diff --git a/app/(dashboard)/bookkeeping/page.tsx b/app/(dashboard)/bookkeeping/page.tsx
index f92bd111..f6ded70e 100644
--- a/app/(dashboard)/bookkeeping/page.tsx
+++ b/app/(dashboard)/bookkeeping/page.tsx
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import { useState, useEffect, useMemo } from 'react'
 import dynamic from 'next/dynamic'
 import { useRouter, useSearchParams } from 'next/navigation'
 import { useTranslations } from 'next-intl'
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
+import { useAssistantAvailable } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
 import JournalEntryList from '@/components/bookkeeping/JournalEntryList'
 import { StartCard } from '@/components/dashboard/StartCard'
 import { type FormLine } from '@/components/bookkeeping/JournalEntryForm'
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ const TemplateBookDialog = dynamic(
 // SplitButton modes for "Nytt verifikat" (concept scene 9). The last-used
 // mode persists per user in ui_state.create_mode.bookkeeping.
 const CREATE_MODES = ['tomt', 'mall', 'assistent'] as const
+type CreateMode = (typeof CREATE_MODES)[number]
 
 interface NextVoucher {
   next: number
@@ -75,6 +78,16 @@ export default function BookkeepingPage() {
   const tStart = useTranslations('start_cards')
   const { openAgentSheet } = useAgentSheet()
   const { uiState, loaded: uiStateLoaded } = useUiState()
+  // The 'assistent' mode opens the tool-loop runtime (verifikation.draft via
+  // /api/agent/invoke), which an OpenAI-compatible or unconfigured deployment
+  // cannot run (#2204): drop it from the split button and the pristine cards
+  // rather than offer a door into a 503. One list feeds both surfaces, and a
+  // persisted last-used 'assistent' falls back to 'tomt' through
+  // resolveInitialMode's validity check.
+  const assistantAvailable = useAssistantAvailable()
+  const createModes: readonly CreateMode[] = assistantAvailable
+    ? CREATE_MODES
+    : CREATE_MODES.filter((mode) => mode !== 'assistent')
 
   // React to copy_from in URL: switch tab, fetch source entry, then clean URL.
   // useSearchParams keeps this reactive even when navigation happens within the
@@ -234,7 +247,7 @@ export default function BookkeepingPage() {
             // to the persisted last-used mode.
             key={uiStateLoaded ? 'loaded' : 'initial'}
             persistKey="bookkeeping"
-            initialModeKey={resolveInitialMode(uiState, 'bookkeeping', CREATE_MODES, 'tomt')}
+            initialModeKey={resolveInitialMode(uiState, 'bookkeeping', createModes, 'tomt')}
             options={[
               {
                 key: 'tomt',
@@ -267,7 +280,7 @@ export default function BookkeepingPage() {
                     contextRef: 'verifikation:new',
                   }),
               },
-            ]}
+            ].filter((option) => (createModes as readonly string[]).includes(option.key))}
           />
         }
       />
@@ -288,9 +301,9 @@ export default function BookkeepingPage() {
               primary={{ label: tStart('bookkeeping_primary'), href: '/import?mode=migration' }}
               secondary={{ label: tStart('bookkeeping_secondary'), href: '/import?mode=sie' }}
             />
-            {/* The split button's three create modes, laid out as cards so the
-                pristine page shows what the ledger can do instead of a bare table. */}
-            <div className="grid gap-4 sm:grid-cols-3">
+            {/* The split button's create modes, laid out as cards so the pristine
+                page shows what the ledger can do instead of a bare table. */}
+            <div className={cn('grid gap-4', createModes.length === 3 ? 'sm:grid-cols-3' : 'sm:grid-cols-2')}>
               {(
                 [
                   ['mall', () => setShowTemplateDialog(true)],
@@ -307,7 +320,9 @@ export default function BookkeepingPage() {
                     },
                   ],
                 ] as const
-              ).map(([mode, onClick]) => (
+              )
+                .filter(([mode]) => createModes.includes(mode))
+                .map(([mode, onClick]) => (
                 <button
                   key={mode}
                   type="button"
diff --git a/app/(dashboard)/chat/intake/page.tsx b/app/(dashboard)/chat/intake/page.tsx
index 27d0ddab..7ab8a56f 100644
--- a/app/(dashboard)/chat/intake/page.tsx
+++ b/app/(dashboard)/chat/intake/page.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { redirect } from 'next/navigation'
 import ChatIntakeStarter from '@/components/agent/ChatIntakeStarter'
+import { getAiStatus } from '@/lib/ai'
 import { getDashboardAuthContext, getDashboardCompanyId } from '../../request-context'
 
 export const dynamic = 'force-dynamic'
@@ -18,6 +19,10 @@ export default async function ChatIntakePage() {
   ])
   if (!user) redirect('/login')
   if (!companyId) redirect('/onboarding')
+  // onboarding.intake runs on the tool-loop runtime; without it (#2204) the
+  // starter would fire an invoke that answers 503. The agent is built by now,
+  // so the general-help console on /chat is the working next step.
+  if (!getAiStatus().assistantAvailable) redirect('/chat')
 
   return <ChatIntakeStarter />
 }
diff --git a/app/(dashboard)/chat/new/page.tsx b/app/(dashboard)/chat/new/page.tsx
index c27f78ec..2ef14f74 100644
--- a/app/(dashboard)/chat/new/page.tsx
+++ b/app/(dashboard)/chat/new/page.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import { redirect } from 'next/navigation'
 import ChatNewStarter from '@/components/agent/ChatNewStarter'
 import { getIntent } from '@/lib/agent/intents/registry'
+import { CHAT_INTENT_ID } from '@/lib/agent/ask/persist'
+import { getAiStatus } from '@/lib/ai'
 import { getDashboardAuthContext, getDashboardCompanyId } from '../../request-context'
 
 export const dynamic = 'force-dynamic'
@@ -28,7 +30,13 @@ export default async function ChatNewPage({ searchParams }: PageProps) {
   // Validate against the registry: a bogus ?intent= would otherwise render the
   // chat shell and then fail at invoke with a 400, which reads as "Anna is broken"
   // rather than "bad link". Fall back to general help instead.
-  const intent = getIntent(requested) ? requested : 'general.help'
+  // Specialized intents run on the tool-loop runtime; where the deployment
+  // cannot run it (#2204) the single-call console takes the same prompt as
+  // general help instead of a chat that fails at invoke.
+  const intent =
+    getIntent(requested) && (requested === CHAT_INTENT_ID || getAiStatus().assistantAvailable)
+      ? requested
+      : CHAT_INTENT_ID
   const prompt = typeof sp.prompt === 'string' ? sp.prompt : ''
 
   return <ChatNewStarter intentId={intent} seedUserMessage={prompt} />
diff --git a/app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx b/app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx
index b1249850..9c50224f 100644
--- a/app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx
+++ b/app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import { getExtensionNavItems } from '@/lib/extensions/sectors'
 import { CompanyProvider, type ByraTeamRef } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
 import { ReferenceDataSeed } from '@/components/providers/ReferenceDataSeed'
 import { getCompanyEntitlements } from '@/lib/entitlements/has-capability'
+import { getAiStatus } from '@/lib/ai'
 import { getDashboardNavFlags } from '@/lib/dashboard/nav-flags'
 import { getBranding } from '@/lib/branding/service'
 import { resolveBrandByHost } from '@/lib/branding/resolve'
@@ -77,6 +78,12 @@ export default async function DashboardLayout({
     redirect('/login')
   }
 
+  // Deployment-level: can the in-app assistant (the tool-loop runtime behind
+  // /api/agent/invoke) run here at all? Env reads only. Handed to every
+  // CompanyProvider below so the entry points that open that runtime can hide
+  // instead of leading the user into its 503 (#2204).
+  const assistantAvailable = getAiStatus().assistantAvailable
+
   // Resolve active company from user_preferences (authoritative). The
   // `gnubok-company-id` cookie is intentionally no longer consulted here:
   // `getActiveCompanyId` reads from user_preferences, matching what RLS
@@ -196,6 +203,7 @@ export default async function DashboardLayout({
           foreignCompanies: [],
           isSandbox: false,
           capabilities: [],
+          assistantAvailable,
           trialEndsAt: null,
           entitlementState: 'none' as const,
           trialExpiredAt: null,
@@ -351,6 +359,7 @@ export default async function DashboardLayout({
       foreignCompanies: [],
       isSandbox: false,
       capabilities: [],
+      assistantAvailable,
       trialEndsAt: null,
       entitlementState: 'none' as const,
       trialExpiredAt: null,
@@ -518,6 +527,7 @@ export default async function DashboardLayout({
     foreignCompanies,
     isSandbox,
     capabilities: entitlements.capabilities,
+    assistantAvailable,
     trialEndsAt: entitlements.trialEndsAt,
     entitlementState: entitlements.entitlementState,
     trialExpiredAt: entitlements.trialExpiredAt,
diff --git a/components/agent/AgentChat.tsx b/components/agent/AgentChat.tsx
index 9b62ff08..4493837e 100644
--- a/components/agent/AgentChat.tsx
+++ b/components/agent/AgentChat.tsx
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ import {
 import dynamic from 'next/dynamic'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils'
-import { useCapability } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
+import { useTranslations } from 'next-intl'
+import { useAssistantAvailable, useCapability } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
 import { CAPABILITY } from '@/lib/entitlements/keys'
 import { UpgradeNote } from '@/components/billing/UpgradeNote'
 import ApprovalCard from './ApprovalCard'
@@ -251,6 +252,11 @@ export default function AgentChat({
   // though it were the new one.
   const turnStartRef = useRef(0)
   const hasAi = useCapability(CAPABILITY.ai)
+  // Whether the deployment can run this runtime at all (#2204). Every entry
+  // point hides itself when it cannot; this is the last line of defense for a
+  // resumed thread or a deep link: never fire an invoke that answers 503.
+  const assistantAvailable = useAssistantAvailable()
+  const tChat = useTranslations('agent_chat')
   const [input, setInput] = useState('')
   const [streaming, setStreaming] = useState(false)
   // Turn boundaries for the status channel are derived from the streaming flag
@@ -312,9 +318,10 @@ export default function AgentChat({
     const hasResumeState = !!initialConversationId
     if (hasResumeState) return
 
-    // Paywall: never auto-fire the first invoke without the ai capability;
-    // the composer is already replaced by the upgrade note.
-    if (!hasAi) return
+    // Paywall / no runtime: never auto-fire the first invoke without the ai
+    // capability or the tool-loop runtime; the composer is already replaced
+    // by the upgrade note or the unavailable notice.
+    if (!hasAi || !assistantAvailable) return
 
     // Seed-message path: render the user's pre-baked starter in the timeline
     // and send it as the first turn's user_message (skips intent.capture +
@@ -543,7 +550,7 @@ export default function AgentChat({
   }
 
   function handleRegenerate() {
-    if (!hasAi) return
+    if (!hasAi || !assistantAvailable) return
     // Re-run the last user message and let the agent produce a fresh
     // response. UI truncates back to the last user message; DB rows are
     // append-only, so the previous assistant turn stays in agent_messages
@@ -611,7 +618,7 @@ export default function AgentChat({
   // user turn so the agent re-proposes inline: no synthetic user bubble (we
   // don't add a user row, and the turn is persisted hidden).
   function handleCorrection(correctionMessage: string) {
-    if (!hasAi) return
+    if (!hasAi || !assistantAvailable) return
     void startTurn({ conversationId, userMessage: correctionMessage, hidden: true })
   }
 
@@ -865,6 +872,7 @@ export default function AgentChat({
               showRegenerate={
                 !streaming &&
                 hasAi &&
+                assistantAvailable &&
                 i === lastAssistantIdx &&
                 m.role === 'assistant' &&
                 m.text.length > 0
@@ -924,6 +932,15 @@ export default function AgentChat({
         <div className="border-t border-border px-5 pt-4 pb-[calc(env(safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+1rem)]">
           <UpgradeNote>AI-assistenten kräver ett abonnemang.</UpgradeNote>
         </div>
+      ) : !assistantAvailable ? (
+        /* No tool-loop runtime on this deployment (#2204): same swap as the
+           paywall, so a resumed or deep-linked thread never offers a send
+           that answers 503. */
+        <div className="border-t border-border px-5 pt-4 pb-[calc(env(safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+1rem)]">
+          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground" role="status">
+            {tChat('assistant_unavailable')}
+          </p>
+        </div>
       ) : (
       <form
         // padding-bottom = base 1rem + safe-area-inset-bottom on phones so
diff --git a/components/agent/AgentTrigger.tsx b/components/agent/AgentTrigger.tsx
index ac976216..f125ec18 100644
--- a/components/agent/AgentTrigger.tsx
+++ b/components/agent/AgentTrigger.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { Loader2, X } from 'lucide-react'
 import AgentAvatar from './AgentAvatar'
 import { collapsedStatusLabel } from './agent-status'
 import { routeToIntent } from '@/lib/agent/intents/route-mapping'
-import { useCapability } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
+import { useAssistantAvailable, useCapability } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
 import { CAPABILITY } from '@/lib/entitlements/keys'
 
 // Floating trigger sits above the page bottom-right, opens the AgentSheet when
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ export default function AgentTrigger({ hidden = false }: { hidden?: boolean }) {
   const pathname = usePathname()
   const router = useRouter()
   const hasAi = useCapability(CAPABILITY.ai)
+  const assistantAvailable = useAssistantAvailable()
 
   // Read the dismissal AFTER hydration (effect, not state initializer): the
   // server always renders the pill, so an initializer that reads
@@ -147,7 +148,10 @@ export default function AgentTrigger({ hidden = false }: { hidden?: boolean }) {
   if (!identity.isVerified) return null
 
   const name = identity.displayName?.trim() || 'min assistent'
-  const dispatch = routeToIntent(pathname)
+  // Without the tool-loop runtime (OpenAI-compatible or unconfigured AI, #2204)
+  // every route dispatches to general.help: the single-call console runs on
+  // any provider, so the pill stays but never opens a chat that would 503.
+  const dispatch = routeToIntent(pathname, { assistantAvailable })
   // AI assistant runs on a paid cloud service. Without the capability, opening
   // the sheet would land the user in a chat whose send is dead. Keep the FAB
   // visible (it's the conversion surface) but route it to billing instead.
diff --git a/components/extensions/general/InvoiceInboxWorkspace.tsx b/components/extensions/general/InvoiceInboxWorkspace.tsx
index ed5920ee..db8c5387 100644
--- a/components/extensions/general/InvoiceInboxWorkspace.tsx
+++ b/components/extensions/general/InvoiceInboxWorkspace.tsx
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ import { useReceiptHunt } from '@/components/extensions/general/use-receipt-hunt
 import { createClient } from '@/lib/supabase/client'
 import { fetchWithTimeout } from '@/lib/http/fetch-with-timeout'
 import { copyInboxAddress, type AddressCopyState } from '@/components/extensions/general/inbox-address-copy'
-import { useCapability, useCompanyOptional } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
+import { useAssistantAvailable, useCapability, useCompanyOptional } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
 import { CAPABILITY } from '@/lib/entitlements/keys'
 import { useBranding } from '@/lib/branding/brand-context'
 import type { WorkspaceComponentProps } from '@/lib/extensions/workspace-registry'
@@ -440,6 +440,9 @@ export default function InvoiceInboxWorkspace(_props: WorkspaceComponentProps) {
   // Its own input: sharing the header's would upload without the purchase.
   const purchaseFileInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement | null>(null)
   const { openAgentSheet, identity } = useAgentSheet()
+  // Both "Fråga assistenten" doors below open the tool-loop runtime
+  // (/api/agent/invoke); hide them where the deployment cannot run it (#2204).
+  const assistantAvailable = useAssistantAvailable()
 
   const [items, setItems] = useState<InboxItem[]>([])
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(true)
@@ -1869,7 +1872,7 @@ export default function InvoiceInboxWorkspace(_props: WorkspaceComponentProps) {
               </Button>
               {/* Secondary actions: outlined, so they read as buttons */}
               <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                {identity.isVerified && (
+                {identity.isVerified && assistantAvailable && (
                   <Button
                     variant="outline"
                     size="sm"
@@ -2197,7 +2200,7 @@ export default function InvoiceInboxWorkspace(_props: WorkspaceComponentProps) {
                 await Promise.all([fetchItems(), handleSelect(targetId)])
               }}
               onAskAssistant={
-                identity.isVerified
+                identity.isVerified && assistantAvailable
                   ? (transactionId) => {
                       openAgentSheet({
                         intentId: 'transaction.categorization',
diff --git a/components/onboarding/NewUserChecklist.tsx b/components/onboarding/NewUserChecklist.tsx
index 492fa818..86d1e53a 100644
--- a/components/onboarding/NewUserChecklist.tsx
+++ b/components/onboarding/NewUserChecklist.tsx
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import {
   type VatDeadlineLine,
 } from '@/lib/onboarding/checklist'
 import { ENABLED_EXTENSION_IDS } from '@/lib/extensions/_generated/enabled-extensions'
-import { useCapability } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
+import { useAssistantAvailable, useCapability } from '@/contexts/CompanyContext'
 import { CAPABILITY } from '@/lib/entitlements/keys'
 import type { InitialSetupPath, InitialSetupState } from '@/types'
 import { useBranding } from '@/lib/branding/brand-context'
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
   const showError = useErrorToast()
   const { formatDateLong } = useFormat()
   const hasAi = useCapability(CAPABILITY.ai)
+  const assistantAvailable = useAssistantAvailable()
   const [state, setState] = useState(initialState)
   const [saving, setSaving] = useState<InitialSetupPath | 'dismiss' | 'complete' | null>(null)
   // The completion signature: 'verdict' shows the orb check-morph and the
@@ -121,6 +122,21 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
   const hasSkatteverket = ENABLED_EXTENSION_IDS.has('skatteverket')
   const hasInbox = ENABLED_EXTENSION_IDS.has('invoice-inbox')
   const hasWhatsApp = ENABLED_EXTENSION_IDS.has('whatsapp-inbox')
+  // The Claude step is a pitch for running the books with Claude over the MCP
+  // server. It goes when either half is missing: no mcp-server extension (the
+  // connector URL would 404) or a deployment whose AI runs on another provider
+  // (getAiStatus().assistantAvailable false, #2204), where steering every new
+  // user to claude.ai contradicts the operator's own choice. Settings → API &
+  // MCP keeps the connector for anyone who wants it anyway.
+  const hasClaudeStep = assistantAvailable && ENABLED_EXTENSION_IDS.has('mcp-server')
+  // Which step closes the thread (carries no spine below it).
+  const lastStep = hasClaudeStep
+    ? 'assistant'
+    : hasInbox
+      ? 'receipts'
+      : hasSkatteverket
+        ? 'skv'
+        : 'bank'
 
   const persist = async (
     body: Record<string, unknown>,
@@ -150,10 +166,11 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
 
   const step1Done = hasBookkeepingImported || state.path === 'fresh'
   const step2Done = hasBankConnected
-  // Companies built without the skatteverket/inbox extensions skip those steps.
+  // Companies built without the skatteverket/inbox extensions skip those
+  // steps; so does the Claude step where it does not render.
   const step3Done = !hasSkatteverket || hasSkatteverketConnected
   const step4Done = !hasInbox || hasInboxItems
-  const step5Done = hasMcpKey
+  const step5Done = !hasClaudeStep || hasMcpKey
 
   useEffect(() => {
     // The block retires itself once every step is done; Dölj remains the
@@ -192,7 +209,7 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
     }
   }, [retiring])
 
-  const numbers = checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket, hasInbox })
+  const numbers = checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket, hasInbox, hasAssistant: hasClaudeStep })
   const stepCount = numbers.count
 
   if (state.dismissedAt) return null
@@ -346,6 +363,7 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
           done={step2Done}
           active={activeStep === 2}
           title={t('step_bank_title')}
+          last={lastStep === 'bank'}
           action={(variant) => (
             <Button
               size="sm"
@@ -387,6 +405,7 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
             done={step3Done}
             active={activeStep === 3}
             title={t('step_skv_title')}
+            last={lastStep === 'skv'}
             action={(variant) => (
               <Button size="sm" variant={variant} asChild>
                 {/* The authorize endpoint redirects off-site to Skatteverket. */}
@@ -430,6 +449,7 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
             done={step4Done}
             active={activeStep === 4}
             title={t('step_receipts_title')}
+            last={lastStep === 'receipts'}
             action={(variant) => (
               <Button size="sm" variant={variant} onClick={goReceipts}>
                 {t('step_receipts_action')}
@@ -445,6 +465,7 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
           </Step>
         )}
 
+        {hasClaudeStep && (
         <Step
           number={numbers.assistant}
           done={step5Done}
@@ -504,6 +525,7 @@ export default function NewUserChecklist({
         >
           {t('step_claude_description')}
         </Step>
+        )}
       </ol>
     </section>
   )
diff --git a/contexts/CompanyContext.tsx b/contexts/CompanyContext.tsx
index 88777717..9022b90a 100644
--- a/contexts/CompanyContext.tsx
+++ b/contexts/CompanyContext.tsx
@@ -49,6 +49,16 @@ interface CompanyContextValue {
   isSandbox: boolean
   /** PAID capability keys the active company currently holds (entitled + enabled). */
   capabilities: CapabilityKey[]
+  /**
+   * Whether this deployment can run the in-app assistant, i.e. the tool-loop
+   * runtime behind /api/agent/invoke: getAiStatus().assistantAvailable, false
+   * without AI credentials or on an OpenAI-compatible endpoint (#2204).
+   * Deployment-level, not per company. Gates ONLY the surfaces that open
+   * that runtime; provider-agnostic AI (the single-call ask console,
+   * categorization, document extraction) never reads it. The route's 503
+   * stays the real enforcement.
+   */
+  assistantAvailable: boolean
   /**
    * Trial expiry while the trial is the company's only source of paid access;
    * null when paying/comped or after the trial lapsed. Drives the countdown
@@ -111,3 +121,16 @@ export function useCapability(key: CapabilityKey): boolean {
   if (!ctx) return true
   return ctx.capabilities.includes(key)
 }
+
+/**
+ * Whether the deployment can run the in-app assistant (see
+ * CompanyContextValue.assistantAvailable). Read it at every entry point that
+ * opens AgentChat / /api/agent/invoke; the single-call console (general.help)
+ * runs on any provider and does not need it. Fail-open outside a
+ * CompanyProvider for the same reason as useCapability: the server answers 503.
+ */
+export function useAssistantAvailable(): boolean {
+  const ctx = useContext(CompanyContext)
+  if (!ctx) return true
+  return ctx.assistantAvailable
+}
diff --git a/lib/agent/intents/__tests__/route-mapping.test.ts b/lib/agent/intents/__tests__/route-mapping.test.ts
index d2cdcaf8..a01776a1 100644
--- a/lib/agent/intents/__tests__/route-mapping.test.ts
+++ b/lib/agent/intents/__tests__/route-mapping.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,33 @@
 import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
 import { routeToIntent, contextRefToTarget } from '../route-mapping'
 
+describe('routeToIntent without the tool-loop runtime', () => {
+  // getAiStatus().assistantAvailable is false on an OpenAI-compatible or
+  // unconfigured deployment (#2204): the trigger keeps working on the
+  // single-call console, so every route collapses onto general.help.
+  it('dispatches every specialized route to general.help', () => {
+    for (const route of [
+      '/invoices/new',
+      '/invoices/abc-123',
+      '/supplier-invoices/sup-1',
+      '/bookkeeping/year-end',
+      '/kpi',
+      '/settings/invoicing',
+    ]) {
+      const out = routeToIntent(route, { assistantAvailable: false })
+      expect(out.intentId).toBe('general.help')
+      expect(out.intentArgs).toEqual({ route })
+      expect(out.contextRef).toBeUndefined()
+      expect(out.labelSuffix).toBeNull()
+    }
+  })
+
+  it('leaves the specialized dispatch alone when the option is omitted or true', () => {
+    expect(routeToIntent('/kpi').intentId).toBe('kpi.explain')
+    expect(routeToIntent('/kpi', { assistantAvailable: true }).intentId).toBe('kpi.explain')
+  })
+})
+
 describe('routeToIntent', () => {
   it('falls back to general.help when pathname is null/undefined/empty', () => {
     for (const input of [null, undefined, '']) {
diff --git a/lib/agent/intents/route-mapping.ts b/lib/agent/intents/route-mapping.ts
index 74972cff..7413b407 100644
--- a/lib/agent/intents/route-mapping.ts
+++ b/lib/agent/intents/route-mapping.ts
@@ -29,8 +29,23 @@ const GENERAL_HELP = (route: string | null): RouteIntent => ({
   labelSuffix: null,
 })
 
-export function routeToIntent(pathname: string | null | undefined): RouteIntent {
+export interface RouteIntentOptions {
+  /**
+   * Whether the deployment can run the tool-loop runtime (/api/agent/invoke,
+   * getAiStatus().assistantAvailable). Every specialized intent below runs on
+   * it; general.help runs on the single-call console, which any provider can
+   * serve. When false, every route dispatches to general.help so the trigger
+   * keeps working instead of opening a chat that 503s (#2204). Omitted = true.
+   */
+  assistantAvailable?: boolean
+}
+
+export function routeToIntent(
+  pathname: string | null | undefined,
+  options: RouteIntentOptions = {},
+): RouteIntent {
   if (!pathname) return GENERAL_HELP(null)
+  if (options.assistantAvailable === false) return GENERAL_HELP(pathname)
 
   const segments = pathname.split('/').filter(Boolean)
   const [first, second] = segments
diff --git a/lib/ai/__tests__/config.test.ts b/lib/ai/__tests__/config.test.ts
index 1b589c20..885b7452 100644
--- a/lib/ai/__tests__/config.test.ts
+++ b/lib/ai/__tests__/config.test.ts
@@ -199,6 +199,16 @@ describe('getAiStatus', () => {
     expect(s.models.extraction).toBe('eu.anthropic.claude-sonnet-5')
   })
 
+  it('is configured and assistant-capable on a direct Anthropic key', () => {
+    // Presence is all the config reads (no format check), so the placeholder
+    // deliberately cannot match a real key's shape and trip secret scanners.
+    process.env.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY = 'test-not-a-real-key'
+    const s = getAiStatus()
+    expect(s.provider).toBe('anthropic')
+    expect(s.configured).toBe(true)
+    expect(s.assistantAvailable).toBe(true)
+  })
+
   it('needs a model id on an OpenAI-compatible endpoint before it counts as configured', () => {
     byo('')
     const s = getAiStatus()
diff --git a/lib/onboarding/__tests__/checklist.test.ts b/lib/onboarding/__tests__/checklist.test.ts
index 1354a9e1..d16d849a 100644
--- a/lib/onboarding/__tests__/checklist.test.ts
+++ b/lib/onboarding/__tests__/checklist.test.ts
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ describe('vatDeadlineLine', () => {
 
 describe('checklistNumbers', () => {
   it('numbers all five steps when both extensions are on', () => {
-    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: true, hasInbox: true })).toEqual({
+    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: true, hasInbox: true, hasAssistant: true })).toEqual({
       count: 5,
       skv: 3,
       receipts: 4,
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ describe('checklistNumbers', () => {
   })
 
   it('collapses to four steps without the inbox extension', () => {
-    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: true, hasInbox: false })).toEqual({
+    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: true, hasInbox: false, hasAssistant: true })).toEqual({
       count: 4,
       skv: 3,
       receipts: 4,
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ describe('checklistNumbers', () => {
   })
 
   it('collapses to four steps without the skatteverket extension', () => {
-    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: false, hasInbox: true })).toEqual({
+    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: false, hasInbox: true, hasAssistant: true })).toEqual({
       count: 4,
       skv: 3,
       receipts: 3,
@@ -72,13 +72,30 @@ describe('checklistNumbers', () => {
   })
 
   it('collapses to three steps with neither extension', () => {
-    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: false, hasInbox: false })).toEqual({
+    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: false, hasInbox: false, hasAssistant: true })).toEqual({
       count: 3,
       skv: 3,
       receipts: 3,
       assistant: 3,
     })
   })
+
+  // A deployment that cannot run the assistant (#2204) drops the Claude step:
+  // the title counts one step fewer, the other ordinals stay put.
+  it('drops the assistant step from the count without moving the other ordinals', () => {
+    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: true, hasInbox: true, hasAssistant: false })).toEqual({
+      count: 4,
+      skv: 3,
+      receipts: 4,
+      assistant: 5,
+    })
+    expect(checklistNumbers({ hasSkatteverket: false, hasInbox: false, hasAssistant: false })).toEqual({
+      count: 2,
+      skv: 3,
+      receipts: 3,
+      assistant: 3,
+    })
+  })
 })
 
 describe('completionPatchBody', () => {
diff --git a/lib/onboarding/checklist.ts b/lib/onboarding/checklist.ts
index d5ae8d36..8268156b 100644
--- a/lib/onboarding/checklist.ts
+++ b/lib/onboarding/checklist.ts
@@ -33,10 +33,15 @@ export function vatDeadlineLine(input: {
 /**
  * Display ordinals for the setup checklist steps. Books and bank are always
  * present; Skatteverket and the receipts/inbox step render only when their
- * extensions are enabled; the assistant step is always last. `count` drives
+ * extensions are enabled; the assistant (Claude) step renders only where the
+ * deployment can run the assistant and, when it does, is last. `count` drives
  * the "{count} steg så är bokföringen igång" title.
  */
-export function checklistNumbers(gates: { hasSkatteverket: boolean; hasInbox: boolean }): {
+export function checklistNumbers(gates: {
+  hasSkatteverket: boolean
+  hasInbox: boolean
+  hasAssistant: boolean
+}): {
   count: number
   skv: number
   receipts: number
@@ -45,7 +50,10 @@ export function checklistNumbers(gates: { hasSkatteverket: boolean; hasInbox: bo
   const skv = 3
   const receipts = 3 + (gates.hasSkatteverket ? 1 : 0)
   const assistant = receipts + (gates.hasInbox ? 1 : 0)
-  return { count: assistant, skv, receipts, assistant }
+  // Without the assistant step the thread ends one step earlier; the other
+  // ordinals do not move.
+  const count = gates.hasAssistant ? assistant : assistant - 1
+  return { count, skv, receipts, assistant }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/messages/en.json b/messages/en.json
index 70135e86..cd39abfa 100644
--- a/messages/en.json
+++ b/messages/en.json
@@ -122,6 +122,9 @@
     "cta_primary": "View subscription",
     "cta_secondary": "Continue without"
   },
+  "agent_chat": {
+    "assistant_unavailable": "The assistant cannot run on the AI provider configured for this installation."
+  },
   "agentKnowledge": {
     "load_error_title": "Couldn't load the knowledge profile",
     "load_error_description": "Something went wrong loading what your agent knows. Try reopening this tab.",
diff --git a/messages/sv.json b/messages/sv.json
index d5fc666f..24706908 100644
--- a/messages/sv.json
+++ b/messages/sv.json
@@ -122,6 +122,9 @@
     "cta_primary": "Se abonnemang",
     "cta_secondary": "Fortsätt utan"
   },
+  "agent_chat": {
+    "assistant_unavailable": "Assistenten kan inte köras med den AI-leverantör som är konfigurerad på den här installationen."
+  },
   "agentKnowledge": {
     "load_error_title": "Kunde inte läsa in kunskapsprofilen",
     "load_error_description": "Något gick fel när det din agent vet skulle läsas in. Försök öppna fliken igen.",