diff --git a/src/basic_memory/services/document_service.py b/src/basic_memory/services/document_service.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9dfa804b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/basic_memory/services/document_service.py
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+"""Service for managing documents in the system."""
+
+import hashlib
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Optional, Dict, Any
+
+from loguru import logger
+
+from basic_memory.models import Document
+from basic_memory.repository.document_repository import DocumentRepository
+from basic_memory.services.service import BaseService
+
+
+class DocumentError(Exception):
+    """Base exception for document operations."""
+
+    pass
+
+
+class DocumentNotFoundError(DocumentError):
+    """Raised when a document doesn't exist."""
+
+    pass
+
+
+class DocumentWriteError(DocumentError):
+    """Raised when document file operations fail."""
+
+    pass
+
+
+class DocumentService(BaseService[DocumentRepository]):
+    """
+    Service for managing documents and their metadata.
+
+    Handles both file operations and database tracking, keeping
+    them in sync. The filesystem is the source of truth.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, document_repository: DocumentRepository):
+        super().__init__(document_repository)
+
+    async def compute_checksum(self, content: str) -> str:
+        """Compute SHA-256 checksum of content."""
+        return hashlib.sha256(content.encode()).hexdigest()
+
+    async def create_document(
+        self, path: str, content: str, metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+    ) -> Document:
+        """
+        Create a new document.
+
+        Args:
+            path: Path where to create the document
+            content: Document content
+            metadata: Optional metadata to store
+
+        Returns:
+            Created document record
+
+        Raises:
+            DocumentWriteError: If file cannot be written
+        """
+        logger.debug(f"Creating document at {path}")
+
+        # Ensure parent directories exist
+        file_path = Path(path)
+        file_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+        # Write file first
+        try:
+            file_path.write_text(content)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise DocumentWriteError(f"Failed to write document file: {e}")
+
+        # After file is written, create database record
+        try:
+            checksum = await self.compute_checksum(content)
+            doc = await self.repository.create(
+                {"path": str(path), "checksum": checksum, "doc_metadata": metadata}
+            )
+            return doc
+        except Exception:
+            # If database operation fails, clean up the file
+            file_path.unlink(missing_ok=True)
+            raise
+
+    async def read_document(self, path: str) -> tuple[Document, str]:
+        """
+        Read a document and its content.
+
+        Args:
+            path: Path to the document
+
+        Returns:
+            Tuple of (document record, content)
+
+        Raises:
+            DocumentNotFoundError: If document doesn't exist
+        """
+        logger.debug(f"Reading document at {path}")
+
+        # Check if file exists
+        file_path = Path(path)
+        if not file_path.exists():
+            raise DocumentNotFoundError(f"Document not found: {path}")
+
+        # Read content first since file is source of truth
+        try:
+            content = file_path.read_text()
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise DocumentError(f"Failed to read document: {e}")
+
+        # Get document record
+        doc = await self.repository.find_by_path(str(path))
+        if not doc:
+            # File exists but no DB record - create one
+            checksum = await self.compute_checksum(content)
+            doc = await self.repository.create({"path": str(path), "checksum": checksum})
+
+        return doc, content
+
+    async def update_document(
+        self, path: str, content: str, metadata: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+    ) -> Document:
+        """
+        Update an existing document.
+
+        Args:
+            path: Path to the document
+            content: New content
+            metadata: Optional new metadata
+
+        Returns:
+            Updated document record
+
+        Raises:
+            DocumentNotFoundError: If document doesn't exist
+            DocumentWriteError: If update fails
+        """
+        logger.debug(f"Updating document at {path}")
+
+        # Verify file exists
+        file_path = Path(path)
+        if not file_path.exists():
+            raise DocumentNotFoundError(f"Document not found: {path}")
+
+        # Write new content first
+        try:
+            file_path.write_text(content)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise DocumentWriteError(f"Failed to write document: {e}")
+
+        # Update database record
+        doc = await self.repository.find_by_path(str(path))
+        if not doc:
+            # File exists but no DB record - create one
+            checksum = await self.compute_checksum(content)
+            return await self.repository.create(
+                {"path": str(path), "checksum": checksum, "doc_metadata": metadata}
+            )
+
+        # Update existing record
+        checksum = await self.compute_checksum(content)
+        update_data = {"checksum": checksum}
+        if metadata is not None:
+            update_data["doc_metadata"] = metadata  # pyright: ignore [reportArgumentType]
+
+        return await self.repository.update(doc.id, update_data)
+
+    async def delete_document(self, path: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Delete a document.
+
+        Args:
+            path: Path to the document
+
+        Raises:
+            DocumentNotFoundError: If document doesn't exist
+            DocumentWriteError: If deletion fails
+        """
+        logger.debug(f"Deleting document at {path}")
+
+        # Verify file exists
+        file_path = Path(path)
+        if not file_path.exists():
+            raise DocumentNotFoundError(f"Document not found: {path}")
+
+        # Delete file first
+        try:
+            file_path.unlink()
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise DocumentWriteError(f"Failed to delete document: {e}")
+
+        # Delete database record if it exists
+        doc = await self.repository.find_by_path(str(path))
+        if doc:
+            await self.repository.delete(doc.id)
diff --git a/tests/repository/test_document_repository.py b/tests/repository/test_document_repository.py
index 525f30cc..341dbdbd 100644
--- a/tests/repository/test_document_repository.py
+++ b/tests/repository/test_document_repository.py
@@ -25,6 +25,39 @@ async def sample_doc(session_maker):
         return doc
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_basic_document_operations(document_repository: DocumentRepository):
+    """Smoke test for basic document operations."""
+    # Create
+    doc_data = {
+        "path": "test/basic.md",
+        "checksum": "test123",
+        "doc_metadata": {"type": "test"}
+    }
+    doc = await document_repository.create(doc_data)
+    assert doc.path == "test/basic.md"
+
+    # Read
+    found = await document_repository.find_by_path("test/basic.md")
+    assert found is not None
+    assert found.checksum == "test123"
+
+    # Update
+    updated = await document_repository.update(
+        doc.id, 
+        {"checksum": "changed123"}
+    )
+    assert updated.checksum == "changed123"
+
+    # Delete
+    result = await document_repository.delete(doc.id)
+    assert result is True
+
+    # Verify deletion
+    not_found = await document_repository.find_by_path("test/basic.md")
+    assert not_found is None
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_create_document(document_repository: DocumentRepository):
     """Test creating a new document."""