diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index 3f5988fbd..249cc08eb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -35,11 +35,10 @@ jobs:
             rust: stable-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-    - name: Install toolchain
-      run: |
-        rustup update ${{ matrix.rust }} --no-self-update
-        rustup default ${{ matrix.rust }}
-        cargo +stable install cargo-hack --locked
+    - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@master
+      with:
+        toolchain: ${{ matrix.rust }}
+    - uses: taiki-e/install-action@cargo-hack
     - run: cargo hack test --feature-powerset --exclude-features max_level_off,max_level_error,max_level_warn,max_level_info,max_level_debug,max_level_trace,release_max_level_off,release_max_level_error,release_max_level_warn,release_max_level_info,release_max_level_debug,release_max_level_trace
     - run: cargo run --verbose --manifest-path test_max_level_features/Cargo.toml
     - run: cargo run --verbose --manifest-path test_max_level_features/Cargo.toml --release
@@ -49,11 +48,9 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-    - name: Install toolchain
-      run: |
-        rustup update stable --no-self-update
-        rustup default stable
-        rustup component add clippy rustfmt
+    - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
+      with:
+        components: clippy
     - run: cargo fmt -- --check
     - run: cargo fmt --manifest-path test_max_level_features/Cargo.toml -- --check
     - run: cargo clippy --verbose
@@ -64,25 +61,18 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-    - name: Install toolchain
-      run: |
-        rustup update stable --no-self-update
-        rustup default stable
-        rustup component add rust-docs
+    - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
     - name: Run rustdoc
       env:
         RUSTDOCFLAGS: "-D warnings"
-      run: cargo doc --verbose --features std,serde,sval,sval_ref,value-bag,kv,kv_std,kv_sval,kv_serde
+      run: cargo doc --verbose --features std,kv,kv_std,kv_sval,kv_serde
 
   features:
     name: Feature check
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: Install toolchain
-        run: |
-          rustup update nightly --no-self-update
-          rustup default nightly
+      - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@nightly
       - run: cargo build --verbose -Z avoid-dev-deps --features kv
       - run: cargo build --verbose -Z avoid-dev-deps --features "kv std"
       - run: cargo build --verbose -Z avoid-dev-deps --features "kv kv_sval"
@@ -95,10 +85,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: Install toolchain
-        run: |
-          rustup update nightly --no-self-update
-          rustup default nightly
+      - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@nightly
       - run: cargo build --verbose -Z minimal-versions --features kv
       - run: cargo build --verbose -Z minimal-versions --features "kv std"
       - run: cargo build --verbose -Z minimal-versions --features "kv kv_sval"
@@ -111,11 +98,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: Install toolchain
-        run: |
-          rustup update 1.61.0 --no-self-update
-          rustup default 1.61.0
-          cargo +stable install cargo-hack --locked
+      - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@1.68.0
+        with:
+          components: clippy
+      - uses: taiki-e/install-action@cargo-hack
       - run: cargo hack test --feature-powerset --exclude-features max_level_off,max_level_error,max_level_warn,max_level_info,max_level_debug,max_level_trace,release_max_level_off,release_max_level_error,release_max_level_warn,release_max_level_info,release_max_level_debug,release_max_level_trace
       - run: cargo run --verbose --manifest-path test_max_level_features/Cargo.toml
       - run: cargo run --verbose --manifest-path test_max_level_features/Cargo.toml --release
@@ -125,10 +111,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: Install toolchain
-        run: |
-          rustup update stable --no-self-update
-          rustup default stable
+      - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
       - run: rustup target add thumbv6m-none-eabi riscv32imc-unknown-none-elf
       - run: cargo build --verbose --target=thumbv6m-none-eabi
       - run: cargo build --verbose --target=riscv32imc-unknown-none-elf
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 48f669334..ff039887f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,18 @@
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.4.29] - 2025-12-02
+
+## What's Changed
+* perf: reduce llvm-lines of FromStr for `Level` and `LevelFilter` by @dishmaker in https://github.com/rust-lang/log/pull/709
+* Replace serde with serde_core by @Thomasdezeeuw in https://github.com/rust-lang/log/pull/712
+
+## New Contributors
+* @AldaronLau made their first contribution in https://github.com/rust-lang/log/pull/703
+* @dishmaker made their first contribution in https://github.com/rust-lang/log/pull/709
+
+**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/rust-lang/log/compare/0.4.28...0.4.29
+
 ## [0.4.28] - 2025-09-02
 
 ## What's Changed
@@ -377,7 +389,8 @@ version using log 0.4.x to avoid losing module and file information.
 
 Look at the [release tags] for information about older releases.
 
-[Unreleased]: https://github.com/rust-lang-nursery/log/compare/0.4.28...HEAD
+[Unreleased]: https://github.com/rust-lang-nursery/log/compare/0.4.29...HEAD
+[0.4.29]: https://github.com/rust-lang/log/compare/0.4.28...0.4.29
 [0.4.28]: https://github.com/rust-lang/log/compare/0.4.27...0.4.28
 [0.4.27]: https://github.com/rust-lang/log/compare/0.4.26...0.4.27
 [0.4.26]: https://github.com/rust-lang/log/compare/0.4.25...0.4.26
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 47b847133..964b887e7 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [package]
 
 name = "log"
-version = "0.4.28" # remember to update html_root_url
+version = "0.4.29" # remember to update html_root_url
 authors = ["The Rust Project Developers"]
 license = "MIT OR Apache-2.0"
 readme = "README.md"
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ A lightweight logging facade for Rust
 categories = ["development-tools::debugging"]
 keywords = ["logging"]
 exclude = ["rfcs/**/*"]
-rust-version = "1.61.0"
+rust-version = "1.68.0"
 edition = "2021"
 
 [package.metadata.docs.rs]
@@ -41,6 +41,11 @@ kv_sval = ["kv", "value-bag/sval", "sval", "sval_ref"]
 kv_std = ["std", "kv", "value-bag/error"]
 kv_serde = ["kv_std", "value-bag/serde", "serde"]
 
+# This is here to not break backwards compatibility with the implicit feature
+# that enables support for serde based on the dependency name. Since we're now
+# using serde_core, the implicit feature was renamed, this adds back an alias.
+serde = ["serde_core"]
+
 # Deprecated: use `kv_*` instead
 # These `*_unstable` features will be removed in a future release
 kv_unstable = ["kv", "value-bag"]
@@ -49,18 +54,18 @@ kv_unstable_std = ["kv_std", "kv_unstable"]
 kv_unstable_serde = ["kv_serde", "kv_unstable_std"]
 
 [dependencies]
-serde = { version = "1.0", optional = true, default-features = false }
-sval = { version = "2.14.1", optional = true, default-features = false }
-sval_ref = { version = "2.1", optional = true, default-features = false }
-value-bag = { version = "1.7", optional = true, default-features = false, features = ["inline-i128"] }
+serde_core = { version = "1.0", optional = true, default-features = false }
+sval = { version = "2.16", optional = true, default-features = false }
+sval_ref = { version = "2.16", optional = true, default-features = false }
+value-bag = { version = "1.12", optional = true, default-features = false, features = ["inline-i128"] }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = { version = "1.0" }
 serde_test = { version = "1.0" }
-sval = { version = "2.1" }
-sval_derive = { version = "2.1" }
-value-bag = { version = "1.7", features = ["test"] }
+sval = { version = "2.16" }
+sval_derive = { version = "2.16" }
+value-bag = { version = "1.12", features = ["test"] }
 
 # NOTE: log doesn't actually depend on this crate. However, our dependencies,
 # serde and sval, dependent on version 1.0 of the crate, which has problem fixed
diff --git a/src/__private_api.rs b/src/__private_api.rs
index 58d4c0fab..8d4446727 100644
--- a/src/__private_api.rs
+++ b/src/__private_api.rs
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ mod kv_support {
     }
 
     #[cfg(feature = "kv_serde")]
-    pub fn capture_serde<'a, V: serde::Serialize + ?Sized>(v: &'a &'a V) -> Value<'a> {
+    pub fn capture_serde<'a, V: serde_core::Serialize + ?Sized>(v: &'a &'a V) -> Value<'a> {
         Value::from_serde(v)
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/kv/key.rs b/src/kv/key.rs
index 6e00a2ca8..f0557d0cf 100644
--- a/src/kv/key.rs
+++ b/src/kv/key.rs
@@ -6,26 +6,26 @@ use std::fmt;
 /// A type that can be converted into a [`Key`](struct.Key.html).
 pub trait ToKey {
     /// Perform the conversion.
-    fn to_key(&self) -> Key;
+    fn to_key(&self) -> Key<'_>;
 }
 
-impl<'a, T> ToKey for &'a T
+impl<T> ToKey for &T
 where
     T: ToKey + ?Sized,
 {
-    fn to_key(&self) -> Key {
+    fn to_key(&self) -> Key<'_> {
         (**self).to_key()
     }
 }
 
 impl<'k> ToKey for Key<'k> {
-    fn to_key(&self) -> Key {
+    fn to_key(&self) -> Key<'_> {
         Key { key: self.key }
     }
 }
 
 impl ToKey for str {
-    fn to_key(&self) -> Key {
+    fn to_key(&self) -> Key<'_> {
         Key::from_str(self)
     }
 }
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ pub struct Key<'k> {
 
 impl<'k> Key<'k> {
     /// Get a key from a borrowed string.
+    #[allow(clippy::should_implement_trait)] // Part of the public API now.
     pub fn from_str(key: &'k str) -> Self {
         Key { key }
     }
@@ -96,13 +97,13 @@ mod std_support {
     use std::borrow::Cow;
 
     impl ToKey for String {
-        fn to_key(&self) -> Key {
+        fn to_key(&self) -> Key<'_> {
             Key::from_str(self)
         }
     }
 
     impl<'a> ToKey for Cow<'a, str> {
-        fn to_key(&self) -> Key {
+        fn to_key(&self) -> Key<'_> {
             Key::from_str(self)
         }
     }
@@ -135,7 +136,7 @@ mod sval_support {
 mod serde_support {
     use super::*;
 
-    use serde::{Serialize, Serializer};
+    use serde_core::{Serialize, Serializer};
 
     impl<'a> Serialize for Key<'a> {
         fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: S) -> Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
diff --git a/src/kv/mod.rs b/src/kv/mod.rs
index 34e61c3ae..dff2179e0 100644
--- a/src/kv/mod.rs
+++ b/src/kv/mod.rs
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@
 //!
 //! ```
 //! # fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
-//! # #[cfg(feature = "serde")]
+//! # #[cfg(feature = "kv_serde")]
 //! # {
 //! # use log::kv::Key;
 //! #[derive(serde::Serialize)]
diff --git a/src/kv/source.rs b/src/kv/source.rs
index f463e6d2b..a9c6b437b 100644
--- a/src/kv/source.rs
+++ b/src/kv/source.rs
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ fn count_default(source: impl Source) -> usize {
     count.0
 }
 
-impl<'a, T> Source for &'a T
+impl<T> Source for &T
 where
     T: Source + ?Sized,
 {
@@ -237,6 +237,7 @@ pub trait VisitSource<'kvs> {
     fn visit_pair(&mut self, key: Key<'kvs>, value: Value<'kvs>) -> Result<(), Error>;
 }
 
+#[allow(clippy::needless_lifetimes)] // Not needless.
 impl<'a, 'kvs, T> VisitSource<'kvs> for &'a mut T
 where
     T: VisitSource<'kvs> + ?Sized,
diff --git a/src/kv/value.rs b/src/kv/value.rs
index e604c806c..5e79bb816 100644
--- a/src/kv/value.rs
+++ b/src/kv/value.rs
@@ -10,20 +10,20 @@ pub use crate::kv::Error;
 /// A type that can be converted into a [`Value`](struct.Value.html).
 pub trait ToValue {
     /// Perform the conversion.
-    fn to_value(&self) -> Value;
+    fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_>;
 }
 
-impl<'a, T> ToValue for &'a T
+impl<T> ToValue for &T
 where
     T: ToValue + ?Sized,
 {
-    fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+    fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
         (**self).to_value()
     }
 }
 
 impl<'v> ToValue for Value<'v> {
-    fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+    fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
         Value {
             inner: self.inner.clone(),
         }
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ impl<'v> Value<'v> {
     #[cfg(feature = "kv_serde")]
     pub fn from_serde<T>(value: &'v T) -> Self
     where
-        T: serde::Serialize,
+        T: serde_core::Serialize,
     {
         Value {
             inner: inner::Inner::from_serde1(value),
@@ -232,10 +232,10 @@ impl<'v> fmt::Display for Value<'v> {
 }
 
 #[cfg(feature = "kv_serde")]
-impl<'v> serde::Serialize for Value<'v> {
+impl<'v> serde_core::Serialize for Value<'v> {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, s: S) -> Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
     where
-        S: serde::Serializer,
+        S: serde_core::Serializer,
     {
         self.inner.serialize(s)
     }
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ impl<'v> sval_ref::ValueRef<'v> for Value<'v> {
 }
 
 impl ToValue for str {
-    fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+    fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
         Value::from(self)
     }
 }
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ impl<'v> From<&'v str> for Value<'v> {
 }
 
 impl ToValue for () {
-    fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+    fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
         Value::from_inner(())
     }
 }
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ impl<T> ToValue for Option<T>
 where
     T: ToValue,
 {
-    fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+    fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
         match *self {
             Some(ref value) => value.to_value(),
             None => Value::from_inner(()),
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_to_value_primitive {
     ($($into_ty:ty,)*) => {
         $(
             impl ToValue for $into_ty {
-                fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+                fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
                     Value::from(*self)
                 }
             }
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_to_value_nonzero_primitive {
     ($($into_ty:ident,)*) => {
         $(
             impl ToValue for std::num::$into_ty {
-                fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+                fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
                     Value::from(self.get())
                 }
             }
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ mod std_support {
     where
         T: ToValue + ?Sized,
     {
-        fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+        fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
             (**self).to_value()
         }
     }
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ mod std_support {
     where
         T: ToValue + ?Sized,
     {
-        fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+        fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
             (**self).to_value()
         }
     }
@@ -416,19 +416,19 @@ mod std_support {
     where
         T: ToValue + ?Sized,
     {
-        fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+        fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
             (**self).to_value()
         }
     }
 
     impl ToValue for String {
-        fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+        fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
             Value::from(&**self)
         }
     }
 
     impl<'v> ToValue for Cow<'v, str> {
-        fn to_value(&self) -> Value {
+        fn to_value(&self) -> Value<'_> {
             Value::from(&**self)
         }
     }
@@ -535,6 +535,7 @@ pub trait VisitValue<'v> {
     }
 }
 
+#[allow(clippy::needless_lifetimes)] // Not needless.
 impl<'a, 'v, T: ?Sized> VisitValue<'v> for &'a mut T
 where
     T: VisitValue<'v>,
@@ -1083,7 +1084,7 @@ impl<'v> Value<'v> {
     #[deprecated(note = "use `from_serde` instead")]
     pub fn capture_serde<T>(value: &'v T) -> Self
     where
-        T: serde::Serialize + 'static,
+        T: serde_core::Serialize + 'static,
     {
         Value::from_serde(value)
     }
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 47f2cf132..0ad1b3d41 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -142,6 +142,7 @@
 //!     * [stderrlog]
 //!     * [flexi_logger]
 //!     * [call_logger]
+//!     * [std-logger]
 //!     * [structured-logger]
 //!     * [clang_log]
 //!     * [ftail]
@@ -166,6 +167,7 @@
 //! * Utilities:
 //!     * [log_err]
 //!     * [log-reload]
+//!     * [alterable_logger]
 //!
 //! # Implementing a Logger
 //!
@@ -322,6 +324,7 @@
 //! [stderrlog]: https://docs.rs/stderrlog/*/stderrlog/
 //! [flexi_logger]: https://docs.rs/flexi_logger/*/flexi_logger/
 //! [call_logger]: https://docs.rs/call_logger/*/call_logger/
+//! [std-logger]: https://docs.rs/std-logger/*/std_logger/
 //! [syslog]: https://docs.rs/syslog/*/syslog/
 //! [slog-stdlog]: https://docs.rs/slog-stdlog/*/slog_stdlog/
 //! [log4rs]: https://docs.rs/log4rs/*/log4rs/
@@ -338,13 +341,14 @@
 //! [logcontrol-log]: https://docs.rs/logcontrol-log/*/logcontrol_log/
 //! [log_err]: https://docs.rs/log_err/*/log_err/
 //! [log-reload]: https://docs.rs/log-reload/*/log_reload/
+//! [alterable_logger]: https://docs.rs/alterable_logger/*/alterable_logger
 //! [clang_log]: https://docs.rs/clang_log/latest/clang_log
 //! [ftail]: https://docs.rs/ftail/latest/ftail
 
 #![doc(
-    html_logo_url = "https://www.rust-lang.org/logos/rust-logo-128x128-blk-v2.png",
-    html_favicon_url = "https://www.rust-lang.org/favicon.ico",
-    html_root_url = "https://docs.rs/log/0.4.28"
+    html_logo_url = "https://prev.rust-lang.org/logos/rust-logo-128x128-blk-v2.png",
+    html_favicon_url = "https://prev.rust-lang.org/favicon.ico",
+    html_root_url = "https://docs.rs/log/0.4.29"
 )]
 #![warn(missing_docs)]
 #![deny(missing_debug_implementations, unconditional_recursion)]
@@ -511,14 +515,13 @@ impl PartialOrd<LevelFilter> for Level {
 impl FromStr for Level {
     type Err = ParseLevelError;
     fn from_str(level: &str) -> Result<Level, Self::Err> {
-        LOG_LEVEL_NAMES
-            .iter()
-            .position(|&name| name.eq_ignore_ascii_case(level))
-            .into_iter()
-            .filter(|&idx| idx != 0)
-            .map(|idx| Level::from_usize(idx).unwrap())
-            .next()
-            .ok_or(ParseLevelError(()))
+        // iterate from 1, excluding "OFF"
+        for idx in 1..LOG_LEVEL_NAMES.len() {
+            if LOG_LEVEL_NAMES[idx].eq_ignore_ascii_case(level) {
+                return Ok(Level::from_usize(idx).unwrap());
+            }
+        }
+        Err(ParseLevelError(()))
     }
 }
 
@@ -662,11 +665,13 @@ impl PartialOrd<Level> for LevelFilter {
 impl FromStr for LevelFilter {
     type Err = ParseLevelError;
     fn from_str(level: &str) -> Result<LevelFilter, Self::Err> {
-        LOG_LEVEL_NAMES
-            .iter()
-            .position(|&name| name.eq_ignore_ascii_case(level))
-            .map(|p| LevelFilter::from_usize(p).unwrap())
-            .ok_or(ParseLevelError(()))
+        // iterate from 0, including "OFF"
+        for idx in 0..LOG_LEVEL_NAMES.len() {
+            if LOG_LEVEL_NAMES[idx].eq_ignore_ascii_case(level) {
+                return Ok(LevelFilter::from_usize(idx).unwrap());
+            }
+        }
+        Err(ParseLevelError(()))
     }
 }
 
@@ -938,7 +943,7 @@ impl<'a> Record<'a> {
     /// Create a new [`RecordBuilder`](struct.RecordBuilder.html) based on this record.
     #[cfg(feature = "kv")]
     #[inline]
-    pub fn to_builder(&self) -> RecordBuilder {
+    pub fn to_builder(&self) -> RecordBuilder<'_> {
         RecordBuilder {
             record: Record {
                 metadata: Metadata {
diff --git a/src/serde.rs b/src/serde.rs
index db732395b..f664756f3 100644
--- a/src/serde.rs
+++ b/src/serde.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-#![cfg(feature = "serde")]
+#![cfg(feature = "serde_core")]
 
-use serde::de::{
+use serde_core::de::{
     Deserialize, DeserializeSeed, Deserializer, EnumAccess, Error, Unexpected, VariantAccess,
     Visitor,
 };
-use serde::ser::{Serialize, Serializer};
+use serde_core::ser::{Serialize, Serializer};
 
 use crate::{Level, LevelFilter, LOG_LEVEL_NAMES};