diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 3e9c30fdad..6045ebc734 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -297,8 +297,10 @@ set(GAME_INCLUDE_DIRS
     extern
     ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR})
 
+find_package(Threads REQUIRED)
 set(GAME_LIBS aurora::core aurora::gx aurora::gd aurora::si aurora::vi aurora::pad aurora::mtx aurora::os aurora::dvd
-    aurora::card freeverb cxxopts::cxxopts absl::flat_hash_map nlohmann_json::nlohmann_json TracyClient fmt::fmt)
+    aurora::card freeverb cxxopts::cxxopts absl::flat_hash_map nlohmann_json::nlohmann_json TracyClient fmt::fmt
+    Threads::Threads)
 
 list(APPEND GAME_LIBS libzstd_static)
 
@@ -320,46 +322,13 @@ if (DUSK_MOVIE_SUPPORT)
     list(APPEND GAME_COMPILE_DEFS MOVIE_SUPPORT=1)
 endif ()
 
-option(DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD_RPC "Enable Discord Rich Presence support" ON)
-if (DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD_RPC AND NOT ANDROID AND NOT IOS AND NOT TVOS)
-
-    FetchContent_Populate(discord_rpc
-        URL https://github.com/discord/discord-rpc/archive/refs/tags/v3.4.0.tar.gz
-        URL_HASH SHA256=e13427019027acd187352dacba6c65953af66fdf3c35fcf38fc40b454a9d7855
-        DOWNLOAD_EXTRACT_TIMESTAMP TRUE
-    )
-    # RapidJSON is a git submodule absent from the discord-rpc tarball; fetch separately.
-    FetchContent_Populate(rapidjson
-        URL https://github.com/Tencent/rapidjson/archive/refs/tags/v1.1.0.tar.gz
-        URL_HASH SHA256=bf7ced29704a1e696fbccf2a2b4ea068e7774fa37f6d7dd4039d0787f8bed98e
-        DOWNLOAD_EXTRACT_TIMESTAMP TRUE
-    )
-
-    if (NOT TARGET discord-rpc)
-        set(_drpc ${discord_rpc_SOURCE_DIR}/src)
-        set(_drpc_src
-            ${_drpc}/discord_rpc.cpp
-            ${_drpc}/rpc_connection.cpp
-            ${_drpc}/serialization.cpp
-        )
-        if (WIN32)
-            list(APPEND _drpc_src ${_drpc}/connection_win.cpp ${_drpc}/discord_register_win.cpp)
-        elseif (APPLE)
-            list(APPEND _drpc_src ${_drpc}/connection_unix.cpp ${_drpc}/discord_register_osx.m)
-        else ()
-            list(APPEND _drpc_src ${_drpc}/connection_unix.cpp ${_drpc}/discord_register_linux.cpp)
-        endif ()
-        add_library(discord-rpc STATIC ${_drpc_src})
-        target_include_directories(discord-rpc PUBLIC
-            ${discord_rpc_SOURCE_DIR}/include
-            ${rapidjson_SOURCE_DIR}/include
-        )
-        if (UNIX)
-            target_link_libraries(discord-rpc PUBLIC pthread)
-        endif ()
-    endif ()
-    list(APPEND GAME_LIBS discord-rpc)
-    list(APPEND GAME_COMPILE_DEFS DUSK_DISCORD_RPC=1)
+set(DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD_DEFAULT ON)
+if (DEFINED DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD_RPC AND NOT DEFINED DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD)
+    set(DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD_DEFAULT ${DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD_RPC})
+endif ()
+option(DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD "Enable Discord Rich Presence support" ${DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD_DEFAULT})
+if (DUSK_ENABLE_DISCORD AND NOT ANDROID AND NOT IOS AND NOT TVOS)
+    list(APPEND GAME_COMPILE_DEFS DUSK_DISCORD=1)
 endif ()
 
 # Edit & Continue
diff --git a/files.cmake b/files.cmake
index f06884fb35..a463ce5129 100644
--- a/files.cmake
+++ b/files.cmake
@@ -1512,6 +1512,8 @@ set(DUSK_FILES
         src/dusk/OSReport.cpp
         src/dusk/OSThread.cpp
         src/dusk/OSMutex.cpp
+        src/dusk/discord.cpp
+        src/dusk/discord.hpp
         src/dusk/discord_presence.cpp
         src/dusk/version.cpp
 )
diff --git a/include/dusk/discord_presence.hpp b/include/dusk/discord_presence.hpp
index 899b2ad5f9..ebecc2d07b 100644
--- a/include/dusk/discord_presence.hpp
+++ b/include/dusk/discord_presence.hpp
@@ -1,18 +1,14 @@
 #pragma once
 
-#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
 
-namespace dusk {
-namespace discord {
+namespace dusk::discord {
 
-void Initialize();
+void initialize();
+void run_callbacks();
+void update_presence();
+void shutdown();
 
-void RunCallbacks();
+}  // namespace dusk::discord
 
-void UpdatePresence();
-
-void Shutdown();
-}
-}
-
-#endif // DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
+#endif  // DUSK_DISCORD
diff --git a/src/dusk/discord.cpp b/src/dusk/discord.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f20541bfa4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/discord.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,867 @@
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
+
+#ifndef NOMINMAX
+#define NOMINMAX
+#endif
+
+#include "discord.hpp"
+
+#include "dusk/logging.h"
+#include "nlohmann/json.hpp"
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <array>
+#include <atomic>
+#include <chrono>
+#include <condition_variable>
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <deque>
+#include <mutex>
+#include <optional>
+#include <string>
+#include <string_view>
+#include <thread>
+#include <vector>
+
+#ifdef _WIN32
+#define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN
+#define NOMCX
+#define NOSERVICE
+#define NOIME
+#include <windows.h>
+#else
+#include <cerrno>
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <sys/socket.h>
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/un.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#endif
+
+namespace dusk::discord::rpc {
+namespace {
+
+using json = nlohmann::json;
+
+constexpr uint32_t kRpcVersion = 1;
+constexpr size_t kFrameHeaderSize = sizeof(uint32_t) * 2;
+constexpr size_t kMaxFramePayloadSize = 64 * 1024;
+constexpr auto kIoWait = std::chrono::milliseconds(500);
+constexpr auto kShutdownClearTimeout = std::chrono::milliseconds(200);
+constexpr auto kInitialReconnectDelay = std::chrono::milliseconds(500);
+constexpr auto kMaxReconnectDelay = std::chrono::milliseconds(60 * 1000);
+
+enum class Opcode : uint32_t {
+    Handshake = 0,
+    Frame = 1,
+    Close = 2,
+    Ping = 3,
+    Pong = 4,
+};
+
+enum class ConnectionState {
+    Disconnected,
+    SentHandshake,
+    Connected,
+};
+
+enum class DisconnectCode : int {
+    PipeClosed = 1,
+    ReadCorrupt = 2,
+    BadFrame = 3,
+};
+
+struct Frame {
+    Opcode opcode = Opcode::Frame;
+    std::string payload;
+};
+
+struct QueuedEvent {
+    enum class Type {
+        Ready,
+        Disconnected,
+        Error,
+    };
+
+    Type type = Type::Ready;
+    User user;
+    int code = 0;
+    std::string message;
+};
+
+class Backoff {
+public:
+    std::chrono::milliseconds next_delay() {
+        const auto delay = currentDelay;
+        currentDelay = std::min(currentDelay * 2, kMaxReconnectDelay);
+        return delay;
+    }
+
+    void reset() { currentDelay = kInitialReconnectDelay; }
+
+private:
+    std::chrono::milliseconds currentDelay = kInitialReconnectDelay;
+};
+
+class IpcConnection {
+public:
+    IpcConnection() = default;
+    ~IpcConnection() { close(); }
+
+    IpcConnection(const IpcConnection&) = delete;
+    IpcConnection& operator=(const IpcConnection&) = delete;
+
+    bool open() {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+        wchar_t pipeName[] = L"\\\\?\\pipe\\discord-ipc-0";
+        constexpr size_t kPipeDigit = sizeof(pipeName) / sizeof(wchar_t) - 2;
+
+        for (wchar_t pipeNumber = L'0'; pipeNumber <= L'9'; ++pipeNumber) {
+            pipeName[kPipeDigit] = pipeNumber;
+            pipe = CreateFileW(
+                pipeName, GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE, 0, nullptr, OPEN_EXISTING, 0, nullptr);
+            if (pipe != INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            if (GetLastError() == ERROR_PIPE_BUSY && WaitNamedPipeW(pipeName, 10000)) {
+                --pipeNumber;
+            }
+        }
+        return false;
+#else
+        const auto tempPaths = get_temp_paths();
+        for (const std::string& tempPath : tempPaths) {
+            for (int pipeNumber = 0; pipeNumber < 10; ++pipeNumber) {
+                socketFd = socket(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0);
+                if (socketFd == -1) {
+                    return false;
+                }
+
+                sockaddr_un pipeAddress{};
+                pipeAddress.sun_family = AF_UNIX;
+                const std::string socketPath =
+                    tempPath + "/discord-ipc-" + std::to_string(pipeNumber);
+                if (socketPath.size() >= sizeof(pipeAddress.sun_path)) {
+                    close();
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                std::strncpy(
+                    pipeAddress.sun_path, socketPath.c_str(), sizeof(pipeAddress.sun_path) - 1);
+                if (connect(socketFd, reinterpret_cast<const sockaddr*>(&pipeAddress),
+                        sizeof(pipeAddress)) == 0)
+                {
+                    fcntl(socketFd, F_SETFL, O_NONBLOCK);
+#ifdef SO_NOSIGPIPE
+                    int optval = 1;
+                    setsockopt(socketFd, SOL_SOCKET, SO_NOSIGPIPE, &optval, sizeof(optval));
+#endif
+                    return true;
+                }
+                close();
+            }
+        }
+        return false;
+#endif
+    }
+
+    void close() {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+        if (pipe != INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
+            CloseHandle(pipe);
+            pipe = INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE;
+        }
+#else
+        if (socketFd != -1) {
+            ::close(socketFd);
+            socketFd = -1;
+        }
+#endif
+        pendingRead.clear();
+    }
+
+    bool is_open() const {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+        return pipe != INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE;
+#else
+        return socketFd != -1;
+#endif
+    }
+
+    bool write_frame(const Frame& frame) {
+        std::array<uint8_t, kFrameHeaderSize> header{};
+        write_u32(header.data(), static_cast<uint32_t>(frame.opcode));
+        write_u32(header.data() + sizeof(uint32_t), static_cast<uint32_t>(frame.payload.size()));
+
+        return write_all(header.data(), header.size()) &&
+               write_all(
+                   reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t*>(frame.payload.data()), frame.payload.size());
+    }
+
+    enum class ReadStatus {
+        None,
+        Frame,
+        Closed,
+        Corrupt,
+    };
+
+    ReadStatus read_frame(Frame& frame) {
+        if (!read_available()) {
+            return is_open() ? ReadStatus::None : ReadStatus::Closed;
+        }
+
+        if (pendingRead.size() < kFrameHeaderSize) {
+            return ReadStatus::None;
+        }
+
+        const uint32_t payloadLength = read_u32(pendingRead.data() + sizeof(uint32_t));
+        if (payloadLength > kMaxFramePayloadSize) {
+            return ReadStatus::Corrupt;
+        }
+
+        const size_t frameLength = kFrameHeaderSize + payloadLength;
+        if (pendingRead.size() < frameLength) {
+            return ReadStatus::None;
+        }
+
+        frame.opcode = static_cast<Opcode>(read_u32(pendingRead.data()));
+        frame.payload.assign(
+            reinterpret_cast<const char*>(pendingRead.data() + kFrameHeaderSize), payloadLength);
+        pendingRead.erase(
+            pendingRead.begin(), pendingRead.begin() + static_cast<std::ptrdiff_t>(frameLength));
+        return ReadStatus::Frame;
+    }
+
+private:
+#ifndef _WIN32
+    static std::vector<std::string> get_temp_paths() {
+        std::vector<std::string> paths;
+        for (const char* name : {"XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", "TMPDIR", "TMP", "TEMP"}) {
+            if (const char* value = std::getenv(name); value && value[0] != '\0') {
+                if (std::find(paths.begin(), paths.end(), value) == paths.end()) {
+                    paths.emplace_back(value);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if (std::find(paths.begin(), paths.end(), "/tmp") == paths.end()) {
+            paths.emplace_back("/tmp");
+        }
+        return paths;
+    }
+#endif
+
+    static void write_u32(uint8_t* out, uint32_t value) {
+        out[0] = static_cast<uint8_t>(value & 0xff);
+        out[1] = static_cast<uint8_t>((value >> 8) & 0xff);
+        out[2] = static_cast<uint8_t>((value >> 16) & 0xff);
+        out[3] = static_cast<uint8_t>((value >> 24) & 0xff);
+    }
+
+    static uint32_t read_u32(const uint8_t* in) {
+        return static_cast<uint32_t>(in[0]) | (static_cast<uint32_t>(in[1]) << 8) |
+               (static_cast<uint32_t>(in[2]) << 16) | (static_cast<uint32_t>(in[3]) << 24);
+    }
+
+    bool write_all(const uint8_t* data, size_t length) {
+        size_t written = 0;
+        while (written < length) {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+            DWORD bytesWritten = 0;
+            if (WriteFile(pipe, data + written, static_cast<DWORD>(length - written), &bytesWritten,
+                    nullptr) == FALSE ||
+                bytesWritten == 0)
+            {
+                close();
+                return false;
+            }
+            written += bytesWritten;
+#else
+#ifdef MSG_NOSIGNAL
+            constexpr int kMsgFlags = MSG_NOSIGNAL;
+#else
+            constexpr int kMsgFlags = 0;
+#endif
+            const ssize_t bytesWritten =
+                send(socketFd, data + written, length - written, kMsgFlags);
+            if (bytesWritten < 0) {
+                if (errno == EAGAIN || errno == EWOULDBLOCK) {
+                    std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(1));
+                    continue;
+                }
+                close();
+                return false;
+            }
+            if (bytesWritten == 0) {
+                close();
+                return false;
+            }
+            written += static_cast<size_t>(bytesWritten);
+#endif
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    bool read_available() {
+        std::array<uint8_t, 4096> buffer{};
+        bool readAny = false;
+
+        for (;;) {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+            DWORD bytesAvailable = 0;
+            if (PeekNamedPipe(pipe, nullptr, 0, nullptr, &bytesAvailable, nullptr) == FALSE) {
+                close();
+                return readAny;
+            }
+            if (bytesAvailable == 0) {
+                return readAny;
+            }
+
+            const DWORD bytesToRead =
+                std::min<DWORD>(bytesAvailable, static_cast<DWORD>(buffer.size()));
+            DWORD bytesRead = 0;
+            if (ReadFile(pipe, buffer.data(), bytesToRead, &bytesRead, nullptr) == FALSE) {
+                close();
+                return readAny;
+            }
+            if (bytesRead == 0) {
+                close();
+                return readAny;
+            }
+            pendingRead.insert(pendingRead.end(), buffer.begin(), buffer.begin() + bytesRead);
+            readAny = true;
+#else
+#ifdef MSG_NOSIGNAL
+            constexpr int kMsgFlags = MSG_NOSIGNAL;
+#else
+            constexpr int kMsgFlags = 0;
+#endif
+            const ssize_t bytesRead = recv(socketFd, buffer.data(), buffer.size(), kMsgFlags);
+            if (bytesRead < 0) {
+                if (errno == EAGAIN || errno == EWOULDBLOCK) {
+                    return readAny;
+                }
+                close();
+                return readAny;
+            }
+            if (bytesRead == 0) {
+                close();
+                return readAny;
+            }
+            pendingRead.insert(pendingRead.end(), buffer.begin(), buffer.begin() + bytesRead);
+            readAny = true;
+#endif
+        }
+    }
+
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    HANDLE pipe = INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE;
+#else
+    int socketFd = -1;
+#endif
+    std::vector<uint8_t> pendingRead;
+};
+
+int current_process_id() {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    return static_cast<int>(GetCurrentProcessId());
+#else
+    return static_cast<int>(getpid());
+#endif
+}
+
+std::string next_nonce() {
+    static std::atomic_uint64_t sNonce{1};
+    return std::to_string(sNonce.fetch_add(1));
+}
+
+const json* find_member(const json& object, const char* key) {
+    if (!object.is_object()) {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+
+    const auto member = object.find(key);
+    if (member == object.end()) {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    return &*member;
+}
+
+std::string json_string_member(const json& object, const char* key) {
+    const json* member = find_member(object, key);
+    if (!member || !member->is_string()) {
+        return {};
+    }
+    return member->get<std::string>();
+}
+
+int json_int_member(const json& object, const char* key, int defaultValue) {
+    const json* member = find_member(object, key);
+    if (!member || !member->is_number_integer()) {
+        return defaultValue;
+    }
+
+    try {
+        return member->get<int>();
+    } catch (const json::exception&) {
+        return defaultValue;
+    }
+}
+
+json make_presence_activity(const Presence& presence) {
+    json activity = json::object();
+
+    if (!presence.state.empty()) {
+        activity["state"] = presence.state;
+    }
+    if (!presence.details.empty()) {
+        activity["details"] = presence.details;
+    }
+    if (presence.startTimestamp != 0) {
+        activity["timestamps"] = {{"start", presence.startTimestamp}};
+    }
+    if (!presence.largeImageKey.empty() || !presence.largeImageText.empty()) {
+        json assets = json::object();
+        if (!presence.largeImageKey.empty()) {
+            assets["large_image"] = presence.largeImageKey;
+        }
+        if (!presence.largeImageText.empty()) {
+            assets["large_text"] = presence.largeImageText;
+        }
+        activity["assets"] = std::move(assets);
+    }
+
+    return activity;
+}
+
+Frame make_handshake_frame(std::string_view applicationId) {
+    return {
+        Opcode::Handshake,
+        json{
+            {"v", kRpcVersion},
+            {"client_id", std::string(applicationId)},
+        }
+            .dump(),
+    };
+}
+
+Frame make_set_activity_frame(std::string nonce, int pid, std::optional<Presence> presence) {
+    json args = {{"pid", pid}};
+    if (presence) {
+        args["activity"] = make_presence_activity(*presence);
+    } else {
+        args["activity"] = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    return {
+        Opcode::Frame,
+        json{
+            {"cmd", "SET_ACTIVITY"},
+            {"nonce", std::move(nonce)},
+            {"args", std::move(args)},
+        }
+            .dump(),
+    };
+}
+
+class Client {
+public:
+    void initialize(std::string applicationId, EventHandlers handlers) {
+        shutdown();
+
+        {
+            std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+            this->applicationId = std::move(applicationId);
+            this->handlers = std::move(handlers);
+            shouldRun = true;
+            queuedPresence.reset();
+            hasQueuedPresence = false;
+            clearRequested = false;
+            sentInitialConnectLog = false;
+        }
+
+        ioThread = std::thread([this] { io_loop(); });
+    }
+
+    void run_callbacks() {
+        std::deque<QueuedEvent> events;
+        EventHandlers localHandlers;
+        {
+            std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+            events.swap(queuedEvents);
+            localHandlers = handlers;
+        }
+
+        for (const QueuedEvent& event : events) {
+            switch (event.type) {
+            case QueuedEvent::Type::Ready:
+                if (localHandlers.ready) {
+                    localHandlers.ready(event.user);
+                }
+                break;
+            case QueuedEvent::Type::Disconnected:
+                if (localHandlers.disconnected) {
+                    localHandlers.disconnected(event.code, event.message);
+                }
+                break;
+            case QueuedEvent::Type::Error:
+                if (localHandlers.error) {
+                    localHandlers.error(event.code, event.message);
+                }
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    void update_presence(Presence presence) {
+        {
+            std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+            if (!shouldRun) {
+                return;
+            }
+            queuedPresence = std::move(presence);
+            hasQueuedPresence = true;
+        }
+        cv.notify_all();
+    }
+
+    void clear_presence() {
+        {
+            std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+            if (!shouldRun) {
+                return;
+            }
+            queuedPresence.reset();
+            hasQueuedPresence = false;
+            clearRequested = true;
+        }
+        cv.notify_all();
+    }
+
+    void shutdown() {
+        {
+            std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+            if (!shouldRun && !ioThread.joinable()) {
+                return;
+            }
+            shouldRun = false;
+            clearRequested = true;
+        }
+        cv.notify_all();
+
+        if (ioThread.joinable()) {
+            ioThread.join();
+        }
+
+        std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+        queuedPresence.reset();
+        hasQueuedPresence = false;
+        clearRequested = false;
+        queuedEvents.clear();
+        handlers = {};
+        applicationId.clear();
+    }
+
+private:
+    void io_loop() {
+        IpcConnection connection;
+        ConnectionState state = ConnectionState::Disconnected;
+        Backoff reconnectBackoff;
+        auto nextConnect = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
+        const int pid = current_process_id();
+        std::string localApplicationId;
+
+        for (;;) {
+            {
+                std::unique_lock lock(mutex);
+                if (!shouldRun) {
+                    break;
+                }
+                localApplicationId = applicationId;
+            }
+
+            const auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
+            if (state == ConnectionState::Disconnected && now >= nextConnect) {
+                if (connection.open()) {
+                    if (connection.write_frame(make_handshake_frame(localApplicationId))) {
+                        state = ConnectionState::SentHandshake;
+                    } else {
+                        connection.close();
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (state == ConnectionState::Disconnected) {
+                    log_waiting_for_discord_once();
+                    nextConnect = now + reconnectBackoff.next_delay();
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (state != ConnectionState::Disconnected) {
+                process_reads(connection, state, reconnectBackoff, nextConnect);
+            }
+
+            if (state == ConnectionState::Connected) {
+                flush_pending_presence(connection, pid);
+            }
+
+            std::unique_lock lock(mutex);
+            if (!shouldRun) {
+                break;
+            }
+            cv.wait_for(lock, kIoWait);
+        }
+
+        flush_shutdown_clear(connection, state, pid);
+        connection.close();
+    }
+
+    void process_reads(IpcConnection& connection, ConnectionState& state, Backoff& reconnectBackoff,
+        std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point& nextConnect) {
+        for (;;) {
+            Frame frame;
+            const auto status = connection.read_frame(frame);
+            if (status == IpcConnection::ReadStatus::None) {
+                return;
+            }
+            if (status == IpcConnection::ReadStatus::Closed) {
+                handle_disconnect(connection, state, reconnectBackoff, nextConnect,
+                    static_cast<int>(DisconnectCode::PipeClosed), "Pipe closed");
+                return;
+            }
+            if (status == IpcConnection::ReadStatus::Corrupt) {
+                handle_disconnect(connection, state, reconnectBackoff, nextConnect,
+                    static_cast<int>(DisconnectCode::ReadCorrupt), "Oversized Discord IPC frame");
+                return;
+            }
+
+            switch (frame.opcode) {
+            case Opcode::Frame:
+                process_json_frame(frame.payload, state, reconnectBackoff);
+                break;
+            case Opcode::Close:
+                process_close_frame(
+                    frame.payload, connection, state, reconnectBackoff, nextConnect);
+                return;
+            case Opcode::Ping:
+                connection.write_frame({Opcode::Pong, frame.payload});
+                break;
+            case Opcode::Pong:
+                break;
+            case Opcode::Handshake:
+            default:
+                handle_disconnect(connection, state, reconnectBackoff, nextConnect,
+                    static_cast<int>(DisconnectCode::BadFrame), "Bad Discord IPC frame");
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    void process_json_frame(
+        const std::string& payload, ConnectionState& state, Backoff& reconnectBackoff) {
+        json message;
+        try {
+            message = json::parse(payload);
+        } catch (const json::parse_error&) {
+            enqueue_error(
+                static_cast<int>(DisconnectCode::ReadCorrupt), "Invalid Discord IPC JSON");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        const std::string cmd = json_string_member(message, "cmd");
+        const std::string evt = json_string_member(message, "evt");
+
+        if (state == ConnectionState::SentHandshake && cmd == "DISPATCH" && evt == "READY") {
+            state = ConnectionState::Connected;
+            reconnectBackoff.reset();
+            enqueue_ready(message);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        if (evt == "ERROR") {
+            const json* data = find_member(message, "data");
+            enqueue_error(data ? json_int_member(*data, "code", 0) : 0,
+                data ? json_string_member(*data, "message") : std::string{});
+        }
+    }
+
+    void process_close_frame(const std::string& payload, IpcConnection& connection,
+        ConnectionState& state, Backoff& reconnectBackoff,
+        std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point& nextConnect) {
+        int code = static_cast<int>(DisconnectCode::PipeClosed);
+        std::string message = "Discord closed IPC connection";
+
+        try {
+            const json closePayload = json::parse(payload);
+            code = json_int_member(closePayload, "code", code);
+            const std::string closeMessage = json_string_member(closePayload, "message");
+            if (!closeMessage.empty()) {
+                message = closeMessage;
+            }
+        } catch (const json::exception&) {
+        }
+
+        handle_disconnect(connection, state, reconnectBackoff, nextConnect, code, message);
+    }
+
+    void handle_disconnect(IpcConnection& connection, ConnectionState& state,
+        Backoff& reconnectBackoff, std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point& nextConnect, int code,
+        std::string_view message) {
+        const bool wasConnected =
+            state == ConnectionState::Connected || state == ConnectionState::SentHandshake;
+        connection.close();
+        state = ConnectionState::Disconnected;
+        nextConnect = std::chrono::steady_clock::now() + reconnectBackoff.next_delay();
+        if (wasConnected) {
+            enqueue_disconnected(code, message);
+        }
+    }
+
+    void flush_pending_presence(IpcConnection& connection, int pid) {
+        std::optional<Presence> presence;
+        bool shouldClear = false;
+        {
+            std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+            if (hasQueuedPresence) {
+                presence = queuedPresence;
+                hasQueuedPresence = false;
+            } else if (clearRequested) {
+                shouldClear = true;
+                clearRequested = false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (presence) {
+            if (!connection.write_frame(
+                    make_set_activity_frame(next_nonce(), pid, std::move(presence))))
+            {
+                requeue_presence();
+            }
+        } else if (shouldClear) {
+            connection.write_frame(make_set_activity_frame(next_nonce(), pid, std::nullopt));
+        }
+    }
+
+    void flush_shutdown_clear(IpcConnection& connection, ConnectionState state, int pid) {
+        if (state != ConnectionState::Connected || !connection.is_open()) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        connection.write_frame(make_set_activity_frame(next_nonce(), pid, std::nullopt));
+        const auto deadline = std::chrono::steady_clock::now() + kShutdownClearTimeout;
+        while (std::chrono::steady_clock::now() < deadline) {
+            Frame frame;
+            const auto status = connection.read_frame(frame);
+            if (status == IpcConnection::ReadStatus::None) {
+                std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(10));
+                continue;
+            }
+            if (status != IpcConnection::ReadStatus::Frame) {
+                break;
+            }
+            if (frame.opcode == Opcode::Ping) {
+                connection.write_frame({Opcode::Pong, frame.payload});
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    void requeue_presence() {
+        std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+        if (queuedPresence) {
+            hasQueuedPresence = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    void enqueue_ready(const json& readyMessage) {
+        User user;
+        const auto data = readyMessage.find("data");
+        if (data != readyMessage.end() && data->is_object()) {
+            const auto userIt = data->find("user");
+            if (userIt != data->end() && userIt->is_object()) {
+                user.id = json_string_member(*userIt, "id");
+                user.username = json_string_member(*userIt, "username");
+                user.discriminator = json_string_member(*userIt, "discriminator");
+                user.avatar = json_string_member(*userIt, "avatar");
+            }
+        }
+
+        std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+        queuedEvents.push_back({QueuedEvent::Type::Ready, std::move(user)});
+    }
+
+    void enqueue_disconnected(int code, std::string_view message) {
+        std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+        QueuedEvent event;
+        event.type = QueuedEvent::Type::Disconnected;
+        event.code = code;
+        event.message = message;
+        queuedEvents.push_back(std::move(event));
+    }
+
+    void enqueue_error(int code, std::string_view message) {
+        std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+        QueuedEvent event;
+        event.type = QueuedEvent::Type::Error;
+        event.code = code;
+        event.message = message;
+        queuedEvents.push_back(std::move(event));
+    }
+
+    void log_waiting_for_discord_once() {
+        bool shouldLog = false;
+        {
+            std::lock_guard lock(mutex);
+            if (!sentInitialConnectLog) {
+                sentInitialConnectLog = true;
+                shouldLog = true;
+            }
+        }
+        if (shouldLog) {
+            DuskLog.info("Discord: Waiting for local Discord IPC");
+        }
+    }
+
+    std::mutex mutex;
+    std::condition_variable cv;
+    std::thread ioThread;
+    std::string applicationId;
+    EventHandlers handlers;
+    std::deque<QueuedEvent> queuedEvents;
+    std::optional<Presence> queuedPresence;
+    bool hasQueuedPresence = false;
+    bool clearRequested = false;
+    bool shouldRun = false;
+    bool sentInitialConnectLog = false;
+};
+
+Client& client() {
+    static Client sClient;
+    return sClient;
+}
+
+}  // namespace
+
+void initialize(std::string applicationId, EventHandlers handlers) {
+    client().initialize(std::move(applicationId), std::move(handlers));
+}
+
+void run_callbacks() {
+    client().run_callbacks();
+}
+
+void update_presence(Presence presence) {
+    client().update_presence(std::move(presence));
+}
+
+void clear_presence() {
+    client().clear_presence();
+}
+
+void shutdown() {
+    client().shutdown();
+}
+
+}  // namespace dusk::discord::rpc
+
+#endif  // DUSK_DISCORD
diff --git a/src/dusk/discord.hpp b/src/dusk/discord.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67f54ff2f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/discord.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
+
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <functional>
+#include <string>
+#include <string_view>
+
+namespace dusk::discord::rpc {
+
+struct User {
+    std::string id;
+    std::string username;
+    std::string discriminator;
+    std::string avatar;
+};
+
+struct Presence {
+    std::string state;
+    std::string details;
+    int64_t startTimestamp = 0;
+    std::string largeImageKey;
+    std::string largeImageText;
+};
+
+struct EventHandlers {
+    std::function<void(const User&)> ready;
+    std::function<void(int, std::string_view)> disconnected;
+    std::function<void(int, std::string_view)> error;
+};
+
+void initialize(std::string applicationId, EventHandlers handlers);
+void run_callbacks();
+void update_presence(Presence presence);
+void clear_presence();
+void shutdown();
+
+}  // namespace dusk::discord::rpc
+
+#endif  // DUSK_DISCORD
diff --git a/src/dusk/discord_presence.cpp b/src/dusk/discord_presence.cpp
index 3b12075c8b..6b2c7c912b 100644
--- a/src/dusk/discord_presence.cpp
+++ b/src/dusk/discord_presence.cpp
@@ -1,38 +1,39 @@
-#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
 
 #include "dusk/discord_presence.hpp"
+#include "d/d_com_inf_game.h"
+#include "discord.hpp"
 #include "dusk/logging.h"
 #include "dusk/main.h"
 #include "dusk/map_loader_definitions.h"
-#include "d/d_com_inf_game.h"
-#include "discord_rpc.h"
 #include "fmt/format.h"
 
 #include <chrono>
-#include <cstring>
 #include <string>
+#include <string_view>
+#include <utility>
 
-namespace dusk {
-namespace discord {
+namespace dusk::discord {
 
 static int64_t g_startTime = 0;
 static bool g_initialized = false;
-static const char* APPLICATION_ID = "1495632471994405035";
+static constexpr const char* kApplicationId = "1495632471994405035";
 
-static void OnReady(const DiscordUser* user) {
-    DuskLog.info("Discord: Connected as {}", user->username);
+static void on_ready(const rpc::User& user) {
+    DuskLog.info("Discord: Connected as {}", user.username);
 }
 
-static void OnDisconnected(int errorCode, const char* message) {
+static void on_disconnected(int errorCode, std::string_view message) {
     DuskLog.warn("Discord: Disconnected ({}: {})", errorCode, message);
 }
 
-static void OnError(int errorCode, const char* message) {
+static void on_error(int errorCode, std::string_view message) {
     DuskLog.warn("Discord: Error ({}: {})", errorCode, message);
 }
 
-static const char* LookupMapName(const char* mapFile) {
-    if (!mapFile || mapFile[0] == '\0') return nullptr;
+static const char* lookup_map_name(const char* mapFile) {
+    if (!mapFile || mapFile[0] == '\0')
+        return nullptr;
     for (const auto& region : gameRegions) {
         for (const auto& map : region.maps) {
             if (map.mapFile && strcmp(mapFile, map.mapFile) == 0) {
@@ -43,80 +44,80 @@ static const char* LookupMapName(const char* mapFile) {
     return nullptr;
 }
 
-void Initialize() {
-    g_startTime = static_cast<int64_t>(
-        std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::seconds>(
-            std::chrono::system_clock::now().time_since_epoch()
-        ).count()
-    );
+void initialize() {
+    g_startTime = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::seconds>(
+        std::chrono::system_clock::now().time_since_epoch())
+                      .count();
 
-    DiscordEventHandlers handlers{};
-    handlers.ready = OnReady;
-    handlers.disconnected = OnDisconnected;
-    handlers.errored = OnError;
-    Discord_Initialize(APPLICATION_ID, &handlers, 0, nullptr);
+    rpc::EventHandlers handlers{};
+    handlers.ready = on_ready;
+    handlers.disconnected = on_disconnected;
+    handlers.error = on_error;
+    rpc::initialize(kApplicationId, std::move(handlers));
     g_initialized = true;
 
     DuskLog.info("Discord Rich Presence initialized");
 }
 
-void RunCallbacks() {
-    if (!g_initialized) return;
-    Discord_RunCallbacks();
+void run_callbacks() {
+    if (!g_initialized)
+        return;
+    rpc::run_callbacks();
 }
 
-void UpdatePresence() {
-    if (!g_initialized) return;
+void update_presence() {
+    if (!g_initialized)
+        return;
 
-    static auto lastUpdate = std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point{};
+    static auto sLastUpdate = std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point{};
     const auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
-    if (now - lastUpdate < std::chrono::seconds(15)) return;
-    lastUpdate = now;
+    if (now - sLastUpdate < std::chrono::seconds(15))
+        return;
+    sLastUpdate = now;
 
-    static std::string detailsBuf;
-    static std::string stateBuf;
+    static std::string sDetailsBuf;
+    static std::string sStateBuf;
 
-    DiscordRichPresence presence{};
+    rpc::Presence presence{};
     presence.startTimestamp = g_startTime;
     presence.largeImageKey = "icon";
     presence.largeImageText = "Dusk";
 
-    if (dusk::IsGameLaunched) {
+    if (IsGameLaunched) {
         const char* stageName = dComIfGp_getLastPlayStageName();
 
         // stageName is empty until a room is actually entered
         if (stageName[0] != '\0') {
-            const char* locationName = LookupMapName(stageName);
+            const char* locationName = lookup_map_name(stageName);
 
             if (locationName) {
-                detailsBuf = locationName;
-            }
-            else {
-                detailsBuf = "Twilight Princess";
+                sDetailsBuf = locationName;
+            } else {
+                sDetailsBuf = "Twilight Princess";
             }
 
-            presence.details = detailsBuf.c_str();
+            presence.details = sDetailsBuf;
 
-            stateBuf = fmt::format(FMT_STRING("{}/{} \u2665  |  {} Rupees"),
+            sStateBuf = fmt::format(FMT_STRING("{}/{} \u2665  |  {} Rupees"),
                 dComIfGs_getLife() / 4, dComIfGs_getMaxLife() / 5, dComIfGs_getRupee());
 
-            presence.state = stateBuf.c_str();
+            presence.state = sStateBuf;
         }
     }
 
-    Discord_UpdatePresence(&presence);
+    rpc::update_presence(std::move(presence));
     DuskLog.debug("Discord Rich Presence sent");
 }
 
-void Shutdown() {
-    if (!g_initialized) return;
-    Discord_ClearPresence();
-    Discord_Shutdown();
+void shutdown() {
+    if (!g_initialized)
+        return;
+    rpc::clear_presence();
+    rpc::shutdown();
     g_initialized = false;
     DuskLog.info("Discord Rich Presence shut down");
 }
 
-} // namespace discord
-} // namespace dusk
+}  // namespace dusk::discord
 
-#endif // DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
+#endif  // DUSK_DISCORD
diff --git a/src/m_Do/m_Do_main.cpp b/src/m_Do/m_Do_main.cpp
index c2984e3863..8d3bd0ce63 100644
--- a/src/m_Do/m_Do_main.cpp
+++ b/src/m_Do/m_Do_main.cpp
@@ -307,9 +307,9 @@ void main01(void) {
 
         FrameMark;
 
-#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
-        dusk::discord::RunCallbacks();
-        dusk::discord::UpdatePresence();
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
+        dusk::discord::run_callbacks();
+        dusk::discord::update_presence();
 #endif
     } while (dusk::IsRunning);
 
@@ -571,8 +571,8 @@ int game_main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
         auroraInfo = aurora_initialize(argc, argv, &config);
     }
 
-#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
-    dusk::discord::Initialize();
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
+    dusk::discord::initialize();
 #endif
 
     VISetWindowTitle(
@@ -613,8 +613,8 @@ int game_main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
         // pre game launch ui main loop
         if (!launchUILoop()) {
             dusk::ShutdownCrashReporting();
-#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
-            dusk::discord::Shutdown();
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
+            dusk::discord::shutdown();
 #endif
             dusk::ui::shutdown();
             aurora_shutdown();
@@ -674,8 +674,8 @@ int game_main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
     // Notifies all CVs and causes threads to exit
     OSResetSystem(OS_RESET_SHUTDOWN, 0, 0);
 
-#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD_RPC
-    dusk::discord::Shutdown();
+#ifdef DUSK_DISCORD
+    dusk::discord::shutdown();
 #endif
     dusk::ui::shutdown();
     aurora_shutdown();