diff --git a/examples/max_pain.py b/examples/max_pain.py
index 82908163..36691889 100755
--- a/examples/max_pain.py
+++ b/examples/max_pain.py
@@ -2,22 +2,29 @@
 from decimal import (
     Decimal,
 )
+from pathlib import Path
+
 import numpy as np
-import polars as pl
+# import polars as pl
 import trio
 import tractor
 from datetime import datetime
-from pprint import pformat
+# from pprint import pformat
 from piker.brokers.deribit.api import (
     get_client,
     maybe_open_oi_feed,
 )
 from piker.storage import open_storage_client, StorageClient
+from piker.log import get_logger
 import sys
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from PyQt6 import QtCore
 from pyqtgraph import ScatterPlotItem, InfiniteLine
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication
+from cryptofeed.symbols import Symbol
+
+
+log = get_logger(__name__)
 # XXX, use 2 newlines between top level LOC (even between these
 # imports and the next function line ;)
 
@@ -192,10 +199,13 @@ async def max_pain_daemon(
                 ),
             ], dtype=dtype)
 
-            path = await client.write_oi(
+            path: Path = await client.write_oi(
                 col_sym_key,
                 data,
             )
+            # TODO, use std logging like this throughout for status
+            # emissions on console!
+            log.info(f'Wrote OI history to {path}')
 
     def get_max_pain(
         oi_by_strikes: dict[str, dict[str, Decimal]]
@@ -258,7 +268,7 @@ async def max_pain_daemon(
                     # hardcoded to something, sorry.)
                     timestamp = msg[1]['timestamp']
                     max_pain = get_max_pain(oi_by_strikes)
-                    intrinsic_values = get_total_intrinsic_values(oi_by_strikes)
+                    # intrinsic_values = get_total_intrinsic_values(oi_by_strikes)
 
                     # graph here
                     plot_graph(oi_by_strikes, plot)
@@ -298,14 +308,27 @@ async def max_pain_daemon(
 
 async def main():
 
-    async with tractor.open_nursery() as n:
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+        loglevel='info',
+    ) as an:
+        from tractor import log
+        log.get_console_log(level='info')
 
-        p: tractor.Portal = await n.start_actor(
+        ptl: tractor.Portal = await an.start_actor(
             'max_pain_daemon',
             enable_modules=[__name__],
             infect_asyncio=True,
+            # ^TODO, we can actually run this in the root-actor now
+            # if needed as per 2nd "section" in,
+            # https://pikers.dev/goodboy/tractor/pulls/2
+            #
+            # NOTE, will first require us porting to modern
+            # `tractor:main` though ofc!
+
         )
-        await p.run(max_pain_daemon)
+        await ptl.run(max_pain_daemon)
+
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     trio.run(main)
diff --git a/piker/accounting/__init__.py b/piker/accounting/__init__.py
index e27dc4bf..1b776714 100644
--- a/piker/accounting/__init__.py
+++ b/piker/accounting/__init__.py
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ from ._mktinfo import (
     dec_digits,
     digits_to_dec,
     MktPair,
-    Symbol,
     unpack_fqme,
     _derivs as DerivTypes,
 )
@@ -60,7 +59,6 @@ __all__ = [
     'Asset',
     'MktPair',
     'Position',
-    'Symbol',
     'Transaction',
     'TransactionLedger',
     'dec_digits',
diff --git a/piker/accounting/_mktinfo.py b/piker/accounting/_mktinfo.py
index a8c719da..b03635f1 100644
--- a/piker/accounting/_mktinfo.py
+++ b/piker/accounting/_mktinfo.py
@@ -390,8 +390,8 @@ class MktPair(Struct, frozen=True):
         cls,
         fqme: str,
 
-        price_tick: float | str,
-        size_tick: float | str,
+        price_tick: float|str,
+        size_tick: float|str,
         bs_mktid: str,
 
         broker: str | None = None,
@@ -677,90 +677,3 @@ def unpack_fqme(
         # '.'.join([mkt_ep, venue]),
         suffix,
     )
-
-
-class Symbol(Struct):
-    '''
-    I guess this is some kinda container thing for dealing with
-    all the different meta-data formats from brokers?
-
-    '''
-    key: str
-
-    broker: str = ''
-    venue: str = ''
-
-    # precision descriptors for price and vlm
-    tick_size: Decimal = Decimal('0.01')
-    lot_tick_size: Decimal = Decimal('0.0')
-
-    suffix: str = ''
-    broker_info: dict[str, dict[str, Any]] = {}
-
-    @classmethod
-    def from_fqme(
-        cls,
-        fqsn: str,
-        info: dict[str, Any],
-
-    ) -> Symbol:
-        broker, mktep, venue, suffix = unpack_fqme(fqsn)
-        tick_size = info.get('price_tick_size', 0.01)
-        lot_size = info.get('lot_tick_size', 0.0)
-
-        return Symbol(
-            broker=broker,
-            key=mktep,
-            tick_size=tick_size,
-            lot_tick_size=lot_size,
-            venue=venue,
-            suffix=suffix,
-            broker_info={broker: info},
-        )
-
-    @property
-    def type_key(self) -> str:
-        return list(self.broker_info.values())[0]['asset_type']
-
-    @property
-    def tick_size_digits(self) -> int:
-        return float_digits(self.tick_size)
-
-    @property
-    def lot_size_digits(self) -> int:
-        return float_digits(self.lot_tick_size)
-
-    @property
-    def price_tick(self) -> Decimal:
-        return Decimal(str(self.tick_size))
-
-    @property
-    def size_tick(self) -> Decimal:
-        return Decimal(str(self.lot_tick_size))
-
-    @property
-    def broker(self) -> str:
-        return list(self.broker_info.keys())[0]
-
-    @property
-    def fqme(self) -> str:
-        return maybe_cons_tokens([
-            self.key,  # final "pair name" (eg. qqq[/usd], btcusdt)
-            self.venue,
-            self.suffix,  # includes expiry and other con info
-            self.broker,
-        ])
-
-    def quantize(
-        self,
-        size: float,
-    ) -> Decimal:
-        digits = float_digits(self.lot_tick_size)
-        return Decimal(size).quantize(
-            Decimal(f'1.{"0".ljust(digits, "0")}'),
-            rounding=ROUND_HALF_EVEN
-        )
-
-    # NOTE: when cast to `str` return fqme
-    def __str__(self) -> str:
-        return self.fqme
diff --git a/piker/brokers/binance/api.py b/piker/brokers/binance/api.py
index f163162e..78be9ef8 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/binance/api.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/binance/api.py
@@ -374,9 +374,14 @@ class Client:
                 pair: Pair = pair_type(**item)
             except Exception as e:
                 e.add_note(
-                    "\nDon't panic, prolly stupid binance changed their symbology schema again..\n"
-                    'Check out their API docs here:\n\n'
-                    'https://binance-docs.github.io/apidocs/spot/en/#exchange-information'
+                    f'\n'
+                    f'New or removed field we need to codify!\n'
+                    f'pair-type: {pair_type!r}\n'
+                    f'\n'
+                    f"Don't panic, prolly stupid binance changed their symbology schema again..\n"
+                    f'Check out their API docs here:\n'
+                    f'\n'
+                    f'https://binance-docs.github.io/apidocs/spot/en/#exchange-information\n'
                 )
                 raise
             pair_table[pair.symbol.upper()] = pair
diff --git a/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py b/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py
index 2c025fe1..fdcb5f12 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/binance/venues.py
@@ -144,6 +144,11 @@ class SpotPair(Pair, frozen=True):
     permissions: list[str]
     permissionSets: list[list[str]]
 
+    # can the paint botz creat liq gaps even easier on this asset?
+    # Bp
+    # https://developers.binance.com/docs/binance-spot-api-docs/faqs/order_amend_keep_priority
+    amendAllowed: bool
+
     # NOTE: see `.data._symcache.SymbologyCache.load()` for why
     ns_path: str = 'piker.brokers.binance:SpotPair'
 
diff --git a/piker/brokers/deribit/api.py b/piker/brokers/deribit/api.py
index bf640c9e..0deceb20 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/deribit/api.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/deribit/api.py
@@ -328,7 +328,6 @@ class Client:
         '''
         Return the set of currencies for deribit.
         '''
-        assets = {}
         resp = await self._json_rpc_auth_wrapper(
             'public/get_currencies',
             params={}
diff --git a/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py b/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py
index eb5963cd..bc84a230 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/kraken/broker.py
@@ -175,9 +175,8 @@ async def handle_order_requests(
 
             case {
                 'account': 'kraken.spot' as account,
-                'action': action,
-            } if action in {'buy', 'sell'}:
-
+                'action': 'buy'|'sell',
+            }:
                 # validate
                 order = BrokerdOrder(**msg)
 
@@ -262,6 +261,12 @@ async def handle_order_requests(
                 } | extra
 
                 log.info(f'Submitting WS order request:\n{pformat(req)}')
+
+                # NOTE HOWTO, debug order requests
+                #
+                # if 'XRP' in pair:
+                #     await tractor.pause()
+
                 await ws.send_msg(req)
 
                 # placehold for sanity checking in relay loop
@@ -1085,6 +1090,8 @@ async def handle_order_updates(
                         f'Failed to {action} order {reqid}:\n'
                         f'{errmsg}'
                     )
+                    # if tractor._state.debug_mode():
+                    #     await tractor.pause()
 
                     symbol: str = 'N/A'
                     if chain := apiflows.get(reqid):
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_ems.py b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
index 3f7045fa..aad849aa 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_ems.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_ems.py
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 # TODO: numba all of this
 def mk_check(
-
     trigger_price: float,
     known_last: float,
     action: str,
@@ -162,7 +161,7 @@ async def clear_dark_triggers(
 
     router: Router,
     brokerd_orders_stream: tractor.MsgStream,
-    quote_stream: tractor.ReceiveMsgStream,  # noqa
+    quote_stream: tractor.MsgStream,
     broker: str,
     fqme: str,
 
@@ -178,6 +177,7 @@ async def clear_dark_triggers(
     '''
     # XXX: optimize this for speed!
     # TODO:
+    # - port to the new ringbuf stuff in `tractor.ipc`!
     # - numba all this!
     # - this stream may eventually contain multiple symbols
     quote_stream._raise_on_lag = False
@@ -1182,12 +1182,16 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
     submitting live orders immediately if requested by the client.
 
     '''
-    # cmd: dict
+    # TODO, only allow `msgspec.Struct` form!
+    cmd: dict
     async for cmd in client_order_stream:
-        log.info(f'Received order cmd:\n{pformat(cmd)}')
+        log.info(
+            f'Received order cmd:\n'
+            f'{pformat(cmd)}\n'
+        )
 
         # CAWT DAMN we need struct support!
-        oid = str(cmd['oid'])
+        oid: str = str(cmd['oid'])
 
         # register this stream as an active order dialog (msg flow) for
         # this order id such that translated message from the brokerd
@@ -1293,7 +1297,7 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
             case {
                 'oid': oid,
                 'symbol': fqme,
-                'price': trigger_price,
+                'price': price,
                 'size': size,
                 'action': ('buy' | 'sell') as action,
                 'exec_mode': ('live' | 'paper'),
@@ -1325,7 +1329,7 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
 
                     symbol=sym,
                     action=action,
-                    price=trigger_price,
+                    price=price,
                     size=size,
                     account=req.account,
                 )
@@ -1347,7 +1351,11 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
                 # (``translate_and_relay_brokerd_events()`` above) will
                 # handle relaying the ems side responses back to
                 # the client/cmd sender from this request
-                log.info(f'Sending live order to {broker}:\n{pformat(msg)}')
+                log.info(
+                    f'Sending live order to {broker}:\n'
+                    f'{pformat(msg)}'
+                )
+
                 await brokerd_order_stream.send(msg)
 
                 # an immediate response should be ``BrokerdOrderAck``
@@ -1363,7 +1371,7 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
             case {
                 'oid': oid,
                 'symbol': fqme,
-                'price': trigger_price,
+                'price': price,
                 'size': size,
                 'exec_mode': exec_mode,
                 'action': action,
@@ -1391,7 +1399,12 @@ async def process_client_order_cmds(
                 if isnan(last):
                     last = flume.rt_shm.array[-1]['close']
 
-                pred = mk_check(trigger_price, last, action)
+                trigger_price: float = float(price)
+                pred = mk_check(
+                    trigger_price,
+                    last,
+                    action,
+                )
 
                 # NOTE: for dark orders currently we submit
                 # the triggered live order at a price 5 ticks
@@ -1531,7 +1544,7 @@ async def _emsd_main(
     ctx: tractor.Context,
     fqme: str,
     exec_mode: str,  # ('paper', 'live')
-    loglevel: str | None = None,
+    loglevel: str|None = None,
 
 ) -> tuple[
     dict[
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_messages.py b/piker/clearing/_messages.py
index 51a3860c..788fe669 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_messages.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_messages.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ Clearing sub-system message and protocols.
 
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
+from decimal import Decimal
 from typing import (
     Literal,
 )
@@ -71,7 +72,15 @@ class Order(Struct):
     symbol: str  # | MktPair
     account: str  # should we set a default as '' ?
 
-    price: float
+    # https://docs.python.org/3/library/decimal.html#decimal-objects
+    #
+    # ?TODO? decimal usage throughout?
+    # -[ ] possibly leverage the `Encoder(decimal_format='number')`
+    #  bit?
+    # |_https://jcristharif.com/msgspec/supported-types.html#decimal
+    # -[ ] should we also use it for .size?
+    #
+    price: Decimal
     size: float  # -ve is "sell", +ve is "buy"
 
     brokers: list[str] = []
@@ -178,7 +187,7 @@ class BrokerdOrder(Struct):
     time_ns: int
 
     symbol: str  # fqme
-    price: float
+    price: Decimal
     size: float
 
     # TODO: if we instead rely on a +ve/-ve size to determine
diff --git a/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py b/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py
index 0393b2e6..9632c6cc 100644
--- a/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py
+++ b/piker/clearing/_paper_engine.py
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ async def handle_order_requests(
                 reqid = await client.submit_limit(
                     oid=order.oid,
                     symbol=f'{order.symbol}.{client.broker}',
-                    price=order.price,
+                    price=float(order.price),
                     action=order.action,
                     size=order.size,
                     # XXX: by default 0 tells ``ib_insync`` methods that
diff --git a/piker/data/_sampling.py b/piker/data/_sampling.py
index 7bb0231d..37d7623f 100644
--- a/piker/data/_sampling.py
+++ b/piker/data/_sampling.py
@@ -876,6 +876,7 @@ async def uniform_rate_send(
         except tractor.RemoteActorError as rme:
             if rme.type is not tractor._exceptions.StreamOverrun:
                 raise
+
             ctx = stream._ctx
             chan = ctx.chan
             log.warning(
@@ -892,6 +893,7 @@ async def uniform_rate_send(
             trio.ClosedResourceError,
             trio.BrokenResourceError,
             ConnectionResetError,
+            trio.EndOfChannel,
         ):
             # if the feed consumer goes down then drop
             # out of this rate limiter
diff --git a/piker/ui/order_mode.py b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
index d5720e8a..47a3bb97 100644
--- a/piker/ui/order_mode.py
+++ b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Chart trading, the only way to scalp.
 from __future__ import annotations
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from decimal import Decimal
 from functools import partial
 from pprint import pformat
 import time
@@ -41,7 +42,6 @@ from piker.accounting import (
     Position,
     mk_allocator,
     MktPair,
-    Symbol,
 )
 from piker.clearing import (
     open_ems,
@@ -143,6 +143,15 @@ class OrderMode:
     }
     _staged_order: Order | None = None
 
+    @property
+    def curr_mkt(self) -> MktPair:
+        '''
+        Deliver the currently selected `MktPair` according
+        chart state.
+
+        '''
+        return self.chart.linked.mkt
+
     def on_level_change_update_next_order_info(
         self,
         level: float,
@@ -172,7 +181,11 @@ class OrderMode:
         line.update_labels(order_info)
 
         # update bound-in staged order
-        order.price = level
+        mkt: MktPair = self.curr_mkt
+        order.price: Decimal = mkt.quantize(
+            size=level,
+            quantity_type='price',
+        )
         order.size = order_info['size']
 
         # when an order is changed we flip the settings side-pane to
@@ -187,7 +200,9 @@ class OrderMode:
 
     ) -> LevelLine:
 
-        level = order.price
+        # TODO, if we instead just always decimalize at the ems layer
+        # we can avoid this back-n-forth casting?
+        level = float(order.price)
 
         line = order_line(
             chart or self.chart,
@@ -224,7 +239,11 @@ class OrderMode:
             # the order mode allocator but we still need to update the
             # "staged" order message we'll send to the ems
             def update_order_price(y: float) -> None:
-                order.price = y
+                mkt: MktPair = self.curr_mkt
+                order.price: Decimal = mkt.quantize(
+                    size=y,
+                    quantity_type='price',
+                )
 
             line._on_level_change = update_order_price
 
@@ -275,34 +294,31 @@ class OrderMode:
         chart = cursor.linked.chart
         if (
             not chart
-            and cursor
-            and cursor.active_plot
+            and
+            cursor
+            and
+            cursor.active_plot
         ):
             return
 
         chart = cursor.active_plot
-        price = cursor._datum_xy[1]
+        price: float = cursor._datum_xy[1]
         if not price:
             # zero prices are not supported by any means
             # since that's illogical / a no-op.
             return
 
-        mkt: MktPair = self.chart.linked.mkt
-
-        # NOTE : we could also use instead,
-        # mkt.quantize(price, quantity_type='price')
-        # but it returns a Decimal and it's probably gonna
-        # be slower?
         # TODO: should we be enforcing this precision
-        # at a different layer in the stack? right now
-        # any precision error will literally be relayed
-        # all the way back from the backend.
-
-        price = round(
-            price,
-            ndigits=mkt.price_tick_digits,
+        # at a different layer in the stack?
+        # |_ might require `MktPair` tracking in the EMS?
+        # |_ right now any precision error will be relayed
+        #    all the way back from the backend and vice-versa..
+        #
+        mkt: MktPair = self.curr_mkt
+        price: Decimal = mkt.quantize(
+            size=price,
+            quantity_type='price',
         )
-
         order = self._staged_order = Order(
             action=action,
             price=price,
@@ -378,7 +394,7 @@ class OrderMode:
                 'oid': oid,
             })
 
-        if order.price <= 0:
+        if float(order.price) <= 0:
             log.error(
                 '*!? Invalid `Order.price <= 0` ?!*\n'
                 # TODO: make this present multi-line in object form
@@ -515,14 +531,15 @@ class OrderMode:
             # if an order msg is provided update the line
             # **from** that msg.
             if order:
-                if order.price <= 0:
+                price: float = float(order.price)
+                if price <= 0:
                     log.error(f'Order has 0 price, cancelling..\n{order}')
                     self.cancel_orders([order.oid])
                     return None
 
-                line.set_level(order.price)
+                line.set_level(price)
                 self.on_level_change_update_next_order_info(
-                    level=order.price,
+                    level=price,
                     line=line,
                     order=order,
                     # use the corresponding position tracker for the
@@ -681,9 +698,9 @@ class OrderMode:
     ) -> Dialog | None:
         # NOTE: the `.order` attr **must** be set with the
         # equivalent order msg in order to be loaded.
-        order = msg.req
+        order: Order = msg.req
         oid = str(msg.oid)
-        symbol = order.symbol
+        symbol: str = order.symbol
 
         # TODO: MEGA UGGG ZONEEEE!
         src = msg.src
@@ -702,13 +719,22 @@ class OrderMode:
         order.oid = str(order.oid)
         order.brokers = [brokername]
 
-        # TODO: change this over to `MktPair`, but it's
-        # gonna be tough since we don't have any such data
-        # really in our clearing msg schema..
-        order.symbol = Symbol.from_fqme(
-            fqsn=fqme,
-            info={},
-        )
+        # ?TODO? change this over to `MktPair`, but it's gonna be
+        # tough since we don't have any such data really in our
+        # clearing msg schema..
+        # BUT WAIT! WHY do we even want/need this!?
+        #
+        # order.symbol = self.curr_mkt
+        #
+        # XXX, the old approach.. which i don't quire member why..
+        # -[ ] verify we for sure don't require this any more!
+        #  |_https://github.com/pikers/piker/issues/517
+        #
+        # order.symbol = Symbol.from_fqme(
+        #     fqsn=fqme,
+        #     info={},
+        # )
+
         maybe_dialog: Dialog | None = self.submit_order(
             send_msg=False,
             order=order,
@@ -1101,7 +1127,7 @@ async def process_trade_msg(
                         )
                     )
                 ):
-                    msg.req = order
+                    msg.req: Order = order
                     dialog: (
                         Dialog
                         # NOTE: on an invalid order submission (eg.
@@ -1166,7 +1192,7 @@ async def process_trade_msg(
             tm = time.time()
             mode.on_fill(
                 oid,
-                price=req.price,
+                price=float(req.price),
                 time_s=tm,
             )
             mode.lines.remove_line(uuid=oid)
@@ -1221,7 +1247,7 @@ async def process_trade_msg(
             tm = details['broker_time']
             mode.on_fill(
                 oid,
-                price=details['price'],
+                price=float(details['price']),
                 time_s=tm,
                 pointing='up' if action == 'buy' else 'down',
             )
diff --git a/ruff.toml b/ruff.toml
index 4b40c900..01873dab 100644
--- a/ruff.toml
+++ b/ruff.toml
@@ -62,8 +62,9 @@ ignore-init-module-imports = false
 fixable = ["ALL"]
 unfixable = []
 
+# TODO? uhh why no work!?
 # Allow unused variables when underscore-prefixed.
-dummy-variable-rgx = "^(_+|(_+[a-zA-Z0-9_]*[a-zA-Z0-9]+?))$"
+# dummy-variable-rgx = "^(_+|(_+[a-zA-Z0-9_]*[a-zA-Z0-9]+?))$"
 
 [format]
 # Use single quotes in `ruff format`.
diff --git a/tests/test_ems.py b/tests/test_ems.py
index c2f5d7a8..4a9e4a4c 100644
--- a/tests/test_ems.py
+++ b/tests/test_ems.py
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ def test_ems_err_on_bad_broker(
         # NOTE: emsd should error on the actor's enabled modules
         # import phase, when looking for a backend named `doggy`.
         except tractor.RemoteActorError as re:
-            assert re.type == ModuleNotFoundError
+            assert re.type is ModuleNotFoundError
 
     run_and_tollerate_cancels(load_bad_fqme)