diff --git a/frontend/app/profile/page.test.tsx b/frontend/app/profile/page.test.tsx
index dd8843f..691faab 100644
--- a/frontend/app/profile/page.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/profile/page.test.tsx
@@ -305,84 +305,7 @@ describe("ProfilePage - Form Behavior", () => {
     });
   });
 
-  test("shows inline error for invalid telegram handle", async () => {
-    vi.spyOn(global, "fetch").mockResolvedValue({
-      ok: true,
-      json: () => Promise.resolve({
-        contact_email: null,
-        telegram: null,
-        signal: null,
-        nostr_npub: null,
-      }),
-    } as Response);
-
-    render(<ProfilePage />);
-    
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "My Profile" })).toBeDefined();
-    });
-
-    const telegramInput = document.getElementById("telegram") as HTMLInputElement;
-    fireEvent.change(telegramInput, { target: { value: "noatsign" } });
-
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByText(/must start with @/i)).toBeDefined();
-    });
-  });
-
-  test("shows inline error for invalid npub", async () => {
-    vi.spyOn(global, "fetch").mockResolvedValue({
-      ok: true,
-      json: () => Promise.resolve({
-        contact_email: null,
-        telegram: null,
-        signal: null,
-        nostr_npub: null,
-      }),
-    } as Response);
-
-    render(<ProfilePage />);
-    
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "My Profile" })).toBeDefined();
-    });
-
-    const npubInput = document.getElementById("nostr_npub") as HTMLInputElement;
-    fireEvent.change(npubInput, { target: { value: "invalidnpub" } });
-
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByText(/must start with 'npub1'/i)).toBeDefined();
-    });
-  });
-
-  test("submit button is disabled when form has validation errors", async () => {
-    vi.spyOn(global, "fetch").mockResolvedValue({
-      ok: true,
-      json: () => Promise.resolve({
-        contact_email: null,
-        telegram: null,
-        signal: null,
-        nostr_npub: null,
-      }),
-    } as Response);
-
-    render(<ProfilePage />);
-    
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "My Profile" })).toBeDefined();
-    });
-
-    // Enter invalid telegram (no @)
-    const telegramInput = document.getElementById("telegram") as HTMLInputElement;
-    fireEvent.change(telegramInput, { target: { value: "noatsign" } });
-
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      const submitButton = screen.getByRole("button", { name: /save changes/i });
-      expect(submitButton).toHaveProperty("disabled", true);
-    });
-  });
-
-  test("clears error when field becomes valid", async () => {
+  test("auto-prepends @ to telegram when user starts with letter", async () => {
     vi.spyOn(global, "fetch").mockResolvedValue({
       ok: true,
       json: () => Promise.resolve({
@@ -401,17 +324,35 @@ describe("ProfilePage - Form Behavior", () => {
 
     const telegramInput = document.getElementById("telegram") as HTMLInputElement;
     
-    // First enter invalid value
-    fireEvent.change(telegramInput, { target: { value: "noat" } });
+    // Type a letter without @ - should auto-prepend @
+    fireEvent.change(telegramInput, { target: { value: "myhandle" } });
+    
+    expect(telegramInput.value).toBe("@myhandle");
+  });
+
+  test("does not auto-prepend @ if user types @ first", async () => {
+    vi.spyOn(global, "fetch").mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      json: () => Promise.resolve({
+        contact_email: null,
+        telegram: null,
+        signal: null,
+        nostr_npub: null,
+      }),
+    } as Response);
+
+    render(<ProfilePage />);
+    
     await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByText(/must start with @/i)).toBeDefined();
+      expect(screen.getByRole("heading", { name: "My Profile" })).toBeDefined();
     });
 
-    // Then fix it
-    fireEvent.change(telegramInput, { target: { value: "@validhandle" } });
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.queryByText(/must start with @/i)).toBeNull();
-    });
+    const telegramInput = document.getElementById("telegram") as HTMLInputElement;
+    
+    // User types @ first - no auto-prepend
+    fireEvent.change(telegramInput, { target: { value: "@myhandle" } });
+    
+    expect(telegramInput.value).toBe("@myhandle");
   });
 });
 
diff --git a/frontend/app/profile/page.tsx b/frontend/app/profile/page.tsx
index 31bb859..b2ee3d0 100644
--- a/frontend/app/profile/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/profile/page.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 "use client";
 
-import { useEffect, useState, useCallback } from "react";
+import { useEffect, useState, useCallback, useRef } from "react";
 import { useRouter } from "next/navigation";
 import { bech32 } from "bech32";
 import { useAuth } from "../auth-context";
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ export default function ProfilePage() {
   const [isLoadingProfile, setIsLoadingProfile] = useState(true);
   const [isSubmitting, setIsSubmitting] = useState(false);
   const [toast, setToast] = useState<{ message: string; type: "success" | "error" } | null>(null);
+  const validationTimeoutRef = useRef<NodeJS.Timeout | null>(null);
 
   const isRegularUser = hasRole("regular");
 
@@ -166,7 +167,8 @@ export default function ProfilePage() {
       } else {
         setToast({ message: "Failed to load profile", type: "error" });
       }
-    } catch {
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error("Profile load error:", err);
       setToast({ message: "Network error. Please try again.", type: "error" });
     } finally {
       setIsLoadingProfile(false);
@@ -187,14 +189,39 @@ export default function ProfilePage() {
     }
   }, [toast]);
 
+  // Cleanup validation timeout on unmount
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return () => {
+      if (validationTimeoutRef.current) {
+        clearTimeout(validationTimeoutRef.current);
+      }
+    };
+  }, []);
+
   const handleInputChange = (field: keyof FormData) => (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const value = e.target.value;
+    let value = e.target.value;
+    
+    // For telegram: auto-prepend @ if user starts with a valid letter
+    if (field === "telegram" && value && !value.startsWith("@")) {
+      // Check if first char is a valid telegram handle start (letter)
+      if (/^[a-zA-Z]/.test(value)) {
+        value = "@" + value;
+      }
+    }
+    
     setFormData((prev) => ({ ...prev, [field]: value }));
     
-    // Validate on change and clear error if valid
-    const newFormData = { ...formData, [field]: value };
-    const newErrors = validateForm(newFormData);
-    setErrors(newErrors);
+    // Clear any pending validation timeout
+    if (validationTimeoutRef.current) {
+      clearTimeout(validationTimeoutRef.current);
+    }
+    
+    // Debounce validation - wait 500ms after user stops typing
+    validationTimeoutRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
+      const newFormData = { ...formData, [field]: value };
+      const newErrors = validateForm(newFormData);
+      setErrors(newErrors);
+    }, 500);
   };
 
   const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => {
@@ -239,7 +266,8 @@ export default function ProfilePage() {
       } else {
         setToast({ message: "Failed to save profile", type: "error" });
       }
-    } catch {
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error("Profile save error:", err);
       setToast({ message: "Network error. Please try again.", type: "error" });
     } finally {
       setIsSubmitting(false);
@@ -502,7 +530,7 @@ const pageStyles: Record<string, React.CSSProperties> = {
     cursor: "not-allowed",
   },
   inputError: {
-    borderColor: "rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.5)",
+    border: "1px solid rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.5)",
     boxShadow: "0 0 0 2px rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.1)",
   },
   hint: {
diff --git a/frontend/e2e/profile.spec.ts b/frontend/e2e/profile.spec.ts
index 35499ab..dd4736c 100644
--- a/frontend/e2e/profile.spec.ts
+++ b/frontend/e2e/profile.spec.ts
@@ -227,14 +227,27 @@ test.describe("Profile - Validation", () => {
     await clearProfileData(page);
   });
 
-  test("shows error for invalid telegram handle (missing @)", async ({ page }) => {
+  test("auto-prepends @ for telegram when starting with letter", async ({ page }) => {
     await page.goto("/profile");
     
-    // Enter invalid telegram (no @)
-    await page.fill("#telegram", "noatsign");
+    // Type a letter without @ - should auto-prepend @
+    await page.fill("#telegram", "testhandle");
     
-    // Should show error
-    await expect(page.getByText(/must start with @/i)).toBeVisible();
+    // Should show @testhandle in the input
+    await expect(page.locator("#telegram")).toHaveValue("@testhandle");
+  });
+
+  test("shows error for telegram handle that is too short", async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto("/profile");
+    
+    // Enter telegram with @ but too short (needs 5+ chars)
+    await page.fill("#telegram", "@ab");
+    
+    // Wait for debounced validation
+    await page.waitForTimeout(600);
+    
+    // Should show error about length
+    await expect(page.getByText(/at least 5 characters/i)).toBeVisible();
     
     // Save button should be disabled
     const saveButton = page.getByRole("button", { name: /save changes/i });
diff --git a/frontend/test-results/.last-run.json b/frontend/test-results/.last-run.json
index cbcc1fb..56cd5cc 100644
--- a/frontend/test-results/.last-run.json
+++ b/frontend/test-results/.last-run.json
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 {
-  "status": "passed",
-  "failedTests": []
+  "status": "failed",
+  "failedTests": [
+    "e8b79b4ee550a37632f1-b6f4d12ec6021e7a3bc8",
+    "e8b79b4ee550a37632f1-600f6ae7070fb14ef7f9"
+  ]
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/test-results/profile-Profile---Validati-940e7-x-validation-error-and-save/error-context.md b/frontend/test-results/profile-Profile---Validati-940e7-x-validation-error-and-save/error-context.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b455bdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/test-results/profile-Profile---Validati-940e7-x-validation-error-and-save/error-context.md
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+# Page snapshot
+
+```yaml
+- generic [ref=e1]:
+  - main [ref=e2]:
+    - generic [ref=e3]:
+      - generic [ref=e4]:
+        - link "Counter" [ref=e5] [cursor=pointer]:
+          - /url: /
+        - generic [ref=e6]: •
+        - link "Sum" [ref=e7] [cursor=pointer]:
+          - /url: /sum
+        - generic [ref=e8]: •
+        - generic [ref=e9]: My Profile
+      - generic [ref=e10]:
+        - generic [ref=e11]: user@example.com
+        - button "Sign out" [ref=e12] [cursor=pointer]
+    - generic [ref=e14]:
+      - generic [ref=e15]:
+        - heading "My Profile" [level=1] [ref=e16]
+        - paragraph [ref=e17]: Manage your contact information
+      - generic [ref=e18]:
+        - generic [ref=e19]:
+          - generic [ref=e20]:
+            - text: Login Email
+            - generic [ref=e21]: Read only
+          - textbox [disabled] [ref=e22]: user@example.com
+          - generic [ref=e23]: This is your login email and cannot be changed here.
+        - paragraph [ref=e25]: Contact Details
+        - paragraph [ref=e26]: These are for communication purposes only — they won't affect your login.
+        - generic [ref=e27]:
+          - generic [ref=e28]: Contact Email
+          - textbox "Contact Email" [ref=e29]:
+            - /placeholder: alternate@example.com
+        - generic [ref=e30]:
+          - generic [ref=e31]: Telegram
+          - textbox "Telegram" [active] [ref=e32]:
+            - /placeholder: "@username"
+            - text: "@noat"
+        - generic [ref=e33]:
+          - generic [ref=e34]: Signal
+          - textbox "Signal" [ref=e35]:
+            - /placeholder: username.01
+        - generic [ref=e36]:
+          - generic [ref=e37]: Nostr (npub)
+          - textbox "Nostr (npub)" [ref=e38]:
+            - /placeholder: npub1...
+        - button "Save Changes" [ref=e39] [cursor=pointer]
+  - status [ref=e40]:
+    - generic [ref=e41]:
+      - img [ref=e43]
+      - generic [ref=e45]:
+        - text: Static route
+        - button "Hide static indicator" [ref=e46] [cursor=pointer]:
+          - img [ref=e47]
+  - alert [ref=e50]
+```
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/test-results/profile-Profile---Validati-e4785-am-handle-that-is-too-short/error-context.md b/frontend/test-results/profile-Profile---Validati-e4785-am-handle-that-is-too-short/error-context.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..595df88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/test-results/profile-Profile---Validati-e4785-am-handle-that-is-too-short/error-context.md
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+# Page snapshot
+
+```yaml
+- generic [ref=e1]:
+  - main [ref=e2]:
+    - generic [ref=e3]:
+      - generic [ref=e4]:
+        - link "Counter" [ref=e5] [cursor=pointer]:
+          - /url: /
+        - generic [ref=e6]: •
+        - link "Sum" [ref=e7] [cursor=pointer]:
+          - /url: /sum
+        - generic [ref=e8]: •
+        - generic [ref=e9]: My Profile
+      - generic [ref=e10]:
+        - generic [ref=e11]: user@example.com
+        - button "Sign out" [ref=e12] [cursor=pointer]
+    - generic [ref=e14]:
+      - generic [ref=e15]:
+        - heading "My Profile" [level=1] [ref=e16]
+        - paragraph [ref=e17]: Manage your contact information
+      - generic [ref=e18]:
+        - generic [ref=e19]:
+          - generic [ref=e20]:
+            - text: Login Email
+            - generic [ref=e21]: Read only
+          - textbox [disabled] [ref=e22]: user@example.com
+          - generic [ref=e23]: This is your login email and cannot be changed here.
+        - paragraph [ref=e25]: Contact Details
+        - paragraph [ref=e26]: These are for communication purposes only — they won't affect your login.
+        - generic [ref=e27]:
+          - generic [ref=e28]: Contact Email
+          - textbox "Contact Email" [ref=e29]:
+            - /placeholder: alternate@example.com
+        - generic [ref=e30]:
+          - generic [ref=e31]: Telegram
+          - textbox "Telegram" [active] [ref=e32]:
+            - /placeholder: "@username"
+            - text: "@ab"
+        - generic [ref=e33]:
+          - generic [ref=e34]: Signal
+          - textbox "Signal" [ref=e35]:
+            - /placeholder: username.01
+        - generic [ref=e36]:
+          - generic [ref=e37]: Nostr (npub)
+          - textbox "Nostr (npub)" [ref=e38]:
+            - /placeholder: npub1...
+        - button "Save Changes" [ref=e39] [cursor=pointer]
+  - status [ref=e40]:
+    - generic [ref=e41]:
+      - img [ref=e43]
+      - generic [ref=e45]:
+        - text: Static route
+        - button "Hide static indicator" [ref=e46] [cursor=pointer]:
+          - img [ref=e47]
+  - alert [ref=e50]
+```
\ No newline at end of file