diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 9d2cbec..8f46025 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -48,6 +48,16 @@ src/cthulhu/cthulhu_platform.py
 *.pyc
 __pycache__/
 
+# Local build directory and artifacts
+local-build/
+debug-*.out
+*.gmo
+*.pot
+
+# Translation files
+po/stamp-po
+po/insert-header.sed
+
 # /help
 /help/*.omf
 /help/*/*.page
diff --git a/README-DEVELOPMENT.md b/README-DEVELOPMENT.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40670c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README-DEVELOPMENT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+# Cthulhu Development Guide
+
+## Local Development Build
+
+To develop Cthulhu without overwriting your system installation, use the provided build scripts:
+
+### Building Locally
+
+```bash
+# Build and install to ~/.local
+./build-local.sh
+
+# Clean build and rebuild everything
+./build-local.sh --clean
+```
+
+This installs Cthulhu to `~/.local/bin/cthulhu` without touching your system installation.
+
+### Testing the Local Build
+
+```bash
+# Test the local installation
+./test-local.sh
+
+# Run the local version directly
+~/.local/bin/cthulhu --version
+```
+
+### Running Local Cthulhu
+
+```bash
+# Method 1: Direct path
+~/.local/bin/cthulhu
+
+# Method 2: Add to PATH (add to ~/.bashrc)
+export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
+cthulhu
+```
+
+### Cleaning Up
+
+```bash
+# Clean build artifacts only
+./clean-local.sh --build-only
+
+# Remove local installation only  
+./clean-local.sh --install-only
+
+# Clean everything (build artifacts + local installation)
+./clean-local.sh
+```
+
+## D-Bus Remote Controller
+
+Cthulhu now includes a D-Bus service for remote control:
+
+- **Service**: `org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service`
+- **Path**: `/org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service`
+- **Requires**: `dasbus` library (should be installed)
+
+### Testing D-Bus Service
+
+```bash
+# Start Cthulhu with D-Bus service
+~/.local/bin/cthulhu
+
+# In another terminal, test the service
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service GetVersion
+
+# Present a message via D-Bus
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service PresentMessage s "Hello from D-Bus"
+```
+
+## Development Workflow
+
+1. **Make changes** to the code
+2. **Build locally**: `./build-local.sh`
+3. **Test**: `./test-local.sh`
+4. **Run**: `~/.local/bin/cthulhu`
+5. **Clean when done**: `./clean-local.sh --build-only`
+
+## Git Repository Management
+
+The `.gitignore` file is configured to exclude:
+- Build artifacts (`configure`, `Makefile`, etc.)
+- Generated Python files (`cthulhu_bin.py`, `cthulhu_i18n.py`, etc.)
+- Python bytecode (`*.pyc`, `__pycache__/`)
+
+Before committing:
+```bash
+# Clean build artifacts to avoid committing them
+./clean-local.sh --build-only
+
+# Check what will be committed
+git status
+```
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- **Runtime**: python3, pygobject-3.0, pluggy, AT-SPI2
+- **Build**: autotools, gettext, intltool
+- **Optional**: dasbus (for D-Bus service), BrlTTY, speech-dispatcher
+
+Install build dependencies on Arch Linux:
+```bash
+sudo pacman -S autoconf automake intltool gettext python-dasbus
+```
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README-REMOTE-CONTROLLER.md b/README-REMOTE-CONTROLLER.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a646b87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README-REMOTE-CONTROLLER.md
@@ -0,0 +1,386 @@
+# Cthulhu Remote Controller (D-Bus Interface)
+
+> **✅ STABLE**: This D-Bus interface has been successfully ported from Orca v49.alpha and integrated 
+> into Cthulhu. The API is functional and ready for use, providing external control and automation
+> capabilities for the Cthulhu screen reader.
+
+[TOC]
+
+## Overview
+
+Cthulhu exposes a D-Bus service at:
+
+- **Service Name**: `org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service`
+- **Main Object Path**: `/org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service`
+- **Module Object Paths**: `/org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName`
+  (e.g., `/org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/SpeechAndVerbosityManager`)
+
+## Dependencies
+
+The D-Bus interface requires:
+
+- **dasbus** - Python D-Bus library used by Cthulhu for the remote controller implementation.
+  ([Installation instructions](https://dasbus.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html))
+- **python-dasbus** package (available on most distributions)
+
+## Service-Level Commands
+
+Commands available directly on the main service (`/org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service`):
+
+### Get Cthulhu's Version
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service GetVersion
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service.GetVersion
+```
+
+**Returns:** String containing the version (and revision if available)
+
+**Example output:** `s "Cthulhu screen reader version 2025.06.05-plugins (rev 408fb85)"`
+
+### Present a Custom Message in Speech and/or Braille
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service PresentMessage s "Your message here"
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service.PresentMessage "Your message here"
+```
+
+**Parameters:**
+
+- `message` (string): The message to present to the user
+
+**Returns:** Boolean indicating success
+
+### List Available Service Commands
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service ListCommands
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service.ListCommands
+```
+
+**Returns:** List of (command_name, description) tuples
+
+### List Registered Modules
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service ListModules
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service.ListModules
+```
+
+**Returns:** List of module names
+
+## Interacting with Modules
+
+Each registered module exposes its own set of operations. Based on the underlying Cthulhu code, these
+are categorized as **Commands**, **Runtime Getters**, and **Runtime Setters**:
+
+- **Commands**: Actions that perform a task. These typically correspond to Cthulhu commands bound
+  to a keystroke (e.g., `IncreaseRate`).
+- **Runtime Getters**: Operations that retrieve the current value of an item, often a setting
+  (e.g., `GetRate`).
+- **Runtime Setters**: Operations that set the current value of an item, often a setting
+  (e.g., `SetRate`). Note that setting a value does NOT cause it to become permanently saved.
+
+You can discover and execute these for each module.
+
+### Discovering Module Capabilities
+
+#### List Commands for a Module
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ListCommands
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module.ListCommands
+```
+
+Replace `ModuleName` with an actual module name from `ListModules`.
+
+**Returns:** List of (command_name, description) tuples.
+
+#### List Runtime Getters for a Module
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ListRuntimeGetters
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module.ListRuntimeGetters
+```
+
+Replace `ModuleName` with an actual module name from `ListModules`.
+
+**Returns:** List of (getter_name, description) tuples.
+
+#### List Runtime Setters for a Module
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ListRuntimeSetters
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module.ListRuntimeSetters
+```
+
+Replace `ModuleName` with an actual module name from `ListModules`.
+
+**Returns:** List of (setter_name, description) tuples.
+
+### Executing Module Operations
+
+#### Execute a Runtime Getter
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ExecuteRuntimeGetter s 'PropertyName'
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module.ExecuteRuntimeGetter 'PropertyName'
+```
+
+**Parameters:**
+
+- `PropertyName` (string): The name of the runtime getter to execute.
+
+**Returns:** The value returned by the getter as a GLib variant (type depends on the getter).
+
+##### Example: Get the current speech rate
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/SpeechAndVerbosityManager \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ExecuteRuntimeGetter s 'Rate'
+```
+
+This will return the rate as a GLib Variant.
+
+#### Execute a Runtime Setter
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ExecuteRuntimeSetter s 'PropertyName' v <value>
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module.ExecuteRuntimeSetter 'PropertyName' <value>
+```
+
+**Parameters:**
+
+- `PropertyName` (string): The name of the runtime setter to execute.
+- `<value>`: The value to set, as a GLib variant (type depends on the setter).
+
+**Returns:** Boolean indicating success.
+
+##### Example: Set the current speech rate
+
+```bash
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/SpeechAndVerbosityManager \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ExecuteRuntimeSetter s 'Rate' v '<90>'
+```
+
+#### Execute a Module Command
+
+```bash
+# With user notification
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ExecuteCommand s 'CommandName' b true
+
+# Without user notification (silent)
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ExecuteCommand s 'CommandName' b false
+```
+
+**Alternative using gdbus:**
+```bash
+# With user notification
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module.ExecuteCommand 'CommandName' true
+
+# Without user notification (silent)
+gdbus call --session --dest org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    --object-path /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/ModuleName \
+    --method org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module.ExecuteCommand 'CommandName' false
+```
+
+**Parameters (both required):**
+
+- `CommandName` (string): The name of the command to execute
+- `notify_user` (boolean): Whether to notify the user of the action (see section below)
+
+**Returns:** Boolean indicating success
+
+### Please Note
+
+**Setting `notify_user=true` is not a guarantee that feedback will be presented.** Some commands
+inherently don't make sense to announce. For example:
+
+```bash
+# This command should simply stop speech, not announce that it is stopping speech.
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service/SpeechAndVerbosityManager \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Module ExecuteCommand s 'InterruptSpeech' b true
+```
+
+In those cases Cthulhu will ignore the value of `notify_user`.
+
+**Setting `notify_user=false` is a guarantee that Cthulhu will remain silent.** If Cthulhu provides any
+feedback when `notify_user=false`, it should be considered a bug.
+
+## Integration with Cthulhu's Plugin System
+
+The D-Bus Remote Controller integrates seamlessly with Cthulhu's pluggy-based plugin system. Plugins can:
+
+- Register their own D-Bus commands using the `@cthulhu_hookimpl` decorator
+- Expose plugin-specific functionality via the remote controller
+- Access the D-Bus service through the dynamic API manager
+
+See the main `CLAUDE.md` file for more details on plugin development with D-Bus integration.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Service Not Available
+
+If you get "The name is not activatable" or similar errors:
+
+1. **Check if Cthulhu is running:**
+   ```bash
+   ps aux | grep cthulhu
+   ```
+
+2. **Check if the D-Bus service is registered:**
+   ```bash
+   busctl --user list | grep -i cthulhu
+   ```
+
+3. **Verify dasbus is installed:**
+   ```bash
+   python3 -c "import dasbus; print('dasbus available')"
+   ```
+
+4. **Check Cthulhu debug output:**
+   ```bash
+   DISPLAY=:0 ~/.local/bin/cthulhu --debug 2>&1 | grep -i dbus
+   ```
+
+### Common Issues
+
+- **Timing Issues**: The D-Bus service starts after ATSPI initialization. Wait a few seconds after Cthulhu startup before attempting D-Bus calls.
+- **Permissions**: Ensure you're using `--user` with busctl/gdbus for session bus access.
+- **Display**: Make sure `DISPLAY=:0` is set when running Cthulhu in terminal sessions.
+
+## Examples
+
+### Quick Test Script
+
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# Test Cthulhu D-Bus Remote Controller
+
+echo "Testing Cthulhu D-Bus Remote Controller..."
+
+# Get version
+echo "Version:"
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service GetVersion
+
+# Present a message
+echo "Presenting message..."
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service PresentMessage s "Hello from D-Bus!"
+
+# List available modules
+echo "Available modules:"
+busctl --user call org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service \
+    /org/stormux/Cthulhu/Service \
+    org.stormux.Cthulhu.Service ListModules
+
+echo "D-Bus test complete!"
+```
+
+## Integration Status
+
+- ✅ **Core D-Bus service**: Fully integrated with Cthulhu
+- ✅ **Service lifecycle**: Automatic start/shutdown with Cthulhu
+- ✅ **Message presentation**: `PresentMessage()` method working
+- ✅ **Version info**: `GetVersion()` method working
+- ✅ **Deferred startup**: D-Bus service starts after ATSPI initialization to prevent crashes
+- ✅ **Error handling**: Proper exception handling and logging
+- 🔄 **Module registration**: Ready for individual managers to register D-Bus commands
+- 🔄 **Plugin integration**: Plugins can expose D-Bus commands using decorators
+
+## Future Development
+
+- Add more speech configuration commands, getters, and setters
+- Expose Cthulhu's plugin system commands via D-Bus
+- Integrate with Cthulhu's advanced features (indentation audio, self-voicing, etc.)
+- Progressively expose all of Cthulhu's commands and settings via the remote controller interface
+
+## Related Files
+
+- `src/cthulhu/dbus_service.py` - Main D-Bus service implementation
+- `src/cthulhu/cthulhu.py` - Integration and startup logic
+- `CLAUDE.md` - Main development guide with plugin integration details
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/build-local.sh b/build-local.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..58f96e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build-local.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Local build script for Cthulhu development
+# Builds and installs Cthulhu to ~/.local without touching system installation
+
+set -e  # Exit on any error
+
+# Colors for output
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+NC='\033[0m' # No Color
+
+echo -e "${GREEN}=== Cthulhu Local Build Script ===${NC}"
+
+# Check if we're in the right directory
+if [[ ! -f "configure.ac" ]]; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Not in Cthulhu source directory (configure.ac not found)${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Check dependencies
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Checking dependencies...${NC}"
+if ! command -v autoreconf &> /dev/null; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: autoreconf not found. Install autotools.${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! python3 -c "import dasbus" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Warning: dasbus not available. D-Bus service will be disabled.${NC}"
+fi
+
+# Clean previous build artifacts (optional)
+if [[ "$1" == "--clean" ]]; then
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Cleaning previous build...${NC}"
+    make distclean 2>/dev/null || true
+    rm -rf autom4te.cache configure config.status Makefile
+fi
+
+# Set local installation prefix
+LOCAL_PREFIX="$HOME/.local"
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Installing to: ${LOCAL_PREFIX}${NC}"
+
+# Regenerate autotools files
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Regenerating autotools files...${NC}"
+autoreconf -fiv
+
+# Configure for local installation
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Configuring...${NC}"
+./configure --prefix="$LOCAL_PREFIX" \
+    --sysconfdir="$LOCAL_PREFIX/etc" \
+    --localstatedir="$LOCAL_PREFIX/var" \
+    --disable-help
+
+# Build
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Building...${NC}"
+make -j$(nproc)
+
+# Install locally
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Installing to local prefix...${NC}"
+make install || {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Warning: make install had errors, but checking if binary was created...${NC}"
+    if [[ -f "$LOCAL_PREFIX/bin/cthulhu" ]]; then
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Binary successfully installed despite makefile warnings.${NC}"
+    else
+        echo -e "${RED}Installation failed.${NC}"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+}
+
+echo -e "${GREEN}=== Build Complete ===${NC}"
+echo -e "${GREEN}Cthulhu installed to: ${LOCAL_PREFIX}${NC}"
+echo -e "${GREEN}Binary location: ${LOCAL_PREFIX}/bin/cthulhu${NC}"
+echo ""
+echo -e "${YELLOW}To run local Cthulhu:${NC}"
+echo -e "  ${LOCAL_PREFIX}/bin/cthulhu"
+echo ""
+echo -e "${YELLOW}To add to PATH (add to ~/.bashrc):${NC}"
+echo -e "  export PATH=\"${LOCAL_PREFIX}/bin:\$PATH\""
+echo ""
+echo -e "${YELLOW}To uninstall local build:${NC}"
+echo -e "  ./clean-local.sh"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/clean-local.sh b/clean-local.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1e83eec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/clean-local.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Clean script for Cthulhu development
+# Removes build artifacts and optionally uninstalls local installation
+
+set -e
+
+# Colors for output
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+NC='\033[0m' # No Color
+
+echo -e "${GREEN}=== Cthulhu Clean Script ===${NC}"
+
+LOCAL_PREFIX="$HOME/.local"
+
+# Function to clean build artifacts
+clean_build() {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Cleaning build artifacts...${NC}"
+    
+    # Clean generated files
+    make distclean 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    # Remove autotools generated files
+    rm -rf autom4te.cache
+    rm -f aclocal.m4 configure config.h.in config.h config.log config.status
+    rm -f compile config.guess config.sub depcomp install-sh missing
+    rm -f py-compile ltmain.sh libtool
+    rm -f stamp-h1
+    
+    # Remove generated Makefiles
+    find . -name "Makefile" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+    find . -name "Makefile.in" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    # Remove Python bytecode
+    find . -name "*.pyc" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+    find . -name "__pycache__" -type d -exec rm -rf {} + 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    # Remove generated .py files
+    rm -f src/cthulhu/cthulhu_bin.py src/cthulhu/cthulhu_i18n.py src/cthulhu/cthulhu_platform.py
+    
+    # Remove translation files
+    find . -name "*.mo" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+    find . -name "*.pot" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+    
+    echo -e "${GREEN}Build artifacts cleaned.${NC}"
+}
+
+# Function to uninstall local installation
+uninstall_local() {
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Uninstalling local Cthulhu installation...${NC}"
+    
+    if [[ -f "${LOCAL_PREFIX}/bin/cthulhu" ]]; then
+        # Remove binaries
+        rm -f "${LOCAL_PREFIX}/bin/cthulhu"
+        
+        # Remove Python modules
+        rm -rf "${LOCAL_PREFIX}/lib/python"*/site-packages/cthulhu*
+        
+        # Remove data files
+        rm -rf "${LOCAL_PREFIX}/share/cthulhu"
+        
+        # Remove docs
+        rm -rf "${LOCAL_PREFIX}/share/help/*/cthulhu"
+        
+        # Remove desktop files
+        rm -f "${LOCAL_PREFIX}/share/applications/cthulhu"*
+        
+        # Remove autostart
+        rm -f "${LOCAL_PREFIX}/etc/xdg/autostart/cthulhu"*
+        
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Local installation removed.${NC}"
+    else
+        echo -e "${YELLOW}No local installation found.${NC}"
+    fi
+}
+
+# Parse arguments
+case "$1" in
+    --build-only)
+        clean_build
+        ;;
+    --install-only)
+        uninstall_local
+        ;;
+    *)
+        clean_build
+        uninstall_local
+        ;;
+esac
+
+echo -e "${GREEN}=== Clean Complete ===${NC}"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test-local.sh b/test-local.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..a48dfee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test-local.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Test script for local Cthulhu installation
+
+set -e
+
+# Colors
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+NC='\033[0m'
+
+LOCAL_PREFIX="$HOME/.local"
+CTHULHU_BIN="${LOCAL_PREFIX}/bin/cthulhu"
+
+echo -e "${GREEN}=== Testing Local Cthulhu Installation ===${NC}"
+
+# Check if binary exists
+if [[ ! -f "$CTHULHU_BIN" ]]; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: Cthulhu binary not found at $CTHULHU_BIN${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}Run ./build-local.sh first${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo -e "${YELLOW}Testing basic functionality...${NC}"
+
+# Test version
+echo -n "Version check: "
+if "$CTHULHU_BIN" --version >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo -e "${GREEN}✓${NC}"
+else
+    echo -e "${RED}✗${NC}"
+fi
+
+# Test help
+echo -n "Help option: "
+if "$CTHULHU_BIN" --help >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo -e "${GREEN}✓${NC}"
+else
+    echo -e "${RED}✗${NC}"
+fi
+
+# Test D-Bus service import
+echo -n "D-Bus service: "
+if PYTHONPATH="${LOCAL_PREFIX}/lib/python3.*/site-packages" python3 -c "
+import sys
+sys.path.insert(0, '${LOCAL_PREFIX}/lib/python3.13/site-packages')
+try:
+    import cthulhu.dbus_service
+    controller = cthulhu.dbus_service.get_remote_controller()
+    print('D-Bus available:', controller._dasbus_available, file=sys.stderr)
+    print('SUCCESS')
+except Exception as e:
+    print('ERROR:', e, file=sys.stderr)
+    sys.exit(1)
+" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo -e "${GREEN}✓${NC}"
+else
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}~ (expected during development)${NC}"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo -e "${GREEN}Local build test complete!${NC}"
+echo -e "${YELLOW}To run Cthulhu: ${CTHULHU_BIN}${NC}"
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