Do I answer no when asked if I will be filing a joint return for 2023, I didn't work at all last yr but I'm filing for marriage credit so do I answer yes or no

If you were married on 12/31/2023 you can file joint return.  You do not need to have worked in 2023.

If you were married at the end of 2023 you can file jointly even if one of you had no income. ("Didn't work" doesn't necessarily mean you had no income. Income can come from other things besides working.)

There is no federal "marriage credit." Are you referring to a state credit? If so, what state?