diff --git a/CODE-AUDIT.md b/CODE-AUDIT.md
index 6a1282e..c48662b 100644
--- a/CODE-AUDIT.md
+++ b/CODE-AUDIT.md
@@ -1170,8 +1170,10 @@ root cause is already filed.
 
 ### Low — polish & smaller friction
 
-- [ ] **UX16 — URL field isn't focused on launch.** `aerofetch-url` is only focused via the command
+- [x] **UX16 — URL field isn't focused on launch.** `aerofetch-url` is only focused via the command
   palette; opening the app or the Downloads tab requires a click to start typing. **Fix:** autofocus it.
+  *Fixed: an `App` mount effect focuses `#aerofetch-url` on launch when the Downloads tab is active
+  (double-rAF for paint, reusing the command palette's focus pattern).*
 - [ ] **UX17 — Icon-only Fetch/Paste buttons** rely on hover tooltips for meaning (UI a11y; new users on touch/keyboard miss them). **Fix:** labels or `aria`-described affordances.
 - [ ] **UX18 — The quality control morphs after Fetch** (preset list → real formats; label "Quality" →
   "Quality / format") in place — a surprising transform. **Fix:** keep a stable control with a clear "formats loaded" state.
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/App.tsx b/src/renderer/src/App.tsx
index f15a646..490ac36 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/App.tsx
@@ -104,6 +104,16 @@ function App(): React.JSX.Element {
     useDownloads.getState().hydrate()
   }, [])
 
+  // UX16: focus the URL field on launch so the user can paste + type immediately
+  // (Downloads is the default tab). Double-rAF waits for paint, matching the command
+  // palette's "New download" focus.
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (useNav.getState().tab !== 'downloads') return
+    requestAnimationFrame(() =>
+      requestAnimationFrame(() => document.getElementById('aerofetch-url')?.focus())
+    )
+  }, [])
+
   // Promote scheduled ('saved' + a due scheduledFor) items when their time arrives.
   // The queue is persisted (M4), so a scheduled item survives a quit and fires on the
   // next launch once its time has passed. A 15s tick is plenty for minute-granularity