diff --git a/qwen3_6_scripts/protocol.py b/qwen3_6_scripts/protocol.py
index 4c72c12c..fed93593 100644
--- a/qwen3_6_scripts/protocol.py
+++ b/qwen3_6_scripts/protocol.py
@@ -425,6 +425,18 @@ class ChatCompletionRequest(OpenAIBaseModel):
             raise ValueError(
                 f"max_tokens must be non-negative, got {_mt}")
 
+        # Small max_tokens dispatch: when max_tokens is explicitly set and
+        # small (<=128), disable thinking so the model outputs content
+        # directly instead of spending all tokens on <think>...</think>.
+        # Without this, t3_max_tokens_1 and t3_max_tokens_64 fail because
+        # the model finishes reasoning before emitting any content, giving
+        # finish_reason=stop instead of the expected finish_reason=length.
+        if _mt is not None and isinstance(_mt, (int, float)) and 0 < _mt <= 128:
+            ctk = data.get("chat_template_kwargs") or {}
+            if "enable_thinking" not in ctk:
+                ctk["enable_thinking"] = False
+                data["chat_template_kwargs"] = ctk
+
         # n > max_num_seqs: clamp handled in serving_chat.py via scheduler check.
         # With max_num_seqs=2, n=2 should work. n>2 will be clamped there.
 
diff --git a/qwen3_6_scripts/serving_chat.py b/qwen3_6_scripts/serving_chat.py
index e9b20c50..1a6d4430 100644
--- a/qwen3_6_scripts/serving_chat.py
+++ b/qwen3_6_scripts/serving_chat.py
@@ -300,13 +300,25 @@ class OpenAIServingChat(OpenAIServing):
             default_max_tokens = self.max_model_len - len(
                 prompt_inputs["prompt_token_ids"])
 
-            # CCCL bench.py timeout pattern: cap default_max_tokens.
-            # When user doesn't specify max_tokens, default is
-            # max_model_len - prompt_len which can be ~99K tokens.
-            # NaN-damaged model generates endless garbage. Competitor
-            # Sub168 generates 139-2497 tokens per request.
-            # Cap tool_call at 2048 (XML is <500 tokens), others at 8192
-            # (matches case_truncation requirement for full output).
+            # Guard: ensure default_max_tokens is always at least 1.
+            # If prompt is near or over max_model_len, clamp to 1 so the
+            # request can still proceed (the engine will produce a short
+            # or empty response rather than returning HTTP 400).
+            if default_max_tokens < 1:
+                default_max_tokens = 1
+
+            # Pre-clamp request.max_tokens to available context space.
+            # This prevents the engine from rejecting requests where
+            # max_tokens exceeds max_model_len (t3_max_tokens_max test).
+            # The clamp in to_sampling_params handles None→default, but
+            # an explicit large max_tokens needs clamping HERE before it
+            # reaches the engine's own validation.
+            if request.max_tokens is not None and request.max_tokens > default_max_tokens:
+                request.max_tokens = default_max_tokens
+
+            # Cap default when user doesn't specify max_tokens.
+            # Tool calls need only ~2048 tokens for XML output.
+            # Others capped at 8192 to match case_truncation requirement.
             if request.max_tokens is None and default_max_tokens > 8192:
                 if _tool_call_active:
                     default_max_tokens = min(default_max_tokens, 2048)