diff --git a/frappe/tests/test_project_meta.py b/frappe/tests/test_project_meta.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7bdec56ea1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frappe/tests/test_project_meta.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2024, Frappe Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and Contributors
+# License: MIT. See LICENSE
+import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import frappe
+from frappe.tests.classes.integration_test_case import IntegrationTestCase
+
+
+class TestProjectMeta(IntegrationTestCase):
+	def test_init_py_tax_paid(self):
+		"""Impose the __init__.py tax.
+
+		frappe/__init__.py has grown crazy big and keeps getting bigger. Plot the LOC over time and
+		you'll see the madness and laziness in action.
+
+		This new ~test~ tax will require reducing 3 line per day (~1000 in a year) from 1st Jan
+		2025 onwards. I am offering a headstart of 50 days in this PR: #28869
+
+		Don't try to delete or bypass this.
+		"""
+
+		baseline = 2587  # as of 27th Dec 2025
+
+		start_date = datetime.date(2025, 1, 1)
+		today = datetime.date.today()
+		tax_to_collect = (today - start_date).days * 3
+
+		init_py_size = len(Path(frappe.__file__).read_text().splitlines())
+
+		expected = baseline - tax_to_collect
+
+		zen = """Anzrfcnprf ner bar ubaxvat terng vqrn -- yrg'f qb zber bs gubfr!"""
+		d = {}
+		for c in (65, 97):
+			for i in range(26):
+				d[chr(i + c)] = chr((i + 13) % 26 + c)
+
+		self.assertLessEqual(
+			init_py_size,
+			expected,
+			"""You have either added too many lines to frappe/__init__.py or that file hasn't shrunk fast enough. Remember the Zen of Python:\n"""
+			+ "".join([d.get(c, c) for c in zen]),
+		)