diff --git a/agent.py b/agent.py
index 6b16b49..78e03db 100644
--- a/agent.py
+++ b/agent.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """QuoteJudge Studio v1: deterministic quote comparison with durable per-user state."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import asyncio
 import base64
 import csv
 import hashlib
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@ class QuoteJudgeStudioV1(A2AAgent[QuoteJudgeStudioV1Config, PlatformUserAuth]):
         "scoring, persists per-user comparisons, supports browser uploads, and serves "
         "a polished packed product UI."
     )
-    version = "0.1.2"
+    version = "0.1.3"
 
     config_model = QuoteJudgeStudioV1Config
     auth_model = PlatformUserAuth
@@ -189,10 +190,21 @@ class QuoteJudgeStudioV1(A2AAgent[QuoteJudgeStudioV1Config, PlatformUserAuth]):
             },
             result=result,
         )
-        persisted = _persist_comparison(tenant, comparison_id, result, receipt)
+        persisted = await asyncio.to_thread(_persist_comparison, tenant, comparison_id, result, receipt)
+        if not persisted["ok"]:
+            return {
+                "ok": False,
+                "code": persisted["code"],
+                "comparison_id": comparison_id,
+                "receipt": {
+                    "receipt_id": receipt["receipt_id"],
+                    "persisted": False,
+                    "created_at": receipt["created_at"],
+                },
+            }
         result["receipt"] = {
             "receipt_id": receipt["receipt_id"],
-            "persisted": persisted["ok"],
+            "persisted": True,
             "created_at": receipt["created_at"],
         }
         if persisted.get("warning"):
@@ -214,7 +226,7 @@ class QuoteJudgeStudioV1(A2AAgent[QuoteJudgeStudioV1Config, PlatformUserAuth]):
         tenant = _tenant_key(ctx)
         if not _valid_comparison_id(comparison_id):
             return {"ok": False, "code": "invalid_comparison_id", "comparison_id": comparison_id}
-        record = _load_comparison(tenant, comparison_id)
+        record = await asyncio.to_thread(_load_comparison, tenant, comparison_id)
         if record is None:
             return {"ok": False, "code": "comparison_not_found", "comparison_id": comparison_id}
         result = dict(record["result"])