diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index e652763..a7b8ed9 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 - this projects uses poetry for package management 
 - if something should be run in a python env use 'poetry run'
 
+# Environment
+- this application normally runs on an embedded linux on a cm4
 
 ## Application
 - this is a bluetooth Auracast transmitter application
diff --git a/src/service/update_and_run_server_and_frontend.sh b/src/service/update_and_run_server_and_frontend.sh
index 7dc42af..d9b9cd9 100644
--- a/src/service/update_and_run_server_and_frontend.sh
+++ b/src/service/update_and_run_server_and_frontend.sh
@@ -4,6 +4,14 @@ set -e
 # This script installs, enables, and restarts the auracast-server and auracast-frontend services
 # Requires sudo privileges
 
+# Ensure static fallback IP is configured on eth0 (for direct laptop connection)
+FALLBACK_IP="192.168.42.10/24"
+if ! nmcli -g ipv4.addresses con show "Wired connection 1" 2>/dev/null | grep -q "$FALLBACK_IP"; then
+    echo "Adding static fallback IP $FALLBACK_IP to eth0..."
+    sudo nmcli con modify "Wired connection 1" +ipv4.addresses "$FALLBACK_IP"
+    sudo nmcli con up "Wired connection 1"
+fi
+
 # Copy system service file for frontend
 sudo cp /home/caster/bumble-auracast/src/service/auracast-frontend.service /etc/systemd/system/auracast-frontend.service