Operatives were spies responsible for providing information, equipments or goods to a faction. While the term could refer to specialized combat troops, some operatives were non-combatants who used stealth or subterfuge to infiltrate a target. Some operatives worked in support services or were employees of corporations which supply ships or weapons. The Rebel Alliance, the Galactic Empire, the Sith Empire and the Hutts used operatives on several worlds.
Verena Talos, a Rebel operative
During the years of the Great Galactic War and the Cold War that followed it circa 3653 BBY, the term "operative" was used to refer to a specific breed of Imperial Agent. These operatives served the resurgent Sith Empire and were combat capable. They were known for wielding blaster rifles and energy blades, and utilized stealth field generators.
After the Battle of Ralltiir where Alliance soldiers under Commander Luke Skywalker participated in the defense of the planet from the Empire, many of Ralltiir's population felt indebted to the Rebellion and became operatives.
On Kashyyyk, Imperials used hunters who tracked down escaped Wookiee slaves and reported their location. The Empire and Trandoshans paid a high price for that kind of information. Alternatively, following the subjugation of Kashyyyk by the Empire, the Alliance hired merchants to purchase Wookiee slaves to be freed.