diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e6724ff0..b448adb9 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 # Changelog
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Fixed
+
+- **`haiku-rag info` on pre-migration databases**: `info` no longer fails with a misleading `Cannot create tables in read-only mode` error when a required table added by a later version (e.g. `document_items` in 0.40.0) is absent. It now reports stats for the tables that do exist, marks the missing ones as `absent`, and shows a dedicated section listing any pending migrations with the `haiku-rag migrate` hint ([#346](https://github.com/ggozad/haiku.rag/issues/346))
+
 ## [0.39.0] - 2026-04-16
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/haiku_rag_slim/haiku/rag/app.py b/haiku_rag_slim/haiku/rag/app.py
index b06eef1b..eb470c03 100644
--- a/haiku_rag_slim/haiku/rag/app.py
+++ b/haiku_rag_slim/haiku/rag/app.py
@@ -68,7 +68,13 @@ class HaikuRAGApp:  # pragma: no cover
     async def info(self):
         """Display read-only information about the database without modifying it."""
 
-        from haiku.rag.store.engine import Store, connect_lancedb
+        from haiku.rag.store.engine import connect_lancedb
+        from haiku.rag.store.upgrades import get_pending_upgrades
+
+        if self.before is not None:
+            self.console.print(
+                "[yellow]Note: --before is not supported by info; showing current state.[/yellow]"
+            )
 
         # Basic: show path/URI
         self.console.print("[bold]haiku.rag database info[/bold]")
@@ -80,10 +86,12 @@ class HaikuRAGApp:  # pragma: no cover
             self.console.print("[red]Database path does not exist.[/red]")
             return
 
-        # Connect without going through Store to avoid upgrades/validation writes
+        # Connect directly. Don't go through Store so a database that is
+        # missing tables (e.g. pre-migration) still reports what it can.
         db = connect_lancedb(self.config, self.db_path)
+        existing_tables = set(db.list_tables().tables)
 
-        if not db.list_tables().tables:
+        if not existing_tables:
             self.console.print(
                 "[red]Database is empty. Use 'haiku-rag init' to initialize.[/red]"
             )
@@ -91,44 +99,28 @@ class HaikuRAGApp:  # pragma: no cover
 
         versions = get_package_versions()
 
-        store = Store(
-            self.db_path,
-            config=self.config,
-            skip_validation=True,
-            read_only=True,
-            skip_migration_check=True,
-            before=self.before,
-        )
-        table_stats = store.get_stats()
-
-        # Read settings after Store init (migrations have run)
-        settings_tbl = db.open_table("settings")
-        arrow = settings_tbl.search().where("id = 'settings'").limit(1).to_arrow()
-        rows = arrow.to_pylist()
-        raw = rows[0].get("settings") or "{}"
-        data = json.loads(raw) if isinstance(raw, str) else (raw or {})
-        stored_version = str(data.get("version", "unknown"))
-        embeddings = data.get("embeddings", {})
-        embed_model_obj = embeddings.get("model", {})
-        embed_provider = embed_model_obj.get("provider", "unknown")
-        embed_model = embed_model_obj.get("name", "unknown")
-        vector_dim = embed_model_obj.get("vector_dim")
-
-        store.close()
-
-        num_docs = table_stats["documents"].get("num_rows", 0)
-        doc_bytes = table_stats["documents"].get("total_bytes", 0)
-
-        num_chunks = table_stats["chunks"].get("num_rows", 0)
-        chunk_bytes = table_stats["chunks"].get("total_bytes", 0)
-
-        has_vector_index = table_stats["chunks"].get("has_vector_index", False)
-        num_indexed_rows = table_stats["chunks"].get("num_indexed_rows", 0)
-        num_unindexed_rows = table_stats["chunks"].get("num_unindexed_rows", 0)
-
-        # Table versions per table (direct API)
-        doc_versions = len(list(db.open_table("documents").list_versions()))
-        chunk_versions = len(list(db.open_table("chunks").list_versions()))
+        stored_version = "unknown"
+        embed_provider = "unknown"
+        embed_model = "unknown"
+        vector_dim = None
+        if "settings" in existing_tables:
+            settings_tbl = db.open_table("settings")
+            rows = (
+                settings_tbl.search()
+                .where("id = 'settings'")
+                .limit(1)
+                .to_arrow()
+                .to_pylist()
+            )
+            if rows:
+                raw = rows[0].get("settings") or "{}"
+                data = json.loads(raw) if isinstance(raw, str) else (raw or {})
+                stored_version = str(data.get("version", "unknown"))
+                embeddings = data.get("embeddings", {})
+                embed_model_obj = embeddings.get("model", {})
+                embed_provider = embed_model_obj.get("provider", "unknown")
+                embed_model = embed_model_obj.get("name", "unknown")
+                vector_dim = embed_model_obj.get("vector_dim")
 
         self.console.print(
             f"  [repr.attrib_name]haiku.rag version (db)[/repr.attrib_name]: {stored_version}"
@@ -138,50 +130,92 @@ class HaikuRAGApp:  # pragma: no cover
             "  [repr.attrib_name]embeddings[/repr.attrib_name]: "
             f"{embed_provider}/{embed_model} (dim: {dim_part})"
         )
-        self.console.print(
-            f"  [repr.attrib_name]documents[/repr.attrib_name]: {num_docs} "
-            f"({format_bytes(doc_bytes)})"
-        )
-        self.console.print(
-            f"  [repr.attrib_name]chunks[/repr.attrib_name]: {num_chunks} "
-            f"({format_bytes(chunk_bytes)})"
-        )
+
+        # Per-table row counts and sizes. Missing required tables are shown
+        # as "absent" rather than raising.
+        for name in ("documents", "chunks", "document_items"):
+            if name in existing_tables:
+                stats = db.open_table(name).stats()
+                num_rows = stats.get("num_rows", 0)
+                total_bytes = stats.get("total_bytes", 0)
+                self.console.print(
+                    f"  [repr.attrib_name]{name}[/repr.attrib_name]: {num_rows} "
+                    f"({format_bytes(total_bytes)})"
+                )
+            else:
+                self.console.print(
+                    f"  [repr.attrib_name]{name}[/repr.attrib_name]: [yellow]absent[/yellow]"
+                )
 
         # Vector index information
-        if has_vector_index:
-            self.console.print(
-                "  [repr.attrib_name]vector index[/repr.attrib_name]: ✓ exists"
-            )
-            self.console.print(
-                f"  [repr.attrib_name]indexed chunks[/repr.attrib_name]: {num_indexed_rows}"
-            )
-            if num_unindexed_rows > 0:
-                self.console.print(
-                    f"  [repr.attrib_name]unindexed chunks[/repr.attrib_name]: [yellow]{num_unindexed_rows}[/yellow] "
-                    "(consider running: haiku-rag create-index)"
-                )
-            else:
-                self.console.print(
-                    f"  [repr.attrib_name]unindexed chunks[/repr.attrib_name]: {num_unindexed_rows}"
-                )
-        else:
-            if num_chunks >= 256:
-                self.console.print(
-                    "  [repr.attrib_name]vector index[/repr.attrib_name]: [yellow]✗ not created[/yellow] "
-                    "(run: haiku-rag create-index)"
-                )
-            else:
-                self.console.print(
-                    f"  [repr.attrib_name]vector index[/repr.attrib_name]: ✗ not created "
-                    f"(need {256 - num_chunks} more chunks)"
-                )
+        if "chunks" in existing_tables:
+            chunks_tbl = db.open_table("chunks")
+            num_chunks = chunks_tbl.stats().get("num_rows", 0)
+            indices = chunks_tbl.list_indices()
+            has_vector_index = any("vector" in str(idx).lower() for idx in indices)
 
-        self.console.print(
-            f"  [repr.attrib_name]versions (documents)[/repr.attrib_name]: {doc_versions}"
-        )
-        self.console.print(
-            f"  [repr.attrib_name]versions (chunks)[/repr.attrib_name]: {chunk_versions}"
+            if has_vector_index:
+                index_stats = chunks_tbl.index_stats("vector_idx")
+                num_indexed_rows = (
+                    index_stats.num_indexed_rows if index_stats is not None else 0
+                )
+                num_unindexed_rows = (
+                    index_stats.num_unindexed_rows if index_stats is not None else 0
+                )
+                self.console.print(
+                    "  [repr.attrib_name]vector index[/repr.attrib_name]: ✓ exists"
+                )
+                self.console.print(
+                    f"  [repr.attrib_name]indexed chunks[/repr.attrib_name]: {num_indexed_rows}"
+                )
+                if num_unindexed_rows > 0:
+                    self.console.print(
+                        f"  [repr.attrib_name]unindexed chunks[/repr.attrib_name]: [yellow]{num_unindexed_rows}[/yellow] "
+                        "(consider running: haiku-rag create-index)"
+                    )
+                else:
+                    self.console.print(
+                        f"  [repr.attrib_name]unindexed chunks[/repr.attrib_name]: {num_unindexed_rows}"
+                    )
+            else:
+                if num_chunks >= 256:
+                    self.console.print(
+                        "  [repr.attrib_name]vector index[/repr.attrib_name]: [yellow]✗ not created[/yellow] "
+                        "(run: haiku-rag create-index)"
+                    )
+                else:
+                    self.console.print(
+                        f"  [repr.attrib_name]vector index[/repr.attrib_name]: ✗ not created "
+                        f"(need {256 - num_chunks} more chunks)"
+                    )
+
+        if "documents" in existing_tables:
+            doc_versions = len(list(db.open_table("documents").list_versions()))
+            self.console.print(
+                f"  [repr.attrib_name]versions (documents)[/repr.attrib_name]: {doc_versions}"
+            )
+        if "chunks" in existing_tables:
+            chunk_versions = len(list(db.open_table("chunks").list_versions()))
+            self.console.print(
+                f"  [repr.attrib_name]versions (chunks)[/repr.attrib_name]: {chunk_versions}"
+            )
+
+        # Migration status
+        pending = (
+            get_pending_upgrades(stored_version) if stored_version != "unknown" else []
         )
+        self.console.rule()
+        if pending:
+            self.console.print(
+                f"[bold yellow]Pending migrations: {len(pending)}[/bold yellow] "
+                "(run [cyan]haiku-rag migrate[/cyan] to upgrade)"
+            )
+            for step in pending:
+                desc = step.description or ""
+                self.console.print(f"  [yellow]→[/yellow] {step.version}: {desc}")
+        else:
+            self.console.print("[green]Database is up to date.[/green]")
+
         self.console.rule()
         self.console.print("[bold]Versions[/bold]")
         self.console.print(
diff --git a/tests/test_info.py b/tests/test_info.py
index 5f7eb784..abe90307 100644
--- a/tests/test_info.py
+++ b/tests/test_info.py
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ async def test_app_info_with_vector_index(temp_db_path, capsys):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_app_info_uses_connect_lancedb_for_remote(tmp_path, capsys):
+async def test_app_info_uses_connect_lancedb_for_remote(tmp_path):
     """info() should use connect_lancedb() instead of direct lancedb.connect() for remote URIs."""
     nonexistent = tmp_path / "does_not_exist" / "db.lancedb"
     config = AppConfig(
@@ -173,42 +173,142 @@ async def test_app_info_uses_connect_lancedb_for_remote(tmp_path, capsys):
     app = HaikuRAGApp(db_path=nonexistent, config=config)
 
     with patch("haiku.rag.store.engine.connect_lancedb") as mock_connect:
-        # Make the mock return something that lets info() proceed minimally
-        mock_db = mock_connect.return_value
-        mock_table = mock_db.open_table.return_value
-        mock_table.search.return_value.where.return_value.limit.return_value.to_arrow.return_value.to_pylist.return_value = [
-            {
-                "settings": json.dumps(
+        # Empty DB triggers the early-return path - enough to prove connect_lancedb was used
+        mock_connect.return_value.list_tables.return_value.tables = []
+        await app.info()
+
+    mock_connect.assert_called_once_with(config, nonexistent)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_app_info_with_missing_document_items_table(temp_db_path, capsys):
+    """info() should still output database info and report pending migrations
+    when a required table is absent (as for a DB created before 0.40.0)."""
+    import lancedb
+    from lancedb.pydantic import LanceModel, Vector
+    from pydantic import Field
+
+    db = lancedb.connect(temp_db_path)
+
+    class SettingsRecord(LanceModel):
+        id: str = Field(default="settings")
+        settings: str = Field(default="{}")
+
+    class DocumentRecord(LanceModel):
+        id: str
+        content: str
+
+    class ChunkRecord(LanceModel):
+        id: str
+        document_id: str
+        content: str
+        vector: Vector(3)  # type: ignore
+
+    settings_tbl = db.create_table("settings", schema=SettingsRecord)
+    docs_tbl = db.create_table("documents", schema=DocumentRecord)
+    chunks_tbl = db.create_table("chunks", schema=ChunkRecord)
+    # Intentionally omit document_items (added in 0.40.0)
+
+    settings_tbl.add(
+        [
+            SettingsRecord(
+                id="settings",
+                settings=json.dumps(
                     {
-                        "version": "1.0.0",
+                        "version": "0.39.0",
                         "embeddings": {
                             "model": {
-                                "provider": "test",
-                                "name": "test",
+                                "provider": "openai",
+                                "name": "text-embedding-3-small",
                                 "vector_dim": 3,
                             }
                         },
                     }
-                )
-            }
+                ),
+            )
         ]
+    )
+    docs_tbl.add([DocumentRecord(id="doc-1", content="hello")])
+    chunks_tbl.add(
+        [ChunkRecord(id="c1", document_id="doc-1", content="c", vector=[0.1, 0.2, 0.3])]
+    )
 
-        with patch("haiku.rag.store.engine.Store") as mock_store_cls:
-            mock_store = mock_store_cls.return_value
-            mock_store.get_stats.return_value = {
-                "documents": {"exists": True, "num_rows": 0, "total_bytes": 0},
-                "chunks": {
-                    "exists": True,
-                    "num_rows": 0,
-                    "total_bytes": 0,
-                    "has_vector_index": False,
-                    "num_indexed_rows": 0,
-                    "num_unindexed_rows": 0,
-                },
-            }
-            await app.info()
+    app = HaikuRAGApp(db_path=temp_db_path)
+    await app.info()
 
-        mock_connect.assert_called_once_with(config, nonexistent)
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    # Core stats should still be reported
+    assert "haiku.rag version (db): 0.39.0" in out
+    assert "documents: 1" in out
+    assert "chunks: 1" in out
+
+    # Missing table should be flagged, not cause a crash
+    assert "document_items: absent" in out
+
+    # Migration status should be surfaced
+    assert "Pending migrations:" in out
+    assert "haiku-rag migrate" in out
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_app_info_reports_up_to_date(temp_db_path, capsys):
+    """info() should report the database is up to date when no migrations
+    are pending."""
+    from importlib import metadata
+
+    import lancedb
+    from lancedb.pydantic import LanceModel, Vector
+    from pydantic import Field
+
+    db = lancedb.connect(temp_db_path)
+
+    class SettingsRecord(LanceModel):
+        id: str = Field(default="settings")
+        settings: str = Field(default="{}")
+
+    class DocumentRecord(LanceModel):
+        id: str
+        content: str
+
+    class ChunkRecord(LanceModel):
+        id: str
+        document_id: str
+        content: str
+        vector: Vector(3)  # type: ignore
+
+    settings_tbl = db.create_table("settings", schema=SettingsRecord)
+    db.create_table("documents", schema=DocumentRecord)
+    db.create_table("chunks", schema=ChunkRecord)
+    db.create_table("document_items", schema=DocumentItemRecord)
+
+    current_version = metadata.version("haiku.rag-slim")
+    settings_tbl.add(
+        [
+            SettingsRecord(
+                id="settings",
+                settings=json.dumps(
+                    {
+                        "version": current_version,
+                        "embeddings": {
+                            "model": {
+                                "provider": "openai",
+                                "name": "text-embedding-3-small",
+                                "vector_dim": 3,
+                            }
+                        },
+                    }
+                ),
+            )
+        ]
+    )
+
+    app = HaikuRAGApp(db_path=temp_db_path)
+    await app.info()
+
+    out = capsys.readouterr().out
+    assert "Database is up to date." in out
+    assert "Pending migrations" not in out
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio