diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 5f4ea19..7226093 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ build/
 
 # Embedded static files (built from ui/dist)
 internal/worker/static/*
-!internal/worker/static/.gitkeep
+!internal/worker/static/placeholder.html
 
 # Environment and secrets
 .env
diff --git a/internal/worker/static/placeholder.html b/internal/worker/static/placeholder.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7fda878
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/worker/static/placeholder.html
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<!-- Placeholder for go:embed - replaced by UI build -->