diff --git a/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx b/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx
index 14f3178d..6eaa0f5d 100644
--- a/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/components/NewAgentDialog.tsx
@@ -93,6 +93,12 @@ const ADVANCED_ADAPTER_OPTIONS: Array<{
   },
 ];
 
+// [nexus] Predefined agent templates for quick agent creation
+const AGENT_TEMPLATES = [
+  { id: "pm", label: "Project Manager", role: "pm" as const, adapterType: "claude_local" as const },
+  { id: "engineer", label: "Engineer", role: "engineer" as const, adapterType: "claude_local" as const },
+];
+
 export function NewAgentDialog() {
   const { newAgentOpen, closeNewAgent, openNewIssue } = useDialog();
   const { selectedCompanyId } = useCompany();
@@ -126,6 +132,15 @@ export function NewAgentDialog() {
     navigate(`/agents/new?adapterType=${encodeURIComponent(adapterType)}`);
   }
 
+  // [nexus] Handle template selection — navigates to creation form pre-filled with template values
+  function handleTemplateSelect(template: typeof AGENT_TEMPLATES[number]) {
+    closeNewAgent();
+    setShowAdvancedCards(false);
+    navigate(
+      `/agents/new?adapterType=${encodeURIComponent(template.adapterType)}&role=${encodeURIComponent(template.role)}&name=${encodeURIComponent(template.label)}`,
+    );
+  }
+
   return (
     <Dialog
       open={newAgentOpen}
@@ -176,6 +191,21 @@ export function NewAgentDialog() {
                 {`Ask the ${VOCAB.ceo} to create a new agent`}
               </Button>
 
+              {/* [nexus] Template selector — quick-create PM or Engineer agent */}
+              <div className="space-y-2">
+                <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground text-center">Or use a template:</p>
+                {AGENT_TEMPLATES.map((template) => (
+                  <Button
+                    key={template.id}
+                    variant="outline"
+                    className="w-full justify-start"
+                    onClick={() => handleTemplateSelect(template)}
+                  >
+                    {template.label}
+                  </Button>
+                ))}
+              </div>
+
               {/* Advanced link */}
               <div className="text-center">
                 <button