diff --git a/app/src/components/CapturesTab/DictationReadinessChecklist.tsx b/app/src/components/CapturesTab/DictationReadinessChecklist.tsx
index a26e9655..0fd6279f 100644
--- a/app/src/components/CapturesTab/DictationReadinessChecklist.tsx
+++ b/app/src/components/CapturesTab/DictationReadinessChecklist.tsx
@@ -73,8 +73,20 @@ function progressPercent(task: ActiveDownloadTask | undefined): number | null {
  *
  * The chord stays disarmed until every row is green; this is what stops the
  * "stuck pill" failure mode of pressing the chord with a missing model.
+ *
+ * ``compact`` drops the centered title/subheading block and the
+ * empty-state max-width so the checklist can be embedded in a narrow
+ * sidebar alongside other settings. Callers own their own heading in
+ * that mode (typically an ``<h3>`` that matches the surrounding sidebar
+ * section style).
  */
-export function DictationReadinessChecklist({ readiness }: { readiness: DictationReadiness }) {
+export function DictationReadinessChecklist({
+  readiness,
+  compact = false,
+}: {
+  readiness: DictationReadiness;
+  compact?: boolean;
+}) {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
   const { toast } = useToast();
@@ -176,15 +188,17 @@ export function DictationReadinessChecklist({ readiness }: { readiness: Dictatio
   }
 
   return (
-    <div className="w-full max-w-md mx-auto space-y-2.5">
-      <div className="text-center mb-5 space-y-1">
-        <h2 className="text-base font-semibold text-foreground">
-          {t('captures.readiness.title')}
-        </h2>
-        <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-          {t('captures.readiness.subheading')}
-        </p>
-      </div>
+    <div className={cn('w-full space-y-2.5', !compact && 'max-w-md mx-auto')}>
+      {!compact && (
+        <div className="text-center mb-5 space-y-1">
+          <h2 className="text-base font-semibold text-foreground">
+            {t('captures.readiness.title')}
+          </h2>
+          <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+            {t('captures.readiness.subheading')}
+          </p>
+        </div>
+      )}
 
       {readiness.stt && (
         <ChecklistRow
diff --git a/app/src/components/ServerTab/CapturesPage.tsx b/app/src/components/ServerTab/CapturesPage.tsx
index 6d874721..4a7ba961 100644
--- a/app/src/components/ServerTab/CapturesPage.tsx
+++ b/app/src/components/ServerTab/CapturesPage.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { AccessibilityNotice } from '@/components/AccessibilityGate/AccessibilityGate';
 import { InputMonitoringNotice } from '@/components/InputMonitoringGate/InputMonitoringGate';
 import { CapturePill, type PillState } from '@/components/CapturePill/CapturePill';
+import { DictationReadinessChecklist } from '@/components/CapturesTab/DictationReadinessChecklist';
 import { ChordPicker } from '@/components/ChordPicker/ChordPicker';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import {
@@ -584,6 +585,15 @@ export function CapturesPage() {
           </p>
         </div>
 
+        {/* Same six-gate checklist the CapturesTab empty state uses.
+            Surfaces missing models / permissions persistently while
+            users configure this page, so a red gate can't hide behind
+            a green toggle. */}
+        <div className="space-y-2">
+          <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold">{t('captures.readiness.title')}</h3>
+          <DictationReadinessChecklist readiness={readiness} compact />
+        </div>
+
         <div className="space-y-3">
           <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold">{t('settings.captures.sidebar.differencesTitle')}</h3>
           <ul className="space-y-3 text-sm text-muted-foreground">