diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/common/index.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/common/index.ts
index a0e7d3fe35e68..f2b3e62577e4f 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/common/index.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/common/index.ts
@@ -7,3 +7,5 @@
 
 export const PLUGIN_ID = 'searchIndices';
 export const PLUGIN_NAME = 'searchIndices';
+
+export type { IndicesStatusResponse, UserStartPrivilegesResponse } from './types';
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/common/types.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/common/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..8c7af3889a5a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/common/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+export interface IndicesStatusResponse {
+  indexNames: string[];
+}
+
+export interface UserStartPrivilegesResponse {
+  privileges: {
+    canCreateApiKeys: boolean;
+    canCreateIndex: boolean;
+  };
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/lib/status.test.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/lib/status.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..ff5a8fc1eadd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/lib/status.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,231 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import type {
+  IndicesGetResponse,
+  SecurityHasPrivilegesResponse,
+} from '@elastic/elasticsearch/lib/api/types';
+import type { ElasticsearchClient } from '@kbn/core-elasticsearch-server';
+import type { Logger } from '@kbn/logging';
+import { fetchIndicesStatus, fetchUserStartPrivileges } from './status';
+
+const mockLogger = {
+  warn: jest.fn(),
+  error: jest.fn(),
+};
+const logger: Logger = mockLogger as unknown as Logger;
+
+const mockClient = {
+  indices: {
+    get: jest.fn(),
+  },
+  security: {
+    hasPrivileges: jest.fn(),
+  },
+};
+const client = mockClient as unknown as ElasticsearchClient;
+
+describe('status api lib', function () {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    jest.clearAllMocks();
+  });
+
+  describe('fetchIndicesStatus', function () {
+    it('should return results from get', async () => {
+      const mockResult: IndicesGetResponse = {};
+      mockClient.indices.get.mockResolvedValue(mockResult);
+
+      await expect(fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({ indexNames: [] });
+      expect(mockClient.indices.get).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      expect(mockClient.indices.get).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        expand_wildcards: ['open'],
+        features: ['settings'],
+        index: '*',
+      });
+    });
+    it('should return index names', async () => {
+      const mockResult: IndicesGetResponse = {
+        'unit-test-index': {
+          settings: {},
+        },
+      };
+      mockClient.indices.get.mockResolvedValue(mockResult);
+
+      await expect(fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        indexNames: ['unit-test-index'],
+      });
+    });
+    it('should not return hidden indices', async () => {
+      const mockResult: IndicesGetResponse = {
+        'unit-test-index': {
+          settings: {},
+        },
+        'hidden-index': {
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              hidden: true,
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      };
+      mockClient.indices.get.mockResolvedValue(mockResult);
+
+      await expect(fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        indexNames: ['unit-test-index'],
+      });
+
+      mockResult['hidden-index']!.settings!.index!.hidden = 'true';
+      await expect(fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        indexNames: ['unit-test-index'],
+      });
+    });
+    it('should not return closed indices', async () => {
+      const mockResult: IndicesGetResponse = {
+        'unit-test-index': {
+          settings: {},
+        },
+        'closed-index': {
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              verified_before_close: true,
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      };
+      mockClient.indices.get.mockResolvedValue(mockResult);
+
+      await expect(fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        indexNames: ['unit-test-index'],
+      });
+
+      mockResult['closed-index']!.settings!.index!.verified_before_close = 'true';
+      await expect(fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        indexNames: ['unit-test-index'],
+      });
+    });
+    it('should raise exceptions', async () => {
+      const error = new Error('boom');
+      mockClient.indices.get.mockRejectedValue(error);
+
+      await expect(fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger)).rejects.toThrow(error);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('fetchUserStartPrivileges', function () {
+    it('should return privileges true', async () => {
+      const result: SecurityHasPrivilegesResponse = {
+        application: {},
+        cluster: {
+          manage_api_key: true,
+        },
+        has_all_requested: true,
+        index: {
+          'test-index-name': {
+            create_index: true,
+          },
+        },
+        username: 'unit-test',
+      };
+      mockClient.security.hasPrivileges.mockResolvedValue(result);
+
+      await expect(fetchUserStartPrivileges(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        privileges: {
+          canCreateIndex: true,
+          canCreateApiKeys: true,
+        },
+      });
+
+      expect(mockClient.security.hasPrivileges).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+      expect(mockClient.security.hasPrivileges).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
+        cluster: ['manage_api_key'],
+        index: [
+          {
+            names: ['test-index-name'],
+            privileges: ['create_index'],
+          },
+        ],
+      });
+    });
+    it('should return privileges false', async () => {
+      const result: SecurityHasPrivilegesResponse = {
+        application: {},
+        cluster: {
+          manage_api_key: false,
+        },
+        has_all_requested: false,
+        index: {
+          'test-index-name': {
+            create_index: false,
+          },
+        },
+        username: 'unit-test',
+      };
+      mockClient.security.hasPrivileges.mockResolvedValue(result);
+
+      await expect(fetchUserStartPrivileges(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        privileges: {
+          canCreateIndex: false,
+          canCreateApiKeys: false,
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    it('should return mixed privileges', async () => {
+      const result: SecurityHasPrivilegesResponse = {
+        application: {},
+        cluster: {
+          manage_api_key: false,
+        },
+        has_all_requested: false,
+        index: {
+          'test-index-name': {
+            create_index: true,
+          },
+        },
+        username: 'unit-test',
+      };
+      mockClient.security.hasPrivileges.mockResolvedValue(result);
+
+      await expect(fetchUserStartPrivileges(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        privileges: {
+          canCreateIndex: true,
+          canCreateApiKeys: false,
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    it('should handle malformed responses', async () => {
+      const result: SecurityHasPrivilegesResponse = {
+        application: {},
+        cluster: {},
+        has_all_requested: true,
+        index: {
+          'test-index-name': {
+            create_index: true,
+          },
+        },
+        username: 'unit-test',
+      };
+      mockClient.security.hasPrivileges.mockResolvedValue(result);
+
+      await expect(fetchUserStartPrivileges(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        privileges: {
+          canCreateIndex: true,
+          canCreateApiKeys: false,
+        },
+      });
+    });
+    it('should default privileges on exceptions', async () => {
+      mockClient.security.hasPrivileges.mockRejectedValue(new Error('Boom!!'));
+
+      await expect(fetchUserStartPrivileges(client, logger)).resolves.toEqual({
+        privileges: {
+          canCreateIndex: false,
+          canCreateApiKeys: false,
+        },
+      });
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/lib/status.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/lib/status.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..752e897ab1707
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/lib/status.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import type { ElasticsearchClient } from '@kbn/core-elasticsearch-server';
+import type { Logger } from '@kbn/logging';
+
+import type { IndicesStatusResponse, UserStartPrivilegesResponse } from '../../common/types';
+
+import { isHidden, isClosed } from '../utils/index_utils';
+
+export async function fetchIndicesStatus(
+  client: ElasticsearchClient,
+  logger: Logger
+): Promise<IndicesStatusResponse> {
+  const indexMatches = await client.indices.get({
+    expand_wildcards: ['open'],
+    // for better performance only compute settings of indices but not mappings
+    features: ['settings'],
+    index: '*',
+  });
+
+  const indexNames = Object.keys(indexMatches).filter(
+    (indexName) =>
+      indexMatches[indexName] &&
+      !isHidden(indexMatches[indexName]) &&
+      !isClosed(indexMatches[indexName])
+  );
+
+  return {
+    indexNames,
+  };
+}
+
+export async function fetchUserStartPrivileges(
+  client: ElasticsearchClient,
+  logger: Logger,
+  indexName: string = 'test-index-name'
+): Promise<UserStartPrivilegesResponse> {
+  try {
+    const securityCheck = await client.security.hasPrivileges({
+      cluster: ['manage_api_key'],
+      index: [
+        {
+          names: [indexName],
+          privileges: ['create_index'],
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+
+    return {
+      privileges: {
+        canCreateIndex: securityCheck?.index?.[indexName]?.create_index ?? false,
+        canCreateApiKeys: securityCheck?.cluster?.manage_api_key ?? false,
+      },
+    };
+  } catch (e) {
+    logger.error(`Error checking user privileges for searchIndices elasticsearch start`);
+    logger.error(e);
+    return {
+      privileges: {
+        canCreateIndex: false,
+        canCreateApiKeys: false,
+      },
+    };
+  }
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/plugin.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/plugin.ts
index 666e49016f551..f0adbb112356e 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/plugin.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/plugin.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ export class SearchIndicesPlugin
     const router = core.http.createRouter();
 
     // Register server side APIs
-    defineRoutes(router);
+    defineRoutes(router, this.logger);
 
     return {};
   }
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/routes/index.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/routes/index.ts
index c98be5b6a4490..03cb1371870cb 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/routes/index.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/routes/index.ts
@@ -6,5 +6,10 @@
  */
 
 import type { IRouter } from '@kbn/core/server';
+import type { Logger } from '@kbn/logging';
 
-export function defineRoutes(router: IRouter) {}
+import { registerStatusRoutes } from './status';
+
+export function defineRoutes(router: IRouter, logger: Logger) {
+  registerStatusRoutes(router, logger);
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/routes/status.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/routes/status.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..ab3a426510e6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/routes/status.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import type { IRouter } from '@kbn/core/server';
+import type { Logger } from '@kbn/logging';
+
+import { fetchIndicesStatus, fetchUserStartPrivileges } from '../lib/status';
+
+export function registerStatusRoutes(router: IRouter, logger: Logger) {
+  router.get(
+    {
+      path: '/internal/search_indices/status',
+      validate: {},
+      options: {
+        access: 'internal',
+      },
+    },
+    async (context, _request, response) => {
+      const core = await context.core;
+      const client = core.elasticsearch.client.asCurrentUser;
+      const body = await fetchIndicesStatus(client, logger);
+
+      return response.ok({
+        body,
+        headers: { 'content-type': 'application/json' },
+      });
+    }
+  );
+
+  router.get(
+    {
+      path: '/internal/search_indices/start_privileges',
+      validate: {},
+      options: {
+        access: 'internal',
+      },
+    },
+    async (context, _request, response) => {
+      const core = await context.core;
+      const client = core.elasticsearch.client.asCurrentUser;
+      const body = await fetchUserStartPrivileges(client, logger);
+
+      return response.ok({
+        body,
+        headers: { 'content-type': 'application/json' },
+      });
+    }
+  );
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/utils/index_utils.test.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/utils/index_utils.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..95860468e5fcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/utils/index_utils.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import { isClosed, isHidden } from './index_utils';
+
+describe('index utils', function () {
+  describe('isClosed', function () {
+    it('handles boolean values', () => {
+      expect(
+        isClosed({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              verified_before_close: true,
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(true);
+      expect(
+        isClosed({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              verified_before_close: false,
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(false);
+    });
+    it('handles string values', () => {
+      expect(
+        isClosed({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              verified_before_close: 'true',
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(true);
+      expect(
+        isClosed({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              verified_before_close: 'false',
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(false);
+    });
+    it('handles undefined index settings', () => {
+      expect(
+        isClosed({
+          settings: {},
+        })
+      ).toBe(false);
+    });
+  });
+  describe('isHidden', function () {
+    it('handles boolean values', () => {
+      expect(
+        isHidden({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              hidden: true,
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(true);
+      expect(
+        isHidden({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              hidden: false,
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(false);
+    });
+    it('handles string values', () => {
+      expect(
+        isHidden({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              hidden: 'true',
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(true);
+      expect(
+        isHidden({
+          settings: {
+            index: {
+              hidden: 'false',
+            },
+          },
+        })
+      ).toBe(false);
+    });
+    it('handles undefined index settings', () => {
+      expect(
+        isHidden({
+          settings: {},
+        })
+      ).toBe(false);
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/utils/index_utils.ts b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/utils/index_utils.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..d0b47b303679e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/server/utils/index_utils.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import type { IndicesIndexState } from '@elastic/elasticsearch/lib/api/typesWithBodyKey';
+
+export function isHidden(index: IndicesIndexState): boolean {
+  return index.settings?.index?.hidden === true || index.settings?.index?.hidden === 'true';
+}
+
+export function isClosed(index: IndicesIndexState): boolean {
+  return (
+    index.settings?.index?.verified_before_close === true ||
+    index.settings?.index?.verified_before_close === 'true'
+  );
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/tsconfig.json b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/tsconfig.json
index 48969cf7142bb..406b9de2400ce 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/tsconfig.json
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/search_indices/tsconfig.json
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
     "@kbn/core",
     "@kbn/navigation-plugin",
     "@kbn/config-schema",
+    "@kbn/core-elasticsearch-server",
+    "@kbn/logging",
   ],
   "exclude": [
     "target/**/*",
diff --git a/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts
index 87064adf39d9f..3126619ae60ee 100644
--- a/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts
+++ b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ export default createTestConfig({
   },
   suiteTags: { exclude: ['skipSvlSearch'] },
   // add feature flags
-  kbnServerArgs: ['--xpack.security.roleManagementEnabled=true'],
+  kbnServerArgs: [
+    '--xpack.security.roleManagementEnabled=true',
+    `--xpack.searchIndices.enabled=true`, // global empty state FF
+  ],
   // load tests in the index file
   testFiles: [require.resolve('./index.feature_flags.ts')],
 
diff --git a/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts
index a757df76f10f3..a4a99f1e42641 100644
--- a/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts
+++ b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { FtrProviderContext } from '../../ftr_provider_context';
 
 export default function ({ loadTestFile }: FtrProviderContext) {
   describe('Serverless search API - feature flags', function () {
+    loadTestFile(require.resolve('./search_indices'));
     loadTestFile(require.resolve('./platform_security'));
     loadTestFile(require.resolve('../common/platform_security/roles_routes_feature_flag.ts'));
   });
diff --git a/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/search_indices/index.ts b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/search_indices/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..b48985faaecd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/search_indices/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import { FtrProviderContext } from '../../../ftr_provider_context';
+
+export default function ({ loadTestFile }: FtrProviderContext) {
+  describe('search indices APIs', function () {
+    loadTestFile(require.resolve('./status'));
+  });
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/search_indices/status.ts b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/search_indices/status.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..b9e9fedbb0396
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/test_serverless/api_integration/test_suites/search/search_indices/status.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import expect from 'expect';
+import { FtrProviderContext } from '../../../ftr_provider_context';
+
+export default function ({ getService }: FtrProviderContext) {
+  const svlCommonApi = getService('svlCommonApi');
+  const svlUserManager = getService('svlUserManager');
+  const supertestWithoutAuth = getService('supertestWithoutAuth');
+  let credentials: { Cookie: string };
+
+  describe('search_indices Status APIs', function () {
+    describe('indices status', function () {
+      before(async () => {
+        // get auth header for Viewer role
+        credentials = await svlUserManager.getM2MApiCredentialsWithRoleScope('developer');
+      });
+      it('returns list of index names', async () => {
+        const { body } = await supertestWithoutAuth
+          .get('/internal/search_indices/status')
+          .set(svlCommonApi.getInternalRequestHeader())
+          .set(credentials)
+          .expect(200);
+
+        expect(body.indexNames).toBeDefined();
+        expect(Array.isArray(body.indexNames)).toBe(true);
+      });
+    });
+    describe('user privileges', function () {
+      // GET /internal/search_indices/start_privileges
+      describe('developer', function () {
+        before(async () => {
+          // get auth header for Viewer role
+          credentials = await svlUserManager.getM2MApiCredentialsWithRoleScope('developer');
+        });
+
+        it('returns expected privileges', async () => {
+          const { body } = await supertestWithoutAuth
+            .get('/internal/search_indices/start_privileges')
+            .set(svlCommonApi.getInternalRequestHeader())
+            .set(credentials)
+            .expect(200);
+
+          expect(body).toEqual({
+            privileges: {
+              canCreateApiKeys: true,
+              canCreateIndex: true,
+            },
+          });
+        });
+      });
+      describe('viewer', function () {
+        before(async () => {
+          // get auth header for Viewer role
+          credentials = await svlUserManager.getM2MApiCredentialsWithRoleScope('viewer');
+        });
+
+        it('returns expected privileges', async () => {
+          const { body } = await supertestWithoutAuth
+            .get('/internal/search_indices/start_privileges')
+            .set(svlCommonApi.getInternalRequestHeader())
+            .set(credentials)
+            .expect(200);
+
+          expect(body).toEqual({
+            privileges: {
+              canCreateApiKeys: false,
+              canCreateIndex: false,
+            },
+          });
+        });
+      });
+    });
+  });
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts b/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts
index ee652f0f7eb2d..05eb6136bf008 100644
--- a/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts
+++ b/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/config.feature_flags.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ export default createTestConfig({
     `--xpack.cloud.organization_url='/account/members'`,
     `--xpack.security.roleManagementEnabled=true`,
     `--xpack.spaces.maxSpaces=100`, // enables spaces UI capabilities
+    `--xpack.searchIndices.enabled=true`, // global empty state FF
   ],
   // load tests in the index file
   testFiles: [require.resolve('./index.feature_flags.ts')],
diff --git a/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/elasticsearch_start.ts b/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/elasticsearch_start.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..5b5adf48319db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/elasticsearch_start.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright Elasticsearch B.V. and/or licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements. Licensed under the Elastic License
+ * 2.0; you may not use this file except in compliance with the Elastic License
+ * 2.0.
+ */
+
+import { FtrProviderContext } from '../../ftr_provider_context';
+
+export default function ({}: FtrProviderContext) {
+  describe('Elasticsearch Start [Onboarding Empty State]', function () {});
+}
diff --git a/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts b/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts
index acf3e6f98b7db..44cd17a0c9fd3 100644
--- a/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts
+++ b/x-pack/test_serverless/functional/test_suites/search/index.feature_flags.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { FtrProviderContext } from '../../ftr_provider_context';
 export default function ({ loadTestFile }: FtrProviderContext) {
   describe('serverless search UI - feature flags', function () {
     // add tests that require feature flags, defined in config.feature_flags.ts
+    loadTestFile(require.resolve('./elasticsearch_start.ts'));
     loadTestFile(require.resolve('../common/platform_security/navigation/management_nav_cards.ts'));
     loadTestFile(require.resolve('../common/platform_security/roles.ts'));
     loadTestFile(require.resolve('../common/spaces/spaces_selection_enabled.ts'));