diff --git a/src/components/Header.tsx b/src/components/Header.tsx
index 852b40b..952c0b8 100644
--- a/src/components/Header.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Header.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { Settings, Calendar, Search, Moon, Sun, LogOut, RefreshCw, TrendingUp, G
 import { useAppStore } from '../store/useAppStore';
 import { GitHubApiService } from '../services/githubApi';
 import { useDialog } from '../hooks/useDialog';
+import { forceSyncToBackend } from '../services/autoSync';
 
 export const Header: React.FC = () => {
   const {
@@ -101,6 +102,9 @@ export const Header: React.FC = () => {
 
       setRepositories(mergedRepositories);
 
+      // Force-push to backend immediately (bypass 2s debounce) so data survives a page refresh
+      forceSyncToBackend().catch(console.error);
+
       // Note: Release fetching is now handled by the Refresh button in Release Timeline
       // Header sync only syncs the starred repos list
 
diff --git a/src/services/autoSync.ts b/src/services/autoSync.ts
index cb10f5e..611bdbc 100644
--- a/src/services/autoSync.ts
+++ b/src/services/autoSync.ts
@@ -128,8 +128,20 @@ export async function syncFromBackend(): Promise<void> {
 
     // Update store then commit hash — hash only changes if setter succeeds
     if (changed.repos && reposResult.status === 'fulfilled') {
-      state.setRepositories(reposResult.value.repositories);
-      _lastHash.repos = hashes.repos;
+      const backendRepos = reposResult.value.repositories;
+      const localRepos = state.repositories;
+      // Distinguish first-ever sync (bootstrap) from an authoritative empty backend.
+      // On bootstrap the hash is still '' — preserve local cache and push it to backend.
+      // On subsequent syncs, accept the backend state even if empty (e.g. user cleared
+      // stars from another device).
+      const isBootstrapEmpty =
+        backendRepos.length === 0 && localRepos.length > 0 && _lastHash.repos === '';
+      if (isBootstrapEmpty) {
+        _hasPendingPush = true;
+      } else {
+        state.setRepositories(backendRepos);
+        _lastHash.repos = hashes.repos;
+      }
     }
     if (changed.releases && releasesResult.status === 'fulfilled') {
       state.setReleases(releasesResult.value.releases);