diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/appsConfig.test.ts b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/appsConfig.test.ts
index 6cfba900..546557ad 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/appsConfig.test.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/__tests__/appsConfig.test.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 import { ref } from 'vue'
 import { PackageState, type PackageDataEntry } from '@/types/api'
-import { canLaunch, filterEntriesForTab, isServiceContainer, isServicePackage, launchBlockedReason, resolveAppIcon, useCategoriesWithApps } from '../appsConfig'
+import { canLaunch, filterEntriesForTab, hasFrontendUi, isServiceContainer, isServicePackage, isWebsitePackage, launchBlockedReason, resolveAppIcon, useCategoriesWithApps } from '../appsConfig'
 
 function makePkg(id: string, title: string, category: string): PackageDataEntry {
   return {
@@ -82,6 +82,22 @@ describe('appsConfig service filtering', () => {
     expect(resolveAppIcon('gitea', pkg)).toBe('/assets/img/app-icons/gitea.svg')
   })
 
+  it('classifies an unknown app by whether its manifest declares a UI (#45)', () => {
+    // Headless: a LAN address but no declared UI → Website.
+    const headless = makePkg('some-backend', 'Some Backend', 'other')
+    headless.installed = { 'interface-addresses': { main: { 'lan-address': 'http://localhost:9000' } } } as unknown as PackageDataEntry['installed']
+    expect(hasFrontendUi(headless)).toBe(false)
+    expect(isWebsitePackage('some-backend', headless)).toBe(true)
+
+    // Front-end app: declares interfaces.main.ui → My Apps even when not in the
+    // curated category map.
+    const uiApp = makePkg('some-ui-app', 'Some UI App', 'other')
+    ;(uiApp.manifest as unknown as Record<string, unknown>).interfaces = { main: { ui: 'http://localhost:9001' } }
+    uiApp.installed = { 'interface-addresses': { main: { 'lan-address': 'http://localhost:9001' } } } as unknown as PackageDataEntry['installed']
+    expect(hasFrontendUi(uiApp)).toBe(true)
+    expect(isWebsitePackage('some-ui-app', uiApp)).toBe(false)
+  })
+
   it('explains that Fedimint waits for Bitcoin sync before Guardian starts', () => {
     const pkg = makePkg('fedimint', 'Fedimint', 'money')
     pkg.state = PackageState.Starting
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts
index 53cd48e8..1b784f89 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts
@@ -78,10 +78,25 @@ export function isKnownApp(id: string, pkg?: PackageDataEntry): boolean {
   return !!(APP_CATEGORY_MAP[id] || (manifestId && APP_CATEGORY_MAP[manifestId]) || isWebOnlyApp(id))
 }
 
+// True when the package's manifest declares a front-end UI interface. This is
+// the authoritative "is this a user-facing app?" signal (#45): apps with a UI
+// belong in "My Apps", while headless services (databases, backends, workers)
+// declare no UI and belong in "Websites"/"Services".
+export function hasFrontendUi(pkg?: PackageDataEntry): boolean {
+  return !!pkg?.manifest?.interfaces?.main?.ui
+}
+
 export function isWebsitePackage(id: string, pkg?: PackageDataEntry): boolean {
   if (isInternalToolingPackage(id, pkg)) return false
+  // Headless infra (databases/backends/companions) keyed by container name are
+  // services regardless of any stray UI string.
   if (isServicePackage(id, pkg)) return true
+  // A declared front-end UI is the deciding factor: it's an app, not a website.
+  if (hasFrontendUi(pkg)) return false
+  // Curated known apps stay in My Apps even if their manifest predates the UI
+  // interface field.
   if (isKnownApp(id, pkg)) return false
+  // Fallback: reachable on the LAN but declares no UI → treat as a website.
   return !!pkg && !!runtimeLanAddress(pkg)
 }