diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 02eac69..5076f7b 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,22 +1,13 @@
-### AL ###
-#Template for AL projects for Dynamics 365 Business Central
-#launch.json folder
-.vscode/
-#Cache folder
-.alcache/
-#Symbols folder
-.alpackages/
-#Snapshots folder
-.snapshots/
-#Testing Output folder
-.output/
-#Extension App-file
-*.app
-#Rapid Application Development File
-rad.json
-#Translation Base-file
-*.g.xlf
-#License-file
-*.flf
-#Test results file
-TestResults.xml
\ No newline at end of file
+__pycache__/
+*.py[cod]
+*$py.class
+.pytest_cache/
+.coverage
+htmlcov/
+dist/
+build/
+*.egg-info/
+.env
+.venv/
+venv/
+.DS_Store
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/alp/metrics/__init__.py b/src/alp/metrics/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..901bf96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/alp/metrics/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# Performance metrics package initialization
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/alp/metrics/performance.py b/src/alp/metrics/performance.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1320a5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/alp/metrics/performance.py
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from typing import Dict, Any, Optional
+import time
+import statistics
+
+
+@dataclass
+class PerformanceMetrics:
+    """
+    A comprehensive performance metrics collection class for ALP learning cycles.
+    
+    Tracks various performance characteristics including:
+    - Execution times
+    - Iteration statistics
+    - Resource utilization
+    """
+    
+    # Timing metrics
+    total_iterations: int = 0
+    total_execution_time: float = 0.0
+    
+    # Per-iteration tracking
+    iteration_times: list[float] = field(default_factory=list)
+    
+    # Performance statistics
+    _start_time: Optional[float] = None
+    
+    def start_iteration(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Mark the start of a learning iteration.
+        """
+        self._start_time = time.perf_counter()
+        self.total_iterations += 1
+    
+    def end_iteration(self) -> float:
+        """
+        Mark the end of a learning iteration and calculate iteration time.
+        
+        Returns:
+            float: Duration of the iteration in seconds
+        """
+        if self._start_time is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("Iteration not started. Call start_iteration() first.")
+        
+        iteration_time = time.perf_counter() - self._start_time
+        self.iteration_times.append(iteration_time)
+        self.total_execution_time += iteration_time
+        
+        self._start_time = None
+        return iteration_time
+    
+    def get_performance_summary(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """
+        Generate a comprehensive performance summary.
+        
+        Returns:
+            Dict containing performance metrics
+        """
+        if not self.iteration_times:
+            return {
+                "total_iterations": self.total_iterations,
+                "total_execution_time": self.total_execution_time,
+                "avg_iteration_time": 0.0,
+                "min_iteration_time": 0.0,
+                "max_iteration_time": 0.0,
+                "iteration_time_std_dev": 0.0
+            }
+        
+        return {
+            "total_iterations": self.total_iterations,
+            "total_execution_time": self.total_execution_time,
+            "avg_iteration_time": statistics.mean(self.iteration_times),
+            "min_iteration_time": min(self.iteration_times),
+            "max_iteration_time": max(self.iteration_times),
+            "iteration_time_std_dev": statistics.stdev(self.iteration_times) if len(self.iteration_times) > 1 else 0.0
+        }
+    
+    def reset(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Reset all performance metrics to their initial state.
+        """
+        self.total_iterations = 0
+        self.total_execution_time = 0.0
+        self.iteration_times.clear()
+        self._start_time = None
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/alp/metrics/test_performance.py b/tests/alp/metrics/test_performance.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..600aad8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/alp/metrics/test_performance.py
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import time
+import pytest
+from src.alp.metrics.performance import PerformanceMetrics
+
+
+def test_performance_metrics_basic_flow():
+    """
+    Test the basic flow of performance metrics tracking.
+    """
+    metrics = PerformanceMetrics()
+    
+    # Simulate multiple iterations
+    for _ in range(5):
+        metrics.start_iteration()
+        time.sleep(0.1)  # Simulate some work
+        metrics.end_iteration()
+    
+    summary = metrics.get_performance_summary()
+    
+    assert summary['total_iterations'] == 5
+    assert 0.6 > summary['total_execution_time'] > 0.4  # Allow for some variance
+    assert 0.12 > summary['avg_iteration_time'] > 0.08  # Relaxed time check
+    assert 0.12 > summary['max_iteration_time'] > 0.08
+    assert 0.12 > summary['min_iteration_time'] > 0.08
+
+
+def test_performance_metrics_reset():
+    """
+    Test the reset functionality of performance metrics.
+    """
+    metrics = PerformanceMetrics()
+    
+    # Simulate multiple iterations
+    for _ in range(3):
+        metrics.start_iteration()
+        time.sleep(0.1)
+        metrics.end_iteration()
+    
+    metrics.reset()
+    
+    summary = metrics.get_performance_summary()
+    
+    assert summary['total_iterations'] == 0
+    assert summary['total_execution_time'] == 0.0
+
+
+def test_performance_metrics_no_iterations():
+    """
+    Test performance summary when no iterations have occurred.
+    """
+    metrics = PerformanceMetrics()
+    
+    summary = metrics.get_performance_summary()
+    
+    assert summary['total_iterations'] == 0
+    assert summary['total_execution_time'] == 0.0
+    assert summary['avg_iteration_time'] == 0.0
+    assert summary['min_iteration_time'] == 0.0
+    assert summary['max_iteration_time'] == 0.0
+
+
+def test_performance_metrics_error_handling():
+    """
+    Test error handling for incorrect method calls.
+    """
+    metrics = PerformanceMetrics()
+    
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError):
+        metrics.end_iteration()
+
+
+def test_performance_metrics_single_iteration():
+    """
+    Test performance metrics for a single iteration.
+    """
+    metrics = PerformanceMetrics()
+    
+    metrics.start_iteration()
+    time.sleep(0.05)
+    iteration_time = metrics.end_iteration()
+    
+    summary = metrics.get_performance_summary()
+    
+    assert summary['total_iterations'] == 1
+    assert 0.07 > iteration_time > 0.03  # Wider time window
+    assert summary['iteration_time_std_dev'] == 0.0
\ No newline at end of file