implement PLN-0034 internal allocation evidence

crates/console/prometeu-bytecode/src/lib.rs

@@ -21,4 +21,4 @@ pub use disassembler::disassemble;
 pub use layout::{compute_function_layouts, FunctionLayout};
 pub use model::{BytecodeLoader, FunctionMeta, LoadError, SyscallDecl};
 pub use program_image::ProgramImage;
-pub use value::{HeapRef, Value};
+pub use value::{string_materialization_count, HeapRef, Value};

crates/console/prometeu-bytecode/src/program_image.rs

@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ impl From<BytecodeModule> for ProgramImage {
                 ConstantPoolEntry::Int64(v) => Value::Int64(*v),
                 ConstantPoolEntry::Float64(v) => Value::Float(*v),
                 ConstantPoolEntry::Boolean(v) => Value::Boolean(*v),
-                ConstantPoolEntry::String(v) => Value::String(v.clone().into()),
+                ConstantPoolEntry::String(v) => Value::string(v.clone()),
                 ConstantPoolEntry::Int32(v) => Value::Int32(*v),
             })
             .collect();

crates/console/prometeu-bytecode/src/value.rs

@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::cmp::Ordering;
 use std::fmt::Write;
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering as AtomicOrdering};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
+static STRING_MATERIALIZATION_COUNT: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
+
 /// Opaque handle that references an object stored in the VM heap.
 ///
 /// This is an index-based handle. It does not imply ownership and carries
@@ -76,6 +79,14 @@ impl PartialOrd for Value {
 }
 
 impl Value {
+    pub fn string<S>(value: S) -> Self
+    where
+        S: Into<Arc<str>>,
+    {
+        STRING_MATERIALIZATION_COUNT.fetch_add(1, AtomicOrdering::Relaxed);
+        Value::String(value.into())
+    }
+
     pub fn as_float(&self) -> Option<f64> {
         match self {
             Value::Int32(i) => Some(*i as f64),
@@ -137,6 +148,10 @@ impl Value {
     }
 }
 
+pub fn string_materialization_count() -> u64 {
+    STRING_MATERIALIZATION_COUNT.load(AtomicOrdering::Relaxed)
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;

crates/console/prometeu-hal/src/host_return.rs

@@ -22,6 +22,6 @@ impl<'a> HostReturn<'a> {
         self.stack.push(Value::HeapRef(HeapRef(g as u32)));
     }
     pub fn push_string(&mut self, s: String) {
-        self.stack.push(Value::String(s.into()));
+        self.stack.push(Value::string(s));
     }
 }

crates/console/prometeu-hal/src/telemetry.rs

@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ pub struct TelemetryFrame {
     // RAM (Heap)
     pub heap_used_bytes: usize,
     pub heap_max_bytes: usize,
+    pub vm_heap_allocations: u64,
+    pub vm_string_materializations: u64,
 
     // Log Pressure from the last completed logical frame
     pub logs_count: u32,
@@ -53,6 +55,8 @@ pub struct AtomicTelemetry {
     // RAM (Heap)
     pub heap_used_bytes: AtomicUsize,
     pub heap_max_bytes: AtomicUsize,
+    pub vm_heap_allocations: AtomicU64,
+    pub vm_string_materializations: AtomicU64,
 
     // Transient in-flight log counter for the current logical frame
     pub current_logs_count: Arc<AtomicU32>,
@@ -83,6 +87,8 @@ impl AtomicTelemetry {
             scene_slots_total: self.scene_slots_total.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             heap_used_bytes: self.heap_used_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             heap_max_bytes: self.heap_max_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            vm_heap_allocations: self.vm_heap_allocations.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
+            vm_string_materializations: self.vm_string_materializations.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             logs_count: self.logs_count.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             vm_steps: self.vm_steps.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
         }
@@ -102,6 +108,8 @@ impl AtomicTelemetry {
         self.scene_slots_used.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.scene_slots_total.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.heap_used_bytes.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.vm_heap_allocations.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.vm_string_materializations.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.vm_steps.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.logs_count.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
         self.current_logs_count.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -313,4 +321,17 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(snapshot.logs_count, 3);
         assert_eq!(current.load(Ordering::Relaxed), 7);
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn snapshot_includes_internal_allocation_evidence() {
+        let current = Arc::new(AtomicU32::new(0));
+        let tel = AtomicTelemetry::new(current);
+        tel.vm_heap_allocations.store(2, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        tel.vm_string_materializations.store(5, Ordering::Relaxed);
+
+        let snapshot = tel.snapshot();
+
+        assert_eq!(snapshot.vm_heap_allocations, 2);
+        assert_eq!(snapshot.vm_string_materializations, 5);
+    }
 }

crates/console/prometeu-system/src/virtual_machine_runtime.rs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ mod tick;
 use crate::CrashReport;
 use crate::fs::{FsState, VirtualFS};
 use crate::services::memcard::MemcardService;
+use prometeu_bytecode::string_materialization_count;
 use prometeu_hal::cartridge::AppMode;
 use prometeu_hal::log::LogService;
 use prometeu_hal::telemetry::{AtomicTelemetry, CertificationConfig, Certifier};
@@ -38,6 +39,8 @@ pub struct VirtualMachineRuntime {
     pub paused: bool,
     pub debug_step_request: bool,
     pub inspection_active: bool,
+    pub(crate) frame_start_heap_allocations: u64,
+    pub(crate) frame_start_string_materializations: u64,
     pub(crate) needs_prepare_entry_call: bool,
     pub(crate) boot_time: Instant,
 }

crates/console/prometeu-system/src/virtual_machine_runtime/lifecycle.rs

@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ impl VirtualMachineRuntime {
             paused: false,
             debug_step_request: false,
             inspection_active: false,
+            frame_start_heap_allocations: 0,
+            frame_start_string_materializations: 0,
             needs_prepare_entry_call: false,
             boot_time,
         };
@@ -106,6 +108,8 @@ impl VirtualMachineRuntime {
         self.paused = false;
         self.debug_step_request = false;
         self.inspection_active = false;
+        self.frame_start_heap_allocations = 0;
+        self.frame_start_string_materializations = 0;
         self.needs_prepare_entry_call = false;
     }
 

crates/console/prometeu-system/src/virtual_machine_runtime/tests.rs

@@ -493,6 +493,8 @@ fn reset_clears_cartridge_scoped_runtime_state() {
         Some(CrashReport::VmPanic { message: "stale".into(), pc: Some(55) });
     runtime.paused = true;
     runtime.debug_step_request = true;
+    runtime.frame_start_heap_allocations = 11;
+    runtime.frame_start_string_materializations = 22;
     runtime.needs_prepare_entry_call = true;
 
     runtime.reset(&mut vm);
@@ -518,10 +520,56 @@ fn reset_clears_cartridge_scoped_runtime_state() {
     assert!(runtime.last_crash_report.is_none());
     assert!(!runtime.paused);
     assert!(!runtime.debug_step_request);
+    assert_eq!(runtime.frame_start_heap_allocations, 0);
+    assert_eq!(runtime.frame_start_string_materializations, 0);
     assert!(!runtime.needs_prepare_entry_call);
     assert_eq!(vm.pc(), 0);
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn tick_numeric_happy_path_records_zero_internal_allocations() {
+    let mut runtime = VirtualMachineRuntime::new(None);
+    let mut vm = VirtualMachine::default();
+    let mut hardware = Hardware::new();
+    let signals = InputSignals::default();
+    let code =
+        assemble("PUSH_I32 1\nPUSH_I32 2\nADD\nPOP_N 1\nFRAME_SYNC\nHALT").expect("assemble");
+    let program = serialized_single_function_module(code, vec![]);
+    let cartridge = cartridge_with_program(program, caps::NONE);
+
+    runtime.initialize_vm(&mut vm, &cartridge).expect("runtime must initialize");
+    let report = runtime.tick(&mut vm, &signals, &mut hardware);
+
+    assert!(report.is_none());
+    let snapshot = runtime.atomic_telemetry.snapshot();
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.vm_heap_allocations, 0);
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.vm_string_materializations, 0);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn tick_already_materialized_string_path_records_zero_internal_allocations() {
+    let mut runtime = VirtualMachineRuntime::new(None);
+    let mut vm = VirtualMachine::default();
+    let mut hardware = Hardware::new();
+    let signals = InputSignals::default();
+    let code = assemble("PUSH_CONST 0\nSET_GLOBAL 0\nGET_GLOBAL 0\nPOP_N 1\nFRAME_SYNC\nHALT")
+        .expect("assemble");
+    let program = serialized_single_function_module_with_consts(
+        code,
+        vec![ConstantPoolEntry::String("steady".into())],
+        vec![],
+    );
+    let cartridge = cartridge_with_program(program, caps::NONE);
+
+    runtime.initialize_vm(&mut vm, &cartridge).expect("runtime must initialize");
+    let report = runtime.tick(&mut vm, &signals, &mut hardware);
+
+    assert!(report.is_none());
+    let snapshot = runtime.atomic_telemetry.snapshot();
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.vm_heap_allocations, 0);
+    assert_eq!(snapshot.vm_string_materializations, 0);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn initialize_vm_failure_clears_previous_identity_and_handles() {
     let mut runtime = VirtualMachineRuntime::new(None);

crates/console/prometeu-system/src/virtual_machine_runtime/tick.rs

@@ -7,6 +7,18 @@ use prometeu_vm::LogicalFrameEndingReason;
 use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
 
 impl VirtualMachineRuntime {
+    fn refresh_internal_allocation_telemetry(&self, vm: &VirtualMachine) {
+        let heap_allocations =
+            vm.heap().allocation_count().saturating_sub(self.frame_start_heap_allocations);
+        let string_materializations =
+            string_materialization_count().saturating_sub(self.frame_start_string_materializations);
+
+        self.atomic_telemetry.vm_heap_allocations.store(heap_allocations, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.atomic_telemetry
+            .vm_string_materializations
+            .store(string_materializations, Ordering::Relaxed);
+    }
+
     fn bank_telemetry_summary(
         hw: &dyn HardwareBridge,
     ) -> (BankTelemetry, BankTelemetry, BankTelemetry) {
@@ -94,6 +106,10 @@ impl VirtualMachineRuntime {
             self.atomic_telemetry.cycles_used.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
             self.atomic_telemetry.syscalls.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
             self.atomic_telemetry.vm_steps.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            self.atomic_telemetry.vm_heap_allocations.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            self.atomic_telemetry.vm_string_materializations.store(0, Ordering::Relaxed);
+            self.frame_start_heap_allocations = vm.heap().allocation_count();
+            self.frame_start_string_materializations = string_materialization_count();
         }
 
         let budget = std::cmp::min(Self::SLICE_PER_TICK, self.logical_frame_remaining_cycles);
@@ -177,6 +193,7 @@ impl VirtualMachineRuntime {
                         self.atomic_telemetry
                             .heap_used_bytes
                             .store(vm.heap().used_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed), Ordering::Relaxed);
+                        self.refresh_internal_allocation_telemetry(vm);
                         self.atomic_telemetry
                             .host_cpu_time_us
                             .store(start.elapsed().as_micros() as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -253,6 +270,7 @@ impl VirtualMachineRuntime {
             self.atomic_telemetry
                 .heap_used_bytes
                 .store(vm.heap().used_bytes.load(Ordering::Relaxed), Ordering::Relaxed);
+            self.refresh_internal_allocation_telemetry(vm);
 
             self.atomic_telemetry.frame_index.store(self.logical_frame_index, Ordering::Relaxed);
             self.atomic_telemetry

crates/console/prometeu-vm/src/heap.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use crate::object::{ObjectHeader, ObjectKind};
 use prometeu_bytecode::{HeapRef, Value};
 
 use std::sync::Arc;
-use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, AtomicUsize, Ordering};
 
 /// Internal stored object: header plus opaque payload bytes.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
@@ -79,6 +79,8 @@ pub struct Heap {
 
     /// Total bytes currently used by all objects in the heap.
     pub used_bytes: Arc<AtomicUsize>,
+    /// Monotonic count of heap allocation events for internal engineering telemetry.
+    pub allocation_count: Arc<AtomicU64>,
 }
 
 impl Heap {
@@ -87,11 +89,13 @@ impl Heap {
             objects: Vec::new(),
             free_list: Vec::new(),
             used_bytes: Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0)),
+            allocation_count: Arc::new(AtomicU64::new(0)),
         }
     }
 
     fn insert_object(&mut self, obj: StoredObject) -> HeapRef {
         self.used_bytes.fetch_add(obj.bytes(), Ordering::Relaxed);
+        self.allocation_count.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
         if let Some(idx) = self.free_list.pop() {
             debug_assert!(self.objects.get(idx).is_some_and(|slot| slot.is_none()));
             self.objects[idx] = Some(obj);
@@ -411,6 +415,10 @@ impl Heap {
         self.objects.iter().filter(|s| s.is_some()).count()
     }
 
+    pub fn allocation_count(&self) -> u64 {
+        self.allocation_count.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
+    }
+
     /// Enumerate handles of coroutines that are currently suspended (i.e., not running):
     /// Ready or Sleeping. These must be treated as GC roots by the runtime so their
     /// stacks/frames are scanned during mark.

crates/console/prometeu-vm/src/virtual_machine.rs

@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ impl VirtualMachine {
                     let mut out = String::with_capacity(a.string_len_hint() + b.string_len_hint());
                     a.append_to_string(&mut out);
                     b.append_to_string(&mut out);
-                    Ok(Value::String(out.into()))
+                    Ok(Value::string(out))
                 }
                 (Value::Int32(a), Value::Int32(b)) => Ok(Value::Int32(a.wrapping_add(*b))),
                 (Value::Int64(a), Value::Int64(b)) => Ok(Value::Int64(a.wrapping_add(*b))),

discussion/index.ndjson

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0026","status":"done","ticket":"render-all-scene-cache-and-camera-integration","title":"Integrate render_all with Scene Cache and Camera","created_at":"2026-04-14","updated_at":"2026-04-18","tags":["gfx","runtime","render","camera","scene"],"agendas":[],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0031","file":"lessons/DSC-0026-render-all-scene-cache-and-camera-integration/LSN-0031-frame-composition-belongs-above-the-render-backend.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-18","updated_at":"2026-04-18"}]}
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0027","status":"done","ticket":"frame-composer-public-syscall-surface","title":"Agenda - FrameComposer Public Syscall Surface","created_at":"2026-04-17","updated_at":"2026-04-18","tags":["gfx","runtime","syscall","abi","frame-composer","scene","camera","sprites"],"agendas":[],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0032","file":"lessons/DSC-0027-frame-composer-public-syscall-surface/LSN-0032-public-abi-must-follow-the-canonical-service-boundary.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-18","updated_at":"2026-04-18"}]}
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0028","status":"done","ticket":"deferred-overlay-and-primitive-composition","title":"Deferred Overlay and Primitive Composition over FrameComposer","created_at":"2026-04-18","updated_at":"2026-04-18","tags":["gfx","runtime","render","frame-composer","overlay","primitives","hud"],"agendas":[],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0033","file":"lessons/DSC-0028-deferred-overlay-and-primitive-composition/LSN-0033-debug-primitives-should-be-a-final-overlay-not-part-of-game-composition.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-18","updated_at":"2026-04-18"}]}
-{"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0014","status":"in_progress","ticket":"perf-vm-allocation-and-copy-pressure","title":"Agenda - [PERF] VM Allocation and Copy Pressure","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-20","tags":[],"agendas":[{"id":"AGD-0013","file":"workflow/agendas/AGD-0013-perf-vm-allocation-and-copy-pressure.md","status":"accepted","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-20","_override_reason":"User explicitly requested emitting a decision from the resolved agenda in this turn."}],"decisions":[{"id":"DEC-0018","file":"workflow/decisions/DEC-0018-vm-allocation-and-copy-pressure-baseline.md","status":"in_progress","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_agenda":"AGD-0013","_override_reason":"User explicitly requested emitting and then accepting the decision, followed by plan generation."}],"plans":[{"id":"PLN-0033","file":"PLN-0033-vm-hot-path-ownership-and-string-copy-pressure.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_decisions":["DEC-0018"]},{"id":"PLN-0034","file":"PLN-0034-internal-allocation-evidence-and-hot-path-measurement.md","status":"review","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_decisions":["DEC-0018"]},{"id":"PLN-0035","file":"PLN-0035-runtime-spec-wording-for-materialization-vs-copy-pressure.md","status":"review","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_decisions":["DEC-0018"]}],"lessons":[]}
+{"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0014","status":"in_progress","ticket":"perf-vm-allocation-and-copy-pressure","title":"Agenda - [PERF] VM Allocation and Copy Pressure","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-20","tags":[],"agendas":[{"id":"AGD-0013","file":"workflow/agendas/AGD-0013-perf-vm-allocation-and-copy-pressure.md","status":"accepted","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-20","_override_reason":"User explicitly requested emitting a decision from the resolved agenda in this turn."}],"decisions":[{"id":"DEC-0018","file":"workflow/decisions/DEC-0018-vm-allocation-and-copy-pressure-baseline.md","status":"in_progress","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_agenda":"AGD-0013","_override_reason":"User explicitly requested emitting and then accepting the decision, followed by plan generation."}],"plans":[{"id":"PLN-0033","file":"PLN-0033-vm-hot-path-ownership-and-string-copy-pressure.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_decisions":["DEC-0018"]},{"id":"PLN-0034","file":"PLN-0034-internal-allocation-evidence-and-hot-path-measurement.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_decisions":["DEC-0018"]},{"id":"PLN-0035","file":"PLN-0035-runtime-spec-wording-for-materialization-vs-copy-pressure.md","status":"review","created_at":"2026-04-20","updated_at":"2026-04-20","ref_decisions":["DEC-0018"]}],"lessons":[]}
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0015","status":"open","ticket":"perf-cartridge-boot-and-program-ownership","title":"Agenda - [PERF] Cartridge Boot and Program Ownership","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-03-27","tags":[],"agendas":[{"id":"AGD-0014","file":"workflow/agendas/AGD-0014-perf-cartridge-boot-and-program-ownership.md","status":"open","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-03-27"}],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[]}
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0016","status":"done","ticket":"tilemap-empty-cell-vs-tile-id-zero","title":"Tilemap Empty Cell vs Tile ID Zero","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-09","tags":[],"agendas":[{"id":"AGD-0015","file":"workflow/agendas/AGD-0015-tilemap-empty-cell-vs-tile-id-zero.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-09"}],"decisions":[],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0022","file":"lessons/DSC-0016-tilemap-empty-cell-semantics/LSN-0022-tilemap-empty-cell-convergence.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-09","updated_at":"2026-04-09"}]}
 {"type":"discussion","id":"DSC-0017","status":"done","ticket":"asset-entry-metadata-normalization-contract","title":"Asset Entry Metadata Normalization Contract","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-09","tags":[],"agendas":[{"id":"AGD-0016","file":"workflow/agendas/AGD-0016-asset-entry-metadata-normalization-contract.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-03-27","updated_at":"2026-04-09"}],"decisions":[{"id":"DEC-0004","file":"workflow/decisions/DEC-0004-asset-entry-metadata-normalization-contract.md","status":"accepted","created_at":"2026-04-09","updated_at":"2026-04-09"}],"plans":[],"lessons":[{"id":"LSN-0023","file":"lessons/DSC-0017-asset-metadata-normalization/LSN-0023-typed-asset-metadata-helpers.md","status":"done","created_at":"2026-04-09","updated_at":"2026-04-09"}]}

discussion/workflow/plans/PLN-0034-internal-allocation-evidence-and-hot-path-measurement.md

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 id: PLN-0034
 ticket: perf-vm-allocation-and-copy-pressure
 title: Plan - Internal Allocation Evidence and Hot Path Measurement
-status: review
+status: done
 created: 2026-04-20
-completed:
+completed: 2026-04-20
 tags: [perf, runtime, telemetry, allocation, engineering]
 ---