diff --git a/src/project_manager.zig b/src/project_manager.zig
index 7a7ff2b..e077023 100644
--- a/src/project_manager.zig
+++ b/src/project_manager.zig
@@ -45,6 +45,10 @@ fn create() SpawnError!Self {
     return .{ .pid = tp.env.get().proc(module_name) };
 }
 
+pub fn start() SpawnError!void {
+    _ = try get();
+}
+
 pub fn shutdown() void {
     const pid = tp.env.get().proc(module_name);
     if (pid.expired()) {
diff --git a/src/tui/tui.zig b/src/tui/tui.zig
index 26777f4..f5a8559 100644
--- a/src/tui/tui.zig
+++ b/src/tui/tui.zig
@@ -133,6 +133,8 @@ fn init(allocator: Allocator) !*Self {
     self.rdr.dispatch_event = dispatch_event;
     try self.rdr.run();
 
+    try project_manager.start();
+
     try frame_clock.start();
     try self.commands.init(self);
     errdefer self.deinit();