diff --git a/src/application/LayoutReviewWidget.cpp b/src/application/LayoutReviewWidget.cpp
index fea327b..3e8e596 100644
--- a/src/application/LayoutReviewWidget.cpp
+++ b/src/application/LayoutReviewWidget.cpp
@@ -494,6 +494,9 @@ void LayoutReviewWidget::refreshApprovalState() {
 
     if (approveButton_ != nullptr) {
         approveButton_->setEnabled(!hasBlocking);
+        approveButton_->setToolTip(hasBlocking
+            ? "Resolve all blocking issues in the Issues panel before approving"
+            : "Approve this layout and proceed to Scenario Authoring");
     }
 
     if (approvalStatusLabel_ == nullptr) {
@@ -501,7 +504,7 @@ void LayoutReviewWidget::refreshApprovalState() {
     }
 
     if (hasBlocking) {
-        approvalStatusLabel_->setText("Resolve blocking issues first");
+        approvalStatusLabel_->setText("Resolve blocking issues to approve");
         return;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/application/NewProjectWidget.cpp b/src/application/NewProjectWidget.cpp
index 522decc..13f1093 100644
--- a/src/application/NewProjectWidget.cpp
+++ b/src/application/NewProjectWidget.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ NewProjectWidget::NewProjectWidget(QWidget* parent)
     layoutRow->setSpacing(12);
     auto* layoutBrowseButton = createOutlinedButton("Browse", this);
     layoutPathEdit_ = createTextInput(this);
-    layoutPathEdit_->setPlaceholderText("DXF file");
+    layoutPathEdit_->setPlaceholderText("Select a DXF file using Browse");
     layoutPathEdit_->setReadOnly(true);
     layoutPathEdit_->setStyleSheet(ui::textFieldStyleSheet(true));
     layoutPathEdit_->setMaximumWidth(760);
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ NewProjectWidget::NewProjectWidget(QWidget* parent)
     auto* cancelButton = createOutlinedButton("Cancel", this);
     auto* doneButton = createOutlinedButton("Done", this);
     doneButton->setStyleSheet(ui::primaryButtonStyleSheet());
+    doneButton->setToolTip("Project name, DXF layout file, and folder are all required");
     actionLayout->addWidget(cancelButton);
     actionLayout->addWidget(doneButton);
     cardLayout->addLayout(actionLayout);
diff --git a/src/application/ProjectListWidget.cpp b/src/application/ProjectListWidget.cpp
index d093e4e..89611ef 100644
--- a/src/application/ProjectListWidget.cpp
+++ b/src/application/ProjectListWidget.cpp
@@ -65,6 +65,11 @@ ProjectListWidget::ProjectListWidget(const QList<ProjectMetadata>& projects, QWi
         emptyLabel->setFont(ui::font(ui::FontRole::Body));
         emptyLabel->setStyleSheet(ui::mutedTextStyleSheet());
         layout->addWidget(emptyLabel);
+        auto* hintLabel = new QLabel("Use + New Project to create your first project.", this);
+        hintLabel->setFont(ui::font(ui::FontRole::Caption));
+        hintLabel->setStyleSheet(ui::subtleTextStyleSheet());
+        hintLabel->setWordWrap(true);
+        layout->addWidget(hintLabel);
     } else {
         for (const auto& project : projects) {
             addProjectRow(project);
diff --git a/src/application/ScenarioAuthoringWidget.cpp b/src/application/ScenarioAuthoringWidget.cpp
index 6cd05cb..ca1bc74 100644
--- a/src/application/ScenarioAuthoringWidget.cpp
+++ b/src/application/ScenarioAuthoringWidget.cpp
@@ -451,7 +451,16 @@ void ScenarioAuthoringWidget::refreshInspector() {
     }
     if (stageScenarioButton_ != nullptr) {
         stageScenarioButton_->setEnabled(hasScenario);
-        stageScenarioButton_->setText(hasScenario && scenario->stagedForRun ? "Staged for Run" : "Stage Scenario");
+        if (!hasScenario) {
+            stageScenarioButton_->setText("Stage Scenario");
+            stageScenarioButton_->setToolTip("Create a scenario first to enable staging");
+        } else if (scenario->stagedForRun) {
+            stageScenarioButton_->setText("Staged for Run");
+            stageScenarioButton_->setToolTip("Click to remove this scenario from the staged list");
+        } else {
+            stageScenarioButton_->setText("Stage Scenario");
+            stageScenarioButton_->setToolTip("Mark this scenario to be included in the next Run");
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -679,7 +688,8 @@ QWidget* ScenarioAuthoringWidget::createRunPanel() {
         return scenario.stagedForRun;
     });
     if (stagedCount == 0) {
-        lines << "No staged scenarios";
+        lines << "No scenarios staged for run.";
+        lines << "Select a scenario and click Stage Scenario to continue.";
     } else {
         lines << "Staged scenarios";
         for (const auto& scenario : scenarios_) {
@@ -698,6 +708,9 @@ QWidget* ScenarioAuthoringWidget::createRunPanel() {
     executeRunButton_->setFont(ui::font(ui::FontRole::Body));
     executeRunButton_->setStyleSheet(ui::primaryButtonStyleSheet());
     executeRunButton_->setEnabled(stagedCount > 0);
+    executeRunButton_->setToolTip(stagedCount > 0
+        ? "Start simulation for all staged scenarios"
+        : "Stage at least one baseline scenario before running");
     layout->addWidget(executeRunButton_);
     connect(executeRunButton_, &QPushButton::clicked, this, [this]() {
         runFirstStagedBaselineScenario();