diff --git a/core/economy.py b/core/economy.py
index b03472b..a53a6ab 100644
--- a/core/economy.py
+++ b/core/economy.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import random
 from datetime import date, datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from typing import TypedDict
 
+import aiohttp
+
 from . import pb_client
 
 import strings
@@ -19,6 +21,11 @@ import strings
 _txn_log = logging.getLogger("tipiCOIN.txn")
 
 
+class DatabaseError(Exception):
+    """Raised when PocketBase is unreachable or returns an error."""
+    pass
+
+
 def _txn(event: str, **fields) -> None:
     """Log a single economy transaction to the transactions logger."""
     body = "  ".join(f"{k}={v}" for k, v in fields.items())
@@ -583,11 +590,15 @@ def format_td(td: timedelta) -> str:
 async def get_user(user_id: int) -> UserData:
     """Fetch user data from PocketBase, creating a default record if first seen."""
     uid = str(user_id)
-    record = await pb_client.get_record(uid)
-    if record is None:
-        default = _default_user()
-        default["user_id"] = uid  # type: ignore[typeddict-unknown-key]
-        record = await pb_client.create_record(default)
+    try:
+        record = await pb_client.get_record(uid)
+        if record is None:
+            default = _default_user()
+            default["user_id"] = uid  # type: ignore[typeddict-unknown-key]
+            record = await pb_client.create_record(default)
+    except (aiohttp.ClientError, asyncio.TimeoutError, RuntimeError) as exc:
+        _log.error("PocketBase unreachable for user %s: %s", user_id, exc)
+        raise DatabaseError(f"Database unavailable: {exc}") from exc
     user = _default_user()
     for key in list(user.keys()):
         if key in record:
@@ -696,7 +707,10 @@ async def _commit(user_id: int, user: UserData) -> None:
 # /daily
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_daily(user_id: int) -> dict:
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -772,7 +786,10 @@ _WORK_JOBS = strings.WORK_JOBS
 
 
 async def do_work(user_id: int) -> dict:
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -822,7 +839,10 @@ _BEG_JAIL_LINES = strings.BEG_JAIL_LINES
 
 
 async def do_beg(user_id: int) -> dict:
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -857,7 +877,10 @@ async def do_beg(user_id: int) -> dict:
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_fish_start(user_id: int) -> dict:
     """Check cooldown + jail, set cooldown. Call before starting the fishing minigame."""
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
     if jail := _is_jailed(user):
@@ -975,7 +998,10 @@ async def do_fishbook(user_id: int) -> dict:
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_prestige(user_id: int) -> dict:
     """Prestige: requires level 30, earns PP, resets balance/exp/items/cooldowns."""
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -1023,7 +1049,10 @@ async def do_prestige_buy(user_id: int, upgrade_id: str) -> dict:
     if upgrade_id not in PRESTIGE_SHOP:
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "not_found"}
 
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -1117,7 +1146,10 @@ _CRIME_LOSE = strings.CRIME_LOSE
 
 
 async def do_crime(user_id: int) -> dict:
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -1210,10 +1242,16 @@ async def do_bail(user_id: int) -> dict:
 # /rob
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_rob(robber_id: int, target_id: int) -> dict:
-    robber = await get_user(robber_id)
+    try:
+        robber = await get_user(robber_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if robber.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
-    target = await get_user(target_id)
+    try:
+        target = await get_user(target_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
 
     if cd := _cooldown_remaining(robber, "rob"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "cooldown", "remaining": cd}
@@ -1285,7 +1323,10 @@ async def do_rob(robber_id: int, target_id: int) -> dict:
 # /roulette
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_roulette(user_id: int, bet: int, colour: str) -> dict:
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
     if jail := _is_jailed(user):
@@ -1325,7 +1366,10 @@ async def do_roulette(user_id: int, bet: int, colour: str) -> dict:
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_game_bet(user_id: int, bet: int, outcome: str) -> dict:
     """Settle a simple win/tie/lose bet.  outcome: 'win' | 'tie' | 'lose'."""
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
     if jail := _is_jailed(user):
@@ -1378,7 +1422,10 @@ def _spin() -> str:
 
 
 async def do_slots(user_id: int, bet: int) -> dict:
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
     if jail := _is_jailed(user):
@@ -1431,7 +1478,10 @@ async def do_slots(user_id: int, bet: int) -> dict:
 # /give
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_give(giver_id: int, receiver_id: int, amount: int) -> dict:
-    giver = await get_user(giver_id)
+    try:
+        giver = await get_user(giver_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if giver.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -1441,7 +1491,10 @@ async def do_give(giver_id: int, receiver_id: int, amount: int) -> dict:
     if giver["balance"] < amount:
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "insufficient"}
 
-    receiver = await get_user(receiver_id)
+    try:
+        receiver = await get_user(receiver_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     giver["balance"] -= amount
     receiver["balance"] += amount
     giver["total_given"] = giver.get("total_given", 0) + amount
@@ -1463,7 +1516,10 @@ async def do_give(giver_id: int, receiver_id: int, amount: int) -> dict:
 async def do_buy(user_id: int, item_id: str) -> dict:
     if item_id not in SHOP:
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "not_found"}
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
 
@@ -1628,7 +1684,10 @@ async def do_set_reminders(user_id: int, commands: list[str]) -> None:
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 async def do_blackjack_bet(user_id: int, bet: int) -> dict:
     """Deduct the initial blackjack bet. Returns ok/fail."""
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
     if jail := _is_jailed(user):
@@ -1683,7 +1742,10 @@ async def do_get_jailed() -> list[tuple[int, timedelta]]:
 
 async def do_heist_check(user_id: int) -> dict:
     """Check whether a user is eligible to join a heist."""
-    user = await get_user(user_id)
+    try:
+        user = await get_user(user_id)
+    except DatabaseError:
+        return {"ok": False, "reason": "db_error"}
     if user.get("eco_banned"):
         return {"ok": False, "reason": "banned"}
     if jail := _is_jailed(user):
diff --git a/core/pb_client.py b/core/pb_client.py
index 59634b8..25d5baa 100644
--- a/core/pb_client.py
+++ b/core/pb_client.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ PB_ADMIN_EMAIL = config.PB_ADMIN_EMAIL
 PB_ADMIN_PASSWORD = config.PB_ADMIN_PASSWORD
 ECONOMY_COLLECTION = config.PB_ECONOMY_COLLECTION
 
-_TIMEOUT = aiohttp.ClientTimeout(total=10)
+_TIMEOUT = aiohttp.ClientTimeout(total=4)
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Persistent session (created once, reused for the lifetime of the process)