diff --git a/src/pyrecest/__init__.py b/src/pyrecest/__init__.py
index 9df2b5bfa..e2a5f4e3d 100644
--- a/src/pyrecest/__init__.py
+++ b/src/pyrecest/__init__.py
@@ -198,6 +198,46 @@ def tile(x, reps):
     backend.tile = tile
 
 
+def _patch_raw_pytorch_trace_facade() -> None:
+    """Make raw PyTorch ``trace`` follow NumPy's trace signature."""
+
+    try:
+        import pyrecest._backend.pytorch as pytorch_backend  # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
+    except ModuleNotFoundError:  # pragma: no cover - only relevant without PyTorch
+        return
+
+    original_trace = getattr(pytorch_backend, "trace", None)
+
+    def trace(a, offset=0, axis1=-2, axis2=-1, dtype=None, out=None):
+        values = pytorch_backend.array(a)
+        if values.ndim < 2:
+            raise ValueError("diag requires an array of at least two dimensions")
+        diagonal = pytorch_backend.diagonal(
+            values,
+            offset=_operator_index(offset),
+            axis1=_operator_index(axis1),
+            axis2=_operator_index(axis2),
+        )
+        result = pytorch_backend.sum(diagonal, axis=-1, dtype=dtype)
+        if out is not None:
+            copy_ = getattr(out, "copy_", None)
+            if copy_ is not None:
+                copy_(result)
+                return out
+            out[...] = result
+            return out
+        return result
+
+    trace.__name__ = getattr(original_trace, "__name__", "trace")
+    trace.__doc__ = getattr(original_trace, "__doc__", None)
+    pytorch_backend.trace = trace
+
+    import pyrecest.backend as backend  # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
+
+    if getattr(backend, "__backend_name__", None) == "pytorch":
+        backend.trace = trace
+
+
 def _patch_jax_std_out_facade() -> None:
     """Make public JAX ``std`` accept NumPy's ``out`` argument."""
 
@@ -231,6 +271,7 @@ def std(
 
 _patch_pytorch_comparison_facade()
 _patch_pytorch_tile_facade()
+_patch_raw_pytorch_trace_facade()
 _patch_jax_std_out_facade()
 
 from pyrecest.backend_support import (  # noqa: E402,F401
diff --git a/tests/backend_support/test_pytorch_trace_contract.py b/tests/backend_support/test_pytorch_trace_contract.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6c6b152b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/backend_support/test_pytorch_trace_contract.py
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import importlib.util
+import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
+
+import pytest
+
+
+def test_raw_pytorch_trace_accepts_numpy_signature():
+    if importlib.util.find_spec("torch") is None:
+        pytest.skip("PyTorch is not installed")
+
+    env = os.environ.copy()
+    env.pop("PYRECEST_BACKEND", None)
+    completed = subprocess.run(
+        [
+            sys.executable,
+            "-c",
+            """
+import pyrecest  # noqa: F401  # triggers raw-backend compatibility patches
+import torch
+import pyrecest._backend.pytorch as raw_pytorch_backend
+
+values = torch.arange(12.0, dtype=torch.float64).reshape(2, 2, 3)
+expected = torch.tensor([6.0, 18.0], dtype=torch.float64)
+
+result = raw_pytorch_backend.trace(values, offset=1, axis1=-2, axis2=-1)
+assert torch.allclose(result, expected)
+
+out = torch.empty(2, dtype=torch.float64)
+returned = raw_pytorch_backend.trace(
+    values,
+    offset=1,
+    axis1=-2,
+    axis2=-1,
+    dtype=torch.float64,
+    out=out,
+)
+assert returned is out
+assert torch.allclose(out, expected)
+
+scalar_result = raw_pytorch_backend.trace([[1.0, 2.0], [3.0, 4.0]])
+assert tuple(scalar_result.shape) == ()
+assert float(scalar_result) == 5.0
+print("ok")
+""",
+        ],
+        capture_output=True,
+        env=env,
+        text=True,
+        timeout=30.0,
+    )
+
+    assert completed.returncode == 0, completed.stderr
+    assert "ok" in completed.stdout