diff --git a/common.nix b/common.nix
index 310f778..5373a81 100644
--- a/common.nix
+++ b/common.nix
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ let
     isoImage = {
       makeEfiBootable = true;
       makeUsbBootable = true;
+      # Custom boot menu label for workshop
+      label = "CODECRISPIES_WORKSHOP";
     };
   };
 
@@ -234,7 +236,6 @@ isoConfig
   networking = {
     networkmanager = {
       enable = true;
-      #wifi.enable = true;
       dns = "none"; # We use dnsmasq
       ensureProfiles = {
         environmentFiles = [ "/etc/NetworkManager/workshop-wifi.env" ];
@@ -365,6 +366,7 @@ isoConfig
     curl
     git
     networkmanager
+    networkmanagerapplet # Network Manager GUI for GNOME
     docker
     docker-compose
     gnome-terminal
@@ -566,14 +568,24 @@ isoConfig
           echo "Mode: Local Development (Offline Co-op Cloud)"
           echo ""
         
-          # DNS Health Check
-          if command -v nslookup >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-            if nslookup test.workshop.local 127.0.0.1 >/dev/null 2>&1; then
-              echo "✅ DNS wildcard ready: *.workshop.local → 127.0.0.1"
-            else
-              echo "⚠️ DNS not working! Run: sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq"
-            fi
-          fi
+           # Network Health Check
+           echo "🌐 Network Status:"
+           if systemctl is-active --quiet NetworkManager; then
+             echo "✅ NetworkManager running"
+             nmcli -t -f STATE general | head -1
+           else
+             echo "❌ NetworkManager not running"
+             echo "   Start with: sudo systemctl start NetworkManager"
+           fi
+
+           # DNS Health Check
+           if command -v nslookup >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+             if nslookup test.workshop.local 127.0.0.1 >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+               echo "✅ DNS wildcard ready: *.workshop.local → 127.0.0.1"
+             else
+               echo "⚠️ DNS not working! Run: sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq"
+             fi
+           fi
 
           # Ensure /root/.local/bin is in PATH (safety net)
           if [[ ":$PATH:" != *":/root/.local/bin:"* ]]; then
@@ -1208,32 +1220,64 @@ isoConfig
             fi
           }
         
-          help() {
-            echo "🚀 CODE CRISPIES Workshop Commands:"
-            echo ""
-            echo "🏠 Local Development:"
-            echo "  setup              - Setup local proxy (REQUIRED FIRST!)"
-            echo "  recipes            - Show all available apps"
-            echo "  deploy <recipe>    - Deploy app locally"
-            echo "  browser [recipe] - Launch browser [to app]"
-            echo "  desktop            - Start GUI session"
-            echo "  sudo abra          - Run abra CLI directly as root"
-            echo ""
-            echo "☁️ Cloud Access:"
-            echo "  connect <name>     - SSH to cloud server"
-            echo "  Available: ${serverList}"
-            echo ""
-            echo "🔍 Debug:"
-            echo "  docker service ls  - List running services"
-            echo "  systemctl status dnsmasq - Check DNS"
-            echo "  systemctl status workshop-abra-install - Check abra installation"
-            echo ""
-            echo "📚 Learning Flow:"
-            echo "  1. setup"
-            echo "  2. deploy wordpress"  
-            echo "  3. browser wordpress"
-            echo "  4. connect hopper"
-          }
+           network_help() {
+             echo "🌐 Network Configuration Help:"
+             echo ""
+             echo "🔍 Check Network Status:"
+             echo "  nmcli device status          - Show network devices"
+             echo "  nmcli connection show        - Show available connections"
+             echo "  nmcli connection up <name>   - Connect to network"
+             echo "  systemctl status NetworkManager - Check service status"
+             echo ""
+             echo "📡 Manual WiFi Connection:"
+             echo "  nmcli device wifi list       - Scan for WiFi networks"
+             echo "  nmcli device wifi connect <SSID> password <PASSWORD>"
+             echo "  nmcli connection up <connection-name>"
+             echo ""
+             echo "🔧 GUI Network Manager:"
+             echo "  Click network icon in top bar → Settings"
+             echo "  Or run: nm-connection-editor"
+             echo ""
+             echo "🌍 Test Internet Connection:"
+             echo "  ping 8.8.8.8                - Test basic connectivity"
+             echo "  curl https://abra.coopcloud.tech - Test HTTPS"
+             echo ""
+             echo "📋 Offline Setup (No Internet):"
+             echo "  1. Configure network manually using above commands"
+             echo "  2. Run 'setup' to initialize local environment"
+             echo "  3. Deploy apps locally without external dependencies"
+             echo "  4. Use 'browser <app>' to access deployed services"
+           }
+
+           help() {
+             echo "🚀 CODE CRISPIES Workshop Commands:"
+             echo ""
+             echo "🏠 Local Development:"
+             echo "  setup              - Setup local proxy (REQUIRED FIRST!)"
+             echo "  recipes            - Show all available apps"
+             echo "  deploy <recipe>    - Deploy app locally"
+             echo "  browser [recipe] - Launch browser [to app]"
+             echo "  desktop            - Start GUI session"
+             echo "  sudo abra          - Run abra CLI directly as root"
+             echo ""
+             echo "🌐 Network:"
+             echo "  network_help       - Network configuration guide"
+             echo ""
+             echo "☁️ Cloud Access:"
+             echo "  connect <name>     - SSH to cloud server"
+             echo "  Available: ${serverList}"
+             echo ""
+             echo "🔍 Debug:"
+             echo "  docker service ls  - List running services"
+             echo "  systemctl status dnsmasq - Check DNS"
+             echo "  systemctl status workshop-abra-install - Check abra installation"
+             echo ""
+             echo "📚 Learning Flow:"
+             echo "  1. setup"
+             echo "  2. deploy wordpress"
+             echo "  3. browser wordpress"
+             echo "  4. connect hopper"
+           }
     '';
 
   programs.firefox = {
diff --git a/docs/MANUAL_NETWORK_SETUP.md b/docs/MANUAL_NETWORK_SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ba9dae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/MANUAL_NETWORK_SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,233 @@
+# Manual Network Configuration for Workshop Environment
+
+This guide explains how to configure network connectivity manually when the GUI network manager is not available or when setting up the workshop environment offline.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Root or sudo access
+- Basic command line knowledge
+- Network interface name (usually `eth0`, `wlan0`, etc.)
+
+## Quick Network Diagnosis
+
+```bash
+# Check network interfaces
+ip addr show
+
+# Check NetworkManager status
+systemctl status NetworkManager
+
+# Check current connections
+nmcli connection show
+
+# Check device status
+nmcli device status
+
+# Test internet connectivity
+ping -c 3 8.8.8.8
+curl -I https://abra.coopcloud.tech
+```
+
+## Manual WiFi Connection
+
+### Method 1: Using nmcli (Command Line)
+
+```bash
+# Scan for WiFi networks
+nmcli device wifi list
+
+# Connect to a WiFi network (replace SSID and PASSWORD)
+nmcli device wifi connect "YourWiFiSSID" password "YourWiFiPassword"
+
+# Connect to hidden network
+nmcli device wifi connect "HiddenSSID" password "password" hidden yes
+
+# Check connection status
+nmcli connection show --active
+```
+
+### Method 2: Using wpa_supplicant (Advanced)
+
+```bash
+# Create wpa_supplicant configuration
+sudo tee /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf > /dev/null <<EOF
+network={
+    ssid="YourWiFiSSID"
+    psk="YourWiFiPassword"
+}
+EOF
+
+# Connect using wpa_supplicant
+sudo wpa_supplicant -B -i wlan0 -c /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
+sudo dhclient wlan0
+```
+
+## Manual Ethernet Connection
+
+```bash
+# Bring interface up
+sudo ip link set eth0 up
+
+# Get IP via DHCP
+sudo dhclient eth0
+
+# Or set static IP
+sudo ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0
+sudo ip route add default via 192.168.1.1
+echo "nameserver 8.8.8.8" | sudo tee /etc/resolv.conf
+```
+
+## Workshop-Specific Network Setup
+
+### Connect to Workshop WiFi
+
+```bash
+# Connect to workshop hotspot (if available)
+nmcli device wifi connect "ziegel" password "1234567890"
+```
+
+### Configure Local DNS Resolution
+
+```bash
+# Ensure dnsmasq is running for local DNS
+sudo systemctl start dnsmasq
+sudo systemctl enable dnsmasq
+
+# Test local DNS
+nslookup traefik.workshop.local 127.0.0.1
+```
+
+## Offline Setup Workflow
+
+When internet is not available during workshop setup:
+
+1. **Configure Network Manually**
+   ```bash
+   # Use one of the methods above to get network connectivity
+   nmcli device wifi connect "YourNetwork" password "YourPassword"
+   ```
+
+2. **Skip Online Dependencies**
+   ```bash
+   # The setup script will work offline once network is configured
+   setup
+   ```
+
+3. **Manual abra Installation** (if needed)
+   ```bash
+   # Download abra binary manually on another machine and transfer via USB
+   # Or use a local package repository
+   ```
+
+4. **Deploy Local Services**
+   ```bash
+   # Deploy services that don't require internet
+   deploy gitea  # Local git server
+   deploy nextcloud  # Local file sharing
+   ```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### NetworkManager Issues
+
+```bash
+# Restart NetworkManager
+sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
+
+# Reconnect to network
+nmcli connection up "connection-name"
+
+# Delete problematic connection
+nmcli connection delete "connection-name"
+```
+
+### DNS Issues
+
+```bash
+# Flush DNS cache
+sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq
+
+# Check DNS resolution
+dig @127.0.0.1 workshop.local
+
+# Manual DNS test
+nslookup google.com 8.8.8.8
+```
+
+### Firewall Issues
+
+```bash
+# Check firewall status (should be disabled for workshop)
+sudo ufw status
+sudo iptables -L
+
+# Temporarily disable firewall (if interfering)
+sudo ufw disable
+```
+
+## GUI Network Manager
+
+If the GUI is available:
+
+1. Click the network icon in the top-right corner
+2. Select "Settings" or "Wi-Fi Settings"
+3. Choose your network from the list
+4. Enter password if required
+5. The connection should be established automatically
+
+## Advanced Configuration
+
+### Create Custom Network Profile
+
+```bash
+# Create a new connection profile
+nmcli connection add type wifi con-name "MyWorkshopNetwork" ifname wlan0 ssid "WorkshopWiFi"
+
+# Configure the connection
+nmcli connection modify "MyWorkshopNetwork" wifi-sec.key-mgmt wpa-psk
+nmcli connection modify "MyWorkshopNetwork" wifi-sec.psk "workshoppassword"
+
+# Set as autoconnect
+nmcli connection modify "MyWorkshopNetwork" connection.autoconnect yes
+```
+
+### Static IP Configuration
+
+```bash
+# Set static IP for workshop environment
+nmcli connection modify "MyWorkshopNetwork" ipv4.method manual
+nmcli connection modify "MyWorkshopNetwork" ipv4.addresses "192.168.100.10/24"
+nmcli connection modify "MyWorkshopNetwork" ipv4.gateway "192.168.100.1"
+nmcli connection modify "MyWorkshopNetwork" ipv4.dns "8.8.8.8,1.1.1.1"
+```
+
+## Emergency Network Access
+
+If all else fails, you can use USB tethering:
+
+1. Connect phone via USB
+2. Enable USB tethering on phone
+3. The connection should appear as `usb0` or similar
+4. Configure as above using `nmcli` or GUI
+
+## Testing Your Setup
+
+```bash
+# Test basic connectivity
+ping 8.8.8.8
+
+# Test DNS
+nslookup google.com
+
+# Test workshop services
+curl http://traefik.workshop.local
+
+# Test abra connectivity
+sudo abra server ls
+```
+
+## Getting Help
+
+- Run `network_help` in the workshop terminal for quick reference
+- Check system logs: `journalctl -u NetworkManager`
+- Use `nmcli --help` for detailed command options
\ No newline at end of file