diff --git a/include/common/mem.h b/include/common/mem.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b0e91217
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/common/mem.h
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only */
+#ifndef __LABWC_MEM_H
+#define __LABWC_MEM_H
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+/*
+ * As defined in busybox, weston, etc.
+ * Allocates zero-filled memory; calls exit() on error.
+ * Returns NULL only if (size == 0).
+ */
+void *xzalloc(size_t size);
+
+/*
+ * As defined in FreeBSD.
+ * Like realloc(), but calls exit() on error.
+ * Returns NULL only if (size == 0).
+ * Does NOT zero-fill memory.
+ */
+void *xrealloc(void *ptr, size_t size);
+
+/* malloc() is a specific case of realloc() */
+#define xmalloc(size) xrealloc(NULL, (size))
+
+/*
+ * As defined in FreeBSD.
+ * Allocates a copy of <str>; calls exit() on error.
+ * Requires (str != NULL) and never returns NULL.
+ */
+char *xstrdup(const char *str);
+
+/*
+ * Frees memory pointed to by <ptr> and sets <ptr> to NULL.
+ * Does nothing if <ptr> is already NULL.
+ */
+#define zfree(ptr) do { \
+        free(ptr); (ptr) = NULL; \
+} while (0)
+
+#endif /* __LABWC_MEM_H */
diff --git a/include/common/zfree.h b/include/common/zfree.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 30479fb4..00000000
--- a/include/common/zfree.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-/* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only */
-#ifndef __LABWC_ZFREE_H
-#define __LABWC_ZFREE_H
-
-void __zfree(void **ptr);
-
-#define zfree(ptr) __zfree((void **)&(ptr))
-
-#endif /* __LABWC_ZFREE_H */
diff --git a/src/action.c b/src/action.c
index 95871e43..233348fa 100644
--- a/src/action.c
+++ b/src/action.c
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@
 #include <strings.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/spawn.h"
-#include "common/zfree.h"
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "menu/menu.h"
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ action_create(const char *action_name)
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "action name not specified");
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	struct action *action = calloc(1, sizeof(struct action));
+	struct action *action = xzalloc(sizeof(struct action));
 	action->type = action_type_from_str(action_name);
 	wl_list_init(&action->args);
 	return action;
@@ -372,11 +372,11 @@ void
 action_arg_add_str(struct action *action, char *key, const char *value)
 {
 	assert(value && "Tried to add NULL action string argument");
-	struct action_arg_str *arg = calloc(1, sizeof(*arg));
+	struct action_arg_str *arg = xzalloc(sizeof(*arg));
 	arg->base.type = LAB_ACTION_ARG_STR;
 	if (key) {
-		arg->base.key = strdup(key);
+		arg->base.key = xstrdup(key);
 	}
-	arg->value = strdup(value);
+	arg->value = xstrdup(value);
 	wl_list_insert(action->args.prev, &arg->base.link);
 }
diff --git a/src/buffer.c b/src/buffer.c
index 1c64276a..e9b02b95 100644
--- a/src/buffer.c
+++ b/src/buffer.c
@@ -24,12 +24,12 @@
  * SOFTWARE.
  */
 
-#include "config.h"
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <drm_fourcc.h>
 #include <wlr/interfaces/wlr_buffer.h>
 #include "buffer.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 
 static const struct wlr_buffer_impl data_buffer_impl;
 
@@ -88,10 +88,7 @@ struct lab_data_buffer *
 buffer_create_cairo(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, float scale,
 	bool free_on_destroy)
 {
-	struct lab_data_buffer *buffer = calloc(1, sizeof(*buffer));
-	if (!buffer) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	struct lab_data_buffer *buffer = xzalloc(sizeof(*buffer));
 	buffer->unscaled_width = width;
 	buffer->unscaled_height = height;
 	width *= scale;
@@ -130,10 +127,7 @@ struct lab_data_buffer *
 buffer_create_wrap(void *pixel_data, uint32_t width, uint32_t height,
 	uint32_t stride, bool free_on_destroy)
 {
-	struct lab_data_buffer *buffer = calloc(1, sizeof(*buffer));
-	if (!buffer) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	struct lab_data_buffer *buffer = xzalloc(sizeof(*buffer));
 	wlr_buffer_init(&buffer->base, &data_buffer_impl, width, height);
 	buffer->data = pixel_data;
 	buffer->format = DRM_FORMAT_ARGB8888;
diff --git a/src/common/buf.c b/src/common/buf.c
index f2e3b095..740489dd 100644
--- a/src/common/buf.c
+++ b/src/common/buf.c
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
 #include <ctype.h>
 #include "common/buf.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 
 static void
 strip_curly_braces(char *s)
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ buf_expand_shell_variables(struct buf *s)
 			/* just add one character at a time */
 			if (new.alloc <= new.len + 1) {
 				new.alloc = new.alloc * 3 / 2 + 16;
-				new.buf = realloc(new.buf, new.alloc);
+				new.buf = xrealloc(new.buf, new.alloc);
 			}
 			new.buf[new.len++] = s->buf[i];
 			new.buf[new.len] = '\0';
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ void
 buf_init(struct buf *s)
 {
 	s->alloc = 256;
-	s->buf = malloc(s->alloc);
+	s->buf = xmalloc(s->alloc);
 	s->buf[0] = '\0';
 	s->len = 0;
 }
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ buf_add(struct buf *s, const char *data)
 	int len = strlen(data);
 	if (s->alloc <= s->len + len + 1) {
 		s->alloc = s->alloc + len;
-		s->buf = realloc(s->buf, s->alloc);
+		s->buf = xrealloc(s->buf, s->alloc);
 	}
 	memcpy(s->buf + s->len, data, len);
 	s->len += len;
diff --git a/src/common/graphic-helpers.c b/src/common/graphic-helpers.c
index eb147893..f7ae2577 100644
--- a/src/common/graphic-helpers.c
+++ b/src/common/graphic-helpers.c
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_scene.h>
 #include "common/graphic-helpers.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 
 static void
 multi_rect_destroy_notify(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ multi_rect_destroy_notify(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 struct multi_rect *
 multi_rect_create(struct wlr_scene_tree *parent, float *colors[3], int line_width)
 {
-	struct multi_rect *rect = calloc(1, sizeof(*rect));
+	struct multi_rect *rect = xzalloc(sizeof(*rect));
 	rect->line_width = line_width;
 	rect->tree = wlr_scene_tree_create(parent);
 	rect->destroy.notify = multi_rect_destroy_notify;
diff --git a/src/common/mem.c b/src/common/mem.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e63987b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/common/mem.c
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
+#define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
+
+static void
+die_if_null(void *ptr)
+{
+	if (!ptr) {
+		perror("Failed to allocate memory");
+		exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
+	}
+}
+
+void *
+xzalloc(size_t size)
+{
+	if (!size) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	void *ptr = calloc(1, size);
+	die_if_null(ptr);
+	return ptr;
+}
+
+void *
+xrealloc(void *ptr, size_t size)
+{
+	if (!size) {
+		free(ptr);
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	ptr = realloc(ptr, size);
+	die_if_null(ptr);
+	return ptr;
+}
+
+char *
+xstrdup(const char *str)
+{
+	assert(str);
+	char *copy = strdup(str);
+	die_if_null(copy);
+	return copy;
+}
diff --git a/src/common/meson.build b/src/common/meson.build
index 72a6d215..e4f507b6 100644
--- a/src/common/meson.build
+++ b/src/common/meson.build
@@ -5,11 +5,11 @@ labwc_sources += files(
   'font.c',
   'grab-file.c',
   'graphic-helpers.c',
+  'mem.c',
   'nodename.c',
   'scaled_font_buffer.c',
   'scaled_scene_buffer.c',
   'scene-helpers.c',
   'spawn.c',
   'string-helpers.c',
-  'zfree.c',
 )
diff --git a/src/common/scaled_font_buffer.c b/src/common/scaled_font_buffer.c
index 76f8ad75..87ac0cd0 100644
--- a/src/common/scaled_font_buffer.c
+++ b/src/common/scaled_font_buffer.c
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
 #include "buffer.h"
 #include "common/font.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/scaled_scene_buffer.h"
 #include "common/scaled_font_buffer.h"
-#include "common/zfree.h"
 
 static struct lab_data_buffer *
 _create_buffer(struct scaled_scene_buffer *scaled_buffer, double scale)
@@ -46,10 +46,7 @@ struct scaled_font_buffer *
 scaled_font_buffer_create(struct wlr_scene_tree *parent)
 {
 	assert(parent);
-	struct scaled_font_buffer *self = calloc(1, sizeof(*self));
-	if (!self) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	struct scaled_font_buffer *self = xzalloc(sizeof(*self));
 
 	struct scaled_scene_buffer *scaled_buffer
 		= scaled_scene_buffer_create(parent, &impl);
@@ -80,16 +77,16 @@ scaled_font_buffer_update(struct scaled_font_buffer *self, const char *text,
 	zfree(self->arrow);
 
 	/* Update internal state */
-	self->text = strdup(text);
+	self->text = xstrdup(text);
 	self->max_width = max_width;
 	if (font->name) {
-		self->font.name = strdup(font->name);
+		self->font.name = xstrdup(font->name);
 	}
 	self->font.size = font->size;
 	self->font.slant = font->slant;
 	self->font.weight = font->weight;
 	memcpy(self->color, color, sizeof(self->color));
-	self->arrow = arrow ? strdup(arrow) : NULL;
+	self->arrow = arrow ? xstrdup(arrow) : NULL;
 
 	/* Invalidate cache and force a new render */
 	scaled_scene_buffer_invalidate_cache(self->scaled_buffer);
diff --git a/src/common/scaled_scene_buffer.c b/src/common/scaled_scene_buffer.c
index 95e2673d..cc543ca0 100644
--- a/src/common/scaled_scene_buffer.c
+++ b/src/common/scaled_scene_buffer.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_scene.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
 #include "buffer.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/scaled_scene_buffer.h"
 
 /**
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ _update_buffer(struct scaled_scene_buffer *self, double scale)
 
 	/* Create or reuse cache entry */
 	if (wl_list_length(&self->cache) < LAB_SCALED_BUFFER_MAX_CACHE) {
-		cache_entry = calloc(1, sizeof(*cache_entry));
+		cache_entry = xzalloc(sizeof(*cache_entry));
 	} else {
 		cache_entry = wl_container_of(self->cache.prev, cache_entry, link);
 		if (cache_entry->buffer) {
@@ -150,10 +151,7 @@ scaled_scene_buffer_create(struct wlr_scene_tree *parent,
 	assert(impl);
 	assert(impl->create_buffer);
 
-	struct scaled_scene_buffer *self = calloc(1, sizeof(*self));
-	if (!self) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	struct scaled_scene_buffer *self = xzalloc(sizeof(*self));
 
 	self->scene_buffer = wlr_scene_buffer_create(parent, NULL);
 	if (!self->scene_buffer) {
diff --git a/src/common/zfree.c b/src/common/zfree.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 3eb399a1..00000000
--- a/src/common/zfree.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
-#include <stdlib.h>
-#include "common/zfree.h"
-
-void __zfree(void **ptr)
-{
-	if (!ptr || !*ptr) {
-		return;
-	}
-	free(*ptr);
-	*ptr = NULL;
-}
diff --git a/src/config/keybind.c b/src/config/keybind.c
index f90bea08..10be0875 100644
--- a/src/config/keybind.c
+++ b/src/config/keybind.c
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "config/keybind.h"
 #include "config/rcxml.h"
 
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ parse_modifier(const char *symname)
 struct keybind *
 keybind_create(const char *keybind)
 {
-	struct keybind *k = calloc(1, sizeof(struct keybind));
+	struct keybind *k = xzalloc(sizeof(struct keybind));
 	xkb_keysym_t keysyms[MAX_KEYSYMS];
 	gchar **symnames = g_strsplit(keybind, "-", -1);
 	for (int i = 0; symnames[i]; i++) {
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ keybind_create(const char *keybind)
 		return NULL;
 	}
 	wl_list_insert(rc.keybinds.prev, &k->link);
-	k->keysyms = malloc(k->keysyms_len * sizeof(xkb_keysym_t));
+	k->keysyms = xmalloc(k->keysyms_len * sizeof(xkb_keysym_t));
 	memcpy(k->keysyms, keysyms, k->keysyms_len * sizeof(xkb_keysym_t));
 	wl_list_init(&k->actions);
 	return k;
diff --git a/src/config/libinput.c b/src/config/libinput.c
index 9efa3437..581987cf 100644
--- a/src/config/libinput.c
+++ b/src/config/libinput.c
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <strings.h>
 
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "config/libinput.h"
 #include "config/rcxml.h"
+
 static void
 libinput_category_init(struct libinput_category *l)
 {
@@ -36,10 +38,7 @@ get_device_type(const char *s)
 struct libinput_category *
 libinput_category_create(void)
 {
-	struct libinput_category *l = calloc(1, sizeof(struct libinput_category));
-	if (!l) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	struct libinput_category *l = xzalloc(sizeof(struct libinput_category));
 	libinput_category_init(l);
 	wl_list_insert(&rc.libinput_categories, &l->link);
 	return l;
diff --git a/src/config/mousebind.c b/src/config/mousebind.c
index 075d89aa..45029c93 100644
--- a/src/config/mousebind.c
+++ b/src/config/mousebind.c
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <strings.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "config/mousebind.h"
 #include "config/rcxml.h"
 
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ mousebind_create(const char *context)
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "mousebind context not specified");
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	struct mousebind *m = calloc(1, sizeof(struct mousebind));
+	struct mousebind *m = xzalloc(sizeof(struct mousebind));
 	m->context = context_from_str(context);
 	if (m->context != LAB_SSD_NONE) {
 		wl_list_insert(rc.mousebinds.prev, &m->link);
diff --git a/src/config/rcxml.c b/src/config/rcxml.c
index 886f29b5..f9f166ff 100644
--- a/src/config/rcxml.c
+++ b/src/config/rcxml.c
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
 #include <wayland-server-core.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
 #include "action.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/nodename.h"
 #include "common/string-helpers.h"
-#include "common/zfree.h"
 #include "config/keybind.h"
 #include "config/libinput.h"
 #include "config/mousebind.h"
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ fill_libinput_category(char *nodename, char *content)
 				|| !strcmp(content, "default")) {
 			current_libinput_category->type = get_device_type(content);
 		} else {
-			current_libinput_category->name = strdup(content);
+			current_libinput_category->name = xstrdup(content);
 		}
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "naturalScroll")) {
 		current_libinput_category->natural_scroll =
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ set_font_attr(struct font *font, const char *nodename, const char *content)
 {
 	if (!strcmp(nodename, "name")) {
 		zfree(font->name);
-		font->name = strdup(content);
+		font->name = xstrdup(content);
 	} else if (!strcmp(nodename, "size")) {
 		font->size = atoi(content);
 	} else if (!strcmp(nodename, "slant")) {
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ entry(xmlNode *node, char *nodename, char *content)
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "adaptiveSync.core")) {
 		rc.adaptive_sync = get_bool(content);
 	} else if (!strcmp(nodename, "name.theme")) {
-		rc.theme_name = strdup(content);
+		rc.theme_name = xstrdup(content);
 	} else if (!strcmp(nodename, "cornerradius.theme")) {
 		rc.corner_radius = atoi(content);
 	} else if (!strcmp(nodename, "name.font.theme")) {
@@ -401,8 +401,8 @@ entry(xmlNode *node, char *nodename, char *content)
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "cycleViewOutlines.core")) {
 		rc.cycle_preview_outlines = get_bool(content);
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "name.names.desktops")) {
-		struct workspace *workspace = calloc(1, sizeof(struct workspace));
-		workspace->name = strdup(content);
+		struct workspace *workspace = xzalloc(sizeof(struct workspace));
+		workspace->name = xstrdup(content);
 		wl_list_insert(rc.workspace_config.workspaces.prev, &workspace->link);
 	} else if (!strcasecmp(nodename, "popupTime.desktops")) {
 		rc.workspace_config.popuptime = atoi(content);
@@ -671,13 +671,13 @@ post_processing(void)
 	merge_mouse_bindings();
 
 	if (!rc.font_activewindow.name) {
-		rc.font_activewindow.name = strdup("sans");
+		rc.font_activewindow.name = xstrdup("sans");
 	}
 	if (!rc.font_menuitem.name) {
-		rc.font_menuitem.name = strdup("sans");
+		rc.font_menuitem.name = xstrdup("sans");
 	}
 	if (!rc.font_osd.name) {
-		rc.font_osd.name = strdup("sans");
+		rc.font_osd.name = xstrdup("sans");
 	}
 	if (!wl_list_length(&rc.libinput_categories)) {
 		/* So we still allow tap to click by default */
@@ -685,8 +685,8 @@ post_processing(void)
 		l->type = DEFAULT_DEVICE;
 	}
 	if (!wl_list_length(&rc.workspace_config.workspaces)) {
-		struct workspace *workspace = calloc(1, sizeof(struct workspace));
-		workspace->name = strdup("Default");
+		struct workspace *workspace = xzalloc(sizeof(struct workspace));
+		workspace->name = xstrdup("Default");
 		wl_list_insert(rc.workspace_config.workspaces.prev, &workspace->link);
 	}
 	if (rc.workspace_config.popuptime == INT_MIN) {
diff --git a/src/config/session.c b/src/config/session.c
index f861e785..1524edd0 100644
--- a/src/config/session.c
+++ b/src/config/session.c
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
 #include "common/buf.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/spawn.h"
 #include "common/string-helpers.h"
 
@@ -78,10 +79,7 @@ build_path(const char *dir, const char *filename)
 		return NULL;
 	}
 	int len = strlen(dir) + strlen(filename) + 2;
-	char *buffer = calloc(1, len);
-	if (!buffer) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	char *buffer = xzalloc(len);
 	strcat(buffer, dir);
 	strcat(buffer, "/");
 	strcat(buffer, filename);
@@ -103,25 +101,17 @@ update_activation_env(const char *env_keys)
 	const char *dbus = "dbus-update-activation-environment ";
 	const char *systemd = "systemctl --user import-environment ";
 
-	cmd = calloc(1, strlen(dbus) + strlen(env_keys) + 1);
-	if (!cmd) {
-		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to allocate memory for dbus env update");
-	} else {
-		strcat(cmd, dbus);
-		strcat(cmd, env_keys);
-		spawn_async_no_shell(cmd);
-		free(cmd);
-	}
+	cmd = xzalloc(strlen(dbus) + strlen(env_keys) + 1);
+	strcat(cmd, dbus);
+	strcat(cmd, env_keys);
+	spawn_async_no_shell(cmd);
+	free(cmd);
 
-	cmd = calloc(1, strlen(systemd) + strlen(env_keys) + 1);
-	if (!cmd) {
-		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to allocate memory for systemd env update");
-	} else {
-		strcat(cmd, systemd);
-		strcat(cmd, env_keys);
-		spawn_async_no_shell(cmd);
-		free(cmd);
-	}
+	cmd = xzalloc(strlen(systemd) + strlen(env_keys) + 1);
+	strcat(cmd, systemd);
+	strcat(cmd, env_keys);
+	spawn_async_no_shell(cmd);
+	free(cmd);
 }
 
 void
@@ -158,11 +148,7 @@ session_autostart_init(const char *dir)
 	}
 	wlr_log(WLR_INFO, "run autostart file %s", autostart);
 	int len = strlen(autostart) + 4;
-	char *cmd = calloc(1, len);
-	if (!cmd) {
-		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to allocate memory for autostart command");
-		goto out;
-	}
+	char *cmd = xzalloc(len);
 	strcat(cmd, "sh ");
 	strcat(cmd, autostart);
 	spawn_async_no_shell(cmd);
diff --git a/src/cursor.c b/src/cursor.c
index 9753654a..ff9dc0b1 100644
--- a/src/cursor.c
+++ b/src/cursor.c
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 #include <time.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_primary_selection.h>
 #include "action.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
+#include "common/scene-helpers.h"
+#include "config/mousebind.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "menu/menu.h"
 #include "resistance.h"
 #include "ssd.h"
-#include "config/mousebind.h"
-#include "common/scene-helpers.h"
 
 static const char **cursor_names = NULL;
 
@@ -531,15 +532,14 @@ create_constraint(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	struct wlr_pointer_constraint_v1 *wlr_constraint = data;
 	struct server *server = wl_container_of(listener, server,
 		new_constraint);
-	struct view *view;
-	struct constraint *constraint = calloc(1, sizeof(struct constraint));
+	struct constraint *constraint = xzalloc(sizeof(struct constraint));
 
 	constraint->constraint = wlr_constraint;
 	constraint->seat = &server->seat;
 	constraint->destroy.notify = destroy_constraint;
 	wl_signal_add(&wlr_constraint->events.destroy, &constraint->destroy);
 
-	view = desktop_focused_view(server);
+	struct view *view = desktop_focused_view(server);
 	if (view && view->surface == wlr_constraint->surface) {
 		constrain_cursor(server, wlr_constraint);
 	}
diff --git a/src/layers.c b/src/layers.c
index 674deaa9..f03f2eba 100644
--- a/src/layers.c
+++ b/src/layers.c
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <wayland-server.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_layer_shell_v1.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "layers.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "node.h"
@@ -202,10 +203,7 @@ create_popup(struct wlr_xdg_popup *wlr_popup, struct wlr_scene_tree *parent,
 		struct wlr_box *output_toplevel_sx_box)
 {
 	struct lab_layer_popup *popup =
-		calloc(1, sizeof(struct lab_layer_popup));
-	if (!popup) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+		xzalloc(sizeof(struct lab_layer_popup));
 
 	popup->wlr_popup = wlr_popup;
 	popup->scene_tree =
@@ -325,10 +323,7 @@ new_layer_surface_notify(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	}
 
 	struct lab_layer_surface *surface =
-		calloc(1, sizeof(struct lab_layer_surface));
-	if (!surface) {
-		return;
-	}
+		xzalloc(sizeof(struct lab_layer_surface));
 
 	surface->surface_commit.notify = surface_commit_notify;
 	wl_signal_add(&layer_surface->surface->events.commit,
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 0cb521b5..8ca6fe09 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 #define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
 #include <string.h>
 #include "common/dir.h"
+#include "common/fd_util.h"
 #include "common/font.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/spawn.h"
 #include "config/session.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "theme.h"
-#include "xbm/xbm.h"
 #include "menu/menu.h"
-#include "common/fd_util.h"
 
 struct rcxml rc = { 0 };
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			config_file = optarg;
 			break;
 		case 'C':
-			rc.config_dir = strdup(optarg);
+			rc.config_dir = xstrdup(optarg);
 			break;
 		case 'd':
 			verbosity = WLR_DEBUG;
diff --git a/src/menu/menu.c b/src/menu/menu.c
index bb72cd1b..c839c113 100644
--- a/src/menu/menu.c
+++ b/src/menu/menu.c
@@ -12,15 +12,14 @@
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
 #include "common/buf.h"
 #include "common/font.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/nodename.h"
 #include "common/scaled_font_buffer.h"
 #include "common/string-helpers.h"
-#include "common/zfree.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "menu/menu.h"
 #include "theme.h"
 #include "action.h"
-#include "buffer.h"
 #include "node.h"
 
 #define MENUWIDTH (110)
@@ -44,14 +43,14 @@ menu_create(struct server *server, const char *id, const char *label)
 {
 	if (nr_menus == alloc_menus) {
 		alloc_menus = (alloc_menus + 16) * 2;
-		menus = realloc(menus, alloc_menus * sizeof(struct menu));
+		menus = xrealloc(menus, alloc_menus * sizeof(struct menu));
 	}
 	struct menu *menu = menus + nr_menus;
 	memset(menu, 0, sizeof(*menu));
 	nr_menus++;
 	wl_list_init(&menu->menuitems);
-	menu->id = strdup(id);
-	menu->label = label ? strdup(label) : strdup(id);
+	menu->id = xstrdup(id);
+	menu->label = xstrdup(label ? label : id);
 	menu->parent = current_menu;
 	menu->server = server;
 	menu->size.width = MENUWIDTH;
@@ -80,10 +79,7 @@ menu_get_by_id(const char *id)
 static struct menuitem *
 item_create(struct menu *menu, const char *text, bool show_arrow)
 {
-	struct menuitem *menuitem = calloc(1, sizeof(struct menuitem));
-	if (!menuitem) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	struct menuitem *menuitem = xzalloc(sizeof(struct menuitem));
 	menuitem->parent = menu;
 	menuitem->selectable = true;
 	struct server *server = menu->server;
@@ -164,10 +160,7 @@ item_create(struct menu *menu, const char *text, bool show_arrow)
 static struct menuitem *
 separator_create(struct menu *menu, const char *label)
 {
-	struct menuitem *menuitem = calloc(1, sizeof(struct menuitem));
-	if (!menuitem) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
+	struct menuitem *menuitem = xzalloc(sizeof(struct menuitem));
 	menuitem->parent = menu;
 	menuitem->selectable = false;
 	struct server *server = menu->server;
diff --git a/src/node.c b/src/node.c
index 67c01a15..53a87bca 100644
--- a/src/node.c
+++ b/src/node.c
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "node.h"
 
 static void
@@ -26,10 +27,7 @@ node_descriptor_create(struct wlr_scene_node *scene_node,
 		enum node_descriptor_type type, void *data)
 {
 	struct node_descriptor *node_descriptor =
-		calloc(1, sizeof(struct node_descriptor));
-	if (!node_descriptor) {
-		return;
-	}
+		xzalloc(sizeof(struct node_descriptor));
 	node_descriptor->type = type;
 	node_descriptor->data = data;
 	node_descriptor->destroy.notify = destroy_notify;
diff --git a/src/output.c b/src/output.c
index d441e734..f350009e 100644
--- a/src/output.c
+++ b/src/output.c
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
  */
 
 #define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
-#include "config.h"
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_buffer.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_drm_lease_v1.h>
@@ -16,13 +15,10 @@
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_scene.h>
 #include <wlr/util/region.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
-#include "buffer.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "layers.h"
-#include "menu/menu.h"
 #include "node.h"
-#include "ssd.h"
-#include "theme.h"
 
 static void
 output_frame_notify(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
@@ -129,7 +125,7 @@ new_output_notify(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 
 	wlr_output_commit(wlr_output);
 
-	struct output *output = calloc(1, sizeof(struct output));
+	struct output *output = xzalloc(sizeof(struct output));
 	output->wlr_output = wlr_output;
 	wlr_output->data = output;
 	output->server = server;
diff --git a/src/seat.c b/src/seat.c
index e19c663f..70292259 100644
--- a/src/seat.c
+++ b/src/seat.c
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_pointer.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_touch.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 
 static void
@@ -201,7 +202,7 @@ new_input_notify(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 {
 	struct seat *seat = wl_container_of(listener, seat, new_input);
 	struct wlr_input_device *device = data;
-	struct input *input = calloc(1, sizeof(struct input));
+	struct input *input = xzalloc(sizeof(struct input));
 	input->wlr_input_device = device;
 	input->seat = seat;
 
@@ -262,11 +263,8 @@ new_idle_inhibitor(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	struct seat *seat = wl_container_of(listener, seat,
 		idle_inhibitor_create);
 
-	struct idle_inhibitor *inhibitor = calloc(1,
-		sizeof(struct idle_inhibitor));
-	if (!inhibitor) {
-		return;
-	}
+	struct idle_inhibitor *inhibitor =
+		xzalloc(sizeof(struct idle_inhibitor));
 
 	inhibitor->seat = seat;
 	inhibitor->wlr_inhibitor = wlr_inhibitor;
diff --git a/src/ssd/ssd_extents.c b/src/ssd/ssd_extents.c
index 31e0b337..28a09162 100644
--- a/src/ssd/ssd_extents.c
+++ b/src/ssd/ssd_extents.c
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "ssd.h"
 #include "theme.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/scene-helpers.h"
 
 static struct ssd_part *
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ add_extent(struct wl_list *part_list, enum ssd_part_type type,
 	 * part->geometry will get free'd automatically in ssd_destroy_parts().
 	 */
 	part->node = &wlr_scene_rect_create(parent, 0, 0, invisible)->node;
-	part->geometry = calloc(1, sizeof(struct wlr_box));
+	part->geometry = xzalloc(sizeof(struct wlr_box));
 	return part;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ssd/ssd_part.c b/src/ssd/ssd_part.c
index f08af948..9a4db0ce 100644
--- a/src/ssd/ssd_part.c
+++ b/src/ssd/ssd_part.c
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
 
 #include <assert.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "ssd.h"
 #include "node.h"
-#include "common/font.h"
 
 /* Internal helpers */
 static void
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ static struct ssd_button *
 ssd_button_descriptor_create(struct wlr_scene_node *node)
 {
 	/* Create new ssd_button */
-	struct ssd_button *button = calloc(1, sizeof(struct ssd_button));
+	struct ssd_button *button = xzalloc(sizeof(struct ssd_button));
 
 	/* Let it destroy automatically when the scene node destroys */
 	button->destroy.notify = ssd_button_destroy_notify;
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ ssd_button_descriptor_create(struct wlr_scene_node *node)
 struct ssd_part *
 add_scene_part(struct wl_list *part_list, enum ssd_part_type type)
 {
-	struct ssd_part *part = calloc(1, sizeof(struct ssd_part));
+	struct ssd_part *part = xzalloc(sizeof(struct ssd_part));
 	part->type = type;
 	wl_list_insert(part_list->prev, &part->link);
 	return part;
diff --git a/src/ssd/ssd_titlebar.c b/src/ssd/ssd_titlebar.c
index b2cfe0ef..945c2844 100644
--- a/src/ssd/ssd_titlebar.c
+++ b/src/ssd/ssd_titlebar.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include "ssd.h"
 #include "theme.h"
 #include "common/font.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "common/scaled_font_buffer.h"
 #include "common/scene-helpers.h"
 #include "node.h"
@@ -271,7 +272,7 @@ ssd_update_title(struct view *view)
 		if (state->text) {
 			free(state->text);
 		}
-		state->text = strdup(title);
+		state->text = xstrdup(title);
 	}
 	ssd_update_title_positions(view);
 }
diff --git a/src/theme.c b/src/theme.c
index 45af59f8..29d4fe18 100644
--- a/src/theme.c
+++ b/src/theme.c
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "common/font.h"
 #include "common/graphic-helpers.h"
 #include "common/string-helpers.h"
-#include "common/zfree.h"
 #include "config/rcxml.h"
 #include "theme.h"
 #include "xbm/xbm.h"
diff --git a/src/workspaces.c b/src/workspaces.c
index b6a9f664..38cf81da 100644
--- a/src/workspaces.c
+++ b/src/workspaces.c
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "common/font.h"
 #include "common/graphic-helpers.h"
-#include "common/zfree.h"
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "workspaces.h"
 
 /* Internal helpers */
@@ -154,9 +154,9 @@ _osd_update(struct server *server)
 static void
 add_workspace(struct server *server, const char *name)
 {
-	struct workspace *workspace = calloc(1, sizeof(struct workspace));
+	struct workspace *workspace = xzalloc(sizeof(struct workspace));
 	workspace->server = server;
-	workspace->name = strdup(name);
+	workspace->name = xstrdup(name);
 	workspace->tree = wlr_scene_tree_create(server->view_tree);
 	wl_list_insert(server->workspaces.prev, &workspace->link);
 	if (!server->workspace_current) {
diff --git a/src/xbm/parse.c b/src/xbm/parse.c
index fdb5b07f..1eb722cc 100644
--- a/src/xbm/parse.c
+++ b/src/xbm/parse.c
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "xbm/parse.h"
 
 static uint32_t color;
@@ -37,8 +38,8 @@ parse_set_color(float *rgba)
 static void
 process_bytes(struct pixmap *pixmap, struct token *tokens)
 {
-	pixmap->data = (uint32_t *)calloc(pixmap->width * pixmap->height,
-					  sizeof(uint32_t));
+	pixmap->data = (uint32_t *)xzalloc(
+		pixmap->width * pixmap->height * sizeof(uint32_t));
 	struct token *t = tokens;
 	for (int row = 0; row < pixmap->height; row++) {
 		int byte = 1;
diff --git a/src/xbm/tokenize.c b/src/xbm/tokenize.c
index ff6bc73b..218d0bd2 100644
--- a/src/xbm/tokenize.c
+++ b/src/xbm/tokenize.c
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "xbm/tokenize.h"
 
 static char *current_buffer_position;
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ add_token(enum token_type token_type)
 {
 	if (nr_tokens == alloc_tokens) {
 		alloc_tokens = (alloc_tokens + 16) * 2;
-		tokens = realloc(tokens, alloc_tokens * sizeof(struct token));
+		tokens = xrealloc(tokens, alloc_tokens * sizeof(struct token));
 	}
 	struct token *token = tokens + nr_tokens;
 	memset(token, 0, sizeof(*token));
diff --git a/src/xdg-deco.c b/src/xdg-deco.c
index f0cdd873..0d4eece2 100644
--- a/src/xdg-deco.c
+++ b/src/xdg-deco.c
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 
 struct xdg_deco {
@@ -43,10 +44,7 @@ xdg_toplevel_decoration(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	struct server *server =
 		wl_container_of(listener, server, xdg_toplevel_decoration);
 	struct wlr_xdg_toplevel_decoration_v1 *wlr_decoration = data;
-	struct xdg_deco *xdg_deco = calloc(1, sizeof(struct xdg_deco));
-	if (!xdg_deco) {
-		return;
-	}
+	struct xdg_deco *xdg_deco = xzalloc(sizeof(struct xdg_deco));
 	xdg_deco->wlr_decoration = wlr_decoration;
 	xdg_deco->server = server;
 	xdg_deco->view = wlr_decoration->surface->data;
diff --git a/src/xdg-popup.c b/src/xdg-popup.c
index 36873b6c..3edff404 100644
--- a/src/xdg-popup.c
+++ b/src/xdg-popup.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
  *	- keeping non-layer-shell xdg-popups outside the layers.c code
  */
 
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "node.h"
 
@@ -67,10 +68,7 @@ xdg_popup_create(struct view *view, struct wlr_xdg_popup *wlr_popup)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	struct xdg_popup *popup = calloc(1, sizeof(struct xdg_popup));
-	if (!popup) {
-		return;
-	}
+	struct xdg_popup *popup = xzalloc(sizeof(struct xdg_popup));
 
 	popup->parent_view = view;
 	popup->wlr_popup = wlr_popup;
diff --git a/src/xdg.c b/src/xdg.c
index 2456f7f8..835cdb09 100644
--- a/src/xdg.c
+++ b/src/xdg.c
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
 #include <assert.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "node.h"
 #include "ssd.h"
@@ -374,7 +375,7 @@ xdg_surface_new(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 
 	wlr_xdg_surface_ping(xdg_surface);
 
-	struct view *view = calloc(1, sizeof(struct view));
+	struct view *view = xzalloc(sizeof(struct view));
 	view->server = server;
 	view->type = LAB_XDG_SHELL_VIEW;
 	view->impl = &xdg_toplevel_view_impl;
diff --git a/src/xwayland-unmanaged.c b/src/xwayland-unmanaged.c
index 44608485..b5fb58e4 100644
--- a/src/xwayland-unmanaged.c
+++ b/src/xwayland-unmanaged.c
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 
 static void
@@ -139,8 +140,8 @@ struct xwayland_unmanaged *
 xwayland_unmanaged_create(struct server *server,
 			  struct wlr_xwayland_surface *xsurface)
 {
-	struct xwayland_unmanaged *unmanaged;
-	unmanaged = calloc(1, sizeof(struct xwayland_unmanaged));
+	struct xwayland_unmanaged *unmanaged =
+		xzalloc(sizeof(struct xwayland_unmanaged));
 	unmanaged->server = server;
 	unmanaged->xwayland_surface = xsurface;
 
diff --git a/src/xwayland.c b/src/xwayland.c
index 1b51cd37..5b071e60 100644
--- a/src/xwayland.c
+++ b/src/xwayland.c
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
 #include <assert.h>
+#include "common/mem.h"
 #include "labwc.h"
 #include "node.h"
 #include "ssd.h"
@@ -483,7 +484,7 @@ xwayland_surface_new(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	struct view *view = calloc(1, sizeof(struct view));
+	struct view *view = xzalloc(sizeof(struct view));
 	view->server = server;
 	view->type = LAB_XWAYLAND_VIEW;
 	view->impl = &xwl_view_impl;