diff --git a/src/cli/options.cpp b/src/cli/options.cpp
index ac8437f..582e2ec 100644
--- a/src/cli/options.cpp
+++ b/src/cli/options.cpp
@@ -160,7 +160,6 @@ Options parseOptions(int argc, char** argv) {
     if (const auto* format = canvasFormatByKey(options.format)) {
         canvasFormatSize(*format, options.dpi, options.width, options.height);
     }
-    if (options.effects.empty()) options.effects.push_back(defaultEffectName());
     return options;
 }
 
@@ -169,7 +168,8 @@ std::string usage(const char* programName) {
     out << "Usage: " << programName << " [options] [image ...]\n\n"
         << "Image effects app. Runs the GTK interface unless --output is given.\n\n"
         << "Options:\n"
-        << "  -e, --effect NAME     effect to apply, repeat to cascade (default: " << defaultEffectName() << ")\n"
+        << "  -e, --effect NAME     effect to apply, repeat to cascade (--output"
+           " defaults to " << defaultEffectName() << ")\n"
         << "  -o, --output FILE     render headlessly to this file and exit\n"
         << "  -s, --size WxH        canvas size, each side " << kMinCanvasSide << "-"
         << kMaxCanvasSide << " (default: 1920x1080)\n"
diff --git a/src/gui/window.cpp b/src/gui/window.cpp
index 59a53f3..355413d 100644
--- a/src/gui/window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/window.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@ EffectorWindow::EffectorWindow(const Options& initial) {
     set_default_size(1180, 760);
 
     effects_ = effects();
-    stages_.push_back({effects_.front(), effects_.front()->defaults()});
+    // The chain starts empty: the interface opens on "No effects yet" and the
+    // user picks the first stage, rather than being handed one at random.
     seed_ = Rng::randomSeed();
 
     renderDone_.connect(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &EffectorWindow::onRenderFinished));
@@ -191,6 +192,15 @@ Gtk::Widget& EffectorWindow::buildSidebar() {
     return *sidebar;
 }
 
+// Only the first stage is ever handed the sources, so whether the chain wants
+// them at all is `chainNeedsSources`. An effect that starts from nothing (blur,
+// text) makes the whole sources section beside the point, so it is hidden
+// rather than left there to be filled in vain. This is the same declarative
+// answer the render gate uses -- no effect is named here.
+void EffectorWindow::updateSourcesVisible() {
+    sourcesExpander_.set_visible(chainNeedsSources(stages_));
+}
+
 // The expander is collapsed by default, so its label carries the count that
 // used to be plain to see in the list.
 void EffectorWindow::updateSourcesLabel() {
@@ -952,6 +962,7 @@ void EffectorWindow::rebuildChainRows() {
 
     selectStage(selectedStage_);
     suspendStageSelect_ = false;
+    updateSourcesVisible();
 }
 
 void EffectorWindow::selectStage(int index) {
@@ -1242,9 +1253,7 @@ void EffectorWindow::clearSources() {
 }
 
 void EffectorWindow::onNewProject() {
-    Project fresh;
-    fresh.stages.push_back({effects_.front(), effects_.front()->defaults()});
-    applyProject(fresh, "");
+    applyProject(Project(), "");  // same empty chain the window opens with
 }
 
 void EffectorWindow::onOpenProject() {
diff --git a/src/gui/window.hpp b/src/gui/window.hpp
index 1deb21e..1a5cee9 100644
--- a/src/gui/window.hpp
+++ b/src/gui/window.hpp
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ private:
     void cancelLoad();
     void appendSourceRow(const std::string& path);
     void updateSourcesLabel();  // the collapsed expander shows the count
+    // The whole sources section only shows while the chain asks for sources.
+    void updateSourcesVisible();
 
     Gtk::Widget& buildCanvasSection();
     // "" while "Custom" is picked, otherwise the format's key.
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 79fe47c..fe5aa36 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,14 @@
 namespace {
 
 int renderHeadless(const effector::Options& options) {
-    const auto stages = effector::buildChain(options);
+    auto stages = effector::buildChain(options);
+    // A headless run always renders something, so with no -e the default
+    // effect stands in. The interface has no such need: it opens on an empty
+    // chain and waits for the user to add the first stage.
+    if (stages.empty()) {
+        const auto effect = effector::effectByName(effector::defaultEffectName());
+        stages.push_back({effect, effect->defaults()});
+    }
 
     std::vector<effector::LoadFailure> failures;