diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.cpp b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.cpp
index 7771015657..73b9dbb014 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.cpp
@@ -23,17 +23,15 @@ X11Cursor::X11Cursor(QObject *parent, bool xInputSupport)
     : Cursor(parent)
     , m_timeStamp(XCB_TIME_CURRENT_TIME)
     , m_buttonMask(0)
-    , m_resetTimeStampTimer(new QTimer(this))
-    , m_mousePollingTimer(new QTimer(this))
     , m_hasXInput(xInputSupport)
     , m_needsPoll(false)
 {
     Cursors::self()->setMouse(this);
-    m_resetTimeStampTimer->setSingleShot(true);
-    connect(m_resetTimeStampTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &X11Cursor::resetTimeStamp);
+    m_resetTimeStampTimer.setSingleShot(true);
+    connect(&m_resetTimeStampTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &X11Cursor::resetTimeStamp);
     // TODO: How often do we really need to poll?
-    m_mousePollingTimer->setInterval(50);
-    connect(m_mousePollingTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &X11Cursor::mousePolled);
+    m_mousePollingTimer.setInterval(50);
+    connect(&m_mousePollingTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &X11Cursor::mousePolled);
 
     if (m_hasXInput) {
         connect(qApp->eventDispatcher(), &QAbstractEventDispatcher::aboutToBlock, this, &X11Cursor::aboutToBlock);
@@ -73,7 +71,7 @@ void X11Cursor::doGetPos()
     }
     m_buttonMask = pointer->mask;
     updatePos(pointer->root_x, pointer->root_y);
-    m_resetTimeStampTimer->start(0);
+    m_resetTimeStampTimer.start(0);
 }
 
 void X11Cursor::resetTimeStamp()
@@ -92,14 +90,14 @@ void X11Cursor::aboutToBlock()
 void X11Cursor::doStartMousePolling()
 {
     if (!m_hasXInput) {
-        m_mousePollingTimer->start();
+        m_mousePollingTimer.start();
     }
 }
 
 void X11Cursor::doStopMousePolling()
 {
     if (!m_hasXInput) {
-        m_mousePollingTimer->stop();
+        m_mousePollingTimer.stop();
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.h b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.h
index 788d6ebe92..4241a9c39c 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_cursor.h
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #define KWIN_X11CURSOR_H
 #include "cursor.h"
 
+#include <QTimer>
 #include <memory>
 
 namespace KWin
@@ -56,8 +57,8 @@ private Q_SLOTS:
 private:
     xcb_timestamp_t m_timeStamp;
     uint16_t m_buttonMask;
-    QTimer *m_resetTimeStampTimer;
-    QTimer *m_mousePollingTimer;
+    QTimer m_resetTimeStampTimer;
+    QTimer m_mousePollingTimer;
     bool m_hasXInput;
     bool m_needsPoll;
 
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp
index 1e1c5bbb9c..ded7315aaf 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ bool XrandrEventFilter::event(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
 
 X11StandalonePlatform::X11StandalonePlatform(QObject *parent)
     : Platform(parent)
-    , m_updateOutputsTimer(new QTimer(this))
+    , m_updateOutputsTimer(std::make_unique<QTimer>())
     , m_x11Display(QX11Info::display())
     , m_renderLoop(std::make_unique<RenderLoop>())
 {
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ X11StandalonePlatform::X11StandalonePlatform(QObject *parent)
 #endif
 
     m_updateOutputsTimer->setSingleShot(true);
-    connect(m_updateOutputsTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &X11StandalonePlatform::updateOutputs);
+    connect(m_updateOutputsTimer.get(), &QTimer::timeout, this, &X11StandalonePlatform::updateOutputs);
 
     setSupportsGammaControl(true);
 }
@@ -129,7 +129,6 @@ X11StandalonePlatform::~X11StandalonePlatform()
     if (m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread) {
         m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread->quit();
         m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread->wait();
-        delete m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread;
     }
     if (sceneEglDisplay() != EGL_NO_DISPLAY) {
         eglTerminate(sceneEglDisplay());
@@ -149,7 +148,7 @@ bool X11StandalonePlatform::initialize()
     initOutputs();
 
     if (Xcb::Extensions::self()->isRandrAvailable()) {
-        m_randrEventFilter.reset(new XrandrEventFilter(this));
+        m_randrEventFilter = std::make_unique<XrandrEventFilter>(this);
     }
     connect(Cursors::self(), &Cursors::hiddenChanged, this, &X11StandalonePlatform::updateCursor);
     return true;
@@ -275,17 +274,17 @@ void X11StandalonePlatform::createOpenGLSafePoint(OpenGLSafePoint safePoint)
     case OpenGLSafePoint::PreFrame:
         if (m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread == nullptr) {
             Q_ASSERT(m_openGLFreezeProtection == nullptr);
-            m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread = new QThread(this);
+            m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread = std::make_unique<QThread>();
             m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread->setObjectName("FreezeDetector");
             m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread->start();
-            m_openGLFreezeProtection = new QTimer;
+            m_openGLFreezeProtection = std::make_unique<QTimer>();
             m_openGLFreezeProtection->setInterval(15000);
             m_openGLFreezeProtection->setSingleShot(true);
             m_openGLFreezeProtection->start();
             const QString configName = kwinApp()->config()->name();
-            m_openGLFreezeProtection->moveToThread(m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread);
+            m_openGLFreezeProtection->moveToThread(m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread.get());
             connect(
-                m_openGLFreezeProtection, &QTimer::timeout, m_openGLFreezeProtection,
+                m_openGLFreezeProtection.get(), &QTimer::timeout, m_openGLFreezeProtection.get(),
                 [configName] {
                     auto group = KConfigGroup(KSharedConfig::openConfig(configName), "Compositing");
                     group.writeEntry(QLatin1String("OpenGLIsUnsafe"), true);
@@ -296,7 +295,7 @@ void X11StandalonePlatform::createOpenGLSafePoint(OpenGLSafePoint safePoint)
                 Qt::DirectConnection);
         } else {
             Q_ASSERT(m_openGLFreezeProtection);
-            QMetaObject::invokeMethod(m_openGLFreezeProtection, QOverload<>::of(&QTimer::start), Qt::QueuedConnection);
+            QMetaObject::invokeMethod(m_openGLFreezeProtection.get(), QOverload<>::of(&QTimer::start), Qt::QueuedConnection);
         }
         break;
     case OpenGLSafePoint::PostInit:
@@ -305,15 +304,13 @@ void X11StandalonePlatform::createOpenGLSafePoint(OpenGLSafePoint safePoint)
         // Deliberately continue with PostFrame
         Q_FALLTHROUGH();
     case OpenGLSafePoint::PostFrame:
-        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(m_openGLFreezeProtection, &QTimer::stop, Qt::QueuedConnection);
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(m_openGLFreezeProtection.get(), &QTimer::stop, Qt::QueuedConnection);
         break;
     case OpenGLSafePoint::PostLastGuardedFrame:
-        m_openGLFreezeProtection->deleteLater();
-        m_openGLFreezeProtection = nullptr;
         m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread->quit();
         m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread->wait();
-        delete m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread;
-        m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread = nullptr;
+        m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread.reset();
+        m_openGLFreezeProtection.reset();
         break;
     }
 }
@@ -347,7 +344,7 @@ void X11StandalonePlatform::updateCursor()
 void X11StandalonePlatform::startInteractiveWindowSelection(std::function<void(KWin::Window *)> callback, const QByteArray &cursorName)
 {
     if (!m_windowSelector) {
-        m_windowSelector.reset(new WindowSelector);
+        m_windowSelector = std::make_unique<WindowSelector>();
     }
     m_windowSelector->start(callback, cursorName);
 }
@@ -355,7 +352,7 @@ void X11StandalonePlatform::startInteractiveWindowSelection(std::function<void(K
 void X11StandalonePlatform::startInteractivePositionSelection(std::function<void(const QPoint &)> callback)
 {
     if (!m_windowSelector) {
-        m_windowSelector.reset(new WindowSelector);
+        m_windowSelector = std::make_unique<WindowSelector>();
     }
     m_windowSelector->start(callback);
 }
@@ -382,12 +379,12 @@ std::unique_ptr<OverlayWindow> X11StandalonePlatform::createOverlayWindow()
     return std::make_unique<OverlayWindowX11>();
 }
 
-OutlineVisual *X11StandalonePlatform::createOutline(Outline *outline)
+std::unique_ptr<OutlineVisual> X11StandalonePlatform::createOutline(Outline *outline)
 {
     // first try composited Outline
     auto ret = Platform::createOutline(outline);
     if (!ret) {
-        ret = new NonCompositedOutlineVisual(outline);
+        ret = std::make_unique<NonCompositedOutlineVisual>(outline);
     }
     return ret;
 }
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h
index 1ff44a28ad..a1ce367fdd 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public:
     void setupActionForGlobalAccel(QAction *action) override;
 
     std::unique_ptr<OverlayWindow> createOverlayWindow() override;
-    OutlineVisual *createOutline(Outline *outline) override;
+    std::unique_ptr<OutlineVisual> createOutline(Outline *outline) override;
 
     void invertScreen() override;
 
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@ private:
     void updateCursor();
 
     std::unique_ptr<XInputIntegration> m_xinputIntegration;
-    QThread *m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread = nullptr;
-    QTimer *m_openGLFreezeProtection = nullptr;
-    QTimer *m_updateOutputsTimer = nullptr;
+    std::unique_ptr<QThread> m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread;
+    std::unique_ptr<QTimer> m_openGLFreezeProtection;
+    std::unique_ptr<QTimer> m_updateOutputsTimer;
     Display *m_x11Display;
     std::unique_ptr<WindowSelector> m_windowSelector;
     std::unique_ptr<X11EventFilter> m_screenEdgesFilter;
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_xinputintegration.cpp b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_xinputintegration.cpp
index 68c0ca47ba..0023df8b7a 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_xinputintegration.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_xinputintegration.cpp
@@ -274,11 +274,11 @@ void XInputIntegration::startListening()
     evmasks[0].mask = mask1;
     XISelectEvents(display(), rootWindow(), evmasks, 1);
 
-    m_xiEventFilter.reset(new XInputEventFilter(m_xiOpcode));
+    m_xiEventFilter = std::make_unique<XInputEventFilter>(m_xiOpcode);
     m_xiEventFilter->setCursor(m_x11Cursor);
     m_xiEventFilter->setDisplay(display());
-    m_keyPressFilter.reset(new XKeyPressReleaseEventFilter(XCB_KEY_PRESS));
-    m_keyReleaseFilter.reset(new XKeyPressReleaseEventFilter(XCB_KEY_RELEASE));
+    m_keyPressFilter = std::make_unique<XKeyPressReleaseEventFilter>(XCB_KEY_PRESS);
+    m_keyReleaseFilter = std::make_unique<XKeyPressReleaseEventFilter>(XCB_KEY_RELEASE);
 
     // install the input event spies also relevant for X11 platform
     input()->installInputEventSpy(new ModifierOnlyShortcuts);
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp
index 48da756e4f..c6c7ff253e 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp
@@ -42,11 +42,6 @@
 namespace KWin
 {
 
-X11WindowedInputDevice::X11WindowedInputDevice(QObject *parent)
-    : InputDevice(parent)
-{
-}
-
 void X11WindowedInputDevice::setPointer(bool set)
 {
     m_pointer = set;
@@ -142,9 +137,8 @@ bool X11WindowedInputDevice::isLidSwitch() const
     return false;
 }
 
-X11WindowedInputBackend::X11WindowedInputBackend(X11WindowedBackend *backend, QObject *parent)
-    : InputBackend(parent)
-    , m_backend(backend)
+X11WindowedInputBackend::X11WindowedInputBackend(X11WindowedBackend *backend)
+    : m_backend(backend)
 {
 }
 
@@ -161,17 +155,16 @@ void X11WindowedInputBackend::initialize()
     }
 }
 
-X11WindowedBackend::X11WindowedBackend(QObject *parent)
-    : Platform(parent)
+X11WindowedBackend::X11WindowedBackend()
 {
     setSupportsPointerWarping(true);
 }
 
 X11WindowedBackend::~X11WindowedBackend()
 {
-    delete m_pointerDevice;
-    delete m_keyboardDevice;
-    delete m_touchDevice;
+    m_pointerDevice.reset();
+    m_keyboardDevice.reset();
+    m_touchDevice.reset();
 
     if (sceneEglDisplay() != EGL_NO_DISPLAY) {
         eglTerminate(sceneEglDisplay());
@@ -217,12 +210,12 @@ bool X11WindowedBackend::initialize()
             createCursor(c->image(), c->hotspot());
         });
         setReady(true);
-        m_pointerDevice = new X11WindowedInputDevice(this);
+        m_pointerDevice = std::make_unique<X11WindowedInputDevice>();
         m_pointerDevice->setPointer(true);
-        m_keyboardDevice = new X11WindowedInputDevice(this);
+        m_keyboardDevice = std::make_unique<X11WindowedInputDevice>();
         m_keyboardDevice->setKeyboard(true);
         if (m_hasXInput) {
-            m_touchDevice = new X11WindowedInputDevice(this);
+            m_touchDevice = std::make_unique<X11WindowedInputDevice>();
             m_touchDevice->setTouch(true);
         }
         Q_EMIT outputsQueried();
@@ -309,7 +302,7 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::createOutputs()
 
 void X11WindowedBackend::startEventReading()
 {
-    QSocketNotifier *notifier = new QSocketNotifier(xcb_get_file_descriptor(m_connection), QSocketNotifier::Read, this);
+    m_eventNotifier = std::make_unique<QSocketNotifier>(xcb_get_file_descriptor(m_connection), QSocketNotifier::Read);
     auto processXcbEvents = [this] {
         while (auto event = xcb_poll_for_event(m_connection)) {
             handleEvent(event);
@@ -317,7 +310,7 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::startEventReading()
         }
         xcb_flush(m_connection);
     };
-    connect(notifier, &QSocketNotifier::activated, this, processXcbEvents);
+    connect(m_eventNotifier.get(), &QSocketNotifier::activated, this, processXcbEvents);
     connect(QCoreApplication::eventDispatcher(), &QAbstractEventDispatcher::aboutToBlock, this, processXcbEvents);
     connect(QCoreApplication::eventDispatcher(), &QAbstractEventDispatcher::awake, this, processXcbEvents);
 }
@@ -345,7 +338,7 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::handleEvent(xcb_generic_event_t *e)
             break;
         }
         const QPointF position = output->mapFromGlobal(QPointF(event->root_x, event->root_y));
-        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerMotionAbsolute(position, event->time, m_pointerDevice);
+        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerMotionAbsolute(position, event->time, m_pointerDevice.get());
     } break;
     case XCB_KEY_PRESS:
     case XCB_KEY_RELEASE: {
@@ -361,12 +354,12 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::handleEvent(xcb_generic_event_t *e)
             Q_EMIT m_keyboardDevice->keyChanged(event->detail - 8,
                                                 InputRedirection::KeyboardKeyPressed,
                                                 event->time,
-                                                m_keyboardDevice);
+                                                m_keyboardDevice.get());
         } else {
             Q_EMIT m_keyboardDevice->keyChanged(event->detail - 8,
                                                 InputRedirection::KeyboardKeyReleased,
                                                 event->time,
-                                                m_keyboardDevice);
+                                                m_keyboardDevice.get());
         }
     } break;
     case XCB_CONFIGURE_NOTIFY:
@@ -379,7 +372,7 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::handleEvent(xcb_generic_event_t *e)
             break;
         }
         const QPointF position = output->mapFromGlobal(QPointF(event->root_x, event->root_y));
-        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerMotionAbsolute(position, event->time, m_pointerDevice);
+        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerMotionAbsolute(position, event->time, m_pointerDevice.get());
     } break;
     case XCB_CLIENT_MESSAGE:
         handleClientMessage(reinterpret_cast<xcb_client_message_event_t *>(e));
@@ -406,18 +399,18 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::handleEvent(xcb_generic_event_t *e)
         switch (ge->event_type) {
 
         case XI_TouchBegin: {
-            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchDown(te->detail, position, te->time, m_touchDevice);
-            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchFrame(m_touchDevice);
+            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchDown(te->detail, position, te->time, m_touchDevice.get());
+            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchFrame(m_touchDevice.get());
             break;
         }
         case XI_TouchUpdate: {
-            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchMotion(te->detail, position, te->time, m_touchDevice);
-            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchFrame(m_touchDevice);
+            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchMotion(te->detail, position, te->time, m_touchDevice.get());
+            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchFrame(m_touchDevice.get());
             break;
         }
         case XI_TouchEnd: {
-            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchUp(te->detail, te->time, m_touchDevice);
-            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchFrame(m_touchDevice);
+            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchUp(te->detail, te->time, m_touchDevice.get());
+            Q_EMIT m_touchDevice->touchFrame(m_touchDevice.get());
             break;
         }
         case XI_TouchOwnership: {
@@ -531,7 +524,7 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::handleButtonPress(xcb_button_press_event_t *event)
                                                    delta,
                                                    InputRedirection::PointerAxisSourceUnknown,
                                                    event->time,
-                                                   m_pointerDevice);
+                                                   m_pointerDevice.get());
         return;
     }
     uint32_t button = 0;
@@ -551,12 +544,12 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::handleButtonPress(xcb_button_press_event_t *event)
     }
 
     const QPointF position = output->mapFromGlobal(QPointF(event->root_x, event->root_y));
-    Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerMotionAbsolute(position, event->time, m_pointerDevice);
+    Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerMotionAbsolute(position, event->time, m_pointerDevice.get());
 
     if (pressed) {
-        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerButtonChanged(button, InputRedirection::PointerButtonPressed, event->time, m_pointerDevice);
+        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerButtonChanged(button, InputRedirection::PointerButtonPressed, event->time, m_pointerDevice.get());
     } else {
-        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerButtonChanged(button, InputRedirection::PointerButtonReleased, event->time, m_pointerDevice);
+        Q_EMIT m_pointerDevice->pointerButtonChanged(button, InputRedirection::PointerButtonReleased, event->time, m_pointerDevice.get());
     }
 }
 
@@ -637,17 +630,17 @@ xcb_window_t X11WindowedBackend::rootWindow() const
 
 X11WindowedInputDevice *X11WindowedBackend::pointerDevice() const
 {
-    return m_pointerDevice;
+    return m_pointerDevice.get();
 }
 
 X11WindowedInputDevice *X11WindowedBackend::keyboardDevice() const
 {
-    return m_keyboardDevice;
+    return m_keyboardDevice.get();
 }
 
 X11WindowedInputDevice *X11WindowedBackend::touchDevice() const
 {
-    return m_touchDevice;
+    return m_touchDevice.get();
 }
 
 std::unique_ptr<OpenGLBackend> X11WindowedBackend::createOpenGLBackend()
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h
index ef395b350a..4e2ebf5cd5 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ struct _XDisplay;
 typedef struct _XDisplay Display;
 typedef struct _XCBKeySymbols xcb_key_symbols_t;
 class NETWinInfo;
+class QSocketNotifier;
 
 namespace KWin
 {
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ class X11WindowedInputDevice : public InputDevice
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-    explicit X11WindowedInputDevice(QObject *parent = nullptr);
+    explicit X11WindowedInputDevice() = default;
 
     void setPointer(bool set);
     void setKeyboard(bool set);
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ class X11WindowedInputBackend : public InputBackend
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-    explicit X11WindowedInputBackend(X11WindowedBackend *backend, QObject *parent = nullptr);
+    explicit X11WindowedInputBackend(X11WindowedBackend *backend);
 
     void initialize() override;
 
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ class KWIN_EXPORT X11WindowedBackend : public Platform
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-    X11WindowedBackend(QObject *parent = nullptr);
+    explicit X11WindowedBackend();
     ~X11WindowedBackend() override;
     bool initialize() override;
 
@@ -154,15 +155,16 @@ private:
     xcb_key_symbols_t *m_keySymbols = nullptr;
     int m_screenNumber = 0;
 
-    X11WindowedInputDevice *m_pointerDevice = nullptr;
-    X11WindowedInputDevice *m_keyboardDevice = nullptr;
-    X11WindowedInputDevice *m_touchDevice = nullptr;
+    std::unique_ptr<X11WindowedInputDevice> m_pointerDevice;
+    std::unique_ptr<X11WindowedInputDevice> m_keyboardDevice;
+    std::unique_ptr<X11WindowedInputDevice> m_touchDevice;
 
     xcb_atom_t m_protocols = XCB_ATOM_NONE;
     xcb_atom_t m_deleteWindowProtocol = XCB_ATOM_NONE;
     xcb_cursor_t m_cursor = XCB_CURSOR_NONE;
     Display *m_display = nullptr;
     bool m_keyboardGrabbed = false;
+    std::unique_ptr<QSocketNotifier> m_eventNotifier;
 
     bool m_hasXInput = false;
     int m_xiOpcode = 0;
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_egl_backend.cpp b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_egl_backend.cpp
index 84239b5f40..e27d30d529 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_egl_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_egl_backend.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ X11WindowedEglOutput::~X11WindowedEglOutput()
 void X11WindowedEglOutput::ensureFbo()
 {
     if (!m_fbo || m_fbo->size() != m_output->pixelSize()) {
-        m_fbo.reset(new GLFramebuffer(0, m_output->pixelSize()));
+        m_fbo = std::make_unique<GLFramebuffer>(0, m_output->pixelSize());
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/platform.cpp b/src/core/platform.cpp
index c406357bf6..7534d5ef40 100644
--- a/src/core/platform.cpp
+++ b/src/core/platform.cpp
@@ -260,10 +260,10 @@ void Platform::updateXTime()
     }
 }
 
-OutlineVisual *Platform::createOutline(Outline *outline)
+std::unique_ptr<OutlineVisual> Platform::createOutline(Outline *outline)
 {
     if (Compositor::compositing()) {
-        return new CompositedOutlineVisual(outline);
+        return std::make_unique<CompositedOutlineVisual>(outline);
     }
     return nullptr;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/platform.h b/src/core/platform.h
index dffbdf491e..837e231996 100644
--- a/src/core/platform.h
+++ b/src/core/platform.h
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ public:
      * Creates the OutlineVisual for the given @p outline.
      * Default implementation creates an OutlineVisual suited for composited usage.
      */
-    virtual OutlineVisual *createOutline(Outline *outline);
+    virtual std::unique_ptr<OutlineVisual> createOutline(Outline *outline);
 
     /**
      * Platform specific way to invert the screen.
diff --git a/src/outline.cpp b/src/outline.cpp
index e81f1af27e..aebfecdd13 100644
--- a/src/outline.cpp
+++ b/src/outline.cpp
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ void Outline::createHelper()
     if (m_visual) {
         return;
     }
-    m_visual.reset(kwinApp()->platform()->createOutline(this));
+    m_visual = kwinApp()->platform()->createOutline(this);
 }
 
 void Outline::compositingChanged()
diff --git a/src/outline.h b/src/outline.h
index 1563f0d521..86860c5dff 100644
--- a/src/outline.h
+++ b/src/outline.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include <memory>
 
 #include <kwin_export.h>
+#include <memory>
 
 class QQmlContext;
 class QQmlComponent;