diff --git a/src/main/runtime/runtime-folder-worktree-create.ts b/src/main/runtime/runtime-folder-worktree-create.ts
index efea3c22c72..ef7798c91f9 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/runtime-folder-worktree-create.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/runtime-folder-worktree-create.ts
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ export async function createRuntimeFolderWorktree(args: {
       undefined,
       args.startup && !didSpawnStartup ? args.startup : undefined
     )
-  } else if (deps.ptySpawnAvailable && !didSpawnStartup) {
+  } else if (deps.ptySpawnAvailable && !didSpawnStartup && !args.createdWithAgent) {
     try {
       await deps.createTerminal(`id:${worktree.id}`, { surfaceOwner: false })
     } catch (error) {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup.test.ts b/src/main/runtime/runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1153b173553
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/runtime/runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type { Repo } from '../../shared/repo-types'
+import type { Worktree } from '../../shared/worktree/types'
+import { startRuntimeLocalWorktreeTerminals } from './runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup'
+
+const repo: Repo = {
+  id: 'repo-1',
+  path: '/repo',
+  displayName: 'repo',
+  badgeColor: 'blue',
+  addedAt: 1
+}
+
+const worktree: Worktree = {
+  id: 'worktree-1',
+  repoId: repo.id,
+  path: '/worktree',
+  head: 'abc',
+  branch: 'feature',
+  isBare: false,
+  isMainWorktree: false,
+  displayName: 'feature',
+  comment: '',
+  linkedIssue: null,
+  linkedPR: null,
+  linkedLinearIssue: null,
+  isArchived: false,
+  isUnread: false,
+  isPinned: false,
+  sortOrder: 0,
+  lastActivityAt: 1
+}
+
+type StartupArgs = Parameters<typeof startRuntimeLocalWorktreeTerminals>[0]
+
+function createPorts() {
+  const createTerminal = vi.fn<StartupArgs['ports']['createTerminal']>().mockResolvedValue({
+    handle: 'term-1',
+    worktreeId: worktree.id,
+    title: null
+  })
+  const ports: StartupArgs['ports'] = {
+    canSpawn: true,
+    markTrusted: vi.fn(),
+    createTerminal,
+    pasteDraft: vi.fn(),
+    sendFollowup: vi.fn(),
+    provision: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ setupSpawned: false, setupTerminalHandle: null }),
+    activate: vi.fn()
+  }
+  return { createTerminal, ports }
+}
+
+describe('startRuntimeLocalWorktreeTerminals default shell seeding', () => {
+  it.each([
+    ['Blank Terminal', undefined, 1],
+    ['an agent', 'codex' as const, 0]
+  ])('seeds a background shell for %s selection only', async (_label, agent, expectedCalls) => {
+    const { createTerminal, ports } = createPorts()
+
+    await startRuntimeLocalWorktreeTerminals({
+      request: { repoSelector: `id:${repo.id}`, name: worktree.displayName },
+      repo,
+      worktree,
+      ...(agent ? { createdWithAgent: agent } : {}),
+      ports
+    })
+
+    expect(createTerminal).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(expectedCalls)
+    if (expectedCalls > 0) {
+      expect(createTerminal).toHaveBeenCalledWith(`id:${worktree.id}`, { surfaceOwner: false })
+    }
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup.ts b/src/main/runtime/runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup.ts
index 35985b53497..7babcd7da7d 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/runtime-local-worktree-terminal-startup.ts
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ export async function startRuntimeLocalWorktreeTerminals(args: {
         didSpawnSetup = true
       }
     }
-  } else if (ports.canSpawn) {
+  } else if (ports.canSpawn && !args.createdWithAgent) {
     try {
       await ports.createTerminal(`id:${worktree.id}`, { surfaceOwner: false })
     } catch (error) {
diff --git a/src/main/runtime/runtime-remote-managed-worktree-create.ts b/src/main/runtime/runtime-remote-managed-worktree-create.ts
index 01a49142dc4..83de82b0594 100644
--- a/src/main/runtime/runtime-remote-managed-worktree-create.ts
+++ b/src/main/runtime/runtime-remote-managed-worktree-create.ts
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ export async function createRuntimeRemoteManagedWorktree(
         didSpawnSetup = true
       }
     }
-  } else if (!shouldActivate && deps.canSpawn()) {
+  } else if (!shouldActivate && deps.canSpawn() && !args.createdWithAgent) {
     try {
       await deps.createTerminal(`path:${result.worktree.path}`, { surfaceOwner: false })
     } catch (err) {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.test.ts
index a96564b6652..ef27dfcc03b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.test.ts
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ describe('submitFolderWorkspaceCreate', () => {
     })
     expect(onOpenChange).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false)
     expect(mocks.activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace).toHaveBeenCalledWith('folder-workspace-1', {
+      agent: null,
       runtimeEnvironmentId: null
     })
     expect(consoleError).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
@@ -532,6 +533,7 @@ describe('submitFolderWorkspaceCreate', () => {
       linkedTask: linkedWorkItem
     })
     expect(mocks.activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace).toHaveBeenCalledWith('folder-workspace-1', {
+      agent: null,
       runtimeEnvironmentId: null
     })
     expect(mocks.ensureAgentStartupInTerminal).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
@@ -659,6 +661,7 @@ describe('submitFolderWorkspaceCreate', () => {
     })
     expect(onOpenChange).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false)
     expect(mocks.activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace).toHaveBeenCalledWith('folder-workspace-1', {
+      agent: null,
       runtimeEnvironmentId: null
     })
   })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.ts
index 34eab00e730..77ff1c193b8 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/sidebar/folder-workspace-composer-submit.ts
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ export async function submitFolderWorkspaceCreate({
   onOpenChange(false)
   try {
     let activation = activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace(workspace.id, {
+      agent: quickAgent,
       ...(!structuredLaunch && startup ? { startup } : {}),
       ...(structuredLaunch ? { providesInitialSurface: true } : {}),
       runtimeEnvironmentId
@@ -229,6 +230,7 @@ export async function submitFolderWorkspaceCreate({
                   connectionId: workspace.connectionId ?? projectGroup.connectionId
                 })
                 const fallbackActivation = activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace(workspace.id, {
+                  agent: quickAgent,
                   ...(startup ? { startup } : {}),
                   runtimeEnvironmentId
                 })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-execution.ts b/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-execution.ts
index 28961e355c6..1ad5a92abab 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-execution.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-execution.ts
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ export function useFullCreationExecution(input: FullCreationExecutionInput) {
 
       const initialActivation = activateAndRevealWorktree(worktree.id, {
         sidebarRevealBehavior: 'auto',
+        agent: tuiAgent,
         setup: result.setup,
         defaultTabs: result.defaultTabs,
         issueCommand,
@@ -229,6 +230,7 @@ export function useFullCreationExecution(input: FullCreationExecutionInput) {
 
       const settlement = await settleFullCreationStructuredLaunch({
         plan: launchPlan,
+        agent: tuiAgent,
         worktreeId: worktree.id,
         startup,
         pendingFirstAgentMessageRename,
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.test.ts
index 4a7b569bf79..d3808357ee8 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.test.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ const plan = (overrides: Partial<AgentSessionLaunchVerdict> = {}) =>
 
 const baseArgs = {
   plan: plan(),
+  agent: 'codex' as const,
   worktreeId: 'worktree-1',
   startup: { command: 'codex' } as never,
   pendingFirstAgentMessageRename: true,
@@ -94,6 +95,7 @@ describe('settleFullCreationStructuredLaunch', () => {
     })
     expect(mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree).toHaveBeenCalledWith('worktree-1', {
       sidebarRevealBehavior: 'auto',
+      agent: 'codex',
       createNewTerminalForStartup: true,
       startup: baseArgs.startup
     })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.ts b/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.ts
index c7e19026ba7..4293e97505a 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/hooks/composer-state/full-creation-structured-launch.ts
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@ import type { WorktreeStartupPayload } from '@/lib/worktree-startup-payload'
 import { activateAndRevealWorktree } from '@/lib/worktree-activation'
 import type { StructuredAgentLaunchSettlement } from '@/lib/structured-agent-launch-settlement'
 import { activateStructuredAgentSessionById } from '@/lib/structured-agent-session-tab-activation'
+import type { TuiAgent } from '../../../../shared/tui-agent'
 
 /** Full-create dialog: the structured launch plus what this flow did before structured chat
  *  existed. Returns null when the plan's route is not structured. */
 export async function settleFullCreationStructuredLaunch(args: {
   /** Planned before the worktree existed; `worktreeId` names the one that was created. */
   plan: AgentSessionLaunchPlan
+  agent: TuiAgent
   worktreeId: string
   startup: WorktreeStartupPayload | undefined
   pendingFirstAgentMessageRename: boolean
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ export async function settleFullCreationStructuredLaunch(args: {
         }
         const activation = activateAndRevealWorktree(args.worktreeId, {
           sidebarRevealBehavior: 'auto',
+          agent: args.agent,
           createNewTerminalForStartup: true,
           ...(args.startup ? { startup: args.startup } : {})
         })
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-emptied-workspace-reseed.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-emptied-workspace-reseed.test.ts
index f9ebf55b0d2..ea4f3119bbc 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-emptied-workspace-reseed.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-emptied-workspace-reseed.test.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,23 @@ function seedClosedLastTerminal(worktreeId: string): void {
 }
 
 describe('activating a workspace whose last terminal was closed', () => {
+  it.each([
+    ['Blank Terminal', null, 1],
+    ['an agent', 'codex' as const, 0]
+  ])('seeds a default shell for %s selection only', (_label, agent, expectedTabCount) => {
+    const worktree = makeWorktree()
+    seedEmptyActivatableWorktree(worktree)
+
+    const result = activateAndRevealWorktree(worktree.id, {
+      agent,
+      notifyHostRuntime: false
+    })
+
+    expect(result).not.toBe(false)
+    expect(result === false ? null : result.primaryTabId === null).toBe(expectedTabCount === 0)
+    expect(useAppStore.getState().tabsByWorktree[worktree.id] ?? []).toHaveLength(expectedTabCount)
+  })
+
   it.each([true, false])(
     'forwards providesInitialSurface=%s through the async activation gate',
     async (providesInitialSurface) => {
@@ -234,6 +251,22 @@ function seedEmptiedFolderWorkspaceOnTwoHosts(): void {
 }
 
 describe('activating a folder workspace whose last terminal was closed', () => {
+  it.each([
+    ['Blank Terminal', null, 1],
+    ['an agent', 'codex' as const, 0]
+  ])('seeds a default shell for %s selection only', (_label, agent, expectedTabCount) => {
+    seedEmptiedFolderWorkspaceOnTwoHosts()
+
+    const result = activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace(FOLDER_ID, {
+      agent,
+      executionHostId: 'local'
+    })
+
+    expect(result).not.toBe(false)
+    expect(useAppStore.getState().activeWorktreeId).toBe(FOLDER_KEY)
+    expect(useAppStore.getState().tabsByWorktree[FOLDER_KEY]).toHaveLength(expectedTabCount)
+  })
+
   it.each([true, false])(
     'forwards providesInitialSurface=%s through the async activation gate',
     async (providesInitialSurface) => {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-caller-wiring.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-caller-wiring.test.ts
index ff2d5c802c1..4e7e02336ca 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-caller-wiring.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-caller-wiring.test.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ const SURFACE_PROVIDING_CALLERS = [
 ]
 
 // The activation seam itself: declares the option and forwards it into the tombstone gate.
-const SEAM_FILES = ['src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts']
+const SEAM_FILES = [
+  'src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-selection.ts',
+  'src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts'
+]
 
 function listSourceFiles(dir: string): string[] {
   return readdirSync(dir, { withFileTypes: true }).flatMap((entry) => {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-selection.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-selection.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3214b1c56dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-surface-selection.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+import type { TuiAgent } from '../../../shared/tui-agent'
+
+export type WorktreeActivationSurfaceSelection = {
+  /** The create picker's selection; null means Blank Terminal. */
+  agent?: TuiAgent | null
+  /** A navigation caller is about to open its own editor, diff, or other non-terminal surface. */
+  providesInitialSurface?: boolean
+}
+
+export function activationProvidesInitialSurface(
+  selection?: WorktreeActivationSurfaceSelection
+): boolean {
+  return selection?.providesInitialSurface === true || selection?.agent != null
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-web-runtime.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-web-runtime.test.ts
index 98a7679ae6d..55592d155c7 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-web-runtime.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation-web-runtime.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { activateAndRevealWorktree } from './worktree-activation'
 import { ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal } from './worktree-initial-terminal-seeding'
 import type { AppStoreState } from './worktree-activation-test-harness'
 import {
@@ -6,9 +7,54 @@ import {
   registerWorktreeActivationReset
 } from './worktree-activation-test-harness'
 import { useAppStore } from '@/store'
+import {
+  makeCreatedAgentWorktree,
+  seedEmptyActivatableWorktree
+} from './worktree-activation-created-agent-test-state'
+import { resetWebRuntimeWakeTerminalRespawnForTests } from '@/runtime/web-runtime-wake-terminal-respawn'
 
 registerWorktreeActivationReset()
 
+afterEach(() => {
+  vi.unstubAllGlobals()
+  resetWebRuntimeWakeTerminalRespawnForTests()
+})
+
+describe('activateAndRevealWorktree', () => {
+  it('does not ask a paired host to seed a shell for an agent selection', async () => {
+    const worktree = {
+      ...makeCreatedAgentWorktree(),
+      hostId: 'local' as const,
+      runtimeOwnerEnvironmentId: 'web-runtime-1'
+    }
+    const callRuntimeEnvironment = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: false,
+      error: { code: 'test', message: 'stop after recording the request' }
+    })
+    ;(globalThis as { __ORCA_WEB_CLIENT__?: boolean }).__ORCA_WEB_CLIENT__ = true
+    vi.stubGlobal('window', {
+      api: { runtimeEnvironments: { call: callRuntimeEnvironment } }
+    })
+    seedEmptyActivatableWorktree(worktree)
+    useAppStore.setState((state) => ({
+      settings: state.settings
+        ? { ...state.settings, activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'web-runtime-1' }
+        : ({ activeRuntimeEnvironmentId: 'web-runtime-1' } as unknown as typeof state.settings)
+    }))
+
+    activateAndRevealWorktree(worktree.id, { agent: 'codex' })
+    await vi.waitFor(() =>
+      expect(callRuntimeEnvironment).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        expect.objectContaining({ method: 'worktree.activate' })
+      )
+    )
+
+    expect(callRuntimeEnvironment).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({ method: 'session.tabs.createTerminal' })
+    )
+  })
+})
+
 describe('ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal', () => {
   it('does not create a local fallback tab in the paired web runtime client', () => {
     ;(globalThis as { __ORCA_WEB_CLIENT__?: boolean }).__ORCA_WEB_CLIENT__ = true
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts
index d2304c28b9d..0bc6b15b481 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-activation.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ import {
 } from '@/lib/worktree-initial-terminal-seeding'
 import { ensureWebRuntimeWorktreeTerminalAfterWake } from '@/lib/web-runtime-worktree-terminal-after-wake'
 import { applyWorktreeNavViewEntry } from '@/lib/worktree-nav-view-history-replay'
+import {
+  activationProvidesInitialSurface,
+  type WorktreeActivationSurfaceSelection
+} from './worktree-activation-surface-selection'
 
 /**
  * Shared activation sequence used by the worktree palette and add-repo/worktree dialogs.
@@ -80,14 +84,12 @@ function canInspectAgentActivationInventory(): boolean {
 
 export function activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace(
   folderWorkspaceId: string,
-  opts?: {
+  opts?: WorktreeActivationSurfaceSelection & {
     sidebarRevealBehavior?: PendingSidebarWorktreeReveal['behavior']
     revealInSidebar?: boolean
     startup?: WorktreeStartupPayload
     runtimeEnvironmentId?: string | null
     executionHostId?: ExecutionHostId
-    /** See activateAndRevealWorktree — same contract for folder workspaces. */
-    providesInitialSurface?: boolean
   }
 ): ActivateAndRevealResult | false {
   const state = useAppStore.getState()
@@ -133,6 +135,7 @@ export function activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace(
   state.setActiveFolderWorkspace(folderWorkspaceId, opts?.executionHostId)
 
   const workspaceKey = folderWorkspaceKey(folderWorkspaceId)
+  const providesInitialSurface = activationProvidesInitialSurface(opts)
   state.markWorktreeVisited(workspaceKey)
   if (!state.isNavigatingHistory) {
     state.recordWorktreeVisit(workspaceKey)
@@ -151,17 +154,13 @@ export function activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace(
   if (shouldGateAgentActivation) {
     void gateWorktreeAgentActivation(workspaceKey).then((outcome) => {
       if (outcome === 'empty') {
-        reseedGatedEmptyWorkspace(workspaceKey, opts?.providesInitialSurface)
+        reseedGatedEmptyWorkspace(workspaceKey, providesInitialSurface)
       }
     })
   }
   const primaryTabId = shouldGateAgentActivation
     ? null
-    : ensureFolderWorkspaceInitialTerminal(
-        folderWorkspace,
-        opts?.startup,
-        opts?.providesInitialSurface
-      )
+    : ensureFolderWorkspaceInitialTerminal(folderWorkspace, opts?.startup, providesInitialSurface)
 
   if (opts?.revealInSidebar !== false) {
     state.revealWorktreeInSidebar(
@@ -175,7 +174,7 @@ export function activateAndRevealFolderWorkspace(
 
 export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
   worktreeId: string,
-  opts?: {
+  opts?: WorktreeActivationSurfaceSelection & {
     startup?: WorktreeStartupPayload
     initialCwd?: string
     setup?: WorktreeSetupLaunch
@@ -188,12 +187,6 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
     backendStartupTerminalSpawned?: boolean
     /** Install a preserved fallback startup beside setup/default terminals already seeded. */
     createNewTerminalForStartup?: boolean
-    /** Set by callers that navigate here only to open their own non-terminal surface
-     *  (an editor file, a diff). Activation then leaves a closed-last-terminal workspace
-     *  empty instead of adding a shell the user never asked for. Caveat: on a
-     *  runtime-owned workspace with a live web session the host owns terminal creation,
-     *  so ensureWebRuntimeWorktreeTerminalAfterWake may still seed one (matches main). */
-    providesInitialSurface?: boolean
     /** Keep sidebar filters intact when navigating to a hidden target. */
     clearSidebarFilters?: boolean
   }
@@ -206,6 +199,7 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
   const hasActivationWork = Boolean(
     opts?.startup || opts?.setup || opts?.defaultTabs || opts?.issueCommand
   )
+  const providesInitialSurface = activationProvidesInitialSurface(opts)
   // Why: a plain reselect should still reveal the sidebar row but must not restamp focus recency or wake persistence.
   const isPlainAlreadyActiveTerminal =
     !hasActivationWork &&
@@ -266,7 +260,7 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
   if (shouldGateAgentActivation) {
     void gateWorktreeAgentActivation(worktreeId).then((outcome) => {
       if (outcome === 'empty') {
-        reseedGatedEmptyWorkspace(worktreeId, opts?.providesInitialSurface)
+        reseedGatedEmptyWorkspace(worktreeId, providesInitialSurface)
       }
     })
   }
@@ -274,7 +268,7 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
   // 4. Ensure a focusable surface exists for externally-created worktrees
   const primaryTabId = shouldGateAgentActivation
     ? null
-    : opts?.providesInitialSurface === true && !hasActivationWork
+    : providesInitialSurface && !hasActivationWork
       ? null
       : ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal(
           useAppStore.getState(),
@@ -286,8 +280,8 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
           {
             ...(opts?.backendStartupTerminalSpawned ? { backendStartupTerminalSpawned: true } : {}),
             ...(opts?.createNewTerminalForStartup ? { createNewTerminalForStartup: true } : {}),
-            ...(opts?.providesInitialSurface === true ? { callerProvidesSurface: true } : {}),
-            reseedEmptiedWorkspace: opts?.providesInitialSurface !== true
+            ...(providesInitialSurface ? { callerProvidesSurface: true } : {}),
+            reseedEmptiedWorkspace: !providesInitialSurface
           }
         )
   if (primaryTabId && opts?.initialCwd) {
@@ -325,7 +319,11 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
     }
   }
 
-  if (opts?.notifyHostRuntime !== false && !opts?.backendStartupTerminalSpawned) {
+  if (
+    opts?.notifyHostRuntime !== false &&
+    !opts?.backendStartupTerminalSpawned &&
+    opts?.agent == null
+  ) {
     ensureWebRuntimeWorktreeTerminalAfterWake(worktreeId)
   }
 
@@ -340,9 +338,8 @@ export function activateAndRevealWorktree(
  */
 export function activateAndRevealWorkspace(
   workspaceId: string,
-  opts?: {
+  opts?: WorktreeActivationSurfaceSelection & {
     executionHostId?: ExecutionHostId
-    providesInitialSurface?: boolean
     revealInSidebar?: boolean
     /** Worktree-only: folder workspaces are never filter-hidden. */
     clearSidebarFilters?: boolean
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-agent-seeding.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-agent-seeding.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..be4878d3b50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-agent-seeding.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import type { WorktreeCreationRequest } from './pending-worktree-creation'
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  activateAndRevealWorktree: vi.fn(),
+  completeWorktreeCreation: vi.fn(),
+  ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal: vi.fn()
+}))
+
+const store = {
+  activePendingCreationId: null as string | null,
+  activeView: 'tasks' as 'tasks' | 'terminal',
+  createWorktree: vi.fn(),
+  pendingWorktreeCreations: {} as Record<string, unknown>,
+  repos: []
+}
+
+vi.mock('@/store', () => ({ useAppStore: { getState: () => store } }))
+vi.mock('@/lib/worktree-activation', () => ({
+  activateAndRevealWorktree: mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree
+}))
+vi.mock('@/lib/worktree-initial-terminal-seeding', () => ({
+  ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal: mocks.ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal
+}))
+vi.mock('@/lib/worktree-creation-completion', () => ({
+  completeWorktreeCreation: mocks.completeWorktreeCreation
+}))
+
+import { executeWorktreeCreation } from './worktree-creation-flow-execute'
+
+const request: WorktreeCreationRequest = {
+  repoId: 'repo-1',
+  name: 'feature',
+  setupDecision: 'inherit',
+  agent: 'codex',
+  agentLaunchRoute: 'terminal-tui',
+  pendingFirstAgentMessageRename: false,
+  note: '',
+  startupPlan: null,
+  quickPrompt: '',
+  quickTelemetry: null
+}
+
+describe('executeWorktreeCreation agent seeding', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+    store.activePendingCreationId = null
+    store.activeView = 'tasks'
+    store.pendingWorktreeCreations = { 'creation-1': { creationId: 'creation-1' } }
+    store.createWorktree.mockResolvedValue({
+      worktree: { id: 'worktree-1', repoId: request.repoId }
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('does not seed a background shell when the request carries an agent selection', async () => {
+    await executeWorktreeCreation('creation-1', request)
+
+    expect(mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(mocks.ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(mocks.completeWorktreeCreation).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({ primaryTabId: null })
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('passes the agent selection through an active reveal', async () => {
+    store.activePendingCreationId = 'creation-1'
+    store.activeView = 'terminal'
+    mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree.mockReturnValue({ primaryTabId: null })
+
+    await executeWorktreeCreation('creation-1', request)
+
+    expect(mocks.activateAndRevealWorktree).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'worktree-1',
+      expect.objectContaining({ agent: 'codex' })
+    )
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow-execute.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow-execute.ts
index 273b3ece1a8..586f5e7f8bd 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow-execute.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow-execute.ts
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@ export async function executeWorktreeCreation(
   if (shouldActivateOnCompletion && !structuredLaunch) {
     activation = activateAndRevealWorktree(worktree.id, {
       sidebarRevealBehavior: 'auto',
+      ...(preparedRequest.agent !== null ? { agent: preparedRequest.agent } : {}),
       ...(result.setup ? { setup: result.setup } : {}),
       ...(result.defaultTabs ? { defaultTabs: result.defaultTabs } : {}),
       ...(startupOpt ? { startup: startupOpt } : {}),
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ export async function executeWorktreeCreation(
       startupOpt || result.setup || preparedRequest.issueCommand || result.defaultTabs
     )
     primaryTabId =
-      structuredLaunch && !hasExplicitTerminalWork
+      preparedRequest.agent !== null && !hasExplicitTerminalWork
         ? null
         : ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal(
             useAppStore.getState(),
@@ -192,7 +193,7 @@ export async function executeWorktreeCreation(
             result.defaultTabs,
             {
               activateCreatedTabs: false,
-              ...(structuredLaunch ? { callerProvidesSurface: true } : {}),
+              ...(preparedRequest.agent !== null ? { callerProvidesSurface: true } : {}),
               ...(backendSpawned ? { backendStartupTerminalSpawned: true } : {})
             }
           )
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow.test.ts
index 84ac3a61b32..a599a265513 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/lib/worktree-creation-flow.test.ts
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ describe('staged background worktree creation', () => {
     delete store.pendingWorktreeCreations['creation-1']
     store.activePendingCreationId = null
     resolveTrust()
-    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(ensureWorktreeHasInitialTerminal).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1))
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(store.removePendingWorktreeCreation).toHaveBeenCalled())
 
     expect(activateAndRevealWorktree).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })