diff --git a/src/audio/fatfs_audio_input.cpp b/src/audio/fatfs_audio_input.cpp
index 1dcab97a..de64b14b 100644
--- a/src/audio/fatfs_audio_input.cpp
+++ b/src/audio/fatfs_audio_input.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 namespace audio {
 
 FatfsAudioInput::FatfsAudioInput(database::ITagParser& tag_parser,
-                                 tasks::Worker& bg_worker)
+                                 tasks::WorkerPool& bg_worker)
     : IAudioSource(),
       tag_parser_(tag_parser),
       bg_worker_(bg_worker),
diff --git a/src/audio/include/fatfs_audio_input.hpp b/src/audio/include/fatfs_audio_input.hpp
index f9635b86..4cccbb46 100644
--- a/src/audio/include/fatfs_audio_input.hpp
+++ b/src/audio/include/fatfs_audio_input.hpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ namespace audio {
  */
 class FatfsAudioInput : public IAudioSource {
  public:
-  explicit FatfsAudioInput(database::ITagParser&, tasks::Worker&);
+  explicit FatfsAudioInput(database::ITagParser&, tasks::WorkerPool&);
   ~FatfsAudioInput();
 
   /*
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class FatfsAudioInput : public IAudioSource {
       -> std::optional<codecs::StreamType>;
 
   database::ITagParser& tag_parser_;
-  tasks::Worker& bg_worker_;
+  tasks::WorkerPool& bg_worker_;
 
   std::mutex new_stream_mutex_;
   std::shared_ptr<TaggedStream> new_stream_;
diff --git a/src/audio/include/readahead_source.hpp b/src/audio/include/readahead_source.hpp
index 58076350..3e18a989 100644
--- a/src/audio/include/readahead_source.hpp
+++ b/src/audio/include/readahead_source.hpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace audio {
  */
 class ReadaheadSource : public codecs::IStream {
  public:
-  ReadaheadSource(tasks::Worker&, std::unique_ptr<codecs::IStream>);
+  ReadaheadSource(tasks::WorkerPool&, std::unique_ptr<codecs::IStream>);
   ~ReadaheadSource();
 
   auto Read(cpp::span<std::byte> dest) -> ssize_t override;
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class ReadaheadSource : public codecs::IStream {
  private:
   auto BeginReadahead() -> void;
 
-  tasks::Worker& worker_;
+  tasks::WorkerPool& worker_;
   std::unique_ptr<codecs::IStream> wrapped_;
 
   bool readahead_enabled_;
diff --git a/src/audio/include/track_queue.hpp b/src/audio/include/track_queue.hpp
index 24b4fe48..0ff72021 100644
--- a/src/audio/include/track_queue.hpp
+++ b/src/audio/include/track_queue.hpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class RandomIterator {
  */
 class TrackQueue {
  public:
-  TrackQueue(tasks::Worker& bg_worker);
+  TrackQueue(tasks::WorkerPool& bg_worker);
 
   /* Returns the currently playing track. */
   auto current() const -> std::optional<database::TrackId>;
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ class TrackQueue {
  private:
   mutable std::shared_mutex mutex_;
 
-  tasks::Worker& bg_worker_;
+  tasks::WorkerPool& bg_worker_;
 
   size_t pos_;
   std::pmr::vector<database::TrackId> tracks_;
diff --git a/src/audio/readahead_source.cpp b/src/audio/readahead_source.cpp
index aae878f8..c7b960d2 100644
--- a/src/audio/readahead_source.cpp
+++ b/src/audio/readahead_source.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace audio {
 static constexpr char kTag[] = "readahead";
 static constexpr size_t kBufferSize = 1024 * 512;
 
-ReadaheadSource::ReadaheadSource(tasks::Worker& worker,
+ReadaheadSource::ReadaheadSource(tasks::WorkerPool& worker,
                                  std::unique_ptr<codecs::IStream> wrapped)
     : IStream(wrapped->type()),
       worker_(worker),
diff --git a/src/audio/track_queue.cpp b/src/audio/track_queue.cpp
index 6bab60e7..33858e0a 100644
--- a/src/audio/track_queue.cpp
+++ b/src/audio/track_queue.cpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ auto notifyChanged(bool current_changed) -> void {
   events::Audio().Dispatch(ev);
 }
 
-TrackQueue::TrackQueue(tasks::Worker& bg_worker)
+TrackQueue::TrackQueue(tasks::WorkerPool& bg_worker)
     : mutex_(),
       bg_worker_(bg_worker),
       pos_(0),
diff --git a/src/database/database.cpp b/src/database/database.cpp
index bb26bc96..6b879710 100644
--- a/src/database/database.cpp
+++ b/src/database/database.cpp
@@ -126,14 +126,14 @@ static auto CheckDatabase(leveldb::DB& db, locale::ICollator& col) -> bool {
 auto Database::Open(IFileGatherer& gatherer,
                     ITagParser& parser,
                     locale::ICollator& collator,
-                    tasks::Worker& bg_worker)
+                    tasks::WorkerPool& bg_worker)
     -> cpp::result<Database*, DatabaseError> {
   if (sIsDbOpen.exchange(true)) {
     return cpp::fail(DatabaseError::ALREADY_OPEN);
   }
 
   if (!leveldb::sBackgroundThread) {
-    leveldb::sBackgroundThread = tasks::Worker::Start<tasks::Type::kDatabase>();
+    leveldb::sBackgroundThread = &bg_worker;
   }
 
   return bg_worker
diff --git a/src/database/env_esp.cpp b/src/database/env_esp.cpp
index 8cd11727..f7a5637a 100644
--- a/src/database/env_esp.cpp
+++ b/src/database/env_esp.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 
 namespace leveldb {
 
-tasks::Worker *sBackgroundThread = nullptr;
+tasks::WorkerPool *sBackgroundThread = nullptr;
 
 std::string ErrToStr(FRESULT err) {
   switch (err) {
diff --git a/src/database/include/database.hpp b/src/database/include/database.hpp
index c4da3dc1..783d3872 100644
--- a/src/database/include/database.hpp
+++ b/src/database/include/database.hpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class Database {
   static auto Open(IFileGatherer& file_gatherer,
                    ITagParser& tag_parser,
                    locale::ICollator& collator,
-                   tasks::Worker& bg_worker)
+                   tasks::WorkerPool& bg_worker)
       -> cpp::result<Database*, DatabaseError>;
 
   static auto Destroy() -> void;
diff --git a/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp b/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp
index dd0159b2..472a72a6 100644
--- a/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp
+++ b/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 namespace leveldb {
 
-extern tasks::Worker* sBackgroundThread;
+extern tasks::WorkerPool* sBackgroundThread;
 
 // Tracks the files locked by EspEnv::LockFile().
 //
diff --git a/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp b/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp
index 898eb6aa..e6267879 100644
--- a/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp
+++ b/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp
@@ -68,8 +68,7 @@ auto Booting::entry() -> void {
   }
 
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "starting bg worker");
-  sServices->bg_worker(std::unique_ptr<tasks::Worker>{
-      tasks::Worker::Start<tasks::Type::kBackgroundWorker>()});
+  sServices->bg_worker(std::make_unique<tasks::WorkerPool>());
 
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "installing remaining drivers");
   drivers::spiffs_mount();
diff --git a/src/system_fsm/include/service_locator.hpp b/src/system_fsm/include/service_locator.hpp
index 4aa57df0..5978578c 100644
--- a/src/system_fsm/include/service_locator.hpp
+++ b/src/system_fsm/include/service_locator.hpp
@@ -80,13 +80,9 @@ class ServiceLocator {
     touchwheel_ = std::move(i);
   }
 
-  auto haptics() -> drivers::Haptics& {
-    return *haptics_;
-  }
+  auto haptics() -> drivers::Haptics& { return *haptics_; }
 
-  auto haptics(std::unique_ptr<drivers::Haptics> i) {
-    haptics_ = std::move(i);
-  }
+  auto haptics(std::unique_ptr<drivers::Haptics> i) { haptics_ = std::move(i); }
 
   auto database() -> std::weak_ptr<database::Database> { return database_; }
 
@@ -121,12 +117,12 @@ class ServiceLocator {
     collator_ = std::move(i);
   }
 
-  auto bg_worker() -> tasks::Worker& {
+  auto bg_worker() -> tasks::WorkerPool& {
     assert(bg_worker_ != nullptr);
     return *bg_worker_;
   }
 
-  auto bg_worker(std::unique_ptr<tasks::Worker> w) -> void {
+  auto bg_worker(std::unique_ptr<tasks::WorkerPool> w) -> void {
     bg_worker_ = std::move(w);
   }
 
@@ -149,7 +145,7 @@ class ServiceLocator {
   std::unique_ptr<database::ITagParser> tag_parser_;
   std::unique_ptr<locale::ICollator> collator_;
 
-  std::unique_ptr<tasks::Worker> bg_worker_;
+  std::unique_ptr<tasks::WorkerPool> bg_worker_;
 
   drivers::SdState sd_;
 };
diff --git a/src/tasks/tasks.cpp b/src/tasks/tasks.cpp
index 981ee20a..ea174039 100644
--- a/src/tasks/tasks.cpp
+++ b/src/tasks/tasks.cpp
@@ -31,14 +31,6 @@ template <>
 auto Name<Type::kAudioConverter>() -> std::pmr::string {
   return "audio_conv";
 }
-template <>
-auto Name<Type::kDatabase>() -> std::pmr::string {
-  return "db_fg";
-}
-template <>
-auto Name<Type::kBackgroundWorker>() -> std::pmr::string {
-  return "bg_worker";
-}
 
 template <Type t>
 auto AllocateStack() -> cpp::span<StackType_t>;
@@ -68,14 +60,10 @@ auto AllocateStack<Type::kAudioConverter>() -> cpp::span<StackType_t> {
   static StackType_t sStack[size];
   return {sStack, size};
 }
-// Leveldb is designed for non-embedded use cases, where stack space isn't so
-// much of a concern. It therefore uses an eye-wateringly large amount of stack.
-template <>
-auto AllocateStack<Type::kDatabase>() -> cpp::span<StackType_t> {
-  std::size_t size = 256 * 1024;
-  return {static_cast<StackType_t*>(heap_caps_malloc(size, MALLOC_CAP_SPIRAM)),
-          size};
-}
+// Background workers receive huge stacks in PSRAM. This is mostly to faciliate
+// use of LevelDB from any bg worker; Leveldb is designed for non-embedded use
+// cases, where large stack usage isn't so much of a concern. It therefore uses
+// an eye-wateringly large amount of stack.
 template <>
 auto AllocateStack<Type::kBackgroundWorker>() -> cpp::span<StackType_t> {
   std::size_t size = 256 * 1024;
@@ -115,26 +103,10 @@ auto Priority<Type::kUi>() -> UBaseType_t {
 // couple of ms extra delay due to scheduling, so give this task the lowest
 // priority.
 template <>
-auto Priority<Type::kDatabase>() -> UBaseType_t {
-  return 2;
-}
-template <>
 auto Priority<Type::kBackgroundWorker>() -> UBaseType_t {
   return 1;
 }
 
-template <Type t>
-auto WorkerQueueSize() -> std::size_t;
-
-template <>
-auto WorkerQueueSize<Type::kDatabase>() -> std::size_t {
-  return 8;
-}
-template <>
-auto WorkerQueueSize<Type::kBackgroundWorker>() -> std::size_t {
-  return 8;
-}
-
 auto PersistentMain(void* fn) -> void {
   auto* function = reinterpret_cast<std::function<void(void)>*>(fn);
   std::invoke(*function);
@@ -142,69 +114,50 @@ auto PersistentMain(void* fn) -> void {
   vTaskDelete(NULL);
 }
 
-auto Worker::Main(void* instance) {
-  Worker* i = reinterpret_cast<Worker*>(instance);
+auto WorkerPool::Main(void* q) {
+  QueueHandle_t queue = reinterpret_cast<QueueHandle_t>(q);
   while (1) {
     WorkItem item;
-    if (xQueueReceive(i->queue_, &item, portMAX_DELAY)) {
-      if (item.quit) {
-        break;
-      } else if (item.fn != nullptr) {
-        std::invoke(*item.fn);
-        delete item.fn;
-      }
+    if (xQueueReceive(queue, &item, portMAX_DELAY)) {
+      std::invoke(*item);
+      delete item;
     }
   }
-  i->is_task_running_.store(false);
-  i->is_task_running_.notify_all();
-  // Wait for the instance's destructor to delete this task. We do this instead
-  // of just deleting ourselves so that it's 100% certain that it's safe to
-  // delete or reuse this task's stack.
-  while (1) {
-    vTaskDelay(portMAX_DELAY);
+}
+
+static constexpr size_t kNumWorkers = 3;
+static constexpr size_t kMaxPendingItems = 8;
+
+WorkerPool::WorkerPool()
+    : queue_(xQueueCreate(kMaxPendingItems, sizeof(WorkItem))) {
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < kNumWorkers; i++) {
+    auto stack = AllocateStack<Type::kBackgroundWorker>();
+    // Task buffers must be in internal ram. Thankfully they're fairly small.
+    auto buffer = reinterpret_cast<StaticTask_t*>(heap_caps_malloc(
+        sizeof(StaticTask_t), MALLOC_CAP_INTERNAL | MALLOC_CAP_8BIT));
+
+    std::string name = "worker_" + std::to_string(i);
+
+    xTaskCreateStatic(&Main, name.c_str(), stack.size(), queue_,
+                      Priority<Type::kBackgroundWorker>(), stack.data(),
+                      buffer);
   }
 }
 
-Worker::Worker(const std::pmr::string& name,
-               cpp::span<StackType_t> stack,
-               std::size_t queue_size,
-               UBaseType_t priority)
-    : stack_(stack.data()),
-      queue_(xQueueCreate(queue_size, sizeof(WorkItem))),
-      is_task_running_(true),
-      task_buffer_(static_cast<StaticTask_t*>(
-          heap_caps_malloc(sizeof(StaticTask_t),
-                           MALLOC_CAP_INTERNAL | MALLOC_CAP_8BIT))),
-      task_(xTaskCreateStatic(&Main,
-                              name.c_str(),
-                              stack.size(),
-                              this,
-                              priority,
-                              stack_,
-                              task_buffer_)) {}
-
-Worker::~Worker() {
-  WorkItem item{
-      .fn = nullptr,
-      .quit = true,
-  };
-  xQueueSend(queue_, &item, portMAX_DELAY);
-  is_task_running_.wait(true);
-  vTaskDelete(task_);
-  free(stack_);
+WorkerPool::~WorkerPool() {
+  // This should never happen!
+  assert("worker pool destroyed" == 0);
 }
 
 template <>
-auto Worker::Dispatch(const std::function<void(void)> fn) -> std::future<void> {
+auto WorkerPool::Dispatch(const std::function<void(void)> fn)
+    -> std::future<void> {
   std::shared_ptr<std::promise<void>> promise =
       std::make_shared<std::promise<void>>();
-  WorkItem item{
-      .fn = new std::function<void(void)>([=]() {
-        std::invoke(fn);
-        promise->set_value();
-      }),
-      .quit = false,
-  };
+  WorkItem item = new std::function<void(void)>([=]() {
+    std::invoke(fn);
+    promise->set_value();
+  });
   xQueueSend(queue_, &item, portMAX_DELAY);
   return promise->get_future();
 }
diff --git a/src/tasks/tasks.hpp b/src/tasks/tasks.hpp
index 6a3a0d09..1623a8d8 100644
--- a/src/tasks/tasks.hpp
+++ b/src/tasks/tasks.hpp
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ template <Type t>
 auto AllocateStack() -> cpp::span<StackType_t>;
 template <Type t>
 auto Priority() -> UBaseType_t;
-template <Type t>
-auto WorkerQueueSize() -> std::size_t;
 
 auto PersistentMain(void* fn) -> void;
 
@@ -74,32 +72,15 @@ auto StartPersistent(BaseType_t core, const std::function<void(void)>& fn)
                                 Priority<t>(), stack.data(), task_buffer, core);
 }
 
-class Worker {
+class WorkerPool {
  private:
-  Worker(const std::pmr::string& name,
-         cpp::span<StackType_t> stack,
-         std::size_t queue_size,
-         UBaseType_t priority);
-
-  StackType_t* stack_;
   QueueHandle_t queue_;
-  std::atomic<bool> is_task_running_;
-  StaticTask_t *task_buffer_;
-  TaskHandle_t task_;
-
-  struct WorkItem {
-    std::function<void(void)>* fn;
-    bool quit;
-  };
+  using WorkItem = std::function<void(void)>*;
+  static auto Main(void* instance);
 
  public:
-  template <Type t>
-  static auto Start() -> Worker* {
-    return new Worker(Name<t>(), AllocateStack<t>(), WorkerQueueSize<t>(),
-                      Priority<t>());
-  }
-
-  static auto Main(void* instance);
+  WorkerPool();
+  ~WorkerPool();
 
   /*
    * Schedules the given function to be executed on the worker task, and
@@ -109,22 +90,19 @@ class Worker {
   auto Dispatch(const std::function<T(void)> fn) -> std::future<T> {
     std::shared_ptr<std::promise<T>> promise =
         std::make_shared<std::promise<T>>();
-    WorkItem item{
-        .fn = new std::function([=]() { promise->set_value(std::invoke(fn)); }),
-        .quit = false,
-    };
+    WorkItem item =
+        new std::function([=]() { promise->set_value(std::invoke(fn)); });
     xQueueSend(queue_, &item, portMAX_DELAY);
     return promise->get_future();
   }
 
-  ~Worker();
-
-  Worker(const Worker&) = delete;
-  Worker& operator=(const Worker&) = delete;
+  WorkerPool(const WorkerPool&) = delete;
+  WorkerPool& operator=(const WorkerPool&) = delete;
 };
 
 /* Specialisation of Evaluate for functions that return nothing. */
 template <>
-auto Worker::Dispatch(const std::function<void(void)> fn) -> std::future<void>;
+auto WorkerPool::Dispatch(const std::function<void(void)> fn)
+    -> std::future<void>;
 
 }  // namespace tasks