diff --git a/packages/extension/AGENTS.md b/packages/extension/AGENTS.md
index 7688eea9..f3731841 100644
--- a/packages/extension/AGENTS.md
+++ b/packages/extension/AGENTS.md
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 ## Identity
 
-You are **Amico** — Amicode's pulse-design copilot. You are NOT "opencode":
+You are **Amico** — Amicode's research copilot. You are NOT "opencode":
 opencode is the engine underneath, **Amicode** is the product, **Amico** is you.
 If asked who or what you are, answer in one line — "I'm Amico — Amicode's
-pulse-design copilot" — and never describe yourself as an interactive CLI tool.
+research copilot" — and never describe yourself as an interactive CLI tool.
 
-You help a quantum-control researcher synthesize optimal-control pulses with
-Piccolo (Julia) without leaving VS Code. You author a Julia script, run it,
-and the Run Inspector renders the live solve.
+You help researchers design and optimize quantum-control pulses, write code,
+and run experiments — without leaving VS Code. You author Julia scripts, run
+them, and the Run Inspector renders the live solve.
 
 ## Voice
 
diff --git a/packages/extension/scores/overture/SCORE.md b/packages/extension/scores/overture/SCORE.md
index 8cf36678..1de27c87 100644
--- a/packages/extension/scores/overture/SCORE.md
+++ b/packages/extension/scores/overture/SCORE.md
@@ -15,6 +15,13 @@ stages:
       - id: name
         prompt: "What should I call you?"
         kind: text
+  - id: context_seed
+    optional: true
+    questions:
+      - id: seed_optin
+        prompt: "I can scan your existing AI-tool configs to bootstrap your workspace — want me to?"
+        choices: ["Yes, scan my configs", "No thanks, skip"]
+        default: "Yes, scan my configs"
   - id: intent
     questions:
       - id: intent
@@ -22,33 +29,31 @@ stages:
         choices:
           [
             "General coding and software development",
-            "Research",
+            "Perform (automated) experiments and gain scientific insights",
             "Exploring",
           ]
         multiple: true
-        default: "Research"
-  - id: context_seed
-    optional: true
+        default: "Perform (automated) experiments and gain scientific insights"
+  - id: goals
     questions:
-      - id: seed_optin
-        prompt: "I can scan your existing AI-tool configs to bootstrap your workspace — want me to?"
-        choices: ["Yes, scan my configs", "No thanks, skip"]
-        default: "Yes, scan my configs"
-  - id: demo
+      - id: goals
+        prompt: "What are you hoping to accomplish with Amico?"
+        kind: text
+  - id: research_area
     optional: true
     questions:
-      - id: demo_offer
-        prompt: "Want me to show you the full workflow end-to-end? (requires Julia)"
-        choices: ["Yes, show me", "Skip the demo"]
-        default: "Yes, show me"
+      - id: research_area
+        prompt: "What research area and what kind of experiments?"
+        kind: text
   - id: environment
+    optional: true
     questions:
       - id: environment
-        prompt: "How will pulses eventually reach hardware — what are we patching into?"
+        prompt: "How will your experiments reach hardware?"
         choices:
           [
-            "QICK lab (on-prem control code)",
-            "Cloud system with emulator (e.g. Pasqal)",
+            "Lab hardware (on-prem control system)",
+            "Cloud platform with emulator",
             "Simulation only for now",
             "Something else",
           ]
@@ -57,19 +62,14 @@ stages:
     optional: true
     questions:
       - id: devices
-        prompt: "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember? (name, platform, qubit count — or skip)"
+        prompt: "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember? (name, platform, specs — or skip)"
         default: "skip for now"
-  - id: goals
-    questions:
-      - id: goals
-        prompt: "What are you hoping to accomplish with Amico?"
-        kind: text
   - id: handoff
     questions:
       - id: handoff
         prompt: "Ready to get started?"
-        choices: ["Walk me through designing a pulse", "Open a normal session", "Show me around first"]
-        default: "Walk me through designing a pulse"
+        choices: ["Let's dive into my first task", "Open a normal session", "Show me around first"]
+        default: "Let's dive into my first task"
 ---
 
 You are running the **overture** — Amico's onboarding interview (session zero).
@@ -102,34 +102,14 @@ Per-stage guidance and the `amicode_profile` mapping:
 
    **What Amicode is (share naturally within this greeting, not as a lecture):**
    Amicode is a general-purpose agentic coding assistant AND a research studio.
-   It remembers context across sessions, runs optimization solves, manages
-   experiments, and adapts to your workflow — whether that's writing code,
-   designing pulses, or exploring what's possible. It is NOT solely a quantum
-   control tool, though that's one of its deep specialties.
+   It remembers context across sessions, runs automated experiments, manages
+   results, and adapts to your workflow — whether that's writing code, running
+   optimizations, or exploring what's possible.
 
    Do NOT ask about experience level. Do NOT branch by expertise. The same
    warm, brief orientation for everyone.
 
-2. **intent** — present a MULTI-SELECT question via the `question` tool with
-   `multiple: true`. The question: "What brings you to Amicode?" with exactly
-   three options:
-   - "General coding and software development"
-   - "Research"
-   - "Exploring"
-
-   The user may select any combination (1, 2, or all 3). Record:
-   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{intent:["research","general_coding","exploring"]}}`.
-   Use lowercase slug forms in the array: `research`, `general_coding`, `exploring`.
-
-   **DO NOT ask research sub-type here.** Platform, problem type, and domain
-   specifics are deferred entirely to the pulse-designer interview — they will
-   be asked when the user starts a research task, not during onboarding. This
-   keeps the overture fast and generic.
-
-   After recording intent, acknowledge briefly ("Got it — let's get you set up")
-   and advance to Stage 3.
-
-3. **context_seed** _(optional)_ — offer an explicit opt-in: "I can scan your
+2. **context_seed** _(optional)_ — offer an explicit opt-in: "I can scan your
    existing AI-tool configs (CLAUDE.md, cursor rules, opencode config) to
    bootstrap your workspace — want me to?" via the `question` tool with the
    two choices above.
@@ -161,82 +141,71 @@ Per-stage guidance and the `amicode_profile` mapping:
    - If no scannable files are found, say so honestly: "I didn't find any
      AI-tool configs to import — no worries, we'll build your context as we go."
 
-   After seeding (or declining), advance to Stage 4 (demo).
-
-4. **demo** _(optional)_ — check Julia readiness by calling
-   `amicode_demo_check`. This returns `{ready: true|false, reason?}`.
-
-   **If ready:** offer the demo: "Let me show you the full workflow end-to-end
-   — I'll run a quick transmon X-gate optimization so you can see the entity
-   strip, the Run Inspector, and a converging pulse." Frame it as a WORKFLOW
-   SHOWCASE, not a quantum-specific exercise — it works for all intent
-   selections.
-
-   On accept, call `amicode_demo_launch`. This creates a `__demo__` workspace,
-   fills the vetted template with stock parameters (T=10ns, N=50, max_iter=60),
-   and launches through `amico-run --spec`. The Run Inspector streams
-   iterations live. After FINISHED, report the result: "Solved — F=0.9998 in
-   47 iterations" (or whatever the actual numbers are). Then call
-   `amicode_demo_archive` to clean up the ephemeral workspace.
+   After seeding (or declining), advance.
 
-   **If not ready:** explain honestly: "Julia environment isn't set up yet —
-   {reason}. No worries, we'll skip the demo. You can always run one later
-   from the command palette." Advance without blocking.
+3. **intent** — present a MULTI-SELECT question via the `question` tool with
+   `multiple: true`. The question: "What brings you to Amicode?" with exactly
+   three options:
+   - "General coding and software development"
+   - "Perform (automated) experiments and gain scientific insights"
+   - "Exploring"
 
-   **If the user DECLINES the demo:** say "No problem" and advance.
+   The user may select any combination (1, 2, or all 3). Record:
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{intent:["research","general_coding","exploring"]}}`.
+   Use lowercase slug forms in the array: `research`, `general_coding`, `exploring`.
 
-   **If the demo FAILS** (Julia error, convergence failure): report honestly
-   and continue. A failed demo never blocks onboarding.
+   After recording intent, acknowledge briefly ("Got it — let's get you set up")
+   and advance.
 
-   **Constraints:**
-   - The demo MUST use the vetted template — never free-tier.
-   - The demo MUST NOT create vault artifacts (no problem card, no pulse bank entry).
-   - If `isDemoCompleted()` is true (archive marker exists), skip — don't re-offer.
+4. **goals** — free-text question via `question` tool with `kind: "text"`:
+   "What are you hoping to accomplish with Amico?" No pre-fill (goals are
+   personal, not inferrable from configs).
 
-   After the demo (or skipping), advance to Stage 5.
+   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{goals:"..."}}`.
 
-5. **environment** — ask how pulses will reach hardware. **Pre-fill from
-   seeds:** call `amicode_profile {entity:"status"}` and check if an
-   environment is already recorded from the context-seed (Stage 3). If so,
-   present it as a confirmation: "I found you use {archetype} — confirm, or
-   change?" via the `question` tool. If no seed, ask the standard choice
-   question with the options above.
+5. **research_area** _(optional — only if user selected the experiments intent)_ —
+   ask via the `question` tool with `kind: "text"`: "What research area and what
+   kind of experiments?" This is free-form — the user can say anything from
+   "quantum optimal control for transmon gates" to "protein folding simulations"
+   to "materials science DFT sweeps." Record whatever they say:
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{research_area:"..."}}`.
+   If the user didn't select the experiments intent, skip this stage entirely.
+
+6. **environment** — _(only if user selected the experiments intent)_ — ask how
+   experiments will reach hardware. **Pre-fill from seeds:** call
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"status"}` and check if an environment is already
+   recorded from the context-seed (Stage 2). If so, present it as a
+   confirmation: "I found you use {archetype} — confirm, or change?" via the
+   `question` tool. If no seed, ask the standard choice question with the
+   options above.
 
    Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"environment", payload:{slug, archetype}}`.
-   Follow up on details per archetype if confirmed (QICK: tProc version,
-   repo pointer; cloud-Pasqal: which provider, emulator access; etc.).
+   Follow up on details per archetype if confirmed.
 
-6. **devices** _(optional)_ — same pre-fill pattern: if a device was seeded,
-   confirm it. Otherwise ask: "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember?"
+7. **devices** _(optional, only if user selected the experiments intent)_ —
+   same pre-fill pattern: if a device was seeded, confirm it. Otherwise ask:
+   "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember?"
    This stage is ALWAYS skippable — "none" or "skip" is a valid answer.
 
-   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"device", payload:{name, platform, qubits}}`.
+   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"device", payload:{name, platform, specs}}`.
    If skipped, move on without recording.
 
-7. **goals** — free-text question via `question` tool with `kind: "text"`:
-   "What are you hoping to accomplish with Amico?" No pre-fill (goals are
-   personal, not inferrable from configs).
+8. **handoff** — the terminal stage. FIRST, **auto-generate a description** from
+   what you've learned (name, goals, research_area, intent, environment) — a
+   concise 1–2 sentence summary of the user written in third person, suitable
+   for the "About you" card. Example: "Aaron is a quantum-control researcher
+   focused on high-fidelity transmon gates, working in simulation." Record:
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{description:"..."}}`.
 
-   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{goals:"..."}}`.
-
-8. **handoff** — the terminal stage. FIRST, record the completion marker:
+   Then record the completion marker:
    `amicode_profile {entity:"onboarding_completed"}` (exactly once — this is
    what lets Amico remember them next time and triggers the distiller to
    materialize the vault).
 
-   Then route by the user's intent selections (from Stage 2 — read from the
-   events stream, do NOT re-ask):
-
-   - **Research** selected (alone or combined) → "Let's design your first
-     pulse" → continue straight into the **pulse-designer interview** in this
-     same session. Use everything learned (platform, environment, device) to
-     skip pulse-design questions already answered.
-   - **Research + General coding** → same as above, but acknowledge: "I'm also
-     your general coding companion — you can switch modes any time."
-   - **General coding only** (no Research) → open a normal session: "You're all
-     set — I'll remember your context across sessions. Ask me anything."
-     Highlight memory + vault features briefly.
-   - **Exploring only** → "Welcome aboard — want a quick tour of what I can do,
-     or just dive in?" Offer a brief orientation tour.
-
-   The handoff does NOT re-ask intent — it reads what was recorded and routes.
+   Then tell the user onboarding is complete: "You're all set — your About You
+   card on the dashboard is now populated with what you told me. To see it,
+   reload the window (Cmd+Shift+P → 'Reload Window', or Cmd+R). After that,
+   start a new session anytime to explore what Amico can do."
+
+   Do NOT auto-chain into another interview or open a new session. The
+   onboarding ends here. The user is in control of what happens next.
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/bug_report.ts b/packages/extension/src/bug_report.ts
index 3cf84531..963362b5 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/bug_report.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/bug_report.ts
@@ -299,16 +299,14 @@ export class BugReportManager {
 
   /** Arm: the report-a-bug slash command as the session's first turn.
    *
-   *  `model` is optional on POST /session/:id/command (a `provider/model`
-   *  string; the route also takes `variant`). We send it only when
-   *  `amicode.defaultModel` is explicitly set — otherwise the field is omitted
-   *  entirely and the server resolves its own default, which is the documented
-   *  behaviour for an unpinned install. */
+   *  The model field is always omitted — the server resolves its own default
+   *  from the first connected provider's best model. Passing a stale
+   *  `amicode.defaultModel` that references an unconnected provider causes a
+   *  500 (the server can't route to a disconnected provider). */
   private async armSession(server: BugReportServer, sessionID: string): Promise<void> {
-    const model = this.deps.defaultModel?.()?.trim();
     const res = await this.fetch(new URL(`/session/${sessionID}/command`, server.url), server, {
       method: "POST",
-      body: { command: REPORT_A_BUG_SKILL, arguments: "", ...(model ? { model } : {}) },
+      body: { command: REPORT_A_BUG_SKILL, arguments: "" },
     });
     if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`couldn't arm the report-a-bug skill (HTTP ${res.status})`);
   }
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/chat_panel.ts b/packages/extension/src/chat_panel.ts
index cd2fa2e0..010434c3 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/chat_panel.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/chat_panel.ts
@@ -48,6 +48,12 @@ export class ChatPanel {
    *  staged skill set after every session prep; the composer button renders
    *  only when the report-a-bug skill is there to answer it. */
   private static bugReportAvailable = false;
+  /** One-shot flag: when true, the next openOrReveal posts a navigate message
+   *  to start a new session with the onboarding greeting auto-sent. Cleared
+   *  after use. Set by the onboarding panel after config-success/confirm-import. */
+  private static pendingOnboardingGreeting = false;
+  /** Callbacks fired when the app signals ready (app-ready message from iframe). */
+  private static appReadyCallbacks: Array<() => void> = [];
   private readonly disposables: vscode.Disposable[] = [];
 
   /** Subscribe to live-panel count changes. Used by the workspace tree to mute the chat button. */
@@ -61,8 +67,11 @@ export class ChatPanel {
     opencodeUrl: URL,
     authToken?: string,
     hideProjectDir?: string,
+    withSplash?: boolean,
   ) {
-    this.panel.webview.html = this.renderHtml(opencodeUrl, authToken, hideProjectDir);
+    this.panel.webview.html = withSplash
+      ? this.renderTransitionHtml(opencodeUrl, authToken, hideProjectDir)
+      : this.renderHtml(opencodeUrl, authToken, hideProjectDir);
     ChatPanel.live.add(this);
     ChatPanel.onLiveChangeCallback?.(ChatPanel.live.size);
     this.panel.onDidDispose(() => this.dispose(), null, this.disposables);
@@ -88,6 +97,14 @@ export class ChatPanel {
     const serverUrl = opencodeUrl.origin;
     this.panel.webview.onDidReceiveMessage(
       (msg) => {
+        // app-ready: the SolidJS app has mounted and is rendering. Fire
+        // any registered callbacks (one-shot) and clear the list.
+        if (msg && msg.source === "amicode" && msg.kind === "app-ready") {
+          const cbs = ChatPanel.appReadyCallbacks.slice();
+          ChatPanel.appReadyCallbacks = [];
+          for (const cb of cbs) cb();
+          return;
+        }
         // iframe → extension bridge: the outer webview relay (renderHtml)
         // forwards the framed app's envelopes here; the shared handler owns the
         // strict allowlists (chat_bridge.ts, also used by the deck's panes).
@@ -122,12 +139,67 @@ export class ChatPanel {
     setTimeout(() => void this.panel.webview.postMessage(envelope), 1500);
   }
 
+  /** Post a navigate message to open a new session with the onboarding
+   *  prompt auto-sent. Waits for the app-ready signal before posting (the app
+   *  must be mounted to handle the navigate). Falls back to a timeout if
+   *  app-ready never fires. */
+  postOnboardingGreeting(timeoutMs = 10_000): void {
+    const prompt = encodeURIComponent("Let's begin onboarding.");
+    const path = `/new-session?prompt=${prompt}&autoSend=1`;
+    const envelope = { source: "amicode", kind: "navigate", path };
+    let sent = false;
+    const send = () => {
+      if (sent) return;
+      sent = true;
+      void this.panel.webview.postMessage(envelope);
+    };
+    ChatPanel.onAppReady(send);
+    // Fallback: if app-ready never fires (server hung, iframe broken),
+    // post after timeout so the user isn't stuck on the splash forever.
+    setTimeout(send, timeoutMs);
+  }
+
+  /** Post an arbitrary message to the webview (relayed to the iframe). */
+  postMessage(msg: unknown): Thenable<boolean> {
+    return this.panel.webview.postMessage(msg);
+  }
+
   /** AC5's gate setter — called after each session prep with
    *  bugReportSkillStaged(project.skillPaths). */
   static setBugReportAvailable(available: boolean): void {
     ChatPanel.bugReportAvailable = available;
   }
 
+  /** Set by the onboarding panel after config is written — the next
+   *  openOrReveal will post a navigate message to auto-send the greeting. */
+  static setPendingOnboardingGreeting(pending: boolean): void {
+    ChatPanel.pendingOnboardingGreeting = pending;
+  }
+
+  /** Clear the pending greeting flag (test cleanup / manual reset). */
+  static clearPendingOnboardingGreeting(): void {
+    ChatPanel.pendingOnboardingGreeting = false;
+  }
+
+  /** Register a one-shot callback for when the app signals ready.
+   *  All registered callbacks fire once on the first app-ready message,
+   *  then the list is cleared. */
+  static onAppReady(cb: () => void): void {
+    ChatPanel.appReadyCallbacks.push(cb);
+  }
+
+  /** Clear app-ready callbacks (test cleanup). */
+  static clearAppReadyCallbacks(): void {
+    ChatPanel.appReadyCallbacks = [];
+  }
+
+  /** Consume and clear the pending greeting flag. Returns true if it was set. */
+  static consumePendingOnboardingGreeting(): boolean {
+    if (!ChatPanel.pendingOnboardingGreeting) return false;
+    ChatPanel.pendingOnboardingGreeting = false;
+    return true;
+  }
+
   /** The primary panel if one is live (never creates) — the down lane's
    *  fallback when the server is mid-restart and no ready URL exists. */
   static peek(): ChatPanel | undefined {
@@ -199,6 +271,29 @@ export class ChatPanel {
     return ChatPanel.current;
   }
 
+  /** Adopt an existing WebviewPanel (e.g. the onboarding panel) as the chat
+   *  singleton. Swaps its HTML to the chat iframe with a splash overlay on top,
+   *  wires message relay + bridge, and registers it as the primary ChatPanel.
+   *  No new panel is created — zero tab switching. */
+  static adopt(
+    panel: vscode.WebviewPanel,
+    ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext,
+    opencodeUrl: URL,
+    authToken?: string,
+    hideProjectDir?: string,
+  ): ChatPanel {
+    // If there's already a ChatPanel singleton, dispose it (shouldn't happen in normal flow)
+    if (ChatPanel.current) {
+      ChatPanel.current.dispose();
+    }
+    const title = "Amicode Chat";
+    const instance = new ChatPanel(panel, title, opencodeUrl, authToken, hideProjectDir, true);
+    ChatPanel.current = instance;
+    panel.title = title;
+    panel.iconPath = tabIconPath(ctx);
+    return instance;
+  }
+
   /** Side-by-side sessions: ALWAYS a fresh tab beside the active editor — the
    *  caller pins the tab's session scope via the URL (e.g. the app's
    *  /new-session draft route), so each tab owns its conversation while sharing
@@ -278,7 +373,7 @@ export class ChatPanel {
             replyClipboardImage(d.nonce);
             return;
           }
-          if (d && d.source === "amicode" && (d.kind === "command" || d.kind === "clipboard-request" || d.kind === "clipboard-write" || d.kind === "open-external" || d.kind === "open-file" || d.kind === "save-file" || d.kind === "set-default-model" || d.kind === "bug-filed" || d.kind === "bug-report-closed" || d.kind === "bug-report-poke" || d.kind === "dev-tools-update" || d.kind === "dev-tools-rebuild" || d.kind === "data-storage-query" || d.kind === "data-storage-update" || d.kind === "redo-onboarding" || d.kind === "device:refresh" || d.kind === "connections-credential" || d.kind === "connections-disconnect" || d.kind === "connections-revalidate" || d.kind === "connections-auth" || d.kind === "connections-choose-project" || d.kind === "connections-add-custom" || d.kind === "connections-remove")) {
+          if (d && d.source === "amicode" && (d.kind === "command" || d.kind === "clipboard-request" || d.kind === "clipboard-write" || d.kind === "open-external" || d.kind === "open-file" || d.kind === "save-file" || d.kind === "set-default-model" || d.kind === "bug-filed" || d.kind === "bug-report-closed" || d.kind === "bug-report-poke" || d.kind === "dev-tools-update" || d.kind === "dev-tools-rebuild" || d.kind === "data-storage-query" || d.kind === "data-storage-update" || d.kind === "redo-onboarding" || d.kind === "device:refresh" || d.kind === "connections-credential" || d.kind === "connections-disconnect" || d.kind === "connections-revalidate" || d.kind === "connections-auth" || d.kind === "connections-choose-project" || d.kind === "connections-add-custom" || d.kind === "connections-remove" || d.kind === "app-ready")) {
             vscode.postMessage(d);
           }
           return;
@@ -287,7 +382,7 @@ export class ChatPanel {
         // (webview-internal origin, never the opencode origin). Forward only
         // our own envelopes, pinned to the opencode origin. #351 adds
         // run:*/device:* envelopes for the Work Column inspector tabs.
-        if (d && d.source === "amicode" && (d.kind === "theme" || d.kind === "clipboard" || d.kind === "open-compute-connect" || d.kind === "open-bug-report" || d.kind === "close-bug-report" || d.kind === "dev-tools-status" || d.kind === "dev-tools-rebuild-status" || d.kind === "data-storage-defaults" || d.kind === "data-storage-status" || d.kind === "connections-credential-result" || d.kind === "connections-disconnect-result" || d.kind === "connections-revalidate-result" || d.kind === "connections-auth-result" || d.kind === "connections-choose-project-result" || d.kind === "connections-add-custom-result" || d.kind === "connections-remove-result" || (typeof d.kind === "string" && (d.kind.indexOf("run:") === 0 || d.kind.indexOf("device:") === 0)) || d.kind === "clipboard-image")) {
+        if (d && d.source === "amicode" && (d.kind === "theme" || d.kind === "clipboard" || d.kind === "navigate" || d.kind === "open-compute-connect" || d.kind === "open-bug-report" || d.kind === "close-bug-report" || d.kind === "dev-tools-status" || d.kind === "dev-tools-rebuild-status" || d.kind === "data-storage-defaults" || d.kind === "data-storage-status" || d.kind === "connections-credential-result" || d.kind === "connections-disconnect-result" || d.kind === "connections-revalidate-result" || d.kind === "connections-auth-result" || d.kind === "connections-choose-project-result" || d.kind === "connections-add-custom-result" || d.kind === "connections-remove-result" || (typeof d.kind === "string" && (d.kind.indexOf("run:") === 0 || d.kind.indexOf("device:") === 0)) || d.kind === "clipboard-image")) {
           var f = document.querySelector("iframe");
           if (f && f.contentWindow) f.contentWindow.postMessage(d, ${origin});
         }
@@ -336,6 +431,183 @@ export class ChatPanel {
 </html>`;
   }
 
+  /** Render the chat iframe HTML with a splash overlay on top.
+   *  Used by adopt() — the overlay fades out when app-ready fires, revealing
+   *  the fully-loaded chat underneath. Zero tab switching, pure CSS transition. */
+  private renderTransitionHtml(opencodeUrl: URL, authToken?: string, hideProjectDir?: string): string {
+    const nonce = randomBytes(16).toString("base64");
+    const csp = [
+      "default-src 'none'",
+      "style-src 'unsafe-inline'",
+      `script-src 'nonce-${nonce}'`,
+      `frame-src ${opencodeUrl.origin}`,
+      "connect-src 'self'",
+    ].join("; ");
+    const origin = JSON.stringify(opencodeUrl.origin);
+    const framed = new URL(opencodeUrl.href);
+    framed.searchParams.set("colorScheme", themeKindToScheme(vscode.window.activeColorTheme.kind));
+    if (authToken) framed.searchParams.set("auth_token", authToken);
+    if (hideProjectDir) framed.searchParams.set("amicode_hide_project", hideProjectDir);
+    if (ChatPanel.bugReportAvailable) framed.searchParams.set("amicode_bug_report", "1");
+    return /* html */ `<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+  <meta charset="UTF-8" />
+  <meta http-equiv="Content-Security-Policy" content="${csp}" />
+  <style>
+    html, body, iframe { margin: 0; padding: 0; height: 100%; width: 100%; border: 0; }
+    body { background: var(--vscode-editor-background); overflow: hidden; }
+    iframe { display: block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; z-index: 1; }
+    .splash-overlay {
+      position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;
+      z-index: 10; display: flex; flex-direction: column;
+      align-items: center; justify-content: center;
+      background: var(--vscode-editor-background);
+      transition: opacity 0.4s ease-out, transform 0.4s ease-out;
+    }
+    .splash-overlay.fade-out {
+      opacity: 0; transform: scale(1.05); pointer-events: none;
+    }
+    .splash-text {
+      margin-top: 16px; font-size: 1.4rem;
+      color: var(--vscode-foreground, #ccc);
+      font-family: var(--vscode-font-family, system-ui);
+    }
+    .splash-mark {
+      width: 176px; height: 157px;
+      fill: var(--color-accent-ink, #fff676);
+      overflow: visible;
+    }
+    body.vscode-light .splash-mark,
+    body.vscode-high-contrast-light .splash-mark {
+      fill: var(--color-accent-ink, var(--vscode-foreground, #424242));
+    }
+    .splash-mark .mark-breathe {
+      transform-box: fill-box; transform-origin: 50% 100%;
+      animation: jump 2.0s ease-in-out infinite;
+    }
+    @keyframes jump {
+      0%, 40% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1, 1); }
+      46% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1.08, 0.92); }
+      58% { transform: translateY(-60px) scale(0.96, 1.05); }
+      70% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1.06, 0.94); }
+      80% { transform: translateY(-20px) scale(0.99, 1.02); }
+      88%, 100% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1, 1); }
+    }
+  </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+  <div class="splash-overlay" id="splash">
+    <svg class="splash-mark" viewBox="2 74 3596 3212" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-label="Amico">
+      <g class="mark-breathe">
+        <!-- Outer bracket frame -->
+        <path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M2279.19,374.09v622.56h-958.38V374.09H202.07v2851.83h1118.74v-520.15h958.38v520.15h1118.74V374.09h-1118.74ZM3165.55,2523.71H478.91v-1338.38h2686.65v1338.38Z"/>
+        <!-- Left caret < -->
+        <polygon points="888.52 1864.8 754.93 1864.8 754.93 1727.36 888.55 1727.36 888.55 1864.77 1022.15 1864.77 1022.15 2002.21 888.52 2002.21 888.52 1864.8"/>
+        <polygon points="621.31 1589.92 754.9 1589.92 754.9 1452.48 888.52 1452.48 888.52 1589.92 754.93 1589.92 754.93 1727.36 621.31 1727.36 621.31 1589.92"/>
+        <polygon points="754.92 1452.48 888.51 1452.48 888.51 1315.04 1022.13 1315.04 1022.13 1452.48 888.54 1452.48 888.54 1589.92 754.92 1589.92 754.92 1452.48"/>
+        <!-- Left happy eye (∩ = top bar + two side bars, centered in bracket) -->
+        <rect x="1139.77" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+        <rect x="1503.05" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+        <rect x="1273.58" y="1510" width="229.47" height="137.44"/>
+        <!-- Centre divider | -->
+        <rect x="1778.31" y="1450" width="107.11" height="692.38"/>
+        <!-- Right happy eye (∩ = top bar + two side bars, centered in bracket) -->
+        <rect x="2009.75" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+        <rect x="2373.03" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+        <rect x="2143.56" y="1510" width="229.47" height="137.44"/>
+        <!-- Smile (same as opening screen) -->
+        <rect x="1648.65" y="2256.8" width="349.19" height="137.44"/>
+        <rect x="1510.91" y="2119.73" width="138.82" height="138.82"/>
+        <rect x="1997.85" y="2117.98" width="138.82" height="138.82"/>
+        <!-- Right caret > -->
+        <polygon points="2769.41 1463.57 2903.01 1463.57 2903.01 1601.01 2769.39 1601.01 2769.39 1463.6 2635.79 1463.6 2635.79 1326.16 2769.41 1326.16 2769.41 1463.57"/>
+        <polygon points="3036.63 1738.45 2903.03 1738.45 2903.03 1875.89 2769.41 1875.89 2769.41 1738.45 2903.01 1738.45 2903.01 1601.01 3036.63 1601.01 3036.63 1738.45"/>
+        <polygon points="2903.02 1875.89 2769.43 1875.89 2769.43 2013.33 2635.81 2013.33 2635.81 1875.89 2769.4 1875.89 2769.4 1738.45 2903.02 1738.45 2903.02 1875.89"/>
+      </g>
+    </svg>
+    <div class="splash-text">Getting Amico ready...</div>
+  </div>
+  <iframe src="${framed.href}" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-downloads"></iframe>
+  <script nonce="${nonce}">
+    (function () {
+      var vscode = acquireVsCodeApi();
+      var origin = ${origin};
+      var splashStart = Date.now();
+      var MIN_SPLASH_MS = 5000; // minimum 5s display time
+
+      function fadeSplash() {
+        var splash = document.getElementById("splash");
+        if (splash) {
+          splash.classList.add("fade-out");
+          splash.addEventListener("transitionend", function () { splash.remove(); });
+        }
+      }
+
+      window.addEventListener("message", function (e) {
+        var d = e.data;
+        if (e.origin === origin) {
+          // app-ready: fade the splash overlay after minimum display time
+          if (d && d.source === "amicode" && d.kind === "app-ready") {
+            var elapsed = Date.now() - splashStart;
+            var remaining = Math.max(0, MIN_SPLASH_MS - elapsed);
+            setTimeout(fadeSplash, remaining);
+            // Relay to extension immediately (so navigate posts on time)
+            vscode.postMessage(d);
+            return;
+          }
+          if (d && d.source === "amicode" && d.kind === "clipboard-image-request") {
+            replyClipboardImage(d.nonce);
+            return;
+          }
+          if (d && d.source === "amicode" && (d.kind === "command" || d.kind === "clipboard-request" || d.kind === "clipboard-write" || d.kind === "open-external" || d.kind === "open-file" || d.kind === "save-file" || d.kind === "set-default-model" || d.kind === "bug-filed" || d.kind === "bug-report-closed" || d.kind === "bug-report-poke" || d.kind === "dev-tools-update" || d.kind === "dev-tools-rebuild" || d.kind === "data-storage-query" || d.kind === "data-storage-update" || d.kind === "redo-onboarding" || d.kind === "device:refresh" || d.kind === "connections-credential" || d.kind === "connections-disconnect" || d.kind === "connections-revalidate" || d.kind === "connections-auth" || d.kind === "connections-choose-project" || d.kind === "connections-add-custom" || d.kind === "connections-remove" || d.kind === "app-ready")) {
+            vscode.postMessage(d);
+          }
+          return;
+        }
+        if (d && d.source === "amicode" && (d.kind === "theme" || d.kind === "clipboard" || d.kind === "navigate" || d.kind === "open-compute-connect" || d.kind === "open-bug-report" || d.kind === "close-bug-report" || d.kind === "dev-tools-status" || d.kind === "dev-tools-rebuild-status" || d.kind === "data-storage-defaults" || d.kind === "data-storage-status" || d.kind === "connections-credential-result" || d.kind === "connections-disconnect-result" || d.kind === "connections-revalidate-result" || d.kind === "connections-auth-result" || d.kind === "connections-choose-project-result" || d.kind === "connections-add-custom-result" || d.kind === "connections-remove-result" || (typeof d.kind === "string" && (d.kind.indexOf("run:") === 0 || d.kind.indexOf("device:") === 0)) || d.kind === "clipboard-image")) {
+          var f = document.querySelector("iframe");
+          if (f && f.contentWindow) f.contentWindow.postMessage(d, origin);
+        }
+      });
+      function blobToDataUrl(blob) {
+        return new Promise(function (res) {
+          var r = new FileReader();
+          r.onload = function () { res(typeof r.result === "string" ? r.result : null); };
+          r.onerror = function () { res(null); };
+          r.readAsDataURL(blob);
+        });
+      }
+      async function replyClipboardImage(nonce) {
+        var payload = { source: "amicode", kind: "clipboard-image", nonce: nonce, dataUrl: null, mime: null, filename: null };
+        try {
+          if (navigator.clipboard && navigator.clipboard.read) {
+            var items = await navigator.clipboard.read();
+            for (var i = 0; i < items.length && !payload.dataUrl; i++) {
+              var types = items[i].types || [];
+              for (var j = 0; j < types.length; j++) {
+                if (types[j].indexOf("image/") !== 0) continue;
+                var blob = await items[i].getType(types[j]);
+                var dataUrl = await blobToDataUrl(blob);
+                if (dataUrl) {
+                  payload.dataUrl = dataUrl;
+                  payload.mime = types[j];
+                  payload.filename = "pasted-image." + (types[j].split("/")[1] || "png");
+                }
+                break;
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        } catch (e) { /* reply with dataUrl:null */ }
+        var f = document.querySelector("iframe");
+        if (f && f.contentWindow) f.contentWindow.postMessage(payload, origin);
+      }
+    })();
+  </script>
+</body>
+</html>`;
+  }
+
   dispose(): void {
     for (const d of this.disposables) {
       try {
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/credential_scanner.ts b/packages/extension/src/credential_scanner.ts
index c79d4e53..c4589a76 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/credential_scanner.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/credential_scanner.ts
@@ -270,12 +270,33 @@ export function webviewSafeResults(credentials: DetectedCredential[]): SafeCrede
   });
 }
 
+// ─── Key validation (#455) ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/** Known placeholder keys that should never be persisted to config. */
+const PLACEHOLDER_KEYS = new Set(["sk-test"]);
+
+/**
+ * Returns true if the API key is valid for writing to config.
+ * Rejects: empty strings, known placeholders, and keys shorter than 10 chars.
+ * Empty string is allowed ONLY when the caller explicitly passes it (OAuth
+ * providers like github-copilot don't use API keys at all — they pass empty
+ * and the entry is written without options.apiKey). This function is called
+ * only when a key IS present (non-empty), so empty returns false here.
+ */
+export function isValidApiKey(key: string): boolean {
+  if (!key || key.trim() === "") return false;
+  if (PLACEHOLDER_KEYS.has(key.trim())) return false;
+  if (key.trim().length < 10) return false;
+  return true;
+}
+
 // ─── Batch config writing (AC7) ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 /**
  * Write all detected providers to opencode.json in one pass.
  * The `activeProvider` becomes the active `model` (using its first model entry).
  * Uses the same schema as writeOnboardingConfig: provider.<id>.options.apiKey, env as string[].
+ * Credentials with placeholder or invalid keys are silently skipped (#455).
  */
 export function writeBatchConfig(
   credentials: DetectedCredential[],
@@ -295,12 +316,14 @@ export function writeBatchConfig(
     // Start fresh if parsing fails
   }
 
-  // Build provider entries
-  const providerEntry: Record<string, unknown> = {
-    ...(existing.provider as Record<string, unknown> ?? {}),
-  };
+  // Build provider entries — replaces the entire provider section
+  // (on redo, user's selection is the canonical set; old entries don't persist)
+  const providerEntry: Record<string, unknown> = {};
 
   for (const cred of credentials) {
+    // Skip credentials with invalid/placeholder keys (#455)
+    if (!isValidApiKey(cred.key)) continue;
+
     const entry: Record<string, unknown> = {};
     if (cred.key) {
       entry.options = { apiKey: cred.key };
@@ -312,16 +335,87 @@ export function writeBatchConfig(
     providerEntry[cred.provider] = entry;
   }
 
-  // Determine active model
+  // Determine active model — only set when we have a known default.
+  // Unknown providers (e.g. amazon-bedrock) let the server resolve its own
+  // default from the connected provider's model list.
   const activeModels = PROVIDER_MODELS[activeProvider];
-  const activeModel = activeModels?.[0]?.id ?? `${activeProvider}/unknown`;
+  const activeModel = activeModels?.[0]?.id;
 
-  const result = {
+  const result: Record<string, unknown> = {
     ...existing,
     $schema: "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
     provider: providerEntry,
-    model: activeModel,
   };
+  if (activeModel) {
+    result.model = activeModel;
+  } else {
+    // Remove stale model field if it points to an unknown model
+    delete result.model;
+  }
 
   fs.writeFileSync(targetPath, JSON.stringify(result, null, 2) + "\n");
 }
+
+// ─── Disconnect excluded providers from auth stores ──────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Remove credentials for excluded providers from opencode's auth stores.
+ * After a server restart, excluded providers will no longer auto-connect.
+ */
+export function disconnectProviders(
+  providers: string[],
+  options?: { accountJsonPath?: string; authJsonPath?: string },
+): void {
+  const home = os.homedir();
+  const dataDir = path.join(home, ".local", "share", "opencode");
+  const accountPath = options?.accountJsonPath ?? path.join(dataDir, "account.json");
+  const authPath = options?.authJsonPath ?? path.join(dataDir, "auth.json");
+
+  // Build the set of serviceIDs to remove, including aliases
+  const excludeSet = new Set(providers);
+  if (excludeSet.has("opencode")) excludeSet.add("opencode-go");
+
+  // Remove from account.json (v2)
+  try {
+    const raw = fs.readFileSync(accountPath, "utf8");
+    const data = JSON.parse(raw);
+    if (data.version === 2 && typeof data.accounts === "object" && data.accounts !== null) {
+      let modified = false;
+      for (const [id, entry] of Object.entries(data.accounts)) {
+        const acct = entry as { serviceID?: string };
+        if (acct.serviceID && excludeSet.has(acct.serviceID)) {
+          delete data.accounts[id];
+          if (data.active && acct.serviceID in data.active) {
+            delete data.active[acct.serviceID];
+          }
+          modified = true;
+        }
+      }
+      if (modified) {
+        fs.writeFileSync(accountPath, JSON.stringify(data, null, 2) + "\n");
+      }
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // Skip if file doesn't exist or is malformed
+  }
+
+  // Remove from auth.json (v1)
+  try {
+    const raw = fs.readFileSync(authPath, "utf8");
+    const data = JSON.parse(raw);
+    if (typeof data === "object" && data !== null) {
+      let modified = false;
+      for (const serviceId of excludeSet) {
+        if (serviceId in data) {
+          delete data[serviceId];
+          modified = true;
+        }
+      }
+      if (modified) {
+        fs.writeFileSync(authPath, JSON.stringify(data, null, 2) + "\n");
+      }
+    }
+  } catch {
+    // Skip if file doesn't exist or is malformed
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/extension.ts b/packages/extension/src/extension.ts
index 6fd5a4a2..b46b3e69 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/extension.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/extension.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
   resolveJuliaProject,
   buildOpencodeConfigContent,
   resolveModelPin,
+  validatedModelPin,
 } from "./opencode_config";
 import { parseLibraryRootSpecs } from "./scores/package_skills";
 import { resolveAmicoRunBinDir, resolveRunsRoot } from "./opencode_paths";
@@ -38,8 +39,8 @@ import { writeStopFile, savePulseTo, stopPlan, forceStop, runLogMtime } from "./
 import { watchSolverMode, applyEntitlementForMode, readSolverModeState } from "./solver_mode";
 import { runSetCloudKeyCommand } from "./cloud_key";
 import { amicodeOpsDir } from "./substrate/vault_store";
-import { registerOnboardingPanel, onOnboardingComplete, onOnboardingCancelled } from "./onboarding_panel";
-import { isModelConfigured } from "./onboarding_routing";
+import { registerOnboardingPanel, onOnboardingCancelled, getOnboardingPanel, releaseOnboardingPanel } from "./onboarding_panel";
+import { isModelConfigured, writeWelcomeShown } from "./onboarding_routing";
 import { stagePasqalConnector } from "./pasqal_assets";
 import { needsProvision, pasqalVenvDir, provisionPasqalPython } from "./pasqal_python";
 import { createLocalPersonalVault, sanitizeVaultName, suggestVaultName } from "./substrate/vault_setup";
@@ -207,6 +208,39 @@ async function refreshDeviceInspector(channel: vscode.OutputChannel): Promise<vo
  *  second Stop click must not stack a second dialog. */
 const pendingStops = new Set<string>();
 
+/** Create a session and arm it with "Let's begin onboarding." via the server API.
+ *  Bypasses the UI model gate (the server resolves its own default model).
+ *  Returns the session ID on success, undefined on failure. */
+async function armOnboardingSession(
+  serverUrl: URL,
+  authHeaders: Record<string, string>,
+  projectDir?: string,
+): Promise<string | undefined> {
+  try {
+    const collectionUrl = new URL("/session", serverUrl);
+    if (projectDir) collectionUrl.searchParams.set("directory", projectDir);
+    const createRes = await fetch(collectionUrl.toString(), {
+      method: "POST",
+      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", ...authHeaders },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ title: "Onboarding" }),
+    });
+    if (!createRes.ok) return undefined;
+    const { id } = (await createRes.json()) as { id?: string };
+    if (!id) return undefined;
+
+    const commandUrl = new URL(`/session/${id}/command`, serverUrl);
+    const commandRes = await fetch(commandUrl.toString(), {
+      method: "POST",
+      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json", ...authHeaders },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ command: "Let's begin onboarding.", arguments: "" }),
+    });
+    if (!commandRes.ok) return undefined;
+    return id;
+  } catch {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+}
+
 export async function activate(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): Promise<void> {
   const opencodeChannel = vscode.window.createOutputChannel("Amicode — opencode");
   const runsChannel = vscode.window.createOutputChannel("Amicode — runs");
@@ -676,7 +710,9 @@ export async function activate(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): Promise<void> {
           // the user's recent selection, else the provider default. A hardcoded
           // fallback here used to override the user's own choice. The in-chat
           // picker still overrides per session.
-          vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin(),
+          // Validate: don't inject a pin that references an unconnected provider —
+          // it causes 500s when the server tries to resolve it.
+          validatedModelPin(vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin()),
           // Telemetry gate → experimental.openTelemetry (span generation), coupled
           // to the exporter env this same spawnEnv resolves.
           telemetryOpen(),
@@ -744,7 +780,7 @@ export async function activate(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): Promise<void> {
               // Armonia mount stack (spec-20260707-002846 C1): per-mount read grants.
               project2.mounts,
               // Same pin rule as boot: only an explicit amicode.defaultModel pins.
-              vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin(),
+              validatedModelPin(vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin()),
               telemetryOpen(), // gate → experimental.openTelemetry (span generation)
               // Context plugin: injects live stack state per system-prompt build.
               [path.resolve(ctx.extensionPath, "opencode-plugin", "amicode_context.ts")],
@@ -811,17 +847,32 @@ export async function activate(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): Promise<void> {
       // which then opens chat.
       if (!isModelConfigured() && vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<boolean>("chat.autoOpen", true)) {
         void vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.onboarding.open");
-        // Wire: when onboarding completes, auto-open chat
-        onOnboardingComplete(() => {
-          ChatPanel.openOrReveal(ctx, url, serverAuthToken(serverPassword), opencodeProject.projectDir);
-        });
+        // Wire: when onboarding completes, the server restarts and the
+        // onReady handler (else-if branch below) opens the chat panel.
+        // We do NOT open chat here — that would race the server restart
+        // and show behind the transition splash.
         // Wire: when onboarding is cancelled (X), open chat normally
         onOnboardingCancelled(() => {
           ChatPanel.openOrReveal(ctx, url, serverAuthToken(serverPassword), opencodeProject.projectDir);
         });
       } else if (vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<boolean>("chat.autoOpen", true)) {
         // Normal path: model configured → open chat directly
-        ChatPanel.openOrReveal(ctx, url, serverAuthToken(serverPassword), opencodeProject.projectDir);
+        // Post-onboarding: adopt the onboarding panel as the chat panel (zero
+        // tab switching — the splash overlay fades out revealing the chat).
+        if (ChatPanel.consumePendingOnboardingGreeting()) {
+          const onboardPanel = getOnboardingPanel();
+          if (onboardPanel) {
+            releaseOnboardingPanel(); // detach from onboarding lifecycle
+            const panel = ChatPanel.adopt(onboardPanel, ctx, url, serverAuthToken(serverPassword), opencodeProject.projectDir);
+            panel.postOnboardingGreeting();
+          } else {
+            // Fallback: no onboarding panel alive (user closed it manually)
+            const panel = ChatPanel.openOrReveal(ctx, url, serverAuthToken(serverPassword), opencodeProject.projectDir);
+            panel.postOnboardingGreeting();
+          }
+        } else {
+          ChatPanel.openOrReveal(ctx, url, serverAuthToken(serverPassword), opencodeProject.projectDir);
+        }
       }
       // Surface ONE explicit LLM-provider signal at boot, read from opencode's
       // OWN resolution (its live /config/providers) — not a silent hang at the
@@ -888,7 +939,7 @@ export async function activate(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): Promise<void> {
           project2.skillsStageDir,
           project2.vaultDir,
           project2.mounts,
-          vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin(),
+          validatedModelPin(vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin()),
           telemetryOpen(), // gate → experimental.openTelemetry (span generation)
         ),
       }),
@@ -1305,7 +1356,7 @@ export async function activate(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): Promise<void> {
             opencodeProject.skillsStageDir,
             opencodeProject.vaultDir,
             opencodeProject.mounts,
-            vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin(),
+            validatedModelPin(vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").get<string>("defaultModel", "").trim() || resolveModelPin()),
             telemetryOpen(),
           ),
         }),
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/onboarding_panel.ts b/packages/extension/src/onboarding_panel.ts
index 61b8c6ea..1dbb9e3e 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/onboarding_panel.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/onboarding_panel.ts
@@ -17,8 +17,11 @@ import {
   defaultScanOptions,
   webviewSafeResults,
   writeBatchConfig,
+  disconnectProviders,
+  isValidApiKey,
   type DetectedCredential,
 } from "./credential_scanner";
+import { ChatPanel } from "./chat_panel";
 
 // ─── Provider → Model data (data-driven, not hard-coded conditionals) ────────
 
@@ -93,7 +96,8 @@ function defaultConfigPath(): string {
 }
 
 /** Write the onboarding config to the opencode config file.
- *  Creates parent directories if needed. Merges with existing config if present. */
+ *  Creates parent directories if needed. Merges with existing config if present.
+ *  Rejects placeholder/invalid API keys — the provider entry is not written (#455). */
 export function writeOnboardingConfig(
   config: OnboardingConfig,
   configPath: string = defaultConfigPath(),
@@ -110,6 +114,22 @@ export function writeOnboardingConfig(
     // If parsing fails, start fresh
   }
 
+   // Reject placeholder/invalid keys (#455) — but allow empty keys (OAuth providers)
+  if (config.apiKey && !isValidApiKey(config.apiKey)) {
+    // Key is non-empty but invalid — don't write this provider, just preserve existing config
+    const result: Record<string, unknown> = {
+      ...existing,
+      $schema: "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
+      provider: existing.provider ?? {},
+    };
+    // Only write model if it's a known valid ID (not empty, not "provider/unknown")
+    if (config.model && !config.model.endsWith("/unknown")) {
+      result.model = config.model;
+    }
+    fs.writeFileSync(configPath, JSON.stringify(result, null, 2) + "\n");
+    return;
+  }
+
   // Provider-specific key env var name
   const envVarName = providerKeyEnvVar(config.provider);
 
@@ -129,12 +149,18 @@ export function writeOnboardingConfig(
     [config.provider]: providerConfig,
   };
 
-  const result = {
+  const result: Record<string, unknown> = {
     ...existing,
     $schema: "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
     provider: providerEntry,
-    model: config.model,
   };
+  // Only write model if it's a known valid ID (not empty, not "provider/unknown")
+  if (config.model && !config.model.endsWith("/unknown")) {
+    result.model = config.model;
+  } else {
+    // Remove stale model field that points to an unknown model
+    delete result.model;
+  }
 
   fs.writeFileSync(configPath, JSON.stringify(result, null, 2) + "\n");
 }
@@ -312,6 +338,93 @@ export function _resetForTesting(): void {
   currentPanel = undefined;
 }
 
+/** Dismiss the onboarding panel (dispose it). Called by the extension host
+ *  after the chat panel's app signals ready — ends the transition splash. */
+export function dismissOnboardingPanel(): void {
+  if (currentPanel) {
+    currentPanel.dispose();
+  }
+}
+
+/** Return the live onboarding WebviewPanel (if one exists). Used by the
+ *  transition flow: the extension swaps its HTML and adopts it as the chat
+ *  panel — zero tab switching. */
+export function getOnboardingPanel(): vscode.WebviewPanel | undefined {
+  return currentPanel;
+}
+
+/** Detach the onboarding panel from this module's lifecycle tracking WITHOUT
+ *  disposing it. Called when ChatPanel.adopt() takes ownership. After this,
+ *  dismissOnboardingPanel() is a no-op and re-opening creates a fresh panel. */
+export function releaseOnboardingPanel(): void {
+  currentPanel = undefined;
+}
+
+/** Static splash HTML — the happy robot + "Getting Amico ready..." on a plain
+ *  background. Used as an immediate visual while the server restarts. The exact
+ *  same SVG + CSS appears in ChatPanel.renderTransitionHtml's overlay, so when
+ *  adopt() fires there's no visible flash (same pixels). */
+function splashHtml(): string {
+  return `<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" />
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Security-Policy" content="default-src 'none'; style-src 'unsafe-inline';">
+<style>
+  html, body { height: 100%; margin: 0; overflow: hidden; }
+  body { background: var(--vscode-editor-background); display: flex; flex-direction: column;
+         align-items: center; justify-content: center; }
+  .splash-mark {
+    width: 176px; height: 157px;
+    fill: var(--color-accent-ink, #fff676);
+    overflow: visible;
+  }
+  body.vscode-light .splash-mark,
+  body.vscode-high-contrast-light .splash-mark {
+    fill: var(--color-accent-ink, var(--vscode-foreground, #424242));
+  }
+  .splash-mark .mark-breathe {
+    transform-box: fill-box; transform-origin: 50% 100%;
+    animation: jump 2.0s ease-in-out infinite;
+  }
+  @keyframes jump {
+    0%, 40% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1, 1); }
+    46% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1.08, 0.92); }
+    58% { transform: translateY(-60px) scale(0.96, 1.05); }
+    70% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1.06, 0.94); }
+    80% { transform: translateY(-20px) scale(0.99, 1.02); }
+    88%, 100% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1, 1); }
+  }
+  .splash-text {
+    margin-top: 16px; font-size: 1.4rem;
+    color: var(--vscode-foreground, #ccc);
+    font-family: var(--vscode-font-family, system-ui);
+  }
+</style>
+</head><body>
+  <svg class="splash-mark" viewBox="2 74 3596 3212" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
+    <g class="mark-breathe">
+      <path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M2279.19,374.09v622.56h-958.38V374.09H202.07v2851.83h1118.74v-520.15h958.38v520.15h1118.74V374.09h-1118.74ZM3165.55,2523.71H478.91v-1338.38h2686.65v1338.38Z"/>
+      <polygon points="888.52 1864.8 754.93 1864.8 754.93 1727.36 888.55 1727.36 888.55 1864.77 1022.15 1864.77 1022.15 2002.21 888.52 2002.21 888.52 1864.8"/>
+      <polygon points="621.31 1589.92 754.9 1589.92 754.9 1452.48 888.52 1452.48 888.52 1589.92 754.93 1589.92 754.93 1727.36 621.31 1727.36 621.31 1589.92"/>
+      <polygon points="754.92 1452.48 888.51 1452.48 888.51 1315.04 1022.13 1315.04 1022.13 1452.48 888.54 1452.48 888.54 1589.92 754.92 1589.92 754.92 1452.48"/>
+      <rect x="1139.77" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+      <rect x="1503.05" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+      <rect x="1273.58" y="1510" width="229.47" height="137.44"/>
+      <rect x="1778.31" y="1450" width="107.11" height="692.38"/>
+      <rect x="2009.75" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+      <rect x="2373.03" y="1647" width="133.62" height="286"/>
+      <rect x="2143.56" y="1510" width="229.47" height="137.44"/>
+      <rect x="1648.65" y="2256.8" width="349.19" height="137.44"/>
+      <rect x="1510.91" y="2119.73" width="138.82" height="138.82"/>
+      <rect x="1997.85" y="2117.98" width="138.82" height="138.82"/>
+      <polygon points="2769.41 1463.57 2903.01 1463.57 2903.01 1601.01 2769.39 1601.01 2769.39 1463.6 2635.79 1463.6 2635.79 1326.16 2769.41 1326.16 2769.41 1463.57"/>
+      <polygon points="3036.63 1738.45 2903.03 1738.45 2903.03 1875.89 2769.41 1875.89 2769.41 1738.45 2903.01 1738.45 2903.01 1601.01 3036.63 1601.01 3036.63 1738.45"/>
+      <polygon points="2903.02 1875.89 2769.43 1875.89 2769.43 2013.33 2635.81 2013.33 2635.81 1875.89 2769.4 1875.89 2769.4 1738.45 2903.02 1738.45 2903.02 1875.89"/>
+    </g>
+  </svg>
+  <div class="splash-text">Getting Amico ready...</div>
+</body></html>`;
+}
+
 /** Register the onboarding panel command. Call from extension.ts activate(). */
 export function registerOnboardingPanel(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): void {
   ctx.subscriptions.push(
@@ -349,10 +462,17 @@ export function registerOnboardingPanel(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): void {
           } else if (msg.type === "config-success") {
             const payload = msg.payload as OnboardingConfig;
             writeOnboardingConfig(payload);
-            panel.dispose();
+            // Clear stale model pin — the old provider may no longer be connected.
+            // The server will resolve the new provider's default on its own.
+            void vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").update("defaultModel", undefined, vscode.ConfigurationTarget.Global);
+            // Swap the panel HTML directly to the splash (same as confirm-import)
+            panel.webview.html = splashHtml();
+            // Signal that the next chat panel open should auto-send the onboarding greeting
+            ChatPanel.setPendingOnboardingGreeting(true);
             fireOnboardingComplete();
-            // Open chat as fallback (in case no completion listener is wired)
-            void vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.openChat");
+            // Restart server so it picks up the new provider config.
+            // Chat opens via the onReady-gated listener in extension.ts.
+            void vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.restartServer");
           } else if (msg.type === "cancel") {
             // User cancelled onboarding — close panel, re-open chat
             panel.dispose();
@@ -427,12 +547,30 @@ export function registerOnboardingPanel(ctx: vscode.ExtensionContext): void {
             if (passedCredentials.length > 0) {
               writeBatchConfig(passedCredentials, payload.activeProvider);
             }
+            // If user excluded 'opencode', disconnect it from the auth store.
+            // This is the only provider that needs file-level removal (it's a
+            // built-in integration, not in the connections seam).
+            if (!included.has("opencode") && heldCredentials.some((c) => c.provider === "opencode")) {
+              disconnectProviders(["opencode"]);
+            }
             heldCredentials = [];
             testResults.clear();
-            panel.dispose();
+            // Clear stale model pin — the old provider may no longer be connected.
+            void vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("amicode").update("defaultModel", undefined, vscode.ConfigurationTarget.Global);
+            // Swap the panel HTML directly to the splash — no webview-side
+            // DOM manipulation, so there's no flash when adopt() fires later
+            // (adopt's overlay uses the exact same SVG + CSS).
+            panel.webview.html = splashHtml();
+            // Signal that the next chat panel open should auto-send the onboarding greeting
+            ChatPanel.setPendingOnboardingGreeting(true);
             fireOnboardingComplete();
-            // Open chat as fallback (in case no completion listener is wired)
-            void vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.openChat");
+            // Restart server so it picks up the new provider config.
+            // Chat opens via the onReady-gated listener in extension.ts.
+            void vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.restartServer");
+          } else if (msg.type === "transition-complete") {
+            // The extension signals that the chat panel is ready — dispose the
+            // splash now. This is posted by the extension host after app-ready.
+            panel.dispose();
           }
         },
         null,
@@ -473,7 +611,7 @@ function buildWebviewHtml(
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="${uri("media", "layout.css")}" />
 <style nonce="${nonce}">
   html, body { height: 100%; margin: 0; }
-  .animation-container { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; height: 100vh; }
+  .animation-container { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; height: 100vh; flex-direction: column; }
   .form-container { display: none; }
   .form-container.visible { display: block; height: 100vh; }
   .cancel-btn {
@@ -484,6 +622,7 @@ function buildWebviewHtml(
     opacity: 0.6; transition: opacity 0.15s;
   }
   .cancel-btn:hover { opacity: 1; background: var(--vscode-toolbar-hoverBackground, rgba(255,255,255,0.1)); }
+  @keyframes fadeIn { from { opacity: 0; } to { opacity: 1; } }
 </style>
 </head><body>
 <button id="cancel-btn" class="cancel-btn" title="Skip onboarding">&times;</button>
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/onboarding_webview.ts b/packages/extension/src/onboarding_webview.ts
index 1807224c..0d3c33cd 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/onboarding_webview.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/onboarding_webview.ts
@@ -96,31 +96,10 @@ function playWelcomeAnimation(): void {
          entrance and snap open at 0.90s. */
       .amico-mark .eye-lid { opacity: 0; }
 
-      /* 0.00s — Amico fades in and drops onto his feet, bouncing twice before
-         he settles. Volume is roughly conserved: he widens as he flattens.
-         Per-keyframe easing does the real work — falls accelerate, rises
-         decelerate; a single curve across the whole thing reads as floaty. */
+      /* 0.00s — Amico fades in at constant size. No drop, no bounce,
+         no scale — just appears. The button fades in after. */
       @keyframes amico-enter {
-        0% {
-          opacity: 0; transform: translateY(-260px) scale(0.92, 1.10);
-          animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
-        }
-        25% {
-          opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0) scale(1.14, 0.86);
-          animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.3, 1);
-        }
-        45% {
-          transform: translateY(-190px) scale(0.96, 1.06);
-          animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
-        }
-        65% {
-          transform: translateY(0) scale(1.08, 0.93);
-          animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.3, 1);
-        }
-        82% {
-          transform: translateY(-70px) scale(0.99, 1.02);
-          animation-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
-        }
+        0% { opacity: 0; }
         100% { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0) scale(1, 1); }
       }
 
@@ -237,8 +216,8 @@ function playWelcomeAnimation(): void {
       }
 
       @keyframes amico-rise {
-        from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(8px); }
-        to   { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
+        from { opacity: 0; }
+        to   { opacity: 1; }
       }
       @keyframes amico-fade-in {
         from { opacity: 0; }
@@ -327,6 +306,14 @@ function playWelcomeAnimation(): void {
       <p class="welcome-text" style="margin-top: 16px; font-size: 1.4rem; color: var(--vscode-foreground, #ccc);">
         Welcome to Amicode
       </p>
+      <button class="welcome-cta" style="margin-top: 40px; padding: 10px 32px;
+        font-family: var(--text-font, inherit); font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500;
+        background: var(--color-accent-fill, #fff676); color: var(--color-on-accent, #000);
+        border: var(--border-width, 1px) solid var(--color-on-accent, #000);
+        border-radius: var(--border-radius, 4px);
+        cursor: pointer; opacity: 0; visibility: hidden; transition: opacity 2s ease-in, filter 0.16s ease;">
+        Get Started
+      </button>
     </div>
   `;
 
@@ -339,19 +326,9 @@ function playWelcomeAnimation(): void {
 
   // Show "Get Started" button after text fades in, user clicks to proceed
   setTimeout(() => {
-    const btn = document.createElement("button");
-    btn.textContent = "Get Started";
-    btn.className = "welcome-cta";
-    btn.style.cssText = `
-      margin-top: 40px; padding: 10px 32px;
-      font-family: var(--text-font, inherit); font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500;
-      background: var(--color-accent-fill, #fff676);
-      color: var(--color-on-accent, #000);
-      border: var(--border-width, 1px) solid var(--color-on-accent, #000);
-      border-radius: var(--border-radius, 4px);
-      cursor: pointer; opacity: 0; transition: opacity 0.5s ease-in, filter 0.16s ease;
-    `;
-    logo.appendChild(btn);
+    const btn = logo.querySelector(".welcome-cta") as HTMLButtonElement;
+    if (!btn) return;
+    btn.style.visibility = "visible";
     requestAnimationFrame(() => { btn.style.opacity = "1"; });
 
     btn.addEventListener("click", () => {
@@ -362,7 +339,7 @@ function playWelcomeAnimation(): void {
         revealForm();
       }, 400);
     });
-  }, 2000);
+  }, 3000);
 }
 
 // ─── Form ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -717,17 +694,17 @@ function buildForm(): void {
       importPreview.innerHTML = `
         <div style="margin-bottom: 12px;">
           <p style="font-size: 13px; color: var(--vscode-descriptionForeground); margin: 0 0 12px;">
-            Choose which providers to import and pick your default:
+            Select which providers to import (tested credentials will be auto-selected):
           </p>
           ${providers
             .map(
               (p, i) => `
             <div class="import-provider-row" id="provider-row-${p.provider}">
               <label style="flex: 0 0 auto;">
-                <input type="checkbox" name="import-include" value="${p.provider}" checked />
+                <input type="checkbox" name="import-include" value="${p.provider}" />
               </label>
               <label style="flex: 1; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; cursor: pointer;">
-                <input type="radio" name="import-default" value="${p.provider}" ${i === 0 ? "checked" : ""} />
+                <input type="radio" name="import-default" value="${p.provider}" ${i === 0 ? "checked" : ""} disabled />
                 <span><strong>${providerNames[p.provider] ?? p.provider}</strong></span>
                 <span style="color: var(--vscode-descriptionForeground); font-size: 12px;">from ${p.source}</span>
               </label>
@@ -757,7 +734,8 @@ function buildForm(): void {
         </p>
       `;
 
-      // Wire checkbox ↔ radio sync: unchecking a provider disables its radio
+      // Wire checkbox ↔ radio sync: unchecking a provider disables its radio;
+      // checking enables it
       const allCheckboxes = document.querySelectorAll<HTMLInputElement>('input[name="import-include"]');
       allCheckboxes.forEach((cb) => {
         cb.addEventListener("change", () => {
@@ -783,6 +761,9 @@ function buildForm(): void {
           } else {
             if (row) row.style.opacity = "1";
             if (radio) radio.disabled = false;
+            // If no default is selected, select this one
+            const anyDefault = document.querySelector('input[name="import-default"]:checked:not(:disabled)') as HTMLInputElement | null;
+            if (!anyDefault && radio) radio.checked = true;
           }
           updateConfirmState();
         });
@@ -839,11 +820,23 @@ function buildForm(): void {
         if (ok) {
           statusEl.textContent = "✓";
           statusEl.style.color = "var(--vscode-testing-iconPassed, #73c991)";
+          // Auto-check passing providers and enable their radio (#455: opt-in, but
+          // passing the test is an explicit signal the credential works)
+          if (rowEl) {
+            rowEl.style.opacity = "1";
+            const checkbox = rowEl.querySelector('input[name="import-include"]') as HTMLInputElement | null;
+            const radio = rowEl.querySelector('input[name="import-default"]') as HTMLInputElement | null;
+            if (checkbox && !checkbox.checked) checkbox.checked = true;
+            if (radio) radio.disabled = false;
+            // If no default is selected yet, select this one
+            const anyDefault = document.querySelector('input[name="import-default"]:checked:not(:disabled)') as HTMLInputElement | null;
+            if (!anyDefault && radio) radio.checked = true;
+          }
         } else {
           statusEl.textContent = "✗";
           statusEl.style.color = "var(--vscode-testing-iconFailed, #f14c4c)";
           statusEl.title = error ?? "Connection failed";
-          // Uncheck and dim failed providers
+          // Dim failed providers and ensure they stay unchecked
           if (rowEl) {
             rowEl.style.opacity = "0.5";
             const checkbox = rowEl.querySelector('input[name="import-include"]') as HTMLInputElement | null;
@@ -884,6 +877,83 @@ function buildForm(): void {
 
 // ─── Boot ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+// Listen for the transition-state signal from the host (after confirm-import).
+// Hides the form, keeps the animation (Amico idle), and shows "Getting Amico ready..."
+window.addEventListener("message", (event) => {
+  const msg = event.data;
+  if (msg?.type === "show-transition") {
+    // Hide the form
+    formEl.classList.remove("visible");
+    formEl.style.display = "none";
+    // Hide the cancel button
+    const cancelEl = document.getElementById("cancel-btn");
+    if (cancelEl) cancelEl.style.display = "none";
+    // Remove the "Get Started" button left over from the welcome animation
+    const ctaBtn = animationEl.querySelector(".welcome-cta");
+    if (ctaBtn) ctaBtn.remove();
+    // Remove the welcome text ("Welcome" / subtitle)
+    const welcomeText = animationEl.querySelector(".welcome-text");
+    if (welcomeText) welcomeText.remove();
+    // Show the animation container (restore from the post-animation hidden state)
+    animationEl.style.display = "flex";
+    animationEl.style.opacity = "1";
+    animationEl.style.transition = "none";
+
+    // Swap the face to happy expression: remove bottom eye bars + add pixelated open grin
+    const svg = animationEl.querySelector(".amico-mark");
+    if (svg) {
+      // Remove the bottom bar from each eye (makes ∩ shape = happy closed eyes)
+      const leftEye = svg.querySelector(".left-eye");
+      const rightEye = svg.querySelector(".right-eye");
+      if (leftEye) {
+        // The 4th rect in eye-ring is the bottom bar (y ≈ 1870)
+        const rects = leftEye.querySelectorAll(".eye-ring rect");
+        if (rects.length >= 4) rects[3].remove();
+        // Remove the lid too (not needed for happy eyes)
+        const lid = leftEye.querySelector(".eye-lid");
+        if (lid) lid.remove();
+      }
+      if (rightEye) {
+        const rects = rightEye.querySelectorAll(".eye-ring rect");
+        if (rects.length >= 4) rects[3].remove();
+        const lid = rightEye.querySelector(".eye-lid");
+        if (lid) lid.remove();
+      }
+      // Stop eye animations (happy eyes don't blink)
+      if (leftEye) {
+        const ring = leftEye.querySelector(".eye-ring") as HTMLElement;
+        if (ring) ring.style.animation = "none";
+      }
+      if (rightEye) {
+        const ring = rightEye.querySelector(".eye-ring") as HTMLElement;
+        if (ring) ring.style.animation = "none";
+      }
+
+      // Find the inner-most animated group to switch animation
+      const enterGroup = svg.querySelector(".mark-enter") || svg.querySelector(".mark-breathe");
+
+      // Switch from idle animations to excited jump
+      const breatheGroup = svg.querySelector(".mark-breathe") as HTMLElement;
+      if (breatheGroup) {
+        breatheGroup.style.animation = "amico-jump 2.0s ease-in-out infinite";
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Add "Getting Amico ready..." text below the animation
+    let transitionText = document.getElementById("transition-text");
+    if (!transitionText) {
+      transitionText = document.createElement("div");
+      transitionText.id = "transition-text";
+      transitionText.style.cssText = `
+        text-align: center; margin-top: 24px; font-size: 14px;
+        color: var(--vscode-descriptionForeground, #999);
+      `;
+      transitionText.textContent = "Getting Amico ready...";
+      animationEl.parentElement!.insertBefore(transitionText, animationEl.nextSibling);
+    }
+  }
+});
+
 // Wire the cancel button
 const cancelBtn = document.getElementById("cancel-btn");
 if (cancelBtn) {
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/opencode_config.ts b/packages/extension/src/opencode_config.ts
index 71e35b14..3e60b4a9 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/opencode_config.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/opencode_config.ts
@@ -381,6 +381,29 @@ export function resolveModelPin(): string | undefined {
   return undefined;
 }
 
+/** Validate a model pin against the user's configured providers.
+ *  Returns the pin unchanged if its provider is configured, otherwise undefined.
+ *  This prevents injecting a stale pin that references a disconnected provider
+ *  (which causes 500s when the server tries to resolve it). */
+export function validatedModelPin(pin: string | undefined): string | undefined {
+  if (!pin) return undefined;
+  const providerID = pin.split("/")[0];
+  if (!providerID) return undefined;
+  // Read the user's global opencode.json to check configured providers
+  const configPath = path.join(os.homedir(), ".config", "opencode", "opencode.json");
+  try {
+    if (!fs.existsSync(configPath)) return pin; // no config → trust the pin (first boot)
+    const raw = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    const providers = Object.keys(raw?.provider ?? {});
+    if (providers.length === 0) return pin; // no providers section → trust the pin
+    // The pin's provider must be in the configured set
+    if (providers.includes(providerID)) return pin;
+    return undefined; // provider not configured — don't inject stale pin
+  } catch {
+    return pin; // can't read config → trust the pin
+  }
+}
+
 export function buildOpencodeConfigContent(
   agentsPath: string,
   templatePath: string,
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/scores/router.ts b/packages/extension/src/scores/router.ts
index 2c52fc01..1c80fe1a 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/scores/router.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/scores/router.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,12 @@ export function buildRouterSection(visible: Score[]): string {
   const lines: string[] = [
     "## Onset router",
     "",
-    "When a session opens without a specific request (a greeting, \"who are",
+    'When a session opens with an explicit onboarding request ("Let\'s begin',
+    'onboarding", "begin onboarding", "start onboarding", or similar), **skip this',
+    "router entirely** and go straight into the overture (Stage 1 below) — the user",
+    "has already chosen.",
+    "",
+    "Otherwise, when a session opens without a specific request (a greeting, \"who are",
     "you?\", \"what is this?\"), do NOT default to the pulse-designer interview —",
     "build the moment from the live state. After your one-line Amico intro (name from",
     "the profile when one is recorded), ask exactly ONE question —",
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/bug_report.test.ts b/packages/extension/test/bug_report.test.ts
index 82e0d1f8..53c33568 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/bug_report.test.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/test/bug_report.test.ts
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ describe("amicode.reportBug — create, arm, open (AC1)", () => {
     });
     const arm = calls.filter((c) => c.url.endsWith("/session/ses_bug1/command"));
     expect(arm).toHaveLength(1);
-    expect(arm[0].body).toEqual({ command: "report-a-bug", arguments: "", model: "opencode/deepseek-v4-pro" });
+    expect(arm[0].body).toEqual({ command: "report-a-bug", arguments: "" });
     expect(posted).toEqual([{ source: "amicode", kind: "open-bug-report", sessionID: "ses_bug1" }]);
   });
 
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/chat_panel.test.ts b/packages/extension/test/chat_panel.test.ts
index 0b1744e0..91c23b5a 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/chat_panel.test.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/test/chat_panel.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { describe, it, expect, afterEach } from "vitest";
+import { describe, it, expect, afterEach, vi } from "vitest";
 import * as vscode from "vscode";
 import { ChatPanel } from "../src/chat_panel";
 import { mintServerPassword, serverAuthToken } from "../src/server_auth";
@@ -118,3 +118,213 @@ describe("ChatPanel — the amicode_bug_report boot param (amicode#250 AC5)", ()
     expect(html).toContain('"close-bug-report"');
   });
 });
+
+describe("ChatPanel — onboarding greeting auto-send (#449)", () => {
+  let restore: (() => void) | undefined;
+  let created: CapturedPanel[] = [];
+  afterEach(() => {
+    for (const p of created) p.dispose();
+    restore?.();
+    restore = undefined;
+    created = [];
+    ChatPanel.clearPendingOnboardingGreeting();
+    ChatPanel.clearAppReadyCallbacks();
+  });
+
+  it("posts the navigate message only AFTER app-ready fires (event-driven, not blind timer)", async () => {
+    const cap = capturePanel();
+    restore = cap.restore;
+    created = cap.created;
+
+    const panel = ChatPanel.openOrReveal(fakeCtx(), new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"));
+
+    const messages: unknown[] = [];
+    const webview = cap.created[0] as unknown as { webview: { postMessage: (m: unknown) => Promise<boolean>; _simulateMessage: (msg: unknown) => void } };
+    webview.webview.postMessage = (m: unknown) => { messages.push(m); return Promise.resolve(true); };
+
+    // Call postOnboardingGreeting — should NOT post immediately
+    panel.postOnboardingGreeting();
+
+    // Wait a tick — no navigate message yet (no blind timer should fire this fast)
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
+    const earlyNavigate = messages.find(
+      (m) => (m as { kind?: string }).kind === "navigate",
+    );
+    expect(earlyNavigate).toBeUndefined();
+
+    // Now simulate app-ready — the message should fire
+    webview.webview._simulateMessage({ source: "amicode", kind: "app-ready" });
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
+
+    const navigateMsg = messages.find(
+      (m) => (m as { source?: string; kind?: string }).source === "amicode" && (m as { kind?: string }).kind === "navigate",
+    ) as { source: string; kind: string; path: string } | undefined;
+
+    expect(navigateMsg).toBeDefined();
+    expect(navigateMsg!.path).toContain("/new-session");
+    expect(navigateMsg!.path).toContain("autoSend=1");
+    expect(navigateMsg!.path).toContain("prompt=" + encodeURIComponent("Let's begin onboarding."));
+  });
+
+  it("does NOT post navigate when postOnboardingGreeting was not called (even after app-ready)", async () => {
+    const cap = capturePanel();
+    restore = cap.restore;
+    created = cap.created;
+
+    // Open panel WITHOUT calling postOnboardingGreeting
+    ChatPanel.openOrReveal(fakeCtx(), new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"));
+
+    const messages: unknown[] = [];
+    const webview = cap.created[0] as unknown as { webview: { postMessage: (m: unknown) => Promise<boolean>; _simulateMessage: (msg: unknown) => void } };
+    webview.webview.postMessage = (m: unknown) => { messages.push(m); return Promise.resolve(true); };
+
+    // Simulate app-ready
+    webview.webview._simulateMessage({ source: "amicode", kind: "app-ready" });
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
+
+    const navigateMsg = messages.find(
+      (m) => (m as { source?: string; kind?: string }).source === "amicode" && (m as { kind?: string }).kind === "navigate",
+    );
+    expect(navigateMsg).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("consumePendingOnboardingGreeting returns true once then false", () => {
+    ChatPanel.setPendingOnboardingGreeting(true);
+    expect(ChatPanel.consumePendingOnboardingGreeting()).toBe(true);
+    expect(ChatPanel.consumePendingOnboardingGreeting()).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("the relay admits app-ready from the iframe (Lane 1 allowlist)", () => {
+    const cap = capturePanel();
+    restore = cap.restore;
+    created = cap.created;
+    ChatPanel.openOrReveal(fakeCtx(), new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"));
+    const html = cap.created[0].webview.html;
+    // app-ready must be in the Lane 1 allowlist (iframe → extension)
+    expect(html).toContain('"app-ready"');
+  });
+
+  it("fires onAppReady callback when app-ready message arrives from iframe", async () => {
+    const cap = capturePanel();
+    restore = cap.restore;
+    created = cap.created;
+
+    const readyFired: boolean[] = [];
+    ChatPanel.onAppReady(() => readyFired.push(true));
+
+    const panel = ChatPanel.openOrReveal(fakeCtx(), new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"));
+
+    // Simulate the app-ready message arriving from the iframe
+    const webview = cap.created[0] as unknown as { webview: { _simulateMessage: (msg: unknown) => void } };
+    webview.webview._simulateMessage({ source: "amicode", kind: "app-ready" });
+
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 10));
+    expect(readyFired).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+
+  it("postOnboardingGreeting falls back to posting after timeout if app-ready never fires", async () => {
+    const cap = capturePanel();
+    restore = cap.restore;
+    created = cap.created;
+
+    const panel = ChatPanel.openOrReveal(fakeCtx(), new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"));
+
+    const messages: unknown[] = [];
+    const webview = cap.created[0] as unknown as { webview: { postMessage: (m: unknown) => Promise<boolean>; _simulateMessage: (msg: unknown) => void } };
+    webview.webview.postMessage = (m: unknown) => { messages.push(m); return Promise.resolve(true); };
+
+    // Call with a short timeout for testing (pass timeout override)
+    panel.postOnboardingGreeting(200);
+
+    // No app-ready — wait for the timeout fallback
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 300));
+
+    const navigateMsg = messages.find(
+      (m) => (m as { source?: string; kind?: string }).source === "amicode" && (m as { kind?: string }).kind === "navigate",
+    );
+    expect(navigateMsg).toBeDefined();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("ChatPanel.adopt — transforms an existing panel into the chat singleton", () => {
+  let restore: (() => void) | undefined;
+  let created: CapturedPanel[] = [];
+  afterEach(() => {
+    for (const p of created) p.dispose();
+    restore?.();
+    restore = undefined;
+    created = [];
+    ChatPanel.clearPendingOnboardingGreeting();
+    ChatPanel.clearAppReadyCallbacks();
+  });
+
+  it("adopt wraps an existing WebviewPanel as the ChatPanel singleton (no new panel created)", () => {
+    // Create a panel externally BEFORE installing the capture spy
+    const existingPanel = vscode.window.createWebviewPanel(
+      "amicode.onboarding", "Amicode Setup", vscode.ViewColumn.One, { enableScripts: true },
+    ) as unknown as CapturedPanel;
+    created.push(existingPanel);
+
+    // Now install the spy — any new panel creation will be captured
+    const cap = capturePanel();
+    restore = cap.restore;
+
+    // Adopt it
+    const chatPanel = ChatPanel.adopt(
+      existingPanel as unknown as import("vscode").WebviewPanel,
+      fakeCtx(),
+      new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"),
+    );
+
+    expect(chatPanel).toBeDefined();
+    // No NEW panel should have been created via createWebviewPanel
+    expect(cap.created).toHaveLength(0);
+    // openOrReveal should now return the adopted panel (it's the singleton)
+    const revealed = ChatPanel.openOrReveal(fakeCtx(), new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"));
+    expect(revealed).toBe(chatPanel);
+    // Still no new panel
+    expect(cap.created).toHaveLength(0);
+  });
+
+  it("adopt sets the panel HTML to the chat iframe content with splash overlay", () => {
+    const existingPanel = vscode.window.createWebviewPanel(
+      "amicode.onboarding", "Amicode Setup", vscode.ViewColumn.One, { enableScripts: true },
+    ) as unknown as CapturedPanel;
+    created.push(existingPanel);
+
+    ChatPanel.adopt(
+      existingPanel as unknown as import("vscode").WebviewPanel,
+      fakeCtx(),
+      new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"),
+    );
+
+    // The HTML should contain both the iframe and the splash overlay
+    const html = existingPanel.webview.html;
+    expect(html).toContain("iframe");
+    expect(html).toContain("splash-overlay");
+    expect(html).toContain("127.0.0.1:43117");
+  });
+
+  it("adopt wires app-ready so it fires onAppReady callbacks", async () => {
+    const existingPanel = vscode.window.createWebviewPanel(
+      "amicode.onboarding", "Amicode Setup", vscode.ViewColumn.One, { enableScripts: true },
+    ) as unknown as CapturedPanel;
+    created.push(existingPanel);
+
+    const readyFired: boolean[] = [];
+    ChatPanel.onAppReady(() => readyFired.push(true));
+
+    ChatPanel.adopt(
+      existingPanel as unknown as import("vscode").WebviewPanel,
+      fakeCtx(),
+      new URL("http://127.0.0.1:43117/"),
+    );
+
+    // Simulate app-ready arriving from the iframe
+    const webview = existingPanel as unknown as { webview: { _simulateMessage: (msg: unknown) => void } };
+    webview.webview._simulateMessage({ source: "amicode", kind: "app-ready" });
+
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 10));
+    expect(readyFired).toHaveLength(1);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/credential_scanner.test.ts b/packages/extension/test/credential_scanner.test.ts
index 66d36a89..eddf9936 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/credential_scanner.test.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/test/credential_scanner.test.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import * as os from "node:os";
 import {
   scanCredentials,
   defaultScanOptions,
+  disconnectProviders,
   type DetectedCredential,
   type ScanOptions,
   type ScanResult,
@@ -467,7 +468,6 @@ describe("scanCredentials — end-to-end with real default paths", () => {
   it("finds credentials from this machine's actual opencode install", async () => {
     const result = await scanCredentials(defaultScanOptions());
 
-    // This machine has opencode configured — scan should find at least one provider
     console.log(`  [e2e] Found ${result.credentials.length} credential(s):`);
     for (const c of result.credentials) {
       console.log(`    ${c.provider} (from ${c.source}) — key ${c.key.slice(0, 6)}...`);
@@ -590,9 +590,9 @@ describe("scanCredentials — batch config writing integration (AC7)", () => {
 
     // Simulate the panel filtering: only passed providers get written
     const allCredentials: DetectedCredential[] = [
-      { provider: "anthropic", key: "sk-ant-pass", source: "env" },
-      { provider: "openai", key: "sk-openai-fail", source: "env" },
-      { provider: "google", key: "AIza-pass", source: "env" },
+      { provider: "anthropic", key: "sk-ant-pass-valid-key", source: "env" },
+      { provider: "openai", key: "sk-openai-fail-valid-key", source: "env" },
+      { provider: "google", key: "AIza-pass-valid-key-123", source: "env" },
     ];
 
     // Simulate testResults: anthropic=true, openai=false, google=true
@@ -612,3 +612,270 @@ describe("scanCredentials — batch config writing integration (AC7)", () => {
     expect(written.provider.openai).toBeUndefined();
   });
 });
+
+// ─── #455: Only write user-selected providers ────────────────────────────────
+
+describe("writeBatchConfig — placeholder key rejection (#455 AC5)", () => {
+  let tmpDir: string;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    tmpDir = makeTmpDir();
+  });
+  afterEach(() => {
+    fs.rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  });
+
+  it("rejects 'sk-test' placeholder key — does not write provider", async () => {
+    const { writeBatchConfig } = await import("../src/credential_scanner");
+    const credentials: DetectedCredential[] = [
+      { provider: "anthropic", key: "sk-test", source: "env" },
+      { provider: "openai", key: "sk-openai-real-key-12345", source: "env" },
+    ];
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+    writeBatchConfig(credentials, "openai", configPath);
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    expect(written.provider.anthropic).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(written.provider.openai).toBeDefined();
+  });
+
+  it("rejects empty string keys — does not write provider", async () => {
+    const { writeBatchConfig } = await import("../src/credential_scanner");
+    const credentials: DetectedCredential[] = [
+      { provider: "anthropic", key: "", source: "env" },
+      { provider: "openai", key: "sk-openai-real-key-12345", source: "env" },
+    ];
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+    writeBatchConfig(credentials, "openai", configPath);
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    expect(written.provider.anthropic).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(written.provider.openai).toBeDefined();
+  });
+
+  it("rejects keys shorter than 10 characters — does not write provider", async () => {
+    const { writeBatchConfig } = await import("../src/credential_scanner");
+    const credentials: DetectedCredential[] = [
+      { provider: "anthropic", key: "short", source: "env" },
+      { provider: "openai", key: "sk-openai-real-key-12345", source: "env" },
+    ];
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+    writeBatchConfig(credentials, "openai", configPath);
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    expect(written.provider.anthropic).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(written.provider.openai).toBeDefined();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("writeOnboardingConfig — placeholder key rejection (#455 AC5)", () => {
+  let tmpDir: string;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    tmpDir = makeTmpDir();
+  });
+  afterEach(() => {
+    fs.rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  });
+
+  it("rejects 'sk-test' placeholder key — does not write provider entry", async () => {
+    const { writeOnboardingConfig } = await import("../src/onboarding_panel");
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+    writeOnboardingConfig(
+      { provider: "anthropic", model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5", apiKey: "sk-test" },
+      configPath,
+    );
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    expect(written.provider?.anthropic).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("rejects keys shorter than 10 characters — does not write provider entry", async () => {
+    const { writeOnboardingConfig } = await import("../src/onboarding_panel");
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+    writeOnboardingConfig(
+      { provider: "anthropic", model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5", apiKey: "tiny" },
+      configPath,
+    );
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    expect(written.provider?.anthropic).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("allows valid keys (>= 10 chars, not placeholder)", async () => {
+    const { writeOnboardingConfig } = await import("../src/onboarding_panel");
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+    writeOnboardingConfig(
+      { provider: "anthropic", model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5", apiKey: "sk-ant-valid-key-123456" },
+      configPath,
+    );
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    expect(written.provider.anthropic).toBeDefined();
+    expect(written.provider.anthropic.options.apiKey).toBe("sk-ant-valid-key-123456");
+  });
+
+  it("allows empty key for OAuth providers like github-copilot", async () => {
+    const { writeOnboardingConfig } = await import("../src/onboarding_panel");
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+    writeOnboardingConfig(
+      { provider: "github-copilot", model: "github-copilot/claude-sonnet-4-5", apiKey: "" },
+      configPath,
+    );
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    // OAuth providers write with empty key (no options.apiKey) — that's valid
+    expect(written.provider["github-copilot"]).toBeDefined();
+  });
+});
+
+describe("writeBatchConfig — replaces provider section (redo overwrites)", () => {
+  let tmpDir: string;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    tmpDir = makeTmpDir();
+  });
+  afterEach(() => {
+    fs.rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  });
+
+  it("replaces existing providers with only the selected ones", async () => {
+    const { writeBatchConfig } = await import("../src/credential_scanner");
+    const credentials: DetectedCredential[] = [
+      { provider: "openai", key: "sk-openai-real-key-12345", source: "env" },
+    ];
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+
+    // Pre-populate with existing bedrock config (as if from a previous onboarding)
+    fs.writeFileSync(configPath, JSON.stringify({
+      provider: { "amazon-bedrock": { options: { apiKey: "ABSK-service-credential-xyz" } } },
+      permission: { bash: "allow" },
+    }));
+
+    writeBatchConfig(credentials, "openai", configPath);
+
+    const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configPath, "utf8"));
+    // Old provider NOT preserved — user didn't select it this time
+    expect(written.provider["amazon-bedrock"]).toBeUndefined();
+    // Only the user-selected provider is present
+    expect(written.provider.openai).toBeDefined();
+    expect(written.provider.openai.options.apiKey).toBe("sk-openai-real-key-12345");
+    // Non-provider settings are still preserved
+    expect(written.permission).toEqual({ bash: "allow" });
+  });
+
+  it("writeBatchConfig never modifies auth stores (account.json / auth.json)", async () => {
+    const { writeBatchConfig } = await import("../src/credential_scanner");
+    const credentials: DetectedCredential[] = [
+      { provider: "openai", key: "sk-openai-real-key-12345", source: "env" },
+    ];
+    const configPath = path.join(tmpDir, "opencode.json");
+
+    // Set up fake auth stores and record their content
+    const accountPath = path.join(tmpDir, "account.json");
+    const authPath = path.join(tmpDir, "auth.json");
+    const accountContent = JSON.stringify({
+      version: 2,
+      accounts: { acc1: { id: "acc1", serviceID: "opencode", credential: { type: "api", key: "sk-oc" } } },
+      active: { opencode: "acc1" },
+    });
+    const authContent = JSON.stringify({
+      "opencode-go": { type: "api", key: "sk-old" },
+      "amazon-bedrock": { type: "api", key: "aws-key" },
+    });
+    fs.writeFileSync(accountPath, accountContent);
+    fs.writeFileSync(authPath, authContent);
+
+    // Write batch config (only touches opencode.json)
+    writeBatchConfig(credentials, "openai", configPath);
+
+    // Auth stores must be UNTOUCHED
+    expect(fs.readFileSync(accountPath, "utf8")).toBe(accountContent);
+    expect(fs.readFileSync(authPath, "utf8")).toBe(authContent);
+  });
+});
+
+// ─── disconnectProviders — remove excluded providers from auth stores ────────
+
+describe("disconnectProviders — removes credentials from opencode auth stores", () => {
+  let tmpDir: string;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    tmpDir = makeTmpDir();
+  });
+  afterEach(() => {
+    fs.rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  });
+
+  it("removes excluded provider from account.json v2", () => {
+    const accountPath = writeJson(tmpDir, "account.json", {
+      version: 2,
+      accounts: {
+        acc1: { id: "acc1", serviceID: "opencode", credential: { type: "api", key: "sk-oc" } },
+        acc2: { id: "acc2", serviceID: "amazon-bedrock", credential: { type: "api", key: "aws-key" } },
+      },
+      active: { opencode: "acc1", "amazon-bedrock": "acc2" },
+    });
+
+    disconnectProviders(["opencode"], { accountJsonPath: accountPath, authJsonPath: "/nonexistent" });
+
+    const result = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(accountPath, "utf8"));
+    // opencode removed
+    expect(result.accounts.acc1).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(result.active.opencode).toBeUndefined();
+    // amazon-bedrock preserved
+    expect(result.accounts.acc2).toBeDefined();
+    expect(result.active["amazon-bedrock"]).toBe("acc2");
+  });
+
+  it("removes excluded provider from auth.json v1", () => {
+    const authPath = writeJson(tmpDir, "auth.json", {
+      "opencode-go": { type: "api", key: "sk-oc" },
+      "amazon-bedrock": { type: "api", key: "aws-key" },
+    });
+
+    disconnectProviders(["opencode"], { accountJsonPath: "/nonexistent", authJsonPath: authPath });
+
+    const result = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(authPath, "utf8"));
+    // opencode-go removed (alias of opencode)
+    expect(result["opencode-go"]).toBeUndefined();
+    // amazon-bedrock preserved
+    expect(result["amazon-bedrock"]).toBeDefined();
+  });
+
+  it("handles missing files gracefully", () => {
+    // Should not throw
+    expect(() =>
+      disconnectProviders(["opencode"], {
+        accountJsonPath: "/nonexistent/account.json",
+        authJsonPath: "/nonexistent/auth.json",
+      }),
+    ).not.toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it("only removes the specified provider — others are preserved", () => {
+    const accountPath = writeJson(tmpDir, "account.json", {
+      version: 2,
+      accounts: {
+        acc1: { id: "acc1", serviceID: "opencode", credential: { type: "api", key: "sk-oc" } },
+        acc2: { id: "acc2", serviceID: "opencode-go", credential: { type: "api", key: "sk-oc-go" } },
+        acc3: { id: "acc3", serviceID: "amazon-bedrock", credential: { type: "api", key: "aws-key" } },
+      },
+      active: { opencode: "acc1", "opencode-go": "acc2", "amazon-bedrock": "acc3" },
+    });
+
+    // Only disconnect opencode — bedrock must survive
+    disconnectProviders(["opencode"], { accountJsonPath: accountPath, authJsonPath: "/nonexistent" });
+
+    const result = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(accountPath, "utf8"));
+    // opencode AND opencode-go removed (alias)
+    expect(result.accounts.acc1).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(result.accounts.acc2).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(result.active.opencode).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(result.active["opencode-go"]).toBeUndefined();
+    // amazon-bedrock PRESERVED
+    expect(result.accounts.acc3).toBeDefined();
+    expect(result.accounts.acc3.serviceID).toBe("amazon-bedrock");
+    expect(result.active["amazon-bedrock"]).toBe("acc3");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/onboarding_panel.test.ts b/packages/extension/test/onboarding_panel.test.ts
index 39fcad66..a738c27a 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/onboarding_panel.test.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/test/onboarding_panel.test.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ import {
   writeOnboardingConfig,
   testConnection,
   onOnboardingComplete,
+  dismissOnboardingPanel,
+  getOnboardingPanel,
+  releaseOnboardingPanel,
   _resetForTesting,
 } from "../src/onboarding_panel";
 
@@ -63,6 +66,20 @@ describe("OnboardingPanel — panel lifecycle (AC1, AC6, AC7)", () => {
     spy.mockRestore();
   });
 
+  it("getOnboardingPanel returns the live panel, releaseOnboardingPanel detaches it", async () => {
+    expect(getOnboardingPanel()).toBeUndefined(); // no panel yet
+    const spy = vi.spyOn(vscode.window, "createWebviewPanel");
+    await vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.onboarding.open");
+    const panel = getOnboardingPanel();
+    expect(panel).toBeDefined();
+    // Release detaches without disposing
+    releaseOnboardingPanel();
+    expect(getOnboardingPanel()).toBeUndefined();
+    // Panel is still alive (not disposed)
+    expect((panel as any).webview).toBeDefined();
+    spy.mockRestore();
+  });
+
   it("AC7: fires an event after onboarding completes", async () => {
     const fired: boolean[] = [];
     const disposable = onOnboardingComplete(() => {
@@ -197,7 +214,7 @@ describe("writeOnboardingConfig — config file writing (AC5)", () => {
     fs.writeFileSync(configPath, JSON.stringify({ permission: { bash: "allow" } }));
 
     writeOnboardingConfig(
-      { provider: "anthropic", model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5", apiKey: "sk-x" },
+      { provider: "anthropic", model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5", apiKey: "sk-ant-valid-key-123456" },
       configPath,
     );
 
@@ -458,7 +475,7 @@ describe("Credential import — panel message handling (AC2, AC8, AC12, AC14)",
     spy.mockRestore();
   });
 
-  it("confirm-import writes batch config and disposes panel", async () => {
+  it("confirm-import keeps the panel alive as a transition splash (not disposed immediately)", async () => {
     const spy = vi.spyOn(vscode.window, "createWebviewPanel");
     await vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.onboarding.open");
     const panel = spy.mock.results[0].value as {
@@ -482,18 +499,98 @@ describe("Credential import — panel message handling (AC2, AC8, AC12, AC14)",
     panel.webview._simulateMessage({ type: "scan-credentials" });
     await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
 
-    // Now confirm import (even if scan found nothing in test env, the handler should work)
+    // Now confirm import
+    panel.webview._simulateMessage({
+      type: "confirm-import",
+      payload: { activeProvider: "anthropic" },
+    });
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
+
+    // Panel should NOT have been disposed yet — it's showing the transition splash
+    expect(disposeSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    // Instead, the panel HTML should have been swapped to the splash
+    expect(panel.webview.html).toContain("Getting Amico ready");
+    expect(panel.webview.html).toContain("splash-mark");
+
+    spy.mockRestore();
+  });
+
+  it("dismissOnboardingPanel disposes the transition splash", async () => {
+    const spy = vi.spyOn(vscode.window, "createWebviewPanel");
+    await vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.onboarding.open");
+    const panel = spy.mock.results[0].value as {
+      webview: {
+        postMessage: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+        _simulateMessage: (msg: unknown) => void;
+      };
+      dispose: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+    };
+
+    const disposeSpy = vi.fn();
+    const origDispose = panel.dispose;
+    panel.dispose = (...args: unknown[]) => {
+      disposeSpy();
+      return (origDispose as Function).apply(panel, args);
+    };
+
+    const postSpy = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true);
+    panel.webview.postMessage = postSpy;
+
+    // Trigger scan + confirm to enter transition state
+    panel.webview._simulateMessage({ type: "scan-credentials" });
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
     panel.webview._simulateMessage({
       type: "confirm-import",
       payload: { activeProvider: "anthropic" },
     });
     await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
 
-    // Panel should have been disposed (onboarding complete)
+    // Panel still alive
+    expect(disposeSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    // Now dismiss (extension calls this after app-ready)
+    dismissOnboardingPanel();
+
+    // Panel should now be disposed
     expect(disposeSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
 
     spy.mockRestore();
   });
+
+  it("confirm-import restarts server but does NOT open chat directly (waits for ready)", async () => {
+    // Clear command execution history
+    (vscode.commands as { executed: string[] }).executed = [];
+
+    const spy = vi.spyOn(vscode.window, "createWebviewPanel");
+    await vscode.commands.executeCommand("amicode.onboarding.open");
+    const panel = spy.mock.results[0].value as {
+      webview: {
+        postMessage: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
+        _simulateMessage: (msg: unknown) => void;
+      };
+    };
+
+    const postSpy = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(true);
+    panel.webview.postMessage = postSpy;
+
+    // Trigger scan then confirm
+    panel.webview._simulateMessage({ type: "scan-credentials" });
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
+    panel.webview._simulateMessage({
+      type: "confirm-import",
+      payload: { activeProvider: "anthropic", includedProviders: ["anthropic"] },
+    });
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 50));
+
+    const executed = (vscode.commands as { executed: string[] }).executed;
+    // Should restart the server
+    expect(executed).toContain("amicode.restartServer");
+    // Should NOT open chat directly (that causes the fetch-failed error)
+    expect(executed).not.toContain("amicode.openChat");
+
+    spy.mockRestore();
+  });
 });
 
 describe("Webview HTML generation (AC2, AC9)", () => {
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/scores/compiler.test.ts b/packages/extension/test/scores/compiler.test.ts
index f8c84b89..1c8c52ea 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/scores/compiler.test.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/test/scores/compiler.test.ts
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ describe("compileChainedScore (real overture → pulse-designer)", () => {
     expect(md).not.toContain("plain text");
   });
   it("keeps the overture's choice questions as option cards, default first (amicode#245 AC6 regression)", () => {
-    expect(md).toContain("Research (recommended)");
+    expect(md).toContain("Perform (automated) experiments and gain scientific insights (recommended)");
     expect(md).toContain("General coding and software development");
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/compile-chained.md b/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/compile-chained.md
index 844ca185..397d7057 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/compile-chained.md
+++ b/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/compile-chained.md
@@ -14,20 +14,20 @@ gate's checks pass.
 
 1. **orientation**
    - Q `name`: "What should I call you?"
-2. **intent**
-   - Q `intent`: "What brings you to Amicode?" — options: General coding and software development | Research (recommended) | Exploring
-3. **context_seed** (optional)
+2. **context_seed** (optional)
    - Q `seed_optin`: "I can scan your existing AI-tool configs to bootstrap your workspace — want me to?" — options: Yes, scan my configs (recommended) | No thanks, skip
-4. **demo** (optional)
-   - Q `demo_offer`: "Want me to show you the full workflow end-to-end? (requires Julia)" — options: Yes, show me (recommended) | Skip the demo
-5. **environment**
-   - Q `environment`: "How will pulses eventually reach hardware — what are we patching into?" — options: QICK lab (on-prem control code) | Cloud system with emulator (e.g. Pasqal) | Simulation only for now (recommended) | Something else
-6. **devices** (optional)
-   - Q `devices`: "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember? (name, platform, qubit count — or skip)" — default: skip for now
-7. **goals**
+3. **intent**
+   - Q `intent`: "What brings you to Amicode?" — options: General coding and software development | Perform (automated) experiments and gain scientific insights (recommended) | Exploring
+4. **goals**
    - Q `goals`: "What are you hoping to accomplish with Amico?"
+5. **research_area** (optional)
+   - Q `research_area`: "What research area and what kind of experiments?"
+6. **environment** (optional)
+   - Q `environment`: "How will your experiments reach hardware?" — options: Lab hardware (on-prem control system) | Cloud platform with emulator | Simulation only for now (recommended) | Something else
+7. **devices** (optional)
+   - Q `devices`: "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember? (name, platform, specs — or skip)" — default: skip for now
 8. **handoff**
-   - Q `handoff`: "Ready to get started?" — options: Walk me through designing a pulse (recommended) | Open a normal session | Show me around first
+   - Q `handoff`: "Ready to get started?" — options: Let's dive into my first task (recommended) | Open a normal session | Show me around first
 9. **platform**
    - Q `platform`: "What kind of system are you working with?" — options: transmon (recommended) | neutral-atom Rydberg | cavity / bosonic | other
 10. **model**
@@ -85,34 +85,14 @@ Per-stage guidance and the `amicode_profile` mapping:
 
    **What Amicode is (share naturally within this greeting, not as a lecture):**
    Amicode is a general-purpose agentic coding assistant AND a research studio.
-   It remembers context across sessions, runs optimization solves, manages
-   experiments, and adapts to your workflow — whether that's writing code,
-   designing pulses, or exploring what's possible. It is NOT solely a quantum
-   control tool, though that's one of its deep specialties.
+   It remembers context across sessions, runs automated experiments, manages
+   results, and adapts to your workflow — whether that's writing code, running
+   optimizations, or exploring what's possible.
 
    Do NOT ask about experience level. Do NOT branch by expertise. The same
    warm, brief orientation for everyone.
 
-2. **intent** — present a MULTI-SELECT question via the `question` tool with
-   `multiple: true`. The question: "What brings you to Amicode?" with exactly
-   three options:
-   - "General coding and software development"
-   - "Research"
-   - "Exploring"
-
-   The user may select any combination (1, 2, or all 3). Record:
-   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{intent:["research","general_coding","exploring"]}}`.
-   Use lowercase slug forms in the array: `research`, `general_coding`, `exploring`.
-
-   **DO NOT ask research sub-type here.** Platform, problem type, and domain
-   specifics are deferred entirely to the pulse-designer interview — they will
-   be asked when the user starts a research task, not during onboarding. This
-   keeps the overture fast and generic.
-
-   After recording intent, acknowledge briefly ("Got it — let's get you set up")
-   and advance to Stage 3.
-
-3. **context_seed** _(optional)_ — offer an explicit opt-in: "I can scan your
+2. **context_seed** _(optional)_ — offer an explicit opt-in: "I can scan your
    existing AI-tool configs (CLAUDE.md, cursor rules, opencode config) to
    bootstrap your workspace — want me to?" via the `question` tool with the
    two choices above.
@@ -144,85 +124,74 @@ Per-stage guidance and the `amicode_profile` mapping:
    - If no scannable files are found, say so honestly: "I didn't find any
      AI-tool configs to import — no worries, we'll build your context as we go."
 
-   After seeding (or declining), advance to Stage 4 (demo).
+   After seeding (or declining), advance.
 
-4. **demo** _(optional)_ — check Julia readiness by calling
-   `amicode_demo_check`. This returns `{ready: true|false, reason?}`.
-
-   **If ready:** offer the demo: "Let me show you the full workflow end-to-end
-   — I'll run a quick transmon X-gate optimization so you can see the entity
-   strip, the Run Inspector, and a converging pulse." Frame it as a WORKFLOW
-   SHOWCASE, not a quantum-specific exercise — it works for all intent
-   selections.
-
-   On accept, call `amicode_demo_launch`. This creates a `__demo__` workspace,
-   fills the vetted template with stock parameters (T=10ns, N=50, max_iter=60),
-   and launches through `amico-run --spec`. The Run Inspector streams
-   iterations live. After FINISHED, report the result: "Solved — F=0.9998 in
-   47 iterations" (or whatever the actual numbers are). Then call
-   `amicode_demo_archive` to clean up the ephemeral workspace.
-
-   **If not ready:** explain honestly: "Julia environment isn't set up yet —
-   {reason}. No worries, we'll skip the demo. You can always run one later
-   from the command palette." Advance without blocking.
+3. **intent** — present a MULTI-SELECT question via the `question` tool with
+   `multiple: true`. The question: "What brings you to Amicode?" with exactly
+   three options:
+   - "General coding and software development"
+   - "Perform (automated) experiments and gain scientific insights"
+   - "Exploring"
 
-   **If the user DECLINES the demo:** say "No problem" and advance.
+   The user may select any combination (1, 2, or all 3). Record:
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{intent:["research","general_coding","exploring"]}}`.
+   Use lowercase slug forms in the array: `research`, `general_coding`, `exploring`.
 
-   **If the demo FAILS** (Julia error, convergence failure): report honestly
-   and continue. A failed demo never blocks onboarding.
+   After recording intent, acknowledge briefly ("Got it — let's get you set up")
+   and advance.
 
-   **Constraints:**
-   - The demo MUST use the vetted template — never free-tier.
-   - The demo MUST NOT create vault artifacts (no problem card, no pulse bank entry).
-   - If `isDemoCompleted()` is true (archive marker exists), skip — don't re-offer.
+4. **goals** — free-text question via `question` tool with `kind: "text"`:
+   "What are you hoping to accomplish with Amico?" No pre-fill (goals are
+   personal, not inferrable from configs).
 
-   After the demo (or skipping), advance to Stage 5.
+   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{goals:"..."}}`.
 
-5. **environment** — ask how pulses will reach hardware. **Pre-fill from
-   seeds:** call `amicode_profile {entity:"status"}` and check if an
-   environment is already recorded from the context-seed (Stage 3). If so,
-   present it as a confirmation: "I found you use {archetype} — confirm, or
-   change?" via the `question` tool. If no seed, ask the standard choice
-   question with the options above.
+5. **research_area** _(optional — only if user selected the experiments intent)_ —
+   ask via the `question` tool with `kind: "text"`: "What research area and what
+   kind of experiments?" This is free-form — the user can say anything from
+   "quantum optimal control for transmon gates" to "protein folding simulations"
+   to "materials science DFT sweeps." Record whatever they say:
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{research_area:"..."}}`.
+   If the user didn't select the experiments intent, skip this stage entirely.
+
+6. **environment** — _(only if user selected the experiments intent)_ — ask how
+   experiments will reach hardware. **Pre-fill from seeds:** call
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"status"}` and check if an environment is already
+   recorded from the context-seed (Stage 2). If so, present it as a
+   confirmation: "I found you use {archetype} — confirm, or change?" via the
+   `question` tool. If no seed, ask the standard choice question with the
+   options above.
 
    Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"environment", payload:{slug, archetype}}`.
-   Follow up on details per archetype if confirmed (QICK: tProc version,
-   repo pointer; cloud-Pasqal: which provider, emulator access; etc.).
+   Follow up on details per archetype if confirmed.
 
-6. **devices** _(optional)_ — same pre-fill pattern: if a device was seeded,
-   confirm it. Otherwise ask: "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember?"
+7. **devices** _(optional, only if user selected the experiments intent)_ —
+   same pre-fill pattern: if a device was seeded, confirm it. Otherwise ask:
+   "Any specific device(s) you want me to remember?"
    This stage is ALWAYS skippable — "none" or "skip" is a valid answer.
 
-   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"device", payload:{name, platform, qubits}}`.
+   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"device", payload:{name, platform, specs}}`.
    If skipped, move on without recording.
 
-7. **goals** — free-text question via `question` tool with `kind: "text"`:
-   "What are you hoping to accomplish with Amico?" No pre-fill (goals are
-   personal, not inferrable from configs).
-
-   Record: `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{goals:"..."}}`.
+8. **handoff** — the terminal stage. FIRST, **auto-generate a description** from
+   what you've learned (name, goals, research_area, intent, environment) — a
+   concise 1–2 sentence summary of the user written in third person, suitable
+   for the "About you" card. Example: "Aaron is a quantum-control researcher
+   focused on high-fidelity transmon gates, working in simulation." Record:
+   `amicode_profile {entity:"profile", payload:{description:"..."}}`.
 
-8. **handoff** — the terminal stage. FIRST, record the completion marker:
+   Then record the completion marker:
    `amicode_profile {entity:"onboarding_completed"}` (exactly once — this is
    what lets Amico remember them next time and triggers the distiller to
    materialize the vault).
 
-   Then route by the user's intent selections (from Stage 2 — read from the
-   events stream, do NOT re-ask):
-
-   - **Research** selected (alone or combined) → "Let's design your first
-     pulse" → continue straight into the **pulse-designer interview** in this
-     same session. Use everything learned (platform, environment, device) to
-     skip pulse-design questions already answered.
-   - **Research + General coding** → same as above, but acknowledge: "I'm also
-     your general coding companion — you can switch modes any time."
-   - **General coding only** (no Research) → open a normal session: "You're all
-     set — I'll remember your context across sessions. Ask me anything."
-     Highlight memory + vault features briefly.
-   - **Exploring only** → "Welcome aboard — want a quick tour of what I can do,
-     or just dive in?" Offer a brief orientation tour.
-
-   The handoff does NOT re-ask intent — it reads what was recorded and routes.
+   Then tell the user onboarding is complete: "You're all set — your About You
+   card on the dashboard is now populated with what you told me. To see it,
+   reload the window (Cmd+Shift+P → 'Reload Window', or Cmd+R). After that,
+   start a new session anytime to explore what Amico can do."
+
+   Do NOT auto-chain into another interview or open a new session. The
+   onboarding ends here. The user is in control of what happens next.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/router-section.md b/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/router-section.md
index fca1bef2..5dc716fc 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/router-section.md
+++ b/packages/extension/test/scores/golden/router-section.md
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 ## Onset router
 
-When a session opens without a specific request (a greeting, "who are
+When a session opens with an explicit onboarding request ("Let's begin
+onboarding", "begin onboarding", "start onboarding", or similar), **skip this
+router entirely** and go straight into the overture (Stage 1 below) — the user
+has already chosen.
+
+Otherwise, when a session opens without a specific request (a greeting, "who are
 you?", "what is this?"), do NOT default to the pulse-designer interview —
 build the moment from the live state. After your one-line Amico intro (name from
 the profile when one is recorded), ask exactly ONE question —
diff --git a/packages/extension/test/scores/overture_rewrite.test.ts b/packages/extension/test/scores/overture_rewrite.test.ts
index 75725e05..722e3d6a 100644
--- a/packages/extension/test/scores/overture_rewrite.test.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/test/scores/overture_rewrite.test.ts
@@ -36,20 +36,24 @@ describe("overture SCORE.md — loads and compiles (AC1)", () => {
     expect(ov.manifest.schema_version).toBe(1);
   });
 
-  it("has the new stage structure: orientation, intent, context_seed, demo, environment, devices, goals, handoff", () => {
+  it("has the new stage structure: orientation, context_seed, intent, goals, research_area, environment, devices, handoff", () => {
     const ov = overture();
     const stageIds = ov.manifest.stages.map((s: { id: string }) => s.id);
     expect(stageIds).toContain("orientation");
-    expect(stageIds).toContain("intent");
     expect(stageIds).toContain("context_seed");
-    expect(stageIds).toContain("demo");
+    expect(stageIds).toContain("intent");
+    expect(stageIds).toContain("goals");
+    expect(stageIds).toContain("research_area");
     expect(stageIds).toContain("environment");
     expect(stageIds).toContain("devices");
-    expect(stageIds).toContain("goals");
     expect(stageIds).toContain("handoff");
-    // Old stage name is gone
+    // Old/removed stages are gone
+    expect(stageIds).not.toContain("demo");
     expect(stageIds).not.toContain("platforms");
     expect(stageIds).not.toContain("identity");
+    // Verify order: context_seed before intent, intent before goals
+    expect(stageIds.indexOf("context_seed")).toBeLessThan(stageIds.indexOf("intent"));
+    expect(stageIds.indexOf("intent")).toBeLessThan(stageIds.indexOf("goals"));
   });
 
   it("compiles to markdown without error (standalone)", () => {
@@ -97,7 +101,7 @@ describe("overture compiled content — Stage 2 intent (AC4, AC5, AC6)", () => {
 
   it("AC4: presents exactly three options for multi-select", () => {
     expect(md).toContain("General coding and software development");
-    expect(md).toContain("Research");
+    expect(md).toContain("Perform (automated) experiments and gain scientific insights");
     expect(md).toContain("Exploring");
   });
 
@@ -110,8 +114,8 @@ describe("overture compiled content — Stage 2 intent (AC4, AC5, AC6)", () => {
     expect(md).toMatch(/intent.*\[.*research.*general_coding.*exploring.*\]/s);
   });
 
-  it("AC6: does NOT ask research sub-type (deferred to pulse-designer)", () => {
-    expect(md).toContain("DO NOT ask research sub-type");
+  it("AC6: asks research area as free-form, does NOT ask platform-specific sub-types", () => {
+    expect(md).toContain("What research area and what kind of experiments?");
     expect(md).not.toContain("Which platform");
     expect(md).not.toContain("qubit platforms");
   });
@@ -148,11 +152,11 @@ describe("overture compiled content — resume (AC8)", () => {
 describe("overture compiled content — complete flow (AC9)", () => {
   const md = compileScore(overture());
 
-  it("the overture score is complete: all 8 stages defined end-to-end", () => {
+  it("the overture score is complete: all stages defined end-to-end", () => {
     expect(md).toContain("orientation");
     expect(md).toContain("intent");
+    expect(md).toContain("research_area");
     expect(md).toContain("context_seed");
-    expect(md).toContain("demo");
     expect(md).toContain("environment");
     expect(md).toContain("goals");
     expect(md).toContain("handoff");