diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/DailyCashUp.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/DailyCashUp.tsx
index feed71e..aa5515a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/DailyCashUp.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/DailyCashUp.tsx
@@ -238,6 +238,27 @@ export function DailyCashUp({ user }: Props) {
     }
   }
 
+  async function startCashUp() {
+    setSaving(true)
+    try {
+      await api.post<{ cash_up_id: number }>('/cashup/save', {
+        session_date: date, status: 'draft', notes: '', checked_transactions: [],
+        denominations: [],
+        card_machines: machines.map(m => ({ name: m.machine_name, total: 0, amex: 0, visa_mc: 0 })),
+      })
+      const data = await api.get<{
+        cash_up: CashUp; denominations: Denomination[]; card_machines: CardMachine[];
+        reconciliation: ReconciliationRow[]; attachments: Attachment[]
+      }>(`/cashup?date=${date}`)
+      applyLoaded(data as { cash_up: CashUp; denominations: Denomination[]; card_machines: CardMachine[]; attachments: Attachment[] })
+    } catch (e: unknown) {
+      flash(e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to start cash up.', false)
+      setPageState('editing')
+    } finally {
+      setSaving(false)
+    }
+  }
+
   async function save(status: 'draft' | 'final') {
     setSaving(true)
     try {
@@ -331,7 +352,7 @@ export function DailyCashUp({ user }: Props) {
       {pageState === 'empty' && (
         <Card style={{ textAlign: 'center', padding: '2.5rem 1.5rem' }}>
           <p style={{ color: 'var(--text-mid)', marginBottom: '1.25rem' }}>No cash up recorded for this date.</p>
-          <Btn onClick={() => setPageState('editing')}>Start Cash Up</Btn>
+          <Btn onClick={startCashUp} disabled={saving}>{saving ? 'Starting…' : 'Start Cash Up'}</Btn>
         </Card>
       )}