diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 949a9bb..aabea71 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ cmd_editor() → resolve_target() → load_editor_adapter() → editor_open()
 
 **`.gtrconfig`**: Team-shared config using gitconfig syntax, parsed via `git config -f`. Keys map differently from git config (e.g., `gtr.copy.include` → `copy.include`, `gtr.hook.postCreate` → `hooks.postCreate`). See the .gtrconfig Key Mapping table in README or `docs/configuration.md`.
 
-**`init` command**: Outputs shell functions for `gtr cd <branch>` navigation. Users add `eval "$(git gtr init bash)"` to their shell rc file.
+**`init` command**: Outputs shell functions for `gtr cd <branch>` navigation. Output is cached to `~/.cache/gtr/` and auto-invalidates on version change. Users source the cache file directly in their shell rc for fast startup (see `git gtr help init`).
 
 **`clean --merged`**: Removes worktrees whose PRs/MRs are merged. Auto-detects GitHub (`gh`) or GitLab (`glab`) from the `origin` remote URL. Override with `gtr.provider` config for self-hosted instances.
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 22cae0a..e3b0ec6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ git gtr run my-feature npm test # Run tests
 
 # Navigate to worktree
 gtr cd                          # Interactive picker (requires fzf + shell integration)
-gtr cd my-feature               # Requires: eval "$(git gtr init bash)"
+gtr cd my-feature               # Requires shell integration (see below)
 cd "$(git gtr go my-feature)"   # Alternative without shell integration
 
 # List all worktrees
@@ -214,8 +214,20 @@ cd "$(git gtr go 1)"             # Navigate to main repo
 **Tip:** For easier navigation, use `git gtr init` to enable `gtr cd`:
 
 ```bash
-# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc (one-time setup)
-eval "$(git gtr init bash)"
+# Bash (add to ~/.bashrc)
+_gtr_init="${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/gtr/init-gtr.bash"
+[[ -f "$_gtr_init" ]] || eval "$(git gtr init bash)" || true
+source "$_gtr_init" 2>/dev/null || true; unset _gtr_init
+
+# Zsh (add to ~/.zshrc)
+_gtr_init="${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/gtr/init-gtr.zsh"
+[[ -f "$_gtr_init" ]] || eval "$(git gtr init zsh)" || true
+source "$_gtr_init" 2>/dev/null || true; unset _gtr_init
+
+# Fish (add to ~/.config/fish/config.fish)
+set -l _gtr_init (test -n "$XDG_CACHE_HOME" && echo $XDG_CACHE_HOME || echo $HOME/.cache)/gtr/init-gtr.fish
+test -f "$_gtr_init"; or git gtr init fish >/dev/null 2>&1
+source "$_gtr_init" 2>/dev/null
 
 # Then navigate with:
 gtr cd                # Interactive worktree picker (requires fzf)
@@ -223,6 +235,8 @@ gtr cd my-feature
 gtr cd 1
 ```
 
+The cache generates on first run and refreshes the next time `git gtr init <shell>` runs. To force-regenerate: `rm -rf ~/.cache/gtr`
+
 With [fzf](https://github.com/junegunn/fzf) installed, `gtr cd` (no arguments) opens a command palette with git log preview and keybindings: `ctrl-e` editor, `ctrl-a` AI, `ctrl-d` delete, `ctrl-y` copy, `ctrl-r` refresh.
 
 > **Note:** If `gtr` conflicts with another command (e.g., GNU `tr` from coreutils), use `--as` to pick a different name:
diff --git a/bin/git-gtr b/bin/git-gtr
index 2929911..9770fb7 100755
--- a/bin/git-gtr
+++ b/bin/git-gtr
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ main() {
       local _shell_name
       _shell_name="$(basename "${SHELL:-bash}")"
       log_error "'cd' requires shell integration (subprocesses cannot change your shell's directory)"
-      log_info "Set up with: eval \"\$(git gtr init $_shell_name)\""
-      log_info "Then use:    gtr cd [<branch>]"
+      log_info "Run 'git gtr help init' for setup instructions"
+      log_info "Then use: gtr cd [<branch>]"
       exit 1
       ;;
     *)
diff --git a/lib/commands/doctor.sh b/lib/commands/doctor.sh
index df749bc..da49668 100644
--- a/lib/commands/doctor.sh
+++ b/lib/commands/doctor.sh
@@ -128,16 +128,10 @@ cmd_doctor() {
     fish) _rc_file="$HOME/.config/fish/config.fish" ;;
     *)    _rc_file="" ;;
   esac
-  if [ -n "$_rc_file" ] && [ -f "$_rc_file" ] && grep -q 'git gtr init' "$_rc_file" 2>/dev/null; then
+  if [ -n "$_rc_file" ] && [ -f "$_rc_file" ] && grep -qE 'git gtr init|gtr/init-' "$_rc_file" 2>/dev/null; then
     echo "[OK] Shell integration: loaded (gtr cd available)"
   elif [ -n "$_rc_file" ]; then
-    local _init_hint
-    if [ "$_shell_name" = "fish" ]; then
-      _init_hint="git gtr init fish | source"
-    else
-      _init_hint="eval \"\$(git gtr init $_shell_name)\""
-    fi
-    echo "[i] Shell integration: $_init_hint in ${_rc_file##*/} for gtr cd"
+    echo "[i] Shell integration: run 'git gtr help init' for setup instructions"
   fi
 
   echo ""
diff --git a/lib/commands/help.sh b/lib/commands/help.sh
index e3aef18..db2f340 100644
--- a/lib/commands/help.sh
+++ b/lib/commands/help.sh
@@ -102,7 +102,8 @@ Usage: git gtr go <branch>
 
 Prints the absolute path to the specified worktree. Useful for navigation
 with cd or for scripting. For direct cd support, use shell integration:
-  eval "$(git gtr init bash)"    # then: gtr cd <branch>
+  git gtr help init              # see setup instructions
+  gtr cd <branch>                # then navigate directly
 
 Special:
   Use '1' for the main repo root: git gtr go 1
@@ -345,21 +346,32 @@ Usage: git gtr init <shell> [--as <name>]
 Generates shell functions for enhanced features like 'gtr cd <branch>'
 which changes directory to a worktree. Add to your shell configuration.
 
+Output is cached to ~/.cache/gtr/ for fast shell startup (~1ms vs ~60ms).
+The cache refreshes the next time 'git gtr init <shell>' runs (checks version).
+With the recommended setup below, it regenerates when the cache file is missing.
+To force-regenerate: rm -rf ~/.cache/gtr
+
 Supported shells: bash, zsh, fish
 
 Options:
   --as <name>   Set custom function name (default: gtr)
                 Useful if 'gtr' conflicts with another command (e.g., GNU tr)
 
-Setup:
+Setup (sources cached output directly for fast startup):
   # Bash (add to ~/.bashrc)
-  eval "$(git gtr init bash)"
+  _gtr_init="${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/gtr/init-gtr.bash"
+  [[ -f "$_gtr_init" ]] || eval "$(git gtr init bash)" || true
+  source "$_gtr_init" 2>/dev/null || true; unset _gtr_init
 
   # Zsh (add to ~/.zshrc)
-  eval "$(git gtr init zsh)"
+  _gtr_init="${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/gtr/init-gtr.zsh"
+  [[ -f "$_gtr_init" ]] || eval "$(git gtr init zsh)" || true
+  source "$_gtr_init" 2>/dev/null || true; unset _gtr_init
 
   # Fish (add to ~/.config/fish/config.fish)
-  git gtr init fish | source
+  set -l _gtr_init (test -n "$XDG_CACHE_HOME" && echo $XDG_CACHE_HOME || echo $HOME/.cache)/gtr/init-gtr.fish
+  test -f "$_gtr_init"; or git gtr init fish >/dev/null 2>&1
+  source "$_gtr_init" 2>/dev/null
 
   # Custom function name (avoids conflict with coreutils gtr)
   eval "$(git gtr init zsh --as gwtr)"
@@ -558,7 +570,8 @@ SETUP & MAINTENANCE:
   init <shell> [--as <name>]
          Generate shell integration for cd support (bash, zsh, fish)
          --as <name>: custom function name (default: gtr)
-         Usage: eval "$(git gtr init bash)"
+         Output is cached for fast startup (refreshes when 'git gtr init' runs)
+         See git gtr help init for recommended setup
          With fzf: 'gtr cd' opens a command palette (preview, editor, AI, delete)
 
   version
diff --git a/lib/commands/init.sh b/lib/commands/init.sh
index bd776a7..e35af99 100644
--- a/lib/commands/init.sh
+++ b/lib/commands/init.sh
@@ -50,19 +50,13 @@ cmd_init() {
     return 1
   fi
 
+  # Resolve generator function
+  local generator
   case "$shell" in
-    bash)
-      _init_bash | sed "s/__FUNC__/$func_name/g"
-      ;;
-    zsh)
-      _init_zsh | sed "s/__FUNC__/$func_name/g"
-      ;;
-    fish)
-      _init_fish | sed "s/__FUNC__/$func_name/g"
-      ;;
-    "")
-      show_command_help
-      ;;
+    bash) generator="_init_bash" ;;
+    zsh)  generator="_init_zsh" ;;
+    fish) generator="_init_fish" ;;
+    "")   show_command_help; return 0 ;;
     *)
       log_error "Unknown shell: $shell"
       log_error "Supported shells: bash, zsh, fish"
@@ -70,13 +64,35 @@ cmd_init() {
       return 1
       ;;
   esac
+
+  # Generate output (cached to ~/.cache/gtr/, auto-invalidates on version change)
+  local cache_dir="${XDG_CACHE_HOME:-$HOME/.cache}/gtr"
+  local cache_file="$cache_dir/init-${func_name}.${shell}"
+  local cache_stamp="# gtr-cache: version=${GTR_VERSION:-unknown} func=$func_name shell=$shell"
+
+  # Return cached output if version matches
+  if [ -f "$cache_file" ]; then
+    local first_line
+    first_line="$(head -1 "$cache_file")"
+    if [ "$first_line" = "$cache_stamp" ]; then
+      tail -n +2 "$cache_file"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # Generate, output, and cache (output first so set -e cache failures don't swallow it)
+  local output
+  output="$("$generator" | sed "s/__FUNC__/$func_name/g")"
+  printf '%s\n' "$output"
+  if mkdir -p "$cache_dir" 2>/dev/null; then
+    printf '%s\n%s\n' "$cache_stamp" "$output" > "$cache_file" 2>/dev/null || true
+  fi
 }
 
 _init_bash() {
   cat <<'BASH'
-# git-gtr shell integration
-# Add to ~/.bashrc:
-#   eval "$(git gtr init bash)"
+# git-gtr shell integration (cached to ~/.cache/gtr/)
+# Setup: see git gtr help init
 
 __FUNC__() {
   if [ "$#" -gt 0 ] && [ "$1" = "cd" ]; then
@@ -196,9 +212,8 @@ BASH
 
 _init_zsh() {
   cat <<'ZSH'
-# git-gtr shell integration
-# Add to ~/.zshrc:
-#   eval "$(git gtr init zsh)"
+# git-gtr shell integration (cached to ~/.cache/gtr/)
+# Setup: see git gtr help init
 
 __FUNC__() {
   emulate -L zsh
diff --git a/tests/init.bats b/tests/init.bats
index 9aeaf45..e34fc8f 100644
--- a/tests/init.bats
+++ b/tests/init.bats
@@ -5,6 +5,13 @@ load test_helper
 
 setup() {
   source "$PROJECT_ROOT/lib/commands/init.sh"
+  # Isolate cache to temp dir so tests don't pollute ~/.cache or each other
+  export XDG_CACHE_HOME="$BATS_TMPDIR/gtr-init-cache-$$"
+  export GTR_VERSION="test"
+}
+
+teardown() {
+  rm -rf "$BATS_TMPDIR/gtr-init-cache-$$"
 }
 
 # ── Default function name ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -496,3 +503,53 @@ setup() {
   [[ "$output" == *"command git gtr"* ]]
   [[ "$output" == *"git gtr list --porcelain"* ]]
 }
+
+# ── caching (default behavior) ──────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+@test "init creates cache file and returns output" {
+  GTR_VERSION="9.9.9" run cmd_init zsh
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+  [[ "$output" == *"gtr()"* ]]
+  [ -f "$XDG_CACHE_HOME/gtr/init-gtr.zsh" ]
+}
+
+@test "init returns cached output on second call" {
+  # First call: generates and caches
+  GTR_VERSION="9.9.9" run cmd_init bash
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+  local first_output="$output"
+  # Second call: reads from cache
+  GTR_VERSION="9.9.9" run cmd_init bash
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+  [ "$output" = "$first_output" ]
+}
+
+@test "cache invalidates when version changes" {
+  # Generate with version 1.0.0
+  GTR_VERSION="1.0.0" run cmd_init zsh
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+  # Check cache stamp
+  local stamp
+  stamp="$(head -1 "$XDG_CACHE_HOME/gtr/init-gtr.zsh")"
+  [[ "$stamp" == *"version=1.0.0"* ]]
+  # Regenerate with version 2.0.0
+  GTR_VERSION="2.0.0" run cmd_init zsh
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+  stamp="$(head -1 "$XDG_CACHE_HOME/gtr/init-gtr.zsh")"
+  [[ "$stamp" == *"version=2.0.0"* ]]
+}
+
+@test "cache uses --as func name in cache key" {
+  GTR_VERSION="9.9.9" run cmd_init bash --as myfn
+  [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+  [[ "$output" == *"myfn()"* ]]
+  [ -f "$XDG_CACHE_HOME/gtr/init-myfn.bash" ]
+}
+
+@test "cache works for all shells" {
+  for sh in bash zsh fish; do
+    GTR_VERSION="9.9.9" run cmd_init "$sh"
+    [ "$status" -eq 0 ]
+    [ -f "$XDG_CACHE_HOME/gtr/init-gtr.${sh}" ]
+  done
+}