diff --git a/dashcaddy-api/VERSION b/dashcaddy-api/VERSION
index 8ee696e..3395ff3 100644
--- a/dashcaddy-api/VERSION
+++ b/dashcaddy-api/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-c64bbe2
+db14233
diff --git a/dashcaddy-api/server.js b/dashcaddy-api/server.js
index 421b6e5..3c16518 100644
--- a/dashcaddy-api/server.js
+++ b/dashcaddy-api/server.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * Minimal startup script - all logic moved to src/
  */
 const { createApp } = require('./src/app');
+const { fetchT } = require('./src/utils/http');
 const platformPaths = require('./platform-paths');
 
 // Unhandled error handlers
@@ -66,6 +67,10 @@ process.on('uncaughtException', (error) => {
       const selfUpdater = require('./self-updater');
       const portLockManager = require('./port-lock-manager');
 
+      // Create servicesStateManager early — needed by workflow engine init
+      const StateManager = require('./state-manager');
+      const servicesStateManager = new StateManager(SERVICES_FILE);
+
       // Optional modules
       let dockerMaintenance, logDigest, bundledWorkflows;
       try { dockerMaintenance = require('./docker-maintenance'); } catch { /* optional */ }
@@ -80,7 +85,7 @@ process.on('uncaughtException', (error) => {
           // Create a context with needed services
           const workflowCtx = {
             docker: { client: require('dockerode')() },
-            notification: require('./notification-manager')({ 
+            notification: new (require('./notification-manager'))({
               NOTIFICATIONS_FILE: process.env.NOTIFICATIONS_FILE || require('./platform-paths').notificationsFile,
               fetchT,
               log,
@@ -133,9 +138,7 @@ process.on('uncaughtException', (error) => {
       (async () => {
         try {
           const { syncHealthCheckerServices } = require('./startup-validator');
-          const StateManager = require('./state-manager');
-          const servicesStateManager = new StateManager(SERVICES_FILE);
-          
+
           await syncHealthCheckerServices({
             log,
             SERVICES_FILE,