diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index f593aefd..a45c5ce1 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -43,12 +43,14 @@ jobs:
             - name: build
               env:
                   FORCE_COLOR: "true"
+                  MOCK: "0"
               run: |
                   yarn build
 
             - name: build ssr
               env:
                   FORCE_COLOR: "true"
+                  MOCK: "0"
               run: |
                   yarn build:server
 
diff --git a/docker-compose-staging.yml b/docker-compose-staging.yml
index e4b49f38..97c7969b 100644
--- a/docker-compose-staging.yml
+++ b/docker-compose-staging.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ services:
         container_name: dev-${PROJECT_NAME}
         environment:
             #INDEX: spa.html
+            MOCK: "0"
             SSR: https://dev-tibi-server.staging.testversion.online/api/v1/_/${TIBI_NAMESPACE}/ssr?url=
             WEBROOT: /data
             API: /api:https://dev-tibi-server.staging.testversion.online/api/v1/_/${TIBI_NAMESPACE}
diff --git a/scripts/ci-starter-defaults.sh b/scripts/ci-starter-defaults.sh
index 3beaab62..cd402f0d 100755
--- a/scripts/ci-starter-defaults.sh
+++ b/scripts/ci-starter-defaults.sh
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ CODING_URL="https://tibi-svelte-starter.code.testversion.online"
 CODING_TIBIADMIN_URL="https://tibi-svelte-starter-tibiadmin.code.testversion.online"
 # Build uses LIVE_URL as originURL/PREVIEW_URL base — point it at staging for the starter
 LIVE_URL="${STAGING_URL}"
+# Staging never runs with mock data (build-time flag __MOCK__)
+MOCK="0"
 
 patch_env() {
     key="$1"
@@ -55,6 +57,7 @@ patch_env "STAGING_URL" "${STAGING_URL}"
 patch_env "CODING_URL" "${CODING_URL}"
 patch_env "CODING_TIBIADMIN_URL" "${CODING_TIBIADMIN_URL}"
 patch_env "LIVE_URL" "${LIVE_URL}"
+patch_env "MOCK" "${MOCK}"
 
 echo "______ .env (starter-resolved) ______"
 cat .env