diff --git a/autoload/nuwiki/commands.vim b/autoload/nuwiki/commands.vim
index 99c5730..8fc3914 100644
--- a/autoload/nuwiki/commands.vim
+++ b/autoload/nuwiki/commands.vim
@@ -119,33 +119,29 @@ function! nuwiki#commands#wiki_index(count) abort
         \ function('s:open_uri_from'))
 endfunction
 
-" Vim equivalent of the Lua `wiki_ui_select` — receives the list, asks
-" via `inputlist()` (no `vim.ui.select` on plain Vim), then opens.
+" `:VimwikiUISelect` — pick a wiki from the configured list and open its
+" index. The list is read straight from config (see wiki_list below), not
+" from the server, so the picker works from any buffer before a wiki file is
+" ever opened — opening the chosen index then auto-starts the LSP via the
+" FileType autocmd. Plain Vim has no `vim.ui.select`, so use `inputlist()`.
 function! nuwiki#commands#wiki_ui_select() abort
-  call s:exec('nuwiki.wiki.select', [{}],
-        \ function('s:wiki_pick'))
-endfunction
-
-function! s:wiki_pick(notification) abort
-  let l:rows = get(get(a:notification, 'response', {}), 'result', [])
-  if type(l:rows) != type([]) || empty(l:rows)
-    echom 'nuwiki: no wikis configured'
+  let l:wikis = nuwiki#commands#wiki_list()
+  if empty(l:wikis)
+    echohl WarningMsg | echom 'nuwiki: no wikis configured' | echohl None
     return
   endif
-  let l:prompt = ['Pick a wiki:']
+  let l:prompt = ['Select a wiki:']
   let l:i = 0
-  for l:w in l:rows
+  for l:w in l:wikis
     let l:i += 1
-    call add(l:prompt, l:i . '. ' . get(l:w, 'name', '?')
-          \ . ' (' . get(l:w, 'root', '?') . ')')
+    call add(l:prompt, printf('%d. %s (%s)', l:i, l:w.name, l:w.root))
   endfor
   let l:choice = inputlist(l:prompt)
-  if l:choice < 1 || l:choice > len(l:rows)
+  if l:choice < 1 || l:choice > len(l:wikis)
     return
   endif
-  let l:wiki_id = get(l:rows[l:choice - 1], 'id', l:choice - 1)
-  call s:exec('nuwiki.wiki.openIndex', [{ 'wiki': l:wiki_id }],
-        \ function('s:open_uri_from'))
+  let l:w = l:wikis[l:choice - 1]
+  execute 'edit ' . fnameescape(l:w.root . '/' . l:w.idx . l:w.ext)
 endfunction
 
 " `:VimwikiNextLink` / `:VimwikiPrevLink` — pure-VimL `[[…]]` jumper.
@@ -427,6 +423,28 @@ function! s:wiki_cfg(n) abort
         \  'diary_rel': l:diary_rel, 'diary_idx': l:diary_idx }
 endfunction
 
+" Build the list of configured wikis as {name, root, ext, idx, diary_rel,
+" diary_idx} dicts, straight from config — no LSP round-trip. Drives the wiki
+" picker so it works before any wiki buffer (and therefore the server) exists.
+" Falls back to a single entry from the scalar `g:nuwiki_wiki_root` config.
+function! nuwiki#commands#wiki_list() abort
+  let l:list = []
+  if exists('g:nuwiki_wikis') && !empty(g:nuwiki_wikis)
+    let l:n = 0
+    for l:w in g:nuwiki_wikis
+      let l:c = s:wiki_cfg(l:n)
+      let l:c['name'] = get(l:w, 'name', fnamemodify(l:c.root, ':t'))
+      call add(l:list, l:c)
+      let l:n += 1
+    endfor
+  else
+    let l:c = s:wiki_cfg(0)
+    let l:c['name'] = fnamemodify(l:c.root, ':t')
+    call add(l:list, l:c)
+  endif
+  return l:list
+endfunction
+
 function! nuwiki#commands#open_wiki_path(tab) abort
   let l:c = s:wiki_cfg(0)
   execute (a:tab ? 'tabedit' : 'edit') . ' '
diff --git a/lua/nuwiki/commands.lua b/lua/nuwiki/commands.lua
index a6f9e73..92923c1 100644
--- a/lua/nuwiki/commands.lua
+++ b/lua/nuwiki/commands.lua
@@ -247,30 +247,29 @@ function M.wiki_tab_index(count)
   end)
 end
 
+-- Pick a wiki and open its index. The list is read straight from config
+-- (no LSP round-trip) so this works from any buffer before a wiki file is
+-- ever opened; opening the index then auto-starts the server.
 function M.wiki_ui_select()
-  exec('nuwiki.wiki.select', { {} }, function(r)
-    if type(r) ~= 'table' or #r == 0 then
-      vim.notify('nuwiki: no wikis configured')
-      return
+  local wikis = require('nuwiki.config').wiki_list()
+  if #wikis == 0 then
+    vim.notify('nuwiki: no wikis configured', vim.log.levels.WARN)
+    return
+  end
+  vim.ui.select(
+    wikis,
+    {
+      prompt = 'Select a wiki',
+      format_item = function(w)
+        return string.format('%s  (%s)', w.name, w.root)
+      end,
+    },
+    function(choice)
+      if not choice then return end
+      local path = choice.root .. '/' .. choice.idx .. choice.ext
+      vim.cmd('edit ' .. vim.fn.fnameescape(vim.fn.expand(path)))
     end
-    vim.ui.select(
-      r,
-      {
-        prompt = 'Pick a wiki',
-        format_item = function(w)
-          return string.format('%d. %s  (%s)', (w.id or 0) + 1, w.name or '?', tostring(w.root))
-        end,
-      },
-      function(choice)
-        if not choice then return end
-        exec(
-          'nuwiki.wiki.openIndex',
-          { { wiki = choice.id } },
-          function(rr) if rr and rr.uri then open_uri(rr.uri) end end
-        )
-      end
-    )
-  end)
+  )
 end
 
 function M.wiki_goto_page(name)
diff --git a/lua/nuwiki/config.lua b/lua/nuwiki/config.lua
index 0f1404c..f7d048b 100644
--- a/lua/nuwiki/config.lua
+++ b/lua/nuwiki/config.lua
@@ -59,4 +59,39 @@ function M.apply(user)
   M.options = vim.tbl_deep_extend('force', M.defaults, user or {})
 end
 
+-- Resolve the config for wiki #n (0-based) without touching the LSP.
+-- Priority: setup() opts.wikis → g:nuwiki_wikis (VimL) → scalar opts/g: vars.
+-- Returns { name, root, ext, idx, diary_rel, diary_idx }.
+function M.wiki_cfg(n)
+  local opts  = M.options
+  local wikis = opts.wikis or vim.g.nuwiki_wikis or nil
+  local w     = wikis and wikis[(n or 0) + 1] or nil
+  local root  = (w and w.root) or opts.wiki_root or vim.g.nuwiki_wiki_root or '~/vimwiki'
+  local ext   = (w and w.file_extension) or opts.file_extension or vim.g.nuwiki_file_extension or '.wiki'
+  if not ext:match('^%.') then ext = '.' .. ext end
+  return {
+    name      = (w and w.name) or vim.fn.fnamemodify(vim.fn.expand(root), ':t'),
+    root      = root,
+    ext       = ext,
+    idx       = (w and w.index) or 'index',
+    diary_rel = (w and w.diary_rel_path) or vim.g.nuwiki_diary_rel_path or 'diary',
+    diary_idx = (w and w.diary_index) or 'diary',
+  }
+end
+
+-- The full list of configured wikis as wiki_cfg dicts. Falls back to a single
+-- entry built from the scalar wiki_root config when no list is configured.
+function M.wiki_list()
+  local wikis = M.options.wikis or vim.g.nuwiki_wikis or nil
+  local list = {}
+  if type(wikis) == 'table' and #wikis > 0 then
+    for i = 1, #wikis do
+      list[i] = M.wiki_cfg(i - 1)
+    end
+  else
+    list[1] = M.wiki_cfg(0)
+  end
+  return list
+end
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nuwiki/init.lua b/lua/nuwiki/init.lua
index 06638d1..7a0217b 100644
--- a/lua/nuwiki/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nuwiki/init.lua
@@ -18,31 +18,9 @@ local function _open(path, open_cmd)
   vim.cmd((open_cmd or 'edit') .. ' ' .. vim.fn.fnameescape(vim.fn.expand(path)))
 end
 
--- Return the config dict for wiki #n (0-based).
--- Priority: setup() opts.wikis → g:nuwiki_wikis (VimL) → scalar opts/g: vars.
+-- Return the config dict for wiki #n (0-based). See config.wiki_cfg.
 local function _wiki_cfg(n)
-  local opts  = config.options
-  local wikis = opts.wikis
-                or (vim.g.nuwiki_wikis and vim.g.nuwiki_wikis or nil)
-  local w     = wikis and wikis[(n or 0) + 1] or nil
-  local root  = (w and w.root)
-                or opts.wiki_root
-                or vim.g.nuwiki_wiki_root
-                or '~/vimwiki'
-  local ext   = (w and w.file_extension)
-                or opts.file_extension
-                or vim.g.nuwiki_file_extension
-                or '.wiki'
-  if not ext:match('^%.') then ext = '.' .. ext end
-  return {
-    root      = root,
-    ext       = ext,
-    idx       = (w and w.index) or 'index',
-    diary_rel = (w and w.diary_rel_path)
-                or vim.g.nuwiki_diary_rel_path
-                or 'diary',
-    diary_idx = (w and w.diary_index) or 'diary',
-  }
+  return config.wiki_cfg(n)
 end
 
 -- Compute the wiki index path for wiki #n (0-based) from config.
@@ -81,6 +59,16 @@ local function _setup_global_mappings()
   kmap('n', '<Leader>w<Leader>i', function() require('nuwiki.commands').diary_generate_index() end, o('rebuild diary index'))
 end
 
+-- Global wiki-picker commands so a wiki can be chosen from any buffer before
+-- a .wiki file exists. The picker reads its list from config (no LSP); the
+-- buffer-local versions in ftplugin/vimwiki.vim shadow these inside wiki
+-- buffers but dispatch to the same function.
+local function _setup_global_commands()
+  local function ui_select() require('nuwiki.commands').wiki_ui_select() end
+  vim.api.nvim_create_user_command('VimwikiUISelect', ui_select, {})
+  vim.api.nvim_create_user_command('NuwikiUISelect', ui_select, {})
+end
+
 function M.setup(opts)
   config.apply(opts or {})
 
@@ -99,6 +87,7 @@ function M.setup(opts)
 
   lsp.register()
   _setup_global_mappings()
+  _setup_global_commands()
 end
 
 function M.install()
diff --git a/plugin/nuwiki.vim b/plugin/nuwiki.vim
index 793e0f0..840df90 100644
--- a/plugin/nuwiki.vim
+++ b/plugin/nuwiki.vim
@@ -39,6 +39,14 @@ augroup nuwiki_vim_lsp_start
   autocmd FileType vimwiki call nuwiki#lsp#start()
 augroup END
 
+" Global wiki-picker commands — available from any buffer so a wiki can be
+" chosen before a .wiki file exists. The picker reads its list from config
+" (no LSP); opening the chosen index then auto-starts the server. The
+" buffer-local :VimwikiUISelect in ftplugin/vimwiki.vim shadows these inside
+" wiki buffers but dispatches to the same function.
+command! -nargs=0 VimwikiUISelect call nuwiki#commands#wiki_ui_select()
+command! -nargs=0 NuwikiUISelect  call nuwiki#commands#wiki_ui_select()
+
 " Global entry-point mappings — work from any buffer, not just .wiki files.
 " Files are opened directly from config (no LSP required); the server
 " auto-starts via the FileType autocmd once the vimwiki buffer loads.
diff --git a/scripts/test-keymaps-vim.vim b/scripts/test-keymaps-vim.vim
index 908bed4..7a49e65 100644
--- a/scripts/test-keymaps-vim.vim
+++ b/scripts/test-keymaps-vim.vim
@@ -321,6 +321,30 @@ call s:record(
       \ 'conceal.cursor_line_revealed_in_normal_mode',
       \ '&l:concealcursor=' . &l:concealcursor)
 
+" ===== Wiki picker (config-driven, no LSP) =====
+
+" The picker builds its list straight from config so it works from any buffer
+" before the LSP (which only starts on a wiki buffer) is running.
+let g:nuwiki_wikis = [
+      \ {'name': 'Personal', 'root': '/tmp/nuwiki-a'},
+      \ {'name': 'Work',     'root': '/tmp/nuwiki-b', 'file_extension': 'md'},
+      \ ]
+let s:wl = nuwiki#commands#wiki_list()
+call s:record(
+      \ len(s:wl) == 2 ? 1 : 0,
+      \ 'wiki_select.lists_all_configured_wikis',
+      \ 'count=' . len(s:wl))
+call s:record(
+      \ get(get(s:wl, 0, {}), 'name', '') ==# 'Personal'
+      \   && get(get(s:wl, 1, {}), 'name', '') ==# 'Work' ? 1 : 0,
+      \ 'wiki_select.preserves_names_and_order',
+      \ 'names=' . string(map(copy(s:wl), 'get(v:val, "name", "")')))
+call s:record(
+      \ get(get(s:wl, 1, {}), 'ext', '') ==# '.md' ? 1 : 0,
+      \ 'wiki_select.honours_per_wiki_extension',
+      \ 'ext=' . get(get(s:wl, 1, {}), 'ext', ''))
+unlet g:nuwiki_wikis
+
 " ===== Wrap up =====
 
 call add(s:results, '')
diff --git a/scripts/test-keymaps.lua b/scripts/test-keymaps.lua
index db7c62a..d15ba6e 100644
--- a/scripts/test-keymaps.lua
+++ b/scripts/test-keymaps.lua
@@ -492,6 +492,25 @@ vim.defer_fn(function()
   -- a populated diary, but at least confirm the maps fire without
   -- error.
 
+  -- ===== Wiki picker (config-driven, no LSP) =====
+  -- The picker must build its list from config so it works from any buffer
+  -- before the server attaches.
+  tobj_case('wiki_select.config_list_reads_g_var', function()
+    vim.g.nuwiki_wikis = {
+      { name = 'Personal', root = '/tmp/nuwiki-a' },
+      { name = 'Work', root = '/tmp/nuwiki-b', file_extension = 'md' },
+    }
+    local list = require('nuwiki.config').wiki_list()
+    vim.g.nuwiki_wikis = nil
+    if #list ~= 2 then error('want 2 wikis, got ' .. #list) end
+    if list[1].name ~= 'Personal' or list[2].name ~= 'Work' then
+      error('names/order broken: ' .. vim.inspect(list))
+    end
+    if list[2].ext ~= '.md' then
+      error('per-wiki extension not honoured: ' .. tostring(list[2].ext))
+    end
+  end)
+
   -- ===== Wrap up =====
 
   table.insert(out_lines, '')