diff --git a/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/main.rs b/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/main.rs
index 27460b9..3569f9d 100644
--- a/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/main.rs
+++ b/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/main.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
 
     // 2. Initialize the MCP Protocol Server
     // This replaces the entire Python layer.
-    let mcp_server = std::sync::Arc::new(server::McpServer::new());
+    let mcp_server = std::sync::Arc::new(server::McpServer::new()?);
 
     // 3. Block on the execution loop
     mcp_server.run().await?;
diff --git a/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/server/mcp_protocol.rs b/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/server/mcp_protocol.rs
index 41311c5..49ee288 100644
--- a/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/server/mcp_protocol.rs
+++ b/cuba_cognitive_engine/src/server/mcp_protocol.rs
@@ -133,16 +133,16 @@ pub struct McpServer {
 }
 
 impl McpServer {
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
+    pub fn new() -> Result<Self> {
         // DEBT-T07: Direct sandbox, no router indirection
-        let sandbox = Arc::new(LocalReasoningEngine::new("cognitive-engine-v3", 2).unwrap());
+        let sandbox = Arc::new(LocalReasoningEngine::new("cognitive-engine-v3", 2)?);
         let sessions = Arc::new(crate::engine::thought_session::SessionStore::new());
         let metrics = Arc::new(RedMetrics::new());
-        Self {
+        Ok(Self {
             sandbox,
             sessions,
             metrics,
-        }
+        })
     }
 
     /// Primary Execution Loop (STDIO)