diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile.base b/docker/Dockerfile.base
index 03093569..a1604884 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile.base
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile.base
@@ -27,8 +27,13 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
         procps \
         openssh-server \
         sudo \
-        nodejs \
-        npm \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+
+# Node.js 22.x from NodeSource — bookworm's apt nodejs is 18.x, which modern
+# frontend toolchains (vite ≥ 7) refuse to run under. Project builds that
+# shell out to npm (e.g. build.rs frontend steps) need ≥ 20.
+RUN curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | bash - \
+    && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends nodejs \
     && npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code \
     && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*