diff --git a/static/js/color-theme.js b/static/js/color-theme.js
index f6fb03b..3e200cc 100644
--- a/static/js/color-theme.js
+++ b/static/js/color-theme.js
@@ -53,8 +53,8 @@ function initColorTheme() {
     localStorage.setItem('color-theme-mode', existingTheme);
     setColorTheme(existingTheme);
   } else {
-    // Fallback: Get saved preference or default to 'auto'
-    const savedTheme = localStorage.getItem('color-theme-mode') || 'auto';
+    // Fallback: Get saved preference or default to 'light' (paper aesthetic)
+    const savedTheme = localStorage.getItem('color-theme-mode') || 'light';
     setColorTheme(savedTheme);
   }
 }
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ function setupColorThemeButton() {
   if (button) {
     button.addEventListener('click', () => {
       // Get current theme
-      const currentTheme = localStorage.getItem('color-theme-mode') || 'auto';
+      const currentTheme = localStorage.getItem('color-theme-mode') || 'light';
 
       // Cycle: auto → light → dark → auto
       if (currentTheme === 'auto') {
diff --git a/templates/index.html b/templates/index.html
index 6e4080f..6a16e0a 100644
--- a/templates/index.html
+++ b/templates/index.html
@@ -71,17 +71,9 @@
     </style>
     <script>
     (function() {
-      let theme = localStorage.getItem('color-theme-mode');
-
-      // If no saved preference, set default based on device type
-      if (!theme) {
-        // Mobile devices default to light theme, desktop to auto
-        // Check multiple properties for better detection
-        const width = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth || screen.width;
-        const isMobile = width <= 768;
-        theme = isMobile ? 'light' : 'auto';
-      }
-
+      // First-time visitors ALWAYS get light theme (paper aesthetic)
+      // Users can switch to dark/auto and their preference is saved
+      let theme = localStorage.getItem('color-theme-mode') || 'light';
       document.documentElement.setAttribute('data-color-theme', theme);
     })();
     </script>