diff --git a/dzgui/api/steam.py b/dzgui/api/steam.py
index 397080c..dc64529 100644
--- a/dzgui/api/steam.py
+++ b/dzgui/api/steam.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ from shlex import shlex
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from dzgui.init.prereqs import has_steam_client
-from dzgui.api.mods import _hash
 from dzgui.const.constants import (
     APPID_DAYZ,
     APP_NAME,
@@ -58,6 +57,9 @@ def get_steam_paths() -> list[tuple[Path, str]]:
 
 
 def concat_mods(mods: list[str]) -> str:
+    # TODO: circular import workaround
+    from dzgui.api.mods import _hash
+
     hashes = []
     for mod in mods:
         md5sum = _hash(mod)
@@ -170,8 +172,10 @@ def launch_offline(
         "-skipintro",
         f"-name={name}",
         f"-mod={symlinks}",
-        f"-mission={mission}",
     ]
+    if len(mission) > 0:
+        arg = f"-mission={mission}"
+        params.append(arg)
     proc = subprocess.run([*client_args, *params])
     return proc.returncode
 
diff --git a/dzgui/config/convert.py b/dzgui/config/convert.py
index 8061adb..26fabf2 100644
--- a/dzgui/config/convert.py
+++ b/dzgui/config/convert.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ import shlex
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any
 
+from dzgui.const.boilerplate import config_boilerplate
+
 
 """
 Convert legacy dztuirc to config.json
@@ -89,4 +91,8 @@ def rc2json(file: Path) -> str:
     keys["ip_list"] = ips
     keys["use_miles"] = False
     keys["start_tab"] = 0
+    # NOTE: workaround for DZGUI 6 logic (see #375)
+    for key in config_boilerplate.keys():
+        if key not in keys:
+            keys[key] = config_boilerplate[key]
     return json.dumps(keys, indent=2)
diff --git a/dzgui/const/constants.py b/dzgui/const/constants.py
index cee5a63..58af7f2 100644
--- a/dzgui/const/constants.py
+++ b/dzgui/const/constants.py
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ UDP_PORT = 27016
 VM_FILE = "/proc/sys/vm/max_map_count"
 MIN_COUNT = 1048576
 
-RATE_LIMIT_THRESHOLD = 3
+API_RATE_LIMIT = 1
+CLIENT_RATE_LIMIT = 3
 REQUEST_TIMEOUT = 10
 
 APPNAME_DAYZ = "DayZ"
diff --git a/dzgui/controllers/emitter.py b/dzgui/controllers/emitter.py
index c90aef7..46c5700 100644
--- a/dzgui/controllers/emitter.py
+++ b/dzgui/controllers/emitter.py
@@ -172,3 +172,7 @@ class Emitter(GObject.GObject):
     @GObject.Signal(flags=GObject.SignalFlags.RUN_LAST, arg_types=())
     def invalid_custom_mods(self) -> None:
         pass
+
+    @GObject.Signal(flags=GObject.SignalFlags.RUN_LAST, arg_types=())
+    def all_mods_synched(self) -> None:
+        pass
diff --git a/dzgui/controllers/mc.py b/dzgui/controllers/mc.py
index ae0bf6d..aa2960c 100644
--- a/dzgui/controllers/mc.py
+++ b/dzgui/controllers/mc.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ from dzgui.managers.contextmenu import ContextMenuManager
 from dzgui.managers.notes import NoteManager
 from dzgui.model.servers import ServerModelManager
 from dzgui.util.diag import write_diagnostic
-from dzgui.util.format import format_player_count
+from dzgui.util.format import format_exception, format_player_count
 from dzgui.util.open_links import open_user_workshop, open_workshop_page
 from dzgui.views.dialogs.filepicker import FilePicker
 from dzgui.views.dialogs.generic import ExceptionDialog
@@ -203,7 +203,9 @@ class Controller(GObject.GObject):
                 try:
                     # TODO: where to put config file check
                     self.mediator.grid.notebook.settings.populate_settings()
-                except Exception:
+                except Exception as e:
+                    msg = format_exception(e)
+                    logger.critical(msg)
                     return
             case ButtonType.MODS:
                 self.load_mods()
diff --git a/dzgui/managers/connection.py b/dzgui/managers/connection.py
index 27c2806..0a0fc74 100644
--- a/dzgui/managers/connection.py
+++ b/dzgui/managers/connection.py
@@ -25,17 +25,17 @@ from dzgui.api.mods import (
     update_signatures,
 )
 from dzgui.const.constants import (
+    API_RATE_LIMIT,
     APP_NAME,
     APPID_DAYZ,
     APPID_DAYZ_EXP,
     APPNAME_DAYZ,
     APPNAME_DAYZ_EXP_HUMAN,
-    RATE_LIMIT_THRESHOLD,
 )
 from dzgui.const.enum import NotebookPage, Preferences
 from dzgui.init.proc import is_dayz_running, is_steam_running
 from dzgui.managers.threading import call_on_thread, StoredFunc, ThreadingManager
-from dzgui.strings.dialogs import waiting_for_launch, waiting_for_mods
+from dzgui.strings.dialogs import waiting_for_launch, waiting_for_mods, waiting_for_directories
 from dzgui.strings.server_mods import checkmark, resync
 from dzgui.util.format import format_mib
 from dzgui.util.strings import dialog, server_timeout
@@ -276,7 +276,6 @@ class ConnectionManager:
             self.thread_man.set_cleanup_func(func)
             return
 
-        self.thread_man.show_cancel(False)
         self.thread_man.update_dialog(waiting_for_launch)
         while True:
             # FIXME: cancel should not be visible here per setting above
@@ -303,8 +302,9 @@ class ConnectionManager:
             if self.controller.is_cancel_pending():
                 return
             subscribe(key, int(mod))
-            time.sleep(RATE_LIMIT_THRESHOLD)
+            time.sleep(API_RATE_LIMIT)
 
+        self.thread_man.update_dialog(waiting_for_directories)
         for title, mod, stamp, size in self.missing_mods:
             mod_path = self.workshop / mod
 
@@ -322,8 +322,12 @@ class ConnectionManager:
                 time.sleep(1)
 
         update_signatures(self.missing_mods, prefs.paths.version)
-        # TODO: just push steam path directly
         rebuild_symlinks(prefs.paths.config)
+
+        # NOTE: update table status in main loop
+        self.thread_man.update_emitter("all_mods_synched")
+
+        # TODO: just push steam path directly
         self._connect_steam(menu_only)
 
     @call_on_thread(waiting_for_mods, show_cancel=True)
diff --git a/dzgui/managers/mods.py b/dzgui/managers/mods.py
index e3e745f..87e9994 100644
--- a/dzgui/managers/mods.py
+++ b/dzgui/managers/mods.py
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ from dzgui.api.mods import (
     remove_stale_signatures,
 )
 from dzgui.const.constants import (
+    API_RATE_LIMIT,
     APP_NAME,
     APPID_DAYZ,
     APPID_DAYZ_EXP,
-    RATE_LIMIT_THRESHOLD,
 )
 from dzgui.const.enum import Preferences
 from dzgui.managers.threading import call_on_thread, StoredFunc, ThreadingManager
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ class ModManager:
         for mod, _iter in mods:
             self.unsub_atomic_mod(mod)
             self.thread_man.increment_dialog()
+            time.sleep(API_RATE_LIMIT)
 
         iters = [_iter for mod, _iter in mods]
         func = StoredFunc(self._on_mods_unsubbed, iters)
@@ -143,7 +144,7 @@ class ModManager:
             symlink.unlink()
         except PeFile.AppNotInstalledError:
             pass
-        time.sleep(RATE_LIMIT_THRESHOLD)
+        time.sleep(API_RATE_LIMIT)
 
     def _on_mods_unsubbed(self, iters: list[Gtk.TreeIter]) -> None:
         if self.store is None:
diff --git a/dzgui/managers/threading.py b/dzgui/managers/threading.py
index adecb7a..c20f324 100644
--- a/dzgui/managers/threading.py
+++ b/dzgui/managers/threading.py
@@ -81,6 +81,11 @@ class ThreadingManager:
     def set_job_count(self, jobs: int) -> None:
         self.jobs = jobs
 
+    def update_emitter(self, signal: str) -> None:
+        if self.controller:
+            emitter = self.controller.get_emitter()
+        GLib.idle_add(lambda: emitter.emit(signal))
+
     def update_dialog(self, msg: str) -> None:
         GLib.idle_add(lambda: self.wait_dialog.update_text(msg))
 
diff --git a/dzgui/strings/dialogs.py b/dzgui/strings/dialogs.py
index 57c27a6..460250d 100644
--- a/dzgui/strings/dialogs.py
+++ b/dzgui/strings/dialogs.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 waiting_for_launch = "Waiting for DayZ to launch"
-waiting_for_mods = "Waiting for Steam to update mods"
+waiting_for_mods = "Queueing up mods (step 1/2)"
+waiting_for_directories = "Steam is staging mods (step 2/2)"
 
 fetching_update = "Fetching update"
 failed_to_update = "Failed to update DZGUI executable"
diff --git a/dzgui/strings/preconnect.py b/dzgui/strings/preconnect.py
index 7b18939..07e5e57 100644
--- a/dzgui/strings/preconnect.py
+++ b/dzgui/strings/preconnect.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ warnings = "Warnings"
 errors = "Errors"
 mods = "Mods"
 total_mods = "Total mods: "
+up_to_date = "All mods are up to date."
 all_updated = "All mods updated."
 "If you recently installed {build} or moved it to a different drive, "
 "restart Steam to allow these changes to synchronize, then try again."
diff --git a/dzgui/views/pages/options.py b/dzgui/views/pages/options.py
index 066a7cf..aea0417 100644
--- a/dzgui/views/pages/options.py
+++ b/dzgui/views/pages/options.py
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ class Options(Gtk.Box):
         if prefs.paths.config.is_file() is False:
             dialog = ExceptionDialog(self.controller, strings.config_not_found)
             dialog.run()
-            raise Exception
+            raise OSError(f"Config file '{prefs.paths.config}' not found")
 
         config = query.get_config(prefs.paths.config)
 
diff --git a/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py b/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py
index 02ec5fc..463228d 100644
--- a/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py
+++ b/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from gi.repository import Gdk, Gtk  # noqa E402
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from dzgui.managers.connection import Prerequisites
     from dzgui.controllers.mc import Controller
+    from dzgui.controllers.emitter import Emitter
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -191,9 +192,14 @@ class PreConnectionAssistant(Gtk.Box):
         self.add(self.scrolled_box)
         self.add(self.button_box)
 
+        emitter = self.controller.get_emitter()
+        emitter.connect("all_mods_synched", self._on_mods_synched)
         self.connect("key-press-event", self._on_keypress)
         self.connect("map", self._on_map)
 
+    def _on_mods_synched(self, emitter: "Emitter") -> None:
+        self.tree.mark_mods_synched()
+
     def _on_map(self, widget: Self) -> None:
         widgets = (
             self.tree_frame,
@@ -297,16 +303,16 @@ class PreConnectionAssistant(Gtk.Box):
             self._hide_mod_area()
         else:
             self._show_mod_area()
-            msg = "All mods are up to date."
+            msg = preconnect.up_to_date
             self.mod_count.set_text(msg)
 
-        if prereqs.required_space == 0:
-            self.ok.set_label(preconnect.connect)
-
+        if prereqs.required_space != 0:
             pretty = number(prereqs.required_space)
             suffix = f" Need to download {pretty} MiB of mod updates."
             prefix = preconnect.total_mods
             self.mod_count.set_text(f"{prefix}{str(total_mods)}.{suffix}")
+        else:
+            self.ok.set_label(preconnect.connect)
 
         if prereqs.is_last_server:
             self.connect_last.show()
diff --git a/dzgui/views/trees/tree_server_mods.py b/dzgui/views/trees/tree_server_mods.py
index 0659c31..fe1169c 100644
--- a/dzgui/views/trees/tree_server_mods.py
+++ b/dzgui/views/trees/tree_server_mods.py
@@ -48,6 +48,10 @@ class ServerModTreeView(ContextMixin, TreeView):  # type: ignore
                 case _:
                     pass
 
+    def mark_mods_synched(self) -> None:
+        for row in self.mod_store:
+            row[2] = server_mods.checkmark
+
     # TODO: could be problematic if user downloads mods out of band
     def _on_row_activated(
         self,
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 3f66822..374fec6 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ config-settings-package = { pygobject-stubs = { config = "Gtk3,Gdk3,Soup2" } }
 [tool.pytest.ini_options]
 markers = [
     "config: config file keys/values",
+    "mods: tests mod metadata/link creation",
     "pefile: validate PE files",
     "post_install: requires a completed installation",
     "slow: long-running tests",
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/cpp/meta1.cpp b/tests/fixtures/cpp/mod1/meta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/cpp/meta1.cpp
rename to tests/fixtures/cpp/mod1/meta.cpp
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/cpp/meta2.cpp b/tests/fixtures/cpp/mod2/meta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/cpp/meta2.cpp
rename to tests/fixtures/cpp/mod2/meta.cpp
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/cpp/meta3.cpp b/tests/fixtures/cpp/mod3/meta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/cpp/meta3.cpp
rename to tests/fixtures/cpp/mod3/meta.cpp
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/cpp/meta4.cpp b/tests/fixtures/cpp/mod4/meta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/cpp/meta4.cpp
rename to tests/fixtures/cpp/mod4/meta.cpp
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/cpp/meta5.cpp b/tests/fixtures/cpp/mod5/meta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/cpp/meta5.cpp
rename to tests/fixtures/cpp/mod5/meta.cpp
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/cpp/meta6.cpp b/tests/fixtures/cpp/mod6/meta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/cpp/meta6.cpp
rename to tests/fixtures/cpp/mod6/meta.cpp
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/cpp/test.py b/tests/fixtures/cpp/test.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 453b6d7..0000000
--- a/tests/fixtures/cpp/test.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-from dzgui.api.mods import tokenize
-
-print(tokenize("meta4.cpp"))
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/dztuirc_one b/tests/fixtures/dztuirc_1
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/dztuirc_one
rename to tests/fixtures/dztuirc_1
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/dztuirc_two b/tests/fixtures/dztuirc_2
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/fixtures/dztuirc_two
rename to tests/fixtures/dztuirc_2
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/dztuirc_3 b/tests/fixtures/dztuirc_3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7a32f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/dztuirc_3
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#Path to DayZ installation
+steam_path="/tmp"
+
+#Battlemetrics API key
+api_key=""
+
+#Favorited server IP:PORT array
+ip_list=(
+)
+
+#Favorite server to fast-connect to (limit one)
+fav_server=""
+
+#Favorite server label (human readable)
+fav_label=""
+
+#Custom player name (optional, required by some servers)
+name=""
+
+#Set to 1 to perform dry-run and print launch options
+debug="1"
+
+#Toggle stable/testing branch
+branch="testing"
+
+#Steam API key
+steam_api=""
+
+#Auto-install mods
+auto_install="2"
+
+#Automod staging directory
+staging_dir="/tmp"
+
+#Path to default Steam client
+default_steam_path="/tmp"
+
+#Preferred Steam launch command (for Flatpak support)
+preferred_client="steam"
+
+#DZGUI source path
+src_path=""
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index 4cfd754..72c0460 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import json
 import pytest
 
+from dzgui.const.boilerplate import config_boilerplate
 from dzgui.config.query import get_config
 from dzgui.config.xdg import get_xdg_paths, parse_filepaths
 from dzgui.config import convert
@@ -11,7 +12,11 @@ pytestmark = pytest.mark.config
 
 @pytest.fixture
 def legacy_config():
-    return fixture_path("dztuirc_one")
+    return fixture_path("dztuirc_1")
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def unset_values():
+    return fixture_path("dztuirc_3")
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -60,8 +65,8 @@ def test_contains_invalid_values(keys, config):
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "fixture, expect",
     [
-        ("dztuirc_one", (False, True, True)),
-        ("dztuirc_two", (False, False, False)),
+        ("dztuirc_1", (False, True, True)),
+        ("dztuirc_2", (False, False, False)),
     ],
 )
 def test_bool_conversion(fixture, expect):
@@ -86,5 +91,12 @@ def test_key_conversion(legacy_config):
     for key in keys:
         assert key not in j
 
+def test_missing_values(unset_values):
+    j = convert.rc2json(unset_values)
+    j = json.loads(j)
+    assert j.keys() == config_boilerplate.keys()
+
+
+
 
 # TODO: test that when a config file is created from scratch, it contains all values
diff --git a/tests/test_modmeta.py b/tests/test_modmeta.py
index f2f4ca4..8002825 100644
--- a/tests/test_modmeta.py
+++ b/tests/test_modmeta.py
@@ -1,17 +1,13 @@
 import pytest
+from pathlib import Path
+
 from dzgui.api.mods import tokenize
 from tests.fixtures import fixture_path
 
 @pytest.mark.mods
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("fixture", [
-    fixture_path("cpp/meta1.cpp"),
-    fixture_path("cpp/meta2.cpp"),
-    fixture_path("cpp/meta3.cpp"),
-    fixture_path("cpp/meta4.cpp"),
-    fixture_path("cpp/meta5.cpp"),
-    fixture_path("cpp/meta6.cpp"),
-    ]
-)
-def test_modmeta(fixture: str) -> None:
-    meta = tokenize(fixture)
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("i", range(1, 7))
+def test_modmeta(i: int) -> None:
+    fixture = fixture_path(f"cpp/mod{i}")
+    path = Path(fixture)
+    meta = tokenize(path)
     assert meta["name"] == "ModName"