diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
index a232f7c..a8c01bb 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
@@ -140,13 +140,13 @@ jobs:
 
           # Ensure the release exists (idempotent — both jobs may call this).
           REL_ID=$(curl -fsS -H "$AUTH" "${API}/releases/tags/${TAG}" \
-            | python3 -c "import sys,json;print(json.load(sys.stdin).get('id',''))" 2>/dev/null || true)
+            | grep -o '"id":[0-9]*' | head -1 | cut -d: -f2 || true)
           if [ -z "$REL_ID" ]; then
             BODY="Gridline ${TAG#v} — Linux and Windows installers."
             REL_ID=$(curl -fsS -X POST -H "$AUTH" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
               -d "{\"tag_name\":\"${TAG}\",\"name\":\"Gridline ${TAG#v}\",\"body\":\"${BODY}\",\"draft\":true}" \
               "${API}/releases" \
-              | python3 -c "import sys,json;print(json.load(sys.stdin)['id'])")
+              | grep -o '"id":[0-9]*' | head -1 | cut -d: -f2)
           fi
 
           BUNDLE="${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/desktop/src-tauri/target/release/bundle"
@@ -189,7 +189,13 @@ jobs:
           OUT="${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/desktop/src-tauri/resources/pg_tools"
           mkdir -p "$OUT"
           URL="https://get.enterprisedb.com/postgresql/postgresql-${PG_VER}-1-windows-x64-binaries.zip"
-          curl -fsSL "$URL" -o /tmp/pg.zip
+          CACHE="/c/ci/cache/postgresql-${PG_VER}-1-windows-x64-binaries.zip"
+          if [ -f "$CACHE" ]; then
+            echo "Using cached PG zip: $CACHE"
+            cp "$CACHE" /tmp/pg.zip
+          else
+            curl -fsSL "$URL" -o /tmp/pg.zip
+          fi
           EXPECTED="3508d8f085bc3980f38211a82e3f31e5fcae9952105d3dc2f8be67b64a822baa"
           echo "$EXPECTED  /tmp/pg.zip" | sha256sum -c -
           sha256sum /tmp/pg.zip
@@ -205,16 +211,34 @@ jobs:
           OUT="${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/desktop/src-tauri/resources/mysql_tools"
           mkdir -p "$OUT"
           URL="https://archive.mariadb.org/mariadb-${MARIADB_VER}/winx64-packages/mariadb-${MARIADB_VER}-winx64.zip"
-          curl -fsSL "$URL" -o /tmp/mariadb.zip
+          CACHE="/c/ci/cache/mariadb-${MARIADB_VER}-winx64.zip"
+          if [ -f "$CACHE" ]; then
+            echo "Using cached MariaDB zip: $CACHE"
+            cp "$CACHE" /tmp/mariadb.zip
+          else
+            curl -fsSL "$URL" -o /tmp/mariadb.zip
+          fi
           sha256sum /tmp/mariadb.zip
           unzip -o /tmp/mariadb.zip -d /tmp/mariadb
           WINROOT="/tmp/mariadb/mariadb-${MARIADB_VER}-winx64"
           cp "$WINROOT"/bin/mariadb-dump.exe "$WINROOT"/bin/mariadb.exe "$OUT"/
           cp "$WINROOT"/lib/libmariadb.dll "$OUT"/
 
+      # rustc resolves `link.exe` via PATH for the windows-msvc target, but Git
+      # for Windows ships GNU coreutils with its own `link.exe` that shadows
+      # MSVC's linker (`link: extra operand ...`). Load the MSVC dev
+      # environment so PATH/LIB/INCLUDE point at the real MSVC toolchain.
+      # Fails fast here (instead of at link time) if the toolchain is missing.
+      - name: Set up MSVC build environment
+        uses: ilammy/msvc-dev-cmd@v1
+        with:
+          arch: x64
+
       - name: Build installers
-        shell: bash
-        run: bun run --filter gridline-desktop tauri build
+        shell: cmd
+        run: |
+          call "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\VC\Auxiliary\Build\vcvars64.bat"
+          bun run --filter gridline-desktop tauri build
 
       - name: Create release and upload Windows assets
         shell: bash
@@ -227,13 +251,13 @@ jobs:
           AUTH="Authorization: token ${GITHUB_TOKEN}"
 
           REL_ID=$(curl -fsS -H "$AUTH" "${API}/releases/tags/${TAG}" \
-            | python3 -c "import sys,json;print(json.load(sys.stdin).get('id',''))" 2>/dev/null || true)
+            | grep -o '"id":[0-9]*' | head -1 | cut -d: -f2 || true)
           if [ -z "$REL_ID" ]; then
             BODY="Gridline ${TAG#v} — Linux and Windows installers."
             REL_ID=$(curl -fsS -X POST -H "$AUTH" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
               -d "{\"tag_name\":\"${TAG}\",\"name\":\"Gridline ${TAG#v}\",\"body\":\"${BODY}\",\"draft\":true}" \
               "${API}/releases" \
-              | python3 -c "import sys,json;print(json.load(sys.stdin)['id'])")
+              | grep -o '"id":[0-9]*' | head -1 | cut -d: -f2)
           fi
 
           BUNDLE="${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/desktop/src-tauri/target/release/bundle"
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3c9d8ad..5d0f279 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,16 +30,16 @@
 
 ## Download
 
-Grab the installer for your OS from the [latest release](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/latest) — the links below point at the current release (**v0.7.11**):
+Grab the installer for your OS from the [latest release](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/latest) — the links below point at the current release (**v0.7.12**):
 
 | OS                           | Architecture                 | Download                                                                                                                             |
 | :--------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| **macOS**                    | Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4…) | [Gridline_0.7.11_aarch64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_aarch64.dmg)         |
-| **macOS**                    | Intel                        | [Gridline_0.7.11_x64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_x64.dmg)                 |
-| **Windows**                  | x64                          | [Gridline_0.7.11_x64-setup.exe](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_x64-setup.exe)     |
-| **Debian / Ubuntu**          | amd64                        | [Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.deb](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.deb)             |
-| **Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE** | x86_64                       | [Gridline-0.7.11-1.x86_64.rpm](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline-0.7.11-1.x86_64.rpm)       |
-| **Other Linux**              | amd64                        | [Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.AppImage](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.AppImage)   |
+| **macOS**                    | Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4…) | [Gridline_0.7.12_aarch64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_aarch64.dmg)         |
+| **macOS**                    | Intel                        | [Gridline_0.7.12_x64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_x64.dmg)                 |
+| **Windows**                  | x64                          | [Gridline_0.7.12_x64-setup.exe](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_x64-setup.exe)     |
+| **Debian / Ubuntu**          | amd64                        | [Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.deb](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.deb)             |
+| **Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE** | x86_64                       | [Gridline-0.7.12-1.x86_64.rpm](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline-0.7.12-1.x86_64.rpm)       |
+| **Other Linux**              | amd64                        | [Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.AppImage](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.AppImage)   |
 
 **macOS via Homebrew** (recommended for Mac users):
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ The cask strips the macOS quarantine flag automatically during install, so **no
 > **macOS first launch:** macOS may say *"Gridline is damaged and can't be opened"* or *"the developer cannot be verified"* — this is expected; the app isn't Developer-ID signed/notarized yet. See the [macOS first-launch instructions](#installers-are-unsigned-for-now) (right-click → Open, or the one-time `xattr` fix). Not sure if your Mac is Intel or Apple Silicon? See [Which file should I download?](#which-file-should-i-download) below.
 
 <!--
-  MAINTENANCE: These links are STATIC (versioned) — they point at the v0.7.11
+  MAINTENANCE: These links are STATIC (versioned) — they point at the v0.7.12
   release assets, not at a moving "latest" target. On every new release,
   update BOTH tables here (Download + Which file should I download?) to the
   new version's asset names, which are tauri-action's default naming:
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@ Gridline is built for developers and small teams who manage multiple database en
 <details>
 <summary>View the full changelog</summary>
 
+- **v0.7.12** — **Reliable cell editing for non-text columns**: editing a PostgreSQL cell whose type isn't `text` (integers, booleans, UUIDs, `json`/`jsonb`, timestamps, enums, numerics, …) previously failed with a Rust serialization error; edited values are now sent to PostgreSQL in text wire format so the server parses them into the column's own type. **Recent connections fix**: the Recent strip no longer renders empty on first launch when the connections list hadn't loaded yet. **Full CI release pipeline for Windows**: self-hosted Windows runner builds the `.exe`/`.msi` installers (bundled `pg_dump`/`pg_restore`/`psql` + MariaDB clients) and uploads them to the release alongside Linux; version bump.
+
 - **v0.7.10** — **Copy connection URL**: from a connection card's ⋮ menu, copy the connection string for use in env vars / other tools — **Copy connection URL** (includes the password, fetched from the OS keychain on demand) and **Copy connection URL (no password)** (safe to share). Builds `postgresql://` / `mysql://` / `sqlite://` / `redis://` strings with percent-encoded credentials and the PG `sslmode` appended; version bump.
 
 - **v0.7.9** — **macOS install/launch fixes**: the app's local store now opens under the OS app-data directory (a cwd-relative `gridline.db` made Finder-launched copies silently exit with a Rust panic before the UI started); macOS bundles are **ad-hoc signed at build time** (`signingIdentity "-"`), replacing the Xcode linker-only signature that macOS treated as unsigned ("damaged and can't be opened", silent Finder refusals) — users now get a standard one-time Gatekeeper prompt (see the [install notes](#installers-are-unsigned-for-now), incl. the `xattr` workaround); **OpenSSL is vendored** into the `ssh2` build so the release no longer depends on a Homebrew OpenSSL path; version bump.
@@ -326,16 +328,16 @@ Code signing **will be added in the future** (Apple Developer Program + a Window
 
 #### Which file should I download?
 
-Each release contains **one file per platform** — you only need the one that matches your computer. The links below point at the current release (**v0.7.11**):
+Each release contains **one file per platform** — you only need the one that matches your computer. The links below point at the current release (**v0.7.12**):
 
 | Your system                            | Download this                                                                                                                                | Notes                                                            |
 | :------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| macOS **Apple Silicon** (M1/M2/M3/M4…) | [Gridline_0.7.11_aarch64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_aarch64.dmg)                 | `aarch64` = Apple's own chip                                     |
-| macOS **Intel**                        | [Gridline_0.7.11_x64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_x64.dmg)                         | `x64` = Intel/AMD                                                |
-| **Windows** (most PCs)                 | [Gridline_0.7.11_x64-setup.exe](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_x64-setup.exe)             | The `.msi` is an alternate installer (for enterprises/IT admins) |
-| **Debian / Ubuntu**                    | [Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.deb](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.deb)                     | Install: `sudo apt install ./Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.deb`           |
-| **Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE**           | [Gridline-0.7.11-1.x86_64.rpm](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline-0.7.11-1.x86_64.rpm)               | Install: `sudo dnf install Gridline-0.7.11-1.x86_64.rpm`          |
-| **Any other Linux**                    | [Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.AppImage](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.11/Gridline_0.7.11_amd64.AppImage)           | Works on every distro: `chmod +x` the file, then double-click it |
+| macOS **Apple Silicon** (M1/M2/M3/M4…) | [Gridline_0.7.12_aarch64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_aarch64.dmg)                 | `aarch64` = Apple's own chip                                     |
+| macOS **Intel**                        | [Gridline_0.7.12_x64.dmg](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_x64.dmg)                         | `x64` = Intel/AMD                                                |
+| **Windows** (most PCs)                 | [Gridline_0.7.12_x64-setup.exe](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_x64-setup.exe)             | The `.msi` is an alternate installer (for enterprises/IT admins) |
+| **Debian / Ubuntu**                    | [Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.deb](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.deb)                     | Install: `sudo apt install ./Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.deb`           |
+| **Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE**           | [Gridline-0.7.12-1.x86_64.rpm](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline-0.7.12-1.x86_64.rpm)               | Install: `sudo dnf install Gridline-0.7.12-1.x86_64.rpm`          |
+| **Any other Linux**                    | [Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.AppImage](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases/download/v0.7.12/Gridline_0.7.12_amd64.AppImage)           | Works on every distro: `chmod +x` the file, then double-click it |
 
 **Not sure if your Mac is Intel or Apple Silicon?** Click the **Apple menu** → **About This Mac**. If it shows "Apple M1/M2/M3/M4…" download the `aarch64` file; if it shows an Intel chip, download `x64`. Downloading the wrong one won't run.
 
@@ -345,8 +347,8 @@ Cutting a release is one command — CI builds everything. **Releases are cut fr
 
 ```bash
 git checkout prod && git pull
-git tag v0.7.11
-git push origin v0.7.11
+git tag v0.7.12
+git push origin v0.7.12
 ```
 
 Gitea Actions (`.gitea/workflows/release.yml`) builds the **Linux and Windows** installers on the self-hosted runners, then opens a **draft release** on the [Releases](https://git.ranio.xyz/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases) page. **macOS is built manually** on the dev Mac and its DMGs uploaded to the same release via `scripts/release-mac.sh`. Review the draft and hit **Publish release**.
diff --git a/desktop/package.json b/desktop/package.json
index 3cd2c7a..1bb7151 100644
--- a/desktop/package.json
+++ b/desktop/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "name": "gridline-desktop",
     "private": true,
-    "version": "0.7.11",
+    "version": "0.7.12",
     "description": "An open-source, high-performance database GUI client for PostgreSQL and beyond",
     "type": "module",
     "scripts": {
diff --git a/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.lock b/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
index b7190d4..aee3a62 100644
--- a/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
+++ b/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
@@ -1783,8 +1783,9 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "gridline"
-version = "0.7.10"
+version = "0.7.11"
 dependencies = [
+ "bytes",
  "chrono",
  "deadpool-postgres",
  "indexmap 2.14.0",
diff --git a/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml b/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
index 974c4f2..ff7ff4d 100644
--- a/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
+++ b/desktop/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "gridline"
-version = "0.7.11"
+version = "0.7.12"
 description = "An open-source, high-performance database GUI client for PostgreSQL and beyond"
 authors = ["you"]
 edition = "2021"
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ tauri-plugin-dialog = "2"
 tauri-plugin-fs = "2"
 tokio = { version = "1", features = ["full"] }
 tokio-postgres = { version = "0.7", features = ["with-chrono-0_4", "with-uuid-1", "with-serde_json-1"] }
+bytes = "1"
 sqlx = { version = "0.8", features = ["runtime-tokio", "mysql", "tls-rustls", "json"] }
 redis = { version = "0.27", features = ["tokio-comp"] }
 # async-ssh2 is not available at v0.4; using synchronous ssh2 via tokio::task::spawn_blocking per plan's fallback
diff --git a/desktop/src-tauri/src/commands/db_viewer.rs b/desktop/src-tauri/src/commands/db_viewer.rs
index 7ae09c5..fc976ea 100644
--- a/desktop/src-tauri/src/commands/db_viewer.rs
+++ b/desktop/src-tauri/src/commands/db_viewer.rs
@@ -8,10 +8,12 @@ use crate::models::db_viewer::{
     Change, ColumnInfo, ConstraintInfo, EnumInfo, ExtensionInfo, FunctionInfo, IndexInfo,
     QueryResult, SequenceInfo, TableInfo, TriggerInfo,
 };
+use bytes::BytesMut;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::error::Error;
 use sqlx::Row;
 use tauri::State;
-use tokio_postgres::types::ToSql;
+use tokio_postgres::types::{Format, IsNull, ToSql, Type};
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Helper functions
@@ -585,26 +587,75 @@ pub fn build_pg_insert_sql(
     )
 }
 
+/// A value bound to a PostgreSQL parameter in TEXT wire format, accepting any
+/// parameter type.
+///
+/// The frontend ships edited values as plain strings (and PK locators as
+/// numbers/booleans), but binding a native `String` fails for every non-text
+/// column type — `String::accepts` only matches `varchar`/`text`/`bpchar`/
+/// `name` — with `error serializing parameter N: cannot convert between the
+/// Rust type ... and the Postgres type ...`. Binding a native `i64` is also
+/// wrong because `i64::accepts` only matches `int8`.
+///
+/// `PgText` accepts *any* parameter type and writes the value as UTF-8 text in
+/// text wire format, so PostgreSQL itself parses the literal into the target
+/// column type. This works uniformly for `integer`, `bigint`, `numeric`,
+/// `boolean`, `uuid`, `json`/`jsonb`, timestamps, enums, etc. — exactly what
+/// PostgreSQL does for an `'<literal>'` in a query.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+struct PgText(String);
+
+impl From<&str> for PgText {
+    fn from(s: &str) -> Self {
+        PgText(s.to_string())
+    }
+}
+
+impl ToSql for PgText {
+    fn to_sql(
+        &self,
+        _ty: &Type,
+        out: &mut BytesMut,
+    ) -> Result<IsNull, Box<dyn Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        out.extend_from_slice(self.0.as_bytes());
+        Ok(IsNull::No)
+    }
+
+    fn accepts(_ty: &Type) -> bool {
+        true
+    }
+
+    fn encode_format(&self, _ty: &Type) -> Format {
+        Format::Text
+    }
+
+    fn to_sql_checked(
+        &self,
+        ty: &Type,
+        out: &mut BytesMut,
+    ) -> Result<IsNull, Box<dyn Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        self.to_sql(ty, out)
+    }
+}
+
 /// Convert a JSON value into a boxed PostgreSQL-bindable value.
 ///
-/// Maps common JSON types to `tokio_postgres::types::ToSql` implementors.
-/// Unknown/complex types are stringified as a fallback.
+/// Every non-null value is bound as a `PgText` (text wire format) so the server
+/// parses it into the target column type; SQL `NULL` is bound as `None`. This
+/// is deliberately type-agnostic — the caller already knows the column type
+/// through the SQL context (e.g. `SET "col" = $1` lets PostgreSQL infer `$1`
+/// as `col`'s type).
 fn pg_box_value(v: &serde_json::Value) -> Box<dyn ToSql + Send + Sync> {
-    match v {
-        serde_json::Value::Null => Box::new(Option::<String>::None),
-        serde_json::Value::Bool(b) => Box::new(*b),
-        serde_json::Value::Number(n) => {
-            if let Some(i) = n.as_i64() {
-                Box::new(i)
-            } else if let Some(f) = n.as_f64() {
-                Box::new(f)
-            } else {
-                Box::new(n.to_string())
-            }
-        }
-        serde_json::Value::String(s) => Box::new(s.clone()),
-        other => Box::new(other.to_string()),
+    if v.is_null() {
+        return Box::new(Option::<PgText>::None);
     }
+    let text = match v {
+        serde_json::Value::String(s) => s.clone(),
+        serde_json::Value::Bool(b) => b.to_string(),
+        serde_json::Value::Number(n) => n.to_string(),
+        other => other.to_string(),
+    };
+    Box::new(PgText::from(text.as_str()))
 }
 
 /// Convert a JSON value into a `rusqlite::types::Value` for SQLite binding.
@@ -3320,6 +3371,78 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // PgText: universal text-format parameter binding (serialization fix)
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    #[test]
+    fn pg_text_accepts_any_postgres_type() {
+        // String::accepts only matches text-ish types, so a plain String can't
+        // bind to an integer/boolean/uuid/jsonb column. PgText must accept all
+        // of these (the server parses the text into the column's own type).
+        for ty in [
+            Type::TEXT,
+            Type::VARCHAR,
+            Type::INT4,
+            Type::INT8,
+            Type::FLOAT8,
+            Type::NUMERIC,
+            Type::BOOL,
+            Type::UUID,
+            Type::JSON,
+            Type::JSONB,
+            Type::TIMESTAMP,
+            Type::TIMESTAMPTZ,
+            Type::DATE,
+            Type::TIME,
+        ] {
+            assert!(
+                PgText::accepts(&ty),
+                "PgText must accept {:?}",
+                ty
+            );
+        }
+        // Sanity: a native String must NOT accept a non-text type (proving the
+        // root cause this fix addresses).
+        assert!(!<&str as ToSql>::accepts(&Type::INT4));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn pg_text_serializes_as_utf8_text() {
+        use bytes::BytesMut;
+        use tokio_postgres::types::IsNull;
+
+        let val = pg_box_value(&serde_json::json!("42"));
+        let mut out = BytesMut::new();
+        let isnull = val.to_sql_checked(&Type::INT4, &mut out).unwrap();
+        assert!(matches!(isnull, IsNull::No));
+        assert_eq!(&out[..], b"42");
+        // Text wire format: the bytes are raw UTF-8, not binary-encoded int.
+        assert!(matches!(val.encode_format(&Type::INT4), Format::Text));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn pg_text_boxes_null_to_sql_null() {
+        use bytes::BytesMut;
+        use tokio_postgres::types::IsNull;
+
+        let val = pg_box_value(&serde_json::Value::Null);
+        let mut out = BytesMut::new();
+        assert!(matches!(
+            val.to_sql_checked(&Type::TEXT, &mut out).unwrap(),
+            IsNull::Yes
+        ));
+        assert!(out.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn pg_text_stringifies_booleans_and_numbers() {
+        let b = pg_box_value(&serde_json::json!(true));
+        assert!(matches!(b.encode_format(&Type::BOOL), Format::Text));
+        let n = pg_box_value(&serde_json::json!(5));
+        assert!(matches!(n.encode_format(&Type::INT4), Format::Text));
+    }
+
     async fn fresh_pool_manager() -> tokio::sync::Mutex<ConnectionPoolManager> {
         tokio::sync::Mutex::new(ConnectionPoolManager::new())
     }
diff --git a/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json b/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
index 26a7f33..12b76ee 100644
--- a/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
+++ b/desktop/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://schema.tauri.app/config/2",
   "productName": "Gridline",
-  "version": "0.7.11",
+  "version": "0.7.12",
   "identifier": "com.adrianbonpin.gridline",
   "build": {
     "beforeDevCommand": "bun run dev",
diff --git a/desktop/src/lib/bundle-config.test.ts b/desktop/src/lib/bundle-config.test.ts
index 72ff990..f89dca1 100644
--- a/desktop/src/lib/bundle-config.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/lib/bundle-config.test.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
 import tauriConf from "../../src-tauri/tauri.conf.json";
 
-describe("tauri bundle config (v0.7.11)", () => {
+describe("tauri bundle config (v0.7.12)", () => {
   it("declares bundled pg_tools resources", () => {
     expect(tauriConf.bundle.resources).toContain("resources/pg_tools/*");
   });
-  it("version is 0.7.11", () => {
-    expect(tauriConf.version).toBe("0.7.11");
+  it("version is 0.7.12", () => {
+    expect(tauriConf.version).toBe("0.7.12");
   });
 });
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/desktop/src/lib/docs-coverage.test.ts b/desktop/src/lib/docs-coverage.test.ts
index 72cde20..8d2800a 100644
--- a/desktop/src/lib/docs-coverage.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/lib/docs-coverage.test.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
 import agents from "../../../AGENTS.md?raw";
 import readme from "../../../README.md?raw";
 
-describe("v0.7.11 docs coverage", () => {
+describe("v0.7.12 docs coverage", () => {
   it("AGENTS.md marks inline cell editing complete", () => {
     expect(agents).toContain("Inline cell editing");
     expect(agents).toMatch(/Inline cell editing \| ✅/);
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ describe("v0.7.11 docs coverage", () => {
     expect(agents).toMatch(/Connection status indicator on cards \| ✅/);
     expect(agents).toMatch(/Move-to-folder bulk action \| ✅/);
   });
-  it("README declares v0.7.11", () => {
-    expect(readme).toContain("0.7.11");
+  it("README declares v0.7.12", () => {
+    expect(readme).toContain("0.7.12");
   });
   it("AGENTS.md marks schema CRUD complete", () => {
     expect(agents).toMatch(/Schema CRUD \| ✅/);
@@ -64,9 +64,9 @@ describe("v0.7.11 docs coverage", () => {
     expect(agents).toMatch(/Cancel long-running queries \| ✅/);
     expect(agents).toMatch(/Settings export\/import \| ✅/);
   });
-  it("README links to v0.7.11 assets in both download tables", () => {
-    expect(readme).toContain("releases/download/v0.7.11/");
-    expect(readme).toContain("Gridline_0.7.11_aarch64.dmg");
-    expect(readme).toContain("Gridline-0.7.11-1.x86_64.rpm");
+  it("README links to v0.7.12 assets in both download tables", () => {
+    expect(readme).toContain("releases/download/v0.7.12/");
+    expect(readme).toContain("Gridline_0.7.12_aarch64.dmg");
+    expect(readme).toContain("Gridline-0.7.12-1.x86_64.rpm");
   });
 });
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/desktop/src/lib/version.test.ts b/desktop/src/lib/version.test.ts
index 7d55e48..86d7d05 100644
--- a/desktop/src/lib/version.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/lib/version.test.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { describe, it, expect } from "vitest";
 import pkg from "../../package.json";
 
 describe("version", () => {
-  it("declares v0.7.11 across the app shell", () => {
-    expect(pkg.version).toBe("0.7.11");
+  it("declares v0.7.12 across the app shell", () => {
+    expect(pkg.version).toBe("0.7.12");
   });
 });
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.test.ts b/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.test.ts
index e134110..f0cfc0d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.test.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.test.ts
@@ -225,6 +225,33 @@ describe("favorites / recents / move-selection", () => {
     expect(commands.recordRecentConnection).toHaveBeenCalledWith("c1");
   });
 
+  it("loadAll refreshes recents once connections are known (startup race fix)", async () => {
+    const conn = makeConn({ id: "c1", name: "Prod" });
+    vi.spyOn(commands, "getConnections").mockResolvedValue([conn]);
+    vi.spyOn(commands, "getFolders").mockResolvedValue([]);
+    vi.spyOn(commands, "getTags").mockResolvedValue([]);
+    vi.spyOn(commands, "getRecentConnections").mockResolvedValue([
+      { connection_id: "c1", opened_at: "2026-08-02T00:00:00Z" },
+    ]);
+
+    // Simulate the app-shell mount: loadAll fires and populates connections.
+    await useConnectionStore.getState().loadAll();
+
+    // The recent strip must now show the connection that was opened previously.
+    expect(commands.getRecentConnections).toHaveBeenCalledWith(8);
+    expect(useConnectionStore.getState().recent).toEqual([conn]);
+  });
+
+  it("loadRecent maps cached recent ids against the current connection list", async () => {
+    const conn = makeConn({ id: "c1", name: "Prod" });
+    useConnectionStore.setState({ connections: [conn] });
+    vi.spyOn(commands, "getRecentConnections").mockResolvedValue([
+      { connection_id: "c1", opened_at: "2026-08-02T00:00:00Z" },
+    ]);
+    await useConnectionStore.getState().loadRecent();
+    expect(useConnectionStore.getState().recent).toEqual([conn]);
+  });
+
   describe("duplicateConnection", () => {
     it("copies fields with a '(copy)' name and favorite false", async () => {
       const src = makeConn({ id: "c1", name: "Prod", folder_id: "f1", tag_ids: ["t1"], favorite: true });
diff --git a/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.ts b/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.ts
index 04e28b7..3e856c2 100644
--- a/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/stores/connectionStore.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ export const useConnectionStore = create<ConnectionState>((set, get) => ({
       set((s) => ({ connections: [...s.connections].sort((a, b) => Number(b.favorite) - Number(a.favorite)) }));
       // Also load tag order
       get().loadTagOrder();
+      // Refresh recents once connections are known so the recent strip is not
+      // computed against an empty list (avoids a startup race with loadRecent).
+      get().loadRecent().catch(() => {});
     } catch (e) {
       set({ loading: false, error: e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e) });
     }
diff --git a/www/src/pages/index.astro b/www/src/pages/index.astro
index 51233ce..431614e 100644
--- a/www/src/pages/index.astro
+++ b/www/src/pages/index.astro
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import queryEditor from "../assets/screenshots/query-editor.png";
 import erDiagram from "../assets/screenshots/er-diagram.png";
 import home from "../assets/screenshots/home.png";
 import dataGrid from "../assets/screenshots/data-grid.png";
-const version = "0.7.11";
+const version = "0.7.12";
 const site = "https://getgridline.app";
 const jsonLd = [
   buildSoftwareApplicationJsonLd({