diff --git a/.conductor/README.md b/.conductor/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7cf2de26
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.conductor/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+# Conductor workspace setup
+
+This directory makes [Conductor](https://conductor.build) workspaces (git
+worktrees) self-contained: each one installs its own deps and runs its own
+backend + UI on a dedicated port range, so you can develop several branches at
+once without collisions.
+
+## How it works
+
+Conductor gives every workspace a block of **10 ports** starting at
+`$CONDUCTOR_PORT`. We use:
+
+| Port            | Service            | Script                  |
+| --------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------- |
+| `CONDUCTOR_PORT`     | Backend (uvicorn)  | `run-backend.sh` |
+| `CONDUCTOR_PORT + 1` | UI (Next.js)       | `run-ui.sh`      |
+| `+2 .. +9`           | reserved           | —                       |
+
+The UI is wired to its own workspace's backend (`NEXT_PUBLIC_BACKEND_URL`,
+`BACKEND_URL`) and the backend's CORS / `UI_APP_URL` point back at its own UI —
+all derived from `$CONDUCTOR_PORT`, so no two workspaces interfere.
+
+### Shared, NOT per-workspace
+
+Postgres, Redis, and MinIO run as a **single shared Docker stack** (compose
+project `dograh`). `setup.sh` brings it up idempotently with
+`COMPOSE_PROJECT_NAME=dograh` so every workspace reuses the same one instead of
+fighting over the fixed 5432/6379/9000 ports. All workspaces therefore share one
+database — fine for app servers, but it means the **Arq worker should run in only
+one workspace** (`run-worker.sh`), since a single worker drains the shared queue
+for everyone.
+
+## The Run menu
+
+Conductor shows three buttons (`run_mode = "concurrent"`, so they coexist):
+
+- **backend** (default) — FastAPI/uvicorn with `--reload` on `$CONDUCTOR_PORT`
+- **ui** — Next.js dev server on `$CONDUCTOR_PORT + 1`
+- **worker** — Arq worker; start in just one workspace
+
+Start **backend** and **ui** in each workspace you want to use. Start **worker**
+once (e.g. in your primary workspace) when you need background jobs — the same
+way you used to run a single arq worker in VS Code.
+
+## Proving you're in the right worktree
+
+`run-ui.sh` exports `NEXT_PUBLIC_WORKSPACE_NAME=$CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_NAME`, which
+`ui/src/components/WorkspaceBadge.tsx` renders as a small color-coded pill in the
+bottom-left corner (e.g. `⬡ pattaya :8201`). The color is derived from the
+workspace name, so two worktrees are instantly distinguishable. The badge is
+invisible in production and in a plain `npm run dev` (no env var set).
+
+## Creating a new workspace
+
+In Conductor: **New Workspace** → pick a branch. Conductor first copies the
+gitignored env files listed in `../.worktreeinclude` (`api/.env`, `ui/.env`,
+`ui/.env.local`, …) from your main checkout, then `setup.sh` runs automatically
+and:
+
+1. checks out the `pipecat` submodule,
+2. builds `venv` (Python 3.13) + installs backend/pipecat deps,
+3. `npm install` for the UI,
+4. ensures the shared Docker stack is up,
+5. runs `alembic upgrade head`.
+
+The first setup is slow (deps); afterwards the Run buttons are instant.
+
+## Files
+
+| File                  | Purpose                                            |
+| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
+| `settings.toml`       | Conductor config: setup + run scripts, run_mode    |
+| `setup.sh`            | One-time workspace bootstrap                        |
+| `run-backend.sh`      | Foreground uvicorn on `$CONDUCTOR_PORT`             |
+| `run-ui.sh`           | Foreground Next.js on `$CONDUCTOR_PORT + 1`         |
+| `run-worker.sh`       | Foreground Arq worker (run in one workspace only)   |
+| `../.worktreeinclude` | Gitignored env files Conductor copies per workspace |
+
+> Need machine-local tweaks (e.g. a different port base or skipping the worker)?
+> Put them in `.conductor/settings.local.toml`, which is personal and not
+> committed.
diff --git a/.conductor/run-backend.sh b/.conductor/run-backend.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..160ed88a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.conductor/run-backend.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Conductor run script — Backend (FastAPI/uvicorn) for THIS workspace.
+#
+# Binds $CONDUCTOR_PORT and points CORS / UI_APP_URL at this workspace's UI
+# ($CONDUCTOR_PORT + 1). Runs in the FOREGROUND with exec (no &) so Conductor's
+# SIGHUP cleanly tears it down.
+set -euo pipefail
+cd "${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_PATH:-$PWD}"
+
+PORT="${CONDUCTOR_PORT:-8000}"
+UI_PORT="$((PORT + 1))"
+
+# Load the workspace's api/.env, then override the port-specific bits. The
+# backend reads config via os.getenv, and these exports happen after the source,
+# so they win over the values copied from the main checkout (which assume 8000).
+if [[ -f api/.env ]]; then set -a; # shellcheck disable=SC1091
+  source api/.env; set +a; fi
+export FASTAPI_PORT="$PORT"
+export UI_APP_URL="http://localhost:${UI_PORT}"
+export CORS_ALLOWED_ORIGINS="http://localhost:${UI_PORT},http://127.0.0.1:${UI_PORT}"
+
+if [[ ! -d venv ]]; then
+  echo "ERROR: venv missing. Re-run workspace setup (.conductor/setup.sh)." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+# shellcheck disable=SC1091
+source venv/bin/activate
+
+echo "[backend] workspace=${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_NAME:-?}  port=${PORT}  ui=${UI_PORT}"
+exec uvicorn api.app:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port "$PORT" --reload --reload-dir api
diff --git a/.conductor/run-ui.sh b/.conductor/run-ui.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..1fe3ca3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.conductor/run-ui.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Conductor run script — UI (Next.js) for THIS workspace.
+#
+# Binds $CONDUCTOR_PORT + 1, talks to this workspace's backend on $CONDUCTOR_PORT,
+# and tags the build with the workspace identity (NEXT_PUBLIC_WORKSPACE_NAME) so
+# the in-app WorkspaceBadge shows which worktree you're looking at.
+# Runs in the FOREGROUND with exec (no &) so Conductor can stop it cleanly.
+set -euo pipefail
+cd "${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_PATH:-$PWD}"
+
+PORT="${CONDUCTOR_PORT:-8000}"
+UI_PORT="$((PORT + 1))"
+BACKEND="http://localhost:${PORT}"
+
+# Ensure node is on PATH (load nvm + honor .nvmrc if needed).
+if ! command -v node >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  export NVM_DIR="${NVM_DIR:-$HOME/.nvm}"
+  # shellcheck disable=SC1091
+  [[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ]] && . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
+  command -v nvm >/dev/null 2>&1 && nvm use >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+fi
+
+# Shell env overrides .env files in Next.js, so this points the UI at the right
+# backend and stamps the workspace name into the client bundle.
+export BACKEND_URL="$BACKEND"
+export NEXT_PUBLIC_BACKEND_URL="$BACKEND"
+export NEXT_PUBLIC_WORKSPACE_NAME="${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_NAME:-local}"
+
+cd ui
+echo "[ui] workspace=${NEXT_PUBLIC_WORKSPACE_NAME}  port=${UI_PORT}  backend=${BACKEND}"
+exec npm run dev -- --port "$UI_PORT"
diff --git a/.conductor/run-worker.sh b/.conductor/run-worker.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..d83ef222
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.conductor/run-worker.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Conductor run script — Arq background worker.
+#
+# Run this in ONE workspace only. Every workspace shares the same Redis/Postgres,
+# so a single arq worker drains the task queue for all of them — multiple workers
+# would just fight over the same jobs. Foreground exec so Conductor stops it cleanly.
+set -euo pipefail
+cd "${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_PATH:-$PWD}"
+
+if [[ -f api/.env ]]; then set -a; # shellcheck disable=SC1091
+  source api/.env; set +a; fi
+
+if [[ ! -d venv ]]; then
+  echo "ERROR: venv missing. Re-run workspace setup (.conductor/setup.sh)." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+# shellcheck disable=SC1091
+source venv/bin/activate
+
+echo "[worker] arq worker on shared Redis — workspace=${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_NAME:-?}"
+exec python -m arq api.tasks.arq.WorkerSettings --custom-log-dict api.tasks.arq.LOG_CONFIG
diff --git a/.conductor/settings.toml b/.conductor/settings.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..31afe775
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.conductor/settings.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# Conductor project config — shared, committed so every contributor (and every
+# new workspace) gets the same per-worktree dev workflow.
+#
+# Model: each Conductor workspace is its own git worktree and gets its own
+# 10-port range starting at $CONDUCTOR_PORT. We use:
+#     $CONDUCTOR_PORT       -> backend (FastAPI/uvicorn)
+#     $CONDUCTOR_PORT + 1   -> ui      (Next.js)
+#     +2 .. +9              -> reserved for future per-workspace services
+#
+# Postgres/Redis/MinIO are a single SHARED Docker stack (project name "dograh"),
+# not per-workspace — see .conductor/setup.sh and .conductor/README.md.
+"$schema" = "https://conductor.build/schemas/settings.repo.schema.json"
+
+[scripts]
+# Runs once when a workspace is created: copies gitignored env files, inits the
+# pipecat submodule, builds the venv + node_modules, ensures the shared Docker
+# stack, and runs migrations.
+setup = "bash .conductor/setup.sh"
+
+# concurrent => multiple workspaces can run their dev servers at the same time
+# (each on its own CONDUCTOR_PORT range), and within a workspace the backend +
+# ui + worker run buttons don't kill each other.
+run_mode = "concurrent"
+
+# Backend (FastAPI/uvicorn) on $CONDUCTOR_PORT. Default Run button.
+[scripts.run.backend]
+command = "bash .conductor/run-backend.sh"
+icon = "server"
+default = true
+
+# UI (Next.js) on $CONDUCTOR_PORT + 1, wired to this workspace's backend.
+[scripts.run.ui]
+command = "bash .conductor/run-ui.sh"
+icon = "play"
+
+# Arq background worker. Start in ONE workspace only — all workspaces share the
+# same Redis/Postgres, so a single worker drains the queue for everyone.
+[scripts.run.worker]
+command = "bash .conductor/run-worker.sh"
+icon = "server"
diff --git a/.conductor/setup.sh b/.conductor/setup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..e340c47d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.conductor/setup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Conductor setup script — runs ONCE when a workspace (git worktree) is created.
+#
+# A fresh worktree only has git-tracked files, so this recreates the rest: the
+# pipecat submodule checkout, a Python venv, ui/node_modules, the shared local
+# Docker stack, and the DB schema. (Gitignored env files are copied separately
+# by .worktreeinclude, BEFORE this script runs.)
+#
+# Conductor injects: CONDUCTOR_ROOT_PATH (main checkout), CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_PATH,
+# CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_NAME, CONDUCTOR_PORT (first of 10), CONDUCTOR_IS_LOCAL.
+set -euo pipefail
+
+ROOT="${CONDUCTOR_ROOT_PATH:-}"
+WS="${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_PATH:-$PWD}"
+cd "$WS"
+
+log() { printf '\n\033[1;36m[conductor-setup]\033[0m %s\n' "$*"; }
+
+# 1) Env files — normally copied by .worktreeinclude BEFORE this runs (the
+# Conductor-native file-copy mechanism). This block is only a FALLBACK so that
+# `bash .conductor/setup.sh` also works when run by hand outside Conductor: it
+# copies just the files that are still missing, and is a no-op under Conductor.
+if [[ -n "$ROOT" && "$ROOT" != "$WS" ]]; then
+  for f in api/.env api/.env.test ui/.env ui/.env.local ui/.env.sentry-build-plugin; do
+    if [[ ! -f "$f" && -f "$ROOT/$f" ]]; then
+      mkdir -p "$(dirname "$f")"
+      cp "$ROOT/$f" "$f"
+      log "fallback-copied $f (not present from .worktreeinclude)"
+    fi
+  done
+fi
+
+# 2) pipecat submodule — REQUIRED here, NOT redundant with step 3.
+# A fresh git worktree has an empty pipecat/. setup_requirements.sh --dev
+# (step 3) deliberately SKIPS `git submodule update` (it assumes CI already
+# checked out submodules) but still runs `uv pip install -e ./pipecat`, which
+# fails unless the checkout is already on disk. So we populate it first.
+log "Initializing git submodules (pipecat)"
+git submodule update --init --recursive
+
+# 3) Python venv with 3.13 + backend/pipecat deps ----------------------------
+# Bare `python3` may be 3.14 here; setup_requirements.sh requires 3.12/3.13.
+PY313="$(command -v python3.13 || true)"
+if [[ -z "$PY313" ]]; then
+  echo "ERROR: python3.13 not found. Install it (e.g. brew install python@3.13)." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+if [[ ! -d venv ]]; then
+  log "Creating venv with $PY313 ($("$PY313" --version))"
+  "$PY313" -m venv venv
+fi
+# shellcheck disable=SC1091
+source venv/bin/activate
+log "Installing backend + pipecat deps (uv) — this is the slow step"
+bash scripts/setup_requirements.sh --dev
+
+# 4) UI deps -----------------------------------------------------------------
+ensure_node() {
+  if ! command -v node >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    export NVM_DIR="${NVM_DIR:-$HOME/.nvm}"
+    # shellcheck disable=SC1091
+    [[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ]] && . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
+    command -v nvm >/dev/null 2>&1 && nvm use >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  fi
+}
+ensure_node
+log "Installing UI deps (npm install)"
+( cd ui && npm install )
+
+# 5) Shared local Docker stack (idempotent, pinned project name) -------------
+# All workspaces share ONE stack named "dograh" so they never collide on the
+# fixed Postgres/Redis/MinIO ports. If it's already up this is a no-op.
+if command -v docker >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  log "Ensuring shared Docker stack (COMPOSE_PROJECT_NAME=dograh)"
+  COMPOSE_PROJECT_NAME=dograh docker compose -f docker-compose-local.yaml up -d \
+    || echo "  (warning: could not start docker stack; start it manually)"
+else
+  echo "  (docker not found; start Postgres/Redis/MinIO yourself)"
+fi
+
+# 6) DB migrations (best-effort; shared DB, alembic is idempotent) -----------
+if [[ -f api/.env ]]; then
+  log "Running DB migrations (alembic upgrade head)"
+  set -a; # shellcheck disable=SC1091
+  source api/.env; set +a
+  alembic -c api/alembic.ini upgrade head || echo "  (warning: migrations skipped/failed — is the DB up?)"
+fi
+
+PORT="${CONDUCTOR_PORT:-8000}"
+log "Setup complete for '${CONDUCTOR_WORKSPACE_NAME:-?}'."
+echo "  Run menu: backend -> :${PORT}   ui -> :$((PORT + 1))   worker -> shared arq"
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 3c8c2366..22d3026d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ __pycache__
 .env.prod
 .env.test
 
+# Conductor personal/per-machine overrides (settings.toml IS committed)
+.conductor/settings.local.toml
+
 # logs and run directory on production
 /logs/
 /run/
diff --git a/.worktreeinclude b/.worktreeinclude
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..898da064
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.worktreeinclude
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# Conductor: gitignored files copied from the main checkout into every new
+# workspace (git worktree), BEFORE .conductor/setup.sh runs. These hold real
+# secrets and are .gitignored, so a fresh worktree wouldn't otherwise have them.
+# Patterns are gitignore-style. Adding this file overrides Conductor's default
+# ".env*" copy, so list everything local dev needs explicitly.
+api/.env
+api/.env.test
+ui/.env
+ui/.env.local
+ui/.env.sentry-build-plugin
diff --git a/ui/src/app/layout.tsx b/ui/src/app/layout.tsx
index 15b4cfb5..2b621682 100644
--- a/ui/src/app/layout.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/app/layout.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import PostHogIdentify from "@/components/PostHogIdentify";
 import { SentryErrorBoundary } from "@/components/SentryErrorBoundary";
 import SpinLoader from "@/components/SpinLoader";
 import { ThemeProvider } from "@/components/ThemeProvider";
+import WorkspaceBadge from "@/components/WorkspaceBadge";
 import { Toaster } from "@/components/ui/sonner";
 import { AppConfigProvider } from "@/context/AppConfigContext";
 import { OnboardingProvider } from "@/context/OnboardingContext";
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ export default function RootLayout({
             </AuthProvider>
           </SentryErrorBoundary>
         </ThemeProvider>
+        <WorkspaceBadge />
       </body>
     </html>
   );
diff --git a/ui/src/components/WorkspaceBadge.tsx b/ui/src/components/WorkspaceBadge.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bf7f61be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ui/src/components/WorkspaceBadge.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+"use client";
+
+import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
+
+/**
+ * Dev-only badge that proves which Conductor workspace this UI belongs to.
+ *
+ * Renders nothing unless NEXT_PUBLIC_WORKSPACE_NAME is set — which only happens
+ * when the UI is launched via .conductor/run-ui.sh. So production builds and a
+ * plain `npm run dev` are completely unaffected.
+ *
+ * The pill color is derived deterministically from the workspace name, so two
+ * worktrees running side by side are instantly distinguishable at a glance.
+ */
+export default function WorkspaceBadge() {
+  const workspace = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_WORKSPACE_NAME;
+  const backend = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_BACKEND_URL;
+  const [port, setPort] = useState("");
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setPort(window.location.port);
+  }, []);
+
+  if (!workspace) return null;
+
+  // Deterministic hue from the workspace name.
+  let hash = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < workspace.length; i++) {
+    hash = (hash * 31 + workspace.charCodeAt(i)) >>> 0;
+  }
+  const hue = hash % 360;
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="pointer-events-none fixed bottom-2 left-2 z-[9999] select-none rounded-full px-2.5 py-1 font-mono text-[11px] font-medium text-white shadow-md"
+      style={{ backgroundColor: `hsl(${hue} 70% 38% / 0.92)` }}
+      title={`Conductor workspace: ${workspace}\nUI port: ${port}\nBackend: ${backend ?? "?"}`}
+    >
+      ⬡ {workspace}
+      {port ? ` :${port}` : ""}
+    </div>
+  );
+}