Eliminate hidden host defaults

packages/app/src/components/create-agent-modal.tsx

@@ -218,10 +218,11 @@ function AgentFlowModal({
   const { connectionStates } = useDaemonConnections();
   const daemonEntries = useMemo(() => Array.from(connectionStates.values()), [connectionStates]);
   const initialServerId = useMemo(() => {
-    if (serverId) {
-      return serverId;
+    if (!serverId) {
+      return null;
     }
-    return daemonEntries[0]?.daemon.id ?? null;
+    const exists = daemonEntries.some((entry) => entry.daemon.id === serverId);
+    return exists ? serverId : null;
   }, [serverId, daemonEntries]);
   const [selectedServerId, setSelectedServerId] = useState<string | null>(initialServerId);
   const selectedSession = useSessionForServer(selectedServerId);
@@ -229,21 +230,26 @@ function AgentFlowModal({
   const sessionDirectory = useSessionDirectory();
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (!selectedServerId) {
-      setSelectedServerId(initialServerId);
+    if (selectedServerId) {
+      const exists = daemonEntries.some((entry) => entry.daemon.id === selectedServerId);
+      if (!exists) {
+        setSelectedServerId(initialServerId);
+      }
       return;
     }
-    const exists = daemonEntries.some((entry) => entry.daemon.id === selectedServerId);
-    if (!exists) {
+    if (initialServerId && selectedServerId !== initialServerId) {
       setSelectedServerId(initialServerId);
     }
   }, [daemonEntries, selectedServerId, initialServerId]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (isVisible && initialServerId && selectedServerId !== initialServerId) {
+    if (!isVisible) {
+      return;
+    }
+    if (initialServerId && selectedServerId !== initialServerId) {
       setSelectedServerId(initialServerId);
     }
-  }, [isVisible, initialServerId]);
+  }, [isVisible, initialServerId, selectedServerId]);
 
   const ws = session?.ws ?? null;
   const inertWebSocket = useMemo<UseWebSocketReturn>(
@@ -323,15 +329,18 @@ function AgentFlowModal({
     selectedDaemonId ??
     "Selected host";
   const selectedDaemonStatusLabel = formatConnectionStatus(selectedDaemonStatus);
+  const hasSelectedDaemon = Boolean(selectedServerId);
   const selectedDaemonIsUnavailable =
     !session || selectedDaemonStatus !== "online" || !ws?.isConnected;
   const selectedDaemonLastError = selectedDaemonConnection?.lastError?.trim();
-  const daemonAvailabilityError = selectedDaemonIsUnavailable
-    ? `${selectedDaemonLabel} is ${selectedDaemonStatusLabel}. Connect to it before creating or importing agents.${
-        selectedDaemonLastError ? ` ${selectedDaemonLastError}` : ""
-      }`
-    : null;
-  const isTargetDaemonReady = Boolean(session && !selectedDaemonIsUnavailable);
+  const daemonAvailabilityError = !hasSelectedDaemon
+    ? "Select a host before creating or importing agents."
+    : selectedDaemonIsUnavailable
+        ? `${selectedDaemonLabel} is ${selectedDaemonStatusLabel}. Connect to it before creating or importing agents.${
+            selectedDaemonLastError ? ` ${selectedDaemonLastError}` : ""
+          }`
+        : null;
+  const isTargetDaemonReady = Boolean(hasSelectedDaemon && session && !selectedDaemonIsUnavailable);
 
   const [isMounted, setIsMounted] = useState(isVisible);
   const [workingDir, setWorkingDir] = useState("");

packages/app/src/hooks/use-aggregated-agents.ts

@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ export interface AggregatedAgentGroup {
   agents: Agent[];
 }
 
-const EMPTY_AGENT_MAP: Map<string, Agent> = new Map();
-
 const sortAgents = (agents: Agent[]): Agent[] => {
   return [...agents].sort((left, right) => {
     const leftRunning = left.status === "running";
@@ -27,10 +25,9 @@ const sortAgents = (agents: Agent[]): Agent[] => {
   });
 };
 
-export function useAggregatedAgents(fallbackAgents?: Map<string, Agent>): AggregatedAgentGroup[] {
+export function useAggregatedAgents(): AggregatedAgentGroup[] {
   const { connectionStates } = useDaemonConnections();
   const sessionDirectory = useSessionDirectory();
-  const fallback = fallbackAgents ?? EMPTY_AGENT_MAP;
 
   return useMemo(() => {
     const groups = new Map<string, { serverLabel: string; agents: Agent[] }>();
@@ -58,15 +55,6 @@ export function useAggregatedAgents(fallbackAgents?: Map<string, Agent>): Aggreg
       });
     }
 
-    if (groups.size === 0 && fallback.size > 0) {
-      const fallbackServerId = connectionStates.keys().next().value ?? "default";
-      const label = connectionStates.get(fallbackServerId)?.daemon.label ?? fallbackServerId;
-      const fallbackList = Array.from(fallback.values());
-      if (fallbackList.length > 0) {
-        groups.set(fallbackServerId, { serverLabel: label, agents: fallbackList });
-      }
-    }
-
     const aggregatedGroups = Array.from(groups.entries()).map(([serverId, { serverLabel, agents }]) => ({
       serverId,
       serverLabel,
@@ -89,5 +77,5 @@ export function useAggregatedAgents(fallbackAgents?: Map<string, Agent>): Aggreg
     });
 
     return aggregatedGroups;
-  }, [sessionDirectory, fallback, connectionStates]);
+  }, [sessionDirectory, connectionStates]);
 }

plan.md

@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ The multi-daemon infrastructure is in place: session directory with daemon-scope
   - Removed the legacy autoConnect state from daemon profiles and session hosts so every host hydrates automatically, refreshed the host-unavailable messaging/docs, and verified via `npm run typecheck --workspace=@paseo/app`.
 
 ### Review: No Silent Defaults
-- [ ] Review the changes to ensure we didn't just replace "active daemon" with "first host" (e.g., `hosts[0]}`. The goal is explicit user choice, not a hidden default.
+- [x] Review the changes to ensure we didn't just replace "active daemon" with "first host" (e.g., `hosts[0]}`). The goal is explicit user choice, not a hidden default.
+  - Create/import modal now requires explicit host selection (no first entry default) and `useAggregatedAgents` no longer fabricates a host id via `connectionStates.keys().next()`; verified with `npm run typecheck --workspace=@paseo/app`.
 
 ### 3. Simplify Settings Screen
 - [ ] Remove the standalone "Test Connection" form/URL input at the top of settings.
@@ -50,6 +51,12 @@ The multi-daemon infrastructure is in place: session directory with daemon-scope
 - [ ] A stopped/disconnected host is NOT an error—don't show error states on home screen just because a host is offline.
 - [ ] Only show errors when the user tries to interact with an agent whose host is stopped.
 - [ ] Update connection banners/indicators to show neutral "offline" state instead of error styling.
+- [ ] Make the Git Diff offline/unavailable state neutral and stop instructing users to "connect" manually.
+  - Context: `packages/app/src/app/git-diff.tsx:233-241` still renders the destructive error container and tells users "Connect this host or switch to another one to continue," violating the auto-connect guidance.
+- [ ] Update the File Explorer offline state to match the new philosophy (neutral messaging, no manual connect CTA).
+  - Context: `packages/app/src/app/file-explorer.tsx:690-698` presents the offline host as an error and asks users to "Connect this host and try again."
+- [ ] Audit the agent detail flows for the same issue (offline agent screen + delete sheet) and replace the "connect this host" requirement with passive/offline messaging.
+  - Context: `packages/app/src/app/agent/[serverId]/[agentId].tsx:651-660` and `packages/app/src/components/agent-list.tsx:149` continue to show destructive states directing users to manually connect before managing agents.
 
 ### 6. Agent Creation Flow
 - [ ] Remove reliance on "primary" or "active" daemon for agent creation.