diff --git a/ai/setup.py b/ai/setup.py
index 04ac4ec..44b63df 100644
--- a/ai/setup.py
+++ b/ai/setup.py
@@ -74,47 +74,55 @@ def select_best_models(force_refresh=False):
         model = genai.GenerativeModel(bootstrapper)
         prompt = f"""
         ROLE: AI Model Architect
-        TASK: Select the optimal Gemini models for a book-writing application. Prefer newer Gemini 2.x models when available.
+        TASK: Select the optimal Gemini models for a book-writing application.
+        PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Keep total book generation cost under $2.00. Quality is secondary to this budget.
 
         AVAILABLE_MODELS:
         {json.dumps(compatible)}
 
-        PRICING_CONTEXT (USD per 1M tokens, approximate — TIER determines preference):
-        - FREE TIER: Models with 'exp', 'beta', or 'preview' in name are typically free experimental tiers.
-          e.g. gemini-2.0-pro-exp = FREE. Use these whenever they exist.
-        - Gemini 2.5 Flash: ~$0.075 Input / $0.30 Output. Fast and very capable.
-        - Gemini 2.0 Flash: ~$0.10 Input / $0.40 Output. Cost-effective, excellent quality.
-        - Gemini 1.5 Flash: ~$0.075 Input / $0.30 Output. Legacy, still reliable.
-        - Gemini 2.5 Pro (stable/latest): ~$1.25+ Input / $5.00+ Output. EXPENSIVE — avoid unless free/exp.
-        - Gemini 1.5 Pro (stable): ~$1.25 Input / $5.00 Output. EXPENSIVE — avoid.
+        PRICING_CONTEXT (USD per 1M tokens — use these to calculate actual book cost):
+        - FREE TIER: Any model with 'exp', 'beta', or 'preview' in name = $0.00. Always prefer these.
+          e.g. gemini-2.0-pro-exp = FREE, gemini-2.5-pro-preview = FREE.
+        - gemini-2.5-flash / gemini-2.5-flash-preview: ~$0.075 Input / $0.30 Output.
+        - gemini-2.0-flash: ~$0.10 Input / $0.40 Output.
+        - gemini-1.5-flash: ~$0.075 Input / $0.30 Output.
+        - gemini-2.5-pro (stable, non-preview): ~$1.25 Input / $10.00 Output. BUDGET BREAKER.
+        - gemini-1.5-pro (stable): ~$1.25 Input / $5.00 Output. BUDGET BREAKER.
 
-        CRITERIA (cost is the primary constraint):
-        - LOGIC: Needs JSON adherence, plot consistency, instruction following.
-          -> Prefer by EFFECTIVE COST: Free/Exp Pro (e.g. 2.0-pro-exp) > Flash 2.5 > Flash 2.0 > Flash 1.5 > paid Pro (AVOID)
-          -> Rule: A free Pro beats Flash. A paid Pro loses to any Flash.
-        - WRITER: Needs creativity, prose quality, long-form text generation. Flash is sufficient for prose.
-          -> Prefer: Flash 2.5 > Flash 2.0 > Flash 1.5. Do NOT use Pro — Flash quality is adequate for fiction writing.
-        - ARTIST: Needs visual description and prompt quality for cover art design.
-          -> Prefer: Flash 2.0 > Flash 1.5 (speed and visual understanding)
+        BOOK TOKEN BUDGET (30-chapter novel — use this to calculate real cost before deciding):
+        Logic role total:  ~265,000 input tokens + ~55,000 output tokens
+          (planning, state tracking, consistency checks, director treatments per chapter)
+        Writer role total: ~450,000 input tokens + ~135,000 output tokens
+          (drafting, evaluation, refinement per chapter — 2 passes max)
+        Artist role total: ~20,000 input tokens + ~5,000 output tokens (cover + marketing copy)
 
-        CONSTRAINTS:
-        - A free/experimental Pro model is ALWAYS preferred over Flash for the Logic role.
-        - Flash is ALWAYS preferred over a paid Pro model for ALL roles.
-        - Strongly prefer Gemini 2.x over 1.5 where available.
-        - 'thinking' models are too slow/expensive for any role.
-        - Provide a ranking of ALL available models from best to worst overall.
+        COST FORMULA: cost = (input_tokens / 1,000,000 * input_price) + (output_tokens / 1,000,000 * output_price)
+        HARD BUDGET: Logic_cost + Writer_cost + Artist_cost must be < $2.00 total.
+
+        SELECTION RULES (apply in order):
+        1. FREE FIRST: If a free/exp model exists (any tier, any quality), pick it for Logic. Cost = $0.
+        2. FLASH FOR WRITER: Flash is sufficient for fiction prose. Never pick a paid Pro for Writer.
+        3. CALCULATE: For non-free models, compute the actual book cost using the token budget above.
+           Reject any combination that exceeds $2.00 total.
+        4. QUALITY TIEBREAK: Among models with similar cost, prefer newer generation (2.x > 1.5).
+        5. NO THINKING MODELS: Too slow and expensive for any role.
+
+        ROLES:
+        - LOGIC: Planning, JSON adherence, plot consistency. Free/exp Pro ideal; Flash acceptable.
+        - WRITER: Creative prose, chapter drafting. Flash 2.x is sufficient — do NOT use paid Pro.
+        - ARTIST: Visual prompts for cover art. Cheapest capable Flash model.
+        - PRO_REWRITE: Emergency full-chapter rewrite (rare, ~1-2x per book). Best free/exp Pro available.
+          If no free Pro exists, use best Flash — do not use paid Pro even here.
 
         OUTPUT_FORMAT (JSON only, no markdown):
         {{
-            "logic": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M" }},
-            "writer": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M" }},
-            "artist": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M" }},
-            "pro_rewrite": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M" }},
+            "logic": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M", "book_cost": "$X.XX" }},
+            "writer": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M", "book_cost": "$X.XX" }},
+            "artist": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M", "book_cost": "$X.XX" }},
+            "pro_rewrite": {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "$X.XX/1M", "book_cost": "$X.XX" }},
+            "total_estimated_book_cost": "$X.XX",
             "ranking": [ {{ "model": "string", "reason": "string", "estimated_cost": "string" }} ]
         }}
-
-        NOTE: "pro_rewrite" is the best available Pro model for rare, critical chapter rewrites.
-        Prefer free/experimental Pro (e.g. gemini-2.0-pro-exp) over paid Pro. If no Pro exists, use best Flash.
         """
 
         try:
@@ -182,20 +190,27 @@ def init_models(force=False):
     if not force:
         missing_costs = False
         for role in ['logic', 'writer', 'artist']:
-            if 'estimated_cost' not in selected_models.get(role, {}) or selected_models[role].get('estimated_cost') == 'N/A':
+            role_data = selected_models.get(role, {})
+            if 'estimated_cost' not in role_data or role_data.get('estimated_cost') == 'N/A':
                 missing_costs = True
+            if 'book_cost' not in role_data:
+                missing_costs = True
+        if 'total_estimated_book_cost' not in selected_models:
+            missing_costs = True
         if missing_costs:
             utils.log("SYSTEM", "⚠️ Missing cost info in cached models. Forcing refresh.")
             return init_models(force=True)
 
     def get_model_details(role_data):
-        if isinstance(role_data, dict): return role_data.get('model'), role_data.get('estimated_cost', 'N/A')
-        return role_data, 'N/A'
+        if isinstance(role_data, dict):
+            return role_data.get('model'), role_data.get('estimated_cost', 'N/A'), role_data.get('book_cost', 'N/A')
+        return role_data, 'N/A', 'N/A'
 
-    logic_name, logic_cost = get_model_details(selected_models['logic'])
-    writer_name, writer_cost = get_model_details(selected_models['writer'])
-    artist_name, artist_cost = get_model_details(selected_models['artist'])
-    pro_name, pro_cost = get_model_details(selected_models.get('pro_rewrite', {'model': 'models/gemini-2.0-pro-exp', 'estimated_cost': 'Free'}))
+    logic_name, logic_cost, logic_book = get_model_details(selected_models['logic'])
+    writer_name, writer_cost, writer_book = get_model_details(selected_models['writer'])
+    artist_name, artist_cost, artist_book = get_model_details(selected_models['artist'])
+    pro_name, pro_cost, _ = get_model_details(selected_models.get('pro_rewrite', {'model': 'models/gemini-2.0-pro-exp', 'estimated_cost': 'Free', 'book_cost': '$0.00'}))
+    total_book_cost = selected_models.get('total_estimated_book_cost', 'N/A')
 
     logic_name = logic_name if config.MODEL_LOGIC_HINT == "AUTO" else config.MODEL_LOGIC_HINT
     writer_name = writer_name if config.MODEL_WRITER_HINT == "AUTO" else config.MODEL_WRITER_HINT
@@ -206,7 +221,8 @@ def init_models(force=False):
     models.artist_model_name = artist_name
     models.pro_model_name = pro_name
 
-    utils.log("SYSTEM", f"Models: Logic={logic_name} ({logic_cost}) | Writer={writer_name} ({writer_cost}) | Artist={artist_name} | Pro-Rewrite={pro_name} ({pro_cost})")
+    utils.log("SYSTEM", f"Models: Logic={logic_name} ({logic_cost}, {logic_book}/book) | Writer={writer_name} ({writer_cost}, {writer_book}/book) | Artist={artist_name} | Pro-Rewrite={pro_name} ({pro_cost})")
+    utils.log("SYSTEM", f"💰 Estimated book generation cost: {total_book_cost} (budget: $2.00)")
 
     utils.update_pricing(logic_name, logic_cost)
     utils.update_pricing(writer_name, writer_cost)