Optimize annual ranking read path

backend/tests/test_annual_ranking_payload.py

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import unittest
+from contextlib import nullcontext
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from app.rcon_annual_rankings import get_annual_ranking_snapshot
+
+
+class AnnualRankingPayloadTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_get_annual_ranking_snapshot_skips_storage_init_on_postgres_read(self):
+        with (
+            patch("app.rcon_annual_rankings.use_postgres_rcon_storage", return_value=True),
+            patch("app.rcon_annual_rankings.initialize_rcon_materialized_storage") as init_mock,
+            patch(
+                "app.rcon_annual_rankings._open_annual_snapshot_read_connection",
+                return_value=nullcontext(object()),
+            ),
+            patch("app.rcon_annual_rankings._find_snapshot", return_value=None),
+        ):
+            result = get_annual_ranking_snapshot(
+                year=2026,
+                server_key="all",
+                metric="kills",
+                limit=30,
+            )
+
+        init_mock.assert_not_called()
+        self.assertEqual(result["snapshot_status"], "missing")
+        self.assertEqual(result["source"], "rcon-annual-ranking-snapshot")
+        self.assertEqual(result["requested_limit"], 30)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()