeName=Default",
+      "meanNs": 1000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "ThemeSwitchBenchmark",
+      "method": "SwitchTheme",
+      "params": "ThemeName=Dark",
+      "meanNs": 1000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "ThemeSwitchBenchmark",
+      "method": "SwitchTheme",
+      "params": "ThemeName=Light",
+      "meanNs": 1000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "ThemeSwitchBenchmark",
+      "method": "SwitchTheme",
+      "params": "ThemeName=TurboPascal 5",
+      "meanNs": 1000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "ThemeSwitchBenchmark",
+      "method": "SwitchTheme",
+      "params": "ThemeName=Anders",
+      "meanNs": 1000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "ThemeSwitchBenchmark",
+      "method": "SwitchTheme",
+      "params": "ThemeName=Green Phosphor",
+      "meanNs": 1000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "ThemeSwitchBenchmark",
+      "method": "SwitchTheme",
+      "params": "ThemeName=Amber Phosphor",
+      "meanNs": 1000000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+
+    {
+      "type": "SchemeAttributeBenchmark",
+      "method": "GetNormal",
+      "params": "",
+      "meanNs": 50,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "SchemeAttributeBenchmark",
+      "method": "GetHotFocus",
+      "params": "",
+      "meanNs": 500,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "SchemeAttributeBenchmark",
+      "method": "GetCode",
+      "params": "",
+      "meanNs": 1000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+
+    {
+      "type": "SchemeSerializationBenchmark",
+      "method": "Serialize",
+      "params": "",
+      "meanNs": 5000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "SchemeSerializationBenchmark",
+      "method": "Deserialize",
+      "params": "",
+      "meanNs": 5000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "SchemeSerializationBenchmark",
+      "method": "RoundTrip",
+      "params": "",
+      "meanNs": 10000,
+      "comment": "Placeholder — run actual benchmarks to set real baseline"
     }
   ]
 }