diff --git a/crates/flux-communication/src/timer.rs b/crates/flux-communication/src/timer.rs
index 684ba0e..6a850df 100644
--- a/crates/flux-communication/src/timer.rs
+++ b/crates/flux-communication/src/timer.rs
@@ -143,6 +143,13 @@ impl Timer {
         self.emit_processing();
     }
 
+    #[inline]
+    #[must_use = "the returned guard records on drop; binding it to `_` drops it immediately"]
+    pub fn record_scoped(&mut self) -> ScopedRecord<'_> {
+        self.start();
+        ScopedRecord { timer: self }
+    }
+
     /// Finish processing, then emit upstream latency.
     ///
     /// Processing interval:
@@ -248,6 +255,17 @@ impl Timer {
     }
 }
 
+pub struct ScopedRecord<'a> {
+    timer: &'a mut Timer,
+}
+
+impl Drop for ScopedRecord<'_> {
+    #[inline]
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        self.timer.record_processing();
+    }
+}
+
 /// Used by timeit macro
 #[allow(dead_code)]
 pub static TIMERS: LazyLock<Mutex<HashMap<&'static str, Timer>>> =