diff --git a/app/routers/runs.py b/app/routers/runs.py
index 24226cf..d151fbf 100644
--- a/app/routers/runs.py
+++ b/app/routers/runs.py
@@ -155,7 +155,8 @@ async def create_run(
 @router.post("/stream", response_model=RunStatus)
 async def create_stream_run(
     request: StreamRequest,
-    ctx: UserContext = Depends(require_auth),
+    req: Request,
+    ctx: UserContext = Depends(get_current_user),
 ):
     """Start a streaming video render.
 
@@ -163,13 +164,26 @@ async def create_stream_run(
     (stream ...) form defining the pipeline.
 
     Assets can be referenced by CID or friendly name in the recipe.
+    Requires authentication OR admin token in X-Admin-Token header.
     """
     import uuid
     import tempfile
+    import os
     from pathlib import Path
     import database
     from tasks.streaming import run_stream
 
+    # Check for admin token if no user auth
+    admin_token = os.environ.get("ADMIN_TOKEN")
+    request_token = req.headers.get("X-Admin-Token")
+    admin_actor_id = req.headers.get("X-Actor-Id", "admin@local")
+
+    if not ctx and (not admin_token or request_token != admin_token):
+        raise HTTPException(401, "Authentication required")
+
+    # Use context actor_id or admin actor_id
+    actor_id = ctx.actor_id if ctx else admin_actor_id
+
     # Generate run ID
     run_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
 
@@ -192,7 +206,7 @@ async def create_stream_run(
         # Track ownership in item_types
         await database.save_item_metadata(
             cid=recipe_id,
-            actor_id=ctx.actor_id,
+            actor_id=actor_id,
             item_type="recipe",
             description=f"Streaming recipe: {recipe_name}",
             filename=f"{recipe_name}.sexp",
@@ -203,7 +217,7 @@ async def create_stream_run(
         naming = get_naming_service()
         await naming.assign_name(
             cid=recipe_id,
-            actor_id=ctx.actor_id,
+            actor_id=actor_id,
             item_type="recipe",
             display_name=recipe_name,
         )
@@ -220,7 +234,7 @@ async def create_stream_run(
         output_name=request.output_name,
         duration=request.duration,
         fps=request.fps,
-        actor_id=ctx.actor_id,
+        actor_id=actor_id,
         sources_sexp=request.sources_sexp,
         audio_sexp=request.audio_sexp,
     )
@@ -231,7 +245,7 @@ async def create_stream_run(
         celery_task_id=task.id,
         recipe=recipe_id or "streaming",  # Use recipe CID if available
         inputs=[],  # Streaming recipes don't have traditional inputs
-        actor_id=ctx.actor_id,
+        actor_id=actor_id,
         dag_json=request.recipe_sexp,  # Store recipe content for viewing
         output_name=request.output_name,
     )