diff --git a/src/Sovrant.Desktop/ViewModels/LoginViewModel.cs b/src/Sovrant.Desktop/ViewModels/LoginViewModel.cs
index 29f46200..4bf369e7 100644
--- a/src/Sovrant.Desktop/ViewModels/LoginViewModel.cs
+++ b/src/Sovrant.Desktop/ViewModels/LoginViewModel.cs
@@ -17,8 +17,18 @@ public partial class LoginViewModel : ObservableObject
     [ObservableProperty] private string _email = string.Empty;
     [ObservableProperty] private string _password = string.Empty;
     [ObservableProperty] private string _errorMessage = string.Empty;
+    [ObservableProperty] private string _infoMessage = string.Empty;
     [ObservableProperty] private bool _isBusy;
+    [ObservableProperty] private string _busyLabel = string.Empty;
     [ObservableProperty] private bool _isRegistrationOpen;
+    [ObservableProperty] private bool _isFirstRun;
+    [ObservableProperty] private bool _isApprovalRequired;
+
+    /// <summary>Registration section is only offered once an admin exists and registration is open.</summary>
+    public bool ShowRegistrationSection => !IsFirstRun && IsRegistrationOpen;
+
+    partial void OnIsFirstRunChanged(bool value) => OnPropertyChanged(nameof(ShowRegistrationSection));
+    partial void OnIsRegistrationOpenChanged(bool value) => OnPropertyChanged(nameof(ShowRegistrationSection));
 
     public event Action<string, string, string>? LoginSucceeded; // (userId, role, email)
 
@@ -31,20 +41,31 @@ public LoginViewModel(IIdentityService identity, ITokenService tokens, ICredenti
 
     public async Task InitializeAsync()
     {
+        IsFirstRun = await _identity.IsFirstRunAsync().ConfigureAwait(true);
         IsRegistrationOpen = await _identity.IsRegistrationOpenAsync().ConfigureAwait(true);
+        IsApprovalRequired = !IsFirstRun && IsRegistrationOpen
+            && await _identity.IsApprovalRequiredAsync().ConfigureAwait(true);
     }
 
-    [RelayCommand]
-    private async Task LoginAsync()
+    private bool ValidateInput()
     {
         ErrorMessage = string.Empty;
+        InfoMessage = string.Empty;
         if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Email) || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Password))
         {
             ErrorMessage = "Email and password are required.";
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    [RelayCommand]
+    private async Task LoginAsync()
+    {
+        if (!ValidateInput()) return;
 
         IsBusy = true;
+        BusyLabel = "Signing you in…";
         try
         {
             var result = await _identity.LoginAsync(Email, Password).ConfigureAwait(true);
@@ -66,14 +87,10 @@ private async Task LoginAsync()
     [RelayCommand]
     private async Task RegisterAsync()
     {
-        ErrorMessage = string.Empty;
-        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Email) || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Password))
-        {
-            ErrorMessage = "Email and password are required.";
-            return;
-        }
+        if (!ValidateInput()) return;
 
         IsBusy = true;
+        BusyLabel = IsFirstRun ? "Creating your administrator account…" : "Creating your account…";
         try
         {
             var result = await _identity.RegisterAsync(Email, Password).ConfigureAwait(true);
@@ -85,7 +102,7 @@ private async Task RegisterAsync()
 
             if (result.IsPendingApproval)
             {
-                ErrorMessage = "Account created. An administrator must approve it before you can sign in.";
+                InfoMessage = "Account created. An administrator must approve it before you can sign in.";
                 return;
             }
 
diff --git a/src/Sovrant.Desktop/Views/LoginWindow.axaml b/src/Sovrant.Desktop/Views/LoginWindow.axaml
index ba3577c8..f685060b 100644
--- a/src/Sovrant.Desktop/Views/LoginWindow.axaml
+++ b/src/Sovrant.Desktop/Views/LoginWindow.axaml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
         x:Class="Sovrant.Desktop.Views.LoginWindow"
         x:DataType="vm:LoginViewModel"
         Title="Sovrant — Sign in"
-        Width="420" Height="460"
+        Width="420" SizeToContent="Height"
         CanResize="False"
         WindowStartupLocation="CenterScreen">
 
@@ -17,7 +17,22 @@
       <TextBlock Text="Sign in to continue."
                  FontSize="12" Opacity="0.6"
                  HorizontalAlignment="Center"
-                 Margin="0,0,0,4"/>
+                 Margin="0,0,0,4"
+                 IsVisible="{Binding !IsFirstRun}"/>
+
+      <TextBlock Text="Welcome! Let's set up your server."
+                 FontSize="12" Opacity="0.6"
+                 HorizontalAlignment="Center"
+                 Margin="0,0,0,4"
+                 IsVisible="{Binding IsFirstRun}"/>
+
+      <!-- First-run explainer: the first account becomes the administrator -->
+      <Border IsVisible="{Binding IsFirstRun}"
+              BorderBrush="{DynamicResource SystemAccentColor}"
+              BorderThickness="1" CornerRadius="5" Padding="10,8">
+        <TextBlock TextWrapping="Wrap" FontSize="12"
+                   Text="First-time setup — no accounts exist yet. The first account you create becomes the administrator, with full control over registration, approvals, and server settings."/>
+      </Border>
 
       <!-- Email -->
       <StackPanel Spacing="6">
@@ -42,15 +57,31 @@
                  TextWrapping="Wrap"
                  IsVisible="{Binding ErrorMessage, Converter={x:Static StringConverters.IsNotNullOrEmpty}}"/>
 
+      <!-- Informational (non-error) message, e.g. pending admin approval -->
+      <TextBlock Text="{Binding InfoMessage}"
+                 Foreground="Green"
+                 TextWrapping="Wrap"
+                 IsVisible="{Binding InfoMessage, Converter={x:Static StringConverters.IsNotNullOrEmpty}}"/>
+
       <Button Content="Sign in"
               HorizontalAlignment="Stretch"
               HorizontalContentAlignment="Center"
               Command="{Binding LoginCommand}"
               IsEnabled="{Binding !IsBusy}"
+              IsVisible="{Binding !IsFirstRun}"
+              Padding="0,10"/>
+
+      <!-- First run: the only action that makes sense is creating the admin account -->
+      <Button Content="Create administrator account"
+              HorizontalAlignment="Stretch"
+              HorizontalContentAlignment="Center"
+              Command="{Binding RegisterCommand}"
+              IsEnabled="{Binding !IsBusy}"
+              IsVisible="{Binding IsFirstRun}"
               Padding="0,10"/>
 
-      <!-- Registration option shown only when open -->
-      <StackPanel Spacing="6" IsVisible="{Binding IsRegistrationOpen}">
+      <!-- Registration option shown only when open (and not first run) -->
+      <StackPanel Spacing="6" IsVisible="{Binding ShowRegistrationSection}">
         <Separator/>
         <TextBlock Text="Don't have an account?"
                    HorizontalAlignment="Center" Opacity="0.55" FontSize="12"/>
@@ -60,9 +91,16 @@
                 Command="{Binding RegisterCommand}"
                 IsEnabled="{Binding !IsBusy}"
                 Padding="0,8"/>
+        <TextBlock Text="New accounts require administrator approval before first sign-in."
+                   HorizontalAlignment="Center" Opacity="0.55" FontSize="11"
+                   TextWrapping="Wrap"
+                   IsVisible="{Binding IsApprovalRequired}"/>
       </StackPanel>
 
       <!-- Busy indicator -->
+      <TextBlock Text="{Binding BusyLabel}"
+                 HorizontalAlignment="Center" Opacity="0.7" FontSize="12"
+                 IsVisible="{Binding IsBusy}"/>
       <ProgressBar IsIndeterminate="True"
                    IsVisible="{Binding IsBusy}"
                    Height="3"/>
diff --git a/src/Sovrant.Web/Components/Pages/Login.razor b/src/Sovrant.Web/Components/Pages/Login.razor
index 63987602..7f491e4d 100644
--- a/src/Sovrant.Web/Components/Pages/Login.razor
+++ b/src/Sovrant.Web/Components/Pages/Login.razor
@@ -13,13 +13,30 @@
 <div class="login-card">
     <div class="login-title">Sovrant</div>
 
-    <div class="login-sub" style="margin-bottom:8px">Sign in to continue.</div>
+    @if (_firstRun)
+    {
+        <div class="login-sub" style="margin-bottom:8px">Welcome! Let's set up your server.</div>
+        <div class="login-info">
+            <strong>First-time setup</strong> — no accounts exist yet. The first account you create
+            becomes the <strong>administrator</strong>, with full control over registration,
+            approvals, and server settings.
+        </div>
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        <div class="login-sub" style="margin-bottom:8px">Sign in to continue.</div>
+    }
 
     @if (_errorMessage is not null)
     {
         <div class="login-error">@_errorMessage</div>
     }
 
+    @if (_infoMessage is not null)
+    {
+        <div class="login-success">@_infoMessage</div>
+    }
+
     <div class="login-field">
         <label class="login-label">Email</label>
         <input class="login-input"
@@ -41,21 +58,38 @@
                @onkeydown="OnKeyDown" />
     </div>
 
-    <button class="login-btn" @onclick="LoginAsync" disabled="@_busy">
-        @(_busy ? "Signing in…" : "Sign in")
-    </button>
-
-    @if (_registrationOpen)
+    @if (_firstRun)
+    {
+        <button class="login-btn" @onclick="RegisterAsync" disabled="@_busy">
+            Create administrator account
+        </button>
+    }
+    else
     {
-        <div class="login-divider"></div>
-        <div class="login-sub">Don't have an account?</div>
-        <button class="login-btn login-btn-secondary" @onclick="RegisterAsync" disabled="@_busy">
-            @(_busy ? "Creating account…" : "Create account")
+        <button class="login-btn" @onclick="LoginAsync" disabled="@_busy">
+            Sign in
         </button>
+
+        @if (_registrationOpen)
+        {
+            <div class="login-divider"></div>
+            <div class="login-sub">Don't have an account?</div>
+            <button class="login-btn login-btn-secondary" @onclick="RegisterAsync" disabled="@_busy">
+                Create account
+            </button>
+            @if (_approvalRequired)
+            {
+                <div class="login-note">New accounts require administrator approval before first sign-in.</div>
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     @if (_busy)
     {
+        <div class="login-status" role="status" aria-live="polite">
+            <span class="login-spinner" aria-hidden="true"></span>
+            <span>@_busyLabel</span>
+        </div>
         <div class="login-progress"></div>
     }
 </div>
@@ -66,8 +100,12 @@
     private string _email = string.Empty;
     private string _password = string.Empty;
     private string? _errorMessage;
+    private string? _infoMessage;
     private bool _busy;
+    private string _busyLabel = string.Empty;
     private bool _registrationOpen;
+    private bool _firstRun;
+    private bool _approvalRequired;
 
     protected override async Task OnInitializedAsync()
     {
@@ -76,23 +114,37 @@
             Nav.NavigateTo("/", forceLoad: true);
             return;
         }
+        _firstRun = await IdentityService.IsFirstRunAsync().ConfigureAwait(false);
         _registrationOpen = await IdentityService.IsRegistrationOpenAsync().ConfigureAwait(false);
+        _approvalRequired = !_firstRun && _registrationOpen
+            && await IdentityService.IsApprovalRequiredAsync().ConfigureAwait(false);
     }
 
     private async Task OnKeyDown(KeyboardEventArgs e)
     {
-        if (e.Key == "Enter") await LoginAsync();
+        if (e.Key != "Enter") return;
+        // On first run there is nobody to sign in as yet — Enter creates the admin account.
+        if (_firstRun) await RegisterAsync();
+        else await LoginAsync();
     }
 
-    private async Task LoginAsync()
+    private bool ValidateInput()
     {
         _errorMessage = null;
+        _infoMessage = null;
         if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_email) || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_password))
         {
             _errorMessage = "Email and password are required.";
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private async Task LoginAsync()
+    {
+        if (!ValidateInput()) return;
         _busy = true;
+        _busyLabel = "Signing you in…";
         try
         {
             var result = await IdentityService.LoginAsync(_email, _password).ConfigureAwait(false);
@@ -120,13 +172,9 @@
 
     private async Task RegisterAsync()
     {
-        _errorMessage = null;
-        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_email) || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_password))
-        {
-            _errorMessage = "Email and password are required.";
-            return;
-        }
+        if (!ValidateInput()) return;
         _busy = true;
+        _busyLabel = _firstRun ? "Creating your administrator account…" : "Creating your account…";
         try
         {
             var result = await IdentityService.RegisterAsync(_email, _password).ConfigureAwait(false);
@@ -137,7 +185,7 @@
             }
             if (result.IsPendingApproval)
             {
-                _errorMessage = "Account created. An administrator must approve it before you can sign in.";
+                _infoMessage = "Account created. An administrator must approve it before you can sign in.";
                 return;
             }
             await CredentialStore.StoreAsync(StoredTokenKey, result.Token!).ConfigureAwait(false);
diff --git a/src/Sovrant.Web/wwwroot/css/sovrant.css b/src/Sovrant.Web/wwwroot/css/sovrant.css
index 829c2b41..d255052f 100644
--- a/src/Sovrant.Web/wwwroot/css/sovrant.css
+++ b/src/Sovrant.Web/wwwroot/css/sovrant.css
@@ -3450,6 +3450,12 @@ details[open] .doc-advanced-toggle::before { content: "▼ "; }
 .login-sub { font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-secondary); text-align: center; }
 .login-progress { height: 3px; background: var(--brand-primary); border-radius: 2px; animation: login-pulse 1s ease-in-out infinite; }
 @keyframes login-pulse { 0%, 100% { opacity: 0.4; } 50% { opacity: 1; } }
+.login-info { font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--text-primary); background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--brand-primary) 10%, transparent); border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--brand-primary) 35%, transparent); padding: 10px 12px; border-radius: 5px; }
+.login-success { font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--status-pass); background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--status-pass) 10%, transparent); border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--status-pass) 30%, transparent); padding: 8px 10px; border-radius: 5px; }
+.login-note { font-size: 12px; color: var(--text-secondary); text-align: center; }
+.login-status { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 8px; font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-secondary); }
+.login-spinner { width: 14px; height: 14px; flex: none; border: 2px solid var(--surface-border); border-top-color: var(--brand-primary); border-radius: 50%; animation: login-spin 0.8s linear infinite; }
+@keyframes login-spin { to { transform: rotate(360deg); } }
 
 /* ===== Admin workspace configure panel ===== */
 .admin-config-panel { margin-top: 16px; padding: 16px; background: var(--surface-card); border: 1px solid var(--brand-primary); border-radius: 10px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 12px; }