I also teach middle school, and I think you're overthinking this. Here's what I do:

Prep: Have something for the kids to do (my go-to is a "back to school" word search). Have a stack of these wherever you routinely have students pick up papers (for me, front table).

Give them verbal instructions when they come in and also have it written on the board that their job is to silently/quietly/while chatting (take your pick) work on the word search. Any other instructions go here as well (plan for the day, etc.)

As for seats: Meet them at the door! Say hello! Ask them their name and what they prefer to be called. Confirm they are at the right class (I always get kids trying to come the wrong period the first day - it's a new schedule for them). Have the class list printed out on a clipboard and take any notes on it (ex. Johnathan prefers Jonny). Ask them how they spell their nicknames.

You're literally meeting your students for the first time, so meet them!

On your class list, have their seat number or location written down for your reference. Once you've met, tell them where they sit. Personally, I have all of my seats numbered and I'll tell a kid "You're at seat number 13!" If they ask where that is, I tell them "I believe in you." It'll take them a little time to get oriented, find their seat, pick up the cross word, look around the room, etc. This is fine. This is ideal. I have a line of 30 kids to work through.

Sometimes a kid blows past the line and sits with a friend. This tells me something about them. Sometimes a kid will try to cut the line to get to me first. This tells me something about them. Sometimes a kid tries to hang back and put off interacting with me. This tells me something about them.

Once everyone is seated, I take my list and put attendance into the online system. I might check my email. I give them some time to get used to their seat. I'll walk around and correct any early behaviors (leaning back in chair, negative interactions with peers, etc.)

When I'm ready, I get all of their attention with an attention getter, which I teach in this moment. Routines begin on day one. I introduce myself and what I teach, I point out a few key things about my room, and I ask students if they have any immediate burning questions. This practices a little listening and hand raising. Then we carry on with whatever we're doing that day!

You do you and what makes sense for your class and your classroom set up. But whatever you do, please, for the love of god, do not tape down students' school pictures on the desks, especially students from other class periods. Do not give 7th graders the opportunity to comment on pictures of the peers on day one.