diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/+page@(root).svelte
similarity index 90%
rename from frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/+page.svelte
rename to frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/+page@(root).svelte
index 3750c56d97..830e545719 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/+page@(root).svelte
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+<!-- `@(root)` skips the (logged) layout on purpose: that layout renders nothing but
+     "Loading user..." until `$userStore` is set, and `$userStore` is only ever filled in
+     for a chosen workspace. An MCP client sends the browser straight here after login, so
+     in gateway mode there is no workspace yet — picking one is what this page is for. -->
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { page } from '$app/state'
 	import CenteredModal from '$lib/components/CenteredModal.svelte'
@@ -138,9 +142,13 @@
 </script>
 
 {#if !redirectUriValid}
-	<p class="text-center text-sm text-primary mb-6"> Error: invalid or unsafe redirect_uri </p>
+	<CenteredModal title="Authorization Request">
+		<p class="text-center text-sm text-primary"> Error: invalid or unsafe redirect_uri </p>
+	</CenteredModal>
 {:else if !isGateway && !workspaceId}
-	<p class="text-center text-sm text-primary mb-6">Error: missing workspace_id</p>
+	<CenteredModal title="Authorization Request">
+		<p class="text-center text-sm text-primary">Error: missing workspace_id</p>
+	</CenteredModal>
 {:else}
 	<CenteredModal title={success ? 'Authorization Approved' : 'Authorization Request'}>
 		{#if success}
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/layoutReset.test.ts b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/layoutReset.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6ba4469e27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/(logged)/oauth/mcp_authorize/layoutReset.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+import { readdirSync } from 'node:fs'
+import { dirname } from 'node:path'
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url'
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+
+// Renaming the page back drops it into the (logged) layout, where it hangs on
+// "Loading user..." with no type error and no other failing test — see the page header.
+const routeDir = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url))
+
+describe('mcp oauth consent route', () => {
+	it('escapes the (logged) layout', () => {
+		expect(readdirSync(routeDir)).toContain('+page@(root).svelte')
+	})
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/+layout.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/+layout.svelte
index 0e404afbcc..4de44442a2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/(root)/+layout.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/(root)/+layout.svelte
@@ -147,7 +147,10 @@
 			} else {
 				if (
 					(!page.url.pathname.startsWith('/user/') || page.url.pathname.startsWith('/user/cli')) &&
-					!page.url.pathname.startsWith('/oauth/mcp_authorize') &&
+					// The MCP consent page carries its own workspace picker, so it is left to
+					// run without one. Nothing sets `$userStore` on this branch, which is why
+					// that page must stay outside the (logged) layout — see its `@(root)` name.
+					!page.url.pathname.startsWith(`${base}/oauth/mcp_authorize`) &&
 					// The hub import wizard asks for the destination itself, and may end in a
 					// workspace that does not exist yet — bouncing it to the picker would
 					// force the very choice it exists to make.