diff --git a/AppImage/scripts/build_appimage.sh b/AppImage/scripts/build_appimage.sh
index e629f516..645ce961 100644
--- a/AppImage/scripts/build_appimage.sh
+++ b/AppImage/scripts/build_appimage.sh
@@ -110,6 +110,17 @@ else
     echo "⚠️  ai_providers directory not found"
 fi
 
+# Copy config files (verified AI models, etc.)
+echo "📋 Copying config files..."
+CONFIG_DIR="$APPIMAGE_ROOT/config"
+if [ -d "$CONFIG_DIR" ]; then
+    mkdir -p "$APP_DIR/usr/bin/config"
+    cp "$CONFIG_DIR/"*.json "$APP_DIR/usr/bin/config/" 2>/dev/null || true
+    echo "✅ Config files copied"
+else
+    echo "⚠️  config directory not found"
+fi
+
 echo "📋 Adding translation support..."
 cat > "$APP_DIR/usr/bin/translate_cli.py" << 'PYEOF'
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
diff --git a/AppImage/scripts/flask_notification_routes.py b/AppImage/scripts/flask_notification_routes.py
index 768c532d..8261d97d 100644
--- a/AppImage/scripts/flask_notification_routes.py
+++ b/AppImage/scripts/flask_notification_routes.py
@@ -104,12 +104,26 @@ def test_notification():
 
 
 def load_verified_models():
-    """Load verified models from config file."""
+    """Load verified models from config file.
+    
+    Checks multiple paths:
+    1. Same directory as script (AppImage: /usr/bin/config/)
+    2. Parent directory config folder (dev: AppImage/config/)
+    """
     try:
-        config_path = Path(__file__).parent.parent / 'config' / 'verified_ai_models.json'
+        # Try AppImage path first (scripts and config both in /usr/bin/)
+        script_dir = Path(__file__).parent
+        config_path = script_dir / 'config' / 'verified_ai_models.json'
+        
+        if not config_path.exists():
+            # Try development path (AppImage/scripts/ -> AppImage/config/)
+            config_path = script_dir.parent / 'config' / 'verified_ai_models.json'
+        
         if config_path.exists():
             with open(config_path, 'r') as f:
                 return json.load(f)
+        else:
+            print(f"[flask_notification_routes] Config not found at {config_path}")
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"[flask_notification_routes] Failed to load verified models: {e}")
     return {}
diff --git a/AppImage/scripts/notification_manager.py b/AppImage/scripts/notification_manager.py
index 348b9bc2..bf8fc5ed 100644
--- a/AppImage/scripts/notification_manager.py
+++ b/AppImage/scripts/notification_manager.py
@@ -1692,7 +1692,14 @@ class NotificationManager:
             verified_models = []
             recommended_model = ''
             try:
-                config_path = Path(__file__).parent.parent / 'config' / 'verified_ai_models.json'
+                # Try AppImage path first (scripts and config both in /usr/bin/)
+                script_dir = Path(__file__).parent
+                config_path = script_dir / 'config' / 'verified_ai_models.json'
+                
+                if not config_path.exists():
+                    # Try development path (AppImage/scripts/ -> AppImage/config/)
+                    config_path = script_dir.parent / 'config' / 'verified_ai_models.json'
+                
                 if config_path.exists():
                     with open(config_path, 'r') as f:
                         verified_config = json.load(f)