diff --git a/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Models/RemoteStore.swift b/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Models/RemoteStore.swift
index 802c3fd..d3ba854 100644
--- a/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Models/RemoteStore.swift
+++ b/NucleicRemote/NucleicRemote/Models/RemoteStore.swift
@@ -444,6 +444,9 @@ final class RemoteStore: ObservableObject {
         if isPaired {
             // Show the saved chat history immediately, before any host connects.
             if sessions.isEmpty { sessions = cachedSummaries }
+            // Assume connected while the first handshake completes, so launch doesn't open on a
+            // grayed-out "Disconnected" shell for the second it takes to come up.
+            beginOptimisticWindow()
             reconnect()
         }
     }