diff --git a/easytier-gui/src/composables/backend.ts b/easytier-gui/src/composables/backend.ts
index 11cf55f0..31024b9c 100644
--- a/easytier-gui/src/composables/backend.ts
+++ b/easytier-gui/src/composables/backend.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core'
-import { Api, type NetworkTypes } from 'easytier-frontend-lib'
+import { Api, NetworkTypes } from 'easytier-frontend-lib'
 import { GetNetworkMetasResponse } from 'node_modules/easytier-frontend-lib/dist/modules/api'
 
 
@@ -17,15 +17,16 @@ interface ServiceOptions {
 export type ServiceStatus = "Running" | "Stopped" | "NotInstalled"
 
 export async function parseNetworkConfig(cfg: NetworkConfig) {
-  return invoke<string>('parse_network_config', { cfg })
+  return invoke<string>('parse_network_config', { cfg: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(cfg) })
 }
 
 export async function generateNetworkConfig(tomlConfig: string) {
-  return invoke<NetworkConfig>('generate_network_config', { tomlConfig })
+  const config = await invoke<NetworkConfig>('generate_network_config', { tomlConfig })
+  return NetworkTypes.normalizeNetworkConfig(config)
 }
 
 export async function runNetworkInstance(cfg: NetworkConfig, save: boolean) {
-  return invoke('run_network_instance', { cfg, save })
+  return invoke('run_network_instance', { cfg: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(cfg), save })
 }
 
 export async function collectNetworkInfo(instanceId: string) {
@@ -57,20 +58,24 @@ export async function updateNetworkConfigState(instanceId: string, disabled: boo
 }
 
 export async function saveNetworkConfig(cfg: NetworkConfig) {
-  return await invoke('save_network_config', { cfg })
+  return await invoke('save_network_config', { cfg: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(cfg) })
 }
 
 export async function validateConfig(cfg: NetworkConfig) {
-  return await invoke<ValidateConfigResponse>('validate_config', { cfg })
+  return await invoke<ValidateConfigResponse>('validate_config', { cfg: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(cfg) })
 }
 
 export async function getConfig(instanceId: string) {
-  return await invoke<NetworkConfig>('get_config', { instanceId })
+  const config = await invoke<NetworkConfig>('get_config', { instanceId })
+  return NetworkTypes.normalizeNetworkConfig(config)
 }
 
 export async function sendConfigs(enabledNetworks: string[]) {
-  let networkList: NetworkConfig[] = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('networkList') || '[]');
-  return await invoke('load_configs', { configs: networkList, enabledNetworks })
+  const networkList: NetworkConfig[] = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('networkList') || '[]');
+  return await invoke('load_configs', {
+    configs: networkList.map((config) => NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(NetworkTypes.normalizeNetworkConfig(config))),
+    enabledNetworks
+  })
 }
 
 export async function getNetworkMetas(instanceIds: string[]) {
diff --git a/easytier-gui/src/composables/event.ts b/easytier-gui/src/composables/event.ts
index e4c45655..7d1df1d9 100644
--- a/easytier-gui/src/composables/event.ts
+++ b/easytier-gui/src/composables/event.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const EVENTS = Object.freeze({
 
 function onSaveConfigs(event: Event<NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig[]>) {
     console.log(`Received event '${EVENTS.SAVE_CONFIGS}': ${event.payload}`);
-    localStorage.setItem('networkList', JSON.stringify(event.payload));
+    localStorage.setItem('networkList', JSON.stringify(event.payload.map((config) => NetworkTypes.normalizeNetworkConfig(config))));
 }
 
 async function onPreRunNetworkInstance(event: Event<string>) {
diff --git a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/components/Config.vue b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/components/Config.vue
index 8b13a30c..1e3f4fcb 100644
--- a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/components/Config.vue
+++ b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/components/Config.vue
@@ -1,17 +1,16 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
 import InputGroup from 'primevue/inputgroup'
 import InputGroupAddon from 'primevue/inputgroupaddon'
-import { SelectButton, Checkbox, InputText, InputNumber, AutoComplete, Panel, Divider, ToggleButton, Button, Password, Dialog } from 'primevue'
+import { Checkbox, InputText, InputNumber, AutoComplete, Panel, Divider, ToggleButton, Button, Password, Dialog } from 'primevue'
 import {
   addRow,
   DEFAULT_NETWORK_CONFIG,
   NetworkConfig,
-  NetworkingMethod,
+  normalizeNetworkConfig,
   removeRow
 } from '../types/network'
-import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'
+import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted, watch } from 'vue'
 import { useI18n } from 'vue-i18n'
-import UrlInput from './UrlInput.vue'
 import UrlListInput from './UrlListInput.vue'
 
 const props = defineProps<{
@@ -28,12 +27,6 @@ const curNetwork = defineModel('curNetwork', {
 
 const { t } = useI18n()
 
-const networking_methods = ref([
-  { value: NetworkingMethod.PublicServer, label: () => t('public_server') },
-  { value: NetworkingMethod.Manual, label: () => t('manual') },
-  { value: NetworkingMethod.Standalone, label: () => t('standalone') },
-])
-
 const protos: { [proto: string]: number } = {
   tcp: 11010,
   udp: 11010,
@@ -154,6 +147,16 @@ onMounted(() => {
     });
   }
 });
+
+function syncNormalizedNetwork(network: NetworkConfig | undefined): void {
+  if (!network) {
+    return
+  }
+
+  Object.assign(network, normalizeNetworkConfig(network))
+}
+
+watch(() => curNetwork.value, syncNormalizedNetwork, { immediate: true, deep: false })
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -200,15 +203,13 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
               <div class="flex flex-row gap-x-9 flex-wrap">
                 <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 basis-5/12 grow">
-                  <label for="nm">{{ t('networking_method') }}</label>
-                  <SelectButton v-model="curNetwork.networking_method" :options="networking_methods"
-                    :option-label="(v) => v.label()" option-value="value" />
+                  <div class="flex items-center">
+                    <label for="initial_nodes">{{ t('initial_nodes') }}</label>
+                    <span class="pi pi-question-circle ml-2 self-center" v-tooltip="t('initial_nodes_help')"></span>
+                  </div>
                   <div class="items-center flex flex-col p-fluid gap-y-2">
-                    <UrlListInput v-if="curNetwork.networking_method === NetworkingMethod.Manual"
-                      v-model="curNetwork.peer_urls" :protos="protos" :add-label="t('add_peer_url')" />
-
-                    <UrlInput v-if="curNetwork.networking_method === NetworkingMethod.PublicServer"
-                      v-model="curNetwork.public_server_url" :protos="protos" />
+                    <UrlListInput id="initial_nodes" v-model="curNetwork.peer_urls" :protos="protos"
+                      :add-label="t('add_initial_node')" :placeholder="t('initial_node_placeholder')" />
                   </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
diff --git a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/cn.yaml b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/cn.yaml
index dc128836..9dae3245 100644
--- a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/cn.yaml
+++ b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/cn.yaml
@@ -3,6 +3,14 @@ networking_method: 网络方式
 public_server: 公共服务器
 manual: 手动
 standalone: 独立
+initial_nodes: 初始节点
+initial_nodes_help: |
+  EasyTier 不分服务端/客户端。
+  • 填“初始节点” = 插上网线，直接加入已有网络。
+  • 留空 = 节点独立启动，等别人来连，或你后续手动连。
+  • 无论直接还是间接连通（通过其他节点搭桥），都能组网互通。
+  初始节点可以用自己的，也可以用别人分享的。
+initial_node_placeholder: 例如：tcp://node.example.com:11010
 virtual_ipv4: 虚拟IPv4地址
 virtual_ipv4_dhcp: DHCP
 network_name: 网络名称
@@ -26,6 +34,7 @@ error_msg: 错误信息
 detail: 详情
 add_new_network: 添加新网络
 add_peer_url: 添加节点
+add_initial_node: 添加初始节点
 add_listener_url: 添加监听地址
 add_mapped_listener: 添加监听映射
 del_cur_network: 删除当前网络
diff --git a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/en.yaml b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/en.yaml
index 110a7399..5854059e 100644
--- a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/en.yaml
+++ b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/locales/en.yaml
@@ -3,6 +3,14 @@ networking_method: Networking Method
 public_server: Public Server
 manual: Manual
 standalone: Standalone
+initial_nodes: Initial Nodes
+initial_nodes_help: |
+  EasyTier does not distinguish between server and client roles.
+  • Filling in Initial Nodes = plugging in the cable and joining an existing network.
+  • Leaving it empty = the node starts alone until others connect to it, or you connect it later yourself.
+  • Direct or indirect connectivity, including through relay nodes, can form one network.
+  Initial nodes can be your own nodes or ones shared by others.
+initial_node_placeholder: "Example: tcp://node.example.com:11010"
 virtual_ipv4: Virtual IPv4
 virtual_ipv4_dhcp: DHCP
 network_name: Network Name
@@ -26,6 +34,7 @@ error_msg: Error Message
 detail: Detail
 add_new_network: New Network
 add_peer_url: Add Peer
+add_initial_node: Add Initial Node
 add_listener_url: Add Listener
 add_mapped_listener: Add Mapped Listener
 del_cur_network: Delete Current Network
diff --git a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/style.css b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/style.css
index 72d7d249..360727e8 100644
--- a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/style.css
+++ b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/style.css
@@ -49,4 +49,6 @@
 
 .v-popper__inner {
   white-space: pre-wrap;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+  max-width: 32rem;
+  line-height: 1.5;
+}
diff --git a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/types/network.ts b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/types/network.ts
index 70684cdb..b62b0e6b 100644
--- a/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/types/network.ts
+++ b/easytier-web/frontend-lib/src/types/network.ts
@@ -97,9 +97,8 @@ export function DEFAULT_NETWORK_CONFIG(): NetworkConfig {
     network_secret: '',
     credential_file: '',
 
-    networking_method: NetworkingMethod.PublicServer,
-
-    public_server_url: 'tcp://public.easytier.top:11010',
+    networking_method: NetworkingMethod.Manual,
+    public_server_url: '',
     peer_urls: [],
 
     proxy_cidrs: [],
@@ -154,6 +153,39 @@ export function DEFAULT_NETWORK_CONFIG(): NetworkConfig {
   }
 }
 
+function cleanPeerUrls(urls: string[] | undefined): string[] {
+  return (urls ?? []).map((url) => url.trim()).filter((url) => url.length > 0)
+}
+
+export function normalizeNetworkConfig(config: NetworkConfig): NetworkConfig {
+  const normalized: NetworkConfig = {
+    ...config,
+    peer_urls: cleanPeerUrls(config.peer_urls),
+  }
+
+  const publicServerUrl = normalized.public_server_url?.trim() ?? ''
+
+  switch (normalized.networking_method) {
+    case NetworkingMethod.PublicServer:
+      normalized.peer_urls = publicServerUrl ? [publicServerUrl] : []
+      break
+    case NetworkingMethod.Manual:
+      break
+    case NetworkingMethod.Standalone:
+    default:
+      normalized.peer_urls = []
+      break
+  }
+
+  normalized.networking_method = NetworkingMethod.Manual
+  normalized.public_server_url = ''
+  return normalized
+}
+
+export function toBackendNetworkConfig(config: NetworkConfig): NetworkConfig {
+  return normalizeNetworkConfig(config)
+}
+
 export interface NetworkInstance {
   instance_id: string
 
diff --git a/easytier-web/frontend/src/modules/api.ts b/easytier-web/frontend/src/modules/api.ts
index 74e98519..79ac559b 100644
--- a/easytier-web/frontend/src/modules/api.ts
+++ b/easytier-web/frontend/src/modules/api.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import axios, { AxiosError, AxiosInstance, AxiosResponse, InternalAxiosRequestConfig } from 'axios';
-import { type Api, type NetworkTypes, Utils } from 'easytier-frontend-lib';
+import { type Api, NetworkTypes, Utils } from 'easytier-frontend-lib';
 import { Md5 } from 'ts-md5';
 
 export interface ValidateConfigResponse {
@@ -206,13 +206,13 @@ class WebRemoteClient implements Api.RemoteClient {
     }
     async validate_config(config: NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig): Promise<Api.ValidateConfigResponse> {
         const response = await this.client.post<NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig, ValidateConfigResponse>(`/machines/${this.machine_id}/validate-config`, {
-            config: config,
+            config: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(config),
         });
         return response;
     }
     async run_network(config: NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig, save: boolean): Promise<undefined> {
         await this.client.post<string>(`/machines/${this.machine_id}/networks`, {
-            config: config,
+            config: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(config),
             save: save
         });
     }
@@ -233,15 +233,19 @@ class WebRemoteClient implements Api.RemoteClient {
         });
     }
     async save_config(config: NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig): Promise<undefined> {
-        await this.client.put(`/machines/${this.machine_id}/networks/config/${config.instance_id}`, { config });
+        await this.client.put(`/machines/${this.machine_id}/networks/config/${config.instance_id}`, {
+            config: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(config)
+        });
     }
     async get_network_config(inst_id: string): Promise<NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig> {
         const response = await this.client.get<any, NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig>('/machines/' + this.machine_id + '/networks/config/' + inst_id);
-        return response;
+        return NetworkTypes.normalizeNetworkConfig(response);
     }
     async generate_config(config: NetworkTypes.NetworkConfig): Promise<Api.GenerateConfigResponse> {
         try {
-            const response = await this.client.post<any, GenerateConfigResponse>('/generate-config', { config });
+            const response = await this.client.post<any, GenerateConfigResponse>('/generate-config', {
+                config: NetworkTypes.toBackendNetworkConfig(config)
+            });
             return response;
         } catch (error) {
             if (error instanceof AxiosError) {
@@ -253,6 +257,9 @@ class WebRemoteClient implements Api.RemoteClient {
     async parse_config(toml_config: string): Promise<Api.ParseConfigResponse> {
         try {
             const response = await this.client.post<any, ParseConfigResponse>('/parse-config', { toml_config });
+            if (response.config) {
+                response.config = NetworkTypes.normalizeNetworkConfig(response.config);
+            }
             return response;
         } catch (error) {
             if (error instanceof AxiosError) {
@@ -269,4 +276,4 @@ class WebRemoteClient implements Api.RemoteClient {
     }
 }
 
-export default ApiClient;
\ No newline at end of file
+export default ApiClient;