diff --git a/docs/plans/2026-05-29-035-feat-live-operator-proof-run-plan.md b/docs/plans/2026-05-29-035-feat-live-operator-proof-run-plan.md
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/docs/plans/2026-05-29-035-feat-live-operator-proof-run-plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+---
+title: feat: Live operator proof on smallest target
+type: feat
+status: complete
+date: 2026-05-29
+origin: /lfg — validate end-to-end scrape on host after Podman compose fix
+---
+
+# feat: Live operator proof on smallest target
+
+## Summary
+
+Run `run-operator-proof.sh` against `eod_discord` on the host (sync GUI token, Podman compose). Fix any blocking issues discovered. Re-run offline smokes before push.
+
+## Requirements
+
+| ID | Requirement |
+|----|-------------|
+| R1 | `DCE_MIN_FREE_MB=0 ./scripts/run-all-smokes.sh` passes |
+| R2 | `./scripts/run-operator-proof.sh --sync-gui --target eod_discord` completes on host |
+| R3 | Document host outcome in merge-readiness (pass/fail + fix applied) |
+| R4 | Push branch; refresh PR #1538 |
+
+## Verification
+
+- Offline smokes (19 scripts)
+- Live operator proof log under `logs/operator-proof-*.log`
diff --git a/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md b/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md
index 177d25d5..a77f4a71 100644
--- a/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md
+++ b/docs/recurring-scrape-merge-readiness.md
@@ -71,6 +71,18 @@ Also enforced by `run-documents-scrape.sh`, `run-discord-scrape-host.sh` (cron),
 
 **Podman hosts:** install `podman-compose` (`dnf install podman-compose`) when `docker compose` cannot reach the socket; scripts auto-prefer `podman-compose` when present.
 
+## Host validation (2026-05-29)
+
+Live proof on this machine (Podman + `podman-compose`, GUI token sync):
+
+```bash
+./scripts/run-operator-proof.sh --sync-gui --target eod_discord
+```
+
+Result: **passed** — preflight OK, incremental scrape completed, append-safe proof OK for all 6 channels. Log: `logs/operator-proof-20260529T213341Z.log`.
+
+**Disk warning:** `/home` was ~1.6 GiB free at run time; free several GiB before KotOR-scale targets.
+
 ## CI note (fork PRs)
 
 Upstream workflows may show `action_required` for cross-repo PRs from `th3w1zard1/DiscordChatExporter` until a maintainer approves workflow runs. Local `run-all-smokes.sh` is the authoritative offline gate.