diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index dda4942..92d0012 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "@yext/chat-ui-react",
-  "version": "0.11.1",
+  "version": "0.11.2",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@yext/chat-ui-react",
-      "version": "0.11.1",
+      "version": "0.11.2",
       "license": "BSD-3-Clause",
       "dependencies": {
         "react-markdown": "^8.0.7",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index fd4d9c3..21d850d 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@yext/chat-ui-react",
-  "version": "0.11.1",
+  "version": "0.11.2",
   "description": "A library of React Components for powering Yext Chat integrations.",
   "author": "clippy@yext.com",
   "main": "./lib/commonjs/src/index.js",
diff --git a/src/components/ChatInput.tsx b/src/components/ChatInput.tsx
index 26bae4f..a6b0919 100644
--- a/src/components/ChatInput.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ChatInput.tsx
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ export interface ChatInputProps {
 export function ChatInput({
   placeholder = "Type a message...",
   stream = false,
-  inputAutoFocus = false,
+  inputAutoFocus = true,
   handleError,
   sendButtonIcon = <ArrowIcon />,
   customCssClasses,
diff --git a/tests/components/ChatInput.test.tsx b/tests/components/ChatInput.test.tsx
index cc88f0c..8c7b461 100644
--- a/tests/components/ChatInput.test.tsx
+++ b/tests/components/ChatInput.test.tsx
@@ -35,16 +35,16 @@ it("updates text when type in textarea", async () => {
   expect(textbox).toHaveDisplayValue("test");
 });
 
-it("does not focus on input box by default", async () => {
+it("maintains focus on input box by default", async () => {
   render(<ChatInput />);
   const textbox = screen.getByRole("textbox");
-  expect(textbox).not.toHaveFocus();
+  expect(textbox).toHaveFocus();
 });
 
-it("maintains focus on input box when inputAutoFocus field is set to true", async () => {
-  render(<ChatInput inputAutoFocus={true} />);
+it("does not focus on input box when inputAutoFocus field is set to false", async () => {
+  render(<ChatInput inputAutoFocus={false} />);
   const textbox = screen.getByRole("textbox");
-  expect(textbox).toHaveFocus();
+  expect(textbox).not.toHaveFocus();
 });
 
 it("sends request and reset input when click on send button", async () => {