diff --git a/ANNOTATE/web/app.py b/ANNOTATE/web/app.py
index 1a42e4d..2d22553 100644
--- a/ANNOTATE/web/app.py
+++ b/ANNOTATE/web/app.py
@@ -589,8 +589,14 @@ class AnnotationDashboard:
         # Backtest runner for replaying visible chart with predictions
         self.backtest_runner = BacktestRunner()
         
-        # Don't auto-load models - wait for user to click LOAD button
-        logger.info("Models available for lazy loading: " + ", ".join(self.available_models))
+        # Check if we should auto-load a model at startup
+        auto_load_model = os.getenv('AUTO_LOAD_MODEL', 'Transformer')  # Default: Transformer
+        
+        if auto_load_model and auto_load_model.lower() != 'none':
+            logger.info(f"Auto-loading model: {auto_load_model}")
+            self._auto_load_model(auto_load_model)
+        else:
+            logger.info("Auto-load disabled. Models available for lazy loading: " + ", ".join(self.available_models))
         
         # Initialize data loader with existing DataProvider
         self.data_loader = HistoricalDataLoader(self.data_provider) if self.data_provider else None
@@ -605,6 +611,73 @@ class AnnotationDashboard:
         
         logger.info("Annotation Dashboard initialized")
     
+    def _auto_load_model(self, model_name: str):
+        """
+        Auto-load a model at startup in background thread
+        
+        Args:
+            model_name: Name of model to load (DQN, CNN, or Transformer)
+        """
+        def load_in_background():
+            try:
+                logger.info(f"Starting auto-load for {model_name}...")
+                
+                # Initialize orchestrator if not already done
+                if not self.orchestrator:
+                    logger.info("Initializing TradingOrchestrator...")
+                    self.orchestrator = TradingOrchestrator(
+                        data_provider=self.data_provider,
+                        config=self.config
+                    )
+                    self.training_adapter.orchestrator = self.orchestrator
+                    logger.info("TradingOrchestrator initialized")
+                
+                # Load the specific model
+                if model_name == 'Transformer':
+                    logger.info("Loading Transformer model...")
+                    self.orchestrator.load_transformer_model()
+                    self.loaded_models['Transformer'] = self.orchestrator.primary_transformer_trainer
+                    logger.info("Transformer model loaded successfully")
+                    
+                elif model_name == 'CNN':
+                    logger.info("Loading CNN model...")
+                    self.orchestrator.load_cnn_model()
+                    self.loaded_models['CNN'] = self.orchestrator.cnn_model
+                    logger.info("CNN model loaded successfully")
+                    
+                elif model_name == 'DQN':
+                    logger.info("Loading DQN model...")
+                    self.orchestrator.load_dqn_model()
+                    self.loaded_models['DQN'] = self.orchestrator.dqn_agent
+                    logger.info("DQN model loaded successfully")
+                
+                else:
+                    logger.warning(f"Unknown model name: {model_name}")
+                    return
+                
+                # Get checkpoint info for display
+                checkpoint_info = self._get_best_checkpoint_info(model_name)
+                if checkpoint_info:
+                    logger.info(f"  Checkpoint: {checkpoint_info.get('filename', 'N/A')}")
+                    if checkpoint_info.get('accuracy'):
+                        logger.info(f"  Accuracy: {checkpoint_info['accuracy']:.2%}")
+                    if checkpoint_info.get('loss'):
+                        logger.info(f"  Loss: {checkpoint_info['loss']:.4f}")
+                
+                self.models_loading = False
+                logger.info(f"{model_name} model ready for inference and training")
+                
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.error(f"Error auto-loading {model_name} model: {e}")
+                import traceback
+                logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
+                self.models_loading = False
+        
+        # Start loading in background thread
+        self.models_loading = True
+        thread = threading.Thread(target=load_in_background, daemon=True)
+        thread.start()
+    
     def _get_best_checkpoint_info(self, model_name: str) -> Optional[Dict]:
         """
         Get best checkpoint info for a model without loading it
diff --git a/config/logging.env.example b/config/logging.env.example
index ae14f9f..e565770 100644
--- a/config/logging.env.example
+++ b/config/logging.env.example
@@ -1,4 +1,18 @@
+# ============================================================================
+# ANNOTATE Application Configuration
+# ============================================================================
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Model Auto-Loading
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Automatically load a model at startup for immediate use
+# Options: Transformer, CNN, DQN, none
+# Default: Transformer
+AUTO_LOAD_MODEL=Transformer
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Logging Configuration
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Comma-separated list of enabled logging channels
 # Available channels: core, trading, training, inference, pivots, data, websocket, api, webui, performance, debug
 # Leave empty to use defaults (pivots, websocket, api, webui, debug are disabled by default)
diff --git a/docs/AUTO_LOAD_MODEL.md b/docs/AUTO_LOAD_MODEL.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c5c5f62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/AUTO_LOAD_MODEL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+# Auto-Load Model Configuration
+
+The ANNOTATE application can automatically load a neural network model at startup, making it immediately available for inference and training without manual intervention.
+
+## Configuration
+
+### Environment Variable
+
+Set the `AUTO_LOAD_MODEL` environment variable to specify which model to load:
+
+```bash
+# Windows PowerShell
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="Transformer"
+
+# Windows CMD
+set AUTO_LOAD_MODEL=Transformer
+
+# Linux/Mac
+export AUTO_LOAD_MODEL=Transformer
+```
+
+### Available Options
+
+| Value | Description |
+|-------|-------------|
+| `Transformer` | Load the Transformer model (default) |
+| `CNN` | Load the CNN model |
+| `DQN` | Load the DQN agent |
+| `none` | Disable auto-loading (manual load required) |
+
+### Default Behavior
+
+If `AUTO_LOAD_MODEL` is not set, the application defaults to loading the **Transformer** model.
+
+## Usage Examples
+
+### Load Transformer (Default)
+
+```bash
+# Explicitly set (same as default)
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="Transformer"
+python ANNOTATE/web/app.py
+```
+
+**Output:**
+```
+=== Logging Channel Status ===
+  ...
+===============================
+
+Auto-loading model: Transformer
+Starting auto-load for Transformer...
+Initializing TradingOrchestrator...
+TradingOrchestrator initialized
+Loading Transformer model...
+Transformer model loaded successfully
+  Checkpoint: transformer_best_epoch61_20251122.pt
+  Accuracy: 85.67%
+  Loss: 0.2345
+Transformer model ready for inference and training
+```
+
+### Load CNN Model
+
+```bash
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="CNN"
+python ANNOTATE/web/app.py
+```
+
+### Load DQN Agent
+
+```bash
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="DQN"
+python ANNOTATE/web/app.py
+```
+
+### Disable Auto-Loading
+
+```bash
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="none"
+python ANNOTATE/web/app.py
+```
+
+**Output:**
+```
+Auto-load disabled. Models available for lazy loading: DQN, CNN, Transformer
+```
+
+## Benefits
+
+### ✅ **Immediate Availability**
+- Model is ready as soon as the app starts
+- No need to click "Load Models" button
+- Start inference/training immediately
+
+### ✅ **Faster Workflow**
+- Skip manual model loading step
+- Ideal for production/automated deployments
+- Reduces startup clicks
+
+### ✅ **Background Loading**
+- Models load in a background thread
+- UI remains responsive during loading
+- No blocking of other operations
+
+### ✅ **Checkpoint Auto-Discovery**
+- Automatically loads the best checkpoint
+- Shows checkpoint info in logs
+- Displays accuracy and loss metrics
+
+## Technical Details
+
+### Loading Process
+
+1. **Startup Detection**: App checks `AUTO_LOAD_MODEL` environment variable
+2. **Background Thread**: Model loading happens in a separate thread
+3. **Orchestrator Init**: `TradingOrchestrator` is initialized if needed
+4. **Model Loading**: Specific model is loaded with best checkpoint
+5. **Ready State**: Model is added to `loaded_models` dict
+
+### Checkpoint Selection
+
+The auto-loader uses the same checkpoint selection logic as manual loading:
+
+1. **Database Query**: Checks `checkpoint_metadata` table for active checkpoint
+2. **Filesystem Scan**: Falls back to scanning checkpoint directory
+3. **Best Selection**: Chooses checkpoint with highest accuracy
+4. **Metadata Display**: Shows checkpoint info in logs
+
+### Thread Safety
+
+- Loading happens in daemon thread
+- `models_loading` flag prevents concurrent loads
+- Orchestrator is thread-safe
+- Training adapter is updated after load
+
+## Integration with Other Features
+
+### Real-Time Training
+
+Auto-loaded models are immediately available for:
+- Per-candle training
+- Pivot-based training
+- Live inference
+
+### Checkpointing
+
+Auto-loaded models use the existing checkpoint system:
+- Real-time checkpoints save during training
+- Best checkpoints are kept
+- Metrics are tracked in database
+
+### API Endpoints
+
+Once auto-loaded, the model appears in:
+- `/api/available-models` - Shows as loaded
+- `/api/realtime-inference/start` - Ready for inference
+- `/api/training/start` - Ready for training
+
+## Configuration File
+
+Add to your `config/logging.env` or environment:
+
+```bash
+# Model Configuration
+AUTO_LOAD_MODEL=Transformer
+
+# Logging Configuration
+LOG_CHANNELS=core,trading,training,inference,data,performance
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Model Fails to Load
+
+**Symptoms:**
+```
+Error auto-loading Transformer model: ...
+```
+
+**Solutions:**
+1. Check if checkpoint files exist in `models/checkpoints/`
+2. Verify model architecture matches checkpoint
+3. Check logs for specific error details
+4. Try manual loading to see detailed error
+
+### Wrong Model Loaded
+
+**Symptoms:**
+- Expected Transformer but CNN loaded
+- Model name mismatch
+
+**Solutions:**
+1. Check `AUTO_LOAD_MODEL` environment variable
+2. Restart shell to clear old environment
+3. Verify spelling (case-sensitive)
+
+### Slow Startup
+
+**Symptoms:**
+- App takes long to start
+- UI unresponsive initially
+
+**Solutions:**
+- This is normal - model loading takes 5-30 seconds
+- Loading happens in background, UI should still be responsive
+- Check GPU availability (CUDA initialization can be slow)
+- Consider disabling auto-load for development: `AUTO_LOAD_MODEL=none`
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### Development
+
+```bash
+# Disable auto-load for faster iteration
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="none"
+```
+
+### Production
+
+```bash
+# Auto-load Transformer for immediate availability
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="Transformer"
+```
+
+### Testing
+
+```bash
+# Load specific model for testing
+$env:AUTO_LOAD_MODEL="DQN"
+```
+
+### CI/CD
+
+```bash
+# Disable in CI pipelines (no GPU)
+export AUTO_LOAD_MODEL=none
+```
+
+## See Also
+
+- [Logging Configuration](LOGGING.md) - Configure logging channels
+- [Checkpoint System](../ANNOTATE/core/real_training_adapter.py) - Checkpoint management
+- [Model Training](../NN/models/) - Model architectures
+