diff --git a/client.js b/client.js
index 7e52a7b..baab59d 100644
--- a/client.js
+++ b/client.js
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ window.__ModuleLoader__.load({
     }
 
     function AdvisorPickerFor({ sessionId, directory, load, t }) {
+      React.useEffect(installCss, []); // idempotent; also installed in apply()
       const store = storeFor(sessionId);
       const st = useSettings(store);
       const dir = React.useSyncExternalStore((f) => directory.subscribe(f), () => directory.getSnapshot());
@@ -296,6 +297,7 @@ window.__ModuleLoader__.load({
       inject: ['slots', 'locale', 'sessions', 'modelDirectories'],
       apply(ctx) {
         ctx.effect(() => ctx.locale.register(NS, { en, zh }), 'omp-advisor: dictionaries');
+        installCss(); // styles must exist before the first render of the composer control
         ctx.slots.inject('conversation.input.right', () => ctx.slots.register({
           name: 'conversation.input.right',
           id: 'omp-advisor',
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index d039bf3..8832127 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@local/omp-advisor",
-  "version": "1.2.0",
+  "version": "1.2.1",
   "description": "oh-my-pi style advisor for DSH: a second model reviews every agent step and injects notes, concerns or blockers.",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",