diff --git a/server/database.js b/server/database.js
index 910d6c1..81bf6ca 100644
--- a/server/database.js
+++ b/server/database.js
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ const __dirname = path.dirname(__filename);
 
 const db = new Database(path.join(__dirname, 'turtle_control.db'));
 
+// Enable WAL journal mode for better concurrent read/write performance
+db.pragma('journal_mode = WAL');
+
 // Initialize database schema
 export function initializeDatabase() {
   // Turtle homes table
@@ -185,6 +188,16 @@ export function initializeDatabase() {
     ON chunks(x, z);
   `);
 
+  // Turtle state persistence table (for reconnect recovery)
+  db.exec(`
+    CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS turtle_state (
+      turtle_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
+      state_name TEXT NOT NULL,
+      state_data TEXT DEFAULT '{}',
+      updated_at INTEGER NOT NULL
+    )
+  `);
+
   console.log('✅ Database initialized');
 }