diff --git a/src/api/project_routes.py b/src/api/project_routes.py
index 098b0c3..234bedc 100644
--- a/src/api/project_routes.py
+++ b/src/api/project_routes.py
@@ -30,8 +30,10 @@ async def list_projects():
         db_path = Path(reg.root) / pid / "blackboard.db"
         if db_path.exists():
             try:
-                bb = Blackboard(db_path)
-                info['task_count'] = bb.count_tasks()
+                conn = sqlite3.connect(str(db_path), timeout=5)
+                count = conn.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM tasks").fetchone()[0]
+                conn.close()
+                info['task_count'] = count
             except Exception:
                 pass
     return {"projects": {pid: info for pid, info in projects.items()