diff --git a/src/lib/sync.ts b/src/lib/sync.ts
index 0ce7fd9..31fe108 100644
--- a/src/lib/sync.ts
+++ b/src/lib/sync.ts
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ export class RoomSync {
   private onStateChange: SyncCallback;
   private onConnectionChange: ConnectionCallback;
   private participantId: string;
+  private currentParticipant: ParticipantState | null = null;
 
   constructor(
     slug: string,
@@ -187,8 +188,12 @@ export class RoomSync {
       this.ws.onopen = () => {
         console.log('Connected to sync server');
         this.onConnectionChange(true);
-        // Request current state from server
-        this.send({ type: 'request_state' });
+
+        // Send join message if we have participant info
+        if (this.currentParticipant) {
+          console.log('Sending join message for:', this.currentParticipant.name);
+          this.send({ type: 'join', participant: this.currentParticipant });
+        }
       };
 
       this.ws.onmessage = (event) => {
@@ -280,7 +285,11 @@ export class RoomSync {
 
   // Public methods for updating state
   join(participant: ParticipantState): void {
+    // Store participant for sending after WebSocket connects
+    this.currentParticipant = participant;
     this.state.participants[participant.id] = participant;
+
+    // Try to send join (will succeed if already connected)
     this.send({ type: 'join', participant });
     this.notifyStateChange();
   }