diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/AppProviders.tsx b/apps/i15-1/src/AppProviders.tsx
index 5c92fc83..352c6870 100644
--- a/apps/i15-1/src/AppProviders.tsx
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/AppProviders.tsx
@@ -22,17 +22,19 @@ export function AppProviders({ api, theme, children }: Props) {
   const config = useLoadPvwsConfig();
   return (
     <ThemeProvider theme={theme}>
-      <InstrumentSessionProvider sessionsList={["cm44163-3", "cm44163-4"]}>
-        <ReduxProvider store={store(config)}>
-          <QueryClientProvider client={new QueryClient()}>
-            <UserAuthProvider>
-              <BlueapiProvider api={api}>
-                <ApolloProvider client={client}>{children}</ApolloProvider>
-              </BlueapiProvider>
-            </UserAuthProvider>
-          </QueryClientProvider>
-        </ReduxProvider>
-      </InstrumentSessionProvider>
+      <ReduxProvider store={store(config)}>
+        <QueryClientProvider client={new QueryClient()}>
+          <UserAuthProvider>
+            <BlueapiProvider api={api}>
+              <ApolloProvider client={client}>
+                <InstrumentSessionProvider>
+                  {children}
+                </InstrumentSessionProvider>
+              </ApolloProvider>
+            </BlueapiProvider>
+          </UserAuthProvider>
+        </QueryClientProvider>
+      </ReduxProvider>
     </ThemeProvider>
   );
 }
diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/components/ExperimentTable/ULIMSExperimentsTable.tsx b/apps/i15-1/src/components/ExperimentTable/ULIMSExperimentsTable.tsx
index 77be34a1..4b3577c9 100644
--- a/apps/i15-1/src/components/ExperimentTable/ULIMSExperimentsTable.tsx
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/components/ExperimentTable/ULIMSExperimentsTable.tsx
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import type {
 import type { ExperimentDefinition, Sample } from "../../../generated/queue";
 import { useInstrumentSession, visitTextToVisit } from "@atlas/app-shell";
 
-
 export type ExperimentDefinitionData = {
   q_max: number;
   frames: number;
@@ -76,11 +75,14 @@ export function ExperimentList() {
     );
   }
 
-  const visit = visitTextToVisit(instrumentSession);
+  const visit = visitTextToVisit(instrumentSession ?? "cm0-0");
 
   const { data, loading, error } = useQuery(GET_EXPERIMENTS, {
     skip: !visit,
-    variables: { proposal: visit?.proposalNumber ?? 0, session: visit?.number ?? 0 },
+    variables: {
+      proposal: visit?.proposalNumber ?? 0,
+      session: visit?.number ?? 0,
+    },
     fetchPolicy: "cache-and-network",
     context: { pathname: location.pathname },
   });
@@ -162,9 +164,9 @@ export function ExperimentList() {
     },
     muiToolbarAlertBannerProps: error
       ? {
-        color: "error",
-        children: `Error: ${error.message}`,
-      }
+          color: "error",
+          children: `Error: ${error.message}`,
+        }
       : undefined,
   });
 
diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/components/getInstrumentSessionButton.tsx b/apps/i15-1/src/components/getInstrumentSessionButton.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7fbdf59a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/components/getInstrumentSessionButton.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { useLazyQuery } from "@apollo/client/react";
+import { getInstrumentSessionsQuery } from "../graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.ts";
+import type { TypedDocumentNode } from "@apollo/client";
+import type {
+  InstrumentSessionQuery,
+  InstrumentSessionQueryVariables,
+} from "../graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.generated.ts";
+import { useInstrumentSession } from "@atlas/app-shell";
+import { Button } from "@mui/material";
+
+export const InstrumentSessionButton = () => {
+  const { setInstrumentSession, setInstrumentSessionList } =
+    useInstrumentSession();
+
+  const GET_SESSIONS: TypedDocumentNode<
+    InstrumentSessionQuery,
+    InstrumentSessionQueryVariables
+  > = getInstrumentSessionsQuery;
+
+  const [fetchSessions] = useLazyQuery(GET_SESSIONS);
+
+  const handleButtonClick = async () => {
+    try {
+      const { data } = await fetchSessions({
+        variables: { instrumentKey: "I15-1" },
+      });
+
+      const edges = data?.instrumentByKey?.instrumentSessions?.edges;
+      if (edges && edges.length > 0) {
+        const sessionsList = edges.flatMap((edge) => {
+          const ref = edge?.node?.instrumentSessionReference;
+          return ref ? [ref.toLocaleLowerCase()] : [];
+        });
+        setInstrumentSessionList(sessionsList);
+        if (sessionsList.length == 1) {
+          setInstrumentSession(sessionsList[0]);
+        }
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error("Failed to fetch sessions:", err);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Button variant="contained" onClick={handleButtonClick}>
+      Get Sessions
+    </Button>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.generated.ts b/apps/i15-1/src/graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.generated.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..23a7e74b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.generated.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+/** Internal type. DO NOT USE DIRECTLY. */
+type Exact<T extends { [key: string]: unknown }> = { [K in keyof T]: T[K] };
+/** Internal type. DO NOT USE DIRECTLY. */
+export type Incremental<T> = T | { [P in keyof T]?: P extends ' $fragmentName' | '__typename' ? T[P] : never };
+export type InstrumentSessionQueryVariables = Exact<{
+  instrumentKey: string;
+}>;
+
+
+export type InstrumentSessionQuery = { instrumentByKey: { __typename: 'Instrument', instrumentSessions: { __typename: 'InstrumentSessionConnection', edges: Array<{ __typename: 'InstrumentSessionEdge', node: { __typename: 'InstrumentSession', instrumentSessionReference: string | null } }> } } | null };
diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.ts b/apps/i15-1/src/graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aa401a8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/graphql/getInstrumentSessionsQuery.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { gql } from "@apollo/client";
+
+export const getInstrumentSessionsQuery = gql`
+  query InstrumentSession($instrumentKey: String!) {
+    instrumentByKey(key: $instrumentKey) {
+      instrumentSessions(filterBy: { state: { eq: IN_PROGRESS } }) {
+        edges {
+          node {
+            instrumentSessionReference
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+`;
diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/mocks/handlers.ts b/apps/i15-1/src/mocks/handlers.ts
index 09f5e5e1..fcf89a32 100644
--- a/apps/i15-1/src/mocks/handlers.ts
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/mocks/handlers.ts
@@ -167,6 +167,22 @@ const fakeContainersForInstrument: {
   },
 };
 
+const fakeInstrumentSession = {
+  data: {
+    instrumentByKey: {
+      instrumentSessions: {
+        edges: [
+          {
+            node: {
+              instrumentSessionReference: "CM44163-4",
+            },
+          },
+        ],
+      },
+    },
+  },
+};
+
 function setWorkerState(new_state: string) {
   workerStatus.status = new_state;
 }
@@ -753,6 +769,10 @@ export const handlers = [
       }
     }
 
+    if (body.operationName === "InstrumentSession") {
+      return HttpResponse.json(fakeInstrumentSession);
+    }
+
     return HttpResponse.json(fakeExperiments);
   }),
 
diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Dashboard.tsx b/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Dashboard.tsx
index fca281af..62f5d994 100644
--- a/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Dashboard.tsx
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Dashboard.tsx
@@ -4,12 +4,14 @@ import PrecisionManufacturingIcon from "@mui/icons-material/PrecisionManufacturi
 import QueueIcon from "@mui/icons-material/Queue";
 import { useUserAuth } from "../context/userAuth/useUserAuth.ts";
 import { User } from "@diamondlightsource/sci-react-ui";
+import { InstrumentSessionButton } from "../components/getInstrumentSessionButton.tsx";
 
 function Dashboard() {
   const user = useUserAuth();
 
   const handleLogIn = () => window.location.assign("/oauth2/sign_in");
   const handleLogOut = () => window.location.assign("/oauth2/sign_out");
+
   return (
     <>
       <Container maxWidth="sm" sx={{ mb: 4 }}>
@@ -26,6 +28,7 @@ function Dashboard() {
                 : { fedid: user.person }
             }
           />
+          <InstrumentSessionButton />
           <Stack direction={"row"} spacing={5}>
             <Button
               component={Link}
diff --git a/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Robot.tsx b/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Robot.tsx
index 36b86d70..02db976c 100644
--- a/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Robot.tsx
+++ b/apps/i15-1/src/routes/Robot.tsx
@@ -109,12 +109,12 @@ function RobotControl() {
           <RunPlanButton
             name="robot_load"
             params={formData}
-            instrumentSession={instrumentSession}
+            instrumentSession={instrumentSession ?? "cm0-0"}
             buttonText="Load Sample"
           />
           <RunPlanButton
             name="robot_unload"
-            instrumentSession={instrumentSession}
+            instrumentSession={instrumentSession ?? "cm0-0"}
             buttonText="Unload Sample"
           />
         </Stack>
diff --git a/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionProvider.tsx b/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionProvider.tsx
index e46cd985..02ad80ca 100644
--- a/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionProvider.tsx
+++ b/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionProvider.tsx
@@ -2,11 +2,13 @@ import { useState, useEffect, useContext, type ReactNode } from "react";
 import { createContext } from "react";
 
 export const ID_STORAGE_KEY = "instrument-session-id";
+export const LIST_STORAGE_KEY = "instrument-session-list";
 
 export type InstrumentSessionContextType = {
-  instrumentSession: string;
+  instrumentSession: string | null;
   setInstrumentSession: (session: string) => void;
-  sessionsList: string[];
+  instrumentSessionList: string[] | null;
+  setInstrumentSessionList: (list: string[]) => void;
 };
 
 export const InstrumentSessionContext = createContext<
@@ -15,29 +17,42 @@ export const InstrumentSessionContext = createContext<
 
 export const InstrumentSessionProvider = ({
   children,
-  sessionsList = ["cm123-4", "cm567-8"],
+  sessionsList = null,
 }: {
   children: ReactNode;
-  sessionsList?: string[];
+  sessionsList?: string[] | null;
 }) => {
-  const [instrumentSession, setInstrumentSession] = useState<string>(() => {
-    try {
-      const rawItem = localStorage.getItem(ID_STORAGE_KEY);
-      if (!rawItem) {
-        return sessionsList[0];
+  const [instrumentSessionList, setInstrumentSessionList] = useState<
+    string[] | null
+  >(sessionsList);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    localStorage.setItem(
+      LIST_STORAGE_KEY,
+      JSON.stringify(instrumentSessionList),
+    );
+  }, [instrumentSessionList]);
+
+  const [instrumentSession, setInstrumentSession] = useState<string | null>(
+    () => {
+      try {
+        const rawItem = localStorage.getItem(ID_STORAGE_KEY);
+        if (!rawItem) {
+          return sessionsList ? sessionsList[0] : null;
+        }
+        return JSON.parse(rawItem);
+      } catch (error) {
+        console.error(
+          "Failed to load instrument session from localStorage:",
+          error,
+        );
+        return sessionsList ? sessionsList[0] : null;
       }
-      return JSON.parse(rawItem);
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.error(
-        "Failed to load instrument session from localStorage:",
-        error,
-      );
-      return sessionsList[0];
-    }
-  });
+    },
+  );
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    localStorage.setItem(ID_STORAGE_KEY, instrumentSession);
+    localStorage.setItem(ID_STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(instrumentSession));
   }, [instrumentSession]);
 
   return (
@@ -45,7 +60,8 @@ export const InstrumentSessionProvider = ({
       value={{
         instrumentSession,
         setInstrumentSession,
-        sessionsList,
+        instrumentSessionList,
+        setInstrumentSessionList,
       }}
     >
       {children}
diff --git a/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.test.tsx b/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.test.tsx
index 30a86bff..cc2f0e2c 100644
--- a/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.test.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 import { render, screen, userEvent, within } from "@atlas/vitest-conf";
 import { InstrumentSessionView } from "./InstrumentSessionView";
-import { InstrumentSessionProvider } from "./InstrumentSessionProvider";
+import {
+  InstrumentSessionProvider,
+  useInstrumentSession,
+} from "./InstrumentSessionProvider";
 import { describe, it, expect, vi } from "vitest";
+import { isValidElement } from "react";
 
 function renderComponentWithProvider() {
   return render(
@@ -16,26 +20,74 @@ vi.mock(import("./InstrumentSessionProvider"), async (importOriginal) => {
     await importOriginal<typeof import("./InstrumentSessionProvider")>();
   return {
     ...actual,
-    useInstrumentSession: () => ({
-      instrumentSession: "cm54321-1",
-      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
-      sessionsList: ["cm123-4", "cm567-8"],
-    }),
+    useInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
   };
 });
 
 describe("InstrumentSessionView", () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     localStorage.clear();
+    vi.clearAllMocks();
   });
 
   it("shows only the current instrument session", () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: "cm54321-1",
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm123-4", "cm567-8"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
     renderComponentWithProvider();
+
     expect(screen.getByTestId("session-input-button")).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("session-input-button")).toHaveTextContent(
+      "cm54321-1",
+    );
     expect(screen.queryByTestId("session-input-menu")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
+  it("shows a static button when only one session is available", () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: "cm54321-1",
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm54321-1"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    renderComponentWithProvider();
+
+    expect(
+      screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton"),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton")).toHaveTextContent(
+      "cm54321-1",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("shows no session selected when there is no session selected", () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: null,
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm123-4", "cm567-8"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    renderComponentWithProvider();
+
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("session-input-button")).toHaveTextContent(
+      "No Session Selected",
+    );
+  });
+
   it("shows sessions from the provided sessions list when clicked", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: "cm54321-1",
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm123-4", "cm567-8"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
     renderComponentWithProvider();
 
     const user = userEvent.setup();
@@ -46,6 +98,13 @@ describe("InstrumentSessionView", () => {
   });
 
   it("closes menu when a menu item has been clicked", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: "cm54321-1",
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm123-4", "cm567-8"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
     renderComponentWithProvider();
 
     const user = userEvent.setup();
@@ -57,6 +116,13 @@ describe("InstrumentSessionView", () => {
   });
 
   it("closes menu when button has been clicked again", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: "cm54321-1",
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm123-4", "cm567-8"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
     renderComponentWithProvider();
 
     const user = userEvent.setup();
@@ -69,4 +135,65 @@ describe("InstrumentSessionView", () => {
     }
     expect(screen.queryByTestId("session-input-menu")).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
+
+  it("shows a tooltip when no sessions list or session is available", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: null,
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: null,
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    renderComponentWithProvider();
+
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    await user.hover(screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton"));
+    const tip = await screen.findByRole("tooltip");
+    expect(tip).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(tip).toHaveTextContent(
+      "Use 'Get Sessions' to fetch available sessions.",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("shows assign session when there is only one session available but no active session", () => {
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: null,
+      setInstrumentSession: vi.fn(),
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm12345-1"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    renderComponentWithProvider();
+
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    expect(
+      screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton"),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton")).toHaveTextContent(
+      "Assign Session",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("assigns session when there is only one session available but no active session and button is clicked", async () => {
+    const mockSetInstrumentSession = vi.fn();
+    vi.mocked(useInstrumentSession).mockReturnValue({
+      instrumentSession: null,
+      setInstrumentSession: mockSetInstrumentSession,
+      instrumentSessionList: ["cm12345-1"],
+      setInstrumentSessionList: vi.fn(),
+    });
+
+    renderComponentWithProvider();
+
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    expect(
+      screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton"),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton")).toHaveTextContent(
+      "Assign Session",
+    );
+
+    await user.click(screen.getByTestId("session-input-staticButton"));
+    expect(mockSetInstrumentSession).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.tsx b/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.tsx
index 6daa17cb..86445a2c 100644
--- a/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.tsx
+++ b/packages/app-shell/src/context/instrumentSession/InstrumentSessionView.tsx
@@ -6,14 +6,15 @@ import Menu from "@mui/material/Menu";
 import MenuItem from "@mui/material/MenuItem";
 import Divider from "@mui/material/Divider";
 import { Science, ExpandMore } from "@mui/icons-material";
-import { ListSubheader } from "@mui/material";
+import { ListSubheader, Tooltip } from "@mui/material";
 
 export function InstrumentSessionView() {
-  const { instrumentSession, setInstrumentSession, sessionsList } =
+  const { instrumentSession, setInstrumentSession, instrumentSessionList } =
     useInstrumentSession();
   const [selectedIndex, setSelectedIndex] = useState<number | null>(null);
 
-  const menuDisabled = sessionsList.length <= 1 ? true : false;
+  const menuDisabled =
+    !instrumentSessionList || instrumentSessionList.length <= 1;
   const id = "session-input";
   const staticButtonId = `${id}-staticButton`;
   const buttonId = `${id}-button`;
@@ -34,8 +35,46 @@ export function InstrumentSessionView() {
   const handleClose = () => {
     setAnchorEl(null);
   };
+  const handleStaticButtonClick = () => {
+    if (instrumentSessionList) {
+      setInstrumentSession(instrumentSessionList[0]);
+    }
+  };
 
-  if (menuDisabled) {
+  if (!instrumentSession && !instrumentSessionList) {
+    return (
+      <div>
+        <Tooltip title="Use 'Get Sessions' to fetch available sessions.">
+          <Button
+            data-testid={staticButtonId}
+            startIcon={<Science />}
+            color="secondary"
+            variant="outlined"
+          >
+            {"No Session Selected"}
+          </Button>
+        </Tooltip>
+      </div>
+    );
+  } else if (
+    instrumentSessionList &&
+    instrumentSessionList.length == 1 &&
+    !instrumentSession
+  ) {
+    return (
+      <div>
+        <Button
+          data-testid={staticButtonId}
+          startIcon={<Science />}
+          color="secondary"
+          variant="outlined"
+          onClick={handleStaticButtonClick}
+        >
+          {"Assign Session"}
+        </Button>
+      </div>
+    );
+  } else if (menuDisabled && instrumentSession) {
     return (
       <div>
         <Button
@@ -62,7 +101,7 @@ export function InstrumentSessionView() {
           color="secondary"
           variant="outlined"
         >
-          {instrumentSession}
+          {instrumentSession ? instrumentSession : "No Session Selected"}
         </Button>
         <Menu
           data-testid={menuId}
@@ -77,7 +116,7 @@ export function InstrumentSessionView() {
         >
           <Divider />
           <ListSubheader> Available Sessions </ListSubheader>
-          {sessionsList.map((option, index) => (
+          {instrumentSessionList?.map((option, index) => (
             <MenuItem
               key={option}
               selected={index === selectedIndex}
diff --git a/packages/blueapi-ui/src/PlanBrowser/PlanParameters.tsx b/packages/blueapi-ui/src/PlanBrowser/PlanParameters.tsx
index 28b02df2..9c5eaa36 100644
--- a/packages/blueapi-ui/src/PlanBrowser/PlanParameters.tsx
+++ b/packages/blueapi-ui/src/PlanBrowser/PlanParameters.tsx
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ export function PlanParameters({ plan }: { plan: Plan }) {
         <RunPlanButton
           name={plan.name}
           params={planParameters[plan.name]}
-          instrumentSession={instrumentSession}
+          instrumentSession={instrumentSession ?? "cm0-0"}
         />
       </Box>
     </ErrorBoundary>