diff --git a/frontend/src/app/render_wasm/api.cljs b/frontend/src/app/render_wasm/api.cljs
index 7e33fdc1ca..6df71e7e4f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/render_wasm/api.cljs
+++ b/frontend/src/app/render_wasm/api.cljs
@@ -69,12 +69,29 @@
 (def ^:const DEBOUNCE_DELAY_MS 100)
 (def ^:const THROTTLE_DELAY_MS 10)
 
+;; Async chunked processing constants
+;; SHAPES_CHUNK_SIZE: Number of shapes to process before yielding to browser
+;; Lower values = more responsive UI but slower total processing
+;; Higher values = faster total processing but may cause UI jank
+(def ^:const SHAPES_CHUNK_SIZE 100)
+
+;; Threshold below which we use synchronous processing (no chunking overhead)
+(def ^:const ASYNC_THRESHOLD 100)
+
 (def dpr
   (if use-dpr? (if (exists? js/window) js/window.devicePixelRatio 1.0) 1.0))
 
 (def noop-fn
   (constantly nil))
 
+(defn- yield-to-browser
+  "Returns a promise that resolves after yielding to the browser's event loop.
+   Uses requestAnimationFrame for smooth visual updates during loading."
+  []
+  (p/create
+   (fn [resolve _reject]
+     (js/requestAnimationFrame (fn [_] (resolve nil))))))
+
 ;; Based on app.main.render/object-svg
 (mf/defc object-svg
   {::mf/props :obj}
@@ -121,17 +138,70 @@
               (aget buffer 3))
       (set! wasm/internal-frame-id nil))))
 
+(defn render-preview!
+  "Render a lightweight preview without tile caching.
+   Used during progressive loading for fast feedback."
+  []
+  (when (and wasm/context-initialized? (not @wasm/context-lost?))
+    (h/call wasm/internal-module "_render_preview")))
+
 
 (defonce pending-render (atom false))
+(defonce shapes-loading? (atom false))
+(defonce deferred-render? (atom false))
+
+(defn- register-deferred-render!
+  []
+  (reset! deferred-render? true))
 
 (defn request-render
   [_requester]
-  (when (and wasm/context-initialized? (not @pending-render) (not @wasm/context-lost?))
-    (reset! pending-render true)
-    (js/requestAnimationFrame
-     (fn [ts]
-       (reset! pending-render false)
-       (render ts)))))
+  (when (and wasm/context-initialized? (not @wasm/context-lost?))
+    (if @shapes-loading?
+      (register-deferred-render!)
+      (when-not @pending-render
+        (reset! pending-render true)
+        (let [frame-id
+              (js/requestAnimationFrame
+               (fn [ts]
+                 (reset! pending-render false)
+                 (set! wasm/internal-frame-id nil)
+                 (render ts)))]
+          (set! wasm/internal-frame-id frame-id))))))
+
+(defn- begin-shapes-loading!
+  []
+  (reset! shapes-loading? true)
+  (let [frame-id wasm/internal-frame-id
+        was-pending @pending-render]
+    (when frame-id
+      (js/cancelAnimationFrame frame-id)
+      (set! wasm/internal-frame-id nil))
+    (reset! pending-render false)
+    (reset! deferred-render? was-pending)))
+
+(defn- end-shapes-loading!
+  []
+  (let [was-loading (compare-and-set! shapes-loading? true false)]
+    (reset! deferred-render? false)
+    ;; Always trigger a render after loading completes
+    ;; This ensures shapes are displayed even if no deferred render was requested
+    (when was-loading
+      (request-render "set-objects:flush"))))
+
+(defn- request-progressive-render!
+  ([reason]
+   (let [was-loading? @shapes-loading?]
+     (if was-loading?
+       (do
+         (reset! shapes-loading? false)
+         (try
+           (request-render reason)
+           (finally
+             (reset! shapes-loading? was-loading?))))
+       (request-render reason))))
+  ([]
+   (request-progressive-render! "set-objects:chunk")))
 
 (declare get-text-dimensions)
 
@@ -993,30 +1063,131 @@
   (let [{:keys [thumbnails full]} (set-object shape)]
     (process-pending [shape] thumbnails full noop-fn)))
 
+(defn- process-shapes-chunk
+  "Process a chunk of shapes synchronously, returning accumulated pending operations.
+   Returns {:thumbnails [...] :full [...] :next-index n}"
+  [shapes start-index chunk-size thumbnails-acc full-acc]
+  (let [total (count shapes)
+        end-index (min total (+ start-index chunk-size))]
+    (loop [index start-index
+           t-acc thumbnails-acc
+           f-acc full-acc]
+      (if (< index end-index)
+        (let [shape (nth shapes index)
+              {:keys [thumbnails full]} (set-object shape)]
+          (recur (inc index)
+                 (into t-acc thumbnails)
+                 (into f-acc full)))
+        {:thumbnails t-acc
+         :full f-acc
+         :next-index end-index}))))
+
+(defn- set-objects-async
+  "Asynchronously process shapes in chunks, yielding to the browser between chunks.
+   Returns a promise that resolves when all shapes are processed.
+   
+   Renders a preview only periodically during loading to show progress,
+   then does a full tile-based render at the end."
+  [shapes render-callback]
+  (let [total-shapes (count shapes)
+        ;; Calculate how many chunks we'll process
+        total-chunks (js/Math.ceil (/ total-shapes SHAPES_CHUNK_SIZE))
+        ;; Render at 25%, 50%, 75% of loading
+        render-at-chunks (set [(js/Math.floor (* total-chunks 0.25))
+                               (js/Math.floor (* total-chunks 0.5))
+                               (js/Math.floor (* total-chunks 0.75))])]
+    (p/create
+     (fn [resolve _reject]
+       (letfn [(process-next-chunk [index thumbnails-acc full-acc chunk-count]
+                 (if (< index total-shapes)
+                   ;; Process one chunk
+                   (let [{:keys [thumbnails full next-index]}
+                         (process-shapes-chunk shapes index SHAPES_CHUNK_SIZE
+                                               thumbnails-acc full-acc)
+                         new-chunk-count (inc chunk-count)]
+                     ;; Only render at specific progress milestones
+                     (when (contains? render-at-chunks new-chunk-count)
+                       (render-preview!))
+
+                     ;; Yield to browser, then continue with next chunk
+                     (-> (yield-to-browser)
+                         (p/then (fn [_]
+                                   (process-next-chunk next-index thumbnails full new-chunk-count)))))
+                   ;; All chunks done - finalize
+                   (do
+                     (perf/end-measure "set-objects")
+                     (process-pending shapes thumbnails-acc full-acc noop-fn
+                                      (fn []
+                                        (end-shapes-loading!)
+                                        (if render-callback
+                                          (render-callback)
+                                          (render-finish))
+                                        (ug/dispatch! (ug/event "penpot:wasm:set-objects"))
+                                        (resolve nil))))))]
+         ;; Start processing
+         (process-next-chunk 0 [] [] 0))))))
+
+(defn- set-objects-sync
+  "Synchronously process all shapes (for small shape counts)."
+  [shapes render-callback]
+  (let [total-shapes (count shapes)
+        {:keys [thumbnails full]}
+        (loop [index 0 thumbnails-acc [] full-acc []]
+          (if (< index total-shapes)
+            (let [shape (nth shapes index)
+                  {:keys [thumbnails full]} (set-object shape)]
+              (recur (inc index)
+                     (into thumbnails-acc thumbnails)
+                     (into full-acc full)))
+            {:thumbnails thumbnails-acc :full full-acc}))]
+    (perf/end-measure "set-objects")
+    (process-pending shapes thumbnails full noop-fn
+                     (fn []
+                       (if render-callback
+                         (render-callback)
+                         (render-finish))
+                       (ug/dispatch! (ug/event "penpot:wasm:set-objects"))))))
+
+(defn- shapes-in-tree-order
+  "Returns shapes sorted in tree order (parents before children).
+   This ensures parent shapes are processed before their children,
+   maintaining proper shape reference consistency in WASM."
+  [objects]
+  ;; Get IDs in tree order starting from root (uuid/zero)
+  ;; cfh/get-children-ids-with-self returns [root-id, child1-id, grandchild1-id, ...]
+  (let [ordered-ids (cfh/get-children-ids-with-self objects uuid/zero)]
+    (into []
+          (keep #(get objects %))
+          ordered-ids)))
+
 (defn set-objects
+  "Set all shape objects for rendering.
+
+   IMPORTANT: Shapes are processed in tree order (parents before children)
+   to maintain proper shape reference consistency in WASM.
+
+   NOTE: Async processing uses render gating to avoid race conditions with
+   requestAnimationFrame renders during loading."
   ([objects]
    (set-objects objects nil))
   ([objects render-callback]
    (perf/begin-measure "set-objects")
-   (let [shapes        (into [] (vals objects))
-         total-shapes  (count shapes)
-         ;; Collect pending operations - set-object returns {:thumbnails [...] :full [...]}
-         {:keys [thumbnails full]}
-         (loop [index 0 thumbnails-acc [] full-acc []]
-           (if (< index total-shapes)
-             (let [shape    (nth shapes index)
-                   {:keys [thumbnails full]} (set-object shape)]
-               (recur (inc index)
-                      (into thumbnails-acc thumbnails)
-                      (into full-acc full)))
-             {:thumbnails thumbnails-acc :full full-acc}))]
-     (perf/end-measure "set-objects")
-     (process-pending shapes thumbnails full noop-fn
-                      (fn []
-                        (if render-callback
-                          (render-callback)
-                          (render-finish))
-                        (ug/dispatch! (ug/event "penpot:wasm:set-objects")))))))
+   (let [shapes (shapes-in-tree-order objects)
+         total-shapes (count shapes)]
+     (if (< total-shapes ASYNC_THRESHOLD)
+       (set-objects-sync shapes render-callback)
+       (do
+         (begin-shapes-loading!)
+         (try
+           (-> (set-objects-async shapes render-callback)
+               (p/catch (fn [error]
+                          (end-shapes-loading!)
+                          (js/console.error "Async WASM shape loading failed" error))))
+           (catch :default error
+             (end-shapes-loading!)
+             (js/console.error "Async WASM shape loading failed" error)
+             (throw error)))
+         nil)))))
 
 (defn clear-focus-mode
   []
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/main.rs b/render-wasm/src/main.rs
index 11b23309c7..c23ce7a07c 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/main.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/main.rs
@@ -191,6 +191,20 @@ pub extern "C" fn render_from_cache(_: i32) {
     });
 }
 
+#[no_mangle]
+pub extern "C" fn set_preview_mode(enabled: bool) {
+    with_state_mut!(state, {
+        state.render_state.set_preview_mode(enabled);
+    });
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub extern "C" fn render_preview() {
+    with_state_mut!(state, {
+        state.render_preview(performance::get_time());
+    });
+}
+
 #[no_mangle]
 pub extern "C" fn process_animation_frame(timestamp: i32) {
     let result = std::panic::catch_unwind(|| {
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/render.rs b/render-wasm/src/render.rs
index f0619a9e37..47fafce5bf 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/render.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/render.rs
@@ -294,6 +294,8 @@ pub(crate) struct RenderState {
     /// where we must render shapes without inheriting ancestor layer blurs. Toggle it through
     /// `with_nested_blurs_suppressed` to ensure it's always restored.
     pub ignore_nested_blurs: bool,
+    /// Preview render mode - when true, uses simplified rendering for progressive loading
+    pub preview_mode: bool,
 }
 
 pub fn get_cache_size(viewbox: Viewbox, scale: f32) -> skia::ISize {
@@ -366,6 +368,7 @@ impl RenderState {
             focus_mode: FocusMode::new(),
             touched_ids: HashSet::default(),
             ignore_nested_blurs: false,
+            preview_mode: false,
         }
     }
 
@@ -486,6 +489,10 @@ impl RenderState {
         self.background_color = color;
     }
 
+    pub fn set_preview_mode(&mut self, enabled: bool) {
+        self.preview_mode = enabled;
+    }
+
     pub fn resize(&mut self, width: i32, height: i32) {
         let dpr_width = (width as f32 * self.options.dpr()).floor() as i32;
         let dpr_height = (height as f32 * self.options.dpr()).floor() as i32;
@@ -1127,6 +1134,25 @@ impl RenderState {
         performance::end_timed_log!("render_from_cache", _start);
     }
 
+    /// Render a preview of the shapes during loading.
+    /// This rebuilds tiles for touched shapes and renders synchronously.
+    pub fn render_preview(&mut self, tree: ShapesPoolRef, timestamp: i32) -> Result<(), String> {
+        let _start = performance::begin_timed_log!("render_preview");
+        performance::begin_measure!("render_preview");
+
+        // Skip tile rebuilding during preview - we'll do it at the end
+        // Just rebuild tiles for touched shapes and render synchronously
+        self.rebuild_touched_tiles(tree);
+
+        // Use the sync render path
+        self.start_render_loop(None, tree, timestamp, true)?;
+
+        performance::end_measure!("render_preview");
+        performance::end_timed_log!("render_preview", _start);
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     pub fn start_render_loop(
         &mut self,
         base_object: Option<&Uuid>,
@@ -1622,10 +1648,11 @@ impl RenderState {
 
             is_empty = false;
 
-            let element = tree.get(&node_id).ok_or(format!(
-                "Error: Element with root_id {} not found in the tree.",
-                node_render_state.id
-            ))?;
+            let Some(element) = tree.get(&node_id) else {
+                // The shape isn't available yet (likely still streaming in from WASM).
+                // Skip it for this pass; a subsequent render will pick it up once present.
+                continue;
+            };
             let scale = self.get_scale();
             let mut extrect: Option<Rect> = None;
 
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/state.rs b/render-wasm/src/state.rs
index b2950e781b..1f80e4a41f 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/state.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/state.rs
@@ -223,6 +223,10 @@ impl State {
         self.render_state.rebuild_touched_tiles(&self.shapes);
     }
 
+    pub fn render_preview(&mut self, timestamp: i32) {
+        let _ = self.render_state.render_preview(&self.shapes, timestamp);
+    }
+
     pub fn rebuild_modifier_tiles(&mut self, ids: Vec<Uuid>) {
         // No longer need unsafe lifetime extension - index-based storage is safe
         self.render_state