Prepare documentation for Promptkit v0.4.0

README.md

@@ -31,4 +31,20 @@ 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 `v0.3.0` to `v0.4.0` should read the
+[v0.4.0 changelog and adoption guide](docs/releases/v0.4.0.md).
+
+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
+HTTP application built on Promptkit.
+
 Promptkit is licensed under the [GNU General Public License version 3](LICENSE).

backends.go

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+package promptkit
+
+import (
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/backend"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+)
+
+// BackendOpenRouter is the reserved ID of Promptkit's built-in OpenRouter
+// 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
+// to this configuration value do not break source compatibility.
+type Backend struct {
+	// ID is the stable, case-sensitive registry key. NewEngine trims it and
+	// requires a non-blank value. BackendOpenRouter is reserved.
+	ID string
+	// Endpoint is the OpenAI-compatible base endpoint. NewEngine trims it and
+	// requires an absolute HTTP or HTTPS URL with a host and without user
+	// information, a query string, or a fragment. Paths are allowed.
+	Endpoint string
+	// APIKeyEnv optionally names the environment variable containing the API
+	// key. NewEngine trims it and requires the portable form
+	// [A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*. Store only the name, never a credential value.
+	APIKeyEnv string
+	// ExtraParams contains backend-wide request defaults. Values must be
+	// JSON-compatible, finite, acyclic, and keyed by non-empty strings. Keys
+	// must not be model, session_id, messages, temperature, max_tokens, top_p,
+	// 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 or RunPrepared 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.
+//
+// Registrations accumulate in option order. Every normalized ID must be unique
+// across consumer registrations and built-ins; a duplicate or invalid
+// definition makes NewEngine fail with ErrInvalidConfig. In particular,
+// BackendOpenRouter cannot be replaced. The immutable registration is scoped
+// to the resulting Engine and cannot be enumerated, replaced, removed, or
+// 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,
+			Endpoint:         backend.Endpoint,
+			APIKeyEnv:        backend.APIKeyEnv,
+			ExtraParams:      backend.ExtraParams,
+			ConcurrencyLimit: backend.ConcurrencyLimit,
+			QueueCapacity:    queueCapacity,
+			QueueCapacitySet: queueCapacitySet,
+		})
+		return nil
+	})
+}

capacity_contract_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,409 @@
+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")
+
+	canceledContext, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	cancel()
+	result, err := engine.Run(canceledContext, capacityInputRequest("http://canceled.example/v1"))
+	if result != nil || !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) {
+		t.Fatalf("canceled capacity admission=(%+v, %v), want context cancellation", result, err)
+	}
+	var canceledCapacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+	if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) || errors.As(err, &canceledCapacityErr) {
+		t.Fatalf("canceled admission exposed capacity rejection: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	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)
+	}
+	var capacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+	if !errors.As(err, &capacityErr) || capacityErr == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("capacity rejection=%v, want CapacityError", err)
+	}
+	if capacityErr.BackendID != "limited" {
+		t.Fatalf("capacity backend ID=%q, want limited", capacityErr.BackendID)
+	}
+	capacityErr.BackendID = "changed"
+
+	result, err = engine.Run(context.Background(), capacityInputRequest("http://third.example/v1"))
+	var subsequentCapacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+	if result != nil || !errors.As(err, &subsequentCapacityErr) ||
+		subsequentCapacityErr == nil || subsequentCapacityErr.BackendID != "limited" {
+		t.Fatalf("subsequent capacity rejection=(%+v, %v), want independent limited CapacityError", result, 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")
+	}
+	var nilCapacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+	zeroCapacityErr := &promptkit.CapacityError{}
+	populatedCapacityErr := &promptkit.CapacityError{BackendID: "limited"}
+	for _, capacityErr := range []error{nilCapacityErr, zeroCapacityErr} {
+		if !errors.Is(capacityErr, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+			t.Fatalf("capacity error=%v, want ErrCapacityExceeded", capacityErr)
+		}
+	}
+	var discoveredCapacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+	if !errors.As(populatedCapacityErr, &discoveredCapacityErr) || discoveredCapacityErr != populatedCapacityErr {
+		t.Fatalf("populated capacity error is not discoverable: %v", populatedCapacityErr)
+	}
+
+	for _, unrelated := range []error{
+		promptkit.ErrInvalidConfig,
+		promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest,
+		promptkit.ErrLLMGenerate,
+		promptkit.ErrValidation,
+	} {
+		if errors.Is(promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded, unrelated) ||
+			errors.Is(unrelated, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) ||
+			errors.Is(populatedCapacityErr, unrelated) {
+			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
+}

capacity_error.go

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package promptkit
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+// CapacityError reports bounded admission rejected for a selected backend.
+//
+// Engine-produced values identify only rejection at Promptkit's bounded
+// [Engine.Run] or [Engine.RunPrepared] admission boundary. BackendID is the
+// normalized registered backend ID used for routing and capacity; endpoint
+// overrides do not change it. Every engine-produced value is nonnil and has a
+// nonblank BackendID. Provider errors, active-generation waiting, and caller
+// cancellation are not represented by this type.
+//
+// Callers own returned values and may mutate BackendID without affecting engine
+// state or another error. CapacityError and its default Go encoding have no
+// stable JSON contract. Consumer-constructed values do not establish that an
+// engine rejected work.
+type CapacityError struct {
+	// BackendID is the normalized registered backend ID whose admission was
+	// rejected.
+	BackendID string
+}
+
+// Error returns diagnostic wording that is not a parsing contract. It is safe
+// to call on a nil receiver or a value with a blank BackendID.
+func (e *CapacityError) Error() string {
+	if e == nil || strings.TrimSpace(e.BackendID) == "" {
+		return ErrCapacityExceeded.Error()
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("backend %q admission: %v", e.BackendID, ErrCapacityExceeded)
+}
+
+// Unwrap returns ErrCapacityExceeded so errors.Is and errors.As can be used
+// together. It is safe to call on a nil receiver or a zero value.
+func (e *CapacityError) Unwrap() error {
+	return ErrCapacityExceeded
+}

convert.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"reflect"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/jsonvalue"
 )
 
 func toDomainRunRequest(req RunRequest) (domain.RunRequest, error) {
@@ -15,12 +16,12 @@ func toDomainRunRequest(req RunRequest) (domain.RunRequest, error) {
 		PromptID:      req.PromptID,
 		PromptVersion: req.PromptVersion,
 		ProfileID:     req.ProfileID,
+		SessionID:     req.SessionID,
 		APIKey:        req.APIKey,
 		Inputs:        toDomainArtifactRefMap(req.Inputs),
 		Vars:          copyStringMap(req.Vars),
 		Execution:     execution,
 		Validation:    toDomainOutputContractPtr(req.Validation),
-		Metadata:      copyStringMap(req.Metadata),
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ func fromDomainPreparedRun(prepared *domain.PreparedRun) *PreparedRun {
 		PromptVersion:        prepared.PromptVersion,
 		PromptHash:           prepared.PromptHash,
 		SelectedProfileID:    prepared.SelectedProfileID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    prepared.SelectedBackendID,
 		EffectiveModelParams: fromDomainExecutionTarget(prepared.EffectiveModelParams),
 		OutputContract:       fromDomainOutputContract(prepared.OutputContract),
 		StructuredOutput:     fromDomainStructuredOutputSpec(prepared.StructuredOutput),
@@ -58,8 +60,10 @@ func fromDomainRunResult(result *domain.RunResult) *RunResult {
 		PromptID:             result.PromptID,
 		PromptVersion:        result.PromptVersion,
 		PromptHash:           result.PromptHash,
+		SessionID:            result.SessionID,
 		RenderedPromptHash:   result.RenderedPromptHash,
 		SelectedProfileID:    result.SelectedProfileID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    result.SelectedBackendID,
 		ModelName:            result.ModelName,
 		Endpoint:             result.Endpoint,
 		EffectiveModelParams: fromDomainExecutionTarget(result.EffectiveModelParams),
@@ -132,7 +136,7 @@ func toDomainExecutionTargetOverride(override *ExecutionTargetOverride) (*domain
 	if override == nil {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
-	extraParams, err := copyPublicJSONMap(override.ExtraParams)
+	extraParams, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(override.ExtraParams)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -144,7 +148,7 @@ func toDomainExecutionTargetOverride(override *ExecutionTargetOverride) (*domain
 		TopP:            copyFloat64Ptr(override.TopP),
 		TimeoutSeconds:  copyIntPtr(override.TimeoutSeconds),
 		ServiceTier:     override.ServiceTier,
-		ReasoningEffort: override.ReasoningEffort,
+		ReasoningEffort: copyStringPtr(override.ReasoningEffort),
 		APIKeyEnv:       override.APIKeyEnv,
 		ExtraParams:     extraParams,
 	}, nil
@@ -152,6 +156,7 @@ func toDomainExecutionTargetOverride(override *ExecutionTargetOverride) (*domain
 
 func fromDomainExecutionTarget(target domain.ExecutionTarget) ExecutionTarget {
 	return ExecutionTarget{
+		BackendID:       target.BackendID,
 		Endpoint:        target.Endpoint,
 		Model:           target.Model,
 		Temperature:     target.Temperature,
@@ -165,6 +170,40 @@ func fromDomainExecutionTarget(target domain.ExecutionTarget) ExecutionTarget {
 	}
 }
 
+func fromDomainProfileInspection(inspection *domain.ProfileInspection) *ProfileInspection {
+	if inspection == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &ProfileInspection{
+		ProfileID:            inspection.ProfileID,
+		EffectiveModelParams: fromDomainExecutionTarget(inspection.EffectiveModelParams),
+		APIKeyRequired:       inspection.APIKeyRequired,
+	}
+}
+
+func fromDomainPromptInspection(inspection *domain.PromptInspection) *PromptInspection {
+	if inspection == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	inputs := make([]PromptInputDefinition, len(inspection.Inputs))
+	for i, input := range inspection.Inputs {
+		inputs[i] = PromptInputDefinition{
+			Name:        input.Name,
+			Required:    input.Required,
+			ContentType: input.ContentType,
+			Description: input.Description,
+		}
+	}
+	return &PromptInspection{
+		PromptID:         inspection.PromptID,
+		PromptVersion:    inspection.PromptVersion,
+		PromptHash:       inspection.PromptHash,
+		DefaultProfileID: inspection.DefaultProfileID,
+		Inputs:           inputs,
+		OutputContract:   fromDomainOutputContract(inspection.OutputContract),
+	}
+}
+
 func fromDomainExecutionTargetPresence(presence domain.ExecutionTargetPresence) ExecutionTargetPresence {
 	return ExecutionTargetPresence{
 		Temperature:    presence.Temperature,
@@ -397,6 +436,14 @@ func copyFloat64Ptr(src *float64) *float64 {
 	return &v
 }
 
+func copyStringPtr(src *string) *string {
+	if src == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	v := *src
+	return &v
+}
+
 func copyIntPtr(src *int) *int {
 	if src == nil {
 		return nil

doc.go

@@ -1,8 +1,64 @@
 // Package promptkit provides an embeddable engine for preparing and executing
 // prompt-defined LLM workflows.
 //
-// Applications construct an Engine with NewEngine, select filesystem or
-// in-memory definition sources with options, and use Prepare or Run to execute
-// requests. Concrete repositories, validators, and outbound clients remain
-// internal implementation details.
+// Applications construct an [Engine] with [NewEngine], select filesystem or
+// in-memory sources and optional engine-scoped [Backend] registrations, and
+// call [Engine.InspectPrompt], [Engine.InspectProfile], [Engine.Prepare],
+// [Engine.PrepareExecution], [Engine.Run], or [Engine.RunPrepared]. Concrete
+// registries, repositories, validators, and the built-in OpenAI-compatible
+// client remain internal implementation details.
+//
+// # Concurrency and ownership
+//
+// An Engine supports concurrent InspectPrompt, InspectProfile, Prepare,
+// PrepareExecution, Run, and RunPrepared calls. Engine-local backend policies
+// bound admitted Run and RunPrepared calls and model generations where
+// configured, 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,
+// PrepareExecution, and Run copy request maps, slices, pointer values, and
+// JSON-compatible extra parameters before using them. InspectPrompt and
+// InspectProfile return copied inspection values. Returned values and values
+// passed to extension interfaces are likewise isolated from engine state.
+// Callers own those copies and may mutate them after the call that supplied or
+// returned them. Returned structured errors are likewise caller-owned and may
+// be mutated without affecting engine state or another error.
+//
+// # Security and sensitive data
+//
+// The default artifact reader treats [File] paths as caller-selected operating
+// system paths. It does not restrict them to an application root or impose an
+// inbound request-size policy. Promptkit is not an inbound request or
+// untrusted-input security boundary. Applications must validate and restrict
+// untrusted input before constructing a request, or install an [ArtifactReader]
+// that enforces their filesystem, authorization, and size policies.
+//
+// Rendered messages, input and output [Artifact] bodies, [RunResult.RawOutput],
+// and [ValidationResult.Errors] may contain sensitive data. Credential
+// exclusion and redaction do not sanitize those values. Applications and
+// injected collaborators are responsible for access control, retention,
+// logging, and secret handling appropriate to their data.
+//
+// # JSON
+//
+// Stable JSON representations are provided for [PreparedRun], [RunResult],
+// [Artifact], [ExecutionTarget], [OutputContract], [ValidationResult],
+// [TokenUsage], [RenderedPrompt], [RenderedMessage], [CacheControl],
+// [StructuredOutputSpec], [StructuredOutputJSONSpec], [GenerateRequest],
+// [GenerateResponse], [ExecutionTargetPresence], and the string value types
+// used by those values.
+//
+// Construction, inspection, handle, and error values, including [Config],
+// [Backend], [RunRequest], [ArtifactRef], [ExecutionTargetOverride], [Profile],
+// [OpenAICompatibleProfileConfig], [ProfileInspection],
+// [PromptInputDefinition], [PromptInspection], [PreparedExecution], and
+// [CapacityError], do not have stable JSON representations. Direct API keys
+// are nevertheless excluded from JSON for every public value.
+//
+// JSON timestamps use time.Time's RFC 3339 encoding and are omitted when zero.
+// PreparedRun and RunResult durations are encoded as integer milliseconds in
+// duration_ms and omitted when zero. Run IDs and all exposed hashes are opaque:
+// their spelling, length, character set, and algorithm are not API contracts.
 package promptkit

docs/consumers/pkg-promptkit.md

@@ -1,151 +1,401 @@
 # Package `promptkit`
 
-Import path:
+## Purpose
+
+This guide helps Go consumers assemble Promptkit and choose the main
+preparation or execution workflow. The declarations and GoDoc in the
+[root package](../../doc.go) own exact field, option, serialization,
+concurrency, ownership, failure, and cancellation semantics. The
+[framework format reference](../formats.md) owns prompt, profile, and schema
+file contracts.
+
+Import the package as:
 
 ```go
 import "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit"
 ```
 
-Package `promptkit` is the supported Go contract for in-process prompt
-preparation and execution. The declarations and their GoDoc in the
-[root package](../../doc.go) own the exact API; this guide explains how the
-pieces are used together. The [framework format reference](../formats.md) owns
-prompt, profile, and schema file contracts.
+The following Go fragments are illustrative and omit surrounding package,
+import, and error-handling code. Use the maintained examples for complete
+programs.
 
-## Engine Construction And Sources
+## Construct An Engine
 
-Construct an engine with [`NewEngine`, `Config`, and
-`Option`](../../engine.go). `PromptDir` is required unless a prompt source
-option is supplied. `ProfileDir` optionally overlays built-in profiles, and an
-empty `SchemaDir` uses the current directory. `Timeout` is the transport-wide
-safety cap for the built-in OpenAI-compatible client. An optional `HTTPClient`
-is cloned; its positive timeout takes precedence.
+Create an engine with
+[`NewEngine`](../../engine.go). A directory-backed setup supplies a prompt
+directory and may supply profile and schema directories:
 
-Nil options are ignored. Invalid construction, including a nil injected client
-or artifact reader, returns an error matching `ErrInvalidConfig`.
+```go
+engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{
+	PromptDir:  "prompts",
+	ProfileDir: "profiles",
+	SchemaDir:  "schemas",
+})
+```
 
-The [source options](../../engine.go) replace their matching directory source:
-
-- `WithPromptFS` and `WithPromptFile` select prompt definitions;
-- `WithProfileFS` and `WithProfileFile` overlay built-in profiles;
-- `WithProfiles` adds in-memory profiles ahead of file and built-in profiles;
-- `WithSchemaFS` and `WithSchemaFile` select JSON Schema documents;
-- `WithLLMClient` replaces the built-in model client; and
-- `WithArtifactReader` replaces the default reader for every input.
-
-Source selection, path resolution, strict decoding, profile overlays, and
-file-to-request precedence are defined in the
+Options support single-file or `fs.FS` sources, in-memory profiles,
+engine-scoped backends, and injected artifact or model clients. Consult the
+[constructor and option GoDoc](../../engine.go) for composition, precedence,
+validation, and default transport behavior. Source discovery, format
+validation, and profile precedence are defined by the
 [framework format reference](../formats.md).
 
-Per-generation timeout values from profiles or requests are independent of
-the transport cap and caller context. An explicit request value of zero
-disables only the per-generation deadline. The
-[outbound integration contract](../integrations/openai-compatible-chat.md#timeout-and-cancellation)
-defines the complete timeout layering.
+## Inspect A Prompt Before Preparation
 
-## Preparation And Execution
+Use [`Engine.InspectPrompt`](../../engine.go) to check one configured prompt's
+declared inputs and output workflow without creating placeholder inputs or
+resolving a profile:
 
-[`Engine.Prepare` and `Engine.Run`](../../engine.go) accept the public
-[`RunRequest`](../../types.go). `Prepare` resolves the prompt, profile, input
-artifacts, validation contract, and rendered messages without calling an LLM.
-`Run` performs the same preparation, calls the configured client, and validates
-the generated content. The maintained
+```go
+inspection, err := engine.InspectPrompt(ctx, "meeting.summary", "")
+if err != nil {
+	return err
+}
+
+for _, input := range inspection.Inputs {
+	// Compare the declared input with application configuration.
+}
+```
+
+Use this configuration-time boundary when the application needs only the
+declared prompt interface. Use `InspectProfile` separately when it must also
+check a configured profile. Use `Prepare` when it needs inputs, schemas, or
+rendered messages, and use prepared execution when that work must remain tied
+to later execution. The method's [GoDoc](../../engine.go) owns exact fields,
+hash, ownership, and error semantics.
+
+## Prepare Without Model Execution
+
+[`Engine.Prepare`](../../engine.go) resolves the selected prompt and profile,
+loads inputs and any structured-output schema, and renders messages without
+calling a model client. Choose it when the prepared value is the final
+inspection or persistence result and no later execution must be tied to that
+exact snapshot:
+
+```go
+prepared, err := engine.Prepare(ctx, promptkit.RunRequest{
+	PromptID: "meeting.summary",
+	Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+		"note": promptkit.Inline("Synthetic meeting notes"),
+	},
+})
+```
+
+The maintained
 [offline preparation example](../../examples/go-library/prepare/main.go)
-provides a complete runnable workflow using a prompt file, in-memory profile,
-and inline input.
+shows a complete runnable setup with a prompt file, in-memory profile, and
+inline input. Exact request requirements and prepared-result fields belong to
+the [`RunRequest` and `PreparedRun` GoDoc](../../types.go).
 
-[`PreparedRun` and `RunResult`](../../types.go) expose copied public values.
-Preparation returns effective settings, hashes, rendered messages, selected
-profile, structured-output information, and timing without resolved secrets or
-model output. Execution adds the generated artifact and raw output, validation
-state, model metadata, usage, run ID, and duration.
+## Prepare Now And Execute The Same Snapshot Later
 
-A generated-content validation failure returns a result with
-`Validation.Status == ValidationFailed`. An inability to perform validation
-returns an error matching `ErrValidation`.
+Use [`Engine.PrepareExecution`](../../engine.go) when an application must
+inspect or persist preflight details before deciding whether to start model
+work, while ensuring that later execution uses those exact rendered messages,
+inputs, target settings, and validation resources:
 
-## Requests, Inputs, And Overrides
+```go
+preparedExecution, err := engine.PrepareExecution(ctx, promptkit.RunRequest{
+	PromptID: "meeting.summary",
+	Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+		"note": promptkit.Inline("Synthetic meeting notes"),
+	},
+})
+if err != nil {
+	return err
+}
+defer preparedExecution.Discard()
 
-The [request and value declarations](../../types.go) own the available fields,
-serialized constants, and result shapes. Use `File`, `Inline`, or
-`InlineWithURI` to construct artifact references. The
-[framework format reference](../formats.md) defines declared inputs, template
-references, output contracts, and the relationship between file values and
-request overrides.
+details := preparedExecution.Details()
+// Inspect or persist an application-selected safe subset of details.
 
-`ExecutionTargetOverride` uses pointers for numeric settings so an explicit
-zero remains distinct from no override. `ExtraParams` accepts JSON-compatible
-strings, booleans, finite numbers, string-keyed objects, arrays or slices, and
-nil. Unsupported values, non-string map keys, non-finite numbers, and cycles
-match `ErrInvalidConfig` in profiles or `ErrInvalidRequest` in request
-overrides.
+result, err := engine.RunPrepared(ctx, preparedExecution)
+```
 
-Returned requests, profiles, prepared values, results, artifacts, maps, and
-slices are isolated from internal engine state. Consumers and injected
-extensions should not retain or mutate values owned by another caller.
+Preparation does not call the model or reserve backend capacity.
+`RunPrepared` executes from the retained snapshot rather than reloading
+consumer sources. The handle is opaque in-process state, while `Details`
+contains rendered content and remains subject to the application's data
+handling policy. The
+[`PreparedExecution` and method GoDoc](../../prepared_execution.go) and
+[engine operation GoDoc](../../engine.go) own exact lifecycle, engine-binding,
+credential, cancellation, timing, and error semantics.
 
-## Profiles And Credentials
+## Execute And Validate
 
-[`OpenAICompatibleProfile`](../../profiles.go) constructs an ordinary
-in-memory profile for an OpenAI-compatible chat-completions endpoint.
-`WithProfiles` rejects duplicate IDs in one call and gives in-memory profiles
-precedence over explicit file sources and built-ins.
+[`Engine.Run`](../../engine.go) performs the same preparation, invokes the
+configured model client, classifies the generated artifact, and validates the
+content in one call. Choose it when the application does not need a preflight
+boundary tied to the eventual execution. A completed content check may return
+`ValidationFailed` in the result; an operational inability to validate returns
+an error.
 
-Raw API keys do not belong in profiles. File-backed profiles may name an
-environment variable, while an in-memory profile can require a request key.
-A direct `RunRequest.APIKey` is request-scoped and takes precedence over an
-environment lookup for the built-in client. Profile fields, ranges, built-ins,
-precedence, and credential rules are owned by the
-[framework format reference](../formats.md).
+The maintained
+[offline execution example](../../examples/go-library/run/main.go) injects a
+deterministic model client and exercises `Run` without credentials, network
+access, or paid calls. It is intentionally separate from the preparation
+example so each workflow and its small prompt fixture can be copied and run on
+its own.
 
-API keys are excluded from JSON, prepared values, and results. The public
-`String` and `GoString` methods report only whether a direct key is present.
-Avoid reflection-based dumps of request structs, which can bypass that
-redaction.
+Use the [`RunResult` and `ValidationResult` GoDoc](../../types.go) for the
+returned data and the `Engine.Run` GoDoc for failure and cancellation
+semantics. The
+[OpenAI-compatible integration contract](../integrations/openai-compatible-chat.md)
+owns the built-in client's outbound HTTP behavior.
+
+## Inputs, Profiles, And Overrides
+
+Use `File`, `Inline`, or `InlineWithURI` to construct request inputs. A request
+can select a profile explicitly or use the prompt's default profile, and can
+replace execution settings or the complete output contract.
+
+The [public value GoDoc](../../types.go) defines nil, empty, zero, replacement,
+copy, and credential behavior. The
+[framework format reference](../formats.md) defines how those request values
+interact with prompt definitions, file-backed profiles, built-ins, schemas,
+and framework defaults.
+
+For programmatic profiles,
+[`OpenAICompatibleProfile`](../../profiles.go) converts ordinary
+OpenAI-compatible settings into a value accepted by `WithProfiles`.
+
+### Inspect A Profile Before Prompt Work
+
+Use [`Engine.InspectProfile`](../../engine.go) to validate one configured
+profile without constructing a synthetic prompt or placeholder inputs. It
+resolves the profile's effective target but does not prepare or execute a
+prompt:
+
+```go
+inspection, err := engine.InspectProfile(ctx, profileID)
+if err != nil {
+	return err
+}
+
+target := inspection.EffectiveModelParams
+if target.APIKeyEnv != "" {
+	// Apply application policy for the named environment variable.
+} else if inspection.APIKeyRequired {
+	// Arrange a direct credential before later execution.
+}
+```
+
+Use this configuration-time boundary when only the profile and its target need
+checking. Use `Prepare` when the application also needs prompt, input, schema,
+or rendering work; use prepared execution when that work must remain tied to a
+later execution. Inspection reports credential requirements but leaves the
+timing of credential enforcement to the application. The method's
+[GoDoc](../../engine.go) owns its exact result and error contract.
+
+### Set A Per-Run Session And Reasoning
+
+Supply a direct session ID when one prompt should be correlated with a
+consumer-managed conversation or workflow without changing prompt variables:
+
+```go
+reasoning := "high"
+result, err := engine.Run(ctx, promptkit.RunRequest{
+	PromptID: "meeting.summary",
+	SessionID: "conversation-42",
+	Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+		"note": promptkit.Inline("Synthetic meeting notes"),
+	},
+	Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{
+		ReasoningEffort: &reasoning,
+	},
+})
+```
+
+A nil reasoning pointer inherits the selected profile, a pointer to a
+nonblank string replaces it, and a pointer to a blank string disables
+reasoning for that run. Session IDs are correlation metadata, not credentials;
+use stable, non-secret values that are safe to expose to collaborators and
+providers. The
+[`RunRequest` and `ExecutionTargetOverride` GoDoc](../../types.go) owns the
+exact normalization, precedence, error, copying, and exposure contract.
+
+### Configure A Local OpenAI-Compatible Endpoint
+
+Choose the smallest configuration that fits how the endpoint will be reused.
+
+#### 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.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+		ID:       "local-summary",
+		Endpoint: "http://localhost:8000/v1",
+		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: 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`, `LocalBackend`, and `WithBackend` GoDoc](../../backends.go)
+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 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
+require a direct request key. Direct keys are request-scoped and are excluded
+from supported JSON values and the package's `String` and `GoString`
+summaries. The exact precedence and redaction guarantees belong to
+[`RunRequest`, `GenerateRequest`, and the profile GoDoc](../../types.go).
+
+## Protect Files And Generated Data
+
+The default artifact reader opens a `File` reference as a caller-selected
+operating-system path. It does not constrain paths to an application root,
+impose an inbound request-size policy, or establish an untrusted-input security
+boundary. Applications must validate and restrict untrusted paths and payloads
+before constructing a request, or inject an artifact reader that enforces
+their filesystem, authorization, and size policies.
+
+Rendered messages, input and output artifact bodies, raw model output, and
+validation diagnostics can contain sensitive data. API-key redaction does not
+sanitize those values. Treat prepared values, results, collaborator requests,
+errors, and logs according to the application's data-access, retention, and
+secret-handling policies.
 
 ## Extension Interfaces
 
-The [`LLMClient`, `GenerateRequest`, and
-`GenerateResponse`](../../types.go) boundary lets a consumer replace model
-generation. Injected clients receive copied rendered messages, effective
-settings, explicit numeric-setting presence, structured-output constraints,
-and the request-scoped key. They return generated content and token usage.
+Inject an [`LLMClient` or `ArtifactReader`](../../types.go) when the built-in
+behavior does not fit the application. Their GoDoc defines concurrent use,
+context handling, ownership of copied values, nil responses, and preservation
+of collaborator errors. Implementations must honor cancellation, safely manage
+copies they retain, avoid unsafe logging of content or credentials, and enforce
+the application policy that motivated the injection.
 
-The [`ArtifactReader`](../../types.go) boundary replaces the default inline and
-file reader for every input. Readers provide artifact content and metadata; the
-engine fills an empty artifact name from the input-map key. A reader error
-matches `ErrArtifactLoad` while preserving the original identity for
-`errors.Is`. A nil artifact with a nil error is also an artifact-load failure.
+## Handle Errors
 
-Extensions should honor context cancellation and avoid logging raw prompts,
-artifacts, or credentials.
+Use `errors.Is` with the
+[public error sentinels and operation GoDoc](../../engine.go). The declarations
+distinguish invalid construction, invalid requests, absent sources,
+source-loading failures, collaborator failures, and operational validation
+failures. Specific request conditions may also match the broader
+`ErrInvalidRequest`, and injected collaborator identities are preserved where
+documented. Invalid or duplicate backend registrations match
+`ErrInvalidConfig`; selecting an unknown backend matches `ErrProfileLoad`.
 
-## Errors
+When a limited backend has admitted all active and waiting calls, handle
+`ErrCapacityExceeded` separately from request errors and provider failures:
 
-The [public error declarations](../../engine.go) and
-[mapping](../../errors.go) preserve these sentinel checks through `errors.Is`:
+```go
+result, err := engine.Run(ctx, request)
+if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+	var capacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+	if errors.As(err, &capacityErr) {
+		// Record capacityErr.BackendID using application-owned diagnostics.
+	}
 
-- `ErrInvalidConfig`
-- `ErrInvalidRequest`
-- `ErrPromptNotFound`
-- `ErrProfileNotFound`
-- `ErrProfileRequired`
-- `ErrPromptLoad`
-- `ErrProfileLoad`
-- `ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing`
-- `ErrArtifactLoad`
-- `ErrPromptRender`
-- `ErrLLMGenerate`
-- `ErrValidation`
+	// Apply application policy: shed work, report overload, or retry later.
+}
+```
 
-`ErrProfileRequired` and `ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing` also match
-`ErrInvalidRequest`, allowing either broad request handling or a specific
-condition. Wrapped collaborator errors retain their identity where the public
-contract promises it.
+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
+[`CapacityError` GoDoc](../../capacity_error.go) owns the exact typed-error
+contract, while the [`Engine.Run` and error GoDoc](../../engine.go) owns broad
+error and cancellation identities.
 
-## Consumer Boundary
+## Application Boundary
 
 Promptkit is an importable library. It does not own a command, inbound HTTP
-API, process configuration, or deployment policy. Scriptorium is one
-downstream application that maps this root package contract into those
-application concerns.
+API, process configuration, or deployment policy. Applications map the root
+package's results and errors into those concerns, including inbound size and
+trust policy.

docs/formats.md

@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ When a request omits a version, the selected prompt ID must identify exactly
 one definition. When it supplies a version, the ID and version pair must be
 unique.
 
+Exact prompt inspection uses this same configured source, strict decoding,
+referenced content-file resolution, and ID/version selection. It reports the
+selected definition's declared metadata without changing the prompt format or
+executing the definition.
+
 ### Inputs
 
 Each `inputs` item has these fields:
@@ -91,7 +96,8 @@ of a named input. Missing variables and input references are errors.
 
 The optional `session_id` uses the same template data and input helper. Its
 rendered value is trimmed, omitted when empty, and limited to 256 Unicode code
-points.
+points. A nonblank direct request session ID bypasses this template completely;
+a blank direct value leaves the template behavior unchanged.
 
 ### Cache Control
 
@@ -136,7 +142,7 @@ A profile supplies model execution settings:
 
 ```yaml
 id: local-summary
-endpoint: http://localhost:8000/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: example-model
 temperature: 0.2
 max_tokens: 500
@@ -144,7 +150,6 @@ top_p: 0.95
 timeout_seconds: 90
 service_tier: flex
 reasoning_effort: medium
-api_key_env: EXAMPLE_API_KEY
 extra_params:
   provider_option: enabled
 ```
@@ -152,7 +157,8 @@ extra_params:
 | Field | Required | Meaning |
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | `id` | yes | Non-empty profile identifier. IDs must be unique within one source. |
-| `endpoint` | yes | Non-empty OpenAI-compatible base URL, including an API version path when required. |
+| `backend` | unless `endpoint` is present | Backend registry ID. It is trimmed and registry membership is checked when the profile is prepared or inspected. |
+| `endpoint` | unless `backend` is present | Non-empty OpenAI-compatible base URL, including an API version path when required. When both connection fields are present, this overrides the backend endpoint without changing backend identity. |
 | `model` | yes | Non-empty provider model name. |
 | `temperature` | no | Number from 0 through 2. |
 | `max_tokens` | no | Integer zero or greater. |
@@ -166,6 +172,13 @@ extra_params:
 Raw `api_key` is prohibited in profile YAML. Store only an environment
 variable name in `api_key_env`.
 
+Promptkit does not infer a backend from a model or endpoint. Endpoint-only
+profiles remain supported and have no effective backend ID.
+The engine always provides the built-in `openrouter` ID. Consumers can add
+engine-scoped IDs with
+[`WithBackend`](../backends.go); exact registration validation belongs to its
+GoDoc.
+
 `extra_params` accepts null, booleans, finite numbers, strings, arrays, and
 objects with string keys. Keys must be non-empty. With the built-in client,
 they also cannot collide with the standard fields listed in the
@@ -176,8 +189,9 @@ they also cannot collide with the standard fields listed in the
 Execution settings resolve in this order:
 
 1. framework defaults;
-2. the selected profile; and
-3. request `ExecutionTargetOverride` values.
+2. the selected backend, when the profile names one;
+3. the selected profile; and
+4. request `ExecutionTargetOverride` values.
 
 The framework defaults are:
 
@@ -194,15 +208,25 @@ explicit zero is preserved. In particular, an explicit request
 `timeout_seconds` of zero disables the per-generation deadline while leaving
 the caller context and transport timeout intact.
 
-Non-empty request strings replace profile strings. A non-empty request
-`ExtraParams` map replaces the profile map rather than merging keys.
+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, 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)
 defines how the effective settings are serialized.
 
 ### Source And Profile Precedence
 
 An explicit request profile ID takes precedence over the prompt's
-`default_profile`. If neither is present, preparation fails.
+`default_profile`. If neither is present, preparation fails. Exact profile
+inspection instead takes one explicit profile ID and does not use a prompt
+default.
 
 Profile sources resolve matching IDs in this order:
 
@@ -214,11 +238,15 @@ A higher-precedence source falls back only when the profile is absent. An
 invalid matching profile is an error and does not fall back. In-memory
 `Profile` values follow the same ranges as YAML profiles. They use
 `APIKeyRequired` for request-scoped credentials instead of `api_key_env`.
+Preparation and exact profile inspection use this same source precedence.
 
 ## Built-In Profile Catalog
 
-Built-ins use the OpenRouter-compatible endpoint and
-`OPENROUTER_API_KEY`. A custom or in-memory profile with the same ID takes
+Every built-in selects the `openrouter` backend. The engine's built-in backend
+registry supplies `https://openrouter.ai/api/v1` and the environment-variable
+name `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`, so individual profiles contain only model and
+generation settings. Built-in profile files do not repeat those connection
+values. A custom or in-memory profile with the same profile ID takes
 precedence.
 
 | Provider | ID | Model |
@@ -270,6 +298,10 @@ prompt, profile, schema, or example files:
 - a request can provide a direct `APIKey` or override `APIKeyEnv`; and
 - a direct request key takes precedence over environment lookup.
 
+After a direct request key, the credential-source precedence is request
+`APIKeyEnv`, profile `api_key_env`, then the backend default. An in-memory
+profile with `APIKeyRequired` clears an inherited backend environment name and
+requires a direct key unless the request explicitly supplies `APIKeyEnv`.
 Promptkit validates required credential availability during preparation.
 Direct keys are excluded from JSON results and redacted by public string
 formatters. Environment-variable names may appear in prepared metadata, but

docs/integrations/openai-compatible-chat.md

@@ -13,10 +13,15 @@ that produce these outbound settings.
 ## Endpoint And Method
 
 Generation sends an HTTP `POST` with `Content-Type: application/json`.
-A non-empty endpoint from the execution target overrides the client's
-configured base URL. After trailing slashes are removed,
-`/chat/completions` is appended. Generation fails before sending when neither
-source supplies an endpoint.
+Before the client is called, the engine resolves framework, backend, profile,
+and request values into one execution target. A non-empty endpoint from that
+target overrides the client's configured base URL. After trailing slashes are
+removed, `/chat/completions` is appended. Generation fails before sending when
+neither source supplies an endpoint.
+
+The target's backend ID is routing metadata for prepared values, results, and
+injected clients. The built-in client does not derive the URL from that ID and
+does not serialize it in the provider request.
 
 ## Authentication
 
@@ -26,6 +31,12 @@ the client reads that variable and requires a non-empty value. The selected
 key is sent as `Authorization: Bearer <key>`. No authorization header is sent
 when neither mechanism is configured.
 
+The target contains the already resolved environment-variable name: an
+explicit request override takes precedence over profile metadata, which takes
+precedence over the backend default. Only the name reaches prepared metadata;
+the environment value is read just before the provider call and is never added
+to the JSON body.
+
 ## Request Body
 
 The request body always contains `model` and `messages`. The execution
@@ -36,20 +47,24 @@ Each ordinary message contains its `role` and string `content`. A
 cache-controlled message instead uses a text content block containing `type`,
 `text`, and `cache_control`; an empty cache-control TTL is omitted.
 
-A non-empty session ID is trimmed, checked against the internal domain limit,
-and sent as top-level `session_id`. It is not sent as a session header.
+The effective direct or prompt-rendered session ID is trimmed, limited to 256
+Unicode code points, and sent when nonempty as top-level `session_id`. It is
+never also sent as a session header.
 
 The client conditionally includes:
 
 - `temperature`, `max_tokens`, and `top_p` when non-zero or explicitly
   present;
-- non-empty `service_tier` and `reasoning_effort`; and
+- non-empty `service_tier` and effective `reasoning_effort`; an explicitly
+  disabled reasoning setting is empty and therefore omitted; and
 - `response_format` for JSON Schema structured output, including its name,
   strict flag, and schema document.
 
-Extra parameters are merged directly into the top-level body after JSON
-serialization is verified. Empty keys and collisions with these reserved
-fields are rejected before any provider call:
+The engine resolves backend, profile, and request extra-parameter maps by
+whole-map replacement rather than key merging. The resulting effective map is
+then merged directly into the top-level body after JSON serialization is
+verified. Empty keys and collisions with these reserved fields are rejected
+before any provider call:
 
 - `model`
 - `session_id`
@@ -61,6 +76,9 @@ fields are rejected before any provider call:
 - `reasoning_effort`
 - `response_format`
 
+`backend_id`, `api_key_env`, and resolved credential values are not provider
+request fields.
+
 ## Response Handling
 
 Any 2xx response is decoded as an OpenAI-compatible chat response. The client

docs/internal/capacity.md

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+# 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 Execution Admission
+
+For ordinary `Run`, the runner asks the manager to admit after resolving the
+prompt, profile, selected backend, effective execution target, credentials, and
+output contract, but before schema loading, artifact loading, or rendering.
+`PrepareExecution` performs no admission. `RunPrepared` claims its handle,
+rechecks credential availability, and then asks the manager to admit the
+frozen backend before generation.
+
+Admission is immediate: a limited pool either reserves a slot or returns only
+the internal `ErrCapacityExceeded` identity. The runner attaches the selected
+backend identity at its use-case boundary, and the root facade translates that
+typed value 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. An ordinary run holds the lease across
+remaining preparation, initial generation, validation, every repair attempt,
+and all failure or cancellation exits. Prepared execution holds the normal
+lease across generation, validation, every internal repair attempt, and all
+execution 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 ordinary early
+admission, lease lifetime, failure release, and shared initial/repair
+scheduling. The
+[prepared-execution use-case tests](../../internal/usecase/prepared_execution_test.go)
+own deferred admission, credential ordering, and prepared-execution lease
+release. 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
+[prepared-execution contract tests](../../prepared_execution_contract_test.go)
+own the public prepared-capacity boundary. 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/llm.md

@@ -20,6 +20,11 @@ orchestration. `OpenAICompatibleClient` is the built-in implementation. It
 uses internal domain values for rendered prompts, execution targets,
 structured output, responses, and token usage.
 
+The runner supplies a fully resolved target after applying backend, profile,
+and request precedence. The client uses its endpoint, credential metadata,
+generation fields, and extra parameters. `BackendID` remains routing metadata
+for the generation boundary and is not mapped into the provider payload.
+
 Construction validates the configured base URL and clones any supplied
 `http.Client` so Promptkit can apply its timeout default without mutating the
 caller's client. Generation then:
@@ -31,9 +36,28 @@ caller's client. Generation then:
 5. performs the outbound request under the applicable deadlines; and
 6. decodes the first response choice and token usage.
 
+`internal/llm` owns the set of reserved OpenAI-compatible request fields used
+when validating extra parameters. Backend registration consumes the same rule
+without making the model client depend on registry configuration.
+
 The implementation has no retry loop, tool-call support, provider catalog,
 inbound HTTP behavior, or durable session store.
 
+## Prepared Generation
+
+For [`RunPrepared`](../../engine.go), the runner supplies the model client with
+the target, rendered messages, and structured-output constraint retained by
+executable preparation. Execution does not reopen or rerender consumer
+sources.
+
+Before backend admission, the runner rechecks that the frozen credential
+environment-variable name is available. The handle does not retain the
+environment value; the model client resolves the value visible when generation
+begins. A direct request key remains in private execution state only until the
+claimed execution finishes or an unclaimed handle is discarded. Exact public
+ownership and redaction semantics belong to the
+[`PreparedExecution` GoDoc](../../prepared_execution.go).
+
 ## Failure Categories
 
 The package preserves distinct error identities for invalid client
@@ -51,5 +75,7 @@ The
 [OpenAI-compatible client tests](../../internal/llm/openai_compatible_client_test.go)
 own configuration, client cloning, deterministic deadline precedence,
 authentication, request and response mapping, malformed data, error identity,
-cancellation, and response-body suppression. They use local test servers and
-test transports; the default suite makes no live or paid provider requests.
+cancellation, and response-body suppression. The root transport contract test
+also verifies that resolved backend settings reach this client without
+serializing backend identity. All use local test servers or test transports;
+the default suite makes no live or paid provider requests.

docs/internal/overview.md

@@ -11,19 +11,23 @@ contributor workflow and validation.
 
 | Component | Implemented responsibility | References |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| Root `promptkit` package | Provides the supported engine facade, source and injection options, public request and result values, built-in profile construction, extension interfaces, value conversion, redacted formatting, and public error mapping. | [Package GoDoc](../../doc.go), [engine assembly](../../engine.go) |
+| Root `promptkit` package | Provides the supported engine facade, source, backend-registration, and injection options, public request, result, prompt-inspection, and profile-inspection values, opaque prepared-execution handles, profile construction, extension interfaces, value conversion, redacted formatting, typed capacity errors, public error mapping, and engine-local assembly. | [Package GoDoc](../../doc.go), [prepared execution](../../prepared_execution.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 execution 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) |
+| `internal/jsonvalue` | Validates and deeply copies JSON-compatible extra-parameter and prepared-schema trees while preserving supported concrete value types. | [JSON values](../../internal/jsonvalue/jsonvalue.go) |
 | `internal/promptdef` | Loads strictly decoded, validated prompt definitions from filesystem and `fs.FS` sources, including version selection and contained file-backed message content. | [Framework formats](../formats.md), [prompt-definition repository](../../internal/promptdef/filesystem_repository.go) |
-| `internal/profile` | Loads strictly decoded, validated execution profiles from filesystem and `fs.FS` sources and composes repositories with error-preserving fallback. | [Framework formats](../formats.md), [profile repositories](../../internal/profile/filesystem_repository.go) |
-| `internal/profile/builtin` | Embeds the built-in execution profile catalog and combines it with an optional primary repository. | [Built-in catalog](../formats.md#built-in-profile-catalog), [repository](../../internal/profile/builtin/repository.go) |
+| `internal/profile` | Loads strictly decoded, validated execution profiles, including backend selection, from filesystem and `fs.FS` sources and composes repositories with error-preserving fallback. | [Framework formats](../formats.md), [profile repositories](../../internal/profile/filesystem_repository.go) |
+| `internal/profile/builtin` | Embeds the built-in profile catalog, whose entries select OpenRouter, and combines it with an optional primary repository. | [Built-in catalog](../formats.md#built-in-profile-catalog), [repository](../../internal/profile/builtin/repository.go) |
 | `internal/prompt` | Renders prompt messages from Go templates with artifact, variable, session, and cache-control data. | [Go-template renderer](../../internal/prompt/go_renderer.go) |
 | `internal/artifact` | Resolves ordinary inline and unrestricted caller-selected file references into copied artifacts with metadata and hashes. | [Internal sources and validation](sources.md) |
-| `internal/validate` | Validates basic, JSON, and JSON Schema output using operating-system filesystem or `fs.FS` schema sources. | [Framework formats](../formats.md#schemas), [internal sources and validation](sources.md) |
-| `internal/llm` | Defines the internal generation boundary and implements outbound OpenAI-compatible chat requests, response decoding, authentication, and deadline handling. | [Internal model client](llm.md) |
-| `internal/usecase` | Coordinates preparation and execution across internal sources, rendering, artifact loading, generation, validation, and optional repair. | [Internal runner](runner.md) |
+| `internal/validate` | Validates basic, JSON, and JSON Schema output using operating-system filesystem or `fs.FS` schema sources and creates frozen validation plans for prepared execution. | [Framework formats](../formats.md#schemas), [internal sources and validation](sources.md) |
+| `internal/llm` | Defines the internal generation boundary and implements outbound OpenAI-compatible chat requests from resolved execution targets, including response decoding, authentication, deadline handling, and ownership of the OpenAI-compatible reserved request-field policy. | [Internal model client](llm.md) |
+| `internal/usecase` | Resolves prompt definitions and hashes, profiles, backends, and targets for exact inspection and request settings for preparation, and coordinates ordinary execution and one-attempt prepared execution across internal sources, rendering, artifact loading, generation, validation, capacity, and optional repair. | [Internal runner](runner.md), [prepared-execution implementation](../../internal/usecase/prepared_execution.go) |
 
 The root package assembles these internal components without exposing their
 representations. Consumers depend only on the root facade.

docs/internal/runner.md

@@ -17,7 +17,10 @@ and override semantics consumed by the runner.
 ## Collaborators
 
 `Runner` coordinates narrow internal interfaces for prompt definitions,
-profiles, artifacts, rendering, model generation, and validation. Schema
+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, one engine-local run
+admitter, and a model client wrapped by the same capacity manager. Schema
 documents are loaded through the validator's optional schema-loader interface.
 An output repairer can be injected internally, but the ordinary runner
 constructor does not enable one.
@@ -25,43 +28,121 @@ 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 Prompt Selection
 
-`Prepare` performs the reusable pre-generation workflow:
+The runner uses one prompt-selection and hashing boundary for ordinary
+preparation and exact prompt inspection. Preparation retains its early
+request-ID check before direct-session normalization; both operations then use
+the configured prompt repository to select one definition, load referenced
+message content, and calculate the same prompt hash.
 
-1. validate the prompt selection and load the prompt definition;
-2. hash the loaded definition;
+Inspection stops after that structural lookup. It does not parse templates or
+touch profile, artifact, schema, renderer, validator, admission, or model
+collaborators. The root [`Engine.InspectPrompt`](../../engine.go) GoDoc owns
+the public operation's exact contract.
+
+## Shared Profile Selection
+
+The runner uses one profile-selection and target-resolution boundary for
+ordinary preparation and exact profile inspection. Preparation first selects a
+request profile or a prompt default; inspection begins with its required
+explicit profile ID. Both then apply the ordinary source precedence, resolve a
+named backend, and construct the effective target from framework, backend, and
+profile values.
+
+Inspection stops after the resulting endpoint and model are structurally
+validated. It does not check credential availability or perform prompt,
+artifact, schema, rendering, admission, or model-client work. The root
+[`Engine.InspectProfile`](../../engine.go) GoDoc owns the public operation's
+exact contract.
+
+## Shared Preparation Pipeline
+
+`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;
 3. select the request profile or the prompt's default profile;
-4. resolve application-neutral defaults, profile values, and explicit request
-   overrides in that order;
-5. validate endpoint, model, numeric overrides, and credential requirements;
-6. resolve the output contract and load a structured-output schema when
-   required;
-7. load and hash input artifacts;
-8. render and hash the prompt; and
-9. return the effective settings, source identities, messages, hashes, and
-   preparation timing.
+4. resolve the profile's backend ID, when present;
+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 effective output contract without loading its schema; and
+8. retain the definition, source identities, effective settings, output
+   contract, and preparation start time in invocation-local state.
+
+The completion phase consumes that state without reloading the prompt,
+profile, or backend:
+
+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. A direct API key takes
-precedence over environment lookup for execution; secret values remain
-excluded from serialized metadata.
+out-of-range values fail as invalid requests. Endpoint overrides do not change
+the selected backend identity. Non-empty extra-parameter maps replace whole
+lower-precedence maps. A direct API key takes precedence over environment
+lookup; otherwise request, profile, and backend environment-variable names
+apply in that order. A profile requiring a direct key clears an inherited
+backend environment name unless the request supplies its own name. Secret
+values remain excluded from serialized metadata.
+
+Reasoning overrides are tri-state: nil inherits the profile, a pointer to a
+nonblank string trims and replaces it, and a pointer to a blank string clears
+it. A nonblank direct session is normalized before source loading, bypasses
+the prompt session template, and is applied after ordinary message rendering.
+A blank direct value retains prompt-template behavior. The runner clears the
+template only on a value copy of the definition, so the definition hash always
+describes the original source while the rendered-prompt hash includes the
+effective direct or rendered session.
+
+The registry is read-only after engine construction. Concurrent `Prepare` and
+`Run` calls resolve independent defensive backend values and keep all
+invocation state local.
 
 ## Run Flow
 
-`Run` calls `Prepare` rather than maintaining a second preparation path. It
-performs 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.
+`Run` records its start time, performs the shared resolution phase, and asks
+its `RunAdmitter` to reserve capacity for the effective backend ID. A nil
+admitter is an internal unlimited fallback. After successful admission, `Run`
+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, validation errors, prior output, and structured-output specification.
-This capability remains internal and is not a public option.
+target and session ID, validation errors, prior output, and structured-output
+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, prompt and rendered-prompt hashes, selected profile, effective settings,
-input hashes, token usage, a generated run identifier, and UTC timing.
+state, effective session ID, prompt and rendered-prompt hashes, selected
+profile and backend, effective settings, input hashes, token usage, a generated
+run identifier, and UTC timing. The same effective session reaches initial
+generation and any repair attempt through the rendered prompt. The same
+effective target, including backend identity, reaches generation and any
+repair attempt.
 
 ## Failure Categories
 
@@ -69,17 +150,40 @@ 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
-collaborator and is classified by the owning operation.
+internal contract.
+
+Admission capacity exhaustion retains the internal capacity identity. At the
+use-case boundary, the runner attaches the selected backend ID in an internal
+typed error, and the root facade copies that value into the public
+[`CapacityError`](../../capacity_error.go) without parsing diagnostic text. 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,
+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, schema-before-generation behavior, hashing,
-generation and validation outcomes, bounded repair, credentials and redaction,
-error categories, artifact metadata, usage, and timing.
+selection and override precedence, the two-phase boundary, early admission,
+lease lifetime and release, direct-session resolution, schema-before-generation
+behavior, hashing, generation and validation outcomes, backend propagation,
+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
-of `Prepare`. Source, renderer, validator, or model-client contract changes
-belong first in their owning package and document.
+interfaces, keep request state local to an invocation, and preserve the shared
+resolution and completion pipeline. Source, renderer, validator, or
+model-client contract changes belong first in their owning package and
+document.

docs/internal/sources.md

@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@ validation modes, built-in catalog, and source precedence.
 definitions, selects an ID and optional version, and resolves file-backed
 message content within the selected operating-system or `fs.FS` source.
 
+Exact prompt inspection performs one point-in-time lookup through that same
+repository and validates referenced message content before returning declared
+metadata. It does not parse templates or read profile, input, or schema
+sources, and it does not retain the definition for a later execution.
+
 Its package tests own prompt selection, strict decoding, definition validation,
 duplicate detection, and source containment:
 [prompt-definition repository tests](../../internal/promptdef/repository_test.go).
@@ -24,13 +29,25 @@ duplicate detection, and source containment:
 
 `internal/profile` loads and validates execution profiles from an
 operating-system filesystem or an `fs.FS`. It supports a primary repository
-with fallback only when the primary reports that a profile is absent.
+with fallback only when the primary reports that a profile is absent. Strict
+YAML decoding recognizes the optional `backend` field, trims its value, and
+requires a model plus at least one non-blank backend or endpoint. Loading does
+not check registry membership because the available registry belongs to the
+assembled engine; the runner checks membership during preparation and exact
+profile inspection.
+
+Exact profile inspection performs one point-in-time lookup through those
+profile sources and checks the resolved target without reading prompt, input,
+or schema sources. It does not retain that lookup for a later execution.
 
 `internal/profile/builtin` embeds the maintained built-in profile catalog and
-can place a caller-selected repository ahead of that catalog. Profile behavior
-is owned by the
+can place a caller-selected repository ahead of that catalog. Every embedded
+profile selects `openrouter` and inherits its endpoint and credential
+environment-variable name from the built-in backend registry rather than
+repeating those values. Profile behavior is owned by the
 [profile repository tests](../../internal/profile/repository_test.go), while
-catalog completeness, duplicate IDs, and overlay behavior are owned by the
+catalog completeness, the backend-selection invariant, duplicate IDs, and
+overlay behavior are owned by the
 [built-in repository tests](../../internal/profile/builtin/repository_test.go).
 
 ## Ordinary Artifacts
@@ -61,6 +78,22 @@ filesystem or an `fs.FS`. Invalid generated content is returned as a validation
 result; inability to load, register, or compile a schema is an operational
 error.
 
+For executable preparation, the built-in validators create a frozen validation
+plan. None, basic, and JSON modes retain the effective output contract without
+source access. JSON Schema mode loads the root document, resolves and compiles
+every transitive reference during preparation, and retains the compiled
+validator. The provider-facing structured-output metadata uses that same
+captured root document.
+
+`PrepareExecution` also completes prompt and profile selection, artifact
+loading and hashing, session and message rendering, and target resolution.
+`RunPrepared` uses the retained source-derived state and validation plan; it
+does not reopen prompt, profile, input, or schema sources and does not rerender
+the request. By contrast, ordinary `Prepare` produces a preparation value only:
+a later `Run` performs its own source resolution and preparation.
+
 The [validator tests](../../internal/validate/standard_validator_test.go) own
-basic, JSON, JSON Schema, source resolution, schema loading, compilation, and
-content-failure behavior.
+basic, JSON, JSON Schema, source resolution, schema loading, compilation,
+frozen-reference behavior, and content-failure behavior. Prepared execution
+orchestration is owned by the
+[use-case tests](../../internal/usecase/prepared_execution_test.go).

docs/policy/architecture.md

@@ -21,10 +21,16 @@ The implemented internal components consist of:
 
 - `internal/domain`, which owns framework data values shared by later internal
   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
   helpers for filesystem and `fs.FS` consumers;
+- `internal/jsonvalue`, which validates and defensively copies JSON-compatible
+  extra-parameter trees;
 - `internal/promptdef`, which loads and validates prompt definitions from
   filesystem and `fs.FS` sources;
 - `internal/profile`, which loads, validates, and overlays execution profiles
@@ -41,21 +47,25 @@ The implemented internal components consist of:
 - `internal/usecase`, which coordinates preparation and execution across the
   internal framework components.
 
-The `examples/go-library/prepare` package is a maintained downstream consumer
-of the root facade. It does not expose a library package or participate in
-internal assembly.
+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 the internal repositories, renderer, validator,
-outbound client, and use-case runner while translating public values and
-errors at the library boundary. The defaults and renderer depend on the domain
-model. Prompt-definition and profile repositories use the domain model, file
-catalog, and YAML decoder. The built-in profile repository supplies an
-embedded `fs.FS` to the profile package. Artifact reading uses the domain model
-and application-neutral defaults. Validation uses the domain model, file
+The root facade assembles one immutable backend registry, one capacity manager,
+the internal repositories, renderer, validator, outbound client, and use-case
+runner while translating public values and errors at the library boundary. The
+registry contains built-ins plus validated engine-scoped consumer additions.
+The facade constructs the capacity manager from the registry's immutable
+policy snapshot, wraps the selected built-in or injected model client, and
+supplies bounded admission to the runner. The defaults and renderer depend on
+the domain model. Prompt-definition and profile repositories use the domain
+model, file catalog, and YAML decoder. The built-in profile repository supplies
+an embedded `fs.FS` to the profile package. Artifact reading uses the domain
+model and application-neutral defaults. Validation uses the domain model, file
 catalog, and JSON Schema implementation. The model client uses the domain
 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.
+internal component, including backend lookup and run admission.
 
 The current implementation follows this dependency direction:
 
@@ -72,9 +82,15 @@ downstream consumers, including Scriptorium
         narrow injected abstractions
 ```
 
-The facade coordinates internal components and adapts the supported public
-extension interfaces to narrow internal abstractions. Internal components must
-not depend on consumers or on 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
+capacity component depends on the domain model and the narrow internal
+model-client boundary, not on provider transport implementation. The model
+client does not depend on registry or capacity configuration. The facade
+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
-the corresponding implemented interface, decision, planned effort, or
-maintained artifact exists.
+consumer, integration, release, subsystem, ADR, roadmap, or example document
+only when the corresponding implemented interface, release, decision, planned
+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/release.md

@@ -7,27 +7,91 @@ tags. It does not publish runnable binaries or binary packages and does not
 currently use hosted CI. The release maintainer performs and records the
 required validation.
 
-The first planned release is `v0.1.0`. Do not create that tag until the
-framework has been extracted and the resulting public library has passed this
-procedure. Later tags use the `vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH` form. While Promptkit remains
-pre-`v1`, release notes must identify intentional public API changes and any
-consumer migration required by them.
+`v0.1.0` is the initial published release. Later releases use semantic
+`vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH` tags. Before `v1`, minor releases may change the public
+API and patch releases preserve compatibility within their minor line. Every
+pre-`v1` release note must summarize compatibility, identify public API
+changes, and state any action required of consumers.
 
-## Prepare The Release
+Promptkit releases are source-only. The annotated tag message is the release
+note; there is no separate hosted release or binary packaging step.
 
-Work from a clean checkout of the intended release commit, outside any Go
-workspace and without a local module replacement. Confirm the source commit is
-already published through the normal branch workflow.
+## Establish The Candidate
 
-From the Promptkit repository root, verify the checkout:
+Choose a version that has not been published and export it as
+`RELEASE_VERSION`. Run every command in this procedure from the Promptkit
+repository root in the same POSIX shell. Do not reuse `v0.1.0` or another
+existing version.
+
+The following guard derives the release commit from `HEAD` and stops on a
+missing or malformed version, a checkout other than synchronized `main`,
+uncommitted changes, an active Go workspace, a module replacement, a vendor
+tree, or an existing local or remote tag:
 
 ```sh
-gowork=$(go env GOWORK)
-test -z "$gowork" || test "$gowork" = off
-test -z "$(git status --short)"
-git fetch --tags origin
+set -eu
+
+: "${RELEASE_VERSION:?export an unpublished vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH version}"
+if ! printf '%s\n' "$RELEASE_VERSION" |
+    grep -Eq '^v(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*)$'
+then
+    printf '%s\n' "invalid release version: $RELEASE_VERSION" >&2
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+RELEASE_COMMIT=$(git rev-parse --verify 'HEAD^{commit}')
+export RELEASE_COMMIT
+
+check_release_candidate() {
+    test "$(git branch --show-current)" = main
+    test -z "$(git status --porcelain)"
+
+    gowork_value=$(go env GOWORK)
+    case "$gowork_value" in
+        ''|off) ;;
+        *)
+            printf '%s\n' "active Go workspace: $gowork_value" >&2
+            return 1
+            ;;
+    esac
+
+    test -z "$(git ls-files go.work go.work.sum)"
+    test ! -e vendor
+    if grep -Eq '^[[:space:]]*replace([[:space:]]|\()' go.mod
+    then
+        printf '%s\n' 'go.mod contains a replacement' >&2
+        return 1
+    fi
+
+    git fetch origin main --tags
+    test "$RELEASE_COMMIT" = \
+        "$(git rev-parse --verify 'refs/remotes/origin/main^{commit}')"
+
+    if git show-ref --verify --quiet "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION"
+    then
+        printf '%s\n' "local tag already exists: $RELEASE_VERSION" >&2
+        return 1
+    fi
+    if test -n "$(
+        git ls-remote --tags origin \
+            "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION" \
+            "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION^{}"
+    )"
+    then
+        printf '%s\n' "remote tag already exists: $RELEASE_VERSION" >&2
+        return 1
+    fi
+}
+
+check_release_candidate
 ```
 
+Do not continue unless the guard completes successfully. In particular, push
+the intended commit through the normal `main` branch workflow before release;
+the tag procedure is not a substitute for publishing the source commit.
+
+## Validate The Candidate
+
 Confirm the module and root package metadata:
 
 ```sh
@@ -42,7 +106,7 @@ gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit 1.25.5
 promptkit gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit
 ```
 
-Run the same default Go validation required by the
+Run the complete maintainer validation required by the
 [development guide](development.md):
 
 ```sh
@@ -53,84 +117,158 @@ go build ./...
 go run ./examples/go-library/prepare
 ```
 
-Check every tracked Go file and repository whitespace:
+Check every tracked Go file. This command must produce no output:
 
 ```sh
-gofmt -l $(git ls-files '*.go')
+unformatted=$(
+    git ls-files '*.go' |
+        while IFS= read -r go_file
+        do
+            gofmt -l "$go_file"
+        done
+)
+test -z "$unformatted"
+```
+
+Follow every maintained Markdown link and confirm that its local or published
+target exists. Review the repository for generated binaries, test or coverage
+output, credentials, template residue, downloaded assets, and other files that
+do not belong in source control.
+
+Recheck module and repository hygiene, whitespace, and the clean checkout:
+
+```sh
+test -z "$(git ls-files go.work go.work.sum)"
+test ! -e vendor
+if grep -Eq '^[[:space:]]*replace([[:space:]]|\()' go.mod
+then
+    printf '%s\n' 'go.mod contains a replacement' >&2
+    exit 1
+fi
 git diff --check
+test -z "$(git status --porcelain)"
 ```
 
-The formatting command must produce no paths. Follow every maintained Markdown
-link and confirm its target exists. Review the repository for generated
-binaries, test or coverage output, credentials, template residue, and other
-files that do not belong in source control.
+## Write The Release Note
 
-Confirm that no workspace override is tracked and that `go.mod` contains no
-`replace` directive:
+Prepare a plain-text annotated-tag message outside the repository and export
+its path as `RELEASE_NOTES_FILE`. Use this form, replacing each summary with
+release-specific text; write `None.` when there are no public API changes or
+consumer actions:
 
-```sh
-git ls-files go.work go.work.sum
-rg -n '^replace\b' go.mod
+```text
+Promptkit vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+
+Validated commit: full commit ID
+Compatibility: compatibility summary
+Public API changes: changes or None.
+Consumer action: required action or None.
 ```
 
-Both commands must produce no output. Re-run `git status --short` and require a
-clean result after every validation and review check.
-
-## Create And Publish The Tag
-
-Choose the semantic version from the intended compatibility change. Record the
-release commit before tagging:
+After writing it, require all release-note fields, the selected version, and
+the validated commit to be present:
 
 ```sh
-release_version=v0.1.0
-release_commit=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
+: "${RELEASE_NOTES_FILE:?export the path to the release-note file}"
+test -f "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE"
+test -s "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE"
+grep -F "Promptkit $RELEASE_VERSION" "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE"
+grep -F "Validated commit: $RELEASE_COMMIT" "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE"
+grep -F 'Compatibility:' "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE"
+grep -F 'Public API changes:' "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE"
+grep -F 'Consumer action:' "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE"
 ```
 
-Replace the example version for later releases and keep both values in the same
-shell for the remaining commands. Confirm the tag does not already exist
-locally or remotely:
+Inspect the complete message and confirm that it accurately records the
+compatibility impact, public API changes, and required consumer action.
+
+## Create And Inspect The Tag
+
+Run the candidate guard again immediately before tag creation. This ensures
+that validation or release-note preparation did not change the checkout and
+that the commit is still published and untagged:
 
 ```sh
-test -z "$(git tag --list "$release_version")"
-test -z "$(git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/$release_version")"
+check_release_candidate
 ```
 
-Create an annotated tag whose message identifies the release and records that
-the documented validation passed for the tagged commit:
+Create the annotated tag from the prepared release note and bind it explicitly
+to the validated commit:
 
 ```sh
-git tag --annotate "$release_version" \
-  --message "Promptkit $release_version; documented validation passed for $release_commit"
+git tag --annotate "$RELEASE_VERSION" \
+    --file "$RELEASE_NOTES_FILE" \
+    "$RELEASE_COMMIT"
 ```
 
-Inspect the tag before publication:
+Inspect both the tag message and its source commit before publication:
 
 ```sh
-git show --no-patch --decorate "$release_version"
-test "$(git rev-list -n 1 "$release_version")" = "$release_commit"
+test "$(git cat-file -t "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION")" = tag
+git show --no-patch --decorate "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION"
+test "$(
+    git rev-parse --verify "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION^{commit}"
+)" = "$RELEASE_COMMIT"
 ```
 
-Publish the tag without relying on a hosting-provider-specific release
-interface:
+If inspection finds an error, delete the unpublished local tag, correct the
+release note or candidate, and repeat the guards. Never move or recreate a tag
+that has been published.
+
+## Publish The Selected Tag
+
+Push only the selected tag ref. Do not use `git push --tags`:
 
 ```sh
-git push origin "refs/tags/$release_version"
+git push origin \
+    "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION:refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION"
 ```
 
 ## Verify Publication
 
-Confirm that the remote tag object matches the local annotated tag and still
-resolves to the intended source commit:
+Compare the remote annotated-tag object with the local object, then compare the
+remote peeled source commit with the validated commit:
 
 ```sh
-remote_tag=$(git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/$release_version" | awk '{print $1}')
-test "$remote_tag" = "$(git rev-parse "refs/tags/$release_version")"
-test "$(git rev-list -n 1 "refs/tags/$release_version")" = "$release_commit"
+remote_tag=$(
+    git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION" |
+        awk 'NR == 1 { print $1 }'
+)
+remote_commit=$(
+    git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION^{}" |
+        awk 'NR == 1 { print $1 }'
+)
+test -n "$remote_tag"
+test "$remote_tag" = \
+    "$(git rev-parse --verify "refs/tags/$RELEASE_VERSION")"
+test "$remote_commit" = "$RELEASE_COMMIT"
 ```
 
-Promptkit must publish the required tag before Scriptorium or another consumer
-publishes a release that depends on that version. Released consumer modules
-must not use a local replacement or unpublished Promptkit revision.
+Finally, resolve the version as an ordinary Go module in a temporary module
+outside this repository and without a workspace or replacement:
+
+```sh
+resolution_dir=$(mktemp -d)
+(
+    trap 'rm -rf "$resolution_dir"' 0 1 2 15
+    cd "$resolution_dir"
+    GOWORK=off go mod init example.com/promptkit-release-check
+    GOWORK=off go mod download \
+        "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit@$RELEASE_VERSION"
+    resolved_version=$(
+        GOWORK=off go list -m -f '{{.Version}}' \
+            "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit@$RELEASE_VERSION"
+    )
+    test "$resolved_version" = "$RELEASE_VERSION"
+)
+```
+
+Promptkit must publish and verify the required version before Scriptorium or
+another consumer publishes a release that depends on it. This ordering does
+not replace the consumer project's own release procedure. Released consumers
+must select the published Promptkit tag through ordinary module resolution,
+without a workspace, replacement, vendored Promptkit source, or unpublished
+revision.
 
 ## Policy Changes
 

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/releases/v0.4.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+# Promptkit v0.4.0
+
+This supplemental changelog and adoption guide summarizes the consumer-facing
+changes from `v0.3.0` to `v0.4.0`. The annotated `v0.4.0` tag is the
+authoritative release record. Exact current contracts belong to the linked
+GoDoc and durable documentation.
+
+## Summary
+
+`v0.4.0` adds four complementary capabilities:
+
+- opaque prepared-execution handles for preparing once, inspecting safe
+  details, and executing the same frozen snapshot;
+- exact prompt-definition inspection without profile resolution or execution;
+- exact profile inspection without selecting a prompt or checking credential
+  availability; and
+- structured backend identity on engine admission-capacity rejection.
+
+These APIs let consumers perform more precise preflight work and retain useful
+operational context without reproducing Promptkit's internal resolution logic.
+
+## Compatibility
+
+The release is additive for `v0.3.0` consumers. Existing uses of `Prepare`,
+`Run`, backend registration, endpoint-only profiles, local-backend helpers,
+runtime overrides, public JSON values, and error sentinels continue to work
+without migration.
+
+Capacity rejection now returns a structured error while continuing to match
+`ErrCapacityExceeded` through `errors.Is`. Error-string wording and direct
+sentinel equality were not public contracts.
+
+The new inspection values, capacity error, and prepared-execution handle do not
+have stable JSON representations. `PreparedExecution.Details` returns the
+existing stable `PreparedRun` value.
+
+## Upgrade
+
+Update the module dependency with:
+
+```sh
+go get gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit@v0.4.0
+go mod tidy
+```
+
+Run the consuming project's ordinary and race-enabled tests after upgrading.
+No source migration is required.
+
+## Prepare Once And Execute The Same Snapshot
+
+Consumers that need to persist preparation details before generation can now
+prepare an opaque, engine-bound execution:
+
+```go
+prepared, err := engine.PrepareExecution(ctx, request)
+if err != nil {
+	// Handle preparation failure.
+}
+defer prepared.Discard()
+
+details := prepared.Details()
+// Persist a consumer-selected, appropriately protected preparation record.
+
+result, err := engine.RunPrepared(ctx, prepared)
+```
+
+Preparation freezes the selected sources, rendered messages, effective
+settings, input content, structured-output metadata, and validation resources
+needed by execution. `Details` returns a fresh, caller-owned,
+credential-redacted `PreparedRun`.
+
+A handle belongs to its creating engine and permits one execution attempt.
+`RunPrepared` consumes that attempt on success and on operational failure.
+`Discard` is idempotent and releases an unclaimed handle's execution-only
+state. Consumers should discard handles they will not execute, particularly
+when a direct request API key may be retained privately until claim or
+discard.
+
+Prepared execution does not reserve backend admission during preparation.
+Credential availability and backend admission are checked when execution
+begins. The execution context is independent of the preparation context.
+
+See the
+[prepared-execution consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#prepare-now-and-execute-the-same-snapshot-later),
+the [`PreparedExecution` GoDoc](../../prepared_execution.go), and the
+[`Engine.PrepareExecution` and `Engine.RunPrepared` GoDoc](../../engine.go)
+for the exact lifecycle, ownership, cancellation, capacity, timing, and
+failure contracts.
+
+## Inspect A Prompt
+
+`Engine.InspectPrompt` resolves one prompt ID and optional version through the
+engine's configured prompt source:
+
+```go
+inspection, err := engine.InspectPrompt(ctx, "report.summary", "")
+```
+
+The result includes prompt identity, the opaque prompt hash, declared default
+profile ID, declared input metadata, and normalized output contract. It
+structurally loads the selected definition and referenced message content but
+does not resolve a profile, load schemas or artifacts, render templates,
+reserve capacity, or contact a model.
+
+Use inspection for exact configuration checks and metadata discovery. Use
+`PrepareExecution` rather than relying on a prior inspection when later
+execution must freeze one exact source state, because filesystem-backed
+inspection is only a point-in-time lookup.
+
+See the
+[prompt-inspection consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#inspect-a-prompt-before-preparation)
+and [`Engine.InspectPrompt` GoDoc](../../engine.go) for exact selection,
+ownership, and error behavior.
+
+## Inspect A Profile
+
+`Engine.InspectProfile` resolves one explicit profile independently of a
+prompt:
+
+```go
+inspection, err := engine.InspectProfile(ctx, "report-production")
+```
+
+The result includes the resolved effective execution target and whether a
+later request must provide a direct credential. Environment-variable names may
+be reported, but inspection does not read credential values or require the
+named variable to be populated.
+
+Inspection applies the ordinary configured and built-in profile precedence and
+resolves any selected backend. It does not load a prompt, render content,
+reserve capacity, or contact a model.
+
+See the
+[profile-inspection consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#inspect-a-profile-before-prompt-work)
+and [`Engine.InspectProfile` GoDoc](../../engine.go) for the exact resolution,
+credential, ownership, and error contracts.
+
+## Identify Capacity-Rejected Backends
+
+Calls rejected at Promptkit's bounded engine admission boundary continue to
+match `ErrCapacityExceeded`. Consumers can additionally obtain the selected
+registered backend ID without parsing diagnostic text:
+
+```go
+result, err := engine.Run(ctx, request)
+if errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+	var capacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+	if errors.As(err, &capacityErr) {
+		// Record capacityErr.BackendID using application-owned diagnostics.
+	}
+
+	// Apply application-owned overload or retry policy.
+}
+```
+
+The structured error applies to `Run` and `RunPrepared` admission rejection.
+It does not represent provider throttling, quota exhaustion, cancellation
+while waiting for generation capacity, or another model-client failure.
+Promptkit does not prescribe retry timing or transport status mapping.
+
+See the
+[error-handling consumer guide](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#handle-errors),
+the [`CapacityError` GoDoc](../../capacity_error.go), and the
+[`ErrCapacityExceeded` GoDoc](../../engine.go) for the canonical contracts.
+
+## Public API Additions
+
+The release adds:
+
+- `Engine.PrepareExecution`;
+- `Engine.RunPrepared`;
+- `PreparedExecution`, including `Details`, `Discard`, `String`, and
+  `GoString`;
+- `Engine.InspectPrompt`;
+- `PromptInspection`;
+- `PromptInputDefinition`;
+- `Engine.InspectProfile`;
+- `ProfileInspection`; and
+- `CapacityError`.
+
+No public API was removed.
+
+## Consumer Action
+
+None. Existing `v0.3.0` workflows may upgrade without adopting the new APIs.
+
+Consumers that adopt prepared execution should discard unused handles.
+Consumers that need backend-specific capacity diagnostics may add an
+`errors.As` check while retaining their existing `errors.Is` classification.

docs/roadmap/future.md

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# Future Feature Ideas
+
+## Purpose
+
+This document catalogs reasonably specific ideas that may be useful in future
+Promptkit development. It is an idea pool, not a commitment, schedule, or
+description of current behavior.
+
+Ideas belong here while they are worth retaining but have not been selected
+for active development. Keep each entry at the level of intended capability,
+consumer value, and important scope boundaries. Defer API design,
+implementation details, sequencing, and acceptance criteria until an idea is
+selected.
+
+## Using This Catalog
+
+- Add an idea when its purpose and likely value can be stated clearly.
+- Keep entries independent enough that maintainers can evaluate and select
+  them individually.
+- Note significant dependencies or boundary concerns, but do not turn entries
+  into implementation plans.
+- Treat inclusion as an invitation to evaluate, not as approval or priority.
+- When an idea is selected, move its active planning to a focused roadmap or,
+  when it requires a durable architectural decision, an ADR. Update
+  current-state documentation only when implementation lands.
+- Remove ideas that are no longer relevant. Retain a rejected idea only when
+  its rationale is likely to prevent repeated reconsideration.
+
+Future capabilities must continue to respect the
+[architecture policy](../policy/architecture.md), particularly Promptkit's
+role as an application-neutral library and its boundary with downstream
+consumers.
+
+## Ideas
+
+No ideas currently await selection.
+
+## Entry Format
+
+Use a short heading followed by a concise summary. Add focused bullets when
+they help preserve important scope boundaries without becoming an
+implementation plan:
+
+```markdown
+### Idea name
+
+Describe the intended capability, who benefits, and the most important scope
+boundary or dependency.
+
+- Optionally record an important behavior or boundary.
+```

docs/roadmap/notarius-promptkit-wishlist.md

@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+# Notarius PromptKit Wishlist
+
+## Purpose
+
+This document records features and interface changes that would be useful
+additions to PromptKit from the perspective of the maintainers of Notarius, a
+downstream application that consumes PromptKit.
+
+PromptKit now provides the capabilities Notarius currently needs. The
+remaining deferred ideas are optional opportunities to improve checkpointing
+and operational observability.
+
+The examples are API sketches intended to communicate the desired capability,
+not prescriptive names or finalized Go contracts.
+
+## Priority 1: Atomic Execution With Prepared Details
+
+**Disposition:** Implemented through [`Engine.PrepareExecution` and
+`Engine.RunPrepared`](../../engine.go). See the
+[consumer guidance](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#prepare-now-and-execute-the-same-snapshot-later).
+A separate `RunDetailed` method is not cataloged.
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Notarius needs both:
+
+- the completed `RunResult`; and
+- the rendered messages, effective output contract, hashes, and other
+  preparation details exposed by `PreparedRun`.
+
+Notarius uses the prepared details to construct redaction-aware debug bundles
+and retain enough information to diagnose model behavior.
+
+### Implemented behavior
+
+Notarius can prepare one frozen execution snapshot, retain a caller-owned and
+credential-redacted `Details` value for its debug bundle, and execute the same
+snapshot through `RunPrepared`. The opaque handle is engine-bound and
+single-use; an unused handle can be released with `Discard`. The consumer
+guide and exported GoDoc own the exact lifecycle and failure contracts.
+
+### Value to Notarius
+
+This removes duplicate work from PromptKit-backed calls and ensures that
+retained debug material corresponds atomically to the actual execution.
+
+## Priority 2: Prompt-Independent Profile Inspection
+
+**Disposition:** Implemented as
+[`Engine.InspectProfile`](../../engine.go). See the
+[consumer guidance](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#inspect-a-profile-before-prompt-work).
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Notarius validates configured pipeline profile IDs before beginning a run. It
+needs to determine whether:
+
+- a profile exists;
+- its referenced backend is registered;
+- its execution target can be resolved; and
+- it declares a credential requirement that the application may need to
+  enforce.
+
+This validation should not require model generation.
+
+### Previous integration
+
+Before profile inspection was available, Notarius constructed a synthetic
+prompt using `testing/fstest.MapFS`, supplied a dummy transcript, and called
+`Engine.Prepare` solely to exercise profile and backend resolution.
+
+### Value to Notarius
+
+The implemented interface eliminates a synthetic production-only prompt
+fixture and establishes a direct, supported contract for configuration-time
+profile and backend validation.
+
+## Priority 3: Semantic Execution-Target Fingerprints
+
+**Disposition:** Deferred pending a separate semantic-equality design for
+resolved execution targets.
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Notarius checkpoints model-backed pipeline stages. A checkpoint must not be
+reused when generation-affecting PromptKit configuration changes.
+
+Notarius therefore needs a stable equality signal for the effective profile
+and backend target used by a pipeline.
+
+### Current integration
+
+Notarius currently constructs this identity itself from:
+
+- a manually maintained marker for the PromptKit release and built-in profile
+  catalog;
+- raw hashes of configured profile files; and
+- a separate hash of the configured conventional local-backend endpoint.
+
+This is safe but conservative and coupled to PromptKit details. Raw file
+hashing also invalidates checkpoints for semantically irrelevant YAML changes,
+such as comments or formatting.
+
+### Requested capability
+
+Expose an opaque semantic digest for a resolved profile and its effective
+generation target. It could be returned by the proposed profile-resolution
+API:
+
+```go
+type ResolvedProfile struct {
+	ProfileID       string
+	BackendID       string
+	EffectiveTarget ExecutionTarget
+	ExecutionDigest string
+}
+```
+
+Alternatively, PromptKit could expose a dedicated method such as
+`ProfileExecutionDigest(profileID)`.
+
+### Desired equality semantics
+
+The digest should change when generation-affecting state changes, including:
+
+- resolved model and endpoint;
+- backend routing identity;
+- backend request defaults and extra parameters;
+- profile generation parameters; and
+- the semantic identity of any selected built-in profile.
+
+The digest should not incorporate:
+
+- credential values;
+- concurrency or queue capacity;
+- filesystem source paths;
+- YAML comments or formatting; or
+- other settings that affect scheduling or source representation without
+  changing the generation target.
+
+The credential environment-variable name may need to participate if changing
+it can select a materially different provider account or target. PromptKit
+should define this deliberately while continuing to exclude the resolved
+secret value.
+
+### Design considerations
+
+- Treat the digest as an opaque equality value rather than a public encoding
+  of internal structures.
+- Document which categories of change affect equality.
+- Include a versioned semantic marker internally so PromptKit can deliberately
+  invalidate old digests when its resolution semantics change.
+- Prefer a per-profile digest over a digest of every profile known to an
+  engine. Notarius generally knows which profiles a resolved pipeline uses.
+- Do not require consumers to know PromptKit's built-in catalog version.
+
+### Value to Notarius
+
+This would let Notarius remove its PromptKit release marker and raw
+profile-source fingerprinting, reduce unnecessary checkpoint invalidation, and
+delegate execution-target equality to the component that owns target
+resolution.
+
+## Priority 4: Structured Capacity Errors
+
+**Disposition:** Implemented behavior. See the consumer guide's
+[Handle Errors](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#handle-errors) section.
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Notarius translates PromptKit backend-capacity rejection into a
+provider-neutral application error. When multiple backends are active,
+operators would benefit from knowing which backend rejected admission without
+parsing an error string or exposing endpoint details.
+
+### Implemented behavior
+
+PromptKit now retains the broad capacity classification while allowing
+Notarius to obtain the selected backend ID without parsing diagnostic text.
+The consumer guide owns the application workflow, including retry and backoff
+policy.
+
+### Value to Notarius
+
+This improves operational diagnostics and future metrics while preserving
+the provider-neutral error boundary used by Notarius.
+
+## Capabilities PromptKit Already Provides Well
+
+The current PromptKit boundary is sufficient for Notarius's implemented
+behavior. In particular, PromptKit already provides:
+
+- filesystem, `fs.FS`, and programmatic prompt, profile, and schema sources;
+- offline preparation without model execution;
+- structured output and content validation;
+- direct session propagation;
+- tri-state per-run reasoning overrides;
+- selected profile, backend, model, endpoint, effective parameters, hashes, and
+  token-usage provenance;
+- endpoint-only profiles;
+- the conventional `local` backend helper;
+- arbitrary engine-scoped `Backend` registrations;
+- backend authentication environment names, extra parameters, concurrency
+  limits, and queue-capacity policies;
+- provider-client and artifact-reader extension interfaces;
+- context cancellation; and
+- useful public error sentinels, including profile absence and capacity
+  exhaustion.
+
+The wishlist does not imply that Notarius needs PromptKit to broaden its core
+responsibilities. It primarily asks for more direct access to information and
+operations that PromptKit already computes internally.
+
+## Responsibilities That Should Remain In Notarius
+
+The following concerns belong to the downstream application and should not
+move into PromptKit for the sake of Notarius:
+
+- pipeline staging, dependencies, and generated references;
+- application-wide scheduling across providers and backends;
+- module and validation retry policy;
+- checkpoints, resume, and recomputation;
+- durable run artifacts and manifests;
+- D&D prompts, schemas, extractors, validators, and normalizers;
+- Notarius configuration-file parsing and precedence;
+- domain-specific prompt-cache prefix policy; and
+- application-specific redaction, retention, and debug-bundle policy.
+
+PromptKit's complete `Backend` API already supports custom IDs, multiple local
+endpoints, authentication, extra parameters, and explicit queue policies.
+Whether Notarius exposes those capabilities in its own configuration is an
+application-policy decision, not an upstream PromptKit gap.
+
+## Suggested Upstream Sequence
+
+For downstream adoption and any remaining upstream work, the useful order is:
+
+1. Adopt prepared execution for atomic details and results.
+2. Add a semantic execution-target digest, preferably alongside profile
+   inspection.
+3. Use the implemented typed capacity error where backend admission diagnostics
+   are needed.
+
+The first removes the concrete execution workaround. The second would improve
+checkpoint correctness and reduce coupling. The third is operational polish.

docs/roadmap/weatherreporter-promptkit-wishlist.md

@@ -0,0 +1,331 @@
+# Weatherreporter PromptKit Wishlist
+
+## Purpose
+
+This document records features and interface changes that would be useful
+additions to PromptKit from the perspective of the maintainers of
+Weatherreporter, a downstream application planning to replace its Scriptorium
+CLI integration with PromptKit.
+
+PromptKit now provides the capabilities Weatherreporter needs for the
+migration. The remaining deferred ideas are optional opportunities to validate
+configuration earlier and improve durable failure diagnostics.
+
+The examples are API sketches intended to communicate the desired capability,
+not prescriptive names or finalized Go contracts. The related
+[Notarius PromptKit wishlist](notarius-promptkit-wishlist.md) proposes several
+overlapping features from another downstream consumer's perspective.
+
+## Priority 1: Executable Preparation Handles
+
+**Disposition:** Implemented as [`Engine.PrepareExecution` and
+`Engine.RunPrepared`](../../engine.go). See the
+[consumer guidance](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#prepare-now-and-execute-the-same-snapshot-later).
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Weatherreporter treats prompt preparation as a durable preflight boundary. It
+needs to:
+
+1. prepare the exact request that will be executed;
+2. persist a safe preparation record before starting the provider call; and
+3. execute without reloading or rerendering prompt, profile, schema, or input
+   sources.
+
+Persisting preflight before generation leaves useful evidence when a provider
+call fails or the process is interrupted during generation.
+
+### Implemented behavior
+
+Weatherreporter can prepare one frozen execution snapshot, persist a
+caller-owned and credential-redacted `Details` value, and execute that same
+snapshot through `RunPrepared`. The opaque handle is engine-bound and
+single-use; an unused handle can be released with `Discard`. The consumer
+guide and exported GoDoc own the exact lifecycle, credential, cancellation,
+and capacity contracts.
+
+### Value to Weatherreporter
+
+This preserves Weatherreporter's durable preflight behavior, removes duplicate
+work, eliminates the source-consistency window, and ensures that persisted
+provenance describes the actual execution.
+
+## Priority 2: Prompt-Definition Inspection
+
+**Disposition:** Implemented as
+[`Engine.InspectPrompt`](../../engine.go). See the
+[consumer guidance](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#inspect-a-prompt-before-preparation).
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Weatherreporter has a fixed registry of seven report definitions. Each report
+selects a prompt ID and one of two output workflows:
+
+- direct Markdown; or
+- structured generated text followed by application-owned domain validation
+  and Markdown template rendering.
+
+Weatherreporter will embed the PromptKit prompt definitions and private
+response schemas that implement those reports. It needs to validate that the
+report registry and embedded prompt corpus agree before weather collection or
+provider execution.
+
+### Previous integration option
+
+Before prompt inspection was available, Weatherreporter could maintain
+synthetic data-package fixtures and call `Engine.Prepare` for every report
+prompt during tests. Runtime validation could also occur through the ordinary
+per-report preparation stage.
+
+This required complete placeholder inputs and profile resolution when the
+application primarily wanted to inspect prompt identity and declared contracts.
+
+### Value to Weatherreporter
+
+The implemented interface lets Weatherreporter directly verify that every
+report prompt exists, requires the curated `data_package` input, and declares
+the expected Markdown or JSON Schema output contract. It reduces synthetic
+test setup and moves failures ahead of weather collection.
+
+## Priority 3: Prompt-Independent Profile Inspection
+
+**Disposition:** Implemented as
+[`Engine.InspectProfile`](../../engine.go). See the
+[consumer guidance](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#inspect-a-profile-before-prompt-work).
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Weatherreporter will allow operators to select an external PromptKit profile
+source and may allow an explicit profile override. It needs to reject a missing
+profile, unknown backend, or malformed execution target before collecting
+weather data or writing report artifacts, and to apply its own policy to a
+reported credential requirement.
+
+### Value to Weatherreporter
+
+The implemented interface improves fail-fast configuration validation and gives
+operator-facing errors direct profile and backend context. It remains optional
+for the initial migration.
+
+## Priority 4: Eager Source Validation
+
+**Disposition:** Deferred until prompt and profile inspection have been used
+to determine whether a broader engine-wide validation operation is still
+needed.
+
+### Downstream need
+
+PromptKit deliberately defers reading and validating filesystem and `fs.FS`
+prompt, profile, and schema content until a request needs it. Weatherreporter
+has a small fixed embedded prompt corpus and one optional external profile
+source. It would benefit from an explicit offline validation operation for
+tests, startup diagnostics, and configuration checks.
+
+### Current integration option
+
+Weatherreporter can prepare every report prompt with fixture inputs and inspect
+any explicit profiles individually. That provides strong coverage but requires
+consumer-maintained traversal and synthetic material.
+
+### Requested capability
+
+Consider an opt-in source-validation operation:
+
+```go
+type SourceValidationOptions struct {
+	RequireCredentials bool
+}
+
+func (e *Engine) ValidateSources(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	opts SourceValidationOptions,
+) error
+```
+
+The operation should eagerly discover and structurally validate the configured
+prompt, profile, and schema sources without model generation.
+
+### Design considerations
+
+- Keep deferred validation as the normal `NewEngine` behavior.
+- Make eager validation an explicit consumer choice.
+- Validate duplicate IDs and versions, strict YAML decoding, referenced content
+  files, profile/backend membership, schema syntax, and schema references.
+- Distinguish structural credential declarations from current environment
+  availability.
+- Do not read or expose credential values when credential availability is not
+  requested.
+- Preserve source-specific public error identities and useful path context.
+- Respect context cancellation during filesystem discovery and schema work.
+- Consider whether exact prompt and profile inspection APIs already provide a
+  smaller sufficient surface before adding an engine-wide operation.
+
+### Value to Weatherreporter
+
+This would simplify offline corpus checks and catch malformed operator profile
+sources before report work begins. It is helpful but lower priority than exact
+prompt and profile inspection.
+
+## Priority 5: Structured Generation Errors
+
+**Disposition:** Deferred pending stronger downstream demand and a narrower
+design that does not duplicate prepared provenance or impose HTTP-specific
+fields on injected model clients.
+
+### Downstream need
+
+Weatherreporter preserves redacted, inspectable failure receipts for report
+runs. When model generation fails operationally, it needs to classify the
+failure and retain safe execution context without parsing error prose.
+
+Prompt preparation already supplies selected profile, backend, and model
+identity. Provider status classification would add useful operator context,
+especially when the built-in OpenAI-compatible client receives a non-success
+HTTP status.
+
+### Current integration option
+
+PromptKit exposes `ErrLLMGenerate` and preserves injected client errors through
+`errors.Is`. Weatherreporter can reliably classify generation failure and use
+its preparation record for profile, backend, and model provenance. Any further
+diagnostic detail remains a redacted error string.
+
+### Requested capability
+
+Consider a typed generation error that continues to match `ErrLLMGenerate`:
+
+```go
+type GenerationError struct {
+	BackendID string
+	Model     string
+	StatusCode int
+}
+```
+
+The exact fields may differ. The useful contract is safe structured context
+available through `errors.As`, while `errors.Is(err, ErrLLMGenerate)` remains
+compatible.
+
+### Design considerations
+
+- Include only fields that PromptKit knows reliably and can expose safely.
+- Treat an HTTP status as optional because injected model clients may not use
+  HTTP.
+- Do not expose provider response bodies, endpoints, credential environment
+  names, credential values, request content, or generated content.
+- Do not make a structured error a second source of prompt/profile provenance
+  already present in a prepared execution.
+- Preserve injected client error identity.
+- Keep retry and backoff policy with the consuming application.
+
+### Value to Weatherreporter
+
+This would improve durable failure receipts and troubleshooting, particularly
+for built-in transport failures. It is not required if preparation details and
+the existing sentinel remain available.
+
+## Lower-Priority Shared Wishlist Items
+
+### Structured Capacity Errors
+
+**Disposition:** Implemented behavior. See the consumer guide's
+[Handle Errors](../consumers/pkg-promptkit.md#handle-errors) section.
+
+PromptKit now exposes the stable backend ID for capacity rejection without
+requiring Weatherreporter to parse error text.
+
+Weatherreporter currently generates batch reports sequentially and constructs
+one engine per invocation, so engine-local capacity exhaustion is unlikely in
+the initial design. The typed error becomes more valuable if report generation
+later becomes concurrent or PromptKit engines become longer-lived.
+It should not block adoption.
+
+### Semantic Execution-Target Fingerprints
+
+**Disposition:** Deferred pending a separate semantic-equality design for
+resolved execution targets.
+
+The semantic target digest proposed by the
+[Notarius wishlist](notarius-promptkit-wishlist.md#priority-3-semantic-execution-target-fingerprints)
+would provide a compact equality signal for audit metadata.
+
+Weatherreporter does not currently reuse LLM-dependent checkpoints. Its Recent
+Changes behavior compares deterministic module snapshots rather than generated
+reports, so the digest has no immediate cache-correctness role. Existing
+PromptKit result metadata is sufficient for the initial integration. A digest
+would still be useful provenance and future-proofing, but it is not a
+migration priority.
+
+## Capabilities PromptKit Already Provides Well
+
+PromptKit already provides the essential Weatherreporter integration surface:
+
+- importable in-process engine construction;
+- filesystem, `fs.FS`, and programmatic prompt, profile, and schema sources;
+- offline preparation without model execution;
+- prepared execution handles for a durable preflight boundary;
+- exact prompt and profile inspection;
+- versioned prompt selection;
+- text, Markdown, JSON, and JSON Schema output contracts;
+- single-pass output validation with raw output retained after completed
+  validation failure;
+- inline input artifacts with provenance URIs and input hashes;
+- selected profile, backend, model, effective target, prompt hashes, timing,
+  and token-usage provenance;
+- endpoint-only profiles and engine-scoped backend registration;
+- injected model-client and artifact-reader interfaces;
+- caller cancellation, generation timeout, and transport timeout behavior; and
+- public error sentinels for configuration, prompt, profile, artifact,
+  validation, capacity, and generation failures; and
+- structured backend identity for capacity rejection.
+
+These capabilities are sufficient for Weatherreporter to adopt PromptKit
+without waiting for new upstream work.
+
+## Responsibilities That Should Remain In Weatherreporter
+
+The following concerns belong to Weatherreporter and should not move into
+PromptKit:
+
+- report definitions, valid periods, batches, and output naming;
+- application prompt content and private report response schemas;
+- deterministic weather facts, modules, and Recent Changes;
+- curated `data_package` construction and persistence;
+- generated-text domain validation and Markdown template rendering;
+- managed artifact paths, atomic writes, metadata, and inspection commands;
+- preparation, execution, raw-output, and failure-receipt schemas;
+- CLI configuration loading and precedence;
+- debug enablement, redaction, placement, sensitivity, and retention;
+- distributor notification;
+- batch continuation and any future retry policy; and
+- application-level compatibility and migration policy.
+
+## Suggested Upstream Sequence
+
+For downstream adoption and any remaining upstream work, the useful order is:
+
+1. Adopt the implemented executable preparation handles.
+2. Consider eager source validation after evaluating whether the two exact
+   inspection APIs are sufficient.
+3. Add structured generation errors.
+4. Use structured capacity errors and consider semantic execution-target
+   fingerprints as lower-priority operational improvements.
+
+The first item removes the material integration workaround. Prompt and profile
+inspection improve fail-fast validation. The remaining items are optional
+ergonomic and diagnostic improvements.
+
+## Adoption Sequencing
+
+Weatherreporter should not wait for the deferred wishlist items. The current
+PromptKit interface is sufficient when Weatherreporter:
+
+- embeds immutable prompt and schema assets;
+- supplies immutable inline data-package bytes;
+- constructs one engine per CLI invocation;
+- prepares an execution, persists selected `Details`, and calls
+  `RunPrepared`; and
+- keeps PromptKit behind a weatherreporter-owned adapter contract.
+
+Prompt inspection, profile inspection, source validation, structured errors,
+capacity details, and semantic fingerprints should not gate adoption.

engine.go

@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	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"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/profile"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/profile/builtin"
@@ -22,42 +25,106 @@ import (
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/validate"
 )
 
-// ErrInvalidConfig indicates invalid public engine configuration.
+// ErrInvalidConfig identifies invalid engine construction, including missing
+// required configuration, invalid options or backend registrations, and a nil
+// Engine receiver.
 var ErrInvalidConfig = errors.New("invalid engine configuration")
 
 var (
-	ErrInvalidRequest   = errors.New("invalid run request")
-	ErrPromptNotFound   = errors.New("prompt not found")
-	ErrProfileNotFound  = errors.New("profile not found")
-	ErrProfileRequired  = errors.New("profile selection is required")
-	ErrPromptLoad       = errors.New("failed to load prompt definition")
-	ErrProfileLoad      = errors.New("failed to load execution profile")
+	// ErrInvalidRequest identifies a request whose required values, overrides,
+	// credentials, or effective settings are invalid.
+	ErrInvalidRequest = errors.New("invalid run request")
+	// ErrPromptNotFound identifies a requested prompt ID or version that is not
+	// present in the selected prompt source. It does not also match
+	// ErrPromptLoad.
+	ErrPromptNotFound = errors.New("prompt not found")
+	// ErrProfileNotFound identifies a selected profile ID that is absent from
+	// every configured profile source. It does not also match ErrProfileLoad.
+	ErrProfileNotFound = errors.New("profile not found")
+	// ErrProfileRequired identifies a request for which neither RunRequest.ProfileID
+	// nor the selected prompt's default profile is present. Such an error also
+	// matches ErrInvalidRequest.
+	ErrProfileRequired = errors.New("profile selection is required")
+	// ErrPromptLoad identifies a failure to read, decode, validate, select, or
+	// hash a prompt definition, except for the not-found case represented by
+	// ErrPromptNotFound.
+	ErrPromptLoad = errors.New("failed to load prompt definition")
+	// ErrProfileLoad identifies a failure to read, decode, validate, or select
+	// an execution profile or resolve its backend, except for the profile
+	// not-found case represented by ErrProfileNotFound.
+	ErrProfileLoad = errors.New("failed to load execution profile")
+	// ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing identifies an APIKeyEnv whose environment variable is
+	// unset or empty when no direct RunRequest.APIKey takes precedence. Such an
+	// error also matches ErrInvalidRequest.
 	ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing = errors.New("api_key_env points to an unset environment variable")
-	ErrArtifactLoad     = errors.New("failed to load artifact")
-	ErrPromptRender     = errors.New("failed to render prompt")
-	ErrLLMGenerate      = errors.New("failed to generate output")
-	ErrValidation       = errors.New("failed to validate output")
+	// ErrArtifactLoad identifies a failure to resolve an input artifact. Errors
+	// returned by an injected ArtifactReader remain available through errors.Is.
+	ErrArtifactLoad = errors.New("failed to load artifact")
+	// 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 or RunPrepared rejected because the
+	// selected backend already admitted ConcurrencyLimit + QueueCapacity calls.
+	// A [CapacityError] reports the selected backend ID. 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.
+	ErrLLMGenerate = errors.New("failed to generate output")
+	// ErrValidation identifies an operational failure to load or compile a
+	// schema or validate output. A completed validation whose Status is
+	// ValidationFailed is returned in RunResult without this error.
+	ErrValidation = errors.New("failed to validate output")
 )
 
-// Engine prepares and runs Promptkit prompt requests.
+// Engine inspects prompts and profiles and prepares and runs Promptkit prompt
+// requests.
+//
+// An Engine is safe for concurrent calls to [Engine.InspectPrompt],
+// [Engine.InspectProfile], [Engine.Prepare], [Engine.PrepareExecution],
+// [Engine.Run], and [Engine.RunPrepared]. Each Engine owns independent
+// backend-capacity pools that coordinate Run and RunPrepared 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
 }
 
-// Config configures a public Promptkit engine.
+// Config selects the directory-backed sources and built-in model-client
+// transport used by [NewEngine]. Config has no stable JSON representation.
 type Config struct {
-	PromptDir  string
+	// PromptDir is the directory searched recursively for prompt definitions.
+	// It is required unless a WithPromptFS or WithPromptFile option supplies the
+	// prompt source.
+	PromptDir string
+	// ProfileDir is an optional directory whose profiles take precedence over
+	// embedded built-in profiles. An empty value selects only built-ins unless
+	// profile options are also supplied.
 	ProfileDir string
-	SchemaDir  string
+	// SchemaDir is the root for JSON Schema files. An empty value uses the
+	// current directory. WithSchemaFS or WithSchemaFile replaces this source.
+	SchemaDir string
 	// Timeout is the transport-wide safety cap for the built-in LLM client
-	// when HTTPClient is absent or has a non-positive timeout.
+	// when HTTPClient is absent or has a non-positive timeout. A zero or negative
+	// value selects the 10-minute default.
 	Timeout time.Duration
 	// HTTPClient is cloned for the built-in LLM client. Its positive Timeout
-	// takes precedence over Config.Timeout as the transport-wide safety cap.
+	// takes precedence over Timeout. A zero or negative client Timeout inherits
+	// Timeout or the 10-minute default. The supplied client is not mutated. This
+	// field is ignored when WithLLMClient is used.
 	HTTPClient *http.Client
 }
 
 // Option customizes engine construction.
+//
+// NewEngine applies options in argument order and ignores nil options. Within
+// each prompt-source, profile-source, in-memory-profile, schema-source,
+// model-client, and artifact-reader category, the last non-nil valid option
+// replaces earlier options in that category. WithBackend is the additive
+// exception: unique registrations accumulate, and a repeated backend ID is an
+// error rather than a replacement. An invalid option fails construction even
+// if a later option would replace it.
 type Option interface {
 	apply(*engineOptions) error
 }
@@ -74,6 +141,7 @@ type engineOptions struct {
 	promptDefs      promptdef.Repository
 	profiles        profile.Repository
 	memoryProfiles  profile.Repository
+	backends        []domain.Backend
 	validator       validate.Validator
 	promptSource    bool
 	profileSource   bool
@@ -82,7 +150,14 @@ type engineOptions struct {
 	artifactSource  bool
 }
 
-// WithLLMClient injects a custom LLM client for execution.
+// WithLLMClient replaces the built-in model client used by [Engine.Run] and
+// [Engine.RunPrepared].
+//
+// A nil client makes NewEngine fail with ErrInvalidConfig. The Engine schedules
+// 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] or
+// [Engine.PrepareExecution].
 func WithLLMClient(client LLMClient) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		if client == nil {
@@ -93,7 +168,11 @@ func WithLLMClient(client LLMClient) Option {
 	})
 }
 
-// WithArtifactReader injects a reader for every input artifact reference.
+// WithArtifactReader replaces the default reader for every input artifact
+// reference, regardless of its ArtifactRef.Type.
+//
+// A nil reader makes NewEngine fail with ErrInvalidConfig. The reader may be
+// called concurrently.
 func WithArtifactReader(reader ArtifactReader) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		if reader == nil {
@@ -109,6 +188,9 @@ func WithArtifactReader(reader ArtifactReader) Option {
 //
 // The source uses the same strict prompt YAML rules as configured prompt
 // directories, and prompt content_file paths resolve within this source.
+// fsys must be non-nil and root must be non-empty; otherwise NewEngine fails
+// with ErrInvalidConfig. This option replaces Config.PromptDir and earlier
+// prompt-source options.
 func WithPromptFS(fsys fs.FS, root string) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		if fsys == nil {
@@ -125,7 +207,9 @@ func WithPromptFS(fsys fs.FS, root string) Option {
 
 // WithPromptFile loads prompt definitions from the single prompt file at path.
 //
-// Relative prompt content_file paths resolve from the file's directory.
+// Relative prompt content_file paths resolve from the file's directory. path
+// must name an existing non-directory file when NewEngine applies the option.
+// This option replaces Config.PromptDir and earlier prompt-source options.
 func WithPromptFile(path string) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		fsys, root, err := fileSource(path)
@@ -142,6 +226,10 @@ func WithPromptFile(path string) Option {
 //
 // Profiles from this source overlay built-in profiles. Profile YAML must use
 // api_key_env for environment-based credentials; raw API keys are rejected.
+// fsys must be non-nil and root must be non-empty; otherwise NewEngine fails
+// with ErrInvalidConfig. This option replaces Config.ProfileDir and earlier
+// file or FS profile-source options, but remains below WithProfiles in
+// precedence.
 func WithProfileFS(fsys fs.FS, root string) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		if fsys == nil {
@@ -159,7 +247,10 @@ func WithProfileFS(fsys fs.FS, root string) Option {
 // WithProfileFile loads execution profiles from the single profile file at path.
 //
 // The profile overlays built-in profiles. Profile YAML must use api_key_env for
-// environment-based credentials; raw API keys are rejected.
+// environment-based credentials; raw API keys are rejected. path must name an
+// existing non-directory file when NewEngine applies the option. This option
+// replaces Config.ProfileDir and earlier file or FS profile-source options,
+// but remains below WithProfiles in precedence.
 func WithProfileFile(path string) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		fsys, root, err := fileSource(path)
@@ -174,6 +265,11 @@ func WithProfileFile(path string) Option {
 
 // WithProfiles configures in-memory profiles that take precedence over
 // configured profile files and built-in profiles.
+//
+// NewEngine validates and copies every profile. IDs must be unique within one
+// call. An invalid profile, duplicate ID, or unsupported ExtraParams value
+// makes construction fail with ErrInvalidConfig. Repeating WithProfiles
+// replaces the complete earlier in-memory set rather than merging it.
 func WithProfiles(profiles ...Profile) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		repo, err := newMemoryProfileRepository(profiles)
@@ -189,7 +285,9 @@ func WithProfiles(profiles ...Profile) Option {
 // WithSchemaFS loads JSON Schema documents from fsys under root.
 //
 // Prompt schema_path values resolve within this source when schema validation
-// or structured output is requested.
+// or structured output is requested. fsys must be non-nil and root must be
+// non-empty; otherwise NewEngine fails with ErrInvalidConfig. This option
+// replaces Config.SchemaDir and earlier schema-source options.
 func WithSchemaFS(fsys fs.FS, root string) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		if fsys == nil {
@@ -206,7 +304,9 @@ func WithSchemaFS(fsys fs.FS, root string) Option {
 
 // WithSchemaFile loads JSON Schema documents from the single schema file at path.
 //
-// Prompt schema_path values refer to the file's base name.
+// Prompt schema_path values refer to the file's base name. path must name an
+// existing non-directory file when NewEngine applies the option. This option
+// replaces Config.SchemaDir and earlier schema-source options.
 func WithSchemaFile(path string) Option {
 	return optionFunc(func(options *engineOptions) error {
 		fsys, root, err := fileSource(path)
@@ -220,6 +320,17 @@ func WithSchemaFile(path string) Option {
 }
 
 // NewEngine constructs an Engine from configuration and options.
+//
+// Options are applied in order according to [Option]. PromptDir is required
+// unless a prompt-source option is present. Construction validates option
+// arguments, in-memory profiles, and backend registrations but defers reading
+// and validating prompt, file-backed profile, and schema contents until Prepare
+// or Run needs them.
+//
+// NewEngine returns an error matching ErrInvalidConfig for invalid
+// configuration, options, or backend-capacity policies. Each constructed
+// 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 {
@@ -247,6 +358,16 @@ func NewEngine(cfg Config, opts ...Option) (*Engine, error) {
 		profiles = profile.NewOverlayRepository(options.memoryProfiles, profiles)
 	}
 
+	backendRegistry, err := backend.NewRegistry(options.backends)
+	if err != nil {
+		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
@@ -267,6 +388,7 @@ 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 {
@@ -277,10 +399,12 @@ func NewEngine(cfg Config, opts ...Option) (*Engine, error) {
 		runner: usecase.NewRunner(
 			promptDefs,
 			profiles,
+			backendRegistry,
 			artifacts,
 			prompt.NewGoRenderer(),
 			llmClient,
 			validator,
+			capacityManager,
 		),
 	}, nil
 }
@@ -305,7 +429,110 @@ func fileSource(name string) (fs.FS, string, error) {
 	return os.DirFS(dir), filepath.ToSlash(base), nil
 }
 
-// Prepare resolves a prompt request without calling an LLM.
+// InspectPrompt resolves one explicit prompt definition without selecting a
+// profile or starting execution work.
+//
+// InspectPrompt requires a nonblank promptID. It passes nonblank promptID and
+// promptVersion values unchanged to the engine's ordinary, case-sensitive
+// prompt selection. An empty version succeeds only when that source has one
+// selected ID; a nonempty version selects one exact ID/version pair. The
+// configured prompt source is used without merging, fallback, or enumeration.
+//
+// A successful result proves that the selected definition and any referenced
+// message content files were structurally loaded. Inputs are returned in
+// definition order. DefaultProfileID is declared metadata only and is not
+// resolved. OutputContract is the normalized declared contract, with a JSON
+// Schema path when declared but without loading or compiling that schema.
+// PromptHash is the same opaque equality value as PreparedRun.PromptHash for
+// the selected definition and observed source state; its spelling, length,
+// encoding, algorithm, and security properties are not contracts.
+//
+// This method does not return prompt bodies, templates, source paths, schemas,
+// rendered messages, or execution settings. It does not resolve a profile or
+// credential, read artifacts or schemas, render, validate, admit capacity,
+// contact a provider, or generate model output. The returned PromptInspection
+// and its input slice are caller-owned. Filesystem-backed inspection is a
+// point-in-time lookup and does not freeze a definition for later execution.
+//
+// A nil Engine returns an error matching ErrInvalidConfig. A blank prompt ID
+// matches ErrInvalidRequest. An absent exact ID or version matches
+// ErrPromptNotFound and not ErrPromptLoad. Malformed, unreadable, duplicate,
+// ambiguous, referenced-content, or hashing failures match ErrPromptLoad.
+// Cancellation during lookup matches ErrPromptLoad while preserving the
+// context error. InspectPrompt returns no partial result on error.
+func (e *Engine) InspectPrompt(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	promptID string,
+	promptVersion string,
+) (*PromptInspection, error) {
+	if e == nil || e.runner == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: engine is nil", ErrInvalidConfig)
+	}
+
+	inspection, err := e.runner.InspectPrompt(ctx, promptID, promptVersion)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, mapPublicError(err)
+	}
+	return fromDomainPromptInspection(inspection), nil
+}
+
+// InspectProfile resolves one explicit profile without selecting a prompt or
+// starting execution work.
+//
+// InspectProfile trims surrounding whitespace from profileID and looks up the
+// resulting nonblank ID exactly and case-sensitively through the engine's
+// ordinary in-memory, configured-source, and built-in profile precedence. It
+// applies framework defaults, the selected backend, and then the selected
+// profile to EffectiveModelParams without a request override. BackendID is
+// empty for an endpoint-only profile.
+//
+// APIKeyEnv in the returned target is an environment-variable name, never its
+// value. APIKeyRequired instead reports a direct credential requirement and is
+// mutually exclusive with a nonblank APIKeyEnv. InspectProfile neither derives
+// an ID from a prompt default_profile nor checks credential availability, so an
+// absent or blank named environment variable is not an error.
+//
+// The returned ProfileInspection and all nested mutable values are
+// caller-owned. Filesystem-backed inspection is a point-in-time lookup and
+// does not freeze the profile for a later execution. This method does not load
+// a prompt, render, read artifacts or schemas, admit backend capacity, contact
+// a provider, or generate model output.
+//
+// A nil Engine returns an error matching ErrInvalidConfig. A blank profile ID
+// matches ErrInvalidRequest. An absent exact ID matches ErrProfileNotFound and
+// not ErrProfileLoad. Malformed or unreadable profile data, an unknown backend,
+// or an invalid resolved target matches ErrProfileLoad. Cancellation during
+// profile loading matches ErrProfileLoad while preserving the context error.
+// InspectProfile returns no partial result on error.
+func (e *Engine) InspectProfile(ctx context.Context, profileID string) (*ProfileInspection, error) {
+	if e == nil || e.runner == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: engine is nil", ErrInvalidConfig)
+	}
+
+	inspection, err := e.runner.InspectProfile(ctx, profileID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, mapPublicError(err)
+	}
+	return fromDomainProfileInspection(inspection), nil
+}
+
+// Prepare resolves and renders a prompt request without calling an LLM.
+//
+// Prepare selects the prompt and profile, resolves any selected backend and
+// effective execution settings, resolves the output contract, loads and hashes
+// inputs, loads structured-output schema metadata when required, and renders
+// the session ID and messages. The returned PreparedRun is owned by the caller
+// and never contains a resolved API-key value, model output, or validation
+// result.
+//
+// A nil Engine returns an error matching ErrInvalidConfig. Request and
+// preparation failures may match ErrInvalidRequest, ErrPromptNotFound,
+// ErrPromptLoad, ErrProfileNotFound, ErrProfileLoad, ErrProfileRequired,
+// ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing, ErrArtifactLoad, ErrPromptRender, or ErrValidation as
+// applicable. Cancellation is passed to the active collaborator and is
+// reported in the applicable operation category; no general errors.Is
+// relationship to ctx.Err is promised. Prepare returns no partial result on
+// error.
 func (e *Engine) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req RunRequest) (*PreparedRun, error) {
 	if e == nil || e.runner == nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: engine is nil", ErrInvalidConfig)
@@ -323,7 +550,57 @@ func (e *Engine) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req RunRequest) (*PreparedRun, err
 	return fromDomainPreparedRun(prepared), nil
 }
 
-// Run executes a prompt request and returns the generated artifact and metadata.
+// PrepareExecution completely prepares a prompt request without calling the
+// configured LLMClient or reserving backend admission capacity.
+//
+// The returned opaque handle is bound to this Engine and permits one
+// [Engine.RunPrepared] invocation. Preparation freezes the selected sources,
+// rendered messages, effective settings, inputs, provider structured-output
+// metadata, and validation resources needed by that invocation. The handle
+// retains a direct RunRequest.APIKey only in private execution state;
+// [PreparedExecution.Details] is credential-redacted.
+//
+// The context governs preparation only. Cancellation after this method
+// returns does not invalidate the handle or propagate to RunPrepared.
+// PrepareExecution returns the same error categories as [Engine.Prepare] and
+// returns no handle on error. A nil Engine returns an error matching
+// ErrInvalidConfig.
+func (e *Engine) PrepareExecution(ctx context.Context, req RunRequest) (*PreparedExecution, error) {
+	if e == nil || e.runner == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: engine is nil", ErrInvalidConfig)
+	}
+
+	domainReq, err := toDomainRunRequest(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %v", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
+	}
+
+	prepared, err := e.runner.PrepareExecution(ctx, domainReq)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, mapPublicError(err)
+	}
+	return &PreparedExecution{internal: prepared}, nil
+}
+
+// Run prepares a request, invokes the configured LLMClient, and validates the
+// generated output.
+//
+// A content-validation failure is a successful run whose
+// RunResult.Validation has Status ValidationFailed. An inability to perform
+// validation returns an error matching ErrValidation and no partial result.
+// The public Engine does not perform output repair, so validation is
+// single-pass even when OutputContract.RepairAttempts is positive.
+//
+// Run can return every error category documented by [Engine.Prepare], plus
+// ErrCapacityExceeded and ErrLLMGenerate. An engine admission rejection is
+// discoverable as [CapacityError] and still matches ErrCapacityExceeded. It
+// occurs before artifacts, schemas, rendering, or model generation because the
+// selected backend's admission capacity is full; it does not match
+// ErrInvalidRequest or ErrLLMGenerate. Errors from injected clients remain
+// 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)
@@ -340,3 +617,42 @@ func (e *Engine) Run(ctx context.Context, req RunRequest) (*RunResult, error) {
 	}
 	return fromDomainRunResult(result), nil
 }
+
+// RunPrepared atomically claims and executes a handle created by
+// [Engine.PrepareExecution].
+//
+// A valid owning-Engine invocation consumes the handle's one attempt before
+// credential revalidation, backend admission, generation, or validation.
+// Cancellation, capacity rejection, generation failure, operational
+// validation failure, and success all leave the handle unusable. A nil,
+// zero-value, foreign-Engine, discarded, claimed, or used handle returns an
+// error matching ErrInvalidRequest; a nil Engine returns ErrInvalidConfig and
+// does not claim the handle.
+//
+// The supplied context governs this execution attempt independently of the
+// preparation context. It covers credential revalidation, admission,
+// generation, validation, and any internal repair. Result timing begins after
+// the claim and excludes preparation and consumer-held delay.
+//
+// RunPrepared can return ErrInvalidRequest, ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing,
+// ErrCapacityExceeded, ErrLLMGenerate, or ErrValidation as applicable while
+// preserving documented collaborator and context identities. An engine
+// admission rejection is discoverable as [CapacityError] and still matches
+// ErrCapacityExceeded. A completed content-validation rejection is returned
+// in RunResult, not as an operational error. An operational error returns no
+// partial RunResult.
+func (e *Engine) RunPrepared(ctx context.Context, prepared *PreparedExecution) (*RunResult, error) {
+	if e == nil || e.runner == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: engine is nil", ErrInvalidConfig)
+	}
+
+	var internal *usecase.PreparedExecution
+	if prepared != nil {
+		internal = prepared.internal
+	}
+	result, err := e.runner.RunPrepared(ctx, internal)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, mapPublicError(err)
+	}
+	return fromDomainRunResult(result), nil
+}

engine_test.go

@@ -281,6 +281,9 @@ func TestEngineExecutionSettingPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
 	intPointer := func(value int) *int {
 		return &value
 	}
+	stringPointer := func(value string) *string {
+		return &value
+	}
 
 	defaultsProfile := executionProfileFixture{
 		id:               "settings-defaults",
@@ -388,7 +391,7 @@ func TestEngineExecutionSettingPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
 				TopP:            floatPointer(requestTarget.TopP),
 				TimeoutSeconds:  intPointer(requestTarget.TimeoutSeconds),
 				ServiceTier:     requestTarget.ServiceTier,
-				ReasoningEffort: requestTarget.ReasoningEffort,
+				ReasoningEffort: stringPointer(requestTarget.ReasoningEffort),
 				APIKeyEnv:       requestTarget.APIKeyEnv,
 				ExtraParams:     requestTarget.ExtraParams,
 			},
@@ -452,6 +455,43 @@ func TestEngineExecutionSettingPrecedence(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 		})
 	}
+
+	t.Run("blank request reasoning clears profile setting", func(t *testing.T) {
+		profile := executionProfileFixture{
+			id:              "settings-reasoning-clear",
+			endpoint:        "http://profile-reasoning.test/v1",
+			model:           "profile-reasoning-model",
+			reasoningEffort: "medium",
+		}
+		profileDir := t.TempDir()
+		writeExecutionProfileFixture(t, profileDir, profile)
+		engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{
+			PromptDir:  frameworkPromptDir,
+			ProfileDir: profileDir,
+			SchemaDir:  frameworkSchemaDir,
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("construct engine: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		prepared, err := engine.Prepare(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
+			PromptID:  frameworkMarkdownSummaryPromptID,
+			ProfileID: profile.id,
+			Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+				"transcript": promptkit.Inline("Nia labels the archive."),
+				"glossary":   promptkit.Inline("archive: A catalogued collection."),
+			},
+			Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{
+				ReasoningEffort: stringPointer(" \t "),
+			},
+		})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("prepare engine: %v", err)
+		}
+		if prepared.EffectiveModelParams.ReasoningEffort != "" {
+			t.Fatalf("expected blank request reasoning to clear profile value, got %q", prepared.EffectiveModelParams.ReasoningEffort)
+		}
+	})
 }
 
 func TestRunSucceedsWithInjectedLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
@@ -571,19 +611,26 @@ func TestEngineRunWithDirectorySourcesAndFileInputs(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestRunPassesPreparedRequestToInjectedLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
 	const directKey = "direct-injected-key"
+	const directSession = "assembled-session"
 	fake := &fakeLLMClient{
 		response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: `{"events":[{"title":"Archive labelled"}]}`},
 	}
 	engine := newContractEngineWithOptions(t, frameworkSchemaDir, promptkit.WithLLMClient(fake))
 
-	_, err := engine.Run(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
-		PromptID: frameworkStructuredEventsPromptID,
-		APIKey:   directKey,
+	runRequest := promptkit.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  frameworkStructuredEventsPromptID,
+		SessionID: "  " + directSession + "  ",
+		APIKey:    directKey,
 		Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
 			"transcript": promptkit.Inline("Rin opens the gate."),
 			"glossary":   promptkit.Inline("gate: A guarded passage."),
 		},
-	})
+	}
+	prepared, err := engine.Prepare(context.Background(), runRequest)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("expected prepare to succeed, got %v", err)
+	}
+	result, err := engine.Run(context.Background(), runRequest)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("expected run to succeed, got %v", err)
 	}
@@ -594,6 +641,16 @@ func TestRunPassesPreparedRequestToInjectedLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(req.Prompt.Messages) != 2 || !strings.Contains(req.Prompt.Messages[1].Content, "Rin opens the gate.") {
 		t.Fatalf("expected rendered prompt in generate request, got %+v", req.Prompt)
 	}
+	if prepared.SessionID != directSession ||
+		req.Prompt.SessionID != directSession ||
+		result.SessionID != directSession {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"direct session did not propagate consistently: prepared=%q generated=%q result=%q",
+			prepared.SessionID,
+			req.Prompt.SessionID,
+			result.SessionID,
+		)
+	}
 	if req.StructuredOutput == nil || req.StructuredOutput.Type != promptkit.StructuredOutputJSONSchema || req.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("expected structured output handoff, got %+v", req.StructuredOutput)
 	}
@@ -755,6 +812,92 @@ func TestRunUsesDirectAPIKeyWithDefaultLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRunUsesResolvedBackendWithBuiltInLLMClient(t *testing.T) {
+	const (
+		backendID = "local-test"
+		envName   = "PROMPTKIT_BACKEND_TRANSPORT_KEY"
+		apiKey    = "synthetic-backend-key"
+	)
+	t.Setenv(envName, apiKey)
+
+	var (
+		gotAuth string
+		gotBody map[string]any
+	)
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		gotAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		if r.URL.Path != "/v1/chat/completions" {
+			t.Errorf("unexpected path: %s", r.URL.Path)
+		}
+		if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&gotBody); err != nil {
+			t.Errorf("decode request body: %v", err)
+		}
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte(`{
+  "choices": [{"message": {"role": "assistant", "content": "# Summary\n\nDone."}}],
+  "usage": {"prompt_tokens": 3, "completion_tokens": 4, "total_tokens": 7}
+}`))
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(promptkit.Config{
+		PromptDir: frameworkPromptDir,
+		SchemaDir: frameworkSchemaDir,
+	},
+		promptkit.WithBackend(promptkit.Backend{
+			ID:        backendID,
+			Endpoint:  server.URL + "/v1",
+			APIKeyEnv: envName,
+			ExtraParams: map[string]any{
+				"provider": "synthetic",
+			},
+		}),
+		promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+			ID:        "backend-transport",
+			BackendID: backendID,
+			Model:     "test-model",
+		}),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct engine: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := engine.Run(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  frameworkMarkdownSummaryPromptID,
+		ProfileID: "backend-transport",
+		Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+			"transcript": promptkit.Inline("Rin opens the gate."),
+			"glossary":   promptkit.Inline("gate: A guarded passage."),
+		},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("run with resolved backend: %v", err)
+	}
+	if gotAuth != "Bearer "+apiKey {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected Authorization header: %q", gotAuth)
+	}
+	if gotBody["model"] != "test-model" || gotBody["provider"] != "synthetic" {
+		t.Fatalf("backend defaults did not reach provider payload: %#v", gotBody)
+	}
+	for _, field := range []string{"backend_id", "api_key_env"} {
+		if _, ok := gotBody[field]; ok {
+			t.Fatalf("internal metadata field %q was serialized to provider payload: %#v", field, gotBody)
+		}
+	}
+	bodyJSON, err := json.Marshal(gotBody)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal captured provider payload: %v", err)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(string(bodyJSON), apiKey) {
+		t.Fatalf("credential value was serialized to provider payload: %s", bodyJSON)
+	}
+	if result.SelectedBackendID != backendID ||
+		result.EffectiveModelParams.Endpoint != server.URL+"/v1" ||
+		result.EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv != envName {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected resolved backend metadata: %+v", result)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestPrepareDirectAPIKeyBypassesMissingEnvWithoutLeakingOrHashing(t *testing.T) {
 	const missingEnv = "PROMPTKIT_PUBLIC_PREPARE_MISSING"
 	const firstKey = "first-direct-key"
@@ -1020,6 +1163,7 @@ func TestPublicErrorsSupportErrorsIs(t *testing.T) {
 		client    promptkit.LLMClient
 		schemaDir string
 		want      error
+		notWant   error
 	}{
 		{
 			name:   "invalid request",
@@ -1028,10 +1172,11 @@ func TestPublicErrorsSupportErrorsIs(t *testing.T) {
 			want:   promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest,
 		},
 		{
-			name:   "prompt not found",
-			req:    promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "missing.prompt"},
-			client: &fakeLLMClient{response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
-			want:   promptkit.ErrPromptNotFound,
+			name:    "prompt not found",
+			req:     promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "missing.prompt"},
+			client:  &fakeLLMClient{response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
+			want:    promptkit.ErrPromptNotFound,
+			notWant: promptkit.ErrPromptLoad,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "profile not found",
@@ -1042,8 +1187,9 @@ func TestPublicErrorsSupportErrorsIs(t *testing.T) {
 					"transcript": promptkit.Inline("Rin opens the gate."),
 				},
 			},
-			client: &fakeLLMClient{response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
-			want:   promptkit.ErrProfileNotFound,
+			client:  &fakeLLMClient{response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}},
+			want:    promptkit.ErrProfileNotFound,
+			notWant: promptkit.ErrProfileLoad,
 		},
 		{
 			name: "artifact load",
@@ -1114,6 +1260,9 @@ func TestPublicErrorsSupportErrorsIs(t *testing.T) {
 			if !errors.Is(err, tc.want) {
 				t.Fatalf("expected errors.Is(%v), got %v", tc.want, err)
 			}
+			if tc.notWant != nil && errors.Is(err, tc.notWant) {
+				t.Fatalf("did not expect errors.Is(%v), got %v", tc.notWant, err)
+			}
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -1265,6 +1414,18 @@ func TestPrepareUsesBuiltInProfileWithoutProfileDir(t *testing.T) {
 	if prepared.SelectedProfileID != "mistral-small-3" {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected selected profile: %q", prepared.SelectedProfileID)
 	}
+	if prepared.SelectedBackendID != promptkit.BackendOpenRouter {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected selected backend: %q", prepared.SelectedBackendID)
+	}
+	if prepared.EffectiveModelParams.BackendID != promptkit.BackendOpenRouter {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected effective backend: %q", prepared.EffectiveModelParams.BackendID)
+	}
+	if prepared.EffectiveModelParams.Endpoint != "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1" {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected built-in endpoint: %q", prepared.EffectiveModelParams.Endpoint)
+	}
+	if prepared.EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv != "OPENROUTER_API_KEY" {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected built-in api key environment name: %q", prepared.EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv)
+	}
 	if prepared.EffectiveModelParams.Model != "mistralai/mistral-small-3.2-24b-instruct" {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected built-in model: %q", prepared.EffectiveModelParams.Model)
 	}
@@ -1635,6 +1796,7 @@ func TestOpenAICompatibleProfileRunsThroughNormalProfilePath(t *testing.T) {
 	fake := &fakeLLMClient{response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
 	prof := promptkit.OpenAICompatibleProfile(promptkit.OpenAICompatibleProfileConfig{
 		ID:             "template-profile",
+		BackendID:      "  openrouter  ",
 		Endpoint:       "http://template/v1",
 		Model:          "template-model",
 		APIKeyRequired: true,
@@ -1666,7 +1828,9 @@ func TestOpenAICompatibleProfileRunsThroughNormalProfilePath(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(fake.requests) != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("expected one request, got %d", len(fake.requests))
 	}
-	if fake.requests[0].Target.Model != "template-model" || fake.requests[0].APIKey != "template-key" {
+	if fake.requests[0].Target.BackendID != promptkit.BackendOpenRouter ||
+		fake.requests[0].Target.Model != "template-model" ||
+		fake.requests[0].APIKey != "template-key" {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected generated request: %+v", fake.requests[0])
 	}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(fake.requests[0].Target.ExtraParams, map[string]any{"provider": "template"}) {
@@ -1699,6 +1863,16 @@ func TestEngineRunLayersTransportAndGenerationTimeouts(t *testing.T) {
 			configTimeout:          5 * time.Second,
 			wantRemainingAtRequest: 5 * time.Second,
 		},
+		{
+			name:                   "zero configuration uses ten minute transport default",
+			wantRemainingAtRequest: 10 * time.Minute,
+		},
+		{
+			name:                   "negative configuration uses ten minute transport default",
+			configTimeout:          -2 * time.Second,
+			suppliedClientTimeout:  -3 * time.Second,
+			wantRemainingAtRequest: 10 * time.Minute,
+		},
 		{
 			name:                   "profile deadline is shorter than transport cap",
 			suppliedClientTimeout:  6 * time.Second,
@@ -2240,6 +2414,11 @@ func TestExtraParamsTypedNestedValuesAreCopiedAcrossPublicBoundary(t *testing.T)
 }
 
 func TestRunRejectsInvalidExtraParams(t *testing.T) {
+	cyclicMap := map[string]any{}
+	cyclicMap["self"] = cyclicMap
+	cyclicSlice := []any{nil}
+	cyclicSlice[0] = cyclicSlice
+
 	tests := []struct {
 		name        string
 		extraParams map[string]any
@@ -2251,42 +2430,10 @@ func TestRunRejectsInvalidExtraParams(t *testing.T) {
 		{name: "nan", extraParams: map[string]any{"bad": math.NaN()}},
 		{name: "positive infinity", extraParams: map[string]any{"bad": math.Inf(1)}},
 		{name: "negative infinity", extraParams: map[string]any{"bad": math.Inf(-1)}},
-	}
-	for _, tc := range tests {
-		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			fake := &fakeLLMClient{response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
-			engine := newContractEngineWithOptions(t, frameworkSchemaDir, promptkit.WithLLMClient(fake))
-
-			_, err := engine.Run(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
-				PromptID: frameworkMarkdownSummaryPromptID,
-				Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
-					"transcript": promptkit.Inline("Rin opens the gate."),
-					"glossary":   promptkit.Inline("gate: A guarded passage."),
-				},
-				Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{ExtraParams: tc.extraParams},
-			})
-			if !errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
-				t.Fatalf("expected ErrInvalidRequest, got %v", err)
-			}
-			if len(fake.requests) != 0 {
-				t.Fatalf("expected invalid request to fail before LLM call, got %d requests", len(fake.requests))
-			}
-		})
-	}
-}
-
-func TestRunRejectsCyclicExtraParams(t *testing.T) {
-	cyclicMap := map[string]any{}
-	cyclicMap["self"] = cyclicMap
-	cyclicSlice := []any{nil}
-	cyclicSlice[0] = cyclicSlice
-
-	tests := []struct {
-		name        string
-		extraParams map[string]any
-	}{
-		{name: "map", extraParams: cyclicMap},
-		{name: "slice", extraParams: map[string]any{"cycle": cyclicSlice}},
+		{name: "cyclic map", extraParams: cyclicMap},
+		{name: "cyclic slice", extraParams: map[string]any{"cycle": cyclicSlice}},
+		{name: "malformed JSON number", extraParams: map[string]any{"value": json.Number("+1")}},
+		{name: "empty nested key", extraParams: map[string]any{"nested": map[string]any{"": true}}},
 	}
 	for _, tc := range tests {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {

errors.go

@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ package promptkit
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 
+	"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"
@@ -13,6 +15,11 @@ func mapPublicError(err error) error {
 	if err == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
+	var internalCapacityError *usecase.CapacityError
+	if errors.As(err, &internalCapacityError) && internalCapacityError != nil &&
+		strings.TrimSpace(internalCapacityError.BackendID) != "" {
+		return &CapacityError{BackendID: internalCapacityError.BackendID}
+	}
 	publicErr := publicErrorFor(err)
 	if publicErr == nil {
 		return err
@@ -38,6 +45,8 @@ 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 +1,50 @@
+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)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMapPublicErrorTranslatesCapacityError(t *testing.T) {
+	internalErr := &usecase.CapacityError{BackendID: "limited"}
+
+	err := mapPublicError(internalErr)
+	var publicErr *CapacityError
+	if !errors.As(err, &publicErr) || publicErr == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped error=%v, want public CapacityError", err)
+	}
+	if publicErr.BackendID != "limited" {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped backend ID=%q, want limited", publicErr.BackendID)
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped error=%v, want ErrCapacityExceeded", err)
+	}
+	if errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) || errors.Is(err, ErrLLMGenerate) {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped capacity error has an unrelated category: %v", err)
+	}
+	var leakedInternalErr *usecase.CapacityError
+	if errors.As(err, &leakedInternalErr) {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped error exposes internal CapacityError: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	internalErr.BackendID = "changed"
+	if publicErr.BackendID != "limited" {
+		t.Fatalf("mapped backend ID changed with source error: %q", publicErr.BackendID)
+	}
+}

examples/go-library/run/main.go

@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit"
+)
+
+type deterministicClient struct{}
+
+func (deterministicClient) Generate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	_ promptkit.GenerateRequest,
+) (*promptkit.GenerateResponse, error) {
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return &promptkit.GenerateResponse{
+		Content: "Ada finished the migration review.",
+		Usage: promptkit.TokenUsage{
+			PromptTokens:     12,
+			CompletionTokens: 6,
+			TotalTokens:      18,
+		},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+type summary struct {
+	Output           string                     `json:"output"`
+	ValidationStatus promptkit.ValidationStatus `json:"validation_status"`
+	IsValid          bool                       `json:"is_valid"`
+	Model            string                     `json:"model"`
+	TotalTokens      int                        `json:"total_tokens"`
+}
+
+func main() {
+	engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(
+		promptkit.Config{},
+		promptkit.WithPromptFile("examples/go-library/run/prompt.yaml"),
+		promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+			ID:       "offline-example",
+			Endpoint: "https://example.invalid/v1",
+			Model:    "offline-model",
+		}),
+		promptkit.WithLLMClient(deterministicClient{}),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		exit(err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := engine.Run(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
+		PromptID: "example.run",
+		Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+			"note": promptkit.Inline("Ada finished the migration review."),
+		},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		exit(err)
+	}
+
+	encoder := json.NewEncoder(os.Stdout)
+	encoder.SetIndent("", "  ")
+	if err := encoder.Encode(summary{
+		Output:           result.RawOutput,
+		ValidationStatus: result.Validation.Status,
+		IsValid:          result.Validation.IsValid,
+		Model:            result.ModelName,
+		TotalTokens:      result.Usage.TotalTokens,
+	}); err != nil {
+		exit(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func exit(err error) {
+	fmt.Fprintln(os.Stderr, err)
+	os.Exit(1)
+}

examples/go-library/run/prompt.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+id: example.run
+version: "1.0.0"
+default_profile: offline-example
+description: Run a prompt with a deterministic injected model client.
+inputs:
+  - name: note
+    required: true
+    content_type: text/plain
+messages:
+  - role: system
+    content: Summarize the note in one sentence.
+  - role: user
+    content: '{{input "note"}}'
+output:
+  format: text
+  validation_mode: basic

formatting.go

@@ -2,19 +2,23 @@ package promptkit
 
 import "fmt"
 
-// String returns a concise request summary without exposing direct API keys.
+// String returns a concise request summary without exposing the direct API key
+// or input and variable contents. Reflection-based formatting does not carry
+// this guarantee.
 func (r RunRequest) String() string {
 	return r.redactedString()
 }
 
-// GoString returns a concise request summary without exposing direct API keys.
+// GoString returns a concise request summary without exposing the direct API
+// key or input and variable contents. Reflection-based formatting does not
+// carry this guarantee.
 func (r RunRequest) GoString() string {
 	return r.redactedString()
 }
 
 func (r RunRequest) redactedString() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf(
-		"promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID:%q PromptVersion:%q ProfileID:%q APIKeySet:%t Inputs:%d Vars:%d ExecutionSet:%t ValidationSet:%t Metadata:%d}",
+		"promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID:%q PromptVersion:%q ProfileID:%q APIKeySet:%t Inputs:%d Vars:%d ExecutionSet:%t ValidationSet:%t}",
 		r.PromptID,
 		r.PromptVersion,
 		r.ProfileID,
@@ -23,18 +27,19 @@ func (r RunRequest) redactedString() string {
 		len(r.Vars),
 		r.Execution != nil,
 		r.Validation != nil,
-		len(r.Metadata),
 	)
 }
 
 // String returns a concise request summary without exposing direct API keys or
-// rendered prompt content.
+// rendered prompt content. Reflection-based formatting does not carry this
+// guarantee.
 func (r GenerateRequest) String() string {
 	return r.redactedString()
 }
 
 // GoString returns a concise request summary without exposing direct API keys or
-// rendered prompt content.
+// rendered prompt content. Reflection-based formatting does not carry this
+// guarantee.
 func (r GenerateRequest) GoString() string {
 	return r.redactedString()
 }

internal/backend/registry.go

@@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
+// Package backend owns validated, immutable OpenAI-compatible backend
+// definitions.
+package backend
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/url"
+	"regexp"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/jsonvalue"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/llm"
+)
+
+const (
+	// OpenRouterID is the reserved ID of Promptkit's built-in OpenRouter
+	// backend.
+	OpenRouterID = "openrouter"
+
+	openRouterEndpoint  = "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
+	openRouterAPIKeyEnv = "OPENROUTER_API_KEY"
+
+	openRouterConcurrencyLimit = 16
+	defaultQueueCapacity       = 1024
+)
+
+// ErrBackendNotFound identifies a registry lookup for an unknown backend ID.
+var ErrBackendNotFound = errors.New("backend not found")
+
+var environmentVariableName = regexp.MustCompile(`^[A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*$`)
+
+// Registry is an immutable collection of validated backend definitions.
+type Registry struct {
+	backends map[string]domain.Backend
+}
+
+// NewRegistry constructs a registry containing the built-in OpenRouter
+// definition followed by the supplied additions. Every ID must be unique.
+func NewRegistry(additions []domain.Backend) (*Registry, error) {
+	registry := &Registry{
+		backends: make(map[string]domain.Backend, len(additions)+1),
+	}
+
+	definitions := make([]domain.Backend, 0, len(additions)+1)
+	definitions = append(definitions, domain.Backend{
+		ID:               OpenRouterID,
+		Endpoint:         openRouterEndpoint,
+		APIKeyEnv:        openRouterAPIKeyEnv,
+		ConcurrencyLimit: openRouterConcurrencyLimit,
+	})
+	definitions = append(definitions, additions...)
+
+	for _, definition := range definitions {
+		definition.ID = strings.TrimSpace(definition.ID)
+		if definition.ID == "" {
+			return nil, errors.New("backend ID must not be blank")
+		}
+		if _, exists := registry.backends[definition.ID]; exists {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("backend ID %q is already registered", definition.ID)
+		}
+
+		normalized, err := normalizeBackend(definition)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		registry.backends[normalized.ID] = normalized
+	}
+
+	return registry, nil
+}
+
+// GetBackend returns a defensive copy of the backend registered with id.
+func (r *Registry) GetBackend(id string) (domain.Backend, error) {
+	if r == nil {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf("%w: %q", ErrBackendNotFound, id)
+	}
+	definition, ok := r.backends[id]
+	if !ok {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf("%w: %q", ErrBackendNotFound, id)
+	}
+	extraParams, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(definition.ExtraParams)
+	if err != nil {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf("copy backend %q: %w", id, err)
+	}
+	definition.ExtraParams = extraParams
+	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 {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf("backend %q endpoint: %w", definition.ID, err)
+	}
+
+	definition.APIKeyEnv = strings.TrimSpace(definition.APIKeyEnv)
+	if definition.APIKeyEnv != "" && !environmentVariableName.MatchString(definition.APIKeyEnv) {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf(
+			"backend %q api key environment variable %q is invalid",
+			definition.ID,
+			definition.APIKeyEnv,
+		)
+	}
+
+	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)
+	}
+	sort.Strings(keys)
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		if key == "" {
+			return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf("backend %q extra parameter key must not be empty", definition.ID)
+		}
+		if llm.IsReservedOpenAIChatRequestField(key) {
+			return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf(
+				"backend %q extra parameter %q collides with a reserved request field",
+				definition.ID,
+				key,
+			)
+		}
+	}
+
+	extraParams, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(definition.ExtraParams)
+	if err != nil {
+		return domain.Backend{}, fmt.Errorf("backend %q extra parameters: %w", definition.ID, err)
+	}
+	definition.ExtraParams = extraParams
+	return definition, nil
+}
+
+func validateEndpoint(endpoint string) error {
+	if endpoint == "" {
+		return errors.New("must not be blank")
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(endpoint, "#") {
+		return errors.New("must not contain a fragment")
+	}
+
+	parsed, err := url.Parse(endpoint)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("must be a valid URL: %w", err)
+	}
+	scheme := strings.ToLower(parsed.Scheme)
+	if scheme != "http" && scheme != "https" {
+		return errors.New("must use http or https")
+	}
+	if !parsed.IsAbs() || parsed.Hostname() == "" {
+		return errors.New("must be absolute and include a host")
+	}
+	if parsed.User != nil {
+		return errors.New("must not contain user information")
+	}
+	if parsed.RawQuery != "" || parsed.ForceQuery {
+		return errors.New("must not contain a query string")
+	}
+	return nil
+}

internal/backend/registry_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,368 @@
+package backend_test
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/backend"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+)
+
+const validEndpoint = "https://backend.example/v1"
+
+func TestRegistryIncludesExactOpenRouterDefinition(t *testing.T) {
+	registry, err := backend.NewRegistry(nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct registry: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	definition, err := registry.GetBackend(backend.OpenRouterID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("look up OpenRouter: %v", err)
+	}
+	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) {
+	nested := map[string]int{"limit": 2}
+	extraParams := map[string]any{
+		"count":  int64(7),
+		"nested": nested,
+	}
+	registry, err := backend.NewRegistry([]domain.Backend{
+		{
+			ID:               " custom ",
+			Endpoint:         " https://custom.example/openai/v1 ",
+			APIKeyEnv:        " CUSTOM_API_KEY ",
+			ExtraParams:      extraParams,
+			ConcurrencyLimit: 3,
+			QueueCapacity:    2,
+			QueueCapacitySet: true,
+		},
+		{
+			ID:       "Custom",
+			Endpoint: validEndpoint,
+		},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct registry: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	nested["limit"] = 99
+	extraParams["added"] = true
+
+	got, err := registry.GetBackend("custom")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("look up custom backend: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.ID != "custom" ||
+		got.Endpoint != "https://custom.example/openai/v1" ||
+		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 {
+		t.Fatalf("integer type or value changed: %#v", got.ExtraParams["count"])
+	}
+	gotNested, ok := got.ExtraParams["nested"].(map[string]int)
+	if !ok || gotNested["limit"] != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("container type or value changed: %#v", got.ExtraParams["nested"])
+	}
+	if _, exists := got.ExtraParams["added"]; exists {
+		t.Fatalf("registry retained caller map: %#v", got.ExtraParams)
+	}
+
+	gotNested["limit"] = 100
+	got.ExtraParams["added"] = true
+	again, err := registry.GetBackend("custom")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("look up custom backend again: %v", err)
+	}
+	if again.ExtraParams["nested"].(map[string]int)["limit"] != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("lookup exposed registry nested map: %#v", again.ExtraParams)
+	}
+	if _, exists := again.ExtraParams["added"]; exists {
+		t.Fatalf("lookup exposed registry map: %#v", again.ExtraParams)
+	}
+
+	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) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		additions []domain.Backend
+		wantID    string
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "built-in collision after normalization",
+			additions: []domain.Backend{{
+				ID: " openrouter ",
+			}},
+			wantID: "openrouter",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "consumer collision after normalization",
+			additions: []domain.Backend{
+				{ID: "custom", Endpoint: validEndpoint},
+				{ID: " custom ", Endpoint: "https://other.example/v1"},
+			},
+			wantID: "custom",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := backend.NewRegistry(tc.additions)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected duplicate ID error")
+			}
+			if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.wantID) {
+				t.Fatalf("expected error to identify %q, got %v", tc.wantID, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewRegistryValidatesIDs(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, id := range []string{"", " \t\n "} {
+		t.Run(id, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := backend.NewRegistry([]domain.Backend{{
+				ID:       id,
+				Endpoint: validEndpoint,
+			}})
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected blank ID error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewRegistryValidatesEndpoints(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		endpoint string
+	}{
+		{name: "blank", endpoint: ""},
+		{name: "relative", endpoint: "/v1"},
+		{name: "missing host", endpoint: "https:///v1"},
+		{name: "unsupported scheme", endpoint: "ftp://backend.example/v1"},
+		{name: "user information", endpoint: "https://user@backend.example/v1"},
+		{name: "query", endpoint: "https://backend.example/v1?mode=chat"},
+		{name: "empty query", endpoint: "https://backend.example/v1?"},
+		{name: "fragment", endpoint: "https://backend.example/v1#chat"},
+		{name: "empty fragment", endpoint: "https://backend.example/v1#"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := backend.NewRegistry([]domain.Backend{{
+				ID:       "custom",
+				Endpoint: tc.endpoint,
+			}})
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected invalid endpoint error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewRegistryValidatesEnvironmentVariableNames(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, name := range []string{"1API_KEY", "API-KEY", "API KEY", "ÅPI_KEY"} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := backend.NewRegistry([]domain.Backend{{
+				ID:        "custom",
+				Endpoint:  validEndpoint,
+				APIKeyEnv: name,
+			}})
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected invalid environment-variable name error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewRegistryRejectsInvalidAndReservedExtraParameters(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		extraParams map[string]any
+	}{
+		{name: "unsupported value", extraParams: map[string]any{"value": make(chan int)}},
+		{name: "reserved key", extraParams: map[string]any{"model": "override"}},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := backend.NewRegistry([]domain.Backend{{
+				ID:          "custom",
+				Endpoint:    validEndpoint,
+				ExtraParams: tc.extraParams,
+			}})
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected invalid extra parameters error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegistryLookupReportsNotFound(t *testing.T) {
+	registry, err := backend.NewRegistry(nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct registry: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err = registry.GetBackend("missing")
+	if !errors.Is(err, backend.ErrBackendNotFound) {
+		t.Fatalf("expected ErrBackendNotFound, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "missing") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected error to identify backend, got %v", err)
+	}
+}

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 +1,163 @@
+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)
+	}
+	release, err := manager.Admit(context.Background(), "limited")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("fill limited pool: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer release()
+
+	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

@@ -63,12 +63,12 @@ type RunRequest struct {
 	PromptID      string
 	PromptVersion string
 	ProfileID     string
+	SessionID     string
 	APIKey        string `json:"-" yaml:"-"`
 	Inputs        map[string]ArtifactRef
 	Vars          map[string]string
 	Execution     *ExecutionTargetOverride
 	Validation    *OutputContract
-	Metadata      map[string]string
 }
 
 // RunResult represents the complete result of a prompt execution run.
@@ -80,8 +80,10 @@ type RunResult struct {
 	PromptID             string
 	PromptVersion        string
 	PromptHash           string
+	SessionID            string
 	RenderedPromptHash   string
 	SelectedProfileID    string
+	SelectedBackendID    string
 	ModelName            string
 	Endpoint             string
 	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget
@@ -99,6 +101,7 @@ type PreparedRun struct {
 	PromptVersion        string                  `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
 	PromptHash           string                  `json:"prompt_hash,omitempty"`
 	SelectedProfileID    string                  `json:"selected_profile_id"`
+	SelectedBackendID    string                  `json:"selected_backend_id,omitempty"`
 	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget         `json:"effective_model_params"`
 	TargetPresence       ExecutionTargetPresence `json:"-"`
 	OutputContract       OutputContract          `json:"output_contract"`
@@ -142,6 +145,16 @@ type PromptDefinition struct {
 	Validation     OutputContract          `yaml:"validation"`
 }
 
+// PromptInspection is the resolved result of exact prompt inspection.
+type PromptInspection struct {
+	PromptID         string
+	PromptVersion    string
+	PromptHash       string
+	DefaultProfileID string
+	Inputs           []PromptInput
+	OutputContract   OutputContract
+}
+
 // PromptInput describes one named input expected by a prompt definition.
 type PromptInput struct {
 	Name        string `yaml:"name"`
@@ -158,9 +171,28 @@ type PromptMessageTemplate struct {
 	CacheControl *CacheControl `yaml:"cache_control,omitempty" json:"cache_control,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// Backend describes reusable OpenAI-compatible connection defaults.
+type Backend struct {
+	ID               string
+	Endpoint         string
+	APIKeyEnv        string
+	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.
 type ExecutionProfile struct {
 	ID              string         `yaml:"id"`
+	BackendID       string         `yaml:"backend"`
 	Endpoint        string         `yaml:"endpoint"`
 	Model           string         `yaml:"model"`
 	Temperature     float64        `yaml:"temperature"`
@@ -183,7 +215,7 @@ type ExecutionTargetOverride struct {
 	TopP            *float64       `json:"top_p,omitempty"`
 	TimeoutSeconds  *int           `json:"timeout_seconds,omitempty"`
 	ServiceTier     string         `json:"service_tier,omitempty"`
-	ReasoningEffort string         `json:"reasoning_effort,omitempty"`
+	ReasoningEffort *string        `json:"reasoning_effort,omitempty"`
 	APIKeyEnv       string         `json:"api_key_env,omitempty"`
 	ExtraParams     map[string]any `json:"extra_params,omitempty"`
 }
@@ -199,6 +231,7 @@ type ExecutionTargetPresence struct {
 
 // ExecutionTarget represents effective model runtime settings for a run.
 type ExecutionTarget struct {
+	BackendID       string         `yaml:"backend" json:"backend_id,omitempty"`
 	Endpoint        string         `yaml:"endpoint" json:"endpoint"`
 	Model           string         `yaml:"model" json:"model"`
 	Temperature     float64        `yaml:"temperature" json:"temperature"`
@@ -213,6 +246,13 @@ type ExecutionTarget struct {
 	ExtraParams     map[string]any `yaml:"extra_params" json:"extra_params"`
 }
 
+// ProfileInspection is the resolved result of exact profile inspection.
+type ProfileInspection struct {
+	ProfileID            string
+	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget
+	APIKeyRequired       bool
+}
+
 // OutputContract defines the requirements for the output artifact.
 type OutputContract struct {
 	Format         OutputFormat   `yaml:"format"`

internal/domain/session.go

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+package domain
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"unicode/utf8"
+)
+
+// NormalizeSessionID applies the shared session identifier rule.
+func NormalizeSessionID(raw string) (string, error) {
+	normalized := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+	if normalized == "" {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+	if length := utf8.RuneCountInString(normalized); length > SessionIDMaxLength {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("session_id length %d exceeds maximum %d", length, SessionIDMaxLength)
+	}
+	return normalized, nil
+}

internal/domain/session_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+package domain
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestNormalizeSessionID(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name    string
+		raw     string
+		want    string
+		wantErr bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "trims surrounding Unicode whitespace",
+			raw:  "\u2003 session-123 \u2003",
+			want: "session-123",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "blank input is omitted",
+			raw:  " \t\u2003 ",
+			want: "",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "maximum Unicode length is accepted",
+			raw:  strings.Repeat("界", SessionIDMaxLength),
+			want: strings.Repeat("界", SessionIDMaxLength),
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "one Unicode code point over maximum is rejected",
+			raw:     strings.Repeat("界", SessionIDMaxLength+1),
+			wantErr: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			got, err := NormalizeSessionID(tt.raw)
+			if tt.wantErr {
+				if err == nil {
+					t.Fatal("expected normalization error")
+				}
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "exceeds maximum") {
+					t.Fatalf("expected useful length diagnostic, got %v", err)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("normalize session id: %v", err)
+			}
+			if got != tt.want {
+				t.Fatalf("normalized session id = %q, want %q", got, tt.want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/jsonvalue/jsonvalue.go

@@ -1,25 +1,36 @@
-package promptkit
+// Package jsonvalue validates and defensively copies JSON-compatible value
+// trees used by configuration, request, and prepared-state boundaries.
+package jsonvalue
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"math"
 	"reflect"
+	"sort"
 	"strconv"
 )
 
 const maxSafeJSONInteger = 1<<53 - 1
 
-type jsonVisit struct {
+type visit struct {
 	typ reflect.Type
 	ptr uintptr
 }
 
-func copyPublicJSONMap(src map[string]any) (map[string]any, error) {
+// Copy validates and deeply copies a JSON-compatible value while preserving
+// compatible concrete map, slice, array, scalar, and number types.
+func Copy(src any) (any, error) {
+	return copyValue(reflect.ValueOf(src), "value", make(map[visit]struct{}), true)
+}
+
+// CopyMap validates and deeply copies an extra-parameter map while preserving
+// compatible concrete map, slice, array, scalar, and number types.
+func CopyMap(src map[string]any) (map[string]any, error) {
 	if src == nil {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
-	copied, err := copyPublicJSONValue(reflect.ValueOf(src), "extra_params", make(map[jsonVisit]struct{}))
+	copied, err := copyValue(reflect.ValueOf(src), "extra_params", make(map[visit]struct{}), false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -30,7 +41,12 @@ func copyPublicJSONMap(src map[string]any) (map[string]any, error) {
 	return out, nil
 }
 
-func copyPublicJSONValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit]struct{}) (any, error) {
+func copyValue(
+	value reflect.Value,
+	path string,
+	seen map[visit]struct{},
+	allowEmptyMapKeys bool,
+) (any, error) {
 	if !value.IsValid() {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
@@ -38,12 +54,15 @@ func copyPublicJSONValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit]st
 		if value.IsNil() {
 			return nil, nil
 		}
-		return copyPublicJSONValue(value.Elem(), path, seen)
+		return copyValue(value.Elem(), path, seen, allowEmptyMapKeys)
 	}
 	if !value.CanInterface() {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: value cannot be copied", path)
 	}
 	if number, ok := value.Interface().(json.Number); ok {
+		if _, err := json.Marshal(number); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: invalid JSON number", path)
+		}
 		f, err := strconv.ParseFloat(number.String(), 64)
 		if err != nil || math.IsNaN(f) || math.IsInf(f, 0) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: invalid JSON number", path)
@@ -65,8 +84,8 @@ func copyPublicJSONValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit]st
 		}
 		return value.Interface(), nil
 	case reflect.Float32, reflect.Float64:
-		f := value.Convert(reflect.TypeOf(float64(0))).Float()
-		if math.IsNaN(f) || math.IsInf(f, 0) {
+		number := value.Convert(reflect.TypeOf(float64(0))).Float()
+		if math.IsNaN(number) || math.IsInf(number, 0) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: floating-point value must be finite", path)
 		}
 		return value.Interface(), nil
@@ -74,28 +93,33 @@ func copyPublicJSONValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit]st
 		if value.IsNil() {
 			return nil, nil
 		}
-		visit := jsonVisit{typ: value.Type(), ptr: value.Pointer()}
-		if _, ok := seen[visit]; ok {
+		current := visit{typ: value.Type(), ptr: value.Pointer()}
+		if _, ok := seen[current]; ok {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: cyclic value is not supported", path)
 		}
-		seen[visit] = struct{}{}
-		defer delete(seen, visit)
-		return copyPublicJSONValue(value.Elem(), path, seen)
+		seen[current] = struct{}{}
+		defer delete(seen, current)
+		return copyValue(value.Elem(), path, seen, allowEmptyMapKeys)
 	case reflect.Map:
-		return copyPublicJSONMapValue(value, path, seen)
+		return copyMapValue(value, path, seen, allowEmptyMapKeys)
 	case reflect.Slice:
 		if value.IsNil() {
 			return nil, nil
 		}
-		return copyPublicJSONSequenceValue(value, path, seen)
+		return copySequenceValue(value, path, seen, allowEmptyMapKeys)
 	case reflect.Array:
-		return copyPublicJSONSequenceValue(value, path, seen)
+		return copySequenceValue(value, path, seen, allowEmptyMapKeys)
 	default:
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: unsupported JSON value type %s", path, value.Type())
 	}
 }
 
-func copyPublicJSONMapValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit]struct{}) (any, error) {
+func copyMapValue(
+	value reflect.Value,
+	path string,
+	seen map[visit]struct{},
+	allowEmptyMapKeys bool,
+) (any, error) {
 	if value.IsNil() {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
@@ -103,37 +127,43 @@ func copyPublicJSONMapValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: map key type %s is not supported", path, value.Type().Key())
 	}
 
-	visit := jsonVisit{typ: value.Type(), ptr: value.Pointer()}
-	if _, ok := seen[visit]; ok {
+	current := visit{typ: value.Type(), ptr: value.Pointer()}
+	if _, ok := seen[current]; ok {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: cyclic value is not supported", path)
 	}
-	seen[visit] = struct{}{}
-	defer delete(seen, visit)
+	seen[current] = struct{}{}
+	defer delete(seen, current)
+
+	keys := value.MapKeys()
+	sort.Slice(keys, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return keys[i].String() < keys[j].String()
+	})
 
 	type entry struct {
 		key   reflect.Value
 		name  string
 		value any
 	}
-	entries := make([]entry, 0, value.Len())
+	entries := make([]entry, 0, len(keys))
 	preserveType := true
-	elemType := value.Type().Elem()
-	iter := value.MapRange()
-	for iter.Next() {
-		key := iter.Key()
+	elementType := value.Type().Elem()
+	for _, key := range keys {
 		name := key.String()
-		copied, err := copyPublicJSONValue(iter.Value(), path+"."+name, seen)
+		if name == "" && !allowEmptyMapKeys {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: map key must not be empty", path)
+		}
+		copied, err := copyValue(value.MapIndex(key), path+"."+name, seen, allowEmptyMapKeys)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		entries = append(entries, entry{key: key, name: name, value: copied})
 		if copied == nil {
-			if !canAssignNil(elemType) {
+			if !canAssignNil(elementType) {
 				preserveType = false
 			}
 			continue
 		}
-		if !reflect.TypeOf(copied).AssignableTo(elemType) {
+		if !reflect.TypeOf(copied).AssignableTo(elementType) {
 			preserveType = false
 		}
 	}
@@ -142,7 +172,7 @@ func copyPublicJSONMapValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit
 		out := reflect.MakeMapWithSize(value.Type(), len(entries))
 		for _, entry := range entries {
 			if entry.value == nil {
-				out.SetMapIndex(entry.key, reflect.Zero(elemType))
+				out.SetMapIndex(entry.key, reflect.Zero(elementType))
 				continue
 			}
 			out.SetMapIndex(entry.key, reflect.ValueOf(entry.value))
@@ -157,33 +187,43 @@ func copyPublicJSONMapValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit
 	return out, nil
 }
 
-func copyPublicJSONSequenceValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[jsonVisit]struct{}) (any, error) {
-	var visit jsonVisit
+func copySequenceValue(
+	value reflect.Value,
+	path string,
+	seen map[visit]struct{},
+	allowEmptyMapKeys bool,
+) (any, error) {
+	var current visit
 	if value.Kind() == reflect.Slice {
-		visit = jsonVisit{typ: value.Type(), ptr: value.Pointer()}
-		if _, ok := seen[visit]; ok {
+		current = visit{typ: value.Type(), ptr: value.Pointer()}
+		if _, ok := seen[current]; ok {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: cyclic value is not supported", path)
 		}
-		seen[visit] = struct{}{}
-		defer delete(seen, visit)
+		seen[current] = struct{}{}
+		defer delete(seen, current)
 	}
 
 	values := make([]any, value.Len())
 	preserveType := true
-	elemType := value.Type().Elem()
+	elementType := value.Type().Elem()
 	for i := 0; i < value.Len(); i++ {
-		copied, err := copyPublicJSONValue(value.Index(i), fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d]", path, i), seen)
+		copied, err := copyValue(
+			value.Index(i),
+			fmt.Sprintf("%s[%d]", path, i),
+			seen,
+			allowEmptyMapKeys,
+		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 		values[i] = copied
 		if copied == nil {
-			if !canAssignNil(elemType) {
+			if !canAssignNil(elementType) {
 				preserveType = false
 			}
 			continue
 		}
-		if !reflect.TypeOf(copied).AssignableTo(elemType) {
+		if !reflect.TypeOf(copied).AssignableTo(elementType) {
 			preserveType = false
 		}
 	}
@@ -195,7 +235,7 @@ func copyPublicJSONSequenceValue(value reflect.Value, path string, seen map[json
 		}
 		for i, copied := range values {
 			if copied == nil {
-				out.Index(i).Set(reflect.Zero(elemType))
+				out.Index(i).Set(reflect.Zero(elementType))
 				continue
 			}
 			out.Index(i).Set(reflect.ValueOf(copied))

internal/jsonvalue/jsonvalue_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+package jsonvalue_test
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"math"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/jsonvalue"
+)
+
+func TestCopyMapPreservesTypesAndIsolatesMutations(t *testing.T) {
+	nested := map[string]int{"limit": 2}
+	sequence := []string{"one", "two"}
+	input := map[string]any{
+		"count":    int64(7),
+		"number":   json.Number("-1.25e+2"),
+		"nested":   nested,
+		"sequence": sequence,
+	}
+
+	copied, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(input)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("copy map: %v", err)
+	}
+	nested["limit"] = 99
+	sequence[0] = "changed"
+	input["added"] = true
+
+	if got, ok := copied["count"].(int64); !ok || got != 7 {
+		t.Fatalf("integer type or value changed: %#v", copied["count"])
+	}
+	if got, ok := copied["number"].(json.Number); !ok || got != "-1.25e+2" {
+		t.Fatalf("JSON number type or value changed: %#v", copied["number"])
+	}
+	if got := copied["nested"].(map[string]int)["limit"]; got != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("nested map was not isolated: %d", got)
+	}
+	if got := copied["sequence"].([]string)[0]; got != "one" {
+		t.Fatalf("sequence was not isolated: %q", got)
+	}
+	if _, ok := copied["added"]; ok {
+		t.Fatalf("top-level map was not isolated: %#v", copied)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCopyAllowsEmptyObjectKeysAndIsolatesMutations(t *testing.T) {
+	nested := map[string]any{"": []any{"original"}}
+
+	copiedValue, err := jsonvalue.Copy(nested)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("copy value: %v", err)
+	}
+	nested[""].([]any)[0] = "changed"
+
+	copied := copiedValue.(map[string]any)
+	if got := copied[""].([]any)[0]; got != "original" {
+		t.Fatalf("copied value was not isolated: %v", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCopyMapRejectsInvalidValues(t *testing.T) {
+	cyclicMap := map[string]any{}
+	cyclicMap["self"] = cyclicMap
+	cyclicSlice := []any{nil}
+	cyclicSlice[0] = cyclicSlice
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name  string
+		value any
+	}{
+		{name: "empty nested key", value: map[string]int{"": 1}},
+		{name: "non-string map key", value: map[int]string{1: "one"}},
+		{name: "unsupported value", value: make(chan int)},
+		{name: "cyclic map", value: cyclicMap},
+		{name: "cyclic slice", value: cyclicSlice},
+		{name: "NaN", value: math.NaN()},
+		{name: "positive infinity", value: math.Inf(1)},
+		{name: "unsafe signed integer", value: int64(1 << 53)},
+		{name: "unsafe unsigned integer", value: uint64(1 << 53)},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if _, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(map[string]any{"value": tc.value}); err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected validation error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCopyMapValidatesJSONNumberSyntaxAndRange(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, number := range []json.Number{"0", "-1", "1.25", "-1.25e+2"} {
+		t.Run("valid "+number.String(), func(t *testing.T) {
+			got, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(map[string]any{"value": number})
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("copy valid JSON number: %v", err)
+			}
+			if !reflect.DeepEqual(got["value"], number) {
+				t.Fatalf("JSON number changed: got %#v want %#v", got["value"], number)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+
+	for _, number := range []json.Number{"", "01", "+1", "1.", ".1", "1e9999", "not-a-number"} {
+		t.Run("invalid "+number.String(), func(t *testing.T) {
+			if _, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(map[string]any{"value": number}); err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected invalid JSON number error")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

internal/llm/openai_compatible_client.go

@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
-	"unicode/utf8"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/defaults"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
@@ -177,12 +176,11 @@ func openAIChatRequestFromGenerateRequest(req domain.GenerateRequest, defaultMod
 	wireReq := openAIChatRequest{
 		Model: model,
 	}
-	if sessionID := strings.TrimSpace(req.Prompt.SessionID); sessionID != "" {
-		if n := utf8.RuneCountInString(sessionID); n > domain.SessionIDMaxLength {
-			return openAIChatRequest{}, fmt.Errorf("session_id length %d exceeds maximum %d", n, domain.SessionIDMaxLength)
-		}
-		wireReq.SessionID = sessionID
+	sessionID, err := domain.NormalizeSessionID(req.Prompt.SessionID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return openAIChatRequest{}, err
 	}
+	wireReq.SessionID = sessionID
 
 	wireReq.Messages = make([]openAIChatRequestMessage, 0, len(req.Prompt.Messages))
 	for _, msg := range req.Prompt.Messages {
@@ -262,7 +260,7 @@ func openAIChatRequestPayload(req openAIChatRequest) (map[string]any, error) {
 		if key == "" {
 			return nil, errors.New("extra_params key must not be empty")
 		}
-		if _, reserved := reservedOpenAIChatRequestFields[key]; reserved {
+		if IsReservedOpenAIChatRequestField(key) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("extra_params key %q collides with reserved request field", key)
 		}
 		if _, err := json.Marshal(value); err != nil {
@@ -274,16 +272,23 @@ func openAIChatRequestPayload(req openAIChatRequest) (map[string]any, error) {
 	return out, nil
 }
 
-var reservedOpenAIChatRequestFields = map[string]struct{}{
-	"model":            {},
-	"session_id":       {},
-	"messages":         {},
-	"temperature":      {},
-	"max_tokens":       {},
-	"top_p":            {},
-	"service_tier":     {},
-	"reasoning_effort": {},
-	"response_format":  {},
+// IsReservedOpenAIChatRequestField reports whether name is owned by the
+// standard OpenAI-compatible chat request rather than extra parameters.
+func IsReservedOpenAIChatRequestField(name string) bool {
+	switch name {
+	case "model",
+		"session_id",
+		"messages",
+		"temperature",
+		"max_tokens",
+		"top_p",
+		"service_tier",
+		"reasoning_effort",
+		"response_format":
+		return true
+	default:
+		return false
+	}
 }
 
 type openAIChatRequestMessage struct {

internal/profile/builtin/assets/aion-labs/aion-2.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: aion-2
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: aion-labs/aion-2.0
 temperature: 0.72
 reasoning_effort: high
 top_p: 0.95
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/anthropic/claude-fable-latest.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: claude-fable-latest
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "~anthropic/claude-fable-latest"
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 600
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/anthropic/claude-haiku-latest.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: claude-haiku-latest
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "~anthropic/claude-haiku-latest"
 reasoning_effort: medium
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/anthropic/claude-opus-latest.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: claude-opus-latest
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "~anthropic/claude-opus-latest"
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/anthropic/claude-sonnet-latest.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: claude-sonnet-latest
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "~anthropic/claude-sonnet-latest"
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/deepseek/deepseek-3-2.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: deepseek-3-2
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: deepseek/deepseek-v3.2
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/deepseek/deepseek-4-flash.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: deepseek-4-flash
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash
 #reasoning_effort: medium
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/deepseek/deepseek-4-pro.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: deepseek-4-pro
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/google/gemini-2-flash-lite.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: gemini-2-flash-lite
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "google/gemini-2.5-flash-lite"
 #temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 #top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/google/gemini-2-flash.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: gemini-2-flash
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "google/gemini-2.5-flash"
 #temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 #top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/google/gemini-2-pro.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: gemini-2-pro
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "google/gemini-2.5-pro"
 #temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 #top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/google/gemini-3-flash-lite.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: gemini-3-flash-lite
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite"
 #temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 #top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/google/gemini-flash-latest.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: gemini-flash-latest
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "~google/gemini-flash-latest"
 #temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 #top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/google/gemini-pro-latest.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: gemini-pro-latest
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "~google/gemini-pro-latest"
 #temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 #top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/google/gemma-4-31b.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: gemma-4-31b
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: google/gemma-4-31b-it:exacto
 temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/minimax/minimax-m2.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: minimax-m2
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: minimax/minimax-m2.5
 temperature: 0.5
 reasoning_effort: high
 top_p: 0.95
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/minimax/minimax-m3.yml

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 id: minimax-m3
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: minimax/minimax-m3
 #temperature: 0.5
 reasoning_effort: high
 #top_p: 0.95
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/mistral/mistral-large-2512.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: mistral-large-2512
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: mistralai/mistral-large-2512
 temperature: 0.15
 top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY

internal/profile/builtin/assets/mistral/mistral-medium-3-5.yml

@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 id: mistral-medium-3-5
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: mistralai/mistral-medium-3-5
 temperature: 0.15
 reasoning_effort: high
 top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY

internal/profile/builtin/assets/mistral/mistral-small-3.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: mistral-small-3
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: mistralai/mistral-small-3.2-24b-instruct
 temperature: 0.05
 top_p: 1.0
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY

internal/profile/builtin/assets/mistral/mistral-small-4.yml

@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 id: mistral-small-4
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: mistralai/mistral-small-2603
 temperature: 0.1
 reasoning_effort: high
 top_p: 0.98
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY

internal/profile/builtin/assets/nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: nemotron-3-ultra
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 180
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/openai/gpt-5-mini.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: gpt-5-mini
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "openai/gpt-5.4-mini"
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/assets/openai/gpt-5-nano.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 id: gpt-5-nano
-endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
+backend: openrouter
 model: "openai/gpt-5.4-nano"
 reasoning_effort: high
 timeout_seconds: 240
-api_key_env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY
 service_tier: flex

internal/profile/builtin/repository_test.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/backend"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/profile"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
@@ -28,6 +29,12 @@ func TestBuiltInProfilesValidateThroughRepository(t *testing.T) {
 			if p.ID != id {
 				t.Fatalf("expected profile id %q, got %q", id, p.ID)
 			}
+			if p.BackendID != backend.OpenRouterID {
+				t.Fatalf("expected profile %q to select %q, got %q", id, backend.OpenRouterID, p.BackendID)
+			}
+			if p.Endpoint != "" || p.APIKeyEnv != "" {
+				t.Fatalf("expected profile %q to inherit backend connection settings, got endpoint=%q api_key_env=%q", id, p.Endpoint, p.APIKeyEnv)
+			}
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -60,6 +67,15 @@ func loadBuiltInProfileIDs(t *testing.T) map[string]string {
 		if _, ok := raw["api_key"]; ok {
 			t.Fatalf("built-in profile %s contains raw api_key", name)
 		}
+		if raw["backend"] != backend.OpenRouterID {
+			t.Fatalf("built-in profile %s does not select %q", name, backend.OpenRouterID)
+		}
+		if _, ok := raw["endpoint"]; ok {
+			t.Fatalf("built-in profile %s repeats endpoint", name)
+		}
+		if _, ok := raw["api_key_env"]; ok {
+			t.Fatalf("built-in profile %s repeats api_key_env", name)
+		}
 		id, ok := raw["id"].(string)
 		if !ok || strings.TrimSpace(id) == "" {
 			t.Fatalf("built-in profile %s has missing id", name)

internal/profile/filesystem_repository.go

@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ func loadProfile(ctx context.Context, fsys fs.FS, root string, id string) (*doma
 		if prof.ID != id {
 			continue
 		}
+		prof.BackendID = strings.TrimSpace(prof.BackendID)
 		if err := validateProfile(&prof); err != nil {
 			if errors.Is(err, ErrRawAPIKeyNotAllowed) {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s", err, relPath)
@@ -189,8 +190,8 @@ func validateProfile(p *domain.ExecutionProfile) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(p.ID) == "" {
 		return errors.New("id is required")
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(p.Endpoint) == "" {
-		return errors.New("endpoint is required")
+	if strings.TrimSpace(p.BackendID) == "" && strings.TrimSpace(p.Endpoint) == "" {
+		return errors.New("backend or endpoint is required")
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(p.Model) == "" {
 		return errors.New("model is required")

internal/profile/repository_test.go

@@ -52,6 +52,43 @@ func TestFilesystemRepository_GetProfile(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	})
 
+	t.Run("backend and endpoint connection matrix", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tests := []struct {
+			name         string
+			connection   string
+			wantBackend  string
+			wantEndpoint string
+			wantErr      bool
+		}{
+			{name: "backend only", connection: "backend: '  openrouter  '", wantBackend: "openrouter"},
+			{name: "endpoint only", connection: "endpoint: http://localhost:8000/v1", wantEndpoint: "http://localhost:8000/v1"},
+			{name: "both", connection: "backend: openrouter\nendpoint: http://localhost:8000/v1", wantBackend: "openrouter", wantEndpoint: "http://localhost:8000/v1"},
+			{name: "neither", wantErr: true},
+			{name: "blank backend", connection: "backend: '   '", wantErr: true},
+		}
+
+		for _, tt := range tests {
+			t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+				id := "connection-" + strings.ReplaceAll(tt.name, " ", "-")
+				writeProfileTestFile(t, filepath.Join(tmpDir, id+".yaml"), "id: "+id+"\nmodel: model\n"+tt.connection+"\n")
+
+				p, err := repo.GetProfile(ctx, id)
+				if tt.wantErr {
+					if !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidProfile) {
+						t.Fatalf("expected ErrInvalidProfile, got %v", err)
+					}
+					return
+				}
+				if err != nil {
+					t.Fatalf("expected profile to load, got %v", err)
+				}
+				if p.BackendID != tt.wantBackend || p.Endpoint != tt.wantEndpoint {
+					t.Fatalf("unexpected connection values: backend=%q endpoint=%q", p.BackendID, p.Endpoint)
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	})
+
 	t.Run("valid profile with api_key_env", func(t *testing.T) {
 		p, err := repo.GetProfile(ctx, "local-secure")
 		if err != nil {

internal/prompt/go_renderer.go

@@ -5,10 +5,9 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
-	"strings"
 	"text/template"
-	"unicode/utf8"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -95,10 +94,6 @@ func (r *goRenderer) Render(ctx context.Context, definition *domain.PromptDefini
 }
 
 func renderSessionID(raw string, funcs template.FuncMap, vars map[string]string) (string, error) {
-	if strings.TrimSpace(raw) == "" {
-		return "", nil
-	}
-
 	tmpl, err := template.New("session_id").Funcs(funcs).Option("missingkey=error").Parse(raw)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("%w: session_id: %v", ErrInvalidTemplate, err)
@@ -109,9 +104,9 @@ func renderSessionID(raw string, funcs template.FuncMap, vars map[string]string)
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("%w: session_id: %w", ErrRenderFailure, err)
 	}
 
-	sessionID := strings.TrimSpace(buf.String())
-	if n := utf8.RuneCountInString(sessionID); n > domain.SessionIDMaxLength {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("%w: session_id length %d exceeds maximum %d", ErrRenderFailure, n, domain.SessionIDMaxLength)
+	sessionID, err := domain.NormalizeSessionID(buf.String())
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("%w: session_id: %v", ErrRenderFailure, err)
 	}
 	return sessionID, nil
 }

internal/usecase/capacity_error.go

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package usecase
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/capacity"
+)
+
+// CapacityError identifies bounded admission rejected for one selected backend.
+type CapacityError struct {
+	BackendID string
+}
+
+func (e *CapacityError) Error() string {
+	if e == nil || strings.TrimSpace(e.BackendID) == "" {
+		return capacity.ErrCapacityExceeded.Error()
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("backend %q admission: %v", e.BackendID, capacity.ErrCapacityExceeded)
+}
+
+func (e *CapacityError) Unwrap() error {
+	return capacity.ErrCapacityExceeded
+}

internal/usecase/prepared_execution.go

@@ -0,0 +1,298 @@
+package usecase
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/jsonvalue"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/validate"
+)
+
+type preparedExecutionState uint8
+
+const (
+	preparedExecutionReady preparedExecutionState = iota
+	preparedExecutionClaimed
+	preparedExecutionDiscarded
+)
+
+// PreparedExecution owns one frozen, single-use runner execution.
+type PreparedExecution struct {
+	owner   *Runner
+	mu      sync.Mutex
+	state   preparedExecutionState
+	details *domain.PreparedRun
+	payload *preparedExecutionPayload
+}
+
+type preparedExecutionPayload struct {
+	prepared   *domain.PreparedRun
+	validation validate.PreparedValidation
+	directKey  string
+}
+
+// PrepareExecution completes preparation without generation or admission and
+// returns a runner-bound, single-use execution.
+func (r *Runner) PrepareExecution(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*PreparedExecution, error) {
+	state, err := r.resolvePreparation(ctx, req, time.Now().UTC())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	validationPlan, err := r.prepareValidation(ctx, state.effectiveContract)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	structuredOutput, err := r.structuredOutputFromValidationPlan(
+		state.definition,
+		state.effectiveContract,
+		validationPlan,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	prepared, err := r.completePreparationWithStructuredOutput(ctx, req, state, structuredOutput)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	executionSnapshot, err := clonePreparedRun(prepared)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: failed to copy prepared execution: %v", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
+	}
+
+	details, err := clonePreparedRun(executionSnapshot)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: failed to copy prepared execution details: %v", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
+	}
+
+	return &PreparedExecution{
+		owner:   r,
+		state:   preparedExecutionReady,
+		details: details,
+		payload: &preparedExecutionPayload{
+			prepared:   executionSnapshot,
+			validation: validationPlan,
+			directKey:  state.effectiveModel.APIKey,
+		},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) prepareValidation(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	contract domain.OutputContract,
+) (validate.PreparedValidation, error) {
+	if r.validator == nil {
+		return noOpPreparedValidation{contract: contract}, nil
+	}
+	preparer, ok := r.validator.(validate.ValidationPreparer)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: validator does not support prepared validation", ErrValidation)
+	}
+	plan, err := preparer.PrepareValidation(ctx, contract)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrValidation, err)
+	}
+	if plan == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: validator returned nil prepared validation", ErrValidation)
+	}
+	return plan, nil
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) structuredOutputFromValidationPlan(
+	def *domain.PromptDefinition,
+	contract domain.OutputContract,
+	plan validate.PreparedValidation,
+) (*domain.StructuredOutputSpec, error) {
+	if contract.ValidationMode != domain.ValidationJSONSchema {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
+	schemaDocument := plan.SchemaDocument()
+	if schemaDocument == nil {
+		if r.validator == nil {
+			return nil, nil
+		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prepared json_schema validation has no schema document", ErrValidation)
+	}
+	return structuredOutputSpec(def, schemaDocument), nil
+}
+
+// Details returns a fresh credential-redacted copy of the prepared run.
+func (p *PreparedExecution) Details() *domain.PreparedRun {
+	if p == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	detailsSnapshot := p.details
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+
+	details, err := clonePreparedRun(detailsSnapshot)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return details
+}
+
+// Discard invalidates an unclaimed execution and drops its private payload.
+func (p *PreparedExecution) Discard() {
+	if p == nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	if p.state != preparedExecutionReady {
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	p.state = preparedExecutionDiscarded
+	payload := p.payload
+	p.payload = nil
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+
+	payload.clear()
+}
+
+// RunPrepared claims and executes one prepared execution owned by this runner.
+func (r *Runner) RunPrepared(ctx context.Context, prepared *PreparedExecution) (*domain.RunResult, error) {
+	payload, err := prepared.claim(r)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer payload.clear()
+
+	runID, err := newRunID()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create run id: %w", err)
+	}
+	start := time.Now().UTC()
+
+	target := payload.prepared.EffectiveModelParams
+	if err := validateAPIKey(target.APIKeyEnv, payload.directKey, target.APIKeyRequired); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
+	}
+
+	release, err := r.admitRun(ctx, target.BackendID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer release()
+
+	return r.executePreparedRun(ctx, payload.prepared, payload.directKey, runID, start, func(
+		ctx context.Context,
+		artifact *domain.Artifact,
+		attemptsUsed int,
+	) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
+		result, validationErr := payload.validation.Validate(ctx, artifact)
+		if validationErr != nil {
+			return domain.ValidationResult{}, validationErr
+		}
+		result.RepairAttempts = attemptsUsed
+		return result, nil
+	})
+}
+
+func (p *PreparedExecution) claim(owner *Runner) (*preparedExecutionPayload, error) {
+	if p == nil || owner == nil || p.owner != owner {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prepared execution does not belong to this runner", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	}
+
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	if p.state != preparedExecutionReady || p.payload == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prepared execution is not ready", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	}
+	p.state = preparedExecutionClaimed
+	payload := p.payload
+	p.payload = nil
+	return payload, nil
+}
+
+func (p *preparedExecutionPayload) clear() {
+	if p == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if p.prepared != nil {
+		p.prepared.EffectiveModelParams.APIKey = ""
+	}
+	p.prepared = nil
+	p.validation = nil
+	p.directKey = ""
+}
+
+type noOpPreparedValidation struct {
+	contract domain.OutputContract
+}
+
+func (p noOpPreparedValidation) Validate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	_ *domain.Artifact,
+) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return domain.ValidationResult{}, err
+	}
+	return domain.ValidationResult{
+		Status:         domain.ValidationSkipped,
+		Mode:           p.contract.ValidationMode,
+		SchemaPath:     p.contract.SchemaPath,
+		RepairAttempts: p.contract.RepairAttempts,
+		IsValid:        true,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (noOpPreparedValidation) SchemaDocument() any {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func clonePreparedRun(source *domain.PreparedRun) (*domain.PreparedRun, error) {
+	if source == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
+	copied := *source
+	extraParams, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(source.EffectiveModelParams.ExtraParams)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	copied.EffectiveModelParams.ExtraParams = extraParams
+
+	if source.InputHashes != nil {
+		copied.InputHashes = make(map[string]string, len(source.InputHashes))
+		for name, hash := range source.InputHashes {
+			copied.InputHashes[name] = hash
+		}
+	}
+	if source.Messages != nil {
+		copied.Messages = make([]domain.RenderedMessage, len(source.Messages))
+		for i, message := range source.Messages {
+			copied.Messages[i] = message
+			if message.CacheControl != nil {
+				cacheControl := *message.CacheControl
+				copied.Messages[i].CacheControl = &cacheControl
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if source.StructuredOutput != nil {
+		structuredOutput := *source.StructuredOutput
+		copied.StructuredOutput = &structuredOutput
+		if source.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema != nil {
+			jsonSchema := *source.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema
+			copied.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema = &jsonSchema
+			schema, copyErr := cloneJSONValue(source.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema.Schema)
+			if copyErr != nil {
+				return nil, copyErr
+			}
+			copied.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema.Schema = schema
+		}
+	}
+	return &copied, nil
+}
+
+func cloneJSONValue(source any) (any, error) {
+	return jsonvalue.Copy(source)
+}

internal/usecase/prepared_execution_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,510 @@
+package usecase
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/validate"
+)
+
+type recordingPreparedValidation struct {
+	contract       domain.OutputContract
+	schemaDocument any
+	results        []domain.ValidationResult
+	errs           []error
+	artifacts      []string
+}
+
+func (p *recordingPreparedValidation) Validate(
+	_ context.Context,
+	artifact *domain.Artifact,
+) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
+	p.artifacts = append(p.artifacts, string(artifact.Body))
+	index := len(p.artifacts) - 1
+	if index < len(p.errs) && p.errs[index] != nil {
+		return domain.ValidationResult{}, p.errs[index]
+	}
+	if len(p.results) == 0 {
+		return domain.ValidationResult{
+			Status:  domain.ValidationPassed,
+			Mode:    p.contract.ValidationMode,
+			IsValid: true,
+		}, nil
+	}
+	if index >= len(p.results) {
+		index = len(p.results) - 1
+	}
+	return p.results[index], nil
+}
+
+func (p *recordingPreparedValidation) SchemaDocument() any {
+	return p.schemaDocument
+}
+
+type recordingValidationPreparer struct {
+	plan                *recordingPreparedValidation
+	prepareErr          error
+	prepareCalls        int
+	directValidateCalls int
+}
+
+func (v *recordingValidationPreparer) Validate(
+	context.Context,
+	*domain.Artifact,
+	domain.OutputContract,
+) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
+	v.directValidateCalls++
+	return domain.ValidationResult{}, errors.New("live validation must not be used")
+}
+
+func (v *recordingValidationPreparer) PrepareValidation(
+	_ context.Context,
+	contract domain.OutputContract,
+) (validate.PreparedValidation, error) {
+	v.prepareCalls++
+	if v.prepareErr != nil {
+		return nil, v.prepareErr
+	}
+	v.plan.contract = contract
+	return v.plan, nil
+}
+
+func TestRunnerPrepareExecutionCompletesWithoutAdmissionOrGeneration(t *testing.T) {
+	schemaDocument := map[string]any{
+		"type": "object",
+		"properties": map[string]any{
+			"value": map[string]any{"type": "string"},
+			"":      map[string]any{"type": "boolean"},
+		},
+	}
+	def := promptDef(domain.FormatJSON, domain.ValidationJSONSchema, 0)
+	def.Validation.SchemaPath = "schema.json"
+	reader := defaultArtifactReader()
+	renderer := &fakeRenderer{rendered: &domain.RenderedPrompt{
+		SessionID: "prepared-session",
+		Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{{
+			Role:    "user",
+			Content: "original message",
+		}},
+	}}
+	llmClient := &fakeLLM{forbid: true}
+	validator := &recordingValidationPreparer{
+		plan: &recordingPreparedValidation{schemaDocument: schemaDocument},
+	}
+	admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{}
+	profile := defaultExecutionProfile()
+	profile.ExtraParams = map[string]any{
+		"metadata": map[string]any{"source": "original"},
+	}
+	runner := NewRunner(
+		&fakePromptRepo{def: def},
+		&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": profile}},
+		nil,
+		reader,
+		renderer,
+		llmClient,
+		validator,
+		admitter,
+	)
+
+	prepared, err := runner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		APIKey:    "direct-test-key",
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer prepared.Discard()
+
+	if validator.prepareCalls != 1 || validator.directValidateCalls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf(
+			"validation calls=(prepare=%d direct=%d), want (1, 0)",
+			validator.prepareCalls,
+			validator.directValidateCalls,
+		)
+	}
+	if reader.calls != 1 || renderer.calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("completion calls=(artifact=%d render=%d), want (1, 1)", reader.calls, renderer.calls)
+	}
+	if len(admitter.backendIDs) != 0 || llmClient.calls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare invoked execution collaborators: admission=%v generation=%d", admitter.backendIDs, llmClient.calls)
+	}
+
+	first := prepared.Details()
+	if first == nil {
+		t.Fatal("prepared details are nil")
+	}
+	if first.EffectiveModelParams.APIKey != "" {
+		t.Fatal("prepared details retained the direct API key")
+	}
+	if first.StructuredOutput == nil ||
+		first.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema == nil ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(first.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema.Schema, schemaDocument) {
+		t.Fatalf("prepared details have unexpected structured output: %#v", first.StructuredOutput)
+	}
+
+	first.Messages[0].Content = "caller mutation"
+	first.InputHashes["input"] = "caller mutation"
+	first.EffectiveModelParams.ExtraParams["metadata"].(map[string]any)["source"] = "caller mutation"
+	first.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema.Schema.(map[string]any)["type"] = "string"
+	renderer.rendered.Messages[0].Content = "source mutation"
+
+	second := prepared.Details()
+	if second.Messages[0].Content != "original message" ||
+		second.InputHashes["input"] == "caller mutation" ||
+		second.EffectiveModelParams.ExtraParams["metadata"].(map[string]any)["source"] != "original" ||
+		second.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema.Schema.(map[string]any)["type"] != "object" {
+		t.Fatalf("details did not preserve an independent snapshot: %#v", second)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerRunPreparedRechecksEnvironmentCredentialBeforeAdmission(t *testing.T) {
+	const environmentName = "PROMPTKIT_PREPARED_EXECUTION_TEST_KEY"
+	t.Setenv(environmentName, "available-during-preparation")
+
+	profile := defaultExecutionProfile()
+	profile.APIKeyEnv = environmentName
+	validator := &recordingValidationPreparer{plan: &recordingPreparedValidation{}}
+	admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{}
+	llmClient := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "unexpected"}}
+	runner := NewRunner(
+		&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatText, domain.ValidationNone, 0)},
+		&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": profile}},
+		nil,
+		defaultArtifactReader(),
+		defaultRenderer(),
+		llmClient,
+		validator,
+		admitter,
+	)
+	prepared, err := runner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Unsetenv(environmentName); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unset credential environment: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := runner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+	if result != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("credential failure returned partial result: %+v", result)
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) || !errors.Is(err, ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing) {
+		t.Fatalf("credential error identities are missing: %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(admitter.backendIDs) != 0 || llmClient.calls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("credential failure reached admission or generation: admission=%v generation=%d", admitter.backendIDs, llmClient.calls)
+	}
+	if _, err := runner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("credential failure did not consume execution: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerRunPreparedKeepsDirectCredentialOutOfMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	const directKey = "direct-prepared-test-key"
+
+	profile := defaultExecutionProfile()
+	profile.APIKeyRequired = true
+	client := &fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"}}
+	runner := NewRunner(
+		&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatText, domain.ValidationNone, 0)},
+		&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": profile}},
+		nil,
+		defaultArtifactReader(),
+		defaultRenderer(),
+		client,
+		&recordingValidationPreparer{plan: &recordingPreparedValidation{}},
+		nil,
+	)
+
+	prepared, err := runner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		APIKey:    directKey,
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	if details := prepared.Details(); details.EffectiveModelParams.APIKey != "" {
+		t.Fatal("prepared details retained direct credential")
+	}
+
+	result, err := runner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("run prepared: %v", err)
+	}
+	if client.lastReq.Target.APIKey != directKey {
+		t.Fatal("generation did not receive direct credential")
+	}
+	if result.EffectiveModelParams.APIKey != "" {
+		t.Fatal("run result retained direct credential")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerRunPreparedUsesFrozenValidationForInitialAndRepairOutputs(t *testing.T) {
+	validator := &recordingValidationPreparer{
+		plan: &recordingPreparedValidation{
+			results: []domain.ValidationResult{
+				{
+					Status:  domain.ValidationFailed,
+					Mode:    domain.ValidationJSON,
+					Errors:  []string{"invalid"},
+					IsValid: false,
+				},
+				{
+					Status:  domain.ValidationPassed,
+					Mode:    domain.ValidationJSON,
+					IsValid: true,
+				},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+	repairer := &fakeRepairer{
+		responses: []*domain.GenerateResponse{{Content: `{"repaired":true}`}},
+	}
+	admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{}
+	reader := defaultArtifactReader()
+	renderer := defaultRenderer()
+	runner := NewRunnerWithRepairer(
+		&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatJSON, domain.ValidationJSON, 1)},
+		&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}},
+		nil,
+		reader,
+		renderer,
+		&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: `{"broken":true}`}},
+		validator,
+		repairer,
+		admitter,
+	)
+	prepared, err := runner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := runner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("run prepared: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(validator.plan.artifacts, []string{`{"broken":true}`, `{"repaired":true}`}) {
+		t.Fatalf("prepared validation artifacts=%#v", validator.plan.artifacts)
+	}
+	if validator.directValidateCalls != 0 || repairer.calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("validation/repair calls=(direct=%d repair=%d), want (0, 1)", validator.directValidateCalls, repairer.calls)
+	}
+	if result.Validation.Status != domain.ValidationPassed || result.Validation.RepairAttempts != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected repaired validation result: %+v", result.Validation)
+	}
+	if admitter.releaseCalls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("admission releases=%d, want 1", admitter.releaseCalls)
+	}
+	if reader.calls != 1 || renderer.calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("execution reopened preparation sources: artifact=%d render=%d", reader.calls, renderer.calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerRunPreparedReleasesAdmissionAcrossExecutionErrors(t *testing.T) {
+	generationFailure := errors.New("generation failed")
+	validationFailure := errors.New("validation failed")
+	repairFailure := errors.New("repair failed")
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name          string
+		generationErr error
+		validation    *recordingPreparedValidation
+		repairer      *fakeRepairer
+		wantError     error
+	}{
+		{
+			name:          "generation failure",
+			generationErr: generationFailure,
+			validation:    &recordingPreparedValidation{},
+			wantError:     ErrLLMGenerate,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "validation failure",
+			validation: &recordingPreparedValidation{
+				errs: []error{validationFailure},
+			},
+			wantError: ErrValidation,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "repair failure",
+			validation: &recordingPreparedValidation{
+				results: []domain.ValidationResult{{
+					Status:  domain.ValidationFailed,
+					Mode:    domain.ValidationJSON,
+					Errors:  []string{"invalid"},
+					IsValid: false,
+				}},
+			},
+			repairer:  &fakeRepairer{err: repairFailure},
+			wantError: ErrValidation,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			def := promptDef(domain.FormatJSON, domain.ValidationJSON, 1)
+			if test.repairer == nil {
+				def.Validation.RepairAttempts = 0
+			}
+			validator := &recordingValidationPreparer{plan: test.validation}
+			admitter := &fakeRunAdmitter{}
+			runner := NewRunnerWithRepairer(
+				&fakePromptRepo{def: def},
+				&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}},
+				nil,
+				defaultArtifactReader(),
+				defaultRenderer(),
+				&fakeLLM{
+					resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: `{"value":true}`},
+					err:  test.generationErr,
+				},
+				validator,
+				test.repairer,
+				admitter,
+			)
+			prepared, err := runner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+				PromptID:  "p",
+				ProfileID: "exec",
+				Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+			})
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			result, err := runner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+			if result != nil || !errors.Is(err, test.wantError) {
+				t.Fatalf("run prepared=(%+v, %v), want %v", result, err, test.wantError)
+			}
+			if len(admitter.backendIDs) != 1 || admitter.releaseCalls != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf(
+					"admission calls=%#v releases=%d, want one each",
+					admitter.backendIDs,
+					admitter.releaseCalls,
+				)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerPreparedExecutionOwnershipUseAndDiscard(t *testing.T) {
+	newRunner := func() *Runner {
+		return 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"}},
+			&recordingValidationPreparer{plan: &recordingPreparedValidation{}},
+			nil,
+		)
+	}
+	request := domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	}
+
+	owner := newRunner()
+	prepared, err := owner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), request)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := newRunner().RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("foreign runner error=%v, want ErrInvalidRequest", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := owner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("owner run prepared: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := owner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("second owner run error=%v, want ErrInvalidRequest", err)
+	}
+	if prepared.Details() == nil {
+		t.Fatal("details unavailable after execution")
+	}
+
+	discarded, err := owner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), request)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare discarded execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	discarded.Discard()
+	discarded.Discard()
+	if _, err := owner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), discarded); !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("discarded execution error=%v, want ErrInvalidRequest", err)
+	}
+	if discarded.Details() == nil {
+		t.Fatal("details unavailable after discard")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerPreparedExecutionWithoutValidatorSkipsValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	runner := NewRunner(
+		&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatJSON, domain.ValidationJSON, 0)},
+		&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}},
+		nil,
+		defaultArtifactReader(),
+		defaultRenderer(),
+		&fakeLLM{resp: &domain.GenerateResponse{Content: `{}`}},
+		nil,
+		nil,
+	)
+	prepared, err := runner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := runner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("run prepared: %v", err)
+	}
+	if result.Validation.Status != domain.ValidationSkipped || !result.Validation.IsValid {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected no-validator result: %+v", result.Validation)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerPrepareExecutionRequiresValidationPreparer(t *testing.T) {
+	reader := defaultArtifactReader()
+	runner := NewRunner(
+		&fakePromptRepo{def: promptDef(domain.FormatText, domain.ValidationBasic, 0)},
+		&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}},
+		nil,
+		reader,
+		defaultRenderer(),
+		&fakeLLM{forbid: true},
+		&fakeValidator{},
+		nil,
+	)
+
+	prepared, err := runner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{
+		PromptID:  "p",
+		ProfileID: "exec",
+		Inputs:    singleInputRef(),
+	})
+	if prepared != nil || !errors.Is(err, ErrValidation) {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution=(%+v, %v), want ErrValidation", prepared, err)
+	}
+	if reader.calls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("unsupported validator allowed completion, artifact calls=%d", reader.calls)
+	}
+}

internal/usecase/profile_inspection.go

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+package usecase
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+)
+
+type resolvedProfileSelection struct {
+	id      string
+	profile *domain.ExecutionProfile
+	backend *domain.Backend
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) resolveProfileSelection(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	profileID string,
+) (*resolvedProfileSelection, error) {
+	normalizedID := strings.TrimSpace(profileID)
+	if normalizedID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: profile id is required", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	}
+	if r == nil || r.profiles == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: profile repository is not configured", ErrProfileLoad)
+	}
+
+	selectedProfile, err := r.profiles.GetProfile(ctx, normalizedID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrProfileLoad, err)
+	}
+	if selectedProfile == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: profile repository returned nil profile", ErrProfileLoad)
+	}
+
+	profileValue := *selectedProfile
+	profileValue.BackendID = strings.TrimSpace(profileValue.BackendID)
+
+	var selectedBackend *domain.Backend
+	if profileValue.BackendID != "" {
+		if r.backends == nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: backend %q cannot be resolved", ErrProfileLoad, profileValue.BackendID)
+		}
+		backendValue, err := r.backends.GetBackend(profileValue.BackendID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: backend %q: %w", ErrProfileLoad, profileValue.BackendID, err)
+		}
+		selectedBackend = &backendValue
+	}
+
+	return &resolvedProfileSelection{
+		id:      normalizedID,
+		profile: &profileValue,
+		backend: selectedBackend,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func validateResolvedExecutionTarget(target domain.ExecutionTarget) error {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(target.Endpoint) == "" {
+		return errors.New("execution endpoint is required")
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(target.Model) == "" {
+		return errors.New("execution model is required")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// InspectProfile resolves one explicit profile without prompt or execution work.
+func (r *Runner) InspectProfile(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	profileID string,
+) (*domain.ProfileInspection, error) {
+	normalizedID := strings.TrimSpace(profileID)
+	if normalizedID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: profile id is required", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrProfileLoad, ctx.Err())
+	default:
+	}
+
+	selection, err := r.resolveProfileSelection(ctx, normalizedID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	target, _, err := resolveExecutionTarget(selection.backend, selection.profile, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrProfileLoad, err)
+	}
+	if err := validateResolvedExecutionTarget(target); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrProfileLoad, err)
+	}
+	target.APIKey = ""
+
+	return &domain.ProfileInspection{
+		ProfileID:            selection.id,
+		EffectiveModelParams: target,
+		APIKeyRequired:       target.APIKeyRequired,
+	}, nil
+}

internal/usecase/profile_inspection_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+package usecase
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/defaults"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/profile"
+)
+
+type inspectionProfileRepository struct {
+	profile *domain.ExecutionProfile
+	err     error
+	calls   int
+	id      string
+}
+
+func (r *inspectionProfileRepository) GetProfile(
+	_ context.Context,
+	id string,
+) (*domain.ExecutionProfile, error) {
+	r.calls++
+	r.id = id
+	if r.err != nil {
+		return nil, r.err
+	}
+	return r.profile, nil
+}
+
+type inspectionBackendResolver struct {
+	backend domain.Backend
+	err     error
+	calls   int
+	id      string
+}
+
+func (r *inspectionBackendResolver) GetBackend(id string) (domain.Backend, error) {
+	r.calls++
+	r.id = id
+	if r.err != nil {
+		return domain.Backend{}, r.err
+	}
+	return r.backend, nil
+}
+
+func TestRunnerInspectProfileResolvesProfileAndBackendOnce(t *testing.T) {
+	profiles := &inspectionProfileRepository{profile: &domain.ExecutionProfile{
+		ID:              "profile",
+		BackendID:       "  backend  ",
+		Model:           "profile-model",
+		Temperature:     0.4,
+		MaxTokens:       32,
+		TimeoutSeconds:  45,
+		ServiceTier:     "priority",
+		ReasoningEffort: "high",
+		ExtraParams: map[string]any{
+			"profile": "value",
+		},
+	}}
+	backends := &inspectionBackendResolver{backend: domain.Backend{
+		ID:        "backend",
+		Endpoint:  "https://backend.example/v1",
+		APIKeyEnv: "BACKEND_KEY",
+		ExtraParams: map[string]any{
+			"backend": "value",
+		},
+	}}
+	runner := &Runner{profiles: profiles, backends: backends}
+
+	inspection, err := runner.InspectProfile(context.Background(), " profile ")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inspect profile: %v", err)
+	}
+	if profiles.calls != 1 || profiles.id != "profile" {
+		t.Fatalf("profile lookup=(calls=%d id=%q), want one exact lookup", profiles.calls, profiles.id)
+	}
+	if backends.calls != 1 || backends.id != "backend" {
+		t.Fatalf("backend lookup=(calls=%d id=%q), want one exact lookup", backends.calls, backends.id)
+	}
+	if profiles.profile.BackendID != "  backend  " {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection mutated repository profile backend: %q", profiles.profile.BackendID)
+	}
+
+	wantTarget := domain.ExecutionTarget{
+		BackendID:       "backend",
+		Endpoint:        "https://backend.example/v1",
+		Model:           "profile-model",
+		Temperature:     0.4,
+		MaxTokens:       32,
+		TopP:            defaults.ExecutionTargetDefault().TopP,
+		TimeoutSeconds:  45,
+		ServiceTier:     "priority",
+		ReasoningEffort: "high",
+		APIKeyEnv:       "BACKEND_KEY",
+		ExtraParams: map[string]any{
+			"profile": "value",
+		},
+	}
+	if inspection.ProfileID != "profile" || inspection.APIKeyRequired ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(inspection.EffectiveModelParams, wantTarget) {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection=%#v, want profile=%q target=%#v", inspection, "profile", wantTarget)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerInspectProfileDoesNotNeedExecutionCollaboratorsOrCredentials(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Setenv("PROMPTKIT_INSPECTION_TEST_KEY", "")
+	profiles := &inspectionProfileRepository{profile: &domain.ExecutionProfile{
+		ID:        "endpoint-only",
+		Endpoint:  "https://profile.example/v1",
+		Model:     "profile-model",
+		APIKeyEnv: "PROMPTKIT_INSPECTION_TEST_KEY",
+	}}
+	runner := &Runner{profiles: profiles}
+
+	inspection, err := runner.InspectProfile(context.Background(), "endpoint-only")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inspect endpoint-only profile: %v", err)
+	}
+	if inspection.EffectiveModelParams.BackendID != "" ||
+		inspection.EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv != "PROMPTKIT_INSPECTION_TEST_KEY" ||
+		inspection.APIKeyRequired {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected endpoint-only inspection: %#v", inspection)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerInspectProfileDirectCredentialRequirementClearsBackendEnvironment(t *testing.T) {
+	profiles := &inspectionProfileRepository{profile: &domain.ExecutionProfile{
+		ID:             "direct-key",
+		BackendID:      "backend",
+		Model:          "profile-model",
+		APIKeyRequired: true,
+	}}
+	backends := &inspectionBackendResolver{backend: domain.Backend{
+		ID:        "backend",
+		Endpoint:  "https://backend.example/v1",
+		APIKeyEnv: "BACKEND_KEY",
+	}}
+
+	inspection, err := (&Runner{profiles: profiles, backends: backends}).InspectProfile(
+		context.Background(),
+		"direct-key",
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inspect direct-key profile: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !inspection.APIKeyRequired || inspection.EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("credential requirement was not resolved exclusively: %#v", inspection)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerInspectProfileClassifiesFailuresWithoutRepositoryWorkAfterCancellation(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("blank ID", func(t *testing.T) {
+		profiles := &inspectionProfileRepository{}
+		_, err := (&Runner{profiles: profiles}).InspectProfile(context.Background(), " \t ")
+		if !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) || profiles.calls != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("blank inspection=(%v, calls=%d), want invalid request without lookup", err, profiles.calls)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("canceled context", func(t *testing.T) {
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		cancel()
+		profiles := &inspectionProfileRepository{}
+		_, err := (&Runner{profiles: profiles}).InspectProfile(ctx, "profile")
+		if !errors.Is(err, ErrProfileLoad) || !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) || profiles.calls != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("canceled inspection=(%v, calls=%d), want profile load and context identities without lookup", err, profiles.calls)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing profile", func(t *testing.T) {
+		profiles := &inspectionProfileRepository{err: profile.ErrProfileNotFound}
+		_, err := (&Runner{profiles: profiles}).InspectProfile(context.Background(), "missing")
+		if !errors.Is(err, ErrProfileLoad) || !errors.Is(err, profile.ErrProfileNotFound) {
+			t.Fatalf("missing profile error=%v, want profile load and not-found identities", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("unknown backend", func(t *testing.T) {
+		backendErr := errors.New("unknown backend")
+		profiles := &inspectionProfileRepository{profile: &domain.ExecutionProfile{
+			ID: "profile", BackendID: "backend", Model: "profile-model",
+		}}
+		backends := &inspectionBackendResolver{err: backendErr}
+		_, err := (&Runner{profiles: profiles, backends: backends}).InspectProfile(context.Background(), "profile")
+		if !errors.Is(err, ErrProfileLoad) || !errors.Is(err, backendErr) {
+			t.Fatalf("unknown backend error=%v, want profile load and backend identities", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("defensive invalid dependencies", func(t *testing.T) {
+		cases := []struct {
+			name   string
+			runner *Runner
+		}{
+			{name: "nil repository", runner: &Runner{}},
+			{name: "nil profile", runner: &Runner{profiles: &inspectionProfileRepository{}}},
+			{name: "invalid target", runner: &Runner{profiles: &inspectionProfileRepository{
+				profile: &domain.ExecutionProfile{ID: "profile", Endpoint: "https://profile.example/v1"},
+			}}},
+		}
+		for _, tc := range cases {
+			t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+				_, err := tc.runner.InspectProfile(context.Background(), "profile")
+				if !errors.Is(err, ErrProfileLoad) {
+					t.Fatalf("inspection error=%v, want profile load", err)
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	})
+}

internal/usecase/prompt_inspection.go

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+package usecase
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+)
+
+type resolvedPromptDefinition struct {
+	definition *domain.PromptDefinition
+	hash       string
+}
+
+func (r *Runner) resolvePromptDefinition(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	promptID string,
+	promptVersion string,
+) (*resolvedPromptDefinition, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(promptID) == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prompt id is required", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	}
+	if r == nil || r.promptDefs == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prompt repository is not configured", ErrPromptLoad)
+	}
+
+	definition, err := r.promptDefs.GetPromptDefinition(ctx, promptID, promptVersion)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrPromptLoad, err)
+	}
+	if definition == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prompt repository returned nil definition", ErrPromptLoad)
+	}
+
+	hash, err := hashPromptDefinition(definition)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: failed to hash prompt definition: %v", ErrPromptLoad, err)
+	}
+	return &resolvedPromptDefinition{definition: definition, hash: hash}, nil
+}
+
+// InspectPrompt resolves one explicit prompt without execution work.
+func (r *Runner) InspectPrompt(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	promptID string,
+	promptVersion string,
+) (*domain.PromptInspection, error) {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(promptID) == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: prompt id is required", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	}
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrPromptLoad, ctx.Err())
+	default:
+	}
+
+	selection, err := r.resolvePromptDefinition(ctx, promptID, promptVersion)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	inputs := make([]domain.PromptInput, len(selection.definition.Inputs))
+	copy(inputs, selection.definition.Inputs)
+
+	return &domain.PromptInspection{
+		PromptID:         selection.definition.ID,
+		PromptVersion:    selection.definition.Version,
+		PromptHash:       selection.hash,
+		DefaultProfileID: selection.definition.DefaultProfile,
+		Inputs:           inputs,
+		OutputContract:   selection.definition.Validation,
+	}, nil
+}

internal/usecase/prompt_inspection_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+package usecase
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/promptdef"
+)
+
+type inspectionPromptRepository struct {
+	definition *domain.PromptDefinition
+	err        error
+	calls      int
+	id         string
+	version    string
+}
+
+func (r *inspectionPromptRepository) GetPromptDefinition(
+	_ context.Context,
+	id string,
+	version string,
+) (*domain.PromptDefinition, error) {
+	r.calls++
+	r.id = id
+	r.version = version
+	if r.err != nil {
+		return nil, r.err
+	}
+	return r.definition, nil
+}
+
+func TestRunnerInspectPromptResolvesOneDefinitionWithoutExecutionCollaborators(t *testing.T) {
+	definition := &domain.PromptDefinition{
+		ID:             "normalized.prompt",
+		Version:        "1.2.3",
+		DefaultProfile: "not-resolved",
+		Inputs: []domain.PromptInput{
+			{Name: "document", Required: true, ContentType: "text/plain", Description: "Source document."},
+			{Name: "audience", ContentType: "text/plain", Description: "Intended reader."},
+		},
+		Validation: domain.OutputContract{
+			Format:         domain.FormatJSON,
+			ValidationMode: domain.ValidationJSONSchema,
+			SchemaPath:     "schemas/result.json",
+			RepairAttempts: 2,
+		},
+	}
+	repository := &inspectionPromptRepository{definition: definition}
+	runner := &Runner{promptDefs: repository}
+
+	inspection, err := runner.InspectPrompt(context.Background(), " prompt-id ", " version ")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inspect prompt: %v", err)
+	}
+	wantHash, err := hashPromptDefinition(definition)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("hash prompt definition: %v", err)
+	}
+	if repository.calls != 1 || repository.id != " prompt-id " || repository.version != " version " {
+		t.Fatalf("prompt lookup=(calls=%d id=%q version=%q), want one unchanged lookup", repository.calls, repository.id, repository.version)
+	}
+	if inspection.PromptID != definition.ID ||
+		inspection.PromptVersion != definition.Version ||
+		inspection.PromptHash != wantHash ||
+		inspection.DefaultProfileID != definition.DefaultProfile ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(inspection.Inputs, definition.Inputs) ||
+		inspection.OutputContract != definition.Validation {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection=%#v, want definition metadata", inspection)
+	}
+
+	inspection.Inputs[0].Name = "changed"
+	second, err := runner.InspectPrompt(context.Background(), " prompt-id ", " version ")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inspect prompt again: %v", err)
+	}
+	if definition.Inputs[0].Name != "document" || second.Inputs[0].Name != "document" {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection input mutation escaped caller result: definition=%#v next=%#v", definition.Inputs, second.Inputs)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRunnerInspectPromptClassifiesFailuresWithoutRepositoryWorkAfterCancellation(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("blank ID", func(t *testing.T) {
+		repository := &inspectionPromptRepository{}
+		_, err := (&Runner{promptDefs: repository}).InspectPrompt(context.Background(), " \t ", "version")
+		if !errors.Is(err, ErrInvalidRequest) || repository.calls != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("blank inspection=(%v, calls=%d), want invalid request without lookup", err, repository.calls)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("canceled context", func(t *testing.T) {
+		ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+		cancel()
+		repository := &inspectionPromptRepository{}
+		_, err := (&Runner{promptDefs: repository}).InspectPrompt(ctx, "prompt", "version")
+		if !errors.Is(err, ErrPromptLoad) || !errors.Is(err, context.Canceled) || repository.calls != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("canceled inspection=(%v, calls=%d), want prompt load and context identities without lookup", err, repository.calls)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("missing prompt", func(t *testing.T) {
+		repository := &inspectionPromptRepository{err: promptdef.ErrPromptDefinitionNotFound}
+		_, err := (&Runner{promptDefs: repository}).InspectPrompt(context.Background(), "missing", "version")
+		if !errors.Is(err, ErrPromptLoad) || !errors.Is(err, promptdef.ErrPromptDefinitionNotFound) {
+			t.Fatalf("missing prompt error=%v, want prompt load and not-found identities", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("defensive prompt dependencies", func(t *testing.T) {
+		var nilRunner *Runner
+		cases := []struct {
+			name   string
+			runner *Runner
+		}{
+			{name: "nil runner", runner: nilRunner},
+			{name: "nil repository", runner: &Runner{}},
+			{name: "nil definition", runner: &Runner{promptDefs: &inspectionPromptRepository{}}},
+		}
+		for _, tc := range cases {
+			t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+				_, err := tc.runner.InspectPrompt(context.Background(), "prompt", "version")
+				if !errors.Is(err, ErrPromptLoad) {
+					t.Fatalf("inspection error=%v, want prompt load", err)
+				}
+			})
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+func TestRunnerPrepareUsesThePromptInspectionSelectionAndHash(t *testing.T) {
+	definition := promptDef(domain.FormatMarkdown, domain.ValidationBasic, 0)
+	repository := &fakePromptRepo{def: definition}
+	runner := NewRunner(
+		repository,
+		&fakeExecutionProfileRepo{profiles: map[string]*domain.ExecutionProfile{"exec": defaultExecutionProfile()}},
+		nil,
+		&fakeArtifactReader{},
+		&fakeRenderer{rendered: &domain.RenderedPrompt{Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{{Role: "user", Content: "hello"}}}},
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+	)
+
+	inspection, err := runner.InspectPrompt(context.Background(), definition.ID, definition.Version)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("inspect prompt: %v", err)
+	}
+	prepared, err := runner.Prepare(context.Background(), domain.RunRequest{PromptID: definition.ID, PromptVersion: definition.Version, ProfileID: "exec"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare prompt: %v", err)
+	}
+	if inspection.PromptHash != prepared.PromptHash {
+		t.Fatalf("inspection hash=%q, preparation hash=%q", inspection.PromptHash, prepared.PromptHash)
+	}
+}

internal/usecase/repairer.go

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ type OutputRepairer interface {
 type RepairRequest struct {
 	PreviousOutput   string
 	ValidationErrors []string
+	SessionID        string
 	Target           domain.ExecutionTarget
 	StructuredOutput *domain.StructuredOutputSpec
 	Attempt          int
@@ -42,23 +43,26 @@ func (r *defaultOutputRepairer) Repair(ctx context.Context, req RepairRequest) (
 		errs = strings.Join(req.ValidationErrors, "\n")
 	}
 
-	prompt := domain.RenderedPrompt{Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{
-		{
-			Role:    "system",
-			Content: "You repair invalid JSON output. Return only corrected JSON. Do not include explanations or markdown code fences.",
+	prompt := domain.RenderedPrompt{
+		SessionID: req.SessionID,
+		Messages: []domain.RenderedMessage{
+			{
+				Role:    "system",
+				Content: "You repair invalid JSON output. Return only corrected JSON. Do not include explanations or markdown code fences.",
+			},
+			{
+				Role: "user",
+				Content: fmt.Sprintf(
+					"Repair attempt %d of %d for validation mode %s.\n\nValidation errors:\n%s\n\nPrevious output:\n%s\n\nReturn only corrected JSON.",
+					req.Attempt,
+					req.MaxAttempts,
+					req.Mode,
+					errs,
+					req.PreviousOutput,
+				),
+			},
 		},
-		{
-			Role: "user",
-			Content: fmt.Sprintf(
-				"Repair attempt %d of %d for validation mode %s.\n\nValidation errors:\n%s\n\nPrevious output:\n%s\n\nReturn only corrected JSON.",
-				req.Attempt,
-				req.MaxAttempts,
-				req.Mode,
-				errs,
-				req.PreviousOutput,
-			),
-		},
-	}}
+	}
 
 	resp, err := r.llm.Generate(ctx, domain.GenerateRequest{
 		Prompt:           prompt,

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"
@@ -40,41 +41,80 @@ var (
 type Runner struct {
 	promptDefs promptdef.Repository
 	profiles   profile.Repository
+	backends   BackendResolver
 	artifacts  artifact.Reader
 	renderer   prompt.Renderer
 	llm        llm.Client
 	validator  validate.Validator
 	repairer   OutputRepairer
+	admitter   RunAdmitter
+}
+
+// BackendResolver resolves one normalized backend ID.
+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,
+	backends BackendResolver,
 	artifacts artifact.Reader,
 	renderer prompt.Renderer,
 	llmClient llm.Client,
 	validator validate.Validator,
+	admitter RunAdmitter,
 ) *Runner {
-	return NewRunnerWithRepairer(promptDefs, profiles, artifacts, renderer, llmClient, validator, nil)
+	return NewRunnerWithRepairer(
+		promptDefs,
+		profiles,
+		backends,
+		artifacts,
+		renderer,
+		llmClient,
+		validator,
+		nil,
+		admitter,
+	)
 }
 
 func NewRunnerWithRepairer(
 	promptDefs promptdef.Repository,
 	profiles profile.Repository,
+	backends BackendResolver,
 	artifacts artifact.Reader,
 	renderer prompt.Renderer,
 	llmClient llm.Client,
 	validator validate.Validator,
 	repairer OutputRepairer,
+	admitter RunAdmitter,
 ) *Runner {
 	return &Runner{
 		promptDefs: promptDefs,
 		profiles:   profiles,
+		backends:   backends,
 		artifacts:  artifacts,
 		renderer:   renderer,
 		llm:        llmClient,
 		validator:  validator,
 		repairer:   repairer,
+		admitter:   admitter,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -86,14 +126,51 @@ 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
 	}
 
+	release, err := r.admitRun(ctx, state.effectiveModel.BackendID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer release()
+
+	prepared, err := r.completePreparation(ctx, req, state)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	directAPIKey := state.effectiveModel.APIKey
+
+	return r.executePreparedRun(ctx, prepared, directAPIKey, runID, start, func(
+		ctx context.Context,
+		artifact *domain.Artifact,
+		attemptsUsed int,
+	) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
+		return r.validateOutput(ctx, artifact, prepared.OutputContract, attemptsUsed)
+	})
+}
+
+type preparedValidationFunc func(
+	context.Context,
+	*domain.Artifact,
+	int,
+) (domain.ValidationResult, error)
+
+func (r *Runner) executePreparedRun(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	prepared *domain.PreparedRun,
+	directAPIKey string,
+	runID string,
+	start time.Time,
+	validateArtifact preparedValidationFunc,
+) (*domain.RunResult, error) {
+	executionTarget := prepared.EffectiveModelParams
+	executionTarget.APIKey = directAPIKey
 	genResp, err := r.llm.Generate(ctx, domain.GenerateRequest{
 		Prompt:           domain.RenderedPrompt{SessionID: prepared.SessionID, Messages: prepared.Messages},
-		Target:           prepared.EffectiveModelParams,
+		Target:           executionTarget,
 		TargetPresence:   prepared.TargetPresence,
 		StructuredOutput: prepared.StructuredOutput,
 	})
@@ -105,7 +182,7 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.RunRes
 	}
 
 	outputArtifact := buildOutputArtifact(genResp.Content, prepared.OutputContract.Format)
-	validationResult, err := r.validateOutput(ctx, &outputArtifact, prepared.OutputContract, 0)
+	validationResult, err := validateArtifact(ctx, &outputArtifact, 0)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrValidation, err)
 	}
@@ -118,7 +195,8 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.RunRes
 			repairResp, repairErr := r.repairer.Repair(ctx, RepairRequest{
 				PreviousOutput:   genResp.Content,
 				ValidationErrors: validationResult.Errors,
-				Target:           prepared.EffectiveModelParams,
+				SessionID:        prepared.SessionID,
+				Target:           executionTarget,
 				StructuredOutput: prepared.StructuredOutput,
 				Attempt:          attemptsUsed,
 				MaxAttempts:      prepared.OutputContract.RepairAttempts,
@@ -134,7 +212,7 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.RunRes
 			genResp = repairResp
 			outputArtifact = buildOutputArtifact(genResp.Content, prepared.OutputContract.Format)
 
-			validationResult, err = r.validateOutput(ctx, &outputArtifact, prepared.OutputContract, attemptsUsed)
+			validationResult, err = validateArtifact(ctx, &outputArtifact, attemptsUsed)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrValidation, err)
 			}
@@ -142,6 +220,7 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.RunRes
 	}
 
 	end := time.Now().UTC()
+	executionTarget.APIKey = ""
 
 	return &domain.RunResult{
 		RunID:                runID,
@@ -151,11 +230,13 @@ func (r *Runner) Run(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.RunRes
 		PromptID:             prepared.PromptID,
 		PromptVersion:        prepared.PromptVersion,
 		PromptHash:           prepared.PromptHash,
+		SessionID:            prepared.SessionID,
 		RenderedPromptHash:   prepared.RenderedPromptHash,
 		SelectedProfileID:    prepared.SelectedProfileID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    prepared.SelectedBackendID,
 		ModelName:            prepared.EffectiveModelParams.Model,
 		Endpoint:             prepared.EffectiveModelParams.Endpoint,
-		EffectiveModelParams: prepared.EffectiveModelParams,
+		EffectiveModelParams: executionTarget,
 		InputHashes:          prepared.InputHashes,
 		Usage:                genResp.Usage,
 		StartTime:            start,
@@ -165,20 +246,32 @@ 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)
 	}
-
-	start := time.Now().UTC()
-
-	def, err := r.promptDefs.GetPromptDefinition(ctx, req.PromptID, req.PromptVersion)
+	directSessionID, err := domain.NormalizeSessionID(req.SessionID)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrPromptLoad, err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: session_id: %v", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
 	}
-	promptDefinitionHash, err := hashPromptDefinition(def)
+
+	promptSelection, err := r.resolvePromptDefinition(ctx, req.PromptID, req.PromptVersion)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: failed to hash prompt definition: %v", ErrPromptLoad, err)
+		return nil, err
 	}
+	def := promptSelection.definition
+	promptDefinitionHash := promptSelection.hash
 
 	selectedProfileID := strings.TrimSpace(req.ProfileID)
 	if selectedProfileID == "" {
@@ -188,32 +281,58 @@ func (r *Runner) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.Pr
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w: profile id is required either in request or prompt default_profile", ErrInvalidRequest, ErrProfileRequired)
 	}
 
-	execProfile, err := r.profiles.GetProfile(ctx, selectedProfileID)
+	selection, err := r.resolveProfileSelection(ctx, selectedProfileID)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrProfileLoad, err)
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	effectiveModel, targetPresence, err := resolveExecutionTarget(execProfile, req.Execution)
+	effectiveModel, targetPresence, err := resolveExecutionTarget(selection.backend, selection.profile, req.Execution)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
 	}
 	effectiveModel.APIKey = req.APIKey
-	if strings.TrimSpace(effectiveModel.Endpoint) == "" {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: execution endpoint is required", ErrInvalidRequest)
-	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(effectiveModel.Model) == "" {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: execution model is required", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	if err := validateResolvedExecutionTarget(effectiveModel); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
 	}
 	if err := validateAPIKey(effectiveModel.APIKeyEnv, effectiveModel.APIKey, effectiveModel.APIKeyRequired); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrInvalidRequest, err)
 	}
 
 	effectiveContract := resolveOutputContract(def, req.Validation)
-	structuredOutput, err := r.resolveStructuredOutput(ctx, def, effectiveContract)
+	return &preparationState{
+		definition:           def,
+		directSessionID:      directSessionID,
+		promptDefinitionHash: promptDefinitionHash,
+		selectedProfileID:    selection.id,
+		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
 	}
+	return r.completePreparationWithStructuredOutput(ctx, req, state, structuredOutput)
+}
 
+func (r *Runner) completePreparationWithStructuredOutput(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	req domain.RunRequest,
+	state *preparationState,
+	structuredOutput *domain.StructuredOutputSpec,
+) (*domain.PreparedRun, error) {
 	resolvedInputs := make(map[string]*domain.Artifact, len(req.Inputs))
 	inputHashes := make(map[string]string, len(req.Inputs))
 	for name, ref := range req.Inputs {
@@ -228,31 +347,57 @@ func (r *Runner) Prepare(ctx context.Context, req domain.RunRequest) (*domain.Pr
 		inputHashes[name] = art.Hash
 	}
 
-	renderedPrompt, err := r.renderer.Render(ctx, def, resolvedInputs, req.Vars)
+	definitionToRender := state.definition
+	if state.directSessionID != "" {
+		definitionCopy := *state.definition
+		definitionCopy.SessionID = ""
+		definitionToRender = &definitionCopy
+	}
+	renderedPrompt, err := r.renderer.Render(ctx, definitionToRender, resolvedInputs, req.Vars)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", ErrPromptRender, err)
 	}
+	if state.directSessionID != "" {
+		renderedPrompt.SessionID = state.directSessionID
+	}
 
 	end := time.Now().UTC()
+	effectiveModel := state.effectiveModel
+	effectiveModel.APIKey = ""
 	return &domain.PreparedRun{
-		PromptID:             def.ID,
-		PromptVersion:        def.Version,
-		PromptHash:           promptDefinitionHash,
-		SelectedProfileID:    selectedProfileID,
+		PromptID:             state.definition.ID,
+		PromptVersion:        state.definition.Version,
+		PromptHash:           state.promptDefinitionHash,
+		SelectedProfileID:    state.selectedProfileID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    state.effectiveModel.BackendID,
 		EffectiveModelParams: effectiveModel,
-		TargetPresence:       targetPresence,
-		OutputContract:       effectiveContract,
+		TargetPresence:       state.targetPresence,
+		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
 }
 
+func (r *Runner) admitRun(ctx context.Context, backendID string) (func(), error) {
+	if r.admitter == nil {
+		return func() {}, nil
+	}
+	release, err := r.admitter.Admit(ctx, backendID)
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, capacity.ErrCapacityExceeded) && strings.TrimSpace(backendID) != "" {
+			return nil, &CapacityError{BackendID: backendID}
+		}
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return release, nil
+}
+
 func (r *Runner) resolveStructuredOutput(ctx context.Context, def *domain.PromptDefinition, contract domain.OutputContract) (*domain.StructuredOutputSpec, error) {
 	if contract.ValidationMode != domain.ValidationJSONSchema {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -268,14 +413,18 @@ func (r *Runner) resolveStructuredOutput(ctx context.Context, def *domain.Prompt
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: failed to load json schema for structured output: %v", ErrValidation, err)
 	}
 
+	return structuredOutputSpec(def, schemaDoc), nil
+}
+
+func structuredOutputSpec(def *domain.PromptDefinition, schemaDocument any) *domain.StructuredOutputSpec {
 	return &domain.StructuredOutputSpec{
 		Type: domain.StructuredOutputJSONSchema,
 		JSONSchema: &domain.StructuredOutputJSONSpec{
 			Name:   deriveStructuredSchemaName(def.ID, def.Version),
 			Strict: true,
-			Schema: schemaDoc,
+			Schema: schemaDocument,
 		},
-	}, nil
+	}
 }
 
 func deriveStructuredSchemaName(promptID string, promptVersion string) string {
@@ -338,7 +487,10 @@ func (r *Runner) shouldAttemptRepair(contract domain.OutputContract, validationR
 
 func mergeExecutionTarget(base domain.ExecutionTarget, override domain.ExecutionTarget) domain.ExecutionTarget {
 	out := base
-	if override.Endpoint != "" {
+	if strings.TrimSpace(override.BackendID) != "" {
+		out.BackendID = override.BackendID
+	}
+	if strings.TrimSpace(override.Endpoint) != "" {
 		out.Endpoint = override.Endpoint
 	}
 	if override.Model != "" {
@@ -367,6 +519,7 @@ func mergeExecutionTarget(base domain.ExecutionTarget, override domain.Execution
 	}
 	if override.APIKeyRequired {
 		out.APIKeyRequired = true
+		out.APIKeyEnv = ""
 	}
 	if len(override.ExtraParams) > 0 {
 		out.ExtraParams = copyExtraParams(override.ExtraParams)
@@ -414,8 +567,8 @@ func mergeExecutionTargetOverride(base domain.ExecutionTarget, override domain.E
 	if strings.TrimSpace(override.ServiceTier) != "" {
 		out.ServiceTier = override.ServiceTier
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(override.ReasoningEffort) != "" {
-		out.ReasoningEffort = override.ReasoningEffort
+	if override.ReasoningEffort != nil {
+		out.ReasoningEffort = strings.TrimSpace(*override.ReasoningEffort)
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(override.APIKeyEnv) != "" {
 		out.APIKeyEnv = override.APIKeyEnv
@@ -426,8 +579,9 @@ func mergeExecutionTargetOverride(base domain.ExecutionTarget, override domain.E
 	return out, presence, nil
 }
 
-func resolveExecutionTarget(profileValue *domain.ExecutionProfile, override *domain.ExecutionTargetOverride) (domain.ExecutionTarget, domain.ExecutionTargetPresence, error) {
+func resolveExecutionTarget(backendValue *domain.Backend, profileValue *domain.ExecutionProfile, override *domain.ExecutionTargetOverride) (domain.ExecutionTarget, domain.ExecutionTargetPresence, error) {
 	out := defaults.ExecutionTargetDefault()
+	out = mergeExecutionTarget(out, backendToTarget(backendValue))
 	out = mergeExecutionTarget(out, executionProfileToTarget(profileValue))
 	var presence domain.ExecutionTargetPresence
 	if override != nil {
@@ -461,8 +615,13 @@ func executionProfileToTarget(p *domain.ExecutionProfile) domain.ExecutionTarget
 	if p == nil {
 		return domain.ExecutionTarget{}
 	}
+	endpoint := p.Endpoint
+	if strings.TrimSpace(endpoint) == "" {
+		endpoint = ""
+	}
 	return domain.ExecutionTarget{
-		Endpoint:        p.Endpoint,
+		BackendID:       p.BackendID,
+		Endpoint:        endpoint,
 		Model:           p.Model,
 		Temperature:     p.Temperature,
 		MaxTokens:       p.MaxTokens,
@@ -476,6 +635,18 @@ func executionProfileToTarget(p *domain.ExecutionProfile) domain.ExecutionTarget
 	}
 }
 
+func backendToTarget(value *domain.Backend) domain.ExecutionTarget {
+	if value == nil {
+		return domain.ExecutionTarget{}
+	}
+	return domain.ExecutionTarget{
+		BackendID:   value.ID,
+		Endpoint:    value.Endpoint,
+		APIKeyEnv:   value.APIKeyEnv,
+		ExtraParams: copyExtraParams(value.ExtraParams),
+	}
+}
+
 func copyExtraParams(src map[string]any) map[string]any {
 	if len(src) == 0 {
 		return nil

internal/validate/standard_validator.go

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io/fs"
+	"net/url"
 	"os"
 	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -16,6 +17,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/santhosh-tekuri/jsonschema/v6"
 )
 
+const jsonSchemaDraft2020 = "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
+
 // StandardValidator provides basic, JSON, and JSON Schema output validation.
 type StandardValidator struct {
 	schemaBaseDir string
@@ -42,6 +45,101 @@ func (v *FSValidator) Validate(ctx context.Context, artifact *domain.Artifact, c
 	return validateArtifact(ctx, artifact, contract, v.validateJSONSchema)
 }
 
+type preparedValidation struct {
+	contract       domain.OutputContract
+	schemaDocument any
+	schema         *jsonschema.Schema
+}
+
+func (p *preparedValidation) Validate(ctx context.Context, artifact *domain.Artifact) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return validateArtifact(ctx, artifact, p.contract, p.validateJSONSchema)
+}
+
+func (p *preparedValidation) SchemaDocument() any {
+	return p.schemaDocument
+}
+
+func (p *preparedValidation) validateJSONSchema(instance any, _ string) ([]string, error) {
+	if p.schema == nil {
+		return nil, errors.New("prepared JSON schema is unavailable")
+	}
+	if err := p.schema.Validate(instance); err != nil {
+		return []string{fmt.Sprintf("json schema validation failed: %v", err)}, nil
+	}
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
+func (v *StandardValidator) PrepareValidation(ctx context.Context, contract domain.OutputContract) (PreparedValidation, error) {
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	prepared := &preparedValidation{contract: contract}
+	if contract.ValidationMode != domain.ValidationJSONSchema {
+		return prepared, nil
+	}
+
+	resolvedSchemaPath, err := v.resolveSchemaPath(contract.SchemaPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	schemaDocument, err := loadJSONSchemaFile(resolvedSchemaPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to compile JSON schema %q: %w", resolvedSchemaPath, err)
+	}
+	schemaRoot, err := v.schemaRoot()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	compiler := newSchemaCompiler(standardSchemaLoader{root: schemaRoot})
+	if err := compiler.AddResource(resolvedSchemaPath, schemaDocument); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to register JSON schema %q: %w", resolvedSchemaPath, err)
+	}
+	schema, err := compiler.Compile(resolvedSchemaPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to compile JSON schema %q: %w", resolvedSchemaPath, err)
+	}
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	prepared.schemaDocument = schemaDocument
+	prepared.schema = schema
+	return prepared, nil
+}
+
+func (v *FSValidator) PrepareValidation(ctx context.Context, contract domain.OutputContract) (PreparedValidation, error) {
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	prepared := &preparedValidation{contract: contract}
+	if contract.ValidationMode != domain.ValidationJSONSchema {
+		return prepared, nil
+	}
+
+	schemaName, schemaDocument, err := v.loadSchemaDocument(contract.SchemaPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	resourceURL := fsSchemaResourceURL(schemaName)
+	compiler := newSchemaCompiler(fsSchemaLoader{fsys: v.fsys, root: filecatalog.CleanFSRoot(v.root)})
+	if err := compiler.AddResource(resourceURL, schemaDocument); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to register JSON schema %q: %w", schemaName, err)
+	}
+	schema, err := compiler.Compile(resourceURL)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to compile JSON schema %q: %w", schemaName, err)
+	}
+	if err := ctx.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	prepared.schemaDocument = schemaDocument
+	prepared.schema = schema
+	return prepared, nil
+}
+
 type schemaValidatorFunc func(instance any, schemaPath string) ([]string, error)
 
 func validateArtifact(ctx context.Context, artifact *domain.Artifact, contract domain.OutputContract, validateSchema schemaValidatorFunc) (domain.ValidationResult, error) {
@@ -121,7 +219,11 @@ func (v *StandardValidator) validateJSONSchema(instance any, schemaPath string)
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	compiler := jsonschema.NewCompiler()
+	schemaRoot, err := v.schemaRoot()
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	compiler := newSchemaCompiler(standardSchemaLoader{root: schemaRoot})
 	schema, err := compiler.Compile(resolvedSchemaPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to compile JSON schema %q: %w", resolvedSchemaPath, err)
@@ -140,7 +242,10 @@ func (v *FSValidator) validateJSONSchema(instance any, schemaPath string) ([]str
 	}
 
 	resourceURL := fsSchemaResourceURL(schemaName)
-	compiler := jsonschema.NewCompiler()
+	if err := validateSchemaDialect(schemaDoc); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to compile JSON schema %q: %w", schemaName, err)
+	}
+	compiler := newSchemaCompiler(fsSchemaLoader{fsys: v.fsys, root: filecatalog.CleanFSRoot(v.root)})
 	if err := compiler.AddResource(resourceURL, schemaDoc); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to register JSON schema %q: %w", schemaName, err)
 	}
@@ -184,6 +289,9 @@ func (v *StandardValidator) LoadSchemaDocument(ctx context.Context, schemaPath s
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &doc); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to decode JSON schema %q: %w", resolved, err)
 	}
+	if err := validateSchemaDialect(doc); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to decode JSON schema %q: %w", resolved, err)
+	}
 	return doc, nil
 }
 
@@ -206,12 +314,14 @@ func (v *StandardValidator) resolveSchemaPath(schemaPath string) (string, error)
 		return "", errors.New("schema path is required for json_schema validation")
 	}
 
-	resolved := schemaPath
-	if !filepath.IsAbs(schemaPath) {
-		resolved = filepath.Join(v.schemaBaseDir, schemaPath)
+	root, err := v.schemaRoot()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	resolved, err := containedFilesystemPath(root, schemaPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
 	}
-
-	resolved = filepath.Clean(resolved)
 	if _, err := os.Stat(resolved); err != nil {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to access schema file %q: %w", resolved, err)
 	}
@@ -219,6 +329,22 @@ func (v *StandardValidator) resolveSchemaPath(schemaPath string) (string, error)
 	return resolved, nil
 }
 
+func (v *StandardValidator) schemaRoot() (string, error) {
+	root := v.schemaBaseDir
+	if strings.TrimSpace(root) == "" {
+		root = "."
+	}
+	absolute, err := filepath.Abs(root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve schema source %q: %w", root, err)
+	}
+	resolved, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(absolute)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to access schema source %q: %w", root, err)
+	}
+	return resolved, nil
+}
+
 func (v *FSValidator) loadSchemaDocument(schemaPath string) (string, any, error) {
 	resolved, err := v.resolveSchemaPath(schemaPath)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -234,6 +360,9 @@ func (v *FSValidator) loadSchemaDocument(schemaPath string) (string, any, error)
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &doc); err != nil {
 		return "", nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to decode JSON schema %q: %w", resolved, err)
 	}
+	if err := validateSchemaDialect(doc); err != nil {
+		return "", nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to decode JSON schema %q: %w", resolved, err)
+	}
 	return resolved, doc, nil
 }
 
@@ -290,3 +419,131 @@ func cleanSchemaFSPath(schemaPath string) (string, error) {
 func fsSchemaResourceURL(schemaName string) string {
 	return "promptkit-schema:///" + strings.TrimPrefix(path.Clean(schemaName), "/")
 }
+
+func newSchemaCompiler(loader jsonschema.URLLoader) *jsonschema.Compiler {
+	compiler := jsonschema.NewCompiler()
+	compiler.DefaultDraft(jsonschema.Draft2020)
+	compiler.UseLoader(loader)
+	return compiler
+}
+
+func validateSchemaDialect(doc any) error {
+	object, ok := doc.(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	value, ok := object["$schema"]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	dialect, ok := value.(string)
+	if !ok {
+		return errors.New("$schema must be a string")
+	}
+	if dialect != jsonSchemaDraft2020 && dialect != jsonSchemaDraft2020+"#" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported JSON Schema dialect %q; expected %q", dialect, jsonSchemaDraft2020)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+type standardSchemaLoader struct {
+	root string
+}
+
+func (l standardSchemaLoader) Load(resourceURL string) (any, error) {
+	fileName, err := (jsonschema.FileLoader{}).ToFile(resourceURL)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("schema reference %q is not a contained file reference: %w", resourceURL, err)
+	}
+	resolved, err := containedFilesystemPath(l.root, fileName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return loadJSONSchemaFile(resolved)
+}
+
+func containedFilesystemPath(root, name string) (string, error) {
+	candidate := name
+	if !filepath.IsAbs(candidate) {
+		candidate = filepath.Join(root, candidate)
+	}
+	candidate, err := filepath.Abs(candidate)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve schema path %q: %w", name, err)
+	}
+	candidate, err = filepath.EvalSymlinks(candidate)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to access schema file %q: %w", candidate, err)
+	}
+	relative, err := filepath.Rel(root, candidate)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to compare schema path %q with source root: %w", candidate, err)
+	}
+	if relative == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(relative, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("schema path %q escapes source root", name)
+	}
+	return candidate, nil
+}
+
+func loadJSONSchemaFile(name string) (any, error) {
+	raw, err := os.ReadFile(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var doc any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &doc); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateSchemaDialect(doc); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return doc, nil
+}
+
+type fsSchemaLoader struct {
+	fsys fs.FS
+	root string
+}
+
+func (l fsSchemaLoader) Load(resourceURL string) (any, error) {
+	parsed, err := url.Parse(resourceURL)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid schema reference %q: %w", resourceURL, err)
+	}
+	if parsed.Scheme != "promptkit-schema" || parsed.Host != "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("schema reference %q is not allowed", resourceURL)
+	}
+	name, err := url.PathUnescape(strings.TrimPrefix(parsed.Path, "/"))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid schema reference %q: %w", resourceURL, err)
+	}
+	name = path.Clean(name)
+	if l.root == "." {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(name, "../") || name == ".." {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("schema reference %q escapes source root", resourceURL)
+		}
+	} else if name != l.root && !strings.HasPrefix(name, l.root+"/") {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("schema reference %q escapes source root", resourceURL)
+	}
+
+	rootInfo, err := fs.Stat(l.fsys, l.root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if !rootInfo.IsDir() && name != l.root {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("schema reference %q is outside the configured schema file", resourceURL)
+	}
+
+	raw, err := fs.ReadFile(l.fsys, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	var doc any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &doc); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err := validateSchemaDialect(doc); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return doc, nil
+}

internal/validate/standard_validator_test.go

@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@ package validate
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"reflect"
+	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 	"testing/fstest"
@@ -118,6 +121,68 @@ func TestStandardValidatorJSONSchemaSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestStandardValidatorPreparedSchemaSurvivesSourceRemoval(t *testing.T) {
+	tmp := t.TempDir()
+	rootSchema := []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "title": "original root",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": ["value"],
+  "properties": {
+    "value": {"$ref": "value.json"}
+  }
+}`)
+	rootPath := filepath.Join(tmp, "schema.json")
+	referencePath := filepath.Join(tmp, "value.json")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(rootPath, rootSchema, 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(referencePath, []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "type": "integer",
+  "minimum": 2
+}`), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	validator := NewStandardValidator(tmp)
+	preparer, ok := validator.(ValidationPreparer)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("standard validator does not support validation preparation")
+	}
+	prepared, err := preparer.PrepareValidation(context.Background(), domain.OutputContract{
+		ValidationMode: domain.ValidationJSONSchema,
+		SchemaPath:     "schema.json",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare validation: %v", err)
+	}
+	assertSchemaDocument(t, prepared.SchemaDocument(), rootSchema)
+
+	if err := os.Remove(rootPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Remove(referencePath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	valid, err := prepared.Validate(context.Background(), &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte(`{"value":3}`)})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validate prepared artifact: %v", err)
+	}
+	if valid.Status != domain.ValidationPassed || !valid.IsValid {
+		t.Fatalf("expected passed/valid, got status=%q valid=%v errors=%v", valid.Status, valid.IsValid, valid.Errors)
+	}
+
+	invalid, err := prepared.Validate(context.Background(), &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte(`{"value":"changed"}`)})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validate prepared artifact: %v", err)
+	}
+	if invalid.Status != domain.ValidationFailed || invalid.IsValid {
+		t.Fatalf("expected failed/invalid, got status=%q valid=%v", invalid.Status, invalid.IsValid)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestStandardValidatorJSONSchemaNestedSchemaPathSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 	tmp := t.TempDir()
 	nestedDir := filepath.Join(tmp, "dnd")
@@ -293,6 +358,64 @@ func TestFSValidatorJSONSchemaSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestFSValidatorPreparedSchemaSurvivesSourceMutation(t *testing.T) {
+	rootSchema := []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "title": "original root",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": ["value"],
+  "properties": {
+    "value": {"$ref": "value.json"}
+  }
+}`)
+	fsys := fstest.MapFS{
+		"schema.json": &fstest.MapFile{Data: rootSchema},
+		"value.json": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "type": "integer",
+  "minimum": 2
+}`)},
+	}
+	validator := NewFSValidator(fsys, ".")
+	preparer, ok := validator.(ValidationPreparer)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("filesystem validator does not support validation preparation")
+	}
+	prepared, err := preparer.PrepareValidation(context.Background(), domain.OutputContract{
+		ValidationMode: domain.ValidationJSONSchema,
+		SchemaPath:     "schema.json",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare validation: %v", err)
+	}
+	assertSchemaDocument(t, prepared.SchemaDocument(), rootSchema)
+
+	fsys["schema.json"] = &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "type": "string"
+}`)}
+	fsys["value.json"] = &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "type": "string"
+}`)}
+
+	valid, err := prepared.Validate(context.Background(), &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte(`{"value":3}`)})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validate prepared artifact: %v", err)
+	}
+	if valid.Status != domain.ValidationPassed || !valid.IsValid {
+		t.Fatalf("expected passed/valid, got status=%q valid=%v errors=%v", valid.Status, valid.IsValid, valid.Errors)
+	}
+
+	invalid, err := prepared.Validate(context.Background(), &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte(`{"value":"changed"}`)})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("validate prepared artifact: %v", err)
+	}
+	if invalid.Status != domain.ValidationFailed || invalid.IsValid {
+		t.Fatalf("expected failed/invalid, got status=%q valid=%v", invalid.Status, invalid.IsValid)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestFSValidatorJSONSchemaRegistrationError(t *testing.T) {
 	v := NewFSValidator(fstest.MapFS{
 		"schemas/%zz.json": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{"type":"object"}`)},
@@ -411,3 +534,150 @@ func TestFSValidatorLoadSchemaDocument(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("unexpected schema document: %#v", doc)
 	}
 }
+
+func TestStandardValidatorJSONSchemaReferenceBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "child.json"), []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "type": "string"
+}`), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name       string
+		reference  string
+		wantError  string
+		writeOuter bool
+	}{
+		{name: "contained relative reference", reference: "child.json"},
+		{name: "remote reference", reference: "https://example.test/schema.json", wantError: "not a contained file reference"},
+		{name: "escaping reference", reference: "../outside.json", wantError: "escapes source root", writeOuter: true},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if tc.writeOuter {
+				if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(root), "outside.json"), []byte(`{"type":"string"}`), 0o644); err != nil {
+					t.Fatal(err)
+				}
+			}
+			schema := `{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "$ref": ` + strconv.Quote(tc.reference) + `
+}`
+			if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, "root.json"), []byte(schema), 0o644); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+
+			v := NewStandardValidator(root)
+			result, err := v.Validate(context.Background(), &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte(`"value"`)}, domain.OutputContract{
+				ValidationMode: domain.ValidationJSONSchema,
+				SchemaPath:     "root.json",
+			})
+			if tc.wantError == "" {
+				if err != nil || !result.IsValid {
+					t.Fatalf("expected contained reference to validate, got result=%#v error=%v", result, err)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.wantError) {
+				t.Fatalf("expected error containing %q, got %v", tc.wantError, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFSValidatorJSONSchemaReferenceBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		reference string
+		wantError string
+	}{
+		{name: "same document fragment", reference: "#/$defs/value"},
+		{name: "contained relative reference", reference: "child.json"},
+		{name: "remote reference", reference: "https://example.test/schema.json", wantError: "is not allowed"},
+		{name: "escaping reference", reference: "../outside.json", wantError: "escapes source root"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			rootSchema := `{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "$defs": {"value": {"type": "string"}},
+  "$ref": ` + strconv.Quote(tc.reference) + `
+}`
+			v := NewFSValidator(fstest.MapFS{
+				"schemas/root.json":  &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(rootSchema)},
+				"schemas/child.json": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{"type":"string"}`)},
+				"outside.json":       &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{"type":"string"}`)},
+			}, "schemas")
+			result, err := v.Validate(context.Background(), &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte(`"value"`)}, domain.OutputContract{
+				ValidationMode: domain.ValidationJSONSchema,
+				SchemaPath:     "root.json",
+			})
+			if tc.wantError == "" {
+				if err != nil || !result.IsValid {
+					t.Fatalf("expected supported reference to validate, got result=%#v error=%v", result, err)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tc.wantError) {
+				t.Fatalf("expected error containing %q, got %v", tc.wantError, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestJSONSchemaDialectIsDraft2020(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		name      string
+		dialect   string
+		wantError bool
+	}{
+		{name: "omitted uses supported default"},
+		{name: "draft 2020-12", dialect: "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"},
+		{name: "draft 7 rejected", dialect: "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#", wantError: true},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range tests {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			schema := map[string]any{"type": "object"}
+			if tc.dialect != "" {
+				schema["$schema"] = tc.dialect
+			}
+			data, err := json.Marshal(schema)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			v := NewFSValidator(fstest.MapFS{
+				"schema.json": &fstest.MapFile{Data: data},
+			}, ".")
+			_, err = v.Validate(context.Background(), &domain.Artifact{Body: []byte(`{}`)}, domain.OutputContract{
+				ValidationMode: domain.ValidationJSONSchema,
+				SchemaPath:     "schema.json",
+			})
+			if tc.wantError {
+				if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unsupported JSON Schema dialect") {
+					t.Fatalf("expected unsupported-dialect error, got %v", err)
+				}
+				return
+			}
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("expected supported dialect, got %v", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func assertSchemaDocument(t *testing.T, got any, expectedJSON []byte) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	var expected any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(expectedJSON, &expected); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("decode expected schema document: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(got, expected) {
+		t.Fatalf("schema document mismatch:\n got: %#v\nwant: %#v", got, expected)
+	}
+}

internal/validate/validator.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package validate
 
 import (
 	"context"
+
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
 )
 
@@ -10,6 +11,20 @@ type Validator interface {
 	Validate(ctx context.Context, artifact *domain.Artifact, contract domain.OutputContract) (domain.ValidationResult, error)
 }
 
+// PreparedValidation validates artifacts against one frozen output contract.
+type PreparedValidation interface {
+	Validate(ctx context.Context, artifact *domain.Artifact) (domain.ValidationResult, error)
+	// SchemaDocument returns the root JSON Schema document used for provider
+	// structured output, or nil for non-schema modes. Returned internal
+	// immutable state must not be mutated.
+	SchemaDocument() any
+}
+
+// ValidationPreparer freezes validation resources for one output contract.
+type ValidationPreparer interface {
+	PrepareValidation(ctx context.Context, contract domain.OutputContract) (PreparedValidation, error)
+}
+
 // SchemaDocumentLoader loads JSON schema documents using validator path semantics.
 type SchemaDocumentLoader interface {
 	LoadSchemaDocument(ctx context.Context, schemaPath string) (any, error)

json.go

@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+package promptkit
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// MarshalJSON implements json.Marshaler for PreparedRun. It uses RFC 3339
+// timestamps, integer duration_ms, and omits zero timing values.
+func (r PreparedRun) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+	var startTime, endTime *time.Time
+	if !r.StartTime.IsZero() {
+		startTime = &r.StartTime
+	}
+	if !r.EndTime.IsZero() {
+		endTime = &r.EndTime
+	}
+
+	var durationMS *int64
+	if r.DurationMS != 0 {
+		durationMS = &r.DurationMS
+	}
+
+	return json.Marshal(struct {
+		PromptID             string                `json:"prompt_id"`
+		PromptVersion        string                `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
+		PromptHash           string                `json:"prompt_hash,omitempty"`
+		SelectedProfileID    string                `json:"selected_profile_id"`
+		SelectedBackendID    string                `json:"selected_backend_id,omitempty"`
+		EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget       `json:"effective_model_params"`
+		OutputContract       OutputContract        `json:"output_contract"`
+		StructuredOutput     *StructuredOutputSpec `json:"structured_output,omitempty"`
+		InputHashes          map[string]string     `json:"input_hashes,omitempty"`
+		SessionID            string                `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
+		RenderedPromptHash   string                `json:"rendered_prompt_hash"`
+		Messages             []RenderedMessage     `json:"messages"`
+		StartTime            *time.Time            `json:"start_time,omitempty"`
+		EndTime              *time.Time            `json:"end_time,omitempty"`
+		DurationMS           *int64                `json:"duration_ms,omitempty"`
+	}{
+		PromptID:             r.PromptID,
+		PromptVersion:        r.PromptVersion,
+		PromptHash:           r.PromptHash,
+		SelectedProfileID:    r.SelectedProfileID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    r.SelectedBackendID,
+		EffectiveModelParams: r.EffectiveModelParams,
+		OutputContract:       r.OutputContract,
+		StructuredOutput:     r.StructuredOutput,
+		InputHashes:          r.InputHashes,
+		SessionID:            r.SessionID,
+		RenderedPromptHash:   r.RenderedPromptHash,
+		Messages:             r.Messages,
+		StartTime:            startTime,
+		EndTime:              endTime,
+		DurationMS:           durationMS,
+	})
+}
+
+// MarshalJSON implements json.Marshaler for RunResult. It encodes Duration as
+// integer milliseconds in duration_ms and omits zero timing values.
+func (r RunResult) MarshalJSON() ([]byte, error) {
+	var startTime, endTime *time.Time
+	if !r.StartTime.IsZero() {
+		startTime = &r.StartTime
+	}
+	if !r.EndTime.IsZero() {
+		endTime = &r.EndTime
+	}
+
+	var durationMS *int64
+	if r.Duration != 0 {
+		value := r.Duration.Milliseconds()
+		durationMS = &value
+	}
+
+	return json.Marshal(runResultJSON{
+		RunID:                r.RunID,
+		Artifact:             r.Artifact,
+		RawOutput:            r.RawOutput,
+		Validation:           r.Validation,
+		PromptID:             r.PromptID,
+		PromptVersion:        r.PromptVersion,
+		PromptHash:           r.PromptHash,
+		SessionID:            r.SessionID,
+		RenderedPromptHash:   r.RenderedPromptHash,
+		SelectedProfileID:    r.SelectedProfileID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    r.SelectedBackendID,
+		ModelName:            r.ModelName,
+		Endpoint:             r.Endpoint,
+		EffectiveModelParams: r.EffectiveModelParams,
+		InputHashes:          r.InputHashes,
+		Usage:                r.Usage,
+		StartTime:            startTime,
+		EndTime:              endTime,
+		DurationMS:           durationMS,
+	})
+}
+
+// UnmarshalJSON implements json.Unmarshaler for RunResult. It decodes
+// duration_ms into Duration with millisecond precision.
+func (r *RunResult) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
+	var wire runResultJSON
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &wire); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	*r = RunResult{
+		RunID:                wire.RunID,
+		Artifact:             wire.Artifact,
+		RawOutput:            wire.RawOutput,
+		Validation:           wire.Validation,
+		PromptID:             wire.PromptID,
+		PromptVersion:        wire.PromptVersion,
+		PromptHash:           wire.PromptHash,
+		SessionID:            wire.SessionID,
+		RenderedPromptHash:   wire.RenderedPromptHash,
+		SelectedProfileID:    wire.SelectedProfileID,
+		SelectedBackendID:    wire.SelectedBackendID,
+		ModelName:            wire.ModelName,
+		Endpoint:             wire.Endpoint,
+		EffectiveModelParams: wire.EffectiveModelParams,
+		InputHashes:          wire.InputHashes,
+		Usage:                wire.Usage,
+		Duration:             time.Duration(valueOrZero(wire.DurationMS)) * time.Millisecond,
+	}
+	if wire.StartTime != nil {
+		r.StartTime = *wire.StartTime
+	}
+	if wire.EndTime != nil {
+		r.EndTime = *wire.EndTime
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+type runResultJSON struct {
+	RunID                string            `json:"run_id"`
+	Artifact             Artifact          `json:"artifact"`
+	RawOutput            string            `json:"raw_output"`
+	Validation           ValidationResult  `json:"validation"`
+	PromptID             string            `json:"prompt_id"`
+	PromptVersion        string            `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
+	PromptHash           string            `json:"prompt_hash,omitempty"`
+	SessionID            string            `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
+	RenderedPromptHash   string            `json:"rendered_prompt_hash"`
+	SelectedProfileID    string            `json:"selected_profile_id"`
+	SelectedBackendID    string            `json:"selected_backend_id,omitempty"`
+	ModelName            string            `json:"model_name"`
+	Endpoint             string            `json:"endpoint"`
+	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget   `json:"effective_model_params"`
+	InputHashes          map[string]string `json:"input_hashes,omitempty"`
+	Usage                TokenUsage        `json:"usage"`
+	StartTime            *time.Time        `json:"start_time,omitempty"`
+	EndTime              *time.Time        `json:"end_time,omitempty"`
+	DurationMS           *int64            `json:"duration_ms,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func valueOrZero(value *int64) int64 {
+	if value == nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+	return *value
+}

prepared_execution.go

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+package promptkit
+
+import "gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/usecase"
+
+const preparedExecutionString = "promptkit.PreparedExecution{opaque}"
+
+// PreparedExecution is an opaque, in-process handle for one completely
+// prepared execution. A handle is bound to the [Engine] that created it and
+// permits one [Engine.RunPrepared] invocation.
+//
+// PreparedExecution contains no supported serializable state and cannot be
+// used as a restartable job. Copying the value preserves the same shared
+// lifecycle; it does not create another execution attempt.
+type PreparedExecution struct {
+	internal *usecase.PreparedExecution
+}
+
+// Details returns a fresh caller-owned, credential-redacted copy of the
+// prepared request details. Mutating the result cannot affect execution or a
+// later Details call. Details remains available after execution or discard.
+//
+// A nil receiver or zero-value PreparedExecution returns a zero [PreparedRun].
+func (p *PreparedExecution) Details() PreparedRun {
+	if p == nil || p.internal == nil {
+		return PreparedRun{}
+	}
+	details := fromDomainPreparedRun(p.internal.Details())
+	if details == nil {
+		return PreparedRun{}
+	}
+	return *details
+}
+
+// Discard invalidates an unclaimed handle and drops Promptkit's references to
+// its execution-only state. Discard is nil-safe and idempotent. It does not
+// cancel an execution that has already claimed the handle; use the
+// [Engine.RunPrepared] context for cancellation.
+func (p *PreparedExecution) Discard() {
+	if p == nil || p.internal == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	p.internal.Discard()
+}
+
+// String returns a constant representation that exposes no retained request,
+// rendered content, or credential data.
+func (p *PreparedExecution) String() string {
+	return preparedExecutionString
+}
+
+// GoString returns a constant Go-syntax representation that exposes no
+// retained request, rendered content, or credential data.
+func (p *PreparedExecution) GoString() string {
+	return preparedExecutionString
+}

prepared_execution_contract_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,773 @@
+package promptkit_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+	"testing/fstest"
+	"time"
+
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit"
+)
+
+func TestPreparedExecutionFreezesSourcesAndReturnsIndependentDetails(t *testing.T) {
+	promptSource := preparedPromptSource("original")
+	profileSource := preparedProfileSource("original-model")
+	schemaSource := preparedSchemaSource()
+	reader := &mutablePreparedArtifactReader{
+		body: "original artifact",
+		hash: "original-input-hash",
+	}
+	client := &preparedRecordingClient{
+		response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: `{"value":3}`},
+	}
+	engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(
+		promptkit.Config{},
+		promptkit.WithPromptFS(promptSource, "."),
+		promptkit.WithProfileFS(profileSource, "."),
+		promptkit.WithSchemaFS(schemaSource, "."),
+		promptkit.WithArtifactReader(reader),
+		promptkit.WithLLMClient(client),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct engine: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	temperature := 0.25
+	extraParams := map[string]any{
+		"nested": map[string]any{"source": "original"},
+	}
+	request := promptkit.RunRequest{
+		PromptID: "prepared",
+		Inputs: map[string]promptkit.ArtifactRef{
+			"input": promptkit.Inline("original request input"),
+		},
+		Vars: map[string]string{"label": "original variable"},
+		Execution: &promptkit.ExecutionTargetOverride{
+			Temperature: &temperature,
+			ExtraParams: extraParams,
+		},
+	}
+	preparationContext, cancelPreparation := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	prepared, err := engine.PrepareExecution(preparationContext, request)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	cancelPreparation()
+
+	request.PromptID = "changed"
+	request.Inputs["input"] = promptkit.Inline("changed request input")
+	request.Vars["label"] = "changed variable"
+	temperature = 1.5
+	extraParams["nested"].(map[string]any)["source"] = "changed"
+	promptSource["prompt.yaml"] = &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`id: changed`)}
+	profileSource["profile.yaml"] = &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`id: changed`)}
+	schemaSource["schema.json"] = &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "title": "changed root",
+  "type": "string"
+}`)}
+	schemaSource["value.json"] = &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "type": "string"
+}`)}
+	reader.set("changed artifact", "changed-input-hash")
+
+	first := prepared.Details()
+	first.Messages[0].Content = "changed details"
+	first.InputHashes["input"] = "changed-details-hash"
+	first.EffectiveModelParams.ExtraParams["nested"].(map[string]any)["source"] = "changed details"
+	first.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema.Schema.(map[string]any)["title"] = "changed details"
+
+	second := prepared.Details()
+	if second.Messages[0].Content != "Input=original artifact Label=original variable" {
+		t.Fatalf("details message changed: %q", second.Messages[0].Content)
+	}
+	if second.InputHashes["input"] != "original-input-hash" {
+		t.Fatalf("details input hash changed: %q", second.InputHashes["input"])
+	}
+	if second.EffectiveModelParams.Model != "original-model" ||
+		second.EffectiveModelParams.Temperature != 0.25 ||
+		second.EffectiveModelParams.ExtraParams["nested"].(map[string]any)["source"] != "original" {
+		t.Fatalf("details target changed: %+v", second.EffectiveModelParams)
+	}
+	schema := second.StructuredOutput.JSONSchema.Schema.(map[string]any)
+	if schema["title"] != "original root" {
+		t.Fatalf("details schema changed: %#v", schema)
+	}
+
+	result, err := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("run prepared after preparation-context cancellation: %v", err)
+	}
+	if result.Validation.Status != promptkit.ValidationPassed || !result.Validation.IsValid {
+		t.Fatalf("frozen schema did not validate original output: %+v", result.Validation)
+	}
+	if reader.callCount() != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("execution reopened artifact source: calls=%d", reader.callCount())
+	}
+
+	requests := client.snapshot()
+	if len(requests) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("generation calls=%d, want 1", len(requests))
+	}
+	generated := requests[0]
+	if generated.Prompt.Messages[0].Content != second.Messages[0].Content ||
+		generated.Target.Model != second.EffectiveModelParams.Model ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(generated.Target.ExtraParams, second.EffectiveModelParams.ExtraParams) ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(generated.StructuredOutput, second.StructuredOutput) {
+		t.Fatalf("generation did not use frozen details:\nrequest=%+v\ndetails=%+v", generated, second)
+	}
+	if result.PromptID != second.PromptID ||
+		result.PromptVersion != second.PromptVersion ||
+		result.PromptHash != second.PromptHash ||
+		result.SessionID != second.SessionID ||
+		result.RenderedPromptHash != second.RenderedPromptHash ||
+		result.SelectedProfileID != second.SelectedProfileID ||
+		result.SelectedBackendID != second.SelectedBackendID ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(result.EffectiveModelParams, second.EffectiveModelParams) ||
+		!reflect.DeepEqual(result.InputHashes, second.InputHashes) {
+		t.Fatalf("result provenance does not match details:\nresult=%+v\ndetails=%+v", result, second)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPreparedExecutionLifecycleAndEngineBinding(t *testing.T) {
+	ownerClient := &preparedRecordingClient{
+		response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"},
+	}
+	owner := newPreparedContractEngine(t, ownerClient, "owner content")
+	foreign := newPreparedContractEngine(t, &preparedRecordingClient{
+		response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "unexpected"},
+	}, "foreign content")
+
+	prepared, err := owner.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prepared"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	copied := *prepared
+
+	var nilEngine *promptkit.Engine
+	if result, err := nilEngine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); result != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidConfig) {
+		t.Fatalf("nil engine result=(%+v, %v), want ErrInvalidConfig", result, err)
+	}
+	if result, err := foreign.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); result != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("foreign engine result=(%+v, %v), want ErrInvalidRequest", result, err)
+	}
+	if result, err := owner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), nil); result != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("nil handle result=(%+v, %v), want ErrInvalidRequest", result, err)
+	}
+	if result, err := owner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), &promptkit.PreparedExecution{}); result != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("zero handle result=(%+v, %v), want ErrInvalidRequest", result, err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := owner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), &copied)
+	if err != nil || result == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("owner run prepared=(%+v, %v), want success", result, err)
+	}
+	for name, handle := range map[string]*promptkit.PreparedExecution{
+		"original": prepared,
+		"copy":     &copied,
+	} {
+		if result, err := owner.RunPrepared(context.Background(), handle); result != nil ||
+			!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+			t.Fatalf("%s reused handle result=(%+v, %v), want ErrInvalidRequest", name, result, err)
+		}
+		if handle.Details().PromptID != "prepared" {
+			t.Fatalf("%s details unavailable after execution", name)
+		}
+	}
+	if len(ownerClient.snapshot()) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("owner generation calls=%d, want 1", len(ownerClient.snapshot()))
+	}
+
+	collaboratorFailure := errors.New("prepared collaborator failure")
+	failingClient := &preparedRecordingClient{err: collaboratorFailure}
+	failingEngine := newPreparedContractEngine(t, failingClient, "failure content")
+	failing, err := failingEngine.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prepared"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare failing execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	if result, err := failingEngine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), failing); result != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrLLMGenerate) ||
+		!errors.Is(err, collaboratorFailure) {
+		t.Fatalf("generation failure result=(%+v, %v), want public and collaborator identities", result, err)
+	}
+	if result, err := failingEngine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), failing); result != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("failed execution was reusable: result=(%+v, %v)", result, err)
+	}
+
+	cancellationRelease := make(chan struct{})
+	cancellationStarted := make(chan struct{}, 1)
+	cancelingEngine := newPreparedContractEngine(t, &preparedRecordingClient{
+		response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "unexpected"},
+		started:  cancellationStarted,
+		release:  cancellationRelease,
+	}, "cancellation content")
+	canceling, err := cancelingEngine.PrepareExecution(
+		context.Background(),
+		promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prepared"},
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare canceled execution: %v", err)
+	}
+	executionContext, cancelExecution := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
+	type canceledOutcome struct {
+		result *promptkit.RunResult
+		err    error
+	}
+	canceledResult := make(chan canceledOutcome, 1)
+	go func() {
+		result, runErr := cancelingEngine.RunPrepared(executionContext, canceling)
+		canceledResult <- canceledOutcome{result: result, err: runErr}
+	}()
+	select {
+	case <-cancellationStarted:
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for cancelable generation")
+	}
+	cancelExecution()
+	select {
+	case outcome := <-canceledResult:
+		if outcome.result != nil ||
+			!errors.Is(outcome.err, promptkit.ErrLLMGenerate) ||
+			!errors.Is(outcome.err, context.Canceled) {
+			t.Fatalf(
+				"canceled execution=(%+v, %v), want generation and context identities",
+				outcome.result,
+				outcome.err,
+			)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for canceled execution")
+	}
+	if result, err := cancelingEngine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), canceling); result != nil ||
+		!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("canceled execution was reusable: result=(%+v, %v)", result, err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPreparedExecutionConcurrentClaimAllowsOneGeneration(t *testing.T) {
+	release := make(chan struct{})
+	client := &preparedRecordingClient{
+		response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"},
+		started:  make(chan struct{}, 1),
+		release:  release,
+	}
+	engine := newPreparedContractEngine(t, client, "concurrent content")
+	prepared, err := engine.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prepared"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	type outcome struct {
+		result *promptkit.RunResult
+		err    error
+	}
+	outcomes := make(chan outcome, 2)
+	for i := 0; i < 2; i++ {
+		go func() {
+			result, runErr := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+			outcomes <- outcome{result: result, err: runErr}
+		}()
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case <-client.started:
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for generation")
+	}
+	select {
+	case loser := <-outcomes:
+		if loser.result != nil || !errors.Is(loser.err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+			t.Fatalf("concurrent loser=(%+v, %v), want ErrInvalidRequest", loser.result, loser.err)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for rejected concurrent claim")
+	}
+
+	close(release)
+	select {
+	case winner := <-outcomes:
+		if winner.err != nil || winner.result == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("concurrent winner=(%+v, %v), want success", winner.result, winner.err)
+		}
+	case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("timed out waiting for successful concurrent claim")
+	}
+	if len(client.snapshot()) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("generation calls=%d, want 1", len(client.snapshot()))
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPreparedExecutionRunAndDiscardRaceHasOneWinner(t *testing.T) {
+	const attempts = 32
+
+	for i := 0; i < attempts; i++ {
+		client := &preparedRecordingClient{
+			response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "ok"},
+		}
+		engine := newPreparedContractEngine(t, client, "race content")
+		prepared, err := engine.PrepareExecution(
+			context.Background(),
+			promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prepared"},
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("attempt %d prepare execution: %v", i, err)
+		}
+
+		start := make(chan struct{})
+		type outcome struct {
+			result *promptkit.RunResult
+			err    error
+		}
+		runOutcome := make(chan outcome, 1)
+		discardDone := make(chan struct{})
+
+		go func() {
+			<-start
+			result, runErr := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+			runOutcome <- outcome{result: result, err: runErr}
+		}()
+		go func() {
+			<-start
+			prepared.Discard()
+			close(discardDone)
+		}()
+
+		close(start)
+		runResult := <-runOutcome
+		<-discardDone
+		calls := len(client.snapshot())
+		switch {
+		case runResult.err == nil:
+			if runResult.result == nil || calls != 1 {
+				t.Fatalf(
+					"attempt %d run won with outcome=(%+v, %v), generation calls=%d",
+					i,
+					runResult.result,
+					runResult.err,
+					calls,
+				)
+			}
+		case errors.Is(runResult.err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest):
+			if runResult.result != nil || calls != 0 {
+				t.Fatalf(
+					"attempt %d discard won with outcome=(%+v, %v), generation calls=%d",
+					i,
+					runResult.result,
+					runResult.err,
+					calls,
+				)
+			}
+		default:
+			t.Fatalf("attempt %d unexpected run outcome=(%+v, %v)", i, runResult.result, runResult.err)
+		}
+		if prepared.Details().PromptID != "prepared" {
+			t.Fatalf("attempt %d details unavailable after race", i)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPreparedExecutionDiscardAndFormattingDoNotExposePrivateState(t *testing.T) {
+	const (
+		directCredential = "pk-test-direct-credential-41f7"
+		renderedContent  = "rendered-content-sentinel-98d2"
+	)
+	client := &preparedRecordingClient{
+		response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "generated output"},
+	}
+	engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(
+		promptkit.Config{},
+		promptkit.WithPromptFS(contractPromptFS("prepared", "profile", renderedContent), "."),
+		promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+			ID:             "profile",
+			Endpoint:       "http://example.test/v1",
+			Model:          "model",
+			APIKeyRequired: true,
+		}),
+		promptkit.WithLLMClient(client),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct engine: %v", err)
+	}
+	prepared, err := engine.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
+		PromptID: "prepared",
+		APIKey:   directCredential,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	formattedValues := []string{
+		fmt.Sprint(prepared),
+		fmt.Sprintf("%+v", prepared),
+		fmt.Sprintf("%#v", prepared),
+	}
+	for _, formatted := range formattedValues {
+		if formatted != "promptkit.PreparedExecution{opaque}" {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected opaque formatting: %q", formatted)
+		}
+		assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t, formatted, directCredential, renderedContent)
+	}
+	payload, err := json.Marshal(prepared)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal opaque handle: %v", err)
+	}
+	assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t, string(payload), directCredential, renderedContent)
+
+	detailsBefore := prepared.Details()
+	detailsJSON, err := json.Marshal(detailsBefore)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal prepared details: %v", err)
+	}
+	assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t, string(detailsJSON), directCredential)
+
+	prepared.Discard()
+	prepared.Discard()
+	result, lifecycleErr := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+	if result != nil || !errors.Is(lifecycleErr, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+		t.Fatalf("discarded execution result=(%+v, %v), want ErrInvalidRequest", result, lifecycleErr)
+	}
+	assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t, lifecycleErr.Error(), directCredential, renderedContent)
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(prepared.Details(), detailsBefore) {
+		t.Fatal("details changed after discard")
+	}
+
+	executed, err := engine.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{
+		PromptID: "prepared",
+		APIKey:   directCredential,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepare execution for request inspection: %v", err)
+	}
+	executionResult, err := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), executed)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("run execution for request inspection: %v", err)
+	}
+	requests := client.snapshot()
+	if len(requests) != 1 || requests[0].APIKey != directCredential {
+		t.Fatalf("direct credential did not reach only the client credential field: %#v", requests)
+	}
+	requestJSON, err := json.Marshal(requests[0])
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal captured generate request: %v", err)
+	}
+	for _, value := range []string{
+		fmt.Sprint(requests[0]),
+		fmt.Sprintf("%+v", requests[0]),
+		fmt.Sprintf("%#v", requests[0]),
+		string(requestJSON),
+		fmt.Sprint(executionResult),
+	} {
+		assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t, value, directCredential)
+	}
+	resultJSON, err := json.Marshal(executionResult)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("marshal execution result: %v", err)
+	}
+	assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t, string(resultJSON), directCredential)
+
+	var nilHandle *promptkit.PreparedExecution
+	nilHandle.Discard()
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(nilHandle.Details(), promptkit.PreparedRun{}) {
+		t.Fatalf("nil handle details=%+v, want zero value", nilHandle.Details())
+	}
+	zeroHandle := &promptkit.PreparedExecution{}
+	zeroHandle.Discard()
+	if !reflect.DeepEqual(zeroHandle.Details(), promptkit.PreparedRun{}) {
+		t.Fatalf("zero handle details=%+v, want zero value", zeroHandle.Details())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestPreparedExecutionCredentialCapacityAndTimingBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Run("credential is rechecked before generation", func(t *testing.T) {
+		const (
+			environmentName = "PROMPTKIT_PREPARED_CONTRACT_KEY"
+			environmentKey  = "environment-credential-sentinel"
+		)
+		t.Setenv(environmentName, environmentKey)
+		client := &preparedRecordingClient{
+			response: &promptkit.GenerateResponse{Content: "unexpected"},
+		}
+		engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(
+			promptkit.Config{},
+			promptkit.WithPromptFS(contractPromptFS("prepared", "profile", "content"), "."),
+			promptkit.WithProfileFS(preparedCredentialProfileSource(environmentName), "."),
+			promptkit.WithLLMClient(client),
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("construct credential engine: %v", err)
+		}
+		prepared, err := engine.PrepareExecution(context.Background(), promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prepared"})
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("prepare credential execution: %v", err)
+		}
+		if err := os.Unsetenv(environmentName); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("unset credential environment: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		result, err := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared)
+		if result != nil ||
+			!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) ||
+			!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrAPIKeyEnvMissing) {
+			t.Fatalf("credential execution=(%+v, %v), want credential identities", result, err)
+		}
+		if len(client.snapshot()) != 0 {
+			t.Fatalf("credential failure reached generation: %d calls", len(client.snapshot()))
+		}
+		assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t, err.Error(), environmentKey)
+		if result, err := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); result != nil ||
+			!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+			t.Fatalf("credential failure did not consume handle: result=(%+v, %v)", result, err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("preparation does not admit and execution timing starts after retention", func(t *testing.T) {
+		release := make(chan struct{})
+		client := newCapacityGateClient(release, 4)
+		engine := newBackendCapacityEngine(t, client, 1, capacityInt(0), nil)
+
+		activeRun := make(chan capacityRunResult, 1)
+		go runCapacityRequest(
+			engine,
+			context.Background(),
+			promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prompt"},
+			activeRun,
+		)
+		awaitCapacityRequest(t, client.started)
+
+		prepared, err := engine.PrepareExecution(
+			context.Background(),
+			promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prompt"},
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("prepare while capacity is full: %v", err)
+		}
+		if _, _, calls := client.snapshot(); calls != 1 {
+			t.Fatalf("preparation invoked generation: calls=%d", calls)
+		}
+		if result, err := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); result != nil ||
+			!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrCapacityExceeded) {
+			t.Fatalf("capacity execution=(%+v, %v), want ErrCapacityExceeded", result, err)
+		} else {
+			var capacityErr *promptkit.CapacityError
+			if !errors.As(err, &capacityErr) || capacityErr == nil || capacityErr.BackendID != "limited" {
+				t.Fatalf("capacity execution=%v, want limited CapacityError", err)
+			}
+		}
+		if result, err := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), prepared); result != nil ||
+			!errors.Is(err, promptkit.ErrInvalidRequest) {
+			t.Fatalf("capacity rejection did not consume handle: result=(%+v, %v)", result, err)
+		}
+		if prepared.Details().PromptID != "prompt" {
+			t.Fatal("details unavailable after capacity rejection")
+		}
+
+		close(release)
+		activeOutcome := awaitCapacityRun(t, activeRun)
+		if activeOutcome.err != nil || activeOutcome.result == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("active run outcome=(%+v, %v), want success", activeOutcome.result, activeOutcome.err)
+		}
+
+		timed, err := engine.PrepareExecution(
+			context.Background(),
+			promptkit.RunRequest{PromptID: "prompt"},
+		)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("prepare timed execution: %v", err)
+		}
+		details := timed.Details()
+		time.Sleep(25 * time.Millisecond)
+		executionFloor := time.Now().UTC()
+		result, err := engine.RunPrepared(context.Background(), timed)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("run timed execution: %v", err)
+		}
+		if result.StartTime.Before(executionFloor) ||
+			!result.StartTime.After(details.EndTime) ||
+			result.EndTime.Before(result.StartTime) ||
+			result.Duration != result.EndTime.Sub(result.StartTime) {
+			t.Fatalf(
+				"execution timing includes preparation or retention: details_end=%s floor=%s result=%+v",
+				details.EndTime,
+				executionFloor,
+				result,
+			)
+		}
+		if _, _, calls := client.snapshot(); calls != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("generation calls=%d, want active and timed executions only", calls)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+type mutablePreparedArtifactReader struct {
+	mu    sync.Mutex
+	body  string
+	hash  string
+	calls int
+}
+
+func (r *mutablePreparedArtifactReader) Read(
+	_ context.Context,
+	_ promptkit.ArtifactRef,
+) (*promptkit.Artifact, error) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	r.calls++
+	return &promptkit.Artifact{
+		Body: []byte(r.body),
+		Hash: r.hash,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (r *mutablePreparedArtifactReader) set(body, hash string) {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	r.body = body
+	r.hash = hash
+}
+
+func (r *mutablePreparedArtifactReader) callCount() int {
+	r.mu.Lock()
+	defer r.mu.Unlock()
+	return r.calls
+}
+
+type preparedRecordingClient struct {
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	response *promptkit.GenerateResponse
+	err      error
+	requests []promptkit.GenerateRequest
+	started  chan struct{}
+	release  <-chan struct{}
+}
+
+func (c *preparedRecordingClient) Generate(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	request promptkit.GenerateRequest,
+) (*promptkit.GenerateResponse, error) {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	c.requests = append(c.requests, request)
+	c.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if c.started != nil {
+		c.started <- struct{}{}
+	}
+	if c.release != nil {
+		select {
+		case <-c.release:
+		case <-ctx.Done():
+			return nil, ctx.Err()
+		}
+	}
+	if c.err != nil {
+		return nil, c.err
+	}
+	return c.response, nil
+}
+
+func (c *preparedRecordingClient) snapshot() []promptkit.GenerateRequest {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return append([]promptkit.GenerateRequest(nil), c.requests...)
+}
+
+func newPreparedContractEngine(
+	t *testing.T,
+	client promptkit.LLMClient,
+	message string,
+) *promptkit.Engine {
+	t.Helper()
+	engine, err := promptkit.NewEngine(
+		promptkit.Config{},
+		promptkit.WithPromptFS(contractPromptFS("prepared", "profile", message), "."),
+		promptkit.WithProfiles(promptkit.Profile{
+			ID:       "profile",
+			Endpoint: "http://example.test/v1",
+			Model:    "model",
+		}),
+		promptkit.WithLLMClient(client),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("construct prepared execution engine: %v", err)
+	}
+	return engine
+}
+
+func preparedPromptSource(label string) fstest.MapFS {
+	return fstest.MapFS{
+		"prompt.yaml": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`id: prepared
+version: "1"
+default_profile: profile
+inputs:
+  - name: input
+    required: true
+messages:
+  - role: user
+    content: 'Input={{input "input"}} Label={{.label}}'
+description: ` + label + `
+output:
+  format: json
+  validation_mode: json_schema
+  schema_path: schema.json
+`)},
+	}
+}
+
+func preparedProfileSource(model string) fstest.MapFS {
+	return fstest.MapFS{
+		"profile.yaml": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`id: profile
+endpoint: http://example.test/v1
+model: ` + model + `
+`)},
+	}
+}
+
+func preparedCredentialProfileSource(environmentName string) fstest.MapFS {
+	return fstest.MapFS{
+		"profile.yaml": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`id: profile
+endpoint: http://example.test/v1
+model: model
+api_key_env: ` + environmentName + `
+`)},
+	}
+}
+
+func preparedSchemaSource() fstest.MapFS {
+	return fstest.MapFS{
+		"schema.json": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "title": "original root",
+  "type": "object",
+  "required": ["value"],
+  "properties": {
+    "value": {"$ref": "value.json"}
+  }
+}`)},
+		"value.json": &fstest.MapFile{Data: []byte(`{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "type": "integer",
+  "minimum": 2
+}`)},
+	}
+}
+
+func assertPreparedPrivateValuesAbsent(t *testing.T, value string, privateValues ...string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	for _, privateValue := range privateValues {
+		if strings.Contains(value, privateValue) {
+			t.Fatalf("value exposed private data %q: %s", privateValue, value)
+		}
+	}
+}

profiles.go

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/domain"
+	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/jsonvalue"
 	"gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/promptkit/internal/profile"
 )
 
@@ -15,10 +16,16 @@ import (
 //
 // It does not register global state, maintain a model catalog, or resolve
 // credentials. If APIKeyRequired is true, callers satisfy it with
-// RunRequest.APIKey. Raw API keys do not belong in profiles.
+// RunRequest.APIKey or an explicit request ExecutionTargetOverride.APIKeyEnv.
+// Raw API keys do not belong in profiles.
+//
+// The function copies the ExtraParams map itself but does not recursively copy
+// nested values. Validation and a deep copy occur when NewEngine applies a
+// WithProfiles option containing the returned Profile.
 func OpenAICompatibleProfile(cfg OpenAICompatibleProfileConfig) Profile {
 	return Profile{
 		ID:              cfg.ID,
+		BackendID:       cfg.BackendID,
 		Endpoint:        cfg.Endpoint,
 		Model:           cfg.Model,
 		Temperature:     cfg.Temperature,
@@ -75,12 +82,13 @@ func (r *memoryProfileRepository) GetProfile(_ context.Context, id string) (*dom
 }
 
 func toDomainProfile(publicProfile Profile) (domain.ExecutionProfile, error) {
-	extraParams, err := copyPublicJSONMap(publicProfile.ExtraParams)
+	extraParams, err := jsonvalue.CopyMap(publicProfile.ExtraParams)
 	if err != nil {
 		return domain.ExecutionProfile{}, err
 	}
 	prof := domain.ExecutionProfile{
 		ID:              strings.TrimSpace(publicProfile.ID),
+		BackendID:       strings.TrimSpace(publicProfile.BackendID),
 		Endpoint:        publicProfile.Endpoint,
 		Model:           publicProfile.Model,
 		Temperature:     publicProfile.Temperature,
@@ -102,8 +110,8 @@ func validatePublicProfile(prof domain.ExecutionProfile) error {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(prof.ID) == "" {
 		return errors.New("id is required")
 	}
-	if strings.TrimSpace(prof.Endpoint) == "" {
-		return errors.New("endpoint is required")
+	if strings.TrimSpace(prof.BackendID) == "" && strings.TrimSpace(prof.Endpoint) == "" {
+		return errors.New("backend or endpoint is required")
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(prof.Model) == "" {
 		return errors.New("model is required")

types.go

@@ -5,302 +5,696 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
-// ArtifactRefType defines how an artifact is referenced.
+// ArtifactRefType identifies how an [ArtifactRef] supplies content.
 type ArtifactRefType string
 
 const (
+	// ArtifactRefInline selects ArtifactRef.Body as the content.
 	ArtifactRefInline ArtifactRefType = "inline"
-	ArtifactRefFile   ArtifactRefType = "file"
+	// ArtifactRefFile selects the filesystem path in ArtifactRef.URI.
+	ArtifactRefFile ArtifactRefType = "file"
 )
 
-// OutputFormat defines the desired output format.
+// OutputFormat identifies the media format of generated output.
+// OutputFormat has a stable JSON string representation.
 type OutputFormat string
 
 const (
-	FormatText     OutputFormat = "text"
+	// FormatText identifies plain-text output.
+	FormatText OutputFormat = "text"
+	// FormatMarkdown identifies Markdown output.
 	FormatMarkdown OutputFormat = "markdown"
-	FormatJSON     OutputFormat = "json"
+	// FormatJSON identifies JSON output.
+	FormatJSON OutputFormat = "json"
 )
 
-// ValidationMode defines the output validation strategy.
+// ValidationMode identifies how generated output is checked.
+// ValidationMode has a stable JSON string representation.
 type ValidationMode string
 
 const (
-	ValidationNone       ValidationMode = "none"
-	ValidationBasic      ValidationMode = "basic"
-	ValidationJSON       ValidationMode = "json"
+	// ValidationNone skips content validation.
+	ValidationNone ValidationMode = "none"
+	// ValidationBasic requires non-empty output.
+	ValidationBasic ValidationMode = "basic"
+	// ValidationJSON requires syntactically valid JSON.
+	ValidationJSON ValidationMode = "json"
+	// ValidationJSONSchema requires JSON that satisfies OutputContract.SchemaPath.
 	ValidationJSONSchema ValidationMode = "json_schema"
 )
 
-// ValidationStatus defines the result of a validation check.
+// ValidationStatus identifies the completed state of an output check.
+// ValidationStatus has a stable JSON string representation.
 type ValidationStatus string
 
 const (
-	ValidationPassed  ValidationStatus = "passed"
-	ValidationFailed  ValidationStatus = "failed"
+	// ValidationPassed means the generated output satisfied its contract.
+	ValidationPassed ValidationStatus = "passed"
+	// ValidationFailed means validation completed and rejected the generated
+	// output. Engine.Run and Engine.RunPrepared return this status in a result,
+	// not as an error.
+	ValidationFailed ValidationStatus = "failed"
+	// ValidationSkipped means ValidationNone selected no content check.
 	ValidationSkipped ValidationStatus = "skipped"
 )
 
-// CacheControlType defines provider cache behavior for prompt content.
+// CacheControlType identifies provider cache behavior for prompt content.
+// CacheControlType has a stable JSON string representation.
 type CacheControlType string
 
 const (
+	// CacheControlEphemeral requests provider-defined ephemeral caching.
 	CacheControlEphemeral CacheControlType = "ephemeral"
 )
 
 // StructuredOutputType identifies provider-level structured output modes.
+// StructuredOutputType has a stable JSON string representation.
 type StructuredOutputType string
 
 const (
+	// StructuredOutputJSONSchema supplies JSON Schema response constraints.
 	StructuredOutputJSONSchema StructuredOutputType = "json_schema"
 )
 
-// RunRequest represents a request to prepare or run a single prompt.
+// RunRequest selects one prompt execution. It has no stable JSON
+// representation.
+//
+// Prepare, PrepareExecution, and Run copy the request's maps, pointers, and
+// nested JSON-compatible values before using them. The caller may mutate the
+// request after any method returns. A successful PrepareExecution retains its
+// own private execution snapshot for RunPrepared.
 type RunRequest struct {
-	PromptID      string
+	// PromptID is the required non-empty prompt identifier.
+	PromptID string
+	// PromptVersion optionally selects one version of PromptID. When empty, the
+	// prompt source must contain exactly one matching version.
 	PromptVersion string
-	ProfileID     string
-	APIKey        string `json:"-"`
-	Inputs        map[string]ArtifactRef
-	Vars          map[string]string
-	Execution     *ExecutionTargetOverride
-	Validation    *OutputContract
-	Metadata      map[string]string
+	// ProfileID selects an execution profile. When empty, the prompt's default
+	// profile is used; if both are empty, the error matches ErrProfileRequired
+	// and ErrInvalidRequest.
+	ProfileID string
+	// SessionID optionally supplies a direct per-run session identifier. A
+	// nonblank value is trimmed and overrides the prompt definition's
+	// session_id template. A blank value supplies no direct override. The
+	// maximum is 256 Unicode code points after trimming. A direct value is
+	// opaque consumer metadata, not a credential, and may be exposed in
+	// prepared values, results, collaborator requests, provider requests, and
+	// provider observability. Callers should use stable, non-sensitive
+	// identifiers. An overlong direct value makes Prepare, PrepareExecution, or
+	// Run return an error matching ErrInvalidRequest.
+	SessionID string
+	// APIKey is a request-scoped direct credential. It takes precedence over
+	// APIKeyEnv, is passed to the selected LLMClient, and is never included in
+	// prepared values, results, hashes, JSON, String, or GoString output. A
+	// successful PrepareExecution retains it only in the opaque handle until
+	// RunPrepared claims the handle or Discard invalidates it.
+	APIKey string `json:"-"`
+	// Inputs maps prompt input names to references. A nil or empty map is valid
+	// only when the selected prompt and its templates require no inputs.
+	Inputs map[string]ArtifactRef
+	// Vars supplies Go-template data for messages and the session ID. Nil and
+	// empty maps are equivalent.
+	Vars map[string]string
+	// Execution optionally overrides individual execution settings. Nil uses
+	// the selected profile over its backend, when any, and framework defaults.
+	Execution *ExecutionTargetOverride
+	// Validation optionally replaces the prompt's complete output contract. It
+	// does not merge individual fields. Nil uses the prompt contract.
+	Validation *OutputContract
 }
 
-// PreparedRun contains prepared prompt execution state. It does not include
-// resolved API key values, model output, validation results, or internal target
-// presence metadata.
+// PreparedRun contains prepared prompt execution state returned by
+// [Engine.Prepare] or [PreparedExecution.Details]. It does not include resolved
+// API key values, model output, validation results, or internal target presence
+// metadata. PreparedRun has a stable JSON representation.
+//
+// All maps, slices, pointers, and schema values are caller-owned copies. JSON
+// timestamps use RFC 3339 and zero timing values are omitted. Hash formats are
+// opaque.
 type PreparedRun struct {
-	PromptID             string                `json:"prompt_id"`
-	PromptVersion        string                `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
-	PromptHash           string                `json:"prompt_hash,omitempty"`
-	SelectedProfileID    string                `json:"selected_profile_id"`
-	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget       `json:"effective_model_params"`
-	OutputContract       OutputContract        `json:"output_contract"`
-	StructuredOutput     *StructuredOutputSpec `json:"structured_output,omitempty"`
-	InputHashes          map[string]string     `json:"input_hashes,omitempty"`
-	SessionID            string                `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
-	RenderedPromptHash   string                `json:"rendered_prompt_hash"`
-	Messages             []RenderedMessage     `json:"messages"`
-	StartTime            time.Time             `json:"start_time,omitempty"`
-	EndTime              time.Time             `json:"end_time,omitempty"`
-	DurationMS           int64                 `json:"duration_ms,omitempty"`
+	// PromptID is the selected prompt identifier.
+	PromptID string `json:"prompt_id"`
+	// PromptVersion is the selected prompt version.
+	PromptVersion string `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
+	// PromptHash is an opaque equality value for the selected definition.
+	PromptHash string `json:"prompt_hash,omitempty"`
+	// SelectedProfileID is the explicit request profile or prompt default that
+	// supplied execution settings.
+	SelectedProfileID string `json:"selected_profile_id"`
+	// SelectedBackendID equals EffectiveModelParams.BackendID. It is empty for
+	// an endpoint-only profile.
+	SelectedBackendID string `json:"selected_backend_id,omitempty"`
+	// EffectiveModelParams contains framework defaults overlaid by the selected
+	// backend, profile, and then request overrides. It excludes resolved API-key
+	// values.
+	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget `json:"effective_model_params"`
+	// OutputContract is the complete effective output contract.
+	OutputContract OutputContract `json:"output_contract"`
+	// StructuredOutput is non-nil for JSON Schema validation and contains the
+	// provider-facing response constraint passed to an LLM client.
+	StructuredOutput *StructuredOutputSpec `json:"structured_output,omitempty"`
+	// InputHashes maps every supplied input name to its opaque artifact hash.
+	InputHashes map[string]string `json:"input_hashes,omitempty"`
+	// SessionID is the effective direct or rendered session identifier, if any.
+	SessionID string `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
+	// RenderedPromptHash is an opaque equality value for SessionID and Messages.
+	RenderedPromptHash string `json:"rendered_prompt_hash"`
+	// Messages are the rendered messages that Run or RunPrepared passes to the
+	// LLM client.
+	Messages []RenderedMessage `json:"messages"`
+	// StartTime is the UTC time at which preparation began.
+	StartTime time.Time `json:"start_time,omitempty"`
+	// EndTime is the UTC time at which preparation completed.
+	EndTime time.Time `json:"end_time,omitempty"`
+	// DurationMS is preparation elapsed time in integer milliseconds. JSON uses
+	// duration_ms and omits a zero value.
+	DurationMS int64 `json:"duration_ms,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // RunResult contains generated output, validation state, and run metadata.
+// RunResult has a stable JSON representation and round-trips its Duration
+// through the duration_ms JSON field.
+//
+// All maps, slices, and nested values are caller-owned copies. JSON timestamps
+// use RFC 3339 and zero timing values are omitted. Run IDs and hash formats are
+// opaque.
 type RunResult struct {
-	RunID                string            `json:"run_id"`
-	Artifact             Artifact          `json:"artifact"`
-	RawOutput            string            `json:"raw_output"`
-	Validation           ValidationResult  `json:"validation"`
-	PromptID             string            `json:"prompt_id"`
-	PromptVersion        string            `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
-	PromptHash           string            `json:"prompt_hash,omitempty"`
-	RenderedPromptHash   string            `json:"rendered_prompt_hash"`
-	SelectedProfileID    string            `json:"selected_profile_id"`
-	ModelName            string            `json:"model_name"`
-	Endpoint             string            `json:"endpoint"`
-	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget   `json:"effective_model_params"`
-	InputHashes          map[string]string `json:"input_hashes,omitempty"`
-	Usage                TokenUsage        `json:"usage"`
-	StartTime            time.Time         `json:"start_time,omitempty"`
-	EndTime              time.Time         `json:"end_time,omitempty"`
-	Duration             time.Duration     `json:"duration,omitempty"`
+	// RunID is an opaque identifier for this invocation.
+	RunID string `json:"run_id"`
+	// Artifact contains the generated output and derived metadata.
+	Artifact Artifact `json:"artifact"`
+	// RawOutput is the exact generated content before artifact classification
+	// and validation.
+	RawOutput string `json:"raw_output"`
+	// Validation records the completed content check.
+	Validation ValidationResult `json:"validation"`
+	// PromptID is the selected prompt identifier.
+	PromptID string `json:"prompt_id"`
+	// PromptVersion is the selected prompt version.
+	PromptVersion string `json:"prompt_version,omitempty"`
+	// PromptHash is the same opaque definition equality value exposed by
+	// PreparedRun.
+	PromptHash string `json:"prompt_hash,omitempty"`
+	// SessionID is the effective direct or rendered session identifier, if any.
+	// JSON omits an empty value.
+	SessionID string `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
+	// RenderedPromptHash is the same opaque rendered-prompt equality value
+	// computed during preparation.
+	RenderedPromptHash string `json:"rendered_prompt_hash"`
+	// SelectedProfileID identifies the profile used for execution.
+	SelectedProfileID string `json:"selected_profile_id"`
+	// SelectedBackendID equals EffectiveModelParams.BackendID. It is empty for
+	// an endpoint-only profile.
+	SelectedBackendID string `json:"selected_backend_id,omitempty"`
+	// ModelName is the effective model name and equals
+	// EffectiveModelParams.Model.
+	ModelName string `json:"model_name"`
+	// Endpoint is the effective base endpoint and equals
+	// EffectiveModelParams.Endpoint.
+	Endpoint string `json:"endpoint"`
+	// EffectiveModelParams contains the settings supplied to the LLM client,
+	// excluding resolved API-key values.
+	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget `json:"effective_model_params"`
+	// InputHashes are the opaque input equality values computed during
+	// preparation.
+	InputHashes map[string]string `json:"input_hashes,omitempty"`
+	// Usage is the token accounting reported by the LLM client.
+	Usage TokenUsage `json:"usage"`
+	// StartTime is the UTC time immediately before ordinary Run preparation or
+	// after RunPrepared claims its handle.
+	StartTime time.Time `json:"start_time,omitempty"`
+	// EndTime is the UTC time after generation and validation complete.
+	EndTime time.Time `json:"end_time,omitempty"`
+	// Duration covers preparation, generation, and validation for Run. For
+	// RunPrepared it covers only the execution attempt after claim and excludes
+	// preparation and consumer-held delay. JSON represents it as integer
+	// milliseconds in duration_ms and omits a zero value.
+	Duration time.Duration `json:"-"`
 }
 
-// ArtifactRef represents a reference to prompt input content.
+// ArtifactRef identifies prompt input content. It has no stable JSON
+// representation. Prefer [File], [Inline], or [InlineWithURI] to construct one.
 type ArtifactRef struct {
+	// Type must be ArtifactRefInline or ArtifactRefFile.
 	Type ArtifactRefType
-	URI  string
+	// URI is the file path for ArtifactRefFile and optional provenance metadata
+	// for ArtifactRefInline.
+	URI string
+	// Body is the content for ArtifactRefInline and is ignored for
+	// ArtifactRefFile.
 	Body string
 }
 
-// Artifact represents loaded artifact content.
+// Artifact represents loaded or generated content and has a stable JSON
+// representation. Body uses encoding/json's base64 representation for []byte.
 type Artifact struct {
-	Name        string
-	ContentType string
-	Body        []byte
-	URI         string
-	Size        int64
-	Hash        string
+	// Name is artifact metadata. During input preparation the engine fills an
+	// empty reader-supplied name with the request input-map key.
+	Name string `json:"name"`
+	// ContentType is the media type reported by the reader or derived for
+	// generated output.
+	ContentType string `json:"content_type"`
+	// Body is the artifact content. Engine boundaries copy this slice.
+	Body []byte `json:"body"`
+	// URI is optional source or result provenance metadata.
+	URI string `json:"uri"`
+	// Size is content-size metadata in bytes.
+	Size int64 `json:"size"`
+	// Hash is an opaque content equality value when the producing reader
+	// supplies one. Its format and algorithm are not API contracts.
+	Hash string `json:"hash"`
 }
 
 // ArtifactReader resolves a prompt input reference into its content.
 //
-// Readers are responsible for supplying artifact metadata. The engine assigns
-// an input-map name only when the returned artifact name is empty.
+// Read may be called concurrently. It must honor ctx cancellation to make
+// Prepare, PrepareExecution, and Run responsive to cancellation. The engine
+// passes a copied ref and immediately copies the returned Artifact.Body; it
+// does not retain either value. Readers supply artifact metadata, and the
+// engine assigns an input-map name only when the returned artifact name is
+// empty.
+//
+// An injected reader owns any application-specific path containment,
+// authorization, content-size, and content-type policy. It must protect
+// sensitive references and bodies in its logging and in any copies it retains.
+// It may reuse or mutate the returned artifact and body after Read returns.
+//
+// Returning a non-nil error makes the engine return an error matching
+// ErrArtifactLoad while preserving the reader error through errors.Is.
+// Returning a nil artifact with a nil error also produces ErrArtifactLoad.
 type ArtifactReader interface {
 	Read(context.Context, ArtifactRef) (*Artifact, error)
 }
 
-// ExecutionTarget represents effective model runtime settings.
+// ExecutionTarget represents effective model runtime settings and has a stable
+// JSON representation. It never exposes a resolved API-key value.
 type ExecutionTarget struct {
-	Endpoint        string         `json:"endpoint"`
-	Model           string         `json:"model"`
-	Temperature     float64        `json:"temperature"`
-	MaxTokens       int            `json:"max_tokens"`
-	TopP            float64        `json:"top_p"`
-	TimeoutSeconds  int            `json:"timeout_seconds"`
-	ServiceTier     string         `json:"service_tier"`
-	ReasoningEffort string         `json:"reasoning_effort"`
-	APIKeyEnv       string         `json:"api_key_env"`
-	ExtraParams     map[string]any `json:"extra_params"`
+	// BackendID is the effective routing identity selected by the profile. It
+	// remains unchanged when a profile or request overrides Endpoint and is
+	// empty for endpoint-only profiles. It is supplied to injected LLMClient
+	// implementations as part of the effective target.
+	BackendID string `json:"backend_id,omitempty"`
+	// Endpoint is the model-provider base URL.
+	Endpoint string `json:"endpoint"`
+	// Model is the provider model identifier.
+	Model string `json:"model"`
+	// Temperature is the effective sampling temperature from 0 through 2.
+	Temperature float64 `json:"temperature"`
+	// MaxTokens is the non-negative effective output-token limit. Zero leaves
+	// the limit unspecified to compatible providers unless it was an explicit
+	// request override.
+	MaxTokens int `json:"max_tokens"`
+	// TopP is the effective nucleus-sampling value from 0 through 1.
+	TopP float64 `json:"top_p"`
+	// TimeoutSeconds is the non-negative per-generation deadline. Zero disables
+	// this deadline without disabling caller cancellation or the transport cap.
+	TimeoutSeconds int `json:"timeout_seconds"`
+	// ServiceTier is an optional provider-specific request tier.
+	ServiceTier string `json:"service_tier"`
+	// ReasoningEffort is the effective opaque provider-specific reasoning
+	// setting. An empty value instructs model clients to omit reasoning.
+	ReasoningEffort string `json:"reasoning_effort"`
+	// APIKeyEnv is an environment-variable name, not its credential value.
+	APIKeyEnv string `json:"api_key_env"`
+	// ExtraParams contains copied JSON-compatible provider parameters.
+	ExtraParams map[string]any `json:"extra_params"`
 }
 
-// ExecutionTargetOverride represents per-request runtime setting overrides.
+// ProfileInspection is the caller-owned result of [Engine.InspectProfile].
+// It has no stable JSON representation.
+//
+// EffectiveModelParams contains a copied effective target. APIKeyRequired is
+// separate from that target to preserve ExecutionTarget's general execution
+// and stable JSON contracts.
+type ProfileInspection struct {
+	// ProfileID is the trimmed, exact profile ID inspected by the engine.
+	ProfileID string
+	// EffectiveModelParams contains framework defaults overlaid by the selected
+	// backend and then the profile, without a request override. APIKeyEnv is an
+	// environment-variable name, never its credential value.
+	EffectiveModelParams ExecutionTarget
+	// APIKeyRequired reports that a later execution must supply a direct API
+	// key or an explicit request environment override. It is mutually exclusive
+	// with a nonblank EffectiveModelParams.APIKeyEnv.
+	APIKeyRequired bool
+}
+
+// PromptInputDefinition describes one declared prompt input.
+// It has no stable JSON representation.
+type PromptInputDefinition struct {
+	// Name is the normalized prompt input name.
+	Name string
+	// Required is the prompt definition's declared required flag. When true,
+	// preparation fails if the input is omitted. A false value does not account
+	// for input references in message or session-ID templates.
+	Required bool
+	// ContentType is the declared input media-type metadata.
+	ContentType string
+	// Description is the declared human-readable input description.
+	Description string
+}
+
+// PromptInspection is the caller-owned result of [Engine.InspectPrompt].
+// It has no stable JSON representation.
+//
+// Inputs contains copied declared input metadata in definition order.
+// OutputContract is the normalized contract declared by the prompt definition,
+// rather than a request-level effective override. PromptHash is opaque.
+type PromptInspection struct {
+	// PromptID is the normalized ID of the selected prompt definition.
+	PromptID string
+	// PromptVersion is the normalized version of the selected prompt definition.
+	PromptVersion string
+	// PromptHash is the opaque equality value for the selected definition.
+	PromptHash string
+	// DefaultProfileID is declared metadata and is not resolved by inspection.
+	DefaultProfileID string
+	// Inputs contains caller-owned declared input metadata in definition order.
+	Inputs []PromptInputDefinition
+	// OutputContract is the normalized contract declared by the definition.
+	OutputContract OutputContract
+}
+
+// ExecutionTargetOverride represents per-request runtime setting overrides and
+// has no stable JSON representation.
+//
+// Non-empty string fields replace profile and backend values. Non-nil pointer
+// fields replace profile values and preserve explicit zero or empty values. A
+// non-empty ExtraParams map replaces the complete profile or backend map
+// rather than merging keys. Empty string fields, nil pointers, and a nil or
+// empty ExtraParams map inherit the selected profile over its backend, when
+// any, and framework defaults.
 type ExecutionTargetOverride struct {
-	Endpoint        string
-	Model           string
-	Temperature     *float64
-	MaxTokens       *int
-	TopP            *float64
-	TimeoutSeconds  *int
-	ServiceTier     string
-	ReasoningEffort string
-	APIKeyEnv       string
-	ExtraParams     map[string]any
+	// Endpoint replaces the profile or backend endpoint when non-empty without
+	// changing the effective BackendID.
+	Endpoint string
+	// Model replaces the profile model when non-empty.
+	Model string
+	// Temperature, when non-nil, must point to a value from 0 through 2.
+	Temperature *float64
+	// MaxTokens, when non-nil, must point to a non-negative value.
+	MaxTokens *int
+	// TopP, when non-nil, must point to a value from 0 through 1.
+	TopP *float64
+	// TimeoutSeconds, when non-nil, must point to a non-negative value. A
+	// pointed-to zero disables the per-generation deadline.
+	TimeoutSeconds *int
+	// ServiceTier replaces the profile value when non-blank.
+	ServiceTier string
+	// ReasoningEffort controls the per-run reasoning setting. Nil inherits the
+	// profile value. A pointer to a non-blank string trims and replaces the
+	// profile value. A pointer to an empty or whitespace-only string clears the
+	// inherited value and disables reasoning for this run. Non-blank values
+	// are opaque and are not validated against a fixed vocabulary.
+	ReasoningEffort *string
+	// APIKeyEnv replaces the profile or backend environment-variable name when
+	// non-blank. A direct RunRequest.APIKey still takes precedence over
+	// environment lookup.
+	APIKeyEnv string
+	// ExtraParams, when non-empty, replaces the complete profile or backend map.
+	// Values must be JSON-compatible: nil, booleans, finite numbers, strings,
+	// arrays or slices, and maps with non-empty string keys. Cycles are invalid.
+	ExtraParams map[string]any
 }
 
 // Profile is an in-memory execution profile for library consumers.
 //
 // It is equivalent to a loaded profile file after validation. Raw API keys do
-// not belong in profiles; use APIKeyRequired to require callers to provide
-// RunRequest.APIKey for each request, or use profile YAML api_key_env with file
-// and FS profile sources.
+// not belong in profiles; use APIKeyRequired to require callers to provide a
+// RunRequest.APIKey or explicit request ExecutionTargetOverride.APIKeyEnv, or
+// use profile YAML api_key_env with file and FS profile sources. Profile has no
+// stable JSON representation.
+//
+// WithProfiles validates and copies Profile values during NewEngine. Numeric
+// zero, blank strings, and an empty ExtraParams map inherit framework defaults;
+// use ExecutionTargetOverride pointer fields to request explicit numeric zero.
 type Profile struct {
-	ID              string
-	Endpoint        string
-	Model           string
-	Temperature     float64
-	MaxTokens       int
-	TopP            float64
-	TimeoutSeconds  int
-	ServiceTier     string
+	// ID is the required non-blank profile identifier. WithProfiles trims it.
+	ID string
+	// BackendID optionally selects an engine backend. WithProfiles trims it.
+	// Backend membership is checked when a request selects the profile; an
+	// unknown ID makes preparation fail with ErrProfileLoad.
+	BackendID string
+	// Endpoint is the model-provider base URL. It is required only when
+	// BackendID is blank and otherwise overrides the backend endpoint when
+	// non-blank.
+	Endpoint string
+	// Model is the required non-blank provider model identifier.
+	Model string
+	// Temperature is from 0 through 2. Zero inherits the framework default.
+	Temperature float64
+	// MaxTokens is non-negative. Zero inherits the framework default.
+	MaxTokens int
+	// TopP is from 0 through 1. Zero inherits the framework default rather than
+	// selecting an explicit zero.
+	TopP float64
+	// TimeoutSeconds is non-negative. Zero inherits the framework default.
+	TimeoutSeconds int
+	// ServiceTier is optional; a blank value inherits the framework default.
+	ServiceTier string
+	// ReasoningEffort is optional; a blank value inherits the framework
+	// default.
 	ReasoningEffort string
-	APIKeyRequired  bool
-	ExtraParams     map[string]any
+	// APIKeyRequired clears a backend's inherited API-key environment name and
+	// requires a non-blank RunRequest.APIKey unless the request explicitly
+	// supplies ExecutionTargetOverride.APIKeyEnv. It does not store a credential.
+	APIKeyRequired bool
+	// ExtraParams contains provider-specific JSON-compatible values. An empty
+	// map inherits backend request defaults, when any. WithProfiles validates
+	// and deeply copies it during NewEngine.
+	ExtraParams map[string]any
 }
 
 // OpenAICompatibleProfileConfig configures an OpenAI-compatible in-memory
 // profile.
 //
 // It contains ordinary profile fields for OpenAI-compatible chat-completions
-// endpoints. APIKeyRequired is satisfied by RunRequest.APIKey. Raw API keys do
-// not belong in this config.
+// endpoints. APIKeyRequired follows Profile.APIKeyRequired. Raw API keys do not
+// belong in this config. OpenAICompatibleProfileConfig has no stable JSON
+// representation and is not validated until its resulting Profile is supplied
+// through WithProfiles to NewEngine.
 type OpenAICompatibleProfileConfig struct {
-	ID              string
-	Endpoint        string
-	Model           string
-	APIKeyRequired  bool
-	Temperature     float64
-	MaxTokens       int
-	TopP            float64
-	TimeoutSeconds  int
-	ServiceTier     string
+	// ID becomes Profile.ID.
+	ID string
+	// BackendID becomes Profile.BackendID.
+	BackendID string
+	// Endpoint becomes Profile.Endpoint.
+	Endpoint string
+	// Model becomes Profile.Model.
+	Model string
+	// APIKeyRequired becomes Profile.APIKeyRequired.
+	APIKeyRequired bool
+	// Temperature becomes Profile.Temperature.
+	Temperature float64
+	// MaxTokens becomes Profile.MaxTokens.
+	MaxTokens int
+	// TopP becomes Profile.TopP.
+	TopP float64
+	// TimeoutSeconds becomes Profile.TimeoutSeconds.
+	TimeoutSeconds int
+	// ServiceTier becomes Profile.ServiceTier.
+	ServiceTier string
+	// ReasoningEffort becomes Profile.ReasoningEffort.
 	ReasoningEffort string
-	ExtraParams     map[string]any
+	// ExtraParams becomes a shallow-copied Profile.ExtraParams map. NewEngine
+	// performs validation and a deep copy when WithProfiles applies the result.
+	ExtraParams map[string]any
 }
 
 // ExecutionTargetPresence tracks which numeric runtime settings were explicit
-// request overrides.
+// request overrides, including explicit zero values. It has a stable JSON
+// representation and is supplied to injected LLM clients so they can preserve
+// omission semantics.
 type ExecutionTargetPresence struct {
-	Temperature    bool
-	MaxTokens      bool
-	TopP           bool
-	TimeoutSeconds bool
+	// Temperature reports a non-nil ExecutionTargetOverride.Temperature.
+	Temperature bool `json:"temperature"`
+	// MaxTokens reports a non-nil ExecutionTargetOverride.MaxTokens.
+	MaxTokens bool `json:"max_tokens"`
+	// TopP reports a non-nil ExecutionTargetOverride.TopP.
+	TopP bool `json:"top_p"`
+	// TimeoutSeconds reports a non-nil ExecutionTargetOverride.TimeoutSeconds.
+	TimeoutSeconds bool `json:"timeout_seconds"`
 }
 
-// OutputContract defines output and validation requirements.
+// OutputContract defines output and validation requirements and has a stable
+// JSON representation.
+//
+// A non-nil RunRequest.Validation replaces the complete prompt contract. It
+// does not merge fields. The public Engine validates generated output once and
+// does not install an output repairer.
 type OutputContract struct {
-	Format         OutputFormat   `json:"format"`
+	// Format selects generated artifact metadata. An empty effective value
+	// defaults to FormatText.
+	Format OutputFormat `json:"format"`
+	// ValidationMode selects the content check. Use one of the declared
+	// ValidationMode constants.
 	ValidationMode ValidationMode `json:"validation_mode"`
-	SchemaPath     string         `json:"schema_path"`
-	RepairAttempts int            `json:"repair_attempts"`
+	// SchemaPath is required when ValidationMode is ValidationJSONSchema and is
+	// ignored by other modes.
+	SchemaPath string `json:"schema_path"`
+	// RepairAttempts is a requested repair limit. A non-positive value requests
+	// no repairs. The public Engine performs no repairs even when this value is
+	// positive, so its runs report zero attempts used.
+	RepairAttempts int `json:"repair_attempts"`
 }
 
-// ValidationResult represents output validation state.
+// ValidationResult represents a completed output check and has a stable JSON
+// representation. An operational inability to perform validation is returned
+// as ErrValidation instead of a ValidationResult.
 type ValidationResult struct {
-	Status         ValidationStatus `json:"status"`
-	Mode           ValidationMode   `json:"mode"`
-	Errors         []string         `json:"errors,omitempty"`
-	SchemaPath     string           `json:"schema_path,omitempty"`
-	RepairAttempts int              `json:"repair_attempts"`
-	IsValid        bool             `json:"is_valid"`
+	// Status is Passed, Failed, or Skipped.
+	Status ValidationStatus `json:"status"`
+	// Mode is the effective validation mode.
+	Mode ValidationMode `json:"mode"`
+	// Errors contains validation diagnostics when Status is ValidationFailed.
+	Errors []string `json:"errors,omitempty"`
+	// SchemaPath is the effective schema path for JSON Schema validation.
+	SchemaPath string `json:"schema_path,omitempty"`
+	// RepairAttempts is the number of repairs actually attempted. It is always
+	// zero for the public Engine.
+	RepairAttempts int `json:"repair_attempts"`
+	// IsValid is true for ValidationPassed and ValidationSkipped and false for
+	// ValidationFailed.
+	IsValid bool `json:"is_valid"`
 }
 
-// TokenUsage tracks token consumption.
+// TokenUsage contains model-client token accounting and has a stable JSON
+// representation. Promptkit preserves values reported by the client and does
+// not derive or reconcile them.
 type TokenUsage struct {
-	PromptTokens     int `json:"prompt_tokens"`
+	// PromptTokens is the reported input-token count.
+	PromptTokens int `json:"prompt_tokens"`
+	// CompletionTokens is the reported generated-token count.
 	CompletionTokens int `json:"completion_tokens"`
-	TotalTokens      int `json:"total_tokens"`
-	CachedTokens     int `json:"cached_tokens"`
+	// TotalTokens is the reported total-token count.
+	TotalTokens int `json:"total_tokens"`
+	// CachedTokens is the reported cached-input-token count.
+	CachedTokens int `json:"cached_tokens"`
+	// CacheWriteTokens is the reported cache-write-token count.
 	CacheWriteTokens int `json:"cache_write_tokens"`
 }
 
-// RenderedPrompt is the fully rendered prompt passed to an LLM client.
+// RenderedPrompt is the fully rendered prompt passed to an LLM client and has
+// a stable JSON representation.
 type RenderedPrompt struct {
-	SessionID string            `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
-	Messages  []RenderedMessage `json:"messages"`
+	// SessionID is the optional effective direct or rendered session
+	// identifier supplied to the model client.
+	SessionID string `json:"session_id,omitempty"`
+	// Messages contains rendered messages in definition order.
+	Messages []RenderedMessage `json:"messages"`
 }
 
-// RenderedMessage is a rendered chat message.
+// RenderedMessage is a rendered chat message and has a stable JSON
+// representation.
 type RenderedMessage struct {
-	Role         string        `json:"role"`
-	Content      string        `json:"content"`
+	// Role is the definition-supplied chat role.
+	Role string `json:"role"`
+	// Content is the rendered message text.
+	Content string `json:"content"`
+	// CacheControl is optional provider cache metadata.
 	CacheControl *CacheControl `json:"cache_control,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// CacheControl describes provider cache metadata attached to prompt content.
+// CacheControl describes provider cache metadata attached to prompt content
+// and has a stable JSON representation.
 type CacheControl struct {
+	// Type identifies the cache behavior.
 	Type CacheControlType `json:"type"`
-	TTL  string           `json:"ttl,omitempty"`
+	// TTL is an optional provider cache lifetime.
+	TTL string `json:"ttl,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// StructuredOutputSpec describes provider-level structured output.
+// StructuredOutputSpec describes provider-level structured output and has a
+// stable JSON representation.
 type StructuredOutputSpec struct {
-	Type       StructuredOutputType      `json:"type"`
+	// Type identifies the structured-output mechanism.
+	Type StructuredOutputType `json:"type"`
+	// JSONSchema contains constraints when Type is StructuredOutputJSONSchema.
 	JSONSchema *StructuredOutputJSONSpec `json:"json_schema,omitempty"`
 }
 
-// StructuredOutputJSONSpec contains JSON Schema output constraints.
+// StructuredOutputJSONSpec contains provider-facing JSON Schema output
+// constraints and has a stable JSON representation.
 type StructuredOutputJSONSpec struct {
-	Name   string `json:"name"`
-	Strict bool   `json:"strict"`
-	Schema any    `json:"schema"`
+	// Name is the provider-facing schema name.
+	Name string `json:"name"`
+	// Strict requests strict provider enforcement of Schema.
+	Strict bool `json:"strict"`
+	// Schema is a caller-owned copy of the loaded JSON Schema document.
+	Schema any `json:"schema"`
 }
 
-// LLMClient executes rendered prompts for Engine.Run.
+// LLMClient executes rendered prompts for [Engine.Run] and
+// [Engine.RunPrepared].
+//
+// Generate is scheduled according to the resolved backend's capacity policy.
+// It may still be called concurrently for different backend pools or unlimited
+// backends. Cancellation while waiting for capacity can prevent Generate from
+// being called. Once invoked, it must honor context cancellation to make Run
+// and RunPrepared 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,
+// and retained copies. It is responsible for the cancellation behavior of any
+// work it starts and for synchronizing access to retained or shared data.
+//
+// A returned error makes Run or RunPrepared return ErrLLMGenerate while
+// preserving the client error through errors.Is. A nil response with a nil
+// error also produces ErrLLMGenerate. Promptkit copies the non-nil response
+// before returning from either method.
 type LLMClient interface {
 	Generate(context.Context, GenerateRequest) (*GenerateResponse, error)
 }
 
-// GenerateRequest is passed to an injected LLM client.
+// GenerateRequest is passed to an injected LLM client and has a stable JSON
+// representation. Its String and GoString methods omit rendered content and
+// direct credentials.
 type GenerateRequest struct {
-	Prompt           RenderedPrompt          `json:"prompt"`
-	Target           ExecutionTarget         `json:"target"`
-	TargetPresence   ExecutionTargetPresence `json:"target_presence"`
-	StructuredOutput *StructuredOutputSpec   `json:"structured_output,omitempty"`
-	APIKey           string                  `json:"-"`
+	// Prompt contains the rendered session ID and messages.
+	Prompt RenderedPrompt `json:"prompt"`
+	// Target contains effective model settings without the direct API key.
+	Target ExecutionTarget `json:"target"`
+	// TargetPresence distinguishes inherited numeric zeros from explicit
+	// request overrides.
+	TargetPresence ExecutionTargetPresence `json:"target_presence"`
+	// StructuredOutput contains provider response constraints when requested.
+	StructuredOutput *StructuredOutputSpec `json:"structured_output,omitempty"`
+	// APIKey is the direct request-scoped credential, if any. It is excluded
+	// from JSON, String, and GoString output.
+	APIKey string `json:"-"`
 }
 
-// GenerateResponse is returned by an injected LLM client.
+// GenerateResponse is returned by an injected LLM client and has a stable JSON
+// representation.
 type GenerateResponse struct {
-	Content string     `json:"content"`
-	Usage   TokenUsage `json:"usage"`
+	// Content is the generated output. It must be non-empty when using the
+	// built-in client; injected clients may return empty content for Promptkit
+	// validation to classify.
+	Content string `json:"content"`
+	// Usage is the client's token accounting.
+	Usage TokenUsage `json:"usage"`
 }
 
-// File returns a file-backed artifact reference.
+// File returns a file-backed artifact reference whose URI is path.
+//
+// The default artifact reader opens path as a caller-selected operating-system
+// path without restricting it to an application root or imposing a size limit.
+// Applications accepting untrusted paths must validate them before calling
+// Promptkit or use [WithArtifactReader] to enforce application policy.
 func File(path string) ArtifactRef {
 	return ArtifactRef{Type: ArtifactRefFile, URI: path}
 }
 
-// Inline returns an inline artifact reference.
+// Inline returns an inline artifact reference whose Body is body and whose URI
+// is empty.
 func Inline(body string) ArtifactRef {
 	return ArtifactRef{Type: ArtifactRefInline, Body: body}
 }
 
-// InlineWithURI returns an inline artifact reference with URI metadata.
+// InlineWithURI returns an inline artifact reference with body content and uri
+// provenance metadata.
 func InlineWithURI(uri string, body string) ArtifactRef {
 	return ArtifactRef{Type: ArtifactRefInline, URI: uri, Body: body}
 }