diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 488c2c0..773ab29 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ npm run db:push
 npm run go
 ```
 
+> `db:push` creates the `data/` directory automatically if it doesn't exist.
+
 Open [http://localhost:3001](http://localhost:3001).
 
 ---
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 973b39a..a8e43fe 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
     "build": "cd client && npx vite build",
     "start": "tsx server/index.ts",
     "go": "npm run build && tsx server/index.ts",
-    "db:push": "drizzle-kit push",
+    "db:push": "mkdir -p data && drizzle-kit push",
     "db:studio": "drizzle-kit studio",
     "mcp": "tsx mcp/index.ts",
     "install-claude": "bash scripts/install.sh",