diff --git a/sqlit/core/state_base.py b/sqlit/core/state_base.py
index d41197bc..139bf9fb 100644
--- a/sqlit/core/state_base.py
+++ b/sqlit/core/state_base.py
@@ -130,7 +130,10 @@ def allows(
             help_key=help_key or key,
             help_description=help,
         )
-        if key and label:
+        # A label means the author wants this in the footer. The display
+        # key can be omitted here and resolved at render time via the
+        # global keymap (see ActionSpec.get_display_binding).
+        if label:
             if right:
                 self._right_bindings.append(action_name)
             else:
diff --git a/sqlit/domains/explorer/state/tree_focused.py b/sqlit/domains/explorer/state/tree_focused.py
index 99731094..6fd292bb 100644
--- a/sqlit/domains/explorer/state/tree_focused.py
+++ b/sqlit/domains/explorer/state/tree_focused.py
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ def _setup_actions(self) -> None:
         self.allows("tree_cursor_down")  # vim j
         self.allows("tree_cursor_up")  # vim k
         self.allows("tree_filter", help="Filter items")
-        self.allows("enter_tree_visual_mode", label="Visual", help="Enter visual selection mode")
+        self.allows(
+            "enter_tree_visual_mode",
+            lambda app: app.tree_node_kind is not None,
+            label="Visual",
+            help="Enter visual selection mode",
+        )
 
     def is_active(self, app: InputContext) -> bool:
         return app.focus == "explorer" and not app.tree_filter_active
diff --git a/tests/ui/keybindings/test_state_machine.py b/tests/ui/keybindings/test_state_machine.py
index 6bcf7de2..72569100 100644
--- a/tests/ui/keybindings/test_state_machine.py
+++ b/tests/ui/keybindings/test_state_machine.py
@@ -177,3 +177,39 @@ def test_collapse_all_only_in_tree_mode(self):
             value_view_tree_mode=False,
         )
         assert sm.check_action(ctx, "collapse_all_json_nodes") is False
+
+
+class TestEmptyExplorerFooter:
+    """Empty-state footer must guide a first-time user toward `n` for New."""
+
+    def test_new_connection_in_footer_when_explorer_focused_empty(self):
+        sm = UIStateMachine()
+        ctx = make_context(focus="explorer", tree_node_kind=None)
+        left, _right = sm.get_display_bindings(ctx)
+        actions = [b.action for b in left]
+        assert "new_connection" in actions, (
+            "First-time users with no connections must see `n` for New "
+            "in the footer when the explorer is focused."
+        )
+
+    def test_refresh_tree_in_footer_when_explorer_focused_empty(self):
+        sm = UIStateMachine()
+        ctx = make_context(focus="explorer", tree_node_kind=None)
+        left, _right = sm.get_display_bindings(ctx)
+        actions = [b.action for b in left]
+        assert "refresh_tree" in actions
+
+    def test_visual_mode_hidden_from_footer_when_tree_empty(self):
+        """Visual selection mode only makes sense when there's something to select."""
+        sm = UIStateMachine()
+        ctx = make_context(focus="explorer", tree_node_kind=None)
+        left, _right = sm.get_display_bindings(ctx)
+        actions = [b.action for b in left]
+        assert "enter_tree_visual_mode" not in actions
+
+    def test_visual_mode_shown_in_footer_when_node_highlighted(self):
+        sm = UIStateMachine()
+        ctx = make_context(focus="explorer", tree_node_kind="connection")
+        left, _right = sm.get_display_bindings(ctx)
+        actions = [b.action for b in left]
+        assert "enter_tree_visual_mode" in actions