diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 98aaac9..eaa6e35 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,25 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 ---
 
+## [1.14.0] - 2026-06-10
+
+Follow-up to 1.12.0 from running `datetime_columns` in production: the feature was only half-wired (writes were coerced, reads and query params were not).
+
+### Fixed
+- **`WHERE` on an INTEGER-µs `datetime_columns` column silently returned 0 rows** — `execute_in_memory()` coerced query params with `to_sqlite()`, which leaves an ISO string a string. Comparing the stored `INTEGER` against a `TEXT` param is always false under SQLite affinity, so `WHERE CHANGE_DATE > '2026-05-01T…'` matched nothing. Params for a query that touches a `datetime_columns` table are now coerced to epoch µs (datetime objects and ISO-datetime strings alike), so the comparison matches the stored integer. Scoped to the query's tables, so non-datetime queries are unaffected.
+
+### Added
+- **Read-time coercion — `datetime_columns` come back as `datetime`** — `execute()` now returns those columns as real `datetime` objects (UTC) instead of the raw INTEGER µs, restoring the transparent-proxy contract (you get the same type a direct source query would give). Opt out with `CachingEngine(..., return_datetime=False)` to get the raw integers.
+- **`Stats.db_size_bytes`** — on-disk size of the cache file (0 in memory mode), so `engine.stats` exposes cache growth for monitoring without an external file check.
+- **Public `datetime_to_epoch_us` helper** — `from sqlmem import datetime_to_epoch_us` exposes the same datetime→epoch-µs conversion used internally, so callers building `WHERE change_col > ?` params don't have to re-implement it.
+
+### Changed
+- `pyproject.toml` — bumped version to `1.14.0`.
+- **`vacuum(incremental=True)` now warns instead of silently doing nothing** when the cache was not created with `auto_vacuum=INCREMENTAL` (the only mode in which incremental vacuum can reclaim pages); it logs how to fix it (`hard_reset()` with the pragma, or a full `vacuum(incremental=False)`) and returns.
+- `CacheManager.execute_in_memory()` gained an optional `tables` argument (the query's tables) used to scope datetime param/result coercion; `CacheManager`/`CachingEngine` gained a `return_datetime` flag.
+
+---
+
 ## [1.12.0] - 2026-06-09
 
 ### ⚠️ Breaking
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6e8f094..b236ac2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -297,10 +297,17 @@ engine = CachingEngine(
 ```
 
 - **Opt-in per column.** Only the columns you name change; everything else keeps the default lossless `TEXT` storage.
-- ⚠️ **It changes the output contract for those columns** — `execute()` returns them as `int` (µs since epoch), not ISO strings, and a `WHERE` on them must compare against integer µs. Don't list a column your callers read as a string.
+- **Transparent in and out.** A `WHERE` on such a column accepts a `datetime` or an ISO string — the param is coerced to integer µs so the comparison matches — and `execute()` returns the column as a real `datetime` (UTC), the same type a direct source query would give. Pass `return_datetime=False` to get the raw integers instead.
 - The delta watermark is handled transparently: it is persisted as the integer and bound back to a real `datetime` for the source query, so incremental refresh keeps working.
 - ⚠️ This is a **breaking on-disk change** (`SCHEMA_VERSION` 4): an existing cache is wiped and reloaded on first start after enabling it — schedule a maintenance window for a large reload.
 
+To build a `WHERE` param yourself (e.g. an HTTP `?since=` filter) without re-implementing the conversion, use the exported helper:
+
+```python
+from sqlmem import datetime_to_epoch_us
+rows = engine.execute("SELECT * FROM events WHERE changed > ?", (datetime_to_epoch_us(since),))
+```
+
 ## Manual cache control
 
 ```python
@@ -316,20 +323,20 @@ Use `reset()` after a **structural change** in the source (columns added/removed
 
 `hard_reset()` goes further than `reset()` in disk mode: it closes every connection, deletes `cache.db` (and its `-wal`/`-shm` sidecars) and reopens from scratch — the only way to change a baked-in `page_size`/`auto_vacuum`. In memory mode it falls back to `reset()`.
 
-`vacuum()` reclaims free pages left behind by delta `INSERT OR REPLACE` churn. Incremental (the default) is cheap and non-blocking but needs `auto_vacuum=INCREMENTAL`; `vacuum(incremental=False)` runs a full VACUUM that rewrites the file (~2× disk, blocks readers) — schedule it in a maintenance window. Both are no-ops in memory mode.
+`vacuum()` reclaims free pages left behind by delta `INSERT OR REPLACE` churn. Incremental (the default) is cheap and non-blocking but needs `auto_vacuum=INCREMENTAL` (set it via `pragmas=` on a fresh cache); if the cache wasn't created that way, `vacuum(incremental=True)` logs a warning and does nothing rather than silently no-op'ing. `vacuum(incremental=False)` runs a full VACUUM that rewrites the file (~2× disk, blocks readers) — schedule it in a maintenance window. Both are no-ops in memory mode.
 
 ## Runtime statistics
 
 ```python
 stats = engine.stats          # Stats snapshot
-print(stats.hits, stats.misses, stats.refetches, stats.errors)
+print(stats.hits, stats.misses, stats.refetches, stats.errors, stats.db_size_bytes)
 for name, t in stats.tables.items():
     print(name, t.rows, t.state, t.tracking, t.last_upsert, t.last_refresh)
     if t.consecutive_failures:
         print(f"  {name} failing ×{t.consecutive_failures}: {t.last_error} ({t.last_error_at})")
 ```
 
-`Stats.errors` is the total number of load/refresh failures since start. Each `TableStats` also carries `last_error`, `last_error_at` and `consecutive_failures` (reset to 0 on the next success) — so a delta that fails *before* streaming (which otherwise leaves `state` looking `ready`) is still visible, and the table is marked `error`.
+`Stats.db_size_bytes` is the on-disk cache file size (0 in memory mode) — handy for monitoring cache growth. `Stats.errors` is the total number of load/refresh failures since start. Each `TableStats` also carries `last_error`, `last_error_at` and `consecutive_failures` (reset to 0 on the next success) — so a delta that fails *before* streaming (which otherwise leaves `state` looking `ready`) is still visible, and the table is marked `error`.
 
 Two timestamps distinguish *data freshness* from *liveness*:
 
@@ -392,6 +399,7 @@ engine = CachingEngine(
     dialect="tsql",                    # SQLMEM_SQL_DIALECT
     pragmas={"mmap_size": 32 * 1024**3, "page_size": 8192},  # disk-mode SQLite tuning
     datetime_columns={"orders": ["created_at"]},  # store these as INTEGER µs (opt-in)
+    return_datetime=True,              # return datetime_columns as datetime (vs raw µs int)
     blocking_startup_refresh=False,    # block startup until caught up? (default: no)
 )
 ```
diff --git a/project.md b/project.md
index 561bb13..7f98a4b 100644
--- a/project.md
+++ b/project.md
@@ -218,7 +218,12 @@ SQLMEM_DEBUG=true   # DEBUG level — podrobný výpis každého dotazu, cache o
 - [x] **Ladění SQLite vrstvy (`pragmas=`)**: `CachingEngine(..., pragmas={...})` aplikuje libovolné PRAGMA na cache spojení (`mmap_size`, `cache_size`, `temp_store`, `page_size`, `auto_vacuum`). `page_size` a `auto_vacuum` jsou layout-pragmata — platí jen na čerstvém souboru (page_size na existující cache se ignoruje s warningem). Neznámá pragmata SQLite tiše ignoruje.
 - [x] **`hard_reset()`**: smaže on-disk soubor (+ WAL/SHM) a otevře nový s aktuálními pragmaty — na rozdíl od `reset()` umožní změnit `page_size`/`auto_vacuum`. Jen disk mód (v memory módu fallback na `reset()`).
 - [x] **`vacuum(incremental=, pages=)`**: údržbový VACUUM cache souboru — inkrementální (uvolní volné stránky po delta `INSERT OR REPLACE`, vyžaduje `auto_vacuum=INCREMENTAL`) nebo plný (přepíše soubor, jen v maintenance okně). V memory módu no-op.
-- [x] **Nativní INTEGER ukládání datetime sloupců (`datetime_columns=`)**: `datetime_columns={"VW_X": ["CHANGE_DATE"]}` — vyjmenované datetime sloupce se ukládají jako INTEGER µs-od-epochy místo ~28 B ISO TEXT (úspora místa + nativní celočíselné porovnání indexu). Opt-in per sloupec → mění výstupní kontrakt jen u zvolených sloupců (vrací int, ne ISO string). Breaking: `SCHEMA_VERSION` 3→4, cache se při upgrade smaže a načte znovu. Watermark se persistuje jako int a `_bind_watermark(epoch_us=True)` ho rekonstruuje zpět na `datetime` pro zdroj.
+- [x] **Nativní INTEGER ukládání datetime sloupců (`datetime_columns=`)**: `datetime_columns={"VW_X": ["CHANGE_DATE"]}` — vyjmenované datetime sloupce se ukládají jako INTEGER µs-od-epochy místo ~28 B ISO TEXT (úspora místa + nativní celočíselné porovnání indexu). Opt-in per sloupec. Breaking: `SCHEMA_VERSION` 3→4, cache se při upgrade smaže a načte znovu. Watermark se persistuje jako int a `_bind_watermark(epoch_us=True)` ho rekonstruuje zpět na `datetime` pro zdroj.
+  - **Param coercion**: `WHERE col > ?` s ISO/`datetime` parametrem se zkoercuje na epoch µs (scoped na tabulky dotazu), takže porovnání INTEGER sloupce sedí (dřív vracelo 0 řádků).
+  - **Read-time coercion**: čtení vrací `datetime` objekt místo raw int (transparentní proxy); opt-out `CachingEngine(..., return_datetime=False)`.
+  - Veřejný helper `from sqlmem import datetime_to_epoch_us` pro konstrukci parametrů bez duplicitní logiky.
+- [x] **`vacuum(incremental=True)` varuje bez `auto_vacuum=INCREMENTAL`**: dřív tichý no-op; teď zaloguje warning (a jak to opravit) a vrátí se.
+- [x] **`Stats.db_size_bytes`**: velikost cache souboru na disku (0 v memory módu) ve `stats` pro monitoring.
 
 ## TODO — budoucí funkce
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 65cbb3f..f2d007b 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "sqlmem"
-version = "1.12.0"
+version = "1.14.0"
 description = ""
 authors = [
     {name = "jan.doubravsky@gmail.com"}
diff --git a/src/sqlmem/__init__.py b/src/sqlmem/__init__.py
index 419b762..54e8dd8 100644
--- a/src/sqlmem/__init__.py
+++ b/src/sqlmem/__init__.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ from typing import Any
 
 from loguru import logger
 
+from ._coerce import to_sqlite_datetime as datetime_to_epoch_us
 from .config import DEBUG
 from .delta import DeltaConfig
 from .engine import CachingEngine
@@ -63,4 +64,5 @@ __all__ = [
     "Stats",
     "TableStats",
     "add_sink",
+    "datetime_to_epoch_us",
 ]
diff --git a/src/sqlmem/_coerce.py b/src/sqlmem/_coerce.py
index 926323e..5b5b96e 100644
--- a/src/sqlmem/_coerce.py
+++ b/src/sqlmem/_coerce.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ left untouched.
 
 import datetime
 import decimal
+import re
 import uuid
 from typing import Any
 
@@ -17,6 +18,10 @@ Params = tuple | list | dict | None
 
 _EPOCH = datetime.datetime(1970, 1, 1, tzinfo=datetime.timezone.utc)
 
+# A string that *starts* with an ISO date+time (``2026-05-01T00:00:00`` or
+# space-separated). Used to spot a datetime passed as a string in a query param.
+_ISO_DATETIME_RE = re.compile(r"^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}[T ]\d{2}:\d{2}:\d{2}")
+
 
 def to_sqlite(value: Any) -> Any:
     if isinstance(value, decimal.Decimal):
@@ -53,13 +58,62 @@ def to_sqlite_datetime(value: Any) -> int | None:
         return None
 
 
+def from_sqlite_datetime(value: Any) -> Any:
+    """Inverse of :func:`to_sqlite_datetime`: INTEGER µs-since-epoch → UTC datetime.
+
+    Non-integers (a ``NULL`` value, or a column that isn't datetime-typed) pass
+    through unchanged.
+    """
+    if isinstance(value, bool) or not isinstance(value, int):
+        return value
+    return _EPOCH + datetime.timedelta(microseconds=value)
+
+
 def coerce_row(row: tuple) -> tuple:
     return tuple(to_sqlite(v) for v in row)
 
 
-def coerce_params(params: Params) -> tuple | dict | None:
+def _coerce_param(value: Any, dt_table: bool) -> Any:
+    """Coerce a single query parameter.
+
+    When the query touches a table that stores datetime columns as INTEGER µs
+    (*dt_table*), a datetime object or an ISO-datetime string is converted to
+    epoch µs so a ``WHERE`` comparison matches the stored INTEGER instead of
+    comparing INTEGER against TEXT (which SQLite affinity makes always false).
+    Otherwise the default stringifying coercion applies, unchanged.
+    """
+    if dt_table and (
+        isinstance(value, datetime.datetime)
+        or (isinstance(value, str) and _ISO_DATETIME_RE.match(value))
+    ):
+        result = to_sqlite_datetime(value)
+        if result is not None:
+            return result
+    return to_sqlite(value)
+
+
+def coerce_params(params: Params, dt_table: bool = False) -> tuple | dict | None:
     if params is None:
         return None
     if isinstance(params, dict):
-        return {key: to_sqlite(val) for key, val in params.items()}
-    return tuple(to_sqlite(val) for val in params)
+        return {key: _coerce_param(val, dt_table) for key, val in params.items()}
+    return tuple(_coerce_param(val, dt_table) for val in params)
+
+
+def reverse_coerce_rows(
+    rows: list[tuple], col_names: list[str], dt_cols: set[str]
+) -> list[tuple]:
+    """Turn INTEGER µs back into ``datetime`` for result columns in *dt_cols*.
+
+    A no-op when no result column is a datetime column, so non-datetime queries
+    pay nothing.
+    """
+    if not dt_cols:
+        return rows
+    dt_idx = {i for i, c in enumerate(col_names) if c in dt_cols}
+    if not dt_idx:
+        return rows
+    return [
+        tuple(from_sqlite_datetime(v) if i in dt_idx else v for i, v in enumerate(row))
+        for row in rows
+    ]
diff --git a/src/sqlmem/cache.py b/src/sqlmem/cache.py
index a5e2c6f..366cdf0 100644
--- a/src/sqlmem/cache.py
+++ b/src/sqlmem/cache.py
@@ -9,7 +9,13 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from loguru import logger
 
 import sqlmem._meta as _meta
-from ._coerce import coerce_params, coerce_row, to_sqlite, to_sqlite_datetime
+from ._coerce import (
+    coerce_params,
+    coerce_row,
+    reverse_coerce_rows,
+    to_sqlite,
+    to_sqlite_datetime,
+)
 from ._sql import quote, quote_list, quote_source
 from .config import FETCH_BATCH_SIZE, SQL_DIALECT
 from .stats import TableState
@@ -42,6 +48,7 @@ class CacheManager:
         fetch_batch: int = FETCH_BATCH_SIZE,
         pragmas: dict[str, str | int] | None = None,
         datetime_columns: dict[str, list[str]] | None = None,
+        return_datetime: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
         self._db_path = db_path
         self._backup_interval = backup_interval
@@ -51,6 +58,7 @@ class CacheManager:
         self._pragmas = dict(pragmas or {})  # extra read/layout PRAGMAs (disk mode)
         # table → columns stored as INTEGER µs-since-epoch instead of ISO TEXT
         self._datetime_columns = {t: list(c) for t, c in (datetime_columns or {}).items()}
+        self._return_datetime = return_datetime  # reverse-coerce reads back to datetime
         self._lock = threading.Lock()       # serializes connection access
         self._load_lock = threading.Lock()  # serializes full table loads
         self._states: dict[str, str] = {}   # table → live processing state
@@ -498,16 +506,38 @@ class CacheManager:
                 self._read_conns.append(conn)
         return conn
 
+    def _query_datetime_cols(self, tables: list[str] | None) -> set[str]:
+        """Datetime columns (stored as INTEGER µs) belonging to *tables*.
+
+        Empty when no table is known/configured, so a query that touches no
+        datetime column pays nothing and behaves exactly as before.
+        """
+        if not self._datetime_columns or not tables:
+            return set()
+        cols: set[str] = set()
+        for table in tables:
+            cols.update(self._datetime_columns.get(table, ()))
+        return cols
+
     def execute_in_memory(
-        self, sql: str, params: tuple | list | dict | None = None
+        self,
+        sql: str,
+        params: tuple | list | dict | None = None,
+        tables: list[str] | None = None,
     ) -> tuple[list[str], list[tuple]]:
         """Run a read query against the cache.
 
         In-memory mode serializes with writers on the single connection. Disk mode
         reads from a per-thread WAL connection, so reads run concurrently with
         writers and each other (see :meth:`_read_conn`).
+
+        When *tables* names a table with ``datetime_columns``, ISO/datetime query
+        params are coerced to epoch µs so a ``WHERE`` matches the stored INTEGER,
+        and (unless ``return_datetime=False``) those columns are returned as real
+        :class:`~datetime.datetime` objects rather than raw integers.
         """
-        bound = coerce_params(params)
+        dt_cols = self._query_datetime_cols(tables)
+        bound = coerce_params(params, dt_table=bool(dt_cols))
         if self._in_memory:
             with self._lock:
                 cursor = (
@@ -517,12 +547,14 @@ class CacheManager:
                 )
                 col_names = [desc[0] for desc in cursor.description]
                 rows = cursor.fetchall()
-            return col_names, rows
+        else:
+            conn = self._read_conn()
+            cursor = conn.execute(sql) if bound is None else conn.execute(sql, bound)
+            col_names = [desc[0] for desc in cursor.description]
+            rows = cursor.fetchall()
 
-        conn = self._read_conn()
-        cursor = conn.execute(sql) if bound is None else conn.execute(sql, bound)
-        col_names = [desc[0] for desc in cursor.description]
-        rows = cursor.fetchall()
+        if self._return_datetime and dt_cols:
+            rows = reverse_coerce_rows(rows, col_names, dt_cols)
         return col_names, rows
 
     # --- delta refresh support ---------------------------------------------
@@ -585,6 +617,15 @@ class CacheManager:
         row = self._conn.execute(f"SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {quote(table)}").fetchone()
         return int(row[0]) if row else 0
 
+    def db_size_bytes(self) -> int:
+        """On-disk size of the cache file in bytes (0 in memory mode / if absent)."""
+        if self._in_memory:
+            return 0
+        try:
+            return self._db_path.stat().st_size
+        except OSError:
+            return 0
+
     def reset(self) -> None:
         """Wipe the entire cache — every cached table plus the on-disk data
         (the file is deleted in memory mode, VACUUMed in place in disk mode)."""
@@ -676,6 +717,15 @@ class CacheManager:
             logger.debug("vacuum() called in memory mode — no-op.")
             return
         if incremental:
+            av = self._conn.execute("PRAGMA auto_vacuum").fetchone()[0]
+            if av != 2:  # 0 = NONE, 1 = FULL, 2 = INCREMENTAL
+                logger.warning(
+                    f"vacuum(incremental=True) called but auto_vacuum={av} (not "
+                    "INCREMENTAL) — no pages will be reclaimed. Rebuild the cache "
+                    "with pragmas={'auto_vacuum': 'INCREMENTAL'} via hard_reset(), "
+                    "or run vacuum(incremental=False) for a full VACUUM."
+                )
+                return
             with self._lock:
                 self._conn.execute(f"PRAGMA incremental_vacuum({pages})")
                 self._conn.commit()
diff --git a/src/sqlmem/engine.py b/src/sqlmem/engine.py
index 436d21c..5ded193 100644
--- a/src/sqlmem/engine.py
+++ b/src/sqlmem/engine.py
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ class CachingEngine:
         dialect: str | None = None,
         pragmas: dict[str, str | int] | None = None,
         datetime_columns: dict[str, list[str]] | None = None,
+        return_datetime: bool = True,
         blocking_startup_refresh: bool = False,
     ) -> None:
         self._source_engine = source_engine
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ class CachingEngine:
             fetch_batch=fetch_batch if fetch_batch is not None else FETCH_BATCH_SIZE,
             pragmas=pragmas,
             datetime_columns=datetime_columns,
+            return_datetime=return_datetime,
         )
         self._registry = ColumnRegistry(self._cache.connection)
         self._stats = StatsCollector()
@@ -152,7 +154,11 @@ class CachingEngine:
         last_runs = self._cache.get_last_runs()
         with self._cache._lock:
             base = self._stats.snapshot(self._cache.connection, states)
-        base = replace(base, errors=self._cache.error_total)
+        base = replace(
+            base,
+            errors=self._cache.error_total,
+            db_size_bytes=self._cache.db_size_bytes(),
+        )
         return replace(
             base,
             tables={n: self._enrich(n, t, errors, last_runs) for n, t in base.tables.items()},
diff --git a/src/sqlmem/executor.py b/src/sqlmem/executor.py
index f8ee84d..2bde0d7 100644
--- a/src/sqlmem/executor.py
+++ b/src/sqlmem/executor.py
@@ -118,5 +118,7 @@ class QueryExecutor:
 
     def _run_in_memory(self, parsed: ParsedQuery) -> list[dict]:
         logger.debug(f"Executing in SQLite RAM: {parsed.sqlite_sql!r} params={parsed.params!r}")
-        col_names, rows = self._cache.execute_in_memory(parsed.sqlite_sql, parsed.params)
+        col_names, rows = self._cache.execute_in_memory(
+            parsed.sqlite_sql, parsed.params, parsed.tables
+        )
         return [dict(zip(col_names, row)) for row in rows]
diff --git a/src/sqlmem/stats.py b/src/sqlmem/stats.py
index 121f3a4..b45a413 100644
--- a/src/sqlmem/stats.py
+++ b/src/sqlmem/stats.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ class Stats:
     refetches: int
     tables: dict[str, TableStats]
     errors: int = 0  # total load/refresh failures since start
+    db_size_bytes: int = 0  # on-disk cache file size (0 in memory mode)
 
 
 class StatsCollector:
diff --git a/tests/test_cache.py b/tests/test_cache.py
index 40ce442..0101650 100644
--- a/tests/test_cache.py
+++ b/tests/test_cache.py
@@ -288,3 +288,21 @@ def test_vacuum_in_memory_is_noop(cache, source_conn):
     cache.load_table("users", ["name"], source_conn)
     cache.vacuum(incremental=False)  # no-op, no error
     assert cache.is_table_cached("users") is True
+
+
+def test_incremental_vacuum_warns_without_incremental_auto_vacuum(tmp_path, source_conn):
+    """Incremental vacuum on a DB that isn't auto_vacuum=INCREMENTAL warns and skips."""
+    from loguru import logger
+
+    messages: list[str] = []
+    sink_id = logger.add(messages.append, level="WARNING", filter="sqlmem")
+    logger.enable("sqlmem")
+    try:
+        c = CacheManager(db_path=tmp_path / "c.db", backup_interval=9999, in_memory=False)
+        c.load_table("users", ["name"], source_conn)
+        c.vacuum(incremental=True)  # auto_vacuum defaults to NONE → no-op + warning
+        c.close()
+    finally:
+        logger.remove(sink_id)
+        logger.disable("sqlmem")
+    assert any("auto_vacuum" in m for m in messages)
diff --git a/tests/test_coerce.py b/tests/test_coerce.py
index 0923076..9203863 100644
--- a/tests/test_coerce.py
+++ b/tests/test_coerce.py
@@ -4,9 +4,17 @@ import uuid
 
 import pytest
 
-from sqlmem._coerce import coerce_params, to_sqlite, to_sqlite_datetime
+from sqlmem._coerce import (
+    coerce_params,
+    from_sqlite_datetime,
+    reverse_coerce_rows,
+    to_sqlite,
+    to_sqlite_datetime,
+)
 from sqlmem.cache import CacheManager
 
+_UTC = datetime.timezone.utc
+
 
 class _FakeCursor:
     def __init__(self, rows):
@@ -165,6 +173,128 @@ def test_non_datetime_columns_unaffected_by_datetime_columns(tmp_path):
     c.close()
 
 
+# --- param coercion for datetime_columns (A) --------------------------------
+
+
+def test_coerce_params_dt_table_iso_string_to_epoch():
+    p = coerce_params(("2026-06-01T10:00:00",), dt_table=True)
+    assert p == (to_sqlite_datetime("2026-06-01T10:00:00"),)
+
+
+def test_coerce_params_dt_table_datetime_to_epoch():
+    dt = datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)
+    assert coerce_params((dt,), dt_table=True) == (to_sqlite_datetime(dt),)
+
+
+def test_coerce_params_dt_table_false_keeps_iso_string():
+    # No datetime table in the query → behaviour unchanged (string stays a string).
+    assert coerce_params(("2026-06-01T10:00:00",), dt_table=False) == (
+        "2026-06-01T10:00:00",
+    )
+
+
+def test_coerce_params_dt_table_leaves_non_datetime_values():
+    assert coerce_params(("hello", 5, None), dt_table=True) == ("hello", 5, None)
+
+
+def test_where_on_datetime_column_matches_with_iso_param(tmp_path):
+    """The critical fix: a WHERE on an INTEGER-µs column with an ISO string param
+    must match instead of comparing INTEGER against TEXT (always 0 rows)."""
+    c = CacheManager(
+        db_path=tmp_path / "cache.db",
+        backup_interval=9999,
+        datetime_columns={"t": ["changed"]},
+        return_datetime=False,
+    )
+    rows = [
+        ("1", datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)),
+        ("2", datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 3, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)),
+    ]
+    c.load_table("t", ["id", "changed"], FakeSource(rows))
+    _, out = c.execute_in_memory(
+        "SELECT id FROM t WHERE changed > ?", ("2026-06-02T00:00:00",), ["t"]
+    )
+    assert [r[0] for r in out] == ["2"]
+    c.close()
+
+
+def test_where_on_datetime_column_without_table_scope_is_unchanged(tmp_path):
+    """Without table scope the param isn't coerced — proves the fix is scoped."""
+    c = CacheManager(
+        db_path=tmp_path / "cache.db",
+        backup_interval=9999,
+        datetime_columns={"t": ["changed"]},
+        return_datetime=False,
+    )
+    c.load_table(
+        "t",
+        ["id", "changed"],
+        FakeSource([("1", datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC))]),
+    )
+    # No `tables` arg → INTEGER vs TEXT comparison → no match (legacy behaviour).
+    _, out = c.execute_in_memory("SELECT id FROM t WHERE changed > ?", ("2026-01-01T00:00:00",))
+    assert out == []
+    c.close()
+
+
+# --- reverse coercion: read back as datetime (B) ----------------------------
+
+
+def test_from_sqlite_datetime_roundtrip():
+    dt = datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)
+    assert from_sqlite_datetime(to_sqlite_datetime(dt)) == dt
+
+
+def test_from_sqlite_datetime_passes_non_int():
+    assert from_sqlite_datetime("x") == "x"
+    assert from_sqlite_datetime(None) is None
+    assert from_sqlite_datetime(True) is True  # bool is not treated as µs
+
+
+def test_reverse_coerce_rows_only_named_columns():
+    us = to_sqlite_datetime(datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC))
+    out = reverse_coerce_rows([("1", us)], ["id", "changed"], {"changed"})
+    assert out[0][0] == "1"
+    assert out[0][1] == datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)
+
+
+def test_read_returns_datetime_by_default(tmp_path):
+    c = CacheManager(
+        db_path=tmp_path / "cache.db",
+        backup_interval=9999,
+        datetime_columns={"t": ["changed"]},
+    )
+    dt = datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)
+    c.load_table("t", ["id", "changed"], FakeSource([("1", dt)]))
+    _, out = c.execute_in_memory("SELECT id, changed FROM t", None, ["t"])
+    assert out == [("1", dt)]  # returned as a datetime, not the raw int
+    c.close()
+
+
+def test_return_datetime_false_keeps_raw_int(tmp_path):
+    c = CacheManager(
+        db_path=tmp_path / "cache.db",
+        backup_interval=9999,
+        datetime_columns={"t": ["changed"]},
+        return_datetime=False,
+    )
+    dt = datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)
+    c.load_table("t", ["id", "changed"], FakeSource([("1", dt)]))
+    _, out = c.execute_in_memory("SELECT changed FROM t", None, ["t"])
+    assert out == [(to_sqlite_datetime(dt),)]  # raw INTEGER µs
+    c.close()
+
+
+# --- public export (F) ------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def test_datetime_to_epoch_us_is_public():
+    from sqlmem import datetime_to_epoch_us
+
+    dt = datetime.datetime(2026, 6, 1, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=_UTC)
+    assert datetime_to_epoch_us(dt) == to_sqlite_datetime(dt)
+
+
 # --- integration: values reach the cache through coercion -------------------
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_engine.py b/tests/test_engine.py
index a2df15b..5f46199 100644
--- a/tests/test_engine.py
+++ b/tests/test_engine.py
@@ -421,3 +421,71 @@ def test_engine_vacuum_runs(source_engine, tmp_path):
     ce.vacuum(incremental=False)  # must not raise
     assert ce._cache.is_table_cached("products") is True
     ce.close()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# datetime_columns end-to-end: param coercion (A) + read-back datetime (B)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def events_engine(tmp_path):
+    src = tmp_path / "events.db"
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(src)
+    conn.execute("CREATE TABLE events (id TEXT, changed TEXT)")
+    conn.executemany(
+        "INSERT INTO events VALUES (?, ?)",
+        [("1", "2026-06-01T10:00:00"), ("2", "2026-06-03T10:00:00")],
+    )
+    conn.commit()
+    conn.close()
+    se = create_engine(f"sqlite:///{src}")
+    yield se
+    se.dispose()
+
+
+def test_datetime_column_where_and_readback(events_engine, tmp_path):
+    from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+    ce = CachingEngine(
+        events_engine,
+        cache_db_path=tmp_path / "cache.db",
+        in_memory=False,
+        datetime_columns={"events": ["changed"]},
+    )
+    # A: WHERE on the INTEGER-µs column with an ISO string param returns the right row.
+    rows = ce.execute(
+        "SELECT id, changed FROM events WHERE changed > ?", ("2026-06-02T00:00:00",)
+    )
+    assert [r["id"] for r in rows] == ["2"]
+    # B: the column comes back as a datetime, not a raw integer.
+    assert rows[0]["changed"] == datetime(2026, 6, 3, 10, 0, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc)
+    ce.close()
+
+
+def test_datetime_column_return_datetime_false(events_engine, tmp_path):
+    ce = CachingEngine(
+        events_engine,
+        cache_db_path=tmp_path / "cache.db",
+        in_memory=False,
+        datetime_columns={"events": ["changed"]},
+        return_datetime=False,
+    )
+    rows = ce.execute("SELECT id, changed FROM events")
+    assert all(isinstance(r["changed"], int) for r in rows)  # opt-out → raw µs
+    ce.close()
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# db_size_bytes in stats (D)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def test_stats_reports_db_size_in_disk_mode(source_engine, tmp_path):
+    ce = CachingEngine(source_engine, cache_db_path=tmp_path / "cache.db", in_memory=False)
+    ce.execute("SELECT id FROM products")
+    assert ce.stats.db_size_bytes > 0
+    ce.close()
+
+
+def test_stats_db_size_zero_in_memory(engine):
+    engine.execute("SELECT id, name FROM products")
+    assert engine.stats.db_size_bytes == 0