diff --git a/client/src/components/AppHeader.vue b/client/src/components/AppHeader.vue
index e269f9fd1..3879e110a 100644
--- a/client/src/components/AppHeader.vue
+++ b/client/src/components/AppHeader.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import { computed, nextTick, onMounted, onUnmounted, ref, watch } from 'vue'
-import { ArrowLeft, Search, Palette, Upload, X, KeyRound, Settings, LogOut } from 'lucide-vue-next'
-import { useRouter } from 'vue-router'
+import { ArrowLeft, Search, Palette, Upload, X, KeyRound, Settings, LogOut, PackageOpen, BarChart3 } from 'lucide-vue-next'
+import { useRouter, useRoute } from 'vue-router'
 import { toast } from 'vue-sonner'
 import { SidebarTrigger } from '@/components/ui/sidebar'
 import { Separator } from '@/components/ui/separator'
@@ -27,12 +27,26 @@ import { useChangePasswordDialog } from '@/composables/useChangePasswordDialog'
 import { usePermissions } from '@/features/auth/composables/usePermissions'
 import BookUploadModal from '@/features/library/components/BookUploadModal.vue'
 import { useLibraryUploadEvents } from '@/features/library/composables/useLibraryUploadEvents'
+import { useStagingSummary } from '@/features/staging/composables/useStagingSummary'
 
 const router = useRouter()
+const route = useRoute()
 const { user, logout } = useAuth()
 const { open: openChangePassword } = useChangePasswordDialog()
 const { hasPermission } = usePermissions()
 const { onLibraryUploadCompleted } = useLibraryUploadEvents()
+const { summary: stagingSummary, fetchSummary: fetchStagingSummary, subscribe: subscribeStagingSummary } = useStagingSummary()
+
+const isStagingActive = computed(() => route.name === 'staging')
+const isStatisticsActive = computed(() => route.name === 'statistics')
+
+function navigateToStaging() {
+  router.push({ name: 'staging' })
+}
+
+function navigateToStatistics() {
+  router.push({ name: 'statistics' })
+}
 
 const uploadOpen = ref(false)
 
@@ -115,7 +129,13 @@ function handleGlobalKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
   }
 }
 
-onMounted(() => window.addEventListener('keydown', handleGlobalKeydown))
+onMounted(() => {
+  window.addEventListener('keydown', handleGlobalKeydown)
+  if (hasPermission('staging_access')) {
+    fetchStagingSummary()
+    subscribeStagingSummary()
+  }
+})
 
 const stopUploadCompletedListener = onLibraryUploadCompleted((event) => {
   if (event.uploadedCount === 0 && event.failedCount === 0) return
@@ -258,7 +278,7 @@ function formatBadgeClass(fmt: string): string {
     <!-- Normal state -->
     <template v-else>
       <!-- Left: sidebar trigger -->
-      <SidebarTrigger class="-ml-1 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground" />
+      <SidebarTrigger class="-ml-1 text-foreground/70 hover:text-foreground" />
       <Separator orientation="vertical" class="mx-1 h-4" />
 
       <!-- Center: desktop global search -->
@@ -360,14 +380,14 @@ function formatBadgeClass(fmt: string): string {
       </div>
 
       <!-- Right -->
-      <div class="ml-auto flex items-center gap-0.5">
+      <div class="ml-auto flex items-center gap-3">
         <!-- Mobile: search icon -->
         <Tooltip>
           <TooltipTrigger as-child>
             <Button
               variant="ghost"
               size="icon"
-              class="md:hidden h-8 w-8 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
+              class="md:hidden h-8 w-8 rounded-xl border border-primary/35 text-foreground/70 hover:border-primary/70 hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
               @click="mobileSearchOpen = true"
             >
               <Search :size="15" />
@@ -376,76 +396,132 @@ function formatBadgeClass(fmt: string): string {
           <TooltipContent>Search</TooltipContent>
         </Tooltip>
 
-        <!-- Upload button -->
-        <Tooltip>
-          <TooltipTrigger as-child>
-            <Button
-              v-if="hasPermission('library_upload')"
-              variant="ghost"
-              size="icon"
-              class="hidden md:flex h-8 w-8 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
-              @click="uploadOpen = true"
-            >
-              <Upload :size="15" />
-            </Button>
-          </TooltipTrigger>
-          <TooltipContent>Upload books</TooltipContent>
-        </Tooltip>
-
-        <!-- Desktop: appearance settings popover -->
-        <Tooltip>
-          <Popover>
+        <!-- Group 1: Content (Staging, Statistics, Upload) -->
+        <div class="hidden md:flex items-center gap-2.5">
+          <!-- Staging button -->
+          <Tooltip v-if="hasPermission('staging_access')">
             <TooltipTrigger as-child>
-              <PopoverTrigger as-child>
-                <Button variant="ghost" size="icon" class="hidden md:flex h-8 w-8 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground">
-                  <Palette :size="15" />
-                </Button>
-              </PopoverTrigger>
+              <Button
+                variant="ghost"
+                size="icon"
+                class="relative h-8 w-8 rounded-xl border transition-colors"
+                :class="
+                  isStagingActive
+                    ? 'border-primary/80 bg-primary/8 text-primary'
+                    : 'border-primary/35 text-foreground/70 hover:border-primary/70 hover:text-foreground'
+                "
+                @click="navigateToStaging"
+              >
+                <PackageOpen :size="15" />
+                <span
+                  v-if="stagingSummary.total > 0"
+                  class="absolute -top-1 -right-1 flex h-4 min-w-4 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary px-1 text-[10px] font-semibold text-primary-foreground tabular-nums leading-none"
+                >
+                  {{ stagingSummary.total }}
+                </span>
+              </Button>
             </TooltipTrigger>
-            <PopoverContent class="w-72 p-4" align="end">
-              <div class="space-y-4">
-                <p class="text-xs font-semibold text-foreground uppercase tracking-wider">Appearance</p>
-                <div class="space-y-1.5">
-                  <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Theme</span>
-                  <ThemePicker />
-                </div>
-                <div class="space-y-1.5">
-                  <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Accent</span>
-                  <AccentPicker />
-                </div>
-                <div class="space-y-1.5">
-                  <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Radius</span>
-                  <RadiusPicker />
-                </div>
-                <div class="space-y-1.5">
-                  <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Background</span>
-                  <BackgroundPicker />
-                </div>
-              </div>
-            </PopoverContent>
-          </Popover>
-          <TooltipContent>Appearance</TooltipContent>
-        </Tooltip>
+            <TooltipContent>Staging</TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
 
-        <Tooltip>
-          <TooltipTrigger as-child>
-            <Button
-              variant="ghost"
-              size="icon"
-              class="hidden md:flex h-8 w-8 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
-              @click="router.push({ name: 'settings-libraries' })"
-            >
-              <Settings :size="15" />
-            </Button>
-          </TooltipTrigger>
-          <TooltipContent>Settings</TooltipContent>
-        </Tooltip>
+          <!-- Statistics button -->
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger as-child>
+              <Button
+                variant="ghost"
+                size="icon"
+                class="h-8 w-8 rounded-xl border transition-colors"
+                :class="
+                  isStatisticsActive
+                    ? 'border-primary/80 bg-primary/8 text-primary'
+                    : 'border-primary/35 text-foreground/70 hover:border-primary/70 hover:text-foreground'
+                "
+                @click="navigateToStatistics"
+              >
+                <BarChart3 :size="15" />
+              </Button>
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>Statistics</TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
 
-        <!-- User avatar dropdown -->
+          <!-- Upload button -->
+          <Tooltip v-if="hasPermission('library_upload')">
+            <TooltipTrigger as-child>
+              <Button
+                variant="ghost"
+                size="icon"
+                class="h-8 w-8 rounded-xl border border-primary/35 text-foreground/70 hover:border-primary/70 hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
+                @click="uploadOpen = true"
+              >
+                <Upload :size="15" />
+              </Button>
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>Upload books</TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Group 2: Preferences (Appearance, Settings) -->
+        <div class="hidden md:block h-4 w-px bg-foreground/20" />
+        <div class="hidden md:flex items-center gap-2.5">
+          <Tooltip>
+            <Popover>
+              <TooltipTrigger as-child>
+                <PopoverTrigger as-child>
+                  <Button
+                    variant="ghost"
+                    size="icon"
+                    class="h-8 w-8 rounded-xl bg-primary text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/90 transition-colors"
+                  >
+                    <Palette :size="15" />
+                  </Button>
+                </PopoverTrigger>
+              </TooltipTrigger>
+              <PopoverContent class="w-72 p-4" align="end">
+                <div class="space-y-4">
+                  <p class="text-xs font-semibold text-foreground uppercase tracking-wider">Appearance</p>
+                  <div class="space-y-1.5">
+                    <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Theme</span>
+                    <ThemePicker />
+                  </div>
+                  <div class="space-y-1.5">
+                    <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Accent</span>
+                    <AccentPicker />
+                  </div>
+                  <div class="space-y-1.5">
+                    <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Radius</span>
+                    <RadiusPicker />
+                  </div>
+                  <div class="space-y-1.5">
+                    <span class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Background</span>
+                    <BackgroundPicker />
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              </PopoverContent>
+            </Popover>
+            <TooltipContent>Appearance</TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
+
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger as-child>
+              <Button
+                variant="ghost"
+                size="icon"
+                class="h-8 w-8 rounded-xl border border-primary/35 text-foreground/70 hover:border-primary/70 hover:text-foreground transition-colors"
+                @click="router.push({ name: 'settings-libraries' })"
+              >
+                <Settings :size="15" />
+              </Button>
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            <TooltipContent>Settings</TooltipContent>
+          </Tooltip>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Group 3: Identity (Avatar) -->
+        <div class="hidden md:block h-4 w-px bg-foreground/20" />
         <DropdownMenu v-if="user">
           <DropdownMenuTrigger as-child>
             <button
-              class="flex h-7 w-7 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/15 text-primary text-xs font-semibold hover:bg-primary/25 transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-primary"
+              class="flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-xl border border-primary/50 bg-primary/10 text-primary text-xs font-bold hover:bg-primary/15 hover:border-primary/70 transition-colors focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-primary"
             >
               {{ user.name.charAt(0).toUpperCase() }}
             </button>
diff --git a/client/src/components/AppSidebar.vue b/client/src/components/AppSidebar.vue
index dc607c9cd..0d77ea8e4 100644
--- a/client/src/components/AppSidebar.vue
+++ b/client/src/components/AppSidebar.vue
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import {
   SidebarGroupContent,
   SidebarHeader,
   SidebarMenu,
-  SidebarMenuItem,
   SidebarRail,
   SidebarSeparator,
 } from '@/components/ui/sidebar'
@@ -21,7 +20,6 @@ import { useLenses } from '@/features/lens/composables/useLenses'
 import { useCollections } from '@/features/collection/composables/useCollections'
 import { usePermissions } from '@/features/auth/composables/usePermissions'
 import { useScanProgress, getSocket } from '@/features/scanner/composables/useScanProgress'
-import { useStagingSummary } from '@/features/staging/composables/useStagingSummary'
 import { useLibraryUploadEvents } from '@/features/library/composables/useLibraryUploadEvents'
 import { useDraggableOrder } from '@/composables/useDraggableOrder'
 import type { Library } from '@projectx/types'
@@ -50,7 +48,6 @@ const { lenses, fetchLenses, reorderLenses } = useLenses()
 const { collections, fetchCollections, reorderCollections } = useCollections()
 const { hasPermission } = usePermissions()
 const { subscribeLibrary, getProgress, progressMap } = useScanProgress()
-const { summary: stagingSummary, fetchSummary: fetchStagingSummary, subscribe: subscribeStagingSummary } = useStagingSummary()
 const { onLibraryUploadCompleted } = useLibraryUploadEvents()
 
 const createLensOpen = ref(false)
@@ -85,8 +82,6 @@ const {
 } = useDraggableOrder({ source: collections, persist: reorderCollections })
 
 const isDashboardActive = computed(() => route.name === 'dashboard')
-const isStagingActive = computed(() => route.name === 'staging')
-const isStatisticsActive = computed(() => route.name === 'statistics')
 const isAuthorsActive = computed(() => route.name === 'authors' || route.name === 'author-detail')
 
 const activeLibraryId = computed(() => {
@@ -135,10 +130,6 @@ onMounted(async () => {
   }
   fetchLenses()
   fetchCollections()
-  if (hasPermission('staging_access')) {
-    fetchStagingSummary()
-    subscribeStagingSummary()
-  }
 })
 
 const stopUploadCompletedListener = onLibraryUploadCompleted((event) => {
@@ -199,23 +190,6 @@ onUnmounted(() => stopUploadCompletedListener())
               label="Dashboard"
               @click="router.push({ name: 'dashboard' })"
             />
-            <SidebarNavItem
-              v-if="hasPermission('staging_access')"
-              :is-active="isStagingActive"
-              tooltip="Staging"
-              :icon="Icons.PackageOpen"
-              label="Staging"
-              @click="router.push({ name: 'staging' })"
-            >
-              <template #badge>
-                <span
-                  v-if="stagingSummary.total > 0"
-                  class="ml-auto shrink-0 rounded-md bg-sidebar-foreground/15 px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[11px] font-semibold tabular-nums text-sidebar-foreground/80 transition-colors group-data-[active=true]/item:bg-primary/20 group-data-[active=true]/item:text-primary group-data-[collapsible=icon]:hidden"
-                >
-                  {{ stagingSummary.total }}
-                </span>
-              </template>
-            </SidebarNavItem>
             <SidebarNavItem
               :is-active="isAuthorsActive"
               tooltip="Authors"
@@ -223,13 +197,6 @@ onUnmounted(() => stopUploadCompletedListener())
               label="Authors"
               @click="router.push({ name: 'authors' })"
             />
-            <SidebarNavItem
-              :is-active="isStatisticsActive"
-              tooltip="Statistics"
-              :icon="Icons.BarChart3"
-              label="Statistics"
-              @click="router.push({ name: 'statistics' })"
-            />
           </SidebarMenu>
         </SidebarGroupContent>
       </SidebarGroup>
@@ -367,9 +334,9 @@ onUnmounted(() => stopUploadCompletedListener())
                 </template>
               </SidebarNavItem>
             </VueDraggable>
-            <SidebarMenuItem v-if="localLenses.length === 0">
-              <span class="px-2 py-1 text-[11px] text-sidebar-foreground/35 group-data-[collapsible=icon]:hidden">No lenses yet</span>
-            </SidebarMenuItem>
+            <div v-if="localLenses.length === 0">
+              <span class="px-2 py-1 text-[11px] text-sidebar-foreground/40 group-data-[collapsible=icon]:hidden">No lenses yet</span>
+            </div>
           </SidebarGroupContent>
         </div>
       </SidebarGroup>
@@ -426,9 +393,9 @@ onUnmounted(() => stopUploadCompletedListener())
                 </template>
               </SidebarNavItem>
             </VueDraggable>
-            <SidebarMenuItem v-if="localCollections.length === 0">
-              <span class="px-2 py-1 text-[11px] text-sidebar-foreground/35 group-data-[collapsible=icon]:hidden">No collections yet</span>
-            </SidebarMenuItem>
+            <div v-if="localCollections.length === 0">
+              <span class="px-2 py-1 text-[11px] text-sidebar-foreground/40 group-data-[collapsible=icon]:hidden">No collections yet</span>
+            </div>
           </SidebarGroupContent>
         </div>
       </SidebarGroup>
diff --git a/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverCard.vue b/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverCard.vue
index ac9fb89db..2a507a8f8 100644
--- a/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverCard.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/book/components/BookCoverCard.vue
@@ -160,10 +160,7 @@ function handleExportAll() {
     <!-- Cover -->
     <div
       class="relative w-full rounded-sm overflow-hidden shadow-md transition-[box-shadow,transform,ring] duration-150 will-change-transform"
-      :class="[
-        isMissing ? 'ring-2 ring-amber-500' : selectionMode ? '' : 'group-hover:shadow-xl group-hover:scale-[1.02]',
-        selected ? 'ring-2 ring-primary' : '',
-      ]"
+      :class="[isMissing ? 'ring-2 ring-amber-500' : selectionMode ? '' : 'group-hover:shadow-xl group-hover:scale-[1.02]']"
       style="aspect-ratio: 2/3"
       :style="coverLoaded ? {} : coverStyle"
     >
@@ -238,7 +235,11 @@ function handleExportAll() {
       />
 
       <!-- Selection checkbox overlay -->
-      <div v-if="selectionMode" class="absolute inset-0 z-30 pointer-events-none" :class="selected ? 'bg-primary/20' : ''">
+      <div
+        v-if="selectionMode"
+        class="absolute inset-0 z-30 pointer-events-none rounded-sm"
+        :class="selected ? 'bg-primary/20 ring-2 ring-inset ring-primary' : ''"
+      >
         <div
           class="absolute top-1.5 left-1.5 h-5 w-5 rounded flex items-center justify-center transition-colors"
           :class="selected ? 'bg-primary' : 'bg-black/40 border border-white/50'"
diff --git a/client/src/features/dashboard/components/DashboardWelcome.vue b/client/src/features/dashboard/components/DashboardWelcome.vue
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ee1496145
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/src/features/dashboard/components/DashboardWelcome.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { ref } from 'vue'
+import { BookOpen, Plus, Users } from 'lucide-vue-next'
+import LibraryCreatorModal from '@/features/library/components/LibraryCreatorModal.vue'
+import { useLibraries } from '@/features/library/composables/useLibraries'
+
+defineProps<{ canCreate: boolean }>()
+
+const { refreshLibraries } = useLibraries()
+const createOpen = ref(false)
+
+function handleOpenCreate() {
+  createOpen.value = true
+}
+
+function handleClose() {
+  createOpen.value = false
+}
+
+async function handleSaved() {
+  createOpen.value = false
+  await refreshLibraries()
+}
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <div class="flex items-center justify-center py-16 px-4">
+    <div class="relative w-full max-w-md overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border border-primary/40 bg-card/30 shadow-sm backdrop-blur-[1px]">
+      <!-- Glow backdrop -->
+      <div
+        class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-0"
+        style="
+          background-image: radial-gradient(ellipse 80% 60% at 50% -10%, color-mix(in oklch, var(--primary) 18%, transparent) 0%, transparent 100%);
+        "
+      />
+
+      <div class="relative flex flex-col items-center px-10 py-12 text-center">
+        <!-- Icon -->
+        <div class="mb-6 flex h-14 w-14 items-center justify-center rounded-xl border border-border bg-background shadow-sm">
+          <component :is="canCreate ? BookOpen : Users" :size="26" class="text-foreground/70" />
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Heading -->
+        <h2 class="mb-2 text-lg font-bold tracking-tight text-foreground">
+          {{ canCreate ? 'Your library is empty' : 'No libraries yet' }}
+        </h2>
+
+        <!-- Description -->
+        <p class="mb-8 max-w-xs text-sm leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground">
+          <template v-if="canCreate">
+            Create a library to start organizing and reading your books. Point it to a folder and it will do the rest.
+          </template>
+          <template v-else> Your administrator hasn't set up any libraries yet. Reach out to them to get started. </template>
+        </p>
+
+        <!-- CTA -->
+        <button
+          v-if="canCreate"
+          class="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-md bg-primary px-5 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-primary-foreground transition-colors hover:bg-primary/90"
+          @click="handleOpenCreate"
+        >
+          <Plus :size="15" />
+          Create your first library
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <LibraryCreatorModal v-if="createOpen" @close="handleClose" @saved="handleSaved" />
+</template>
diff --git a/client/src/features/library/composables/useLibraries.ts b/client/src/features/library/composables/useLibraries.ts
index f3e67b61b..2a4786a76 100644
--- a/client/src/features/library/composables/useLibraries.ts
+++ b/client/src/features/library/composables/useLibraries.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { api } from '@/lib/api'
 import type { Library } from '@projectx/types'
 
 const libraries = ref<Library[]>([])
+const loading = ref(false)
 let loaded = false
 let fetchPromise: Promise<void> | null = null
 
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ export function useLibraries() {
 
   async function refreshLibraries(): Promise<void> {
     if (fetchPromise) return fetchPromise
+    loading.value = true
     fetchPromise = api('/api/v1/libraries')
       .then(async (res) => {
         if (!res.ok) return
@@ -22,6 +24,7 @@ export function useLibraries() {
       })
       .finally(() => {
         fetchPromise = null
+        loading.value = false
       })
     return fetchPromise
   }
@@ -35,5 +38,5 @@ export function useLibraries() {
     if (!res.ok) throw new Error('Failed to reorder libraries')
   }
 
-  return { libraries, fetchLibraries, refreshLibraries, reorderLibraries }
+  return { libraries, loading, fetchLibraries, refreshLibraries, reorderLibraries }
 }
diff --git a/client/src/features/settings/LibrariesSettings.vue b/client/src/features/settings/LibrariesSettings.vue
index b483604a5..78892a818 100644
--- a/client/src/features/settings/LibrariesSettings.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/settings/LibrariesSettings.vue
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ function coverRefreshLabel(libraryId: number): string {
             <DropdownMenu>
               <DropdownMenuTrigger as-child>
                 <button
-                  class="flex items-center justify-center w-9 h-9 rounded-lg border border-border hover:bg-muted transition-colors text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
+                  class="flex items-center justify-center px-2 py-1.5 rounded-md border border-border hover:bg-muted transition-colors text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground"
                 >
                   <MoreHorizontal :size="16" />
                 </button>
diff --git a/client/src/views/DashboardView.vue b/client/src/views/DashboardView.vue
index db1f6ab89..c827b7f35 100644
--- a/client/src/views/DashboardView.vue
+++ b/client/src/views/DashboardView.vue
@@ -1,26 +1,37 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { computed, ref } from 'vue'
+import { computed, onMounted, ref } from 'vue'
 import { Settings2 } from 'lucide-vue-next'
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tooltip'
 
 import { useAuth } from '@/features/auth/composables/useAuth'
+import { usePermissions } from '@/features/auth/composables/usePermissions'
+import { useLibraries } from '@/features/library/composables/useLibraries'
 import DashboardScroller from '@/features/dashboard/components/DashboardScroller.vue'
 import DashboardSettingsSheet from '@/features/dashboard/components/DashboardSettingsSheet.vue'
+import DashboardWelcome from '@/features/dashboard/components/DashboardWelcome.vue'
 import { useDashboardConfig } from '@/features/dashboard/composables/useDashboardConfig'
 
 const { user } = useAuth()
+const { hasPermission } = usePermissions()
+const { libraries, loading: librariesLoading, fetchLibraries } = useLibraries()
 const { scrollers } = useDashboardConfig()
 
 const settingsOpen = ref(false)
 
 const enabledScrollers = computed(() => scrollers.value.filter((s) => s.enabled).sort((a, b) => a.order - b.order))
 
+const hasNoLibraries = computed(() => !librariesLoading.value && libraries.value.length === 0)
+
 const greeting = computed(() => {
   const hour = new Date().getHours()
   const base = hour < 12 ? 'Good morning' : hour < 18 ? 'Good afternoon' : 'Good evening'
   const firstName = user.value?.name?.split(' ')[0] || user.value?.username
   return firstName ? `${base}, ${firstName}` : base
 })
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  fetchLibraries()
+})
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -44,20 +55,23 @@ const greeting = computed(() => {
       </Tooltip>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Scrollers -->
+    <!-- Scrollers / Welcome -->
     <div class="space-y-5 pb-8 pt-2 sm:pr-2">
-      <DashboardScroller
-        v-for="scroller in enabledScrollers"
-        :key="`${scroller.id}-${scroller.type}-${scroller.lensId ?? 0}`"
-        :type="scroller.type"
-        :title="scroller.label"
-        :limit="scroller.limit"
-        :lens-id="scroller.lensId"
-      />
-      <div v-if="enabledScrollers.length === 0" class="px-2 py-12 text-center">
-        <p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground">All shelves are hidden.</p>
-        <button class="mt-2 text-sm text-primary hover:underline" @click="settingsOpen = true">Customize dashboard</button>
-      </div>
+      <DashboardWelcome v-if="hasNoLibraries" :can-create="hasPermission('manage_libraries')" />
+      <template v-else>
+        <DashboardScroller
+          v-for="scroller in enabledScrollers"
+          :key="`${scroller.id}-${scroller.type}-${scroller.lensId ?? 0}`"
+          :type="scroller.type"
+          :title="scroller.label"
+          :limit="scroller.limit"
+          :lens-id="scroller.lensId"
+        />
+        <div v-if="enabledScrollers.length === 0" class="px-2 py-12 text-center">
+          <p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground">All shelves are hidden.</p>
+          <button class="mt-2 text-sm text-primary hover:underline" @click="settingsOpen = true">Customize dashboard</button>
+        </div>
+      </template>
     </div>
   </main>