From f087d9004c9447c53d94cee3b33335d90df259f5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:03:17 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 1/9] Add bound instruments to metrics API spec

---
 specification/metrics/api.md | 88 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 88 insertions(+)

diff --git a/specification/metrics/api.md b/specification/metrics/api.md
index c37fccc944d..d016339981b 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/api.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/api.md
@@ -31,10 +31,12 @@ weight: 1
       - [Asynchronous Instrument API](#asynchronous-instrument-api)
   * [General operations](#general-operations)
     + [Enabled](#enabled)
+    + [Bind](#bind)
   * [Counter](#counter)
     + [Counter creation](#counter-creation)
     + [Counter operations](#counter-operations)
       - [Add](#add)
+      - [Bound Add](#bound-add)
   * [Asynchronous Counter](#asynchronous-counter)
     + [Asynchronous Counter creation](#asynchronous-counter-creation)
     + [Asynchronous Counter operations](#asynchronous-counter-operations)
@@ -42,10 +44,12 @@ weight: 1
     + [Histogram creation](#histogram-creation)
     + [Histogram operations](#histogram-operations)
       - [Record](#record)
+      - [Bound Record](#bound-record)
   * [Gauge](#gauge)
     + [Gauge creation](#gauge-creation)
     + [Gauge operations](#gauge-operations)
       - [Record](#record-1)
+      - [Bound Record](#bound-record-1)
   * [Asynchronous Gauge](#asynchronous-gauge)
     + [Asynchronous Gauge creation](#asynchronous-gauge-creation)
     + [Asynchronous Gauge operations](#asynchronous-gauge-operations)
@@ -53,6 +57,7 @@ weight: 1
     + [UpDownCounter creation](#updowncounter-creation)
     + [UpDownCounter operations](#updowncounter-operations)
       - [Add](#add-1)
+      - [Bound Add](#bound-add-1)
   * [Asynchronous UpDownCounter](#asynchronous-updowncounter)
     + [Asynchronous UpDownCounter creation](#asynchronous-updowncounter-creation)
     + [Asynchronous UpDownCounter operations](#asynchronous-updowncounter-operations)
@@ -475,6 +480,7 @@ or something else).
 All [synchronous instruments](#synchronous-instrument-api) SHOULD provide functions to:
 
 * [Report if instrument is `Enabled`](#enabled)
+* [Bind to a set of attributes](#bind)
 
 #### Enabled
 
@@ -494,6 +500,56 @@ The returned value is not always static, it can change over time. The API
 SHOULD be documented that instrumentation authors needs to call this API each
 time they record a measurement to ensure they have the most up-to-date response.
 
+#### Bind
+
+**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
+
+The `Bind` API associates a fixed set of [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) with every
+measurement recorded on the returned bound instrument. Because attributes are resolved at bind
+time rather than at each recording, implementations can avoid per-recording attribute processing
+and lookup overhead.
+
+This API MUST accept the following parameter:
+
+* [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) to associate with every measurement recorded on
+  the returned bound instrument.
+
+  Users can provide attributes to associate with the bound instrument, but it is up
+  to their discretion. Therefore, this API MUST be structured to accept a variable
+  number of attributes, including none.
+
+This API MUST return a language-idiomatic type representing the instrument bound to those
+attributes.
+
+The returned bound instrument MUST support the instrument's core recording operation without
+accepting [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) as a parameter. The instrument kind
+determines the recording operation on the bound instrument:
+
+* [Counter](#counter): [Bound Add](#bound-add)
+* [Histogram](#histogram): [Bound Record](#bound-record)
+* [Gauge](#gauge): [Bound Record](#bound-record-1)
+* [UpDownCounter](#updowncounter): [Bound Add](#bound-add-1)
+
+Measurements recorded on the bound instrument can be associated with the
+[Context](../context/README.md).
+
+Here are some examples that [OpenTelemetry API](../overview.md#api) authors might consider:
+
+```java
+// Java
+
+LongCounter rolls = meter.counterBuilder("dice.rolls")
+    .setDescription("The number of times each side of the die was rolled")
+    .setUnit("{roll}")
+    .build();
+
+var face1 = rolls.bind(Attributes.of(AttributeKey.longKey("roll.value"), 1L));
+var face6 = rolls.bind(Attributes.of(AttributeKey.longKey("roll.value"), 6L));
+
+face1.add(1);
+face6.add(1);
+```
+
 ### Counter
 
 `Counter` is a [synchronous Instrument](#synchronous-instrument-api) which supports
@@ -596,6 +652,14 @@ counterPowerUsed.Add(13.5, new PowerConsumption { customer = "Tom" });
 counterPowerUsed.Add(200, new PowerConsumption { customer = "Jerry" }, ("is_green_energy", true));
 ```
 
+##### Bound Add
+
+**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
+
+The bound counterpart to [Add](#add), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
+identical to [Add](#add) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
+accepted as a parameter.
+
 ### Asynchronous Counter
 
 Asynchronous Counter is an [asynchronous Instrument](#asynchronous-instrument-api)
@@ -825,6 +889,14 @@ httpServerDuration.Record(50, ("http.request.method", "POST"), ("url.scheme", "h
 httpServerDuration.Record(100, new HttpRequestAttributes { method = "GET", scheme = "http" });
 ```
 
+##### Bound Record
+
+**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
+
+The bound counterpart to [Record](#record), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
+identical to [Record](#record) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
+accepted as a parameter.
+
 ### Gauge
 
 `Gauge` is a [synchronous Instrument](#synchronous-instrument-api) which can be
@@ -914,6 +986,14 @@ backgroundNoiseLevel.record(4.3, roomA);
 backgroundNoiseLevel.record(2.5, roomB);
 ```
 
+##### Bound Record
+
+**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
+
+The bound counterpart to [Record](#record-1), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
+identical to [Record](#record-1) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
+accepted as a parameter.
+
 ### Asynchronous Gauge
 
 Asynchronous Gauge is an [asynchronous Instrument](#asynchronous-instrument-api)
@@ -1155,6 +1235,14 @@ customersInStore.Add(1, ("account.type", "commercial"));
 customersInStore.Add(-1, new Account { Type = "residential" });
 ```
 
+##### Bound Add
+
+**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
+
+The bound counterpart to [Add](#add-1), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
+identical to [Add](#add-1) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
+accepted as a parameter.
+
 ### Asynchronous UpDownCounter
 
 Asynchronous UpDownCounter is an [asynchronous

From 2549a42d993f07dd095d1fae40a4bf37978ddbac Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:16:46 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 2/9] Update sdk for bound instruments

---
 specification/metrics/api.md |  3 +++
 specification/metrics/sdk.md | 15 +++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 18 insertions(+)

diff --git a/specification/metrics/api.md b/specification/metrics/api.md
index d016339981b..c0aedb9da4d 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/api.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/api.md
@@ -480,6 +480,9 @@ or something else).
 All [synchronous instruments](#synchronous-instrument-api) SHOULD provide functions to:
 
 * [Report if instrument is `Enabled`](#enabled)
+
+All [synchronous instruments](#synchronous-instrument-api) MAY provide:
+
 * [Bind to a set of attributes](#bind)
 
 #### Enabled
diff --git a/specification/metrics/sdk.md b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
index f5586f677a1..ccaed229fa6 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/sdk.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ weight: 3
     + [Instrument advisory parameter: `ExplicitBucketBoundaries`](#instrument-advisory-parameter-explicitbucketboundaries)
     + [Instrument advisory parameter: `Attributes`](#instrument-advisory-parameter-attributes)
   * [Instrument enabled](#instrument-enabled)
+  * [Instrument bind](#instrument-bind)
 - [Attribute limits](#attribute-limits)
 - [Exemplar](#exemplar)
   * [ExemplarFilter](#exemplarfilter)
@@ -1041,6 +1042,20 @@ Note: If a user makes no configuration changes, `Enabled` returns `true` since b
 default `MeterConfig.enabled=true` and instruments use the default
 aggregation when no matching views match the instrument.
 
+### Instrument bind
+
+**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
+
+The SDK MAY implement the [Bind](./api.md#bind) API for synchronous instruments.
+
+A bound instrument MUST behave identically to calling the equivalent unbound recording
+operation with the pre-bound [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) on each
+measurement.
+
+The SDK SHOULD optimize by pre-resolving the underlying aggregator state at bind time,
+such that subsequent recordings bypass per-recording attribute processing and map
+lookup.
+
 ## Attribute limits
 
 **Status**: [Stable](../document-status.md)

From bb0478338e1befdea8c41a67940b9d5576b1ff99 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:26:10 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 3/9] Add spec compliance, changelog entry

---
 CHANGELOG.md                         | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix.md            | 1 +
 spec-compliance-matrix/cpp.yaml      | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/dotnet.yaml   | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/erlang.yaml   | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/go.yaml       | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/java.yaml     | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/js.yaml       | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/kotlin.yaml   | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/php.yaml      | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/python.yaml   | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/ruby.yaml     | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/rust.yaml     | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/swift.yaml    | 2 ++
 spec-compliance-matrix/template.yaml | 2 ++
 15 files changed, 29 insertions(+)

diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 348aa2d6d5b..ee67b78c474 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ release.
 
 ### Metrics
 
+- Add in-development `Bind` API to synchronous instruments.
+  ([#XXXX](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/pull/XXXX))
 - Stabilize sections of Prometheus Metrics Exporter.
   - Stabilize temporality.
     ([#5024](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/issues/5024))
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix.md b/spec-compliance-matrix.md
index 532c53705a0..9ac5f58aad9 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix.md
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix.md
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ formats is required. Implementing more than one format is optional.
 | Instrument descriptions conform to the specified syntax. |  | - | + |  | - | + | + |  |  | - | + |  | - |
 | Instrument supports the advisory ExplicitBucketBoundaries parameter. |  | + | + |  |  |  | + |  |  |  |  |  | - |
 | Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter. |  | - | + |  |  |  | + |  |  |  |  |  | - |
+| Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes. | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
 | All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently. |  | + | + | + | - |  | + |  |  | + | + |  | - |
 | All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently. |  | + | + | + | - |  | + |  |  | + | + |  | - |
 | All methods of any instrument are safe to be called concurrently. |  | + | + | + | - |  | + |  |  | + | + |  | - |
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/cpp.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/cpp.yaml
index 81d935efb33..73b89390e79 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/cpp.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/cpp.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '+'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/dotnet.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/dotnet.yaml
index 87c7e13e0c0..b8716c6739a 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/dotnet.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/dotnet.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '+'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/erlang.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/erlang.yaml
index 63562233105..fb0618829a5 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/erlang.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/erlang.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '+'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '+'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '+'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/go.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/go.yaml
index f8226c23340..fe7ae165f7f 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/go.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/go.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '+'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '-'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '+'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/java.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/java.yaml
index 97d5f019df1..52f87f4f4ea 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/java.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/java.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '+'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '+'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '+'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/js.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/js.yaml
index e251573e343..5c8a3086bca 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/js.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/js.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '+'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/kotlin.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/kotlin.yaml
index 85497e43b36..e09b598731c 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/kotlin.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/kotlin.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '-'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '-'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/php.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/php.yaml
index b0a56fd4ab2..59082762795 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/php.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/php.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '?'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/python.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/python.yaml
index 4678fb92b36..80cc750d8d7 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/python.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/python.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/ruby.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/ruby.yaml
index bdd8f7148a3..739005a0a2f 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/ruby.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/ruby.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '?'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/rust.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/rust.yaml
index 9772047cd7e..e5657f4eea7 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/rust.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/rust.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '?'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/swift.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/swift.yaml
index 5bbc00b322a..d8177d29fb7 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/swift.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/swift.yaml
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ sections:
         status: '?'
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
         status: '?'
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        status: '-'
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
         status: '?'
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
diff --git a/spec-compliance-matrix/template.yaml b/spec-compliance-matrix/template.yaml
index cdd24a84326..8db2a6c7e4c 100644
--- a/spec-compliance-matrix/template.yaml
+++ b/spec-compliance-matrix/template.yaml
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ sections:
       - name: Instrument descriptions conform to the specified syntax.
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory ExplicitBucketBoundaries parameter.
       - name: Instrument supports the advisory Attributes parameter.
+      - name: Synchronous instruments support Bind to pre-associate attributes.
+        optional: true
       - name: All methods of `MeterProvider` are safe to be called concurrently.
       - name: All methods of `Meter` are safe to be called concurrently.
       - name: All methods of any instrument are safe to be called concurrently.

From a3c8d2a3191c0db59de8e81da1a17c27132d6c8f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:32:35 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 4/9] Remove reundant MAY in instrument bind

---
 specification/metrics/sdk.md | 2 --
 1 file changed, 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/specification/metrics/sdk.md b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
index ccaed229fa6..c8d54455e49 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/sdk.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
@@ -1046,8 +1046,6 @@ aggregation when no matching views match the instrument.
 
 **Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
 
-The SDK MAY implement the [Bind](./api.md#bind) API for synchronous instruments.
-
 A bound instrument MUST behave identically to calling the equivalent unbound recording
 operation with the pre-bound [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) on each
 measurement.

From b7b0bf77290fc5ac969c23fc8b21b592a44705d6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:36:55 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 5/9] Qualify bullet as in development

---
 specification/metrics/api.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/specification/metrics/api.md b/specification/metrics/api.md
index c0aedb9da4d..60f50d2298f 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/api.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/api.md
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ All [synchronous instruments](#synchronous-instrument-api) SHOULD provide functi
 
 All [synchronous instruments](#synchronous-instrument-api) MAY provide:
 
-* [Bind to a set of attributes](#bind)
+* (**Development**) [Bind to a set of attributes](#bind)
 
 #### Enabled
 

From 5f80bf36d547b433e6d0ea88ef907523ffc012c8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:37:23 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 6/9] Update changelog entry

---
 CHANGELOG.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index ee67b78c474..dce1f9bc0e5 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ release.
 ### Metrics
 
 - Add in-development `Bind` API to synchronous instruments.
-  ([#XXXX](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/pull/XXXX))
+  ([#5050](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/pull/5050))
 - Stabilize sections of Prometheus Metrics Exporter.
   - Stabilize temporality.
     ([#5024](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/issues/5024))

From 12b46b83ea7c1488516a6549a1d15cc36ee57ed6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 10:48:53 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 7/9] PR feedback

---
 specification/metrics/api.md | 55 ++++++++----------------------------
 specification/metrics/sdk.md |  9 ++++--
 2 files changed, 18 insertions(+), 46 deletions(-)

diff --git a/specification/metrics/api.md b/specification/metrics/api.md
index 60f50d2298f..ba733a04c56 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/api.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/api.md
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ weight: 1
     + [Counter creation](#counter-creation)
     + [Counter operations](#counter-operations)
       - [Add](#add)
-      - [Bound Add](#bound-add)
   * [Asynchronous Counter](#asynchronous-counter)
     + [Asynchronous Counter creation](#asynchronous-counter-creation)
     + [Asynchronous Counter operations](#asynchronous-counter-operations)
@@ -44,12 +43,10 @@ weight: 1
     + [Histogram creation](#histogram-creation)
     + [Histogram operations](#histogram-operations)
       - [Record](#record)
-      - [Bound Record](#bound-record)
   * [Gauge](#gauge)
     + [Gauge creation](#gauge-creation)
     + [Gauge operations](#gauge-operations)
       - [Record](#record-1)
-      - [Bound Record](#bound-record-1)
   * [Asynchronous Gauge](#asynchronous-gauge)
     + [Asynchronous Gauge creation](#asynchronous-gauge-creation)
     + [Asynchronous Gauge operations](#asynchronous-gauge-operations)
@@ -57,7 +54,6 @@ weight: 1
     + [UpDownCounter creation](#updowncounter-creation)
     + [UpDownCounter operations](#updowncounter-operations)
       - [Add](#add-1)
-      - [Bound Add](#bound-add-1)
   * [Asynchronous UpDownCounter](#asynchronous-updowncounter)
     + [Asynchronous UpDownCounter creation](#asynchronous-updowncounter-creation)
     + [Asynchronous UpDownCounter operations](#asynchronous-updowncounter-operations)
@@ -524,14 +520,19 @@ This API MUST accept the following parameter:
 This API MUST return a language-idiomatic type representing the instrument bound to those
 attributes.
 
-The returned bound instrument MUST support the instrument's core recording operation without
-accepting [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) as a parameter. The instrument kind
-determines the recording operation on the bound instrument:
+The returned bound instrument MUST support the instrument's core recording operation.
+The instrument kind determines the recording operation on the bound instrument:
 
-* [Counter](#counter): [Bound Add](#bound-add)
-* [Histogram](#histogram): [Bound Record](#bound-record)
-* [Gauge](#gauge): [Bound Record](#bound-record-1)
-* [UpDownCounter](#updowncounter): [Bound Add](#bound-add-1)
+* [Counter](#counter): [Add](#add)
+* [Histogram](#histogram): [Record](#record)
+* [Gauge](#gauge): [Record](#record-1)
+* [UpDownCounter](#updowncounter): [Add](#add-1)
+
+This MAY be achieved by introducing a dedicated bound instrument type, or by reusing
+the existing instrument interface. If the existing instrument interface is reused, the
+`Bind` API MUST be documented to communicate to users that invoking attribute-bearing
+recording operations on the returned bound instrument negates the performance benefits
+of binding.
 
 Measurements recorded on the bound instrument can be associated with the
 [Context](../context/README.md).
@@ -655,14 +656,6 @@ counterPowerUsed.Add(13.5, new PowerConsumption { customer = "Tom" });
 counterPowerUsed.Add(200, new PowerConsumption { customer = "Jerry" }, ("is_green_energy", true));
 ```
 
-##### Bound Add
-
-**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
-
-The bound counterpart to [Add](#add), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
-identical to [Add](#add) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
-accepted as a parameter.
-
 ### Asynchronous Counter
 
 Asynchronous Counter is an [asynchronous Instrument](#asynchronous-instrument-api)
@@ -892,14 +885,6 @@ httpServerDuration.Record(50, ("http.request.method", "POST"), ("url.scheme", "h
 httpServerDuration.Record(100, new HttpRequestAttributes { method = "GET", scheme = "http" });
 ```
 
-##### Bound Record
-
-**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
-
-The bound counterpart to [Record](#record), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
-identical to [Record](#record) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
-accepted as a parameter.
-
 ### Gauge
 
 `Gauge` is a [synchronous Instrument](#synchronous-instrument-api) which can be
@@ -989,14 +974,6 @@ backgroundNoiseLevel.record(4.3, roomA);
 backgroundNoiseLevel.record(2.5, roomB);
 ```
 
-##### Bound Record
-
-**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
-
-The bound counterpart to [Record](#record-1), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
-identical to [Record](#record-1) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
-accepted as a parameter.
-
 ### Asynchronous Gauge
 
 Asynchronous Gauge is an [asynchronous Instrument](#asynchronous-instrument-api)
@@ -1238,14 +1215,6 @@ customersInStore.Add(1, ("account.type", "commercial"));
 customersInStore.Add(-1, new Account { Type = "residential" });
 ```
 
-##### Bound Add
-
-**Status**: [Development](../document-status.md)
-
-The bound counterpart to [Add](#add-1), obtained via [Bind](#bind). All semantics are
-identical to [Add](#add-1) except [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) are not
-accepted as a parameter.
-
 ### Asynchronous UpDownCounter
 
 Asynchronous UpDownCounter is an [asynchronous
diff --git a/specification/metrics/sdk.md b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
index c8d54455e49..47a7e386cf1 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/sdk.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
@@ -1050,9 +1050,12 @@ A bound instrument MUST behave identically to calling the equivalent unbound rec
 operation with the pre-bound [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) on each
 measurement.
 
-The SDK SHOULD optimize by pre-resolving the underlying aggregator state at bind time,
-such that subsequent recordings bypass per-recording attribute processing and map
-lookup.
+[Attribute processing](#measurement-processing) and [cardinality limit](#cardinality-limits)
+evaluation MUST be performed at bind time. The resolved aggregator is fixed for the
+lifetime of the bound instrument and does not change across collection cycles.
+
+The SDK MUST ensure subsequent recordings on a bound instrument bypass per-recording
+map lookup.
 
 ## Attribute limits
 

From d86ce0dbc29d8895918a63f732bf7081e88a96ee Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 11:18:55 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 8/9] Clarify map free lookup is only for attribute-free
 recordings

---
 specification/metrics/sdk.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/specification/metrics/sdk.md b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
index 47a7e386cf1..56b3d640d3f 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/sdk.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
@@ -1054,7 +1054,7 @@ measurement.
 evaluation MUST be performed at bind time. The resolved aggregator is fixed for the
 lifetime of the bound instrument and does not change across collection cycles.
 
-The SDK MUST ensure subsequent recordings on a bound instrument bypass per-recording
+The SDK MUST ensure attribute-free recordings on a bound instrument bypass per-recording
 map lookup.
 
 ## Attribute limits

From 70727d9008a0653eaf4ec265598873676e5f9243 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Berg <34418638+jack-berg@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 2026 12:58:49 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 9/9] Clarify exemplar behavior and behavior of multiple calls
 to bind

---
 specification/metrics/sdk.md | 13 +++++++++++--
 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/specification/metrics/sdk.md b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
index ac49c9a01a4..5a82bb0cc02 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/sdk.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
@@ -1051,8 +1051,17 @@ operation with the pre-bound [Attributes](../common/README.md#attribute) on each
 measurement.
 
 [Attribute processing](#measurement-processing) and [cardinality limit](#cardinality-limits)
-evaluation MUST be performed at bind time. The resolved aggregator is fixed for the
-lifetime of the bound instrument and does not change across collection cycles.
+evaluation MUST be performed at bind time. Each call to `Bind` MUST be independently
+evaluated against the cardinality state at that moment. As a consequence, separate calls
+to `Bind` with identical attributes may resolve to different aggregators (e.g. one to a
+concrete series, another to the [overflow series](#overflow-attribute)) based on the
+cardinality state at the time of each call. The resolved aggregator MUST be fixed and
+not change across collection cycles.
+
+Measurements recorded on a bound instrument MUST be candidates for [Exemplar](#exemplar)
+sampling. The [Context](../context/README.md) associated with each recording, whether
+implicit or explicit, MUST be used for exemplar [TraceBased](#tracebased) filtering and
+passed to the [ExemplarReservoir](#exemplarreservoir) offer method.
 
 The SDK MUST ensure attribute-free recordings on a bound instrument bypass per-recording
 map lookup.