diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/configure.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/configure.tsx
index 83804d84cf..7cdc2f1428 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/configure.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/configure.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-import { HelpCircle } from "lucide-react";
-
 import {
   Accordion,
   AccordionContent,
@@ -18,20 +16,7 @@ export function ConfigureProviders() {
 
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col gap-3">
-      <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
-        <h3 className="text-md font-semibold font-serif">
-          Configure Providers
-        </h3>
-        <a
-          href="https://hyprnote.com/docs/faq/local-llm-setup"
-          target="_blank"
-          rel="noopener noreferrer"
-          className="text-xs text-neutral-400 hover:underline flex items-center gap-1"
-        >
-          <span>Local setup guide</span>
-          <HelpCircle className="size-3" />
-        </a>
-      </div>
+      <h3 className="text-md font-semibold font-serif">Configure Providers</h3>
       <Accordion
         type="single"
         collapsible
@@ -111,9 +96,9 @@ function ProviderContext({
     providerId === "hyprnote"
       ? "A curated set of models we continuously test to provide the **best performance & reliability**."
       : providerId === "lmstudio"
-        ? "- Ensure LM Studio server is **running.** (Default port is 1234)\n- Enable **CORS** in LM Studio config.\n\nSee our [setup guide](https://hyprnote.com/docs/faq/local-llm-setup/#lm-studio-setup) for detailed instructions."
+        ? "- Ensure LM Studio server is **running.** (Default port is 1234)\n- Enable **CORS** in LM Studio config."
         : providerId === "ollama"
-          ? "- Ensure Ollama is **running** (`ollama serve`)\n- Pull a model first (`ollama pull llama3.2`)\n\nSee our [setup guide](https://hyprnote.com/docs/faq/local-llm-setup/#ollama-setup) for detailed instructions."
+          ? "- Ensure Ollama is **running** (`ollama serve`)\n- Pull a model first (`ollama pull llama3.2`)"
           : providerId === "custom"
             ? "We only support **OpenAI-compatible** endpoints for now."
             : providerId === "openrouter"
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/select.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/select.tsx
index 8ccb5b7267..f02a4d782d 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/select.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/select.tsx
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import { listOllamaModels } from "../shared/list-ollama";
 import { listGenericModels, listOpenAIModels } from "../shared/list-openai";
 import { listOpenRouterModels } from "../shared/list-openrouter";
 import { ModelCombobox } from "../shared/model-combobox";
+import { useLocalProviderStatus } from "../shared/use-local-provider-status";
 import { HealthStatusIndicator, useConnectionHealth } from "./health";
 import { PROVIDERS } from "./shared";
 
@@ -46,6 +47,9 @@ export function SelectProviderAndModel() {
   const isConfigured = !!(current_llm_provider && current_llm_model);
   const hasError = isConfigured && health.status === "error";
 
+  const { status: ollamaStatus } = useLocalProviderStatus("ollama");
+  const { status: lmStudioStatus } = useLocalProviderStatus("lmstudio");
+
   const handleSelectProvider = settings.UI.useSetValueCallback(
     "current_llm_provider",
     (provider: string) => provider,
@@ -117,17 +121,29 @@ export function SelectProviderAndModel() {
                   <SelectContent>
                     {PROVIDERS.map((provider) => {
                       const status = configuredProviders[provider.id];
+                      const localStatus =
+                        provider.id === "ollama"
+                          ? ollamaStatus
+                          : provider.id === "lmstudio"
+                            ? lmStudioStatus
+                            : null;
+                      const isDisabled =
+                        !status?.listModels ||
+                        (localStatus !== null && localStatus !== "connected");
 
                       return (
                         <SelectItem
                           key={provider.id}
                           value={provider.id}
-                          disabled={!status?.listModels}
+                          disabled={isDisabled}
                         >
                           <div className="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
                             <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
                               {provider.icon}
                               <span>{provider.displayName}</span>
+                              {localStatus === "connected" && (
+                                <span className="size-1.5 rounded-full bg-green-500" />
+                              )}
                             </div>
                           </div>
                         </SelectItem>
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/shared.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/shared.tsx
index a65f83f282..8e8422fd97 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/shared.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/llm/shared.tsx
@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@ type Provider = {
   icon: ReactNode;
   baseUrl?: string;
   requirements: ProviderRequirement[];
+  links?: {
+    download?: { label: string; url: string };
+    models?: { label: string; url: string };
+    setup?: { label: string; url: string };
+  };
 };
 
 const _PROVIDERS = [
@@ -45,6 +50,17 @@ const _PROVIDERS = [
     icon: <LmStudio size={16} />,
     baseUrl: "http://127.0.0.1:1234/v1",
     requirements: [],
+    links: {
+      download: {
+        label: "Download LM Studio",
+        url: "https://lmstudio.ai/download",
+      },
+      models: { label: "Available models", url: "https://lmstudio.ai/models" },
+      setup: {
+        label: "Setup guide",
+        url: "https://hyprnote.com/docs/faq/local-llm-setup/#lm-studio-setup",
+      },
+    },
   },
   {
     id: "ollama",
@@ -53,6 +69,17 @@ const _PROVIDERS = [
     icon: <Ollama size={16} />,
     baseUrl: "http://127.0.0.1:11434/v1",
     requirements: [],
+    links: {
+      download: {
+        label: "Download Ollama",
+        url: "https://ollama.com/download",
+      },
+      models: { label: "Available models", url: "https://ollama.com/library" },
+      setup: {
+        label: "Setup guide",
+        url: "https://hyprnote.com/docs/faq/local-llm-setup/#ollama-setup",
+      },
+    },
   },
   {
     id: "openrouter",
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/shared/index.tsx b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/shared/index.tsx
index a2354d2a9b..198ccbb524 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/shared/index.tsx
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/shared/index.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { Icon } from "@iconify-icon/react";
 import { type AnyFieldApi, useForm } from "@tanstack/react-form";
+import { ExternalLink } from "lucide-react";
 import type { ReactNode } from "react";
 import { Streamdown } from "streamdown";
 
@@ -11,10 +12,12 @@ import {
   AccordionItem,
   AccordionTrigger,
 } from "@hypr/ui/components/ui/accordion";
+import { Button } from "@hypr/ui/components/ui/button";
 import {
   InputGroup,
   InputGroupInput,
 } from "@hypr/ui/components/ui/input-group";
+import { Spinner } from "@hypr/ui/components/ui/spinner";
 import { cn } from "@hypr/utils";
 
 import { useBillingAccess } from "../../../../billing";
@@ -25,6 +28,10 @@ import {
   type ProviderRequirement,
   requiresEntitlement,
 } from "./eligibility";
+import {
+  type LocalProviderStatus,
+  useLocalProviderStatus,
+} from "./use-local-provider-status";
 
 export * from "./model-combobox";
 
@@ -38,6 +45,11 @@ type ProviderConfig = {
   baseUrl?: string;
   disabled?: boolean;
   requirements: ProviderRequirement[];
+  links?: {
+    download?: { label: string; url: string };
+    models?: { label: string; url: string };
+    setup?: { label: string; url: string };
+  };
 };
 
 export function providerRowId(providerType: ProviderType, providerId: string) {
@@ -99,6 +111,9 @@ export function NonHyprProviderCard({
     providers,
   );
 
+  const { status: localStatus, refetch: refetchStatus } =
+    useLocalProviderStatus(config.id);
+
   const requiredFields = getRequiredConfigFields(config.requirements);
   const showApiKey = requiredFields.includes("api_key");
   const showBaseUrl = requiredFields.includes("base_url");
@@ -148,13 +163,30 @@ export function NonHyprProviderCard({
           (config.disabled || locked) && "cursor-not-allowed opacity-30",
         ])}
       >
-        <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-          {config.icon}
-          <span>{config.displayName}</span>
-          {config.badge && (
-            <span className="text-xs text-neutral-500 font-light border border-neutral-300 rounded-full px-2">
-              {config.badge}
-            </span>
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between w-full">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            {config.icon}
+            <span>{config.displayName}</span>
+            {config.badge && (
+              <span className="text-xs text-neutral-500 font-light border border-neutral-300 rounded-full px-2">
+                {config.badge}
+              </span>
+            )}
+            {localStatus && <StatusBadge status={localStatus} />}
+          </div>
+          {localStatus && localStatus !== "connected" && (
+            <Button
+              variant="outline"
+              size="sm"
+              onClick={(e) => {
+                e.stopPropagation();
+                refetchStatus();
+              }}
+              disabled={localStatus === "checking"}
+              className="mr-2"
+            >
+              Connect
+            </Button>
           )}
         </div>
       </AccordionTrigger>
@@ -190,6 +222,45 @@ export function NonHyprProviderCard({
               )}
             </form.Field>
           )}
+          {config.links && (
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-4 text-xs">
+              {config.links.download && (
+                <a
+                  href={config.links.download.url}
+                  target="_blank"
+                  rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                  className="inline-flex items-center gap-0.5 text-neutral-600 hover:text-neutral-900 hover:underline"
+                >
+                  {config.links.download.label}
+                  <ExternalLink size={12} />
+                </a>
+              )}
+              {config.links.models && (
+                <div className="inline-flex items-center gap-4">
+                  <a
+                    href={config.links.models.url}
+                    target="_blank"
+                    rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                    className="inline-flex items-center gap-0.5 text-neutral-600 hover:text-neutral-900 hover:underline"
+                  >
+                    {config.links.models.label}
+                    <ExternalLink size={12} />
+                  </a>
+                  {config.links.setup && (
+                    <a
+                      href={config.links.setup.url}
+                      target="_blank"
+                      rel="noopener noreferrer"
+                      className="inline-flex items-center gap-0.5 text-neutral-600 hover:text-neutral-900 hover:underline"
+                    >
+                      {config.links.setup.label}
+                      <ExternalLink size={12} />
+                    </a>
+                  )}
+                </div>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          )}
           {!showBaseUrl && config.baseUrl && (
             <details className="flex flex-col gap-4 pt-2">
               <summary className="text-xs cursor-pointer text-neutral-600 hover:text-neutral-900 hover:underline">
@@ -249,6 +320,28 @@ export function StyledStreamdown({
   );
 }
 
+function StatusBadge({ status }: { status: LocalProviderStatus }) {
+  if (status === "checking") {
+    return <Spinner size={12} className="shrink-0 text-neutral-400" />;
+  }
+
+  if (status === "connected") {
+    return (
+      <span className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-green-600 font-light">
+        <span className="size-1.5 rounded-full bg-green-500" />
+        Connected
+      </span>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <span className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-neutral-500 font-light">
+      <span className="size-1.5 rounded-full bg-neutral-400" />
+      Not Running
+    </span>
+  );
+}
+
 function useProvider(providerType: ProviderType, id: string) {
   const rowId = providerRowId(providerType, id);
   const providerRow = settings.UI.useRow(
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/shared/use-local-provider-status.ts b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/shared/use-local-provider-status.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f7880cbf58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/components/settings/ai/shared/use-local-provider-status.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+import { useQuery } from "@tanstack/react-query";
+import { fetch as tauriFetch } from "@tauri-apps/plugin-http";
+
+import * as settings from "../../../../store/tinybase/store/settings";
+
+export type LocalProviderStatus = "connected" | "disconnected" | "checking";
+
+const LOCAL_PROVIDERS = new Set(["ollama", "lmstudio"]);
+
+const DEFAULT_URLS: Record<string, string> = {
+  ollama: "http://127.0.0.1:11434/v1",
+  lmstudio: "http://127.0.0.1:1234/v1",
+};
+
+async function checkConnection(baseUrl: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  const controller = new AbortController();
+  const timeout = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), 2000);
+  try {
+    const res = await tauriFetch(`${baseUrl}/models`, {
+      signal: controller.signal,
+    });
+    return res.ok;
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  } finally {
+    clearTimeout(timeout);
+  }
+}
+
+export function useLocalProviderStatus(providerId: string): {
+  status: LocalProviderStatus | null;
+  refetch: () => void;
+} {
+  const isLocal = LOCAL_PROVIDERS.has(providerId);
+
+  const configuredProviders = settings.UI.useResultTable(
+    settings.QUERIES.llmProviders,
+    settings.STORE_ID,
+  );
+  const baseUrl = String(
+    configuredProviders[providerId]?.base_url || DEFAULT_URLS[providerId] || "",
+  ).trim();
+
+  const query = useQuery({
+    enabled: isLocal && !!baseUrl,
+    queryKey: ["local-provider-status", providerId, baseUrl],
+    queryFn: () => checkConnection(baseUrl),
+    staleTime: 10_000,
+    refetchInterval: 15_000,
+    retry: false,
+  });
+
+  if (!isLocal) {
+    return { status: null, refetch: () => {} };
+  }
+
+  const status: LocalProviderStatus =
+    query.isLoading || (query.isFetching && !query.data)
+      ? "checking"
+      : query.data
+        ? "connected"
+        : "disconnected";
+
+  return { status, refetch: () => void query.refetch() };
+}