diff --git a/common/nvim/init.lua b/common/nvim/init.lua
index 87db4b7..2a3699c 100755
--- a/common/nvim/init.lua
+++ b/common/nvim/init.lua
@@ -167,7 +167,14 @@ if not minuet_base or minuet_base == "" then
     minuet_base = "https://llm.rcjohnstone.com"
 end
 
-require("minuet").setup({
+-- ⚠ pcall, because a hard require here takes the WHOLE config down with it.
+-- `vim.pack.add` installs on first launch, and that needs to reach github --
+-- which is not a given on a work-issued machine behind a proxy. Without this,
+-- a failed install means no MinuetStatus, no colorscheme, no anything below
+-- this line, and an error that points at minuet rather than at the network.
+local minuet_ok, minuet = pcall(require, "minuet")
+if minuet_ok then
+minuet.setup({
     provider = "openai_fim_compatible",
     -- Default is 'warn', which hides request failures. If completions stop
     -- appearing, set this to 'debug' and the reason shows up in `:messages`.
@@ -222,11 +229,15 @@ require("minuet").setup({
         },
     },
 })
+end
 
--- Because "is it on, and if not why" should be answerable without reading Lua.
+-- Registered UNCONDITIONALLY, so it can report the case where the plugin
+-- itself is missing. A status command that only exists when everything
+-- already works is not a status command.
 vim.api.nvim_create_user_command("MinuetStatus", function()
     local k = minuet_key()
     local lines = {
+        "plugin:   " .. (minuet_ok and "loaded" or "NOT INSTALLED -- run :lua vim.pack.update()"),
         "endpoint: " .. minuet_base .. "/v1/completions",
         "model:    qwen3-coder-30b",
         "key:      " .. (k and ("found (" .. #k .. " chars)") or "NOT FOUND"),