diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 43ae0e2..dfcf8d9 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,2 +1,31 @@
+# Python
 __pycache__/
-*.py[cod]
+*.pyc
+*.pyo
+*.pyd
+.Python
+env/
+venv/
+.venv/
+
+# Build artifacts
+dist/
+build/
+*.egg-info/
+*.egg
+
+# Other
+.DS_Store
+*.log
+*.pot
+*.pytx
+*.swp
+.idea/
+.vscode/
+*.db
+*.sqlite
+*.sqlite3
+/downloads
+/node_modules
+*.deb
+*.rpm
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/PKG-INFO b/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/PKG-INFO
index 2c29e15..186fa9d 100644
--- a/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/PKG-INFO
+++ b/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/PKG-INFO
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ Requires-Dist: build>=1.0.3; extra == "dev"
 Dynamic: license-file
 
 # SQLite Viewer for Ubuntu
+⚠️ This repository is an experimental project using AI tools such as Codex.
+It is shared for educational purposes only. Please note that it is provided *as is*, without warranty or official support.
 
 A lightweight PyQt6 desktop SQLite database viewer targeting Ubuntu desktops. The app lets you inspect tables, run ad-hoc queries, and export results—packaged for distribution via Python wheels or Debian packages.
 
@@ -78,6 +80,9 @@ source .venv/bin/activate
 pip install --upgrade pip
 pip install -e ".[dev]"
 ```
+Keep the extras in quotes (the `".[dev]"` part) so shells like `zsh` don't treat it as a glob pattern.
+
+If you prefer `uv`, install it beforehand (for example `pip install uv`) and then run `uv pip install -e ".[dev]"` inside the virtual environment.
 
 Launch the viewer:
 
diff --git a/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/SOURCES.txt b/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/SOURCES.txt
index 92c1852..72e2614 100644
--- a/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/SOURCES.txt
+++ b/src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/SOURCES.txt
@@ -20,4 +20,5 @@ src/sqliteviewer.egg-info/top_level.txt
 src/sqliteviewer/resources/__init__.py
 src/sqliteviewer/resources/icon.png
 src/sqliteviewer/resources/sqliteviewer.desktop
-tests/test_database.py
\ No newline at end of file
+tests/test_database.py
+tests/test_mainwindow.py
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/sqliteviewer/mainwindow.py b/src/sqliteviewer/mainwindow.py
index 9487fb8..0aaa73a 100644
--- a/src/sqliteviewer/mainwindow.py
+++ b/src/sqliteviewer/mainwindow.py
@@ -296,6 +296,8 @@ def _show_about_dialog(self) -> None:
     def _load_recent_files(self) -> None:
         files = self.settings.value("recent_files", [], type=list)
         self._recent_files = [f for f in files if Path(f).exists()]
+        if len(self._recent_files) != len(files):
+            self.settings.setValue("recent_files", self._recent_files)
         self._update_recent_menu()
 
     def _remember_recent_file(self, path: str) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/test_mainwindow.py b/tests/test_mainwindow.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fa1944
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_mainwindow.py
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import tempfile
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+from PyQt6.QtCore import QSettings
+
+from sqliteviewer.mainwindow import MainWindow
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def test_settings(qtbot) -> QSettings:
+    """Override QSettings to use a temporary, clean .ini file for tests."""
+    QSettings.setDefaultFormat(QSettings.Format.IniFormat)
+    settings = QSettings("test-org", "test-app")
+    settings.clear()
+    yield settings
+    settings.clear()
+
+
+def test_recent_files_are_purged_on_load(qtbot, test_settings, monkeypatch):
+    """Verify that non-existent recent files are removed from settings on load."""
+    # Arrange: Use monkeypatch to ensure the MainWindow uses our test_settings instance.
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "sqliteviewer.mainwindow.QSettings", lambda *args, **kwargs: test_settings
+    )
+
+    with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile() as tmpfile:
+        real_path = Path(tmpfile.name).as_posix()
+        fake_path = "/tmp/this-file-definitely-does-not-exist.db"
+        initial_files = [real_path, fake_path]
+        test_settings.setValue("recent_files", initial_files)
+
+        # Act: create the main window, which should trigger the load
+        window = MainWindow()
+        qtbot.addWidget(window)
+
+        # Assert: the settings should now only contain the real path
+        stored_files = test_settings.value("recent_files", [], type=list)
+        assert stored_files == [real_path]
\ No newline at end of file