diff --git a/internal/database/database.go b/internal/database/database.go
index 62b2ee4..ddc01ed 100644
--- a/internal/database/database.go
+++ b/internal/database/database.go
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ func (s *Database) connect(ctx context.Context) error {
 	s.db = db
 	s.log.Info("database connected")
 
-	return s.runMigrations(ctx)
+	return ApplyMigrations(ctx, s.db, s.log)
 }
 
 // collectMigrations reads the embedded schema directory and returns
@@ -159,9 +159,11 @@ func ensureMigrationsTable(ctx context.Context, db *sql.DB) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// applyMigrations applies all pending migrations to db, using log for
-// informational output (may be nil for silent operation).
-func applyMigrations(ctx context.Context, db *sql.DB, log *slog.Logger) error {
+// ApplyMigrations applies all pending migrations to db. An optional logger
+// may be provided for informational output; pass nil for silent operation.
+// This is exported so tests can apply the real schema without the full fx
+// lifecycle.
+func ApplyMigrations(ctx context.Context, db *sql.DB, log *slog.Logger) error {
 	if err := ensureMigrationsTable(ctx, db); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -228,18 +230,7 @@ func applyMigrations(ctx context.Context, db *sql.DB, log *slog.Logger) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *Database) runMigrations(ctx context.Context) error {
-	return applyMigrations(ctx, s.db, s.log)
-}
-
 // DB returns the underlying sql.DB.
 func (s *Database) DB() *sql.DB {
 	return s.db
 }
-
-// ApplyMigrations applies all migrations to the given database.
-// This is useful for testing where you want to use the real schema
-// without the full fx lifecycle.
-func ApplyMigrations(db *sql.DB) error {
-	return applyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil)
-}
diff --git a/internal/database/database_test.go b/internal/database/database_test.go
index ab893ea..9c2fc2c 100644
--- a/internal/database/database_test.go
+++ b/internal/database/database_test.go
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func TestApplyMigrations(t *testing.T) {
 	defer db.Close()
 
 	// Apply migrations should succeed.
-	if err := ApplyMigrations(db); err != nil {
+	if err := ApplyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("ApplyMigrations failed: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@ func TestApplyMigrationsIdempotent(t *testing.T) {
 	defer db.Close()
 
 	// Apply twice should succeed (idempotent).
-	if err := ApplyMigrations(db); err != nil {
+	if err := ApplyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("first ApplyMigrations failed: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	if err := ApplyMigrations(db); err != nil {
+	if err := ApplyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("second ApplyMigrations failed: %v", err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/handlers/handlers_test.go b/internal/handlers/handlers_test.go
index 550dff3..63861de 100644
--- a/internal/handlers/handlers_test.go
+++ b/internal/handlers/handlers_test.go
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ func setupTestDB(t *testing.T) *sql.DB {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to open test db: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	if err := database.ApplyMigrations(db); err != nil {
+	if err := database.ApplyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to apply migrations: %v", err)
 	}
 
diff --git a/internal/imgcache/stats_test.go b/internal/imgcache/stats_test.go
index 5b36a3d..940b7cc 100644
--- a/internal/imgcache/stats_test.go
+++ b/internal/imgcache/stats_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ func setupStatsTestDB(t *testing.T) *sql.DB {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if err := database.ApplyMigrations(db); err != nil {
+	if err := database.ApplyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(func() { db.Close() })
diff --git a/internal/imgcache/testutil_test.go b/internal/imgcache/testutil_test.go
index b07e98b..3b85ece 100644
--- a/internal/imgcache/testutil_test.go
+++ b/internal/imgcache/testutil_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package imgcache
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"database/sql"
 	"image"
 	"image/color"
@@ -193,7 +194,7 @@ func setupServiceTestDB(t *testing.T) *sql.DB {
 	}
 
 	// Use the real production schema via migrations
-	if err := database.ApplyMigrations(db); err != nil {
+	if err := database.ApplyMigrations(context.Background(), db, nil); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to apply migrations: %v", err)
 	}