diff --git a/frontend/App.tsx b/frontend/App.tsx
index 2afe4960..74911d8b 100644
--- a/frontend/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/App.tsx
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import { PythonSetup } from './components/PythonSetup'
 import { SettingsModal, type SettingsTabId } from './components/SettingsModal'
 import { LogViewer } from './components/LogViewer'
 import { ApiGatewayModal, type ApiGatewaySection } from './components/ApiGatewayModal'
+import { ErrorBoundary } from './components/ErrorBoundary'
 import { Button } from './components/ui/button'
 
 type SetupState = 'loading' | { needsSetup: boolean; needsLicense: boolean }
@@ -545,13 +546,15 @@ function AppContent() {
 
 export default function App() {
   return (
-    <ProjectProvider>
-      <KeyboardShortcutsProvider>
-        <AppSettingsProvider>
-          <AppContent />
-          <KeyboardShortcutsModal />
-        </AppSettingsProvider>
-      </KeyboardShortcutsProvider>
-    </ProjectProvider>
+    <ErrorBoundary fallbackTitle="App error">
+      <ProjectProvider>
+        <KeyboardShortcutsProvider>
+          <AppSettingsProvider>
+            <AppContent />
+            <KeyboardShortcutsModal />
+          </AppSettingsProvider>
+        </KeyboardShortcutsProvider>
+      </ProjectProvider>
+    </ErrorBoundary>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/components/ErrorBoundary.tsx b/frontend/components/ErrorBoundary.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5810db59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/components/ErrorBoundary.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import { Component, type ErrorInfo, type ReactNode } from 'react'
+import { AlertCircle } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Button } from './ui/button'
+
+interface Props {
+  children: ReactNode
+  /** Optional label for the fallback (e.g. "Something went wrong") */
+  fallbackTitle?: string
+}
+
+interface State {
+  error: Error | null
+  errorInfo: ErrorInfo | null
+}
+
+/**
+ * Catches React render errors and shows the message (and stack) on screen
+ * so we're not blind when the app crashes (e.g. without DevTools).
+ */
+export class ErrorBoundary extends Component<Props, State> {
+  state: State = { error: null, errorInfo: null }
+
+  static getDerivedStateFromError(error: Error): Partial<State> {
+    return { error }
+  }
+
+  componentDidCatch(error: Error, errorInfo: ErrorInfo): void {
+    this.setState({ errorInfo })
+    if (typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.electronAPI?.sendRendererLog) {
+      window.electronAPI.sendRendererLog('error', '[ErrorBoundary]', error?.message, error?.stack, errorInfo.componentStack)
+    }
+  }
+
+  render(): ReactNode {
+    const { error, errorInfo } = this.state
+    if (!error) return this.props.children
+
+    const title = this.props.fallbackTitle ?? 'Something went wrong'
+    const message = error.message ?? String(error)
+    const stack = error.stack ?? ''
+    const componentStack = errorInfo?.componentStack ?? ''
+
+    return (
+      <div className="fixed inset-0 z-[100] flex items-center justify-center bg-zinc-950 p-4">
+        <div className="w-full max-w-2xl max-h-[90vh] overflow-auto rounded-xl border border-red-900/50 bg-zinc-900 p-5 text-zinc-100 shadow-xl">
+          <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
+            <AlertCircle className="h-6 w-6 shrink-0 text-red-400" />
+            <div className="min-w-0 flex-1">
+              <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold text-red-300">{title}</h2>
+              <p className="mt-2 font-mono text-sm text-zinc-300 break-words">{message}</p>
+              {stack && (
+                <pre className="mt-3 overflow-x-auto rounded bg-zinc-800 p-3 text-xs text-zinc-400 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">
+                  {stack}
+                </pre>
+              )}
+              {componentStack && (
+                <details className="mt-2">
+                  <summary className="cursor-pointer text-xs text-zinc-500 hover:text-zinc-400">Component stack</summary>
+                  <pre className="mt-1 overflow-x-auto rounded bg-zinc-800 p-2 text-xs text-zinc-500 whitespace-pre-wrap">
+                    {componentStack}
+                  </pre>
+                </details>
+              )}
+              <div className="mt-4 flex gap-2">
+                <Button
+                  variant="outline"
+                  size="sm"
+                  onClick={() => this.setState({ error: null, errorInfo: null })}
+                >
+                  Dismiss
+                </Button>
+                <Button
+                  variant="outline"
+                  size="sm"
+                  onClick={() => window.location.reload()}
+                >
+                  Reload app
+                </Button>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    )
+  }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/views/Characters.tsx b/frontend/views/Characters.tsx
index 60036b59..4292e0c0 100644
--- a/frontend/views/Characters.tsx
+++ b/frontend/views/Characters.tsx
@@ -5,15 +5,26 @@ import { LtxLogo } from '../components/LtxLogo'
 import { Button } from '../components/ui/button'
 import { logger } from '../lib/logger'
 
+/** Matches API: reference_image_paths are filesystem paths; we convert to file:// for <img src> */
 interface Character {
   id: string
   name: string
   role: string
   description: string
-  reference_images: string[]
+  reference_image_paths: string[]
   created_at: string
 }
 
+function pathToFileUrl(filePath: string): string {
+  const normalized = filePath.replace(/\\/g, '/')
+  return normalized.startsWith('/') ? `file://${normalized}` : `file:///${normalized}`
+}
+
+function safeImagePaths(raw: unknown): string[] {
+  if (!Array.isArray(raw)) return []
+  return raw.filter((x): x is string => typeof x === 'string' && x.length > 0)
+}
+
 export function Characters() {
   const { goHome } = useProjects()
   const [characters, setCharacters] = useState<Character[]>([])
@@ -34,8 +45,20 @@ export function Characters() {
       const backendUrl = await window.electronAPI.getBackendUrl()
       const res = await fetch(`${backendUrl}/api/library/characters`)
       if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Failed to fetch characters: ${res.status}`)
-      const data = (await res.json()) as { characters: Character[] }
-      setCharacters(data.characters ?? [])
+      const data = (await res.json()) as { characters: unknown[] }
+      setCharacters(
+        (data.characters ?? []).map((c: unknown) => {
+          const row = c as Record<string, unknown>
+          return {
+            id: String(row.id ?? ''),
+            name: String(row.name ?? ''),
+            role: String(row.role ?? ''),
+            description: String(row.description ?? ''),
+            reference_image_paths: safeImagePaths(row.reference_image_paths ?? row.reference_images ?? []),
+            created_at: String(row.created_at ?? ''),
+          }
+        })
+      )
     } catch (e) {
       const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to load characters'
       logger.error(msg)
@@ -63,7 +86,7 @@ export function Characters() {
     setFormName(char.name)
     setFormRole(char.role)
     setFormDescription(char.description)
-    setFormImages([...char.reference_images])
+    setFormImages([...char.reference_image_paths])
     setIsModalOpen(true)
   }
 
@@ -76,7 +99,7 @@ export function Characters() {
         name: formName.trim(),
         role: formRole.trim(),
         description: formDescription.trim(),
-        reference_images: formImages,
+        reference_image_paths: formImages,
       }
       if (editingCharacter) {
         const res = await fetch(`${backendUrl}/api/library/characters/${editingCharacter.id}`, {
@@ -182,14 +205,14 @@ export function Characters() {
                 key={char.id}
                 className="group bg-zinc-900 rounded-lg border border-zinc-800 hover:border-zinc-600 transition-all overflow-hidden"
               >
-                {/* Reference images */}
+                {/* Reference images (paths → file:// for renderer) */}
                 <div className="aspect-video bg-zinc-800 flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden">
-                  {char.reference_images.length > 0 ? (
+                  {char.reference_image_paths.length > 0 ? (
                     <div className="grid grid-cols-2 w-full h-full">
-                      {char.reference_images.slice(0, 4).map((img, i) => (
+                      {char.reference_image_paths.slice(0, 4).map((path, i) => (
                         <img
                           key={i}
-                          src={img}
+                          src={pathToFileUrl(path)}
                           alt={`${char.name} ref ${i + 1}`}
                           className="w-full h-full object-cover"
                         />
@@ -283,9 +306,9 @@ export function Characters() {
               <div>
                 <label className="text-xs text-zinc-500 uppercase tracking-wider font-semibold mb-1.5 block">Reference Images</label>
                 <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2 mb-2">
-                  {formImages.map((img, i) => (
+                  {formImages.map((path, i) => (
                     <div key={i} className="relative w-16 h-16 rounded-lg overflow-hidden border border-zinc-700">
-                      <img src={img} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
+                      <img src={pathToFileUrl(path)} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
                       <button
                         onClick={() => setFormImages(prev => prev.filter((_, idx) => idx !== i))}
                         className="absolute top-0.5 right-0.5 bg-black/70 rounded p-0.5"
diff --git a/frontend/views/References.tsx b/frontend/views/References.tsx
index e772d069..dcd443fa 100644
--- a/frontend/views/References.tsx
+++ b/frontend/views/References.tsx
@@ -7,14 +7,21 @@ import { logger } from '../lib/logger'
 
 type Category = 'all' | 'people' | 'places' | 'props' | 'other'
 
+/** API uses image_path (filesystem path); we convert to file:// for <img src>. */
 interface Reference {
   id: string
   name: string
   category: Exclude<Category, 'all'>
-  image_url: string
+  image_path: string
   created_at: string
 }
 
+function pathToFileUrl(filePath: string): string {
+  if (!filePath || typeof filePath !== 'string') return ''
+  const normalized = filePath.replace(/\\/g, '/')
+  return normalized.startsWith('/') ? `file://${normalized}` : `file:///${normalized}`
+}
+
 export function References() {
   const { goHome } = useProjects()
   const [references, setReferences] = useState<Reference[]>([])
@@ -35,8 +42,19 @@ export function References() {
       const query = category !== 'all' ? `?category=${category}` : ''
       const res = await fetch(`${backendUrl}/api/library/references${query}`)
       if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Failed to fetch references: ${res.status}`)
-      const data = (await res.json()) as { references: Reference[] }
-      setReferences(data.references ?? [])
+      const data = (await res.json()) as { references: unknown[] }
+      setReferences(
+        (data.references ?? []).map((r: unknown) => {
+          const row = r as Record<string, unknown>
+          return {
+            id: String(row.id ?? ''),
+            name: String(row.name ?? ''),
+            category: (typeof row.category === 'string' ? row.category : 'other') as Exclude<Category, 'all'>,
+            image_path: String(row.image_path ?? row.image_url ?? ''),
+            created_at: String(row.created_at ?? ''),
+          }
+        })
+      )
     } catch (e) {
       const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to load references'
       logger.error(msg)
@@ -68,7 +86,7 @@ export function References() {
         body: JSON.stringify({
           name: formName.trim(),
           category: formCategory,
-          image_url: formImage,
+          image_path: formImage,
         }),
       })
       if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Create failed: ${res.status}`)
@@ -195,11 +213,15 @@ export function References() {
                 className="group relative bg-zinc-900 rounded-lg border border-zinc-800 hover:border-zinc-600 transition-all overflow-hidden"
               >
                 <div className="aspect-square bg-zinc-800 flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden">
-                  <img
-                    src={ref.image_url}
-                    alt={ref.name}
-                    className="w-full h-full object-cover"
-                  />
+                  {ref.image_path ? (
+                    <img
+                      src={pathToFileUrl(ref.image_path)}
+                      alt={ref.name}
+                      className="w-full h-full object-cover"
+                    />
+                  ) : (
+                    <ImageIcon className="h-12 w-12 text-zinc-600" />
+                  )}
                 </div>
 
                 <div className="p-2.5">
@@ -268,7 +290,7 @@ export function References() {
                 <label className="text-xs text-zinc-500 uppercase tracking-wider font-semibold mb-1.5 block">Image</label>
                 {formImage ? (
                   <div className="relative w-full aspect-video rounded-lg overflow-hidden border border-zinc-700 mb-2">
-                    <img src={formImage} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
+                    <img src={pathToFileUrl(formImage)} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
                     <button
                       onClick={() => setFormImage('')}
                       className="absolute top-2 right-2 bg-black/70 rounded p-1"
diff --git a/frontend/views/Styles.tsx b/frontend/views/Styles.tsx
index e59afc67..03b2ae20 100644
--- a/frontend/views/Styles.tsx
+++ b/frontend/views/Styles.tsx
@@ -5,14 +5,21 @@ import { LtxLogo } from '../components/LtxLogo'
 import { Button } from '../components/ui/button'
 import { logger } from '../lib/logger'
 
+/** API uses reference_image_path (filesystem path); we convert to file:// for <img src>. */
 interface Style {
   id: string
   name: string
   description: string
-  reference_image?: string
+  reference_image_path: string
   created_at: string
 }
 
+function pathToFileUrl(filePath: string): string {
+  if (!filePath || typeof filePath !== 'string') return ''
+  const normalized = filePath.replace(/\\/g, '/')
+  return normalized.startsWith('/') ? `file://${normalized}` : `file:///${normalized}`
+}
+
 export function Styles() {
   const { goHome } = useProjects()
   const [styles, setStyles] = useState<Style[]>([])
@@ -32,8 +39,19 @@ export function Styles() {
       const backendUrl = await window.electronAPI.getBackendUrl()
       const res = await fetch(`${backendUrl}/api/library/styles`)
       if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Failed to fetch styles: ${res.status}`)
-      const data = (await res.json()) as { styles: Style[] }
-      setStyles(data.styles ?? [])
+      const data = (await res.json()) as { styles: unknown[] }
+      setStyles(
+        (data.styles ?? []).map((s: unknown) => {
+          const row = s as Record<string, unknown>
+          return {
+            id: String(row.id ?? ''),
+            name: String(row.name ?? ''),
+            description: String(row.description ?? ''),
+            reference_image_path: String(row.reference_image_path ?? row.reference_image ?? ''),
+            created_at: String(row.created_at ?? ''),
+          }
+        })
+      )
     } catch (e) {
       const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'Failed to load styles'
       logger.error(msg)
@@ -59,7 +77,7 @@ export function Styles() {
     setEditingStyle(style)
     setFormName(style.name)
     setFormDescription(style.description)
-    setFormImage(style.reference_image ?? '')
+    setFormImage(style.reference_image_path ?? '')
     setIsModalOpen(true)
   }
 
@@ -71,7 +89,7 @@ export function Styles() {
       const body = {
         name: formName.trim(),
         description: formDescription.trim(),
-        reference_image: formImage || undefined,
+        reference_image_path: formImage || '',
       }
       if (editingStyle) {
         const res = await fetch(`${backendUrl}/api/library/styles/${editingStyle.id}`, {
@@ -178,9 +196,9 @@ export function Styles() {
                 className="group bg-zinc-900 rounded-lg border border-zinc-800 hover:border-zinc-600 transition-all overflow-hidden"
               >
                 <div className="aspect-video bg-zinc-800 flex items-center justify-center overflow-hidden">
-                  {style.reference_image ? (
+                  {style.reference_image_path ? (
                     <img
-                      src={style.reference_image}
+                      src={pathToFileUrl(style.reference_image_path)}
                       alt={style.name}
                       className="w-full h-full object-cover"
                     />
@@ -257,7 +275,7 @@ export function Styles() {
                 <label className="text-xs text-zinc-500 uppercase tracking-wider font-semibold mb-1.5 block">Reference Image</label>
                 {formImage ? (
                   <div className="relative w-full aspect-video rounded-lg overflow-hidden border border-zinc-700 mb-2">
-                    <img src={formImage} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
+                    <img src={pathToFileUrl(formImage)} alt="" className="w-full h-full object-cover" />
                     <button
                       onClick={() => setFormImage('')}
                       className="absolute top-2 right-2 bg-black/70 rounded p-1"