diff --git a/internal/database/database.go b/internal/database/database.go
index 1152aef..0fd7b49 100644
--- a/internal/database/database.go
+++ b/internal/database/database.go
@@ -36,26 +36,17 @@ type DB struct {
 }
 
 // New creates a new database connection at the specified path.
-// It automatically handles database recovery, creates the schema if needed,
-// and configures SQLite with appropriate settings for performance and reliability.
-// The database uses WAL mode for better concurrency and sets a busy timeout
-// to handle concurrent access gracefully.
-//
-// If the database appears locked, it will attempt recovery by removing stale
-// lock files and switching temporarily to TRUNCATE journal mode.
-//
-// New creates a new database connection at the specified path.
-// It automatically handles recovery from stale locks, creates the schema if needed,
-// and configures SQLite with WAL mode for better concurrency.
+// It creates the schema if needed and configures SQLite with WAL mode for
+// better concurrency. SQLite handles crash recovery automatically when
+// opening a database with journal/WAL files present.
 // The path parameter can be a file path for persistent storage or ":memory:"
 // for an in-memory database (useful for testing).
 func New(ctx context.Context, path string) (*DB, error) {
 	log.Debug("Opening database connection", "path", path)
 
-	// First, try to recover from any stale locks
-	if err := recoverDatabase(ctx, path); err != nil {
-		log.Warn("Failed to recover database", "error", err)
-	}
+	// Note: We do NOT delete journal/WAL files before opening.
+	// SQLite handles crash recovery automatically when the database is opened.
+	// Deleting these files would corrupt the database after an unclean shutdown.
 
 	// First attempt with standard WAL mode
 	log.Debug("Attempting to open database with WAL mode", "path", path)
@@ -156,62 +147,6 @@ func (db *DB) Close() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// recoverDatabase attempts to recover a locked database
-func recoverDatabase(ctx context.Context, path string) error {
-	// Check if database file exists
-	if _, err := os.Stat(path); os.IsNotExist(err) {
-		// No database file, nothing to recover
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	// Remove stale lock files
-	// SQLite creates -wal and -shm files for WAL mode
-	walPath := path + "-wal"
-	shmPath := path + "-shm"
-	journalPath := path + "-journal"
-
-	log.Info("Attempting database recovery", "path", path)
-
-	// Always remove lock files on startup to ensure clean state
-	removed := false
-
-	// Check for and remove journal file (from non-WAL mode)
-	if _, err := os.Stat(journalPath); err == nil {
-		log.Info("Found journal file, removing", "path", journalPath)
-		if err := os.Remove(journalPath); err != nil {
-			log.Warn("Failed to remove journal file", "error", err)
-		} else {
-			removed = true
-		}
-	}
-
-	// Remove WAL file
-	if _, err := os.Stat(walPath); err == nil {
-		log.Info("Found WAL file, removing", "path", walPath)
-		if err := os.Remove(walPath); err != nil {
-			log.Warn("Failed to remove WAL file", "error", err)
-		} else {
-			removed = true
-		}
-	}
-
-	// Remove SHM file
-	if _, err := os.Stat(shmPath); err == nil {
-		log.Info("Found shared memory file, removing", "path", shmPath)
-		if err := os.Remove(shmPath); err != nil {
-			log.Warn("Failed to remove shared memory file", "error", err)
-		} else {
-			removed = true
-		}
-	}
-
-	if removed {
-		log.Info("Database lock files removed")
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
 // Conn returns the underlying *sql.DB connection.
 // This should be used sparingly and primarily for read operations.
 // For write operations, prefer using the ExecWithLog method.