diff --git a/src/routes/internal.js b/src/routes/internal.js
index 6ad2f73..d960e91 100644
--- a/src/routes/internal.js
+++ b/src/routes/internal.js
@@ -177,8 +177,12 @@ router.get('/snapshot/status', async (req, res) => {
 router.post('/snapshot/:sport', async (req, res) => {
   const snapshot = require('../services/snapshotService');
   try {
-    const summary = await snapshot.runSnapshot(req.params.sport);
-    return res.json({ ok: true, summary });
+    // ?limit= is a BISECT HOOK, not a production knob: it bounds the graded
+    // slate for one run so a cap regression can be isolated by measurement
+    // rather than guessed at. Omitted => gradeSlateService's real DEFAULT_LIMIT.
+    const limit = Number(req.query.limit) > 0 ? Number(req.query.limit) : undefined;
+    const summary = await snapshot.runSnapshot(req.params.sport, limit ? { limit } : {});
+    return res.json({ ok: true, ...(limit ? { limit_override: limit } : {}), summary });
   } catch (err) {
     const message = err && err.message ? err.message : String(err);
     console.error('[internal/snapshot] failed:', message);
diff --git a/src/services/snapshotService.js b/src/services/snapshotService.js
index a6cb1c0..0832ea2 100644
--- a/src/services/snapshotService.js
+++ b/src/services/snapshotService.js
@@ -400,6 +400,11 @@ async function runSnapshot(sport, opts = {}) {
   // letting it write (we re-write an ENRICHED version below).
   let envelope = null;
   await deps.gradeAndCacheSlate(sp, props, {
+    // Bisect hook (2026-08-01): lets the internal trigger run a bounded slate
+    // without a prod env change, so a cap regression can be isolated by
+    // measurement instead of guessed at. Omitted => gradeSlateService's own
+    // DEFAULT_LIMIT (the real production value).
+    ...(Number(opts.limit) > 0 ? { limit: Number(opts.limit) } : {}),
     source: (odds && odds.provider) || 'odds-api',
     now: deps.now,
     cacheSet: async (_k, v) => { envelope = v; },