diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4773f7b..b8fe63e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -115,9 +115,10 @@ trust the three BarKeep commands. Codex and ChatGPT desktop share these hooks.
 
 | Feature | Permission | Why |
 |---|---|---|
+| Busy Bar connection | Local Network | Required for the bar's local HTTP API over both its USB network interface and Wi-Fi. BarKeep asks on first launch. |
 | Notification forwarding | Full Disk Access | macOS stores delivered notifications in a TCC-protected SQLite DB (`~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.apple.usernoted/db2/db`). BarKeep polls it read-only; only titles/bodies matching your app filter are read, and they go straight to the bar over your local USB or Wi-Fi connection. |
 | Calendar auto-busy | Calendar (full access) | To know when you're in an event. |
-| Everything else | none | Mic detection reads CoreAudio device state, not audio. |
+| Microphone detection | None | Mic detection reads CoreAudio device state, not audio. |
 
 Grant Full Disk Access in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk
 Access → add the installed `BarKeep.app`. Official release builds use a stable
diff --git a/Sources/BarKeep/AppState.swift b/Sources/BarKeep/AppState.swift
index 50238ac..11edaf6 100644
--- a/Sources/BarKeep/AppState.swift
+++ b/Sources/BarKeep/AppState.swift
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ final class AppState {
     var calendarAccessGranted: Bool { calendarMonitor.accessGranted }
 
     let client: BusyBarClient
+    private let localNetworkPermissionTrigger = LocalNetworkPermissionTrigger()
     private let micMonitor = MicMonitor()
     private let notificationWatcher = NotificationWatcher()
     private let calendarMonitor = CalendarMonitor()
@@ -205,6 +206,12 @@ final class AppState {
         self.pingHost = defaults.string(forKey: "pingHost") ?? "1.1.1.1"
         self.weatherCelsius = defaults.bool(forKey: "weatherCelsius")
         self.client = BusyBarClient(host: host, token: token)
+        localNetworkPermissionTrigger.onAccessAvailable = { [weak self] in
+            Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+                await self?.refreshDeviceStatus()
+            }
+        }
+        localNetworkPermissionTrigger.requestAccess()
         slackSync.token = self.slackToken
         syncPingLoop()
         syncWeatherLoop()
diff --git a/Sources/BarKeep/LocalNetworkPermissionTrigger.swift b/Sources/BarKeep/LocalNetworkPermissionTrigger.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bdfbb6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Sources/BarKeep/LocalNetworkPermissionTrigger.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import Foundation
+import Network
+
+/// Performs an explicit local-network operation so macOS presents its privacy
+/// prompt before the Busy Bar client begins making direct-IP requests.
+final class LocalNetworkPermissionTrigger: @unchecked Sendable {
+    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "dev.barkeep.local-network-permission")
+    private var browser: NWBrowser?
+    var onAccessAvailable: (@Sendable () -> Void)?
+
+    func requestAccess() {
+        guard browser == nil else { return }
+
+        let parameters = NWParameters()
+        parameters.includePeerToPeer = true
+
+        let browser = NWBrowser(
+            for: .bonjour(type: "_barkeep._tcp", domain: nil),
+            using: parameters
+        )
+        browser.stateUpdateHandler = { [weak self] state in
+            switch state {
+            case .ready:
+                self?.onAccessAvailable?()
+                self?.stop()
+            case .failed, .cancelled:
+                self?.stop()
+            default:
+                break
+            }
+        }
+        browser.start(queue: queue)
+        self.browser = browser
+    }
+
+    private func stop() {
+        browser?.cancel()
+        browser = nil
+    }
+}
diff --git a/packaging/Info.plist b/packaging/Info.plist
index b1eaf24..5f75af8 100644
--- a/packaging/Info.plist
+++ b/packaging/Info.plist
@@ -13,12 +13,18 @@
     <key>CFBundlePackageType</key>
     <string>APPL</string>
     <key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
-    <string>1.0.8</string>
+    <string>1.0.9</string>
     <key>LSMinimumSystemVersion</key>
     <string>14.0</string>
     <key>LSUIElement</key>
     <true/>
     <key>NSCalendarsFullAccessUsageDescription</key>
     <string>BarKeep sets your Busy Bar to busy during calendar events and shows a countdown to your next meeting.</string>
+    <key>NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription</key>
+    <string>BarKeep connects directly to your Busy Bar over USB or Wi-Fi on your local network.</string>
+    <key>NSBonjourServices</key>
+    <array>
+        <string>_barkeep._tcp</string>
+    </array>
 </dict>
 </plist>