diff --git a/crates/brokerd/src/consult.rs b/crates/brokerd/src/consult.rs
index 0df00b7..3f70f2f 100644
--- a/crates/brokerd/src/consult.rs
+++ b/crates/brokerd/src/consult.rs
@@ -4,10 +4,13 @@
 use std::ffi::OsString;
 use std::time::Duration;
 
-use bxcore::secrets::{Loaded, SecretError, SecretSpec};
+use bxcore::secrets::{Loaded, Secret, SecretError, SecretSpec};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Deserializer, Serialize};
 
+use crate::args::ToolArgs;
 use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::policy::Label;
+use crate::runner::{RunError, RunOutput, RunSpec, Runtime};
 
 pub const CONSULT: &str = "consult";
 /// `question` and the answer are cut to this many bytes, on a character boundary.
@@ -241,3 +244,99 @@ pub fn load_secret(
         .map_err(SecretStartError::Load)?;
     Ok(Some(loaded))
 }
+
+/// One POST of the allowlisted body. Tests inject a fake; production uses loopback HTTP/1.1.
+pub trait ConsultTransport: Send + Sync {
+    fn post(
+        &self,
+        url: &str,
+        bearer: &str,
+        body: &[u8],
+        timeout: Duration,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, String>;
+}
+
+/// Runs an allowed `consult` through `transport`.
+pub struct ConsultRuntime<T> {
+    consult: Consult,
+    secret: Secret,
+    transport: T,
+}
+
+impl<T: ConsultTransport> ConsultRuntime<T> {
+    pub fn new(consult: Consult, secret: Secret, transport: T) -> ConsultRuntime<T> {
+        ConsultRuntime {
+            consult,
+            secret,
+            transport,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<T: ConsultTransport> Runtime for ConsultRuntime<T> {
+    fn run(&self, spec: &RunSpec) -> Result<RunOutput, RunError> {
+        self.run_labelled(spec).map(|(output, _)| output)
+    }
+
+    fn run_labelled(&self, spec: &RunSpec) -> Result<(RunOutput, Option<Label>), RunError> {
+        let question = match spec.arguments() {
+            ToolArgs::Consult { question } => question.as_str(),
+            _ => {
+                return Err(RunError::Unavailable(
+                    "consult was routed a different tool".to_string(),
+                ));
+            }
+        };
+        let body = wire_body_parts(&self.consult.model, self.consult.temperature(), question);
+        let bytes = self
+            .transport
+            .post(
+                &self.consult.url,
+                self.secret.expose(),
+                body.as_bytes(),
+                self.consult.timeout(),
+            )
+            .map_err(RunError::Unavailable)?;
+        let content = parse_message_content(&bytes).map_err(RunError::Unavailable)?;
+        let neutralised = bxcore::sanitize::neutralise(&content);
+        let (content, truncated) = cap_bytes(&neutralised, QUESTION_CAP);
+        Ok((RunOutput { content, truncated }, None))
+    }
+}
+
+/// `choices[0].message.content`, ignoring unknown fields.
+pub fn parse_message_content(bytes: &[u8]) -> Result<String, String> {
+    let value: serde_json::Value =
+        serde_json::from_slice(bytes).map_err(|e| format!("consult response is not JSON: {e}"))?;
+    match value
+        .get("choices")
+        .and_then(|c| c.as_array())
+        .and_then(|a| a.first())
+        .and_then(|c| c.get("message"))
+        .and_then(|m| m.get("content"))
+        .and_then(|c| c.as_str())
+    {
+        Some(content) => Ok(content.to_string()),
+        None => Err("the response has no content".to_string()),
+    }
+}
+
+/// `consult` first, everything else to `inner`.
+pub struct ConsultStack {
+    pub consult: Box<dyn Runtime>,
+    pub inner: Box<dyn Runtime>,
+}
+
+impl Runtime for ConsultStack {
+    fn run(&self, spec: &RunSpec) -> Result<RunOutput, RunError> {
+        self.run_labelled(spec).map(|(output, _)| output)
+    }
+
+    fn run_labelled(&self, spec: &RunSpec) -> Result<(RunOutput, Option<Label>), RunError> {
+        if spec.tool() == crate::args::ToolName::Consult {
+            self.consult.run_labelled(spec)
+        } else {
+            self.inner.run_labelled(spec)
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/brokerd/src/consult_http.rs b/crates/brokerd/src/consult_http.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1fff3ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/brokerd/src/consult_http.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+//! Loopback HTTP/1.1 POST for `consult`. HTTPS is a later milestone.
+
+use std::io::{Read, Write};
+use std::net::TcpStream;
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+use crate::consult::{ConsultTransport, parse_loopback_http};
+
+/// Largest response body accepted, in bytes.
+pub const MAX_RESPONSE: usize = 262_144;
+
+/// Production transport: one TCP connection to the configured loopback URL.
+pub struct HttpTransport;
+
+impl ConsultTransport for HttpTransport {
+    fn post(
+        &self,
+        url: &str,
+        bearer: &str,
+        body: &[u8],
+        timeout: Duration,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, String> {
+        post_http(url, bearer, body, timeout)
+    }
+}
+
+fn post_http(url: &str, bearer: &str, body: &[u8], timeout: Duration) -> Result<Vec<u8>, String> {
+    let (host, port, path) = parse_loopback_http(url)?;
+    let addr = format!("{host}:{port}");
+    let mut stream =
+        TcpStream::connect(&addr).map_err(|e| format!("cannot connect to {addr}: {e}"))?;
+    stream
+        .set_read_timeout(Some(timeout))
+        .map_err(|e| format!("cannot set read timeout: {e}"))?;
+    stream
+        .set_write_timeout(Some(timeout))
+        .map_err(|e| format!("cannot set write timeout: {e}"))?;
+    let host_header = if port == 80 {
+        host
+    } else {
+        format!("{host}:{port}")
+    };
+    let length = body.len();
+    let header = format!(
+        "POST {path} HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: {host_header}\r\nAuthorization: Bearer {bearer}\r\nContent-Type: application/json\r\nContent-Length: {length}\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n"
+    );
+    stream
+        .write_all(header.as_bytes())
+        .map_err(|e| format!("cannot write consult request: {e}"))?;
+    stream
+        .write_all(body)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("cannot write consult request: {e}"))?;
+    stream
+        .flush()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("cannot write consult request: {e}"))?;
+    read_response(&mut stream, timeout)
+}
+
+fn read_response(stream: &mut TcpStream, timeout: Duration) -> Result<Vec<u8>, String> {
+    let until = Instant::now()
+        .checked_add(timeout)
+        .ok_or_else(|| "the consult timeout is too large".to_string())?;
+    let mut buf = Vec::new();
+    let mut chunk = [0u8; 4096];
+    loop {
+        if Instant::now() >= until {
+            return Err("consult timed out".to_string());
+        }
+        let left = until.saturating_duration_since(Instant::now());
+        stream
+            .set_read_timeout(Some(left))
+            .map_err(|e| format!("cannot set read timeout: {e}"))?;
+        match stream.read(&mut chunk) {
+            Ok(0) => break,
+            Ok(n) => {
+                buf.extend_from_slice(&chunk[..n]);
+                if buf.len() > MAX_RESPONSE {
+                    return Err("consult response is too large".to_string());
+                }
+            }
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::TimedOut => {
+                return Err("consult timed out".to_string());
+            }
+            Err(e) => return Err(format!("cannot read consult response: {e}")),
+        }
+    }
+    split_http_body(&buf)
+}
+
+fn split_http_body(buf: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<u8>, String> {
+    const SEP: &[u8] = b"\r\n\r\n";
+    let sep = buf
+        .windows(SEP.len())
+        .position(|w| w == SEP)
+        .ok_or_else(|| "consult response has no header terminator".to_string())?;
+    let (head, rest) = match buf.split_at_checked(sep) {
+        Some(pair) => pair,
+        None => return Err("consult response is truncated".to_string()),
+    };
+    let body = match rest.get(SEP.len()..) {
+        Some(body) => body,
+        None => return Err("consult response is truncated".to_string()),
+    };
+    let head = std::str::from_utf8(head)
+        .map_err(|_| "consult response headers are not UTF-8".to_string())?;
+    let status_line = head.lines().next().unwrap_or("");
+    if !status_line.contains(" 200 ") && !status_line.ends_with(" 200") {
+        return Err(format!("consult HTTP status is not 200: {status_line}"));
+    }
+    Ok(body.to_vec())
+}
diff --git a/crates/brokerd/src/lib.rs b/crates/brokerd/src/lib.rs
index c52e62d..b6e45bc 100644
--- a/crates/brokerd/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/brokerd/src/lib.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ pub mod broker;
 pub mod builtin;
 pub mod config;
 pub mod consult;
+pub mod consult_http;
 pub mod container;
 pub mod courier;
 pub mod grants;
diff --git a/crates/brokerd/src/main.rs b/crates/brokerd/src/main.rs
index ab429f0..ce62de3 100644
--- a/crates/brokerd/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/brokerd/src/main.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use brokerd::audit::{AuditError, RECOVERED_NOTICE};
 use brokerd::config::Config;
+use brokerd::consult::{self, ConsultRuntime, ConsultStack};
+use brokerd::consult_http::HttpTransport;
 use brokerd::container::Podman;
 use brokerd::memory_port::{MEMORY_WAIT, MemoryPort, Routed};
 use brokerd::runner::{Refusing, Runtime};
@@ -43,6 +45,19 @@ fn main() -> ExitCode {
         }
     };
 
+    let consult_secret = match consult::load_secret(&cfg, &|k| std::env::var_os(k)) {
+        Ok(loaded) => loaded,
+        Err(e) => {
+            eprintln!("brokerd: {e}");
+            return ExitCode::from(1);
+        }
+    };
+    if let Some(loaded) = &consult_secret
+        && let Some(warning) = &loaded.warning
+    {
+        eprintln!("{warning}");
+    }
+
     // One brokerd per home (M5b spec, section 9a). The lock comes before anything is made, the
     // audit log's own lock included, so a second copy never takes the sockets of the one that
     // runs. Held until the process ends.
@@ -87,6 +102,14 @@ fn main() -> ExitCode {
         other: runtime,
     });
 
+    let runtime: Box<dyn Runtime> = match (cfg.consult.clone(), consult_secret) {
+        (Some(consult), Some(loaded)) => Box::new(ConsultStack {
+            consult: Box::new(ConsultRuntime::new(consult, loaded.secret, HttpTransport)),
+            inner: runtime,
+        }),
+        _ => runtime,
+    };
+
     let started = match serve::start(cfg, accept_break, runtime, log) {
         Ok(started) => started,
         Err(ServeError::Audit(e @ AuditError::NothingToAccept)) => {
diff --git a/crates/brokerd/tests/consult_allow.rs b/crates/brokerd/tests/consult_allow.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..24c9ab5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/brokerd/tests/consult_allow.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+//! An allowed `consult`: fake HTTP 200, audit body is the allowlisted JSON, the tool result is
+//! the answer text. Do not edit.
+
+#[path = "support/client.rs"]
+mod client;
+#[path = "support/rig.rs"]
+mod rig;
+#[path = "support/runtime.rs"]
+mod runtime;
+#[path = "support/sink.rs"]
+mod sink;
+#[path = "support/tmp.rs"]
+mod tmp;
+
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use brokerd::consult::{self, Consult, ConsultRuntime, ConsultTransport};
+use bxcore::secrets::Secret;
+use bxcore::{AuditEvent, DataClass, DecisionRecord, ResultStatus, ToolRequest, ToolResponse};
+use client::call;
+use rig::{Rig, request};
+
+struct SharedFake {
+    reply: Vec<u8>,
+    seen: Arc<Mutex<Option<Vec<u8>>>>,
+}
+
+impl ConsultTransport for SharedFake {
+    fn post(
+        &self,
+        _url: &str,
+        _bearer: &str,
+        body: &[u8],
+        _timeout: Duration,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, String> {
+        *self.seen.lock().unwrap() = Some(body.to_vec());
+        Ok(self.reply.clone())
+    }
+}
+
+fn consult_cfg() -> Consult {
+    Consult {
+        url: "http://127.0.0.1:9/v1/chat/completions".to_string(),
+        model: "test-model".to_string(),
+        temperature_milli: 600,
+        timeout_ms: 1_000,
+        secret: "consult".to_string(),
+    }
+}
+
+fn grant_consult(rig: &Rig) {
+    rig.grant(
+        "consult",
+        "tool = \"consult\"\nmode = \"auto\"\nmax_taint = \"private\"\n",
+    );
+}
+
+fn question_req(question: &str) -> ToolRequest {
+    request(
+        "s1",
+        1,
+        "consult",
+        &format!(
+            r#"{{"question":{}}}"#,
+            serde_json::to_string(question).unwrap()
+        ),
+    )
+}
+
+fn broker_with_fake(
+    rig: &Rig,
+    cfg: Consult,
+    reply: Vec<u8>,
+    seen: Arc<Mutex<Option<Vec<u8>>>>,
+) -> Arc<brokerd::broker::Broker> {
+    let runtime = ConsultRuntime::new(
+        cfg,
+        Secret::new("token".to_string()),
+        SharedFake { reply, seen },
+    );
+    Arc::new(brokerd::broker::Broker::new(
+        rig.cfg.clone(),
+        rig.ledger(),
+        Box::new(runtime),
+        rig.lines.sink(),
+    ))
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn an_allowed_consult_posts_only_the_question_and_returns_the_answer() {
+    let mut rig = Rig::new("consult-allow");
+    let cfg = consult_cfg();
+    rig.cfg.consult = Some(cfg.clone());
+    grant_consult(&rig);
+    let tag = concat!("<", "think", ">");
+    let raw_answer = format!("blue {tag} sky");
+    let reply = serde_json::json!({
+        "id": "ignored",
+        "choices": [{"index": 0, "message": {"role": "assistant", "content": raw_answer}, "finish_reason": "stop"}],
+        "usage": {"prompt_tokens": 1}
+    })
+    .to_string()
+    .into_bytes();
+    let recorded = Arc::new(Mutex::new(None));
+    let broker = broker_with_fake(&rig, cfg.clone(), reply, Arc::clone(&recorded));
+    let question = "what colour is the sky?";
+    let frames = call(&broker, question_req(question));
+    let want_body = consult::wire_body(Some(&cfg), &format!(r#"{{"question":"{question}"}}"#));
+    match &frames[0].msg {
+        bxcore::Message::ToolResponse(ToolResponse::Result {
+            content,
+            class,
+            untrusted,
+            truncated,
+        }) => {
+            assert!(content.contains("blue"), "{content}");
+            assert!(content.contains("sky"), "{content}");
+            assert!(!content.contains(tag), "{content}");
+            assert!(content.contains("&lt;"), "{content}");
+            assert_eq!(*class, DataClass::Private);
+            assert!(*untrusted);
+            assert!(!*truncated);
+        }
+        other => panic!("{other:?}"),
+    }
+    let posted = recorded.lock().unwrap().clone().expect("posted");
+    assert_eq!(posted, want_body.as_bytes());
+    match rig.events().as_slice() {
+        [
+            AuditEvent::Decision {
+                outcome,
+                body: Some(body),
+                tool,
+                ..
+            },
+            AuditEvent::Result {
+                status: ResultStatus::Result,
+                ..
+            },
+        ] => {
+            assert_eq!(*outcome, DecisionRecord::Allowed {});
+            assert_eq!(tool, "consult");
+            assert_eq!(body, &want_body);
+            let v: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_str(body).unwrap();
+            assert_eq!(v["model"], "test-model");
+            assert_eq!(v["temperature"], 0.6);
+            assert_eq!(v["messages"].as_array().unwrap().len(), 1);
+            assert_eq!(v["messages"][0]["role"], "user");
+            assert_eq!(v["messages"][0]["content"], question);
+            assert!(v.get("tools").is_none());
+        }
+        other => panic!("{other:?}"),
+    }
+}
+
+/// The body is only `question`, even when the caller had earlier user text in its own session.
+#[test]
+fn the_consult_body_is_only_the_question() {
+    let mut rig = Rig::new("consult-nohist");
+    let cfg = consult_cfg();
+    rig.cfg.consult = Some(cfg.clone());
+    grant_consult(&rig);
+    let reply = serde_json::json!({
+        "choices": [{"message": {"content": "ok"}}]
+    })
+    .to_string()
+    .into_bytes();
+    let recorded = Arc::new(Mutex::new(None));
+    let broker = broker_with_fake(&rig, cfg, reply, Arc::clone(&recorded));
+    let arguments = r#"{"question":"only this"}"#;
+    let _ = call(&broker, request("s1", 4, "consult", arguments));
+    let posted = recorded.lock().unwrap().clone().expect("posted");
+    let v: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_slice(&posted).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(v["messages"].as_array().unwrap().len(), 1);
+    assert_eq!(v["messages"][0]["content"], "only this");
+    match &rig.events()[0] {
+        AuditEvent::Decision {
+            body: Some(body), ..
+        } => {
+            assert_eq!(body.as_bytes(), posted.as_slice());
+        }
+        other => panic!("{other:?}"),
+    }
+}
diff --git a/docs/implementer-log.md b/docs/implementer-log.md
index 85000a9..f1938a6 100644
--- a/docs/implementer-log.md
+++ b/docs/implementer-log.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ reviewer adds findings under "Reviews" once per milestone.
 
 | Task | Date | Status | Gate runs | First gate | Deviations | Notes | Model |
 |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+| M6b/06-brokerd-consult-http | 2026-10-03 | done | 1 | pass | none | Copied the given test `crates/brokerd/tests/consult_allow.rs` from `docs/plans/M6b/files/` with `cp`. Step 2 failed as expected: E0432 unresolved `ConsultRuntime`/`ConsultTransport`. In consult.rs added imports for `Secret`, `ToolArgs`, `Label`, `RunError`/`RunOutput`/`RunSpec`/`Runtime`, then appended `ConsultTransport` trait, `ConsultRuntime<T>` (`run` forwards to `run_labelled`, which matches `ToolArgs::Consult`, builds the body via `wire_body_parts`, POSTs through the transport, and parses/neutralises/caps), `parse_message_content` (`choices[0].message.content`, missing is a fixed sentence), and `ConsultStack` (consult to `consult`, everything else to `inner`). Created consult_http.rs with `HttpTransport` + `post_http`/`read_response`/`split_http_body` (loopback TCP/1.1, ` 200 ` status check, `MAX_RESPONSE` 262_144, no whole chat-template tag). Added `pub mod consult_http;` to lib.rs. In main.rs added the `consult::{ConsultRuntime, ConsultStack}`/`HttpTransport` imports, `consult::load_secret` after `Config::load` (exit 1 on `Err`, `warning` if present), and wrapped `Routed` in `ConsultStack` when both `cfg.consult` and the loaded secret are `Some`. `cargo check -p brokerd` clean, no warning; `wc -l`: consult.rs 342, consult_http.rs 111, main.rs 194, broker.rs 389, all under 500. Tests pass: `consult_allow` 2, `consult_deny` 3, `memory_port` 5, `memory_tools` 4. `cargo fmt --all` changed nothing unexpected. `make gate` printed `gate: ok` with 1611 tests (1609 before, plus 2). No new dependency, so `Cargo.lock` unchanged. | ornith-1.5-35b-a3b |
 | M6b/05-brokerd-consult-audit-body | 2026-10-03 | done | 1 | pass | none | Copied the given test `crates/brokerd/tests/consult_deny.rs` from `docs/plans/M6b/files/` with `cp`. Step 2 failed as expected: E0026 no field `body` on `AuditEvent::Decision`. Added `body: Option<String>` with `#[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]` to `Decision` only in audit.rs (not `Approval`); `body: None` to the three `records.rs` `Decision` literals, the `ledger.rs` one, and `audit_dir.rs` `denied()`. Added `NOT_CONFIGURED` before `SECRET_POINTER` in consult.rs. In ledger/mod.rs split `decide` into `decide_inner` (called by `decide`/`decide_with_body`/`decide_forced`), wrapped the outcome match in an `if let Some(denial) = forced` branch, and put `body` on the `AuditEvent::Decision`. In broker.rs H1: consult goes through `wire_body` then `decide_forced` with `InvalidArguments`/`NOT_CONFIGURED` when no `[consult]`, else `decide_with_body`; other tools keep `decide`. `cargo check -p bxcore -p brokerd` clean, no warning; `wc -l`: ledger 343, broker 389, both under 500. Tests pass: `consult_deny` 3, `ledger` 11, `audit` 9, `records` 4. `make gate` printed `gate: ok` with 1609 tests (1606 before, plus 3). No new dependency, so `Cargo.lock` unchanged. | ornith-1.5-35b-a3b |
 | M6b/04-brokerd-consult-tool | 2026-10-03 | done | 1 | pass | none | Copied the given test `crates/brokerd/tests/grants_consult.rs` from `docs/plans/M6b/files/` with `cp`. Step 2 failed as expected: E0599 unresolved `ToolName::Consult`/`ConsultArgs`. Added `Serialize` to consult.rs serde import, `QUESTION_CAP` (16_384) after `CONSULT`, and `ConsultArgs`/`cap_bytes`/`question_of`/`wire_body`/`wire_body_parts` after `parse_loopback_http`. In args.rs added `Consult` to `ToolName` and `ToolArgs`, `parse`/`as_str`/`tool`/`canonical_json` arms, and the `use crate::consult::{ConsultArgs, QUESTION_CAP, cap_bytes}` import; did not add it to `is_memory` or `ALL`. config.rs `time_limit` arm uses `read_file_ms` for consult, matching.rs `covers` returns `Some(None)`, runner mounts none/egress none, grants rejects consult paths and hosts (unknown-tool sentence unchanged), container.rs added `IN_CONSULT` and refuses `Consult` in `Podman::run`. `cargo check -p brokerd` clean, no warning; `wc -l`: consult.rs 240, args.rs 395, grants.rs 423, container.rs 386, all under 500. All suites pass: `grants_consult` 4, `grants` 17, `args` 13; the existing `grants.rs` rule_3 still names the four container tools. `cargo fmt --all` formatted consult.rs/args.rs. `make gate` printed `gate: ok` with 1606 tests (1602 before, plus 4). No new dependency, so `Cargo.lock` unchanged. | ornith-1.5-35b-a3b |
 | M6b/03-brokerd-consult-config | 2026-10-03 | done | 1 | pass | none | The previous session had already applied every code edit (C1, L1, consult.rs, F1-F3, R1, B1) and left them uncommitted; this session finished them. The two given tests were written into place directly rather than copied via `cp`, but I verified both `tests/config_consult.rs` and `tests/consult_secret.rs` are byte-identical to `docs/plans/M6b/files/`. Ran `cargo build` (Cargo.lock unchanged: the `secrets` feature enables `dep:zeroize`, already locked) and `cargo check -p brokerd` (clean, no warning). `wc -l`: consult.rs 188, config.rs 337, both under 500. Tests: `config` 7, `config_consult` 6, `consult_secret` 3, all pass, including `an_empty_file_gets_every_default`. `cargo fmt --all` changed nothing. `make gate` printed `gate: ok` with 1602 tests (1593 before, plus 9). No new dependency, so Cargo.lock unchanged. | ornith-1.5-35b-a3b |