diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index cf9a303..6602797 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,14 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Changed
+- **Semantic compression pass** — applied Casey Muratori's compression workflow (write concrete → observe patterns → compress genuine repetitions) across all three packages. Net result: ~200 lines removed, codebase simpler.
+  - **`count_where()` helper** (`web/core.py`): compresses the `fetch_one("SELECT COUNT(*) ...") + null-check` pattern. Applied across 30+ call sites in admin, suppliers, directory, dashboard, public, and planner routes. Dashboard stats function shrinks from 75 to 25 lines.
+  - **`_forward_lead()` helper** (`web/admin/routes.py`): extracts shared DB logic from `lead_forward` and `lead_forward_htmx` — both routes now call the helper and differ only in response format.
+  - **SQLMesh macros** (`transform/macros/__init__.py`): 5 new macros compress repeated country code patterns across 7 SQL models: `@country_name`, `@country_slug`, `@normalize_eurostat_country`, `@normalize_eurostat_nuts`, `@infer_country_from_coords`.
+  - **Extract helpers** (`extract/utils.py`): `skip_if_current()` compresses cursor-check + early-return pattern (3 extractors); `write_jsonl_atomic()` compresses working-file → JSONL → compress pattern (2 extractors).
+- **Coding philosophy updated** (`~/.claude/coding_philosophy.md`): added `<compression>` section documenting the workflow, the test ("Did this abstraction make the total codebase smaller?"), and distinction from premature DRY.
+
 ### Fixed
 - **Admin: empty confirm dialog on auto-poll** — `htmx:confirm` handler now guards with `if (!evt.detail.question) return` so auto-poll requests (`hx-trigger="every 5s"`, no `hx-confirm` attribute) no longer trigger an empty dialog every 5 seconds.