diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/Platform.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/Platform.h
index 71564710dc..8142d54d3a 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/Platform.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/Platform.h
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ public:
      * @return nullptr on failure, or a pointer to the newly created driver.
      */
     virtual Driver* UTILS_NULLABLE createDriver(void* UTILS_NULLABLE sharedContext,
-            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept = 0;
+            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) = 0;
 
     /**
      * Processes the platform's event queue when called from its primary event-handling thread.
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/Program.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/Program.h
index f419f7b8f3..0a04726187 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/Program.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/Program.h
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ public:
     Program& multiview(bool multiview) noexcept;
 
     // For ES2 support only...
-    Program& uniforms(uint32_t index, utils::CString name, UniformInfo uniforms) noexcept;
+    Program& uniforms(uint32_t index, utils::CString name, UniformInfo uniforms);
     Program& attributes(AttributesInfo attributes) noexcept;
 
     //
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/OpenGLPlatform.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/OpenGLPlatform.h
index 013dcfd6bc..3d674f1624 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/OpenGLPlatform.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/OpenGLPlatform.h
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public:
      *
      */
     virtual SwapChain* UTILS_NULLABLE createSwapChain(
-            void* UTILS_NULLABLE nativeWindow, uint64_t flags) noexcept = 0;
+            void* UTILS_NULLABLE nativeWindow, uint64_t flags) = 0;
 
     /**
      * Called by the driver create a headless SwapChain.
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ public:
      *       A void* might be enough.
      */
     virtual SwapChain* UTILS_NULLABLE createSwapChain(
-            uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint64_t flags) noexcept = 0;
+            uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint64_t flags) = 0;
 
     /**
      * Called by the driver to destroys the SwapChain
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.h
index ebc177433b..c424ec4f96 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.h
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ protected:
     // Platform Interface
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     // Currently returns 0
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept override;
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.h
index cdb548181e..94ca86d153 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public:
     // Platform Interface
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept final { return 0; }
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGL.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGL.h
index f3dafda73f..9204162fe9 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGL.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGL.h
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ protected:
      * Initializes EGL, creates the OpenGL context and returns a concrete Driver implementation
      * that supports OpenGL/OpenGL ES.
      */
-    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext, const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext, const DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     /**
      * This returns zero. This method can be overridden to return something more useful.
@@ -101,8 +101,8 @@ protected:
     bool isSRGBSwapChainSupported() const noexcept override;
     bool isMSAASwapChainSupported(uint32_t samples) const noexcept override;
 
-    SwapChain* createSwapChain(void* nativewindow, uint64_t flags) noexcept override;
-    SwapChain* createSwapChain(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint64_t flags) noexcept override;
+    SwapChain* createSwapChain(void* nativewindow, uint64_t flags) override;
+    SwapChain* createSwapChain(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint64_t flags) override;
     void destroySwapChain(SwapChain* swapChain) noexcept override;
     bool isSwapChainProtected(SwapChain* swapChain) noexcept override;
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.h
index 6a9163508c..249defbc6f 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.h
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ protected:
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept override;
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     // OpenGLPlatform Interface
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.h
index 40d285b908..300748e0aa 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ public:
     PlatformEGLHeadless() noexcept;
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
 protected:
     bool isOpenGL() const noexcept override;
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformGLX.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformGLX.h
index b26a12b067..08b3b0a0e9 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformGLX.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformGLX.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ protected:
     // Platform Interface
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept final override { return 0; }
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformMetal.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformMetal.h
index 48a5f85cd5..a2e3ac25f3 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformMetal.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformMetal.h
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public:
     PlatformMetal();
     ~PlatformMetal() noexcept override;
 
-    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept override { return 0; }
 
     /**
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.h
index 4ed4db7a21..10e1fb18c3 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.h
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ protected:
     // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     // Platform Interface
 
-    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedGLContext, const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedGLContext, const DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept final override { return 0; }
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWGL.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWGL.h
index 3963e1476c..3b7ad7e7aa 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWGL.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWGL.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ protected:
     // Platform Interface
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept final override { return 0; }
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWebGL.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWebGL.h
index 4ced86d9bb..2def853101 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWebGL.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/PlatformWebGL.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ protected:
     // Platform Interface
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept override;
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/VulkanPlatform.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/VulkanPlatform.h
index 163fa07605..49cf6d1c64 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/VulkanPlatform.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/VulkanPlatform.h
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ public:
     ~VulkanPlatform() override;
 
     Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-            Platform::DriverConfig const& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            Platform::DriverConfig const& driverConfig) override;
 
     int getOSVersion() const noexcept override {
         return 0;
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/WebGPUPlatform.h b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/WebGPUPlatform.h
index 93535ea1f8..03ace96c96 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/WebGPUPlatform.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/backend/platforms/WebGPUPlatform.h
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public:
 
 protected:
     [[nodiscard]] Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+            const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 
 private:
     // returns adapter request option variations applicable for the particular
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/private/backend/CommandStream.h b/filament/backend/include/private/backend/CommandStream.h
index 5322f7ab67..608e8ddf31 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/private/backend/CommandStream.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/private/backend/CommandStream.h
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class CommandBase {
 protected:
     using Execute = Dispatcher::Execute;
 
-    constexpr explicit CommandBase(Execute execute) noexcept : mExecute(execute) {}
+    constexpr explicit CommandBase(Execute const execute) noexcept : mExecute(execute) {}
 
 public:
     // alignment of all Commands in the CommandStream
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     // executes this command and returns the next one
-    inline CommandBase* execute(Driver& driver) {
+    CommandBase* execute(Driver& driver) {
         // returning the next command by output parameter allows the compiler to perform the
         // tail-call optimization in the function called by mExecute, however that comes at
         // a cost here (writing and reading the stack at each iteration), in the end it's
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public:
         return reinterpret_cast<CommandBase*>(reinterpret_cast<intptr_t>(this) + next);
     }
 
-    inline ~CommandBase() noexcept = default;
+    ~CommandBase() noexcept = default;
 
 private:
     Execute mExecute;
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ struct CommandType<void (Driver::*)(ARGS...)> {
 
     public:
         template<typename M, typename D>
-        static inline void execute(M&& method, D&& driver, CommandBase* base, intptr_t* next) {
+        static void execute(M&& method, D&& driver, CommandBase* base, intptr_t* next) {
             Command* self = static_cast<Command*>(base);
             *next = align(sizeof(Command));
 #if DEBUG_COMMAND_STREAM
@@ -147,15 +147,15 @@ struct CommandType<void (Driver::*)(ARGS...)> {
         }
 
         // A command can be moved
-        inline Command(Command&& rhs) noexcept = default;
+        Command(Command&& rhs) noexcept = default;
 
         template<typename... A>
-        inline explicit constexpr Command(Execute execute, A&& ... args)
+        explicit constexpr Command(Execute const execute, A&& ... args) noexcept
                 : CommandBase(execute), mArgs(std::forward<A>(args)...) {
         }
 
         // placement new declared as "throw" to avoid the compiler's null-check
-        inline void* operator new(std::size_t, void* ptr) {
+        void* operator new(std::size_t, void* ptr) noexcept {
             assert_invariant(ptr);
             return ptr;
         }
@@ -171,8 +171,9 @@ class CustomCommand : public CommandBase {
     std::function<void()> mCommand;
     static void execute(Driver&, CommandBase* base, intptr_t* next);
 public:
-    inline CustomCommand(CustomCommand&& rhs) = default;
-    inline explicit CustomCommand(std::function<void()> cmd)
+    CustomCommand(CustomCommand&& rhs) = default;
+
+    explicit CustomCommand(std::function<void()> cmd)
             : CommandBase(execute), mCommand(std::move(cmd)) { }
 };
 
@@ -184,7 +185,7 @@ class NoopCommand : public CommandBase {
         *next = static_cast<NoopCommand*>(self)->mNext;
     }
 public:
-    inline constexpr explicit NoopCommand(void* next) noexcept
+    constexpr explicit NoopCommand(void* next) noexcept
             : CommandBase(execute), mNext(intptr_t((char *)next - (char *)this)) { }
 };
 
@@ -207,8 +208,8 @@ class CommandStream {
     template<typename T>
     struct AutoExecute {
         T closure;
-        inline explicit AutoExecute(T&& closure) : closure(std::forward<T>(closure)) {}
-        inline ~AutoExecute() { closure(); }
+        explicit AutoExecute(T&& closure) : closure(std::forward<T>(closure)) {}
+        ~AutoExecute() { closure(); }
     };
 
 public:
@@ -221,7 +222,7 @@ public:
 
 public:
 #define DECL_DRIVER_API(methodName, paramsDecl, params)                                         \
-    inline void methodName(paramsDecl) {                                                        \
+    inline void methodName(paramsDecl) noexcept {                                               \
         DEBUG_COMMAND_BEGIN(methodName, false, params);                                         \
         using Cmd = COMMAND_TYPE(methodName);                                                   \
         void* const p = allocateCommand(CommandBase::align(sizeof(Cmd)));                       \
@@ -230,7 +231,7 @@ public:
     }
 
 #define DECL_DRIVER_API_SYNCHRONOUS(RetType, methodName, paramsDecl, params)                    \
-    inline RetType methodName(paramsDecl) {                                                     \
+    inline RetType methodName(paramsDecl) noexcept {                                            \
         DEBUG_COMMAND_BEGIN(methodName, true, params);                                          \
         AutoExecute callOnExit([=, this](){                                                     \
             DEBUG_COMMAND_END(methodName, true);                                                \
@@ -239,7 +240,7 @@ public:
     }
 
 #define DECL_DRIVER_API_RETURN(RetType, methodName, paramsDecl, params)                         \
-    inline RetType methodName(paramsDecl) {                                                     \
+    inline RetType methodName(paramsDecl) noexcept {                                            \
         DEBUG_COMMAND_BEGIN(methodName, false, params);                                         \
         RetType result = mDriver.methodName##S();                                               \
         using Cmd = COMMAND_TYPE(methodName##R);                                                \
@@ -255,7 +256,7 @@ public:
     // This is for debugging only. Currently, CircularBuffer can only be written from a
     // single thread. In debug builds we assert this condition.
     // Call this first in the render loop.
-    inline void debugThreading() noexcept {
+    void debugThreading() noexcept {
 #ifndef NDEBUG
         mThreadId = utils::ThreadUtils::getThreadId();
 #endif
@@ -281,11 +282,11 @@ public:
      */
     template<typename PodType,
             typename = typename std::enable_if<std::is_trivially_destructible<PodType>::value>::type>
-    inline PodType* allocatePod(
+    PodType* allocatePod(
             size_t count = 1, size_t alignment = alignof(PodType)) noexcept;
 
 private:
-    inline void* allocateCommand(size_t size) {
+    void* allocateCommand(size_t const size) noexcept {
         assert_invariant(utils::ThreadUtils::isThisThread(mThreadId));
         return mCurrentBuffer.allocate(size);
     }
diff --git a/filament/backend/include/private/backend/HandleAllocator.h b/filament/backend/include/private/backend/HandleAllocator.h
index af355068cd..f0fb62434e 100644
--- a/filament/backend/include/private/backend/HandleAllocator.h
+++ b/filament/backend/include/private/backend/HandleAllocator.h
@@ -70,12 +70,12 @@ private:
 template<size_t P0, size_t P1, size_t P2>
 class HandleAllocator : public DebugTag {
 public:
-    HandleAllocator(const char* name, size_t size) noexcept;
+    HandleAllocator(const char* name, size_t size);
     HandleAllocator(const char* name, size_t size,
-            bool disableUseAfterFreeCheck, bool disableHeapHandleTags) noexcept;
+            bool disableUseAfterFreeCheck, bool disableHeapHandleTags);
     HandleAllocator(HandleAllocator const& rhs) = delete;
     HandleAllocator& operator=(HandleAllocator const& rhs) = delete;
-    ~HandleAllocator();
+    ~HandleAllocator() noexcept;
 
     /*
      * Constructs a D object and returns a Handle<D>
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public:
      *
      */
     template<typename D>
-    Handle<D> allocate() noexcept {
+    Handle<D> allocate() {
         Handle<D> h{ allocateHandle<D>() };
         return h;
     }
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ private:
     // allocation size this is always inlined, because all these do is to call
     // allocateHandleInPool()/deallocateHandleFromPool() with the right pool size.
     template<typename D>
-    HandleBase::HandleId allocateHandle() noexcept {
+    HandleBase::HandleId allocateHandle() {
         constexpr size_t BUCKET_SIZE = getBucketSize<D>();
         return allocateHandleInPool<BUCKET_SIZE>();
     }
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ private:
     // the code generated is not trivial (even if it's not insane either).
     template<size_t SIZE>
     UTILS_NOINLINE
-    HandleBase::HandleId allocateHandleInPool() noexcept {
+    HandleBase::HandleId allocateHandleInPool() {
         uint8_t age;
         void* p = mHandleArena.alloc(SIZE, alignof(std::max_align_t), 0, &age);
         if (UTILS_LIKELY(p)) {
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.cpp b/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.cpp
index 8d85a9f488..3854c11c17 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 namespace filament::backend {
 
-CallbackManager::CallbackManager(DriverBase& driver) noexcept
+CallbackManager::CallbackManager(DriverBase& driver)
     : mDriver(driver), mCallbacks(1) {
 }
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.h b/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.h
index f4aee24c39..49e6fe3c61 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/CallbackManager.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class CallbackManager {
 public:
     using Handle = Container::const_iterator;
 
-    explicit CallbackManager(DriverBase& driver) noexcept;
+    explicit CallbackManager(DriverBase& driver);
 
     ~CallbackManager() noexcept;
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ private:
         return --mCallbacks.end();
     }
 
-    Container::iterator allocateNewSlot() noexcept {
+    Container::iterator allocateNewSlot() {
         std::lock_guard const lock(mLock);
         auto curr = --mCallbacks.end();
         mCallbacks.emplace_back();
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/CommandStream.cpp b/filament/backend/src/CommandStream.cpp
index 02ededfa78..4266683f62 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/CommandStream.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/CommandStream.cpp
@@ -57,12 +57,15 @@ static void printParameterPack(io::ostream& out, const FIRST& first, const REMAI
     printParameterPack(out, rest...);
 }
 
-static UTILS_NOINLINE UTILS_UNUSED std::string_view extractMethodName(std::string_view command) noexcept {
-    constexpr const char startPattern[] = "::Command<&filament::backend::Driver::";
+static UTILS_NOINLINE UTILS_UNUSED std::string_view extractMethodName(std::string_view command) noexcept { // NOLINT(*-exception-escape)
+    constexpr char startPattern[] = "::Command<&filament::backend::Driver::";
     auto pos = command.rfind(startPattern);
     auto end = command.rfind('(');
     pos += sizeof(startPattern) - 1;
-    return command.substr(pos, end-pos);
+    if (pos > command.size()) {
+        return { command.data(), command.size() };
+    }
+    return command.substr(pos, end-pos); // this can't throw by construction
 }
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.cpp b/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.cpp
index c090eac66a..6590555cf8 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,14 @@
 
 #include <private/utils/Tracing.h>
 
+#include <utils/compiler.h>
+#include <utils/debug.h>
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <iterator>
 #include <memory>
+#include <mutex>
+#include <utility>
 
 namespace filament::backend {
 
@@ -36,7 +43,7 @@ CompilerThreadPool::~CompilerThreadPool() noexcept {
 }
 
 void CompilerThreadPool::init(uint32_t threadCount,
-        ThreadSetup&& threadSetup, ThreadCleanup&& threadCleanup) noexcept {
+        ThreadSetup&& threadSetup, ThreadCleanup&& threadCleanup) {
     auto setup = std::make_shared<ThreadSetup>(std::move(threadSetup));
     auto cleanup = std::make_shared<ThreadCleanup>(std::move(threadCleanup));
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.h b/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.h
index 03c3fe6cfe..993f991f7b 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/CompilerThreadPool.h
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ public:
     using Job = utils::Invocable<void()>;
     using ThreadSetup = utils::Invocable<void()>;
     using ThreadCleanup = utils::Invocable<void()>;
-    void init(uint32_t threadCount,
-            ThreadSetup&& threadSetup, ThreadCleanup&& threadCleanup) noexcept;
+    void init(uint32_t threadCount, ThreadSetup&& threadSetup, ThreadCleanup&& threadCleanup);
     void terminate() noexcept;
     void queue(CompilerPriorityQueue priorityQueue, program_token_t const& token, Job&& job);
     Job dequeue(program_token_t const& token);
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/Driver.cpp b/filament/backend/src/Driver.cpp
index 22cf90a156..e2f2e0a415 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/Driver.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/Driver.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ void DriverBase::purge() noexcept {
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-void DriverBase::scheduleDestroySlow(BufferDescriptor&& buffer) noexcept {
+void DriverBase::scheduleDestroySlow(BufferDescriptor&& buffer) {
     auto const handler = buffer.getHandler();
     scheduleCallback(handler, [buffer = std::move(buffer)]() {
         // user callback is called when BufferDescriptor gets destroyed
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ void DriverBase::scheduleDestroySlow(BufferDescriptor&& buffer) noexcept {
 
 // This is called from an async driver method so it's in the GL thread, but purge is called
 // on the user thread. This is typically called 0 or 1 times per frame.
-void DriverBase::scheduleRelease(AcquiredImage const& image) noexcept {
+void DriverBase::scheduleRelease(AcquiredImage const& image) {
     scheduleCallback(image.handler, [callback = image.callback, image = image.image, userData = image.userData]() {
         callback(image, userData);
     });
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/DriverBase.h b/filament/backend/src/DriverBase.h
index 4aef4844af..ff9502aba5 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/DriverBase.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/DriverBase.h
@@ -214,15 +214,15 @@ public:
 protected:
     class CallbackDataDetails;
 
-    void scheduleDestroy(BufferDescriptor&& buffer) noexcept {
+    void scheduleDestroy(BufferDescriptor&& buffer) {
         if (buffer.hasCallback()) {
             scheduleDestroySlow(std::move(buffer));
         }
     }
 
-    void scheduleDestroySlow(BufferDescriptor&& buffer) noexcept;
+    void scheduleDestroySlow(BufferDescriptor&& buffer);
 
-    void scheduleRelease(AcquiredImage const& image) noexcept;
+    void scheduleRelease(AcquiredImage const& image);
 
     void debugCommandBegin(CommandStream* cmds, bool synchronous, const char* methodName) noexcept override;
     void debugCommandEnd(CommandStream* cmds, bool synchronous, const char* methodName) noexcept override;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/HandleAllocator.cpp b/filament/backend/src/HandleAllocator.cpp
index a6b121c196..794064581a 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/HandleAllocator.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/HandleAllocator.cpp
@@ -81,19 +81,19 @@ HandleAllocator<P0, P1, P2>::Allocator::Allocator(AreaPolicy::HeapArea const& ar
 template <size_t P0, size_t P1, size_t P2>
 HandleAllocator<P0, P1, P2>::HandleAllocator(const char* name, size_t size,
         bool disableUseAfterFreeCheck,
-        bool disableHeapHandleTags) noexcept
+        bool disableHeapHandleTags)
     : mHandleArena(name, size, disableUseAfterFreeCheck),
       mUseAfterFreeCheckDisabled(disableUseAfterFreeCheck),
       mHeapHandleTagsDisabled(disableHeapHandleTags) {
 }
 
 template <size_t P0, size_t P1, size_t P2>
-HandleAllocator<P0, P1, P2>::HandleAllocator(const char* name, size_t size) noexcept
+HandleAllocator<P0, P1, P2>::HandleAllocator(const char* name, size_t size)
     : HandleAllocator(name, size, false, false) {
 }
 
 template <size_t P0, size_t P1, size_t P2>
-HandleAllocator<P0, P1, P2>::~HandleAllocator() {
+HandleAllocator<P0, P1, P2>::~HandleAllocator() noexcept {
     auto& overflowMap = mOverflowMap;
     if (!overflowMap.empty()) {
         PANIC_LOG("Not all handles have been freed. Probably leaking memory.");
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/Program.cpp b/filament/backend/src/Program.cpp
index 1771e6b935..cd230feb4f 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/Program.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/Program.cpp
@@ -41,37 +41,37 @@ Program& Program::operator=(Program&& rhs) noexcept = default;
 
 Program::~Program() noexcept = default;
 
-Program& Program::priorityQueue(CompilerPriorityQueue priorityQueue) noexcept {
+Program& Program::priorityQueue(CompilerPriorityQueue const priorityQueue) noexcept {
     mPriorityQueue = priorityQueue;
     return *this;
 }
 
 Program& Program::diagnostics(CString const& name,
-        Invocable<io::ostream&(utils::CString const& name, io::ostream&)>&& logger) {
+        Invocable<io::ostream&(CString const& name, io::ostream&)>&& logger) {
     mName = name;
     mLogger = std::move(logger);
     return *this;
 }
 
-Program& Program::shader(ShaderStage shader, void const* data, size_t size) {
+Program& Program::shader(ShaderStage shader, void const* data, size_t const size) {
     ShaderBlob blob(size);
     std::copy_n((const uint8_t *)data, size, blob.data());
     mShadersSource[size_t(shader)] = std::move(blob);
     return *this;
 }
 
-Program& Program::shaderLanguage(ShaderLanguage shaderLanguage) {
+Program& Program::shaderLanguage(ShaderLanguage const shaderLanguage) {
     mShaderLanguage = shaderLanguage;
     return *this;
 }
 
-Program& Program::descriptorBindings(backend::descriptor_set_t set,
+Program& Program::descriptorBindings(descriptor_set_t const set,
         DescriptorBindingsInfo descriptorBindings) noexcept {
     mDescriptorBindings[set] = std::move(descriptorBindings);
     return *this;
 }
 
-Program& Program::uniforms(uint32_t index, utils::CString name, UniformInfo uniforms) noexcept {
+Program& Program::uniforms(uint32_t index, CString name, UniformInfo uniforms) {
     mBindingUniformsInfo.reserve(mBindingUniformsInfo.capacity() + 1);
     mBindingUniformsInfo.emplace_back(index, std::move(name), std::move(uniforms));
     return *this;
@@ -88,17 +88,17 @@ Program& Program::specializationConstants(SpecializationConstantsInfo specConsta
 }
 
 Program& Program::pushConstants(ShaderStage stage,
-        utils::FixedCapacityVector<PushConstant> constants) noexcept {
+        FixedCapacityVector<PushConstant> constants) noexcept {
     mPushConstants[static_cast<uint8_t>(stage)] = std::move(constants);
     return *this;
 }
 
-Program& Program::cacheId(uint64_t cacheId) noexcept {
+Program& Program::cacheId(uint64_t const cacheId) noexcept {
     mCacheId = cacheId;
     return *this;
 }
 
-Program& Program::multiview(bool multiview) noexcept {
+Program& Program::multiview(bool const multiview) noexcept {
     mMultiview = multiview;
     return *this;
 }
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/metal/PlatformMetal.mm b/filament/backend/src/metal/PlatformMetal.mm
index d4733d75c5..222cbb71dd 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/metal/PlatformMetal.mm
+++ b/filament/backend/src/metal/PlatformMetal.mm
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ PlatformMetal::~PlatformMetal() noexcept {
     delete pImpl;
 }
 
-Driver* PlatformMetal::createDriver(void* /*sharedContext*/, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+Driver* PlatformMetal::createDriver(void* /*sharedContext*/, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     pImpl->mDrawableFailureBehavior = driverConfig.metalDisablePanicOnDrawableFailure
             ? DrawableFailureBehavior::ABORT_FRAME
             : DrawableFailureBehavior::PANIC;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.cpp b/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.cpp
index 5fb65c683e..e7724adcc8 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 namespace filament::backend {
 
-Driver* PlatformNoop::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+Driver* PlatformNoop::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     return NoopDriver::create();
 }
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.h b/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.h
index 8c0902d27c..1039c614c3 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/noop/PlatformNoop.h
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ public:
 
 protected:
 
-    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept override;
+    Driver* createDriver(void* sharedContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) override;
 };
 
 } // namespace filament
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.cpp
index 891c7389e1..fc5f7b7e87 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 
 #include <utils/BitmaskEnum.h>
 #include <utils/Log.h>
+#include <utils/Logger.h>
 #include <utils/Panic.h>
 #include <utils/bitset.h>
 #include <utils/compiler.h>
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@
 namespace filament::backend {
 
 GLDescriptorSet::GLDescriptorSet(OpenGLContext& gl, DescriptorSetLayoutHandle dslh,
-        GLDescriptorSetLayout const* layout) noexcept
+        GLDescriptorSetLayout const* layout)
         : descriptors(layout->maxDescriptorBinding + 1),
           dslh(std::move(dslh)) {
 
@@ -156,8 +157,9 @@ void GLDescriptorSet::update(OpenGLContext&,
             arg.bo = bo;
             arg.offset = uint32_t(offset);
         } else {
-            // API usage error. User asked to update the wrong type of descriptor.
-            PANIC_PRECONDITION("descriptor %d is not a buffer", +binding);
+            // User asked to update the wrong type of descriptor. This should never happen
+            // because we're checking that on the filament side
+            LOG(ERROR) << "descriptor " << +binding << " is not a buffer";
         }
     }, descriptors[binding].desc);
 }
@@ -214,8 +216,9 @@ void GLDescriptorSet::update(OpenGLContext& gl, HandleAllocatorGL& handleAllocat
                 arg.params = params;
             }
         } else {
-            // API usage error. User asked to update the wrong type of descriptor.
-            PANIC_PRECONDITION("descriptor %d is not a texture", +binding);
+            // User asked to update the wrong type of descriptor. This should never happen
+            // because we're checking that on the filament side
+            LOG(ERROR) << "descriptor " << +binding << " is not a texture";
         }
     }, descriptors[binding].desc);
 }
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.h b/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.h
index 89d8794c65..0770ae8ffc 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/GLDescriptorSet.h
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ struct GLDescriptorSet : public HwDescriptorSet {
     using HwDescriptorSet::HwDescriptorSet;
 
     GLDescriptorSet(OpenGLContext& gl, DescriptorSetLayoutHandle dslh,
-            GLDescriptorSetLayout const* layout) noexcept;
+            GLDescriptorSetLayout const* layout);
 
     // update a buffer descriptor in the set
     void update(OpenGLContext& gl,
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.cpp
index d6bde265bf..6bc97bb6e7 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.cpp
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ void OpenGLContext::terminate() noexcept {
 }
 
 void OpenGLContext::destroyWithContext(
-        size_t index, std::function<void(OpenGLContext&)> const& closure) noexcept {
+        size_t index, std::function<void(OpenGLContext&)> const& closure) {
     if (index == 0) {
         // Note: we only need to delay the destruction of objects on the unprotected context
         // (index 0) because the protected context is always immediately destroyed and all its
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ void OpenGLContext::unbindEverything() noexcept {
     //        worry about.
 }
 
-void OpenGLContext::synchronizeStateAndCache(size_t index) noexcept {
+void OpenGLContext::synchronizeStateAndCache(size_t index) {
 
     // if we're just switching back to context 0, run all the pending destructors
     if (index == 0) {
@@ -865,10 +865,12 @@ GLuint OpenGLContext::bindFramebuffer(GLenum target, GLuint buffer) noexcept {
     if (UTILS_UNLIKELY(buffer == 0)) {
         // we're binding the default frame buffer, resolve its actual name
         auto& defaultFboForThisContext = mDefaultFbo[contextIndex];
+
         if (UTILS_UNLIKELY(!defaultFboForThisContext.has_value())) {
             defaultFboForThisContext = GLuint(mPlatform.getDefaultFramebufferObject());
         }
-        buffer = defaultFboForThisContext.value();
+        // by construction, defaultFboForThisContext has a value. value_or() avoids a throwing call.
+        buffer = defaultFboForThisContext.value_or(0);
     }
     bindFramebufferResolved(target, buffer);
     return buffer;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.h b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.h
index abecf3a7bd..526bdbaeae 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLContext.h
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ public:
     void deleteBuffer(GLuint buffer, GLenum target) noexcept;
     void deleteVertexArray(GLuint vao) noexcept;
 
-    void destroyWithContext(size_t index, std::function<void(OpenGLContext&)> const& closure) noexcept;
+    void destroyWithContext(size_t index, std::function<void(OpenGLContext&)> const& closure);
 
     // glGet*() values
     struct Gets {
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ public:
     } procs{};
 
     void unbindEverything() noexcept;
-    void synchronizeStateAndCache(size_t index) noexcept;
+    void synchronizeStateAndCache(size_t index);
 
 #ifndef FILAMENT_SILENCE_NOT_SUPPORTED_BY_ES2
     GLuint getSamplerSlow(SamplerParams sp) const noexcept;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.cpp
index e000cfbf0c..71db3ebb1e 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.cpp
@@ -3213,7 +3213,7 @@ void OpenGLDriver::setExternalStream(Handle<HwTexture> th, Handle<HwStream> sh)
 }
 
 UTILS_NOINLINE
-void OpenGLDriver::attachStream(GLTexture* t, GLStream* hwStream) noexcept {
+void OpenGLDriver::attachStream(GLTexture* t, GLStream* hwStream) {
     mTexturesWithStreamsAttached.push_back(t);
 
     switch (hwStream->streamType) {
@@ -3799,16 +3799,16 @@ void OpenGLDriver::readBufferSubData(BufferObjectHandle boh,
 }
 
 
-void OpenGLDriver::runEveryNowAndThen(std::function<bool()> fn) noexcept {
+void OpenGLDriver::runEveryNowAndThen(std::function<bool()> fn) {
     mEveryNowAndThenOps.push_back(std::move(fn));
 }
 
-void OpenGLDriver::executeEveryNowAndThenOps() noexcept {
+void OpenGLDriver::executeEveryNowAndThenOps() noexcept { // NOLINT(*-exception-escape)
     auto& v = mEveryNowAndThenOps;
     auto it = v.begin();
     while (it != v.end()) {
         if ((*it)()) {
-            it = v.erase(it);
+            it = v.erase(it); // cannot throw by construction
         } else {
             ++it;
         }
@@ -3816,17 +3816,17 @@ void OpenGLDriver::executeEveryNowAndThenOps() noexcept {
 }
 
 #ifndef FILAMENT_SILENCE_NOT_SUPPORTED_BY_ES2
-void OpenGLDriver::whenFrameComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn) noexcept {
+void OpenGLDriver::whenFrameComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn) {
     mFrameCompleteOps.push_back(fn);
 }
 
-void OpenGLDriver::whenGpuCommandsComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn) noexcept {
+void OpenGLDriver::whenGpuCommandsComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn) {
     GLsync sync = glFenceSync(GL_SYNC_GPU_COMMANDS_COMPLETE, 0);
     mGpuCommandCompleteOps.emplace_back(sync, fn);
     CHECK_GL_ERROR()
 }
 
-void OpenGLDriver::executeGpuCommandsCompleteOps() noexcept {
+void OpenGLDriver::executeGpuCommandsCompleteOps() noexcept { // NOLINT(*-exception-escape)
     auto& v = mGpuCommandCompleteOps;
     auto it = v.begin();
     while (it != v.end()) {
@@ -3842,13 +3842,13 @@ void OpenGLDriver::executeGpuCommandsCompleteOps() noexcept {
                 // ready
                 it->second();
                 glDeleteSync(sync);
-                it = v.erase(it);
+                it = v.erase(it); // cannot throw by construction
                 break;
             default:
                 // This should never happen, but is very problematic if it does, as we might leak
                 // some data depending on what the callback does. However, we clean up our own state.
                 glDeleteSync(sync);
-                it = v.erase(it);
+                it = v.erase(it); // cannot throw by construction
                 break;
         }
     }
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.h b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.h
index 223ff262d7..f6899dd8e5 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLDriver.h
@@ -395,23 +395,23 @@ private:
 
     std::unordered_map<GLuint, BufferObjectStreamDescriptor> mStreamUniformDescriptors;
 
-    void attachStream(GLTexture* t, GLStream* stream) noexcept;
+    void attachStream(GLTexture* t, GLStream* stream);
     void detachStream(GLTexture* t) noexcept;
     void replaceStream(GLTexture* t, GLStream* stream) noexcept;
     math::mat3f getStreamTransformMatrix(Handle<HwStream> sh);
 
 #ifndef FILAMENT_SILENCE_NOT_SUPPORTED_BY_ES2
     // tasks executed on the main thread after the fence signaled
-    void whenGpuCommandsComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn) noexcept;
+    void whenGpuCommandsComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn);
     void executeGpuCommandsCompleteOps() noexcept;
     std::vector<std::pair<GLsync, std::function<void()>>> mGpuCommandCompleteOps;
 
-    void whenFrameComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn) noexcept;
+    void whenFrameComplete(const std::function<void()>& fn);
     std::vector<std::function<void()>> mFrameCompleteOps;
 #endif
 
     // tasks regularly executed on the main thread at until they return true
-    void runEveryNowAndThen(std::function<bool()> fn) noexcept;
+    void runEveryNowAndThen(std::function<bool()> fn);
     void executeEveryNowAndThenOps() noexcept;
     std::vector<std::function<bool()>> mEveryNowAndThenOps;
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.cpp
index c506eb8af9..1b80b7e484 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.cpp
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ void OpenGLProgram::initialize(OpenGLDriver& gld) {
  * checkProgramStatus() has been successfully called.
  */
 void OpenGLProgram::initializeProgramState(OpenGLContext& context, GLuint program,
-        LazyInitializationData& lazyInitializationData) noexcept {
+        LazyInitializationData& lazyInitializationData) {
     FILAMENT_TRACING_CALL(FILAMENT_TRACING_CATEGORY_FILAMENT);
 
     // from the pipeline layout we compute a mapping from {set, binding} to {binding}
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.h b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.h
index db3723e972..4d4a1ca17b 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLProgram.h
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ private:
     void initialize(OpenGLDriver& gld);
 
     void initializeProgramState(OpenGLContext& context, GLuint program,
-            LazyInitializationData& lazyInitializationData) noexcept;
+            LazyInitializationData& lazyInitializationData);
 
     BindingMap mBindingMap;     // 8 bytes + out-of-line 256 bytes
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.cpp
index 16ee07c3b2..2d8aedc947 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class OpenGLDriver;
 bool TimerQueryFactory::mGpuTimeSupported = false;
 
 TimerQueryFactoryInterface* TimerQueryFactory::init(
-        OpenGLPlatform& platform, OpenGLContext& context) noexcept {
+        OpenGLPlatform& platform, OpenGLContext& context) {
     (void)context;
 
     TimerQueryFactoryInterface* impl = nullptr;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.h b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.h
index 85c005ea84..1187f0bbab 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/OpenGLTimerQuery.h
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class TimerQueryFactory {
     static bool mGpuTimeSupported;
 public:
     static TimerQueryFactoryInterface* init(
-            OpenGLPlatform& platform, OpenGLContext& context) noexcept;
+            OpenGLPlatform& platform, OpenGLContext& context);
 
     static bool isGpuTimeSupported() noexcept {
         return mGpuTimeSupported;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.cpp
index aa0dc61953..88d66886ab 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ static CString to_string(int const i) { return utils::to_string(i); }
 static CString to_string(float const f) { return "float(" + utils::to_string(f) + ")"; }
 
 static void logCompilationError(ShaderStage shaderType, const char* name, GLuint shaderId,
-        Program::ShaderBlob const& sourceCode) noexcept;
+        Program::ShaderBlob const& sourceCode);
 static void logProgramLinkError(char const* name, GLuint program) noexcept;
 
 static void process_GOOGLE_cpp_style_line_directive(OpenGLContext const& context, char* source,
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ static void process_GOOGLE_cpp_style_line_directive(OpenGLContext const& context
 static void process_OVR_multiview2(OpenGLContext const& context, int32_t eyeCount, char* source,
         size_t len) noexcept;
 static std::string_view process_ARB_shading_language_packing(OpenGLContext& context) noexcept;
-static std::array<std::string_view, 3> splitShaderSource(std::string_view source) noexcept;
+static std::array<std::string_view, 3> splitShaderSource(std::string_view source);
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ ShaderCompilerService::program_token_t ShaderCompilerService::createProgram(
 }
 
 void ShaderCompilerService::compileProgram(
-        program_token_t const& token, Program&& program) noexcept {
+        program_token_t const& token, Program&& program) {
     auto& gl = mDriver.getContext();
     CompilerPriorityQueue const priorityQueue = program.getPriorityQueue();
     switch (mMode) {
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ void ShaderCompilerService::handleCanceledTokensForThreadPool() {
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 void ShaderCompilerService::runAtNextTick(CompilerPriorityQueue priority,
-        program_token_t const& token, Job job) noexcept {
+        program_token_t const& token, Job job) {
     // insert items in order of priority and at the end of the range
     auto& ops = mRunAtNextTickOps;
     auto const pos = std::lower_bound(ops.begin(), ops.end(), priority,
@@ -614,7 +614,7 @@ bool ShaderCompilerService::cancelTickOp(program_token_t const& token) noexcept
     return false;
 }
 
-void ShaderCompilerService::executeTickOps() noexcept {
+void ShaderCompilerService::executeTickOps() {
     auto& ops = mRunAtNextTickOps;
     auto it = ops.begin();
     while (it != ops.end()) {
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@ bool ShaderCompilerService::shouldCompileSynchronousProgramThisTick() const noex
                     mNumTicksUntilNextSynchronousProgram == 0);
 }
 
-void ShaderCompilerService::compilePendingSynchronousPrograms() noexcept {
+void ShaderCompilerService::compilePendingSynchronousPrograms() {
     if (mDriver.getDriverConfig().disableAmortizedShaderCompile) {
         return;
     }
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ void ShaderCompilerService::compilePendingSynchronousPrograms() noexcept {
 }
 
 void ShaderCompilerService::compilePendingSynchronousProgramNow(
-        program_token_t const& token) noexcept {
+        program_token_t const& token) {
     if (mDriver.getDriverConfig().disableAmortizedShaderCompile) {
         return;
     }
@@ -692,7 +692,7 @@ void ShaderCompilerService::cancelPendingSynchronousProgram(program_token_t cons
 /* static */ void ShaderCompilerService::compileShaders(OpenGLContext& context,
         Program::ShaderSource shadersSource,
         FixedCapacityVector<Program::SpecializationConstant> const& specializationConstants,
-        bool multiview, program_token_t const& token) noexcept {
+        bool multiview, program_token_t const& token) {
     FILAMENT_TRACING_CALL(FILAMENT_TRACING_CATEGORY_FILAMENT);
 
     auto const appendSpecConstantString = +[](CString& s, Program::SpecializationConstant const& sc) {
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ void ShaderCompilerService::cancelPendingSynchronousProgram(program_token_t cons
     return true;
 }
 
-/* static */ void ShaderCompilerService::checkCompileStatus(program_token_t const& token) noexcept {
+/* static */ void ShaderCompilerService::checkCompileStatus(program_token_t const& token) {
     FILAMENT_TRACING_CALL(FILAMENT_TRACING_CATEGORY_FILAMENT);
 
     UTILS_NOUNROLL
@@ -839,7 +839,7 @@ void ShaderCompilerService::cancelPendingSynchronousProgram(program_token_t cons
 }
 
 /* static */ void ShaderCompilerService::linkProgram(OpenGLContext const& context,
-        program_token_t const& token) noexcept {
+        program_token_t const& token) {
     FILAMENT_TRACING_CALL(FILAMENT_TRACING_CATEGORY_FILAMENT);
 
     // Shader compilation should be completed by now. Check the status and log errors on failure.
@@ -933,7 +933,7 @@ void ShaderCompilerService::cancelPendingSynchronousProgram(program_token_t cons
 UTILS_NOINLINE
 /* static */ void logCompilationError(ShaderStage shaderType, const char* name,
         GLuint const shaderId,
-        UTILS_UNUSED_IN_RELEASE Program::ShaderBlob const& sourceCode) noexcept {
+        UTILS_UNUSED_IN_RELEASE Program::ShaderBlob const& sourceCode) {
 
     // Collects the current GL error for additional context. While often redundant,
     // errors like `GL_CONTEXT_LOST` can occur asynchronously after `glCompileShader`.
@@ -1179,7 +1179,7 @@ mediump vec4 unpackSnorm4x8(highp uint v) {
 // - the version line
 // - extensions
 // - everything else
-/* static */ std::array<std::string_view, 3> splitShaderSource(std::string_view source) noexcept {
+/* static */ std::array<std::string_view, 3> splitShaderSource(std::string_view source) {
     auto const version_start = source.find("#version");
     assert_invariant(version_start != std::string_view::npos);
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.h b/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.h
index 00ed62ca70..db11dce1ab 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.h
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/ShaderCompilerService.h
@@ -148,16 +148,16 @@ private:
 
     // Methods for SYNCHRONOUS and ASYNCHRONOUS modes.
     void runAtNextTick(CompilerPriorityQueue priority, program_token_t const& token,
-            Job job) noexcept;
-    void executeTickOps() noexcept;
+            Job job);
+    void executeTickOps();
     bool cancelTickOp(program_token_t const& token) noexcept;
 
     bool shouldCompileSynchronousProgramThisTick() const noexcept;
-    void compilePendingSynchronousPrograms() noexcept;
-    void compilePendingSynchronousProgramNow(program_token_t const& token) noexcept;
+    void compilePendingSynchronousPrograms();
+    void compilePendingSynchronousProgramNow(program_token_t const& token);
     void cancelPendingSynchronousProgram(program_token_t const& token) noexcept;
 
-    void compileProgram(program_token_t const& token, Program&& program) noexcept;
+    void compileProgram(program_token_t const& token, Program&& program);
 
     // Compile shaders with the given `shaderSource`. `gl.shaders` is always populated with valid
     // shader IDs after this method. But this doesn't necessarily mean the shaders are successfully
@@ -165,20 +165,20 @@ private:
     static void compileShaders(OpenGLContext& context, Program::ShaderSource shadersSource,
             utils::FixedCapacityVector<Program::SpecializationConstant> const&
                     specializationConstants,
-            bool multiview, program_token_t const& token) noexcept;
+            bool multiview, program_token_t const& token);
 
     // Check if the shader compilation is completed. You may want to call this when the extension
     // `KHR_parallel_shader_compile` is enabled.
     static bool isCompileCompleted(program_token_t const& token) noexcept;
 
     // Check compilation status of the shaders and log errors on failure.
-    static void checkCompileStatus(program_token_t const& token) noexcept;
+    static void checkCompileStatus(program_token_t const& token);
 
     // Create a program by linking the compiled shaders. `gl.program` is always populated with a
     // valid program ID after this method. But this doesn't necessarily mean the program is
     // successfully linked. Errors can be checked by calling `checkLinkStatusAndCleanupShaders`
     // later.
-    static void linkProgram(OpenGLContext const& context, program_token_t const& token) noexcept;
+    static void linkProgram(OpenGLContext const& context, program_token_t const& token);
 
     // Check if the program link is completed. You may want to call this when the extension
     // `KHR_parallel_shader_compile` is enabled.
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.mm b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.mm
index 9e22ef5f96..4e6f72f30b 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.mm
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaGL.mm
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ PlatformCocoaGL::~PlatformCocoaGL() noexcept {
     delete pImpl;
 }
 
-Driver* PlatformCocoaGL::createDriver(void* sharedContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+Driver* PlatformCocoaGL::createDriver(void* sharedContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     // NSOpenGLPFAColorSize: when unspecified, a format that matches the screen is preferred
     NSOpenGLPixelFormatAttribute pixelFormatAttributes[] = {
             NSOpenGLPFAOpenGLProfile, NSOpenGLProfileVersion3_2Core,
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.mm b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.mm
index aee19daadc..5fac25e5bc 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.mm
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformCocoaTouchGL.mm
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ PlatformCocoaTouchGL::~PlatformCocoaTouchGL() noexcept {
     delete pImpl;
 }
 
-Driver* PlatformCocoaTouchGL::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+Driver* PlatformCocoaTouchGL::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext, const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     EAGLSharegroup* sharegroup = (__bridge EAGLSharegroup*) sharedGLContext;
 
     EAGLContext *context = [[EAGLContext alloc] initWithAPI:kEAGLRenderingAPIOpenGLES3 sharegroup:sharegroup];
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGL.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGL.cpp
index 0b676b6697..60b22f7d50 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGL.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGL.cpp
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ bool PlatformEGL::isOpenGL() const noexcept {
 
 PlatformEGL::ExternalImageEGL::~ExternalImageEGL() = default;
 
-Driver* PlatformEGL::createDriver(void* sharedContext, const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+Driver* PlatformEGL::createDriver(void* sharedContext, const DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     mEGLDisplay = eglGetDisplay(EGL_DEFAULT_DISPLAY);
     assert_invariant(mEGLDisplay != EGL_NO_DISPLAY);
 
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ bool PlatformEGL::isMSAASwapChainSupported(uint32_t samples) const noexcept {
 }
 
 Platform::SwapChain* PlatformEGL::createSwapChain(
-        void* nativeWindow, uint64_t flags) noexcept {
+        void* nativeWindow, uint64_t flags) {
 
     Config attribs;
 
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ Platform::SwapChain* PlatformEGL::createSwapChain(
 }
 
 Platform::SwapChain* PlatformEGL::createSwapChain(
-        uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint64_t flags) noexcept {
+        uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint64_t flags) {
 
     Config attribs = {
             { EGL_WIDTH,  EGLint(width) },
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.cpp
index 5b2b33aa94..fa338ab91f 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLAndroid.cpp
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ void backend::PlatformEGLAndroid::preCommit() noexcept {
 }
 
 Driver* PlatformEGLAndroid::createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
 
     // the refresh rate default value doesn't matter, we change it later
     int32_t const tid = gettid();
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.cpp
index 0558c6008f..f9543ad669 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformEGLHeadless.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ bool PlatformEGLHeadless::isOpenGL() const noexcept {
 }
 
 backend::Driver* PlatformEGLHeadless::createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     EGLBoolean bindAPI = eglBindAPI(EGL_OPENGL_API);
     if (UTILS_UNLIKELY(!bindAPI)) {
         LOG(ERROR) << "eglBindAPI EGL_OPENGL_API failed";
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformGLX.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformGLX.cpp
index c1ec2fe882..aab7899f8c 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformGLX.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformGLX.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ namespace filament::backend {
 using namespace backend;
 
 Driver* PlatformGLX::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-        const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        const DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     loadLibraries();
     // Get the display device
     mGLXDisplay = g_x11.openDisplay(NULL);
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.cpp
index b6841a8d53..3ad4398f1b 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformOSMesa.cpp
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ private:
 }// anonymous namespace
 
 Driver* PlatformOSMesa::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-        const DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        const DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
 
     OSMesaAPI* api = new OSMesaAPI();
     mOsMesaApi = api;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWGL.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWGL.cpp
index 52392bdcd9..d223c13570 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWGL.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWGL.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ struct WGLSwapChain {
 static PFNWGLCREATECONTEXTATTRIBSARBPROC wglCreateContextAttribs = nullptr;
 
 Driver* PlatformWGL::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     int result = 0;
     int pixelFormat = 0;
     DWORD dwError = 0;
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWebGL.cpp b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWebGL.cpp
index 3e31ea074e..35dd06c628 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWebGL.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/opengl/platforms/PlatformWebGL.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace filament::backend {
 using namespace backend;
 
 Driver* PlatformWebGL::createDriver(void* sharedGLContext,
-        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     return OpenGLPlatform::createDefaultDriver(this, sharedGLContext, driverConfig);
 }
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/vulkan/platform/VulkanPlatform.cpp b/filament/backend/src/vulkan/platform/VulkanPlatform.cpp
index c1da371f1b..ab46d09292 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/vulkan/platform/VulkanPlatform.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/vulkan/platform/VulkanPlatform.cpp
@@ -713,7 +713,7 @@ void VulkanPlatform::terminate() {
 
 // This is the main entry point for context creation.
 Driver* VulkanPlatform::createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-        Platform::DriverConfig const& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        Platform::DriverConfig const& driverConfig) {
     // Load Vulkan entry points.
     FILAMENT_CHECK_POSTCONDITION(bluevk::initialize()) << "BlueVK is unable to load entry points.";
 
diff --git a/filament/backend/src/webgpu/platform/WebGPUPlatform.cpp b/filament/backend/src/webgpu/platform/WebGPUPlatform.cpp
index 6f9f682e3c..f881420454 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/webgpu/platform/WebGPUPlatform.cpp
+++ b/filament/backend/src/webgpu/platform/WebGPUPlatform.cpp
@@ -694,7 +694,7 @@ wgpu::Device WebGPUPlatform::requestDevice(wgpu::Adapter const& adapter) {
 }
 
 Driver* WebGPUPlatform::createDriver(void* sharedContext,
-        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) noexcept {
+        const Platform::DriverConfig& driverConfig) {
     if (sharedContext) {
         FWGPU_LOGW << "sharedContext is ignored/unused in the WebGPU backend. A non-null "
                       "sharedContext was provided, but it will be ignored.";
diff --git a/filament/src/FrameInfo.cpp b/filament/src/FrameInfo.cpp
index 5069f55913..e99a4baa3b 100644
--- a/filament/src/FrameInfo.cpp
+++ b/filament/src/FrameInfo.cpp
@@ -107,18 +107,19 @@ void FrameInfoManager::beginFrame(DriverApi& driver, Config const& config, uint3
         // read the pending timer queries until we find one that's not ready
     }
 
+#if 0
     // keep this just for debugging
-    if constexpr (false) {
-        using namespace utils;
-        auto h = getFrameInfoHistory(1);
-        if (!h.empty()) {
-            DLOG(INFO) << frameId << ": " << h[0].frameId << " (" << frameId - h[0].frameId << ")"
-                       << ", Dm=" << h[0].endFrame - h[0].beginFrame
-                       << ", L =" << h[0].backendBeginFrame - h[0].beginFrame
-                       << ", Db=" << h[0].backendEndFrame - h[0].backendBeginFrame
-                       << ", T =" << h[0].frameTime;
-        }
+    using namespace utils;
+    auto h = getFrameInfoHistory(1); // this can throw
+    if (!h.empty()) {
+        DLOG(INFO) << frameId << ": " << h[0].frameId << " (" << frameId - h[0].frameId <<
+                ")"
+                << ", Dm=" << h[0].endFrame - h[0].beginFrame
+                << ", L =" << h[0].backendBeginFrame - h[0].beginFrame
+                << ", Db=" << h[0].backendEndFrame - h[0].backendBeginFrame
+                << ", T =" << h[0].frameTime;
     }
+#endif
 }
 
 void FrameInfoManager::endFrame(DriverApi& driver) noexcept {
@@ -172,7 +173,7 @@ void FrameInfoManager::denoiseFrameTime(FrameHistoryQueue& history, Config const
 }
 
 FixedCapacityVector<Renderer::FrameInfo> FrameInfoManager::getFrameInfoHistory(
-        size_t historySize) const noexcept {
+        size_t historySize) const {
     auto result = FixedCapacityVector<Renderer::FrameInfo>::with_capacity(MAX_FRAMETIME_HISTORY);
     auto const& history = mFrameTimeHistory;
     size_t i = 0;
@@ -188,6 +189,7 @@ FixedCapacityVector<Renderer::FrameInfo> FrameInfoManager::getFrameInfoHistory(
     for (; i < c && historySize; ++i, --historySize) {
         auto const& entry = history[i];
         using namespace std::chrono;
+        // can't throw by construction
         result.push_back({
                 entry.frameId,
                 duration_cast<nanoseconds>(entry.frameTime).count(),
diff --git a/filament/src/FrameInfo.h b/filament/src/FrameInfo.h
index 5393f789fc..a110f235c7 100644
--- a/filament/src/FrameInfo.h
+++ b/filament/src/FrameInfo.h
@@ -123,11 +123,11 @@ public:
         return *this;
     }
 
-    size_t capacity() const {
+    size_t capacity() const noexcept {
         return CAPACITY;
     }
 
-    size_t size() const {
+    size_t size() const noexcept {
         return mSize;
     }
 
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ private:
     Storage mStorage[CAPACITY];
     uint32_t mFront = 0;
     uint32_t mSize = 0;
-    [[nodiscard]] inline uint32_t advance(uint32_t const v) noexcept {
+    [[nodiscard]] uint32_t advance(uint32_t const v) noexcept {
         return (v + 1) % CAPACITY;
     }
 };
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ public:
         return pFront ? *pFront : details::FrameInfo{};
     }
 
-    utils::FixedCapacityVector<Renderer::FrameInfo> getFrameInfoHistory(size_t historySize) const noexcept;
+    utils::FixedCapacityVector<Renderer::FrameInfo> getFrameInfoHistory(size_t historySize) const;
 
 private:
     using FrameHistoryQueue = CircularQueue<FrameInfoImpl, MAX_FRAMETIME_HISTORY>;
@@ -232,11 +232,11 @@ private:
         backend::Handle<backend::HwTimerQuery> handle{};
         FrameInfoImpl* pInfo = nullptr;
     };
-    std::array<Query, POOL_COUNT> mQueries;
+    std::array<Query, POOL_COUNT> mQueries{};
     uint32_t mIndex = 0;                // index of current query
     uint32_t mLast = 0;                 // index of oldest query still active
     FrameInfoImpl* pFront = nullptr;    // the most recent slot with a valid frame time
-    FrameHistoryQueue mFrameTimeHistory;
+    FrameHistoryQueue mFrameTimeHistory{};
 };