diff --git a/docs/cli-reference.md b/docs/cli-reference.md
index 069b40a..eee9339 100644
--- a/docs/cli-reference.md
+++ b/docs/cli-reference.md
@@ -884,6 +884,24 @@ npx thermoworks doneness [meat] [--json]
 
 - `--json` - Output machine-readable JSON.
 
+### `thermoworks placement [meat] [--json]`
+
+Show meat and pit probe placement guidance
+
+**Usage**
+
+```bash
+npx thermoworks placement [meat] [--json]
+```
+
+**Arguments**
+
+- `meat` - Meat name or alias.
+
+**Options**
+
+- `--json` - Output machine-readable JSON.
+
 ### `thermoworks safe <SERIAL> [--channel N] [--temp T] [--protein P] [--held N] [--json]`
 
 Show food-safety pasteurization progress
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/command-registry.ts b/packages/cli/src/command-registry.ts
index a838204..3ce25cc 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/command-registry.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/command-registry.ts
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ import { mcpStart } from "./commands/mcp.js";
 import { metrics } from "./commands/metrics.js";
 import { notifications } from "./commands/notifications.js";
 import { open } from "./commands/open.js";
+import { placement } from "./commands/placement.js";
 import { plan } from "./commands/plan.js";
 import { replay } from "./commands/replay.js";
 import { safe } from "./commands/safe.js";
@@ -718,6 +719,15 @@ export const commandDefinitions: readonly CommandDefinition[] = [
 		supportsJson: true,
 		handler: ({ args, options }: CommandContext) => doneness(args[1], options),
 	},
+	{
+		name: "placement",
+		summary: "Show meat and pit probe placement guidance",
+		usage: "placement [meat] [--json]",
+		usageLines: ["placement [meat]  Show meat and pit probe placement guidance"],
+		arguments: [{ name: "meat", description: "Meat name or alias." }],
+		supportsJson: true,
+		handler: ({ args, options }: CommandContext) => placement(args.slice(1), options),
+	},
 	{
 		name: "safe",
 		summary: "Show food-safety pasteurization progress",
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/placement.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/placement.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..851733c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/placement.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import { getProbePlacements, type ProbePlacement, resolveProbePlacement } from "thermoworks-sdk";
+
+import { type OutputOptions, outputJson } from "../output.js";
+
+/** Format the built-in probe placements as a compact table. */
+export function formatPlacementTable(placements: ProbePlacement[]): string {
+	const header = { meat: "Meat", probe: "Meat probe" };
+	const rows = placements.map((placement) => ({
+		meat: placement.meat,
+		probe: placement.meatProbe,
+	}));
+	const width = Math.max(header.meat.length, ...rows.map((row) => row.meat.length));
+	const lines = ["Probe placement guide:\n", `  ${header.meat.padEnd(width)}  ${header.probe}`];
+	for (const row of rows) lines.push(`  ${row.meat.padEnd(width)}  ${row.probe}`);
+	return `${lines.join("\n")}\n`;
+}
+
+/** Format one cut's probe placement details. */
+export function formatPlacementDetail(placement: ProbePlacement): string {
+	const lines = [
+		placement.meat,
+		`  Meat probe: ${placement.meatProbe}`,
+		`  Pit probe:  ${placement.pitProbe}`,
+		`  Avoid:      ${placement.avoid.join(", ")}`,
+	];
+	for (const note of placement.notes) lines.push(`  Note:       ${note}`);
+	return `${lines.join("\n")}\n`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Show probe placement guidance for common cuts. Uses offline SDK reference data,
+ * so it needs no ThermoWorks Cloud login or network access.
+ */
+export async function placement(
+	args: string[],
+	options: OutputOptions = { json: false },
+): Promise<void> {
+	const meat = args.join(" ").trim();
+
+	if (meat.length > 0) {
+		if (meat.startsWith("--")) {
+			console.error(`Unknown option: ${meat}`);
+			process.exit(1);
+		}
+		const result = resolveProbePlacement(meat);
+		if (!result) {
+			console.error(`Unknown meat: "${meat}". Run "thermoworks placement" to see built-in cuts.`);
+			process.exit(1);
+		}
+		if (options.json) {
+			outputJson(result);
+			return;
+		}
+		process.stdout.write(formatPlacementDetail(result));
+		return;
+	}
+
+	const placements = getProbePlacements();
+	if (options.json) {
+		outputJson(placements);
+		return;
+	}
+	process.stdout.write(formatPlacementTable(placements));
+}
diff --git a/packages/cli/tests/placement.test.ts b/packages/cli/tests/placement.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d2a863f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/tests/placement.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+import {
+	formatPlacementDetail,
+	formatPlacementTable,
+	placement,
+} from "../src/commands/placement.js";
+
+let logSpy: ReturnType<typeof vi.spyOn>;
+let errorSpy: ReturnType<typeof vi.spyOn>;
+let stdoutWriteSpy: ReturnType<typeof vi.spyOn>;
+
+beforeEach(() => {
+	logSpy = vi.spyOn(console, "log").mockImplementation(() => {});
+	errorSpy = vi.spyOn(console, "error").mockImplementation(() => {});
+	stdoutWriteSpy = vi.spyOn(process.stdout, "write").mockImplementation(() => true);
+});
+
+afterEach(() => {
+	vi.clearAllMocks();
+	vi.restoreAllMocks();
+});
+
+const brisket = {
+	meat: "Brisket",
+	meatProbe: "Center of the flat",
+	pitProbe: "At grate level",
+	avoid: ["fat seam", "bone"],
+	notes: ["Use a second probe in the point."],
+};
+
+describe("formatPlacementTable", () => {
+	it("renders a placement row for each cut", () => {
+		const out = formatPlacementTable([brisket]);
+		expect(out).toContain("Probe placement guide");
+		expect(out).toContain("Brisket");
+		expect(out).toContain("Center of the flat");
+	});
+});
+
+describe("formatPlacementDetail", () => {
+	it("renders a labeled block for one cut", () => {
+		const out = formatPlacementDetail(brisket);
+		expect(out).toContain("Meat probe:");
+		expect(out).toContain("Pit probe:");
+		expect(out).toContain("Avoid:");
+		expect(out).toContain("Use a second probe");
+	});
+});
+
+describe("placement command", () => {
+	it("prints a table of every built-in cut", async () => {
+		await placement([]);
+		const written = stdoutWriteSpy.mock.calls[0]?.[0] as string;
+		expect(written).toContain("Probe placement guide");
+		expect(written).toContain("Brisket");
+		expect(written).toContain("Pork Butt");
+	});
+
+	it("prints details for a single resolved cut", async () => {
+		await placement(["brisket"]);
+		const written = stdoutWriteSpy.mock.calls[0]?.[0] as string;
+		expect(written).toContain("Brisket");
+		expect(written).toContain("Meat probe:");
+	});
+
+	it("resolves multi-word aliases", async () => {
+		await placement(["pulled", "pork"]);
+		const written = stdoutWriteSpy.mock.calls[0]?.[0] as string;
+		expect(written).toContain("Pork Butt");
+	});
+
+	it("exits with an error for an unknown meat", async () => {
+		const exitSpy = vi.spyOn(process, "exit").mockImplementation(() => {
+			throw new Error("exit");
+		});
+		await expect(placement(["unobtainium"])).rejects.toThrow("exit");
+		expect(errorSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.stringContaining("Unknown meat"));
+		exitSpy.mockRestore();
+	});
+
+	it("emits a JSON array for the full list", async () => {
+		await placement([], { json: true });
+		const written = logSpy.mock.calls.map((c) => c[0]).join("\n");
+		const parsed = JSON.parse(written);
+		expect(Array.isArray(parsed)).toBe(true);
+		expect(parsed[0].meat).toBe("Brisket");
+		expect(parsed[0]).toHaveProperty("meatProbe");
+	});
+
+	it("emits a JSON object for a single cut", async () => {
+		await placement(["brisket"], { json: true });
+		const written = logSpy.mock.calls.map((c) => c[0]).join("\n");
+		const parsed = JSON.parse(written);
+		expect(parsed.meat).toBe("Brisket");
+		expect(parsed.meatProbe).toContain("flat");
+	});
+});
diff --git a/packages/cli/tests/registry.test.ts b/packages/cli/tests/registry.test.ts
index 9f81057..ace8832 100644
--- a/packages/cli/tests/registry.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/tests/registry.test.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ const expectedCommands = [
 	"graph",
 	"guide",
 	"doneness",
+	"placement",
 	"safe",
 	"carryover",
 	"cooldown",
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/index.ts b/packages/sdk/src/index.ts
index 457e27d..e83e05d 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/index.ts
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ export {
 	getPasteurizationTable,
 	requiredHoldMinutes,
 } from "./pasteurization.js";
+export type { ProbePlacement } from "./placement.js";
+export { getProbePlacements, resolveProbePlacement } from "./placement.js";
 export type {
 	CookPlan,
 	CookPlanItem,
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/placement.ts b/packages/sdk/src/placement.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8675639
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/placement.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+import { getMeatProfiles, resolveMeatProfile } from "./plan.js";
+
+/** Probe placement guidance for one built-in cut. */
+export interface ProbePlacement {
+	/** Canonical meat profile name. */
+	readonly meat: string;
+	/** Where to place the food probe. */
+	readonly meatProbe: string;
+	/** Where to place the pit or ambient probe. */
+	readonly pitProbe: string;
+	/** Common placement mistakes to avoid. */
+	readonly avoid: readonly string[];
+	/** Extra cook-specific placement notes. */
+	readonly notes: readonly string[];
+}
+
+const PLACEMENTS: Record<string, Omit<ProbePlacement, "meat">> = {
+	Brisket: {
+		meatProbe: "Center of the flat, from the side, with the tip in the thickest lean section.",
+		pitProbe: "Clipped to the grate near the brisket, shielded from direct radiant heat.",
+		avoid: ["Fat seams", "the point", "touching the grate", "the firebox side of an offset smoker"],
+		notes: ["Use a second probe in the point if you want to track both muscles."],
+	},
+	"Pork Butt": {
+		meatProbe: "Deep in the money muscle or thickest center, angled away from the blade bone.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the butt, not above the dome thermometer.",
+		avoid: ["Blade bone", "large fat pockets", "the outer bark"],
+		notes: ["Probe tenderness in several spots near the end because shoulders finish unevenly."],
+	},
+	"Pork Ribs": {
+		meatProbe: "Between bones in the thickest center rack section if using a probe.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the rack, with the clip clear of sauce or foil.",
+		avoid: ["Touching bone", "thin end bones", "pinching the cable under a lid"],
+		notes: ["Ribs are still best judged by bend, pullback, and probe tenderness."],
+	},
+	"Baby Back Ribs": {
+		meatProbe: "Between bones in the thickest center of the rack, parallel to the bones.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the rack and away from direct flame.",
+		avoid: ["Bone contact", "the narrow tail end", "placing the pit probe above a water pan edge"],
+		notes: ["Use temperature as a trend. Tenderness matters more than a single number."],
+	},
+	"Whole Chicken": {
+		meatProbe: "Deep in the breast from the side, tip centered and not touching the cavity.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the bird, away from dripping flare-ups.",
+		avoid: ["Bone", "the cavity", "skin-only shallow placement"],
+		notes: ["Spot-check the thigh separately. It should finish hotter than the breast."],
+	},
+	"Chicken Wings": {
+		meatProbe: "Use the largest drumette or flat if monitoring, with the tip centered in meat.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level near the wing pile or basket.",
+		avoid: ["Bone", "skin folds", "tiny pieces that over-read quickly"],
+		notes: ["Wings are small, so spot checks are often more reliable than a leave-in probe."],
+	},
+	Turkey: {
+		meatProbe: "Deep in the breast from the side, tip centered and clear of the rib cage.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the turkey, not high in the dome.",
+		avoid: ["Rib bones", "the cavity", "stuffing", "touching a roasting rack"],
+		notes: ["Track the breast and spot-check the thigh so dark meat has time to finish."],
+	},
+	"Tri-Tip": {
+		meatProbe: "Into the thickest center from the side, following the grain line.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the roast, away from the sear zone.",
+		avoid: ["The tapered tip", "surface fat", "direct radiant heat during a reverse sear"],
+		notes: ["Move or remove the probe before a hard sear if cable heat is a risk."],
+	},
+	Salmon: {
+		meatProbe: "Into the thickest fillet section from the side, shallow enough to stay centered.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the fillet or plank.",
+		avoid: ["Thin tail sections", "touching the plank", "pushing through the fillet"],
+		notes: ["Salmon changes quickly near the end. Pair the probe with visual flake checks."],
+	},
+	"Beef Short Ribs": {
+		meatProbe: "Centered in the thickest meat between bones, inserted from the side.",
+		pitProbe: "At grate level beside the ribs, clear of the bone side and water pan edge.",
+		avoid: ["Bone", "fat pockets", "the membrane side"],
+		notes: ["Probe each rib for tenderness because thickness varies across the plate."],
+	},
+};
+
+function copyPlacement(meat: string, placement: Omit<ProbePlacement, "meat">): ProbePlacement {
+	return {
+		meat,
+		meatProbe: placement.meatProbe,
+		pitProbe: placement.pitProbe,
+		avoid: [...placement.avoid],
+		notes: [...placement.notes],
+	};
+}
+
+/** Return probe placement guidance for every built-in meat profile. */
+export function getProbePlacements(): ProbePlacement[] {
+	return getMeatProfiles().map((profile) => {
+		const placement = PLACEMENTS[profile.name];
+		if (!placement) throw new Error(`Missing probe placement for ${profile.name}`);
+		return copyPlacement(profile.name, placement);
+	});
+}
+
+/** Resolve a meat name or alias to probe placement guidance. */
+export function resolveProbePlacement(meat: string): ProbePlacement | null {
+	const profile = resolveMeatProfile(meat);
+	if (!profile) return null;
+	const placement = PLACEMENTS[profile.name];
+	return placement ? copyPlacement(profile.name, placement) : null;
+}
diff --git a/packages/sdk/tests/placement.test.ts b/packages/sdk/tests/placement.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..faec25e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/sdk/tests/placement.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { getProbePlacements, resolveProbePlacement } from "../src/placement.js";
+import { getMeatProfiles } from "../src/plan.js";
+
+describe("getProbePlacements", () => {
+	it("covers every built-in meat profile", () => {
+		const placements = getProbePlacements();
+		expect(placements.map((p) => p.meat)).toEqual(getMeatProfiles().map((p) => p.name));
+		expect(placements.find((p) => p.meat === "Brisket")?.meatProbe).toContain("flat");
+	});
+
+	it("returns copies so callers cannot mutate the source", () => {
+		const first = getProbePlacements();
+		(first[0]!.avoid as string[]).push("hacked");
+		expect(getProbePlacements()[0]?.avoid).not.toContain("hacked");
+	});
+});
+
+describe("resolveProbePlacement", () => {
+	it("resolves canonical names and aliases", () => {
+		expect(resolveProbePlacement("BRISKET")?.meat).toBe("Brisket");
+		expect(resolveProbePlacement("pulled pork")?.meat).toBe("Pork Butt");
+	});
+
+	it("returns null for unknown meats", () => {
+		expect(resolveProbePlacement("unobtainium")).toBeNull();
+	});
+});