diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index edc17e5..3b1594f 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "microsoft-rewards-bot",
-  "version": "2.56.14",
+  "version": "2.56.15",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "microsoft-rewards-bot",
-      "version": "2.56.14",
+      "version": "2.56.15",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0",
       "dependencies": {
@@ -4258,4 +4258,4 @@
       }
     }
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index df8d32f..8ffde36 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "microsoft-rewards-bot",
-  "version": "2.56.14",
+  "version": "2.56.15",
   "description": "Automate Microsoft Rewards points collection",
   "private": true,
   "main": "index.js",
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index de57148..c20d427 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -1051,7 +1051,20 @@ async function main(): Promise<void> {
 
             // Check if scheduling is enabled
             if (config.scheduling?.enabled) {
-                // Initialize scheduler
+                // IMPROVED: Run tasks immediately first, THEN start scheduler for future runs
+                // This ensures "npm start" always executes tasks right away instead of waiting until next scheduled time
+                log('main', 'MAIN', 'Scheduling enabled - executing immediate run, then activating scheduler', 'log', 'cyan')
+
+                try {
+                    await rewardsBot.initialize()
+                    await rewardsBot.run()
+                    log('main', 'MAIN', '✓ Initial run completed successfully', 'log', 'green')
+                } catch (error) {
+                    log('main', 'MAIN', `Initial run failed: ${error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error)}`, 'error')
+                    // Continue to scheduler activation even if initial run fails
+                }
+
+                // Initialize scheduler for future runs
                 scheduler = new InternalScheduler(config, async () => {
                     try {
                         await rewardsBot.initialize()
@@ -1070,13 +1083,14 @@ async function main(): Promise<void> {
                     // Keep process alive - scheduler handles execution
                     return
                 } else {
-                    log('main', 'MAIN', 'Scheduler failed to start. Running one-time execution instead.', 'warn')
+                    log('main', 'MAIN', 'Scheduler failed to start. Exiting after one-time execution.', 'warn')
                     scheduler = null
-                    // Continue with one-time execution below
+                    // Already ran once above, so just exit
+                    return
                 }
             }
 
-            // One-time execution (scheduling disabled or failed to start)
+            // One-time execution (scheduling disabled)
             await rewardsBot.initialize()
             await rewardsBot.run()
         } catch (e) {