diff --git a/src/app.cpp b/src/app.cpp
index 3634538..043c1dc 100644
--- a/src/app.cpp
+++ b/src/app.cpp
@@ -1394,7 +1394,10 @@ void App::render()
     if (show_about_) {
         ui::RenderAboutDialog(this, &show_about_);
     }
-    
+
+    // Lite first-run welcome: prompt to create/restore when no wallet file exists yet.
+    renderLiteFirstRunPrompt();
+
     if (show_import_key_) {
         renderImportKeyDialog();
     }
@@ -1785,6 +1788,61 @@ void App::reloadThemeImages(const std::string& bgPath, const std::string& logoPa
     coin_logo_h_ = 0;
 }
 
+void App::renderLiteFirstRunPrompt()
+{
+    // Lite-only: a brief welcome shown when no wallet file exists yet (full-node uses the wizard,
+    // which is skipped in lite). Routes to the existing create/restore + Backup flows in Settings.
+    if (!lite_wallet_ || lite_firstrun_dismissed_) return;
+    if (lite_wallet_->walletOpen() || lite_wallet_->walletExists()) return;
+
+    if (!ImGui::IsPopupOpen("##LiteFirstRun")) ImGui::OpenPopup("##LiteFirstRun");
+
+    ImGuiViewport* vp = ImGui::GetMainViewport();
+    ImGui::SetNextWindowPos(ImVec2(vp->Pos.x + vp->Size.x * 0.5f, vp->Pos.y + vp->Size.y * 0.5f),
+                            ImGuiCond_Appearing, ImVec2(0.5f, 0.5f));
+    if (ImGui::BeginPopupModal("##LiteFirstRun", nullptr,
+                               ImGuiWindowFlags_AlwaysAutoResize | ImGuiWindowFlags_NoTitleBar)) {
+        ImGui::PushFont(ui::material::Type().subtitle1());
+        ImGui::TextUnformatted(TR("lite_welcome_title"));
+        ImGui::PopFont();
+        ImGui::Spacing();
+        ImGui::PushTextWrapPos(ImGui::GetCursorPosX() + 360.0f);
+        ImGui::TextUnformatted(TR("lite_welcome_msg"));
+        ImGui::PopTextWrapPos();
+        ImGui::Spacing();
+        ImGui::Spacing();
+
+        const float btnW = 170.0f;
+        if (ImGui::Button(TR("lite_welcome_create"), ImVec2(btnW, 0))) {
+            // One-click create (unencrypted by default); the user backs up the seed next via the
+            // Settings → Backup & keys flow, where the seed can be revealed and copied.
+            const auto result = lite_wallet_->createWallet(wallet::LiteWalletCreateRequest{});
+            if (result.walletReady) {
+                ui::Notifications::instance().success(TR("lite_welcome_created"), 8.0f);
+                setCurrentPage(ui::NavPage::Settings);
+            } else {
+                ui::Notifications::instance().warning(TR("lite_welcome_create_failed"));
+            }
+            lite_firstrun_dismissed_ = true;
+            ImGui::CloseCurrentPopup();
+        }
+        ImGui::SameLine();
+        if (ImGui::Button(TR("lite_welcome_restore"), ImVec2(btnW, 0))) {
+            ui::Notifications::instance().info(TR("lite_welcome_restore_hint"), 8.0f);
+            setCurrentPage(ui::NavPage::Settings);
+            lite_firstrun_dismissed_ = true;
+            ImGui::CloseCurrentPopup();
+        }
+        ImGui::Spacing();
+        if (ImGui::Button(TR("lite_welcome_later"),
+                          ImVec2(btnW * 2 + ImGui::GetStyle().ItemSpacing.x, 0))) {
+            lite_firstrun_dismissed_ = true;
+            ImGui::CloseCurrentPopup();
+        }
+        ImGui::EndPopup();
+    }
+}
+
 void App::renderAboutDialog()
 {
     auto dlg = ui::schema::UI().drawElement("inline-dialogs", "about");
diff --git a/src/app.h b/src/app.h
index 45af2dd..acf68e9 100644
--- a/src/app.h
+++ b/src/app.h
@@ -425,6 +425,8 @@ private:
     // One-shot guard: auto-open an existing lite wallet on the first update() tick (kept off
     // init() so a slow initialize_existing network call doesn't freeze startup before the window).
     bool lite_autoopen_done_ = false;
+    // Lite first-run welcome prompt: dismissed for the session once the user picks an action.
+    bool lite_firstrun_dismissed_ = false;
     std::unique_ptr<daemon::DaemonController> daemon_controller_;
     std::unique_ptr<daemon::XmrigManager> xmrig_manager_;
     util::AsyncTaskManager async_tasks_;
@@ -648,6 +650,7 @@ private:
     // Private methods - rendering
     void renderStatusBar();
     void renderAboutDialog();
+    void renderLiteFirstRunPrompt();  // lite-only welcome modal when no wallet exists yet
     void renderImportKeyDialog();
     void renderExportKeyDialog();
     void renderBackupDialog();
diff --git a/src/util/i18n.cpp b/src/util/i18n.cpp
index b9b3862..eab4601 100644
--- a/src/util/i18n.cpp
+++ b/src/util/i18n.cpp
@@ -579,6 +579,15 @@ void I18n::loadBuiltinEnglish()
         // strings when no wallet is open (isConnected() tracks the lite wallet in lite builds).
         strings_["lite_no_wallet"] = "No wallet open — create or open one in Settings";
         strings_["lite_no_wallet_short"] = "No wallet open";
+        // Lite first-run welcome prompt (shown when no wallet file exists yet).
+        strings_["lite_welcome_title"] = "Welcome to ObsidianDragon Lite";
+        strings_["lite_welcome_msg"] = "You don't have a wallet yet. Create a new one or restore from a recovery phrase.";
+        strings_["lite_welcome_create"] = "Create new wallet";
+        strings_["lite_welcome_restore"] = "Restore from seed";
+        strings_["lite_welcome_later"] = "Later";
+        strings_["lite_welcome_created"] = "Wallet created — back up your recovery phrase now in Settings → Backup & keys";
+        strings_["lite_welcome_restore_hint"] = "Restore your wallet under Settings → Lite wallet request";
+        strings_["lite_welcome_create_failed"] = "Could not create wallet";
 
         // Send Tab
         strings_["pay_from"] = "Pay From";