diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/middleware_test.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/middleware_test.go
index 739526da9b..1abdb5b79f 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/middleware_test.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/middleware_test.go
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ func TestServerMiddleware(t *testing.T) {
 		Name:    "test-server",
 		Version: "1.0.0",
 	}
-	server := mcp.NewServer(impl, nil)
+	server := mcp.NewServer(impl, nil, nil)
 
 	var executionOrder []string
 
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ func TestServerSessionPersistence(t *testing.T) {
 		Name:    "test-server",
 		Version: "1.0.0",
 	}
-	server := mcp.NewServer(impl, nil)
+	server := mcp.NewServer(impl, nil, nil)
 
 	// Add middleware that increments a counter
 	server.AddMiddlewareFunc(func(ctx *mcp.MiddlewareContext, next mcp.NextFunc) (*mcp.CallToolResult, error) {
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/server.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/server.go
index 2c677dfe99..7e9d79f7b1 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/server.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp/server.go
@@ -30,11 +30,15 @@ type serverTool struct {
 }
 
 // NewServer creates a new MCP server.
-func NewServer(impl *Implementation, options any) *Server {
+// If sess is nil, a new session will be created.
+func NewServer(impl *Implementation, options any, sess *session.Session) *Server {
+	if sess == nil {
+		sess = session.NewSession()
+	}
 	return &Server{
 		impl:    impl,
 		tools:   make(map[string]*serverTool),
-		session: session.NewSession(),
+		session: sess,
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/databricks_client.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/databricks_client.go
index b7a9bf7146..4190b22db9 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/databricks_client.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/databricks_client.go
@@ -9,13 +9,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/mcp"
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/prompts"
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/session"
+	"github.com/databricks/cli/libs/databrickscfg/profile"
 	"github.com/databricks/databricks-sdk-go"
 	"github.com/databricks/databricks-sdk-go/config"
 	"github.com/databricks/databricks-sdk-go/httpclient"
 )
 
 const (
-	DatabricksClientKey = "databricks_client"
+	DatabricksClientKey  = "databricks_client"
+	DatabricksProfileKey = "databricks_profile"
 )
 
 func NewDatabricksClientMiddleware(unauthorizedToolNames []string) mcp.Middleware {
@@ -40,8 +42,41 @@ func NewDatabricksClientMiddleware(unauthorizedToolNames []string) mcp.Middlewar
 	})
 }
 
-func MustGetApiClient(ctx context.Context) (*httpclient.ApiClient, error) {
-	w := MustGetDatabricksClient(ctx)
+func GetDatabricksProfile(ctx context.Context) string {
+	sess, err := session.GetSession(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	profile, ok := sess.Get(DatabricksProfileKey)
+	if !ok {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return profile.(string)
+}
+
+// GetAvailableProfiles returns all available profiles from ~/.databrickscfg.
+func GetAvailableProfiles(ctx context.Context) profile.Profiles {
+	profiles, err := profile.DefaultProfiler.LoadProfiles(ctx, profile.MatchAllProfiles)
+	if err != nil {
+		// If we can't load profiles, return empty list (config file might not exist)
+		return profile.Profiles{}
+	}
+	return profiles
+}
+
+func MustGetApiClient(ctx context.Context) *httpclient.ApiClient {
+	client, err := GetApiClient(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+	return client
+}
+
+func GetApiClient(ctx context.Context) (*httpclient.ApiClient, error) {
+	w, err := GetDatabricksClient(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	clientCfg, err := config.HTTPClientConfigFromConfig(w.Config)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create HTTP client config: %w", err)
@@ -64,7 +99,7 @@ func GetDatabricksClient(ctx context.Context) (*databricks.WorkspaceClient, erro
 	}
 	w, ok := sess.Get(DatabricksClientKey)
 	if !ok {
-		return nil, errors.New(prompts.MustExecuteTemplate("auth_error.tmpl", nil))
+		return nil, newAuthError(ctx)
 	}
 	return w.(*databricks.WorkspaceClient), nil
 }
@@ -72,20 +107,28 @@ func GetDatabricksClient(ctx context.Context) (*databricks.WorkspaceClient, erro
 func checkAuth(ctx context.Context) (*databricks.WorkspaceClient, error) {
 	w, err := databricks.NewWorkspaceClient()
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, wrapAuthError(err)
+		return nil, WrapAuthError(ctx, err)
 	}
 
 	_, err = w.CurrentUser.Me(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, wrapAuthError(err)
+		return nil, WrapAuthError(ctx, err)
 	}
 
 	return w, nil
 }
 
-func wrapAuthError(err error) error {
+func WrapAuthError(ctx context.Context, err error) error {
 	if errors.Is(err, config.ErrCannotConfigureDefault) {
-		return errors.New(prompts.MustExecuteTemplate("auth_error.tmpl", nil))
+		return newAuthError(ctx)
 	}
 	return err
 }
+
+func newAuthError(ctx context.Context) error {
+	// Prepare template data
+	data := map[string]any{
+		"Profiles": GetAvailableProfiles(ctx),
+	}
+	return errors.New(prompts.MustExecuteTemplate("auth_error.tmpl", data))
+}
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/warehouse.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/warehouse.go
index 680b26d3ef..9bf1b0a071 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/warehouse.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/middlewares/warehouse.go
@@ -86,7 +86,10 @@ func getDefaultWarehouse(ctx context.Context) (*sql.EndpointInfo, error) {
 	// first resolve DATABRICKS_WAREHOUSE_ID env variable
 	warehouseID := env.Get(ctx, "DATABRICKS_WAREHOUSE_ID")
 	if warehouseID != "" {
-		w := MustGetDatabricksClient(ctx)
+		w, err := GetDatabricksClient(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("get databricks client: %w", err)
+		}
 		warehouse, err := w.Warehouses.Get(ctx, sql.GetWarehouseRequest{
 			Id: warehouseID,
 		})
@@ -100,7 +103,7 @@ func getDefaultWarehouse(ctx context.Context) (*sql.EndpointInfo, error) {
 		}, nil
 	}
 
-	apiClient, err := MustGetApiClient(ctx)
+	apiClient, err := GetApiClient(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/prompts/auth_error.tmpl b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/prompts/auth_error.tmpl
index 96f2be6162..e2fbda8675 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/prompts/auth_error.tmpl
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/prompts/auth_error.tmpl
@@ -6,9 +6,14 @@
 Not authenticated to Databricks
 
 I need to know either the Databricks workspace URL or the Databricks profile name.
-You can list the available profiles by running `databricks auth profiles`.
 
-ASK the user which of the configured profiles or databricks workspace URL they want to use.
+The available profiles are:
+
+{{- range .Profiles }}
+- {{ .Name }} ({{ .Host }})
+{{- end }}
+
+IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ASK the user which of the configured profiles or databricks workspace URL they want to use.
 Only then call the `databricks_configure_auth` tool to configure the authentication.
 
 Do not run anything else before authenticating successfully.
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth.go
index 00a40713cf..087283e644 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/prompts"
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/session"
 	"github.com/databricks/databricks-sdk-go"
-	"github.com/databricks/databricks-sdk-go/config"
 )
 
 // ConfigureAuth creates and validates a Databricks workspace client with optional host and profile.
@@ -20,9 +19,8 @@ func ConfigureAuth(ctx context.Context, sess *session.Session, host, profile *st
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
-	var cfg *databricks.Config
+	cfg := &databricks.Config{}
 	if host != nil || profile != nil {
-		cfg = &databricks.Config{}
 		if host != nil {
 			cfg.Host = *host
 		}
@@ -32,12 +30,7 @@ func ConfigureAuth(ctx context.Context, sess *session.Session, host, profile *st
 	}
 
 	var client *databricks.WorkspaceClient
-	var err error
-	if cfg != nil {
-		client, err = databricks.NewWorkspaceClient(cfg)
-	} else {
-		client, err = databricks.NewWorkspaceClient()
-	}
+	client, err := databricks.NewWorkspaceClient(cfg)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -49,19 +42,14 @@ func ConfigureAuth(ctx context.Context, sess *session.Session, host, profile *st
 				"WorkspaceURL": *host,
 			}))
 		}
-		return nil, wrapAuthError(err)
+		return nil, middlewares.WrapAuthError(ctx, err)
 	}
 
-	// Store client in session data
+	// Store client and profile in session data
 	sess.Set(middlewares.DatabricksClientKey, client)
+	if profile != nil {
+		sess.Set(middlewares.DatabricksProfileKey, *profile)
+	}
 
 	return client, nil
 }
-
-// wrapAuthError wraps configuration errors with helpful messages
-func wrapAuthError(err error) error {
-	if errors.Is(err, config.ErrCannotConfigureDefault) {
-		return errors.New(prompts.MustExecuteTemplate("auth_error.tmpl", nil))
-	}
-	return err
-}
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth_test.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth_test.go
index da2df50c78..7fdd851284 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth_test.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/configure_auth_test.go
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ func TestConfigureAuthWithCustomHost(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestWrapAuthError(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string
 		err      error
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ func TestWrapAuthError(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			wrapped := wrapAuthError(tt.err)
+			wrapped := middlewares.WrapAuthError(ctx, tt.err)
 			assert.Contains(t, wrapped.Error(), tt.expected)
 		})
 	}
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/explore.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/explore.go
index bc9550e012..7f6bf986ac 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/explore.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/explore.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/prompts"
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/session"
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/libs/databrickscfg/profile"
-	"github.com/databricks/cli/libs/env"
 	"github.com/databricks/cli/libs/log"
 	"github.com/databricks/databricks-sdk-go/service/sql"
 )
@@ -21,32 +20,12 @@ func Explore(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		warehouse = nil
 	}
 
-	currentProfile := getCurrentProfile(ctx)
-	profiles := getAvailableProfiles(ctx)
+	currentProfile := middlewares.GetDatabricksProfile(ctx)
+	profiles := middlewares.GetAvailableProfiles(ctx)
 
 	return generateExploreGuidance(ctx, warehouse, currentProfile, profiles), nil
 }
 
-// getCurrentProfile returns the currently active profile name.
-func getCurrentProfile(ctx context.Context) string {
-	// Check DATABRICKS_CONFIG_PROFILE env var
-	profileName := env.Get(ctx, "DATABRICKS_CONFIG_PROFILE")
-	if profileName == "" {
-		return "DEFAULT"
-	}
-	return profileName
-}
-
-// getAvailableProfiles returns all available profiles from ~/.databrickscfg.
-func getAvailableProfiles(ctx context.Context) profile.Profiles {
-	profiles, err := profile.DefaultProfiler.LoadProfiles(ctx, profile.MatchAllProfiles)
-	if err != nil {
-		// If we can't load profiles, return empty list (config file might not exist)
-		return profile.Profiles{}
-	}
-	return profiles
-}
-
 // generateExploreGuidance creates comprehensive guidance for data exploration.
 func generateExploreGuidance(ctx context.Context, warehouse *sql.EndpointInfo, currentProfile string, profiles profile.Profiles) string {
 	// Build workspace/profile information
@@ -102,6 +81,7 @@ func generateExploreGuidance(ctx context.Context, warehouse *sql.EndpointInfo, c
 		"WarehouseName": warehouseName,
 		"WarehouseID":   warehouseID,
 		"ProfilesInfo":  profilesInfo,
+		"Profile":       currentProfile,
 	}
 
 	// Render base explore template
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/invoke_databricks_cli.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/invoke_databricks_cli.go
index 7906c43339..85143438d2 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/invoke_databricks_cli.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/invoke_databricks_cli.go
@@ -17,8 +17,12 @@ func InvokeDatabricksCLI(ctx context.Context, command []string, workingDirectory
 		return "", errors.New("command is required")
 	}
 
-	workspaceClient := middlewares.MustGetDatabricksClient(ctx)
+	workspaceClient, err := middlewares.GetDatabricksClient(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("get databricks client: %w", err)
+	}
 	host := workspaceClient.Config.Host
+	profile := middlewares.GetDatabricksProfile(ctx)
 
 	// GetCLIPath returns the path to the current CLI executable
 	cliPath := common.GetCLIPath()
@@ -26,6 +30,9 @@ func InvokeDatabricksCLI(ctx context.Context, command []string, workingDirectory
 	cmd.Dir = workingDirectory
 	env := os.Environ()
 	env = append(env, "DATABRICKS_HOST="+host)
+	if profile != "" {
+		env = append(env, "DATABRICKS_CONFIG_PROFILE="+profile)
+	}
 	cmd.Env = env
 
 	output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/provider.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/provider.go
index 7330f3ac2a..0da7f25a34 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/provider.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/providers/clitools/provider.go
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ func (p *Provider) RegisterTools(server *mcpsdk.Server) error {
 		},
 		func(ctx context.Context, req *mcpsdk.CallToolRequest, args struct{}) (*mcpsdk.CallToolResult, any, error) {
 			log.Debug(ctx, "explore called")
-			result, err := Explore(session.WithSession(ctx, p.session))
+			result, err := Explore(ctx)
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, nil, err
 			}
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/server/server.go b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/server/server.go
index 8bf7bfeb42..3b5bf65cb8 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/server/server.go
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/lib/server/server.go
@@ -31,11 +31,8 @@ func NewServer(ctx context.Context, cfg *mcp.Config) *Server {
 		Version: build.GetInfo().Version,
 	}
 
-	server := mcpsdk.NewServer(impl, nil)
 	sess := session.NewSession()
-
-	// Set enabled capabilities for this MCP server
-	sess.Set(session.CapabilitiesDataKey, []string{"apps"})
+	server := mcpsdk.NewServer(impl, nil, sess)
 
 	tracker, err := trajectory.NewTracker(ctx, sess, cfg)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -50,6 +47,9 @@ func NewServer(ctx context.Context, cfg *mcp.Config) *Server {
 
 	sess.SetTracker(tracker)
 
+	// Set enabled capabilities for this MCP server
+	sess.Set(session.CapabilitiesDataKey, []string{"apps"})
+
 	return &Server{
 		server:  server,
 		config:  cfg,
@@ -85,9 +85,6 @@ func (s *Server) RegisterTools(ctx context.Context) error {
 func (s *Server) registerCLIToolsProvider(ctx context.Context) error {
 	log.Info(ctx, "Registering CLI tools provider")
 
-	// Add session to context
-	ctx = session.WithSession(ctx, s.session)
-
 	provider, err := clitools.NewProvider(ctx, s.config, s.session)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/databricks_template_schema.json b/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/databricks_template_schema.json
index dc9f86e7ce..110e5b182f 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/databricks_template_schema.json
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/databricks_template_schema.json
@@ -12,13 +12,18 @@
         "description": "SQL Warehouse ID",
         "order": 2
       },
+      "profile": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "description": "Profile Name",
+        "default": "",
+        "order": 3
+      },
       "app_description": {
         "type": "string",
         "description": "App Description (Optional)",
         "default": "A Databricks App powered by Databricks AppKit",
-        "order": 3
+        "order": 4
       }
-
     },
-    "success_message": "\nYour new project has been created in the '{{.project_name}}' directory!"
+    "success_message": "\nYour new project has been created in the '{{.project_name}}' directory!\nYOU MUST read {{.project_name}}/CLAUDE.md immediately. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to immediately run `npm install`, run `npm run dev` in the background, and open http://localhost:8000 in your browser before making changes to the app."
   }
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/.env.tmpl b/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/.env.tmpl
index 5d09570971..be54897988 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/.env.tmpl
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/.env.tmpl
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-DATABRICKS_HOST={{workspace_host}}
+{{if ne .profile ""}}DATABRICKS_CONFIG_PROFILE={{.profile}}{{else}}DATABRICKS_HOST={{workspace_host}}{{end}}
 DATABRICKS_WAREHOUSE_ID={{.sql_warehouse_id}}
 DATABRICKS_APP_PORT=8000
 DATABRICKS_APP_NAME=minimal
diff --git a/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/CLAUDE.md b/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/CLAUDE.md
index 2984603e28..b239b0a4ba 100644
--- a/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/experimental/apps-mcp/templates/appkit/template/{{.project_name}}/CLAUDE.md
@@ -5,6 +5,38 @@ TypeScript full-stack template powered by **Databricks AppKit** with tRPC for ad
 - config/queries/: SQL query files for analytics
 - shared/: Shared TypeScript types
 
+## NPM Scripts
+
+### Development
+- `npm run dev` - Start dev server with hot reload (use during active development)
+- `npm start` - Start production server (requires `npm run build` first)
+
+### Build
+- `npm run build` - Full build (server + client) - use before deployment
+- `npm run build:server` - Compile server TypeScript only
+- `npm run build:client` - Compile and bundle React app only
+
+### Code Quality
+- `npm run typecheck` - Type-check without building (fast validation)
+- `npm run lint` - Check for linting issues
+- `npm run lint:fix` - Auto-fix linting issues
+- `npm run format` - Check code formatting
+- `npm run format:fix` - Auto-format code with Prettier
+
+### Testing
+- `npm test` - Run unit tests (vitest) + smoke test
+- `npm run test:e2e` - Run all Playwright tests
+- `npm run test:e2e:ui` - Run Playwright with interactive UI (for debugging)
+- `npm run test:smoke` - Run smoke test only (quick validation)
+
+### Utility
+- `npm run clean` - Remove all build artifacts and node_modules (requires `npm install` after)
+
+**Common workflows:**
+- Development: `npm run dev` → make changes → `npm run typecheck` → `npm run lint:fix`
+- Pre-commit: `npm run typecheck && npm run lint:fix && npm run format:fix && npm test`
+- Pre-deploy: `npm run build && npm start` (test locally) → `npm test`
+
 ## App Naming Constraints
 
 App names must not exceed 30 characters total (including target prefix).