diff --git a/crates/owlen-cli/Cargo.toml b/crates/owlen-cli/Cargo.toml
index ca3f449..b18c813 100644
--- a/crates/owlen-cli/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/owlen-cli/Cargo.toml
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ required-features = ["chat-client"]
 
 [dependencies]
 owlen-core = { path = "../owlen-core" }
+owlen-providers = { path = "../owlen-providers" }
 # Optional TUI dependency, enabled by the "chat-client" feature.
 owlen-tui = { path = "../owlen-tui", optional = true }
 log = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/owlen-cli/src/cloud.rs b/crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/cloud.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/owlen-cli/src/cloud.rs
rename to crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/cloud.rs
diff --git a/crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/mod.rs b/crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c82bff4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+//! Command implementations for the `owlen` CLI.
+
+pub mod cloud;
+pub mod providers;
diff --git a/crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/providers.rs b/crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/providers.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fda892
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/owlen-cli/src/commands/providers.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,652 @@
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::sync::Arc;
+
+use anyhow::{Result, anyhow};
+use clap::{Args, Subcommand};
+use owlen_core::ProviderConfig;
+use owlen_core::config::{self as core_config, Config};
+use owlen_core::provider::{
+    AnnotatedModelInfo, ModelProvider, ProviderManager, ProviderStatus, ProviderType,
+};
+use owlen_core::storage::StorageManager;
+use owlen_providers::ollama::{OllamaCloudProvider, OllamaLocalProvider};
+use owlen_tui::config as tui_config;
+
+use super::cloud;
+
+/// CLI subcommands for provider management.
+#[derive(Debug, Subcommand)]
+pub enum ProvidersCommand {
+    /// List configured providers and their metadata.
+    List,
+    /// Run health checks against providers.
+    Status {
+        /// Optional provider identifier to check.
+        #[arg(value_name = "PROVIDER")]
+        provider: Option<String>,
+    },
+    /// Enable a provider in the configuration.
+    Enable {
+        /// Provider identifier to enable.
+        provider: String,
+    },
+    /// Disable a provider in the configuration.
+    Disable {
+        /// Provider identifier to disable.
+        provider: String,
+    },
+}
+
+/// Arguments for the `owlen models` command.
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Args)]
+pub struct ModelsArgs {
+    /// Restrict output to a specific provider.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    pub provider: Option<String>,
+}
+
+pub async fn run_providers_command(command: ProvidersCommand) -> Result<()> {
+    match command {
+        ProvidersCommand::List => list_providers(),
+        ProvidersCommand::Status { provider } => status_providers(provider.as_deref()).await,
+        ProvidersCommand::Enable { provider } => toggle_provider(&provider, true),
+        ProvidersCommand::Disable { provider } => toggle_provider(&provider, false),
+    }
+}
+
+pub async fn run_models_command(args: ModelsArgs) -> Result<()> {
+    list_models(args.provider.as_deref()).await
+}
+
+fn list_providers() -> Result<()> {
+    let config = tui_config::try_load_config().unwrap_or_default();
+    let default_provider = canonical_provider_id(&config.general.default_provider);
+
+    let mut rows = Vec::new();
+    for (id, cfg) in &config.providers {
+        let type_label = describe_provider_type(id, cfg);
+        let auth_label = describe_auth(cfg, requires_auth(id, cfg));
+        let enabled = if cfg.enabled { "yes" } else { "no" };
+        let default = if id == &default_provider { "*" } else { "" };
+        let base = cfg
+            .base_url
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|value| value.trim().to_string())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| "-".to_string());
+
+        rows.push(ProviderListRow {
+            id: id.to_string(),
+            type_label,
+            enabled: enabled.to_string(),
+            default: default.to_string(),
+            auth: auth_label,
+            base_url: base,
+        });
+    }
+
+    rows.sort_by(|a, b| a.id.cmp(&b.id));
+
+    let id_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.id.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(8)
+        .max("Provider".len());
+    let enabled_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.enabled.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(7)
+        .max("Enabled".len());
+    let default_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.default.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(7)
+        .max("Default".len());
+    let type_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.type_label.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(4)
+        .max("Type".len());
+    let auth_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.auth.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(4)
+        .max("Auth".len());
+
+    println!(
+        "{:<id_width$}  {:<enabled_width$}  {:<default_width$}  {:<type_width$}  {:<auth_width$}  Base URL",
+        "Provider",
+        "Enabled",
+        "Default",
+        "Type",
+        "Auth",
+        id_width = id_width,
+        enabled_width = enabled_width,
+        default_width = default_width,
+        type_width = type_width,
+        auth_width = auth_width,
+    );
+
+    for row in rows {
+        println!(
+            "{:<id_width$}  {:<enabled_width$}  {:<default_width$}  {:<type_width$}  {:<auth_width$}  {}",
+            row.id,
+            row.enabled,
+            row.default,
+            row.type_label,
+            row.auth,
+            row.base_url,
+            id_width = id_width,
+            enabled_width = enabled_width,
+            default_width = default_width,
+            type_width = type_width,
+            auth_width = auth_width,
+        );
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+async fn status_providers(filter: Option<&str>) -> Result<()> {
+    let mut config = tui_config::try_load_config().unwrap_or_default();
+    let filter = filter.map(canonical_provider_id);
+    verify_provider_filter(&config, filter.as_deref())?;
+
+    let storage = Arc::new(StorageManager::new().await?);
+    cloud::load_runtime_credentials(&mut config, storage.clone()).await?;
+
+    let manager = ProviderManager::new(&config);
+    let records = register_enabled_providers(&manager, &config, filter.as_deref()).await?;
+    let health = manager.refresh_health().await;
+
+    let mut rows = Vec::new();
+    for record in records {
+        let status = health.get(&record.id).copied();
+        rows.push(ProviderStatusRow::from_record(record, status));
+    }
+
+    rows.sort_by(|a, b| a.id.cmp(&b.id));
+    print_status_rows(&rows);
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+async fn list_models(filter: Option<&str>) -> Result<()> {
+    let mut config = tui_config::try_load_config().unwrap_or_default();
+    let filter = filter.map(canonical_provider_id);
+    verify_provider_filter(&config, filter.as_deref())?;
+
+    let storage = Arc::new(StorageManager::new().await?);
+    cloud::load_runtime_credentials(&mut config, storage.clone()).await?;
+
+    let manager = ProviderManager::new(&config);
+    let records = register_enabled_providers(&manager, &config, filter.as_deref()).await?;
+    let models = manager
+        .list_all_models()
+        .await
+        .map_err(|err| anyhow!(err))?;
+    let statuses = manager.provider_statuses().await;
+
+    print_models(records, models, statuses);
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn verify_provider_filter(config: &Config, filter: Option<&str>) -> Result<()> {
+    if let Some(filter) = filter {
+        if !config.providers.contains_key(filter) {
+            return Err(anyhow!(
+                "Provider '{}' is not defined in configuration.",
+                filter
+            ));
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn toggle_provider(provider: &str, enable: bool) -> Result<()> {
+    let mut config = tui_config::try_load_config().unwrap_or_default();
+    let canonical = canonical_provider_id(provider);
+    if canonical.is_empty() {
+        return Err(anyhow!("Provider name cannot be empty."));
+    }
+
+    let previous_default = config.general.default_provider.clone();
+    let previous_fallback_enabled = config.providers.get("ollama_local").map(|cfg| cfg.enabled);
+
+    let previous_enabled;
+    {
+        let entry = core_config::ensure_provider_config_mut(&mut config, &canonical);
+        previous_enabled = entry.enabled;
+        if previous_enabled == enable {
+            println!(
+                "Provider '{}' is already {}.",
+                canonical,
+                if enable { "enabled" } else { "disabled" }
+            );
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+        entry.enabled = enable;
+    }
+
+    if !enable && config.general.default_provider == canonical {
+        if let Some(candidate) = choose_fallback_provider(&config, &canonical) {
+            config.general.default_provider = candidate.clone();
+            println!(
+                "Default provider set to '{}' because '{}' was disabled.",
+                candidate, canonical
+            );
+        } else {
+            let entry = core_config::ensure_provider_config_mut(&mut config, "ollama_local");
+            entry.enabled = true;
+            config.general.default_provider = "ollama_local".to_string();
+            println!(
+                "Enabled 'ollama_local' and made it default because no other providers are active."
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    if let Err(err) = config.validate() {
+        {
+            let entry = core_config::ensure_provider_config_mut(&mut config, &canonical);
+            entry.enabled = previous_enabled;
+        }
+        config.general.default_provider = previous_default;
+        if let Some(enabled) = previous_fallback_enabled {
+            if let Some(entry) = config.providers.get_mut("ollama_local") {
+                entry.enabled = enabled;
+            }
+        }
+        return Err(anyhow!(err));
+    }
+
+    tui_config::save_config(&config).map_err(|err| anyhow!(err))?;
+
+    println!(
+        "{} provider '{}'.",
+        if enable { "Enabled" } else { "Disabled" },
+        canonical
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn choose_fallback_provider(config: &Config, exclude: &str) -> Option<String> {
+    if exclude != "ollama_local" {
+        if let Some(cfg) = config.providers.get("ollama_local") {
+            if cfg.enabled {
+                return Some("ollama_local".to_string());
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    let mut candidates: Vec<String> = config
+        .providers
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|(id, cfg)| cfg.enabled && id.as_str() != exclude)
+        .map(|(id, _)| id.clone())
+        .collect();
+    candidates.sort();
+    candidates.into_iter().next()
+}
+
+async fn register_enabled_providers(
+    manager: &ProviderManager,
+    config: &Config,
+    filter: Option<&str>,
+) -> Result<Vec<ProviderRecord>> {
+    let default_provider = canonical_provider_id(&config.general.default_provider);
+    let mut records = Vec::new();
+
+    for (id, cfg) in &config.providers {
+        if let Some(filter) = filter {
+            if id != filter {
+                continue;
+            }
+        }
+
+        let mut record = ProviderRecord::from_config(id, cfg, id == &default_provider);
+        if !cfg.enabled {
+            records.push(record);
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        match instantiate_provider(id, cfg) {
+            Ok(provider) => {
+                let metadata = provider.metadata().clone();
+                record.provider_type_label = provider_type_label(metadata.provider_type);
+                record.requires_auth = metadata.requires_auth;
+                record.metadata = Some(metadata);
+                manager.register_provider(provider).await;
+            }
+            Err(err) => {
+                record.registration_error = Some(err.to_string());
+            }
+        }
+
+        records.push(record);
+    }
+
+    records.sort_by(|a, b| a.id.cmp(&b.id));
+    Ok(records)
+}
+
+fn instantiate_provider(id: &str, cfg: &ProviderConfig) -> Result<Arc<dyn ModelProvider>> {
+    let kind = cfg.provider_type.trim().to_ascii_lowercase();
+    if kind == "ollama" || id == "ollama_local" {
+        let provider = OllamaLocalProvider::new(cfg.base_url.clone(), None, None)
+            .map_err(|err| anyhow!(err))?;
+        Ok(Arc::new(provider))
+    } else if kind == "ollama_cloud" || id == "ollama_cloud" {
+        let provider = OllamaCloudProvider::new(cfg.base_url.clone(), cfg.api_key.clone(), None)
+            .map_err(|err| anyhow!(err))?;
+        Ok(Arc::new(provider))
+    } else {
+        Err(anyhow!(
+            "Provider '{}' uses unsupported type '{}'.",
+            id,
+            if kind.is_empty() {
+                "unknown"
+            } else {
+                kind.as_str()
+            }
+        ))
+    }
+}
+
+fn describe_provider_type(id: &str, cfg: &ProviderConfig) -> String {
+    if cfg.provider_type.trim().eq_ignore_ascii_case("ollama") || id.ends_with("_local") {
+        "Local".to_string()
+    } else if cfg
+        .provider_type
+        .trim()
+        .eq_ignore_ascii_case("ollama_cloud")
+        || id.contains("cloud")
+    {
+        "Cloud".to_string()
+    } else {
+        "Custom".to_string()
+    }
+}
+
+fn requires_auth(id: &str, cfg: &ProviderConfig) -> bool {
+    cfg.api_key.is_some()
+        || cfg.api_key_env.is_some()
+        || matches!(id, "ollama_cloud" | "openai" | "anthropic")
+}
+
+fn describe_auth(cfg: &ProviderConfig, required: bool) -> String {
+    if let Some(env) = cfg
+        .api_key_env
+        .as_ref()
+        .map(|value| value.trim())
+        .filter(|value| !value.is_empty())
+    {
+        format!("env:{env}")
+    } else if cfg
+        .api_key
+        .as_ref()
+        .map(|value| !value.trim().is_empty())
+        .unwrap_or(false)
+    {
+        "config".to_string()
+    } else if required {
+        "required".to_string()
+    } else {
+        "-".to_string()
+    }
+}
+
+fn canonical_provider_id(raw: &str) -> String {
+    let trimmed = raw.trim().to_ascii_lowercase();
+    if trimmed.is_empty() {
+        return trimmed;
+    }
+
+    match trimmed.as_str() {
+        "ollama" | "ollama-local" => "ollama_local".to_string(),
+        "ollama_cloud" | "ollama-cloud" => "ollama_cloud".to_string(),
+        other => other.replace('-', "_"),
+    }
+}
+
+fn provider_type_label(provider_type: ProviderType) -> String {
+    match provider_type {
+        ProviderType::Local => "Local".to_string(),
+        ProviderType::Cloud => "Cloud".to_string(),
+    }
+}
+
+fn provider_status_strings(status: ProviderStatus) -> (&'static str, &'static str) {
+    match status {
+        ProviderStatus::Available => ("OK", "available"),
+        ProviderStatus::Unavailable => ("ERR", "unavailable"),
+        ProviderStatus::RequiresSetup => ("SETUP", "requires setup"),
+    }
+}
+
+fn print_status_rows(rows: &[ProviderStatusRow]) {
+    let id_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.id.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(8)
+        .max("Provider".len());
+    let type_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.provider_type.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(4)
+        .max("Type".len());
+    let status_width = rows
+        .iter()
+        .map(|row| row.indicator.len() + 1 + row.status_label.len())
+        .max()
+        .unwrap_or(6)
+        .max("State".len());
+
+    println!(
+        "{:<id_width$}  {:<4}  {:<type_width$}  {:<status_width$}  Details",
+        "Provider",
+        "Def",
+        "Type",
+        "State",
+        id_width = id_width,
+        type_width = type_width,
+        status_width = status_width,
+    );
+
+    for row in rows {
+        let def = if row.default_provider { "*" } else { "-" };
+        let details = row.detail.as_deref().unwrap_or("-");
+        println!(
+            "{:<id_width$}  {:<4}  {:<type_width$}  {:<status_width$}  {}",
+            row.id,
+            def,
+            row.provider_type,
+            format!("{} {}", row.indicator, row.status_label),
+            details,
+            id_width = id_width,
+            type_width = type_width,
+            status_width = status_width,
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+fn print_models(
+    records: Vec<ProviderRecord>,
+    models: Vec<AnnotatedModelInfo>,
+    statuses: HashMap<String, ProviderStatus>,
+) {
+    let mut grouped: HashMap<String, Vec<AnnotatedModelInfo>> = HashMap::new();
+    for info in models {
+        grouped
+            .entry(info.provider_id.clone())
+            .or_default()
+            .push(info);
+    }
+
+    for record in records {
+        let status = statuses.get(&record.id).copied().or_else(|| {
+            if record.metadata.is_some() && record.registration_error.is_none() && record.enabled {
+                Some(ProviderStatus::Unavailable)
+            } else {
+                None
+            }
+        });
+
+        let (indicator, label, status_value) = if !record.enabled {
+            ("-", "disabled", None)
+        } else if record.registration_error.is_some() {
+            ("ERR", "error", None)
+        } else if let Some(status) = status {
+            let (indicator, label) = provider_status_strings(status);
+            (indicator, label, Some(status))
+        } else {
+            ("?", "unknown", None)
+        };
+
+        let title = if record.default_provider {
+            format!("{} (default)", record.id)
+        } else {
+            record.id.clone()
+        };
+        println!(
+            "{} {} [{}] {}",
+            indicator, title, record.provider_type_label, label
+        );
+
+        if let Some(err) = &record.registration_error {
+            println!("    error: {}", err);
+            println!();
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if !record.enabled {
+            println!("    provider disabled");
+            println!();
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if let Some(entries) = grouped.get(&record.id) {
+            let mut entries = entries.clone();
+            entries.sort_by(|a, b| a.model.name.cmp(&b.model.name));
+            if entries.is_empty() {
+                println!("    (no models reported)");
+            } else {
+                for entry in entries {
+                    let mut line = format!("    - {}", entry.model.name);
+                    if let Some(description) = &entry.model.description {
+                        if !description.trim().is_empty() {
+                            line.push_str(&format!(" — {}", description.trim()));
+                        }
+                    }
+                    println!("{}", line);
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            println!("    (no models reported)");
+        }
+
+        if let Some(ProviderStatus::RequiresSetup) = status_value {
+            if record.requires_auth {
+                println!("    configure provider credentials or API key");
+            }
+        }
+        println!();
+    }
+}
+
+struct ProviderListRow {
+    id: String,
+    type_label: String,
+    enabled: String,
+    default: String,
+    auth: String,
+    base_url: String,
+}
+
+struct ProviderRecord {
+    id: String,
+    enabled: bool,
+    default_provider: bool,
+    provider_type_label: String,
+    requires_auth: bool,
+    registration_error: Option<String>,
+    metadata: Option<owlen_core::provider::ProviderMetadata>,
+}
+
+impl ProviderRecord {
+    fn from_config(id: &str, cfg: &ProviderConfig, default_provider: bool) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            id: id.to_string(),
+            enabled: cfg.enabled,
+            default_provider,
+            provider_type_label: describe_provider_type(id, cfg),
+            requires_auth: requires_auth(id, cfg),
+            registration_error: None,
+            metadata: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+struct ProviderStatusRow {
+    id: String,
+    provider_type: String,
+    default_provider: bool,
+    indicator: String,
+    status_label: String,
+    detail: Option<String>,
+}
+
+impl ProviderStatusRow {
+    fn from_record(record: ProviderRecord, status: Option<ProviderStatus>) -> Self {
+        if !record.enabled {
+            return Self {
+                id: record.id,
+                provider_type: record.provider_type_label,
+                default_provider: record.default_provider,
+                indicator: "-".to_string(),
+                status_label: "disabled".to_string(),
+                detail: None,
+            };
+        }
+
+        if let Some(err) = record.registration_error {
+            return Self {
+                id: record.id,
+                provider_type: record.provider_type_label,
+                default_provider: record.default_provider,
+                indicator: "ERR".to_string(),
+                status_label: "error".to_string(),
+                detail: Some(err),
+            };
+        }
+
+        if let Some(status) = status {
+            let (indicator, label) = provider_status_strings(status);
+            return Self {
+                id: record.id,
+                provider_type: record.provider_type_label,
+                default_provider: record.default_provider,
+                indicator: indicator.to_string(),
+                status_label: label.to_string(),
+                detail: if matches!(status, ProviderStatus::RequiresSetup) && record.requires_auth {
+                    Some("credentials required".to_string())
+                } else {
+                    None
+                },
+            };
+        }
+
+        Self {
+            id: record.id,
+            provider_type: record.provider_type_label,
+            default_provider: record.default_provider,
+            indicator: "?".to_string(),
+            status_label: "unknown".to_string(),
+            detail: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/owlen-cli/src/main.rs b/crates/owlen-cli/src/main.rs
index 3a5202a..0391985 100644
--- a/crates/owlen-cli/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/owlen-cli/src/main.rs
@@ -2,13 +2,16 @@
 
 //! OWLEN CLI - Chat TUI client
 
-mod cloud;
+mod commands;
 mod mcp;
 
 use anyhow::{Result, anyhow};
 use async_trait::async_trait;
 use clap::{Parser, Subcommand};
-use cloud::{CloudCommand, load_runtime_credentials, set_env_var};
+use commands::{
+    cloud::{CloudCommand, load_runtime_credentials, run_cloud_command, set_env_var},
+    providers::{ModelsArgs, ProvidersCommand, run_models_command, run_providers_command},
+};
 use mcp::{McpCommand, run_mcp_command};
 use owlen_core::config as core_config;
 use owlen_core::{
@@ -58,6 +61,11 @@ enum OwlenCommand {
     /// Manage Ollama Cloud credentials
     #[command(subcommand)]
     Cloud(CloudCommand),
+    /// Manage model providers
+    #[command(subcommand)]
+    Providers(ProvidersCommand),
+    /// List models exposed by configured providers
+    Models(ModelsArgs),
     /// Manage MCP server registrations
     #[command(subcommand)]
     Mcp(McpCommand),
@@ -136,7 +144,9 @@ fn build_local_provider(cfg: &Config) -> anyhow::Result<Arc<dyn Provider>> {
 async fn run_command(command: OwlenCommand) -> Result<()> {
     match command {
         OwlenCommand::Config(config_cmd) => run_config_command(config_cmd),
-        OwlenCommand::Cloud(cloud_cmd) => cloud::run_cloud_command(cloud_cmd).await,
+        OwlenCommand::Cloud(cloud_cmd) => run_cloud_command(cloud_cmd).await,
+        OwlenCommand::Providers(provider_cmd) => run_providers_command(provider_cmd).await,
+        OwlenCommand::Models(args) => run_models_command(args).await,
         OwlenCommand::Mcp(mcp_cmd) => run_mcp_command(mcp_cmd),
         OwlenCommand::Upgrade => {
             println!(
@@ -184,6 +194,68 @@ fn run_config_doctor() -> Result<()> {
         }
     }
 
+    if let Some(entry) = config.providers.get_mut("ollama_local") {
+        if entry.provider_type.trim().is_empty() || entry.provider_type != "ollama" {
+            entry.provider_type = "ollama".to_string();
+            changes.push("normalised providers.ollama_local.provider_type to 'ollama'".to_string());
+        }
+    }
+
+    let mut ensure_default_enabled = true;
+
+    if !config.providers.values().any(|cfg| cfg.enabled) {
+        let entry = core_config::ensure_provider_config_mut(&mut config, "ollama_local");
+        if !entry.enabled {
+            entry.enabled = true;
+            changes.push("no providers were enabled; enabled 'ollama_local'".to_string());
+        }
+        if config.general.default_provider != "ollama_local" {
+            config.general.default_provider = "ollama_local".to_string();
+            changes.push(
+                "default provider reset to 'ollama_local' because no providers were enabled"
+                    .to_string(),
+            );
+        }
+        ensure_default_enabled = false;
+    }
+
+    if ensure_default_enabled {
+        let default_id = config.general.default_provider.clone();
+        if let Some(default_cfg) = config.providers.get(&default_id) {
+            if !default_cfg.enabled {
+                if let Some(new_default) = config
+                    .providers
+                    .iter()
+                    .filter(|(id, cfg)| cfg.enabled && *id != &default_id)
+                    .map(|(id, _)| id.clone())
+                    .min()
+                {
+                    config.general.default_provider = new_default.clone();
+                    changes.push(format!(
+                        "default provider '{default_id}' was disabled; switched default to '{new_default}'"
+                    ));
+                } else {
+                    let entry =
+                        core_config::ensure_provider_config_mut(&mut config, "ollama_local");
+                    if !entry.enabled {
+                        entry.enabled = true;
+                        changes.push(
+                            "enabled 'ollama_local' because default provider was disabled"
+                                .to_string(),
+                        );
+                    }
+                    if config.general.default_provider != "ollama_local" {
+                        config.general.default_provider = "ollama_local".to_string();
+                        changes.push(
+                            "default provider reset to 'ollama_local' because previous default was disabled"
+                                .to_string(),
+                        );
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     match config.mcp.mode {
         McpMode::Legacy => {
             config.mcp.mode = McpMode::LocalOnly;