diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f97199b..daf6cf8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -72,11 +72,12 @@ Queue / retry:
 - Run `ytpl-sync.exe` (GUI).
 
 ## Tray
-
+ 
 - The app supports minimizing to tray on close if the OS provides a system tray; use the tray icon menu to quit.
 - Tray behavior settings (Settings page):
   - `close_to_tray`: close hides to tray (keeps running).
   - `minimize_to_tray`: minimize hides to tray.
+  - `start_minimized_to_tray`: start hidden in tray.
 
 ## Data & Layout
 
diff --git a/config/yt-playlist-config.example.json b/config/yt-playlist-config.example.json
index 9dae509..4a6f0f9 100644
--- a/config/yt-playlist-config.example.json
+++ b/config/yt-playlist-config.example.json
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@
   "ui": {
     "tray": {
       "close_to_tray": true,
-      "minimize_to_tray": false
+      "minimize_to_tray": false,
+      "start_minimized_to_tray": false
     }
   },
   "playlists": [
diff --git a/src/app/gui/main.py b/src/app/gui/main.py
index 60bcaa3..16b754a 100644
--- a/src/app/gui/main.py
+++ b/src/app/gui/main.py
@@ -115,6 +115,12 @@ class MainWindow(QtWidgets.QMainWindow):
     def _minimize_to_tray_enabled(self) -> bool:
         return bool(self._tray_config().get("minimize_to_tray", False))
 
+    def _start_minimized_to_tray_enabled(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self._tray_config().get("start_minimized_to_tray", False))
+
+    def should_start_minimized_to_tray(self) -> bool:
+        return self._tray is not None and self._start_minimized_to_tray_enabled()
+
     def _init_tray(self) -> None:
         # Tray support is optional and platform-dependent (e.g., some Linux DEs).
         try:
@@ -388,7 +394,10 @@ def main() -> int:
         app.setFont(f)
 
     w = MainWindow()
-    w.show()
+    if w.should_start_minimized_to_tray():
+        w.hide()
+    else:
+        w.show()
     return app.exec()
 
 
diff --git a/src/app/gui/pages/settings.py b/src/app/gui/pages/settings.py
index df7fc9e..894610f 100644
--- a/src/app/gui/pages/settings.py
+++ b/src/app/gui/pages/settings.py
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ class SettingsPage(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         self._minimize_to_tray.setChecked(False)
         tray_form.addRow("minimize_to_tray", self._minimize_to_tray)
 
+        self._start_minimized_to_tray = QtWidgets.QCheckBox()
+        self._start_minimized_to_tray.setChecked(False)
+        tray_form.addRow("start_minimized_to_tray", self._start_minimized_to_tray)
+
         tray_box = QtWidgets.QGroupBox("Tray behavior")
         tray_box.setLayout(tray_form)
         layout.addWidget(tray_box)
@@ -90,6 +94,7 @@ class SettingsPage(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         self._download_delay.valueChanged.connect(lambda _v: self._schedule_autosave())
         self._close_to_tray.stateChanged.connect(lambda _v: self._schedule_autosave())
         self._minimize_to_tray.stateChanged.connect(lambda _v: self._schedule_autosave())
+        self._start_minimized_to_tray.stateChanged.connect(lambda _v: self._schedule_autosave())
 
     def set_config_path(self, path: Path) -> None:
         self._config_path = path
@@ -117,6 +122,7 @@ class SettingsPage(QtWidgets.QWidget):
             tray = tray if isinstance(tray, dict) else {}
             self._close_to_tray.setChecked(bool(tray.get("close_to_tray", True)))
             self._minimize_to_tray.setChecked(bool(tray.get("minimize_to_tray", False)))
+            self._start_minimized_to_tray.setChecked(bool(tray.get("start_minimized_to_tray", False)))
 
             self._status.setText(f"Loaded settings from {self._config_path}.")
         except Exception as exc:
@@ -148,6 +154,7 @@ class SettingsPage(QtWidgets.QWidget):
             tray = tray if isinstance(tray, dict) else {}
             tray["close_to_tray"] = bool(self._close_to_tray.isChecked())
             tray["minimize_to_tray"] = bool(self._minimize_to_tray.isChecked())
+            tray["start_minimized_to_tray"] = bool(self._start_minimized_to_tray.isChecked())
             ui["tray"] = tray
             data["ui"] = ui