diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 7952fe1..faa09f0 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -2,3 +2,5 @@ APP_HOST=0.0.0.0
 APP_PORT=8000
 REDIS_URL=redis://localhost:6379
 CONFIG_PATH=/app/config/settings.yaml
+TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY=1x00000000000000000000AA
+TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY=1x0000000000000000000000000000000AA
diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml b/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml
index 5022199..369d4a4 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/deploy.yaml
@@ -47,7 +47,14 @@ jobs:
           pip install nicegui fastapi uvicorn yfinance polars pandas pydantic pyyaml
           pip list
       - name: Run tests
-        run: pytest tests/test_pricing.py tests/test_strategies.py tests/test_portfolio.py -v --tb=short
+        run: |
+          pytest \
+            tests/test_pricing.py \
+            tests/test_strategies.py \
+            tests/test_portfolio.py \
+            tests/test_turnstile.py \
+            tests/test_workspace.py \
+            -v --tb=short
 
   type-check:
     runs-on: [linux, docker]
@@ -127,6 +134,8 @@ jobs:
       APP_ENV: production
       APP_NAME: Vault Dashboard
       APP_PORT: "8000"
+      TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY: ${{ vars.TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY }}
+      TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY: ${{ secrets.TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index a0b8a4f..2f9a655 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -10,14 +10,15 @@ from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any
 
-from fastapi import FastAPI, Request, WebSocket, WebSocketDisconnect
+from fastapi import FastAPI, Form, Request, WebSocket, WebSocketDisconnect
 from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
-from fastapi.responses import RedirectResponse
+from fastapi.responses import RedirectResponse, Response
 from nicegui import ui  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
 
 import app.pages  # noqa: F401
 from app.api.routes import router as api_router
 from app.models.workspace import WORKSPACE_COOKIE, get_workspace_repository
+from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_service
 from app.services.cache import CacheService
 from app.services.data_service import DataService
 from app.services.runtime import set_data_service
@@ -37,11 +38,14 @@ class Settings:
     websocket_interval_seconds: int = 5
     nicegui_mount_path: str = "/"
     nicegui_storage_secret: str = "vault-dash-dev-secret"
+    turnstile_site_key: str = ""
+    turnstile_secret_key: str = ""
 
     @classmethod
     def load(cls) -> Settings:
         cls._load_dotenv()
         origins = os.getenv("CORS_ORIGINS", "*")
+        turnstile = turnstile_service.load_turnstile_settings()
         return cls(
             app_name=os.getenv("APP_NAME", cls.app_name),
             environment=os.getenv("APP_ENV", os.getenv("ENVIRONMENT", cls.environment)),
@@ -52,6 +56,8 @@ class Settings:
             websocket_interval_seconds=int(os.getenv("WEBSOCKET_INTERVAL_SECONDS", cls.websocket_interval_seconds)),
             nicegui_mount_path=os.getenv("NICEGUI_MOUNT_PATH", cls.nicegui_mount_path),
             nicegui_storage_secret=os.getenv("NICEGUI_STORAGE_SECRET", cls.nicegui_storage_secret),
+            turnstile_site_key=turnstile.site_key,
+            turnstile_secret_key=turnstile.secret_key,
         )
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -149,7 +155,20 @@ async def health(request: Request) -> dict[str, Any]:
 
 
 @app.get("/workspaces/bootstrap", tags=["workspace"])
-async def bootstrap_workspace() -> RedirectResponse:
+async def bootstrap_workspace_redirect() -> RedirectResponse:
+    return RedirectResponse(url="/", status_code=303)
+
+
+@app.post("/workspaces/bootstrap", tags=["workspace"])
+async def bootstrap_workspace(
+    request: Request,
+    turnstile_response: str = Form(alias="cf-turnstile-response", default=""),
+) -> Response:
+    if not turnstile_service.verify_turnstile_token(
+        turnstile_response, request.client.host if request.client else None
+    ):
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/?captcha_error=1", status_code=303)
+
     workspace_id = get_workspace_repository().create_workspace_id()
     response = RedirectResponse(url=f"/{workspace_id}", status_code=303)
     response.set_cookie(
diff --git a/app/pages/backtests.py b/app/pages/backtests.py
index a7e0e80..60e07e7 100644
--- a/app/pages/backtests.py
+++ b/app/pages/backtests.py
@@ -63,8 +63,7 @@ def legacy_backtests_page(request: Request):
 def workspace_backtests_page(workspace_id: str) -> None:
     repo = get_workspace_repository()
     if not repo.workspace_exists(workspace_id):
-        render_workspace_recovery()
-        return
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/", status_code=307)
     _render_backtests_page(workspace_id=workspace_id)
 
 
diff --git a/app/pages/common.py b/app/pages/common.py
index 3ac93ec..a5502e5 100644
--- a/app/pages/common.py
+++ b/app/pages/common.py
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ def render_workspace_recovery(title: str = "Workspace not found", message: str |
         ui.label(title).classes("text-3xl font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-slate-50")
         ui.label(resolved_message).classes("text-base text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400")
         with ui.row().classes("mx-auto gap-3"):
-            ui.link("Get started", "/workspaces/bootstrap").classes(
+            ui.link("Get started", "/").classes(
                 "rounded-lg bg-slate-900 px-5 py-3 text-sm font-semibold text-white no-underline dark:bg-slate-100 dark:text-slate-900"
             )
             ui.link("Go to welcome page", "/").classes(
diff --git a/app/pages/event_comparison.py b/app/pages/event_comparison.py
index 7baaa03..281e260 100644
--- a/app/pages/event_comparison.py
+++ b/app/pages/event_comparison.py
@@ -41,8 +41,7 @@ def legacy_event_comparison_page(request: Request):
 def workspace_event_comparison_page(workspace_id: str) -> None:
     repo = get_workspace_repository()
     if not repo.workspace_exists(workspace_id):
-        render_workspace_recovery()
-        return
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/", status_code=307)
     _render_event_comparison_page(workspace_id=workspace_id)
 
 
diff --git a/app/pages/hedge.py b/app/pages/hedge.py
index e5c53ad..b09e666 100644
--- a/app/pages/hedge.py
+++ b/app/pages/hedge.py
@@ -70,8 +70,7 @@ def legacy_hedge_page(request: Request):
 def workspace_hedge_page(workspace_id: str) -> None:
     repo = get_workspace_repository()
     if not repo.workspace_exists(workspace_id):
-        render_workspace_recovery()
-        return
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/", status_code=307)
     _render_hedge_page(workspace_id=workspace_id)
 
 
diff --git a/app/pages/overview.py b/app/pages/overview.py
index a3e77b4..b67ba0a 100644
--- a/app/pages/overview.py
+++ b/app/pages/overview.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from app.models.workspace import WORKSPACE_COOKIE, get_workspace_repository
 from app.pages.common import dashboard_page, quick_recommendations, recommendation_style, strategy_catalog
 from app.services.alerts import AlertService, build_portfolio_alert_context
 from app.services.runtime import get_data_service
+from app.services.turnstile import load_turnstile_settings
 
 _DEFAULT_CASH_BUFFER = 18_500.0
 
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ def _render_workspace_recovery(title: str, message: str) -> None:
         ui.label(title).classes("text-3xl font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-slate-50")
         ui.label(message).classes("text-base text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400")
         with ui.row().classes("mx-auto gap-3"):
-            ui.link("Get started", "/workspaces/bootstrap").classes(
+            ui.link("Get started", "/").classes(
                 "rounded-lg bg-slate-900 px-5 py-3 text-sm font-semibold text-white no-underline dark:bg-slate-100 dark:text-slate-900"
             )
             ui.link("Go to welcome page", "/").classes(
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ def welcome_page(request: Request):
     workspace_id = request.cookies.get(WORKSPACE_COOKIE, "")
     if workspace_id and repo.workspace_exists(workspace_id):
         return RedirectResponse(url=f"/{workspace_id}", status_code=307)
+    captcha_error = request.query_params.get("captcha_error") == "1"
 
     with ui.column().classes("mx-auto mt-24 w-full max-w-3xl gap-8 px-6"):
         with ui.card().classes(
@@ -79,10 +81,25 @@ def welcome_page(request: Request):
             ui.label(
                 "Start with a workspace-scoped overview and settings area. Your portfolio defaults are stored server-side and your browser keeps a workspace cookie for quick return visits."
             ).classes("text-base text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400")
-            with ui.row().classes("items-center gap-4 pt-4"):
-                ui.link("Get started", "/workspaces/bootstrap").classes(
-                    "rounded-lg bg-slate-900 px-5 py-3 text-sm font-semibold text-white no-underline dark:bg-slate-100 dark:text-slate-900"
+            if captcha_error:
+                ui.label("CAPTCHA verification failed. Please retry the Turnstile challenge.").classes(
+                    "rounded-lg border border-rose-200 bg-rose-50 px-4 py-3 text-sm font-medium text-rose-700 dark:border-rose-900/60 dark:bg-rose-950/30 dark:text-rose-300"
                 )
+            with ui.row().classes("items-center gap-4 pt-4"):
+                turnstile = load_turnstile_settings()
+                ui.add_body_html(
+                    '<script src="https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/api.js" async defer></script>'
+                )
+                hidden_token = (
+                    '<input type="hidden" name="cf-turnstile-response" value="test-token" />'
+                    if turnstile.uses_test_keys
+                    else ""
+                )
+                ui.html(f"""<form method="post" action="/workspaces/bootstrap" class="flex items-center gap-4">
+                        {hidden_token}
+                        <div class="cf-turnstile" data-sitekey="{turnstile.site_key}"></div>
+                        <button type="submit" class="rounded-lg bg-slate-900 px-5 py-3 text-sm font-semibold text-white no-underline dark:bg-slate-100 dark:text-slate-900">Get started</button>
+                    </form>""")
                 ui.label("You can always create a fresh workspace later if a link is lost.").classes(
                     "text-sm text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400"
                 )
@@ -102,11 +119,7 @@ def legacy_overview_page(request: Request):
 async def overview_page(workspace_id: str) -> None:
     repo = get_workspace_repository()
     if not repo.workspace_exists(workspace_id):
-        _render_workspace_recovery(
-            "Workspace not found",
-            "The workspace link looks missing or expired. Create a new workspace or return to the welcome page.",
-        )
-        return
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/", status_code=307)
 
     config = repo.load_portfolio_config(workspace_id)
     data_service = get_data_service()
@@ -224,15 +237,17 @@ async def overview_page(workspace_id: str) -> None:
                             "w-full items-start justify-between gap-4 border-b border-slate-100 py-3 last:border-b-0 dark:border-slate-800"
                         ):
                             with ui.column().classes("gap-1"):
-                                ui.label(event.message).classes("text-sm font-medium text-slate-900 dark:text-slate-100")
+                                ui.label(event.message).classes(
+                                    "text-sm font-medium text-slate-900 dark:text-slate-100"
+                                )
                                 ui.label(
                                     f"Logged {_format_timestamp(event.updated_at)} · Spot ${event.spot_price:,.2f} · LTV {event.ltv_ratio:.1%}"
                                 ).classes("text-xs text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400")
                             ui.label(event.severity.upper()).classes(_alert_badge_classes(event.severity))
                 else:
-                    ui.label("No alert history yet. Alerts will be logged once the warning threshold is crossed.").classes(
-                        "text-sm text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400"
-                    )
+                    ui.label(
+                        "No alert history yet. Alerts will be logged once the warning threshold is crossed."
+                    ).classes("text-sm text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400")
 
         with ui.card().classes(
             "w-full rounded-2xl border border-slate-200 bg-white shadow-sm dark:border-slate-800 dark:bg-slate-900"
diff --git a/app/pages/settings.py b/app/pages/settings.py
index ade1d3c..5511f27 100644
--- a/app/pages/settings.py
+++ b/app/pages/settings.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def _render_workspace_recovery() -> None:
             "The requested workspace is unavailable. Start a new workspace or return to the welcome page."
         ).classes("text-base text-slate-500 dark:text-slate-400")
         with ui.row().classes("mx-auto gap-3"):
-            ui.link("Get started", "/workspaces/bootstrap").classes(
+            ui.link("Get started", "/").classes(
                 "rounded-lg bg-slate-900 px-5 py-3 text-sm font-semibold text-white no-underline dark:bg-slate-100 dark:text-slate-900"
             )
             ui.link("Go to welcome page", "/").classes(
@@ -49,8 +49,7 @@ def settings_page(workspace_id: str) -> None:
     """Settings page with workspace-scoped persistent portfolio configuration."""
     workspace_repo = get_workspace_repository()
     if not workspace_repo.workspace_exists(workspace_id):
-        _render_workspace_recovery()
-        return
+        return RedirectResponse(url="/", status_code=307)
 
     config = workspace_repo.load_portfolio_config(workspace_id)
     alert_service = AlertService()
diff --git a/app/services/turnstile.py b/app/services/turnstile.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3b486f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/services/turnstile.py
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import os
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+import requests
+
+TURNSTILE_VERIFY_URL = "https://challenges.cloudflare.com/turnstile/v0/siteverify"
+DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY = "1x00000000000000000000AA"
+DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY = "1x0000000000000000000000000000000AA"
+ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY = "2x00000000000000000000AB"
+ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY = "2x0000000000000000000000000000000AA"
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class TurnstileSettings:
+    site_key: str
+    secret_key: str
+    enabled: bool
+    uses_test_keys: bool
+
+
+def _environment() -> str:
+    return os.getenv("APP_ENV", os.getenv("ENVIRONMENT", "development")).lower()
+
+
+def load_turnstile_settings() -> TurnstileSettings:
+    site_key = os.getenv("TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY", "")
+    secret_key = os.getenv("TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY", "")
+    enabled = os.getenv("TURNSTILE_ENABLED", "true").lower() not in {"0", "false", "no"}
+    env = _environment()
+
+    if not site_key or not secret_key:
+        if env in {"development", "test"}:
+            site_key = site_key or DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY
+            secret_key = secret_key or DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError("Turnstile keys must be configured outside development/test environments")
+
+    uses_test_keys = site_key == DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY and secret_key == DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY
+    return TurnstileSettings(
+        site_key=site_key,
+        secret_key=secret_key,
+        enabled=enabled,
+        uses_test_keys=uses_test_keys,
+    )
+
+
+def verify_turnstile_token(token: str, remote_ip: str | None = None) -> bool:
+    settings = load_turnstile_settings()
+    if not settings.enabled:
+        return True
+    if not token.strip():
+        return False
+    try:
+        response = requests.post(
+            TURNSTILE_VERIFY_URL,
+            data={
+                "secret": settings.secret_key,
+                "response": token,
+                "remoteip": remote_ip or "",
+            },
+            timeout=10,
+        )
+        response.raise_for_status()
+        payload = response.json()
+    except (requests.RequestException, ValueError) as exc:
+        logger.warning("Turnstile verification failed: %s", exc)
+        return False
+    return bool(payload.get("success"))
diff --git a/docker-compose.deploy.yml b/docker-compose.deploy.yml
index 432c2e0..fc3b3f8 100644
--- a/docker-compose.deploy.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.deploy.yml
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ services:
       NICEGUI_MOUNT_PATH: ${NICEGUI_MOUNT_PATH:-/}
       NICEGUI_STORAGE_SECRET: ${NICEGUI_STORAGE_SECRET}
       CORS_ORIGINS: ${CORS_ORIGINS:-*}
+      TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY: ${TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY:-}
+      TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY: ${TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY:-}
     ports:
       - "${APP_BIND_ADDRESS:-127.0.0.1}:${APP_PORT:-8000}:8000"
     networks:
diff --git a/scripts/deploy-forgejo.sh b/scripts/deploy-forgejo.sh
index 4e640bd..494976b 100755
--- a/scripts/deploy-forgejo.sh
+++ b/scripts/deploy-forgejo.sh
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ WEBSOCKET_INTERVAL_SECONDS=${WEBSOCKET_INTERVAL_SECONDS:-5}
 NICEGUI_MOUNT_PATH=${NICEGUI_MOUNT_PATH:-/}
 NICEGUI_STORAGE_SECRET=${NICEGUI_STORAGE_SECRET:-}
 CORS_ORIGINS=${CORS_ORIGINS:-*}
+TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY=${TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY:-}
+TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY=${TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY:-}
 EOF
 
 # Upload docker-compose file
diff --git a/tests/test_e2e_playwright.py b/tests/test_e2e_playwright.py
index f692da0..61e06d8 100644
--- a/tests/test_e2e_playwright.py
+++ b/tests/test_e2e_playwright.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def test_homepage_and_options_page_render() -> None:
         page.goto(BASE_URL, wait_until="domcontentloaded", timeout=30000)
         expect(page).to_have_title("NiceGUI")
         expect(page.locator("text=Create a private workspace URL").first).to_be_visible(timeout=10000)
-        page.get_by_role("link", name="Get started").click()
+        page.get_by_role("button", name="Get started").click()
         page.wait_for_url(f"{BASE_URL}/*", timeout=15000)
         workspace_url = page.url
         workspace_id = workspace_url.removeprefix(f"{BASE_URL}/")
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ def test_homepage_and_options_page_render() -> None:
         second_page = second_context.new_page()
         second_page.goto(BASE_URL, wait_until="domcontentloaded", timeout=30000)
         expect(second_page.locator("text=Create a private workspace URL").first).to_be_visible(timeout=10000)
-        second_page.get_by_role("link", name="Get started").click()
+        second_page.get_by_role("button", name="Get started").click()
         second_page.wait_for_url(f"{BASE_URL}/*", timeout=15000)
         second_workspace_url = second_page.url
         assert second_workspace_url != workspace_url
diff --git a/tests/test_turnstile.py b/tests/test_turnstile.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d2b903
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_turnstile.py
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import requests
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+from app.main import app
+
+
+def test_legacy_get_bootstrap_url_redirects_to_welcome_page() -> None:
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        response = client.get("/workspaces/bootstrap", follow_redirects=False)
+
+    assert response.status_code in {302, 303, 307}
+    assert response.headers["location"] == "/"
+
+
+def test_bootstrap_workspace_rejects_missing_turnstile_token(monkeypatch, tmp_path) -> None:
+    from app.models import workspace as workspace_module
+    from app.models.workspace import WorkspaceRepository
+
+    repo = WorkspaceRepository(base_path=tmp_path / "workspaces")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(workspace_module, "_workspace_repo", repo)
+
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        response = client.post("/workspaces/bootstrap", follow_redirects=False)
+
+    assert response.status_code == 303
+    assert response.headers["location"] == "/?captcha_error=1"
+
+
+def test_bootstrap_workspace_creates_workspace_when_turnstile_verification_succeeds(monkeypatch, tmp_path) -> None:
+    from app.models import workspace as workspace_module
+    from app.models.workspace import WorkspaceRepository
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
+    repo = WorkspaceRepository(base_path=tmp_path / "workspaces")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(workspace_module, "_workspace_repo", repo)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(turnstile_module, "verify_turnstile_token", lambda *args, **kwargs: True)
+
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        response = client.post(
+            "/workspaces/bootstrap",
+            data={"cf-turnstile-response": "token-ok"},
+            follow_redirects=False,
+        )
+
+    assert response.status_code in {302, 303, 307}
+    workspace_id = response.headers["location"].strip("/")
+    assert repo.workspace_exists(workspace_id)
+    assert response.cookies.get("workspace_id") == workspace_id
+
+
+def test_bootstrap_workspace_rejects_failed_turnstile_verification(monkeypatch, tmp_path) -> None:
+    from app.models import workspace as workspace_module
+    from app.models.workspace import WorkspaceRepository
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
+    repo = WorkspaceRepository(base_path=tmp_path / "workspaces")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(workspace_module, "_workspace_repo", repo)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(turnstile_module, "verify_turnstile_token", lambda *args, **kwargs: False)
+
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        response = client.post(
+            "/workspaces/bootstrap",
+            data={"cf-turnstile-response": "token-bad"},
+            follow_redirects=False,
+        )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 303
+    assert response.headers["location"] == "/?captcha_error=1"
+    assert not any(repo.base_path.iterdir())
+
+
+def test_turnstile_settings_use_default_test_keys_when_env_is_missing(monkeypatch) -> None:
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("APP_ENV", "test")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("APP_ENV", "test")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY", raising=False)
+
+    settings = turnstile_module.load_turnstile_settings()
+
+    assert settings.site_key == turnstile_module.DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY
+    assert settings.secret_key == turnstile_module.DEFAULT_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY
+    assert settings.enabled is True
+    assert settings.uses_test_keys is True
+    assert settings.uses_test_keys is True
+
+
+def test_turnstile_settings_fail_loudly_without_keys_outside_dev(monkeypatch) -> None:
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("APP_ENV", "production")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY", raising=False)
+    monkeypatch.delenv("TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY", raising=False)
+
+    import pytest
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="Turnstile keys must be configured"):
+        turnstile_module.load_turnstile_settings()
+
+
+def test_turnstile_verification_returns_false_on_transport_error(monkeypatch) -> None:
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("APP_ENV", "test")
+
+    def raise_error(*args, **kwargs):
+        raise requests.RequestException("boom")
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(turnstile_module.requests, "post", raise_error)
+
+    assert turnstile_module.verify_turnstile_token("token") is False
+
+
+def test_turnstile_settings_support_always_fail_test_keys(monkeypatch) -> None:
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
+    monkeypatch.setenv("APP_ENV", "test")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY", turnstile_module.ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY", turnstile_module.ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY)
+
+    settings = turnstile_module.load_turnstile_settings()
+
+    assert settings.site_key == turnstile_module.ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY
+    assert settings.secret_key == turnstile_module.ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY
+    assert settings.enabled is True
+    assert settings.uses_test_keys is False
+
+
+def test_bootstrap_stays_blocked_under_always_fail_turnstile_test_keys(monkeypatch, tmp_path) -> None:
+    from app.models import workspace as workspace_module
+    from app.models.workspace import WorkspaceRepository
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
+    repo = WorkspaceRepository(base_path=tmp_path / "workspaces")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(workspace_module, "_workspace_repo", repo)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("APP_ENV", "test")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("TURNSTILE_SITE_KEY", turnstile_module.ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SITE_KEY)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("TURNSTILE_SECRET_KEY", turnstile_module.ALWAYS_FAIL_TURNSTILE_TEST_SECRET_KEY)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(turnstile_module, "verify_turnstile_token", lambda *args, **kwargs: False)
+
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        response = client.post(
+            "/workspaces/bootstrap",
+            data={"cf-turnstile-response": "blocked-token"},
+            follow_redirects=False,
+        )
+
+    assert response.status_code == 303
+    assert response.headers["location"] == "/?captcha_error=1"
+    assert not any(repo.base_path.iterdir())
diff --git a/tests/test_workspace.py b/tests/test_workspace.py
index 39b7318..ee56cd1 100644
--- a/tests/test_workspace.py
+++ b/tests/test_workspace.py
@@ -48,11 +48,20 @@ def test_root_without_workspace_cookie_shows_welcome_page(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
     assert "Get started" in response.text
 
 
-def test_bootstrap_endpoint_creates_workspace_cookie_and_redirects(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> None:
+def test_bootstrap_endpoint_requires_turnstile_and_creates_workspace_cookie_and_redirects(
+    tmp_path, monkeypatch
+) -> None:
+    from app.services import turnstile as turnstile_module
+
     repo = _install_workspace_repo(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(turnstile_module, "verify_turnstile_token", lambda *args, **kwargs: True)
 
     with TestClient(app) as client:
-        response = client.get("/workspaces/bootstrap", follow_redirects=False)
+        response = client.post(
+            "/workspaces/bootstrap",
+            data={"cf-turnstile-response": "token-ok"},
+            follow_redirects=False,
+        )
 
     assert response.status_code in {302, 303, 307}
     location = response.headers["location"]
@@ -74,15 +83,24 @@ def test_root_with_valid_workspace_cookie_redirects_to_workspace(tmp_path, monke
     assert response.headers["location"] == f"/{workspace_id}"
 
 
-def test_unknown_workspace_route_shows_friendly_recovery_path(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> None:
+def test_unknown_workspace_route_redirects_to_welcome_page(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> None:
     _install_workspace_repo(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
 
     with TestClient(app) as client:
         response = client.get("/00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000000")
 
     assert response.status_code == 200
-    assert "Workspace not found" in response.text
-    assert "Get started" in response.text
+    assert "Create a private workspace URL" in response.text
+
+
+def test_arbitrary_fake_workspace_like_path_redirects_to_welcome_page(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> None:
+    _install_workspace_repo(tmp_path, monkeypatch)
+
+    with TestClient(app) as client:
+        response = client.get("/arbitrary2371568path/")
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert "Create a private workspace URL" in response.text
 
 
 def test_workspace_settings_round_trip_uses_workspace_storage(tmp_path, monkeypatch) -> None: