diff --git a/PlotLine.Tests/Program.cs b/PlotLine.Tests/Program.cs
index 72f2ae7..9fc3a09 100644
--- a/PlotLine.Tests/Program.cs
+++ b/PlotLine.Tests/Program.cs
@@ -101,6 +101,9 @@ var tests = new (string Name, Action Test)[]
     ("Writing workspace launcher uses progressive screen placement", WritingWorkspaceLauncherUsesProgressiveScreenPlacement),
     ("Writing workspace pages register roles without changing follow behavior", WritingWorkspacePagesRegisterRolesWithoutChangingFollowBehavior),
     ("Word Companion exposes writing workspace launch actions", WordCompanionExposesWritingWorkspaceLaunchActions),
+    ("Word Companion writing screens receive resolved context identifiers", WordCompanionWritingScreensReceiveResolvedContextIdentifiers),
+    ("Writing screens show diagnostic empty states", WritingScreensShowDiagnosticEmptyStates),
+    ("Word Companion three-screen flow logs connection identifiers", WordCompanionThreeScreenFlowLogsConnectionIdentifiers),
     ("Word manuscript cleanup classifies PlotDirector markers by tag only", WordManuscriptCleanupClassifiesPlotDirectorMarkersByTagOnly),
     ("Word manuscript cleanup preserves content controls content", WordManuscriptCleanupPreservesContentControlContent),
     ("Word manuscript cleanup UI separates unlink from clean unlink", WordManuscriptCleanupUiSeparatesUnlinkFromCleanUnlink),
@@ -428,6 +431,62 @@ static void WordCompanionExposesWritingWorkspaceLaunchActions()
     Assert(script.Contains("openWritingIntentButton?.addEventListener", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Word Companion Open Intent button should be wired.");
 }
 
+static void WordCompanionWritingScreensReceiveResolvedContextIdentifiers()
+{
+    var root = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "../../../../PlotLine");
+    var script = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "wwwroot/js/word-companion-host.js"));
+    var controller = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Controllers/WritingController.cs"));
+    var contextView = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Views/Writing/Context.cshtml"));
+    var intentView = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Views/Writing/Intent.cshtml"));
+
+    Assert(script.Contains("const chapterId = Number.isInteger(resolvedChapterId)", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Word Companion should prefer resolved chapter IDs for writing screen URLs.");
+    Assert(script.Contains("const sceneId = Number.isInteger(resolvedSceneId)", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Word Companion should prefer resolved scene IDs for writing screen URLs.");
+    Assert(script.Contains("url.searchParams.set(\"chapterId\", chapterId)", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing screen URLs should include chapterId when available.");
+    Assert(script.Contains("url.searchParams.set(\"sceneId\", sceneId)", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing screen URLs should include sceneId when available.");
+    Assert(script.Contains("url.searchParams.set(\"documentGuid\", documentGuid)", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing screen URLs should include documentGuid for diagnostics.");
+    Assert(controller.Contains("Guid? documentGuid", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing routes should accept the Word document identifier.");
+    Assert(contextView.Contains("data-document-guid=\"@Model.DocumentGuid\"", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing Context should retain the document identifier.");
+    Assert(intentView.Contains("data-document-guid=\"@Model.DocumentGuid\"", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing Intent should retain the document identifier.");
+}
+
+static void WritingScreensShowDiagnosticEmptyStates()
+{
+    var root = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "../../../../PlotLine");
+    var viewModel = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "ViewModels/CoreViewModels.cs"));
+    var controller = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Controllers/WritingController.cs"));
+    var contextPartial = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml"));
+    var intentPartial = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml"));
+    var follow = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "wwwroot/js/writing-follow.js"));
+
+    Assert(viewModel.Contains("EmptyTitle", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing display models should carry an empty-state title.");
+    Assert(viewModel.Contains("EmptyMessage", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing display models should carry an empty-state message.");
+    Assert(controller.Contains("No current Word scene received", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing routes should not default to Waiting for Word forever.");
+    Assert(controller.Contains("No Story Intelligence context is available", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing Context should report missing context clearly.");
+    Assert(controller.Contains("No writing intent is available", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing Intent should report missing intent clearly.");
+    Assert(contextPartial.Contains("@Model.EmptyTitle", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing Context empty state should render the diagnostic title.");
+    Assert(intentPartial.Contains("@Model.EmptyMessage", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing Intent empty state should render the diagnostic message.");
+    Assert(follow.Contains("setEmptyState", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing follow should update empty states after connection/fetch failures.");
+    Assert(follow.Contains("No current Word scene has been received", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Writing follow should replace indefinite waiting with a diagnostic message.");
+}
+
+static void WordCompanionThreeScreenFlowLogsConnectionIdentifiers()
+{
+    var root = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "../../../../PlotLine");
+    var hostController = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Controllers/WordCompanionHostController.cs"));
+    var wordController = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Controllers/WordCompanionController.cs"));
+    var hub = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "Hubs/WordCompanionFollowHub.cs"));
+    var hostScript = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "wwwroot/js/word-companion-host.js"));
+    var follow = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(root, "wwwroot/js/writing-follow.js"));
+
+    Assert(hostController.Contains("Serving Word Companion host", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Word Companion host route should log which host page is served.");
+    Assert(wordController.Contains("Word Companion current scene received", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Current-scene API should log received identifiers.");
+    Assert(wordController.Contains("DocumentGuidPresent", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Current-scene API should log document identifier presence without exposing the value.");
+    Assert(hub.Contains("Word Companion registered", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Companion SignalR registration should be logged.");
+    Assert(hub.Contains("Writing window registered", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Context/Intent window registration should be logged.");
+    Assert(hostScript.Contains("[Word Companion] Opening writing screen.", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Host UI should log direct writing screen opens.");
+    Assert(follow.Contains("Loading writing position", StringComparison.Ordinal), "Context/Intent follow helper should log received positions.");
+}
+
 static void WordManuscriptCleanupClassifiesPlotDirectorMarkersByTagOnly()
 {
     var root = Path.Combine(AppContext.BaseDirectory, "../../../../PlotLine");
diff --git a/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionController.cs b/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionController.cs
index 978b148..aa6ae8d 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionController.cs
+++ b/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionController.cs
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ namespace PlotLine.Controllers;
 public sealed class WordCompanionController(
     IWordCompanionService wordCompanion,
     IWordCompanionPresenceService presence,
-    IHubContext<WordCompanionFollowHub> followHub) : ControllerBase
+    IHubContext<WordCompanionFollowHub> followHub,
+    ILogger<WordCompanionController> logger) : ControllerBase
 {
     [HttpGet("projects")]
     public Task<WordCompanionProjectsResponse> GetProjects() => wordCompanion.ListProjectsAsync();
@@ -125,13 +126,34 @@ public sealed class WordCompanionController(
     [HttpPost("runtime/current-scene")]
     public async Task<IActionResult> UpdateRuntimeCurrentScene(WordCompanionRuntimeCurrentSceneRequest request)
     {
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Word Companion current scene received. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID} SceneID={SceneID} DocumentGuidPresent={DocumentGuidPresent}",
+            request.ProjectId,
+            request.BookId,
+            request.ChapterId,
+            request.SceneId,
+            request.DocumentGuid != Guid.Empty);
+
         var response = await wordCompanion.ValidateRuntimeCurrentSceneAsync(request);
         if (response is null)
         {
+            logger.LogWarning(
+                "Word Companion current scene rejected. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID} SceneID={SceneID} DocumentGuidPresent={DocumentGuidPresent}",
+                request.ProjectId,
+                request.BookId,
+                request.ChapterId,
+                request.SceneId,
+                request.DocumentGuid != Guid.Empty);
             return BadRequest();
         }
 
         await presence.UpdateCurrentStoryPositionAsync(RequireUserId(), response.Position);
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Word Companion current scene accepted. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID} SceneID={SceneID}",
+            response.ProjectId,
+            response.BookId,
+            response.ChapterId,
+            response.SceneId);
 
         await BroadcastToCurrentUserAsync("wordCompanionSceneChanged", new
         {
diff --git a/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionHostController.cs b/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionHostController.cs
index 39ec67e..61b33cf 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionHostController.cs
+++ b/PlotLine/Controllers/WordCompanionHostController.cs
@@ -7,13 +7,21 @@ namespace PlotLine.Controllers;
 
 [AllowAnonymous]
 [Route("word-companion")]
-public sealed class WordCompanionHostController(ICurrentUserService currentUser, IAuthorizationService authorization) : Controller
+public sealed class WordCompanionHostController(
+    ICurrentUserService currentUser,
+    IAuthorizationService authorization,
+    ILogger<WordCompanionHostController> logger) : Controller
 {
     [HttpGet("")]
     public async Task<IActionResult> Index()
     {
         var isAdmin = currentUser.IsAuthenticated
             && (await authorization.AuthorizeAsync(User, "AdminOnly")).Succeeded;
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Serving Word Companion host. IsAuthenticated={IsAuthenticated} UserID={UserID} IsAdmin={IsAdmin}",
+            currentUser.IsAuthenticated,
+            currentUser.UserId,
+            isAdmin);
 
         return View(new WordCompanionHostViewModel
         {
@@ -25,4 +33,3 @@ public sealed class WordCompanionHostController(ICurrentUserService currentUser,
         });
     }
 }
-
diff --git a/PlotLine/Controllers/WritingController.cs b/PlotLine/Controllers/WritingController.cs
index 8ff8e4e..b053f8f 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Controllers/WritingController.cs
+++ b/PlotLine/Controllers/WritingController.cs
@@ -13,37 +13,60 @@ public sealed class WritingController(
     IStoryContextService storyContext,
     IRelationshipMapService relationshipMap,
     IFloorPlanService floorPlans,
-    IWriterWorkspaceService writerWorkspace) : Controller
+    IWriterWorkspaceService writerWorkspace,
+    ILogger<WritingController> logger) : Controller
 {
     [HttpGet("Context")]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Context(int? projectId, int? bookId, int? chapterId, int? sceneId)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Context(int? projectId, int? bookId, int? chapterId, int? sceneId, Guid? documentGuid)
     {
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Opening Writing Context. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID} SceneID={SceneID} DocumentGuidPresent={DocumentGuidPresent}",
+            projectId,
+            bookId,
+            chapterId,
+            sceneId,
+            documentGuid.HasValue);
+
+        var display = sceneId.HasValue
+            ? await BuildDisplayAsync(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId, "Manual context")
+            : WaitingContextDisplay(projectId, bookId, documentGuid);
+
         var model = new WritingContextPageViewModel
         {
             ProjectID = projectId,
             BookID = bookId,
             ChapterID = chapterId,
             SceneID = sceneId,
-            Display = sceneId.HasValue
-                ? await BuildDisplayAsync(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId, "Manual context")
-                : new WritingContextDisplayViewModel { FollowStatus = "Connected, waiting for scene" }
+            DocumentGuid = documentGuid,
+            Display = display ?? MissingContextDisplay(projectId, bookId, sceneId)
         };
 
         return View(model);
     }
 
     [HttpGet("Intent")]
-    public async Task<IActionResult> Intent(int? projectId, int? bookId, int? chapterId, int? sceneId)
+    public async Task<IActionResult> Intent(int? projectId, int? bookId, int? chapterId, int? sceneId, Guid? documentGuid)
     {
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Opening Writing Intent. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID} SceneID={SceneID} DocumentGuidPresent={DocumentGuidPresent}",
+            projectId,
+            bookId,
+            chapterId,
+            sceneId,
+            documentGuid.HasValue);
+
+        var display = sceneId.HasValue || chapterId.HasValue
+            ? await BuildIntentDisplayAsync(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId, "Manual intent")
+            : WaitingIntentDisplay(projectId, bookId, documentGuid);
+
         var model = new WritingIntentPageViewModel
         {
             ProjectID = projectId,
             BookID = bookId,
             ChapterID = chapterId,
             SceneID = sceneId,
-            Display = sceneId.HasValue || chapterId.HasValue
-                ? await BuildIntentDisplayAsync(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId, "Manual intent")
-                : new WritingIntentDisplayViewModel { FollowStatus = "Connected, waiting for scene" }
+            DocumentGuid = documentGuid,
+            Display = display ?? MissingIntentDisplay(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId)
         };
 
         return View(model);
@@ -54,16 +77,18 @@ public sealed class WritingController(
     {
         if (!sceneId.HasValue)
         {
-            return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml", new WritingContextDisplayViewModel
-            {
-                FollowStatus = "Connected, waiting for scene"
-            });
+            logger.LogWarning("Writing Context partial requested without SceneID. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID}", projectId, bookId, chapterId);
+            return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml", WaitingContextDisplay(projectId, bookId, null));
         }
 
         var model = await BuildDisplayAsync(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId, "Following Word");
-        return model?.HasScene == true
-            ? PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml", model)
-            : NotFound();
+        if (model?.HasScene == true)
+        {
+            return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml", model);
+        }
+
+        logger.LogWarning("Writing Context could not resolve scene. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID} SceneID={SceneID}", projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId);
+        return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml", MissingContextDisplay(projectId, bookId, sceneId));
     }
 
     [HttpGet("Intent/Scene")]
@@ -71,16 +96,18 @@ public sealed class WritingController(
     {
         if (!sceneId.HasValue && !chapterId.HasValue)
         {
-            return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml", new WritingIntentDisplayViewModel
-            {
-                FollowStatus = "Connected, waiting for scene"
-            });
+            logger.LogWarning("Writing Intent partial requested without ChapterID or SceneID. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID}", projectId, bookId);
+            return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml", WaitingIntentDisplay(projectId, bookId, null));
         }
 
         var model = await BuildIntentDisplayAsync(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId, "Following Word");
-        return model is not null && (model.HasScene || model.HasChapter)
-            ? PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml", model)
-            : NotFound();
+        if (model is not null && (model.HasScene || model.HasChapter))
+        {
+            return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml", model);
+        }
+
+        logger.LogWarning("Writing Intent could not resolve chapter/scene. ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} ChapterID={ChapterID} SceneID={SceneID}", projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId);
+        return PartialView("~/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml", MissingIntentDisplay(projectId, bookId, chapterId, sceneId));
     }
 
     private async Task<WritingContextDisplayViewModel?> BuildDisplayAsync(int? projectId, int? bookId, int? chapterId, int? sceneId, string followStatus)
@@ -188,4 +215,42 @@ public sealed class WritingController(
             .ToList()
             ?? [];
     }
+
+    private static WritingContextDisplayViewModel WaitingContextDisplay(int? projectId, int? bookId, Guid? documentGuid) => new()
+    {
+        FollowStatus = "No current Word scene received",
+        EmptyTitle = "No current Word scene received",
+        EmptyMessage = MissingScopeMessage(projectId, bookId, documentGuid, "Context")
+    };
+
+    private static WritingIntentDisplayViewModel WaitingIntentDisplay(int? projectId, int? bookId, Guid? documentGuid) => new()
+    {
+        FollowStatus = "No current Word scene received",
+        EmptyTitle = "No current Word scene received",
+        EmptyMessage = MissingScopeMessage(projectId, bookId, documentGuid, "Intent")
+    };
+
+    private static WritingContextDisplayViewModel MissingContextDisplay(int? projectId, int? bookId, int? sceneId) => new()
+    {
+        FollowStatus = "Context unavailable",
+        EmptyTitle = "No Story Intelligence context is available",
+        EmptyMessage = $"PlotDirector could not load context for scene {sceneId?.ToString() ?? "unknown"} in project {projectId?.ToString() ?? "unknown"}, book {bookId?.ToString() ?? "unknown"}."
+    };
+
+    private static WritingIntentDisplayViewModel MissingIntentDisplay(int? projectId, int? bookId, int? chapterId, int? sceneId) => new()
+    {
+        FollowStatus = "Intent unavailable",
+        EmptyTitle = "No writing intent is available",
+        EmptyMessage = $"PlotDirector could not load writing intent for chapter {chapterId?.ToString() ?? "unknown"}, scene {sceneId?.ToString() ?? "none"} in project {projectId?.ToString() ?? "unknown"}, book {bookId?.ToString() ?? "unknown"}."
+    };
+
+    private static string MissingScopeMessage(int? projectId, int? bookId, Guid? documentGuid, string screen)
+    {
+        if (!projectId.HasValue || !bookId.HasValue)
+        {
+            return $"{screen} did not receive a project/book from Word Companion. Reopen it from a linked manuscript, or choose a scene manually.";
+        }
+
+        return $"Waiting for Word Companion to report the current scene for project {projectId}, book {bookId}{(documentGuid.HasValue ? " and this Word document" : "")}.";
+    }
 }
diff --git a/PlotLine/Hubs/WordCompanionFollowHub.cs b/PlotLine/Hubs/WordCompanionFollowHub.cs
index 5093655..817f9b7 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Hubs/WordCompanionFollowHub.cs
+++ b/PlotLine/Hubs/WordCompanionFollowHub.cs
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ public sealed class WordCompanionFollowHub(
     IWritingWorkspacePresenceService writingPresence,
     IOnboardingRepository onboarding,
     IManuscriptScanPreviewStore scanStore,
-    IOnboardingService onboardingService) : Hub
+    IOnboardingService onboardingService,
+    ILogger<WordCompanionFollowHub> logger) : Hub
 {
     public override async Task OnConnectedAsync()
     {
@@ -41,6 +42,12 @@ public sealed class WordCompanionFollowHub(
         }
 
         var status = await presence.RegisterAsync(userId, Context.ConnectionId, registration);
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Word Companion registered. UserID={UserID} ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} DocumentOpen={DocumentOpen}",
+            userId,
+            registration.LinkedProjectID,
+            registration.LinkedBookID,
+            registration.DocumentOpen);
         await Clients.Group(PresenceGroup(userId)).SendAsync("WordCompanionPresenceChanged", status);
         await BroadcastWritingWorkspaceStatusAsync(userId, registration.LinkedProjectID, registration.LinkedBookID);
         return status;
@@ -50,6 +57,12 @@ public sealed class WordCompanionFollowHub(
     {
         var userId = RequireUserId();
         var status = await presence.HeartbeatAsync(userId, Context.ConnectionId, heartbeat);
+        logger.LogDebug(
+            "Word Companion heartbeat. UserID={UserID} ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} DocumentOpen={DocumentOpen}",
+            userId,
+            heartbeat.LinkedProjectID,
+            heartbeat.LinkedBookID,
+            heartbeat.DocumentOpen);
         await Clients.Group(PresenceGroup(userId)).SendAsync("WordCompanionPresenceChanged", status);
         await BroadcastWritingWorkspaceStatusAsync(userId, heartbeat.LinkedProjectID, heartbeat.LinkedBookID);
         return status;
@@ -59,6 +72,11 @@ public sealed class WordCompanionFollowHub(
     {
         var userId = RequireUserId();
         await Groups.AddToGroupAsync(Context.ConnectionId, PresenceGroup(userId));
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Writing workspace watched. UserID={UserID} ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID}",
+            userId,
+            scope.ProjectID,
+            scope.BookID);
         return await WritingWorkspaceStatusAsync(userId, scope);
     }
 
@@ -67,6 +85,13 @@ public sealed class WordCompanionFollowHub(
         var userId = RequireUserId();
         await Groups.AddToGroupAsync(Context.ConnectionId, PresenceGroup(userId));
         var status = await writingPresence.RegisterAsync(userId, Context.ConnectionId, registration, await presence.GetStatusAsync(userId));
+        logger.LogInformation(
+            "Writing window registered. UserID={UserID} Role={Role} ProjectID={ProjectID} BookID={BookID} Route={Route}",
+            userId,
+            registration.WritingRole,
+            registration.ProjectID,
+            registration.BookID,
+            registration.CurrentRoute);
         await Clients.Group(PresenceGroup(userId)).SendAsync("WritingWorkspacePresenceChanged", status);
         return status;
     }
diff --git a/PlotLine/ViewModels/CoreViewModels.cs b/PlotLine/ViewModels/CoreViewModels.cs
index ff064e7..49cc600 100644
--- a/PlotLine/ViewModels/CoreViewModels.cs
+++ b/PlotLine/ViewModels/CoreViewModels.cs
@@ -435,6 +435,7 @@ public sealed class WritingContextPageViewModel
     public int? BookID { get; set; }
     public int? ChapterID { get; set; }
     public int? SceneID { get; set; }
+    public Guid? DocumentGuid { get; set; }
     public WritingContextDisplayViewModel? Display { get; set; }
 }
 
@@ -444,6 +445,8 @@ public sealed class WritingContextDisplayViewModel
     public RelationshipMapViewModel? RelationshipMap { get; set; }
     public FloorPlanEditorViewModel? FloorPlan { get; set; }
     public string FollowStatus { get; set; } = "Connected, waiting for scene";
+    public string EmptyTitle { get; set; } = "No current Word scene";
+    public string EmptyMessage { get; set; } = "Open a linked manuscript or choose a scene manually once context is available.";
     public IReadOnlyList<SelectListItem> SceneOptions { get; set; } = [];
     public bool HasScene => Context?.Scene is not null;
 }
@@ -454,6 +457,7 @@ public sealed class WritingIntentPageViewModel
     public int? BookID { get; set; }
     public int? ChapterID { get; set; }
     public int? SceneID { get; set; }
+    public Guid? DocumentGuid { get; set; }
     public WritingIntentDisplayViewModel? Display { get; set; }
 }
 
@@ -462,6 +466,8 @@ public sealed class WritingIntentDisplayViewModel
     public StoryContextViewModel? Context { get; set; }
     public ChapterWorkflowViewModel? ChapterWorkflow { get; set; }
     public string FollowStatus { get; set; } = "Connected, waiting for scene";
+    public string EmptyTitle { get; set; } = "No current Word scene";
+    public string EmptyMessage { get; set; } = "Open a linked manuscript or choose a planned chapter or scene once intent is available.";
     public IReadOnlyList<SelectListItem> SceneOptions { get; set; } = [];
     public bool HasScene => Context?.Scene is not null;
     public bool HasChapter => ChapterWorkflow?.Chapter is not null || Context?.Chapter is not null;
diff --git a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Context.cshtml b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Context.cshtml
index db05315..f04f8f4 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Context.cshtml
+++ b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Context.cshtml
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
       data-writing-context
       data-context-url="@Url.Action("ContextScene", "Writing")"
       data-scope-project-id="@Model.ProjectID"
-      data-scope-book-id="@Model.BookID">
+      data-scope-book-id="@Model.BookID"
+      data-document-guid="@Model.DocumentGuid">
     <header class="writing-context-shell-header">
         <div>
             <p class="eyebrow">Writing Context</p>
diff --git a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Intent.cshtml b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Intent.cshtml
index 1a85bd0..91c5bc4 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Intent.cshtml
+++ b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/Intent.cshtml
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@
       data-writing-intent
       data-context-url="@Url.Action("IntentScene", "Writing")"
       data-scope-project-id="@Model.ProjectID"
-      data-scope-book-id="@Model.BookID">
+      data-scope-book-id="@Model.BookID"
+      data-document-guid="@Model.DocumentGuid">
     <header class="writing-context-shell-header">
         <div>
             <p class="eyebrow">Writing Intent</p>
diff --git a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml
index 4537371..5cf8f16 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml
+++ b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingContextContent.cshtml
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
     @if (scene is null)
     {
         <section class="writing-context-empty">
-            <p class="eyebrow">Waiting</p>
-            <h2>Waiting for Word...</h2>
-            <p>Open a linked manuscript or choose a scene manually once context is available.</p>
+            <p class="eyebrow">Context</p>
+            <h2>@Model.EmptyTitle</h2>
+            <p>@Model.EmptyMessage</p>
         </section>
     }
     else
diff --git a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml
index ae66725..f8c9024 100644
--- a/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml
+++ b/PlotLine/Views/Writing/_WritingIntentContent.cshtml
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@
     @if (!Model.HasChapter && scene is null)
     {
         <section class="writing-context-empty">
-            <p class="eyebrow">Waiting</p>
-            <h2>Waiting for Word...</h2>
-            <p>Open a linked manuscript or choose a planned chapter or scene once intent is available.</p>
+            <p class="eyebrow">Intent</p>
+            <h2>@Model.EmptyTitle</h2>
+            <p>@Model.EmptyMessage</p>
         </section>
     }
     else
diff --git a/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/word-companion-host.js b/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/word-companion-host.js
index e6b0619..1912b0e 100644
--- a/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/word-companion-host.js
+++ b/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/word-companion-host.js
@@ -1366,24 +1366,44 @@
     const writingWorkspaceUrl = (target) => {
         const scope = writingWorkspaceScope();
         const url = new URL(target === "workspace" ? "/Writer" : `/Writing/${target}`, window.location.origin);
+        const chapterId = Number.isInteger(resolvedChapterId) && resolvedChapterId > 0
+            ? resolvedChapterId
+            : detectedChapterAnchorId;
+        const sceneId = Number.isInteger(resolvedSceneId) && resolvedSceneId > 0
+            ? resolvedSceneId
+            : detectedSceneAnchorId;
+        const documentGuid = currentDocumentGuid();
         if (scope.projectId) {
             url.searchParams.set("projectId", scope.projectId);
         }
         if (scope.bookId && target !== "workspace") {
             url.searchParams.set("bookId", scope.bookId);
         }
-        if (detectedChapterAnchorId && target !== "workspace") {
-            url.searchParams.set("chapterId", detectedChapterAnchorId);
+        if (chapterId && target !== "workspace") {
+            url.searchParams.set("chapterId", chapterId);
         }
-        if (detectedSceneAnchorId && target !== "workspace") {
-            url.searchParams.set("sceneId", detectedSceneAnchorId);
+        if (sceneId && target !== "workspace") {
+            url.searchParams.set("sceneId", sceneId);
+        }
+        if (documentGuid && target !== "workspace") {
+            url.searchParams.set("documentGuid", documentGuid);
         }
         return `${url.pathname}${url.search}`;
     };
 
     const openWritingWindow = (target) => {
         const role = target === "context" ? "Context" : target === "intent" ? "Intent" : "Workspace";
-        const opened = window.open(writingWorkspaceUrl(target), writingWindowName(role));
+        const url = writingWorkspaceUrl(target);
+        console.info("[Word Companion] Opening writing screen.", {
+            target,
+            url,
+            projectId: selectedPresenceProjectId(),
+            bookId: selectedPresenceBookId(),
+            chapterId: resolvedChapterId || detectedChapterAnchorId || null,
+            sceneId: resolvedSceneId || detectedSceneAnchorId || null,
+            documentGuidPresent: !!currentDocumentGuid()
+        });
+        const opened = window.open(url, writingWindowName(role));
         if (opened) {
             opened.focus();
         } else {
@@ -1420,6 +1440,7 @@
             return;
         }
 
+        console.debug("[Word Companion] Sending presence heartbeat.", companionPresencePayload());
         await companionPresenceConnection.invoke("CompanionHeartbeat", companionPresencePayload());
     };
 
@@ -1454,6 +1475,7 @@
         });
 
         await companionPresenceConnection.start();
+        console.info("[Word Companion] Registering companion presence.", companionPresencePayload());
         await companionPresenceConnection.invoke("RegisterCompanion", companionPresencePayload());
         companionPresenceHeartbeatTimer = window.setInterval(refreshCompanionPresence, 25000);
     };
diff --git a/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/writing-follow.js b/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/writing-follow.js
index 8bcb006..03155e8 100644
--- a/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/writing-follow.js
+++ b/PlotLine/wwwroot/js/writing-follow.js
@@ -48,6 +48,26 @@
       }
     };
 
+    const setEmptyState = (title, message) => {
+      const empty = contentHost?.querySelector(".writing-context-empty");
+      const heading = empty?.querySelector("h2");
+      const copy = empty?.querySelector("p:last-child");
+      if (heading && title) {
+        heading.textContent = title;
+      }
+      if (copy && message) {
+        copy.textContent = message;
+      }
+    };
+
+    const noCurrentSceneMessage = () => {
+      const bits = [];
+      if (scopedProjectId) bits.push(`project ${scopedProjectId}`);
+      if (scopedBookId) bits.push(`book ${scopedBookId}`);
+      const scope = bits.length ? ` for ${bits.join(", ")}` : "";
+      return `No current Word scene has been received${scope}. Reopen this screen from Word Companion after the manuscript scene is detected, or choose a scene manually.`;
+    };
+
     const registerWorkspaceRole = () => {
       const role = config.source === "WritingContext"
         ? window.PlotDirectorWritingWorkspace?.roles?.context
@@ -201,6 +221,7 @@
       if (hasScene) url.searchParams.set("sceneId", position.sceneId);
 
       try {
+        console.info(`[${config.source}] Loading writing position.`, position);
         const response = await fetch(url, { headers: { "X-Requested-With": "XMLHttpRequest" } });
         if (!response.ok) {
           throw new Error(`${config.source} request failed: ${response.status}`);
@@ -216,8 +237,12 @@
         wireFragment();
         activateTab(tab);
       } catch (error) {
-        console.debug(`${config.source} could not update.`, error);
-        setStatus(config.waitingStatus);
+        console.warn(`${config.source} could not update.`, error);
+        setStatus("Context unavailable");
+        setEmptyState(
+          config.source === "WritingIntent" ? "No writing intent is available" : "No Story Intelligence context is available",
+          `PlotDirector could not load ${config.source === "WritingIntent" ? "intent" : "context"} for the selected Word position. Check that the scene belongs to this project/book and that import data exists.`
+        );
       } finally {
         loadingSceneId = null;
         loadingChapterId = null;
@@ -250,15 +275,24 @@
           }
 
           if (!currentSceneId && !(config.allowChapterOnly && currentChapterId)) {
-            setStatus(config.waitingStatus);
+            setStatus("No current Word scene received");
+            setEmptyState("No current Word scene received", noCurrentSceneMessage());
           }
         })
         .catch((error) => {
-          console.debug(`${config.source} follow connection unavailable.`, error);
+          console.warn(`${config.source} follow connection unavailable.`, error);
           setStatus(config.disconnectedStatus);
+          setEmptyState(
+            "Word Companion connection unavailable",
+            `This ${config.source === "WritingIntent" ? "Intent" : "Context"} screen could not connect to the Word Companion session. Reopen it from Word Companion, or use the manual scene controls.`
+          );
         });
     } else {
       setStatus(config.disconnectedStatus);
+      setEmptyState(
+        "Word Companion connection unavailable",
+        "SignalR did not load for this screen, so live Word updates are unavailable. Use a URL with project/book/scene IDs or the manual scene controls."
+      );
     }
 
     wireFragment();