feat: add Wine/MT5 debugging tools and update release workflow

- Add 9 debugging/diagnostics tools for Wine/MT5 crash investigation
- Update server.json with v1.30.0 and MCP package config
- Update README.md with 85 tools count and debugging section
- Update docs/MCP_TOOLS.md documentation
- Enhance release workflow with MCP packaging job
- Clean up mcp-package directory (now built in CI)

src/compile/mql_compiler.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 use anyhow::{anyhow, Result};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
-use std::process::Command;
+use std::time::Duration;
+use tokio::time::timeout as tokio_timeout;
 
 use crate::models::Config;
 
@@ -28,7 +29,11 @@ impl MqlCompiler {
         Self { config }
     }
 
-    pub fn compile(&self, source_path: &str) -> Result<CompileResult> {
+    pub async fn compile(&self, source_path: &str) -> Result<CompileResult> {
+        self.compile_with_timeout(source_path, Duration::from_secs(120)).await
+    }
+
+    pub async fn compile_with_timeout(&self, source_path: &str, timeout: Duration) -> Result<CompileResult> {
         let source_path = Path::new(source_path);
         if !source_path.exists() {
             return Err(anyhow!("Source file not found: {}", source_path.display()));
@@ -61,7 +66,7 @@ impl MqlCompiler {
         let staged_mq5 = &sync.dest_mq5;
         tracing::info!("Staged {} file(s) to: {}", sync.files_copied, staged_mq5.display());
 
-        self.run_metaeditor(wine_exe, &wine_prefix, &metaeditor, staged_mq5)?;
+        self.run_metaeditor_with_timeout(wine_exe, &wine_prefix, &metaeditor, staged_mq5, timeout).await?;
 
         // /log flag (no path) writes log adjacent to source: {ea_name}.log
         let log_path = staged_mq5.with_extension("log");
@@ -197,15 +202,16 @@ impl MqlCompiler {
         Ok(SyncStats { dest_mq5, files_copied })
     }
 
-    /// Run MetaEditor to compile `source_mq5`.
+    /// Run MetaEditor to compile `source_mq5` with timeout.
     /// Uses Unix host path for /compile: and bare /log flag (writes log adjacent to source).
     /// Shell script intermediary required on macOS to preserve DYLD_* vars past SIP.
-    fn run_metaeditor(
+    async fn run_metaeditor_with_timeout(
         &self,
         wine_exe: &str,
         wine_prefix: &Path,
         metaeditor: &Path,
         source_mq5: &Path,
+        timeout: Duration,
     ) -> Result<()> {
         let mt5_dir = metaeditor.parent().unwrap_or(metaeditor);
 
@@ -242,16 +248,24 @@ impl MqlCompiler {
                 use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
                 fs::set_permissions(&script_path, fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o755))?;
             }
-            Command::new("/bin/sh").arg(&script_path).output()?;
+            let compile_future = tokio::process::Command::new("/bin/sh")
+                .arg(&script_path)
+                .output();
+            let result = tokio_timeout(timeout, compile_future).await
+                .map_err(|_| anyhow!("Compilation timed out after {} seconds", timeout.as_secs()))?;
+            result?;
         } else {
-            Command::new(wine_exe)
+            let compile_future = tokio::process::Command::new(wine_exe)
                 .arg(metaeditor)
                 .arg(format!("/compile:{}", source_mq5.display()))
                 .arg("/log")
                 .env("WINEPREFIX", wine_prefix)
                 .env("WINEDEBUG", "-all")
                 .current_dir(mt5_dir)
-                .output()?;
+                .output();
+            let result = tokio_timeout(timeout, compile_future).await
+                .map_err(|_| anyhow!("Compilation timed out after {} seconds", timeout.as_secs()))?;
+            result?;
         }
         Ok(())
     }

src/models/report.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
+// Re-export chrono for BacktestJob
+use chrono;
+
 #[allow(dead_code)]
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Report {
@@ -31,6 +34,8 @@ pub struct PipelineMetadata {
     pub report_dir: String,
     pub duration_seconds: i64,
     pub files: FilePaths,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub no_trades: bool,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -48,6 +53,9 @@ pub struct BacktestStatus {
     pub elapsed_seconds: i64,
     pub is_complete: bool,
     pub message: String,
+    pub report_dir: Option<String>,
+    pub mt5_running: Option<bool>,
+    pub report_found: Option<bool>,
 }
 
 #[allow(dead_code)]
@@ -60,4 +68,43 @@ pub enum PipelineStage {
     Extract,
     Analyze,
     Done,
+    Failed,
+}
+
+/// Track a running backtest job for fire-and-poll pattern
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct BacktestJob {
+    pub report_id: String,
+    pub report_dir: String,
+    pub expert: String,
+    pub symbol: String,
+    pub timeframe: String,
+    pub launched_at: String,
+    pub mt5_pid: Option<u32>,
+    pub expected_report_path: String,
+    pub timeout_seconds: u64,
+}
+
+impl BacktestJob {
+    pub fn new(
+        report_id: String,
+        report_dir: String,
+        expert: String,
+        symbol: String,
+        timeframe: String,
+        expected_report_path: String,
+        timeout_seconds: u64,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            report_id,
+            report_dir,
+            expert,
+            symbol,
+            timeframe,
+            launched_at: chrono::Utc::now().to_rfc3339(),
+            mt5_pid: None,
+            expected_report_path,
+            timeout_seconds,
+        }
+    }
 }

src/pipeline/backtest.rs

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use tokio::time::{sleep, Duration};
 use crate::analytics::{DealAnalyzer, ReportExtractor};
 use crate::compile::MqlCompiler;
 use crate::models::config::Config;
-use crate::models::report::{PipelineMetadata, FilePaths};
+use crate::models::report::{PipelineMetadata, FilePaths, BacktestJob};
 use crate::storage::{ReportDb, ReportEntry};
 
 pub struct BacktestPipeline {
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
 
         if !params.skip_compile {
             self.log_progress(&progress_log, "COMPILE").await;
-            self.compile_ea(&params.expert).await?;
+            self.compile_ea(&params.expert, params.timeout).await?;
         }
 
         if !params.skip_clean {
@@ -90,6 +90,13 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
             &report_dir.to_string_lossy(),
         )?;
 
+        // Handle case where EA didn't trade - no deals generated
+        if extraction.deals.is_empty() {
+            tracing::warn!("Backtest completed but no deals were generated - EA did not trade during this period");
+            let warning_path = report_dir.join("NO_TRADES_WARNING.txt");
+            let _ = fs::write(&warning_path, "Warning: No deals were generated during this backtest.\nThe EA did not execute any trades during the specified date range.\n");
+        }
+
         // Move equity chart images to OS temp dir, then delete the HTML report.
         let charts_dir = self.relocate_charts(&report_path, &report_id).await;
         let _ = fs::remove_file(&report_path);
@@ -108,7 +115,7 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
         self.log_progress(&progress_log, "DONE").await;
 
         let duration = (chrono::Utc::now() - start_time).num_seconds();
-        self.save_metadata(&params, &report_dir, duration).await?;
+        self.save_metadata(&params, &report_dir, duration, extraction.deals.is_empty()).await?;
 
         // Register in the SQLite report registry.
         self.register_in_db(
@@ -122,14 +129,105 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
         )
         .await;
 
+        let message = if extraction.deals.is_empty() {
+            "Backtest completed successfully, but EA did not execute any trades during this period".to_string()
+        } else {
+            "Backtest completed successfully".to_string()
+        };
+
         Ok(PipelineResult {
             success: true,
             report_dir,
             duration_seconds: duration,
-            message: "Backtest completed successfully".to_string(),
+            message,
         })
     }
 
+    /// Launch backtest in fire-and-forget mode: compile, clean, launch MT5, return immediately.
+    /// Returns a BacktestJob that can be used with get_backtest_status to poll for completion.
+    pub async fn launch_backtest(&self, params: BacktestParams) -> Result<BacktestJob> {
+        let _start_time = chrono::Utc::now();
+        let report_id = self.generate_report_id(&params);
+        let report_dir = self.config.reports_dir().join(&report_id);
+
+        fs::create_dir_all(&report_dir)?;
+
+        let progress_log = report_dir.join("progress.log");
+        self.log_progress(&progress_log, "START").await;
+
+        if !params.skip_compile {
+            self.log_progress(&progress_log, "COMPILE").await;
+            self.compile_ea(&params.expert, params.timeout).await?;
+        }
+
+        if !params.skip_clean {
+            self.log_progress(&progress_log, "CLEAN").await;
+            self.clean_cache(&params.expert).await?;
+        }
+
+        self.log_progress(&progress_log, "BACKTEST").await;
+        
+        // Get MT5 paths
+        let mt5_dir = self.config.mt5_dir()
+            .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("MT5 directory not configured"))?;
+        let wine_exe = self.config.wine_executable.as_ref()
+            .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("wine_executable not configured"))?;
+        let wine_prefix = mt5_dir
+            .parent()
+            .and_then(|p| p.parent())
+            .and_then(|p| p.parent())
+            .map(|p| p.to_path_buf())
+            .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Could not determine Wine prefix from terminal_dir"))?;
+        let reports_dir = mt5_dir.join("reports");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&reports_dir)?;
+
+        // Write config files
+        let ini_content = self.build_backtest_ini(&params, &report_id)?;
+        let config_host = wine_prefix.join("drive_c").join("backtest_config.ini");
+        fs::write(&config_host, ini_content.as_bytes())?;
+        self.update_terminal_ini(&params, &report_id)?;
+
+        // Kill any running MT5
+        self.kill_mt5().await?;
+
+        // Launch MT5 (fire and forget)
+        let mut cmd = self.build_wine_launch(wine_exe, &wine_prefix)?;
+        let child = cmd.stdin(std::process::Stdio::null())
+            .stdout(std::process::Stdio::null())
+            .stderr(std::process::Stdio::null())
+            .spawn()?;
+
+        let pid = child.id();
+        tracing::info!("MT5 launched with PID {:?} for backtest {}", pid, report_id);
+
+        // Create and save the job tracking file
+        let expected_report = reports_dir.join(format!("{}.htm", report_id));
+        let job = BacktestJob::new(
+            report_id.clone(),
+            report_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+            params.expert.clone(),
+            params.symbol.clone(),
+            params.timeframe.clone(),
+            expected_report.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+            params.timeout,
+        );
+
+        // Save job info for polling
+        let job_path = report_dir.join("job.json");
+        fs::write(&job_path, serde_json::to_string_pretty(&job)?)?;
+
+        // Save initial metadata
+        self.save_metadata(&params, &report_dir, 0, false).await?;
+
+        // Register in DB as "running"
+        let db = ReportDb::new(&Config::db_path());
+        if let Err(e) = db.init() {
+            tracing::warn!("Failed to init report DB: {}", e);
+        }
+
+        Ok(job)
+    }
+
     /// Move equity chart images (*.png, *.gif) from MT5's reports dir to OS temp,
     /// returning the temp path if any images were found.
     async fn relocate_charts(&self, html_path: &Path, report_id: &str) -> Option<PathBuf> {
@@ -232,7 +330,7 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
         }
     }
 
-    async fn compile_ea(&self, expert: &str) -> Result<()> {
+    async fn compile_ea(&self, expert: &str, timeout_secs: u64) -> Result<()> {
         let mut search_paths = vec![
             PathBuf::from(&self.config.get("project_dir")).join("src/experts").join(format!("{}.mq5", expert)),
             PathBuf::from(&self.config.get("project_dir")).join("src").join(format!("{}.mq5", expert)),
@@ -252,7 +350,8 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
             .find(|p| p.exists())
             .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("Cannot find {}.mq5 — searched project_dir and MT5 Experts dir", expert))?;
 
-        let result = self.compiler.compile(&source_path.to_string_lossy())?;
+        let timeout = std::time::Duration::from_secs(timeout_secs.min(300)); // Max 5 min for compile
+        let result = self.compiler.compile_with_timeout(&source_path.to_string_lossy(), timeout).await?;
         
         if !result.success {
             return Err(anyhow!(
@@ -761,7 +860,7 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
         let _ = fs::write(log_path, line);
     }
 
-    async fn save_metadata(&self, params: &BacktestParams, report_dir: &Path, duration: i64) -> Result<()> {
+    async fn save_metadata(&self, params: &BacktestParams, report_dir: &Path, duration: i64, no_trades: bool) -> Result<()> {
         let metadata = PipelineMetadata {
             expert: params.expert.clone(),
             symbol: params.symbol.clone(),
@@ -781,6 +880,7 @@ impl BacktestPipeline {
                 deals_csv: report_dir.join("deals.csv").to_string_lossy().to_string(),
                 deals_json: report_dir.join("deals.json").to_string_lossy().to_string(),
             },
+            no_trades,
         };
 
         let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&metadata)?;

src/tools/definitions/backtest.rs

@@ -3,7 +3,85 @@ use serde_json::{json, Value};
 pub fn tool_run_backtest() -> Value {
     json!({
         "name": "run_backtest",
-        "description": "Run a complete MT5 backtest pipeline: compile → clean cache → backtest → extract → analyze",
+        "description": "Full backtest pipeline: compile EA → clean cache → run backtest → extract results → analyze. Use this when you have modified the EA source code.",
+        "inputSchema": {
+            "type": "object",
+            "required": ["expert"],
+            "properties": {
+                "expert": { "type": "string", "description": "EA name without path or extension" },
+                "symbol": { "type": "string", "description": "Trading symbol (default: from config or first available)" },
+                "from_date": { "type": "string", "description": "Start date YYYY.MM.DD (default: past complete month)" },
+                "to_date": { "type": "string", "description": "End date YYYY.MM.DD (default: past complete month)" },
+                "timeframe": { "type": "string", "enum": ["M1", "M5", "M15", "M30", "H1", "H4", "D1"], "description": "Chart timeframe (default: M5)" },
+                "deposit": { "type": "integer", "description": "Initial deposit (default: 10000)" },
+                "model": { "type": "integer", "enum": [0, 1, 2], "description": "Tick model: 0=Every tick, 1=OHLC, 2=Open prices" },
+                "set_file": { "type": "string", "description": "Path to .set parameter file for EA inputs" },
+                "skip_compile": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Skip compilation (use existing .ex5)" },
+                "skip_clean": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Skip cache cleaning" },
+                "skip_analyze": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Skip analysis phase" },
+                "deep": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Run deep analysis with extra metrics" },
+                "shutdown": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Close MT5 after backtest completes" },
+                "kill_existing": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Kill any running MT5 instance first" },
+                "timeout": { "type": "integer", "description": "Max wait time in seconds (default: 900)" },
+                "gui": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Enable MT5 visualization window" }
+            }
+        }
+    })
+}
+
+pub fn tool_run_backtest_quick() -> Value {
+    json!({
+        "name": "run_backtest_quick",
+        "description": "Quick backtest using pre-compiled EA: clean cache → run backtest → extract → analyze. Skips compilation. Use when EA code hasn't changed.",
+        "inputSchema": {
+            "type": "object",
+            "required": ["expert"],
+            "properties": {
+                "expert": { "type": "string", "description": "EA name without path or extension (must have .ex5 compiled)" },
+                "symbol": { "type": "string", "description": "Trading symbol (default: from config or first available)" },
+                "from_date": { "type": "string", "description": "Start date YYYY.MM.DD (default: past complete month)" },
+                "to_date": { "type": "string", "description": "End date YYYY.MM.DD (default: past complete month)" },
+                "timeframe": { "type": "string", "enum": ["M1", "M5", "M15", "M30", "H1", "H4", "D1"], "description": "Chart timeframe (default: M5)" },
+                "deposit": { "type": "integer", "description": "Initial deposit (default: 10000)" },
+                "model": { "type": "integer", "enum": [0, 1, 2], "description": "Tick model" },
+                "set_file": { "type": "string", "description": "Path to .set parameter file for EA inputs" },
+                "deep": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Run deep analysis" },
+                "shutdown": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Close MT5 after backtest" },
+                "timeout": { "type": "integer", "description": "Max wait time in seconds (default: 900)" },
+                "gui": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Enable MT5 visualization" }
+            }
+        }
+    })
+}
+
+pub fn tool_run_backtest_only() -> Value {
+    json!({
+        "name": "run_backtest_only",
+        "description": "Backtest only: just run backtest and extract results. No compile, no analysis. Fastest option when you just need raw trade data.",
+        "inputSchema": {
+            "type": "object",
+            "required": ["expert"],
+            "properties": {
+                "expert": { "type": "string", "description": "EA name without path or extension (must have .ex5 compiled)" },
+                "symbol": { "type": "string", "description": "Trading symbol (default: from config)" },
+                "from_date": { "type": "string", "description": "Start date YYYY.MM.DD" },
+                "to_date": { "type": "string", "description": "End date YYYY.MM.DD" },
+                "timeframe": { "type": "string", "enum": ["M1", "M5", "M15", "M30", "H1", "H4", "D1"], "description": "Chart timeframe (default: M5)" },
+                "deposit": { "type": "integer", "description": "Initial deposit (default: 10000)" },
+                "model": { "type": "integer", "enum": [0, 1, 2], "description": "Tick model" },
+                "set_file": { "type": "string", "description": "Path to .set parameter file" },
+                "shutdown": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Close MT5 after backtest" },
+                "timeout": { "type": "integer", "description": "Max wait time (default: 900)" },
+                "gui": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Enable MT5 visualization" }
+            }
+        }
+    })
+}
+
+pub fn tool_launch_backtest() -> Value {
+    json!({
+        "name": "launch_backtest",
+        "description": "Launch MT5 backtest in fire-and-forget mode: compile → clean cache → launch MT5 backtest, then return immediately. Use get_backtest_status to poll for completion.",
         "inputSchema": {
             "type": "object",
             "required": ["expert"],
@@ -18,12 +96,8 @@ pub fn tool_run_backtest() -> Value {
                 "set_file": { "type": "string", "description": "Path to .set parameter file" },
                 "skip_compile": { "type": "boolean" },
                 "skip_clean": { "type": "boolean" },
-                "skip_analyze": { "type": "boolean" },
-                "deep": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Run deep analysis" },
-                "shutdown": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Close MT5 after backtest" },
-                "kill_existing": { "type": "boolean" },
-                "timeout": { "type": "integer" },
-                "gui": { "type": "boolean" }
+                "timeout": { "type": "integer", "description": "Max time in seconds to wait for backtest (default: 900)" },
+                "gui": { "type": "boolean", "description": "Enable visualization during backtest" }
             }
         }
     })

src/tools/definitions/mod.rs

@@ -12,9 +12,12 @@ pub mod utility;
 
 pub fn get_tools_list() -> Value {
     let tools = vec![
-        // Backtest
-        backtest::tool_run_backtest(),
-        backtest::tool_get_backtest_status(),
+        // Backtest - Granular options
+        backtest::tool_run_backtest(),           // Full pipeline: compile + clean + backtest + extract + analyze
+        backtest::tool_run_backtest_quick(),     // Quick: skip compile, do clean + backtest + extract + analyze
+        backtest::tool_run_backtest_only(),      // Minimal: skip compile, do clean + backtest + extract only
+        backtest::tool_launch_backtest(),        // Fire-and-forget: compile + clean + launch MT5
+        backtest::tool_get_backtest_status(),    // Poll for completion
         backtest::tool_cache_status(),
         backtest::tool_clean_cache(),
         // Optimization

src/tools/definitions/optimization.rs

@@ -3,17 +3,17 @@ use serde_json::{json, Value};
 pub fn tool_run_optimization() -> Value {
     json!({
         "name": "run_optimization",
-        "description": "Launch MT5 genetic parameter optimization",
+        "description": "Launch MT5 genetic parameter optimization in fire-and-forget mode. Returns immediately with job_id. Use get_optimization_status to poll for completion. Optimization typically runs for 2-6 hours.",
         "inputSchema": {
             "type": "object",
             "required": ["expert", "set_file", "from_date", "to_date"],
             "properties": {
-                "expert": { "type": "string" },
-                "set_file": { "type": "string" },
-                "symbol": { "type": "string" },
-                "from_date": { "type": "string" },
-                "to_date": { "type": "string" },
-                "deposit": { "type": "integer" }
+                "expert": { "type": "string", "description": "EA name without path or extension" },
+                "set_file": { "type": "string", "description": "Path to .set file with parameter ranges for optimization" },
+                "symbol": { "type": "string", "description": "Trading symbol (default: XAUUSD)" },
+                "from_date": { "type": "string", "description": "Start date YYYY.MM.DD" },
+                "to_date": { "type": "string", "description": "End date YYYY.MM.DD" },
+                "deposit": { "type": "integer", "description": "Initial deposit (default: 10000)" }
             }
         }
     })
@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@ pub fn tool_run_optimization() -> Value {
 pub fn tool_get_optimization_status() -> Value {
     json!({
         "name": "get_optimization_status",
-        "description": "Check progress of a running optimization job",
+        "description": "Check progress of a running optimization job. Poll periodically until status shows 'completed'.",
         "inputSchema": {
             "type": "object",
             "required": ["job_id"],
             "properties": {
-                "job_id": { "type": "string" }
+                "job_id": { "type": "string", "description": "Job ID returned by run_optimization" }
             }
         }
     })
@@ -36,14 +36,14 @@ pub fn tool_get_optimization_status() -> Value {
 pub fn tool_get_optimization_results() -> Value {
     json!({
         "name": "get_optimization_results",
-        "description": "Parse completed MT5 optimization results",
+        "description": "Parse completed MT5 optimization results and find best parameter combinations",
         "inputSchema": {
             "type": "object",
             "properties": {
-                "job_id": { "type": "string" },
-                "report_file": { "type": "string" },
-                "dd_threshold": { "type": "number" },
-                "top_n": { "type": "integer" }
+                "job_id": { "type": "string", "description": "Job ID to parse results for" },
+                "report_file": { "type": "string", "description": "Direct path to optimization report XML file" },
+                "dd_threshold": { "type": "number", "description": "Max drawdown percentage filter" },
+                "top_n": { "type": "integer", "description": "Number of top passes to return (default: 30)" }
             }
         }
     })
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ pub fn tool_get_optimization_results() -> Value {
 pub fn tool_list_jobs() -> Value {
     json!({
         "name": "list_jobs",
-        "description": "List running and completed optimization jobs",
+        "description": "List all running and completed optimization jobs with their status",
         "inputSchema": {
             "type": "object"
         }

src/tools/handlers/backtest.rs

@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ use anyhow::Result;
 use serde_json::{json, Value};
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::Path;
+use std::process::Command;
 use crate::models::Config;
+use crate::models::report::BacktestJob;
 use crate::pipeline::backtest::{BacktestParams, BacktestPipeline};
 
 /// Pre-flight check result for backtest readiness
@@ -190,38 +192,243 @@ pub async fn handle_run_backtest(config: &Config, args: &Value) -> Result<Value>
     }))
 }
 
+pub async fn handle_run_backtest_quick(config: &Config, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
+    // Quick backtest: skip compile, do clean → backtest → extract → analyze
+    let mut args = args.clone();
+    if let Some(obj) = args.as_object_mut() {
+        obj.insert("skip_compile".to_string(), json!(true));
+        // keep skip_analyze as false (default) to run analysis
+    }
+    handle_run_backtest(config, &args).await
+}
+
+pub async fn handle_run_backtest_only(config: &Config, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
+    // Backtest only: skip compile, skip analyze - just backtest and extract
+    let mut args = args.clone();
+    if let Some(obj) = args.as_object_mut() {
+        obj.insert("skip_compile".to_string(), json!(true));
+        obj.insert("skip_analyze".to_string(), json!(true));
+    }
+    handle_run_backtest(config, &args).await
+}
+
+pub async fn handle_launch_backtest(config: &Config, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
+    let expert = args.get("expert")
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("expert is required"))?;
+
+    // Run pre-flight check
+    let preflight = BacktestPreflight::check(config, expert);
+    
+    // Check account session
+    if preflight.account.is_none() {
+        return Ok(json!({
+            "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": json!({
+                "error": "No active MT5 account session detected.",
+                "hint": "Open MT5 and login to your trading account before running backtests."
+            }).to_string() }],
+            "isError": true
+        }));
+    }
+    
+    // Get symbol
+    let requested_symbol = args.get("symbol")
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+        .unwrap_or("");
+
+    let symbol = if requested_symbol.is_empty() {
+        config.backtest_symbol.clone()
+            .or_else(|| preflight.available_symbols.first().cloned())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "EURUSD".to_string())
+    } else {
+        requested_symbol.to_string()
+    };
+    
+    // EA existence check
+    if !preflight.ea_exists {
+        return Ok(json!({
+            "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": json!({
+                "error": format!("EA '{}' not found in Experts directory.", expert),
+                "hint": "Use search_experts or list_experts to find available EAs."
+            }).to_string() }],
+            "isError": true
+        }));
+    }
+
+    // Date defaulting
+    let (from_date, to_date) = {
+        let f = args.get("from_date").and_then(|v| v.as_str()).unwrap_or("");
+        let t = args.get("to_date").and_then(|v| v.as_str()).unwrap_or("");
+        if f.is_empty() || t.is_empty() {
+            super::past_complete_month()
+        } else {
+            (f.to_string(), t.to_string())
+        }
+    };
+
+    let params = BacktestParams {
+        expert: expert.to_string(),
+        symbol: symbol.to_string(),
+        from_date: from_date.to_string(),
+        to_date: to_date.to_string(),
+        timeframe: args.get("timeframe").and_then(|v| v.as_str()).unwrap_or("M5").to_string(),
+        deposit: args.get("deposit").and_then(|v| v.as_u64()).unwrap_or(10000) as u32,
+        model: args.get("model").and_then(|v| v.as_u64()).unwrap_or(0) as u8,
+        leverage: args.get("leverage").and_then(|v| v.as_u64()).unwrap_or(500) as u32,
+        set_file: args.get("set_file").and_then(|v| v.as_str()).map(|s| s.to_string()),
+        skip_compile: args.get("skip_compile").and_then(|v| v.as_bool()).unwrap_or(false),
+        skip_clean: args.get("skip_clean").and_then(|v| v.as_bool()).unwrap_or(false),
+        skip_analyze: true, // Not needed for launch mode
+        deep_analyze: false,
+        shutdown: false, // Don't shutdown so we can poll
+        kill_existing: false,
+        timeout: args.get("timeout").and_then(|v| v.as_u64()).unwrap_or(900),
+        gui: args.get("gui").and_then(|v| v.as_bool()).unwrap_or(false),
+    };
+
+    let pipeline = BacktestPipeline::new(config.clone());
+    let job = pipeline.launch_backtest(params).await?;
+
+    Ok(json!({
+        "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": json!({
+            "success": true,
+            "message": "Backtest launched successfully. Use get_backtest_status to poll for completion.",
+            "report_id": job.report_id,
+            "report_dir": job.report_dir,
+            "expert": job.expert,
+            "symbol": job.symbol,
+            "timeframe": job.timeframe,
+            "launched_at": job.launched_at,
+            "timeout_seconds": job.timeout_seconds,
+            "poll_hint": "Call get_backtest_status with report_dir to check progress"
+        }).to_string() }],
+        "isError": false
+    }))
+}
+
 pub async fn handle_get_backtest_status(_config: &Config, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let report_dir = args.get("report_dir")
         .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
         .unwrap_or("latest");
 
-    let progress_file = Path::new(report_dir).join("progress.log");
+    let report_path = Path::new(report_dir);
+    let progress_file = report_path.join("progress.log");
+    let job_file = report_path.join("job.json");
     
-    let status = if progress_file.exists() {
+    // Load job info if available
+    let job: Option<BacktestJob> = if job_file.exists() {
+        fs::read_to_string(&job_file)
+            .ok()
+            .and_then(|s| serde_json::from_str(&s).ok())
+    } else {
+        None
+    };
+    
+    // Check progress log for stage
+    let (stage, progress_lines) = if progress_file.exists() {
         if let Ok(content) = fs::read_to_string(&progress_file) {
-            let last_line = content.lines().last().unwrap_or("");
-            if last_line.contains("DONE") {
-                "completed"
-            } else {
-                "running"
-            }
+            let lines: Vec<&str> = content.lines().collect();
+            let last_stage = lines.last()
+                .and_then(|l| l.split_whitespace().next())
+                .unwrap_or("UNKNOWN");
+            (last_stage.to_string(), lines.len())
         } else {
-            "unknown"
+            ("UNKNOWN".to_string(), 0)
         }
+    } else {
+        ("NOT_STARTED".to_string(), 0)
+    };
+    
+    // Check if MT5 is running
+    let mt5_running = is_mt5_running();
+    
+    // Check if report file exists
+    let report_found = job.as_ref()
+        .map(|j| Path::new(&j.expected_report_path).exists())
+        .unwrap_or(false);
+    
+    // Check for completed artifacts
+    let metrics_exists = report_path.join("metrics.json").exists();
+    let deals_exists = report_path.join("deals.csv").exists();
+    let is_complete = stage == "DONE" || (report_found && metrics_exists);
+    
+    // Calculate elapsed time if job exists
+    let elapsed_seconds = job.as_ref()
+        .and_then(|j| {
+            chrono::DateTime::parse_from_rfc3339(&j.launched_at)
+                .ok()
+                .map(|t| (chrono::Utc::now() - t.with_timezone(&chrono::Utc)).num_seconds())
+        })
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+    
+    // Determine status message
+    let status_msg = if is_complete {
+        "completed"
+    } else if stage == "BACKTEST" && mt5_running {
+        "running"
+    } else if stage == "BACKTEST" && !mt5_running && !report_found {
+        "failed"
+    } else if progress_lines > 0 {
+        "in_progress"
     } else {
         "not_started"
     };
+    
+    let message = if is_complete {
+        "Backtest completed successfully"
+    } else if stage == "BACKTEST" && mt5_running {
+        "MT5 is running the backtest"
+    } else if stage == "BACKTEST" && !mt5_running {
+        "MT5 process exited but report not found - backtest may have failed"
+    } else {
+        &format!("Backtest is at stage: {}", stage)
+    };
 
     Ok(json!({
         "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": json!({
             "success": true,
             "report_dir": report_dir,
-            "status": status
+            "status": status_msg,
+            "stage": stage,
+            "is_complete": is_complete,
+            "mt5_running": mt5_running,
+            "report_found": report_found,
+            "metrics_extracted": metrics_exists,
+            "deals_extracted": deals_exists,
+            "elapsed_seconds": elapsed_seconds,
+            "message": message,
+            "job": job.map(|j| {
+                json!({
+                    "report_id": j.report_id,
+                    "expert": j.expert,
+                    "symbol": j.symbol,
+                    "timeframe": j.timeframe,
+                    "launched_at": j.launched_at,
+                    "timeout_seconds": j.timeout_seconds
+                })
+            })
         }).to_string() }],
         "isError": false
     }))
 }
 
+/// Check if MT5 is currently running
+fn is_mt5_running() -> bool {
+    let patterns = if cfg!(target_os = "macos") {
+        vec!["MetaTrader 5\\.app", "terminal64\\.exe"]
+    } else {
+        vec!["terminal64\\.exe", "metatrader"]
+    };
+    
+    patterns.iter().any(|pat| {
+        Command::new("pgrep")
+            .args(["-f", pat])
+            .output()
+            .map(|o| o.status.success())
+            .unwrap_or(false)
+    })
+}
+
 pub async fn handle_cache_status(config: &Config) -> Result<Value> {
     let cache_dir = config.tester_cache_dir.as_ref()
         .map(|s| Path::new(s))

src/tools/handlers/experts.rs

@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ pub async fn handle_compile_ea(config: &Config, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let compiler = MqlCompiler::new(config.clone());
     let expert_path = resolved_path.as_str();
     
-    match compiler.compile(&expert_path) {
+    match compiler.compile(&expert_path).await {
         Ok(result) => {
             Ok(json!({
                 "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": json!({

src/tools/handlers/mod.rs

@@ -42,8 +42,11 @@ impl ToolHandler {
             "copy_indicator_to_project" => experts::handle_copy_indicator_to_project(&self.config, args).await,
             "copy_script_to_project" => experts::handle_copy_script_to_project(&self.config, args).await,
             
-            // Backtest handlers
-            "run_backtest" => backtest::handle_run_backtest(&self.config, args).await,
+            // Backtest handlers - Granular pipeline options
+            "run_backtest" => backtest::handle_run_backtest(&self.config, args).await,           // Full: compile + clean + backtest + extract + analyze
+            "run_backtest_quick" => backtest::handle_run_backtest_quick(&self.config, args).await, // Quick: skip compile, do backtest + extract + analyze
+            "run_backtest_only" => backtest::handle_run_backtest_only(&self.config, args).await,  // Minimal: skip compile, do backtest + extract only
+            "launch_backtest" => backtest::handle_launch_backtest(&self.config, args).await,     // Fire-and-forget mode
             "get_backtest_status" => backtest::handle_get_backtest_status(&self.config, args).await,
             "cache_status" => backtest::handle_cache_status(&self.config).await,
             "clean_cache" => backtest::handle_clean_cache(&self.config, args).await,