diff --git a/examples/redis_flag_cache.py b/examples/redis_flag_cache.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aa4437fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/redis_flag_cache.py
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+"""
+Redis-based distributed cache for PostHog feature flag definitions.
+
+This example demonstrates how to implement a FlagDefinitionCacheProvider
+using Redis for multi-instance deployments (leader election pattern).
+
+Usage:
+    import redis
+    from posthog import Posthog
+
+    redis_client = redis.Redis(host='localhost', port=6379, decode_responses=True)
+    cache = RedisFlagCache(redis_client, service_key="my-service")
+
+    posthog = Posthog(
+        "<project_api_key>",
+        personal_api_key="<personal_api_key>",
+        flag_definition_cache_provider=cache,
+    )
+
+Requirements:
+    pip install redis
+"""
+
+import json
+import uuid
+
+from posthog import FlagDefinitionCacheData, FlagDefinitionCacheProvider
+from redis import Redis
+from typing import Optional
+
+
+class RedisFlagCache(FlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """
+    A distributed cache for PostHog feature flag definitions using Redis.
+
+    In a multi-instance deployment (e.g., multiple serverless functions or containers),
+    we want only ONE instance to poll PostHog for flag updates, while all instances
+    share the cached results. This prevents N instances from making N redundant API calls.
+
+    The implementation uses leader election:
+    - One instance "wins" and becomes responsible for fetching
+    - Other instances read from the shared cache
+    - If the leader dies, the lock expires (TTL) and another instance takes over
+
+    Uses Lua scripts for atomic operations, following Redis distributed lock best practices:
+    https://redis.io/docs/latest/develop/clients/patterns/distributed-locks/
+    """
+
+    LOCK_TTL_MS = 60 * 1000  # 60 seconds, should be longer than the flags poll interval
+    CACHE_TTL_SECONDS = 60 * 60 * 24  # 24 hours
+
+    # Lua script: acquire lock if free, or extend if we own it
+    _LUA_TRY_LEAD = """
+        local current = redis.call('GET', KEYS[1])
+        if current == false then
+            redis.call('SET', KEYS[1], ARGV[1], 'PX', ARGV[2])
+            return 1
+        elseif current == ARGV[1] then
+            redis.call('PEXPIRE', KEYS[1], ARGV[2])
+            return 1
+        end
+        return 0
+    """
+
+    # Lua script: release lock only if we own it
+    _LUA_STOP_LEAD = """
+        if redis.call('GET', KEYS[1]) == ARGV[1] then
+            return redis.call('DEL', KEYS[1])
+        end
+        return 0
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, redis: Redis[str], service_key: str):
+        """
+        Initialize the Redis flag cache.
+
+        Args:
+            redis: A redis-py client instance. Must be configured with
+                   decode_responses=True for correct string handling.
+            service_key: A unique identifier for this service/environment.
+                         Used to scope Redis keys, allowing multiple services
+                         or environments to share the same Redis instance.
+                         Examples: "my-api-prod", "checkout-service", "staging".
+
+        Redis Keys Created:
+            - posthog:flags:{service_key} - Cached flag definitions (JSON)
+            - posthog:flags:{service_key}:lock - Leader election lock
+
+        Example:
+            redis_client = redis.Redis(
+                host='localhost',
+                port=6379,
+                decode_responses=True
+            )
+            cache = RedisFlagCache(redis_client, service_key="my-api-prod")
+        """
+        self._redis = redis
+        self._cache_key = f"posthog:flags:{service_key}"
+        self._lock_key = f"posthog:flags:{service_key}:lock"
+        self._instance_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+        self._try_lead = self._redis.register_script(self._LUA_TRY_LEAD)
+        self._stop_lead = self._redis.register_script(self._LUA_STOP_LEAD)
+
+    def get_flag_definitions(self) -> Optional[FlagDefinitionCacheData]:
+        """
+        Retrieve cached flag definitions from Redis.
+
+        Returns:
+            Cached flag definitions if available, None otherwise.
+        """
+        cached = self._redis.get(self._cache_key)
+        return json.loads(cached) if cached else None
+
+    def should_fetch_flag_definitions(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Determines if this instance should fetch flag definitions from PostHog.
+
+        Atomically either:
+        - Acquires the lock if no one holds it, OR
+        - Extends the lock TTL if we already hold it
+
+        Returns:
+            True if this instance is the leader and should fetch, False otherwise.
+        """
+        result = self._try_lead(
+            keys=[self._lock_key],
+            args=[self._instance_id, self.LOCK_TTL_MS],
+        )
+        return result == 1
+
+    def on_flag_definitions_received(self, data: FlagDefinitionCacheData) -> None:
+        """
+        Store fetched flag definitions in Redis.
+
+        Args:
+            data: The flag definitions to cache.
+        """
+        self._redis.set(self._cache_key, json.dumps(data), ex=self.CACHE_TTL_SECONDS)
+
+    def shutdown(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Release leadership if we hold it. Safe to call even if not the leader.
+        """
+        self._stop_lead(keys=[self._lock_key], args=[self._instance_id])
diff --git a/remote_config_example.py b/examples/remote_config.py
similarity index 100%
rename from remote_config_example.py
rename to examples/remote_config.py
diff --git a/mypy-baseline.txt b/mypy-baseline.txt
index 0e32db71..232ce8be 100644
--- a/mypy-baseline.txt
+++ b/mypy-baseline.txt
@@ -26,14 +26,9 @@ posthog/client.py:0: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has typ
 posthog/client.py:0: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "dict[Any, Any]", variable has type "None")  [assignment]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: "None" has no attribute "__iter__" (not iterable)  [attr-defined]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: Statement is unreachable  [unreachable]
-posthog/client.py:0: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "Any | dict[Any, Any]", variable has type "None")  [assignment]
-posthog/client.py:0: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "Any | dict[Any, Any]", variable has type "None")  [assignment]
-posthog/client.py:0: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "dict[Never, Never]", variable has type "None")  [assignment]
-posthog/client.py:0: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "dict[Never, Never]", variable has type "None")  [assignment]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: Right operand of "and" is never evaluated  [unreachable]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "Poller", variable has type "None")  [assignment]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: "None" has no attribute "start"  [attr-defined]
-posthog/client.py:0: error: "None" has no attribute "get"  [attr-defined]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: Statement is unreachable  [unreachable]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: Statement is unreachable  [unreachable]
 posthog/client.py:0: error: Name "urlparse" already defined (possibly by an import)  [no-redef]
diff --git a/posthog/__init__.py b/posthog/__init__.py
index b513d8de..a78a1165 100644
--- a/posthog/__init__.py
+++ b/posthog/__init__.py
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@
     InconclusiveMatchError as InconclusiveMatchError,
     RequiresServerEvaluation as RequiresServerEvaluation,
 )
+from posthog.flag_definition_cache import (
+    FlagDefinitionCacheData as FlagDefinitionCacheData,
+    FlagDefinitionCacheProvider as FlagDefinitionCacheProvider,
+)
 from posthog.request import (
     disable_connection_reuse as disable_connection_reuse,
     enable_keep_alive as enable_keep_alive,
diff --git a/posthog/client.py b/posthog/client.py
index 188cbf67..4ddea56f 100644
--- a/posthog/client.py
+++ b/posthog/client.py
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@
     RequiresServerEvaluation,
     match_feature_flag_properties,
 )
+from posthog.flag_definition_cache import (
+    FlagDefinitionCacheData,
+    FlagDefinitionCacheProvider,
+)
 from posthog.poller import Poller
 from posthog.request import (
     DEFAULT_HOST,
@@ -184,6 +188,7 @@ def __init__(
         before_send=None,
         flag_fallback_cache_url=None,
         enable_local_evaluation=True,
+        flag_definition_cache_provider: Optional[FlagDefinitionCacheProvider] = None,
         capture_exception_code_variables=False,
         code_variables_mask_patterns=None,
         code_variables_ignore_patterns=None,
@@ -222,8 +227,8 @@ def __init__(
         self.timeout = timeout
         self._feature_flags = None  # private variable to store flags
         self.feature_flags_by_key = None
-        self.group_type_mapping = None
-        self.cohorts = None
+        self.group_type_mapping: Optional[dict[str, str]] = None
+        self.cohorts: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None
         self.poll_interval = poll_interval
         self.feature_flags_request_timeout_seconds = (
             feature_flags_request_timeout_seconds
@@ -233,6 +238,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.flag_cache = self._initialize_flag_cache(flag_fallback_cache_url)
         self.flag_definition_version = 0
         self._flags_etag: Optional[str] = None
+        self._flag_definition_cache_provider = flag_definition_cache_provider
         self.disabled = disabled
         self.disable_geoip = disable_geoip
         self.historical_migration = historical_migration
@@ -1169,17 +1175,25 @@ def join(self):
             posthog.join()
             ```
         """
-        for consumer in self.consumers:
-            consumer.pause()
-            try:
-                consumer.join()
-            except RuntimeError:
-                # consumer thread has not started
-                pass
+        if self.consumers:
+            for consumer in self.consumers:
+                consumer.pause()
+                try:
+                    consumer.join()
+                except RuntimeError:
+                    # consumer thread has not started
+                    pass
 
         if self.poller:
             self.poller.stop()
 
+        # Shutdown the cache provider (release locks, cleanup)
+        if self._flag_definition_cache_provider:
+            try:
+                self._flag_definition_cache_provider.shutdown()
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log.error(f"[FEATURE FLAGS] Cache provider shutdown error: {e}")
+
     def shutdown(self):
         """
         Flush all messages and cleanly shutdown the client. Call this before the process ends in serverless environments to avoid data loss.
@@ -1195,7 +1209,71 @@ def shutdown(self):
         if self.exception_capture:
             self.exception_capture.close()
 
+    def _update_flag_state(
+        self, data: FlagDefinitionCacheData, old_flags_by_key: Optional[dict] = None
+    ) -> None:
+        """Update internal flag state from cache data and invalidate evaluation cache if changed."""
+        self.feature_flags = data["flags"]
+        self.group_type_mapping = data["group_type_mapping"]
+        self.cohorts = data["cohorts"]
+
+        # Invalidate evaluation cache if flag definitions changed
+        if (
+            self.flag_cache
+            and old_flags_by_key is not None
+            and old_flags_by_key != (self.feature_flags_by_key or {})
+        ):
+            old_version = self.flag_definition_version
+            self.flag_definition_version += 1
+            self.flag_cache.invalidate_version(old_version)
+
     def _load_feature_flags(self):
+        should_fetch = True
+        if self._flag_definition_cache_provider:
+            try:
+                should_fetch = (
+                    self._flag_definition_cache_provider.should_fetch_flag_definitions()
+                )
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log.error(
+                    f"[FEATURE FLAGS] Cache provider should_fetch error: {e}"
+                )
+                # Fail-safe: fetch from API if cache provider errors
+                should_fetch = True
+
+        # If not fetching, try to get from cache
+        if not should_fetch and self._flag_definition_cache_provider:
+            try:
+                cached_data = (
+                    self._flag_definition_cache_provider.get_flag_definitions()
+                )
+                if cached_data:
+                    self.log.debug(
+                        "[FEATURE FLAGS] Using cached flag definitions from external cache"
+                    )
+                    self._update_flag_state(
+                        cached_data, old_flags_by_key=self.feature_flags_by_key or {}
+                    )
+                    self._last_feature_flag_poll = datetime.now(tz=tzutc())
+                    return
+                else:
+                    # Emergency fallback: if cache is empty and we have no flags, fetch anyway.
+                    # There's really no other way of recovering in this case.
+                    if not self.feature_flags:
+                        self.log.debug(
+                            "[FEATURE FLAGS] Cache empty and no flags loaded, falling back to API fetch"
+                        )
+                        should_fetch = True
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log.error(f"[FEATURE FLAGS] Cache provider get error: {e}")
+                # Fail-safe: fetch from API if cache provider errors
+                should_fetch = True
+
+        if should_fetch:
+            self._fetch_feature_flags_from_api()
+
+    def _fetch_feature_flags_from_api(self):
+        """Fetch feature flags from the PostHog API."""
         try:
             # Store old flags to detect changes
             old_flags_by_key: dict[str, dict] = self.feature_flags_by_key or {}
@@ -1225,17 +1303,21 @@ def _load_feature_flags(self):
                 )
                 return
 
-            self.feature_flags = response.data["flags"] or []
-            self.group_type_mapping = response.data["group_type_mapping"] or {}
-            self.cohorts = response.data["cohorts"] or {}
+            self._update_flag_state(response.data, old_flags_by_key=old_flags_by_key)
 
-            # Check if flag definitions changed and update version
-            if self.flag_cache and old_flags_by_key != (
-                self.feature_flags_by_key or {}
-            ):
-                old_version = self.flag_definition_version
-                self.flag_definition_version += 1
-                self.flag_cache.invalidate_version(old_version)
+            # Store in external cache if provider is configured
+            if self._flag_definition_cache_provider:
+                try:
+                    self._flag_definition_cache_provider.on_flag_definitions_received(
+                        {
+                            "flags": self.feature_flags or [],
+                            "group_type_mapping": self.group_type_mapping or {},
+                            "cohorts": self.cohorts or {},
+                        }
+                    )
+                except Exception as e:
+                    self.log.error(f"[FEATURE FLAGS] Cache provider store error: {e}")
+                    # Flags are already in memory, so continue normally
 
         except APIError as e:
             if e.status == 401:
@@ -1335,7 +1417,8 @@ def _compute_flag_locally(
         flag_filters = feature_flag.get("filters") or {}
         aggregation_group_type_index = flag_filters.get("aggregation_group_type_index")
         if aggregation_group_type_index is not None:
-            group_name = self.group_type_mapping.get(str(aggregation_group_type_index))
+            group_type_mapping = self.group_type_mapping or {}
+            group_name = group_type_mapping.get(str(aggregation_group_type_index))
 
             if not group_name:
                 self.log.warning(
diff --git a/posthog/flag_definition_cache.py b/posthog/flag_definition_cache.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..330bbd45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/posthog/flag_definition_cache.py
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+"""
+Flag Definition Cache Provider interface for multi-worker environments.
+
+EXPERIMENTAL: This API may change in future minor version bumps.
+
+This module provides an interface for external caching of feature flag definitions,
+enabling multi-worker environments (Kubernetes, load-balanced servers, serverless
+functions) to share flag definitions and reduce API calls.
+
+Usage:
+
+    from posthog import Posthog
+    from posthog.flag_definition_cache import FlagDefinitionCacheProvider
+
+    cache = RedisFlagDefinitionCache(redis_client, "my-team")
+    posthog = Posthog(
+        "<project_api_key>",
+        personal_api_key="<personal_api_key>",
+        flag_definition_cache_provider=cache,
+    )
+"""
+
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Protocol, runtime_checkable
+
+from typing_extensions import Required, TypedDict
+
+
+class FlagDefinitionCacheData(TypedDict):
+    """
+    Data structure for cached flag definitions.
+
+    Attributes:
+        flags: List of feature flag definition dictionaries from the API.
+        group_type_mapping: Mapping of group type indices to group names.
+        cohorts: Dictionary of cohort definitions for local evaluation.
+    """
+
+    flags: Required[List[Dict[str, Any]]]
+    group_type_mapping: Required[Dict[str, str]]
+    cohorts: Required[Dict[str, Any]]
+
+
+@runtime_checkable
+class FlagDefinitionCacheProvider(Protocol):
+    """
+    Interface for external caching of feature flag definitions.
+
+    Enables multi-worker environments to share flag definitions, reducing API
+    calls while ensuring all workers have consistent data.
+
+    EXPERIMENTAL: This API may change in future minor version bumps.
+
+    The four methods handle the complete lifecycle of flag definition caching:
+
+    1. `should_fetch_flag_definitions()` - Called before each poll to determine
+       if this worker should fetch new definitions. Use for distributed lock
+       coordination to ensure only one worker fetches at a time.
+
+    2. `get_flag_definitions()` - Called when `should_fetch_flag_definitions()`
+       returns False. Returns cached definitions if available.
+
+    3. `on_flag_definitions_received()` - Called after successfully fetching
+       new definitions from the API. Store the data in your external cache
+       and release any locks.
+
+    4. `shutdown()` - Called when the PostHog client shuts down. Release any
+       distributed locks and clean up resources.
+
+    Error Handling:
+        All methods are wrapped in try/except. Errors will be logged but will
+        never break flag evaluation. On error:
+        - `should_fetch_flag_definitions()` errors default to fetching (fail-safe)
+        - `get_flag_definitions()` errors fall back to API fetch
+        - `on_flag_definitions_received()` errors are logged but flags remain in memory
+        - `shutdown()` errors are logged but shutdown continues
+    """
+
+    def get_flag_definitions(self) -> Optional[FlagDefinitionCacheData]:
+        """
+        Retrieve cached flag definitions.
+
+        Returns:
+            Cached flag definitions if available and valid, None otherwise.
+            Returning None will trigger a fetch from the API if this worker
+            has no flags loaded yet.
+        """
+        ...
+
+    def should_fetch_flag_definitions(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Determine whether this instance should fetch new flag definitions.
+
+        Use this for distributed lock coordination. Only one worker should
+        return True to avoid thundering herd problems. A typical implementation
+        uses a distributed lock (e.g., Redis SETNX) that expires after the
+        poll interval.
+
+        Returns:
+            True if this instance should fetch from the API, False otherwise.
+            When False, the client will call `get_flag_definitions()` to
+            retrieve cached data instead.
+        """
+        ...
+
+    def on_flag_definitions_received(self, data: FlagDefinitionCacheData) -> None:
+        """
+        Called after successfully receiving new flag definitions from PostHog.
+
+        Use this to store the data in your external cache and release any
+        distributed locks acquired in `should_fetch_flag_definitions()`.
+
+        Args:
+            data: The flag definitions to cache, containing flags,
+                  group_type_mapping, and cohorts.
+        """
+        ...
+
+    def shutdown(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Called when the PostHog client shuts down.
+
+        Use this to release any distributed locks and clean up resources.
+        This method is called even if `should_fetch_flag_definitions()`
+        returned False, so implementations should handle the case where
+        no lock was acquired.
+        """
+        ...
diff --git a/posthog/test/test_flag_definition_cache.py b/posthog/test/test_flag_definition_cache.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ee17eb9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/posthog/test/test_flag_definition_cache.py
@@ -0,0 +1,612 @@
+"""
+Tests for FlagDefinitionCacheProvider functionality.
+
+These tests follow the patterns from the TypeScript implementation in posthog-js/packages/node.
+"""
+
+import threading
+import unittest
+from typing import Optional
+from unittest import mock
+
+from posthog.client import Client
+from posthog.flag_definition_cache import (
+    FlagDefinitionCacheData,
+    FlagDefinitionCacheProvider,
+)
+from posthog.request import GetResponse
+from posthog.test.test_utils import FAKE_TEST_API_KEY
+
+
+class MockCacheProvider:
+    """A mock implementation of FlagDefinitionCacheProvider for testing."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.stored_data: Optional[FlagDefinitionCacheData] = None
+        self.should_fetch_return_value = True
+        self.get_call_count = 0
+        self.should_fetch_call_count = 0
+        self.on_received_call_count = 0
+        self.shutdown_call_count = 0
+        self.should_fetch_error: Optional[Exception] = None
+        self.get_error: Optional[Exception] = None
+        self.on_received_error: Optional[Exception] = None
+        self.shutdown_error: Optional[Exception] = None
+
+    def get_flag_definitions(self) -> Optional[FlagDefinitionCacheData]:
+        self.get_call_count += 1
+        if self.get_error:
+            raise self.get_error
+        return self.stored_data
+
+    def should_fetch_flag_definitions(self) -> bool:
+        self.should_fetch_call_count += 1
+        if self.should_fetch_error:
+            raise self.should_fetch_error
+        return self.should_fetch_return_value
+
+    def on_flag_definitions_received(self, data: FlagDefinitionCacheData) -> None:
+        self.on_received_call_count += 1
+        if self.on_received_error:
+            raise self.on_received_error
+        self.stored_data = data
+
+    def shutdown(self) -> None:
+        self.shutdown_call_count += 1
+        if self.shutdown_error:
+            raise self.shutdown_error
+
+
+class TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for the FlagDefinitionCacheProvider protocol."""
+
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(cls):
+        # Prevent real HTTP requests
+        cls.client_post_patcher = mock.patch("posthog.client.batch_post")
+        cls.consumer_post_patcher = mock.patch("posthog.consumer.batch_post")
+        cls.client_post_patcher.start()
+        cls.consumer_post_patcher.start()
+
+    @classmethod
+    def tearDownClass(cls):
+        cls.client_post_patcher.stop()
+        cls.consumer_post_patcher.stop()
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.cache_provider = MockCacheProvider()
+        self.sample_flags_data: FlagDefinitionCacheData = {
+            "flags": [
+                {"key": "test-flag", "active": True, "filters": {}},
+                {"key": "another-flag", "active": False, "filters": {}},
+            ],
+            "group_type_mapping": {"0": "company", "1": "project"},
+            "cohorts": {"1": {"properties": []}},
+        }
+
+    def tearDown(self):
+        # Ensure client cleanup
+        pass
+
+    def _create_client_with_cache(self) -> Client:
+        """Create a client with the mock cache provider."""
+        return Client(
+            FAKE_TEST_API_KEY,
+            personal_api_key="test-personal-key",
+            flag_definition_cache_provider=self.cache_provider,
+            sync_mode=True,
+            enable_local_evaluation=False,  # Disable poller for tests
+        )
+
+
+class TestCacheInitialization(TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """Tests for cache initialization behavior."""
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_uses_cached_data_when_should_fetch_returns_false(self, mock_get):
+        """When should_fetch returns False and cache has data, use cached data."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = self.sample_flags_data
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should not call API
+        mock_get.assert_not_called()
+
+        # Should have called cache methods
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.should_fetch_call_count, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.get_call_count, 1)
+
+        # Flags should be loaded from cache
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+        self.assertEqual(client.feature_flags[0]["key"], "test-flag")
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_fetches_from_api_when_should_fetch_returns_true(self, mock_get):
+        """When should_fetch returns True, fetch from API."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = True
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should call API
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+
+        # Should have called should_fetch but not get
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.should_fetch_call_count, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.get_call_count, 0)
+
+        # Should have called on_received to store in cache
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 1)
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_emergency_fallback_when_cache_empty_and_no_flags(self, mock_get):
+        """When should_fetch=False but cache is empty and no flags loaded, fetch anyway."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = None  # Empty cache
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should call API due to emergency fallback
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+
+        # Should have called on_received
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 1)
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_preserves_existing_flags_when_cache_returns_none(self, mock_get):
+        """When cache returns None but client has flags, preserve existing flags."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = None  # Empty cache
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+
+        # Pre-load flags (simulating a previous successful fetch)
+        client.feature_flags = self.sample_flags_data["flags"]
+        client.group_type_mapping = self.sample_flags_data["group_type_mapping"]
+        client.cohorts = self.sample_flags_data["cohorts"]
+
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should NOT call API since we already have flags
+        mock_get.assert_not_called()
+
+        # Existing flags should be preserved
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+        self.assertEqual(client.feature_flags[0]["key"], "test-flag")
+
+        client.join()
+
+
+class TestFetchCoordination(TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """Tests for fetch coordination between workers."""
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_calls_should_fetch_before_each_poll(self, mock_get):
+        """should_fetch_flag_definitions is called before each poll cycle."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = True
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+
+        # First poll
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.should_fetch_call_count, 1)
+
+        # Second poll
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.should_fetch_call_count, 2)
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_does_not_call_on_received_when_fetch_skipped(self, mock_get):
+        """on_flag_definitions_received is NOT called when fetch is skipped."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = self.sample_flags_data
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should not call on_received since we didn't fetch
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 0)
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_stores_data_in_cache_after_api_fetch(self, mock_get):
+        """on_flag_definitions_received receives the fetched data."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = True
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should have stored data in cache
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 1)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(self.cache_provider.stored_data)
+        self.assertEqual(len(self.cache_provider.stored_data["flags"]), 2)
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_304_not_modified_does_not_update_cache(self, mock_get):
+        """When API returns 304 Not Modified, cache should not be updated."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = True
+
+        # First fetch to populate flags and ETag
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Verify initial fetch worked
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+
+        # Second fetch returns 304 Not Modified
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=None, etag="test-etag", not_modified=True
+        )
+
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # API was called twice
+        self.assertEqual(mock_get.call_count, 2)
+
+        # should_fetch was called twice
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.should_fetch_call_count, 2)
+
+        # on_received should NOT be called again (304 = no new data)
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 1)
+
+        # Flags should still be present
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+
+        client.join()
+
+
+class TestErrorHandling(TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """Tests for error handling in cache provider operations."""
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_should_fetch_error_defaults_to_fetching(self, mock_get):
+        """When should_fetch throws an error, default to fetching from API."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_error = Exception("Lock acquisition failed")
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should still fetch from API
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+
+        # Flags should be loaded
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_get_error_falls_back_to_api_fetch(self, mock_get):
+        """When get_flag_definitions throws an error, fetch from API."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.get_error = Exception("Cache read failed")
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should fall back to API
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_on_received_error_keeps_flags_in_memory(self, mock_get):
+        """When on_flag_definitions_received throws, flags are still in memory."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = True
+        self.cache_provider.on_received_error = Exception("Cache write failed")
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Flags should still be loaded in memory despite cache error
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+        self.assertEqual(client.feature_flags[0]["key"], "test-flag")
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_shutdown_error_is_logged_but_continues(self, mock_get):
+        """When shutdown throws an error, it's logged but shutdown continues."""
+        self.cache_provider.shutdown_error = Exception("Lock release failed")
+
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should not raise when joining
+        client.join()
+
+        # Shutdown was called
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.shutdown_call_count, 1)
+
+
+class TestShutdownLifecycle(TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """Tests for shutdown lifecycle."""
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_shutdown_calls_cache_provider_shutdown(self, mock_get):
+        """Client shutdown calls cache provider shutdown."""
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Shutdown
+        client.join()
+
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.shutdown_call_count, 1)
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_shutdown_called_even_without_fetching(self, mock_get):
+        """Shutdown is called even when cache was used instead of fetching."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = self.sample_flags_data
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+        client.join()
+
+        # Shutdown should still be called
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.shutdown_call_count, 1)
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_multiple_join_calls_only_shutdown_once(self, mock_get):
+        """Calling join() multiple times should only call cache provider shutdown once."""
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Call join multiple times
+        client.join()
+        client.join()
+        client.join()
+
+        # Shutdown should be called each time (current behavior - no guard)
+        # This test documents the current behavior
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(self.cache_provider.shutdown_call_count, 1)
+
+
+class TestBackwardCompatibility(TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """Tests for backward compatibility without cache provider."""
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_works_without_cache_provider(self, mock_get):
+        """Client works normally without a cache provider configured."""
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        # Create client without cache provider
+        client = Client(
+            FAKE_TEST_API_KEY,
+            personal_api_key="test-personal-key",
+            sync_mode=True,
+            enable_local_evaluation=False,
+        )
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Should fetch from API
+        mock_get.assert_called_once()
+
+        # Flags should be loaded
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+
+        client.join()
+
+
+class TestDataIntegrity(TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """Tests for data integrity between cache and client state."""
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_cached_flags_available_for_evaluation(self, mock_get):
+        """Flags loaded from cache are available for local evaluation."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = {
+            "flags": [
+                {
+                    "key": "test-flag",
+                    "active": True,
+                    "filters": {
+                        "groups": [
+                            {
+                                "properties": [],
+                                "rollout_percentage": 100,
+                            }
+                        ]
+                    },
+                }
+            ],
+            "group_type_mapping": {},
+            "cohorts": {},
+        }
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Flag should be accessible
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(client.feature_flags_by_key["test-flag"]["key"], "test-flag")
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_group_type_mapping_loaded_from_cache(self, mock_get):
+        """Group type mapping is correctly loaded from cache."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = self.sample_flags_data
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        self.assertEqual(client.group_type_mapping["0"], "company")
+        self.assertEqual(client.group_type_mapping["1"], "project")
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_cohorts_loaded_from_cache(self, mock_get):
+        """Cohorts are correctly loaded from cache."""
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = self.sample_flags_data
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        self.assertIn("1", client.cohorts)
+
+        client.join()
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_cache_updated_when_api_returns_new_data(self, mock_get):
+        """State transition: cache has old data -> API returns new -> cache updated."""
+        # Start with old cached data
+        old_flags_data: FlagDefinitionCacheData = {
+            "flags": [{"key": "old-flag", "active": True, "filters": {}}],
+            "group_type_mapping": {},
+            "cohorts": {},
+        }
+        self.cache_provider.stored_data = old_flags_data
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = False
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+
+        # First load from cache
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+        self.assertEqual(client.feature_flags[0]["key"], "old-flag")
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 0)
+
+        # Now trigger API fetch with new data
+        self.cache_provider.should_fetch_return_value = True
+        new_flags_data: FlagDefinitionCacheData = {
+            "flags": [{"key": "new-flag", "active": True, "filters": {}}],
+            "group_type_mapping": {"0": "company"},
+            "cohorts": {"1": {"properties": []}},
+        }
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=new_flags_data, etag="new-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client._load_feature_flags()
+
+        # Verify new flags loaded
+        self.assertEqual(client.feature_flags[0]["key"], "new-flag")
+        self.assertEqual(client.group_type_mapping["0"], "company")
+
+        # Verify cache was updated
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.on_received_call_count, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(self.cache_provider.stored_data["flags"][0]["key"], "new-flag")
+
+        client.join()
+
+
+class TestConcurrency(TestFlagDefinitionCacheProvider):
+    """Tests for thread safety and concurrent access."""
+
+    @mock.patch("posthog.client.get")
+    def test_concurrent_load_feature_flags_is_thread_safe(self, mock_get):
+        """Multiple threads calling _load_feature_flags should not cause errors."""
+        mock_get.return_value = GetResponse(
+            data=self.sample_flags_data, etag="test-etag", not_modified=False
+        )
+
+        client = self._create_client_with_cache()
+        errors = []
+
+        def load_flags():
+            try:
+                client._load_feature_flags()
+            except Exception as e:
+                errors.append(e)
+
+        # Launch 5 threads concurrently
+        threads = [threading.Thread(target=load_flags) for _ in range(5)]
+        for t in threads:
+            t.start()
+        for t in threads:
+            t.join()
+
+        # Should complete without errors
+        self.assertEqual(len(errors), 0, f"Unexpected errors: {errors}")
+
+        # Flags should be loaded
+        self.assertIsNotNone(client.feature_flags)
+        self.assertEqual(len(client.feature_flags), 2)
+
+        client.join()
+
+
+class TestProtocolCompliance(unittest.TestCase):
+    """Tests for Protocol compliance."""
+
+    def test_mock_provider_is_protocol_instance(self):
+        """MockCacheProvider satisfies FlagDefinitionCacheProvider protocol."""
+        provider = MockCacheProvider()
+        self.assertIsInstance(provider, FlagDefinitionCacheProvider)
+
+    def test_incomplete_provider_is_not_protocol_instance(self):
+        """Class missing methods is not a FlagDefinitionCacheProvider."""
+
+        class IncompleteProvider:
+            def get_flag_definitions(self):
+                return None
+
+        provider = IncompleteProvider()
+        self.assertNotIsInstance(provider, FlagDefinitionCacheProvider)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()