diff --git a/e2e/desk.spec.ts b/e2e/desk.spec.ts
index 1a13c92..4c28125 100644
--- a/e2e/desk.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/desk.spec.ts
@@ -219,7 +219,8 @@ test.describe("without JavaScript", () => {
   test.use({ javaScriptEnabled: false });
 
   test("everything is still there as a list", async ({ page }) => {
-    await page.goto("/");
+    // Only the markup matters here; don't wait on board images from raw.githubusercontent.com.
+    await page.goto("/", { waitUntil: "domcontentloaded" });
     await expect(page.locator("html")).toHaveClass(/\blist\b/);
     await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { level: 1, name: "0-draft" })).toBeVisible();
     for (const r of repos) {
diff --git a/src/scripts/desk.ts b/src/scripts/desk.ts
index 385685d..0b2572d 100644
--- a/src/scripts/desk.ts
+++ b/src/scripts/desk.ts
@@ -105,11 +105,15 @@ function go(to: Cam, opts: { instant?: boolean; stiffness?: number } = {}): Prom
 let raf = 0;
 let last = 0;
 let introTimer = 0;
+// Until the visitor moves the camera, the opening framing is still ours to correct.
+let untouched = true;
 
-// The intro's pull-back is the only motion the visitor didn't ask for; any input cancels it.
+// The intro's pull-back, and the re-frame once fonts arrive, are the only motion the visitor
+// didn't ask for; any input cancels both.
 function cancelIntro() {
   clearTimeout(introTimer);
   introTimer = 0;
+  untouched = false;
 }
 
 // Stops the camera outright: no frame, no pending intro, no promise left waiting.
@@ -548,7 +552,8 @@ function setMode(mode: "desk" | "list", intro = false) {
   place();
   measure();
   drawMinimap();
-  const overview = narrow() ? shelfView("home") : fitBox(everything());
+  // Computed when needed, not now: web fonts may still be swapping in and resizing items.
+  const overview = openingView;
   if (intro && !reduced.matches) {
     // Start nose to nose with the seal, then pull back to show the whole desk.
     const seal = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(".home-seal") as HTMLElement;
@@ -560,9 +565,12 @@ function setMode(mode: "desk" | "list", intro = false) {
       h: seal.offsetHeight * 0.4,
     };
     go(fitBox(face, 0, 0, 0), { instant: true });
-    introTimer = window.setTimeout(() => go(overview, { stiffness: 2.2 }), 650);
+    introTimer = window.setTimeout(() => {
+      introTimer = 0;
+      go(overview(), { stiffness: 2.2 });
+    }, 650);
   } else {
-    go(overview, { instant: true });
+    go(overview(), { instant: true });
   }
 }
 
@@ -606,9 +614,20 @@ const resized = new ResizeObserver((entries) => {
 });
 for (const el of items) resized.observe(el);
 
-async function start() {
-  await document.fonts.ready;
-  setMode(recalled() === "list" ? "list" : "desk", true);
-  html.classList.add("ready");
+function openingView(): Cam {
+  return narrow() ? shelfView("home") : fitBox(everything());
 }
-start();
+
+// No waiting for web fonts: the desk shows as soon as the script runs (it holds the page's
+// largest image), and the ResizeObserver above re-measures items as the fonts swap in.
+setMode(recalled() === "list" ? "list" : "desk", true);
+html.classList.add("ready");
+// Once the fonts have swapped in, frame the desk again from the real sizes, unless the visitor
+// has already moved, a site is open, or the intro is still about to compute it anyway.
+document.fonts.ready.then(() => {
+  if (!html.classList.contains("desk") || !untouched || introTimer || liveFrom) return;
+  // Measure here rather than wait for the ResizeObserver, which may not have run yet.
+  measure();
+  drawMinimap();
+  go(openingView(), { stiffness: 2.2 });
+});