diff --git a/internal/services/sync/qt_settings.go b/internal/services/sync/qt_settings.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..835ddc6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/services/sync/qt_settings.go
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package sync
+
+import "fmt"
+
+// SyncQtSettings pulls qt_settings (tab_config, config_types, etc.) from
+// MariaDB into the local cache so the configurator picks up server-driven
+// category/tab changes without requiring a client rebuild.
+func (s *Service) SyncQtSettings() error {
+	mariaDB, err := s.getDB()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("database not available: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return s.localDB.SyncQtSettings(mariaDB)
+}
diff --git a/internal/services/sync/worker.go b/internal/services/sync/worker.go
index a2a752e..c175b6b 100644
--- a/internal/services/sync/worker.go
+++ b/internal/services/sync/worker.go
@@ -100,5 +100,10 @@ func (w *Worker) runSync() {
 		w.logger.Warn("background sync: failed to pull partnumber books", "error", err)
 	}
 
+	// Pull configurator settings (tab_config, categories, etc.)
+	if err := w.service.SyncQtSettings(); err != nil {
+		w.logger.Warn("background sync: failed to sync qt_settings", "error", err)
+	}
+
 	w.logger.Info("background sync cycle completed")
 }
diff --git a/web/templates/index.html b/web/templates/index.html
index 9da15eb..1c2dd24 100644
--- a/web/templates/index.html
+++ b/web/templates/index.html
@@ -832,13 +832,13 @@ async function loadCategoriesFromAPI() {
             .sort((a, b) => a.display_order - b.display_order)
             .map(cat => cat.code);
 
+        // Rebuild ASSIGNED_CATEGORIES from known (non-"other") tabs before
+        // populating "other", so unassigned categories aren't immediately
+        // excluded from the "other" tab by their own assignment.
+        ASSIGNED_CATEGORIES = knownCodes;
+
         // Update "other" tab with unassigned categories
         TAB_CONFIG.other.categories = unassignedCategories;
-
-        // Rebuild ASSIGNED_CATEGORIES
-        ASSIGNED_CATEGORIES = Object.values(TAB_CONFIG)
-            .flatMap(t => t.categories)
-            .map(c => ciStr(c));
     } catch(e) {
         console.error('Failed to load categories, using defaults', e);
         // Will use default configuration if API fails
@@ -882,8 +882,12 @@ function applyServerSettings(settings) {
                 sections: tab.sections || undefined
             };
         });
-        TAB_CONFIG.other = otherTab || { categories: [], singleSelect: false, label: 'Other' };
+        // Rebuild ASSIGNED_CATEGORIES from the known (non-"other") tabs only,
+        // before restoring .other — otherwise categories already parked in
+        // .other (e.g. by loadCategoriesFromAPI) get counted as "assigned"
+        // and immediately excluded from the "other" tab again.
         ASSIGNED_CATEGORIES = Object.values(TAB_CONFIG).flatMap(t => t.categories).map(c => ciStr(c));
+        TAB_CONFIG.other = otherTab || { categories: [], singleSelect: false, label: 'Other' };
     }
 
     // always_visible_tabs