diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 485fcd5..ac9394b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ chi-edge device register \
 
 After this stage, the device will appear with  (`2/4` checks) passing.
 
+> **Note:** newly registered devices are restricted to your current Chameleon project by default — only reservations from that project can use them. See [Access control](#access-control) to broaden or review access.
+
 ### 2. Bake the OS image
 
 Download the appropriate [balenaOS image](https://chameleoncloud.gitbook.io/chi-edge/edge-sdk#download-balena-os-image) for your device, then configure it for the testbed:
@@ -54,11 +56,42 @@ Write the baked image to your device's storage (microSD or eMMC) using [balenaEt
 | Command | Description |
 |---------|-------------|
 | `chi-edge device list` | List your registered devices |
+| `chi-edge device list --long` | Include type, project restrictions, contact, and local egress columns |
 | `chi-edge device show <name>` | Show device details and health |
 | `chi-edge device set` | Update device configuration |
 | `chi-edge device delete <name>` | Remove a device |
 | `chi-edge device sync <name>` | Force device re-sync |
 
+## Access control
+
+Every device has an `authorized_projects` list that controls which Chameleon projects can reserve it. A fresh registration sets this to your current project only.
+
+### See the current state
+
+```
+chi-edge device list --long
+```
+
+The `Restricted to` column shows the authorized projects, or `public` if the device has no restrictions.
+
+### Add or change authorized projects
+
+```
+chi-edge device set <name> --authorized-projects proj-a,proj-b,proj-c
+```
+
+The list is replaced wholesale — include every project that should retain access.
+
+### Make a device public
+
+Before removing project restrictions, reserve and use the device from your own project to confirm it's working as expected. Once you're satisfied:
+
+```
+chi-edge device set <name> --unset authorized_projects
+```
+
+The device will now accept reservations from any Chameleon project.
+
 ## Configuration
 
 Uses OpenStack [clouds.yaml](https://docs.openstack.org/python-openstackclient/latest/configuration/index.html) or environment variables for authentication. Specify the cloud with `--os-cloud` or set `OS_CLOUD`.
diff --git a/chi_edge/cli.py b/chi_edge/cli.py
index e2a6a0a..6ced40b 100644
--- a/chi_edge/cli.py
+++ b/chi_edge/cli.py
@@ -157,6 +157,11 @@ def register(
         ctx = click.get_current_context()
         conn = openstack.connect(cloud=ctx.obj.get("os_cloud"))
 
+        if not conn.current_project_id:
+            raise click.ClickException(
+                "cannot register device: no project scope on current auth session"
+            )
+
         if bool(application_credential_id) != bool(application_credential_secret):
             raise click.ClickException(
                 "--application-credential-id and --application-credential-secret must be provided together"
@@ -194,6 +199,7 @@ def register(
                         "application_credential_secret": application_credential_secret,
                         "contact_email": contact_email,
                         "machine_name": machine_name,
+                        "authorized_projects": [conn.current_project_id],
                     },
                 },
             )
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index 5b8c617..23f9588 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -351,3 +351,79 @@ def test_device_set_rejects_set_and_unset_of_same_property():
         assert result.exit_code != 0
         assert "Cannot both set and unset --contact-email" in result.output
         mock_adapter.patch.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def _register_mocks(project_id: "str | None" = "proj-abc"):
+    """Return (mock_conn, mock_adapter) wired for a successful register."""
+    mock_conn = MagicMock()
+    mock_conn.current_project_id = project_id
+    mock_conn.current_user_id = "user-xyz"
+    mock_conn.identity.application_credentials.return_value = []
+    mock_conn.identity.create_application_credential.return_value = MagicMock(
+        id="cred-id", secret="cred-secret"
+    )
+    mock_adapter = MagicMock()
+    mock_adapter.post.return_value.json.return_value = FAKE_DEVICE
+    return mock_conn, mock_adapter
+
+
+def test_register_auto_authorizes_owning_project():
+    mock_conn, mock_adapter = _register_mocks(project_id="proj-abc")
+
+    runner = CliRunner()
+    with (
+        patch("chi_edge.cli.openstack") as mock_os,
+        patch("chi_edge.cli.doni_client", return_value=mock_adapter),
+        patch("chi_edge.cli.utils.validate_rfc1123_name", return_value=True),
+    ):
+        mock_os.connect.return_value = mock_conn
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            cli,
+            [
+                "device",
+                "register",
+                "iot-rpi4-01",
+                "--machine-name",
+                "raspberrypi4-64",
+                "--contact-email",
+                "test@example.com",
+                "--application-credential-id",
+                "cid",
+                "--application-credential-secret",
+                "csec",
+            ],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code == 0, result.output
+        ((_, kwargs),) = mock_adapter.post.call_args_list
+        assert kwargs["json"]["properties"]["authorized_projects"] == ["proj-abc"]
+
+
+def test_register_fails_without_project_scope():
+    mock_conn, mock_adapter = _register_mocks(project_id=None)
+
+    runner = CliRunner()
+    with (
+        patch("chi_edge.cli.openstack") as mock_os,
+        patch("chi_edge.cli.doni_client", return_value=mock_adapter),
+        patch("chi_edge.cli.utils.validate_rfc1123_name", return_value=True),
+    ):
+        mock_os.connect.return_value = mock_conn
+        result = runner.invoke(
+            cli,
+            [
+                "device",
+                "register",
+                "iot-rpi4-01",
+                "--machine-name",
+                "raspberrypi4-64",
+                "--contact-email",
+                "test@example.com",
+                "--application-credential-id",
+                "cid",
+                "--application-credential-secret",
+                "csec",
+            ],
+        )
+        assert result.exit_code != 0
+        assert "no project scope" in result.output
+        mock_adapter.post.assert_not_called()