Prepare the local backend convenience release

README.md

@@ -31,6 +31,14 @@ Contributors should start with the [development guide](docs/development.md).
 The [architecture policy](docs/policy/architecture.md) defines the library
 boundary and constraints that framework work must preserve.
 
+## Release Guidance
+
+Consumers upgrading from `v0.2.0` to `v0.3.0` should read the
+[v0.3.0 changelog](docs/releases/v0.3.0.md).
+
+Consumers moving from `v0.1.0` to `v0.2.0` should read the
+[v0.2.0 changelog and migration guide](docs/releases/v0.2.0.md).
+
 ## Related Project
 
 [Scriptorium](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/scriptorium) is the CLI and

backends.go

@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ import (
 // backend.
 const BackendOpenRouter = backend.OpenRouterID
 
+// BackendLocal is the case-sensitive conventional ID used by [LocalBackend].
+// It is not a built-in or reserved backend and must be registered with
+// [WithBackend].
+const BackendLocal = "local"
+
 // Backend configures one engine-scoped OpenAI-compatible backend.
 //
 // Backend has no stable JSON representation. Use keyed literals so additions
@@ -31,6 +36,37 @@ type Backend struct {
 	// service_tier, reasoning_effort, or response_format. An empty map supplies
 	// no defaults. NewEngine deeply copies the map.
 	ExtraParams map[string]any
+	// ConcurrencyLimit is the maximum number of simultaneous model-generation
+	// calls allowed for this backend within one Engine. Zero leaves the backend
+	// unlimited. A negative value makes NewEngine fail with ErrInvalidConfig.
+	ConcurrencyLimit int
+	// QueueCapacity controls how many additional Run calls may be admitted
+	// beyond ConcurrencyLimit. Nil uses 1024 when ConcurrencyLimit is positive;
+	// a pointer uses its exact value, including zero. The pointed-to value must
+	// be non-negative, and QueueCapacity must be nil when ConcurrencyLimit is
+	// zero. Their sum must fit in an int. WithBackend copies the value and does
+	// not retain the pointer.
+	QueueCapacity *int
+}
+
+// LocalBackend returns a caller-owned Backend for a conventional local
+// OpenAI-compatible endpoint. It sets ID to BackendLocal and copies endpoint
+// and concurrencyLimit into Endpoint and ConcurrencyLimit without
+// normalization or validation. APIKeyEnv, ExtraParams, and QueueCapacity keep
+// their zero values.
+//
+// LocalBackend does not read environment variables, register the value, or
+// mutate engine or package state. Supply the returned value through
+// [WithBackend]; [NewEngine] then applies the ordinary backend validation and
+// concurrency semantics, including default queue capacity for a positive
+// limit, unlimited behavior for zero, and ErrInvalidConfig for a negative
+// limit.
+func LocalBackend(endpoint string, concurrencyLimit int) Backend {
+	return Backend{
+		ID:               BackendLocal,
+		Endpoint:         endpoint,
+		ConcurrencyLimit: concurrencyLimit,
+	}
 }
 
 // WithBackend adds one Backend registration to the constructed Engine.
@@ -43,12 +79,20 @@ type Backend struct {
 // mutated after construction. WithBackend does not install package-global
 // state.
 func WithBackend(backend Backend) Option {
+	queueCapacity := 0
+	queueCapacitySet := backend.QueueCapacity != nil
+	if queueCapacitySet {
+		queueCapacity = *backend.QueueCapacity
+	}
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		options.backends = append(options.backends, domain.Backend{
-			ID:          backend.ID,
+			ID:               backend.ID,
-			Endpoint:    backend.Endpoint,
+			Endpoint:         backend.Endpoint,
-			APIKeyEnv:   backend.APIKeyEnv,
+			APIKeyEnv:        backend.APIKeyEnv,
-			ExtraParams: backend.ExtraParams,
+			ExtraParams:      backend.ExtraParams,
+			ConcurrencyLimit: backend.ConcurrencyLimit,
+			QueueCapacity:    queueCapacity,
+			QueueCapacitySet: queueCapacitySet,
 		})
 		return nil
 	})

capacity_contract_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,369 @@
+package promptkit_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit"
+)
+
+func TestEngineLimitsInjectedClientConcurrency(t *testing.T) {
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	client := newCapacityGateClient(release, 8)
+	engine := newBackendCapacityEngine(t, client, 2, capacityInt(4), nil)
+
+	results := make(chan capacityRunResult, 6)
+	for i := 0; i < 6; i++ {
+		go runCapacityRequest(engine, context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
+			PromptID: "prompt",
+			Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{
+				Endpoint: "http://request.example/v1",
+			},
+		}, results)
+	}
+
+	first := awaitCapacityRequest(t, client.started)
+	second := awaitCapacityRequest(t, client.started)
+	if first.Target.BackendID != "limited" || second.Target.BackendID != "limited" {
+		t.Fatalf("endpoint override changed backend pool: first=%q second=%q",
+			first.Target.BackendID, second.Target.BackendID)
+	}
+	if active, peak, _ := client.snapshot(); active != 2 || peak != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("client concurrency before release=(active=%d peak=%d), want 2", active, peak)
+	}
+
+	close(release)
+	for i := 0; i < 6; i++ {
+		outcome := awaitCapacityRun(t, results)
+		if outcome.err != nil || outcome.result == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("run outcome=(%+v, %v), want success", outcome.result, outcome.err)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, peak, calls := client.snapshot(); peak > 2 || calls != 6 {
+		t.Fatalf("client observations=(peak=%d calls=%d), want peak <= 2 and 6 calls", peak, calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEngineRejectsRunBeforeCompletionWhenAdmissionIsFull(t *testing.T) {
+	artifactRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	reader := &capacityArtifactReader{
+		entered: make(chan struct{}, 2),
+		release: artifactRelease,
+	}
+	client := newCapacityGateClient(closedCapacityChannel(), 2)
+	engine := newBackendCapacityEngine(t, client, 1, capacityInt(0), reader)
+	firstResult := make(chan capacityRunResult, 1)
+	go runCapacityRequest(engine, context.Background(), capacityInputRequest("http://first.example/v1"), firstResult)
+
+	awaitCapacitySignal(t, reader.entered, "first artifact read")
+
+	result, err := engine.Run(context.Background(), capacityInputRequest("http://second.example/v1"))
+	if result != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("capacity rejection returned partial result: %+v", result)
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+		t.Fatalf("capacity rejection=%v, want ErrCapacityExceeded", err)
+	}
+	if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) || errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrLLMGenerate) {
+		t.Fatalf("capacity rejection had an unrelated category: %v", err)
+	}
+	if calls := reader.callCount(); calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("artifact calls=%d, want only the admitted run", calls)
+	}
+	if _, _, calls := client.snapshot(); calls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("client calls=%d before admitted run was released, want 0", calls)
+	}
+
+	close(artifactRelease)
+	outcome := awaitCapacityRun(t, firstResult)
+	if outcome.err != nil || outcome.result == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first run outcome=(%+v, %v), want success", outcome.result, outcome.err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBackendCapacityIsIndependentBetweenEngines(t *testing.T) {
+	firstRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	firstClient := newCapacityGateClient(firstRelease, 1)
+	firstEngine := newBackendCapacityEngine(t, firstClient, 1, capacityInt(0), nil)
+	secondClient := newCapacityGateClient(closedCapacityChannel(), 1)
+	secondEngine := newBackendCapacityEngine(t, secondClient, 1, capacityInt(0), nil)
+
+	firstResult := make(chan capacityRunResult, 1)
+	go runCapacityRequest(firstEngine, context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prompt"}, firstResult)
+	awaitCapacityRequest(t, firstClient.started)
+
+	result, err := secondEngine.Run(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prompt"})
+	if err != nil || result == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("second engine run=(%+v, %v), want independent success", result, err)
+	}
+	if _, _, calls := secondClient.snapshot(); calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("second engine client calls=%d, want 1", calls)
+	}
+
+	close(firstRelease)
+	outcome := awaitCapacityRun(t, firstResult)
+	if outcome.err != nil || outcome.result == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first engine run=(%+v, %v), want success", outcome.result, outcome.err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUnlimitedBackendsRetainInjectedClientConcurrency(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		configure func(*testing.T, promptkit.LLMClient) *promptkit.Engine
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "custom backend",
+			configure: func(t *testing.T, client promptkit.LLMClient) *promptkit.Engine {
+				return newBackendCapacityEngine(t, client, 0, nil, nil)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "endpoint-only profile",
+			configure: func(t *testing.T, client promptkit.LLMClient) *promptkit.Engine {
+				engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{},
+					promptkit.WithPromptFS(contractPromptFS("prompt", "profile", "message"), "."),
+					promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+						ID: "profile", Endpoint: "http://endpoint.example/v1", Model: "model",
+					}),
+					promptkit.WithLLMClient(client),
+				)
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("construct endpoint-only engine: %v", err)
+				}
+				return engine
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			release := make(chan struct{})
+			client := newCapacityGateClient(release, 2)
+			engine := tc.configure(t, client)
+			results := make(chan capacityRunResult, 2)
+			for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
+				go runCapacityRequest(
+					engine,
+					context.Background(),
+					promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prompt"},
+					results,
+				)
+			}
+
+			awaitCapacityRequest(t, client.started)
+			awaitCapacityRequest(t, client.started)
+			if active, peak, _ := client.snapshot(); active != 2 || peak != 2 {
+				t.Fatalf("unlimited concurrency=(active=%d peak=%d), want 2", active, peak)
+			}
+			close(release)
+			for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
+				outcome := awaitCapacityRun(t, results)
+				if outcome.err != nil || outcome.result == nil {
+					t.Fatalf("run outcome=(%+v, %v), want success", outcome.result, outcome.err)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCapacityExceededSentinelContract(t *testing.T) {
+	if promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded == nil {
+		t.Fatal("ErrCapacityExceeded is nil")
+	}
+	for _, unrelated := range []error{
+		promptkit.ErrInvalidConfig,
+		promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest,
+		promptkit.ErrLLMGenerate,
+		promptkit.ErrValidation,
+	} {
+		if errors.Is(promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded, unrelated) ||
+			errors.Is(unrelated, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+			t.Fatalf("ErrCapacityExceeded aliases unrelated sentinel %v", unrelated)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+type capacityRunResult struct {
+	result *promptkit.RunResult
+	err    error
+}
+
+func runCapacityRequest(
+	engine *promptkit.Engine,
+	ctx context.Context,
+	request promptkit.RunRequest,
+	results chan<- capacityRunResult,
+) {
+	result, err := engine.Run(ctx, request)
+	results <- capacityRunResult{result: result, err: err}
+}
+
+func newBackendCapacityEngine(
+	t *testing.T,
+	client promptkit.LLMClient,
+	limit int,
+	queueCapacity *int,
+	reader promptkit.ArtifactReader,
+) *promptkit.Engine {
+	t.Helper()
+	promptFS := contractPromptFS("prompt", "profile", "message")
+	if reader != nil {
+		promptFS = contractInputPromptFS()
+	}
+	options := []promptkit.Option{
+		promptkit.WithPromptFS(promptFS, "."),
+		promptkit.WithBackend(promptkit.Backend{
+			ID:               "limited",
+			Endpoint:         "http://backend.example/v1",
+			ConcurrencyLimit: limit,
+			QueueCapacity:    queueCapacity,
+		}),
+		promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+			ID: "profile", BackendID: "limited", Model: "model",
+		}),
+		promptkit.WithLLMClient(client),
+	}
+	if reader != nil {
+		options = append(options, promptkit.WithArtifactReader(reader))
+	}
+	engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{}, options...)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct capacity engine: %v", err)
+	}
+	return engine
+}
+
+func capacityInputRequest(endpoint string) promptkit.RunRequest {
+	return promptkit.RunRequest{
+		PromptID: "input-prompt",
+		Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+			"input": promptkit.Inline("input"),
+		},
+		Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{Endpoint: endpoint},
+	}
+}
+
+type capacityGateClient struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	active  int
+	peak    int
+	calls   int
+	started chan promptkit.GenerateRequest
+	release <-chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newCapacityGateClient(release <-chan struct{}, buffer int) *capacityGateClient {
+	return &capacityGateClient{
+		started: make(chan promptkit.GenerateRequest, buffer),
+		release: release,
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *capacityGateClient) Generate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	request promptkit.GenerateRequest,
+) (*promptkit.GenerateResponse, error) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.calls++
+	c.active++
+	if c.active > c.peak {
+		c.peak = c.active
+	}
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	defer func() {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		c.active--
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+	}()
+
+	c.started <- request
+	select {
+	case <-c.release:
+		return &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}, nil
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return nil, ctx.Err()
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *capacityGateClient) snapshot() (active, peak, calls int) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return c.active, c.peak, c.calls
+}
+
+type capacityArtifactReader struct {
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	calls   int
+	entered chan struct{}
+	release <-chan struct{}
+}
+
+func (r *capacityArtifactReader) Read(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	_ promptkit.ArtifactRef,
+) (*promptkit.Artifact, error) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	r.calls++
+	r.mu.Unlock()
+	r.entered <- struct{}{}
+	select {
+	case <-r.release:
+		return &promptkit.Artifact{Body: []byte("input")}, nil
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return nil, ctx.Err()
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *capacityArtifactReader) callCount() int {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	return r.calls
+}
+
+func awaitCapacityRequest(
+	t *testing.T,
+	requests <-chan promptkit.GenerateRequest,
+) promptkit.GenerateRequest {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case request := <-requests:
+		return request
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for client invocation")
+		return promptkit.GenerateRequest{}
+	}
+}
+
+func awaitCapacityRun(t *testing.T, results <-chan capacityRunResult) capacityRunResult {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case result := <-results:
+		return result
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for Run")
+		return capacityRunResult{}
+	}
+}
+
+func awaitCapacitySignal(t *testing.T, signal <-chan struct{}, name string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case <-signal:
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatalf("timed out waiting for %s", name)
+	}
+}
+
+func capacityInt(value int) *int {
+	return &value
+}
+
+func closedCapacityChannel() <-chan struct{} {
+	channel := make(chan struct{})
+	close(channel)
+	return channel
+}

doc.go

@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@
 //
 // # Concurrency and ownership
 //
-// An Engine supports concurrent Prepare and Run calls. An injected [LLMClient]
+// An Engine supports concurrent Prepare and Run calls. Engine-local backend
-// or [ArtifactReader] can therefore receive concurrent calls and must be safe
+// policies bound admitted Run calls and model generations where configured,
-// for that use.
+// while different backend pools and unlimited backends continue independently.
+// An injected [LLMClient] or [ArtifactReader] can therefore still receive
+// concurrent calls and must be safe for that use.
 //
 // NewEngine copies in-memory profiles and backend definitions. Prepare and Run
 // copy request maps, slices, pointer values, and JSON-compatible extra

docs/consumers/pkg-promptkit.md

@@ -124,39 +124,120 @@ providers. The
 [`RunRequest` and `ExecutionTargetOverride` GoDoc](../../types.go) owns the
 exact normalization, precedence, error, copying, and exposure contract.
 
-### Register A Custom Backend
+### Configure A Local OpenAI-Compatible Endpoint
 
-Register a reusable OpenAI-compatible connection once, then select it from a
+Choose the smallest configuration that fits how the endpoint will be reused.
-profile:
+
+#### Use An Endpoint-Only Profile
+
+Put the endpoint directly on an in-memory profile when only that profile needs
+it and shared backend identity or capacity policy is unnecessary:
 
 ```go
 engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{
 	PromptDir: "prompts",
 },
-	promptkit.WithBackend(promptkit.Backend{
+	promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
-		ID:        "local",
+		ID:       "local-summary",
-		Endpoint:  "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+		Endpoint: "http://localhost:8000/v1",
-		APIKeyEnv: "LOCAL_LLM_API_KEY",
+		Model:    "example-model",
 	}),
+)
+```
+
+Endpoint-only profiles have an empty backend ID and remain unrestricted by
+backend capacity policy.
+
+#### Use The Conventional Local Backend
+
+Use `LocalBackend` when profiles should share the conventional `local`
+identity, endpoint, and concurrency limit:
+
+```go
+engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{
+	PromptDir: "prompts",
+},
+	promptkit.WithBackend(
+		promptkit.LocalBackend("http://localhost:8000/v1", 2),
+	),
 	promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
 		ID:        "local-summary",
-		BackendID: "local",
+		BackendID: promptkit.BackendLocal,
 		Model:     "example-model",
 	}),
 )
 ```
 
+The helper is explicit: it does not pre-register a backend or read environment
+variables. Supplying a positive limit leaves queue capacity omitted, so normal
+backend registration selects the existing default waiting capacity of 1024.
+The returned value still enters the engine through `WithBackend`.
+
+#### Configure A Complete Backend
+
+Use a keyed `Backend` value for authentication, extra request parameters, an
+explicit queue capacity, a custom ID, or multiple local endpoints:
+
+```go
+noWaiting := 0
+engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{
+	PromptDir: "prompts",
+},
+	promptkit.WithBackend(promptkit.Backend{
+		ID:               "local-gpu",
+		Endpoint:         "http://gpu-host:8000/v1",
+		APIKeyEnv:        "LOCAL_GPU_API_KEY",
+		ExtraParams:      map[string]any{"provider_option": "enabled"},
+		ConcurrencyLimit: 2,
+		QueueCapacity:    &noWaiting,
+	}),
+	promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+		ID:        "gpu-summary",
+		BackendID: "local-gpu",
+		Model:     "example-model",
+	}),
+)
+```
+
+Use distinct custom IDs when registering multiple local endpoints.
 Registrations belong to one engine and custom IDs cannot replace built-ins.
-The [`Backend` and `WithBackend` GoDoc](../../backends.go) defines validation,
+The [`Backend`, `LocalBackend`, and `WithBackend` GoDoc](../../backends.go)
-copying, uniqueness, and request-default behavior.
+defines exact construction, validation, copying, uniqueness, concurrency, and
+request-default behavior.
 
 Both file-backed and in-memory profiles select a registration through
 `backend` or `Profile.BackendID`. Profile and request endpoint overrides retain
-that routing identity. `PreparedRun.SelectedBackendID`,
+that routing and capacity identity. `PreparedRun.SelectedBackendID`,
 `RunResult.SelectedBackendID`, and the effective `ExecutionTarget.BackendID`
 expose it to consumers and injected model clients. Endpoint-only profiles
 remain supported and expose an empty backend ID.
 
+### Limit Backend Concurrency
+
+Set `Backend.ConcurrencyLimit` when a backend needs protection from too many
+simultaneous model calls. Leaving `QueueCapacity` nil, as in the local-backend
+example above, selects the default waiting capacity of 1024.
+
+To accept no waiting backlog beyond the active calls, provide an explicit
+zero:
+
+```go
+noWaiting := 0
+backend := promptkit.Backend{
+	ID:               "local-gpu",
+	Endpoint:         "http://gpu-host:8000/v1",
+	ConcurrencyLimit: 2,
+	QueueCapacity:    &noWaiting,
+}
+```
+
+The pointer distinguishes an explicit zero from omission. Keep using keyed
+`Backend` literals so additive configuration fields remain source-compatible.
+Capacity belongs to one engine and the selected backend ID; endpoint-only
+profiles and custom backends without a configured limit remain unrestricted.
+Exact validation, defaulting, ownership, and concurrency semantics belong to
+the [`Backend` GoDoc](../../backends.go).
+
 ## Credentials
 
 File-backed profiles name an environment variable; in-memory profiles can
@@ -200,6 +281,22 @@ failures. Specific request conditions may also match the broader
 documented. Invalid or duplicate backend registrations match
 `ErrInvalidConfig`; selecting an unknown backend matches `ErrProfileLoad`.
 
+When a limited backend has admitted all active and waiting calls, handle
+`ErrCapacityExceeded` separately from request errors and provider failures:
+
+```go
+result, err := engine.Run(ctx, request)
+if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+	// Apply application policy: shed work, report overload, or retry later.
+}
+```
+
+A rejected call returns no partial result and does not invoke the model
+client. Promptkit does not prescribe retries or map this error to an HTTP
+status; those choices remain with the consuming application. The
+[`Engine.Run` and error GoDoc](../../engine.go) owns exact error and
+cancellation identities.
+
 ## Application Boundary
 
 Promptkit is an importable library. It does not own a command, inbound HTTP

docs/formats.md

@@ -207,7 +207,10 @@ Non-empty profile strings replace backend defaults, and non-empty request
 strings replace both. Request reasoning is the exception: a nil
 `ReasoningEffort` pointer inherits the profile, a pointer to a nonblank string
 trims and replaces it, and a pointer to a blank string clears it. Backend
-identity is retained when either layer overrides the endpoint. A non-empty
+identity is retained when either layer overrides the endpoint, so the override
+also retains any engine-local capacity policy configured for that backend.
+Capacity configuration belongs to the Go
+[`Backend` API](../backends.go), not prompt or profile YAML. A non-empty
 `extra_params` map at each layer replaces the entire lower-precedence map
 rather than merging keys.
 The [outbound integration contract](integrations/openai-compatible-chat.md)

docs/internal/capacity.md

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+# Internal Capacity Management
+
+## Purpose
+
+This document describes the implemented engine-local capacity coordination in
+`internal/capacity`. The [architecture policy](../policy/architecture.md) owns
+component boundaries, the [backend GoDoc](../../backends.go) owns exact public
+configuration semantics, and the
+[internal runner document](runner.md) owns orchestration around admission.
+
+Capacity scheduling is outside the provider wire contract. It does not add
+fields to execution targets, generated requests, prompt or profile YAML, or
+stable JSON values.
+
+## Construction And Pool Lifecycle
+
+Each root `NewEngine` call obtains a normalized capacity-policy snapshot from
+its immutable backend registry and constructs a new `Manager`. The manager
+creates one pool for each limited backend ID. It has no package-global mutable
+state, background workers, shutdown protocol, or persistence, so engines with
+the same registrations still have independent capacity.
+
+Unlimited registered backends and endpoint-only profiles have no pool. Their
+admission and generation calls take the unrestricted fast path. An endpoint
+override does not change the selected backend ID and therefore does not change
+the pool.
+
+One pool owns immutable active and total limits plus mutex-protected admission
+count, active count, and ordered waiter list. Pool state exists only for the
+lifetime of its engine.
+
+## Bounded Run Admission
+
+The runner asks the manager to admit a run after resolving the prompt, profile,
+selected backend, effective execution target, credentials, and output contract,
+but before schema loading, artifact loading, or rendering. Admission is
+immediate: a limited pool either reserves a slot or returns the internal
+`ErrCapacityExceeded` identity. The root facade maps that identity to the
+public error without treating it as an invalid request or generation failure.
+
+The total admitted bound is the active-generation limit plus its configured
+waiting capacity. The returned release function is idempotent. The runner
+defers it as soon as admission succeeds and holds the lease across remaining
+preparation, initial generation, validation, every repair attempt, and all
+failure or cancellation exits. A repair is part of its original admission and
+does not reserve another bounded slot.
+
+## FIFO Generation Permits
+
+`NewClient` wraps the engine's selected internal model client after public
+client adaptation or built-in client construction. Initial generation and the
+default repairer receive the same wrapper.
+
+For each `Generate` call, the wrapper selects a pool from the request's
+effective backend ID. An unlimited call passes directly to the next client. A
+limited call acquires an active permit, invokes the next client, and defers
+permit release so ordinary returns and panic unwinding both restore capacity.
+Preparation and validation never hold an active permit.
+
+When all active permits are occupied, calls join a mutex-protected FIFO waiter
+list. Releasing a permit transfers it directly to the oldest remaining waiter
+before making it generally available. Pools do not order work relative to
+other backend IDs.
+
+The wrapper passes generation requests, responses, and collaborator errors
+through unchanged. It owns scheduling only; the concrete model client remains
+responsible for provider transport behavior.
+
+## Cancellation And Release
+
+Admission checks the caller context before reserving a slot. A call canceled
+while waiting for an active permit removes its waiter under the same pool lock
+used to grant permits. If cancellation removes the waiter first, the wrapped
+client is not invoked. If a concurrent grant wins first, the call owns the
+permit and invokes the client with the original context, allowing the client
+to observe cancellation normally.
+
+This grant-or-cancel decision prevents lost and double-released permits.
+Admission leases and active permits are released after success, collaborator
+errors, validation failures, cancellation, and panic unwinding. Canceled
+waiters are unlinked so their contexts and requests are not retained by the
+pool.
+
+## Test Ownership
+
+The [manager tests](../../internal/capacity/manager_test.go) own policy
+validation, bounded admission, idempotent release, context handling, and
+unlimited admission. The
+[client tests](../../internal/capacity/client_test.go) own peak enforcement,
+FIFO transfer, canceled-waiter removal, grant/cancel races, independent pools,
+unlimited calls, passthrough behavior, and panic release.
+
+The [runner tests](../../internal/usecase/runner_test.go) own early admission,
+lease lifetime, failure release, and shared initial/repair scheduling. The
+[external package capacity tests](../../capacity_contract_test.go) own the
+assembled public-engine behavior for configured limits, capacity errors,
+endpoint identity, engine independence, and injected clients. The
+[root error-boundary tests](../../errors_internal_test.go) own preservation of
+the public generation category and context identity when generation is
+canceled.

docs/internal/overview.md

@@ -11,10 +11,11 @@ contributor workflow and validation.
 
 | Component | Implemented responsibility | References |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| Root `promptkit` package | Provides the supported engine facade, source, backend-registration, and injection options, public request and result values, profile construction, extension interfaces, value conversion, redacted formatting, and public error mapping. | [Package GoDoc](../../doc.go), [backend API](../../backends.go), [engine assembly](../../engine.go) |
+| Root `promptkit` package | Provides the supported engine facade, source, backend-registration, and injection options, public request and result values, profile construction, extension interfaces, value conversion, redacted formatting, public error mapping, and engine-local assembly. | [Package GoDoc](../../doc.go), [backend API](../../backends.go), [engine assembly](../../engine.go) |
 | `examples/go-library/prepare` | Demonstrates an offline downstream consumer using a prompt file, in-memory profile, inline input, and `Prepare`. It is not a public library package. | [Example program](../../examples/go-library/prepare/main.go) |
 | `examples/go-library/run` | Demonstrates an offline downstream consumer using a prompt file, in-memory profile, inline input, an injected deterministic model client, and `Run`. It is not a public library package. | [Example program](../../examples/go-library/run/main.go) |
 | `internal/backend` | Constructs each engine's immutable registry from the built-in OpenRouter definition and consumer additions, validates and defensively copies definitions through the shared JSON-value package, and consumes the LLM-owned OpenAI-compatible reserved request-field rule. | [Backend registry](../../internal/backend/registry.go) |
+| `internal/capacity` | Owns engine-local bounded run admission and FIFO model-generation permits for limited backend IDs, including cancellation-safe waiter removal and client wrapping. | [Internal capacity management](capacity.md) |
 | `internal/domain` | Defines internal framework values for requests, artifacts, prompt definitions, profiles, execution targets, rendering, generation, and validation. | [Domain declarations](../../internal/domain/domain.go) |
 | `internal/defaults` | Defines application-neutral framework constants and constructs the default execution target. It contains no CLI, server, or inbound HTTP limits. | [Framework defaults](../../internal/defaults/defaults.go) |
 | `internal/filecatalog` | Provides deterministic YAML discovery and path helpers for operating-system filesystems and `fs.FS` sources. | [File catalog](../../internal/filecatalog/catalog.go) |

docs/internal/runner.md

@@ -19,17 +19,20 @@ and override semantics consumed by the runner.
 `Runner` coordinates narrow internal interfaces for prompt definitions,
 profiles, backend resolution, artifacts, rendering, model generation, and
 validation. The root engine supplies one immutable registry containing the
-built-in backend and validated consumer additions. Schema documents are loaded
+built-in backend and validated consumer additions, one engine-local run
-through the validator's optional schema-loader interface. An output repairer
+admitter, and a model client wrapped by the same capacity manager. Schema
-can be injected internally, but the ordinary runner constructor does not
+documents are loaded through the validator's optional schema-loader interface.
-enable one.
+An output repairer can be injected internally, but the ordinary runner
+constructor does not enable one.
 
 Each invocation carries its state in request, prepared-run, and result values.
 The runner has no durable run or session store.
 
-## Preparation Flow
+## Shared Preparation Pipeline
 
-`Prepare` performs the reusable pre-generation workflow:
+`Prepare` and `Run` share one private preparation pipeline split at the point
+where a run can be assigned to its selected backend pool. The resolution phase
+performs only the work needed to validate routing and admission:
 
 1. validate the required prompt selection and normalize any direct session ID;
 2. load the prompt definition and hash the original definition;
@@ -38,13 +41,25 @@ The runner has no durable run or session store.
 5. resolve application-neutral defaults, backend defaults, profile values,
    and explicit request overrides in that order;
 6. validate endpoint, model, numeric overrides, and credential requirements;
-7. resolve the output contract and load a structured-output schema when
+7. resolve the effective output contract without loading its schema; and
-   required;
+8. retain the definition, source identities, effective settings, output
-8. load and hash input artifacts;
+   contract, and preparation start time in invocation-local state.
-9. render messages, resolve the effective session ID, and hash the effective
+
-   rendered prompt; and
+The completion phase consumes that state without reloading the prompt,
-10. return the effective settings, source identities, messages, hashes, and
+profile, or backend:
-   preparation timing.
+
+1. load structured-output schema metadata when required;
+2. load and hash input artifacts;
+3. render messages and the prompt-defined session;
+4. apply any direct session ID;
+5. hash the effective rendered prompt; and
+6. construct the prepared value and preparation timing.
+
+`Prepare` runs both phases consecutively and never performs capacity admission.
+`Run` performs backend admission between the phases. This structure preserves
+one execution-precedence and error-ordering implementation while allowing a
+full backend pool to reject work before expensive schema, artifact, and
+rendering operations.
 
 Pointer-based numeric overrides preserve an explicit zero. Invalid negative or
 out-of-range values fail as invalid requests. Endpoint overrides do not change
@@ -70,15 +85,28 @@ invocation state local.
 
 ## Run Flow
 
-`Run` calls `Prepare` rather than maintaining a second preparation path. It
+`Run` records its start time, performs the shared resolution phase, and asks
-performs one initial generation call, builds the named output artifact, and
+its `RunAdmitter` to reserve capacity for the effective backend ID. A nil
-validates that artifact. Invalid generated content remains a validation result;
+admitter is an internal unlimited fallback. After successful admission, `Run`
-an inability to perform validation is an operational error.
+immediately defers the returned release function, performs the completion
+phase, makes one initial generation call, builds the named output artifact,
+and validates that artifact. Invalid generated content remains a validation
+result; an inability to perform validation is an operational error.
+
+The admission lease covers completion-phase preparation, initial generation,
+validation, every repair, and every exit. It bounds accepted work without
+serializing preparation or validation behind the active-generation limit.
+The wrapped model client separately acquires a FIFO active permit only around
+each actual generation call.
 
 When an internal repairer is present, a JSON or JSON Schema content failure can
 trigger bounded repair attempts. Repair receives the effective execution
 target and session ID, validation errors, prior output, and structured-output
-specification. This capability remains internal and is not a public option.
+specification. The default repairer uses the same wrapped client as initial
+generation, so each repair reacquires the selected backend's active permit
+while remaining inside its original admission lease. Repair never performs a
+second bounded admission. This capability remains internal and is not a public
+option.
 
 A successful result includes the output artifact and raw output, validation
 state, effective session ID, prompt and rendered-prompt hashes, selected
@@ -94,8 +122,20 @@ Package errors distinguish invalid requests, required profile selection,
 credential failures, and prompt, profile, artifact, rendering, generation, and
 validation failures. Wrapping preserves the package identities mapped by the
 public facade and retains collaborator identities where they are part of the
-internal contract. Context cancellation propagates through the invoked
+internal contract.
-collaborator and is classified by the owning operation.
+
+Admission capacity exhaustion retains the internal capacity identity and adds
+the selected backend ID as context. It is not recategorized as an invalid
+request or generation failure, and no partial result is returned. A context
+already done at admission retains its context identity directly. Cancellation
+while waiting for an active generation permit prevents client invocation when
+it wins the grant race; the model-client boundary then preserves the context
+error through the generation-failure category. Deferred release restores the
+admission lease on preparation, generation, validation, repair, and
+cancellation failures.
+
+Other context cancellation propagates through the invoked collaborator and is
+classified by the owning operation.
 An overlong direct session is an invalid request before source loading, while
 an invalid or overlong prompt session template remains a prompt-render failure.
 An unknown selected backend, or a selected backend with no configured resolver,
@@ -104,12 +144,16 @@ is classified as a profile-load failure.
 ## Test Ownership And Changes
 
 The [runner tests](../../internal/usecase/runner_test.go) own preparation order,
-selection and override precedence, direct-session resolution,
+selection and override precedence, the two-phase boundary, early admission,
-schema-before-generation behavior, hashing, generation and validation
+lease lifetime and release, direct-session resolution, schema-before-generation
-outcomes, backend propagation, bounded repair, credentials and redaction,
+behavior, hashing, generation and validation outcomes, backend propagation,
-error categories, artifact metadata, usage, and timing.
+bounded repair, shared initial/repair capacity, credentials and redaction,
+error categories, artifact metadata, usage, and timing. The
+[capacity subsystem document](capacity.md) identifies the focused pool,
+waiter, and wrapped-client tests.
 
 Changes to orchestration should continue to use the existing package
-interfaces, keep request state local to an invocation, and preserve `Run`'s use
+interfaces, keep request state local to an invocation, and preserve the shared
-of `Prepare`. Source, renderer, validator, or model-client contract changes
+resolution and completion pipeline. Source, renderer, validator, or
-belong first in their owning package and document.
+model-client contract changes belong first in their owning package and
+document.

docs/policy/architecture.md

@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ The implemented internal components consist of:
   components;
 - `internal/backend`, which owns validated immutable OpenAI-compatible backend
   definitions and the built-in OpenRouter definition;
+- `internal/capacity`, which owns engine-local bounded run admission and
+  model-generation scheduling for limited backends;
 - `internal/defaults`, which owns application-neutral framework defaults and
   constructs the default execution target;
 - `internal/filecatalog`, which discovers YAML files and provides source-path
@@ -49,19 +51,21 @@ The `examples/go-library/prepare` and `examples/go-library/run` packages are
 maintained downstream consumers of the root facade. They do not expose library
 packages or participate in internal assembly.
 
-The root facade assembles one immutable backend registry, the internal
+The root facade assembles one immutable backend registry, one capacity manager,
-repositories, renderer, validator, outbound client, and use-case runner while
+the internal repositories, renderer, validator, outbound client, and use-case
-translating public values and errors at the library boundary. The registry
+runner while translating public values and errors at the library boundary. The
-contains built-ins plus validated engine-scoped consumer additions. The
+registry contains built-ins plus validated engine-scoped consumer additions.
-defaults and renderer depend on the domain model. Prompt-definition and
+The facade constructs the capacity manager from the registry's immutable
-profile repositories use the domain model, file catalog, and YAML decoder. The
+policy snapshot, wraps the selected built-in or injected model client, and
-built-in profile repository supplies an embedded `fs.FS` to the profile
+supplies bounded admission to the runner. The defaults and renderer depend on
-package. Artifact reading uses the domain model and application-neutral
+the domain model. Prompt-definition and profile repositories use the domain
-defaults. Validation uses the domain model, file catalog, and JSON Schema
+model, file catalog, and YAML decoder. The built-in profile repository supplies
-implementation. The model client uses the domain model, application-neutral
+an embedded `fs.FS` to the profile package. Artifact reading uses the domain
-defaults, and an injected or standard-library HTTP client. The use-case runner
+model and application-neutral defaults. Validation uses the domain model, file
-depends on the narrow interfaces owned by each internal component, including
+catalog, and JSON Schema implementation. The model client uses the domain
-backend lookup.
+model, application-neutral defaults, and an injected or standard-library HTTP
+client. The use-case runner depends on the narrow interfaces owned by each
+internal component, including backend lookup and run admission.
 
 The current implementation follows this dependency direction:
 
@@ -81,10 +85,12 @@ downstream consumers, including Scriptorium
 The backend registry depends on the domain model and shared JSON-value
 validation, has no mutation API after construction, and consumes the
 OpenAI-compatible reserved request-field rule owned by the model client. The
-model client does not depend on registry configuration. The facade coordinates
+capacity component depends on the domain model and the narrow internal
-internal components and adapts
+model-client boundary, not on provider transport implementation. The model
-the supported public extension interfaces to narrow internal abstractions.
+client does not depend on registry or capacity configuration. The facade
-Internal components must not depend on consumers or on Scriptorium.
+coordinates internal components and adapts the supported public extension
+interfaces to narrow internal abstractions. Internal components must not depend
+on consumers or on Scriptorium.
 
 ## Repository And Consumer Boundary
 

docs/policy/documentation.md

@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ mechanisms, not secret values.
 | Framework file formats | `docs/formats.md` | Prompt-definition and profile YAML fields, schema references, defaults, validation modes, built-in profiles, credentials, and file-to-request precedence. | Exported Go declarations, outbound wire behavior, internal parsing mechanics, and application configuration. |
 | Consumer guidance | `docs/consumers/`, when consumer workflows require dedicated guidance | Task-oriented use of implemented public APIs, minimal examples, and consumer responsibilities. | Exact exported declarations and internal mechanics. |
 | Durable integration contracts | `docs/integrations/`, when integrations exist | External formats and protocols, compatibility behavior, and upstream or downstream responsibilities. | Internal transformations and public Go declarations. |
+| Supplemental release guidance | None. `docs/releases/` may be used when a release benefits from a changelog or migration guide. | No canonical content. These files may briefly summarize release-specific changes, compatibility, and consumer migration paths, and may be corrected, consolidated, archived, or removed when no longer useful. | Public API and behavior contracts, formats, integrations, architecture, release procedure, and the authoritative annotated-tag release record. |
 | Implemented component inventory | `docs/internal/overview.md` | Current packages and components, their implemented responsibilities, and links to focused internal documents. | Normative architecture, contributor workflow, external contracts, and proposed components. |
 | Internal subsystem behavior | Other files under `docs/internal/`, when a subsystem needs durable detail | Implementation flow, internal collaborators and state transitions, package-local guarantees and failures, and relevant tests. | Global architecture invariants, public API definitions, and future package plans. |
 | Architectural decision history | `docs/adr/`, when repository-local decisions require records | Significant decisions, context, alternatives, rationale, consequences, and supersession history. | Current behavior reference, implementation status, and task sequencing. |
@@ -85,9 +86,9 @@ mechanisms, not secret values.
 | Complete copyable artifacts | `examples/` | Valid inputs, Go programs, and other files intended to be copied or run. | Field-by-field reference, exact API declarations, and prose explanation. |
 
 Conditional owners do not require placeholder files or directories. Create a
-consumer, integration, subsystem, ADR, roadmap, or example document only when
+consumer, integration, release, subsystem, ADR, roadmap, or example document
-the corresponding implemented interface, decision, planned effort, or
+only when the corresponding implemented interface, release, decision, planned
-maintained artifact exists.
+effort, or maintained artifact exists.
 
 ## Boundary Rules
 
@@ -109,6 +110,23 @@ but must link to its canonical definition rather than restate it.
 The [framework format reference](../formats.md) owns exact prompt, profile, and
 schema-file contracts. Integration documents own external wire formats.
 
+### Supplemental Release Guidance
+
+Files under `docs/releases/` may provide changelog-style summaries and
+migration guidance for a particular release. They are navigation and
+orientation aids, not canonical owners of public APIs, behavior, formats,
+integrations, architecture, release procedure, or other durable facts. When a
+reader needs detail beyond a short release-specific note, the release document
+must link to the applicable canonical documentation rather than reproduce its
+contract.
+
+The annotated tag message required by the
+[release procedure](../release.md#write-the-release-note) remains the
+authoritative release record. Supplemental release documents may be corrected,
+consolidated, archived, or removed at any time when they are no longer useful,
+provided maintained documentation does not depend on them and the annotated
+tag record remains intact.
+
 ### Security Topics
 
 This policy owns what documentation and examples may contain. Architecture owns
@@ -160,6 +178,10 @@ durable owners, update incoming links, and archive or remove the roadmap
 according to repository practice. Do not preserve completed roadmaps as a
 second current-state reference.
 
+Supplemental release documents may likewise be removed without preserving a
+replacement. Before removal, update maintained incoming links so current
+documentation does not depend on an optional historical guide.
+
 Before completing documentation work:
 
 - verify affected behavior and examples;

docs/releases/v0.2.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,243 @@
+# Promptkit v0.2.0
+
+This supplemental changelog and migration guide summarizes the consumer-facing
+changes from `v0.1.0` to `v0.2.0`. The annotated `v0.2.0` tag is the
+authoritative release record. Exact current contracts belong to the linked
+GoDoc and durable documentation.
+
+## Summary
+
+`v0.2.0` adds three major capabilities:
+
+- an engine-scoped registry for reusable OpenAI-compatible backend
+  definitions;
+- bounded, backend-specific run admission and model-generation concurrency;
+  and
+- direct per-run session IDs and tri-state reasoning-effort overrides.
+
+Existing endpoint-only profiles remain supported. Consumers can adopt backend
+registration and runtime overrides incrementally rather than rewriting all
+profiles during the upgrade.
+
+## Compatibility At A Glance
+
+Promptkit remains pre-`v1`, and this minor release includes source-level and
+behavioral changes that deserve review.
+
+| Area | `v0.1.0` consumer impact |
+| --- | --- |
+| Endpoint-only profiles | Continue to work without migration. |
+| Built-in profiles | Continue to use OpenRouter and `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`; they now select the built-in `openrouter` backend. |
+| Custom backends | Registration is optional. Existing profiles may keep their endpoint and credential configuration. |
+| Reasoning overrides | String assignments must migrate to the new pointer field. |
+| `RunRequest.Metadata` | Removed; delete assignments to this field. |
+| OpenRouter concurrency | Now limited to 16 active generations with waiting capacity of 1024 per engine. |
+| Public JSON | `v0.2.0` formalizes supported JSON representations; consumers relying on `v0.1.0` encodings should review the notes below. |
+| Unkeyed public struct literals | May require updates because fields were added. Keyed literals are recommended. |
+
+## Upgrade
+
+After the `v0.2.0` tag is published, update the module dependency with:
+
+```sh
+go get gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit@v0.2.0
+go mod tidy
+```
+
+Run the consuming project's ordinary tests and race-enabled tests after the
+upgrade, especially if it calls one engine concurrently or persists Promptkit
+JSON values.
+
+## Backend Registry
+
+Consumers may now register reusable OpenAI-compatible backend definitions with
+`WithBackend`, then select them by ID from file-backed or in-memory profiles.
+A backend can supply its endpoint, API-key environment-variable name,
+request-wide extra parameters, and optional capacity policy.
+
+Registrations are immutable and belong to one engine. Consumer registrations
+can add new IDs but cannot replace Promptkit's reserved `openrouter` backend.
+Profiles that select a backend may still override its endpoint without losing
+the backend's routing or capacity identity.
+
+An existing endpoint-only in-memory profile remains valid:
+
+```go
+promptkit.Profile{
+	ID:       "local",
+	Endpoint: "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+	Model:    "example-model",
+}
+```
+
+Adopting the registry is optional and can be done when several profiles should
+share connection or capacity settings:
+
+```go
+engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(
+	promptkit.Config{PromptDir: "prompts"},
+	promptkit.WithBackend(promptkit.Backend{
+		ID:        "local",
+		Endpoint:  "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+		APIKeyEnv: "LOCAL_LLM_API_KEY",
+	}),
+	promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+		ID:        "local-summary",
+		BackendID: "local",
+		Model:     "example-model",
+	}),
+)
+```
+
+See the
+[local-endpoint consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#configure-a-local-openai-compatible-endpoint)
+for task-oriented usage. The
+[`Backend` and `WithBackend` GoDoc](../../backends.go) owns exact registration,
+validation, copying, defaulting, and uniqueness semantics. The
+[framework format reference](../formats.md) owns the profile `backend` field
+and execution precedence.
+
+## Backend-Specific Concurrency
+
+Each registered backend may now define:
+
+- an active model-generation limit; and
+- a bounded number of additional admitted `Run` calls.
+
+Promptkit owns scheduling for both its built-in model client and an injected
+`LLMClient`. `Run` remains synchronous: an admitted caller waits for its
+ordinary result, while a call beyond the bounded admission capacity returns
+`ErrCapacityExceeded`. Capacity is engine-local and keyed by backend ID.
+Endpoint-only profiles and custom backends without a configured limit remain
+unlimited.
+
+The built-in OpenRouter backend now permits 16 active generations and 1024
+additional admitted calls per engine. Applications that can exceed this bound
+should handle capacity exhaustion separately from provider and request
+failures:
+
+```go
+result, err := engine.Run(ctx, request)
+if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+	// Apply application-specific overload or retry policy.
+}
+```
+
+Promptkit does not prescribe retries or map this error to an HTTP status. See
+the
+[concurrency consumer guidance](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#limit-backend-concurrency)
+and the [`Backend` GoDoc](../../backends.go) for the canonical configuration
+contract. Runtime behavior and public error identities belong to the
+[`Engine.Run` GoDoc](../../engine.go).
+
+## Per-Run Session IDs
+
+`RunRequest.SessionID` can now supply a consumer-managed correlation ID for one
+`Prepare` or `Run` invocation. A nonblank direct value overrides the prompt's
+session template and is exposed in prepared values, results, injected-client
+requests, and provider observability. Session IDs should therefore be stable,
+non-secret values.
+
+```go
+result, err := engine.Run(ctx, promptkit.RunRequest{
+	PromptID: "meeting.summary",
+	SessionID: "conversation-42",
+})
+```
+
+The built-in OpenAI-compatible client sends a nonempty effective session as the
+top-level `session_id` request-body field, not as an `x-session-id` header. See
+the
+[session and reasoning consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#set-a-per-run-session-and-reasoning),
+the [`RunRequest` GoDoc](../../types.go), and the
+[OpenAI-compatible request contract](../integrations/openai-compatible-chat.md#request-body)
+for exact normalization, length, exposure, and wire behavior.
+
+## Per-Run Reasoning Effort
+
+`ExecutionTargetOverride.ReasoningEffort` changed from `string` to `*string` so
+one request can distinguish inheritance, replacement, and explicit clearing.
+
+Update a `v0.1.0` override like this:
+
+```go
+// v0.1.0
+Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{
+	ReasoningEffort: "high",
+}
+```
+
+to:
+
+```go
+// v0.2.0
+reasoning := "high"
+Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{
+	ReasoningEffort: &reasoning,
+}
+```
+
+The three states are:
+
+- `nil` inherits the selected profile's value;
+- a pointer to a nonblank string replaces it for that invocation; and
+- a pointer to an empty or whitespace-only string clears it for that
+  invocation.
+
+This allows consumers to consolidate profiles that differed only by reasoning
+effort. The [`ExecutionTargetOverride` GoDoc](../../types.go) owns the exact
+override contract.
+
+## Other Migration Notes
+
+### Remove `RunRequest.Metadata`
+
+`RunRequest.Metadata` is no longer part of the public request. Remove any
+assignment to that field. Use application-owned state keyed by `RunResult.RunID`
+or a direct `SessionID` when correlation is needed; these identifiers have
+different purposes, so choose according to the application's lifecycle.
+
+### Review Persisted JSON
+
+`v0.2.0` defines stable JSON representations for the public result, artifact,
+execution, validation, and model-client values listed in the
+[package documentation](../../doc.go). Consumers that treated `v0.1.0`
+reflection-derived encodings as stable should update fixtures and stored-data
+adapters.
+
+In particular:
+
+- `RunResult` encodes elapsed time as integer milliseconds in `duration_ms`
+  instead of encoding `time.Duration` under `duration`;
+- result JSON can include the new `session_id` and `selected_backend_id`
+  fields;
+- execution-target JSON can include `backend_id`; and
+- artifact and target-presence fields now use their documented lower-case
+  names.
+
+The `v0.2.0` `RunResult` decoder reads `duration_ms`; it does not translate a
+persisted `v0.1.0` `duration` field. Transform old payloads before decoding
+when preserving their elapsed duration matters.
+
+### Prefer Keyed Struct Literals
+
+New fields were added to several public structs. Replace positional composite
+literals with keyed literals so future additive fields do not cause another
+source migration.
+
+## Migration Checklist
+
+- Update the module dependency and run the consumer's tests.
+- Change reasoning overrides from strings to pointers.
+- Remove uses of `RunRequest.Metadata`.
+- Review unkeyed Promptkit struct literals.
+- Decide whether shared endpoints should move into registered backends.
+- If using built-in OpenRouter profiles at high concurrency, handle
+  `ErrCapacityExceeded` and review the new engine-local bound.
+- Review stored JSON, fixtures, and downstream decoders.
+- Optionally replace profile-specific session or reasoning variants with
+  per-run overrides.
+
+For complete consumer workflows, use the
+[package consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md) and maintained
+[offline execution example](../../examples/go-library/run/main.go).

docs/releases/v0.3.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+# Promptkit v0.3.0
+
+This supplemental changelog summarizes the consumer-facing changes from
+`v0.2.0` to `v0.3.0`. The annotated `v0.3.0` tag is the authoritative release
+record. Exact current contracts belong to the linked GoDoc and durable
+documentation.
+
+## Summary
+
+`v0.3.0` adds a concise way to register the common local OpenAI-compatible
+backend configuration:
+
+- `BackendLocal` provides the conventional, non-reserved backend ID `"local"`;
+  and
+- `LocalBackend` constructs an ordinary `Backend` from an endpoint and
+  concurrency limit.
+
+The helper is explicit and additive. It does not pre-register a backend, read
+environment variables, select a model, or replace the complete `Backend`
+configuration interface.
+
+## Compatibility
+
+Existing `v0.2.0` consumers require no migration. Endpoint-only profiles,
+complete custom `Backend` values, the built-in OpenRouter backend, and existing
+registrations using the literal ID `"local"` continue to work unchanged.
+
+## Upgrade
+
+Update the module dependency with:
+
+```sh
+go get gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit@v0.3.0
+go mod tidy
+```
+
+Run the consuming project's ordinary tests and race-enabled tests after the
+upgrade.
+
+## Configure A Local Backend
+
+Register the convenience value through the existing `WithBackend` option and
+select it from one or more profiles:
+
+```go
+engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(
+	promptkit.Config{PromptDir: "prompts"},
+	promptkit.WithBackend(
+		promptkit.LocalBackend("http://localhost:8000/v1", 2),
+	),
+	promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+		ID:        "local-summary",
+		BackendID: promptkit.BackendLocal,
+		Model:     "example-model",
+	}),
+)
+```
+
+Use an endpoint-only profile when shared backend identity and capacity policy
+are unnecessary. Continue to use a complete keyed `Backend` value for custom
+IDs, authentication, extra request parameters, explicit queue capacity, or
+multiple local endpoints.
+
+See the
+[local-endpoint consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#configure-a-local-openai-compatible-endpoint)
+for task-oriented configuration choices. The
+[`BackendLocal`, `LocalBackend`, and `WithBackend` GoDoc](../../backends.go)
+owns their exact construction, registration, validation, and concurrency
+semantics.
+
+## Consumer Action
+
+None. Adopt the convenience constructor when it simplifies local endpoint
+configuration.

docs/roadmap/concurrency.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Backend-Specific Concurrency Management
 
-**Status:** Accepted.
+**Status:** Complete.
 
 ## Purpose
 
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ consumer value, and important policy choices.
 This document is planning material, not a description of current behavior.
 Current exported contracts remain owned by Go declarations and GoDoc, backend
 registration guidance by the
-[consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#register-a-custom-backend), and
+[consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#configure-a-local-openai-compatible-endpoint),
+and
 implemented orchestration by the
 [internal runner document](../internal/runner.md).
 

docs/roadmap/local-backend.md

@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+# Local Backend Convenience
+
+**Status:** Complete.
+
+## Purpose
+
+Make the common case of using a local OpenAI-compatible endpoint concise and
+easy to discover without introducing implicit configuration or a separate
+backend abstraction.
+
+The existing `Backend` type and registry remain the canonical, fully
+configurable interface. A small convenience constructor will cover the usual
+local-network case, while improved consumer documentation will make it clear
+when an endpoint-only profile, the convenience constructor, or a complete
+`Backend` value is appropriate.
+
+## Motivation
+
+Consumers can already use a local endpoint by setting `Profile.Endpoint`, or
+register one as a backend with `WithBackend`. The first option is concise but
+does not provide shared backend-level concurrency control. The second supports
+the complete backend feature set but requires consumers to understand and
+populate several fields for a common configuration.
+
+Most consumers adding a local backend need only:
+
+- a stable backend ID;
+- an OpenAI-compatible endpoint; and
+- a concurrency limit appropriate for the local server.
+
+Promptkit should provide a direct path for that case while keeping all
+configuration explicit and preserving the full registry interface for
+advanced needs.
+
+## Consumer Paths
+
+Documentation should present three progressively more configurable paths:
+
+1. Set `Profile.Endpoint` when a profile only needs to target a local endpoint
+   and does not need shared backend policy.
+2. Use the local-backend convenience constructor when profiles should share a
+   named local endpoint and its concurrency limit.
+3. Construct a complete `Backend` value when the consumer needs a custom
+   backend ID, authentication, extra request parameters, an explicit queue
+   capacity, or multiple local backends.
+
+These are complementary interfaces. The convenience constructor must return an
+ordinary `Backend`, so it does not create a second configuration model.
+
+## Public Convenience API
+
+The public package should expose:
+
+```go
+const BackendLocal = "local"
+
+func LocalBackend(endpoint string, concurrencyLimit int) Backend
+```
+
+`LocalBackend` should return a `Backend` with:
+
+- `ID` set to `BackendLocal`;
+- `Endpoint` set to the supplied endpoint;
+- `ConcurrencyLimit` set to the supplied limit; and
+- all other fields left at their zero values.
+
+The returned value is passed to `WithBackend` and follows the same copying,
+normalization, validation, and registration rules as any consumer-constructed
+`Backend`.
+
+The constructor should be a transparent value constructor. It should not read
+environment variables, mutate global state, register the backend, validate
+arguments independently, or create profiles. Consumers may inspect or modify
+the returned value before registration, although documentation should direct
+substantially customized configurations to the full `Backend` form.
+
+## Identity and Registration
+
+`BackendLocal` is a conventional ID used by the convenience constructor. It is
+not pre-registered and should not become a specially reserved registry ID.
+Consumers remain responsible for registering the returned backend with
+`WithBackend` and naming it from profiles through `BackendID`.
+
+This distinction preserves compatibility with consumers that may already
+register their own backend using the ID `"local"`. Normal duplicate-ID rules
+still apply if a consumer attempts to register more than one backend with that
+ID.
+
+Consumers that need multiple local endpoints should choose distinct IDs and
+use complete `Backend` values rather than the single conventional helper ID.
+
+## Concurrency and Queue Semantics
+
+The constructor must preserve the existing backend concurrency contract:
+
+- a positive concurrency limit bounds simultaneous requests and uses the
+  existing default queue capacity because `QueueCapacity` remains `nil`;
+- a zero concurrency limit leaves the backend unconstrained; and
+- a negative concurrency limit is rejected through the existing engine
+  configuration validation path.
+
+The constructor should not select a hidden default concurrency limit. Local
+servers vary substantially in capacity, so the consumer should make this
+choice explicitly.
+
+## Documentation
+
+The final documentation state has two canonical surfaces:
+
+- Public Go documentation describes the exact contract of
+  `BackendLocal` and `LocalBackend`, including their conventional,
+  non-pre-registered nature.
+- The [promptkit consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md) includes
+  a task-oriented local-endpoint section that shows the three consumer paths,
+  explains the decision between them, and provides concise examples of the
+  endpoint-only and convenience-constructor forms.
+
+The consumer guide continues to document the full `Backend` interface as
+the advanced path rather than attempting to reproduce every configuration
+variation through convenience APIs.
+
+## Compatibility
+
+This feature is additive:
+
+- existing endpoint-only profiles continue to work unchanged;
+- existing `Backend` values and `WithBackend` registrations remain the
+  canonical general-purpose interface;
+- existing registrations using the literal ID `"local"` remain valid; and
+- OpenRouter defaults and all other backend behavior remain unchanged.
+
+No consumer is required to adopt the convenience constructor.
+
+## Non-Goals
+
+This work does not include:
+
+- pre-registering or implicitly enabling a local backend;
+- discovering a local endpoint, API key, or concurrency limit from environment
+  variables;
+- adding local-backend fields to `Config`;
+- selecting a default local model or creating a profile automatically;
+- adding a combined backend-and-profile constructor;
+- adding convenience parameters for API keys, extra request parameters, or
+  queue capacity;
+- replacing or redesigning the backend registry;
+- adding support for non-OpenAI-compatible local APIs; or
+- changing backend routing, scheduling, or queue behavior.
+
+## Target End State
+
+After this work:
+
+- consumers with a simple one-profile local endpoint can continue to configure
+  it directly on the profile;
+- consumers needing a shared local endpoint and concurrency policy can express
+  it with one `LocalBackend` call and register the returned value normally;
+- consumers with advanced or multiple-local-backend requirements have a clear
+  path to the complete `Backend` interface;
+- all local configuration remains explicit, inspectable, and compatible with
+  dependency injection; and
+- canonical documentation makes the simplest suitable interface easy to find
+  without obscuring the underlying registry model.

engine.go

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 
 	artifactadapter "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/artifact"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/backend"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/capacity"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/defaults"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/llm"
@@ -62,6 +63,10 @@ var (
 	// ErrPromptRender identifies a failure to render prompt messages or the
 	// session ID from the resolved inputs and variables.
 	ErrPromptRender = errors.New("failed to render prompt")
+	// ErrCapacityExceeded identifies a Run rejected because the selected backend
+	// already admitted ConcurrencyLimit + QueueCapacity calls. It is not an
+	// invalid request, an LLM or provider rate-limit response, or ErrLLMGenerate.
+	ErrCapacityExceeded = errors.New("backend capacity exceeded")
 	// ErrLLMGenerate identifies a model-client failure or a nil successful
 	// response. Errors returned by an injected LLMClient remain available
 	// through errors.Is.
@@ -75,7 +80,9 @@ var (
 // Engine prepares and runs Promptkit prompt requests.
 //
 // An Engine is safe for concurrent calls to [Engine.Prepare] and [Engine.Run].
-// Injected collaborators may consequently be invoked concurrently.
+// Each Engine owns independent backend-capacity pools that coordinate Run
+// admission and model generation. Injected collaborators may still be invoked
+// concurrently across different backend pools or for unlimited backends.
 type Engine struct {
 	runner *usecase.Runner
 }
@@ -141,8 +148,10 @@ type engineOptions struct {
 
 // WithLLMClient replaces the built-in model client used by [Engine.Run].
 //
-// A nil client makes NewEngine fail with ErrInvalidConfig. The client may be
+// A nil client makes NewEngine fail with ErrInvalidConfig. The Engine schedules
-// called concurrently and is not used by [Engine.Prepare].
+// Generate calls according to the selected backend's capacity policy, but the
+// client may still be called concurrently across different backend pools or for
+// unlimited backends. The client is not used by [Engine.Prepare].
 func WithLLMClient(client LLMClient) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		if client == nil {
@@ -313,8 +322,9 @@ func WithSchemaFile(path string) Option {
 // or Run needs them.
 //
 // NewEngine returns an error matching ErrInvalidConfig for invalid
-// configuration or options. It does not perform model requests or require
+// configuration, options, or backend-capacity policies. Each constructed
-// credentials.
+// Engine has independent backend-capacity pools. Construction does not perform
+// model requests or require credentials.
 func NewEngine(cfg Config, opts ...Option) (*Engine, error) {
 	var options engineOptions
 	for _, opt := range opts {
@@ -347,6 +357,11 @@ func NewEngine(cfg Config, opts ...Option) (*Engine, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: failed to construct backend registry: %v", ErrInvalidConfig, err)
 	}
 
+	capacityManager, err := capacity.NewManager(backendRegistry.CapacityPolicies())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: failed to construct backend capacity manager: %v", ErrInvalidConfig, err)
+	}
+
 	validator := options.validator
 	if !options.validatorSource {
 		schemaDir := cfg.SchemaDir
@@ -367,6 +382,7 @@ func NewEngine(cfg Config, opts ...Option) (*Engine, error) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrInvalidConfig, err)
 		}
 	}
+	llmClient = capacity.NewClient(capacityManager, llmClient)
 
 	artifacts := options.artifactReader
 	if !options.artifactSource {
@@ -382,6 +398,7 @@ func NewEngine(cfg Config, opts ...Option) (*Engine, error) {
 			prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 			llmClient,
 			validator,
+			capacityManager,
 		),
 	}, nil
 }
@@ -450,11 +467,14 @@ func (e *Engine) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req RunRequest) (*PreparedRun, err
 // single-pass even when OutputContract.RepairAttempts is positive.
 //
 // Run can return every error category documented by [Engine.Prepare], plus
-// ErrLLMGenerate. Errors from injected clients remain available through
+// ErrCapacityExceeded and ErrLLMGenerate. ErrCapacityExceeded identifies
-// errors.Is. Cancellation is passed through the active collaborator and is
+// rejection before artifacts, schemas, rendering, or model generation because
-// reported in the applicable operation category; no general errors.Is
+// the selected backend's admission capacity is full; it does not match
-// relationship to ctx.Err is promised. A nil Engine returns ErrInvalidConfig.
+// ErrInvalidRequest or ErrLLMGenerate. Errors from injected clients remain
-// Run returns no partial result on error.
+// available through errors.Is. Cancellation while waiting for model-generation
+// capacity matches both ErrLLMGenerate and the context error. Cancellation
+// otherwise follows the active collaborator's documented behavior. A nil
+// Engine returns ErrInvalidConfig. Run returns no partial result on error.
 func (e *Engine) Run(ctx context.Context, req RunRequest) (*RunResult, error) {
 	if e == nil || e.runner == nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: engine is nil", ErrInvalidConfig)

errors.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/capacity"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/profile"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/promptdef"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/usecase"
@@ -38,6 +39,8 @@ func publicErrorFor(err error) error {
 		return ErrProfileLoad
 	case errors.Is(err, usecase.ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing):
 		return errors.Join(ErrInvalidRequest, ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing)
+	case errors.Is(err, capacity.ErrCapacityExceeded):
+		return ErrCapacityExceeded
 	case errors.Is(err, usecase.ErrArtifactLoad):
 		return ErrArtifactLoad
 	case errors.Is(err, usecase.ErrPromptRender):

errors_internal_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package promptkit
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/usecase"
+)
+
+func TestMapPublicErrorPreservesGenerationCancellation(t *testing.T) {
+	internalErr := fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", usecase.ErrLLMGenerate, context.Canceled)
+
+	err := mapPublicError(internalErr)
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrLLMGenerate) {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped error=%v, want ErrLLMGenerate", err)
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped error=%v, want context.Canceled", err)
+	}
+}

internal/backend/registry.go

@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ const (
 
 	openRouterEndpoint  = "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
 	openRouterAPIKeyEnv = "OPENROUTER_API_KEY"
+
+	openRouterConcurrencyLimit = 16
+	defaultQueueCapacity       = 1024
 )
 
 // ErrBackendNotFound identifies a registry lookup for an unknown backend ID.
@@ -43,9 +46,10 @@ func NewRegistry(additions []domain.Backend) (*Registry, error) {
 
 	definitions := make([]domain.Backend, 0, len(additions)+1)
 	definitions = append(definitions, domain.Backend{
-		ID:        OpenRouterID,
+		ID:               OpenRouterID,
-		Endpoint:  openRouterEndpoint,
+		Endpoint:         openRouterEndpoint,
-		APIKeyEnv: openRouterAPIKeyEnv,
+		APIKeyEnv:        openRouterAPIKeyEnv,
+		ConcurrencyLimit: openRouterConcurrencyLimit,
 	})
 	definitions = append(definitions, additions...)
 
@@ -85,6 +89,25 @@ func (r *Registry) GetBackend(id string) (domain.Backend, error) {
 	return definition, nil
 }
 
+// CapacityPolicies returns a copy of the normalized policies for limited
+// backends.
+func (r *Registry) CapacityPolicies() map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy {
+	policies := make(map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy)
+	if r == nil {
+		return policies
+	}
+	for id, definition := range r.backends {
+		if definition.ConcurrencyLimit == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		policies[id] = domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+			ConcurrencyLimit: definition.ConcurrencyLimit,
+			QueueCapacity:    definition.QueueCapacity,
+		}
+	}
+	return policies
+}
+
 func normalizeBackend(definition domain.Backend) (domain.Backend, error) {
 	definition.Endpoint = strings.TrimSpace(definition.Endpoint)
 	if err := validateEndpoint(definition.Endpoint); err != nil {
@@ -100,6 +123,40 @@ func normalizeBackend(definition domain.Backend) (domain.Backend, error) {
 		)
 	}
 
+	if definition.ConcurrencyLimit < 0 {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf(
+			"backend %q concurrency limit must not be negative",
+			definition.ID,
+		)
+	}
+	if definition.QueueCapacity < 0 {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf(
+			"backend %q queue capacity must not be negative",
+			definition.ID,
+		)
+	}
+	if definition.ConcurrencyLimit == 0 {
+		if definition.QueueCapacitySet {
+			return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf(
+				"backend %q queue capacity requires a positive concurrency limit",
+				definition.ID,
+			)
+		}
+		definition.QueueCapacity = 0
+	} else {
+		if !definition.QueueCapacitySet {
+			definition.QueueCapacity = defaultQueueCapacity
+			definition.QueueCapacitySet = true
+		}
+		maxInt := int(^uint(0) >> 1)
+		if definition.QueueCapacity > maxInt-definition.ConcurrencyLimit {
+			return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf(
+				"backend %q total capacity overflows int",
+				definition.ID,
+			)
+		}
+	}
+
 	keys := make([]string, 0, len(definition.ExtraParams))
 	for key := range definition.ExtraParams {
 		keys = append(keys, key)

internal/backend/registry_test.go

@@ -24,9 +24,20 @@ func TestRegistryIncludesExactOpenRouterDefinition(t *testing.T) {
 	if definition.ID != "openrouter" ||
 		definition.Endpoint != "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1" ||
 		definition.APIKeyEnv != "OPENROUTER_API_KEY" ||
+		definition.ConcurrencyLimit != 16 ||
+		definition.QueueCapacity != 1024 ||
+		!definition.QueueCapacitySet ||
 		definition.ExtraParams != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected OpenRouter definition: %#v", definition)
 	}
+	policies := registry.CapacityPolicies()
+	if len(policies) != 1 ||
+		policies["openrouter"] != (domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+			ConcurrencyLimit: 16,
+			QueueCapacity:    1024,
+		}) {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected OpenRouter capacity policies: %#v", policies)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestRegistryNormalizesUniqueAdditionsAndIsolatesMutations(t *testing.T) {
@@ -37,10 +48,13 @@ func TestRegistryNormalizesUniqueAdditionsAndIsolatesMutations(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	registry, err := backend.NewRegistry([]domain.Backend{
 		{
-			ID:          " custom ",
+			ID:               " custom ",
-			Endpoint:    " https://custom.example/openai/v1 ",
+			Endpoint:         " https://custom.example/openai/v1 ",
-			APIKeyEnv:   " CUSTOM_API_KEY ",
+			APIKeyEnv:        " CUSTOM_API_KEY ",
-			ExtraParams: extraParams,
+			ExtraParams:      extraParams,
+			ConcurrencyLimit: 3,
+			QueueCapacity:    2,
+			QueueCapacitySet: true,
 		},
 		{
 			ID:       "Custom",
@@ -60,7 +74,10 @@ func TestRegistryNormalizesUniqueAdditionsAndIsolatesMutations(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	if got.ID != "custom" ||
 		got.Endpoint != "https://custom.example/openai/v1" ||
-		got.APIKeyEnv != "CUSTOM_API_KEY" {
+		got.APIKeyEnv != "CUSTOM_API_KEY" ||
+		got.ConcurrencyLimit != 3 ||
+		got.QueueCapacity != 2 ||
+		!got.QueueCapacitySet {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected normalized definition: %#v", got)
 	}
 	if count, ok := got.ExtraParams["count"].(int64); !ok || count != 7 {
@@ -90,6 +107,132 @@ func TestRegistryNormalizesUniqueAdditionsAndIsolatesMutations(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := registry.GetBackend("Custom"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("backend IDs should be case-sensitive: %v", err)
 	}
+
+	policies := registry.CapacityPolicies()
+	if len(policies) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected capacity policy count: %#v", policies)
+	}
+	policies["custom"] = domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{}
+	delete(policies, backend.OpenRouterID)
+	againPolicies := registry.CapacityPolicies()
+	if againPolicies["custom"] != (domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		ConcurrencyLimit: 3,
+		QueueCapacity:    2,
+	}) {
+		t.Fatalf("capacity policy map mutated registry state: %#v", againPolicies)
+	}
+	if _, ok := againPolicies[backend.OpenRouterID]; !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("capacity policy deletion mutated registry state: %#v", againPolicies)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewRegistryNormalizesCapacityPolicy(t *testing.T) {
+	maxInt := int(^uint(0) >> 1)
+	tests := []struct {
+		name       string
+		definition domain.Backend
+		want       domain.BackendCapacityPolicy
+		wantSet    bool
+		wantError  bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:       "unlimited when omitted",
+			definition: domain.Backend{},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "default queue",
+			definition: domain.Backend{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: 2,
+			},
+			want: domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: 2,
+				QueueCapacity:    1024,
+			},
+			wantSet: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "explicit zero queue",
+			definition: domain.Backend{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: 2,
+				QueueCapacitySet: true,
+			},
+			want: domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: 2,
+			},
+			wantSet: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "negative concurrency limit",
+			definition: domain.Backend{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: -1,
+			},
+			wantError: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "negative queue capacity",
+			definition: domain.Backend{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: 1,
+				QueueCapacity:    -1,
+				QueueCapacitySet: true,
+			},
+			wantError: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "queue without limit",
+			definition: domain.Backend{
+				QueueCapacitySet: true,
+			},
+			wantError: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "total overflow",
+			definition: domain.Backend{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: maxInt,
+				QueueCapacity:    1,
+				QueueCapacitySet: true,
+			},
+			wantError: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			tc.definition.ID = "custom"
+			tc.definition.Endpoint = validEndpoint
+			registry, err := backend.NewRegistry([]domain.Backend{tc.definition})
+			if tc.wantError {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatal("expected invalid capacity policy error")
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("construct registry: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			definition, err := registry.GetBackend("custom")
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("look up custom backend: %v", err)
+			}
+			if definition.ConcurrencyLimit != tc.want.ConcurrencyLimit ||
+				definition.QueueCapacity != tc.want.QueueCapacity ||
+				definition.QueueCapacitySet != tc.wantSet {
+				t.Fatalf("normalized capacity=(%d, %d, %t), want (%d, %d, %t)",
+					definition.ConcurrencyLimit,
+					definition.QueueCapacity,
+					definition.QueueCapacitySet,
+					tc.want.ConcurrencyLimit,
+					tc.want.QueueCapacity,
+					tc.wantSet,
+				)
+			}
+			policies := registry.CapacityPolicies()
+			got, ok := policies["custom"]
+			if ok != tc.wantSet || got != tc.want {
+				t.Fatalf("capacity policy=(%#v, %t), want (%#v, %t)", got, ok, tc.want, tc.wantSet)
+			}
+		})
+	}
 }
 
 func TestNewRegistryRejectsDuplicateIDs(t *testing.T) {

internal/capacity/client.go

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package capacity
+
+import (
+	"context"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/llm"
+)
+
+type client struct {
+	manager *Manager
+	next    llm.Client
+}
+
+// NewClient wraps next with configured active-generation limits. A nil manager
+// leaves next unchanged.
+func NewClient(manager *Manager, next llm.Client) llm.Client {
+	if manager == nil {
+		return next
+	}
+	return &client{
+		manager: manager,
+		next:    next,
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *client) Generate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req domain.GenerateRequest,
+) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
+	pool := c.manager.getPool(req.Target.BackendID)
+	if pool == nil {
+		return c.next.Generate(ctx, req)
+	}
+	if err := pool.acquire(ctx); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer pool.releaseActive()
+	return c.next.Generate(ctx, req)
+}

internal/capacity/client_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,517 @@
+package capacity
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"reflect"
+	"runtime"
+	"sync"
+	"sync/atomic"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/llm"
+)
+
+type generateResult struct {
+	response *domain.GenerateResponse
+	err      error
+}
+
+type clientFunc func(
+	context.Context,
+	domain.GenerateRequest,
+) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error)
+
+func (f clientFunc) Generate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req domain.GenerateRequest,
+) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
+	return f(ctx, req)
+}
+
+type blockingClient struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	active   int
+	peak     int
+	calls    map[string]int
+	started  chan string
+	releases map[string]chan struct{}
+}
+
+func newBlockingClient(releases map[string]chan struct{}) *blockingClient {
+	return &blockingClient{
+		calls:    make(map[string]int),
+		started:  make(chan string, 64),
+		releases: releases,
+	}
+}
+
+func (c *blockingClient) Generate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req domain.GenerateRequest,
+) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
+	id := req.Prompt.SessionID
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.active++
+	if c.active > c.peak {
+		c.peak = c.active
+	}
+	c.calls[id]++
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	defer func() {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		c.active--
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+	}()
+
+	c.started <- id
+	if release := c.releases[id]; release != nil {
+		select {
+		case <-release:
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil, ctx.Err()
+		}
+	}
+	return &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: id}, nil
+}
+
+func (c *blockingClient) callCount(id string) int {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return c.calls[id]
+}
+
+func (c *blockingClient) peakConcurrency() int {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return c.peak
+}
+
+func generateAsync(
+	client llm.Client,
+	ctx context.Context,
+	backendID string,
+	id string,
+) <-chan generateResult {
+	result := make(chan generateResult, 1)
+	go func() {
+		response, err := client.Generate(ctx, domain.GenerateRequest{
+			Prompt: domain.RenderedPrompt{SessionID: id},
+			Target: domain.ExecutionTarget{BackendID: backendID},
+		})
+		result <- generateResult{response: response, err: err}
+	}()
+	return result
+}
+
+func waitForWaiterCount(t *testing.T, manager *Manager, backendID string, want int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	pool := manager.pools[backendID]
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for {
+		pool.mu.Lock()
+		got := pool.waiters.Len()
+		pool.mu.Unlock()
+		if got == want {
+			return
+		}
+		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+			t.Fatalf("waiter count=%d, want %d", got, want)
+		}
+		runtime.Gosched()
+	}
+}
+
+func receiveStarted(t *testing.T, started <-chan string) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case id := <-started:
+		return id
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for wrapped client invocation")
+		return ""
+	}
+}
+
+func receiveResult(t *testing.T, result <-chan generateResult) generateResult {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case got := <-result:
+		return got
+	case <-time.After(2 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for generation result")
+		return generateResult{}
+	}
+}
+
+func newTestManager(t *testing.T, policies map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy) *Manager {
+	t.Helper()
+	manager, err := NewManager(policies)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct manager: %v", err)
+	}
+	return manager
+}
+
+func TestClientLimitsPeakConcurrencyAndServesWaitersFIFO(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := newTestManager(t, map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"limited": {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+	})
+	firstRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	secondRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	thirdRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	next := newBlockingClient(map[string]chan struct{}{
+		"first":  firstRelease,
+		"second": secondRelease,
+		"third":  thirdRelease,
+	})
+	client := NewClient(manager, next)
+
+	first := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "limited", "first")
+	if got := receiveStarted(t, next.started); got != "first" {
+		t.Fatalf("first invocation=%q, want first", got)
+	}
+	second := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "limited", "second")
+	waitForWaiterCount(t, manager, "limited", 1)
+	third := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "limited", "third")
+	waitForWaiterCount(t, manager, "limited", 2)
+
+	close(firstRelease)
+	if got := receiveResult(t, first); got.err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("first generation: %v", got.err)
+	}
+	if got := receiveStarted(t, next.started); got != "second" {
+		t.Fatalf("second invocation=%q, want second", got)
+	}
+	close(secondRelease)
+	if got := receiveResult(t, second); got.err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("second generation: %v", got.err)
+	}
+	if got := receiveStarted(t, next.started); got != "third" {
+		t.Fatalf("third invocation=%q, want third", got)
+	}
+	close(thirdRelease)
+	if got := receiveResult(t, third); got.err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("third generation: %v", got.err)
+	}
+	if peak := next.peakConcurrency(); peak != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("peak concurrency=%d, want 1", peak)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClientPeakConcurrencyDoesNotExceedConfiguredLimit(t *testing.T) {
+	const limit = 2
+	manager := newTestManager(t, map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"limited": {ConcurrencyLimit: limit},
+	})
+	gate := make(chan struct{})
+	releases := make(map[string]chan struct{})
+	for i := range 5 {
+		releases[string(rune('a'+i))] = gate
+	}
+	next := newBlockingClient(releases)
+	client := NewClient(manager, next)
+
+	results := make([]<-chan generateResult, 0, len(releases))
+	for id := range releases {
+		results = append(results, generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "limited", id))
+	}
+	for range limit {
+		receiveStarted(t, next.started)
+	}
+	waitForWaiterCount(t, manager, "limited", len(releases)-limit)
+
+	close(gate)
+	for _, result := range results {
+		if got := receiveResult(t, result); got.err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("generation: %v", got.err)
+		}
+	}
+	if peak := next.peakConcurrency(); peak != limit {
+		t.Fatalf("peak concurrency=%d, want %d", peak, limit)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClientRemovesCanceledWaiters(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		cancelID  string
+		wantOrder []string
+	}{
+		{name: "first waiter", cancelID: "one", wantOrder: []string{"two", "three"}},
+		{name: "middle waiter", cancelID: "two", wantOrder: []string{"one", "three"}},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			manager := newTestManager(t, map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+				"limited": {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+			})
+			holderRelease := make(chan struct{})
+			releases := map[string]chan struct{}{
+				"holder": holderRelease,
+				"one":    make(chan struct{}),
+				"two":    make(chan struct{}),
+				"three":  make(chan struct{}),
+			}
+			next := newBlockingClient(releases)
+			client := NewClient(manager, next)
+
+			holder := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "limited", "holder")
+			if got := receiveStarted(t, next.started); got != "holder" {
+				t.Fatalf("initial invocation=%q, want holder", got)
+			}
+
+			contexts := make(map[string]context.Context)
+			cancels := make(map[string]context.CancelFunc)
+			results := make(map[string]<-chan generateResult)
+			for _, id := range []string{"one", "two", "three"} {
+				contexts[id], cancels[id] = context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+				results[id] = generateAsync(client, contexts[id], "limited", id)
+				waitForWaiterCount(t, manager, "limited", len(results))
+			}
+
+			cancels[tc.cancelID]()
+			if got := receiveResult(t, results[tc.cancelID]); !errors.Is(got.err, context.Canceled) {
+				t.Fatalf("canceled waiter error=%v, want context.Canceled", got.err)
+			}
+			waitForWaiterCount(t, manager, "limited", 2)
+
+			close(holderRelease)
+			if got := receiveResult(t, holder); got.err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("holder generation: %v", got.err)
+			}
+			for _, id := range tc.wantOrder {
+				if got := receiveStarted(t, next.started); got != id {
+					t.Fatalf("next invocation=%q, want %q", got, id)
+				}
+				close(releases[id])
+				if got := receiveResult(t, results[id]); got.err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("%s generation: %v", id, got.err)
+				}
+			}
+			if calls := next.callCount(tc.cancelID); calls != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf("canceled waiter invoked wrapped client %d times", calls)
+			}
+			for _, cancel := range cancels {
+				cancel()
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClientGrantCancellationRaceDoesNotLeakPermit(t *testing.T) {
+	const iterations = 200
+	for i := range iterations {
+		manager := newTestManager(t, map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+			"limited": {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+		})
+		holderRelease := make(chan struct{})
+		var waiterCalls atomic.Int64
+		next := clientFunc(func(
+			_ context.Context,
+			req domain.GenerateRequest,
+		) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
+			if req.Prompt.SessionID == "holder" {
+				<-holderRelease
+			} else if req.Prompt.SessionID == "waiter" {
+				waiterCalls.Add(1)
+			}
+			return &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: req.Prompt.SessionID}, nil
+		})
+		client := NewClient(manager, next)
+
+		holder := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "limited", "holder")
+		waitForActiveCount(t, manager, "limited", 1)
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		waiterResult := generateAsync(client, ctx, "limited", "waiter")
+		waitForWaiterCount(t, manager, "limited", 1)
+
+		start := make(chan struct{})
+		var race sync.WaitGroup
+		race.Add(2)
+		go func() {
+			defer race.Done()
+			<-start
+			cancel()
+		}()
+		go func() {
+			defer race.Done()
+			<-start
+			close(holderRelease)
+		}()
+		close(start)
+		race.Wait()
+
+		if got := receiveResult(t, holder); got.err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("iteration %d holder generation: %v", i, got.err)
+		}
+		got := receiveResult(t, waiterResult)
+		switch calls := waiterCalls.Load(); {
+		case calls == 0 && errors.Is(got.err, context.Canceled):
+		case calls == 1 && got.err == nil:
+		default:
+			t.Fatalf("iteration %d waiter calls=%d error=%v", i, calls, got.err)
+		}
+
+		probe := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "limited", "probe")
+		if got := receiveResult(t, probe); got.err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("iteration %d probe generation: %v", i, got.err)
+		}
+		waitForActiveCount(t, manager, "limited", 0)
+		waitForWaiterCount(t, manager, "limited", 0)
+	}
+}
+
+func waitForActiveCount(t *testing.T, manager *Manager, backendID string, want int) {
+	t.Helper()
+	pool := manager.pools[backendID]
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(2 * time.Second)
+	for {
+		pool.mu.Lock()
+		got := pool.active
+		pool.mu.Unlock()
+		if got == want {
+			return
+		}
+		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
+			t.Fatalf("active count=%d, want %d", got, want)
+		}
+		runtime.Gosched()
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClientUsesIndependentPoolsAndUnlimitedFastPaths(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := newTestManager(t, map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"alpha": {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+		"beta":  {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+	})
+	alphaRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	betaRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	next := newBlockingClient(map[string]chan struct{}{
+		"alpha": alphaRelease,
+		"beta":  betaRelease,
+	})
+	client := NewClient(manager, next)
+
+	alpha := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "alpha", "alpha")
+	beta := generateAsync(client, context.Background(), "beta", "beta")
+	started := map[string]bool{
+		receiveStarted(t, next.started): true,
+		receiveStarted(t, next.started): true,
+	}
+	if !started["alpha"] || !started["beta"] {
+		t.Fatalf("independent pools did not both start: %#v", started)
+	}
+	close(alphaRelease)
+	close(betaRelease)
+	if got := receiveResult(t, alpha); got.err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("alpha generation: %v", got.err)
+	}
+	if got := receiveResult(t, beta); got.err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("beta generation: %v", got.err)
+	}
+
+	for _, backendID := range []string{"", "unknown"} {
+		response, err := client.Generate(context.Background(), domain.GenerateRequest{
+			Prompt: domain.RenderedPrompt{SessionID: backendID},
+			Target: domain.ExecutionTarget{BackendID: backendID},
+		})
+		if err != nil || response == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("unlimited backend %q response=(%#v, %v)", backendID, response, err)
+		}
+	}
+	if got := NewClient(nil, next); got != next {
+		t.Fatal("nil manager did not return the wrapped client unchanged")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClientPreservesRequestsResponsesAndErrors(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := newTestManager(t, map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"limited": {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+	})
+	request := domain.GenerateRequest{
+		Prompt: domain.RenderedPrompt{
+			SessionID: "session",
+			Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{
+				{Role: "user", Content: "content"},
+			},
+		},
+		Target: domain.ExecutionTarget{
+			BackendID:   "limited",
+			Model:       "model",
+			ExtraParams: map[string]any{"key": "value"},
+		},
+	}
+	response := &domain.GenerateResponse{
+		Content: "output",
+		Usage:   domain.TokenUsage{TotalTokens: 7},
+	}
+	collaboratorErr := errors.New("collaborator failure")
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		response *domain.GenerateResponse
+		err      error
+	}{
+		{name: "successful response", response: response},
+		{name: "nil response"},
+		{name: "collaborator error", response: response, err: collaboratorErr},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			var captured domain.GenerateRequest
+			next := clientFunc(func(
+				_ context.Context,
+				req domain.GenerateRequest,
+			) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
+				captured = req
+				return tc.response, tc.err
+			})
+			gotResponse, gotErr := NewClient(manager, next).Generate(context.Background(), request)
+			if !reflect.DeepEqual(captured, request) {
+				t.Fatalf("request changed: %#v", captured)
+			}
+			if gotResponse != tc.response || gotErr != tc.err {
+				t.Fatalf("response=(%p, %v), want (%p, %v)",
+					gotResponse, gotErr, tc.response, tc.err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClientReleasesPermitDuringPanicUnwinding(t *testing.T) {
+	manager := newTestManager(t, map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"limited": {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+	})
+	var calls atomic.Int64
+	next := clientFunc(func(
+		_ context.Context,
+		_ domain.GenerateRequest,
+	) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
+		if calls.Add(1) == 1 {
+			panic("test panic")
+		}
+		return &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "recovered"}, nil
+	})
+	client := NewClient(manager, next)
+	request := domain.GenerateRequest{
+		Target: domain.ExecutionTarget{BackendID: "limited"},
+	}
+
+	func() {
+		defer func() {
+			if recover() == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected wrapped client panic")
+			}
+		}()
+		_, _ = client.Generate(context.Background(), request)
+	}()
+
+	response, err := client.Generate(context.Background(), request)
+	if err != nil || response == nil || response.Content != "recovered" {
+		t.Fatalf("generation after panic=(%#v, %v)", response, err)
+	}
+}

internal/capacity/manager.go

@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+// Package capacity coordinates engine-local run admission and model-generation
+// concurrency for configured backends.
+package capacity
+
+import (
+	"container/list"
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+)
+
+// ErrCapacityExceeded identifies an admission rejected because a backend's
+// configured run capacity is full.
+var ErrCapacityExceeded = errors.New("backend capacity exceeded")
+
+// Manager owns independent backend capacity pools with immutable limits.
+type Manager struct {
+	pools map[string]*pool
+}
+
+type pool struct {
+	mu               sync.Mutex
+	concurrencyLimit int
+	totalCapacity    int
+	admitted         int
+	active           int
+	waiters          list.List
+}
+
+type waiter struct {
+	ready   chan struct{}
+	element *list.Element
+	granted bool
+}
+
+// NewManager constructs independent pools from normalized backend policies.
+func NewManager(policies map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy) (*Manager, error) {
+	manager := &Manager{
+		pools: make(map[string]*pool, len(policies)),
+	}
+	maxInt := int(^uint(0) >> 1)
+	for id, policy := range policies {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(id) == "" {
+			return nil, errors.New("backend capacity policy ID must not be blank")
+		}
+		if policy.ConcurrencyLimit <= 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+				"backend %q concurrency limit must be positive",
+				id,
+			)
+		}
+		if policy.QueueCapacity < 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+				"backend %q queue capacity must not be negative",
+				id,
+			)
+		}
+		if policy.QueueCapacity > maxInt-policy.ConcurrencyLimit {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("backend %q total capacity overflows int", id)
+		}
+		manager.pools[id] = &pool{
+			concurrencyLimit: policy.ConcurrencyLimit,
+			totalCapacity:    policy.ConcurrencyLimit + policy.QueueCapacity,
+		}
+	}
+	return manager, nil
+}
+
+// Admit immediately reserves one configured backend run slot. Backends without
+// a configured pool are unlimited.
+func (m *Manager) Admit(ctx context.Context, backendID string) (func(), error) {
+	pool := m.getPool(backendID)
+	if pool == nil {
+		return releaseNothing, nil
+	}
+
+	pool.mu.Lock()
+	defer pool.mu.Unlock()
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if pool.admitted >= pool.totalCapacity {
+		return nil, ErrCapacityExceeded
+	}
+	pool.admitted++
+
+	var once sync.Once
+	return func() {
+		once.Do(func() {
+			pool.mu.Lock()
+			pool.admitted--
+			pool.mu.Unlock()
+		})
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func releaseNothing() {}
+
+func (m *Manager) getPool(backendID string) *pool {
+	if m == nil || backendID == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return m.pools[backendID]
+}
+
+func (p *pool) acquire(ctx context.Context) error {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+		return err
+	}
+	if p.active < p.concurrencyLimit && p.waiters.Len() == 0 {
+		p.active++
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	waiter := &waiter{ready: make(chan struct{})}
+	waiter.element = p.waiters.PushBack(waiter)
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+
+	select {
+	case <-waiter.ready:
+		return nil
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		p.mu.Lock()
+		if !waiter.granted {
+			p.waiters.Remove(waiter.element)
+			waiter.element = nil
+			p.mu.Unlock()
+			return ctx.Err()
+		}
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+		return nil
+	}
+}
+
+func (p *pool) releaseActive() {
+	var ready chan struct{}
+
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	if element := p.waiters.Front(); element != nil {
+		waiter := element.Value.(*waiter)
+		p.waiters.Remove(element)
+		waiter.element = nil
+		waiter.granted = true
+		ready = waiter.ready
+	} else {
+		p.active--
+	}
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if ready != nil {
+		close(ready)
+	}
+}

internal/capacity/manager_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+package capacity
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+)
+
+func TestNewManagerRejectsInvalidPolicies(t *testing.T) {
+	maxInt := int(^uint(0) >> 1)
+	tests := []struct {
+		name   string
+		id     string
+		policy domain.BackendCapacityPolicy
+	}{
+		{
+			name:   "blank ID",
+			id:     " \t ",
+			policy: domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "zero concurrency",
+			id:     "backend",
+			policy: domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{},
+		},
+		{
+			name:   "negative concurrency",
+			id:     "backend",
+			policy: domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{ConcurrencyLimit: -1},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "negative queue",
+			id:   "backend",
+			policy: domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: 1,
+				QueueCapacity:    -1,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "total overflow",
+			id:   "backend",
+			policy: domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+				ConcurrencyLimit: maxInt,
+				QueueCapacity:    1,
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := NewManager(map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+				tc.id: tc.policy,
+			})
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected invalid policy error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestManagerAdmissionIsBoundedAndReleaseIsIdempotent(t *testing.T) {
+	policies := map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"limited": {
+			ConcurrencyLimit: 2,
+			QueueCapacity:    1,
+		},
+		"independent": {
+			ConcurrencyLimit: 1,
+		},
+	}
+	manager, err := NewManager(policies)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct manager: %v", err)
+	}
+	policies["limited"] = domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		ConcurrencyLimit: 100,
+		QueueCapacity:    100,
+	}
+
+	releases := make([]func(), 0, 3)
+	for range 3 {
+		release, err := manager.Admit(context.Background(), "limited")
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("admit within configured capacity: %v", err)
+		}
+		releases = append(releases, release)
+	}
+	if release, err := manager.Admit(context.Background(), "limited"); release != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+		t.Fatalf("admission beyond capacity=(release=%t, err=%v), want ErrCapacityExceeded",
+			release != nil, err)
+	}
+	independentRelease, err := manager.Admit(context.Background(), "independent")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("admit independent backend while first is full: %v", err)
+	}
+	independentRelease()
+
+	releases[0]()
+	releases[0]()
+	replacement, err := manager.Admit(context.Background(), "limited")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("admit after release: %v", err)
+	}
+	replacement()
+	releases[1]()
+	releases[2]()
+
+	pool := manager.pools["limited"]
+	pool.mu.Lock()
+	admitted := pool.admitted
+	pool.mu.Unlock()
+	if admitted != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("admitted runs after releases=%d, want 0", admitted)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestManagerAdmissionHonorsContextAndUnlimitedBackends(t *testing.T) {
+	manager, err := NewManager(map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"limited": {ConcurrencyLimit: 1},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct manager: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	cancel()
+	if release, err := manager.Admit(ctx, "limited"); release != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+		t.Fatalf("canceled limited admission=(release=%t, err=%v), want context cancellation",
+			release != nil, err)
+	}
+
+	var nilManager *Manager
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		name      string
+		manager   *Manager
+		backendID string
+	}{
+		{name: "nil manager", manager: nilManager, backendID: "limited"},
+		{name: "blank ID", manager: manager},
+		{name: "unknown ID", manager: manager, backendID: "unknown"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			release, err := tc.manager.Admit(ctx, tc.backendID)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("unlimited admission: %v", err)
+			}
+			if release == nil {
+				t.Fatal("unlimited admission returned nil release")
+			}
+			release()
+			release()
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/domain/domain.go

@@ -163,10 +163,20 @@ type PromptMessageTemplate struct {
 
 // Backend describes reusable OpenAI-compatible connection defaults.
 type Backend struct {
-	ID          string
+	ID               string
-	Endpoint    string
+	Endpoint         string
-	APIKeyEnv   string
+	APIKeyEnv        string
-	ExtraParams map[string]any
+	ExtraParams      map[string]any
+	ConcurrencyLimit int
+	QueueCapacity    int
+	QueueCapacitySet bool
+}
+
+// BackendCapacityPolicy describes normalized run and generation capacity for
+// one limited backend.
+type BackendCapacityPolicy struct {
+	ConcurrencyLimit int
+	QueueCapacity    int
 }
 
 // ExecutionProfile describes how and where to execute a model.

internal/usecase/runner.go

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"unicode"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/artifact"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/capacity"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/defaults"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/llm"
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ type Runner struct {
 	llm        llm.Client
 	validator  validate.Validator
 	repairer   OutputRepairer
+	admitter   RunAdmitter
 }
 
 // BackendResolver resolves one normalized backend ID.
@@ -53,6 +55,22 @@ type BackendResolver interface {
 	GetBackend(string) (domain.Backend, error)
 }
 
+// RunAdmitter reserves capacity for one resolved backend run.
+type RunAdmitter interface {
+	Admit(context.Context, string) (func(), error)
+}
+
+type preparationState struct {
+	definition           *domain.PromptDefinition
+	directSessionID      string
+	promptDefinitionHash string
+	selectedProfileID    string
+	effectiveModel       domain.ExecutionTarget
+	targetPresence       domain.ExecutionTargetPresence
+	effectiveContract    domain.OutputContract
+	start                time.Time
+}
+
 func NewRunner(
 	promptDefs promptdef.Repository,
 	profiles profile.Repository,
@@ -61,8 +79,19 @@ func NewRunner(
 	renderer prompt.Renderer,
 	llmClient llm.Client,
 	validator validate.Validator,
+	admitter RunAdmitter,
 ) *Runner {
-	return NewRunnerWithRepairer(promptDefs, profiles, backends, artifacts, renderer, llmClient, validator, nil)
+	return NewRunnerWithRepairer(
+		promptDefs,
+		profiles,
+		backends,
+		artifacts,
+		renderer,
+		llmClient,
+		validator,
+		nil,
+		admitter,
+	)
 }
 
 func NewRunnerWithRepairer(
@@ -74,6 +103,7 @@ func NewRunnerWithRepairer(
 	llmClient llm.Client,
 	validator validate.Validator,
 	repairer OutputRepairer,
+	admitter RunAdmitter,
 ) *Runner {
 	return &Runner{
 		promptDefs: promptDefs,
@@ -84,6 +114,7 @@ func NewRunnerWithRepairer(
 		llm:        llmClient,
 		validator:  validator,
 		repairer:   repairer,
+		admitter:   admitter,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -95,7 +126,27 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.RunRes
 
 	start := time.Now().UTC()
 
-	prepared, err := r.Prepare(ctx, req)
+	state, err := r.resolvePreparation(ctx, req, time.Now().UTC())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	if r.admitter != nil {
+		release, admitErr := r.admitter.Admit(ctx, state.effectiveModel.BackendID)
+		if admitErr != nil {
+			if errors.Is(admitErr, capacity.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf(
+					"backend %q admission: %w",
+					state.effectiveModel.BackendID,
+					admitErr,
+				)
+			}
+			return nil, admitErr
+		}
+		defer release()
+	}
+
+	prepared, err := r.completePreparation(ctx, req, state)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -177,6 +228,18 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.RunRes
 }
 
 func (r *Runner) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.PreparedRun, error) {
+	state, err := r.resolvePreparation(ctx, req, time.Now().UTC())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return r.completePreparation(ctx, req, state)
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) resolvePreparation(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req domain.RunRequest,
+	start time.Time,
+) (*preparationState, error) {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(req.PromptID) == "" {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prompt id is required", ErrInvalidRequest)
 	}
@@ -185,8 +248,6 @@ func (r *Runner) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.Pr
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: session_id: %v", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
 	}
 
-	start := time.Now().UTC()
-
 	def, err := r.promptDefs.GetPromptDefinition(ctx, req.PromptID, req.PromptVersion)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrPromptLoad, err)
@@ -238,7 +299,28 @@ func (r *Runner) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.Pr
 	}
 
 	effectiveContract := resolveOutputContract(def, req.Validation)
-	structuredOutput, err := r.resolveStructuredOutput(ctx, def, effectiveContract)
+	return &preparationState{
+		definition:           def,
+		directSessionID:      directSessionID,
+		promptDefinitionHash: promptDefinitionHash,
+		selectedProfileID:    selectedProfileID,
+		effectiveModel:       effectiveModel,
+		targetPresence:       targetPresence,
+		effectiveContract:    effectiveContract,
+		start:                start,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) completePreparation(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req domain.RunRequest,
+	state *preparationState,
+) (*domain.PreparedRun, error) {
+	structuredOutput, err := r.resolveStructuredOutput(
+		ctx,
+		state.definition,
+		state.effectiveContract,
+	)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -257,9 +339,9 @@ func (r *Runner) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.Pr
 		inputHashes[name] = art.Hash
 	}
 
-	definitionToRender := def
+	definitionToRender := state.definition
-	if directSessionID != "" {
+	if state.directSessionID != "" {
-		definitionCopy := *def
+		definitionCopy := *state.definition
 		definitionCopy.SessionID = ""
 		definitionToRender = &definitionCopy
 	}
@@ -267,28 +349,28 @@ func (r *Runner) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.Pr
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrPromptRender, err)
 	}
-	if directSessionID != "" {
+	if state.directSessionID != "" {
-		renderedPrompt.SessionID = directSessionID
+		renderedPrompt.SessionID = state.directSessionID
 	}
 
 	end := time.Now().UTC()
 	return &domain.PreparedRun{
-		PromptID:             def.ID,
+		PromptID:             state.definition.ID,
-		PromptVersion:        def.Version,
+		PromptVersion:        state.definition.Version,
-		PromptHash:           promptDefinitionHash,
+		PromptHash:           state.promptDefinitionHash,
-		SelectedProfileID:    selectedProfileID,
+		SelectedProfileID:    state.selectedProfileID,
-		SelectedBackendID:    effectiveModel.BackendID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    state.effectiveModel.BackendID,
-		EffectiveModelParams: effectiveModel,
+		EffectiveModelParams: state.effectiveModel,
-		TargetPresence:       targetPresence,
+		TargetPresence:       state.targetPresence,
-		OutputContract:       effectiveContract,
+		OutputContract:       state.effectiveContract,
 		StructuredOutput:     structuredOutput,
 		InputHashes:          inputHashes,
 		SessionID:            renderedPrompt.SessionID,
 		RenderedPromptHash:   hashRenderedPrompt(*renderedPrompt),
 		Messages:             renderedPrompt.Messages,
-		StartTime:            start,
+		StartTime:            state.start,
 		EndTime:              end,
-		DurationMS:           end.Sub(start).Milliseconds(),
+		DurationMS:           end.Sub(state.start).Milliseconds(),
 	}, nil
 }
 

internal/usecase/runner_test.go

@@ -10,8 +10,11 @@ import (
 	"reflect"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/capacity"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/defaults"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/llm"
@@ -38,6 +41,52 @@ type fakeBackendResolver struct {
 	backends map[string]domain.Backend
 }
 
+type staticPromptRepo struct {
+	def *domain.PromptDefinition
+}
+
+func (r staticPromptRepo) GetPromptDefinition(
+	context.Context,
+	string,
+	string,
+) (*domain.PromptDefinition, error) {
+	return r.def, nil
+}
+
+type staticExecutionProfileRepo struct {
+	profile *domain.ExecutionProfile
+}
+
+func (r staticExecutionProfileRepo) GetProfile(
+	context.Context,
+	string,
+) (*domain.ExecutionProfile, error) {
+	value := *r.profile
+	return &value, nil
+}
+
+type staticArtifactReader struct{}
+
+func (staticArtifactReader) Read(
+	context.Context,
+	domain.ArtifactRef,
+) (*domain.Artifact, error) {
+	return &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte("artifact"), Hash: hashString("artifact")}, nil
+}
+
+type staticRenderer struct{}
+
+func (staticRenderer) Render(
+	context.Context,
+	*domain.PromptDefinition,
+	map[string]*domain.Artifact,
+	map[string]string,
+) (*domain.RenderedPrompt, error) {
+	return &domain.RenderedPrompt{
+		Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{{Role: "user", Content: "hello"}},
+	}, nil
+}
+
 func (f fakeBackendResolver) GetBackend(id string) (domain.Backend, error) {
 	value, ok := f.backends[id]
 	if !ok {
@@ -70,9 +119,11 @@ func (f *fakePromptRepo) GetPromptDefinition(ctx context.Context, id string, ver
 type fakeArtifactReader struct {
 	artifactsByURI map[string]*domain.Artifact
 	errByURI       map[string]error
+	calls          int
 }
 
 func (f *fakeArtifactReader) Read(ctx context.Context, ref domain.ArtifactRef) (*domain.Artifact, error) {
+	f.calls++
 	if err, ok := f.errByURI[ref.URI]; ok {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -86,9 +137,11 @@ func (f *fakeArtifactReader) Read(ctx context.Context, ref domain.ArtifactRef) (
 type fakeRenderer struct {
 	rendered *domain.RenderedPrompt
 	err      error
+	calls    int
 }
 
 func (f *fakeRenderer) Render(ctx context.Context, def *domain.PromptDefinition, inputs map[string]*domain.Artifact, vars map[string]string) (*domain.RenderedPrompt, error) {
+	f.calls++
 	if f.err != nil {
 		return nil, f.err
 	}
@@ -125,9 +178,11 @@ type fakeValidator struct {
 	schemaErr      error
 	schemaLoadPath string
 	schemaLoads    int
+	validateCalls  int
 }
 
 func (f *fakeValidator) Validate(ctx context.Context, artifact *domain.Artifact, contract domain.OutputContract) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
+	f.validateCalls++
 	if f.err != nil {
 		return domain.ValidationResult{}, f.err
 	}
@@ -153,6 +208,97 @@ type fakeRepairer struct {
 	reqs      []RepairRequest
 }
 
+type fakeRunAdmitter struct {
+	backendIDs   []string
+	err          error
+	releaseCalls int
+}
+
+type recordingRunAdmitter struct {
+	mu         sync.Mutex
+	next       RunAdmitter
+	backendIDs []string
+}
+
+func (a *recordingRunAdmitter) Admit(ctx context.Context, backendID string) (func(), error) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	a.backendIDs = append(a.backendIDs, backendID)
+	a.mu.Unlock()
+	return a.next.Admit(ctx, backendID)
+}
+
+func (a *recordingRunAdmitter) admittedBackendIDs() []string {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	defer a.mu.Unlock()
+	return append([]string(nil), a.backendIDs...)
+}
+
+type controlledRepairLLM struct {
+	mu          sync.Mutex
+	active      int
+	peak        int
+	calls       int
+	repairCalls int
+	events      chan controlledGeneration
+	backendIDs  []string
+}
+
+type controlledGeneration struct {
+	release chan struct{}
+}
+
+func (c *controlledRepairLLM) Generate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req domain.GenerateRequest,
+) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
+	isRepair := len(req.Prompt.Messages) > 0 &&
+		strings.HasPrefix(req.Prompt.Messages[0].Content, "You repair invalid JSON")
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.calls++
+	c.active++
+	if c.active > c.peak {
+		c.peak = c.active
+	}
+	if isRepair {
+		c.repairCalls++
+	}
+	c.backendIDs = append(c.backendIDs, req.Target.BackendID)
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+	defer func() {
+		c.mu.Lock()
+		c.active--
+		c.mu.Unlock()
+	}()
+
+	event := controlledGeneration{release: make(chan struct{})}
+	c.events <- event
+	select {
+	case <-event.release:
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return nil, ctx.Err()
+	}
+	if isRepair {
+		return &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: `{}`}, nil
+	}
+	return &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: `{"broken":`}, nil
+}
+
+func (c *controlledRepairLLM) snapshot() (peak, calls, repairCalls int, backendIDs []string) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return c.peak, c.calls, c.repairCalls, append([]string(nil), c.backendIDs...)
+}
+
+func (f *fakeRunAdmitter) Admit(_ context.Context, backendID string) (func(), error) {
+	f.backendIDs = append(f.backendIDs, backendID)
+	if f.err != nil {
+		return nil, f.err
+	}
+	return func() {
+		f.releaseCalls++
+	}, nil
+}
+
 func (f *fakeRepairer) Repair(ctx context.Context, req RepairRequest) (*domain.GenerateResponse, error) {
 	f.calls++
 	f.reqs = append(f.reqs, req)
@@ -179,7 +325,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareWithExplicitProfileSelection(t *testing.T) {
 	renderer := &fakeRenderer{rendered: &domain.RenderedPrompt{SessionID: "session-123", Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{{Role: "system", Content: "sys"}, {Role: "user", Content: "usr"}}}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{forbid: true}
 
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, reader, renderer, llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, reader, renderer, llmClient, nil, nil)
 	prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:      "p",
 		PromptVersion: "1",
@@ -234,8 +380,8 @@ func TestRunnerDirectSessionResolution(t *testing.T) {
 			defaultArtifactReader(),
 			prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 			&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-			nil,
+			nil, nil)
-		)
+
 		req := domain.RunRequest{
 			PromptID:  "p",
 			ProfileID: "exec",
@@ -281,8 +427,7 @@ func TestRunnerDirectSessionResolution(t *testing.T) {
 			defaultArtifactReader(),
 			prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 			&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-			nil,
+			nil, nil)
-		)
 
 		prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 			PromptID:  "p",
@@ -312,8 +457,7 @@ func TestRunnerDirectSessionResolution(t *testing.T) {
 			defaultArtifactReader(),
 			prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 			&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-			nil,
+			nil, nil)
-		)
 
 		prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 			PromptID:  "p",
@@ -340,8 +484,7 @@ func TestRunnerDirectSessionResolution(t *testing.T) {
 			defaultArtifactReader(),
 			defaultRenderer(),
 			llmClient,
-			nil,
+			nil, nil)
-		)
 
 		_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 			PromptID:  "p",
@@ -408,7 +551,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareSelectedProfileDoesNotExistFails(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunnerPreparePromptLoadFailure(t *testing.T) {
-	runner := NewRunner(&fakePromptRepo{err: errors.New("boom")}, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}}, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(&fakePromptRepo{err: errors.New("boom")}, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}}, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{}, nil, nil)
 	_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p"})
 	if !errors.Is(err, ErrPromptLoad) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected ErrPromptLoad, got %v", err)
@@ -432,7 +575,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareRuntimeOverrideBeatsSelectedProfileValue(t *testing.T) {
 			ServiceTier:    "priority",
 		},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil, nil)
 
 	prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -535,7 +678,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareRequestNumericOverridePresence(t *testing.T) {
 				defaultArtifactReader(),
 				defaultRenderer(),
 				&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-				nil)
+				nil, nil)
 
 			prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 				PromptID:  "p",
@@ -582,7 +725,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareInvalidRequestNumericOverridesFail(t *testing.T) {
 				defaultArtifactReader(),
 				defaultRenderer(),
 				&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-				nil)
+				nil, nil)
 
 			_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 				PromptID:  "p",
@@ -609,7 +752,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareSelectedProfileBeatsBuiltInDefault(t *testing.T) {
 			ServiceTier:    "priority",
 		},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil, nil)
 
 	prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -651,7 +794,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareFileBackedPromptBodiesRenderCorrectly(t *testing.T) {
 		reader,
 		prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 		llmClient,
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "valid-file-backed",
@@ -682,7 +825,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareRequiredInputMissingFails(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -709,7 +852,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareUnknownTemplateInputReferenceFails(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -732,7 +875,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareAPIKeyEnvNameIncludedButNotResolvedValue(t *testing.T) {
 	execRepo := &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyEnv: envName},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil, nil)
 
 	prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef()})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -765,7 +908,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareJSONSchemaBuildsStructuredOutputSpec(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-		validator)
+		validator, nil)
 
 	prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -809,7 +952,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareJSONSchemaSchemaLoadFailureReturnsValidationError(t *testi
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
-		validator)
+		validator, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -839,7 +982,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunJSONSchemaSchemaLoadFailureFailsBeforeLLM(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		llmClient,
-		validator)
+		validator, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -989,7 +1132,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunSuccessful(t *testing.T) {
 	renderer := &fakeRenderer{rendered: &domain.RenderedPrompt{SessionID: "session-123", Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{{Role: "system", Content: "sys"}, {Role: "user", Content: "usr"}}}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "# recap", Usage: domain.TokenUsage{TotalTokens: 7}}}
 
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, reader, renderer, llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, reader, renderer, llmClient, nil, nil)
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:      "p",
 		PromptVersion: "1",
@@ -1071,7 +1214,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunPassesExtraParamsToGenerateRequestTarget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1097,7 +1240,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunAndPrepareResolveSameProfileAndEffectiveSettings(t *testing.T)
 	}}
 	renderer := &fakeRenderer{rendered: &domain.RenderedPrompt{Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{{Role: "system", Content: "sys"}, {Role: "user", Content: "usr"}}}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "# recap"}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, reader, renderer, llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, reader, renderer, llmClient, nil, nil)
 
 	req := domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1135,6 +1278,253 @@ func TestRunnerRunAndPrepareResolveSameProfileAndEffectiveSettings(t *testing.T)
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunnerAdmissionUsesResolvedBackendIdentity(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("selected backend survives endpoint override", func(t *testing.T) {
+		admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{}
+		runner := NewRunner(
+			&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatText, domain.ValidationNone, 0)},
+			&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
+				"exec": {
+					ID:        "exec",
+					BackendID: "custom",
+					Model:     "model",
+				},
+			}},
+			fakeBackendResolver{backends: map[string]domain.Backend{
+				"custom": {ID: "custom", Endpoint: "http://backend.example/v1"},
+			}},
+			defaultArtifactReader(),
+			defaultRenderer(),
+			&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
+			nil,
+			admitter,
+		)
+
+		result, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+			PromptID:  "p",
+			ProfileID: "exec",
+			Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+			Execution: &domain.ExecutionTargetOverride{
+				Endpoint: "http://override.example/v1",
+			},
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("run: %v", err)
+		}
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(admitter.backendIDs, []string{"custom"}) {
+			t.Fatalf("admitted backend IDs=%#v, want custom", admitter.backendIDs)
+		}
+		if result.SelectedBackendID != "custom" ||
+			result.Endpoint != "http://override.example/v1" {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected routed result: %+v", result)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("endpoint-only preparation remains unrestricted", func(t *testing.T) {
+		admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{}
+		runner := NewRunner(
+			&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatText, domain.ValidationNone, 0)},
+			&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
+				"exec": defaultExecutionProfile(),
+			}},
+			nil,
+			defaultArtifactReader(),
+			defaultRenderer(),
+			&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
+			nil,
+			admitter,
+		)
+		request := domain.RunRequest{
+			PromptID:  "p",
+			ProfileID: "exec",
+			Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+		}
+
+		if _, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), request); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("prepare: %v", err)
+		}
+		if len(admitter.backendIDs) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("prepare called admission with %#v", admitter.backendIDs)
+		}
+		if _, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), request); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("run: %v", err)
+		}
+		if !reflect.DeepEqual(admitter.backendIDs, []string{""}) {
+			t.Fatalf("admitted backend IDs=%#v, want blank ID", admitter.backendIDs)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestRunnerAdmissionFailureSkipsCompletionCollaborators(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name               string
+		admissionError     error
+		wantBackendContext bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name:               "capacity exhausted",
+			admissionError:     capacity.ErrCapacityExceeded,
+			wantBackendContext: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:           "context canceled",
+			admissionError: context.Canceled,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			def := promptDef(domain.FormatJSON, domain.ValidationJSONSchema, 1)
+			def.Validation.SchemaPath = "schema.json"
+			reader := defaultArtifactReader()
+			renderer := defaultRenderer()
+			llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: `{}`}}
+			validator := &fakeValidator{}
+			repairer := &fakeRepairer{
+				responses: []*domain.GenerateResponse{{Content: `{}`}},
+			}
+			admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{err: tc.admissionError}
+			runner := NewRunnerWithRepairer(
+				&fakePromptRepo{def: def},
+				&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
+					"exec": {ID: "exec", BackendID: "custom", Model: "model"},
+				}},
+				fakeBackendResolver{backends: map[string]domain.Backend{
+					"custom": {ID: "custom", Endpoint: "http://backend.example/v1"},
+				}},
+				reader,
+				renderer,
+				llmClient,
+				validator,
+				repairer,
+				admitter,
+			)
+
+			result, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+				PromptID:  "p",
+				ProfileID: "exec",
+				Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+			})
+			if result != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("admission failure returned partial result: %+v", result)
+			}
+			if !errors.Is(err, tc.admissionError) {
+				t.Fatalf("admission error=%v, want identity %v", err, tc.admissionError)
+			}
+			if errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) || errors.Is(err, ErrLLMGenerate) {
+				t.Fatalf("admission error was recategorized: %v", err)
+			}
+			if tc.wantBackendContext && !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "custom") {
+				t.Fatalf("capacity error lacks backend context: %v", err)
+			}
+			if !reflect.DeepEqual(admitter.backendIDs, []string{"custom"}) {
+				t.Fatalf("admitted backend IDs=%#v, want custom", admitter.backendIDs)
+			}
+			if admitter.releaseCalls != 0 ||
+				validator.schemaLoads != 0 ||
+				validator.validateCalls != 0 ||
+				reader.calls != 0 ||
+				renderer.calls != 0 ||
+				llmClient.calls != 0 ||
+				repairer.calls != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf(
+					"later collaborators invoked: releases=%d schema=%d validate=%d artifacts=%d render=%d llm=%d repair=%d",
+					admitter.releaseCalls,
+					validator.schemaLoads,
+					validator.validateCalls,
+					reader.calls,
+					renderer.calls,
+					llmClient.calls,
+					repairer.calls,
+				)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerReleasesAdmissionAcrossRunOutcomes(t *testing.T) {
+	artifactFailure := errors.New("artifact failed")
+	generationFailure := errors.New("generation failed")
+	validationFailure := errors.New("validation failed")
+	tests := []struct {
+		name          string
+		artifactError error
+		generationErr error
+		validationErr error
+		wantError     error
+	}{
+		{name: "success"},
+		{
+			name:          "completion failure",
+			artifactError: artifactFailure,
+			wantError:     ErrArtifactLoad,
+		},
+		{
+			name:          "generation failure",
+			generationErr: generationFailure,
+			wantError:     ErrLLMGenerate,
+		},
+		{
+			name:          "validation failure",
+			validationErr: validationFailure,
+			wantError:     ErrValidation,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			reader := defaultArtifactReader()
+			if tc.artifactError != nil {
+				reader.errByURI = map[string]error{"a://ok": tc.artifactError}
+			}
+			llmClient := &fakeLLM{
+				resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"},
+				err:  tc.generationErr,
+			}
+			validator := &fakeValidator{
+				result: domain.ValidationResult{
+					Status:  domain.ValidationPassed,
+					Mode:    domain.ValidationBasic,
+					IsValid: true,
+				},
+				err: tc.validationErr,
+			}
+			admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{}
+			runner := NewRunner(
+				&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatText, domain.ValidationBasic, 0)},
+				&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
+					"exec": defaultExecutionProfile(),
+				}},
+				nil,
+				reader,
+				defaultRenderer(),
+				llmClient,
+				validator,
+				admitter,
+			)
+
+			result, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+				PromptID:  "p",
+				ProfileID: "exec",
+				Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+			})
+			if tc.wantError == nil {
+				if err != nil || result == nil {
+					t.Fatalf("successful run=(%+v, %v)", result, err)
+				}
+			} else {
+				if result != nil || !errors.Is(err, tc.wantError) {
+					t.Fatalf("failed run=(%+v, %v), want %v", result, err, tc.wantError)
+				}
+			}
+			if len(admitter.backendIDs) != 1 || admitter.releaseCalls != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("admission calls=%#v releases=%d, want one each",
+					admitter.backendIDs, admitter.releaseCalls)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRunnerRunExplicitProfileIDIsUsed(t *testing.T) {
 	promptRepo := &fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatText, domain.ValidationNone, 0)}
 	promptRepo.def.DefaultProfile = "default-prof"
@@ -1227,7 +1617,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunExplicitRuntimeOverrideBeatsSelectedProfileValue(t *testing.T)
 		},
 	}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1271,7 +1661,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunSelectedProfileBeatsBuiltInDefault(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1298,7 +1688,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunBuiltInDefaultsUsedWhenProfileOmitsOptionalFields(t *testing.T
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model"},
 	}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1328,7 +1718,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunAPIKeyEnvResolvesFromEnvironment(t *testing.T) {
 	execRepo := &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyEnv: "PROMPTKIT_TEST_API_KEY"},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef()})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1344,7 +1734,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunAPIKeyEnvMissingEnvironmentValueFailsClearly(t *testing.T) {
 	execRepo := &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyEnv: "PROMPTKIT_MISSING_KEY"},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef()})
 	if !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) {
@@ -1365,7 +1755,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunDirectAPIKeyBypassesMissingEnvAndReachesLLM(t *testing.T) {
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyEnv: "PROMPTKIT_MISSING_KEY"},
 	}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1389,7 +1779,7 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareAPIKeyRequiredFailsWithoutDirectKey(t *testing.T) {
 	execRepo := &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyRequired: true},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1408,7 +1798,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunAPIKeyRequiredSucceedsWithDirectKey(t *testing.T) {
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyRequired: true},
 	}}
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), llmClient, nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1435,7 +1825,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunRuntimeAPIKeyEnvOverrideWorks(t *testing.T) {
 	execRepo := &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model"},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1460,7 +1850,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunRuntimeAPIKeyEnvOverrideBeatsProfile(t *testing.T) {
 	execRepo := &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyEnv: profileEnv},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1484,7 +1874,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunAPIKeyValueNotPresentInMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 	execRepo := &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		"exec": {ID: "exec", Endpoint: "http://profile/v1", Model: "profile-model", APIKeyEnv: envName},
 	}}
-	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, execRepo, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}, nil, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef()})
 	if err != nil {
@@ -1500,7 +1890,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunAPIKeyValueNotPresentInMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunnerRunPromptLoadFailure(t *testing.T) {
-	runner := NewRunner(&fakePromptRepo{err: errors.New("boom")}, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}}, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{}, nil)
+	runner := NewRunner(&fakePromptRepo{err: errors.New("boom")}, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}}, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{}, nil, nil)
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p"})
 	if !errors.Is(err, ErrPromptLoad) {
 		t.Fatalf("expected ErrPromptLoad, got %v", err)
@@ -1518,7 +1908,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunArtifactLoadFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		&fakeArtifactReader{errByURI: map[string]error{"a://bad": errors.New("read failed")}},
 		&fakeRenderer{rendered: &domain.RenderedPrompt{}},
 		&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1538,7 +1928,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunPromptRenderFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		&fakeRenderer{err: errors.New("render failed")},
 		&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1558,7 +1948,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunLLMFailure(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{err: errors.New("llm failed")},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1578,7 +1968,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunCancellationPreservesGenerationCategory(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ignored"}},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
 	cancel()
@@ -1604,7 +1994,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunLLMInvalidRequestMapsToUsecaseInvalidRequest(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{err: llm.ErrInvalidRequest},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1628,7 +2018,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunValidationStillWorks(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "raw output"}},
-		validator)
+		validator, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1659,7 +2049,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunStructuredRepairRemainsBoundedAndUsesEffectiveModelSettings(t
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		llmClient,
 		validate.NewStandardValidator("."),
-		repairer)
+		repairer, nil)
 
 	res, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1690,6 +2080,97 @@ func TestRunnerRunStructuredRepairRemainsBoundedAndUsesEffectiveModelSettings(t
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunnerSchedulesInitialAndRepairGenerationThroughOneBackendPool(t *testing.T) {
+	manager, err := capacity.NewManager(map[string]domain.BackendCapacityPolicy{
+		"custom": {
+			ConcurrencyLimit: 1,
+			QueueCapacity:    1,
+		},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct capacity manager: %v", err)
+	}
+	baseClient := &controlledRepairLLM{
+		events: make(chan controlledGeneration, 4),
+	}
+	scheduledClient := capacity.NewClient(manager, baseClient)
+	admitter := &recordingRunAdmitter{next: manager}
+	runner := NewRunnerWithRepairer(
+		staticPromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatJSON, domain.ValidationJSON, 1)},
+		staticExecutionProfileRepo{profile: &domain.ExecutionProfile{
+			ID: "exec", BackendID: "custom", Model: "model",
+		}},
+		fakeBackendResolver{backends: map[string]domain.Backend{
+			"custom": {ID: "custom", Endpoint: "http://backend.example/v1"},
+		}},
+		staticArtifactReader{},
+		staticRenderer{},
+		scheduledClient,
+		validate.NewStandardValidator("."),
+		NewDefaultOutputRepairer(scheduledClient),
+		admitter,
+	)
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+	type runOutcome struct {
+		result *domain.RunResult
+		err    error
+	}
+	outcomes := make(chan runOutcome, 2)
+	request := domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
+		go func() {
+			result, runErr := runner.Run(ctx, request)
+			outcomes <- runOutcome{result: result, err: runErr}
+		}()
+	}
+
+	for i := 0; i < 4; i++ {
+		select {
+		case event := <-baseClient.events:
+			close(event.release)
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			t.Fatalf("timed out waiting for generation %d: %v", i+1, ctx.Err())
+		}
+	}
+	for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
+		select {
+		case outcome := <-outcomes:
+			if outcome.err != nil || outcome.result == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("run outcome=(%+v, %v), want success", outcome.result, outcome.err)
+			}
+			if outcome.result.Validation.Status != domain.ValidationPassed ||
+				outcome.result.Validation.RepairAttempts != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf("unexpected repaired result: %+v", outcome.result.Validation)
+			}
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			t.Fatalf("timed out waiting for repaired run: %v", ctx.Err())
+		}
+	}
+
+	admitted := admitter.admittedBackendIDs()
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(admitted, []string{"custom", "custom"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("admission backend IDs=%#v, want one admission per run", admitted)
+	}
+	peak, calls, repairCalls, backendIDs := baseClient.snapshot()
+	if peak != 1 || calls != 4 || repairCalls != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"generation observations=(peak=%d calls=%d repairs=%d), want (1, 4, 2)",
+			peak,
+			calls,
+			repairCalls,
+		)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(backendIDs, []string{"custom", "custom", "custom", "custom"}) {
+		t.Fatalf("generation backend IDs=%#v, want custom for initial and repair calls", backendIDs)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRunnerRunRepairCarriesEffectiveSessionID(t *testing.T) {
 	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: `{"broken":`}}
 	runner := NewRunnerWithRepairer(
@@ -1702,8 +2183,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunRepairCarriesEffectiveSessionID(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		llmClient,
 		validate.NewStandardValidator("."),
-		NewDefaultOutputRepairer(llmClient),
+		NewDefaultOutputRepairer(llmClient), nil)
-	)
 
 	result, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -1757,7 +2237,7 @@ func TestRunnerRunJSONSchemaRepairCarriesStructuredOutputSpec(t *testing.T) {
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		llmClient,
 		validator,
-		repairer)
+		repairer, nil)
 
 	_, err := runner.Run(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 		PromptID:  "p",
@@ -2114,7 +2594,8 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareBackendResolutionAndCredentialPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("unknown backend is a profile load failure", func(t *testing.T) {
 		runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 			"exec": {ID: "exec", BackendID: "unknown", Model: "model"},
-		}}, resolver, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil)
+		}}, resolver, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil, nil)
+
 		_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef()})
 		if !errors.Is(err, ErrProfileLoad) {
 			t.Fatalf("expected ErrProfileLoad, got %v", err)
@@ -2124,7 +2605,8 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareBackendResolutionAndCredentialPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("nil resolver is a profile load failure", func(t *testing.T) {
 		runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 			"exec": {ID: "exec", BackendID: "custom", Model: "model"},
-		}}, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil)
+		}}, nil, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil, nil)
+
 		_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef()})
 		if !errors.Is(err, ErrProfileLoad) {
 			t.Fatalf("expected ErrProfileLoad, got %v", err)
@@ -2135,7 +2617,8 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareBackendResolutionAndCredentialPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Setenv("REQUEST_KEY", "request-secret")
 		runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 			"exec": {ID: "exec", BackendID: "custom", Model: "model", APIKeyEnv: "PROFILE_KEY"},
-		}}, resolver, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil)
+		}}, resolver, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil, nil)
+
 		prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
 			PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef(),
 			Execution: &domain.ExecutionTargetOverride{APIKeyEnv: "REQUEST_KEY"},
@@ -2152,7 +2635,8 @@ func TestRunnerPrepareBackendResolutionAndCredentialPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Setenv("BACKEND_KEY", "backend-secret")
 		runner := NewRunner(promptRepo, &fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{
 			"exec": {ID: "exec", BackendID: "custom", Model: "model", APIKeyRequired: true},
-		}}, resolver, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil)
+		}}, resolver, defaultArtifactReader(), defaultRenderer(), &fakeLLM{forbid: true}, nil, nil)
+
 		_, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: "p", ProfileID: "exec", Inputs: singleInputRef()})
 		if !errors.Is(err, ErrAPIKeyRequired) {
 			t.Fatalf("expected ErrAPIKeyRequired, got %v", err)
@@ -2203,6 +2687,6 @@ func newMinimalRunner(promptRepo *fakePromptRepo, execRepo *fakeExecutionProfile
 		defaultArtifactReader(),
 		defaultRenderer(),
 		&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
-		nil)
+		nil, nil)
 
 }

public_contract_test.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"reflect"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
@@ -138,6 +139,49 @@ func TestUnknownProfileBackendHasProfileLoadIdentity(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestLocalBackendConstructsAndRegistersConventionalBackend(t *testing.T) {
+	const (
+		localBackendID = "local"
+		limit          = 2
+	)
+	if promptkit.BackendLocal != localBackendID {
+		t.Fatalf("BackendLocal=%q, want %q", promptkit.BackendLocal, localBackendID)
+	}
+
+	endpoint := "http://local.example/v1"
+	backend := promptkit.LocalBackend(endpoint, limit)
+	want := promptkit.Backend{
+		ID:               localBackendID,
+		Endpoint:         endpoint,
+		ConcurrencyLimit: limit,
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(backend, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("LocalBackend()=%+v, want %+v", backend, want)
+	}
+
+	engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{},
+		promptkit.WithPromptFS(contractPromptFS("prompt", "local-profile", "message"), "."),
+		promptkit.WithBackend(backend),
+		promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+			ID:        "local-profile",
+			BackendID: localBackendID,
+			Model:     "model",
+		}),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct engine with local backend: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	prepared, err := engine.Prepare(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prompt"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare with local backend: %v", err)
+	}
+	if prepared.SelectedBackendID != localBackendID ||
+		prepared.EffectiveModelParams.Endpoint != endpoint {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected local backend preparation: %+v", prepared)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCustomBackendFlowsThroughProfilesOverridesAndInjectedClient(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Setenv("CUSTOM_LLM_KEY", "test-key")
 	client := &fakeLLMClient{response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
@@ -303,6 +347,28 @@ func TestBackendOptionsAccumulateAndRegistrationsAreEngineLocal(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestWithBackendCopiesQueueCapacity(t *testing.T) {
+	queueCapacity := 4
+	option := promptkit.WithBackend(promptkit.Backend{
+		ID:               "custom",
+		Endpoint:         "http://custom.example/v1",
+		ConcurrencyLimit: 1,
+		QueueCapacity:    &queueCapacity,
+	})
+	queueCapacity = -1
+
+	_, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{},
+		promptkit.WithPromptFS(contractPromptFS("prompt", "profile", "message"), "."),
+		option,
+		promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+			ID: "profile", BackendID: "custom", Model: "model",
+		}),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct engine after mutating queue pointer: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBackendRegistrationRejectsInvalidAndDuplicateDefinitions(t *testing.T) {
 	cycle := map[string]any{}
 	cycle["self"] = cycle

types.go

@@ -561,10 +561,13 @@ type StructuredOutputJSONSpec struct {
 
 // LLMClient executes rendered prompts for [Engine.Run].
 //
-// Generate may be called concurrently. It must honor context cancellation to
+// Generate is scheduled according to the resolved backend's capacity policy.
-// make Run responsive to cancellation. The request and all nested maps,
+// It may still be called concurrently for different backend pools or unlimited
-// slices, and pointers are client-owned copies and may be mutated or retained
+// backends. Cancellation while waiting for capacity can prevent Generate from
-// without affecting engine state.
+// being called. Once invoked, it must honor context cancellation to make Run
+// responsive to cancellation. The request and all nested maps, slices, and
+// pointers are client-owned copies and may be mutated or retained without
+// affecting engine state.
 //
 // Generate receives rendered messages and may receive a direct API key. A
 // client must protect those values and any raw output in its logging, storage,