diff --git a/common/devdoc/unique_thandle_requirements.md b/common/devdoc/unique_thandle_requirements.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..94f6deff5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/devdoc/unique_thandle_requirements.md
@@ -0,0 +1,302 @@
+# unique_thandle_requirements
+
+## Overview
+
+`unique_thandle` is a module that provides macros for handles that have a single owner.
+
+`UNIQUE_THANDLE(T)` is a handle to an object of type `T` that has exactly one owner at a time. A handle either holds an object or is `NULL`.
+
+The .c file that defines `T` creates the object with `UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC` or `UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC_FLEX` and puts it in a handle with `UNIQUE_THANDLE_ADOPT`:
+
+```c
+/*item.h*/
+typedef struct ITEM_TAG ITEM;
+
+UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE(ITEM);
+
+int item_create(int value, UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item);
+
+/*item.c*/
+struct ITEM_TAG
+{
+    int value;
+};
+
+UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE(ITEM);
+
+int item_create(int value, UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item)
+{
+    int result;
+    ITEM* new_item = UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC(ITEM)(NULL);
+    if (new_item == NULL)
+    {
+        result = MU_FAILURE;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        new_item->value = value;
+        UNIQUE_THANDLE_ADOPT(ITEM)(item, new_item);
+        result = 0;
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+```
+
+The object can be moved with `UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE` or disposed with `UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE`.
+
+```c
+/*list.h*/
+typedef struct NODE_TAG
+{
+    struct NODE_TAG* next;
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item;
+} NODE;
+
+typedef struct LIST_TAG
+{
+    NODE head; /*holds no item*/
+    NODE* end; /*the last node, &head when the list is empty*/
+} LIST;
+
+typedef LIST* LIST_HANDLE;
+
+int list_insert_num(LIST_HANDLE list, int n);
+int list_insert_item(LIST_HANDLE list, UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item);
+
+/*list.c*/
+int list_insert_num(LIST_HANDLE list, int n)
+{
+    int result;
+
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;
+    if (item_create(n, item) != 0)
+    {
+        result = MU_FAILURE;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        if (list_insert_item(list, item) != 0)
+        {
+            result = MU_FAILURE;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            result = 0;
+            goto all_ok;
+        }
+        UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE(ITEM)(item);
+    }
+all_ok:
+    return result;
+}
+
+int list_insert_item(LIST_HANDLE list, UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item)
+{
+    int result;
+    if (list == NULL || item == NULL)
+    {
+        result = MU_FAILURE;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        NODE* node = malloc(sizeof(NODE));
+        if (node == NULL)
+        {
+            result = MU_FAILURE;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            node->next = NULL;
+            UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(ITEM)(node->item, item);
+            list->end->next = node;
+            list->end = node;
+            result = 0;
+        }
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+```
+
+The compiler rejects the following misuses:
+
+```c
+/*other.h*/
+typedef struct OTHER_TAG OTHER;
+
+UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE(OTHER);
+
+/*item.c*/
+void misuses(UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item, UNIQUE_THANDLE(OTHER) other)
+{
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) temp = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;
+    ITEM* pointer = UNIQUE_THANDLE_GET_T(ITEM)(item);
+
+    /*copies a handle: copy and item would both own the item*/
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) copy = item;
+
+    /*assigns a handle: temp and item would both own the item*/
+    temp = item;
+
+    /*writes the pointer in a handle: temp and item would both own the item*/
+    temp[0].object = item[0].object;
+
+    /*warnings as errors: makes a handle from a pointer to an item, which a handle may already own*/
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(ITEM)(temp, &pointer);
+
+    /*warnings as errors: moves a handle to another type, OTHER, into a handle to an ITEM*/
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(ITEM)(temp, other);
+}
+
+/*list.h*/
+/*returns a handle: the caller and the list would both own the item*/
+UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) list_get(LIST_HANDLE list, uint32_t index);
+
+/*list.c*/
+/*node_get_value reads a node*/
+int node_get_value(const NODE* node)
+{
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) temp = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;
+
+    /*warnings as errors: moves the item, which the node owns, into temp*/
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(ITEM)(temp, node->item);
+    ...
+}
+```
+
+Read-only copies should be passed as `const`:
+
+```c
+/*item_get_value uses the item during the call*/
+int item_get_value(const UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item)
+{
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) temp = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;
+
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(ITEM)(temp, item); /*warnings as errors: does not compile*/
+
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE(ITEM)(item); /*warnings as errors: does not compile*/
+
+    ITEM* item_ptr = UNIQUE_THANDLE_GET_T(ITEM)(item);
+    return item_ptr->value;
+}
+```
+
+If a read-only copy is passed as non-const and the copy is modified, the original is also changed:
+
+```c
+int item_get_value(UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item)
+{
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) temp = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;
+
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(ITEM)(temp, item);
+
+    ITEM* item_ptr = UNIQUE_THANDLE_GET_T(ITEM)(temp);
+
+    return item_ptr->value;
+}
+
+int caller(void)
+{
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE(ITEM) item = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;
+    item_create(42, item);
+
+    int val = item_get_value(item);
+
+    /*item is now NULL: item_get_value moved the item into temp, which leaked it. Another call to item_get_value dereferences NULL and crashes*/
+    int val2 = item_get_value(item); // will crash
+
+    return val + val2;
+}
+```
+
+Only one thread at a time may move or dispose a given `UNIQUE_THANDLE(T)` variable.
+
+## Exposed API
+
+```c
+/*the type of a handle to a T*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE(T)
+
+/*initializes a handle to NULL, as in UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) handle = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL
+
+/*to be used in a header file*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE(T)
+
+/*to be used in a .c file*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE(T)
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE_WITH_MALLOC_FUNCTIONS(T, malloc_function, malloc_flex_function, free_function)
+
+/*declared by UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE*/
+MOCKABLE_FUNCTION(, void, UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(T), UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t1, UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t2);
+MOCKABLE_FUNCTION(, void, UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE(T), UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t);
+
+/*defined by UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE for use in the .c file that defines T*/
+/*allocates a T. dispose, if it is not NULL, is called when the object is disposed*/
+static T* UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC(T)(void(*dispose)(T*));
+/*allocates a T with an additional nmemb * size bytes for its flexible array member*/
+static T* UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC_FLEX(T)(void(*dispose)(T*), size_t nmemb, size_t size);
+/*frees the memory of a T allocated by UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC or UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC_FLEX, for example when creating the object fails*/
+static void UNIQUE_THANDLE_FREE(T)(T* t);
+/*puts a new object, which UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC or UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC_FLEX returned, in *t, which is NULL or not initialized*/
+static void UNIQUE_THANDLE_ADOPT(T)(UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) t, T* object);
+/*returns a pointer to the T that *t holds, or NULL if t is NULL*/
+static T* UNIQUE_THANDLE_GET_T(T)(const UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) t);
+```
+
+`unique_thandle_ll.h` also provides `UNIQUE_THANDLE_MACRO(T)`, `UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DECLARE(C, T)`, `UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DEFINE(C, T)` and `UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DEFINE_WITH_MALLOC_FUNCTIONS(C, T, malloc_function, malloc_flex_function, free_function)`. `UNIQUE_THANDLE_MACRO(T)` introduces `UNIQUE_THANDLE(T)`, once per translation unit. The other three name the functions after `C` and wrap the type `T`. `UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE(T)` is `UNIQUE_THANDLE_MACRO(T)` followed by `UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DECLARE(T, T)`.
+
+## UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE(T)
+
+```c
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE(T)
+```
+
+`UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE` defines the functions declared by `UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE`, the functions `UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC(T)`, `UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC_FLEX(T)`, `UNIQUE_THANDLE_FREE(T)`, `UNIQUE_THANDLE_ADOPT(T)` and `UNIQUE_THANDLE_GET_T(T)`, and `UNIQUE_THANDLE_INSPECT(T)`, which shows the object of a handle in a debugger.
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_001: [** `UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE` shall use `malloc`, `malloc_flex` and `free` to allocate and free memory. **]**
+
+## UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE_WITH_MALLOC_FUNCTIONS(T, malloc_function, malloc_flex_function, free_function)
+
+```c
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE_WITH_MALLOC_FUNCTIONS(T, malloc_function, malloc_flex_function, free_function)
+```
+
+`UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE_WITH_MALLOC_FUNCTIONS` behaves like `UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE`, with memory functions specific to `T`.
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_002: [** `UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DEFINE_WITH_MALLOC_FUNCTIONS` shall use `malloc_function`, `malloc_flex_function` and `free_function` to allocate and free memory. **]**
+
+## UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(T)
+
+```c
+MOCKABLE_FUNCTION(, void, UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(T), UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t1, UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t2);
+```
+
+`UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE` moves `*t2` into `*t1`, where `*t1` is either `NULL` or not initialized, for example a field of a structure that has just been allocated.
+
+To set a handle that is not initialized to `NULL`, move a `NULL` handle into it.
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_008: [** If `t1` is `NULL` then `UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE` shall return. **]**
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_009: [** If `t2` is `NULL` then `UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE` shall return. **]**
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_010: [** If `t1` is equal to `t2` then `UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE` shall return. **]**
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_011: [** `UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE` shall store `*t2` in `*t1` and set `*t2` to `NULL`. **]**
+
+## UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE(T)
+
+```c
+MOCKABLE_FUNCTION(, void, UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE(T), UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t);
+```
+
+`UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE` disposes the handle in `*t` and sets `*t` to `NULL`.
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_012: [** If `t` is `NULL` then `UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE` shall return. **]**
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_013: [** If `*t` is `NULL` then `UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE` shall return. **]**
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_014: [** `UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE` shall set `*t` to `NULL`. **]**
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_015: [** `UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE` shall then call the `dispose` function passed when the handle was created, if it is not `NULL`. **]**
+
+**SRS_UNIQUE_THANDLE_43_016: [** `UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE` shall free the memory of the handle. **]**
diff --git a/common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle.h b/common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..23f5fcb43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle.h
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
+// Licensed under the MIT license. See LICENSE file in the project root for full license information.
+
+#ifndef UNIQUE_THANDLE_H
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_H
+
+#include "macro_utils/macro_utils.h"
+
+#include "c_pal/unique_thandle_ll.h"
+
+/*macro to be used in headers*/
+/*introduces UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) for a type T and declares the functions that move and dispose it*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE(T)                                                                                  \
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_MACRO(T)                                                                                             \
+    UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DECLARE(T, T)
+
+#endif /*UNIQUE_THANDLE_H*/
diff --git a/common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle_ll.h b/common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle_ll.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5df0684f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle_ll.h
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+// Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
+// Licensed under the MIT license. See LICENSE file in the project root for full license information.
+
+#ifndef UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_H
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_H
+
+#include <stddef.h>
+
+#include "macro_utils/macro_utils.h"
+
+#include "c_pal/thandle_ll.h"
+
+#include "umock_c/umock_c_prod.h"
+
+/*UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) is a handle to a T that has a single owner.
+A handle is an array of one slot, like jmp_buf. The compiler rejects UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) copy = handle;, assignments of handles and functions that return a handle.
+A UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) parameter points to the caller's handle, and a const UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) parameter only reads it.
+The slot holds a const pointer to a struct that is only declared. UNIQUE_THANDLE_ADOPT, UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE and UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE write the slot, and UNIQUE_THANDLE_GET_T converts its pointer to a T*.*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) MU_C2(T, _UNIQUE_THANDLE)
+
+/*initializes a UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) to NULL, as in UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) handle = UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL;*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_NULL { { NULL } }
+
+/*given a previous type T, these are the struct tags of the slot of UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) and of the object the slot points to. The object struct tag is only declared*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_SLOT_TAG(T) MU_C2(T, _UNIQUE_SLOT)
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_OBJECT_TAG(T) MU_C2(T, _UNIQUE_OBJECT)
+
+/*introduces UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), once per type T. The names of the types are built from T, so UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DECLARE(C, T) for any C uses the same UNIQUE_THANDLE(T)*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_MACRO(T)                                                                                         \
+    typedef struct UNIQUE_THANDLE_SLOT_TAG(T)                                                                           \
+    {                                                                                                                   \
+        const struct UNIQUE_THANDLE_OBJECT_TAG(T)* const volatile object;                                               \
+    } UNIQUE_THANDLE(T)[1];
+
+/*given a previous type T, UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE introduces a new name for a function that moves a handle into a handle that is NULL or not initialized*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(C) MU_C2(C, _UNIQUE_INITIALIZE_MOVE)
+
+/*given a previous type T, UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE introduces a new name for a function that sets a handle to NULL and disposes the object it held*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE(C) MU_C2(C, _UNIQUE_DISPOSE)
+
+/*given a previous type T, these are the names of the static functions that UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DEFINE defines for the .c file that defines T*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC(C) THANDLE_MALLOC(C)
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_MALLOC_FLEX(C) THANDLE_MALLOC_FLEX(C)
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_FREE(C) THANDLE_FREE(C)
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_ADOPT(C) MU_C2(C, _UNIQUE_ADOPT)
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_GET_T(C) MU_C2(C, _UNIQUE_GET_T)
+
+/*given a previous type T, UNIQUE_THANDLE_INSPECT introduces a new name for a function that returns the THANDLE_WRAPPER_TYPE_NAME(T) of the object a handle holds - useful in debugging, like THANDLE_INSPECT. The function has no side-effects*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_INSPECT(C) MU_C2(C, _UNIQUE_INSPECT)
+
+/*macro to be used in headers*/
+/*declares the functions that move and dispose a UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), named after C. UNIQUE_THANDLE_MACRO(T) introduces UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) before*/
+/*unlike THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DECLARE, it declares only functions: a translation unit defines the slot struct of T once, and REAL_UNIQUE_THANDLE_DECLARE declares the functions of REAL_T for the UNIQUE_THANDLE(T) that UNIQUE_THANDLE_TYPE_DECLARE(T) introduced*/
+#define UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_TYPE_DECLARE(C, T)                                                                            \
+    MOCKABLE_FUNCTION(, void, UNIQUE_THANDLE_INITIALIZE_MOVE(C), UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t1, UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t2);         \
+    MOCKABLE_FUNCTION(, void, UNIQUE_THANDLE_DISPOSE(C), UNIQUE_THANDLE(T), t);
+
+#endif /*UNIQUE_THANDLE_LL_H*/
diff --git a/linux/CMakeLists.txt b/linux/CMakeLists.txt
index 9105f713f..d649cfeb4 100644
--- a/linux/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/linux/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ set(pal_common_h_files
     ../common/inc/c_pal/thandle_log_context_handle.h
     ../common/inc/c_pal/tqueue.h
     ../common/inc/c_pal/tqueue_ll.h
+    ../common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle.h
+    ../common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle_ll.h
 )
 
 set(pal_common_c_files
diff --git a/win32/CMakeLists.txt b/win32/CMakeLists.txt
index fc1ee57e9..90a4ff3c3 100644
--- a/win32/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/win32/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ set(pal_common_h_files
     ../common/inc/c_pal/thandle_log_context_handle.h
     ../common/inc/c_pal/tqueue.h
     ../common/inc/c_pal/tqueue_ll.h
+    ../common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle.h
+    ../common/inc/c_pal/unique_thandle_ll.h
 )
 
 set(pal_common_c_files