diff --git a/packages/tui/src/TuiApp.tsx b/packages/tui/src/TuiApp.tsx
index ce3fb01..193c65c 100755
--- a/packages/tui/src/TuiApp.tsx
+++ b/packages/tui/src/TuiApp.tsx
@@ -254,6 +254,11 @@ function AirCodingView(props: {
   let pasteTick: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined
   let exitConfirmUntil = 0
 
+  onMount(() => {
+    // Give the textarea time to mount before focusing
+    setTimeout(() => focusPrompt(), 50)
+  })
+
   props.bindState({
     setProjection,
     setView: setActiveView,