diff --git a/app/src/components/settings/panels/CoreConnectionPanel.tsx b/app/src/components/settings/panels/CoreConnectionPanel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..03eebf348a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/settings/panels/CoreConnectionPanel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,443 @@
+/**
+ * CoreConnectionPanel — Settings → Core connection.
+ *
+ * Promotes the pre-existing "cloud" core mode (a persisted remote-core RPC
+ * URL + bearer token, previously reachable only from the pre-router
+ * BootCheckGate picker) into a first-class, in-app setting, and adds a live
+ * connect/failure status indicator.
+ *
+ * This deliberately reuses the existing cloud-mode plumbing — the `coreMode`
+ * Redux slice, `configPersistence` storage keys, and
+ * `testCoreRpcConnection` — rather than introducing a second remote-core
+ * mechanism. The shell-level env-var attach path (`OPENHUMAN_CORE_REUSE_EXISTING`,
+ * `OPENHUMAN_CORE_TOKEN`) is intentionally left as a documented dev-only
+ * override and is not surfaced here (GH-4396).
+ *
+ * Boot-gate hard-fail/fallback semantics are unchanged: switching mode here
+ * persists the choice and restarts the app so the normal BootCheckGate flow
+ * re-runs against the new mode. This panel only *surfaces* connection state;
+ * it does not change what happens when a configured core is unreachable.
+ */
+import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core';
+import debug from 'debug';
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+
+import { useT } from '../../../lib/i18n/I18nContext';
+import {
+  clearCoreRpcTokenCache,
+  clearCoreRpcUrlCache,
+  testCoreRpcConnection,
+} from '../../../services/coreRpcClient';
+import { type CoreMode, setCoreMode } from '../../../store/coreModeSlice';
+import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from '../../../store/hooks';
+import { CORE_RPC_URL } from '../../../utils/config';
+import {
+  clearStoredCoreToken,
+  isLocalOrPrivateNetworkHost,
+  isTauriEnvironment,
+  normalizeRpcUrl,
+  storeCoreMode,
+  storeCoreToken,
+  storeRpcUrl,
+} from '../../../utils/configPersistence';
+import { restartApp } from '../../../utils/tauriCommands/core';
+import Button from '../../ui/Button';
+import { SettingsRow, SettingsSection, SettingsSwitch, SettingsTextField } from '../controls';
+import SettingsPanel from '../layout/SettingsPanel';
+
+const log = debug('settings:core');
+
+/** Live reachability of the currently-active core. */
+type LiveStatus =
+  | { kind: 'checking' }
+  | { kind: 'connected' }
+  | { kind: 'authFailed' }
+  | { kind: 'unreachable'; reason: string };
+
+/** Result of a one-shot "Test connection" against the typed remote inputs. */
+type TestStatus =
+  | { kind: 'idle' }
+  | { kind: 'testing' }
+  | { kind: 'ok' }
+  | { kind: 'auth' }
+  | { kind: 'unreachable'; reason: string };
+
+/**
+ * Resolve the URL the active core is actually reachable at. Cloud mode stores
+ * the user's chosen URL in Redux; local mode picks a dynamic port at launch,
+ * so the authoritative value lives in the Tauri shell (`core_rpc_url`).
+ */
+async function resolveActiveCoreUrl(coreMode: CoreMode): Promise<string | null> {
+  if (coreMode.kind === 'cloud') return coreMode.url;
+  if (!isTauriEnvironment()) return CORE_RPC_URL;
+  try {
+    return await invoke<string>('core_rpc_url');
+  } catch (err) {
+    log('resolveActiveCoreUrl: core_rpc_url invoke failed: %o', err);
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+const CoreConnectionPanel = () => {
+  const { t } = useT();
+  const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
+  const coreMode = useAppSelector(state => state.coreMode.mode);
+
+  // ── Editable form state ────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  // Seeded from the persisted cloud-mode config so the panel reflects the
+  // current setting on open.
+  const [useRemote, setUseRemote] = useState(coreMode.kind === 'cloud');
+  const [url, setUrl] = useState(coreMode.kind === 'cloud' ? coreMode.url : '');
+  const [token, setToken] = useState(coreMode.kind === 'cloud' ? (coreMode.token ?? '') : '');
+  const [formError, setFormError] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [testStatus, setTestStatus] = useState<TestStatus>({ kind: 'idle' });
+  const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
+
+  // ── Live status indicator (against the currently-active core) ───────────
+  const [liveStatus, setLiveStatus] = useState<LiveStatus>({ kind: 'checking' });
+  const [activeUrl, setActiveUrl] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const checkSeq = useRef(0);
+
+  const runLiveCheck = useCallback(async () => {
+    const seq = ++checkSeq.current;
+    setLiveStatus({ kind: 'checking' });
+    log('runLiveCheck: mode=%s', coreMode.kind);
+    const resolved = await resolveActiveCoreUrl(coreMode);
+    if (seq !== checkSeq.current) return; // superseded by a newer check
+    setActiveUrl(resolved);
+    if (!resolved) {
+      setLiveStatus({ kind: 'unreachable', reason: t('settings.about.serverUrlUnavailable') });
+      return;
+    }
+    try {
+      const response = await testCoreRpcConnection(resolved);
+      if (seq !== checkSeq.current) return;
+      if (response.status === 401 || response.status === 403) {
+        log('runLiveCheck: auth failed (status=%d)', response.status);
+        setLiveStatus({ kind: 'authFailed' });
+        return;
+      }
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        log('runLiveCheck: HTTP %d', response.status);
+        setLiveStatus({ kind: 'unreachable', reason: `HTTP ${response.status}` });
+        return;
+      }
+      // Drain the body so the connection can be reused; a JSON-RPC error body
+      // on a 200 does not disprove reachability.
+      try {
+        await response.json();
+      } catch {
+        /* non-JSON body is unusual but still reachable */
+      }
+      log('runLiveCheck: connected');
+      setLiveStatus({ kind: 'connected' });
+    } catch (err) {
+      if (seq !== checkSeq.current) return;
+      const reason = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Connection failed';
+      log('runLiveCheck: errored: %o', err);
+      setLiveStatus({ kind: 'unreachable', reason });
+    }
+  }, [coreMode, t]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    // runLiveCheck flips the status to `checking` synchronously; that is the
+    // intended entry transition for the live probe (also used by Recheck), not
+    // a cascading render.
+    // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/set-state-in-effect
+    void runLiveCheck();
+  }, [runLiveCheck]);
+
+  // ── Validation (mirrors the BootCheckGate cloud picker) ─────────────────
+  const validate = (): { url: string; token: string } | null => {
+    const rawUrl = url.trim();
+    if (!rawUrl) {
+      setFormError(t('bootCheck.invalidUrl'));
+      return null;
+    }
+    const normalized = normalizeRpcUrl(rawUrl);
+    try {
+      const parsed = new URL(normalized);
+      if (parsed.protocol !== 'http:' && parsed.protocol !== 'https:') {
+        setFormError(t('bootCheck.urlMustStartWith'));
+        return null;
+      }
+    } catch {
+      setFormError(t('bootCheck.validUrlRequired'));
+      return null;
+    }
+    const trimmedToken = token.trim();
+    if (!trimmedToken) {
+      setFormError(t('bootCheck.tokenRequired'));
+      return null;
+    }
+    setFormError(null);
+    return { url: normalized, token: trimmedToken };
+  };
+
+  const httpWarning = (() => {
+    if (!useRemote) return null;
+    const trimmed = url.trim();
+    if (!trimmed) return null;
+    try {
+      const parsed = new URL(normalizeRpcUrl(trimmed));
+      if (parsed.protocol === 'http:' && !isLocalOrPrivateNetworkHost(parsed.hostname)) {
+        return t('bootCheck.httpPublicWarning');
+      }
+    } catch {
+      /* validate() surfaces parse errors on save */
+    }
+    return null;
+  })();
+
+  const handleTest = async () => {
+    const validated = validate();
+    if (!validated) return;
+    setTestStatus({ kind: 'testing' });
+    log('handleTest: url=%s tokenLen=%d', validated.url, validated.token.length);
+    try {
+      const response = await testCoreRpcConnection(validated.url, validated.token);
+      if (response.status === 401 || response.status === 403) {
+        setTestStatus({ kind: 'auth' });
+        return;
+      }
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        setTestStatus({ kind: 'unreachable', reason: `HTTP ${response.status}` });
+        return;
+      }
+      try {
+        await response.json();
+      } catch {
+        /* reachable regardless of body shape */
+      }
+      setTestStatus({ kind: 'ok' });
+    } catch (err) {
+      const reason = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Connection failed';
+      setTestStatus({ kind: 'unreachable', reason });
+    }
+  };
+
+  // ── Dirty detection ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  // Enable Save only when the desired mode differs from the persisted one.
+  const isDirty = (() => {
+    if (!useRemote) return coreMode.kind !== 'local';
+    if (coreMode.kind !== 'cloud') return true;
+    return (
+      normalizeRpcUrl(url.trim() || '') !== coreMode.url || token.trim() !== (coreMode.token ?? '')
+    );
+  })();
+
+  const handleSave = async () => {
+    if (saving) return;
+    if (useRemote) {
+      const validated = validate();
+      if (!validated) return;
+      log(
+        'handleSave: switching to remote core url=%s tokenLen=%d',
+        validated.url,
+        validated.token.length
+      );
+      setSaving(true);
+      // NOTE: the bearer is persisted in plain localStorage via storeCoreToken,
+      // matching the existing cloud-mode picker. A renderer XSS could read it
+      // (security audit U3). Migrating this to the OS keychain is a known
+      // follow-up tracked with the rest of cloud-mode token storage; this panel
+      // intentionally does not block on it (GH-4396 scope decision).
+      storeRpcUrl(validated.url);
+      storeCoreToken(validated.token);
+      storeCoreMode('cloud');
+      clearCoreRpcUrlCache();
+      clearCoreRpcTokenCache();
+      dispatch(setCoreMode({ kind: 'cloud', url: validated.url, token: validated.token }));
+    } else {
+      log('handleSave: switching to local core');
+      setSaving(true);
+      storeRpcUrl('');
+      clearStoredCoreToken();
+      storeCoreMode('local');
+      clearCoreRpcUrlCache();
+      clearCoreRpcTokenCache();
+      dispatch(setCoreMode({ kind: 'local' }));
+    }
+    // Restart so BootCheckGate re-runs against the new mode (unchanged
+    // boot-gate semantics). In dev this is a renderer reload.
+    await restartApp();
+  };
+
+  // ── Live status rendering ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+  const statusText = (() => {
+    switch (liveStatus.kind) {
+      case 'checking':
+        return t('settings.core.statusChecking');
+      case 'connected':
+        return coreMode.kind === 'cloud'
+          ? t('settings.core.statusConnectedRemote')
+          : t('settings.core.statusConnectedLocal');
+      case 'authFailed':
+        return t('settings.core.statusAuthFailed');
+      case 'unreachable':
+        return `${t('settings.core.statusUnreachable')} — ${liveStatus.reason}`;
+    }
+  })();
+
+  const statusDotClass = (() => {
+    switch (liveStatus.kind) {
+      case 'connected':
+        return 'bg-sage-500';
+      case 'checking':
+        return 'bg-amber-400 animate-pulse';
+      default:
+        return 'bg-coral-500';
+    }
+  })();
+
+  return (
+    <SettingsPanel description={t('settings.core.menuDesc')}>
+      {/* Live status indicator */}
+      <SettingsSection title={t('settings.about.connection')}>
+        <SettingsRow
+          label={statusText}
+          description={activeUrl ?? undefined}
+          control={
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+              <span
+                className={`inline-block h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full flex-shrink-0 ${statusDotClass}`}
+                aria-hidden="true"
+                data-testid="core-status-dot"
+              />
+              <Button
+                variant="secondary"
+                size="xs"
+                onClick={() => void runLiveCheck()}
+                disabled={liveStatus.kind === 'checking'}>
+                {t('settings.core.recheck')}
+              </Button>
+            </div>
+          }
+        />
+        <div className="px-4 py-3" data-testid="core-status-text">
+          <p className="text-[11px] text-content-muted leading-relaxed">
+            {coreMode.kind === 'cloud'
+              ? t('settings.about.connectionHelperCloud')
+              : t('settings.about.connectionHelperLocal')}
+          </p>
+        </div>
+      </SettingsSection>
+
+      {/* Remote-core toggle + config */}
+      <SettingsSection>
+        <SettingsRow
+          label={t('settings.core.useRemoteToggle')}
+          description={t('settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc')}
+          control={
+            <SettingsSwitch
+              id="core-use-remote"
+              checked={useRemote}
+              onCheckedChange={next => {
+                setUseRemote(next);
+                setTestStatus({ kind: 'idle' });
+                setFormError(null);
+              }}
+              aria-label={t('settings.core.useRemoteToggle')}
+              data-testid="core-use-remote-toggle"
+            />
+          }
+        />
+
+        {useRemote && (
+          <div className="flex flex-col gap-3 px-4 py-4">
+            <div className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+              <label
+                htmlFor="core-remote-url"
+                className="text-xs font-medium text-content-secondary">
+                {t('bootCheck.coreRpcUrl')}
+              </label>
+              <SettingsTextField
+                id="core-remote-url"
+                type="url"
+                placeholder={t('bootCheck.rpcUrlPlaceholder')}
+                value={url}
+                onChange={e => {
+                  setUrl(e.target.value);
+                  setFormError(null);
+                  setTestStatus({ kind: 'idle' });
+                }}
+              />
+              {httpWarning && (
+                <p className="text-xs text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-500">{httpWarning}</p>
+              )}
+            </div>
+
+            <div className="flex flex-col gap-1">
+              <label
+                htmlFor="core-remote-token"
+                className="text-xs font-medium text-content-secondary">
+                {t('bootCheck.authToken')} (
+                <code className="text-[10px]">OPENHUMAN_CORE_TOKEN</code>)
+              </label>
+              <SettingsTextField
+                id="core-remote-token"
+                type="text"
+                mono
+                autoComplete="off"
+                spellCheck={false}
+                data-1p-ignore
+                data-lpignore="true"
+                placeholder={t('bootCheck.bearerTokenPlaceholder')}
+                value={token}
+                onChange={e => {
+                  setToken(e.target.value);
+                  setFormError(null);
+                  setTestStatus({ kind: 'idle' });
+                }}
+              />
+              <p className="text-[11px] text-content-muted leading-snug">
+                {t('bootCheck.storedLocally')} <code>Authorization: Bearer …</code>{' '}
+                {t('bootCheck.rpcAuthSuffix')}
+              </p>
+            </div>
+
+            <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
+              <Button
+                variant="secondary"
+                size="sm"
+                onClick={handleTest}
+                disabled={testStatus.kind === 'testing'}>
+                {testStatus.kind === 'testing'
+                  ? t('bootCheck.testing')
+                  : t('bootCheck.testConnection')}
+              </Button>
+              {testStatus.kind === 'ok' && (
+                <span className="text-xs text-sage-600" data-testid="core-test-ok">
+                  {t('bootCheck.connectedOk')}
+                </span>
+              )}
+              {testStatus.kind === 'auth' && (
+                <span className="text-xs text-coral-600" data-testid="core-test-auth">
+                  {t('bootCheck.authFailed')}
+                </span>
+              )}
+              {testStatus.kind === 'unreachable' && (
+                <span className="text-xs text-coral-600" data-testid="core-test-unreachable">
+                  {t('bootCheck.unreachablePrefix')} {testStatus.reason}
+                </span>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        )}
+
+        {formError && <p className="px-4 pb-2 text-xs text-coral-600">{formError}</p>}
+
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-3 px-4 py-3">
+          <p className="text-[11px] text-content-muted leading-snug">
+            {t('settings.core.applyRestartNote')}
+          </p>
+          <Button onClick={handleSave} disabled={!isDirty || saving} data-testid="core-save-btn">
+            {t('settings.core.save')}
+          </Button>
+        </div>
+      </SettingsSection>
+    </SettingsPanel>
+  );
+};
+
+export default CoreConnectionPanel;
diff --git a/app/src/components/settings/panels/__tests__/CoreConnectionPanel.test.tsx b/app/src/components/settings/panels/__tests__/CoreConnectionPanel.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec9aa66734
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/components/settings/panels/__tests__/CoreConnectionPanel.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,230 @@
+/**
+ * Tests for CoreConnectionPanel (GH-4396) — the first-class Settings surface
+ * that promotes cloud-mode remote-core config and adds a live status
+ * indicator. Covers: live status rendering per mode, the remote toggle
+ * revealing the URL/token form, and the save flow persisting + dispatching +
+ * restarting.
+ */
+import { fireEvent, screen, waitFor } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, test, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+import { renderWithProviders } from '../../../../test/test-utils';
+
+const hoisted = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  testCoreRpcConnection: vi.fn(),
+  clearCoreRpcUrlCache: vi.fn(),
+  clearCoreRpcTokenCache: vi.fn(),
+  restartApp: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../../../../services/coreRpcClient', () => ({
+  testCoreRpcConnection: hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection,
+  clearCoreRpcUrlCache: hoisted.clearCoreRpcUrlCache,
+  clearCoreRpcTokenCache: hoisted.clearCoreRpcTokenCache,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../../../../utils/tauriCommands/core', () => ({ restartApp: hoisted.restartApp }));
+
+function okResponse() {
+  return { ok: true, status: 200, json: async () => ({ jsonrpc: '2.0', id: 1, result: {} }) };
+}
+
+/** A Response-shaped stub for an arbitrary HTTP status. */
+function statusResponse(status: number) {
+  return { ok: status >= 200 && status < 300, status, json: async () => ({}) };
+}
+
+const CLOUD_STATE = {
+  coreMode: { mode: { kind: 'cloud', url: 'https://core.example.com/rpc', token: 'tok-123456' } },
+};
+
+async function importPanel() {
+  const mod = await import('../CoreConnectionPanel');
+  return mod.default;
+}
+
+describe('CoreConnectionPanel', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.resetModules();
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockReset();
+    hoisted.clearCoreRpcUrlCache.mockReset();
+    hoisted.clearCoreRpcTokenCache.mockReset();
+    hoisted.restartApp.mockReset();
+    hoisted.restartApp.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    localStorage.clear();
+  });
+
+  test('local mode shows the local connected status once the live check passes', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(okResponse());
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: { coreMode: { mode: { kind: 'local' } } } });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('Connected to local core')).toBeInTheDocument());
+    // Remote toggle is off in local mode → no URL field.
+    expect(screen.queryByLabelText(/Runtime URL/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  test('cloud mode surfaces the remote URL and remote connected status', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(okResponse());
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, {
+      preloadedState: {
+        coreMode: {
+          mode: { kind: 'cloud', url: 'https://core.example.com/rpc', token: 'tok-123456' },
+        },
+      },
+    });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('Connected to remote core')).toBeInTheDocument());
+    // Toggle on → the URL field is pre-filled with the persisted value.
+    expect(screen.getByDisplayValue('https://core.example.com/rpc')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  test('unreachable core surfaces the failure status', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockRejectedValue(new Error('boom'));
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: { coreMode: { mode: { kind: 'local' } } } });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText(/Cannot reach the core/i)).toBeInTheDocument());
+  });
+
+  test('switching to remote core persists, dispatches, and restarts', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(okResponse());
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    const { store } = renderWithProviders(<Panel />, {
+      preloadedState: { coreMode: { mode: { kind: 'local' } } },
+    });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('Connected to local core')).toBeInTheDocument());
+
+    // Flip the remote toggle on to reveal the form.
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('core-use-remote-toggle'));
+
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText(/Runtime URL/i), {
+      target: { value: 'https://core.example.com/rpc' },
+    });
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText(/Auth Token/i), {
+      target: { value: 'remote-token-xyz' },
+    });
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('core-save-btn'));
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(hoisted.restartApp).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1));
+
+    // Redux is now in cloud mode with the typed URL + token.
+    const mode = store.getState().coreMode.mode as { kind: string; url?: string; token?: string };
+    expect(mode.kind).toBe('cloud');
+    expect(mode.url).toBe('https://core.example.com/rpc');
+    expect(mode.token).toBe('remote-token-xyz');
+
+    // Persisted synchronously to localStorage (mirrors the cloud-mode picker).
+    expect(localStorage.getItem('openhuman_core_mode')).toBe('cloud');
+    expect(localStorage.getItem('openhuman_core_rpc_url')).toBe('https://core.example.com/rpc');
+    expect(localStorage.getItem('openhuman_core_rpc_token')).toBe('remote-token-xyz');
+
+    // Caches cleared so the new endpoint takes effect on restart.
+    expect(hoisted.clearCoreRpcUrlCache).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(hoisted.clearCoreRpcTokenCache).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  test('a rejected token surfaces the token-rejected live status', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(statusResponse(401));
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: CLOUD_STATE });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText(/the token was rejected/i)).toBeInTheDocument());
+  });
+
+  test('a non-ok response surfaces the unreachable live status with the HTTP code', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(statusResponse(503));
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: CLOUD_STATE });
+
+    await waitFor(() =>
+      expect(screen.getByText(/Cannot reach the core — HTTP 503/i)).toBeInTheDocument()
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('Test connection reports success for the typed remote inputs', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(okResponse());
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: CLOUD_STATE });
+
+    // Wait for the mount live-check to settle first.
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('Connected to remote core')).toBeInTheDocument());
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Test Connection'));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('core-test-ok')).toBeInTheDocument());
+  });
+
+  test('Test connection reports an auth failure', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(statusResponse(403));
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: CLOUD_STATE });
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Test Connection'));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('core-test-auth')).toBeInTheDocument());
+  });
+
+  test('Test connection reports an unreachable endpoint', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockRejectedValue(new Error('network down'));
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: CLOUD_STATE });
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Test Connection'));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('core-test-unreachable')).toBeInTheDocument());
+  });
+
+  test('validation blocks the form when the URL is empty and when the token is missing', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(okResponse());
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: { coreMode: { mode: { kind: 'local' } } } });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('Connected to local core')).toBeInTheDocument());
+    // Reveal the empty remote form.
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('core-use-remote-toggle'));
+
+    // Empty URL → invalid-URL error.
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Test Connection'));
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText(/enter a runtime URL/i)).toBeInTheDocument());
+
+    // Valid URL but empty token → token-required error.
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText(/Runtime URL/i), {
+      target: { value: 'https://core.example.com/rpc' },
+    });
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText('Test Connection'));
+    await waitFor(() =>
+      expect(screen.getByText(/need an auth token to connect/i)).toBeInTheDocument()
+    );
+
+    // The typed connection was never attempted (validation short-circuits).
+    expect(hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'https://core.example.com/rpc',
+      ''
+    );
+  });
+
+  test('switching from remote back to local clears persistence, dispatches, and restarts', async () => {
+    hoisted.testCoreRpcConnection.mockResolvedValue(okResponse());
+    // Seed persisted cloud values so we can assert they are cleared.
+    localStorage.setItem('openhuman_core_mode', 'cloud');
+    localStorage.setItem('openhuman_core_rpc_url', 'https://core.example.com/rpc');
+    localStorage.setItem('openhuman_core_rpc_token', 'tok-123456');
+
+    const Panel = await importPanel();
+    const { store } = renderWithProviders(<Panel />, { preloadedState: CLOUD_STATE });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('Connected to remote core')).toBeInTheDocument());
+
+    // Flip remote off → local, then save.
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('core-use-remote-toggle'));
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('core-save-btn'));
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(hoisted.restartApp).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1));
+
+    expect(store.getState().coreMode.mode.kind).toBe('local');
+    expect(localStorage.getItem('openhuman_core_mode')).toBe('local');
+    expect(localStorage.getItem('openhuman_core_rpc_url')).toBeNull();
+    expect(localStorage.getItem('openhuman_core_rpc_token')).toBeNull();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteElements.tsx b/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteElements.tsx
index 641bb6a514..e1425d6a27 100644
--- a/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteElements.tsx
+++ b/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteElements.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import AutocompletePanel from './panels/AutocompletePanel';
 import BillingPanel from './panels/BillingPanel';
 import CompanionPanel from './panels/CompanionPanel';
 import ComposioTriagePanel from './panels/ComposioTriagePanel';
+import CoreConnectionPanel from './panels/CoreConnectionPanel';
 import CronJobsPanel from './panels/CronJobsPanel';
 import DesktopAgentPanel from './panels/DesktopAgentPanel';
 import DeveloperOptionsPanel from './panels/DeveloperOptionsPanel';
@@ -154,6 +155,9 @@ export function settingsRouteElements(): ReactNode {
       <Route path="autocomplete" element={wrapSettingsPage(<AutocompletePanel />)} />
 
       {/* ── System ──────────────────────────────────────────────── */}
+      {/* Core connection — promotes cloud-mode remote-core config into a
+          first-class setting with a live status indicator (GH-4396). */}
+      <Route path="core" element={wrapSettingsPage(<CoreConnectionPanel />)} />
       <Route path="keyboard-shortcuts" element={wrapSettingsPage(<KeyboardShortcutsPanel />)} />
       <Route path="developer-options" element={wrapSettingsPage(<DeveloperOptionsPanel />)} />
       <Route path="token-usage" element={wrapSettingsPage(<TokenUsagePanel />)} />
diff --git a/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteRegistry.ts b/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteRegistry.ts
index c3e5e47930..ba8efd13b0 100644
--- a/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteRegistry.ts
+++ b/app/src/components/settings/settingsRouteRegistry.ts
@@ -286,6 +286,30 @@ export const SETTINGS_ROUTE_REGISTRY: SettingsRegistryEntry[] = [
     navGroup: 'general',
     navOrder: 98,
   },
+  {
+    // Core connection — promotes cloud-mode remote-core config (persisted
+    // RPC URL + token) into a first-class setting plus a live status
+    // indicator (GH-4396). Sits just above About in General.
+    id: 'core',
+    titleKey: 'settings.core.title',
+    descriptionKey: 'settings.core.menuDesc',
+    section: 'home',
+    searchKeywords: [
+      'core',
+      'remote',
+      'rpc',
+      'url',
+      'token',
+      'cloud',
+      'local',
+      'connection',
+      'server',
+      'attach',
+      'self-hosted',
+    ],
+    navGroup: 'general',
+    navOrder: 97,
+  },
   {
     id: 'about',
     titleKey: 'settings.about',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts
index 22ca4d8c42..4ece7240a7 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/ar.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,20 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Arabic (العربية) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'اتصال النواة',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'استخدم النواة المحلية المدمجة أو اتصل بنواة بعيدة.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'استخدام نواة بعيدة',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'الاتصال بنواة بعيدة عبر HTTP بدلاً من النواة المحلية المدمجة.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'متصل بالنواة البعيدة',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'متصل بالنواة المحلية',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'جارٍ التحقق من الاتصال…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'يمكن الوصول إليه، لكن تم رفض الرمز',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'تعذّر الوصول إلى النواة',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'إعادة التحقق',
+  'settings.core.save': 'حفظ وإعادة التشغيل',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': 'يؤدي الحفظ إلى إعادة تشغيل OpenHuman لإعادة الاتصال.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'الخزنة موجودة على مضيف النواة.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts
index 7265f80cab..84ba2a3d49 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/bn.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,21 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Bengali (বাংলা) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'কোর সংযোগ',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc':
+    'অন্তর্নির্মিত স্থানীয় কোর ব্যবহার করুন বা একটি রিমোট কোরে সংযোগ করুন।',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'রিমোট কোর ব্যবহার করুন',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'অন্তর্নির্মিত স্থানীয় কোরের পরিবর্তে HTTP-এর মাধ্যমে একটি রিমোট কোরে সংযোগ করুন।',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'রিমোট কোরে সংযুক্ত',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'স্থানীয় কোরে সংযুক্ত',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'সংযোগ পরীক্ষা করা হচ্ছে…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'পৌঁছানো যায়, তবে টোকেন প্রত্যাখ্যাত হয়েছে',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'কোরে পৌঁছানো যাচ্ছে না',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'পুনরায় পরীক্ষা করুন',
+  'settings.core.save': 'সংরক্ষণ করে পুনরায় চালু করুন',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': 'সংরক্ষণ করলে পুনরায় সংযোগের জন্য OpenHuman পুনরায় চালু হয়।',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'ভল্টটি কোর হোস্টে রয়েছে।',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts
index 7552c1c1ca..80d3f9ba5d 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/de.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,22 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // German (Deutsch) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Core-Verbindung',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc':
+    'Den integrierten lokalen Core verwenden oder mit einem Remote-Core verbinden.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Remote-Core verwenden',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Über HTTP mit einem Remote-Core verbinden statt den integrierten lokalen Core zu nutzen.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Mit Remote-Core verbunden',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Mit lokalem Core verbunden',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Verbindung wird geprüft…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Erreichbar, aber das Token wurde abgelehnt',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Core nicht erreichbar',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Erneut prüfen',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Speichern & neu starten',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote':
+    'Beim Speichern startet OpenHuman neu, um die Verbindung herzustellen.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'Der Vault liegt auf dem Core-Host.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts
index 82914a54af..aa6b6274a3 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/en.ts
@@ -1479,6 +1479,20 @@ const en: TranslationMap = {
     'Spawned in-process by the Tauri shell on app launch. The port is chosen at startup, so this URL changes between launches.',
   'settings.about.connectionHelperCloud':
     'Connected to a remote core. Change this in BootCheck or the cloud mode picker.',
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Core connection',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'Use the built-in local core or connect to a remote core.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Use remote core',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Connect to a remote core over HTTP instead of the built-in local core.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Connected to remote core',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Connected to local core',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Checking connection…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Reachable, but the token was rejected',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Cannot reach the core',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Recheck',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Save & restart',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': 'Saving restarts OpenHuman to reconnect.',
   'settings.heartbeat.title': 'Heartbeat & loops',
   'settings.usage.title': 'Usage & Limits',
   'settings.usage.menuDesc': 'Costs, token usage, budgets, and background activity',
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts
index cf8bfc7c79..6379dd5cc9 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/es.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,20 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Spanish (Español) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Conexión del core',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'Usa el core local integrado o conéctate a un core remoto.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Usar core remoto',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Conéctate a un core remoto por HTTP en lugar del core local integrado.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Conectado al core remoto',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Conectado al core local',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Comprobando la conexión…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Accesible, pero el token fue rechazado',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'No se puede conectar con el core',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Volver a comprobar',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Guardar y reiniciar',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': 'Al guardar, OpenHuman se reinicia para volver a conectarse.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'El vault está en el host del core.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts
index 4292d98952..b26081d2a9 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/fr.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,20 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // French (Français) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Connexion au core',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'Utilisez le core local intégré ou connectez-vous à un core distant.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Utiliser un core distant',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Se connecter à un core distant via HTTP au lieu du core local intégré.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Connecté au core distant',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Connecté au core local',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Vérification de la connexion…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Accessible, mais le jeton a été refusé',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Core inaccessible',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Revérifier',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Enregistrer et redémarrer',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': 'Enregistrer redémarre OpenHuman pour se reconnecter.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': "Le coffre se trouve sur l'hôte du cœur.",
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts
index 3243bd11bc..d1c00eb82c 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/hi.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,22 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Hindi (हिन्दी) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'कोर कनेक्शन',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc':
+    'अंतर्निहित स्थानीय कोर का उपयोग करें या किसी रिमोट कोर से कनेक्ट करें।',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'रिमोट कोर का उपयोग करें',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'अंतर्निहित स्थानीय कोर के बजाय HTTP के माध्यम से किसी रिमोट कोर से कनेक्ट करें।',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'रिमोट कोर से कनेक्ट हो गया',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'स्थानीय कोर से कनेक्ट हो गया',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'कनेक्शन जाँचा जा रहा है…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'पहुँच योग्य, लेकिन टोकन अस्वीकृत हो गया',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'कोर तक नहीं पहुँचा जा सकता',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'फिर से जाँचें',
+  'settings.core.save': 'सहेजें और पुनरारंभ करें',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote':
+    'सहेजने पर OpenHuman फिर से कनेक्ट होने के लिए पुनरारंभ होता है।',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'वॉल्ट कोर होस्ट पर है।',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts
index 95e225fbd0..d6c9b59b20 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/id.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,21 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Koneksi core',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'Gunakan core lokal bawaan atau hubungkan ke core jarak jauh.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Gunakan core jarak jauh',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Hubungkan ke core jarak jauh melalui HTTP alih-alih core lokal bawaan.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Terhubung ke core jarak jauh',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Terhubung ke core lokal',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Memeriksa koneksi…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Dapat dijangkau, tetapi token ditolak',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Tidak dapat menjangkau core',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Periksa ulang',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Simpan & mulai ulang',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote':
+    'Menyimpan akan memulai ulang OpenHuman untuk menyambung kembali.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'Vault berada di host core.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts
index 580753ee50..d205b46ec6 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/it.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,20 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Italian (Italiano) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Connessione al core',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'Usa il core locale integrato o connettiti a un core remoto.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Usa core remoto',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Connettiti a un core remoto via HTTP invece del core locale integrato.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Connesso al core remoto',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Connesso al core locale',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Verifica della connessione…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Raggiungibile, ma il token è stato rifiutato',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Impossibile raggiungere il core',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Ricontrolla',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Salva e riavvia',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': 'Il salvataggio riavvia OpenHuman per riconnettersi.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': "Il vault è sull'host del core.",
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts
index 74046271b0..e0fba7faca 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/ko.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,19 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Korean (한국어) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': '코어 연결',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': '내장 로컬 코어를 사용하거나 원격 코어에 연결하세요.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': '원격 코어 사용',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc': '내장 로컬 코어 대신 HTTP를 통해 원격 코어에 연결합니다.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': '원격 코어에 연결됨',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': '로컬 코어에 연결됨',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': '연결 확인 중…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': '접근 가능하지만 토큰이 거부되었습니다',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': '코어에 연결할 수 없습니다',
+  'settings.core.recheck': '다시 확인',
+  'settings.core.save': '저장 후 재시작',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': '저장하면 다시 연결하기 위해 OpenHuman이 재시작됩니다.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': '보관소가 코어 호스트에 있습니다.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts
index ee94ffa56b..8dbe671f8e 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/pl.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,21 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Polish (Polski) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Połączenie z core',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'Użyj wbudowanego lokalnego core lub połącz się ze zdalnym core.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Użyj zdalnego core',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Połącz się ze zdalnym core przez HTTP zamiast wbudowanego lokalnego core.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Połączono ze zdalnym core',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Połączono z lokalnym core',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Sprawdzanie połączenia…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Osiągalny, ale token został odrzucony',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Nie można połączyć się z core',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Sprawdź ponownie',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Zapisz i uruchom ponownie',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote':
+    'Zapisanie uruchamia ponownie OpenHuman, aby połączyć się ponownie.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'Skarbiec znajduje się na hoście rdzenia.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts
index 0b60a812b9..bb7cbb4a44 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/pt.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,20 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Portuguese (Português) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Conexão do core',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': 'Use o core local integrado ou conecte-se a um core remoto.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Usar core remoto',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Conecte-se a um core remoto por HTTP em vez do core local integrado.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Conectado ao core remoto',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Conectado ao core local',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Verificando a conexão…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Acessível, mas o token foi rejeitado',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Não é possível acessar o core',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Verificar novamente',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Salvar e reiniciar',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': 'Salvar reinicia o OpenHuman para reconectar.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'O vault está no host do core.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts
index 8f4ac3700b..9e596839cc 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/ru.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,22 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Russian (Русский) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': 'Подключение к ядру',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc':
+    'Используйте встроенное локальное ядро или подключитесь к удалённому ядру.',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': 'Использовать удалённое ядро',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc':
+    'Подключиться к удалённому ядру по HTTP вместо встроенного локального ядра.',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': 'Подключено к удалённому ядру',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': 'Подключено к локальному ядру',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': 'Проверка подключения…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': 'Доступно, но токен отклонён',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': 'Не удаётся подключиться к ядру',
+  'settings.core.recheck': 'Проверить снова',
+  'settings.core.save': 'Сохранить и перезапустить',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote':
+    'После сохранения OpenHuman перезапустится для повторного подключения.',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': 'Хранилище находится на хосте ядра.',
   'crossHostVault.message':
diff --git a/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts b/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts
index 53e158ebd8..6de4e796f5 100644
--- a/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts
+++ b/app/src/lib/i18n/zh-CN.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,19 @@ import type { TranslationMap } from './types';
 // Simplified Chinese (简体中文) translations. Keys mirror en.ts; missing/
 // English-identical values fall back to English via I18nContext.resolveEn().
 const messages: TranslationMap = {
+  // Core connection panel (GH-4396)
+  'settings.core.title': '核心连接',
+  'settings.core.menuDesc': '使用内置的本地核心，或连接到远程核心。',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggle': '使用远程核心',
+  'settings.core.useRemoteToggleDesc': '通过 HTTP 连接到远程核心，而不是使用内置的本地核心。',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedRemote': '已连接到远程核心',
+  'settings.core.statusConnectedLocal': '已连接到本地核心',
+  'settings.core.statusChecking': '正在检查连接…',
+  'settings.core.statusAuthFailed': '可访问，但令牌被拒绝',
+  'settings.core.statusUnreachable': '无法连接到核心',
+  'settings.core.recheck': '重新检查',
+  'settings.core.save': '保存并重启',
+  'settings.core.applyRestartNote': '保存后 OpenHuman 将重启以重新连接。',
   // Cross-host vault (#4278)
   'crossHostVault.title': '记忆库位于核心主机上。',
   'crossHostVault.message':