diff --git a/kinode/packages/app_store/api/app_store:sys-v1.wit b/kinode/packages/app_store/api/app_store:sys-v1.wit
index 352af4ce..360d7cfe 100644
--- a/kinode/packages/app_store/api/app_store:sys-v1.wit
+++ b/kinode/packages/app_store/api/app_store:sys-v1.wit
@@ -184,6 +184,8 @@ interface downloads {
         auto-update(auto-update-request),
         /// Notify that a download is complete
         download-complete(download-complete-request),
+        /// Auto-update-download complete
+        auto-download-complete(auto-download-complete-request),
         /// Get files for a package
         get-files(option<package-id>),
         /// Remove a file
@@ -243,6 +245,12 @@ interface downloads {
         err: option<download-error>,
     }
 
+    /// Request for an auto-download complete
+    record auto-download-complete-request {
+        download-info: download-complete-request,
+        manifest-hash: string,
+    }
+
     /// Represents a hash mismatch error
     record hash-mismatch {
         desired: string,
diff --git a/kinode/packages/app_store/app_store/src/lib.rs b/kinode/packages/app_store/app_store/src/lib.rs
index f3b5731b..e7a9d433 100644
--- a/kinode/packages/app_store/app_store/src/lib.rs
+++ b/kinode/packages/app_store/app_store/src/lib.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 //! It delegates these responsibilities to the downloads and chain processes respectively.
 //!
 use crate::kinode::process::downloads::{
-    DownloadCompleteRequest, DownloadResponses, ProgressUpdate,
+    AutoDownloadCompleteRequest, DownloadCompleteRequest, DownloadResponses, ProgressUpdate,
 };
 use crate::kinode::process::main::{
     ApisResponse, GetApiResponse, InstallPackageRequest, InstallResponse, LocalRequest,
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ pub enum Req {
     LocalRequest(LocalRequest),
     Progress(ProgressUpdate),
     DownloadComplete(DownloadCompleteRequest),
+    AutoDownloadComplete(AutoDownloadCompleteRequest),
     Http(http::server::HttpServerRequest),
 }
 
@@ -161,6 +162,40 @@ fn handle_message(
                     },
                 );
             }
+            Req::AutoDownloadComplete(req) => {
+                if !message.is_local(&our) {
+                    return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+                        "auto download complete from non-local node"
+                    ));
+                }
+                // auto_install case:
+                // the downloads process has given us the new package manifest's
+                // capability hashes, and the old package's capability hashes.
+                // we can use these to determine if the new package has the same
+                // capabilities as the old one, and if so, auto-install it.
+
+                let manifest_hash = req.manifest_hash;
+                let package_id = req.download_info.package_id;
+                let version_hash = req.download_info.version_hash;
+
+                if let Some(package) = state.packages.get(&package_id.clone().to_process_lib()) {
+                    if package.manifest_hash == Some(manifest_hash) {
+                        print_to_terminal(1, "auto_install:main, manifest_hash match");
+                        if let Err(e) =
+                            utils::install(&package_id, None, &version_hash, state, &our.node)
+                        {
+                            print_to_terminal(1, &format!("error auto_installing package: {e}"));
+                        } else {
+                            println!(
+                                "auto_installed update for package: {:?}",
+                                &package_id.to_process_lib()
+                            );
+                        }
+                    } else {
+                        print_to_terminal(1, "auto_install:main, manifest_hash do not match");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
             Req::DownloadComplete(req) => {
                 if !message.is_local(&our) {
                     return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("download complete from non-local node"));
@@ -182,41 +217,6 @@ fn handle_message(
                         .unwrap(),
                     },
                 );
-
-                // auto_install case:
-                // the downloads process has given us the new package manifest's
-                // capability hashes, and the old package's capability hashes.
-                // we can use these to determine if the new package has the same
-                // capabilities as the old one, and if so, auto-install it.
-                if let Some(context) = message.context() {
-                    let manifest_hash = String::from_utf8(context.to_vec())?;
-                    if let Some(package) =
-                        state.packages.get(&req.package_id.clone().to_process_lib())
-                    {
-                        if package.manifest_hash == Some(manifest_hash) {
-                            print_to_terminal(1, "auto_install:main, manifest_hash match");
-                            if let Err(e) = utils::install(
-                                &req.package_id,
-                                None,
-                                &req.version_hash,
-                                state,
-                                &our.node,
-                            ) {
-                                print_to_terminal(
-                                    1,
-                                    &format!("error auto_installing package: {e}"),
-                                );
-                            } else {
-                                println!(
-                                    "auto_installed update for package: {:?}",
-                                    &req.package_id.to_process_lib()
-                                );
-                            }
-                        } else {
-                            print_to_terminal(1, "auto_install:main, manifest_hash do not match");
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
             }
         }
     } else {
diff --git a/kinode/packages/app_store/downloads/src/lib.rs b/kinode/packages/app_store/downloads/src/lib.rs
index 8a8bfc31..31c91f13 100644
--- a/kinode/packages/app_store/downloads/src/lib.rs
+++ b/kinode/packages/app_store/downloads/src/lib.rs
@@ -42,9 +42,9 @@
 //! mechanism is implemented in the FT worker for improved modularity and performance.
 //!
 use crate::kinode::process::downloads::{
-    AutoUpdateRequest, DirEntry, DownloadCompleteRequest, DownloadError, DownloadRequests,
-    DownloadResponses, Entry, FileEntry, HashMismatch, LocalDownloadRequest, RemoteDownloadRequest,
-    RemoveFileRequest,
+    AutoDownloadCompleteRequest, AutoUpdateRequest, DirEntry, DownloadCompleteRequest,
+    DownloadError, DownloadRequests, DownloadResponses, Entry, FileEntry, HashMismatch,
+    LocalDownloadRequest, RemoteDownloadRequest, RemoveFileRequest,
 };
 use std::{collections::HashSet, io::Read, str::FromStr};
 
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ fn handle_message(
                 // if we have a pending auto_install, forward that context to the main process.
                 // it will check if the caps_hashes match (no change in capabilities), and auto_install if it does.
 
-                let context = if auto_updates.remove(&(
+                let manifest_hash = if auto_updates.remove(&(
                     req.package_id.clone().to_process_lib(),
                     req.version_hash.clone(),
                 )) {
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ fn handle_message(
                         req.package_id.clone().to_process_lib(),
                         req.version_hash.clone(),
                     ) {
-                        Ok(manifest_hash) => Some(manifest_hash.as_bytes().to_vec()),
+                        Ok(manifest_hash) => Some(manifest_hash),
                         Err(e) => {
                             print_to_terminal(
                                 1,
@@ -267,13 +267,26 @@ fn handle_message(
                 };
 
                 // pushed to UI via websockets
-                let mut request = Request::to(("our", "main", "app_store", "sys"))
-                    .body(serde_json::to_vec(&req)?);
+                Request::to(("our", "main", "app_store", "sys"))
+                    .body(serde_json::to_vec(&req)?)
+                    .send()?;
 
-                if let Some(ctx) = context {
-                    request = request.context(ctx);
+                // trigger auto-update install trigger to main:app_store:sys
+                if let Some(manifest_hash) = manifest_hash {
+                    let auto_download_complete_req = AutoDownloadCompleteRequest {
+                        download_info: req.clone(),
+                        manifest_hash,
+                    };
+                    print_to_terminal(
+                        1,
+                        &format!(
+                            "auto_update download complete: triggering install on main:app_store:sys"
+                        ),
+                    );
+                    Request::to(("our", "main", "app_store", "sys"))
+                        .body(serde_json::to_vec(&auto_download_complete_req)?)
+                        .send()?;
                 }
-                request.send()?;
             }
             DownloadRequests::GetFiles(maybe_id) => {
                 // if not local, throw to the boonies.
diff --git a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/components/PackageSelector.tsx b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/components/PackageSelector.tsx
index 7fc66743..ae28fffd 100644
--- a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/components/PackageSelector.tsx
+++ b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/components/PackageSelector.tsx
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ interface PackageSelectorProps {
 }
 
 const PackageSelector: React.FC<PackageSelectorProps> = ({ onPackageSelect }) => {
-    const { installed } = useAppsStore();
+    const { installed, fetchInstalled } = useAppsStore();
     const [selectedPackage, setSelectedPackage] = useState<string>("");
     const [customPackage, setCustomPackage] = useState<string>("");
     const [isCustomPackageSelected, setIsCustomPackageSelected] = useState(false);
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ const PackageSelector: React.FC<PackageSelectorProps> = ({ onPackageSelect }) =>
         }
     }, [selectedPackage, onPackageSelect]);
 
+    useEffect(() => {
+        fetchInstalled();
+    }, []);
+
     const handlePackageChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLSelectElement>) => {
         const value = e.target.value;
         if (value === "custom") {
diff --git a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/DownloadPage.tsx b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/DownloadPage.tsx
index cd90c6be..c933d3a7 100644
--- a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/DownloadPage.tsx
+++ b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/DownloadPage.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
 import React, { useState, useEffect, useCallback, useMemo } from "react";
-import { useParams, useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";
+import { useParams } from "react-router-dom";
 import { FaDownload, FaSpinner, FaChevronDown, FaChevronUp, FaRocket, FaTrash, FaPlay } from "react-icons/fa";
 import useAppsStore from "../store";
 import { MirrorSelector } from '../components';
 
 export default function DownloadPage() {
-    const navigate = useNavigate();
     const { id } = useParams<{ id: string }>();
     const {
         listings,
@@ -28,6 +27,9 @@ export default function DownloadPage() {
     const [isMirrorOnline, setIsMirrorOnline] = useState<boolean | null>(null);
     const [showCapApproval, setShowCapApproval] = useState(false);
     const [manifest, setManifest] = useState<any>(null);
+    const [isInstalling, setIsInstalling] = useState(false);
+    const [isCheckingLaunch, setIsCheckingLaunch] = useState(false);
+    const [launchPath, setLaunchPath] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
     const app = useMemo(() => listings[id || ""], [listings, id]);
     const appDownloads = useMemo(() => downloads[id || ""] || [], [downloads, id]);
@@ -101,6 +103,36 @@ export default function DownloadPage() {
         return versionData ? installedApp.our_version_hash === versionData.hash : false;
     }, [app, selectedVersion, installedApp, sortedVersions]);
 
+    const checkLaunchPath = useCallback(() => {
+        if (!app) return;
+        setIsCheckingLaunch(true);
+        const appId = `${app.package_id.package_name}:${app.package_id.publisher_node}`;
+        fetchHomepageApps().then(() => {
+            const path = getLaunchUrl(appId);
+            setLaunchPath(path);
+            setIsCheckingLaunch(false);
+            if (path) {
+                setIsInstalling(false);
+            }
+        });
+    }, [app, fetchHomepageApps, getLaunchUrl]);
+
+    useEffect(() => {
+        if (isInstalling) {
+            const checkInterval = setInterval(checkLaunchPath, 500);
+            const timeout = setTimeout(() => {
+                clearInterval(checkInterval);
+                setIsInstalling(false);
+                setIsCheckingLaunch(false);
+            }, 5000);
+
+            return () => {
+                clearInterval(checkInterval);
+                clearTimeout(timeout);
+            };
+        }
+    }, [isInstalling, checkLaunchPath]);
+
     const handleDownload = useCallback(() => {
         if (!id || !selectedMirror || !app || !selectedVersion) return;
         const versionData = sortedVersions.find(v => v.version === selectedVersion);
@@ -130,36 +162,87 @@ export default function DownloadPage() {
         }
     }, [id, app, appDownloads]);
 
-    const canDownload = useMemo(() => {
-        return selectedMirror && (isMirrorOnline === true || selectedMirror.startsWith('http')) && !isDownloading && !isDownloaded;
-    }, [selectedMirror, isMirrorOnline, isDownloading, isDownloaded]);
-
     const confirmInstall = useCallback(() => {
         if (!id || !selectedVersion) return;
         const versionData = sortedVersions.find(v => v.version === selectedVersion);
         if (versionData) {
+            setIsInstalling(true);
+            setLaunchPath(null);
             installApp(id, versionData.hash).then(() => {
-                fetchData(id);
                 setShowCapApproval(false);
                 setManifest(null);
+                fetchData(id);
             });
         }
     }, [id, selectedVersion, sortedVersions, installApp, fetchData]);
 
     const handleLaunch = useCallback(() => {
-        if (app) {
-            const launchUrl = getLaunchUrl(`${app.package_id.package_name}:${app.package_id.publisher_node}`);
-            if (launchUrl) {
-                window.location.href = launchUrl;
-            }
+        if (launchPath) {
+            window.location.href = launchPath;
         }
-    }, [app, getLaunchUrl]);
+    }, [launchPath]);
 
     const canLaunch = useMemo(() => {
         if (!app) return false;
         return !!getLaunchUrl(`${app.package_id.package_name}:${app.package_id.publisher_node}`);
     }, [app, getLaunchUrl]);
 
+    const canDownload = useMemo(() => {
+        return selectedMirror && (isMirrorOnline === true || selectedMirror.startsWith('http')) && !isDownloading && !isDownloaded;
+    }, [selectedMirror, isMirrorOnline, isDownloading, isDownloaded]);
+
+    const renderActionButton = () => {
+        if (isCurrentVersionInstalled || launchPath) {
+            return (
+                <button className="action-button installed-button" disabled>
+                    <FaRocket /> Installed
+                </button>
+            );
+        }
+
+        if (isInstalling || isCheckingLaunch) {
+            return (
+                <button className="action-button installing-button" disabled>
+                    <FaSpinner className="fa-spin" /> Installing...
+                </button>
+            );
+        }
+
+        if (isDownloaded) {
+            return (
+                <button
+                    onClick={() => {
+                        const versionData = sortedVersions.find(v => v.version === selectedVersion);
+                        if (versionData) {
+                            handleInstall(versionData.version, versionData.hash);
+                        }
+                    }}
+                    className="action-button install-button"
+                >
+                    <FaRocket /> Install
+                </button>
+            );
+        }
+
+        return (
+            <button
+                onClick={handleDownload}
+                disabled={!canDownload}
+                className="action-button download-button"
+            >
+                {isDownloading ? (
+                    <>
+                        <FaSpinner className="fa-spin" /> Downloading... {downloadProgress}%
+                    </>
+                ) : (
+                    <>
+                        <FaDownload /> Download
+                    </>
+                )}
+            </button>
+        );
+    };
+
     if (!app) {
         return <div className="downloads-page"><h4>Loading app details...</h4></div>;
     }
@@ -176,15 +259,22 @@ export default function DownloadPage() {
                         <p className="app-id">{`${app.package_id.package_name}.${app.package_id.publisher_node}`}</p>
                     </div>
                 </div>
-                {installedApp && (
+                {launchPath ? (
                     <button
                         onClick={handleLaunch}
                         className="launch-button"
-                        disabled={!canLaunch}
                     >
-                        <FaPlay /> {canLaunch ? 'Launch' : 'No UI found for app'}
+                        <FaPlay /> Launch
                     </button>
-                )}
+                ) : isInstalling || isCheckingLaunch ? (
+                    <button className="launch-button" disabled>
+                        <FaSpinner className="fa-spin" /> Checking...
+                    </button>
+                ) : installedApp ? (
+                    <button className="launch-button" disabled>
+                        No UI found for app
+                    </button>
+                ) : null}
             </div>
             <p className="app-description">{app.metadata?.description}</p>
 
@@ -207,39 +297,7 @@ export default function DownloadPage() {
                     onMirrorSelect={handleMirrorSelect}
                 />
 
-                {isCurrentVersionInstalled ? (
-                    <button className="action-button installed-button" disabled>
-                        <FaRocket /> Installed
-                    </button>
-                ) : isDownloaded ? (
-                    <button
-                        onClick={() => {
-                            const versionData = sortedVersions.find(v => v.version === selectedVersion);
-                            if (versionData) {
-                                handleInstall(versionData.version, versionData.hash);
-                            }
-                        }}
-                        className="action-button install-button"
-                    >
-                        <FaRocket /> Install
-                    </button>
-                ) : (
-                    <button
-                        onClick={handleDownload}
-                        disabled={!canDownload}
-                        className="action-button download-button"
-                    >
-                        {isDownloading ? (
-                            <>
-                                <FaSpinner className="fa-spin" /> Downloading... {downloadProgress}%
-                            </>
-                        ) : (
-                            <>
-                                <FaDownload /> Download
-                            </>
-                        )}
-                    </button>
-                )}
+                {renderActionButton()}
             </div>
 
             <div className="my-downloads">
diff --git a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/PublishPage.tsx b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/PublishPage.tsx
index c72d0eec..e9c16c44 100644
--- a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/PublishPage.tsx
+++ b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/pages/PublishPage.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const NAME_INVALID = "Package name must contain only valid characters (a-z, 0-9,
 
 export default function PublishPage() {
   const { openConnectModal } = useConnectModal();
-  const { ourApps, fetchOurApps, installed, downloads } = useAppsStore();
+  const { ourApps, fetchOurApps, downloads } = useAppsStore();
   const publicClient = usePublicClient();
 
   const { address, isConnected, isConnecting } = useAccount();
diff --git a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/store/index.ts b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/store/index.ts
index c87e23e8..c6c0deec 100644
--- a/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/store/index.ts
+++ b/kinode/packages/app_store/ui/src/store/index.ts
@@ -218,12 +218,6 @@ const useAppsStore = create<AppsStore>()((set, get) => ({
       });
       if (res.status === HTTP_STATUS.CREATED) {
         await get().fetchInstalled();
-
-        // hacky: a small delay (500ms) before fetching homepage apps
-        // to give the app time to add itself to the homepage
-        // might make sense to add more state and do retry logic instead.
-        await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 500));
-
         await get().fetchHomepageApps();
       }
     } catch (error) {