diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0640422..3886e35 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,94 +1,261 @@
-# Tool Catalog
-
-This README catalogs the tools and resources in this directory. It is intended for humans and LLM agents to quickly identify what is available and when to use it.
-
-## Catalog
-
-| Tool / Folder | Purpose | Key Files | When to Use |
-| --- | --- | --- | --- |
-| `workflows/tool-catalog-maintainer/` | Creates and maintains catalog READMEs for directories of tools/resources. | `SKILL.md`, `CONTEXT.md`, `references/catalog-format.md` | Use when asked to catalog, index, or update documentation for a folder of tools. |
-| `workflows/research-dfns/` | DFNS research folder — alerts logs, chat log, and TODO tracking. | `TODO.md`, `AlertsLog_*.txt`, `ChatLog_*.txt` | Use when reviewing or continuing DFNS research. |
-| `sources/260731-1330-credit-spread.md` | SPY Bull Put Credit Spread trade plan (0DTE, July 31). | `260731-1330-credit-spread.md` | Use for today's SPY options trade — bullish slow grind thesis. |
-| `sources/iron-condor-45dte.md` | SPX Iron Condor trade plan — 45DTE entry, 21DTE time exit, Schwab broker. | `iron-condor-45dte.md` | Use when setting up or managing SPX iron condor spreads. |
-| `sources/cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv` | Cha Martin watchlist export (CSV). | `cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv` | Use for ticker watchlist reference or scan filtering. |
-
-## Tools
-
-### `workflows/tool-catalog-maintainer/`
-
-**Purpose:**  
-Creates and maintains a `README.md` catalog for a directory containing subfolders of tools, prompts, scripts, docs, workflows, skills, or other reusable resources. The README is a living catalog that improves over time.
-
-**Contents:**
-- `SKILL.md` — skill definition and workflow
-- `CONTEXT.md` — full context: inputs, process, outputs, verification
-- `references/catalog-format.md` — catalog README structure and cataloging rules
-- `output/` — generated artifacts
-
-**Use when:**  
-You need to catalog, index, summarize, or update documentation for a folder of tools so humans or LLM agents can quickly choose the right resource.
-
-**Setup / dependencies:**  
-None noted. Works with file read/write tools.
-
-**Notes:**  
-Always use this tool when asked to catalog a directory — inspect subfolders, read their key files, and write the README using `references/catalog-format.md`.
-
-### `workflows/research-dfns/`
-
-**Purpose:**  
-Research folder for DFNS (Digital Frontier Acquisition Corp.) — contains alert logs, chat transcripts, and tracking notes from July 27, 2026.
-
-**Contents:**
-- `TODO.md` — research tracking tasks
-- `AlertsLog_Mon Jul 27 2026*.txt` — alert logs (3 files)
-- `ChatLog_Mon Jul 27 2026.txt` — chat transcript
-
-**Use when:**  
-Reviewing or continuing DFNS research. Note: per ticker tracking rule, DFNS should not be actively tracked unless a fresh positive reason arises.
-
-**Setup / dependencies:**  
-None noted.
-
-### `sources/260731-1330-credit-spread.md`
-
-**Purpose:**  
-Active trade plan for a SPY Bull Put Credit Spread (0DTE, July 31, 2026). Sell $740 put / Buy $738 put spread, targeting 20%+ profit with bullish slow grind thesis.
-
-**Use when:**  
-Executing or monitoring today's SPY options trade.
-
-**Setup / dependencies:**  
-None noted. Trade-specific, not reusable.
-
-### `sources/iron-condor-45dte.md`
-
-**Purpose:**  
-Trade plan for SPX Iron Condor through Schwab broker. 45DTE entry, 30-point wings, forced close at 21DTE. Includes profit target (25% of net credit), stop loss (50% of max loss), and monitoring cadence.
-
-**Use when:**  
-Setting up or managing SPX iron condor spreads with Schwab.
-
-**Setup / dependencies:**  
-Schwab broker session required.
-
-### `sources/cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv`
-
-**Purpose:**  
-CSV export of a Cha Martin watchlist — likely contains tickers for scanning or monitoring.
-
-**Use when:**  
-Referencing tickers for scans, short squeeze candidates, or watchlist filtering.
-
-**Setup / dependencies:**  
-None noted.
-
-## Maintenance Notes
-
-When adding or updating a tool folder, update this README with:
-
-- purpose
-- key files and entry points
-- usage guidance
-- setup requirements
-- notable changes or cautions
+# Tool Catalog
+
+This README catalogs the tools and resources in this directory. It is intended for humans and LLM agents to quickly identify what is available and when to use it.
+
+## Catalog
+
+| Tool / Folder | Purpose | Key Files | When to Use |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `workflows/tool-catalog-maintainer/` | Creates and maintains catalog READMEs for directories of tools/resources. | `SKILL.md`, `CONTEXT.md`, `references/catalog-format.md` | Use when asked to catalog, index, or update documentation for a folder of tools. |
+| `workflows/research-dfns/` | DFNS research folder — alerts logs, chat log, and TODO tracking from July 27, 2026. | `TODO.md`, `AlertsLog_*.txt`, `ChatLog_*.txt` | Use when reviewing or continuing DFNS research. |
+| `workflows/backtest-strategy/` | Orchestrates rules-based strategy backtesting for core styles using TTG data and a pure-Python engine. | `CLAUDE.md`, `CONTEXT.md`, `_config/`, `stages/`, `shared/`, `pyproject.toml` | Use when backtesting trading strategies needing review-gated workflow, data caching, and honest reporting. |
+| `workflows/scan-watchlist-for-equities/` | Scans equities for trade setups with confluence using a mechanical data-fetch script. | `CLAUDE.md`, `CONTEXT.md`, `_config/`, `shared/scripts/fetch_scan_data.py`, `stages/` | Use when scanning equities for confluence, generating mechanical data briefs, then interpreting for trade plans. |
+| `workflows/scan-watchlist-for-options/` | Scans options for trade setups with confluence using a mechanical data-fetch script. | `CLAUDE.md`, `CONTEXT.md`, `_config/`, `shared/` (CSV watchlists, `scan-watchlist.md`), `stages/` | Use when scanning options for confluence, generating mechanical data briefs, then interpreting for trade plans. |
+| `sources/260731-1330-credit-spread.md` | SPY Bull Put Credit Spread trade plan (0DTE, July 31, 2026). Sell $740 put / Buy $738 put spread. | `260731-1330-credit-spread.md` | Use for today's SPY options trade — bullish slow grind thesis. |
+| `sources/iron-condor-45dte.md` | SPX Iron Condor trade plan — 45DTE entry, 21DTE time exit, Schwab broker. | `iron-condor-45dte.md` | Use when setting up or managing SPX iron condor spreads. |
+| `sources/cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv` | Cha Martin watchlist export (CSV) for ticker reference or scan filtering. | `cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv` | Use for ticker watchlist reference or scan filtering. |
+| `sources/2026-08-11-SFY-IC-Debrief.md` | Debrief of a SPY Iron Condor trade on 2026-08-11 with observations and key takeaways. | `2026-08-11-SFY-IC-Debrief.md` | Use for reviewing past iron condor trades to learn and improve. |
+| `sources/HANDOFF_scan_workflow_scripts.md` | Documentation of the mechanical data-fetch script for scan workflows (API, MCP, output format). | `HANDOFF_scan_workflow_scripts.md` | Use when understanding or implementing the fetch_scan_data.py script. |
+| `sources/servers.md` | List of MCP servers available in the MARI environment (ttg-stocks, ttg-benzinga, etc.). | `servers.md` | Use when referencing which data servers are available for MCP tool calls. |
+| `sources/xpon-squeeze-2026-08-24.md` | XPON Short Squeeze — Premarket signal reconstruction (2026-08-24) with volume spike and squeeze mechanics. | `xpon-squeeze-2026-08-24.md` | Use for studying a micro-cap short squeeze setup and premarket signals. |
+| `tos-short-squeeze/` | Contains a TSV file for short squeeze scanning. | `ShortSqueezeScanner.tsv` | Use for scanning short squeeze opportunities using the provided TSV data. |
+| `backtest-workflow-PLAN.md` | Draft plan for a backtesting workflow (approved and built) describing architecture and stages. | `backtest-workflow-PLAN.md` | Use for understanding the design of the backtest-strategy workspace. |
+
+## Tools
+
+### `workflows/tool-catalog-maintainer/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Creates and maintains a `README.md` catalog for a directory containing subfolders of tools, prompts, scripts, docs, workflows, skills, or other reusable resources. The README is a living catalog that improves over time.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `SKILL.md` — skill definition and workflow  
+- `CONTEXT.md` — full context: inputs, process, outputs, verification  
+- `references/catalog-format.md` — catalog README structure and cataloging rules  
+- `output/` — generated artifacts  
+
+**Use when:**  
+You need to catalog, index, summarize, or update documentation for a folder of tools so humans or LLM agents can quickly choose the right resource.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted. Works with file read/write tools.
+
+**Notes:**  
+Always use this tool when asked to catalog a directory — inspect subfolders, read their key files, and write the README using `references/catalog-format.md`.
+
+### `workflows/research-dfns/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Research folder for DFNS (Digital Frontier Acquisition Corp.) — contains alert logs, chat transcripts, and tracking notes from July 27, 2026.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `TODO.md` — research tracking tasks  
+- `AlertsLog_Mon Jul 27 2026*.txt` — alert logs (3 files)  
+- `ChatLog_Mon Jul 27 2026.txt` — chat transcript  
+
+**Use when:**  
+Reviewing or continuing DFNS research. Note: per ticker tracking rule, DFNS should not be actively tracked unless a fresh positive reason arises.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `workflows/backtest-strategy/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Orchestrates rules-based strategy backtesting for core styles (SPY 0DTE credit spreads, single-leg equity/options day trades) using TTG data servers as the only market-data source and a local pure-Python engine.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `CLAUDE.md` — workspace identity and entry point  
+- `CONTEXT.md` — workspace-level routing and stage description  
+- `_config/` — stable references: `risk-params.md`, `strategy-spec-TEMPLATE.md`  
+- `stages/` — five stage folders (00_clarify_strategy through 04_report) each with review gates  
+- `shared/` — data cache (`shared/data/`) and engine scripts (`shared/scripts/`)  
+- `pyproject.toml` — zero dependencies (stdlib-only)  
+
+**Use when:**  
+Backtesting trading strategies using TTG data, needing a review-gated workflow with data caching, honest reporting, and no look-ahead.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted (stdlib-only, zero installs; the operator manages packaging with `uv`). Market data comes ONLY from TTG data servers.
+
+**Notes:**  
+Follows ICM.md — every stage ends at a review gate. Output is read and optionally edited before the next stage runs. Pure Python 3.12 stdlib (json, csv, sqlite3, statistics, math, datetime, urllib). No historical greeks/IV series; backtests are price/levels-driven.
+
+### `workflows/scan-watchlist-for-equities/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Scans tickers for trade setups with confluence, using a mechanical data-fetch script to gather price/volume/bars/S-R data from TTG, producing a data brief for interpretation.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `CLAUDE.md` — workspace identity  
+- `CONTEXT.md` — workspace routing and stage description  
+- `_config/` — references such as ticker list, default parameters  
+- `shared/scripts/fetch_scan_data.py` — stdlib-only Python script for fetching and computing mechanical data  
+- `shared/` — watchlist CSVs (e.g., `cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv`, date-named CSVs)  
+- `stages/` — five stage folders (00_clarify through 04_summary_card)  
+
+**Use when:**  
+Scanning equities for trade setups with confluence, generating mechanical data briefs (no interpretation), then interpreting the brief for trade plans.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+Python 3.11+, access to TTG data API via `MARI_MCP_CONFIG` environment variable. The fetch script is stdlib-only (urllib, json, etc.).
+
+**Notes:**  
+The workflow includes a mechanical script (`fetch_scan_data.py`) that fetches and computes data without interpretation. Stages: 00_clarify (ask clarifying questions), 01_broad_filter (runs the script), 02_confluence_analysis, 03_trade_plan, 04_summary_card. The script writes `data_brief.md` and `raw_data.json` to `stages/01_broad_filter/output/`.
+
+### `workflows/scan-watchlist-for-options/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Scans options tickers for trade setups with confluence using a mechanical data-fetch script similar to the equities version.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `CLAUDE.md` — workspace identity  
+- `CONTEXT.md` — workspace routing and stage description (identical to equities version)  
+- `_config/` — `trade_plan_template.md`  
+- `shared/` — CSV watchlists (e.g., `cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv`, date-named CSVs) and `scan-watchlist.md`  
+- `stages/` — five stage folders (00_clarify through 04_summary_card)  
+
+**Use when:**  
+Scanning options for trade setups with confluence, generating mechanical data briefs, then interpreting the brief for trade plans.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+Python 3.11+, access to TTG data API via `MARI_MCP_CONFIG` environment variable. The fetch script is stdlib-only.
+
+**Notes:**  
+Very similar to the equities workflow but focused on options. The shared folder contains CSV watchlists and a `scan-watchlist.md` file. The mechanical script (if present) would fetch options data; verify the exact script name and location.
+
+### `sources/260731-1330-credit-spread.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Active trade plan for a SPY Bull Put Credit Spread (0DTE, July 31, 2026). Sell $740 put / Buy $738 put spread, targeting 20%+ profit with bullish slow grind thesis.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `260731-1330-credit-spread.md` — trade plan with entry, exit, profit target, stop loss, and monitoring notes.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Executing or monitoring today's SPY options trade (July 31, 2026).
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted. Trade-specific, not reusable.
+
+### `sources/iron-condor-45dte.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Trade plan for SPX Iron Condor through Schwab broker. 45DTE entry, 30-point wings, forced close at 21DTE. Includes profit target (25% of net credit), stop loss (50% of max loss), and monitoring cadence.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `iron-condor-45dte.md` — trade plan with entry, exit, risk management, and monitoring details.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Setting up or managing SPX iron condor spreads with Schwab broker.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+Schwab broker session required.
+
+### `sources/cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+CSV export of a Cha Martin watchlist — likely contains tickers for scanning or monitoring.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv` — plain CSV with one ticker per line (or columns).
+
+**Use when:**  
+Referencing tickers for scans, short squeeze candidates, or watchlist filtering.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `sources/2026-08-11-SFY-IC-Debrief.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Debrief of a SPY Iron Condor trade on 2026-08-11, summarizing trade details, observations, key takeaways, and next times.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `2026-08-11-SFY-IC-Debrief.md` — trade summary, plan, observations, asymmetric structure notes, NL3 feed issue, key takeaways.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Reviewing past iron condor trades to learn from observations and improve future trades.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `sources/HANDOFF_scan_workflow_scripts.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Documentation of a mechanical data-fetch script for the scan-watchlist-for-equities workflow, detailing API facts, script design, environment, MCP protocol, verified responses, output format, and integration notes.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `HANDOFF_scan_workflow_scripts.md` — detailed handoff covering goal, design, environment facts, MCP-over-HTTP protocol, verified response shapes, data brief format, stitching into CONTEXT.md, verification targets, pitfalls, resume checklist, and current state.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Understanding or implementing the `fetch_scan_data.py` script, or integrating mechanical data fetching into scan workflows.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `sources/servers.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+List of MCP servers available in the MARI environment for tool calls (e.g., market data, news, chat, etc.).
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `servers.md` — plain list of server names: `chrome-devtools`, `mari-cell`, `ttg-benzinga`, `ttg-chat`, `ttg-crypto`, `ttg-economy`, `ttg-finviz-elite`, `ttg-forex`, `ttg-futures`, `ttg-holygrail`, `ttg-indices`, `ttg-options`, `ttg-platform`, `ttg-stocks`, `ttg-uw`.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Referencing which data servers are available for MCP tool calls in workflows or scripts.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `sources/xpon-squeeze-2026-08-24.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+XPON Short Squeeze — Premarket signal reconstruction (2026-08-24) documenting a micro-cap short squeeze setup with volume spike, range break, premarket gap, and squeeze mechanics.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `xpon-squeeze-2026-08-24.md` — detailed analysis of the setup, premarket signal, squeeze mechanics, why it was flagged, what went wrong, risk assessment, and key takeaways.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Studying a micro-cap short squeeze setup and premarket signals for scanning or education.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `tos-short-squeeze/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Contains a TSV file for short squeeze scanning, likely a precomputed list of candidates.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `ShortSqueezeScanner.tsv` — tab-separated values with columns likely including ticker, metrics, etc.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Scanning for short squeeze opportunities using the provided TSV data as input or reference.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `backtest-workflow-PLAN.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Draft plan for a backtesting workflow (approved and built) describing the architecture, stages, and rules for backtesting core styles using TTG data and a pure-Python engine.
+
+**Contents:**  
+- `backtest-workflow-PLAN.md` — goal, architecture (data, engine, reporting layers), proposed workspace layout, stage contracts, decision points, known limitations, credit/cost profile, and out-of-scope items.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Understanding the design of the `backtest-strategy` workspace or as a reference for building similar review-gated backtesting workflows.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+## Maintenance Notes
+
+When adding or updating a tool folder, update this README with:
+
+- purpose
+- key files and entry points
+- usage guidance
+- setup requirements
+- notable changes or cautions
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md.backup b/README.md.backup
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0640422
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md.backup
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+# Tool Catalog
+
+This README catalogs the tools and resources in this directory. It is intended for humans and LLM agents to quickly identify what is available and when to use it.
+
+## Catalog
+
+| Tool / Folder | Purpose | Key Files | When to Use |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `workflows/tool-catalog-maintainer/` | Creates and maintains catalog READMEs for directories of tools/resources. | `SKILL.md`, `CONTEXT.md`, `references/catalog-format.md` | Use when asked to catalog, index, or update documentation for a folder of tools. |
+| `workflows/research-dfns/` | DFNS research folder — alerts logs, chat log, and TODO tracking. | `TODO.md`, `AlertsLog_*.txt`, `ChatLog_*.txt` | Use when reviewing or continuing DFNS research. |
+| `sources/260731-1330-credit-spread.md` | SPY Bull Put Credit Spread trade plan (0DTE, July 31). | `260731-1330-credit-spread.md` | Use for today's SPY options trade — bullish slow grind thesis. |
+| `sources/iron-condor-45dte.md` | SPX Iron Condor trade plan — 45DTE entry, 21DTE time exit, Schwab broker. | `iron-condor-45dte.md` | Use when setting up or managing SPX iron condor spreads. |
+| `sources/cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv` | Cha Martin watchlist export (CSV). | `cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv` | Use for ticker watchlist reference or scan filtering. |
+
+## Tools
+
+### `workflows/tool-catalog-maintainer/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Creates and maintains a `README.md` catalog for a directory containing subfolders of tools, prompts, scripts, docs, workflows, skills, or other reusable resources. The README is a living catalog that improves over time.
+
+**Contents:**
+- `SKILL.md` — skill definition and workflow
+- `CONTEXT.md` — full context: inputs, process, outputs, verification
+- `references/catalog-format.md` — catalog README structure and cataloging rules
+- `output/` — generated artifacts
+
+**Use when:**  
+You need to catalog, index, summarize, or update documentation for a folder of tools so humans or LLM agents can quickly choose the right resource.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted. Works with file read/write tools.
+
+**Notes:**  
+Always use this tool when asked to catalog a directory — inspect subfolders, read their key files, and write the README using `references/catalog-format.md`.
+
+### `workflows/research-dfns/`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Research folder for DFNS (Digital Frontier Acquisition Corp.) — contains alert logs, chat transcripts, and tracking notes from July 27, 2026.
+
+**Contents:**
+- `TODO.md` — research tracking tasks
+- `AlertsLog_Mon Jul 27 2026*.txt` — alert logs (3 files)
+- `ChatLog_Mon Jul 27 2026.txt` — chat transcript
+
+**Use when:**  
+Reviewing or continuing DFNS research. Note: per ticker tracking rule, DFNS should not be actively tracked unless a fresh positive reason arises.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+### `sources/260731-1330-credit-spread.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Active trade plan for a SPY Bull Put Credit Spread (0DTE, July 31, 2026). Sell $740 put / Buy $738 put spread, targeting 20%+ profit with bullish slow grind thesis.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Executing or monitoring today's SPY options trade.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted. Trade-specific, not reusable.
+
+### `sources/iron-condor-45dte.md`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+Trade plan for SPX Iron Condor through Schwab broker. 45DTE entry, 30-point wings, forced close at 21DTE. Includes profit target (25% of net credit), stop loss (50% of max loss), and monitoring cadence.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Setting up or managing SPX iron condor spreads with Schwab.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+Schwab broker session required.
+
+### `sources/cha-martin-watchlist.ms.csv`
+
+**Purpose:**  
+CSV export of a Cha Martin watchlist — likely contains tickers for scanning or monitoring.
+
+**Use when:**  
+Referencing tickers for scans, short squeeze candidates, or watchlist filtering.
+
+**Setup / dependencies:**  
+None noted.
+
+## Maintenance Notes
+
+When adding or updating a tool folder, update this README with:
+
+- purpose
+- key files and entry points
+- usage guidance
+- setup requirements
+- notable changes or cautions
diff --git a/backtest-workflow-PLAN.md b/backtest-workflow-PLAN.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..14e2131
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backtest-workflow-PLAN.md
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+# Backtest Workflow — DRAFT PLAN (for review — nothing built yet)
+
+**Status:** APPROVED (2026-08-27 ~11 PM ET) and BUILT — workspace live at
+`workflows/backtest-strategy/`. No packages installed (zero-dep pyproject.toml
+included; operator manages packaging with uv). No data pulled yet. Engine is
+authored at stage-03 exec time, not pre-built.
+**Date drafted:** Thu 2026-08-27, ~11 PM ET
+**Proposed workspace:** `workflows/backtest-strategy/` (follows ICM.md — folder structure as orchestrator)
+
+---
+
+## Goal
+
+Rules-based backtesting for Gump's core styles, using TTG data servers as the only market-data source and a local pure-Python engine:
+
+1. **SPY 0DTE credit put spreads** (bread and butter — premium-selling, % profit targets)
+2. **Single-leg equity/options day trades** (VWAP-pullback longs, 50MA-fade shorts)
+3. Multi-target management exactly as traded live: T1/T2/T3 partials, stop tightening, hard time exit (15:45 ET), optional breakeven-after-T1
+
+## Architecture — three layers
+
+### 1. Data layer (TTG servers only — never scraped)
+
+| Need | Source (verified 08/27) | Notes |
+|---|---|---|
+| Equity bars | custom OHLC bars, daily summaries, grouped-daily (all tickers) | minute-level intraday |
+| Options bars | per-contract OHLC bars | minute→month timespans, **back to 2014-06-02**, ≤50,000 bars/pull |
+| Contract enumeration | contract list + specs | which strikes/expiries existed on date X |
+| Historical quotes | per-contract quote history | **depth unverified — stage 01 verifies before any promise** |
+| Historical ticks | per-contract trade history | fallback/verification for quote data |
+| Snapshots (live) | chain w/ greeks+IV, per-contract, unified | current-tape only — not for backtests |
+
+**Cache design:** all pulls land in `shared/data/` as SQLite (stdlib `sqlite3`), keyed by (contract, timespan, window). Re-runs read cache first — pulls happen once per window ever. Cache caps enforced so the folder doesn't balloon.
+
+### 2. Engine layer — pure Python 3.12 stdlib (v1: zero installs)
+
+- Bar-by-bar event loop over cached data (`json`, `csv`, `sqlite3`, `statistics`, `math`, `datetime` only)
+- Strategies are **declarative spec files** (`_config/strategy-*.md` + params block) — human-readable, reviewable, diffable
+- Position model:
+  - Single leg (long/short equity or option)
+  - **Two-leg credit spread** = short leg + long leg bars stitched; credit = leg diff at entry; P&L tracked per bar
+- Exit model: stop, T1/T2/T3 partial scale-outs, hard time exit, optional breve-after-T1, EOD flat (15:45 ET per house rule)
+- Costs: configurable slippage (default **conservative**: mid ± half-spread per fill), optional commissions; RTH default / extended optional flag per session-language rule
+- Validation: in-sample/out-of-sample split by date; no look-ahead (signals computed on bars ≤ current bar only)
+
+### 3. Reporting layer
+
+- `trades.csv` — every simulated trade: entry/exit, legs, MAE/MFE, time-in-trade, exit reason
+- `metrics.json` — win rate, expectancy, avg win/loss, profit factor, max drawdown, per-hour-of-day and per-weekday breakdowns
+- Final stage renders a readable report + summary card
+
+## Proposed ICM workspace layout
+
+```
+workflows/backtest-strategy/
+├── CLAUDE.md                 # entry point + exec protocol (read ICM.md fresh, clear output/ on re-run)
+├── CONTEXT.md                # workspace context: routing + data rules (TTG-only, no fabrication)
+├── _config/
+│   ├── strategy-spec-TEMPLATE.md
+│   └── risk-params.md        # default slippage, session, sizing
+├── shared/
+│   └── data/                 # SQLite cache (built during runs)
+└── stages/
+    ├── 00_clarify_strategy/  # capture rules in plain English → strategy_spec.md
+    ├── 01_verify_data/       # enumerate contracts, verify quote-history depth → data_manifest.md
+    ├── 02_fetch_cache/       # pull bars/quotes → shared/data/ → fetch_log.md
+    ├── 03_run_backtest/      # engine executes spec → trades.csv + metrics.json
+    └── 04_report/            # human-readable report + summary card → report.md
+```
+
+Every stage ends at a **review gate** — output/ is read and (if needed) edited before the next stage runs, per ICM.
+
+## Stage contracts (summary)
+
+| Stage | Reads | Does | Writes |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| 00_clarify | _config templates, member Q&A | freeze strategy rules + params | strategy_spec.md |
+| 01_verify_data | strategy_spec.md | enumerate contracts; **test-pull quote history depth**; flag gaps | data_manifest.md |
+| 02_fetch_cache | data_manifest.md | pull bars/quotes → cache (single pass, no repeats) | fetch_log.md |
+| 03_run_backtest | cache + spec | run engine, no look-ahead, costs applied | trades.csv, metrics.json |
+| 04_report | trades + metrics | render findings honestly (incl. small-sample warnings) | report.md |
+
+## Decision points — need Gump's call
+
+1. **v1 compute:** pure stdlib, zero installs (recommended) — or approve `pip install pandas numpy` now?
+2. **First strategy to backtest:** (a) SPY 0DTE credit put spread *(recommended — core style)*, (b) VWAP-pullback equity long, (c) 50MA fade short?
+3. **Data window:** propose **last 6 months** of SPY 0DTE contracts for v1 (cache stays lean; extendable later)?
+4. **Slippage default:** conservative mid ± half-spread, tunable in `_config/risk-params.md` — OK?
+5. **Sizing model:** fixed 1-contract (clean signal measurement) vs fixed-dollar risk? Propose fixed 1-contract for v1.
+
+## Known limitations (stated up front)
+
+- **No historical greeks/IV series** — backtests are price/levels-driven; IV-rank conditions are not testable
+- **No order-book replay** — fills modeled at bar close with slippage knob; inherently approximate, slightly optimistic
+- **Quote-history depth TBD** — stage 01 measures it before we rely on it
+- **0DTE dailies** only exist for the era they traded; earlier "0DTE" = nearest weekly
+- Small-sample honesty: 6 months of 0DTE ≈ ~125 trading days — stage 04 will flag low-N results as such
+
+## Credit/cost profile
+
+- All pulls are read-only TTG market-data calls (conservation mode is OFF per member).
+- Heavy stage is 02; the cache means any re-run/re-parameterization costs **zero** additional pulls.
+- Rough v1 pull count: ~125 contracts × 2 legs × 1 window, each well under the 50k-bar cap.
+
+## Explicitly out of scope for v1
+
+- Portfolio-level / multi-strategy simulation, options greeks modeling, intrabar stop sequencing (stops checked bar-by-bar, close-based), live-paper forwarding (backtest ≠ trade plan — any live trade still goes through the normal cockpit path)
diff --git a/spy-0dte-scalp-runbook.md b/spy-0dte-scalp-runbook.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb946cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spy-0dte-scalp-runbook.md
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# SPY 0DTE Scalp Runbook — E2E Fast Path
+*Built from live execution 2026-08-28 (spy-1787942969793, closed un-filled at 3:00 wall). Companion lessons live in MEMORY.md: record_plan v2 schema, arm-card flow, ttg-options endpoint patterns.*
+
+## The speed rule
+**Never discover inside a trade window.** Design + record the plan BEFORE the intended entry window; arm = one line. First-ever run took ~7 min for design→record (3 schema validation iterations) + unresolved arm-card surfacing = whole window lost. With this runbook: **~2 min to recorded plan, one line to arm.**
+
+## 1. Pre-stage (do this 5+ min before the window)
+- Fresh SPY snapshot (built-in `snapshot` tool) — price, day OHLC, VWAP.
+- Direction call: price vs VWAP + day-low/high structure. Trend-day tape → trade the break (continuation), not the bounce. Mid-range chop → stand down.
+- Liquidity check (both expiries, Friday rule):
+  - `ttg-options` → `options_snapshot_chain`, params: `underlyingAsset: "SPY"`, `contract_type: "put"|"call"`, `expiration_date: "2026-08-28"` (EXACT string; range objects `{"gte":...}` = HTTP 500), `limit: 250`, `sort: "strike_price"`.
+  - 0DTE near-money: 1–2¢ spreads, 300–600K vol = elite. Next-week: 2–3¢ spreads but premium ~$4 → +20% in 15 min needs ~$1.60 SPY move vs ~$0.30 on 0DTE. 0DTE is the 15-min vehicle; next-week is for plays/swings.
+- Vehicle pick: ATM-ish strike, delta −0.4 to −0.5 at expected trigger price, spread ≤ 2¢.
+
+## 2. Record the plan (exact verified v2 shape)
+`ttg_trade_workflow_record_plan` — template (from the call that validated):
+```
+brokerId: "tos-paper", connectedBrokerPackId: "tos-paper",
+accountCode: "D-67336185"        // 185; "D-67336186" = 186
+assetClass: "option", symbol: "SPY", side: "buy",
+tradeStyle: "scalp",
+instrumentRef: {symbol: ".SPY260828P769", strike: 769, type: "put",
+                expiration: "2026-08-28", underlying: "SPY",
+                occ: "O:SPY260828P00769000"},   // MUST be object, not string
+levels: {
+  entry: {zone: {low: 0.76, high: 0.92}, type: "limit", minBidSize: 50},  // premium zone
+  stop: {offset: 0.18},            // points from fill (premium pts for options)
+  targets: [{offset: 0.20, portionPct: 67}, {offset: 0.40, portionPct: 33}],  // max 2
+  timeStopSec: 900,                // REQUIRED for scalp/day; in-trade from fill
+  breakevenAfterT1: true
+},
+risk: {maxDollars: 70},            // engine computes qty = maxDollars/(offset×100) — NEVER send qty
+timeLimitSec: 780,                 // ENTRY WINDOW seconds (NOT the time stop)
+rationale: "≥40 chars — put SPY-level triggers, invalidations, hard walls, order-safety directives here"
+```
+Validation gotchas (each cost an iteration): `tradeStyle` not `style`; no top-level entry/stop/target/qty; `instrumentRef` object not string; engine enforces **R:R > 1 — every target offset must exceed the stop offset**.
+Response: planId `spy-<epoch-ms>`, status draft in PLANS/. SPY-level triggers go in rationale.
+
+## 3. Arm (the one unverified link — TEST FIRST, outside a live window)
+Record response says: "Propose an arm trade-action card — the app runs the pack preflight, verifies the stream, starts the preview belt. Do NOT call record_preflight (cockpit packs), do NOT start belt jobs yourself."
+- Arm card does NOT auto-render in the cockpit UI (confirmed 2026-08-28: cockpit open+connected, no card).
+- **Working hypothesis:** arm via the Live Trading window's own MARI chat — type `arm <planId>`. Cockpit agent (locked to the pack) proposes the Arm card → tap Arm (preflight auto-runs) → tap Enter.
+- NEVER fake arming from main chat (`update_plan status:"open"` skips preflight/stream verify — dangerous). Main-window MARI cannot arm; cockpit orchestrator owns execution.
+
+## 4. Manage (standing protocol — member directives, encode in rationale every time)
+1. On fill: verify BOTH working and filled orders. Stop must read **SELL TO CLOSE <qty>** — never sell-to-open, never a short entry.
+2. T1 fills → scale stop to remaining qty (+ breakevenAfterT1 moves it to BE). T2/stop-out → **cancel ALL working orders the instant flat.** Working + filled checked both after every event. No orphans, ever.
+3. Walls: `timeStopSec` from fill + explicit wall-clock hard flat in rationale. Bail on tape deterioration before the stop (slow grind back = failed setup).
+4. Pre-entry invalidations: structure reclaim / VWAP reclaim / no trigger by window close → no trade. **Stale plan = close clean, never chase** (2026-08-28: closed un-filled at 3:00 wall, $0 cost).
+
+## 15-min target math (10–25% premium band)
+- 0DTE ATM-ish premium P, delta Δ: +20% ≈ 0.20·P / Δ SPY move. At P≈$0.85, Δ≈−0.50 → ~$0.34 SPY. Routine in 15 min on a break.
+- Engine R:R rule forces target offset > stop offset: size stop −18 to −22% and T1 +24 to +26% to stay inside the band AND clear R:R>1 (verified combo: stop 0.18 / T1 0.20 / T2 0.40 on ~$0.84 fill).
diff --git a/tos-short-squeeze/ShortSqueezeScanner.tsv b/tos-short-squeeze/ShortSqueezeScanner.tsv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a73865f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tos-short-squeeze/ShortSqueezeScanner.tsv
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+ShortSqueeze	SqueezeScan	# TOS Short Squeeze Scanner
+# Run in: TOS -> Tools -> Run Scan (or save to Scan Library)
+# Data period: Pre-Market (select in scan data settings)
+# Columns: Symbol, Ticker, SI%(manual), Squeeze, Gap%, PremkVol, PremkVolPct, PremkRange%, PremkAboveVWAP, PremkBid, PremkAsk, PremkMid
+#
+# HOW TO USE:
+# 1. TOS -> Tools -> Run Scan. Paste this entire file into the "ThinkScript" box.
+# 2. Set data period: Pre-Market. Exclusions: None.
+# 3. Universe: US stocks, price > $1, volume > 0.
+#    (For a tighter list, add a static pre-filter for float < 30M shares.)
+# 4. Run. Sort by SqueezeScore.
+# 5. Manually enter each candidate's short float % (SI%) using TOS stock
+#    details page, S3 Partners, or your usual source. This column feeds
+#    the SqueezeScore but the technical flags work without it.
+# 6. Best candidates: Squeeze=1 AND PremkAboveVWAP=0 AND PremkVolPct > 1.5
+#    AND SI% > 25.
+
+input gapUpMin = 1.0;        # min % gap up from prev close
+input gapUpMax = 12.0;       # max % gap up (above this = news/pop already done)
+input volPctMin = 1.5;       # min premarket volume as % of 1-day avg
+input vwAPBand = 0.75;       # % band around VWAP where "hug" is valid
+input squeezeScoreMin = 1;   # min score to show (1-5 scale)
+
+# ---- Price levels (premarket context) ----
+def prevClose = Close[-1];
+def open = Open;
+def high = High;
+def low = Low;
+def close = Close;
+def vol = Volume;
+
+def gapPct = if prevClose > 0 then (open - prevClose) / prevClose * 100.0 else Double.NaN;
+
+# ---- Pre-market VWAP approximation ----
+# Built from the day's bars so far, so it includes premarket prints.
+def vwapCalc = if Sum(vol, 1) > 0 then Sum(close*vol, 1) / Sum(vol, 1) else Double.NaN;
+
+def vwapPctFromClose = if vwapCalc > 0 then (close - vwapCalc) / vwapCalc * 100.0 else Double.NaN;
+
+# ---- Pre-market volume as % of 1-day average ----
+def avgVol1D = Average(vol, 22);  # ~1 trading day of 1-min bars
+def volPct = if avgVol1D > 0 then vol / avgVol1D * 100.0 else Double.NaN;
+
+# ---- Pre-market range as % of prev close (narrow range = coiling) ----
+def rangePct = if prevClose > 0 then (high - low) / prevClose * 100.0 else Double.NaN;
+
+# ---- Is price hugging/just under VWAP? ----
+def huggingVWAP = vwapCalc > 0 and vwapPctFromClose >= -vwAPBand and vwapPctFromClose <= vwAPBand;
+
+# ---- Squeeze flags ----
+def flagGap = gapPct >= gapUpMin and gapPct <= gapUpMax;
+def flagVol = volPct >= volPctMin;
+def flagHug = huggingVWAP;
+def flagNarrow = rangePct <= 2.5;  # narrow range = coiling, ready to spring
+
+# ---- Squeeze score: 0-5 (add SI% manually in the column) ----
+def score = (if flagGap then 1 else 0)
+          + (if flagVol then 1 else 0)
+          + (if flagHug then 1 else 0)
+          + (if flagNarrow then 1 else 0)
+          + 0;  # SI% is manual - add +1 in your head if SI > 25
+
+# ---- Composite squeeze signal ----
+def squeezeSignal = flagGap and flagVol and flagHug and squeezeScore >= squeezeScoreMin;
+
+# ---- Output columns ----
+plot Ticker = GetSymbol();
+plot Symbol = GetSymbol();
+plot SI_Pct = Double.NaN;   # MANUAL: paste short float % per ticker
+plot Squeeze = squeezeSignal ? 1 : 0;
+plot GapPctOut = gapPct;
+plot PremkVol = vol;
+plot PremkVolPct = volPct;
+plot PremkRangePct = rangePct;
+plot PremkAboveVWAP = if vwapPctFromClose > 0 then 1 else 0;
+plot PremkVWAPPct = vwapPctFromClose;
+plot PremkBid = BidPrice;
+plot PremkAsk = AskPrice;
+plot PremkMid = (BidPrice + AskPrice) / 2;
+plot SqueezeScore = score;
+
+# ---- Scanner conditions (filter rows) ----
+# Adjust to taste. Starting: at least a gap-up + elevated volume + VWAP hug.
+condition SqueezeSetup = squeezeSignal;
+condition GapUpOnly = flagGap and flagVol;
+condition VolSpikeOnly = flagVol;
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/CLAUDE.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/CLAUDE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbde665
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/CLAUDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# Backtest Strategy ICM Workspace
+
+This workspace orchestrates rules-based strategy backtesting for the operator's core
+styles (SPY 0DTE credit spreads, single-leg equity/options day trades) using TTG data
+servers as the only market-data source and a local pure-Python engine.
+
+The agent follows the numbered stages to freeze strategy rules, verify data depth,
+build the data cache, run the backtest, and produce an honest report.
+
+Folder structure:
+- CLAUDE.md (Layer 0): workspace identity
+- CONTEXT.md (Layer 1): workspace-level routing
+- stages/: numbered stage folders
+  - 00_clarify_strategy/: freeze rules into a spec (with operator)
+  - 01_verify_data/: enumerate contracts + verify historical depth
+  - 02_fetch_cache/: pull bars/quotes into the shared cache
+  - 03_run_backtest/: run the engine over cached data
+  - 04_report/: render findings with small-sample honesty
+- _config/: Layer 3 reference material (stable across runs)
+- shared/: data cache (SQLite) + engine scripts
+- Each stage's output/ holds Layer 4 working artifacts for handoff to next stage.
+
+## Hard rules (apply to every stage)
+- Market data comes ONLY from TTG data servers. Never scrape or substitute public sites.
+- Python is stdlib-only. NO package installs. The operator manages packaging with uv
+  (pyproject.toml in the workspace root has zero dependencies by design).
+- No look-ahead: a signal on bar N may only use bars <= N.
+- Every stage ends at a review gate. output/ is read (and optionally edited by the
+  operator) before the next stage runs.
+- Clear a stage's output/ before re-running it.
+- Backtest results are research, not trade plans. Any live trade still goes through
+  the normal cockpit path.
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/CONTEXT.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/CONTEXT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..75bdb3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/CONTEXT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# Workspace Context: Strategy Backtest
+
+## Routing
+Given a strategy to backtest, the workflow proceeds through stages:
+
+1. **00_clarify_strategy** - Freeze the strategy rules with the operator into a
+   declarative spec (structure, entries, exits, session, sizing, costs).
+2. **01_verify_data** - Enumerate the contract universe, then verify historical
+   depth (minute-bar range per contract leg, quote-history lookback) with small
+   test pulls. Produce a data manifest with honest date ranges and gaps.
+3. **02_fetch_cache** - Single-pass bulk pull of bars/quotes into the shared
+   SQLite cache, keyed by (contract, timespan, window). Cache-first: existing
+   rows are never re-pulled.
+4. **03_run_backtest** - Author/run the stdlib-only engine over cached data.
+   No look-ahead. Costs from risk-params. Output trades.csv + metrics.json.
+5. **04_report** - Human-readable report: win rate, expectancy, drawdown,
+   per-hour breakdowns. Small-sample results flagged as small-sample.
+
+## Shared Resources
+- _config/: strategy spec template + risk parameters (stable reference).
+- shared/data/: SQLite cache of fetched bars/quotes (built during runs).
+- shared/scripts/: engine + helper scripts (stdlib only, authored at stage exec).
+
+## Data rules (verified 2026-08-27)
+- Options per-contract OHLC bars: minute→month timespans, history back to
+  2014-06-02, max 50,000 bars per pull. Daily summaries + previous-day also exist.
+- Options quote history + tick trade history exist per contract; quote-history
+  lookback depth is UNVERIFIED until stage 01 measures it.
+- Equity bars: custom OHLC (minute-level), daily summaries, grouped-daily
+  (all tickers), previous-day.
+- No historical greeks/IV series anywhere in the catalog: backtests are
+  price/levels-driven. IV-rank conditions are not testable.
+- Live chain snapshots (greeks/IV) are current-tape only — never a backtest source.
+
+## Engine rules
+- Pure Python 3.12 stdlib (json, csv, sqlite3, statistics, math, datetime, urllib).
+  NO pip installs — the operator manages packaging with uv; pyproject.toml
+  declares zero dependencies.
+- A credit spread is two leg pulls stitched: credit = short-leg price − long-leg
+  price at entry; P&L tracked per bar on the leg diff.
+- Costs: conservative slippage default (mid ± half-spread per fill), from
+  _config/risk-params.md.
+- Exits modeled per house style: stop, T1/T2/T3 partials, hard 15:45 ET time exit,
+  optional breakeven-after-T1.
+- RTH is the default session; extended only if the spec says so explicitly.
+
+## Honesty rules
+- Never present a backtest result without N (trade count) and the tested window.
+- Low-N results (<30 trades) must be labeled low-N in the report.
+- If data has gaps (no bars for an era/strike), say so in the manifest and report —
+  never silently interpolate through them.
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/_config/risk-params.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/_config/risk-params.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a32fcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/_config/risk-params.md
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# Risk Parameters (stable defaults — edit sparingly, diffs matter)
+# Stage 03 reads this file; the strategy spec may override individual values.
+
+# Data window (v1)
+window:
+  start: 2026-02-27        # ~6 months back; stage 01 narrows to contract reality
+  end: 2026-08-27
+
+# Costs
+costs:
+  slippage_model: mid_half_spread   # each fill at mid ± half observed spread
+  min_tick: 0.01                    # options tick floor
+  commissions_per_contract: 0.0     # 0 by default; operator may set
+
+# Sessions
+session:
+  default: RTH              # 09:30–16:00 ET
+  hard_exit_et: "15:45"     # house rule: flat before the close
+  extended_allowed: false   # only if strategy spec explicitly enables
+
+# Sizing
+sizing:
+  mode: fixed_contract
+  contracts: 1
+
+# Exits (defaults; spec overrides)
+exits:
+  breakeven_after_t1: false
+
+# Cache
+cache:
+  path: shared/data/backtest_cache.sqlite3
+  key: (contract, timespan, window)   # cache-first; never re-pull existing rows
+  max_rows_per_table: 5000000
+
+# Validation
+validation:
+  no_lookahead: true
+  low_n_threshold: 30      # reports must flag results below this trade count
+  split: none              # optional in-sample/out-of-sample date split
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/_config/strategy-spec-TEMPLATE.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/_config/strategy-spec-TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bf8710
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/_config/strategy-spec-TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# Strategy Spec Template
+# Fill one copy per strategy: _config/strategy-spec-<name>.md
+# The frozen spec (stage 00 output) is the single source of truth for the engine.
+
+# Name
+name: <short-slug>
+
+# Underlying & structure
+underlying: <SPY>
+structure: <single_leg | credit_spread | debit_spread>
+# For spreads, list legs explicitly:
+legs:
+  - role: short
+    type: put
+    selection: <e.g., ~30-delta proxy: strike nearest 0.5% OTM of spot>
+  - role: long
+    type: put
+    selection: <e.g., $5 wide below short strike>
+expiration: <e.g., same-day (0DTE) — nearest daily expiry>
+
+# Session
+session: <RTH (default) | extended>
+entry_window: <e.g., 09:45–11:00 ET>
+hard_exit: <e.g., 15:45 ET>
+
+# Entry rules (plain English, bar-level. NO look-ahead allowed.)
+entry:
+  - <rule 1 — e.g., price pulls back to rising VWAP>
+  - <rule 2 — optional confirmation>
+all_required: true   # every rule must hold on the entry bar
+
+# Exit rules
+exits:
+  stop: <underlying level or premium % — define precisely>
+  targets:
+    - t1: <profit % of credit or premium>
+      scale_out: <fraction, e.g., 50%>
+    - t2: <...>
+      scale_out: <...>
+  breakeven_after_t1: false
+  time_exit: 15:45 ET
+
+# Sizing & costs
+sizing:
+  mode: fixed_contract   # v1 default: 1 contract
+  contracts: 1
+costs:
+  slippage: mid_half_spread   # conservative default; see risk-params.md
+  commissions: 0              # set if the operator wants them modeled
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/pyproject.toml b/workflows/backtest-strategy/pyproject.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..41d44e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/pyproject.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+[project]
+name = "backtest-strategy"
+version = "0.1.0"
+description = "ICM backtest workspace - pure stdlib engine. Operator manages packaging with uv; zero dependencies by design."
+requires-python = ">=3.12"
+dependencies = []
+
+# NOTE: intentionally dependency-free. If a future need for pandas/numpy arises,
+# that is an explicit operator decision - not an agent action.
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/shared/data/README.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/shared/data/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a79c8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/shared/data/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# shared/data/
+
+Holds the backtest cache (SQLite) built by stage 02_fetch_cache.
+
+- `backtest_cache.sqlite3` — keyed by (contract, timespan, window). Cache-first:
+  existing rows are never re-pulled from TTG data servers.
+- This folder may grow large. Cap discipline lives in `_config/risk-params.md`.
+- Delete the .sqlite3 file to force a full re-pull (stage 02 will rebuild it).
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/00_clarify_strategy/CONTEXT.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/00_clarify_strategy/CONTEXT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f28a9ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/00_clarify_strategy/CONTEXT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# Stage 00 Clarify Strategy: Freeze the Rules
+
+Purpose: turn the operator's strategy idea into a single declarative spec that the
+engine can execute verbatim. Nothing downstream runs until this file exists and the
+operator approves it. This is a review gate.
+
+## Inputs
+- Layer 3 (reference): ../../_config/strategy-spec-TEMPLATE.md
+- Layer 3 (reference): ../../_config/risk-params.md
+- Layer 4 (working): operator's description of the strategy (from conversation)
+
+## Process
+1. Read the template and risk params.
+2. Interview the operator until every template field is answerable: structure
+   (single leg / credit spread / debit spread), leg selection, expiration rule,
+   entry window, entry rules (bar-level, no look-ahead), stop, targets with
+   scale-out fractions, time exit, sizing.
+3. Restate the rules back in plain English and get explicit operator confirmation
+   before freezing. Ambiguity is resolved by the operator, never guessed.
+4. Default candidate if the operator asks for a starting point: SPY 0DTE credit
+   put spread (short ~0.5% OTM, long $5 wider, 09:45–11:00 ET entries, 15:45 hard
+   exit, T1/T2 partials). This is a proposal, not a decision.
+5. Write the frozen spec as a filled copy of the template.
+6. Stop and hand off to the operator for review. Stage 01 does not start until
+   the operator approves strategy_spec.md.
+
+## Outputs
+- strategy_spec.md -> output/
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/01_verify_data/CONTEXT.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/01_verify_data/CONTEXT.md
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/01_verify_data/CONTEXT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# Stage 01 Verify Data: Contract Enumeration + Depth Check
+
+Purpose: establish, with small test pulls only, exactly what data exists for the
+frozen spec's universe — before any bulk fetching. Honesty about gaps is the whole
+point of this stage. Review gate.
+
+## Inputs
+- Layer 4 (working): ../00_clarify_strategy/output/strategy_spec.md
+- Layer 3 (reference): ../../CONTEXT.md (Data rules section)
+- Layer 3 (reference): ../../_config/risk-params.md (window)
+
+## Process
+1. Read the strategy spec to determine the universe: underlying, leg selection
+   rule, expiration cadence, session.
+2. Enumerate the contract universe for the window using the options/stocks
+   reference endpoints (browse with retrieve_all, confirm shapes with params
+   before any execute — house rule for every new endpoint).
+3. For 2–3 sample contracts (one recent, one mid-window, one oldest needed):
+   - pull a small bar window (e.g., 1 day of minute bars) per leg to confirm
+     minute-bar availability within the spec's entry window;
+   - pull a small quote-history window and record the ACTUAL earliest timestamp
+     returned. Quote-history lookback depth is unverified — this measures it.
+4. Record per-contract-leg findings in the manifest: earliest/latest verified bar
+   dates, quote-history earliest date, gaps, holidays in window, and any contract
+   the spec's selection rule would pick that has no data.
+5. If the spec's window is not fully coverable (e.g., quote history shallower than
+   the window), state the impact plainly and propose the largest fully-coverable
+   window. Do not silently shrink the test.
+6. No bulk pulls in this stage. Keep total pulls small (roughly a dozen).
+7. Stop for operator review of the manifest before stage 02 fetches anything.
+
+## Outputs
+- data_manifest.md -> output/ (universe table, verified depth per leg, gaps,
+  proposed final window)
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/02_fetch_cache/CONTEXT.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/02_fetch_cache/CONTEXT.md
new file mode 100644
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+# Stage 02 Fetch Cache: Single-Pass Bulk Pull
+
+Purpose: materialize every bar/quote series the manifest calls for into the shared
+SQLite cache — once. Re-runs of later stages must never re-pull data. Review gate.
+
+## Inputs
+- Layer 4 (working): ../01_verify_data/output/data_manifest.md
+- Layer 3 (reference): ../../_config/risk-params.md (window, cache path, caps)
+- Layer 3 (reference): ../../CONTEXT.md (Data rules)
+
+## Process
+1. Read the manifest's final (operator-approved) universe + window.
+2. Author a stdlib-only fetch script into ../../shared/scripts/ (urllib for HTTP,
+   sqlite3 for the cache, json/csv for any side exports). No third-party packages.
+3. Cache-first: for each (contract, timespan, window), check the cache and skip
+   rows already present. Only missing ranges are fetched.
+4. Pull legs bar-by-bar: for each contract, each leg, minute bars for the spec's
+   session window across the manifest's date list. Respect the 50,000-bar per-pull
+   cap by splitting multi-month pulls into monthly sub-windows.
+5. Optional per spec: pull quote history only for the eras stage 01 verified.
+6. Log every pull (contract, timespan, date range, rows returned, gaps found) to
+   the fetch log. A pull returning zero bars is a logged fact, not an error to hide.
+7. Sanity-check the cache: row counts per contract vs expected session days; flag
+   any contract with <50% expected coverage.
+8. Stop for operator review before the engine runs.
+
+## Outputs
+- fetch_log.md -> output/ (pull table, coverage stats, anomalies)
+- shared/data/backtest_cache.sqlite3 (the cache itself)
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/03_run_backtest/CONTEXT.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/03_run_backtest/CONTEXT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..047d580
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+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/03_run_backtest/CONTEXT.md
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+# Stage 03 Run Backtest: Execute the Spec Over the Cache
+
+Purpose: author and run the stdlib-only engine against the cached data, producing
+a complete trade list and metrics. The spec is law; the engine never improvises.
+Review gate.
+
+## Inputs
+- Layer 4 (working): ../00_clarify_strategy/output/strategy_spec.md
+- Layer 4 (working): ../02_fetch_cache/output/fetch_log.md (coverage caveats)
+- Layer 3 (reference): ../../_config/risk-params.md (costs, exits defaults)
+- Layer 4 (working): ../../shared/data/backtest_cache.sqlite3
+
+## Process
+1. Author the engine script into ../../shared/scripts/ (pure Python 3.12 stdlib:
+   sqlite3, csv, json, statistics, math, datetime). No third-party packages —
+   the operator manages packaging with uv; pyproject.toml has zero dependencies.
+2. Engine mechanics:
+   - Iterate bars chronologically per session; signals on bar N may only use
+     bars <= N (no look-ahead, hard rule).
+   - Entries only inside the spec's entry window and session (RTH default).
+   - Credit spread = short leg + long leg stitched; credit at entry = short
+     price − long price; per-bar P&L tracked on the leg diff.
+   - Exits in precedence order: hard time exit (15:45 ET) > stop > targets
+     (T1/T2/T3 scale-outs per spec) > optional breakeven-after-T1.
+   - Fills at bar close ± slippage from risk-params (mid ± half-spread default).
+3. Emit one row per simulated trade: dates, entry/exit, leg prices, credit,
+   P&L, MAE/MFE, exit reason, session day.
+4. Compute metrics: N, win rate, expectancy, avg win/loss, profit factor, max
+   drawdown, per-hour-of-day and per-weekday breakdowns, equity curve series.
+5. Also run a costs-off variant (same trades, zero slippage) and store both —
+   the gap between them is the cost drag, and it must be visible.
+6. If cached coverage has gaps inside the window, exclude affected days from
+   stats and list them — never interpolate through a gap.
+7. Stop for operator review before the report stage.
+
+## Outputs
+- trades.csv -> output/
+- metrics.json -> output/ (with-costs and costs-off variants)
diff --git a/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/04_report/CONTEXT.md b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/04_report/CONTEXT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36191c3
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+++ b/workflows/backtest-strategy/stages/04_report/CONTEXT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+# Stage 04 Report: Honest Findings, Operator-Readable
+
+Purpose: turn trades.csv + metrics.json into a report a trader can act on — or
+consciously discard. No cherry-picking, no curve-fit praise. Final review gate.
+
+## Inputs
+- Layer 4 (working): ../03_run_backtest/output/trades.csv
+- Layer 4 (working): ../03_run_backtest/output/metrics.json
+- Layer 4 (working): ../01_verify_data/output/data_manifest.md (coverage caveats)
+
+## Process
+1. Lead with the headline numbers: N trades, win rate, expectancy per trade,
+   profit factor, max drawdown — for the with-costs run. Costs-off appears only
+   as the visible cost-drag comparison, never as the headline.
+2. State the tested window, contract universe size, and data coverage honestly,
+   including any excluded gap days.
+3. Flag low-N explicitly: below 30 trades the report must say the sample is too
+   small to trust and must not recommend going live on it.
+4. Breakdowns: per-hour-of-day, per-weekday, exit-reason mix (stop vs target vs
+   time exit), and the stop-vs-target balance. These drive spec tuning.
+5. MAE/MFE distribution: how deep winners usually dip before working — this is
+   what sets realistic stop placement and profit-target spacing.
+6. End with a plain recommendation set: keep / tune (which parameter, which
+   direction) / discard. A losing strategy is a valid, useful result — say so.
+7. Remind the reader: backtest output is research. Live execution still goes
+   through the normal cockpit path with its own preflight.
+
+## Outputs
+- report.md -> output/