The reason it works in VFP development mode is by default in a state like "Read events". The command window available, toolbars, etc... all ready to receive a click to allow you as a developer to build, compile, etc.

When in run-time, you have to explicitly run the form, menu, etc and issue the read events... This is needed once for the entire app -- until a quit is issued from some event (menu, form click event, etc).