admin/frontend/index.html

@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ header.navbar{padding-top:2px!important;padding-bottom:2px!important}
       <div class="container-xl">
         <div class="row row-cards">
 
-          <!-- Row 1: Local compute (own meter) + Cloud compute (NeuralWatt twin)
+          <!-- Row 1: Local compute (own meter) + Pinch savings
                side-by-side above the wider model-usage section. Card bodies
                rebuild every poll; they share no chart lifecycle. -->
           <div class="col-xl-6">
@@ -324,6 +324,18 @@ header.navbar{padding-top:2px!important;padding-bottom:2px!important}
               </div>
             </div>
           </div>
+          <div class="col-xl-6">
+            <div class="card h-100">
+              <div class="card-header d-flex align-items-center justify-content-between">
+                <h3 class="card-title mb-0"><span class="me-2" data-icon="bar-chart"></span>Pinch savings</h3>
+              </div>
+              <div class="card-body p-3" id="pinch-content">
+                <div class="empty">Loading&hellip;</div>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <!-- Row 1.5: Cloud compute (NeuralWatt twin) -->
           <div class="col-xl-6">
             <div class="card h-100">
               <div class="card-header d-flex align-items-center justify-content-between">
@@ -540,6 +552,7 @@ async function loadSnapshot() {
     renderQuotaChip(data.quota);
     renderDecisions(data.recent_decisions);
     renderLocalEnergy(data.local_energy);
+    renderPinch(data.pinch);
     renderCloudEnergy(data.per_model);
     renderBars(data.per_model);
     renderVerdict(data.verdict_mix);
@@ -765,6 +778,27 @@ function renderLocalEnergy(summary) {
     ${typeHtml}`;
 }
 
+function renderPinch(summary) {
+  const el = document.getElementById('pinch-content');
+  if (!summary) {
+    el.innerHTML = '<div class="empty">Pinch is disabled</div>';
+    return;
+  }
+  const share = Number(summary.share_pruned || 0);
+  const totalSaved = Number(summary.total_tokens_saved || 0).toLocaleString();
+  const medianSaved = summary.median_tokens_saved == null
+    ? 'n/a'
+    : Number(summary.median_tokens_saved).toLocaleString();
+  const dollars = Number(summary.dollars_saved_usd_30d || 0).toFixed(6);
+  el.innerHTML = `
+    <div class="d-flex gap-4">
+      <div><div class="text-muted small">share pruned</div><div class="h4 m-0">${(share * 100).toFixed(1)}%</div></div>
+      <div><div class="text-muted small">tokens saved</div><div class="h4 m-0">${totalSaved}</div></div>
+      <div><div class="text-muted small">median saved</div><div class="h4 m-0">${medianSaved}</div></div>
+      <div><div class="text-muted small">30d dollars saved</div><div class="h4 m-0">$${dollars}</div></div>
+    </div>`;
+}
+
 function renderCloudEnergy(perModel) {
   const el = document.getElementById('cloud-energy-content');
   const data = perModel || [];

config/schema.sql

@@ -234,7 +234,10 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS route_decisions (
     flex_preference          TEXT,                   -- 'no-flex'|'auto'|'prefer-flex'
                                                       -- |'force-flex' (resolved)
     flex_swapped             INTEGER,                -- 0/1 post-rank flex swap applied
-    flex_forced              INTEGER                 -- 0/1 swap bypassed interactive
+    flex_forced              INTEGER,                -- 0/1 swap bypassed interactive
+    pinch_original_tokens    INTEGER,                -- estimated tokens before pruning
+    pinch_final_tokens       INTEGER                 -- tokens sent after pruning (may
+                                                      -- equal original when no pruning)
 );
 
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_verifications_model ON verifications (model_id, provider);

plans/pinch-instrumentation-and-token-accounting.md

@@ -129,10 +129,28 @@ compare them to.
    it already adds `request_id` and `exploration` to this table.*
 3. **Surface it in `/metrics`.** A `pinch` block alongside the existing
    aggregates: share of requests pruned, median and total `tokens_saved`, and
-   estimated dollars saved (price the delta at the selected model's cached
+   estimated dollars saved. **Price the saved tokens at the same BLENDED rate
-   prompt rate — `metrics.py` already joins what it needs). This is the number
+   `routing.estimated_cost` uses**, not at the cached rate:
-   that says whether pinch earns its place, and there is currently no way to
+
-   ask for it.
+   ```
+   saved_usd = saved_tokens
+             * ( (1 - cache_rate) * cost_per_1m_prompt
+               + cache_rate * COALESCE(cost_per_1m_prompt_cached, cost_per_1m_prompt) )
+             / 1_000_000
+   ```
+
+   *(Corrected 2026-09-01. An earlier draft said "price the delta at the
+   cached prompt rate", which is wrong twice over: `cost_per_1m_prompt_cached`
+   is already the discounted per-1M price, so multiplying by `cache_rate`
+   applies the discount a second time, and it silently drops the
+   `(1 - cache_rate)` fraction billed at full price. Match
+   `routing.estimated_cost` — `src/routing.py:363-374` — or the dashboard will
+   report a savings figure that disagrees with the cost model the router
+   actually ranks on. Note the COALESCE: `cost_per_1m_prompt_cached` can be
+   NULL, and routing falls back to the full prompt price in that case.)*
+
+   This is the number that says whether pinch earns its place, and there is
+   currently no way to ask for it.
 
 ### Commit 2 — count what gets billed
 

requirements.txt

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ openai==3.0.0
 python-dotenv==1.2.2
 pytest==9.1.1
 pytest-cov==7.1.0
+pytest-xdist==3.8.0
 # Deliberate UI-bring-your-own-tool dependency: textual is the terminal
 # dashboard framework for the monitoring TUI (tui.py), a SEPARATE entrypoint.
 # It is only imported by tui.py — never by the service dispatch path, so the

src/admin.py

@@ -653,6 +653,7 @@ def build_router(
                 "verdict_mix": metrics.verdict_mix(conn),
                 "top_proficiency": metrics.top_proficiency(conn, "coding_general"),
                 "local_energy": metrics.local_energy_summary(conn, cfg),
+                "pinch": metrics.pinch_summary(conn, cfg),
                 "health": _health_check(conn, cfg),
                 "generated_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
             }

src/context_prune.py

@@ -242,6 +242,7 @@ def prune_context(
     keep_last_turns: int = PinchConfig.model_fields["keep_last_turns"].default,
     max_summarize_chars: int = PinchConfig.model_fields["max_summarize_chars"].default,
     relevance_order: Optional[list[int]] = None,
+    extra_fixed_tokens: int = 0,
 ) -> tuple[list[dict], dict]:
     """Trim old tool results once a conversation exceeds ``budget_tokens``.
 
@@ -260,7 +261,7 @@ def prune_context(
     Only runs (and only mutates anything) when the estimate actually exceeds
     the budget; otherwise the original list is returned untouched.
     """
-    orig_tokens = sum(estimate_tokens(extract_text(m)) for m in messages)
+    orig_tokens = sum(estimate_tokens(extract_text(m)) for m in messages) + extra_fixed_tokens
     if orig_tokens <= budget_tokens:
         return messages, {
             "pruned": False,

src/dispatcher.py

@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ from verification import (
 from metrics import (
     local_energy_summary,
     per_model,
+    pinch_summary,
     quota_burn,
     recent_decisions,
     scoring_coverage,
@@ -328,7 +329,9 @@ def ensure_route_decisions(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> None:
             streamed                 INTEGER,
             flex_preference          TEXT,
             flex_swapped             INTEGER,
-            flex_forced              INTEGER
+            flex_forced              INTEGER,
+            pinch_original_tokens    INTEGER,
+            pinch_final_tokens       INTEGER
         )
         """
     )
@@ -346,6 +349,8 @@ def ensure_route_decisions(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> None:
         ("flex_preference", "TEXT"),
         ("flex_swapped", "INTEGER"),
         ("flex_forced", "INTEGER"),
+        ("pinch_original_tokens", "INTEGER"),
+        ("pinch_final_tokens", "INTEGER"),
     ):
         if name not in existing:
             conn.execute(f"ALTER TABLE route_decisions ADD COLUMN {name} {decl}")
@@ -989,6 +994,8 @@ def persist_route_decision(
     flex_preference=None,
     flex_swapped=0,
     flex_forced=0,
+    pinch_original_tokens=None,
+    pinch_final_tokens=None,
 ) -> None:
     """Record one routing decision to route_decisions, best-effort and gated.
 
@@ -1078,8 +1085,9 @@ def persist_route_decision(
                 selected_model, selected_provider, runner_up_models,
                 est_cost_usd, est_proficiency, rejected_reason, session_key,
                 tools, images, json_mode, streamed,
-                flex_preference, flex_swapped, flex_forced
+                flex_preference, flex_swapped, flex_forced,
-            ) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+                pinch_original_tokens, pinch_final_tokens
+            ) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
             """,
             (
                 observed_at,
@@ -1106,6 +1114,8 @@ def persist_route_decision(
                 flex_preference,
                 int(bool(flex_swapped)),
                 int(bool(flex_forced)),
+                pinch_original_tokens,
+                pinch_final_tokens,
             ),
         )
         decision_id = int(cursor.lastrowid)
@@ -1142,6 +1152,8 @@ def persist_route_decision(
                 "flex_preference": flex_preference,
                 "flex_swapped": int(bool(flex_swapped)),
                 "flex_forced": int(bool(flex_forced)),
+                "pinch_original_tokens": pinch_original_tokens,
+                "pinch_final_tokens": pinch_final_tokens,
             }
         )
     except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001 - best-effort must never raise
@@ -1462,6 +1474,7 @@ def metrics_endpoint():
             "verdict_mix": verdict_mix(conn),
             "top_proficiency": top_proficiency(conn, "coding_general"),
             "local_energy": local_energy_summary(conn, cfg),
+            "pinch": pinch_summary(conn, cfg),
             "generated_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
         }
     finally:
@@ -1933,12 +1946,21 @@ def _embed_for_relevance(
     return order_by_relevance(embeddings[0], embeddings[1:])
 
 
-def _relevance_order_for(messages: list[dict], cfg, budget_tokens: int) -> Optional[list[int]]:
+def _relevance_order_for(
+    messages: list[dict],
+    cfg,
+    budget_tokens: int,
+    extra_fixed_tokens: int = 0,
+) -> Optional[list[int]]:
     """Compute the relevance_order for prune_context, or None (uniform).
 
     When pinch.relevance is off, or candidate count is below min_candidates,
     returns None so prune_context uses today's uniform pass. Otherwise makes
     one batched embedding call and returns the least-relevant-first index list.
+
+    ``extra_fixed_tokens`` accounts for overhead that ``prune_context``'s
+    budget guard also adds to ``orig_tokens`` (e.g. tool-definition size),
+    so the skip-budget check in here matches the same total.
     """
     rel = cfg.pinch.relevance
     if not (cfg.pinch.enabled and rel.enabled):
@@ -1947,8 +1969,10 @@ def _relevance_order_for(messages: list[dict], cfg, budget_tokens: int) -> Optio
     if len(candidates) < rel.min_candidates:
         return None
     # Skip the embed when the conversation is under budget — prune_context would
-    # be a no-op, so ranking is pointless.
+    # be a no-op, so ranking is pointless. Same total as prune_context includes
-    orig_tokens = sum(estimate_tokens(extract_text(m)) for m in messages)
+    # extra_fixed_tokens (e.g. tool definitions) so relevance doesn't silently
+    # decline on tool-heavy requests.
+    orig_tokens = sum(estimate_tokens(extract_text(m)) for m in messages) + extra_fixed_tokens
     if orig_tokens <= budget_tokens:
         return None
     query = _last_user_text(messages)
@@ -2355,6 +2379,11 @@ def chat_completions(body: dict[str, Any], background: BackgroundTasks):
     session_key = session_fingerprint(messages)
     streamed = bool(body.get("stream"))
 
+    # Pinch stats are filled by the routed and passthrough prune paths (when
+    # pinch is enabled) and read by all persist sites. A single declaration
+    # keeps the variable in scope regardless of branch.
+    pinch_stats = None
+
     # What this request needs, read from the body once and used by both the
     # routed and pass-through branches. Stated by the caller, not guessed at:
     # a tools array, an image_url part and a response_format each say exactly
@@ -2404,20 +2433,26 @@ def chat_completions(body: dict[str, Any], background: BackgroundTasks):
         # messages, so the classification turn above (which used
         # `_previous_context` from the full messages) is undisturbed.
         if cfg.pinch.enabled:
+            _tools_overhead = len(json.dumps(body.get("tools") or [])) // CHARS_PER_TOKEN
             send_messages, pinch_stats = prune_context(
                 list(messages),
                 budget_tokens=cfg.pinch.budget_tokens,
                 keep_last_turns=cfg.pinch.keep_last_turns,
                 max_summarize_chars=cfg.pinch.max_summarize_chars,
-                relevance_order=_relevance_order_for(messages, cfg, budget_tokens=cfg.pinch.budget_tokens),
+                relevance_order=_relevance_order_for(
-            )
+                    messages, cfg, budget_tokens=cfg.pinch.budget_tokens,
-            logs.debug(
+                    extra_fixed_tokens=_tools_overhead,
-                "pinch",
+                ),
-                pruned=pinch_stats["pruned"],
+                extra_fixed_tokens=_tools_overhead,
-                saved=pinch_stats["tokens_saved"],
-                orig=pinch_stats["original_tokens"],
-                final=pinch_stats["final_tokens"],
             )
+            if pinch_stats.get("pruned"):
+                logs.info(
+                    "pinch",
+                    pruned=pinch_stats["pruned"],
+                    saved=pinch_stats["tokens_saved"],
+                    orig=pinch_stats["original_tokens"],
+                    final=pinch_stats["final_tokens"],
+                )
         else:
             send_messages = messages
         measured = estimate_prompt_tokens(send_messages, tools=body.get("tools"))
@@ -2559,6 +2594,10 @@ def chat_completions(body: dict[str, Any], background: BackgroundTasks):
                 images=int(caps.has_images),
                 json_mode=int(caps.require_json_mode),
                 streamed=streamed,
+                pinch_original_tokens=pinch_stats.get("original_tokens")
+                if pinch_stats is not None else None,
+                pinch_final_tokens=pinch_stats.get("final_tokens")
+                if pinch_stats is not None else None,
             )
             raise HTTPException(
                 422,
@@ -2583,6 +2622,10 @@ def chat_completions(body: dict[str, Any], background: BackgroundTasks):
             streamed=streamed,
             classification_source=classified_src,
             classifier_ms=classifier_ms,
+            pinch_original_tokens=pinch_stats.get("original_tokens")
+            if pinch_stats is not None else None,
+            pinch_final_tokens=pinch_stats.get("final_tokens")
+            if pinch_stats is not None else None,
         )
         target = decision.selected.model_id
         provider = decision.selected.provider
@@ -2592,6 +2635,31 @@ def chat_completions(body: dict[str, Any], background: BackgroundTasks):
         # Not a routing decision at all, and worth saying so plainly: a client
         # pinned to one model gets none of the filtering or ranking below.
         logs.info("passthrough", model=target, stream=bool(body.get("stream")))
+        send_messages = messages
+        if cfg.pinch.enabled:
+            # Same pruning as the routed path, but it must run before persistence
+            # so a pruned passthrough request records real pinch tokens rather
+            # than NULL.
+            _tools_overhead = len(json.dumps(body.get("tools") or [])) // CHARS_PER_TOKEN
+            send_messages, pinch_stats = prune_context(
+                list(messages),
+                budget_tokens=cfg.pinch.budget_tokens,
+                keep_last_turns=cfg.pinch.keep_last_turns,
+                max_summarize_chars=cfg.pinch.max_summarize_chars,
+                relevance_order=_relevance_order_for(
+                    messages, cfg, budget_tokens=cfg.pinch.budget_tokens,
+                    extra_fixed_tokens=_tools_overhead,
+                ),
+                extra_fixed_tokens=_tools_overhead,
+            )
+            if pinch_stats.get("pruned"):
+                logs.info(
+                    "pinch",
+                    pruned=pinch_stats["pruned"],
+                    saved=pinch_stats["tokens_saved"],
+                    orig=pinch_stats["original_tokens"],
+                    final=pinch_stats["final_tokens"],
+                )
         persist_route_decision(
             "passthrough",
             selected_model=target,
@@ -2605,6 +2673,10 @@ def chat_completions(body: dict[str, Any], background: BackgroundTasks):
             flex_preference=cfg.routing.default_flex_preference.value,
             flex_swapped=0,
             flex_forced=0,
+            pinch_original_tokens=pinch_stats.get("original_tokens")
+            if pinch_stats is not None else None,
+            pinch_final_tokens=pinch_stats.get("final_tokens")
+            if pinch_stats is not None else None,
         )
 
         # A pinned model id is dispatched as asked, but a pin that cannot
@@ -2625,31 +2697,9 @@ def chat_completions(body: dict[str, Any], background: BackgroundTasks):
     # top (needed by the passthrough/local-vision branches), only the working
     # directory is derived here because only the observation path uses it.
     session_dir = session_directory(messages)
-    if not wants_routing:
+    # send_messages is already set: by the routed path's prune block above, or
-        # The routed path pruned send_messages once, before its measured-context
+    # by the passthrough path's prune block. Both branches default to messages
-        # decision, and the pruned list is reused here. A passthrough request
+    # when pinch is disabled.
-        # never went through that path, so it prunes now — same gating as
-        # before (only when pinch is enabled).
-        send_messages = messages
-        if cfg.pinch.enabled:
-            # Optional relevance-based context pruning: when the conversation
-            # exceeds budget_tokens, trim old tool results BEFORE any paid token
-            # is sent upstream. User/assistant/system messages are always kept;
-            # only the classifier input is exempt (it already clamps to head+tail).
-            send_messages, pinch_stats = prune_context(
-                list(messages),
-                budget_tokens=cfg.pinch.budget_tokens,
-                keep_last_turns=cfg.pinch.keep_last_turns,
-                max_summarize_chars=cfg.pinch.max_summarize_chars,
-                relevance_order=_relevance_order_for(messages, cfg, budget_tokens=cfg.pinch.budget_tokens),
-            )
-            logs.debug(
-                "pinch",
-                pruned=pinch_stats["pruned"],
-                saved=pinch_stats["tokens_saved"],
-                orig=pinch_stats["original_tokens"],
-                final=pinch_stats["final_tokens"],
-            )
     upstream_body = {**body, "model": target, "messages": list(send_messages)}
     streaming = bool(body.get("stream"))
     if streaming:

src/metrics.py

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ recent_decisions — last N rows from the route_decisions observability table
 per_model        — per-model aggregates over energy_observations (last 30 d)
 verdict_mix      — counts by verdict from verifications (last N days)
 top_proficiency  — top models by blended_score for a category
+pinch_summary   — context-pruning savings over the last 30 d
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -422,7 +423,8 @@ def recent_decisions(
                    candidates_considered, selected_model, selected_provider,
                    runner_up_models, est_cost_usd, est_proficiency,
                    rejected_reason, session_key, tools, images, json_mode, streamed,
-                   flex_preference, flex_swapped, flex_forced
+                   flex_preference, flex_swapped, flex_forced,
+                   pinch_original_tokens, pinch_final_tokens
               FROM route_decisions
              ORDER BY id DESC
              LIMIT ?
@@ -518,7 +520,7 @@ def local_energy_summary(conn: sqlite3.Connection, cfg) -> Optional[dict]:
                COALESCE(SUM(cost_usd), 0) cost
           FROM local_energy_observations
          WHERE julianday(observed_at) > julianday('now', '-30 days')
-         GROUP BY call_type
+          GROUP BY call_type
         """
     ).fetchall()
     by_type = {
@@ -540,3 +542,99 @@ def local_energy_summary(conn: sqlite3.Connection, cfg) -> Optional[dict]:
     if reset_day is not None:
         result["next_reset_date"] = _next_reset_date(reset_day)
     return result
+
+
+def pinch_summary(conn: sqlite3.Connection, cfg: Any) -> Optional[dict]:
+    """Aggregate context-pruning savings over the last 30 days.
+
+    Returns None when pinch is disabled so callers can omit the section.
+    Computes the number of pruned calls, share of pruned calls, total and
+    median tokens saved, and an estimated dollar saving priced at the blended
+    prompt rate the router uses for cost estimation.
+    """
+    if not cfg.pinch.enabled:
+        return None
+
+    cache_rate = cfg.objective.assumed_cache_rate
+
+    totals = conn.execute(
+        """
+        SELECT COUNT(*) AS calls_30d,
+               SUM(CASE
+                     WHEN pinch_original_tokens IS NOT NULL
+                          AND pinch_final_tokens IS NOT NULL
+                          AND pinch_original_tokens > pinch_final_tokens
+                     THEN 1 ELSE 0
+                   END) AS pruned_calls_30d,
+               SUM(CASE
+                     WHEN pinch_original_tokens IS NOT NULL
+                          AND pinch_final_tokens IS NOT NULL
+                     THEN pinch_original_tokens - pinch_final_tokens
+                     ELSE 0
+                   END) AS total_tokens_saved
+          FROM route_decisions
+         WHERE julianday(observed_at) > julianday('now', '-30 days')
+        """
+    ).fetchone()
+
+    calls_30d = totals["calls_30d"] or 0
+    pruned_calls_30d = totals["pruned_calls_30d"] or 0
+    share_pruned = pruned_calls_30d / calls_30d if calls_30d else 0.0
+    total_tokens_saved = totals["total_tokens_saved"] or 0
+
+    saved_rows = conn.execute(
+        """
+        SELECT pinch_original_tokens - pinch_final_tokens AS tokens_saved
+          FROM route_decisions
+         WHERE julianday(observed_at) > julianday('now', '-30 days')
+           AND pinch_original_tokens IS NOT NULL
+           AND pinch_final_tokens IS NOT NULL
+           AND pinch_original_tokens > pinch_final_tokens
+        """
+    ).fetchall()
+    median_tokens_saved = _percentile(
+        [r["tokens_saved"] for r in saved_rows], 50
+    )
+
+    dollar_rows = conn.execute(
+        """
+        SELECT rd.pinch_original_tokens - rd.pinch_final_tokens AS tokens_saved,
+               m.cost_per_1m_prompt,
+               m.cost_per_1m_prompt_cached
+          FROM route_decisions rd
+          JOIN models m
+            ON rd.selected_model = m.model_id
+           AND rd.selected_provider = m.provider
+         WHERE julianday(rd.observed_at) > julianday('now', '-30 days')
+           AND rd.pinch_original_tokens IS NOT NULL
+           AND rd.pinch_final_tokens IS NOT NULL
+           AND rd.pinch_original_tokens > rd.pinch_final_tokens
+           AND rd.selected_model IS NOT NULL
+           AND m.cost_per_1m_prompt IS NOT NULL
+        """
+    ).fetchall()
+
+    dollars_saved_usd_30d = 0.0
+    for r in dollar_rows:
+        saved = r["tokens_saved"]
+        prompt_price = r["cost_per_1m_prompt"]
+        cached_price = r["cost_per_1m_prompt_cached"]
+        if cached_price is None:
+            cached_price = prompt_price
+        blended = (1.0 - cache_rate) * prompt_price + cache_rate * cached_price
+        dollars_saved_usd_30d += saved * blended / 1_000_000
+
+    result = {
+        "calls_30d": calls_30d,
+        "pruned_calls_30d": pruned_calls_30d,
+        "share_pruned": round(share_pruned, 4),
+        "total_tokens_saved": total_tokens_saved,
+        "median_tokens_saved": median_tokens_saved,
+        "dollars_saved_usd_30d": round(dollars_saved_usd_30d, 6),
+    }
+    reset_day = getattr(cfg.objective, "billing_reset_day", None)
+    if reset_day is not None:
+        result["reset_date"] = (datetime.now(timezone.utc).date() - timedelta(days=30)).isoformat()
+        result["next_reset_date"] = _next_reset_date(reset_day)
+    return result
+

src/tui.py

@@ -254,6 +254,13 @@ class DashboardApp(App):
     def _on_interval(self) -> None:
         if getattr(self, "_unmounted", False):
             return
+        # Skip rendering while the dashboard screen is still composing
+        # (the DataTable isn't in the DOM yet). The next interval tick will
+        # catch it once the widget is mounted.
+        try:
+            self.query_one("#model-table", DataTable)
+        except Exception:  # noqa: BLE001 — widget not yet available
+            return
         self._refresh()
 
     def action_refresh(self) -> None:

src/tui_model.py

@@ -59,6 +59,17 @@ def build_model(data: dict) -> dict:
     else:
         quota_rows = []
 
+    pinch = data.get("pinch")
+    if pinch:
+        pinch_rows = [
+            {"label": "share_pruned", "value": pinch.get("share_pruned")},
+            {"label": "total_tokens_saved", "value": pinch.get("total_tokens_saved")},
+            {"label": "median_tokens_saved", "value": pinch.get("median_tokens_saved")},
+            {"label": "dollars_saved_usd_30d", "value": pinch.get("dollars_saved_usd_30d")},
+        ]
+    else:
+        pinch_rows = []
+
     per_model = [
         {
             "model": r.get("model_id"),
@@ -85,6 +96,7 @@ def build_model(data: dict) -> dict:
 
     return {
         "quota": quota_rows,
+        "pinch": pinch_rows,
         "per_model": per_model,
         "verdict_mix": verdict_mix,
         "recent_decisions": recent,

tests/test_admin_health.py

@@ -155,7 +155,9 @@ def test_admin_snapshot_has_all_top_level_keys(seeded_client):
         "per_model",
         "verdict_mix",
         "top_proficiency",
+        "local_energy",
         "health",
+        "pinch",
         "generated_at",
     ):
         assert key in data, f"missing top-level key {key!r}"

tests/test_admin_snapshot.py

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ EXHAUSTIVE_KEYS = (
     "top_proficiency",
     "local_energy",
     "health",
+    "pinch",
     "generated_at",
 )
 

tests/test_context_prune.py

@@ -536,6 +536,89 @@ def test_relevance_order_overrides_recency():
     assert "chars trimmed" in out[3]["content"]
 
 
+def test_extra_fixed_tokens_tips_budget_to_prune():
+    # A conversation whose message tokens sit just under the budget, but tool
+    # overhead pushes the accounting total over. Without overhead it is a no-op;
+    # with overhead it prunes.
+    messages = [
+        _user("question"),
+        _tool("read", "x" * 540),  # 540 chars -> 180 tokens
+        _assistant("answer"),
+        _user("follow up"),
+    ]
+    msg_tokens = sum(estimate_tokens(extract_text(m)) for m in messages)
+    assert msg_tokens == 187
+
+    out, stats = prune_context(
+        messages,
+        budget_tokens=200,
+        keep_last_turns=0,
+        extra_fixed_tokens=0,
+    )
+    assert stats["pruned"] is False
+    assert stats["original_tokens"] == msg_tokens
+
+    out, stats = prune_context(
+        messages,
+        budget_tokens=200,
+        keep_last_turns=0,
+        extra_fixed_tokens=100,
+    )
+    assert stats["pruned"] is True
+    assert stats["original_tokens"] == msg_tokens + 100
+    # The tool result was trimmed to cover the deficit (187 + 100 - 200 = 87).
+    assert stats["tokens_saved"] >= 87
+    tool_out = [m for m in out if m.get("role") == "tool"][0]
+    assert "chars trimmed" in tool_out["content"] or "result omitted" in tool_out["content"]
+
+
+def test_extra_fixed_tokens_zero_preserves_behavior():
+    # The default and explicit zero must be byte-for-byte identical.
+    messages = [
+        _user("question"),
+        _tool("read", "big result " * 500),
+        _assistant("answer"),
+        _user("follow up"),
+        _assistant("ok"),
+    ]
+    default_out, default_stats = prune_context(
+        messages, budget_tokens=100, keep_last_turns=0
+    )
+    explicit_zero_out, explicit_zero_stats = prune_context(
+        messages,
+        budget_tokens=100,
+        keep_last_turns=0,
+        extra_fixed_tokens=0,
+    )
+    assert explicit_zero_out == default_out
+    assert explicit_zero_stats == default_stats
+
+
+def test_tool_content_never_summarized():
+    # Even when extra_fixed_tokens forces pruning, user/assistant/system
+    # messages survive verbatim; only tool results are candidates.
+    messages = [
+        _user("what is the answer"),
+        _assistant("i'll check"),
+        _tool("search", "big tool result " * 500),
+        _assistant("the answer is 42"),
+        _user("thanks"),
+    ]
+    out, stats = prune_context(
+        messages,
+        budget_tokens=100,
+        keep_last_turns=0,
+        extra_fixed_tokens=1000,
+    )
+    assert stats["pruned"] is True
+    assert len(out) == len(messages)
+    for orig, pruned in zip(messages, out):
+        if orig.get("role") in ("user", "assistant", "system"):
+            assert pruned["content"] == orig["content"]
+    tool_out = [m for m in out if m.get("role") == "tool"][0]
+    assert "chars trimmed" in tool_out["content"] or "result omitted" in tool_out["content"]
+
+
 def test_relevance_order_none_matches_default():
     # relevance_order=None must be byte-for-byte identical to not passing the
     # parameter at all (the historical uniform pass / fallback path).

tests/test_eval_scoring.py

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ point of testing it.
 
 import pytest
 
+import eval_proficiency
+
 from eval_proficiency import (
     judge_for,
     parse_check_results,
@@ -49,7 +51,8 @@ def test_code_that_does_not_parse_scores_zero_and_says_so():
     assert "did not run" in detail
 
 
-def test_infinite_loop_is_bounded_not_hung():
+def test_infinite_loop_is_bounded_not_hung(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(eval_proficiency, "CODE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS", 1)
     score, detail = score_code("def f(x):\n    while True: pass", ["f(1)==1"])
     assert (score, detail) == (0.0, "timeout")
 

tests/test_metrics.py

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ from metrics import (
     _next_reset_date,
     context_ceilings,
     per_model,
+    pinch_summary,
     quota_burn,
     recent_decisions,
     scoring_coverage,
@@ -626,6 +627,119 @@ def test_top_proficiency_empty_for_missing_category(tmp_path):
 # --- /health endpoint compatibility -------------------------------------------
 
 
+def _seed_pinch_models(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> None:
+    """Insert two cheap/dear models plus a cheap-no-cached-price variant."""
+    fresh = _now().isoformat()
+    rows = [
+        # (model_id, tier, context, cost_per_1m_prompt, cost_per_1m_prompt_cached)
+        ("cheap", 2, 262128, 1.0, 0.5),
+        ("dear", 2, 262128, 5.0, None),
+        ("tiny", 1, 131072, 0.1, 0.1),
+    ]
+    for model_id, tier, context, cost, cached in rows:
+        conn.execute(
+            """
+            INSERT INTO models (
+                model_id, provider, base_model_id, tier, context_window,
+                effective_context_window, max_output_tokens,
+                cost_per_1m_prompt, cost_per_1m_completion,
+                cost_per_1m_prompt_cached,
+                supports_vision, supports_json_mode,
+                latency_class, reasoning_mode, context_variant,
+                access_level, availability, last_updated
+            ) VALUES (?, 'neuralwatt', ?, ?, ?, 192500, 16384, ?, ?, ?,
+                      1, 1, 'standard', 'default', 'full', 'public', 'active',
+                      ?)
+            """,
+            (model_id, model_id, tier, context, cost, cost / 3, cached, fresh),
+        )
+    conn.commit()
+
+
+def _insert_pinch_decision(conn, *, model, provider, orig, final):
+    """Insert a route_decisions row with observed_at = now and given pinch values."""
+    conn.execute(
+        """
+        INSERT INTO route_decisions (
+            observed_at, kind, task_category, task_tier,
+            required_context_tokens, confidence, classifier_ms,
+            classification_source, latency_tolerance, candidates_considered,
+            selected_model, selected_provider, runner_up_models,
+            est_cost_usd, est_proficiency, rejected_reason, session_key,
+            tools, images, json_mode, streamed,
+            pinch_original_tokens, pinch_final_tokens
+        ) VALUES (?, 'chat', 'coding_general', 2, 100, 0.9, 100,
+                  'classifier', 'interactive', 3, ?, ?, NULL,
+                  0.001, 0.9, NULL, 'sess', 0, 0, 0, 0, ?, ?)
+        """,
+        (_now().isoformat(), model, provider, orig, final),
+    )
+    conn.commit()
+
+
+def test_pinch_summary_aggregates_correctly(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    """Hand-computed aggregates over a seeded 30-day window."""
+    cfg = load_config(str(ROOT / "config" / "config.yaml"))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(cfg.pinch, "enabled", True)
+    cache_rate = cfg.objective.assumed_cache_rate
+
+    conn = _make_db(tmp_path)
+    _seed_pinch_models(conn)
+
+    # Two pruned cheap rows: saved tokens 50 and 30.
+    _insert_pinch_decision(conn, model="cheap", provider="neuralwatt", orig=100, final=50)
+    _insert_pinch_decision(conn, model="cheap", provider="neuralwatt", orig=80, final=50)
+    # One non-pruned cheap row (final == orig).
+    _insert_pinch_decision(conn, model="cheap", provider="neuralwatt", orig=60, final=60)
+    # One pruned dear row with NULL cost_per_1m_prompt_cached -> falls back to prompt price.
+    _insert_pinch_decision(conn, model="dear", provider="neuralwatt", orig=200, final=100)
+    # One rejection row with NULL selected_model -> counted in share/tokens but excluded from dollars.
+    _insert_pinch_decision(conn, model=None, provider=None, orig=1000, final=500)
+
+    result = pinch_summary(conn, cfg)
+    assert result is not None
+    assert result["calls_30d"] == 5
+    assert result["pruned_calls_30d"] == 4
+    assert result["share_pruned"] == round(4 / 5, 4)
+    # saved tokens: 50 + 30 + 100 + 500 = 680
+    assert result["total_tokens_saved"] == 680
+    # median of [30, 50, 100, 500] = 75
+    assert result["median_tokens_saved"] == 75
+
+    # dollar math: cheap saved 80 tokens at blended rate over cached prompt.
+    cheap_blended = (1 - cache_rate) * 1.0 + cache_rate * 0.5
+    cheap_dollars = 80 * cheap_blended / 1_000_000
+    # dear saved 100 tokens; cached price NULL -> fallback to prompt price 5.0.
+    dear_dollars = 100 * 5.0 / 1_000_000
+    # rejection row with NULL selected_model is excluded from dollar math.
+    assert result["dollars_saved_usd_30d"] == round(cheap_dollars + dear_dollars, 6)
+
+
+def test_pinch_summary_zero_rows(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    """Enabled with no decisions in the window returns zeros and None median."""
+    cfg = load_config(str(ROOT / "config" / "config.yaml"))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(cfg.pinch, "enabled", True)
+    conn = _make_db(tmp_path)
+    result = pinch_summary(conn, cfg)
+    assert result is not None
+    assert result["calls_30d"] == 0
+    assert result["pruned_calls_30d"] == 0
+    assert result["share_pruned"] == 0.0
+    assert result["total_tokens_saved"] == 0
+    assert result["median_tokens_saved"] is None
+    assert result["dollars_saved_usd_30d"] == 0.0
+
+
+def test_pinch_summary_disabled_returns_none(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    """When cfg.pinch.enabled is False, None is returned."""
+    conn = _make_db(tmp_path)
+    cfg = SimpleNamespace(pinch=SimpleNamespace(enabled=False))
+    assert pinch_summary(conn, cfg) is None
+
+
+# --- /health endpoint compatibility -------------------------------------------
+
+
 def test_health_endpoint_returns_scoring_key(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     """/health still returns the same SHAPE after moving functions to metrics."""
     db_path = tmp_path / "test.db"

tests/test_metrics_endpoint.py

@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ def test_metrics_endpoint_has_all_top_level_keys(seeded_client):
         "verdict_mix",
         "top_proficiency",
         "local_energy",
+        "pinch",
         "generated_at",
     ):
         assert key in data, f"missing top-level key {key!r}"

tests/test_route_decisions.py

@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ ROUTE_DECISIONS_COLUMNS = [
     "flex_preference",
     "flex_swapped",
     "flex_forced",
+    "pinch_original_tokens",
+    "pinch_final_tokens",
 ]
 
 
@@ -205,6 +207,54 @@ def test_ensure_route_decisions_allows_insert(tmp_path):
     conn.close()
 
 
+def test_persist_writes_pinch_columns(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    """persist_route_decision writes pinch_original_tokens and pinch_final_tokens
+    when provided, and defaults them to NULL when omitted."""
+    db_path = tmp_path / "pinch.db"
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(db_path)
+    conn.executescript(_schema_minus_route_decisions())
+    conn.close()
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(dispatcher.cfg.database, "path", str(db_path))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(dispatcher.cfg.logging, "log_route_decisions", True)
+
+    dispatcher.persist_route_decision(
+        "route",
+        classification=Classification(
+            task_category="coding_general", task_tier=2,
+            required_context_tokens=100, confidence=0.9,
+        ),
+        latency_tolerance="interactive",
+        selected_model="deepseek-v4-flash",
+        selected_provider="neuralwatt",
+        pinch_original_tokens=100,
+        pinch_final_tokens=50,
+    )
+
+    dispatcher.persist_route_decision(
+        "route",
+        classification=Classification(
+            task_category="coding_general", task_tier=2,
+            required_context_tokens=100, confidence=0.9,
+        ),
+        latency_tolerance="interactive",
+        selected_model="deepseek-v4-flash",
+        selected_provider="neuralwatt",
+    )
+
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(db_path)
+    conn.row_factory = sqlite3.Row
+    rows = conn.execute(
+        "SELECT pinch_original_tokens, pinch_final_tokens FROM route_decisions ORDER BY id"
+    ).fetchall()
+    assert len(rows) == 2
+    assert rows[0]["pinch_original_tokens"] == 100
+    assert rows[0]["pinch_final_tokens"] == 50
+    assert rows[1]["pinch_original_tokens"] is None
+    assert rows[1]["pinch_final_tokens"] is None
+    conn.close()
+
+
 def test_persist_ensure_on_write_fixes_live_db_missing_table(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     """A live router.db without route_decisions gets it on the WRITE path.
 
@@ -600,6 +650,53 @@ def test_passthrough_persists_one_row_with_no_nameerror(decision_router):
     assert r["session_key"] is not None
 
 
+def test_passthrough_records_pinch_columns_when_pruned(decision_router, monkeypatch):
+    """Regression: passthrough pruning must run before persistence so pinch stats
+    are recorded rather than NULL."""
+    client, db_path = decision_router
+    monkeypatch.setattr(dispatcher.cfg.pinch, "enabled", True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(dispatcher.cfg.pinch, "budget_tokens", 1)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(dispatcher.cfg.pinch, "keep_last_turns", 1)
+
+    # Long conversation plus tools to exceed the tiny budget.
+    long_text = "word " * 500
+    messages = [
+        {"role": "system", "content": "You are a helpful assistant."},
+        {"role": "user", "content": long_text},
+        {"role": "assistant", "content": "acknowledged"},
+        {"role": "user", "content": "now summarize"},
+    ]
+    resp = client.post(
+        "/v1/chat/completions",
+        json={
+            "model": DEAR,
+            "messages": messages,
+            "stream": False,
+            "tools": [
+                {
+                    "type": "function",
+                    "function": {
+                        "name": "noop",
+                        "description": "A tool with a long description to inflate overhead",
+                        "parameters": {"type": "object", "properties": {}},
+                    },
+                }
+            ],
+        },
+    )
+    # Routing succeeds because the fixture stubs the provider call; persistence
+    # happens before forwarding, so the row is already written.
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+
+    rows = _rows(db_path)
+    passthrough_rows = [r for r in rows if r["kind"] == "passthrough"]
+    assert len(passthrough_rows) == 1
+    r = passthrough_rows[0]
+    assert r["pinch_original_tokens"] is not None
+    assert r["pinch_final_tokens"] is not None
+    assert r["pinch_original_tokens"] > r["pinch_final_tokens"]
+
+
 def test_local_vision_success_persists_one_local_row(decision_router, monkeypatch):
     client, db_path = decision_router
     _drop_cheap(db_path)

tests/test_tui.py

@@ -114,6 +114,14 @@ def _fixture() -> dict:
              "blended_score": 1.0, "source": "self_eval_thin",
              "self_eval_samples": 3}
         ],
+        "pinch": {
+            "calls_30d": 120,
+            "pruned_calls_30d": 30,
+            "share_pruned": 0.25,
+            "total_tokens_saved": 50000,
+            "median_tokens_saved": 1200,
+            "dollars_saved_usd_30d": 0.0125,
+        },
         "generated_at": "2026-08-23T10:01:00+00:00",
     }
 
@@ -134,6 +142,23 @@ def test_build_model_quota_panel():
     assert "calls=18" in joined
 
 
+def test_build_model_pinch_panel():
+    m = build_model(_fixture())
+    rows = m["pinch"]
+    by_label = {r["label"]: r["value"] for r in rows}
+    assert by_label["share_pruned"] == 0.25
+    assert by_label["total_tokens_saved"] == 50000
+    assert by_label["median_tokens_saved"] == 1200
+    assert by_label["dollars_saved_usd_30d"] == 0.0125
+
+
+def test_build_model_pinch_panel_empty_when_none():
+    data = _fixture()
+    data["pinch"] = None
+    m = build_model(data)
+    assert m["pinch"] == []
+
+
 def test_build_model_quota_panel_includes_reset_date():
     m = build_model(_fixture())
     rows = m["quota"]