diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ current reality and stale-state risks.
 For communication-layer truth, read:
 - `docs/comms-authority-map.md`
 - `docs/nostur-operator-edge.md`
+- `docs/operator-comms-onboarding.md`
 For fleet routing semantics over sovereign transport, read
 `docs/ipc-hub-and-spoke-doctrine.md`.
 
diff --git a/docs/operator-comms-onboarding.md b/docs/operator-comms-onboarding.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+# Operator Communications Onboarding
+
+Status: practical operator onboarding for #166
+Related:
+- #173 comms unification epic
+- #174 Nostur operator edge
+- #175 communication authority map
+
+## Why this exists
+
+Alexander wants to get off Telegram and start using the system through channels we own.
+This document gives the current real operator path and the near-term target path.
+
+It is intentionally grounded in live world state, not aspiration.
+
+## Current live reality
+
+Today:
+- Gitea is the execution truth
+- Nostur/Nostr is the only sovereign operator-edge surface actually standing
+- Telegram is still the legacy human command surface
+- Matrix/Conduit is not yet deployed
+
+Verified live relay:
+- relay host: `167.99.126.228`
+- relay URL: `ws://167.99.126.228:2929`
+- probe result: HTTP root returns `Timmy Foundation NIP-29 Relay. Use a Nostr client to connect.`
+
+Non-target relays:
+- `167.99.126.228:7777` is not the current operator onboarding target
+- `167.99.126.228:3334` is not the live relay to use for Nostur onboarding right now
+
+## What to use right now
+
+### 1. Nostur = sovereign mobile/operator edge
+
+Use Nostur for:
+- quick operator commands
+- status reads
+- lightweight acknowledgements
+- sovereign mobile access
+
+Add this relay in Nostur:
+- `ws://167.99.126.228:2929`
+
+Working rule:
+- Nostur gets you into the system
+- Gitea still holds execution truth
+- Telegram remains a bridge until Matrix is deployed
+
+### 2. Gitea = task and review truth
+
+Use Gitea for:
+- actual tasks
+- issues
+- PRs
+- review state
+- visible decisions
+
+If a command from Nostur matters, it must be reflected in Gitea.
+
+### 3. Telegram = legacy bridge
+
+Still usable for now.
+Not the future.
+Do not treat it as the destination architecture.
+
+## What to do in Nostur now
+
+1. Open Nostur
+2. Add relay:
+   - `ws://167.99.126.228:2929`
+3. Confirm the relay connects successfully
+4. Use Nostur as your sovereign mobile edge for operator ingress
+5. When work is actionable, make sure it is mirrored into Gitea
+
+## Channel authority, simplified
+
+- Nostur: operator edge / ingress
+- Gitea: work truth
+- Telegram: temporary bridge
+- Matrix: target private operator surface once deployed
+- NATS: internal agent bus only
+
+## Near-term target state
+
+### Phase 1 — now
+- Nostur working
+- Telegram still active as bridge
+- Gitea remains truth
+
+### Phase 2 — next
+- deploy Matrix/Conduit for private operator-to-fleet conversation
+- keep Nostur as sovereign mobile ingress
+- route meaningful commands from both surfaces into Gitea
+
+### Phase 3 — cutover
+- Telegram demoted fully to legacy or removed
+- Matrix becomes the primary private command room
+- Nostur remains the sovereign operator edge
+
+## Acceptance for #166
+
+We should consider #166 truly complete only when:
+- [ ] Matrix/Conduit is deployed
+- [ ] Alexander can message the fleet privately outside Telegram
+- [ ] Nostur remains usable as a sovereign ingress layer
+- [ ] both Matrix and Nostur feed into one execution truth: Gitea
+- [ ] Telegram is no longer the only human command surface
+
+## Operator rule
+
+No matter which surface you use, the work must not scatter.
+
+A command may arrive through Nostur.
+A private conversation may continue in Matrix.
+But the task itself must live in Gitea.