diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 5acc8438..a4971517 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -4,13 +4,14 @@ version = 3
 
 [[package]]
 name = "ahash"
-version = "0.8.3"
+version = "0.8.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "2c99f64d1e06488f620f932677e24bc6e2897582980441ae90a671415bd7ec2f"
+checksum = "91429305e9f0a25f6205c5b8e0d2db09e0708a7a6df0f42212bb56c32c8ac97a"
 dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "once_cell",
  "version_check",
+ "zerocopy",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -234,6 +235,12 @@ version = "1.8.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "7fcaabb2fef8c910e7f4c7ce9f67a1283a1715879a7c230ca9d6d1ae31f16d91"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "equivalent"
+version = "1.0.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "5443807d6dff69373d433ab9ef5378ad8df50ca6298caf15de6e52e24aaf54d5"
+
 [[package]]
 name = "errno"
 version = "0.3.1"
@@ -294,6 +301,17 @@ dependencies = [
  "windows-targets",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "getrandom"
+version = "0.2.10"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "be4136b2a15dd319360be1c07d9933517ccf0be8f16bf62a3bee4f0d618df427"
+dependencies = [
+ "cfg-if",
+ "libc",
+ "wasi",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "glob"
 version = "0.3.1"
@@ -302,9 +320,9 @@ checksum = "d2fabcfbdc87f4758337ca535fb41a6d701b65693ce38287d856d1674551ec9b"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "hashbrown"
-version = "0.14.0"
+version = "0.14.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "2c6201b9ff9fd90a5a3bac2e56a830d0caa509576f0e503818ee82c181b3437a"
+checksum = "290f1a1d9242c78d09ce40a5e87e7554ee637af1351968159f4952f028f75604"
 dependencies = [
  "ahash",
  "allocator-api2",
@@ -348,6 +366,16 @@ dependencies = [
  "cc",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "indexmap"
+version = "2.1.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "d530e1a18b1cb4c484e6e34556a0d948706958449fca0cab753d649f2bce3d1f"
+dependencies = [
+ "equivalent",
+ "hashbrown",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "itertools"
 version = "0.10.5"
@@ -557,6 +585,24 @@ dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "rand"
+version = "0.8.5"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "34af8d1a0e25924bc5b7c43c079c942339d8f0a8b57c39049bef581b46327404"
+dependencies = [
+ "rand_core",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "rand_core"
+version = "0.6.4"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "ec0be4795e2f6a28069bec0b5ff3e2ac9bafc99e6a9a7dc3547996c5c816922c"
+dependencies = [
+ "getrandom",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "redox_syscall"
 version = "0.3.5"
@@ -576,9 +622,11 @@ dependencies = [
  "crossterm",
  "fd-lock",
  "gethostname",
+ "indexmap",
  "itertools",
  "nu-ansi-term",
  "pretty_assertions",
+ "rand",
  "rstest",
  "rusqlite",
  "serde",
@@ -811,9 +859,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "syn"
-version = "2.0.26"
+version = "2.0.32"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "45c3457aacde3c65315de5031ec191ce46604304d2446e803d71ade03308d970"
+checksum = "239814284fd6f1a4ffe4ca893952cdd93c224b6a1571c9a9eadd670295c0c9e2"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",
@@ -1090,3 +1138,23 @@ name = "yansi"
 version = "0.5.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "09041cd90cf85f7f8b2df60c646f853b7f535ce68f85244eb6731cf89fa498ec"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "zerocopy"
+version = "0.7.29"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "5d075cf85bbb114e933343e087b92f2146bac0d55b534cbb8188becf0039948e"
+dependencies = [
+ "zerocopy-derive",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "zerocopy-derive"
+version = "0.7.29"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "86cd5ca076997b97ef09d3ad65efe811fa68c9e874cb636ccb211223a813b0c2"
+dependencies = [
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "syn",
+]
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index ca1bc5ad..ff7633d8 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -21,8 +21,13 @@ clipboard = { version = "0.5.0", optional = true }
 crossbeam = { version = "0.8.2", optional = true }
 crossterm = { version = "0.27.0", features = ["serde"] }
 fd-lock = "3.0.3"
+indexmap = "2.1.0"
 itertools = "0.10.3"
 nu-ansi-term = "0.49.0"
+rand = { version = "0.8.5", default-features = false, features = [
+    "small_rng",
+    "getrandom",
+] }
 rusqlite = { version = "0.29.0", optional = true }
 serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = { version = "1.0.79", optional = true }
diff --git a/examples/cwd_aware_hinter.rs b/examples/cwd_aware_hinter.rs
index b8b9145d..c5592fb4 100644
--- a/examples/cwd_aware_hinter.rs
+++ b/examples/cwd_aware_hinter.rs
@@ -6,14 +6,21 @@
 // pressing "a" hints to abc.
 // Up/Down or Ctrl p/n, to select next/previous match
 
-use std::io;
+use std::{
+    io,
+    sync::atomic::{AtomicI64, Ordering},
+};
+
+use reedline::HistoryItemId;
+
+static COUNTER: AtomicI64 = AtomicI64::new(0);
 
 fn create_item(cwd: &str, cmd: &str, exit_status: i64) -> reedline::HistoryItem {
     use std::time::Duration;
 
     use reedline::HistoryItem;
     HistoryItem {
-        id: None,
+        id: HistoryItemId(COUNTER.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst)),
         start_timestamp: None,
         command_line: cmd.to_string(),
         session_id: None,
@@ -32,13 +39,13 @@ fn create_filled_example_history(home_dir: &str, orig_dir: &str) -> Box<dyn reed
     #[cfg(any(feature = "sqlite", feature = "sqlite-dynlib"))]
     let mut history = Box::new(reedline::SqliteBackedHistory::in_memory().unwrap());
 
-    history.save(create_item(orig_dir, "dummy", 0)).unwrap(); // add dummy item so ids start with 1
-    history.save(create_item(orig_dir, "ls /usr", 0)).unwrap();
-    history.save(create_item(orig_dir, "pwd", 0)).unwrap();
+    history.save(&create_item(orig_dir, "dummy", 0)).unwrap(); // add dummy item so ids start with 1
+    history.save(&create_item(orig_dir, "ls /usr", 0)).unwrap();
+    history.save(&create_item(orig_dir, "pwd", 0)).unwrap();
 
-    history.save(create_item(home_dir, "cat foo", 0)).unwrap();
-    history.save(create_item(home_dir, "ls bar", 0)).unwrap();
-    history.save(create_item(home_dir, "rm baz", 0)).unwrap();
+    history.save(&create_item(home_dir, "cat foo", 0)).unwrap();
+    history.save(&create_item(home_dir, "ls bar", 0)).unwrap();
+    history.save(&create_item(home_dir, "rm baz", 0)).unwrap();
 
     history
 }
diff --git a/src/engine.rs b/src/engine.rs
index e4ca9c7e..075eeda9 100644
--- a/src/engine.rs
+++ b/src/engine.rs
@@ -1730,6 +1730,7 @@ impl Reedline {
     fn submit_buffer(&mut self, prompt: &dyn Prompt) -> io::Result<EventStatus> {
         let buffer = self.editor.get_buffer().to_string();
         self.hide_hints = true;
+
         // Additional repaint to show the content without hints etc.
         if let Some(transient_prompt) = self.transient_prompt.take() {
             self.repaint(transient_prompt.as_ref())?;
@@ -1737,25 +1738,33 @@ impl Reedline {
         } else {
             self.repaint(prompt)?;
         }
-        if !buffer.is_empty() {
-            let mut entry = HistoryItem::from_command_line(&buffer);
-            entry.session_id = self.get_history_session_id();
 
-            if self
+        if !buffer.is_empty() {
+            let filtered = self
                 .history_exclusion_prefix
                 .as_ref()
-                .map(|prefix| buffer.starts_with(prefix))
-                .unwrap_or(false)
-            {
-                entry.id = Some(Self::FILTERED_ITEM_ID);
-                self.history_last_run_id = entry.id;
-                self.history_excluded_item = Some(entry);
+                .map_or(false, |prefix| buffer.starts_with(prefix));
+
+            let entry_id = if filtered {
+                Self::FILTERED_ITEM_ID
+            } else {
+                self.history.generate_id()
+            };
+
+            let mut entry = HistoryItem::from_command_line(&buffer, entry_id);
+
+            entry.session_id = self.get_history_session_id();
+
+            if filtered {
+                self.history.replace(&entry).expect("todo: error handling");
             } else {
-                entry = self.history.save(entry).expect("todo: error handling");
-                self.history_last_run_id = entry.id;
-                self.history_excluded_item = None;
+                self.history.save(&entry).expect("todo: error handling");
             }
+
+            self.history_last_run_id = Some(entry_id);
+            self.history_excluded_item = if filtered { Some(entry) } else { None };
         }
+
         self.run_edit_commands(&[EditCommand::Clear]);
         self.editor.reset_undo_stack();
 
diff --git a/src/history/base.rs b/src/history/base.rs
index 26d4da05..1f96b7de 100644
--- a/src/history/base.rs
+++ b/src/history/base.rs
@@ -186,19 +186,25 @@ impl SearchQuery {
 /// Represents a history file or database
 /// Data could be stored e.g. in a plain text file, in a `JSONL` file, in a `SQLite` database
 pub trait History: Send {
-    /// save a history item to the database
-    /// if given id is None, a new id is created and set in the return value
-    /// if given id is Some, the existing entry is updated
-    fn save(&mut self, h: HistoryItem) -> Result<HistoryItem>;
+    /// generate a unique identifier for a new [`HistoryItem`]
+    fn generate_id(&mut self) -> HistoryItemId;
+
+    /// save a new history item to the database
+    fn save(&mut self, h: &HistoryItem) -> Result<()>;
+
+    /// replace an existing history item in the database
+    fn replace(&mut self, h: &HistoryItem) -> Result<()>;
+
     /// load a history item by its id
     fn load(&self, id: HistoryItemId) -> Result<HistoryItem>;
 
     /// retrieves the next unused session id
 
     /// count the results of a query
-    fn count(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<i64>;
+    fn count(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<u64>;
+
     /// return the total number of history items
-    fn count_all(&self) -> Result<i64> {
+    fn count_all(&self) -> Result<u64> {
         self.count(SearchQuery::everything(SearchDirection::Forward, None))
     }
     /// return the results of a query
@@ -222,16 +228,21 @@ pub trait History: Send {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod test {
-    #[cfg(any(feature = "sqlite", feature = "sqlite-dynlib"))]
-    const IS_FILE_BASED: bool = false;
-    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "sqlite", feature = "sqlite-dynlib")))]
-    const IS_FILE_BASED: bool = true;
+    use std::time::Duration;
 
     use crate::HistorySessionId;
 
-    fn create_item(session: i64, cwd: &str, cmd: &str, exit_status: i64) -> HistoryItem {
-        HistoryItem {
-            id: None,
+    fn create_item(
+        hist: &mut dyn History,
+        session: i64,
+        cwd: &str,
+        cmd: &str,
+        exit_status: i64,
+    ) -> Result<()> {
+        let id = hist.count_all()? + 1;
+
+        let item = HistoryItem {
+            id: HistoryItemId(id as i64),
             start_timestamp: None,
             command_line: cmd.to_string(),
             session_id: Some(HistorySessionId::new(session)),
@@ -240,31 +251,38 @@ mod test {
             duration: Some(Duration::from_millis(1000)),
             exit_status: Some(exit_status),
             more_info: None,
-        }
+        };
+
+        hist.save(&item)?;
+
+        // Ensure the item was correctly inserted
+        assert_eq!(hist.count_all()?, id);
+
+        Ok(())
     }
-    use std::time::Duration;
 
     use super::*;
     fn create_filled_example_history() -> Result<Box<dyn History>> {
         #[cfg(any(feature = "sqlite", feature = "sqlite-dynlib"))]
         let mut history = crate::SqliteBackedHistory::in_memory()?;
+
         #[cfg(not(any(feature = "sqlite", feature = "sqlite-dynlib")))]
         let mut history = crate::FileBackedHistory::default();
-        #[cfg(not(any(feature = "sqlite", feature = "sqlite-dynlib")))]
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/", "dummy", 0))?; // add dummy item so ids start with 1
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me", "cd ~/Downloads", 0))?; // 1
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me/Downloads", "unzp foo.zip", 1))?; // 2
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me/Downloads", "unzip foo.zip", 0))?; // 3
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me/Downloads", "cd foo", 0))?; // 4
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me/Downloads/foo", "ls", 0))?; // 5
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me/Downloads/foo", "ls -alh", 0))?; // 6
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me/Downloads/foo", "cat x.txt", 0))?; // 7
-
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me", "cd /etc/nginx", 0))?; // 8
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/etc/nginx", "ls -l", 0))?; // 9
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/etc/nginx", "vim nginx.conf", 0))?; // 10
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/etc/nginx", "vim htpasswd", 0))?; // 11
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/etc/nginx", "cat nginx.conf", 0))?; // 12
+
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me", "cd ~/Downloads", 0)?; // 1
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me/Downloads", "unzp foo.zip", 1)?; // 2
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me/Downloads", "unzip foo.zip", 0)?; // 3
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me/Downloads", "cd foo", 0)?; // 4
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me/Downloads/foo", "ls", 0)?; // 5
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me/Downloads/foo", "ls -alh", 0)?; // 6
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me/Downloads/foo", "cat x.txt", 0)?; // 7
+
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/home/me", "cd /etc/nginx", 0)?; // 8
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/etc/nginx", "ls -l", 0)?; // 9
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/etc/nginx", "vim nginx.conf", 0)?; // 10
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/etc/nginx", "vim htpasswd", 0)?; // 11
+        create_item(&mut history, 1, "/etc/nginx", "cat nginx.conf", 0)?; // 12
+
         Ok(Box::new(history))
     }
 
@@ -298,7 +316,9 @@ mod test {
             .iter()
             .map(|id| history.load(HistoryItemId::new(*id)))
             .collect::<Result<Vec<HistoryItem>>>()?;
+
         assert_eq!(res, wanted);
+
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -310,7 +330,7 @@ mod test {
             history.search(SearchQuery::everything(SearchDirection::Forward, None))
         );
 
-        assert_eq!(history.count_all()?, if IS_FILE_BASED { 13 } else { 12 });
+        assert_eq!(history.count_all()?, 12);
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -330,7 +350,7 @@ mod test {
             limit: Some(1),
             ..SearchQuery::everything(SearchDirection::Forward, None)
         })?;
-        search_returned(&*history, res, vec![if IS_FILE_BASED { 0 } else { 1 }])?;
+        search_returned(&*history, res, vec![1])?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -409,8 +429,8 @@ mod test {
 
         // create history, add a few entries
         let mut history = open_history();
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me", "cd ~/Downloads", 0))?; // 1
-        history.save(create_item(1, "/home/me/Downloads", "unzp foo.zip", 1))?; // 2
+        create_item(history.as_mut(), 1, "/home/me", "cd ~/Downloads", 0)?; // 1
+        create_item(history.as_mut(), 1, "/home/me/Downloads", "unzp foo.zip", 1)?; // 2
         assert_eq!(history.count_all()?, 2);
         drop(history);
 
diff --git a/src/history/cursor.rs b/src/history/cursor.rs
index ab41ba4f..5d8284e3 100644
--- a/src/history/cursor.rs
+++ b/src/history/cursor.rs
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ impl HistoryCursor {
             filter
         }
     }
+
     fn navigate_in_direction(
         &mut self,
         history: &dyn History,
@@ -67,7 +68,9 @@ impl HistoryCursor {
             // if searching forward but we don't have a starting point, assume we are at the end
             return Ok(());
         }
-        let start_id = self.current.as_ref().and_then(|e| e.id);
+
+        let start_id = self.current.as_ref().map(|e| e.id);
+
         let mut next = history.search(SearchQuery {
             start_id,
             end_id: None,
@@ -77,12 +80,18 @@ impl HistoryCursor {
             limit: Some(1),
             filter: self.get_search_filter(),
         })?;
+
         if next.len() == 1 {
+            // NOTE: .swap_remove() does not preserve the vector's order
+            // But is *is* faster than .remove() as it completes in O(1)
+            // And given we won't use this vector of results afterwards,
+            // we can use this function without worrying here
             self.current = Some(next.swap_remove(0));
         } else if direction == SearchDirection::Forward {
             // no result and searching forward: we are at the end
             self.current = None;
         }
+
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -108,6 +117,13 @@ mod tests {
     use super::super::*;
     use super::*;
 
+    fn save_from_command_line(hist: &mut dyn History, cmd_line: impl Into<String>) -> Result<()> {
+        let id = hist.generate_id();
+        let entry = HistoryItem::from_command_line(cmd_line, id);
+
+        hist.save(&entry)
+    }
+
     fn create_history() -> (Box<dyn History>, HistoryCursor) {
         #[cfg(any(feature = "sqlite", feature = "sqlite-dynlib"))]
         let hist = Box::new(SqliteBackedHistory::in_memory().unwrap());
@@ -118,6 +134,7 @@ mod tests {
             HistoryCursor::new(HistoryNavigationQuery::Normal(LineBuffer::default()), None),
         )
     }
+
     fn create_history_at(cap: usize, path: &Path) -> (Box<dyn History>, HistoryCursor) {
         let hist = Box::new(FileBackedHistory::with_file(cap, path.to_owned()).unwrap());
         (
@@ -133,10 +150,10 @@ mod tests {
         let actual: Vec<_> = res.iter().map(|e| e.command_line.to_string()).collect();
         actual
     }
+
     fn add_text_entries(hist: &mut dyn History, entries: &[impl AsRef<str>]) {
         entries.iter().for_each(|e| {
-            hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line(e.as_ref()))
-                .unwrap();
+            save_from_command_line(hist, e.as_ref()).unwrap();
         });
     }
 
@@ -166,8 +183,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn going_backwards_bottoms_out() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, mut cursor) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("command1"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("command2"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "command1")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "command2")?;
         cursor.back(&*hist)?;
         cursor.back(&*hist)?;
         cursor.back(&*hist)?;
@@ -180,8 +197,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn going_forwards_bottoms_out() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, mut cursor) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("command1"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("command2"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "command1")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "command2")?;
         cursor.forward(&*hist)?;
         cursor.forward(&*hist)?;
         cursor.forward(&*hist)?;
@@ -195,10 +212,10 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn appends_only_unique() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("unique_old"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("test"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("test"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("unique"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "unique_old")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "test")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "test")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "unique")?;
         assert_eq!(hist.count_all()?, 3);
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -206,9 +223,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn prefix_search_works() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me as well"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("test"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me as well")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "test")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me")?;
 
         let mut cursor = HistoryCursor::new(
             HistoryNavigationQuery::PrefixSearch("find".to_string()),
@@ -228,9 +245,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn prefix_search_bottoms_out() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me as well"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("test"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me as well")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "test")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me")?;
 
         let mut cursor = HistoryCursor::new(
             HistoryNavigationQuery::PrefixSearch("find".to_string()),
@@ -256,9 +273,9 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn prefix_search_returns_to_none() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me as well"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("test"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me as well")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "test")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me")?;
 
         let mut cursor = HistoryCursor::new(
             HistoryNavigationQuery::PrefixSearch("find".to_string()),
@@ -283,10 +300,10 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn prefix_search_ignores_consecutive_equivalent_entries_going_backwards() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me as well"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me once"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("test"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me once"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me as well")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me once")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "test")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me once")?;
 
         let mut cursor = HistoryCursor::new(
             HistoryNavigationQuery::PrefixSearch("find".to_string()),
@@ -305,41 +322,47 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn prefix_search_ignores_consecutive_equivalent_entries_going_forwards() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me once"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("test"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me once"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("find me as well"))?;
+
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me once")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "test")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me once")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "find me as well")?;
 
         let mut cursor = HistoryCursor::new(
             HistoryNavigationQuery::PrefixSearch("find".to_string()),
             None,
         );
+
         cursor.back(&*hist)?;
         assert_eq!(
             cursor.string_at_cursor(),
             Some("find me as well".to_string())
         );
+
         cursor.back(&*hist)?;
         cursor.back(&*hist)?;
         assert_eq!(cursor.string_at_cursor(), Some("find me once".to_string()));
+
         cursor.forward(&*hist)?;
         assert_eq!(
             cursor.string_at_cursor(),
             Some("find me as well".to_string())
         );
+
         cursor.forward(&*hist)?;
         assert_eq!(cursor.string_at_cursor(), None);
+
         Ok(())
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn substring_search_works() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("substring"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("don't find me either"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("prefix substring"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("don't find me"))?;
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("prefix substring suffix"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "substring")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "don't find me either")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "prefix substring")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "don't find me")?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "prefix substring suffix")?;
 
         let mut cursor = HistoryCursor::new(
             HistoryNavigationQuery::SubstringSearch("substring".to_string()),
@@ -363,7 +386,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn substring_search_with_empty_value_returns_none() -> Result<()> {
         let (mut hist, _) = create_history();
-        hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line("substring"))?;
+        save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), "substring")?;
 
         let cursor = HistoryCursor::new(
             HistoryNavigationQuery::SubstringSearch("".to_string()),
@@ -392,6 +415,7 @@ mod tests {
         }
 
         let (reading_hist, _) = create_history_at(5, &histfile);
+
         let actual = get_all_entry_texts(reading_hist.as_ref());
         assert_eq!(entries, actual);
 
@@ -444,27 +468,35 @@ mod tests {
         let expected_truncated_entries = vec!["test 4", "test 5", "test 6", "test 7", "test 8"];
 
         {
+            println!("> Creating writing history...");
             let (mut writing_hist, _) = create_history_at(capacity, &histfile);
             add_text_entries(writing_hist.as_mut(), &initial_entries);
             // As `hist` goes out of scope and get's dropped, its contents are flushed to disk
+            println!("> Flushing writing history...");
         }
 
         {
+            println!("> Creating appending history...");
             let (mut appending_hist, _) = create_history_at(capacity, &histfile);
             add_text_entries(appending_hist.as_mut(), &appending_entries);
             // As `hist` goes out of scope and get's dropped, its contents are flushed to disk
             let actual: Vec<_> = get_all_entry_texts(appending_hist.as_ref());
             assert_eq!(expected_appended_entries, actual);
+            println!("> Flushing appending history...");
         }
 
         {
+            println!("> Creating truncating history...");
             let (mut truncating_hist, _) = create_history_at(capacity, &histfile);
             add_text_entries(truncating_hist.as_mut(), &truncating_entries);
             let actual: Vec<_> = get_all_entry_texts(truncating_hist.as_ref());
             assert_eq!(expected_truncated_entries, actual);
             // As `hist` goes out of scope and get's dropped, its contents are flushed to disk
+
+            println!("> Flushing truncating history...");
         }
 
+        println!("> Creating reading history...");
         let (reading_hist, _) = create_history_at(capacity, &histfile);
 
         let actual: Vec<_> = get_all_entry_texts(reading_hist.as_ref());
@@ -531,12 +563,17 @@ mod tests {
         {
             let (mut hist_a, _) = create_history_at(capacity, &histfile);
 
+            assert_eq!(get_all_entry_texts(hist_a.as_ref()), initial_entries);
+
             {
                 let (mut hist_b, _) = create_history_at(capacity, &histfile);
 
+                assert_eq!(get_all_entry_texts(hist_b.as_ref()), initial_entries);
+
                 add_text_entries(hist_b.as_mut(), &entries_b);
                 // As `hist` goes out of scope and get's dropped, its contents are flushed to disk
             }
+
             add_text_entries(hist_a.as_mut(), &entries_a);
             // As `hist` goes out of scope and get's dropped, its contents are flushed to disk
         }
@@ -574,11 +611,9 @@ mod tests {
                 let hfile = histfile.clone();
                 std::thread::spawn(move || {
                     let (mut hist, _) = create_history_at(cap, &hfile);
-                    hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line(format!("A{i}")))
-                        .unwrap();
+                    save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), format!("A{i}")).unwrap();
                     hist.sync().unwrap();
-                    hist.save(HistoryItem::from_command_line(format!("B{i}")))
-                        .unwrap();
+                    save_from_command_line(hist.as_mut(), format!("B{i}")).unwrap();
                 })
             })
             .collect::<Vec<_>>();
diff --git a/src/history/file_backed.rs b/src/history/file_backed.rs
index 28b437f7..27278768 100644
--- a/src/history/file_backed.rs
+++ b/src/history/file_backed.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+use indexmap::IndexMap;
+use rand::{rngs::SmallRng, Rng, SeedableRng};
+
 use super::{
     base::CommandLineSearch, History, HistoryItem, HistoryItemId, SearchDirection, SearchQuery,
 };
@@ -7,7 +10,6 @@ use crate::{
 };
 
 use std::{
-    collections::VecDeque,
     fs::OpenOptions,
     io::{BufRead, BufReader, BufWriter, Seek, SeekFrom, Write},
     ops::{Deref, DerefMut},
@@ -27,10 +29,11 @@ pub const NEWLINE_ESCAPE: &str = "<\\n>";
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct FileBackedHistory {
     capacity: usize,
-    entries: VecDeque<String>,
+    entries: IndexMap<HistoryItemId, String>,
     file: Option<PathBuf>,
-    len_on_disk: usize, // Keep track what was previously written to disk
+    last_on_disk: Option<HistoryItemId>,
     session: Option<HistorySessionId>,
+    rng: SmallRng,
 }
 
 impl Default for FileBackedHistory {
@@ -42,44 +45,80 @@ impl Default for FileBackedHistory {
     }
 }
 
-fn encode_entry(s: &str) -> String {
-    s.replace('\n', NEWLINE_ESCAPE)
+static ID_SEP: &str = "<id>:";
+
+fn encode_entry(id: HistoryItemId, s: &str) -> String {
+    format!("{id}{ID_SEP}{}", s.replace('\n', NEWLINE_ESCAPE))
 }
 
-fn decode_entry(s: &str) -> String {
-    s.replace(NEWLINE_ESCAPE, "\n")
+/// Decode an entry
+///
+/// Legacy format: ls /
+/// New format   : 182535<id>:ls /
+///
+/// If a line can't be parsed using the new format, it will fallback to the legacy one.
+///
+/// This allows this function to support decoding for both legacy and new histories,
+/// as well as mixing both of them.
+fn decode_entry(s: &str, counter: &mut i64) -> (HistoryItemId, String) {
+    let mut parsed = None;
+
+    if let Some(sep) = s.find(ID_SEP) {
+        if let Ok(parsed_id) = s[..sep].parse() {
+            parsed = Some((parsed_id, &s[sep + ID_SEP.len()..]));
+        }
+    }
+
+    let (id, content) = parsed.unwrap_or_else(|| {
+        *counter += 1;
+        (*counter - 1, s)
+    });
+
+    (HistoryItemId(id), content.replace(NEWLINE_ESCAPE, "\n"))
 }
 
 impl History for FileBackedHistory {
+    fn generate_id(&mut self) -> HistoryItemId {
+        HistoryItemId(self.rng.gen())
+    }
+
     /// only saves a value if it's different than the last value
-    fn save(&mut self, h: HistoryItem) -> Result<HistoryItem> {
-        let entry = h.command_line;
+    fn save(&mut self, h: &HistoryItem) -> Result<()> {
+        let entry = h.command_line.clone();
+
         // Don't append if the preceding value is identical or the string empty
-        let entry_id = if self
+        if self
             .entries
-            .back()
-            .map_or(true, |previous| previous != &entry)
+            .last()
+            .map_or(true, |(_, previous)| previous != &entry)
             && !entry.is_empty()
         {
-            if self.entries.len() == self.capacity {
+            if self.entries.len() >= self.capacity {
                 // History is "full", so we delete the oldest entry first,
                 // before adding a new one.
-                self.entries.pop_front();
-                self.len_on_disk = self.len_on_disk.saturating_sub(1);
+                let first_id = *(self.entries.first().unwrap().0);
+                let prev = self.entries.shift_remove(&first_id);
+                assert!(prev.is_some());
             }
-            self.entries.push_back(entry.to_string());
-            Some(HistoryItemId::new((self.entries.len() - 1) as i64))
-        } else {
-            None
-        };
-        Ok(FileBackedHistory::construct_entry(entry_id, entry))
+
+            self.entries.insert(h.id, entry.to_string());
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn load(&self, id: HistoryItemId) -> Result<super::HistoryItem> {
+    /// this history doesn't replace entries
+    fn replace(&mut self, h: &HistoryItem) -> Result<()> {
+        self.save(h)
+    }
+
+    fn load(&self, id: HistoryItemId) -> Result<HistoryItem> {
+        println!("{:?}", self.entries);
+
         Ok(FileBackedHistory::construct_entry(
-            Some(id),
+            id,
             self.entries
-                .get(id.0 as usize)
+                .get(&id)
                 .ok_or(ReedlineError(ReedlineErrorVariants::OtherHistoryError(
                     "Item does not exist",
                 )))?
@@ -87,13 +126,25 @@ impl History for FileBackedHistory {
         ))
     }
 
-    fn count(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<i64> {
+    fn count(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<u64> {
         // todo: this could be done cheaper
-        Ok(self.search(query)?.len() as i64)
+        Ok(self.search(query)?.len() as u64)
     }
 
     fn search(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<Vec<HistoryItem>> {
-        if query.start_time.is_some() || query.end_time.is_some() {
+        // Destructure the query - this ensures that if another element is added to this type later on,
+        // we won't forget to update this function as the destructuring will then be incomplete.
+        let SearchQuery {
+            direction,
+            start_time,
+            end_time,
+            start_id,
+            end_id,
+            limit,
+            filter,
+        } = query;
+
+        if start_time.is_some() || end_time.is_some() {
             return Err(ReedlineError(
                 ReedlineErrorVariants::HistoryFeatureUnsupported {
                     history: "FileBackedHistory",
@@ -102,10 +153,10 @@ impl History for FileBackedHistory {
             ));
         }
 
-        if query.filter.hostname.is_some()
-            || query.filter.cwd_exact.is_some()
-            || query.filter.cwd_prefix.is_some()
-            || query.filter.exit_successful.is_some()
+        if filter.hostname.is_some()
+            || filter.cwd_exact.is_some()
+            || filter.cwd_prefix.is_some()
+            || filter.exit_successful.is_some()
         {
             return Err(ReedlineError(
                 ReedlineErrorVariants::HistoryFeatureUnsupported {
@@ -114,61 +165,69 @@ impl History for FileBackedHistory {
                 },
             ));
         }
-        let (min_id, max_id) = {
-            let start = query.start_id.map(|e| e.0);
-            let end = query.end_id.map(|e| e.0);
-            if let SearchDirection::Backward = query.direction {
-                (end, start)
+
+        let (start_id, end_id) = {
+            if let SearchDirection::Backward = direction {
+                (end_id, start_id)
             } else {
-                (start, end)
+                (start_id, end_id)
             }
         };
-        // add one to make it inclusive
-        let min_id = min_id.map(|e| e + 1).unwrap_or(0);
-        // subtract one to make it inclusive
-        let max_id = max_id
-            .map(|e| e - 1)
-            .unwrap_or(self.entries.len() as i64 - 1);
-        if max_id < 0 || min_id > self.entries.len() as i64 - 1 {
-            return Ok(vec![]);
-        }
-        let intrinsic_limit = max_id - min_id + 1;
-        let limit = if let Some(given_limit) = query.limit {
-            std::cmp::min(intrinsic_limit, given_limit) as usize
-        } else {
-            intrinsic_limit as usize
+
+        let start_idx = match start_id {
+            Some(from_id) => self.entries.get_index_of(&from_id).ok_or(ReedlineError(
+                ReedlineErrorVariants::OtherHistoryError("provided 'start_id' item was not found"),
+            ))?,
+            None => 0,
         };
-        let filter = |(idx, cmd): (usize, &String)| {
-            if !match &query.filter.command_line {
+
+        let end_idx = match end_id {
+            Some(to_id) => self.entries.get_index_of(&to_id).ok_or(ReedlineError(
+                ReedlineErrorVariants::OtherHistoryError("provided 'end_id' item was not found"),
+            ))?,
+            None => self.entries.len().saturating_sub(1),
+        };
+
+        assert!(start_idx <= end_idx);
+
+        let iter = self
+            .entries
+            .iter()
+            .skip(start_idx)
+            .take(1 + end_idx - start_idx);
+
+        let limit = limit
+            .and_then(|limit| usize::try_from(limit).ok())
+            .unwrap_or(usize::MAX);
+
+        let filter = |(id, cmd): (&HistoryItemId, &String)| {
+            let str_matches = match &filter.command_line {
                 Some(CommandLineSearch::Prefix(p)) => cmd.starts_with(p),
                 Some(CommandLineSearch::Substring(p)) => cmd.contains(p),
                 Some(CommandLineSearch::Exact(p)) => cmd == p,
                 None => true,
-            } {
+            };
+
+            if !str_matches {
                 return None;
             }
-            if let Some(str) = &query.filter.not_command_line {
+
+            if let Some(str) = &filter.not_command_line {
                 if cmd == str {
                     return None;
                 }
             }
+
             Some(FileBackedHistory::construct_entry(
-                Some(HistoryItemId::new(idx as i64)),
-                cmd.to_string(), // todo: this copy might be a perf bottleneck
+                *id,
+                cmd.clone(), // todo: this cloning might be a perf bottleneck
             ))
         };
 
-        let iter = self
-            .entries
-            .iter()
-            .enumerate()
-            .skip(min_id as usize)
-            .take(intrinsic_limit as usize);
-        if let SearchDirection::Backward = query.direction {
-            Ok(iter.rev().filter_map(filter).take(limit).collect())
-        } else {
-            Ok(iter.filter_map(filter).take(limit).collect())
-        }
+        Ok(match query.direction {
+            SearchDirection::Backward => iter.rev().filter_map(filter).take(limit).collect(),
+            SearchDirection::Forward => iter.filter_map(filter).take(limit).collect(),
+        })
     }
 
     fn update(
@@ -186,7 +245,7 @@ impl History for FileBackedHistory {
 
     fn clear(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
         self.entries.clear();
-        self.len_on_disk = 0;
+        self.last_on_disk = None;
 
         if let Some(file) = &self.file {
             if let Err(err) = std::fs::remove_file(file) {
@@ -210,68 +269,103 @@ impl History for FileBackedHistory {
     ///
     /// If file would exceed `capacity` truncates the oldest entries.
     fn sync(&mut self) -> std::io::Result<()> {
-        if let Some(fname) = &self.file {
-            // The unwritten entries
-            let own_entries = self.entries.range(self.len_on_disk..);
+        let Some(fname) = &self.file else {
+            return Ok(());
+        };
+
+        // The unwritten entries
+        let last_index_on_disk = self
+            .last_on_disk
+            .map(|id| self.entries.get_index_of(&id).unwrap());
+
+        let range_start = match last_index_on_disk {
+            Some(index) => index + 1,
+            None => 0,
+        };
+
+        let own_entries = self.entries.get_range(range_start..).unwrap();
+
+        if let Some(base_dir) = fname.parent() {
+            std::fs::create_dir_all(base_dir)?;
+        }
 
-            if let Some(base_dir) = fname.parent() {
-                std::fs::create_dir_all(base_dir)?;
+        let mut f_lock = fd_lock::RwLock::new(
+            OpenOptions::new()
+                .create(true)
+                .write(true)
+                .read(true)
+                .open(fname)?,
+        );
+
+        let mut writer_guard = f_lock.write()?;
+
+        let (mut foreign_entries, truncate) = {
+            let reader = BufReader::new(writer_guard.deref());
+
+            let mut counter = 0;
+
+            let mut from_file = reader
+                .lines()
+                .map(|o| o.map(|i| decode_entry(&i, &mut counter)))
+                .collect::<std::io::Result<IndexMap<_, _>>>()?;
+
+            if from_file.len() + own_entries.len() > self.capacity {
+                let start = from_file.len() + own_entries.len() - self.capacity;
+
+                (from_file.split_off(start), true)
+            } else {
+                (from_file, false)
             }
+        };
 
-            let mut f_lock = fd_lock::RwLock::new(
-                OpenOptions::new()
-                    .create(true)
-                    .write(true)
-                    .read(true)
-                    .open(fname)?,
-            );
-            let mut writer_guard = f_lock.write()?;
-            let (mut foreign_entries, truncate) = {
-                let reader = BufReader::new(writer_guard.deref());
-                let mut from_file = reader
-                    .lines()
-                    .map(|o| o.map(|i| decode_entry(&i)))
-                    .collect::<std::io::Result<VecDeque<_>>>()?;
-                if from_file.len() + own_entries.len() > self.capacity {
-                    (
-                        from_file.split_off(from_file.len() - (self.capacity - own_entries.len())),
-                        true,
-                    )
-                } else {
-                    (from_file, false)
-                }
-            };
+        {
+            let mut writer = BufWriter::new(writer_guard.deref_mut());
 
-            {
-                let mut writer = BufWriter::new(writer_guard.deref_mut());
-                if truncate {
-                    writer.rewind()?;
-
-                    for line in &foreign_entries {
-                        writer.write_all(encode_entry(line).as_bytes())?;
-                        writer.write_all("\n".as_bytes())?;
-                    }
-                } else {
-                    writer.seek(SeekFrom::End(0))?;
-                }
-                for line in own_entries {
-                    writer.write_all(encode_entry(line).as_bytes())?;
+            // In case of truncation, we first write every foreign entry (replacing existing content)
+            if truncate {
+                writer.rewind()?;
+
+                for (id, line) in &foreign_entries {
+                    writer.write_all(encode_entry(*id, line).as_bytes())?;
                     writer.write_all("\n".as_bytes())?;
                 }
-                writer.flush()?;
+            } else {
+                // Otherwise we directly jump at the end of the file
+                writer.seek(SeekFrom::End(0))?;
             }
-            if truncate {
-                let file = writer_guard.deref_mut();
-                let file_len = file.stream_position()?;
-                file.set_len(file_len)?;
+
+            // Then we write new entries (that haven't been synced to the file yet)
+            for (id, line) in own_entries {
+                writer.write_all(encode_entry(*id, line).as_bytes())?;
+                writer.write_all("\n".as_bytes())?;
             }
 
-            let own_entries = self.entries.drain(self.len_on_disk..);
-            foreign_entries.extend(own_entries);
-            self.entries = foreign_entries;
+            writer.flush()?;
+        }
+
+        // If truncation is needed, we then remove everything after the cursor's current location
+        if truncate {
+            let file = writer_guard.deref_mut();
+            let file_len = file.stream_position()?;
+            file.set_len(file_len)?;
+        }
+
+        match last_index_on_disk {
+            Some(last_index_on_disk) => {
+                if last_index_on_disk + 1 < self.entries.len() {
+                    foreign_entries.extend(self.entries.drain(last_index_on_disk + 1..));
+                }
+            }
 
-            self.len_on_disk = self.entries.len();
+            None => {
+                foreign_entries.extend(self.entries.drain(..));
+            }
         }
+
+        self.entries = foreign_entries;
+
+        self.last_on_disk = self.entries.last().map(|(id, _)| *id);
+
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -292,10 +386,11 @@ impl FileBackedHistory {
         }
         FileBackedHistory {
             capacity,
-            entries: VecDeque::new(),
+            entries: IndexMap::new(),
             file: None,
-            len_on_disk: 0,
+            last_on_disk: None,
             session: None,
+            rng: SmallRng::from_entropy(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -309,16 +404,19 @@ impl FileBackedHistory {
     ///
     pub fn with_file(capacity: usize, file: PathBuf) -> std::io::Result<Self> {
         let mut hist = Self::new(capacity);
+
         if let Some(base_dir) = file.parent() {
             std::fs::create_dir_all(base_dir)?;
         }
+
         hist.file = Some(file);
         hist.sync()?;
+
         Ok(hist)
     }
 
     // this history doesn't store any info except command line
-    fn construct_entry(id: Option<HistoryItemId>, command_line: String) -> HistoryItem {
+    fn construct_entry(id: HistoryItemId, command_line: String) -> HistoryItem {
         HistoryItem {
             id,
             start_timestamp: None,
diff --git a/src/history/item.rs b/src/history/item.rs
index 0c36fba3..c6c3d4ca 100644
--- a/src/history/item.rs
+++ b/src/history/item.rs
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ impl HistoryItemExtraInfo for IgnoreAllExtraInfo {}
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct HistoryItem<ExtraInfo: HistoryItemExtraInfo = IgnoreAllExtraInfo> {
     /// primary key, unique across one history
-    pub id: Option<HistoryItemId>,
+    pub id: HistoryItemId,
     /// date-time when this command was started
     pub start_timestamp: Option<chrono::DateTime<Utc>>,
     /// the full command line as text
@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ pub struct HistoryItem<ExtraInfo: HistoryItemExtraInfo = IgnoreAllExtraInfo> {
 
 impl HistoryItem {
     /// create a history item purely from the command line with everything else set to None
-    pub fn from_command_line(cmd: impl Into<String>) -> HistoryItem {
+    pub fn from_command_line(cmd: impl Into<String>, id: HistoryItemId) -> HistoryItem {
         HistoryItem {
-            id: None,
+            id,
             start_timestamp: None,
             command_line: cmd.into(),
             session_id: None,
diff --git a/src/history/sqlite_backed.rs b/src/history/sqlite_backed.rs
index 7ab56e96..8eea55a6 100644
--- a/src/history/sqlite_backed.rs
+++ b/src/history/sqlite_backed.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use crate::{
     Result,
 };
 use chrono::{TimeZone, Utc};
+use rand::{rngs::SmallRng, Rng, SeedableRng};
 use rusqlite::{named_params, params, Connection, ToSql};
 use std::{path::PathBuf, time::Duration};
 const SQLITE_APPLICATION_ID: i32 = 1151497937;
@@ -18,12 +19,14 @@ pub struct SqliteBackedHistory {
     db: rusqlite::Connection,
     session: Option<HistorySessionId>,
     session_timestamp: Option<chrono::DateTime<Utc>>,
+    rng: SmallRng,
 }
 
 fn deserialize_history_item(row: &rusqlite::Row) -> rusqlite::Result<HistoryItem> {
     let x: Option<String> = row.get("more_info")?;
+
     Ok(HistoryItem {
-        id: Some(HistoryItemId::new(row.get("id")?)),
+        id: HistoryItemId::new(row.get("id")?),
         start_timestamp: row.get::<&str, Option<i64>>("start_timestamp")?.map(|e| {
             match Utc.timestamp_millis_opt(e) {
                 chrono::LocalResult::Single(e) => e,
@@ -56,12 +59,16 @@ fn deserialize_history_item(row: &rusqlite::Row) -> rusqlite::Result<HistoryItem
 }
 
 impl History for SqliteBackedHistory {
-    fn save(&mut self, mut entry: HistoryItem) -> Result<HistoryItem> {
-        let ret: i64 = self
+    fn generate_id(&mut self) -> HistoryItemId {
+        HistoryItemId(self.rng.gen())
+    }
+
+    fn save(&mut self, entry: &HistoryItem) -> Result<()> {
+        self
             .db
             .prepare(
                 "insert into history
-                               (id,  start_timestamp,  command_line,  session_id,  hostname,  cwd,  duration_ms,  exit_status,  more_info)
+                               (id, start_timestamp,  command_line,  session_id,  hostname,  cwd,  duration_ms,  exit_status,  more_info)
                         values (:id, :start_timestamp, :command_line, :session_id, :hostname, :cwd, :duration_ms, :exit_status, :more_info)
                     on conflict (history.id) do update set
                         start_timestamp = excluded.start_timestamp,
@@ -71,13 +78,12 @@ impl History for SqliteBackedHistory {
                         cwd = excluded.cwd,
                         duration_ms = excluded.duration_ms,
                         exit_status = excluded.exit_status,
-                        more_info = excluded.more_info
-                    returning id",
+                        more_info = excluded.more_info",
             )
             .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?
-            .query_row(
+            .execute(
                 named_params! {
-                    ":id": entry.id.map(|id| id.0),
+                    ":id": entry.id.0,
                     ":start_timestamp": entry.start_timestamp.map(|e| e.timestamp_millis()),
                     ":command_line": entry.command_line,
                     ":session_id": entry.session_id.map(|e| e.0),
@@ -87,11 +93,14 @@ impl History for SqliteBackedHistory {
                     ":exit_status": entry.exit_status,
                     ":more_info": entry.more_info.as_ref().map(|e| serde_json::to_string(e).unwrap())
                 },
-                |row| row.get(0),
             )
-            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        entry.id = Some(HistoryItemId::new(ret));
-        Ok(entry)
+            .map(|_| ())
+            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)
+    }
+
+    /// this history doesn't replace entries
+    fn replace(&mut self, h: &HistoryItem) -> Result<()> {
+        self.save(h)
     }
 
     fn load(&self, id: HistoryItemId) -> Result<HistoryItem> {
@@ -101,24 +110,30 @@ impl History for SqliteBackedHistory {
             .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?
             .query_row(named_params! { ":id": id.0 }, deserialize_history_item)
             .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
+
         Ok(entry)
     }
 
-    fn count(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<i64> {
+    fn count(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<u64> {
         let (query, params) = self.construct_query(&query, "coalesce(count(*), 0)");
+
         let params_borrow: Vec<(&str, &dyn ToSql)> = params.iter().map(|e| (e.0, &*e.1)).collect();
-        let result: i64 = self
+
+        let result: u64 = self
             .db
             .prepare(&query)
             .unwrap()
             .query_row(&params_borrow[..], |r| r.get(0))
             .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
+
         Ok(result)
     }
 
     fn search(&self, query: SearchQuery) -> Result<Vec<HistoryItem>> {
         let (query, params) = self.construct_query(&query, "*");
+
         let params_borrow: Vec<(&str, &dyn ToSql)> = params.iter().map(|e| (e.0, &*e.1)).collect();
+
         let results: Vec<HistoryItem> = self
             .db
             .prepare(&query)
@@ -137,7 +152,7 @@ impl History for SqliteBackedHistory {
     ) -> Result<()> {
         // in theory this should run in a transaction
         let item = self.load(id)?;
-        self.save(updater(item))?;
+        self.save(&updater(item))?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -215,60 +230,125 @@ impl SqliteBackedHistory {
     }
     /// initialize a new database / migrate an existing one
     fn from_connection(
-        db: Connection,
+        mut db: Connection,
         session: Option<HistorySessionId>,
         session_timestamp: Option<chrono::DateTime<Utc>>,
     ) -> Result<Self> {
-        // https://phiresky.github.io/blog/2020/sqlite-performance-tuning/
-        db.pragma_update(None, "journal_mode", "wal")
-            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        db.pragma_update(None, "synchronous", "normal")
-            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        db.pragma_update(None, "mmap_size", "1000000000")
-            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        db.pragma_update(None, "foreign_keys", "on")
-            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        db.pragma_update(None, "application_id", SQLITE_APPLICATION_ID)
-            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        let db_version: i32 = db
-            .query_row(
+        let inner = || -> rusqlite::Result<(i32, Self)> {
+            // https://phiresky.github.io/blog/2020/sqlite-performance-tuning/
+            db.pragma_update(None, "journal_mode", "wal")?;
+            db.pragma_update(None, "synchronous", "normal")?;
+            db.pragma_update(None, "mmap_size", "1000000000")?;
+            db.pragma_update(None, "foreign_keys", "on")?;
+            db.pragma_update(None, "application_id", SQLITE_APPLICATION_ID)?;
+
+            // Get the user version
+            // By default, it is set to 0
+            let mut db_version: i32 = db.query_row(
                 "SELECT user_version FROM pragma_user_version",
                 params![],
                 |r| r.get(0),
-            )
-            .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        if db_version != 0 {
+            )?;
+
+            // An up-to-date database should have its version set to the latest number (currently 1)
+            // 0 means the database is either uninitialized or it is using the old history format
+            if db_version == 0 {
+                // Check if an history already exists
+                let existing_history = db.query_row(
+                    "select count(*) from pragma_table_list() where name = 'history';",
+                    (),
+                    |result| Ok(result.get::<_, usize>("count(*)")? > 0),
+                )?;
+
+                let mut statements = vec![];
+
+                // If so, rename it and delete related indexes
+                if existing_history {
+                    statements.push(
+                        "
+                        alter table history rename to history_old;
+
+                        drop index if exists idx_history_time;
+                        drop index if exists idx_history_cwd;
+                        drop index if exists idx_history_exit_status;
+                        drop index if exists idx_history_cmd;
+                        ",
+                    );
+                }
+
+                // Create the history table using the v1 schema
+                statements.push(
+                    "
+                    create table history (
+                        idx integer primary key autoincrement,
+                        id integer unique not null,
+                        command_line text not null,
+                        start_timestamp integer,
+                        session_id integer,
+                        hostname text,
+                        cwd text,
+                        duration_ms integer,
+                        exit_status integer,
+                        more_info text
+                    ) strict;
+                    
+                    create index if not exists idx_history_time on history(start_timestamp);
+                    create index if not exists idx_history_cwd on history(cwd); -- suboptimal for many hosts
+                    create index if not exists idx_history_exit_status on history(exit_status);
+                    create index if not exists idx_history_cmd on history(command_line);
+                    create index if not exists idx_history_session_id on history(session_id);
+                    ",
+                );
+
+                // If there was an history previously, migrate it to the new table
+                // Then delete it
+                if existing_history {
+                    statements.push(
+                        "
+                        insert into history (id, command_line, start_timestamp, session_id, hostname, cwd, duration_ms, exit_status, more_info)
+                        select id as idx, command_line, start_timestamp, session_id, hostname, cwd, duration_ms, exit_status, more_info
+                        from history_old;
+
+                        drop table history_old;
+                        ",
+                    );
+                }
+
+                // Update the version to indicate the DB is up-to-date
+                statements.push("pragma user_version = 1;");
+                db_version = 1;
+
+                // We use a transaction to ensure consistency, given we're doing multiple operations
+                let transaction = db.transaction()?;
+                transaction.execute_batch(&statements.join("\n"))?;
+                transaction.commit()?;
+            }
+
+            Ok((
+                db_version,
+                SqliteBackedHistory {
+                    db,
+                    session,
+                    session_timestamp,
+                    rng: SmallRng::from_entropy(),
+                },
+            ))
+        };
+
+        // Connect to the database, check it and (if required) initialize it
+        let (db_version, history) = inner().map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
+
+        // Ensure the database version is the currently supported one
+        // If this isn't the case, then something is wrong
+        // (either the previous versions migration is buggy, or the database is using a format deployed on a
+        //  later reedline version than this one)
+        if db_version != 1 {
             return Err(ReedlineError(ReedlineErrorVariants::HistoryDatabaseError(
                 format!("Unknown database version {db_version}"),
             )));
         }
-        db.execute_batch(
-            "
-        create table if not exists history (
-            id integer primary key autoincrement,
-            command_line text not null,
-            start_timestamp integer,
-            session_id integer,
-            hostname text,
-            cwd text,
-            duration_ms integer,
-            exit_status integer,
-            more_info text
-        ) strict;
-        create index if not exists idx_history_time on history(start_timestamp);
-        create index if not exists idx_history_cwd on history(cwd); -- suboptimal for many hosts
-        create index if not exists idx_history_exit_status on history(exit_status);
-        create index if not exists idx_history_cmd on history(command_line);
-        create index if not exists idx_history_cmd on history(session_id);
-        -- todo: better indexes
-        ",
-        )
-        .map_err(map_sqlite_err)?;
-        Ok(SqliteBackedHistory {
-            db,
-            session,
-            session_timestamp,
-        })
+
+        Ok(history)
     }
 
     fn construct_query<'a>(
@@ -276,111 +356,152 @@ impl SqliteBackedHistory {
         query: &'a SearchQuery,
         select_expression: &str,
     ) -> (String, BoxedNamedParams<'a>) {
-        // TODO: this whole function could be done with less allocs
-        let (is_asc, asc) = match query.direction {
+        // Destructure the query - this ensures that if another element is added to this type later on,
+        // we won't forget to update this function as the destructuring will then be incomplete.
+        let SearchQuery {
+            direction,
+            start_time,
+            end_time,
+            start_id,
+            end_id,
+            limit,
+            filter,
+        } = query;
+
+        let (is_asc, asc) = match direction {
             SearchDirection::Forward => (true, "asc"),
             SearchDirection::Backward => (false, "desc"),
         };
+
+        // TODO: find a way to avoid too many allocations
+        // Current version is an acceptable compromise given most of the performance
+        // will be eaten by SQLite anyway
         let mut wheres = Vec::new();
         let mut params: BoxedNamedParams = Vec::new();
-        if let Some(start) = query.start_time {
-            wheres.push(if is_asc {
-                "timestamp_start > :start_time"
-            } else {
-                "timestamp_start < :start_time"
-            });
+
+        if let Some(start) = start_time {
+            let cmp_op = if is_asc { '>' } else { '<' };
+            wheres.push(format!("timestamp_start {cmp_op} :start_time"));
             params.push((":start_time", Box::new(start.timestamp_millis())));
         }
-        if let Some(end) = query.end_time {
-            wheres.push(if is_asc {
-                ":end_time >= timestamp_start"
-            } else {
-                ":end_time <= timestamp_start"
-            });
+
+        if let Some(end) = end_time {
+            let cmp_op = if is_asc { ">=" } else { "<=" };
+            wheres.push(format!(":end_time {cmp_op} timestamp_start"));
             params.push((":end_time", Box::new(end.timestamp_millis())));
         }
-        if let Some(start) = query.start_id {
-            wheres.push(if is_asc {
-                "id > :start_id"
-            } else {
-                "id < :start_id"
-            });
+
+        if let Some(start) = start_id {
+            let cmp_op = if is_asc { '>' } else { '<' };
+            wheres.push(format!(
+                "idx {cmp_op} (SELECT idx FROM history WHERE id = :start_id)"
+            ));
             params.push((":start_id", Box::new(start.0)));
         }
-        if let Some(end) = query.end_id {
-            wheres.push(if is_asc {
-                ":end_id >= id"
-            } else {
-                ":end_id <= id"
-            });
+
+        if let Some(end) = end_id {
+            let cmp_op = if is_asc { ">=" } else { "<=" };
+            wheres.push(format!(
+                "idx {cmp_op} (SELECT idx FROM history WHERE id = :start_id)"
+            ));
             params.push((":end_id", Box::new(end.0)));
         }
-        let limit = match query.limit {
+
+        let limit = match limit {
             Some(l) => {
                 params.push((":limit", Box::new(l)));
                 "limit :limit"
             }
             None => "",
         };
-        if let Some(command_line) = &query.filter.command_line {
-            // TODO: escape %
+
+        if let Some(command_line) = &filter.command_line {
             let command_line_like = match command_line {
-                CommandLineSearch::Exact(e) => e.to_string(),
-                CommandLineSearch::Prefix(prefix) => format!("{prefix}%"),
-                CommandLineSearch::Substring(cont) => format!("%{cont}%"),
+                CommandLineSearch::Exact(e) => escape_like_with_backslashes(e, ESCAPE_CHAR),
+                CommandLineSearch::Prefix(prefix) => {
+                    format!("{}%", escape_like_with_backslashes(prefix, ESCAPE_CHAR))
+                }
+                CommandLineSearch::Substring(cont) => {
+                    format!("%{}%", escape_like_with_backslashes(cont, ESCAPE_CHAR))
+                }
             };
-            wheres.push("command_line like :command_line");
+
+            wheres.push(format!(
+                "command_line like :command_line escape '{ESCAPE_CHAR}'"
+            ));
             params.push((":command_line", Box::new(command_line_like)));
         }
 
-        if let Some(str) = &query.filter.not_command_line {
-            wheres.push("command_line != :not_cmd");
+        if let Some(str) = &filter.not_command_line {
+            wheres.push("command_line != :not_cmd".to_owned());
             params.push((":not_cmd", Box::new(str)));
         }
-        if let Some(hostname) = &query.filter.hostname {
-            wheres.push("hostname = :hostname");
+
+        if let Some(hostname) = &filter.hostname {
+            wheres.push("hostname = :hostname".to_owned());
             params.push((":hostname", Box::new(hostname)));
         }
-        if let Some(cwd_exact) = &query.filter.cwd_exact {
-            wheres.push("cwd = :cwd");
+
+        if let Some(cwd_exact) = &filter.cwd_exact {
+            wheres.push("cwd = :cwd".to_owned());
             params.push((":cwd", Box::new(cwd_exact)));
         }
-        if let Some(cwd_prefix) = &query.filter.cwd_prefix {
-            wheres.push("cwd like :cwd_like");
+
+        if let Some(cwd_prefix) = &filter.cwd_prefix {
+            wheres.push("cwd like :cwd_like".to_owned());
             let cwd_like = format!("{cwd_prefix}%");
             params.push((":cwd_like", Box::new(cwd_like)));
         }
-        if let Some(exit_successful) = query.filter.exit_successful {
-            if exit_successful {
-                wheres.push("exit_status = 0");
-            } else {
-                wheres.push("exit_status != 0");
-            }
+
+        if let Some(exit_successful) = filter.exit_successful {
+            let cmp_op = if exit_successful { "=" } else { "!=" };
+            wheres.push(format!("exit_status {cmp_op} 0"));
         }
+
         if let (Some(session_id), Some(session_timestamp)) =
-            (query.filter.session, self.session_timestamp)
+            (filter.session, self.session_timestamp)
         {
             // Filter so that we get rows:
             // - that have the same session_id, or
             // - were executed before our session started
-            wheres.push("(session_id = :session_id OR start_timestamp < :session_timestamp)");
+            wheres.push(
+                "(session_id = :session_id OR start_timestamp < :session_timestamp)".to_owned(),
+            );
             params.push((":session_id", Box::new(session_id)));
             params.push((
                 ":session_timestamp",
                 Box::new(session_timestamp.timestamp_millis()),
             ));
         }
+
         let mut wheres = wheres.join(" and ");
+
         if wheres.is_empty() {
             wheres = "true".to_string();
         }
+
         let query = format!(
             "SELECT {select_expression} \
              FROM history \
              WHERE ({wheres}) \
-             ORDER BY id {asc} \
+             ORDER BY idx {asc} \
              {limit}"
         );
+
         (query, params)
     }
 }
+
+/// Escape special symbols for an SQL LIKE clause
+/// (!) Requires LIKE clause to specify an `ESCAPE '<char>'` clause
+fn escape_like_with_backslashes(str: &str, escape_char: char) -> String {
+    let mut str = str.replace(escape_char, &format!("{escape_char}{escape_char}"));
+
+    for forbidden in ['%', '\'', '\n'] {
+        str = str.replace(forbidden, &format!("{escape_char}{forbidden}"));
+    }
+
+    str
+}
+
+static ESCAPE_CHAR: char = '\\';