diff --git a/docker/docker-compose.yml b/docker/docker-compose.yml
index 787fccf..1bb6817 100644
--- a/docker/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker/docker-compose.yml
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@ services:
       # Bind to localhost only — not exposed on all interfaces.
       - "127.0.0.1:3001:3001"
     environment:
-      # Required: Anthropic API key for Claude Code agents
-      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY:?Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
+      # Optional: Anthropic API key. If unset, Claude Code falls back to
+      # OAuth credentials from `claude login` (e.g. Max subscription).
+      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY:-}
       # Required: git identity for agent commits
       - GIT_USER_NAME=${GIT_USER_NAME:?Set GIT_USER_NAME}
       - GIT_USER_EMAIL=${GIT_USER_EMAIL:?Set GIT_USER_EMAIL}