diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index ccbbc4b..9d88157 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+# Standard-Provider für alle Agenten (Pflicht — es gibt keinen Code-Default)
+DEFAULT_PROVIDER=minimax
+
 # Datei nach .env kopieren (wird nicht committet).
 
 # Claude-Provider: lokal einmal 'claude setup-token' ausführen, Token eintragen.
diff --git a/backend/block_calls.py b/backend/block_calls.py
index 2339595..5c3abb4 100644
--- a/backend/block_calls.py
+++ b/backend/block_calls.py
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ def _fk_of(e: dict) -> dict:
 async def _generate_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str, description: str,
                           instructions: str = "", ns: str = "", lbl: str = "",
                           sources: list[str] | None = None,
-                          seeds: list[str] | None = None) -> dict | None:
+                          seeds: list[str] | None = None, melde=None) -> dict | None:
     """GEN_PANEL unabhängige Generatoren liefern je Subs+Facts+Level/Relevanz in EINEM Call;
     Konsens im Code (Variant-Cluster über beide Ausgaben, ≥2 unabhängige Generatoren =
     consensus). Einzelnennungen und ungedeckte Seeds werden „unsicher" — der Prüfer
@@ -237,6 +237,8 @@ async def _generate_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str, description:
                      "the material; if backed AND not already covered by another entry, include "
                      "them — rephrased as a standalone statement):\n"
                      + "\n".join(f"- {s}" for s in dict.fromkeys(seeds) if s) + "\n")
+    if melde:
+        melde("Generate")
     h = _h8(title, description, "gen")
     paths = [work_dir / f"gen-{h}-g{g}.json" for g in range(1, GEN_PANEL + 1)]
     prompt = _prompt("Subblock-Generate", topic=topic,
@@ -335,7 +337,7 @@ def _default_vote(stimmen: list[str], default: str) -> str:
 
 async def _verify_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str, gen: dict, q: dict,
                         instructions: str = "", ns: str = "", lbl: str = "",
-                        sources: list[str] | None = None) -> dict | None:
+                        sources: list[str] | None = None, melde=None) -> dict | None:
     """VERIFY_PANEL unabhängige Prüfer auditieren den Block in EINEM Call (MECE-Faltung,
     Fremd, Lücken, Unsicher-Übernahme, Facts-Korrektheit, Level/Relevanz). Auswertung mit
     Schnittmengen-Semantik pro Befundklasse (Faltung/Fremd/Übernahme einstimmig, Discard
@@ -356,6 +358,8 @@ async def _verify_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str, gen: dict, q:
             (u for u in unsicher if u["title"] == t), {})
         return (fk.get("key_points") or [])[:3]
 
+    if melde:
+        melde("Verify")
     verdicts: list[dict] = []
     if n:
         zeilen = "\n".join(f"{k}. {t}" + "".join(f"\n   - {p}" for p in _kp(t))
@@ -524,6 +528,8 @@ async def _verify_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str, gen: dict, q:
 
     # 8. Fix-Tail (0–1 Call): Korrekturen + belegte Lücken
     if (korrekturen or luecken) and not ctx.is_cancelled():
+        if melde:
+            melde("Fix")
         neu = await _fix_befunde(ctx, files, title, korrekturen, luecken,
                                  [s["title"] for s in sidecar_subs], instructions, ns, lbl, sources)
         for e in neu or []:
@@ -603,7 +609,7 @@ def _subs_text(title: str, sidecar_subs: list[dict]) -> str:
 
 async def _artefakte_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str,
                            sidecar_subs: list[dict], instructions: str = "",
-                           ns: str = "", lbl: str = "") -> dict | None:
+                           ns: str = "", lbl: str = "", melde=None) -> dict | None:
     """EIN Generator-Call liefert Fragen + Flashcards + Beispiele (Split in 2 parallele
     Calls bei > ART_SPLIT_SUBS Subs), EIN Prüfer-Call verifiziert Beispiele, bereinigt
     die Fragen und ergänzt fehlende. → {pattern, artefacts} | None (nur Cancel)."""
@@ -611,6 +617,8 @@ async def _artefakte_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str,
     work_dir = files["arbeit"]
     if not sidecar_subs:
         return {"pattern": {title: []}, "artefacts": {"flashcard": [], "example": []}}
+    if melde:
+        melde("Artefakte gen")
     sh = _subs_hash({title: sidecar_subs})
     haelften = ([sidecar_subs] if len(sidecar_subs) <= ART_SPLIT_SUBS
                 else [sidecar_subs[:len(sidecar_subs) // 2], sidecar_subs[len(sidecar_subs) // 2:]])
@@ -647,6 +655,8 @@ async def _artefakte_block(ctx: GenContext, files: dict, title: str,
     fehlend = [t for t in sub_titles
                if _norm_title(t) not in {_norm_title(p["subblock"]) for p in pattern}]
     if pattern or examples:
+        if melde:
+            melde("Artefakte check")
         tabelle = "\n".join(f"({p['subblock']}) {p['question']}" for p in pattern) or "(keine)"
         beisp = "\n\n".join(
             f"{k}. PROBLEM: {e['problem']}\n   SCHRITTE: " + " | ".join(e["steps"])
diff --git a/backend/board_artefacts.py b/backend/board_artefacts.py
index 2b9d495..1c3d053 100644
--- a/backend/board_artefacts.py
+++ b/backend/board_artefacts.py
@@ -167,6 +167,19 @@ async def _seed_map(topic: str) -> dict[str, list[str]]:
     return seeds
 
 
+def _melder(flow: Flow, norm: str):
+    """Live-Stepper der Karte: Phasenname → card_info (ging bei der Call-Verschmelzung
+    verloren — Karten liefen ohne Badge/Stepper durch das Board)."""
+    set_p = _card_set_p(flow, norm)
+
+    def melde(schritt: str) -> None:
+        try:
+            set_p(f"{schritt}…", step=blocks._step_idx(flow.topic, schritt))
+        except ValueError:
+            set_p(f"{schritt}…")
+    return melde
+
+
 async def _proc_generate(ctx: GenContext, flow: Flow, files: dict, instructions: str, cards):
     """Verschmolzener Erzeuger: 2 unabhängige Generatoren liefern Subs+Facts+Einstufung
     in EINEM Call, Konsens im Code (block_calls._generate_block)."""
@@ -181,7 +194,8 @@ async def _proc_generate(ctx: GenContext, flow: Flow, files: dict, instructions:
                                     p.get("description", ""), instructions,
                                     ns=f"{_safe(norm)}-", lbl=f"{p.get('title', norm)} · ",
                                     sources=p.get("sources"),
-                                    seeds=[s for s in seeds.get(norm, []) if s] or None)
+                                    seeds=[s for s in seeds.get(norm, []) if s] or None,
+                                    melde=_melder(flow, norm))
         if gen is None:
             return _fail_or_cancel(ctx, f"Generate {p.get('title', norm)}")
         p["raw"], p["facts"] = gen["raw"], gen["facts"]
@@ -207,7 +221,7 @@ async def _proc_verify(ctx: GenContext, flow: Flow, files: dict, q: dict, instru
                "unsicher": p.get("unsicher") or [], "votes": p.get("votes") or {}}
         res = await _verify_block(ctx, _pfiles(files, norm), title, gen, q, instructions,
                                   ns=f"{_safe(norm)}-", lbl=f"{title or norm} · ",
-                                  sources=p.get("sources"))
+                                  sources=p.get("sources"), melde=_melder(flow, norm))
         if res is None:
             return None  # nur Cancel — Karte bleibt liegen
         p["raw"], p["facts"], p["sidecar"] = res["raw"], res["facts"], res["sidecar"]
@@ -230,7 +244,8 @@ async def _proc_artefakte(ctx: GenContext, flow: Flow, files: dict, instructions
         title = p.get("title", "")
         res = await _artefakte_block(ctx, _pfiles(files, norm), title,
                                      (p.get("sidecar") or {}).get(title) or [],
-                                     instructions, ns=f"{_safe(norm)}-", lbl=f"{title or norm} · ")
+                                     instructions, ns=f"{_safe(norm)}-", lbl=f"{title or norm} · ",
+                                     melde=_melder(flow, norm))
         if res is None:
             return None  # nur Cancel
         p["pattern"] = res["pattern"]
diff --git a/backend/config.py b/backend/config.py
index 935252c..1e5eb88 100644
--- a/backend/config.py
+++ b/backend/config.py
@@ -266,7 +266,10 @@ FORMAT_PURPOSE = {
 #        "judge" = mapping/judge/check agents — cold (low temperature,
 #                  no thinking) for stable verdicts; Claude/local map to "fast",
 #        "guide" = large generation (proposals, writer).
-DEFAULT_PROVIDER = "claude"
+# Kein Provider-Default im Code (Betreiber-Vorgabe): die .env entscheidet.
+DEFAULT_PROVIDER = os.getenv("DEFAULT_PROVIDER", "")
+if not DEFAULT_PROVIDER:
+    raise RuntimeError("DEFAULT_PROVIDER fehlt in der .env (z. B. DEFAULT_PROVIDER=minimax)")
 PROVIDERS = {
     "claude": {
         "cli": "claude",
diff --git a/backend/fake_agents.py b/backend/fake_agents.py
index 6458fbb..97a5954 100644
--- a/backend/fake_agents.py
+++ b/backend/fake_agents.py
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ def aktivieren(welt: Welt, setattr_fn=setattr) -> None:
     import qa
     import repair
 
-    async def fake_run_agent(agent_key, prompt, timeout, provider="claude", role="fast",
+    async def fake_run_agent(agent_key, prompt, timeout, provider="", role="fast",
                              capabilities="none", lane="batch", scope=None, on_line=None, label=""):
         return welt.respond(agent_key, prompt, capabilities)
 
diff --git a/backend/models.py b/backend/models.py
index 115af74..0324a00 100644
--- a/backend/models.py
+++ b/backend/models.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ FormatType = Literal[
     "Rest",
 ]
 
+from config import DEFAULT_PROVIDER
+
 ProviderType = Literal["claude", "minimax", "lokal"]
 
 SourceType = Literal["thema", "projekt", "uni", "link"]
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ class GuideCreateRequest(BaseModel):
     topic: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=100)
     format: FormatType
     instructions: str = Field(default="", max_length=2000)
-    provider: ProviderType = "claude"
+    provider: ProviderType = DEFAULT_PROVIDER
     ab_step: int | None = Field(default=None, ge=0, le=5)  # re-run from board stage (0 lernziele … 5 lesbarkeit); None = full/resume
 
 
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ class RepairRequest(BaseModel):
 class BlocksCreateRequest(BaseModel):
     topic: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=100)
     instructions: str = Field(default="", max_length=2000)
-    provider: ProviderType = "claude"
+    provider: ProviderType = DEFAULT_PROVIDER
     source_type: SourceType = "thema"
     source_location: str = Field(default="", max_length=2000)
     research: bool = True  # False = Continue: drain the existing kanban queue, no new search
@@ -157,7 +159,7 @@ class GuideChatRequest(BaseModel):
     section: str = Field(default="", max_length=20000)
     outline: str = Field(default="", max_length=8000)
     messages: list[ChatMessage] = Field(min_length=1)
-    provider: ProviderType = "claude"
+    provider: ProviderType = DEFAULT_PROVIDER
 
 
 class GuideChatResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -172,7 +174,7 @@ class BlockChatRequest(BaseModel):
     section: str = Field(default="", max_length=20000)         # detailed version
     section_compact: str = Field(default="", max_length=20000)  # compact version (mnemonics)
     messages: list[ChatMessage] = Field(min_length=1)
-    provider: ProviderType = "claude"
+    provider: ProviderType = DEFAULT_PROVIDER
 
 
 class BlockChatResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -203,7 +205,7 @@ class BlockExamRequest(BaseModel):
     # Base + cap are kept server-side (anchor / subs×25) — the client cap is only a hint.
     cap: int = Field(default=10, ge=1, le=10000)  # score cap = unlocked subblocks × 25
     messages: list[ChatMessage] = []  # dialog so far; empty = first question
-    provider: ProviderType = "claude"
+    provider: ProviderType = DEFAULT_PROVIDER
     thorough: bool = False  # "thorough check": rating with a strong model (role guide)
 
 
@@ -246,7 +248,7 @@ class BlockPruefenRequest(BaseModel):
     spot: str = "ausführlich"      # "compact" | "ausführlich" (displayed field)
     snippet: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=20000)  # raw markdown block
     hint: str = Field(default="", max_length=2000)   # optional addition (✏️)
-    provider: ProviderType = "claude"
+    provider: ProviderType = DEFAULT_PROVIDER
 
 
 class BlockPruefenResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -258,7 +260,7 @@ class BlockUebernehmenRequest(BaseModel):
     spot: str = "ausführlich"
     alt: str = Field(min_length=1, max_length=20000)
     revised: str = Field(default="", max_length=20000)
-    provider: ProviderType = "claude"
+    provider: ProviderType = DEFAULT_PROVIDER
 
 
 class BlockUebernehmenResponse(BaseModel):
diff --git a/backend/routes.py b/backend/routes.py
index 9b13ca1..27eb939 100644
--- a/backend/routes.py
+++ b/backend/routes.py
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ async def run_repair_route(req: RepairRequest):
 
 
 @router.post("/blocks/research")
-async def add_blocks_research(topic: str, provider: str = "claude"):
+async def add_blocks_research(topic: str, provider: str = DEFAULT_PROVIDER):
     """Attach one more research agent — to the live flow, or attach-or-start."""
     if add_research_agent(topic):
         return {"ok": True, "attached": True}
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_board_inventory.py b/backend/tests/test_board_inventory.py
index 34e4b21..236c79b 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_board_inventory.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_board_inventory.py
@@ -71,14 +71,14 @@ async def board_env(testdb, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(bi, "_emb_ok", no_emb)
 
     async def fake_generate(ctx, files, title, description, instructions="", ns="", lbl="",
-                            sources=None, seeds=None):
+                            sources=None, seeds=None, melde=None):
         subs = ["Sub Eins", "Sub Zwei"]
         return {"raw": {title: list(subs)},
                 "facts": {title: {_norm_title(s): {"key_points": [f"Fakt zu {s}"], "cited_facts": []}
                                   for s in subs}},
                 "unsicher": [], "votes": {}}
 
-    async def fake_verify(ctx, files, title, gen, q, instructions="", ns="", lbl="", sources=None):
+    async def fake_verify(ctx, files, title, gen, q, instructions="", ns="", lbl="", sources=None, melde=None):
         subs = gen["raw"].get(title) or []
         bfacts = gen["facts"].get(title) or {}
         sidecar = [{"title": s, "level": "beginner",
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ async def board_env(testdb, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
                    for i, s in enumerate(subs)]
         return {"raw": {title: list(subs)}, "facts": {title: bfacts}, "sidecar": {title: sidecar}}
 
-    async def fake_artefakte(ctx, files, title, sidecar_subs, instructions="", ns="", lbl=""):
+    async def fake_artefakte(ctx, files, title, sidecar_subs, instructions="", ns="", lbl="", melde=None):
         if not sidecar_subs:
             return {"pattern": {title: []}, "artefacts": {"flashcard": [], "example": []}}
         first = sidecar_subs[0]["title"]
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ async def test_empty_subblocks_completes_without_deadletter(board_env, monkeypat
     db, ctx, files = board_env
 
     async def empty_gen(ctx, files, title, description, instructions="", ns="", lbl="",
-                        sources=None, seeds=None):
+                        sources=None, seeds=None, melde=None):
         return {"raw": {title: []}, "facts": {title: {}}, "unsicher": [], "votes": {}}
     monkeypatch.setattr(ba, "_generate_block", empty_gen)
     await db.kanban_upsert_card(TOPIC, "artefacts", "leer", "ablock", "generate",
@@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ async def test_outline_runs_before_artefacts_finish(board_env, monkeypatch):
     base_verify = ba._verify_block
     snapshot = {}
 
-    async def slow_verify(ctx, files, title, gen, q, instructions="", ns="", lbl="", sources=None):
+    async def slow_verify(ctx, files, title, gen, q, instructions="", ns="", lbl="", sources=None, melde=None):
         await asyncio.sleep(0.8)  # keeps one card in `verify` while the outline fires
         return await base_verify(ctx, files, title, gen, q, instructions, ns=ns, lbl=lbl, sources=sources)
 
diff --git a/backend/train_f0.py b/backend/train_f0.py
index 60011ed..a44b69b 100644
--- a/backend/train_f0.py
+++ b/backend/train_f0.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 # WICHTIG: config (mit CREATOR_PARAMS) lädt vor allen Pipeline-Modulen
 import database
+from config import DEFAULT_PROVIDER
 from fake_agents import Welt, aktivieren
 from fsutil import atomic_write_json
 
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ async def f0(out: str) -> None:
              "artefakte": tmp / "artefakte.json", "outline": tmp / "outline.json",
              "outline_slots": [tmp / f"outline-{i}.json" for i in (1, 2, 3)],
              "research": [work / f"research-{i}.md" for i in (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)]}
-    ctx = GenContext(topic="f0", provider="claude", is_cancelled=lambda: False)
+    ctx = GenContext(topic="f0", provider=DEFAULT_PROVIDER, is_cancelled=lambda: False)
     start = time.monotonic()
     ok = await asyncio.wait_for(
         bi.run_boards(ctx, lambda *a, **k: None, files, {"type": "thema"}, None, "",