diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cc1a877..8e36dc0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -115,6 +115,9 @@ Configured via YAML file (`--config`). Key settings:
 - `upstream_max_response_size` — max origin response size
 - `downstream_timeout` — client response timeout
 - `signing_key` — HMAC secret for URL signatures
+- `cache_max_bytes` — disk cache size limit in bytes; `0` disables the
+  disk cache entirely; omitted defaults to 75% of the free space on
+  the filesystem containing `<state_dir>/cache/` (minimum 500 MiB)
 
 See `config.example.yml` for all options with defaults.
 
diff --git a/TODO.md b/TODO.md
index 5c291cc..250904e 100644
--- a/TODO.md
+++ b/TODO.md
@@ -12,18 +12,35 @@
 
 pre-1.0. No git tags exist. Recent work extracted the internal/magic,
 internal/allowlist, internal/httpfetcher, and internal/signature
-packages. The gosec findings from the 2026-07-06 survey are resolved:
-the last two open findings (G124, session cookie attributes in
-internal/session) are fixed as of this change, so `make check` is green
-on main.
+packages. The gosec findings from the 2026-07-06 survey are resolved
+and `make check` is green on main. The disk cache is now size-bounded
+with LRU eviction (`cache_max_bytes`), closing the unbounded disk
+growth DoS vector.
 
 # Next Step
 
-P0: implement cache size management and eviction so the disk cannot
-fill up
+P1: implement blocked networks configuration to extend SSRF protection
 
 # Completed Steps
 
+- 2026-08-07 implement cache size management and eviction (closes
+  #51): new `cache_max_bytes` config key validated by the startup
+  framework (explicit values used exactly with no floor, `0` disables
+  the disk cache entirely, omitted defaults to max(75% of free space
+  on the filesystem containing `<state_dir>/cache/`, 500 MiB), logged
+  at startup); processed variants are now tracked in the database
+  (migration 002 adds `variant_content` and an LRU timestamp on
+  `source_content`) so total usage is two SUMs, never a directory scan
+  on the hot path; a background goroutine evicts globally
+  least-recently-used entries (variants and source blobs merged) to
+  the limit, woken by a periodic ticker and by write-pressure
+  notifications from stores; a source blob and ALL of its
+  `source_metadata` references are deleted in one transaction before
+  the file is unlinked, so multi-referenced blobs are never removed
+  while referenced and rows never point at deleted files; a startup
+  reconciliation pass adopts untracked variant files, drops rows for
+  missing files, removes unreachable source blobs, and sweeps stale
+  temp files
 - 2026-08-07 validate configuration on startup, fail fast on bad
   config (closes #52): a config value that is set but unparseable or
   invalid aborts startup naming the key and value (defaults apply only
@@ -79,8 +96,6 @@ fill up
 
 # Future Steps
 
-- P1: implement blocked networks configuration to extend SSRF
-  protection
 - P1: rate limit global concurrent upstream fetches to prevent
   resource exhaustion
 - P1: strip EXIF and other metadata from processed images (privacy)
diff --git a/config.example.yml b/config.example.yml
index 900a0b6..122189e 100644
--- a/config.example.yml
+++ b/config.example.yml
@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@ allow_http: false
 # Maximum concurrent connections per upstream host (default: 20)
 upstream_connections_per_host: 20
 
+# Maximum disk cache size in bytes. Explicit values are used exactly as
+# given; 0 disables the disk cache entirely (every request fetches and
+# processes uncached). When omitted, the default is 75% of the free
+# space on the filesystem containing <state_dir>/cache/ at startup,
+# with a minimum of 500 MiB.
+# cache_max_bytes: 10737418240
+
 # Sentry error reporting (optional)
 sentry_dsn: ""
 
diff --git a/internal/config/cache_max_bytes_test.go b/internal/config/cache_max_bytes_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac7bf72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/config/cache_max_bytes_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,271 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"io"
+	"log/slog"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// discardLogger returns a logger that swallows all output, for tests
+// that exercise code paths which log.
+func discardLogger() *slog.Logger {
+	return slog.New(slog.NewTextHandler(io.Discard, nil))
+}
+
+// TestCacheMaxBytesExplicitValueUsedWithoutFloor verifies that an
+// explicitly configured cache_max_bytes value is used exactly as
+// given: the 500 MiB floor applies only to the computed default, never
+// to explicit values.
+func TestCacheMaxBytesExplicitValueUsedWithoutFloor(t *testing.T) {
+	yamlContent := "signing_key: " + validTestSigningKey + "\ncache_max_bytes: 1024\n"
+
+	c, err := configFromYAML(t, yamlContent)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit cache_max_bytes must be accepted, got error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if c.CacheMaxBytes != 1024 {
+		t.Errorf("CacheMaxBytes = %d, want 1024 (no floor for explicit values)",
+			c.CacheMaxBytes)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestCacheMaxBytesZeroIsValidAndDisablesCache verifies that an
+// explicit zero is a valid value (it disables the disk cache), not an
+// error.
+func TestCacheMaxBytesZeroIsValidAndDisablesCache(t *testing.T) {
+	yamlContent := "signing_key: " + validTestSigningKey + "\ncache_max_bytes: 0\n"
+
+	c, err := configFromYAML(t, yamlContent)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("cache_max_bytes: 0 must be accepted, got error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if c.CacheMaxBytes != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("CacheMaxBytes = %d, want 0", c.CacheMaxBytes)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestCacheMaxBytesLargeExplicitValueParses verifies that values above
+// 32-bit range parse correctly (the field is an int64 byte count).
+func TestCacheMaxBytesLargeExplicitValueParses(t *testing.T) {
+	yamlContent := "signing_key: " + validTestSigningKey + "\ncache_max_bytes: 10737418240\n"
+
+	c, err := configFromYAML(t, yamlContent)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("large cache_max_bytes must be accepted, got error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if c.CacheMaxBytes != 10737418240 {
+		t.Errorf("CacheMaxBytes = %d, want 10737418240", c.CacheMaxBytes)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestCacheMaxBytesInvalidValuesAbortStartup verifies that a SET but
+// invalid cache_max_bytes value aborts startup naming the key and the
+// offending value, per the no-silent-fallback rule: defaults apply
+// only to omitted keys.
+func TestCacheMaxBytesInvalidValuesAbortStartup(t *testing.T) {
+	signingKeyLine := "signing_key: " + validTestSigningKey + "\n"
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		name string
+		yaml string
+		// wantErrSubstrings must all appear in the error message.
+		wantErrSubstrings []string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:              "negative",
+			yaml:              signingKeyLine + "cache_max_bytes: -1024\n",
+			wantErrSubstrings: []string{"cache_max_bytes", "-1024"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:              "float",
+			yaml:              signingKeyLine + "cache_max_bytes: 3.5\n",
+			wantErrSubstrings: []string{"cache_max_bytes", "3.5"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:              "non-numeric string",
+			yaml:              signingKeyLine + "cache_max_bytes: banana\n",
+			wantErrSubstrings: []string{"cache_max_bytes", "banana"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:              "explicit null",
+			yaml:              signingKeyLine + "cache_max_bytes: null\n",
+			wantErrSubstrings: []string{"cache_max_bytes", "null"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:              "bare key no value",
+			yaml:              signingKeyLine + "cache_max_bytes:\n",
+			wantErrSubstrings: []string{"cache_max_bytes", "null"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:              "boolean",
+			yaml:              signingKeyLine + "cache_max_bytes: true\n",
+			wantErrSubstrings: []string{"cache_max_bytes", "true"},
+		},
+		{
+			name:              "list",
+			yaml:              signingKeyLine + "cache_max_bytes:\n  - 1\n",
+			wantErrSubstrings: []string{"cache_max_bytes"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			c, err := configFromYAML(t, tc.yaml)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("config with %s cache_max_bytes must abort startup, got config: %+v",
+					tc.name, c)
+			}
+
+			t.Logf("got expected error: %v", err)
+
+			for _, want := range tc.wantErrSubstrings {
+				if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), want) {
+					t.Errorf("error %q does not mention %q", err.Error(), want)
+				}
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytesUses75PercentOfFreeSpace verifies the
+// computed default is 75% of the probed free space when that exceeds
+// the floor.
+func TestComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytesUses75PercentOfFreeSpace(t *testing.T) {
+	// 4 GiB free -> 3 GiB default.
+	probe := func(string) (uint64, error) { return 4294967296, nil }
+
+	got, err := ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes(t.TempDir(), probe)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if got != 3221225472 {
+		t.Errorf("ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes = %d, want 3221225472 (75%% of 4 GiB)", got)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytesAppliesFloorToComputedDefault
+// verifies that when 75% of free space is below 500 MiB, the computed
+// default is floored at DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor.
+func TestComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytesAppliesFloorToComputedDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		name      string
+		freeBytes uint64
+	}{
+		{name: "100 MiB free", freeBytes: 104857600},
+		{name: "zero free", freeBytes: 0},
+		{name: "just below floor threshold", freeBytes: 699050665},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			probe := func(string) (uint64, error) { return tc.freeBytes, nil }
+
+			got, err := ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes(t.TempDir(), probe)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes returned error: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			if got != DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor {
+				t.Errorf("ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes = %d, want floor %d",
+					got, DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytesPropagatesProbeError verifies that a
+// failing free-space probe produces an error naming the config key,
+// instead of a silently wrong default.
+func TestComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytesPropagatesProbeError(t *testing.T) {
+	probe := func(string) (uint64, error) { return 0, errors.New("statfs failed") }
+
+	_, err := ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes(t.TempDir(), probe)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("probe failure must produce an error, got nil")
+	}
+
+	t.Logf("got expected error: %v", err)
+
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "cache_max_bytes") {
+		t.Errorf("error %q does not name the config key cache_max_bytes", err.Error())
+	}
+}
+
+// TestResolveCacheMaxBytesComputesDefaultWhenOmitted verifies that an
+// omitted cache_max_bytes key resolves to the computed default, that
+// the probe is pointed at <state_dir>/cache/ (which must be created
+// first so statfs measures the right filesystem), and that the result
+// lands on the Config.
+func TestResolveCacheMaxBytesComputesDefaultWhenOmitted(t *testing.T) {
+	c, err := configFromYAML(t, "signing_key: "+validTestSigningKey+"\n")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("minimal config should be valid, got error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	c.StateDir = t.TempDir()
+	wantCacheDir := filepath.Join(c.StateDir, "cache")
+
+	var probedPath string
+
+	// 4 GiB free -> 3 GiB default.
+	probe := func(path string) (uint64, error) {
+		probedPath = path
+
+		return 4294967296, nil
+	}
+
+	if err := c.resolveCacheMaxBytes(discardLogger(), probe); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("resolveCacheMaxBytes returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if c.CacheMaxBytes != 3221225472 {
+		t.Errorf("CacheMaxBytes = %d, want computed default 3221225472", c.CacheMaxBytes)
+	}
+
+	if probedPath != wantCacheDir {
+		t.Errorf("free space probed at %q, want cache directory %q", probedPath, wantCacheDir)
+	}
+
+	info, err := os.Stat(wantCacheDir)
+	if err != nil || !info.IsDir() {
+		t.Errorf("cache directory %q was not created before probing: info=%v err=%v",
+			wantCacheDir, info, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestResolveCacheMaxBytesDoesNotOverrideExplicitValue verifies that
+// an explicitly configured value survives resolution untouched and
+// that the free-space probe is never consulted for it.
+func TestResolveCacheMaxBytesDoesNotOverrideExplicitValue(t *testing.T) {
+	yamlContent := "signing_key: " + validTestSigningKey + "\ncache_max_bytes: 1024\n"
+
+	c, err := configFromYAML(t, yamlContent)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("explicit cache_max_bytes must be accepted, got error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	c.StateDir = t.TempDir()
+
+	probe := func(string) (uint64, error) {
+		t.Error("free-space probe must not be consulted for explicit values")
+
+		return 0, errors.New("probe must not be called")
+	}
+
+	if err := c.resolveCacheMaxBytes(discardLogger(), probe); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("resolveCacheMaxBytes returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if c.CacheMaxBytes != 1024 {
+		t.Errorf("CacheMaxBytes = %d, want explicit 1024 (no floor, no recompute)",
+			c.CacheMaxBytes)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/config/cachesize.go b/internal/config/cachesize.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a0f8ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/config/cachesize.go
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"math"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"syscall"
+)
+
+// DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor is the minimum computed default for the
+// cache_max_bytes setting: 500 MiB. The floor applies only to the
+// computed default (when the key is omitted from the configuration),
+// never to explicitly configured values.
+const DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor int64 = 524288000
+
+// cacheDirPerms is the permission mode for the cache directory created
+// before probing free space, matching the state directory permissions.
+const cacheDirPerms = 0o750
+
+// freeSpaceFractionNumerator and freeSpaceFractionDenominator express
+// the 75% share of free space used for the computed default limit as
+// integer arithmetic (dividing before multiplying avoids overflow).
+const (
+	freeSpaceFractionNumerator   uint64 = 3
+	freeSpaceFractionDenominator uint64 = 4
+)
+
+// FreeSpaceProbeFunc reports the number of free bytes available on the
+// filesystem containing path. It is a function type so tests can
+// inject a fake probe instead of depending on the host disk.
+type FreeSpaceProbeFunc func(path string) (uint64, error)
+
+// defaultFreeSpaceProbe reports free filesystem bytes via statfs on
+// the given path, as available to unprivileged processes.
+func defaultFreeSpaceProbe(path string) (uint64, error) {
+	var stat syscall.Statfs_t
+	if err := syscall.Statfs(path, &stat); err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	if stat.Bsize < 0 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("statfs reported negative block size %d for %q", stat.Bsize, path)
+	}
+
+	blockSize := uint64(stat.Bsize) //nolint:gosec // G115: negative Bsize rejected above
+
+	return stat.Bavail * blockSize, nil
+}
+
+// ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes returns the default cache size limit for
+// the filesystem containing cacheDir: 75% of the free bytes reported
+// by probe, with a floor of DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor.
+func ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes(cacheDir string, probe FreeSpaceProbeFunc) (int64, error) {
+	freeBytes, err := probe(cacheDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("config key %q: cannot determine free space for %q: %w",
+			"cache_max_bytes", cacheDir, err)
+	}
+
+	computed := freeBytes / freeSpaceFractionDenominator * freeSpaceFractionNumerator
+	if computed > math.MaxInt64 {
+		computed = math.MaxInt64
+	}
+
+	limit := int64(computed) //nolint:gosec // G115: clamped to MaxInt64 above
+
+	if limit < DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor {
+		limit = DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor
+	}
+
+	return limit, nil
+}
+
+// resolveCacheMaxBytes finalizes CacheMaxBytes after state_dir
+// validation: an explicitly configured value is kept as-is (no floor
+// applies), while an omitted key receives the computed default based
+// on free space in <state_dir>/cache/. The cache directory is created
+// first so statfs measures the filesystem that will actually hold the
+// cache. The effective limit is logged either way.
+func (c *Config) resolveCacheMaxBytes(log *slog.Logger, probe FreeSpaceProbeFunc) error {
+	if !c.cacheMaxBytesExplicit {
+		cacheDir := filepath.Join(c.StateDir, "cache")
+
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(cacheDir, cacheDirPerms); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("config key %q: cannot create cache directory %q: %w",
+				"cache_max_bytes", cacheDir, err)
+		}
+
+		limit, err := ComputeDefaultCacheMaxBytes(cacheDir, probe)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		c.CacheMaxBytes = limit
+
+		log.Info("computed default cache size limit from free space",
+			"cache_max_bytes", limit,
+			"cache_dir", cacheDir,
+		)
+	}
+
+	log.Info("effective cache size limit",
+		"cache_max_bytes", c.CacheMaxBytes,
+		"cache_disabled", c.CacheMaxBytes == 0,
+	)
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/config/config.go b/internal/config/config.go
index 702f1b8..9b34b04 100644
--- a/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/internal/config/config.go
@@ -48,6 +48,19 @@ type Config struct {
 	AllowlistHosts             []string // Hosts that don't require signatures
 	AllowHTTP                  bool     // Allow non-TLS upstream (testing only)
 	UpstreamConnectionsPerHost int      // Max concurrent connections per upstream host
+
+	// CacheMaxBytes is the disk cache size limit in bytes. Zero
+	// disables the disk cache entirely. When cache_max_bytes is
+	// omitted from the configuration, this holds the computed default
+	// (75% of free space on the filesystem containing
+	// <state_dir>/cache/, floored at DefaultCacheMaxBytesFloor).
+	CacheMaxBytes int64
+
+	// cacheMaxBytesExplicit records whether cache_max_bytes was
+	// explicitly set in the configuration file. Explicit values are
+	// used exactly as given; only an omitted key gets the computed
+	// default (and its floor) in resolveCacheMaxBytes.
+	cacheMaxBytesExplicit bool
 }
 
 // New creates a new Config instance by loading configuration from file.
@@ -73,6 +86,10 @@ func New(_ fx.Lifecycle, params Params) (*Config, error) {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	if err := c.resolveCacheMaxBytes(log, defaultFreeSpaceProbe); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
 	if c.Debug {
 		params.Logger.EnableDebugLogging()
 	}
@@ -111,6 +128,16 @@ func newFromSmartConfig(sc *smartconfig.Config) (*Config, error) {
 		AllowHTTP:       loader.boolVal("allow_http", false),
 		UpstreamConnectionsPerHost: loader.intVal(
 			"upstream_connections_per_host", DefaultUpstreamConnectionsPerHost),
+		CacheMaxBytes: loader.int64Val("cache_max_bytes", 0),
+	}
+
+	// The computed default for cache_max_bytes needs a validated
+	// state_dir, so it is resolved later (resolveCacheMaxBytes); here
+	// we only record whether the operator set the key explicitly.
+	if sc != nil {
+		if _, present := sc.Get("cache_max_bytes"); present {
+			c.cacheMaxBytesExplicit = true
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Build DBURL from StateDir if not explicitly set. The derived URL
@@ -219,7 +246,7 @@ func isKnownConfigKey(key string) bool {
 	switch key {
 	case "debug", "maintenance_mode", "port", "state_dir", "sentry_dsn",
 		"db_url", "metrics", "signing_key", "allowlist_hosts", "allow_http",
-		"upstream_connections_per_host", "env":
+		"upstream_connections_per_host", "cache_max_bytes", "env":
 		return true
 	}
 
@@ -289,6 +316,13 @@ func (c *Config) validate() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("config key %q: value must not be empty", "state_dir")
 	}
 
+	// Zero is valid (it disables the disk cache); only negative
+	// values are rejected. No floor applies to explicit values.
+	if c.CacheMaxBytes < 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("config key %q: value %d must not be negative",
+			"cache_max_bytes", c.CacheMaxBytes)
+	}
+
 	for _, host := range c.AllowlistHosts {
 		if err := validateAllowlistHost(host); err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -412,6 +446,19 @@ func (l *strictLoader) intVal(key string, defaultVal int) int {
 	return val
 }
 
+func (l *strictLoader) int64Val(key string, defaultVal int64) int64 {
+	if l.err != nil {
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	val, err := getInt64(l.sc, key, defaultVal)
+	if err != nil {
+		l.err = err
+	}
+
+	return val
+}
+
 func (l *strictLoader) boolVal(key string, defaultVal bool) bool {
 	if l.err != nil {
 		return false
@@ -492,6 +539,55 @@ func getInt(sc *smartconfig.Config, key string, defaultVal int) (int, error) {
 	}
 }
 
+// getInt64 returns the 64-bit integer value for key, or defaultVal if
+// the key is omitted. A present value that is not a whole number, or
+// is explicitly null, is an error; fractional values are never
+// truncated and out-of-range values are never clamped.
+func getInt64(sc *smartconfig.Config, key string, defaultVal int64) (int64, error) {
+	if sc == nil {
+		return defaultVal, nil
+	}
+
+	raw, ok := sc.Get(key)
+	if !ok {
+		return defaultVal, nil
+	}
+
+	if raw == nil {
+		return 0, errNullConfigValue(key)
+	}
+
+	switch val := raw.(type) {
+	case int:
+		return int64(val), nil
+	case int64:
+		return val, nil
+	case uint64:
+		if val > math.MaxInt64 {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("config key %q: value %d overflows a 64-bit integer",
+				key, val)
+		}
+
+		return int64(val), nil //nolint:gosec // G115: bounds checked above
+	case float64:
+		if val != math.Trunc(val) {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("config key %q: value %v is not an integer", key, val)
+		}
+
+		return int64(val), nil
+	case string:
+		parsed, err := strconv.ParseInt(strings.TrimSpace(val), 10, 64)
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, fmt.Errorf("config key %q: value %q is not an integer", key, val)
+		}
+
+		return parsed, nil
+	default:
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("config key %q: value %v (%T) is not an integer",
+			key, raw, raw)
+	}
+}
+
 // getBool returns the boolean value for key, or defaultVal if the key
 // is omitted. A present value that is not a boolean (or a ParseBool-able
 // string), or is explicitly null, is an error; numbers are not accepted
diff --git a/internal/database/schema/002_cache_eviction.sql b/internal/database/schema/002_cache_eviction.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42b4787
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/database/schema/002_cache_eviction.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+-- Migration 002: cache size accounting and eviction
+--
+-- Tracks processed variants in the database (source content blobs are
+-- already tracked in source_content) so total cache usage can be
+-- computed without directory scans, and adds last-access timestamps
+-- for LRU eviction ordering.
+
+-- Processed variant blobs
+-- Files stored at: cache/variants/<ab>/<cd>/<cache_key> (plus a
+-- .meta sidecar with the content type)
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS variant_content (
+    cache_key TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+    size_bytes INTEGER NOT NULL,
+    content_type TEXT NOT NULL,
+    created_at DATETIME NOT NULL DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
+    last_accessed_at DATETIME NOT NULL DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_variant_content_last_accessed
+    ON variant_content(last_accessed_at);
+
+-- LRU timestamp for source content blobs. Rows written before this
+-- migration have NULL here; eviction falls back to fetched_at.
+ALTER TABLE source_content ADD COLUMN last_accessed_at DATETIME;
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_source_content_last_accessed
+    ON source_content(last_accessed_at);
diff --git a/internal/handlers/handlers.go b/internal/handlers/handlers.go
index 89dafbe..ee5ca55 100644
--- a/internal/handlers/handlers.go
+++ b/internal/handlers/handlers.go
@@ -53,6 +53,13 @@ func New(lc fx.Lifecycle, params Params) (*Handlers, error) {
 		OnStart: func(_ context.Context) error {
 			return s.initImageService()
 		},
+		OnStop: func(_ context.Context) error {
+			if s.imgCache != nil {
+				s.imgCache.StopEviction()
+			}
+
+			return nil
+		},
 	})
 
 	return s, nil
@@ -60,11 +67,15 @@ func New(lc fx.Lifecycle, params Params) (*Handlers, error) {
 
 // initImageService initializes the image cache and service.
 func (s *Handlers) initImageService() error {
-	// Create the cache
+	// Create the cache. cache_max_bytes: 0 disables the disk cache
+	// entirely; any other value is the eviction limit in bytes.
 	cache, err := imgcache.NewCache(s.db.DB(), imgcache.CacheConfig{
-		StateDir:    s.config.StateDir,
-		CacheTTL:    imgcache.DefaultCacheTTL,
-		NegativeTTL: imgcache.DefaultNegativeTTL,
+		StateDir:         s.config.StateDir,
+		CacheTTL:         imgcache.DefaultCacheTTL,
+		NegativeTTL:      imgcache.DefaultNegativeTTL,
+		MaxBytes:         s.config.CacheMaxBytes,
+		DisableDiskCache: s.config.CacheMaxBytes == 0,
+		Logger:           s.log,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -72,6 +83,10 @@ func (s *Handlers) initImageService() error {
 
 	s.imgCache = cache
 
+	// Background eviction: startup reconciliation, then periodic and
+	// write-pressure passes. No-op when the disk cache is disabled.
+	cache.StartEviction(imgcache.DefaultEvictionInterval)
+
 	// Create the fetcher config
 	fetcherCfg := httpfetcher.DefaultConfig()
 	fetcherCfg.AllowHTTP = s.config.AllowHTTP
diff --git a/internal/imgcache/cache.go b/internal/imgcache/cache.go
index 5e15873..390597a 100644
--- a/internal/imgcache/cache.go
+++ b/internal/imgcache/cache.go
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
+	"log/slog"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"sneak.berlin/go/pixa/internal/httpfetcher"
@@ -27,6 +29,22 @@ type CacheConfig struct {
 	StateDir    string
 	CacheTTL    time.Duration
 	NegativeTTL time.Duration
+
+	// MaxBytes is the disk cache size limit in bytes that eviction
+	// enforces. Zero means no limit is enforced (no eviction). The
+	// config layer supplies the computed default when the operator
+	// omits cache_max_bytes.
+	MaxBytes int64
+
+	// DisableDiskCache turns the disk cache off entirely: no cache
+	// directories are created, lookups always miss, stores are
+	// no-ops, and no eviction machinery runs. The config layer sets
+	// this when the operator configures cache_max_bytes: 0.
+	DisableDiskCache bool
+
+	// Logger receives accounting and eviction log output. A nil
+	// Logger means slog.Default().
+	Logger *slog.Logger
 }
 
 // variantMeta stores content type for fast cache hits without reading .meta file.
@@ -42,6 +60,19 @@ type Cache struct {
 	variants    *VariantStorage  // processed variants by cache key
 	srcMetadata *MetadataStorage // source metadata by host/path
 	config      CacheConfig
+	log         *slog.Logger
+
+	// disabled means the disk cache is turned off entirely: lookups
+	// always miss, stores are no-ops, and no eviction runs.
+	disabled bool
+
+	// Eviction machinery. The channels are created in NewCache so
+	// stores can signal write pressure without racing StartEviction.
+	evictionPressure chan struct{}
+	evictionStop     chan struct{}
+	evictionDone     chan struct{}
+	evictionStarted  bool
+	evictionStopOnce sync.Once
 
 	// In-memory cache of variant metadata (content type, size) to avoid reading .meta files
 	metaCache map[VariantKey]variantMeta
@@ -49,6 +80,26 @@ type Cache struct {
 
 // NewCache creates a new cache instance.
 func NewCache(db *sql.DB, config CacheConfig) (*Cache, error) {
+	log := config.Logger
+	if log == nil {
+		log = slog.Default()
+	}
+
+	c := &Cache{
+		db:               db,
+		config:           config,
+		log:              log,
+		disabled:         config.DisableDiskCache,
+		evictionPressure: make(chan struct{}, 1),
+		evictionStop:     make(chan struct{}),
+		evictionDone:     make(chan struct{}),
+		metaCache:        make(map[VariantKey]variantMeta),
+	}
+
+	if c.disabled {
+		return c, nil
+	}
+
 	srcContent, err := NewContentStorage(filepath.Join(config.StateDir, "cache", "sources"))
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create source content storage: %w", err)
@@ -64,14 +115,11 @@ func NewCache(db *sql.DB, config CacheConfig) (*Cache, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create source metadata storage: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	return &Cache{
-		db:          db,
-		srcContent:  srcContent,
-		variants:    variants,
-		srcMetadata: srcMetadata,
-		config:      config,
-		metaCache:   make(map[VariantKey]variantMeta),
-	}, nil
+	c.srcContent = srcContent
+	c.variants = variants
+	c.srcMetadata = srcMetadata
+
+	return c, nil
 }
 
 // LookupResult contains the result of a cache lookup.
@@ -83,12 +131,15 @@ type LookupResult struct {
 	CacheStatus CacheStatus
 }
 
-// Lookup checks if a processed variant exists on disk (no DB access for hits).
-func (c *Cache) Lookup(_ context.Context, req *ImageRequest) (*LookupResult, error) {
+// Lookup checks if a processed variant exists on disk. Hits touch the
+// variant's LRU timestamp; a disabled cache always misses.
+func (c *Cache) Lookup(ctx context.Context, req *ImageRequest) (*LookupResult, error) {
 	cacheKey := CacheKey(req)
 
 	// Check variant storage directly - no DB needed for cache hits
-	if c.variants.Exists(cacheKey) {
+	if !c.disabled && c.variants.Exists(cacheKey) {
+		c.touchVariant(ctx, cacheKey)
+
 		return &LookupResult{
 			Hit:         true,
 			CacheKey:    cacheKey,
@@ -103,18 +154,53 @@ func (c *Cache) Lookup(_ context.Context, req *ImageRequest) (*LookupResult, err
 	}, nil
 }
 
+// touchVariant updates the LRU timestamp of a variant, best-effort:
+// a failed touch only makes the entry look colder to eviction.
+func (c *Cache) touchVariant(ctx context.Context, cacheKey VariantKey) {
+	_, err := c.db.ExecContext(ctx, `
+		UPDATE variant_content SET last_accessed_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+		WHERE cache_key = ?
+	`, string(cacheKey))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.log.Debug("failed to touch variant LRU timestamp",
+			"cache_key", cacheKey, "error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// touchSourceContent updates the LRU timestamp of a source content
+// blob, best-effort: a failed touch only makes the blob look colder.
+func (c *Cache) touchSourceContent(ctx context.Context, contentHash ContentHash) {
+	_, err := c.db.ExecContext(ctx, `
+		UPDATE source_content SET last_accessed_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+		WHERE content_hash = ?
+	`, string(contentHash))
+	if err != nil {
+		c.log.Debug("failed to touch source content LRU timestamp",
+			"content_hash", contentHash, "error", err)
+	}
+}
+
 // GetVariant returns a reader, size, and content type for a cached variant.
 func (c *Cache) GetVariant(cacheKey VariantKey) (io.ReadCloser, int64, string, error) {
+	if c.disabled {
+		return nil, 0, "", ErrNotFound
+	}
+
 	return c.variants.LoadWithMeta(cacheKey)
 }
 
-// StoreSource stores fetched source content and metadata.
+// StoreSource stores fetched source content and metadata. On a
+// disabled cache it is a no-op returning an empty hash.
 func (c *Cache) StoreSource(
 	ctx context.Context,
 	req *ImageRequest,
 	content io.Reader,
 	result *httpfetcher.FetchResult,
 ) (ContentHash, error) {
+	if c.disabled {
+		return "", nil
+	}
+
 	// Store content
 	contentHash, size, err := c.srcContent.Store(content)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -171,19 +257,52 @@ func (c *Cache) StoreSource(
 		_ = err
 	}
 
+	c.notifyWritePressure()
+
 	return contentHash, nil
 }
 
-// StoreVariant stores a processed variant by its cache key.
+// StoreVariant stores a processed variant by its cache key and records
+// it in the size accounting. On a disabled cache it is a no-op. The
+// accounting insert is best-effort (the startup reconciliation pass
+// adopts any variant file that misses its accounting row).
 func (c *Cache) StoreVariant(cacheKey VariantKey, content io.Reader, contentType string) error {
-	_, err := c.variants.Store(cacheKey, content, contentType)
+	if c.disabled {
+		return nil
+	}
 
-	return err
+	size, err := c.variants.Store(cacheKey, content, contentType)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	_, err = c.db.Exec(`
+		INSERT INTO variant_content (cache_key, size_bytes, content_type)
+		VALUES (?, ?, ?)
+		ON CONFLICT(cache_key) DO UPDATE SET
+			size_bytes = excluded.size_bytes,
+			content_type = excluded.content_type,
+			last_accessed_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+	`, string(cacheKey), size, contentType)
+	if err != nil {
+		c.log.Warn("failed to record variant in size accounting",
+			"cache_key", cacheKey, "error", err)
+	}
+
+	c.notifyWritePressure()
+
+	return nil
 }
 
 // LookupSource checks if we have cached source content for a request.
-// Returns the content hash and content type if found, or empty values if not.
+// Returns the content hash and content type if found, or empty values
+// if not. Hits touch the blob's LRU timestamp; a disabled cache always
+// reports no cached source.
 func (c *Cache) LookupSource(ctx context.Context, req *ImageRequest) (ContentHash, string, error) {
+	if c.disabled {
+		return "", "", nil
+	}
+
 	var hashStr, contentType string
 
 	err := c.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, `
@@ -206,6 +325,8 @@ func (c *Cache) LookupSource(ctx context.Context, req *ImageRequest) (ContentHas
 		return "", "", nil
 	}
 
+	c.touchSourceContent(ctx, contentHash)
+
 	return contentHash, contentType, nil
 }
 
@@ -278,6 +399,10 @@ func (c *Cache) GetSourceMetadataID(ctx context.Context, req *ImageRequest) (int
 
 // GetSourceContent returns a reader for cached source content by its hash.
 func (c *Cache) GetSourceContent(contentHash ContentHash) (io.ReadCloser, error) {
+	if c.disabled {
+		return nil, ErrNotFound
+	}
+
 	return c.srcContent.Load(contentHash)
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/imgcache/eviction.go b/internal/imgcache/eviction.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..068d8ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/imgcache/eviction.go
@@ -0,0 +1,741 @@
+package imgcache
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io/fs"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// DefaultEvictionInterval is how often the background evictor checks
+// cache usage against the configured limit, in addition to the
+// write-pressure wakeups triggered by stores.
+const DefaultEvictionInterval = 5 * time.Minute
+
+// evictionBatchSize is how many LRU candidates of each class (variants
+// and source blobs) one eviction pass fetches from the database.
+const evictionBatchSize = 100
+
+// staleTempFileAge is how old an orphaned temp file (left behind by a
+// crashed write) must be before reconciliation removes it. Fresh temp
+// files may still belong to an in-flight store.
+const staleTempFileAge = time.Hour
+
+// sqliteTimestampLayout matches SQLite's CURRENT_TIMESTAMP format, so
+// timestamps written by reconciliation order correctly against ones
+// written by the hot path.
+const sqliteTimestampLayout = "2006-01-02 15:04:05"
+
+// tempFilePrefix is the prefix os.CreateTemp uses for in-flight cache
+// writes (".tmp-*" patterns in the storage layer).
+const tempFilePrefix = ".tmp-"
+
+// variantMetaSuffix is the sidecar suffix VariantStorage writes next
+// to each variant file.
+const variantMetaSuffix = ".meta"
+
+// fallbackContentType is recorded when a reconciled variant file has
+// no readable .meta sidecar.
+const fallbackContentType = "application/octet-stream"
+
+// UsageBytes returns the total number of bytes of cache content
+// tracked in the database (source content blobs plus processed
+// variants). It never scans the cache directories.
+func (c *Cache) UsageBytes(ctx context.Context) (int64, error) {
+	if c.disabled {
+		return 0, nil
+	}
+
+	var total int64
+
+	err := c.db.QueryRowContext(ctx, `
+		SELECT (SELECT COALESCE(SUM(size_bytes), 0) FROM source_content)
+		     + (SELECT COALESCE(SUM(size_bytes), 0) FROM variant_content)
+	`).Scan(&total)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("failed to compute cache usage: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return total, nil
+}
+
+// evictionCandidate is one LRU eviction victim candidate: either a
+// processed variant (isVariant true, identified by cacheKey) or a
+// source content blob (identified by contentHash).
+type evictionCandidate struct {
+	isVariant      bool
+	cacheKey       VariantKey
+	contentHash    ContentHash
+	sizeBytes      int64
+	lastAccessedAt string
+}
+
+// EvictToLimit evicts least-recently-used cache entries until total
+// tracked usage is at or below the configured MaxBytes limit. It is a
+// no-op when the cache is disabled or no limit is configured.
+func (c *Cache) EvictToLimit(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if c.disabled || c.config.MaxBytes <= 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	for {
+		usage, err := c.UsageBytes(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if usage <= c.config.MaxBytes {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		freed, err := c.evictBatch(ctx, usage-c.config.MaxBytes)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if freed == 0 {
+			c.log.Warn("cache eviction made no progress",
+				"usage_bytes", usage,
+				"cache_max_bytes", c.config.MaxBytes,
+			)
+
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		c.log.Info("evicted cache content",
+			"freed_bytes", freed,
+			"usage_bytes", usage-freed,
+			"cache_max_bytes", c.config.MaxBytes,
+		)
+	}
+}
+
+// evictBatch fetches one batch of LRU candidates across variants and
+// source blobs and evicts them oldest-first until excessBytes are
+// freed or the batch is exhausted. It returns the bytes freed.
+func (c *Cache) evictBatch(ctx context.Context, excessBytes int64) (int64, error) {
+	candidates, err := c.evictionCandidates(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	var freed int64
+
+	for _, candidate := range candidates {
+		if freed >= excessBytes {
+			break
+		}
+
+		if err := c.evictCandidate(ctx, candidate); err != nil {
+			c.log.Warn("failed to evict cache entry",
+				"cache_key", candidate.cacheKey,
+				"content_hash", candidate.contentHash,
+				"error", err,
+			)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		freed += candidate.sizeBytes
+	}
+
+	return freed, nil
+}
+
+// evictCandidate removes a single eviction victim.
+func (c *Cache) evictCandidate(ctx context.Context, candidate evictionCandidate) error {
+	if candidate.isVariant {
+		return c.evictVariant(ctx, candidate.cacheKey)
+	}
+
+	return c.evictSourceBlob(ctx, candidate.contentHash)
+}
+
+// evictionCandidates returns up to evictionBatchSize variants and
+// evictionBatchSize source blobs, merged into a single list ordered by
+// last access time (oldest first).
+func (c *Cache) evictionCandidates(ctx context.Context) ([]evictionCandidate, error) {
+	variants, err := c.variantCandidates(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	sources, err := c.sourceCandidates(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	// Merge the two lists, each already sorted oldest-first. SQLite
+	// CURRENT_TIMESTAMP strings compare correctly lexicographically.
+	merged := make([]evictionCandidate, 0, len(variants)+len(sources))
+
+	for len(variants) > 0 && len(sources) > 0 {
+		if variants[0].lastAccessedAt <= sources[0].lastAccessedAt {
+			merged = append(merged, variants[0])
+			variants = variants[1:]
+		} else {
+			merged = append(merged, sources[0])
+			sources = sources[1:]
+		}
+	}
+
+	merged = append(merged, variants...)
+	merged = append(merged, sources...)
+
+	return merged, nil
+}
+
+// variantCandidates returns the least recently used variants.
+func (c *Cache) variantCandidates(ctx context.Context) ([]evictionCandidate, error) {
+	rows, err := c.db.QueryContext(ctx, `
+		SELECT cache_key, size_bytes, last_accessed_at
+		FROM variant_content
+		ORDER BY last_accessed_at ASC, cache_key ASC
+		LIMIT ?
+	`, evictionBatchSize)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to query variant eviction candidates: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = rows.Close() }()
+
+	var candidates []evictionCandidate
+
+	for rows.Next() {
+		candidate := evictionCandidate{isVariant: true}
+
+		var key string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&key, &candidate.sizeBytes, &candidate.lastAccessedAt); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan variant candidate: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		candidate.cacheKey = VariantKey(key)
+		candidates = append(candidates, candidate)
+	}
+
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("variant candidate iteration failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return candidates, nil
+}
+
+// sourceCandidates returns the least recently used source blobs. Rows
+// written before the LRU column existed fall back to fetched_at.
+func (c *Cache) sourceCandidates(ctx context.Context) ([]evictionCandidate, error) {
+	rows, err := c.db.QueryContext(ctx, `
+		SELECT content_hash, size_bytes,
+		       COALESCE(last_accessed_at, fetched_at, '1970-01-01 00:00:00') AS lru
+		FROM source_content
+		ORDER BY lru ASC, content_hash ASC
+		LIMIT ?
+	`, evictionBatchSize)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to query source eviction candidates: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = rows.Close() }()
+
+	var candidates []evictionCandidate
+
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var candidate evictionCandidate
+
+		var hash string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&hash, &candidate.sizeBytes, &candidate.lastAccessedAt); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan source candidate: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		candidate.contentHash = ContentHash(hash)
+		candidates = append(candidates, candidate)
+	}
+
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("source candidate iteration failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return candidates, nil
+}
+
+// evictVariant removes one variant: accounting row first, then the
+// content and .meta files, so the database never references a deleted
+// file.
+func (c *Cache) evictVariant(ctx context.Context, cacheKey VariantKey) error {
+	_, err := c.db.ExecContext(ctx,
+		`DELETE FROM variant_content WHERE cache_key = ?`, string(cacheKey))
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete variant accounting row: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := c.variants.DeleteWithMeta(cacheKey); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// sourceReference identifies one source_metadata row's JSON sidecar.
+type sourceReference struct {
+	host     string
+	pathHash PathHash
+}
+
+// evictSourceBlob removes one source content blob. All source_metadata
+// rows referencing the blob are deleted together with its
+// source_content row in a single transaction BEFORE the file is
+// unlinked: a blob referenced by multiple source paths is only ever
+// removed together with all of its references, and database rows never
+// point at deleted files. The JSON metadata sidecars for the removed
+// rows are deleted afterwards.
+func (c *Cache) evictSourceBlob(ctx context.Context, contentHash ContentHash) error {
+	references, err := c.sourceReferences(ctx, contentHash)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	tx, err := c.db.BeginTx(ctx, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to begin eviction transaction: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = tx.Rollback() }()
+
+	if _, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx,
+		`DELETE FROM source_metadata WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(contentHash)); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete source metadata rows: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if _, err := tx.ExecContext(ctx,
+		`DELETE FROM source_content WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(contentHash)); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete source content row: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := tx.Commit(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to commit eviction transaction: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Only after the rows are gone may the files be removed.
+	for _, reference := range references {
+		if err := c.srcMetadata.Delete(reference.host, reference.pathHash); err != nil {
+			c.log.Warn("failed to delete metadata sidecar",
+				"host", reference.host, "path_hash", reference.pathHash, "error", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := c.srcContent.Delete(contentHash); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// sourceReferences lists the metadata sidecar locations of every
+// source_metadata row referencing the given blob.
+func (c *Cache) sourceReferences(
+	ctx context.Context, contentHash ContentHash,
+) ([]sourceReference, error) {
+	rows, err := c.db.QueryContext(ctx, `
+		SELECT source_host, path_hash FROM source_metadata WHERE content_hash = ?
+	`, string(contentHash))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to query source references: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = rows.Close() }()
+
+	var references []sourceReference
+
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var reference sourceReference
+
+		var pathHash string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&reference.host, &pathHash); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan source reference: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		reference.pathHash = PathHash(pathHash)
+		references = append(references, reference)
+	}
+
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("source reference iteration failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return references, nil
+}
+
+// notifyWritePressure wakes the background evictor after a store, so
+// eviction under write pressure happens promptly without blocking the
+// storing request. The notification channel has capacity one and drops
+// when a wakeup is already pending.
+func (c *Cache) notifyWritePressure() {
+	if c.disabled || c.config.MaxBytes <= 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	select {
+	case c.evictionPressure <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+// StartEviction launches the background eviction goroutine, which
+// reconciles the database accounting with the cache directories once
+// at startup and then evicts to the configured limit on the given
+// periodic interval and on write-pressure notifications. It is a
+// no-op on a disabled cache or when already started.
+func (c *Cache) StartEviction(interval time.Duration) {
+	if c.disabled || c.evictionStarted {
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.evictionStarted = true
+
+	go c.evictionLoop(interval)
+}
+
+// StopEviction stops the background eviction goroutine and waits for
+// it to exit. It is safe to call when eviction was never started, and
+// safe to call more than once.
+func (c *Cache) StopEviction() {
+	if !c.evictionStarted {
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.evictionStopOnce.Do(func() {
+		close(c.evictionStop)
+		<-c.evictionDone
+	})
+}
+
+// evictionLoop is the body of the background eviction goroutine.
+func (c *Cache) evictionLoop(interval time.Duration) {
+	defer close(c.evictionDone)
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	if err := c.reconcileAccounting(ctx); err != nil {
+		c.log.Warn("cache accounting reconciliation failed", "error", err)
+	}
+
+	c.runEvictionPass(ctx)
+
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(interval)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+
+	for {
+		select {
+		case <-c.evictionStop:
+			return
+		case <-ticker.C:
+		case <-c.evictionPressure:
+		}
+
+		c.runEvictionPass(ctx)
+	}
+}
+
+// runEvictionPass runs one eviction pass, logging failures instead of
+// propagating them (the loop must keep running).
+func (c *Cache) runEvictionPass(ctx context.Context) {
+	if err := c.EvictToLimit(ctx); err != nil {
+		c.log.Warn("cache eviction pass failed", "error", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// reconcileAccounting synchronizes the database size accounting with
+// the actual contents of the cache directories. It runs once when the
+// background evictor starts, off the request hot path: it adopts
+// variant files that predate the accounting table, drops accounting
+// rows whose files are missing, removes source blob files the database
+// does not know (and rows whose files are gone), and sweeps stale temp
+// files left behind by crashed writes.
+func (c *Cache) reconcileAccounting(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if c.disabled {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if err := c.reconcileVariantFiles(ctx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if err := c.reconcileVariantRows(ctx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if err := c.reconcileSourceFiles(ctx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if err := c.reconcileSourceRows(ctx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// reconcileVariantFiles walks the variant storage directory, adopting
+// files without accounting rows and sweeping stale temp files.
+func (c *Cache) reconcileVariantFiles(ctx context.Context) error {
+	return filepath.WalkDir(c.variants.baseDir, func(path string, entry fs.DirEntry, err error) error {
+		if err != nil || entry.IsDir() {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		name := entry.Name()
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(name, tempFilePrefix) {
+			c.sweepStaleTempFile(path, entry)
+
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasSuffix(name, variantMetaSuffix) {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		return c.adoptVariantFile(ctx, path, entry, VariantKey(name))
+	})
+}
+
+// adoptVariantFile inserts an accounting row for a variant file that
+// has none, using the file's size and modification time.
+func (c *Cache) adoptVariantFile(
+	ctx context.Context, path string, entry fs.DirEntry, cacheKey VariantKey,
+) error {
+	var rowExists int
+
+	err := c.db.QueryRowContext(ctx,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM variant_content WHERE cache_key = ?`, string(cacheKey),
+	).Scan(&rowExists)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check variant accounting row: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if rowExists > 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	info, err := entry.Info()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to stat variant file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	modTime := info.ModTime().UTC().Format(sqliteTimestampLayout)
+	contentType := c.variantContentTypeFromSidecar(path)
+
+	_, err = c.db.ExecContext(ctx, `
+		INSERT INTO variant_content
+			(cache_key, size_bytes, content_type, created_at, last_accessed_at)
+		VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+	`, string(cacheKey), info.Size(), contentType, modTime, modTime)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to adopt variant file into accounting: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	c.log.Info("adopted untracked variant file into size accounting",
+		"cache_key", cacheKey, "size_bytes", info.Size())
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// variantContentTypeFromSidecar reads the content type from a variant
+// .meta sidecar, falling back to application/octet-stream.
+func (c *Cache) variantContentTypeFromSidecar(variantPath string) string {
+	metaData, err := os.ReadFile(variantPath + variantMetaSuffix) //nolint:gosec // path from cache walk
+	if err != nil {
+		return fallbackContentType
+	}
+
+	var meta VariantMeta
+	if json.Unmarshal(metaData, &meta) != nil || meta.ContentType == "" {
+		return fallbackContentType
+	}
+
+	return meta.ContentType
+}
+
+// reconcileVariantRows drops accounting rows whose variant files are
+// missing, so the database never references deleted content.
+func (c *Cache) reconcileVariantRows(ctx context.Context) error {
+	keys, err := c.allVariantKeys(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	for _, key := range keys {
+		if c.variants.Exists(key) {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if _, err := c.db.ExecContext(ctx,
+			`DELETE FROM variant_content WHERE cache_key = ?`, string(key)); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to drop stale variant accounting row: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		c.log.Info("dropped accounting row for missing variant file", "cache_key", key)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// allVariantKeys returns every tracked variant cache key.
+func (c *Cache) allVariantKeys(ctx context.Context) ([]VariantKey, error) {
+	rows, err := c.db.QueryContext(ctx, `SELECT cache_key FROM variant_content`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to query variant keys: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = rows.Close() }()
+
+	var keys []VariantKey
+
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var key string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&key); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan variant key: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		keys = append(keys, VariantKey(key))
+	}
+
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("variant key iteration failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return keys, nil
+}
+
+// reconcileSourceFiles walks the source content directory, removing
+// blob files the database does not track (they are unreachable: source
+// lookups always go through source_metadata) and sweeping stale temp
+// files.
+func (c *Cache) reconcileSourceFiles(ctx context.Context) error {
+	return filepath.WalkDir(c.srcContent.baseDir, func(path string, entry fs.DirEntry, err error) error {
+		if err != nil || entry.IsDir() {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		name := entry.Name()
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(name, tempFilePrefix) {
+			c.sweepStaleTempFile(path, entry)
+
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		return c.removeUntrackedSourceFile(ctx, path, ContentHash(name))
+	})
+}
+
+// removeUntrackedSourceFile deletes a source blob file that has no
+// source_content row. Any source_metadata rows referencing the hash
+// are removed first so no row ever points at a deleted file.
+func (c *Cache) removeUntrackedSourceFile(
+	ctx context.Context, path string, contentHash ContentHash,
+) error {
+	var rowExists int
+
+	err := c.db.QueryRowContext(ctx,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM source_content WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(contentHash),
+	).Scan(&rowExists)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check source content row: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if rowExists > 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if _, err := c.db.ExecContext(ctx,
+		`DELETE FROM source_metadata WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(contentHash)); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete metadata rows for untracked blob: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	//nolint:gosec // G703: path comes from walking our own cache directory
+	if err := os.Remove(path); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to remove untracked source file: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	c.log.Info("removed untracked source content file", "content_hash", contentHash)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// reconcileSourceRows removes source_content rows (and their metadata
+// references and sidecars) whose blob files are missing on disk.
+func (c *Cache) reconcileSourceRows(ctx context.Context) error {
+	hashes, err := c.allSourceContentHashes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	for _, hash := range hashes {
+		if c.srcContent.Exists(hash) {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// The blob file is already gone; evictSourceBlob removes the
+		// rows and sidecars and tolerates the missing file.
+		if err := c.evictSourceBlob(ctx, hash); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		c.log.Info("dropped rows for missing source content file", "content_hash", hash)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// allSourceContentHashes returns every tracked source content hash.
+func (c *Cache) allSourceContentHashes(ctx context.Context) ([]ContentHash, error) {
+	rows, err := c.db.QueryContext(ctx, `SELECT content_hash FROM source_content`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to query source content hashes: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = rows.Close() }()
+
+	var hashes []ContentHash
+
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var hash string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&hash); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to scan content hash: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		hashes = append(hashes, ContentHash(hash))
+	}
+
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("content hash iteration failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return hashes, nil
+}
+
+// sweepStaleTempFile removes a temp file left behind by a crashed
+// write once it is old enough that no in-flight store can own it.
+func (c *Cache) sweepStaleTempFile(path string, entry fs.DirEntry) {
+	info, err := entry.Info()
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if time.Since(info.ModTime()) < staleTempFileAge {
+		return
+	}
+
+	//nolint:gosec // G703: path comes from walking our own cache directory
+	if err := os.Remove(path); err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		c.log.Warn("failed to remove stale temp file", "path", path, "error", err)
+
+		return
+	}
+
+	c.log.Info("removed stale temp file", "path", path)
+}
diff --git a/internal/imgcache/eviction_test.go b/internal/imgcache/eviction_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a16d05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/imgcache/eviction_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,669 @@
+package imgcache
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"database/sql"
+	"io/fs"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	_ "modernc.org/sqlite"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/pixa/internal/database"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/pixa/internal/httpfetcher"
+)
+
+// sqliteTimestampFormat matches the format SQLite's CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+// produces, so injected timestamps compare correctly against ones the
+// implementation writes.
+const sqliteTimestampFormat = "2006-01-02 15:04:05"
+
+// evictionTestDB creates an in-memory SQLite database with the real
+// production schema, limited to a single connection so the background
+// eviction goroutine shares the same in-memory database as the test.
+func evictionTestDB(t *testing.T) *sql.DB {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	db, err := sql.Open("sqlite", ":memory:")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to open test db: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	db.SetMaxOpenConns(1)
+
+	if err := database.ApplyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to apply migrations: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	t.Cleanup(func() { _ = db.Close() })
+
+	return db
+}
+
+// newEvictionTestCache creates a Cache backed by a temp directory and
+// an in-memory database, with the given size limit.
+func newEvictionTestCache(t *testing.T, maxBytes int64) (*Cache, string) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	db := evictionTestDB(t)
+
+	// maxBytes zero mirrors the production mapping of
+	// cache_max_bytes: 0 (handlers sets DisableDiskCache); at the
+	// CacheConfig layer itself a zero MaxBytes means "no limit" for
+	// backwards compatibility with existing fixtures.
+	cache, err := NewCache(db, CacheConfig{
+		StateDir:         tmpDir,
+		CacheTTL:         time.Hour,
+		NegativeTTL:      5 * time.Minute,
+		MaxBytes:         maxBytes,
+		DisableDiskCache: maxBytes == 0,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create cache: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return cache, tmpDir
+}
+
+// storeEvictionTestSource stores content as a fetched source for
+// host/path and returns the resulting content hash.
+func storeEvictionTestSource(
+	t *testing.T, cache *Cache, host, path string, content []byte,
+) ContentHash {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	req := &ImageRequest{
+		SourceHost: host,
+		SourcePath: path,
+		Format:     FormatJPEG,
+		Quality:    85,
+		FitMode:    FitCover,
+	}
+
+	result := &httpfetcher.FetchResult{
+		StatusCode:    200,
+		ContentType:   "image/jpeg",
+		ContentLength: int64(len(content)),
+		Headers:       map[string][]string{"Content-Type": {"image/jpeg"}},
+	}
+
+	hash, err := cache.StoreSource(context.Background(), req, bytes.NewReader(content), result)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("StoreSource(%s%s) failed: %v", host, path, err)
+	}
+
+	return hash
+}
+
+// storeEvictionTestVariant stores content as a processed variant under
+// the given cache key.
+func storeEvictionTestVariant(t *testing.T, cache *Cache, key VariantKey, content []byte) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	if err := cache.StoreVariant(key, bytes.NewReader(content), "image/webp"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("StoreVariant(%s) failed: %v", key, err)
+	}
+}
+
+// setVariantLastAccessed backdates the last access time of a tracked
+// variant, to make LRU ordering deterministic in tests.
+func setVariantLastAccessed(t *testing.T, cache *Cache, key VariantKey, when time.Time) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	res, err := cache.db.Exec(
+		`UPDATE variant_content SET last_accessed_at = ? WHERE cache_key = ?`,
+		when.UTC().Format(sqliteTimestampFormat), string(key),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to set variant last_accessed_at: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	affected, err := res.RowsAffected()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to read affected rows: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if affected != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("variant %s has no accounting row (affected=%d); "+
+			"stores must track variants in the database", key, affected)
+	}
+}
+
+// setSourceLastAccessed backdates the last access time of a tracked
+// source content blob.
+func setSourceLastAccessed(t *testing.T, cache *Cache, hash ContentHash, when time.Time) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	res, err := cache.db.Exec(
+		`UPDATE source_content SET last_accessed_at = ? WHERE content_hash = ?`,
+		when.UTC().Format(sqliteTimestampFormat), string(hash),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to set source last_accessed_at: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	affected, err := res.RowsAffected()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to read affected rows: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if affected != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("source %s has no accounting row (affected=%d)", hash, affected)
+	}
+}
+
+// countRows returns the number of rows the given query yields.
+func countRows(t *testing.T, cache *Cache, query string, args ...interface{}) int {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	var n int
+	if err := cache.db.QueryRow(query, args...).Scan(&n); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("count query %q failed: %v", query, err)
+	}
+
+	return n
+}
+
+// assertNoDanglingReferences verifies the core eviction invariant:
+// every database row that references cache content on disk points at a
+// file that actually exists.
+func assertNoDanglingReferences(t *testing.T, cache *Cache) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	rows, err := cache.db.Query(
+		`SELECT content_hash FROM source_metadata
+		 WHERE content_hash IS NOT NULL AND content_hash != ''`,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to query source_metadata: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = rows.Close() }()
+
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var hash string
+		if err := rows.Scan(&hash); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to scan content_hash: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if !cache.srcContent.Exists(ContentHash(hash)) {
+			t.Errorf("source_metadata references content %s but the file is missing", hash)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("source_metadata iteration failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	variantRows, err := cache.db.Query(`SELECT cache_key FROM variant_content`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to query variant_content: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = variantRows.Close() }()
+
+	for variantRows.Next() {
+		var key string
+		if err := variantRows.Scan(&key); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to scan cache_key: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if !cache.variants.Exists(VariantKey(key)) {
+			t.Errorf("variant_content references key %s but the file is missing", key)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := variantRows.Err(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("variant_content iteration failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+// waitForUsageAtOrBelow polls UsageBytes until it reaches limit or the
+// timeout expires, returning the last observed usage.
+func waitForUsageAtOrBelow(t *testing.T, cache *Cache, limit int64, timeout time.Duration) int64 {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+
+	var usage int64
+
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		var err error
+
+		usage, err = cache.UsageBytes(context.Background())
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("UsageBytes failed: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if usage <= limit {
+			return usage
+		}
+
+		time.Sleep(25 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+	return usage
+}
+
+func TestUsageBytesAccountsSourceAndVariantBytes(t *testing.T) {
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, 1<<30)
+
+	storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/a.jpg",
+		bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xAA}, 1000))
+	storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/b.jpg",
+		bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xAB}, 2000))
+	storeEvictionTestVariant(t, cache, "aabbccdd0001", bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xAC}, 500))
+	storeEvictionTestVariant(t, cache, "aabbccdd0002", bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xAD}, 250))
+
+	usage, err := cache.UsageBytes(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("UsageBytes failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if usage != 3750 {
+		t.Errorf("UsageBytes = %d, want 3750 (1000+2000+500+250)", usage)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUsageBytesCountsMultiReferencedBlobOnce(t *testing.T) {
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, 1<<30)
+
+	content := bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xCC}, 1200)
+
+	hashOne := storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/one.jpg", content)
+	hashTwo := storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/two.jpg", content)
+
+	if hashOne != hashTwo {
+		t.Fatalf("identical content produced different hashes: %s vs %s", hashOne, hashTwo)
+	}
+
+	usage, err := cache.UsageBytes(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("UsageBytes failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if usage != 1200 {
+		t.Errorf("UsageBytes = %d, want 1200 (deduplicated blob counted once)", usage)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvictToLimitEvictsLeastRecentlyUsedFirst(t *testing.T) {
+	const limit = 3000
+
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, limit)
+
+	now := time.Now()
+	keys := []VariantKey{"aabbccdd0001", "aabbccdd0002", "aabbccdd0003", "aabbccdd0004"}
+	fills := []byte{0x01, 0x02, 0x03, 0x04}
+	ages := []time.Duration{4 * time.Hour, 3 * time.Hour, 2 * time.Hour, 1 * time.Hour}
+
+	for i, key := range keys {
+		storeEvictionTestVariant(t, cache, key, bytes.Repeat([]byte{fills[i]}, 1000))
+		setVariantLastAccessed(t, cache, key, now.Add(-ages[i]))
+	}
+
+	if err := cache.EvictToLimit(context.Background()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EvictToLimit failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	usage, err := cache.UsageBytes(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("UsageBytes failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if usage > limit {
+		t.Errorf("usage after eviction = %d, want <= %d", usage, limit)
+	}
+
+	if cache.variants.Exists(keys[0]) {
+		t.Errorf("least recently used variant %s must be evicted", keys[0])
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM variant_content WHERE cache_key = ?`, string(keys[0]),
+	); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("evicted variant %s still has %d accounting rows", keys[0], n)
+	}
+
+	for _, key := range keys[1:] {
+		if !cache.variants.Exists(key) {
+			t.Errorf("more recently used variant %s must survive eviction", key)
+		}
+	}
+
+	assertNoDanglingReferences(t, cache)
+}
+
+func TestEvictionRemovesMultiReferencedBlobTogetherWithAllReferences(t *testing.T) {
+	const limit = 1000
+
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, limit)
+
+	now := time.Now()
+
+	// One 800-byte blob referenced by two source paths.
+	sharedContent := bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xDD}, 800)
+	sharedHash := storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/a.jpg", sharedContent)
+
+	if h := storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/b.jpg", sharedContent); h != sharedHash {
+		t.Fatalf("identical content produced different hashes: %s vs %s", h, sharedHash)
+	}
+
+	// A newer 600-byte blob referenced by one source path.
+	recentHash := storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/c.jpg",
+		bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xEE}, 600))
+
+	setSourceLastAccessed(t, cache, sharedHash, now.Add(-2*time.Hour))
+	setSourceLastAccessed(t, cache, recentHash, now.Add(-time.Minute))
+
+	if err := cache.EvictToLimit(context.Background()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EvictToLimit failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	usage, err := cache.UsageBytes(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("UsageBytes failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if usage > limit {
+		t.Errorf("usage after eviction = %d, want <= %d", usage, limit)
+	}
+
+	// The multi-referenced blob must be gone from disk, from
+	// source_content, and from BOTH source_metadata rows: references
+	// are removed together with the blob, never left dangling.
+	if cache.srcContent.Exists(sharedHash) {
+		t.Errorf("evicted blob %s still exists on disk", sharedHash)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM source_content WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(sharedHash),
+	); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("evicted blob %s still has %d source_content rows", sharedHash, n)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM source_metadata WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(sharedHash),
+	); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("evicted blob %s still has %d source_metadata references", sharedHash, n)
+	}
+
+	// The JSON metadata sidecars for both referencing paths must be
+	// removed along with the rows.
+	for _, path := range []string{"/a.jpg", "/b.jpg"} {
+		pathHash := HashPath(path + "?")
+		if cache.srcMetadata.Exists("src.example.com", pathHash) {
+			t.Errorf("metadata sidecar for %s must be removed with its row", path)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// The more recently used blob survives fully intact.
+	if !cache.srcContent.Exists(recentHash) {
+		t.Errorf("recently used blob %s must survive eviction", recentHash)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM source_metadata WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(recentHash),
+	); n != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("recently used blob %s has %d source_metadata rows, want 1", recentHash, n)
+	}
+
+	assertNoDanglingReferences(t, cache)
+}
+
+func TestEvictionKeepsEverythingWhenUnderLimit(t *testing.T) {
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, 1<<30)
+
+	content := bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xDF}, 800)
+	hash := storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/a.jpg", content)
+
+	if h := storeEvictionTestSource(t, cache, "src.example.com", "/b.jpg", content); h != hash {
+		t.Fatalf("identical content produced different hashes: %s vs %s", h, hash)
+	}
+
+	storeEvictionTestVariant(t, cache, "aabbccdd0001", bytes.Repeat([]byte{0xE0}, 500))
+
+	if err := cache.EvictToLimit(context.Background()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("EvictToLimit failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if !cache.srcContent.Exists(hash) {
+		t.Errorf("blob %s must not be evicted while usage is under the limit", hash)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM source_metadata WHERE content_hash = ?`, string(hash),
+	); n != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("blob %s has %d source_metadata rows, want 2", hash, n)
+	}
+
+	if !cache.variants.Exists("aabbccdd0001") {
+		t.Error("variant must not be evicted while usage is under the limit")
+	}
+
+	assertNoDanglingReferences(t, cache)
+}
+
+func TestZeroMaxBytesDisablesDiskCache(t *testing.T) {
+	cache, tmpDir := newEvictionTestCache(t, 0)
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	req := &ImageRequest{
+		SourceHost: "src.example.com",
+		SourcePath: "/a.jpg",
+		Format:     FormatJPEG,
+		Quality:    85,
+		FitMode:    FitCover,
+	}
+
+	// Writes are no-ops that report success.
+	if err := cache.StoreVariant(CacheKey(req), bytes.NewReader([]byte("data")), "image/webp"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("StoreVariant on disabled cache must be a no-op, got error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := &httpfetcher.FetchResult{
+		StatusCode:    200,
+		ContentType:   "image/jpeg",
+		ContentLength: 4,
+		Headers:       map[string][]string{},
+	}
+
+	hash, err := cache.StoreSource(ctx, req, bytes.NewReader([]byte("data")), result)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("StoreSource on disabled cache must be a no-op, got error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if hash != "" {
+		t.Errorf("StoreSource on disabled cache returned hash %q, want empty", hash)
+	}
+
+	// Reads always miss.
+	lookup, err := cache.Lookup(ctx, req)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Lookup on disabled cache failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if lookup.Hit {
+		t.Error("Lookup on disabled cache must always miss")
+	}
+
+	srcHash, srcType, err := cache.LookupSource(ctx, req)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LookupSource on disabled cache failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if srcHash != "" || srcType != "" {
+		t.Errorf("LookupSource on disabled cache = (%q, %q), want empty", srcHash, srcType)
+	}
+
+	// Nothing is tracked and nothing is written to disk.
+	usage, err := cache.UsageBytes(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("UsageBytes failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if usage != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("UsageBytes on disabled cache = %d, want 0", usage)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache, `SELECT COUNT(*) FROM source_content`); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("disabled cache wrote %d source_content rows, want 0", n)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache, `SELECT COUNT(*) FROM source_metadata`); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("disabled cache wrote %d source_metadata rows, want 0", n)
+	}
+
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(tmpDir, "cache")); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Errorf("disabled cache must not create the cache directory tree (stat err=%v)", err)
+	}
+
+	var foundFiles []string
+
+	walkErr := filepath.WalkDir(tmpDir, func(path string, d fs.DirEntry, err error) error {
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if !d.IsDir() {
+			foundFiles = append(foundFiles, path)
+		}
+
+		return nil
+	})
+	if walkErr != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to walk state dir: %v", walkErr)
+	}
+
+	if len(foundFiles) != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("disabled cache wrote files to disk: %v", foundFiles)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEvictionRunsUnderWritePressure(t *testing.T) {
+	const limit = 1500
+
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, limit)
+
+	// An interval far longer than the test ensures only write
+	// pressure can trigger eviction here.
+	cache.StartEviction(time.Hour)
+	defer cache.StopEviction()
+
+	keys := []VariantKey{"aabbccdd0001", "aabbccdd0002", "aabbccdd0003"}
+	fills := []byte{0x11, 0x12, 0x13}
+
+	for i, key := range keys {
+		storeEvictionTestVariant(t, cache, key, bytes.Repeat([]byte{fills[i]}, 1000))
+	}
+
+	usage := waitForUsageAtOrBelow(t, cache, limit, 5*time.Second)
+	if usage > limit {
+		t.Errorf("write pressure did not trigger eviction: usage = %d, want <= %d",
+			usage, limit)
+	}
+
+	assertNoDanglingReferences(t, cache)
+}
+
+func TestEvictionRunsOnPeriodicSchedule(t *testing.T) {
+	const limit = 1500
+
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, limit)
+
+	// Start the evictor while the cache is empty, then create tracked
+	// over-limit state WITHOUT going through the store methods, so no
+	// write-pressure notification fires and only the periodic ticker
+	// can trigger eviction.
+	cache.StartEviction(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	defer cache.StopEviction()
+
+	keys := []VariantKey{"aabbccdd0001", "aabbccdd0002", "aabbccdd0003"}
+	fills := []byte{0x21, 0x22, 0x23}
+
+	for i, key := range keys {
+		content := bytes.Repeat([]byte{fills[i]}, 1000)
+
+		if _, err := cache.variants.Store(key, bytes.NewReader(content), "image/webp"); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to store variant file: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if _, err := cache.db.Exec(
+			`INSERT INTO variant_content (cache_key, size_bytes, content_type)
+			 VALUES (?, ?, ?)`,
+			string(key), len(content), "image/webp",
+		); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to insert variant accounting row: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	usage := waitForUsageAtOrBelow(t, cache, limit, 5*time.Second)
+	if usage > limit {
+		t.Errorf("periodic schedule did not trigger eviction: usage = %d, want <= %d",
+			usage, limit)
+	}
+
+	assertNoDanglingReferences(t, cache)
+}
+
+func TestStartEvictionReconcilesAccountingWithDisk(t *testing.T) {
+	cache, _ := newEvictionTestCache(t, 1<<30)
+
+	// An untracked variant file on disk (e.g. written before this
+	// feature existed) must be adopted into the accounting.
+	untracked := bytes.Repeat([]byte{0x31}, 1000)
+	if _, err := cache.variants.Store("aabbccdd0001", bytes.NewReader(untracked), "image/webp"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to store untracked variant file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// An accounting row whose file is missing must be dropped.
+	if _, err := cache.db.Exec(
+		`INSERT INTO variant_content (cache_key, size_bytes, content_type)
+		 VALUES (?, ?, ?)`,
+		"deadbeef0001", 700, "image/webp",
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to insert stale variant accounting row: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	cache.StartEviction(time.Hour)
+	defer cache.StopEviction()
+
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(5 * time.Second)
+
+	var usage int64
+
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		var err error
+
+		usage, err = cache.UsageBytes(context.Background())
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("UsageBytes failed: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if usage == 1000 {
+			break
+		}
+
+		time.Sleep(25 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+	if usage != 1000 {
+		t.Errorf("usage after reconciliation = %d, want 1000 "+
+			"(untracked file adopted, stale row dropped)", usage)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM variant_content WHERE cache_key = ?`, "aabbccdd0001",
+	); n != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("untracked variant file was not adopted into accounting (rows=%d)", n)
+	}
+
+	if n := countRows(t, cache,
+		`SELECT COUNT(*) FROM variant_content WHERE cache_key = ?`, "deadbeef0001",
+	); n != 0 {
+		t.Errorf("stale accounting row without a file was not dropped (rows=%d)", n)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/imgcache/storage.go b/internal/imgcache/storage.go
index 371138a..9891074 100644
--- a/internal/imgcache/storage.go
+++ b/internal/imgcache/storage.go
@@ -493,6 +493,24 @@ func (s *VariantStorage) Delete(key VariantKey) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// DeleteWithMeta removes the content at the given key together with
+// its .meta sidecar file. A missing file is not an error.
+func (s *VariantStorage) DeleteWithMeta(key VariantKey) error {
+	if err := s.Delete(key); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	metaPath := s.keyToPath(key) + ".meta"
+
+	//nolint:gosec // G703: path derived from cache key
+	err := os.Remove(metaPath)
+	if err != nil && !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete variant metadata: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // keyToPath converts a key to a file path: <basedir>/<ab>/<cd>/<key>
 func (s *VariantStorage) keyToPath(key VariantKey) string {
 	k := string(key)