diff --git a/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.test.tsx b/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.test.tsx
index 68c0a9fb8..8510c72bb 100644
--- a/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.test.tsx
+++ b/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.test.tsx
@@ -7,23 +7,36 @@ import SidebarAppRail from './SidebarAppRail';
 const mockNavigate = vi.fn();
 const mockDispatch = vi.fn();
 
-const mockState = {
+const whatsappAccount = {
+  id: 'acct-whatsapp',
+  provider: 'whatsapp',
+  label: 'WhatsApp',
+  createdAt: '2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z',
+  status: 'open',
+};
+
+const accountsWith: Record<string, typeof whatsappAccount> = { 'acct-whatsapp': whatsappAccount };
+
+let mockState = {
   accounts: {
-    accounts: {
-      'acct-whatsapp': {
-        id: 'acct-whatsapp',
-        provider: 'whatsapp',
-        label: 'WhatsApp',
-        createdAt: '2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z',
-        status: 'open',
-      },
-    },
+    accounts: accountsWith,
     order: ['acct-whatsapp'],
-    activeAccountId: null,
-    unread: {},
+    activeAccountId: null as string | null,
+    unread: {} as Record<string, number>,
   },
 };
 
+function setAccounts(order: string[]) {
+  mockState = {
+    accounts: {
+      accounts: order.length ? accountsWith : {},
+      order,
+      activeAccountId: null,
+      unread: {},
+    },
+  };
+}
+
 vi.mock('react-router-dom', async importOriginal => {
   const actual = await importOriginal<typeof import('react-router-dom')>();
   return { ...actual, useNavigate: () => mockNavigate };
@@ -40,6 +53,7 @@ vi.mock('../../../store/hooks', () => ({
 describe('SidebarAppRail', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.clearAllMocks();
+    setAccounts(['acct-whatsapp']);
   });
 
   it('selects a provider webview without mutating the current route', () => {
@@ -65,6 +79,23 @@ describe('SidebarAppRail', () => {
       payload: '__agent__',
     });
   });
+
+  it('shows the "Add apps" label when no provider apps are connected', () => {
+    setAccounts([]);
+    renderRail('/chat');
+
+    const addButton = screen.getByTestId('accounts-add-button');
+    expect(addButton).toHaveTextContent('accounts.addApps');
+  });
+
+  it('collapses the add button to an icon once an app is connected', () => {
+    setAccounts(['acct-whatsapp']);
+    renderRail('/chat');
+
+    const addButton = screen.getByTestId('accounts-add-button');
+    expect(addButton).not.toHaveTextContent('accounts.addApps');
+    expect(addButton).toHaveAttribute('aria-label', 'accounts.addApps');
+  });
 });
 
 function renderRail(route: string) {
diff --git a/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.tsx b/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.tsx
index 658c7e206..7f612420d 100644
--- a/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.tsx
+++ b/app/src/components/layout/shell/SidebarAppRail.tsx
@@ -113,6 +113,13 @@ export default function SidebarAppRail() {
   const selectedId = activeAccountId ?? AGENT_ID;
   const isAgentSelected = selectedId === AGENT_ID;
 
+  // New-user affordance: when no provider apps are connected yet, the lone
+  // dashed "+" tile reads as ambiguous. Expand it into a labelled "Add apps"
+  // pill so first-run users understand they can connect more apps; once at
+  // least one app is connected, collapse back to the compact icon to reclaim
+  // horizontal space in the rail.
+  const showAddLabel = accounts.length === 0;
+
   // The chat page hides its active provider webview while a rail overlay is
   // open (the native CEF view composites above HTML, so React overlays would be
   // painted over). Mirror local overlay state into Redux for it to read.
@@ -253,12 +260,17 @@ export default function SidebarAppRail() {
           }}
           data-analytics-id="sidebar-app-rail-add-account"
           data-testid="accounts-add-button"
-          className="group relative flex h-9 w-9 flex-none items-center justify-center rounded-xl border border-dashed border-stone-300 text-stone-400 hover:bg-stone-50 hover:text-stone-600 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-500 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800/60 dark:hover:text-neutral-300"
-          aria-label={t('accounts.addAccount')}
-          title={t('accounts.addAccount')}>
-          <svg className="h-4 w-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+          className={`group relative flex h-9 flex-none items-center justify-center gap-1.5 rounded-xl border border-dashed border-stone-300 text-stone-400 transition-colors hover:bg-stone-50 hover:text-stone-600 dark:border-neutral-700 dark:text-neutral-500 dark:hover:bg-neutral-800/60 dark:hover:text-neutral-300 ${
+            showAddLabel ? 'w-auto px-2.5' : 'w-9'
+          }`}
+          aria-label={t('accounts.addApps')}
+          title={t('accounts.addApps')}>
+          <svg className="h-4 w-4 flex-none" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
             <path strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round" strokeWidth={2} d="M12 4v16m8-8H4" />
           </svg>
+          {showAddLabel && (
+            <span className="whitespace-nowrap text-xs font-medium">{t('accounts.addApps')}</span>
+          )}
         </button>
       </div>
 
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts
index 0604658a5..a34a66002 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts
@@ -845,6 +845,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'افحص الذاكرة أو صدّرها أو امسحها بنفسك. اضبطها من الإعدادات › الذاكرة.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'إضافة حساب',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'إضافة تطبيقات',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'إدارة الحسابات',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'لا توجد حسابات متصلة',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'اربط حسابًا للبدء',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts
index c048c85ad..25c65fe95 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts
@@ -867,6 +867,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'মেমোরি নিজে পরীক্ষা, এক্সপোর্ট বা মুছুন। Settings › Memory-এ কনফিগার করুন।',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'অ্যাকাউন্ট যোগ করুন',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'অ্যাপ যোগ করুন',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'অ্যাকাউন্ট পরিচালনা',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'কোনো অ্যাকাউন্ট সংযুক্ত নেই',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'শুরু করতে একটি অ্যাকাউন্ট সংযুক্ত করুন',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts
index ee95d1bee..a8d018ed2 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts
@@ -889,6 +889,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Überprüfe, exportiere oder lösche den Speicher selbst. Konfiguriere in den Einstellungen › Speicher.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Konto hinzufügen',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Apps hinzufügen',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Konten verwalten',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Keine Konten verbunden',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Verbinde ein Konto, um loszulegen',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts
index b3fc74342..89568271d 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts
@@ -1192,6 +1192,7 @@ const en: TranslationMap = {
 
   // Accounts
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Add Account',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Add apps',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Manage Accounts',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'No accounts connected',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Connect an account to get started',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts
index 46f3fdc16..882146007 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts
@@ -884,6 +884,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Inspecciona, exporta o borra la memoria tú mismo. Configura en Configuración › Memoria.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Agregar cuenta',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Agregar apps',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Administrar cuentas',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Sin cuentas conectadas',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Conecta una cuenta para empezar',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts
index bffb86b2f..fdca1c8ab 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts
@@ -887,6 +887,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Inspecte, exporte ou efface la mémoire toi-même. À configurer dans Paramètres › Mémoire.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Ajouter un compte',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Ajouter des apps',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Gérer les comptes',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Aucun compte connecté',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Connecte un compte pour démarrer',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts
index 9bd80a35c..77bf2d9b3 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts
@@ -863,6 +863,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'मेमोरी खुद देखें, एक्सपोर्ट करें या मिटाएं। Settings › Memory में कॉन्फिगर करें।',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'अकाउंट जोड़ें',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'ऐप्स जोड़ें',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'अकाउंट मैनेज करें',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'कोई अकाउंट कनेक्ट नहीं है',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'शुरू करने के लिए एक अकाउंट कनेक्ट करें',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts
index 28b7a6f3b..e6e29dc4f 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts
@@ -870,6 +870,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Periksa, ekspor, atau hapus memori sendiri. Konfigurasi di Pengaturan › Memori.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Tambah Akun',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Tambah aplikasi',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Kelola Akun',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Belum ada akun terhubung',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Hubungkan akun untuk memulai',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts
index 119947c8a..2d21172e5 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts
@@ -881,6 +881,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Ispeziona, esporta o cancella la memoria da solo. Configura in Impostazioni › Memoria.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Aggiungi account',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Aggiungi app',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Gestisci account',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Nessun account connesso',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Connetti un account per iniziare',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts
index 5bd9fb7be..45eaa36b6 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts
@@ -864,6 +864,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     '메모리를 직접 검사, 내보내기 또는 삭제할 수 있습니다. 설정 › 메모리에서 구성할 수 있습니다.',
   'accounts.addAccount': '계정 추가',
+  'accounts.addApps': '앱 추가',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': '계정 관리',
   'accounts.noAccounts': '연결된 계정이 없습니다',
   'accounts.connectAccount': '시작하려면 계정을 연결하세요',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts
index 92b190eda..c945228fb 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts
@@ -876,6 +876,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Przeglądaj, eksportuj lub czyść pamięć samodzielnie. Skonfiguruj w Ustawieniach › Pamięć.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Dodaj konto',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Dodaj aplikacje',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Zarządzaj kontami',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Brak podłączonych kont',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Podłącz konto, aby zacząć',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts
index 8e8fb1a79..681142d68 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts
@@ -886,6 +886,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Inspecione, exporte ou limpe a memória você mesmo. Configure em Configurações › Memória.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Adicionar Conta',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Adicionar apps',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Gerenciar Contas',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Nenhuma conta conectada',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Conecte uma conta para começar',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts
index 8f55907d7..2dc065ba4 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts
@@ -874,6 +874,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc':
     'Просматривай, экспортируй или очищай память самостоятельно. Настрой в Настройки › Память.',
   'accounts.addAccount': 'Добавить аккаунт',
+  'accounts.addApps': 'Добавить приложения',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': 'Управление аккаунтами',
   'accounts.noAccounts': 'Аккаунты не подключены',
   'accounts.connectAccount': 'Подключи аккаунт для начала работы',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts
index 9d7a8cdf2..6aa0b6d26 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts
@@ -825,6 +825,7 @@ const messages: TranslationMap = {
   'onboarding.custom.memory.defaultDesc': 'OpenHuman 会自动管理记忆存储和检索。无需设置。',
   'onboarding.custom.memory.configureDesc': '你可以自行查看、导出或清除记忆。在设置 › 记忆中配置。',
   'accounts.addAccount': '添加账户',
+  'accounts.addApps': '添加应用',
   'accounts.manageAccounts': '管理账户',
   'accounts.noAccounts': '未连接任何账户',
   'accounts.connectAccount': '连接一个账户以开始使用',