diff --git a/assets/fonts/Inter-Bold.ttf b/assets/fonts/Inter-Bold.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9fb9b75
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fonts/Inter-Bold.ttf differ
diff --git a/assets/fonts/Inter-Medium.ttf b/assets/fonts/Inter-Medium.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..458cd06
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diff --git a/assets/fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf b/assets/fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7aaca8
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf differ
diff --git a/assets/fonts/Inter-SemiBold.ttf b/assets/fonts/Inter-SemiBold.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47f8ab1
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fonts/Inter-SemiBold.ttf differ
diff --git a/assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Medium.ttf b/assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Medium.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9767115
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Medium.ttf differ
diff --git a/assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Regular.ttf b/assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Regular.ttf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dff66cc
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Regular.ttf differ
diff --git a/lib/data/hub.dart b/lib/data/hub.dart
index 1431e66..e2b1f22 100644
--- a/lib/data/hub.dart
+++ b/lib/data/hub.dart
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import 'package:fai_client_sdk/fai_client_sdk.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
 import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
 
+import '../l10n/app_localizations.dart';
 import 'flow_output.dart';
 import 'hub_auth_token.dart';
 export 'flow_output.dart';
@@ -1306,24 +1307,25 @@ class AskAiResult {
 
   /// One-line fix hint per error kind, mirroring
   /// `docs/architecture/system-ai.md`. Empty on success.
-  String get fixHint {
+  /// Localized — pass the active [AppLocalizations].
+  String fixHint(AppLocalizations l) {
     switch (errorKind) {
       case '':
         return '';
       case 'disabled':
-        return 'Configure System AI in Settings (Cmd+,) → System AI panel.';
+        return l.sysAiFixDisabled;
       case 'env_missing':
-        return 'The API-key env var is empty. `export <var>=<key>` in your shell, then `fai daemon restart`.';
+        return l.sysAiFixEnvMissing;
       case 'network':
-        return 'Hub cannot reach the configured endpoint. Is your provider running?';
+        return l.sysAiFixNetwork;
       case 'http':
-        return 'Provider returned a non-2xx status. Verify endpoint, model name, and API key.';
+        return l.sysAiFixHttp;
       case 'parse':
-        return 'Provider returned an unexpected response shape. Non-OpenAI providers may need a compatibility proxy.';
+        return l.sysAiFixParse;
       case 'empty_response':
-        return 'Provider answered with no content. Try a different model or rephrase the prompt.';
+        return l.sysAiFixEmptyResponse;
       default:
-        return 'Unknown failure kind ($errorKind). See system-ai.md.';
+        return l.sysAiFixUnknown(errorKind);
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/data/system_actions.dart b/lib/data/system_actions.dart
index fc48ce6..2884edd 100644
--- a/lib/data/system_actions.dart
+++ b/lib/data/system_actions.dart
@@ -18,9 +18,61 @@
 
 import 'dart:io';
 
+import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
+
+/// Sentinel returned in `_runFai(...).stderr` when no `fai`
+/// binary could be located. UI layers should not display this
+/// verbatim — they check [SystemActions.faiBinaryExists] first
+/// and render a localized, actionable message instead.
+const String kFaiBinaryNotFound = 'fai-binary-not-found';
+
+/// Getting-started / install guide for the F∆I platform. Opened
+/// in the OS browser as the fallback affordance when no `fai`
+/// binary can be located on the machine.
+const String kFaiInstallDocsUrl =
+    'https://git.flemming.ai/fai/platform#installation';
+
 class SystemActions {
   SystemActions._();
 
+  /// SharedPreferences key for an operator-chosen `fai` binary
+  /// path (set via the file picker when auto-detection fails).
+  static const String _kFaiBinaryPrefKey = 'system.fai_binary_path';
+
+  /// In-memory cache of the operator override, loaded once at
+  /// startup by [loadFaiBinaryOverride]. Null = no override.
+  static String? _faiBinaryOverride;
+
+  /// Restore the persisted `fai` binary override (if any) so it
+  /// is available before the first daemon action. Call once at
+  /// app start, alongside the other persisted-state loaders.
+  static Future<void> loadFaiBinaryOverride() async {
+    final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+    final p = prefs.getString(_kFaiBinaryPrefKey);
+    if (p != null && p.isNotEmpty && File(p).existsSync()) {
+      _faiBinaryOverride = p;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Persist an operator-chosen `fai` binary path. Used by the
+  /// "Locate `fai` binary…" affordance when auto-detection on
+  /// PATH and the canonical install dir both come up empty.
+  /// Returns false (and persists nothing) when [path] is empty
+  /// or does not point at an existing file.
+  static Future<bool> setFaiBinaryPath(String path) async {
+    if (path.isEmpty || !File(path).existsSync()) return false;
+    final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
+    await prefs.setString(_kFaiBinaryPrefKey, path);
+    _faiBinaryOverride = path;
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  /// True when a `fai` binary can be located (override, PATH, or
+  /// the canonical install dir). UI uses this to decide between
+  /// the normal daemon-control affordances and the "locate the
+  /// binary / read the install guide" recovery path.
+  static bool faiBinaryExists() => _faiExecutable() != null;
+
   /// Ask the OS to open [path] in the default handler. On macOS
   /// this opens text files in TextEdit, configs in the registered
   /// editor, etc. Returns true on a clean spawn (process exited
@@ -149,13 +201,11 @@ class SystemActions {
   ) async {
     final exe = _faiExecutable();
     if (exe == null) {
-      return (
-        ok: false,
-        stdout: '',
-        stderr:
-            'Could not locate the `fai` binary. Install via the '
-            'platform installer or set FAI_BIN to its full path.',
-      );
+      // Sentinel, not a user-facing string. Callers detect this
+      // via `faiBinaryExists()` and render a localized,
+      // actionable recovery message (locate binary / install
+      // guide) instead of CLI jargon like "set FAI_BIN".
+      return (ok: false, stdout: '', stderr: kFaiBinaryNotFound);
     }
     try {
       final r = await Process.run(exe, args);
@@ -175,9 +225,17 @@ class SystemActions {
     return (executable: 'xdg-open', args: const []);
   }
 
-  /// Locate the `fai` binary. Order: $FAI_BIN, PATH, fallback to
-  /// the canonical install location under the user's home dir.
+  /// Locate the `fai` binary. Order: operator override (set via
+  /// the file picker), $FAI_BIN, PATH, fallback to the canonical
+  /// install location under the user's home dir.
   static String? _faiExecutable() {
+    final override = _faiBinaryOverride;
+    if (override != null &&
+        override.isNotEmpty &&
+        File(override).existsSync()) {
+      return override;
+    }
+
     final fromEnv = Platform.environment['FAI_BIN'];
     if (fromEnv != null && fromEnv.isNotEmpty && File(fromEnv).existsSync()) {
       return fromEnv;
diff --git a/lib/l10n/app_de.arb b/lib/l10n/app_de.arb
index 5708e53..68625fb 100644
--- a/lib/l10n/app_de.arb
+++ b/lib/l10n/app_de.arb
@@ -1520,5 +1520,79 @@
     "placeholders": {
       "error": {"type": "String"}
     }
-  }
+  },
+  "welcomeHubDownTitle": "Der Hub läuft noch nicht",
+  "welcomeHubDownBody": "Studio spricht mit einem lokalen Hub — der Engine, die Module lädt und Flows ausführt. Sie ist gerade nicht erreichbar. Starte sie, um loszulegen.",
+  "welcomeHubDownStart": "Hub starten",
+  "welcomeHubDownStarting": "Wird gestartet …",
+  "welcomeHubDownDocsLink": "Klappt der Start nicht? Zur Erste-Schritte-Anleitung",
+  "welcomeHubDownEndpoint": "Endpunkt: {endpoint}",
+  "@welcomeHubDownEndpoint": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "endpoint": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "daemonStartRequested": "Start des Daemons angefordert. Verbinde neu …",
+  "daemonStartFailed": "Daemon konnte nicht gestartet werden: {detail}",
+  "@daemonStartFailed": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "detail": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "faiBinaryNotFound": "Das Programm `fai` wurde auf diesem Rechner nicht gefunden.",
+  "faiBinaryNotFoundHint": "Installiere die F∆I-Plattform oder verweise Studio auf eine vorhandene `fai`-Datei.",
+  "faiBinaryLocateButton": "`fai`-Programm suchen …",
+  "faiBinaryInstallDocsButton": "Installationsanleitung öffnen",
+  "faiBinaryPickerTitle": "`fai`-Programm auswählen",
+  "faiBinarySetOk": "Verwende `fai` unter {path}",
+  "@faiBinarySetOk": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "path": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "sysAiFixParse": "Der Anbieter hat in einem unerwarteten Format geantwortet. Anbieter, die nicht OpenAI-kompatibel sind, brauchen ggf. einen Übersetzungs-Proxy.",
+  "sysAiFixUnknown": "Unerwarteter Fehler ({kind}). Siehe System-KI-Dokumentation.",
+  "@sysAiFixUnknown": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "kind": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "sysAiFixDisabled": "Richte die System-KI in den Einstellungen (Cmd+,) → Bereich System-KI ein.",
+  "sysAiFixEnvMissing": "Die Umgebungsvariable für den API-Schlüssel ist leer. Setze sie in deiner Shell und starte den Daemon neu.",
+  "sysAiFixNetwork": "Der Hub erreicht den konfigurierten Endpunkt nicht. Läuft dein Anbieter?",
+  "sysAiFixHttp": "Der Anbieter hat einen Status außerhalb 2xx geliefert. Prüfe Endpunkt, Modellname und API-Schlüssel.",
+  "sysAiFixEmptyResponse": "Der Anbieter hat keinen Inhalt geliefert. Probiere ein anderes Modell oder formuliere den Prompt um.",
+  "channelSwitchOk": "Aktiver Kanal auf \"{name}\" umgeschaltet. Daemon neu gestartet.",
+  "@channelSwitchOk": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "name": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "channelSwitchFailed": "Kanalwechsel fehlgeschlagen: {detail}",
+  "@channelSwitchFailed": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "detail": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "providerDescOllama": "Lokales `ollama serve`. Die Modelle bleiben auf deinem Rechner. Kein API-Schlüssel nötig.",
+  "providerDescOpenai": "Gehostete OpenAI-API. Erfordert einen API-Schlüssel. Daten verlassen deinen Rechner.",
+  "providerDescLmstudio": "Lokaler LM-Studio-Server. Die Modelle bleiben auf deinem Rechner. Kein API-Schlüssel nötig.",
+  "providerDescVllm": "Selbst gehostetes vLLM oder ein anderer OpenAI-kompatibler Server. Endpunkt erforderlich.",
+  "providerDescCustom": "Alles andere, das die OpenAI-kompatible Chat-Completions-Schnittstelle spricht (LiteLLM-Proxy, interner Spiegel, …).",
+  "welcomeDocLoadFailedBody": "Die mitgelieferte Doku \"{slug}\" ({locale}) konnte nicht geladen werden.\nVersucht: {attempted}\nUrsache: {underlying}\nMeist ist der installierte Studio-Build älter als das Doku-Bundle. Baue Studio neu oder öffne die Online-Kopie.",
+  "@welcomeDocLoadFailedBody": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "slug": {"type": "String"},
+      "locale": {"type": "String"},
+      "attempted": {"type": "String"},
+      "underlying": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "hubUnreachableBanner": "{endpoint} nicht erreichbar — Einstellungen öffnen",
+  "@hubUnreachableBanner": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "endpoint": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "hubUnreachableOpenSettings": "Einstellungen öffnen"
 }
diff --git a/lib/l10n/app_en.arb b/lib/l10n/app_en.arb
index 2e8c83e..af7293d 100644
--- a/lib/l10n/app_en.arb
+++ b/lib/l10n/app_en.arb
@@ -1523,5 +1523,79 @@
     "placeholders": {
       "error": {"type": "String"}
     }
-  }
+  },
+  "welcomeHubDownTitle": "The hub isn't running yet",
+  "welcomeHubDownBody": "Studio talks to a local hub — the engine that loads modules and runs flows. It isn't reachable right now. Start it to begin.",
+  "welcomeHubDownStart": "Start hub",
+  "welcomeHubDownStarting": "Starting…",
+  "welcomeHubDownDocsLink": "Can't start it? Read the getting-started guide",
+  "welcomeHubDownEndpoint": "Endpoint: {endpoint}",
+  "@welcomeHubDownEndpoint": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "endpoint": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "daemonStartRequested": "Daemon start requested. Reconnecting…",
+  "daemonStartFailed": "Could not start daemon: {detail}",
+  "@daemonStartFailed": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "detail": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "faiBinaryNotFound": "Could not find the `fai` program on this machine.",
+  "faiBinaryNotFoundHint": "Install the F∆I platform, or point Studio at an existing `fai` binary.",
+  "faiBinaryLocateButton": "Locate `fai` binary…",
+  "faiBinaryInstallDocsButton": "Open install guide",
+  "faiBinaryPickerTitle": "Select the `fai` binary",
+  "faiBinarySetOk": "Using `fai` binary at {path}",
+  "@faiBinarySetOk": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "path": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "sysAiFixParse": "The provider sent a response in an unexpected format. Providers that aren't OpenAI-compatible may need a translation proxy.",
+  "sysAiFixUnknown": "Unexpected failure ({kind}). See the System AI documentation.",
+  "@sysAiFixUnknown": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "kind": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "sysAiFixDisabled": "Configure System AI in Settings (Cmd+,) → System AI panel.",
+  "sysAiFixEnvMissing": "The API-key environment variable is empty. Set it in your shell, then restart the daemon.",
+  "sysAiFixNetwork": "The hub can't reach the configured endpoint. Is your provider running?",
+  "sysAiFixHttp": "The provider returned a non-2xx status. Verify the endpoint, model name, and API key.",
+  "sysAiFixEmptyResponse": "The provider answered with no content. Try a different model or rephrase the prompt.",
+  "channelSwitchOk": "Switched active channel to \"{name}\". Daemon restarted.",
+  "@channelSwitchOk": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "name": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "channelSwitchFailed": "Channel switch failed: {detail}",
+  "@channelSwitchFailed": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "detail": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "providerDescOllama": "Local `ollama serve`. Models stay on your machine. No API key needed.",
+  "providerDescOpenai": "OpenAI hosted API. Requires an API key. Data leaves your machine.",
+  "providerDescLmstudio": "Local LM Studio server. Models stay on your machine. No API key needed.",
+  "providerDescVllm": "Self-hosted vLLM or any other OpenAI-compatible server. Endpoint required.",
+  "providerDescCustom": "Anything else that speaks the OpenAI-compatible chat-completions wire (LiteLLM proxy, internal mirror, …).",
+  "welcomeDocLoadFailedBody": "Could not load the bundled doc \"{slug}\" ({locale}).\nTried: {attempted}\nUnderlying: {underlying}\nThis usually means the Studio build on disk predates the doc bundle. Rebuild Studio or open the online copy.",
+  "@welcomeDocLoadFailedBody": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "slug": {"type": "String"},
+      "locale": {"type": "String"},
+      "attempted": {"type": "String"},
+      "underlying": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "hubUnreachableBanner": "Can't reach {endpoint} — open Settings",
+  "@hubUnreachableBanner": {
+    "placeholders": {
+      "endpoint": {"type": "String"}
+    }
+  },
+  "hubUnreachableOpenSettings": "Open Settings"
 }
diff --git a/lib/l10n/app_localizations.dart b/lib/l10n/app_localizations.dart
index bd6684b..257ff77 100644
--- a/lib/l10n/app_localizations.dart
+++ b/lib/l10n/app_localizations.dart
@@ -4279,6 +4279,197 @@ abstract class AppLocalizations {
   /// In en, this message translates to:
   /// **'Install failed: {error}'**
   String installFailed(String error);
+
+  /// No description provided for @welcomeHubDownTitle.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'The hub isn\'t running yet'**
+  String get welcomeHubDownTitle;
+
+  /// No description provided for @welcomeHubDownBody.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Studio talks to a local hub — the engine that loads modules and runs flows. It isn\'t reachable right now. Start it to begin.'**
+  String get welcomeHubDownBody;
+
+  /// No description provided for @welcomeHubDownStart.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Start hub'**
+  String get welcomeHubDownStart;
+
+  /// No description provided for @welcomeHubDownStarting.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Starting…'**
+  String get welcomeHubDownStarting;
+
+  /// No description provided for @welcomeHubDownDocsLink.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Can\'t start it? Read the getting-started guide'**
+  String get welcomeHubDownDocsLink;
+
+  /// No description provided for @welcomeHubDownEndpoint.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Endpoint: {endpoint}'**
+  String welcomeHubDownEndpoint(String endpoint);
+
+  /// No description provided for @daemonStartRequested.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Daemon start requested. Reconnecting…'**
+  String get daemonStartRequested;
+
+  /// No description provided for @daemonStartFailed.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Could not start daemon: {detail}'**
+  String daemonStartFailed(String detail);
+
+  /// No description provided for @faiBinaryNotFound.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Could not find the `fai` program on this machine.'**
+  String get faiBinaryNotFound;
+
+  /// No description provided for @faiBinaryNotFoundHint.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Install the F∆I platform, or point Studio at an existing `fai` binary.'**
+  String get faiBinaryNotFoundHint;
+
+  /// No description provided for @faiBinaryLocateButton.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Locate `fai` binary…'**
+  String get faiBinaryLocateButton;
+
+  /// No description provided for @faiBinaryInstallDocsButton.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Open install guide'**
+  String get faiBinaryInstallDocsButton;
+
+  /// No description provided for @faiBinaryPickerTitle.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Select the `fai` binary'**
+  String get faiBinaryPickerTitle;
+
+  /// No description provided for @faiBinarySetOk.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Using `fai` binary at {path}'**
+  String faiBinarySetOk(String path);
+
+  /// No description provided for @sysAiFixParse.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'The provider sent a response in an unexpected format. Providers that aren\'t OpenAI-compatible may need a translation proxy.'**
+  String get sysAiFixParse;
+
+  /// No description provided for @sysAiFixUnknown.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Unexpected failure ({kind}). See the System AI documentation.'**
+  String sysAiFixUnknown(String kind);
+
+  /// No description provided for @sysAiFixDisabled.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Configure System AI in Settings (Cmd+,) → System AI panel.'**
+  String get sysAiFixDisabled;
+
+  /// No description provided for @sysAiFixEnvMissing.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'The API-key environment variable is empty. Set it in your shell, then restart the daemon.'**
+  String get sysAiFixEnvMissing;
+
+  /// No description provided for @sysAiFixNetwork.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'The hub can\'t reach the configured endpoint. Is your provider running?'**
+  String get sysAiFixNetwork;
+
+  /// No description provided for @sysAiFixHttp.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'The provider returned a non-2xx status. Verify the endpoint, model name, and API key.'**
+  String get sysAiFixHttp;
+
+  /// No description provided for @sysAiFixEmptyResponse.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'The provider answered with no content. Try a different model or rephrase the prompt.'**
+  String get sysAiFixEmptyResponse;
+
+  /// No description provided for @channelSwitchOk.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Switched active channel to \"{name}\". Daemon restarted.'**
+  String channelSwitchOk(String name);
+
+  /// No description provided for @channelSwitchFailed.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Channel switch failed: {detail}'**
+  String channelSwitchFailed(String detail);
+
+  /// No description provided for @providerDescOllama.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Local `ollama serve`. Models stay on your machine. No API key needed.'**
+  String get providerDescOllama;
+
+  /// No description provided for @providerDescOpenai.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'OpenAI hosted API. Requires an API key. Data leaves your machine.'**
+  String get providerDescOpenai;
+
+  /// No description provided for @providerDescLmstudio.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Local LM Studio server. Models stay on your machine. No API key needed.'**
+  String get providerDescLmstudio;
+
+  /// No description provided for @providerDescVllm.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Self-hosted vLLM or any other OpenAI-compatible server. Endpoint required.'**
+  String get providerDescVllm;
+
+  /// No description provided for @providerDescCustom.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Anything else that speaks the OpenAI-compatible chat-completions wire (LiteLLM proxy, internal mirror, …).'**
+  String get providerDescCustom;
+
+  /// No description provided for @welcomeDocLoadFailedBody.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Could not load the bundled doc \"{slug}\" ({locale}).\nTried: {attempted}\nUnderlying: {underlying}\nThis usually means the Studio build on disk predates the doc bundle. Rebuild Studio or open the online copy.'**
+  String welcomeDocLoadFailedBody(
+    String slug,
+    String locale,
+    String attempted,
+    String underlying,
+  );
+
+  /// No description provided for @hubUnreachableBanner.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Can\'t reach {endpoint} — open Settings'**
+  String hubUnreachableBanner(String endpoint);
+
+  /// No description provided for @hubUnreachableOpenSettings.
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Open Settings'**
+  String get hubUnreachableOpenSettings;
 }
 
 class _AppLocalizationsDelegate
diff --git a/lib/l10n/app_localizations_de.dart b/lib/l10n/app_localizations_de.dart
index 6d55a0c..cef189b 100644
--- a/lib/l10n/app_localizations_de.dart
+++ b/lib/l10n/app_localizations_de.dart
@@ -2502,4 +2502,134 @@ class AppLocalizationsDe extends AppLocalizations {
   String installFailed(String error) {
     return 'Installation fehlgeschlagen: $error';
   }
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownTitle => 'Der Hub läuft noch nicht';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownBody =>
+      'Studio spricht mit einem lokalen Hub — der Engine, die Module lädt und Flows ausführt. Sie ist gerade nicht erreichbar. Starte sie, um loszulegen.';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownStart => 'Hub starten';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownStarting => 'Wird gestartet …';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownDocsLink =>
+      'Klappt der Start nicht? Zur Erste-Schritte-Anleitung';
+
+  @override
+  String welcomeHubDownEndpoint(String endpoint) {
+    return 'Endpunkt: $endpoint';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get daemonStartRequested =>
+      'Start des Daemons angefordert. Verbinde neu …';
+
+  @override
+  String daemonStartFailed(String detail) {
+    return 'Daemon konnte nicht gestartet werden: $detail';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryNotFound =>
+      'Das Programm `fai` wurde auf diesem Rechner nicht gefunden.';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryNotFoundHint =>
+      'Installiere die F∆I-Plattform oder verweise Studio auf eine vorhandene `fai`-Datei.';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryLocateButton => '`fai`-Programm suchen …';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryInstallDocsButton => 'Installationsanleitung öffnen';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryPickerTitle => '`fai`-Programm auswählen';
+
+  @override
+  String faiBinarySetOk(String path) {
+    return 'Verwende `fai` unter $path';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixParse =>
+      'Der Anbieter hat in einem unerwarteten Format geantwortet. Anbieter, die nicht OpenAI-kompatibel sind, brauchen ggf. einen Übersetzungs-Proxy.';
+
+  @override
+  String sysAiFixUnknown(String kind) {
+    return 'Unerwarteter Fehler ($kind). Siehe System-KI-Dokumentation.';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixDisabled =>
+      'Richte die System-KI in den Einstellungen (Cmd+,) → Bereich System-KI ein.';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixEnvMissing =>
+      'Die Umgebungsvariable für den API-Schlüssel ist leer. Setze sie in deiner Shell und starte den Daemon neu.';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixNetwork =>
+      'Der Hub erreicht den konfigurierten Endpunkt nicht. Läuft dein Anbieter?';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixHttp =>
+      'Der Anbieter hat einen Status außerhalb 2xx geliefert. Prüfe Endpunkt, Modellname und API-Schlüssel.';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixEmptyResponse =>
+      'Der Anbieter hat keinen Inhalt geliefert. Probiere ein anderes Modell oder formuliere den Prompt um.';
+
+  @override
+  String channelSwitchOk(String name) {
+    return 'Aktiver Kanal auf \"$name\" umgeschaltet. Daemon neu gestartet.';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String channelSwitchFailed(String detail) {
+    return 'Kanalwechsel fehlgeschlagen: $detail';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescOllama =>
+      'Lokales `ollama serve`. Die Modelle bleiben auf deinem Rechner. Kein API-Schlüssel nötig.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescOpenai =>
+      'Gehostete OpenAI-API. Erfordert einen API-Schlüssel. Daten verlassen deinen Rechner.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescLmstudio =>
+      'Lokaler LM-Studio-Server. Die Modelle bleiben auf deinem Rechner. Kein API-Schlüssel nötig.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescVllm =>
+      'Selbst gehostetes vLLM oder ein anderer OpenAI-kompatibler Server. Endpunkt erforderlich.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescCustom =>
+      'Alles andere, das die OpenAI-kompatible Chat-Completions-Schnittstelle spricht (LiteLLM-Proxy, interner Spiegel, …).';
+
+  @override
+  String welcomeDocLoadFailedBody(
+    String slug,
+    String locale,
+    String attempted,
+    String underlying,
+  ) {
+    return 'Die mitgelieferte Doku \"$slug\" ($locale) konnte nicht geladen werden.\nVersucht: $attempted\nUrsache: $underlying\nMeist ist der installierte Studio-Build älter als das Doku-Bundle. Baue Studio neu oder öffne die Online-Kopie.';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String hubUnreachableBanner(String endpoint) {
+    return '$endpoint nicht erreichbar — Einstellungen öffnen';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get hubUnreachableOpenSettings => 'Einstellungen öffnen';
 }
diff --git a/lib/l10n/app_localizations_en.dart b/lib/l10n/app_localizations_en.dart
index 9613671..2ff42b5 100644
--- a/lib/l10n/app_localizations_en.dart
+++ b/lib/l10n/app_localizations_en.dart
@@ -2506,4 +2506,133 @@ class AppLocalizationsEn extends AppLocalizations {
   String installFailed(String error) {
     return 'Install failed: $error';
   }
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownTitle => 'The hub isn\'t running yet';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownBody =>
+      'Studio talks to a local hub — the engine that loads modules and runs flows. It isn\'t reachable right now. Start it to begin.';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownStart => 'Start hub';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownStarting => 'Starting…';
+
+  @override
+  String get welcomeHubDownDocsLink =>
+      'Can\'t start it? Read the getting-started guide';
+
+  @override
+  String welcomeHubDownEndpoint(String endpoint) {
+    return 'Endpoint: $endpoint';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get daemonStartRequested => 'Daemon start requested. Reconnecting…';
+
+  @override
+  String daemonStartFailed(String detail) {
+    return 'Could not start daemon: $detail';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryNotFound =>
+      'Could not find the `fai` program on this machine.';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryNotFoundHint =>
+      'Install the F∆I platform, or point Studio at an existing `fai` binary.';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryLocateButton => 'Locate `fai` binary…';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryInstallDocsButton => 'Open install guide';
+
+  @override
+  String get faiBinaryPickerTitle => 'Select the `fai` binary';
+
+  @override
+  String faiBinarySetOk(String path) {
+    return 'Using `fai` binary at $path';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixParse =>
+      'The provider sent a response in an unexpected format. Providers that aren\'t OpenAI-compatible may need a translation proxy.';
+
+  @override
+  String sysAiFixUnknown(String kind) {
+    return 'Unexpected failure ($kind). See the System AI documentation.';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixDisabled =>
+      'Configure System AI in Settings (Cmd+,) → System AI panel.';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixEnvMissing =>
+      'The API-key environment variable is empty. Set it in your shell, then restart the daemon.';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixNetwork =>
+      'The hub can\'t reach the configured endpoint. Is your provider running?';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixHttp =>
+      'The provider returned a non-2xx status. Verify the endpoint, model name, and API key.';
+
+  @override
+  String get sysAiFixEmptyResponse =>
+      'The provider answered with no content. Try a different model or rephrase the prompt.';
+
+  @override
+  String channelSwitchOk(String name) {
+    return 'Switched active channel to \"$name\". Daemon restarted.';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String channelSwitchFailed(String detail) {
+    return 'Channel switch failed: $detail';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescOllama =>
+      'Local `ollama serve`. Models stay on your machine. No API key needed.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescOpenai =>
+      'OpenAI hosted API. Requires an API key. Data leaves your machine.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescLmstudio =>
+      'Local LM Studio server. Models stay on your machine. No API key needed.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescVllm =>
+      'Self-hosted vLLM or any other OpenAI-compatible server. Endpoint required.';
+
+  @override
+  String get providerDescCustom =>
+      'Anything else that speaks the OpenAI-compatible chat-completions wire (LiteLLM proxy, internal mirror, …).';
+
+  @override
+  String welcomeDocLoadFailedBody(
+    String slug,
+    String locale,
+    String attempted,
+    String underlying,
+  ) {
+    return 'Could not load the bundled doc \"$slug\" ($locale).\nTried: $attempted\nUnderlying: $underlying\nThis usually means the Studio build on disk predates the doc bundle. Rebuild Studio or open the online copy.';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String hubUnreachableBanner(String endpoint) {
+    return 'Can\'t reach $endpoint — open Settings';
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String get hubUnreachableOpenSettings => 'Open Settings';
 }
diff --git a/lib/main.dart b/lib/main.dart
index 301e5be..0062c06 100644
--- a/lib/main.dart
+++ b/lib/main.dart
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ Future<void> main() async {
   // (when installed) the operator's theme-plugin choice
   // before the first frame so nothing flickers on startup.
   await HubService.instance.loadPersistedEndpoint();
+  await SystemActions.loadFaiBinaryOverride();
   final themeMode = await HubService.instance.loadThemeMode();
   final locale = await HubService.instance.loadLocale();
   final themePlugin = await loadActiveThemePlugin();
@@ -245,6 +246,42 @@ class StudioShellState extends State<StudioShell> {
   String? _activeChannel; // local / dev / beta / production
   Timer? _healthPoll;
 
+  /// Consecutive failed health polls. After [_unreachableThreshold]
+  /// in a row we stop showing an indefinite silent "connecting…"
+  /// and surface a one-line "can't reach the hub" banner with a
+  /// jump to Settings.
+  int _failedPolls = 0;
+  static const int _unreachableThreshold = 3;
+
+  /// Whether to render the unreachable banner. Distinct from
+  /// `_connected == false` so a single transient miss doesn't
+  /// flash the banner — only sustained failure does.
+  bool get _hubUnreachable => _failedPolls >= _unreachableThreshold;
+
+  /// Current connection state, for descendants (e.g. WelcomePage)
+  /// that adapt their content to hub availability.
+  bool? get connected => _connected;
+
+  /// Start the local daemon via the platform binary, then surface
+  /// the outcome as a snackbar. Shared by the sidebar's connection
+  /// row and the WelcomePage hero CTA.
+  Future<void> startDaemon() async {
+    final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
+    final r = await SystemActions.faiDaemon(['start']);
+    if (!mounted) return;
+    final detail = r.stderr.trim().isEmpty ? r.stdout.trim() : r.stderr.trim();
+    ScaffoldMessenger.of(context).showSnackBar(
+      SnackBar(
+        content: Text(
+          r.ok ? l.daemonStartRequested : l.daemonStartFailed(detail),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+    // Probe again shortly so the UI flips to "connected" without
+    // waiting for the next 5 s tick.
+    Future.delayed(const Duration(seconds: 1), _checkHealth);
+  }
+
   /// Switch the sidebar's selected page by its registered id
   /// (`store`, `flows`, `audit`, etc.). Used by the welcome
   /// page's onboarding checklist to make each item a real
@@ -331,7 +368,17 @@ class StudioShellState extends State<StudioShell> {
   Future<void> _checkHealth() async {
     final ok = await HubService.instance.healthy();
     if (!mounted) return;
-    if (_connected != ok) setState(() => _connected = ok);
+    final wasUnreachable = _hubUnreachable;
+    final nextFailed = ok ? 0 : _failedPolls + 1;
+    final connectionChanged = _connected != ok;
+    final bannerChanged =
+        wasUnreachable != (nextFailed >= _unreachableThreshold);
+    if (connectionChanged || _failedPolls != nextFailed || bannerChanged) {
+      setState(() {
+        _connected = ok;
+        _failedPolls = nextFailed;
+      });
+    }
     if (ok) {
       try {
         final snap = await HubService.instance.channelStatus();
@@ -454,24 +501,35 @@ class StudioShellState extends State<StudioShell> {
                 ),
                 Container(width: 1, color: theme.colorScheme.outlineVariant),
                 Expanded(
-                  child: AnimatedSwitcher(
-                    duration: FaiMotion.base,
-                    switchInCurve: FaiMotion.easing,
-                    switchOutCurve: FaiMotion.easing,
-                    transitionBuilder: (child, anim) => FadeTransition(
-                      opacity: anim,
-                      child: SlideTransition(
-                        position: Tween<Offset>(
-                          begin: const Offset(0, 0.02),
-                          end: Offset.zero,
-                        ).animate(anim),
-                        child: child,
+                  child: Column(
+                    children: [
+                      if (_hubUnreachable)
+                        _HubUnreachableBanner(
+                          endpoint: HubService.instance.endpointLabel,
+                          onOpenSettings: () => FaiSettingsDialog.show(context),
+                        ),
+                      Expanded(
+                        child: AnimatedSwitcher(
+                          duration: FaiMotion.base,
+                          switchInCurve: FaiMotion.easing,
+                          switchOutCurve: FaiMotion.easing,
+                          transitionBuilder: (child, anim) => FadeTransition(
+                            opacity: anim,
+                            child: SlideTransition(
+                              position: Tween<Offset>(
+                                begin: const Offset(0, 0.02),
+                                end: Offset.zero,
+                              ).animate(anim),
+                              child: child,
+                            ),
+                          ),
+                          child: KeyedSubtree(
+                            key: ValueKey(_selectedIndex),
+                            child: _pages[_selectedIndex].page,
+                          ),
+                        ),
                       ),
-                    ),
-                    child: KeyedSubtree(
-                      key: ValueKey(_selectedIndex),
-                      child: _pages[_selectedIndex].page,
-                    ),
+                    ],
                   ),
                 ),
               ],
@@ -483,6 +541,58 @@ class StudioShellState extends State<StudioShell> {
   }
 }
 
+/// One-line banner shown when the hub has been unreachable for
+/// several consecutive health polls. Replaces the indefinite
+/// silent "connecting…" with an explicit message + a jump to
+/// Settings, where the operator can fix the endpoint.
+class _HubUnreachableBanner extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String endpoint;
+  final VoidCallback onOpenSettings;
+
+  const _HubUnreachableBanner({
+    required this.endpoint,
+    required this.onOpenSettings,
+  });
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final theme = Theme.of(context);
+    final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
+    return Material(
+      color: theme.colorScheme.errorContainer,
+      child: Padding(
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(
+          horizontal: FaiSpace.lg,
+          vertical: FaiSpace.sm,
+        ),
+        child: Row(
+          children: [
+            Icon(
+              Icons.cloud_off_outlined,
+              size: 18,
+              color: theme.colorScheme.onErrorContainer,
+            ),
+            const SizedBox(width: FaiSpace.sm),
+            Expanded(
+              child: Text(
+                l.hubUnreachableBanner(endpoint),
+                style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
+                  color: theme.colorScheme.onErrorContainer,
+                ),
+              ),
+            ),
+            const SizedBox(width: FaiSpace.sm),
+            TextButton(
+              onPressed: onOpenSettings,
+              child: Text(l.hubUnreachableOpenSettings),
+            ),
+          ],
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 /// Intents driven by the Shortcuts/Actions pair on the shell.
 class _GoToPageIntent extends Intent {
   final int index;
@@ -553,7 +663,12 @@ class _SidebarState extends State<_Sidebar>
     super.initState();
     _ctrl = AnimationController(
       vsync: this,
-      duration: FaiMotion.fast,
+      // Expand uses the slow (~320 ms) token: the icon→label
+      // reveal is a deliberate, eased gesture, not a flicker.
+      // The collapse runs faster (reverseDuration) so dismissing
+      // the rail feels crisp rather than sluggish.
+      duration: FaiMotion.slow,
+      reverseDuration: FaiMotion.base,
       value: 0,
     );
   }
@@ -565,14 +680,14 @@ class _SidebarState extends State<_Sidebar>
   }
 
   Future<void> _startDaemon(BuildContext context) async {
+    final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
     final r = await SystemActions.faiDaemon(['start']);
     if (!context.mounted) return;
+    final detail = r.stderr.trim().isEmpty ? r.stdout.trim() : r.stderr.trim();
     ScaffoldMessenger.of(context).showSnackBar(
       SnackBar(
         content: Text(
-          r.ok
-              ? 'Daemon start requested. Reconnecting…'
-              : 'Could not start daemon: ${r.stderr.trim().isEmpty ? r.stdout.trim() : r.stderr.trim()}',
+          r.ok ? l.daemonStartRequested : l.daemonStartFailed(detail),
         ),
       ),
     );
@@ -1161,7 +1276,16 @@ class _SidebarItemState extends State<_SidebarItem> {
             // the left. The bg highlight spans the rail's
             // current width (typical nav-rail behaviour).
             padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: FaiSpace.md),
-            decoration: BoxDecoration(color: bg),
+            decoration: BoxDecoration(
+              color: bg,
+              borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.sm),
+              // Lift only the selected item — a whisper of depth
+              // marks "you are here" without competing with the
+              // accent fill.
+              boxShadow: widget.selected
+                  ? FaiElevation.low(theme.brightness)
+                  : null,
+            ),
             child: content,
           ),
         ),
diff --git a/lib/pages/audit.dart b/lib/pages/audit.dart
index ea6a0c5..ebef8bf 100644
--- a/lib/pages/audit.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/audit.dart
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ class _ExplanationPanel extends StatelessWidget {
                     : theme.colorScheme.error,
               ),
             ),
-            if (result!.fixHint.isNotEmpty) ...[
+            if (result!.fixHint(l).isNotEmpty) ...[
               const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.sm),
               Text(
                 l.auditFixLabel,
@@ -984,7 +984,7 @@ class _ExplanationPanel extends StatelessWidget {
               ),
               const SizedBox(height: 2),
               Text(
-                result!.fixHint,
+                result!.fixHint(l),
                 style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
                   color: theme.colorScheme.onSurface,
                 ),
diff --git a/lib/pages/welcome.dart b/lib/pages/welcome.dart
index d5c6c29..1782d45 100644
--- a/lib/pages/welcome.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/welcome.dart
@@ -28,6 +28,11 @@ class WelcomePage extends StatelessWidget {
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final theme = Theme.of(context);
     final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
+    // The shell polls hub health on a 5 s tick. When the hub is
+    // down a brand-new operator otherwise sees a dead, all-
+    // unchecked onboarding checklist with no obvious recovery —
+    // so we lead with a "start the hub" hero instead.
+    final hubDown = StudioShellState.of(context)?.connected == false;
     return Scaffold(
       backgroundColor: theme.scaffoldBackgroundColor,
       appBar: AppBar(titleSpacing: FaiSpace.xl, title: Text(l.navWelcome)),
@@ -52,22 +57,27 @@ class WelcomePage extends StatelessWidget {
               constraints: const BoxConstraints(maxWidth: 960),
               child: Column(
                 crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
-                children: const [
-                  _Hero(),
-                  SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xxl),
-                  // Checklist comes second — operator-actionable
-                  // path beats educational content. Auto-hides
-                  // once the operator dismisses it.
-                  _OnboardingChecklist(),
-                  _PillarRow(),
-                  SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xxl),
-                  _SectionLabel(textKey: _SectionLabelKey.trust),
-                  SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.md),
-                  _TrustPosture(),
-                  SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xxl),
-                  _SectionLabel(textKey: _SectionLabelKey.docs),
-                  SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.md),
-                  _DocsRow(),
+                children: [
+                  const _Hero(),
+                  const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xxl),
+                  // When the hub is down the onboarding checklist
+                  // would render dead (all-unchecked, nothing to
+                  // probe). Lead with a "start the hub" card
+                  // instead; restore the checklist once connected.
+                  if (hubDown) ...[
+                    const _HubDownHero(),
+                    const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xxl),
+                  ] else
+                    const _OnboardingChecklist(),
+                  const _PillarRow(),
+                  const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xxl),
+                  const _SectionLabel(textKey: _SectionLabelKey.trust),
+                  const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.md),
+                  const _TrustPosture(),
+                  const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xxl),
+                  const _SectionLabel(textKey: _SectionLabelKey.docs),
+                  const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.md),
+                  const _DocsRow(),
                 ],
               ),
             ),
@@ -149,6 +159,113 @@ class _Hero extends StatelessWidget {
   }
 }
 
+/// Prominent recovery hero shown on the Welcome page when the
+/// hub is not reachable. Headline + one-line explanation + a big
+/// "Start hub" CTA wired to the shell's daemon-start path, with
+/// a secondary link to the install guide for the case where no
+/// `fai` binary can be located.
+class _HubDownHero extends StatefulWidget {
+  const _HubDownHero();
+
+  @override
+  State<_HubDownHero> createState() => _HubDownHeroState();
+}
+
+class _HubDownHeroState extends State<_HubDownHero> {
+  bool _starting = false;
+
+  Future<void> _start() async {
+    final shell = StudioShellState.of(context);
+    if (shell == null) return;
+    setState(() => _starting = true);
+    await shell.startDaemon();
+    if (!mounted) return;
+    setState(() => _starting = false);
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final theme = Theme.of(context);
+    final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
+    // No `fai` binary → "Start hub" cannot work; lead the
+    // operator to the install guide instead.
+    final canStart = SystemActions.faiBinaryExists();
+    return Container(
+      width: double.infinity,
+      padding: const EdgeInsets.all(FaiSpace.xl),
+      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+        color: theme.colorScheme.errorContainer.withValues(alpha: 0.35),
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.md),
+        border: Border.all(
+          color: theme.colorScheme.error.withValues(alpha: 0.4),
+        ),
+      ),
+      child: Column(
+        crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+        children: [
+          Row(
+            children: [
+              Icon(
+                Icons.cloud_off_outlined,
+                size: 24,
+                color: theme.colorScheme.error,
+              ),
+              const SizedBox(width: FaiSpace.md),
+              Expanded(
+                child: Text(
+                  l.welcomeHubDownTitle,
+                  style: theme.textTheme.titleLarge?.copyWith(
+                    fontWeight: FontWeight.w700,
+                  ),
+                ),
+              ),
+            ],
+          ),
+          const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.md),
+          Text(
+            l.welcomeHubDownBody,
+            style: theme.textTheme.bodyMedium?.copyWith(
+              color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+              height: 1.45,
+            ),
+          ),
+          const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xs),
+          Text(
+            l.welcomeHubDownEndpoint(HubService.instance.endpointLabel),
+            style: FaiTheme.mono(
+              size: 11,
+              color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+            ),
+          ),
+          const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.lg),
+          if (canStart)
+            FilledButton.icon(
+              onPressed: _starting ? null : _start,
+              icon: _starting
+                  ? const SizedBox(
+                      width: 16,
+                      height: 16,
+                      child: CircularProgressIndicator(strokeWidth: 2),
+                    )
+                  : const Icon(Icons.play_arrow),
+              label: Text(
+                _starting ? l.welcomeHubDownStarting : l.welcomeHubDownStart,
+              ),
+            )
+          else
+            const FaiBinaryRecovery(),
+          const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.sm),
+          TextButton.icon(
+            icon: const Icon(Icons.open_in_new, size: 16),
+            label: Text(l.welcomeHubDownDocsLink),
+            onPressed: () => SystemActions.openInOs(kFaiInstallDocsUrl),
+          ),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 enum _SectionLabelKey { trust, docs }
 
 class _SectionLabel extends StatelessWidget {
@@ -904,58 +1021,82 @@ class _DocsRow extends StatelessWidget {
   }
 }
 
-class _DocCard extends StatelessWidget {
+class _DocCard extends StatefulWidget {
   final _DocEntry entry;
   const _DocCard({required this.entry});
 
+  @override
+  State<_DocCard> createState() => _DocCardState();
+}
+
+class _DocCardState extends State<_DocCard> {
+  bool _hovered = false;
+
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final theme = Theme.of(context);
     final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
-    return Material(
-      color: theme.colorScheme.surfaceContainer,
-      borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.md),
-      child: InkWell(
-        onTap: () => _DocReaderSheet.show(context, entry),
-        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.md),
-        child: Container(
-          padding: const EdgeInsets.all(FaiSpace.lg),
-          decoration: BoxDecoration(
+    final entry = widget.entry;
+    // Hover-lift mirrors the Store cards: a gentle 2px rise plus
+    // shadow bump. Resting state stays flat-with-border so the
+    // doc strip reads calm until the cursor invites a click.
+    return MouseRegion(
+      onEnter: (_) => setState(() => _hovered = true),
+      onExit: (_) => setState(() => _hovered = false),
+      child: AnimatedContainer(
+        duration: FaiMotion.base,
+        curve: FaiMotion.easing,
+        transform: Matrix4.translationValues(0, _hovered ? -2 : 0, 0),
+        decoration: BoxDecoration(
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.md),
+          boxShadow: _hovered ? FaiElevation.medium(theme.brightness) : null,
+        ),
+        child: Material(
+          color: theme.colorScheme.surfaceContainer,
+          borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.md),
+          child: InkWell(
+            onTap: () => _DocReaderSheet.show(context, entry),
             borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.md),
-            border: Border.all(color: theme.colorScheme.outlineVariant),
-          ),
-          child: Row(
-            crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
-            children: [
-              Icon(entry.icon, size: 22, color: theme.colorScheme.primary),
-              const SizedBox(width: FaiSpace.lg),
-              Expanded(
-                child: Column(
-                  crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
-                  children: [
-                    Text(
-                      entry.title(l),
-                      style: theme.textTheme.titleSmall?.copyWith(
-                        fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
-                      ),
-                    ),
-                    const SizedBox(height: 4),
-                    Text(
-                      entry.blurb(l),
-                      style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
-                        color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
-                        height: 1.4,
-                      ),
-                    ),
-                  ],
-                ),
+            child: Container(
+              padding: const EdgeInsets.all(FaiSpace.lg),
+              decoration: BoxDecoration(
+                borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.md),
+                border: Border.all(color: theme.colorScheme.outlineVariant),
               ),
-              Icon(
-                Icons.chevron_right,
-                size: 18,
-                color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+              child: Row(
+                crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+                children: [
+                  Icon(entry.icon, size: 22, color: theme.colorScheme.primary),
+                  const SizedBox(width: FaiSpace.lg),
+                  Expanded(
+                    child: Column(
+                      crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+                      children: [
+                        Text(
+                          entry.title(l),
+                          style: theme.textTheme.titleSmall?.copyWith(
+                            fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
+                          ),
+                        ),
+                        const SizedBox(height: 4),
+                        Text(
+                          entry.blurb(l),
+                          style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
+                            color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                            height: 1.4,
+                          ),
+                        ),
+                      ],
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                  Icon(
+                    Icons.chevron_right,
+                    size: 18,
+                    color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+                  ),
+                ],
               ),
-            ],
+            ),
           ),
         ),
       ),
@@ -983,6 +1124,15 @@ class _DocReaderError {
   String get forgejoUrl =>
       'https://git.flemming.ai/fai/platform/src/branch/main/docs/architecture/$slug.md';
 
+  /// Localized, operator-facing failure body. Use this for any
+  /// on-screen rendering; [toString] stays English for logs.
+  String localizedBody(AppLocalizations l) => l.welcomeDocLoadFailedBody(
+    slug,
+    locale,
+    attempted.join(', '),
+    underlying,
+  );
+
   @override
   String toString() =>
       'Could not load the bundled doc "$slug" ($locale).\n'
@@ -1006,6 +1156,7 @@ class _DocReaderSheet extends StatefulWidget {
       context: context,
       isScrollControlled: true,
       backgroundColor: Theme.of(context).colorScheme.surfaceContainer,
+      elevation: 8,
       shape: const RoundedRectangleBorder(
         borderRadius: BorderRadius.vertical(top: Radius.circular(FaiRadius.md)),
       ),
@@ -1135,7 +1286,18 @@ class _DocReaderSheetState extends State<_DocReaderSheet> {
                           ),
                         ),
                         const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.sm),
-                        FaiErrorBox(error: err, isError: true, maxHeight: 200),
+                        if (structured != null)
+                          FaiErrorBox(
+                            text: structured.localizedBody(l),
+                            isError: true,
+                            maxHeight: 200,
+                          )
+                        else
+                          FaiErrorBox(
+                            error: err,
+                            isError: true,
+                            maxHeight: 200,
+                          ),
                         if (structured != null) ...[
                           const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.md),
                           TextButton.icon(
diff --git a/lib/theme/theme.dart b/lib/theme/theme.dart
index 67fb7bd..2036fdc 100644
--- a/lib/theme/theme.dart
+++ b/lib/theme/theme.dart
@@ -2,55 +2,75 @@
 
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:flutter_markdown_plus/flutter_markdown_plus.dart';
-import 'package:google_fonts/google_fonts.dart';
 
 import 'tokens.dart';
 
 class FaiTheme {
   FaiTheme._();
 
+  /// Bundled font families. Declared in pubspec.yaml `fonts:` and
+  /// shipped as TTF assets under `assets/fonts/` — NOT fetched at
+  /// runtime via google_fonts. This keeps the app working fully
+  /// offline / air-gapped (KRITIS) and avoids the font-swap flash
+  /// google_fonts shows on first paint.
+  static const String _uiFamily = 'Inter';
+  static const String _monoFamily = 'JetBrains Mono';
+
   /// Inter for UI, JetBrains Mono for technical strings (IDs,
-  /// paths, capability refs). Both via google_fonts so they
-  /// bundle on first run; for production we'd ship them as
-  /// app assets.
+  /// paths, capability refs). Both bundled (see [_uiFamily]).
   static TextTheme _textTheme(Brightness b) {
     final base = b == Brightness.dark
         ? Typography.whiteCupertino
         : Typography.blackCupertino;
-    return GoogleFonts.interTextTheme(base).copyWith(
-      displaySmall: GoogleFonts.inter(
+    return base.apply(fontFamily: _uiFamily).copyWith(
+      displaySmall: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
         fontSize: 28,
         fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
         letterSpacing: -0.4,
       ),
-      headlineSmall: GoogleFonts.inter(
+      headlineSmall: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
         fontSize: 20,
         fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
         letterSpacing: -0.2,
       ),
-      titleMedium: GoogleFonts.inter(
+      titleMedium: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
         fontSize: 15,
         fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
         letterSpacing: 0,
       ),
-      titleSmall: GoogleFonts.inter(fontSize: 13, fontWeight: FontWeight.w500),
-      bodyLarge: GoogleFonts.inter(
+      titleSmall: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
+        fontSize: 13,
+        fontWeight: FontWeight.w500,
+      ),
+      bodyLarge: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
         fontSize: 14,
         fontWeight: FontWeight.w400,
         height: 1.45,
       ),
-      bodyMedium: GoogleFonts.inter(
+      bodyMedium: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
         fontSize: 13,
         fontWeight: FontWeight.w400,
         height: 1.4,
       ),
-      bodySmall: GoogleFonts.inter(
+      bodySmall: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
         fontSize: 12,
         fontWeight: FontWeight.w400,
         height: 1.4,
       ),
-      labelMedium: GoogleFonts.inter(fontSize: 12, fontWeight: FontWeight.w500),
-      labelSmall: GoogleFonts.inter(
+      labelMedium: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
+        fontSize: 12,
+        fontWeight: FontWeight.w500,
+      ),
+      labelSmall: const TextStyle(
+        fontFamily: _uiFamily,
         fontSize: 11,
         fontWeight: FontWeight.w500,
         letterSpacing: 0.2,
@@ -59,12 +79,14 @@ class FaiTheme {
   }
 
   /// JetBrains Mono for monospaced technical content. Used by
-  /// FaiMono helper.
+  /// FaiMono helper. Only Regular (400) and Medium (500) weights
+  /// are bundled — heavier requests fall back to the nearest.
   static TextStyle mono({
     double size = 12,
     FontWeight weight = FontWeight.w400,
     Color? color,
-  }) => GoogleFonts.jetBrainsMono(
+  }) => TextStyle(
+    fontFamily: _monoFamily,
     fontSize: size,
     fontWeight: weight,
     color: color,
@@ -221,8 +243,8 @@ class FaiTheme {
         scrolledUnderElevation: 0,
         centerTitle: false,
         // Bake the foreground colour straight into the title
-        // style. `headlineSmall` is built from GoogleFonts.inter
-        // with no color slot, and Material's "merge foreground
+        // style. `headlineSmall` is built from the bundled Inter
+        // family with no color slot, and Material's "merge foreground
         // colour at draw time" path leaves it null in some
         // light-mode builds — the title rendered white-on-white.
         titleTextStyle: textTheme.headlineSmall?.copyWith(
diff --git a/lib/widgets/fai_binary_recovery.dart b/lib/widgets/fai_binary_recovery.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d92aa99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/widgets/fai_binary_recovery.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+// Recovery affordance shown when Studio cannot locate the `fai`
+// binary on the machine. Replaces the old CLI-jargon dead-end
+// ("set FAI_BIN to its full path") with two acts a non-CLI
+// operator can actually take:
+//
+//   1. Locate the binary with a native file picker, persisting
+//      the choice via SystemActions.setFaiBinaryPath.
+//   2. Open the install guide in the OS browser.
+
+import 'package:file_picker/file_picker.dart';
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+
+import '../data/system_actions.dart';
+import '../l10n/app_localizations.dart';
+import '../theme/tokens.dart';
+
+class FaiBinaryRecovery extends StatelessWidget {
+  /// Fired after the operator successfully picks a `fai` binary,
+  /// so the host can retry whatever action hit the missing
+  /// binary (e.g. re-run the daemon start / status probe).
+  final VoidCallback? onLocated;
+
+  const FaiBinaryRecovery({super.key, this.onLocated});
+
+  Future<void> _locate(BuildContext context) async {
+    final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
+    final messenger = ScaffoldMessenger.of(context);
+    final picked = await FilePicker.pickFiles(
+      dialogTitle: l.faiBinaryPickerTitle,
+    );
+    final path = picked?.files.single.path;
+    if (path == null) return;
+    final ok = await SystemActions.setFaiBinaryPath(path);
+    messenger.showSnackBar(
+      SnackBar(
+        content: Text(ok ? l.faiBinarySetOk(path) : l.faiBinaryNotFound),
+      ),
+    );
+    if (ok) onLocated?.call();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final theme = Theme.of(context);
+    final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
+    return Container(
+      width: double.infinity,
+      padding: const EdgeInsets.all(FaiSpace.md),
+      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+        color: theme.colorScheme.errorContainer.withValues(alpha: 0.4),
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(FaiRadius.sm),
+        border: Border.all(
+          color: theme.colorScheme.error.withValues(alpha: 0.4),
+        ),
+      ),
+      child: Column(
+        crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+        children: [
+          Text(
+            l.faiBinaryNotFound,
+            style: theme.textTheme.bodyMedium?.copyWith(
+              fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
+              color: theme.colorScheme.error,
+            ),
+          ),
+          const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xs),
+          Text(
+            l.faiBinaryNotFoundHint,
+            style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
+              color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+            ),
+          ),
+          const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.md),
+          Wrap(
+            spacing: FaiSpace.sm,
+            runSpacing: FaiSpace.sm,
+            children: [
+              FilledButton.tonalIcon(
+                onPressed: () => _locate(context),
+                icon: const Icon(Icons.folder_open, size: 16),
+                label: Text(l.faiBinaryLocateButton),
+              ),
+              OutlinedButton.icon(
+                onPressed: () =>
+                    SystemActions.openInOs(kFaiInstallDocsUrl),
+                icon: const Icon(Icons.open_in_new, size: 16),
+                label: Text(l.faiBinaryInstallDocsButton),
+              ),
+            ],
+          ),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/lib/widgets/fai_settings_dialog.dart b/lib/widgets/fai_settings_dialog.dart
index 9ad7460..8510e17 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/fai_settings_dialog.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/fai_settings_dialog.dart
@@ -293,11 +293,12 @@ class _FaiSettingsDialogState extends State<FaiSettingsDialog> {
     });
     final r = await SystemActions.faiChannelSwitch(name);
     if (!mounted) return;
+    final l = AppLocalizations.of(context)!;
     setState(() {
       _saving = false;
       _channelToast = r.ok
-          ? 'Switched active channel to "$name". Daemon restarted.\n${r.stdout.trim()}'
-          : 'Channel switch failed: ${r.stderr.isEmpty ? r.stdout : r.stderr}';
+          ? '${l.channelSwitchOk(name)}\n${r.stdout.trim()}'
+          : l.channelSwitchFailed(r.stderr.isEmpty ? r.stdout : r.stderr);
     });
     if (r.ok) await _loadChannels();
   }
diff --git a/lib/widgets/fai_system_ai_editor.dart b/lib/widgets/fai_system_ai_editor.dart
index 57da186..77c3589 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/fai_system_ai_editor.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/fai_system_ai_editor.dart
@@ -86,6 +86,26 @@ class _ProviderPreset {
   static _ProviderPreset byWire(String wire) {
     return all.firstWhere((p) => p.wire == wire, orElse: () => all.first);
   }
+
+  /// Localized help body for this provider. Falls back to the
+  /// const English [description] for any future wire that has no
+  /// ARB key yet.
+  String descriptionFor(AppLocalizations l) {
+    switch (wire) {
+      case 'ollama':
+        return l.providerDescOllama;
+      case 'openai':
+        return l.providerDescOpenai;
+      case 'lmstudio':
+        return l.providerDescLmstudio;
+      case 'vllm':
+        return l.providerDescVllm;
+      case 'custom':
+        return l.providerDescCustom;
+      default:
+        return description;
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 class FaiSystemAiEditor extends StatefulWidget {
@@ -372,7 +392,7 @@ class _FaiSystemAiEditorState extends State<FaiSystemAiEditor> {
               _ProviderDropdown(value: _preset, onChanged: _onProviderChanged),
               const SizedBox(height: 4),
               Text(
-                _preset.description,
+                _preset.descriptionFor(l),
                 style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
                   color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
                 ),
@@ -634,10 +654,10 @@ class _TestResultPanel extends StatelessWidget {
             ok ? l.systemAiReplyPrefix(result.text) : result.text,
             style: FaiTheme.mono(size: 11, color: theme.colorScheme.onSurface),
           ),
-          if (!ok && result.fixHint.isNotEmpty) ...[
+          if (!ok && result.fixHint(l).isNotEmpty) ...[
             const SizedBox(height: FaiSpace.xs),
             Text(
-              result.fixHint,
+              result.fixHint(l),
               style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
                 color: theme.colorScheme.onSurface,
               ),
diff --git a/lib/widgets/widgets.dart b/lib/widgets/widgets.dart
index b9554ed..6f294c0 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/widgets.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/widgets.dart
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 // primitives directly — no Material `Card` / generic `Container`
 // soup in page code.
 
+export 'fai_binary_recovery.dart';
 export 'fai_card.dart';
 export 'fai_data_row.dart';
 export 'fai_delta_mark.dart';
diff --git a/linux/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake b/linux/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake
index df8d2f7..f16b4c3 100644
--- a/linux/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake
+++ b/linux/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ list(APPEND FLUTTER_PLUGIN_LIST
 )
 
 list(APPEND FLUTTER_FFI_PLUGIN_LIST
-  jni
 )
 
 set(PLUGIN_BUNDLED_LIBRARIES)
diff --git a/pubspec.lock b/pubspec.lock
index 3c891f9..21128e8 100644
--- a/pubspec.lock
+++ b/pubspec.lock
@@ -57,14 +57,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "1.1.2"
-  code_assets:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: code_assets
-      sha256: "67cf6d84013f9c601e42a6f8a6b74c4c0d9dc1a1619d775f2b28b732d3551b85"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "1.2.0"
   collection:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -235,14 +227,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "0.5.0"
-  google_fonts:
-    dependency: "direct main"
-    description:
-      name: google_fonts
-      sha256: "4e9391085e524954a51e3625b7c9c7e9851dc3f376603208bb45c24b9a66255d"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "8.1.0"
   google_identity_services_web:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -283,14 +267,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "2.2.3"
-  hooks:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: hooks
-      sha256: a41af4e8fc687cd6d33de9751eb936c8c0204ebe2bcb6c15ecf707504bf47f31
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "2.0.0"
   http:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -323,22 +299,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "0.20.2"
-  jni:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: jni
-      sha256: c2230682d5bc2362c1c9e8d3c7f406d9cbba23ab3f2e203a025dd47e0fb2e68f
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "1.0.0"
-  jni_flutter:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: jni_flutter
-      sha256: "8b59e590786050b1cd866677dddaf76b1ade5e7bc751abe04b86e84d379d3ba6"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "1.0.1"
   leak_tracker:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -379,14 +339,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "6.1.0"
-  logging:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: logging
-      sha256: c8245ada5f1717ed44271ed1c26b8ce85ca3228fd2ffdb75468ab01979309d61
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "1.3.0"
   markdown:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -427,22 +379,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "1.0.5"
-  objective_c:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: objective_c
-      sha256: "6cb691c686fa2838c6deb34980d426145c2a5d537491cb83d463c33cdbc726ed"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "9.4.1"
-  package_config:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: package_config
-      sha256: f096c55ebb7deb7e384101542bfba8c52696c1b56fca2eb62827989ef2353bbc
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "2.2.0"
   path:
     dependency: "direct main"
     description:
@@ -451,30 +387,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "1.9.1"
-  path_provider:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: path_provider
-      sha256: "50c5dd5b6e1aaf6fb3a78b33f6aa3afca52bf903a8a5298f53101fdaee55bbcd"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "2.1.5"
-  path_provider_android:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: path_provider_android
-      sha256: "69cbd515a62b94d32a7944f086b2f82b4ac40a1d45bebfc00813a430ab2dabcd"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "2.3.1"
-  path_provider_foundation:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: path_provider_foundation
-      sha256: "2a376b7d6392d80cd3705782d2caa734ca4727776db0b6ec36ef3f1855197699"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "2.6.0"
   path_provider_linux:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -531,22 +443,6 @@ packages:
       url: "https://pub.dev"
     source: hosted
     version: "6.0.0"
-  pub_semver:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: pub_semver
-      sha256: "5bfcf68ca79ef689f8990d1160781b4bad40a3bd5e5218ad4076ddb7f4081585"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "2.2.0"
-  record_use:
-    dependency: transitive
-    description:
-      name: record_use
-      sha256: "2551bd8eecfe95d14ae75f6021ad0248be5c27f138c2ec12fcb52b500b3ba1ed"
-      url: "https://pub.dev"
-    source: hosted
-    version: "0.6.0"
   scrollable_positioned_list:
     dependency: transitive
     description:
@@ -802,4 +698,4 @@ packages:
     version: "3.1.3"
 sdks:
   dart: ">=3.11.0 <4.0.0"
-  flutter: ">=3.38.4"
+  flutter: ">=3.38.0"
diff --git a/pubspec.yaml b/pubspec.yaml
index 931dc4e..543ccc6 100644
--- a/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/pubspec.yaml
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ dependencies:
   # Sibling package; will move to Forgejo path once published.
   fai_client_sdk:
     path: ../fai_client_sdk_dart
-  google_fonts: ^8.1.0
   shared_preferences: ^2.5.5
   # Inline README rendering inside the Store detail sheet.
   # `flutter_markdown` is discontinued; `flutter_markdown_plus`
@@ -68,3 +67,24 @@ flutter:
   # Air-gap-friendly — no network calls to read these.
   assets:
     - assets/docs/
+  # Bundled fonts — Inter (UI) + JetBrains Mono (technical
+  # strings). Shipped as assets rather than fetched at runtime
+  # via google_fonts so the app works fully offline / air-gapped
+  # (KRITIS) and never shows a font-swap flash on first paint.
+  fonts:
+    - family: Inter
+      fonts:
+        - asset: assets/fonts/Inter-Regular.ttf
+          weight: 400
+        - asset: assets/fonts/Inter-Medium.ttf
+          weight: 500
+        - asset: assets/fonts/Inter-SemiBold.ttf
+          weight: 600
+        - asset: assets/fonts/Inter-Bold.ttf
+          weight: 700
+    - family: JetBrains Mono
+      fonts:
+        - asset: assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Regular.ttf
+          weight: 400
+        - asset: assets/fonts/JetBrainsMono-Medium.ttf
+          weight: 500
diff --git a/windows/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake b/windows/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake
index a962892..88b22e5 100644
--- a/windows/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake
+++ b/windows/flutter/generated_plugins.cmake
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ list(APPEND FLUTTER_PLUGIN_LIST
 )
 
 list(APPEND FLUTTER_FFI_PLUGIN_LIST
-  jni
 )
 
 set(PLUGIN_BUNDLED_LIBRARIES)