diff --git a/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/host.rs b/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/host.rs
index f146c23ab..39ae9a04f 100644
--- a/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/host.rs
+++ b/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/host.rs
@@ -298,6 +298,16 @@ pub trait BuiltinPlugin: Send + Sync {
     /// the V4 runner guarantees it is only called for plugins that report
     /// API major 4 or newer.
     fn on_notification(&mut self, _command_id: Option<u64>, _notification: HostNotification) {}
+
+    /// Lifecycle callback invoked once after the plugin has been loaded and its
+    /// manifest/ribbon have been accepted by the host. The plugin receives the
+    /// active document tab's `HostApi` so it can set up worker threads or cache
+    /// `plugin_request_sender()` before any user command runs.
+    ///
+    /// Added after API v4. The default implementation does nothing, so existing
+    /// plugins remain source-compatible. The runner only calls this for plugins
+    /// that report API major 4 or newer.
+    fn on_load(&mut self, _host: &mut dyn HostApi) {}
 }
 
 /// A point-driven interactive command a plugin starts via
diff --git a/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/runner.rs b/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/runner.rs
index 03f0097fb..dc90e4b34 100644
--- a/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/runner.rs
+++ b/crates/ocs_plugin_api/src/runner.rs
@@ -56,15 +56,27 @@ pub fn run(socket_name: &str, cdylib_path: &Path) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::err
 
     if version >= 4 {
         let client = V4Client::connect_handshake(socket_name, &token)?;
+        // Give the plugin a chance to set up worker threads / cache the request
+        // sender before the host starts dispatching user commands.
+        invoke_on_load(&mut *plugin, &client, &interactive);
         run_v4(&mut *plugin, &interactive, client)
     } else {
         let client = IpcClient::connect(socket_name)?;
         eprintln!("[runner] connected to host");
         client.send_handshake(&token)?;
+        // V2/V3 plugins receive HostApi only during dispatch, so on_load is not
+        // meaningful there; skip it to keep the old protocol unchanged.
         run_v3(&*plugin, &interactive, client)
     }
 }
 
+fn invoke_on_load(plugin: &mut dyn BuiltinPlugin, client: &V4Client, interactive: &InteractiveRegistry) {
+    let mut proxy = client.plugin_host_api(0, interactive.clone());
+    let _ = std::panic::catch_unwind(std::panic::AssertUnwindSafe(|| {
+        plugin.on_load(&mut proxy)
+    }));
+}
+
 fn run_v3(
     plugin: &dyn BuiltinPlugin,
     interactive: &InteractiveRegistry,