diff --git a/config/redbear-minimal.toml b/config/redbear-minimal.toml
index d986df75..b051e47c 100644
--- a/config/redbear-minimal.toml
+++ b/config/redbear-minimal.toml
@@ -24,6 +24,12 @@ mc = {}
 # Diagnostic tool
 redbear-info = {}
 
+# Phase 2 baseline: enable the default DHCP profile so VM and wired setups
+# use the existing netctl boot path automatically.
+[[files]]
+path = "/etc/netctl/active"
+data = "wired-dhcp\n"
+
 # minimal.toml: "inputd -A 2", "nowait getty 2", "nowait getty /scheme/debug/no-preserve -J"
 [[files]]
 path = "/usr/lib/init.d/30_console"
diff --git a/local/docs/PROFILE-MATRIX.md b/local/docs/PROFILE-MATRIX.md
index 74e3e655..f45ae564 100644
--- a/local/docs/PROFILE-MATRIX.md
+++ b/local/docs/PROFILE-MATRIX.md
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ target instead of a vague feature list.
 
 | Profile | Intent | Key Fragments | Current support language |
 |---|---|---|---|
-| `redbear-minimal` | Console + storage + wired-network baseline | `minimal.toml`, `redbear-legacy-base.toml`, `redbear-device-services.toml`, `redbear-netctl.toml` | builds / primary validation baseline |
+| `redbear-minimal` | Console + storage + wired-network baseline | `minimal.toml`, `redbear-legacy-base.toml`, `redbear-device-services.toml`, `redbear-netctl.toml` | builds / primary validation baseline / DHCP boot profile enabled |
 | `redbear-desktop` | Main Red Bear desktop integration profile without KDE-specific session wiring | `desktop.toml`, `redbear-netctl.toml` | builds |
 | `redbear-full` | Expanded graphics/input/Qt integration target | `desktop.toml`, `redbear-legacy-base.toml`, `redbear-legacy-desktop.toml`, `redbear-device-services.toml`, `redbear-netctl.toml` | builds / experimental runtime path |
 | `redbear-kde` | KDE Plasma bring-up profile | `desktop.toml`, `redbear-legacy-base.toml`, `redbear-legacy-desktop.toml`, `redbear-device-services.toml`, `redbear-netctl.toml` | builds / experimental desktop path |
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ target instead of a vague feature list.
 
 - First place to validate repository discipline and profile reproducibility.
 - Should stay smaller and less assumption-heavy than the graphics profiles.
+- Enables the shared `wired-dhcp` netctl profile by default for the Phase 2 VM/wired baseline.
 
 ### `redbear-desktop`