diff --git a/src/hqt/cli.py b/src/hqt/cli.py
index 55cbebb..cd056b7 100644
--- a/src/hqt/cli.py
+++ b/src/hqt/cli.py
@@ -122,10 +122,15 @@ def doctor():
 
 
 def _build_session_service():
-    """Wire a SessionService the same way HqtApp.on_mount does (for CLI use)."""
+    """Wire a SessionService the same way HqtApp.on_mount does (for CLI use).
+
+    Mirrors on_mount's DB + tmux wiring, including seeding harness rows, but
+    deliberately omits apply_theme — a one-off CLI call must not re-theme the
+    session's status bar.
+    """
     from hqt.config import get_settings
     from hqt.db.engine import ensure_db, get_engine, get_session_factory
-    from hqt.harnesses.registry import discover_harnesses
+    from hqt.harnesses.registry import discover_harnesses, ensure_harnesses_in_db
     from hqt.sessions.service import SessionService
     from hqt.tmux.manager import TmuxManager
     from hqt.tmux.runner import TmuxRunner
@@ -133,6 +138,8 @@ def _build_session_service():
     settings = get_settings()
     ensure_db(settings)
     factory = get_session_factory(get_engine(settings))
+    with factory() as db:
+        ensure_harnesses_in_db(db)
     runner = TmuxRunner(settings.tmux_path, settings.tui_session_name)
     return SessionService(factory, TmuxManager(runner), discover_harnesses())