diff --git a/bin/project_discovery.py b/bin/project_discovery.py
index 8c6db39..5e149dd 100644
--- a/bin/project_discovery.py
+++ b/bin/project_discovery.py
@@ -273,13 +273,65 @@ def protected_conflicts(path: Path, wanted: dict[str, tuple[str, str]]) -> list[
     return 2 if has_conflict and write else int(drift and not write)
 
 
+def starter(root: Path, write: bool) -> int:
+    """Expose registered Brain/Mind skills locally without changing either repo."""
+    root = root.resolve()
+    if not root.is_dir():
+        raise ValueError('starter workspace root must exist')
+    registry = manifest_paths(root)
+    wanted = {}
+    for name in ('PyAutoBrain', 'PyAutoMind'):
+        if name not in registry:
+            raise ValueError(f'starter requires registered {name}')
+        path = repo_path(root, name)
+        if not (path / 'skills').is_dir():
+            raise ValueError(f'{name}: skills directory missing')
+        discovered = expected(name, path, 'organ')
+        selected = {rel: data for rel, (kind, data) in discovered.items()
+                    if rel.startswith('.claude/skills/') and kind == 'symlink'}
+        if not selected:
+            raise ValueError(f'{name}: no discoverable skills')
+        for rel, target in selected.items():
+            if rel in wanted:
+                raise ValueError(f'starter skill collision: {rel}')
+            source = ((path / rel).parent / target).resolve()
+            if not source.exists():
+                raise ValueError(f'{name}: missing canonical skill {source}')
+            wanted[rel] = os.path.relpath(source.resolve(), (root / rel).parent)
+    # Preflight every path, including parents, before writing any link.
+    for parent in (root / '.claude', root / '.claude/skills'):
+        if parent.is_symlink() or (parent.exists() and not parent.is_dir()):
+            raise ValueError(f'protected starter discovery parent: {parent}')
+    missing = []
+    for rel, target in wanted.items():
+        item = root / rel
+        if item.is_symlink():
+            if os.readlink(item) != target:
+                raise ValueError(f'protected starter discovery link: {item}')
+        elif item.exists():
+            raise ValueError(f'protected starter discovery entry: {item}')
+        else:
+            missing.append(rel)
+    if write:
+        (root / '.claude/skills').mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        for rel in missing:
+            (root / rel).symlink_to(wanted[rel])
+    print(f"{'READY' if write or not missing else 'MISSING'}: starter discovery: "
+          f'{len(wanted)} skills, {len(missing)} ' + ('created' if write else 'missing'))
+    return int(bool(missing) and not write)
+
+
 def main() -> int:
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
-    parser.add_argument('mode', choices=('write', 'check'))
+    parser.add_argument('mode', choices=('write', 'check', 'starter-write', 'starter-check'))
     parser.add_argument('repos', nargs='*')
     parser.add_argument('--root', type=Path, default=Path(os.environ.get('PYAUTO_ROOT', '.')))
     args = parser.parse_args()
     try:
+        if args.mode.startswith('starter-'):
+            if args.repos:
+                raise ValueError('starter modes select registered Brain and Mind only; omit repo arguments')
+            return starter(args.root, args.mode == 'starter-write')
         return run(args.root, args.repos, args.mode == 'write')
     except (ValueError, OSError) as error:
         print(f'project discovery: {error}', file=sys.stderr)
diff --git a/docs/adoption/guide.md b/docs/adoption/guide.md
index fa6e499..904a634 100644
--- a/docs/adoption/guide.md
+++ b/docs/adoption/guide.md
@@ -99,3 +99,102 @@ quarter), with no compatibility promises on `main`. Fork-and-pull at your
 own pace; pin what you depend on; expect churn. Issues and PRs are welcome,
 but the pace is set by the live instance's needs. Each organ carries this
 disclaimer in its `CONTRIBUTING.md`.
+
+## Minimal local pilot: Claude skill discovery
+
+This opt-in path connects the starter pieces without running the user-wide
+installer. It prepares local skill discovery; it does not install or authenticate
+Claude Code, publish anything, or certify the full development/release workflow.
+Use an already installed Claude Code and Python with PyYAML. Heart remains
+required before shipping; discovering a skill never bypasses its own gates.
+
+Use one workspace directory with flat `PyAutoBrain`, `PyAutoScientist` and
+`PyAutoMind` directories. Keep compatible framework checkouts pinned to revisions
+you have validated. The local directory names are framework lookup slots; the
+Scientist display name and GitHub repository names remain your choices.
+
+1. From the workspace root, generate a new empty Mind using a trusted existing
+   Mind source checkout (the destination must not already exist):
+
+   ```sh
+   python3 /path/to/Mind-source/scripts/spawn.py --minimal-mind --write PyAutoMind
+   ```
+
+2. Populate **your** `PyAutoMind/repos.yaml`. Replace these fictitious GitHub
+   identities with your own or the explicit framework sources you use. Registration
+   does not create repositories, verify access or activate an organ:
+
+   ```yaml
+   categories:
+     organ: {}
+   repos:
+     PyAutoBrain:
+       github: ExampleResearch/PyAutoBrain
+       category: organ
+     PyAutoMind:
+       github: ExampleResearch/ResearchPlans
+       category: organ
+     PyAutoScientist:
+       github: ExampleResearch/MiraScientist
+       category: organ
+   ```
+
+3. Create user-owned Scientist configuration in a new directory:
+
+   ```sh
+   python3 PyAutoScientist/scripts/starter.py instance --repos PyAutoMind/repos.yaml \
+     --name "Mira Scientist" --repo PyAutoScientist \
+     --pages-url https://example.invalid/mira/ --apply
+   ```
+
+4. Preview missing workspace-local links, write them, then check them:
+
+   ```sh
+   python3 PyAutoBrain/bin/project_discovery.py starter-check --root .
+   python3 PyAutoBrain/bin/project_discovery.py starter-write --root .
+   python3 PyAutoBrain/bin/project_discovery.py starter-check --root .
+   ```
+
+   The first check exits 1 while links are missing. Write creates relative links
+   in **this workspace's** `.claude/skills` to the registered Brain and Mind
+   skills. It never writes user-wide settings, either source repository, or a
+   Codex discovery directory. Existing unrelated skills are preserved. Any
+   conflicting destination or symlinked discovery parent rejects the whole plan
+   before writing. Repeating write is a no-op when links match. Stale or custom
+   links are not deleted; inspect conflicts yourself after moving checkouts.
+
+5. Start a fresh Claude session **at the workspace root**, scoped to this Mind:
+
+   ```sh
+   PYAUTO_ROOT="$PWD" claude
+   ```
+
+   Give it this first request:
+
+   > Read instance/SETUP.md, PyAutoMind/AGENTS.md, PyAutoMind/repos.yaml and
+   > PyAutoBrain/AGENTS.md. Inspect existing task state before changing anything.
+   > Help me connect one existing project using PyAutoScientist/PROJECTS.md.
+   > Ask for missing identity, purpose and visibility; don't assume an assistant.
+   > Keep source material in its owning project. Validate and show a local preview.
+   > Don't publish, install optional organs, run science or change access.
+
+6. Validate the profile and render locally, using the same explicit Brain source:
+
+   ```sh
+   PYAUTO_BRAIN="$PWD/PyAutoBrain" python3 PyAutoScientist/scripts/organism_board.py \
+     --instance instance/instance.json --repos PyAutoMind/repos.yaml --check-instance
+   PYAUTO_BRAIN="$PWD/PyAutoBrain" python3 PyAutoScientist/scripts/organism_board.py \
+     --instance instance/instance.json --repos PyAutoMind/repos.yaml --html
+   ```
+
+   Save the HTML output to a scratch file. Project entries are private by default;
+   only explicitly public projects/resources appear in the dashboard projection.
+   Memory, assistants and other organs remain optional. Keep canonical identities
+   in Mind, project relationships in the instance, and project content at source.
+
+The acceptance checkpoint is a real fresh session discovering the local skills,
+reading the correct Mind and preserving records while connecting a project. CLI
+and filesystem tests alone do not prove that conversational behavior; record it
+before calling an adopter's harness validated. If Claude does not discover the
+local skills, stop and diagnose its configuration rather than running the global
+installer or silently falling back to another Scientist's state.
diff --git a/tests/test_starter_discovery.py b/tests/test_starter_discovery.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9321dbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_starter_discovery.py
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+"""Workspace-local discovery preserves user state and needs no optional organs."""
+import importlib.util
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location('starter_discovery', ROOT / 'bin/project_discovery.py')
+discovery = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+spec.loader.exec_module(discovery)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def workspace(tmp_path):
+    for repo, skill in [('PyAutoBrain', 'feature'), ('PyAutoMind', 'create_issue')]:
+        path = tmp_path / repo / 'skills' / skill
+        path.mkdir(parents=True)
+        (path / 'SKILL.md').write_text(f'---\nname: {skill.replace("_", "-")}\ndescription: Example skill\n---\nRead local instructions.\n')
+    (tmp_path / 'PyAutoMind/repos.yaml').write_text('repos:\n  PyAutoBrain:\n    category: organ\n  PyAutoMind:\n    category: organ\n')
+    return tmp_path
+
+
+def test_check_write_idempotence_and_preservation(workspace, tmp_path):
+    assert discovery.starter(workspace, False) == 1
+    assert not (workspace / '.claude').exists()
+    assert discovery.starter(workspace, True) == 0
+    target = workspace / '.claude/skills/feature'
+    assert target.is_symlink()
+    assert not target.readlink().is_absolute()
+    assert target.resolve() == workspace / 'PyAutoBrain/skills/feature'
+    personal = workspace / '.claude/skills/personal'
+    personal.mkdir()
+    (personal / 'SKILL.md').write_text('user owned')
+    assert discovery.starter(workspace, False) == 0
+    assert discovery.starter(workspace, True) == 0
+    assert (personal / 'SKILL.md').read_text() == 'user owned'
+    assert not (workspace / '.codex').exists()
+    assert not (workspace / 'PyAutoBrain/.claude').exists()
+    assert not (workspace / 'PyAutoMind/.claude').exists()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('kind', ['file', 'directory', 'symlink', 'parent'])
+def test_conflict_prevents_all_writes(workspace, kind):
+    dest = workspace / '.claude/skills/create_issue'
+    dest.parent.mkdir(parents=True)
+    if kind == 'file':
+        dest.write_text('preserve')
+    elif kind == 'directory':
+        dest.mkdir()
+    elif kind == 'symlink':
+        dest.symlink_to(workspace / 'absent')
+    else:
+        dest.parent.rmdir()
+        dest.parent.symlink_to(workspace / 'PyAutoMind', target_is_directory=True)
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match='protected'):
+        discovery.starter(workspace, True)
+    assert not (workspace / '.claude/skills/feature').exists()
+
+
+def test_missing_registration_rejected(workspace):
+    (workspace / 'PyAutoMind/repos.yaml').write_text('repos: {}\n')
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match='registered'):
+        discovery.starter(workspace, True)
+    assert not (workspace / '.claude').exists()
+
+
+def test_duplicate_skill_rejected(workspace):
+    path = workspace / 'PyAutoMind/skills/feature'
+    path.mkdir()
+    (path / 'SKILL.md').write_text('---\nname: feature\ndescription: Example\n---\n')
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match='collision'):
+        discovery.starter(workspace, True)
+    assert not (workspace / '.claude').exists()
+
+
+def test_workspace_alias_uses_physical_link_base(workspace):
+    alias_parent = workspace / 'aliases'
+    alias_parent.mkdir()
+    alias = alias_parent / 'workspace'
+    alias.symlink_to(workspace, target_is_directory=True)
+    assert discovery.starter(alias, True) == 0
+    link = workspace / '.claude/skills/feature'
+    assert link.exists()
+    assert link.resolve() == workspace / 'PyAutoBrain/skills/feature'
+    assert discovery.starter(alias, False) == 0
+    assert discovery.starter(workspace, False) == 0
+    assert discovery.starter(alias, True) == 0