diff --git a/frontend/nginx.conf b/frontend/nginx.conf
index fea5365..8785525 100644
--- a/frontend/nginx.conf
+++ b/frontend/nginx.conf
@@ -59,7 +59,9 @@ http {
 
         # Proxy API calls to backend
         location /api {
-            proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:3001;
+            # Use Docker bridge gateway so container can reach host's backend
+            # 172.17.0.1 is the common Docker bridge gateway; adjust if different
+            proxy_pass http://172.17.0.1:3001;
             proxy_http_version 1.1;
             proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
             proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';