diff --git a/client/app.js b/client/app.js
index a3918e6..9fe3672 100644
--- a/client/app.js
+++ b/client/app.js
@@ -515,8 +515,7 @@
 				return;
 			}
 
-			SETTINGS_STATUS.textContent =
-				strings.settings_saved || "Settings saved";
+			SETTINGS_STATUS.textContent = strings.settings_saved || "Settings saved";
 			currentApiToken = token;
 		} catch (err) {
 			SETTINGS_STATUS.textContent =
diff --git a/client/index.html b/client/index.html
index f8a717f..3b23cff 100644
--- a/client/index.html
+++ b/client/index.html
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
         <button id="settings-access-btn" data-i18n="access">Access</button>
         <p id="settings-error" class="error"></p>
 
-        <div id="settings-content" style="display: none;">
+        <div id="settings-content" style="display: none">
           <section class="panel">
             <h2 data-i18n="dashboard_pin_label">Dashboard PIN</h2>
             <input
diff --git a/server/.env.example b/server/.env.example
index 3e9144c..5a6ad17 100644
--- a/server/.env.example
+++ b/server/.env.example
@@ -8,6 +8,6 @@ DASHBOARD_PIN=1234
 API_TOKEN=your-secret-token-here
 
 # Server settings
-HOST=0.0.0.0
+# HOST defaults to auto-detected local IP (set to override)
 PORT=8921
 LOG_LEVEL=INFO
diff --git a/server/build_exe.py b/server/build_exe.py
index 8c4685c..97ce0d2 100644
--- a/server/build_exe.py
+++ b/server/build_exe.py
@@ -36,7 +36,10 @@ a = Analysis(
     ["tray_wrapper.py"],
     pathex=[],
     binaries=[],
-    datas=[],
+    datas=[
+        ("settings.html", "."),
+        ("settings.css", "."),
+    ],
     hiddenimports=[
         "fastapi",
         "uvicorn",
@@ -48,6 +51,7 @@ a = Analysis(
         "notifications",
         "telemetry",
         "main",
+        "yaml",
     ],
     hookspath=[],
     hooksconfig={{}},
@@ -81,6 +85,7 @@ exe = EXE(
     codesign_identity=None,
     entitlements_file=None,
     icon=None,
+    onefile=True,
 )
 '''
 
diff --git a/server/config.py b/server/config.py
index a95b857..3a5decc 100644
--- a/server/config.py
+++ b/server/config.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
 import os
+import secrets
+import socket
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger("paperdash.config")
 # Try to import yaml, fall back to simple parser
 try:
     import yaml
+
     HAS_YAML = True
 except ImportError:
     HAS_YAML = False
@@ -30,16 +33,20 @@ class Config:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self.dashboard_pin: str = ""
         self.api_token: str = ""
-        self.host: str = "0.0.0.0"
+        self.host: str = ""
         self.port: int = 8921
         self.log_level: str = "INFO"
+        self.pin_ttl: int = 300  # 5 minutes in seconds
 
     def load(self) -> None:
         """Load configuration from all sources."""
-        # 1. Load config.yaml
+        # 1. Load config.yaml (or create if missing)
         config_file = self._find_config_file()
         if config_file and config_file.exists():
             self._load_yaml(config_file)
+        else:
+            # First run — create default config
+            self._create_default_config()
 
         # 2. Load .env file
         env_file = self._find_env_file()
@@ -53,11 +60,60 @@ class Config:
         if not self.dashboard_pin:
             logger.warning("DASHBOARD_PIN not set — WebSocket auth will be disabled")
         if not self.api_token:
-            logger.warning("API_TOKEN not set — /api/v1/notify will reject all requests")
+            logger.warning(
+                "API_TOKEN not set — /api/v1/notify will reject all requests"
+            )
+
+    def _detect_local_ip(self) -> str:
+        """Detect the machine's local network IP address."""
+        try:
+            s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
+            s.connect(("8.8.8.8", 80))
+            ip = s.getsockname()[0]
+            s.close()
+            return ip
+        except Exception:
+            return "127.0.0.1"
+
+    def _generate_token(self) -> str:
+        """Generate a cryptographically secure API token.
+
+        Uses secrets.token_urlsafe(32) for 256 bits of entropy,
+        encoded as Base64URL (no padding).
+        """
+        return secrets.token_urlsafe(32)
+
+    def _create_default_config(self) -> None:
+        """Create a default config.yaml if one doesn't exist."""
+        if not HAS_YAML:
+            logger.warning("PyYAML not installed — cannot create default config")
+            return
+
+        config_file = self._find_config_file()
+        if config_file is None:
+            config_file = Path.cwd() / "config.yaml"
+
+        data = {
+            "dashboard_pin": "",
+            "api_token": self._generate_token(),
+            "host": self._detect_local_ip(),
+            "port": self.port,
+            "log_level": self.log_level,
+            "pin_ttl": self.pin_ttl,
+        }
+
+        try:
+            with open(config_file, "w") as f:
+                yaml.dump(data, f, default_flow_style=False)  # type: ignore[possibly-undefined]
+            logger.info(f"Created default config at {config_file}")
+            logger.info(f"Dashboard PIN: {data['dashboard_pin']}")
+            logger.info(f"API Token: {data['api_token']}")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Failed to create default config: {e}")
 
     def _get_base_path(self) -> Path:
         """Get base path (exe directory or cwd)."""
-        if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False):
+        if getattr(sys, "frozen", False):
             return Path(sys.executable).parent
         return Path.cwd()
 
@@ -91,9 +147,10 @@ class Config:
 
             self.dashboard_pin = data.get("dashboard_pin", self.dashboard_pin)
             self.api_token = data.get("api_token", self.api_token)
-            self.host = data.get("host", self.host)
+            self.host = data.get("host", self._detect_local_ip())
             self.port = data.get("port", self.port)
             self.log_level = data.get("log_level", self.log_level).upper()
+            self.pin_ttl = data.get("pin_ttl", self.pin_ttl)
 
             logger.info(f"Loaded config from {path}")
         except Exception as e:
@@ -121,6 +178,10 @@ class Config:
                                 self.port = int(value)
                             case "LOG_LEVEL":
                                 self.log_level = value.upper()
+                            case "PIN_TTL":
+                                self.pin_ttl = int(value)
+                            case _:
+                                pass
 
             logger.info(f"Loaded config from {path}")
         except Exception as e:
@@ -130,12 +191,16 @@ class Config:
         """Load configuration from environment variables (highest priority)."""
         self.dashboard_pin = os.environ.get("DASHBOARD_PIN", self.dashboard_pin)
         self.api_token = os.environ.get("API_TOKEN", self.api_token)
-        self.host = os.environ.get("HOST", self.host)
+        self.host = os.environ.get("HOST") or self._detect_local_ip()
         try:
             self.port = int(os.environ.get("PORT", self.port))
         except ValueError:
             logger.warning("Invalid PORT environment variable")
         self.log_level = os.environ.get("LOG_LEVEL", self.log_level).upper()
+        try:
+            self.pin_ttl = int(os.environ.get("PIN_TTL", self.pin_ttl))
+        except ValueError:
+            logger.warning("Invalid PIN_TTL environment variable")
 
     def save(self, path: Path | None = None) -> None:
         """Save configuration to YAML file."""
@@ -169,6 +234,7 @@ class Config:
             "host": self.host,
             "port": self.port,
             "log_level": self.log_level,
+            "pin_ttl": self.pin_ttl,
         }
 
 
diff --git a/server/main.py b/server/main.py
index c3c19bb..281c87b 100644
--- a/server/main.py
+++ b/server/main.py
@@ -12,7 +12,14 @@ import os
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from typing import Any
 
-from fastapi import FastAPI, HTTPException, Query, WebSocket, WebSocketDisconnect
+from fastapi import (
+    FastAPI,
+    HTTPException,
+    Query,
+    Request,
+    WebSocket,
+    WebSocketDisconnect,
+)
 from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
 from fastapi.responses import HTMLResponse
 
@@ -20,6 +27,7 @@ from .audio_mixer import AudioMixerManager
 from .config import config
 from .media import MediaManager
 from .notifications import NotificationManager, Notification
+from .pin_manager import PinManager
 from .telemetry import TelemetryManager
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("paperdash")
@@ -37,6 +45,7 @@ def check_subsystems() -> dict[str, bool]:
     # Check Voicemeeter
     try:
         import voicemeeter_api  # noqa: F401  # type: ignore
+
         results["voicemeeter"] = True
     except ImportError:
         results["voicemeeter"] = False
@@ -44,6 +53,7 @@ def check_subsystems() -> dict[str, bool]:
     # Check Windows Audio (pycaw)
     try:
         import pycaw  # noqa: F401  # type: ignore
+
         results["windows_audio"] = True
     except ImportError:
         results["windows_audio"] = False
@@ -51,6 +61,7 @@ def check_subsystems() -> dict[str, bool]:
     # Check Windows Media (winsdk)
     try:
         import winsdk  # noqa: F401  # type: ignore
+
         results["windows_media"] = True
     except ImportError:
         results["windows_media"] = False
@@ -58,6 +69,7 @@ def check_subsystems() -> dict[str, bool]:
     # Check HWiNFO (pyhwinfo)
     try:
         import pyhwinfo  # noqa: F401  # type: ignore
+
         results["hwinfo"] = True
     except ImportError:
         results["hwinfo"] = False
@@ -103,6 +115,12 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     app.state.notifications = NotificationManager()
     app.state.telemetry = TelemetryManager()
 
+    # Initialize PIN manager
+    app.state.pin_manager = PinManager(ttl_seconds=config.pin_ttl)
+    current_pin = app.state.pin_manager.generate()
+    logger.info(f"Dashboard PIN: {current_pin}")
+    logger.info(f"PIN expires in {config.pin_ttl} seconds")
+
     # Start background tasks
     app.state.tasks = [
         asyncio.create_task(app.state.media.run()),
@@ -110,6 +128,9 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
         asyncio.create_task(app.state.telemetry.run()),
     ]
 
+    # Start PIN cleanup loop
+    app.state.pin_manager.start_cleanup_loop()
+
     logger.info("PaperDash server started")
     yield
 
@@ -117,6 +138,11 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     for task in app.state.tasks:
         task.cancel()
     await asyncio.gather(*app.state.tasks, return_exceptions=True)
+
+    # Stop PIN manager
+    if hasattr(app.state, "pin_manager"):
+        app.state.pin_manager.stop()
+
     logger.info("PaperDash server stopped")
 
 
@@ -188,6 +214,11 @@ async def websocket_endpoint(
     pin: str = Query(..., description="Dashboard PIN"),
 ):
     """WebSocket endpoint for the E-Ink dashboard client."""
+    # Validate PIN (marks as used if valid)
+    if not app.state.pin_manager.validate(pin):
+        await websocket.close(code=4001, reason="Invalid or expired PIN")
+        return
+
     if await ws_manager.connect(websocket, pin):
         try:
             # Keep connection alive; the server pushes state updates.
@@ -271,6 +302,12 @@ async def create_notification(
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
+def _is_localhost(request: Request) -> bool:
+    """Check if the request is from localhost."""
+    client_host = request.client.host if request.client else ""
+    return client_host in ("127.0.0.1", "::1", "localhost")
+
+
 class SettingsUpdate:
     """Settings update payload."""
 
@@ -291,21 +328,23 @@ class SettingsUpdate:
 
 @app.get("/api/v1/settings")
 async def get_settings(
+    request: Request,
     authorization: str | None = None,
 ):
-    """Get current settings (requires API token)."""
-    if not _verify_token(authorization):
+    """Get current settings (requires API token or localhost)."""
+    if not _verify_token(authorization) and not _is_localhost(request):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Invalid or missing API token")
     return config.to_dict()
 
 
 @app.post("/api/v1/settings")
 async def update_settings(
+    request: Request,
     settings: SettingsUpdate,
     authorization: str | None = None,
 ):
-    """Update settings (requires API token)."""
-    if not _verify_token(authorization):
+    """Update settings (requires API token or localhost)."""
+    if not _verify_token(authorization) and not _is_localhost(request):
         raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Invalid or missing API token")
 
     if settings.dashboard_pin is not None:
@@ -343,6 +382,31 @@ async def get_status():
     }
 
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Settings Page (localhost only)
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+@app.get("/settings")
+async def settings_page(request: Request):
+    """Serve the settings page (localhost only)."""
+    if not _is_localhost(request):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Forbidden")
+    settings_html = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "settings.html")
+    with open(settings_html) as f:
+        return HTMLResponse(f.read())
+
+
+@app.get("/settings.css")
+async def settings_css(request: Request):
+    """Serve the settings stylesheet (localhost only)."""
+    if not _is_localhost(request):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Forbidden")
+    css_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "settings.css")
+    with open(css_path) as f:
+        return HTMLResponse(f.read(), media_type="text/css")
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Health
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/server/pin_manager.py b/server/pin_manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d230ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/pin_manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+"""PIN manager for PaperDash.
+
+Generates time-limited, single-use PINs for WebSocket authentication.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import secrets
+import threading
+import time
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Optional
+
+logger = logging.getLogger("paperdash.pin_manager")
+
+
+@dataclass
+class PinEntry:
+    """A generated PIN with expiration and usage tracking."""
+
+    pin: str
+    created_at: float
+    expires_at: float
+    used: bool = False
+
+
+class PinManager:
+    """Manages time-limited, single-use PINs."""
+
+    def __init__(self, ttl_seconds: int = 300) -> None:
+        """
+        Args:
+            ttl_seconds: How long a PIN remains valid (default: 5 minutes)
+        """
+        self.ttl_seconds = ttl_seconds
+        self.pins: dict[str, PinEntry] = {}
+        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+        self._cleanup_timer: Optional[threading.Timer] = None
+
+    def generate(self) -> str:
+        """Generate a new 6-digit PIN.
+
+        Returns:
+            The generated PIN string.
+        """
+        pin = secrets.token_hex(3)[:6]  # 6 random hex digits
+
+        now = time.time()
+        entry = PinEntry(
+            pin=pin,
+            created_at=now,
+            expires_at=now + self.ttl_seconds,
+            used=False,
+        )
+
+        with self._lock:
+            self.pins[pin] = entry
+
+        logger.info(f"Generated PIN {pin} (expires in {self.ttl_seconds}s)")
+        return pin
+
+    def validate(self, pin: str) -> bool:
+        """Validate a PIN (marks it as used if valid).
+
+        Args:
+            pin: The PIN to validate.
+
+        Returns:
+            True if the PIN is valid and not yet used.
+        """
+        with self._lock:
+            entry = self.pins.get(pin)
+            if entry is None:
+                return False
+
+            # Check expiration
+            if time.time() > entry.expires_at:
+                del self.pins[pin]
+                logger.info(f"PIN {pin} expired")
+                return False
+
+            # Check if already used
+            if entry.used:
+                logger.info(f"PIN {pin} already used")
+                return False
+
+            # Mark as used
+            entry.used = True
+            return True
+
+    def cleanup_expired(self) -> int:
+        """Remove expired PINs.
+
+        Returns:
+            Number of PINs removed.
+        """
+        now = time.time()
+        expired = [pin for pin, entry in self.pins.items() if now > entry.expires_at]
+
+        with self._lock:
+            for pin in expired:
+                del self.pins[pin]
+
+        if expired:
+            logger.info(f"Cleaned up {len(expired)} expired PIN(s)")
+
+        return len(expired)
+
+    def start_cleanup_loop(self) -> None:
+        """Start periodic cleanup of expired PINs (every 60 seconds)."""
+        self._run_cleanup()
+
+    def _run_cleanup(self) -> None:
+        """Run one cleanup cycle and schedule the next."""
+        self.cleanup_expired()
+
+        with self._lock:
+            if self._cleanup_timer is not None:
+                self._cleanup_timer.cancel()
+
+            self._cleanup_timer = threading.Timer(60, self._run_cleanup)
+            self._cleanup_timer.daemon = True
+            self._cleanup_timer.start()
+
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        """Stop the cleanup loop."""
+        with self._lock:
+            if self._cleanup_timer is not None:
+                self._cleanup_timer.cancel()
+                self._cleanup_timer = None
+
+    def get_active_count(self) -> int:
+        """Get the number of active (non-expired, unused) PINs."""
+        now = time.time()
+        with self._lock:
+            return sum(
+                1
+                for entry in self.pins.values()
+                if now <= entry.expires_at and not entry.used
+            )
diff --git a/server/settings.css b/server/settings.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..db4a705
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/settings.css
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+*,
+*::before,
+*::after {
+	box-sizing: border-box;
+	margin: 0;
+	padding: 0;
+}
+body {
+	font-family:
+		-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, sans-serif;
+	background: #1a1a1a;
+	color: #e0e0e0;
+	display: flex;
+	justify-content: center;
+	align-items: center;
+	min-height: 100vh;
+	padding: 20px;
+}
+.container {
+	background: #2a2a2a;
+	border-radius: 12px;
+	padding: 32px;
+	width: 100%;
+	max-width: 480px;
+	box-shadow: 0 4px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
+}
+h1 {
+	font-size: 1.5rem;
+	margin-bottom: 4px;
+	color: #fff;
+}
+.subtitle {
+	font-size: 0.85rem;
+	color: #888;
+	margin-bottom: 24px;
+}
+.field {
+	margin-bottom: 18px;
+}
+label {
+	display: block;
+	font-size: 0.8rem;
+	font-weight: 600;
+	text-transform: uppercase;
+	letter-spacing: 0.05em;
+	color: #aaa;
+	margin-bottom: 6px;
+}
+input,
+select {
+	width: 100%;
+	padding: 10px 12px;
+	background: #1a1a1a;
+	border: 1px solid #444;
+	border-radius: 6px;
+	color: #e0e0e0;
+	font-size: 0.95rem;
+	outline: none;
+	transition: border-color 0.15s;
+}
+input:focus,
+select:focus {
+	border-color: #5b9aff;
+}
+input::placeholder {
+	color: #555;
+}
+.hint {
+	font-size: 0.75rem;
+	color: #666;
+	margin-top: 4px;
+}
+.actions {
+	display: flex;
+	gap: 10px;
+	margin-top: 24px;
+}
+button {
+	flex: 1;
+	padding: 10px 16px;
+	border: none;
+	border-radius: 6px;
+	font-size: 0.9rem;
+	font-weight: 600;
+	cursor: pointer;
+	transition: opacity 0.15s;
+}
+button:hover {
+	opacity: 0.85;
+}
+#save-btn {
+	background: #5b9aff;
+	color: #000;
+}
+#reset-btn {
+	background: #444;
+	color: #e0e0e0;
+}
+.status {
+	margin-top: 14px;
+	padding: 10px 12px;
+	border-radius: 6px;
+	font-size: 0.85rem;
+	display: none;
+}
+.status.success {
+	display: block;
+	background: #1a3a1a;
+	color: #6fcf6f;
+	border: 1px solid #2a5a2a;
+}
+.status.error {
+	display: block;
+	background: #3a1a1a;
+	color: #cf6f6f;
+	border: 1px solid #5a2a2a;
+}
diff --git a/server/settings.html b/server/settings.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a7661b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/settings.html
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+<!doctype html>
+<html lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
+    <title>PaperDash Settings</title>
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="settings.css" />
+  </head>
+  <body>
+    <div class="container">
+      <h1>PaperDash Settings</h1>
+      <p class="subtitle">Changes take effect on next restart</p>
+
+      <form id="settings-form">
+        <div class="field">
+          <label for="dashboard-pin">Dashboard PIN</label>
+          <input
+            type="text"
+            id="dashboard-pin"
+            maxlength="4"
+            placeholder="****"
+          />
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="field">
+          <label for="api-token">API Token</label>
+          <input
+            type="password"
+            id="api-token"
+            placeholder="Bearer token for scripts"
+          />
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="field">
+          <label for="host">Host</label>
+          <input type="text" id="host" placeholder="Local IP address" />
+          <p class="hint">Address to bind the server to</p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="field">
+          <label for="port">Port</label>
+          <input
+            type="number"
+            id="port"
+            placeholder="8921"
+            min="1"
+            max="65535"
+          />
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="field">
+          <label for="log-level">Log Level</label>
+          <select id="log-level">
+            <option value="DEBUG">DEBUG</option>
+            <option value="INFO">INFO</option>
+            <option value="WARNING">WARNING</option>
+            <option value="ERROR">ERROR</option>
+          </select>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="actions">
+          <button type="button" id="reset-btn">Reset</button>
+          <button type="submit" id="save-btn">Save</button>
+        </div>
+      </form>
+
+      <div id="status" class="status"></div>
+    </div>
+
+    <script>
+      const form = document.getElementById("settings-form");
+      const statusEl = document.getElementById("status");
+
+      async function loadSettings() {
+        try {
+          const res = await fetch("/api/v1/settings");
+          if (!res.ok) throw new Error("Failed to load settings");
+          const data = await res.json();
+          document.getElementById("dashboard-pin").value =
+            data.dashboard_pin || "";
+          document.getElementById("api-token").value = data.api_token || "";
+          document.getElementById("host").value = data.host || "";
+          document.getElementById("port").value = data.port || 8921;
+          document.getElementById("log-level").value = data.log_level || "INFO";
+        } catch (err) {
+          showStatus("Failed to load settings: " + err.message, "error");
+        }
+      }
+
+      async function saveSettings(e) {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        const payload = {
+          dashboard_pin: document.getElementById("dashboard-pin").value.trim(),
+          api_token: document.getElementById("api-token").value.trim(),
+          host: document.getElementById("host").value.trim(),
+          port: parseInt(document.getElementById("port").value, 10),
+          log_level: document.getElementById("log-level").value,
+        };
+
+        try {
+          const res = await fetch("/api/v1/settings", {
+            method: "POST",
+            headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+            body: JSON.stringify(payload),
+          });
+          if (!res.ok) throw new Error("Failed to save settings");
+          showStatus("Settings saved. Restart the server to apply.", "success");
+        } catch (err) {
+          showStatus("Failed to save: " + err.message, "error");
+        }
+      }
+
+      function resetSettings() {
+        document.getElementById("dashboard-pin").value = "";
+        document.getElementById("api-token").value = "";
+        document.getElementById("host").value = "";
+        document.getElementById("port").value = 8921;
+        document.getElementById("log-level").value = "INFO";
+        hideStatus();
+      }
+
+      function showStatus(msg, type) {
+        statusEl.textContent = msg;
+        statusEl.className = "status " + type;
+        if (type === "success") {
+          setTimeout(hideStatus, 5000);
+        }
+      }
+
+      function hideStatus() {
+        statusEl.className = "status";
+        statusEl.style.display = "none";
+      }
+
+      form.addEventListener("submit", saveSettings);
+      document
+        .getElementById("reset-btn")
+        .addEventListener("click", resetSettings);
+      loadSettings();
+    </script>
+  </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/server/start.bat b/server/start.bat
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07aa5be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/start.bat
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+@echo off
+REM PaperDash Server Startup Script
+REM Creates venv if needed, installs dependencies, and starts the server
+
+setlocal
+
+cd /d "%~dp0"
+
+REM Create venv if it doesn't exist
+if not exist "venv" (
+    echo Creating virtual environment...
+    python -m venv venv
+)
+
+REM Activate venv
+call venv\Scripts\activate.bat
+
+REM Install dependencies
+echo Installing dependencies...
+pip install --upgrade pip
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+
+REM Run the server
+echo Starting PaperDash server...
+echo   Dashboard: http://localhost:8921
+echo   API docs:  http://localhost:8921/docs
+echo.
+echo Set environment variables before starting:
+echo   DASHBOARD_PIN=1234
+echo   API_TOKEN=your-token
+echo.
+
+uvicorn main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8921 --reload
diff --git a/server/start.sh b/server/start.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b361d10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/start.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# PaperDash Server Startup Script
+# Creates venv if needed, installs dependencies, and starts the server
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+
+# Create venv if it doesn't exist
+if [ ! -d "venv" ]; then
+    echo "Creating virtual environment..."
+    python3 -m venv venv
+fi
+
+# Activate venv
+source venv/bin/activate
+
+# Install dependencies
+echo "Installing dependencies..."
+pip install --upgrade pip
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+
+# Run the server
+echo "Starting PaperDash server..."
+echo "  Dashboard: http://localhost:8921"
+echo "  API docs:  http://localhost:8921/docs"
+echo ""
+echo "Set environment variables before starting:"
+echo "  DASHBOARD_PIN=1234"
+echo "  API_TOKEN=your-token"
+echo ""
+
+uvicorn main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8921 --reload
diff --git a/server/tray_wrapper.py b/server/tray_wrapper.py
index 18c5337..be4c611 100644
--- a/server/tray_wrapper.py
+++ b/server/tray_wrapper.py
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
 import multiprocessing
+import os
 import signal
+import subprocess
+import sys
 import time
 
 import pystray
@@ -42,9 +45,9 @@ def _run_server() -> None:
 
     uvicorn.run(
         "main:app",
-        host="0.0.0.0",
-        port=8921,
-        log_level="info",
+        host=CONFIG_HOST,
+        port=CONFIG_PORT,
+        log_level=CONFIG_LOG_LEVEL,
         reload=False,
     )
 
@@ -55,6 +58,21 @@ def _on_quit(icon: pystray.Icon, item: pystray.MenuItem) -> None:
     icon.stop()
 
 
+def _on_settings(icon: pystray.Icon, item: pystray.MenuItem) -> None:
+    """Open the settings page in the default browser."""
+    logger.info("Opening settings page...")
+    url = "http://127.0.0.1:8921/settings"
+    try:
+        if sys.platform == "win32":
+            os.startfile(url)
+        elif sys.platform == "darwin":
+            subprocess.run(["open", url])
+        else:
+            subprocess.run(["xdg-open", url])
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to open settings page: {e}")
+
+
 def main() -> None:
     """Entry point for the compiled .exe."""
     logger.info("PaperDash starting...")
@@ -72,6 +90,8 @@ def main() -> None:
     menu = pystray.Menu(
         pystray.MenuItem("PaperDash", pystray.MenuItem.default, enabled=False),
         pystray.Menu.Separator(),
+        pystray.MenuItem("Settings", _on_settings),
+        pystray.Menu.Separator(),
         pystray.MenuItem("Quit", _on_quit),
     )
 
@@ -100,5 +120,17 @@ def main() -> None:
     server_process.join(timeout=5)
 
 
+def _load_config_values() -> tuple[str, int, str]:
+    """Load config and return (host, port, log_level) for the server."""
+    from .config import config
+
+    config.load()
+    return config.host or "127.0.0.1", config.port, config.log_level.lower()
+
+
+# Load config at module level so _run_server uses detected values
+CONFIG_HOST, CONFIG_PORT, CONFIG_LOG_LEVEL = _load_config_values()
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()