diff --git a/src/channels/mod.rs b/src/channels/mod.rs
index bb98a87..f6e879c 100644
--- a/src/channels/mod.rs
+++ b/src/channels/mod.rs
@@ -428,6 +428,13 @@ pub async fn start_channels(config: Config) -> Result<()> {
         config.api_key.as_deref(),
         &config.reliability,
     )?);
+
+    // Warm up the provider connection pool (TLS handshake, DNS, HTTP/2 setup)
+    // so the first real message doesn't hit a cold-start timeout.
+    if let Err(e) = provider.warmup().await {
+        tracing::warn!("Provider warmup failed (non-fatal): {e}");
+    }
+
     let model = config
         .default_model
         .clone()
diff --git a/src/providers/openrouter.rs b/src/providers/openrouter.rs
index 3d99481..e59de49 100644
--- a/src/providers/openrouter.rs
+++ b/src/providers/openrouter.rs
@@ -51,6 +51,20 @@ impl OpenRouterProvider {
 
 #[async_trait]
 impl Provider for OpenRouterProvider {
+    async fn warmup(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        // Hit a lightweight endpoint to establish TLS + HTTP/2 connection pool.
+        // This prevents the first real chat request from timing out on cold start.
+        if let Some(api_key) = self.api_key.as_ref() {
+            self.client
+                .get("https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/auth/key")
+                .header("Authorization", format!("Bearer {api_key}"))
+                .send()
+                .await?
+                .error_for_status()?;
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     async fn chat_with_system(
         &self,
         system_prompt: Option<&str>,
diff --git a/src/providers/reliable.rs b/src/providers/reliable.rs
index c324f21..7b0af14 100644
--- a/src/providers/reliable.rs
+++ b/src/providers/reliable.rs
@@ -25,6 +25,14 @@ impl ReliableProvider {
 
 #[async_trait]
 impl Provider for ReliableProvider {
+    async fn warmup(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        if let Some((name, provider)) = self.providers.first() {
+            tracing::info!(provider = name, "Warming up provider connection pool");
+            provider.warmup().await?;
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     async fn chat_with_system(
         &self,
         system_prompt: Option<&str>,
diff --git a/src/providers/traits.rs b/src/providers/traits.rs
index 8a24714..ff9adad 100644
--- a/src/providers/traits.rs
+++ b/src/providers/traits.rs
@@ -14,4 +14,10 @@ pub trait Provider: Send + Sync {
         model: &str,
         temperature: f64,
     ) -> anyhow::Result<String>;
+
+    /// Warm up the HTTP connection pool (TLS handshake, DNS, HTTP/2 setup).
+    /// Default implementation is a no-op; providers with HTTP clients should override.
+    async fn warmup(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        Ok(())
+    }
 }