diff --git a/apps/web/src/config.ts b/apps/web/src/config.ts
index 8ed3dd09..a5bc2ad2 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/config.ts
+++ b/apps/web/src/config.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ export const wording = {
     signOut: "Sign out",
     tryAgain: "Try again",
     openSettings: "Open Settings",
+    enableAi: "Enable AI",
     unarchive: "Unarchive",
     markShipped: "Mark as shipped",
     reopen: "Reopen",
@@ -376,6 +377,7 @@ export const wording = {
     empty: "Nothing in the conversation yet",
     emptyLead: "Replies show here. Saved documents show on the right.",
     startingCoordinator: "Starting the coordinator…",
+    enableAiFirst: "Enable AI to start the conversation",
     dropFiles: "Drop files to attach them",
     noCoordinator: "This project has no running coordinator.",
   },
diff --git a/apps/web/src/pages/model-setup.tsx b/apps/web/src/pages/model-setup.tsx
index fb20c9e5..7252eebb 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/pages/model-setup.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/pages/model-setup.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,14 @@
 import { useState } from "react";
 import { productName, wording } from "../config.ts";
 import { AuthLayout, DitherCanvas, KindCardGrid } from "@corbits/react-ui";
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogBody,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogDescription,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+} from "@corbits/react-ui/ui/dialog";
 import { Banner, Mark, QUIET_CONTROL } from "../components.jsx";
 import {
   AddProviderDialog,
@@ -49,6 +57,74 @@ export function needsModelSetup(
   );
 }
 
+/**
+ * A tile per subscription login, then a tile per API-key provider opening the Add provider dialog.
+ * The caller holds the logins, so a sign-in in flight outlives the tiles when a dialog closes.
+ */
+function ProviderTiles({
+  subscriptions,
+  onConnected,
+}: {
+  subscriptions: ReturnType<typeof useSubscriptionLogins>;
+  onConnected: () => void;
+}) {
+  const catalog = useModelCatalog();
+  const { logins, signingIn, signIn } = subscriptions;
+  const [keyOpen, setKeyOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [keyProviderId, setKeyProviderId] = useState<string>();
+  const fault = catalog.error ? (
+    <Banner tone="error" title={catalog.error.message} />
+  ) : null;
+  // No tiles until the catalog says which providers exist; a failed refetch keeps the last read.
+  if (catalog.data === undefined) return fault;
+  const apiKeyProviders = catalog.data.providers.filter(
+    (provider) => provider.kind === "api_key",
+  );
+  return (
+    <>
+      {fault}
+      <KindCardGrid
+        label={copy.loginGroup}
+        className="provider-tiles"
+        options={logins.map((provider) => ({
+          id: provider.id,
+          title: provider.label,
+          description: signingIn === provider.id ? copy.waiting : provider.hint,
+          icon: <ProviderLogo providerId={provider.id} />,
+          disabled: signingIn !== null,
+        }))}
+        onChange={(id) => {
+          const provider = logins.find((login) => login.id === id);
+          if (provider) void signIn(provider);
+        }}
+      />
+      <hr className="model-setup-divider" />
+      <KindCardGrid
+        label={copy.apiKeyGroup}
+        className="provider-tiles"
+        options={apiKeyProviders.map((provider) => ({
+          id: provider.id,
+          title: provider.label,
+          description: provider.hint,
+          icon: <ProviderLogo providerId={provider.id} />,
+          disabled: signingIn !== null,
+        }))}
+        onChange={(id) => {
+          setKeyProviderId(id);
+          setKeyOpen(true);
+        }}
+      />
+      <AddProviderDialog
+        key={keyProviderId}
+        providerId={keyProviderId}
+        open={keyOpen}
+        onOpenChange={setKeyOpen}
+        onConnected={onConnected}
+      />
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
 export function ModelSetup({
   onConnected,
   onLater,
@@ -60,13 +136,7 @@ export function ModelSetup({
     clearModelSetupDeferral();
     onConnected();
   };
-  const catalog = useModelCatalog();
-  const { logins, signingIn, signIn } = useSubscriptionLogins(connected);
-  const apiKeyProviders = (catalog.data?.providers ?? []).filter(
-    (provider) => provider.kind === "api_key",
-  );
-  const [keyOpen, setKeyOpen] = useState(false);
-  const [keyProviderId, setKeyProviderId] = useState<string>();
+  const subscriptions = useSubscriptionLogins(connected);
   return (
     <AuthLayout
       brand={
@@ -82,48 +152,7 @@ export function ModelSetup({
           <h1>{copy.connect}</h1>
           <p>{copy.noneHint}</p>
         </hgroup>
-        {catalog.error ? (
-          <Banner tone="error" title={catalog.error.message} />
-        ) : null}
-        <KindCardGrid
-          label={copy.loginGroup}
-          className="provider-tiles"
-          options={logins.map((provider) => ({
-            id: provider.id,
-            title: provider.label,
-            description:
-              signingIn === provider.id ? copy.waiting : provider.hint,
-            icon: <ProviderLogo providerId={provider.id} />,
-            disabled: signingIn !== null,
-          }))}
-          onChange={(id) => {
-            const provider = logins.find((login) => login.id === id);
-            if (provider) void signIn(provider);
-          }}
-        />
-        <hr className="model-setup-divider" />
-        <KindCardGrid
-          label={copy.apiKeyGroup}
-          className="provider-tiles"
-          options={apiKeyProviders.map((provider) => ({
-            id: provider.id,
-            title: provider.label,
-            description: provider.hint,
-            icon: <ProviderLogo providerId={provider.id} />,
-            disabled: signingIn !== null,
-          }))}
-          onChange={(id) => {
-            setKeyProviderId(id);
-            setKeyOpen(true);
-          }}
-        />
-        <AddProviderDialog
-          key={keyProviderId}
-          providerId={keyProviderId}
-          open={keyOpen}
-          onOpenChange={setKeyOpen}
-          onConnected={connected}
-        />
+        <ProviderTiles subscriptions={subscriptions} onConnected={connected} />
         <div className="model-setup-later">
           <button
             type="button"
@@ -145,3 +174,37 @@ export function ModelSetup({
     </AuthLayout>
   );
 }
+
+/**
+ * The same tiles over the open project, so connecting never leaves it. A connection refreshes the
+ * shared model catalog, which is what the project watches to start its coordinator.
+ */
+export function EnableAiDialog({
+  open,
+  onOpenChange,
+}: {
+  open: boolean;
+  onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+}) {
+  const connected = () => {
+    clearModelSetupDeferral();
+    onOpenChange(false);
+  };
+  const subscriptions = useSubscriptionLogins(connected);
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
+      <DialogContent>
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>{copy.connect}</DialogTitle>
+          <DialogDescription>{copy.noneHint}</DialogDescription>
+        </DialogHeader>
+        <DialogBody className="model-setup">
+          <ProviderTiles
+            subscriptions={subscriptions}
+            onConnected={connected}
+          />
+        </DialogBody>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/web/src/pages/workspace/index.tsx b/apps/web/src/pages/workspace/index.tsx
index b96c63dd..2aa2aad8 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/pages/workspace/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/pages/workspace/index.tsx
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 import { wording } from "../../config.ts";
 import { useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState, type ReactNode } from "react";
 import { useQuery, useQueryClient } from "@tanstack/react-query";
-import { Paperclip } from "lucide-react";
+import { Paperclip, Sparkles } from "lucide-react";
 import {
   Attachment,
   type AttachmentItem,
@@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ import { NextStepLine, useProjectNextStep } from "./next-step.tsx";
 import { composerPlaceholder } from "./composer-placeholder.ts";
 import { Dictated } from "../../dictation.jsx";
 import { useShellReply } from "../../flourish.tsx";
+import { EnableAiDialog, needsModelSetup } from "../model-setup.tsx";
+import { useModelCatalog } from "../providers.tsx";
 
 // The stream says when the room moved. This read covers what it cannot see,
 // such as a coordinator run replaced while its old stream stays quiet.
@@ -272,7 +274,9 @@ const MODEL_CHOICE_REFUSALS: ReadonlySet<string> = new Set([
 ]);
 
 // The hub's own sentence for a project with no model to run on, which only the person can settle.
-async function modelRefusal(cause: unknown): Promise<string | undefined> {
+async function modelRefusal(
+  cause: unknown,
+): Promise<{ code: string; message: string } | undefined> {
   if (!(cause instanceof ProductApiError) || cause.response.status !== 409)
     return undefined;
   const body: unknown = await cause.response
@@ -286,7 +290,7 @@ async function modelRefusal(cause: unknown): Promise<string | undefined> {
     typeof body.code === "string" &&
     MODEL_CHOICE_REFUSALS.has(body.code) &&
     typeof body.message === "string"
-    ? body.message
+    ? { code: body.code, message: body.message }
     : undefined;
 }
 
@@ -396,7 +400,13 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
   const [awaitingSince, setAwaitingSince] = useState<number | null>(null);
   const [startFault, setStartFault] = useState<string | null>(null);
   // Why the coordinator has no model to run on, which only the person can settle.
-  const [modelNeeded, setModelNeeded] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [modelNeeded, setModelNeeded] = useState<{
+    code: string;
+    message: string;
+  } | null>(null);
+  // Only a missing provider is settled by connecting one; a profile choice needs Settings.
+  const providerMissing = modelNeeded?.code === "model_provider_missing";
+  const [enablingAi, setEnablingAi] = useState(false);
   const accepted = useQuery({
     queryKey: keys.acceptedMaterials.of(projectId),
     retry: false,
@@ -1006,6 +1016,15 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
     else if (status === "archived" && room.data !== undefined)
       void room.refetch();
   }, [projectId, status]);
+  const catalog = useModelCatalog();
+  const providerConnected =
+    catalog.data !== undefined && !needsModelSetup(catalog.data.providers);
+  // However the provider gets connected (Enable AI, Settings, another tab, the server), the
+  // shared catalog read sees it and the refused start is tried again. Only on that change: a hub
+  // that still refuses would otherwise retry on every refusal.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (providerConnected && providerMissing) void startCoordinator();
+  }, [providerConnected]);
   const [restoring, setRestoring] = useState(false);
   const [restoreFault, setRestoreFault] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const restore = async () => {
@@ -1262,11 +1281,11 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
         </div>
       </div>
     );
-  } else if (modelNeeded !== null) {
+  } else if (modelNeeded !== null && !providerMissing) {
     // A coordinator with no model to run on cannot answer, even one still bound from before.
     dock = (
       <div className="banner" role="alert">
-        <p className="banner-title">{modelNeeded}</p>
+        <p className="banner-title">{modelNeeded.message}</p>
         <div className="banner-action">
           <UiButton type="button" size="sm" onClick={onOpenSettings}>
             {wording.action.openSettings}
@@ -1282,7 +1301,7 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
         </div>
       </div>
     );
-  } else if (unbound) {
+  } else if (unbound && !providerMissing) {
     // The person does not start the coordinator by typing: an unbound room waits for the
     // start that opening it asked for, and a refused start says why and offers it again.
     if (startFault === null) {
@@ -1346,7 +1365,7 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
             </div>
           </div>
         )}
-        {replies.length > 0 ? (
+        {replies.length > 0 && !providerMissing ? (
           <div
             className="workspace-replies"
             role="group"
@@ -1371,7 +1390,8 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
             limits === undefined ||
             limits.mimeTypes.length === 0 ||
             sending ||
-            approvalBusy
+            approvalBusy ||
+            providerMissing
           }
           label={wording.conversation.dropFiles}
         >
@@ -1388,7 +1408,7 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
                 onSubmit={send}
                 canSubmit={value.trim() !== "" || files.length > 0}
                 status={sending || approvalBusy ? "submitted" : "ready"}
-                disabled={sending || approvalBusy}
+                disabled={sending || approvalBusy || providerMissing}
               >
                 {files.length === 0 ? null : (
                   <PromptInputFloat>
@@ -1415,17 +1435,23 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
                 )}
                 <PromptInputTextarea
                   ref={composerRef}
-                  placeholder={composerPlaceholder({
-                    approvalOpen: openApproval !== undefined,
-                    questionsOpen:
-                      !archived && questionsOpen(shownTurns, liveRun.results),
-                    status: projectStatus.data,
-                    chatFirst,
-                  })}
+                  placeholder={
+                    providerMissing
+                      ? wording.conversation.enableAiFirst
+                      : composerPlaceholder({
+                          approvalOpen: openApproval !== undefined,
+                          questionsOpen:
+                            !archived &&
+                            questionsOpen(shownTurns, liveRun.results),
+                          status: projectStatus.data,
+                          chatFirst,
+                        })
+                  }
                 />
                 <PromptInputToolbar>
-                  {mic}
-                  {limits === undefined ||
+                  {providerMissing ? null : mic}
+                  {providerMissing ||
+                  limits === undefined ||
                   limits.mimeTypes.length === 0 ? null : (
                     <>
                       <input
@@ -1449,7 +1475,19 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
                       </PromptInputButton>
                     </>
                   )}
-                  <PromptInputSubmit className="ms-auto" />
+                  {!providerMissing ? (
+                    <PromptInputSubmit className="ms-auto" />
+                  ) : (
+                    <UiButton
+                      type="button"
+                      size="sm"
+                      className="ms-auto"
+                      onClick={() => setEnablingAi(true)}
+                    >
+                      {wording.action.enableAi}
+                      <Sparkles size={14} aria-hidden="true" />
+                    </UiButton>
+                  )}
                 </PromptInputToolbar>
               </PromptInput>
             )}
@@ -1554,6 +1592,7 @@ export function StageWorkspace({
                 </RoomThread>
               </DispatchRoomContext.Provider>
               {dock}
+              <EnableAiDialog open={enablingAi} onOpenChange={setEnablingAi} />
             </div>
           </section>
           {chatFirst ? null : (