diff --git a/tui/services/__pycache__/dashboard_service.cpython-313.pyc b/tui/services/__pycache__/dashboard_service.cpython-313.pyc
index aa67752..755953c 100644
Binary files a/tui/services/__pycache__/dashboard_service.cpython-313.pyc and b/tui/services/__pycache__/dashboard_service.cpython-313.pyc differ
diff --git a/tui/services/dashboard_service.py b/tui/services/dashboard_service.py
index f4b3caa..8ad7731 100644
--- a/tui/services/dashboard_service.py
+++ b/tui/services/dashboard_service.py
@@ -19,9 +19,21 @@ class DashboardService:
     def __init__(self, db: AsyncSession):
         self.db = db
     
+    async def test_connection(self) -> None:
+        """Test database connection by running a simple query."""
+        try:
+            result = await self.db.execute("SELECT 1")
+            return result.scalar() == 1
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise Exception(f"Database connection test failed: {str(e)}")
+    
     async def get_dashboard_data(self) -> Dict:
         """Get consolidated dashboard data."""
         try:
+            # Test database connection first
+            if not await self.test_connection():
+                raise Exception("Database connection test failed")
+            
             # Recent workouts (last 7 days)
             workout_result = await self.db.execute(
                 select(Workout)
@@ -87,6 +99,10 @@ class DashboardService:
     async def get_weekly_stats(self) -> Dict:
         """Get weekly workout statistics."""
         try:
+            # Test database connection first
+            if not await self.test_connection():
+                raise Exception("Database connection test failed")
+            
             week_start = datetime.now() - timedelta(days=7)
             
             workout_result = await self.db.execute(
diff --git a/tui/views/__pycache__/dashboard.cpython-313.pyc b/tui/views/__pycache__/dashboard.cpython-313.pyc
index 8b7ccc8..3d77cd0 100644
Binary files a/tui/views/__pycache__/dashboard.cpython-313.pyc and b/tui/views/__pycache__/dashboard.cpython-313.pyc differ
diff --git a/tui/views/__pycache__/rules.cpython-313.pyc b/tui/views/__pycache__/rules.cpython-313.pyc
index 15a8ed8..52454ad 100644
Binary files a/tui/views/__pycache__/rules.cpython-313.pyc and b/tui/views/__pycache__/rules.cpython-313.pyc differ
diff --git a/tui/views/dashboard.py b/tui/views/dashboard.py
index 135cc23..f9513c5 100644
--- a/tui/views/dashboard.py
+++ b/tui/views/dashboard.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 """
-Dashboard view for AI Cycling Coach TUI.
+Fixed Dashboard view for AI Cycling Coach TUI.
 Displays overview of recent workouts, plans, and key metrics.
 """
 from datetime import datetime
@@ -8,17 +8,28 @@ from textual.containers import Container, Horizontal, Vertical, ScrollableContai
 from textual.widgets import Static, DataTable, LoadingIndicator
 from textual.widget import Widget
 from textual.reactive import reactive
+from textual import work
 
-from backend.app.database import AsyncSessionLocal
-from tui.services.dashboard_service import DashboardService
+try:
+    from backend.app.database import AsyncSessionLocal
+    from tui.services.dashboard_service import DashboardService
+except ImportError as e:
+    raise ImportError(f"Critical import error: {e}. Check service dependencies.")
 
 
 class DashboardView(Widget):
     """Main dashboard view showing workout summary and stats."""
     
-    # Reactive attributes to store data
-    dashboard_data = reactive({})
-    loading = reactive(True)
+    # Reactive attributes to store data - set init=False to prevent immediate refresh
+    dashboard_data = reactive({}, init=False)
+    loading = reactive(True, init=False)
+    error_message = reactive("", init=False)
+    
+    # Add unique identifier for debugging
+    debug_id = reactive("", init=False)
+    
+    # Track if we've mounted to prevent refresh before mount
+    _mounted = False
     
     DEFAULT_CSS = """
     .view-title {
@@ -48,172 +59,297 @@ class DashboardView(Widget):
     .stat-item {
         margin: 0 1;
     }
+    
+    .error-container {
+        border: solid $error;
+        padding: 1;
+        margin: 1 0;
+        color: $error;
+    }
+    .error-title {
+        text-style: bold;
+        margin-bottom: 1;
+    }
+    .error-subtitle {
+        text-style: underline;
+        margin: 1 0 0 1;
+    }
+    .error-item {
+        margin: 0 0 0 2;
+    }
+    .error-spacer {
+        height: 1;
+    }
+    .error-action {
+        margin-top: 1;
+        text-style: bold;
+    }
+    
+    .loading-overlay {
+        align: right top;
+        offset: 1 1;
+        padding: 1;
+        background: $panel;
+        border: solid $primary;
+    }
     """
     
     def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
         """Create dashboard layout."""
+        self.log(f"[DashboardView] compose called | debug_id={self.debug_id} | loading={self.loading} | error={self.error_message}")
         yield Static("AI Cycling Coach Dashboard", classes="view-title")
-        
-        if self.loading:
+        # Always show the structure - use conditional content
+        if self.error_message:
+            with Container(classes="error-container"):
+                yield Static(f"Error: {self.error_message}", classes="error-title")
+                yield Static("Possible causes:", classes="error-subtitle")
+                yield Static("- Database connection issue", classes="error-item")
+                yield Static("- Service dependency missing", classes="error-item")
+                yield Static("- Invalid configuration", classes="error-item")
+                yield Static("", classes="error-spacer")
+                yield Static("Troubleshooting steps:", classes="error-subtitle")
+                yield Static("- Check database configuration", classes="error-item")
+                yield Static("- Verify backend services are running", classes="error-item")
+                yield Static("- View logs for details", classes="error-item")
+                yield Static("", classes="error-spacer")
+                yield Static("Click Refresh to try again", classes="error-action")
+        elif self.loading and not self.dashboard_data:
+            # Initial load - full screen loader
             yield LoadingIndicator(id="dashboard-loader")
         else:
-            with ScrollableContainer():
-                with Horizontal():
-                    # Left column - Recent workouts
-                    with Vertical(classes="dashboard-column"):
-                        yield Static("Recent Workouts", classes="section-title")
-                        workout_table = DataTable(id="recent-workouts")
-                        workout_table.add_columns("Date", "Type", "Duration", "Distance", "Avg HR")
-                        yield workout_table
+            # Show content with optional refresh indicator
+            if self.loading:
+                with Container(classes="loading-overlay"):
+                    yield LoadingIndicator()
+                    yield Static("Refreshing...")
+            yield from self._compose_dashboard_content()
+    
+    
+    def _compose_dashboard_content(self) -> ComposeResult:
+        """Compose the main dashboard content."""
+        with ScrollableContainer():
+            with Horizontal():
+                # Left column - Recent workouts
+                with Vertical(classes="dashboard-column"):
+                    yield Static("Recent Workouts", classes="section-title")
+                    workout_table = DataTable(id="recent-workouts")
+                    workout_table.add_columns("Date", "Type", "Duration", "Distance", "Avg HR")
+                    yield workout_table
+                
+                # Right column - Quick stats and current plan
+                with Vertical(classes="dashboard-column"):
+                    # Weekly stats
+                    with Container(classes="stats-container"):
+                        yield Static("This Week", classes="section-title")
+                        yield Static("Workouts: 0", id="week-workouts", classes="stat-item")
+                        yield Static("Distance: 0 km", id="week-distance", classes="stat-item")
+                        yield Static("Time: 0h 0m", id="week-time", classes="stat-item")
                     
-                    # Right column - Quick stats and current plan
-                    with Vertical(classes="dashboard-column"):
-                        # Weekly stats
-                        with Container(classes="stats-container"):
-                            yield Static("This Week", classes="section-title")
-                            yield Static("Workouts: 0", id="week-workouts", classes="stat-item")
-                            yield Static("Distance: 0 km", id="week-distance", classes="stat-item")
-                            yield Static("Time: 0h 0m", id="week-time", classes="stat-item")
-                        
-                        # Active plan
-                        with Container(classes="stats-container"):
-                            yield Static("Current Plan", classes="section-title")
-                            yield Static("No active plan", id="active-plan", classes="stat-item")
-                        
-                        # Sync status
-                        with Container(classes="stats-container"):
-                            yield Static("Garmin Sync", classes="section-title")
-                            yield Static("Never synced", id="sync-status", classes="stat-item")
-                            yield Static("", id="last-sync", classes="stat-item")
+                    # Active plan
+                    with Container(classes="stats-container"):
+                        yield Static("Current Plan", classes="section-title")
+                        yield Static("No active plan", id="active-plan", classes="stat-item")
+                    
+                    # Sync status
+                    with Container(classes="stats-container"):
+                        yield Static("Garmin Sync", classes="section-title")
+                        yield Static("Never synced", id="sync-status", classes="stat-item")
+                        yield Static("", id="last-sync", classes="stat-item")
+def on_mount(self) -> None:
+    """Load dashboard data when mounted."""
+    # Generate unique debug ID for this instance
+    import uuid
+    self.debug_id = str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]
+    self.log(f"[DashboardView] on_mount called | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+    self._mounted = True
     
-    async def on_mount(self) -> None:
-        """Load dashboard data when mounted."""
-        try:
-            await self.load_dashboard_data()
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.log(f"Dashboard loading error: {e}", severity="error")
-            # Show error state instead of loading indicator
-            self.loading = False
-            self.refresh()
+    # Use @work decorator for async operations
+    self.load_dashboard_data()
+
     
+    @work(exclusive=True)
     async def load_dashboard_data(self) -> None:
         """Load and display dashboard data."""
+        self.log(f"[DashboardView] load_dashboard_data started | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
         try:
+            self.loading = True
+            self.error_message = ""
+            
+            try:
+                # Explicitly check imports again in case of lazy loading
+                from backend.app.database import AsyncSessionLocal
+                from tui.services.dashboard_service import DashboardService
+            except ImportError as e:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Import error in load_dashboard_data: {e} | debug_id={self.debug_id}", severity="error")
+                self.error_message = f"Service dependency error: {e}"
+                self.loading = False
+                return
+                
             async with AsyncSessionLocal() as db:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Database session opened | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
                 dashboard_service = DashboardService(db)
-                self.dashboard_data = await dashboard_service.get_dashboard_data()
+                
+                # Log service initialization
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] DashboardService created | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+                
+                dashboard_data = await dashboard_service.get_dashboard_data()
                 weekly_stats = await dashboard_service.get_weekly_stats()
                 
-                # Update the reactive data and stop loading
-                self.loading = False
-                self.refresh()
+                # Log data retrieval
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Data retrieved | debug_id={self.debug_id} | workouts={len(dashboard_data.get('recent_workouts', []))} | weekly_stats={weekly_stats}")
                 
-                # Populate the dashboard with data
-                await self.populate_dashboard(weekly_stats)
+                # Update reactive data
+                self.dashboard_data = dashboard_data
+                self.loading = False
+                
+                # Force recomposition after data is loaded
+                await self.call_after_refresh(self.populate_dashboard, weekly_stats)
                 
         except Exception as e:
-            self.log(f"Error loading dashboard data: {e}", severity="error")
+            self.log(f"[DashboardView] Error loading dashboard data: {e} | debug_id={self.debug_id}", severity="error")
+            self.error_message = str(e)
             self.loading = False
-            self.refresh()
+        finally:
+            self.log(f"[DashboardView] load_dashboard_data completed | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
     
     async def populate_dashboard(self, weekly_stats: dict) -> None:
         """Populate dashboard widgets with loaded data."""
+        self.log(f"[DashboardView] populate_dashboard started | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+        if self.loading or self.error_message:
+            self.log(f"[DashboardView] populate_dashboard skipped - loading={self.loading}, error={self.error_message} | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+            return
+            
         try:
             # Update recent workouts table
-            workout_table = self.query_one("#recent-workouts", DataTable)
-            workout_table.clear()
-            
-            for workout in self.dashboard_data.get("recent_workouts", []):
-                # Format datetime for display
-                start_time = "N/A"
-                if workout.get("start_time"):
-                    try:
-                        dt = datetime.fromisoformat(workout["start_time"].replace('Z', '+00:00'))
-                        start_time = dt.strftime("%m/%d %H:%M")
-                    except:
-                        start_time = workout["start_time"][:10]  # Fallback to date only
+            try:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Updating workout table | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+                workout_table = self.query_one("#recent-workouts", DataTable)
+                workout_table.clear()
                 
-                # Format duration
-                duration = "N/A"
-                if workout.get("duration_seconds"):
-                    minutes = workout["duration_seconds"] // 60
-                    duration = f"{minutes}min"
-                
-                # Format distance
-                distance = "N/A"
-                if workout.get("distance_m"):
-                    distance = f"{workout['distance_m'] / 1000:.1f}km"
-                
-                # Format heart rate
-                avg_hr = workout.get("avg_hr", "N/A")
-                if avg_hr != "N/A":
-                    avg_hr = f"{avg_hr}bpm"
-                
-                workout_table.add_row(
-                    start_time,
-                    workout.get("activity_type", "Unknown") or "Unknown",
-                    duration,
-                    distance,
-                    str(avg_hr)
-                )
+                for workout in self.dashboard_data.get("recent_workouts", []):
+                    # Format datetime for display
+                    start_time = "N/A"
+                    if workout.get("start_time"):
+                        try:
+                            dt = datetime.fromisoformat(workout["start_time"].replace('Z', '+00:00'))
+                            start_time = dt.strftime("%m/%d %H:%M")
+                        except Exception:
+                            start_time = workout["start_time"][:10]  # Fallback to date only
+                    
+                    # Format duration
+                    duration = "N/A"
+                    if workout.get("duration_seconds"):
+                        minutes = workout["duration_seconds"] // 60
+                        duration = f"{minutes}min"
+                    
+                    # Format distance
+                    distance = "N/A"
+                    if workout.get("distance_m"):
+                        distance = f"{workout['distance_m'] / 1000:.1f}km"
+                    
+                    # Format heart rate
+                    avg_hr = workout.get("avg_hr", "N/A")
+                    if avg_hr != "N/A":
+                        avg_hr = f"{avg_hr}bpm"
+                    
+                    workout_table.add_row(
+                        start_time,
+                        workout.get("activity_type", "Unknown") or "Unknown",
+                        duration,
+                        distance,
+                        str(avg_hr)
+                    )
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Workout table updated with {len(self.dashboard_data.get('recent_workouts', []))} rows | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Error updating workout table: {e} | debug_id={self.debug_id}", severity="error")
             
             # Update weekly stats
-            self.query_one("#week-workouts", Static).update(
-                f"Workouts: {weekly_stats.get('workout_count', 0)}"
-            )
-            self.query_one("#week-distance", Static).update(
-                f"Distance: {weekly_stats.get('total_distance_km', 0)}km"
-            )
-            self.query_one("#week-time", Static).update(
-                f"Time: {weekly_stats.get('total_time_hours', 0):.1f}h"
-            )
+            try:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Updating weekly stats | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+                self.query_one("#week-workouts", Static).update(
+                    f"Workouts: {weekly_stats.get('workout_count', 0)}"
+                )
+                self.query_one("#week-distance", Static).update(
+                    f"Distance: {weekly_stats.get('total_distance_km', 0)}km"
+                )
+                self.query_one("#week-time", Static).update(
+                    f"Time: {weekly_stats.get('total_time_hours', 0):.1f}h"
+                )
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Weekly stats updated | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Error updating stats: {e} | debug_id={self.debug_id}", severity="error")
             
             # Update current plan
-            current_plan = self.dashboard_data.get("current_plan")
-            if current_plan:
-                plan_text = f"Plan v{current_plan.get('version', 'N/A')}"
-                if current_plan.get("created_at"):
-                    try:
-                        dt = datetime.fromisoformat(current_plan["created_at"].replace('Z', '+00:00'))
-                        plan_text += f" ({dt.strftime('%m/%d/%Y')})"
-                    except:
-                        pass
-                self.query_one("#active-plan", Static).update(plan_text)
-            else:
-                self.query_one("#active-plan", Static).update("No active plan")
+            try:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Updating current plan | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+                current_plan = self.dashboard_data.get("current_plan")
+                if current_plan:
+                    plan_text = f"Plan v{current_plan.get('version', 'N/A')}"
+                    if current_plan.get("created_at"):
+                        try:
+                            dt = datetime.fromisoformat(current_plan["created_at"].replace('Z', '+00:00'))
+                            plan_text += f" ({dt.strftime('%m/%d/%Y')})"
+                        except Exception:
+                            pass
+                    self.query_one("#active-plan", Static).update(plan_text)
+                else:
+                    self.query_one("#active-plan", Static).update("No active plan")
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Current plan updated | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Error updating plan: {e} | debug_id={self.debug_id}", severity="error")
             
             # Update sync status
-            last_sync = self.dashboard_data.get("last_sync")
-            if last_sync:
-                status = last_sync.get("status", "unknown")
-                activities_count = last_sync.get("activities_synced", 0)
-                
-                self.query_one("#sync-status", Static).update(
-                    f"Status: {status.title()}"
-                )
-                
-                if last_sync.get("last_sync_time"):
-                    try:
-                        dt = datetime.fromisoformat(last_sync["last_sync_time"].replace('Z', '+00:00'))
-                        sync_time = dt.strftime("%m/%d %H:%M")
-                        self.query_one("#last-sync", Static).update(
-                            f"Last: {sync_time} ({activities_count} activities)"
-                        )
-                    except:
-                        self.query_one("#last-sync", Static).update(
-                            f"Activities: {activities_count}"
-                        )
+            try:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Updating sync status | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+                last_sync = self.dashboard_data.get("last_sync")
+                if last_sync:
+                    status = last_sync.get("status", "unknown")
+                    activities_count = last_sync.get("activities_synced", 0)
+                    
+                    self.query_one("#sync-status", Static).update(
+                        f"Status: {status.title()}"
+                    )
+                    
+                    if last_sync.get("last_sync_time"):
+                        try:
+                            dt = datetime.fromisoformat(last_sync["last_sync_time"].replace('Z', '+00:00'))
+                            sync_time = dt.strftime("%m/%d %H:%M")
+                            self.query_one("#last-sync", Static).update(
+                                f"Last: {sync_time} ({activities_count} activities)"
+                            )
+                        except Exception:
+                            self.query_one("#last-sync", Static).update(
+                                f"Activities: {activities_count}"
+                            )
+                    else:
+                        self.query_one("#last-sync", Static).update("")
                 else:
+                    self.query_one("#sync-status", Static).update("Never synced")
                     self.query_one("#last-sync", Static).update("")
-            else:
-                self.query_one("#sync-status", Static).update("Never synced")
-                self.query_one("#last-sync", Static).update("")
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Sync status updated | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.log(f"[DashboardView] Error updating sync status: {e} | debug_id={self.debug_id}", severity="error")
                 
         except Exception as e:
-            self.log(f"Error populating dashboard: {e}", severity="error")
+            self.log(f"[DashboardView] Error populating dashboard: {e} | debug_id={self.debug_id}", severity="error")
+            self.error_message = f"Failed to populate dashboard: {e}"
+        finally:
+            self.log(f"[DashboardView] populate_dashboard completed | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
     
     def watch_loading(self, loading: bool) -> None:
         """React to loading state changes."""
-        # Trigger recomposition when loading state changes
-        if hasattr(self, '_mounted') and self._mounted:
-            self.refresh()
\ No newline at end of file
+        self.log(f"[DashboardView] watch_loading: loading={loading} | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+        # Force recomposition when loading state changes
+        if self.is_mounted:
+            self.call_after_refresh(self._refresh_view)
+    
+    def watch_error_message(self, error_message: str) -> None:
+        """React to error message changes."""
+        self.log(f"[DashboardView] watch_error_message: error_message={error_message} | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+        if self.is_mounted:
+            self.call_after_refresh(self._refresh_view)
+    
+    async def _refresh_view(self) -> None:
+        """Force view refresh by recomposing."""
+        self.log(f"[DashboardView] _refresh_view called | debug_id={self.debug_id}")
+        self.refresh(layout=True)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tui/views/rules.py b/tui/views/rules.py
index 1fea4f6..1445935 100644
--- a/tui/views/rules.py
+++ b/tui/views/rules.py
@@ -211,16 +211,21 @@ class RuleView(Widget):
     
     async def on_mount(self) -> None:
         """Load rules when mounted."""
+        self.log("Mounting Rules view")
         await self.load_rules()
     
     async def load_rules(self) -> None:
         """Load rules from database."""
+        self.log("Starting rules load")
         self.loading = True
         self.refresh()
         
         try:
+            self.log("Creating database session")
             async with AsyncSessionLocal() as db:
+                self.log("Creating RuleService")
                 rule_service = RuleService(db)
+                self.log("Fetching rules from database")
                 self.rules = await rule_service.get_rules()
                 self.log(f"Loaded {len(self.rules)} rules from database")
                 await self.populate_rules_table()
@@ -229,22 +234,26 @@ class RuleView(Widget):
             self.error_message = error_msg
             self.log(error_msg, severity="error")
         finally:
+            self.log("Finished loading rules")
             self.loading = False
             self.refresh()
     
     async def populate_rules_table(self) -> None:
         """Populate rules table with data."""
         try:
+            self.log("Querying for rules table widget")
             rules_table = self.query_one("#rules-table", DataTable)
             if not rules_table:
                 self.log("Rules table widget not found", severity="error")
                 return
                 
+            self.log("Clearing rules table")
             rules_table.clear()
             self.log(f"Populating table with {len(self.rules)} rules")
             
             if not self.rules:
                 # Add placeholder row when no rules exist
+                self.log("Adding placeholder for empty rules")
                 rules_table.add_row("No rules found", "", "", "", "")
                 self.log("No rules to display")
                 return
diff --git a/tui/views/test_view.py b/tui/views/test_view.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68c2d5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tui/views/test_view.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+"""
+Simple test view to verify TUI framework functionality.
+"""
+from textual.app import ComposeResult
+from textual.widgets import Static
+from textual.widget import Widget
+
+class TestView(Widget):
+    """Test view with static content to verify TUI rendering."""
+    
+    def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
+        yield Static("TUI Framework Test", classes="view-title")
+        yield Static("This is a simple test view to verify TUI functionality.")
+        yield Static("If you see this text, the TUI framework is working correctly.")
+        yield Static("Check marks: [✓] Text rendering [✓] Basic layout")
+        
+    def on_mount(self) -> None:
+        self.log("TestView mounted successfully")