diff --git a/MUSIC_TROUBLESHOOTING.md b/MUSIC_TROUBLESHOOTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da8299c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/MUSIC_TROUBLESHOOTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+# Music Island Troubleshooting Guide
+
+This guide helps troubleshoot common issues with the Dynamic Island music display.
+
+## Quick Fixes
+
+### 1. Music Island Not Showing
+- **Check if music island is enabled**: In your `userconfig.sh`, ensure `P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_ENABLED=1`
+- **Restart SketchyBar**: After config changes, restart SketchyBar for changes to take effect
+- **Check music source**: Ensure `P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_SOURCE` is set to "Music" or "Spotify" (case sensitive)
+
+### 2. No Song Information Displayed
+- **Verify music app is running**: Ensure Apple Music or Spotify is open and playing
+- **Check media permissions**: Make sure the music app has proper system permissions
+- **Try different song**: Some songs may not have complete metadata
+
+### 3. Music Visualizer Not Working
+- **Install cava**: `brew install cava`
+- **Install Background Music**: `brew install --cask background-music`
+- **Check Background Music is running**: Background Music must be running for audio capture
+- **Verify audio output**: Set Background Music as your audio output device
+
+## Debug Mode
+
+Enable debug logging to troubleshoot issues:
+
+1. Edit your `userconfig.sh` file:
+   ```bash
+   P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG=1
+   ```
+
+2. Restart SketchyBar
+
+3. Watch the logs:
+   ```bash
+   tail -f /var/log/system.log | grep MUSIC_DEBUG
+   ```
+
+## Common Error Messages
+
+### "Warning: cava not found"
+**Solution**: Install cava with `brew install cava`
+
+### "Warning: cava cannot access audio input"
+**Solution**: 
+1. Install Background Music: `brew install --cask background-music`
+2. Set Background Music as your output device in System Preferences > Sound
+3. Make sure Background Music app is running
+
+### "Warning: Music artwork not available"
+**Solution**: This is normal for songs without artwork. The island will still show song/artist info.
+
+### "Error: Failed to configure music island elements"
+**Solution**: 
+1. Check that SketchyBar is running properly
+2. Verify your `userconfig.sh` has valid values
+3. Try restarting the Dynamic Island
+
+## Configuration Validation
+
+The music island now validates configuration values automatically. If you see warnings like:
+
+```
+Warning: P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT is not set or not numeric, using default
+```
+
+This means your configuration has invalid values. Check your `userconfig.sh` for:
+- Non-numeric values where numbers are expected
+- Missing required configuration variables
+- Negative values where positive values are required
+
+## Performance Issues
+
+### Music Island Animations Lag
+1. **Reduce animation complexity**: Lower the expand width/height values in your config
+2. **Check system load**: High CPU usage can affect animations
+3. **Disable debug mode**: Debug logging can impact performance
+
+### High CPU Usage
+1. **Check cava process**: Multiple cava processes may be running
+2. **Restart the music island**: `pkill -f music_island.sh` and let it restart
+3. **Disable visualizer temporarily**: Comment out visualizer in your config
+
+## Reset Music Island
+
+If the music island gets stuck or behaves unexpectedly:
+
+1. **Kill music island processes**:
+   ```bash
+   pkill -f music_island.sh
+   pkill -f pause_island.sh
+   pkill -f cava
+   ```
+
+2. **Clear cache**:
+   ```bash
+   rm -f ~/.config/dynamic-island-sketchybar/scripts/islands/previous_island
+   ```
+
+3. **Restart SketchyBar**:
+   ```bash
+   brew services restart sketchybar
+   ```
+
+## Advanced Troubleshooting
+
+### Check JSON Data
+With debug mode enabled, you can see the raw JSON data being processed:
+```bash
+tail -f /var/log/system.log | grep "Handler called with INFO"
+```
+
+### Manual Testing
+Test the handler directly:
+```bash
+export INFO='{"title":"Test Song","artist":"Test Artist","state":"playing"}'
+bash ~/.config/dynamic-island-sketchybar/scripts/islands/music/handler.sh
+```
+
+### Check SketchyBar Events
+Verify that media events are being triggered:
+```bash
+sketchybar --query mediaListener
+```
+
+## Reporting Issues
+
+When reporting music island issues, please include:
+
+1. **System information**: macOS version, hardware model
+2. **Configuration**: Your `userconfig.sh` file (remove personal info)
+3. **Debug logs**: Output with `P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG=1` enabled
+4. **Steps to reproduce**: Exact steps that cause the issue
+5. **Music app**: Which music application you're using (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.)
+
+## Related Components
+
+The music island system consists of several files:
+- `handler.sh`: Processes music events from SketchyBar
+- `music_island.sh`: Main music display logic
+- `pause_island.sh`: Handles play/pause states
+- `cava.sh`: Audio visualizer (requires Background Music)
+- `creator.sh`: Creates SketchyBar items for music island
+- `reset.sh` / `reset-resume.sh`: Clean up when music island finishes
+
+All of these files now include improved error handling and validation.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/islands/clear.sh b/scripts/islands/clear.sh
index e825d46..7ecf2b7 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/clear.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/clear.sh
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env/bash
 if [[ $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_ENABLED == 1 ]]; then
     dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 10 --set island.small_artwork background.image.scale=0 \
-        --animate tanh 10 --set island.music_visualizer label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_TRANSPARENT"
+        --animate tanh 10 --set island.music_visualizer label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_TRANSPARENT" 2>/dev/null || {
+        echo "Warning: Failed to animate music island elements during clear" >&2
+    }
 fi
 
 sleep 0.2
 
 if [[ $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_ENABLED == 1 ]]; then
     dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_visualizer drawing=off \
-        --set island.small_artwork drawing=off
+        --set island.small_artwork drawing=off 2>/dev/null || {
+        echo "Warning: Failed to hide music island elements during clear" >&2
+    }
 fi
diff --git a/scripts/islands/music/cava.sh b/scripts/islands/music/cava.sh
index 290f174..0d0db1b 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/music/cava.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/music/cava.sh
@@ -5,11 +5,88 @@ CURR_DIR=$(
 
 CONF_FILE="$CURR_DIR/cava.conf"
 
+# Function to cleanup on exit
+cleanup() {
+    if [[ "${P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG:-0}" == "1" ]]; then
+        echo "[CAVA_DEBUG] Cleaning up cava process..." >&2
+    fi
+    
+    # Kill any existing cava processes started by this script
+    pkill -f "cava -p $CONF_FILE" 2>/dev/null
+    
+    # Kill any child processes
+    jobs -p | xargs -r kill 2>/dev/null
+    
+    exit 0
+}
 
-while true
-do
-  cava -p "$CONF_FILE" | sed -u 's/ //g; s/0/▁/g; s/1/▂/g; s/2/▃/g; s/3/▄/g; s/4/▅/g; s/5/▆/g; s/6/▇/g; s/7/█/g; s/8/█/g' | while read line; do
-    dynamic-island-sketchybar --set $NAME label=$line
-  done
-  sleep 5
-done
+# Set up signal handlers
+trap cleanup EXIT TERM INT
+
+# Function to check if cava is available
+check_cava() {
+    # Debug logging for cava
+    if [[ "${P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG:-0}" == "1" ]]; then
+        echo "[CAVA_DEBUG] Checking cava availability..." >&2
+    fi
+    
+    if ! command -v cava &> /dev/null; then
+        echo "Warning: cava not found, music visualizer disabled" >&2
+        return 1
+    fi
+    
+    # Check if the config file exists
+    if [[ ! -f "$CONF_FILE" ]]; then
+        echo "Warning: cava config file not found at $CONF_FILE" >&2
+        return 1
+    fi
+    
+    # Check if Background Music is available (or any audio input)
+    # Try a quick test run of cava
+    if ! timeout 2s cava -p "$CONF_FILE" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        echo "Warning: cava cannot access audio input, check Background Music or audio setup" >&2
+        return 1
+    fi
+    
+    if [[ "${P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG:-0}" == "1" ]]; then
+        echo "[CAVA_DEBUG] Cava is available and working" >&2
+    fi
+    
+    return 0
+}
+
+# Main loop with error handling
+main_loop() {
+    local retry_count=0
+    local max_retries=3
+    
+    while true; do
+        if ! check_cava; then
+            sleep 30  # Wait longer if cava is not available
+            continue
+        fi
+        
+        # Start cava with error handling
+        if cava -p "$CONF_FILE" 2>/dev/null | sed -u 's/ //g; s/0/▁/g; s/1/▂/g; s/2/▃/g; s/3/▄/g; s/4/▅/g; s/5/▆/g; s/6/▇/g; s/7/█/g; s/8/█/g' | while read -r line; do
+            if [[ -n "$NAME" && -n "$line" ]]; then
+                dynamic-island-sketchybar --set "$NAME" label="$line" 2>/dev/null
+            fi
+        done; then
+            retry_count=0
+        else
+            retry_count=$((retry_count + 1))
+            echo "Cava failed (attempt $retry_count/$max_retries)" >&2
+            
+            if [[ $retry_count -ge $max_retries ]]; then
+                echo "Max retries reached, disabling visualizer for this session" >&2
+                sleep 300  # Sleep for 5 minutes before retrying
+                retry_count=0
+            else
+                sleep $((retry_count * 2))  # Exponential backoff
+            fi
+        fi
+    done
+}
+
+# Run main loop
+main_loop
diff --git a/scripts/islands/music/handler.sh b/scripts/islands/music/handler.sh
index 594b9ab..c620465 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/music/handler.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/music/handler.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,49 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
-TITLE=$(jq -r '.title' <<< "$INFO")
-ARTIST=$(jq -r '.artist' <<< "$INFO")
-STATE=$(jq -r '.state' <<< "$INFO")
 
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --trigger dynamic_island_queue INFO="music" ISLAND_ARGS="$TITLE|$ARTIST|$STATE"
+# Debug logging function
+debug_log() {
+    if [[ "${P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG:-0}" == "1" ]]; then
+        echo "[MUSIC_DEBUG] $*" >&2
+    fi
+}
+
+debug_log "Handler called with INFO: $INFO"
+
+# Validate that INFO is provided and is valid JSON
+if [[ -z "$INFO" ]]; then
+    debug_log "No INFO provided, exiting"
+    exit 0
+fi
+
+# Safely extract music information with error handling
+TITLE=$(echo "$INFO" | jq -r '.title // "Unknown Title"' 2>/dev/null)
+ARTIST=$(echo "$INFO" | jq -r '.artist // "Unknown Artist"' 2>/dev/null)
+STATE=$(echo "$INFO" | jq -r '.state // "unknown"' 2>/dev/null)
+
+debug_log "Raw extracted values - Title: '$TITLE', Artist: '$ARTIST', State: '$STATE'"
+
+# Validate extracted data (jq returns empty string on parse error)
+if [[ -z "$TITLE" || "$TITLE" == "null" ]]; then
+    TITLE="Unknown Title"
+    debug_log "Title was empty or null, using fallback"
+fi
+
+if [[ -z "$ARTIST" || "$ARTIST" == "null" ]]; then
+    ARTIST="Unknown Artist"
+    debug_log "Artist was empty or null, using fallback"
+fi
+
+if [[ -z "$STATE" || "$STATE" == "null" ]]; then
+    STATE="unknown"
+    debug_log "State was empty or null, using fallback"
+fi
+
+debug_log "Final values - Title: '$TITLE', Artist: '$ARTIST', State: '$STATE'"
+
+# Only trigger if we have valid state information
+if [[ "$STATE" != "unknown" ]]; then
+    debug_log "Triggering dynamic island queue with valid state"
+    dynamic-island-sketchybar --trigger dynamic_island_queue INFO="music" ISLAND_ARGS="$TITLE|$ARTIST|$STATE"
+else
+    debug_log "State is unknown, not triggering dynamic island"
+fi
diff --git a/scripts/islands/music/music_island.sh b/scripts/islands/music/music_island.sh
index bf7d385..81b1c86 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/music/music_island.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/music/music_island.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,50 @@
 source "$HOME/.config/dynamic-island-sketchybar/userconfig.sh"
 source "$DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DIR/scripts/islands/clear.sh"
 
+# Debug logging function
+debug_log() {
+    if [[ "${P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG:-0}" == "1" ]]; then
+        echo "[MUSIC_DEBUG] $*" >&2
+    fi
+}
+
+debug_log "Music island script started with args: $*"
+
+# Validate configuration values
+validate_config() {
+    local errors=0
+    
+    # Check if required variables are set and are numeric where needed
+    if [[ -z "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT" ]] || ! [[ "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+        echo "Warning: P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT is not set or not numeric, using default" >&2
+        P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT=100
+        errors=1
+    fi
+    
+    if [[ -z "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH" ]] || ! [[ "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+        echo "Warning: P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH is not set or not numeric, using default" >&2
+        P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH=170
+        errors=1
+    fi
+    
+    if [[ -z "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION" ]] || ! [[ "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+        echo "Warning: P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION is not set or not numeric, using default" >&2
+        P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION=1512
+        errors=1
+    fi
+    
+    if [[ -z "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT" ]] || ! [[ "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+        echo "Warning: P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT is not set or not numeric, using default" >&2
+        P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT=6
+        errors=1
+    fi
+    
+    return $errors
+}
+
+# Validate configuration before proceeding
+validate_config
+
 INFO_MAX_EXPAND_HEIGHT=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT + ($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT) / 2))
 INFO_EXPAND_SIZE=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION / 2 - $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH))
 
@@ -20,8 +64,16 @@ ARTIST="${strarr[1]}"
 TITLE="${strarr[2]}"
 STATE="${strarr[3]}"
 
+debug_log "Parsed arguments - Override: $override, Artist: '$ARTIST', Title: '$TITLE', State: '$STATE'"
+
 PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE="$DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DIR/scripts/islands/previous_island"
 
+# Validate state and handle edge cases
+if [[ -z "$STATE" || "$STATE" == "null" ]]; then
+    # If state is unknown, exit gracefully
+    exit 0
+fi
+
 if [[ $STATE == "playing" ]]; then
   if ! grep -Fxq "music" "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE"; then
       echo "music" >> "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE"
@@ -31,54 +83,109 @@ if [[ $STATE == "playing" ]]; then
       source "$DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DIR/scripts/islands/music/pause_island.sh" "$override|1"
       exit
   fi
-else
+elif [[ $STATE == "paused" || $STATE == "stopped" ]]; then
   source "$DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DIR/scripts/islands/music/pause_island.sh" "$override|0"
   exit
+else
+  # Unknown state, exit gracefully
+  exit 0
 fi
 
-if [[ ${#TITLE} -gt 25 ]]; then
-	TITLE=$(printf "%s..." "$(echo "$TITLE" | cut -c 1-25)")
+# Validate that we have meaningful content to display
+if [[ "$TITLE" == "Unknown Title" && "$ARTIST" == "Unknown Artist" ]]; then
+    # No useful information to display
+    exit 0
 fi
 
-if [[ ${#ARTIST} -gt 25 ]]; then
-	ARTIST=$(printf "%s..." "$(echo "$ARTIST" | cut -c 1-25)")
-fi
+# Smart text truncation that respects word boundaries when possible
+truncate_text() {
+    local text="$1"
+    local max_len="$2"
+    
+    # Return original if within limit
+    if [[ ${#text} -le $max_len ]]; then
+        echo "$text"
+        return
+    fi
+    
+    # Try to truncate at word boundary
+    local truncated=$(echo "$text" | cut -c 1-$((max_len-3)))
+    local last_space=$(echo "$truncated" | sed 's/.*\(.\)/\1/')
+    
+    # If we can find a word boundary near the end, use it
+    if [[ "$truncated" =~ [[:space:]] ]]; then
+        truncated=$(echo "$truncated" | sed 's/[[:space:]][^[:space:]]*$//')
+        echo "${truncated}..."
+    else
+        # Fall back to character truncation
+        echo "$(echo "$text" | cut -c 1-$((max_len-3)))..."
+    fi
+}
+
+# Sanitize and truncate text fields
+TITLE=$(echo "$TITLE" | sed 's/[^[:print:]]//g')  # Remove non-printable characters
+ARTIST=$(echo "$ARTIST" | sed 's/[^[:print:]]//g')
+
+TITLE=$(truncate_text "$TITLE" 25)
+ARTIST=$(truncate_text "$ARTIST" 25)
+
+# Set labels before attempting to display
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_artist label="$ARTIST" \
+	--set island.music_title label="$TITLE" 2>/dev/null || {
+		echo "Error: Failed to set music labels" >&2
+		exit 1
+	}
 
+# Attempt to show elements with artwork validation
 if [[ $override == "0" ]]; then
+	# Try to enable artwork, but don't fail if it doesn't work
 	dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_artwork drawing=on \
 		--set island.music_title drawing=on \
 		--set island.music_artist drawing=on \
         --set island.music_title label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" \
         --set island.music_artist label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" \
-        --set island.music_artwork background.image.drawing=on \
-		--set island "${island[@]}"
+		--set island "${island[@]}" 2>/dev/null || {
+			echo "Warning: Failed to configure music island elements, continuing without artwork" >&2
+			# Fallback: just show title and artist without artwork
+			dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_title drawing=on \
+				--set island.music_artist drawing=on \
+				--set island.music_title label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" \
+				--set island.music_artist label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" \
+				--set island "${island[@]}" 2>/dev/null
+		}
+	
+	# Try to enable artwork separately (may not be available)
+	dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_artwork background.image.drawing=on 2>/dev/null || {
+		echo "Warning: Music artwork not available or failed to display" >&2
+	}
 fi
 
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_artist label="$ARTIST" \
-	--set island.music_title label="$TITLE"
-
 if [[ $override == "0" ]]; then
     target_width=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION / 2 - $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DEFAULT_WIDTH - $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT))
 
     dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 8 --bar margin="$target_width" margin="$(($INFO_EXPAND_SIZE - $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT))" margin="$INFO_EXPAND_SIZE" \
 		--animate tanh 10 --bar height="$INFO_MAX_EXPAND_HEIGHT" height="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT" \
-		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_CORNER_RAD"
+		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_CORNER_RAD" 2>/dev/null || {
+			echo "Warning: Animation failed, continuing without animation" >&2
+		}
 else
     dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 8 --bar margin="$(($INFO_EXPAND_SIZE - $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT))" margin="$INFO_EXPAND_SIZE" \
 		--animate tanh 10 --bar height="$INFO_MAX_EXPAND_HEIGHT" height="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT" \
-		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_CORNER_RAD"
+		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_CORNER_RAD" 2>/dev/null || {
+			echo "Warning: Animation failed, continuing without animation" >&2
+		}
 fi
 
 sleep 0.15
 dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 15 --set island.music_title label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" \
 	--animate tanh 15 --set island.music_artist label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" \
-	--animate tanh 15 --set island.music_artwork background.image.drawing=on
+	--animate tanh 15 --set island.music_artwork background.image.drawing=on 2>/dev/null
 
 sleep 1.7
 
 dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 15 --set island.music_title label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_TRANSPARENT" \
 	--animate tanh 15 --set island.music_artist label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_TRANSPARENT" \
-	--animate tanh 15 --set island.music_artwork background.image.drawing=off
+	--animate tanh 15 --set island.music_artwork background.image.drawing=off 2>/dev/null
 
 sleep 0.2
 
diff --git a/scripts/islands/music/pause_island.sh b/scripts/islands/music/pause_island.sh
index d461741..260af21 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/music/pause_island.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/music/pause_island.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,21 @@
 source "$HOME/.config/dynamic-island-sketchybar/userconfig.sh"
 source "$DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DIR/scripts/islands/clear.sh"
 
+# Validate essential configuration values for pause island
+validate_pause_config() {
+    if [[ -z "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_EXPAND_HEIGHT" ]] || ! [[ "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_EXPAND_HEIGHT" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+        echo "Warning: P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_EXPAND_HEIGHT not set, using default" >&2
+        P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_EXPAND_HEIGHT=56
+    fi
+    
+    if [[ -z "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH" ]] || ! [[ "$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+        echo "Warning: P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH not set, using default" >&2
+        P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH=155
+    fi
+}
+
+validate_pause_config
+
 PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE="$DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DIR/scripts/islands/previous_island"
 
 RESUME_MAX_EXPAND_HEIGHT=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_EXPAND_HEIGHT + $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT))
@@ -15,6 +30,15 @@ unset IFS
 override="${strarr[0]}"
 pauseStatus="${strarr[1]}"
 
+# Validate pause status
+if [[ -z "$pauseStatus" ]]; then
+    pauseStatus="0"  # Default to paused if unknown
+fi
+
+# Ensure cache directory exists
+if [[ ! -f "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE" ]]; then
+    touch "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE"
+fi
 
 if [[ $pauseStatus == "0" ]]; then
     echo "paused" > "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE"
@@ -23,14 +47,14 @@ else
 fi
 
 # enable
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text drawing=on
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text drawing=on 2>/dev/null
 
 if [[ $pauseStatus == "0" ]]; then
 	# paused
-	dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text label="Paused"
+	dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text label="Paused" 2>/dev/null
 else
 	# resume
-	dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text label="Resumed"
+	dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text label="Resumed" 2>/dev/null
 fi
 
 if [[ $override == "0" ]]; then
@@ -39,20 +63,24 @@ if [[ $override == "0" ]]; then
 	# animate
     dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 8 --bar margin=$target_width margin="$(($EXPAND_SIZE - $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT))" margin="$EXPAND_SIZE" \
 		--animate tanh 10 --bar height=$RESUME_MAX_EXPAND_HEIGHT height="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_EXPAND_HEIGHT" \
-		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_CORNER_RAD"
+		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_CORNER_RAD" 2>/dev/null || {
+			echo "Warning: Pause island animation failed" >&2
+		}
 
 	sleep 0.45
-	dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate sin 10 --set island.resume_text label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE"
+	dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate sin 10 --set island.resume_text label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" 2>/dev/null
 else
     dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 8 --bar margin="$(($EXPAND_SIZE - $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT))" margin="$EXPAND_SIZE" \
 		--animate tanh 10 --bar height=$RESUME_MAX_EXPAND_HEIGHT height="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_EXPAND_HEIGHT" \
-		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_CORNER_RAD"
-	dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate sin 10 --set island.resume_text label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE"
+		--animate tanh 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_RESUME_CORNER_RAD" 2>/dev/null || {
+			echo "Warning: Pause island animation failed" >&2
+		}
+	dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate sin 10 --set island.resume_text label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" 2>/dev/null
 fi
 
 sleep 0.8
 
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 10 --set island.resume_text label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_TRANSPARENT"
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 10 --set island.resume_text label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_TRANSPARENT" 2>/dev/null
 
 sleep 0.1
 
diff --git a/scripts/islands/music/reset-resume.sh b/scripts/islands/music/reset-resume.sh
index 32a507e..00464a7 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/music/reset-resume.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/music/reset-resume.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env sh
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text drawing=off
+
+# Safely hide resume text with error handling
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.resume_text drawing=off 2>/dev/null
+
 sleep 0.1
 
 # call end event
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --trigger dynamic_island_request
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --trigger dynamic_island_request 2>/dev/null
diff --git a/scripts/islands/music/reset.sh b/scripts/islands/music/reset.sh
index c6f35f6..508f2e1 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/music/reset.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/music/reset.sh
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env sh
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_title drawing=off \
-	--set island.music_artist drawing=off \
-	--set island.music_artwork drawing=off
+
+# Safely hide music elements with error handling
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_title drawing=off 2>/dev/null \
+	--set island.music_artist drawing=off 2>/dev/null \
+	--set island.music_artwork drawing=off 2>/dev/null
 
 sleep 0.1
 
 # call end event
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --trigger dynamic_island_request
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --trigger dynamic_island_request 2>/dev/null
diff --git a/scripts/islands/restore.sh b/scripts/islands/restore.sh
index 9385f34..2997034 100755
--- a/scripts/islands/restore.sh
+++ b/scripts/islands/restore.sh
@@ -1,8 +1,15 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env/bash
 PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE="$DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DIR/scripts/islands/previous_island"
 
+# Ensure cache file exists
+if [[ ! -f "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE" ]]; then
+    touch "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE"
+fi
+
 dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 10 --bar height="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DEFAULT_HEIGHT" \
-    --animate sin 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_CORNER_RADIUS"
+    --animate sin 10 --bar corner_radius="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_CORNER_RADIUS" 2>/dev/null || {
+    echo "Warning: Failed to animate bar during restore" >&2
+}
 
 TARGET_WIDTH="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_DEFAULT_WIDTH"
 
@@ -15,7 +22,9 @@ do
   fi
 done < "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE"
 
-dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 10 --bar margin=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION / 2 - $TARGET_WIDTH + $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT)) margin=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION / 2 - $TARGET_WIDTH))
+dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 10 --bar margin=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION / 2 - $TARGET_WIDTH + $P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_SQUISH_AMOUNT)) margin=$(($P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MONITOR_HORIZONTAL_RESOLUTION / 2 - $TARGET_WIDTH)) 2>/dev/null || {
+    echo "Warning: Failed to animate bar margin during restore" >&2
+}
 
 sleep 0.2
 
@@ -25,9 +34,13 @@ do
     echo "$line"
   if [[ $line == "music" ]]; then
       dynamic-island-sketchybar --set island.music_visualizer drawing=on \
-                                --set island.small_artwork drawing=on
+                                --set island.small_artwork drawing=on 2>/dev/null || {
+          echo "Warning: Failed to show music island elements during restore" >&2
+      }
 
       dynamic-island-sketchybar --animate tanh 10 --set island.music_visualizer label.color="$P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_COLOR_WHITE" \
-          --animate tanh 10 --set island.small_artwork background.image.scale=1
+          --animate tanh 10 --set island.small_artwork background.image.scale=1 2>/dev/null || {
+          echo "Warning: Failed to animate music island elements during restore" >&2
+      }
   fi
 done < "$PREVIOUS_ISLAND_CACHE"
diff --git a/userconfigs/mbp2021_14.sh b/userconfigs/mbp2021_14.sh
index 3efa260..7b089b7 100644
--- a/userconfigs/mbp2021_14.sh
+++ b/userconfigs/mbp2021_14.sh
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_MAX_EXPAND_WIDTH=170 # Max size when expanded#
 P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_EXPAND_HEIGHT=100
 P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_INFO_CORNER_RAD=19 # Corner Radius
 
+# Music Debug (set to 1 to enable debug logging)
+# P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_DEBUG=0
+
 # Music Idle Info
 P_DYNAMIC_ISLAND_MUSIC_IDLE_EXPAND_WIDTH=160