diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/+layout.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/+layout.svelte
index 05b9de19..7ac21b6a 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/+layout.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(launcher)/+layout.svelte
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
  * Root layout for the launcher area.
  * Ensures background sync runs globally regardless of active tab.
  */
-// import { ae_loc } from '$lib/stores/ae_stores';
+import { ae_loc } from '$lib/stores/ae_stores';
+import { events_loc } from '$lib/stores/ae_events_stores';
 import Launcher_Background_Sync from './launcher_background_sync.svelte';
 
 interface Props {
@@ -12,6 +13,17 @@ interface Props {
 }
 
 let { children }: Props = $props();
+
+// WHY: When running inside Electron (is_native), app_mode must be 'native' for
+// the file launch path to work correctly. On a fresh install the persisted store
+// has no value set, so we auto-initialise it here. This preserves the three-mode
+// design (default / onsite / native) — browser sessions are unaffected because
+// is_native is only ever true inside the Electron shell.
+$effect(() => {
+    if ($ae_loc.is_native && $events_loc.launcher.app_mode !== 'native') {
+        $events_loc.launcher.app_mode = 'native';
+    }
+});
 </script>
 
 <!-- Background Sync Process (Invisible) -->