diff --git a/static/js/index.js b/static/js/index.js
index e570dde..44fa3a5 100644
--- a/static/js/index.js
+++ b/static/js/index.js
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ window.app = Vue.createApp({
   },
   created: async function () {
     await this.getMerchant()
+    this.activeTab = await window.determineActiveTab(this)
     await this.checkNostrStatus()
     setInterval(async () => {
       if (
diff --git a/static/js/smart-navigation.js b/static/js/smart-navigation.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b68e07d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/js/smart-navigation.js
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+/**
+ * Smart Tab Navigation
+ * Determines the most relevant tab based on merchant setup status
+ */
+
+async function determineActiveTab(app) {
+  // No merchant → Merchant tab
+  if (!app.merchant || !app.merchant.id) {
+    return 'merchant'
+  }
+
+  try {
+    // Check for shipping zones
+    const {data: zones} = await LNbits.api.request(
+      'GET',
+      '/nostrmarket/api/v1/zone',
+      app.g.user.wallets[0].inkey
+    )
+
+    // Merchant but no zones → Shipping tab
+    if (!zones || zones.length === 0) {
+      app.$q.notify({
+        timeout: 5000,
+        type: 'info',
+        message: 'Set up shipping zones to get started'
+      })
+      return 'shipping'
+    }
+
+    // Check for stalls
+    const {data: stalls} = await LNbits.api.request(
+      'GET',
+      '/nostrmarket/api/v1/stall?pending=false',
+      app.g.user.wallets[0].inkey
+    )
+
+    // Zones but no stalls → Stalls tab
+    if (!stalls || stalls.length === 0) {
+      app.$q.notify({
+        timeout: 5000,
+        type: 'info',
+        message: 'Create a stall to start selling'
+      })
+      return 'stalls'
+    }
+
+    // Check for products across all stalls
+    let hasProducts = false
+    for (const stall of stalls) {
+      const {data: products} = await LNbits.api.request(
+        'GET',
+        `/nostrmarket/api/v1/stall/product/${stall.id}?pending=false`,
+        app.g.user.wallets[0].inkey
+      )
+      if (products && products.length > 0) {
+        hasProducts = true
+        break
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Stalls but no products → Products tab
+    if (!hasProducts) {
+      app.$q.notify({
+        timeout: 5000,
+        type: 'info',
+        message: 'Add products to your stall'
+      })
+      return 'products'
+    }
+
+    // Products exist → Orders tab
+    return 'orders'
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.warn('Error determining active tab:', error)
+    return 'merchant'
+  }
+}
+
+window.determineActiveTab = determineActiveTab
diff --git a/templates/nostrmarket/index.html b/templates/nostrmarket/index.html
index 9f89808..7d0c8b0 100644
--- a/templates/nostrmarket/index.html
+++ b/templates/nostrmarket/index.html
@@ -456,6 +456,7 @@
 
 <script src="{{ url_for('nostrmarket_static', path='js/nostr.bundle.js') }}"></script>
 <script src="{{ url_for('nostrmarket_static', path='js/utils.js') }}"></script>
+<script src="{{ url_for('nostrmarket_static', path='js/smart-navigation.js') }}"></script>
 <script src="{{ url_for('nostrmarket_static', path='js/index.js') }}"></script>
 
 <script src="{{ static_url_for('nostrmarket/static', 'components/key-pair.js') }}"></script>