diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b39dac8..da316b6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -159,11 +159,12 @@ On first startup, the application performs a one-time sync of series from data f
 
 1. FastAPI lifespan starts
 2. Database is initialized
-3. `sync_series_from_data_files()` reads all data files from the anime directory
+3. `sync_series_from_data_files()` reads all data files from the anime directory (creates temporary SeriesApp)
 4. Series metadata is synced to the database
-5. `SeriesApp` loads series from database (not from files)
+5. DownloadService initializes (triggers main `SeriesApp` creation)
+6. `SeriesApp` loads series from database via service layer (not from files)
 
-On subsequent startups, `SeriesApp` initializes with an empty series list (`skip_load=True`). Series are loaded from the database by the service layer as needed, avoiding redundant file system scans.
+On subsequent startups, the same flow applies but the sync finds no new series. `SeriesApp` always initializes with an empty series list (`skip_load=True`) and loads data from the database on demand, avoiding redundant file system scans.
 
 ### Adding New Series
 
diff --git a/src/server/fastapi_app.py b/src/server/fastapi_app.py
index a7a44ec..808ce48 100644
--- a/src/server/fastapi_app.py
+++ b/src/server/fastapi_app.py
@@ -128,36 +128,36 @@ async def lifespan(_application: FastAPI):
         # Subscribe to progress events
         progress_service.subscribe("progress_updated", progress_event_handler)
 
-        # Initialize download service and restore queue from database
-        # Only if anime directory is configured
+        # Sync series from data files to database FIRST (one-time setup)
+        # This must happen before SeriesApp initialization
         try:
-            from src.server.utils.dependencies import get_download_service
-            
             logger.info(
                 "Checking anime_directory setting: '%s'",
                 settings.anime_directory
             )
             
             if settings.anime_directory:
-                download_service = get_download_service()
-                await download_service.initialize()
-                logger.info("Download service initialized and queue restored")
-                
-                # Sync series from data files to database
+                # Sync series from data files to database (one-time setup)
                 sync_count = await sync_series_from_data_files(
                     settings.anime_directory
                 )
                 logger.info(
                     "Data file sync complete. Added %d series.", sync_count
                 )
+                
+                # Now initialize download service (will use data from database)
+                from src.server.utils.dependencies import get_download_service
+                download_service = get_download_service()
+                await download_service.initialize()
+                logger.info("Download service initialized and queue restored")
             else:
                 logger.info(
                     "Download service initialization skipped - "
                     "anime directory not configured"
                 )
         except (OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError) as e:
-            logger.warning("Failed to initialize download service: %s", e)
-            # Continue startup - download service can be initialized later
+            logger.warning("Failed to initialize services: %s", e)
+            # Continue startup - services can be initialized later
 
         logger.info("FastAPI application started successfully")
         logger.info("Server running on http://127.0.0.1:8000")