diff --git a/desktop/src/App.tsx b/desktop/src/App.tsx
index d9f5cb5..d75f4b8 100644
--- a/desktop/src/App.tsx
+++ b/desktop/src/App.tsx
@@ -15,8 +15,11 @@ function App() {
   // Auto-connect to Gateway on startup
   useEffect(() => {
     if (connectionState === 'disconnected') {
-      connect().catch(() => {
-        // Silent fail — user can manually connect via Settings
+      // Try default port 18789 first, then fallback to 18790
+      connect('ws://127.0.0.1:18789').catch(() => {
+        connect('ws://127.0.0.1:18790').catch(() => {
+          // Silent fail — user can manually connect via Settings
+        });
       });
     }
   }, []);