diff --git a/registry/README.md b/registry/README.md
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+# Capability Registry
+
+Markdown-first capability index for federation and reuse planning.
+
+## Authoring
+
+1. Copy a capability entry template (see reuse-surface `templates/capability-entry.template.md`).
+2. Add the row to `indexes/capabilities.yaml`.
+3. Run `reuse-surface validate` from a checkout with the CLI installed.
+4. Merge to `main` and verify publish with `reuse-surface establish --publish-check`.
+
+Federation contract: reuse-surface `docs/RegistryFederation.md`.
diff --git a/registry/capabilities/.gitkeep b/registry/capabilities/.gitkeep
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diff --git a/registry/indexes/capabilities.yaml b/registry/indexes/capabilities.yaml
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+version: 1
+updated: '2026-06-16'
+domain: helix_forge
+capabilities: []