style: cargo fmt --all

Search now works out of the box on any vault without manual qmd
installation. On vault open, the app checks the index status and
auto-triggers background indexing (qmd update + embed) when needed.
If qmd is not installed, it auto-installs via bun.

Changes:
- New indexing.rs module: find_qmd_binary (cached), check_index_status,
  ensure_collection, run_full_index with progress callbacks,
  run_incremental_update, auto_install_qmd
- search.rs: delegates to indexing::find_qmd_binary (removes duplication)
- lib.rs: new Tauri commands (get_index_status, start_indexing,
  trigger_incremental_index)
- useIndexing hook: auto-triggers on vault open, listens for
  indexing-progress events, auto-dismisses complete state after 5s
- StatusBar: IndexingBadge shows phase + progress counts with spinner
- App.tsx: wires up useIndexing, triggers incremental index on file save
- design/search-bundle-qmd.pen: documents indexing progress UI states

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

design/search-bundle-qmd.pen

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"children":[{"id":"status-bar-indexing","type":"frame","name":"StatusBar - Indexing Progress States","layout":"vertical","x":0,"y":0,"width":1400,"height":400,"gap":24,"padding":24,"fill":"#F7F6F3","children":[{"id":"title","type":"text","content":"StatusBar Indexing Progress - search-bundle-qmd","fontSize":20,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#37352F"},{"id":"desc","type":"text","content":"The indexing badge appears in the StatusBar left section, after the pending changes badge. It shows the current indexing phase with a spinner icon (Loader2) during active phases and a Search icon when complete.","fontSize":14,"fill":"#9B9A97","width":900},{"id":"states","type":"frame","name":"States","layout":"vertical","gap":16,"width":1350,"children":[{"id":"state-idle","type":"frame","layout":"horizontal","gap":8,"alignItems":"center","children":[{"id":"label-idle","type":"text","content":"idle:","fontSize":12,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#9B9A97","width":100},{"id":"val-idle","type":"text","content":"(hidden - no badge shown)","fontSize":12,"fill":"#9B9A97"}]},{"id":"state-installing","type":"frame","layout":"horizontal","gap":8,"alignItems":"center","children":[{"id":"label-install","type":"text","content":"installing:","fontSize":12,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#3b82f6","width":100},{"id":"val-install","type":"text","content":"| [spinner] Installing search\u2026","fontSize":12,"fill":"#3b82f6"}]},{"id":"state-scanning","type":"frame","layout":"horizontal","gap":8,"alignItems":"center","children":[{"id":"label-scan","type":"text","content":"scanning:","fontSize":12,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#3b82f6","width":100},{"id":"val-scan","type":"text","content":"| [spinner] Indexing\u2026 342/1,057","fontSize":12,"fill":"#3b82f6"}]},{"id":"state-embedding","type":"frame","layout":"horizontal","gap":8,"alignItems":"center","children":[{"id":"label-embed","type":"text","content":"embedding:","fontSize":12,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#3b82f6","width":100},{"id":"val-embed","type":"text","content":"| [spinner] Embedding\u2026 50/200","fontSize":12,"fill":"#3b82f6"}]},{"id":"state-complete","type":"frame","layout":"horizontal","gap":8,"alignItems":"center","children":[{"id":"label-done","type":"text","content":"complete:","fontSize":12,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#22c55e","width":100},{"id":"val-done","type":"text","content":"| [search icon] Index ready  (auto-dismisses after 5s)","fontSize":12,"fill":"#22c55e"}]},{"id":"state-error","type":"frame","layout":"horizontal","gap":8,"alignItems":"center","children":[{"id":"label-err","type":"text","content":"error:","fontSize":12,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#f97316","width":100},{"id":"val-err","type":"text","content":"| [search icon] Index error  (orange accent)","fontSize":12,"fill":"#f97316"}]}]},{"id":"flow","type":"frame","name":"Flow","layout":"vertical","gap":8,"width":1350,"children":[{"id":"flow-title","type":"text","content":"Auto-indexing Flow","fontSize":16,"fontWeight":"600","fill":"#37352F"},{"id":"flow-desc","type":"text","content":"1. Vault opens \u2192 useIndexing checks index status via get_index_status\n2. If qmd missing or collection missing or pending embeds \u2192 triggers start_indexing\n3. Rust emits indexing-progress events (installing \u2192 scanning \u2192 embedding \u2192 complete)\n4. StatusBar shows IndexingBadge with spinner + phase label + progress counts\n5. On file save \u2192 trigger_incremental_index runs qmd update in background\n6. Complete phase auto-dismisses after 5 seconds","fontSize":13,"fill":"#37352F","width":900}]}]}],"variables":{}}

design/vault-management-remove.pen

@@ -0,0 +1,281 @@
+{
+  "children": [
+    {
+      "type": "frame",
+      "id": "vault_menu_remove",
+      "name": "Vault Menu — Remove from List",
+      "x": 0,
+      "y": 0,
+      "width": 380,
+      "height": 320,
+      "fill": "#F7F6F3",
+      "layout": "vertical",
+      "gap": 16,
+      "padding": [24, 24, 24, 24],
+      "theme": { "Mode": "Light" },
+      "children": [
+        {
+          "type": "text",
+          "id": "vault_menu_title",
+          "content": "Vault Menu — Remove Action",
+          "fill": "#37352F",
+          "fontFamily": "Inter",
+          "fontSize": 14,
+          "fontWeight": "600"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "frame",
+          "id": "vault_menu_dropdown",
+          "name": "Vault Dropdown",
+          "width": "fill_container",
+          "height": "fit_content",
+          "fill": "#FFFFFF",
+          "cornerRadius": [6, 6, 6, 6],
+          "stroke": "#E9E9E7",
+          "strokeThickness": 1,
+          "layout": "vertical",
+          "padding": [4, 4, 4, 4],
+          "gap": 0,
+          "children": [
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "vault_item_active",
+              "name": "Active Vault Item",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 32,
+              "fill": "#EBEBEA",
+              "cornerRadius": [4, 4, 4, 4],
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "justifyContent": "space-between",
+              "padding": [4, 8, 4, 8],
+              "children": [
+                {
+                  "type": "frame",
+                  "id": "vault_item_active_left",
+                  "layout": "horizontal",
+                  "alignItems": "center",
+                  "gap": 6,
+                  "children": [
+                    { "type": "text", "id": "vault_check", "content": "✓", "fill": "#37352F", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 },
+                    { "type": "text", "id": "vault_label_active", "content": "My Vault", "fill": "#37352F", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 }
+                  ]
+                },
+                {
+                  "type": "frame",
+                  "id": "remove_btn_active",
+                  "name": "Remove Button",
+                  "width": 18,
+                  "height": 18,
+                  "cornerRadius": [3, 3, 3, 3],
+                  "layout": "vertical",
+                  "alignItems": "center",
+                  "justifyContent": "center",
+                  "children": [
+                    { "type": "text", "id": "x_icon_active", "content": "×", "fill": "#787774", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 }
+                  ]
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "vault_item_other",
+              "name": "Other Vault Item",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 32,
+              "cornerRadius": [4, 4, 4, 4],
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "justifyContent": "space-between",
+              "padding": [4, 8, 4, 8],
+              "children": [
+                {
+                  "type": "frame",
+                  "id": "vault_item_other_left",
+                  "layout": "horizontal",
+                  "alignItems": "center",
+                  "gap": 6,
+                  "children": [
+                    { "type": "text", "id": "vault_spacer", "content": " ", "fill": "transparent", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 },
+                    { "type": "text", "id": "vault_label_other", "content": "Work Vault", "fill": "#787774", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 }
+                  ]
+                },
+                {
+                  "type": "frame",
+                  "id": "remove_btn_other",
+                  "name": "Remove Button",
+                  "width": 18,
+                  "height": 18,
+                  "cornerRadius": [3, 3, 3, 3],
+                  "layout": "vertical",
+                  "alignItems": "center",
+                  "justifyContent": "center",
+                  "children": [
+                    { "type": "text", "id": "x_icon_other", "content": "×", "fill": "#787774", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 }
+                  ]
+                }
+              ]
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "vault_separator",
+              "name": "Separator",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 1,
+              "fill": "#E9E9E7"
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "vault_open_folder",
+              "name": "Open Local Folder",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 32,
+              "cornerRadius": [4, 4, 4, 4],
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "gap": 6,
+              "padding": [4, 8, 4, 8],
+              "children": [
+                { "type": "text", "id": "folder_icon", "content": "📁", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 },
+                { "type": "text", "id": "open_folder_label", "content": "Open local folder", "fill": "#787774", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 12 }
+              ]
+            }
+          ]
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "text",
+          "id": "vault_menu_note",
+          "content": "× button removes vault from list without deleting files.\nAvailable when 2+ vaults in list.",
+          "fill": "#787774",
+          "fontFamily": "Inter",
+          "fontSize": 11,
+          "width": "fill_container"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "frame",
+      "id": "cmd_k_vault_commands",
+      "name": "Cmd+K — Vault Commands",
+      "x": 420,
+      "y": 0,
+      "width": 520,
+      "height": 320,
+      "fill": "#F7F6F3",
+      "layout": "vertical",
+      "gap": 16,
+      "padding": [24, 24, 24, 24],
+      "theme": { "Mode": "Light" },
+      "children": [
+        {
+          "type": "text",
+          "id": "cmdk_title",
+          "content": "Command Palette — Vault Commands",
+          "fill": "#37352F",
+          "fontFamily": "Inter",
+          "fontSize": 14,
+          "fontWeight": "600"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "frame",
+          "id": "cmdk_palette",
+          "name": "Command Palette",
+          "width": "fill_container",
+          "height": "fit_content",
+          "fill": "#FFFFFF",
+          "cornerRadius": [8, 8, 8, 8],
+          "stroke": "#E9E9E7",
+          "strokeThickness": 1,
+          "layout": "vertical",
+          "padding": [0, 0, 0, 0],
+          "gap": 0,
+          "children": [
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "cmdk_search",
+              "name": "Search Input",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 44,
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "padding": [0, 16, 0, 16],
+              "children": [
+                { "type": "text", "id": "cmdk_search_text", "content": "vault", "fill": "#37352F", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 14 }
+              ]
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "cmdk_separator",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 1,
+              "fill": "#E9E9E7"
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "cmdk_group_header",
+              "name": "Settings Group",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 28,
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "padding": [0, 12, 0, 12],
+              "children": [
+                { "type": "text", "id": "group_label", "content": "Settings", "fill": "#B4B4B4", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 11, "fontWeight": "500" }
+              ]
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "cmdk_open_vault",
+              "name": "Open Vault Command",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 36,
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "padding": [0, 12, 0, 12],
+              "children": [
+                { "type": "text", "id": "cmd_open_vault", "content": "Open Vault…", "fill": "#37352F", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 13 }
+              ]
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "cmdk_remove_vault",
+              "name": "Remove Vault Command (highlighted)",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 36,
+              "fill": "#E8F4FE",
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "padding": [0, 12, 0, 12],
+              "children": [
+                { "type": "text", "id": "cmd_remove_vault", "content": "Remove Vault from List", "fill": "#37352F", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 13 }
+              ]
+            },
+            {
+              "type": "frame",
+              "id": "cmdk_restore_gs",
+              "name": "Restore Getting Started Command",
+              "width": "fill_container",
+              "height": 36,
+              "layout": "horizontal",
+              "alignItems": "center",
+              "padding": [0, 12, 0, 12],
+              "children": [
+                { "type": "text", "id": "cmd_restore_gs", "content": "Restore Getting Started Vault", "fill": "#37352F", "fontFamily": "Inter", "fontSize": 13 }
+              ]
+            }
+          ]
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "text",
+          "id": "cmdk_note",
+          "content": "• 'Remove Vault from List' removes active vault (disabled if only 1 vault)\n• 'Restore Getting Started Vault' shown when GS vault is hidden\n• Both accessible via Cmd+K search with 'vault' keyword",
+          "fill": "#787774",
+          "fontFamily": "Inter",
+          "fontSize": 11,
+          "width": "fill_container"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  ],
+  "variables": {}
+}

src-tauri/src/indexing.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,486 @@
+use serde::Serialize;
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::process::Command;
+use std::sync::Mutex;
+
+static QMD_PATH_CACHE: Mutex<Option<String>> = Mutex::new(None);
+
+/// Locate the qmd binary, checking known locations and PATH.
+/// Caches the result for subsequent calls.
+pub fn find_qmd_binary() -> Option<String> {
+    if let Ok(guard) = QMD_PATH_CACHE.lock() {
+        if let Some(ref cached) = *guard {
+            return Some(cached.clone());
+        }
+    }
+
+    let result = find_qmd_binary_uncached();
+
+    if let Some(ref path) = result {
+        if let Ok(mut guard) = QMD_PATH_CACHE.lock() {
+            *guard = Some(path.clone());
+        }
+    }
+
+    result
+}
+
+fn find_qmd_binary_uncached() -> Option<String> {
+    let candidates = [
+        dirs::home_dir().map(|h| h.join(".bun/bin/qmd").to_string_lossy().to_string()),
+        Some("/usr/local/bin/qmd".to_string()),
+        Some("/opt/homebrew/bin/qmd".to_string()),
+    ];
+    for candidate in candidates.into_iter().flatten() {
+        if Path::new(&candidate).exists() {
+            return Some(candidate);
+        }
+    }
+    // Fallback: try PATH
+    Command::new("which")
+        .arg("qmd")
+        .output()
+        .ok()
+        .and_then(|o| {
+            if o.status.success() {
+                Some(String::from_utf8_lossy(&o.stdout).trim().to_string())
+            } else {
+                None
+            }
+        })
+}
+
+/// Clear the cached qmd path (e.g. after auto-install).
+pub fn clear_qmd_cache() {
+    if let Ok(mut guard) = QMD_PATH_CACHE.lock() {
+        *guard = None;
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Clone)]
+pub struct IndexStatus {
+    pub available: bool,
+    pub qmd_installed: bool,
+    pub collection_exists: bool,
+    pub indexed_count: usize,
+    pub embedded_count: usize,
+    pub pending_embed: usize,
+}
+
+/// Check whether the vault has a qmd index and its status.
+pub fn check_index_status(vault_path: &str) -> IndexStatus {
+    let qmd_bin = match find_qmd_binary() {
+        Some(b) => b,
+        None => {
+            return IndexStatus {
+                available: false,
+                qmd_installed: false,
+                collection_exists: false,
+                indexed_count: 0,
+                embedded_count: 0,
+                pending_embed: 0,
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    let vault_name = vault_dir_name(vault_path);
+    let output = Command::new(&qmd_bin).args(["status"]).output();
+
+    match output {
+        Ok(o) if o.status.success() => {
+            let stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&o.stdout);
+            parse_status_for_vault(&stdout, &vault_name)
+        }
+        _ => IndexStatus {
+            available: false,
+            qmd_installed: true,
+            collection_exists: false,
+            indexed_count: 0,
+            embedded_count: 0,
+            pending_embed: 0,
+        },
+    }
+}
+
+fn vault_dir_name(vault_path: &str) -> String {
+    Path::new(vault_path)
+        .file_name()
+        .and_then(|n| n.to_str())
+        .unwrap_or("laputa")
+        .to_lowercase()
+}
+
+fn parse_status_for_vault(status_output: &str, vault_name: &str) -> IndexStatus {
+    let mut collection_exists = false;
+    let mut indexed_count = 0;
+    let mut embedded_count = 0;
+    let mut pending_embed = 0;
+
+    // Look for collection section matching vault name
+    let mut in_vault_section = false;
+    for line in status_output.lines() {
+        let trimmed = line.trim();
+        // Collection headers look like: "  laputa (qmd://laputa/)"
+        if trimmed.contains(&format!("qmd://{vault_name}/")) {
+            collection_exists = true;
+            in_vault_section = true;
+            continue;
+        }
+        // New collection section starts
+        if trimmed.contains("qmd://") && !trimmed.contains(vault_name) {
+            in_vault_section = false;
+            continue;
+        }
+        if in_vault_section {
+            if let Some(count_str) = extract_count_from_line(trimmed, "Files:") {
+                indexed_count = count_str;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Global counts from the Documents section
+    for line in status_output.lines() {
+        let trimmed = line.trim();
+        if trimmed.starts_with("Total:") {
+            if let Some(n) = extract_first_number(trimmed) {
+                if embedded_count == 0 && indexed_count == 0 {
+                    indexed_count = n;
+                }
+            }
+        } else if trimmed.starts_with("Vectors:") {
+            if let Some(n) = extract_first_number(trimmed) {
+                embedded_count = n;
+            }
+        } else if trimmed.starts_with("Pending:") {
+            if let Some(n) = extract_first_number(trimmed) {
+                pending_embed = n;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    IndexStatus {
+        available: true,
+        qmd_installed: true,
+        collection_exists,
+        indexed_count,
+        embedded_count,
+        pending_embed,
+    }
+}
+
+fn extract_count_from_line(line: &str, prefix: &str) -> Option<usize> {
+    if !line.starts_with(prefix) {
+        return None;
+    }
+    extract_first_number(line)
+}
+
+fn extract_first_number(s: &str) -> Option<usize> {
+    s.split_whitespace()
+        .find_map(|word| word.parse::<usize>().ok())
+}
+
+/// Ensure a qmd collection exists for this vault. Creates one if missing.
+pub fn ensure_collection(vault_path: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let qmd_bin = find_qmd_binary().ok_or("qmd not installed")?;
+    let vault_name = vault_dir_name(vault_path);
+
+    // Check if collection already exists
+    let output = Command::new(&qmd_bin)
+        .args(["collection", "list"])
+        .output()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to list collections: {e}"))?;
+
+    if output.status.success() {
+        let stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout);
+        if stdout.contains(&format!("qmd://{vault_name}/")) {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Create collection
+    Command::new(&qmd_bin)
+        .args([
+            "collection",
+            "add",
+            vault_path,
+            "--name",
+            &vault_name,
+            "--mask",
+            "**/*.md",
+        ])
+        .output()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to create collection: {e}"))?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Clone)]
+pub struct IndexingProgress {
+    pub phase: String,
+    pub current: usize,
+    pub total: usize,
+    pub done: bool,
+    pub error: Option<String>,
+}
+
+/// Run full indexing: update + embed. Returns progress updates via callback.
+pub fn run_full_index<F>(vault_path: &str, on_progress: F) -> Result<(), String>
+where
+    F: Fn(IndexingProgress),
+{
+    let qmd_bin = find_qmd_binary().ok_or("qmd not installed")?;
+
+    ensure_collection(vault_path)?;
+
+    // Phase 1: update (scan files)
+    on_progress(IndexingProgress {
+        phase: "scanning".to_string(),
+        current: 0,
+        total: 0,
+        done: false,
+        error: None,
+    });
+
+    let update_output = Command::new(&qmd_bin)
+        .args(["update"])
+        .output()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("qmd update failed: {e}"))?;
+
+    if !update_output.status.success() {
+        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&update_output.stderr);
+        let err = format!("qmd update failed: {stderr}");
+        on_progress(IndexingProgress {
+            phase: "error".to_string(),
+            current: 0,
+            total: 0,
+            done: true,
+            error: Some(err.clone()),
+        });
+        return Err(err);
+    }
+
+    // Parse update output for counts
+    let update_stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&update_output.stdout);
+    let total = parse_indexed_count(&update_stdout);
+
+    on_progress(IndexingProgress {
+        phase: "scanning".to_string(),
+        current: total,
+        total,
+        done: false,
+        error: None,
+    });
+
+    // Phase 2: embed (generate vectors)
+    on_progress(IndexingProgress {
+        phase: "embedding".to_string(),
+        current: 0,
+        total,
+        done: false,
+        error: None,
+    });
+
+    let embed_output = Command::new(&qmd_bin)
+        .args(["embed"])
+        .output()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("qmd embed failed: {e}"))?;
+
+    if !embed_output.status.success() {
+        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&embed_output.stderr);
+        // Embedding failure is non-fatal — keyword search still works
+        log::warn!("qmd embed failed (keyword search still works): {stderr}");
+        on_progress(IndexingProgress {
+            phase: "complete".to_string(),
+            current: total,
+            total,
+            done: true,
+            error: Some("Embedding failed — keyword search only".to_string()),
+        });
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    on_progress(IndexingProgress {
+        phase: "complete".to_string(),
+        current: total,
+        total,
+        done: true,
+        error: None,
+    });
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn parse_indexed_count(update_output: &str) -> usize {
+    // qmd update output typically contains lines like "Indexed 9078 files"
+    for line in update_output.lines() {
+        if let Some(n) = extract_first_number(line) {
+            return n;
+        }
+    }
+    0
+}
+
+/// Run incremental update for a single file change.
+pub fn run_incremental_update(vault_path: &str) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let qmd_bin = find_qmd_binary().ok_or("qmd not installed")?;
+
+    // Verify collection exists
+    let vault_name = vault_dir_name(vault_path);
+    let list_output = Command::new(&qmd_bin)
+        .args(["collection", "list"])
+        .output()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to list collections: {e}"))?;
+
+    if list_output.status.success() {
+        let stdout = String::from_utf8_lossy(&list_output.stdout);
+        if !stdout.contains(&format!("qmd://{vault_name}/")) {
+            // Collection doesn't exist yet — skip incremental, full index needed
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+    }
+
+    let output = Command::new(&qmd_bin)
+        .args(["update"])
+        .output()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("qmd incremental update failed: {e}"))?;
+
+    if !output.status.success() {
+        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr);
+        return Err(format!("qmd update failed: {stderr}"));
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Attempt to auto-install qmd via bun. Returns Ok if successful.
+pub fn auto_install_qmd() -> Result<String, String> {
+    // Find bun
+    let bun = find_bun().ok_or("bun not installed — cannot auto-install qmd")?;
+
+    let output = Command::new(&bun)
+        .args(["install", "-g", "qmd"])
+        .output()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to install qmd: {e}"))?;
+
+    if !output.status.success() {
+        let stderr = String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stderr);
+        return Err(format!("qmd installation failed: {stderr}"));
+    }
+
+    // Clear cache so find_qmd_binary() re-discovers
+    clear_qmd_cache();
+
+    match find_qmd_binary() {
+        Some(path) => Ok(path),
+        None => Err("qmd installed but binary not found".to_string()),
+    }
+}
+
+fn find_bun() -> Option<String> {
+    let candidates = [
+        dirs::home_dir().map(|h| h.join(".bun/bin/bun").to_string_lossy().to_string()),
+        Some("/opt/homebrew/bin/bun".to_string()),
+        Some("/usr/local/bin/bun".to_string()),
+    ];
+    for candidate in candidates.into_iter().flatten() {
+        if Path::new(&candidate).exists() {
+            return Some(candidate);
+        }
+    }
+    Command::new("which")
+        .arg("bun")
+        .output()
+        .ok()
+        .and_then(|o| {
+            if o.status.success() {
+                Some(String::from_utf8_lossy(&o.stdout).trim().to_string())
+            } else {
+                None
+            }
+        })
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn vault_dir_name_extracts_last_segment() {
+        assert_eq!(vault_dir_name("/Users/luca/Laputa"), "laputa");
+        assert_eq!(vault_dir_name("/home/user/MyVault"), "myvault");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn vault_dir_name_fallback() {
+        assert_eq!(vault_dir_name(""), "laputa");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn extract_first_number_works() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            extract_first_number("Total: 9078 files indexed"),
+            Some(9078)
+        );
+        assert_eq!(extract_first_number("Vectors: 14676 embedded"), Some(14676));
+        assert_eq!(extract_first_number("no numbers here"), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_status_finds_collection() {
+        let status = r#"
+QMD Status
+
+Index: /Users/luca/.cache/qmd/index.sqlite
+Size:  100.9 MB
+
+Documents
+  Total:    9115 files indexed
+  Vectors:  14676 embedded
+  Pending:  26 need embedding
+
+Collections
+  laputa (qmd://laputa/)
+    Pattern:  **/*.md
+    Files:    9078 (updated 20d ago)
+"#;
+        let result = parse_status_for_vault(status, "laputa");
+        assert!(result.collection_exists);
+        assert_eq!(result.indexed_count, 9078);
+        assert_eq!(result.embedded_count, 14676);
+        assert_eq!(result.pending_embed, 26);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_status_missing_collection() {
+        let status = r#"
+QMD Status
+
+Documents
+  Total:    100 files indexed
+  Vectors:  50 embedded
+  Pending:  0
+
+Collections
+  other (qmd://other/)
+    Files:    100
+"#;
+        let result = parse_status_for_vault(status, "laputa");
+        assert!(!result.collection_exists);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn extract_count_from_line_works() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            extract_count_from_line("Files:    9078 (updated 20d ago)", "Files:"),
+            Some(9078)
+        );
+        assert_eq!(extract_count_from_line("Pattern:  **/*.md", "Files:"), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_indexed_count_from_output() {
+        assert_eq!(parse_indexed_count("Indexed 342 files in 1.2s"), 342);
+        assert_eq!(parse_indexed_count("No output"), 0);
+    }
+}

src-tauri/src/lib.rs

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ pub mod claude_cli;
 pub mod frontmatter;
 pub mod git;
 pub mod github;
+pub mod indexing;
 pub mod mcp;
 pub mod menu;
 pub mod search;
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ use claude_cli::{AgentStreamRequest, ChatStreamRequest, ClaudeCliStatus, ClaudeS
 use frontmatter::FrontmatterValue;
 use git::{GitCommit, GitPullResult, LastCommitInfo, ModifiedFile};
 use github::{DeviceFlowPollResult, DeviceFlowStart, GitHubUser, GithubRepo};
+use indexing::{IndexStatus, IndexingProgress};
 use search::SearchResponse;
 use settings::Settings;
 use theme::{ThemeFile, VaultSettings};
@@ -341,6 +343,64 @@ async fn search_vault(
         .map_err(|e| format!("Search task failed: {}", e))?
 }
 
+#[tauri::command]
+fn get_index_status(vault_path: String) -> IndexStatus {
+    let vault_path = expand_tilde(&vault_path);
+    indexing::check_index_status(&vault_path)
+}
+
+#[tauri::command]
+async fn start_indexing(app_handle: tauri::AppHandle, vault_path: String) -> Result<(), String> {
+    use tauri::Emitter;
+    let vault_path = expand_tilde(&vault_path).into_owned();
+    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || {
+        // Auto-install qmd if not available
+        if indexing::find_qmd_binary().is_none() {
+            let _ = app_handle.emit(
+                "indexing-progress",
+                IndexingProgress {
+                    phase: "installing".to_string(),
+                    current: 0,
+                    total: 0,
+                    done: false,
+                    error: None,
+                },
+            );
+            match indexing::auto_install_qmd() {
+                Ok(_) => log::info!("qmd auto-installed successfully"),
+                Err(e) => {
+                    log::warn!("qmd auto-install failed: {e}");
+                    let _ = app_handle.emit(
+                        "indexing-progress",
+                        IndexingProgress {
+                            phase: "error".to_string(),
+                            current: 0,
+                            total: 0,
+                            done: true,
+                            error: Some(format!("qmd not available: {e}")),
+                        },
+                    );
+                    return Err(e);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        indexing::run_full_index(&vault_path, |progress| {
+            let _ = app_handle.emit("indexing-progress", &progress);
+        })
+    })
+    .await
+    .map_err(|e| format!("Indexing task failed: {e}"))?
+}
+
+#[tauri::command]
+async fn trigger_incremental_index(vault_path: String) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let vault_path = expand_tilde(&vault_path).into_owned();
+    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || indexing::run_incremental_update(&vault_path))
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Incremental index failed: {e}"))?
+}
+
 struct WsBridgeChild(Mutex<Option<Child>>);
 
 #[tauri::command]
@@ -566,6 +626,9 @@ pub fn run() {
             github_device_flow_poll,
             github_get_user,
             search_vault,
+            get_index_status,
+            start_indexing,
+            trigger_incremental_index,
             create_getting_started_vault,
             check_vault_exists,
             get_default_vault_path,

src-tauri/src/search.rs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::indexing;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::path::Path;
@@ -30,31 +31,6 @@ struct QmdResult {
     pub score: f64,
 }
 
-fn find_qmd_binary() -> Option<String> {
-    let candidates = [
-        dirs::home_dir().map(|h| h.join(".bun/bin/qmd").to_string_lossy().to_string()),
-        Some("/usr/local/bin/qmd".to_string()),
-        Some("/opt/homebrew/bin/qmd".to_string()),
-    ];
-    for candidate in candidates.into_iter().flatten() {
-        if Path::new(&candidate).exists() {
-            return Some(candidate);
-        }
-    }
-    // Fallback: try PATH
-    Command::new("which")
-        .arg("qmd")
-        .output()
-        .ok()
-        .and_then(|o| {
-            if o.status.success() {
-                Some(String::from_utf8_lossy(&o.stdout).trim().to_string())
-            } else {
-                None
-            }
-        })
-}
-
 fn qmd_uri_to_vault_path(uri: &str, vault_path: &str) -> String {
     // qmd://laputa/essay/foo.md → essay/foo.md
     let relative = uri
@@ -108,7 +84,7 @@ fn detect_collection_name(vault_path: &str) -> String {
 }
 
 fn detect_collection_name_uncached(vault_path: &str) -> String {
-    let qmd_bin = match find_qmd_binary() {
+    let qmd_bin = match indexing::find_qmd_binary() {
         Some(b) => b,
         None => return "laputa".to_string(),
     };
@@ -149,8 +125,8 @@ pub fn search_vault(
 ) -> Result<SearchResponse, String> {
     let start = Instant::now();
 
-    let qmd_bin =
-        find_qmd_binary().ok_or_else(|| "qmd binary not found. Install qmd first.".to_string())?;
+    let qmd_bin = indexing::find_qmd_binary()
+        .ok_or_else(|| "qmd binary not found. Install qmd first.".to_string())?;
 
     let collection = detect_collection_name(vault_path);
 

src-tauri/src/vault_list.rs

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ pub struct VaultEntry {
 pub struct VaultList {
     pub vaults: Vec<VaultEntry>,
     pub active_vault: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub hidden_defaults: Vec<String>,
 }
 
 fn vault_list_path() -> Result<PathBuf, String> {
@@ -79,6 +81,7 @@ mod tests {
                 },
             ],
             active_vault: Some("/Users/luca/Laputa".to_string()),
+            hidden_defaults: vec![],
         };
         let loaded = save_and_reload(&list);
         assert_eq!(loaded.vaults.len(), 2);
@@ -116,6 +119,7 @@ mod tests {
                 path: "/tmp/test".to_string(),
             }],
             active_vault: None,
+            hidden_defaults: vec![],
         };
         save_at(&path, &list).unwrap();
         assert!(path.exists());
@@ -136,5 +140,31 @@ mod tests {
         let loaded = save_and_reload(&list);
         assert!(loaded.vaults.is_empty());
         assert!(loaded.active_vault.is_none());
+        assert!(loaded.hidden_defaults.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hidden_defaults_roundtrip() {
+        let list = VaultList {
+            vaults: vec![],
+            active_vault: None,
+            hidden_defaults: vec!["/Users/luca/Documents/Getting Started".to_string()],
+        };
+        let loaded = save_and_reload(&list);
+        assert_eq!(loaded.hidden_defaults.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(
+            loaded.hidden_defaults[0],
+            "/Users/luca/Documents/Getting Started"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn load_legacy_format_without_hidden_defaults() {
+        let dir = tempfile::TempDir::new().unwrap();
+        let path = dir.path().join("legacy.json");
+        // Simulate old format without hidden_defaults field
+        fs::write(&path, r#"{"vaults":[],"active_vault":null}"#).unwrap();
+        let loaded = load_at(&path).unwrap();
+        assert!(loaded.hidden_defaults.is_empty());
     }
 }

src/App.tsx

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import { useGitHistory } from './hooks/useGitHistory'
 import { useUpdater } from './hooks/useUpdater'
 import { useNavigationHistory } from './hooks/useNavigationHistory'
 import { useAutoSync } from './hooks/useAutoSync'
+import { useIndexing } from './hooks/useIndexing'
 import { useZoom } from './hooks/useZoom'
 import { useBuildNumber } from './hooks/useBuildNumber'
 import { useOnboarding } from './hooks/useOnboarding'
@@ -140,6 +141,8 @@ function App() {
     onToast: (msg) => setToastMessage(msg),
   })
 
+  const indexing = useIndexing(resolvedPath)
+
   // Ref bridges handleContentChange (created after notes) into useNoteActions.
   // Read at callback time, so it's always current when user presses Cmd+N.
   const contentChangeRef = useRef<(path: string, content: string) => void>(() => {})
@@ -225,9 +228,15 @@ function App() {
     }
   }, [handleGoBack, handleGoForward])
 
+  const { triggerIncrementalIndex } = indexing
+  const onAfterSave = useCallback(() => {
+    vault.loadModifiedFiles()
+    triggerIncrementalIndex()
+  }, [vault, triggerIncrementalIndex])
+
   const { handleSave: handleSaveRaw, handleContentChange, savePendingForPath, savePending } = useEditorSaveWithLinks({
     updateContent: vault.updateContent, updateEntry: vault.updateEntry,
-    setTabs: notes.setTabs, setToastMessage, onAfterSave: vault.loadModifiedFiles,
+    setTabs: notes.setTabs, setToastMessage, onAfterSave,
     onNotePersisted: vault.clearUnsaved,
   })
   useEffect(() => { contentChangeRef.current = handleContentChange }, [handleContentChange])
@@ -348,6 +357,10 @@ function App() {
     onToggleAIChat: dialogs.toggleAIChat,
     onCheckForUpdates: handleCheckForUpdates,
     isUpdating: updateStatus.state === 'downloading' || updateStatus.state === 'ready',
+    onRemoveActiveVault: () => vaultSwitcher.removeVault(vaultSwitcher.vaultPath),
+    onRestoreGettingStarted: vaultSwitcher.restoreGettingStarted,
+    isGettingStartedHidden: vaultSwitcher.isGettingStartedHidden,
+    vaultCount: vaultSwitcher.allVaults.length,
   })
 
   const activeTab = notes.tabs.find((t) => t.entry.path === notes.activeTabPath) ?? null
@@ -448,7 +461,7 @@ function App() {
         </div>
       </div>
       <UpdateBanner status={updateStatus} actions={updateActions} />
-      <StatusBar noteCount={vault.entries.length} modifiedCount={vault.modifiedFiles.length} vaultPath={vaultSwitcher.vaultPath} vaults={vaultSwitcher.allVaults} onSwitchVault={vaultSwitcher.switchVault} onOpenSettings={dialogs.openSettings} onOpenLocalFolder={vaultSwitcher.handleOpenLocalFolder} onConnectGitHub={dialogs.openGitHubVault} onClickPending={() => setSelection({ kind: 'filter', filter: 'changes' })} hasGitHub={!!settings.github_token} syncStatus={autoSync.syncStatus} lastSyncTime={autoSync.lastSyncTime} conflictCount={autoSync.conflictFiles.length} lastCommitInfo={autoSync.lastCommitInfo} onTriggerSync={autoSync.triggerSync} zoomLevel={zoom.zoomLevel} onZoomReset={zoom.zoomReset} buildNumber={buildNumber} />
+      <StatusBar noteCount={vault.entries.length} modifiedCount={vault.modifiedFiles.length} vaultPath={vaultSwitcher.vaultPath} vaults={vaultSwitcher.allVaults} onSwitchVault={vaultSwitcher.switchVault} onOpenSettings={dialogs.openSettings} onOpenLocalFolder={vaultSwitcher.handleOpenLocalFolder} onConnectGitHub={dialogs.openGitHubVault} onClickPending={() => setSelection({ kind: 'filter', filter: 'changes' })} hasGitHub={!!settings.github_token} syncStatus={autoSync.syncStatus} lastSyncTime={autoSync.lastSyncTime} conflictCount={autoSync.conflictFiles.length} lastCommitInfo={autoSync.lastCommitInfo} onTriggerSync={autoSync.triggerSync} zoomLevel={zoom.zoomLevel} onZoomReset={zoom.zoomReset} buildNumber={buildNumber} indexingProgress={indexing.progress} />
       <Toast message={toastMessage} onDismiss={() => setToastMessage(null)} />
       <QuickOpenPalette open={dialogs.showQuickOpen} entries={vault.entries} onSelect={notes.handleSelectNote} onClose={dialogs.closeQuickOpen} />
       <CommandPalette open={dialogs.showCommandPalette} commands={commands} onClose={dialogs.closeCommandPalette} />

src/components/StatusBar.test.tsx

@@ -212,4 +212,90 @@ describe('StatusBar', () => {
     )
     expect(screen.getByTitle('View pending changes')).toBeInTheDocument()
   })
+
+  it('shows indexing badge when indexing is in progress', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        indexingProgress={{ phase: 'scanning', current: 342, total: 1057, done: false, error: null }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByTestId('status-indexing')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByText(/Indexing… 342\/1,057/)).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('shows embedding phase in indexing badge', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        indexingProgress={{ phase: 'embedding', current: 50, total: 200, done: false, error: null }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByText(/Embedding… 50\/200/)).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('shows index ready when indexing is complete', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        indexingProgress={{ phase: 'complete', current: 1057, total: 1057, done: true, error: null }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByText('Index ready')).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('shows error state in indexing badge', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        indexingProgress={{ phase: 'error', current: 0, total: 0, done: true, error: 'qmd not available' }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByText('Index error')).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('hides indexing badge when phase is idle', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        indexingProgress={{ phase: 'idle', current: 0, total: 0, done: false, error: null }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('status-indexing')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('hides indexing badge when no progress prop provided', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar noteCount={100} vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa" vaults={vaults} onSwitchVault={vi.fn()} />
+    )
+    expect(screen.queryByTestId('status-indexing')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
+
+  it('shows installing phase in indexing badge', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        noteCount={100}
+        vaultPath="/Users/luca/Laputa"
+        vaults={vaults}
+        onSwitchVault={vi.fn()}
+        indexingProgress={{ phase: 'installing', current: 0, total: 0, done: false, error: null }}
+      />
+    )
+    expect(screen.getByText('Installing search…')).toBeInTheDocument()
+  })
 })

src/components/StatusBar.tsx

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { useState, useRef, useEffect } from 'react'
-import { Package, RefreshCw, Sparkles, FileText, Bell, Settings, FolderOpen, Check, Github, CircleDot, AlertTriangle, Loader2, GitCommitHorizontal } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Package, RefreshCw, Sparkles, FileText, Bell, Settings, FolderOpen, Check, Github, CircleDot, AlertTriangle, Loader2, GitCommitHorizontal, Search, X } from 'lucide-react'
 import type { LastCommitInfo, SyncStatus } from '../types'
+import type { IndexingProgress } from '../hooks/useIndexing'
 import { openExternalUrl } from '../utils/url'
 
 export interface VaultOption {
@@ -28,6 +29,8 @@ interface StatusBarProps {
   zoomLevel?: number
   onZoomReset?: () => void
   buildNumber?: string
+  indexingProgress?: IndexingProgress
+  onRemoveVault?: (path: string) => void
 }
 
 function VaultMenuIcon({ isActive, unavailable }: { isActive: boolean; unavailable: boolean }) {
@@ -46,26 +49,41 @@ function vaultItemStyle(isActive: boolean, unavailable: boolean): React.CSSPrope
   }
 }
 
-function VaultMenuItem({ vault, isActive, onSelect }: { vault: VaultOption; isActive: boolean; onSelect: () => void }) {
+function VaultMenuItem({ vault, isActive, onSelect, onRemove, canRemove }: { vault: VaultOption; isActive: boolean; onSelect: () => void; onRemove?: () => void; canRemove?: boolean }) {
   const unavailable = vault.available === false
   const canHover = !isActive && !unavailable
   return (
     <div
       role="button"
       onClick={unavailable ? undefined : onSelect}
-      style={vaultItemStyle(isActive, unavailable)}
+      style={{ ...vaultItemStyle(isActive, unavailable), justifyContent: 'space-between' }}
       title={unavailable ? `Vault not found: ${vault.path}` : vault.path}
       onMouseEnter={canHover ? (e) => { e.currentTarget.style.background = 'var(--hover)' } : undefined}
       onMouseLeave={canHover ? (e) => { e.currentTarget.style.background = 'transparent' } : undefined}
       data-testid={`vault-menu-item-${vault.label}`}
     >
-      <VaultMenuIcon isActive={isActive} unavailable={unavailable} />
-      {vault.label}
+      <span style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 6 }}>
+        <VaultMenuIcon isActive={isActive} unavailable={unavailable} />
+        {vault.label}
+      </span>
+      {canRemove && onRemove && (
+        <span
+          role="button"
+          onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); onRemove() }}
+          style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', padding: 2, borderRadius: 3, cursor: 'pointer', opacity: 0.5 }}
+          title="Remove from list"
+          data-testid={`vault-menu-remove-${vault.label}`}
+          onMouseEnter={e => { e.currentTarget.style.opacity = '1'; e.currentTarget.style.background = 'var(--hover)' }}
+          onMouseLeave={e => { e.currentTarget.style.opacity = '0.5'; e.currentTarget.style.background = 'transparent' }}
+        >
+          <X size={10} />
+        </span>
+      )}
     </div>
   )
 }
 
-function VaultMenu({ vaults, vaultPath, onSwitchVault, onOpenLocalFolder, onConnectGitHub, hasGitHub }: { vaults: VaultOption[]; vaultPath: string; onSwitchVault: (path: string) => void; onOpenLocalFolder?: () => void; onConnectGitHub?: () => void; hasGitHub?: boolean }) {
+function VaultMenu({ vaults, vaultPath, onSwitchVault, onOpenLocalFolder, onConnectGitHub, hasGitHub, onRemoveVault }: { vaults: VaultOption[]; vaultPath: string; onSwitchVault: (path: string) => void; onOpenLocalFolder?: () => void; onConnectGitHub?: () => void; hasGitHub?: boolean; onRemoveVault?: (path: string) => void }) {
   const [open, setOpen] = useState(false)
   const menuRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
   const activeVault = vaults.find((v) => v.path === vaultPath)
@@ -87,7 +105,7 @@ function VaultMenu({ vaults, vaultPath, onSwitchVault, onOpenLocalFolder, onConn
       </span>
       {open && (
         <div style={{ position: 'absolute', bottom: '100%', left: 0, marginBottom: 4, background: 'var(--sidebar)', border: '1px solid var(--border)', borderRadius: 6, padding: 4, minWidth: 200, boxShadow: '0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.3)', zIndex: 1000 }}>
-          {vaults.map((v) => <VaultMenuItem key={v.path} vault={v} isActive={v.path === vaultPath} onSelect={() => { onSwitchVault(v.path); setOpen(false) }} />)}
+          {vaults.map((v) => <VaultMenuItem key={v.path} vault={v} isActive={v.path === vaultPath} onSelect={() => { onSwitchVault(v.path); setOpen(false) }} onRemove={() => { onRemoveVault?.(v.path); setOpen(false) }} canRemove={!!onRemoveVault && vaults.length > 1} />)}
           <div style={{ height: 1, background: 'var(--border)', margin: '4px 0' }} />
           {onOpenLocalFolder && (
             <div
@@ -202,6 +220,38 @@ function ConflictBadge({ count }: { count: number }) {
   )
 }
 
+const INDEXING_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
+  installing: 'Installing search…',
+  scanning: 'Indexing…',
+  embedding: 'Embedding…',
+  complete: 'Index ready',
+  error: 'Index error',
+}
+
+function IndexingBadge({ progress }: { progress: IndexingProgress }) {
+  if (progress.phase === 'idle') return null
+  const label = INDEXING_LABELS[progress.phase] ?? progress.phase
+  const isActive = !progress.done
+  const showCount = progress.total > 0 && isActive
+  const displayText = showCount
+    ? `${label} ${progress.current.toLocaleString()}/${progress.total.toLocaleString()}`
+    : label
+  const color = progress.phase === 'error' ? 'var(--accent-orange)' : 'var(--accent-blue, #3b82f6)'
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <span style={SEP_STYLE}>|</span>
+      <span style={{ ...ICON_STYLE, color }} data-testid="status-indexing">
+        {isActive
+          ? <Loader2 size={13} className="animate-spin" />
+          : <Search size={13} />
+        }
+        {displayText}
+      </span>
+    </>
+  )
+}
+
 function PendingBadge({ count, onClick }: { count: number; onClick?: () => void }) {
   if (count <= 0) return null
   return (
@@ -220,7 +270,7 @@ function PendingBadge({ count, onClick }: { count: number; onClick?: () => void
   )
 }
 
-export function StatusBar({ noteCount, modifiedCount = 0, vaultPath, vaults, onSwitchVault, onOpenSettings, onOpenLocalFolder, onConnectGitHub, onClickPending, hasGitHub, syncStatus = 'idle', lastSyncTime = null, conflictCount = 0, lastCommitInfo, onTriggerSync, zoomLevel = 100, onZoomReset, buildNumber }: StatusBarProps) {
+export function StatusBar({ noteCount, modifiedCount = 0, vaultPath, vaults, onSwitchVault, onOpenSettings, onOpenLocalFolder, onConnectGitHub, onClickPending, hasGitHub, syncStatus = 'idle', lastSyncTime = null, conflictCount = 0, lastCommitInfo, onTriggerSync, zoomLevel = 100, onZoomReset, buildNumber, indexingProgress, onRemoveVault }: StatusBarProps) {
   const [, setTick] = useState(0)
   useEffect(() => {
     const id = setInterval(() => setTick((t) => t + 1), 30_000)
@@ -230,7 +280,7 @@ export function StatusBar({ noteCount, modifiedCount = 0, vaultPath, vaults, onS
   return (
     <footer style={{ height: 30, flexShrink: 0, display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'space-between', background: 'var(--sidebar)', borderTop: '1px solid var(--border)', padding: '0 8px', fontSize: 11, color: 'var(--muted-foreground)' }}>
       <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 12 }}>
-        <VaultMenu vaults={vaults} vaultPath={vaultPath} onSwitchVault={onSwitchVault} onOpenLocalFolder={onOpenLocalFolder} onConnectGitHub={onConnectGitHub} hasGitHub={hasGitHub} />
+        <VaultMenu vaults={vaults} vaultPath={vaultPath} onSwitchVault={onSwitchVault} onOpenLocalFolder={onOpenLocalFolder} onConnectGitHub={onConnectGitHub} hasGitHub={hasGitHub} onRemoveVault={onRemoveVault} />
         <span style={SEP_STYLE}>|</span>
         <span style={ICON_STYLE} data-testid="status-build-number"><Package size={13} />{buildNumber ?? 'b?'}</span>
         <span style={SEP_STYLE}>|</span>
@@ -238,6 +288,7 @@ export function StatusBar({ noteCount, modifiedCount = 0, vaultPath, vaults, onS
         {lastCommitInfo && <CommitBadge info={lastCommitInfo} />}
         <ConflictBadge count={conflictCount} />
         <PendingBadge count={modifiedCount} onClick={onClickPending} />
+        {indexingProgress && <IndexingBadge progress={indexingProgress} />}
       </div>
       <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 12 }}>
         <span style={ICON_STYLE}><Sparkles size={13} style={{ color: 'var(--accent-purple)' }} />Claude Sonnet 4</span>

src/hooks/useAppCommands.ts

@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ interface AppCommandsConfig {
   onToggleAIChat?: () => void
   onCheckForUpdates?: () => void
   isUpdating?: boolean
+  onRemoveActiveVault?: () => void
+  onRestoreGettingStarted?: () => void
+  isGettingStartedHidden?: boolean
+  vaultCount?: number
 }
 
 /** Sets up keyboard shortcuts, command registry, menu events, and keyboard navigation. */
@@ -161,6 +165,10 @@ export function useAppCommands(config: AppCommandsConfig): CommandAction[] {
     onToggleAIChat: config.onToggleAIChat,
     onCheckForUpdates: config.onCheckForUpdates,
     isUpdating: config.isUpdating,
+    onRemoveActiveVault: config.onRemoveActiveVault,
+    onRestoreGettingStarted: config.onRestoreGettingStarted,
+    isGettingStartedHidden: config.isGettingStartedHidden,
+    vaultCount: config.vaultCount,
   })
 
   useKeyboardNavigation({

src/hooks/useCommandRegistry.test.ts

@@ -625,6 +625,93 @@ describe('useCommandRegistry', () => {
       expect(result.current.find(c => c.id === 'open-theme-default')!.enabled).toBe(true)
     })
   })
+
+  describe('vault management commands', () => {
+    it('has remove-vault command in Settings group', () => {
+      const onRemoveActiveVault = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRemoveActiveVault, vaultCount: 2,
+      })))
+      const cmd = result.current.find(c => c.id === 'remove-vault')
+      expect(cmd).toBeDefined()
+      expect(cmd!.label).toBe('Remove Vault from List')
+      expect(cmd!.group).toBe('Settings')
+      expect(cmd!.enabled).toBe(true)
+    })
+
+    it('disables remove-vault when only one vault remains', () => {
+      const onRemoveActiveVault = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRemoveActiveVault, vaultCount: 1,
+      })))
+      expect(result.current.find(c => c.id === 'remove-vault')!.enabled).toBe(false)
+    })
+
+    it('disables remove-vault when onRemoveActiveVault is not provided', () => {
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({ vaultCount: 3 })))
+      expect(result.current.find(c => c.id === 'remove-vault')!.enabled).toBe(false)
+    })
+
+    it('calls onRemoveActiveVault when remove-vault executes', () => {
+      const onRemoveActiveVault = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRemoveActiveVault, vaultCount: 2,
+      })))
+      result.current.find(c => c.id === 'remove-vault')!.execute()
+      expect(onRemoveActiveVault).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('has restore-getting-started command in Settings group', () => {
+      const onRestoreGettingStarted = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRestoreGettingStarted, isGettingStartedHidden: true,
+      })))
+      const cmd = result.current.find(c => c.id === 'restore-getting-started')
+      expect(cmd).toBeDefined()
+      expect(cmd!.label).toBe('Restore Getting Started Vault')
+      expect(cmd!.group).toBe('Settings')
+      expect(cmd!.enabled).toBe(true)
+    })
+
+    it('disables restore-getting-started when vault is not hidden', () => {
+      const onRestoreGettingStarted = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRestoreGettingStarted, isGettingStartedHidden: false,
+      })))
+      expect(result.current.find(c => c.id === 'restore-getting-started')!.enabled).toBe(false)
+    })
+
+    it('calls onRestoreGettingStarted when restore command executes', () => {
+      const onRestoreGettingStarted = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRestoreGettingStarted, isGettingStartedHidden: true,
+      })))
+      result.current.find(c => c.id === 'restore-getting-started')!.execute()
+      expect(onRestoreGettingStarted).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    })
+
+    it('remove-vault has relevant keywords for discoverability', () => {
+      const onRemoveActiveVault = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRemoveActiveVault, vaultCount: 2,
+      })))
+      const cmd = result.current.find(c => c.id === 'remove-vault')
+      expect(cmd!.keywords).toContain('vault')
+      expect(cmd!.keywords).toContain('remove')
+      expect(cmd!.keywords).toContain('disconnect')
+    })
+
+    it('restore-getting-started has relevant keywords for discoverability', () => {
+      const onRestoreGettingStarted = vi.fn()
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useCommandRegistry(makeConfig({
+        onRestoreGettingStarted, isGettingStartedHidden: true,
+      })))
+      const cmd = result.current.find(c => c.id === 'restore-getting-started')
+      expect(cmd!.keywords).toContain('vault')
+      expect(cmd!.keywords).toContain('restore')
+      expect(cmd!.keywords).toContain('demo')
+    })
+  })
 })
 
 describe('pluralizeType', () => {

src/hooks/useCommandRegistry.ts

@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ interface CommandRegistryConfig {
   onSwitchTheme?: (themeId: string) => void
   onCreateTheme?: () => void
   onOpenTheme?: (themeId: string) => void
+  onRemoveActiveVault?: () => void
+  onRestoreGettingStarted?: () => void
+  isGettingStartedHidden?: boolean
+  vaultCount?: number
 }
 
 const PLURAL_OVERRIDES: Record<string, string> = {
@@ -187,6 +191,7 @@ export function useCommandRegistry(config: CommandRegistryConfig): CommandAction
     themes, activeThemeId, onSwitchTheme, onCreateTheme, onOpenTheme,
     onCheckForUpdates, isUpdating,
     onCreateType,
+    onRemoveActiveVault, onRestoreGettingStarted, isGettingStartedHidden, vaultCount,
   } = config
 
   const hasActiveNote = activeTabPath !== null
@@ -242,6 +247,8 @@ export function useCommandRegistry(config: CommandRegistryConfig): CommandAction
       // Settings
       { id: 'open-settings', label: 'Open Settings', group: 'Settings', shortcut: '⌘,', keywords: ['preferences', 'config'], enabled: true, execute: onOpenSettings },
       { id: 'open-vault', label: 'Open Vault…', group: 'Settings', keywords: ['vault', 'folder', 'switch', 'open', 'workspace'], enabled: true, execute: () => onOpenVault?.() },
+      { id: 'remove-vault', label: 'Remove Vault from List', group: 'Settings', keywords: ['vault', 'remove', 'disconnect', 'hide'], enabled: (vaultCount ?? 0) > 1 && !!onRemoveActiveVault, execute: () => onRemoveActiveVault?.() },
+      { id: 'restore-getting-started', label: 'Restore Getting Started Vault', group: 'Settings', keywords: ['vault', 'restore', 'demo', 'getting started', 'reset'], enabled: !!isGettingStartedHidden && !!onRestoreGettingStarted, execute: () => onRestoreGettingStarted?.() },
       { id: 'check-updates', label: 'Check for Updates', group: 'Settings', keywords: ['update', 'version', 'upgrade', 'release'], enabled: !isUpdating, execute: () => onCheckForUpdates?.() },
 
       // Type-aware: "New [Type]" and "List [Type]"
@@ -254,6 +261,7 @@ export function useCommandRegistry(config: CommandRegistryConfig): CommandAction
     onQuickOpen, onCreateNote, onCreateNoteOfType, onCreateType, onSave, onOpenSettings,
     onTrashNote, onRestoreNote, onArchiveNote, onUnarchiveNote,
     onCommitPush, onSetViewMode, onToggleInspector, onToggleDiff, onToggleRawEditor, onToggleAIChat, onOpenVault,
+    onRemoveActiveVault, onRestoreGettingStarted, isGettingStartedHidden, vaultCount,
     onCheckForUpdates, isUpdating,
     onZoomIn, onZoomOut, onZoomReset, zoomLevel,
     onSelect, onOpenDailyNote, onCloseTab,

src/hooks/useIndexing.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+import { renderHook, act, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { useIndexing } from './useIndexing'
+
+vi.mock('../mock-tauri', () => ({
+  isTauri: () => false,
+  mockInvoke: vi.fn().mockImplementation((cmd: string) => {
+    if (cmd === 'get_index_status') {
+      return Promise.resolve({
+        available: true,
+        qmd_installed: true,
+        collection_exists: true,
+        indexed_count: 100,
+        embedded_count: 80,
+        pending_embed: 0,
+      })
+    }
+    if (cmd === 'start_indexing') return Promise.resolve(null)
+    if (cmd === 'trigger_incremental_index') return Promise.resolve(null)
+    return Promise.resolve(null)
+  }),
+}))
+
+const { mockInvoke } = await import('../mock-tauri') as { mockInvoke: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> }
+
+describe('useIndexing', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+  })
+
+  it('starts with idle progress', () => {
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    expect(result.current.progress.phase).toBe('idle')
+    expect(result.current.progress.done).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('checks index status on mount', async () => {
+    renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(mockInvoke).toHaveBeenCalledWith('get_index_status', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('does not start indexing when collection exists and no pending embeds', async () => {
+    renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(mockInvoke).toHaveBeenCalledWith('get_index_status', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
+    })
+    expect(mockInvoke).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith('start_indexing', expect.anything())
+  })
+
+  it('starts indexing when collection is missing', async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockImplementation((cmd: string) => {
+      if (cmd === 'get_index_status') {
+        return Promise.resolve({
+          available: true,
+          qmd_installed: true,
+          collection_exists: false,
+          indexed_count: 0,
+          embedded_count: 0,
+          pending_embed: 0,
+        })
+      }
+      return Promise.resolve(null)
+    })
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(mockInvoke).toHaveBeenCalledWith('start_indexing', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
+    })
+    expect(result.current.progress.phase).not.toBe('idle')
+  })
+
+  it('starts indexing when qmd is not installed', async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockImplementation((cmd: string) => {
+      if (cmd === 'get_index_status') {
+        return Promise.resolve({
+          available: false,
+          qmd_installed: false,
+          collection_exists: false,
+          indexed_count: 0,
+          embedded_count: 0,
+          pending_embed: 0,
+        })
+      }
+      return Promise.resolve(null)
+    })
+
+    renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(mockInvoke).toHaveBeenCalledWith('start_indexing', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('starts indexing when pending embeds exist', async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockImplementation((cmd: string) => {
+      if (cmd === 'get_index_status') {
+        return Promise.resolve({
+          available: true,
+          qmd_installed: true,
+          collection_exists: true,
+          indexed_count: 100,
+          embedded_count: 80,
+          pending_embed: 20,
+        })
+      }
+      return Promise.resolve(null)
+    })
+
+    renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(mockInvoke).toHaveBeenCalledWith('start_indexing', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('triggerIncrementalIndex calls the command', async () => {
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    await act(async () => {
+      await result.current.triggerIncrementalIndex()
+    })
+    expect(mockInvoke).toHaveBeenCalledWith('trigger_incremental_index', { vaultPath: '/vault' })
+  })
+
+  it('handles index status check failure gracefully', async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockImplementation((cmd: string) => {
+      if (cmd === 'get_index_status') return Promise.reject(new Error('network error'))
+      return Promise.resolve(null)
+    })
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    // Should remain idle — not crash
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(result.current.progress.phase).toBe('idle')
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('sets error phase when start_indexing fails', async () => {
+    mockInvoke.mockImplementation((cmd: string) => {
+      if (cmd === 'get_index_status') {
+        return Promise.resolve({
+          available: false,
+          qmd_installed: false,
+          collection_exists: false,
+          indexed_count: 0,
+          embedded_count: 0,
+          pending_embed: 0,
+        })
+      }
+      if (cmd === 'start_indexing') return Promise.reject(new Error('install failed'))
+      return Promise.resolve(null)
+    })
+
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useIndexing('/vault'))
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(result.current.progress.phase).toBe('error')
+    })
+    expect(result.current.progress.error).toContain('install failed')
+  })
+})

src/hooks/useIndexing.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+import { useState, useEffect, useCallback, useRef } from 'react'
+import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core'
+import { isTauri, mockInvoke } from '../mock-tauri'
+
+export interface IndexingProgress {
+  phase: 'idle' | 'installing' | 'scanning' | 'embedding' | 'complete' | 'error'
+  current: number
+  total: number
+  done: boolean
+  error: string | null
+}
+
+interface IndexStatus {
+  available: boolean
+  qmd_installed: boolean
+  collection_exists: boolean
+  indexed_count: number
+  embedded_count: number
+  pending_embed: number
+}
+
+const IDLE: IndexingProgress = { phase: 'idle', current: 0, total: 0, done: false, error: null }
+
+function invokeCmd<T>(cmd: string, args?: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<T> {
+  return isTauri() ? invoke<T>(cmd, args) : mockInvoke<T>(cmd, args)
+}
+
+export function useIndexing(vaultPath: string) {
+  const [progress, setProgress] = useState<IndexingProgress>(IDLE)
+  const indexingRef = useRef(false)
+  const vaultPathRef = useRef(vaultPath)
+
+  useEffect(() => { vaultPathRef.current = vaultPath }, [vaultPath])
+
+  // Listen for progress events from Rust
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isTauri()) return
+
+    let cleanup: (() => void) | null = null
+
+    import('@tauri-apps/api/event').then(({ listen }) => {
+      const unlisten = listen<IndexingProgress>('indexing-progress', (event) => {
+        setProgress(event.payload)
+        if (event.payload.done) {
+          indexingRef.current = false
+        }
+      })
+      cleanup = () => { unlisten.then(fn => fn()) }
+    })
+
+    return () => { cleanup?.() }
+  }, [])
+
+  // Check index status and auto-trigger indexing on vault open
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!vaultPath) return
+    let cancelled = false
+
+    async function checkAndIndex() {
+      try {
+        const status = await invokeCmd<IndexStatus>('get_index_status', { vaultPath })
+        if (cancelled) return
+
+        // If qmd not installed or no collection or pending embeds, trigger indexing
+        const needsIndexing = !status.qmd_installed || !status.collection_exists || status.pending_embed > 0
+        if (needsIndexing && !indexingRef.current) {
+          indexingRef.current = true
+          setProgress({
+            phase: 'scanning',
+            current: 0,
+            total: status.indexed_count,
+            done: false,
+            error: null,
+          })
+          // Fire and forget — progress updates come via events
+          invokeCmd('start_indexing', { vaultPath }).catch((err) => {
+            if (!cancelled) {
+              setProgress({
+                phase: 'error',
+                current: 0,
+                total: 0,
+                done: true,
+                error: String(err),
+              })
+              indexingRef.current = false
+            }
+          })
+        }
+      } catch {
+        // get_index_status failed — likely qmd not available, non-fatal
+      }
+    }
+
+    checkAndIndex()
+    return () => { cancelled = true }
+  }, [vaultPath])
+
+  // Auto-dismiss the "complete" status after 5 seconds
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (progress.phase === 'complete') {
+      const timer = setTimeout(() => setProgress(IDLE), 5000)
+      return () => clearTimeout(timer)
+    }
+  }, [progress.phase])
+
+  const triggerIncrementalIndex = useCallback(async () => {
+    if (indexingRef.current) return
+    try {
+      await invokeCmd('trigger_incremental_index', { vaultPath: vaultPathRef.current })
+    } catch {
+      // Incremental update failure is non-fatal
+    }
+  }, [])
+
+  return { progress, triggerIncrementalIndex }
+}

src/hooks/useVaultSwitcher.test.ts

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { renderHook, act, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react'
 import { useVaultSwitcher, DEFAULT_VAULTS } from './useVaultSwitcher'
 import type { PersistedVaultList } from './useVaultSwitcher'
 
-let mockVaultListStore: PersistedVaultList = { vaults: [], active_vault: null }
+let mockVaultListStore: PersistedVaultList = { vaults: [], active_vault: null, hidden_defaults: [] }
 
 const mockInvokeFn = vi.fn((cmd: string, args?: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<unknown> => {
   if (cmd === 'load_vault_list') return Promise.resolve({ ...mockVaultListStore })
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ describe('useVaultSwitcher', () => {
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.resetAllMocks()
-    mockVaultListStore = { vaults: [], active_vault: null }
+    mockVaultListStore = { vaults: [], active_vault: null, hidden_defaults: [] }
     // Re-set default implementation after resetAllMocks
     mockInvokeFn.mockImplementation((cmd: string, args?: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<unknown> => {
       if (cmd === 'load_vault_list') return Promise.resolve({ ...mockVaultListStore })
@@ -187,4 +187,188 @@ describe('useVaultSwitcher', () => {
     expect(result.current.allVaults.some(v => v.path === '/Users/luca/MyVault')).toBe(true)
     expect(onToast).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Vault "MyVault" opened')
   })
+
+  describe('removeVault', () => {
+    it('removes an extra vault from the list', async () => {
+      mockVaultListStore = {
+        vaults: [{ label: 'Work', path: '/work/vault' }],
+        active_vault: null,
+        hidden_defaults: [],
+      }
+
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      expect(result.current.allVaults).toHaveLength(2) // default + Work
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.removeVault('/work/vault')
+      })
+
+      expect(result.current.allVaults.some(v => v.path === '/work/vault')).toBe(false)
+      expect(onToast).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Vault "Work" removed from list')
+    })
+
+    it('hides a default vault instead of deleting it', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      const defaultPath = DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path
+      expect(result.current.allVaults.some(v => v.path === defaultPath)).toBe(true)
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.removeVault(defaultPath)
+      })
+
+      expect(result.current.allVaults.some(v => v.path === defaultPath)).toBe(false)
+      expect(result.current.isGettingStartedHidden).toBe(true)
+    })
+
+    it('switches to another vault when removing the active vault', async () => {
+      mockVaultListStore = {
+        vaults: [{ label: 'Work', path: '/work/vault' }],
+        active_vault: '/work/vault',
+        hidden_defaults: [],
+      }
+
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      expect(result.current.vaultPath).toBe('/work/vault')
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.removeVault('/work/vault')
+      })
+
+      // Should switch to the default vault
+      expect(result.current.vaultPath).toBe(DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path)
+    })
+
+    it('shows toast when vault is removed', async () => {
+      mockVaultListStore = {
+        vaults: [{ label: 'Docs', path: '/docs/vault' }],
+        active_vault: null,
+        hidden_defaults: [],
+      }
+
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.removeVault('/docs/vault')
+      })
+
+      expect(onToast).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Vault "Docs" removed from list')
+    })
+
+    it('persists hidden_defaults when removing a default vault', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      // Add another vault first so we're not removing the last one
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.handleVaultCloned('/other/vault', 'Other')
+      })
+
+      act(() => {
+        result.current.removeVault(DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path)
+      })
+
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith('save_vault_list', expect.objectContaining({
+          list: expect.objectContaining({
+            hidden_defaults: [DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path],
+          }),
+        }))
+      })
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('restoreGettingStarted', () => {
+    it('un-hides the Getting Started vault', async () => {
+      mockVaultListStore = {
+        vaults: [{ label: 'Work', path: '/work/vault' }],
+        active_vault: '/work/vault',
+        hidden_defaults: [DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path],
+      }
+
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      expect(result.current.isGettingStartedHidden).toBe(true)
+
+      await act(async () => {
+        await result.current.restoreGettingStarted()
+      })
+
+      expect(result.current.isGettingStartedHidden).toBe(false)
+      expect(result.current.allVaults.some(v => v.path === DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path)).toBe(true)
+    })
+
+    it('switches to the Getting Started vault after restoring', async () => {
+      mockVaultListStore = {
+        vaults: [{ label: 'Work', path: '/work/vault' }],
+        active_vault: '/work/vault',
+        hidden_defaults: [DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path],
+      }
+
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      await act(async () => {
+        await result.current.restoreGettingStarted()
+      })
+
+      expect(result.current.vaultPath).toBe(DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path)
+      expect(onToast).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Getting Started vault restored')
+    })
+
+    it('attempts to create vault on disk if it does not exist', async () => {
+      mockVaultListStore = {
+        vaults: [{ label: 'Work', path: '/work/vault' }],
+        active_vault: '/work/vault',
+        hidden_defaults: [DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path],
+      }
+      mockInvokeFn.mockImplementation((cmd: string, args?: Record<string, unknown>) => {
+        if (cmd === 'load_vault_list') return Promise.resolve({ ...mockVaultListStore })
+        if (cmd === 'save_vault_list') {
+          mockVaultListStore = { ...(args as { list: PersistedVaultList }).list }
+          return Promise.resolve(null)
+        }
+        if (cmd === 'check_vault_exists') return Promise.resolve(false)
+        if (cmd === 'create_getting_started_vault') return Promise.resolve(DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path)
+        return Promise.resolve(null)
+      })
+
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+
+      await act(async () => {
+        await result.current.restoreGettingStarted()
+      })
+
+      expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith('check_vault_exists', { path: DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path })
+      expect(mockInvokeFn).toHaveBeenCalledWith('create_getting_started_vault', { targetPath: DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path })
+    })
+  })
+
+  describe('isGettingStartedHidden', () => {
+    it('is false by default', async () => {
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+      expect(result.current.isGettingStartedHidden).toBe(false)
+    })
+
+    it('is true when Getting Started path is in hidden_defaults', async () => {
+      mockVaultListStore = {
+        vaults: [],
+        active_vault: null,
+        hidden_defaults: [DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path],
+      }
+
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }))
+      await waitFor(() => { expect(result.current.loaded).toBe(true) })
+      expect(result.current.isGettingStartedHidden).toBe(true)
+    })
+  })
 })

src/hooks/useVaultSwitcher.ts

@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react'
+import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core'
+import { isTauri, mockInvoke } from '../mock-tauri'
 import { pickFolder } from '../utils/vault-dialog'
 import { loadVaultList, saveVaultList } from '../utils/vaultListStore'
 import type { VaultOption } from '../components/StatusBar'
 
 export type { PersistedVaultList } from '../utils/vaultListStore'
 
+export const GETTING_STARTED_LABEL = 'Getting Started'
+
 export const DEFAULT_VAULTS: VaultOption[] = [
-  { label: 'Getting Started', path: '/Users/luca/Workspace/laputa-app/demo-vault-v2' },
+  { label: GETTING_STARTED_LABEL, path: '/Users/luca/Workspace/laputa-app/demo-vault-v2' },
 ]
 
 interface UseVaultSwitcherOptions {
@@ -18,13 +22,31 @@ function labelFromPath(path: string): string {
   return path.split('/').pop() || 'Local Vault'
 }
 
+function tauriCall<T>(command: string, args: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<T> {
+  return isTauri() ? invoke<T>(command, args) : mockInvoke<T>(command, args)
+}
+
 /** Manages vault path, extra vaults, switching, cloning, and local folder opening.
  *  Vault list and active vault are persisted via Tauri backend to survive app updates. */
 export function useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }: UseVaultSwitcherOptions) {
   const [vaultPath, setVaultPath] = useState(DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path)
   const [extraVaults, setExtraVaults] = useState<VaultOption[]>([])
+  const [hiddenDefaults, setHiddenDefaults] = useState<string[]>([])
   const [loaded, setLoaded] = useState(false)
-  const allVaults = useMemo(() => [...DEFAULT_VAULTS, ...extraVaults], [extraVaults])
+
+  const visibleDefaults = useMemo(
+    () => DEFAULT_VAULTS.filter(v => !hiddenDefaults.includes(v.path)),
+    [hiddenDefaults],
+  )
+  const allVaults = useMemo(
+    () => [...visibleDefaults, ...extraVaults],
+    [visibleDefaults, extraVaults],
+  )
+
+  const isGettingStartedHidden = useMemo(
+    () => hiddenDefaults.includes(DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path),
+    [hiddenDefaults],
+  )
 
   const onSwitchRef = useRef(onSwitch)
   const onToastRef = useRef(onToast)
@@ -35,9 +57,10 @@ export function useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }: UseVaultSwitcherOptions)
   useEffect(() => {
     let cancelled = false
     loadVaultList()
-      .then(({ vaults, activeVault }) => {
+      .then(({ vaults, activeVault, hiddenDefaults: hidden }) => {
         if (cancelled) return
         setExtraVaults(vaults)
+        setHiddenDefaults(hidden)
         if (activeVault) {
           setVaultPath(activeVault)
           onSwitchRef.current()
@@ -53,10 +76,10 @@ export function useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }: UseVaultSwitcherOptions)
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!hasLoadedRef.current) return
-    saveVaultList(extraVaults, vaultPath).catch(err =>
+    saveVaultList(extraVaults, vaultPath, hiddenDefaults).catch(err =>
       console.warn('Failed to persist vault list:', err),
     )
-  }, [extraVaults, vaultPath])
+  }, [extraVaults, vaultPath, hiddenDefaults])
 
   const addVault = useCallback((path: string, label: string) => {
     setExtraVaults(prev => {
@@ -88,5 +111,51 @@ export function useVaultSwitcher({ onSwitch, onToast }: UseVaultSwitcherOptions)
     onToastRef.current(`Vault "${label}" opened`)
   }, [addAndSwitch])
 
-  return { vaultPath, allVaults, switchVault, handleVaultCloned, handleOpenLocalFolder, loaded }
+  const removeVault = useCallback((path: string) => {
+    const isDefault = DEFAULT_VAULTS.some(v => v.path === path)
+    if (isDefault) {
+      setHiddenDefaults(prev => prev.includes(path) ? prev : [...prev, path])
+    } else {
+      setExtraVaults(prev => prev.filter(v => v.path !== path))
+    }
+
+    // If removing the active vault, switch to the first remaining vault
+    setVaultPath(currentPath => {
+      if (currentPath !== path) return currentPath
+      const remaining = [
+        ...DEFAULT_VAULTS.filter(v => v.path !== path && !(isDefault ? [] : hiddenDefaults).includes(v.path)),
+        ...extraVaults.filter(v => v.path !== path),
+      ]
+      if (remaining.length > 0) {
+        onSwitchRef.current()
+        return remaining[0].path
+      }
+      return currentPath
+    })
+
+    const vault = [...DEFAULT_VAULTS, ...extraVaults].find(v => v.path === path)
+    onToastRef.current(`Vault "${vault?.label ?? labelFromPath(path)}" removed from list`)
+  }, [extraVaults, hiddenDefaults])
+
+  const restoreGettingStarted = useCallback(async () => {
+    const defaultPath = DEFAULT_VAULTS[0].path
+    // Un-hide the Getting Started vault
+    setHiddenDefaults(prev => prev.filter(p => p !== defaultPath))
+    // Try to create the vault if it doesn't exist on disk
+    try {
+      const exists = await tauriCall<boolean>('check_vault_exists', { path: defaultPath })
+      if (!exists) {
+        await tauriCall<string>('create_getting_started_vault', { targetPath: defaultPath })
+      }
+    } catch {
+      // In mock/test mode, creation may fail — that's fine
+    }
+    switchVault(defaultPath)
+    onToastRef.current('Getting Started vault restored')
+  }, [switchVault])
+
+  return {
+    vaultPath, allVaults, switchVault, handleVaultCloned, handleOpenLocalFolder, loaded,
+    removeVault, restoreGettingStarted, isGettingStartedHidden,
+  }
 }

src/mock-tauri/mock-handlers.ts

@@ -264,6 +264,9 @@ export const mockHandlers: Record<string, (args: any) => any> = {
   },
   create_getting_started_vault: () => '/Users/mock/Documents/Getting Started',
   register_mcp_tools: () => 'registered',
+  get_index_status: () => ({ available: true, qmd_installed: true, collection_exists: true, indexed_count: 100, embedded_count: 80, pending_embed: 0 }),
+  start_indexing: () => null,
+  trigger_incremental_index: () => null,
   list_themes: (): ThemeFile[] => [...mockThemes],
   get_theme: (args: { themeId: string }): ThemeFile => {
     const t = mockThemes.find(t => t.id === args.themeId)

src/utils/vaultListStore.ts

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import type { VaultOption } from '../components/StatusBar'
 export interface PersistedVaultList {
   vaults: Array<{ label: string; path: string }>
   active_vault: string | null
+  hidden_defaults: string[]
 }
 
 function tauriCall<T>(command: string, args: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<T> {
@@ -20,17 +21,18 @@ async function checkAvailability(v: { label: string; path: string }): Promise<Va
   }
 }
 
-export async function loadVaultList(): Promise<{ vaults: VaultOption[]; activeVault: string | null }> {
+export async function loadVaultList(): Promise<{ vaults: VaultOption[]; activeVault: string | null; hiddenDefaults: string[] }> {
   const data = await tauriCall<PersistedVaultList>('load_vault_list', {})
   const persisted = data?.vaults ?? []
   const checked = await Promise.all(persisted.map(checkAvailability))
-  return { vaults: checked, activeVault: data?.active_vault ?? null }
+  return { vaults: checked, activeVault: data?.active_vault ?? null, hiddenDefaults: data?.hidden_defaults ?? [] }
 }
 
-export function saveVaultList(vaults: VaultOption[], activeVault: string): Promise<void> {
+export function saveVaultList(vaults: VaultOption[], activeVault: string, hiddenDefaults: string[] = []): Promise<void> {
   const list: PersistedVaultList = {
     vaults: vaults.map(v => ({ label: v.label, path: v.path })),
     active_vault: activeVault,
+    hidden_defaults: hiddenDefaults,
   }
   return tauriCall('save_vault_list', { list })
 }