diff --git a/engine.py b/engine.py
index 03ed9b8..eb90d85 100644
--- a/engine.py
+++ b/engine.py
@@ -18,11 +18,15 @@ class SorterEngine:
     @contextmanager
     def get_connection():
         """Context manager for efficient DB connections with WAL mode."""
+        # Ensure directory exists
+        db_dir = os.path.dirname(SorterEngine.DB_PATH)
+        if db_dir and not os.path.exists(db_dir):
+            os.makedirs(db_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        
         conn = sqlite3.connect(SorterEngine.DB_PATH, check_same_thread=False)
         conn.execute("PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL")  # Write-Ahead Logging for speed
         conn.execute("PRAGMA synchronous=NORMAL")  # Faster writes
         conn.execute("PRAGMA cache_size=2000")  # ~2MB cache
-        conn.row_factory = sqlite3.Row  # Efficient row access
         try:
             yield conn
         finally: