diff --git a/src/lib/utils/extract.ts b/src/lib/utils/extract.ts
index d6e3ec3..b60188f 100644
--- a/src/lib/utils/extract.ts
+++ b/src/lib/utils/extract.ts
@@ -58,8 +58,20 @@ export async function extractArticle(url: string): Promise<ExtractedArticle> {
   });
 
   if (!response.ok) {
-    if (response.status === 403) {
-      throw new Error(`This site blocks automated access (403 Forbidden). Try using the bookmarklet from the article page instead - it can capture content your browser can see.`);
+    // On 403/blocked, return minimal article with just URL info
+    if (response.status === 403 || response.status === 401) {
+      const hostname = new URL(url).hostname.replace(/^www\./, "");
+      return {
+        title: `Article from ${hostname}`,
+        author: null,
+        siteName: hostname,
+        excerpt: "This site blocked automated access. Use 'Open original' to read, or the Content Capture bookmarklet to save the full article.",
+        content: `<p>This site blocked automated access. <a href="${url}" target="_blank">Open original article</a> to read.</p><p>Tip: Use the Content Capture bookmarklet from the article page to save the full content.</p>`,
+        textContent: "This site blocked automated access. Open original article to read.",
+        leadImage: null,
+        wordCount: 0,
+        publishedAt: null,
+      };
     }
     throw new Error(`Failed to fetch: ${response.status} ${response.statusText}`);
   }