diff --git a/apps/awareness/call.py b/apps/awareness/call.py
index 16f7e232e..f6b96aa48 100644
--- a/apps/awareness/call.py
+++ b/apps/awareness/call.py
@@ -10,9 +10,16 @@ import json
 
 import typer
 
+from think.utils import require_solstone
+
 app = typer.Typer(help="Awareness system — solstone's self-knowledge.")
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 @app.command("status")
 def status(
     section: str | None = typer.Argument(
diff --git a/apps/calendar/call.py b/apps/calendar/call.py
index 177cd4597..dbd8b9707 100644
--- a/apps/calendar/call.py
+++ b/apps/calendar/call.py
@@ -15,10 +15,16 @@ import typer
 
 from apps.calendar import event
 from think.facets import log_call_action
+from think.utils import require_solstone
 
 app = typer.Typer(help="Calendar event management.")
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 def _print_day_facet(day: str, facet: str) -> bool:
     """Print calendar events for a single day+facet. Returns True if any exist."""
     event_day = event.EventDay.load(day, facet)
diff --git a/apps/entities/call.py b/apps/entities/call.py
index 5001e2f27..1e4717032 100644
--- a/apps/entities/call.py
+++ b/apps/entities/call.py
@@ -42,11 +42,22 @@ from think.indexer.journal import (
     get_entity_strength,
     search_entities,
 )
-from think.utils import get_journal, now_ms, resolve_sol_day, resolve_sol_facet
+from think.utils import (
+    get_journal,
+    now_ms,
+    require_solstone,
+    resolve_sol_day,
+    resolve_sol_facet,
+)
 
 app = typer.Typer(help="Entity management.")
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 def _clear_all_caches():
     """Clear all underlying think entity caches."""
     clear_entity_loading_cache()
diff --git a/apps/import/call.py b/apps/import/call.py
index cb17206bc..51f4ae6a1 100644
--- a/apps/import/call.py
+++ b/apps/import/call.py
@@ -29,10 +29,16 @@ from think.entities.relationships import (
     load_facet_relationship,
     save_facet_relationship,
 )
-from think.utils import get_journal
+from think.utils import get_journal, require_solstone
 
 app = typer.Typer(help="Import review and resolution.")
 
+
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 ingest = import_module("apps.import.ingest")
 journal_sources = import_module("apps.import.journal_sources")
 
diff --git a/apps/photos/call.py b/apps/photos/call.py
index 9c47971d8..d5dd972d3 100644
--- a/apps/photos/call.py
+++ b/apps/photos/call.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import sys
 
 import typer
 
+from think.utils import require_solstone
+
 app = typer.Typer(
     name="photos",
     help="Photo intelligence from macOS Photos library.",
@@ -12,6 +14,11 @@ app = typer.Typer(
 )
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 @app.command("sync")
 def sync(
     library: str | None = typer.Option(
diff --git a/apps/settings/call.py b/apps/settings/call.py
index 804eafbce..e9ec0eff6 100644
--- a/apps/settings/call.py
+++ b/apps/settings/call.py
@@ -14,9 +14,18 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 import typer
 
+from think.utils import require_solstone
+
 app = typer.Typer(
     help="Journal settings — keys, providers, transcription, identity, and observer."
 )
+
+
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 keys_app = typer.Typer(help="API key management.")
 app.add_typer(keys_app, name="keys")
 providers_app = typer.Typer(help="AI provider configuration.")
diff --git a/apps/sol/call.py b/apps/sol/call.py
index 711290b19..7bbe3a156 100644
--- a/apps/sol/call.py
+++ b/apps/sol/call.py
@@ -14,9 +14,16 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 import typer
 
+from think.utils import require_solstone
+
 app = typer.Typer(help="Agent identity — name and status.")
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 def _get_agent_config() -> dict:
     """Read agent config from journal config."""
     from think.utils import get_config
diff --git a/apps/speakers/call.py b/apps/speakers/call.py
index 7b725ce67..6dcf6ff0c 100644
--- a/apps/speakers/call.py
+++ b/apps/speakers/call.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import typer
 
+from think.utils import require_solstone
+
 app = typer.Typer(
     name="speakers",
     help="Speaker voiceprint management.",
@@ -34,6 +36,11 @@ app = typer.Typer(
 )
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 @app.command("status")
 def status(
     section: str | None = typer.Argument(
diff --git a/apps/todos/call.py b/apps/todos/call.py
index d8d045ca8..0fe53616a 100644
--- a/apps/todos/call.py
+++ b/apps/todos/call.py
@@ -12,11 +12,16 @@ import typer
 
 from apps.todos import todo
 from think.facets import log_call_action
-from think.utils import get_journal
+from think.utils import get_journal, require_solstone
 
 app = typer.Typer(help="Todo checklist management.")
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 def _print_day_facet(day: str, facet: str) -> bool:
     """Print todos for a single day+facet. Returns True if any items exist."""
     checklist = todo.TodoChecklist.load(day, facet)
diff --git a/convey/restart.py b/convey/restart.py
index 074ce4495..0104b5340 100644
--- a/convey/restart.py
+++ b/convey/restart.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import threading
 import time
 
 from think.callosum import CallosumConnection
-from think.utils import read_service_port, setup_cli
+from think.utils import read_service_port, require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 
 def _format_log(timestamp: float, stream: str, line: str) -> str:
@@ -178,6 +178,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     from think.utils import get_journal
 
diff --git a/convey/screenshot.py b/convey/screenshot.py
index f76457f0a..6a760218f 100644
--- a/convey/screenshot.py
+++ b/convey/screenshot.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import sys
 
 from playwright.sync_api import sync_playwright
 
-from think.utils import read_service_port, setup_cli
+from think.utils import read_service_port, require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 
 class _HelpOnErrorParser(argparse.ArgumentParser):
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     # Determine port: CLI arg takes precedence, then port file, then error
     if args.port is not None:
diff --git a/observe/describe.py b/observe/describe.py
index e1983d098..d08303b21 100644
--- a/observe/describe.py
+++ b/observe/describe.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     get_config,
     get_journal,
     journal_relative_path,
+    require_solstone,
     setup_cli,
 )
 
@@ -902,6 +903,7 @@ async def async_main():
         help="Reprocess file, overwriting existing outputs",
     )
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     video_path = Path(args.video_path)
     if not video_path.exists():
diff --git a/observe/observer_cli.py b/observe/observer_cli.py
index 2b799372d..b6028621a 100644
--- a/observe/observer_cli.py
+++ b/observe/observer_cli.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from apps.observer.utils import (
     save_observer,
 )
 from apps.utils import log_app_action
-from think.utils import now_ms, setup_cli
+from think.utils import now_ms, require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -458,6 +458,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     # Bridge journal path to convey.state so apps.utils resolves correctly
     # (setup_cli initializes the journal, but convey.state needs it too)
diff --git a/observe/sense.py b/observe/sense.py
index 5bc64caad..ccbd1f742 100644
--- a/observe/sense.py
+++ b/observe/sense.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     iter_segments,
     journal_relative_path,
     now_ms,
+    require_solstone,
     resolve_journal_path,
     setup_cli,
 )
@@ -1069,6 +1070,7 @@ def main():
         help="Show what would be processed (or deleted with --reprocess) without making changes",
     )
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     journal = Path(get_journal())
 
diff --git a/observe/transcribe/main.py b/observe/transcribe/main.py
index 9365effd1..7066efa23 100644
--- a/observe/transcribe/main.py
+++ b/observe/transcribe/main.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     get_journal,
     iter_segments,
     journal_relative_path,
+    require_solstone,
     resolve_journal_path,
     setup_cli,
 )
@@ -806,6 +807,7 @@ def main():
         help=f"STT backend to use (overrides config, default: {DEFAULT_BACKEND})",
     )
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     if args.all and args.audio_path:
         parser.error("--all and audio_path are mutually exclusive")
diff --git a/observe/transfer.py b/observe/transfer.py
index 9099579ea..b61678299 100644
--- a/observe/transfer.py
+++ b/observe/transfer.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     get_journal,
     iter_segments,
     now_ms,
+    require_solstone,
     setup_cli,
 )
 
@@ -692,6 +693,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     if args.command == "export":
         try:
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index e28647a8a..a5191eef0 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ def set_test_journal_path(request, monkeypatch):
         "_SOLSTONE_JOURNAL_OVERRIDE",
         str(Path("tests/fixtures/journal").resolve()),
     )
+    monkeypatch.setenv("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK", "1")
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
diff --git a/tests/test_think_utils.py b/tests/test_think_utils.py
index 7e4b563d4..42cccf14e 100644
--- a/tests/test_think_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_think_utils.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import argparse
 import json
 import os
+import socket
 import sys
 import tempfile
 from datetime import time
@@ -827,6 +828,101 @@ class TestPortDiscovery:
         assert (health_dir / "new_service.port").read_text() == "9999"
 
 
+class TestSolstoneGuard:
+    """Tests for solstone availability guard helpers."""
+
+    def test_is_solstone_up_false_without_port_file(self, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+        """Missing convey port file reports stack down."""
+        from think.utils import is_solstone_up
+
+        monkeypatch.delenv("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK", raising=False)
+        monkeypatch.setenv("_SOLSTONE_JOURNAL_OVERRIDE", str(tmp_path))
+
+        assert is_solstone_up() is False
+
+    def test_is_solstone_up_false_with_closed_port(self, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+        """Stale convey port file reports stack down."""
+        from think.utils import is_solstone_up, write_service_port
+
+        monkeypatch.delenv("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK", raising=False)
+        monkeypatch.setenv("_SOLSTONE_JOURNAL_OVERRIDE", str(tmp_path))
+
+        with socket.socket() as sock:
+            sock.bind(("127.0.0.1", 0))
+            stale_port = sock.getsockname()[1]
+
+        write_service_port("convey", stale_port)
+        assert is_solstone_up() is False
+
+    def test_is_solstone_up_true_with_listening_server(self, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+        """Listening convey port reports stack up."""
+        from think.utils import is_solstone_up, write_service_port
+
+        monkeypatch.delenv("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK", raising=False)
+        monkeypatch.setenv("_SOLSTONE_JOURNAL_OVERRIDE", str(tmp_path))
+
+        with socket.socket() as server:
+            server.bind(("127.0.0.1", 0))
+            server.listen(1)
+            write_service_port("convey", server.getsockname()[1])
+            assert is_solstone_up() is True
+
+    def test_require_solstone_exits_with_message_when_down(
+        self, monkeypatch, tmp_path, capsys
+    ):
+        """Guard exits with the expected message when convey is unavailable."""
+        from think.utils import require_solstone
+
+        monkeypatch.delenv("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK", raising=False)
+        monkeypatch.setenv("_SOLSTONE_JOURNAL_OVERRIDE", str(tmp_path))
+
+        with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as excinfo:
+            require_solstone()
+
+        captured = capsys.readouterr()
+        assert excinfo.value.code == 1
+        assert captured.out == ""
+        assert (
+            captured.err
+            == "sol: solstone isn't running. Start it with 'sol up' and retry.\n"
+        )
+
+    def test_require_solstone_returns_silently_when_up(
+        self, monkeypatch, tmp_path, capsys
+    ):
+        """Guard returns None without output when convey is reachable."""
+        from think.utils import require_solstone, write_service_port
+
+        monkeypatch.delenv("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK", raising=False)
+        monkeypatch.setenv("_SOLSTONE_JOURNAL_OVERRIDE", str(tmp_path))
+
+        with socket.socket() as server:
+            server.bind(("127.0.0.1", 0))
+            server.listen(1)
+            write_service_port("convey", server.getsockname()[1])
+            assert require_solstone() is None
+
+        captured = capsys.readouterr()
+        assert captured.out == ""
+        assert captured.err == ""
+
+    def test_require_solstone_skips_check_with_env_override(
+        self, monkeypatch, tmp_path
+    ):
+        """SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK bypasses availability probing."""
+        import think.utils as utils
+
+        monkeypatch.setenv("_SOLSTONE_JOURNAL_OVERRIDE", str(tmp_path))
+        monkeypatch.setenv("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK", "1")
+        monkeypatch.setattr(
+            utils,
+            "is_solstone_up",
+            lambda timeout=0.2: (_ for _ in ()).throw(AssertionError("should not run")),
+        )
+
+        assert utils.require_solstone() is None
+
+
 class TestIterSegments:
     def test_skips_health_directory(self, tmp_path):
         """iter_segments does not return segments from health/ dirs."""
diff --git a/think/agents.py b/think/agents.py
index a7e1cd9ed..62034a5fa 100644
--- a/think/agents.py
+++ b/think/agents.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     format_segment_times,
     get_journal,
     now_ms,
+    require_solstone,
     segment_parse,
     setup_cli,
 )
@@ -1500,6 +1501,7 @@ async def main_async() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
     if args.subcommand == "check":
         await _run_check(args)
         return
diff --git a/think/chat_cli.py b/think/chat_cli.py
index 6c2d282bc..0b49ad428 100644
--- a/think/chat_cli.py
+++ b/think/chat_cli.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import threading
 
 from think.callosum import CallosumConnection
 from think.cortex_client import cortex_request, read_agent_events
-from think.utils import setup_cli
+from think.utils import require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 
 def main() -> None:
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ def main() -> None:
         "--talent", default="unified", help="Talent agent name (default: unified)"
     )
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     from think.awareness import ensure_sol_directory
 
diff --git a/think/cortex.py b/think/cortex.py
index bd314bbc1..02827ebae 100644
--- a/think/cortex.py
+++ b/think/cortex.py
@@ -771,10 +771,11 @@ def main() -> None:
     """CLI entry point for the Cortex service."""
     import argparse
 
-    from think.utils import setup_cli
+    from think.utils import require_solstone, setup_cli
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="solstone Cortex Agent Manager")
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     # Set up logging
     logging.basicConfig(
diff --git a/think/dream.py b/think/dream.py
index 0d1834e17..ee44198c4 100644
--- a/think/dream.py
+++ b/think/dream.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     iso_date,
     iter_segments,
     now_ms,
+    require_solstone,
     setup_cli,
     updated_days,
 )
@@ -2764,6 +2765,7 @@ def main() -> None:
 
     parser = parse_args()
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     from think.awareness import ensure_sol_directory
 
diff --git a/think/engage.py b/think/engage.py
index 875246ede..1121b3e2d 100644
--- a/think/engage.py
+++ b/think/engage.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import sys
 
 import typer
 
+from think.utils import require_solstone
+
 engage_app = typer.Typer(name="engage")
 
 
@@ -96,4 +98,8 @@ def engage(
 
 def main() -> None:
     """Entry point for ``sol engage``."""
+    if any(arg in {"-h", "--help"} for arg in sys.argv[1:]):
+        engage_app()
+        return
+    require_solstone()
     engage_app()
diff --git a/think/heartbeat.py b/think/heartbeat.py
index fae6b718b..2c11fa9e2 100644
--- a/think/heartbeat.py
+++ b/think/heartbeat.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 from think.awareness import ensure_sol_directory
 from think.cortex_client import cortex_request, wait_for_agents
-from think.utils import get_journal, setup_cli
+from think.utils import get_journal, require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ def main() -> None:
         help="Run full check regardless of recency",
     )
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     journal = Path(get_journal())
     ensure_sol_directory()
diff --git a/think/importers/cli.py b/think/importers/cli.py
index 898bfe3d2..8fc6b7aa1 100644
--- a/think/importers/cli.py
+++ b/think/importers/cli.py
@@ -25,7 +25,14 @@ from think.importers.shared import (
 from think.importers.text import _read_transcript, process_transcript
 from think.importers.utils import save_import_segments
 from think.streams import stream_name, update_stream, write_segment_stream
-from think.utils import day_path, get_journal, get_rev, segment_key, setup_cli
+from think.utils import (
+    day_path,
+    get_journal,
+    get_rev,
+    require_solstone,
+    segment_key,
+    setup_cli,
+)
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -323,6 +330,7 @@ def main() -> None:
         help="Output results as JSON (file importers only)",
     )
     args, extra = setup_cli(parser, parse_known=True)
+    require_solstone()
     if extra and not args.timestamp:
         args.timestamp = extra[0]
 
diff --git a/think/indexer/cli.py b/think/indexer/cli.py
index 51668f3ce..0942afc7e 100644
--- a/think/indexer/cli.py
+++ b/think/indexer/cli.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 import argparse
 from typing import Any
 
-from think.utils import get_journal, journal_log, setup_cli
+from think.utils import get_journal, journal_log, require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 from .journal import (
     index_file,
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
     journal = get_journal()
 
     if (
diff --git a/think/notify_cli.py b/think/notify_cli.py
index 100496137..5d4f4bcd2 100644
--- a/think/notify_cli.py
+++ b/think/notify_cli.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import argparse
 import sys
 
 from think.callosum import callosum_send
-from think.utils import setup_cli
+from think.utils import require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 
 def main() -> None:
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     message = " ".join(args.message)
     kwargs = {"message": message}
diff --git a/think/password_cli.py b/think/password_cli.py
index d39134bca..c521a6b56 100644
--- a/think/password_cli.py
+++ b/think/password_cli.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 from werkzeug.security import generate_password_hash
 
-from think.utils import get_config, get_journal, setup_cli
+from think.utils import get_config, get_journal, require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 
 def _set_password() -> None:
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     subparsers.add_parser("reset", help="Reset the convey password")
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     if args.subcommand in ("set", "reset"):
         _set_password()
diff --git a/think/scheduler.py b/think/scheduler.py
index ced565807..5445e0225 100644
--- a/think/scheduler.py
+++ b/think/scheduler.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any
 
-from think.utils import get_journal, now_ms, setup_cli
+from think.utils import get_journal, now_ms, require_solstone, setup_cli
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -546,6 +546,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     """CLI entry point for sol schedule."""
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Show scheduled tasks")
     setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     journal = Path(get_journal())
     config_path = journal / "config" / "schedules.json"
diff --git a/think/segment.py b/think/segment.py
index 73572374f..355352a04 100644
--- a/think/segment.py
+++ b/think/segment.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     day_path,
     get_journal,
     iter_segments,
+    require_solstone,
     segment_parse,
     setup_cli,
 )
@@ -861,6 +862,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     if args.subcommand is None:
         parser.print_help()
diff --git a/think/streams.py b/think/streams.py
index 709f48119..e49881a4d 100644
--- a/think/streams.py
+++ b/think/streams.py
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     """CLI entry point for sol streams."""
     import argparse
 
-    from think.utils import setup_cli
+    from think.utils import require_solstone, setup_cli
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Inspect and manage stream identity")
     parser.add_argument(
@@ -397,6 +397,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     )
 
     args = setup_cli(parser)
+    require_solstone()
 
     if args.rebuild:
         summary = rebuild_stream_state(name=args.name)
diff --git a/think/tools/call.py b/think/tools/call.py
index 0c09e8d0f..0bb641178 100644
--- a/think/tools/call.py
+++ b/think/tools/call.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ from think.utils import (
     day_path,
     get_journal,
     iter_segments,
+    require_solstone,
     resolve_sol_day,
     resolve_sol_facet,
     resolve_sol_segment,
@@ -52,6 +53,13 @@ from think.utils import (
 
 app = typer.Typer(help="Journal search and browsing.")
 facet_app = typer.Typer(help="Facet management.")
+
+
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 app.add_typer(facet_app, name="facet")
 retention_app = typer.Typer(help="Media retention management.")
 app.add_typer(retention_app, name="retention")
diff --git a/think/tools/navigate.py b/think/tools/navigate.py
index ace40a806..d002ff9ce 100644
--- a/think/tools/navigate.py
+++ b/think/tools/navigate.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ Mounted by ``think.call`` as ``sol call navigate ...``.
 
 import typer
 
+from think.utils import require_solstone
+
 app = typer.Typer()
 
 
@@ -17,6 +19,7 @@ def navigate(
     facet: str = typer.Option(None, "--facet", "-f", help="Facet to switch to."),
 ) -> None:
     """Navigate the browser to a path and/or switch facet."""
+    require_solstone()
     if not path and not facet:
         typer.echo("Error: provide a path and/or --facet", err=True)
         raise typer.Exit(1)
diff --git a/think/tools/routines.py b/think/tools/routines.py
index 115d399e4..35ed8337b 100644
--- a/think/tools/routines.py
+++ b/think/tools/routines.py
@@ -18,11 +18,16 @@ import frontmatter
 import typer
 
 from think.routines import _run_routine, cron_matches, get_config, save_config
-from think.utils import get_journal
+from think.utils import get_journal, require_solstone
 
 app = typer.Typer(help="Manage custom routines.")
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 def _resolve_id(config: dict[str, dict], prefix: str) -> str:
     """Resolve a routine by UUID prefix or exact name (case-insensitive)."""
     matches = sorted(
diff --git a/think/tools/sol.py b/think/tools/sol.py
index ce4872f48..2ee3b4f3a 100644
--- a/think/tools/sol.py
+++ b/think/tools/sol.py
@@ -24,13 +24,18 @@ from think.awareness import (
     update_self_md_section,
 )
 from think.entities.core import atomic_write
-from think.utils import day_dirs, day_path
+from think.utils import day_dirs, day_path, require_solstone
 
 app = typer.Typer(
     help="Sol identity directory — self.md, partner.md, agency.md, pulse.md, awareness.md, and morning briefing."
 )
 
 
+@app.callback()
+def _require_up() -> None:
+    require_solstone()
+
+
 def _sol_dir():
     """Return the sol/ directory path, creating it if needed."""
     return ensure_sol_directory()
diff --git a/think/utils.py b/think/utils.py
index ed81ee96f..f965cd18f 100644
--- a/think/utils.py
+++ b/think/utils.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import json
 import logging
 import os
 import re
+import socket
 import sys
 import time
 from datetime import datetime
@@ -931,3 +932,28 @@ def read_service_port(service: str) -> int | None:
         return int(port_file.read_text().strip())
     except (FileNotFoundError, ValueError):
         return None
+
+
+def is_solstone_up(timeout: float = 0.2) -> bool:
+    """Return True if convey is accepting TCP connections on its recorded port."""
+    port = read_service_port("convey")
+    if port is None:
+        return False
+    try:
+        with socket.create_connection(("127.0.0.1", port), timeout=timeout):
+            return True
+    except OSError:
+        return False
+
+
+def require_solstone() -> None:
+    """Exit(1) with a clear message if solstone's stack isn't running."""
+    if os.environ.get("SOL_SKIP_SUPERVISOR_CHECK") == "1":
+        return
+    if is_solstone_up():
+        return
+    print(
+        "sol: solstone isn't running. Start it with 'sol up' and retry.",
+        file=sys.stderr,
+    )
+    sys.exit(1)