diff --git a/.pql/pql-plan.json b/.pql/pql-plan.json
index 14e70dd6..eba88f14 100644
--- a/.pql/pql-plan.json
+++ b/.pql/pql-plan.json
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "exported_at": "2026-05-01T09:40:12Z",
+  "exported_at": "2026-05-01T09:41:42Z",
   "decisions": [
     {
       "id": "D-1",
diff --git a/lib/kernel/src/scheduler.dart b/lib/kernel/src/scheduler.dart
index 44cba683..66a3354d 100644
--- a/lib/kernel/src/scheduler.dart
+++ b/lib/kernel/src/scheduler.dart
@@ -50,10 +50,14 @@ class SchedulerService {
   void _startTicker() {
     _stopTicker();
 
-    // Immediate first tick for all tiers.
+    // Stagger the initial ticks to avoid a rebuild storm on project open.
+    var delay = 0;
     for (final tier in SchedulerTier.values) {
       if (tier == SchedulerTier.midnight) continue;
-      _events.emit(SchedulerTick(tier: tier));
+      Timer(Duration(milliseconds: delay), () {
+        _events.emit(SchedulerTick(tier: tier));
+      });
+      delay += 500;
     }
 
     // Then start the periodic isolate.