diff --git a/decnet/cli/swarmctl.py b/decnet/cli/swarmctl.py
index 9b0b0e51..258f1ab6 100644
--- a/decnet/cli/swarmctl.py
+++ b/decnet/cli/swarmctl.py
@@ -13,6 +13,34 @@ from . import utils as _utils
 from .gating import _require_master_mode
 from .utils import console, log
 
+# Hosts that keep the controller on the master box itself. A routable bind
+# (anything else, incl. 0.0.0.0) exposes the control plane to the network and
+# MUST run mTLS — the app-layer operator gate trusts the transport to have
+# verified a CA-signed client cert. See decnet/web/router/swarm/_mtls.py.
+_LOOPBACK_HOSTS = frozenset({"127.0.0.1", "::1", "localhost"})
+
+
+def _guard_bind(host: str, tls: bool) -> None:
+    """Fail closed: refuse to bind a routable interface without --tls.
+
+    On loopback the controller may run plaintext (single-operator master box,
+    same boundary as docker.sock); off-box it would be an UNAUTHENTICATED
+    control plane, so we hard-refuse to start.
+    """
+    if host not in _LOOPBACK_HOSTS and not tls:
+        console.print(
+            f"[red]Refusing to bind the swarm controller to {host} without --tls.[/]"
+        )
+        console.print(
+            "[red]A routable bind without mTLS exposes an UNAUTHENTICATED control "
+            "plane (enroll / deploy / teardown).[/]"
+        )
+        console.print(
+            "[yellow]Re-run with --tls for mutual-TLS, or bind 127.0.0.1 for a "
+            "local-only master.[/]"
+        )
+        raise typer.Exit(code=2)
+
 
 def register(app: typer.Typer) -> None:
     @app.command()
@@ -50,6 +78,7 @@ def register(app: typer.Typer) -> None:
         if you need a publicly-trusted or externally-managed cert.
         """
         _require_master_mode("swarmctl")
+        _guard_bind(host, tls)
         if daemon:
             log.info("swarmctl daemonizing host=%s port=%d", host, port)
             _utils._daemonize()
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/_mtls.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/_mtls.py
index 07f4ebba..29df36aa 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/_mtls.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/_mtls.py
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@ log = get_logger("swarm.mtls")
 # or tear the fleet down.
 OPERATOR_CNS = frozenset({"decnet-master", "swarmctl"})
 
+# Hosts treated as "the master box itself". A certless request is only accepted
+# from these — the single-operator loopback boundary (same model as
+# docker.sock). Any routable bind is forced onto mTLS by the swarmctl startup
+# guard, so a certless request can never legitimately arrive from off-box.
+LOOPBACK_HOSTS = frozenset({"127.0.0.1", "::1", "localhost"})
+
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
 class PeerCert:
@@ -131,17 +137,37 @@ def extract_peer_fingerprint(scope: MutableMapping[str, Any]) -> Optional[str]:
     return hashlib.sha256(der).hexdigest().lower()
 
 
-def require_operator_cert(request: Request) -> PeerCert:
-    """FastAPI dependency: require a CA-signed cert whose CN is an operator.
+def _client_is_loopback(request: Request) -> bool:
+    """True iff the request originated from the master box's loopback."""
+    client = getattr(request, "client", None)
+    host = getattr(client, "host", None) if client is not None else None
+    return host in LOOPBACK_HOSTS
 
-    Transport-layer mTLS (``--ssl-cert-reqs 2``) has already proven the cert is
-    CA-signed; here we enforce that its CN is in :data:`OPERATOR_CNS`. Worker
-    and ``updater@*`` certs are rejected with 403.
+
+def require_operator_cert(request: Request) -> PeerCert:
+    """FastAPI dependency authorizing a swarm control-plane operation.
+
+    Two accepted paths, matching the deployment posture:
+
+    * **mTLS on** (any routable bind — enforced by the swarmctl startup guard):
+      a peer cert is present. Transport already proved it is CA-signed; we
+      additionally require its CN to be in :data:`OPERATOR_CNS`. Worker and
+      ``updater@*`` certs are rejected — a worker's still-valid cert must never
+      drive enroll/deploy/teardown.
+    * **Loopback plaintext** (single-host master, the shipping default): no peer
+      cert, but the request came from ``127.0.0.1``/``::1``. Accepted as the
+      local operator — the same trust boundary as ``docker.sock``.
+
+    A certless request from any non-loopback client is refused (fail-closed);
+    in practice the startup guard prevents that combination from arising.
     """
     peer = extract_peer_cert(request.scope)
-    if peer is None:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="peer cert unavailable")
-    if peer.cn not in OPERATOR_CNS:
-        log.warning("rejected non-operator cert on control plane: cn=%r", peer.cn)
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="operator certificate required")
-    return peer
+    if peer is not None:
+        if peer.cn not in OPERATOR_CNS:
+            log.warning("rejected non-operator cert on control plane: cn=%r", peer.cn)
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="operator certificate required")
+        return peer
+    if _client_is_loopback(request):
+        # Local operator on the master box; no client cert over plaintext loopback.
+        return PeerCert(sha256="", cn=None)
+    raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="operator certificate required")
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_check_hosts.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_check_hosts.py
index a2c77b4a..8956f7ce 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_check_hosts.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_check_hosts.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from decnet.logging import get_logger
 from decnet.swarm.client import AgentClient
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 from decnet.web.db.models import SwarmCheckResponse, SwarmHostHealth
 
 log = get_logger("swarm.check")
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ router = APIRouter()
 @router.post("/check", response_model=SwarmCheckResponse, tags=["Swarm Health"])
 async def api_check_hosts(
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> SwarmCheckResponse:
     hosts = await repo.list_swarm_hosts()
 
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_decommission_host.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_decommission_host.py
index 1ef07778..fb69d2ce 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_decommission_host.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_decommission_host.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from decnet.logging import get_logger
 from decnet.swarm.client import AgentClient
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 
 log = get_logger("swarm.decommission")
 router = APIRouter()
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ router = APIRouter()
 async def api_decommission_host(
     uuid: str,
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> None:
     row = await repo.get_swarm_host_by_uuid(uuid)
     if row is None:
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_deploy_swarm.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_deploy_swarm.py
index 4694f849..a5561bc6 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_deploy_swarm.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_deploy_swarm.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from decnet.logging import get_logger
 from decnet.swarm.client import AgentClient
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 from decnet.web.db.models import (
     SwarmDeployRequest,
     SwarmDeployResponse,
@@ -160,6 +161,7 @@ async def dispatch_decnet_config(
 async def api_deploy_swarm(
     req: SwarmDeployRequest,
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> SwarmDeployResponse:
     if req.config.mode != "swarm":
         raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="mode must be 'swarm'")
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_enroll_host.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_enroll_host.py
index 168b6151..37aa6f2e 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_enroll_host.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_enroll_host.py
@@ -6,8 +6,10 @@ generates a fresh worker keypair + CA-signed cert, and returns the full
 bundle to the operator. Bundle delivery to the worker (scp/sshpass/etc.)
 is outside this process's trust boundary.
 
-Rationale: the worker agent speaks ONLY mTLS; there is no pre-auth
-bootstrap endpoint, so nothing to attack before the worker is enrolled.
+Authorization: this mints a CA-signed identity (and its private key), so it
+is gated by :func:`require_operator_cert` — an operator-CN client cert when
+the controller runs mTLS, or a local request when it is loopback-bound.
+A worker's own cert cannot enroll further hosts.
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 
@@ -20,6 +22,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, status
 from decnet.swarm import pki
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 from decnet.web.db.models import SwarmEnrolledBundle, SwarmEnrollRequest, SwarmUpdaterBundle
 
 router = APIRouter()
@@ -39,6 +42,7 @@ router = APIRouter()
 async def api_enroll_host(
     req: SwarmEnrollRequest,
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> SwarmEnrolledBundle:
     existing = await repo.get_swarm_host_by_name(req.name)
     if existing is not None:
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_get_host.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_get_host.py
index b8d03fa2..a96686d9 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_get_host.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_get_host.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
 
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 from decnet.web.db.models import SwarmHostView
 
 router = APIRouter()
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ router = APIRouter()
 async def api_get_host(
     uuid: str,
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> SwarmHostView:
     row = await repo.get_swarm_host_by_uuid(uuid)
     if row is None:
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_deckies.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_deckies.py
index 3d651350..e0973d33 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_deckies.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_deckies.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends
 
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 from decnet.web.db.models import DeckyShardView
 
 router = APIRouter()
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ async def api_list_deckies(
     host_uuid: Optional[str] = None,
     state: Optional[str] = None,
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> list[DeckyShardView]:
     shards = await repo.list_decky_shards(host_uuid)
     hosts = {h["uuid"]: h for h in await repo.list_swarm_hosts()}
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_hosts.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_hosts.py
index 6a3cfd2e..bb5fbdd1 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_hosts.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_list_hosts.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends
 
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 from decnet.web.db.models import SwarmHostView
 
 router = APIRouter()
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ router = APIRouter()
 async def api_list_hosts(
     host_status: Optional[str] = None,
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> list[SwarmHostView]:
     rows = await repo.list_swarm_hosts(host_status)
     return [SwarmHostView(**r) for r in rows]
diff --git a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_teardown_swarm.py b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_teardown_swarm.py
index f71510bb..2530fc65 100644
--- a/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_teardown_swarm.py
+++ b/decnet/web/router/swarm/api_teardown_swarm.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from decnet.logging import get_logger
 from decnet.swarm.client import AgentClient
 from decnet.web.db.repository import BaseRepository
 from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+from decnet.web.router.swarm._mtls import PeerCert, require_operator_cert
 from decnet.web.db.models import (
     SwarmDeployResponse,
     SwarmHostResult,
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ router = APIRouter()
 async def api_teardown_swarm(
     req: SwarmTeardownRequest,
     repo: BaseRepository = Depends(get_repo),
+    _operator: PeerCert = Depends(require_operator_cert),
 ) -> SwarmDeployResponse:
     if req.host_uuid is not None:
         row = await repo.get_swarm_host_by_uuid(req.host_uuid)
diff --git a/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat.py b/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat.py
index 3e41b515..4ae38f6e 100644
--- a/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat.py
+++ b/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat.py
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ def client(repo, ca_dir: pathlib.Path):
         return repo
 
     app.dependency_overrides[get_repo] = _override
-    with TestClient(app) as c:
+    # loopback client so /swarm/enroll (operator-gated) accepts the certless
+    # local-operator path during test setup.
+    with TestClient(app, client=("127.0.0.1", 50000)) as c:
         yield c
     app.dependency_overrides.clear()
 
diff --git a/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_lifecycle.py b/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_lifecycle.py
index e44ddcae..6d9dce88 100644
--- a/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_lifecycle.py
+++ b/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_lifecycle.py
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ def client(repo, ca_dir: pathlib.Path):
     async def _override() -> Any:
         return repo
     app.dependency_overrides[get_repo] = _override
-    with TestClient(app) as c:
+    # loopback client so operator-gated /swarm/enroll accepts the local operator.
+    with TestClient(app, client=("127.0.0.1", 50000)) as c:
         yield c
     app.dependency_overrides.clear()
 
diff --git a/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_topology_resync.py b/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_topology_resync.py
index 5025990b..7d065875 100644
--- a/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_topology_resync.py
+++ b/tests/swarm/test_heartbeat_topology_resync.py
@@ -57,7 +57,8 @@ def client(repo, ca_dir):
         return repo
 
     app.dependency_overrides[get_repo] = _override
-    with TestClient(app) as c:
+    # loopback client so operator-gated /swarm/enroll accepts the local operator.
+    with TestClient(app, client=("127.0.0.1", 50000)) as c:
         yield c
     app.dependency_overrides.clear()
 
diff --git a/tests/swarm/test_mtls.py b/tests/swarm/test_mtls.py
index f6cc0ad4..96746261 100644
--- a/tests/swarm/test_mtls.py
+++ b/tests/swarm/test_mtls.py
@@ -79,9 +79,10 @@ def test_extract_fingerprint_works_on_non_cert_der() -> None:
 # ------------------------- require_operator_cert ---------------------------
 
 
-def _request_with(scope: dict) -> MagicMock:
+def _request_with(scope: dict, client_host: str | None = None) -> MagicMock:
     req = MagicMock()
     req.scope = scope
+    req.client = None if client_host is None else MagicMock(host=client_host)
     return req
 
 
@@ -96,10 +97,14 @@ def test_require_operator_accepts_swarmctl(ca) -> None:
 
 
 def test_require_operator_rejects_worker_cn(ca) -> None:
+    # A worker cert is CA-signed but must not drive the control plane, even
+    # from loopback — the CN gate fires before the loopback fallback.
     from fastapi import HTTPException
 
     with pytest.raises(HTTPException) as ei:
-        _mtls.require_operator_cert(_request_with(_scope_with(_der_for(ca, "worker-1"))))
+        _mtls.require_operator_cert(
+            _request_with(_scope_with(_der_for(ca, "worker-1")), client_host="127.0.0.1")
+        )
     assert ei.value.status_code == 403
 
 
@@ -111,10 +116,25 @@ def test_require_operator_rejects_updater_cn(ca) -> None:
     assert ei.value.status_code == 403
 
 
-def test_require_operator_rejects_no_cert() -> None:
+def test_require_operator_allows_certless_loopback() -> None:
+    # Shipping default: plaintext loopback, no client cert → local operator.
+    peer = _mtls.require_operator_cert(_request_with({}, client_host="127.0.0.1"))
+    assert peer.cn is None and peer.sha256 == ""
+
+
+def test_require_operator_rejects_certless_non_loopback() -> None:
+    # No cert from off-box → fail closed (the startup guard makes this
+    # unreachable in practice, but defense in depth).
     from fastapi import HTTPException
 
     with pytest.raises(HTTPException) as ei:
-        _mtls.require_operator_cert(_request_with({}))
+        _mtls.require_operator_cert(_request_with({}, client_host="10.0.0.9"))
+    assert ei.value.status_code == 403
+
+
+def test_require_operator_rejects_certless_unknown_client() -> None:
+    from fastapi import HTTPException
+
+    with pytest.raises(HTTPException) as ei:
+        _mtls.require_operator_cert(_request_with({}, client_host=None))
     assert ei.value.status_code == 403
-    assert "unavailable" in ei.value.detail
diff --git a/tests/swarm/test_swarm_api.py b/tests/swarm/test_swarm_api.py
index e6c5e890..9c323427 100644
--- a/tests/swarm/test_swarm_api.py
+++ b/tests/swarm/test_swarm_api.py
@@ -56,7 +56,10 @@ def client(repo, ca_dir: pathlib.Path):
         return repo
 
     app.dependency_overrides[get_repo] = _override
-    with TestClient(app) as c:
+    # client=loopback so the operator-cert gate takes its certless-loopback
+    # path (the shipping single-host default); TestClient otherwise reports
+    # host "testclient", which the gate treats as off-box.
+    with TestClient(app, client=("127.0.0.1", 50000)) as c:
         yield c
     app.dependency_overrides.clear()
 
diff --git a/tests/swarm/test_swarm_authz.py b/tests/swarm/test_swarm_authz.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..eb4bf6b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/swarm/test_swarm_authz.py
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+"""Authorization for the swarm control plane.
+
+Two layers, both fail-closed:
+  1. ``_guard_bind`` refuses a routable bind without --tls (CLI startup).
+  2. ``require_operator_cert`` gates every controller endpoint (HTTP layer).
+
+No live TLS: the off-box case is simulated by giving the TestClient a
+non-loopback client address with no peer cert in scope.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import pathlib
+from typing import Any
+
+import contextlib
+
+import pytest
+import typer
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+from typer.testing import CliRunner
+
+from decnet.cli.swarmctl import _guard_bind
+from decnet.web.db.factory import get_repository
+from decnet.web.dependencies import get_repo
+
+
+# ------------------------- layer 1: bind guard ------------------------------
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("host", ["127.0.0.1", "::1", "localhost"])
+def test_guard_bind_allows_loopback_plaintext(host: str) -> None:
+    _guard_bind(host, tls=False)  # must not raise
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("host", ["0.0.0.0", "10.0.0.5", "192.168.1.10"])
+def test_guard_bind_allows_routable_with_tls(host: str) -> None:
+    _guard_bind(host, tls=True)  # mTLS makes a routable bind legitimate
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("host", ["0.0.0.0", "10.0.0.5"])
+def test_guard_bind_refuses_routable_plaintext(host: str) -> None:
+    with pytest.raises(typer.Exit) as ei:
+        _guard_bind(host, tls=False)
+    assert ei.value.exit_code == 2
+
+
+def test_swarmctl_cli_refuses_routable_plaintext(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
+    # Wiring check: the guard fires before any subprocess is spawned.
+    import subprocess
+
+    from decnet.cli import app
+
+    called = {"popen": False}
+
+    def _no_popen(*a: Any, **k: Any):  # pragma: no cover - must not run
+        called["popen"] = True
+        raise AssertionError("subprocess.Popen must not be reached")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(subprocess, "Popen", _no_popen)
+    result = CliRunner().invoke(app, ["swarmctl", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--no-listener"])
+    assert result.exit_code == 2
+    assert called["popen"] is False
+
+
+# ------------------------- layer 2: endpoint operator gate ------------------
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def ca_dir(tmp_path: pathlib.Path, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> pathlib.Path:
+    ca = tmp_path / "ca"
+    from decnet.swarm import pki
+    from decnet.web.router.swarm import api_enroll_host as enroll_mod
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(pki, "DEFAULT_CA_DIR", ca)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(enroll_mod, "pki", pki)
+    return ca
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def repo(tmp_path: pathlib.Path, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch):
+    r = get_repository(db_path=str(tmp_path / "authz.db"))
+    import decnet.web.dependencies as deps
+    import decnet.web.swarm_api as swarm_api_mod
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(deps, "repo", r)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(swarm_api_mod, "repo", r)
+    return r
+
+
+@contextlib.contextmanager
+def _client(repo, client_addr: tuple[str, int]):
+    # The `with TestClient(...)` form runs the controller lifespan, which
+    # creates the swarm schema against the test repo.
+    from decnet.web.swarm_api import app
+
+    async def _override() -> Any:
+        return repo
+
+    app.dependency_overrides[get_repo] = _override
+    try:
+        with TestClient(app, client=client_addr) as c:
+            yield c
+    finally:
+        app.dependency_overrides.clear()
+
+
+def test_offbox_certless_caller_is_refused_on_every_operator_route(
+    repo, ca_dir: pathlib.Path
+) -> None:
+    # No TLS peer cert + non-loopback client = an off-box attacker. Every
+    # operator route must 403 (the bind guard makes this combination
+    # unreachable in production, but the HTTP layer fails closed regardless).
+    with _client(repo, ("10.0.0.99", 40000)) as c:
+        assert c.post(
+            "/swarm/enroll",
+            json={"name": "evil", "address": "10.0.0.99", "agent_port": 8765},
+        ).status_code == 403
+        assert c.get("/swarm/hosts").status_code == 403
+        assert c.post("/swarm/check").status_code == 403
+        assert c.get("/swarm/deckies").status_code == 403
+        assert c.post("/swarm/teardown", json={}).status_code == 403
+
+
+def test_loopback_operator_is_allowed(repo, ca_dir: pathlib.Path) -> None:
+    # The shipping single-host default: local operator over plaintext loopback.
+    with _client(repo, ("127.0.0.1", 40000)) as c:
+        enrolled = c.post(
+            "/swarm/enroll",
+            json={"name": "worker-ok", "address": "10.0.0.5", "agent_port": 8765},
+        )
+        assert enrolled.status_code == 201, enrolled.text
+        listed = c.get("/swarm/hosts")
+        assert listed.status_code == 200
+        assert any(h["name"] == "worker-ok" for h in listed.json())