diff --git a/api/internal/db/applications.go b/api/internal/db/applications.go
index 603bcbbc..2e27666e 100644
--- a/api/internal/db/applications.go
+++ b/api/internal/db/applications.go
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ func (a *ApplicationDB) GetApplication(ctx context.Context, appID string) (*mode
 			COALESCE(ct.name, '') as template_name, COALESCE(ct.display_name, ia.display_name) as template_display_name,
 			COALESCE(ct.description, '') as description, COALESCE(ct.category, '') as category,
 			COALESCE(ct.app_type, '') as app_type, COALESCE(ct.icon_url, '') as icon_url,
-			COALESCE(ct.manifest, '') as manifest,
+			COALESCE(ct.manifest::text, '{}') as manifest,
 			COALESCE(ia.install_status, '') as install_status,
 			COALESCE(ia.install_message, '') as install_message
 		FROM installed_applications ia
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/api.ts b/ui/src/lib/api.ts
index f8bda7c9..821301f8 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/api.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/api.ts
@@ -1151,7 +1151,7 @@ class APIClient {
   // ============================================================================
 
   async listApplications(enabledOnly?: boolean): Promise<{ applications: InstalledApplication[]; total: number }> {
-    const params: Record<string, string> = {};
+    const params: Record<string, string> = { _t: Date.now().toString() }; // Cache bust
     if (enabledOnly) params.enabled = 'true';
     const response = await this.client.get<{ applications: InstalledApplication[]; total: number }>('/applications', { params });
     return response.data;
diff --git a/ui/src/pages/Applications.tsx b/ui/src/pages/Applications.tsx
index 7ad371c0..130a2a55 100644
--- a/ui/src/pages/Applications.tsx
+++ b/ui/src/pages/Applications.tsx
@@ -191,6 +191,8 @@ function ApplicationsContent() {
 
     try {
       await api.deleteApplication(selectedApp.id);
+      // Optimistically remove from state immediately for instant UI feedback
+      setApplications(prev => prev.filter(app => app.id !== selectedApp.id));
       addNotification({
         message: 'Application deleted successfully',
         severity: 'success',
@@ -198,6 +200,7 @@ function ApplicationsContent() {
       });
       setDeleteDialogOpen(false);
       setSelectedApp(null);
+      // Still refresh to ensure consistency with server
       await loadApplications();
     } catch (error) {
       console.error('Failed to delete application:', error);