diff --git a/DEPLOYMENT.md b/DEPLOYMENT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f5c1d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/DEPLOYMENT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# Akita Meshtastic Meshcore Bridge Deployment Guide
+
+## Prerequisites
+- Python 3.9+ (recommended: 3.11+)
+- All hardware connected and serial port identified (e.g., COM8)
+- MQTT broker (if using MQTT transport)
+- (Optional) FastAPI/uvicorn for REST API
+
+## Installation
+1. Clone the repository:
+   ```sh
+   git clone https://github.com/AkitaEngineering/Akita-Meshtastic-Meshcore-Bridge.git
+   cd Akita-Meshtastic-Meshcore-Bridge
+   ```
+2. Create and activate a virtual environment:
+   ```sh
+   python -m venv .venv
+   # Windows:
+   .venv\Scripts\activate
+   # Linux/macOS:
+   source .venv/bin/activate
+   ```
+3. Install dependencies:
+   ```sh
+   pip install -r requirements.txt
+   ```
+
+## Configuration
+- Copy and edit `examples/config.ini.example` to `config.ini`.
+- Set the correct serial port, baud rate, MQTT, and API settings as needed.
+- Ensure the `SERIAL_PROTOCOL` matches your device (`raw_serial` or `json_newline`).
+
+## Running the Bridge
+```sh
+python run_bridge_async.py
+```
+- The bridge will log to console by default. Adjust logging in `config.ini` if needed.
+
+## Operational Notes
+- Only one process can access the serial port at a time.
+- To enable the REST API, set `api_enabled = true` in your config and ensure FastAPI/uvicorn are installed.
+- For production, use a process manager (systemd, pm2, etc.) to keep the bridge running.
+- Monitor logs for errors or disconnects.
+- To update, pull the latest code and re-install requirements if needed.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+- **Serial port access denied:** Ensure no other process is using the port. Reboot if needed.
+- **No messages/events:** Check device connection and config. Enable debug logging for more details.
+- **Unhandled exceptions:** Review logs. All async tasks now have robust exception handling and will log errors.
+
+## Support
+- See README.md for more details and contact info.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f1fd7b0..354b9f8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -51,21 +51,36 @@ Copy `examples/config.ini.example` to `config.ini` and edit it.
 - **For REST API (Optional):**  
   Set `API_ENABLED = True` and configure `API_HOST` and `API_PORT` to enable the monitoring API.
 
-### Run
-    python run_bridge.py
+
+### Run (Sync or Async)
+
+- **Synchronous (legacy):**
+  python run_bridge.py
+
+- **Async (recommended, for meshcore_py and async MQTT):**
+  python run_bridge_async.py
+
+The async entry point supports:
+  - Async Meshcore integration (meshcore_py)
+  - Async MQTT (asyncio-mqtt)
+  - Async REST API (FastAPI, if enabled)
+
+#### Async API Server
+If `API_ENABLED = True` in your config, the async bridge will launch a FastAPI server for health, metrics, and control endpoints (see below).
+
 
 ### REST API Endpoints (if enabled)
-- `GET /api/health` - Get health status of all components
-- `GET /api/metrics` - Get detailed metrics and statistics
-- `GET /api/status` - Get combined health and metrics
-- `GET /api/info` - Get bridge information
-- `POST /api/control` - Control actions (e.g., reset metrics)
+Endpoints are available on the configured API host/port (default: http://127.0.0.1:8080):
+
+- `GET /api/health` — Health status of all components
+- `GET /api/metrics` — Detailed metrics and statistics
+- `GET /api/status` — Combined health and metrics
+- `GET /api/info` — Bridge information
+- `POST /api/control` — Control actions (e.g., reset metrics)
 
 Example:
-```bash
-curl http://localhost:8080/api/health
-curl http://localhost:8080/api/metrics
-```
+  curl http://localhost:8080/api/health
+  curl http://localhost:8080/api/metrics
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/ammb/api_async.py b/ammb/api_async.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6f555f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ammb/api_async.py
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# ammb/api_async.py
+"""
+Async REST API for monitoring and controlling the bridge using FastAPI.
+"""
+from fastapi import FastAPI, Request
+from fastapi.responses import JSONResponse
+import logging
+from ammb.metrics import get_metrics
+from ammb.health import get_health_monitor
+
+app = FastAPI()
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+@app.get("/api/health")
+async def health():
+    health_monitor = get_health_monitor()
+    health_data = health_monitor.get_overall_health()
+    return JSONResponse(content=health_data)
+
+@app.get("/api/metrics")
+async def metrics():
+    metrics = get_metrics()
+    metrics_data = metrics.get_all_stats()
+    return JSONResponse(content=metrics_data)
+
+@app.get("/api/status")
+async def status():
+    health_monitor = get_health_monitor()
+    metrics = get_metrics()
+    status = {
+        "health": health_monitor.get_overall_health(),
+        "metrics": metrics.get_all_stats(),
+    }
+    return JSONResponse(content=status)
+
+@app.get("/api/info")
+async def info():
+    # This endpoint should be extended to include async bridge state if needed
+    return JSONResponse(content={
+        "name": "Akita Meshtastic Meshcore Bridge",
+        "version": "1.0.0",
+        "external_transport": "async",
+    })
+
+@app.post("/api/control")
+async def control(request: Request):
+    data = await request.json()
+    action = data.get("action")
+    if action == "reset_metrics":
+        metrics = get_metrics()
+        metrics.reset()
+        return JSONResponse(content={"message": "Metrics reset"})
+    return JSONResponse(content={"error": f"Unknown action: {action}"}, status_code=400)
diff --git a/ammb/bridge_async.py b/ammb/bridge_async.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f9c35b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ammb/bridge_async.py
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+# ammb/bridge_async.py
+"""
+Async Bridge orchestrator using MeshcoreAsyncHandler.
+"""
+
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from typing import Optional
+
+from ammb.meshcore_async_handler import MeshcoreAsyncHandler
+from ammb.mqtt_async_handler import MQTTAsyncHandler
+from ammb.config_handler import BridgeConfig
+
+
+
+class AsyncBridge:
+    def __init__(self, config: BridgeConfig):
+        self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+        self.config = config
+        self.meshcore_handler: Optional[MeshcoreAsyncHandler] = None
+        self.mqtt_handler: Optional[MQTTAsyncHandler] = None
+        self._running = False
+
+    async def start(self):
+        self._running = True
+        try:
+            if self.config.external_transport == "serial":
+                self.meshcore_handler = MeshcoreAsyncHandler(
+                    serial_port=self.config.serial_port,
+                    baud=self.config.serial_baud or 115200,
+                    debug=self.config.log_level == "DEBUG",
+                )
+                try:
+                    await self.meshcore_handler.run()
+                except Exception as e:
+                    self.logger.error(f"Unhandled exception in meshcore handler: {e}", exc_info=True)
+            elif self.config.external_transport == "mqtt":
+                self.mqtt_handler = MQTTAsyncHandler(
+                    broker=self.config.mqtt_broker,
+                    port=self.config.mqtt_port,
+                    topic_in=self.config.mqtt_topic_in,
+                    topic_out=self.config.mqtt_topic_out,
+                    username=self.config.mqtt_username,
+                    password=self.config.mqtt_password,
+                    qos=self.config.mqtt_qos or 0,
+                    retain=self.config.mqtt_retain_out or False,
+                    tls=self.config.mqtt_tls_enabled or False,
+                    tls_ca_certs=self.config.mqtt_tls_ca_certs,
+                    tls_insecure=self.config.mqtt_tls_insecure or False,
+                    client_id=self.config.mqtt_client_id,
+                )
+                try:
+                    self.mqtt_handler.set_message_handler(self.handle_mqtt_message)
+                    await self.mqtt_handler.connect()
+                    await self.mqtt_handler.run()
+                except Exception as e:
+                    self.logger.error(f"Unhandled exception in MQTT handler: {e}", exc_info=True)
+            else:
+                self.logger.error("Unsupported external transport in async bridge.")
+        except asyncio.CancelledError:
+            self.logger.info("AsyncBridge received cancellation signal.")
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.logger.critical(f"Unhandled exception in AsyncBridge: {e}", exc_info=True)
+        finally:
+            await self.shutdown()
+
+    async def shutdown(self):
+        self.logger.info("Shutting down AsyncBridge and handlers...")
+        self._running = False
+        if self.meshcore_handler:
+            await self.meshcore_handler.disconnect()
+        if self.mqtt_handler:
+            await self.mqtt_handler.disconnect()
+        self.logger.info("AsyncBridge shutdown complete.")
+
+    async def handle_incoming_message(self, event):
+        try:
+            self.logger.info(f"Received message: {event.payload}")
+            # Add additional async message processing here
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.logger.error(f"Error in handle_incoming_message: {e}", exc_info=True)
+
+    def handle_mqtt_message(self, data):
+        try:
+            self.logger.info(f"Received MQTT message: {data}")
+            # Add additional async message processing here if needed
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.logger.error(f"Error in handle_mqtt_message: {e}", exc_info=True)
+
+    def handle_mqtt_message(self, data):
+        self.logger.info(f"Received MQTT message: {data}")
diff --git a/ammb/meshcore_async_handler.py b/ammb/meshcore_async_handler.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..583d284
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ammb/meshcore_async_handler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+# ammb/meshcore_async_handler.py
+"""
+Async Meshcore handler using meshcore_py for serial communication.
+"""
+
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from typing import Any, Dict, Optional, Callable
+from meshcore import MeshCore, EventType
+
+class MeshcoreAsyncHandler:
+    """
+    Async handler for Meshcore devices using meshcore_py.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, serial_port: str, baud: int = 115200, debug: bool = False):
+        self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+        self.serial_port = serial_port
+        self.baud = baud
+        self.debug = debug
+        self.meshcore: Optional[MeshCore] = None
+        self._event_handlers: Dict[EventType, Callable] = {}
+        self._connected = asyncio.Event()
+        self._disconnect_requested = False
+
+    async def connect(self):
+        self.logger.info(f"Connecting to Meshcore device on {self.serial_port}...")
+        self.meshcore = await MeshCore.create_serial(self.serial_port, self.baud, debug=self.debug)
+        self.meshcore.subscribe(EventType.CONNECTED, self._on_connected)
+        self.meshcore.subscribe(EventType.DISCONNECTED, self._on_disconnected)
+        self._connected.set()
+        self.logger.info("Meshcore device connected.")
+
+    async def disconnect(self):
+        self._disconnect_requested = True
+        if self.meshcore:
+            await self.meshcore.disconnect()
+        self._connected.clear()
+        self.logger.info("Meshcore device disconnected.")
+
+    async def send_message(self, contact_or_key: Any, message: str):
+        if not self.meshcore:
+            raise RuntimeError("Meshcore not connected.")
+        result = await self.meshcore.commands.send_msg(contact_or_key, message)
+        if result is None:
+            self.logger.error("send_msg returned None (no response from Meshcore).")
+            return False
+        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            self.logger.error(f"Error sending message: {result.payload}")
+            return False
+        self.logger.info("Message sent successfully!")
+        return True
+
+    def subscribe(self, event_type: EventType, handler: Callable):
+        if not self.meshcore:
+            raise RuntimeError("Meshcore not connected.")
+        # Wrap handler for centralized error logging
+        def safe_handler(event):
+            try:
+                if asyncio.iscoroutinefunction(handler):
+                    asyncio.create_task(handler(event))
+                else:
+                    handler(event)
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.logger.error(f"Error in event handler for {event_type}: {e}", exc_info=True)
+        self.meshcore.subscribe(event_type, safe_handler)
+        self.logger.info(f"Subscribed to event: {event_type}")
+
+    async def get_contacts(self):
+        if not self.meshcore:
+            raise RuntimeError("Meshcore not connected.")
+        result = await self.meshcore.commands.get_contacts()
+        if result is None:
+            self.logger.error("get_contacts returned None (no response from Meshcore).")
+            return None
+        if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+            self.logger.error(f"Error getting contacts: {result.payload}")
+            return None
+        return result.payload
+
+    async def run(self):
+        # Only connect once per run, and wait for disconnect request
+        try:
+            await self.connect()
+            while not self._disconnect_requested:
+                await asyncio.sleep(1)
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.logger.error(f"Unhandled exception in MeshcoreAsyncHandler.run: {e}", exc_info=True)
+            raise
+        finally:
+            # Ensure disconnect is called only once per run
+            await self.disconnect()
+
+    def _on_connected(self, event):
+        self.logger.info(f"Connected: {event.payload}")
+
+    def _on_disconnected(self, event):
+        self.logger.warning(f"Disconnected: {event.payload}")
+        self._connected.clear()
diff --git a/ammb/mqtt_async_handler.py b/ammb/mqtt_async_handler.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c555190
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ammb/mqtt_async_handler.py
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+# ammb/mqtt_async_handler.py
+"""
+Async MQTT handler using asyncio-mqtt for external network interface.
+"""
+import asyncio
+import json
+import logging
+from typing import Any, Callable, Optional
+from asyncio_mqtt import Client, MqttError
+
+class MQTTAsyncHandler:
+    def __init__(self, broker: str, port: int, topic_in: str, topic_out: str, username: Optional[str] = None, password: Optional[str] = None, qos: int = 0, retain: bool = False, tls: bool = False, tls_ca_certs: Optional[str] = None, tls_insecure: bool = False, client_id: Optional[str] = None):
+        self.logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+        self.broker = broker
+        self.port = port
+        self.topic_in = topic_in
+        self.topic_out = topic_out
+        self.username = username
+        self.password = password
+        self.qos = qos
+        self.retain = retain
+        self.tls = tls
+        self.tls_ca_certs = tls_ca_certs
+        self.tls_insecure = tls_insecure
+        self.client_id = client_id
+        self._client: Optional[Client] = None
+        self._message_handler: Optional[Callable[[dict], None]] = None
+        self._running = False
+
+    async def connect(self):
+        self._client = Client(self.broker, port=self.port, username=self.username, password=self.password, client_id=self.client_id)
+        if self.tls:
+            tls_params = {}
+            if self.tls_ca_certs:
+                tls_params['ca_certs'] = self.tls_ca_certs
+            if self.tls_insecure:
+                tls_params['cert_reqs'] = False
+            self._client.tls_set(**tls_params)
+        await self._client.connect()
+        self.logger.info(f"Connected to MQTT broker {self.broker}:{self.port}")
+
+    async def disconnect(self):
+        if self._client:
+            await self._client.disconnect()
+            self.logger.info("Disconnected from MQTT broker.")
+
+    async def publish(self, message: dict):
+        if not self._client:
+            raise RuntimeError("MQTT client not connected.")
+        payload = json.dumps(message)
+        await self._client.publish(self.topic_out, payload, qos=self.qos, retain=self.retain)
+        self.logger.info(f"Published message to {self.topic_out}")
+
+    def set_message_handler(self, handler: Callable[[dict], None]):
+        self._message_handler = handler
+
+    async def run(self):
+        if not self._client:
+            await self.connect()
+        self._running = True
+        async with self._client.unfiltered_messages() as messages:
+            await self._client.subscribe(self.topic_in, qos=self.qos)
+            self.logger.info(f"Subscribed to {self.topic_in}")
+            async for msg in messages:
+                try:
+                    payload = msg.payload.decode('utf-8')
+                    data = json.loads(payload)
+                    if self._message_handler:
+                        self._message_handler(data)
+                except Exception as e:
+                    self.logger.error(f"Error processing MQTT message: {e}")
+                if not self._running:
+                    break
+
+    def stop(self):
+        self._running = False
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index cfcc39a..b213b1a 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 # Runtime dependencies for the Akita Meshtastic-Meshcore Bridge
 
 meshtastic>=2.2.0,<3.0.0
+meshcore>=2.2.0
+asyncio-mqtt>=0.14.0
+fastapi>=0.110.0
+uvicorn>=0.27.0
 pyserial>=3.5,<4.0.0
 pypubsub>=4.0.0,<5.0.0
 paho-mqtt>=1.6.0,<2.0.0
diff --git a/run_bridge_async.py b/run_bridge_async.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35922e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/run_bridge_async.py
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+# run_bridge_async.py
+"""
+Async entry point for Akita Meshtastic Meshcore Bridge using meshcore_py.
+"""
+import logging
+import os
+import sys
+import asyncio
+
+project_root = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+sys.path.insert(0, project_root)
+
+try:
+    from ammb.config_handler import CONFIG_FILE, load_config
+    from ammb.utils import setup_logging
+    from ammb.bridge_async import AsyncBridge
+except ImportError as e:
+    print(f"ERROR: Failed to import AMMB modules: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO, format="%(asctime)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s")
+    logging.info("--- Akita Meshtastic Meshcore Bridge (Async) Starting ---")
+
+    config_path = os.path.join(project_root, CONFIG_FILE)
+    logging.info(f"Loading configuration from: {config_path}")
+    config = load_config(config_path)
+    if not config:
+        logging.critical("Failed to load configuration. Bridge cannot start.")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    logging.info("Configuration loaded successfully.")
+    logging.info(f"Selected external transport: {config.external_transport}")
+
+    setup_logging(config.log_level)
+    logging.debug(f"Logging level set to {config.log_level}")
+
+    bridge = AsyncBridge(config)
+
+    async def main():
+        import uvicorn
+        from multiprocessing import Process
+        def run_api():
+            uvicorn.run("ammb.api_async:app", host=config.api_host or "127.0.0.1", port=int(config.api_port or 8080), log_level="info")
+
+        api_proc = None
+        if getattr(config, "api_enabled", False):
+            api_proc = Process(target=run_api)
+            api_proc.start()
+            logging.info(f"Async API server started on http://{config.api_host or '127.0.0.1'}:{config.api_port or 8080}")
+        try:
+            await bridge.start()
+        finally:
+            if api_proc:
+                api_proc.terminate()
+                api_proc.join()
+
+    try:
+        asyncio.run(main())
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        logging.info("KeyboardInterrupt received. Initiating graceful shutdown...")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.critical(f"Unhandled critical exception in async bridge execution: {e}", exc_info=True)
+        sys.exit(1)
+    logging.info("--- Akita Meshtastic Meshcore Bridge (Async) Stopped ---")
+    sys.exit(0)