diff --git a/agent/budget.go b/agent/budget.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7b47c4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/agent/budget.go
@@ -0,0 +1,271 @@
+package agent
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"math"
+	"os"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/Autumn-27/norma/llm"
+)
+
+// Hierarchical run budgets (off by default). Levels: task -> intent (one worker
+// run) -> planner round (counted inside the task). A child's effective budget is
+// min(its own budget, the parent's remaining above the wrap-up reserve). When the
+// task can no longer afford a worker, dispatch stops and the run settles through
+// one forced wrap-up planner round (same pattern as the task-timeout endgame).
+// Wall-clock stays in taskclock/endgame. Counting matches the llm_usage ledger:
+// one turn per metered call (one row), tokens = input + output; norma's Usage
+// already folds the cache buckets into InputTokens, so they are not added again.
+
+// Unlimited is the cap of a dimension with no budget (env value 0 or unset).
+const Unlimited int64 = math.MaxInt64
+
+const (
+	BudgetMarginPercent         = 5      // wrap-up reserve = max(5% of the task budget, floor)
+	BudgetMarginMinTokens       = 20_000 // token floor of the reserve
+	BudgetMarginMinTurns        = 2      // turn floor of the reserve
+	DefaultWorkerEstimateTokens = 50_000 // one worker run, until a worker of this task finished
+	DefaultWorkerEstimateTurns  = 10
+)
+
+// Budget caps tokens and turns; a dimension equal to Unlimited has no cap.
+type Budget struct{ Tokens, Turns int64 }
+
+// Spend is what a level has consumed.
+type Spend struct{ Tokens, Turns int64 }
+
+// NewBudget builds a budget from configured values: <=0 means Unlimited.
+func NewBudget(tokens, turns int64) Budget { return Budget{budgetCap(tokens), budgetCap(turns)} }
+
+func budgetCap(n int64) int64 {
+	if n <= 0 {
+		return Unlimited
+	}
+	return n
+}
+
+// EffectiveBudget is the hierarchical calculator: per dimension, a child never
+// gets more than its parent has left.
+func EffectiveBudget(own, parentRemaining Budget) Budget {
+	return Budget{min(own.Tokens, parentRemaining.Tokens), min(own.Turns, parentRemaining.Turns)}
+}
+
+// Remaining is the budget left after s (never negative; Unlimited stays Unlimited).
+func (b Budget) Remaining(s Spend) Budget {
+	return Budget{left(b.Tokens, s.Tokens), left(b.Turns, s.Turns)}
+}
+
+func left(capacity, spent int64) int64 {
+	if capacity == Unlimited {
+		return Unlimited
+	}
+	return max(capacity-spent, 0)
+}
+
+// WrapupMargin is the reserve kept for the forced wrap-up (0 when unlimited).
+func WrapupMargin(task Budget) Budget {
+	m := func(capacity, floor int64) int64 {
+		if capacity == Unlimited {
+			return 0
+		}
+		return max(capacity*BudgetMarginPercent/100, floor)
+	}
+	return Budget{m(task.Tokens, BudgetMarginMinTokens), m(task.Turns, BudgetMarginMinTurns)}
+}
+
+func addUsage(s Spend, u llm.Usage) Spend {
+	return Spend{s.Tokens + int64(u.InputTokens+u.OutputTokens), s.Turns + 1}
+}
+
+// BudgetsFromEnv reads ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_{TOKENS,TURNS} and
+// ARTEX_INTENT_BUDGET_{TOKENS,TURNS}. Unset, 0 or invalid = Unlimited.
+func BudgetsFromEnv() (task, intent Budget) {
+	env := func(k string) int64 {
+		n, _ := strconv.ParseInt(strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv(k)), 10, 64)
+		return n
+	}
+	return NewBudget(env("ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_TOKENS"), env("ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_TURNS")),
+		NewBudget(env("ARTEX_INTENT_BUDGET_TOKENS"), env("ARTEX_INTENT_BUDGET_TURNS"))
+}
+
+// BudgetLedger meters one task, in memory (a process restart starts afresh).
+type BudgetLedger struct {
+	task, intent Budget
+	mu           sync.Mutex
+	spent        Spend // planner rounds + worker runs
+	workerRuns   int64
+	workerSpent  Spend
+	wrapup       bool // the forced wrap-up has started
+}
+
+// NewBudgetLedger returns nil when no budget is set: callers then change nothing.
+func NewBudgetLedger(task, intent Budget) *BudgetLedger {
+	if task == NewBudget(0, 0) && intent == NewBudget(0, 0) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return &BudgetLedger{task: task, intent: intent}
+}
+
+// Record meters one task-level call (the planner's own rounds).
+func (l *BudgetLedger) Record(u llm.Usage) {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	l.spent = addUsage(l.spent, u)
+}
+
+// BudgetState is one decision snapshot of the task level.
+type BudgetState struct {
+	Task, Remaining, Margin Budget
+	Spent, Estimate         Spend
+	AtMargin                bool // remaining is at or under the wrap-up reserve
+	Dispatch                bool // a new worker may start
+}
+
+// State reports the remaining budget and whether a worker may be dispatched:
+// not once the wrap-up started or the reserve is reached, and not when the
+// remaining budget is below one worker's estimated cost (the average of this
+// task's finished worker runs, else the defaults; never above the intent cap).
+func (l *BudgetLedger) State() BudgetState {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	rem, m := l.task.Remaining(l.spent), WrapupMargin(l.task)
+	est := Spend{DefaultWorkerEstimateTokens, DefaultWorkerEstimateTurns}
+	if l.workerRuns > 0 {
+		est = Spend{l.workerSpent.Tokens / l.workerRuns, l.workerSpent.Turns / l.workerRuns}
+	}
+	est = Spend{min(est.Tokens, l.intent.Tokens), min(est.Turns, l.intent.Turns)}
+	at := (rem.Tokens != Unlimited && rem.Tokens <= m.Tokens) || (rem.Turns != Unlimited && rem.Turns <= m.Turns)
+	return BudgetState{Task: l.task, Remaining: rem, Margin: m, Spent: l.spent, Estimate: est, AtMargin: at,
+		Dispatch: !l.wrapup && !at && rem.Tokens >= est.Tokens && rem.Turns >= est.Turns}
+}
+
+// BeginWrapup marks the forced wrap-up; true only for the first caller, so the
+// wrap-up runs exactly once. Running workers see an exhausted budget from here on.
+func (l *BudgetLedger) BeginWrapup() bool {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	first := !l.wrapup
+	l.wrapup = true
+	return first
+}
+
+// Line is the one-line remaining budget shown to the planner and logged.
+func (s BudgetState) Line() string {
+	of := func(rem, capacity int64) string {
+		if capacity == Unlimited {
+			return "unlimited"
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%d of %d", rem, capacity)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("[Task budget] remaining: tokens %s, turns %s (wrap-up reserve: %d tokens, %d turns)",
+		of(s.Remaining.Tokens, s.Task.Tokens), of(s.Remaining.Turns, s.Task.Turns), s.Margin.Tokens, s.Margin.Turns)
+}
+
+// IntentMeter meters one worker run against min(intent budget, task remaining
+// above the reserve).
+type IntentMeter struct {
+	l     *BudgetLedger
+	spent Spend // guarded by l.mu
+}
+
+// StartIntent opens the meter of one worker run.
+func (l *BudgetLedger) StartIntent() *IntentMeter { return &IntentMeter{l: l} }
+
+// Record meters one worker call into the intent and the task.
+func (m *IntentMeter) Record(u llm.Usage) {
+	m.l.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.l.mu.Unlock()
+	m.spent, m.l.spent = addUsage(m.spent, u), addUsage(m.l.spent, u)
+}
+
+// Remaining is the run's effective remaining budget; zero once the wrap-up started.
+func (m *IntentMeter) Remaining() Budget {
+	l := m.l
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	parent := Budget{}
+	if !l.wrapup {
+		rem, res := l.task.Remaining(l.spent), WrapupMargin(l.task)
+		parent = Budget{left(rem.Tokens, res.Tokens), left(rem.Turns, res.Turns)}
+	}
+	return EffectiveBudget(l.intent.Remaining(m.spent), parent)
+}
+
+// Exhausted reports whether the run has no budget left in some dimension.
+func (m *IntentMeter) Exhausted() bool {
+	r := m.Remaining()
+	return r.Tokens == 0 || r.Turns == 0
+}
+
+// Finish folds the run into the task's per-worker average.
+func (m *IntentMeter) Finish() {
+	m.l.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.l.mu.Unlock()
+	m.l.workerRuns++
+	m.l.workerSpent = Spend{m.l.workerSpent.Tokens + m.spent.Tokens, m.l.workerSpent.Turns + m.spent.Turns}
+}
+
+// BudgetWrapupBlocks reports whether a worker tool is refused once its budget is
+// exhausted: all but the write-back tools, so the run records facts and stops.
+func BudgetWrapupBlocks(tool string) bool {
+	return tool != "record_fact" && tool != "insert_assets" && tool != "report_finding"
+}
+
+// WorkerBudgetWrapup is returned in place of a refused tool call.
+const WorkerBudgetWrapup = "[Budget reached] This intent's token/turn budget is used up; the tool call was not executed. Do not run any more commands or probes. Write back what you identified but have not persisted yet (insert_assets, record_fact, report_finding), then, in a single standalone sentence of plain text, summarize what you did and your key conclusions."
+
+const plannerBudgetWrapup = "**The task's token/turn budget is exhausted and the task is about to end** (a normal end, not an error). Based on the current facts and findings, make the final goal judgment: call prove_goal for goals proven met by evidence. **Do not generate any new intents** (they will not be executed). Then, in a single standalone sentence of plain text, summarize where the task stands."
+
+// BudgetRound carries one planner round's budget on ctx (zero = no budget).
+type BudgetRound struct {
+	Line   string // one-line remaining budget for the planner context
+	WrapUp bool   // the forced wrap-up round
+}
+
+type budgetRoundKey struct{}
+type intentMeterKey struct{}
+
+// WithBudgetRound attaches a planner round's budget to ctx.
+func WithBudgetRound(ctx context.Context, r BudgetRound) context.Context {
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, budgetRoundKey{}, r)
+}
+
+// WithIntentMeter attaches a worker run's meter to ctx (turn clamp).
+func WithIntentMeter(ctx context.Context, m *IntentMeter) context.Context {
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, intentMeterKey{}, m)
+}
+
+// plannerBudgetBlock is the code-owned budget text appended to the planner's
+// situational block (same pattern as the endgame words); empty without a budget.
+func plannerBudgetBlock(ctx context.Context) string {
+	r, _ := ctx.Value(budgetRoundKey{}).(BudgetRound)
+	s := ""
+	if r.Line != "" {
+		s += "\n\n" + r.Line
+	}
+	if r.WrapUp {
+		s += "\n\n[Task budget wrap-up (special instruction for this round, overriding the normal planning flow above)]: " + plannerBudgetWrapup
+	}
+	return s
+}
+
+// turnCap is the worker's MaxTurns for this run: its own, clamped by the
+// intent's effective remaining turns (never 0, which harness reads as unlimited).
+func (w *Worker) turnCap(ctx context.Context) int {
+	m, _ := ctx.Value(intentMeterKey{}).(*IntentMeter)
+	if m == nil {
+		return w.maxTurns
+	}
+	rem := m.Remaining().Turns
+	if rem == Unlimited {
+		return w.maxTurns
+	}
+	if c := int(max(rem, 1)); w.maxTurns <= 0 || c < w.maxTurns {
+		return c
+	}
+	return w.maxTurns
+}
diff --git a/agent/budget_test.go b/agent/budget_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b35f358
--- /dev/null
+++ b/agent/budget_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+package agent
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Autumn-27/norma/llm"
+)
+
+// spend records n tokens as one task-level call; finishWorker records one
+// finished worker run of n tokens (it feeds the per-worker estimate).
+func spend(l *BudgetLedger, n int) { l.Record(llm.Usage{InputTokens: n}) }
+
+func finishWorker(l *BudgetLedger, n int) {
+	m := l.StartIntent()
+	m.Record(llm.Usage{OutputTokens: n})
+	m.Finish()
+}
+
+func TestEffectiveBudgetNeverExceedsParent(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range []struct{ own, parent, want Budget }{
+		{NewBudget(50, 5), NewBudget(100, 10), Budget{50, 5}},
+		{NewBudget(200, 20), NewBudget(100, 10), Budget{100, 10}},
+		{NewBudget(0, 0), NewBudget(100, 10), Budget{100, 10}}, // own unlimited
+		{NewBudget(70, 7), NewBudget(0, 0), Budget{70, 7}},     // parent unlimited
+		{NewBudget(0, 0), NewBudget(0, 0), Budget{Unlimited, Unlimited}},
+		{NewBudget(70, 7), Budget{0, 0}, Budget{0, 0}}, // parent exhausted
+	} {
+		if got := EffectiveBudget(c.own, c.parent); got != c.want || got.Tokens > c.parent.Tokens || got.Turns > c.parent.Turns {
+			t.Fatalf("EffectiveBudget(%+v, %+v) = %+v, want %+v", c.own, c.parent, got, c.want)
+		}
+	}
+	// Through the meter: intent 100k is cut to the task's remaining above the
+	// reserve (task 100k, reserve 20k, 70k spent → 10k); intent turns clamp MaxTurns.
+	l := NewBudgetLedger(NewBudget(100_000, 0), NewBudget(100_000, 5))
+	spend(l, 70_000)
+	m := l.StartIntent()
+	if got := m.Remaining(); got != (Budget{10_000, 5}) {
+		t.Fatalf("intent remaining = %+v, want {10000 5}", got)
+	}
+	if got := (&Worker{maxTurns: 40}).turnCap(WithIntentMeter(context.Background(), m)); got != 5 {
+		t.Fatalf("worker MaxTurns = %d, want the intent's 5", got)
+	}
+	if m.Record(llm.Usage{InputTokens: 10_000}); !m.Exhausted() {
+		t.Fatal("intent not exhausted once the task's remaining above the reserve is spent")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestWrapupMarginTriggersOnceAndStopsDispatch(t *testing.T) {
+	if a, b := WrapupMargin(NewBudget(1_000_000, 100)), WrapupMargin(NewBudget(100_000, 10)); a != (Budget{50_000, 5}) || b != (Budget{20_000, 2}) {
+		t.Fatalf("margins %+v %+v, want 5%% then the floors", a, b)
+	}
+	l := NewBudgetLedger(NewBudget(100_000, 0), NewBudget(0, 0))
+	finishWorker(l, 10) // tiny estimate: only the reserve can stop dispatch here
+	spend(l, 100_000-10-20_001)
+	if st := l.State(); st.AtMargin || !st.Dispatch {
+		t.Fatalf("one token above the reserve: %+v, want dispatch", st)
+	}
+	spend(l, 1) // remaining == reserve
+	st := l.State()
+	if !st.AtMargin || st.Dispatch {
+		t.Fatalf("at the reserve: %+v, want AtMargin and no dispatch", st)
+	}
+	running, wrapups := l.StartIntent(), 0
+	for i := 0; i < 3; i++ { // several planner wake-ups at the reserve
+		if l.BeginWrapup() {
+			wrapups++
+		}
+	}
+	if wrapups != 1 || l.State().Dispatch {
+		t.Fatalf("wrap-up started %d times (want 1), dispatch=%v", wrapups, l.State().Dispatch)
+	}
+	if !running.Exhausted() || !BudgetWrapupBlocks("Bash") || BudgetWrapupBlocks("record_fact") {
+		t.Fatal("after the wrap-up a running worker must be held to its write-back tools")
+	}
+	block := plannerBudgetBlock(WithBudgetRound(context.Background(), BudgetRound{Line: st.Line(), WrapUp: true}))
+	if strings.Count(block, plannerBudgetWrapup) != 1 || !strings.Contains(block, "[Task budget] remaining: tokens 20000 of 100000") {
+		t.Fatalf("wrap-up block:\n%s", block)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDispatchStopsUnderOneWorkerEstimate(t *testing.T) {
+	// No worker finished yet: the default estimate applies.
+	l := NewBudgetLedger(NewBudget(200_000, 0), NewBudget(0, 0))
+	spend(l, 200_000-DefaultWorkerEstimateTokens)
+	if st := l.State(); !st.Dispatch {
+		t.Fatalf("remaining == default estimate: %+v, want dispatch", st)
+	}
+	if spend(l, 1); l.State().Dispatch || l.State().AtMargin {
+		t.Fatalf("below the default estimate, above the reserve: %+v, want no dispatch", l.State())
+	}
+	// Finished workers: their average spend is the estimate (90k, 30k → 60k).
+	l = NewBudgetLedger(NewBudget(300_000, 0), NewBudget(0, 0))
+	finishWorker(l, 90_000)
+	finishWorker(l, 30_000)
+	spend(l, 120_000) // remaining 60k
+	if st := l.State(); st.Estimate.Tokens != 60_000 || !st.Dispatch {
+		t.Fatalf("average estimate: %+v, want 60000 and dispatch", st)
+	}
+	if spend(l, 1); l.State().Dispatch || l.State().AtMargin {
+		t.Fatalf("below the 60000 estimate, above the reserve: %+v, want no dispatch", l.State())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBudgetUnsetIsPassthrough(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, v := range []string{"", "0", "abc"} {
+		for _, k := range []string{"ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_TOKENS", "ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_TURNS", "ARTEX_INTENT_BUDGET_TOKENS", "ARTEX_INTENT_BUDGET_TURNS"} {
+			t.Setenv(k, v)
+		}
+		if NewBudgetLedger(BudgetsFromEnv()) != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("env %q: got a ledger, want nil (no budget)", v)
+		}
+	}
+	// Without a budget on ctx the planner input and the worker turns are unchanged.
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	situational := plannerSituational(nil, triggerLookup{}, nil, newDataEnvelope())
+	if plannerRoundInput("l", situational, "", "g", "") != plannerRoundInput("l", situational+plannerBudgetBlock(ctx), "", "g", "") {
+		t.Fatal("planner input changed without a budget")
+	}
+	if got := (&Worker{maxTurns: 40}).turnCap(ctx); got != 40 {
+		t.Fatalf("worker turns without budget = %d, want 40", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBudgetCountsMatchUsageFixture(t *testing.T) {
+	// One entry per llm_usage row; InputTokens already includes the cache buckets.
+	planner := []llm.Usage{
+		{InputTokens: 12_000, OutputTokens: 800, CacheReadTokens: 9_000},
+		{InputTokens: 15_500, OutputTokens: 1_200, CacheReadTokens: 12_000, CacheWriteTokens: 3_000},
+	}
+	worker := []llm.Usage{{InputTokens: 4_000, OutputTokens: 300}, {InputTokens: 6_100, CacheWriteTokens: 6_000}, {}} // {} = an errored call's row
+	l := NewBudgetLedger(NewBudget(1_000_000, 1_000), NewBudget(0, 0))
+	for _, u := range planner {
+		l.Record(u)
+	}
+	m := l.StartIntent()
+	for _, u := range worker {
+		m.Record(u)
+	}
+	m.Finish()
+	const want = 12_000 + 800 + 15_500 + 1_200 + 4_000 + 300 + 6_100
+	if st := l.State(); st.Spent != (Spend{want, 5}) || st.Remaining != (Budget{1_000_000 - want, 995}) || st.Estimate != (Spend{10_400, 3}) {
+		t.Fatalf("spent %+v remaining %+v estimate %+v, want {%d 5}, remaining, {10400 3}", st.Spent, st.Remaining, st.Estimate, want)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/agent/planner.go b/agent/planner.go
index 8139ffa..3b38967 100644
--- a/agent/planner.go
+++ b/agent/planner.go
@@ -500,6 +500,9 @@ func (p *Planner) Plan(ctx context.Context, taskID int64, as *db.AssetStore, ts
 	if tc.Final {
 		situational += "\n\n[Task endgame wrap-up (special instruction for this round, overriding the normal planning flow above)]: " + resolveTaskTimeoutWrapup("planner")
 	}
+	// Task budget (off by default, see budget.go): the remaining-budget line, and on
+	// the forced wrap-up round the budget wrap-up instruction. Empty without a budget.
+	situational += plannerBudgetBlock(ctx)
 	// This task's work dir <workDir>/tasks/<taskID>; create it first.
 	taskDir := ensureRunDir(p.workDir, taskID, 0)
 	ctx = intercept.WithReviewContext(ctx, taskDir, intercept.ReviewBackground{})
diff --git a/agent/worker.go b/agent/worker.go
index 582911b..2d9338e 100644
--- a/agent/worker.go
+++ b/agent/worker.go
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ func (w *Worker) execute(ctx context.Context, name string, taskID int64, as *db.
 		// default (tools need no -x/-k).
 		BashEnv:    proxyEnv(w.proxyAddr, w.proxyCACert),
 		WorkingDir: runDir,
-		MaxTurns:   w.maxTurns, // 0 = unlimited (configurable in agent management)
+		MaxTurns:   w.turnCap(ctx), // 0 = unlimited (configurable in agent management); clamped by the intent budget
 		// Wall-clock budget, judged at turn boundaries without interrupting mid-flight;
 		// 0 = unlimited. When a task-level deadline exists, clamp to min(own budget, time
 		// until the deadline) so this run naturally enters wrap-up when the task hits its
diff --git a/llmrec/llmrec.go b/llmrec/llmrec.go
index f3c87df..2c5f2fa 100644
--- a/llmrec/llmrec.go
+++ b/llmrec/llmrec.go
@@ -60,6 +60,15 @@ func workerFrom(ctx context.Context) string {
 	return strings.TrimSpace(worker)
 }
 
+type usageSinkContextKey struct{}
+
+// WithUsageSink attaches a callback that receives the usage of every metered
+// call made under ctx — the same value, at the same point, as the llm_usage row.
+// The task runtime uses it to meter run budgets.
+func WithUsageSink(ctx context.Context, sink func(llm.Usage)) context.Context {
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, usageSinkContextKey{}, sink)
+}
+
 // Recorder wraps an llm.Provider and records every completion call.
 type Recorder struct {
 	inner llm.Provider
@@ -168,7 +177,7 @@ func (r *Recorder) Stream(ctx context.Context, req llm.CompletionRequest) iter.S
 				status = "error"
 			}
 			// Lightweight metering row — always written.
-			r.recordUsage(taskID, expID, worker, usage, int(time.Since(start).Milliseconds()), status)
+			r.recordUsage(ctx, taskID, expID, worker, usage, int(time.Since(start).Milliseconds()), status)
 			// Heavy trace row — only when body recording is on.
 			if recordBodies {
 				r.record(req, session, taskID, worker, reqBody, capt, start, textBuf.String(), thinkingBuf.String(), usage, stopReason, err)
@@ -246,7 +255,7 @@ func (r *Recorder) Complete(ctx context.Context, req llm.CompletionRequest) (llm
 	if err != nil {
 		status = "error"
 	}
-	r.recordUsage(taskID, expID, worker, usage, int(time.Since(start).Milliseconds()), status)
+	r.recordUsage(ctx, taskID, expID, worker, usage, int(time.Since(start).Milliseconds()), status)
 	if recordBodies {
 		r.record(req, session, taskID, worker, reqBody, capt, start, msg.Text(), thinkingText(msg), usage, stopReason, err)
 	}
@@ -264,15 +273,19 @@ func thinkingText(msg llm.Message) string {
 }
 
 // recordUsage appends one lightweight metering row to llm_usage (no bodies). Skips
-// zero-token calls with no model, which carry nothing worth metering.
-func (r *Recorder) recordUsage(taskID string, expID int64, worker string, usage llm.Usage, latencyMs int, status string) {
-	if r.pg == nil {
-		return
-	}
+// zero-token calls with no model, which carry nothing worth metering. The ctx
+// usage sink (if any) sees exactly the calls that get a row.
+func (r *Recorder) recordUsage(ctx context.Context, taskID string, expID int64, worker string, usage llm.Usage, latencyMs int, status string) {
 	if r.model == "" && usage.InputTokens == 0 && usage.OutputTokens == 0 &&
 		usage.CacheReadTokens == 0 && usage.CacheWriteTokens == 0 {
 		return
 	}
+	if sink, _ := ctx.Value(usageSinkContextKey{}).(func(llm.Usage)); sink != nil {
+		sink(usage)
+	}
+	if r.pg == nil {
+		return
+	}
 	err := r.pg.InsertLLMUsage(&db.LLMUsage{
 		TaskID:        taskID,
 		ExplorationID: expID,
diff --git a/llmrec/llmrec_test.go b/llmrec/llmrec_test.go
index 2fd0e0e..d5f643c 100644
--- a/llmrec/llmrec_test.go
+++ b/llmrec/llmrec_test.go
@@ -68,6 +68,32 @@ func TestCompleteForwardsAtomicResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// The usage sink sees each metered call once, with the usage the llm_usage row gets.
+func TestUsageSinkSeesMeteredCalls(t *testing.T) {
+	var got []llm.Usage
+	ctx := WithUsageSink(context.Background(), func(u llm.Usage) { got = append(got, u) })
+	recorder := Wrap(meteredStreamProvider{}, nil, "model", "profile", "", "", func() bool { return false })
+	for _, err := range recorder.Stream(ctx, llm.CompletionRequest{}) {
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := recorder.Complete(ctx, llm.CompletionRequest{}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	want := []llm.Usage{{InputTokens: 23, OutputTokens: 5}, {InputTokens: 7, OutputTokens: 3}}
+	if len(got) != len(want) || got[0] != want[0] || got[1] != want[1] {
+		t.Fatalf("sink saw %+v, want %+v", got, want)
+	}
+	// A call that gets no llm_usage row (no model, zero usage) is not seen either.
+	got = nil
+	empty := Wrap(completeProvider{}, nil, "", "", "", "", nil)
+	empty.recordUsage(ctx, "", 0, "", llm.Usage{}, 0, "ok")
+	if len(got) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("sink saw an unmetered call: %+v", got)
+	}
+}
+
 type meteredStreamProvider struct{ completeProvider }
 
 func (meteredStreamProvider) Stream(context.Context, llm.CompletionRequest) iter.Seq2[llm.StreamEvent, error] {
diff --git a/server/engine.go b/server/engine.go
index ab24682..80067cd 100644
--- a/server/engine.go
+++ b/server/engine.go
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ type Engine struct {
 	stamped      sync.Map // taskID -> bool, whether first_run_at has been stamped (once per process)
 	inflight     sync.Map // taskID -> *int64, count of in-flight planner.Plan + worker.Execute (for drain)
 	coordStarted sync.Map // taskID -> bool, whether the deadline coordinator has started (deduplicated across Run/reload)
+	budgets      sync.Map // taskID -> *agent.BudgetLedger, run budget meter (nil = no budget configured; see engine_budget.go)
 
 	// resolve returns a task's dedicated planner/worker (wired by the server as the
 	// authoritative task-router). nil,nil means this task is deliberately unavailable
@@ -289,6 +290,7 @@ func (e *Engine) StopTask(taskID string) {
 	e.stamped.Delete(taskID)
 	e.inflight.Delete(taskID)
 	e.coordStarted.Delete(taskID)
+	e.budgets.Delete(taskID)
 	e.deleteMu.Lock()
 	e.deleting.Delete(taskID)
 	e.deleteMu.Unlock()
@@ -532,6 +534,9 @@ type steerHooks struct {
 	limit int
 	// label looks like "worker-1 · #42"; used only for logging.
 	label string
+	// budget meters this intent's run (nil = no budget). Once exhausted, every tool
+	// but the write-back ones is refused with the wrap-up instruction.
+	budget *agent.IntentMeter
 }
 
 // Default number of reruns for idle turns (thinking only, neither body text nor tool
@@ -573,6 +578,9 @@ func (h steerHooks) PreToolUse(ctx context.Context, name string, input []byte) (
 		return true, "[Planner real-time steering] " + msg +
 			"\n(This is the planner's immediate instruction for this intent; the tool call was not executed — adjust your next step accordingly. If it conflicts with your current plan, this takes precedence.)", nil
 	}
+	if h.budget != nil && agent.BudgetWrapupBlocks(name) && h.budget.Exhausted() {
+		return true, agent.WorkerBudgetWrapup, nil
+	}
 	if h.inner != nil {
 		return h.inner.PreToolUse(ctx, name, input)
 	}
@@ -879,6 +887,11 @@ func (e *Engine) plannerLoop(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
 			}
 			return // the goalless branch never enters planner.Plan
 		}
+		// Run budget (off by default): no worker affordable any more → the forced
+		// wrap-up (once) instead of a normal round.
+		if e.budgetStop(ctx, t) {
+			return
+		}
 		// quiet-mode (#79): an edge round is redundant while work is in flight
 		// and the open-goal set is unchanged since the last completed round —
 		// there is no new decision for the plan to make. Drain the triggers so
@@ -910,7 +923,7 @@ func (e *Engine) plannerLoop(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
 		// coalesces a burst; empty for time/heartbeat wakes).
 		triggers := t.drainTriggers()
 		taskIDInt, _ := strconv.ParseInt(t.ID, 10, 64)
-		pctx := e.plannerGateContext(ectx, t, intercept.DefaultTargetWaitBound)
+		pctx := e.budgetRoundCtx(e.plannerGateContext(ectx, t, intercept.DefaultTargetWaitBound), t, false)
 		e.BeginLLMCall(t.ID)
 		met, reason, err := planner.Plan(pctx, taskIDInt, e.m.assets, t.Store, t.Goal, triggers, t.TargetGuard.Hooks(), emit)
 		e.EndLLMCall(t.ID)
@@ -936,6 +949,9 @@ func (e *Engine) plannerLoop(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
 		if fp, err := t.Store.OpenGoalFingerprint(); err == nil {
 			e.goalFP.Store(t.ID, fp)
 		}
+		if e.budgetBlocksClaim(t.ID) {
+			t.Notify() // this round crossed the budget: settle on the next round, not at the next heartbeat
+		}
 		e.touch(t.ID)
 	}
 
@@ -1041,6 +1057,12 @@ func (e *Engine) workerLoop(ctx context.Context, t *Task, name string) {
 			}
 			continue // task timeout settlement in progress: claim no new intents (running ones settle themselves; the coordinator waits for them to drain)
 		}
+		if e.budgetBlocksClaim(t.ID) {
+			if sleepCtx(ctx, 1000*time.Millisecond) {
+				return
+			}
+			continue // run budget below one worker's estimate: dispatch no new worker (the planner loop settles the task)
+		}
 		if isTerminalStatus(e.m.TaskStatus(t.ID)) {
 			if sleepCtx(ctx, 1000*time.Millisecond) {
 				return
@@ -1116,6 +1138,9 @@ func (e *Engine) runIntent(ctx context.Context, t *Task, name string, worker *ag
 	label := fmt.Sprintf("%s · #%d", name, iid)
 	workCtx = intercept.WithTaskContext(workCtx, t.ID, label, taskEmit)
 	workCtx = intercept.WithTargetScope(workCtx, t.targetScope(intercept.DefaultTargetWaitBound))
+	// Run budget (off by default): meter this run's calls; its effective budget is
+	// min(intent budget, task remaining above the wrap-up reserve).
+	workCtx, meter := e.budgetIntent(workCtx, t.ID)
 	// nudges deliberately sits outside the model_error rerun loop: the idle-turn rerun
 	// cap is a per-intent total, and one rerun round must not reset it back to zero.
 	hooks := steerHooks{
@@ -1124,6 +1149,7 @@ func (e *Engine) runIntent(ctx context.Context, t *Task, name string, worker *ag
 		nudges: &atomic.Int64{},
 		limit:  e.emptyTurnNudgeLimit(),
 		label:  label,
+		budget: meter,
 	}
 	wTaskID, _ := strconv.ParseInt(t.ID, 10, 64)
 	e.BeginLLMCall(t.ID)
@@ -1157,6 +1183,9 @@ func (e *Engine) runIntent(ctx context.Context, t *Task, name string, worker *ag
 		e.EndLLMCall(t.ID)
 	}
 	stopHeartbeat() // no longer busy: the state writes below follow within the just-renewed claim
+	if meter != nil {
+		meter.Finish() // feeds the per-worker cost estimate
+	}
 	// Capture kill state before detachWork cancels workCtx. kill = this work's
 	// ctx was cancelled (planner kill_work) while the TASK ctx kept running; a
 	// pause cancels the task ctx (ectx) instead. Checking workCtx.Err() AFTER
diff --git a/server/engine_budget.go b/server/engine_budget.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6021b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/engine_budget.go
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+package server
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"log"
+
+	"github.com/Autumn-27/artex/agent"
+	"github.com/Autumn-27/artex/llmrec"
+)
+
+// Hierarchical run budgets (agent/budget.go), off unless an ARTEX_*_BUDGET_* env
+// var is set. Every helper here is a no-op when budgetFor returns nil.
+
+// budgetFor returns the task's budget ledger, created on first use from the env;
+// nil when no budget is configured (passthrough).
+func (e *Engine) budgetFor(taskID string) *agent.BudgetLedger {
+	if v, ok := e.budgets.Load(taskID); ok {
+		return v.(*agent.BudgetLedger)
+	}
+	v, _ := e.budgets.LoadOrStore(taskID, agent.NewBudgetLedger(agent.BudgetsFromEnv()))
+	return v.(*agent.BudgetLedger)
+}
+
+// budgetStop is the enforcement point of a planner round: it logs the remaining
+// budget and, once no worker can be dispatched any more, starts the forced
+// wrap-up (exactly once: the settle sequence with the budget words) and reports
+// that the normal round must not run. ctx is the planner loop's context.
+func (e *Engine) budgetStop(ctx context.Context, t *Task) bool {
+	l := e.budgetFor(t.ID)
+	if l == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	st := l.State()
+	log.Printf("[budget] task %s planner round: %s", t.ID, st.Line())
+	if st.Dispatch {
+		return false
+	}
+	if l.BeginWrapup() {
+		log.Printf("[budget] task %s cannot afford another worker (estimate %d tokens / %d turns), forced wrap-up",
+			t.ID, st.Estimate.Tokens, st.Estimate.Turns)
+		e.settleTask(ctx, t, true)
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
+// budgetRoundCtx attaches a planner round's budget (the one-line remaining
+// budget, the wrap-up flag) and meters the round's own calls into the task.
+func (e *Engine) budgetRoundCtx(ctx context.Context, t *Task, wrapup bool) context.Context {
+	l := e.budgetFor(t.ID)
+	if l == nil {
+		return ctx
+	}
+	ctx = agent.WithBudgetRound(ctx, agent.BudgetRound{Line: l.State().Line(), WrapUp: wrapup})
+	return llmrec.WithUsageSink(ctx, l.Record)
+}
+
+// budgetBlocksClaim reports whether a worker must not claim a new intent: the
+// remaining task budget is below one worker's cost estimate, or the wrap-up started.
+func (e *Engine) budgetBlocksClaim(taskID string) bool {
+	l := e.budgetFor(taskID)
+	return l != nil && !l.State().Dispatch
+}
+
+// budgetIntent opens the meter of one worker run: ctx meters its calls and
+// clamps its turns; the returned meter feeds the tool hook. nil = no budget.
+func (e *Engine) budgetIntent(ctx context.Context, taskID string) (context.Context, *agent.IntentMeter) {
+	l := e.budgetFor(taskID)
+	if l == nil {
+		return ctx, nil
+	}
+	m := l.StartIntent()
+	return llmrec.WithUsageSink(agent.WithIntentMeter(ctx, m), m.Record), m
+}
diff --git a/server/engine_budget_test.go b/server/engine_budget_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c51fe8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/engine_budget_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+package server
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/Autumn-27/artex/agent"
+	"github.com/Autumn-27/norma/llm"
+)
+
+// With the budget env vars unset the engine decides exactly as before (no round
+// stopped, no claim blocked, contexts untouched, every tool call let through);
+// a task budget flips the same decisions once the task cannot afford a worker.
+func TestEngineBudgetPassthroughAndGate(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, k := range []string{"ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_TOKENS", "ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_TURNS", "ARTEX_INTENT_BUDGET_TOKENS", "ARTEX_INTENT_BUDGET_TURNS"} {
+		t.Setenv(k, "")
+	}
+	ctx, task := context.Background(), &Task{ID: "7"}
+	noSteer := func() (string, bool) { return "", false }
+	e := NewEngine(nil)
+	wctx, meter := e.budgetIntent(ctx, task.ID)
+	if e.budgetStop(ctx, task) || e.budgetBlocksClaim(task.ID) || e.budgetRoundCtx(ctx, task, false) != ctx || wctx != ctx || meter != nil {
+		t.Fatal("no budget: a decision or a context changed")
+	}
+	if block, _, _ := (steerHooks{drain: noSteer}).PreToolUse(ctx, "Bash", nil); block {
+		t.Fatal("no budget: a tool call was refused")
+	}
+
+	t.Setenv("ARTEX_TASK_BUDGET_TOKENS", "100000")
+	e = NewEngine(nil)
+	_, meter = e.budgetIntent(ctx, task.ID)
+	meter.Record(llm.Usage{InputTokens: 60_000}) // remaining 40k < default worker estimate 50k
+	h := steerHooks{drain: noSteer, budget: meter}
+	if block, _, _ := h.PreToolUse(ctx, "Bash", nil); !e.budgetBlocksClaim(task.ID) || block {
+		t.Fatal("budget: claim must be blocked, the running worker (above the reserve) not")
+	}
+	meter.Record(llm.Usage{OutputTokens: 20_000}) // reaches the 20k reserve
+	if block, msg, _ := h.PreToolUse(ctx, "Bash", nil); !block || msg != agent.WorkerBudgetWrapup {
+		t.Fatalf("budget: exhausted run not sent to wrap-up (block=%v msg=%q)", block, msg)
+	}
+	if block, _, _ := h.PreToolUse(ctx, "record_fact", nil); block {
+		t.Fatal("budget: write-back tool refused during the wrap-up")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/server/engine_timeout.go b/server/engine_timeout.go
index 1d3ab55..933b059 100644
--- a/server/engine_timeout.go
+++ b/server/engine_timeout.go
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ func (e *Engine) resetTimeoutRevival(taskID string) {
 	e.deadline.Delete(taskID)
 	e.stamped.Delete(taskID)
 	e.coordStarted.Delete(taskID)
+	e.budgets.Delete(taskID) // a revived task also gets a fresh run budget
 }
 
 // stampFirstRun records first_run_at + deadline_at on the FIRST real run (LLM ready)
@@ -176,17 +177,23 @@ func (e *Engine) deadlineCoordinator(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
 			}
 			continue
 		}
-		e.settleTask(ctx, t)
+		e.settleTask(ctx, t, false)
 		return
 	}
 }
 
-// settleTask runs the ordered settle sequence once (§4 steps ①–⑥).
-func (e *Engine) settleTask(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
+// settleTask runs the ordered settle sequence once (§4 steps ①–⑥). budget = the
+// task run budget is exhausted (budget.go) instead of the deadline: same sequence,
+// the final round carries the budget wrap-up words.
+func (e *Engine) settleTask(ctx context.Context, t *Task, budget bool) {
 	if !e.markSettling(t.ID) {
 		return
 	}
-	log.Printf("[deadline] task %s reached the timeout limit, entering the settle sequence", t.ID)
+	if budget {
+		log.Printf("[budget] task %s run budget exhausted, entering the settle sequence", t.ID)
+	} else {
+		log.Printf("[deadline] task %s reached the timeout limit, entering the settle sequence", t.ID)
+	}
 
 	// ④ wait for running workers/planners to drain (running runs enter wrap-up on their own
 	// via the clamped MaxDuration); if not drained within the grace period, hard-cancel the
@@ -205,7 +212,7 @@ func (e *Engine) settleTask(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
 	}
 
 	// ⑤ one final planner round (task-timeout words, final goal judgment, no new intents).
-	met := e.runFinalPlannerRound(ctx, t)
+	met := e.runFinalPlannerRound(ctx, t, budget)
 	if !e.beginTaskOperation(t.ID) {
 		return
 	}
@@ -213,11 +220,17 @@ func (e *Engine) settleTask(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
 
 	// ⑥ set the terminal state (guarded): met → done (completed); otherwise timeout. If the
 	// normal path already settled done first, the guard (SetTaskStatusGuarded) rejects the
-	// overwrite, preserving the completed semantics.
+	// overwrite, preserving the completed semantics. A budget-exhausted run reuses the
+	// timeout state (a resource limit ended it; no new task status) and is marked by an
+	// activity record.
 	status := "timeout"
 	if met {
 		status = "done"
 	}
+	if budget {
+		e.emitActivity(t, db.Activity{Worker: "system", Kind: "text",
+			Summary: "Task run budget exhausted: forced wrap-up done, task stopped (final state " + status + ")"})
+	}
 	won, err := e.m.SetTaskStatusGuarded(t.ID, status)
 	switch {
 	case err != nil:
@@ -232,7 +245,7 @@ func (e *Engine) settleTask(ctx context.Context, t *Task) {
 // runFinalPlannerRound drives exactly ONE terminal planner round with the
 // task-timeout planner words (final goal judgment; no new intents). Waits for the
 // LLM to be ready (bounded by ctx) so a completable task isn't mis-judged timeout.
-func (e *Engine) runFinalPlannerRound(ctx context.Context, t *Task) (met bool) {
+func (e *Engine) runFinalPlannerRound(ctx context.Context, t *Task, budget bool) (met bool) {
 	if e.IsDeleting(t.ID) {
 		return false
 	}
@@ -251,14 +264,19 @@ func (e *Engine) runFinalPlannerRound(ctx context.Context, t *Task) (met bool) {
 	}
 	// Independent ctx (not wired to execCancel, so a pause/hard cancel cannot interrupt this
 	// final round), with Final injecting the task-timeout words.
-	fctx := e.clockCtx(ctx, t, true)
+	fctx := e.clockCtx(ctx, t, !budget)
+	label := "task timeout settle"
+	if budget {
+		fctx = e.budgetRoundCtx(fctx, t, true)
+		label = "task budget settle"
+	}
 	if !e.beginTaskOperation(t.ID) {
 		return false
 	}
 	defer e.decInflight(t.ID)
 	emit := func(r db.Activity) { e.emitActivity(t, r) }
 	e.emitActivity(t, db.Activity{Worker: "planner", Kind: "round",
-		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("task timeout settle · final judgment (round %d)", e.nextPlannerRound(t.ID))})
+		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("%s · final judgment (round %d)", label, e.nextPlannerRound(t.ID))})
 	tTaskID, _ := strconv.ParseInt(t.ID, 10, 64)
 	// The final round judges, it does not explore: a gated call never waits here.
 	fctx = e.plannerGateContext(fctx, t, 0)
diff --git a/server/target_gate_scope_test.go b/server/target_gate_scope_test.go
index ae07bf0..2f4b1dc 100644
--- a/server/target_gate_scope_test.go
+++ b/server/target_gate_scope_test.go
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ func (f *targetScopeFixture) finalPlannerRound(t *testing.T, task *Task) scopePr
 	t.Helper()
 	probe := newScopeProbeProvider()
 	f.usePlanner(probe)
-	f.e.runFinalPlannerRound(context.Background(), task)
+	f.e.runFinalPlannerRound(context.Background(), task, false)
 	return probe.first(t)
 }