starting mode escape hatch

FlexLove.lua

@@ -434,17 +434,45 @@ function flexlove.endFrame()
 
   -- Layout all top-level elements now that all children have been added
   -- This ensures overflow detection happens with complete child lists
+  -- Only process immediate-mode elements (retained elements handle their own layout)
   for _, element in ipairs(flexlove._currentFrameElements) do
-    if not element.parent then
+    if not element.parent and element._elementMode == "immediate" then
       element:layoutChildren() -- Layout with all children present
     end
   end
   
+  -- Handle mixed-mode trees: if immediate-mode children were added to retained-mode parents,
+  -- trigger layout on those parents so the children are properly positioned
+  -- We check for parents with _childrenDirty flag OR parents with immediate-mode children
+  local retainedParentsToLayout = {}
+  for _, element in ipairs(flexlove._currentFrameElements) do
+    if element._elementMode == "immediate" and element.parent and element.parent._elementMode == "retained" then
+      -- Found immediate child with retained parent - mark parent for layout
+      retainedParentsToLayout[element.parent] = true
+    end
+  end
+  
+  -- Layout all retained parents that had immediate children added
+  for parent, _ in pairs(retainedParentsToLayout) do
+    parent:layoutChildren()
+  end
+
   -- Auto-update all top-level elements created this frame
   -- This happens AFTER layout so positions are correct
   -- Use accumulated dt from FlexLove.update() calls to properly update animations and cursor blink
+  -- Process immediate-mode top-level elements (they recursively update their children)
   for _, element in ipairs(flexlove._currentFrameElements) do
-    if not element.parent then
+    if not element.parent and element._elementMode == "immediate" then
+      element:update(flexlove._accumulatedDt)
+    end
+  end
+  
+  -- Also update immediate-mode children that have retained-mode parents
+  -- These won't be updated by the loop above (since they have parents)
+  -- And their retained parents won't auto-update (retained = manual lifecycle)
+  -- So we need to explicitly update them here
+  for _, element in ipairs(flexlove._currentFrameElements) do
+    if element.parent and element.parent._elementMode == "retained" and element._elementMode == "immediate" then
       element:update(flexlove._accumulatedDt)
     end
   end
@@ -452,8 +480,9 @@ function flexlove.endFrame()
   -- Save state for all elements created this frame
   -- State is collected from element and all sub-modules via element:saveState()
   -- This is the ONLY place state is saved in immediate mode
+  -- Only process immediate-mode elements (retained elements don't use StateManager)
   for _, element in ipairs(flexlove._currentFrameElements) do
-    if element.id and element.id ~= "" then
+    if element._elementMode == "immediate" and element.id and element.id ~= "" then
       -- Collect state from element and all sub-modules
       local stateUpdate = element:saveState()
 
@@ -1010,11 +1039,15 @@ end
 function flexlove.new(props)
   props = props or {}
 
-  -- If not in immediate mode, use standard Element.new
+  -- Determine effective mode: props.mode takes precedence over global mode
-  if not flexlove._immediateMode then
+  local effectiveMode = props.mode or (flexlove._immediateMode and "immediate" or "retained")
+
+  -- If element is in retained mode, use standard Element.new
+  if effectiveMode == "retained" then
     return Element.new(props)
   end
 
+  -- Element is in immediate mode - proceed with immediate-mode logic
   -- Auto-begin frame if not manually started (convenience feature)
   if not flexlove._frameStarted then
     flexlove.beginFrame()

README.md

@@ -197,8 +197,46 @@ local button2 = FlexLove.new({
 
 ```
 
-You should be able to mix both modes in the same application - use retained mode for your main UI and immediate mode for debug overlays or dynamic elements,
+#### Per-Element Mode Override
-though this hasn't been tested.
+
+You can override the rendering mode on a per-element basis using the `mode` property. This allows you to mix immediate and retained mode elements in the same application:
+
+```lua
+-- Initialize in immediate mode globally
+FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = true })
+
+function love.draw()
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  -- This button uses immediate mode (follows global setting)
+  local dynamicButton = FlexLove.new({
+    text = "Frame: " .. love.timer.getTime(),
+    onEvent = function() print("Dynamic!") end
+  })
+  
+  -- This panel uses retained mode (override with mode prop)
+  -- It will persist and won't be recreated each frame
+  local staticPanel = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",  -- Explicit override
+    width = "30vw",
+    height = "40vh",
+    backgroundColor = Color.new(0.2, 0.2, 0.2, 1),
+    -- No ID auto-generation since it's in retained mode
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+end
+```
+
+**Key behaviors:**
+- `mode = "immediate"` - Element uses immediate-mode lifecycle (recreated each frame, auto-generates ID, uses StateManager)
+- `mode = "retained"` - Element uses retained-mode lifecycle (persists across frames, no auto-ID, no StateManager)
+- `mode = nil` - Element inherits from global mode setting (default behavior)
+- Mode does NOT inherit from parent to child - each element independently controls its own lifecycle
+- Common use cases:
+  - Performance-critical static UI in retained mode while using immediate mode globally
+  - Reactive debug overlays in immediate mode within a retained-mode application
+  - Mixed UI where some components are static (menus) and others are dynamic (HUD)
 
 ### Element Properties
 
@@ -262,6 +300,9 @@ Common properties for all elements:
   disabled = false,
   disableHighlight = false, -- Disable pressed overlay (auto-true for themed elements)
   
+  -- Rendering Mode
+  mode = nil,               -- "immediate", "retained", or nil (uses global setting)
+  
   -- Hierarchy
   parent = nil,             -- Parent element
 }

examples/mode_override_demo.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,275 @@
+-- Mode Override Demo
+-- Demonstrates per-element mode override in FlexLöve
+-- Shows how to mix immediate and retained mode elements in the same application
+
+package.path = package.path .. ";../?.lua;../modules/?.lua"
+local FlexLove = require("FlexLove")
+local Color = require("modules.Color")
+
+-- Global state
+local frameCount = 0
+local clickCount = 0
+local retainedPanelCreated = false
+local retainedPanel = nil
+
+function love.load()
+  -- Initialize FlexLove in immediate mode globally
+  FlexLove.init({
+    immediateMode = true,
+    theme = "space",
+  })
+  
+  love.window.setTitle("Mode Override Demo - FlexLöve")
+  love.window.setMode(1200, 800)
+end
+
+function love.update(dt)
+  FlexLove.update(dt)
+  frameCount = frameCount + 1
+end
+
+function love.draw()
+  love.graphics.clear(0.1, 0.1, 0.15, 1)
+  
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  -- Title - Immediate mode (default, recreated every frame)
+  FlexLove.new({
+    text = "Mode Override Demo",
+    textSize = 32,
+    textColor = Color.new(1, 1, 1, 1),
+    width = "100vw",
+    height = 60,
+    textAlign = "center",
+    backgroundColor = Color.new(0.2, 0.2, 0.3, 1),
+    padding = { top = 15, bottom = 15 },
+  })
+  
+  -- Container for demo panels
+  local container = FlexLove.new({
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    justifyContent = "center",
+    alignItems = "flex-start",
+    gap = 20,
+    width = "100vw",
+    height = "calc(100vh - 60px)",
+    padding = { top = 20, left = 20, right = 20, bottom = 20 },
+  })
+  
+  -- LEFT PANEL: Immediate Mode (Dynamic, recreated every frame)
+  local leftPanel = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate", -- Explicit immediate mode (would be default anyway)
+    parent = container,
+    width = "45vw",
+    height = "calc(100vh - 100px)",
+    backgroundColor = Color.new(0.15, 0.15, 0.2, 0.95),
+    cornerRadius = 8,
+    padding = { top = 20, left = 20, right = 20, bottom = 20 },
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "vertical",
+    gap = 15,
+  })
+  
+  -- Panel title
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = leftPanel,
+    text = "Immediate Mode Panel",
+    textSize = 24,
+    textColor = Color.new(0.4, 0.8, 1, 1),
+    width = "100%",
+    height = 40,
+  })
+  
+  -- Description
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = leftPanel,
+    text = "Elements in this panel are recreated every frame.\nState is preserved by StateManager.",
+    textSize = 14,
+    textColor = Color.new(0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 1),
+    width = "100%",
+    height = 60,
+  })
+  
+  -- Live frame counter (updates automatically)
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = leftPanel,
+    text = string.format("Frame: %d", frameCount),
+    textSize = 18,
+    textColor = Color.new(1, 1, 0.5, 1),
+    width = "100%",
+    height = 30,
+    backgroundColor = Color.new(0.2, 0.2, 0.3, 1),
+    padding = { top = 5, left = 10, right = 10, bottom = 5 },
+    cornerRadius = 4,
+  })
+  
+  -- Click counter (updates automatically)
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = leftPanel,
+    text = string.format("Clicks: %d", clickCount),
+    textSize = 18,
+    textColor = Color.new(0.5, 1, 0.5, 1),
+    width = "100%",
+    height = 30,
+    backgroundColor = Color.new(0.2, 0.2, 0.3, 1),
+    padding = { top = 5, left = 10, right = 10, bottom = 5 },
+    cornerRadius = 4,
+  })
+  
+  -- Interactive button (state preserved across frames)
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = leftPanel,
+    text = "Click Me! (Immediate Mode)",
+    textSize = 16,
+    textColor = Color.new(1, 1, 1, 1),
+    width = "100%",
+    height = 50,
+    themeComponent = "button",
+    onEvent = function(element, event)
+      if event.type == "release" then
+        clickCount = clickCount + 1
+      end
+    end,
+  })
+  
+  -- Info box
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = leftPanel,
+    text = "Notice how the frame counter updates\nautomatically without any manual updates.\n\nThis is the power of immediate mode:\nUI reflects application state automatically.",
+    textSize = 13,
+    textColor = Color.new(0.7, 0.7, 0.7, 1),
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "auto",
+    backgroundColor = Color.new(0.1, 0.1, 0.15, 1),
+    padding = { top = 10, left = 10, right = 10, bottom = 10 },
+    cornerRadius = 4,
+  })
+  
+  -- RIGHT PANEL: Retained Mode (Static, created once)
+  -- Only create on first frame
+  if not retainedPanelCreated then
+    retainedPanel = FlexLove.new({
+      mode = "retained", -- Explicit retained mode override
+      parent = container,
+      width = "45vw",
+      height = "calc(100vh - 100px)",
+      backgroundColor = Color.new(0.2, 0.15, 0.15, 0.95),
+      cornerRadius = 8,
+      padding = { top = 20, left = 20, right = 20, bottom = 20 },
+      positioning = "flex",
+      flexDirection = "vertical",
+      gap = 15,
+    })
+    
+    -- Panel title (retained)
+    FlexLove.new({
+      mode = "retained",
+      parent = retainedPanel,
+      text = "Retained Mode Panel",
+      textSize = 24,
+      textColor = Color.new(1, 0.6, 0.4, 1),
+      width = "100%",
+      height = 40,
+    })
+    
+    -- Description (retained)
+    FlexLove.new({
+      mode = "retained",
+      parent = retainedPanel,
+      text = "Elements in this panel are created once\nand persist across frames.",
+      textSize = 14,
+      textColor = Color.new(0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 1),
+      width = "100%",
+      height = 60,
+    })
+    
+    -- Static frame counter (won't update)
+    local staticCounter = FlexLove.new({
+      mode = "retained",
+      parent = retainedPanel,
+      text = string.format("Created at frame: %d", frameCount),
+      textSize = 18,
+      textColor = Color.new(1, 1, 0.5, 1),
+      width = "100%",
+      height = 30,
+      backgroundColor = Color.new(0.3, 0.2, 0.2, 1),
+      padding = { top = 5, left = 10, right = 10, bottom = 5 },
+      cornerRadius = 4,
+    })
+    
+    -- Click counter placeholder (must be manually updated)
+    local retainedClickCounter = FlexLove.new({
+      mode = "retained",
+      parent = retainedPanel,
+      text = string.format("Clicks: %d (manual update needed)", clickCount),
+      textSize = 18,
+      textColor = Color.new(0.5, 1, 0.5, 1),
+      width = "100%",
+      height = 30,
+      backgroundColor = Color.new(0.3, 0.2, 0.2, 1),
+      padding = { top = 5, left = 10, right = 10, bottom = 5 },
+      cornerRadius = 4,
+    })
+    
+    -- Interactive button with manual update
+    FlexLove.new({
+      mode = "retained",
+      parent = retainedPanel,
+      text = "Click Me! (Retained Mode)",
+      textSize = 16,
+      textColor = Color.new(1, 1, 1, 1),
+      width = "100%",
+      height = 50,
+      themeComponent = "button",
+      onEvent = function(element, event)
+        if event.type == "release" then
+          clickCount = clickCount + 1
+          -- In retained mode, we must manually update the UI
+          retainedClickCounter.text = string.format("Clicks: %d (manual update needed)", clickCount)
+        end
+      end,
+    })
+    
+    -- Info box (retained)
+    FlexLove.new({
+      mode = "retained",
+      parent = retainedPanel,
+      text = "Notice how this panel's elements\ndon't update automatically.\n\nIn retained mode, you must manually\nupdate element properties when state changes.\n\nThis gives better performance for\nstatic UI elements.",
+      textSize = 13,
+      textColor = Color.new(0.7, 0.7, 0.7, 1),
+      width = "100%",
+      height = "auto",
+      backgroundColor = Color.new(0.15, 0.1, 0.1, 1),
+      padding = { top = 10, left = 10, right = 10, bottom = 10 },
+      cornerRadius = 4,
+    })
+    
+    retainedPanelCreated = true
+  end
+  
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+  
+  -- Bottom instructions
+  love.graphics.setColor(0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1)
+  love.graphics.print("Global mode: Immediate | Left panel: Immediate (explicit) | Right panel: Retained (override)", 10, love.graphics.getHeight() - 30)
+  love.graphics.print("Press ESC to quit", 10, love.graphics.getHeight() - 15)
+end
+
+function love.keypressed(key)
+  if key == "escape" then
+    love.event.quit()
+  end
+end
+
+function love.mousepressed(x, y, button)
+  FlexLove.mousepressed(x, y, button)
+end
+
+function love.mousereleased(x, y, button)
+  FlexLove.mousereleased(x, y, button)
+end
+
+function love.mousemoved(x, y, dx, dy)
+  FlexLove.mousemoved(x, y, dx, dy)
+end

modules/Element.lua

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@
 ---@field _themeState string? -- Current theme state (normal, hover, pressed, active, disabled)
 ---@field _themeManager ThemeManager -- Internal: theme manager instance
 ---@field _stateId string? -- State manager ID for this element
+---@field _elementMode "immediate"|"retained" -- Lifecycle mode for this element (resolved from props.mode or global mode)
 ---@field disabled boolean? -- Whether the element is disabled (default: false)
 ---@field active boolean? -- Whether the element is active/focused (for inputs, default: false)
 ---@field disableHighlight boolean? -- Whether to disable the pressed state highlight overlay (default: false)
@@ -257,11 +258,22 @@ function Element.new(props)
     }
   end
 
+  -- Resolve element mode: props.mode takes precedence over global mode
+  -- This must happen BEFORE ID generation and state management
+  if props.mode == "immediate" then
+    self._elementMode = "immediate"
+  elseif props.mode == "retained" then
+    self._elementMode = "retained"
+  else
+    -- nil or invalid: use global mode
+    self._elementMode = Element._Context._immediateMode and "immediate" or "retained"
+  end
+
   self.children = {}
   self.onEvent = props.onEvent
 
   -- Auto-generate ID in immediate mode if not provided
-  if Element._Context._immediateMode and (not props.id or props.id == "") then
+  if self._elementMode == "immediate" and (not props.id or props.id == "") then
     self.id = Element._StateManager.generateID(props, props.parent)
   else
     self.id = props.id or ""
@@ -288,7 +300,7 @@ function Element.new(props)
     onEvent = self.onEvent,
     onEventDeferred = props.onEventDeferred,
   }
-  if Element._Context._immediateMode and self._stateId and self._stateId ~= "" then
+  if self._elementMode == "immediate" and self._stateId and self._stateId ~= "" then
     local state = Element._StateManager.getState(self._stateId)
     if state then
       -- Restore EventHandler state from StateManager (sparse storage - provide defaults)
@@ -419,7 +431,7 @@ function Element.new(props)
     }, textEditorDeps)
 
     -- Restore TextEditor state from StateManager in immediate mode
-    if Element._Context._immediateMode and self._stateId and self._stateId ~= "" then
+    if self._elementMode == "immediate" and self._stateId and self._stateId ~= "" then
       local state = Element._StateManager.getState(self._stateId)
       if state and state.textEditor then
         -- Restore from nested textEditor state (saved via saveState())
@@ -1659,7 +1671,7 @@ function Element.new(props)
     self._scrollbarDragOffset = 0
 
     -- Restore scrollbar state from StateManager in immediate mode (must happen before layout)
-    if Element._Context._immediateMode and self._stateId and self._stateId ~= "" then
+    if self._elementMode == "immediate" and self._stateId and self._stateId ~= "" then
       local state = Element._StateManager.getState(self._stateId)
       if state and state.scrollManager then
         -- Restore from nested scrollManager state (saved via saveState())
@@ -1688,7 +1700,7 @@ function Element.new(props)
   end
 
   -- Register element in z-index tracking for immediate mode
-  if Element._Context._immediateMode then
+  if self._elementMode == "immediate" then
     Element._Context.registerElement(self)
   end
 
@@ -2413,7 +2425,7 @@ function Element:update(dt)
   end
 
   -- Restore scrollbar state from StateManager in immediate mode
-  if self._stateId and Element._Context._immediateMode then
+  if self._stateId and self._elementMode == "immediate" then
     local state = Element._StateManager.getState(self._stateId)
     if state and state.scrollManager then
       -- Restore from nested scrollManager state (saved via saveState())
@@ -2560,7 +2572,7 @@ function Element:update(dt)
       self:_syncScrollManagerState()
     end
 
-    if self._stateId and Element._Context._immediateMode then
+    if self._stateId and self._elementMode == "immediate" then
       Element._StateManager.updateState(self._stateId, {
         scrollbarDragging = false,
       })
@@ -2642,7 +2654,7 @@ function Element:update(dt)
     self._eventHandler:processMouseEvents(self, mx, my, isHovering, isActiveElement)
 
     -- In immediate mode, save EventHandler state to StateManager after processing events
-    if self._stateId and Element._Context._immediateMode and self._stateId ~= "" then
+    if self._stateId and self._elementMode == "immediate" and self._stateId ~= "" then
       local eventHandlerState = self._eventHandler:getState()
       Element._StateManager.updateState(self._stateId, {
         _pressed = eventHandlerState._pressed,
@@ -2665,7 +2677,7 @@ function Element:update(dt)
       -- Update theme state via ThemeManager
       local newThemeState = self._themeManager:updateState(isHovering and isActiveElement, anyPressed, self._focused, self.disabled)
 
-      if self._stateId and Element._Context._immediateMode then
+      if self._stateId and self._elementMode == "immediate" then
         local hover = newThemeState == "hover"
         local pressed = newThemeState == "pressed"
         local focused = newThemeState == "active" or self._focused

modules/types.lua

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ local AnimationProps = {}
 --=====================================--
 ---@class ElementProps
 ---@field id string? -- Unique identifier for the element (auto-generated in immediate mode if not provided)
+---@field mode "immediate"|"retained"|nil -- Lifecycle mode override: "immediate" (auto-managed state), "retained" (manual state), nil (use global mode from FlexLove.getMode(), default)
 ---@field parent Element? -- Parent element for hierarchical structure
 ---@field x number|string|CalcObject? -- X coordinate: number (px), string ("50%", "10vw"), or CalcObject from FlexLove.calc() (default: 0)
 ---@field y number|string|CalcObject? -- Y coordinate: number (px), string ("50%", "10vh"), or CalcObject from FlexLove.calc() (default: 0)

profiling/__profiles__/settings_menu_mode_profile.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,507 @@
+-- Profiling test comparing retained mode flag vs. default behavior in complex UI
+-- This simulates creating a settings menu multiple times per frame to stress test
+-- the performance difference between explicit mode="retained" and implicit retained mode
+
+package.path = package.path .. ";../../?.lua;../../modules/?.lua"
+
+local FlexLove = require("FlexLove")
+local Color = require("modules.Color")
+
+-- Mock resolution sets (simplified)
+local resolution_sets = {
+  ["16:9"] = {
+    { 1920, 1080 },
+    { 1600, 900 },
+    { 1280, 720 },
+  },
+  ["16:10"] = {
+    { 1920, 1200 },
+    { 1680, 1050 },
+    { 1280, 800 },
+  },
+}
+
+-- Mock Settings object
+local Settings = {
+  values = {
+    resolution = { width = 1920, height = 1080 },
+    fullscreen = false,
+    vsync = true,
+    msaa = 4,
+    resizable = true,
+    borderless = false,
+    masterVolume = 0.8,
+    musicVolume = 0.7,
+    sfxVolume = 0.9,
+    crtEffectStrength = 0.3,
+  },
+  get = function(self, key)
+    return self.values[key]
+  end,
+  set = function(self, key, value)
+    self.values[key] = value
+  end,
+  reset_to_defaults = function(self) end,
+  apply = function(self) end,
+}
+
+-- Helper function to round numbers
+local function round(num, decimals)
+  local mult = 10 ^ (decimals or 0)
+  return math.floor(num * mult + 0.5) / mult
+end
+
+-- Simplified SettingsMenu implementation
+local function create_settings_menu_with_mode_flag(use_mode_flag)
+  local GuiZIndexing = { MainMenuOverlay = 100 }
+
+  -- Backdrop
+  local backdrop_props = {
+    z = GuiZIndexing.MainMenuOverlay - 1,
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "100%",
+    backdropBlur = { radius = 10 },
+    backgroundColor = Color.new(1, 1, 1, 0.1),
+  }
+  if use_mode_flag then
+    backdrop_props.mode = "retained"
+  end
+  local backdrop = FlexLove.new(backdrop_props)
+
+  -- Main window
+  local window_props = {
+    z = GuiZIndexing.MainMenuOverlay,
+    x = "5%",
+    y = "5%",
+    width = "90%",
+    height = "90%",
+    themeComponent = "framev3",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "vertical",
+    justifySelf = "center",
+    justifyContent = "flex-start",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    scaleCorners = 3,
+    padding = { horizontal = "5%", vertical = "3%" },
+    gap = 10,
+  }
+  if use_mode_flag then
+    window_props.mode = "retained"
+  end
+  local window = FlexLove.new(window_props)
+
+  -- Close button
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = window,
+    x = "2%",
+    y = "2%",
+    alignSelf = "flex-start",
+    themeComponent = "buttonv2",
+    width = "4vw",
+    height = "4vw",
+    text = "X",
+    textSize = "2xl",
+    textAlign = "center",
+  })
+
+  -- Title
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = window,
+    text = "Settings",
+    textAlign = "center",
+    textSize = "3xl",
+    width = "100%",
+    margin = { top = "-4%", bottom = "4%" },
+  })
+
+  -- Content container
+  local content = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = window,
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "100%",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "vertical",
+    padding = { top = "4%" },
+  })
+
+  -- Display Settings Section
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = content,
+    text = "Display Settings",
+    textAlign = "start",
+    textSize = "xl",
+    width = "100%",
+    textColor = Color.new(0.8, 0.9, 1, 1),
+  })
+
+  -- Resolution control
+  local row1 = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = content,
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "5vh",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    justifyContent = "space-between",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row1,
+    text = "Resolution",
+    textAlign = "start",
+    textSize = "md",
+    width = "30%",
+  })
+
+  local resolution = Settings:get("resolution")
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row1,
+    text = resolution.width .. " x " .. resolution.height,
+    themeComponent = "buttonv2",
+    width = "30%",
+    textAlign = "center",
+    textSize = "lg",
+  })
+
+  -- Fullscreen toggle
+  local row2 = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = content,
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "5vh",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    justifyContent = "space-between",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row2,
+    text = "Fullscreen",
+    textAlign = "start",
+    textSize = "md",
+    width = "60%",
+  })
+
+  local fullscreen = Settings:get("fullscreen")
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row2,
+    text = fullscreen and "ON" or "OFF",
+    themeComponent = fullscreen and "buttonv1" or "buttonv2",
+    textAlign = "center",
+    width = "15vw",
+    height = "4vh",
+    textSize = "md",
+  })
+
+  -- VSync toggle
+  local row3 = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = content,
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "5vh",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    justifyContent = "space-between",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row3,
+    text = "VSync",
+    textAlign = "start",
+    textSize = "md",
+    width = "60%",
+  })
+
+  local vsync = Settings:get("vsync")
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row3,
+    text = vsync and "ON" or "OFF",
+    themeComponent = vsync and "buttonv1" or "buttonv2",
+    textAlign = "center",
+    width = "15vw",
+    height = "4vh",
+    textSize = "md",
+  })
+
+  -- MSAA control
+  local row4 = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = content,
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "5vh",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    justifyContent = "space-between",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row4,
+    text = "MSAA",
+    textAlign = "start",
+    textSize = "md",
+    width = "30%",
+  })
+
+  local button_container = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row4,
+    width = "60%",
+    height = "100%",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    gap = 5,
+  })
+
+  local msaa_values = { 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 }
+  for _, msaa_val in ipairs(msaa_values) do
+    local is_selected = Settings:get("msaa") == msaa_val
+    FlexLove.new({
+      parent = button_container,
+      themeComponent = is_selected and "buttonv1" or "buttonv2",
+      text = tostring(msaa_val),
+      textAlign = "center",
+      width = "8vw",
+      height = "100%",
+      textSize = "sm",
+      disabled = is_selected,
+      opacity = is_selected and 0.7 or 1.0,
+    })
+  end
+
+  -- Audio Settings Section
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = content,
+    text = "Audio Settings",
+    textAlign = "start",
+    textSize = "xl",
+    width = "100%",
+    textColor = Color.new(0.8, 0.9, 1, 1),
+  })
+
+  -- Master volume slider
+  local row5 = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = content,
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "5vh",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    justifyContent = "space-between",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row5,
+    text = "Master Volume",
+    textAlign = "start",
+    textSize = "md",
+    width = "30%",
+  })
+
+  local slider_container = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = row5,
+    width = "50%",
+    height = "100%",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    gap = 5,
+  })
+
+  local value = Settings:get("masterVolume")
+  local normalized = value
+
+  local slider_track = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = slider_container,
+    width = "80%",
+    height = "75%",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    themeComponent = "framev3",
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = slider_track,
+    width = (normalized * 100) .. "%",
+    height = "100%",
+    themeComponent = "buttonv1",
+    themeStateLock = true,
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = slider_container,
+    text = string.format("%d", value * 100),
+    textAlign = "center",
+    textSize = "md",
+    width = "15%",
+  })
+
+  -- Meta controls (bottom buttons)
+  local meta_container = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = window,
+    positioning = "absolute",
+    width = "100%",
+    height = "10%",
+    y = "90%",
+    x = "0%",
+  })
+
+  local button_bar = FlexLove.new({
+    parent = meta_container,
+    width = "100%",
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    justifyContent = "center",
+    alignItems = "center",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+
+  FlexLove.new({
+    parent = button_bar,
+    themeComponent = "buttonv2",
+    text = "Reset",
+    textAlign = "center",
+    width = "15vw",
+    height = "6vh",
+    textSize = "lg",
+  })
+
+  return { backdrop = backdrop, window = window }
+end
+
+-- Profile configuration
+local PROFILE_NAME = "Settings Menu Mode Comparison"
+local ITERATIONS_PER_TEST = 100 -- Create the menu 100 times to measure difference
+
+print("=" .. string.rep("=", 78))
+print(string.format("  %s", PROFILE_NAME))
+print("=" .. string.rep("=", 78))
+print()
+print("This profile compares performance when creating a complex settings menu")
+print("with explicit mode='retained' flags vs. implicit retained mode (global).")
+print()
+print(string.format("Test configuration:"))
+print(string.format("  - Iterations: %d menu creations per test", ITERATIONS_PER_TEST))
+print(string.format("  - Elements per menu: ~45 (backdrop, window, buttons, sliders, etc.)"))
+print(string.format("  - Total elements created: ~%d per test", ITERATIONS_PER_TEST * 45))
+print()
+
+-- Warm up
+print("Warming up...")
+FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = false, theme = "space" })
+for i = 1, 10 do
+  create_settings_menu_with_mode_flag(false)
+end
+collectgarbage("collect")
+
+-- Test 1: Without explicit mode flags (implicit retained via global setting)
+print("Running Test 1: Without explicit mode='retained' flags...")
+FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = false, theme = "space" })
+collectgarbage("collect")
+local mem_before_implicit = collectgarbage("count")
+local time_before_implicit = os.clock()
+
+for i = 1, ITERATIONS_PER_TEST do
+  local menu = create_settings_menu_with_mode_flag(false)
+end
+
+local time_after_implicit = os.clock()
+collectgarbage("collect")
+local mem_after_implicit = collectgarbage("count")
+
+local time_implicit = time_after_implicit - time_before_implicit
+local mem_implicit = mem_after_implicit - mem_before_implicit
+
+print(string.format("  Time: %.4f seconds", time_implicit))
+print(string.format("  Memory: %.2f KB", mem_implicit))
+print(string.format("  Avg time per menu: %.4f ms", (time_implicit / ITERATIONS_PER_TEST) * 1000))
+print()
+
+-- Test 2: With explicit mode="retained" flags
+print("Running Test 2: With explicit mode='retained' flags...")
+FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = false, theme = "space" })
+collectgarbage("collect")
+local mem_before_explicit = collectgarbage("count")
+local time_before_explicit = os.clock()
+
+for i = 1, ITERATIONS_PER_TEST do
+  local menu = create_settings_menu_with_mode_flag(true)
+end
+
+local time_after_explicit = os.clock()
+collectgarbage("collect")
+local mem_after_explicit = collectgarbage("count")
+
+local time_explicit = time_after_explicit - time_before_explicit
+local mem_explicit = mem_after_explicit - mem_before_explicit
+
+print(string.format("  Time: %.4f seconds", time_explicit))
+print(string.format("  Memory: %.2f KB", mem_explicit))
+print(string.format("  Avg time per menu: %.4f ms", (time_explicit / ITERATIONS_PER_TEST) * 1000))
+print()
+
+-- Calculate differences
+print("=" .. string.rep("=", 78))
+print("RESULTS COMPARISON")
+print("=" .. string.rep("=", 78))
+print()
+
+local time_diff = time_explicit - time_implicit
+local time_percent = (time_diff / time_implicit) * 100
+local mem_diff = mem_explicit - mem_implicit
+
+print(string.format("Time Difference:"))
+print(string.format("  Without mode flag: %.4f seconds", time_implicit))
+print(string.format("  With mode flag:    %.4f seconds", time_explicit))
+print(string.format("  Difference:        %.4f seconds (%+.2f%%)", time_diff, time_percent))
+print()
+
+print(string.format("Memory Difference:"))
+print(string.format("  Without mode flag: %.2f KB", mem_implicit))
+print(string.format("  With mode flag:    %.2f KB", mem_explicit))
+print(string.format("  Difference:        %+.2f KB", mem_diff))
+print()
+
+-- Interpretation
+print("INTERPRETATION:")
+print()
+if math.abs(time_percent) < 5 then
+  print("  ✓ Performance is essentially identical (< 5% difference)")
+  print("    The explicit mode flag has negligible impact on performance.")
+elseif time_percent > 0 then
+  print(string.format("  ⚠ Explicit mode flag is %.2f%% SLOWER", time_percent))
+  print("    This indicates overhead from mode checking/resolution.")
+else
+  print(string.format("  ✓ Explicit mode flag is %.2f%% FASTER", -time_percent))
+  print("    This indicates potential optimization benefits.")
+end
+print()
+
+if math.abs(mem_diff) < 50 then
+  print("  ✓ Memory usage is essentially identical (< 50 KB difference)")
+elseif mem_diff > 0 then
+  print(string.format("  ⚠ Explicit mode flag uses %.2f KB MORE memory", mem_diff))
+else
+  print(string.format("  ✓ Explicit mode flag uses %.2f KB LESS memory", -mem_diff))
+end
+print()
+
+print("RECOMMENDATION:")
+print()
+if math.abs(time_percent) < 5 and math.abs(mem_diff) < 50 then
+  print("  The explicit mode='retained' flag provides clarity and explicitness")
+  print("  without any meaningful performance cost. It's recommended for:")
+  print("    - Code readability (makes intent explicit)")
+  print("    - Future-proofing (if global mode changes)")
+  print("    - Mixed-mode UIs (where some elements are immediate)")
+else
+  print("  Consider the trade-offs based on your specific use case.")
+end
+print()
+
+print("=" .. string.rep("=", 78))
+print("Profile complete!")
+print("=" .. string.rep("=", 78))

testing/__tests__/element_mode_override_test.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,343 @@
+-- Test suite for Element mode override functionality
+
+package.path = package.path .. ";./?.lua;./modules/?.lua"
+
+-- Load love stub before anything else
+require("testing.loveStub")
+
+local luaunit = require("testing.luaunit")
+local ErrorHandler = require("modules.ErrorHandler")
+
+-- Initialize ErrorHandler
+ErrorHandler.init({})
+
+-- Setup package loader to map FlexLove.modules.X to modules/X
+local originalSearchers = package.searchers or package.loaders
+table.insert(originalSearchers, 2, function(modname)
+  if modname:match("^FlexLove%.modules%.") then
+    local moduleName = modname:gsub("^FlexLove%.modules%.", "")
+    return function() return require("modules." .. moduleName) end
+  end
+end)
+
+-- Load FlexLove which properly initializes all dependencies
+local FlexLove = require("FlexLove")
+local StateManager = require("modules.StateManager")
+
+TestElementModeOverride = {}
+
+function TestElementModeOverride:setUp()
+  -- Initialize FlexLove in immediate mode by default
+  FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = true })
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+end
+
+function TestElementModeOverride:tearDown()
+  if FlexLove.getMode() == "immediate" then
+    FlexLove.endFrame()
+  end
+  -- Reset to default state
+  FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = false })
+end
+
+-- Test 01: Mode resolution - explicit immediate
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_modeResolution_explicitImmediate()
+  local element = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    text = "Test",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element._elementMode, "immediate")
+end
+
+-- Test 02: Mode resolution - explicit retained
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_modeResolution_explicitRetained()
+  local element = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    text = "Test",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element._elementMode, "retained")
+end
+
+-- Test 03: Mode resolution - nil uses global (immediate)
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_modeResolution_nilUsesGlobalImmediate()
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  local element = FlexLove.new({
+    text = "Test",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element._elementMode, "immediate")
+end
+
+-- Test 04: Mode resolution - nil uses global (retained)
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_modeResolution_nilUsesGlobalRetained()
+  FlexLove.setMode("retained")
+  
+  local element = FlexLove.new({
+    text = "Test",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element._elementMode, "retained")
+end
+
+-- Test 05: ID auto-generation only for immediate mode
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_idGeneration_onlyForImmediate()
+  -- Immediate element without ID should get auto-generated ID
+  local immediateEl = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    text = "Immediate",
+  })
+  luaunit.assertNotNil(immediateEl.id)
+  luaunit.assertNotEquals(immediateEl.id, "")
+  
+  -- Retained element without ID should have empty ID
+  local retainedEl = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    text = "Retained",
+  })
+  luaunit.assertEquals(retainedEl.id, "")
+end
+
+-- Test 06: Immediate override in retained context
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_immediateOverrideInRetainedContext()
+  FlexLove.setMode("retained")
+  
+  local element = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "test-immediate",
+    text = "Immediate in retained context",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element._elementMode, "immediate")
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element.id, "test-immediate")
+end
+
+-- Test 07: Retained override in immediate context
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_retainedOverrideInImmediateContext()
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  local element = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    text = "Retained in immediate context",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element._elementMode, "retained")
+  luaunit.assertEquals(element.id, "") -- Should not auto-generate ID
+end
+
+-- Test 08: Mixed-mode parent-child (immediate parent, retained child)
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_mixedMode_immediateParent_retainedChild()
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  local parent = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "parent",
+    text = "Parent",
+  })
+  
+  local child = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    parent = parent,
+    text = "Child",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(parent._elementMode, "immediate")
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child._elementMode, "retained")
+  -- Child should not inherit parent mode
+  luaunit.assertNotEquals(child._elementMode, parent._elementMode)
+end
+
+-- Test 09: Mixed-mode parent-child (retained parent, immediate child)
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_mixedMode_retainedParent_immediateChild()
+  FlexLove.setMode("retained")
+  
+  local parent = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    text = "Parent",
+  })
+  
+  local child = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "child",
+    parent = parent,
+    text = "Child",
+  })
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(parent._elementMode, "retained")
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child._elementMode, "immediate")
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child.id, "child")
+end
+
+-- Test 10: Frame registration only for immediate elements
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_frameRegistration_onlyImmediate()
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  local immediate1 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "imm1",
+    text = "Immediate 1",
+  })
+  
+  local retained1 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    text = "Retained 1",
+  })
+  
+  local immediate2 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "imm2",
+    text = "Immediate 2",
+  })
+  
+  -- Count immediate elements in _currentFrameElements
+  local immediateCount = 0
+  for _, element in ipairs(FlexLove._currentFrameElements) do
+    if element._elementMode == "immediate" then
+      immediateCount = immediateCount + 1
+    end
+  end
+  
+  luaunit.assertEquals(immediateCount, 2)
+end
+
+-- Test 11: Layout calculation for retained parent with immediate children
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_layoutRetainedParentWithImmediateChildren()
+  FlexLove.setMode("retained")
+  
+  -- Create retained parent with flex layout
+  local parent = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    width = 800,
+    height = 600,
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+  
+  -- Switch to immediate mode and add children
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  local child1 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "child1",
+    parent = parent,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+  })
+  
+  local child2 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "child2",
+    parent = parent,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+  
+  -- Verify children are positioned correctly by flex layout
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child1.x, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child1.y, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child2.x, 110) -- 100 + 10 gap
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child2.y, 0)
+end
+
+-- Test 12: Deeply nested mixed modes (retained -> immediate -> retained)
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_deeplyNestedMixedModes()
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  -- Level 1: Retained root
+  local root = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    width = 800,
+    height = 600,
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "vertical",
+    gap = 5,
+  })
+  
+  -- Level 2: Immediate child of retained parent
+  local middle = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "middle",
+    parent = root,
+    width = 400,
+    height = 300,
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+  
+  -- Level 3: Retained grandchildren
+  local leaf1 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    parent = middle,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+  })
+  
+  local leaf2 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    parent = middle,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+  
+  -- Verify all levels are positioned correctly
+  luaunit.assertEquals(root.x, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(root.y, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(middle.x, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(middle.y, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(leaf1.x, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(leaf1.y, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(leaf2.x, 110) -- 100 + 10 gap
+  luaunit.assertEquals(leaf2.y, 0)
+end
+
+-- Test 13: Immediate children of retained parents receive updates
+function TestElementModeOverride:test_immediateChildrenOfRetainedParentsGetUpdated()
+  FlexLove.setMode("retained")
+  
+  local updateCount = 0
+  
+  -- Create retained parent
+  local parent = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    width = 800,
+    height = 600,
+  })
+  
+  -- Switch to immediate mode for child
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  -- Create immediate child that tracks updates
+  local child = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "updateTest",
+    parent = parent,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+  })
+  
+  -- Manually call update on the child to simulate what endFrame should do
+  -- In the real implementation, endFrame calls update on retained parents,
+  -- which cascades to immediate children
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+  
+  -- The child should be in the state manager
+  local state = StateManager.getState("updateTest")
+  luaunit.assertNotNil(state)
+end
+
+os.exit(luaunit.LuaUnit.run())

testing/__tests__/mixed_mode_events_test.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+-- Test event handling for immediate children of retained parents
+
+package.path = package.path .. ";./?.lua;./modules/?.lua"
+
+-- Load love stub before anything else
+require("testing.loveStub")
+
+local luaunit = require("testing.luaunit")
+local ErrorHandler = require("modules.ErrorHandler")
+
+-- Initialize ErrorHandler
+ErrorHandler.init({})
+
+-- Setup package loader to map FlexLove.modules.X to modules/X
+local originalSearchers = package.searchers or package.loaders
+table.insert(originalSearchers, 2, function(modname)
+  if modname:match("^FlexLove%.modules%.") then
+    local moduleName = modname:gsub("^FlexLove%.modules%.", "")
+    return function() return require("modules." .. moduleName) end
+  end
+end)
+
+local FlexLove = require("FlexLove")
+local Color = require("modules.Color")
+local Element = require("modules.Element")
+
+TestMixedModeEvents = {}
+
+function TestMixedModeEvents:setUp()
+  FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = false })
+end
+
+function TestMixedModeEvents:tearDown()
+  if FlexLove.getMode() == "immediate" then
+    FlexLove.endFrame()
+  end
+  FlexLove.init({ immediateMode = false })
+end
+
+-- Test that immediate children of retained parents can handle events
+function TestMixedModeEvents:test_immediateChildOfRetainedParentHandlesEvents()
+  local eventFired = false
+  local eventType = nil
+  
+  -- Create retained parent
+  local parent = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    width = 800,
+    height = 600,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  -- Create immediate child with event handler
+  local child = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "eventTestChild",
+    parent = parent,
+    x = 0,
+    y = 0,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+    onEvent = function(element, event)
+      eventFired = true
+      eventType = event.type
+    end,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+  
+  -- Verify child is positioned correctly
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child.x, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child.y, 0)
+  
+  -- Manually call the event handler (simulating event processing)
+  -- In the real app, this would be triggered by mousepressed/released
+  if child.onEvent then
+    child.onEvent(child, { type = "release", x = 50, y = 25, button = 1 })
+  end
+  
+  -- Verify event was handled
+  luaunit.assertTrue(eventFired)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(eventType, "release")
+end
+
+-- Test that hover state is tracked for immediate children
+function TestMixedModeEvents:test_immediateChildOfRetainedParentTracksHover()
+  FlexLove.setMode("retained")
+  
+  -- Create retained parent
+  local parent = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    width = 800,
+    height = 600,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  -- Create immediate child
+  local child = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "hoverTestChild",
+    parent = parent,
+    x = 100,
+    y = 100,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+  
+  -- Child should have event handler module
+  luaunit.assertNotNil(child._eventHandler)
+  
+  -- Verify child can track hover state (stored in StateManager for immediate mode)
+  -- The actual hover detection happens in Element's event processing
+  luaunit.assertEquals(child._elementMode, "immediate")
+end
+
+-- Test multiple immediate children with different event handlers
+function TestMixedModeEvents:test_multipleImmediateChildrenHandleEventsIndependently()
+  local button1Clicked = false
+  local button2Clicked = false
+  
+  FlexLove.setMode("retained")
+  
+  -- Create retained parent
+  local parent = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "retained",
+    width = 800,
+    height = 600,
+    positioning = "flex",
+    flexDirection = "horizontal",
+    gap = 10,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.setMode("immediate")
+  FlexLove.beginFrame()
+  
+  -- Create two immediate button children
+  local button1 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "button1",
+    parent = parent,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+    onEvent = function(element, event)
+      if event.type == "release" then
+        button1Clicked = true
+      end
+    end,
+  })
+  
+  local button2 = FlexLove.new({
+    mode = "immediate",
+    id = "button2",
+    parent = parent,
+    width = 100,
+    height = 50,
+    onEvent = function(element, event)
+      if event.type == "release" then
+        button2Clicked = true
+      end
+    end,
+  })
+  
+  FlexLove.endFrame()
+  
+  -- Verify buttons are positioned correctly
+  luaunit.assertEquals(button1.x, 0)
+  luaunit.assertEquals(button2.x, 110) -- 100 + 10 gap
+  
+  -- Simulate clicking button1
+  if button1.onEvent then
+    button1.onEvent(button1, { type = "release", x = 50, y = 25, button = 1 })
+  end
+  
+  luaunit.assertTrue(button1Clicked)
+  luaunit.assertFalse(button2Clicked)
+  
+  -- Simulate clicking button2
+  if button2.onEvent then
+    button2.onEvent(button2, { type = "release", x = 150, y = 25, button = 1 })
+  end
+  
+  luaunit.assertTrue(button1Clicked)
+  luaunit.assertTrue(button2Clicked)
+end
+
+os.exit(luaunit.LuaUnit.run())