diff --git a/src/web-server/index.ts b/src/web-server/index.ts
index 5eb5c87e..e9c4ba3a 100644
--- a/src/web-server/index.ts
+++ b/src/web-server/index.ts
@@ -77,13 +77,8 @@ export async function startServer(options: ServerOptions): Promise<ServerInstanc
   // Start listening
   return new Promise<ServerInstance>((resolve) => {
     server.listen(options.port, () => {
-      // Non-blocking prewarm: load usage cache in background
-      import('./usage-routes').then(({ prewarmUsageCache }) => {
-        prewarmUsageCache().catch(() => {
-          // Error already logged in prewarmUsageCache
-        });
-      });
-
+      // Usage cache loads on-demand when Analytics page is visited
+      // This keeps server startup instant for users who don't need analytics
       resolve({ server, wss, cleanup });
     });
   });
diff --git a/src/web-server/usage-disk-cache.ts b/src/web-server/usage-disk-cache.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a1e69e2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/web-server/usage-disk-cache.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+/**
+ * Persistent Disk Cache for Usage Data
+ *
+ * Caches aggregated usage data to disk to avoid re-parsing 6000+ JSONL files
+ * on every dashboard startup. Uses TTL-based invalidation with stale-while-revalidate.
+ *
+ * Cache location: ~/.ccs/usage-cache.json
+ * Default TTL: 5 minutes (configurable)
+ */
+
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import * as os from 'os';
+import type { DailyUsage, MonthlyUsage, SessionUsage } from 'better-ccusage/data-loader';
+
+// Cache configuration
+const CCS_DIR = path.join(os.homedir(), '.ccs');
+const CACHE_FILE = path.join(CCS_DIR, 'usage-cache.json');
+const CACHE_TTL_MS = 5 * 60 * 1000; // 5 minutes
+const STALE_TTL_MS = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000; // 7 days (max age for stale data)
+
+/** Structure of the disk cache file */
+export interface UsageDiskCache {
+  version: number;
+  timestamp: number;
+  daily: DailyUsage[];
+  monthly: MonthlyUsage[];
+  session: SessionUsage[];
+}
+
+// Current cache version - increment to invalidate old caches
+const CACHE_VERSION = 1;
+
+/**
+ * Ensure ~/.ccs directory exists
+ */
+function ensureCcsDir(): void {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(CCS_DIR)) {
+    fs.mkdirSync(CCS_DIR, { recursive: true });
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Read usage data from disk cache
+ * Returns null if cache is missing, corrupted, or has incompatible version
+ * NOTE: Does NOT reject based on age - caller handles staleness via SWR pattern
+ */
+export function readDiskCache(): UsageDiskCache | null {
+  try {
+    if (!fs.existsSync(CACHE_FILE)) {
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    const data = fs.readFileSync(CACHE_FILE, 'utf-8');
+    const cache: UsageDiskCache = JSON.parse(data);
+
+    // Version check - invalidate if schema changed
+    if (cache.version !== CACHE_VERSION) {
+      console.log('[i] Cache version mismatch, will refresh');
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    // Always return cache regardless of age - SWR pattern handles staleness
+    return cache;
+  } catch (err) {
+    // Cache corrupted or unreadable - treat as miss
+    console.log('[i] Cache read failed, will refresh:', (err as Error).message);
+    return null;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if disk cache is fresh (within TTL)
+ */
+export function isDiskCacheFresh(cache: UsageDiskCache | null): boolean {
+  if (!cache) return false;
+  const age = Date.now() - cache.timestamp;
+  return age < CACHE_TTL_MS;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Check if disk cache is stale but usable (between TTL and STALE_TTL)
+ */
+export function isDiskCacheStale(cache: UsageDiskCache | null): boolean {
+  if (!cache) return false;
+  const age = Date.now() - cache.timestamp;
+  return age >= CACHE_TTL_MS && age < STALE_TTL_MS;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Write usage data to disk cache
+ */
+export function writeDiskCache(
+  daily: DailyUsage[],
+  monthly: MonthlyUsage[],
+  session: SessionUsage[]
+): void {
+  try {
+    ensureCcsDir();
+
+    const cache: UsageDiskCache = {
+      version: CACHE_VERSION,
+      timestamp: Date.now(),
+      daily,
+      monthly,
+      session,
+    };
+
+    // Write atomically using temp file + rename
+    const tempFile = CACHE_FILE + '.tmp';
+    fs.writeFileSync(tempFile, JSON.stringify(cache), 'utf-8');
+    fs.renameSync(tempFile, CACHE_FILE);
+
+    console.log('[OK] Disk cache updated');
+  } catch (err) {
+    // Non-fatal - we can still serve from memory
+    console.log('[!] Failed to write disk cache:', (err as Error).message);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get cache age in human-readable format
+ */
+export function getCacheAge(cache: UsageDiskCache | null): string {
+  if (!cache) return 'never';
+
+  const age = Date.now() - cache.timestamp;
+  const seconds = Math.floor(age / 1000);
+  const minutes = Math.floor(seconds / 60);
+  const hours = Math.floor(minutes / 60);
+
+  if (hours > 0) return `${hours}h ${minutes % 60}m ago`;
+  if (minutes > 0) return `${minutes}m ${seconds % 60}s ago`;
+  return `${seconds}s ago`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Delete disk cache (for manual refresh)
+ */
+export function clearDiskCache(): void {
+  try {
+    if (fs.existsSync(CACHE_FILE)) {
+      fs.unlinkSync(CACHE_FILE);
+      console.log('[OK] Disk cache cleared');
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.log('[!] Failed to clear disk cache:', (err as Error).message);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/web-server/usage-routes.ts b/src/web-server/usage-routes.ts
index dfc6e794..61329b6e 100644
--- a/src/web-server/usage-routes.ts
+++ b/src/web-server/usage-routes.ts
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@
  * Supports daily, monthly, and session-based usage data aggregation.
  *
  * Performance optimizations:
- * - TTL-based caching to reduce better-ccusage library calls
+ * - Persistent disk cache to avoid re-parsing JSONL files on startup
+ * - TTL-based in-memory caching for fast repeated requests
  * - Request coalescing to prevent duplicate concurrent requests
+ * - Non-blocking prewarm with instant stale data serving
  */
 
 import { Router, Request, Response } from 'express';
@@ -18,6 +20,14 @@ import {
   type MonthlyUsage,
   type SessionUsage,
 } from 'better-ccusage/data-loader';
+import {
+  readDiskCache,
+  writeDiskCache,
+  isDiskCacheFresh,
+  isDiskCacheStale,
+  clearDiskCache,
+  getCacheAge,
+} from './usage-disk-cache';
 
 export const usageRoutes = Router();
 
@@ -50,8 +60,9 @@ const CACHE_TTL = {
   session: 60 * 1000, // 1 minute - user may refresh
 };
 
-// Stale-while-revalidate: max age for stale data (1 hour)
-const STALE_TTL = 60 * 60 * 1000;
+/// Stale-while-revalidate: max age for stale data (7 days)
+// We always show cached data to avoid blocking UI, refresh happens in background
+const STALE_TTL = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
 
 // Track when data was last fetched (for UI indicator)
 let lastFetchTimestamp: number | null = null;
@@ -67,12 +78,34 @@ const cache = new Map<string, CacheEntry<unknown>>();
 // Pending requests for coalescing (prevents duplicate concurrent calls)
 const pendingRequests = new Map<string, Promise<unknown>>();
 
+// Track if disk cache has been loaded into memory
+let diskCacheInitialized = false;
+
+/**
+ * Persist cache to disk when we have enough data to be useful.
+ * Writes immediately with whatever data is available (empty arrays for missing).
+ * This ensures disk cache is created after first Analytics page visit.
+ */
+function persistCacheIfComplete(): void {
+  const daily = cache.get('daily') as CacheEntry<DailyUsage[]> | undefined;
+  const monthly = cache.get('monthly') as CacheEntry<MonthlyUsage[]> | undefined;
+  const session = cache.get('session') as CacheEntry<SessionUsage[]> | undefined;
+
+  // Write if we have at least daily data (the most essential)
+  if (daily) {
+    writeDiskCache(daily.data, monthly?.data ?? [], session?.data ?? []);
+  }
+}
+
 /**
  * Get cached data or fetch from loader with TTL
  * Also coalesces concurrent requests to prevent duplicate library calls
  * Implements stale-while-revalidate pattern for instant responses
  */
 async function getCachedData<T>(key: string, ttl: number, loader: () => Promise<T>): Promise<T> {
+  // Ensure disk cache is loaded on first request
+  ensureDiskCacheLoaded();
+
   const cached = cache.get(key) as CacheEntry<T> | undefined;
   const now = Date.now();
 
@@ -89,6 +122,8 @@ async function getCachedData<T>(key: string, ttl: number, loader: () => Promise<
         .then((data) => {
           cache.set(key, { data, timestamp: Date.now() });
           lastFetchTimestamp = Date.now();
+          // Persist to disk if all data types are cached
+          persistCacheIfComplete();
         })
         .catch((err) => {
           console.error(`[!] Background refresh failed for ${key}:`, err);
@@ -112,6 +147,8 @@ async function getCachedData<T>(key: string, ttl: number, loader: () => Promise<
     .then((data) => {
       cache.set(key, { data, timestamp: Date.now() });
       lastFetchTimestamp = Date.now();
+      // Persist to disk if all data types are cached
+      persistCacheIfComplete();
       return data;
     })
     .finally(() => {
@@ -148,24 +185,135 @@ async function getCachedSessionData(): Promise<SessionUsage[]> {
  */
 export function clearUsageCache(): void {
   cache.clear();
+  clearDiskCache();
+  // Reset so next API call will try to reload from disk/source
+  diskCacheInitialized = false;
+}
+
+// Track if background refresh is in progress
+let isRefreshing = false;
+
+/**
+ * Load fresh data from better-ccusage and update both memory and disk caches
+ */
+async function refreshFromSource(): Promise<{
+  daily: DailyUsage[];
+  monthly: MonthlyUsage[];
+  session: SessionUsage[];
+}> {
+  const [daily, monthly, session] = await Promise.all([
+    loadDailyUsageData() as Promise<DailyUsage[]>,
+    loadMonthlyUsageData() as Promise<MonthlyUsage[]>,
+    loadSessionData() as Promise<SessionUsage[]>,
+  ]);
+
+  // Update in-memory cache
+  const now = Date.now();
+  cache.set('daily', { data: daily, timestamp: now });
+  cache.set('monthly', { data: monthly, timestamp: now });
+  cache.set('session', { data: session, timestamp: now });
+  lastFetchTimestamp = now;
+
+  // Persist to disk
+  writeDiskCache(daily, monthly, session);
+
+  return { daily, monthly, session };
+}
+
+// ============================================================================
+// Module Initialization - Load disk cache immediately for instant API responses
+// ============================================================================
+
+/**
+ * Initialize in-memory cache from disk cache (lazy - called on first API request).
+ * This ensures first API request gets instant data without calling better-ccusage.
+ * Background refresh is NOT triggered here - it happens via SWR pattern in getCachedData().
+ */
+function ensureDiskCacheLoaded(): void {
+  if (diskCacheInitialized) return;
+  diskCacheInitialized = true;
+
+  const diskCache = readDiskCache();
+  if (!diskCache) return;
+
+  // Load disk cache into memory (regardless of freshness)
+  // SWR pattern in getCachedData() will handle background refresh
+  cache.set('daily', { data: diskCache.daily, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+  cache.set('monthly', { data: diskCache.monthly, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+  cache.set('session', { data: diskCache.session, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+  lastFetchTimestamp = diskCache.timestamp;
 }
 
 /**
  * Pre-warm usage caches on server startup
- * Loads all usage data into cache so first user request is instant
- * Returns timestamp when cache was populated
+ *
+ * Strategy:
+ * 1. Check disk cache - if fresh, use it (instant startup)
+ * 2. If stale, use it immediately but trigger background refresh
+ * 3. If no cache, return immediately and let first request trigger load
+ *
+ * This ensures dashboard opens in <1s regardless of cache state
  */
-export async function prewarmUsageCache(): Promise<{ timestamp: number; elapsed: number }> {
+export async function prewarmUsageCache(): Promise<{
+  timestamp: number;
+  elapsed: number;
+  source: string;
+}> {
   const start = Date.now();
   console.log('[i] Pre-warming usage cache...');
 
   try {
-    await Promise.all([getCachedDailyData(), getCachedMonthlyData(), getCachedSessionData()]);
+    const diskCache = readDiskCache();
+
+    // Fresh disk cache - use it directly
+    if (diskCache && isDiskCacheFresh(diskCache)) {
+      const now = Date.now();
+      cache.set('daily', { data: diskCache.daily, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+      cache.set('monthly', { data: diskCache.monthly, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+      cache.set('session', { data: diskCache.session, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+      lastFetchTimestamp = diskCache.timestamp;
+
+      const elapsed = Date.now() - start;
+      console.log(
+        `[OK] Usage cache ready from disk (${elapsed}ms, cached ${getCacheAge(diskCache)})`
+      );
+      return { timestamp: now, elapsed, source: 'disk-fresh' };
+    }
+
+    // Stale disk cache - use it immediately, refresh in background
+    if (diskCache && isDiskCacheStale(diskCache)) {
+      const now = Date.now();
+      cache.set('daily', { data: diskCache.daily, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+      cache.set('monthly', { data: diskCache.monthly, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+      cache.set('session', { data: diskCache.session, timestamp: diskCache.timestamp });
+      lastFetchTimestamp = diskCache.timestamp;
+
+      const elapsed = Date.now() - start;
+      console.log(
+        `[OK] Usage cache ready from disk (${elapsed}ms, stale ${getCacheAge(diskCache)}, refreshing...)`
+      );
+
+      // Background refresh
+      if (!isRefreshing) {
+        isRefreshing = true;
+        refreshFromSource()
+          .then(() => console.log('[OK] Background refresh complete'))
+          .catch((err) => console.error('[!] Background refresh failed:', err))
+          .finally(() => {
+            isRefreshing = false;
+          });
+      }
+
+      return { timestamp: now, elapsed, source: 'disk-stale' };
+    }
+
+    // No usable disk cache - refresh from source (blocking for first startup only)
+    console.log('[i] No disk cache, loading from source...');
+    await refreshFromSource();
 
     const elapsed = Date.now() - start;
-    lastFetchTimestamp = Date.now();
     console.log(`[OK] Usage cache ready (${elapsed}ms)`);
-    return { timestamp: lastFetchTimestamp, elapsed };
+    return { timestamp: Date.now(), elapsed, source: 'fresh' };
   } catch (err) {
     console.error('[!] Failed to prewarm usage cache:', err);
     throw err;
diff --git a/ui/src/App.tsx b/ui/src/App.tsx
index 02a0f239..c9ab07be 100644
--- a/ui/src/App.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/App.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { lazy, Suspense } from 'react';
 import { BrowserRouter, Routes, Route, Outlet } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { QueryClientProvider } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { SidebarProvider } from '@/components/ui/sidebar';
@@ -7,16 +8,36 @@ import { ConnectionIndicator } from '@/components/connection-indicator';
 import { LocalhostDisclaimer } from '@/components/localhost-disclaimer';
 import { Toaster } from 'sonner';
 import { queryClient } from '@/lib/query-client';
-import {
-  HomePage,
-  ApiPage,
-  CliproxyPage,
-  AccountsPage,
-  SettingsPage,
-  HealthPage,
-  SharedPage,
-  AnalyticsPage,
-} from '@/pages';
+import { Skeleton } from '@/components/ui/skeleton';
+// Eager load: HomePage (initial route)
+import { HomePage } from '@/pages';
+
+// Lazy load: heavy pages with charts or complex dependencies
+const AnalyticsPage = lazy(() =>
+  import('@/pages/analytics').then((m) => ({ default: m.AnalyticsPage }))
+);
+const ApiPage = lazy(() => import('@/pages/api').then((m) => ({ default: m.ApiPage })));
+const CliproxyPage = lazy(() =>
+  import('@/pages/cliproxy').then((m) => ({ default: m.CliproxyPage }))
+);
+const AccountsPage = lazy(() =>
+  import('@/pages/accounts').then((m) => ({ default: m.AccountsPage }))
+);
+const SettingsPage = lazy(() =>
+  import('@/pages/settings').then((m) => ({ default: m.SettingsPage }))
+);
+const HealthPage = lazy(() => import('@/pages/health').then((m) => ({ default: m.HealthPage })));
+const SharedPage = lazy(() => import('@/pages/shared').then((m) => ({ default: m.SharedPage })));
+
+// Loading fallback for lazy-loaded pages
+function PageLoader() {
+  return (
+    <div className="p-6 space-y-4">
+      <Skeleton className="h-8 w-48" />
+      <Skeleton className="h-64 w-full" />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
 
 function Layout() {
   return (
@@ -29,7 +50,9 @@ function Layout() {
             <ThemeToggle />
           </div>
         </header>
-        <Outlet />
+        <Suspense fallback={<PageLoader />}>
+          <Outlet />
+        </Suspense>
         <LocalhostDisclaimer />
       </main>
     </SidebarProvider>