diff --git a/src/adaptive_images.py b/src/adaptive_images.py
index a3e14ade..72c0907a 100644
--- a/src/adaptive_images.py
+++ b/src/adaptive_images.py
@@ -136,7 +136,15 @@ def fit_image(img: Image.Image, box: Any, *, mode: str = "contain",
         scale = min(scale, 1.0)
     out_w = max(1, round(src_w * scale))
     out_h = max(1, round(src_h * scale))
-    out = work if (out_w, out_h) == (src_w, src_h) else work.resize((out_w, out_h), resample)
+    if (out_w, out_h) == (src_w, src_h):
+        # No resize needed — but `work` may still BE the caller's original
+        # image (RGBA source, no ink crop). The result must always be an
+        # independent copy: LayoutContext caches ImageFitResults, and an
+        # aliased image would let later mutations of the source corrupt
+        # cached fits (or vice versa).
+        out = work.copy() if work is img else work
+    else:
+        out = work.resize((out_w, out_h), resample)
     return ImageFitResult(out, out_w, out_h, scale, mode, (src_w, src_h))
 
 
diff --git a/src/adaptive_layout.py b/src/adaptive_layout.py
index 7837e0f9..df870052 100644
--- a/src/adaptive_layout.py
+++ b/src/adaptive_layout.py
@@ -328,13 +328,28 @@ class LayoutContext:
         # fonts, which step between crisp ladder rungs instead.
         self.scale = min(self.width / max(1, design_w),
                          self.height / max(1, design_h))
-        self._fit_cache: Dict[Any, FitResult] = {}
-        # LRU-bounded (images are big, unlike text fits). Entries hold a
-        # strong reference to the source image when keyed by id() so the id
-        # can't be recycled out from under the cache.
+        # LRU-bounded: entries are small, but keys embed the fitted TEXT —
+        # a plugin fitting changing text (a live game clock, a ticker) on a
+        # 24/7 service would otherwise grow this without bound.
+        self._fit_cache: "OrderedDict[Any, FitResult]" = OrderedDict()
+        # LRU-bounded (images are big). Entries hold a strong reference to
+        # the source image when keyed by id() so the id can't be recycled
+        # out from under the cache.
         self._image_cache: "OrderedDict[Any, Tuple[Any, Any]]" = OrderedDict()
 
     _IMAGE_CACHE_MAX = 64
+    _FIT_CACHE_MAX = 512
+
+    def _fit_cache_get(self, key: Any) -> Optional["FitResult"]:
+        cached = self._fit_cache.get(key)
+        if cached is not None:
+            self._fit_cache.move_to_end(key)
+        return cached
+
+    def _fit_cache_put(self, key: Any, result: "FitResult") -> None:
+        self._fit_cache[key] = result
+        while len(self._fit_cache) > self._FIT_CACHE_MAX:
+            self._fit_cache.popitem(last=False)
 
     # ---- the three adaptation patterns --------------------------------
 
@@ -373,11 +388,11 @@ class LayoutContext:
         acceptable rendering exists."""
         box_w, box_h = _box_dims(box)
         key = ("text", text, box_w, box_h, ladder, ellipsis)
-        cached = self._fit_cache.get(key)
+        cached = self._fit_cache_get(key)
         if cached is not None:
             return cached
         result = self._walk_ladder(text, ladder, box_w, box_h, ellipsis)
-        self._fit_cache[key] = result
+        self._fit_cache_put(key, result)
         return result
 
     def fit_text_proportional(self, text: str, box: Union[Region, Tuple[int, int]],
@@ -416,14 +431,14 @@ class LayoutContext:
         box_w, box_h = _box_dims(box)
         effective_scale = self.scale if scale is None else scale
         key = ("text_prop", text, box_w, box_h, ladder, base_size_px, ellipsis, effective_scale)
-        cached = self._fit_cache.get(key)
+        cached = self._fit_cache_get(key)
         if cached is not None:
             return cached
         target = base_size_px * effective_scale
         eligible = [step for step in ladder if step.size_px <= target]
         candidates = eligible if eligible else (min(ladder, key=lambda s: s.size_px),)
         result = self._walk_ladder(text, candidates, box_w, box_h, ellipsis)
-        self._fit_cache[key] = result
+        self._fit_cache_put(key, result)
         return result
 
     def _walk_ladder(self, text: str, ladder: Sequence[FontStep],
@@ -460,7 +475,7 @@ class LayoutContext:
         one wouldn't (baseball's multiline pattern). Text is the widest line."""
         box_w, box_h = _box_dims(box)
         key = ("lines", tuple(lines), box_w, box_h, ladder, spacing)
-        cached = self._fit_cache.get(key)
+        cached = self._fit_cache_get(key)
         if cached is not None:
             return cached
 
@@ -482,7 +497,7 @@ class LayoutContext:
             if result.fits:
                 break
 
-        self._fit_cache[key] = result
+        self._fit_cache_put(key, result)
         return result
 
     def font_for_rows(self, rows: int, box_h: int,
@@ -491,7 +506,7 @@ class LayoutContext:
         (baseball's traditional-scoreboard pattern). Measures a digit/cap
         sample rather than specific strings."""
         key = ("rows", rows, box_h, ladder)
-        cached = self._fit_cache.get(key)
+        cached = self._fit_cache_get(key)
         if cached is not None:
             return cached
 
@@ -508,7 +523,7 @@ class LayoutContext:
             if result.fits:
                 break
 
-        self._fit_cache[key] = result
+        self._fit_cache_put(key, result)
         return result
 
     # ---- images ---------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/test/test_adaptive_images.py b/test/test_adaptive_images.py
index 4ccd4889..5bf71c44 100644
--- a/test/test_adaptive_images.py
+++ b/test/test_adaptive_images.py
@@ -194,3 +194,15 @@ class TestBasePluginDrawImage:
         assert ifit.height == 32
         # pasted onto the mock's canvas
         assert plugin.display_manager.image.getpixel((16, 16)) != (0, 0, 0)
+
+
+class TestResultIndependence:
+    def test_same_size_fit_never_aliases_the_source(self):
+        """LayoutContext caches ImageFitResults — an aliased image would let
+        later mutations of the source corrupt cached fits (or vice versa)."""
+        from PIL import ImageDraw
+        src = Image.new("RGBA", (20, 20), (255, 0, 0, 255))
+        fit = fit_image(src, (20, 20))
+        assert fit.image is not src
+        ImageDraw.Draw(src).rectangle([0, 0, 19, 19], fill=(0, 255, 0, 255))
+        assert fit.image.getpixel((5, 5)) == (255, 0, 0, 255)
diff --git a/test/test_adaptive_layout.py b/test/test_adaptive_layout.py
index 678c0be0..dd40aa90 100644
--- a/test/test_adaptive_layout.py
+++ b/test/test_adaptive_layout.py
@@ -436,3 +436,19 @@ class TestBasePluginIntegration:
                          MockCacheManager(), pm)
         assert plugin.layout.design_size == (64, 32)
         assert plugin.layout.scale == 2.0
+
+
+class TestFitCacheBound:
+    def test_fit_cache_is_lru_bounded(self, ctx):
+        """A plugin fitting changing text (live game clock, ticker) on a
+        24/7 service must not grow the fit cache without bound."""
+        for i in range(ctx._FIT_CACHE_MAX + 100):
+            ctx.fit_text(f"tick {i}", Region(0, 0, 100, 20))
+        assert len(ctx._fit_cache) <= ctx._FIT_CACHE_MAX
+
+    def test_lru_keeps_recent_entries_hot(self, ctx):
+        hot = ctx.fit_text("stay hot", Region(0, 0, 100, 20))
+        for i in range(ctx._FIT_CACHE_MAX - 1):
+            ctx.fit_text(f"cold {i}", Region(0, 0, 100, 20))
+            ctx.fit_text("stay hot", Region(0, 0, 100, 20))  # keep touching it
+        assert ctx.fit_text("stay hot", Region(0, 0, 100, 20)) is hot