diff --git a/app/api/nodes/route.ts b/app/api/nodes/route.ts
index 7ba26ec..44ec080 100644
--- a/app/api/nodes/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/nodes/route.ts
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
   const createdAt = new Date().toISOString();
 
   // Generate a unique node ID upfront (we'll use this for the detail page link)
-  const nodeId = `node:${crypto.randomUUID()}`;
+  const nodeUuid = crypto.randomUUID();
+  const nodeId = `node:${nodeUuid}`;
   const detailUrl = `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL || 'https://ponderants.app'}/galaxy/${encodeURIComponent(nodeId)}`;
 
   // --- Step 1: Write to Source of Truth (ATproto) ---
@@ -235,7 +236,9 @@ export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
       nodeData.embedding = embedding;
     }
 
-    const newNode = await db.create(nodeId, nodeData);
+    // Use array format to specify table and ID separately
+    // SurrealDB client expects ['table', 'id'] not 'table:id'
+    const newNode = await db.create(['node', nodeUuid], nodeData);
 
     // Handle linking
     if (links && links.length > 0) {