diff --git a/tests/test_batch_scan_pool_cleanup.py b/tests/test_batch_scan_pool_cleanup.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d25501e73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_batch_scan_pool_cleanup.py
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+
+"""Regression coverage for pooled model slot cleanup without provider calls."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, Mock
+
+import pytest
+
+from contrib.batch_scan.api_pool import ApiKey, ApiKeyPool, PooledChatModel
+
+
+def _model() -> PooledChatModel:
+    return PooledChatModel(
+        ApiKeyPool([ApiKey(key="test", model="test", base_url=None, max_concurrent=1)])
+    )
+
+
+async def test_cancelling_inflight_call_releases_slot(monkeypatch) -> None:
+    model = _model()
+    started = asyncio.Event()
+
+    async def blocked(*args, **kwargs):
+        started.set()
+        await asyncio.Event().wait()
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(model, "_build_llm", Mock(return_value=Mock(ainvoke=blocked)))
+    task = asyncio.create_task(model.ainvoke("test"))
+    await asyncio.wait_for(started.wait(), timeout=1)
+    task.cancel()
+    with pytest.raises(asyncio.CancelledError):
+        await task
+    assert model._pool.active_requests == 0
+
+
+async def test_cancelling_waiter_does_not_reserve_a_slot_later(monkeypatch) -> None:
+    model = _model()
+    held = model._pool.acquire()
+    tried = asyncio.Event()
+    original_try = model._pool.try_acquire
+
+    def try_acquire():
+        tried.set()
+        return original_try()
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(model._pool, "try_acquire", try_acquire)
+    # Bound any blocking fallback so the test cannot leave a waiting worker
+    # behind if a regression reintroduces threaded slot acquisition.
+    original_acquire = model._pool.acquire
+    monkeypatch.setattr(model._pool, "acquire", lambda **kwargs: original_acquire(timeout=0.1))
+    task = asyncio.create_task(model.ainvoke("test"))
+    await asyncio.wait_for(tried.wait(), timeout=1)
+    task.cancel()
+    with pytest.raises(asyncio.CancelledError):
+        await task
+    model._pool.release(held)
+    await asyncio.sleep(0.15)
+    assert model._pool.active_requests == 0
+
+
+async def test_async_waiter_runs_after_capacity_is_released(monkeypatch) -> None:
+    model = _model()
+    held = model._pool.acquire()
+    invoke = AsyncMock(return_value="result")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(model, "_build_llm", Mock(return_value=Mock(ainvoke=invoke)))
+    task = asyncio.create_task(model.ainvoke("test"))
+    await asyncio.sleep(0)
+    assert not task.done()
+    model._pool.release(held)
+    assert await asyncio.wait_for(task, timeout=1) == "result"
+    assert model._pool.active_requests == 0
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("async_call", [False, True])
+async def test_rate_limit_retry_releases_each_slot_once(monkeypatch, async_call: bool) -> None:
+    pool = ApiKeyPool(
+        [ApiKey(key=key, model="test", base_url=None, max_concurrent=1) for key in ("one", "two")]
+    )
+    model = PooledChatModel(pool, max_retries=1)
+    release = Mock(wraps=pool.release)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(pool, "release", release)
+    invoke = AsyncMock if async_call else Mock
+    clients = [Mock(), Mock()]
+    for client, outcome in zip(clients, [RuntimeError("429 rate limit"), "result"], strict=True):
+        setattr(client, "ainvoke" if async_call else "invoke", invoke(side_effect=[outcome]))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(model, "_build_llm", Mock(side_effect=clients))
+    result = await model.ainvoke("test") if async_call else model.invoke("test")
+    assert result == "result"
+    assert [call.kwargs["success"] for call in release.call_args_list] == [False, True]
+    assert pool.active_requests == 0
+    assert pool.rate_limits_hit == 1
+    assert pool.retry_successes == 1