The first firing cycle is very important during cold-start for all types of spark ignition engines. In addition, the combustion characteristics of the first firing cycle affect combustion and emissions in the following cycles. However, the first-cycle fuel-air mixing, combustion and emissions generation within the cylinder of a two-stage direct-injection (TSDI) engine during cold start is not completely understood. Based on the total stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and local richer mixture start-up strategy, the first-cycle firing and combustion characteristic at cold start were investigated in a two-stage direct injection (TSDI) gasoline engine. In addition, the effects of the first injection timing, second injection timing, 1st and 2nd fuel injection proportion and total excess air ratio on the in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate and accumulated heat release were analyzed on the basis of a cycle-by-cycle analysis. It is shown that a larger 2nd fuel injection amount and later 2nd injection timing are more beneficial to the firing of the first cycle in the case of a total excess air ratio of 1.0. The optimum 1st and 2nd injection timing fuel injection proportions are $120^{circ}CA$ ATDC during the intake stroke, $60^{circ}CA$ BTDC during the compression stroke and 1:1. In addition, the firing boundary is a 2nd injection timing later than $90^{circ}CA$ BTDC during the compression stroke in the case of the 1st injection timing from $60^{circ}CA$ to $180^{circ}CA$ ATDC during an intake stroke and involves a 1st and 2nd fuel injection proportion of 1:1 and an excess air ratio of 1.0. The study provides a detailed understanding of cold-start combustion characteristics and a guide for optimizing the reliable first-cycle firing at cold start.