diff --git a/hosts/solaria/runtime/node-agent/docker-compose.override.yml b/hosts/solaria/runtime/node-agent/docker-compose.override.yml
index 5b6b4aa..8028c7a 100644
--- a/hosts/solaria/runtime/node-agent/docker-compose.override.yml
+++ b/hosts/solaria/runtime/node-agent/docker-compose.override.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
 services:
   node-agent:
+    # Docker GID on SOLARIA is 996 (not the Debian default 999 the base compose
+    # assumes). Without this the agent starts with "Docker unavailable:
+    # Permission denied" on /var/run/docker.sock and reports no containers
+    # (recon RECON-multiagent-2026-07-27.md, A2/E19). Compose concatenates
+    # group_add lists, so the base 999 stays alongside; 996 is what grants
+    # socket access here. Same per-host pattern as piha (123) and lustro (991).
+    group_add:
+      - "996"
     environment:
       - NODE_NAME=solaria
       - NODE_TYPE=ai_node