diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor
index 51dd8f7d..d1222bff 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor	
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 @attribute [Route(Routes.ASSISTANT_DOCUMENT_ANALYSIS)]
 @inherits AssistantBaseCore<AIStudio.Dialogs.Settings.NoSettingsPanel>
+@using AIStudio.Settings
 @using AIStudio.Settings.DataModel
 
 <PreviewBeta ApplyInnerScrollingFix="true"/>
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ else
 
                 <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.DOCUMENT_ANALYSIS_ASSISTANT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => this.IsNoPolicySelectedOrProtected)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.policyPreselectedProviderId)" SelectionUpdate="@(providerId => this.PolicyPreselectedProviderWasChanged(providerId))" ExplicitMinimumConfidence="@this.GetPolicyMinimumConfidenceLevel()"/>
 
-                <ProfileFormSelection Disabled="@this.IsNoPolicySelected" Profile="@this.currentProfile" ProfileChanged="@this.PolicyPreselectedProfileWasChangedAsync" />
+                <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => this.IsNoPolicySelected)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.policyPreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdateAsync="@(async selection => await this.PolicyPreselectedProfileWasChangedAsync(selection))" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the policy should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
 
                 <MudTextSwitch Disabled="@(this.IsNoPolicySelected || (this.selectedPolicy?.IsEnterpriseConfiguration ?? true))" Label="@T("Would you like to protect this policy so that you cannot accidentally edit or delete it?")" Value="@this.policyIsProtected" ValueChanged="async state => await this.PolicyProtectionWasChanged(state)" LabelOn="@T("Yes, protect this policy")" LabelOff="@T("No, the policy can be edited")" />
 
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor.cs b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor.cs
index f58e6619..419d4c9e 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor.cs	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/DocumentAnalysis/DocumentAnalysisAssistant.razor.cs	
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ public partial class DocumentAnalysisAssistant : AssistantBaseCore<NoSettingsPan
             this.policyOutputRules = string.Empty;
             this.policyMinimumProviderConfidence = ConfidenceLevel.NONE;
             this.policyPreselectedProviderId = string.Empty;
-            this.policyPreselectedProfileId = Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id;
+            this.policyPreselectedProfile = ProfilePreselection.NoProfile;
         }
     }
 
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ public partial class DocumentAnalysisAssistant : AssistantBaseCore<NoSettingsPan
             this.policyOutputRules = this.selectedPolicy.OutputRules;
             this.policyMinimumProviderConfidence = this.selectedPolicy.MinimumProviderConfidence;
             this.policyPreselectedProviderId = this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProvider;
-            this.policyPreselectedProfileId = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile) ? Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id : this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile;
+            this.policyPreselectedProfile = ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile);
 
             return true;
         }
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ public partial class DocumentAnalysisAssistant : AssistantBaseCore<NoSettingsPan
             return;
 
         // The preselected profile is always user-adjustable, even for protected policies and enterprise configurations:
-        this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile = this.policyPreselectedProfileId;
+        this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile = this.policyPreselectedProfile;
 
         // Enterprise configurations cannot be modified at all:
         if(this.selectedPolicy.IsEnterpriseConfiguration)
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ public partial class DocumentAnalysisAssistant : AssistantBaseCore<NoSettingsPan
     private string policyOutputRules = string.Empty;
     private ConfidenceLevel policyMinimumProviderConfidence = ConfidenceLevel.NONE;
     private string policyPreselectedProviderId = string.Empty;
-    private string policyPreselectedProfileId = Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id;
+    private ProfilePreselection policyPreselectedProfile = ProfilePreselection.NoProfile;
     private HashSet<FileAttachment> loadedDocumentPaths = [];
     private readonly List<ConfigurationSelectData<string>> availableLLMProviders = new();
     
@@ -450,14 +450,21 @@ public partial class DocumentAnalysisAssistant : AssistantBaseCore<NoSettingsPan
 
     private Profile ResolveProfileSelection()
     {
-        if (this.selectedPolicy is not null && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile))
+        if (this.selectedPolicy is null)
+            return this.SettingsManager.GetPreselectedProfile(this.Component);
+
+        var policyProfilePreselection = ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile);
+        if (policyProfilePreselection.DoNotPreselectProfile)
+            return Profile.NO_PROFILE;
+
+        if (policyProfilePreselection.UseSpecificProfile)
         {
-            var policyProfile = this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile);
+            var policyProfile = this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == policyProfilePreselection.SpecificProfileId);
             if (policyProfile is not null)
                 return policyProfile;
         }
 
-        return this.SettingsManager.GetPreselectedProfile(this.Component);
+        return this.SettingsManager.GetAppPreselectedProfile();
     }
 
     private async Task PolicyMinimumConfidenceWasChangedAsync(ConfidenceLevel level)
@@ -479,11 +486,11 @@ public partial class DocumentAnalysisAssistant : AssistantBaseCore<NoSettingsPan
         this.ApplyPolicyPreselection();
     }
 
-    private async Task PolicyPreselectedProfileWasChangedAsync(Profile profile)
+    private async Task PolicyPreselectedProfileWasChangedAsync(ProfilePreselection selection)
     {
-        this.policyPreselectedProfileId = profile.Id;
+        this.policyPreselectedProfile = selection;
         if (this.selectedPolicy is not null)
-            this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile = this.policyPreselectedProfileId;
+            this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile = this.policyPreselectedProfile;
 
         this.currentProfile = this.ResolveProfileSelection();
         await this.AutoSave();
@@ -734,7 +741,7 @@ public partial class DocumentAnalysisAssistant : AssistantBaseCore<NoSettingsPan
             return string.Empty;
         
         var preselectedProvider = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProvider) ? string.Empty : this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProvider;
-        var preselectedProfile = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile) ? Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id : this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile;
+        var preselectedProfile = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile) ? string.Empty : this.selectedPolicy.PreselectedProfile;
         var id = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(this.selectedPolicy.Id) ? Guid.NewGuid().ToString() : this.selectedPolicy.Id;
         
         return $$"""
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAgenda.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAgenda.razor
index f217da79..a7b83b0a 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAgenda.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAgenda.razor	
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
             }
             <ConfigurationMinConfidenceSelection Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions)" RestrictToGlobalMinimumConfidence="@true" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.MinimumProviderConfidence)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.MinimumProviderConfidence = selectedValue)"/>
             <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.AGENDA_ASSISTANT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProvider)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProvider = selectedValue)"/>
-            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to preselect one of your profiles?")"/>
+            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the assistant should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
         </MudPaper>
     </DialogContent>
     <DialogActions>
@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@
             @T("Close")
         </MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAssistantBias.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAssistantBias.razor
index ec6776f0..2902c7a6 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAssistantBias.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogAssistantBias.razor	
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
                 {
                     <ConfigurationText OptionDescription="@T("Preselect another language")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions)" Icon="@Icons.Material.Filled.Translate" Text="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedOtherLanguage)" TextUpdate="@(updatedText => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedOtherLanguage = updatedText)"/>
                 }
-                <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to preselect one of your profiles?")"/>
+                <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the assistant should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
                 <ConfigurationMinConfidenceSelection Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions)" RestrictToGlobalMinimumConfidence="@true" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.MinimumProviderConfidence)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.MinimumProviderConfidence = selectedValue)"/>
                 <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.BIAS_DAY_ASSISTANT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProvider)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProvider = selectedValue)"/>
             </MudPaper>
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@
             @T("Close")
         </MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogChat.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogChat.razor
index 111b6a93..aa519781 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogChat.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogChat.razor	
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
         <MudPaper Class="pa-3 mb-8 border-dashed border rounded-lg">
             <ConfigurationOption OptionDescription="@T("Preselect chat options?")" LabelOn="@T("Chat options are preselected")" LabelOff="@T("No chat options are preselected")" State="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions)" StateUpdate="@(updatedState => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions = updatedState)" OptionHelp="@T("When enabled, you can preselect chat options. This is might be useful when you prefer a specific provider.")"/>
             <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.CHAT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProvider)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProvider = selectedValue)"/>
-            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to set one of your profiles as the default for chats?")"/>
+            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether chats should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
             <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your chat templates?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedChatTemplate)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetChatTemplatesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedChatTemplate = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to set one of your chat templates as the default for chats?")"/>
         </MudPaper>
 
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@
             @T("Close")
         </MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogCoding.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogCoding.razor
index dde19c0c..818dda3c 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogCoding.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogCoding.razor	
@@ -20,10 +20,10 @@
             }
             <ConfigurationMinConfidenceSelection Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions)" RestrictToGlobalMinimumConfidence="@true" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.MinimumProviderConfidence)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.MinimumProviderConfidence = selectedValue)"/>
             <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.CODING_ASSISTANT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProvider)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProvider = selectedValue)"/>
-            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to preselect one of your profiles?")"/>
+            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the assistant should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
         </MudPaper>
     </DialogContent>
     <DialogActions>
         <MudButton OnClick="@this.Close" Variant="Variant.Filled">Close</MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogERIServer.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogERIServer.razor
index cb4e20ac..831cbce1 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogERIServer.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogERIServer.razor	
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
         <MudPaper Class="pa-3 mb-8 border-dashed border rounded-lg">
             <ConfigurationOption OptionDescription="@T("Preselect ERI server options?")" LabelOn="@T("ERI server options are preselected")" LabelOff="@T("No ERI server options are preselected")" State="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions)" StateUpdate="@(updatedState => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions = updatedState)" OptionHelp="@T("When enabled, you can preselect some ERI server options.")"/>
             <ConfigurationMinConfidenceSelection Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions)" RestrictToGlobalMinimumConfidence="@true" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.MinimumProviderConfidence)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.MinimumProviderConfidence = selectedValue)"/>
-            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to preselect one of your profiles?")"/>
+            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the assistant should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
 
             <MudText Typo="Typo.body1" Class="mb-3">
                 @T("Most ERI server options can be customized and saved directly in the ERI server assistant. For this, the ERI server assistant has an auto-save function.")
@@ -25,4 +25,4 @@
             @T("Close")
         </MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogLegalCheck.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogLegalCheck.razor
index 42cb70d4..d15662e7 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogLegalCheck.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogLegalCheck.razor	
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
             <ConfigurationOption OptionDescription="@T("Preselect the content cleaner agent?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions || this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.HideWebContentReader)" LabelOn="@T("Content cleaner agent is preselected")" LabelOff="@T("Content cleaner agent is not preselected")" State="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectContentCleanerAgent)" StateUpdate="@(updatedState => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectContentCleanerAgent = updatedState)" OptionHelp="@T("When enabled, the content cleaner agent is preselected. This is might be useful when you prefer to clean up the legal content before translating it.")"/>
             <ConfigurationMinConfidenceSelection Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions)" RestrictToGlobalMinimumConfidence="@true" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.MinimumProviderConfidence)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.MinimumProviderConfidence = selectedValue)"/>
             <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.LEGAL_CHECK_ASSISTANT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProvider)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProvider = selectedValue)"/>
-            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to preselect one of your profiles?")"/>
+            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the assistant should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
         </MudPaper>
     </DialogContent>
     <DialogActions>
@@ -23,4 +23,4 @@
             @T("Close")
         </MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogMyTasks.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogMyTasks.razor
index 626f421d..827ad220 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogMyTasks.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogMyTasks.razor	
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
             {
                 <ConfigurationText OptionDescription="@T("Preselect another language")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions)" Icon="@Icons.Material.Filled.Translate" Text="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOtherLanguage)" TextUpdate="@(updatedText => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOtherLanguage = updatedText)"/>
             }
-            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to preselect one of your profiles?")"/>
+            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the assistant should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
             <ConfigurationMinConfidenceSelection Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions)" RestrictToGlobalMinimumConfidence="@true" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.MinimumProviderConfidence)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.MinimumProviderConfidence = selectedValue)"/>
             <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.MY_TASKS_ASSISTANT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProvider)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProvider = selectedValue)"/>
         </MudPaper>
@@ -26,4 +26,4 @@
             @T("Close")
         </MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogWritingEMails.razor b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogWritingEMails.razor
index 6f31f266..904635d2 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogWritingEMails.razor	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Dialogs/Settings/SettingsDialogWritingEMails.razor	
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
             <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a writing style")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedWritingStyle)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetWritingStyles4EMailData()" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedWritingStyle = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Which writing style should be preselected?")"/>
             <ConfigurationMinConfidenceSelection Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions)" RestrictToGlobalMinimumConfidence="@true" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.MinimumProviderConfidence)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.MinimumProviderConfidence = selectedValue)"/>
             <ConfigurationProviderSelection Component="Components.EMAIL_ASSISTANT" Data="@this.availableLLMProviders" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProvider)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProvider = selectedValue)"/>
-            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect one of your profiles?")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProfile)" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Would you like to preselect one of your profiles?")"/>
+            <ConfigurationSelect OptionDescription="@T("Preselect a profile behavior")" Disabled="@(() => !this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions)" SelectedValue="@(() => ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProfile))" Data="@ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.GetComponentProfilesData(this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles)" SelectionUpdate="@(selectedValue => this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProfile = selectedValue)" OptionHelp="@T("Choose whether the assistant should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.")"/>
         </MudPaper>
     </DialogContent>
     <DialogActions>
@@ -29,4 +29,4 @@
             @T("Close")
         </MudButton>
     </DialogActions>
-</MudDialog>
\ No newline at end of file
+</MudDialog>
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.cs b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.cs
index 7aa2441e..f31db876 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.cs	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ConfigurationSelectDataFactory.cs	
@@ -204,6 +204,15 @@ public static class ConfigurationSelectDataFactory
             yield return new(profile.GetSafeName(), profile.Id);
     }
 
+    public static IEnumerable<ConfigurationSelectData<ProfilePreselection>> GetComponentProfilesData(IEnumerable<Profile> profiles)
+    {
+        yield return new(TB("Use app default profile"), ProfilePreselection.AppDefault);
+        yield return new(Profile.NO_PROFILE.GetSafeName(), ProfilePreselection.NoProfile);
+
+        foreach (var profile in profiles)
+            yield return new(profile.GetSafeName(), ProfilePreselection.Specific(profile.Id));
+    }
+
     public static IEnumerable<ConfigurationSelectData<string>> GetTranscriptionProvidersData(IEnumerable<TranscriptionProvider> transcriptionProviders)
     {
         foreach (var provider in transcriptionProviders)
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ProfilePreselection.cs b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ProfilePreselection.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba4b55e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ProfilePreselection.cs	
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+namespace AIStudio.Settings;
+
+public readonly record struct ProfilePreselection
+{
+    public ProfilePreselectionMode Mode { get; }
+
+    public string SpecificProfileId { get; }
+
+    public bool UseAppDefault => this.Mode == ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_APP_DEFAULT;
+
+    public bool DoNotPreselectProfile => this.Mode == ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_NO_PROFILE;
+
+    public bool UseSpecificProfile => this.Mode == ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_SPECIFIC_PROFILE;
+
+    public static ProfilePreselection AppDefault => new(ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_APP_DEFAULT, string.Empty);
+
+    public static ProfilePreselection NoProfile => new(ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_NO_PROFILE, Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id);
+
+    private ProfilePreselection(ProfilePreselectionMode mode, string specificProfileId)
+    {
+        this.Mode = mode;
+        this.SpecificProfileId = specificProfileId;
+    }
+
+    public static ProfilePreselection Specific(string profileId)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(profileId))
+            throw new ArgumentException("A specific profile preselection requires a profile ID.", nameof(profileId));
+
+        if (profileId.Equals(Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            throw new ArgumentException("Use NoProfile for the NO_PROFILE selection.", nameof(profileId));
+
+        return new(ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_SPECIFIC_PROFILE, profileId);
+    }
+
+    public static ProfilePreselection FromStoredValue(string? storedValue)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(storedValue))
+            return AppDefault;
+
+        if (storedValue.Equals(Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            return NoProfile;
+
+        return new(ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_SPECIFIC_PROFILE, storedValue);
+    }
+
+    public static implicit operator string(ProfilePreselection preselection) => preselection.Mode switch
+    {
+        ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_APP_DEFAULT => string.Empty,
+        ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_NO_PROFILE => Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id,
+        ProfilePreselectionMode.USE_SPECIFIC_PROFILE => preselection.SpecificProfileId,
+        
+        _ => string.Empty,
+    };
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ProfilePreselectionMode.cs b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ProfilePreselectionMode.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8addad93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ProfilePreselectionMode.cs	
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+namespace AIStudio.Settings;
+
+public enum ProfilePreselectionMode
+{
+    USE_APP_DEFAULT,
+    USE_NO_PROFILE,
+    USE_SPECIFIC_PROFILE,
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/SettingsManager.cs b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/SettingsManager.cs
index 12634ad6..911d827f 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/SettingsManager.cs	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/SettingsManager.cs	
@@ -294,12 +294,32 @@ public sealed class SettingsManager
 
     public Profile GetPreselectedProfile(Tools.Components component)
     {
-        var preselection = component.PreselectedProfile(this);
-        if (preselection != Profile.NO_PROFILE)
-            return preselection;
-        
-        preselection = this.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id.Equals(this.ConfigurationData.App.PreselectedProfile, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
-        return preselection ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE;
+        var preselection = component.GetProfilePreselection(this);
+        if (preselection.DoNotPreselectProfile)
+            return Profile.NO_PROFILE;
+
+        if (preselection.UseSpecificProfile)
+        {
+            var componentProfile = this.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id.Equals(preselection.SpecificProfileId, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+            return componentProfile ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE;
+        }
+
+        var appPreselection = ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.ConfigurationData.App.PreselectedProfile);
+        if (appPreselection.DoNotPreselectProfile || !appPreselection.UseSpecificProfile)
+            return Profile.NO_PROFILE;
+
+        var appProfile = this.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id.Equals(appPreselection.SpecificProfileId, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+        return appProfile ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE;
+    }
+
+    public Profile GetAppPreselectedProfile()
+    {
+        var appPreselection = ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(this.ConfigurationData.App.PreselectedProfile);
+        if (appPreselection.DoNotPreselectProfile || !appPreselection.UseSpecificProfile)
+            return Profile.NO_PROFILE;
+
+        var appProfile = this.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id.Equals(appPreselection.SpecificProfileId, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+        return appProfile ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE;
     }
     
     public ChatTemplate GetPreselectedChatTemplate(Tools.Components component)
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/ComponentsExtensions.cs b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/ComponentsExtensions.cs
index 4e346d82..a5ff822d 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/ComponentsExtensions.cs	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/ComponentsExtensions.cs	
@@ -133,24 +133,28 @@ public static class ComponentsExtensions
         return preselectedProvider ?? Settings.Provider.NONE;
     }
 
-    public static Profile PreselectedProfile(this Components component, SettingsManager settingsManager) => component switch
+    public static ProfilePreselection GetProfilePreselection(this Components component, SettingsManager settingsManager)
     {
-        Components.AGENDA_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        Components.CODING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        Components.EMAIL_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        Components.LEGAL_CHECK_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        Components.MY_TASKS_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        Components.BIAS_DAY_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        Components.ERI_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
+        var storedValue = component switch
+        {
+            Components.AGENDA_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
+            Components.CODING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
+            Components.EMAIL_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
+            Components.LEGAL_CHECK_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
+            Components.MY_TASKS_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
+            Components.BIAS_DAY_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
+            Components.ERI_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
+            Components.CHAT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProfile : string.Empty,
 
-        // The Document Analysis Assistant does not have a preselected profile at the component level.
-        // The profile is selected per policy instead. We do this inside the Document Analysis Assistant component:
-        Components.DOCUMENT_ANALYSIS_ASSISTANT => Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        
-        Components.CHAT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Profiles.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProfile) ?? Profile.NO_PROFILE : Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-        
-        _ => Profile.NO_PROFILE,
-    };
+            // The Document Analysis Assistant does not have a preselected profile at the component level.
+            // The profile is selected per policy instead. We do this inside the Document Analysis Assistant component:
+            Components.DOCUMENT_ANALYSIS_ASSISTANT => Profile.NO_PROFILE.Id,
+
+            _ => string.Empty,
+        };
+
+        return ProfilePreselection.FromStoredValue(storedValue);
+    }
     
     public static ChatTemplate PreselectedChatTemplate(this Components component, SettingsManager settingsManager) => component switch
     {
diff --git a/app/MindWork AI Studio/wwwroot/changelog/v26.3.1.md b/app/MindWork AI Studio/wwwroot/changelog/v26.3.1.md
index 9585e6e4..8346f0d6 100644
--- a/app/MindWork AI Studio/wwwroot/changelog/v26.3.1.md	
+++ b/app/MindWork AI Studio/wwwroot/changelog/v26.3.1.md	
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 - Added support for the new Qwen 3.5 model family.
 - Added a reminder in chats and assistants that LLMs can make mistakes, helping you double-check important information more easily.
 - Added the ability to format your user prompt in the chat using icons instead of typing Markdown directly.
+- Added explicit profile behavior choices for assistants and the chat. You can now decide whether AI Studio should use the app default profile, no profile, or a specific profile.
 - Improved the performance by caching the OS language detection and requesting the user language only once per app start.
 - Improved the chat performance by reducing unnecessary UI updates, making chats smoother and more responsive, especially in longer conversations.
 - Improved the workspace loading experience: when opening the chat for the first time, your workspaces now appear faster and load step by step in the background, with placeholder rows so the app feels responsive right away.