RISTRETTO is a visible, single-mode fiber-fed, High Dispersion Corongraphic instrument for the VLT. Its main target, Proxima b, defines most of the requirements on the Front-End, which are: 1) Planet coupling into SMF at 2 lbd/D > 50%; 2) Average coupling of the star on the planet fiber < 1E-4.

We first present our baseline design, which primarily consists in a single-stage 40x40, 2kHz XAO and a modified version of the Phase Induced Amplitude Apodizer as part of a 7-spaxels coronagraphic IFU. We will also present first prototyping activities to demonstrate feasibility of the coronagraphic IFU, as well as a first optical design of the Front-End.