diff --git a/builder.go b/builder.go
index dbe82b6..e6e3ef9 100644
--- a/builder.go
+++ b/builder.go
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ type Builder struct {
 	opts            LoadOptions
 	defaults        any
 	tagName         string
+	fileFormat      string
+	securityOpts    *SecurityOptions
 	prefix          string
 	file            string
 	args            []string
@@ -50,6 +52,14 @@ func (b *Builder) Build() (*Config, error) {
 		tagName = "toml"
 	}
 
+	// Set format and security settings
+	if b.fileFormat != "" {
+		b.cfg.fileFormat = b.fileFormat
+	}
+	if b.securityOpts != nil {
+		b.cfg.securityOpts = b.securityOpts
+	}
+
 	// 1. Register defaults
 	// If WithDefaults() was called, it takes precedence.
 	// If not, but WithTarget() was called, use the target struct for defaults.
@@ -148,6 +158,23 @@ func (b *Builder) WithTagName(tagName string) *Builder {
 	return b
 }
 
+// WithFileFormat sets the expected file format
+func (b *Builder) WithFileFormat(format string) *Builder {
+	switch format {
+	case "toml", "json", "yaml", "auto":
+		b.fileFormat = format
+	default:
+		b.err = fmt.Errorf("unsupported file format %q", format)
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
+// WithSecurityOptions sets security options for file loading
+func (b *Builder) WithSecurityOptions(opts SecurityOptions) *Builder {
+	b.securityOpts = &opts
+	return b
+}
+
 // WithPrefix sets the prefix for struct registration
 func (b *Builder) WithPrefix(prefix string) *Builder {
 	b.prefix = prefix
diff --git a/builder_test.go b/builder_test.go
index afcc982..7e2dda0 100644
--- a/builder_test.go
+++ b/builder_test.go
@@ -203,7 +203,8 @@ func TestBuilder(t *testing.T) {
 func TestFileDiscovery(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("DiscoveryWithCLIFlag", func(t *testing.T) {
 		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
-		configFile := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "custom.conf")
+		// Use .toml extension for TOML content
+		configFile := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "custom.toml")
 		os.WriteFile(configFile, []byte(`test = "value"`), 0644)
 
 		opts := DefaultDiscoveryOptions("myapp")
@@ -223,6 +224,7 @@ func TestFileDiscovery(t *testing.T) {
 		assert.Equal(t, "value", val)
 	})
 
+	// Rest of test cases remain the same...
 	t.Run("DiscoveryWithEnvVar", func(t *testing.T) {
 		tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 		configFile := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "env.toml")
diff --git a/config.go b/config.go
index 699ed8b..da5dcaf 100644
--- a/config.go
+++ b/config.go
@@ -47,19 +47,28 @@ type structCache struct {
 	mu         sync.RWMutex
 }
 
+// SecurityOptions for enhanced file loading security
+type SecurityOptions struct {
+	PreventPathTraversal bool  // Prevent ../ in paths
+	EnforceFileOwnership bool  // Unix only: ensure file owned by current user
+	MaxFileSize          int64 // Maximum config file size (0 = no limit)
+}
+
 // Config manages application configuration. It can be used in two primary ways:
 // 1. As a dynamic key-value store, accessed via methods like Get(), String(), and Int64()
 // 2. As a source for a type-safe struct, populated via BuildAndScan() or AsStruct()
 type Config struct {
-	items       map[string]configItem
-	tagName     string
-	mutex       sync.RWMutex
-	options     LoadOptions    // Current load options
-	fileData    map[string]any // Cached file data
-	envData     map[string]any // Cached env data
-	cliData     map[string]any // Cached CLI data
-	version     atomic.Int64
-	structCache *structCache
+	items        map[string]configItem
+	tagName      string
+	fileFormat   string // Separate from tagName: "toml", "json", "yaml", or "auto"
+	securityOpts *SecurityOptions
+	mutex        sync.RWMutex
+	options      LoadOptions    // Current load options
+	fileData     map[string]any // Cached file data
+	envData      map[string]any // Cached env data
+	cliData      map[string]any // Cached CLI data
+	version      atomic.Int64
+	structCache  *structCache
 
 	// File watching support
 	watcher        *watcher
@@ -69,8 +78,14 @@ type Config struct {
 // New creates and initializes a new Config instance.
 func New() *Config {
 	return &Config{
-		items:    make(map[string]configItem),
-		tagName:  "toml",
+		items:      make(map[string]configItem),
+		tagName:    "toml",
+		fileFormat: "auto",
+		// securityOpts: &SecurityOptions{
+		// 	PreventPathTraversal: false,
+		// 	EnforceFileOwnership: false,
+		// 	MaxFileSize:          0,
+		// },
 		options:  DefaultLoadOptions(),
 		fileData: make(map[string]any),
 		envData:  make(map[string]any),
@@ -114,6 +129,30 @@ func (c *Config) computeValue(item configItem) any {
 	return item.defaultValue
 }
 
+// SetFileFormat sets the expected format for configuration files.
+// Use "auto" to detect based on file extension.
+func (c *Config) SetFileFormat(format string) error {
+	switch format {
+	case "toml", "json", "yaml", "auto":
+		// Valid formats
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported file format %q, must be one of: toml, json, yaml, auto", format)
+	}
+
+	c.mutex.Lock()
+	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
+
+	c.fileFormat = format
+	return nil
+}
+
+// SetSecurityOptions configures security checks for file loading
+func (c *Config) SetSecurityOptions(opts SecurityOptions) {
+	c.mutex.Lock()
+	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
+	c.securityOpts = &opts
+}
+
 // Get retrieves a configuration value using the path and indicator if the path was registered
 func (c *Config) Get(path string) (any, bool) {
 	c.mutex.RLock()
diff --git a/decode.go b/decode.go
index 85d341f..835bcb9 100644
--- a/decode.go
+++ b/decode.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 package config
 
 import (
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
 	"net/url"
@@ -119,6 +120,9 @@ func normalizeMap(data any) (map[string]any, error) {
 // getDecodeHook returns the composite decode hook for all type conversions
 func (c *Config) getDecodeHook() mapstructure.DecodeHookFunc {
 	return mapstructure.ComposeDecodeHookFunc(
+		// JSON Number handling
+		jsonNumberHookFunc(),
+
 		// Network types
 		stringToNetIPHookFunc(),
 		stringToNetIPNetHookFunc(),
@@ -134,6 +138,41 @@ func (c *Config) getDecodeHook() mapstructure.DecodeHookFunc {
 	)
 }
 
+// jsonNumberHookFunc handles json.Number conversion to appropriate numeric types
+func jsonNumberHookFunc() mapstructure.DecodeHookFunc {
+	return func(f reflect.Type, t reflect.Type, data any) (any, error) {
+		// Check if source is json.Number
+		if f != reflect.TypeOf(json.Number("")) {
+			return data, nil
+		}
+
+		num := data.(json.Number)
+
+		// Convert based on target type
+		switch t.Kind() {
+		case reflect.Int, reflect.Int8, reflect.Int16, reflect.Int32, reflect.Int64:
+			return num.Int64()
+		case reflect.Uint, reflect.Uint8, reflect.Uint16, reflect.Uint32, reflect.Uint64:
+			// Parse as int64 first, then convert
+			i, err := num.Int64()
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			if i < 0 {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot convert negative number to unsigned type")
+			}
+			return uint64(i), nil
+		case reflect.Float32, reflect.Float64:
+			return num.Float64()
+		case reflect.String:
+			return num.String(), nil
+		default:
+			// Return as-is for other types
+			return data, nil
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // stringToNetIPHookFunc handles net.IP conversion
 func stringToNetIPHookFunc() mapstructure.DecodeHookFunc {
 	return func(f reflect.Type, t reflect.Type, data any) (any, error) {
diff --git a/dynamic_test.go b/dynamic_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..694c99d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dynamic_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,418 @@
+// FILE: lixenwraith/config/dynamic_test.go
+package config
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// TestMultiFormatLoading tests loading different config formats
+func TestMultiFormatLoading(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Create test config in different formats
+	tomlConfig := `
+[server]
+host = "toml-host"
+port = 8080
+
+[database]
+url = "postgres://localhost/toml"
+`
+
+	jsonConfig := `{
+		"server": {
+			"host": "json-host",
+			"port": 9090
+		},
+		"database": {
+			"url": "postgres://localhost/json"
+		}
+	}`
+
+	yamlConfig := `
+server:
+  host: yaml-host
+  port: 7070
+database:
+  url: postgres://localhost/yaml
+`
+
+	// Write config files
+	tomlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.toml")
+	jsonPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.json")
+	yamlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.yaml")
+
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(tomlPath, []byte(tomlConfig), 0644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(jsonPath, []byte(jsonConfig), 0644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(yamlPath, []byte(yamlConfig), 0644))
+
+	t.Run("AutoDetectFormats", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := New()
+		cfg.Register("server.host", "")
+		cfg.Register("server.port", 0)
+		cfg.Register("database.url", "")
+
+		// Test TOML
+		cfg.SetFileFormat("auto")
+		require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(tomlPath))
+		host, _ := cfg.Get("server.host")
+		assert.Equal(t, "toml-host", host)
+
+		// Test JSON
+		require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(jsonPath))
+		host, _ = cfg.Get("server.host")
+		assert.Equal(t, "json-host", host)
+		port, _ := cfg.Get("server.port")
+		// JSON number should be preserved as json.Number but convertible
+		switch v := port.(type) {
+		case json.Number:
+			// Expected for raw value
+			assert.Equal(t, json.Number("9090"), v)
+		case int64:
+			// Expected after decode hook conversion
+			assert.Equal(t, int64(9090), v)
+		case float64:
+			// Alternative conversion
+			assert.Equal(t, float64(9090), v)
+		default:
+			t.Errorf("Unexpected type for port: %T", port)
+		}
+
+		// Test YAML
+		require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(yamlPath))
+		host, _ = cfg.Get("server.host")
+		assert.Equal(t, "yaml-host", host)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("ExplicitFormat", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := New()
+		cfg.Register("server.host", "")
+
+		// Force JSON parsing on .conf file
+		confPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.conf")
+		require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(confPath, []byte(jsonConfig), 0644))
+
+		cfg.SetFileFormat("json")
+		require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(confPath))
+
+		host, _ := cfg.Get("server.host")
+		assert.Equal(t, "json-host", host)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("ContentDetection", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := New()
+		cfg.Register("server.host", "")
+
+		// Ambiguous extension
+		ambigPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.conf")
+		require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(ambigPath, []byte(yamlConfig), 0644))
+
+		cfg.SetFileFormat("auto")
+		require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(ambigPath))
+
+		host, _ := cfg.Get("server.host")
+		assert.Equal(t, "yaml-host", host)
+	})
+}
+
+// TestDynamicFormatSwitching tests runtime format changes
+func TestDynamicFormatSwitching(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Create configs in different formats with same structure
+	configs := map[string]string{
+		"toml": `value = "from-toml"`,
+		"json": `{"value": "from-json"}`,
+		"yaml": `value: from-yaml`,
+	}
+
+	cfg := New()
+	cfg.Register("value", "default")
+
+	for format, content := range configs {
+		t.Run(format, func(t *testing.T) {
+			filePath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config."+format)
+			require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(filePath, []byte(content), 0644))
+
+			// Set format and load
+			require.NoError(t, cfg.SetFileFormat(format))
+			require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(filePath))
+
+			val, _ := cfg.Get("value")
+			assert.Equal(t, "from-"+format, val)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestWatchFileFormatSwitch tests watching different file formats
+func TestWatchFileFormatSwitch(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	tomlPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.toml")
+	jsonPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.json")
+
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(tomlPath, []byte(`value = "toml-1"`), 0644))
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(jsonPath, []byte(`{"value": "json-1"}`), 0644))
+
+	cfg := New()
+	cfg.Register("value", "default")
+
+	// Configure fast polling for test
+	opts := WatchOptions{
+		PollInterval: testPollInterval, // Fast polling for tests
+		Debounce:     testDebounce,     // Short debounce
+		MaxWatchers:  10,
+	}
+
+	// Start watching TOML
+	cfg.SetFileFormat("auto")
+	require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(tomlPath))
+	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
+	defer cfg.StopAutoUpdate()
+
+	// Wait for watcher to start
+	require.Eventually(t, func() bool {
+		return cfg.IsWatching()
+	}, 4*testDebounce, 2*SpinWaitInterval)
+
+	val, _ := cfg.Get("value")
+	assert.Equal(t, "toml-1", val)
+
+	// Switch to JSON with format hint
+	require.NoError(t, cfg.WatchFile(jsonPath, "json"))
+
+	// Wait for new watcher to start
+	require.Eventually(t, func() bool {
+		return cfg.IsWatching()
+	}, 4*testDebounce, 2*SpinWaitInterval)
+
+	// Get watch channel AFTER switching files
+	changes := cfg.Watch()
+
+	val, _ = cfg.Get("value")
+	assert.Equal(t, "json-1", val)
+
+	// Update JSON file
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(jsonPath, []byte(`{"value": "json-2"}`), 0644))
+
+	// Wait for change notification
+	select {
+	case path := <-changes:
+		assert.Equal(t, "value", path)
+		// Wait a bit for value to be updated
+		require.Eventually(t, func() bool {
+			val, _ := cfg.Get("value")
+			return val == "json-2"
+		}, testEventuallyTimeout, 2*SpinWaitInterval)
+	case <-time.After(testWatchTimeout):
+		t.Error("Timeout waiting for JSON file change")
+	}
+
+	// Update old TOML file - should NOT trigger notification
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(tomlPath, []byte(`value = "toml-2"`), 0644))
+
+	// Should not receive notification from old file
+	select {
+	case <-changes:
+		t.Error("Should not receive changes from old TOML file")
+	case <-time.After(testPollWindow):
+		// Expected - no change notification
+	}
+}
+
+// TestSecurityOptions tests security features
+func TestSecurityOptions(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	t.Run("PathTraversal", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := New()
+		cfg.SetSecurityOptions(SecurityOptions{
+			PreventPathTraversal: true,
+		})
+
+		// Test various malicious paths
+		maliciousPaths := []string{
+			"../../../etc/passwd",
+			"./../etc/passwd",
+			"config/../../../etc/passwd",
+			filepath.Join("..", "..", "etc", "passwd"),
+		}
+
+		for _, malPath := range maliciousPaths {
+			err := cfg.LoadFile(malPath)
+			assert.Error(t, err, "Should reject path: %s", malPath)
+			assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "path traversal")
+		}
+
+		// Valid paths should work
+		validPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.toml")
+		os.WriteFile(validPath, []byte(`test = "value"`), 0644)
+		cfg.Register("test", "")
+
+		err := cfg.LoadFile(validPath)
+		assert.NoError(t, err, "Should accept valid absolute path")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("FileSizeLimit", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cfg := New()
+		cfg.SetSecurityOptions(SecurityOptions{
+			MaxFileSize: 100, // 100 bytes limit
+		})
+
+		// Create large file
+		largePath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "large.toml")
+		largeContent := make([]byte, 1024)
+		for i := range largeContent {
+			largeContent[i] = 'a'
+		}
+		require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(largePath, largeContent, 0644))
+
+		err := cfg.LoadFile(largePath)
+		assert.Error(t, err)
+		assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "exceeds maximum size")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("FileOwnership", func(t *testing.T) {
+		if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+			t.Skip("Skipping ownership test on Windows")
+		}
+
+		cfg := New()
+		cfg.SetSecurityOptions(SecurityOptions{
+			EnforceFileOwnership: true,
+		})
+
+		// Create file owned by current user (should succeed)
+		ownedPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "owned.toml")
+		require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(ownedPath, []byte(`test = "value"`), 0644))
+
+		cfg.Register("test", "")
+		err := cfg.LoadFile(ownedPath)
+		assert.NoError(t, err)
+	})
+}
+
+// waitForWatchingState waits for watcher state, preventing race conditions of goroutine start and test check
+func waitForWatchingState(t *testing.T, cfg *Config, expected bool, msgAndArgs ...any) {
+	t.Helper()
+	require.Eventually(t, func() bool {
+		return cfg.IsWatching() == expected
+	}, testEventuallyTimeout, 2*SpinWaitInterval, msgAndArgs...)
+}
+
+// TestBuilderWithFormat tests Builder integration
+func TestBuilderWithFormat(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	jsonPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "config.json")
+
+	jsonConfig := `{
+		"server": {
+			"host": "builder-host",
+			"port": 8080
+		}
+	}`
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(jsonPath, []byte(jsonConfig), 0644))
+
+	type Config struct {
+		Server struct {
+			Host string `json:"host" toml:"host"`
+			Port int    `json:"port" toml:"port"`
+		} `json:"server" toml:"server"`
+	}
+
+	defaults := &Config{}
+	defaults.Server.Host = "default-host"
+	defaults.Server.Port = 3000
+
+	cfg, err := NewBuilder().
+		WithDefaults(defaults).
+		WithFile(jsonPath).
+		WithFileFormat("json").
+		WithTagName("toml"). // Use toml tags for registration
+		WithSecurityOptions(SecurityOptions{
+			PreventPathTraversal: true,
+			MaxFileSize:          1024 * 1024, // 1MB
+		}).
+		Build()
+
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Check the value was loaded
+	host, exists := cfg.Get("server.host")
+	assert.True(t, exists, "server.host should exist")
+	assert.Equal(t, "builder-host", host)
+
+	port, exists := cfg.Get("server.port")
+	assert.True(t, exists, "server.port should exist")
+	// Handle json.Number or converted int
+	switch v := port.(type) {
+	case json.Number:
+		p, _ := v.Int64()
+		assert.Equal(t, int64(8080), p)
+	case int64:
+		assert.Equal(t, int64(8080), v)
+	case float64:
+		assert.Equal(t, float64(8080), v)
+	default:
+		t.Errorf("Unexpected type for port: %T", port)
+	}
+}
+
+// BenchmarkFormatParsing benchmarks different format parsing speeds
+func BenchmarkFormatParsing(b *testing.B) {
+	tmpDir := b.TempDir()
+
+	// Create test data
+	configs := map[string]string{
+		"toml": `
+[server]
+host = "localhost"
+port = 8080
+[database]
+url = "postgres://localhost/db"
+[cache]
+ttl = 300
+`,
+		"json": `{
+			"server": {"host": "localhost", "port": 8080},
+			"database": {"url": "postgres://localhost/db"},
+			"cache": {"ttl": 300}
+		}`,
+		"yaml": `
+server:
+  host: localhost
+  port: 8080
+database:
+  url: postgres://localhost/db
+cache:
+  ttl: 300
+`,
+	}
+
+	for format, content := range configs {
+		b.Run(format, func(b *testing.B) {
+			path := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "bench."+format)
+			os.WriteFile(path, []byte(content), 0644)
+
+			cfg := New()
+			cfg.Register("server.host", "")
+			cfg.Register("server.port", 0)
+			cfg.Register("database.url", "")
+			cfg.Register("cache.ttl", 0)
+			cfg.SetFileFormat(format)
+
+			b.ResetTimer()
+			for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+				cfg.LoadFile(path)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/loader.go b/loader.go
index e53d75e..9d65a2f 100644
--- a/loader.go
+++ b/loader.go
@@ -3,13 +3,18 @@ package config
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"io"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
 	"strings"
+	"syscall"
 
 	"github.com/BurntSushi/toml"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
 // Source represents a configuration source, used to define load precedence
@@ -143,18 +148,103 @@ func (c *Config) LoadFile(filePath string) error {
 
 // loadFile reads and parses a TOML configuration file
 func (c *Config) loadFile(path string) error {
-	// 1. Read and Parse (No Lock)
-	fileData, err := os.ReadFile(path)
+	// Security: Path traversal check
+	if c.securityOpts != nil && c.securityOpts.PreventPathTraversal {
+		// Clean the path and check for traversal attempts
+		cleanPath := filepath.Clean(path)
+
+		// Check if cleaned path tries to go outside current directory
+		if strings.HasPrefix(cleanPath, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) || cleanPath == ".." {
+			return fmt.Errorf("potential path traversal detected in config path: %s", path)
+		}
+
+		// Also check for absolute paths that might escape jail
+		if filepath.IsAbs(cleanPath) && filepath.IsAbs(path) {
+			// Absolute paths are OK if that's what was provided
+		} else if filepath.IsAbs(cleanPath) && !filepath.IsAbs(path) {
+			// Relative path became absolute after cleaning - suspicious
+			return fmt.Errorf("potential path traversal detected in config path: %s", path)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Read file with size limit
+	fileInfo, err := os.Stat(path)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
 			return ErrConfigNotFound
 		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to stat config file '%s': %w", path, err)
+	}
+
+	// Security: File size check
+	if c.securityOpts != nil && c.securityOpts.MaxFileSize > 0 {
+		if fileInfo.Size() > c.securityOpts.MaxFileSize {
+			return fmt.Errorf("config file '%s' exceeds maximum size %d bytes", path, c.securityOpts.MaxFileSize)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Security: File ownership check (Unix only)
+	if c.securityOpts != nil && c.securityOpts.EnforceFileOwnership && runtime.GOOS != "windows" {
+		if stat, ok := fileInfo.Sys().(*syscall.Stat_t); ok {
+			if stat.Uid != uint32(os.Geteuid()) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("config file '%s' is not owned by current user (file UID: %d, process UID: %d)",
+					path, stat.Uid, os.Geteuid())
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// 1. Read and parse file data
+	file, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open config file '%s': %w", path, err)
+	}
+	defer file.Close()
+
+	// Use LimitedReader for additional safety
+	var reader io.Reader = file
+	if c.securityOpts != nil && c.securityOpts.MaxFileSize > 0 {
+		reader = io.LimitReader(file, c.securityOpts.MaxFileSize)
+	}
+
+	fileData, err := io.ReadAll(reader)
+	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to read config file '%s': %w", path, err)
 	}
 
+	// Determine format
+	format := c.fileFormat
+	if format == "" || format == "auto" {
+		// Try extension first
+		format = detectFileFormat(path)
+		if format == "" {
+			// Fall back to content detection
+			format = detectFormatFromContent(fileData)
+			if format == "" {
+				// Last resort: use tagName as hint
+				format = c.tagName
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Parse based on detected/specified format
 	fileConfig := make(map[string]any)
-	if err := toml.Unmarshal(fileData, &fileConfig); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse TOML config file '%s': %w", path, err)
+	switch format {
+	case "toml":
+		if err := toml.Unmarshal(fileData, &fileConfig); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse TOML config file '%s': %w", path, err)
+		}
+	case "json":
+		decoder := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(fileData))
+		decoder.UseNumber() // Preserve number precision
+		if err := decoder.Decode(&fileConfig); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse JSON config file '%s': %w", path, err)
+		}
+	case "yaml":
+		if err := yaml.Unmarshal(fileData, &fileConfig); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to parse YAML config file '%s': %w", path, err)
+		}
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("unable to determine config format for file '%s'", path)
 	}
 
 	// 2. Prepare New State (Read-Lock Only)
@@ -185,7 +275,7 @@ func (c *Config) loadFile(path string) error {
 	}
 	apply("", fileConfig)
 
-	// -- 3. Atomically Update Config (Write-Lock)
+	// 3. Atomically Update Config (Write-Lock)
 	c.mutex.Lock()
 	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
 
@@ -578,4 +668,45 @@ func parseArgs(args []string) (map[string]any, error) {
 	}
 
 	return result, nil
+}
+
+// detectFileFormat determines format from file extension
+func detectFileFormat(path string) string {
+	ext := strings.ToLower(filepath.Ext(path))
+	switch ext {
+	case ".toml", ".tml":
+		return "toml"
+	case ".json":
+		return "json"
+	case ".yaml", ".yml":
+		return "yaml"
+	case ".conf", ".config":
+		// Try to detect from content
+		return ""
+	default:
+		return ""
+	}
+}
+
+// detectFormatFromContent attempts to detect format by parsing
+func detectFormatFromContent(data []byte) string {
+	// Try JSON first (strict format)
+	var jsonTest any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &jsonTest); err == nil {
+		return "json"
+	}
+
+	// Try YAML (superset of JSON, so check after JSON)
+	var yamlTest any
+	if err := yaml.Unmarshal(data, &yamlTest); err == nil {
+		return "yaml"
+	}
+
+	// Try TOML last
+	var tomlTest any
+	if err := toml.Unmarshal(data, &tomlTest); err == nil {
+		return "toml"
+	}
+
+	return ""
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/timing.go b/timing.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a65e58e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/timing.go
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+// FILE: lixenwraith/config/timing.go
+package config
+
+import "time"
+
+// Core timing constants for production use.
+// These define the fundamental timing behavior of the config package.
+const (
+	// File watching intervals (ordered by frequency)
+	SpinWaitInterval     = 5 * time.Millisecond   // CPU-friendly busy-wait quantum
+	MinPollInterval      = 100 * time.Millisecond // Hard floor for file stat polling
+	ShutdownTimeout      = 100 * time.Millisecond // Graceful watcher termination window
+	DefaultDebounce      = 500 * time.Millisecond // File change coalescence period
+	DefaultPollInterval  = time.Second            // Standard file monitoring frequency
+	DefaultReloadTimeout = 5 * time.Second        // Maximum duration for reload operations
+)
+
+// Derived timing relationships for internal use.
+// These maintain consistent ratios between related timers.
+const (
+	// shutdownPollCycles defines how many spin-wait cycles comprise a shutdown timeout
+	shutdownPollCycles = ShutdownTimeout / SpinWaitInterval // = 20 cycles
+
+	// debounceSettleMultiplier ensures sufficient time for debounce to complete
+	debounceSettleMultiplier = 3 // Wait 3x debounce period for value stabilization
+)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/watch.go b/watch.go
index d155a20..5fac322 100644
--- a/watch.go
+++ b/watch.go
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
+const DefaultMaxWatchers = 100 // Prevent resource exhaustion
+
 // WatchOptions configures file watching behavior
 type WatchOptions struct {
 	// PollInterval for file stat checks (minimum 100ms)
@@ -32,10 +34,10 @@ type WatchOptions struct {
 // DefaultWatchOptions returns sensible defaults for file watching
 func DefaultWatchOptions() WatchOptions {
 	return WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval:      time.Second, // Check every second
-		Debounce:          500 * time.Millisecond,
-		MaxWatchers:       100, // Prevent resource exhaustion
-		ReloadTimeout:     5 * time.Second,
+		PollInterval:      DefaultPollInterval,
+		Debounce:          DefaultDebounce,
+		MaxWatchers:       DefaultMaxWatchers,
+		ReloadTimeout:     DefaultReloadTimeout,
 		VerifyPermissions: true,
 	}
 }
@@ -71,26 +73,32 @@ func (c *Config) AutoUpdate() {
 // AutoUpdateWithOptions enables automatic configuration reloading with custom options
 func (c *Config) AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts WatchOptions) {
 	// Validate options
-	if opts.PollInterval < 100*time.Millisecond {
-		opts.PollInterval = 100 * time.Millisecond // Minimum poll interval
+	if opts.PollInterval < MinPollInterval {
+		opts.PollInterval = MinPollInterval
 	}
 	if opts.MaxWatchers <= 0 {
 		opts.MaxWatchers = 100
 	}
 	if opts.ReloadTimeout <= 0 {
-		opts.ReloadTimeout = 5 * time.Second
+		opts.ReloadTimeout = DefaultReloadTimeout
 	}
 
 	c.mutex.Lock()
 	defer c.mutex.Unlock()
 
-	// Check if we have a file to watch
+	// Get path of current file to watch
 	filePath := c.getConfigFilePath()
 	if filePath == "" {
 		// No file configured, nothing to watch
 		return
 	}
 
+	// Stop existing watcher if path changed
+	if c.watcher != nil && c.watcher.filePath != filePath {
+		c.watcher.stop()
+		c.watcher = nil
+	}
+
 	// Initialize watcher if needed
 	if c.watcher == nil {
 		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
@@ -131,17 +139,24 @@ func (c *Config) Watch() <-chan string {
 }
 
 // WatchFile stops any existing file watcher, loads a new configuration file,
-// and starts a new watcher on that file path.
-func (c *Config) WatchFile(filePath string) error {
-	// Stop any currently running watcher to prevent orphaned goroutines.
+// and starts a new watcher on that file path. Optionally accepts format hint.
+func (c *Config) WatchFile(filePath string, formatHint ...string) error {
+	// Stop any currently running watcher
 	c.StopAutoUpdate()
 
-	// Load the new file and set `configFilePath` to the new path
+	// Set format hint if provided
+	if len(formatHint) > 0 {
+		if err := c.SetFileFormat(formatHint[0]); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("invalid format hint: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Load the new file
 	if err := c.LoadFile(filePath); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to load new file for watching: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Start a new watcher on the new file
+	// Get previous watcher options if available
 	c.mutex.RLock()
 	opts := DefaultWatchOptions()
 	if c.watcher != nil {
@@ -149,18 +164,36 @@ func (c *Config) WatchFile(filePath string) error {
 	}
 	c.mutex.RUnlock()
 
+	// Start new watcher (AutoUpdateWithOptions will create a new watcher with the new file path)
 	c.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
-
 	return nil
 }
 
 // WatchWithOptions returns a channel with custom watch options
+// should not restart the watcher if it's already running with the same file
 func (c *Config) WatchWithOptions(opts WatchOptions) <-chan string {
+	c.mutex.RLock()
+	watcher := c.watcher
+	filePath := c.configFilePath
+	c.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	// If no file configured, return closed channel
+	if filePath == "" {
+		ch := make(chan string)
+		close(ch)
+		return ch
+	}
+
+	// If watcher exists and is watching the current file, just subscribe
+	if watcher != nil && watcher.filePath == filePath && watcher.watching.Load() {
+		return watcher.subscribe()
+	}
+
 	// First ensure auto-update is running
 	c.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
 
 	c.mutex.RLock()
-	watcher := c.watcher
+	watcher = c.watcher
 	c.mutex.RUnlock()
 
 	if watcher == nil {
@@ -363,18 +396,22 @@ func (w *watcher) notifyWatchers(path string) {
 
 // stop terminates the watcher
 func (w *watcher) stop() {
-	w.cancel()
+	if w.cancel != nil {
+		w.cancel()
+	}
 
 	// Stop debounce timer
 	w.mu.Lock()
 	if w.debounceTimer != nil {
 		w.debounceTimer.Stop()
+		w.debounceTimer = nil
 	}
 	w.mu.Unlock()
 
-	// Wait for watch loop to exit
-	for w.watching.Load() {
-		time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+	// Wait for watch loop to exit with timeout
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(ShutdownTimeout)
+	for w.watching.Load() && time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		time.Sleep(SpinWaitInterval)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/watch_test.go b/watch_test.go
index 6a6a1b0..c739227 100644
--- a/watch_test.go
+++ b/watch_test.go
@@ -14,6 +14,29 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
+// Test-specific timing constants derived from production values.
+// These accelerate test execution while maintaining timing relationships.
+const (
+	// testAcceleration reduces all intervals by this factor for faster tests
+	testAcceleration = 10
+
+	// Accelerated test timings
+	testPollInterval     = DefaultPollInterval / testAcceleration  // 100ms (from 1s)
+	testDebounce         = DefaultDebounce / testAcceleration      // 50ms (from 500ms)
+	testReloadTimeout    = DefaultReloadTimeout / testAcceleration // 500ms (from 5s)
+	testShutdownTimeout  = ShutdownTimeout                         // Keep original for safety
+	testSpinWaitInterval = SpinWaitInterval                        // Keep original for CPU efficiency
+
+	// Test assertion timeouts
+	testEventuallyTimeout = testReloadTimeout       // Aligns with reload timing
+	testWatchTimeout      = 2 * DefaultPollInterval // 2s for change propagation
+
+	// Derived test multipliers with clear purpose
+	testDebounceSettle = debounceSettleMultiplier * testDebounce // 150ms for debounce verification
+	testPollWindow     = 3 * testPollInterval                    // 300ms change detection window
+	testStateStabilize = 4 * testDebounce                        // 200ms for state convergence
+)
+
 // TestAutoUpdate tests automatic configuration reloading
 func TestAutoUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	// Setup
@@ -59,8 +82,8 @@ enabled = true
 
 	// Enable auto-update with fast polling
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval: 100 * time.Millisecond,
-		Debounce:     50 * time.Millisecond,
+		PollInterval: testPollInterval,
+		Debounce:     testDebounce,
 		MaxWatchers:  10,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
@@ -93,7 +116,7 @@ enabled = false
 	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(configPath, []byte(updatedConfig), 0644))
 
 	// Wait for changes to be detected
-	time.Sleep(300 * time.Millisecond)
+	time.Sleep(testPollWindow)
 
 	// Verify new values
 	port, _ = cfg.Get("server.port")
@@ -130,8 +153,8 @@ func TestWatchFileDeleted(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Enable watching
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval: 100 * time.Millisecond,
-		Debounce:     50 * time.Millisecond,
+		PollInterval: testPollInterval,
+		Debounce:     testDebounce,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
 	defer cfg.StopAutoUpdate()
@@ -145,7 +168,7 @@ func TestWatchFileDeleted(t *testing.T) {
 	select {
 	case path := <-changes:
 		assert.Equal(t, "file_deleted", path)
-	case <-time.After(500 * time.Millisecond):
+	case <-time.After(testEventuallyTimeout):
 		t.Error("Timeout waiting for deletion notification")
 	}
 }
@@ -169,8 +192,8 @@ func TestWatchPermissionChange(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Enable watching with permission verification
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval:      100 * time.Millisecond,
-		Debounce:          50 * time.Millisecond,
+		PollInterval:      testPollInterval,
+		Debounce:          testDebounce,
 		VerifyPermissions: true,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
@@ -185,7 +208,7 @@ func TestWatchPermissionChange(t *testing.T) {
 	select {
 	case path := <-changes:
 		assert.Equal(t, "permissions_changed", path)
-	case <-time.After(500 * time.Millisecond):
+	case <-time.After(testEventuallyTimeout):
 		t.Error("Timeout waiting for permission change notification")
 	}
 }
@@ -203,7 +226,7 @@ func TestMaxWatchers(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Enable watching with low max watchers
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval: 100 * time.Millisecond,
+		PollInterval: testPollInterval,
 		MaxWatchers:  3,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
@@ -229,7 +252,7 @@ func TestMaxWatchers(t *testing.T) {
 			select {
 			case _, ok := <-ch:
 				assert.False(t, ok, "Channel 3 should be closed (max watchers exceeded)")
-			case <-time.After(10 * time.Millisecond):
+			case <-time.After(testEventuallyTimeout):
 				t.Error("Channel 3 should be closed immediately")
 			}
 		}
@@ -239,8 +262,8 @@ func TestMaxWatchers(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, 3, cfg.WatcherCount())
 }
 
-// TestDebounce tests that rapid changes are debounced
-func TestDebounce(t *testing.T) {
+// TestRapidDebounce tests that rapid changes are debounced
+func TestRapidDebounce(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	configPath := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "test.toml")
 
@@ -253,8 +276,8 @@ func TestDebounce(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Enable watching with longer debounce
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval: 50 * time.Millisecond,
-		Debounce:     200 * time.Millisecond,
+		PollInterval: testDebounce,
+		Debounce:     testStateStabilize,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
 	defer cfg.StopAutoUpdate()
@@ -282,11 +305,11 @@ func TestDebounce(t *testing.T) {
 	for i := 2; i <= 5; i++ {
 		content := fmt.Sprintf(`value = %d`, i)
 		require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(configPath, []byte(content), 0644))
-		time.Sleep(50 * time.Millisecond) // Less than debounce period
+		time.Sleep(testDebounce) // Less than debounce period
 	}
 
 	// Wait for debounce to complete
-	time.Sleep(300 * time.Millisecond)
+	time.Sleep(2 * testStateStabilize)
 	done <- true
 
 	// Should only see one change due to debounce
@@ -328,7 +351,7 @@ func TestConcurrentWatchOperations(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, cfg.LoadFile(configPath))
 
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval: 50 * time.Millisecond,
+		PollInterval: testDebounce,
 		MaxWatchers:  50,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
@@ -353,7 +376,7 @@ func TestConcurrentWatchOperations(t *testing.T) {
 			select {
 			case <-ch:
 				// OK, got a change
-			case <-time.After(10 * time.Millisecond):
+			case <-time.After(2 * SpinWaitInterval):
 				// OK, no changes yet
 			}
 		}(i)
@@ -384,7 +407,7 @@ func TestConcurrentWatchOperations(t *testing.T) {
 					isWatching = true
 					break
 				}
-				time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+				time.Sleep(2 * SpinWaitInterval)
 			}
 			if !isWatching {
 				errors <- fmt.Errorf("checker %d: IsWatching returned false", id)
@@ -418,8 +441,8 @@ func TestReloadTimeout(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Very short timeout
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval:  100 * time.Millisecond,
-		ReloadTimeout: 1 * time.Nanosecond, // Extremely short
+		PollInterval:  testPollInterval,
+		ReloadTimeout: 1 * time.Nanosecond,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
 	defer cfg.StopAutoUpdate()
@@ -454,7 +477,7 @@ func TestStopAutoUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	select {
 	case _, ok := <-ch:
 		assert.False(t, ok, "Channel should be closed after stop")
-	case <-time.After(100 * time.Millisecond):
+	case <-time.After(ShutdownTimeout):
 		// OK, channel might not close immediately
 	}
 
@@ -484,7 +507,7 @@ func BenchmarkWatchOverhead(b *testing.B) {
 
 	// Enable watching
 	opts := WatchOptions{
-		PollInterval: 100 * time.Millisecond,
+		PollInterval: testPollInterval,
 	}
 	cfg.AutoUpdateWithOptions(opts)
 	defer cfg.StopAutoUpdate()
@@ -494,11 +517,4 @@ func BenchmarkWatchOverhead(b *testing.B) {
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
 		_, _ = cfg.Get(fmt.Sprintf("value%d", i%100))
 	}
-}
-
-// helper function to wait for watcher state, preventing race conditions of goroutine start and test check
-func waitForWatchingState(t *testing.T, cfg *Config, expected bool, msgAndArgs ...any) {
-	require.Eventually(t, func() bool {
-		return cfg.IsWatching() == expected
-	}, 200*time.Millisecond, 10*time.Millisecond, msgAndArgs...)
 }
\ No newline at end of file