diff --git a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py
index a45f0121..c41b494c 100644
--- a/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py
+++ b/fusion_plating/fusion_plating/__manifest__.py
@@ -85,6 +85,12 @@ Copyright (c) 2026 Nexa Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
         'data/fp_sequence_data.xml',
         'data/fp_job_sequences.xml',
         'data/fp_process_category_data.xml',
+        # fp_menu.xml MUST load early — defines menu_fp_root, menu_fp_config,
+        # menu_fp_compliance_hub, plus the 7 Phase-2 Configuration sub-folder
+        # buckets. Every other view file (in this module and downstream)
+        # that creates a child menu under those buckets references them
+        # by xmlid, which has to already exist at parse time.
+        'views/fp_menu.xml',
         'views/fp_process_type_views.xml',
         'views/fp_work_center_views.xml',
         'views/fp_tank_views.xml',
@@ -101,7 +107,6 @@ Copyright (c) 2026 Nexa Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
         'views/fp_operator_certification_views.xml',
         'views/res_config_settings_views.xml',
         'views/fp_landing_views.xml',
-        'views/fp_menu.xml',
         'views/fp_work_centre_views.xml',
         'views/fp_job_views.xml',
         'views/fp_job_step_views.xml',