diff --git a/docs/javascript-architecture.md b/docs/javascript-architecture.md
index 568b735..4d05eaa 100644
--- a/docs/javascript-architecture.md
+++ b/docs/javascript-architecture.md
@@ -177,7 +177,8 @@ flowchart LR
   SetupPs --> VCRuntime[winget Microsoft.VCRedist.2015+.x64]
   SetupPs --> NpmCi[npm ci]
   NpmCi --> Preinstall[scripts/preinstall.js]
-  NpmCi --> Native[better-sqlite3 prebuilt N-API binary]
+  NpmCi --> AllowScripts[package.json allowScripts]
+  AllowScripts --> Native[better-sqlite3 v12 Windows prebuilt]
   NpmCi --> Postinstall[scripts/verify-install.js]
   Postinstall --> SQLite[SQLite in-memory query]
   Postinstall --> AMMC[AMMC/windows64 runtime check]
@@ -186,6 +187,8 @@ flowchart LR
 
 Important constraints:
 - the repository should be installed in a short ASCII path such as `C:\\Live_RC`
+- `better-sqlite3` is pinned to v12.11.x because its prebuilt Windows binary works with the supported Node.js releases; npm 12 is permitted to run only this dependency installer through `package.json#allowScripts`
+- `npm ci --ignore-scripts` is unsupported because it leaves the native SQLite binding uninstalled
 - AMMC Windows binaries and DLLs must remain together in `AMMC\\windows64`
 - `npm start` is already a background start; batch wrappers must not create a second detached npm process
 - server process identity is stored in `data\\server.pid`
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 4422d11..d5603ff 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
       "version": "1.1.0",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "dependencies": {
-        "better-sqlite3": "^13.0.3",
+        "better-sqlite3": "^12.11.1",
         "express": "^4.21.2"
       },
       "engines": {
@@ -36,16 +36,58 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-PCVAQswWemu6UdxsDFFX/+gVeYqKAod3D3UVm91jHwynguOwAvYPhx8nNlM++NqRcK6CxxpUafjmhIdKiHibqg==",
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/base64-js": {
+      "version": "1.5.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/base64-js/-/base64-js-1.5.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-AKpaYlHn8t4SVbOHCy+b5+KKgvR4vrsD8vbvrbiQJps7fKDTkjkDry6ji0rUJjC0kzbNePLwzxq8iypo41qeWA==",
+      "funding": [
+        {
+          "type": "github",
+          "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "patreon",
+          "url": "https://www.patreon.com/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "consulting",
+          "url": "https://feross.org/support"
+        }
+      ],
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/better-sqlite3": {
-      "version": "13.0.3",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/better-sqlite3/-/better-sqlite3-13.0.3.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-RbOBxmLBG8uvFUc15X9+9SFemKcQ0WBuISBVkpuiaUB2qblC8UWlHEjdWVoZ8AdhSwmoEgsiXKfopX0CQxaACQ==",
+      "version": "12.11.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/better-sqlite3/-/better-sqlite3-12.11.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-dq9AtApgg5PGFtBzPFSBl3HZQjHok5gaQCM6zh2Yk0aSmDCs1CbnVI8/HgASQkNKsWFpseIO9beg5xxpYhbIfA==",
+      "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
-        "node-addon-api": "^8.0.0"
+        "bindings": "^1.5.0",
+        "prebuild-install": "^7.1.1"
       },
       "engines": {
-        "node": ">=22"
+        "node": "20.x || 22.x || 23.x || 24.x || 25.x || 26.x"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/bindings": {
+      "version": "1.5.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/bindings/-/bindings-1.5.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-p2q/t/mhvuOj/UeLlV6566GD/guowlr0hHxClI0W9m7MWYkL1F0hLo+0Aexs9HSPCtR1SXQ0TD3MMKrXZajbiQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "file-uri-to-path": "1.0.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/bl": {
+      "version": "4.1.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/bl/-/bl-4.1.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-1W07cM9gS6DcLperZfFSj+bWLtaPGSOHWhPiGzXmvVJbRLdG82sH/Kn8EtW1VqWVA54AKf2h5k5BbnIbwF3h6w==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "buffer": "^5.5.0",
+        "inherits": "^2.0.4",
+        "readable-stream": "^3.4.0"
       }
     },
     "node_modules/body-parser": {
@@ -72,6 +114,30 @@
         "npm": "1.2.8000 || >= 1.4.16"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/buffer": {
+      "version": "5.7.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/buffer/-/buffer-5.7.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-EHcyIPBQ4BSGlvjB16k5KgAJ27CIsHY/2JBmCRReo48y9rQ3MaUzWX3KVlBa4U7MyX02HdVj0K7C3WaB3ju7FQ==",
+      "funding": [
+        {
+          "type": "github",
+          "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "patreon",
+          "url": "https://www.patreon.com/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "consulting",
+          "url": "https://feross.org/support"
+        }
+      ],
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "base64-js": "^1.3.1",
+        "ieee754": "^1.1.13"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/bytes": {
       "version": "3.1.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/bytes/-/bytes-3.1.2.tgz",
@@ -110,6 +176,12 @@
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/ljharb"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/chownr": {
+      "version": "1.1.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/chownr/-/chownr-1.1.4.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-jJ0bqzaylmJtVnNgzTeSOs8DPavpbYgEr/b0YL8/2GO3xJEhInFmhKMUnEJQjZumK7KXGFhUy89PrsJWlakBVg==",
+      "license": "ISC"
+    },
     "node_modules/content-disposition": {
       "version": "0.5.4",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/content-disposition/-/content-disposition-0.5.4.tgz",
@@ -155,6 +227,30 @@
         "ms": "2.0.0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/decompress-response": {
+      "version": "6.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/decompress-response/-/decompress-response-6.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-aW35yZM6Bb/4oJlZncMH2LCoZtJXTRxES17vE3hoRiowU2kWHaJKFkSBDnDR+cm9J+9QhXmREyIfv0pji9ejCQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "mimic-response": "^3.1.0"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/sindresorhus"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/deep-extend": {
+      "version": "0.6.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/deep-extend/-/deep-extend-0.6.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-LOHxIOaPYdHlJRtCQfDIVZtfw/ufM8+rVj649RIHzcm/vGwQRXFt6OPqIFWsm2XEMrNIEtWR64sY1LEKD2vAOA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=4.0.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/depd": {
       "version": "2.0.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/depd/-/depd-2.0.0.tgz",
@@ -174,6 +270,15 @@
         "npm": "1.2.8000 || >= 1.4.16"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/detect-libc": {
+      "version": "2.1.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/detect-libc/-/detect-libc-2.1.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Btj2BOOO83o3WyH59e8MgXsxEQVcarkUOpEYrubB0urwnN10yQ364rsiByU11nZlqWYZm05i/of7io4mzihBtQ==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=8"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/dunder-proto": {
       "version": "1.0.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/dunder-proto/-/dunder-proto-1.0.1.tgz",
@@ -203,6 +308,15 @@
         "node": ">= 0.8"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/end-of-stream": {
+      "version": "1.4.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/end-of-stream/-/end-of-stream-1.4.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ooEGc6HP26xXq/N+GCGOT0JKCLDGrq2bQUZrQ7gyrJiZANJ/8YDTxTpQBXGMn+WbIQXNVpyWymm7KYVICQnyOg==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "once": "^1.4.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/es-define-property": {
       "version": "1.0.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/es-define-property/-/es-define-property-1.0.1.tgz",
@@ -248,6 +362,15 @@
         "node": ">= 0.6"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/expand-template": {
+      "version": "2.0.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/expand-template/-/expand-template-2.0.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-XYfuKMvj4O35f/pOXLObndIRvyQ+/+6AhODh+OKWj9S9498pHHn/IMszH+gt0fBCRWMNfk1ZSp5x3AifmnI2vg==",
+      "license": "(MIT OR WTFPL)",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=6"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/express": {
       "version": "4.22.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/express/-/express-4.22.2.tgz",
@@ -294,6 +417,12 @@
         "url": "https://opencollective.com/express"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/file-uri-to-path": {
+      "version": "1.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/file-uri-to-path/-/file-uri-to-path-1.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-0Zt+s3L7Vf1biwWZ29aARiVYLx7iMGnEUl9x33fbB/j3jR81u/O2LbqK+Bm1CDSNDKVtJ/YjwY7TUd5SkeLQLw==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/finalhandler": {
       "version": "1.3.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/finalhandler/-/finalhandler-1.3.2.tgz",
@@ -330,6 +459,12 @@
         "node": ">= 0.6"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/fs-constants": {
+      "version": "1.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fs-constants/-/fs-constants-1.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-y6OAwoSIf7FyjMIv94u+b5rdheZEjzR63GTyZJm5qh4Bi+2YgwLCcI/fPFZkL5PSixOt6ZNKm+w+Hfp/Bciwow==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/function-bind": {
       "version": "1.1.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/function-bind/-/function-bind-1.1.2.tgz",
@@ -376,6 +511,12 @@
         "node": ">= 0.4"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/github-from-package": {
+      "version": "0.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/github-from-package/-/github-from-package-0.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-SyHy3T1v2NUXn29OsWdxmK6RwHD+vkj3v8en8AOBZ1wBQ/hCAQ5bAQTD02kW4W9tUp/3Qh6J8r9EvntiyCmOOw==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/gopd": {
       "version": "1.2.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/gopd/-/gopd-1.2.0.tgz",
@@ -444,12 +585,38 @@
         "node": ">=0.10.0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/ieee754": {
+      "version": "1.2.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ieee754/-/ieee754-1.2.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-dcyqhDvX1C46lXZcVqCpK+FtMRQVdIMN6/Df5js2zouUsqG7I6sFxitIC+7KYK29KdXOLHdu9zL4sFnoVQnqaA==",
+      "funding": [
+        {
+          "type": "github",
+          "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "patreon",
+          "url": "https://www.patreon.com/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "consulting",
+          "url": "https://feross.org/support"
+        }
+      ],
+      "license": "BSD-3-Clause"
+    },
     "node_modules/inherits": {
       "version": "2.0.4",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/inherits/-/inherits-2.0.4.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-k/vGaX4/Yla3WzyMCvTQOXYeIHvqOKtnqBduzTHpzpQZzAskKMhZ2K+EnBiSM9zGSoIFeMpXKxa4dYeZIQqewQ==",
       "license": "ISC"
     },
+    "node_modules/ini": {
+      "version": "1.3.8",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ini/-/ini-1.3.8.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-JV/yugV2uzW5iMRSiZAyDtQd+nxtUnjeLt0acNdw98kKLrvuRVyB80tsREOE7yvGVgalhZ6RNXCmEHkUKBKxew==",
+      "license": "ISC"
+    },
     "node_modules/ipaddr.js": {
       "version": "1.9.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ipaddr.js/-/ipaddr.js-1.9.1.tgz",
@@ -528,12 +695,45 @@
         "node": ">= 0.6"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/mimic-response": {
+      "version": "3.1.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mimic-response/-/mimic-response-3.1.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-z0yWI+4FDrrweS8Zmt4Ej5HdJmky15+L2e6Wgn3+iK5fWzb6T3fhNFq2+MeTRb064c6Wr4N/wv0DzQTjNzHNGQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10"
+      },
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/sindresorhus"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/minimist": {
+      "version": "1.2.8",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/minimist/-/minimist-1.2.8.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-2yyAR8qBkN3YuheJanUpWC5U3bb5osDywNB8RzDVlDwDHbocAJveqqj1u8+SVD7jkWT4yvsHCpWqqWqAxb0zCA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "funding": {
+        "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/ljharb"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/mkdirp-classic": {
+      "version": "0.5.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/mkdirp-classic/-/mkdirp-classic-0.5.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-gKLcREMhtuZRwRAfqP3RFW+TK4JqApVBtOIftVgjuABpAtpxhPGaDcfvbhNvD0B8iD1oUr/txX35NjcaY6Ns/A==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/ms": {
       "version": "2.0.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/ms/-/ms-2.0.0.tgz",
       "integrity": "sha512-Tpp60P6IUJDTuOq/5Z8cdskzJujfwqfOTkrwIwj7IRISpnkJnT6SyJ4PCPnGMoFjC9ddhal5KVIYtAt97ix05A==",
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/napi-build-utils": {
+      "version": "2.0.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/napi-build-utils/-/napi-build-utils-2.0.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-GEbrYkbfF7MoNaoh2iGG84Mnf/WZfB0GdGEsM8wz7Expx/LlWf5U8t9nvJKXSp3qr5IsEbK04cBGhol/KwOsWA==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/negotiator": {
       "version": "0.6.3",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/negotiator/-/negotiator-0.6.3.tgz",
@@ -543,13 +743,16 @@
         "node": ">= 0.6"
       }
     },
-    "node_modules/node-addon-api": {
-      "version": "8.9.2",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/node-addon-api/-/node-addon-api-8.9.2.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-VijLXbi3UACN69I0JVXJsX4tjACjNoQDgv2gTF6sx2wWEi8tkSg2eX8p5gSIFi8z2+DL3oHmY6OyKce38SDolg==",
+    "node_modules/node-abi": {
+      "version": "3.94.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/node-abi/-/node-abi-3.94.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-W5ZNO5KRPB5TkYmGVD9F6YqhsglXJzE6etpbmT+f6EQElhiX/UTG551cnsRGvLG3fyZEg9HwaDmNmj5nwJ4z9g==",
       "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "semver": "^7.3.5"
+      },
       "engines": {
-        "node": "^18 || ^20 || >= 21"
+        "node": ">=10"
       }
     },
     "node_modules/object-inspect": {
@@ -576,6 +779,15 @@
         "node": ">= 0.8"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/once": {
+      "version": "1.4.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/once/-/once-1.4.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-lNaJgI+2Q5URQBkccEKHTQOPaXdUxnZZElQTZY0MFUAuaEqe1E+Nyvgdz/aIyNi6Z9MzO5dv1H8n58/GELp3+w==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "wrappy": "1"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/parseurl": {
       "version": "1.3.3",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/parseurl/-/parseurl-1.3.3.tgz",
@@ -591,6 +803,33 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-A/AGNMFN3c8bOlvV9RreMdrv7jsmF9XIfDeCd87+I8RNg6s78BhJxMu69NEMHBSJFxKidViTEdruRwEk/WIKqA==",
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/prebuild-install": {
+      "version": "7.1.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/prebuild-install/-/prebuild-install-7.1.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-8Mf2cbV7x1cXPUILADGI3wuhfqWvtiLA1iclTDbFRZkgRQS0NqsPZphna9V+HyTEadheuPmjaJMsbzKQFOzLug==",
+      "deprecated": "No longer maintained. Please contact the author of the relevant native addon; alternatives are available.",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "detect-libc": "^2.0.0",
+        "expand-template": "^2.0.3",
+        "github-from-package": "0.0.0",
+        "minimist": "^1.2.3",
+        "mkdirp-classic": "^0.5.3",
+        "napi-build-utils": "^2.0.0",
+        "node-abi": "^3.3.0",
+        "pump": "^3.0.0",
+        "rc": "^1.2.7",
+        "simple-get": "^4.0.0",
+        "tar-fs": "^2.0.0",
+        "tunnel-agent": "^0.6.0"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "prebuild-install": "bin.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/proxy-addr": {
       "version": "2.0.7",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/proxy-addr/-/proxy-addr-2.0.7.tgz",
@@ -604,6 +843,16 @@
         "node": ">= 0.10"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/pump": {
+      "version": "3.0.4",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/pump/-/pump-3.0.4.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-VS7sjc6KR7e1ukRFhQSY5LM2uBWAUPiOPa/A3mkKmiMwSmRFUITt0xuj+/lesgnCv+dPIEYlkzrcyXgquIHMcA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "end-of-stream": "^1.1.0",
+        "once": "^1.3.1"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/qs": {
       "version": "6.15.3",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/qs/-/qs-6.15.3.tgz",
@@ -644,6 +893,35 @@
         "node": ">= 0.8"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/rc": {
+      "version": "1.2.8",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/rc/-/rc-1.2.8.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-y3bGgqKj3QBdxLbLkomlohkvsA8gdAiUQlSBJnBhfn+BPxg4bc62d8TcBW15wavDfgexCgccckhcZvywyQYPOw==",
+      "license": "(BSD-2-Clause OR MIT OR Apache-2.0)",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "deep-extend": "^0.6.0",
+        "ini": "~1.3.0",
+        "minimist": "^1.2.0",
+        "strip-json-comments": "~2.0.1"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "rc": "cli.js"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/readable-stream": {
+      "version": "3.6.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/readable-stream/-/readable-stream-3.6.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-9u/sniCrY3D5WdsERHzHE4G2YCXqoG5FTHUiCC4SIbr6XcLZBY05ya9EKjYek9O5xOAwjGq+1JdGBAS7Q9ScoA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "inherits": "^2.0.3",
+        "string_decoder": "^1.1.1",
+        "util-deprecate": "^1.0.1"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">= 6"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/safe-buffer": {
       "version": "5.2.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/safe-buffer/-/safe-buffer-5.2.1.tgz",
@@ -670,6 +948,18 @@
       "integrity": "sha512-YZo3K82SD7Riyi0E1EQPojLz7kpepnSQI9IyPbHHg1XXXevb5dJI7tpyN2ADxGcQbHG7vcyRHk0cbwqcQriUtg==",
       "license": "MIT"
     },
+    "node_modules/semver": {
+      "version": "7.8.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/semver/-/semver-7.8.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-Y7/KDsb8LjooZpwaqGyulO6DQlksgCncchHGk+sZIY4SBvUocMBEFH5Ur1fI4dV+Jvl0w6cjvucaIi40puRioA==",
+      "license": "ISC",
+      "bin": {
+        "semver": "bin/semver.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=10"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/send": {
       "version": "0.19.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/send/-/send-0.19.2.tgz",
@@ -793,6 +1083,51 @@
         "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/ljharb"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/simple-concat": {
+      "version": "1.0.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/simple-concat/-/simple-concat-1.0.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-cSFtAPtRhljv69IK0hTVZQ+OfE9nePi/rtJmw5UjHeVyVroEqJXP1sFztKUy1qU+xvz3u/sfYJLa947b7nAN2Q==",
+      "funding": [
+        {
+          "type": "github",
+          "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "patreon",
+          "url": "https://www.patreon.com/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "consulting",
+          "url": "https://feross.org/support"
+        }
+      ],
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
+    "node_modules/simple-get": {
+      "version": "4.0.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/simple-get/-/simple-get-4.0.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-brv7p5WgH0jmQJr1ZDDfKDOSeWWg+OVypG99A/5vYGPqJ6pxiaHLy8nxtFjBA7oMa01ebA9gfh1uMCFqOuXxvA==",
+      "funding": [
+        {
+          "type": "github",
+          "url": "https://github.com/sponsors/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "patreon",
+          "url": "https://www.patreon.com/feross"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "consulting",
+          "url": "https://feross.org/support"
+        }
+      ],
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "decompress-response": "^6.0.0",
+        "once": "^1.3.1",
+        "simple-concat": "^1.0.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/statuses": {
       "version": "2.0.2",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/statuses/-/statuses-2.0.2.tgz",
@@ -802,6 +1137,52 @@
         "node": ">= 0.8"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/string_decoder": {
+      "version": "1.3.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/string_decoder/-/string_decoder-1.3.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-hkRX8U1WjJFd8LsDJ2yQ/wWWxaopEsABU1XfkM8A+j0+85JAGppt16cr1Whg6KIbb4okU6Mql6BOj+uup/wKeA==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "safe-buffer": "~5.2.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/strip-json-comments": {
+      "version": "2.0.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/strip-json-comments/-/strip-json-comments-2.0.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-4gB8na07fecVVkOI6Rs4e7T6NOTki5EmL7TUduTs6bu3EdnSycntVJ4re8kgZA+wx9IueI2Y11bfbgwtzuE0KQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=0.10.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/tar-fs": {
+      "version": "2.1.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tar-fs/-/tar-fs-2.1.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-OboTd8mmMhZDNPV+UjQcK9yKAatXu2aJ+r1w4im1Otd4M4fl2hwvdoXUxIYHFTHWK/3y3FarBP70v3vwmGlOxw==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "chownr": "^1.1.1",
+        "mkdirp-classic": "^0.5.2",
+        "pump": "^3.0.0",
+        "tar-stream": "^2.1.4"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/tar-stream": {
+      "version": "2.2.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tar-stream/-/tar-stream-2.2.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-ujeqbceABgwMZxEJnk2HDY2DlnUZ+9oEcb1KzTVfYHio0UE6dG71n60d8D2I4qNvleWrrXpmjpt7vZeF1LnMZQ==",
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "bl": "^4.0.3",
+        "end-of-stream": "^1.4.1",
+        "fs-constants": "^1.0.0",
+        "inherits": "^2.0.3",
+        "readable-stream": "^3.1.1"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=6"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/toidentifier": {
       "version": "1.0.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/toidentifier/-/toidentifier-1.0.1.tgz",
@@ -811,6 +1192,18 @@
         "node": ">=0.6"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/tunnel-agent": {
+      "version": "0.6.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tunnel-agent/-/tunnel-agent-0.6.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-McnNiV1l8RYeY8tBgEpuodCC1mLUdbSN+CYBL7kJsJNInOP8UjDDEwdk6Mw60vdLLrr5NHKZhMAOSrR2NZuQ+w==",
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "safe-buffer": "^5.0.1"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "*"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/type-is": {
       "version": "1.6.18",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/type-is/-/type-is-1.6.18.tgz",
@@ -833,6 +1226,12 @@
         "node": ">= 0.8"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/util-deprecate": {
+      "version": "1.0.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/util-deprecate/-/util-deprecate-1.0.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-EPD5q1uXyFxJpCrLnCc1nHnq3gOa6DZBocAIiI2TaSCA7VCJ1UJDMagCzIkXNsUYfD1daK//LTEQ8xiIbrHtcw==",
+      "license": "MIT"
+    },
     "node_modules/utils-merge": {
       "version": "1.0.1",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/utils-merge/-/utils-merge-1.0.1.tgz",
@@ -850,6 +1249,12 @@
       "engines": {
         "node": ">= 0.8"
       }
+    },
+    "node_modules/wrappy": {
+      "version": "1.0.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/wrappy/-/wrappy-1.0.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-l4Sp/DRseor9wL6EvV2+TuQn63dMkPjZ/sp9XkghTEbV9KlPS1xUsZ3u7/IQO4wxtcFB4bgpQPRcR3QCvezPcQ==",
+      "license": "ISC"
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 920d752..18336af 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@
     "node": ">=22 <27",
     "npm": ">=10"
   },
+  "allowScripts": {
+    "better-sqlite3": true
+  },
   "scripts": {
     "preinstall": "node scripts/preinstall.js",
     "postinstall": "node scripts/verify-install.js",
@@ -19,7 +22,7 @@
     "setup:windows": "powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File windows/setup.ps1"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "better-sqlite3": "^13.0.3",
+    "better-sqlite3": "^12.11.1",
     "express": "^4.21.2"
   }
 }
diff --git a/windows/README.md b/windows/README.md
index c09d80e..6d62ace 100644
--- a/windows/README.md
+++ b/windows/README.md
@@ -49,21 +49,25 @@ Start-Process powershell -Verb RunAs -ArgumentList '-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Fil
 Install Node.js 22 or 24 LTS, then run in the repository root:
 
 ```powershell
-npm ci
-npm run verify
-npm start
+npm.cmd ci
+npm.cmd run verify
+npm.cmd start
 ```
 
 `npm ci` installs exactly the dependency versions in `package-lock.json`. The install fails early with an actionable message if Node.js is unsupported. The post-install verification also fails if the native SQLite module cannot run.
 
+The project intentionally uses `better-sqlite3` v12.11.x. That release provides a working prebuilt Windows binary for the supported Node.js versions. The package is explicitly listed in `allowScripts` so npm 12 may run its binary installer; do not use `npm ci --ignore-scripts`.
+
+Use `npm.cmd` from PowerShell when local execution policy blocks `npm.ps1`. The plain `npm` command works normally from Command Prompt (`cmd.exe`).
+
 ## Runtime commands
 
 ```powershell
-npm start
-npm run status
-npm restart
-npm stop
-npm run start:fg
+npm.cmd start
+npm.cmd run status
+npm.cmd restart
+npm.cmd stop
+npm.cmd run start:fg
 ```
 
 - `npm start` starts `server.js` in the background.
@@ -150,8 +154,8 @@ Do not expose the full admin UI directly to the internet. Publish only `/public-
 4. Reopen PowerShell and run:
 
 ```powershell
-npm ci
-npm run verify
+npm.cmd ci
+npm.cmd run verify
 ```
 
 ## Update an existing installation
@@ -159,11 +163,11 @@ npm run verify
 Stop the service, update the files, reinstall locked dependencies, verify, and restart:
 
 ```powershell
-npm stop
+npm.cmd stop
 git pull
-npm ci
-npm run verify
-npm start
+npm.cmd ci
+npm.cmd run verify
+npm.cmd start
 ```
 
 Keep `data\` when updating. It contains the SQLite database, saved state, PID file, and local AMMC configuration.