diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index bf5274c..f592cc3 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea v1.3.6 // indirect
 	github.com/charmbracelet/colorprofile v0.2.3-0.20250311203215-f60798e515dc // indirect
 	github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss v1.1.0 // indirect
+	github.com/charmbracelet/log v0.4.2 // indirect
 	github.com/charmbracelet/x/ansi v0.9.3 // indirect
 	github.com/charmbracelet/x/cellbuf v0.0.13 // indirect
 	github.com/charmbracelet/x/exp/strings v0.0.0-20240722160745-212f7b056ed0 // indirect
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/erikgeiser/coninput v0.0.0-20211004153227-1c3628e74d0f // indirect
 	github.com/fsnotify/fsnotify v1.9.0 // indirect
 	github.com/gabriel-vasile/mimetype v1.4.12 // indirect
+	github.com/go-logfmt/logfmt v0.6.0 // indirect
 	github.com/go-playground/locales v0.14.1 // indirect
 	github.com/go-playground/universal-translator v0.18.1 // indirect
 	github.com/godbus/dbus v0.0.0-20190726142602-4481cbc300e2 // indirect
@@ -74,6 +76,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/xo/terminfo v0.0.0-20220910002029-abceb7e1c41e // indirect
 	go.yaml.in/yaml/v3 v3.0.4 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.46.0 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/exp v0.0.0-20231006140011-7918f672742d // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sync v0.19.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.39.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/text v0.32.0 // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index a77dac7..8bfbb8e 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ github.com/charmbracelet/huh v0.8.0 h1:Xz/Pm2h64cXQZn/Jvele4J3r7DDiqFCNIVteYukxD
 github.com/charmbracelet/huh v0.8.0/go.mod h1:5YVc+SlZ1IhQALxRPpkGwwEKftN/+OlJlnJYlDRFqN4=
 github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss v1.1.0 h1:vYXsiLHVkK7fp74RkV7b2kq9+zDLoEU4MZoFqR/noCY=
 github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss v1.1.0/go.mod h1:/6Q8FR2o+kj8rz4Dq0zQc3vYf7X+B0binUUBwA0aL30=
+github.com/charmbracelet/log v0.4.2 h1:hYt8Qj6a8yLnvR+h7MwsJv/XvmBJXiueUcI3cIxsyig=
+github.com/charmbracelet/log v0.4.2/go.mod h1:qifHGX/tc7eluv2R6pWIpyHDDrrb/AG71Pf2ysQu5nw=
 github.com/charmbracelet/x/ansi v0.9.3 h1:BXt5DHS/MKF+LjuK4huWrC6NCvHtexww7dMayh6GXd0=
 github.com/charmbracelet/x/ansi v0.9.3/go.mod h1:3RQDQ6lDnROptfpWuUVIUG64bD2g2BgntdxH0Ya5TeE=
 github.com/charmbracelet/x/cellbuf v0.0.13 h1:/KBBKHuVRbq1lYx5BzEHBAFBP8VcQzJejZ/IA3iR28k=
@@ -70,6 +72,8 @@ github.com/fsnotify/fsnotify v1.9.0 h1:2Ml+OJNzbYCTzsxtv8vKSFD9PbJjmhYF14k/jKC7S
 github.com/fsnotify/fsnotify v1.9.0/go.mod h1:8jBTzvmWwFyi3Pb8djgCCO5IBqzKJ/Jwo8TRcHyHii0=
 github.com/gabriel-vasile/mimetype v1.4.12 h1:e9hWvmLYvtp846tLHam2o++qitpguFiYCKbn0w9jyqw=
 github.com/gabriel-vasile/mimetype v1.4.12/go.mod h1:d+9Oxyo1wTzWdyVUPMmXFvp4F9tea18J8ufA774AB3s=
+github.com/go-logfmt/logfmt v0.6.0 h1:wGYYu3uicYdqXVgoYbvnkrPVXkuLM1p1ifugDMEdRi4=
+github.com/go-logfmt/logfmt v0.6.0/go.mod h1:WYhtIu8zTZfxdn5+rREduYbwxfcBr/Vr6KEVveWlfTs=
 github.com/go-playground/assert/v2 v2.2.0 h1:JvknZsQTYeFEAhQwI4qEt9cyV5ONwRHC+lYKSsYSR8s=
 github.com/go-playground/assert/v2 v2.2.0/go.mod h1:VDjEfimB/XKnb+ZQfWdccd7VUvScMdVu0Titje2rxJ4=
 github.com/go-playground/locales v0.14.1 h1:EWaQ/wswjilfKLTECiXz7Rh+3BjFhfDFKv/oXslEjJA=
diff --git a/internal/cmd/agent.go b/internal/cmd/agent.go
index d0130fa..10107a4 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/agent.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/agent.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/config"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/instance"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/keychain"
+	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/slogger"
 )
 
 var agentCmd = &cobra.Command{
@@ -249,7 +250,7 @@ func runAgentCmd(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	if flags.detached {
-		fmt.Printf("Created session %s in instance %s (detached)\n", session.Name, inst.ID)
+		slogger.L(cmd.Context()).Info("created session", "session", session.Name, "instance", inst.ID, "mode", "detached")
 		return nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/context.go b/internal/cmd/context.go
index 382a992..f0389da 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/context.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/context.go
@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"log/slog"
 
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/config"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/instance"
+	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/slogger"
 )
 
 type contextKey string
@@ -56,3 +58,9 @@ func ManagerFromContext(ctx context.Context) *instance.Manager {
 	}
 	return mgr
 }
+
+// LoggerFromContext retrieves the logger from context.
+// Returns a discarding logger if none is set (never returns nil).
+func LoggerFromContext(ctx context.Context) *slog.Logger {
+	return slogger.FromContext(ctx)
+}
diff --git a/internal/cmd/exec.go b/internal/cmd/exec.go
index 013b3c6..2270759 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/exec.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/exec.go
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func runExecCmd(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	}
 
 	if flags.detached {
-		fmt.Printf("Created session %s in instance %s (detached)\n", session.Name, inst.ID)
+		fmt.Printf("Created session %s in %s (detached)\n", session.Name, inst.ID)
 		return nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/ps.go b/internal/cmd/ps.go
index f1ea2ae..bbe5582 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/ps.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/ps.go
@@ -81,11 +81,7 @@ func listInstances(cmd *cobra.Command) error {
 	}
 
 	if len(instances) == 0 {
-		if all {
-			fmt.Println("No instances found")
-		} else {
-			fmt.Println("No instances found for this repository")
-		}
+		fmt.Println("No instances found")
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -133,7 +129,7 @@ func listSessions(cmd *cobra.Command, branch string) error {
 	}
 
 	if len(sessions) == 0 {
-		fmt.Printf("No sessions found for instance %s\n", branch)
+		fmt.Println("No sessions found")
 		return nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/cmd/root.go b/internal/cmd/root.go
index 18e0037..3e348bb 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/root.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/root.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/git"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/instance"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/multiplexer"
+	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/slogger"
 )
 
 // baseDeps lists the external binaries that must always be available.
@@ -40,6 +41,9 @@ var appConfig *config.Config
 // configLoader is used for accessing agent-specific configuration.
 var configLoader *config.Loader
 
+// verbosity controls log level: 0=error, 1=info, 2+=debug.
+var verbosity int
+
 var rootCmd = &cobra.Command{
 	Use:   "headjack",
 	Short: "Spawn isolated LLM coding agents",
@@ -50,6 +54,9 @@ Each agent runs in its own VM-isolated container with a dedicated git worktree,
 enabling safe parallel development across multiple branches.`,
 	SilenceUsage: true,
 	PersistentPreRunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		// Initialize logger first so it's available for dependency/manager errors
+		logger := slogger.New(slogger.Config{Verbosity: verbosity})
+
 		if err := checkDependencies(); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -60,6 +67,7 @@ enabling safe parallel development across multiple branches.`,
 
 		// Store dependencies in context for subcommands
 		ctx := cmd.Context()
+		ctx = slogger.WithLogger(ctx, logger)
 		ctx = WithConfig(ctx, appConfig)
 		ctx = WithLoader(ctx, configLoader)
 		ctx = WithManager(ctx, mgr)
@@ -76,6 +84,8 @@ func Execute() error {
 
 func init() {
 	cobra.OnInitialize(initConfig)
+	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().CountVarP(&verbosity, "verbose", "v",
+		"increase verbosity (-v for info, -vv for debug)")
 }
 
 func initConfig() {
diff --git a/internal/cmd/run.go b/internal/cmd/run.go
index 60c2305..f643310 100644
--- a/internal/cmd/run.go
+++ b/internal/cmd/run.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package cmd
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/devcontainer"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/instance"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/prompt"
+	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/slogger"
 )
 
 var runCmd = &cobra.Command{
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ func getOrCreateInstance(cmd *cobra.Command, mgr *instance.Manager, repoPath, br
 			if startErr := mgr.Start(cmd.Context(), inst.ID); startErr != nil {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("start stopped instance: %w", startErr)
 			}
-			fmt.Printf("Restarted instance %s for branch %s\n", inst.ID, inst.Branch)
+			slogger.L(cmd.Context()).Debug("restarted stopped instance", slog.String("id", inst.ID), slog.String("branch", inst.Branch))
 			// Refresh the instance to get updated status
 			inst, err = mgr.GetByBranch(cmd.Context(), repoPath, branch)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -135,7 +137,7 @@ func getOrCreateInstance(cmd *cobra.Command, mgr *instance.Manager, repoPath, br
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create instance: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	fmt.Printf("Created instance %s for branch %s\n", inst.ID, inst.Branch)
+	slogger.L(cmd.Context()).Debug("created new instance", slog.String("id", inst.ID), slog.String("branch", inst.Branch))
 	return inst, nil
 }
 
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@ func buildCreateConfig(cmd *cobra.Command, repoPath, branch string, flags *runFl
 			return cfg, errors.New("failed to create devcontainer runtime")
 		}
 
-		fmt.Println("Detected devcontainer.json, using devcontainer mode")
+		slogger.L(cmd.Context()).Debug("detected devcontainer.json, using devcontainer mode")
 
 		cfg.WorkspaceFolder = repoPath
 		cfg.Runtime = dcRuntime
diff --git a/internal/container/common.go b/internal/container/common.go
index 84d9f1a..780e784 100644
--- a/internal/container/common.go
+++ b/internal/container/common.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package container
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
 	"strings"
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/term"
 
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/exec"
+	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/slogger"
 )
 
 // containerParser handles runtime-specific JSON parsing for container inspect and list operations.
@@ -48,6 +50,9 @@ func cliError(operation string, result *exec.Result, err error) error {
 
 // Run creates and starts a new container.
 func (r *baseRuntime) Run(ctx context.Context, cfg *RunConfig) (*Container, error) {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("running container", slog.String("name", cfg.Name), slog.String("image", cfg.Image))
+
 	args := buildRunArgs(cfg)
 
 	result, err := r.exec.Run(ctx, &exec.RunOptions{
@@ -64,6 +69,7 @@ func (r *baseRuntime) Run(ctx context.Context, cfg *RunConfig) (*Container, erro
 
 	// Container ID is returned on stdout
 	containerID := strings.TrimSpace(string(result.Stdout))
+	log.Debug("container started", slog.String("id", containerID))
 
 	return &Container{
 		ID:        containerID,
@@ -76,6 +82,9 @@ func (r *baseRuntime) Run(ctx context.Context, cfg *RunConfig) (*Container, erro
 
 // Exec executes a command in a running container.
 func (r *baseRuntime) Exec(ctx context.Context, id string, cfg *ExecConfig) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("executing in container", slog.String("id", id), slog.Any("command", cfg.Command))
+
 	// Verify container exists and is running
 	container, err := r.Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -103,6 +112,9 @@ func (r *baseRuntime) Exec(ctx context.Context, id string, cfg *ExecConfig) erro
 
 // Stop stops a running container gracefully.
 func (r *baseRuntime) Stop(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("stopping container", slog.String("id", id))
+
 	// Verify container exists
 	c, err := r.Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -111,6 +123,7 @@ func (r *baseRuntime) Stop(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
 
 	// No-op if already stopped
 	if c.Status == StatusStopped {
+		log.Debug("container already stopped", slog.String("id", id))
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -127,6 +140,9 @@ func (r *baseRuntime) Stop(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
 
 // Start starts a stopped container.
 func (r *baseRuntime) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("starting container", slog.String("id", id))
+
 	// Verify container exists
 	c, err := r.Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -135,6 +151,7 @@ func (r *baseRuntime) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
 
 	// No-op if already running
 	if c.Status == StatusRunning {
+		log.Debug("container already running", slog.String("id", id))
 		return nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/git/repository.go b/internal/git/repository.go
index e55c80c..ad4b9be 100644
--- a/internal/git/repository.go
+++ b/internal/git/repository.go
@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@ import (
 	"bufio"
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/exec"
+	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/slogger"
 )
 
 type repository struct {
@@ -70,6 +72,9 @@ func (r *repository) remoteBranchExists(ctx context.Context, branch string) (boo
 }
 
 func (r *repository) CreateWorktree(ctx context.Context, path, branch string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("creating worktree", slog.String("path", path), slog.String("branch", branch))
+
 	// Check if branch already exists
 	exists, err := r.BranchExists(ctx, branch)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -79,9 +84,11 @@ func (r *repository) CreateWorktree(ctx context.Context, path, branch string) er
 	var args []string
 	if exists {
 		// Use existing branch
+		log.Debug("using existing branch", slog.String("branch", branch))
 		args = []string{"worktree", "add", path, branch}
 	} else {
 		// Create new branch from HEAD
+		log.Debug("creating new branch from HEAD", slog.String("branch", branch))
 		args = []string{"worktree", "add", "-b", branch, path}
 	}
 
@@ -106,6 +113,9 @@ func (r *repository) CreateWorktree(ctx context.Context, path, branch string) er
 }
 
 func (r *repository) RemoveWorktree(ctx context.Context, path string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("removing worktree", slog.String("path", path))
+
 	result, err := r.exec.Run(ctx, &exec.RunOptions{
 		Name: "git",
 		Args: []string{"worktree", "remove", path},
diff --git a/internal/instance/manager.go b/internal/instance/manager.go
index f5c4c82..c066aa0 100644
--- a/internal/instance/manager.go
+++ b/internal/instance/manager.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/logging"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/multiplexer"
 	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/names"
+	"github.com/jmgilman/headjack/internal/slogger"
 )
 
 // containerNamePrefix is the prefix for all managed containers.
@@ -131,6 +133,9 @@ func (m *Manager) Executor() exec.Executor {
 
 // Create creates a new instance for the given repository and branch.
 func (m *Manager) Create(ctx context.Context, repoPath string, cfg *CreateConfig) (*Instance, error) {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("creating instance", slog.String("repo", repoPath), slog.String("branch", cfg.Branch))
+
 	// Open the repository
 	repo, err := m.git.Open(ctx, repoPath)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -138,6 +143,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Create(ctx context.Context, repoPath string, cfg *CreateConfig
 	}
 
 	repoID := repo.Identifier()
+	log.Debug("opened repository", slog.String("id", repoID), slog.String("root", repo.Root()))
 
 	// Check if instance already exists for this branch
 	_, err = m.catalog.GetByRepoBranch(ctx, repoID, cfg.Branch)
@@ -178,6 +184,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Create(ctx context.Context, repoPath string, cfg *CreateConfig
 	}
 
 	// Create worktree
+	log.Debug("creating worktree", slog.String("path", worktreePath), slog.String("branch", cfg.Branch))
 	if wtErr := repo.CreateWorktree(ctx, worktreePath, cfg.Branch); wtErr != nil {
 		cleanup()
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create worktree: %w", wtErr)
@@ -190,6 +197,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Create(ctx context.Context, repoPath string, cfg *CreateConfig
 	runCfg := m.buildRunConfig(cfg, containerName, worktreePath)
 
 	// Create container
+	log.Debug("creating container", slog.String("name", containerName), slog.String("image", cfg.Image))
 	c, err := runtime.Run(ctx, runCfg)
 	if err != nil {
 		// Cleanup worktree on container failure
@@ -350,6 +358,9 @@ func (m *Manager) List(ctx context.Context, filter ListFilter) ([]Instance, erro
 
 // Stop stops an instance's container.
 func (m *Manager) Stop(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("stopping instance", slog.String("id", id))
+
 	entry, err := m.catalog.Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, catalog.ErrNotFound) {
@@ -372,6 +383,9 @@ func (m *Manager) Stop(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
 
 // Start starts a stopped instance's container.
 func (m *Manager) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("starting instance", slog.String("id", id))
+
 	entry, err := m.catalog.Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, catalog.ErrNotFound) {
@@ -384,6 +398,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Start(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
 		return errors.New("instance has no container")
 	}
 
+	log.Debug("starting container", slog.String("container", entry.ContainerID))
 	if err := m.runtime.Start(ctx, entry.ContainerID); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("start container: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -531,6 +546,9 @@ func (m *Manager) stopContainerWithRetry(ctx context.Context, containerID string
 
 // Remove removes an instance completely (container, worktree, catalog entry).
 func (m *Manager) Remove(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("removing instance", slog.String("id", id))
+
 	entry, err := m.catalog.Get(ctx, id)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, catalog.ErrNotFound) {
@@ -539,6 +557,7 @@ func (m *Manager) Remove(ctx context.Context, id string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("get catalog entry: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	log.Debug("shutting down container", slog.String("container", entry.ContainerID))
 	if err := m.shutdownContainer(ctx, entry, shutdownContainerOpts{RemoveContainer: true}); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -725,6 +744,9 @@ func resolveSessionName(sessions []catalog.Session, name string) (string, error)
 // The session is created in detached mode within the container's multiplexer.
 // If cfg.Name is empty, a unique name is auto-generated.
 func (m *Manager) CreateSession(ctx context.Context, instanceID string, cfg *CreateSessionConfig) (*Session, error) {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("creating session", slog.String("instance", instanceID), slog.String("type", cfg.Type))
+
 	entry, err := m.getRunningInstance(ctx, instanceID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -966,6 +988,9 @@ func (m *Manager) ListSessions(ctx context.Context, instanceID string) ([]Sessio
 
 // KillSession terminates a session and removes it from the catalog.
 func (m *Manager) KillSession(ctx context.Context, instanceID, sessionName string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("killing session", slog.String("instance", instanceID), slog.String("session", sessionName))
+
 	entry, err := m.catalog.Get(ctx, instanceID)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, catalog.ErrNotFound) {
@@ -1011,6 +1036,9 @@ func (m *Manager) KillSession(ctx context.Context, instanceID, sessionName strin
 // AttachSession attaches to an existing session, updating the last accessed timestamp.
 // This is a blocking operation that takes over the terminal.
 func (m *Manager) AttachSession(ctx context.Context, instanceID, sessionName string) error {
+	log := slogger.L(ctx)
+	log.Debug("attaching to session", slog.String("instance", instanceID), slog.String("session", sessionName))
+
 	entry, err := m.catalog.Get(ctx, instanceID)
 	if err != nil {
 		if errors.Is(err, catalog.ErrNotFound) {
diff --git a/internal/instance/manager_test.go b/internal/instance/manager_test.go
index 2388b4a..1c7e71f 100644
--- a/internal/instance/manager_test.go
+++ b/internal/instance/manager_test.go
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ func TestManager_Create(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("returns ErrAlreadyExists for duplicate branch", func(t *testing.T) {
 		repo := &gitmocks.RepositoryMock{
 			IdentifierFunc: func() string { return testRepoID },
+			RootFunc:       func() string { return testRepoPath },
 		}
 		opener := &gitmocks.OpenerMock{
 			OpenFunc: func(ctx context.Context, path string) (git.Repository, error) {
diff --git a/internal/slogger/slogger.go b/internal/slogger/slogger.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d7fe067
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/slogger/slogger.go
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+// Package slogger provides structured logging for the Headjack CLI using
+// Go's slog with charmbracelet/log as the handler for pleasant terminal output.
+package slogger
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"io"
+	"log/slog"
+	"os"
+
+	charmlog "github.com/charmbracelet/log"
+)
+
+type contextKey string
+
+const loggerKey contextKey = "logger"
+
+// Config holds logger configuration.
+type Config struct {
+	// Verbosity controls log level:
+	// 0 (default) -> Error only
+	// 1 (-v)      -> Info level
+	// 2+ (-vv)    -> Debug level
+	Verbosity int
+
+	// Output is the writer for log output. Defaults to os.Stderr.
+	Output io.Writer
+}
+
+// New creates a new slog.Logger with charmbracelet/log as the handler.
+func New(cfg Config) *slog.Logger {
+	output := cfg.Output
+	if output == nil {
+		output = os.Stderr
+	}
+
+	// Map verbosity to charm log level
+	var level charmlog.Level
+	switch {
+	case cfg.Verbosity >= 2:
+		level = charmlog.DebugLevel
+	case cfg.Verbosity == 1:
+		level = charmlog.InfoLevel
+	default:
+		level = charmlog.ErrorLevel
+	}
+
+	// Create charm log handler with slog-compatible options
+	handler := charmlog.NewWithOptions(output, charmlog.Options{
+		Level:           level,
+		ReportTimestamp: false, // CLI doesn't need timestamps
+		ReportCaller:    false, // Keep output clean
+	})
+
+	return slog.New(handler)
+}
+
+// WithLogger adds a logger to the context.
+func WithLogger(ctx context.Context, logger *slog.Logger) context.Context {
+	return context.WithValue(ctx, loggerKey, logger)
+}
+
+// FromContext retrieves the logger from context.
+// Returns a discarding logger if none is set (never returns nil).
+func FromContext(ctx context.Context) *slog.Logger {
+	if logger, ok := ctx.Value(loggerKey).(*slog.Logger); ok && logger != nil {
+		return logger
+	}
+	// Return a discarding logger as fallback
+	return slog.New(discardHandler{})
+}
+
+// L is a convenience alias for FromContext.
+func L(ctx context.Context) *slog.Logger {
+	return FromContext(ctx)
+}
+
+// discardHandler is a slog.Handler that discards all log records.
+type discardHandler struct{}
+
+func (discardHandler) Enabled(context.Context, slog.Level) bool  { return false }
+func (discardHandler) Handle(context.Context, slog.Record) error { return nil }
+func (d discardHandler) WithAttrs([]slog.Attr) slog.Handler      { return d }
+func (d discardHandler) WithGroup(string) slog.Handler           { return d }