diff --git a/src/server/api/auth.py b/src/server/api/auth.py
index 7e3a135..7fa0df5 100644
--- a/src/server/api/auth.py
+++ b/src/server/api/auth.py
@@ -66,6 +66,29 @@ async def setup_auth(req: SetupRequest):
         # Save the config with the password hash and anime directory
         config_service.save_config(config, create_backup=False)
         
+        # Sync series from data files to database if anime directory is set
+        if anime_directory:
+            try:
+                from src.server.services.anime_service import (
+                    sync_series_from_data_files,
+                )
+                import structlog
+                logger = structlog.get_logger(__name__)
+                sync_count = await sync_series_from_data_files(
+                    anime_directory, logger
+                )
+                logger.info(
+                    "Setup complete: synced series from data files",
+                    count=sync_count
+                )
+            except Exception as e:
+                # Log but don't fail setup if sync fails
+                import structlog
+                structlog.get_logger(__name__).warning(
+                    "Failed to sync series after setup",
+                    error=str(e)
+                )
+        
         return {"status": "ok"}
         
     except ValueError as e:
diff --git a/src/server/api/config.py b/src/server/api/config.py
index 740c193..214ce4e 100644
--- a/src/server/api/config.py
+++ b/src/server/api/config.py
@@ -239,8 +239,31 @@ async def update_directory(
 
         config_service.save_config(app_config)
         
+        # Sync series from data files to database
+        sync_count = 0
+        try:
+            from src.server.services.anime_service import (
+                sync_series_from_data_files,
+            )
+            import structlog
+            logger = structlog.get_logger(__name__)
+            sync_count = await sync_series_from_data_files(directory, logger)
+            logger.info(
+                "Directory updated: synced series from data files",
+                directory=directory,
+                count=sync_count
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
+            # Log but don't fail the directory update if sync fails
+            import structlog
+            structlog.get_logger(__name__).warning(
+                "Failed to sync series after directory update",
+                error=str(e)
+            )
+        
         response: Dict[str, Any] = {
-            "message": "Anime directory updated successfully"
+            "message": "Anime directory updated successfully",
+            "synced_series": sync_count
         }
         
         return response