diff --git a/skills/clawsec-suite/CHANGELOG.md b/skills/clawsec-suite/CHANGELOG.md
index ed03e60..8cc8a31 100644
--- a/skills/clawsec-suite/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/skills/clawsec-suite/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,6 +5,16 @@ All notable changes to the ClawSec Suite will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [Unreleased]
+
+### Added
+- Added `scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs` to dynamically discover installable skills from `https://clawsec.prompt.security/skills/index.json`.
+- Added `test/skill_catalog_discovery.test.mjs` to validate remote-catalog loading and fallback behavior.
+
+### Changed
+- Updated `SKILL.md` to use dynamic catalog discovery commands instead of hard-coded optional-skill names.
+- Documented explicit fallback behavior to suite-local `skill.json` catalog metadata when remote index fetch fails.
+
 ## [0.0.11] - 2026-02-15
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/skills/clawsec-suite/SKILL.md b/skills/clawsec-suite/SKILL.md
index 23cee25..b506d72 100644
--- a/skills/clawsec-suite/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/clawsec-suite/SKILL.md
@@ -27,12 +27,23 @@ This means `clawsec-suite` can:
 - OpenClaw advisory guardian hook package: `hooks/clawsec-advisory-guardian/`
 - Setup scripts for hook and optional cron scheduling: `scripts/`
 - Guarded installer: `scripts/guarded_skill_install.mjs`
+- Dynamic catalog discovery for installable skills: `scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs`
 - Integrated OpenClaw audit watchdog scripts: `scripts/audit-watchdog/`
 - Watchdog cron bootstrap with email discovery/prompt guard: `scripts/setup_audit_watchdog.mjs`
 
-### installed separately
-- `soul-guardian`
-- `clawtributor` (explicit opt-in)
+### Installed separately (dynamic catalog)
+`clawsec-suite` no longer hard-codes add-on skill names in this document.
+
+Discover the current catalog from the authoritative index (`https://clawsec.prompt.security/skills/index.json`) at runtime:
+
+```bash
+SUITE_DIR="${INSTALL_ROOT:-$HOME/.openclaw/skills}/clawsec-suite"
+node "$SUITE_DIR/scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs"
+```
+
+Fallback behavior:
+- If the remote catalog index is reachable and valid, the suite uses it.
+- If the remote index is unavailable or malformed, the script falls back to suite-local catalog metadata in `skill.json`.
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -53,16 +64,14 @@ DEST="$INSTALL_ROOT/clawsec-suite"
 BASE="https://github.com/prompt-security/clawsec/releases/download/clawsec-suite-v${VERSION}"
 
 TEMP_DIR="$(mktemp -d)"
-DOWNLOAD_DIR="$TEMP_DIR/downloads"
 trap 'rm -rf "$TEMP_DIR"' EXIT
-mkdir -p "$DOWNLOAD_DIR"
 
 # Pinned release-signing public key (verify fingerprint out-of-band on first use)
-# Fingerprint (SHA-256 of SPKI DER): 35866e1b1479a043ae816899562ac877e879320c3c5660be1e79f06241ca0854
-RELEASE_PUBKEY_SHA256="35866e1b1479a043ae816899562ac877e879320c3c5660be1e79f06241ca0854"
+# Fingerprint (SHA-256 of SPKI DER): 711424e4535f84093fefb024cd1ca4ec87439e53907b305b79a631d5befba9c8
+RELEASE_PUBKEY_SHA256="711424e4535f84093fefb024cd1ca4ec87439e53907b305b79a631d5befba9c8"
 cat > "$TEMP_DIR/release-signing-public.pem" <<'PEM'
 -----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----
-MCowBQYDK2VwAyEAtaRGONGp0Syl9EBS17hEYgGTwUtfZgigklS6vAe5MlQ=
+MCowBQYDK2VwAyEAS7nijfMcUoOBCj4yOXJX+GYGv2pFl2Yaha1P4v5Cm6A=
 -----END PUBLIC KEY-----
 PEM
 
@@ -72,70 +81,48 @@ if [ "$ACTUAL_KEY_SHA256" != "$RELEASE_PUBKEY_SHA256" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
-# 1) Download checksums manifest + detached signature
-curl -fsSL "$BASE/checksums.json" -o "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json"
-curl -fsSL "$BASE/checksums.json.sig" -o "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json.sig"
+ZIP_NAME="clawsec-suite-v${VERSION}.zip"
 
-# 2) Verify checksums manifest signature before trusting any file URLs or hashes
-openssl base64 -d -A -in "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json.sig" -out "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json.sig.bin"
+# 1) Download release archive + signed checksums manifest + signing public key
+curl -fsSL "$BASE/$ZIP_NAME" -o "$TEMP_DIR/$ZIP_NAME"
+curl -fsSL "$BASE/checksums.json" -o "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json"
+curl -fsSL "$BASE/checksums.sig" -o "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.sig"
+
+# 2) Verify checksums manifest signature before trusting any hashes
+openssl base64 -d -A -in "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.sig" -out "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.sig.bin"
 if ! openssl pkeyutl -verify \
   -pubin \
   -inkey "$TEMP_DIR/release-signing-public.pem" \
-  -sigfile "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json.sig.bin" \
+  -sigfile "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.sig.bin" \
   -rawin \
   -in "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   echo "ERROR: checksums.json signature verification failed" >&2
   exit 1
 fi
 
-if ! jq -e '.skill and .version and .files' "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-  echo "ERROR: Invalid checksums.json format" >&2
+EXPECTED_ZIP_SHA="$(jq -r '.archive.sha256 // empty' "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json")"
+if [ -z "$EXPECTED_ZIP_SHA" ]; then
+  echo "ERROR: checksums.json missing archive.sha256" >&2
   exit 1
 fi
 
-echo "Checksums manifest signature verified."
+if command -v shasum >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  ACTUAL_ZIP_SHA="$(shasum -a 256 "$TEMP_DIR/$ZIP_NAME" | awk '{print $1}')"
+else
+  ACTUAL_ZIP_SHA="$(sha256sum "$TEMP_DIR/$ZIP_NAME" | awk '{print $1}')"
+fi
 
-# 3) Download every file listed in checksums and verify immediately
-DOWNLOAD_FAILED=0
-for file in $(jq -r '.files | keys[]' "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json"); do
-  FILE_URL="$(jq -r --arg f "$file" '.files[$f].url' "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json")"
-  EXPECTED="$(jq -r --arg f "$file" '.files[$f].sha256' "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json")"
-
-  if ! curl -fsSL "$FILE_URL" -o "$DOWNLOAD_DIR/$file"; then
-    echo "ERROR: Download failed for $file" >&2
-    DOWNLOAD_FAILED=1
-    continue
-  fi
-
-  if command -v shasum >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-    ACTUAL="$(shasum -a 256 "$DOWNLOAD_DIR/$file" | awk '{print $1}')"
-  else
-    ACTUAL="$(sha256sum "$DOWNLOAD_DIR/$file" | awk '{print $1}')"
-  fi
-
-  if [ "$EXPECTED" != "$ACTUAL" ]; then
-    echo "ERROR: Checksum mismatch for $file" >&2
-    DOWNLOAD_FAILED=1
-  else
-    echo "Verified: $file"
-  fi
-done
-
-if [ "$DOWNLOAD_FAILED" -eq 1 ]; then
-  echo "ERROR: One or more files failed verification" >&2
+if [ "$EXPECTED_ZIP_SHA" != "$ACTUAL_ZIP_SHA" ]; then
+  echo "ERROR: Archive checksum mismatch for $ZIP_NAME" >&2
   exit 1
 fi
 
-# 4) Install files using paths from checksums.json
-while IFS= read -r file; do
-  [ -z "$file" ] && continue
-  REL_PATH="$(jq -r --arg f "$file" '.files[$f].path // $f' "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json")"
-  SRC_PATH="$DOWNLOAD_DIR/$file"
-  DST_PATH="$DEST/$REL_PATH"
+echo "Checksums manifest signature and archive hash verified."
 
-  mkdir -p "$(dirname "$DST_PATH")"
-  cp "$SRC_PATH" "$DST_PATH"
-done < <(jq -r '.files | keys[]' "$TEMP_DIR/checksums.json")
+# 3) Install verified archive
+mkdir -p "$INSTALL_ROOT"
+rm -rf "$DEST"
+unzip -q "$TEMP_DIR/$ZIP_NAME" -d "$INSTALL_ROOT"
 
 chmod 600 "$DEST/skill.json"
 find "$DEST" -type f ! -name "skill.json" -exec chmod 644 {} \;
@@ -207,7 +194,7 @@ This enforces:
 
 The embedded feed logic uses these defaults:
 
-- Remote feed URL: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/prompt-security/clawsec/main/advisories/feed.json`
+- Remote feed URL: `https://clawsec.prompt.security/advisories/feed.json`
 - Remote feed signature URL: `${CLAWSEC_FEED_URL}.sig` (override with `CLAWSEC_FEED_SIG_URL`)
 - Remote checksums manifest URL: sibling `checksums.json` (override with `CLAWSEC_FEED_CHECKSUMS_URL`)
 - Local seed fallback: `~/.openclaw/skills/clawsec-suite/advisories/feed.json`
@@ -222,7 +209,7 @@ The embedded feed logic uses these defaults:
 ### Quick feed check
 
 ```bash
-FEED_URL="${CLAWSEC_FEED_URL:-https://raw.githubusercontent.com/prompt-security/clawsec/main/advisories/feed.json}"
+FEED_URL="${CLAWSEC_FEED_URL:-https://clawsec.prompt.security/advisories/feed.json}"
 STATE_FILE="${CLAWSEC_SUITE_STATE_FILE:-$HOME/.openclaw/clawsec-suite-feed-state.json}"
 
 TMP="$(mktemp -d)"
@@ -286,13 +273,20 @@ The suite hook and heartbeat guidance are intentionally non-destructive by defau
 
 ## Optional Skill Installation
 
-Install additional protections as needed:
+Discover currently available installable skills dynamically, then install the ones you want:
 
 ```bash
-# audit watchdog is integrated in clawsec-suite
-npx clawhub@latest install soul-guardian
-# opt-in only:
-npx clawhub@latest install clawtributor
+SUITE_DIR="${INSTALL_ROOT:-$HOME/.openclaw/skills}/clawsec-suite"
+node "$SUITE_DIR/scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs"
+
+# then install any discovered skill by name
+npx clawhub@latest install <skill-name>
+```
+
+Machine-readable output is also available for automation:
+
+```bash
+node "$SUITE_DIR/scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs" --json
 ```
 
 ## Security Notes
diff --git a/skills/clawsec-suite/scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs b/skills/clawsec-suite/scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36d9ec4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/clawsec-suite/scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,294 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+
+import fs from "node:fs/promises";
+import path from "node:path";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
+
+const DEFAULT_INDEX_URL = "https://clawsec.prompt.security/skills/index.json";
+const DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS = 5000;
+
+const SCRIPT_DIR = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+const SUITE_DIR = path.resolve(SCRIPT_DIR, "..");
+const SUITE_SKILL_JSON = path.join(SUITE_DIR, "skill.json");
+
+function isObject(value) {
+  return typeof value === "object" && value !== null && !Array.isArray(value);
+}
+
+function normalizeSkillId(value) {
+  return String(value ?? "")
+    .trim()
+    .toLowerCase();
+}
+
+function normalizeBoolean(value) {
+  return value === true;
+}
+
+function parseTimeoutMs() {
+  const raw = String(process.env.CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_TIMEOUT_MS ?? "").trim();
+  if (!raw) return DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS;
+
+  const parsed = Number.parseInt(raw, 10);
+  if (!Number.isFinite(parsed) || parsed <= 0) {
+    return DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_MS;
+  }
+  return parsed;
+}
+
+function parseArgs(argv) {
+  const args = {
+    json: false,
+  };
+
+  for (const token of argv) {
+    if (token === "--json") {
+      args.json = true;
+      continue;
+    }
+    if (token === "--help" || token === "-h") {
+      printUsage();
+      process.exit(0);
+    }
+
+    throw new Error(`Unknown argument: ${token}`);
+  }
+
+  return args;
+}
+
+function printUsage() {
+  process.stdout.write(
+    [
+      "Usage:",
+      "  node scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs [--json]",
+      "",
+      "Behavior:",
+      "  - Fetches dynamic catalog from CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_URL (default: https://clawsec.prompt.security/skills/index.json)",
+      "  - Falls back to suite-local catalog metadata in skill.json when remote index is unavailable/invalid",
+      "",
+      "Environment:",
+      "  CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_URL         Override remote catalog index URL",
+      "  CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_TIMEOUT_MS  HTTP timeout in milliseconds (default: 5000)",
+      "",
+    ].join("\n"),
+  );
+}
+
+function normalizeRemoteSkills(payload) {
+  if (!isObject(payload)) {
+    throw new Error("Catalog index payload must be a JSON object");
+  }
+
+  const rawSkills = payload.skills;
+  if (!Array.isArray(rawSkills)) {
+    throw new Error("Catalog index missing skills array");
+  }
+
+  const dedup = new Map();
+
+  for (const entry of rawSkills) {
+    if (!isObject(entry)) continue;
+
+    const id = normalizeSkillId(entry.id ?? entry.name);
+    if (!id) continue;
+
+    dedup.set(id, {
+      id,
+      name: String(entry.name ?? id),
+      version: String(entry.version ?? "").trim() || null,
+      description: String(entry.description ?? "").trim() || null,
+      emoji: String(entry.emoji ?? "").trim() || null,
+      category: String(entry.category ?? "").trim() || null,
+      tag: String(entry.tag ?? "").trim() || null,
+      trust: entry.trust ?? null,
+      source: "remote",
+    });
+  }
+
+  return {
+    version: String(payload.version ?? "").trim() || null,
+    updated: String(payload.updated ?? "").trim() || null,
+    skills: [...dedup.values()].sort((a, b) => a.id.localeCompare(b.id)),
+  };
+}
+
+async function loadFallbackCatalog() {
+  const raw = await fs.readFile(SUITE_SKILL_JSON, "utf8");
+  const parsed = JSON.parse(raw);
+
+  const catalogSkills = isObject(parsed?.catalog?.skills) ? parsed.catalog.skills : {};
+  const dedup = new Map();
+
+  for (const [rawId, meta] of Object.entries(catalogSkills)) {
+    const id = normalizeSkillId(rawId);
+    if (!id) continue;
+
+    const safeMeta = isObject(meta) ? meta : {};
+
+    dedup.set(id, {
+      id,
+      name: id,
+      version: null,
+      description: String(safeMeta.description ?? "").trim() || null,
+      emoji: null,
+      category: null,
+      tag: null,
+      trust: null,
+      source: "fallback",
+      integrated_in_suite: normalizeBoolean(safeMeta.integrated_in_suite),
+      requires_explicit_consent: normalizeBoolean(safeMeta.requires_explicit_consent),
+      default_install: normalizeBoolean(safeMeta.default_install),
+    });
+  }
+
+  return {
+    version: null,
+    updated: null,
+    skills: [...dedup.values()].sort((a, b) => a.id.localeCompare(b.id)),
+  };
+}
+
+function mergeWithFallbackMetadata(remoteSkills, fallbackSkills) {
+  const fallbackById = new Map(fallbackSkills.map((skill) => [skill.id, skill]));
+
+  return remoteSkills.map((skill) => {
+    const fallback = fallbackById.get(skill.id);
+    if (!fallback) {
+      return {
+        ...skill,
+        integrated_in_suite: false,
+        requires_explicit_consent: false,
+        default_install: false,
+      };
+    }
+
+    return {
+      ...skill,
+      description: skill.description || fallback.description || null,
+      integrated_in_suite: normalizeBoolean(fallback.integrated_in_suite),
+      requires_explicit_consent: normalizeBoolean(fallback.requires_explicit_consent),
+      default_install: normalizeBoolean(fallback.default_install),
+    };
+  });
+}
+
+async function loadRemoteCatalog(indexUrl, timeoutMs) {
+  const controller = new AbortController();
+  const timeout = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), timeoutMs);
+
+  try {
+    const response = await fetch(indexUrl, {
+      method: "GET",
+      headers: { Accept: "application/json" },
+      signal: controller.signal,
+    });
+
+    if (!response.ok) {
+      throw new Error(`HTTP ${response.status} while fetching catalog`);
+    }
+
+    const payload = await response.json();
+    return normalizeRemoteSkills(payload);
+  } finally {
+    clearTimeout(timeout);
+  }
+}
+
+function formatFlags(skill) {
+  const flags = [];
+
+  if (skill.id === "clawsec-suite") {
+    flags.push("this suite");
+  }
+  if (skill.integrated_in_suite) {
+    flags.push("already integrated in suite");
+  }
+  if (skill.requires_explicit_consent) {
+    flags.push("explicit opt-in");
+  }
+  if (skill.default_install) {
+    flags.push("recommended default");
+  }
+
+  return flags;
+}
+
+function printHumanSummary(result) {
+  process.stdout.write("=== ClawSec Skill Catalog Discovery ===\n");
+  process.stdout.write(`Source: ${result.source}\n`);
+  process.stdout.write(`Index URL: ${result.index_url}\n`);
+  if (result.updated) {
+    process.stdout.write(`Catalog updated: ${result.updated}\n`);
+  }
+  if (result.warning) {
+    process.stdout.write(`Fallback reason: ${result.warning}\n`);
+  }
+
+  process.stdout.write("\nAvailable installable skills:\n");
+
+  if (!Array.isArray(result.skills) || result.skills.length === 0) {
+    process.stdout.write("- none\n");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  for (const skill of result.skills) {
+    const label = skill.version ? `${skill.id} (v${skill.version})` : skill.id;
+    process.stdout.write(`- ${label}\n`);
+    if (skill.description) {
+      process.stdout.write(`  ${skill.description}\n`);
+    }
+
+    const flags = formatFlags(skill);
+    if (flags.length > 0) {
+      process.stdout.write(`  notes: ${flags.join("; ")}\n`);
+    }
+
+    process.stdout.write(`  install: npx clawhub@latest install ${skill.id}\n`);
+  }
+}
+
+async function discoverCatalog() {
+  const indexUrl = process.env.CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_URL || DEFAULT_INDEX_URL;
+  const timeoutMs = parseTimeoutMs();
+  const fallback = await loadFallbackCatalog();
+
+  try {
+    const remote = await loadRemoteCatalog(indexUrl, timeoutMs);
+
+    return {
+      source: "remote",
+      index_url: indexUrl,
+      version: remote.version,
+      updated: remote.updated,
+      skills: mergeWithFallbackMetadata(remote.skills, fallback.skills),
+      warning: null,
+    };
+  } catch (error) {
+    return {
+      source: "fallback",
+      index_url: indexUrl,
+      version: fallback.version,
+      updated: fallback.updated,
+      skills: fallback.skills,
+      warning: String(error),
+    };
+  }
+}
+
+async function main() {
+  const args = parseArgs(process.argv.slice(2));
+  const result = await discoverCatalog();
+
+  if (args.json) {
+    process.stdout.write(`${JSON.stringify(result, null, 2)}\n`);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  printHumanSummary(result);
+}
+
+main().catch((error) => {
+  process.stderr.write(`${String(error)}\n`);
+  process.exit(1);
+});
diff --git a/skills/clawsec-suite/skill.json b/skills/clawsec-suite/skill.json
index 5fe619e..0af6922 100644
--- a/skills/clawsec-suite/skill.json
+++ b/skills/clawsec-suite/skill.json
@@ -120,6 +120,11 @@
         "required": true,
         "description": "Two-step confirmation installer with signature verification that blocks risky skill installs"
       },
+      {
+        "path": "scripts/discover_skill_catalog.mjs",
+        "required": true,
+        "description": "Dynamic skill-catalog discovery with remote index fetch and suite-local fallback metadata"
+      },
       {
         "path": "scripts/sign_detached_ed25519.mjs",
         "required": false,
diff --git a/skills/clawsec-suite/test/skill_catalog_discovery.test.mjs b/skills/clawsec-suite/test/skill_catalog_discovery.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..65a783c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/clawsec-suite/test/skill_catalog_discovery.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,250 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+
+/**
+ * Dynamic skill catalog discovery tests for clawsec-suite.
+ *
+ * Tests cover:
+ * - Remote index fetch and normalization
+ * - Enrichment with suite-local metadata (non-breaking compatibility)
+ * - Fallback behavior when remote index is invalid/unavailable
+ *
+ * Run: node skills/clawsec-suite/test/skill_catalog_discovery.test.mjs
+ */
+
+import http from "node:http";
+import path from "node:path";
+import { spawn } from "node:child_process";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
+
+const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
+const SCRIPT_PATH = path.resolve(__dirname, "..", "scripts", "discover_skill_catalog.mjs");
+
+let passCount = 0;
+let failCount = 0;
+
+function pass(name) {
+  passCount += 1;
+  console.log(`✓ ${name}`);
+}
+
+function fail(name, error) {
+  failCount += 1;
+  console.error(`✗ ${name}`);
+  console.error(`  ${String(error)}`);
+}
+
+function runCatalogScript(args, env = {}) {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    const proc = spawn("node", [SCRIPT_PATH, ...args], {
+      env: { ...process.env, ...env },
+      stdio: ["ignore", "pipe", "pipe"],
+    });
+
+    let stdout = "";
+    let stderr = "";
+
+    proc.stdout.on("data", (chunk) => {
+      stdout += chunk.toString();
+    });
+
+    proc.stderr.on("data", (chunk) => {
+      stderr += chunk.toString();
+    });
+
+    proc.on("close", (code) => {
+      resolve({ code, stdout, stderr });
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+function withServer(handler) {
+  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    const server = http.createServer(handler);
+    server.listen(0, "127.0.0.1", () => {
+      const addr = server.address();
+      if (!addr || typeof addr === "string") {
+        reject(new Error("Failed to bind test server"));
+        return;
+      }
+
+      resolve({
+        url: `http://127.0.0.1:${addr.port}`,
+        close: () =>
+          new Promise((done) => {
+            server.close(() => done());
+          }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    server.on("error", reject);
+  });
+}
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Test: remote index is used when valid
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+async function testRemoteCatalogSuccess() {
+  const testName = "discover_skill_catalog: uses remote index when valid";
+  let fixture = null;
+
+  try {
+    fixture = await withServer((req, res) => {
+      if (req.url !== "/index.json") {
+        res.writeHead(404, { "Content-Type": "application/json" });
+        res.end(JSON.stringify({ error: "not found" }));
+        return;
+      }
+
+      res.writeHead(200, { "Content-Type": "application/json" });
+      res.end(
+        JSON.stringify({
+          version: "1.0.0",
+          updated: "2026-02-16T08:20:00Z",
+          skills: [
+            {
+              id: "soul-guardian",
+              name: "soul-guardian",
+              version: "9.9.9",
+              description: "Remote skill metadata",
+              emoji: "👻",
+              category: "security",
+              tag: "soul-guardian-v9.9.9",
+            },
+            {
+              id: "clawtributor",
+              name: "clawtributor",
+              version: "1.2.3",
+              description: "Remote clawtributor metadata",
+              emoji: "🤝",
+              category: "security",
+              tag: "clawtributor-v1.2.3",
+            },
+          ],
+        }),
+      );
+    });
+
+    const result = await runCatalogScript(["--json"], {
+      CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_URL: `${fixture.url}/index.json`,
+      CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_TIMEOUT_MS: "2000",
+    });
+
+    if (result.code !== 0) {
+      fail(testName, `Expected exit 0, got ${result.code}: ${result.stderr}`);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const payload = JSON.parse(result.stdout);
+    const clawtributor = payload.skills.find((entry) => entry.id === "clawtributor");
+    const soulGuardian = payload.skills.find((entry) => entry.id === "soul-guardian");
+
+    if (
+      payload.source === "remote" &&
+      payload.updated === "2026-02-16T08:20:00Z" &&
+      soulGuardian?.version === "9.9.9" &&
+      clawtributor?.requires_explicit_consent === true
+    ) {
+      pass(testName);
+    } else {
+      fail(testName, `Unexpected payload: ${result.stdout}`);
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    fail(testName, error);
+  } finally {
+    if (fixture) {
+      await fixture.close();
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Test: invalid remote payload falls back to suite-local catalog
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+async function testInvalidRemotePayloadFallsBack() {
+  const testName = "discover_skill_catalog: invalid remote payload falls back";
+  let fixture = null;
+
+  try {
+    fixture = await withServer((_req, res) => {
+      res.writeHead(200, { "Content-Type": "application/json" });
+      res.end(JSON.stringify({ version: "1.0.0", note: "missing skills" }));
+    });
+
+    const result = await runCatalogScript(["--json"], {
+      CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_URL: `${fixture.url}/index.json`,
+      CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_TIMEOUT_MS: "2000",
+    });
+
+    if (result.code !== 0) {
+      fail(testName, `Expected exit 0, got ${result.code}: ${result.stderr}`);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const payload = JSON.parse(result.stdout);
+    const hasSoulGuardian = Array.isArray(payload.skills)
+      ? payload.skills.some((entry) => entry.id === "soul-guardian")
+      : false;
+
+    if (payload.source === "fallback" && hasSoulGuardian && String(payload.warning).includes("skills array")) {
+      pass(testName);
+    } else {
+      fail(testName, `Unexpected payload: ${result.stdout}`);
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    fail(testName, error);
+  } finally {
+    if (fixture) {
+      await fixture.close();
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Test: unreachable remote index falls back to suite-local catalog
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+async function testUnreachableRemoteFallsBack() {
+  const testName = "discover_skill_catalog: unreachable remote index falls back";
+
+  try {
+    const result = await runCatalogScript(["--json"], {
+      CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_URL: "http://127.0.0.1:9/index.json",
+      CLAWSEC_SKILLS_INDEX_TIMEOUT_MS: "250",
+    });
+
+    if (result.code !== 0) {
+      fail(testName, `Expected exit 0, got ${result.code}: ${result.stderr}`);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const payload = JSON.parse(result.stdout);
+    if (payload.source === "fallback" && Array.isArray(payload.skills) && payload.skills.length > 0) {
+      pass(testName);
+    } else {
+      fail(testName, `Unexpected payload: ${result.stdout}`);
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    fail(testName, error);
+  }
+}
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Main test runner
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+async function runTests() {
+  console.log("=== ClawSec Skill Catalog Discovery Tests ===\n");
+
+  await testRemoteCatalogSuccess();
+  await testInvalidRemotePayloadFallsBack();
+  await testUnreachableRemoteFallsBack();
+
+  console.log(`\n=== Results: ${passCount} passed, ${failCount} failed ===`);
+
+  if (failCount > 0) {
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+}
+
+runTests().catch((error) => {
+  console.error("Test runner failed:", error);
+  process.exit(1);
+});