diff --git a/bin/start.sh b/bin/start.sh
index 3558024..7e70660 100755
--- a/bin/start.sh
+++ b/bin/start.sh
@@ -38,24 +38,34 @@ cmd_start() {
     tmux send-keys -t "${SESSION}:overview.right" \
         "watch -n10 python3 '${SCRIPT_DIR}/metrics.py'" Enter
 
-    # One window per project
+    # Pass 1: create all project windows and start claude
     local win=1
+    local windows=()
     while IFS= read -r project_path; do
         local project_name
         project_name=$(basename "$project_path")
+        local safe_path
+        safe_path=$(printf '%q' "$project_path")
         tmux new-window -t "${SESSION}:${win}" -n "$project_name"
-        # Start claude in the project directory
         tmux send-keys -t "${SESSION}:${win}" \
-            "cd '${project_path}' && claude --name 'autoresearch-${project_name}'" Enter
-        # Wait for claude to initialize, then invoke the loop skill
-        sleep 3
-        tmux send-keys -t "${SESSION}:${win}" \
-            "/ralph-loop Run one autoresearch experiment iteration per the autoresearch-loop skill. --completion-promise STOP" Enter
+            "cd ${safe_path} && claude --name autoresearch-${project_name}" Enter
+        windows+=("${win}:${project_name}")
         win=$((win + 1))
     done < <(get_projects)
 
-    tmux select-window -t "${SESSION}:0"
+    # Single sleep for all sessions to initialize
     local project_count=$(( win - 1 ))
+    if [[ $project_count -gt 0 ]]; then
+        sleep 3
+        # Pass 2: invoke ralph-loop in all project windows
+        for entry in "${windows[@]}"; do
+            local win_id="${entry%%:*}"
+            tmux send-keys -t "${SESSION}:${win_id}" \
+                "/ralph-loop Run one autoresearch experiment iteration per the autoresearch-loop skill. --completion-promise STOP" Enter
+        done
+    fi
+
+    tmux select-window -t "${SESSION}:0"
     echo "autoresearch: started — ${project_count} project window(s)"
     echo "  attach: tmux attach -t $SESSION"
 }