diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 6c469dd..9444dca 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -97,6 +97,67 @@ ssh ginnoir@valhalla "docker compose -f /config/portainer/compose/14/stacks/ownc
 5. Run `./scripts/gen-bookmarks.ps1` to regenerate `bookmarks-domains.html` + `bookmarks-ports.html` from the new Caddy block / published ports.
 6. `git push`. Portainer redeploys the stack within 5 min; the runner reloads Caddy on the same push if `Caddyfile` changed.
 
+## Authentication standard
+
+Every new service gets SSO. Pick the right pattern based on what the app supports:
+
+### Pattern A — Native OAuth2/OIDC (preferred)
+
+If the service has built-in OAuth2/OIDC login (Immich, Paperless-ngx, Gitea, etc.):
+
+1. **Create an Authentik OAuth2 provider** via `mcp__authentik__authentik_write` → `POST /api/v3/providers/oauth2/`:
+   ```json
+   {
+     "name": "homelab-<slug>",
+     "client_type": "confidential",
+     "redirect_uris": [{"matching_mode": "strict", "url": "https://<slug>.ginnoir.com/auth/callback"}],
+     "authorization_flow": "b88daebc-c54d-4e85-ae27-8b47384d5d74",
+     "invalidation_flow": "3259f9c5-7eab-40bf-81cb-2b0ede6eb7b3",
+     "property_mappings": ["718abef2-...", "19491dd8-...", "ca45a8da-..."],
+     "sub_mode": "hashed_user_id"
+   }
+   ```
+   Note the returned `pk`, `client_id`, and `client_secret`.
+
+2. **Create an Authentik application** → `POST /api/v3/core/applications/`:
+   ```json
+   {"name": "<Service Name>", "slug": "<slug>", "provider": <pk>}
+   ```
+
+3. **Configure the service** with:
+   - Discovery URL: `https://auth.ginnoir.com/application/o/<slug>/`
+   - Client ID / Client secret from step 1
+   - No Caddy forward_auth needed — the app handles login itself
+
+**Reusable Authentik IDs** (do not re-derive these):
+| Item | Value |
+|---|---|
+| Implicit consent flow | `b88daebc-c54d-4e85-ae27-8b47384d5d74` |
+| Invalidation flow | `3259f9c5-7eab-40bf-81cb-2b0ede6eb7b3` |
+| Scope — openid | `718abef2-8e8e-4133-afe7-a0eec7b37aba` |
+| Scope — email | `19491dd8-da08-469a-8e5e-3be8ed1cbe5d` |
+| Scope — profile | `ca45a8da-a38f-4ffe-b7a3-f0c0bac2df92` |
+
+To get the exact scope PKs if needed: `GET /api/v3/propertymappings/scope/?search=openid`.
+
+### Pattern B — Caddy forward_auth (fallback)
+
+If the service has no native auth (sonarr, qbittorrent, etc.):
+
+```caddy
+service.ginnoir.com {
+  import internal_only
+  route {
+    import authentik_outpost
+    handle /api/* { reverse_proxy service:port }   # skip auth for API keys
+    handle {
+      import authentik_forward_auth
+      reverse_proxy service:port
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
 ## Caddyfile
 
 - TLS uses the Cloudflare DNS-01 challenge (`acme_dns cloudflare {env.CF_API_TOKEN}`), so certs need no inbound ports.