diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0866457..f938b1b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -100,6 +100,28 @@ Run it with:
 SNAKE=PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol python main.py
 ```
 
+## ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5
+`ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5` builds on Prism and keeps its engine. Prism
+only runs the exact duel search on near-tied heuristic candidates. Zenith adds a
+root verdict pass in duels: every safe move is resolved against all
+simultaneous enemy replies using the shared transposition table. A move whose
+search proves a forced loss is replaced by the best surviving move. A move whose
+search proves a forced win is played even if the heuristic preferred another
+move. Its public Battlesnake API name is `ZenithBattleSnake`.
+
+Version 1.1.0 adds permanent-trail space scoring for Constrictor (free capacity
+is not compared against the already occupied body length), balanced root-search
+budgets, and health-cost routes for hazard escape and food. It reserves at least
+180 ms for non-search work. The HTTP move path also deducts executor queue wait
+from the strategy budget and returns a legal-direction fallback instead of null
+when its request budget expires. This is best-effort deadline handling, not a
+hard real-time guarantee under CPU saturation.
+
+Run it with:
+```sh
+SNAKE=ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5 python main.py
+```
+
 Benchmark Apex and Prism against sampled positions from a gameplay database:
 ```sh
 python scripts/benchmark_snakes_from_db.py \
@@ -129,12 +151,41 @@ Run paired seeded games through the official local Battlesnake rules engine:
 just bench-snake-tournament games=20 gametype=standard map=standard
 ```
 
-Each seed is played twice with Apex and Prism swapping initial engine slots. The
+Pick other opponents with `snake_a=` and `snake_b=`, for example
+`just bench-snake-tournament snake_a=PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol snake_b=ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5`.
+
+Each seed is played twice with both snakes swapping initial engine slots. The
 report includes wins, draws, win rates, and average game length. Save all
 per-game results with `output=data/tournament-report.json`. The tournament starts
 both snake servers with gameplay persistence disabled, adds the engine identity
 header required by the API, and shuts them down when finished.
 
+## Move tracing and latency diagnosis
+Every `/move` response includes `X-Move-Trace-ID`. Replay thinking contains a
+small `move_trace` object: JSON parse, runtime lookup, executor queue wait,
+strategy execution, handler/response encoding, bookkeeping queue wait, and
+metrics publication timings. No board payloads are copied into traces.
+
+Structured application log lines start with `move_trace` and include the same
+ID, game ID and turn, plus persistence and dashboard-publication duration once
+background work finishes. These last two timings cannot be included in the
+record being written itself. Timed-out workers may finish later; missing
+`strategy_ms`/`worker_finished` means they had not finished at that snapshot.
+
+- `MOVE_TRACE_SAMPLE_EVERY=100`: approximately 1% of normal requests logged;
+  use `1` for all, `0` to disable normal sampling.
+- `MOVE_TRACE_SLOW_MS=300`: always log a trace if any measured stage exceeds
+  this threshold. Timeouts and metrics publication failures are always logged.
+- Metrics counters update locally before responding; shared metrics backend
+  publication now runs in ordered background bookkeeping, not on `/move`'s
+  response path.
+
+These are lightweight local timings, not exported OpenTelemetry spans. Handler
+time starts inside the route and excludes middleware, socket delivery and
+reverse-proxy/network delay. Compare with client-observed latency. Background
+stage times can include event-loop scheduling delays; production improvements
+must be verified after deployment under representative concurrency.
+
 ## Compact gameplay database
 Gameplay storage keeps game results in `games` and snake identity (name,
 customizations) once per game in `game_snakes`. Replay data is stored compactly:
diff --git a/dbschema/default.gel b/dbschema/default.gel
index 4f139ee..d3384fa 100644
--- a/dbschema/default.gel
+++ b/dbschema/default.gel
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module default {
     using (winner = "me");
 
   function gameboard_url(id: uuid) -> str
-    using ("https://play.battlesnake.com/game/" ++ <str>id);
+    using ("https://arena.battlesnake.com/games/" ++ <str>id);
 
   type GameBoard {
     overloaded required id: uuid {
diff --git a/justfile b/justfile
index ebb05f2..a764c31 100644
--- a/justfile
+++ b/justfile
@@ -80,6 +80,16 @@ bench-snake-arena-postgres positions="100" output="":
   if [ -n "{{output}}" ]; then args+=(--json-output "{{output}}"); fi
   PYTHONPATH="{{justfile_directory()}}" uv run python "{{justfile_directory()}}/scripts/benchmark_snake_arena.py" "${args[@]}"
 
+# Open the gameplay database with psql (uses GAMEPLAY_DB_PG_DSN from .env)
+[positional-arguments]
+db *args:
+  #!/usr/bin/env bash
+  set -euo pipefail
+
+  : "${GAMEPLAY_DB_PG_DSN:?Set GAMEPLAY_DB_PG_DSN in .env or the environment}"
+  command -v psql >/dev/null || { echo "Install the PostgreSQL client (psql) first." >&2; exit 1; }
+  exec psql --dbname="$GAMEPLAY_DB_PG_DSN" "$@"
+
 cleanup-gameplay-postgres older_than_days="30" execute="false" vacuum="false":
   #!/usr/bin/env bash
   set -euo pipefail
@@ -101,11 +111,11 @@ migrate-gameplay-postgres since="" drop_legacy="false":
   if [ "{{drop_legacy}}" = "true" ]; then args+=(--drop-legacy); fi
   PYTHONPATH="{{justfile_directory()}}" uv run python "{{justfile_directory()}}/scripts/migrate_gameplay_to_compact.py" "${args[@]}"
 
-bench-snake-tournament games="20" gametype="standard" map="standard" output="":
+bench-snake-tournament games="20" gametype="standard" map="standard" output="" snake_a="ApexBattleSnake" snake_b="PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol":
   #!/usr/bin/env bash
   set -euo pipefail
 
-  args=(--games "{{games}}" --gametype "{{gametype}}" --map "{{map}}")
+  args=(--games "{{games}}" --gametype "{{gametype}}" --map "{{map}}" --snake-a "{{snake_a}}" --snake-b "{{snake_b}}")
   if [ -n "{{output}}" ]; then args+=(--json-output "{{output}}"); fi
   PYTHONPATH="{{justfile_directory()}}" python "{{justfile_directory()}}/scripts/run_seeded_snake_tournament.py" "${args[@]}"
 
diff --git a/scripts/run_seeded_snake_tournament.py b/scripts/run_seeded_snake_tournament.py
index 18daf88..9c475a5 100644
--- a/scripts/run_seeded_snake_tournament.py
+++ b/scripts/run_seeded_snake_tournament.py
@@ -152,6 +152,10 @@ def run_game(
   draw = bool(terminal.get("isDraw", winner is None))
   return {"seed": seed, "winner": winner, "draw": draw, "turns": turns}
 
+def display_name(snake: str) -> str:
+  """Short engine display name, e.g. PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol -> Prism."""
+  return snake.split("_", 1)[0].removesuffix("BattleSnake") or snake
+
 def main() -> None:
   parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
   parser.add_argument("--games", type=int, default=20, help="Number of unique seeds")
@@ -163,37 +167,39 @@ def main() -> None:
   parser.add_argument("--timeout", type=int, default=500)
   parser.add_argument("--base-port", type=int, default=9301)
   parser.add_argument("--cli", default=str(ROOT / ".testing/tools/battlesnake-cli/battlesnake"))
+  parser.add_argument("--snake-a", default="ApexBattleSnake", help="Registry name of the first snake")
+  parser.add_argument("--snake-b", default="PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol", help="Registry name of the second snake")
   parser.add_argument("--json-output")
   args = parser.parse_args()
+  if args.snake_a == args.snake_b:
+    raise SystemExit("--snake-a and --snake-b must differ")
 
   cli = Path(args.cli)
   if not cli.is_file():
     raise SystemExit(f"Battlesnake CLI not found: {cli}. Run: just build-battlesnake-cli")
 
-  apex_port, prism_port = args.base_port, args.base_port + 1
-  apex_proxy_port, prism_proxy_port = args.base_port + 2, args.base_port + 3
+  snakes = (args.snake_a, args.snake_b)
   servers: list[subprocess.Popen] = []
   proxies: list[tuple[ThreadingHTTPServer, Thread]] = []
   results: list[dict] = []
   started = time.perf_counter()
   try:
-    servers = [
-      start_server("ApexBattleSnake", apex_port),
-      start_server("PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol", prism_port),
-    ]
-    proxies = [
-      start_proxy(apex_proxy_port, apex_port),
-      start_proxy(prism_proxy_port, prism_port),
-    ]
-    urls = {
-      "Apex": f"http://127.0.0.1:{apex_proxy_port}",
-      "Prism": f"http://127.0.0.1:{prism_proxy_port}",
-    }
+    urls: dict[str, str] = {}
+    labels = [display_name(snake) for snake in snakes]
+    if len(set(labels)) != len(labels):
+      labels = list(snakes)
+    for index, (snake, label) in enumerate(zip(snakes, labels)):
+      server_port = args.base_port + index
+      proxy_port = args.base_port + len(snakes) + index
+      servers.append(start_server(snake, server_port))
+      proxies.append(start_proxy(proxy_port, server_port))
+      urls[label] = f"http://127.0.0.1:{proxy_port}"
+    names = tuple(urls)
     for offset in range(max(1, args.games)):
       seed = args.seed_start + offset
       # Swap engine slots for every seed. This controls for deterministic map
       # spawn positions and gives each strategy both initial placements.
-      for order in (("Apex", "Prism"), ("Prism", "Apex")):
+      for order in (names, names[::-1]):
         result = run_game(
           cli=cli, seed=seed, game_type=args.gametype, map_name=args.map,
           players=[(name, urls[name]) for name in order],
@@ -219,6 +225,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     "unique_seeds": max(1, args.games),
     "gametype": args.gametype,
     "map": args.map,
+    "snakes": list(snakes),
     "wins": dict(wins),
     "win_rates": {
       key: value / len(results) for key, value in wins.items()
diff --git a/server/GameBoard.py b/server/GameBoard.py
index e8bcb2a..692a463 100644
--- a/server/GameBoard.py
+++ b/server/GameBoard.py
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class GameBoard:
   def _get_game_url(self, local_game:bool):
     if local_game:
       return None
-    return f"https://play.battlesnake.com/game/{self.id}"
+    return f"https://arena.battlesnake.com/games/{self.id}"
 
   def _set_winner_snake_name(self, snakes:list[dict]):
     if self.my_snake["id"] in [ x["id"] for x in snakes]:
diff --git a/server/blueprints/battlesnake.py b/server/blueprints/battlesnake.py
index 5775ded..395ac6c 100644
--- a/server/blueprints/battlesnake.py
+++ b/server/blueprints/battlesnake.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ from quart_common.web.logger import await_log
 from snakes import DEFAULT_SNAKE_CONFIG
 from server.GameBoard import GameBoard
 from server.Files import read_file
+from server.services.move_safety import fallback_move, run_budgeted_move
+from server.services.move_trace import MoveTrace
 
 lazy from server.Server import Server
 
@@ -58,36 +60,68 @@ def create_battlesnake_blueprint(server:'Server') -> Blueprint:
   @blueprint.post('/move')
   @require_user_agent(("BattlesnakeEngine", "BattlesnakeArena"), abort_code=404)
   async def on_move():
+    move_started = time.perf_counter()
     server.metrics_collector.record_http_request('move')
     game_state = await request.get_json()
-    move_started = time.perf_counter()
+    trace = MoveTrace(game_state['game']['id'], game_state.get('turn'))
+    trace.set(parse_ms=round((time.perf_counter() - move_started) * 1000, 3), timed_out=False)
 
     game_id = game_state['game']['id']
     timeout_ms = int(game_state.get('game', {}).get('timeout', 500))
     budget_sec = max(0.05, (timeout_ms - 50) / 1000.0)
 
-    next_move = None
+    next_move = fallback_move(game_state)
     game_board = None
 
     try:
       async with asyncio.timeout(budget_sec):
-        game_board = cast(GameBoard, await server.game_runtime.get_game_board(game_state))
+        with trace.stage('runtime'):
+          game_board = cast(GameBoard, await server.game_runtime.get_game_board(game_state))
         loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
-        next_move = await loop.run_in_executor(None, game_board.snake_neat_make_a_move)
+        submitted = time.perf_counter()
+        next_move = await loop.run_in_executor(
+          None, run_budgeted_move, game_board, move_started + budget_sec, next_move, trace, submitted,
+        )
     except TimeoutError:
-      await await_log(server.logger.warning(f'MOVE TIMEOUT: turn={game_state.get("turn")}, game={game_id}, returning fallback {next_move!r}'))
+      trace.set(timed_out=True)
 
-    thinking = server.gameplay_tracking._extract_latest_snake_thinking(game_board)
-    server.game_lifecycle.submit(
-      game_id, lambda: server.game_lifecycle.turn(game_state, next_move, thinking),
-    )
-    elapsed_ms = (time.perf_counter() - move_started) * 1000.0
-    await server.metrics_collector.record_move(next_move, elapsed_ms)
+    # Never persist another turn's history when the worker has timed out.
+    thinking = None if trace.snapshot()['timed_out'] else server.gameplay_tracking._extract_latest_snake_thinking(game_board)
+    thinking = dict(thinking or {})
+    trace.set(handler_ms=round((time.perf_counter() - move_started) * 1000, 3),
+              move=next_move, budget_ms=round(budget_sec * 1000, 3))
+    thinking['move_trace'] = trace.snapshot()
+    server.metrics_collector.record_move_local(next_move, trace.snapshot()['handler_ms'])
+
+    bookkeeping_submitted = time.perf_counter()
+
+    async def finish_move():
+      trace.set(bookkeeping_queue_ms=round((time.perf_counter() - bookkeeping_submitted) * 1000, 3))
+      try:
+        try:
+          with trace.stage('metrics_publish'):
+            await server.metrics_collector.publish_move_metrics()
+        except Exception:
+          trace.set(metrics_publish_failed=True)
+          server.app.logger.exception('Move metrics publish failed; trace=%s', trace.id)
+        with trace.stage('persistence'):
+          thinking['move_trace'] = trace.snapshot()
+          await server.gameplay_tracking.record_gameplay_turn_snapshot(game_state, next_move, thinking)
+        with trace.stage('dashboard_publish'):
+          await server.dashboard_query.push_dashboard_game_replay_update(game_id)
+      finally:
+        trace.log(server.app.logger)
+
+    server.game_lifecycle.submit(game_id, finish_move)
 
     if server.debug:
       await await_log(server.logger.debug(f'TURN: {game_state['turn']:3}, MOVE: {next_move:5}'))
 
-    return {'move': next_move}
+    with trace.stage('response_encode'):
+      response = jsonify(move=next_move)
+    trace.set(handler_ms=round((time.perf_counter() - move_started) * 1000, 3))
+    response.headers['X-Move-Trace-ID'] = trace.id
+    return response
 
   @blueprint.post('/end')
   @require_user_agent(("BattlesnakeEngine", "BattlesnakeArena"), abort_code=404)
diff --git a/server/blueprints/dashboard.py b/server/blueprints/dashboard.py
index e8b9f49..5d4ed42 100644
--- a/server/blueprints/dashboard.py
+++ b/server/blueprints/dashboard.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def create_dashboard_blueprint(server:'Server') -> Blueprint:
       initial_game_id=initial_game_id,
       initial_summary=initial_summary,
       initial_games=initial_games,
-      battlesnake_url=os.getenv('BATTLESNAKE_GAMEBOARD_URL', 'https://play.battlesnake.com/game')
+      battlesnake_url=os.getenv('BATTLESNAKE_GAMEBOARD_URL', 'https://arena.battlesnake.com/games')
     )
 
   @blueprint.get('/dashboard/game/<game_id>')
diff --git a/server/database/compact/codec.py b/server/database/compact/codec.py
index 81b86b1..bc7a441 100644
--- a/server/database/compact/codec.py
+++ b/server/database/compact/codec.py
@@ -27,17 +27,24 @@ def decode_move(code:int|None) -> str|None:
     return None
   return MOVES[int(code) - 1]
 
+# The engine reports latency as a string; "" means no response was measured.
+_EMPTY_LATENCY = -32768
+
 def encode_latency(latency:object) -> int|None:
-  if latency is None or latency == "":
+  if latency is None:
     return None
+  if latency == "":
+    return _EMPTY_LATENCY
   try:
     value = int(str(latency))
   except ValueError:
     return None
-  return value if -32768 <= value <= 32767 else None
+  return value if _EMPTY_LATENCY < value <= 32767 else None
 
 def decode_latency(value:int|None) -> str|None:
-  return None if value is None else str(value)
+  if value is None:
+    return None
+  return "" if value == _EMPTY_LATENCY else str(value)
 
 def _point(point:object) -> tuple[int, int]|None:
   if not isinstance(point, dict):
diff --git a/server/metrics/MetricsCollector.py b/server/metrics/MetricsCollector.py
index d71b757..d91544c 100644
--- a/server/metrics/MetricsCollector.py
+++ b/server/metrics/MetricsCollector.py
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ class MetricsCollector:
     self._metrics['games_autocreated'] += 1
     await self._auto_publish()
 
-  async def record_move(self, direction:str, elapsed_ms:float) -> None:
+  def record_move_local(self, direction:str, elapsed_ms:float) -> None:
+    """Update counters without waiting for a shared metrics backend."""
     self._metrics['total_moves'] += 1
     self._metrics['move_response_time_ms_total'] += elapsed_ms
     self._metrics['move_response_time_ms_max'] = max(
@@ -80,6 +81,12 @@ class MetricsCollector:
     # else:
     #   move_counts['unknown'] += 1
     # self._metrics['last_move_unix'] = int(time.time())
+
+  async def record_move(self, direction:str, elapsed_ms:float) -> None:
+    self.record_move_local(direction, elapsed_ms)
+    await self._auto_publish()
+
+  async def publish_move_metrics(self) -> None:
     await self._auto_publish()
 
   async def record_game_end(self, game_state:dict) -> None:
diff --git a/server/services/move_safety.py b/server/services/move_safety.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9050e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/services/move_safety.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+"""Fast request-local fallback and queue-aware worker budgeting."""
+from time import perf_counter
+
+def fallback_move(state):
+  board = state['board']
+  mine = state['you']
+  head = mine['head']
+  occupied = {(p['x'], p['y']) for s in board['snakes'] for p in s['body']}
+  food = {(p['x'], p['y']) for p in board.get('food', [])}
+  hazards = {(p['x'], p['y']) for p in board.get('hazards', [])}
+  ranked = []
+  for name, (dx, dy) in (('up', (0, 1)), ('down', (0, -1)), ('left', (-1, 0)), ('right', (1, 0))):
+    point = head['x'] + dx, head['y'] + dy
+    if not (0 <= point[0] < board['width'] and 0 <= point[1] < board['height']):
+      continue
+    if point in occupied:
+      continue
+    danger = any(
+      s['id'] != mine['id'] and len(s['body']) >= len(mine['body'])
+      and abs(s['head']['x'] - point[0]) + abs(s['head']['y'] - point[1]) == 1
+      for s in board['snakes']
+    )
+    ranked.append((not danger, point not in hazards or point in food, name))
+  return max(ranked)[-1] if ranked else 'up'
+
+def run_budgeted_move(board, deadline, fallback, trace=None, submitted=None):
+  """Deduct executor queue wait before the strategy starts its own clock."""
+  started = perf_counter()
+  if trace is not None:
+    trace.set(executor_queue_ms=round((started - submitted) * 1000, 3), worker_started=True)
+  remaining = int((deadline - started) * 1000)
+  if remaining <= 40:
+    if trace is not None:
+      trace.set(worker_skipped=True)
+    return fallback
+  original_timeout = board.timeout
+  try:
+    board.timeout = min(original_timeout, remaining)
+    return board.snake_neat_make_a_move()
+  finally:
+    board.timeout = original_timeout
+    if trace is not None:
+      trace.set(strategy_ms=round((perf_counter() - started) * 1000, 3), worker_finished=True)
diff --git a/server/services/move_trace.py b/server/services/move_trace.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d9e532
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/services/move_trace.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+"""Small request-local timings; no board payloads or external tracing dependency."""
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+import json
+import os
+from threading import Lock
+from time import perf_counter
+from uuid import uuid4
+
+class MoveTrace:
+  def __init__(self, game_id, turn):
+    self.id = uuid4().hex
+    self.game_id = game_id
+    self.turn = turn
+    self.started = perf_counter()
+    self._lock = Lock()
+    self._fields = {}
+
+  def set(self, **fields):
+    with self._lock:
+      self._fields.update(fields)
+
+  @contextmanager
+  def stage(self, name):
+    started = perf_counter()
+    try:
+      yield
+    finally:
+      self.set(**{name + '_ms': round((perf_counter() - started) * 1000, 3)})
+
+  def snapshot(self):
+    with self._lock:
+      return {'trace_id': self.id, **self._fields}
+
+  def log(self, logger):
+    fields = self.snapshot()
+    # Every timeout/slow request, plus deterministic sampling of normal moves.
+    try:
+      sample = max(0, int(os.getenv('MOVE_TRACE_SAMPLE_EVERY', '100')))
+      slow_ms = max(0, float(os.getenv('MOVE_TRACE_SLOW_MS', '300')))
+    except ValueError:
+      sample, slow_ms = 100, 300
+    slow_stage = any(value >= slow_ms for key, value in fields.items()
+                     if key.endswith('_ms') and isinstance(value, (int, float)))
+    if not (fields.get('timed_out') or fields.get('metrics_publish_failed') or slow_stage
+            or (sample and int(self.id[:8], 16) % sample == 0)):
+      return
+    logger.info('move_trace %s', json.dumps({
+      'game_id': self.game_id, 'turn': self.turn, **fields,
+    }, separators=(',', ':')))
diff --git a/snakes/__init__.py b/snakes/__init__.py
index 4769544..78d6ccd 100644
--- a/snakes/__init__.py
+++ b/snakes/__init__.py
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ SNAKE_REGISTRATIONS = {
   "PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol": SnakeRegistration(
     "snakes.strategies.prism", "1.5.0"
   ),
+  "ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5": SnakeRegistration(
+    "snakes.strategies.zenith", "1.1.0"
+  ),
   "DummSnake": SnakeRegistration("snakes.legacy.DummSnake", "1.0.0"),
   "LogicSnake": SnakeRegistration("snakes.legacy.LogicSnake", "1.1.0"),
   "MasterSnake": SnakeRegistration("snakes.legacy.MasterSnake", "1.2.0"),
@@ -42,7 +45,6 @@ DEFAULT_SNAKE_CONFIG = {
   "tail": "default",
 }
 
-
 def build_snake(selected_snake: str):
   registration = SNAKE_REGISTRATIONS.get(selected_snake)
   if registration is None:
@@ -56,7 +58,6 @@ def get_snake_version(selected_snake: str) -> str | None:
   registration = SNAKE_REGISTRATIONS.get(selected_snake)
   return registration.version if registration is not None else None
 
-
 class SnakeBuilder:
   @classmethod
   def build(self, selected_snake: str):
diff --git a/snakes/engine/health_routes.py b/snakes/engine/health_routes.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..17307b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/snakes/engine/health_routes.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+"""Health-cost routes to food or non-hazard refuge, with current bodies fixed."""
+import heapq
+
+def health_route_cost(start, food, hazards, stacks, damage, blocked, width, height, *, refuge=False):
+  """Cost until food resets health, or until leaving hazards for refuge.
+
+  Food is consumed before elimination, so its final step needs no remaining
+  health. Other steps must leave health positive. Bodies remain obstacles,
+  including food-covered body cells; the caller removes the starting head.
+  """
+  queue = [(0, start)]
+  best = {start: 0}
+  while queue:
+    cost, point = heapq.heappop(queue)
+    if cost != best[point]:
+      continue
+    if point in food or (refuge and point not in hazards):
+      return cost
+    x, y = point
+    for target in ((x, y + 1), (x, y - 1), (x - 1, y), (x + 1, y)):
+      nx, ny = target
+      if not (0 <= nx < width and 0 <= ny < height) or target in blocked:
+        continue
+      step = 0 if target in food else 1 + (damage * stacks.get(target, 1) if target in hazards else 0)
+      value = cost + step
+      if value < best.get(target, float('inf')):
+        best[target] = value
+        heapq.heappush(queue, (value, target))
+  return None
diff --git a/snakes/engine/survival_search.py b/snakes/engine/survival_search.py
index 2417b87..2da80fe 100644
--- a/snakes/engine/survival_search.py
+++ b/snakes/engine/survival_search.py
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ class CompactSurvivalSearch:
     blocked = self._occupied(mine, enemies) & ~(1 << mine[0])
     space = self.board.flood_count(mine[0], blocked)
     liberties = self.board.open_neighbor_count(mine[0], blocked)
-    if liberties == 0 or space < len(mine):
+    if liberties == 0 or (not self.is_constrictor and space < len(mine)):
       return self.DEATH
     enemy_pressure = 0.0
     for enemy in enemies:
diff --git a/snakes/strategies/__init__.py b/snakes/strategies/__init__.py
index d65bc9b..18d4d2e 100644
--- a/snakes/strategies/__init__.py
+++ b/snakes/strategies/__init__.py
@@ -2,5 +2,10 @@
 
 from snakes.strategies.apex import ApexBattleSnake
 from snakes.strategies.prism import PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol
+from snakes.strategies.zenith import ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5
 
-__all__ = ("ApexBattleSnake", "PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol")
+__all__ = (
+  "ApexBattleSnake",
+  "PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol",
+  "ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5",
+)
diff --git a/snakes/strategies/zenith.py b/snakes/strategies/zenith.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2e1a12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/snakes/strategies/zenith.py
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+"""ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5 v1.1.0
+
+Built on PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol v1.5.0. Prism's bitboard engine, duel
+search, and adversarial rollouts are inherited unchanged.
+
+Prism only runs the exact duel search on near-tied heuristic candidates
+(score gap <= 8). A move outside that window is never checked against every
+enemy reply, so a forced loss with a strong heuristic score can still be
+played, and a forced win with a weaker score can be skipped.
+
+Z1: Root verdict pass — after Prism decides, every safe duel candidate is
+    resolved against all simultaneous enemy replies with the shared
+    transposition table (cheap: most subtrees are already cached).
+Z2: Proven-loss veto — a candidate whose completed search proves a loss is
+    replaced by the best non-losing candidate.
+Z3: Proven-win override — a candidate whose completed search proves a win is
+    played even if the heuristic preferred another move.
+"""
+from time import perf_counter
+
+from snakes.engine.duel_search import BitboardDuelSearch
+from snakes.strategies.zenith_survival import ZenithSurvivalMixin
+from snakes.strategies.prism import PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol
+
+# A completed search value beyond half of WIN/LOSS can only come from a terminal.
+_PROVEN_WIN = BitboardDuelSearch.WIN / 2
+_PROVEN_LOSS = BitboardDuelSearch.LOSS / 2
+# Reserve kept for Apex's history bookkeeping after the verdict pass.
+_VERDICT_RESERVE_MS = 25.0
+
+class ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5(ZenithSurvivalMixin, PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol):
+  VERSION = "1.1.0"
+
+  def __init__(self) -> None:
+    super().__init__()
+    self.name = "ZenithBattleSnake"
+    self.version = self.VERSION
+
+  def _get_timeout_buffer_ms(self):
+    # Leave room for executor scheduling, history, JSON and network delivery.
+    return max(180, super()._get_timeout_buffer_ms())
+
+  def _choose_duel_move(
+    self, safe_moves, my_body, my_len, my_health, other_snakes, food_set,
+    hazard_set, hazard_damage, hazard_count, previous_hazard_set,
+    enemy_attack_map, enemy_can_grow, total_occupancy, width, height, deadline,
+  ):
+    best_move, scores, depth = super()._choose_duel_move(
+      safe_moves=safe_moves, my_body=my_body, my_len=my_len,
+      my_health=my_health, other_snakes=other_snakes, food_set=food_set,
+      hazard_set=hazard_set, hazard_damage=hazard_damage,
+      hazard_count=hazard_count, previous_hazard_set=previous_hazard_set,
+      enemy_attack_map=enemy_attack_map, enemy_can_grow=enemy_can_grow,
+      total_occupancy=total_occupancy, width=width, height=height,
+      deadline=deadline,
+    )
+    if len(safe_moves) < 2:
+      return best_move, scores, depth
+
+    verdicts = self._duel_verdicts(
+      safe_moves=safe_moves, my_body=my_body, enemy=other_snakes[0],
+      my_health=my_health, food_set=food_set, hazard_set=hazard_set,
+      hazard_damage=hazard_damage, hazard_count=hazard_count,
+      previous_hazard_set=previous_hazard_set, width=width, height=height,
+      deadline=deadline,
+    )
+    chosen = self._apply_verdicts(best_move, scores, verdicts)
+    if chosen != best_move:
+      self.add_to_history({
+        "turn": self.game_board.get_turn(), "mode": "duel",
+        "zenith_verdict_changed_move": True,
+        "from": best_move, "to": chosen,
+        "verdicts": {m: round(v, 1) for m, (v, _) in verdicts.items()},
+      })
+    depth = max([depth, *(d for _, d in verdicts.values())])
+    return chosen, scores, depth
+
+  def _duel_verdicts(
+    self, safe_moves, my_body, enemy, my_health, food_set, hazard_set,
+    hazard_damage, hazard_count, previous_hazard_set, width, height, deadline,
+  ) -> dict[str, tuple[float, int]]:
+    """Return completed exact-search values per candidate (Z1)."""
+    verdicts: dict[str, tuple[float, int]] = {}
+    # Search every root at equal depth. A full iterative search for the first
+    # move could consume the deadline before the other roots were visited.
+    search_deadline = None if deadline is None else deadline - _VERDICT_RESERVE_MS / 1000
+    if search_deadline is not None and perf_counter() >= search_deadline:
+      return verdicts
+    search = self._new_duel_search(
+      food_set, hazard_set, hazard_count, hazard_damage, width, height, search_deadline,
+    )
+    search.deadline = search_deadline
+    for depth in range(1, self._planning_depth + 1):
+      layer = {}
+      for move, pos in safe_moves.items():
+        value, completed = search.search_candidate(
+          my_body, enemy["body"], (pos["x"], pos["y"]),
+          my_health, enemy.get("health", 100), depth, previous_hazard_set,
+        )
+        if completed != depth:
+          return verdicts
+        layer[move] = (value, completed)
+      verdicts = layer
+    return verdicts
+
+  @staticmethod
+  def _apply_verdicts(
+    best_move: str, scores: dict[str, float],
+    verdicts: dict[str, tuple[float, int]],
+  ) -> str:
+    """Apply proven-win override (Z3) and proven-loss veto (Z2)."""
+    def rank(move: str) -> tuple[float, float]:
+      return verdicts[move][0], scores.get(move, float("-inf"))
+
+    wins = [m for m, (v, _) in verdicts.items() if v >= _PROVEN_WIN]
+    if wins and best_move not in wins:
+      return max(wins, key=rank)
+
+    best_verdict = verdicts.get(best_move)
+    if best_verdict is None or best_verdict[0] > _PROVEN_LOSS:
+      return best_move
+    alternatives = [m for m, (v, _) in verdicts.items() if v > _PROVEN_LOSS]
+    if not alternatives:
+      return best_move
+    # Prefer Prism's heuristic among surviving moves; fall back to search value.
+    return max(alternatives, key=lambda m: (scores.get(m, float("-inf")), verdicts[m][0]))
diff --git a/snakes/strategies/zenith_survival.py b/snakes/strategies/zenith_survival.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bf549e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/snakes/strategies/zenith_survival.py
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+"""Zenith-specific permanent-trail and health-aware scoring."""
+from snakes.engine.health_routes import health_route_cost
+from snakes.engine.survival_search import CompactSurvivalSearch
+
+class ZenithSurvivalMixin:
+  def _choose_constrictor_move(
+    self, safe_moves, my_body, my_len, my_health, other_snakes, food_set,
+    hazard_set, hazard_damage, hazard_count, previous_hazard_set,
+    enemy_attack_map, enemy_can_grow, total_occupancy, width, height, deadline,
+  ):
+    # In constrictor bodies never vacate. Remaining free cells are a survival
+    # horizon, not storage for the existing body. Requiring free space >= body
+    # length incorrectly marks every late-game candidate dead.
+    bb = self._get_bb(width, height)
+    occupied = bb.set_to_bits({
+      (p['x'], p['y']) for body in [my_body, *(s['body'] for s in other_snakes)]
+      for p in body
+    })
+    scores = {}
+    for move, pos in safe_moves.items():
+      target = bb.idx(pos['x'], pos['y'])
+      space = bb.flood_count(target, occupied)
+      liberties = bb.open_neighbor_count(target, occupied)
+      danger = enemy_attack_map.get((pos['x'], pos['y']), 0) >= my_len
+      # Preserve free capacity first. Enemy confinement must not outweigh our
+      # own ability to survive, and tail access has no meaning in this mode.
+      scores[move] = space * 10.0 + liberties * 8.0 - (10000 if danger else 0)
+      if liberties == 0:
+        scores[move] -= 5000
+
+    # Give each candidate the same shallow horizon before considering deeper
+    # layers. Never let the first candidate consume everyone else's budget.
+    search = CompactSurvivalSearch(
+      bb, set(), True, deadline, branch=3, enemy_branch=2, response_cap=8,
+    )
+    ranked = scores
+    for depth in range(1, 5):
+      layer = {}
+      for move, pos in safe_moves.items():
+        if self._remaining_ms(deadline) < 15:
+          break
+        before = search.deadline_exits
+        value = search.search_selected(my_body, other_snakes, (pos['x'], pos['y']), depth)
+        if search.deadline_exits != before:
+          break
+        layer[move] = value
+      if len(layer) != len(safe_moves):
+        break
+      # Rollout can veto immediate/near-term death, but cannot turn temporary
+      # enemy confinement into an overwhelming speculative attack reward.
+      ranked = {m: scores[m] + v * 0.15 for m, v in layer.items()}
+      best = max(ranked, key=ranked.get)
+      if depth == 4:
+        return best, ranked
+    return max(ranked, key=ranked.get), ranked
+
+  def _score_move(self, *args, **kwargs):
+    score, info = super()._score_move(*args, **kwargs)
+    # Apex calls this hook with keywords. Constrictor uses its dedicated path.
+    if not kwargs or kwargs['is_constrictor']:
+      return score, info
+    point = (kwargs['pos']['x'], kwargs['pos']['y'])
+    food = kwargs['food_set']
+    hazards = kwargs['hazard_set']
+    damage = kwargs['hazard_damage']
+    stacks = kwargs['hazard_count']
+    health = 100 if point in food else kwargs['my_health'] - 1 - (
+      damage * stacks.get(point, 1) if point in hazards else 0
+    )
+    if health <= 0:
+      score -= 20000
+      info['is_survivable'] = False
+      return score, info
+    if not hazards:
+      return score, info
+    blocked = info['blocked'] - {point}
+    cost = health_route_cost(
+      point, food, hazards, stacks, damage, blocked,
+      kwargs['width'], kwargs['height'], refuge=True,
+    )
+    # Existing hazards deal damage on entry even when newly seen. Prefer
+    # leaving lethal hazard corridors before low-health urgency kicks in.
+    if cost is None or cost >= health:
+      score -= 12000
+      info['is_survivable'] = False
+    else:
+      score -= cost * 8.0
+    if health < 55:
+      food_cost = health_route_cost(
+        point, food, hazards, stacks, damage, blocked,
+        kwargs['width'], kwargs['height'],
+      )
+      if food_cost is None or food_cost >= health:
+        score -= 2500
+      else:
+        score += (55 - health) * 12.0 / (food_cost + 1)
+    return score, info
diff --git a/templates/files/js/Snake.js b/templates/files/js/Snake.js
index 48650ad..4584eea 100644
--- a/templates/files/js/Snake.js
+++ b/templates/files/js/Snake.js
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ class SnakeUtils {
   }
 
   static buildCustomizationIconUrl(kind, value) {
-    const raw = String(value || "").trim().toLowerCase();
-    if (!raw) return null;
+    // Battlesnake treats an omitted/empty customization as the default asset.
+    const raw = String(value || "").trim().toLowerCase() || "default";
     if (!/^[a-z0-9-]+$/.test(raw)) return null;
     return `/dashboard/customizations/${kind}/${raw}.svg`;
   }
diff --git a/tests/js/snake-customizations.test.mjs b/tests/js/snake-customizations.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab1030a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/js/snake-customizations.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';
+import vm from 'node:vm';
+import test from 'node:test';
+
+const source = readFileSync(new URL('../../templates/files/js/Snake.js', import.meta.url), 'utf8');
+const SnakeUtils = vm.runInNewContext(`${source}\nSnakeUtils`);
+
+test('empty or missing head/tail uses the default SVG', () => {
+  for (const kind of ['heads', 'tails']) {
+    for (const value of [undefined, null, '', '   ']) {
+      assert.equal(SnakeUtils.buildCustomizationIconUrl(kind, value), `/dashboard/customizations/${kind}/default.svg`);
+    }
+  }
+});
+
+test('explicit customizations and invalid-name validation are preserved', () => {
+  assert.equal(SnakeUtils.buildCustomizationIconUrl('tails', 'ghost'), '/dashboard/customizations/tails/ghost.svg');
+  assert.equal(SnakeUtils.buildCustomizationIconUrl('heads', 'crystal-power'), '/dashboard/customizations/heads/crystal-power.svg');
+  assert.equal(SnakeUtils.buildCustomizationIconUrl('tails', '../ghost'), null);
+});
diff --git a/tests/snakes/test_ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5.py b/tests/snakes/test_ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c35b1d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/snakes/test_ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5.py
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+import unittest
+from time import perf_counter
+
+from snakes import SnakeBuilder, get_snake_version
+from snakes.strategies.prism import PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol
+from snakes.strategies.zenith import ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5
+
+LOSS = -100_000.0
+WIN = 100_000.0
+
+class TestZenithRegistration(unittest.TestCase):
+
+  def test_api_name_and_version_are_exposed(self):
+    snake = ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5()
+
+    self.assertEqual(snake.name, "ZenithBattleSnake")
+    self.assertEqual(snake.version, "1.1.0")
+    self.assertEqual(get_snake_version("ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5"), "1.1.0")
+    self.assertIsInstance(snake, PrismBattleSnake_GPT_5_6_Sol)
+    self.assertIsInstance(
+      SnakeBuilder.build("ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5"),
+      ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5,
+    )
+
+class TestZenithVerdicts(unittest.TestCase):
+
+  def test_proven_loss_is_vetoed_for_best_surviving_heuristic(self):
+    scores = {"up": 300.0, "left": 120.0, "right": 90.0}
+    verdicts = {"up": (LOSS, 3), "left": (-40.0, 3), "right": (25.0, 3)}
+
+    self.assertEqual(ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5._apply_verdicts("up", scores, verdicts), "left")
+
+  def test_proven_win_overrides_heuristic(self):
+    scores = {"up": 300.0, "left": 120.0}
+    verdicts = {"up": (15.0, 2), "left": (WIN, 2)}
+
+    self.assertEqual(ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5._apply_verdicts("up", scores, verdicts), "left")
+
+  def test_keeps_choice_when_every_move_loses(self):
+    scores = {"up": 300.0, "left": 120.0}
+    verdicts = {"up": (LOSS, 2), "left": (LOSS - 1, 2)}
+
+    self.assertEqual(ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5._apply_verdicts("up", scores, verdicts), "up")
+
+  def test_keeps_choice_without_verdict(self):
+    scores = {"up": 300.0, "left": 120.0}
+    self.assertEqual(ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5._apply_verdicts("up", scores, {}), "up")
+
+  def test_verdict_search_resolves_every_candidate(self):
+    snake = ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5()
+    # Longer enemy can also reach (2, 5): stepping there loses the head-to-head.
+    my_body = [{"x": 1, "y": 5}, {"x": 0, "y": 5}]
+    enemy = {"body": [{"x": 3, "y": 5}, {"x": 4, "y": 5}, {"x": 5, "y": 5}], "health": 100}
+    safe_moves = {"up": {"x": 1, "y": 6}, "right": {"x": 2, "y": 5}}
+
+    verdicts = snake._duel_verdicts(
+      safe_moves=safe_moves, my_body=my_body, enemy=enemy, my_health=100,
+      food_set=set(), hazard_set=set(), hazard_damage=15, hazard_count={},
+      previous_hazard_set=set(), width=11, height=11,
+      deadline=perf_counter() + 1.0,
+    )
+
+    self.assertEqual(set(verdicts), {"up", "right"})
+    self.assertLessEqual(verdicts["right"][0], LOSS / 2)
+    self.assertGreater(verdicts["up"][0], LOSS / 2)
+    self.assertEqual(
+      snake._apply_verdicts("right", {"right": 50.0, "up": 10.0}, verdicts), "up",
+    )
+
+  def test_verdict_search_stops_when_out_of_time(self):
+    snake = ZenithBattleSnake_ClaudeOpus5_5()
+
+    verdicts = snake._duel_verdicts(
+      safe_moves={"up": {"x": 0, "y": 2}}, my_body=[{"x": 0, "y": 1}],
+      enemy={"body": [{"x": 4, "y": 4}]}, my_health=100,
+      food_set=set(), hazard_set=set(), hazard_damage=15, hazard_count={},
+      previous_hazard_set=set(), width=5, height=5,
+      deadline=perf_counter() - 0.001,
+    )
+
+    self.assertEqual(verdicts, {})
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+  unittest.main()
diff --git a/tests/snakes/test_ZenithSurvival.py b/tests/snakes/test_ZenithSurvival.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5688ffd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/snakes/test_ZenithSurvival.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import unittest
+from time import perf_counter
+
+from snakes.engine.health_routes import health_route_cost
+from snakes.engine.bitboard import BitBoard
+from snakes.engine.survival_search import CompactSurvivalSearch
+from server.services.move_safety import fallback_move, run_budgeted_move
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+class TestSurvivalCorrections(unittest.TestCase):
+  def test_food_resets_health_before_elimination(self):
+    self.assertEqual(health_route_cost((0, 0), {(1, 0)}, {(1, 0)}, {}, 14, set(), 2, 1), 0)
+
+  def test_food_does_not_make_body_passable(self):
+    self.assertIsNone(health_route_cost((0, 0), {(1, 0)}, set(), {}, 14, {(1, 0)}, 2, 1))
+
+  def test_hazard_escape_charges_every_step(self):
+    self.assertEqual(health_route_cost((0, 0), set(), {(0, 0), (1, 0)}, {}, 14, set(), 3, 1, refuge=True), 16)
+
+  def test_long_constrictor_can_survive_in_small_free_region(self):
+    bb = BitBoard(5, 2)
+    body = (0, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
+    search = CompactSurvivalSearch(bb, set(), True, None, 2)
+    self.assertGreater(search._evaluate(body, ()), search.DEATH)
+    standard = CompactSurvivalSearch(bb, set(), False, None, 2)
+    self.assertEqual(standard._evaluate(body, ()), standard.DEATH)
+
+  def test_expired_queued_job_never_starts_strategy(self):
+    board = Mock(timeout=500)
+    self.assertEqual(run_budgeted_move(board, perf_counter()-1, 'left'), 'left')
+    board.snake_neat_make_a_move.assert_not_called()
+
+  def test_worker_deducts_queue_time_and_restores_timeout(self):
+    board = Mock(timeout=500)
+    observed = []
+    board.snake_neat_make_a_move.side_effect = lambda: observed.append(board.timeout) or 'right'
+    self.assertEqual(run_budgeted_move(board, perf_counter()+0.2, 'left'), 'right')
+    self.assertLessEqual(observed[0], 200)
+    self.assertEqual(board.timeout, 500)
+
+  def test_fallback_avoids_body_and_wall(self):
+    mine = {'id':'me','head':{'x':0,'y':0},'body':[{'x':0,'y':0},{'x':1,'y':0}]}
+    state = {'you':mine,'board':{'width':3,'height':3,'snakes':[mine]}}
+    self.assertEqual(fallback_move(state), 'up')
diff --git a/tests/test_BattlesnakeLifecycle.py b/tests/test_BattlesnakeLifecycle.py
index 4d76299..1df46b0 100644
--- a/tests/test_BattlesnakeLifecycle.py
+++ b/tests/test_BattlesnakeLifecycle.py
@@ -135,6 +135,58 @@ class TestBattlesnakeLifecycle(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
         self.assertNotEqual(replay['game']['status'], 'running')
         print(f'Real SQLite HTTP timings: {timings}')
 
+  async def test_timed_out_move_returns_valid_fallback(self):
+    server = self.server
+    server.logger = Mock()
+    server.logger.warning.return_value = None
+    server.game_lifecycle.turn = AsyncMock()
+    server.metrics_collector.record_move = AsyncMock()
+    state = deepcopy(self.state)
+    state['game']['timeout'] = 100
+
+    async def stalled_board(*args):
+      await asyncio.sleep(0.2)
+
+    server.game_runtime.get_game_board = stalled_board
+    response = await server.app.test_client().post('/move', json=state, headers=self.headers)
+    self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+    self.assertIn((await response.get_json())['move'], ('up', 'down', 'left', 'right'))
+    await server.game_lifecycle.drain()
+
+  async def test_slow_metrics_publish_is_off_response_path_and_traced(self):
+    server = self.server
+    gate = asyncio.Event()
+    snapshots = []
+
+    async def slow_publish():
+      await gate.wait()
+      await asyncio.sleep(0.1)
+
+    async def capture(state, move, thinking):
+      snapshots.append(thinking)
+
+    server.metrics_collector.publish_move_metrics = slow_publish
+    server.gameplay_tracking.record_gameplay_turn_snapshot = capture
+    server.dashboard_query.push_dashboard_game_replay_update = AsyncMock()
+    client = server.app.test_client()
+    started = perf_counter()
+    response = await asyncio.wait_for(client.post('/move', json=self.state, headers=self.headers), 0.5)
+    elapsed = (perf_counter() - started) * 1000
+    self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+    self.assertLess(elapsed, 500)
+    trace_id = response.headers['X-Move-Trace-ID']
+    self.assertEqual(len(trace_id), 32)
+    self.assertEqual(snapshots, [])
+    gate.set()
+    await server.game_lifecycle.drain()
+    trace = snapshots[0]['move_trace']
+    self.assertEqual(trace['trace_id'], trace_id)
+    self.assertGreaterEqual(trace['metrics_publish_ms'], 90)
+    self.assertIn('executor_queue_ms', trace)
+    self.assertIn('strategy_ms', trace)
+    self.assertIn('response_encode_ms', trace)
+    self.assertFalse(trace['timed_out'])
+
   async def test_invalid_agent_does_not_schedule_work(self):
     response = await self.server.app.test_client().post('/start', json=self.state)
     self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 404)
diff --git a/tests/test_CompactStorage.py b/tests/test_CompactStorage.py
index 0df7368..884df54 100644
--- a/tests/test_CompactStorage.py
+++ b/tests/test_CompactStorage.py
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ class TestCodec(unittest.TestCase):
     for move in ("up", "down", "left", "right", None):
       self.assertEqual(decode_move(encode_move(move)), move)
     self.assertEqual(decode_latency(encode_latency("77")), "77")
-    self.assertIsNone(encode_latency(""))
+    self.assertEqual(decode_latency(encode_latency("")), "")
+    self.assertIsNone(decode_latency(encode_latency(None)))
     self.assertIsNone(encode_latency("timeout"))
 
   def test_epoch_microseconds_roundtrip(self):
diff --git a/tests/test_DashboardStaticAssets.py b/tests/test_DashboardStaticAssets.py
index 8dd134b..7805925 100644
--- a/tests/test_DashboardStaticAssets.py
+++ b/tests/test_DashboardStaticAssets.py
@@ -16,6 +16,22 @@ class TestDashboardStaticAssets(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
       gameplay_db_enabled=False,
     )
 
+  async def test_dashboard_uses_arena_game_url(self):
+    from unittest.mock import patch
+    with patch.dict(os.environ, {}, clear=True):
+      response = await self.server.app.test_client().get('/dashboard')
+    self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+    html = await response.get_data(as_text=True)
+    self.assertIn('https://arena.battlesnake.com/games', html)
+    self.assertNotIn('https://play.battlesnake.com/game', html)
+
+  def test_gameboard_uses_arena_game_url(self):
+    from types import SimpleNamespace
+    from server.GameBoard import GameBoard
+    game = SimpleNamespace(id='example-game')
+    self.assertEqual(GameBoard._get_game_url(game, False), 'https://arena.battlesnake.com/games/example-game')
+    self.assertIsNone(GameBoard._get_game_url(game, True))
+
   def _static_url(self):
     return self.server.app.jinja_env.globals['static_url']
 
diff --git a/tests/test_LegacyMigration.py b/tests/test_LegacyMigration.py
index 2d755b6..9f77a6f 100644
--- a/tests/test_LegacyMigration.py
+++ b/tests/test_LegacyMigration.py
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ class TestLegacyMigration(unittest.TestCase):
       self.assertEqual((me["snake_id"], me["snake_name"], me["is_you"]), ("me", "Me", True))
       self.assertEqual((me["inferred_move"], me["latency"], me["health"], me["length"]), ("left", "12", 98, 3))
       enemy = turns[2]["snakes"][1]
-      self.assertEqual((enemy["inferred_move"], enemy["latency"]), ("down", None))
+      self.assertEqual((enemy["inferred_move"], enemy["latency"]), ("down", ""))
       with closing(sqlite3.connect(destination)) as connection:
         self.assertEqual(connection.execute("SELECT turn_count FROM game_replays").fetchone()[0], 3)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_MoveTrace.py b/tests/test_MoveTrace.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..20ce0f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_MoveTrace.py
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import unittest
+from unittest.mock import Mock, patch
+from server.services.move_trace import MoveTrace
+
+class TestMoveTrace(unittest.TestCase):
+  def test_snapshot_is_independent_and_stage_survives_exception(self):
+    trace = MoveTrace('test-game', 1)
+    with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+      with trace.stage('test'):
+        raise ValueError()
+    snapshot = trace.snapshot()
+    snapshot['test_ms'] = -1
+    self.assertGreaterEqual(trace.snapshot()['test_ms'], 0)
+
+  def test_timeout_logged_even_when_sampling_disabled(self):
+    trace = MoveTrace('test-game', 2)
+    trace.set(timed_out=True)
+    logger = Mock()
+    with patch.dict('os.environ', {'MOVE_TRACE_SAMPLE_EVERY':'0'}):
+      trace.log(logger)
+    logger.info.assert_called_once()
+    self.assertIn(trace.id, logger.info.call_args.args[1])
+
+  def test_fast_requests_not_logged_when_disabled(self):
+    trace = MoveTrace('test-game', 2)
+    logger = Mock()
+    with patch.dict('os.environ', {'MOVE_TRACE_SAMPLE_EVERY':'0'}):
+      trace.log(logger)
+    logger.info.assert_not_called()