diff --git a/api/server.go b/api/server.go
index 28830507..bc78febf 100644
--- a/api/server.go
+++ b/api/server.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package api
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ type (
 	Syncer interface {
 		Addr() string
 		Peers() []*syncer.Peer
-		Connect(addr string) (*syncer.Peer, error)
+		Connect(ctx context.Context, addr string) (*syncer.Peer, error)
 		BroadcastHeader(bh gateway.BlockHeader)
 		BroadcastTransactionSet(txns []types.Transaction)
 		BroadcastV2TransactionSet(index types.ChainIndex, txns []types.V2Transaction)
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ func (s *server) syncerConnectHandler(jc jape.Context) {
 	if jc.Decode(&addr) != nil {
 		return
 	}
-	_, err := s.s.Connect(addr)
+	_, err := s.s.Connect(context.Background(), addr)
 	jc.Check("couldn't connect to peer", err)
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/explored/node.go b/cmd/explored/node.go
index 80d61936..90f05889 100644
--- a/cmd/explored/node.go
+++ b/cmd/explored/node.go
@@ -3,9 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
-	"io/fs"
 	"net"
-	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strconv"
 	"time"
@@ -162,24 +160,15 @@ func newNode(addr, dir string, chainNetwork string, useUPNP bool, logger *zap.Lo
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	tip, err := store.Tip()
-	if errors.Is(err, sqlite.ErrNoTip) {
-		tip = types.ChainIndex{
-			ID:     genesisBlock.ID(),
-			Height: 0,
-		}
-	} else if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+	genesisIndex := types.ChainIndex{
+		ID:     genesisBlock.ID(),
+		Height: 0,
 	}
-	cm.AddSubscriber(store, tip)
-
-	hashPath := filepath.Join(dir, "./hash")
-	if err := os.MkdirAll(hashPath, fs.ModePerm); err != nil {
+	e, err := explorer.NewExplorer(cm, store, genesisIndex, logger.Named("explorer"))
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	e := explorer.NewExplorer(store)
-
 	l, err := net.Listen("tcp", addr)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/explorer/explorer.go b/explorer/explorer.go
index 22da69ba..b08a1e19 100644
--- a/explorer/explorer.go
+++ b/explorer/explorer.go
@@ -1,14 +1,35 @@
 package explorer
 
 import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"sync"
+
 	"go.sia.tech/core/types"
 	"go.sia.tech/coreutils/chain"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
+)
+
+var (
+	// ErrNoTip is returned when Tip() is unable to find any blocks in the
+	// database and thus there is no tip. It does not mean there was an
+	// error in the underlying database.
+	ErrNoTip = errors.New("no tip found")
 )
 
+// A ChainManager manages the consensus state
+type ChainManager interface {
+	Tip() types.ChainIndex
+	BestIndex(height uint64) (types.ChainIndex, bool)
+
+	OnReorg(fn func(types.ChainIndex)) (cancel func())
+	UpdatesSince(index types.ChainIndex, max int) (rus []chain.RevertUpdate, aus []chain.ApplyUpdate, err error)
+}
+
 // A Store is a database that stores information about elements, contracts,
 // and blocks.
 type Store interface {
-	chain.Subscriber
+	ProcessChainUpdates(crus []chain.RevertUpdate, caus []chain.ApplyUpdate) error
 
 	Tip() (types.ChainIndex, error)
 	Block(id types.BlockID) (Block, error)
@@ -24,12 +45,70 @@ type Store interface {
 
 // Explorer implements a Sia explorer.
 type Explorer struct {
-	s Store
+	s  Store
+	mu sync.Mutex
+
+	unsubscribe func()
+}
+
+func syncStore(store Store, cm ChainManager, index types.ChainIndex) error {
+	for index != cm.Tip() {
+		crus, caus, err := cm.UpdatesSince(index, 1000)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to subscribe to chain manager: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		if err := store.ProcessChainUpdates(crus, caus); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to process updates: %w", err)
+		}
+		if len(crus) > 0 {
+			index = crus[len(crus)-1].State.Index
+		}
+		if len(caus) > 0 {
+			index = caus[len(caus)-1].State.Index
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
 }
 
 // NewExplorer returns a Sia explorer.
-func NewExplorer(s Store) *Explorer {
-	return &Explorer{s: s}
+func NewExplorer(cm ChainManager, store Store, genesisIndex types.ChainIndex, log *zap.Logger) (*Explorer, error) {
+	e := &Explorer{s: store}
+
+	tip, err := store.Tip()
+	if errors.Is(err, ErrNoTip) {
+		tip = genesisIndex
+	} else if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get tip: %w", err)
+	}
+	if err := syncStore(store, cm, tip); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to subscribe to chain manager: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	reorgChan := make(chan types.ChainIndex, 1)
+	go func() {
+		for range reorgChan {
+			e.mu.Lock()
+			lastTip, err := store.Tip()
+			if errors.Is(err, ErrNoTip) {
+				lastTip = genesisIndex
+			} else if err != nil {
+				log.Error("failed to get tip", zap.Error(err))
+			}
+			if err := syncStore(store, cm, lastTip); err != nil {
+				log.Error("failed to sync store", zap.Error(err))
+			}
+			e.mu.Unlock()
+		}
+	}()
+
+	e.unsubscribe = cm.OnReorg(func(index types.ChainIndex) {
+		select {
+		case reorgChan <- index:
+		default:
+		}
+	})
+	return e, nil
 }
 
 // MerkleProof gets the merkle proof with the given leaf index.
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 03fb25dd..977bec58 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ go 1.21.6
 require (
 	github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3 v1.14.22
 	go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.9
-	go.sia.tech/core v0.2.1
-	go.sia.tech/coreutils v0.0.3
+	go.sia.tech/core v0.2.2-0.20240325122830-e781eaa57d37
+	go.sia.tech/coreutils v0.0.4-0.20240327130436-3fc21abba2db
 	go.sia.tech/jape v0.11.1
 	go.uber.org/zap v1.27.0
 	golang.org/x/term v0.18.0
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/julienschmidt/httprouter v1.3.0 // indirect
 	go.sia.tech/mux v1.2.0 // indirect
 	go.uber.org/multierr v1.10.0 // indirect
-	golang.org/x/crypto v0.17.0 // indirect
+	golang.org/x/crypto v0.21.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.18.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/tools v0.7.0 // indirect
 )
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 32281d36..80e15d61 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ github.com/stretchr/testify v1.8.1 h1:w7B6lhMri9wdJUVmEZPGGhZzrYTPvgJArz7wNPgYKs
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.8.1/go.mod h1:w2LPCIKwWwSfY2zedu0+kehJoqGctiVI29o6fzry7u4=
 go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.9 h1:8x7aARPEXiXbHmtUwAIv7eV2fQFHrLLavdiJ3uzJXoI=
 go.etcd.io/bbolt v1.3.9/go.mod h1:zaO32+Ti0PK1ivdPtgMESzuzL2VPoIG1PCQNvOdo/dE=
-go.sia.tech/core v0.2.1 h1:CqmMd+T5rAhC+Py3NxfvGtvsj/GgwIqQHHVrdts/LqY=
-go.sia.tech/core v0.2.1/go.mod h1:3EoY+rR78w1/uGoXXVqcYdwSjSJKuEMI5bL7WROA27Q=
-go.sia.tech/coreutils v0.0.3 h1:ZxuzovRpQMvfy/pCOV4om1cPF6sE15GyJyK36kIrF1Y=
-go.sia.tech/coreutils v0.0.3/go.mod h1:UBFc77wXiE//eyilO5HLOncIEj7F69j0Nv2OkFujtP0=
+go.sia.tech/core v0.2.2-0.20240325122830-e781eaa57d37 h1:jsiab6uAUkaeDL7XEseAxJw7NVhxLNoU2WaB0AHbgG8=
+go.sia.tech/core v0.2.2-0.20240325122830-e781eaa57d37/go.mod h1:Zk7HaybEPgkPC1p6e6tTQr8PIeZClTgNcLNGYDLQJeE=
+go.sia.tech/coreutils v0.0.4-0.20240327130436-3fc21abba2db h1:nfhcgN3zfwd+GdDUCrNmV4Ajf8VZSQcoXjGGmfs7V9E=
+go.sia.tech/coreutils v0.0.4-0.20240327130436-3fc21abba2db/go.mod h1:QvsXghS4wqhJosQq3AkMjA2mJ6pbDB7PgG+w5b09/z0=
 go.sia.tech/jape v0.11.1 h1:M7IP+byXL7xOqzxcHUQuXW+q3sYMkYzmMlMw+q8ZZw0=
 go.sia.tech/jape v0.11.1/go.mod h1:4QqmBB+t3W7cNplXPj++ZqpoUb2PeiS66RLpXmEGap4=
 go.sia.tech/mux v1.2.0 h1:ofa1Us9mdymBbGMY2XH/lSpY8itFsKIo/Aq8zwe+GHU=
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ go.uber.org/multierr v1.10.0 h1:S0h4aNzvfcFsC3dRF1jLoaov7oRaKqRGC/pUEJ2yvPQ=
 go.uber.org/multierr v1.10.0/go.mod h1:20+QtiLqy0Nd6FdQB9TLXag12DsQkrbs3htMFfDN80Y=
 go.uber.org/zap v1.27.0 h1:aJMhYGrd5QSmlpLMr2MftRKl7t8J8PTZPA732ud/XR8=
 go.uber.org/zap v1.27.0/go.mod h1:GB2qFLM7cTU87MWRP2mPIjqfIDnGu+VIO4V/SdhGo2E=
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.17.0 h1:r8bRNjWL3GshPW3gkd+RpvzWrZAwPS49OmTGZ/uhM4k=
-golang.org/x/crypto v0.17.0/go.mod h1:gCAAfMLgwOJRpTjQ2zCCt2OcSfYMTeZVSRtQlPC7Nq4=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.21.0 h1:X31++rzVUdKhX5sWmSOFZxx8UW/ldWx55cbf08iNAMA=
+golang.org/x/crypto v0.21.0/go.mod h1:0BP7YvVV9gBbVKyeTG0Gyn+gZm94bibOW5BjDEYAOMs=
 golang.org/x/mod v0.9.0 h1:KENHtAZL2y3NLMYZeHY9DW8HW8V+kQyJsY/V9JlKvCs=
 golang.org/x/mod v0.9.0/go.mod h1:iBbtSCu2XBx23ZKBPSOrRkjjQPZFPuis4dIYUhu/chs=
 golang.org/x/sync v0.5.0 h1:60k92dhOjHxJkrqnwsfl8KuaHbn/5dl0lUPUklKo3qE=
diff --git a/internal/syncerutil/store.go b/internal/syncerutil/store.go
index 16872894..22a37f62 100644
--- a/internal/syncerutil/store.go
+++ b/internal/syncerutil/store.go
@@ -83,11 +83,14 @@ func (eps *EphemeralPeerStore) UpdatePeerInfo(peer string, fn func(*syncer.PeerI
 }
 
 // PeerInfo implements PeerStore.
-func (eps *EphemeralPeerStore) PeerInfo(peer string) (syncer.PeerInfo, bool) {
+func (eps *EphemeralPeerStore) PeerInfo(peer string) (syncer.PeerInfo, error) {
 	eps.mu.Lock()
 	defer eps.mu.Unlock()
 	info, ok := eps.peers[peer]
-	return info, ok
+	if !ok {
+		return info, errors.New("no such peer")
+	}
+	return info, nil
 }
 
 // Ban implements PeerStore.
diff --git a/persist/sqlite/consensus.go b/persist/sqlite/consensus.go
index 5a7d4d1c..783c6ce5 100644
--- a/persist/sqlite/consensus.go
+++ b/persist/sqlite/consensus.go
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ func (s *Store) updateMaturedBalances(dbTxn txn, update consensusUpdate, height
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	_, isRevert := update.(*chain.RevertUpdate)
+	_, isRevert := update.(chain.RevertUpdate)
 	if isRevert {
 		height++
 	}
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ func (s *Store) updateMaturedBalances(dbTxn txn, update consensusUpdate, height
 
 func (s *Store) addSiacoinElements(dbTxn txn, bid types.BlockID, update consensusUpdate) (map[types.SiacoinOutputID]int64, error) {
 	sources := make(map[types.SiacoinOutputID]explorer.Source)
-	if applyUpdate, ok := update.(*chain.ApplyUpdate); ok {
+	if applyUpdate, ok := update.(chain.ApplyUpdate); ok {
 		block := applyUpdate.Block
 		for i := range block.MinerPayouts {
 			sources[bid.MinerOutputID(i)] = explorer.SourceMinerPayout
@@ -593,9 +593,28 @@ func (s *Store) deleteBlock(dbTxn txn, bid types.BlockID) error {
 	return err
 }
 
-func (s *Store) applyUpdates() error {
+// ProcessChainUpdates implements explorer.Store.
+func (s *Store) ProcessChainUpdates(crus []chain.RevertUpdate, caus []chain.ApplyUpdate) error {
 	return s.transaction(func(dbTxn txn) error {
-		for _, update := range s.pendingUpdates {
+		for _, cru := range crus {
+			if err := s.deleteBlock(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID()); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to delete block: %w", err)
+			} else if _, err := s.addSiacoinElements(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID(), cru); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update siacoin output state: %w", err)
+			} else if _, err := s.addSiafundElements(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID(), cru); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update siafund output state: %w", err)
+			} else if err := s.updateBalances(dbTxn, cru, cru.State.Index.Height); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update balances: %w", err)
+			} else if err := s.updateMaturedBalances(dbTxn, cru, cru.State.Index.Height); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update matured balances: %w", err)
+			} else if _, err := s.addFileContractElements(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID(), cru); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update file contract state: %w", err)
+			} else if err := s.updateLeaves(dbTxn, cru); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update leaves: %w", err)
+			}
+		}
+
+		for _, update := range caus {
 			scDBIds, err := s.addSiacoinElements(dbTxn, update.Block.ID(), update)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("applyUpdates: failed to add siacoin outputs: %w", err)
@@ -627,55 +646,10 @@ func (s *Store) applyUpdates() error {
 				return err
 			}
 		}
-		s.pendingUpdates = s.pendingUpdates[:0]
 		return nil
 	})
 }
 
-func (s *Store) revertUpdate(cru *chain.RevertUpdate) error {
-	return s.transaction(func(dbTxn txn) error {
-		if err := s.deleteBlock(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID()); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to delete block: %w", err)
-		} else if _, err := s.addSiacoinElements(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID(), cru); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update siacoin output state: %w", err)
-		} else if _, err := s.addSiafundElements(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID(), cru); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update siafund output state: %w", err)
-		} else if err := s.updateBalances(dbTxn, cru, cru.State.Index.Height); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update balances: %w", err)
-		} else if err := s.updateMaturedBalances(dbTxn, cru, cru.State.Index.Height); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update matured balances: %w", err)
-		} else if _, err := s.addFileContractElements(dbTxn, cru.Block.ID(), cru); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("revertUpdate: failed to update file contract state: %w", err)
-		}
-
-		return s.updateLeaves(dbTxn, cru)
-	})
-}
-
-// ProcessChainApplyUpdate implements chain.Subscriber.
-func (s *Store) ProcessChainApplyUpdate(cau *chain.ApplyUpdate, mayCommit bool) error {
-	s.mu.Lock()
-	defer s.mu.Unlock()
-
-	s.pendingUpdates = append(s.pendingUpdates, cau)
-	if mayCommit {
-		return s.applyUpdates()
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-// ProcessChainRevertUpdate implements chain.Subscriber.
-func (s *Store) ProcessChainRevertUpdate(cru *chain.RevertUpdate) error {
-	s.mu.Lock()
-	defer s.mu.Unlock()
-
-	if len(s.pendingUpdates) > 0 && s.pendingUpdates[len(s.pendingUpdates)-1].Block.ID() == cru.Block.ID() {
-		s.pendingUpdates = s.pendingUpdates[:len(s.pendingUpdates)-1]
-		return nil
-	}
-	return s.revertUpdate(cru)
-}
-
 // Tip implements explorer.Store.
 func (s *Store) Tip() (result types.ChainIndex, err error) {
 	const query = `SELECT id, height FROM blocks ORDER BY height DESC LIMIT 1`
@@ -683,7 +657,7 @@ func (s *Store) Tip() (result types.ChainIndex, err error) {
 		return dbTx.QueryRow(query).Scan(dbDecode(&result.ID), &result.Height)
 	})
 	if errors.Is(err, sql.ErrNoRows) {
-		return types.ChainIndex{}, ErrNoTip
+		return types.ChainIndex{}, explorer.ErrNoTip
 	}
 	return
 }
diff --git a/persist/sqlite/consensus_test.go b/persist/sqlite/consensus_test.go
index a86634d5..2879606a 100644
--- a/persist/sqlite/consensus_test.go
+++ b/persist/sqlite/consensus_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sqlite_test
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"math/bits"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
@@ -113,6 +114,30 @@ func check(t *testing.T, desc string, expect, got any) {
 	}
 }
 
+func syncDB(t *testing.T, db *sqlite.Store, cm *chain.Manager) {
+	index, err := db.Tip()
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, explorer.ErrNoTip) {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	for index != cm.Tip() {
+		crus, caus, err := cm.UpdatesSince(index, 1000)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+
+		if err := db.ProcessChainUpdates(crus, caus); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal("failed to process updates:", err)
+		}
+		if len(crus) > 0 {
+			index = crus[len(crus)-1].State.Index
+		}
+		if len(caus) > 0 {
+			index = caus[len(caus)-1].State.Index
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBalance(t *testing.T) {
 	log := zaptest.NewLogger(t)
 	dir := t.TempDir()
@@ -134,14 +159,9 @@ func TestBalance(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	defer store.Close()
 
 	cm := chain.NewManager(store, genesisState)
 
-	if err := cm.AddSubscriber(db, types.ChainIndex{}); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
 	// checkBalance checks that an address has the balances we expect
 	checkBalance := func(addr types.Address, expectSC, expectImmatureSC types.Currency, expectSF uint64) {
 		sc, immatureSC, sf, err := db.Balance(addr)
@@ -170,6 +190,7 @@ func TestBalance(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), nil, addr1)}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	syncDB(t, db, cm)
 
 	// Check that addr1 has the miner payout output
 	utxos, err := db.UnspentSiacoinOutputs(addr1, 100, 0)
@@ -186,6 +207,7 @@ func TestBalance(t *testing.T) {
 		if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), nil, types.VoidAddress)}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
+		syncDB(t, db, cm)
 	}
 
 	checkBalance(addr1, expectedPayout, types.ZeroCurrency, 0)
@@ -225,6 +247,7 @@ func TestBalance(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), []types.Transaction{parentTxn, txn}, types.VoidAddress)}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	syncDB(t, db, cm)
 
 	checkBalance(addr2, utxos[0].SiacoinOutput.Value.Sub(types.Siacoins(100)), types.ZeroCurrency, 0)
 	checkBalance(addr3, types.Siacoins(100), types.ZeroCurrency, 0)
@@ -262,14 +285,9 @@ func TestSendTransactions(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	defer store.Close()
 
 	cm := chain.NewManager(store, genesisState)
 
-	if err := cm.AddSubscriber(db, types.ChainIndex{}); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
 	// checkBalance checks that an address has the balances we expect
 	checkBalance := func(addr types.Address, expectSC, expectImmatureSC types.Currency, expectSF uint64) {
 		sc, immatureSC, sf, err := db.Balance(addr)
@@ -326,12 +344,14 @@ func TestSendTransactions(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), nil, addr1)}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	syncDB(t, db, cm)
 
 	// Mine until the payout matures
 	for i := cm.Tip().Height; i < maturityHeight; i++ {
 		if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), nil, types.VoidAddress)}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
+		syncDB(t, db, cm)
 	}
 
 	checkBalance(addr1, expectedPayout, types.ZeroCurrency, giftSF)
@@ -391,6 +411,7 @@ func TestSendTransactions(t *testing.T) {
 		if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{b}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
+		syncDB(t, db, cm)
 
 		checkBalance(addr1, addr1SCs, types.ZeroCurrency, addr1SFs)
 		checkBalance(addr2, types.Siacoins(1).Mul64(uint64(i+1)), types.ZeroCurrency, 1*uint64(i+1))
@@ -487,19 +508,15 @@ func TestTip(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	defer store.Close()
 
 	cm := chain.NewManager(store, genesisState)
 
-	if err := cm.AddSubscriber(db, types.ChainIndex{}); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
 	const n = 100
 	for i := cm.Tip().Height; i < n; i++ {
 		if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), nil, types.VoidAddress)}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
+		syncDB(t, db, cm)
 
 		tip, err := db.Tip()
 		if err != nil {
@@ -601,12 +618,8 @@ func TestFileContract(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	defer store.Close()
 
 	cm := chain.NewManager(store, genesisState)
-	if err := cm.AddSubscriber(db, types.ChainIndex{}); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
 
 	scOutputID := genesisBlock.Transactions[0].SiacoinOutputID(0)
 	unlockConditions := types.StandardUnlockConditions(pk1.PublicKey())
@@ -675,6 +688,7 @@ func TestFileContract(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), []types.Transaction{txn}, types.VoidAddress)}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	syncDB(t, db, cm)
 
 	{
 		dbFCs, err := db.Contracts([]types.FileContractID{fcID})
@@ -715,6 +729,7 @@ func TestFileContract(t *testing.T) {
 	if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), []types.Transaction{reviseTxn}, types.VoidAddress)}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
+	syncDB(t, db, cm)
 
 	// Explorer.Contracts should return latest revision
 	{
@@ -745,6 +760,7 @@ func TestFileContract(t *testing.T) {
 		if err := cm.AddBlocks([]types.Block{mineBlock(cm.TipState(), nil, types.VoidAddress)}); err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
 		}
+		syncDB(t, db, cm)
 	}
 
 	{
diff --git a/persist/sqlite/store.go b/persist/sqlite/store.go
index a143b2bb..c0ad275c 100644
--- a/persist/sqlite/store.go
+++ b/persist/sqlite/store.go
@@ -7,11 +7,9 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"math"
 	"strings"
-	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3"
-	"go.sia.tech/coreutils/chain"
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
 	"lukechampine.com/frand"
 )
@@ -22,9 +20,7 @@ type (
 		db  *sql.DB
 		log *zap.Logger
 
-		mu             sync.Mutex
-		numLeaves      uint64
-		pendingUpdates []*chain.ApplyUpdate
+		numLeaves uint64
 	}
 )
 
diff --git a/persist/sqlite/transactions.go b/persist/sqlite/transactions.go
index 9b630857..17a6b698 100644
--- a/persist/sqlite/transactions.go
+++ b/persist/sqlite/transactions.go
@@ -1,20 +1,12 @@
 package sqlite
 
 import (
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 
 	"go.sia.tech/core/types"
 	"go.sia.tech/explored/explorer"
 )
 
-var (
-	// ErrNoTip is returned when Tip() is unable to find any blocks in the
-	// database and thus there is no tip. It does not mean there was an
-	// error in the underlying database.
-	ErrNoTip = errors.New("no tip found")
-)
-
 // transactionArbitraryData returns the arbitrary data for each transaction.
 func transactionArbitraryData(tx txn, txnIDs []int64) (map[int64][][]byte, error) {
 	query := `SELECT transaction_id, data