diff --git a/node-agent.exe~ b/node-agent.exe~
index 70e50a8..dcc7be8 100644
Binary files a/node-agent.exe~ and b/node-agent.exe~ differ
diff --git a/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.go b/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.go
index 150e376..d1158e9 100644
--- a/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.go
+++ b/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.go
@@ -47,7 +47,16 @@ func RunScan(ctx context.Context, afterfxPath, aepPath, workDir, outPath, mode s
 	if mode == "" {
 		mode = "flexible"
 	}
-	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, afterfxPath, "-r", scriptPath)
+	// Pass the project AS AN ARGUMENT so AE opens it directly on launch — this
+	// bypasses the Home/Start screen, which otherwise blocks the -r script from
+	// running (AE sits idle on an empty "Untitled Project"). The script then uses
+	// the already-open project.
+	args := []string{}
+	if aepPath != "" {
+		args = append(args, aepPath)
+	}
+	args = append(args, "-r", scriptPath)
+	cmd := exec.CommandContext(ctx, afterfxPath, args...)
 	cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), "FR_SCAN_AEP="+aepPath, "FR_SCAN_OUT="+outPath, "FR_SCAN_MODE="+mode)
 	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
 	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
diff --git a/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.jsx b/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.jsx
index abfd828..613c8be 100644
--- a/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.jsx
+++ b/services/node-agent/internal/runner/scan.jsx
@@ -223,7 +223,13 @@
         // real project never hangs the headless scan waiting for a click.
         try { app.beginSuppressDialogs(); } catch (e) {}
         try { app.preferences.savePrefAsLong("Misc Section", "Play sound when render finishes", 0, PREFType.PREF_Type_MACHINE_INDEPENDENT); } catch (e) {}
-        if (aepPath) app.open(new File(aepPath));
+        // AE is usually launched WITH the project as an argument (so the Home screen
+        // can't block us); only open it ourselves if nothing is loaded yet.
+        var hasProject = false;
+        try { hasProject = !!(app.project && app.project.file); } catch (e) {}
+        if (!hasProject && aepPath) {
+            try { app.open(new File(aepPath)); } catch (e) {}
+        }
         var proj = app.project;
 
         var result = (mode === "fix" || mode === "musicvisualizer") ? scanFix(proj) : scanFlexible(proj);