diff --git a/configs/agent-term.local.example.json b/configs/agent-term.local.example.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..feec1d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/configs/agent-term.local.example.json
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+{
+  "workspace": "sourceos-local",
+  "defaultChannel": "!sourceos-ops",
+  "eventStore": {
+    "driver": "sqlite",
+    "path": ".agent-term/events.sqlite3"
+  },
+  "matrix": {
+    "enabled": false,
+    "homeserverUrl": "https://matrix.example.org",
+    "userId": "@agent-term:example.org",
+    "deviceName": "agent-term-local",
+    "rooms": {
+      "sourceosOps": "!sourceos-ops:example.org",
+      "agentRegistry": "!agent-registry:example.org",
+      "policyFabric": "!policyfabric:example.org",
+      "memoryMesh": "!memory-mesh:example.org",
+      "github": "!github:example.org"
+    },
+    "requireEncryptedRoomPostureForSensitiveContext": true,
+    "preserveBridgeMetadata": true,
+    "preserveRedactions": true,
+    "preserveMembershipEvents": true
+  },
+  "agentRegistration": {
+    "requireRegisteredParticipants": true,
+    "failClosedWhenRegistryUnavailable": true,
+    "repository": "SocioProphet/agent-registry",
+    "fixturePath": "configs/fixtures/agent-registry.local.example.json",
+    "tokenEnv": "AGENT_TERM_AGENT_REGISTRY_TOKEN",
+    "timeoutSeconds": 5,
+    "requiredFor": [
+      "hermes",
+      "codex",
+      "claudeCode",
+      "openclaw",
+      "matrixBots",
+      "githubBots",
+      "ciBots",
+      "mcpTools",
+      "localProcessAgents"
+    ]
+  },
+  "policyFabric": {
+    "repository": "SocioProphet/policy-fabric",
+    "fixturePath": "configs/fixtures/policy-fabric.local.example.json",
+    "tokenEnv": "AGENT_TERM_POLICY_FABRIC_TOKEN",
+    "timeoutSeconds": 5
+  },
+  "participants": {
+    "github": {
+      "enabled": true,
+      "mode": "repo-branch-pr",
+      "requireAgentRegistryResolution": true,
+      "agentRegistryId": "agent.github",
+      "requirePolicyApprovalForMutation": true
+    },
+    "codex": {
+      "enabled": true,
+      "mode": "repo-branch-pr",
+      "requireAgentRegistryResolution": true,
+      "agentRegistryId": "agent.codex",
+      "requirePolicyApprovalForMutation": true
+    },
+    "claude-code": {
+      "enabled": true,
+      "mode": "repo-branch-pr",
+      "requireAgentRegistryResolution": true,
+      "agentRegistryId": "agent.claude-code",
+      "requirePolicyApprovalForMutation": true
+    },
+    "mcp": {
+      "enabled": true,
+      "mode": "tool-plane",
+      "requireAgentRegistryResolution": true,
+      "agentRegistryId": "agent.mcp",
+      "requirePolicyApprovalForSideEffects": true
+    }
+  },
+  "localRuntime": {
+    "registeredAgents": [],
+    "toolGrants": [],
+    "allowPolicies": [],
+    "denyPolicies": [],
+    "pendingPolicies": []
+  }
+}
diff --git a/configs/fixtures/agent-registry.local.example.json b/configs/fixtures/agent-registry.local.example.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37574cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/configs/fixtures/agent-registry.local.example.json
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+{
+  "agents": [
+    {
+      "agent_id": "agent.github",
+      "registry_ref": "fixture://agent-registry/agent.github",
+      "spec_version": "v1.local",
+      "runtime_authority": "agent-registry",
+      "status": "registered",
+      "session_id": "session-agent-github-local",
+      "tool_grants": [
+        "grant.repo-write"
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "agent_id": "agent.codex",
+      "registry_ref": "fixture://agent-registry/agent.codex",
+      "spec_version": "v1.local",
+      "runtime_authority": "agent-registry",
+      "status": "registered",
+      "session_id": "session-agent-codex-local",
+      "tool_grants": [
+        "grant.repo-read",
+        "grant.repo-write"
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "agent_id": "agent.claude-code",
+      "registry_ref": "fixture://agent-registry/agent.claude-code",
+      "spec_version": "v1.local",
+      "runtime_authority": "agent-registry",
+      "status": "registered",
+      "session_id": "session-agent-claude-code-local",
+      "tool_grants": [
+        "grant.repo-read"
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "agent_id": "agent.mcp",
+      "registry_ref": "fixture://agent-registry/agent.mcp",
+      "spec_version": "v1.local",
+      "runtime_authority": "agent-registry",
+      "status": "registered",
+      "session_id": "session-agent-mcp-local",
+      "tool_grants": [
+        "grant.context-read"
+      ]
+    }
+  ],
+  "tool_grants": [
+    {
+      "grant_id": "grant.repo-read",
+      "agent_id": "agent.codex",
+      "tool": "repo-read",
+      "status": "active"
+    },
+    {
+      "grant_id": "grant.repo-write",
+      "agent_id": "agent.codex",
+      "tool": "repo-write",
+      "status": "active"
+    },
+    {
+      "grant_id": "grant.repo-read",
+      "agent_id": "agent.claude-code",
+      "tool": "repo-read",
+      "status": "active"
+    },
+    {
+      "grant_id": "grant.repo-write",
+      "agent_id": "agent.github",
+      "tool": "repo-write",
+      "status": "active"
+    },
+    {
+      "grant_id": "grant.context-read",
+      "agent_id": "agent.mcp",
+      "tool": "context-read",
+      "status": "active"
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/configs/fixtures/matrix-sync.local.example.json b/configs/fixtures/matrix-sync.local.example.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26a87ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/configs/fixtures/matrix-sync.local.example.json
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+{
+  "next_batch": "local-batch-2",
+  "rooms": {
+    "join": {
+      "!sourceos-ops:example.org": {
+        "timeline": {
+          "events": [
+            {
+              "event_id": "$local-message-1",
+              "sender": "@operator:example.org",
+              "type": "m.room.message",
+              "content": {
+                "body": "AgentTerm local operator flow is online.",
+                "msgtype": "m.text",
+                "m.relates_to": {
+                  "rel_type": "m.thread",
+                  "event_id": "$local-thread-root"
+                }
+              },
+              "unsigned": {
+                "bridge": {
+                  "network": "local-fixture",
+                  "channel": "sourceos-ops"
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            {
+              "event_id": "$local-member-1",
+              "sender": "@agent-term:example.org",
+              "type": "m.room.member",
+              "content": {
+                "membership": "join"
+              }
+            }
+          ]
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/configs/fixtures/policy-fabric.local.example.json b/configs/fixtures/policy-fabric.local.example.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..487df3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/configs/fixtures/policy-fabric.local.example.json
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+{
+  "decisions": [
+    {
+      "decision_id": "decision.allow.matrix-service.matrix_service_send.local",
+      "action": "matrix-service.matrix_service_send",
+      "status": "allow",
+      "policy_ref": "fixture://policy-fabric/matrix-service-send",
+      "obligations": [
+        "record-audit",
+        "preserve-matrix-event-id"
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "decision_id": "decision.allow.memory-mesh.memory_recall.local",
+      "action": "memory-mesh.memory_recall",
+      "status": "allow",
+      "policy_ref": "fixture://policy-fabric/memory-recall",
+      "obligations": [
+        "record-context-pack",
+        "preserve-workroom-scope"
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "decision_id": "decision.allow.github.pr.create.local",
+      "action": "github.pr.create",
+      "status": "allow",
+      "policy_ref": "fixture://policy-fabric/github-pr-create",
+      "obligations": [
+        "record-pr-url",
+        "preserve-agent-id",
+        "preserve-tool-grant"
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "decision_id": "decision.deny.github.repo.delete.local",
+      "action": "github.repo.delete",
+      "status": "deny",
+      "policy_ref": "fixture://policy-fabric/github-repo-delete",
+      "reason": "Repository deletion is not allowed from AgentTerm local operator flow."
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/docs/operator-quickstart.md b/docs/operator-quickstart.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b594d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/operator-quickstart.md
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+# AgentTerm operator quickstart
+
+This quickstart exercises the current local AgentTerm control loop without requiring live Matrix, Agent Registry, or Policy Fabric services.
+
+It demonstrates the intended operator path:
+
+```text
+agent-term-check
+  -> agent-term-matrix normalize-sync
+  -> agent-term-dispatch
+  -> agent-term-snapshot
+```
+
+The fixtures in `configs/fixtures/` are local examples only. They are not authority. In production, Agent Registry and Policy Fabric remain the authority for agent identity, grants, sessions, revocation, and policy admission.
+
+## 1. Install for local development
+
+```bash
+python -m venv .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate
+python -m pip install -e '.[dev]'
+```
+
+## 2. Check configured service seams
+
+```bash
+agent-term-check \
+  --config configs/agent-term.local.example.json \
+  --agent-id agent.github \
+  --tool repo-write \
+  --policy-action github.pr.create
+```
+
+Expected posture:
+
+- Matrix reports `warn` because the local example uses the offline/in-memory backend.
+- Agent Registry reports `ok` because `agent.github` and the `repo-write` grant resolve from the local fixture.
+- Policy Fabric reports `ok` because `github.pr.create` resolves from the local fixture.
+
+Use strict mode when warnings should fail an operator preflight:
+
+```bash
+agent-term-check \
+  --config configs/agent-term.local.example.json \
+  --strict
+```
+
+## 3. Normalize a Matrix sync payload
+
+```bash
+agent-term-matrix \
+  --config configs/agent-term.local.example.json \
+  normalize-sync configs/fixtures/matrix-sync.local.example.json \
+  --persist \
+  --save-state
+```
+
+This persists normalized Matrix events into `.agent-term/events.sqlite3` and saves `next_batch` plus joined room IDs into `.agent-term/matrix-state.json`.
+
+Show current Matrix state:
+
+```bash
+agent-term-matrix \
+  --config configs/agent-term.local.example.json \
+  state
+```
+
+## 4. Dispatch a policy-gated Matrix send
+
+```bash
+agent-term-matrix \
+  --config configs/agent-term.local.example.json \
+  send sourceosOps "AgentTerm dispatch pipeline is online."
+```
+
+The send goes through the AgentTerm dispatch pipeline. It is admitted by the local Policy Fabric fixture and sent through the offline Matrix backend unless live Matrix config is enabled.
+
+## 5. Dispatch a registered GitHub participant action
+
+```bash
+agent-term-dispatch \
+  --config configs/agent-term.local.example.json \
+  --tool repo-write \
+  --policy-action github.pr.create \
+  github github_mutation '!github' 'Create PR for AgentTerm operator quickstart'
+```
+
+Expected event flow:
+
+1. Original `github.github_mutation` event is recorded.
+2. Agent Registry resolves `agent.github`.
+3. Agent Registry resolves `repo-write` grant.
+4. Policy Fabric admits `github.pr.create`.
+5. Registered participant adapter records the invocation.
+
+## 6. Dispatch a governed Memory Mesh recall
+
+```bash
+agent-term-dispatch \
+  --config configs/agent-term.local.example.json \
+  --metadata-json '{"query":"operator quickstart context","policy_action":"memory-mesh.memory_recall","workroom":"operator-quickstart","topic_scope":"sourceos-agentterm"}' \
+  memory-mesh memory_recall '!memory-mesh' 'Recall operator quickstart context'
+```
+
+Expected event flow:
+
+1. Original `memory-mesh.memory_recall` event is recorded.
+2. Policy Fabric admits `memory-mesh.memory_recall`.
+3. Memory Mesh adapter records a context-pack reference.
+
+## 7. Render the operator snapshot
+
+```bash
+agent-term-snapshot \
+  --db .agent-term/events.sqlite3 \
+  --limit 100
+```
+
+The snapshot groups events into operator panes such as Matrix rooms, agents, approvals, context, runs, shells, and evidence.
+
+## 8. Clean local state
+
+```bash
+rm -rf .agent-term
+```
+
+## Notes on live services
+
+Live Matrix requires `matrix.enabled=true` in config and `AGENT_TERM_MATRIX_ACCESS_TOKEN` in the environment. Do not place access tokens in JSON config.
+
+Live Agent Registry and Policy Fabric endpoints can be configured with `agentRegistration.endpointUrl` and `policyFabric.endpointUrl`. The local examples use fixtures so the flow remains runnable in CI and on developer machines without service credentials.
diff --git a/tests/test_operator_examples.py b/tests/test_operator_examples.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..71665e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_operator_examples.py
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from agent_term.agent_registry_service import JsonFileAgentRegistryBackend
+from agent_term.config import load_config
+from agent_term.matrix_service import normalize_sync_payload
+from agent_term.policy_fabric_service import JsonFilePolicyFabricBackend
+from agent_term.events import AgentTermEvent
+
+
+REPO_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+CONFIG_PATH = REPO_ROOT / "configs" / "agent-term.local.example.json"
+AGENT_FIXTURE_PATH = REPO_ROOT / "configs" / "fixtures" / "agent-registry.local.example.json"
+POLICY_FIXTURE_PATH = REPO_ROOT / "configs" / "fixtures" / "policy-fabric.local.example.json"
+MATRIX_SYNC_FIXTURE_PATH = REPO_ROOT / "configs" / "fixtures" / "matrix-sync.local.example.json"
+
+
+def test_local_example_config_loads_and_points_to_fixtures():
+    config = load_config(CONFIG_PATH)
+
+    assert config.workspace == "sourceos-local"
+    assert config.agent_registration.fixture_path == "configs/fixtures/agent-registry.local.example.json"
+    assert config.policy_fabric.fixture_path == "configs/fixtures/policy-fabric.local.example.json"
+    assert config.participant_agent_id("github") == "agent.github"
+    assert config.matrix.rooms["sourceosOps"] == "!sourceos-ops:example.org"
+
+
+def test_agent_registry_fixture_resolves_quickstart_agent_and_grant():
+    backend = JsonFileAgentRegistryBackend(AGENT_FIXTURE_PATH)
+
+    agent = backend.resolve_agent("agent.github")
+    grant = backend.resolve_tool_grant("agent.github", "repo-write")
+
+    assert agent is not None
+    assert agent.session_id == "session-agent-github-local"
+    assert grant is not None
+    assert grant.grant_id == "grant.repo-write"
+
+
+def test_policy_fabric_fixture_resolves_quickstart_decisions():
+    backend = JsonFilePolicyFabricBackend(POLICY_FIXTURE_PATH)
+
+    allow = backend.evaluate(
+        AgentTermEvent(
+            channel="!github",
+            sender="@operator",
+            kind="github_mutation",
+            source="github",
+            body="Create PR",
+            metadata={"policy_action": "github.pr.create"},
+        )
+    )
+    deny = backend.evaluate(
+        AgentTermEvent(
+            channel="!github",
+            sender="@operator",
+            kind="github_mutation",
+            source="github",
+            body="Delete repo",
+            metadata={"policy_action": "github.repo.delete"},
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert allow is not None
+    assert allow.is_allowed is True
+    assert deny is not None
+    assert deny.is_allowed is False
+    assert deny.reason == "Repository deletion is not allowed from AgentTerm local operator flow."
+
+
+def test_matrix_sync_fixture_normalizes_to_events():
+    import json
+
+    payload = json.loads(MATRIX_SYNC_FIXTURE_PATH.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    batch = normalize_sync_payload(payload)
+
+    assert batch.next_batch == "local-batch-2"
+    assert len(batch.events) == 2
+    assert batch.events[0].event_id == "$local-message-1"
+    assert batch.events[0].thread_root_event_id == "$local-thread-root"
+    assert batch.events[1].membership == "join"