diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index dad9efa..290c529 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,13 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Fixed
+- First-run crash on startup (`RPC_E_WRONG_THREAD` / `0x8001010E`):
+  `ShellViewModel.LoadAsync` resumed on a thread-pool thread after loading
+  the store and then mutated `CliChoices`, an `ObservableCollection` already
+  bound to the CLI switcher. WinRT rejects cross-thread collection-changed
+  marshalling. The await now stays on the UI thread.
+
 ### Added — Phase 6: Settings page + Velopack updater
 - **Settings page becomes editable.** Theme switches live (System/Light/Dark
   apply immediately via `IThemeApplier` → `MainWindow`'s content tree). Close
diff --git a/src/Snipdeck.Core/ViewModels/ShellViewModel.cs b/src/Snipdeck.Core/ViewModels/ShellViewModel.cs
index 70f408b..a07faa1 100644
--- a/src/Snipdeck.Core/ViewModels/ShellViewModel.cs
+++ b/src/Snipdeck.Core/ViewModels/ShellViewModel.cs
@@ -66,7 +66,10 @@ public ShellViewModel(
 
         public async Task LoadAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
         {
-            _document = await _store.LoadAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            // Stay on the UI thread after the await — RebuildCliChoices mutates
+            // an ObservableCollection that XAML is already bound to, and WinRT
+            // collection-change marshalling requires the original thread.
+            _document = await _store.LoadAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(true);
             RebuildCliChoices();
             SelectedCliChoice = CliChoices.FirstOrDefault();
         }