diff --git a/apps/figcraft/src/main.rs b/apps/figcraft/src/main.rs
index 1bba81e8..00856c5d 100644
--- a/apps/figcraft/src/main.rs
+++ b/apps/figcraft/src/main.rs
@@ -193,10 +193,8 @@ fn main() -> eframe::Result {
     // default, never a build from source unless asked).
     session.live.links = figcraft_collab_net::links::system();
     session.invite_links_startup();
-    // A first run (no settings kept yet, nothing to open) starts on the home screen, with its
-    // tips and templates; later runs start in a new file.
     let first_run = svc.prefs.is_none() && args.join.is_none();
-    if session.docs.is_empty() && !first_run {
+    if session.docs.is_empty() && opens_new_file(first_run, session.prefs.start_on_home, port.is_some()) {
         let _ = session.execute("file.new", &json!({}));
     }
     // The interface language from the first frame on, and for the message when the window can't
@@ -268,6 +266,14 @@ fn main() -> eframe::Result {
     result
 }
 
+/// With nothing to open, whether the window starts in a new file rather than on the home screen.
+/// A first run (no settings kept yet) shows the home screen's tips and templates, and later runs
+/// start in a new file unless the preference asks for Home, which `--control` overrides: its
+/// callers expect a document to act on.
+fn opens_new_file(first_run: bool, start_on_home: bool, control: bool) -> bool {
+    !first_run && (!start_on_home || control)
+}
+
 fn desktop_title_bar() -> figcraft_ui_egui::TitleBar {
     use figcraft_ui_egui::TitleBar;
     if cfg!(target_os = "macos") { TitleBar::Inset } else { TitleBar::Custom }
@@ -292,3 +298,16 @@ mod linux_window_tests {
         assert_eq!(viewport.decorations, Some(false));
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod start_tests {
+    use super::opens_new_file;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn the_home_preference_starts_on_home_except_for_control_callers() {
+        assert!(opens_new_file(false, false, false), "a new file by default");
+        assert!(!opens_new_file(false, true, false), "Home when the preference asks");
+        assert!(opens_new_file(false, true, true), "--control still starts with a document");
+        assert!(!opens_new_file(true, false, false), "a first run shows the home screen");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/view.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/view.rs
index eb573c57..154cab00 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/view.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/view.rs
@@ -388,6 +388,7 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
             }
         ),
         spec!("pref.autoSave", "Save files automatically", "{on?}", false, |s, p| pref(s, p, |x| &mut x.auto_save)),
+        spec!("pref.startOnHome", "Start on the Home screen", "{on?}", false, |s, p| pref(s, p, |x| &mut x.start_on_home)),
         spec!("pref.nudge", "Nudge amount", "{small?, big?}", false, |s, p| {
             s.prefs.nudge_small = num(p, "small").unwrap_or(s.prefs.nudge_small).clamp(0.01, 1000.0);
             s.prefs.nudge_big = num(p, "big").unwrap_or(s.prefs.nudge_big).clamp(0.01, 10000.0);
@@ -539,3 +540,24 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
 
 #[allow(dead_code)]
 fn unused(_: NodeId) {}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod start_on_home_tests {
+    use serde_json::json;
+
+    use crate::Session;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn start_on_home_is_a_preference_that_persists() {
+        let mut s = Session::new();
+        assert!(!s.prefs.start_on_home);
+        assert_eq!(s.execute("pref.startOnHome", &json!({})).unwrap()["on"], true);
+        assert!(s.prefs.start_on_home);
+        // Saved with the other preferences and read back; older settings files without it read as off.
+        let saved: crate::Prefs = serde_json::from_value(serde_json::to_value(&s.prefs).unwrap()).unwrap();
+        assert!(saved.start_on_home);
+        assert_eq!(s.execute("pref.startOnHome", &json!({"on": false})).unwrap()["on"], false);
+        let old: crate::Prefs = serde_json::from_value(json!({"theme": "dark"})).unwrap();
+        assert!(!old.start_on_home);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
index df533b24..f52d23e8 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/lib.rs
@@ -655,6 +655,8 @@ pub struct Prefs {
     /// Files that have a path are saved by themselves a few seconds after they change (the app's
     /// timer; off: only File ▸ Save writes them).
     pub auto_save: bool,
+    /// The desktop app starts on the Home screen instead of in a new file.
+    pub start_on_home: bool,
     /// `figcraft://` invite links open this app (`collab.registerLinks`); `None`: on for installed
     /// builds, off for development builds.
     pub invite_links: Option<bool>,
@@ -722,6 +724,7 @@ impl Default for Prefs {
             reduce_motion: false,
             ui_scale: 1.0,
             auto_save: false,
+            start_on_home: false,
             invite_links: None,
             plugins: Vec::new(),
             plugin_settings: BTreeMap::new(),
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml
index ed0ea698..5c0a2bb3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/de.toml
@@ -1225,6 +1225,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start ascending from / stop descending at" = "Aufwärts zählen ab / abwärts zählen bis"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Mit einer leeren Arbeitsfläche beginnen"
 "Start on path" = "Anfang auf dem Pfad"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Mit Start beginnen"
 "Start point" = "Startpunkt"
 "Start sharing" = "Teilen starten"
 "Starting to share…" = "Teilen wird gestartet…"
@@ -1935,6 +1936,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "Bewegung reduzieren"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "Duplizierte Ebenen umbenennen"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "Abmessungen an Objekten anzeigen"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "Mit Start beginnen"
 "pref.userName" = "Ihr Name in Kommentaren"
 "proto.action.add" = "Prototyp-Aktion hinzufügen"
 "proto.action.move" = "Prototyp-Aktion neu anordnen"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml
index f28cfe60..fd0f2dbf 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/en.toml
@@ -1301,6 +1301,7 @@ name = "English"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Start from a blank canvas"
 "Start from a template" = "Start from a template"
 "Start on path" = "Start on path"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Start on the Home screen"
 "Start point" = "Start point"
 "Start sharing" = "Start sharing"
 "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives" = "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml
index e78f9e09..3445a4c2 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/es.toml
@@ -1302,6 +1302,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Empieza con un lienzo en blanco"
 "Start from a template" = "Empieza con una plantilla"
 "Start on path" = "Inicio en el trazado"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Empezar en Inicio"
 "Start point" = "Punto inicial"
 "Start sharing" = "Empezar a compartir"
 "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives" = "Empieza a compartir con el botón Compartir y pasa el código que te da"
@@ -2040,6 +2041,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "Reducir movimiento"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "Renombrar capas duplicadas"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "Mostrar dimensiones en los objetos"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "Empezar en Inicio"
 "pref.uiScale" = "Tamaño de la interfaz"
 "pref.userName" = "Tu nombre en los comentarios"
 "proto.action.add" = "Añadir acción de prototipo"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml
index f49b17ee..837d7839 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fi.toml
@@ -1301,6 +1301,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Aloita tyhjältä piirtoalueelta"
 "Start from a template" = "Aloita mallista"
 "Start on path" = "Aloituskohta polulla"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Aloita Aloitus-näkymästä"
 "Start point" = "Alkupiste"
 "Start sharing" = "Aloita jakaminen"
 "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives" = "Aloita jakaminen Jaa-painikkeella ja välitä sen antama koodi"
@@ -2036,6 +2037,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "Vähennä liikettä"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "Nimeä monistetut tasot uudelleen"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "Näytä objektien mitat"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "Aloita Aloitus-näkymästä"
 "pref.userName" = "Nimesi kommenteissa"
 "proto.action.add" = "Lisää prototyyppitoiminto"
 "proto.action.move" = "Muuta prototyyppitoimintojen järjestystä"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml
index cc77ce6a..dc61c3e9 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/fr.toml
@@ -1296,6 +1296,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Commencer avec un canevas vide"
 "Start from a template" = "Commencer avec un modèle"
 "Start on path" = "Début sur le tracé"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Démarrer sur l’Accueil"
 "Start point" = "Point de départ"
 "Start sharing" = "Commencer le partage"
 "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives" = "Commencez à partager avec le bouton Partager, puis communiquez le code qu’il donne"
@@ -2029,6 +2030,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "Réduire les animations"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "Renommer les calques dupliqués"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "Afficher les dimensions sur les objets"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "Démarrer sur l’Accueil"
 "pref.uiScale" = "Taille de l’interface"
 "pref.userName" = "Votre nom dans les commentaires"
 "proto.action.add" = "Ajouter une action de prototype"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml
index e0d0de2c..2bf3dfcc 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ja.toml
@@ -1283,6 +1283,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "空白のキャンバスから始める"
 "Start from a template" = "テンプレートから始める"
 "Start on path" = "パス上の開始位置"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "起動時にホームを表示"
 "Start point" = "始点"
 "Start sharing" = "共有を開始"
 "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives" = "共有ボタンで共有を開始し、表示されたコードを相手に伝える"
@@ -2008,6 +2009,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "動きを減らす"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "複製したレイヤーの名前を変更"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "オブジェクトに寸法を表示"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "起動時にホームを表示"
 "pref.userName" = "コメントに表示する名前"
 "proto.action.add" = "プロトタイプのアクションを追加"
 "proto.action.move" = "プロトタイプのアクションの順序を変更"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml
index b949b847..47cb0a01 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/ko.toml
@@ -1219,6 +1219,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start ascending from / stop descending at" = "오름차순 시작 값 / 내림차순 끝 값"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "빈 캔버스로 시작"
 "Start on path" = "패스 시작 위치"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "홈에서 시작"
 "Start point" = "시작점"
 "Start sharing" = "공유 시작"
 "Starting to share…" = "공유를 시작하는 중…"
@@ -1926,6 +1927,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "동작 줄이기"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "복제한 레이어 이름 바꾸기"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "개체에 치수 표시"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "홈에서 시작"
 "pref.userName" = "댓글에 표시할 이름"
 "proto.action.add" = "프로토타입 액션 추가"
 "proto.action.move" = "프로토타입 액션 순서 변경"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml
index 6a758d67..aecbc566 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/nl.toml
@@ -1301,6 +1301,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Begin vanaf een leeg canvas"
 "Start from a template" = "Begin met een sjabloon"
 "Start on path" = "Begin op het pad"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Starten op Home"
 "Start point" = "Startpunt"
 "Start sharing" = "Delen starten"
 "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives" = "Begin met delen via de knop Delen en geef daarna de code door die je krijgt"
@@ -2035,6 +2036,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "Beweging verminderen"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "Gedupliceerde lagen hernoemen"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "Afmetingen op objecten tonen"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "Starten op Home"
 "pref.userName" = "Je naam in reacties"
 "proto.action.add" = "Prototypeactie toevoegen"
 "proto.action.move" = "Volgorde van prototypeactie wijzigen"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml
index 377f66e8..762928ec 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/pt-BR.toml
@@ -1218,6 +1218,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start ascending from / stop descending at" = "Contar para cima a partir de / para baixo até"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Comece com uma tela em branco"
 "Start on path" = "Início no caminho"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Começar no Início"
 "Start point" = "Ponto inicial"
 "Start sharing" = "Começar a compartilhar"
 "Starting to share…" = "Começando a compartilhar…"
@@ -1925,6 +1926,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "Reduzir movimento"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "Renomear camadas duplicadas"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "Mostrar dimensões nos objetos"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "Começar no Início"
 "pref.userName" = "Seu nome nos comentários"
 "proto.action.add" = "Adicionar ação de protótipo"
 "proto.action.move" = "Reordenar ação de protótipo"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml
index 8f618bf4..5d299de7 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/sv.toml
@@ -1287,6 +1287,7 @@ name = "Svenska"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "Börja med en tom arbetsyta"
 "Start from a template" = "Börja med en mall"
 "Start on path" = "Början på banan"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "Börja på Start"
 "Start point" = "Startpunkt"
 "Start sharing" = "Börja dela"
 "Start sharing with the Share button, then pass on the code it gives" = "Börja dela med knappen Dela och skicka sedan vidare koden du får"
@@ -2016,6 +2017,7 @@ name = "Svenska"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "Minska rörelse"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "Byt namn på duplicerade lager"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "Visa dimensioner på objekt"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "Börja på Start"
 "pref.userName" = "Ditt namn i kommentarer"
 "proto.action.add" = "Lägg till prototypåtgärd"
 "proto.action.move" = "Ändra ordning på prototypåtgärd"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml
index 15d03ede..786cd313 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/locales/zh-Hans.toml
@@ -1220,6 +1220,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "Start ascending from / stop descending at" = "升序起点 / 降序终点"
 "Start from a blank canvas" = "从空白画布开始"
 "Start on path" = "路径起点"
+"Start on the Home screen" = "启动时显示主页"
 "Start point" = "起点"
 "Start sharing" = "开始分享"
 "Starting to share…" = "正在开始分享…"
@@ -1927,6 +1928,7 @@ status = "draft — needs native review"
 "pref.reduceMotion" = "减少动态效果"
 "pref.renameDuplicates" = "重命名副本图层"
 "pref.showDimensions" = "在对象上显示尺寸"
+"pref.startOnHome" = "启动时显示主页"
 "pref.userName" = "评论中显示的名字"
 "proto.action.add" = "添加原型操作"
 "proto.action.move" = "调整原型操作顺序"
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/dialogs.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/dialogs.rs
index 6830dac3..bf9f1b29 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/dialogs.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/dialogs.rs
@@ -226,6 +226,9 @@ pub fn show(app: &mut FigApp, ctx: &Context) {
             if !cfg!(target_arch = "wasm32") && crate::widgets::checkbox(ui, prefs.auto_save, tr("Save files automatically")) {
                 toggles.push("pref.autoSave");
             }
+            if !cfg!(target_arch = "wasm32") && crate::widgets::checkbox(ui, prefs.start_on_home, tr("Start on the Home screen")) {
+                toggles.push("pref.startOnHome");
+            }
             for c in toggles {
                 app.run(c, json!({}));
             }
diff --git a/docs/mcp.md b/docs/mcp.md
index e8dc9f37..911d1c71 100644
--- a/docs/mcp.md
+++ b/docs/mcp.md
@@ -428,6 +428,9 @@ on; `key` resolves keys the way the canvas does. Commands behind keys:
   it is larger; the choice is kept. In the browser the interface always follows the browser's zoom.
 - `pref.autoSave {on?}`: files that have a path save themselves a few seconds after they change
   (off by default; the desktop app's timer does it, so scripts still call `file.save`).
+- `pref.startOnHome {on?}`: the desktop app starts on the Home screen instead of in a new file
+  (off by default; files named on the command line still open, and `--control` starts in a new
+  file anyway, so control callers have a document).
 - `pref.language {language: system|en|cs|ru|es|es-419|fr|de|pt-BR|ja|ko|zh-Hans|…}`: the app's interface language, applied live ("system":
 - `pref.language {language: system|en|es|es-419|fr|de|pt-BR|ja|ko|sv|zh-Hans|…}`: the app's interface language, applied live ("system":
   the OS or browser language; a language without a catalog shows English). Command ids, labels and