diff --git a/ai_software_factory/dashboard_ui.py b/ai_software_factory/dashboard_ui.py
index 3d9617f..6bc46a2 100644
--- a/ai_software_factory/dashboard_ui.py
+++ b/ai_software_factory/dashboard_ui.py
@@ -20,17 +20,23 @@ def create_dashboard():
         return
     
     try:
-        # Fetch current project
-        current_project = db_session.query(ProjectHistory).order_by(ProjectHistory.created_at.desc()).first()
-        
-        # Fetch recent audit trail entries
-        recent_audits = db_session.query(AuditTrail).order_by(AuditTrail.created_at.desc()).limit(10).all()
-        
-        # Fetch recent project history entries
-        recent_projects = db_session.query(ProjectHistory).order_by(ProjectHistory.created_at.desc()).limit(5).all()
-        
-        # Fetch recent system logs
-        recent_logs = db_session.query(SystemLog).order_by(SystemLog.created_at.desc()).limit(5).all()
+        # Wrap database queries to handle missing tables gracefully
+        try:
+            # Fetch current project
+            current_project = db_session.query(ProjectHistory).order_by(ProjectHistory.created_at.desc()).first()
+            
+            # Fetch recent audit trail entries
+            recent_audits = db_session.query(AuditTrail).order_by(AuditTrail.created_at.desc()).limit(10).all()
+            
+            # Fetch recent project history entries
+            recent_projects = db_session.query(ProjectHistory).order_by(ProjectHistory.created_at.desc()).limit(5).all()
+            
+            # Fetch recent system logs
+            recent_logs = db_session.query(SystemLog).order_by(SystemLog.created_at.desc()).limit(5).all()
+        except Exception as e:
+            # Handle missing tables or other database errors
+            ui.label(f'Database error: {str(e)}. Please run POST /init-db or ensure the database is initialized.')
+            return
         
         # Create main card
         with ui.card().col().classes('w-full max-w-6xl mx-auto').props('elevated').style('max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto;') as main_card:
diff --git a/ai_software_factory/main.py b/ai_software_factory/main.py
index f476b3c..4acd7d3 100644
--- a/ai_software_factory/main.py
+++ b/ai_software_factory/main.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ The NiceGUI frontend provides:
 
 import frontend
 from fastapi import FastAPI
+from database import init_db
 
 app = FastAPI()
 
@@ -23,6 +24,13 @@ def read_root():
     return {'Hello': 'World'}
 
 
+@app.post('/init-db')
+def initialize_database():
+    """Initialize database tables (POST endpoint for NiceGUI to call before dashboard)."""
+    init_db()
+    return {'message': 'Database initialized successfully'}
+
+
 frontend.init(app)
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':