diff --git a/src/components/layout/content.tsx b/src/components/layout/content.tsx
index 8931940..b169301 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/content.tsx
+++ b/src/components/layout/content.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ import { useContext, useEffect, useState } from 'react'
 import { FilecoinPinContext } from '../../context/filecoin-pin-provider.tsx'
 import { useDatasetPieces } from '../../hooks/use-dataset-pieces.ts'
 import { useFilecoinUpload } from '../../hooks/use-filecoin-upload.ts'
+import { useWallet } from '../../hooks/use-wallet.ts'
 import { formatFileSize } from '../../utils/format-file-size.ts'
+import { ButtonBase } from '../ui/button/button-base.tsx'
 import { Heading } from '../ui/heading.tsx'
 import { LoadingState } from '../ui/loading-state.tsx'
 import { PageTitle } from '../ui/page-title.tsx'
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ export default function Content() {
   const [dragDropKey, setDragDropKey] = useState(0) // Key to force DragNDrop remount
   const { uploadState, uploadFile, resetUpload } = useFilecoinUpload()
   const { pieces: uploadHistory, refreshPieces, isLoading: isLoadingPieces } = useDatasetPieces()
+  const { connect: connectWallet, isUsingWallet } = useWallet()
   const context = useContext(FilecoinPinContext)
   if (!context) {
     throw new Error('Content must be used within FilecoinPinProvider')
@@ -36,11 +39,11 @@ export default function Content() {
 
   // Determine if we're still initializing (wallet, synapse, provider)
   // Note: We don't block on isLoadingPieces - users can upload while history loads
-  const isInitializing = wallet.status === 'loading' || wallet.status === 'idle'
+  const isInitializing = wallet.status === 'loading'
 
   // Get loading message based on current state
   const getLoadingMessage = () => {
-    if (wallet.status === 'loading' || wallet.status === 'idle') {
+    if (wallet.status === 'loading') {
       return 'Connecting to Filecoin network...'
     }
     if (!synapse) {
@@ -52,18 +55,6 @@ export default function Content() {
     return 'Preparing upload interface...'
   }
 
-  // If wallet failed to load, show error instead of spinner
-  if (wallet.status === 'error') {
-    return (
-      <div className="content">
-        <PageTitle />
-        <div className="error-message">
-          <p>Failed to connect to Filecoin network: {wallet.error}</p>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-    )
-  }
-
   const handleUpload = (file: File) => {
     // Set uploadedFile immediately to switch to progress view
     setUploadedFile({ file, cid: '' })
@@ -111,6 +102,43 @@ export default function Content() {
     }
   }, [uploadState.error, resetUpload])
 
+  // If wallet is disconnected (idle) and using wallet mode (no private key), show connect button
+  if (wallet.status === 'idle' && isUsingWallet) {
+    return (
+      <div className="content">
+        <PageTitle />
+        <div className="space-y-6 max-w-md mx-auto text-center">
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <Heading tag="h2">Connect Your Wallet</Heading>
+            <p className="text-zinc-400">Connect your wallet to start uploading files to Filecoin</p>
+          </div>
+          <ButtonBase onClick={connectWallet} variant="primary">
+            Connect Wallet
+          </ButtonBase>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    )
+  }
+
+  // If wallet failed to load, show error instead of spinner
+  if (wallet.status === 'error') {
+    return (
+      <div className="content">
+        <PageTitle />
+        <div className="space-y-6 max-w-md mx-auto text-center">
+          <div className="p-4 rounded-lg bg-zinc-900 border border-zinc-700">
+            <p className="text-red-400">Failed to connect to Filecoin network: {wallet.error}</p>
+          </div>
+          {isUsingWallet && (
+            <ButtonBase onClick={connectWallet} variant="secondary">
+              Try Again
+            </ButtonBase>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    )
+  }
+
   return (
     <div className="space-y-10">
       <PageTitle />
diff --git a/src/components/layout/header.tsx b/src/components/layout/header.tsx
index 034e4ef..1c64655 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/header.tsx
+++ b/src/components/layout/header.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import { PillBalance } from '../ui/pill/pill-balance.tsx'
 import { PillWallet } from '../ui/pill/pill-wallet.tsx'
 
 export default function Header() {
-  const { status, balances, address, network } = useWallet()
+  const { status, balances, address, network, disconnect, isUsingWallet } = useWallet()
 
   const isCalibration = network === 'calibration'
   const filLabel: FilLabel = isCalibration ? CALIBRATION_LABEL_FIL : MAINNET_LABEL_FIL
@@ -45,7 +45,11 @@ export default function Header() {
             ]}
           />
         )}
-        <PillWallet address={addressDisplay} href={`https://filscan.io/en/address/${address}`} />
+        <PillWallet
+          address={addressDisplay}
+          href={`https://filscan.io/en/address/${address}`}
+          onDisconnect={isUsingWallet ? disconnect : undefined}
+        />
       </div>
     </header>
   )
diff --git a/src/components/ui/pill/pill-wallet.tsx b/src/components/ui/pill/pill-wallet.tsx
index 11fd22d..671eca7 100644
--- a/src/components/ui/pill/pill-wallet.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ui/pill/pill-wallet.tsx
@@ -1,14 +1,33 @@
+import { LogOut } from 'lucide-react'
 import { PillWrapper } from './pill-wrapper.tsx'
 
 type PillWalletProps = {
   address: string
   href: string
+  onDisconnect?: () => void
 }
 
-function PillWallet({ address, href }: PillWalletProps) {
+function PillWallet({ address, href, onDisconnect }: PillWalletProps) {
   return (
     <PillWrapper ariaLabel={`Wallet address: ${address}`} href={href}>
-      <span>{address}</span>
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+        <span>{address}</span>
+        {onDisconnect && (
+          <button
+            aria-label="Disconnect wallet"
+            className="relative z-10 ml-1 text-zinc-400 hover:text-zinc-100 transition-colors"
+            onClick={(e) => {
+              e.preventDefault()
+              e.stopPropagation()
+              onDisconnect()
+            }}
+            title="Disconnect wallet"
+            type="button"
+          >
+            <LogOut size={14} />
+          </button>
+        )}
+      </div>
     </PillWrapper>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/context/filecoin-pin-provider.tsx b/src/context/filecoin-pin-provider.tsx
index 475a7ea..b639cac 100644
--- a/src/context/filecoin-pin-provider.tsx
+++ b/src/context/filecoin-pin-provider.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import type { SynapseService } from 'filecoin-pin/core/synapse'
 import { createContext, type ReactNode, useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import { type DataSetState, useDataSetManager } from '../hooks/use-data-set-manager.ts'
 import { filecoinPinConfig } from '../lib/filecoin-pin/config.ts'
-import { getSynapseClient } from '../lib/filecoin-pin/synapse.ts'
+import { disconnectWallet as disconnectSynapseWallet, getSynapseClient } from '../lib/filecoin-pin/synapse.ts'
 import { fetchWalletSnapshot, type WalletSnapshot } from '../lib/filecoin-pin/wallet.ts'
 
 type ProviderInfo = NonNullable<ReturnType<typeof useDataSetManager>['providerInfo']>
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ type WalletState =
 export interface FilecoinPinContextValue {
   wallet: WalletState
   refreshWallet: () => Promise<void>
+  connectWallet: () => Promise<void>
+  disconnectWallet: () => void
+  isUsingWallet: boolean // true if using browser wallet, false if using private key
   synapse: SynapseService['synapse'] | null
   dataSet: DataSetState
   ensureDataSet: () => Promise<number | null>
@@ -38,45 +41,65 @@ export const FilecoinPinProvider = ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => {
   const synapseRef = useRef<SynapseService['synapse'] | null>(null)
   const config = filecoinPinConfig
 
+  // Check if using wallet connection (no private key) vs private key
+  const isUsingWallet = !config.privateKey
+
   // Use the data set manager hook
   const { dataSet, ensureDataSet, storageContext, providerInfo } = useDataSetManager({
     synapse: synapseRef.current,
     walletAddress: wallet.status === 'ready' ? wallet.data.address : null,
   })
 
-  const refreshWallet = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (!config.privateKey) {
-      setWallet((prev) => ({
-        status: 'error',
-        error: 'Missing VITE_FILECOIN_PRIVATE_KEY environment variable. Wallet data unavailable.',
-        data: prev.data,
-      }))
-      return
-    }
-
+  const connectWallet = useCallback(async () => {
     setWallet((prev) => ({
       status: 'loading',
       data: prev.status === 'ready' ? prev.data : undefined,
     }))
 
     try {
+      // getSynapseClient now handles the fallback logic:
+      // 1. Try private key if VITE_FILECOIN_PRIVATE_KEY is set
+      // 2. Otherwise, attempt to connect to browser wallet (MetaMask, etc.)
       const synapse = await getSynapseClient(config)
       synapseRef.current = synapse
       const snapshot = await fetchWalletSnapshot(synapse)
+
       setWallet({
         status: 'ready',
         data: snapshot,
       })
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error('Failed to load wallet balances', error)
+      console.error('Failed to load wallet', error)
+      const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unable to load wallet. See console for details.'
       setWallet((prev) => ({
         status: 'error',
-        error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unable to load wallet balances. See console for details.',
+        error: errorMessage,
         data: prev.data,
       }))
     }
   }, [config])
 
+  const refreshWallet = useCallback(async () => {
+    // Only auto-connect if using private key
+    // For wallet mode, user must explicitly click "Connect Wallet"
+    if (isUsingWallet) {
+      console.info('Wallet mode detected, waiting for user to click Connect Wallet button')
+      setWallet({
+        status: 'idle',
+      })
+      return
+    }
+
+    // Auto-connect with private key
+    await connectWallet()
+  }, [connectWallet, isUsingWallet])
+
+  const disconnectWallet = useCallback(async () => {
+    await disconnectSynapseWallet()
+    synapseRef.current = null
+    setWallet({ status: 'idle' })
+  }, [])
+
   useEffect(() => {
     void refreshWallet()
   }, [refreshWallet])
@@ -104,13 +127,26 @@ export const FilecoinPinProvider = ({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) => {
     () => ({
       wallet,
       refreshWallet,
+      connectWallet,
+      disconnectWallet,
+      isUsingWallet,
       synapse: synapseRef.current,
       dataSet,
       ensureDataSet,
       storageContext,
       providerInfo,
     }),
-    [wallet, refreshWallet, dataSet, ensureDataSet, storageContext, providerInfo]
+    [
+      wallet,
+      refreshWallet,
+      connectWallet,
+      disconnectWallet,
+      isUsingWallet,
+      dataSet,
+      ensureDataSet,
+      storageContext,
+      providerInfo,
+    ]
   )
 
   return <FilecoinPinContext.Provider value={value}>{children}</FilecoinPinContext.Provider>
diff --git a/src/env.d.ts b/src/env.d.ts
index 792cd87..cc0b8c7 100644
--- a/src/env.d.ts
+++ b/src/env.d.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,16 @@ interface ImportMetaEnv {
   readonly VITE_WARM_STORAGE_ADDRESS?: string
 }
 
+/**
+ * Ethereum provider types for MetaMask and other Web3 wallets
+ */
+interface EthereumProvider {
+  request: (args: { method: string; params?: any[] }) => Promise<any>
+  on: (event: string, handler: (...args: any[]) => void) => void
+  removeListener: (event: string, handler: (...args: any[]) => void) => void
+  isMetaMask?: boolean
+}
+
 /**
  * We are delcaring a name on the global interface because this repo should not be consumed.
  * Don't do this for libs, export proper types instead.
@@ -19,4 +29,8 @@ declare global {
   interface ImportMeta {
     readonly env: ImportMetaEnv
   }
+
+  interface Window {
+    ethereum?: EthereumProvider
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/hooks/use-wallet.ts b/src/hooks/use-wallet.ts
index d3cfa1b..1ce3d6a 100644
--- a/src/hooks/use-wallet.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/use-wallet.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ export const useWallet = () => {
     throw new Error('useWallet must be used within FilecoinPinProvider')
   }
 
-  const { wallet, refreshWallet } = context
+  const { wallet, refreshWallet, connectWallet, disconnectWallet, isUsingWallet } = context
 
   return useMemo(
     () => ({
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ export const useWallet = () => {
       raw: wallet.data?.raw,
       error: wallet.status === 'error' ? wallet.error : undefined,
       refresh: refreshWallet,
+      connect: connectWallet,
+      disconnect: disconnectWallet,
+      isUsingWallet, // true if using browser wallet, false if using private key
     }),
-    [wallet, refreshWallet]
+    [wallet, refreshWallet, connectWallet, disconnectWallet, isUsingWallet]
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/filecoin-pin/config.ts b/src/lib/filecoin-pin/config.ts
index 8dcd329..7224260 100644
--- a/src/lib/filecoin-pin/config.ts
+++ b/src/lib/filecoin-pin/config.ts
@@ -6,12 +6,9 @@ const normalizeEnvValue = (value: string | boolean | number | undefined) => {
   return trimmed.length === 0 ? undefined : trimmed
 }
 
-if (!import.meta.env.VITE_FILECOIN_PRIVATE_KEY) {
-  throw new Error('Missing VITE_FILECOIN_PRIVATE_KEY; unable to initialize Synapse')
-}
-
-export const filecoinPinConfig: SynapseSetupConfig = {
-  privateKey: import.meta.env.VITE_FILECOIN_PRIVATE_KEY,
+// Private key is now optional - will fall back to wallet connection if not provided
+export const filecoinPinConfig: Partial<SynapseSetupConfig> = {
+  privateKey: normalizeEnvValue(import.meta.env.VITE_FILECOIN_PRIVATE_KEY),
   rpcUrl: normalizeEnvValue(import.meta.env.VITE_FILECOIN_RPC_URL),
   warmStorageAddress: normalizeEnvValue(import.meta.env.VITE_WARM_STORAGE_ADDRESS),
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/filecoin-pin/synapse.ts b/src/lib/filecoin-pin/synapse.ts
index 10fbe97..f90690c 100644
--- a/src/lib/filecoin-pin/synapse.ts
+++ b/src/lib/filecoin-pin/synapse.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+import { Synapse } from '@filoz/synapse-sdk'
+import { BrowserProvider } from 'ethers'
+import type { SynapseSetupConfig } from 'filecoin-pin/core/synapse'
 import { initializeSynapse, type SynapseService } from 'filecoin-pin/core/synapse'
 import pino from 'pino'
 
@@ -8,11 +11,12 @@ const logger = pino({
   },
 })
 
-import type { SynapseSetupConfig } from 'filecoin-pin/core/synapse'
-
 let synapsePromise: Promise<SynapseService['synapse']> | null = null
 
-export const getSynapseClient = (config: SynapseSetupConfig) => {
+/**
+ * Get Synapse client with private key configuration
+ */
+export const getSynapseClientWithPrivateKey = (config: SynapseSetupConfig) => {
   if (!config.privateKey) {
     return Promise.reject(new Error('Missing VITE_FILECOIN_PRIVATE_KEY; unable to initialize Synapse'))
   }
@@ -24,6 +28,68 @@ export const getSynapseClient = (config: SynapseSetupConfig) => {
   return synapsePromise
 }
 
+/**
+ * Get Synapse client with browser wallet (MetaMask, etc.)
+ */
+export const getSynapseClientWithWallet = async (config?: Partial<SynapseSetupConfig>) => {
+  if (typeof window === 'undefined' || !window.ethereum) {
+    throw new Error('No browser wallet detected. Please install MetaMask or another Web3 wallet.')
+  }
+
+  logger.info('Requesting wallet connection...')
+
+  // Request account access
+  await window.ethereum.request({ method: 'eth_requestAccounts' })
+
+  // Create ethers provider from browser wallet
+  const provider = new BrowserProvider(window.ethereum)
+
+  if (!synapsePromise) {
+    logger.info('Initializing Synapse with wallet provider')
+
+    // Use Synapse SDK directly with provider (bypassing filecoin-pin wrapper)
+    // The filecoin-pin wrapper doesn't expose the provider option
+    synapsePromise = Synapse.create({
+      provider,
+      warmStorageAddress: config?.warmStorageAddress,
+    })
+  }
+
+  return synapsePromise
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get Synapse client - tries private key first, then falls back to wallet
+ */
+export const getSynapseClient = async (config: Partial<SynapseSetupConfig>) => {
+  // Try private key first if available
+  if (config.privateKey) {
+    logger.info('Initializing Synapse with private key')
+    return getSynapseClientWithPrivateKey(config as SynapseSetupConfig)
+  }
+
+  // Fall back to browser wallet
+  logger.info('No private key found, attempting wallet connection')
+  return getSynapseClientWithWallet(config)
+}
+
 export const resetSynapseClient = () => {
   synapsePromise = null
 }
+
+/**
+ * Disconnect wallet and clear synapse client
+ * Note: MetaMask doesn't provide a programmatic disconnect API.
+ * This clears our internal state. Users must manually disconnect in MetaMask
+ * if they want to fully revoke permissions.
+ */
+export const disconnectWallet = async () => {
+  logger.info('Disconnecting wallet and clearing Synapse client')
+
+  // Clear synapse client
+  resetSynapseClient()
+
+  // Note: There's no standard way to programmatically disconnect from MetaMask
+  // The user needs to disconnect manually in their wallet extension
+  logger.info('Wallet state cleared. To fully disconnect, please disconnect in your wallet extension.')
+}