diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_io.c b/bgpd/bgp_io.c
index f4bfc90b7e..59b2d1cdaa 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_io.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_io.c
@@ -51,100 +51,12 @@ static bool validate_header(struct peer *);
 #define BGP_IO_TRANS_ERR (1 << 0) // EAGAIN or similar occurred
 #define BGP_IO_FATAL_ERR (1 << 1) // some kind of fatal TCP error
 
-/* Plumbing & control variables for thread lifecycle
- * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ */
-bool bgp_io_thread_run;
-pthread_mutex_t *running_cond_mtx;
-pthread_cond_t *running_cond;
-
-/* Unused callback for thread_add_read() */
-static int bgp_io_dummy(struct thread *thread) { return 0; }
-
-/* Poison pill task */
-static int bgp_io_finish(struct thread *thread)
-{
-	bgp_io_thread_run = false;
-	return 0;
-}
-
-/* Extern lifecycle control functions. init -> start -> stop
- * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ */
-void bgp_io_init()
-{
-	bgp_io_thread_run = false;
-
-	running_cond_mtx = XCALLOC(MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM, sizeof(pthread_mutex_t));
-	running_cond = XCALLOC(MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM, sizeof(pthread_cond_t));
-
-	pthread_mutex_init(running_cond_mtx, NULL);
-	pthread_cond_init(running_cond, NULL);
-
-	/* unlocked in bgp_io_wait_running() */
-	pthread_mutex_lock(running_cond_mtx);
-}
-
-void *bgp_io_start(void *arg)
-{
-	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
-	fpt->master->owner = pthread_self();
-
-	// fd so we can sleep in poll()
-	int sleeper[2];
-	pipe(sleeper);
-	thread_add_read(fpt->master, &bgp_io_dummy, NULL, sleeper[0], NULL);
-
-	// we definitely don't want to handle signals
-	fpt->master->handle_signals = false;
-
-	struct thread task;
-
-	pthread_mutex_lock(running_cond_mtx);
-	{
-		bgp_io_thread_run = true;
-		pthread_cond_signal(running_cond);
-	}
-	pthread_mutex_unlock(running_cond_mtx);
-
-	while (bgp_io_thread_run) {
-		if (thread_fetch(fpt->master, &task)) {
-			thread_call(&task);
-		}
-	}
-
-	close(sleeper[1]);
-	close(sleeper[0]);
-
-	return NULL;
-}
-
-void bgp_io_wait_running()
-{
-	while (!bgp_io_thread_run)
-		pthread_cond_wait(running_cond, running_cond_mtx);
-
-	/* locked in bgp_io_init() */
-	pthread_mutex_unlock(running_cond_mtx);
-}
-
-int bgp_io_stop(void **result, struct frr_pthread *fpt)
-{
-	thread_add_event(fpt->master, &bgp_io_finish, NULL, 0, NULL);
-	pthread_join(fpt->thread, result);
-
-	pthread_mutex_destroy(running_cond_mtx);
-	pthread_cond_destroy(running_cond);
-
-	XFREE(MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM, running_cond_mtx);
-	XFREE(MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM, running_cond);
-
-	return 0;
-}
-
-/* Extern API -------------------------------------------------------------- */
+/* Thread external API ----------------------------------------------------- */
 
 void bgp_writes_on(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	assert(bgp_io_thread_run);
+	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
+	assert(fpt->running);
 
 	assert(peer->status != Deleted);
 	assert(peer->obuf);
@@ -154,8 +66,6 @@ void bgp_writes_on(struct peer *peer)
 	assert(!peer->t_connect_check_w);
 	assert(peer->fd);
 
-	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
-
 	thread_add_write(fpt->master, bgp_process_writes, peer, peer->fd,
 			 &peer->t_write);
 	SET_FLAG(peer->thread_flags, PEER_THREAD_WRITES_ON);
@@ -163,9 +73,8 @@ void bgp_writes_on(struct peer *peer)
 
 void bgp_writes_off(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	assert(bgp_io_thread_run);
-
 	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
+	assert(fpt->running);
 
 	thread_cancel_async(fpt->master, &peer->t_write, NULL);
 	THREAD_OFF(peer->t_generate_updgrp_packets);
@@ -175,7 +84,8 @@ void bgp_writes_off(struct peer *peer)
 
 void bgp_reads_on(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	assert(bgp_io_thread_run);
+	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
+	assert(fpt->running);
 
 	assert(peer->status != Deleted);
 	assert(peer->ibuf);
@@ -186,8 +96,6 @@ void bgp_reads_on(struct peer *peer)
 	assert(!peer->t_connect_check_w);
 	assert(peer->fd);
 
-	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
-
 	thread_add_read(fpt->master, bgp_process_reads, peer, peer->fd,
 			&peer->t_read);
 
@@ -196,9 +104,8 @@ void bgp_reads_on(struct peer *peer)
 
 void bgp_reads_off(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	assert(bgp_io_thread_run);
-
 	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
+	assert(fpt->running);
 
 	thread_cancel_async(fpt->master, &peer->t_read, NULL);
 	THREAD_OFF(peer->t_process_packet);
@@ -206,9 +113,9 @@ void bgp_reads_off(struct peer *peer)
 	UNSET_FLAG(peer->thread_flags, PEER_THREAD_READS_ON);
 }
 
-/* Internal functions ------------------------------------------------------- */
+/* Thread internal functions ----------------------------------------------- */
 
-/**
+/*
  * Called from I/O pthread when a file descriptor has become ready for writing.
  */
 static int bgp_process_writes(struct thread *thread)
@@ -231,11 +138,13 @@ static int bgp_process_writes(struct thread *thread)
 	}
 	pthread_mutex_unlock(&peer->io_mtx);
 
-	if (CHECK_FLAG(status, BGP_IO_TRANS_ERR)) { /* no problem */
+	/* no problem */
+	if (CHECK_FLAG(status, BGP_IO_TRANS_ERR)) {
 	}
 
+	/* problem */
 	if (CHECK_FLAG(status, BGP_IO_FATAL_ERR)) {
-		reschedule = false; /* problem */
+		reschedule = false;
 		fatal = true;
 	}
 
@@ -250,7 +159,7 @@ static int bgp_process_writes(struct thread *thread)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-/**
+/*
  * Called from I/O pthread when a file descriptor has become ready for reading,
  * or has hung up.
  *
@@ -321,8 +230,10 @@ static int bgp_process_reads(struct thread *thread)
 		/* if this fails we are seriously screwed */
 		assert(pktsize <= BGP_MAX_PACKET_SIZE);
 
-		/* If we have that much data, chuck it into its own
-		 * stream and append to input queue for processing. */
+		/*
+		 * If we have that much data, chuck it into its own
+		 * stream and append to input queue for processing.
+		 */
 		if (ringbuf_remain(ibw) >= pktsize) {
 			struct stream *pkt = stream_new(pktsize);
 			assert(ringbuf_get(ibw, pktbuf, pktsize) == pktsize);
@@ -356,7 +267,7 @@ static int bgp_process_reads(struct thread *thread)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-/**
+/*
  * Flush peer output buffer.
  *
  * This function pops packets off of peer->obuf and writes them to peer->fd.
@@ -379,7 +290,6 @@ static uint16_t bgp_write(struct peer *peer)
 	uint16_t status = 0;
 	uint32_t wpkt_quanta_old;
 
-	// cache current write quanta
 	wpkt_quanta_old =
 	    atomic_load_explicit(&peer->bgp->wpkt_quanta, memory_order_relaxed);
 
@@ -398,7 +308,7 @@ static uint16_t bgp_write(struct peer *peer)
 				}
 
 				goto done;
-			} else if (num != writenum) // incomplete write
+			} else if (num != writenum)
 				stream_forward_getp(s, num);
 
 		} while (num != writenum);
@@ -427,8 +337,10 @@ static uint16_t bgp_write(struct peer *peer)
 			if (peer->v_start >= (60 * 2))
 				peer->v_start = (60 * 2);
 
-			/* Handle Graceful Restart case where the state changes
-			 * to Connect instead of Idle */
+			/*
+			 * Handle Graceful Restart case where the state changes
+			 * to Connect instead of Idle.
+			 */
 			BGP_EVENT_ADD(peer, BGP_Stop);
 			goto done;
 
@@ -472,7 +384,7 @@ done : {
 	return status;
 }
 
-/**
+/*
  * Reads a chunk of data from peer->fd into peer->ibuf_work.
  *
  * @return status flag (see top-of-file)
diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_io.h b/bgpd/bgp_io.h
index 7cfd1db710..14a12d3705 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_io.h
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_io.h
@@ -28,14 +28,6 @@
 #include "bgpd/bgpd.h"
 #include "frr_pthread.h"
 
-/**
- * Initializes data structures and flags for the write thread.
- *
- * This function must be called from the main thread before
- * bgp_writes_start() is invoked.
- */
-extern void bgp_io_init(void);
-
 /**
  * Start function for write thread.
  *
@@ -43,15 +35,6 @@ extern void bgp_io_init(void);
  */
 extern void *bgp_io_start(void *arg);
 
-/**
- * Wait until the IO thread is ready to accept jobs.
- *
- * This function must be called immediately after the thread has been created
- * for running. Use of other functions before calling this one will result in
- * undefined behavior.
- */
-extern void bgp_io_wait_running(void);
-
 /**
  * Start function for write thread.
  *
diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.c b/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.c
index afa280a799..5a48c7013e 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.c
@@ -36,14 +36,14 @@
 #include "bgpd/bgp_keepalives.h"
 /* clang-format on */
 
-/**
+/*
  * Peer KeepAlive Timer.
  * Associates a peer with the time of its last keepalive.
  */
 struct pkat {
-	// the peer to send keepalives to
+	/* the peer to send keepalives to */
 	struct peer *peer;
-	// absolute time of last keepalive sent
+	/* absolute time of last keepalive sent */
 	struct timeval last;
 };
 
@@ -52,9 +52,6 @@ static pthread_mutex_t *peerhash_mtx;
 static pthread_cond_t *peerhash_cond;
 static struct hash *peerhash;
 
-/* Thread control flag. */
-bool bgp_keepalives_thread_run = false;
-
 static struct pkat *pkat_new(struct peer *peer)
 {
 	struct pkat *pkat = XMALLOC(MTYPE_TMP, sizeof(struct pkat));
@@ -100,10 +97,10 @@ static void peer_process(struct hash_backet *hb, void *arg)
 
 	static struct timeval tolerance = {0, 100000};
 
-	// calculate elapsed time since last keepalive
+	/* calculate elapsed time since last keepalive */
 	monotime_since(&pkat->last, &elapsed);
 
-	// calculate difference between elapsed time and configured time
+	/* calculate difference between elapsed time and configured time */
 	ka.tv_sec = pkat->peer->v_keepalive;
 	timersub(&ka, &elapsed, &diff);
 
@@ -118,10 +115,10 @@ static void peer_process(struct hash_backet *hb, void *arg)
 		bgp_keepalive_send(pkat->peer);
 		monotime(&pkat->last);
 		memset(&elapsed, 0x00, sizeof(struct timeval));
-		diff = ka; // time until next keepalive == peer keepalive time
+		diff = ka;
 	}
 
-	// if calculated next update for this peer < current delay, use it
+	/* if calculated next update for this peer < current delay, use it */
 	if (next_update->tv_sec <= 0 || timercmp(&diff, next_update, <))
 		*next_update = diff;
 }
@@ -139,29 +136,9 @@ static unsigned int peer_hash_key(void *arg)
 	return (uintptr_t)pkat->peer;
 }
 
-void bgp_keepalives_init()
-{
-	peerhash_mtx = XCALLOC(MTYPE_TMP, sizeof(pthread_mutex_t));
-	peerhash_cond = XCALLOC(MTYPE_TMP, sizeof(pthread_cond_t));
-
-	// initialize mutex
-	pthread_mutex_init(peerhash_mtx, NULL);
-
-	// use monotonic clock with condition variable
-	pthread_condattr_t attrs;
-	pthread_condattr_init(&attrs);
-	pthread_condattr_setclock(&attrs, CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
-	pthread_cond_init(peerhash_cond, &attrs);
-	pthread_condattr_destroy(&attrs);
-
-	// initialize peer hashtable
-	peerhash = hash_create_size(2048, peer_hash_key, peer_hash_cmp, NULL);
-}
-
+/* Cleanup handler / deinitializer. */
 static void bgp_keepalives_finish(void *arg)
 {
-	bgp_keepalives_thread_run = false;
-
 	if (peerhash) {
 		hash_clean(peerhash, pkat_del);
 		hash_free(peerhash);
@@ -177,32 +154,50 @@ static void bgp_keepalives_finish(void *arg)
 	XFREE(MTYPE_TMP, peerhash_cond);
 }
 
-/**
+/*
  * Entry function for peer keepalive generation pthread.
- *
- * bgp_keepalives_init() must be called prior to this.
  */
 void *bgp_keepalives_start(void *arg)
 {
+	struct frr_pthread *fpt = arg;
+	fpt->master->owner = pthread_self();
+
 	struct timeval currtime = {0, 0};
 	struct timeval aftertime = {0, 0};
 	struct timeval next_update = {0, 0};
 	struct timespec next_update_ts = {0, 0};
 
+	peerhash_mtx = XCALLOC(MTYPE_TMP, sizeof(pthread_mutex_t));
+	peerhash_cond = XCALLOC(MTYPE_TMP, sizeof(pthread_cond_t));
+
+	/* initialize mutex */
+	pthread_mutex_init(peerhash_mtx, NULL);
+
+	/* use monotonic clock with condition variable */
+	pthread_condattr_t attrs;
+	pthread_condattr_init(&attrs);
+	pthread_condattr_setclock(&attrs, CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
+	pthread_cond_init(peerhash_cond, &attrs);
+	pthread_condattr_destroy(&attrs);
+
+	/* initialize peer hashtable */
+	peerhash = hash_create_size(2048, peer_hash_key, peer_hash_cmp, NULL);
 	pthread_mutex_lock(peerhash_mtx);
 
-	// register cleanup handler
+	/* register cleanup handler */
 	pthread_cleanup_push(&bgp_keepalives_finish, NULL);
 
-	bgp_keepalives_thread_run = true;
+	/* notify anybody waiting on us that we are done starting up */
+	frr_pthread_notify_running(fpt);
 
-	while (bgp_keepalives_thread_run) {
+	while (atomic_load_explicit(&fpt->running, memory_order_relaxed)) {
 		if (peerhash->count > 0)
 			pthread_cond_timedwait(peerhash_cond, peerhash_mtx,
 					       &next_update_ts);
 		else
 			while (peerhash->count == 0
-			       && bgp_keepalives_thread_run)
+			       && atomic_load_explicit(&fpt->running,
+						       memory_order_relaxed))
 				pthread_cond_wait(peerhash_cond, peerhash_mtx);
 
 		monotime(&currtime);
@@ -219,7 +214,7 @@ void *bgp_keepalives_start(void *arg)
 		TIMEVAL_TO_TIMESPEC(&next_update, &next_update_ts);
 	}
 
-	// clean up
+	/* clean up */
 	pthread_cleanup_pop(1);
 
 	return NULL;
@@ -229,6 +224,12 @@ void *bgp_keepalives_start(void *arg)
 
 void bgp_keepalives_on(struct peer *peer)
 {
+	if (CHECK_FLAG(peer->thread_flags, PEER_THREAD_KEEPALIVES_ON))
+		return;
+
+	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES);
+	assert(fpt->running);
+
 	/* placeholder bucket data to use for fast key lookups */
 	static struct pkat holder = {0};
 
@@ -253,6 +254,12 @@ void bgp_keepalives_on(struct peer *peer)
 
 void bgp_keepalives_off(struct peer *peer)
 {
+	if (!CHECK_FLAG(peer->thread_flags, PEER_THREAD_KEEPALIVES_ON))
+		return;
+
+	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES);
+	assert(fpt->running);
+
 	/* placeholder bucket data to use for fast key lookups */
 	static struct pkat holder = {0};
 
@@ -283,10 +290,13 @@ void bgp_keepalives_wake()
 	pthread_mutex_unlock(peerhash_mtx);
 }
 
-int bgp_keepalives_stop(void **result, struct frr_pthread *fpt)
+int bgp_keepalives_stop(struct frr_pthread *fpt, void **result)
 {
-	bgp_keepalives_thread_run = false;
+	assert(fpt->running);
+
+	atomic_store_explicit(&fpt->running, false, memory_order_relaxed);
 	bgp_keepalives_wake();
+
 	pthread_join(fpt->thread, result);
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.h b/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.h
index 1fbd035b9e..d1cb7d2462 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.h
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_keepalives.h
@@ -88,6 +88,6 @@ extern void bgp_keepalives_wake(void);
 /**
  * Stops the thread and blocks until it terminates.
  */
-int bgp_keepalives_stop(void **result, struct frr_pthread *fpt);
+int bgp_keepalives_stop(struct frr_pthread *fpt, void **result);
 
 #endif /* _FRR_BGP_KEEPALIVES_H */
diff --git a/bgpd/bgpd.c b/bgpd/bgpd.c
index 7db73043cc..19f0c8cabf 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgpd.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgpd.c
@@ -7470,30 +7470,33 @@ static void bgp_pthreads_init()
 {
 	frr_pthread_init();
 
-	frr_pthread_new("BGP i/o thread", PTHREAD_IO, bgp_io_start,
-			bgp_io_stop);
-	frr_pthread_new("BGP keepalives thread", PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES,
-			bgp_keepalives_start, bgp_keepalives_stop);
-
-	/* pre-run initialization */
-	bgp_keepalives_init();
-	bgp_io_init();
+	struct frr_pthread_attr io = {
+		.id = PTHREAD_IO,
+		.start = frr_pthread_attr_default.start,
+		.stop = frr_pthread_attr_default.stop,
+		.name = "BGP I/O thread",
+	};
+	struct frr_pthread_attr ka = {
+		.id = PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES,
+		.start = bgp_keepalives_start,
+		.stop = bgp_keepalives_stop,
+		.name = "BGP Keepalives thread",
+	};
+	frr_pthread_new(&io);
+	frr_pthread_new(&ka);
 }
 
 void bgp_pthreads_run()
 {
-	pthread_attr_t attr;
-	pthread_attr_init(&attr);
-	pthread_attr_setschedpolicy(&attr, SCHED_FIFO);
+	struct frr_pthread *io = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_IO);
+	struct frr_pthread *ka = frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES);
 
-	/*
-	 * I/O related code assumes the thread is ready for work at all times,
-	 * so we wait until it is.
-	 */
-	frr_pthread_run(PTHREAD_IO, &attr, NULL);
-	bgp_io_wait_running();
+	frr_pthread_run(io, NULL);
+	frr_pthread_run(ka, NULL);
 
-	frr_pthread_run(PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES, &attr, NULL);
+	/* Wait until threads are ready. */
+	frr_pthread_wait_running(io);
+	frr_pthread_wait_running(ka);
 }
 
 void bgp_pthreads_finish()
diff --git a/lib/frr_pthread.c b/lib/frr_pthread.c
index de522e5ef9..72b47ae5c3 100644
--- a/lib/frr_pthread.c
+++ b/lib/frr_pthread.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Utilities and interfaces for managing POSIX threads
+ * Utilities and interfaces for managing POSIX threads within FRR.
  * Copyright (C) 2017  Cumulus Networks
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -25,79 +25,99 @@
 #include "memory.h"
 #include "hash.h"
 
-DEFINE_MTYPE_STATIC(LIB, FRR_PTHREAD, "FRR POSIX Thread");
+DEFINE_MTYPE(LIB, FRR_PTHREAD, "FRR POSIX Thread");
 DEFINE_MTYPE(LIB, PTHREAD_PRIM, "POSIX synchronization primitives");
 
+/* id for next created pthread */
 static unsigned int next_id = 0;
 
-/* Hash table of all frr_pthreads along with synchronization primitive(s) and
- * hash table callbacks.
- * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ */
-static struct hash *pthread_table;
-static pthread_mutex_t pthread_table_mtx = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
+/* default frr_pthread start/stop routine prototypes */
+static void *fpt_run(void *arg);
+static int fpt_halt(struct frr_pthread *fpt, void **res);
 
-/* pthread_table->hash_cmp */
-static int pthread_table_hash_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2)
+/* default frr_pthread attributes */
+struct frr_pthread_attr frr_pthread_attr_default = {
+	.id = 0,
+	.start = fpt_run,
+	.stop = fpt_halt,
+	.name = "Anonymous",
+};
+
+/* hash table to keep track of all frr_pthreads */
+static struct hash *frr_pthread_hash;
+static pthread_mutex_t frr_pthread_hash_mtx = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
+
+/* frr_pthread_hash->hash_cmp */
+static int frr_pthread_hash_cmp(const void *value1, const void *value2)
 {
 	const struct frr_pthread *tq1 = value1;
 	const struct frr_pthread *tq2 = value2;
 
-	return (tq1->id == tq2->id);
+	return (tq1->attr.id == tq2->attr.id);
 }
 
-/* pthread_table->hash_key */
-static unsigned int pthread_table_hash_key(void *value)
+/* frr_pthread_hash->hash_key */
+static unsigned int frr_pthread_hash_key(void *value)
 {
-	return ((struct frr_pthread *)value)->id;
+	return ((struct frr_pthread *)value)->attr.id;
 }
+
 /* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ */
 
 void frr_pthread_init()
 {
-	pthread_mutex_lock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 	{
-		pthread_table = hash_create(pthread_table_hash_key,
-					    pthread_table_hash_cmp, NULL);
+		frr_pthread_hash = hash_create(frr_pthread_hash_key,
+					       frr_pthread_hash_cmp, NULL);
 	}
-	pthread_mutex_unlock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 }
 
 void frr_pthread_finish()
 {
-	pthread_mutex_lock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 	{
-		hash_clean(pthread_table,
+		hash_clean(frr_pthread_hash,
 			   (void (*)(void *))frr_pthread_destroy);
-		hash_free(pthread_table);
+		hash_free(frr_pthread_hash);
 	}
-	pthread_mutex_unlock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 }
 
-struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_new(const char *name, unsigned int id,
-				    void *(*start_routine)(void *),
-				    int (*stop_routine)(void **,
-							struct frr_pthread *))
+struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_new(struct frr_pthread_attr *attr)
 {
 	static struct frr_pthread holder = {0};
 	struct frr_pthread *fpt = NULL;
 
-	pthread_mutex_lock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	attr = attr ? attr : &frr_pthread_attr_default;
+
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 	{
-		holder.id = id;
+		holder.attr.id = attr->id;
 
-		if (!hash_lookup(pthread_table, &holder)) {
-			struct frr_pthread *fpt = XCALLOC(
-				MTYPE_FRR_PTHREAD, sizeof(struct frr_pthread));
-			fpt->id = id;
-			fpt->master = thread_master_create(name);
-			fpt->start_routine = start_routine;
-			fpt->stop_routine = stop_routine;
-			fpt->name = XSTRDUP(MTYPE_FRR_PTHREAD, name);
+		if (!hash_lookup(frr_pthread_hash, &holder)) {
+			fpt = XCALLOC(MTYPE_FRR_PTHREAD,
+				      sizeof(struct frr_pthread));
+			/* create new thread master */
+			fpt->master = thread_master_create(attr->name);
+			/* set attributes */
+			fpt->attr = *attr;
+			if (attr == &frr_pthread_attr_default)
+				fpt->attr.id = frr_pthread_get_id();
+			/* initialize startup synchronization primitives */
+			fpt->running_cond_mtx = XCALLOC(
+				MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM, sizeof(pthread_mutex_t));
+			fpt->running_cond = XCALLOC(MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM,
+						    sizeof(pthread_cond_t));
+			pthread_mutex_init(fpt->running_cond_mtx, NULL);
+			pthread_cond_init(fpt->running_cond, NULL);
 
-			hash_get(pthread_table, fpt, hash_alloc_intern);
+			/* insert into global thread hash */
+			hash_get(frr_pthread_hash, fpt, hash_alloc_intern);
 		}
 	}
-	pthread_mutex_unlock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 
 	return fpt;
 }
@@ -105,7 +125,11 @@ struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_new(const char *name, unsigned int id,
 void frr_pthread_destroy(struct frr_pthread *fpt)
 {
 	thread_master_free(fpt->master);
-	XFREE(MTYPE_FRR_PTHREAD, fpt->name);
+
+	pthread_mutex_destroy(fpt->running_cond_mtx);
+	pthread_cond_destroy(fpt->running_cond);
+	XFREE(MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM, fpt->running_cond_mtx);
+	XFREE(MTYPE_PTHREAD_PRIM, fpt->running_cond);
 	XFREE(MTYPE_FRR_PTHREAD, fpt);
 }
 
@@ -114,74 +138,82 @@ struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_get(unsigned int id)
 	static struct frr_pthread holder = {0};
 	struct frr_pthread *fpt;
 
-	pthread_mutex_lock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 	{
-		holder.id = id;
-		fpt = hash_lookup(pthread_table, &holder);
+		holder.attr.id = id;
+		fpt = hash_lookup(frr_pthread_hash, &holder);
 	}
-	pthread_mutex_unlock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 
 	return fpt;
 }
 
-int frr_pthread_run(unsigned int id, const pthread_attr_t *attr, void *arg)
+int frr_pthread_run(struct frr_pthread *fpt, const pthread_attr_t *attr)
 {
-	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(id);
 	int ret;
 
-	if (!fpt)
-		return -1;
+	ret = pthread_create(&fpt->thread, attr, fpt->attr.start, fpt);
 
-	ret = pthread_create(&fpt->thread, attr, fpt->start_routine, arg);
-
-	/* Per pthread_create(3), the contents of fpt->thread are undefined if
-	 * pthread_create() did not succeed. Reset this value to zero. */
+	/*
+	 * Per pthread_create(3), the contents of fpt->thread are undefined if
+	 * pthread_create() did not succeed. Reset this value to zero.
+	 */
 	if (ret < 0)
 		memset(&fpt->thread, 0x00, sizeof(fpt->thread));
 
 	return ret;
 }
 
-/**
- * Calls the stop routine for the frr_pthread and resets any relevant fields.
- *
- * @param fpt - the frr_pthread to stop
- * @param result - pointer to result pointer
- * @return the return code from the stop routine
- */
-static int frr_pthread_stop_actual(struct frr_pthread *fpt, void **result)
+void frr_pthread_wait_running(struct frr_pthread *fpt)
 {
-	int ret = (*fpt->stop_routine)(result, fpt);
+	pthread_mutex_lock(fpt->running_cond_mtx);
+	{
+		while (!fpt->running)
+			pthread_cond_wait(fpt->running_cond,
+					  fpt->running_cond_mtx);
+	}
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(fpt->running_cond_mtx);
+}
+
+void frr_pthread_notify_running(struct frr_pthread *fpt)
+{
+	pthread_mutex_lock(fpt->running_cond_mtx);
+	{
+		fpt->running = true;
+		pthread_cond_signal(fpt->running_cond);
+	}
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(fpt->running_cond_mtx);
+}
+
+int frr_pthread_stop(struct frr_pthread *fpt, void **result)
+{
+	int ret = (*fpt->attr.stop)(fpt, result);
 	memset(&fpt->thread, 0x00, sizeof(fpt->thread));
 	return ret;
 }
 
-int frr_pthread_stop(unsigned int id, void **result)
-{
-	struct frr_pthread *fpt = frr_pthread_get(id);
-	return frr_pthread_stop_actual(fpt, result);
-}
-
-/**
+/*
  * Callback for hash_iterate to stop all frr_pthread's.
  */
 static void frr_pthread_stop_all_iter(struct hash_backet *hb, void *arg)
 {
 	struct frr_pthread *fpt = hb->data;
-	frr_pthread_stop_actual(fpt, NULL);
+	frr_pthread_stop(fpt, NULL);
 }
 
 void frr_pthread_stop_all()
 {
-	pthread_mutex_lock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 	{
-		hash_iterate(pthread_table, frr_pthread_stop_all_iter, NULL);
+		hash_iterate(frr_pthread_hash, frr_pthread_stop_all_iter, NULL);
 	}
-	pthread_mutex_unlock(&pthread_table_mtx);
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&frr_pthread_hash_mtx);
 }
 
 unsigned int frr_pthread_get_id()
 {
+	/* just a sanity check, this should never happen */
+	assert(next_id <= INT_MAX - 1);
 	return next_id++;
 }
 
@@ -189,3 +221,60 @@ void frr_pthread_yield(void)
 {
 	(void)sched_yield();
 }
+
+/*
+ * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ * Default Event Loop
+ * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ */
+
+/* dummy task for sleeper pipe */
+static int fpt_dummy(struct thread *thread)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/* poison pill task to end event loop */
+static int fpt_finish(struct thread *thread)
+{
+	struct frr_pthread *fpt = THREAD_ARG(thread);
+	atomic_store_explicit(&fpt->running, false, memory_order_relaxed);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/* stop function, called from other threads to halt this one */
+static int fpt_halt(struct frr_pthread *fpt, void **res)
+{
+	thread_add_event(fpt->master, &fpt_finish, fpt, 0, NULL);
+	pthread_join(fpt->thread, res);
+	fpt = NULL;
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/* entry pthread function & main event loop */
+static void *fpt_run(void *arg)
+{
+	struct frr_pthread *fpt = arg;
+	fpt->master->owner = pthread_self();
+
+	int sleeper[2];
+	pipe(sleeper);
+	thread_add_read(fpt->master, &fpt_dummy, NULL, sleeper[0], NULL);
+
+	fpt->master->handle_signals = false;
+
+	frr_pthread_notify_running(fpt);
+
+	struct thread task;
+	while (atomic_load_explicit(&fpt->running, memory_order_relaxed)) {
+		if (thread_fetch(fpt->master, &task)) {
+			thread_call(&task);
+		}
+	}
+
+	close(sleeper[1]);
+	close(sleeper[0]);
+
+	return NULL;
+}
diff --git a/lib/frr_pthread.h b/lib/frr_pthread.h
index 7915b43a46..2cc50196a8 100644
--- a/lib/frr_pthread.h
+++ b/lib/frr_pthread.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Utilities and interfaces for managing POSIX threads
+ * Utilities and interfaces for managing POSIX threads within FRR.
  * Copyright (C) 2017  Cumulus Networks
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -21,39 +21,73 @@
 #define _FRR_PTHREAD_H
 
 #include <pthread.h>
+#include "frratomic.h"
 #include "memory.h"
 #include "thread.h"
 
+DECLARE_MTYPE(FRR_PTHREAD);
 DECLARE_MTYPE(PTHREAD_PRIM);
 
+struct frr_pthread;
+struct frr_pthread_attr;
+
+struct frr_pthread_attr {
+	int id;
+	void *(*start)(void *);
+	int (*stop)(struct frr_pthread *, void **);
+	const char *name;
+};
+
 struct frr_pthread {
 
 	/* pthread id */
 	pthread_t thread;
 
-	/* frr thread identifier */
-	unsigned int id;
-
 	/* thread master for this pthread's thread.c event loop */
 	struct thread_master *master;
 
-	/* start routine */
-	void *(*start_routine)(void *);
+	/* caller-specified data; start & stop funcs, name, id */
+	struct frr_pthread_attr attr;
 
-	/* stop routine */
-	int (*stop_routine)(void **, struct frr_pthread *);
+	/*
+	 * Notification mechanism for allowing pthreads to notify their parents
+	 * when they are ready to do work. This mechanism has two associated
+	 * functions:
+	 *
+	 * - frr_pthread_wait_running()
+	 *   This function should be called by the spawning thread after
+	 *   frr_pthread_run(). It safely waits until the spawned thread
+	 *   indicates that is ready to do work by posting to the condition
+	 *   variable.
+	 *
+	 * - frr_pthread_notify_running()
+	 *   This function should be called by the spawned thread when it is
+	 *   ready to do work. It will wake up any threads waiting on the
+	 *   previously described condition.
+	 */
+	pthread_cond_t *running_cond;
+	pthread_mutex_t *running_cond_mtx;
+	_Atomic bool running;
 
-	/* the (hopefully descriptive) name of this thread */
-	char *name;
+	/*
+	 * Fake thread-specific storage. No constraints on usage. Helpful when
+	 * creating reentrant pthread implementations. Can be used to pass
+	 * argument to pthread entry function.
+	 */
+	void *data;
 };
 
-/* Initializes this module.
+extern struct frr_pthread_attr frr_pthread_attr_default;
+
+/*
+ * Initializes this module.
  *
  * Must be called before using any of the other functions.
  */
 void frr_pthread_init(void);
 
-/* Uninitializes this module.
+/*
+ * Uninitializes this module.
  *
  * Destroys all registered frr_pthread's and internal data structures.
  *
@@ -62,34 +96,23 @@ void frr_pthread_init(void);
  */
 void frr_pthread_finish(void);
 
-/* Creates a new frr_pthread.
+/*
+ * Creates a new frr_pthread with the given attributes.
  *
- * If the provided ID is already assigned to an existing frr_pthread, the
- * return value will be NULL.
- *
- * @param name - the name of the thread. Doesn't have to be unique, but it
- * probably should be. This value is copied and may be safely free'd upon
- * return.
- *
- * @param id - the integral ID of the thread. MUST be unique. The caller may
- * use this id to retrieve the thread.
- *
- * @param start_routine - start routine for the pthread, will be passed to
- * pthread_create (see those docs for details)
- *
- * @param stop_routine - stop routine for the pthread, called to terminate the
- * thread. This function should gracefully stop the pthread and clean up any
- * thread-specific resources. The passed pointer is used to return a data
- * result.
+ * The 'attr' argument should be filled out with the desired attributes,
+ * including ID, start and stop functions and the desired name. Alternatively,
+ * if attr is NULL, the default attributes will be used. The pthread will be
+ * set up to run a basic threadmaster loop and the name will be "Anonymous".
+ * Scheduling tasks onto the threadmaster in the 'master' field of the returned
+ * frr_pthread will cause them to run on that pthread.
  *
+ * @param attr - the thread attributes
  * @return the created frr_pthread upon success, or NULL upon failure
  */
-struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_new(const char *name, unsigned int id,
-				    void *(*start_routine)(void *),
-				    int (*stop_routine)(void **,
-							struct frr_pthread *));
+struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_new(struct frr_pthread_attr *attr);
 
-/* Destroys an frr_pthread.
+/*
+ * Destroys an frr_pthread.
  *
  * Assumes that the associated pthread, if any, has already terminated.
  *
@@ -97,38 +120,66 @@ struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_new(const char *name, unsigned int id,
  */
 void frr_pthread_destroy(struct frr_pthread *fpt);
 
-/* Gets an existing frr_pthread by its id.
+/*
+ * Gets an existing frr_pthread by its id.
  *
  * @return frr_thread associated with the provided id, or NULL on error
  */
 struct frr_pthread *frr_pthread_get(unsigned int id);
 
-/* Creates a new pthread and binds it to a frr_pthread.
+/*
+ * Creates a new pthread and binds it to a frr_pthread.
  *
  * This function is a wrapper for pthread_create. The first parameter is the
  * frr_pthread to bind the created pthread to. All subsequent arguments are
- * passed unmodified to pthread_create().
+ * passed unmodified to pthread_create(). The frr_pthread * provided will be
+ * used as the argument to the pthread entry function. If it is necessary to
+ * pass additional data, the 'data' field in the frr_pthread may be used.
  *
  * This function returns the same code as pthread_create(). If the value is
  * zero, the provided frr_pthread is bound to a running POSIX thread. If the
  * value is less than zero, the provided frr_pthread is guaranteed to be a
  * clean instance that may be susbsequently passed to frr_pthread_run().
  *
- * @param id - frr_pthread to bind the created pthread to
+ * @param fpt - frr_pthread * to run
  * @param attr - see pthread_create(3)
- * @param arg - see pthread_create(3)
  *
  * @return see pthread_create(3)
  */
-int frr_pthread_run(unsigned int id, const pthread_attr_t *attr, void *arg);
+int frr_pthread_run(struct frr_pthread *fpt, const pthread_attr_t *attr);
 
-/* Stops an frr_pthread with a result.
+/*
+ * Waits until the specified pthread has finished setting up and is ready to
+ * begin work.
  *
- * @param id - frr_pthread to stop
+ * If the pthread's code makes use of the startup synchronization mechanism,
+ * this function should be called before attempting to use the functionality
+ * exposed by the pthread. It waits until the 'running' condition is satisfied
+ * (see struct definition of frr_pthread).
+ *
+ * @param fpt - the frr_pthread * to wait on
+ */
+void frr_pthread_wait_running(struct frr_pthread *fpt);
+
+/*
+ * Notifies other pthreads that the calling thread has finished setting up and
+ * is ready to begin work.
+ *
+ * This will allow any other pthreads waiting in 'frr_pthread_wait_running' to
+ * proceed.
+ *
+ * @param fpt - the frr_pthread * that has finished setting up
+ */
+void frr_pthread_notify_running(struct frr_pthread *fpt);
+
+/*
+ * Stops a frr_pthread with a result.
+ *
+ * @param fpt - frr_pthread * to stop
  * @param result - where to store the thread's result, if any. May be NULL if a
  * result is not needed.
  */
-int frr_pthread_stop(unsigned int id, void **result);
+int frr_pthread_stop(struct frr_pthread *fpt, void **result);
 
 /* Stops all frr_pthread's. */
 void frr_pthread_stop_all(void);
@@ -136,7 +187,8 @@ void frr_pthread_stop_all(void);
 /* Yields the current thread of execution */
 void frr_pthread_yield(void);
 
-/* Returns a unique identifier for use with frr_pthread_new().
+/*
+ * Returns a unique identifier for use with frr_pthread_new().
  *
  * Internally, this is an integer that increments after each call to this
  * function. Because the number of pthreads created should never exceed INT_MAX
diff --git a/tests/bgpd/test_aspath.c b/tests/bgpd/test_aspath.c
index 56808bc8ad..9e5cb7fe54 100644
--- a/tests/bgpd/test_aspath.c
+++ b/tests/bgpd/test_aspath.c
@@ -25,8 +25,9 @@
 #include "privs.h"
 #include "queue.h"
 #include "filter.h"
+#include "frr_pthread.h"
 
-#include "bgpd/bgpd.h"
+#include "bgpd/bgpd.c"
 #include "bgpd/bgp_aspath.h"
 #include "bgpd/bgp_attr.h"
 #include "bgpd/bgp_packet.h"
@@ -1272,6 +1273,9 @@ static int handle_attr_test(struct aspath_tests *t)
 	struct aspath *asp;
 	size_t datalen;
 
+	bgp_pthreads_init();
+	frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES)->running = true;
+
 	asp = make_aspath(t->segment->asdata, t->segment->len, 0);
 
 	peer.curr = stream_new(BGP_MAX_PACKET_SIZE);
diff --git a/tests/bgpd/test_capability.c b/tests/bgpd/test_capability.c
index a5092708e2..3d5518f3b7 100644
--- a/tests/bgpd/test_capability.c
+++ b/tests/bgpd/test_capability.c
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@
 #include "memory.h"
 #include "queue.h"
 #include "filter.h"
+#include "frr_pthread.h"
 
-#include "bgpd/bgpd.h"
+#include "bgpd/bgpd.c"
 #include "bgpd/bgp_open.h"
 #include "bgpd/bgp_debug.h"
 #include "bgpd/bgp_packet.h"
@@ -915,6 +916,9 @@ int main(void)
 	vrf_init(NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 	bgp_option_set(BGP_OPT_NO_LISTEN);
 
+	bgp_pthreads_init();
+	frr_pthread_get(PTHREAD_KEEPALIVES)->running = true;
+
 	if (fileno(stdout) >= 0)
 		tty = isatty(fileno(stdout));