diff --git a/registry/db.go b/registry/db.go
index f184864f..d902ec72 100644
--- a/registry/db.go
+++ b/registry/db.go
@@ -128,11 +128,18 @@ func Open(path string) (*DB, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("creating db directory: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	conn, err := sql.Open("sqlite3", path+"?_journal_mode=WAL&_foreign_keys=on")
+	conn, err := sql.Open("sqlite3", path+"?_foreign_keys=on")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("opening database: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// WAL mode: enables concurrent reads while writing.
+	// Persists in the file — any client opening the DB inherits it.
+	if _, err := conn.Exec("PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL"); err != nil {
+		conn.Close()
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("setting WAL mode: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	if _, err := conn.Exec(schemaSQL); err != nil {
 		conn.Close()
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("applying schema: %w", err)