diff --git a/shared/strategies/kevin.py b/shared/strategies/kevin.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..484242a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/shared/strategies/kevin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,213 @@
+"""Standalone Kevin strategy decision logic.
+
+NOT a BaseStrategy subclass — the BaseStrategy signature is bar/article
+driven; Kevin is event-driven on YouTube mentions. Same shape called by
+both the live signal bridge and the backtest mini-engine, so behaviour
+cannot drift between them.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from decimal import Decimal
+from typing import Any
+
+from shared.schemas.kevin import (
+    KevinAccountState,
+    KevinDecision,
+    KevinDecisionType,
+)
+from shared.schemas.meet_kevin import TickerAction, TimeHorizon
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class KevinStrategyConfig:
+    """Strategy parameters (all overridable via env-vars in the bridge)."""
+
+    min_conviction: Decimal
+    max_mention_age_hours: int
+    base_position_pct: Decimal
+    min_trade_usd: Decimal
+    max_trade_usd: Decimal
+    max_per_ticker_usd: Decimal
+    hold_days_by_horizon: dict[str, int]
+    avoid_closes_longs: bool
+    avoid_blocks_days: int
+
+
+class KevinStrategy:
+    """Pure decision function: mention + account state -> KevinDecision.
+
+    Stateless. The bridge owns side effects (blocklist writes, Redis counters).
+    """
+
+    name: str = "kevin"
+
+    def __init__(self, config: KevinStrategyConfig) -> None:
+        self.config = config
+
+    async def evaluate_mention(
+        self,
+        mention: Any,  # KevinStockMention or stub
+        account: KevinAccountState,
+        *,
+        effective_conviction: Decimal,
+        current_price: Decimal,
+        is_tradable: bool,
+    ) -> KevinDecision:
+        symbol = mention.symbol
+        action = mention.action
+        horizon = mention.time_horizon
+
+        # 1. Common no-trade gates
+        if not is_tradable:
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale="not tradable on Alpaca",
+            )
+
+        if account.paused:
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale="trading paused (circuit breaker / drawdown halt)",
+            )
+
+        # 2. Action-specific gates
+        if action in (TickerAction.HOLD, TickerAction.WATCH):
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale=f"action={action.value} is UI-only, never trades",
+            )
+
+        # 3. SELL — close long if held, else no-op
+        if action == TickerAction.SELL:
+            if account.is_held(symbol):
+                return KevinDecision(
+                    decision=KevinDecisionType.CLOSE_LONG,
+                    symbol=symbol,
+                    effective_conviction=effective_conviction,
+                    rationale="kevin SELL on held position",
+                )
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale="SELL but not held; long-only, never shorts",
+            )
+
+        # 4. AVOID — close long if held + bridge will add blocklist (side effect)
+        if action == TickerAction.AVOID:
+            if account.is_held(symbol) and self.config.avoid_closes_longs:
+                return KevinDecision(
+                    decision=KevinDecisionType.CLOSE_LONG,
+                    symbol=symbol,
+                    effective_conviction=effective_conviction,
+                    rationale=(
+                        f"kevin AVOID on held position; bridge will blocklist "
+                        f"{self.config.avoid_blocks_days}d"
+                    ),
+                )
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale=(
+                    f"kevin AVOID; bridge will add to blocklist for "
+                    f"{self.config.avoid_blocks_days}d"
+                ),
+            )
+
+        # 5. BUY path — full filter stack
+        assert action == TickerAction.BUY
+
+        if effective_conviction < self.config.min_conviction:
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale=(
+                    f"conviction {effective_conviction} below "
+                    f"min_conviction {self.config.min_conviction}"
+                ),
+            )
+
+        if horizon == TimeHorizon.INTRADAY:
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale="intraday horizon — 3h poll cadence can't catch",
+            )
+
+        # Mention age — uses created_at if available
+        if hasattr(mention, "created_at") and mention.created_at is not None:
+            age = datetime.now(timezone.utc) - mention.created_at
+            if age > timedelta(hours=self.config.max_mention_age_hours):
+                return KevinDecision(
+                    decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                    symbol=symbol,
+                    rationale=(
+                        f"mention age {age} exceeds "
+                        f"{self.config.max_mention_age_hours}h"
+                    ),
+                )
+
+        if account.is_blocklisted(symbol):
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale="symbol is on blocklist (prior AVOID)",
+            )
+
+        # 6. Compute size — conviction-weighted fixed-fractional
+        conviction_mult = (effective_conviction - self.config.min_conviction) / (
+            Decimal("1") - self.config.min_conviction
+        )
+        target_pct = self.config.base_position_pct * (
+            Decimal("0.5") + Decimal("0.5") * conviction_mult
+        )
+        target_dollars = account.equity_usd * target_pct
+        target_dollars = max(
+            self.config.min_trade_usd,
+            min(target_dollars, self.config.max_trade_usd),
+        )
+
+        # 7. Per-ticker cap absorbs multi-mention boost
+        already_held_usd = account.held_positions.get(symbol, Decimal("0"))
+        headroom = self.config.max_per_ticker_usd - already_held_usd
+        if headroom <= 0:
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale=f"at per-ticker cap (${already_held_usd} already)",
+            )
+        target_dollars = min(target_dollars, headroom)
+
+        if target_dollars < self.config.min_trade_usd:
+            return KevinDecision(
+                decision=KevinDecisionType.NO_OP,
+                symbol=symbol,
+                rationale=(
+                    f"after cap headroom only ${target_dollars} — "
+                    f"below ${self.config.min_trade_usd} floor"
+                ),
+            )
+
+        # Round to 2dp dollars
+        target_dollars = target_dollars.quantize(Decimal("0.01"))
+
+        holding_days = self.config.hold_days_by_horizon.get(
+            horizon.value, self.config.hold_days_by_horizon["unspecified"]
+        )
+
+        return KevinDecision(
+            decision=KevinDecisionType.OPEN_LONG,
+            symbol=symbol,
+            target_dollars=target_dollars,
+            holding_days=holding_days,
+            effective_conviction=effective_conviction,
+            rationale=(
+                f"BUY conv={effective_conviction} -> "
+                f"{target_pct * 100}% target=${target_dollars} hold={holding_days}d"
+            ),
+        )
diff --git a/tests/shared/strategies/__init__.py b/tests/shared/strategies/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/shared/strategies/test_kevin_strategy.py b/tests/shared/strategies/test_kevin_strategy.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad14271
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/shared/strategies/test_kevin_strategy.py
@@ -0,0 +1,304 @@
+"""KevinStrategy tests — one behaviour per test, full conviction x action x held grid."""
+
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
+from decimal import Decimal
+
+import pytest
+
+from shared.schemas.kevin import KevinAccountState, KevinDecisionType
+from shared.schemas.meet_kevin import TickerAction, TimeHorizon
+from shared.strategies.kevin import KevinStrategy, KevinStrategyConfig
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def cfg() -> KevinStrategyConfig:
+    return KevinStrategyConfig(
+        min_conviction=Decimal("0.6"),
+        max_mention_age_hours=48,
+        base_position_pct=Decimal("0.04"),
+        min_trade_usd=Decimal("500"),
+        max_trade_usd=Decimal("5000"),
+        max_per_ticker_usd=Decimal("7500"),
+        hold_days_by_horizon={
+            "days": 3,
+            "weeks": 10,
+            "months": 45,
+            "long_term": 90,
+            "unspecified": 10,
+        },
+        avoid_closes_longs=True,
+        avoid_blocks_days=7,
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def state() -> KevinAccountState:
+    return KevinAccountState(
+        equity_usd=Decimal("100000"),
+        cash_usd=Decimal("100000"),
+        held_positions={},
+        blocklisted_symbols=set(),
+        daily_trade_count=0,
+        daily_alloc_usd=Decimal("0"),
+        paused=False,
+    )
+
+
+def _mention(symbol="NVDA", action="buy", conviction="0.7", horizon="weeks", age_hours=1):
+    """Lightweight stub matching KevinStockMention attribute access."""
+    return type(
+        "M",
+        (),
+        {
+            "id": 1,
+            "symbol": symbol,
+            "action": TickerAction(action) if isinstance(action, str) else action,
+            "conviction": Decimal(conviction),
+            "time_horizon": TimeHorizon(horizon),
+            "rationale_quote": "test",
+            "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(hours=age_hours),
+        },
+    )
+
+
+async def test_buy_high_conviction_emits_open_long(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="buy", conviction="0.8"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.8"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.OPEN_LONG
+    assert d.symbol == "NVDA"
+    # 4% * (0.5 + 0.5*(0.8-0.6)/0.4) = 4% * 0.75 = 3% of 100k = $3000
+    assert d.target_dollars == Decimal("3000.00")
+    assert d.holding_days == 10  # weeks
+
+
+async def test_buy_conviction_at_floor_emits_minimum_size(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="buy", conviction="0.6"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.6"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    # 4% * 0.5 = 2% of 100k = $2000
+    assert d.target_dollars == Decimal("2000.00")
+
+
+async def test_buy_below_min_conviction_is_no_op(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="buy", conviction="0.5"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.5"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+    assert "min_conviction" in d.rationale.lower()
+
+
+async def test_buy_mention_too_old_is_no_op(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(age_hours=72),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+    assert "age" in d.rationale.lower()
+
+
+async def test_buy_non_tradable_is_no_op(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(symbol="OTCXX"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("1"),
+        is_tradable=False,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+    assert "tradable" in d.rationale.lower()
+
+
+async def test_buy_intraday_horizon_is_no_op(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(horizon="intraday"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+
+
+async def test_buy_when_blocklisted_is_no_op(cfg, state):
+    state_b = state.model_copy(update={"blocklisted_symbols": {"NVDA"}})
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(),
+        state_b,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+    assert "blocklist" in d.rationale.lower()
+
+
+async def test_buy_at_per_ticker_cap_is_no_op(cfg, state):
+    state_full = state.model_copy(
+        update={"held_positions": {"NVDA": Decimal("7500")}}
+    )
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(),
+        state_full,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+    assert "cap" in d.rationale.lower()
+
+
+async def test_buy_held_below_cap_tops_up_to_cap(cfg, state):
+    state_p = state.model_copy(
+        update={"held_positions": {"NVDA": Decimal("5000")}}
+    )
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(conviction="1.0"),
+        state_p,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("1.0"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.OPEN_LONG
+    # full target = $4000 (4% of 100k clamped at 5k cap), but per-ticker cap = $7500,
+    # already held $5000 -> top up min(4000, 2500) = $2500
+    assert d.target_dollars == Decimal("2500.00")
+
+
+async def test_sell_with_held_emits_close_long(cfg, state):
+    state_p = state.model_copy(
+        update={"held_positions": {"NVDA": Decimal("3000")}}
+    )
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="sell"),
+        state_p,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.CLOSE_LONG
+
+
+async def test_sell_without_held_is_no_op(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="sell"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+
+
+async def test_avoid_with_held_emits_close_long(cfg, state):
+    state_p = state.model_copy(
+        update={"held_positions": {"NVDA": Decimal("3000")}}
+    )
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="avoid"),
+        state_p,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.CLOSE_LONG
+
+
+async def test_avoid_without_held_is_no_op_but_blocklists(cfg, state):
+    # The strategy itself returns NO_OP; the bridge applies the blocklist
+    # side-effect. We assert rationale reflects intent.
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="avoid"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+    assert "blocklist" in d.rationale.lower() or "avoid" in d.rationale.lower()
+
+
+async def test_hold_action_never_trades(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="hold"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.9"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+
+
+async def test_watch_action_never_trades(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(action="watch"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.9"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.decision == KevinDecisionType.NO_OP
+
+
+async def test_size_clamps_to_min_trade_usd(cfg, state):
+    # Equity small enough that 2% < $500 floor
+    small_state = state.model_copy(update={"equity_usd": Decimal("10000")})
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(conviction="0.6"),
+        small_state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.6"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    # 2% of $10k = $200 -> clamped to $500
+    assert d.target_dollars == Decimal("500.00")
+
+
+async def test_size_clamps_to_max_trade_usd(cfg, state):
+    big_state = state.model_copy(update={"equity_usd": Decimal("1000000")})
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(conviction="1.0"),
+        big_state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("1.0"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    # 4% of $1M = $40k -> clamped to $5k
+    assert d.target_dollars == Decimal("5000.00")
+
+
+async def test_horizon_long_term_maps_to_90_days(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(horizon="long_term"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.holding_days == 90
+
+
+async def test_horizon_unspecified_defaults_to_weeks(cfg, state):
+    d = await KevinStrategy(cfg).evaluate_mention(
+        _mention(horizon="unspecified"),
+        state,
+        effective_conviction=Decimal("0.7"),
+        current_price=Decimal("100"),
+        is_tradable=True,
+    )
+    assert d.holding_days == 10