diff --git a/infra/grafana/dashboards/llm.json b/infra/grafana/dashboards/llm.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b96c971
--- /dev/null
+++ b/infra/grafana/dashboards/llm.json
@@ -0,0 +1,256 @@
+{
+  "title": "LLM service",
+  "uid": "llm",
+  "tags": [
+    "homelab",
+    "stack"
+  ],
+  "timezone": "browser",
+  "schemaVersion": 39,
+  "time": {
+    "from": "now-6h",
+    "to": "now"
+  },
+  "refresh": "30s",
+  "panels": [
+    {
+      "id": 1,
+      "title": "HTTP request rate (status)",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 0,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (status) (rate(stack_http_server_requests_total{service_name=\"llm\"}[1m]))",
+          "legendFormat": "{{status}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 2,
+      "title": "Chat answers by outcome",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 12,
+        "y": 0,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (outcome) (rate(stack_llm_chat_total[5m]))",
+          "legendFormat": "{{outcome}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 3,
+      "title": "Dispatch rate per host",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 8,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (host, kind) (rate(stack_llm_dispatch_total[5m]))",
+          "legendFormat": "{{host}} {{kind}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 4,
+      "title": "In-flight requests per host",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 12,
+        "y": 8,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (host) (stack_llm_inflight)",
+          "legendFormat": "{{host}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 5,
+      "title": "Dispatch latency p50/p95 (host, kind)",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 16,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "fieldConfig": {
+        "defaults": {
+          "unit": "s"
+        },
+        "overrides": []
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "histogram_quantile(0.50, sum by (le, host, kind) (rate(stack_llm_dispatch_seconds_bucket[5m])))",
+          "legendFormat": "p50 {{host}} {{kind}}"
+        },
+        {
+          "expr": "histogram_quantile(0.95, sum by (le, host, kind) (rate(stack_llm_dispatch_seconds_bucket[5m])))",
+          "legendFormat": "p95 {{host}} {{kind}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 6,
+      "title": "Chat latency by stage (p50/p95)",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 12,
+        "y": 16,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "fieldConfig": {
+        "defaults": {
+          "unit": "s"
+        },
+        "overrides": []
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "histogram_quantile(0.50, sum by (le, stage) (rate(stack_llm_chat_seconds_bucket[5m])))",
+          "legendFormat": "p50 {{stage}}"
+        },
+        {
+          "expr": "histogram_quantile(0.95, sum by (le, stage) (rate(stack_llm_chat_seconds_bucket[5m])))",
+          "legendFormat": "p95 {{stage}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 7,
+      "title": "Embedding throughput per host (texts/s)",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 24,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (host) (rate(stack_llm_embedded_texts_total[5m]))",
+          "legendFormat": "{{host}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 8,
+      "title": "Chat tokens by direction",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 12,
+        "y": 24,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (direction) (rate(stack_llm_chat_tokens_total[5m]))",
+          "legendFormat": "{{direction}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 9,
+      "title": "Indexed chunks per collection",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 32,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (collection) (rate(stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total[5m]))",
+          "legendFormat": "{{collection}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 10,
+      "title": "Indexed items (indexed vs skipped)",
+      "type": "timeseries",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 12,
+        "y": 32,
+        "w": 12,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "prometheus"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "sum by (collection, outcome) (rate(stack_llm_indexed_items_total[5m]))",
+          "legendFormat": "{{collection}} {{outcome}}"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "id": 11,
+      "title": "LLM service log tail",
+      "type": "logs",
+      "gridPos": {
+        "x": 0,
+        "y": 40,
+        "w": 24,
+        "h": 8
+      },
+      "datasource": {
+        "uid": "loki"
+      },
+      "targets": [
+        {
+          "expr": "{container=\"llm\"}"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/src/llm/index.py b/src/llm/index.py
index c704615..45bf64e 100644
--- a/src/llm/index.py
+++ b/src/llm/index.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import create_engine, text
 from sqlalchemy.engine import Engine
 from sqlalchemy.exc import ProgrammingError
 
+from llm import metrics
 from llm.chunk import Doc, chunk_doc, content_hash
 from llm.config import LlmConfig, pg_url
 from llm.migrate import ensure_hnsw, migrate
@@ -198,6 +199,7 @@ def index_refs(
 
     def _unindexable(ref: DocRef) -> None:
         stats["skipped"] += 1
+        metrics.indexed_item(collection, "skipped")
         if ref.docket:
             unindexable[ref.docket] = unindexable.get(ref.docket, 0) + 1
 
@@ -207,11 +209,13 @@ def index_refs(
         prev_hash, prev_fp = seen.get(ref.key, ("", ""))
         if not force and ref.fingerprint and ref.fingerprint == prev_fp:
             stats["fingerprint_skipped"] += 1
+            metrics.indexed_item(collection, "skipped")
             continue
         doc = ref.load()
         if doc is None or not doc.text.strip():
             _record_state(engine, ref.key, collection, "", 0, ref.fingerprint)
             stats["skipped"] += 1
+            metrics.indexed_item(collection, "skipped")
             continue
         h = content_hash(doc.text)
         if not force and prev_hash == h:
@@ -224,6 +228,7 @@ def index_refs(
                     {"f": ref.fingerprint, "k": ref.key, "c": collection},
                 )
             stats["hash_skipped"] += 1
+            metrics.indexed_item(collection, "skipped")
             continue
         chunks = enrich_pdf_pages(doc, chunk_doc(doc, code_index=code_index))
         if not chunks:
@@ -240,6 +245,7 @@ def index_refs(
         _record_state(engine, ref.key, collection, h, len(chunks), ref.fingerprint)
         stats["indexed"] += 1
         stats["chunks"] += len(chunks)
+        metrics.indexed_item(collection, "indexed", len(chunks))
         # needs 100+ docs in one run to hit this line
         if stats["indexed"] % 100 == 0:
             log.info("indexed %(indexed)s (+%(chunks)s)", stats)  # pragma: no cover
diff --git a/src/llm/metrics.py b/src/llm/metrics.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf3036d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/llm/metrics.py
@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+"""OpenTelemetry metric instruments for the llm service (#579).
+
+Follows the P26 pipeline-telemetry convention: ``perf.meter`` hands back
+a real OTel meter when telemetry is enabled and a zero-overhead
+``MockMeter`` when it is not, so every call site here is free in tests
+and in a container started without ``STACK_TELEMETRY``.
+
+Instruments (all exported as ``stack_llm_…``)::
+
+    stack_llm_dispatch_total{host,kind}        host slots handed out
+    stack_llm_inflight{host}                   slots held right now
+    stack_llm_dispatch_seconds{host,kind}      how long a slot was held
+    stack_llm_embedded_texts_total{host}       texts embedded
+    stack_llm_embed_batch_seconds{host}        one /api/embed round trip
+    stack_llm_chat_seconds{stage}              retrieve / generate
+    stack_llm_chat_total{outcome}              ok / error
+    stack_llm_chat_tokens_total{direction}     prompt / completion
+    stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total{collection} chunks written to pgvector
+    stack_llm_indexed_items_total{collection,outcome}
+
+Attribute values are deliberately closed sets — host, kind, stage,
+outcome, collection — never item keys, dockets or question text, so the
+time series count stays bounded.
+
+The tagging chain (#575) does not exist yet, so tag throughput and
+abstain rate are not instrumented here; they belong with that module.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import threading
+import time
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from typing import Any, Iterator
+
+#: Instrumentation scope, mirroring ``perf.collector``'s "stack.pipeline".
+METER_NAME = "stack.llm"
+
+_instruments: "_Instruments | None" = None
+#: ``embed_texts`` fans batches across a thread pool, so first use can be
+#: concurrent — build the instrument set exactly once all the same.
+_build_lock = threading.Lock()
+
+
+class _Instruments:
+    """The service's instrument set, built once on first use."""
+
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        from perf import meter
+
+        m: Any = meter(METER_NAME)
+        self.dispatch_total = m.create_counter(
+            "stack_llm_dispatch_total",
+            unit="1",
+            description="Ollama host slots handed out by the pool",
+        )
+        self.inflight = m.create_up_down_counter(
+            "stack_llm_inflight",
+            unit="1",
+            description="Requests currently holding an Ollama host slot",
+        )
+        self.dispatch_seconds = m.create_histogram(
+            "stack_llm_dispatch_seconds",
+            unit="s",
+            description="Time a request held an Ollama host slot",
+        )
+        self.embedded_texts_total = m.create_counter(
+            "stack_llm_embedded_texts_total",
+            unit="1",
+            description="Texts embedded through the host pool",
+        )
+        self.embed_batch_seconds = m.create_histogram(
+            "stack_llm_embed_batch_seconds",
+            unit="s",
+            description="Latency of one /api/embed batch",
+        )
+        self.chat_seconds = m.create_histogram(
+            "stack_llm_chat_seconds",
+            unit="s",
+            description="Chat answer latency by stage",
+        )
+        self.chat_total = m.create_counter(
+            "stack_llm_chat_total",
+            unit="1",
+            description="Chat answers by outcome",
+        )
+        self.chat_tokens_total = m.create_counter(
+            "stack_llm_chat_tokens_total",
+            unit="1",
+            description="Chat tokens reported by Ollama, by direction",
+        )
+        self.indexed_chunks_total = m.create_counter(
+            "stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total",
+            unit="1",
+            description="Chunks written to pgvector by the indexer",
+        )
+        self.indexed_items_total = m.create_counter(
+            "stack_llm_indexed_items_total",
+            unit="1",
+            description="Items the indexer embedded or skipped",
+        )
+
+
+def instruments() -> _Instruments:
+    """The cached instrument set (created on first call)."""
+    global _instruments
+    if _instruments is None:
+        with _build_lock:
+            if _instruments is None:
+                _instruments = _Instruments()
+    return _instruments
+
+
+def reset() -> None:
+    """Drop the cached instruments so the next call rebuilds them.
+
+    Only tests need this — they patch ``perf.meter`` and then want the
+    instruments built against the patched meter.
+    """
+    global _instruments
+    _instruments = None
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def dispatch(host: str, kind: str) -> Iterator[None]:
+    """Count and time one held pool slot on *host* (``embed``/``generate``)."""
+    i = instruments()
+    slot = {"host": host, "kind": kind}
+    i.dispatch_total.add(1, slot)
+    i.inflight.add(1, {"host": host})
+    started = time.monotonic()
+    try:
+        yield
+    finally:
+        i.inflight.add(-1, {"host": host})
+        i.dispatch_seconds.record(time.monotonic() - started, slot)
+
+
+def embedded(host: str, texts: int, seconds: float) -> None:
+    """Record one finished embed batch of *texts* items on *host*."""
+    i = instruments()
+    i.embedded_texts_total.add(texts, {"host": host})
+    i.embed_batch_seconds.record(seconds, {"host": host})
+
+
+def chat_stage(stage: str, seconds: float) -> None:
+    """Record the duration of a chat *stage* (``retrieve``/``generate``)."""
+    instruments().chat_seconds.record(seconds, {"stage": stage})
+
+
+def chat_outcome(outcome: str) -> None:
+    """Count one finished chat answer (``ok``/``error``)."""
+    instruments().chat_total.add(1, {"outcome": outcome})
+
+
+def chat_tokens(prompt: int, completion: int) -> None:
+    """Count the tokens Ollama reported for one answer.
+
+    Either count is absent on a host/model that does not report it; a
+    zero is not recorded rather than being counted as a real zero.
+    """
+    i = instruments()
+    if prompt:
+        i.chat_tokens_total.add(prompt, {"direction": "prompt"})
+    if completion:
+        i.chat_tokens_total.add(completion, {"direction": "completion"})
+
+
+def indexed_item(collection: str, outcome: str, chunks: int = 0) -> None:
+    """Count one item the indexer finished (``indexed``/``skipped``)."""
+    i = instruments()
+    i.indexed_items_total.add(1, {"collection": collection, "outcome": outcome})
+    if chunks:
+        i.indexed_chunks_total.add(chunks, {"collection": collection})
diff --git a/src/llm/pool.py b/src/llm/pool.py
index 69dd719..ff34ed6 100644
--- a/src/llm/pool.py
+++ b/src/llm/pool.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ stay least-loaded (``acquire``).
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import threading
+import time
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from typing import Iterator, Mapping, Sequence
@@ -21,6 +22,8 @@ from typing import Iterator, Mapping, Sequence
 import httpx
 from langchain_core.embeddings import Embeddings
 
+from llm import metrics
+
 _TIMEOUT = httpx.Timeout(120.0, connect=5.0)
 
 
@@ -111,7 +114,8 @@ class HostPool:
             host = min(self._in_flight, key=self._in_flight.__getitem__)
             self._in_flight[host] += 1
         try:
-            yield host
+            with metrics.dispatch(host, "embed"):
+                yield host
         finally:
             self._release(host)
 
@@ -129,7 +133,8 @@ class HostPool:
             )
             self._in_flight[host] += 1
         try:
-            yield host
+            with metrics.dispatch(host, "generate"):
+                yield host
         finally:
             self._release(host)
 
@@ -162,11 +167,13 @@ def embed_texts(
 
     def run(start: int, batch: list[str]) -> None:
         with pool.acquire() as host, httpx.Client(timeout=_TIMEOUT) as client:
+            began = time.monotonic()
             resp = client.post(
                 f"{host}/api/embed", json={"model": model, "input": batch}
             )
             resp.raise_for_status()
             results[start] = resp.json()["embeddings"]
+            metrics.embedded(host, len(batch), time.monotonic() - began)
 
     workers = max(1, min(len(pool.hosts) * 2, len(batches)))
     with ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=workers) as ex:
diff --git a/src/llm/rag.py b/src/llm/rag.py
index ea64108..283e397 100644
--- a/src/llm/rag.py
+++ b/src/llm/rag.py
@@ -27,12 +27,14 @@ import logging
 import os
 import re
 import threading
+import time
 from dataclasses import replace
 from datetime import date
 from typing import Iterator, Sequence
 
 import httpx
 
+from llm import metrics
 from llm.config import LlmConfig
 from llm.evidence import (
     ValuationEvidence,
@@ -633,7 +635,29 @@ def stream_answer(
     then one ``{"type":"sources", "sources": […], "model": …, "host":
     …, "mode": "timeline"|"recent"}`` (the resolved mode) and a final
     ``{"type":"done"}``.
+
+    Instrumented (#579): ``stack_llm_chat_total{outcome}`` counts each
+    answer once, ``ok`` or ``error``; the retrieve/generate stage split
+    and the token counts are recorded by ``_stream_answer``.
     """
+    try:
+        yield from _stream_answer(question, cfg=cfg, pool=pool, since=since, mode=mode)
+    except Exception:
+        metrics.chat_outcome("error")
+        raise
+    metrics.chat_outcome("ok")
+
+
+def _stream_answer(
+    question: str,
+    *,
+    cfg: LlmConfig,
+    pool: HostPool,
+    since: str = "",
+    mode: str = "auto",
+) -> Iterator[dict]:
+    """The answer stream itself; ``stream_answer`` wraps it."""
+    began = time.monotonic()
     resolved_mode = _resolve_mode(question, mode)
     # Detection first: a detected family's acronym conflicts (CCM = chronic
     # care management here, cardiac contractility modulation in the CY2027
@@ -715,6 +739,7 @@ def stream_answer(
         yield lineage.payload()
     if evidence is not None:
         yield evidence.payload()
+    metrics.chat_stage("retrieve", time.monotonic() - began)
     pool.check(cfg.instruct_model)
     messages = build_messages(
         question,
@@ -727,6 +752,7 @@ def stream_answer(
         n_manual=n_manual,
         budget_chars=cfg.chat_num_ctx * 3,
     )
+    began = time.monotonic()
     with pool.acquire_generation() as host, httpx.Client(timeout=_TIMEOUT) as client:
         model = pick_model(cfg, pool, host)
         with client.stream(
@@ -752,7 +778,14 @@ def stream_answer(
                 if chunk:
                     yield {"type": "token", "text": chunk}
                 if data.get("done"):
+                    # Ollama reports its token counts on the final frame;
+                    # older hosts/models omit them (chat_tokens skips 0).
+                    metrics.chat_tokens(
+                        int(data.get("prompt_eval_count") or 0),
+                        int(data.get("eval_count") or 0),
+                    )
                     break
+    metrics.chat_stage("generate", time.monotonic() - began)
     yield {
         "type": "sources",
         "sources": sources,
diff --git a/tests/llm/test_metrics.py b/tests/llm/test_metrics.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a4c7c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/llm/test_metrics.py
@@ -0,0 +1,408 @@
+"""llm.metrics — OTel instruments for dispatch, embeddings, chat, indexing.
+
+Two halves: with ``perf.meter`` patched to a recording fake (so the
+instrument names and attributes are asserted exactly), and against the
+real ``perf`` no-op ``MockMeter`` that every test run gets with
+telemetry disabled — the call sites must be inert, not merely quiet.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
+
+import pytest
+
+from llm import metrics
+from llm.config import LlmConfig
+from llm.pool import HostPool, embed_texts
+
+CFG = LlmConfig(
+    ollama_hosts=("http://h1:11434",),
+    host_vram={"http://h1:11434": 24},
+    embed_model="embed",
+    instruct_model="chat",
+    instruct_model_large="big",
+    embed_dim=768,
+    pg_host="x",
+    pg_port=5432,
+    pg_db="llm",
+    pg_user="llm",
+    build_ann_index=False,
+    top_n=3,
+)
+H1 = "http://h1:11434"
+H2 = "http://h2:11434"
+
+
+class FakeInstrument:
+    """Records every ``add``/``record`` call as (amount, attributes)."""
+
+    def __init__(self, name: str, kind: str) -> None:
+        self.name = name
+        self.kind = kind
+        self.calls: list[tuple[float, dict]] = []
+
+    def add(self, amount, attributes=None):
+        self.calls.append((amount, dict(attributes or {})))
+
+    def record(self, amount, attributes=None):
+        self.calls.append((amount, dict(attributes or {})))
+
+
+class FakeMeter:
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.name = ""
+        self.instruments: dict[str, FakeInstrument] = {}
+
+    def _make(self, name, kind):
+        self.instruments[name] = FakeInstrument(name, kind)
+        return self.instruments[name]
+
+    def create_counter(self, name, **kw):
+        return self._make(name, "counter")
+
+    def create_histogram(self, name, **kw):
+        return self._make(name, "histogram")
+
+    def create_up_down_counter(self, name, **kw):
+        return self._make(name, "up_down_counter")
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def fake_meter():
+    """Build the instrument set against a recording meter."""
+    meter = FakeMeter()
+
+    def _meter(name):
+        meter.name = name
+        return meter
+
+    metrics.reset()
+    with patch("perf.meter", _meter):
+        metrics.instruments()
+        yield meter
+    metrics.reset()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def _reset_instruments():
+    """No test may inherit another's cached instrument set."""
+    metrics.reset()
+    yield
+    metrics.reset()
+
+
+def _calls(meter: FakeMeter, name: str) -> list[tuple[float, dict]]:
+    return meter.instruments[name].calls
+
+
+class TestInstrumentSet:
+    def test_names_and_kinds(self, fake_meter):
+        assert {n: i.kind for n, i in fake_meter.instruments.items()} == {
+            "stack_llm_dispatch_total": "counter",
+            "stack_llm_inflight": "up_down_counter",
+            "stack_llm_dispatch_seconds": "histogram",
+            "stack_llm_embedded_texts_total": "counter",
+            "stack_llm_embed_batch_seconds": "histogram",
+            "stack_llm_chat_seconds": "histogram",
+            "stack_llm_chat_total": "counter",
+            "stack_llm_chat_tokens_total": "counter",
+            "stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total": "counter",
+            "stack_llm_indexed_items_total": "counter",
+        }
+
+    def test_meter_scope(self, fake_meter):
+        assert fake_meter.name == "stack.llm"
+
+    def test_instruments_built_once(self, fake_meter):
+        first = metrics.instruments()
+        assert metrics.instruments() is first
+        assert len(fake_meter.instruments) == 10
+
+    def test_reset_rebuilds(self, fake_meter):
+        first = metrics.instruments()
+        metrics.reset()
+        with patch("perf.meter", lambda name: fake_meter):
+            assert metrics.instruments() is not first
+
+
+class TestHelpers:
+    def test_dispatch_counts_times_and_balances_inflight(self, fake_meter):
+        with metrics.dispatch(H1, "embed"):
+            held = list(_calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_inflight"))
+        assert held == [(1, {"host": H1})]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_dispatch_total") == [
+            (1, {"host": H1, "kind": "embed"})
+        ]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_inflight") == [
+            (1, {"host": H1}),
+            (-1, {"host": H1}),
+        ]
+        (seconds, attrs) = _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_dispatch_seconds")[0]
+        assert seconds >= 0
+        assert attrs == {"host": H1, "kind": "embed"}
+
+    def test_dispatch_releases_inflight_on_error(self, fake_meter):
+        with pytest.raises(RuntimeError):
+            with metrics.dispatch(H2, "generate"):
+                raise RuntimeError("boom")
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_inflight")[-1] == (-1, {"host": H2})
+        assert len(_calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_dispatch_seconds")) == 1
+
+    def test_embedded(self, fake_meter):
+        metrics.embedded(H1, 64, 1.5)
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_embedded_texts_total") == [
+            (64, {"host": H1})
+        ]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_embed_batch_seconds") == [
+            (1.5, {"host": H1})
+        ]
+
+    def test_chat_stage_and_outcome(self, fake_meter):
+        metrics.chat_stage("retrieve", 0.25)
+        metrics.chat_outcome("ok")
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_seconds") == [
+            (0.25, {"stage": "retrieve"})
+        ]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_total") == [(1, {"outcome": "ok"})]
+
+    def test_chat_tokens_both_directions(self, fake_meter):
+        metrics.chat_tokens(120, 40)
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_tokens_total") == [
+            (120, {"direction": "prompt"}),
+            (40, {"direction": "completion"}),
+        ]
+
+    def test_chat_tokens_skips_zero(self, fake_meter):
+        metrics.chat_tokens(0, 0)
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_tokens_total") == []
+
+    def test_indexed_item_with_chunks(self, fake_meter):
+        metrics.indexed_item("comments", "indexed", 7)
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_indexed_items_total") == [
+            (1, {"collection": "comments", "outcome": "indexed"})
+        ]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total") == [
+            (7, {"collection": "comments"})
+        ]
+
+    def test_indexed_item_skipped_records_no_chunks(self, fake_meter):
+        metrics.indexed_item("rules", "skipped")
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_indexed_items_total") == [
+            (1, {"collection": "rules", "outcome": "skipped"})
+        ]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total") == []
+
+
+class TestPool:
+    def test_acquire_dispatches_as_embed(self, fake_meter):
+        with HostPool([H1]).acquire() as host:
+            assert host == H1
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_dispatch_total") == [
+            (1, {"host": H1, "kind": "embed"})
+        ]
+
+    def test_acquire_generation_dispatches_as_generate(self, fake_meter):
+        with HostPool([H1, H2], vram_gb={H2: 24.0}).acquire_generation() as host:
+            assert host == H2
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_dispatch_total") == [
+            (1, {"host": H2, "kind": "generate"})
+        ]
+
+    @patch("llm.pool.httpx.Client")
+    def test_embed_texts_counts_texts_per_host(self, MockClient, fake_meter):
+        resp = MagicMock()
+        resp.json.return_value = {"embeddings": [[0.1], [0.2]]}
+        MockClient.return_value.__enter__.return_value.post.return_value = resp
+
+        out = embed_texts(HostPool([H1]), "embed", ["a", "b"], batch_size=2)
+
+        assert out == [[0.1], [0.2]]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_embedded_texts_total") == [
+            (2, {"host": H1})
+        ]
+        (seconds, attrs) = _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_embed_batch_seconds")[0]
+        assert seconds >= 0
+        assert attrs == {"host": H1}
+
+
+def _pool_mock():
+    pool = MagicMock()
+    pool.acquire_generation.return_value.__enter__.return_value = H1
+    pool.vram.return_value = 24.0
+    pool.serves.return_value = True
+    return pool
+
+
+def _stream(MockClient, lines):
+    client = MockClient.return_value.__enter__.return_value
+    resp = client.stream.return_value.__enter__.return_value
+    resp.iter_lines.return_value = iter(lines)
+    return resp
+
+
+class TestChat:
+    @patch("llm.rag.valuation_evidence", return_value=None)
+    @patch("llm.rag.lineage_evidence", return_value=None)
+    @patch("llm.rag.httpx.Client")
+    @patch("llm.rag.retrieve", return_value=[])
+    def test_ok_records_stages_outcome_and_tokens(
+        self, _retrieve, MockClient, _lin, _ev, fake_meter
+    ):
+        from llm.rag import stream_answer
+
+        _stream(
+            MockClient,
+            [
+                '{"message":{"content":"hi"},"done":false}',
+                '{"message":{"content":""},"done":true,'
+                '"prompt_eval_count":120,"eval_count":40}',
+            ],
+        )
+
+        events = list(stream_answer("q", cfg=CFG, pool=_pool_mock()))
+
+        assert events[-1] == {"type": "done"}
+        assert [
+            a[1]["stage"] for a in _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_seconds")
+        ] == [
+            "retrieve",
+            "generate",
+        ]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_total") == [(1, {"outcome": "ok"})]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_tokens_total") == [
+            (120, {"direction": "prompt"}),
+            (40, {"direction": "completion"}),
+        ]
+
+    @patch("llm.rag.valuation_evidence", return_value=None)
+    @patch("llm.rag.lineage_evidence", return_value=None)
+    @patch("llm.rag.httpx.Client")
+    @patch("llm.rag.retrieve", return_value=[])
+    def test_missing_token_counts_are_not_recorded(
+        self, _retrieve, MockClient, _lin, _ev, fake_meter
+    ):
+        from llm.rag import stream_answer
+
+        _stream(MockClient, ['{"message":{"content":""},"done":true}'])
+        list(stream_answer("q", cfg=CFG, pool=_pool_mock()))
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_tokens_total") == []
+
+    @patch("llm.rag.valuation_evidence", return_value=None)
+    @patch("llm.rag.lineage_evidence", return_value=None)
+    @patch("llm.rag.httpx.Client")
+    @patch("llm.rag.retrieve", return_value=[])
+    def test_error_outcome_and_no_generate_stage(
+        self, _retrieve, MockClient, _lin, _ev, fake_meter
+    ):
+        from llm.rag import stream_answer
+
+        resp = _stream(MockClient, [])
+        resp.raise_for_status.side_effect = RuntimeError("ollama down")
+
+        with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="ollama down"):
+            list(stream_answer("q", cfg=CFG, pool=_pool_mock()))
+
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_total") == [(1, {"outcome": "error"})]
+        stages = [a[1]["stage"] for a in _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_chat_seconds")]
+        assert stages == ["retrieve"]
+
+
+class TestIndexer:
+    def _run(self, refs, state_rows, fake_meter):
+        from llm.index import index_refs
+
+        engine = MagicMock()
+        conn = engine.begin.return_value.__enter__.return_value
+
+        def fake_execute(clause, *a, **k):
+            r = MagicMock()
+            sql = str(clause)
+            r.fetchall.return_value = state_rows if "FROM index_state" in sql else []
+            return r
+
+        conn.execute.side_effect = fake_execute
+        with (
+            patch("llm.index.migrate"),
+            patch("llm.index.vectorstore", return_value=MagicMock()),
+            patch("llm.index._code_index", return_value={}),
+            patch("llm.index.embed_texts", return_value=[[0.1]]),
+            patch("llm.index.enrich_pdf_pages", side_effect=lambda doc, chunks: chunks),
+        ):
+            return index_refs(
+                refs,
+                collection="comments",
+                cfg=CFG,
+                pool=MagicMock(),
+                engine=engine,
+            )
+
+    def _ref(self, key, fingerprint, doc):
+        from llm.source import DocRef
+
+        return DocRef(
+            key=key,
+            collection="comments",
+            docket="D",
+            fingerprint=fingerprint,
+            load=lambda: doc,
+        )
+
+    def test_indexed_and_skipped_items(self, fake_meter):
+        from llm.chunk import Doc, content_hash
+
+        body = Doc(key="K1", text="Some body text.", metadata={"docket": "D"})
+        same = Doc(key="K2", text="Unchanged text.", metadata={"docket": "D"})
+        blank = Doc(key="K3", text="   ", metadata={"docket": "D"})
+        stats = self._run(
+            [
+                self._ref("K1", "fp-new", body),
+                self._ref("K2", "fp-changed", same),
+                self._ref("K3", "fp-blank", blank),
+                self._ref("K4", "fp-old", body),
+            ],
+            [("K2", content_hash(same.text), "fp-stale"), ("K4", "h", "fp-old")],
+            fake_meter,
+        )
+
+        assert (stats["indexed"], stats["chunks"]) == (1, 1)
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_indexed_items_total") == [
+            (1, {"collection": "comments", "outcome": "indexed"}),
+            (1, {"collection": "comments", "outcome": "skipped"}),
+            (1, {"collection": "comments", "outcome": "skipped"}),
+            (1, {"collection": "comments", "outcome": "skipped"}),
+        ]
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total") == [
+            (1, {"collection": "comments"})
+        ]
+
+    def test_unindexable_ref_counts_skipped(self, fake_meter):
+        from llm.chunk import Doc
+
+        doc = Doc(key="K9", text="text that chunks to nothing", metadata={})
+        with patch("llm.index.chunk_doc", return_value=[]):
+            stats = self._run([self._ref("K9", "fp", doc)], [], fake_meter)
+        assert stats["skipped"] == 1
+        assert _calls(fake_meter, "stack_llm_indexed_items_total") == [
+            (1, {"collection": "comments", "outcome": "skipped"})
+        ]
+
+
+class TestNoopMeter:
+    """Telemetry is disabled in CI — the real ``perf`` mock must absorb
+    every call without the caller noticing."""
+
+    def test_every_helper_is_inert(self, monkeypatch):
+        monkeypatch.setenv("STACK_TELEMETRY", "false")
+        from perf import meter
+        from perf._meter import MockMeter, _MockInstrument
+
+        assert isinstance(meter(metrics.METER_NAME), MockMeter)
+        assert isinstance(metrics.instruments().dispatch_total, _MockInstrument)
+        with metrics.dispatch(H1, "embed"):
+            pass
+        metrics.embedded(H1, 3, 0.1)
+        metrics.chat_stage("generate", 0.2)
+        metrics.chat_outcome("ok")
+        metrics.chat_tokens(1, 2)
+        metrics.indexed_item("rules", "indexed", 4)
diff --git a/tests/test_observability.py b/tests/test_observability.py
index 7afa323..f91a976 100644
--- a/tests/test_observability.py
+++ b/tests/test_observability.py
@@ -271,6 +271,7 @@ EXPECTED_DASHBOARDS = {
     "data-pipelines",
     "ci",
     "gpu-notebooks",
+    "llm",
 }
 
 
@@ -285,3 +286,48 @@ class TestDashboards:
                 data = json.load(f)
             assert "panels" in data, f"{name}: no panels[]"
             assert data["panels"], f"{name}: empty panels[]"
+
+
+class TestLlmDashboard:
+    """#579: the LLM service dashboard — panels for the metrics
+    ``llm.metrics`` emits, on the provisioned prometheus datasource."""
+
+    def _dash(self) -> dict:
+        return json.loads((ROOT / "infra/grafana/dashboards/llm.json").read_text())
+
+    def test_identity_matches_the_other_dashboards(self):
+        d = self._dash()
+        assert d["uid"] == "llm"
+        assert d["title"] == "LLM service"
+        assert d["schemaVersion"] == 39
+        assert set(d["tags"]) == {"homelab", "stack"}
+
+    def test_panels_cover_every_instrument(self):
+        exprs = " ".join(
+            t["expr"] for p in self._dash()["panels"] for t in p.get("targets", [])
+        )
+        for metric in (
+            "stack_http_server_requests_total",
+            "stack_llm_dispatch_total",
+            "stack_llm_inflight",
+            "stack_llm_dispatch_seconds_bucket",
+            "stack_llm_embedded_texts_total",
+            "stack_llm_chat_seconds_bucket",
+            "stack_llm_chat_total",
+            "stack_llm_chat_tokens_total",
+            "stack_llm_indexed_chunks_total",
+            "stack_llm_indexed_items_total",
+        ):
+            assert metric in exprs, f"no panel queries {metric}"
+
+    def test_panel_ids_unique_and_datasources_provisioned(self):
+        panels = self._dash()["panels"]
+        assert len({p["id"] for p in panels}) == len(panels)
+        assert {p["datasource"]["uid"] for p in panels} <= {"prometheus", "loki"}
+
+    def test_latency_panels_use_quantiles(self):
+        exprs = [
+            t["expr"] for p in self._dash()["panels"] for t in p.get("targets", [])
+        ]
+        quantiles = [e for e in exprs if e.startswith("histogram_quantile")]
+        assert len(quantiles) == 4  # p50 + p95 for dispatch and for chat