diff --git a/core/http/endpoints/openai/chat.go b/core/http/endpoints/openai/chat.go
index db7e2613b..ac8921d67 100644
--- a/core/http/endpoints/openai/chat.go
+++ b/core/http/endpoints/openai/chat.go
@@ -779,25 +779,17 @@ func ChatEndpoint(cl *config.ModelConfigLoader, ml *model.ModelLoader, evaluator
 					}
 					xlog.Error("Stream ended with error", "error", err)
 
-					stopReason := FinishReasonStop
-					resp := &schema.OpenAIResponse{
-						ID:      id,
-						Created: created,
-						Model:   input.Model, // we have to return what the user sent here, due to OpenAI spec.
-						Choices: []schema.Choice{
-							{
-								FinishReason: &stopReason,
-								Index:        0,
-								Delta:        &schema.Message{Content: "Internal error: " + err.Error()},
-							}},
-						Object: "chat.completion.chunk",
-						Usage:  *usage,
+					errorResp := schema.ErrorResponse{
+						Error: &schema.APIError{
+							Message: err.Error(),
+							Type:    "server_error",
+							Code:    "server_error",
+						},
 					}
-					respData, marshalErr := json.Marshal(resp)
+					respData, marshalErr := json.Marshal(errorResp)
 					if marshalErr != nil {
 						xlog.Error("Failed to marshal error response", "error", marshalErr)
-						// Send a simple error message as fallback
-						fmt.Fprintf(c.Response().Writer, "data: {\"error\":\"Internal error\"}\n\n")
+						fmt.Fprintf(c.Response().Writer, "data: {\"error\":{\"message\":\"Internal error\",\"type\":\"server_error\"}}\n\n")
 					} else {
 						fmt.Fprintf(c.Response().Writer, "data: %s\n\n", respData)
 					}
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/e2e/chat-errors.spec.js b/core/http/react-ui/e2e/chat-errors.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6e7f210e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/e2e/chat-errors.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test'
+
+async function setupChatPage(page) {
+  // Mock capabilities endpoint so ModelSelector auto-selects a model
+  await page.route('**/api/models/capabilities', (route) => {
+    route.fulfill({
+      contentType: 'application/json',
+      body: JSON.stringify({
+        data: [{ id: 'test-model', capabilities: ['FLAG_CHAT'] }],
+      }),
+    })
+  })
+}
+
+test.describe('Chat - Error Handling', () => {
+  test('shows backend error message on HTTP error', async ({ page }) => {
+    await setupChatPage(page)
+
+    await page.route('**/v1/chat/completions', (route) => {
+      route.fulfill({
+        status: 500,
+        contentType: 'application/json',
+        body: JSON.stringify({
+          error: { message: 'Model failed to load', type: 'server_error', code: 500 },
+        }),
+      })
+    })
+
+    await page.goto('/app/chat')
+    // Wait for the model to be auto-selected (ModelSelector shows model name in button)
+    await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'test-model' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+
+    await page.locator('.chat-input').fill('Hello')
+    await page.locator('.chat-send-btn').click()
+
+    await expect(page.getByRole('paragraph').filter({ hasText: 'Model failed to load' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+  })
+
+  test('shows error with trace link on HTTP error', async ({ page }) => {
+    await setupChatPage(page)
+
+    await page.route('**/v1/chat/completions', (route) => {
+      route.fulfill({
+        status: 500,
+        contentType: 'application/json',
+        body: JSON.stringify({
+          error: { message: 'Backend crashed unexpectedly', type: 'server_error', code: 500 },
+        }),
+      })
+    })
+
+    await page.goto('/app/chat')
+    await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'test-model' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+
+    await page.locator('.chat-input').fill('Hello')
+    await page.locator('.chat-send-btn').click()
+
+    await expect(page.getByRole('paragraph').filter({ hasText: 'Backend crashed unexpectedly' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+    await expect(page.locator('.chat-error-trace-link')).toBeVisible()
+  })
+
+  test('shows error from SSE error event during streaming', async ({ page }) => {
+    await setupChatPage(page)
+
+    await page.route('**/v1/chat/completions', (route) => {
+      const body = [
+        'data: {"choices":[{"delta":{"content":"Hello"},"index":0}]}\n\n',
+        'data: {"error":{"message":"Backend crashed mid-stream","type":"server_error"}}\n\n',
+        'data: [DONE]\n\n',
+      ].join('')
+      route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'text/event-stream' },
+        body,
+      })
+    })
+
+    await page.goto('/app/chat')
+    await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'test-model' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+
+    await page.locator('.chat-input').fill('Hello')
+    await page.locator('.chat-send-btn').click()
+
+    await expect(page.getByRole('paragraph').filter({ hasText: 'Backend crashed mid-stream' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+  })
+
+  test('shows generic HTTP error when no error body', async ({ page }) => {
+    await setupChatPage(page)
+
+    await page.route('**/v1/chat/completions', (route) => {
+      route.fulfill({
+        status: 502,
+        contentType: 'text/plain',
+        body: 'Bad Gateway',
+      })
+    })
+
+    await page.goto('/app/chat')
+    await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'test-model' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+
+    await page.locator('.chat-input').fill('Hello')
+    await page.locator('.chat-send-btn').click()
+
+    await expect(page.getByRole('paragraph').filter({ hasText: 'HTTP 502' })).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 })
+  })
+})
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/e2e/settings-backend-logging.spec.js b/core/http/react-ui/e2e/settings-backend-logging.spec.js
index b01b00f39..d88486c0a 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/e2e/settings-backend-logging.spec.js
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/e2e/settings-backend-logging.spec.js
@@ -27,10 +27,15 @@ test.describe('Settings - Backend Logging', () => {
   })
 
   test('save shows toast', async ({ page }) => {
+    // Toggle a setting to enable the Save button (it's disabled when no changes)
+    const section = page.locator('div', { has: page.locator('text=Enable Backend Logging') })
+    const checkbox = section.locator('input[type="checkbox"]').last()
+    await checkbox.locator('..').click()
+
     // Click save button
-    await page.locator('button', { hasText: 'Save' }).click()
+    await page.locator('button', { hasText: /Save Changes/ }).click()
 
     // Verify toast appears
-    await expect(page.locator('text=Settings saved')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 })
+    await expect(page.locator('text=Settings saved successfully')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 })
   })
 })
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/e2e/traces.spec.js b/core/http/react-ui/e2e/traces.spec.js
index 788be95ba..4a247b5b3 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/e2e/traces.spec.js
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/e2e/traces.spec.js
@@ -31,8 +31,9 @@ test.describe('Traces Settings', () => {
     await expect(page.locator('text=Enable Tracing')).toBeVisible()
 
     // The Toggle component is a <label> wrapping a hidden checkbox.
-    // Target the checkbox within the settings panel.
-    const checkbox = page.locator('input[type="checkbox"]')
+    // Use .first() on the checkbox to target the Enable Tracing toggle
+    // (it appears before the Enable Backend Logging toggle in the DOM).
+    const checkbox = page.locator('input[type="checkbox"]').first()
 
     // Initially enabled (server starts with tracing on)
     await expect(checkbox).toBeChecked()
@@ -84,8 +85,8 @@ test.describe('Traces Settings', () => {
     await page.locator('button', { hasText: 'Tracing is' }).click()
     await expect(page.locator('text=Enable Tracing')).toBeVisible()
 
-    // Toggle tracing off
-    await page.locator('input[type="checkbox"]').locator('..').click()
+    // Toggle tracing off (first checkbox is the Enable Tracing toggle)
+    await page.locator('input[type="checkbox"]').first().locator('..').click()
 
     // Save
     await page.locator('button', { hasText: 'Save' }).click()
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/App.css b/core/http/react-ui/src/App.css
index 16132da70..cc2fdb8c9 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/App.css
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/App.css
@@ -571,6 +571,30 @@
   padding: 2px;
 }
 .toast-close:hover { opacity: 1; }
+.toast-link {
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: inherit;
+  opacity: 0.8;
+  text-decoration: underline;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  margin-left: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+.toast-link:hover { opacity: 1; }
+
+/* Chat error trace link */
+.chat-error-trace-link {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+  font-size: 0.8125rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  text-decoration: none;
+  margin-top: var(--spacing-xs);
+}
+.chat-error-trace-link:hover {
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+  text-decoration: underline;
+}
 
 /* Spinner */
 .spinner {
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/components/ErrorWithTraceLink.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/components/ErrorWithTraceLink.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..157ecdfd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/components/ErrorWithTraceLink.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+export default function ErrorWithTraceLink({ message, style }) {
+  return (
+    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', color: 'var(--color-error)', ...style }}>
+      <i className="fas fa-circle-exclamation" style={{ fontSize: '3rem', marginBottom: 'var(--spacing-md)', opacity: 0.6 }} />
+      <p>Error: {message}</p>
+      <a href="/app/traces?tab=backend" className="chat-error-trace-link" style={{ justifyContent: 'center' }}>
+        <i className="fas fa-wave-square" /> View traces for details
+      </a>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/components/Toast.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/components/Toast.jsx
index b08db330e..df118633d 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/components/Toast.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/components/Toast.jsx
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ let toastId = 0
 export function useToast() {
   const [toasts, setToasts] = useState([])
 
-  const addToast = useCallback((message, type = 'info', duration = 5000) => {
+  const addToast = useCallback((message, type = 'info', duration = 5000, options = {}) => {
     const id = ++toastId
-    setToasts(prev => [...prev, { id, message, type }])
+    setToasts(prev => [...prev, { id, message, type, link: options.link }])
     if (duration > 0) {
       setTimeout(() => {
         setToasts(prev => prev.map(t => t.id === id ? { ...t, exiting: true } : t))
@@ -69,6 +69,9 @@ function ToastItem({ toast, onRemove }) {
     <div ref={ref} className={`toast ${colorMap[toast.type] || 'toast-info'} ${toast.exiting ? 'toast-exit' : ''}`}>
       <i className={`fas ${iconMap[toast.type] || 'fa-circle-info'}`} />
       <span>{toast.message}</span>
+      {toast.link && (
+        <a href={toast.link.href} className="toast-link">{toast.link.text}</a>
+      )}
       <button onClick={() => onRemove(toast.id)} className="toast-close" aria-label="Dismiss notification">
         <i className="fas fa-xmark" />
       </button>
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/hooks/useChat.js b/core/http/react-ui/src/hooks/useChat.js
index 313e04310..68ac86534 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/hooks/useChat.js
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/hooks/useChat.js
@@ -6,6 +6,15 @@ const thinkingTagRegex = /<thinking>([\s\S]*?)<\/thinking>|<think>([\s\S]*?)<\/t
 const openThinkTagRegex = /<thinking>|<think>/
 const closeThinkTagRegex = /<\/thinking>|<\/think>/
 
+async function extractHttpError(response) {
+  let errorMsg = `HTTP ${response.status}`
+  try {
+    const errorData = await response.json()
+    if (errorData.error?.message) errorMsg = errorData.error.message
+  } catch (_) {}
+  return errorMsg
+}
+
 function extractThinking(text) {
   let regularContent = ''
   let thinkingContent = ''
@@ -316,7 +325,7 @@ export function useChat(initialModel = '') {
         clearTimeout(timeoutId)
 
         if (!response.ok) {
-          throw new Error(`HTTP ${response.status}`)
+          throw new Error(await extractHttpError(response))
         }
 
         const reader = response.body.pipeThrough(new TextDecoderStream()).getReader()
@@ -404,7 +413,7 @@ export function useChat(initialModel = '') {
                   break
 
                 case 'error':
-                  newMessages.push({ role: 'assistant', content: `Error: ${eventData.message}` })
+                  newMessages.push({ role: 'assistant', content: `Error: ${eventData.message || eventData.error?.message || 'Unknown error'}` })
                   break
               }
             } catch (_e) {
@@ -461,7 +470,7 @@ export function useChat(initialModel = '') {
           })
 
           if (!response.ok) {
-            throw new Error(`HTTP ${response.status}`)
+            throw new Error(await extractHttpError(response))
           }
 
           const reader = response.body.getReader()
@@ -485,6 +494,16 @@ export function useChat(initialModel = '') {
               try {
                 const parsed = JSON.parse(data)
 
+                // Handle structured error events
+                if (parsed.error) {
+                  const errMsg = typeof parsed.error === 'string'
+                    ? parsed.error
+                    : parsed.error.message || 'Unknown error'
+                  rawContent += `\n\nError: ${errMsg}`
+                  setStreamingContent(rawContent)
+                  continue
+                }
+
                 // Handle MCP tool result events
                 if (parsed?.type === 'mcp_tool_result') {
                   currentToolCalls.push({
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Chat.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Chat.jsx
index 6ae32ee41..a9e0cb634 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Chat.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Chat.jsx
@@ -1142,6 +1142,11 @@ export default function Chat() {
                         }} />
                       )}
                     </div>
+                    {msg.role === 'assistant' && typeof msg.content === 'string' && msg.content.includes('Error:') && (
+                      <a href="/app/traces?tab=backend" className="chat-error-trace-link">
+                        <i className="fas fa-wave-square" /> View traces for details
+                      </a>
+                    )}
                     <div className="chat-message-actions">
                       <button onClick={() => copyMessage(msg.content)} title="Copy">
                         <i className="fas fa-copy" />
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/ImageGen.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/ImageGen.jsx
index d46428ec4..e7b267c54 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/ImageGen.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/ImageGen.jsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useState, useRef } from 'react'
 import { useParams, useOutletContext } from 'react-router-dom'
 import ModelSelector from '../components/ModelSelector'
 import LoadingSpinner from '../components/LoadingSpinner'
+import ErrorWithTraceLink from '../components/ErrorWithTraceLink'
 import { imageApi, fileToBase64 } from '../utils/api'
 
 const SIZES = ['256x256', '512x512', '768x768', '1024x1024']
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ export default function ImageGen() {
   const [steps, setSteps] = useState('')
   const [seed, setSeed] = useState('')
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false)
+  const [error, setError] = useState(null)
   const [images, setImages] = useState([])
   const [showAdvanced, setShowAdvanced] = useState(false)
   const [showImageInputs, setShowImageInputs] = useState(false)
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@ export default function ImageGen() {
 
     setLoading(true)
     setImages([])
+    setError(null)
 
     let combinedPrompt = prompt.trim()
     if (negativePrompt.trim()) combinedPrompt += '|' + negativePrompt.trim()
@@ -47,7 +50,7 @@ export default function ImageGen() {
       setImages(data?.data || [])
       if (!data?.data?.length) addToast('No images generated', 'warning')
     } catch (err) {
-      addToast(`Error: ${err.message}`, 'error')
+      setError(err.message)
     } finally {
       setLoading(false)
     }
@@ -131,6 +134,8 @@ export default function ImageGen() {
         <div className="media-result">
           {loading ? (
             <LoadingSpinner size="lg" />
+          ) : error ? (
+            <ErrorWithTraceLink message={error} />
           ) : images.length > 0 ? (
             <div className="media-result-grid">
               {images.map((img, i) => (
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Settings.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Settings.jsx
index b1491f216..0c22f8546 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Settings.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Settings.jsx
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const SECTIONS = [
 export default function Settings() {
   const { addToast } = useOutletContext()
   const [settings, setSettings] = useState(null)
+  const [initialSettings, setInitialSettings] = useState(null)
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
   const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false)
   const [resources, setResources] = useState(null)
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ export default function Settings() {
     try {
       const data = await settingsApi.get()
       setSettings(data)
+      setInitialSettings(structuredClone(data))
     } catch (err) {
       addToast(`Failed to load settings: ${err.message}`, 'error')
     } finally {
@@ -56,6 +58,7 @@ export default function Settings() {
     setSaving(true)
     try {
       await settingsApi.save(settings)
+      setInitialSettings(structuredClone(settings))
       addToast('Settings saved successfully', 'success')
     } catch (err) {
       addToast(`Save failed: ${err.message}`, 'error')
@@ -97,6 +100,7 @@ export default function Settings() {
   if (loading) return <div className="page" style={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'center', padding: 'var(--spacing-xl)' }}><LoadingSpinner size="lg" /></div>
   if (!settings) return <div className="page"><div className="empty-state"><p className="empty-state-text">Settings not available</p></div></div>
 
+  const isDirty = settings && initialSettings && JSON.stringify(settings) !== JSON.stringify(initialSettings)
   const watchdogEnabled = settings.watchdog_idle_enabled || settings.watchdog_busy_enabled
 
   return (
@@ -110,8 +114,8 @@ export default function Settings() {
           <h1 className="page-title">Settings</h1>
           <p className="page-subtitle">Configure LocalAI runtime settings</p>
         </div>
-        <button className="btn btn-primary" onClick={handleSave} disabled={saving}>
-          {saving ? <><LoadingSpinner size="sm" /> Saving...</> : <><i className="fas fa-save" /> Save</>}
+        <button className={`btn ${isDirty ? 'btn-primary' : 'btn-secondary'}`} onClick={handleSave} disabled={saving || !isDirty}>
+          {saving ? <><LoadingSpinner size="sm" /> Saving...</> : <><i className="fas fa-save" /> {isDirty ? 'Save Changes' : 'Saved'}</>}
         </button>
       </div>
 
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Sound.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Sound.jsx
index 9353e6a97..da70db5a9 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Sound.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Sound.jsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useState, useRef } from 'react'
 import { useParams, useOutletContext } from 'react-router-dom'
 import ModelSelector from '../components/ModelSelector'
 import LoadingSpinner from '../components/LoadingSpinner'
+import ErrorWithTraceLink from '../components/ErrorWithTraceLink'
 import { soundApi } from '../utils/api'
 
 export default function Sound() {
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ export default function Sound() {
   const [language, setLanguage] = useState('')
   const [timesignature, setTimesignature] = useState('')
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false)
+  const [error, setError] = useState(null)
   const [audioUrl, setAudioUrl] = useState(null)
   const audioRef = useRef(null)
 
@@ -49,6 +51,7 @@ export default function Sound() {
 
     setLoading(true)
     setAudioUrl(null)
+    setError(null)
 
     try {
       const blob = await soundApi.generate(body)
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@ export default function Sound() {
       addToast('Sound generated', 'success')
       setTimeout(() => audioRef.current?.play().catch(() => {}), 100)
     } catch (err) {
-      addToast(`Error: ${err.message}`, 'error')
+      setError(err.message)
     } finally {
       setLoading(false)
     }
@@ -132,6 +135,8 @@ export default function Sound() {
         <div className="media-result">
           {loading ? (
             <LoadingSpinner size="lg" />
+          ) : error ? (
+            <ErrorWithTraceLink message={error} />
           ) : audioUrl ? (
             <div style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', alignItems: 'center', gap: 'var(--spacing-md)', width: '100%' }}>
               <audio ref={audioRef} controls src={audioUrl} style={{ width: '100%', maxWidth: '400px' }} />
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/TTS.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/TTS.jsx
index ceebb4480..cfbd661fd 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/TTS.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/TTS.jsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useState, useRef } from 'react'
 import { useParams, useOutletContext } from 'react-router-dom'
 import ModelSelector from '../components/ModelSelector'
 import LoadingSpinner from '../components/LoadingSpinner'
+import ErrorWithTraceLink from '../components/ErrorWithTraceLink'
 import { ttsApi } from '../utils/api'
 
 export default function TTS() {
@@ -10,6 +11,7 @@ export default function TTS() {
   const [model, setModel] = useState(urlModel || '')
   const [text, setText] = useState('')
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false)
+  const [error, setError] = useState(null)
   const [audioUrl, setAudioUrl] = useState(null)
   const audioRef = useRef(null)
 
@@ -20,6 +22,7 @@ export default function TTS() {
 
     setLoading(true)
     setAudioUrl(null)
+    setError(null)
 
     try {
       const blob = await ttsApi.generate({ model, input: text.trim() })
@@ -29,7 +32,7 @@ export default function TTS() {
       // Auto-play
       setTimeout(() => audioRef.current?.play(), 100)
     } catch (err) {
-      addToast(`Error: ${err.message}`, 'error')
+      setError(err.message)
     } finally {
       setLoading(false)
     }
@@ -67,6 +70,8 @@ export default function TTS() {
         <div className="media-result">
           {loading ? (
             <LoadingSpinner size="lg" />
+          ) : error ? (
+            <ErrorWithTraceLink message={error} />
           ) : audioUrl ? (
             <div style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', alignItems: 'center', gap: 'var(--spacing-md)', width: '100%' }}>
               <audio ref={audioRef} controls src={audioUrl} style={{ width: '100%' }} />
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Talk.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Talk.jsx
index bea7d6aaf..e88b01dc7 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Talk.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Talk.jsx
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ export default function Talk() {
           if (!voiceEdited) setVoice(models[0].voice || '')
         }
       })
-      .catch(err => addToast(`Failed to load pipeline models: ${err.message}`, 'error'))
+      .catch(err => addToast(`Failed to load pipeline models: ${err.message}`, 'error', 5000, { link: { href: '/app/traces?tab=backend', text: 'View traces' } }))
       .finally(() => setModelsLoading(false))
   }, [])
 
@@ -461,6 +461,11 @@ export default function Talk() {
           }}>
             <i className={statusStyle.icon} style={{ color: statusStyle.color }} />
             <span style={{ fontWeight: 500, color: statusStyle.color }}>{statusText}</span>
+            {status === 'error' && (
+              <a href="/app/traces?tab=backend" className="chat-error-trace-link" style={{ marginLeft: 'auto' }}>
+                <i className="fas fa-wave-square" /> View traces
+              </a>
+            )}
           </div>
 
           {/* Info note */}
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Traces.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Traces.jsx
index a18df71b2..d27d3034b 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Traces.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Traces.jsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import React, { useState, useEffect, useCallback, useRef } from 'react'
-import { useOutletContext } from 'react-router-dom'
+import { useOutletContext, useSearchParams } from 'react-router-dom'
 import { tracesApi, settingsApi } from '../utils/api'
 import { formatTimestamp } from '../utils/format'
 import LoadingSpinner from '../components/LoadingSpinner'
@@ -283,13 +283,15 @@ function ApiTraceDetail({ trace }) {
 
 export default function Traces() {
   const { addToast } = useOutletContext()
-  const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState('api')
+  const [searchParams] = useSearchParams()
+  const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState(() => searchParams.get('tab') === 'backend' ? 'backend' : 'api')
   const [traces, setTraces] = useState([])
   const [apiCount, setApiCount] = useState(0)
   const [backendCount, setBackendCount] = useState(0)
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
   const [expandedRow, setExpandedRow] = useState(null)
   const [tracingEnabled, setTracingEnabled] = useState(null)
+  const [backendLoggingEnabled, setBackendLoggingEnabled] = useState(null)
   const [settings, setSettings] = useState(null)
   const [settingsExpanded, setSettingsExpanded] = useState(false)
   const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false)
@@ -299,6 +301,7 @@ export default function Traces() {
     settingsApi.get()
       .then(data => {
         setTracingEnabled(!!data.enable_tracing)
+        setBackendLoggingEnabled(!!data.enable_backend_logging)
         setSettings(data)
         if (!data.enable_tracing) setSettingsExpanded(true)
       })
@@ -310,6 +313,7 @@ export default function Traces() {
     try {
       await settingsApi.save(settings)
       setTracingEnabled(!!settings.enable_tracing)
+      setBackendLoggingEnabled(!!settings.enable_backend_logging)
       addToast('Tracing settings saved', 'success')
       if (settings.enable_tracing) setSettingsExpanded(false)
     } catch (err) {
@@ -397,9 +401,11 @@ export default function Traces() {
         <button className="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" onClick={handleExport} disabled={traces.length === 0}><i className="fas fa-download" /> Export</button>
       </div>
 
-      {settings && (
+      {settings && (() => {
+        const allEnabled = tracingEnabled && backendLoggingEnabled
+        return (
         <div style={{
-          border: `1px solid ${tracingEnabled ? 'var(--color-success-border)' : 'var(--color-warning-border)'}`,
+          border: `1px solid ${allEnabled ? 'var(--color-success-border)' : 'var(--color-warning-border)'}`,
           borderRadius: 'var(--radius-md)',
           marginBottom: 'var(--spacing-md)',
           overflow: 'hidden',
@@ -409,16 +415,17 @@ export default function Traces() {
             style={{
               width: '100%', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'space-between',
               padding: 'var(--spacing-sm) var(--spacing-md)',
-              background: tracingEnabled ? 'var(--color-success-light)' : 'var(--color-warning-light)',
+              background: allEnabled ? 'var(--color-success-light)' : 'var(--color-warning-light)',
               border: 'none', cursor: 'pointer',
               color: 'var(--color-text-primary)',
             }}
           >
             <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 'var(--spacing-sm)' }}>
-              <i className={`fas ${tracingEnabled ? 'fa-circle-check' : 'fa-exclamation-triangle'}`}
-                style={{ color: tracingEnabled ? 'var(--color-success)' : 'var(--color-warning)', flexShrink: 0 }} />
+              <i className={`fas ${allEnabled ? 'fa-circle-check' : 'fa-exclamation-triangle'}`}
+                style={{ color: allEnabled ? 'var(--color-success)' : 'var(--color-warning)', flexShrink: 0 }} />
               <span style={{ fontSize: '0.8125rem', textAlign: 'left' }}>
                 Tracing is <strong>{tracingEnabled ? 'enabled' : 'disabled'}</strong>
+                {' · Backend logging is '}<strong>{backendLoggingEnabled ? 'enabled' : 'disabled'}</strong>
                 {!tracingEnabled && ' — new requests will not be recorded'}
               </span>
             </div>
@@ -444,6 +451,12 @@ export default function Traces() {
                   disabled={!settings.enable_tracing}
                 />
               </SettingRow>
+              <SettingRow label="Enable Backend Logging" description="Capture backend process output per model (without requiring debug mode)">
+                <Toggle
+                  checked={settings.enable_backend_logging}
+                  onChange={(v) => setSettings(prev => ({ ...prev, enable_backend_logging: v }))}
+                />
+              </SettingRow>
               <div style={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'flex-end', marginTop: 'var(--spacing-sm)' }}>
                 <button className="btn btn-primary btn-sm" onClick={handleSaveSettings} disabled={saving}>
                   {saving ? <><LoadingSpinner size="sm" /> Saving...</> : <><i className="fas fa-save" /> Save</>}
@@ -452,7 +465,8 @@ export default function Traces() {
             </div>
           )}
         </div>
-      )}
+        )
+      })()}
 
       {loading ? (
         <div style={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'center', padding: 'var(--spacing-xl)' }}><LoadingSpinner size="lg" /></div>
diff --git a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/VideoGen.jsx b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/VideoGen.jsx
index 573e61d54..f0666ee35 100644
--- a/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/VideoGen.jsx
+++ b/core/http/react-ui/src/pages/VideoGen.jsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { useState } from 'react'
 import { useParams, useOutletContext } from 'react-router-dom'
 import ModelSelector from '../components/ModelSelector'
 import LoadingSpinner from '../components/LoadingSpinner'
+import ErrorWithTraceLink from '../components/ErrorWithTraceLink'
 import { videoApi, fileToBase64 } from '../utils/api'
 
 const SIZES = ['256x256', '512x512', '768x768', '1024x1024']
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ export default function VideoGen() {
   const [seed, setSeed] = useState('')
   const [cfgScale, setCfgScale] = useState('')
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false)
+  const [error, setError] = useState(null)
   const [videos, setVideos] = useState([])
   const [showAdvanced, setShowAdvanced] = useState(false)
   const [showImageInputs, setShowImageInputs] = useState(false)
@@ -33,6 +35,7 @@ export default function VideoGen() {
 
     setLoading(true)
     setVideos([])
+    setError(null)
 
     const [w, h] = size.split('x').map(Number)
     const body = { model, prompt: prompt.trim(), width: w, height: h, fps: parseInt(fps) || 16 }
@@ -50,7 +53,7 @@ export default function VideoGen() {
       setVideos(data?.data || [])
       if (!data?.data?.length) addToast('No videos generated', 'warning')
     } catch (err) {
-      addToast(`Error: ${err.message}`, 'error')
+      setError(err.message)
     } finally {
       setLoading(false)
     }
@@ -129,6 +132,8 @@ export default function VideoGen() {
         <div className="media-result">
           {loading ? (
             <LoadingSpinner size="lg" />
+          ) : error ? (
+            <ErrorWithTraceLink message={error} />
           ) : videos.length > 0 ? (
             <div style={{ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', gap: 'var(--spacing-md)', width: '100%' }}>
               {videos.map((v, i) => (
diff --git a/tests/e2e/mock-backend/main.go b/tests/e2e/mock-backend/main.go
index 80face22e..69e76f34c 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/mock-backend/main.go
+++ b/tests/e2e/mock-backend/main.go
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ func (m *MockBackend) LoadModel(ctx context.Context, in *pb.ModelOptions) (*pb.R
 
 func (m *MockBackend) Predict(ctx context.Context, in *pb.PredictOptions) (*pb.Reply, error) {
 	xlog.Debug("Predict called", "prompt", in.Prompt)
+	if strings.Contains(in.Prompt, "MOCK_ERROR") {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("mock backend predict error: simulated failure")
+	}
 	var response string
 	toolName := mockToolNameFromRequest(in)
 	if toolName != "" && !promptHasToolResults(in.Prompt) {
@@ -74,6 +77,17 @@ func (m *MockBackend) Predict(ctx context.Context, in *pb.PredictOptions) (*pb.R
 
 func (m *MockBackend) PredictStream(in *pb.PredictOptions, stream pb.Backend_PredictStreamServer) error {
 	xlog.Debug("PredictStream called", "prompt", in.Prompt)
+	if strings.Contains(in.Prompt, "MOCK_ERROR_IMMEDIATE") {
+		return fmt.Errorf("mock backend stream error: simulated failure")
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(in.Prompt, "MOCK_ERROR_MIDSTREAM") {
+		for _, r := range "Partial resp" {
+			if err := stream.Send(&pb.Reply{Message: []byte(string(r))}); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		}
+		return fmt.Errorf("mock backend stream error: simulated mid-stream failure")
+	}
 	var toStream string
 	toolName := mockToolNameFromRequest(in)
 	if toolName != "" && !promptHasToolResults(in.Prompt) {
diff --git a/tests/e2e/mock_backend_test.go b/tests/e2e/mock_backend_test.go
index 6ba121792..aec5cf153 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/mock_backend_test.go
+++ b/tests/e2e/mock_backend_test.go
@@ -55,6 +55,65 @@ var _ = Describe("Mock Backend E2E Tests", Label("MockBackend"), func() {
 		})
 	})
 
+	Describe("Error Handling", func() {
+		Context("Non-streaming errors", func() {
+			It("should return error for request with error trigger", func() {
+				_, err := client.Chat.Completions.New(
+					context.TODO(),
+					openai.ChatCompletionNewParams{
+						Model: "mock-model",
+						Messages: []openai.ChatCompletionMessageParamUnion{
+							openai.UserMessage("MOCK_ERROR"),
+						},
+					},
+				)
+				Expect(err).To(HaveOccurred())
+				Expect(err.Error()).To(ContainSubstring("simulated failure"))
+			})
+		})
+
+		Context("Streaming errors", func() {
+			It("should return error for streaming request with immediate error trigger", func() {
+				stream := client.Chat.Completions.NewStreaming(
+					context.TODO(),
+					openai.ChatCompletionNewParams{
+						Model: "mock-model",
+						Messages: []openai.ChatCompletionMessageParamUnion{
+							openai.UserMessage("MOCK_ERROR_IMMEDIATE"),
+						},
+					},
+				)
+				for stream.Next() {
+					// drain
+				}
+				Expect(stream.Err()).To(HaveOccurred())
+			})
+
+			It("should return structured error for mid-stream failure", func() {
+				body := `{"model":"mock-model","messages":[{"role":"user","content":"MOCK_ERROR_MIDSTREAM"}],"stream":true}`
+				req, err := http.NewRequest("POST", apiURL+"/chat/completions", strings.NewReader(body))
+				Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+				req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+
+				resp, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
+				Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+				defer resp.Body.Close()
+				Expect(resp.StatusCode).To(Equal(200))
+
+				data, err := io.ReadAll(resp.Body)
+				Expect(err).ToNot(HaveOccurred())
+				bodyStr := string(data)
+
+				// Should contain a structured error event
+				Expect(bodyStr).To(ContainSubstring(`"error"`))
+				Expect(bodyStr).To(ContainSubstring(`"message"`))
+				Expect(bodyStr).To(ContainSubstring("simulated mid-stream failure"))
+				// Should also contain [DONE]
+				Expect(bodyStr).To(ContainSubstring("[DONE]"))
+			})
+		})
+	})
+
 	Describe("Embeddings API", func() {
 		It("should return mocked embeddings", func() {
 			resp, err := client.Embeddings.New(