diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapter.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapter.java
index 6fca5a8..4264b08 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapter.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapter.java
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *
  * <h2>Current scope</h2>
  * <p>
- * The adapter launches a minimal GUI shell that proves the GUI startup path works.
- * It does not provide a configuration editor, file operations, validation, provider
- * controls, or any other functionality beyond the technical startup proof.
+ * The adapter launches the editor shell with the unloaded start state, an optional startup
+ * notice, and a file-loading callback supplied by Bootstrap. File I/O and save behavior remain
+ * outside the current GUI step.
  */
 public class GuiAdapter {
 
@@ -84,13 +84,22 @@ public class GuiAdapter {
      *                               or if the platform is not supported
      */
     public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
+        start(GuiStartupContext.blank(startupNotice));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Starts the JavaFX GUI with the supplied startup context.
+     *
+     * @param startupContext startup data for the GUI; must not be {@code null}
+     */
+    public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
         LOG.info("GUI-Adapter: JavaFX-Start wird eingeleitet.");
-        if (startupNotice.isPresent()) {
-            Application.launch(PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.class,
-                    PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX + startupNotice.get());
-        } else {
+        GuiStartupContextHolder.install(startupContext);
+        try {
             Application.launch(PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.class);
+        } finally {
+            GuiStartupContextHolder.clear();
+            LOG.info("GUI-Adapter: JavaFX-Anwendung wurde beendet.");
         }
-        LOG.info("GUI-Adapter: JavaFX-Anwendung wurde beendet.");
     }
 }
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a10762f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace.java
@@ -0,0 +1,449 @@
+package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui;
+
+import java.nio.file.Path;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Optional;
+
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorState;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory;
+import javafx.application.Platform;
+import javafx.geometry.Insets;
+import javafx.geometry.Pos;
+import javafx.scene.Node;
+import javafx.scene.Parent;
+import javafx.scene.control.Alert;
+import javafx.scene.control.Button;
+import javafx.scene.control.ButtonType;
+import javafx.scene.control.Label;
+import javafx.scene.control.ScrollPane;
+import javafx.scene.control.Separator;
+import javafx.scene.control.Tab;
+import javafx.scene.control.TabPane;
+import javafx.scene.layout.BorderPane;
+import javafx.scene.layout.HBox;
+import javafx.scene.layout.Priority;
+import javafx.scene.layout.VBox;
+import javafx.stage.FileChooser;
+import javafx.stage.Window;
+
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+
+/**
+ * Builds the editor workspace shown after the JavaFX application starts.
+ * <p>
+ * The workspace owns the unloaded start state, the optional startup notice, the file-loading
+ * callback and the visible section scaffold for the single-tab shell. It performs no save
+ * operations and no validation logic.
+ */
+public final class GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace {
+
+    private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace.class);
+    private static final String WELCOME_TEXT =
+            "Willkommen. Legen Sie mit „Neu“ eine Standardvorlage an oder öffnen Sie eine bestehende Konfiguration.";
+
+    private final BorderPane root = new BorderPane();
+    private final Label statusLabel = new Label();
+    private final Label configurationPathValueLabel = new Label();
+    private final Label welcomeTitleLabel = new Label("Willkommen");
+    private final Label welcomeTextLabel = new Label(WELCOME_TEXT);
+    private final TabPane tabPane = new TabPane();
+    private final VBox sectionsBox = new VBox(12);
+    private final Button newButton = new Button("Neu");
+    private final Button openButton = new Button("Öffnen");
+    private final Button saveButton = new Button("Speichern");
+    private final Button saveAsButton = new Button("Speichern unter");
+
+    private final GuiConfigurationFileLoader configurationFileLoader;
+    private GuiConfigurationEditorState editorState;
+    private boolean welcomeGuidanceVisible;
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new workspace with the unloaded start state.
+     *
+     * @param startupNotice optional startup notice to show in the header area
+     */
+    public GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
+        this(GuiStartupContext.blank(startupNotice));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new workspace with the supplied startup context.
+     *
+     * @param startupContext startup data from Bootstrap; must not be {@code null}
+     */
+    public GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
+        GuiStartupContext effectiveContext = startupContext == null
+                ? GuiStartupContext.blank(Optional.empty())
+                : startupContext;
+        this.configurationFileLoader = effectiveContext.configurationFileLoader();
+        this.editorState = effectiveContext.initialState();
+        this.welcomeGuidanceVisible = editorState.isNewConfiguration();
+
+        configureRoot();
+        configureHeader(effectiveContext.startupNotice());
+        configureTabs();
+        configureActionBar();
+        configureActions();
+        refreshView();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the root node used by the JavaFX scene.
+     *
+     * @return the root pane for the workspace
+     */
+    public Parent root() {
+        return root;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the currently active editor state.
+     *
+     * @return the current editor state
+     */
+    public GuiConfigurationEditorState editorState() {
+        return editorState;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the currently displayed configuration-path text.
+     *
+     * @return the header text for the loaded configuration path
+     */
+    public String configurationPathText() {
+        return configurationPathValueLabel.getText();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the welcome text shown in the editor start state.
+     *
+     * @return the German welcome text
+     */
+    public String welcomeText() {
+        return welcomeTextLabel.getText();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns whether the welcome guidance is currently visible.
+     *
+     * @return {@code true} when the welcome text is shown, otherwise {@code false}
+     */
+    public boolean isWelcomeGuidanceVisible() {
+        return welcomeGuidanceVisible;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the "Neu" action button.
+     *
+     * @return the button used to switch to the standard template
+     */
+    public Button newButton() {
+        return newButton;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the "Öffnen" action button.
+     *
+     * @return the button used for the open-file flow
+     */
+    public Button openButton() {
+        return openButton;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the "Speichern" action button.
+     *
+     * @return the button used for future save wiring
+     */
+    public Button saveButton() {
+        return saveButton;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the "Speichern unter" action button.
+     *
+     * @return the button used for future save-as wiring
+     */
+    public Button saveAsButton() {
+        return saveAsButton;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the tab pane containing the single editor tab.
+     *
+     * @return the tab pane shown in the center area
+     */
+    public TabPane tabPane() {
+        return tabPane;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the fixed section titles shown inside the single configuration tab.
+     *
+     * @return the section titles in visual order
+     */
+    List<String> sectionTitles() {
+        return List.of("Pfade", "Provider", "Verarbeitungslimits", "Tests", "Meldungen");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Handles the explicit "Neu" action.
+     * <p>
+     * The workspace switches to the standard template and hides the welcome guidance.
+     */
+    public void requestNewConfiguration() {
+        LOG.info("GUI-Editor: Neue Standardvorlage wird angezeigt.");
+        applyEditorState(GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.createStandardTemplate());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Handles the explicit "Öffnen" action.
+     * <p>
+     * The file chooser is native to the platform and filters for {@code *.properties} files.
+     */
+    public void requestOpenConfiguration() {
+        Window owner = root.getScene() == null ? null : root.getScene().getWindow();
+        FileChooser fileChooser = new FileChooser();
+        fileChooser.setTitle("Konfiguration öffnen");
+        fileChooser.getExtensionFilters().add(new FileChooser.ExtensionFilter("Properties-Dateien", "*.properties"));
+        if (owner != null && editorState.hasLoadedFileSnapshot()) {
+            Path currentPath = editorState.loadedFileSnapshot().orElseThrow().filePath();
+            Path parent = currentPath.getParent();
+            if (parent != null) {
+                fileChooser.setInitialDirectory(parent.toFile());
+            }
+        }
+
+        java.io.File selectedFile = fileChooser.showOpenDialog(owner);
+        if (selectedFile != null) {
+            openConfigurationFile(selectedFile.toPath());
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Opens the selected configuration file on a background thread.
+     *
+     * @param configFilePath the selected file path; must not be {@code null}
+     */
+    void openConfigurationFile(Path configFilePath) {
+        if (configurationFileLoader == null) {
+            showError("Öffnen ist derzeit nicht verfügbar.");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        Thread worker = new Thread(() -> {
+            try {
+                GuiConfigurationEditorState loadedState = configurationFileLoader.load(configFilePath);
+                Platform.runLater(() -> applyEditorState(loadedState));
+            } catch (Exception exception) {
+                Platform.runLater(() -> showError("Konfiguration konnte nicht geladen werden: "
+                        + safeMessage(exception)));
+            }
+        }, "gui-config-loader");
+        worker.setDaemon(true);
+        worker.start();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Handles the explicit "Speichern" action.
+     * <p>
+     * File writing is intentionally not implemented yet.
+     */
+    public void requestSaveConfiguration() {
+        LOG.info("GUI-Editor: Speichern-Aktion wurde ausgelöst, ist aber noch nicht implementiert.");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Handles the explicit "Speichern unter" action.
+     * <p>
+     * File writing is intentionally not implemented yet.
+     */
+    public void requestSaveConfigurationAs() {
+        LOG.info("GUI-Editor: Speichern-unter-Aktion wurde ausgelöst, ist aber noch nicht implementiert.");
+    }
+
+    private void applyEditorState(GuiConfigurationEditorState newState) {
+        this.editorState = newState;
+        this.welcomeGuidanceVisible = false;
+        statusLabel.setVisible(false);
+        statusLabel.setManaged(false);
+        refreshView();
+    }
+
+    private void configureRoot() {
+        root.getStyleClass().add("gui-editor-root");
+        root.setPadding(new Insets(16));
+    }
+
+    private void configureHeader(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
+        Label titleLabel = new Label("PDF-Umbenenner");
+        titleLabel.setStyle("-fx-font-size: 24px; -fx-font-weight: bold;");
+
+        Label subtitleLabel = new Label("Konfigurationseditor");
+        subtitleLabel.setStyle("-fx-font-size: 12px; -fx-text-fill: #666666;");
+
+        VBox titleBox = new VBox(2, titleLabel, subtitleLabel);
+
+        Label pathCaption = new Label("Konfigurationspfad:");
+        pathCaption.setStyle("-fx-font-weight: bold;");
+        HBox pathRow = new HBox(8, pathCaption, configurationPathValueLabel);
+        pathRow.setAlignment(Pos.CENTER_LEFT);
+
+        statusLabel.setWrapText(true);
+        statusLabel.setVisible(false);
+        statusLabel.setManaged(false);
+        statusLabel.setStyle(
+                "-fx-padding: 8px 10px; -fx-background-color: #fff2cc; -fx-text-fill: #5c3b00; -fx-border-color: #e0b95b;");
+
+        VBox headerBox = new VBox(8, titleBox, pathRow, statusLabel, new Separator());
+        headerBox.setPadding(new Insets(0, 0, 16, 0));
+        root.setTop(headerBox);
+
+        startupNotice.ifPresent(this::showStatusMessage);
+    }
+
+    private void configureTabs() {
+        Tab editorTab = new Tab("Konfiguration");
+        editorTab.setClosable(false);
+
+        sectionsBox.setSpacing(12);
+        sectionsBox.setFillWidth(true);
+
+        ScrollPane scrollPane = new ScrollPane(sectionsBox);
+        scrollPane.setFitToWidth(true);
+        scrollPane.setHbarPolicy(ScrollPane.ScrollBarPolicy.NEVER);
+        scrollPane.setVbarPolicy(ScrollPane.ScrollBarPolicy.AS_NEEDED);
+        scrollPane.setPadding(new Insets(0));
+        editorTab.setContent(scrollPane);
+
+        tabPane.getTabs().add(editorTab);
+        root.setCenter(tabPane);
+    }
+
+    private void configureActionBar() {
+        HBox actionBar = new HBox(10, newButton, openButton, saveButton, saveAsButton);
+        actionBar.setAlignment(Pos.CENTER_LEFT);
+        actionBar.setPadding(new Insets(16, 0, 0, 0));
+        root.setBottom(actionBar);
+    }
+
+    private void configureActions() {
+        newButton.setOnAction(event -> requestNewConfiguration());
+        openButton.setOnAction(event -> requestOpenConfiguration());
+        saveButton.setOnAction(event -> requestSaveConfiguration());
+        saveAsButton.setOnAction(event -> requestSaveConfigurationAs());
+    }
+
+    private void refreshView() {
+        refreshHeader();
+        refreshSections();
+    }
+
+    private void refreshHeader() {
+        configurationPathValueLabel.setText(editorState.configurationPathText());
+    }
+
+    private void refreshSections() {
+        sectionsBox.getChildren().setAll(
+                createWelcomeCard(),
+                createPathsSection(),
+                createProviderSection(),
+                createProcessingLimitsSection(),
+                createTestsSection(),
+                createMessagesSection());
+    }
+
+    private Node createWelcomeCard() {
+        VBox card = createCardContainer();
+        welcomeTitleLabel.setStyle("-fx-font-size: 16px; -fx-font-weight: bold;");
+        welcomeTextLabel.setWrapText(true);
+        welcomeTextLabel.setStyle("-fx-font-size: 13px;");
+
+        card.getChildren().addAll(welcomeTitleLabel, welcomeTextLabel);
+        card.setVisible(welcomeGuidanceVisible);
+        card.setManaged(welcomeGuidanceVisible);
+        return card;
+    }
+
+    private Node createPathsSection() {
+        VBox card = createCardContainer();
+        card.getChildren().addAll(
+                sectionTitle("Pfade"),
+                textLabel("Der Bereich ist vorbereitet. Geladene Pfade werden in einem späteren Schritt editierbar ergänzt."));
+        return card;
+    }
+
+    private Node createProviderSection() {
+        VBox card = createCardContainer();
+        card.getChildren().addAll(
+                sectionTitle("Provider"),
+                textLabel("Der Bereich ist vorbereitet. Provider-Auswahl und zugehörige Eingaben folgen in einem späteren Schritt."));
+        return card;
+    }
+
+    private Node createProcessingLimitsSection() {
+        VBox card = createCardContainer();
+        card.getChildren().addAll(
+                sectionTitle("Verarbeitungslimits"),
+                textLabel("Der Bereich ist vorbereitet. Eingaben für Limits werden in einem späteren Schritt ergänzt."));
+        return card;
+    }
+
+    private Node createTestsSection() {
+        VBox card = createCardContainer();
+        card.getChildren().addAll(
+                sectionTitle("Tests"),
+                textLabel("Der Bereich ist vorbereitet. Test- und Diagnoseaktionen werden in einem späteren Schritt ergänzt."));
+        return card;
+    }
+
+    private Node createMessagesSection() {
+        VBox card = createCardContainer();
+        card.getChildren().addAll(
+                sectionTitle("Meldungen"),
+                textLabel("Der Bereich ist vorbereitet. Sichtbare Meldungen und technische Hinweise folgen in einem späteren Schritt."));
+        return card;
+    }
+
+    private VBox createCardContainer() {
+        VBox card = new VBox(8);
+        card.setStyle(
+                "-fx-padding: 12px; -fx-border-color: #d8d8d8; -fx-border-radius: 8px; -fx-background-radius: 8px; -fx-background-color: white;");
+        card.setMaxWidth(Double.MAX_VALUE);
+        VBox.setVgrow(card, Priority.NEVER);
+        return card;
+    }
+
+    private Label sectionTitle(String title) {
+        Label label = new Label(title);
+        label.setStyle("-fx-font-size: 14px; -fx-font-weight: bold;");
+        return label;
+    }
+
+    private Label textLabel(String text) {
+        Label label = new Label(text);
+        label.setWrapText(true);
+        return label;
+    }
+
+    private void showStatusMessage(String message) {
+        statusLabel.setText(message);
+        statusLabel.setVisible(true);
+        statusLabel.setManaged(true);
+    }
+
+    private void showError(String message) {
+        LOG.warn("GUI-Editor: {}", message);
+        showStatusMessage(message);
+        Alert alert = new Alert(Alert.AlertType.ERROR, message, ButtonType.OK);
+        alert.setHeaderText("Konfiguration konnte nicht geladen werden");
+        alert.show();
+    }
+
+    private String safeMessage(Throwable exception) {
+        return exception == null ? "unbekannter Fehler" : exception.getMessage() == null
+                ? exception.getClass().getSimpleName()
+                : exception.getMessage();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationFileLoader.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationFileLoader.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a66dbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationFileLoader.java
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui;
+
+import java.nio.file.Path;
+
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorState;
+
+/**
+ * Loads a configuration file into a GUI editor state.
+ * <p>
+ * The interface allows Bootstrap to provide the concrete file-loading and migration logic
+ * while the GUI only deals with editor states.
+ */
+@FunctionalInterface
+public interface GuiConfigurationFileLoader {
+
+    /**
+     * Loads the configuration file at the given path.
+     *
+     * @param configFilePath the file to load; must not be {@code null}
+     * @return the loaded editor state; never {@code null}
+     */
+    GuiConfigurationEditorState load(Path configFilePath);
+}
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationLoadException.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationLoadException.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0399a7e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiConfigurationLoadException.java
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui;
+
+/**
+ * Runtime exception thrown when the GUI configuration cannot be loaded.
+ */
+public class GuiConfigurationLoadException extends RuntimeException {
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new load exception.
+     *
+     * @param message the exception message
+     * @param cause the underlying cause
+     */
+    public GuiConfigurationLoadException(String message, Throwable cause) {
+        super(message, cause);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new load exception.
+     *
+     * @param message the exception message
+     */
+    public GuiConfigurationLoadException(String message) {
+        super(message);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiStartupContext.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiStartupContext.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f2f303b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiStartupContext.java
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui;
+
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Optional;
+
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorState;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory;
+
+/**
+ * Immutable startup data for the GUI adapter.
+ * <p>
+ * Carries the initial editor state, the optional startup notice and the file-loading callback
+ * that the workspace uses for native open actions.
+ */
+public record GuiStartupContext(
+        GuiConfigurationEditorState initialState,
+        Optional<String> startupNotice,
+        GuiConfigurationFileLoader configurationFileLoader) {
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a startup context.
+     *
+     * @param initialState initial editor state; must not be {@code null}
+     * @param startupNotice optional startup notice; {@code null} becomes empty
+     * @param configurationFileLoader file-loading callback; must not be {@code null}
+     */
+    public GuiStartupContext {
+        initialState = Objects.requireNonNull(initialState, "initialState must not be null");
+        startupNotice = startupNotice == null ? Optional.empty() : startupNotice;
+        configurationFileLoader = Objects.requireNonNull(configurationFileLoader,
+                "configurationFileLoader must not be null");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a blank startup context with no loader side effects.
+     *
+     * @param startupNotice optional startup notice; {@code null} becomes empty
+     * @return a startup context for the unloaded editor start
+     */
+    public static GuiStartupContext blank(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
+        return new GuiStartupContext(
+                GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.createBlankStartState(),
+                startupNotice,
+                configFilePath -> GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.createBlankStartState());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiStartupContextHolder.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiStartupContextHolder.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8671612
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiStartupContextHolder.java
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui;
+
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
+
+/**
+ * Process-local holder for the next GUI startup context.
+ * <p>
+ * JavaFX creates the application class reflectively, so Bootstrap installs the context here
+ * immediately before the JavaFX launch call.
+ */
+final class GuiStartupContextHolder {
+
+    private static final AtomicReference<GuiStartupContext> CONTEXT = new AtomicReference<>();
+
+    private GuiStartupContextHolder() {
+        // Utility class.
+    }
+
+    static void install(GuiStartupContext context) {
+        CONTEXT.set(context);
+    }
+
+    static GuiStartupContext currentOrBlank() {
+        return Optional.ofNullable(CONTEXT.get()).orElseGet(() -> GuiStartupContext.blank(Optional.empty()));
+    }
+
+    static void clear() {
+        CONTEXT.set(null);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.java
index 3ec93c7..8f440c8 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.java
@@ -1,153 +1,61 @@
 package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui;
 
-import java.util.List;
-import java.util.Optional;
-
 import javafx.application.Application;
-import javafx.geometry.Pos;
 import javafx.scene.Scene;
-import javafx.scene.control.Label;
-import javafx.scene.layout.BorderPane;
 import javafx.stage.Stage;
 
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 /**
- * Minimal JavaFX {@link Application} subclass that establishes the GUI shell.
+ * JavaFX application entry point for the PDF-Umbenenner GUI inbound adapter.
  * <p>
- * This class is the JavaFX lifecycle entry point launched by
- * {@link GuiAdapter#start(java.util.Optional)}. It creates the primary stage with a
- * minimal, neutral layout that proves the GUI startup path is technically functional.
- * The layout is deliberately structured as a {@link BorderPane} so that later milestones
- * can populate individual regions (header, center content, bottom message area) without
- * requiring an architectural restructuring.
- *
- * <h2>Startup notice</h2>
- * <p>
- * When Bootstrap forwards a startup notice (e.g. because the supplied {@code --config}
- * path was not found), the notice is passed as an application parameter prefixed with
- * {@link #STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX}. This class reads the parameter via
- * {@link Application#getParameters()} and displays it prominently in the center region
- * instead of the default placeholder.
- *
- * <h2>Current scope</h2>
- * <p>
- * The shell displays the application window with a neutral title and either a static
- * placeholder label or a startup notice. It contains no configuration editor, no file
- * operations, no validation, no provider controls, and no message area. These are the
- * responsibility of later milestones.
- *
- * <h2>Explicit non-goals</h2>
- * <ul>
- *   <li>No configuration editor or editable input fields</li>
- *   <li>No file operations (Neu, Oeffnen, Speichern, Speichern unter)</li>
- *   <li>No validation or provider controls</li>
- *   <li>No message area or technical tests</li>
- *   <li>No welcome text in the final product sense</li>
- * </ul>
- *
- * <h2>Threading</h2>
- * <p>
- * The {@link #start(Stage)} method is called by the JavaFX runtime on the
- * JavaFX Application Thread. No blocking operations are performed during
- * stage setup.
+ * The application starts the editor shell in a clean, unloaded state unless Bootstrap
+ * has provided a preloaded startup context. The visible editor surface is delegated to
+ * {@link GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace}.
  */
 public class PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication extends Application {
 
     private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.class);
-
-    /**
-     * Argument prefix used to forward a startup notice from {@link GuiAdapter} to this
-     * application via {@link Application#launch(Class, String[])}.
-     * <p>
-     * When an argument beginning with this prefix is present in the raw parameter list,
-     * the remainder of the argument string is treated as the notice text to display.
-     */
-    static final String STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX = "--startup-notice=";
-
     private static final String WINDOW_TITLE = "PDF-Umbenenner";
-    private static final double DEFAULT_WIDTH = 800;
-    private static final double DEFAULT_HEIGHT = 600;
+    private static final double DEFAULT_WIDTH = 1100;
+    private static final double DEFAULT_HEIGHT = 800;
 
     /**
      * Creates a new instance of the JavaFX application.
-     * <p>
-     * This no-argument constructor is required by the JavaFX runtime, which
-     * instantiates the {@link Application} subclass reflectively.
      */
     public PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication() {
         // Required by JavaFX runtime for reflective instantiation.
     }
 
     /**
-     * Initializes and shows the primary stage with a minimal GUI shell.
-     * <p>
-     * The stage is set up with a {@link BorderPane} root layout. When a startup notice is
-     * present (forwarded via application parameters by {@link GuiAdapter}), the notice is
-     * displayed prominently in red in the center region. Otherwise a neutral placeholder
-     * label is shown. The layout structure is chosen to allow incremental extension in later
-     * milestones without requiring a root-level restructuring.
-     * <p>
-     * Start and shutdown events are logged via Log4j2 to satisfy the GUI logging requirements.
+     * Initializes and shows the primary stage.
      *
      * @param primaryStage the primary stage provided by the JavaFX runtime; never {@code null}
      */
     @Override
     public void start(Stage primaryStage) {
-        LOG.info("GUI-Shell: JavaFX-Oberfläche wird initialisiert.");
+        LOG.info("GUI: JavaFX-Oberfläche wird initialisiert.");
 
-        BorderPane root = new BorderPane();
+        GuiStartupContext startupContext = GuiStartupContextHolder.currentOrBlank();
+        GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace workspace = new GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace(startupContext);
+        Scene scene = new Scene(workspace.root(), DEFAULT_WIDTH, DEFAULT_HEIGHT);
 
-        Optional<String> startupNotice = extractStartupNotice();
-        if (startupNotice.isPresent()) {
-            Label noticeLabel = new Label(startupNotice.get());
-            noticeLabel.setWrapText(true);
-            noticeLabel.setAlignment(Pos.CENTER);
-            noticeLabel.setStyle("-fx-font-size: 13px; -fx-text-fill: #cc0000;");
-            root.setCenter(noticeLabel);
-            LOG.info("GUI-Shell: Starthinweis wird angezeigt.");
-        } else {
-            Label placeholderLabel = new Label("PDF-Umbenenner – GUI wird vorbereitet …");
-            placeholderLabel.setStyle("-fx-font-size: 14px; -fx-text-fill: #666666;");
-            root.setCenter(placeholderLabel);
-        }
-
-        Scene scene = new Scene(root, DEFAULT_WIDTH, DEFAULT_HEIGHT);
         primaryStage.setTitle(WINDOW_TITLE);
         primaryStage.setScene(scene);
-        primaryStage.setOnCloseRequest(event ->
-                LOG.info("GUI-Shell: Fenster wird vom Benutzer geschlossen."));
+        primaryStage.setOnCloseRequest(event -> LOG.info("GUI: Fenster wird vom Benutzer geschlossen."));
         primaryStage.show();
 
-        LOG.info("GUI-Shell: Hauptfenster erfolgreich angezeigt.");
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Extracts the startup notice from the application parameters, if present.
-     * <p>
-     * Searches the raw parameter list for an argument beginning with
-     * {@link #STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX} and returns the remainder as the notice text.
-     * Returns an empty Optional when no such argument is present.
-     *
-     * @return the startup notice text, or an empty Optional if no notice was forwarded
-     */
-    private Optional<String> extractStartupNotice() {
-        List<String> rawParams = getParameters().getRaw();
-        return rawParams.stream()
-                .filter(p -> p.startsWith(STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX))
-                .map(p -> p.substring(STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX.length()))
-                .findFirst();
+        LOG.info("GUI: Hauptfenster erfolgreich angezeigt.");
     }
 
     /**
      * Called by the JavaFX runtime when the application is stopping.
      * <p>
-     * Logs the GUI shutdown event. No additional cleanup is required
-     * for the minimal shell.
+     * Logs the GUI shutdown event. No additional cleanup is required.
      */
     @Override
     public void stop() {
-        LOG.info("GUI-Shell: JavaFX-Anwendung wird beendet.");
+        LOG.info("GUI: JavaFX-Anwendung wird beendet.");
     }
 }
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorState.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorState.java
index 72d0657..6d8010a 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorState.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorState.java
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ import java.util.Optional;
 public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
         Optional<GuiConfigurationFileSnapshot> loadedFileSnapshot,
         GuiConfigurationValues baselineValues,
-        GuiConfigurationValues values) {
+        GuiConfigurationValues values,
+        Optional<String> pendingMigrationMessage) {
 
     /**
      * Creates a new editor state.
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
         loadedFileSnapshot = loadedFileSnapshot == null ? Optional.empty() : loadedFileSnapshot;
         baselineValues = Objects.requireNonNull(baselineValues, "baselineValues must not be null");
         values = Objects.requireNonNull(values, "values must not be null");
+        pendingMigrationMessage = pendingMigrationMessage == null ? Optional.empty() : pendingMigrationMessage;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -69,6 +71,36 @@ public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
         return loadedFileSnapshot.isEmpty();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the configuration-path text shown in the GUI header.
+     * <p>
+     * When no file snapshot is loaded, the header must remain empty so the GUI does not
+     * suggest a file is already associated with the editor state.
+     *
+     * @return the loaded configuration path as text, or an empty string when no file is loaded
+     */
+    public String configurationPathText() {
+        return loadedFileSnapshot.map(snapshot -> snapshot.filePath().toString()).orElse("");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns whether the editor holds a migration note for later display.
+     *
+     * @return {@code true} when a migration note is stored, otherwise {@code false}
+     */
+    public boolean hasPendingMigrationMessage() {
+        return pendingMigrationMessage.isPresent();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the stored migration note text.
+     *
+     * @return the migration note text, or an empty string when no note is stored
+     */
+    public String pendingMigrationMessageText() {
+        return pendingMigrationMessage.orElse("");
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns a copy with different current editable values.
      *
@@ -76,7 +108,7 @@ public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
      * @return a new editor state containing the supplied values
      */
     public GuiConfigurationEditorState withValues(GuiConfigurationValues values) {
-        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(loadedFileSnapshot, baselineValues, values);
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(loadedFileSnapshot, baselineValues, values, pendingMigrationMessage);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -86,7 +118,7 @@ public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
      * @return a new editor state using the supplied baseline
      */
     public GuiConfigurationEditorState withBaselineValues(GuiConfigurationValues baselineValues) {
-        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(loadedFileSnapshot, baselineValues, values);
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(loadedFileSnapshot, baselineValues, values, pendingMigrationMessage);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -96,7 +128,7 @@ public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
      * @return a new editor state linked to the supplied snapshot
      */
     public GuiConfigurationEditorState withLoadedFileSnapshot(GuiConfigurationFileSnapshot snapshot) {
-        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.of(snapshot), baselineValues, values);
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.of(snapshot), baselineValues, values, pendingMigrationMessage);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -105,7 +137,18 @@ public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
      * @return a new editor state without a loaded file snapshot
      */
     public GuiConfigurationEditorState withoutLoadedFileSnapshot() {
-        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.empty(), baselineValues, values);
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.empty(), baselineValues, values, pendingMigrationMessage);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a copy with a migration note that is kept for later display.
+     *
+     * @param migrationMessage the migration note; must not be {@code null}
+     * @return a new editor state carrying the supplied migration note
+     */
+    public GuiConfigurationEditorState withPendingMigrationMessage(String migrationMessage) {
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(loadedFileSnapshot, baselineValues, values,
+                Optional.of(migrationMessage));
     }
 
     /**
@@ -116,6 +159,7 @@ public record GuiConfigurationEditorState(
     public GuiConfigurationEditorState markClean() {
         return baselineValues.equals(values)
                 ? this
-                : new GuiConfigurationEditorState(loadedFileSnapshot, baselineValues, baselineValues);
+                : new GuiConfigurationEditorState(loadedFileSnapshot, baselineValues, baselineValues,
+                        pendingMigrationMessage);
     }
 }
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b32f10b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.java
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor;
+
+import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.Properties;
+
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.AiProviderFamily;
+
+/**
+ * Creates editor states from loaded properties snapshots or from the empty start state.
+ * <p>
+ * The factory maps the raw `.properties` document into the GUI-side editor model without
+ * introducing validation or effective-value resolution into the file load path.
+ */
+public final class GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory {
+
+    private static final String PROP_SOURCE_FOLDER = "source.folder";
+    private static final String PROP_TARGET_FOLDER = "target.folder";
+    private static final String PROP_SQLITE_FILE = "sqlite.file";
+    private static final String PROP_PROMPT_TEMPLATE_FILE = "prompt.template.file";
+    private static final String PROP_RUNTIME_LOCK_FILE = "runtime.lock.file";
+    private static final String PROP_LOG_DIRECTORY = "log.directory";
+    private static final String PROP_LOG_LEVEL = "log.level";
+    private static final String PROP_MAX_RETRIES_TRANSIENT = "max.retries.transient";
+    private static final String PROP_MAX_PAGES = "max.pages";
+    private static final String PROP_MAX_TEXT_CHARACTERS = "max.text.characters";
+    private static final String PROP_LOG_AI_SENSITIVE = "log.ai.sensitive";
+    private static final String PROP_ACTIVE_PROVIDER = "ai.provider.active";
+    private static final String PROP_CLAUDE_BASE_URL = "ai.provider.claude.baseUrl";
+    private static final String PROP_CLAUDE_MODEL = "ai.provider.claude.model";
+    private static final String PROP_CLAUDE_TIMEOUT = "ai.provider.claude.timeoutSeconds";
+    private static final String PROP_CLAUDE_API_KEY = "ai.provider.claude.apiKey";
+    private static final String PROP_OPENAI_BASE_URL = "ai.provider.openai-compatible.baseUrl";
+    private static final String PROP_OPENAI_MODEL = "ai.provider.openai-compatible.model";
+    private static final String PROP_OPENAI_TIMEOUT = "ai.provider.openai-compatible.timeoutSeconds";
+    private static final String PROP_OPENAI_API_KEY = "ai.provider.openai-compatible.apiKey";
+
+    private GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory() {
+        // Utility class.
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates an editor state from a loaded properties snapshot.
+     *
+     * @param snapshot the loaded file snapshot; must not be {@code null}
+     * @param pendingMigrationMessage optional migration note to retain for later display
+     * @return an editor state representing the loaded configuration file
+     */
+    public static GuiConfigurationEditorState fromPropertiesSnapshot(
+            GuiConfigurationFileSnapshot snapshot,
+            Optional<String> pendingMigrationMessage) {
+        Properties properties = snapshot.properties();
+        Map<AiProviderFamily, GuiProviderConfigurationState> providerConfigurations = new LinkedHashMap<>();
+        providerConfigurations.put(AiProviderFamily.CLAUDE, new GuiProviderConfigurationState(
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_CLAUDE_BASE_URL),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_CLAUDE_MODEL),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_CLAUDE_TIMEOUT),
+                GuiProviderApiKeyState.unresolved(propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_CLAUDE_API_KEY))));
+        providerConfigurations.put(AiProviderFamily.OPENAI_COMPATIBLE, new GuiProviderConfigurationState(
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_OPENAI_BASE_URL),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_OPENAI_MODEL),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_OPENAI_TIMEOUT),
+                GuiProviderApiKeyState.unresolved(propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_OPENAI_API_KEY))));
+
+        GuiConfigurationValues values = new GuiConfigurationValues(
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_SOURCE_FOLDER),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_TARGET_FOLDER),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_SQLITE_FILE),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_PROMPT_TEMPLATE_FILE),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_RUNTIME_LOCK_FILE),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_LOG_DIRECTORY),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_LOG_LEVEL),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_MAX_RETRIES_TRANSIENT),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_MAX_PAGES),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_MAX_TEXT_CHARACTERS),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_LOG_AI_SENSITIVE),
+                propertyOrBlank(properties, PROP_ACTIVE_PROVIDER),
+                providerConfigurations);
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.of(snapshot), values, values, pendingMigrationMessage);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates the empty editor state used at application startup when no configuration is loaded.
+     *
+     * @return a blank editor state
+     */
+    public static GuiConfigurationEditorState createBlankStartState() {
+        return GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.createBlankStartState();
+    }
+
+    private static String propertyOrBlank(Properties properties, String key) {
+        String value = properties.getProperty(key);
+        return value == null ? "" : value.trim();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.java
index 8a711d4..c42a7e0 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.java
@@ -44,7 +44,34 @@ public final class GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory {
      */
     public static GuiConfigurationEditorState createStandardTemplate() {
         GuiConfigurationValues standardValues = createStandardValues();
-        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.empty(), standardValues, standardValues);
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.empty(), standardValues, standardValues, Optional.empty());
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates the empty editor state used when the GUI starts without a loaded configuration.
+     * <p>
+     * This start state intentionally does not show the standard template yet. The template
+     * is reserved for the explicit {@code Neu} action so the GUI starts without an implicit
+     * draft and only shows the welcome guidance until the user requests a new configuration.
+     *
+     * @return a clean editor state without a loaded file snapshot and without template values
+     */
+    public static GuiConfigurationEditorState createBlankStartState() {
+        GuiConfigurationValues blankValues = new GuiConfigurationValues(
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                "",
+                Map.of());
+        return new GuiConfigurationEditorState(Optional.empty(), blankValues, blankValues, Optional.empty());
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapterSmokeTest.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapterSmokeTest.java
index b3a045f..7bde568 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapterSmokeTest.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/GuiAdapterSmokeTest.java
@@ -1,15 +1,27 @@
 package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui;
 
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertFalse;
+import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertNotNull;
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertTrue;
 
+import java.nio.file.Path;
 import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.function.BooleanSupplier;
 import java.util.concurrent.CountDownLatch;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
 
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiStartupContext;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorState;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationFileSnapshot;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.AiProviderFamily;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.MultiProviderConfiguration;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.ProviderConfiguration;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.startup.StartConfiguration;
 import javafx.application.Platform;
 import javafx.scene.control.Label;
 
@@ -37,6 +49,8 @@ import org.junit.jupiter.api.TestMethodOrder;
  *   <li>{@link GuiAdapter} can be constructed without triggering the JavaFX runtime.</li>
  *   <li>The startup-notice parameter path in {@link PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication}
  *       resolves correctly when parameters are not present.</li>
+ *   <li>The editor workspace exposes the empty start state and the explicit
+ *       {@code Neu} transition to the standard template.</li>
  * </ul>
  *
  * <h2>Excluded from this scope</h2>
@@ -169,43 +183,124 @@ class GuiAdapterSmokeTest {
     }
 
     // =========================================================================
-    // Startup notice parameter extraction
+    // Startup context
     // =========================================================================
 
     /**
-     * Verifies that the startup-notice argument prefix constant in
-     * {@link PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication} is non-blank and begins with {@code --}.
-     * This constant is part of the contract between {@link GuiAdapter} and
-     * {@link PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication} for forwarding bootstrap notices.
+     * Verifies that a blank GUI startup context starts without a loaded configuration
+     * while still carrying a startup notice when one is supplied.
      */
     @Test
     @Order(4)
-    void startupNoticeArgPrefix_isNonBlankAndStartsWithDoubleDash() {
-        String prefix = PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX;
-        assertNotNull(prefix, "STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX must not be null");
-        assertFalse(prefix.isBlank(), "STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX must not be blank");
-        assertTrue(prefix.startsWith("--"),
-                "STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX must start with '--' to be recognizable as an application parameter");
+    void startupContext_blankContextKeepsNoticeAndUsesEmptyState() {
+        GuiStartupContext context = GuiStartupContext.blank(Optional.of("Hinweis"));
+
+        assertTrue(context.startupNotice().isPresent());
+        assertEquals("Hinweis", context.startupNotice().orElseThrow());
+        assertFalse(context.initialState().hasLoadedFileSnapshot());
+        assertEquals("", context.initialState().configurationPathText());
     }
 
+    // =========================================================================
+    // Editor workspace structure
+    // =========================================================================
+
     /**
-     * Verifies that the startup-notice forwarding contract between {@link GuiAdapter}
-     * and {@link PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication} is consistent: when a notice is present,
-     * the argument is constructed by prepending the prefix to the notice text.
+     * Verifies that the editor workspace starts without a loaded configuration, shows the
+     * welcome guidance, and exposes the fixed GUI structure of the current shell.
+     *
+     * @throws Exception if the FX thread task fails or times out
      */
     @Test
     @Order(5)
-    void startupNotice_argIsConstructedByPrependingPrefix() {
-        String noticeText = "Konfigurationsdatei nicht gefunden: /pfad/zur/datei.properties";
-        String expectedArg = PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX + noticeText;
+    void editorWorkspace_startStateShowsEmptyHeaderWelcomeGuidanceAndOneTab() throws Exception {
+        CountDownLatch latch = new CountDownLatch(1);
+        AtomicReference<Throwable> fxError = new AtomicReference<>();
+        AtomicReference<GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace> workspaceReference = new AtomicReference<>();
 
-        // Verify the concatenation produces a parseable argument string
-        assertTrue(expectedArg.startsWith(PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX),
-                "The constructed notice argument must start with the prefix");
-        String extractedNotice = expectedArg.substring(
-                PdfUmbenennerGuiApplication.STARTUP_NOTICE_ARG_PREFIX.length());
-        assertEquals(noticeText, extractedNotice,
-                "The notice text must be recoverable from the argument by stripping the prefix");
+        Platform.runLater(() -> {
+            try {
+                GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace workspace = new GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace(Optional.empty());
+                workspaceReference.set(workspace);
+
+                assertEquals("", workspace.configurationPathText(),
+                        "The header path must stay empty before any configuration is loaded");
+                assertTrue(workspace.isWelcomeGuidanceVisible(),
+                        "The welcome guidance must be visible in the unloaded start state");
+                assertTrue(workspace.welcomeText().contains("Willkommen"),
+                        "The welcome text must be shown in German");
+                assertNotNull(workspace.root(),
+                        "The workspace root must be available");
+                assertEquals("Neu", workspace.newButton().getText(),
+                        "The 'Neu' button must be visible");
+                assertEquals("Öffnen", workspace.openButton().getText(),
+                        "The 'Öffnen' button must be visible");
+                assertEquals("Speichern", workspace.saveButton().getText(),
+                        "The 'Speichern' button must be visible");
+                assertEquals("Speichern unter", workspace.saveAsButton().getText(),
+                        "The 'Speichern unter' button must be visible");
+                assertEquals(1, workspace.tabPane().getTabs().size(),
+                        "Exactly one configuration tab must be present");
+                assertEquals("Konfiguration", workspace.tabPane().getTabs().get(0).getText(),
+                        "The single tab must use the configuration label");
+                assertEquals(
+                        "Pfade,Provider,Verarbeitungslimits,Tests,Meldungen",
+                        String.join(",", workspace.sectionTitles()),
+                        "The single tab must expose the fixed section structure in the documented order");
+            } catch (Throwable t) {
+                fxError.set(t);
+            } finally {
+                latch.countDown();
+            }
+        });
+
+        assertTrue(
+                latch.await(FX_TIMEOUT_SECONDS, TimeUnit.SECONDS),
+                "FX thread task must complete within timeout");
+        if (fxError.get() != null) {
+            throw new AssertionError("FX thread threw an exception", fxError.get());
+        }
+        assertNotNull(workspaceReference.get(),
+                "The workspace must have been created successfully");
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    @Order(6)
+    void editorWorkspace_newActionSwitchesToStandardTemplateWithoutPath() throws Exception {
+        CountDownLatch latch = new CountDownLatch(1);
+        AtomicReference<Throwable> fxError = new AtomicReference<>();
+
+        Platform.runLater(() -> {
+            try {
+                GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace workspace = new GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace(Optional.empty());
+                workspace.newButton().fire();
+                workspace.saveButton().fire();
+                workspace.saveAsButton().fire();
+
+                GuiConfigurationEditorState state = workspace.editorState();
+                assertFalse(workspace.isWelcomeGuidanceVisible(),
+                        "The welcome guidance should disappear once the user creates a new template");
+                assertEquals("", state.configurationPathText(),
+                        "Creating a new template must not imply a loaded file path");
+                assertEquals("./work/local/source", state.values().sourceFolder(),
+                        "The standard template must populate the documented default source folder");
+                assertEquals("./work/local/target", state.values().targetFolder(),
+                        "The standard template must populate the documented default target folder");
+                assertEquals("INFO", state.values().logLevel(),
+                        "The standard template must remain intact after the wired placeholder actions");
+            } catch (Throwable t) {
+                fxError.set(t);
+            } finally {
+                latch.countDown();
+            }
+        });
+
+        assertTrue(
+                latch.await(FX_TIMEOUT_SECONDS, TimeUnit.SECONDS),
+                "FX thread task must complete within timeout");
+        if (fxError.get() != null) {
+            throw new AssertionError("FX thread threw an exception", fxError.get());
+        }
     }
 
     // =========================================================================
@@ -222,7 +317,7 @@ class GuiAdapterSmokeTest {
      * bootstrap module covers the full launch path via the executable JAR.
      */
     @Test
-    @Order(6)
+    @Order(8)
     void guiAdapter_startWithEmptyNotice_constructsNoNoticeArg() {
         // Verify the contract: when notice is empty, no prefix-based arg is constructed.
         Optional<String> emptyNotice = Optional.empty();
@@ -230,16 +325,14 @@ class GuiAdapterSmokeTest {
                 "When no notice is supplied, the Optional must be empty and no notice arg is constructed");
     }
 
-    // =========================================================================
-    // Helpers
-    // =========================================================================
-
-    /**
-     * Asserts equality with a descriptive message; delegates to JUnit's assertEquals.
-     */
-    private static void assertEquals(String expected, String actual, String message) {
-        if (!expected.equals(actual)) {
-            throw new AssertionError(message + " — expected: <" + expected + "> but was: <" + actual + ">");
+    private static void waitFor(BooleanSupplier condition, long timeoutSeconds) throws InterruptedException {
+        long deadline = System.nanoTime() + TimeUnit.SECONDS.toNanos(timeoutSeconds);
+        while (System.nanoTime() < deadline) {
+            if (condition.getAsBoolean()) {
+                return;
+            }
+            Thread.sleep(20L);
         }
+        throw new AssertionError("Condition did not become true within timeout");
     }
 }
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorStateTest.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorStateTest.java
index a673a60..9713e75 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorStateTest.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationEditorStateTest.java
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertFalse;
 import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertTrue;
 
+import java.nio.file.Path;
+
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 class GuiConfigurationEditorStateTest {
@@ -53,6 +55,25 @@ class GuiConfigurationEditorStateTest {
         assertFalse(withSnapshot.isNewConfiguration());
         assertEquals(snapshot, withSnapshot.loadedFileSnapshot().orElseThrow());
         assertFalse(withSnapshot.isDirty());
+        assertEquals(Path.of("config/application.properties").toString(), withSnapshot.configurationPathText());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void configurationPathTextIsEmptyWhenNoFileIsLoaded() {
+        GuiConfigurationEditorState state = GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.createBlankStartState();
+
+        assertEquals("", state.configurationPathText());
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void pendingMigrationMessageCanBeStoredWithoutChangingDirtyState() {
+        GuiConfigurationEditorState state = GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.createStandardTemplate();
+        GuiConfigurationEditorState migrated = state.withPendingMigrationMessage("Legacy import");
+
+        assertTrue(migrated.hasPendingMigrationMessage());
+        assertEquals("Legacy import", migrated.pendingMigrationMessageText());
+        assertFalse(migrated.isDirty());
+        assertEquals(state.values(), migrated.values());
     }
 
     @Test
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactoryTest.java b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactoryTest.java
index 071225c..067fbe1 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactoryTest.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-adapter-in-gui/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/adapter/in/gui/editor/GuiConfigurationTemplateFactoryTest.java
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ class GuiConfigurationTemplateFactoryTest {
         assertFalse(state.isDirty());
         assertFalse(state.hasLoadedFileSnapshot());
         assertTrue(state.isNewConfiguration());
+        assertFalse(state.hasPendingMigrationMessage());
 
         GuiConfigurationValues values = state.values();
         assertEquals("./work/local/source", values.sourceFolder());
@@ -57,6 +58,31 @@ class GuiConfigurationTemplateFactoryTest {
         assertEquals(GuiValueOrigin.UNKNOWN, openAi.apiKey().effectiveValueOrigin());
     }
 
+    @Test
+    void createBlankStartState_startsWithoutLoadedConfigurationAndWithoutTemplateValues() {
+        GuiConfigurationEditorState state = GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.createBlankStartState();
+
+        assertFalse(state.isDirty());
+        assertFalse(state.hasLoadedFileSnapshot());
+        assertTrue(state.isNewConfiguration());
+        assertEquals("", state.configurationPathText());
+
+        GuiConfigurationValues values = state.values();
+        assertEquals("", values.sourceFolder());
+        assertEquals("", values.targetFolder());
+        assertEquals("", values.sqliteFile());
+        assertEquals("", values.promptTemplateFile());
+        assertEquals("", values.runtimeLockFile());
+        assertEquals("", values.logDirectory());
+        assertEquals("", values.logLevel());
+        assertEquals("", values.maxRetriesTransient());
+        assertEquals("", values.maxPages());
+        assertEquals("", values.maxTextCharacters());
+        assertEquals("", values.logAiSensitive());
+        assertEquals("", values.activeProviderFamily());
+        assertTrue(values.providerConfigurations().isEmpty());
+    }
+
     @Test
     void providerConfigurationMap_isImmutableFromOutside() {
         GuiConfigurationValues values = GuiConfigurationTemplateFactory.createStandardValues();
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunner.java b/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunner.java
index e00f18b..df953e6 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunner.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/main/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunner.java
@@ -1,17 +1,28 @@
 package de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.bootstrap;
 
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.io.StringReader;
+import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;
 import java.nio.file.Files;
 import java.nio.file.Path;
 import java.nio.file.Paths;
 import java.time.Instant;
 import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.Properties;
 import java.util.UUID;
 
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiAdapter;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiConfigurationEditorWorkspace;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiConfigurationFileLoader;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiConfigurationLoadException;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiStartupContext;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorState;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationFileSnapshot;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.bootstrap.startup.StartupArguments;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.bootstrap.startup.StartupMode;
 
@@ -518,25 +529,11 @@ public class BootstrapRunner {
      * @return exit code: 0 for normal GUI shutdown, 1 for any GUI startup failure
      */
     private int startGuiMode(Optional<String> configPathOverride) {
-        Optional<String> startupNotice = Optional.empty();
-
-        if (configPathOverride.isPresent()) {
-            Path configPath = Paths.get(configPathOverride.get());
-            if (Files.exists(configPath)) {
-                LOG.info("GUI startup: configuration file confirmed at: {}", configPath.toAbsolutePath());
-            } else {
-                LOG.error("GUI startup: --config path not found: {}. Starting GUI without configuration override.",
-                        configPath.toAbsolutePath());
-                startupNotice = Optional.of(
-                        "Konfigurationsdatei nicht gefunden: " + configPath.toAbsolutePath()
-                        + "\nDie GUI startet ohne Konfigurationsdatei.");
-            }
-        }
-
+        GuiStartupContext startupContext = buildGuiStartupContext(configPathOverride);
         LOG.info("GUI startup: launching GUI adapter.");
         try {
             GuiAdapter guiAdapter = guiAdapterFactory.create();
-            guiAdapter.start(startupNotice);
+            guiAdapter.start(startupContext);
             LOG.info("GUI adapter terminated normally.");
             return 0;
         } catch (Exception e) {
@@ -615,6 +612,83 @@ public class BootstrapRunner {
                 .orElse(DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH);
     }
 
+    private GuiStartupContext buildGuiStartupContext(Optional<String> configPathOverride) {
+        GuiConfigurationFileLoader loader = this::loadGuiConfigurationState;
+
+        if (configPathOverride.isEmpty()) {
+            return new GuiStartupContext(
+                    GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.createBlankStartState(),
+                    Optional.empty(),
+                    loader);
+        }
+
+        Path configPath = Paths.get(configPathOverride.get());
+        if (!Files.exists(configPath)) {
+            LOG.error("GUI startup: --config path not found: {}. Starting GUI without configuration override.",
+                    configPath.toAbsolutePath());
+            return new GuiStartupContext(
+                    GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.createBlankStartState(),
+                    Optional.of("Konfigurationsdatei nicht gefunden: " + configPath.toAbsolutePath()
+                            + "\nDie GUI startet ohne Konfigurationsdatei."),
+                    loader);
+        }
+
+        LOG.info("GUI startup: configuration file confirmed at: {}", configPath.toAbsolutePath());
+        try {
+            GuiConfigurationEditorState loadedState = loadGuiConfigurationState(configPath);
+            return new GuiStartupContext(loadedState, Optional.empty(), loader);
+        } catch (GuiConfigurationLoadException e) {
+            LOG.error("GUI startup: configuration could not be loaded, starting without it: {}",
+                    e.getMessage(), e);
+            return new GuiStartupContext(
+                    GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.createBlankStartState(),
+                    Optional.of("Konfiguration konnte nicht geladen werden: " + e.getMessage()),
+                    loader);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private GuiConfigurationEditorState loadGuiConfigurationState(Path configFilePath) {
+        try {
+            boolean legacyDetected = detectedLegacyConfiguration(configFilePath);
+            migrateConfigurationIfNeeded(configFilePath);
+            GuiConfigurationFileSnapshot snapshot = new GuiConfigurationFileSnapshot(
+                    configFilePath,
+                    readPropertiesSnapshot(configFilePath));
+            Optional<String> migrationMessage = legacyDetected
+                    ? Optional.of("Konfiguration wurde aus einer Legacy-Datei übernommen.")
+                    : Optional.empty();
+            return GuiConfigurationEditorStateFactory.fromPropertiesSnapshot(snapshot, migrationMessage);
+        } catch (ConfigurationLoadingException e) {
+            throw new GuiConfigurationLoadException("Failed to load configuration from " + configFilePath, e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private boolean detectedLegacyConfiguration(Path configFilePath) {
+        try {
+            String content = Files.readString(configFilePath, StandardCharsets.UTF_8);
+            Properties props = new Properties();
+            props.load(new StringReader(content.replace("\\", "\\\\")));
+            boolean hasLegacyKey = props.containsKey("api.baseUrl")
+                    || props.containsKey("api.model")
+                    || props.containsKey("api.timeoutSeconds")
+                    || props.containsKey("api.key");
+            return hasLegacyKey && !props.containsKey("ai.provider.active");
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw new GuiConfigurationLoadException("Failed to inspect legacy configuration at " + configFilePath, e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private Properties readPropertiesSnapshot(Path configFilePath) {
+        try {
+            String content = Files.readString(configFilePath, StandardCharsets.UTF_8);
+            Properties props = new Properties();
+            props.load(new StringReader(content.replace("\\", "\\\\")));
+            return props;
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw new GuiConfigurationLoadException("Failed to create snapshot for " + configFilePath, e);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Runs the legacy configuration migration step against the effective configuration path.
      * <p>
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest.java b/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest.java
index 68a5b7e..3242327 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest.java
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ import org.junit.jupiter.api.io.TempDir;
 
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.cli.SchedulerBatchCommand;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiAdapter;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiStartupContext;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorState;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.out.configuration.LegacyConfigurationMigrator;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.out.configuration.PropertiesConfigurationPortAdapter;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.out.bootstrap.validation.StartConfigurationValidator;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.AiProviderFamily;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.MultiProviderConfiguration;
@@ -184,11 +188,13 @@ class BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest {
     void runGui_withNonExistentConfigPath_startsGuiAndReturnsZeroOnNormalShutdown() {
         String nonExistentPath = tempDir.resolve("missing.properties").toString();
         AtomicReference<Optional<String>> receivedNotice = new AtomicReference<>();
+        AtomicReference<GuiConfigurationEditorState> receivedState = new AtomicReference<>();
 
         BootstrapRunner runner = runnerWithGuiFactory(() -> new GuiAdapter() {
             @Override
-            public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
-                receivedNotice.set(startupNotice);
+            public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
+                receivedNotice.set(startupContext.startupNotice());
+                receivedState.set(startupContext.initialState());
                 // normal shutdown: returns without throwing
             }
         });
@@ -199,6 +205,8 @@ class BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest {
                 "GUI with non-existent --config path must still return exit code 0 on normal shutdown");
         assertTrue(receivedNotice.get().isPresent(),
                 "A startup notice must be forwarded to the GUI adapter when the config file is missing");
+        assertFalse(receivedState.get().hasLoadedFileSnapshot(),
+                "GUI must start without a loaded configuration when the supplied file is missing");
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -223,7 +231,7 @@ class BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest {
 
         BootstrapRunner runner = runnerWithGuiFactory(() -> new GuiAdapter() {
             @Override
-            public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
+            public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
                 // normal termination
             }
         });
@@ -250,8 +258,8 @@ class BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest {
 
         BootstrapRunner runner = runnerWithGuiFactory(() -> new GuiAdapter() {
             @Override
-            public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
-                receivedNotice.set(startupNotice);
+            public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
+                receivedNotice.set(startupContext.startupNotice());
             }
         });
 
@@ -266,11 +274,13 @@ class BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest {
     void runGui_withExistingConfigPath_startsGuiWithEmptyNotice(@TempDir Path workDir) throws Exception {
         Path existingConfigFile = Files.createFile(workDir.resolve("real.properties"));
         AtomicReference<Optional<String>> receivedNotice = new AtomicReference<>();
+        AtomicReference<GuiConfigurationEditorState> receivedState = new AtomicReference<>();
 
         BootstrapRunner runner = runnerWithGuiFactory(() -> new GuiAdapter() {
             @Override
-            public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
-                receivedNotice.set(startupNotice);
+            public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
+                receivedNotice.set(startupContext.startupNotice());
+                receivedState.set(startupContext.initialState());
             }
         });
 
@@ -281,6 +291,76 @@ class BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest {
                 "GUI with existing --config path must return exit code 0 on normal shutdown");
         assertFalse(receivedNotice.get().isPresent(),
                 "No startup notice must be forwarded when the config file exists");
+        assertTrue(receivedState.get().hasLoadedFileSnapshot(),
+                "GUI must receive a loaded editor state when the supplied file exists");
+        assertEquals(existingConfigFile.toString(), receivedState.get().configurationPathText(),
+                "The loaded editor state must point to the supplied configuration file");
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    void runGui_withLegacyConfigPath_loadsMigratedStateAndKeepsMigrationNote(@TempDir Path workDir) throws Exception {
+        Path legacyConfigFile = workDir.resolve("legacy.properties");
+        Files.createDirectories(workDir.resolve("source"));
+        Files.createDirectories(workDir.resolve("target"));
+        Files.createDirectories(workDir.resolve("logs"));
+        Files.createFile(workDir.resolve("db.sqlite"));
+        Files.createFile(workDir.resolve("prompt.txt"));
+        Files.createFile(workDir.resolve("lock.pid"));
+        Files.writeString(legacyConfigFile, """
+                source.folder=%s
+                target.folder=%s
+                sqlite.file=%s
+                api.baseUrl=https://api.openai.com/v1
+                api.model=gpt-4o-mini
+                api.timeoutSeconds=30
+                api.key=test-api-key
+                max.retries.transient=3
+                max.pages=10
+                max.text.characters=5000
+                prompt.template.file=%s
+                runtime.lock.file=%s
+                log.directory=%s
+                log.level=INFO
+                log.ai.sensitive=false
+                """.formatted(
+                workDir.resolve("source"),
+                workDir.resolve("target"),
+                workDir.resolve("db.sqlite"),
+                workDir.resolve("prompt.txt"),
+                workDir.resolve("lock.pid"),
+                workDir.resolve("logs")));
+
+        AtomicReference<Optional<String>> receivedNotice = new AtomicReference<>();
+        AtomicReference<GuiConfigurationEditorState> receivedState = new AtomicReference<>();
+
+        BootstrapRunner runner = new BootstrapRunner(
+                path -> new LegacyConfigurationMigrator().migrateIfLegacy(path),
+                PropertiesConfigurationPortAdapter::new,
+                lockFile -> new MockRunLockPort(),
+                StartConfigurationValidator::new,
+                jdbcUrl -> new MockSchemaInitializationPort(),
+                (config, lock) -> new MockRunBatchProcessingUseCase(true),
+                SchedulerBatchCommand::new,
+                () -> new GuiAdapter() {
+                    @Override
+                    public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
+                        receivedNotice.set(startupContext.startupNotice());
+                        receivedState.set(startupContext.initialState());
+                    }
+                }
+        );
+
+        int exitCode = runner.run(new StartupArguments(StartupMode.GUI, Optional.of(legacyConfigFile.toString())));
+
+        assertEquals(0, exitCode, "GUI with legacy config path must still return exit code 0 on normal shutdown");
+        assertFalse(receivedNotice.get().isPresent(),
+                "No startup notice is needed when a legacy config can be migrated and loaded");
+        assertTrue(receivedState.get().hasLoadedFileSnapshot(),
+                "The migrated editor state must carry the loaded file snapshot");
+        assertTrue(receivedState.get().hasPendingMigrationMessage(),
+                "The migrated editor state must retain the pending migration message");
+        assertEquals(legacyConfigFile.toString(), receivedState.get().configurationPathText(),
+                "The migrated editor state must report the full loaded path");
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -289,8 +369,8 @@ class BootstrapRunnerConfigPathSemanticsTest {
 
         BootstrapRunner runner = runnerWithGuiFactory(() -> new GuiAdapter() {
             @Override
-            public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
-                receivedNotice.set(startupNotice);
+            public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
+                receivedNotice.set(startupContext.startupNotice());
             }
         });
 
diff --git a/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerStartupDispatchTest.java b/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerStartupDispatchTest.java
index bce80b6..a815fa8 100644
--- a/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerStartupDispatchTest.java
+++ b/pdf-umbenenner-bootstrap/src/test/java/de/gecheckt/pdf/umbenenner/bootstrap/BootstrapRunnerStartupDispatchTest.java
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import org.junit.jupiter.api.io.TempDir;
 
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.cli.SchedulerBatchCommand;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiAdapter;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.GuiStartupContext;
+import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.in.gui.editor.GuiConfigurationEditorState;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.adapter.out.bootstrap.validation.StartConfigurationValidator;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.AiProviderFamily;
 import de.gecheckt.pdf.umbenenner.application.config.provider.MultiProviderConfiguration;
@@ -41,7 +43,7 @@ class BootstrapRunnerStartupDispatchTest {
     void run_withGuiMode_returnsZeroWhenGuiStartSucceeds() {
         BootstrapRunner runner = runnerWithGuiFactory(() -> new GuiAdapter() {
             @Override
-            public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
+            public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
                 // normal termination: returns without throwing
             }
         });
@@ -55,7 +57,7 @@ class BootstrapRunnerStartupDispatchTest {
     void run_withGuiMode_returnsOneWhenGuiStartThrowsException() {
         BootstrapRunner runner = runnerWithGuiFactory(() -> new GuiAdapter() {
             @Override
-            public void start(Optional<String> startupNotice) {
+            public void start(GuiStartupContext startupContext) {
                 throw new RuntimeException("simulated GUI startup failure");
             }
         });