diff --git a/filter/converter.go b/filter/converter.go
index d18d60d..8f3bec6 100644
--- a/filter/converter.go
+++ b/filter/converter.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 )
 
 var basicOperatorMap = map[string]string{
@@ -19,11 +20,12 @@ var basicOperatorMap = map[string]string{
 	"$regex": "~*",
 }
 
-// DefaultPlaceholderName is the default placeholder name used in the generated SQL query.
+// defaultPlaceholderName is the default placeholder name used in the generated SQL query.
 // This name should not be used in the database or any JSONB column. It can be changed using
 // the WithPlaceholderName option.
-const DefaultPlaceholderName = "__filter_placeholder"
+const defaultPlaceholderName = "__filter_placeholder"
 
+// Converter converts MongoDB filter queries to SQL conditions and values. Use [filter.NewConverter] to create a new instance.
 type Converter struct {
 	nestedColumn     string
 	nestedExemptions []string
@@ -33,23 +35,22 @@ type Converter struct {
 	}
 	emptyCondition  string
 	placeholderName string
+
+	once sync.Once
 }
 
-// NewConverter creates a new Converter with optional nested JSONB field mapping.
+// NewConverter creates a new [Converter] with optional nested JSONB field mapping.
 //
-// Note: When using github.com/lib/pq, the filter.WithArrayDriver should be set to pq.Array.
+// Note: When using https://github.com/lib/pq, the [filter.WithArrayDriver] should be set to pq.Array.
 func NewConverter(options ...Option) *Converter {
 	converter := &Converter{
-		emptyCondition: "FALSE",
+		// don't set defaults, use the once.Do in #Convert()
 	}
 	for _, option := range options {
 		if option != nil {
 			option(converter)
 		}
 	}
-	if converter.placeholderName == "" {
-		converter.placeholderName = DefaultPlaceholderName
-	}
 	return converter
 }
 
@@ -58,6 +59,15 @@ func NewConverter(options ...Option) *Converter {
 // startAtParameterIndex is the index to start the parameter numbering at.
 // Passing X will make the first indexed parameter $X, the second $X+1, and so on.
 func (c *Converter) Convert(query []byte, startAtParameterIndex int) (conditions string, values []any, err error) {
+	c.once.Do(func() {
+		if c.emptyCondition == "" {
+			c.emptyCondition = "FALSE"
+		}
+		if c.placeholderName == "" {
+			c.placeholderName = defaultPlaceholderName
+		}
+	})
+
 	if startAtParameterIndex < 1 {
 		return "", nil, fmt.Errorf("startAtParameterIndex must be greater than 0")
 	}
diff --git a/filter/converter_test.go b/filter/converter_test.go
index 58a6e05..4dfba5a 100644
--- a/filter/converter_test.go
+++ b/filter/converter_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package filter_test
 
 import (
+	"database/sql"
 	"fmt"
 	"reflect"
 	"testing"
@@ -8,6 +9,27 @@ import (
 	"github.com/poki/mongodb-filter-to-postgres/filter"
 )
 
+func ExampleNewConverter() {
+	// Remeber to use `filter.WithArrayDriver(pg.Array)` when using github.com/lib/pq
+	converter := filter.NewConverter(filter.WithNestedJSONB("meta", "created_at", "updated_at"))
+
+	mongoFilterQuery := `{
+		"name": "John",
+		"created_at": {
+			"$gte": "2020-01-01T00:00:00Z"
+		}
+	}`
+	conditions, values, err := converter.Convert([]byte(mongoFilterQuery), 1)
+	if err != nil {
+		// handle error
+	}
+
+	var db *sql.DB // setup your database connection
+
+	_, _ = db.Query("SELECT * FROM users WHERE "+conditions, values)
+	// SELECT * FROM users WHERE (("created_at" >= $1) AND ("meta"->>'name' = $2)), 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z, "John"
+}
+
 func TestConverter_Convert(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name       string
@@ -402,3 +424,39 @@ func TestConverter_WithEmptyCondition(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Converter.Convert() values = %v, want nil", values)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestConverter_NoConstructor(t *testing.T) {
+	c := &filter.Converter{}
+	conditions, values, err := c.Convert([]byte(`{"name": "John"}`), 1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if want := `("name" = $1)`; conditions != want {
+		t.Errorf("Converter.Convert() conditions = %v, want %v", conditions, want)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(values, []any{"John"}) {
+		t.Errorf("Converter.Convert() values = %v, want %v", values, []any{"John"})
+	}
+
+	conditions, values, err = c.Convert([]byte(``), 1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if want := "FALSE"; conditions != want {
+		t.Errorf("Converter.Convert() conditions = %v, want %v", conditions, want)
+	}
+	if len(values) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("Converter.Convert() values = %v, want nil", values)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConverter_CopyReference(t *testing.T) {
+	c := filter.Converter{}
+	conditions, _, err := c.Convert([]byte(``), 1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if want := "FALSE"; conditions != want {
+		t.Errorf("Converter.Convert() conditions = %v, want %v", conditions, want)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/filter/doc.go b/filter/doc.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7da9556
--- /dev/null
+++ b/filter/doc.go
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+// This package converts MongoDB query filters into PostgreSQL WHERE clauses.
+// It's designed to be simple, secure, and free of dependencies.
+//
+// See: https://www.mongodb.com/docs/compass/current/query/filter
+package filter