diff --git a/docs/MESHCORE.md b/docs/MESHCORE.md
index 67a68bd..bb6ca00 100644
--- a/docs/MESHCORE.md
+++ b/docs/MESHCORE.md
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 
 **Phase 1 upload:** when `MESHCORE_UPLOAD_ENABLED=true` and `STORAGE_API_*` are set, selected events upload to `POST /api/meshcore/feeders/{prefix}/packets/ingest/` (12-hex pubkey prefix from `SELF_INFO`).
 
+On first connect to the device, the bot sends one **flood-routed advert** (`send_advert(flood=True)`) so the feeder appears on the mesh without waiting for firmware timing. Periodic API-driven intervals are planned ([#116](https://github.com/pskillen/meshflow-bot/issues/116)).
+
 ## Transports
 
 | Transport | Env vars | Notes |
diff --git a/src/meshcore/radio.py b/src/meshcore/radio.py
index 285aef6..30b7579 100644
--- a/src/meshcore/radio.py
+++ b/src/meshcore/radio.py
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@ async def _run_session(self) -> None:
 
         if not self._connected_once:
             self._connected_once = True
+            self.schedule_initial_flood_advert()
             if self._handlers.on_connection_established:
                 call_safely(
                     "meshcore.on_connection_established",
@@ -276,6 +277,34 @@ def dispatch_meshcore_event_for_tests(self, event: Event) -> None:
         """Synchronous hook for unit tests (same path as async subscriber)."""
         self._dispatch_meshcore_event(event)
 
+    def schedule_initial_flood_advert(self) -> None:
+        """Send one flood-routed advert after first connect (stop-gap until API-driven interval)."""
+        loop = self._loop
+        if loop is None or not loop.is_running():
+            logger.warning(
+                "MeshCore initial flood advert not scheduled: event loop not running"
+            )
+            return
+
+        async def _task() -> None:
+            mc = self._meshcore
+            if mc is None or not mc.is_connected:
+                return
+            try:
+                result = await mc.commands.send_advert(flood=True)
+                if result.type == EventType.ERROR:
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "MeshCore send_advert(flood=True) failed: %s",
+                        result.payload,
+                    )
+                else:
+                    logger.info("MeshCore sent initial flood advert")
+            except Exception:
+                self._error_counter.increment("meshcore.send_initial_flood_advert")
+                logger.exception("MeshCore initial flood advert failed")
+
+        asyncio.create_task(_task())
+
     def schedule_channel_sync(self, storage_apis: list) -> None:
         """Schedule channel sync on the radio loop (must run on that loop's thread)."""
         if not storage_apis:
diff --git a/test/meshcore/test_initial_flood_advert.py b/test/meshcore/test_initial_flood_advert.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6342be9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/meshcore/test_initial_flood_advert.py
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+"""Tests for one-shot flood advert on MeshCore connect."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, MagicMock
+
+from meshcore.events import Event, EventType
+
+from src.meshcore.radio import MeshCoreRadio
+
+
+def test_schedule_initial_flood_advert_sends_on_loop() -> None:
+    async def _runner() -> None:
+        radio = MeshCoreRadio.__new__(MeshCoreRadio)
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        radio._loop = loop  # noqa: SLF001
+        radio._error_counter = MagicMock()
+
+        mc = MagicMock()
+        mc.is_connected = True
+        mc.commands.send_advert = AsyncMock(
+            return_value=Event(EventType.OK, {}, {})
+        )
+        radio._meshcore = mc
+
+        radio.schedule_initial_flood_advert()
+        await asyncio.sleep(0.05)
+
+        mc.commands.send_advert.assert_awaited_once_with(flood=True)
+
+    asyncio.run(_runner())
+
+
+def test_schedule_initial_flood_advert_logs_error_event() -> None:
+    async def _runner() -> None:
+        radio = MeshCoreRadio.__new__(MeshCoreRadio)
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        radio._loop = loop  # noqa: SLF001
+        radio._error_counter = MagicMock()
+
+        mc = MagicMock()
+        mc.is_connected = True
+        mc.commands.send_advert = AsyncMock(
+            return_value=Event(EventType.ERROR, "device busy", {})
+        )
+        radio._meshcore = mc
+
+        radio.schedule_initial_flood_advert()
+        await asyncio.sleep(0.05)
+
+        mc.commands.send_advert.assert_awaited_once_with(flood=True)
+
+    asyncio.run(_runner())