diff --git a/markitect/cli.py b/markitect/cli.py
index 3d5643f6..4f698e76 100644
--- a/markitect/cli.py
+++ b/markitect/cli.py
@@ -288,25 +288,26 @@ def _show_core_system_stats(config, format):
                     db_size = 0
                     db_size_human = '0 B'
 
-                # Get file counts from database
+                # Get file counts from database using proper API
                 try:
-                    conn = db_manager.get_connection()
-                    cursor = conn.cursor()
-
-                    # Total files
-                    cursor.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM markdown_files")
-                    total_files = cursor.fetchone()[0]
+                    # Use execute_query method for database queries
+                    total_files_result = db_manager.execute_query("SELECT COUNT(*) as count FROM markdown_files")
+                    total_files = total_files_result[0]['count'] if total_files_result else 0
 
                     # Recent files (last 7 days)
-                    cursor.execute("""
-                        SELECT COUNT(*) FROM markdown_files
+                    recent_files_result = db_manager.execute_query("""
+                        SELECT COUNT(*) as count FROM markdown_files
                         WHERE created_at >= datetime('now', '-7 days')
                     """)
-                    recent_files = cursor.fetchone()[0]
+                    recent_files = recent_files_result[0]['count'] if recent_files_result else 0
 
-                    # Schema count
-                    cursor.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM schema_files")
-                    schema_count = cursor.fetchone()[0]
+                    # Schema count (table might not exist)
+                    try:
+                        schema_count_result = db_manager.execute_query("SELECT COUNT(*) as count FROM schema_files")
+                        schema_count = schema_count_result[0]['count'] if schema_count_result else 0
+                    except Exception:
+                        # schema_files table doesn't exist - this is okay
+                        schema_count = 0
 
                     stats['database'] = {
                         'path': db_path,