diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 1e975d3..3ef38b6 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
     && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
 
 # Add this after WORKDIR /idear and before the conda install
-RUN conda config --remove channels defaults && \
-    conda config --add channels conda-forge && \
+RUN conda config --add channels conda-forge && \
     conda config --set channel_priority strict
 
 # Use mamba if available for faster installation
diff --git a/docker-compose.yaml b/docker-compose.yaml
index 2ea81e0..4d49deb 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yaml
+++ b/docker-compose.yaml
@@ -14,9 +14,19 @@ services:
       #- ./scripts:/idear/scripts
       - network_mount:/mnt/network_mount:rw
     command: >
-      bash -c "
-      jupyter lab --ip=0.0.0.0 --port=8888 --no-browser --allow-root --NotebookApp.token='${JUPYTER_TOKEN:-my-token}'
-      "
+      bash -c '
+        if [ -f WELCOME.ipynb ]; then
+          DEFAULT_URL="/lab/workspaces/default?tree=WELCOME.ipynb"
+          echo "✅ WELCOME.ipynb found - setting as landing page"
+          jupyter trust WELCOME.ipynb
+        else
+          DEFAULT_URL=""
+          echo "⚠️  WELCOME.ipynb not found - using default homepage"
+        fi &&
+        jupyter lab --ip=0.0.0.0 --port=8888 --no-browser --allow-root \
+          --NotebookApp.token="${JUPYTER_TOKEN:-my-token}" --LabApp.default_url="$DEFAULT_URL" \
+          --ExtensionApp.default_url="$DEFAULT_URL"
+      '
     profiles:
       - networked