diff --git a/lib/browser.mjs b/lib/browser.mjs
index 534de4d..d3e667b 100644
--- a/lib/browser.mjs
+++ b/lib/browser.mjs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export async function createBrowser(settings, profileNameOrKey) {
   const opts = { stealth: true };
   if (profileName) opts.profile = { name: profileName };
 
-  // Proxy: look up by name "claw-apply", fall back to settings proxy_id
+  // Proxy: look up by name "claw-apply", create if missing
   try {
     for await (const proxy of kernel.proxies.list()) {
       if (proxy.name === 'claw-apply' && proxy.status === 'available') {
@@ -48,10 +48,11 @@ export async function createBrowser(settings, profileNameOrKey) {
         break;
       }
     }
+    if (!opts.proxy) {
+      const newProxy = await kernel.proxies.create({ name: 'claw-apply', type: 'residential', country: 'US' });
+      opts.proxy = { id: newProxy.id };
+    }
   } catch {}
-  if (!opts.proxy && kernelConfig.proxy_id) {
-    opts.proxy = { id: kernelConfig.proxy_id };
-  }
 
   let kb;
   try {