diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 96a2bbe..0b81944 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.31.0 - 2026-05-17
+
+- Added scheduled background watchlist refresh support so the app can periodically recheck episode counts for tracked anime.
+- Added Config page controls for enabling or disabling the scheduled refresh and setting the refresh period in minutes.
+- Reused the existing background `Refresh All` worker for scheduled runs and expanded regression coverage for the new config fields and scheduler timing behavior.
+
 ## 0.30.4 - 2026-05-17
 
 - Added browser-friendly remote auth bootstrap: remote users can open the app once with `?token=...`, the server stores the token in an HTTP-only cookie, and then strips the token back out of the URL with a redirect.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5cbef38..ccc55af 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 A local web UI for a system-wide `ani-cli` install.
 
-Current version: `0.30.4`
+Current version: `0.31.0`
 
 ## Project Layout
 
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ The app currently includes:
 - The watchlist page now silently refreshes itself while queued per-show refresh work is still being processed, so queued entries settle into their updated state without a manual reload.
 - The watchlist page now also avoids re-triggering the same unresolved thumbnail warm-up request on every silent poll cycle while a show's thumbnail state is unchanged.
 - Background `Refresh All` execution with status polling, parallel per-show refresh work, and no inline thumbnail downloads during the bulk job.
+- Optional scheduled background watchlist refreshes with Config page controls for enable/disable and refresh period.
 - Search and Watchlist polling now use a shared serial browser polling helper so slow responses do not cause overlapping poll requests to pile up in the background.
 - That shared browser polling helper now also tears itself down on page unload and uses chained `setTimeout` scheduling instead of a bare repeating interval.
 - Controlled shutdown and runtime reset now cancel active download workers when waiting for teardown, reducing the chance of orphaned background downloads outliving the web process.
@@ -202,6 +203,8 @@ Use it to:
 1. Set the default download folder.
 2. Choose the default `sub` or `dub` search mode.
 3. Choose the default search quality used to prefill the Search page.
+4. Enable or disable periodic watchlist refresh checks.
+5. Set the refresh period in minutes for that scheduled watchlist job.
 
 Those saved defaults are written into the project-local `config.json` and loaded automatically when the Search page opens.
 
@@ -388,6 +391,8 @@ Environment variables:
 
 Saved defaults from the UI are written into the project-local `config.json`.
 
+The saved config now also includes `watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled` and `watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes`, which control the periodic background watchlist refresh schedule.
+
 ## Notes
 
 - Importing `app.py` no longer boots the runtime worker threads automatically; runtime setup is deferred until startup or first use.
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index db287d4..26bea73 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.30.4
+0.31.0
diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index cd18122..52597d4 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ from app_support import (
     write_json,
 )
 from http_handler import HandlerContext, build_handler_class, server_host, server_port
-from queue_jobs import DownloadQueue, WatchlistRefreshJobs
+from queue_jobs import DownloadQueue, WatchlistAutoRefreshScheduler, WatchlistRefreshJobs
 from title_matching import (
     base_title_variants,
     normalize_title_key,
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ CONFIG = None
 WATCHLIST = None
 DOWNLOAD_QUEUE = None
 WATCHLIST_REFRESH = None
+WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH = None
 
 
 def graph_request(query, variables, timeout=25):
@@ -1780,10 +1781,14 @@ def get_config_snapshot(fallback=None):
 
 def save_runtime_config(config):
     normalized = normalize_config(config)
+    scheduler = None
     with RUNTIME_LOCK:
         global CONFIG
         CONFIG = dict(normalized)
         write_json(CONFIG_PATH, CONFIG)
+        scheduler = WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH
+    if scheduler is not None:
+        scheduler.notify_config_changed()
     return dict(CONFIG)
 
 
@@ -1793,6 +1798,7 @@ def runtime_state():
         "watchlist": WATCHLIST,
         "download_queue": DOWNLOAD_QUEUE,
         "watchlist_refresh": WATCHLIST_REFRESH,
+        "watchlist_auto_refresh": WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH,
     }
 
 
@@ -1809,35 +1815,55 @@ def build_runtime(start_workers=None):
         start_worker=worker_state,
     )
     watchlist_refresh = WatchlistRefreshJobs(watchlist, start_worker=worker_state)
+    watchlist_auto_refresh = WatchlistAutoRefreshScheduler(
+        config_getter=lambda: get_config_snapshot(config),
+        refresh_start_fn=watchlist_refresh.start,
+        start_worker=worker_state,
+    )
     return {
         "config": config,
         "watchlist": watchlist,
         "download_queue": download_queue,
         "watchlist_refresh": watchlist_refresh,
+        "watchlist_auto_refresh": watchlist_auto_refresh,
     }
 
 
 def initialize_runtime(start_workers=None):
-    global CONFIG, WATCHLIST, DOWNLOAD_QUEUE, WATCHLIST_REFRESH
+    global CONFIG, WATCHLIST, DOWNLOAD_QUEUE, WATCHLIST_REFRESH, WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH
     with RUNTIME_LOCK:
         workers_allowed = background_workers_enabled()
-        if CONFIG is not None and WATCHLIST is not None and DOWNLOAD_QUEUE is not None and WATCHLIST_REFRESH is not None:
+        if (
+            CONFIG is not None
+            and WATCHLIST is not None
+            and DOWNLOAD_QUEUE is not None
+            and WATCHLIST_REFRESH is not None
+            and WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH is not None
+        ):
             if start_workers and workers_allowed:
                 WATCHLIST.worker_enabled = True
                 WATCHLIST.ensure_worker()
                 DOWNLOAD_QUEUE.ensure_worker()
                 WATCHLIST_REFRESH.ensure_worker()
+                WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH.ensure_worker()
             return runtime_state()
         runtime = build_runtime(start_workers=start_workers)
         CONFIG = runtime["config"]
         WATCHLIST = runtime["watchlist"]
         DOWNLOAD_QUEUE = runtime["download_queue"]
         WATCHLIST_REFRESH = runtime["watchlist_refresh"]
+        WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH = runtime["watchlist_auto_refresh"]
         return runtime
 
 
 def ensure_runtime(start_workers=False):
-    if CONFIG is None or WATCHLIST is None or DOWNLOAD_QUEUE is None or WATCHLIST_REFRESH is None:
+    if (
+        CONFIG is None
+        or WATCHLIST is None
+        or DOWNLOAD_QUEUE is None
+        or WATCHLIST_REFRESH is None
+        or WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH is None
+    ):
         return initialize_runtime(start_workers=start_workers)
     if start_workers:
         return initialize_runtime(start_workers=True)
@@ -1847,10 +1873,16 @@ def ensure_runtime(start_workers=False):
 def shutdown_runtime(wait=False, cancel_active_downloads=None):
     services = None
     with RUNTIME_LOCK:
-        if CONFIG is None and WATCHLIST is None and DOWNLOAD_QUEUE is None and WATCHLIST_REFRESH is None:
+        if (
+            CONFIG is None
+            and WATCHLIST is None
+            and DOWNLOAD_QUEUE is None
+            and WATCHLIST_REFRESH is None
+            and WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH is None
+        ):
             return False
-        services = (WATCHLIST, DOWNLOAD_QUEUE, WATCHLIST_REFRESH)
-    watchlist, download_queue, watchlist_refresh = services
+        services = (WATCHLIST, DOWNLOAD_QUEUE, WATCHLIST_REFRESH, WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH)
+    watchlist, download_queue, watchlist_refresh, watchlist_auto_refresh = services
     should_cancel_downloads = bool(wait) if cancel_active_downloads is None else bool(cancel_active_downloads)
     stopped = True
     if watchlist is not None:
@@ -1859,11 +1891,13 @@ def shutdown_runtime(wait=False, cancel_active_downloads=None):
         stopped = download_queue.shutdown(wait=wait, cancel_active=should_cancel_downloads) and stopped
     if watchlist_refresh is not None:
         stopped = watchlist_refresh.shutdown(wait=wait) and stopped
+    if watchlist_auto_refresh is not None:
+        stopped = watchlist_auto_refresh.shutdown(wait=wait) and stopped
     return stopped
 
 
 def reset_runtime(wait=False, cancel_active_downloads=None):
-    global CONFIG, WATCHLIST, DOWNLOAD_QUEUE, WATCHLIST_REFRESH
+    global CONFIG, WATCHLIST, DOWNLOAD_QUEUE, WATCHLIST_REFRESH, WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH
     stopped = shutdown_runtime(wait=wait, cancel_active_downloads=cancel_active_downloads)
     if not stopped:
         if wait:
@@ -1874,6 +1908,7 @@ def reset_runtime(wait=False, cancel_active_downloads=None):
         WATCHLIST = None
         DOWNLOAD_QUEUE = None
         WATCHLIST_REFRESH = None
+        WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH = None
     return True
 
 
diff --git a/app_support.py b/app_support.py
index 9df2d96..c3303ef 100644
--- a/app_support.py
+++ b/app_support.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from uuid import uuid4
 PROJECT_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent
 ANI_CLI = os.environ.get("ANI_CLI_BIN") or shutil.which("ani-cli") or "ani-cli"
 APP_NAME = "ani-cli-web"
-VERSION = "0.30.4"
+VERSION = "0.31.0"
 ALLANIME_BASE = "allanime.day"
 ALLANIME_API = f"https://api.{ALLANIME_BASE}"
 ALLANIME_REFERER = "https://allmanga.to"
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ MAX_LOG_LINES = 240
 MAX_JSON_BODY_BYTES = 12 * 1024 * 1024
 WATCHLIST_REFRESH_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 8
 WORKER_SHUTDOWN_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 10
+WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_DEFAULT_MINUTES = 60
+WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_MIN_MINUTES = 1
+WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_MAX_MINUTES = 7 * 24 * 60
 
 
 def env_flag(name, default=False):
@@ -114,6 +117,8 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     "download_dir": default_download_dir(),
     "mode": os.environ.get("ANI_CLI_MODE", "sub"),
     "quality": os.environ.get("ANI_CLI_QUALITY", "best"),
+    "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": False,
+    "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_DEFAULT_MINUTES,
 }
 
 
@@ -254,10 +259,28 @@ def normalize_config(data):
     if quality.endswith("p") and quality[:-1].isdigit():
         quality = quality[:-1]
     download_dir = str(config.get("download_dir") or DEFAULT_CONFIG["download_dir"])
+    auto_refresh_enabled = config.get("watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled")
+    auto_refresh_minutes = config.get("watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes")
+
+    if isinstance(auto_refresh_enabled, str):
+        auto_refresh_enabled = auto_refresh_enabled.strip().lower() in {"1", "true", "yes", "on"}
+    else:
+        auto_refresh_enabled = bool(auto_refresh_enabled)
+
+    try:
+        auto_refresh_minutes = int(str(auto_refresh_minutes).strip() or WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_DEFAULT_MINUTES)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        auto_refresh_minutes = WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_DEFAULT_MINUTES
+    auto_refresh_minutes = max(
+        WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_MIN_MINUTES,
+        min(WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH_MAX_MINUTES, auto_refresh_minutes),
+    )
 
     config["mode"] = mode if mode in MODE_CHOICES else "sub"
     config["quality"] = quality if quality in QUALITY_CHOICES else "best"
     config["download_dir"] = str(Path(download_dir).expanduser())
+    config["watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled"] = auto_refresh_enabled
+    config["watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes"] = auto_refresh_minutes
     return config
 
 
diff --git a/config_page.py b/config_page.py
index cad72b2..67639a7 100644
--- a/config_page.py
+++ b/config_page.py
@@ -306,13 +306,40 @@ CONFIG_HTML = r"""<!doctype html>
         <div class="field-hint">Tip: these are the saved defaults only. The active search form can still be adjusted per download.</div>
       </section>
 
+      <section class="settings settings-main">
+        <div class="toolbar">
+          <div>
+            <h2>Watchlist schedule</h2>
+            <p class="muted">Periodically queue a background watchlist refresh to check for newly available episodes.</p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="form-grid">
+          <label>Automatic refresh
+            <select id="watchlistAutoRefreshEnabled">
+              <option value="false">Disabled</option>
+              <option value="true">Enabled</option>
+            </select>
+          </label>
+          <label>Refresh period (minutes)
+            <input id="watchlistAutoRefreshMinutes" type="number" min="1" max="10080" step="1" value="60">
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <div class="field-hint">When enabled, the server periodically starts the existing background “Refresh All” job using this interval.</div>
+      </section>
+
       <section class="deps" id="deps"></section>
     </main>
   </div>
 
   <script>
     const state = {
-      config: { mode: "sub", quality: "best", download_dir: "" }
+      config: {
+        mode: "sub",
+        quality: "best",
+        download_dir: "",
+        watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled: false,
+        watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes: 60
+      }
     };
 
     const $ = (id) => document.getElementById(id);
@@ -327,6 +354,8 @@ CONFIG_HTML = r"""<!doctype html>
       $("downloadDir").value = state.config.download_dir;
       $("configMode").value = state.config.mode;
       $("configQuality").value = state.config.quality;
+      $("watchlistAutoRefreshEnabled").value = String(Boolean(state.config.watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled));
+      $("watchlistAutoRefreshMinutes").value = state.config.watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes;
     }
 
     async function saveConfig() {
@@ -336,13 +365,17 @@ CONFIG_HTML = r"""<!doctype html>
           body: JSON.stringify({
             download_dir: $("downloadDir").value,
             mode: $("configMode").value,
-            quality: $("configQuality").value
+            quality: $("configQuality").value,
+            watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled: $("watchlistAutoRefreshEnabled").value === "true",
+            watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes: $("watchlistAutoRefreshMinutes").value
           })
         });
         state.config = data;
         $("downloadDir").value = data.download_dir;
         $("configMode").value = data.mode;
         $("configQuality").value = data.quality;
+        $("watchlistAutoRefreshEnabled").value = String(Boolean(data.watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled));
+        $("watchlistAutoRefreshMinutes").value = data.watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes;
         setNotice("Defaults saved.");
       } catch (error) {
         setNotice(error.message);
diff --git a/queue_jobs.py b/queue_jobs.py
index 8e8f524..9d55302 100644
--- a/queue_jobs.py
+++ b/queue_jobs.py
@@ -335,6 +335,81 @@ class WatchlistRefreshJobs:
                 self.current_job_id = None
 
 
+class WatchlistAutoRefreshScheduler:
+    def __init__(self, config_getter, refresh_start_fn, start_worker=True):
+        self.config_getter = config_getter
+        self.refresh_start_fn = refresh_start_fn
+        self.lock = threading.RLock()
+        self.wakeup = threading.Event()
+        self.stop_event = threading.Event()
+        self.worker = None
+        self.last_enabled = None
+        self.last_interval_seconds = None
+        self.last_attempt_monotonic = None
+        if start_worker:
+            self.ensure_worker()
+
+    def ensure_worker(self):
+        with self.lock:
+            if self.worker is not None and self.worker.is_alive():
+                return
+            self.stop_event.clear()
+            self.worker = threading.Thread(target=self._run, daemon=True)
+            self.worker.start()
+
+    def shutdown(self, wait=False):
+        self.stop_event.set()
+        self.wakeup.set()
+        worker = self.worker
+        if wait and worker is not None and worker.is_alive():
+            worker.join(timeout=WORKER_SHUTDOWN_TIMEOUT_SECONDS)
+        return worker is None or not worker.is_alive()
+
+    def notify_config_changed(self):
+        self.wakeup.set()
+
+    def _config_state(self):
+        config = self.config_getter() or {}
+        enabled = bool(config.get("watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled"))
+        try:
+            minutes = int(str(config.get("watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes", 60)).strip() or "60")
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            minutes = 60
+        minutes = max(1, min(7 * 24 * 60, minutes))
+        return enabled, minutes * 60
+
+    def tick(self, now_monotonic=None):
+        now = time.monotonic() if now_monotonic is None else float(now_monotonic)
+        enabled, interval_seconds = self._config_state()
+        with self.lock:
+            changed = enabled != self.last_enabled or interval_seconds != self.last_interval_seconds
+            if changed:
+                self.last_enabled = enabled
+                self.last_interval_seconds = interval_seconds
+                self.last_attempt_monotonic = now
+            if not enabled:
+                return None
+            if self.last_attempt_monotonic is None:
+                self.last_attempt_monotonic = now
+                return interval_seconds
+            remaining = interval_seconds - (now - self.last_attempt_monotonic)
+            if remaining > 0:
+                return remaining
+            self.last_attempt_monotonic = now
+        try:
+            result = self.refresh_start_fn()
+            debug_log("watchlist.auto_refresh.tick", result=result)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            debug_log("watchlist.auto_refresh.error", error=exc)
+        return interval_seconds
+
+    def _run(self):
+        while not self.stop_event.is_set():
+            wait_seconds = self.tick()
+            self.wakeup.wait(timeout=wait_seconds)
+            self.wakeup.clear()
+
+
 class DownloadQueue:
     def __init__(self, config_getter, watchlist_sync_fn=None, job_prepare_fn=None, start_worker=True):
         self.config_getter = config_getter
diff --git a/test_app.py b/test_app.py
index 7d15b8b..40be840 100644
--- a/test_app.py
+++ b/test_app.py
@@ -1048,7 +1048,13 @@ class WatchlistRefreshQueueTests(unittest.TestCase):
 class ConfigSnapshotTests(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_get_config_snapshot_returns_copy(self):
         original = APP.CONFIG
-        APP.CONFIG = {"mode": "sub", "quality": "best", "download_dir": "/tmp/example"}
+        APP.CONFIG = {
+            "mode": "sub",
+            "quality": "best",
+            "download_dir": "/tmp/example",
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": False,
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": 60,
+        }
         try:
             snapshot = APP.get_config_snapshot()
             snapshot["mode"] = "dub"
@@ -1056,6 +1062,60 @@ class ConfigSnapshotTests(unittest.TestCase):
         finally:
             APP.CONFIG = original
 
+    def test_normalize_config_includes_watchlist_schedule_defaults(self):
+        config = APP.normalize_config({})
+        self.assertFalse(config["watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled"])
+        self.assertEqual(config["watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes"], 60)
+
+    def test_normalize_config_parses_watchlist_schedule_fields(self):
+        config = APP.normalize_config(
+            {
+                "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": "true",
+                "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": "15",
+            }
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(config["watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled"])
+        self.assertEqual(config["watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes"], 15)
+
+
+class WatchlistAutoRefreshSchedulerTests(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_tick_waits_then_triggers_refresh(self):
+        config = {
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": True,
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": 10,
+        }
+        start = mock.Mock(return_value={"created": True})
+        scheduler = queue_jobs.WatchlistAutoRefreshScheduler(lambda: config, start, start_worker=False)
+
+        self.assertEqual(scheduler.tick(now_monotonic=100.0), 600)
+        self.assertEqual(scheduler.tick(now_monotonic=699.0), 1)
+        self.assertEqual(scheduler.tick(now_monotonic=700.0), 600)
+        start.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_tick_resets_timer_when_schedule_changes(self):
+        config = {
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": True,
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": 10,
+        }
+        start = mock.Mock(return_value={"created": True})
+        scheduler = queue_jobs.WatchlistAutoRefreshScheduler(lambda: config, start, start_worker=False)
+
+        self.assertEqual(scheduler.tick(now_monotonic=100.0), 600)
+        config["watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes"] = 5
+        self.assertEqual(scheduler.tick(now_monotonic=150.0), 300)
+        start.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_tick_returns_none_when_disabled(self):
+        config = {
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": False,
+            "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": 10,
+        }
+        start = mock.Mock(return_value={"created": True})
+        scheduler = queue_jobs.WatchlistAutoRefreshScheduler(lambda: config, start, start_worker=False)
+
+        self.assertIsNone(scheduler.tick(now_monotonic=100.0))
+        start.assert_not_called()
+
 
 class StartupBehaviorTests(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_main_does_not_eagerly_initialize_runtime(self):
@@ -1092,6 +1152,7 @@ class StartupBehaviorTests(unittest.TestCase):
             current_watchlist = APP.WATCHLIST
             current_queue = APP.DOWNLOAD_QUEUE
             current_refresh = APP.WATCHLIST_REFRESH
+            current_auto_refresh = APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH
             with mock.patch.object(APP, "shutdown_runtime", return_value=False):
                 with self.assertRaises(RuntimeError):
                     APP.reset_runtime(wait=True)
@@ -1100,20 +1161,41 @@ class StartupBehaviorTests(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertIs(APP.WATCHLIST, current_watchlist)
             self.assertIs(APP.DOWNLOAD_QUEUE, current_queue)
             self.assertIs(APP.WATCHLIST_REFRESH, current_refresh)
+            self.assertIs(APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH, current_auto_refresh)
         finally:
             APP.reset_runtime(wait=True)
             APP.initialize_runtime(start_workers=False)
 
     def test_save_runtime_config_replaces_runtime_config(self):
         original = APP.CONFIG
+        original_scheduler = APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH
         try:
-            APP.CONFIG = {"mode": "sub", "quality": "best", "download_dir": "/tmp/old"}
-            saved = APP.save_runtime_config({"mode": "dub", "quality": "720", "download_dir": "/tmp/new"})
+            APP.CONFIG = {
+                "mode": "sub",
+                "quality": "best",
+                "download_dir": "/tmp/old",
+                "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": False,
+                "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": 60,
+            }
+            APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH = mock.Mock()
+            saved = APP.save_runtime_config(
+                {
+                    "mode": "dub",
+                    "quality": "720",
+                    "download_dir": "/tmp/new",
+                    "watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled": True,
+                    "watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes": 15,
+                }
+            )
             self.assertEqual(saved["mode"], "dub")
             self.assertEqual(APP.CONFIG["mode"], "dub")
             self.assertEqual(APP.CONFIG["quality"], "720")
+            self.assertTrue(APP.CONFIG["watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled"])
+            self.assertEqual(APP.CONFIG["watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes"], 15)
+            APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH.notify_config_changed.assert_called_once_with()
         finally:
             APP.CONFIG = original
+            APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH = original_scheduler
 
     def test_reset_runtime_clears_runtime_services(self):
         APP.initialize_runtime(start_workers=False)
@@ -1123,6 +1205,7 @@ class StartupBehaviorTests(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertIsNone(APP.WATCHLIST)
             self.assertIsNone(APP.DOWNLOAD_QUEUE)
             self.assertIsNone(APP.WATCHLIST_REFRESH)
+            self.assertIsNone(APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH)
         finally:
             APP.initialize_runtime(start_workers=False)
 
@@ -1138,10 +1221,19 @@ class HandlerRouteTests(unittest.TestCase):
             self.assertIsNone(APP.WATCHLIST.refresh_worker)
             self.assertIsNone(APP.DOWNLOAD_QUEUE.worker)
             self.assertIsNone(APP.WATCHLIST_REFRESH.worker)
+            self.assertIsNone(APP.WATCHLIST_AUTO_REFRESH.worker)
         finally:
             APP.reset_runtime(wait=True)
             APP.initialize_runtime(start_workers=False)
 
+    def test_config_post_accepts_watchlist_schedule_fields(self):
+        body = b'{"download_dir":"/tmp/example","mode":"sub","quality":"best","watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled":true,"watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes":"25"}'
+        handler = DummyHandler("/api/config", body=body, content_length=len(body))
+        APP.Handler.do_POST(handler)
+        self.assertEqual(handler.json_status, HTTPStatus.OK)
+        self.assertTrue(handler.json_payload["watchlist_auto_refresh_enabled"])
+        self.assertEqual(handler.json_payload["watchlist_auto_refresh_minutes"], 25)
+
     def test_body_json_rejects_oversized_request(self):
         handler = DummyHandler("/api/watchlist/upload-thumbnail", body=b"{}", content_length=APP.MAX_JSON_BODY_BYTES + 1)
         with self.assertRaises(APP.HttpError) as ctx: