diff --git a/host/allowance_probe.py b/host/allowance_probe.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4587037c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/allowance_probe.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""One-shot: print the live funder's USDC balance AND allowance (the thing
+preflight's balance check didn't separately assert — an unapproved exchange
+allowance rejects every order while the balance reads fine)."""
+import os
+from py_clob_client.client import ClobClient
+from py_clob_client.clob_types import BalanceAllowanceParams, AssetType
+
+c = ClobClient(host="https://clob.polymarket.com",
+               key=os.environ["LIVE_PRIVATE_KEY"].strip(), chain_id=137,
+               signature_type=int(os.environ.get("LIVE_SIGNATURE_TYPE") or 1),
+               funder=os.environ["LIVE_FUNDER_ADDRESS"].strip())
+c.set_api_creds(c.create_or_derive_api_creds())
+r = c.get_balance_allowance(BalanceAllowanceParams(asset_type=AssetType.COLLATERAL))
+print("raw:", r)
+bal = int(r.get("balance", 0)) / 1e6
+print(f"balance ${bal:,.2f}")
+for k, v in r.items():
+    if "allowance" in k.lower():
+        print(f"{k}: {v}")