diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c5ba425..e791ee6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ TODO: show the following running with some subset of the above features highligh
 
 Contributions are welcome for improvements and not yet implemented backends,
 such as:
+* Content-aware media player [TODO: link to issue]
 * Pre-booted Steam to improve launch time [TODO: link to issue]
 * Android apps via Waydroid, including pre-booting Android if necessary [TODO: link to issue]
 * Legacy Win9x via DOSBox, QEMU, or PCem, including scripts to create a boot-to-app image [TODO: link to issue]
diff --git a/config.example.toml b/config.example.toml
index f93395e..fcb289f 100644
--- a/config.example.toml
+++ b/config.example.toml
@@ -236,10 +236,11 @@ end = "20:00"
 # Omitting limits entirely uses default_max_run_seconds
 
 ## === Media ===
-# Just use `mpv` to play media.
+# Just use `mpv` to play media (for now).
 # Files can be local on your system or URLs (YouTube, etc).
 
 # "lofi hip hop radio 📚 beats to relax/study to" streamed live from YouTube
+# This should eventually be replaced with the media type.
 [[entries]]
 id = "lofi-beats"
 label = "Lofi Beats"
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-api/README.md b/crates/shepherd-api/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0342016
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-api/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+# shepherd-api
+
+Protocol types for Shepherd IPC communication.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate defines the stable API between the Shepherd service (`shepherdd`) and its clients (launcher UI, HUD overlay, admin tools). It contains:
+
+- **Commands** - Requests from clients to the service
+- **Responses** - Service replies to commands
+- **Events** - Asynchronous notifications from service to clients
+- **Shared types** - Entry views, session info, reason codes, etc.
+
+## Purpose
+
+`shepherd-api` establishes the contract between components, ensuring:
+
+1. **Stability** - Versioned protocol with backward compatibility
+2. **Type safety** - Strongly typed messages prevent protocol errors
+3. **Decoupling** - Clients and service can evolve independently
+
+## API Version
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_api::API_VERSION;
+
+// Current API version
+assert_eq!(API_VERSION, 1);
+```
+
+## Key Types
+
+### Commands
+
+Commands are requests sent by clients to the service:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_api::Command;
+
+// Request available entries
+let cmd = Command::ListEntries;
+
+// Request to launch an entry
+let cmd = Command::Launch { 
+    entry_id: "minecraft".into() 
+};
+
+// Request to stop current session
+let cmd = Command::StopCurrent { 
+    mode: StopMode::Graceful 
+};
+
+// Subscribe to real-time events
+let cmd = Command::SubscribeEvents;
+```
+
+Available commands:
+- `GetState` - Get full service state snapshot
+- `ListEntries` - List all entries with availability
+- `Launch { entry_id }` - Launch an entry
+- `StopCurrent { mode }` - Stop the current session
+- `ReloadConfig` - Reload configuration (admin only)
+- `SubscribeEvents` - Subscribe to event stream
+- `GetHealth` - Get service health status
+- `SetVolume { level }` - Set system volume
+- `GetVolume` - Get current volume
+
+### Events
+
+Events are pushed from the service to subscribed clients:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_api::{Event, EventPayload};
+
+// Events received by clients
+match event.payload {
+    EventPayload::StateChanged(snapshot) => { /* Update UI */ }
+    EventPayload::SessionStarted(info) => { /* Show HUD */ }
+    EventPayload::WarningIssued { threshold, remaining, severity, message } => { /* Alert user */ }
+    EventPayload::SessionExpired { session_id } => { /* Time's up */ }
+    EventPayload::SessionEnded { session_id, reason } => { /* Return to launcher */ }
+    EventPayload::PolicyReloaded { entry_count } => { /* Refresh entry list */ }
+    EventPayload::VolumeChanged(info) => { /* Update volume display */ }
+}
+```
+
+### Entry Views
+
+Entries as presented to UIs:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_api::EntryView;
+
+let view: EntryView = /* from service */;
+
+if view.enabled {
+    // Entry can be launched
+    println!("Max run time: {:?}", view.max_run_if_started_now);
+} else {
+    // Entry unavailable, show reasons
+    for reason in &view.reasons {
+        match reason {
+            ReasonCode::OutsideTimeWindow { next_window_start } => { /* ... */ }
+            ReasonCode::QuotaExhausted { used, quota } => { /* ... */ }
+            ReasonCode::CooldownActive { available_at } => { /* ... */ }
+            ReasonCode::SessionActive { entry_id, remaining } => { /* ... */ }
+            // ...
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Session Info
+
+Information about active sessions:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_api::{SessionInfo, SessionState};
+
+let session: SessionInfo = /* from snapshot */;
+
+match session.state {
+    SessionState::Launching => { /* Show spinner */ }
+    SessionState::Running => { /* Show countdown */ }
+    SessionState::Warned => { /* Highlight urgency */ }
+    SessionState::Expiring => { /* Terminating... */ }
+    SessionState::Ended => { /* Session over */ }
+}
+```
+
+### Reason Codes
+
+Structured explanations for unavailability:
+
+- `OutsideTimeWindow` - Not within allowed time window
+- `QuotaExhausted` - Daily time limit reached
+- `CooldownActive` - Must wait after previous session
+- `SessionActive` - Another session is running
+- `UnsupportedKind` - Host doesn't support this entry type
+- `Disabled` - Entry explicitly disabled in config
+
+## Design Philosophy
+
+- **Service is authoritative** - Clients display state, service enforces policy
+- **Structured reasons** - UIs can explain "why is this unavailable?"
+- **Event-driven** - Clients subscribe and react to changes
+- **Serializable** - All types derive `Serialize`/`Deserialize` for JSON transport
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `serde` - Serialization/deserialization
+- `chrono` - Timestamp types
+- `shepherd-util` - ID types
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-config/README.md b/crates/shepherd-config/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e28168c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-config/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,204 @@
+# shepherd-config
+
+Configuration parsing and validation for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate handles loading, parsing, and validating the TOML configuration that defines what entries are available, when they're available, and for how long. It provides:
+
+- **Schema definitions** - Raw configuration structure as parsed from TOML
+- **Policy objects** - Validated, ready-to-use policy structures
+- **Validation** - Detailed error messages for misconfiguration
+- **Hot reload support** - Configuration can be reloaded at runtime
+
+## Configuration Format
+
+Shepherd uses TOML for configuration. Here's a complete example:
+
+```toml
+config_version = 1
+
+[service]
+socket_path = "/run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock"
+data_dir = "/var/lib/shepherdd"
+default_max_run_seconds = 1800  # 30 minutes default
+
+# Global volume restrictions
+[service.volume]
+max_volume = 80
+allow_unmute = true
+
+# Default warning thresholds (seconds before expiry)
+[[service.default_warnings]]
+seconds_before = 300  # 5 minutes
+severity = "info"
+
+[[service.default_warnings]]
+seconds_before = 60   # 1 minute
+severity = "warn"
+
+[[service.default_warnings]]
+seconds_before = 10
+severity = "critical"
+message_template = "Closing in {remaining} seconds!"
+
+# Entry definitions
+[[entries]]
+id = "minecraft"
+label = "Minecraft"
+icon = "minecraft"
+kind = { type = "snap", snap_name = "mc-installer" }
+
+[entries.availability]
+[[entries.availability.windows]]
+days = "weekdays"
+start = "15:00"
+end = "18:00"
+
+[[entries.availability.windows]]
+days = "weekends"
+start = "10:00"
+end = "20:00"
+
+[entries.limits]
+max_run_seconds = 1800       # 30 minutes per session
+daily_quota_seconds = 7200   # 2 hours per day
+cooldown_seconds = 600       # 10 minutes between sessions
+
+[[entries]]
+id = "educational-game"
+label = "GCompris"
+icon = "gcompris-qt"
+kind = { type = "process", command = "gcompris-qt" }
+
+[entries.availability]
+always = true  # Always available
+
+[entries.limits]
+max_run_seconds = 3600  # 1 hour
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+### Loading Configuration
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_config::{load_config, parse_config, Policy};
+use std::path::Path;
+
+// Load from file
+let policy = load_config("/etc/shepherdd/config.toml")?;
+
+// Parse from string
+let toml_content = std::fs::read_to_string("config.toml")?;
+let policy = parse_config(&toml_content)?;
+
+// Access entries
+for entry in &policy.entries {
+    println!("{}: {:?}", entry.label, entry.kind);
+}
+```
+
+### Entry Kinds
+
+Entries can be of several types:
+
+```toml
+# Regular process
+kind = { type = "process", command = "/usr/bin/game", args = ["--fullscreen"] }
+
+# Snap application
+kind = { type = "snap", snap_name = "mc-installer" }
+
+# Virtual machine (future)
+kind = { type = "vm", driver = "qemu", args = { disk = "game.qcow2" } }
+
+# Media playback (future)
+kind = { type = "media", library_id = "movies" }
+
+# Custom type
+kind = { type = "custom", type_name = "my-launcher", payload = { ... } }
+```
+
+### Time Windows
+
+Time windows control when entries are available:
+
+```toml
+[entries.availability]
+[[entries.availability.windows]]
+days = "weekdays"        # or "weekends", "all"
+start = "15:00"
+end = "18:00"
+
+[[entries.availability.windows]]
+days = ["sat", "sun"]    # Specific days
+start = "09:00"
+end = "21:00"
+```
+
+### Limits
+
+Control session duration and frequency:
+
+```toml
+[entries.limits]
+max_run_seconds = 1800        # Max duration per session
+daily_quota_seconds = 7200    # Total daily limit
+cooldown_seconds = 600        # Wait time between sessions
+```
+
+## Validation
+
+The configuration is validated at load time. Validation catches:
+
+- **Duplicate entry IDs** - Each entry must have a unique ID
+- **Empty commands** - Process entries must specify a command
+- **Invalid time windows** - Start time must be before end time
+- **Invalid thresholds** - Warning thresholds must be less than max run time
+- **Negative durations** - All durations must be positive
+- **Unknown kinds** - Entry types must be recognized (unless Custom)
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_config::{parse_config, ConfigError};
+
+let result = parse_config(toml_str);
+match result {
+    Ok(policy) => { /* Use policy */ }
+    Err(ConfigError::ValidationFailed { errors }) => {
+        for error in errors {
+            eprintln!("Config error: {}", error);
+        }
+    }
+    Err(e) => eprintln!("Failed to load config: {}", e),
+}
+```
+
+## Hot Reload
+
+Configuration can be reloaded at runtime via the service's `ReloadConfig` command or by sending `SIGHUP` to the service process. Reload is atomic: either the new configuration is fully applied or the old one remains.
+
+Active sessions continue with their original time limits when configuration is reloaded.
+
+## Key Types
+
+- `Policy` - Validated policy ready for the core engine
+- `Entry` - A launchable entry definition
+- `AvailabilityPolicy` - Time window rules
+- `LimitsPolicy` - Duration and quota limits
+- `WarningPolicy` - Warning threshold configuration
+- `VolumePolicy` - Volume restrictions
+
+## Design Philosophy
+
+- **Human-readable** - TOML is easy to read and write
+- **Strict validation** - Catch errors at load time, not runtime
+- **Versioned schema** - `config_version` enables future migrations
+- **Sensible defaults** - Minimal config is valid
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `toml` - TOML parsing
+- `serde` - Deserialization
+- `chrono` - Time types
+- `thiserror` - Error types
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-core/README.md b/crates/shepherd-core/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f779ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-core/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,204 @@
+# shepherd-core
+
+Core policy engine and session state machine for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate is the heart of Shepherd, containing all policy evaluation and session management logic. It is completely platform-agnostic and makes no assumptions about the underlying operating system or display environment.
+
+### Responsibilities
+
+- **Policy evaluation** - Determine what entries are available, when, and for how long
+- **Session lifecycle** - Manage the state machine from launch to termination
+- **Warning scheduling** - Compute and emit warnings at configured thresholds
+- **Time enforcement** - Track deadlines using monotonic time
+- **Quota management** - Track daily usage and cooldowns
+
+## Session State Machine
+
+Sessions progress through the following states:
+
+```
+              ┌─────────────┐
+              │   Idle      │ (no session)
+              └──────┬──────┘
+                     │ Launch requested
+                     ▼
+              ┌─────────────┐
+              │  Launching  │
+              └──────┬──────┘
+                     │ Process spawned
+                     ▼
+              ┌─────────────┐
+     ┌───────▶│   Running   │◀──────┐
+     │        └──────┬──────┘       │
+     │               │ Warning threshold
+     │               ▼
+     │        ┌─────────────┐
+     │        │   Warned    │ (multiple levels)
+     │        └──────┬──────┘
+     │               │ Deadline reached
+     │               ▼
+     │        ┌─────────────┐
+     │        │  Expiring   │ (termination in progress)
+     │        └──────┬──────┘
+     │               │ Process ended
+     │               ▼
+     │        ┌─────────────┐
+     └────────│   Ended     │───────▶ (return to Idle)
+              └─────────────┘
+```
+
+## Key Types
+
+### CoreEngine
+
+The main policy engine:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_core::CoreEngine;
+use shepherd_config::Policy;
+use shepherd_host_api::HostCapabilities;
+use shepherd_store::Store;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+
+// Create the engine
+let engine = CoreEngine::new(
+    policy,                   // Loaded configuration
+    store,                    // Persistence layer
+    host.capabilities().clone(), // What the host can do
+);
+
+// List entries with current availability
+let entries = engine.list_entries(Local::now());
+
+// Request to launch an entry
+match engine.request_launch(&entry_id, Local::now()) {
+    LaunchDecision::Approved(plan) => {
+        // Spawn via host adapter, then start session
+        engine.start_session(plan, host_handle, MonotonicInstant::now());
+    }
+    LaunchDecision::Denied { reasons } => {
+        // Cannot launch, explain why
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Session Plan
+
+When a launch is approved, the engine computes a complete session plan:
+
+```rust
+pub struct SessionPlan {
+    pub session_id: SessionId,
+    pub entry_id: EntryId,
+    pub entry: Entry,
+    pub started_at: DateTime<Local>,
+    /// None means unlimited (no time limit)
+    pub deadline: Option<MonotonicInstant>,
+    pub warnings: Vec<ScheduledWarning>,
+}
+```
+
+The plan is computed once at launch time. Deadlines and warnings are deterministic.
+
+### Events
+
+The engine emits events for the IPC layer and host adapter:
+
+```rust
+pub enum CoreEvent {
+    // Session lifecycle
+    SessionStarted { session_id, entry_id, deadline },
+    Warning { session_id, threshold_secs, remaining, severity, message },
+    ExpireDue { session_id },
+    SessionEnded { session_id, reason },
+    
+    // Policy
+    PolicyReloaded { entry_count },
+}
+```
+
+### Tick Processing
+
+The engine must be ticked periodically to check for warnings and expiry:
+
+```rust
+// In the service main loop
+let events = engine.tick(MonotonicInstant::now());
+for event in events {
+    match event {
+        CoreEvent::Warning { .. } => { /* Notify clients */ }
+        CoreEvent::ExpireDue { .. } => { /* Terminate session */ }
+        // ...
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Time Handling
+
+The engine uses two time sources:
+
+1. **Wall-clock time** (`DateTime<Local>`) - For availability windows and display
+2. **Monotonic time** (`MonotonicInstant`) - For countdown enforcement
+
+This separation ensures:
+- Availability follows the user's local clock (correct behavior for "3pm-6pm" windows)
+- Session enforcement cannot be bypassed by changing the system clock
+
+```rust
+// Availability uses wall-clock
+let is_available = entry.availability.is_available(&Local::now());
+
+// Countdown uses monotonic
+let remaining = session.time_remaining(MonotonicInstant::now());
+```
+
+## Policy Evaluation
+
+For each entry, the engine evaluates:
+
+1. **Explicit disable** - Entry may be disabled in config
+2. **Host capabilities** - Can the host run this entry kind?
+3. **Time window** - Is "now" within an allowed window?
+4. **Active session** - Is another session already running?
+5. **Cooldown** - Has enough time passed since the last session?
+6. **Daily quota** - Is there remaining quota for today?
+
+Each check that fails adds a `ReasonCode` to the entry view, allowing UIs to explain unavailability.
+
+## Design Philosophy
+
+- **Determinism** - Given the same inputs, the engine produces the same outputs
+- **Platform agnosticism** - No OS-specific code
+- **Authority** - The engine is the single source of truth for policy
+- **Auditability** - All decisions can be explained via reason codes
+
+## Testing
+
+The engine is designed for testability:
+
+```rust
+#[test]
+fn test_time_window_evaluation() {
+    // Create engine with mock store
+    // Set specific time
+    // Verify entry availability
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_warning_schedule() {
+    // Launch with known deadline
+    // Tick at specific times
+    // Verify warnings emitted at correct thresholds
+}
+```
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `chrono` - Date/time handling
+- `shepherd-api` - Shared types
+- `shepherd-config` - Policy definitions
+- `shepherd-host-api` - Capability types
+- `shepherd-store` - Persistence trait
+- `shepherd-util` - ID and time utilities
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-host-api/README.md b/crates/shepherd-host-api/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..600c3ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-host-api/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+# shepherd-host-api
+
+Host adapter trait interfaces for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate defines the capability-based interface between the Shepherd core and platform-specific implementations. It contains **no platform code itself**—only traits, types, and a mock implementation for testing.
+
+### Purpose
+
+Desktop operating systems have fundamentally different process control models:
+- **Linux** can kill process groups and use cgroups
+- **macOS** requires MDM for true kiosk mode
+- **Windows** uses job objects and shell policies
+- **Android** has managed launcher and device-owner workflows
+
+`shepherd-host-api` acknowledges these differences honestly through a capability-based design rather than pretending all platforms are equivalent.
+
+## Key Concepts
+
+### Capabilities
+
+The `HostCapabilities` struct declares what a host adapter can actually do:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::HostCapabilities;
+
+let caps = host.capabilities();
+
+// Check supported entry kinds
+if caps.supports_kind(EntryKindTag::Process) { /* ... */ }
+if caps.supports_kind(EntryKindTag::Snap) { /* ... */ }
+
+// Check enforcement capabilities
+if caps.can_kill_forcefully { /* Can use SIGKILL/TerminateProcess */ }
+if caps.can_graceful_stop { /* Can request graceful shutdown */ }
+if caps.can_group_process_tree { /* Can kill entire process tree */ }
+
+// Check optional features
+if caps.can_observe_window_ready { /* Get notified when GUI appears */ }
+if caps.can_force_foreground { /* Can bring window to front */ }
+if caps.can_force_fullscreen { /* Can set fullscreen mode */ }
+```
+
+The core engine uses these capabilities to:
+- Filter available entries (don't show what can't be run)
+- Choose termination strategies
+- Decide whether to attempt optional behaviors
+
+### Host Adapter Trait
+
+Platform adapters implement this trait:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::{HostAdapter, SpawnOptions, StopMode, HostEvent};
+
+#[async_trait]
+pub trait HostAdapter: Send + Sync {
+    /// Get the capabilities of this host adapter
+    fn capabilities(&self) -> &HostCapabilities;
+
+    /// Spawn a new session
+    async fn spawn(
+        &self,
+        session_id: SessionId,
+        entry_kind: &EntryKind,
+        options: SpawnOptions,
+    ) -> HostResult<HostSessionHandle>;
+
+    /// Stop a running session
+    async fn stop(&self, handle: &HostSessionHandle, mode: StopMode) -> HostResult<()>;
+
+    /// Subscribe to host events (exits, window ready, etc.)
+    fn subscribe(&self) -> mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<HostEvent>;
+
+    // Optional methods with default implementations
+    async fn set_foreground(&self, handle: &HostSessionHandle) -> HostResult<()>;
+    async fn set_fullscreen(&self, handle: &HostSessionHandle) -> HostResult<()>;
+    async fn ensure_shell_visible(&self) -> HostResult<()>;
+}
+```
+
+### Session Handles
+
+`HostSessionHandle` is an opaque container for platform-specific identifiers:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::HostSessionHandle;
+
+// Created by spawn(), contains platform-specific data
+let handle: HostSessionHandle = host.spawn(session_id, &entry_kind, options).await?;
+
+// On Linux, internally contains pid, pgid
+// On Windows, would contain job object handle
+// On macOS, might contain bundle identifier
+```
+
+### Stop Modes
+
+Session termination can be graceful or forced:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::StopMode;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+// Try graceful shutdown with timeout, then force
+host.stop(&handle, StopMode::Graceful { 
+    timeout: Duration::from_secs(5) 
+}).await?;
+
+// Immediate termination
+host.stop(&handle, StopMode::Force).await?;
+```
+
+### Host Events
+
+Adapters emit events via an async channel:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::HostEvent;
+
+let mut events = host.subscribe();
+while let Some(event) = events.recv().await {
+    match event {
+        HostEvent::Exited { handle, status } => {
+            // Process ended (normally or killed)
+        }
+        HostEvent::WindowReady { handle } => {
+            // GUI window appeared (if observable)
+        }
+        HostEvent::SpawnFailed { session_id, error } => {
+            // Launch failed after handle was created
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Volume Control
+
+The crate also defines a volume controller interface:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::VolumeController;
+
+#[async_trait]
+pub trait VolumeController: Send + Sync {
+    /// Get current volume (0-100)
+    async fn get_volume(&self) -> HostResult<u8>;
+    
+    /// Set volume (0-100)
+    async fn set_volume(&self, level: u8) -> HostResult<()>;
+    
+    /// Check if muted
+    async fn is_muted(&self) -> HostResult<bool>;
+    
+    /// Set mute state
+    async fn set_muted(&self, muted: bool) -> HostResult<()>;
+    
+    /// Subscribe to volume changes
+    fn subscribe(&self) -> mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<VolumeEvent>;
+}
+```
+
+## Mock Implementation
+
+For testing, the crate provides `MockHost`:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::MockHost;
+
+let mock = MockHost::new();
+
+// Spawns will "succeed" with fake handles
+let handle = mock.spawn(session_id, &entry_kind, options).await?;
+
+// Inject events for testing
+mock.inject_exit(handle.clone(), ExitStatus::Code(0));
+```
+
+## Design Philosophy
+
+- **Honest capabilities** - Don't pretend all platforms are equal
+- **Platform code stays out** - This crate is pure interface
+- **Extensible** - New capabilities can be added without breaking existing adapters
+- **Testable** - Mock implementation enables unit testing
+
+## Available Implementations
+
+| Adapter | Crate | Status |
+|---------|-------|--------|
+| Linux | `shepherd-host-linux` | Implemented |
+| macOS | `shepherd-host-macos` | Planned |
+| Windows | `shepherd-host-windows` | Planned |
+| Android | `shepherd-host-android` | Planned |
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `async-trait` - Async trait support
+- `tokio` - Async runtime types
+- `serde` - Serialization for handles
+- `shepherd-api` - Entry kind types
+- `shepherd-util` - ID types
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-host-linux/README.md b/crates/shepherd-host-linux/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..29af682
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-host-linux/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+# shepherd-host-linux
+
+Linux host adapter for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate implements the `HostAdapter` trait for Linux systems, providing:
+
+- **Process spawning** with process group isolation
+- **Process termination** via graceful (SIGTERM) and forceful (SIGKILL) signals
+- **Exit observation** through async process monitoring
+- **Snap application support** via systemd scope-based management
+- **stdout/stderr capture** to log files
+- **Volume control** with auto-detection of sound systems (PipeWire, PulseAudio, ALSA)
+
+## Capabilities
+
+The Linux adapter reports these capabilities:
+
+```rust
+HostCapabilities {
+    // Supported entry kinds
+    spawn_kind_supported: [Process, Snap],
+    
+    // Enforcement capabilities
+    can_kill_forcefully: true,    // SIGKILL
+    can_graceful_stop: true,      // SIGTERM
+    can_group_process_tree: true, // Process groups (pgid)
+    can_observe_exit: true,       // async wait
+    
+    // Optional features (not yet implemented)
+    can_observe_window_ready: false,
+    can_force_foreground: false,
+    can_force_fullscreen: false,
+    can_lock_to_single_app: false,
+}
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+### Creating the Adapter
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_linux::LinuxHost;
+
+let host = LinuxHost::new();
+
+// Check capabilities
+let caps = host.capabilities();
+assert!(caps.can_kill_forcefully);
+```
+
+### Spawning Processes
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::{SpawnOptions, EntryKind};
+
+let entry_kind = EntryKind::Process {
+    command: "/usr/bin/game".to_string(),
+    args: vec!["--fullscreen".to_string()],
+    env: Default::default(),
+    cwd: None,
+};
+
+let options = SpawnOptions {
+    capture_stdout: true,
+    capture_stderr: true,
+    log_path: Some("/var/log/shepherdd/sessions".into()),
+    fullscreen: false,
+    foreground: false,
+};
+
+let handle = host.spawn(session_id, &entry_kind, options).await?;
+```
+
+### Spawning Snap Applications
+
+Snap applications are managed using systemd scopes for proper process tracking:
+
+```rust
+let entry_kind = EntryKind::Snap {
+    snap_name: "mc-installer".to_string(),
+    command: None,  // Defaults to snap_name
+    args: vec![],
+    env: Default::default(),
+};
+
+// Spawns via: snap run mc-installer
+// Process group is isolated within a systemd scope
+let handle = host.spawn(session_id, &entry_kind, options).await?;
+```
+
+### Stopping Sessions
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_api::StopMode;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+// Graceful: SIGTERM, wait 5s, then SIGKILL
+host.stop(&handle, StopMode::Graceful {
+    timeout: Duration::from_secs(5),
+}).await?;
+
+// Force: immediate SIGKILL
+host.stop(&handle, StopMode::Force).await?;
+```
+
+### Monitoring Exits
+
+```rust
+let mut events = host.subscribe();
+
+tokio::spawn(async move {
+    while let Some(event) = events.recv().await {
+        match event {
+            HostEvent::Exited { handle, status } => {
+                println!("Session {} exited: {:?}", handle.session_id(), status);
+            }
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+});
+```
+
+## Volume Control
+
+The crate includes `LinuxVolumeController` which auto-detects the available sound system:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_host_linux::LinuxVolumeController;
+
+let controller = LinuxVolumeController::new().await?;
+
+// Get current volume (0-100)
+let volume = controller.get_volume().await?;
+
+// Set volume with enforcement of configured maximum
+controller.set_volume(75).await?;
+
+// Mute/unmute
+controller.set_muted(true).await?;
+```
+
+### Sound System Detection Order
+
+1. **PipeWire** (`wpctl` or `pw-cli`) - Modern default on Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora
+2. **PulseAudio** (`pactl`) - Legacy but widely available
+3. **ALSA** (`amixer`) - Fallback for systems without a sound server
+
+## Process Group Handling
+
+All spawned processes are placed in their own process group:
+
+```rust
+// Internally uses setsid() or setpgid()
+// This allows killing the entire process tree
+```
+
+When stopping a session:
+1. SIGTERM is sent to the process group (`-pgid`)
+2. After timeout, SIGKILL is sent to the process group
+3. Orphaned children are cleaned up
+
+## Log Capture
+
+stdout and stderr can be captured to session log files:
+
+```
+/var/log/shepherdd/sessions/
+├── 2025-01-15-abc123-minecraft.log
+├── 2025-01-15-def456-gcompris.log
+└── ...
+```
+
+## Future Enhancements
+
+Planned features (hooks are designed in):
+
+- **cgroups v2** - CPU/memory/IO limits per session
+- **Namespace isolation** - Optional sandboxing
+- **Sway/Wayland integration** - Focus and fullscreen control
+- **D-Bus monitoring** - Window readiness detection
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `nix` - Unix system calls
+- `tokio` - Async runtime
+- `tracing` - Logging
+- `serde` - Serialization
+- `shepherd-host-api` - Trait definitions
+- `shepherd-api` - Entry types
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-hud/README.md b/crates/shepherd-hud/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9e10045
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-hud/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+# shepherd-hud
+
+Always-visible HUD overlay for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+`shepherd-hud` is a GTK4 layer-shell overlay that remains visible during active sessions. It provides essential information and controls that must always be accessible, regardless of what fullscreen application is running underneath.
+
+## Features
+
+- **Time remaining** - Authoritative countdown from the service
+- **Battery level** - Current charge percentage and status
+- **Volume control** - Adjust system volume with enforced limits
+- **Session controls** - End session button
+- **Power controls** - Suspend, shutdown, restart
+- **Warning display** - Visual and audio alerts for time warnings
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                 Sway / Wayland Compositor             │
+│                                                       │
+│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
+│  │            HUD (layer-shell overlay)             │ │
+│  │  [Battery] [Volume] [Time Remaining] [Controls]  │ │
+│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
+│                                                       │
+│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
+│  │         Running Application (fullscreen)         │ │
+│  │                                                  │ │
+│  │                                                  │ │
+│  │                                                  │ │
+│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
+└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+The HUD uses Wayland's **wlr-layer-shell** protocol to remain above all other surfaces.
+
+## Usage
+
+### Running
+
+```bash
+# With default socket path
+shepherd-hud
+
+# With custom socket path
+shepherd-hud --socket /run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock
+
+# Custom position and size
+shepherd-hud --anchor top --height 48
+```
+
+### Command-Line Options
+
+| Option | Default | Description |
+|--------|---------|-------------|
+| `-s, --socket` | `/run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock` | Service socket path |
+| `-l, --log-level` | `info` | Log verbosity |
+| `-a, --anchor` | `top` | Screen edge (`top` or `bottom`) |
+| `--height` | `48` | HUD bar height in pixels |
+
+## Display Elements
+
+### Time Remaining
+
+Shows the countdown timer for the current session:
+
+- `MM:SS` format for times under 1 hour
+- `H:MM:SS` format for longer sessions
+- Visual emphasis when below warning thresholds
+- Shows "∞" for unlimited sessions
+
+### Battery
+
+Displays current battery status:
+
+- Percentage (0-100%)
+- Charging/discharging indicator
+- Data sourced from UPower (not the service)
+
+### Volume
+
+Shows and controls system volume:
+
+- Current level (0-100%)
+- Mute indicator
+- Click to adjust (sends commands to service)
+- Volume maximum may be restricted by policy
+
+### Controls
+
+- **End Session** - Stops the current session (if allowed)
+- **Power** - Opens menu with Suspend/Shutdown/Restart
+
+## Event Handling
+
+### Warnings
+
+When the service emits a `WarningIssued` event:
+
+1. Visual banner appears on the HUD
+2. Time display changes color based on severity
+3. Optional audio cue plays
+4. Banner auto-dismisses or requires acknowledgment
+
+Severity levels:
+- `Info` (e.g., 5 minutes remaining) - Subtle notification
+- `Warn` (e.g., 1 minute remaining) - Prominent warning
+- `Critical` (e.g., 10 seconds remaining) - Urgent, full-width banner
+
+### Session Expired
+
+When time runs out:
+
+1. "Time's Up" overlay appears
+2. Audio notification plays
+3. HUD remains visible until launcher reappears
+
+### Disconnection
+
+If the service connection is lost:
+
+1. "Disconnected" indicator shown
+2. All controls disabled
+3. Automatic reconnection attempted
+4. **Time display frozen** (not fabricated)
+
+## Styling
+
+The HUD is designed to be:
+
+- **Unobtrusive** - Small footprint, doesn't cover content
+- **High contrast** - Readable over any background
+- **Touch-friendly** - Large touch targets
+- **Minimal** - Icons over text where possible
+
+## Layer-Shell Details
+
+```rust
+// Layer-shell configuration
+layer: Overlay           // Always above normal windows
+anchor: Top              // Attached to top edge
+exclusive_zone: 48       // Reserves space (optional)
+keyboard_interactivity: OnDemand  // Only when focused
+```
+
+## State Management
+
+The HUD maintains local state synchronized with the service:
+
+```rust
+struct HudState {
+    // From service
+    session: Option<SessionInfo>,
+    volume: VolumeInfo,
+    
+    // Local
+    battery: BatteryInfo,    // From UPower
+    connected: bool,
+}
+```
+
+**Key principle**: The HUD never independently computes time remaining. All timing comes from the service.
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `gtk4` - GTK4 bindings
+- `gtk4-layer-shell` - Wayland layer-shell support
+- `tokio` - Async runtime
+- `shepherd-api` - Protocol types
+- `shepherd-ipc` - Client implementation
+- `upower` - Battery monitoring
+- `clap` - Argument parsing
+- `tracing` - Logging
+
+## Building
+
+```bash
+cargo build --release -p shepherd-hud
+```
+
+Requires GTK4 development libraries and a Wayland compositor with layer-shell support (e.g., Sway, Hyprland).
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-ipc/README.md b/crates/shepherd-ipc/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..948c99c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-ipc/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+# shepherd-ipc
+
+IPC layer for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate provides the local inter-process communication infrastructure between the Shepherd service (`shepherdd`) and its clients (launcher UI, HUD overlay, admin tools). It includes:
+
+- **Unix domain socket server** - Listens for client connections
+- **NDJSON protocol** - Newline-delimited JSON message framing
+- **Client management** - Connection tracking and cleanup
+- **Peer authentication** - UID-based role assignment
+- **Event broadcasting** - Push events to subscribed clients
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                      shepherdd                          │
+│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
+│  │                  IpcServer                       │   │
+│  │  ┌──────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐            │   │
+│  │  │Client 1  │ │Client 2 │ │Client 3 │ ...        │   │
+│  │  │(Launcher)│ │ (HUD)   │ │ (Admin) │            │   │
+│  │  └────┬─────┘ └────┬────┘ └────┬────┘            │   │
+│  │       │            │           │                 │   │
+│  │       └────────────┴───────────┘                 │   │
+│  │              Unix Domain Socket                  │   │
+│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+         │              │              │
+    ┌────┴────┐    ┌────┴────┐    ┌────┴────┐
+    │Launcher │    │   HUD   │    │  Admin  │
+    │   UI    │    │ Overlay │    │  Tool   │
+    └─────────┘    └─────────┘    └─────────┘
+```
+
+## Server Usage
+
+### Starting the Server
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_ipc::IpcServer;
+
+let mut server = IpcServer::new("/run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock");
+server.start().await?;
+
+// Get message receiver for the main loop
+let mut messages = server.take_message_receiver().await.unwrap();
+
+// Accept connections in background
+tokio::spawn(async move {
+    server.run().await
+});
+
+// Process messages in main loop
+while let Some(msg) = messages.recv().await {
+    match msg {
+        ServerMessage::Request { client_id, request } => {
+            // Handle request, send response
+            let response = handle_request(request);
+            server.send_response(&client_id, response).await?;
+        }
+        ServerMessage::ClientConnected { client_id, info } => {
+            println!("Client {} connected as {:?}", client_id, info.role);
+        }
+        ServerMessage::ClientDisconnected { client_id } => {
+            println!("Client {} disconnected", client_id);
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Broadcasting Events
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_api::Event;
+
+// Send to all subscribed clients
+server.broadcast_event(Event::new(EventPayload::StateChanged(snapshot))).await;
+```
+
+### Client Roles
+
+Clients are assigned roles based on their peer UID:
+
+| UID | Role | Permissions |
+|-----|------|-------------|
+| root (0) | `Admin` | All commands |
+| Service user | `Admin` | All commands |
+| Other | `Shell` | Read + Launch/Stop |
+
+```rust
+// Role-based command filtering
+match (request.command, client_info.role) {
+    (Command::ReloadConfig, ClientRole::Admin) => { /* allowed */ }
+    (Command::ReloadConfig, ClientRole::Shell) => { /* denied */ }
+    (Command::Launch { .. }, _) => { /* allowed for all */ }
+    // ...
+}
+```
+
+## Client Usage
+
+### Connecting
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_ipc::IpcClient;
+
+let mut client = IpcClient::connect("/run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock").await?;
+```
+
+### Sending Commands
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_api::{Command, Response};
+
+// Request current state
+client.send(Command::GetState).await?;
+let response: Response = client.recv().await?;
+
+// Launch an entry
+client.send(Command::Launch { 
+    entry_id: "minecraft".into() 
+}).await?;
+let response = client.recv().await?;
+```
+
+### Subscribing to Events
+
+```rust
+// Subscribe to event stream
+client.send(Command::SubscribeEvents).await?;
+
+// Receive events
+loop {
+    match client.recv_event().await {
+        Ok(event) => {
+            match event.payload {
+                EventPayload::WarningIssued { remaining, .. } => {
+                    println!("Warning: {} seconds remaining", remaining.as_secs());
+                }
+                EventPayload::SessionEnded { .. } => {
+                    println!("Session ended");
+                }
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+        Err(IpcError::ConnectionClosed) => break,
+        Err(e) => eprintln!("Error: {}", e),
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Protocol
+
+### Message Format
+
+Messages use NDJSON (newline-delimited JSON):
+
+```
+{"type":"request","id":1,"command":"get_state"}\n
+{"type":"response","id":1,"payload":{"api_version":1,...}}\n
+{"type":"event","payload":{"type":"state_changed",...}}\n
+```
+
+### Request/Response
+
+Each request has an ID, matched in the response:
+
+```json
+// Request
+{"type":"request","id":42,"command":{"type":"launch","entry_id":"minecraft"}}
+
+// Response
+{"type":"response","id":42,"success":true,"payload":{...}}
+```
+
+### Events
+
+Events are pushed without request IDs:
+
+```json
+{"type":"event","payload":{"type":"warning_issued","threshold":60,"remaining":{"secs":60}}}
+```
+
+## Socket Permissions
+
+The socket is created with mode `0660`:
+- Owner can read/write
+- Group can read/write
+- Others have no access
+
+This allows the service to run as a dedicated user while permitting group members (e.g., `shepherd` group) to connect.
+
+## Rate Limiting
+
+Per-client rate limiting prevents buggy or malicious clients from overwhelming the service:
+
+```rust
+// Default: 10 commands per second per client
+if rate_limiter.check(&client_id) {
+    // Process command
+} else {
+    // Respond with rate limit error
+}
+```
+
+## Error Handling
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_ipc::IpcError;
+
+match result {
+    Err(IpcError::ConnectionClosed) => {
+        // Client disconnected
+    }
+    Err(IpcError::Json(e)) => {
+        // Protocol error
+    }
+    Err(IpcError::Io(e)) => {
+        // Socket error
+    }
+    _ => {}
+}
+```
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `tokio` - Async runtime
+- `serde` / `serde_json` - JSON serialization
+- `nix` - Unix socket peer credentials
+- `shepherd-api` - Message types
+- `shepherd-util` - Client IDs
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-launcher-ui/README.md b/crates/shepherd-launcher-ui/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0e389b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-launcher-ui/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,221 @@
+# shepherd-launcher-ui
+
+Main launcher grid interface for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+`shepherd-launcher-ui` is the primary user-facing shell for the Shepherd kiosk environment. It presents a grid of available entries (applications, games, media) and allows users to launch them. 
+
+This is what users see when no session is active—the "home screen" of the environment.
+
+## Features
+
+- **Entry grid** - Large, touch-friendly tiles for each available entry
+- **Availability display** - Visual indication of enabled/disabled entries
+- **Launch requests** - Send launch commands to the service
+- **State synchronization** - Always reflects service's authoritative state
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                 Sway / Wayland Compositor             │
+│                                                       │
+│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
+│  │            Launcher UI (fullscreen)              │ │
+│  │                                                  │ │
+│  │  ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐     │ │
+│  │  │        │ │        │ │        │ │        │     │ │
+│  │  │Minecraf│ │GCompris│ │ Movies │ │ Books  │     │ │
+│  │  │        │ │        │ │        │ │        │     │ │
+│  │  └────────┘ └────────┘ └────────┘ └────────┘     │ │
+│  │                                                  │ │
+│  │  ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐                           │ │
+│  │  │        │ │        │                           │ │
+│  │  │ ScummVM│ │Bedtime │                           │ │
+│  │  │        │ │        │                           │ │
+│  │  └────────┘ └────────┘                           │ │
+│  │                                                  │ │
+│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
+└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+### Running
+
+```bash
+# With default socket path
+shepherd-launcher
+
+# With custom socket path
+shepherd-launcher --socket /run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock
+```
+
+### Command-Line Options
+
+| Option | Default | Description |
+|--------|---------|-------------|
+| `-s, --socket` | `/run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock` | Service socket path |
+| `-l, --log-level` | `info` | Log verbosity |
+
+## Grid Behavior
+
+### Entry Tiles
+
+Each tile displays:
+
+- **Icon** - Large, recognizable icon
+- **Label** - Entry name
+- **Status** - Enabled (bright) or disabled (dimmed)
+- **Time indicator** - Max duration if started now (e.g., "30 min")
+
+### Enabled Entries
+
+When an entry is enabled:
+1. Tile is fully visible and interactive
+2. Tapping sends `Launch` command to service
+3. Grid shows "Launching..." state
+4. On success: launcher hides, application starts
+
+### Disabled Entries
+
+When an entry is disabled it is not displayed.
+
+### Launch Flow
+
+```
+User taps tile
+      │
+      ▼
+Launcher sends Launch command
+      │
+      ▼
+Grid input disabled
+"Starting..." overlay shown
+      │
+      ▼
+┌─────┴─────┐
+│           │
+▼           ▼
+Success     Failure
+│           │
+▼           ▼
+Launcher    Error message
+hides       Grid restored
+```
+
+## State Management
+
+The launcher maintains a reactive state model:
+
+```rust
+struct LauncherState {
+    entries: Vec<EntryView>,   // From service
+    current_session: Option<SessionInfo>,
+    connected: bool,
+    launching: Option<EntryId>,
+}
+```
+
+### Event Handling
+
+| Event | Launcher Response |
+|-------|-------------------|
+| `StateChanged` | Update entry grid |
+| `SessionStarted` | Hide launcher |
+| `SessionEnded` | Show launcher |
+| `PolicyReloaded` | Refresh entry list |
+
+### Visibility Rules
+
+The launcher is visible when:
+- No session is running, OR
+- User explicitly returns to home (via HUD)
+
+The launcher hides when:
+- A session is actively running
+- (Fullscreen app is in front)
+
+## Error Handling
+
+### Service Unavailable
+
+If the service is not running at startup:
+
+```
+┌────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                                        │
+│          System Not Ready              │
+│                                        │
+│    Waiting for shepherd service...     │
+│                                        │
+│           [Retry]                      │
+│                                        │
+└────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+### Launch Failure
+
+If launching fails:
+
+1. Error notification appears
+2. Grid is restored to interactive state
+3. User can try again or choose another entry
+
+### Connection Loss
+
+If connection to service is lost:
+
+1. Entries become disabled
+2. Reconnection attempted automatically
+3. State refreshed on reconnection
+
+## Accessibility
+
+- **Touch-first** - Large touch targets (minimum 44px)
+- **High contrast** - Clear visual hierarchy
+- **Minimal text** - Icon-first design
+- **Keyboard navigation** - Arrow keys and Enter
+- **No hover-only interactions** - All actions accessible via tap
+
+## Styling
+
+The launcher uses a child-friendly design:
+
+- Large, colorful icons
+- Rounded corners
+- Clear enabled/disabled distinction
+- Smooth transitions
+- Dark background (for contrast)
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `gtk4` - GTK4 bindings
+- `tokio` - Async runtime
+- `shepherd-api` - Protocol types
+- `shepherd-ipc` - Client implementation
+- `clap` - Argument parsing
+- `tracing` - Logging
+
+## Building
+
+```bash
+cargo build --release -p shepherd-launcher-ui
+```
+
+The resulting binary is named `shepherd-launcher`.
+
+## Relationship to Service
+
+**Critical**: The launcher is purely a presentation layer. It:
+- Displays what the service allows
+- Sends launch requests
+- Shows service state
+
+It does *not*:
+- Tracks time independently
+- Decide availability
+- Enforce policy
+
+If the launcher crashes, the service continues enforcement. If the launcher is replaced, the system still works.
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-store/README.md b/crates/shepherd-store/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..92245b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-store/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+# shepherd-store
+
+Persistence layer for Shepherd.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate provides durable storage for the Shepherd service, including:
+
+- **Audit log** - Append-only record of all significant events
+- **Usage accounting** - Track time used per entry per day
+- **Cooldown tracking** - Remember when entries become available again
+- **State snapshots** - Enable crash recovery
+
+## Purpose
+
+The store ensures:
+- **Time accounting correctness** - Usage is recorded durably
+- **Crash tolerance** - Service can resume after unexpected shutdown
+- **Auditability** - All actions are logged for later inspection
+
+## Backend
+
+The primary implementation uses **SQLite** for reliability:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_store::SqliteStore;
+
+let store = SqliteStore::open("/var/lib/shepherdd/shepherdd.db")?;
+```
+
+SQLite provides:
+- ACID transactions for usage accounting
+- Automatic crash recovery via WAL mode
+- Single-file database, easy to backup
+
+## Store Trait
+
+All storage operations go through the `Store` trait:
+
+```rust
+pub trait Store: Send + Sync {
+    // Audit log
+    fn append_audit(&self, event: AuditEvent) -> StoreResult<()>;
+    fn get_recent_audits(&self, limit: usize) -> StoreResult<Vec<AuditEvent>>;
+
+    // Usage accounting
+    fn get_usage(&self, entry_id: &EntryId, day: NaiveDate) -> StoreResult<Duration>;
+    fn add_usage(&self, entry_id: &EntryId, day: NaiveDate, duration: Duration) -> StoreResult<()>;
+
+    // Cooldown tracking
+    fn get_cooldown_until(&self, entry_id: &EntryId) -> StoreResult<Option<DateTime<Local>>>;
+    fn set_cooldown_until(&self, entry_id: &EntryId, until: DateTime<Local>) -> StoreResult<()>;
+    fn clear_cooldown(&self, entry_id: &EntryId) -> StoreResult<()>;
+
+    // State snapshot
+    fn load_snapshot(&self) -> StoreResult<Option<StateSnapshot>>;
+    fn save_snapshot(&self, snapshot: &StateSnapshot) -> StoreResult<()>;
+
+    // Health
+    fn is_healthy(&self) -> bool;
+}
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+### Recording Session Usage
+
+```rust
+use chrono::Local;
+
+// When a session ends
+let duration = session.actual_duration();
+let today = Local::now().date_naive();
+
+store.add_usage(&entry_id, today, duration)?;
+```
+
+### Checking Quota Remaining
+
+```rust
+let today = Local::now().date_naive();
+let used = store.get_usage(&entry_id, today)?;
+
+if let Some(quota) = entry.limits.daily_quota {
+    let remaining = quota.saturating_sub(used);
+    if remaining.is_zero() {
+        // Quota exhausted
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Setting Cooldowns
+
+```rust
+use chrono::{Duration, Local};
+
+// After session ends, set cooldown
+let cooldown_until = Local::now() + Duration::minutes(10);
+store.set_cooldown_until(&entry_id, cooldown_until)?;
+```
+
+### Checking Cooldown
+
+```rust
+if let Some(until) = store.get_cooldown_until(&entry_id)? {
+    if until > Local::now() {
+        // Still in cooldown
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Audit Log
+
+The audit log records significant events:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_store::{AuditEvent, AuditEventType};
+
+// Event types logged
+store.append_audit(AuditEvent::new(AuditEventType::PolicyLoaded { entry_count: 5 }))?;
+store.append_audit(AuditEvent::new(AuditEventType::SessionStarted { 
+    session_id, 
+    entry_id 
+}))?;
+store.append_audit(AuditEvent::new(AuditEventType::SessionEnded { 
+    session_id, 
+    reason: SessionEndReason::Expired 
+}))?;
+store.append_audit(AuditEvent::new(AuditEventType::WarningIssued { 
+    session_id, 
+    threshold_secs: 60 
+}))?;
+```
+
+### Audit Event Types
+
+- `PolicyLoaded` - Configuration loaded/reloaded
+- `SessionStarted` - New session began
+- `SessionEnded` - Session terminated (with reason)
+- `WarningIssued` - Time warning shown to user
+- `LaunchDenied` - Launch request rejected (with reasons)
+- `ConfigReloaded` - Configuration hot-reloaded
+- `ServiceStarted` - Service process started
+- `ServiceStopped` - Service process stopped
+
+## State Snapshots
+
+For crash recovery, the service can save state snapshots:
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_store::{StateSnapshot, SessionSnapshot};
+
+// Save current state
+let snapshot = StateSnapshot {
+    timestamp: Local::now(),
+    active_session: Some(SessionSnapshot {
+        session_id,
+        entry_id,
+        started_at,
+        deadline,
+        warnings_issued: vec![300, 60],
+    }),
+};
+store.save_snapshot(&snapshot)?;
+
+// On startup, check for unfinished session
+if let Some(snapshot) = store.load_snapshot()? {
+    if let Some(session) = snapshot.active_session {
+        // Potentially recover or clean up
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Database Schema
+
+The SQLite store uses this schema:
+
+```sql
+-- Audit log (append-only)
+CREATE TABLE audit_log (
+    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
+    timestamp TEXT NOT NULL,
+    event_type TEXT NOT NULL,
+    event_data TEXT NOT NULL  -- JSON
+);
+
+-- Usage tracking (one row per entry per day)
+CREATE TABLE usage (
+    entry_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+    day TEXT NOT NULL,  -- YYYY-MM-DD
+    duration_secs INTEGER NOT NULL,
+    PRIMARY KEY (entry_id, day)
+);
+
+-- Cooldown tracking
+CREATE TABLE cooldowns (
+    entry_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+    until TEXT NOT NULL  -- ISO 8601 timestamp
+);
+
+-- State snapshot (single row)
+CREATE TABLE snapshot (
+    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY CHECK (id = 1),
+    data TEXT NOT NULL  -- JSON
+);
+```
+
+## Design Philosophy
+
+- **Durability over performance** - Writes are synchronous by default
+- **Simple queries** - No complex joins or aggregations needed at runtime
+- **Append-only audit** - Never modify history
+- **Portable format** - JSON for event data enables future migration
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `rusqlite` - SQLite bindings
+- `serde` / `serde_json` - Event serialization
+- `chrono` - Timestamp handling
+- `thiserror` - Error types
diff --git a/crates/shepherd-util/README.md b/crates/shepherd-util/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..16878c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherd-util/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+# shepherd-util
+
+Shared utilities for the Shepherd ecosystem.
+
+## Overview
+
+This crate provides common utilities and types used across all Shepherd crates, including:
+
+- **ID types** - Type-safe identifiers (`EntryId`, `SessionId`, `ClientId`)
+- **Time utilities** - Monotonic time handling and duration helpers
+- **Error types** - Common error definitions
+- **Rate limiting** - Helpers for command rate limiting
+
+## Purpose
+
+`shepherd-util` serves as the foundational layer that other Shepherd crates depend on. It ensures consistency across the codebase by providing:
+
+1. **Unified ID management** - All identifiers are strongly typed to prevent mix-ups
+2. **Reliable time handling** - Monotonic time for enforcement (immune to wall-clock changes)
+3. **Common error patterns** - Consistent error handling across crates
+
+## Key Types
+
+### IDs
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_util::{EntryId, SessionId, ClientId};
+
+// Create IDs
+let entry_id = EntryId::new("minecraft");
+let session_id = SessionId::new();  // UUID-based
+let client_id = ClientId::new();    // UUID-based
+```
+
+### Time
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_util::MonotonicInstant;
+
+// Monotonic time for countdown logic
+let start = MonotonicInstant::now();
+// ... later ...
+let elapsed = start.elapsed();
+```
+
+### Rate Limiting
+
+```rust
+use shepherd_util::RateLimiter;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+// Per-client command rate limiting
+let limiter = RateLimiter::new(10, Duration::from_secs(1));
+if limiter.check(&client_id) {
+    // Process command
+}
+```
+
+## Design Philosophy
+
+- **No platform-specific code** - Pure Rust, works everywhere
+- **Minimal dependencies** - Only essential crates
+- **Type safety** - Prefer typed wrappers over raw strings/numbers
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- `uuid` - For generating unique session/client IDs
+- `chrono` - For time handling
+- `serde` - For serialization
+- `thiserror` - For error types
diff --git a/crates/shepherdd/README.md b/crates/shepherdd/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ac0d3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/shepherdd/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,270 @@
+# shepherdd
+
+The Shepherd background service.
+
+## Overview
+
+`shepherdd` is the authoritative policy and enforcement service for the Shepherd ecosystem. It is the central coordinator that:
+
+- Loads and validates configuration
+- Evaluates policy to determine availability
+- Manages session lifecycles
+- Enforces time limits
+- Emits warnings and events
+- Serves multiple clients via IPC
+
+**Key principle**: `shepherdd` is the single source of truth. User interfaces only request actions and display state—they never enforce policy independently.
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                         shepherdd                            │
+│                                                              │
+│  ┌─────────────┐   ┌─────────────┐   ┌────────────────────┐  │
+│  │   Config    │   │    Store    │   │    Core Engine     │  │
+│  │   Loader    │──▶│  (SQLite)   │──▶│ (Policy + Session) │  │
+│  └─────────────┘   └─────────────┘   └──────────┬─────────┘  │
+│                                                 │            │
+│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐               │            │
+│  │    Host     │  │     IPC     │◀──────────────┘            │
+│  │   Adapter   │◀─│   Server    │                            │
+│  │  (Linux)    │  │             │                            │
+│  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘                            │
+│         │                │                                   │
+│         │      Unix Domain Socket                            │
+│         │                │                                   │
+└─────────┼────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┘
+          │                │
+          ▼                ▼
+    Supervised        ┌─────────┐  ┌─────────┐  ┌─────────┐
+    Applications      │Launcher │  │   HUD   │  │  Admin  │
+                      │   UI    │  │ Overlay │  │  Tools  │
+                      └─────────┘  └─────────┘  └─────────┘
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+### Running
+
+```bash
+# With default config location
+shepherdd
+
+# With custom config
+shepherdd --config /path/to/config.toml
+
+# Override socket and data paths
+shepherdd --socket /tmp/shepherdd.sock --data-dir /tmp/shepherdd-data
+
+# Debug logging
+shepherdd --log-level debug
+```
+
+### Command-Line Options
+
+| Option | Default | Description |
+|--------|---------|-------------|
+| `-c, --config` | `/etc/shepherdd/config.toml` | Configuration file path |
+| `-s, --socket` | From config | IPC socket path |
+| `-d, --data-dir` | From config | Data directory |
+| `-l, --log-level` | `info` | Log verbosity |
+
+### Environment Variables
+
+| Variable | Description |
+|----------|-------------|
+| `SHEPHERD_SOCKET` | Override socket path |
+| `SHEPHERD_DATA_DIR` | Override data directory |
+| `RUST_LOG` | Tracing filter (e.g., `shepherdd=debug`) |
+
+## Main Loop
+
+The service runs an async event loop that processes:
+
+1. **IPC messages** - Commands from clients
+2. **Host events** - Process exits, window events
+3. **Timer ticks** - Check for warnings and expiry
+4. **Signals** - SIGHUP for config reload, SIGTERM for shutdown
+
+```
+┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                    Main Loop                       │
+│                                                    │
+│  ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐   │
+│  │   IPC   │ │  Host   │ │  Timer  │ │ Signal  │   │
+│  │ Channel │ │ Events  │ │  Tick   │ │ Handler │   │
+│  └────┬────┘ └────┬────┘ └────┬────┘ └────┬────┘   │
+│       │           │           │           │        │
+│       └───────────┴─────┬─────┴───────────┘        │
+│                         │                          │
+│                         ▼                          │
+│              ┌──────────────────┐                  │
+│              │  Process Event   │                  │
+│              └──────────────────┘                  │
+│                         │                          │
+│                         ▼                          │
+│              ┌──────────────────┐                  │
+│              │ Broadcast Events │                  │
+│              └──────────────────┘                  │
+└────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+## Command Handling
+
+### Client Commands
+
+| Command | Description | Role Required |
+|---------|-------------|---------------|
+| `GetState` | Get full state snapshot | Any |
+| `ListEntries` | Get available entries | Any |
+| `Launch` | Start a session | Shell/Admin |
+| `StopCurrent` | End current session | Shell/Admin |
+| `ReloadConfig` | Hot-reload configuration | Admin |
+| `SubscribeEvents` | Subscribe to event stream | Any |
+| `GetHealth` | Health check | Any |
+| `SetVolume` | Set system volume | Shell/Admin |
+| `GetVolume` | Get volume info | Any |
+
+### Response Flow
+
+```
+Client Request
+      │
+      ▼
+Role Check ──────▶ Denied Response
+      │
+      ▼
+Command Handler
+      │
+      ▼
+Core Engine
+      │
+      ▼
+Response + Events ──────▶ Broadcast to Subscribers
+```
+
+## Session Lifecycle
+
+### Launch
+
+1. Client sends `Launch { entry_id }`
+2. Core engine evaluates policy
+3. If denied: respond with reasons
+4. If approved: create session plan
+5. Host adapter spawns process
+6. Session transitions to Running
+7. `SessionStarted` event broadcast
+
+### Enforcement
+
+1. Timer ticks every 100ms
+2. Core engine checks warnings and expiry
+3. At warning thresholds: `WarningIssued` event
+4. At deadline: initiate graceful stop
+5. After grace period: force kill
+6. `SessionEnded` event broadcast
+
+### Termination
+
+1. Stop triggered (expiry, user, admin, process exit)
+2. Host adapter signals process (SIGTERM)
+3. Wait for grace period
+4. Force kill if needed (SIGKILL)
+5. Record usage in store
+6. Set cooldown if configured
+7. Clear session state
+
+## Configuration Reload
+
+On SIGHUP or `ReloadConfig` command:
+
+1. Parse new configuration file
+2. Validate completely
+3. If invalid: keep old config, log error
+4. If valid: atomic swap to new policy
+5. Emit `PolicyReloaded` event
+6. Current session continues with original plan
+
+## Health Monitoring
+
+The service exposes health status via `GetHealth`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "status": "healthy",
+  "policy_loaded": true,
+  "store_healthy": true,
+  "host_healthy": true,
+  "uptime_seconds": 3600,
+  "current_session": null
+}
+```
+
+## Logging
+
+Uses structured logging via `tracing`:
+
+```
+2025-01-15T14:30:00.000Z INFO  shepherdd: Starting shepherd service
+2025-01-15T14:30:00.050Z INFO  shepherd_config: Configuration loaded entries=5
+2025-01-15T14:30:00.100Z INFO  shepherd_ipc: IPC server listening path=/run/shepherdd/shepherdd.sock
+2025-01-15T14:30:15.000Z INFO  shepherd_core: Session started session_id=abc123 entry_id=minecraft
+2025-01-15T14:59:45.000Z WARN  shepherd_core: Warning issued session_id=abc123 threshold=60
+2025-01-15T15:00:45.000Z INFO  shepherd_core: Session expired session_id=abc123
+```
+
+## Persistence
+
+State is persisted to SQLite:
+
+```
+/var/lib/shepherdd/
+├── shepherdd.db       # SQLite database
+└── logs/
+    └── sessions/      # Session stdout/stderr
+```
+
+## Signals
+
+| Signal | Action |
+|--------|--------|
+| `SIGHUP` | Reload configuration |
+| `SIGTERM` | Graceful shutdown |
+| `SIGINT` | Graceful shutdown |
+
+## Dependencies
+
+This binary wires together all the library crates:
+
+- `shepherd-config` - Configuration loading
+- `shepherd-core` - Policy engine
+- `shepherd-host-api` - Host adapter trait
+- `shepherd-host-linux` - Linux implementation
+- `shepherd-ipc` - IPC server
+- `shepherd-store` - Persistence
+- `shepherd-api` - Protocol types
+- `shepherd-util` - Utilities
+- `tokio` - Async runtime
+- `clap` - CLI parsing
+- `tracing` - Logging
+- `anyhow` - Error handling
+
+## Building
+
+```bash
+cargo build --release -p shepherdd
+```
+
+## Installation
+
+The service is typically started by the compositor:
+
+`sway.conf`
+```conf
+# Start shepherdd FIRST - it needs to create the socket before HUD/launcher connect
+# Running inside sway ensures all spawned processes use the nested compositor
+exec ./target/debug/shepherdd -c ./config.example.toml
+```
+
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](../../CONTRIBUTING.md) for development setup.