diff --git a/pkg/appview/handlers/attestation_details.go b/pkg/appview/handlers/attestation_details.go
index a2f5d57..ed67760 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/handlers/attestation_details.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/handlers/attestation_details.go
@@ -263,10 +263,13 @@ func fetchLayersFromPDS(ctx context.Context, pdsEndpoint, did, attestationDigest
 // Two-hop flow: (1) get presigned URL from hold, (2) fetch blob from S3.
 // serviceToken is optional — pass "" for public holds.
 func fetchLayerBlob(ctx context.Context, holdEndpoint, layerDigest, serviceToken string) ([]byte, error) {
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdEndpoint)
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdEndpoint)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not resolve hold endpoint %s: %w", holdEndpoint, err)
+	}
 	holdDID := atproto.ResolveHoldDIDFromURL(holdEndpoint)
-	if holdURL == "" || holdDID == "" {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not resolve hold endpoint: %s", holdEndpoint)
+	if holdDID == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not resolve hold DID from: %s", holdEndpoint)
 	}
 
 	// Step 1: Request presigned URL from hold
diff --git a/pkg/appview/handlers/delete.go b/pkg/appview/handlers/delete.go
index cbe8bc9..16b17fb 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/handlers/delete.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/handlers/delete.go
@@ -196,8 +196,7 @@ func (h *DeleteAccountHandler) deleteFromHolds(ctx context.Context, user *db.Use
 // deleteFromSingleHold deletes user data from a single hold
 func (h *DeleteAccountHandler) deleteFromSingleHold(ctx context.Context, user *db.User, holdDID, relationship string) HoldDeleteResult {
 	// Resolve hold DID to URL
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
-	endpoint := holdURL + "/xrpc/io.atcr.hold.deleteUserData"
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
 
 	result := HoldDeleteResult{
 		HoldDID:      holdDID,
@@ -205,6 +204,14 @@ func (h *DeleteAccountHandler) deleteFromSingleHold(ctx context.Context, user *d
 		Status:       "failed",
 	}
 
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold URL for deletion", "holdDid", holdDID, "error", err)
+		result.Error = fmt.Sprintf("Failed to resolve hold URL: %v", err)
+		return result
+	}
+
+	endpoint := holdURL + "/xrpc/io.atcr.hold.deleteUserData"
+
 	// Check if we have OAuth refresher (needed for service tokens)
 	if h.Refresher == nil {
 		result.Error = "OAuth not configured - cannot authenticate to hold"
diff --git a/pkg/appview/handlers/device.go b/pkg/appview/handlers/device.go
index 7bed18f..e72e8b2 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/handlers/device.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/handlers/device.go
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ const deviceSuccessTemplate = `
         <h1>✓ Device Authorized!</h1>
         <p>Device <strong>{{.DeviceName}}</strong> has been successfully authorized.</p>
         <p>You can now close this window and return to your terminal.</p>
-        <p><a href="/settings">View your authorized devices</a></p>
+        <p><a href="/settings#devices">View your authorized devices</a></p>
     </div>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/pkg/appview/handlers/export.go b/pkg/appview/handlers/export.go
index 616ab0e..fbfed8c 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/handlers/export.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/handlers/export.go
@@ -167,17 +167,24 @@ func (h *ExportUserDataHandler) fetchHoldExports(ctx context.Context, user *db.U
 // fetchSingleHoldExport fetches export data from a single hold
 func (h *ExportUserDataHandler) fetchSingleHoldExport(ctx context.Context, user *db.User, holdDID string, meta holdMetadata) HoldExportResult {
 	// Resolve hold DID to URL
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
-	endpoint := holdURL + "/xrpc/io.atcr.hold.exportUserData"
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
 
 	result := HoldExportResult{
 		HoldDID:      holdDID,
-		Endpoint:     endpoint,
 		Relationship: meta.relationship,
 		FirstSeen:    meta.firstSeen,
 		Status:       "failed",
 	}
 
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold URL for export", "holdDid", holdDID, "error", err)
+		result.Error = fmt.Sprintf("Failed to resolve hold URL: %v", err)
+		return result
+	}
+
+	endpoint := holdURL + "/xrpc/io.atcr.hold.exportUserData"
+	result.Endpoint = endpoint
+
 	// Check if we have OAuth refresher (needed for service tokens)
 	if h.Refresher == nil {
 		result.Error = "OAuth not configured - cannot authenticate to hold"
diff --git a/pkg/appview/handlers/storage.go b/pkg/appview/handlers/storage.go
index 94d74bf..bd8f3b0 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/handlers/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/handlers/storage.go
@@ -52,9 +52,9 @@ func (h *StorageHandler) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 
 	// Resolve hold URL from DID
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
-	if holdURL == "" {
-		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold URL", "did", user.DID, "holdDid", holdDID)
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(r.Context(), holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold URL", "did", user.DID, "holdDid", holdDID, "error", err)
 		h.renderError(w, "Failed to resolve hold service")
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/appview/handlers/subscription.go b/pkg/appview/handlers/subscription.go
index 9315216..66f145c 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/handlers/subscription.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/handlers/subscription.go
@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ func (h *SubscriptionHandler) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 	}
 
 	// Resolve hold DID to endpoint
-	holdEndpoint := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
-	if holdEndpoint == "" {
-		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold endpoint", "holdDid", holdDID)
+	holdEndpoint, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(r.Context(), holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold endpoint", "holdDid", holdDID, "error", err)
 		h.renderHidden(w)
 		return
 	}
@@ -197,8 +197,9 @@ func (h *SubscriptionCheckoutHandler) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.R
 	}
 
 	// Resolve hold endpoint
-	holdEndpoint := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
-	if holdEndpoint == "" {
+	holdEndpoint, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(r.Context(), holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold endpoint", "holdDid", holdDID, "error", err)
 		http.Error(w, "Failed to resolve hold", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
 	}
@@ -285,8 +286,9 @@ func (h *SubscriptionPortalHandler) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Req
 	}
 
 	// Resolve hold endpoint
-	holdEndpoint := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
-	if holdEndpoint == "" {
+	holdEndpoint, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(r.Context(), holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("Failed to resolve hold endpoint", "holdDid", holdDID, "error", err)
 		http.Error(w, "Failed to resolve hold", http.StatusInternalServerError)
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker.go b/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker.go
index f1ac758..a8616fb 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker.go
@@ -51,9 +51,11 @@ func NewCheckerWithTimeout(cacheTTL, httpTimeout time.Duration) *Checker {
 // Checks {endpoint}/xrpc/_health and returns true if reachable
 func (c *Checker) CheckHealth(ctx context.Context, endpoint string) (bool, error) {
 	// Convert DID to HTTP URL if needed
-	// did:web:hold.example.com → https://hold.example.com
-	// https://hold.example.com → https://hold.example.com (passthrough)
-	httpURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(endpoint)
+	// Resolves any DID (did:web, did:plc) via identity directory
+	httpURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, endpoint)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve hold URL: %w", err)
+	}
 
 	// Build health check URL
 	healthURL := httpURL + "/xrpc/_health"
diff --git a/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker_test.go b/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker_test.go
index 2107a00..23e57c8 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker_test.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/holdhealth/checker_test.go
@@ -65,19 +65,15 @@ func TestCheckHealth_WithDID(t *testing.T) {
 	checker := NewChecker(15 * time.Minute)
 	ctx := context.Background()
 
-	// Test with DID format (did:web:host)
-	// Extract host:port from test server URL
-	// http://127.0.0.1:12345 → did:web:127.0.0.1:12345
-	serverURL := server.URL
-	didFormat := "did:web:" + serverURL[7:] // Remove "http://"
-
-	reachable, err := checker.CheckHealth(ctx, didFormat)
+	// Test with URL format (DID resolution requires real identity directory,
+	// so we test with the URL format which passes through directly)
+	reachable, err := checker.CheckHealth(ctx, server.URL)
 	if err != nil {
-		t.Errorf("CheckHealth with DID returned error: %v", err)
+		t.Errorf("CheckHealth with URL returned error: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	if !reachable {
-		t.Error("Expected hold to be reachable with DID format")
+		t.Error("Expected hold to be reachable with URL format")
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/appview/jetstream/backfill.go b/pkg/appview/jetstream/backfill.go
index 60fe268..dfdaa9d 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/jetstream/backfill.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/jetstream/backfill.go
@@ -396,7 +396,10 @@ func (b *BackfillWorker) queryCaptainRecord(ctx context.Context, holdDID string)
 	}
 
 	// Resolve hold DID to URL
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve hold URL for %s: %w", holdDID, err)
+	}
 
 	// Create client for hold's PDS
 	holdClient := atproto.NewClient(holdURL, holdDID, "")
@@ -442,7 +445,10 @@ func (b *BackfillWorker) queryCaptainRecord(ctx context.Context, holdDID string)
 // This is necessary for localhost/private holds that aren't discoverable via the relay
 func (b *BackfillWorker) queryCrewRecords(ctx context.Context, holdDID string) error {
 	// Resolve hold DID to URL
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve hold URL for %s: %w", holdDID, err)
+	}
 
 	// Create client for hold's PDS
 	holdClient := atproto.NewClient(holdURL, holdDID, "")
diff --git a/pkg/appview/middleware/registry.go b/pkg/appview/middleware/registry.go
index 690eb31..115404f 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/middleware/registry.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/middleware/registry.go
@@ -296,6 +296,13 @@ func (nr *NamespaceResolver) Repository(ctx context.Context, name reference.Name
 
 	// Single-hop hold migration: check if this hold has declared a successor
 	holdDID = nr.resolveSuccessor(ctx, holdDID)
+
+	// Resolve hold DID to HTTP URL via identity directory (cached 24h)
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve hold URL for %s: %w", holdDID, err)
+	}
+
 	// Auto-reconcile crew membership on first push/pull
 	// This ensures users can push immediately after docker login without web sign-in
 	// EnsureCrewMembership is best-effort and logs errors without failing the request
@@ -463,6 +470,7 @@ func (nr *NamespaceResolver) Repository(ctx context.Context, name reference.Name
 		DID:               did,
 		Handle:            handle,
 		HoldDID:           holdDID,
+		HoldURL:           holdURL,
 		PDSEndpoint:       pdsEndpoint,
 		Repository:        repositoryName,
 		ServiceToken:      serviceToken, // Cached service token from puller's PDS
@@ -551,20 +559,16 @@ func (nr *NamespaceResolver) resolveSuccessor(ctx context.Context, holdDID strin
 // isHoldReachable checks if a hold service is reachable
 // Used in test mode to fallback to default hold when user's hold is unavailable
 func (nr *NamespaceResolver) isHoldReachable(ctx context.Context, holdDID string) bool {
-	// Try to fetch the DID document
-	hostname := strings.TrimPrefix(holdDID, "did:web:")
-
-	// Try HTTP first (local), then HTTPS
-	for _, scheme := range []string{"http", "https"} {
-		testURL := fmt.Sprintf("%s://%s/.well-known/did.json", scheme, hostname)
-		client := atproto.NewClient("", "", "")
-		_, err := client.FetchDIDDocument(ctx, testURL)
-		if err == nil {
-			return true
-		}
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Debug("Cannot resolve hold URL for reachability check", "component", "registry/middleware", "holdDID", holdDID, "error", err)
+		return false
 	}
 
-	return false
+	testURL := holdURL + "/.well-known/did.json"
+	client := atproto.NewClient("", "", "")
+	_, err = client.FetchDIDDocument(ctx, testURL)
+	return err == nil
 }
 
 // ExtractAuthMethod is an HTTP middleware that extracts the auth method and puller DID from the JWT Authorization header
diff --git a/pkg/appview/middleware/registry_test.go b/pkg/appview/middleware/registry_test.go
index f9e13c3..f2e6235 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/middleware/registry_test.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/middleware/registry_test.go
@@ -270,10 +270,8 @@ func TestIsHoldReachable(t *testing.T) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 
 	t.Run("reachable hold", func(t *testing.T) {
-		// Extract hostname from test server URL
-		// The mock server URL is like http://127.0.0.1:port, so we use the host part
-		holdDID := fmt.Sprintf("did:web:%s", mockHold.Listener.Addr().String())
-		reachable := resolver.isHoldReachable(ctx, holdDID)
+		// Use URL format directly — DID resolution requires real identity directory
+		reachable := resolver.isHoldReachable(ctx, mockHold.URL)
 		assert.True(t, reachable, "should detect reachable hold")
 	})
 
diff --git a/pkg/appview/storage/context.go b/pkg/appview/storage/context.go
index e094b48..7df74f8 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/storage/context.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/storage/context.go
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ type RegistryContext struct {
 	// Puller = the authenticated user making the request (from JWT Subject)
 	DID               string          // Owner's DID - whose repo is being accessed (e.g., "did:plc:abc123")
 	Handle            string          // Owner's handle (e.g., "alice.bsky.social")
-	HoldDID           string          // Hold service DID (e.g., "did:web:hold01.atcr.io")
+	HoldDID           string          // Hold service DID (e.g., "did:web:hold01.atcr.io" or "did:plc:abc123")
+	HoldURL           string          // Resolved HTTP URL for the hold service
 	PDSEndpoint       string          // Owner's PDS endpoint URL
 	Repository        string          // Image repository name (e.g., "debian")
 	ServiceToken      string          // Service token for hold authentication (from puller's PDS)
diff --git a/pkg/appview/storage/crew.go b/pkg/appview/storage/crew.go
index 47747f8..65ca7ff 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/storage/crew.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/storage/crew.go
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@ func EnsureCrewMembership(ctx context.Context, client *atproto.Client, refresher
 	}
 
 	// Resolve hold DID to HTTP endpoint
-	holdEndpoint := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
+	holdEndpoint, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		slog.Warn("failed to resolve hold URL", "holdDID", holdDID, "error", err)
+		return
+	}
 
 	// Get service token for the hold
 	// Only works with OAuth (refresher required) - app passwords can't get service tokens
diff --git a/pkg/appview/storage/manifest_store.go b/pkg/appview/storage/manifest_store.go
index 29f4a17..6400c4a 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/storage/manifest_store.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/storage/manifest_store.go
@@ -337,9 +337,8 @@ func (s *ManifestStore) notifyHoldAboutManifest(ctx context.Context, manifestRec
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// Resolve hold DID to HTTP endpoint
-	// For did:web, this is straightforward (e.g., did:web:hold01.atcr.io → https://hold01.atcr.io)
-	holdEndpoint := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(s.ctx.HoldDID)
+	// Use pre-resolved hold URL from RegistryContext
+	holdEndpoint := s.ctx.HoldURL
 
 	// Use service token from middleware (already cached and validated)
 	serviceToken := s.ctx.ServiceToken
diff --git a/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store.go b/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store.go
index e001673..d237642 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store.go
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ type ProxyBlobStore struct {
 
 // NewProxyBlobStore creates a new proxy blob store
 func NewProxyBlobStore(ctx *RegistryContext) *ProxyBlobStore {
-	// Resolve DID to URL once at construction time
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx.HoldDID)
+	// Use pre-resolved URL from RegistryContext (resolved in Registry.Repository())
+	holdURL := ctx.HoldURL
 
 	slog.Debug("NewProxyBlobStore created", "component", "proxy_blob_store", "hold_did", ctx.HoldDID, "hold_url", holdURL, "user_did", ctx.DID, "repo", ctx.Repository)
 
diff --git a/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store_test.go b/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store_test.go
index 2040160..701e312 100644
--- a/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store_test.go
+++ b/pkg/appview/storage/proxy_blob_store_test.go
@@ -197,33 +197,37 @@ func TestDoAuthenticatedRequest_ErrorWhenTokenUnavailable(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// TestResolveHoldURL tests DID to URL conversion
+// TestResolveHoldURL tests URL passthrough (no network needed)
 func TestResolveHoldURL(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
-		holdDID  string
+		holdURL  string
 		expected string
 	}{
 		{
-			name:     "did:web with http (TEST_MODE)",
-			holdDID:  "did:web:localhost:8080",
+			name:     "http URL passthrough",
+			holdURL:  "http://localhost:8080",
 			expected: "http://localhost:8080",
 		},
 		{
-			name:     "did:web with https (production)",
-			holdDID:  "did:web:hold01.atcr.io",
+			name:     "https URL passthrough",
+			holdURL:  "https://hold01.atcr.io",
 			expected: "https://hold01.atcr.io",
 		},
 		{
-			name:     "did:web with port",
-			holdDID:  "did:web:hold.example.com:3000",
+			name:     "http URL with port passthrough",
+			holdURL:  "http://hold.example.com:3000",
 			expected: "http://hold.example.com:3000",
 		},
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			result := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(tt.holdDID)
+			result, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, tt.holdURL)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Unexpected error: %v", err)
+			}
 			if result != tt.expected {
 				t.Errorf("Expected %s, got %s", tt.expected, result)
 			}
@@ -277,9 +281,11 @@ func TestServiceTokenCacheKeyFormat(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestNewProxyBlobStore tests ProxyBlobStore creation
 func TestNewProxyBlobStore(t *testing.T) {
+	expectedURL := "https://hold.example.com"
 	ctx := &RegistryContext{
 		DID:         "did:plc:test",
 		HoldDID:     "did:web:hold.example.com",
+		HoldURL:     expectedURL,
 		PDSEndpoint: "https://pds.example.com",
 		Repository:  "test-repo",
 	}
@@ -298,7 +304,6 @@ func TestNewProxyBlobStore(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Error("Expected holdURL to be set")
 	}
 
-	expectedURL := "https://hold.example.com"
 	if store.holdURL != expectedURL {
 		t.Errorf("Expected holdURL %s, got %s", expectedURL, store.holdURL)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/atproto/resolver.go b/pkg/atproto/resolver.go
index 3967ba7..a8d4e77 100644
--- a/pkg/atproto/resolver.go
+++ b/pkg/atproto/resolver.go
@@ -8,34 +8,56 @@ import (
 	"github.com/bluesky-social/indigo/atproto/syntax"
 )
 
-// ResolveHoldURL converts a hold identifier (DID or URL) to an HTTP/HTTPS URL
-// Handles both formats for backward compatibility:
-//   - DID format: did:web:hold01.atcr.io → https://hold01.atcr.io
-//   - DID with port: did:web:172.28.0.3:8080 → http://172.28.0.3:8080
-//   - URL format: https://hold.example.com → https://hold.example.com (passthrough)
-func ResolveHoldURL(holdIdentifier string) string {
+// ResolveHoldURL converts a hold identifier (DID or URL) to an HTTP/HTTPS URL.
+// For DIDs (both did:web and did:plc), resolves via the indigo identity directory
+// which caches results (24h TTL). Prefers the #atcr_hold service endpoint,
+// falls back to #atproto_pds.
+//
+// Supported formats:
+//   - URL: https://hold.example.com → passthrough
+//   - DID: did:web:hold01.atcr.io → resolved via /.well-known/did.json
+//   - DID: did:plc:abc123 → resolved via PLC directory
+func ResolveHoldURL(ctx context.Context, holdIdentifier string) (string, error) {
 	// If it's already a URL (has scheme), return as-is
 	if strings.HasPrefix(holdIdentifier, "http://") || strings.HasPrefix(holdIdentifier, "https://") {
-		return holdIdentifier
+		return holdIdentifier, nil
 	}
 
-	// If it's a DID, convert to URL
-	if after, ok := strings.CutPrefix(holdIdentifier, "did:web:"); ok {
-		hostname := after
-
-		// Use HTTP for localhost/IP addresses with ports, HTTPS for domains
-		if strings.Contains(hostname, ":") ||
-			strings.Contains(hostname, "127.0.0.1") ||
-			strings.Contains(hostname, "localhost") ||
-			// Check if it's an IP address (contains only digits and dots in first part)
-			(len(hostname) > 0 && hostname[0] >= '0' && hostname[0] <= '9') {
-			return "http://" + hostname
-		}
-		return "https://" + hostname
+	// If it's a DID, resolve via identity directory
+	if strings.HasPrefix(holdIdentifier, "did:") {
+		return ResolveHoldDIDToURL(ctx, holdIdentifier)
 	}
 
 	// Fallback: assume it's a hostname and use HTTPS
-	return "https://" + holdIdentifier
+	return "https://" + holdIdentifier, nil
+}
+
+// ResolveHoldDIDToURL resolves a hold DID to its HTTP service endpoint.
+// Prefers the #atcr_hold service endpoint, falls back to #atproto_pds.
+// Uses the shared identity directory with cache TTL and event-driven invalidation.
+func ResolveHoldDIDToURL(ctx context.Context, did string) (string, error) {
+	directory := GetDirectory()
+	didParsed, err := syntax.ParseDID(did)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("invalid hold DID %q: %w", did, err)
+	}
+
+	ident, err := directory.LookupDID(ctx, didParsed)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve hold DID %s: %w", did, err)
+	}
+
+	// Prefer #atcr_hold service (hold-specific endpoint)
+	if url := ident.GetServiceEndpoint("atcr_hold"); url != "" {
+		return url, nil
+	}
+
+	// Fall back to #atproto_pds (hold publishes both with same URL)
+	if url := ident.PDSEndpoint(); url != "" {
+		return url, nil
+	}
+
+	return "", fmt.Errorf("no hold or PDS service endpoint found for DID %s", did)
 }
 
 // ResolveDIDToPDS resolves a DID to its PDS endpoint.
diff --git a/pkg/atproto/resolver_test.go b/pkg/atproto/resolver_test.go
index fd74e0d..7bbef4e 100644
--- a/pkg/atproto/resolver_test.go
+++ b/pkg/atproto/resolver_test.go
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestResolveHoldURL(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// URL passthrough and hostname fallback tests (no network needed)
 	tests := []struct {
 		name           string
 		holdIdentifier string
@@ -39,77 +42,7 @@ func TestResolveHoldURL(t *testing.T) {
 			want:           "http://hold.example.com/some/path",
 		},
 
-		// did:web to HTTPS (domain names)
-		{
-			name:           "did:web domain to https",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:hold01.atcr.io",
-			want:           "https://hold01.atcr.io",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web subdomain to https",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:my-hold.example.com",
-			want:           "https://my-hold.example.com",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web simple domain to https",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:example.com",
-			want:           "https://example.com",
-		},
-
-		// did:web to HTTP (ports)
-		{
-			name:           "did:web with port to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:172.28.0.3:8080",
-			want:           "http://172.28.0.3:8080",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web domain with port to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:hold.example.com:8080",
-			want:           "http://hold.example.com:8080",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web localhost with port to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:localhost:8080",
-			want:           "http://localhost:8080",
-		},
-
-		// did:web to HTTP (localhost)
-		{
-			name:           "did:web localhost to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:localhost",
-			want:           "http://localhost",
-		},
-
-		// did:web to HTTP (127.0.0.1)
-		{
-			name:           "did:web 127.0.0.1 to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:127.0.0.1",
-			want:           "http://127.0.0.1",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web 127.0.0.1 with port to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:127.0.0.1:8080",
-			want:           "http://127.0.0.1:8080",
-		},
-
-		// did:web to HTTP (IP addresses)
-		{
-			name:           "did:web IPv4 address to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:192.168.1.1",
-			want:           "http://192.168.1.1",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web IPv4 with port to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:10.0.0.5:3000",
-			want:           "http://10.0.0.5:3000",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web private IP to http",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:172.16.0.1",
-			want:           "http://172.16.0.1",
-		},
-
-		// Fallback behavior (plain hostname)
+		// Fallback behavior (plain hostname — not a DID, not a URL)
 		{
 			name:           "plain hostname fallback to https",
 			holdIdentifier: "hold.example.com",
@@ -127,21 +60,14 @@ func TestResolveHoldURL(t *testing.T) {
 			holdIdentifier: "",
 			want:           "https://",
 		},
-		{
-			name:           "did:web empty hostname",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web:",
-			want:           "https://",
-		},
-		{
-			name:           "just did:web prefix",
-			holdIdentifier: "did:web",
-			want:           "https://did:web",
-		},
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			got := ResolveHoldURL(tt.holdIdentifier)
+			got, err := ResolveHoldURL(ctx, tt.holdIdentifier)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("ResolveHoldURL(%q) unexpected error: %v", tt.holdIdentifier, err)
+			}
 			if got != tt.want {
 				t.Errorf("ResolveHoldURL(%q) = %q, want %q", tt.holdIdentifier, got, tt.want)
 			}
@@ -149,25 +75,58 @@ func TestResolveHoldURL(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// TestResolveHoldURLRoundTrip tests that converting back and forth works
+// TestResolveHoldURLDIDRequiresNetwork tests that DID resolution requires
+// the identity directory (which needs network access)
+func TestResolveHoldURLDIDRequiresNetwork(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	// did:web and did:plc both go through the identity directory now.
+	// Without a real server, these should return errors.
+	tests := []struct {
+		name           string
+		holdIdentifier string
+	}{
+		{"did:web nonexistent", "did:web:nonexistent.example.invalid"},
+		{"did:plc nonexistent", "did:plc:nonexistent000000000000"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := ResolveHoldURL(ctx, tt.holdIdentifier)
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Errorf("ResolveHoldURL(%q) expected error for unresolvable DID, got nil", tt.holdIdentifier)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestResolveHoldURLRoundTrip tests that URL passthrough is idempotent
 func TestResolveHoldURLRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
 		input    string
 		wantHTTP bool // true if result should be http, false for https
 	}{
-		{"domain to https and idempotent", "did:web:hold.atcr.io", false},
-		{"IP to http and idempotent", "did:web:192.168.1.1", true},
-		{"port to http and idempotent", "did:web:example.com:8080", true},
+		{"http URL idempotent", "http://192.168.1.1", true},
+		{"https URL idempotent", "https://hold.atcr.io", false},
+		{"http URL with port idempotent", "http://example.com:8080", true},
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			// First conversion
-			first := ResolveHoldURL(tt.input)
+			// First conversion (URL passthrough)
+			first, err := ResolveHoldURL(ctx, tt.input)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("First ResolveHoldURL(%q) error: %v", tt.input, err)
+			}
 
 			// Second conversion (should be idempotent since output is URL)
-			second := ResolveHoldURL(first)
+			second, err := ResolveHoldURL(ctx, first)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Second ResolveHoldURL(%q) error: %v", first, err)
+			}
 
 			if first != second {
 				t.Errorf("ResolveHoldURL is not idempotent: first=%q, second=%q", first, second)
diff --git a/pkg/auth/hold_remote.go b/pkg/auth/hold_remote.go
index f7bed3d..b209315 100644
--- a/pkg/auth/hold_remote.go
+++ b/pkg/auth/hold_remote.go
@@ -222,7 +222,10 @@ func (a *RemoteHoldAuthorizer) setCachedCaptainRecord(holdDID string, record *at
 // fetchCaptainRecordFromXRPC queries the hold's XRPC endpoint for captain record
 func (a *RemoteHoldAuthorizer) fetchCaptainRecordFromXRPC(ctx context.Context, holdDID string) (*atproto.CaptainRecord, error) {
 	// Resolve DID to URL
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve hold URL: %w", err)
+	}
 
 	// Build XRPC request URL
 	// GET /xrpc/com.atproto.repo.getRecord?repo={did}&collection=io.atcr.hold.captain&rkey=self
@@ -327,7 +330,10 @@ func (a *RemoteHoldAuthorizer) IsCrewMember(ctx context.Context, holdDID, userDI
 // Uses O(1) lookup via getRecord with hash-based rkey instead of pagination
 func (a *RemoteHoldAuthorizer) isCrewMemberNoCache(ctx context.Context, holdDID, userDID string) (bool, error) {
 	// Resolve DID to URL
-	holdURL := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(holdDID)
+	holdURL, err := atproto.ResolveHoldURL(ctx, holdDID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to resolve hold URL: %w", err)
+	}
 
 	// Generate deterministic rkey from member DID (hash-based)
 	rkey := atproto.CrewRecordKey(userDID)