diff --git a/app/Livewire/Boarding/Index.php b/app/Livewire/Boarding/Index.php
index 15f0cab85..ac2b9213b 100644
--- a/app/Livewire/Boarding/Index.php
+++ b/app/Livewire/Boarding/Index.php
@@ -187,7 +187,10 @@ public function setServerType(string $type)
             return $this->validateServer('localhost');
         } elseif ($this->selectedServerType === 'remote') {
             $this->privateKeys = PrivateKey::ownedByCurrentTeam(['name'])->where('id', '!=', 0)->get();
-            // Don't auto-select - let user explicitly choose from dropdown
+            // Auto-select first key if available for better UX
+            if ($this->privateKeys->count() > 0) {
+                $this->selectedExistingPrivateKey = $this->privateKeys->first()->id;
+            }
             // Onboarding always creates new servers, skip existing server selection
             $this->currentState = 'private-key';
         }
diff --git a/resources/views/livewire/boarding/index.blade.php b/resources/views/livewire/boarding/index.blade.php
index f5b31746c..faee9883b 100644
--- a/resources/views/livewire/boarding/index.blade.php
+++ b/resources/views/livewire/boarding/index.blade.php
@@ -264,7 +264,6 @@ class="bg-red-200 dark:bg-red-900 px-1 rounded-sm">~/.ssh/authorized_keys</code>
                                 <div class="p-4 rounded-lg border border-neutral-200 dark:border-coolgray-400">
                                     <form wire:submit='selectExistingPrivateKey' class="flex flex-col gap-4">
                                         <x-forms.select label="Existing SSH Keys" id='selectedExistingPrivateKey'>
-                                            <option disabled selected value="">-- Select a Private Key --</option>
                                             @foreach ($privateKeys as $privateKey)
                                                 <option wire:key="{{ $loop->index }}" value="{{ $privateKey->id }}">
                                                     {{ $privateKey->name }}