diff --git a/docs/DEBUG_LOGGING.md b/docs/DEBUG_LOGGING.md
index b8b62796..34a52283 100644
--- a/docs/DEBUG_LOGGING.md
+++ b/docs/DEBUG_LOGGING.md
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ Route binary calls through the helpers in `unshackle.core.utils.subprocess`:
   dirs: install root → `<unshackle>`, venv → `<venv>`, home → `~`). `key` fields are also redacted
   unless `config.debug_keys`. Pass user data via `context=`/`request=`/kwargs so it is sanitized.
   Net effect: a shared JSONL leaks no account URLs, machine paths, or usernames.
+  Set `redact_paths: false` in `unshackle.yaml` to show full absolute paths instead of `<unshackle>`/
+  `<venv>`/`~` tokens (config-only, no CLI flag). Affects `redact_path` everywhere it is used —
+  the debug log and the service load-summary detail. Secret/URL redaction is unaffected.
 - **Service calls are intentionally not logged** (no per-request POST/GET to services). Manifest
   parsing (`manifest_*_parse`) is the seam for request-level visibility.
 
diff --git a/docs/OUTPUT_CONFIG.md b/docs/OUTPUT_CONFIG.md
index 5ac343ff..b05ab22c 100644
--- a/docs/OUTPUT_CONFIG.md
+++ b/docs/OUTPUT_CONFIG.md
@@ -343,6 +343,7 @@ The following directories are available and may be overridden,
 Notes:
 
 - `services` accepts either a single directory or a list of directories to search for service modules.
+  Entries may also be **git repo specs** to load service packs hosted in a repo (see below).
 
 For example,
 
@@ -354,4 +355,64 @@ directories:
 
 There are directories not listed that cannot be modified as they are crucial to the operation of unshackle.
 
+### Loading services from a git repo
+
+A `services` entry may be a git repo instead of a local path, letting you host service packs on
+GitHub or any git host (GitLab, Gitea, self-hosted). Local paths and repo specs can be mixed:
+
+```yaml
+directories:
+  services:
+    - https://github.com/you/your-services         # https repo (highest priority — listed first)
+    - git@gitlab.com:you/your-services.git         # ssh repo (private, via your git auth)
+    - you/your-services@main                        # owner/repo shorthand + optional @branch
+    - ~/my-local-services                          # local path (fallback — listed last)
+```
+
+How it works:
+
+- On first use the repo is cloned (shallow) to `<your-services-dir>/_repos/<repo-name>/` — the first
+  local `services` entry, or the bundled `unshackle/services` if you configured none. **Nothing is
+  written to the `cache` directory.**
+- After that, unshackle does **not** hit the network on every run. It re-pulls at most once every 24h,
+  or immediately when you run `unshackle util refresh-services`.
+- Requires `git` on your PATH. Private repos use your existing git credential helper — unshackle
+  stores no tokens. Git use is **read-only on the remote** — only `clone`, `fetch`, `pull`, and a
+  local `reset` are run; nothing is ever pushed.
+- **Local edits and refresh.** You can edit a clone under `_repos/` directly. The two refresh paths
+  treat your edits differently:
+  - *Automatic* (the 24h TTL during a normal `dl`/`search` run): if the clone has uncommitted
+    changes to tracked files or unpushed local commits, unshackle **refuses to refresh and exits**,
+    naming the clone, so a background pull never clobbers work in progress. Commit and push it
+    upstream (or revert), then it refreshes normally.
+  - *Manual* (`unshackle util refresh-services`): an explicit "get upstream's latest" — it
+    **hard-resets the clone to upstream, discarding local changes**. Run it only when you want to
+    throw away local edits.
+  - Untracked files (new service folders, `__pycache__`) never block the automatic path — a
+    fast-forward pull doesn't touch them.
+- The repo's **top level** must contain `<TAG>/__init__.py` service dirs (same layout as
+  `unshackle/services/`).
+- **Priority is list order.** The first source to define a tag is the one that loads; if a later
+  source (repo or local) has the same tag, that copy is treated as a duplicate and ignored. So list
+  the sources you trust most first — e.g. repos first and local last to make local a fallback, or
+  local first to let your local tweaks override a repo.
+- **What you see on load.** A one-line summary is logged each run, e.g.:
+
+  ```
+  Loaded 103 services (36 duplicate(s) ignored)
+  ```
+
+  The full per-duplicate detail is logged only at debug verbosity (`unshackle -d ...`), one line per
+  duplicate, naming the path that loaded and the path that was ignored:
+
+  ```
+  EXAMPLE: using <unshackle>/services/EXAMPLE/__init__.py, ignoring duplicate <unshackle>/services/_repos/your-repo/EXAMPLE/__init__.py
+  ```
+
+  Paths are shortened to `<unshackle>`/`<venv>`/`~` tokens; set `redact_paths: false` to show full
+  absolute paths (see [Debug Logging](DEBUG_LOGGING.md)).
+
+If `<your-services-dir>` is inside the installed package, a reinstall may remove the clones; they are
+simply re-cloned on next use. On read-only installs, point `services` at a writable path.
+
 ---
diff --git a/tests/core/test_debug_logging.py b/tests/core/test_debug_logging.py
index 2e68a381..b52bfa5f 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_debug_logging.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_debug_logging.py
@@ -261,6 +261,19 @@ def test_redact_path_leaves_relative_paths_untouched():
     assert redact_path("temp/Audio.mp4") == "temp/Audio.mp4"
 
 
+def test_redact_path_disabled_by_config(monkeypatch):
+    # config.redact_paths: false shows full paths verbatim
+    from unshackle.core.config import config
+    from unshackle.core.utils import redact as redact_mod
+
+    root = str(Path(redact_mod.__file__).resolve().parents[3])
+    full = f"{root}/temp/Audio.mp4"
+    monkeypatch.setattr(config, "redact_paths", False, raising=False)
+    assert redact_path(full) == full
+    monkeypatch.setattr(config, "redact_paths", True, raising=False)
+    assert redact_path(full) == "<unshackle>/temp/Audio.mp4"
+
+
 # ---------- redact_all + output_dir integration ----------
 
 
diff --git a/tests/core/test_service_repo.py b/tests/core/test_service_repo.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..17b12782
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/core/test_service_repo.py
@@ -0,0 +1,272 @@
+"""Unit tests for remote git service-repo resolution. No network, no real git."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import subprocess
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+
+from unshackle.core import service_repo
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "value, expected",
+    [
+        ("https://github.com/owner/repo", True),
+        ("http://example.com/me/svc", True),
+        ("git@gitlab.com:me/my-services.git", True),
+        ("ssh://git@host/me/svc", True),
+        ("me/svc.git", True),
+        ("owner/repo", True),
+        ("owner/repo@main", True),
+        ("/abs/local/path", False),
+        ("~/my-local-services", False),
+        (123, False),
+    ],
+)
+def test_is_repo_spec(value, expected):
+    assert service_repo.is_repo_spec(value) is expected
+
+
+def test_is_repo_spec_existing_path_wins(tmp_path):
+    # an owner/repo-looking value that exists locally is a path, not a repo
+    local = tmp_path / "owner" / "repo"
+    local.mkdir(parents=True)
+    assert service_repo.is_repo_spec(str(local)) is False
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "spec, url, branch, dest",
+    [
+        ("owner/repo@main", "https://github.com/owner/repo", "main", "github.com__owner__repo"),
+        ("owner/repo", "https://github.com/owner/repo", None, "github.com__owner__repo"),
+        ("git@gitlab.com:me/my-services.git", "git@gitlab.com:me/my-services.git", None, "gitlab.com__me__my-services"),
+        ("https://github.com/a/b", "https://github.com/a/b", None, "github.com__a__b"),
+    ],
+)
+def test_parse_spec(spec, url, branch, dest):
+    assert service_repo.parse_spec(spec) == (url, branch, dest)
+
+
+def test_slug_distinguishes_hosts():
+    # same owner/repo on different hosts must not share a clone dir
+    a = service_repo.parse_spec("https://github.com/owner/repo")[2]
+    b = service_repo.parse_spec("https://gitlab.com/owner/repo")[2]
+    assert a != b
+
+
+def test_repos_base_uses_configured_local_dir(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    from unshackle.core.config import config
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(config.directories, "services", ["owner/repo", str(tmp_path / "svc")], raising=False)
+    assert service_repo.repos_base() == (tmp_path / "svc" / "_repos")
+
+
+def test_is_stale(tmp_path):
+    stamp = tmp_path / "stamp"
+    assert service_repo._is_stale(stamp, ttl=10) is True  # missing → stale
+    stamp.write_text(str(time.time()))
+    assert service_repo._is_stale(stamp, ttl=10) is False  # fresh
+    stamp.write_text(str(time.time() - 100))
+    assert service_repo._is_stale(stamp, ttl=10) is True  # old
+
+
+def test_clone_invokes_git(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo, "repos_base", lambda: tmp_path)
+
+    calls = []
+
+    def fake_run(args, **kw):
+        calls.append(args)
+        (tmp_path / "github.com__owner__repo").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)  # simulate clone output
+        return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, b"", b"")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", fake_run)
+
+    dest = service_repo.resolve_service_repo("owner/repo@main")
+    assert dest == tmp_path / "github.com__owner__repo"
+    assert calls[0][:4] == ["git", "clone", "--depth", "1"]
+    assert "-b" in calls[0] and "main" in calls[0]
+    assert service_repo.stamp_for(dest).exists()  # stamp written (beside the clone, not inside)
+
+
+def test_clone_missing_git_returns_none(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo, "repos_base", lambda: tmp_path)
+    assert service_repo.resolve_service_repo("a/b") is None
+
+
+def test_fresh_clone_skips_pull(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    dest = tmp_path / "github.com__a__b"
+    dest.mkdir(parents=True)
+    service_repo.stamp_for(dest).write_text(str(time.time()))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo, "repos_base", lambda: tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        service_repo.subprocess, "run", lambda *a, **k: pytest.fail("git should not run for a fresh clone")
+    )
+    assert service_repo.resolve_service_repo("a/b") == dest
+
+
+def _git_stub(porcelain=b"", ahead=b"0"):
+    """Fake subprocess.run for git: dirty checks return given output, pull succeeds."""
+
+    def run(args, **kw):
+        sub = args[3] if len(args) > 3 else ""
+        if sub == "status":
+            return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, porcelain, b"")
+        if sub == "rev-list":
+            return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, ahead, b"")
+        return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, b"", b"")  # pull
+
+    return run
+
+
+def test_is_dirty_uncommitted(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", _git_stub(porcelain=b" M EXAMPLE/__init__.py\n"))
+    assert service_repo._is_dirty(Path("/x")) is True
+
+
+def test_is_dirty_commits_ahead(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", _git_stub(porcelain=b"", ahead=b"2"))
+    assert service_repo._is_dirty(Path("/x")) is True
+
+
+def test_is_dirty_clean(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", _git_stub(porcelain=b"", ahead=b"0"))
+    assert service_repo._is_dirty(Path("/x")) is False
+
+
+def test_is_dirty_ignores_untracked_files(monkeypatch):
+    # status must ask git to skip untracked files so importing services (__pycache__) isn't "dirty"
+    seen = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+
+    def run(args, **kw):
+        seen.append(args)
+        out = b"0" if args[3] == "rev-list" else b""
+        return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, out, b"")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", run)
+    service_repo._is_dirty(Path("/x"))
+    status_args = next(a for a in seen if a[3] == "status")
+    assert "--untracked-files=no" in status_args
+
+
+def test_auto_refresh_refuses_dirty_clone(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """Auto path (force=False): a stale clone with local edits raises instead of clobbering."""
+    dest = tmp_path / "github.com__a__b"
+    dest.mkdir(parents=True)
+    service_repo.stamp_for(dest).write_text("0")  # stale → refresh due
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo, "repos_base", lambda: tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", _git_stub(porcelain=b" M f\n"))
+    with pytest.raises(service_repo.DirtyServiceRepo) as ei:
+        service_repo.resolve_service_repo("a/b")
+    assert ei.value.path == dest
+
+
+def test_manual_refresh_force_overwrites(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """Manual path (force=True): hard-reset to upstream, never raises on a dirty clone."""
+    dest = tmp_path / "github.com__a__b"
+    dest.mkdir(parents=True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo, "repos_base", lambda: tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        service_repo.subprocess,
+        "run",
+        lambda args, **kw: (calls.append(args[3]), subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, b"", b""))[1],
+    )
+    assert service_repo.resolve_service_repo("a/b", force=True) == dest
+    assert "fetch" in calls and "reset" in calls  # force-sync ran
+    assert "status" not in calls  # no dirty gate on the force path
+
+
+def test_changed_services_groups_by_top_dir(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+
+    def run(args, **kw):
+        if "--name-status" in args:
+            out = b"A\tNEW/__init__.py\nM\tOLD/__init__.py\nM\tOLD/config.yaml\nD\tGONE/__init__.py\n"
+        elif "--shortstat" in args:
+            out = b" 4 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)\n"
+        else:
+            out = b""
+        return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, out, b"")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", run)
+    lines = service_repo._changed_services(Path("/x"), "aaa", "bbb")
+    assert "+ NEW (added)" in lines
+    assert "~ OLD (modified)" in lines
+    assert "- GONE (removed)" in lines
+    assert any("4 files changed" in line for line in lines)
+
+
+def test_local_dirty_services_lists_edited_dirs(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        service_repo.subprocess,
+        "run",
+        lambda *a, **k: subprocess.CompletedProcess(a, 0, b"CR/__init__.py\nCR/config.yaml\nNF/__init__.py\n", b""),
+    )
+    assert service_repo._local_dirty_services(Path("/x")) == ["CR", "NF"]
+
+
+def test_refresh_reports_discarded_local_edits(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """Force refresh with no upstream advance still reports the local edits it wiped."""
+    dest = tmp_path / "github.com__a__b"
+    dest.mkdir(parents=True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo, "repos_base", lambda: tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+
+    def run(args, **kw):
+        if "diff" in args and "--name-only" in args:
+            return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, b"CR/__init__.py\n", b"")  # local edit present
+        if "rev-parse" in args:
+            return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, b"samehead\n", b"")  # upstream did not advance
+        return subprocess.CompletedProcess(args, 0, b"", b"")  # fetch/reset/diff
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.subprocess, "run", run)
+    _, changes = service_repo.refresh_repo("a/b")
+    assert changes == ["! CR (local changes discarded)"]
+
+
+def test_changed_services_up_to_date(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(service_repo.binaries, "Git", "git")
+    # same HEAD before/after → no diff computed at all
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        service_repo.subprocess, "run", lambda *a, **k: pytest.fail("no git diff when HEAD unchanged")
+    )
+    assert service_repo._changed_services(Path("/x"), "same", "same") == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("order", [["a", "b"], ["b", "a"]])
+def test_collision_first_source_wins(tmp_path, order):
+    """Discovery dedupes by tag honoring list order — the FIRST source to define a tag wins,
+    whether it's a local dir or a repo clone; later duplicates are shadowed."""
+    dirs = {}
+    for name in ("a", "b"):
+        svc = tmp_path / name / "EXAMPLE"
+        svc.mkdir(parents=True)
+        (svc / "__init__.py").touch()
+        dirs[name] = tmp_path / name
+
+    seen: dict = {}
+    shadowed: list = []
+    for name in order:  # services.py preserves config order
+        for path in dirs[name].glob("*/__init__.py"):
+            tag = path.parent.stem
+            if tag in seen:
+                shadowed.append((tag, path, seen[tag]))
+            else:
+                seen[tag] = path
+
+    winner, loser = order[0], order[1]
+    assert seen["EXAMPLE"] == dirs[winner] / "EXAMPLE" / "__init__.py"
+    assert shadowed and shadowed[0][1] == dirs[loser] / "EXAMPLE" / "__init__.py"
diff --git a/unshackle/commands/env.py b/unshackle/commands/env.py
index dced7c0e..5cc9c8e7 100644
--- a/unshackle/commands/env.py
+++ b/unshackle/commands/env.py
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ def check() -> None:
         },
         {"name": "Caddy", "binary": binaries.Caddy, "required": False, "desc": "Web server", "cat": "Network"},
         {"name": "Docker", "binary": binaries.Docker, "required": False, "desc": "Gluetun VPN", "cat": "Network"},
+        {"name": "git", "binary": binaries.Git, "required": False, "desc": "Service repos", "cat": "Network"},
     ]
 
     # Track overall status
diff --git a/unshackle/commands/util.py b/unshackle/commands/util.py
index 612ac2bc..7a3c42c0 100644
--- a/unshackle/commands/util.py
+++ b/unshackle/commands/util.py
@@ -19,6 +19,34 @@ def util() -> None:
     """Various helper scripts and programs."""
 
 
+@util.command(name="refresh-services")
+def refresh_services() -> None:
+    """Force a refresh (git pull) of all service repos configured in directories.services."""
+    from unshackle.core.config import config
+    from unshackle.core.service_repo import is_repo_spec, refresh_repo
+    from unshackle.core.utils.redact import redact_path
+
+    entries = config.directories.services
+    if not isinstance(entries, list):
+        entries = [entries]
+    specs = [e for e in entries if isinstance(e, str) and is_repo_spec(e)]
+    if not specs:
+        click.echo("No service repos configured in directories.services.")
+        return
+    # manual refresh force-overwrites local changes (hard reset to upstream), then reports the diff
+    for spec in specs:
+        dest, changes = refresh_repo(spec)
+        if not dest:
+            click.echo(f"Failed to update {spec} (see log).")
+            continue
+        if changes:
+            click.echo(f"Updated {spec} → {redact_path(str(dest))}")
+            for line in changes:
+                click.echo(f"    {line}")
+        else:
+            click.echo(f"No changes {spec}")
+
+
 @util.command()
 @click.argument("path", type=Path)
 @click.argument("aspect", type=str)
diff --git a/unshackle/core/binaries.py b/unshackle/core/binaries.py
index d2245882..5ddf3a02 100644
--- a/unshackle/core/binaries.py
+++ b/unshackle/core/binaries.py
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ HDR10PlusTool = find("hdr10plus_tool", "HDR10Plus_tool")
 Mp4decrypt = find("mp4decrypt")
 Docker = find("docker")
 ML_Worker = find("ML-Worker")
+Git = find("git")
 
 
 __all__ = (
@@ -76,5 +77,6 @@ __all__ = (
     "Mp4decrypt",
     "Docker",
     "ML_Worker",
+    "Git",
     "find",
 )
diff --git a/unshackle/core/config.py b/unshackle/core/config.py
index f847cbd6..47407014 100644
--- a/unshackle/core/config.py
+++ b/unshackle/core/config.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from typing import Any, Optional
 import yaml
 from appdirs import AppDirs
 
+from unshackle.core.service_repo import is_repo_spec
 from unshackle.core.utils.collections import ci_get
 
 
@@ -68,7 +69,8 @@ class Config:
                 # these must not be modified by the user
                 continue
             if name == "services" and isinstance(path, list):
-                setattr(self.directories, name, [Path(p).expanduser() for p in path])
+                # repo specs (git URLs / owner-repo) stay raw strings; resolved lazily in services.py
+                setattr(self.directories, name, [p if is_repo_spec(p) else Path(p).expanduser() for p in path])
             else:
                 setattr(self.directories, name, Path(path).expanduser())
 
@@ -111,6 +113,8 @@ class Config:
         self.ipinfo_api_key: str = kwargs.get("ipinfo_api_key") or ""
         self.update_checks: bool = kwargs.get("update_checks", True)
         self.update_check_interval: int = kwargs.get("update_check_interval", 24)
+        # mask local base dirs (install root/venv/home) in logged paths; False shows full paths
+        self.redact_paths: bool = kwargs.get("redact_paths", True)
 
         self.language_tags: dict = kwargs.get("language_tags") or {}
         self.output_template: dict = kwargs.get("output_template") or {}
diff --git a/unshackle/core/service_repo.py b/unshackle/core/service_repo.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dcd96d0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/unshackle/core/service_repo.py
@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import re
+import shutil
+import subprocess  # nosec B404 - git is resolved via binaries.find, args are composed locally
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Optional
+
+from unshackle.core import binaries
+
+log = logging.getLogger("services")
+
+
+class DirtyServiceRepo(Exception):
+    """A clone has uncommitted or unpushed local changes; refresh is refused to protect them."""
+
+    def __init__(self, path: Path):
+        self.path = path
+        super().__init__(str(path))
+
+DEFAULT_TTL = 24 * 60 * 60  # refresh at most once a day (mirrors UpdateChecker)
+STAMP_SUFFIX = ".fetch"  # last-fetch unix time, kept beside (not inside) the clone
+
+
+def stamp_for(dest: Path) -> Path:
+    """Fetch-timestamp file path, kept OUTSIDE the clone so it never shows up in `git status`."""
+    return dest.parent / f"{dest.name}{STAMP_SUFFIX}"
+
+# owner/repo shorthand: exactly two path-like segments, no scheme
+SHORTHAND_RE = re.compile(r"^[\w.-]+/[\w.-]+$")
+
+
+def is_repo_spec(value: object) -> bool:
+    """True if value is a git repo spec (URL or owner/repo shorthand), not a local path."""
+    if not isinstance(value, str):
+        return False
+    if value.startswith(("http://", "https://", "ssh://", "git@")) or value.endswith(".git"):
+        return True
+    # owner/repo shorthand, but only if there's no local dir by that name (paths win)
+    base = value.split("@", 1)[0]
+    return bool(SHORTHAND_RE.match(base)) and not Path(value).expanduser().exists()
+
+
+def parse_spec(spec: str) -> tuple[str, Optional[str], str]:
+    """Return (clone_url, branch, dest_name). `@branch` is honored for http/shorthand, not ssh."""
+    is_ssh = spec.startswith(("git@", "ssh://"))
+    branch: Optional[str] = None
+    url = spec
+    if not is_ssh and "@" in spec:
+        url, branch = spec.rsplit("@", 1)
+    if SHORTHAND_RE.match(url) and not url.startswith(("http", "ssh", "git@")):
+        url = f"https://github.com/{url}"
+    return url, branch, _slug(url)
+
+
+def _slug(url: str) -> str:
+    """Filesystem-safe clone dir name from a repo URL, host included so same owner/repo on
+    different hosts don't collide, e.g. github.com__owner__repo."""
+    cleaned = re.sub(r"^[a-z]+://", "", url).split("@")[-1].replace(":", "/")
+    cleaned = re.sub(r"\.git$", "", cleaned)
+    return "__".join(p for p in cleaned.split("/") if p)
+
+
+def repos_base() -> Path:
+    """Where clones live: <first configured local services dir>/_repos (else the default)."""
+    from unshackle.core.config import Config, config  # lazy: avoid config <-> service_repo import cycle
+
+    entries = config.directories.services
+    if not isinstance(entries, list):
+        entries = [entries]
+    for entry in entries:
+        if not (isinstance(entry, str) and is_repo_spec(entry)):
+            return Path(entry).expanduser() / "_repos"
+    return Config._Directories.namespace_dir / "services" / "_repos"
+
+
+def resolve_service_repo(spec: str, *, ttl: int = DEFAULT_TTL, force: bool = False) -> Optional[Path]:
+    """Resolve a repo spec to its local clone dir.
+
+    First use clones it. ``force=True`` (manual ``refresh-services``) hard-resets the clone to
+    upstream, discarding local changes. Otherwise a TTL-stale clone is fast-forwarded, but a dirty
+    clone raises ``DirtyServiceRepo`` so the automated dl/search path can warn and exit instead of
+    clobbering in-progress edits.
+    """
+    url, branch, dest_name = parse_spec(spec)
+    dest = repos_base() / dest_name
+    stamp = stamp_for(dest)
+
+    if not dest.exists():
+        return _clone(url, branch, dest, stamp)
+    if force:
+        _force_sync(dest, stamp)
+    elif _is_stale(stamp, ttl):
+        _pull(dest, stamp)
+    return dest  # ponytail: git IS the cache layer — no bespoke fetch/integrity code
+
+
+def _clone(url: str, branch: Optional[str], dest: Path, stamp: Path) -> Optional[Path]:
+    if not binaries.Git:
+        log.error("git not found on PATH — cannot fetch service repo %s", url)
+        return None
+    dest.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    args = [str(binaries.Git), "clone", "--depth", "1"]
+    if branch:
+        args += ["-b", branch]
+    args += [url, str(dest)]
+    try:
+        subprocess.run(args, check=True, capture_output=True)  # nosec B603
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
+        log.error("failed to clone service repo %s: %s", url, _stderr(e))
+        shutil.rmtree(dest, ignore_errors=True)  # don't leave a half-cloned dir that sticks on retries
+        return None
+    _write_stamp(stamp)
+    log.info("cloned service repo %s", url)
+    return dest
+
+
+def _pull(dest: Path, stamp: Path) -> None:
+    if not binaries.Git:
+        _write_stamp(stamp)
+        return
+    # never clobber local edits — refuse to refresh a dirty clone and let the caller exit cleanly
+    if _is_dirty(dest):
+        raise DirtyServiceRepo(dest)
+    try:
+        subprocess.run(
+            [str(binaries.Git), "-C", str(dest), "pull", "--ff-only"], check=True, capture_output=True
+        )  # nosec B603
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
+        log.warning("could not update service repo at %s, using existing copy: %s", dest, _stderr(e))
+    _write_stamp(stamp)  # stamp regardless so a flaky remote can't trigger a fetch every run (force overrides)
+
+
+def refresh_repo(spec: str) -> tuple[Optional[Path], list[str]]:
+    """Force-sync a repo to upstream and return (clone dir, git-style per-service change lines).
+
+    Used by the manual ``refresh-services`` command. Change lines look like ``+ TAG (added)`` /
+    ``~ TAG (modified)`` / ``- TAG (removed)`` plus a shortstat; empty list means already up to date.
+    """
+    url, branch, dest_name = parse_spec(spec)
+    dest = repos_base() / dest_name
+    stamp = stamp_for(dest)
+    if not dest.exists():
+        return _clone(url, branch, dest, stamp), ["cloned (new)"]
+    if not binaries.Git:
+        return dest, []
+    old = _head(dest)
+    discarded = _local_dirty_services(dest)  # uncommitted edits the force reset is about to wipe
+    _force_sync(dest, stamp)
+    lines = [f"! {tag} (local changes discarded)" for tag in discarded]
+    lines += _changed_services(dest, old, _head(dest))  # upstream changes pulled in
+    return dest, lines
+
+
+def _head(dest: Path) -> Optional[str]:
+    r = subprocess.run([str(binaries.Git), "-C", str(dest), "rev-parse", "HEAD"], capture_output=True)  # nosec B603
+    return r.stdout.decode(errors="ignore").strip() if r.returncode == 0 else None
+
+
+def _local_dirty_services(dest: Path) -> list[str]:
+    """Top-level service dirs with uncommitted edits to tracked files (lost on a force reset)."""
+    r = subprocess.run([str(binaries.Git), "-C", str(dest), "diff", "--name-only", "HEAD"], capture_output=True)  # nosec B603
+    if r.returncode != 0:
+        return []
+    return sorted({line.split("/")[0] for line in r.stdout.decode(errors="ignore").splitlines() if line})
+
+
+def _changed_services(dest: Path, old: Optional[str], new: Optional[str]) -> list[str]:
+    """Summarise a HEAD old->new diff grouped by top-level service dir, plus a line shortstat."""
+    if not old or not new or old == new:
+        return []
+    git = str(binaries.Git)
+    name_status = subprocess.run(
+        [git, "-C", str(dest), "diff", "--name-status", f"{old}..{new}"], capture_output=True
+    )  # nosec B603
+    by_dir: dict[str, set[str]] = {}
+    if name_status.returncode == 0:
+        for raw in name_status.stdout.decode(errors="ignore").splitlines():
+            parts = raw.split("\t")
+            if len(parts) < 2:
+                continue
+            by_dir.setdefault(parts[-1].split("/")[0], set()).add(parts[0][0])  # parts[-1]=new path (handles renames)
+    sym = {"added": "+", "modified": "~", "removed": "-"}
+    lines = []
+    for top in sorted(by_dir):
+        codes = by_dir[top]
+        kind = "added" if codes == {"A"} else "removed" if codes == {"D"} else "modified"
+        lines.append(f"{sym[kind]} {top} ({kind})")
+    short = subprocess.run([git, "-C", str(dest), "diff", "--shortstat", f"{old}..{new}"], capture_output=True)  # nosec B603
+    if short.returncode == 0 and short.stdout.strip():
+        lines.append(short.stdout.decode(errors="ignore").strip())
+    return lines
+
+
+def _force_sync(dest: Path, stamp: Path) -> None:
+    """Hard-reset the clone to its upstream, discarding local changes (manual refresh only)."""
+    if not binaries.Git:
+        _write_stamp(stamp)
+        return
+    git = str(binaries.Git)
+    try:
+        subprocess.run([git, "-C", str(dest), "fetch", "--depth", "1", "origin"], check=True, capture_output=True)  # nosec B603
+        subprocess.run([git, "-C", str(dest), "reset", "--hard", "@{u}"], check=True, capture_output=True)  # nosec B603
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
+        log.warning("could not force-refresh service repo at %s, using existing copy: %s", dest, _stderr(e))
+    _write_stamp(stamp)
+
+
+def _is_dirty(dest: Path) -> bool:
+    """True if the clone has uncommitted edits to tracked files or local commits not on its upstream.
+
+    Untracked files are intentionally ignored: a `git pull --ff-only` only touches tracked files, so
+    untracked content (including `__pycache__` that importing the services creates) is never at risk
+    and must not falsely flag the clone as dirty.
+    """
+    git = str(binaries.Git)
+    # modifications to tracked files only (--untracked-files=no skips __pycache__ etc.)
+    status = subprocess.run(
+        [git, "-C", str(dest), "status", "--porcelain", "--untracked-files=no"], capture_output=True
+    )  # nosec B603
+    if status.returncode == 0 and status.stdout.strip():
+        return True
+    # local commits ahead of upstream (committed but not pushed); no upstream → treat as clean
+    ahead = subprocess.run(
+        [git, "-C", str(dest), "rev-list", "--count", "@{u}..HEAD"], capture_output=True
+    )  # nosec B603
+    if ahead.returncode == 0:
+        try:
+            return int(ahead.stdout.strip() or b"0") > 0
+        except ValueError:
+            return False
+    return False
+
+
+def _is_stale(stamp: Path, ttl: int) -> bool:
+    try:
+        return (time.time() - float(stamp.read_text().strip())) >= ttl
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return True
+
+
+def _write_stamp(stamp: Path) -> None:
+    try:
+        stamp.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        stamp.write_text(str(time.time()))
+    except OSError:
+        pass
+
+
+def _stderr(e: subprocess.CalledProcessError) -> str:
+    return (e.stderr or b"").decode(errors="ignore").strip()
diff --git a/unshackle/core/services.py b/unshackle/core/services.py
index 0f600232..b4dda122 100644
--- a/unshackle/core/services.py
+++ b/unshackle/core/services.py
@@ -8,18 +8,43 @@ import click
 
 from unshackle.core.config import config
 from unshackle.core.service import Service
+from unshackle.core.service_repo import DirtyServiceRepo, is_repo_spec, resolve_service_repo
 from unshackle.core.utilities import import_module_by_path
+from unshackle.core.utils.redact import redact_path
 
 log = logging.getLogger("services")
 
-_service_dirs = config.directories.services
-if not isinstance(_service_dirs, list):
-    _service_dirs = [_service_dirs]
+_raw = config.directories.services
+if not isinstance(_raw, list):
+    _raw = [_raw]
+# resolve in config order — priority IS list order: the first source to define a tag is the source,
+# later sources (local or repo) with the same tag are shadowed. List local last to make it a fallback.
+_service_dirs: list[Path] = []
+DIRTY_REPOS: list[str] = []
+for _entry in _raw:
+    if isinstance(_entry, str) and is_repo_spec(_entry):
+        try:
+            _resolved = resolve_service_repo(_entry)
+        except DirtyServiceRepo as e:
+            # local edits in the clone — record it and let check_load_errors() exit cleanly
+            DIRTY_REPOS.append(redact_path(str(e.path)))
+            _resolved = None
+        if _resolved:
+            _service_dirs.append(_resolved)
+    else:
+        _service_dirs.append(Path(_entry))
 
-_SERVICES = sorted(
-    (path for service_dir in _service_dirs for path in service_dir.glob("*/__init__.py")),
-    key=lambda x: x.parent.stem,
-)
+# dedupe by tag honoring list order (first wins); track shadows for the load summary
+_seen: dict[str, Path] = {}
+SHADOWED: list[str] = []
+for _dir in _service_dirs:
+    for _path in _dir.glob("*/__init__.py"):
+        tag = _path.parent.stem
+        if tag in _seen:
+            SHADOWED.append(f"{tag}: using {redact_path(str(_seen[tag]))}, ignoring duplicate {redact_path(str(_path))}")
+        else:
+            _seen[tag] = _path
+_SERVICES = sorted(_seen.values(), key=lambda x: x.parent.stem)
 
 
 def load_service(path: Path) -> object:
@@ -64,13 +89,33 @@ _MODULES, LOAD_ERRORS = load_services(_SERVICES)
 _ALIASES = {tag: getattr(module, "ALIASES", ()) for tag, module in _MODULES.items()}
 
 
+_SUMMARY_LOGGED = False
+
+
 def check_load_errors() -> None:
-    """Raise a single clean error if any Service failed to load.
+    """Log a one-line load summary (once) and raise a single clean error on failures.
 
     Called when services are actually needed (listing/resolving) so the message
     is rendered once by Click, without a traceback and without cascading through
-    every command that imports this module.
+    every command that imports this module. Duplicate services (a tag also served by an
+    earlier, higher-priority source, which is ignored) are summarised here; the full
+    list — naming the path used and the duplicate ignored — is debug-only.
     """
+    if DIRTY_REPOS:
+        joined = "\n".join(f"  - {p}" for p in DIRTY_REPOS)
+        raise click.ClickException(
+            "Service repo has local changes — refusing to refresh so your edits are not lost.\n"
+            "Commit and push them to the upstream repo (or revert them), then retry:\n" + joined
+        )
+    global _SUMMARY_LOGGED
+    if not _SUMMARY_LOGGED:
+        _SUMMARY_LOGGED = True
+        summary = f"Loaded {len(_MODULES)} services"
+        if SHADOWED:
+            summary += f" ({len(SHADOWED)} duplicate(s) ignored)"
+        log.info(summary)
+        for shadow in SHADOWED:
+            log.debug("%s", shadow)
     if LOAD_ERRORS:
         joined = "\n".join(f"  - {err}" for err in LOAD_ERRORS)
         raise click.ClickException(f"Failed to load {len(LOAD_ERRORS)} service(s):\n{joined}")
diff --git a/unshackle/core/utils/redact.py b/unshackle/core/utils/redact.py
index 28ac7fa4..e4c1f5b8 100644
--- a/unshackle/core/utils/redact.py
+++ b/unshackle/core/utils/redact.py
@@ -77,13 +77,23 @@ def _path_bases() -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
 _PATH_BASES = _path_bases()
 
 
+def _path_redaction_enabled() -> bool:
+    """Path-prefix redaction is on unless ``config.redact_paths`` is explicitly False."""
+    try:
+        from unshackle.core.config import config  # lazy: config doesn't import redact, so no cycle
+
+        return bool(getattr(config, "redact_paths", True))
+    except (ImportError, AttributeError):
+        return True
+
+
 def redact_path(text: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
     """Replace local base-directory prefixes (install root, venv, home) in ``text`` with tokens.
 
     Idempotent and cheap; only touches strings that actually contain a known base dir, so URLs
-    and relative paths pass through unchanged.
+    and relative paths pass through unchanged. Disabled by ``config.redact_paths: false``.
     """
-    if not isinstance(text, str) or not text:
+    if not isinstance(text, str) or not text or not _path_redaction_enabled():
         return text
     for base, token in _PATH_BASES:
         if base in text: