diff --git a/services/auth-svc/internal/api/handlers/validate.go b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/handlers/validate.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f364102
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/handlers/validate.go
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httperror"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httpresponse"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+)
+
+// Validate handles token validation requests from sibling services.
+type Validate struct {
+	validator *auth.JWTValidator
+	logger    *logging.Logger
+}
+
+// NewValidate creates a new Validate handler.
+func NewValidate(validator *auth.JWTValidator, logger *logging.Logger) *Validate {
+	return &Validate{
+		validator: validator,
+		logger:    logger.WithComponent("ValidateHandler"),
+	}
+}
+
+// ValidateResponse is returned on successful token validation.
+type ValidateResponse struct {
+	UserID string   `json:"user_id"`
+	Email  string   `json:"email,omitempty"`
+	Roles  []string `json:"roles,omitempty"`
+	Scopes []string `json:"scopes,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Check validates the Bearer token from the Authorization header.
+func (h *Validate) Check(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) error {
+	token := auth.ExtractBearerToken(r)
+	if token == "" {
+		return httperror.Unauthorized("missing authorization token")
+	}
+
+	user, err := h.validator.Validate(r.Context(), token)
+	if err != nil {
+		h.logger.Debug("token validation failed", "error", err)
+		return httperror.Unauthorized("invalid token")
+	}
+
+	httpresponse.OK(w, r, ValidateResponse{
+		UserID: user.ID,
+		Email:  user.Email,
+		Roles:  user.Roles,
+		Scopes: user.Scopes,
+	})
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/services/auth-svc/internal/api/handlers/validate_test.go b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/handlers/validate_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea1f9e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/handlers/validate_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/app"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+)
+
+func newTestValidateHandler() *Validate {
+	validator := auth.NewJWTValidator(auth.JWTConfig{
+		Secret: []byte("test-secret"),
+		Issuer: "sp4-debug-1770477266",
+	})
+	return NewValidate(validator, logging.Nop())
+}
+
+func generateTestToken(t *testing.T, user *auth.User) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	token, err := auth.GenerateTokenWithIssuer(
+		[]byte("test-secret"),
+		user,
+		time.Hour,
+		"sp4-debug-1770477266",
+		"",
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to generate token: %v", err)
+	}
+	return token
+}
+
+func TestValidate_Check_ValidToken(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := newTestValidateHandler()
+
+	user := &auth.User{
+		ID:     "user-123",
+		Email:  "test@example.com",
+		Roles:  []string{"admin"},
+		Scopes: []string{"read", "write"},
+	}
+	token := generateTestToken(t, user)
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/auth-svc/validate", app.Wrap(handler.Check))
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/auth-svc/validate", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+token)
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 200, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	var resp map[string]any
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(w.Body).Decode(&resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to decode response: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	data, ok := resp["data"].(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected 'data' field in response")
+	}
+
+	if data["user_id"] != "user-123" {
+		t.Errorf("expected user_id 'user-123', got %v", data["user_id"])
+	}
+	if data["email"] != "test@example.com" {
+		t.Errorf("expected email 'test@example.com', got %v", data["email"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidate_Check_MissingToken(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := newTestValidateHandler()
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/auth-svc/validate", app.Wrap(handler.Check))
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/auth-svc/validate", nil)
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 401, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidate_Check_InvalidToken(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := newTestValidateHandler()
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/auth-svc/validate", app.Wrap(handler.Check))
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/auth-svc/validate", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer invalid-token")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 401, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidate_Check_ExpiredToken(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := newTestValidateHandler()
+
+	user := &auth.User{ID: "user-123", Email: "test@example.com"}
+	// Generate token that's already expired
+	token, err := auth.GenerateTokenWithIssuer(
+		[]byte("test-secret"),
+		user,
+		-time.Hour, // negative duration = expired
+		"sp4-debug-1770477266",
+		"",
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to generate token: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/auth-svc/validate", app.Wrap(handler.Check))
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/auth-svc/validate", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+token)
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 401, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestValidate_Check_WrongSecret(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := newTestValidateHandler()
+
+	user := &auth.User{ID: "user-123"}
+	// Generate token with different secret
+	token, err := auth.GenerateTokenWithIssuer(
+		[]byte("wrong-secret"),
+		user,
+		time.Hour,
+		"sp4-debug-1770477266",
+		"",
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to generate token: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/auth-svc/validate", app.Wrap(handler.Check))
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/auth-svc/validate", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+token)
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 401, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
diff --git a/services/auth-svc/internal/api/routes.go b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/routes.go
index 1ac0489..f3d1cab 100644
--- a/services/auth-svc/internal/api/routes.go
+++ b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/routes.go
@@ -22,6 +22,13 @@ func RegisterRoutes(application *app.App, exampleService *service.ExampleService
 	healthHandler := handlers.NewHealth(logger)
 	exampleHandler := handlers.NewExample(exampleService, logger)
 
+	// Token validation handler for inter-service auth
+	jwtValidator := auth.NewJWTValidator(auth.JWTConfig{
+		Secret: []byte(cfg.JWTSecret),
+		Issuer: "sp4-debug-1770477266",
+	})
+	validateHandler := handlers.NewValidate(jwtValidator, logger)
+
 	// Build and mount OpenAPI spec
 	spec := NewServiceSpec()
 	application.EnableDocs(spec)
@@ -31,6 +38,9 @@ func RegisterRoutes(application *app.App, exampleService *service.ExampleService
 	application.Route("/api/auth-svc", func(r app.Router) {
 		r.Get("/health", healthHandler.Check)
 
+		// Token validation endpoint for sibling services
+		r.Post("/validate", app.Wrap(validateHandler.Check))
+
 		// Public routes (no auth required)
 		r.Get("/examples", app.Wrap(exampleHandler.List))
 		r.Get("/examples/{id}", app.Wrap(exampleHandler.Get))
diff --git a/services/auth-svc/internal/api/spec.go b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/spec.go
index 46efe72..0ff273c 100644
--- a/services/auth-svc/internal/api/spec.go
+++ b/services/auth-svc/internal/api/spec.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ func NewServiceSpec() *openapi.OpenAPISpec {
 		WithDescription("REST API for the auth-svc service").
 		WithBearerSecurity("bearer", "JWT authentication token").
 		WithTag("Health", "Service health endpoints").
+		WithTag("Auth", "Authentication endpoints").
 		WithTag("Examples", "Example CRUD endpoints")
 
 	// Define reusable schemas
@@ -29,6 +30,13 @@ func NewServiceSpec() *openapi.OpenAPISpec {
 		"description": openapi.StringWithMinMax(0, 500).WithDescription("Updated description"),
 	}))
 
+	spec.WithSchema("ValidateResponse", openapi.Object(map[string]openapi.Schema{
+		"user_id": openapi.String().WithDescription("User identifier"),
+		"email":   openapi.String().WithDescription("User email"),
+		"roles":   openapi.Array(openapi.String()).WithDescription("User roles"),
+		"scopes":  openapi.Array(openapi.String()).WithDescription("User scopes"),
+	}, "user_id"))
+
 	// Health
 	spec.AddPath("/api/auth-svc/health", "get", map[string]any{
 		"summary": "Health check",
@@ -41,6 +49,18 @@ func NewServiceSpec() *openapi.OpenAPISpec {
 		},
 	})
 
+	// Validate token
+	spec.AddPath("/api/auth-svc/validate", "post", map[string]any{
+		"summary":     "Validate token",
+		"description": "Validates a Bearer token and returns the authenticated user info. Used by sibling services for token verification.",
+		"tags":        []string{"Auth"},
+		"security":    []map[string][]string{{"bearer": {}}},
+		"responses": map[string]any{
+			"200": openapi.OpResponse("Token is valid", openapi.ResponseSchema(openapi.Ref("ValidateResponse"))),
+			"401": openapi.OpResponse("Invalid or missing token", openapi.ErrorResponseSchema()),
+		},
+	})
+
 	// List examples
 	spec.AddPath("/api/auth-svc/examples", "get", map[string]any{
 		"summary":     "List examples",
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/cmd/server/main.go b/services/chat-svc/cmd/server/main.go
index 336416c..9e938c5 100644
--- a/services/chat-svc/cmd/server/main.go
+++ b/services/chat-svc/cmd/server/main.go
@@ -2,28 +2,55 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/app"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/database"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/queue"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/adapter/memory"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/api"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/config"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/service"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue"
 )
 
 func main() {
 	// Create logger
 	logger := logging.Default()
 
+	// Load config
+	cfg := config.Load()
+
 	// Create adapters (repositories)
 	exampleRepo := memory.NewExampleRepository()
 
 	// Create services (business logic)
 	exampleService := service.NewExampleService(exampleRepo, logger)
 
+	// Connect to database for queue producer (shared with worker-svc)
+	var producer *taskqueue.Producer
+	if cfg.Database.URL != "" {
+		pool, err := database.Connect(context.Background(), cfg.Database.URL, database.Options{})
+		if err != nil {
+			logger.Error("failed to connect to database for queue", "error", err)
+			os.Exit(1)
+		}
+		defer pool.Close()
+
+		jobQueue := queue.NewPostgresQueue(pool.DB, logger)
+		producer = taskqueue.NewProducer(jobQueue, logger)
+		logger.Info("task queue producer initialized")
+	} else {
+		logger.Warn("DATABASE_URL not set, chat task queue disabled")
+	}
+
 	// Create application
 	application := app.New("chat-svc", app.WithDefaultPort(8001))
 
 	// Register routes with dependency injection
-	api.RegisterRoutes(application, exampleService)
+	api.RegisterRoutes(application, exampleService, producer)
 
 	// Start server
 	application.Run()
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/component.yaml b/services/chat-svc/component.yaml
index 5b2e0ea..3766873 100644
--- a/services/chat-svc/component.yaml
+++ b/services/chat-svc/component.yaml
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ name: chat-svc
 type: service
 port: 8001
 path: services/chat-svc
-dependencies: []
-# Add dependencies as needed:
-#   - postgres
-#   - redis
-#   - other-service
+dependencies:
+  - auth-svc
+  - postgres
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/api/handlers/chat.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/handlers/chat.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d4bc80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/handlers/chat.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/app"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httperror"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httpresponse"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue"
+)
+
+// Chat handles chat message endpoints.
+type Chat struct {
+	producer *taskqueue.Producer
+	logger   *logging.Logger
+}
+
+// NewChat creates a new Chat handler.
+func NewChat(producer *taskqueue.Producer, logger *logging.Logger) *Chat {
+	return &Chat{
+		producer: producer,
+		logger:   logger.WithComponent("ChatHandler"),
+	}
+}
+
+// SendRequest is the request body for sending a chat message.
+type SendRequest struct {
+	Message string `json:"message" validate:"required,min=1,max=5000"`
+}
+
+// SendResponse is returned after a message is queued for processing.
+type SendResponse struct {
+	JobID   string `json:"job_id"`
+	Status  string `json:"status"`
+	Message string `json:"message"`
+}
+
+// Send accepts a chat message and pushes it to the worker queue for processing.
+func (h *Chat) Send(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) error {
+	if h.producer == nil {
+		return httperror.ServiceUnavailable("task queue not configured")
+	}
+
+	var req SendRequest
+	if err := app.BindAndValidate(r, &req); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Get authenticated user from context
+	user := auth.GetUser(r.Context())
+	if user == nil {
+		return httperror.Unauthorized("authentication required")
+	}
+
+	jobID, err := h.producer.EnqueueChatProcess(r.Context(), user.ID, req.Message)
+	if err != nil {
+		h.logger.Error("failed to enqueue chat message", "error", err, "user_id", user.ID)
+		return httperror.Internal("failed to queue message for processing")
+	}
+
+	httpresponse.Accepted(w, r, SendResponse{
+		JobID:   jobID,
+		Status:  "queued",
+		Message: "message queued for processing",
+	})
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/api/handlers/chat_test.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/handlers/chat_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd5a635
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/handlers/chat_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/queue"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue"
+)
+
+// mockQueueProducer implements queue.Producer for testing.
+type mockQueueProducer struct {
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	jobs []queue.Job
+}
+
+func (m *mockQueueProducer) Enqueue(ctx context.Context, jobType string, payload map[string]any) (string, error) {
+	return m.EnqueueWithOptions(ctx, queue.Job{
+		Type:    jobType,
+		Payload: payload,
+	})
+}
+
+func (m *mockQueueProducer) EnqueueWithOptions(ctx context.Context, job queue.Job) (string, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	job.ID = "mock-job-id"
+	m.jobs = append(m.jobs, job)
+	return job.ID, nil
+}
+
+func newTestChatHandler() (*Chat, *mockQueueProducer) {
+	mockQueue := &mockQueueProducer{}
+	producer := taskqueue.NewProducer(mockQueue, logging.Nop())
+	handler := NewChat(producer, logging.Nop())
+	return handler, mockQueue
+}
+
+func TestChat_Send_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	handler, mockQueue := newTestChatHandler()
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/chat-svc/send", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		// Inject authenticated user into context
+		ctx := auth.SetUser(r.Context(), &auth.User{ID: "user-123", Email: "test@example.com"})
+		r = r.WithContext(ctx)
+
+		if err := handler.Send(w, r); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
+		}
+	})
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(SendRequest{Message: "Hello world"})
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/chat-svc/send", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusAccepted {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 202, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	var resp map[string]any
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(w.Body).Decode(&resp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to decode response: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	data, ok := resp["data"].(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected 'data' field in response")
+	}
+	if data["job_id"] != "mock-job-id" {
+		t.Errorf("expected job_id 'mock-job-id', got %v", data["job_id"])
+	}
+	if data["status"] != "queued" {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 'queued', got %v", data["status"])
+	}
+
+	// Verify job was enqueued
+	mockQueue.mu.Lock()
+	defer mockQueue.mu.Unlock()
+	if len(mockQueue.jobs) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 enqueued job, got %d", len(mockQueue.jobs))
+	}
+	if mockQueue.jobs[0].Payload["user_id"] != "user-123" {
+		t.Errorf("expected user_id 'user-123' in payload, got %v", mockQueue.jobs[0].Payload["user_id"])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChat_Send_NoAuth(t *testing.T) {
+	handler, _ := newTestChatHandler()
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/chat-svc/send", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		if err := handler.Send(w, r); err != nil {
+			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusUnauthorized)
+			return
+		}
+	})
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(SendRequest{Message: "Hello"})
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/chat-svc/send", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 401, got %d", w.Code)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChat_Send_NilProducer(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := NewChat(nil, logging.Nop())
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/chat-svc/send", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		ctx := auth.SetUser(r.Context(), &auth.User{ID: "user-123"})
+		r = r.WithContext(ctx)
+
+		if err := handler.Send(w, r); err != nil {
+			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusServiceUnavailable)
+			return
+		}
+	})
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(SendRequest{Message: "Hello"})
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/chat-svc/send", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusServiceUnavailable {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 503, got %d", w.Code)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestChat_Send_EmptyMessage(t *testing.T) {
+	handler, _ := newTestChatHandler()
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Post("/api/chat-svc/send", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		ctx := auth.SetUser(r.Context(), &auth.User{ID: "user-123"})
+		r = r.WithContext(ctx)
+
+		if err := handler.Send(w, r); err != nil {
+			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusBadRequest)
+			return
+		}
+	})
+
+	body, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]string{"message": ""})
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/chat-svc/send", bytes.NewReader(body))
+	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	// Empty message should fail validation (required,min=1)
+	if w.Code != http.StatusBadRequest {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 400, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/api/routes.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/routes.go
index 5fca0ed..c44aafd 100644
--- a/services/chat-svc/internal/api/routes.go
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/routes.go
@@ -4,23 +4,24 @@ package api
 import (
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/app"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/svc"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/api/handlers"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/config"
 	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/service"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue"
 )
 
 // RegisterRoutes registers all HTTP routes for the service.
 // Routes are mounted under /api/chat-svc to match the ingress path routing.
-// This allows the monorepo to expose multiple services under a single domain:
-//   - https://domain/api/chat-svc/health
-//   - https://domain/api/chat-svc/examples
-func RegisterRoutes(application *app.App, exampleService *service.ExampleService) {
+func RegisterRoutes(application *app.App, exampleService *service.ExampleService, producer *taskqueue.Producer) {
 	logger := application.Logger()
 	cfg := config.Load()
 
 	// Initialize handlers with injected services
 	healthHandler := handlers.NewHealth(logger)
 	exampleHandler := handlers.NewExample(exampleService, logger)
+	chatHandler := handlers.NewChat(producer, logger)
 
 	// Build and mount OpenAPI spec
 	spec := NewServiceSpec()
@@ -38,17 +39,30 @@ func RegisterRoutes(application *app.App, exampleService *service.ExampleService
 		// Protected routes (auth required when enabled)
 		r.Group(func(r app.Router) {
 			if cfg.AuthEnabled {
-				r.Use(auth.Middleware(auth.MiddlewareConfig{
-					Validator: auth.NewJWTValidator(auth.JWTConfig{
-						Secret: []byte(cfg.JWTSecret),
-						Issuer: "sp4-debug-1770477266",
-					}),
-				}))
+				// Use remote auth-svc validation if configured, otherwise fall back to local JWT
+				if svc.ServiceConfigured("auth-svc") {
+					ac, err := authclient.New(logger)
+					if err != nil {
+						logger.Error("failed to create auth client", "error", err)
+					} else {
+						r.Use(authclient.Middleware(ac))
+					}
+				} else {
+					r.Use(auth.Middleware(auth.MiddlewareConfig{
+						Validator: auth.NewJWTValidator(auth.JWTConfig{
+							Secret: []byte(cfg.JWTSecret),
+							Issuer: "sp4-debug-1770477266",
+						}),
+					}))
+				}
 			}
 
 			r.Post("/examples", app.Wrap(exampleHandler.Create))
 			r.Put("/examples/{id}", app.Wrap(exampleHandler.Update))
 			r.Delete("/examples/{id}", app.Wrap(exampleHandler.Delete))
+
+			// Chat endpoints (require auth, push to worker queue)
+			r.Post("/send", app.Wrap(chatHandler.Send))
 		})
 	})
 }
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/api/spec.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/spec.go
index 34ea6aa..6242400 100644
--- a/services/chat-svc/internal/api/spec.go
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/api/spec.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ func NewServiceSpec() *openapi.OpenAPISpec {
 		WithDescription("REST API for the chat-svc service").
 		WithBearerSecurity("bearer", "JWT authentication token").
 		WithTag("Health", "Service health endpoints").
+		WithTag("Chat", "Chat messaging endpoints").
 		WithTag("Examples", "Example CRUD endpoints")
 
 	// Define reusable schemas
@@ -29,6 +30,16 @@ func NewServiceSpec() *openapi.OpenAPISpec {
 		"description": openapi.StringWithMinMax(0, 500).WithDescription("Updated description"),
 	}))
 
+	spec.WithSchema("SendRequest", openapi.Object(map[string]openapi.Schema{
+		"message": openapi.StringWithMinMax(1, 5000).WithDescription("Chat message to process"),
+	}, "message"))
+
+	spec.WithSchema("SendResponse", openapi.Object(map[string]openapi.Schema{
+		"job_id":  openapi.String().WithDescription("Queued job identifier"),
+		"status":  openapi.String().WithDescription("Job status").WithExample("queued"),
+		"message": openapi.String().WithDescription("Status message"),
+	}, "job_id", "status"))
+
 	// Health
 	spec.AddPath("/api/chat-svc/health", "get", map[string]any{
 		"summary": "Health check",
@@ -94,6 +105,21 @@ func NewServiceSpec() *openapi.OpenAPISpec {
 		},
 	})
 
+	// Send chat message
+	spec.AddPath("/api/chat-svc/send", "post", map[string]any{
+		"summary":     "Send chat message",
+		"description": "Sends a chat message for async processing by the worker. Requires authentication.",
+		"tags":        []string{"Chat"},
+		"security":    []map[string][]string{{"bearer": {}}},
+		"requestBody": openapi.RequestBody(openapi.Ref("SendRequest"), true),
+		"responses": map[string]any{
+			"202": openapi.OpResponse("Message queued", openapi.ResponseSchema(openapi.Ref("SendResponse"))),
+			"401": openapi.OpResponse("Unauthorized", openapi.ErrorResponseSchema()),
+			"422": openapi.OpResponse("Validation error", openapi.ErrorResponseSchema()),
+			"503": openapi.OpResponse("Queue unavailable", openapi.ErrorResponseSchema()),
+		},
+	})
+
 	// Delete example
 	spec.AddPath("/api/chat-svc/examples/{id}", "delete", map[string]any{
 		"summary":     "Delete example",
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/client.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/client.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59ff58d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/client.go
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+// Package authclient provides a client for validating tokens via the auth-svc.
+package authclient
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httpclient"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/svc"
+)
+
+// ValidateResponse is the envelope response from auth-svc /validate endpoint.
+type ValidateResponse struct {
+	Data ValidateData `json:"data"`
+}
+
+// ValidateData is the user info returned by auth-svc.
+type ValidateData struct {
+	UserID string   `json:"user_id"`
+	Email  string   `json:"email,omitempty"`
+	Roles  []string `json:"roles,omitempty"`
+	Scopes []string `json:"scopes,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// Client validates tokens by calling auth-svc.
+type Client struct {
+	baseURL    string
+	httpClient *httpclient.Client
+	logger     *logging.Logger
+}
+
+// New creates a new auth client that calls auth-svc/validate.
+// Requires AUTH_SVC_URL environment variable to be set.
+func New(logger *logging.Logger) (*Client, error) {
+	baseURL := svc.ServiceURL("auth-svc")
+	if baseURL == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("auth-svc not configured (missing AUTH_SVC_URL env var)")
+	}
+
+	return &Client{
+		baseURL:    baseURL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{}),
+		logger:     logger.WithComponent("authclient"),
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// Validate calls POST /api/auth-svc/validate with the Bearer token.
+// Returns the authenticated user or an error.
+func (c *Client) Validate(ctx context.Context, token string) (*auth.User, error) {
+	url := c.baseURL + "/api/auth-svc/validate"
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, http.MethodPost, url, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("create request: %w", err)
+	}
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer "+token)
+	req.Header.Set("Accept", "application/json")
+
+	resp, err := c.httpClient.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("call auth-svc: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	result, err := svc.DecodeResponse[ValidateResponse](resp)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("auth-svc validation failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return &auth.User{
+		ID:     result.Data.UserID,
+		Email:  result.Data.Email,
+		Roles:  result.Data.Roles,
+		Scopes: result.Data.Scopes,
+	}, nil
+}
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/client_test.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/client_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5414634
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/client_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+package authclient
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httpclient"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+)
+
+func TestClient_Validate_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create a mock auth-svc server
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		if r.URL.Path != "/api/auth-svc/validate" {
+			t.Errorf("unexpected path: %s", r.URL.Path)
+		}
+		if r.Method != http.MethodPost {
+			t.Errorf("unexpected method: %s", r.Method)
+		}
+
+		authHeader := r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		if authHeader != "Bearer valid-token" {
+			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusUnauthorized)
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"error": "invalid token"})
+			return
+		}
+
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(ValidateResponse{
+			Data: ValidateData{
+				UserID: "user-123",
+				Email:  "test@example.com",
+				Roles:  []string{"admin"},
+				Scopes: []string{"read"},
+			},
+		})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := &Client{
+		baseURL:    server.URL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{MaxRetries: 1}),
+		logger:     logging.Nop(),
+	}
+
+	user, err := client.Validate(context.Background(), "valid-token")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if user.ID != "user-123" {
+		t.Errorf("expected user ID 'user-123', got '%s'", user.ID)
+	}
+	if user.Email != "test@example.com" {
+		t.Errorf("expected email 'test@example.com', got '%s'", user.Email)
+	}
+	if len(user.Roles) != 1 || user.Roles[0] != "admin" {
+		t.Errorf("expected roles [admin], got %v", user.Roles)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClient_Validate_InvalidToken(t *testing.T) {
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"error": "invalid token"})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := &Client{
+		baseURL:    server.URL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{MaxRetries: 1}),
+		logger:     logging.Nop(),
+	}
+
+	_, err := client.Validate(context.Background(), "bad-token")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for invalid token")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClient_Validate_ServerError(t *testing.T) {
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusInternalServerError)
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := &Client{
+		baseURL:    server.URL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{MaxRetries: 1}),
+		logger:     logging.Nop(),
+	}
+
+	_, err := client.Validate(context.Background(), "some-token")
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for server error")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestClient_Validate_BearerTokenPassedCorrectly(t *testing.T) {
+	var receivedAuth string
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		receivedAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(ValidateResponse{
+			Data: ValidateData{UserID: "user-1"},
+		})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := &Client{
+		baseURL:    server.URL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{MaxRetries: 1}),
+		logger:     logging.Nop(),
+	}
+
+	_, err := client.Validate(context.Background(), "my-token-123")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if receivedAuth != "Bearer my-token-123" {
+		t.Errorf("expected 'Bearer my-token-123', got '%s'", receivedAuth)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/middleware.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/middleware.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2ce029
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/middleware.go
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+package authclient
+
+import (
+	"net/http"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httpresponse"
+)
+
+// Middleware validates tokens by calling auth-svc.
+// Extracts the Bearer token from the Authorization header, calls auth-svc/validate,
+// and stores the authenticated user in the request context.
+func Middleware(client *Client) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+		return http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+			token := auth.ExtractBearerToken(r)
+			if token == "" {
+				httpresponse.Unauthorized(w, r, "missing authorization token")
+				return
+			}
+
+			user, err := client.Validate(r.Context(), token)
+			if err != nil {
+				client.logger.Debug("token validation via auth-svc failed", "error", err)
+				httpresponse.Unauthorized(w, r, "invalid token")
+				return
+			}
+
+			ctx := auth.SetUser(r.Context(), user)
+			ctx = auth.SetToken(ctx, token)
+			next.ServeHTTP(w, r.WithContext(ctx))
+		})
+	}
+}
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/middleware_test.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/middleware_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a18fab1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/authclient/middleware_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+package authclient
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/auth"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/httpclient"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+)
+
+func newMockAuthServer(t *testing.T) *httptest.Server {
+	t.Helper()
+	return httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		authHeader := r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		if authHeader == "Bearer valid-token" {
+			w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+			json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(ValidateResponse{
+				Data: ValidateData{
+					UserID: "user-123",
+					Email:  "test@example.com",
+				},
+			})
+			return
+		}
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(map[string]any{"error": "invalid token"})
+	}))
+}
+
+func TestMiddleware_ValidToken(t *testing.T) {
+	server := newMockAuthServer(t)
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := &Client{
+		baseURL:    server.URL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{MaxRetries: 1}),
+		logger:     logging.Nop(),
+	}
+
+	var capturedUserID string
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Use(Middleware(client))
+	r.Get("/test", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		user := auth.GetUser(r.Context())
+		if user != nil {
+			capturedUserID = user.ID
+		}
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+	})
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/test", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer valid-token")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 200, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+	if capturedUserID != "user-123" {
+		t.Errorf("expected user ID 'user-123', got '%s'", capturedUserID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMiddleware_MissingToken(t *testing.T) {
+	server := newMockAuthServer(t)
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := &Client{
+		baseURL:    server.URL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{MaxRetries: 1}),
+		logger:     logging.Nop(),
+	}
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Use(Middleware(client))
+	r.Get("/test", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+	})
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/test", nil)
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 401, got %d", w.Code)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMiddleware_InvalidToken(t *testing.T) {
+	server := newMockAuthServer(t)
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	client := &Client{
+		baseURL:    server.URL,
+		httpClient: httpclient.New(httpclient.Config{MaxRetries: 1}),
+		logger:     logging.Nop(),
+	}
+
+	r := chi.NewRouter()
+	r.Use(Middleware(client))
+	r.Get("/test", func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+	})
+
+	req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/test", nil)
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Bearer invalid-token")
+	w := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	r.ServeHTTP(w, req)
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusUnauthorized {
+		t.Errorf("expected status 401, got %d", w.Code)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/config/config.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/config/config.go
index e0bc63f..a0b4244 100644
--- a/services/chat-svc/internal/config/config.go
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/config/config.go
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ type Config struct {
 	// Auth
 	AuthEnabled bool
 	JWTSecret   string
+
+	// Redis queue URL for pushing tasks to worker-svc
+	RedisURL string
 }
 
 // Load reads configuration from environment variables.
@@ -30,5 +33,6 @@ func Load() *Config {
 
 		AuthEnabled: strings.EqualFold(os.Getenv("AUTH_ENABLED"), "true"),
 		JWTSecret:   os.Getenv("JWT_SECRET"),
+		RedisURL:    os.Getenv("REDIS_URL"),
 	}
 }
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue/producer.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue/producer.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6baa28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue/producer.go
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+// Package taskqueue provides a producer for pushing tasks to the worker queue.
+package taskqueue
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/queue"
+)
+
+// Job types that chat-svc produces for the worker.
+const (
+	JobTypeChatProcess = "chat.process"
+)
+
+// Producer enqueues tasks for the worker-svc to process.
+type Producer struct {
+	queue  queue.Producer
+	logger *logging.Logger
+}
+
+// NewProducer creates a new task producer.
+func NewProducer(q queue.Producer, logger *logging.Logger) *Producer {
+	return &Producer{
+		queue:  q,
+		logger: logger.WithComponent("taskqueue"),
+	}
+}
+
+// EnqueueChatProcess enqueues a chat processing task for the worker.
+func (p *Producer) EnqueueChatProcess(ctx context.Context, userID string, message string) (string, error) {
+	jobID, err := p.queue.Enqueue(ctx, JobTypeChatProcess, map[string]any{
+		"user_id": userID,
+		"message": message,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("enqueue chat.process: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	p.logger.Info("enqueued chat task", "job_id", jobID, "user_id", userID)
+	return jobID, nil
+}
diff --git a/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue/producer_test.go b/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue/producer_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df778fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/chat-svc/internal/taskqueue/producer_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package taskqueue
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/queue"
+)
+
+// mockProducer implements queue.Producer for testing.
+type mockProducer struct {
+	mu   sync.Mutex
+	jobs []queue.Job
+}
+
+func (m *mockProducer) Enqueue(ctx context.Context, jobType string, payload map[string]any) (string, error) {
+	return m.EnqueueWithOptions(ctx, queue.Job{
+		Type:    jobType,
+		Payload: payload,
+	})
+}
+
+func (m *mockProducer) EnqueueWithOptions(ctx context.Context, job queue.Job) (string, error) {
+	m.mu.Lock()
+	defer m.mu.Unlock()
+	job.ID = "test-job-id"
+	m.jobs = append(m.jobs, job)
+	return job.ID, nil
+}
+
+func TestProducer_EnqueueChatProcess(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := &mockProducer{}
+	producer := NewProducer(mock, logging.Nop())
+
+	jobID, err := producer.EnqueueChatProcess(context.Background(), "user-123", "Hello world")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if jobID != "test-job-id" {
+		t.Errorf("expected job ID 'test-job-id', got '%s'", jobID)
+	}
+
+	if len(mock.jobs) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected 1 job, got %d", len(mock.jobs))
+	}
+
+	job := mock.jobs[0]
+	if job.Type != JobTypeChatProcess {
+		t.Errorf("expected job type '%s', got '%s'", JobTypeChatProcess, job.Type)
+	}
+	if job.Payload["user_id"] != "user-123" {
+		t.Errorf("expected user_id 'user-123', got '%v'", job.Payload["user_id"])
+	}
+	if job.Payload["message"] != "Hello world" {
+		t.Errorf("expected message 'Hello world', got '%v'", job.Payload["message"])
+	}
+}
diff --git a/workers/worker-svc/cmd/worker/main.go b/workers/worker-svc/cmd/worker/main.go
index dd08761..2fe962b 100644
--- a/workers/worker-svc/cmd/worker/main.go
+++ b/workers/worker-svc/cmd/worker/main.go
@@ -75,9 +75,7 @@ func main() {
 	})
 
 	// Register job handlers
-	// TODO: Register your job handlers here
-	// handler.RegisterHandler("send_email", emailHandler)
-	// handler.RegisterHandler("process_image", imageHandler)
+	handler.RegisterHandler(handlers.JobTypeChatProcess, handlers.NewChatProcessHandler(logger))
 
 	// Setup signal handling
 	sigCh := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
diff --git a/workers/worker-svc/component.yaml b/workers/worker-svc/component.yaml
index 47084d6..cbdc95a 100644
--- a/workers/worker-svc/component.yaml
+++ b/workers/worker-svc/component.yaml
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 name: worker-svc
 type: worker
 path: workers/worker-svc
-dependencies: []
-# Add dependencies as needed:
-#   - postgres
-#   - redis
-#   - rabbitmq
+dependencies:
+  - postgres
diff --git a/workers/worker-svc/internal/handlers/chat.go b/workers/worker-svc/internal/handlers/chat.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f2ae03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workers/worker-svc/internal/handlers/chat.go
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/queue"
+)
+
+// JobTypeChatProcess is the job type for chat message processing.
+const JobTypeChatProcess = "chat.process"
+
+// NewChatProcessHandler creates a handler for chat.process jobs.
+func NewChatProcessHandler(logger *logging.Logger) queue.Handler {
+	log := logger.WithComponent("chat-handler")
+
+	return func(ctx context.Context, job *queue.Job) error {
+		userID, _ := job.Payload["user_id"].(string)
+		message, _ := job.Payload["message"].(string)
+
+		if userID == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("missing user_id in payload")
+		}
+		if message == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("missing message in payload")
+		}
+
+		log.Info("processing chat message",
+			"job_id", job.ID,
+			"user_id", userID,
+			"message_len", len(message),
+		)
+
+		// TODO: Implement actual chat processing logic (e.g., AI response, storage, notifications)
+
+		log.Info("chat message processed",
+			"job_id", job.ID,
+			"user_id", userID,
+		)
+		return nil
+	}
+}
diff --git a/workers/worker-svc/internal/handlers/chat_test.go b/workers/worker-svc/internal/handlers/chat_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cea5df6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/workers/worker-svc/internal/handlers/chat_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+package handlers
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/logging"
+	"git.threesix.ai/jordan/sp4-debug-1770477266/pkg/queue"
+)
+
+func TestNewChatProcessHandler_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := NewChatProcessHandler(logging.Nop())
+
+	job := &queue.Job{
+		ID:   "job-123",
+		Type: JobTypeChatProcess,
+		Payload: map[string]any{
+			"user_id": "user-456",
+			"message": "Hello, world!",
+		},
+	}
+
+	err := handler(context.Background(), job)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewChatProcessHandler_MissingUserID(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := NewChatProcessHandler(logging.Nop())
+
+	job := &queue.Job{
+		ID:   "job-123",
+		Type: JobTypeChatProcess,
+		Payload: map[string]any{
+			"message": "Hello",
+		},
+	}
+
+	err := handler(context.Background(), job)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for missing user_id")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewChatProcessHandler_MissingMessage(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := NewChatProcessHandler(logging.Nop())
+
+	job := &queue.Job{
+		ID:   "job-123",
+		Type: JobTypeChatProcess,
+		Payload: map[string]any{
+			"user_id": "user-456",
+		},
+	}
+
+	err := handler(context.Background(), job)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for missing message")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewChatProcessHandler_EmptyPayload(t *testing.T) {
+	handler := NewChatProcessHandler(logging.Nop())
+
+	job := &queue.Job{
+		ID:      "job-123",
+		Type:    JobTypeChatProcess,
+		Payload: map[string]any{},
+	}
+
+	err := handler(context.Background(), job)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error for empty payload")
+	}
+}