diff --git a/apps/tui-go/internal/app/model.go b/apps/tui-go/internal/app/model.go
index 0f81b202..763e3d8f 100644
--- a/apps/tui-go/internal/app/model.go
+++ b/apps/tui-go/internal/app/model.go
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ type InputMode int
 const (
 	ModeRouter InputMode = iota // chat / steering input
 	ModeFilter                  // session-list filter
+	ModeIntent                  // freeform request for a workflow being started
 )
 
 // EditMode is the vim-style modality: Normal = bare-key commands, Insert = typing.
@@ -146,6 +147,8 @@ type Model struct {
 	workflows  []Workflow
 	wfIndex    int // -1 = not in workflow picker
 	wfVisible  bool
+	wfPendingID   string // workflow chosen, awaiting an intent line before StartSession
+	wfPendingName string
 	bgUpdates  int
 
 	// input
diff --git a/apps/tui-go/internal/app/update.go b/apps/tui-go/internal/app/update.go
index 45359efe..f83dadc1 100644
--- a/apps/tui-go/internal/app/update.go
+++ b/apps/tui-go/internal/app/update.go
@@ -243,6 +243,12 @@ func (m Model) handleInsertKey(k tea.KeyMsg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		if m.inputMode == ModeFilter {
 			m.inputMode = ModeRouter
 		}
+		if m.inputMode == ModeIntent {
+			m.wfPendingID = ""
+			m.wfPendingName = ""
+			m.clearInput()
+			m.inputMode = ModeRouter
+		}
 	case tea.KeyEnter:
 		return m.submit()
 	case tea.KeyBackspace:
@@ -275,6 +281,19 @@ func (m Model) handleInsertKey(k tea.KeyMsg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 	return m, nil
 }
 
+// beginIntent stashes the chosen workflow and switches to a text-entry prompt for the
+// freeform request. Submitting sends StartSession(id, intent); an empty line starts with no
+// intent (fixed-task workflows). Esc cancels.
+func (m *Model) beginIntent(wf Workflow) {
+	m.wfPendingID = wf.ID
+	m.wfPendingName = wf.ID
+	m.wfVisible = false
+	m.wfIndex = -1
+	m.clearInput()
+	m.editMode = ModeInsert
+	m.inputMode = ModeIntent
+}
+
 func (m *Model) enterInsert(mode InputMode) {
 	m.editMode = ModeInsert
 	m.inputMode = mode
@@ -296,11 +315,7 @@ func (m Model) normalEnter() (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 		return m, nil
 	}
 	if m.wfVisible && m.wfIndex >= 0 && m.wfIndex < len(m.workflows) {
-		wf := m.workflows[m.wfIndex]
-		m.client.Send(protocol.StartSession(wf.ID))
-		m.wfVisible = false
-		m.wfIndex = -1
-		m.pendingWorkflowFocus = true
+		m.beginIntent(m.workflows[m.wfIndex])
 		return m, nil
 	}
 	if m.selectedID != "" {
@@ -537,12 +552,21 @@ func (m Model) submit() (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 
 	switch ds {
 	case StateIdle:
-		// Workflow picker selection.
-		if m.wfIndex >= 0 && m.wfIndex < len(m.workflows) {
-			wf := m.workflows[m.wfIndex]
-			m.wfIndex = -1
-			m.client.Send(protocol.StartSession(wf.ID))
+		// Intent line for a workflow being started.
+		if m.wfPendingID != "" {
+			id := m.wfPendingID
+			m.client.Send(protocol.StartSession(id, text))
+			m.wfPendingID = ""
+			m.wfPendingName = ""
 			m.clearInput()
+			m.inputMode = ModeRouter
+			m.editMode = ModeNormal
+			m.pendingWorkflowFocus = true
+			return m, nil
+		}
+		// Workflow picker selection → prompt for the request first.
+		if m.wfIndex >= 0 && m.wfIndex < len(m.workflows) {
+			m.beginIntent(m.workflows[m.wfIndex])
 			return m, nil
 		}
 		// Entering an already-selected session (blank submit).
diff --git a/apps/tui-go/internal/app/view.go b/apps/tui-go/internal/app/view.go
index 19bc19e9..0dd4888f 100644
--- a/apps/tui-go/internal/app/view.go
+++ b/apps/tui-go/internal/app/view.go
@@ -208,6 +208,8 @@ func (m Model) renderInput() string {
 
 	placeholder := "Ask anything…"
 	switch {
+	case m.inputMode == ModeIntent:
+		placeholder = "Describe the task for " + m.wfPendingName + " (Enter to start, empty = none)…"
 	case m.inputMode == ModeFilter:
 		placeholder = "Filter sessions…"
 	case m.displayState() == StateIdle:
@@ -241,6 +243,9 @@ func (m Model) renderInput() string {
 	if m.inputMode == ModeFilter {
 		mode = "filter"
 	}
+	if m.inputMode == ModeIntent {
+		mode = "task"
+	}
 	sub := lipgloss.NewStyle().Foreground(t.P.Accent2).Background(t.P.Bg).Render(name)
 	if m.selectedID != "" {
 		sub += t.span(" · ", t.P.Faint) +
diff --git a/apps/tui-go/internal/protocol/protocol.go b/apps/tui-go/internal/protocol/protocol.go
index c5639fd1..ed73c62f 100644
--- a/apps/tui-go/internal/protocol/protocol.go
+++ b/apps/tui-go/internal/protocol/protocol.go
@@ -213,9 +213,14 @@ func ChatInput(sessionID, text, mode string) []byte {
 	return encode("ChatInput", map[string]any{"sessionId": sessionID, "text": text, "mode": mode})
 }
 
-// StartSession launches a workflow-backed session.
-func StartSession(workflowID string) []byte {
-	return encode("StartSession", map[string]any{"workflowId": workflowID, "config": nil})
+// StartSession launches a workflow-backed session. input is the optional freeform request
+// seeded into the decision journal; pass "" for fixed-task workflows (e.g. healthcheck).
+func StartSession(workflowID, input string) []byte {
+	msg := map[string]any{"workflowId": workflowID, "config": nil}
+	if input != "" {
+		msg["input"] = input
+	}
+	return encode("StartSession", msg)
 }
 
 // CancelSession cancels a running session.
diff --git a/apps/tui-go/internal/protocol/start_session_test.go b/apps/tui-go/internal/protocol/start_session_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7e4f6a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/tui-go/internal/protocol/start_session_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+package protocol
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func decodeFrame(t *testing.T, b []byte) map[string]any {
+	t.Helper()
+	var m map[string]any
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(b, &m); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("unmarshal: %v", err)
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+func TestStartSessionOmitsEmptyInput(t *testing.T) {
+	m := decodeFrame(t, StartSession("healthcheck", ""))
+	if m["workflowId"] != "healthcheck" {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected frame: %+v", m)
+	}
+	if _, present := m["input"]; present {
+		t.Fatalf("empty input must be omitted, got: %+v", m)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestStartSessionCarriesIntent(t *testing.T) {
+	m := decodeFrame(t, StartSession("role_pipeline", "add an auth layer to the account service"))
+	if m["input"] != "add an auth layer to the account service" {
+		t.Fatalf("intent not carried: %+v", m)
+	}
+}