diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 3ef72bf26..762d3cf92 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ FROM node:18-alpine
 
 WORKDIR /usr/src/app
 
-# Create a non-root user and group
-RUN addgroup -S appgroup && adduser -S appuser -G appgroup
+# Create a non-root user and group with uid:gid 1000:1000 (standard user)
+RUN addgroup -g 1000 appgroup && adduser -u 1000 -G appgroup -s /bin/sh -D appuser
 
 # Copy necessary files from builder stage
 # Copy node_modules first (can be large)
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 1c75a1c43..50f871cb4 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ services:
     # image: rcourtman/pulse:latest # Use the pre-built image from Docker Hub
     container_name: pulse
     restart: unless-stopped
+    user: "1000:1000"  # Run as standard user, not system service accounts
     ports:
       # Map container port 7655 to host port 7655
       # You can change the host port (left side) if 7655 is already in use on your host