diff --git a/docs/design/workspace-optional-repository.md b/docs/design/workspace-optional-repository.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fef47485a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/design/workspace-optional-repository.md
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Workspace creation with optional Repository intent
+
+A Workspace is usable without a Repository. Its initial Git Repository is an
+optional asset, not an identity or a prerequisite for connection. Creation does
+not initialize a Git repository or infer a replacement asset.
+
+## Creation and replay contract
+
+`POST /api/workspaces` accepts `operation_key`, `display_name`, and an optional
+`repository` intent. Omitted and explicit `null` both mean no initial Repository.
+An object is validated normally: a partial object, invalid URI, or invalid key is
+not treated as omission. Ownership comes from the authenticated request actor,
+not a caller-supplied owner field.
+
+The bootstrap transaction persists the Workspace, optional Repository, initial
+config, memory settings, Ticket/Objective/Worker resource-key counters, active
+signing identity, and create receipt together. Signing-material provisioning
+retains its existing durable reservation/recovery protocol; a failed bootstrap
+leaves no partially created Workspace or Repository.
+
+The fingerprint includes normalized creation intent and owner identity. No
+Repository differs from any Repository intent; repository-present fingerprints
+keep the existing encoding so saved create receipts remain replayable. The same
+operation key and input converge, including concurrent calls; changed input is a
+conflict. No schema migration is needed for the existing fingerprint/Workspace
+receipts.
+
+A replay is not a historical snapshot. It returns the current Workspace and
+config revision. If creation supplied a Repository, it returns the current
+record **at the originally requested key**. Removal or renaming away from that
+key produces `repository: null`; registration at that key later returns that
+current record. Replay never re-registers or resets an asset. If creation omitted
+a Repository, replay always returns `null`, even after other assets are added.
+
+## Entry points and zero-Repository use
+
+- Web creation requires only a display name. Optional Repository fields are
+  disclosed explicitly; Settings retains the later-registration entry point.
+- `yoi [--backend URL] workspace create --display-name NAME` creates without Git
+  discovery. Select the returned identity with `yoi --workspace-id ID`.
+- `yoi init` remains Git-oriented and still requires an explicit Repository key.
+- The TUI creation picker allows Enter at the optional URI prompt to skip Git
+  registration. Workspace selection and ordinary embedded Worker startup do not
+  require a Repository or Workdir. Operations that use Git/Workdirs retain their
+  own prerequisites.
+- Empty Repository lists are valid, without a missing-configuration warning.
+  Reopening and deletion use the usual Workspace authority and lifecycle guards;
+  in particular, the last-accessible-Workspace deletion guard is unchanged.
+
+The existing authenticated non-owner viewing policy is unchanged by optional
+creation. Owner-only mutations and owner-scoped catalog discovery are retained;
+these are not a claim that authentication alone proves per-Workspace viewing
+permission. The T-717 viewing-policy decision remains separate from the creation
+contract.
diff --git a/web/workspace/test/visual-review/README.md b/web/workspace/test/visual-review/README.md
index 5a7d08f23..843582e25 100644
--- a/web/workspace/test/visual-review/README.md
+++ b/web/workspace/test/visual-review/README.md
@@ -91,4 +91,3 @@ capture error is expected. To repeat dark captures, use a scenario copy with
   The Web parser uses the generated nullable creation-response type directly.
   Backend persistence/idempotency is covered separately by Store/catalog and
   real HTTP boundary tests in `yoi-workspace-server`.
-