diff --git a/src/components/CrewForm.tsx b/src/components/CrewForm.tsx
index 844435a..3e1478b 100644
--- a/src/components/CrewForm.tsx
+++ b/src/components/CrewForm.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { useState, useEffect, type ReactNode } from 'react';
 import { nip19 } from 'nostr-tools';
 import ngeohash from 'ngeohash';
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
@@ -153,6 +153,12 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
   const { mutateAsync: uploadFile, isPending: isUploading } = useUploadFile();
   const { toast } = useToast();
 
+  // Create flow = guided wizard; edit flow = flat single page (power users
+  // want everything at once). The wizard staggers the ~15 sections into 4
+  // digestible steps so a first-timer can spin up a crew in seconds.
+  const isEditing = !!existing;
+  const [step, setStep] = useState(0);
+
   const [name, setName] = useState(existing?.name ?? '');
   const [bio, setBio] = useState(existing?.bio ?? '');
   const [location, setLocation] = useState(existing?.location ?? '');
@@ -488,26 +494,76 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
     }
   };
 
-  return (
-    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
-      <Card className="bg-gray-900 border-gray-700">
-        <CardHeader>
-          <CardTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
-            <Users className="h-5 w-5 text-teal-400" /> {existing ? 'Edit Crew' : 'Crew Details'}
-          </CardTitle>
-          <CardDescription className="text-gray-400">Your crew's identity, home turf and members</CardDescription>
-        </CardHeader>
-        <CardContent className="space-y-6">
-          <div className="space-y-2">
-            <Label htmlFor="crew-name">Crew Name *</Label>
-            <Input id="crew-name" placeholder="e.g. Backyard Bandits" value={name} onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
-          </div>
+  // ─── Section blocks ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  // Each visible field group is a self-contained element that closes over the
+  // component's state. They're composed into wizard steps (create) or one flat
+  // scroll (edit) below — no field or publish logic changes between modes.
 
-          <div className="space-y-2">
-            <Label htmlFor="crew-bio">About / Manifesto</Label>
-            <Textarea id="crew-bio" placeholder="Who you are, what you skate, your story..." value={bio} onChange={(e) => setBio(e.target.value)} rows={5} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
-          </div>
+  const logoBlock = (
+    <div className="space-y-2">
+      <Label>Crew Logo / Photo</Label>
+      {image ? (
+        <div className="relative w-32 h-32 rounded-2xl overflow-hidden bg-gray-800">
+          <img src={image} alt="Crew" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
+          <button type="button" onClick={() => setImage(null)} className="absolute top-2 right-2 p-1 rounded-full bg-black/80 hover:bg-red-500">
+            <X className="h-4 w-4" />
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      ) : (
+        <label className="w-32 h-32 rounded-2xl border-2 border-dashed border-gray-700 flex flex-col items-center justify-center cursor-pointer hover:bg-gray-800/50 hover:border-teal-500/50 transition-colors">
+          <input type="file" accept="image/*" className="hidden" onChange={handleImageUpload} disabled={isUploading} />
+          {isUploading ? <Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 animate-spin" /> : <><Upload className="h-6 w-6 mb-1 text-gray-500" /><span className="text-xs text-gray-500">Upload</span></>}
+        </label>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
 
+  const nameBlock = (
+    <div className="space-y-2">
+      <Label htmlFor="crew-name">Crew Name *</Label>
+      <Input id="crew-name" placeholder="e.g. Backyard Bandits" value={name} onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700 text-base" autoFocus={!isEditing} />
+    </div>
+  );
+
+  const bioBlock = (
+    <div className="space-y-2">
+      <Label htmlFor="crew-bio">About / Manifesto</Label>
+      <Textarea id="crew-bio" placeholder="Who you are, what you skate, your story..." value={bio} onChange={(e) => setBio(e.target.value)} rows={5} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
+    </div>
+  );
+
+  const locationBlock = (
+    <>
+      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+        <div className="space-y-2">
+          <Label htmlFor="crew-location">Home Turf (City / Area)</Label>
+          <Input id="crew-location" placeholder="Bristol, UK" value={location} onChange={(e) => setLocation(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
+        </div>
+        <div className="space-y-2">
+          <Label htmlFor="crew-founded">Founded (Year)</Label>
+          <Input id="crew-founded" type="number" placeholder="2015" value={founded} onChange={(e) => setFounded(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <div className="space-y-2">
+        <Label>Map Pin <span className="font-normal text-gray-500">· optional</span></Label>
+        <p className="text-xs text-gray-500">Drop your crew on the map so locals can find you. Tap the button — no typing needed.</p>
+        <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
+          <Input placeholder="Latitude" value={latitude} onChange={(e) => setLatitude(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
+          <Input placeholder="Longitude" value={longitude} onChange={(e) => setLongitude(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
+        </div>
+        <Button type="button" variant="outline" size="sm" onClick={getCurrentLocation} disabled={isGettingLocation} className="mt-2 border-gray-700">
+          {isGettingLocation ? <><Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 mr-2 animate-spin" />Getting...</> : <><MapPin className="h-4 w-4 mr-2" />Use current location</>}
+        </Button>
+        {existing?.geohash && !latitude && (
+          <p className="text-xs text-gray-500">Leave blank to keep the current home turf location.</p>
+        )}
+      </div>
+    </>
+  );
+
+  const vibeBlock = (
+    <>
           {/* Vibe tags */}
           <div className="space-y-3">
             <Label>Vibe / Focus</Label>
@@ -571,8 +627,10 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               )}
             </div>
           </div>
+    </>
+  );
 
-          {/* Lab scene focus — cross-links the crew into The Lab */}
+  const crewTypeBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-3 rounded-lg border border-gray-700 bg-gray-900/60 p-4">
             <div>
               <Label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-teal-400">
@@ -615,8 +673,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               })}
             </div>
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Crew AI agent (Sasquatch) */}
+  const agentBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-3 rounded-lg border border-teal-500/30 bg-teal-500/[0.04] p-4">
             <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-3">
               <div className="min-w-0">
@@ -650,8 +709,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               </button>
             </div>
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Open call — looking for (crew ↔ Lab hiring pipeline) */}
+  const openCallBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-3 rounded-lg border border-fuchsia-500/30 bg-fuchsia-500/[0.04] p-4">
             <div>
               <Label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-fuchsia-400">
@@ -684,9 +744,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               })}
             </div>
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Crew treasury (NIP-75 zap goal) — hidden for now via SHOW_CREW_TREASURY */}
-          {SHOW_CREW_TREASURY && (
+  const treasuryBlock = SHOW_CREW_TREASURY ? (
           <div className="space-y-3 rounded-lg border border-orange-500/30 bg-orange-500/[0.04] p-4">
             <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-3">
               <div className="min-w-0">
@@ -749,9 +809,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               </div>
             )}
           </div>
-          )}
+  ) : null;
 
-          {/* Members */}
+  const membersBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-3 rounded-lg border border-gray-700 bg-gray-900/60 p-4">
             <div>
               <Label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-teal-400"><Users className="h-4 w-4" /> Members</Label>
@@ -838,8 +898,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               </div>
             )}
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Home spots */}
+  const spotsBlock = (
           <SpotPicker
             selectedSpots={selectedSpots}
             onSpotsChange={setSelectedSpots}
@@ -847,11 +908,11 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
             label="Home Spots"
             description="Link the spots your crew haunts — they'll connect to your crew on the map"
           />
+  );
 
-          {/* Linked Lab profiles (cross-link) */}
-          <LabLinkField value={labRefs} onChange={setLabRefs} />
+  const labLinkBlock = <LabLinkField value={labRefs} onChange={setLabRefs} />;
 
-          {/* The Part — crew video / montage */}
+  const videoBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-2 rounded-lg border border-teal-500/30 bg-teal-500/[0.04] p-4">
             <Label htmlFor="crew-video" className="flex items-center gap-2 text-teal-400">
               <Film className="h-4 w-4" /> The Part <span className="font-normal text-gray-500">· optional</span>
@@ -883,8 +944,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               )
             )}
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Sponsor shop */}
+  const sponsorBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-2 rounded-lg border border-amber-500/30 bg-amber-500/[0.04] p-4">
             <Label className="flex items-center gap-2 text-amber-400">
               <Store className="h-4 w-4" /> Sponsored by <span className="font-normal text-gray-500">· optional</span>
@@ -895,16 +957,17 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
             </p>
             <CrewSponsorPicker value={sponsorRef} onChange={setSponsorRef} />
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Encrypted chat coordinator (Cordn / MLS) */}
+  const coordinatorBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-2 rounded-lg border border-emerald-500/30 bg-emerald-500/[0.04] p-4">
             <Label htmlFor="crew-coordinator" className="flex items-center gap-2 text-emerald-400">
-              <Lock className="h-4 w-4" /> Private Chat Coordinator <span className="font-normal text-gray-500">· optional</span>
+              <Lock className="h-4 w-4" /> Private Chat Coordinator <span className="font-normal text-gray-500">· advanced</span>
             </Label>
             <p className="text-xs text-gray-500">
-              Point your crew at a <span className="font-semibold text-emerald-300">Cordn</span> coordinator
-              (an MLS delivery service reached over ContextVM) to enable end-to-end encrypted group chat.
-              Nothing crew-specific ever hits a public relay. Paste the coordinator's URL.
+              Most crews can skip this. If you run a <span className="font-semibold text-emerald-300">Cordn</span> coordinator
+              (an MLS delivery service reached over ContextVM), paste its URL to enable end-to-end encrypted group chat —
+              nothing crew-specific ever hits a public relay. Leave blank and your crew still gets a private group chat.
             </p>
             <Input
               id="crew-coordinator"
@@ -914,33 +977,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700 font-mono text-xs"
             />
           </div>
+  );
 
-          <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="crew-location">Home Turf (City / Area)</Label>
-              <Input id="crew-location" placeholder="Bristol, UK" value={location} onChange={(e) => setLocation(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
-            </div>
-            <div className="space-y-2">
-              <Label htmlFor="crew-founded">Founded (Year)</Label>
-              <Input id="crew-founded" type="number" placeholder="2015" value={founded} onChange={(e) => setFounded(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
-            </div>
-          </div>
-
-          <div className="space-y-2">
-            <Label>Home Turf Coordinates (map anchor)</Label>
-            <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
-              <Input placeholder="Latitude" value={latitude} onChange={(e) => setLatitude(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
-              <Input placeholder="Longitude" value={longitude} onChange={(e) => setLongitude(e.target.value)} className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700" />
-            </div>
-            <Button type="button" variant="outline" size="sm" onClick={getCurrentLocation} disabled={isGettingLocation} className="mt-2 border-gray-700">
-              {isGettingLocation ? <><Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 mr-2 animate-spin" />Getting...</> : <><MapPin className="h-4 w-4 mr-2" />Use current location</>}
-            </Button>
-            {existing?.geohash && !latitude && (
-              <p className="text-xs text-gray-500">Leave blank to keep the current home turf location.</p>
-            )}
-          </div>
-
-          {/* Crew NIP-05 identity */}
+  const nip05Block = (
           <div className="space-y-2 rounded-lg border border-gray-700 bg-gray-900/60 p-4">
             <Label htmlFor="crew-nip05" className="flex items-center gap-2 text-teal-400">
               <AtSign className="h-4 w-4" /> Crew NIP-05 <span className="font-normal text-gray-500">· optional</span>
@@ -959,8 +998,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               className="bg-gray-800 border-gray-700 font-mono text-sm"
             />
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Links */}
+  const linksBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-3">
             <Label className="text-base font-bold">Links</Label>
             <div className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
@@ -1011,10 +1051,9 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
             </div>
             <NofferField value={noffer} onChange={setNoffer} />
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Crew Band — many crews double as local bands. Optional.
-              Interconnects with the Lab: a serious band can set its Crew Type to
-              "Band & Music" and link a full Musician profile below. */}
+  const bandBlock = (
           <div className="space-y-3 rounded-xl border border-purple-500/20 bg-purple-500/[0.04] p-4">
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
               <Music className="h-4 w-4 text-purple-400" />
@@ -1072,34 +1111,211 @@ export function CrewForm({ existing }: CrewFormProps) {
               <strong className="text-gray-300">Linked Lab profiles</strong> section above.
             </p>
           </div>
+  );
 
-          {/* Logo */}
-          <div className="space-y-2">
-            <Label>Crew Logo / Photo</Label>
-            {image ? (
-              <div className="relative w-32 h-32 rounded-2xl overflow-hidden bg-gray-800">
-                <img src={image} alt="Crew" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
-                <button type="button" onClick={() => setImage(null)} className="absolute top-2 right-2 p-1 rounded-full bg-black/80 hover:bg-red-500">
-                  <X className="h-4 w-4" />
-                </button>
-              </div>
-            ) : (
-              <label className="w-32 h-32 rounded-2xl border-2 border-dashed border-gray-700 flex flex-col items-center justify-center cursor-pointer hover:bg-gray-800/50">
-                <input type="file" accept="image/*" className="hidden" onChange={handleImageUpload} disabled={isUploading} />
-                {isUploading ? <Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 animate-spin" /> : <><Upload className="h-6 w-6 mb-1 text-gray-500" /><span className="text-xs text-gray-500">Upload</span></>}
-              </label>
-            )}
+  const busy = isPublishing || isUploading;
+
+  // ─── Edit mode: flat single page (all sections at once) ───────────────────
+  if (isEditing) {
+    return (
+      <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
+        <Card className="bg-gray-900 border-gray-700">
+          <CardHeader>
+            <CardTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
+              <Users className="h-5 w-5 text-teal-400" /> Edit Crew
+            </CardTitle>
+            <CardDescription className="text-gray-400">Your crew's identity, home turf and members</CardDescription>
+          </CardHeader>
+          <CardContent className="space-y-6">
+            {logoBlock}
+            {nameBlock}
+            {bioBlock}
+            {vibeBlock}
+            {crewTypeBlock}
+            {agentBlock}
+            {openCallBlock}
+            {treasuryBlock}
+            {membersBlock}
+            {spotsBlock}
+            {labLinkBlock}
+            {videoBlock}
+            {sponsorBlock}
+            {coordinatorBlock}
+            {locationBlock}
+            {nip05Block}
+            {linksBlock}
+            {bandBlock}
+            <Button type="submit" className={cn('w-full uppercase font-black', TEAL)} disabled={busy}>
+              {isPublishing ? (
+                <><Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 mr-2 animate-spin" />Publishing...</>
+              ) : (
+                <><Users className="h-4 w-4 mr-2" />Save Crew</>
+              )}
+            </Button>
+          </CardContent>
+        </Card>
+      </form>
+    );
+  }
+
+  // ─── Create mode: guided 4-step wizard ────────────────────────────────────
+  const steps: { title: string; hint: string; content: ReactNode }[] = [
+    {
+      title: 'The Basics',
+      hint: 'Just the essentials — you can spin up a crew with only this step.',
+      content: (
+        <div className="space-y-6">
+          <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 text-center sm:flex-row sm:items-start sm:text-left">
+            {logoBlock}
+            <p className="max-w-xs text-xs text-gray-500 sm:pt-8">
+              A logo makes your crew instantly recognisable on the map and in feeds. Square works best.
+            </p>
           </div>
+          {nameBlock}
+          {bioBlock}
+          {locationBlock}
+        </div>
+      ),
+    },
+    {
+      title: 'Identity & Vibe',
+      hint: 'How your crew shows up around the app. All optional.',
+      content: (
+        <div className="space-y-6">
+          {vibeBlock}
+          {crewTypeBlock}
+        </div>
+      ),
+    },
+    {
+      title: 'Squad & Spots',
+      hint: 'Add your people and your home turf. You can always do this later.',
+      content: (
+        <div className="space-y-6">
+          {membersBlock}
+          {spotsBlock}
+          {openCallBlock}
+        </div>
+      ),
+    },
+    {
+      title: 'Extras',
+      hint: 'Power-ups for later — skip anything you’re unsure about.',
+      content: (
+        <div className="space-y-6">
+          {treasuryBlock}
+          {videoBlock}
+          {sponsorBlock}
+          {labLinkBlock}
+          {linksBlock}
+          {bandBlock}
+          {nip05Block}
+          {agentBlock}
+          {coordinatorBlock}
+        </div>
+      ),
+    },
+  ];
 
-          <Button type="submit" className={cn('w-full uppercase font-black', TEAL)} disabled={isPublishing || isUploading}>
+  const lastStep = steps.length - 1;
+  const current = steps[step];
+
+  const goNext = () => {
+    // Only gate on the one truly-required field, at the step it lives on.
+    if (step === 0 && !name.trim()) {
+      toast({ title: 'Name your crew', description: 'A crew needs a name before you continue.', variant: 'destructive' });
+      return;
+    }
+    setStep((s) => Math.min(s + 1, lastStep));
+    window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+  };
+
+  const goBack = () => {
+    setStep((s) => Math.max(s - 1, 0));
+    window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
+      {/* Progress header */}
+      <div className="mb-5">
+        <div className="mb-2 flex items-center justify-between">
+          <span className="text-[11px] font-black uppercase tracking-widest text-teal-400">
+            Step {step + 1} of {steps.length}
+          </span>
+          <span className="text-[11px] font-bold text-gray-500">{current.title}</span>
+        </div>
+        <div className="flex gap-1.5">
+          {steps.map((s, i) => (
+            <button
+              key={s.title}
+              type="button"
+              onClick={() => {
+                // Allow jumping back freely; jumping forward requires a name.
+                if (i > step && !name.trim()) {
+                  toast({ title: 'Name your crew first', variant: 'destructive' });
+                  return;
+                }
+                setStep(i);
+                window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+              }}
+              className={cn(
+                'h-1.5 flex-1 rounded-full transition-colors',
+                i <= step ? 'bg-teal-500' : 'bg-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-600',
+              )}
+              aria-label={`Go to step ${i + 1}: ${s.title}`}
+            />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <Card className="bg-gray-900 border-gray-700">
+        <CardHeader>
+          <CardTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <Users className="h-5 w-5 text-teal-400" /> {current.title}
+          </CardTitle>
+          <CardDescription className="text-gray-400">{current.hint}</CardDescription>
+        </CardHeader>
+        <CardContent>{current.content}</CardContent>
+      </Card>
+
+      {/* Sticky footer nav */}
+      <div className="sticky bottom-0 z-10 mt-4 flex items-center gap-3 rounded-2xl border border-gray-700 bg-gray-900/95 p-3 backdrop-blur supports-[backdrop-filter]:bg-gray-900/80">
+        {step > 0 ? (
+          <Button type="button" variant="outline" onClick={goBack} disabled={busy} className="border-gray-700">
+            Back
+          </Button>
+        ) : (
+          <span className="flex-1" />
+        )}
+
+        {step < lastStep ? (
+          <>
+            {step > 0 && (
+              <Button
+                type="button"
+                variant="ghost"
+                onClick={() => setStep(lastStep)}
+                disabled={busy}
+                className="text-gray-400 hover:text-white"
+              >
+                Skip to end
+              </Button>
+            )}
+            <Button type="button" onClick={goNext} disabled={busy} className={cn('flex-1 font-black uppercase', TEAL)}>
+              Continue
+            </Button>
+          </>
+        ) : (
+          <Button type="submit" disabled={busy} className={cn('flex-1 font-black uppercase', TEAL)}>
             {isPublishing ? (
               <><Loader2 className="h-4 w-4 mr-2 animate-spin" />Publishing...</>
             ) : (
-              <><Users className="h-4 w-4 mr-2" />{existing ? 'Save Crew' : 'Create Crew'}</>
+              <><Users className="h-4 w-4 mr-2" />Create Crew</>
             )}
           </Button>
-        </CardContent>
-      </Card>
+        )}
+      </div>
     </form>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/pages/CreateCrewPage.tsx b/src/pages/CreateCrewPage.tsx
index 52221da..2643843 100644
--- a/src/pages/CreateCrewPage.tsx
+++ b/src/pages/CreateCrewPage.tsx
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export default function CreateCrewPage() {
           <h1 className="text-3xl font-black uppercase text-teal-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Impact, "Arial Black", sans-serif' }}>
             Create a Crew
           </h1>
-          <p className="text-gray-400 mt-1">Your skate family — the people you skate with. Plant your flag on the map.</p>
+          <p className="text-gray-400 mt-1">Your skate family — the people you skate with. Just a name gets you started; everything else is optional.</p>
         </div>
         <CrewForm />
       </div>