diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index f5527e53..5df2f12b 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ all-features = true
 maintenance = { status = "actively-developed" }
 
 [features]
-default = ["wgpu", "tiny-skia", "auto-detect-theme", "futures-executor"]
+default = ["wgpu", "tiny-skia", "auto-detect-theme", "thread-pool"]
 # Enables the `wgpu` GPU-accelerated renderer backend
 wgpu = ["iced_renderer/wgpu", "iced_widget/wgpu"]
 # Enables the `tiny-skia` software renderer backend
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ markdown = ["iced_widget/markdown"]
 lazy = ["iced_widget/lazy"]
 # Enables a debug view in native platforms (press F12)
 debug = ["iced_winit/debug"]
-# Enables `futures-executor` as the `executor::Default` on native platforms
-futures-executor = ["iced_futures/thread-pool"]
+# Enables the `thread-pool` futures executor as the `executor::Default` on native platforms
+thread-pool = ["iced_futures/thread-pool"]
 # Enables `tokio` as the `executor::Default` on native platforms
 tokio = ["iced_futures/tokio"]
 # Enables `async-std` as the `executor::Default` on native platforms
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ bytemuck = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
 bytes = "1.6"
 cosmic-text = "0.13"
 dark-light = "2.0"
-futures = { version = "0.3", default-features = false, features = ["std", "async-await"] }
+futures = { version = "0.3", default-features = false }
 glam = "0.25"
 cryoglyph = { git = "https://github.com/iced-rs/cryoglyph.git", rev = "be2defe4a13fd7c97c6f4c81e8e085463eb578dc" }
 guillotiere = "0.6"
diff --git a/futures/Cargo.toml b/futures/Cargo.toml
index 3984ce83..6a49e9e8 100644
--- a/futures/Cargo.toml
+++ b/futures/Cargo.toml
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ thread-pool = ["futures/thread-pool"]
 iced_core.workspace = true
 
 futures.workspace = true
+futures.features = ["std"]
+
 log.workspace = true
 rustc-hash.workspace = true
 
diff --git a/futures/src/backend/native/async_std.rs b/futures/src/backend/native/async_std.rs
index 9acafd9c..be258b26 100644
--- a/futures/src/backend/native/async_std.rs
+++ b/futures/src/backend/native/async_std.rs
@@ -13,10 +13,6 @@ impl crate::Executor for Executor {
     fn spawn(&self, future: impl Future<Output = ()> + Send + 'static) {
         let _ = async_std::task::spawn(future);
     }
-
-    fn block_on(future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {
-        async_std::task::block_on(future);
-    }
 }
 
 pub mod time {
diff --git a/futures/src/backend/native/smol.rs b/futures/src/backend/native/smol.rs
index 27998e8f..9ac6a27d 100644
--- a/futures/src/backend/native/smol.rs
+++ b/futures/src/backend/native/smol.rs
@@ -12,10 +12,6 @@ impl crate::Executor for Executor {
     fn spawn(&self, future: impl Future<Output = ()> + Send + 'static) {
         smol::spawn(future).detach();
     }
-
-    fn block_on(future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {
-        smol::block_on(future);
-    }
 }
 
 pub mod time {
diff --git a/futures/src/backend/native/thread_pool.rs b/futures/src/backend/native/thread_pool.rs
index 92004bc7..a90cc53a 100644
--- a/futures/src/backend/native/thread_pool.rs
+++ b/futures/src/backend/native/thread_pool.rs
@@ -11,10 +11,6 @@ impl crate::Executor for Executor {
     fn spawn(&self, future: impl Future<Output = ()> + Send + 'static) {
         self.spawn_ok(future);
     }
-
-    fn block_on(future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {
-        futures::executor::block_on(future);
-    }
 }
 
 pub mod time {
diff --git a/futures/src/backend/native/tokio.rs b/futures/src/backend/native/tokio.rs
index 0670c5ee..911d788c 100644
--- a/futures/src/backend/native/tokio.rs
+++ b/futures/src/backend/native/tokio.rs
@@ -17,13 +17,6 @@ impl crate::Executor for Executor {
         let _guard = tokio::runtime::Runtime::enter(self);
         f()
     }
-
-    fn block_on(future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {
-        tokio::runtime::Builder::new_current_thread()
-            .build()
-            .unwrap()
-            .block_on(future);
-    }
 }
 
 pub mod time {
diff --git a/futures/src/backend/null.rs b/futures/src/backend/null.rs
index 151d5587..59b740e3 100644
--- a/futures/src/backend/null.rs
+++ b/futures/src/backend/null.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 //! A backend that does nothing!
+use crate::MaybeSend;
 
 /// An executor that drops all the futures, instead of spawning them.
 #[derive(Debug)]
@@ -9,17 +10,7 @@ impl crate::Executor for Executor {
         Ok(Self)
     }
 
-    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
-    fn spawn(&self, _future: impl Future<Output = ()> + Send + 'static) {}
-
-    #[cfg(target_arch = "wasm32")]
-    fn spawn(&self, _future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {}
-
-    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
-    fn block_on(_future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {}
-
-    #[cfg(target_arch = "wasm32")]
-    fn block_on(_future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {}
+    fn spawn(&self, _future: impl Future<Output = ()> + MaybeSend + 'static) {}
 }
 
 pub mod time {
diff --git a/futures/src/backend/wasm/wasm_bindgen.rs b/futures/src/backend/wasm/wasm_bindgen.rs
index 667bf2fa..4811e7f4 100644
--- a/futures/src/backend/wasm/wasm_bindgen.rs
+++ b/futures/src/backend/wasm/wasm_bindgen.rs
@@ -12,10 +12,6 @@ impl crate::Executor for Executor {
     fn spawn(&self, future: impl futures::Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {
         wasm_bindgen_futures::spawn_local(future);
     }
-
-    fn block_on(future: impl futures::Future<Output = ()> + 'static) {
-        wasm_bindgen_futures::spawn_local(future);
-    }
 }
 
 pub mod time {
diff --git a/futures/src/executor.rs b/futures/src/executor.rs
index 22ed4212..9c14a2c9 100644
--- a/futures/src/executor.rs
+++ b/futures/src/executor.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,4 @@ pub trait Executor: Sized {
     fn enter<R>(&self, f: impl FnOnce() -> R) -> R {
         f()
     }
-
-    /// Runs the future on the current thread, blocking it until it is completed.
-    fn block_on(future: impl Future<Output = ()> + 'static);
 }
diff --git a/futures/src/runtime.rs b/futures/src/runtime.rs
index 0f30b469..72252458 100644
--- a/futures/src/runtime.rs
+++ b/futures/src/runtime.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 //! Run commands and keep track of subscriptions.
 use crate::subscription;
-use crate::{BoxFuture, BoxStream, Executor, MaybeSend};
+use crate::{BoxStream, Executor, MaybeSend};
 
 use futures::{Sink, channel::mpsc};
 use std::marker::PhantomData;
@@ -51,20 +51,10 @@ where
     }
 
     /// Spawns a [`Future`] in the [`Runtime`].
-    ///
-    /// The resulting `Message` will be forwarded to the `Sender` of the
-    /// [`Runtime`].
-    ///
-    /// [`Future`]: BoxFuture
-    pub fn spawn(&mut self, future: BoxFuture<Message>) {
-        use futures::{FutureExt, SinkExt};
-
-        let mut sender = self.sender.clone();
-
-        let future = future.then(|message| async move {
-            let _ = sender.send(message).await;
-        });
-
+    pub fn spawn(
+        &mut self,
+        future: impl Future<Output = ()> + MaybeSend + 'static,
+    ) {
         self.executor.spawn(future);
     }
 
diff --git a/graphics/src/compositor.rs b/graphics/src/compositor.rs
index e9063678..f0f67607 100644
--- a/graphics/src/compositor.rs
+++ b/graphics/src/compositor.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use thiserror::Error;
 use std::borrow::Cow;
 
 /// A graphics compositor that can draw to windows.
-pub trait Compositor: Sized {
+pub trait Compositor: Sized + MaybeSend {
     /// The iced renderer of the backend.
     type Renderer;
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ pub trait Compositor: Sized {
     fn new<W: Window + Clone>(
         settings: Settings,
         compatible_window: W,
-    ) -> impl Future<Output = Result<Self, Error>> {
+    ) -> impl Future<Output = Result<Self, Error>> + MaybeSend {
         Self::with_backend(settings, compatible_window, None)
     }
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ pub trait Compositor: Sized {
         _settings: Settings,
         _compatible_window: W,
         _backend: Option<&str>,
-    ) -> impl Future<Output = Result<Self, Error>>;
+    ) -> impl Future<Output = Result<Self, Error>> + MaybeSend;
 
     /// Creates a [`Self::Renderer`] for the [`Compositor`].
     fn create_renderer(&self) -> Self::Renderer;
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 95820ed7..9b3f3788 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -480,6 +480,13 @@ use iced_winit::runtime;
 pub use iced_futures::futures;
 pub use iced_futures::stream;
 
+#[cfg(not(any(feature = "thread-pool", feature = "tokio", feature = "smol")))]
+compile_error!(
+    "No futures executor has been enabled! You must enable an
+    executor feature.\n
+    Available options: thread-pool, tokio, smol, or async-std."
+);
+
 #[cfg(feature = "highlighter")]
 pub use iced_highlighter as highlighter;
 
diff --git a/winit/src/program.rs b/winit/src/program.rs
index ee921adb..77b4f9d7 100644
--- a/winit/src/program.rs
+++ b/winit/src/program.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ use crate::futures::futures::channel::oneshot;
 use crate::futures::futures::task;
 use crate::futures::futures::{Future, StreamExt};
 use crate::futures::subscription::{self, Subscription};
-use crate::futures::{Executor, Runtime};
+use crate::futures::{Executor, MaybeSend, Runtime};
 use crate::graphics;
 use crate::graphics::{Compositor, compositor};
 use crate::runtime::Debug;
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ pub fn run<P, C>(
 ) -> Result<(), Error>
 where
     P: Program + 'static,
-    C: Compositor<Renderer = P::Renderer> + 'static,
+    C: Compositor<Renderer = P::Renderer> + MaybeSend + 'static,
     P::Theme: theme::Base,
 {
     use winit::event_loop::EventLoop;
@@ -494,9 +494,7 @@ where
                                 event_loop.exit();
                             }
                         },
-                        _ => {
-                            break;
-                        }
+                        _ => break,
                     },
                     task::Poll::Ready(_) => {
                         event_loop.exit();
@@ -562,7 +560,7 @@ async fn run_instance<P, C>(
     default_fonts: Vec<Cow<'static, [u8]>>,
 ) where
     P: Program + 'static,
-    C: Compositor<Renderer = P::Renderer> + 'static,
+    C: Compositor<Renderer = P::Renderer> + MaybeSend + 'static,
     P::Theme: theme::Base,
 {
     use winit::event;
@@ -579,35 +577,11 @@ async fn run_instance<P, C>(
     let mut ui_caches = FxHashMap::default();
     let mut user_interfaces = ManuallyDrop::new(FxHashMap::default());
     let mut clipboard = Clipboard::unconnected();
-    let mut compositor_receiver: Option<oneshot::Receiver<_>> = None;
 
     debug.startup_finished();
 
     loop {
-        let event = if compositor_receiver.is_some() {
-            let compositor_receiver =
-                compositor_receiver.take().expect("Waiting for compositor");
-
-            match compositor_receiver.await {
-                Ok(Ok((new_compositor, event))) => {
-                    compositor = Some(new_compositor);
-
-                    Some(event)
-                }
-                Ok(Err(error)) => {
-                    control_sender
-                        .start_send(Control::Crash(
-                            Error::GraphicsCreationFailed(error),
-                        ))
-                        .expect("Send control action");
-                    break;
-                }
-                Err(error) => {
-                    panic!("Compositor initialization failed: {error}")
-                }
-            }
-        // Empty the queue if possible
-        } else if let Ok(event) = event_receiver.try_next() {
+        let event = if let Ok(event) = event_receiver.try_next() {
             event
         } else {
             event_receiver.next().await
@@ -626,17 +600,17 @@ async fn run_instance<P, C>(
                 on_open,
             } => {
                 if compositor.is_none() {
-                    let (compositor_sender, new_compositor_receiver) =
+                    let (compositor_sender, compositor_receiver) =
                         oneshot::channel();
 
-                    compositor_receiver = Some(new_compositor_receiver);
-
                     let create_compositor = {
+                        let window = window.clone();
+                        let mut proxy = proxy.clone();
                         let default_fonts = default_fonts.clone();
 
                         async move {
                             let mut compositor =
-                                C::new(graphics_settings, window.clone()).await;
+                                C::new(graphics_settings, window).await;
 
                             if let Ok(compositor) = &mut compositor {
                                 for font in default_fonts {
@@ -645,26 +619,38 @@ async fn run_instance<P, C>(
                             }
 
                             compositor_sender
-                                .send(compositor.map(|compositor| {
-                                    (
-                                        compositor,
-                                        Event::WindowCreated {
-                                            id,
-                                            window,
-                                            exit_on_close_request,
-                                            make_visible,
-                                            on_open,
-                                        },
-                                    )
-                                }))
+                                .send(compositor)
                                 .ok()
                                 .expect("Send compositor");
+
+                            // HACK! Send a proxy event on completion to trigger
+                            // a runtime re-poll
+                            // TODO: Send compositor through proxy (?)
+                            {
+                                let (sender, _receiver) = oneshot::channel();
+
+                                proxy.send_action(Action::Window(
+                                    runtime::window::Action::GetLatest(sender),
+                                ));
+                            }
                         }
                     };
 
-                    P::Executor::block_on(create_compositor);
+                    runtime.spawn(create_compositor);
 
-                    continue;
+                    match compositor_receiver
+                        .await
+                        .expect("Wait for compositor")
+                    {
+                        Ok(new_compositor) => {
+                            compositor = Some(new_compositor);
+                        }
+                        Err(error) => {
+                            let _ = control_sender
+                                .start_send(Control::Crash(error.into()));
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
 
                 let window = window_manager.insert(