Onboarding overhaul: slim wizard, progress widget, guided activation UX

Setup Wizard: reduced from 10 steps to 5 (Company Info → QB Migration →
Pricing Defaults → Named Ovens → Notifications). Removed Doc Numbering,
Job Settings, Payment Terms, Pricing Tiers, and Team Members steps — these
all have sensible defaults and are accessible any time in Company Settings.
Wizard now completes in ~5 minutes instead of 15–20.

Dashboard progress widget (new): "Get the most out of your shop" checklist
appears for Company Admins after wizard completion. Tracks six post-setup
activation tasks with dynamic progress badge, motivating subtitle copy,
collapsed-state persistence via localStorage, and a full completion state
("Your shop is fully set up 🎉") that replaces the checklist at 100%.
The next recommended step is highlighted with a solid CTA button and a
subtle blue row tint. Completed steps show encouraging green subtext instead
of just "Done". Widget disappears from controller when AllDone would have
caused a silent vanish — now renders the completion state instead.

Guided activation (Daily Board): rewrote the BoardIntroStep callout to lead
with "This is your shop in real time" and a plain-English description of the
board's purpose. Added a separate InstructionText field to
GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel so the "Move this job to the next stage"
action prompt renders as a distinct bold line with an arrow icon rather than
being buried in the body copy. After the stage change, the confirmation
callout now reads "Nice — your workflow just updated" to reinforce what just
happened before prompting the invoice step.

All copy passes the "shop owner, not SaaS" test: no technical jargon,
benefit-driven descriptions, natural language throughout.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

src/PowderCoating.Application/DTOs/Wizard/WizardDtos.cs

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ public class WizardProgressDto
     public bool Completed { get; set; }
     public List<int> DoneSteps { get; set; } = new();
     public List<int> SkippedSteps { get; set; } = new();
-    public const int TotalSteps = 10;
+    public const int TotalSteps = 5;
 
     public bool IsStepDone(int step) => DoneSteps.Contains(step);
     public bool IsStepSkipped(int step) => SkippedSteps.Contains(step);

src/PowderCoating.Core/Entities/CompanyPreferences.cs

@@ -86,6 +86,22 @@ public class CompanyPreferences : BaseEntity
     /// <summary>JSON blob persisting QB Migration Wizard step state across sessions.</summary>
     public string? QbMigrationStateJson { get; set; }
 
+    // Guided activation / first-workflow onboarding
+    /// <summary>Selected first-workflow path: quote_first or job_first. Null until chosen.</summary>
+    public string? OnboardingPath { get; set; }
+    /// <summary>True once the company completes its first guided real workflow.</summary>
+    public bool FirstWorkflowCompleted { get; set; } = false;
+    /// <summary>UTC timestamp of when the first guided workflow was completed.</summary>
+    public DateTime? FirstWorkflowCompletedAt { get; set; }
+    /// <summary>UTC timestamp of the company's first quote creation.</summary>
+    public DateTime? FirstQuoteCreatedAt { get; set; }
+    /// <summary>UTC timestamp of the company's first job creation.</summary>
+    public DateTime? FirstJobCreatedAt { get; set; }
+    /// <summary>UTC timestamp of the company's first invoice creation.</summary>
+    public DateTime? FirstInvoiceCreatedAt { get; set; }
+    /// <summary>UTC timestamp of when the company dismissed guided activation without completing it.</summary>
+    public DateTime? GuidedActivationDismissedAt { get; set; }
+
     // Navigation
     public virtual Company Company { get; set; } = null!;
 }

src/PowderCoating.Infrastructure/Migrations/20260428164026_AddGuidedActivationFields.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+using System;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Migrations;
+
+#nullable disable
+
+namespace PowderCoating.Infrastructure.Migrations
+{
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public partial class AddGuidedActivationFields : Migration
+    {
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Up(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<DateTime>(
+                name: "FirstInvoiceCreatedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences",
+                type: "datetime2",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<DateTime>(
+                name: "FirstJobCreatedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences",
+                type: "datetime2",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<DateTime>(
+                name: "FirstQuoteCreatedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences",
+                type: "datetime2",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<bool>(
+                name: "FirstWorkflowCompleted",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences",
+                type: "bit",
+                nullable: false,
+                defaultValue: false);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<DateTime>(
+                name: "FirstWorkflowCompletedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences",
+                type: "datetime2",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<DateTime>(
+                name: "GuidedActivationDismissedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences",
+                type: "datetime2",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.AddColumn<string>(
+                name: "OnboardingPath",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences",
+                type: "nvarchar(max)",
+                nullable: true);
+
+            migrationBuilder.UpdateData(
+                table: "PricingTiers",
+                keyColumn: "Id",
+                keyValue: 1,
+                column: "CreatedAt",
+                value: new DateTime(2026, 4, 28, 16, 40, 22, 359, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5055));
+
+            migrationBuilder.UpdateData(
+                table: "PricingTiers",
+                keyColumn: "Id",
+                keyValue: 2,
+                column: "CreatedAt",
+                value: new DateTime(2026, 4, 28, 16, 40, 22, 359, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5063));
+
+            migrationBuilder.UpdateData(
+                table: "PricingTiers",
+                keyColumn: "Id",
+                keyValue: 3,
+                column: "CreatedAt",
+                value: new DateTime(2026, 4, 28, 16, 40, 22, 359, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5065));
+        }
+
+        /// <inheritdoc />
+        protected override void Down(MigrationBuilder migrationBuilder)
+        {
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "FirstInvoiceCreatedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "FirstJobCreatedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "FirstQuoteCreatedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "FirstWorkflowCompleted",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "FirstWorkflowCompletedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "GuidedActivationDismissedAt",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences");
+
+            migrationBuilder.DropColumn(
+                name: "OnboardingPath",
+                table: "CompanyPreferences");
+
+            migrationBuilder.UpdateData(
+                table: "PricingTiers",
+                keyColumn: "Id",
+                keyValue: 1,
+                column: "CreatedAt",
+                value: new DateTime(2026, 4, 26, 14, 28, 21, 454, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5921));
+
+            migrationBuilder.UpdateData(
+                table: "PricingTiers",
+                keyColumn: "Id",
+                keyValue: 2,
+                column: "CreatedAt",
+                value: new DateTime(2026, 4, 26, 14, 28, 21, 454, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5931));
+
+            migrationBuilder.UpdateData(
+                table: "PricingTiers",
+                keyColumn: "Id",
+                keyValue: 3,
+                column: "CreatedAt",
+                value: new DateTime(2026, 4, 26, 14, 28, 21, 454, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5932));
+        }
+    }
+}

src/PowderCoating.Infrastructure/Migrations/ApplicationDbContextModelSnapshot.cs

@@ -1969,6 +1969,24 @@ namespace PowderCoating.Infrastructure.Migrations
                     b.Property<bool>("EmailNotificationsEnabled")
                         .HasColumnType("bit");
 
+                    b.Property<DateTime?>("FirstInvoiceCreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("datetime2");
+
+                    b.Property<DateTime?>("FirstJobCreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("datetime2");
+
+                    b.Property<DateTime?>("FirstQuoteCreatedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("datetime2");
+
+                    b.Property<bool>("FirstWorkflowCompleted")
+                        .HasColumnType("bit");
+
+                    b.Property<DateTime?>("FirstWorkflowCompletedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("datetime2");
+
+                    b.Property<DateTime?>("GuidedActivationDismissedAt")
+                        .HasColumnType("datetime2");
+
                     b.Property<string>("InAccentColor")
                         .IsRequired()
                         .HasColumnType("nvarchar(max)");
@@ -2017,6 +2035,9 @@ namespace PowderCoating.Infrastructure.Migrations
                     b.Property<bool>("NotifyOnQuoteApproval")
                         .HasColumnType("bit");
 
+                    b.Property<string>("OnboardingPath")
+                        .HasColumnType("nvarchar(max)");
+
                     b.Property<string>("PaymentReminderDays")
                         .IsRequired()
                         .HasColumnType("nvarchar(max)");
@@ -5839,7 +5860,7 @@ namespace PowderCoating.Infrastructure.Migrations
                         {
                             Id = 1,
                             CompanyId = 0,
-                            CreatedAt = new DateTime(2026, 4, 26, 14, 28, 21, 454, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5921),
+                            CreatedAt = new DateTime(2026, 4, 28, 16, 40, 22, 359, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5055),
                             Description = "Standard pricing for regular customers",
                             DiscountPercent = 0m,
                             IsActive = true,
@@ -5850,7 +5871,7 @@ namespace PowderCoating.Infrastructure.Migrations
                         {
                             Id = 2,
                             CompanyId = 0,
-                            CreatedAt = new DateTime(2026, 4, 26, 14, 28, 21, 454, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5931),
+                            CreatedAt = new DateTime(2026, 4, 28, 16, 40, 22, 359, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5063),
                             Description = "5% discount for preferred customers",
                             DiscountPercent = 5m,
                             IsActive = true,
@@ -5861,7 +5882,7 @@ namespace PowderCoating.Infrastructure.Migrations
                         {
                             Id = 3,
                             CompanyId = 0,
-                            CreatedAt = new DateTime(2026, 4, 26, 14, 28, 21, 454, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5932),
+                            CreatedAt = new DateTime(2026, 4, 28, 16, 40, 22, 359, DateTimeKind.Utc).AddTicks(5065),
                             Description = "10% discount for premium customers",
                             DiscountPercent = 10m,
                             IsActive = true,

src/PowderCoating.Shared/Constants/AppConstants.cs

@@ -109,10 +109,23 @@ public static class AppConstants
         public const string CurrentTosVersion = "2026-04-09";
     }
 
+    public static class GuidedActivation
+    {
+        public const string QuoteFirstPath = "quote_first";
+        public const string JobFirstPath = "job_first";
+
+        public const string QueryKey = "guidedActivation";
+        public const string HighlightJobIdKey = "highlightJobId";
+        public const string QuoteCreatedStep = "quote_created";
+        public const string JobCreatedStep = "job_created";
+        public const string BoardIntroStep = "board_intro";
+        public const string BoardReadyForInvoiceStep = "board_ready_for_invoice";
+        public const string InvoiceCreatedStep = "invoice_created";
+    }
+
     public static class PowderInsights
     {
         public const int Layer3MinJobs = 150;  // Minimum jobs with actual powder data before Layer 3 predictive features unlock
         public const int Layer2MinJobs = 10;   // Minimum for efficiency trending to be meaningful
     }
 }
-

src/PowderCoating.Web/Controllers/DashboardController.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authorization;
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity;
 using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
+using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore;
 using PowderCoating.Application.DTOs.Dashboard;
 using PowderCoating.Application.Interfaces;
 using PowderCoating.Core.Entities;
@@ -7,6 +9,8 @@ using PowderCoating.Core.Enums; // Still needed for MaintenanceStatus, Equipment
 using PowderCoating.Core.Interfaces;
 using PowderCoating.Core.Interfaces.Services;
 using PowderCoating.Shared.Constants;
+using PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.Dashboard;
+using PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation;
 using InvoiceStatus = PowderCoating.Core.Enums.InvoiceStatus;
 
 namespace PowderCoating.Web.Controllers;
@@ -19,6 +23,7 @@ public class DashboardController : Controller
     private readonly IDashboardReadService _dashboardRead;
     private readonly ITenantContext _tenantContext;
     private readonly ICompanyConfigHealthService _configHealth;
+    private readonly UserManager<ApplicationUser> _userManager;
 
     private static readonly string[] CompletedStatusCodes =
     [
@@ -45,13 +50,15 @@ public class DashboardController : Controller
         ILogger<DashboardController> logger,
         IDashboardReadService dashboardRead,
         ITenantContext tenantContext,
-        ICompanyConfigHealthService configHealth)
+        ICompanyConfigHealthService configHealth,
+        UserManager<ApplicationUser> userManager)
     {
         _unitOfWork = unitOfWork;
         _logger = logger;
         _dashboardRead = dashboardRead;
         _tenantContext = tenantContext;
         _configHealth = configHealth;
+        _userManager = userManager;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -564,8 +571,17 @@ public class DashboardController : Controller
             // Config health check — surface setup gaps to company admins
             var currentCompanyId = _tenantContext.GetCurrentCompanyId();
             if (currentCompanyId.HasValue)
+            {
                 ViewBag.ConfigHealth = await _configHealth.CheckAsync(currentCompanyId.Value);
 
+                // Load prefs once and share between both banner and progress widget builders
+                var companyPrefs = await _unitOfWork.CompanyPreferences
+                    .FirstOrDefaultAsync(p => p.CompanyId == currentCompanyId.Value && !p.IsDeleted);
+
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivationBanner = BuildGuidedActivationBanner(companyPrefs);
+                ViewBag.ShopProgressWidget = await BuildShopProgressWidgetAsync(currentCompanyId.Value, companyPrefs);
+            }
+
             return View(vm);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -636,6 +652,120 @@ public class DashboardController : Controller
         }
     }
 
+    private GuidedActivationBannerViewModel? BuildGuidedActivationBanner(CompanyPreferences? prefs)
+    {
+        var companyRole = User.FindFirst("CompanyRole")?.Value;
+        if (companyRole != AppConstants.CompanyRoles.CompanyAdmin)
+            return null;
+
+        if (prefs == null || !prefs.SetupWizardCompleted || prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted)
+            return null;
+
+        return new GuidedActivationBannerViewModel
+        {
+            Show = true,
+            IsDismissed = prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt.HasValue,
+            Title = prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt.HasValue
+                ? "Start your first workflow when you're ready"
+                : "Create your first job or quote",
+            Message = prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt.HasValue
+                ? "You can come back anytime to run a short walkthrough using real quotes, jobs, and invoices."
+                : "Run a quick 2-minute workflow to see how the system works.",
+            ActionText = "Start first workflow"
+        };
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Builds the "Get the most out of your shop" activation checklist for CompanyAdmins.
+    /// Returns null when the wizard is not yet complete, the viewer is not a CompanyAdmin,
+    /// or all six tasks are already done (so the widget disappears naturally at 100%).
+    /// Three DB checks are fired in parallel to keep the overhead to a minimum.
+    /// </summary>
+    private async Task<ShopProgressWidgetViewModel?> BuildShopProgressWidgetAsync(int companyId, CompanyPreferences? prefs)
+    {
+        var companyRole = User.FindFirst("CompanyRole")?.Value;
+        if (companyRole != AppConstants.CompanyRoles.CompanyAdmin)
+            return null;
+
+        if (prefs == null || !prefs.SetupWizardCompleted)
+            return null;
+
+        // These share the same scoped DbContext so must run sequentially
+        var hasStatusHistory    = await _unitOfWork.JobStatusHistory.AnyAsync(_ => true);
+        var hasCustomizedLookups = await _unitOfWork.JobStatusLookups.AnyAsync(j => j.UpdatedAt != null);
+        var teamCount           = await _userManager.Users
+                                      .CountAsync(u => u.CompanyId == companyId && u.IsActive && !u.IsBanned);
+
+        var items = new List<ShopProgressItem>
+        {
+            new()
+            {
+                Done         = prefs.FirstJobCreatedAt.HasValue || prefs.FirstQuoteCreatedAt.HasValue,
+                Label        = "Create your first job or quote",
+                SubLabel     = "Get customer sign-off before you start — takes about 2 minutes.",
+                DoneSubLabel = "Your first job is now being tracked.",
+                Icon         = "bi-file-earmark-plus",
+                CtaText      = "Create a quote",
+                CtaUrl       = Url.Action("Start", "GuidedActivation")!
+            },
+            new()
+            {
+                Done         = hasStatusHistory,
+                Label        = "Move a job through your workflow",
+                SubLabel     = "Move a job through your board so your crew always knows what's next.",
+                DoneSubLabel = "You've started tracking work through your shop.",
+                Icon         = "bi-arrow-right-circle",
+                CtaText      = "Go to jobs board",
+                CtaUrl       = Url.Action("Board", "Jobs")!
+            },
+            new()
+            {
+                Done         = prefs.FirstInvoiceCreatedAt.HasValue,
+                Label        = "Send your first invoice",
+                SubLabel     = "When the work is done, turn it into an invoice and send it in seconds.",
+                DoneSubLabel = "You're ready to get paid.",
+                Icon         = "bi-receipt",
+                CtaText      = "Create invoice",
+                CtaUrl       = Url.Action("Create", "Invoices")!
+            },
+            new()
+            {
+                Done         = teamCount > 1,
+                Label        = "Bring your crew in",
+                SubLabel     = "Add your crew so everyone stays on the same page in real time.",
+                DoneSubLabel = "Your team is in the system.",
+                Icon         = "bi-people",
+                CtaText      = "Invite team",
+                CtaUrl       = Url.Action("Index", "CompanyUsers")!
+            },
+            new()
+            {
+                Done         = hasCustomizedLookups,
+                Label        = "Customize your workflow",
+                SubLabel     = "Adjust stages and services to match how your shop runs.",
+                DoneSubLabel = "Your workflow speaks your shop's language.",
+                Icon         = "bi-list-ul",
+                CtaText      = "Customize workflow",
+                CtaUrl       = Url.Action("Index", "CompanySettings") + "#data-lookups"
+            },
+            new()
+            {
+                Done         = prefs.DefaultPaymentTerms != "Net 30"
+                                   || prefs.DefaultQuoteValidityDays != 30
+                                   || prefs.DefaultTurnaroundDays != 7
+                                   || prefs.QtDefaultTerms != null,
+                Label        = "Set how you get paid",
+                SubLabel     = "Set your payment terms and timing so every job goes out right.",
+                DoneSubLabel = "Your payment defaults are locked in.",
+                Icon         = "bi-file-earmark-text",
+                CtaText      = "Set payment terms",
+                CtaUrl       = Url.Action("Index", "CompanySettings") + "#general"
+            }
+        };
+
+        return new ShopProgressWidgetViewModel { Items = items };
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Records receipt of a powder shipment against an existing powder order. Sets
     /// <c>PowderReceived</c>, <c>PowderReceivedLbs</c>, and <c>PowderReceivedAt</c> on the coat,

src/PowderCoating.Web/Controllers/GuidedActivationController.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,229 @@
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authorization;
+using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
+using PowderCoating.Core.Entities;
+using PowderCoating.Core.Interfaces;
+using PowderCoating.Shared.Constants;
+using PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation;
+
+namespace PowderCoating.Web.Controllers;
+
+[Authorize(Policy = AppConstants.Policies.CompanyAdminOnly)]
+public class GuidedActivationController : Controller
+{
+    private const string SampleCustomerName = "Sample Customer";
+    private const string SampleCustomerMarker = "Guided activation sample customer";
+
+    private readonly IUnitOfWork _unitOfWork;
+    private readonly ITenantContext _tenantContext;
+    private readonly ILogger<GuidedActivationController> _logger;
+
+    public GuidedActivationController(
+        IUnitOfWork unitOfWork,
+        ITenantContext tenantContext,
+        ILogger<GuidedActivationController> logger)
+    {
+        _unitOfWork = unitOfWork;
+        _tenantContext = tenantContext;
+        _logger = logger;
+    }
+
+    [HttpGet]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Start()
+    {
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        if (!prefs.SetupWizardCompleted)
+            return RedirectToAction("Step", "SetupWizard", new { step = 1 });
+
+        if (prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted)
+            return RedirectToAction("Index", "Dashboard");
+
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(prefs.OnboardingPath))
+            return RedirectToAction(nameof(Select));
+
+        return prefs.OnboardingPath switch
+        {
+            AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath => RedirectToAction(nameof(StartQuoteFlow)),
+            AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath => RedirectToAction(nameof(StartJobFlow)),
+            _ => RedirectToAction(nameof(Select))
+        };
+    }
+
+    [HttpGet]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Select()
+    {
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        if (!prefs.SetupWizardCompleted)
+            return RedirectToAction("Step", "SetupWizard", new { step = 1 });
+
+        if (prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted)
+            return RedirectToAction("Index", "Dashboard");
+
+        return View(new GuidedActivationSelectionViewModel
+        {
+            OnboardingPath = prefs.OnboardingPath
+        });
+    }
+
+    [HttpPost]
+    [ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Select(GuidedActivationSelectionViewModel model)
+    {
+        if (!ModelState.IsValid)
+            return View(model);
+
+        if (model.OnboardingPath != AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath
+            && model.OnboardingPath != AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath)
+        {
+            ModelState.AddModelError(nameof(model.OnboardingPath), "Please choose a workflow path.");
+            return View(model);
+        }
+
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        prefs.OnboardingPath = model.OnboardingPath;
+        prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt = null;
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Guided activation path selected for company {CompanyId}: {Path}",
+            prefs.CompanyId, prefs.OnboardingPath);
+
+        return RedirectToAction(nameof(Start));
+    }
+
+    [HttpPost]
+    [ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Skip()
+    {
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Guided activation dismissed for company {CompanyId}", prefs.CompanyId);
+        return RedirectToAction("Index", "Dashboard");
+    }
+
+    [HttpPost]
+    [ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> CompleteFromJob(int id)
+    {
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        if (!prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted)
+        {
+            prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted = true;
+            prefs.FirstWorkflowCompletedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+            prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt = null;
+            await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+            _logger.LogInformation("Guided activation completed from job {JobId} for company {CompanyId}",
+                id, prefs.CompanyId);
+        }
+
+        TempData["Success"] = "Your first workflow is complete. You're ready to keep going.";
+        return RedirectToAction("Details", "Jobs", new { id, guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobCreatedStep });
+    }
+
+    [HttpPost]
+    [ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> CompleteFromInvoice(int id)
+    {
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        if (!prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted)
+        {
+            prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted = true;
+            prefs.FirstWorkflowCompletedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+            prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt = null;
+            await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+            _logger.LogInformation("Guided activation completed from invoice {InvoiceId} for company {CompanyId}",
+                id, prefs.CompanyId);
+        }
+
+        TempData["Success"] = "Your first workflow is complete. You're ready to keep going.";
+        return RedirectToAction("Details", "Invoices", new { id, guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.InvoiceCreatedStep });
+    }
+
+    [HttpGet]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> StartQuoteFlow()
+    {
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        prefs.OnboardingPath = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath;
+        prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt = null;
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        var customer = await GetOrCreateOnboardingCustomerAsync(prefs.CompanyId);
+
+        return RedirectToAction("Create", "Quotes", new
+        {
+            customerId = customer.Id,
+            guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath
+        });
+    }
+
+    [HttpGet]
+    public async Task<IActionResult> StartJobFlow()
+    {
+        var prefs = await LoadPreferencesAsync();
+        prefs.OnboardingPath = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath;
+        prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt = null;
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        var customer = await GetOrCreateOnboardingCustomerAsync(prefs.CompanyId);
+
+        return RedirectToAction("Create", "Jobs", new
+        {
+            customerId = customer.Id,
+            guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath
+        });
+    }
+
+    private async Task<CompanyPreferences> LoadPreferencesAsync()
+    {
+        var companyId = _tenantContext.GetCurrentCompanyId();
+        if (companyId == null)
+            throw new InvalidOperationException("No company context available for guided activation.");
+
+        var company = await _unitOfWork.Companies.GetByIdAsync(companyId.Value, false, c => c.Preferences!)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("Company not found.");
+
+        if (company.Preferences != null)
+            return company.Preferences;
+
+        var prefs = new CompanyPreferences { CompanyId = companyId.Value };
+        await _unitOfWork.CompanyPreferences.AddAsync(prefs);
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+        return prefs;
+    }
+
+    private async Task<Customer> GetOrCreateOnboardingCustomerAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        var existing = (await _unitOfWork.Customers.FindAsync(c =>
+                c.CompanyId == companyId
+                && !c.IsDeleted
+                && (c.GeneralNotes == SampleCustomerMarker || c.CompanyName == SampleCustomerName)))
+            .OrderBy(c => c.Id)
+            .FirstOrDefault();
+
+        if (existing != null)
+            return existing;
+
+        var customer = new Customer
+        {
+            CompanyId = companyId,
+            CompanyName = SampleCustomerName,
+            ContactFirstName = "Sample",
+            ContactLastName = "Customer",
+            Phone = "(555) 010-0001",
+            IsCommercial = false,
+            GeneralNotes = SampleCustomerMarker,
+            CreatedAt = DateTime.UtcNow,
+            IsActive = true
+        };
+
+        await _unitOfWork.Customers.AddAsync(customer);
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Created guided activation sample customer {CustomerId} for company {CompanyId}",
+            customer.Id, companyId);
+
+        return customer;
+    }
+}

src/PowderCoating.Web/Controllers/InvoicesController.cs

@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
     /// — Whether online payments are allowed: requires plan-level permission AND an active
     ///   Stripe Connect account. Both conditions must be true; per-plan override wins if set.
     /// </summary>
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Details(int? id)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Details(int? id, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         if (id == null) return NotFound();
 
@@ -257,6 +257,19 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
             ViewBag.OnlinePaymentsEnabled = onlinePaymentsAllowed
                 && company?.StripeConnectStatus == StripeConnectStatus.Active;
 
+            if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.InvoiceCreatedStep)
+            {
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout = new Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel
+                {
+                    Show = true,
+                    Title = "This is how billing connects back to the job.",
+                    Message = "You’ve already seen the shop workflow. From here you can send the invoice, collect payment, or head back to the dashboard.",
+                    ActionText = "Go to Dashboard",
+                    ActionController = "Dashboard",
+                    ActionName = "Index"
+                };
+            }
+
             return View(dto);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -285,7 +298,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
     /// — Revenue accounts are pulled from the catalog item's RevenueAccountId, falling back to
     ///   account 4000 (default revenue) if no catalog item is linked.
     /// </summary>
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(int? jobId)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(int? jobId, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         try
         {
@@ -429,6 +442,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
             }
 
             await PopulateCreateViewBagAsync(currentUser.CompanyId);
+            ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
             return View(dto);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -459,7 +473,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
     /// declared outside the lambda and assigned inside — EF requires this pattern with closures.
     /// </summary>
     [HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(CreateInvoiceDto dto)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(CreateInvoiceDto dto, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         try
         {
@@ -469,6 +483,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
             if (!ModelState.IsValid)
             {
                 await PopulateCreateViewBagAsync(currentUser.CompanyId);
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
                 return View(dto);
             }
 
@@ -476,6 +491,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
             {
                 ModelState.AddModelError("", "Please add at least one line item before saving.");
                 await PopulateCreateViewBagAsync(currentUser.CompanyId);
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
                 return View(dto);
             }
 
@@ -487,6 +503,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
                 {
                     ModelState.AddModelError("", "An invoice already exists for this job.");
                     await PopulateCreateViewBagAsync(currentUser.CompanyId);
+                    ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
                     return View(dto);
                 }
             }
@@ -643,8 +660,21 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
             var depositMsg = pendingDeposits.Any()
                 ? $" {pendingDeposits.Count} deposit(s) totaling {pendingDeposits.Sum(d => d.Amount):C} auto-applied."
                 : "";
+            var workflowJustCompleted = await StampInvoiceCreatedAsync(currentUser.CompanyId);
             TempData["Success"] = $"Invoice {invoiceNumber} created successfully.{depositMsg}{gcMsg}";
-            return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new { id = invoice.Id });
+            if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(guidedActivation) || workflowJustCompleted)
+            {
+                return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new
+                {
+                    id = invoice!.Id,
+                    guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.InvoiceCreatedStep
+                });
+            }
+
+            return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new
+            {
+                id = invoice!.Id
+            });
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
@@ -652,6 +682,7 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
             TempData["Error"] = "An error occurred while creating the invoice.";
             var currentUser = await _userManager.GetUserAsync(User);
             if (currentUser != null) await PopulateCreateViewBagAsync(currentUser.CompanyId);
+            ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
             return View(dto);
         }
     }
@@ -2387,4 +2418,30 @@ public class InvoicesController : Controller
 
         return View(vm);
     }
+
+    private async Task<CompanyPreferences?> GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        return await _unitOfWork.CompanyPreferences.FirstOrDefaultAsync(p => p.CompanyId == companyId && !p.IsDeleted);
+    }
+
+    private async Task<bool> StampInvoiceCreatedAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        var prefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(companyId);
+        if (prefs == null)
+            return false;
+
+        var changed = false;
+
+        if (!prefs.FirstInvoiceCreatedAt.HasValue)
+        {
+            prefs.FirstInvoiceCreatedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+            changed = true;
+            _logger.LogInformation("Recorded first invoice creation for company {CompanyId}", companyId);
+        }
+
+        if (changed)
+            await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        return false;
+    }
 }

src/PowderCoating.Web/Controllers/JobsController.cs

@@ -225,7 +225,10 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
     /// columns are also shown for historical context.
     /// Uses the lookup cache so column headers stay consistent with the configurable status list.
     /// </summary>
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Board(bool showTerminal = false)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Board(
+        bool showTerminal = false,
+        string? guidedActivation = null,
+        int? highlightJobId = null)
     {
         var companyId = _tenantContext.GetCurrentCompanyId() ?? 0;
 
@@ -236,6 +239,9 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
 
         // Load all active jobs with related data
         var jobs = await _unitOfWork.Jobs.GetBoardJobsAsync();
+        var highlightedJob = highlightJobId.HasValue
+            ? jobs.FirstOrDefault(j => j.Id == highlightJobId.Value)
+            : null;
 
         var now = DateTime.UtcNow.Date;
 
@@ -271,6 +277,13 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
         ViewBag.ShowTerminal  = showTerminal;
         ViewBag.TotalTerminal = statuses.Where(s => s.IsTerminalStatus)
                                         .Sum(s => jobs.Count(j => j.JobStatusId == s.Id));
+        ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
+        ViewBag.GuidedActivationHighlightJobId = highlightJobId;
+        ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout = await BuildBoardGuidedActivationCalloutAsync(
+            companyId,
+            guidedActivation,
+            highlightJobId,
+            highlightedJob);
         return View(columns);
     }
 
@@ -298,6 +311,10 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
         job.UpdatedAt   = DateTime.UtcNow;
         job.UpdatedBy   = User.Identity?.Name;
 
+        var workflowJustCompleted =
+            req.JobId == req.HighlightJobId
+            && await MaybeMarkFirstWorkflowCompletedFromBoardAsync(job.CompanyId, req.GuidedActivation);
+
         await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
 
         await BroadcastJobUpdate(job.CompanyId, job.JobNumber!, job.Id, "StatusChanged",
@@ -318,7 +335,10 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
             success            = true,
             newStatusId        = newStatus.Id,
             newStatusDisplay   = newStatus.DisplayName,
-            newStatusColor     = newStatus.ColorClass
+            newStatusColor     = newStatus.ColorClass,
+            guidedActivationNext = workflowJustCompleted
+                ? AppConstants.GuidedActivation.BoardReadyForInvoiceStep
+                : null
         });
     }
 
@@ -329,7 +349,7 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
     /// correctly without a separate AJAX call. Measurement units (sq ft vs m²) are resolved from
     /// the tenant's metric preference and passed via ViewBag.
     /// </summary>
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Details(int? id)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Details(int? id, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         if (id == null)
         {
@@ -468,6 +488,28 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
                 .OrderBy(c => c.Text)
                 .ToList();
 
+            var jobPrefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(job.CompanyId);
+            if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobCreatedStep
+                && jobPrefs?.FirstWorkflowCompleted == false)
+            {
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout = new Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel
+                {
+                    Show = true,
+                    Title = jobPrefs.OnboardingPath == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath
+                        ? "Now your approved quote is a job. This is where you track it through your shop."
+                        : "This job is now live in your shop workflow.",
+                    Message = "Next, open the Daily Board and move it to the next stage so you can see how work flows across the shop.",
+                    ActionText = "Open Daily Board",
+                    ActionController = "Jobs",
+                    ActionName = "Board",
+                    ActionRouteValues = new
+                    {
+                        guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.BoardIntroStep,
+                        highlightJobId = job.Id
+                    }
+                };
+            }
+
             return View(jobDto);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -817,7 +859,7 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
     /// (pre-configured job types with standard items). If <paramref name="customerId"/> is provided,
     /// the customer dropdown is pre-selected. The wizard is the same multi-step UI as the quote wizard.
     /// </summary>
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(int? customerId, int? templateId)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(int? customerId, int? templateId, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         var companyId = _tenantContext.GetCurrentCompanyId() ?? 0;
 
@@ -839,6 +881,11 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
         if (customerId.HasValue)
             dto.CustomerId = customerId.Value;
 
+        if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath && customerId.HasValue)
+        {
+            dto = GuidedActivationDefaults.BuildJobDraft(customerId.Value, normalPriority?.Id ?? 1);
+        }
+
         // Pre-populate from template if provided
         if (templateId.HasValue)
         {
@@ -907,6 +954,7 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
             }
         }
 
+        ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
         return View(dto);
     }
 
@@ -919,13 +967,14 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
     /// </summary>
     [HttpPost]
     [ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(CreateJobDto dto)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(CreateJobDto dto, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         var companyId = _tenantContext.GetCurrentCompanyId() ?? 0;
 
         if (!ModelState.IsValid)
         {
             await PopulateCreateEditWizardViewBagsAsync(companyId);
+            ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
             return View(dto);
         }
 
@@ -937,6 +986,7 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
                 $"You have reached your plan limit of {max} active jobs. " +
                 "Please upgrade your plan or complete/cancel existing jobs to add more.");
             await PopulateCreateEditWizardViewBagsAsync(companyId);
+            ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
             return View(dto);
         }
 
@@ -1092,7 +1142,18 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
             if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(createCompanyId))
                 await _shopHub.Clients.Group($"shop-{createCompanyId}").SendAsync("DailyBoardUpdated");
 
+            await StampJobCreatedAsync(companyId);
+
             this.ToastSuccess($"Job {job.JobNumber} created successfully!");
+            if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath)
+            {
+                return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new
+                {
+                    id = job.Id,
+                    guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobCreatedStep
+                });
+            }
+
             return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new { id = job.Id });
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -1100,6 +1161,7 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
             _logger.LogError(ex, "Error creating job");
             this.ToastError("An error occurred while creating the job. Please try again.");
             await PopulateCreateEditWizardViewBagsAsync(companyId);
+            ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
             return View(dto);
         }
     }
@@ -2126,6 +2188,10 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
                 CreatedAt = DateTime.UtcNow
             });
 
+            var workflowJustCompleted =
+                request.JobId == request.HighlightJobId
+                && await MaybeMarkFirstWorkflowCompletedFromBoardAsync(job.CompanyId, request.GuidedActivation);
+
             await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
 
             var companyId = _tenantContext.GetCurrentCompanyId()?.ToString();
@@ -2138,7 +2204,15 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
                     statusColorClass = newStatus.ColorClass
                 });
 
-            return Json(new { success = true, newStatusDisplayName = newStatus.DisplayName, newStatusColorClass = newStatus.ColorClass });
+            return Json(new
+            {
+                success = true,
+                newStatusDisplayName = newStatus.DisplayName,
+                newStatusColorClass = newStatus.ColorClass,
+                guidedActivationNext = workflowJustCompleted
+                    ? AppConstants.GuidedActivation.BoardReadyForInvoiceStep
+                    : null
+            });
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
@@ -3700,6 +3774,100 @@ public class JobsController : Controller
             return Json(new { error = "Unable to compute costing breakdown." });
         }
     }
+
+    private async Task<CompanyPreferences?> GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        return await _unitOfWork.CompanyPreferences.FirstOrDefaultAsync(p => p.CompanyId == companyId && !p.IsDeleted);
+    }
+
+    private async Task<Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel?> BuildBoardGuidedActivationCalloutAsync(
+        int companyId,
+        string? guidedActivation,
+        int? highlightJobId,
+        Job? highlightedJob)
+    {
+        if (!highlightJobId.HasValue || highlightedJob == null)
+            return null;
+
+        var prefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(companyId);
+        if (prefs == null || !prefs.SetupWizardCompleted || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(prefs.OnboardingPath))
+            return null;
+
+        if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.BoardIntroStep && !prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted)
+        {
+            return new Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel
+            {
+                Show = true,
+                Title = "This is your shop in real time",
+                Message = "Every active job shows up here so you can see what's in production, what's waiting, and what's ready to go.",
+                InstructionText = "Move this job to the next stage to see how your workflow updates.",
+                SecondaryActionText = "View job",
+                SecondaryActionController = "Jobs",
+                SecondaryActionName = "Details",
+                SecondaryActionRouteValues = new { id = highlightJobId.Value }
+            };
+        }
+
+        if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.BoardReadyForInvoiceStep)
+        {
+            var jobInvoice = await _unitOfWork.Invoices.GetForJobAsync(highlightJobId.Value);
+            var hasInvoice = jobInvoice != null;
+
+            return new Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel
+            {
+                Show = true,
+                Title = "Nice — your workflow just updated. This is how you track work through your shop.",
+                Message = hasInvoice
+                    ? "You've already tied billing to this job. Open the invoice or keep exploring the board."
+                    : "When the work is done, you can create the invoice.",
+                ActionText = hasInvoice ? "View Invoice" : "Create Invoice",
+                ActionController = "Invoices",
+                ActionName = hasInvoice ? "Details" : "Create",
+                ActionRouteValues = hasInvoice
+                    ? new { id = jobInvoice!.Id }
+                    : new
+                    {
+                        jobId = highlightJobId.Value,
+                        guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.BoardReadyForInvoiceStep
+                    },
+                SecondaryActionText = "View job",
+                SecondaryActionController = "Jobs",
+                SecondaryActionName = "Details",
+                SecondaryActionRouteValues = new { id = highlightJobId.Value }
+            };
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    private async Task<bool> MaybeMarkFirstWorkflowCompletedFromBoardAsync(int companyId, string? guidedActivation)
+    {
+        if (guidedActivation != AppConstants.GuidedActivation.BoardIntroStep)
+            return false;
+
+        var prefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(companyId);
+        if (prefs == null || prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted || !prefs.SetupWizardCompleted)
+            return false;
+
+        prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted = true;
+        prefs.FirstWorkflowCompletedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+        prefs.GuidedActivationDismissedAt = null;
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Marked first workflow complete from Daily Board tracking for company {CompanyId}", companyId);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private async Task StampJobCreatedAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        var prefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(companyId);
+        if (prefs == null || prefs.FirstJobCreatedAt.HasValue)
+            return;
+
+        prefs.FirstJobCreatedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Recorded first job creation for company {CompanyId}", companyId);
+    }
 }
 
 public class DeleteTimeEntryRequest { public int Id { get; set; } }
@@ -3756,12 +3924,16 @@ public class MoveCardRequest
 {
     public int JobId      { get; set; }
     public int NewStatusId { get; set; }
+    public string? GuidedActivation { get; set; }
+    public int? HighlightJobId { get; set; }
 }
 
 public class AdvanceJobStatusRequest
 {
     public int JobId { get; set; }
     public int NewStatusId { get; set; }
+    public string? GuidedActivation { get; set; }
+    public int? HighlightJobId { get; set; }
 }
 
 public class UpdateDatesRequest

src/PowderCoating.Web/Controllers/QuotesController.cs

@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
     /// the customer even if operating costs have changed since the quote was created.
     /// Also verifies that ConvertedToJobId still points to a live job (clears stale references).
     /// </summary>
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Details(int? id)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Details(int? id, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         if (id == null)
         {
@@ -435,6 +435,21 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
                 .OrderBy(c => c.Text)
                 .ToList();
 
+            var quotePrefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(currentUser!.CompanyId);
+            if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteCreatedStep
+                && quotePrefs?.OnboardingPath == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath
+                && quotePrefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted == false)
+            {
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivationMode = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath;
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout = new Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel
+                {
+                    Show = true,
+                    Title = "This is the quote you would send to your customer.",
+                    Message = "Next, convert it into a job so it moves into your real production workflow.",
+                    ActionText = "Convert to Job"
+                };
+            }
+
             return View(quoteDto);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -627,7 +642,7 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
     /// Optionally pre-selects a customer when <paramref name="customerId"/> is provided (e.g. when
     /// navigating from the Customer Details page using the "New Quote" shortcut).
     /// </summary>
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(int? customerId)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(int? customerId, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         try
         {
@@ -682,6 +697,17 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
                 CustomerId = customerId
             };
 
+            if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath)
+            {
+                var draft = GuidedActivationDefaults.BuildQuoteDraft(customerId);
+                dto.CustomerId = draft.CustomerId;
+                dto.Description = draft.Description;
+                dto.Notes = draft.Notes;
+                dto.QuoteItems = draft.QuoteItems;
+            }
+
+            ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
+
             return View(dto);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -703,7 +729,7 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
     /// </summary>
     [HttpPost]
     [ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(CreateQuoteDto dto)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Create(CreateQuoteDto dto, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         _logger.LogInformation("=== CREATE QUOTE POST ACTION CALLED ===");
         _logger.LogInformation("IsForProspect: {IsForProspect}", dto.IsForProspect);
@@ -832,6 +858,7 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
 
                 await PopulateDropDownsAsync(currentUser!.CompanyId, operatingCosts?.OvenOperatingCostPerHour ?? 0);
                 await SetMeasurementViewBagAsync();
+                ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
                 return View(dto);
             }
 
@@ -1134,7 +1161,18 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
                 this.SetNotificationResultToast(quoteCreateNotifLog);
             }
 
+            await StampQuoteCreatedAsync(currentUser.CompanyId);
+
             this.ToastSuccess($"Quote {quote.QuoteNumber} created successfully!");
+            if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath)
+            {
+                return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new
+                {
+                    id = quote.Id,
+                    guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteCreatedStep
+                });
+            }
+
             return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new { id = quote.Id });
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
@@ -1145,6 +1183,7 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
             var catchCosts = await _pricingService.GetOperatingCostsAsync(catchUser!.CompanyId);
             await PopulateDropDownsAsync(catchUser.CompanyId, catchCosts?.OvenOperatingCostPerHour ?? 0);
             await SetMeasurementViewBagAsync();
+            ViewBag.GuidedActivation = guidedActivation;
             return View(dto);
         }
     }
@@ -2100,7 +2139,7 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
     /// </summary>
     [HttpPost]
     [ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> ConvertToJob(int id)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> ConvertToJob(int id, string? guidedActivation = null)
     {
         try
         {
@@ -2231,9 +2270,20 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
 
             this.ToastSuccess($"Job has been successfully created from quote {quote.QuoteNumber}!");
 
+            await StampJobCreatedAsync(currentUser!.CompanyId);
+
             // Redirect to the newly created job's details page
             if (quote.ConvertedToJobId.HasValue)
             {
+                if (guidedActivation == AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath)
+                {
+                    return RedirectToAction("Details", "Jobs", new
+                    {
+                        id = quote.ConvertedToJobId.Value,
+                        guidedActivation = AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobCreatedStep
+                    });
+                }
+
                 return RedirectToAction("Details", "Jobs", new { id = quote.ConvertedToJobId.Value });
             }
 
@@ -3791,6 +3841,35 @@ public class QuotesController : Controller
 
         return Json(new { success = true });
     }
+
+    private async Task<CompanyPreferences?> GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        return await _unitOfWork.CompanyPreferences.FirstOrDefaultAsync(p => p.CompanyId == companyId && !p.IsDeleted);
+    }
+
+    private async Task StampQuoteCreatedAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        var prefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(companyId);
+        if (prefs == null || prefs.FirstQuoteCreatedAt.HasValue)
+            return;
+
+        prefs.FirstQuoteCreatedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Recorded first quote creation for company {CompanyId}", companyId);
+    }
+
+    private async Task StampJobCreatedAsync(int companyId)
+    {
+        var prefs = await GetCompanyPreferencesAsync(companyId);
+        if (prefs == null || prefs.FirstJobCreatedAt.HasValue)
+            return;
+
+        prefs.FirstJobCreatedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
+
+        _logger.LogInformation("Recorded first job creation for company {CompanyId}", companyId);
+    }
 }
 
 // Request model for AJAX pricing calculation

src/PowderCoating.Web/Controllers/SetupWizardController.cs

@@ -311,31 +311,7 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
                     ShopCapabilityTier        = costs.ShopCapabilityTier
                 }),
                 4 => await BuildStep4ViewAsync(GetCompanyId()),
-                5 => View("Step5", new WizardStep3Dto
-                {
-                    QuoteNumberPrefix   = prefs.QuoteNumberPrefix,
-                    JobNumberPrefix     = prefs.JobNumberPrefix,
-                    InvoiceNumberPrefix = !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(prefs.InvoiceNumberPrefix) ? prefs.InvoiceNumberPrefix : "INV",
-                    QtAccentColor       = prefs.QtAccentColor,
-                    InAccentColor       = prefs.InAccentColor,
-                    WoAccentColor       = prefs.WoAccentColor
-                }),
-                6 => View("Step6", new WizardStep5Dto
-                {
-                    DefaultJobPriority    = prefs.DefaultJobPriority,
-                    RequireCustomerPO     = prefs.RequireCustomerPO,
-                    AllowCustomerApproval = prefs.AllowCustomerApproval,
-                }),
-                7 => View("Step7", new WizardStep4Dto
-                {
-                    DefaultPaymentTerms      = prefs.DefaultPaymentTerms,
-                    DefaultQuoteValidityDays = prefs.DefaultQuoteValidityDays,
-                    DefaultTurnaroundDays    = prefs.DefaultTurnaroundDays,
-                    QtDefaultTerms           = prefs.QtDefaultTerms,
-                    QtFooterNote             = prefs.QtFooterNote
-                }),
-                8 => await BuildStep8ViewAsync(GetCompanyId()),
-                9 => View("Step9", new WizardStep7Dto
+                5 => View("Step9", new WizardStep7Dto
                 {
                     EmailNotificationsEnabled  = prefs.EmailNotificationsEnabled,
                     EmailFromAddress           = prefs.EmailFromAddress,
@@ -351,7 +327,6 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
                     DueDateWarningDays         = prefs.DueDateWarningDays,
                     MaintenanceAlertDays       = prefs.MaintenanceAlertDays
                 }),
-                10 => await BuildStep10ViewAsync(GetCompanyId()),
                 _  => RedirectToAction("Step", new { step = 1 })
             };
         }
@@ -405,53 +380,6 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
         return View("Step4", dto);
     }
 
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Builds the view model for Step 8 (Pricing Tiers) by loading existing tiers and serializing
-    /// them as camelCase JSON for the client-side tier management table.
-    /// CamelCase serialization is required here because the JavaScript that reads this JSON expects
-    /// camelCase property names (e.g., <c>tierName</c> not <c>TierName</c>), unlike the oven step
-    /// which uses PascalCase — a discrepancy inherited from different JS widget implementations.
-    /// </summary>
-    private async Task<IActionResult> BuildStep8ViewAsync(int companyId)
-    {
-        var existing = await _unitOfWork.PricingTiers.FindAsync(t => t.CompanyId == companyId && !t.IsDeleted);
-        var camelCase = new JsonSerializerOptions { PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase };
-        var dto = new WizardPricingTiersStepDto
-        {
-            TiersJson = existing.Any()
-                ? JsonSerializer.Serialize(existing.OrderBy(t => t.Id).Select(t => new WizardPricingTierDto
-                {
-                    Id              = t.Id,
-                    TierName        = t.TierName,
-                    Description     = t.Description,
-                    DiscountPercent = t.DiscountPercent
-                }), camelCase)
-                : null
-        };
-        return View("Step8", dto);
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Builds the view model for Step 10 (Team Members) by loading existing non-admin users so they
-    /// can be displayed as read-only in the view.
-    /// Only non-admin company users are shown because the wizard's team-member step is designed for
-    /// adding shop workers and managers; the CompanyAdmin who is running the wizard is already
-    /// implied. Showing existing members prevents the wizard user from accidentally creating
-    /// duplicates of accounts that were added outside the wizard flow.
-    /// </summary>
-    private async Task<IActionResult> BuildStep10ViewAsync(int companyId)
-    {
-        // Load existing non-admin team members so they're shown as read-only in the view
-        var existingUsers = await _userManager.Users
-            .Where(u => u.CompanyId == companyId && u.IsActive
-                     && u.CompanyRole != AppConstants.CompanyRoles.CompanyAdmin)
-            .OrderBy(u => u.LastName).ThenBy(u => u.FirstName)
-            .Select(u => new { u.FirstName, u.LastName, u.Email, u.CompanyRole })
-            .ToListAsync();
-        ViewBag.ExistingTeamMembers = existingUsers;
-        return View("Step10", new WizardStep9Dto());
-    }
-
     // ─── POST Steps ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -675,138 +603,15 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
         return RedirectToStep(5);
     }
 
-    [HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> PostStep5(WizardStep3Dto model)
-    {
-        var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
-        ViewBag.Progress = BuildProgress(prefs); ViewBag.Step = 5;
-
-        if (!ModelState.IsValid) return View("Step5", model);
-
-        prefs.QuoteNumberPrefix   = model.QuoteNumberPrefix;
-        prefs.JobNumberPrefix     = model.JobNumberPrefix;
-        prefs.InvoiceNumberPrefix = model.InvoiceNumberPrefix;
-        prefs.QtAccentColor       = model.QtAccentColor;
-        prefs.InAccentColor       = model.InAccentColor;
-        prefs.WoAccentColor       = model.WoAccentColor;
-
-        MarkDone(prefs, 5);
-        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
-        return RedirectToStep(6);
-    }
-
-    [HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> PostStep6(WizardStep5Dto model)
-    {
-        var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
-        ViewBag.Progress = BuildProgress(prefs); ViewBag.Step = 6;
-
-        if (!ModelState.IsValid) return View("Step6", model);
-
-        prefs.DefaultJobPriority    = model.DefaultJobPriority;
-        prefs.RequireCustomerPO     = model.RequireCustomerPO;
-        prefs.AllowCustomerApproval = model.AllowCustomerApproval;
-
-        MarkDone(prefs, 6);
-        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
-        return RedirectToStep(7);
-    }
-
-    [HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> PostStep7(WizardStep4Dto model)
-    {
-        var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
-        ViewBag.Progress = BuildProgress(prefs); ViewBag.Step = 7;
-
-        if (!ModelState.IsValid) return View("Step7", model);
-
-        prefs.DefaultPaymentTerms      = model.DefaultPaymentTerms;
-        prefs.DefaultQuoteValidityDays = model.DefaultQuoteValidityDays;
-        prefs.DefaultTurnaroundDays    = model.DefaultTurnaroundDays;
-        prefs.QtDefaultTerms           = model.QtDefaultTerms;
-        prefs.QtFooterNote             = model.QtFooterNote;
-
-        MarkDone(prefs, 7);
-        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
-        return RedirectToStep(8);
-    }
-
     /// <summary>
-    /// Persists pricing tiers from Step 8, using the same upsert-and-soft-delete pattern as
-    /// <see cref="PostStep4"/>: existing tiers updated in place, new ones inserted, removed ones
-    /// soft-deleted. Tiers with a blank <c>TierName</c> are silently ignored so the client-side
-    /// table's empty placeholder rows do not produce invalid records. JsonException is caught and
-    /// logged rather than thrown so a malformed JSON payload (e.g., from a broken browser extension)
-    /// still advances the wizard rather than stopping the admin from completing setup.
+    /// Saves notification preferences from Step 5 (the final step). Marks the wizard complete
+    /// and hands off to the Guided Activation flow.
     /// </summary>
-    [HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> PostStep8(WizardPricingTiersStepDto model)
-    {
-        var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
-        var companyId = GetCompanyId();
-
-        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(model.TiersJson))
-        {
-            try
-            {
-                var tiers = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<List<WizardPricingTierDto>>(model.TiersJson,
-                    new JsonSerializerOptions { PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = true });
-
-                if (tiers != null)
-                {
-                    var validTiers = tiers.Where(t => !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(t.TierName)).ToList();
-                    if (validTiers.Count > 0)
-                    {
-                        var existing = (await _unitOfWork.PricingTiers.FindAsync(t => t.CompanyId == companyId && !t.IsDeleted))
-                                       .ToDictionary(t => t.Id);
-                        var submittedIds = validTiers.Where(t => t.Id > 0).Select(t => t.Id).ToHashSet();
-
-                        // Soft-delete tiers that were removed from the list
-                        foreach (var e in existing.Values.Where(e => !submittedIds.Contains(e.Id)))
-                            await _unitOfWork.PricingTiers.SoftDeleteAsync(e.Id);
-
-                        foreach (var t in validTiers)
-                        {
-                            if (t.Id > 0 && existing.TryGetValue(t.Id, out var record))
-                            {
-                                // Update in place
-                                record.TierName        = t.TierName.Trim();
-                                record.Description     = t.Description?.Trim();
-                                record.DiscountPercent = t.DiscountPercent;
-                                await _unitOfWork.PricingTiers.UpdateAsync(record);
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                await _unitOfWork.PricingTiers.AddAsync(new PricingTier
-                                {
-                                    CompanyId       = companyId,
-                                    TierName        = t.TierName.Trim(),
-                                    Description     = t.Description?.Trim(),
-                                    DiscountPercent = t.DiscountPercent,
-                                    IsActive        = true
-                                });
-                            }
-                        }
-                        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-            catch (JsonException ex)
-            {
-                _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to deserialize pricing tiers JSON in wizard step 8");
-            }
-        }
-
-        MarkDone(prefs, 8);
-        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
-        return RedirectToStep(9);
-    }
-
     [HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
     public async Task<IActionResult> PostStep9(WizardStep7Dto model)
     {
         var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
-        ViewBag.Progress = BuildProgress(prefs); ViewBag.Step = 9;
+        ViewBag.Progress = BuildProgress(prefs); ViewBag.Step = 5;
 
         if (!ModelState.IsValid) return View("Step9", model);
 
@@ -824,83 +629,9 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
         prefs.DueDateWarningDays        = model.DueDateWarningDays;
         prefs.MaintenanceAlertDays      = model.MaintenanceAlertDays;
 
-        MarkDone(prefs, 9);
-        await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
-        return RedirectToStep(10);
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Creates team member accounts from Step 10 (Invite Team), assigns each user a company role,
-    /// and also maps them to the legacy ASP.NET Identity role system for policy-based authorization.
-    /// The dual-role assignment (CompanyRole + Identity role) is required because authorization
-    /// policies in this app evaluate both the legacy role claim and the <c>CompanyRole</c> property.
-    /// Users with emails that already exist are silently skipped so re-submitting the wizard after
-    /// a partial failure does not attempt to create duplicates. Setting <c>SetupWizardCompleted = true</c>
-    /// here hides the wizard prompt from the dashboard going forward.
-    /// </summary>
-    [HttpPost, ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> PostStep10(WizardStep9Dto model)
-    {
-        var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
-        var companyId = GetCompanyId();
-
-        if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(model.MembersJson))
-        {
-            try
-            {
-                var members = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<List<WizardTeamMemberDto>>(model.MembersJson,
-                    new JsonSerializerOptions { PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = true });
-
-                if (members != null)
-                {
-                    foreach (var m in members.Where(m => !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(m.Email)
-                                                      && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(m.Password)))
-                    {
-                        var existing = await _userManager.FindByEmailAsync(m.Email);
-                        if (existing != null) continue;
-
-                        var validRoles = new[] { AppConstants.CompanyRoles.CompanyAdmin, AppConstants.CompanyRoles.Manager, AppConstants.CompanyRoles.Worker, AppConstants.CompanyRoles.Viewer };
-                        var companyRole = validRoles.Contains(m.CompanyRole) ? m.CompanyRole : AppConstants.CompanyRoles.Worker;
-
-                        var user = new ApplicationUser
-                        {
-                            UserName = m.Email, Email = m.Email, EmailConfirmed = true,
-                            FirstName = m.FirstName, LastName = m.LastName,
-                            CompanyId = companyId, CompanyRole = companyRole, IsActive = true,
-                            CanManageJobs = true, CanManageCustomers = true, CanCreateQuotes = true,
-                            CanManageCalendar = true, CanViewCalendar = true, CanViewProducts = true
-                        };
-
-                        var result = await _userManager.CreateAsync(user, m.Password);
-                        if (result.Succeeded)
-                        {
-                            var legacyRole = companyRole switch
-                            {
-                                AppConstants.CompanyRoles.CompanyAdmin => AppConstants.Roles.Administrator,
-                                AppConstants.CompanyRoles.Manager      => AppConstants.Roles.Manager,
-                                AppConstants.CompanyRoles.Worker       => AppConstants.Roles.Employee,
-                                _                                       => AppConstants.Roles.ReadOnly
-                            };
-                            await _userManager.AddToRoleAsync(user, legacyRole);
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            _logger.LogWarning("Failed to create wizard user {Email}: {Errors}",
-                                m.Email, string.Join(", ", result.Errors.Select(e => e.Description)));
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-            catch (JsonException ex)
-            {
-                _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to deserialize team members JSON in wizard step 10");
-            }
-        }
-
-        MarkDone(prefs, 10);
+        MarkDone(prefs, 5);
         prefs.SetupWizardCompleted = true;
 
-        // Record who completed the wizard and when so SuperAdmins can see completion status per-user.
         var currentUser = await _userManager.GetUserAsync(User);
         prefs.SetupWizardCompletedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
         prefs.SetupWizardCompletedByUserId = currentUser?.Id;
@@ -909,7 +640,7 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
             : User.Identity?.Name;
 
         await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
-        return RedirectToAction(nameof(Complete));
+        return RedirectToAction("Start", "GuidedActivation");
     }
 
     // ─── Skip ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -927,6 +658,18 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
     {
         var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
         MarkSkipped(prefs, step);
+
+        if (step >= WizardProgressDto.TotalSteps)
+        {
+            prefs.SetupWizardCompleted = true;
+            var currentUser = await _userManager.GetUserAsync(User);
+            prefs.SetupWizardCompletedAt = DateTime.UtcNow;
+            prefs.SetupWizardCompletedByUserId = currentUser?.Id;
+            prefs.SetupWizardCompletedByName = currentUser != null
+                ? $"{currentUser.FirstName} {currentUser.LastName}".Trim()
+                : User.Identity?.Name;
+        }
+
         await _unitOfWork.CompleteAsync();
         int next = step >= WizardProgressDto.TotalSteps ? 0 : step + 1;
         return RedirectToStep(next == 0 ? WizardProgressDto.TotalSteps + 1 : next);
@@ -975,6 +718,7 @@ public class SetupWizardController : Controller
     {
         var (_, prefs, _) = await LoadCompanyDataAsync();
         ViewBag.Progress = BuildProgress(prefs);
+        ViewBag.ShowGuidedActivationCta = prefs.SetupWizardCompleted && !prefs.FirstWorkflowCompleted;
         return View();
     }
 }

src/PowderCoating.Web/Helpers/GuidedActivationDefaults.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+using PowderCoating.Application.DTOs.Job;
+using PowderCoating.Application.DTOs.Quote;
+
+namespace PowderCoating.Web.Helpers;
+
+internal static class GuidedActivationDefaults
+{
+    public static CreateQuoteDto BuildQuoteDraft(int? customerId)
+    {
+        return new CreateQuoteDto
+        {
+            CustomerId = customerId,
+            QuoteDate = DateTime.Today,
+            ExpirationDate = DateTime.Today.AddDays(30),
+            Description = "Sample onboarding quote",
+            Notes = "Sample onboarding quote",
+            QuoteItems =
+            [
+                BuildSampleItem("Sample onboarding quote")
+            ]
+        };
+    }
+
+    public static CreateJobDto BuildJobDraft(int customerId, int jobPriorityId)
+    {
+        return new CreateJobDto
+        {
+            CustomerId = customerId,
+            JobPriorityId = jobPriorityId,
+            Description = "Wheel Set",
+            SpecialInstructions = "Sample onboarding job",
+            JobItems =
+            [
+                BuildSampleItem("Sample onboarding job")
+            ]
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static CreateQuoteItemDto BuildSampleItem(string notes)
+    {
+        return new CreateQuoteItemDto
+        {
+            Description = "Wheel Set",
+            Quantity = 4,
+            SurfaceAreaSqFt = 0,
+            EstimatedMinutes = 0,
+            IsGenericItem = true,
+            ManualUnitPrice = 125m,
+            Notes = notes,
+            IncludePrepCost = false,
+            Complexity = "Moderate"
+        };
+    }
+}

src/PowderCoating.Web/ViewModels/Dashboard/ShopProgressWidgetViewModel.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+namespace PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.Dashboard;
+
+public class ShopProgressWidgetViewModel
+{
+    public List<ShopProgressItem> Items { get; set; } = new();
+    public int TotalItems => Items.Count;
+    public int CompletedCount => Items.Count(i => i.Done);
+    public bool AllDone => CompletedCount == TotalItems;
+    public int ProgressPercent => TotalItems == 0 ? 0 : CompletedCount * 100 / TotalItems;
+
+    public string SubtitleText => CompletedCount switch
+    {
+        0     => "You're set up and ready to go — these steps will help you run a tighter shop.",
+        1     => "You're off to a great start — here's how to run your shop even smoother.",
+        2     => "Good momentum — keep going.",
+        3     => "Halfway there — great progress so far.",
+        4     => "Almost there — just a couple more steps.",
+        5     => "One step left — you're this close.",
+        _     => "You're all set."
+    };
+
+    public string BadgeText => CompletedCount switch
+    {
+        0 => $"0 of {TotalItems} complete",
+        1 => $"1 of {TotalItems} — you're on your way",
+        2 => $"2 of {TotalItems} — good momentum",
+        3 => $"3 of {TotalItems} — halfway there",
+        4 => $"4 of {TotalItems} — almost there",
+        5 => $"5 of {TotalItems} — one step left",
+        _ => $"{CompletedCount} of {TotalItems} complete"
+    };
+}
+
+public class ShopProgressItem
+{
+    public bool Done { get; set; }
+    public string Label { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string SubLabel { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string DoneSubLabel { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string Icon { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string CtaText { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string CtaUrl { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+}

src/PowderCoating.Web/ViewModels/GuidedActivation/GuidedActivationViewModels.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;
+
+namespace PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation;
+
+public class GuidedActivationSelectionViewModel
+{
+    [Required]
+    public string? OnboardingPath { get; set; }
+}
+
+public class GuidedActivationBannerViewModel
+{
+    public bool Show { get; set; }
+    public bool IsDismissed { get; set; }
+    public string Title { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string Message { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string ActionText { get; set; } = "Start first workflow";
+}
+
+public class GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel
+{
+    public bool Show { get; set; }
+    public string Title { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    public string Message { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+    /// <summary>Optional action prompt rendered below the message (e.g. "Move this job to the next stage…").</summary>
+    public string? InstructionText { get; set; }
+    public string? ActionText { get; set; }
+    public string? ActionController { get; set; }
+    public string? ActionName { get; set; }
+    public object? ActionRouteValues { get; set; }
+    public string? SecondaryActionText { get; set; }
+    public string? SecondaryActionController { get; set; }
+    public string? SecondaryActionName { get; set; }
+    public object? SecondaryActionRouteValues { get; set; }
+}

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Dashboard/Index.cshtml

@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 @model PowderCoating.Application.DTOs.Dashboard.DashboardViewModel
 @using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Html
 @using PowderCoating.Application.DTOs.Health
+@using PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.Dashboard
 
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = "Dashboard";
     var today = DateTime.Today;
     var currentMonth = DateTime.Now.ToString("MMMM yyyy");
     var configHealth = ViewBag.ConfigHealth as CompanyConfigHealth;
+    var guidedActivationBanner = ViewBag.GuidedActivationBanner as PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationBannerViewModel;
+    var shopProgressWidget = ViewBag.ShopProgressWidget as ShopProgressWidgetViewModel;
 }
 
 <!-- Hero Brief -->
@@ -56,6 +59,34 @@
     </div>
 </div>
 
+@if (guidedActivationBanner?.Show == true)
+{
+    <div class="row mb-4">
+        <div class="col-12">
+            <div class="card border-0 shadow-sm @(guidedActivationBanner.IsDismissed ? "" : "border-start border-4 border-primary")">
+                <div class="card-body py-3">
+                    <div class="d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row gap-3 align-items-lg-center justify-content-between">
+                        <div>
+                            <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">@guidedActivationBanner.Title</div>
+                            <div class="text-muted">@guidedActivationBanner.Message</div>
+                        </div>
+                        <div>
+                            <a asp-controller="GuidedActivation" asp-action="Start" class="btn @(guidedActivationBanner.IsDismissed ? "btn-outline-primary" : "btn-primary")">
+                                @guidedActivationBanner.ActionText
+                            </a>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+}
+
+@if (shopProgressWidget != null)
+{
+    @await Html.PartialAsync("_ShopProgressWidget", shopProgressWidget)
+}
+
 @* Config health alert — only shown when there are setup gaps *@
 @if (configHealth != null && !configHealth.IsHealthy)
 {
@@ -777,6 +808,7 @@
 </div>
 
 @section Scripts {
+<script src="~/js/shop-progress-widget.js" asp-append-version="true"></script>
 <script>
     // Powder Orders - Mark as Ordered
     document.querySelectorAll('.mark-ordered-btn').forEach(btn => {
@@ -1250,4 +1282,3 @@
         };
     }
 }
-

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Dashboard/_ShopProgressWidget.cshtml

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+@using PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.Dashboard
+@model ShopProgressWidgetViewModel
+
+<div class="card border-0 shadow-sm mb-4" id="shopProgressWidget">
+    <div class="card-header d-flex align-items-center gap-2 py-2 px-4"
+         style="background:var(--pcl-paper-2);border-bottom:1px solid var(--pcl-rule);">
+        <i class="bi bi-rocket-takeoff" style="color:var(--pcl-blue);"></i>
+        <span class="fw-semibold" style="color:var(--pcl-ink);">Get the most out of your shop</span>
+        @if (!Model.AllDone)
+        {
+            <span class="ms-auto badge rounded-pill bg-secondary">@Model.BadgeText</span>
+        }
+        <button class="btn btn-link btn-sm p-0 @(Model.AllDone ? "ms-auto" : "ms-2") text-secondary"
+                id="shopProgressToggle" title="Collapse" style="line-height:1;">
+            <i class="bi bi-chevron-up" id="shopProgressChevron"></i>
+        </button>
+    </div>
+
+    <div id="shopProgressBody">
+        @if (Model.AllDone)
+        {
+            <div class="px-4 py-4 text-center">
+                <div class="fw-semibold mb-1" style="font-size:1rem;color:var(--pcl-ink);">Your shop is fully set up 🎉</div>
+                <div class="text-muted mb-3" style="font-size:0.85rem;">You're ready to run everything from here.</div>
+                <a href="@Url.Action("Create", "Jobs")" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">
+                    Create job <i class="bi bi-arrow-right ms-1"></i>
+                </a>
+            </div>
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            <div class="px-4 pt-3 pb-1">
+                <p class="text-muted mb-2" style="font-size:0.85rem;">@Model.SubtitleText</p>
+                <div class="progress mb-1" style="height:5px;border-radius:3px;">
+                    <div class="progress-bar @(Model.ProgressPercent >= 60 ? "bg-success" : "bg-primary")"
+                         role="progressbar"
+                         style="width:@Model.ProgressPercent%;transition:width 0.4s ease;"
+                         aria-valuenow="@Model.ProgressPercent" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100"></div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <ul class="list-group list-group-flush mb-1">
+                @{
+                    var nextFound  = false;
+                    bool? prevDone = null;
+                }
+                @foreach (var item in Model.Items)
+                {
+                    var isNext = !item.Done && !nextFound;
+                    if (isNext) { nextFound = true; }
+
+                    @if (prevDone.HasValue && prevDone.Value && !item.Done)
+                    {
+                        <li class="list-group-item border-0 px-4 py-0" style="background:transparent;">
+                            <hr class="my-0" style="border-color:var(--pcl-rule);">
+                        </li>
+                    }
+                    prevDone = item.Done;
+
+                    <li class="list-group-item border-0 d-flex align-items-center gap-3 px-4 py-2"
+                        style="background:@(isNext ? "rgba(13,110,253,0.04)" : "transparent");">
+                        @if (item.Done)
+                        {
+                            <i class="bi bi-check-circle-fill flex-shrink-0"
+                               style="color:var(--pcl-good);font-size:1.1rem;"></i>
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                            <i class="bi @item.Icon flex-shrink-0 text-muted" style="font-size:1.1rem;"></i>
+                        }
+
+                        <div class="flex-grow-1 min-width-0">
+                            <div class="fw-medium @(item.Done ? "text-muted" : "")" style="font-size:0.875rem;">
+                                @item.Label
+                                @if (isNext)
+                                {
+                                    <span class="badge bg-primary bg-opacity-10 text-primary rounded-pill ms-1" style="font-size:0.65rem;">Next</span>
+                                }
+                            </div>
+                            @if (item.Done)
+                            {
+                                @if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.DoneSubLabel))
+                                {
+                                    <div style="font-size:0.78rem;color:var(--pcl-good);">@item.DoneSubLabel</div>
+                                }
+                            }
+                            else
+                            {
+                                <div class="text-muted" style="font-size:0.78rem;">@item.SubLabel</div>
+                            }
+                        </div>
+
+                        @if (item.Done)
+                        {
+                            <span class="flex-shrink-0 fw-medium"
+                                  style="font-size:0.78rem;color:var(--pcl-good);">Done</span>
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                            <a href="@item.CtaUrl"
+                               class="btn btn-sm @(isNext ? "btn-primary" : "btn-outline-primary") flex-shrink-0">
+                                @item.CtaText <i class="bi bi-arrow-right ms-1"></i>
+                            </a>
+                        }
+                    </li>
+                }
+            </ul>
+        }
+    </div>
+</div>

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/GuidedActivation/Select.cshtml

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+@model PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationSelectionViewModel
+@using PowderCoating.Shared.Constants
+
+@{
+    ViewData["Title"] = "Start Your First Workflow";
+}
+
+@section Styles {
+<style>
+    .ga-shell {
+        min-height: calc(100vh - 12rem);
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        justify-content: center;
+    }
+
+    .ga-card {
+        width: min(920px, 100%);
+        border: 0;
+        border-radius: 1.25rem;
+        overflow: hidden;
+        box-shadow: 0 24px 70px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.14);
+    }
+
+    .ga-hero {
+        background: linear-gradient(145deg, #0f172a 0%, #1d4ed8 100%);
+        color: white;
+        padding: 2.5rem;
+    }
+
+    .ga-option {
+        border: 1px solid var(--bs-border-color);
+        border-radius: 1rem;
+        padding: 1.25rem;
+        height: 100%;
+        cursor: pointer;
+        transition: border-color 0.15s ease, transform 0.15s ease, box-shadow 0.15s ease;
+    }
+
+    .ga-option:hover {
+        border-color: #2563eb;
+        transform: translateY(-2px);
+        box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.10);
+    }
+
+    .ga-option input {
+        margin-top: 0.2rem;
+    }
+</style>
+}
+
+<div class="ga-shell">
+    <div class="card ga-card">
+        <div class="ga-hero">
+            <div class="text-uppercase small fw-semibold mb-2" style="letter-spacing:0.12em;opacity:0.8;">Guided Activation</div>
+            <h1 class="h2 fw-bold mb-2">Your shop is set up. Let's run your first workflow.</h1>
+            <p class="mb-0" style="max-width:42rem;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.82);">
+                Choose how jobs usually start for your shop and we'll guide you through it with real quotes, jobs, and invoices.
+            </p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="card-body p-4 p-lg-5">
+            <form asp-action="Select" method="post">
+                @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
+                <div asp-validation-summary="ModelOnly" class="text-danger mb-3"></div>
+
+                <p class="text-muted fw-semibold mb-3">How do jobs usually start for your shop?</p>
+
+                <div class="row g-3 mb-4">
+                    <div class="col-md-6">
+                        <label class="ga-option d-flex gap-3" for="pathQuoteFirst">
+                            <input asp-for="OnboardingPath" id="pathQuoteFirst" type="radio"
+                                   value="@AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath" class="form-check-input" />
+                            <span>
+                                <span class="d-block fw-bold fs-5 text-dark">I send a quote first</span>
+                                <span class="d-block text-muted mt-2">
+                                    Create a quote, convert it to a job, then invoice when work is complete.
+                                </span>
+                            </span>
+                        </label>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="col-md-6">
+                        <label class="ga-option d-flex gap-3" for="pathJobFirst">
+                            <input asp-for="OnboardingPath" id="pathJobFirst" type="radio"
+                                   value="@AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath" class="form-check-input" />
+                            <span>
+                                <span class="d-block fw-bold fs-5 text-dark">I start with a job</span>
+                                <span class="d-block text-muted mt-2">
+                                    For walk-ins or approved work where you start immediately.
+                                </span>
+                            </span>
+                        </label>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+
+                <div class="d-flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+                    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg px-4">
+                        Continue
+                    </button>
+                </div>
+            </form>
+
+            <form asp-action="Skip" method="post" class="mt-3">
+                @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
+                <button type="submit" class="btn btn-link text-muted px-0">Skip for now</button>
+            </form>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+
+@section Scripts {
+    @{await Html.RenderPartialAsync("_ValidationScriptsPartial");}
+}

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Invoices/Create.cshtml

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 
 <form asp-action="Create" method="post" id="invoiceForm">
     @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
+    <input type="hidden" name="guidedActivation" value="@ViewBag.GuidedActivation" />
 
     @if (!ViewData.ModelState.IsValid)
     {
@@ -47,6 +48,14 @@
         </div>
     }
 
+    @if (ViewBag.GuidedActivation != null)
+    {
+        <div class="alert alert-primary alert-permanent border-0 shadow-sm mb-4">
+            <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">Optional next step: Create the invoice</div>
+            <div>This uses the real invoice flow. Review the line items, then save when you want to close the loop with billing.</div>
+        </div>
+    }
+
     <input type="hidden" asp-for="PreparedById" />
     <input type="hidden" asp-for="JobId" />
     <input type="hidden" asp-for="CustomerId" id="hiddenCustomerId" />

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Invoices/Details.cshtml

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
         && (Model.PaymentLinkExpiresAt == null || Model.PaymentLinkExpiresAt <= DateTime.UtcNow);
     var onlinePaymentsEnabled = ViewBag.OnlinePaymentsEnabled == true;
     var showOnlinePaymentCard = !isDraft && !isVoided && Model.BalanceDue > 0 && onlinePaymentsEnabled;
+    var guidedActivationCallout = ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout as PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel;
 }
 
 <div class="row justify-content-center">
@@ -69,6 +70,23 @@
             </div>
         }
 
+        @if (guidedActivationCallout?.Show == true)
+        {
+            <div class="alert alert-success alert-permanent border-0 shadow-sm mb-4">
+                <div class="d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row gap-3 align-items-lg-center justify-content-between">
+                    <div>
+                        <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">@guidedActivationCallout.Title</div>
+                        <div>@guidedActivationCallout.Message</div>
+                    </div>
+                    <div>
+                        <a asp-controller="Dashboard" asp-action="Index" class="btn btn-success">
+                            @guidedActivationCallout.ActionText
+                        </a>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        }
+
         <!-- Status Banner -->
         <div class="alert alert-@statusColor alert-permanent d-flex align-items-center mb-4">
             <i class="bi bi-info-circle me-2" style="font-size:1.4rem;"></i>

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Jobs/Board.cshtml

@@ -1,10 +1,17 @@
+@using PowderCoating.Shared.Constants
 @using PowderCoating.Web.Controllers
+@using PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation
 @model List<JobBoardColumn>
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = "Jobs Board";
     bool showTerminal = ViewBag.ShowTerminal == true;
     int totalTerminal = (int)(ViewBag.TotalTerminal ?? 0);
-
+    var guidedActivationCallout = ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout as GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel;
+    string? guidedActivation = ViewBag.GuidedActivation as string;
+    int? highlightJobId = ViewBag.GuidedActivationHighlightJobId is int highlightedId ? highlightedId : null;
+    var highlightedCard = highlightJobId.HasValue
+        ? Model.SelectMany(c => c.Jobs).FirstOrDefault(j => j.Id == highlightJobId.Value)
+        : null;
 }
 
 @section Styles {
@@ -108,7 +115,19 @@
     }
     .board-card:hover { background: var(--pcl-paper-2); color: var(--pcl-ink); }
     .board-card.board-card-hot { box-shadow: inset 2px 0 0 var(--pcl-bad); }
+    .board-card.board-card-guided {
+        border-color: var(--pcl-cool);
+        box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--pcl-cool) 24%, transparent);
+        background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--pcl-cool) 8%, var(--pcl-card));
+    }
     .board-card.dragging { opacity: .5; cursor: grabbing; }
+    .board-guided-badge {
+        font-family: var(--font-mono);
+        font-size: 10px;
+        letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+        text-transform: uppercase;
+        color: var(--pcl-cool);
+    }
 
     /* Card content */
     .card-job-number { font-family: var(--font-mono); font-weight: 500; font-size: .8rem; color: var(--pcl-ink); }
@@ -171,6 +190,40 @@
 }
 
 <div class="board-outer">
+    @if (guidedActivationCallout?.Show == true)
+    {
+        <div class="alert alert-info alert-permanent border-0 shadow-sm mb-3">
+            <div class="d-flex flex-column flex-xl-row gap-3 align-items-xl-center justify-content-between">
+                <div>
+                    <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">@guidedActivationCallout.Title</div>
+                    <div>@guidedActivationCallout.Message</div>
+                    @if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(guidedActivationCallout.InstructionText))
+                    {
+                        <div class="fw-semibold mt-2 small" style="color:var(--pcl-ink);">
+                            <i class="bi bi-arrow-right-circle me-1"></i>@guidedActivationCallout.InstructionText
+                        </div>
+                    }
+                </div>
+                <div class="d-flex gap-2 flex-wrap">
+                    @if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(guidedActivationCallout.ActionText))
+                    {
+                        <a href="@Url.Action(guidedActivationCallout.ActionName, guidedActivationCallout.ActionController, guidedActivationCallout.ActionRouteValues)"
+                           class="btn btn-primary">
+                            @guidedActivationCallout.ActionText
+                        </a>
+                    }
+                    @if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionText))
+                    {
+                        <a href="@Url.Action(guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionName, guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionController, guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionRouteValues)"
+                           class="btn btn-outline-primary">
+                            @guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionText
+                        </a>
+                    }
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    }
+
     @* Toolbar *@
     @{
         var _totalOnFloor = Model.Sum(c => c.Jobs.Count);
@@ -181,7 +234,11 @@
             @* Left: view switch + live stats *@
             <div class="d-flex align-items-center gap-3">
                 <div class="board-view-switch">
-                    <a asp-action="Board" class="active">Board</a>
+                    <a asp-action="Board"
+                       asp-route-showTerminal="@showTerminal"
+                       asp-route-guidedActivation="@guidedActivation"
+                       asp-route-highlightJobId="@highlightJobId"
+                       class="active">Board</a>
                     <a asp-action="Index">List</a>
                 </div>
                 <span class="mono" style="font-size:.75rem;color:var(--pcl-steel)">
@@ -195,7 +252,7 @@
 
             @* Right: actions *@
             <div class="d-flex align-items-center gap-2">
-                <a href="@Url.Action("Board", new { showTerminal = !showTerminal })"
+                <a href="@Url.Action("Board", new { showTerminal = !showTerminal, guidedActivation, highlightJobId })"
                    class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary"
                    id="toggleTerminalBtn">
                     <i class="bi bi-archive me-1"></i>
@@ -286,12 +343,16 @@
                             _         => "board-priority-secondary"
                         };
                         <a href="@Url.Action("Details", new { id = card.Id })"
-                           class="board-card@(card.IsOverdue ? " board-card-hot" : "")"
+                           class="board-card@(card.IsOverdue ? " board-card-hot" : "")@(highlightJobId == card.Id ? " board-card-guided" : "")"
                            data-job-id="@card.Id"
                            onclick="return false">
 
                             <div class="d-flex align-items-start justify-content-between gap-1">
                                 <span class="card-job-number">@card.JobNumber</span>
+                                @if (highlightJobId == card.Id)
+                                {
+                                    <span class="board-guided-badge">Guided Job</span>
+                                }
                             </div>
 
                             <div class="card-customer">@card.CustomerName</div>
@@ -347,6 +408,8 @@
 <script>
 (function () {
     const COMPANY_ID = '@(User.FindFirst("CompanyId")?.Value ?? "0")';
+    const guidedActivation = '@(guidedActivation ?? string.Empty)';
+    const highlightJobId = @(highlightJobId?.ToString() ?? "null");
 
     // ── Show Completed persistence ───────────────────────────────────────────
     const TERMINAL_KEY   = `jobBoard_showTerminal_${COMPANY_ID}`;
@@ -402,6 +465,28 @@
         }
     }
 
+    function ensureGuidedCardVisible() {
+        if (!highlightJobId) return;
+
+        const card = document.querySelector(`.board-card[data-job-id="${highlightJobId}"]`);
+        if (!card) return;
+
+        const column = card.closest('.board-column');
+        if (column?.classList.contains('col-hidden')) {
+            const statusId = parseInt(column.dataset.statusId);
+            const hidden = loadHiddenCols();
+            const idx = hidden.indexOf(statusId);
+            if (idx > -1) {
+                hidden.splice(idx, 1);
+                saveHiddenCols(hidden);
+                applyVisibility();
+            }
+        }
+
+        card.classList.add('board-card-guided');
+        card.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest', inline: 'center' });
+    }
+
     document.querySelectorAll('.col-vis-check').forEach(cb => {
         cb.addEventListener('change', () => {
             const id     = parseInt(cb.dataset.statusId);
@@ -458,6 +543,7 @@
     });
 
     applyColOrder();
+    ensureGuidedCardVisible();
 
     // ── Drag & drop + card navigation ────────────────────────────────────────
     const token = document.querySelector('input[name="__RequestVerificationToken"]')?.value
@@ -506,13 +592,26 @@
                         'Content-Type':                'application/json',
                         'RequestVerificationToken':    token
                     },
-                    body: JSON.stringify({ jobId, newStatusId: newStatus })
+                    body: JSON.stringify({
+                        jobId,
+                        newStatusId: newStatus,
+                        guidedActivation,
+                        highlightJobId
+                    })
                 })
                 .then(r => r.json())
                 .then(data => {
                     if (data.success) {
                         // Update card's priority border stays — status shown by column
                         showToast(`Moved to ${data.newStatusDisplay}`, true);
+
+                        if (data.guidedActivationNext && highlightJobId && jobId === highlightJobId) {
+                            const nextUrl = new URL(window.location.href);
+                            nextUrl.searchParams.set('guidedActivation', data.guidedActivationNext);
+                            nextUrl.searchParams.set('highlightJobId', String(highlightJobId));
+                            setTimeout(() => { window.location.href = nextUrl.toString(); }, 700);
+                            return;
+                        }
                     } else {
                         // Revert
                         oldColEl.insertBefore(card, oldColEl.children[evt.oldIndex] ?? null);

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Jobs/Create.cshtml

@@ -27,12 +27,21 @@
 
     <form asp-action="Create" method="post" id="jobCreateForm">
         @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
+        <input type="hidden" name="guidedActivation" value="@ViewBag.GuidedActivation" />
         @if (ViewBag.TemplateId != null)
         {
             <input type="hidden" name="SourceTemplateId" value="@ViewBag.TemplateId">
         }
         <partial name="_ValidationSummary" />
 
+        @if ((ViewBag.GuidedActivation as string) == PowderCoating.Shared.Constants.AppConstants.GuidedActivation.JobFirstPath)
+        {
+            <div class="alert alert-primary alert-permanent border-0 shadow-sm mb-4">
+                <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">Step 1: Create your first sample job</div>
+                <div>We've prefilled a quick example. You can edit anything before saving.</div>
+            </div>
+        }
+
         <!-- Job Details Card -->
         <div class="card mb-4">
             <div class="card-header">

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Jobs/Details.cshtml

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = $"Job {Model.JobNumber}";
     ViewData["PageIcon"] = "bi-briefcase";
+    var guidedActivationCallout = ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout as PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel;
 }
 
 <div class="row justify-content-center">
@@ -38,6 +39,34 @@
             </div>
         </div>
 
+        @if (guidedActivationCallout?.Show == true)
+        {
+            <div class="alert alert-primary alert-permanent border-0 shadow-sm mb-4">
+                <div class="d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row gap-3 align-items-lg-center justify-content-between">
+                    <div>
+                        <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">@guidedActivationCallout.Title</div>
+                        <div>@guidedActivationCallout.Message</div>
+                    </div>
+                    <div class="d-flex gap-2 flex-wrap">
+                        @if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(guidedActivationCallout.ActionText))
+                        {
+                            <a href="@Url.Action(guidedActivationCallout.ActionName, guidedActivationCallout.ActionController, guidedActivationCallout.ActionRouteValues)"
+                               class="btn btn-primary">
+                                 @guidedActivationCallout.ActionText
+                            </a>
+                        }
+                        @if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionText))
+                        {
+                            <a href="@Url.Action(guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionName, guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionController, guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionRouteValues)"
+                               class="btn btn-outline-primary">
+                                @guidedActivationCallout.SecondaryActionText
+                            </a>
+                        }
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        }
+
         <div class="row g-4">
             <!-- Left Column -->
             <div class="col-lg-8">

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Quotes/Create.cshtml

@@ -18,8 +18,17 @@
 
     <form asp-action="Create" asp-controller="Quotes" method="post" id="quoteForm">
         @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
+        <input type="hidden" name="guidedActivation" value="@ViewBag.GuidedActivation" />
         <input type="hidden" asp-for="TaxPercent" />
 
+        @if ((ViewBag.GuidedActivation as string) == PowderCoating.Shared.Constants.AppConstants.GuidedActivation.QuoteFirstPath)
+        {
+            <div class="alert alert-primary alert-permanent border-0 shadow-sm mb-4">
+                <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">Step 1: Create your first sample quote</div>
+                <div>We've prefilled a quick example. You can edit anything before saving.</div>
+            </div>
+        }
+
         <!-- Mode Toggle -->
         <div class="d-flex align-items-center gap-2 mb-3">
             <div class="quote-mode-toggle" role="group" aria-label="Quote mode">

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/Quotes/Details.cshtml

@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = $"Quote {Model.QuoteNumber}";
     ViewData["PageIcon"] = "bi-file-text";
+    var guidedActivationCallout = ViewBag.GuidedActivationCallout as PowderCoating.Web.ViewModels.GuidedActivation.GuidedActivationCalloutViewModel;
+    var guidedActivationMode = ViewBag.GuidedActivationMode as string;
 }
 
 <div class="container-fluid mt-4">
@@ -43,7 +45,28 @@
                 <i class="bi bi-arrow-left me-1"></i>Back
             </a>
         </div>
-    </div>    <div class="row">
+    </div>
+
+    @if (guidedActivationCallout?.Show == true)
+    {
+        <div class="alert alert-primary alert-permanent border-0 shadow-sm d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row gap-3 align-items-lg-center justify-content-between mb-4">
+            <div>
+                <div class="fw-semibold mb-1">@guidedActivationCallout.Title</div>
+                <div>@guidedActivationCallout.Message</div>
+            </div>
+            <div>
+                <form asp-action="ConvertToJob" asp-route-id="@Model.Id" method="post" class="d-inline">
+                    @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
+                    <input type="hidden" name="guidedActivation" value="@guidedActivationMode" />
+                    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">
+                        @guidedActivationCallout.ActionText
+                    </button>
+                </form>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    }
+
+    <div class="row">
         <!-- Left Column: Quote Information -->
         <div class="col-lg-8">
             <!-- Customer/Prospect Info -->
@@ -1461,6 +1484,7 @@
                         {
                             <form asp-action="ConvertToJob" asp-route-id="@Model.Id" method="post" class="d-inline" id="createJobForm">
                                 @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
+                                <input type="hidden" name="guidedActivation" value="@guidedActivationMode" />
                                 <button type="button" class="btn btn-success w-100" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#createJobModal">
                                     <i class="bi bi-clipboard-check me-1"></i>Create Job from Quote
                                 </button>

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/SetupWizard/Complete.cshtml

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = "Setup Complete!";
     var progress = ViewBag.Progress as WizardProgressDto ?? new WizardProgressDto();
+    var showGuidedActivationCta = (bool?)ViewBag.ShowGuidedActivationCta ?? false;
 }
 
 @section Styles {
@@ -79,24 +80,28 @@
     <p style="color:rgba(255,255,255,0.8);font-size:1.05rem;max-width:500px;margin:0 auto 1.5rem;">
         Your setup is complete. @progress.DoneSteps.Count of @WizardProgressDto.TotalSteps steps were configured — your shop is ready to roll.
     </p>
-    <a asp-controller="Dashboard" asp-action="Index" class="btn btn-light btn-lg px-5 fw-semibold">
-        <i class="bi bi-house me-2"></i>Go to Dashboard
-    </a>
+    @if (showGuidedActivationCta)
+    {
+        <a asp-controller="GuidedActivation" asp-action="Start" class="btn btn-light btn-lg px-5 fw-semibold">
+            <i class="bi bi-play-circle me-2"></i>Start First Workflow
+        </a>
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        <a asp-controller="Dashboard" asp-action="Index" class="btn btn-light btn-lg px-5 fw-semibold">
+            <i class="bi bi-house me-2"></i>Go to Dashboard
+        </a>
+    }
 </div>
 
 @{
     var stepLabels = new Dictionary<int, (string Label, string Icon)>
     {
-        { 1,  ("Company Profile",          "bi-building") },
-        { 2,  ("QB Migration",             "bi-arrow-left-right") },
-        { 3,  ("Operating Costs",          "bi-currency-dollar") },
-        { 4,  ("Shop Ovens",               "bi-fire") },
-        { 5,  ("Doc Numbering",            "bi-palette") },
-        { 6,  ("Job Settings",             "bi-diagram-3") },
-        { 7,  ("Payment Terms",            "bi-file-earmark-text") },
-        { 8,  ("Pricing Tiers",            "bi-percent") },
-        { 9,  ("Notifications",            "bi-bell") },
-        { 10, ("Team Members",             "bi-people") },
+        { 1, ("Company Profile",  "bi-building") },
+        { 2, ("QB Migration",     "bi-arrow-left-right") },
+        { 3, ("Operating Costs",  "bi-currency-dollar") },
+        { 4, ("Shop Ovens",       "bi-fire") },
+        { 5, ("Notifications",    "bi-bell") },
     };
 }
 
@@ -146,7 +151,16 @@
     <a asp-controller="CompanySettings" asp-action="Index" class="btn btn-outline-primary">
         <i class="bi bi-gear me-1"></i>Open Company Settings
     </a>
-    <a asp-controller="Dashboard" asp-action="Index" class="btn btn-primary">
-        <i class="bi bi-house me-1"></i>Go to Dashboard
-    </a>
+    @if (showGuidedActivationCta)
+    {
+        <a asp-controller="GuidedActivation" asp-action="Start" class="btn btn-primary">
+            <i class="bi bi-play-circle me-1"></i>Start First Workflow
+        </a>
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        <a asp-controller="Dashboard" asp-action="Index" class="btn btn-primary">
+            <i class="bi bi-house me-1"></i>Go to Dashboard
+        </a>
+    }
 </div>

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/SetupWizard/Step4.cshtml

@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@
 
         <form asp-action="PostStep4" method="post" onsubmit="return validateStep4()">
             @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
-            <input type="hidden" name="OvensJson" id="ovensJson" value="@Html.Raw(Model.OvensJson ?? "[]")" />
-            <input type="hidden" name="BlastSetupsJson" id="blastSetupsJson" value="@Html.Raw(Model.BlastSetupsJson ?? "[]")" />
+            <script type="application/json" id="ovensSeedJson">@Html.Raw(Model.OvensJson ?? "[]")</script>
+            <script type="application/json" id="blastSetupsSeedJson">@Html.Raw(Model.BlastSetupsJson ?? "[]")</script>
+            <input type="hidden" name="OvensJson" id="ovensJson" value="[]" />
+            <input type="hidden" name="BlastSetupsJson" id="blastSetupsJson" value="[]" />
 
             <!-- ── Ovens ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -->
             <div class="wizard-card">
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@
     // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
     // OVENS
     // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
-    var ovens = JSON.parse(document.getElementById('ovensJson').value || '[]');
+    var ovens = JSON.parse(document.getElementById('ovensSeedJson').textContent || '[]');
 
     function serializeOvens() {
         document.getElementById('ovensJson').value = JSON.stringify(
@@ -212,7 +214,7 @@
     // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
     // BLAST SETUPS
     // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
-    var blasts = JSON.parse(document.getElementById('blastSetupsJson').value || '[]');
+    var blasts = JSON.parse(document.getElementById('blastSetupsSeedJson').textContent || '[]');
 
     function serializeBlasts() {
         document.getElementById('blastSetupsJson').value = JSON.stringify(

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/SetupWizard/Step9.cshtml

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 @{
     ViewData["Title"] = "Setup Wizard — Notifications";
     var progress = ViewBag.Progress as WizardProgressDto ?? new WizardProgressDto();
-    int step = ViewBag.Step as int? ?? 9;
+    int step = ViewBag.Step as int? ?? 5;
 }
 @section Styles { @await Html.PartialAsync("_WizardStyles") }
 

src/PowderCoating.Web/Views/SetupWizard/_WizardProgress.cshtml

@@ -4,16 +4,11 @@
 @{
     var steps = new[]
     {
-        (1,  "Company Profile",     "bi-building"),
-        (2,  "QB Migration",        "bi-arrow-left-right"),
-        (3,  "Operating Costs",     "bi-currency-dollar"),
-        (4,  "Shop Ovens",           "bi-fire"),
-        (5,  "Doc Numbering",       "bi-palette"),
-        (6,  "Job Settings",        "bi-diagram-3"),
-        (7,  "Payment Terms",       "bi-file-earmark-text"),
-        (8,  "Pricing Tiers",       "bi-percent"),
-        (9,  "Notifications",       "bi-bell"),
-        (10, "Team Members",        "bi-people"),
+        (1, "Company Profile",  "bi-building"),
+        (2, "QB Migration",     "bi-arrow-left-right"),
+        (3, "Operating Costs",  "bi-currency-dollar"),
+        (4, "Shop Ovens",       "bi-fire"),
+        (5, "Notifications",    "bi-bell"),
     };
     int currentStep = ViewBag.Step as int? ?? 1;
 }

src/PowderCoating.Web/wwwroot/js/shop-progress-widget.js

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+(function () {
+    var STORAGE_KEY = 'shopProgressCollapsed';
+    var widget = document.getElementById('shopProgressWidget');
+    if (!widget) return;
+
+    var body     = document.getElementById('shopProgressBody');
+    var toggle   = document.getElementById('shopProgressToggle');
+    var chevron  = document.getElementById('shopProgressChevron');
+
+    function setCollapsed(collapsed) {
+        body.style.display = collapsed ? 'none' : '';
+        chevron.className  = collapsed ? 'bi bi-chevron-down' : 'bi bi-chevron-up';
+        toggle.title       = collapsed ? 'Expand' : 'Collapse';
+        try { localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, collapsed ? '1' : '0'); } catch (e) { }
+    }
+
+    // Restore on load
+    try {
+        if (localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY) === '1') setCollapsed(true);
+    } catch (e) { }
+
+    toggle.addEventListener('click', function () {
+        setCollapsed(body.style.display === 'none' ? false : true);
+    });
+}());