diff --git a/actor/actor.go b/actor/actor.go
index 373898b8795..f75b4bb2520 100644
--- a/actor/actor.go
+++ b/actor/actor.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ type Actor[M Message, R any] struct {
 	behavior ActorBehavior[M, R]
 
 	// mailbox is the incoming message queue for the actor.
-	mailbox chan envelope[M, R]
+	mailbox Mailbox[M, R]
 
 	// ctx is the context governing the actor's lifecycle.
 	ctx context.Context
@@ -93,10 +93,13 @@ func NewActor[M Message, R any](cfg ActorConfig[M, R]) (*Actor[M, R],
 		mailboxCapacity = 1
 	}
 
+	// Create mailbox - could be injected via config in the future.
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[M, R](ctx, mailboxCapacity)
+
 	actor := &Actor[M, R]{
 		id:       cfg.ID,
 		behavior: cfg.Behavior,
-		mailbox:  make(chan envelope[M, R], mailboxCapacity),
+		mailbox:  mailbox,
 		ctx:      ctx,
 		cancel:   cancel,
 		dlo:      cfg.DLO,
@@ -123,76 +126,32 @@ func (a *Actor[M, R]) Start() {
 // process is the main event loop for the actor. It continuously monitors its
 // mailbox for incoming messages and its context for cancellation signals.
 func (a *Actor[M, R]) process() {
-	for {
-		select {
-		case env := <-a.mailbox:
-			result := a.behavior.Receive(a.ctx, env.message)
-
-			// If a promise was provided (i.e., it was an "ask"
-			// operation), complete the promise with the result from
-			// the behavior.
-			if env.promise != nil {
-				env.promise.Complete(result)
-			}
-
-		// The actor's context has been cancelled, signaling a stop
-		// request. Exit the processing loop to terminate the actor's
-		// goroutine. Before exiting, drain any remaining messages from
-		// the mailbox.
-		//
-		// NOTE: We intentionally do NOT close the mailbox channel here.
-		// Closing it would create a TOCTOU race with Tell/Ask, which
-		// check ctx.Err() before sending to the mailbox. Between that
-		// check and the actual send, the channel could be closed,
-		// causing a panic. Instead, we drain using a non-blocking
-		// select loop. Messages sent after this point will remain in
-		// the buffered channel and be garbage collected.
-		case <-a.ctx.Done():
-			log.Debugf("Actor %s: context cancelled, draining "+
-				"mailbox", a.id)
-
-			// Drain any remaining messages from the mailbox
-			// without closing the channel.
-			drained := 0
-			for {
-				select {
-				case env := <-a.mailbox:
-					drained++
-
-					// If a DLO is configured, send the
-					// original message there for auditing
-					// or potential manual reprocessing.
-					if a.dlo != nil {
-						a.dlo.Tell(
-							context.Background(),
-							env.message,
-						)
-					}
-
-					// If it was an Ask, complete the
-					// promise with an error indicating the
-					// actor terminated.
-					if env.promise != nil {
-						env.promise.Complete(
-							fn.Err[R](
-								ErrActorTerminated,
-							),
-						)
-					}
-
-				default:
-					if drained > 0 {
-						log.Debugf("Actor %s: "+
-							"drained %d "+
-							"message(s) during "+
-							"shutdown",
-							a.id, drained)
-					}
-
-					// No more messages in the mailbox.
-					return
-				}
-			}
+	// Use the new iterator pattern for receiving messages.
+	for env := range a.mailbox.Receive(a.ctx) {
+		result := a.behavior.Receive(a.ctx, env.message)
+
+		// If a promise was provided (i.e., it was an "ask"
+		// operation), complete the promise with the result from
+		// the behavior.
+		if env.promise != nil {
+			env.promise.Complete(result)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Context was cancelled or mailbox closed, drain remaining messages.
+	a.mailbox.Close()
+
+	for env := range a.mailbox.Drain() {
+		// If a DLO is configured, send the original message there
+		// for auditing or potential manual reprocessing.
+		if a.dlo != nil {
+			a.dlo.Tell(context.Background(), env.message)
+		}
+
+		// If it was an Ask, complete the promise with an error
+		// indicating the actor terminated.
+		if env.promise != nil {
+			env.promise.Complete(fn.Err[R](ErrActorTerminated))
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -227,22 +186,15 @@ func (ref *actorRefImpl[M, R]) Tell(ctx context.Context, msg M) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	select {
-	// Message successfully enqueued in the actor's mailbox.
-	case ref.actor.mailbox <- envelope[M, R]{message: msg, promise: nil}:
-
-	// The context for the Tell operation was cancelled before the message
-	// could be enqueued. The message is dropped.
-	case <-ctx.Done():
-		log.Warnf("Tell to actor %s: message %s dropped "+
-			"(caller context cancelled)", ref.actor.id,
-			msg.MessageType())
-
-	// The actor itself has been stopped/terminated.
-	case <-ref.actor.ctx.Done():
-		// If the actor is terminated and has a DLO, send the message
-		// there. Otherwise, it's dropped.
-		ref.trySendToDLO(msg)
+	env := envelope[M, R]{message: msg, promise: nil}
+
+	// Use mailbox Send method which internally checks both contexts.
+	if !ref.actor.mailbox.Send(ctx, env) {
+		// Failed to send - check if actor terminated.
+		if ref.actor.ctx.Err() != nil {
+			ref.trySendToDLO(msg)
+		}
+		// Otherwise it was the caller's context that cancelled.
 	}
 }
 
@@ -271,21 +223,16 @@ func (ref *actorRefImpl[M, R]) Ask(ctx context.Context, msg M) Future[R] {
 		return promise.Future()
 	}
 
-	select {
-	// Attempt to send the message along with its promise to the actor's
-	// mailbox.
-	case ref.actor.mailbox <- envelope[M, R]{message: msg, promise: promise}:
+	env := envelope[M, R]{message: msg, promise: promise}
 
-	// The context for the Ask operation was cancelled before the message
-	// could be enqueued. Complete the promise with the context's error to
-	// unblock the caller.
-	case <-ctx.Done():
-		promise.Complete(fn.Err[R](ctx.Err()))
-
-	// The actor's context was cancelled (e.g., actor stopped) while this
-	// Ask operation was attempting to send (e.g., mailbox was full).
-	case <-ref.actor.ctx.Done():
-		promise.Complete(fn.Err[R](ErrActorTerminated))
+	// Use mailbox Send method which internally checks both contexts.
+	if !ref.actor.mailbox.Send(ctx, env) {
+		// Determine the error based on what failed.
+		if ref.actor.ctx.Err() != nil {
+			promise.Complete(fn.Err[R](ErrActorTerminated))
+		} else {
+			promise.Complete(fn.Err[R](ctx.Err()))
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Return the future associated with the promise, allowing the caller to
diff --git a/actor/mailbox.go b/actor/mailbox.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4d15f434c15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/actor/mailbox.go
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+package actor
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"iter"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+)
+
+// Mailbox represents the message queue for an actor. It provides methods for
+// sending messages and receiving them via an iterator pattern.
+type Mailbox[M Message, R any] interface {
+	// Send attempts to send an envelope to the mailbox with context-based
+	// cancellation. Returns true if sent successfully, false if the
+	// context was cancelled or the mailbox is closed.
+	Send(ctx context.Context, env envelope[M, R]) bool
+
+	// TrySend attempts to send without blocking. Returns true if the
+	// envelope was sent, false if the mailbox is full or closed.
+	TrySend(env envelope[M, R]) bool
+
+	// Receive returns an iterator for consuming messages from the mailbox.
+	// The iterator will yield messages until the mailbox is closed or the
+	// context is cancelled.
+	Receive(ctx context.Context) iter.Seq[envelope[M, R]]
+
+	// Close closes the mailbox, preventing new messages from being sent.
+	// Any remaining messages can still be consumed via Receive.
+	Close()
+
+	// IsClosed returns true if the mailbox has been closed.
+	IsClosed() bool
+
+	// Drain returns an iterator that yields all remaining messages in the
+	// mailbox after it has been closed. This is useful for cleanup.
+	Drain() iter.Seq[envelope[M, R]]
+}
+
+// ChannelMailbox is a channel-based implementation of the Mailbox interface.
+type ChannelMailbox[M Message, R any] struct {
+	ch     chan envelope[M, R]
+	closed atomic.Bool
+
+	// mu protects Send/TrySend operations to prevent send-on-closed-channel
+	// panics. Close() acquires write lock, Send/TrySend acquire read lock.
+	mu sync.RWMutex
+
+	// closeOnce ensures Close() executes exactly once.
+	closeOnce sync.Once
+
+	// actorCtx is the actor's context for lifecycle management.
+	actorCtx context.Context
+}
+
+// NewChannelMailbox creates a new channel-based mailbox with the specified
+// buffer capacity and actor context.
+func NewChannelMailbox[M Message, R any](actorCtx context.Context,
+	capacity int) *ChannelMailbox[M, R] {
+
+	if capacity <= 0 {
+		capacity = 1
+	}
+	return &ChannelMailbox[M, R]{
+		ch:       make(chan envelope[M, R], capacity),
+		actorCtx: actorCtx,
+	}
+}
+
+// Send implements Mailbox.Send with context-aware blocking send.
+func (m *ChannelMailbox[M, R]) Send(ctx context.Context,
+	env envelope[M, R]) bool {
+
+	m.mu.RLock()
+	defer m.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	if m.IsClosed() {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case m.ch <- env:
+		return true
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return false
+	case <-m.actorCtx.Done():
+		// Actor is shutting down.
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+// TrySend implements Mailbox.TrySend with non-blocking send.
+func (m *ChannelMailbox[M, R]) TrySend(env envelope[M, R]) bool {
+	m.mu.RLock()
+	defer m.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	if m.IsClosed() {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case m.ch <- env:
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
+}
+
+// Receive implements Mailbox.Receive using iter.Seq pattern.
+func (m *ChannelMailbox[M, R]) Receive(
+	ctx context.Context) iter.Seq[envelope[M, R]] {
+	return func(yield func(envelope[M, R]) bool) {
+		for {
+			select {
+			case env, ok := <-m.ch:
+				if !ok {
+					return
+				}
+
+				if !yield(env) {
+					return
+				}
+
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+
+			case <-m.actorCtx.Done():
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Close implements Mailbox.Close.
+func (m *ChannelMailbox[M, R]) Close() {
+	m.closeOnce.Do(func() {
+		m.mu.Lock()
+		defer m.mu.Unlock()
+
+		m.closed.Store(true)
+
+		close(m.ch)
+	})
+}
+
+// IsClosed implements Mailbox.IsClosed.
+func (m *ChannelMailbox[M, R]) IsClosed() bool {
+	return m.closed.Load()
+}
+
+// Drain implements Mailbox.Drain for cleanup after close.
+func (m *ChannelMailbox[M, R]) Drain() iter.Seq[envelope[M, R]] {
+	return func(yield func(envelope[M, R]) bool) {
+		// Only drain if closed.
+		if !m.IsClosed() {
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Drain all remaining messages from the channel.
+		for {
+			select {
+			case env, ok := <-m.ch:
+				// Channel closed, nothing left to drain.
+				if !ok {
+					return
+				}
+
+				if !yield(env) {
+					return
+				}
+			default:
+				// Channel empty, done draining.
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/actor/mailbox_test.go b/actor/mailbox_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b96d5e4de53
--- /dev/null
+++ b/actor/mailbox_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,593 @@
+package actor
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// TestMessage is a test message type that embeds BaseMessage.
+type TestMessage struct {
+	BaseMessage
+	Value int
+}
+
+// MessageType returns the type name of the message for routing/filtering.
+func (tm TestMessage) MessageType() string {
+	return "TestMessage"
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxSend tests the Send method of ChannelMailbox.
+func TestChannelMailboxSend(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("successful send", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+		ctx := context.Background()
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+
+		sent := mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+		require.True(t, sent, "Send should succeed")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("send with cancelled context", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 1)
+		// Fill the mailbox first.
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+		mailbox.TrySend(env)
+
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		// Cancel immediately.
+		cancel()
+
+		env2 := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 43},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+
+		sent := mailbox.Send(ctx, env2)
+		require.False(t, sent, "Send should fail with cancelled context")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("send to closed mailbox", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+		mailbox.Close()
+
+		ctx := context.Background()
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+
+		sent := mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+		require.False(t, sent, "Send should fail on closed mailbox")
+	})
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxTrySend tests the TrySend method of ChannelMailbox.
+func TestChannelMailboxTrySend(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("successful try send", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+
+		sent := mailbox.TrySend(env)
+		require.True(t, sent, "TrySend should succeed")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("try send to full mailbox", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 1)
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+
+		// Fill the mailbox.
+		sent := mailbox.TrySend(env)
+		require.True(t, sent, "First TrySend should succeed")
+
+		// Try to send again - should fail.
+		sent = mailbox.TrySend(env)
+		require.False(t, sent, "TrySend should fail on full mailbox")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("try send to closed mailbox", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+		mailbox.Close()
+
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+
+		sent := mailbox.TrySend(env)
+		require.False(t, sent, "TrySend should fail on closed mailbox")
+	})
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxReceive tests the Receive method of ChannelMailbox.
+func TestChannelMailboxReceive(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("receive messages", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+		ctx := context.Background()
+
+		// Send some messages.
+		for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+			env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+				message: TestMessage{Value: i},
+				promise: nil,
+			}
+			mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+		}
+
+		// Start receiving in a goroutine.
+		var received []int
+		var wg sync.WaitGroup
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			for env := range mailbox.Receive(ctx) {
+				received = append(received, env.message.Value)
+			}
+		}()
+
+		// Close the mailbox after sending all messages.
+		mailbox.Close()
+		wg.Wait()
+
+		require.Len(t, received, 3, "Should receive 3 messages")
+		require.Equal(t, []int{0, 1, 2}, received, "Should receive messages in order")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("receive with cancelled context", func(t *testing.T) {
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+
+		// Send a message.
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+		mailbox.Send(context.Background(), env)
+
+		// Start receiving.
+		var received int
+		var wg sync.WaitGroup
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			for env := range mailbox.Receive(ctx) {
+				received++
+				_ = env
+			}
+		}()
+
+		// Cancel the context.
+		cancel()
+		wg.Wait()
+
+		// Might receive 0 or 1 message depending on timing.
+		require.LessOrEqual(t, received, 1,
+			"Should stop receiving after context cancel")
+	})
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxClose tests the Close and IsClosed methods.
+func TestChannelMailboxClose(t *testing.T) {
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+
+	require.False(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should not be closed initially")
+
+	mailbox.Close()
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should be closed after Close()")
+
+	// Closing again should be safe.
+	mailbox.Close()
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should remain closed")
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxDrain tests the Drain method of ChannelMailbox.
+func TestChannelMailboxDrain(t *testing.T) {
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// Send some messages.
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ {
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: i},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+		mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+	}
+
+	// Close the mailbox.
+	mailbox.Close()
+
+	// Drain messages.
+	var drained []int
+	for env := range mailbox.Drain() {
+		drained = append(drained, env.message.Value)
+	}
+
+	require.Len(t, drained, 3, "Should drain 3 messages")
+	require.Equal(t, []int{0, 1, 2}, drained, "Should drain messages in order")
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxConcurrent tests concurrent operations on ChannelMailbox.
+func TestChannelMailboxConcurrent(t *testing.T) {
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 100)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	const numSenders = 10
+	const messagesPerSender = 100
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	// Start multiple senders.
+	for i := 0; i < numSenders; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(senderID int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			for j := 0; j < messagesPerSender; j++ {
+				env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+					message: TestMessage{Value: senderID*1000 + j},
+					promise: nil,
+				}
+				mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+			}
+		}(i)
+	}
+
+	// Start receiver.
+	received := make([]int, 0, numSenders*messagesPerSender)
+	var receiverWg sync.WaitGroup
+	receiverWg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer receiverWg.Done()
+		for env := range mailbox.Receive(ctx) {
+			received = append(received, env.message.Value)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	// Wait for all senders to complete.
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	// Close the mailbox now that all sends are complete.
+	mailbox.Close()
+	receiverWg.Wait()
+
+	require.Len(t, received, numSenders*messagesPerSender,
+		"Should receive all messages")
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxZeroCapacity tests that zero capacity defaults to 1.
+func TestChannelMailboxZeroCapacity(t *testing.T) {
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 0)
+
+	// Should default to capacity of 1.
+	env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+		message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+		promise: nil,
+	}
+
+	sent := mailbox.TrySend(env)
+	require.True(t, sent, "Should be able to send one message")
+
+	// Second send should fail (mailbox full).
+	sent = mailbox.TrySend(env)
+	require.False(t, sent, "Second send should fail on full mailbox")
+}
+
+// TestChannelMailboxActorContext tests that the mailbox respects the actor's
+// context for cancellation.
+func TestChannelMailboxActorContext(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("send respects actor context", func(t *testing.T) {
+		actorCtx, actorCancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](actorCtx, 1)
+
+		// Fill the mailbox.
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+		mailbox.TrySend(env)
+
+		// Cancel the actor context.
+		actorCancel()
+
+		// Try to send with a fresh caller context - should fail due to
+		// actor context cancellation.
+		callerCtx := context.Background()
+		env2 := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 43},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+
+		sent := mailbox.Send(callerCtx, env2)
+		require.False(t, sent, "Send should fail when actor context is cancelled")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("receive respects actor context", func(t *testing.T) {
+		actorCtx, actorCancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](actorCtx, 10)
+
+		// Send a message.
+		env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+			message: TestMessage{Value: 42},
+			promise: nil,
+		}
+		mailbox.Send(context.Background(), env)
+
+		// Start receiving with a fresh context.
+		callerCtx := context.Background()
+		var received int
+		var wg sync.WaitGroup
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			for env := range mailbox.Receive(callerCtx) {
+				received++
+				_ = env
+			}
+		}()
+
+		// Cancel the actor context.
+		actorCancel()
+		wg.Wait()
+
+		// Should have stopped receiving due to actor context cancellation.
+		require.LessOrEqual(t, received, 1,
+			"Should stop receiving when actor context is cancelled")
+	})
+}
+
+// TestMailboxConcurrentSendAndClose tests concurrent Send and Close operations
+// to ensure no race conditions or panics occur.
+func TestMailboxConcurrentSendAndClose(t *testing.T) {
+	const numSenders = 20
+	const sendsPerSender = 100
+
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 100)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	// Start receiver to drain messages.
+	var recvWg sync.WaitGroup
+	recvWg.Add(1)
+	go func() {
+		defer recvWg.Done()
+		for range mailbox.Receive(ctx) {
+			// Just drain.
+		}
+	}()
+
+	// Start multiple senders.
+	for i := 0; i < numSenders; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(senderID int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			for j := 0; j < sendsPerSender; j++ {
+				env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+					message: TestMessage{Value: senderID*1000 + j},
+					promise: nil,
+				}
+				// Send may fail if mailbox closes, that's ok.
+				mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+			}
+		}(i)
+	}
+
+	// Concurrently close the mailbox multiple times from different
+	// goroutines.
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			mailbox.Close()
+		}()
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+	recvWg.Wait()
+
+	// Mailbox should be closed.
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should be closed")
+
+	// Further sends should fail without panic.
+	env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+		message: TestMessage{Value: 999},
+		promise: nil,
+	}
+	sent := mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+	require.False(t, sent, "Send should fail on closed mailbox")
+}
+
+// TestMailboxConcurrentTrySendAndClose tests concurrent TrySend and Close
+// operations to ensure no race conditions or panics occur.
+func TestMailboxConcurrentTrySendAndClose(t *testing.T) {
+	const numSenders = 20
+	const sendsPerSender = 100
+
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	// Start multiple senders using TrySend.
+	for i := 0; i < numSenders; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func(senderID int) {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			for j := 0; j < sendsPerSender; j++ {
+				env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+					message: TestMessage{Value: senderID*1000 + j},
+					promise: nil,
+				}
+				// TrySend may fail if mailbox is full or closed.
+				mailbox.TrySend(env)
+			}
+		}(i)
+	}
+
+	// Concurrently close the mailbox.
+	for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			mailbox.Close()
+		}()
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	// Mailbox should be closed.
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should be closed")
+
+	// Further sends should fail without panic.
+	env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+		message: TestMessage{Value: 999},
+		promise: nil,
+	}
+	sent := mailbox.TrySend(env)
+	require.False(t, sent, "TrySend should fail on closed mailbox")
+}
+
+// TestMailboxMultipleCloseCallers tests that multiple goroutines calling
+// Close() simultaneously don't cause panics or issues.
+func TestMailboxMultipleCloseCallers(t *testing.T) {
+	const numClosers = 100
+
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 10)
+
+	var wg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	// Start many goroutines all trying to close the mailbox.
+	for i := 0; i < numClosers; i++ {
+		wg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer wg.Done()
+			mailbox.Close()
+		}()
+	}
+
+	wg.Wait()
+
+	// Mailbox should be closed exactly once.
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should be closed")
+
+	// Calling Close again should be safe.
+	mailbox.Close()
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should remain closed")
+}
+
+// TestMailboxCloseWhileSending tests closing the mailbox while multiple
+// senders are actively sending messages.
+func TestMailboxCloseWhileSending(t *testing.T) {
+	const numSenders = 10
+	const sendsPerSender = 1000
+
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 100)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	var sendWg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	// Start multiple senders.
+	for i := 0; i < numSenders; i++ {
+		sendWg.Add(1)
+		go func(senderID int) {
+			defer sendWg.Done()
+			for j := 0; j < sendsPerSender; j++ {
+				env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+					message: TestMessage{Value: senderID*1000 + j},
+					promise: nil,
+				}
+				// Send may fail after close, that's expected.
+				mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+			}
+		}(i)
+	}
+
+	// Start receiver to drain messages.
+	var recvWg sync.WaitGroup
+	recvWg.Add(1)
+	receivedCount := 0
+	go func() {
+		defer recvWg.Done()
+		for range mailbox.Receive(ctx) {
+			receivedCount++
+		}
+	}()
+
+	// Close mailbox while sends are happening.
+	mailbox.Close()
+
+	sendWg.Wait()
+	recvWg.Wait()
+
+	// Should have received at least some messages (exact count depends on
+	// timing).
+	t.Logf("Received %d messages before close", receivedCount)
+
+	// Mailbox should be closed.
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should be closed")
+}
+
+// TestMailboxStressTest performs a high-concurrency stress test with multiple
+// senders, receivers, and close operations.
+func TestMailboxStressTest(t *testing.T) {
+	const numSenders = 50
+	const numReceivers = 5
+	const sendsPerSender = 200
+
+	mailbox := NewChannelMailbox[TestMessage, int](context.Background(), 200)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	var sendWg sync.WaitGroup
+
+	// Start multiple senders.
+	for i := 0; i < numSenders; i++ {
+		sendWg.Add(1)
+		go func(senderID int) {
+			defer sendWg.Done()
+			for j := 0; j < sendsPerSender; j++ {
+				env := envelope[TestMessage, int]{
+					message: TestMessage{Value: senderID*1000 + j},
+					promise: nil,
+				}
+				mailbox.Send(ctx, env)
+			}
+		}(i)
+	}
+
+	// Start multiple receivers.
+	var recvWg sync.WaitGroup
+	for i := 0; i < numReceivers; i++ {
+		recvWg.Add(1)
+		go func() {
+			defer recvWg.Done()
+			for range mailbox.Receive(ctx) {
+				// Just drain messages.
+			}
+		}()
+	}
+
+	// Wait for all sends to complete.
+	sendWg.Wait()
+
+	// Close mailbox.
+	mailbox.Close()
+
+	// Wait for all receivers to finish.
+	recvWg.Wait()
+
+	// Mailbox should be closed.
+	require.True(t, mailbox.IsClosed(), "Mailbox should be closed")
+}