diff --git a/openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/.openspec.yaml b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/.openspec.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25345f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/.openspec.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+schema: spec-driven
+created: 2026-04-22
diff --git a/openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/notes.md b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/notes.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94b1ad2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/notes.md
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58 (minimal / T1)
+
+Branch: `agent/codex/vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58`
+
+Replace the Active Agents empty-state placeholder with a native VS Code welcome view that exposes direct actions for starting a sandbox, opening the guide, and refreshing the panel.
+
+Scope:
+- Add `contributes.viewsWelcome` plus a `gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent` command in both extension manifests.
+- Remove the `InfoItem` empty-state fallback so the tree returns empty and VS Code renders the welcome content.
+- Prompt for task + agent name, then send `gx branch start '<task>' '<agent>'` to an integrated terminal.
+- Add a stable `README.md#quick-start` anchor for the guide link.
+- Extend the active-agents regression suite to cover the new empty-state and command flow.
+
+Verification:
+- `node --test test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js`
+
+## Handoff
+
+- Handoff: change=`agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58`; branch=`agent/codex/vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58`; scope=`templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/*, vscode/guardex-active-agents/*, test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js, openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/*`; action=`finish this sandbox via PR merge + cleanup after targeted verification`.
+- Copy prompt: Continue `agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58` on branch `agent/codex/vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58`. Work inside the existing sandbox, review `openspec/changes/agent-codex-vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58/notes.md`, continue from the current state instead of creating a new sandbox, and when the work is done run `gx branch finish --branch agent/codex/vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58 --base main --via-pr --wait-for-merge --cleanup`.
+
+## Cleanup
+
+- [ ] Run: `gx branch finish --branch agent/codex/vscode-active-agents-welcome-view-2026-04-22-10-58 --base main --via-pr --wait-for-merge --cleanup`
+- [ ] Record PR URL + `MERGED` state in the completion handoff.
+- [ ] Confirm sandbox worktree is gone (`git worktree list`, `git branch -a`).
diff --git a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md
index b63a8c3..23228d9 100644
--- a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md
+++ b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,19 @@
 
 Local VS Code companion for Guardex-managed repos.
 
+## Quick Start
+
+Use the welcome view in Source Control to create or inspect Guardex sandboxes quickly.
+
+1. Install from a Guardex-wired repo:
+
+```sh
+node scripts/install-vscode-active-agents-extension.js
+```
+
+2. Reload the VS Code window.
+3. In Source Control -> `Active Agents`, use `Start agent` to enter a task + agent name and run `gx branch start`.
+
 What it does:
 
 - Adds an `Active Agents` view to the Source Control container.
@@ -12,11 +25,3 @@ What it does:
 - Derives `thinking` versus `working` from the live sandbox worktree, surfaces working counts in the repo/header summary, and shows changed-file counts for active edits.
 - Uses VS Code's native animated `loading~spin` icon for the running-state affordance.
 - Reads repo-local presence files from `.omx/state/active-sessions/`.
-
-Install from a Guardex-wired repo:
-
-```sh
-node scripts/install-vscode-active-agents-extension.js
-```
-
-Then reload the VS Code window.
diff --git a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js
index cdad978..1abba6a 100644
--- a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js
+++ b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js
@@ -74,14 +74,6 @@ class SessionDecorationProvider {
   }
 }
 
-class InfoItem extends vscode.TreeItem {
-  constructor(label, description = '') {
-    super(label, vscode.TreeItemCollapsibleState.None);
-    this.description = description;
-    this.iconPath = new vscode.ThemeIcon('info');
-  }
-}
-
 class RepoItem extends vscode.TreeItem {
   constructor(repoRoot, sessions, changes) {
     super(path.basename(repoRoot), vscode.TreeItemCollapsibleState.Expanded);
@@ -462,6 +454,83 @@ function countWorkingSessions(sessions) {
   return sessions.filter((session) => session.activityKind === 'working').length;
 }
 
+function shellQuote(value) {
+  return `'${String(value).replace(/'/g, `'\\''`)}'`;
+}
+
+async function pickRepoRoot() {
+  const workspaceFolders = vscode.workspace.workspaceFolders || [];
+  if (workspaceFolders.length === 0) {
+    vscode.window.showInformationMessage?.('Open a Guardex workspace folder to start an agent.');
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  if (workspaceFolders.length === 1) {
+    return workspaceFolders[0].uri.fsPath;
+  }
+
+  const picks = workspaceFolders.map((folder) => ({
+    label: path.basename(folder.uri.fsPath),
+    description: folder.uri.fsPath,
+    repoRoot: folder.uri.fsPath,
+  }));
+  const selection = await vscode.window.showQuickPick?.(picks, {
+    placeHolder: 'Select the Guardex repo where gx branch start should run.',
+  });
+  return selection?.repoRoot || null;
+}
+
+async function promptStartAgentDetails() {
+  const taskName = await vscode.window.showInputBox?.({
+    prompt: 'Task for gx branch start',
+    placeHolder: 'vscode active agents welcome view',
+    ignoreFocusOut: true,
+    validateInput: (value) => value.trim() ? undefined : 'Task is required.',
+  });
+  if (!taskName) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const agentName = await vscode.window.showInputBox?.({
+    prompt: 'Agent name for gx branch start',
+    placeHolder: 'codex',
+    value: 'codex',
+    ignoreFocusOut: true,
+    validateInput: (value) => value.trim() ? undefined : 'Agent name is required.',
+  });
+  if (!agentName) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    taskName: taskName.trim(),
+    agentName: agentName.trim(),
+  };
+}
+
+async function startAgentFromPrompt(refresh) {
+  const repoRoot = await pickRepoRoot();
+  if (!repoRoot) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const details = await promptStartAgentDetails();
+  if (!details) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const terminal = vscode.window.createTerminal?.({
+    name: `GitGuardex: ${path.basename(repoRoot)}`,
+    cwd: repoRoot,
+  });
+  terminal?.show(true);
+  terminal?.sendText(
+    `gx branch start ${shellQuote(details.taskName)} ${shellQuote(details.agentName)}`,
+    true,
+  );
+  refresh();
+}
+
 function buildActiveAgentGroupNodes(sessions) {
   const workingSessions = sessions
     .filter((session) => session.activityKind === 'working')
@@ -511,9 +580,7 @@ class ActiveAgentsProvider {
             + (workingCount > 0 ? ` · ${workingCount} working now` : ''),
         }
       : undefined;
-    this.treeView.message = sessionCount > 0
-      ? undefined
-      : 'Start a sandbox session to populate this view.';
+    this.treeView.message = undefined;
   }
 
   async syncRepoEntries() {
@@ -569,7 +636,7 @@ class ActiveAgentsProvider {
     const repoEntries = await this.syncRepoEntries();
 
     if (repoEntries.length === 0) {
-      return [new InfoItem('No active Guardex agents', 'Open or start a sandbox session.')];
+      return [];
     }
 
     return repoEntries.map((entry) => new RepoItem(entry.repoRoot, entry.sessions, entry.changes));
@@ -638,6 +705,7 @@ function activate(context) {
   context.subscriptions.push(
     treeView,
     vscode.window.registerFileDecorationProvider(decorationProvider),
+    vscode.commands.registerCommand('gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent', () => startAgentFromPrompt(refresh)),
     vscode.commands.registerCommand('gitguardex.activeAgents.refresh', refresh),
     vscode.commands.registerCommand('gitguardex.activeAgents.openWorktree', async (session) => {
       if (!session?.worktreePath) {
diff --git a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
index d38c39e..7d89c87 100644
--- a/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
+++ b/templates/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@
   "main": "./extension.js",
   "contributes": {
     "commands": [
+      {
+        "command": "gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent",
+        "title": "Start Guardex Agent"
+      },
       {
         "command": "gitguardex.activeAgents.refresh",
         "title": "Refresh Active Agents"
@@ -57,6 +61,12 @@
         }
       ]
     },
+    "viewsWelcome": [
+      {
+        "view": "gitguardex.activeAgents",
+        "contents": "No active Guardex agents are visible in this workspace yet.\n\n[Start agent](command:gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent)\n[Open guide](https://github.com/recodeee/gitguardex/blob/main/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md#quick-start)\n[Refresh](command:gitguardex.activeAgents.refresh)"
+      }
+    ],
     "menus": {
       "view/title": [
         {
diff --git a/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js b/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js
index 3b79300..ac2dc7f 100644
--- a/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js
+++ b/test/vscode-active-agents-session-state.test.js
@@ -70,6 +70,9 @@ function createMockVscode(tempRoot) {
     openedDocuments: [],
     shownDocuments: [],
     infoMessages: [],
+    inputResponses: [],
+    quickPickCalls: [],
+    quickPickResponse: undefined,
     warningMessages: [],
     watchers: [],
   };
@@ -206,6 +209,11 @@ function createMockVscode(tempRoot) {
           registrations.warningMessages.push(args);
           return undefined;
         },
+        showInputBox: async () => registrations.inputResponses.shift(),
+        showQuickPick: async (items, options) => {
+          registrations.quickPickCalls.push({ items, options });
+          return registrations.quickPickResponse;
+        },
         createTerminal: (options) => {
           const terminal = {
             options,
@@ -448,12 +456,42 @@ test('active-agents extension registers tree and decoration providers', async ()
 
   const provider = registrations.providers[0].provider;
   assert.equal(typeof provider.getTreeItem, 'function');
+  assert.equal(typeof registrations.commands.get('gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent'), 'function');
 
-  const [rootItem] = await provider.getChildren();
-  assert.equal(rootItem.label, 'No active Guardex agents');
-  assert.equal(provider.getTreeItem(rootItem), rootItem);
+  const rootItems = await provider.getChildren();
+  assert.deepEqual(rootItems, []);
   assert.equal(registrations.treeViews[0].badge, undefined);
-  assert.equal(registrations.treeViews[0].message, 'Start a sandbox session to populate this view.');
+  assert.equal(registrations.treeViews[0].message, undefined);
+
+  for (const subscription of context.subscriptions) {
+    subscription.dispose?.();
+  }
+});
+
+test('active-agents extension startAgent command prompts and runs gx branch start in a terminal', async () => {
+  const tempRoot = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'guardex-vscode-start-agent-'));
+  const { registrations, vscode } = createMockVscode(tempRoot);
+  registrations.inputResponses.push('demo task', 'codex');
+  const extension = loadExtensionWithMockVscode(vscode);
+  const context = { subscriptions: [] };
+
+  extension.activate(context);
+
+  await registrations.commands.get('gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent')();
+
+  assert.equal(registrations.terminals.length, 1);
+  assert.deepEqual(registrations.terminals[0].options, {
+    name: `GitGuardex: ${path.basename(tempRoot)}`,
+    cwd: tempRoot,
+  });
+  assert.equal(registrations.terminals[0].shown, true);
+  assert.deepEqual(registrations.terminals[0].sentTexts, [
+    {
+      text: "gx branch start 'demo task' 'codex'",
+      addNewLine: true,
+    },
+  ]);
+  assert.deepEqual(registrations.quickPickCalls, []);
 
   for (const subscription of context.subscriptions) {
     subscription.dispose?.();
diff --git a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md
index b63a8c3..23228d9 100644
--- a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md
+++ b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,19 @@
 
 Local VS Code companion for Guardex-managed repos.
 
+## Quick Start
+
+Use the welcome view in Source Control to create or inspect Guardex sandboxes quickly.
+
+1. Install from a Guardex-wired repo:
+
+```sh
+node scripts/install-vscode-active-agents-extension.js
+```
+
+2. Reload the VS Code window.
+3. In Source Control -> `Active Agents`, use `Start agent` to enter a task + agent name and run `gx branch start`.
+
 What it does:
 
 - Adds an `Active Agents` view to the Source Control container.
@@ -12,11 +25,3 @@ What it does:
 - Derives `thinking` versus `working` from the live sandbox worktree, surfaces working counts in the repo/header summary, and shows changed-file counts for active edits.
 - Uses VS Code's native animated `loading~spin` icon for the running-state affordance.
 - Reads repo-local presence files from `.omx/state/active-sessions/`.
-
-Install from a Guardex-wired repo:
-
-```sh
-node scripts/install-vscode-active-agents-extension.js
-```
-
-Then reload the VS Code window.
diff --git a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js
index cdad978..1abba6a 100644
--- a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js
+++ b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/extension.js
@@ -74,14 +74,6 @@ class SessionDecorationProvider {
   }
 }
 
-class InfoItem extends vscode.TreeItem {
-  constructor(label, description = '') {
-    super(label, vscode.TreeItemCollapsibleState.None);
-    this.description = description;
-    this.iconPath = new vscode.ThemeIcon('info');
-  }
-}
-
 class RepoItem extends vscode.TreeItem {
   constructor(repoRoot, sessions, changes) {
     super(path.basename(repoRoot), vscode.TreeItemCollapsibleState.Expanded);
@@ -462,6 +454,83 @@ function countWorkingSessions(sessions) {
   return sessions.filter((session) => session.activityKind === 'working').length;
 }
 
+function shellQuote(value) {
+  return `'${String(value).replace(/'/g, `'\\''`)}'`;
+}
+
+async function pickRepoRoot() {
+  const workspaceFolders = vscode.workspace.workspaceFolders || [];
+  if (workspaceFolders.length === 0) {
+    vscode.window.showInformationMessage?.('Open a Guardex workspace folder to start an agent.');
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  if (workspaceFolders.length === 1) {
+    return workspaceFolders[0].uri.fsPath;
+  }
+
+  const picks = workspaceFolders.map((folder) => ({
+    label: path.basename(folder.uri.fsPath),
+    description: folder.uri.fsPath,
+    repoRoot: folder.uri.fsPath,
+  }));
+  const selection = await vscode.window.showQuickPick?.(picks, {
+    placeHolder: 'Select the Guardex repo where gx branch start should run.',
+  });
+  return selection?.repoRoot || null;
+}
+
+async function promptStartAgentDetails() {
+  const taskName = await vscode.window.showInputBox?.({
+    prompt: 'Task for gx branch start',
+    placeHolder: 'vscode active agents welcome view',
+    ignoreFocusOut: true,
+    validateInput: (value) => value.trim() ? undefined : 'Task is required.',
+  });
+  if (!taskName) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const agentName = await vscode.window.showInputBox?.({
+    prompt: 'Agent name for gx branch start',
+    placeHolder: 'codex',
+    value: 'codex',
+    ignoreFocusOut: true,
+    validateInput: (value) => value.trim() ? undefined : 'Agent name is required.',
+  });
+  if (!agentName) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return {
+    taskName: taskName.trim(),
+    agentName: agentName.trim(),
+  };
+}
+
+async function startAgentFromPrompt(refresh) {
+  const repoRoot = await pickRepoRoot();
+  if (!repoRoot) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const details = await promptStartAgentDetails();
+  if (!details) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const terminal = vscode.window.createTerminal?.({
+    name: `GitGuardex: ${path.basename(repoRoot)}`,
+    cwd: repoRoot,
+  });
+  terminal?.show(true);
+  terminal?.sendText(
+    `gx branch start ${shellQuote(details.taskName)} ${shellQuote(details.agentName)}`,
+    true,
+  );
+  refresh();
+}
+
 function buildActiveAgentGroupNodes(sessions) {
   const workingSessions = sessions
     .filter((session) => session.activityKind === 'working')
@@ -511,9 +580,7 @@ class ActiveAgentsProvider {
             + (workingCount > 0 ? ` · ${workingCount} working now` : ''),
         }
       : undefined;
-    this.treeView.message = sessionCount > 0
-      ? undefined
-      : 'Start a sandbox session to populate this view.';
+    this.treeView.message = undefined;
   }
 
   async syncRepoEntries() {
@@ -569,7 +636,7 @@ class ActiveAgentsProvider {
     const repoEntries = await this.syncRepoEntries();
 
     if (repoEntries.length === 0) {
-      return [new InfoItem('No active Guardex agents', 'Open or start a sandbox session.')];
+      return [];
     }
 
     return repoEntries.map((entry) => new RepoItem(entry.repoRoot, entry.sessions, entry.changes));
@@ -638,6 +705,7 @@ function activate(context) {
   context.subscriptions.push(
     treeView,
     vscode.window.registerFileDecorationProvider(decorationProvider),
+    vscode.commands.registerCommand('gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent', () => startAgentFromPrompt(refresh)),
     vscode.commands.registerCommand('gitguardex.activeAgents.refresh', refresh),
     vscode.commands.registerCommand('gitguardex.activeAgents.openWorktree', async (session) => {
       if (!session?.worktreePath) {
diff --git a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
index d38c39e..7d89c87 100644
--- a/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
+++ b/vscode/guardex-active-agents/package.json
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@
   "main": "./extension.js",
   "contributes": {
     "commands": [
+      {
+        "command": "gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent",
+        "title": "Start Guardex Agent"
+      },
       {
         "command": "gitguardex.activeAgents.refresh",
         "title": "Refresh Active Agents"
@@ -57,6 +61,12 @@
         }
       ]
     },
+    "viewsWelcome": [
+      {
+        "view": "gitguardex.activeAgents",
+        "contents": "No active Guardex agents are visible in this workspace yet.\n\n[Start agent](command:gitguardex.activeAgents.startAgent)\n[Open guide](https://github.com/recodeee/gitguardex/blob/main/vscode/guardex-active-agents/README.md#quick-start)\n[Refresh](command:gitguardex.activeAgents.refresh)"
+      }
+    ],
     "menus": {
       "view/title": [
         {