diff --git a/src/routes/core/data_stores/+page.svelte b/src/routes/core/data_stores/+page.svelte
index 4e6d7f78..340ce4b5 100644
--- a/src/routes/core/data_stores/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/core/data_stores/+page.svelte
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ let qry_for_id = $state('');
 let qry_enabled = $state<'all' | 'enabled' | 'not_enabled'>('all');
 let page_limit = $state(50);
 let page_offset = $state(0);
-let sort_col = $state<string>('code');
-let sort_dir = $state<'ASC' | 'DESC'>('ASC');
+let sort_col = $state<string>('updated_on');
+let sort_dir = $state<'ASC' | 'DESC'>('DESC');
 
 // ── Results ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 let results: ae_DataStore[] = $state([]);
@@ -62,6 +62,12 @@ let rename_loading = $state(false);
 let rename_apply_status = $state<'idle' | 'applying' | 'done' | 'error'>('idle');
 let rename_applied = $state(0);
 
+// Auto-load on first render once the API config is available
+$effect(() => {
+    if (!$ae_api?.base_url || searched || loading) return;
+    untrack(() => do_search());
+});
+
 // ── Search ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 async function do_search(reset = true) {
     if (reset) page_offset = 0;
@@ -121,7 +127,7 @@ function toggle_sort(col: string) {
         sort_col = col;
         sort_dir = 'ASC';
     }
-    if (searched) do_search(false);
+    do_search(false);
 }
 
 // ── Open edit / new ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -568,18 +574,12 @@ function content_preview(ds: ae_DataStore): string {
             </div>
         </div>
 
-    {:else if searched && !loading}
+    {:else if !loading}
         <div class="py-12 text-center opacity-50">
             <Database size={48} class="mx-auto mb-4 opacity-30" />
             <p class="text-lg font-bold">No data stores found</p>
             <p class="text-sm">Try different filters, or create one above.</p>
         </div>
-
-    {:else if !searched}
-        <div class="py-12 text-center opacity-40">
-            <Search size={40} class="mx-auto mb-3 opacity-30" />
-            <p class="text-sm">Enter filters and press Search, or just press Search to list all.</p>
-        </div>
     {/if}
 
 </div>