diff --git a/app/api/auth/claim/route.js b/app/api/auth/claim/route.js
index f3dc4d6..ecf73fd 100644
--- a/app/api/auth/claim/route.js
+++ b/app/api/auth/claim/route.js
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@ import { NextResponse } from 'next/server';
 import { getSession } from '../../../../lib/auth.js';
 import { promises as fs } from 'fs';
 import path from 'path';
-import { buildClaimWelcomeEmail, sendLifecycleEmail } from '../../../../lib/lifecycle-email.js';
-import { saveDeveloperContact } from '../../../../lib/developer-contact-store.js';
+import { buildClaimApprovedEmail, buildClaimWelcomeEmail, sendLifecycleEmail } from '../../../../lib/lifecycle-email.js';
+import { getDeveloperContact, saveDeveloperContact } from '../../../../lib/developer-contact-store.js';
+import { approvePendingNominationFromClaim, isPublicDeveloper } from '../../../../lib/nominate.js';
 
 const COSMOS_ENDPOINT = process.env.COSMOS_ENDPOINT;
 const COSMOS_KEY = process.env.COSMOS_KEY;
@@ -120,6 +121,10 @@ export async function POST() {
         }
       }
 
+      const autoApprovedDev = approvePendingNominationFromClaim(dev);
+      const autoApproved = Boolean(autoApprovedDev);
+      if (autoApprovedDev) dev = autoApprovedDev;
+
       await container.items.upsert(dev);
 
       if (session.email) {
@@ -136,12 +141,21 @@ export async function POST() {
         }
       }
 
-      if (!wasClaimed) {
+      if (!wasClaimed || autoApproved) {
         try {
+          let recipient = session.email;
+          if (!recipient && autoApproved) {
+            const contact = await getDeveloperContact(dev.login);
+            if (contact?.transactionalEmailsEnabled) recipient = contact.email;
+          }
           await sendLifecycleEmail({
-            to: session.email,
-            message: buildClaimWelcomeEmail({ login: dev.login, name: dev.name }),
-            idempotencyKey: `profile-claimed-${dev.login.toLowerCase()}`,
+            to: recipient,
+            message: autoApproved
+              ? buildClaimApprovedEmail({ login: dev.login, name: dev.name })
+              : buildClaimWelcomeEmail({ login: dev.login, name: dev.name }),
+            idempotencyKey: autoApproved
+              ? `nomination-auto-approved-${dev.login.toLowerCase()}-${Date.parse(dev.nomination.submittedAt)}`
+              : `profile-claimed-${dev.login.toLowerCase()}`,
           });
         } catch (emailError) {
           console.error('Claim email delivery failed:', emailError.message);
@@ -153,6 +167,8 @@ export async function POST() {
         login,
         created: resources.length === 0,
         claimedAt: dev.claimedAt,
+        profileStatus: isPublicDeveloper(dev) ? 'public' : dev.nomination.status,
+        autoApproved,
       });
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('Claim error:', err);
@@ -171,6 +187,7 @@ export async function POST() {
     login,
     created: !dev,
     claimedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+    profileStatus: 'public',
     note: 'Claim recorded (dev mode — not persisted without Cosmos DB)',
   });
 }
diff --git a/app/page.jsx b/app/page.jsx
index 7e374bc..380febf 100644
--- a/app/page.jsx
+++ b/app/page.jsx
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import DetailPanel from '../components/DetailPanel.jsx';
 import ComparePanel from '../components/ComparePanel.jsx';
 import LoadingOverlay from '../components/LoadingOverlay.jsx';
 import AddMeModal from '../components/AddMeModal.jsx';
+import ClaimStatusModal from '../components/ClaimStatusModal.jsx';
 import AiProfileModal from '../components/AiProfileModal.jsx';
 import IntroductionInboxModal from '../components/IntroductionInboxModal.jsx';
 import QuickTour from '../components/QuickTour.jsx';
@@ -31,13 +32,14 @@ export default function Home() {
   const [compareDevs, setCompareDevs] = useState([]);
   const [theme, setTheme] = useState('dark');
   const [user, setUser] = useState(null);
-  const [claimStatus, setClaimStatus] = useState('unclaimed'); // 'unclaimed' | 'claimed' | 'no_match'
+  const [claimStatus, setClaimStatus] = useState('unclaimed'); // 'unclaimed' | 'pending' | 'claimed' | 'no_match'
   const [claimedLogins, setClaimedLogins] = useState(new Set());
   const [sidebarOpen, setSidebarOpen] = useState(false);
   const [sidebarView, setSidebarView] = useState('leaderboard');
   const [cardRequest, setCardRequest] = useState(0);
   const [cardContext, setCardContext] = useState(null);
   const [showAddMe, setShowAddMe] = useState(false);
+  const [showClaimPending, setShowClaimPending] = useState(false);
   const [showAiProfile, setShowAiProfile] = useState(false);
   const [showIntroductions, setShowIntroductions] = useState(false);
   const [agentGlobeLayerVisible, setAgentGlobeLayerVisible] = useState(false);
@@ -109,11 +111,20 @@ export default function Home() {
       const res = await fetch('/api/auth/claim', { method: 'POST' });
       if (res.ok) {
         const result = await res.json();
+        if (result.profileStatus !== 'public') {
+          setClaimStatus('pending');
+          setSelectedDev(null);
+          setCardContext(null);
+          setCardRequest(0);
+          setShowClaimPending(true);
+          setSidebarOpen(false);
+          return;
+        }
         setClaimStatus('claimed');
         setClaimedLogins(prev => new Set(prev).add(user.login));
         let claimedDeveloper = developers.find(developer => developer.login === user.login);
         // If a new profile was created, reload developers to include it
-        if (result.created) {
+        if (result.created || result.autoApproved) {
           const devRes = await fetch('/api/developers', { cache: 'no-store' });
           if (devRes.ok) {
             const raw = await devRes.json();
@@ -479,6 +490,7 @@ export default function Home() {
           <ComparePanel devs={compareDevs} onClose={handleCloseCompare} />
         )}
         {showAddMe && <AddMeModal onClose={handleCloseAddMe} />}
+        {showClaimPending && <ClaimStatusModal onClose={() => setShowClaimPending(false)} />}
         {showAiProfile && (
           <AiProfileModal
             onClose={() => setShowAiProfile(false)}
diff --git a/components/ClaimStatusModal.jsx b/components/ClaimStatusModal.jsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13f2727
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/ClaimStatusModal.jsx
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+'use client';
+
+import React from 'react';
+
+export default function ClaimStatusModal({ onClose }) {
+  return (
+    <div className="card-modal-backdrop" onClick={onClose}>
+      <div
+        className="claim-status-modal"
+        role="dialog"
+        aria-modal="true"
+        aria-labelledby="claim-status-title"
+        onClick={event => event.stopPropagation()}
+      >
+        <button className="card-modal__close" onClick={onClose} aria-label="Close">&times;</button>
+        <div className="claim-status-modal__icon" aria-hidden="true">
+          <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="28" height="28" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2">
+            <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="9" />
+            <path d="M12 7v5l3 2" />
+          </svg>
+        </div>
+        <h2 id="claim-status-title">Profile claimed and pending review</h2>
+        <p>Your profile is still being reviewed. We&apos;ll email you when it is approved and visible on the globe, usually within a week.</p>
+        <p>Your identity card will be available after approval.</p>
+        <button type="button" className="btn btn--primary" onClick={onClose}>Done</button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/components/DetailPanel.jsx b/components/DetailPanel.jsx
index 3f5951d..bb8918b 100644
--- a/components/DetailPanel.jsx
+++ b/components/DetailPanel.jsx
@@ -567,14 +567,21 @@ function CardModal({ dev, claimSuccess, onClose }) {
   const handleDownload = async () => {
     try {
       const res = await fetch(cardUrl);
+      if (!res.ok || !res.headers.get('content-type')?.startsWith('image/')) {
+        throw new Error('Card image is unavailable');
+      }
       const blob = await res.blob();
+      if (!blob.size) throw new Error('Card image is empty');
       const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
       const a = document.createElement('a');
       a.href = url;
       a.download = `devglobe-${login}.png`;
       a.click();
       URL.revokeObjectURL(url);
-    } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    } catch {
+      setLoading(false);
+      setError(true);
+    }
   };
 
   const handleCopyLink = () => {
@@ -623,19 +630,19 @@ function CardModal({ dev, claimSuccess, onClose }) {
 
         <div className="card-modal__preview">
           {loading && !error && <div className="card-modal__loading">Generating card...</div>}
-          {error && <div className="card-modal__error">Failed to generate card</div>}
+          {error && <div className="card-modal__error" role="alert">Card unavailable. Please try again later.</div>}
           <img
             src={cardUrl}
             alt={`DevAgent card for ${name}`}
             className="card-modal__image"
-            style={{ display: loading ? 'none' : 'block' }}
+            style={{ display: loading || error ? 'none' : 'block' }}
             onLoad={() => setLoading(false)}
             onError={() => { setLoading(false); setError(true); }}
           />
         </div>
 
         <div className="card-modal__actions">
-          <button className="card-modal__btn card-modal__btn--download" onClick={handleDownload}>
+          <button className="card-modal__btn card-modal__btn--download" onClick={handleDownload} disabled={loading || error}>
             <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="16" height="16" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2">
               <path d="M21 15v4a2 2 0 01-2 2H5a2 2 0 01-2-2v-4M7 10l5 5 5-5M12 15V3" />
             </svg>
diff --git a/components/UserMenu.jsx b/components/UserMenu.jsx
index 741271b..97f6e8c 100644
--- a/components/UserMenu.jsx
+++ b/components/UserMenu.jsx
@@ -184,6 +184,15 @@ export default function UserMenu({ user, onLogout, onClaim, onEditAiProfile, onO
               )}
             </>
           )}
+          {claimStatus === 'pending' && (
+            <div className="user-menu__item user-menu__item--pending">
+              <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="14" height="14" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" aria-hidden="true">
+                <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="9" />
+                <path d="M12 7v5l3 2" />
+              </svg>
+              Profile pending review
+            </div>
+          )}
           {claimStatus === 'no_match' && (
             <div className="user-menu__item user-menu__item--no-match">
               No matching profile found
diff --git a/lib/lifecycle-email.js b/lib/lifecycle-email.js
index 721e722..3bac642 100644
--- a/lib/lifecycle-email.js
+++ b/lib/lifecycle-email.js
@@ -71,6 +71,23 @@ export function buildClaimWelcomeEmail({ login, name }) {
   };
 }
 
+export function buildClaimApprovedEmail({ login, name }) {
+  const greeting = name || login;
+  const url = profileUrl(login);
+  return {
+    subject: 'Your DevGlobe profile is claimed and live',
+    text: `DevGlobe - ${TAGLINE}\n\nHi ${greeting},\n\nYour GitHub ownership was verified, so your nomination was approved automatically. Your DevGlobe profile is now public and under your control.\n\nOpen your profile: ${url}\nGenerate identity card: ${getSiteUrl()}/share/${encodeURIComponent(login)}\nStar DevGlobe on GitHub: ${REPOSITORY_URL}\n\nDevGlobe`,
+    html: emailLayout({
+      preview: 'Your DevGlobe profile is claimed, approved, and live.',
+      heading: 'Your profile is live',
+      greeting,
+      body: 'Your GitHub ownership was verified, so your nomination was approved automatically. Your DevGlobe profile is now public and under your control.',
+      login,
+      action: 'Explore your profile',
+    }),
+  };
+}
+
 export function buildNominationApprovedEmail({ login, name }) {
   const greeting = name || login;
   const url = profileUrl(login);
diff --git a/lib/nominate.js b/lib/nominate.js
index 573ef8e..00bc0ab 100644
--- a/lib/nominate.js
+++ b/lib/nominate.js
@@ -74,6 +74,21 @@ export function isPublicDeveloper(doc) {
   return !doc.nomination || doc.nomination.status === 'approved';
 }
 
+export function approvePendingNominationFromClaim(doc, now = new Date().toISOString()) {
+  if (doc?.nomination?.status !== 'pending') return null;
+
+  return {
+    ...doc,
+    nomination: {
+      ...doc.nomination,
+      status: 'approved',
+      reviewedAt: now,
+      reviewedBy: 'github-ownership-claim',
+      rejectionReason: null,
+    },
+  };
+}
+
 /**
  * Resolves the location to store on a new nomination document. This value
  * becomes the Cosmos partition key for the item's entire lifecycle, so it is
diff --git a/styles/main.css b/styles/main.css
index a403e46..9a3e314 100644
--- a/styles/main.css
+++ b/styles/main.css
@@ -3468,6 +3468,11 @@ body {
   cursor: default;
 }
 
+.user-menu__item--pending {
+  color: #d97706;
+  cursor: default;
+}
+
 .user-menu__item--no-match {
   color: var(--text-muted);
   cursor: default;
@@ -4457,6 +4462,11 @@ body {
   cursor: pointer;
 }
 
+.card-modal__btn:disabled {
+  cursor: not-allowed;
+  opacity: 0.55;
+}
+
 .badge-card__format-btn--active {
   background: #161f33;
   color: #f8fafc;
@@ -4625,6 +4635,42 @@ body {
   font-size: 11px;
 }
 
+.claim-status-modal {
+  position: relative;
+  width: min(440px, 90vw);
+  padding: 32px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: var(--bg-card);
+  box-shadow: var(--shadow-strong);
+  text-align: center;
+}
+
+.claim-status-modal__icon {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  padding: 12px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: rgba(217, 119, 6, 0.12);
+  color: #d97706;
+}
+
+.claim-status-modal h2 {
+  margin: 16px 24px 10px;
+  color: var(--text-primary);
+  font-size: 20px;
+}
+
+.claim-status-modal p {
+  margin: 0 0 10px;
+  color: var(--text-secondary);
+  font-size: 14px;
+  line-height: 1.55;
+}
+
+.claim-status-modal .btn {
+  margin-top: 12px;
+}
+
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
   .global-activity__item--new { animation: none; }
 }
diff --git a/tests/claim-auto-approval.test.js b/tests/claim-auto-approval.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7977fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/claim-auto-approval.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import test from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { approvePendingNominationFromClaim } from '../lib/nominate.js';
+
+test('authenticated ownership claim approves a pending nomination', () => {
+  const submittedAt = '2026-08-15T10:00:00.000Z';
+  const reviewedAt = '2026-08-16T10:00:00.000Z';
+  const developer = {
+    id: 'octocat',
+    login: 'octocat',
+    nomination: { status: 'pending', submittedAt, reviewedAt: null, reviewedBy: null },
+  };
+
+  const approved = approvePendingNominationFromClaim(developer, reviewedAt);
+
+  assert.equal(approved.nomination.status, 'approved');
+  assert.equal(approved.nomination.reviewedAt, reviewedAt);
+  assert.equal(approved.nomination.reviewedBy, 'github-ownership-claim');
+  assert.equal(approved.nomination.submittedAt, submittedAt);
+  assert.equal(developer.nomination.status, 'pending');
+});
+
+test('ownership claim does not automatically approve rejected or public profiles', () => {
+  assert.equal(approvePendingNominationFromClaim({ nomination: { status: 'rejected' } }), null);
+  assert.equal(approvePendingNominationFromClaim({ nomination: { status: 'approved' } }), null);
+  assert.equal(approvePendingNominationFromClaim({ login: 'legacy-profile' }), null);
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/lifecycle-email.test.js b/tests/lifecycle-email.test.js
index ea39586..130e543 100644
--- a/tests/lifecycle-email.test.js
+++ b/tests/lifecycle-email.test.js
@@ -1,12 +1,22 @@
 import test from 'node:test';
 import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
 import {
+  buildClaimApprovedEmail,
   buildClaimWelcomeEmail,
   buildEmailVerificationEmail,
   buildNominationApprovedEmail,
   sendLifecycleEmail,
 } from '../lib/lifecycle-email.js';
 
+test('builds combined claim and automatic approval email', () => {
+  const message = buildClaimApprovedEmail({ login: 'octocat', name: 'Octocat' });
+
+  assert.match(message.subject, /claimed and live/i);
+  assert.match(message.text, /approved automatically/i);
+  assert.match(message.text, /Generate identity card/);
+  assert.match(message.html, /Your profile is live/);
+});
+
 test('builds claim email with an encoded profile link and escaped HTML', () => {
   const message = buildClaimWelcomeEmail({ login: 'dev user', name: '<Dev & Co>' });