diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index ed5eabf..18e33b2 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ Deploy flow (automation-first):
 - Bootstrap AWS instances from the AMI with `infra/opentofu/aws` (set `TF_VAR_ami_id`).
 - Import the image into AWS as an AMI (snapshot import + register image).
 - Ensure secrets are encrypted to the baked agenix key (see `../nix/nix-secrets/secrets.nix`).
-- Ensure required secrets exist: `clawdinator-github-app.pem`, `clawdinator-discord-token-<n>`, `clawdinator-control-token`, `clawdinator-anthropic-api-key`.
+- Ensure required secrets exist: `clawdinator-github-app.pem`, `clawdinator-discord-token-<n>`, `clawdinator-control-token`, `clawdinator-control-aws-*`, `clawdinator-anthropic-api-key`.
 - Update `nix/hosts/<host>.nix` (Discord allowlist, GitHub App installationId, identity name).
 - Discord must use `messages.queue.byChannel.discord = "interrupt"`; `queue` delays replies to heartbeat and makes the bot appear dead.
 - Ensure `/var/lib/clawd/repos/clawdinators` contains this repo (self-update requires it).
diff --git a/control/api/handler.js b/control/api/handler.js
index 0b9bea4..7cc8e5c 100644
--- a/control/api/handler.js
+++ b/control/api/handler.js
@@ -88,25 +88,31 @@ exports.handler = async (event) => {
     return unauthorized();
   }
 
-  if (!event.body) {
-    return badRequest('missing body');
-  }
-
-  const body = event.isBase64Encoded
-    ? Buffer.from(event.body, 'base64').toString('utf-8')
-    : event.body;
-
   let payload;
-  try {
-    payload = JSON.parse(body);
-  } catch (err) {
-    return badRequest('invalid json');
+  if (event && typeof event.body === 'string') {
+    const body = event.isBase64Encoded
+      ? Buffer.from(event.body, 'base64').toString('utf-8')
+      : event.body;
+    try {
+      payload = JSON.parse(body);
+    } catch (err) {
+      return badRequest('invalid json');
+    }
+  } else if (event && typeof event === 'object') {
+    payload = event;
+  } else {
+    return badRequest('missing payload');
   }
 
   const action = (payload.action || '').toLowerCase();
   const target = payload.target;
   const caller = payload.caller;
   const amiOverride = payload.ami_override || '';
+  const controlToken = payload.control_token || null;
+
+  if (CONTROL_API_TOKEN && controlToken !== CONTROL_API_TOKEN) {
+    return unauthorized();
+  }
 
   if (action === 'status') {
     try {
diff --git a/docs/CONTROL_PLANE.md b/docs/CONTROL_PLANE.md
index 2ea5346..6cbe498 100644
--- a/docs/CONTROL_PLANE.md
+++ b/docs/CONTROL_PLANE.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Goal: manage CLAWDINATOR host lifecycle (create/recreate/replace) from **CLAWDIN
   - Dispatches GitHub Actions workflows.
   - Handles `/fleet status` via AWS DescribeInstances.
 - **Fleet Control Skill** (runs inside CLAWDINATOR)
-  - Calls the Control API via `scripts/fleet-control.sh`.
+  - Calls the Control API via `scripts/fleet-control.sh` (AWS IAM invoke).
   - Enforces policy (no self‑deploy) before calling.
 - **GitHub Actions** (execution)
   - Runs OpenTofu apply.
@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ Goal: manage CLAWDINATOR host lifecycle (create/recreate/replace) from **CLAWDIN
 
 ## Control API Auth
 - Shared control token stored as `clawdinator-control-token.age`.
-- Token is sent via `X-Clawdinator-Token` header to avoid Lambda URL auth conflicts.
+- Control API is invoked via AWS IAM using a **minimal invoker key**:
+  - `clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age`
+  - `clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age`
 - Token is injected into instances via bootstrap and read from `/run/agenix/clawdinator-control-token`.
 
 ## Control API Env (Lambda)
@@ -139,7 +141,10 @@ Example:
 ## Plane Ops Runbook (Chat‑only)
 ### Preflight (before flight)
 1) Control API Lambda exists; URL is written to `/etc/clawdinator/control-api-url`.
-2) `clawdinator-control-token.age` exists in `nix-secrets` and is in bootstrap bundles.
+2) Control secrets exist in `nix-secrets` and are in bootstrap bundles:
+   - `clawdinator-control-token.age`
+   - `clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age`
+   - `clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age`
 3) GitHub Action `fleet-deploy.yml` exists and can be dispatched.
 4) `nix/instances.json` includes all desired instances.
 5) Discord tokens are encrypted in `nix-secrets` and synced to S3 `age-secrets/`.
@@ -158,8 +163,12 @@ Example:
 3) Update OpenTofu:
    - multi‑instance `for_each` using `nix/instances.json`.
    - S3 backend + Dynamo lock table.
-   - Control API Lambda (Function URL).
-4) Add `clawdinator-control-token.age` to `nix-secrets` and include in bootstrap bundles.
+   - Control API Lambda.
+   - Control invoker IAM user (lambda invoke only).
+4) Add control secrets to `nix-secrets` and include in bootstrap bundles:
+   - `clawdinator-control-token.age`
+   - `clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age`
+   - `clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age`
 5) Add workflow `fleet-deploy.yml`:
    - inputs: `target`, `ami_override` (optional).
    - resolves latest AMI by tag when override not set.
diff --git a/docs/SECRETS.md b/docs/SECRETS.md
index 9b517e2..cc1a8e5 100644
--- a/docs/SECRETS.md
+++ b/docs/SECRETS.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Control plane (OOB):
 
 Runtime control (CLAWDINATOR):
 - `clawdinator-control-token.age` is injected to `/run/agenix/clawdinator-control-token` and used by `/fleet`.
+- `clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age` + `clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age` allow Lambda invocation.
 - Token is shared across instances (KISS); policy enforcement happens in the skill.
 
 Local storage:
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ Agenix (local secrets repo):
 - Sync encrypted secrets to the host at `/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets`.
 - Decrypt on host with agenix; point NixOS options at `/run/agenix/*`.
 - Image builds do **not** bake the agenix identity; the age key is injected at runtime via the bootstrap bundle.
-- Required files (minimum): `clawdinator-github-app.pem.age`, `clawdinator-anthropic-api-key.age`, `clawdinator-openai-api-key-peter-2.age`, `clawdinator-control-token.age`.
+- Required files (minimum): `clawdinator-github-app.pem.age`, `clawdinator-anthropic-api-key.age`, `clawdinator-openai-api-key-peter-2.age`, `clawdinator-control-token.age`, `clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age`, `clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age`.
 - Required per instance: `clawdinator-discord-token-1.age`, `clawdinator-discord-token-2.age` (one per instance).
 - Required for Telegram: `clawdinator-telegram-bot-token.age` (when Telegram is enabled).
 - Telegram allowlist (if using allowFrom secrets): `clawdinator-telegram-allow-from.age`.
@@ -81,6 +82,10 @@ Example NixOS wiring (agenix):
     "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-discord-token-1.age";
   age.secrets."clawdinator-control-token".file =
     "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-control-token.age";
+  age.secrets."clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id".file =
+    "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age";
+  age.secrets."clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key".file =
+    "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age";
   age.secrets."clawdinator-telegram-bot-token".file =
     "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-telegram-bot-token.age";
   age.secrets."clawdinator-telegram-allow-from".file =
diff --git a/infra/opentofu/aws/README.md b/infra/opentofu/aws/README.md
index ee4dcdf..694ec6f 100644
--- a/infra/opentofu/aws/README.md
+++ b/infra/opentofu/aws/README.md
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ export TF_VAR_github_token=...
 - `efs_file_system_id`
 - `efs_security_group_id`
 - `control_api_url`
+- `control_invoker_access_key_id`
+- `control_invoker_secret_access_key`
 
 ## CI wiring
 - Set GitHub Actions secrets:
@@ -64,6 +66,8 @@ export TF_VAR_github_token=...
   - `CLAWDINATOR_SSH_PUBLIC_KEY`
   - `CONTROL_API_TOKEN`
   - `CLAWDINATOR_WORKFLOW_TOKEN`
+  - `CLAWDINATOR_CONTROL_AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID`
+  - `CLAWDINATOR_CONTROL_AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY`
 
 ## Runtime bootstrap
 - Instances get an IAM role with read access to `s3://${S3_BUCKET}/bootstrap/*` for secrets + repo seeds.
diff --git a/infra/opentofu/aws/main.tf b/infra/opentofu/aws/main.tf
index 8992d97..1127e33 100644
--- a/infra/opentofu/aws/main.tf
+++ b/infra/opentofu/aws/main.tf
@@ -410,9 +410,36 @@ resource "aws_lambda_function_url" "control" {
 }
 
 resource "aws_lambda_permission" "control_url" {
-  count         = var.control_api_enabled ? 1 : 0
-  statement_id  = "AllowFunctionUrl"
-  action        = "lambda:InvokeFunctionUrl"
-  function_name = aws_lambda_function.control[0].function_name
-  principal     = "*"
+  count                   = var.control_api_enabled ? 1 : 0
+  statement_id            = "AllowFunctionUrl"
+  action                  = "lambda:InvokeFunctionUrl"
+  function_name           = aws_lambda_function.control[0].function_name
+  principal               = "*"
+  function_url_auth_type  = "NONE"
+}
+
+resource "aws_iam_user" "control_invoker" {
+  count = var.control_api_enabled ? 1 : 0
+  name  = var.control_invoker_user_name
+  tags  = local.tags
+}
+
+resource "aws_iam_access_key" "control_invoker" {
+  count = var.control_api_enabled ? 1 : 0
+  user  = aws_iam_user.control_invoker[0].name
+}
+
+data "aws_iam_policy_document" "control_invoker" {
+  count = var.control_api_enabled ? 1 : 0
+  statement {
+    actions = ["lambda:InvokeFunction"]
+    resources = [aws_lambda_function.control[0].arn]
+  }
+}
+
+resource "aws_iam_user_policy" "control_invoker" {
+  count  = var.control_api_enabled ? 1 : 0
+  name   = "clawdinator-control-invoke"
+  user   = aws_iam_user.control_invoker[0].name
+  policy = data.aws_iam_policy_document.control_invoker[0].json
 }
diff --git a/infra/opentofu/aws/outputs.tf b/infra/opentofu/aws/outputs.tf
index 6c3d99f..9dc0840 100644
--- a/infra/opentofu/aws/outputs.tf
+++ b/infra/opentofu/aws/outputs.tf
@@ -52,3 +52,15 @@ output "control_api_url" {
   value       = var.control_api_enabled ? aws_lambda_function_url.control[0].function_url : null
   description = "Control-plane API Lambda URL."
 }
+
+output "control_invoker_access_key_id" {
+  value       = var.control_api_enabled ? aws_iam_access_key.control_invoker[0].id : null
+  description = "Access key for control API Lambda invoke user."
+  sensitive   = true
+}
+
+output "control_invoker_secret_access_key" {
+  value       = var.control_api_enabled ? aws_iam_access_key.control_invoker[0].secret : null
+  description = "Secret access key for control API Lambda invoke user."
+  sensitive   = true
+}
diff --git a/infra/opentofu/aws/variables.tf b/infra/opentofu/aws/variables.tf
index efcf1a0..6bda2f8 100644
--- a/infra/opentofu/aws/variables.tf
+++ b/infra/opentofu/aws/variables.tf
@@ -67,6 +67,12 @@ variable "control_api_name" {
   default     = "clawdinator-control-api"
 }
 
+variable "control_invoker_user_name" {
+  description = "IAM user for invoking the control API Lambda."
+  type        = string
+  default     = "clawdinator-control-invoker"
+}
+
 variable "control_api_token" {
   description = "Bearer token required by the control-plane API."
   type        = string
diff --git a/nix/examples/clawdinator-host.nix b/nix/examples/clawdinator-host.nix
index 8cae2b4..da00460 100644
--- a/nix/examples/clawdinator-host.nix
+++ b/nix/examples/clawdinator-host.nix
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@
     "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-discord-token-1.age";
   age.secrets."clawdinator-control-token".file =
     "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-control-token.age";
+  age.secrets."clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id".file =
+    "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age";
+  age.secrets."clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key".file =
+    "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age";
   age.secrets."clawdinator-telegram-bot-token".file =
     "/var/lib/clawd/nix-secrets/clawdinator-telegram-bot-token.age";
   age.secrets."clawdinator-telegram-allow-from".file =
diff --git a/nix/hosts/clawdinator-common.nix b/nix/hosts/clawdinator-common.nix
index 2bcc991..133e5b2 100644
--- a/nix/hosts/clawdinator-common.nix
+++ b/nix/hosts/clawdinator-common.nix
@@ -65,6 +65,16 @@ in
       owner = "clawdinator";
       group = "clawdinator";
     };
+    age.secrets."clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id" = {
+      file = "${secretsPath}/clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age";
+      owner = "clawdinator";
+      group = "clawdinator";
+    };
+    age.secrets."clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key" = {
+      file = "${secretsPath}/clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age";
+      owner = "clawdinator";
+      group = "clawdinator";
+    };
     age.secrets."clawdinator-telegram-bot-token" = {
       file = "${secretsPath}/clawdinator-telegram-bot-token.age";
       owner = "clawdinator";
diff --git a/scripts/fleet-control.sh b/scripts/fleet-control.sh
index 99eeec8..d82eb40 100755
--- a/scripts/fleet-control.sh
+++ b/scripts/fleet-control.sh
@@ -12,22 +12,23 @@ fi
 
 api_url_file="/etc/clawdinator/control-api-url"
 token_file="/run/agenix/clawdinator-control-token"
+access_key_file="/run/agenix/clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id"
+secret_key_file="/run/agenix/clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key"
 caller_file="/etc/clawdinator/instance-name"
 
-if [ ! -f "${api_url_file}" ]; then
-  echo "Missing control API URL: ${api_url_file}" >&2
-  exit 1
-fi
 if [ ! -f "${token_file}" ]; then
   echo "Missing control API token: ${token_file}" >&2
   exit 1
 fi
+if [ ! -f "${access_key_file}" ] || [ ! -f "${secret_key_file}" ]; then
+  echo "Missing control AWS credentials in /run/agenix" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
 if [ ! -f "${caller_file}" ]; then
   echo "Missing instance name: ${caller_file}" >&2
   exit 1
 fi
 
-api_url="$(cat "${api_url_file}")"
 control_token="$(cat "${token_file}")"
 caller="$(cat "${caller_file}")"
 
@@ -48,13 +49,23 @@ payload="$(jq -n \
   --arg target "${target}" \
   --arg caller "${caller}" \
   --arg ami_override "${ami_override}" \
-  '{action: $action, target: $target, caller: $caller, ami_override: $ami_override}')"
+  --arg control_token "${control_token}" \
+  '{action: $action, target: $target, caller: $caller, ami_override: $ami_override, control_token: $control_token}')"
 
-response="$(curl -sS -X POST \
-  -H "X-Clawdinator-Token: ${control_token}" \
-  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-  -d "${payload}" \
-  "${api_url}")"
+region="${AWS_REGION:-eu-central-1}"
+export AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID="$(cat "${access_key_file}")"
+export AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="$(cat "${secret_key_file}")"
+
+response_file="$(mktemp)"
+aws lambda invoke \
+  --function-name "clawdinator-control-api" \
+  --region "${region}" \
+  --payload "${payload}" \
+  --cli-binary-format raw-in-base64-out \
+  "${response_file}" >/dev/null
+
+response="$(cat "${response_file}")"
+rm -f "${response_file}"
 
 if [ "${action}" = "status" ]; then
   ok="$(printf '%s' "${response}" | jq -r '.ok')"
diff --git a/scripts/validate-age-secrets.sh b/scripts/validate-age-secrets.sh
index f9ee5c9..250eae9 100755
--- a/scripts/validate-age-secrets.sh
+++ b/scripts/validate-age-secrets.sh
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ required_common=(
   "clawdinator-anthropic-api-key.age"
   "clawdinator-openai-api-key-peter-2.age"
   "clawdinator-control-token.age"
+  "clawdinator-control-aws-access-key-id.age"
+  "clawdinator-control-aws-secret-access-key.age"
   "clawdinator-telegram-bot-token.age"
   "clawdinator-telegram-allow-from.age"
 )