diff --git a/resources/js/guest-v2/__tests__/AppShell.test.tsx b/resources/js/guest-v2/__tests__/AppShell.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fdbebdb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/guest-v2/__tests__/AppShell.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+import React from 'react';
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
+
+const useEventDataMock = vi.fn();
+
+vi.mock('react-router-dom', () => ({
+  useNavigate: () => vi.fn(),
+  useLocation: () => ({ pathname: '/e/demo' }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../context/EventDataContext', () => ({
+  useEventData: () => useEventDataMock(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('@/shared/guest/context/NotificationCenterContext', () => ({
+  useOptionalNotificationCenter: () => ({ unreadCount: 0 }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('@/shared/guest/i18n/useTranslation', () => ({
+  useTranslation: () => ({
+    t: (_key: string, fallback?: string) => fallback ?? _key,
+  }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../lib/guestTheme', () => ({
+  useGuestThemeVariant: () => ({ isDark: false }),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('@tamagui/stacks', () => ({
+  XStack: ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => <div>{children}</div>,
+  YStack: ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => <div>{children}</div>,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('@tamagui/button', () => ({
+  Button: ({ children, disabled, ...rest }: { children: React.ReactNode; disabled?: boolean }) => (
+    <button type="button" disabled={disabled} {...rest}>
+      {children}
+    </button>
+  ),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../components/TopBar', () => ({
+  default: () => <div>topbar</div>,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../components/FloatingActionButton', () => ({
+  default: () => <div>fab</div>,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../components/CompassHub', () => ({
+  default: ({ quadrants }: { quadrants: Array<{ key: string; label: string; disabled?: boolean }> }) => (
+    <div>
+      {quadrants.map((item) => (
+        <button key={item.key} type="button" disabled={item.disabled}>
+          {item.label}
+        </button>
+      ))}
+    </div>
+  ),
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../components/AmbientBackground', () => ({
+  default: ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => <div>{children}</div>,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../components/NotificationSheet', () => ({
+  default: () => null,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../components/SettingsSheet', () => ({
+  default: () => null,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('../components/GuestAnalyticsNudge', () => ({
+  default: () => null,
+}));
+
+vi.mock('lucide-react', () => ({
+  Sparkles: () => <span>sparkles</span>,
+  Share2: () => <span>share</span>,
+  Image: () => <span>image</span>,
+  Camera: () => <span>camera</span>,
+  Settings: () => <span>settings</span>,
+  Home: () => <span>home</span>,
+  Menu: () => <span>menu</span>,
+}));
+
+import AppShell from '../components/AppShell';
+
+describe('AppShell', () => {
+  it('disables task link when no active tasks are available', () => {
+    useEventDataMock.mockReturnValue({
+      tasksEnabled: true,
+      hasActiveTasks: false,
+      event: { name: 'Demo Event' },
+      token: 'demo',
+    });
+
+    render(<AppShell><div>content</div></AppShell>);
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Tasks' })).toBeDisabled();
+  });
+
+  it('keeps task link enabled when active tasks exist', () => {
+    useEventDataMock.mockReturnValue({
+      tasksEnabled: true,
+      hasActiveTasks: true,
+      event: { name: 'Demo Event' },
+      token: 'demo',
+    });
+
+    render(<AppShell><div>content</div></AppShell>);
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Tasks' })).toBeEnabled();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/resources/js/guest-v2/__tests__/HomeScreen.test.tsx b/resources/js/guest-v2/__tests__/HomeScreen.test.tsx
index b567d995..543c89b2 100644
--- a/resources/js/guest-v2/__tests__/HomeScreen.test.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/guest-v2/__tests__/HomeScreen.test.tsx
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ describe('HomeScreen', () => {
     fetchGalleryMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ data: [] });
     useEventDataMock.mockReturnValue({
       tasksEnabled: true,
+      hasActiveTasks: true,
       token: 'demo',
       event: { name: 'Demo Event' },
     });
@@ -149,6 +150,7 @@ describe('HomeScreen', () => {
     fetchGalleryMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ data: [] });
     useEventDataMock.mockReturnValue({
       tasksEnabled: false,
+      hasActiveTasks: false,
       token: 'demo',
       event: { name: 'Demo Event' },
     });
@@ -165,6 +167,7 @@ describe('HomeScreen', () => {
     });
     useEventDataMock.mockReturnValue({
       tasksEnabled: false,
+      hasActiveTasks: false,
       token: 'demo',
       event: { name: 'Demo Event' },
     });
@@ -176,4 +179,34 @@ describe('HomeScreen', () => {
 
     expect(navigateMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/e/demo/gallery?photo=42');
   });
+
+  it('does not mention tasks when no active tasks are available', () => {
+    fetchGalleryMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ data: [] });
+    useEventDataMock.mockReturnValue({
+      tasksEnabled: true,
+      hasActiveTasks: false,
+      token: 'demo',
+      event: { name: 'Demo Event' },
+    });
+
+    render(<HomeScreen />);
+
+    expect(screen.getByText('Capture ready')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByText("Let's go!")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('shows a friendly empty gallery message instead of placeholders', async () => {
+    fetchGalleryMock.mockResolvedValueOnce({ data: [] });
+    useEventDataMock.mockReturnValue({
+      tasksEnabled: false,
+      hasActiveTasks: false,
+      token: 'demo',
+      event: { name: 'Demo Event' },
+    });
+
+    render(<HomeScreen />);
+
+    expect(await screen.findByText('No photos yet')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByText('You should start taking some and fill this gallery with moments.')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/resources/js/guest-v2/components/AppShell.tsx b/resources/js/guest-v2/components/AppShell.tsx
index 62625712..4a798a78 100644
--- a/resources/js/guest-v2/components/AppShell.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/guest-v2/components/AppShell.tsx
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export default function AppShell({ children }: AppShellProps) {
   const [compassOpen, setCompassOpen] = React.useState(false);
   const [notificationsOpen, setNotificationsOpen] = React.useState(false);
   const [settingsOpen, setSettingsOpen] = React.useState(false);
-  const { tasksEnabled, event, token } = useEventData();
+  const { tasksEnabled, hasActiveTasks, event, token } = useEventData();
   const notificationCenter = useOptionalNotificationCenter();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const location = useLocation();
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@ export default function AppShell({ children }: AppShellProps) {
           key: 'tasks',
           label: t('navigation.tasks', 'Tasks'),
           icon: <Sparkles size={18} color={actionIconColor} />,
-          onPress: goTo('/tasks'),
+          onPress: hasActiveTasks ? goTo('/tasks') : undefined,
+          disabled: !hasActiveTasks,
         }
       : {
           key: 'settings',
diff --git a/resources/js/guest-v2/components/CompassHub.tsx b/resources/js/guest-v2/components/CompassHub.tsx
index f8e9c47e..29fc416c 100644
--- a/resources/js/guest-v2/components/CompassHub.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/guest-v2/components/CompassHub.tsx
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export type CompassAction = {
   label: string;
   icon?: React.ReactNode;
   onPress?: () => void;
+  disabled?: boolean;
 };
 
 type CompassHubProps = {
@@ -128,7 +129,12 @@ export default function CompassHub({
             {quadrants.map((action, index) => (
               <Button
                 key={action.key}
+                disabled={action.disabled}
+                opacity={action.disabled ? 0.45 : 1}
                 onPress={() => {
+                  if (action.disabled) {
+                    return;
+                  }
                   action.onPress?.();
                   close();
                 }}
diff --git a/resources/js/guest-v2/context/EventDataContext.tsx b/resources/js/guest-v2/context/EventDataContext.tsx
index ca507e11..904ab7ea 100644
--- a/resources/js/guest-v2/context/EventDataContext.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/guest-v2/context/EventDataContext.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import { fetchEvent, type EventData, FetchEventError } from '../services/eventApi';
 import { isTaskModeEnabled } from '@/shared/guest/lib/engagement';
+import { fetchTasks } from '../services/tasksApi';
 
 type EventDataStatus = 'idle' | 'loading' | 'ready' | 'error';
 
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ type EventDataContextValue = {
   error: string | null;
   token: string | null;
   tasksEnabled: boolean;
+  hasActiveTasks: boolean;
 };
 
 const EventDataContext = React.createContext<EventDataContextValue>({
@@ -18,6 +20,7 @@ const EventDataContext = React.createContext<EventDataContextValue>({
   error: null,
   token: null,
   tasksEnabled: true,
+  hasActiveTasks: true,
 });
 
 type EventDataProviderProps = {
@@ -82,6 +85,41 @@ export function EventDataProvider({
   }, [token]);
 
   const tasksEnabled = event ? isTaskModeEnabled(event) : tasksEnabledFallback;
+  const [hasActiveTasks, setHasActiveTasks] = React.useState<boolean>(tasksEnabledFallback);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (!token) {
+      setHasActiveTasks(tasksEnabledFallback);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (!tasksEnabled) {
+      setHasActiveTasks(false);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    let cancelled = false;
+
+    fetchTasks(token, { page: 1, perPage: 1 })
+      .then((tasks) => {
+        if (cancelled) {
+          return;
+        }
+
+        setHasActiveTasks(tasks.length > 0);
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        if (cancelled) {
+          return;
+        }
+
+        setHasActiveTasks(true);
+      });
+
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, [tasksEnabled, tasksEnabledFallback, token]);
 
   return (
     <EventDataContext.Provider
@@ -91,6 +129,7 @@ export function EventDataProvider({
         error,
         token: token ?? null,
         tasksEnabled,
+        hasActiveTasks,
       }}
     >
       {children}
diff --git a/resources/js/guest-v2/screens/HomeScreen.tsx b/resources/js/guest-v2/screens/HomeScreen.tsx
index a08930db..83294497 100644
--- a/resources/js/guest-v2/screens/HomeScreen.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/guest-v2/screens/HomeScreen.tsx
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ function normalizeImageUrl(src?: string | null) {
 }
 
 export default function HomeScreen() {
-  const { tasksEnabled, token, event } = useEventData();
+  const { tasksEnabled, hasActiveTasks, token, event } = useEventData();
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const revealStage = useStaggeredReveal({ steps: 5, intervalMs: 140, delayMs: 120 });
   const { stats } = usePollStats(token ?? null);
@@ -537,6 +537,7 @@ export default function HomeScreen() {
     selectRandomTask(tasks);
     setHasSwiped(true);
   }, [selectRandomTask, tasks]);
+  const showTaskHero = tasksEnabled && hasActiveTasks;
 
   return (
     <AppShell>
@@ -595,7 +596,7 @@ export default function HomeScreen() {
           </YStack>
         ) : null}
 
-        {tasksEnabled ? (
+        {showTaskHero ? (
           <YStack
             animation="slow"
             animateOnly={['transform', 'opacity']}
@@ -704,7 +705,7 @@ export default function HomeScreen() {
               paddingBottom: 6,
             }}
           >
-            {(galleryLoading || preview.length === 0 ? [1, 2, 3, 4] : preview).map((tile) => {
+            {(galleryLoading ? [1, 2, 3, 4] : preview).map((tile) => {
               if (typeof tile === 'number') {
                 return (
                   <YStack key={tile} flexShrink={0} width={140}>
@@ -736,6 +737,32 @@ export default function HomeScreen() {
               );
             })}
           </XStack>
+          {!galleryLoading && preview.length === 0 ? (
+            <YStack
+              padding="$3"
+              borderRadius="$bento"
+              backgroundColor={isDark ? 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03)' : 'rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.03)'}
+              borderWidth={1}
+              borderColor={bentoSurface.borderColor}
+              gap="$2"
+              alignItems="center"
+            >
+              <Text fontSize="$3" fontWeight="$7" textAlign="center">
+                {t('homeV2.galleryPreview.emptyTitle', 'No photos yet')}
+              </Text>
+              <Text fontSize="$2" color="$color" opacity={0.75} textAlign="center">
+                {t('homeV2.galleryPreview.emptyDescription', 'You should start taking some and fill this gallery with moments.')}
+              </Text>
+              <Button
+                size="$3"
+                backgroundColor="$primary"
+                borderRadius="$pill"
+                onPress={goTo('/upload')}
+              >
+                {t('homeV2.galleryPreview.emptyCta', 'Take first photo')}
+              </Button>
+            </YStack>
+          ) : null}
         </YStack>
 
         <YStack