diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/floating-button.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/floating-button.tsx
index f59c63e7ca..2cb1a0b081 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/floating-button.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/floating-button.tsx
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ export function FloatingButton({
               onClick={() => handleTemplateSelect("auto")}
             >
               <span className="text-sm">⚡</span>
-              <span className="truncate">Hyprnote Default</span>
+              <span className="truncate">No Template (Default)</span>
             </div>
 
             {/* Show separator and custom templates only if custom templates exist */}
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx
index 41bf303c84..f5caa018d8 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx
@@ -336,15 +336,20 @@ function RecordingControls({
           <SelectTrigger className="w-full text-sm">
             <SelectValue placeholder="Select template..." />
           </SelectTrigger>
-          <SelectContent>
+          <SelectContent className="max-h-44 overflow-y-auto w-[var(--radix-select-trigger-width)]">
             <SelectItem value="auto">
               <Trans>No Template (Default)</Trans>
             </SelectItem>
-            {templatesQuery.data?.map((template) => (
-              <SelectItem key={template.id} value={template.id}>
-                {template.title || "Untitled"}
-              </SelectItem>
-            ))}
+            {templatesQuery.data?.map((template) => {
+              const title = template.title || "Untitled";
+              const truncatedTitle = title.length > 20 ? title.substring(0, 20) + "..." : title;
+
+              return (
+                <SelectItem key={template.id} value={template.id} className="whitespace-nowrap">
+                  {truncatedTitle}
+                </SelectItem>
+              );
+            })}
           </SelectContent>
         </Select>
       </div>
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/locales/en/messages.po b/apps/desktop/src/locales/en/messages.po
index 9ef9136627..b655d6320c 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/locales/en/messages.po
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/locales/en/messages.po
@@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ msgstr "Optional for participant suggestions"
 msgid "Owner"
 msgstr "Owner"
 
-#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:359
+#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:364
 msgid "Pause"
 msgstr "Pause"
 
@@ -1051,7 +1051,7 @@ msgstr "Start Monthly Plan"
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr "Start recording"
 
-#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:367
+#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:372
 msgid "Stop"
 msgstr "Stop"
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/locales/ko/messages.po b/apps/desktop/src/locales/ko/messages.po
index 1a6511d356..98f26ead3d 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/locales/ko/messages.po
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/locales/ko/messages.po
@@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Owner"
 msgstr ""
 
-#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:359
+#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:364
 msgid "Pause"
 msgstr ""
 
@@ -1051,7 +1051,7 @@ msgstr ""
 msgid "Start recording"
 msgstr ""
 
-#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:367
+#: src/components/editor-area/note-header/listen-button.tsx:372
 msgid "Stop"
 msgstr ""
 
diff --git a/crates/db-user/src/lib.rs b/crates/db-user/src/lib.rs
index 6c94515adf..75922bd087 100644
--- a/crates/db-user/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/db-user/src/lib.rs
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ impl std::ops::Deref for UserDatabase {
 }
 
 // Append only. Do not reorder.
-const MIGRATIONS: [&str; 18] = [
+const MIGRATIONS: [&str; 19] = [
     include_str!("./calendars_migration.sql"),
     include_str!("./configs_migration.sql"),
     include_str!("./events_migration.sql"),
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ const MIGRATIONS: [&str; 18] = [
     include_str!("./sessions_migration_2.sql"),
     include_str!("./sessions_migration_3.sql"),
     include_str!("./sessions_migration_4.sql"),
+    include_str!("./templates_migration_1.sql"),
 ];
 
 pub async fn migrate(db: &UserDatabase) -> Result<(), crate::Error> {
diff --git a/crates/db-user/src/templates_migration.sql b/crates/db-user/src/templates_migration.sql
index bd101fde46..000a703d7c 100644
--- a/crates/db-user/src/templates_migration.sql
+++ b/crates/db-user/src/templates_migration.sql
@@ -4,6 +4,5 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS templates (
   title TEXT NOT NULL,
   description TEXT NOT NULL,
   sections TEXT NOT NULL,
-  tags TEXT NOT NULL,
-  FOREIGN KEY (user_id) REFERENCES humans(id)
+  tags TEXT NOT NULL
 );
diff --git a/crates/db-user/src/templates_migration_1.sql b/crates/db-user/src/templates_migration_1.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e11a5f0d78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/db-user/src/templates_migration_1.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+-- templates_migration_1.sql
+-- Insert default templates
+INSERT
+  OR IGNORE INTO templates (id, user_id, title, description, sections, tags)
+VALUES
+  (
+    'default-meeting-notes',
+    'placeholder',
+    '📝 General Meeting',
+    'Comprehensive template for meeting notes with agenda, discussion points, and action items',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Meeting Details", "description": "Date, time, attendees, and meeting purpose"},
+        {"title": "Agenda", "description": "Topics to be discussed and objectives"},
+        {"title": "Discussion Points", "description": "Key points, decisions, and insights from the meeting"},
+        {"title": "Action Items", "description": "Tasks assigned with owners and deadlines"},
+        {"title": "Next Steps", "description": "Follow-up actions and next meeting details"}
+    ]',
+    '["general", "meeting", "agenda", "action-items", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-standup',
+    'placeholder',
+    '🌞 Daily Standup',
+    'Template for daily standup meetings with progress updates and blockers',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Yesterday", "description": "What was accomplished yesterday"},
+        {"title": "Today", "description": "What will be worked on today"},
+        {"title": "Blockers", "description": "Any impediments or issues that need attention"},
+        {"title": "Goals", "description": "Key objectives for the day/sprint"},
+        {"title": "Notes", "description": "Additional updates or important information"}
+    ]',
+    '["general","standup", "daily", "progress", "blockers", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-weekly-review',
+    'placeholder',
+    '📅 Weekly Review',
+    'Template for weekly reflection and planning',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Achievements", "description": "What was accomplished this week"},
+        {"title": "Challenges", "description": "Obstacles faced and how they were handled"},
+        {"title": "Lessons Learned", "description": "Key insights and takeaways"},
+        {"title": "Next Week Goals", "description": "Priorities and objectives for next week"},
+        {"title": "Improvements", "description": "Areas for personal or process improvement"}
+    ]',
+    '["general","weekly", "review", "reflection", "planning", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-one-on-one',
+    'placeholder',
+    '👥 1-on-1 Meeting',
+    'Template for one-on-one meetings with team members',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Check-in", "description": "How are things going overall?"},
+        {"title": "Recent Work", "description": "Updates on current projects and tasks"},
+        {"title": "Challenges", "description": "Any blockers or difficulties"},
+        {"title": "Career Development", "description": "Growth opportunities and feedback"},
+        {"title": "Team Feedback", "description": "Thoughts on team dynamics and processes"},
+        {"title": "Action Items", "description": "Follow-up tasks and commitments"}
+    ]',
+    '["general","one-on-one", "1-on-1", "management", "feedback", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-user-interview',
+    'placeholder',
+    '👤 User Interview',
+    'Template for conducting user research and feedback sessions',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Participant Info", "description": "Name, role, and background details"},
+        {"title": "Research Goals", "description": "What we want to learn from this session"},
+        {"title": "User Behavior", "description": "How they currently solve the problem"},
+        {"title": "Pain Points", "description": "Frustrations and challenges they face"},
+        {"title": "Feature Feedback", "description": "Reactions to proposed solutions"},
+        {"title": "Key Insights", "description": "Important learnings and next steps"}
+    ]',
+    '["startup", "user-interview", "research", "feedback", "ux", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-b2b-discovery',
+    'placeholder',
+    '🔍 B2B Customer: Discovery',
+    'Template for B2B sales discovery calls and needs assessment',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Company Background", "description": "Organization size, industry, and context"},
+        {"title": "Current Challenges", "description": "Problems they are trying to solve"},
+        {"title": "Existing Solutions", "description": "What they use now and limitations"},
+        {"title": "Decision Process", "description": "How decisions are made and key stakeholders"},
+        {"title": "Requirements", "description": "Must-have features and success criteria"},
+        {"title": "Next Steps", "description": "Follow-up actions and timeline"}
+    ]',
+    '["startup", "b2b", "discovery", "sales", "customer", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-b2b-pilot',
+    'placeholder',
+    '🚀 B2B Customer: Pilot',
+    'Template for B2B pilot program meetings and progress reviews',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Pilot Overview", "description": "Goals, scope, and success metrics"},
+        {"title": "Progress Update", "description": "Current status and milestones achieved"},
+        {"title": "User Feedback", "description": "How the team is using the solution"},
+        {"title": "Challenges", "description": "Issues encountered and resolution status"},
+        {"title": "Value Delivered", "description": "Benefits and ROI demonstrated"},
+        {"title": "Next Phase", "description": "Plans for expansion or full deployment"}
+    ]',
+    '["startup", "b2b", "pilot", "customer", "progress", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-job-interview',
+    'placeholder',
+    '💼 Job Interview',
+    'Template for conducting job interviews and candidate assessment',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Candidate Profile", "description": "Name, role, and resume highlights"},
+        {"title": "Technical Assessment", "description": "Skills evaluation and problem-solving"},
+        {"title": "Experience Review", "description": "Past projects and relevant background"},
+        {"title": "Cultural Fit", "description": "Values alignment and team dynamics"},
+        {"title": "Questions & Answers", "description": "Candidate questions and responses"},
+        {"title": "Overall Evaluation", "description": "Recommendation and hiring decision"}
+    ]',
+    '["general","job-interview", "hiring", "candidate", "assessment", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-patient-visit',
+    'placeholder',
+    '🏥 Patient Visit',
+    'Template for healthcare patient visits and medical consultations',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Patient Information", "description": "Name, age, and basic demographics"},
+        {"title": "Chief Complaint", "description": "Primary reason for visit"},
+        {"title": "Symptoms", "description": "Current symptoms and duration"},
+        {"title": "Assessment", "description": "Clinical findings and observations"},
+        {"title": "Treatment Plan", "description": "Recommended treatments and medications"},
+        {"title": "Follow-up", "description": "Next appointment and monitoring plan"}
+    ]',
+    '["patient", "medical", "healthcare", "consultation", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-client-meeting-legal',
+    'placeholder',
+    '🏛️ Client Meeting (Legal)',
+    'Template for legal client meetings and case discussions',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Client Details", "description": "Name, contact info, and case reference"},
+        {"title": "Case Summary", "description": "Current status and key issues"},
+        {"title": "Legal Strategy", "description": "Approach and recommended actions"},
+        {"title": "Documents Needed", "description": "Required paperwork and evidence"},
+        {"title": "Timeline", "description": "Important dates and deadlines"},
+        {"title": "Next Steps", "description": "Action items and follow-up tasks"}
+    ]',
+    '["legal", "client", "case", "consultation", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-therapy-session',
+    'placeholder',
+    '💚 Therapy Session',
+    'Template for therapy and counseling sessions',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Session Overview", "description": "Date, duration, and session goals"},
+        {"title": "Current State", "description": "How the client is feeling today"},
+        {"title": "Key Topics", "description": "Main issues and concerns discussed"},
+        {"title": "Insights", "description": "Breakthroughs and realizations"},
+        {"title": "Coping Strategies", "description": "Tools and techniques practiced"},
+        {"title": "Homework", "description": "Tasks and exercises for next session"}
+    ]',
+    '["healthcare", "therapy", "counseling", "mental-health", "session", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-brainstorming',
+    'placeholder',
+    '💡 Brainstorming Session',
+    'Template for creative brainstorming and ideation sessions',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Challenge", "description": "Problem statement and objectives"},
+        {"title": "Ideas Generated", "description": "All concepts and suggestions"},
+        {"title": "Promising Concepts", "description": "Ideas worth exploring further"},
+        {"title": "Constraints", "description": "Limitations and considerations"},
+        {"title": "Next Steps", "description": "How to develop selected ideas"},
+        {"title": "Action Items", "description": "Who does what and when"}
+    ]',
+    '["startup","brainstorming", "creative", "ideation", "innovation", "builtin"]'
+  ),
+  (
+    'default-coffee-chat',
+    'placeholder',
+    '☕ Coffee Chat',
+    'Template for informal networking and relationship building meetings',
+    '[
+        {"title": "Person Info", "description": "Name, role, and how you connected"},
+        {"title": "Background", "description": "Their experience and current focus"},
+        {"title": "Common Interests", "description": "Shared topics and connections"},
+        {"title": "Insights Shared", "description": "Valuable information exchanged"},
+        {"title": "Potential Collaboration", "description": "Ways to work together"},
+        {"title": "Follow-up", "description": "How to stay in touch and next steps"}
+    ]',
+    '["casual","coffee-chat", "networking", "relationship", "informal", "builtin"]'
+  );
diff --git a/crates/db-user/src/templates_ops.rs b/crates/db-user/src/templates_ops.rs
index 13e6b8bd77..4262cc0706 100644
--- a/crates/db-user/src/templates_ops.rs
+++ b/crates/db-user/src/templates_ops.rs
@@ -7,12 +7,9 @@ impl UserDatabase {
     ) -> Result<Vec<Template>, crate::Error> {
         let conn = self.conn()?;
 
-        let mut rows = conn
-            .query(
-                "SELECT * FROM templates WHERE user_id = ?",
-                vec![user_id.into()],
-            )
-            .await?;
+        let _user_id = user_id.into();
+
+        let mut rows = conn.query("SELECT * FROM templates", ()).await?;
 
         let mut items = Vec::new();
         while let Some(row) = rows.next().await.unwrap() {
@@ -89,7 +86,7 @@ mod tests {
             .unwrap();
 
         let templates = db.list_templates(&human.id).await.unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(templates.len(), 0);
+        assert_eq!(templates.len(), 2);
 
         let _template = db
             .upsert_template(Template {