diff --git a/wizard-work/quill/free-tier-dependency-audit-draft.md b/wizard-work/quill/free-tier-dependency-audit-draft.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94cc6fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/wizard-work/quill/free-tier-dependency-audit-draft.md
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# Free-Tier Dependency Audit — Draft v0.1
+
+## Purpose
+Document every vendor dependency that touches the troupe stack, whether it runs on free-tier credits or paid plans, and whether a free-only alternative exists.
+
+## Scope
+- AI model providers (Nous Portal, OpenRouter, etc.)
+- Cloud / hosting (Fly.io, Render, etc.)
+- CI / build (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, etc.)
+- Communication (Telegram, Discord, email relay)
+- Storage / DB (Supabase, SQLite, S3-compatible)
+
+## Audit Table
+
+| Component | Current Plan | Monthly Cost | Free Alternative | Migration Effort |
+|-----------|-------------|--------------|------------------|------------------|
+| Nous Portal | Free-tier | $0 | — | — |
+| GitHub Actions | Free | $0 | — | — |
+| Fly.io | Free | $0 | Render free / Oracle cloud | Low |
+| Telegram Bot API | Free | $0 | — | — |
+| Obsidian Sync | None (local) | $0 | — | — |
+
+## Standing Rules
+1. No paid vendor without written operator approval.
+2. Prefer local SQLite over hosted DBs.
+3. Prefer CLI tools over SaaS when functionality is equivalent.
+4. If a service adds a paywall mid-run, freeze and re-audit within 24 hours.
+
+## Maintenance
+- Next audit: 2026-12-01
+- Owner: quill
+- Change log appended below.
+
+---
+*Drafted by quill — evidence law applies.*